Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Q He

Publications and source records attributed to Q He.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Is the asthma caused by self-diagnosed "common cold" reliable].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in the patients with asthma induced by the common cold, diagnosed by the patients themselves, and the relationship between AR and asthma. METHODS: All the patients were inquired and examined in details, including counting the eosiphils in the smear of the nasal secretion and allergen skin test. RESULTS: 49(47.6%) out of 103 asthmatics with so-called common cold were diagnosed as AR. The average of the initial asthmatic episode in asthmatics with AR were significantly younger than that in patients without AR, (28 +/- 13) and (36 +/- 16) years, respectively (P < 0.01). There was concordance between asthma and AR on seasonal regularity of episode. CONCLUSIONS: (1) In large portion of asthma, common cold diagnosed by patients themselves actually is AR; (2) There is a close relationship between AR and asthma; (3) It is important for physicians to distinguish AR from common cold in asthmatics.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The role of breathing control disorder in the development of carbon dioxide retention in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To define the role of breathing control in the pathogenesis of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) retention in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome. METHODS: 10 obese obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients were studied. They were separated according to their waking arterial partial pressure of CO(2) (PaCO(2)), 5 being eucapnic and 5 hypercapnic. Both groups had similar body mass index, apnea hypopnea index and normal lung function. The hypoxic (Delta P(0.1)/Delta SaO(2), Delta V(E)/Delta SaO(2)) and the hypercapnic response (Delta P(0.1)/Delta PaCO(2), Delta V(E)/Delta PaCO(2)) were tested before and during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment (at 2, 4, 6 weeks). RESULTS: Compared with the eucapnic patients, all the hypercapnic patients had lower Delta P(0.1)/Delta SaO(2) [(-0.04 +/- 0.02) cmH(2)O% vs (-0.14 +/- 0.03) cmH(2)O%], Delta V(E)/Delta SaO(2) [(-0.17 +/- 0.04) L x min(-1)% vs (-0.34 +/- 0.04) L x min(-1)%], Delta P(0.1)/Delta PaCO(2) [(0.23 +/- 0.1) cmH(2)O/mm Hg vs (0.49 +/- 0.1) cmH(2)O/mm Hg], Delta V(E)/Delta PaCO(2) [(1.32 +/- 0.7) L x min(-1) x mm Hg(-1) vs (2.18 +/- 0.81) L x min(-1) x mm Hg(-1)] and the Delta P(0.1)/Delta SaO(2), Delta V(E)/Delta SaO(2) were also lower than the normal value. After treatment with CPAP, the hypercapnic and the hypoxic response of the hypercapnic patients increased gradually, at about 4 approximately 6 week, both of them increased to the normal range, PaCO(2) showed a complete return to eucapnia, their weight were unchanged. CONCLUSION: The depressed breathing control play an important role in the development of CO(2) retention in OSAS patients, and the disorder in breathing control may be secondary to hypoxia, hypercapnia and sleep disorder related to the OSAS.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Preventive efficiency of IVIgG on nosocomial infection in the children with nephrotic syndrome].

In order to study the preventive efficiency of IVIgG on nosocomial infection(NI), 54 cases of the children with nephrotic syndrome(NS) were randomly divided into 2 groups, test group(n = 22) and control group(n = 32). Routine treatment was adopted to all cases. Besides the routine treatment, the test group was injected with IVIgG(100-300 mg.kg-1.d-1) for 2-3 days. The results showed that the NI rate of test group (13.6%) was significantly lower than that of the control(46.88%) (P < 0.05), and the hospital days of the test group(27.33 +/- 15.51) d was significantly shorter than that of the control(64.50 +/- 18.52) d (P < 0.05). These suggest that IVIgG, as one of the ways to prevent NI, can improve the immune state and effectively prevent the NI in the children with NS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Preliminary evaluation of xenotransplantation and utilization of native pig breeds in China].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the general situation of the native pig breeds and the relative present study conditions for better development of xenotransplantation in China. METHODS: By comparing the profits between the pigs and the non-human primates as the potential donors for xenotransplantation and emphasizing the source of the pigs as the organ donors from the transplantation studies, we analyzed the possible values of the native pig breeds as the donors. RESULTS: As one of the richest resources in the world, the species variation and relative genetic stability of Chinese native pig breeds could be the very valuable resources for xenotransplantation study and utilization. As a reverse, the xenotransplantation could provide opportunity for more economically and environmentally utilization of the pigs besides as the meat supply. CONCLUSION: As a very valuable and potential resource of organ donor, the native pig breeds of China might be noticed by the xenotransplantation colleagues in the world. It is necessary, to keep the balance among the risk vs. benefit and the protection vs. utilization of this valuable resource.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[The RYR1 genotype of the pigs from Neijiang of China].

The aim of this study was to test the RYR1 genotype of 25 Neijiang pigs ao as to provide data for the selective breeding of medical experimental pig strains. PCR-RFLP technique was used. The results showed that the RYR1 genotype of all the 25 porcine cases was HALNN and all of the 25 porcine cases were Halothane Negative. These suggested that Neijiang pig could be one of the porcine strains selectively bred for medical experiments and clinically for pig-to-human xenotransplantation. PCR-RFLP technique is a reliable and simple method for RYR1 gene testing.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Determination of serum and erythrocyte iron, serum ferritin, MCH and MCHC related with aged hypertension and coronary heart disease].

Using AAS method, we detected serum and erythrocyte iron, serum ferritin (SF), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in the elders with hypertension and coronary heart disease. The results showed that the levels of serum iron, erythrocyte iron and SF were significantly higher than those in the healthy control (P < 0.01). It is concluded that iron metabolic abnormality may be one of the factors resulting in hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Whooping cough caused by Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis in an immunized population.

CONTEXT: The prevalence of Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis infections among outpatients in an immunized population is not known. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of these infections in outpatients with paroxysmal cough in Finland, where the pertussis vaccine coverage of 4 doses is 98%. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Thirty-two health centers in southwestern Finland. PATIENTS: A total of 584 patients with paroxysmal cough seen at local health centers from October 1994 through March 1997 from whom nasopharyngeal swabs were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of positive cultures for B pertussis or B parapertussis and/or positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and frequency of symptoms in those with pertussis and parapertussis. RESULTS: A total of 153 subjects (26.2%) had Bordetella infection by culture or PCR: 93 (60.8%) had B pertussis infection, 49 (32.0%) had B parapertussis infection, and 1 1 (7.2%) had both. Of these cases, 39 (25.5%) had positive cultures and 95 (62.1%) had positive PCR results for B pertussis, and 19 (12.4%) had positive cultures and 55 (35.9%) had positive PCR results for B parapertussis. At the time of diagnosis, no difference was found in the frequency of symptoms between patients with B parapertussis infection and those with B pertussis infection. Bordetella parapertussis infection was as common as B pertussis infection in children before school entry, whereas in schoolchildren and adults, B pertussis infection was more common than B parapertussis infection (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Bordetella infections are common in an immunized population, and B parapertussis infections apparently are more prevalent than previously documented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Reduction of 4-hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxyhexenal by retinal aldose reductase.

Aldose reductase has been purified to homogeneity from bovine retina. It has an apparent molecular weight of 32,000 daltons and shares immunological and kinetic properties with the much studied aldose reductases purified from various sources. Retinal aldose reductase displays a K(m) of approximately 40 microM with 4-hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxyhexenal, the oxidation end products of arachidonic and docosahexanoeic acids, respectively. It therefore appears that aldose reductase may constitute a major detoxification route of these toxic aldehydes in the retina.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1998

Chlorophyll a availability affects psbA translation and D1 precursor processing in vivo in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Transcript accumulation and translation of psbA as well as processing of the D1 precursor protein were investigated in relation to chlorophyll availability in vivo in cyanobacterial strains lacking photosystem I (PS I). The psbA transcript level was almost independent of chlorophyll availability and was approximately 3-fold lower in darkness than in continuous light (5 microE m-2 s-1). Upon illumination, it reached a steady-state level within several hours. Upon growth under light-activated heterotrophic growth conditions (LAHG) in the PS I-less strain, D1 synthesis occurred immediately upon illumination. However, in PS I-less/chlL- cells, which lacked the light-independent chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway and had very low chlorophyll levels after LAHG growth, very little D1 synthesis occurred upon illumination, and the synthesis rate increased with time. This result suggests a translational control of D1 biosynthesis related to chlorophyll availability. Upon illumination, initially a high level of the nonprocessed D1 precursor was observed by pulse labeling and immunodetection in LAHG-grown PS I-less/chlL- cells but not in PS I-less cells. A significant amount of the D1 precursor eventually was processed to mature D1, and the half-life of the D1 precursor decreased as the chlorophyll content of the cells increased. The D1 processing enzyme CtpA was found to be present at similar levels regardless illumination or chlorophyll levels. We conclude that, directly or indirectly, chlorophyll availability is needed for D1 translation as well as for efficient processing of the D1 precursor.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1998

Early experience with the NIR intracoronary stent.

Immediate and midterm results of 61 NIR stent placement attempts in 55 native coronary vessels in 52 patients demonstrate a high clinical success rate of 98%, no early stent thrombosis, and a 5-month angiographic restenosis rate of 23%. The frequency of in-stent restenosis was significantly heightened in small vessel sizes and in diabetic patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1998

Chlorophyll alpha synthesis upon interruption and deletion of por coding for the light-dependent NADPH: protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase in a photosystem-I-less/chlL- strain of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The gene coding for the light-dependent NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) was interrupted or deleted in a Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 strain lacking photosystem I (PS I) as well as ChlL, which takes part in light-independent catalysis of protochlorophyllide reduction. Interruption of por by a kanamycin-resistance cartridge between the codons for M263 and V264 (about 83% into the coding region) did not abolish POR activity, but resulted in a decrease in the protochlorophyllide-(PChlide)-binding capacity of POR. Deletion of por in the PS I-less/chlL- strain generated a mutant [PS I-less/chlL-/por (del)] which accumulated both monovinyl-PChlide and divinyl-PChlide and excreted PChlides into the medium. This mutant also synthesized small amounts of protochlorophyllide dihydrogeranylgeraniol ester (protochlorophyll) when it was grown under light-activated heterotrophic growth conditions. However, the mutant was still able to synthesize small amounts of normal chlorophyll a under weak continuous illumination, even though the quantum yield of chlorophyll a formation was reduced. Either protochlorophyll or PChlide reduction by an unspecific reductase or by a ChlB/ChlN complex could account for chlorophyll a synthesis in the PS I-less/chlL-/por (del) strain. Functional photosystem II (PS II) was assembled in this mutant, but the PS II/chlorophyll ratio was fourfold lower than in the PS I-less strain with normal chlorophyll synthesis. The PS I-less/chlL-/por (del) mutant had a 77-K fluorescence emission maximum at 685 nm but no peak or shoulder at 695 nm when the cells were excited at 435 nm. Much of the chlorophyll in the PS I-less/chlL-/por (del) mutant therefore seems to be associated with components other than PS II.

Chlorophyll↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors for nuclear opalescence in a longitudinal study. LSC Group. Longitudinal Study of Cataract.

This study evaluated risk factors for increases in nuclear opacification of the lens in the Longitudinal Study of Cataract (1989-1993; Boston, Massachusetts), which included 764 participants. Baseline data on demographic, medical, and other risk factors were available from an earlier case-control study; follow-up visits were completed yearly over a 4-year period. The lens photographs taken at baseline and at each follow-up visit were graded using the Lens Opacities Classification System III protocol. Analyses evaluated which risk factors collected at baseline were related to increased nuclear opacification at follow-up. The MULCOX2 method, an extension of Cox regression for nested event-time data, was used to estimate the effects of the risk factors. This method accounted for the correlation between fellow eyes. Results showed that the risk of nuclear opacification increased with each year of age (relative risk (RR) = 1.07), white race (RR = 2.94), lower education (RR = 1.50), use of gout medications (RR = 2.32), current smoking (RR = 1.58), family history of cataract (RR = 1.39), and preexisting posterior subcapsular opacities (RR = 6.67). An association with early use of eyeglasses was also suggested (RR = 1.37). In conclusion, nuclear opacification was related to demographic and other variables, including potentially modifiable factors such as current smoking and use of gout medications. Most risk factors identified by this longitudinal study confirm those found by the original case-control study. The increased risk of nuclear opacities in whites appears to be a new finding.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antioxidant vitamins and nuclear opacities: the longitudinal study of cataract.

OBJECTIVE: The association of antioxidant nutrients and risk of nuclear opacification was evaluated in the Longitudinal Study of Cataract. DESIGN: Nutritional data were collected at baseline on the 764 participants, which included assessment of dietary intake, use of vitamin supplements, and plasma levels of vitamin E. Ophthalmologic and other data were collected at baseline and at yearly follow-up visits, including lens photographs, which were graded using the Lens Opacities Classification System III protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analyses examined whether the nutritional factors at baseline were related to increases in nuclear opacification at follow-up. The MULCOX2 approach, an extension of the Cox regression model, was used. Results are presented as relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals. INTERVENTION: Intervention was not applicable. RESULTS: The risk of nuclear opacification at follow-up was decreased in regular users of multivitamin supplements (RR = 0.69; 0.48-0.99), vitamin E supplements (RR = 0.43; 0.19-0.99), and in persons with higher plasma levels of vitamin E (RR = 0.58; 0.36-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: In regular users of multivitamin supplements, the risk of nuclear opacification was reduced by one third; in regular users of vitamin E supplements and persons with higher plasma levels of vitamin E, the risk was reduced by approximately half. These results are similar to those obtained in our earlier case-control study. Because these data are based on observational studies only, the results are suggestive but inconclusive. The possible effect of nutritional supplements on the lens requires confirmation by ongoing clinical trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antibody and cell-mediated immune responses to booster immunization with a new acellular pertussis vaccine in school children.

235 healthy 10-12 years old school children were randomly immunized with either a booster dose of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTap) or diphtheria-tetanus (dT) vaccine. For this booster immunization designed for school children and adults, the quantities of Bordetella pertussis antigens in the dTap vaccine had been reduced to one third of those of the Infanrix vaccine (SmithKline Beecham) commonly used for infants. IgG antibodies and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses to pertussis toxin (PT), pertactin (PRN) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) were assessed by an enzyme immunosorbent assay and in vitro proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, respectively. Before immunization, 55%, 80% and 99% of children had detectable serum IgG antibodies to PT, PRN and FHA, whereas CMI response was found in 35%, 27% and 50% of children, respectively. After immunization, a 20-30-fold increase in geometric mean level (GML) of antibodies to the pertussis antigens occurred and CMI response to PT, PRN and FHA was seen in 88%, 94% and 100% of children, respectively. Adverse reactions following the immunization were rare. The results show that booster immunization with an acellular pertussis vaccine with reduced concentrations of antigens induces both antibody and CMI responses and support further studies of this pertussis vaccine in school children.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Cisplatin-induced inhibition of p34cdc2 is abolished by 5-fluorouracil.

Clinical (Dimery and Hong, J Nat Cancer Inst 1993; 85: 95- 111) and experimental studies (Scanlon et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1986; 83: 8923-5; Lewin et al., In Vivo 1990; 4: 277-82) have indicated an increased cytotoxic effect, when cisplatin (CDDP) is combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Addition of 5-FU abolishes the G2-arrest induced by CDDP (Lewin et al., In Vivo 1990; 4: 277-82; Nylén et al., Acta Oncol 1996; 35: 229 35). The mechanism for the synergy is unclear. Activation of p34cdc2 is necessary for progression from G2 to mitosis (Lewin et al., Anti-Cancer Drugs 1995; 6: 465-70). The aim was to study p34cdc2, cdc25C and weel after treatment of mammalian tumour cells in vivo with CDDP as single agent or in combination with 5-FU. CDDP prevented activation of p34cdc2 by keeping cdc25C inactive and weel active. Addition of 5-FU to CDDP decreased the expression of weel and promoted cdc25C-activation. p34cdc2 was dephosphorylated by cdc25C and activated. Alterations in activity of cdc25C and weel after drug combination were due to changes in the protein amount, rather than to changes in the phosphorylation degree.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A case report of renal cell tumor in a 45-year-old female mimicking lower portion nephrogenesis.

This report describes a renal tumor with an unusual histology in a 45-year-old woman. The tumor was white in color, different from usual renal cell carcinoma, and mainly consisted of variously shaped tubules formed by flat or cuboid cells within marked edematous stroma. Elaborated branching or tubules arranged in a papillary pattern with focal spindle-shaped cell proliferation were characteristic features. Immunohistochemical staining expressed diffusely positive for vimentin and S-100 protein, partially positive for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen and negative for Leu-M1, Leu-7, CD34 and markers for muscle cells. Ultrastructural studies of the tumor cells showed adenocarcinoma-like characteristics. According to these histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopy findings, it is suggested that this tumor be designated as unclassified renal cell carcinoma with histology mimicking lower-nephron nephrogenesis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1998

Cytokine mRNA expression and proliferative responses induced by pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin of Bordetella pertussis in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infected and immunized schoolchildren and adults.

Pertussis infection is increasingly recognized in older children and adults, indicating the need of booster immunizations in these age groups. We investigated the induction of pertussis-specific immunity in schoolchildren and adults after booster immunization and natural infection. The expression of mRNA of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-5 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assayed by reverse transcription-PCR. The PBMCs of 17 children immunized with one dose of an acellular vaccine containing pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and pertactin (PRN) significantly proliferated in vitro after stimulation with the vaccine antigens. The PBMCs of seven infected individuals markedly proliferated in the presence of PT and FHA, but the cells of only two of these subjects responded to PRN. At least one of the antigens induced mRNA for IL-4 and/or IL-5 in the cells of 93% of tested vaccinees and patients, and FHA induced IFN-gamma mRNA in the cells of two-thirds of them. Expression of mRNA for IFN-gamma correlated with the production of the cytokine protein. Anti-FHA immunoglobulin G antibodies significantly correlated with FHA-induced proliferative responses both before and after immunization. These results show that booster immunization with acellular pertussis vaccine induces both antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses in schoolchildren. Further, booster immunization and natural infection seem to induce the expression of mRNA of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 type cytokines in similar manners. This observation supports the use of acellular pertussis vaccines for booster immunizations of older children, adolescents, and adults.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗