Biomedical subjects

R Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to R Zhang.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Reemergence of sucrose nephropathy: acute renal failure caused by high-dose intravenous immune globulin therapy.

Sucrose nephropathy was first described more than 50 years ago. The disorder is characterized by acute renal failure caused by the uptake of sucrose by renal proximal tubule cells with subsequent cellular swelling and occlusion of the tubule lumen. Approximately 114 cases of renal failure have been associated with high-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy. Almost all cases were caused by preparations containing large amounts of sucrose. Clinicians should consider using IVIG preparations containing no sucrose in patients who are at high risk for renal failure. Risk factors include older age, baseline renal failure, and volume contraction.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Progress in the molecular genetic research of multinodular goiter.

Multinodular goiter is a worldwide-distributed disease, but yet its pathology and genetic etiology are not clear. At present, most researches have been restrained to traditional epidemiological survey and the disease has been rarely studied at the level of molecular genetics. The pathogenesis of multinodular goiter, as is generally accepted by most researchers, can be attributed to many factors such as hormones, growth factors and the inherent functional heterogeneity of thyroid follicles. Since hormone and iodine metabolization are widely recognized as a major mechanism in determining the formation of multinodular goiter, some reports in literature are mainly focused on such genes that are responsible for hormone synthesis and iodine metabolization. Mapping experimental data were available to support location of multinodular goiter gene(s) onto chromosome 14q by whole genome scanning in a large pedigree analysis. Additional data, particularly those extracted from large scaled marker-assisted mapping experiments, are important so as to confirm the gene location, to improve resolution of the location, and finally to dissect the genes underlying the disease at molecular level.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed2000

Patient-reported quality of life early in dialysis treatment: effects associated with usual exercise activity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with quality of life (QoL) early in treatment in a cohort of incident (i.e. newly diagnosed) dialysis patients. This multicenter study investigated QoL reported by patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) at approximately 60 days following the start of treatment. QoL was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (MOS-SF 36) and by disease-targeted scales from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL). Patient's QoL as measured by the SF-36 was substantially impaired compared to norms for the general population. In univariate analyses, patients' QoL scores were related to demographic variables (age, race, sex, educational level), clinical variables (predialysis BUN and serum creatinine, primary diagnosis of diabetes, cardiovascular comorbidity, average hematocrit and serum albumin in first months of treatment), dialysis variables (HD/PD modality, PD dialysis adequacy, facility patient-staff ratio) and patient's level of usual exercise activity. In multivariate analyses, the most important independent QoL predictor was patient's usual level of exercise activity. Exercise activity independently predicted two performance measures of physical functioning, maximal gait speed and repeated chair rises, as well as patient-perceived physical functioning. Continued study of patient outcomes in relation to adequacy of delivered dialysis, early versus late diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF), and patient's usual exercise activity is important because these variables can be the focus for intervention strategies to prevent early deterioration in dialysis patients' functional health status.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Urethra fistula repair without using a urethral stent].

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience in fistula repair without a urethral stent. METHOD: During the operation, the wound after approximating the epithelium was made twice the diameter of the fistula. Then an adjacent flap was turned over to cover and close the fistula. 50 fistulae in 37 patients were repaired without using a urethral stent after the operation. RESULT: There has been no recurrence in the past 7 years. CONCLUSION: This method is one of the best ways for fistula repair and has a bright prospect in application.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

[A study on the producing locations of medicines included in Shennong's Classic of Meteria Medica].

By analysing the regional charactertics of distribution of producing locations of medicines included in Shennong's Classic of Meteria Medica, it is pointed out that, based on quantity of production, Yizhou of the 13 bu - administrative regions and Taishan Prefecture are the locations for massive production of medicines in the Han dynasty. Judging from distribution of locations, Luoyang, the Eastern Capital and Chang'an the Western Capital are the two centers, with the former more productive than the latter. It is suggested that the Hongnong Prefecture, the mid point between Luoyang and Chang'an, was an important crude drug trading center in the Eastern Han dynasty. The records of producing locations in Shennong's Classic of Meteria Medica reflects the importance it attaches to the genuine producing sites and demonstrates the changes of genecine locations of drug production since the Qin - Han periods.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2000

[Optimized models of logging-tending system in cutting areas].

The comprehensive advantages of different logging-tending systems in Pinus massoniana forest cutting area were evaluated by set-pair analysis, based on the comparison of their economic and ecological benefits. The results showed that the optimized model for P. massoniana forests in Northern Fujian comprised 40% selective cutting, manual skidding, clear-cutting in ribbon, and natural regeneration with artificial aids, which could also be used in the nearby forests with conditions similar to the experimental area.

China↗

PubMed2000

Clinicopathologic analysis of angiomyofibroblastoma of the female genital tract.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features and immunoprofile of angiomyofibroblastoma (AMF) with emphasis on differential diagnosis. METHODS: Seven vulvar, two vaginal and one perineal angiomyofibroblastomas were evaluated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical studies were performed on paraffin-embedded sections using the standard ABC method with a panel of antibodies. RESULTS: Angiomyofibroblastoma predominantly occurred in middle-aged women in the genital region, especially in the superficial area of the vulva. Clinically, most of the tumors presented as slowly growing painless masses and were often diagnosed as Bartholin's gland cysts. Histologically, the tumors were all well-circumscribed and characterized by alternating hypocellular and hypercellular areas with abundant thin-walled blood vessels. The tumor cells were bland and spindle-shaped or epithelioid and tended to concentrate around the vessels or cluster in small nests. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells expressed vimentin and estrogen receptor protein in all 10 cases and desmin in 9 cases. Three cases showed weak or focal immunoreactivity to alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle specific actin. All ten patients were treated by local excision. Follow-up showed a benign course with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Angiomyofibroblastoma is a distinctive neoplasm that has a propensity to occur in the female genital tract. Recognition of this entity is important to avoid misdiagnosis with other vulvar angiomyxoid neoplasms.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[The use of interposed colon for endothoracic anastomosis in esophageal surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To study the use of interposed colon for endothoracic anastomosis in esophageal surgery. METHODS: From May 1991 to December 1993, 28 cases were selected with carcinoma of the middle and/or lower segment of esophagus. After tumor resection, a segment of transverse colon with peduncle was anastomosed in its peristaltic direction to the two ends of the severed esophagus. The vagus nerve innervating esophagus and stomach was intact, the anastomical position of the esophagus-cardia hiatus and the stomach were preserved. RESULTS: No anastomosis leakage, reflux esophagitis or the symptoms caused by the endothoracic stomach occured in this group. The digestive function of the patients remained good. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survical rate was 96.6%, 92.8% and 71.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The interposed colon for endothoracic anastomosis is a comparatively ideal method for the reconstruction of esophagus following resection of cancer of mid and lower thind of the esophagus.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Clinical value of mediastinoscopy in the diagnosis of mediastinal mass: an analysis of 60 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of mediastinoscopic examination in the accurate diagnosis of mediastinal mass. METHODS: Standard cervical mediastinoscopy (SCM) or extended mediastinoscopy was applied to patients with mediastinal mass on chest CT or MRI, in order to obtain suspicious tissues at peritracheal, retrosternal, subcarinal, or bilateral hilar areas for pathological study. RESULTS: Of 60 cases in this series, 58 got definite pathological diagnoses. Of the 58 cases, 30 were diagnosed as malignancies, accounting for 51.7% of the cases examined. Twenty-eight of the 58 were diagnosed as benign accounting for 48.3% of them. Small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma was the most common type of malignancy, followed by lymphoma, metastatic adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in decreasing frequencies. Over one half of the patients with benign lesions were tuberculosis, followed by sarcoidosis. In this series, 93% of the cases received SCM examination. The most common sampling sites were 2R and 4R areas. CONCLUSION: Mediastinoscopy is a valuable procedure which helps clarify diagnosis of mediastinal mass.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[The digestive functions of the stomach after esophagectomy with vagus nerve preserved or severed in esophageal cancer patients: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility, indication, and clinical significance of preserving the vagus nerve during esophagectomy for patients with cancer of the esophagus. METHODS: The digestive functions of the stomach were studied and compared before and after esophagectomy in patients with vagus nerve intact (n = 11) or severed (n = 12). RESULTS: According to Angorn's grading system, patients with vagus nerve preserved (VNP) had less symptoms after operation than those with vagus nerve severed (VNS). The gastric emptying time of the intrathoracic stomach in patients with VNS was much prolonged compared with that in patients with VNP. There was no significant difference in the preoperative and postoperative mean basal gastric acid output and the 24-hour pH monitoring in patients with VNP, while in VNS patients they were significantly decreased after operation. Fasting serum gastrin level in VNS patients was significantly elevated but this was not observed in VNP patients. Fibroptic endoscopic examination revealed higher incidence of postoperative atrophic gastritis in VNS than in VNP patients. CONCLUSION: Preservation of the vagal trunks during surgical resection for cancer of the esophagus is beneficial to keep the postoperative digestive functions of the stomach in a better condition.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

PubMed2000

[Childhood thyroid carcinoma: an analysis of 14 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the clinical characteristics, causes of misdiagnosis, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma in children. METHODS: Fourteen patients under 14 years of age with thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: According to UICC's clinical and histopathologic classification (1989), there were 12 cases of papillary carcinomas (83.3%), 2 cases of follicular carcinomas (16.7%). All but one case were in stage I. Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 12 cases (85.7%). Diagnosis was incorrect in 7 cases. All patients were operated, including unilateral neck dissection in 11 and bilateral neck dissection in 2. One patient received palliative subthyroidectomy and postoperative 131I treatment. In the follow-up period of 2 to 13 years (mean 6 years), no patient died. CONCLUSION: Thyroid cancer in children are mostly papillary carcinomas with good prognosis, regardless of high frequency of cervical lymph node metastases. Early cases can be picked up if misdiagnosis be avoided.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2000

[Observation on efficacy of puerarin in treating diabetic retinopathy].

OBJECTIVE: Using promoting blood circulation to remove stasis principle to observe arteria and vena centralis retinae blood flow indexes, and hemorrheology of diabetic retinopathy patients with Puerarin. METHODS: Thirty patients with diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). The treated group were given Puerarin 400 mg per day intravenously dripping. The control group were given Mikebao 500 micrograms intramuscularly, once per day. Both groups were taken 3 consecutive weeks as one treatment course. Two courses later, observing hemorrheologic parameters, arteria and vena centralis retinae blood flow indexes. RESULTS: Comparing before and after treatment the RBC aggregation index, the whole blood viscosity rate, plasma viscosity rate, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, have improved obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Comparing with the control group, there was significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference of treated group between before and after treatment, the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of arteria centralis retinae, their end diastolic volume (EDV), the acceleration (A), the central retinal vein reflux velocity (CRV) have improved respectively. Naked eye visions were also improved, comparing with the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Puerarin can reduce blood viscosity, improve microcirculation, and plays a positive therapeutic role in diabetic retinopathy.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[The role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1/lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B. METHODS: ICAM-1, LFA-1 and CD(8) expression in the livers of 11 healthy persons and 70 patients with HBV infection were studied by using immunohistochemical techniques. Hepatic coexpression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 were studied using double staining immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: In the areas of inflammation and necrosis, intensive infiltration of LFA-1 positive lymphocytes were often observed around hepatocytes with enhanced ICAM-1 expression, with some of these lymphocytes in close contact with hepatocytes expressing ICAM-1. In addition, the debris of necrotic cells and injured hepatocytes were found at the surrounding of LFA-1 positive lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: The interaction of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 is involved in mediating the adhesion of lymphocytes and hepatocytes, and it plays an important part in the immunopathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis B and severe viral hepatitis B.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[The impairment of Gq protein-coupled receptor in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells of cirrhotic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To test angiotensin-II (AT-II) receptor mediated signal transduction in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation. VSMCs were characterized by immunohistochemistry. Cytosensor microphysiometry, inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphates (IP(3)) assay, and Western blotting analysis were used to evaluate AT-II-stimulated cellular responsiveness of VSMCs, such as the extracelluar acidification rate (ECAR), IP(3) formation and phosphorylation of P42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in sham-operated or cirrhotic rats. RESULTS: The secondary biliary cirrhosis was developed 4 - 5 weeks after operation. Our results showed that ECAR and IP3 formation stimulated by AT-II were significantly reduced in the aortic VSMCs from the cirrhotic rats. Furthermore, the maximal p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation stimulated by AT-II was also considerably suppressed in the cirrhotic VSMCs in contrast to control cells. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that Gq-coupled receptor signaling pathway stimulated by AT-II was severely impaired in aortic VSMCs of cirrhotic rats, which may lead to arterial hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors in cirrhosis.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2000

[Lung cancer: new staging system and prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rationality the revised international system for staging lung cancer and its relationship with prognosis. METHODS: Between January 1961 and December 1988, 946 patients were subjected to removal of lung cancer and the data were analyzed using life-table, Log-rank test, and Cox regression model. Twenty-nine prognostic factors influencing the survival rate were evaluated with SAS6.12 software. The survival rate was calculated according to the two different staging systems. The revised system for staging lung cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: The factors influencing prognosis after surgical treatment of lung cancer were as follows: P-TNM staging, metastatic lymph nodes, radical or palliative resection, tumor size, and different cell types. The 5-year survival rate of patients with stage IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB was 68.4%, 59.5%, 44.8%, 36.5%, 26.3%, and staging 24.8%, respectively (IIIA and IIIB P > 0.05; other stages P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The revised system for lung cancer is more rational and objective to estimate prognosis and direct treatment. But it should be revised further.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Re-surgical treatment for postoperative local recurrence of lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of re-surgical treatment for postoperative recurrence of lung cancer and its indications. METHOD: The clinical data of 20 patients treated again surgically after recurrence of lung cancer were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The resectability, radical resectability, morbidity, and mortality were 75.0% (15/20), 80.0% (12/15), 20.0% and 0.0% respectively. The mean operative blood loss was 945 ml. The percentages of patients with pleural adhesion and intrapericardial dissection were 100.0% and 53.3% separately. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 94.1%, 41.7% and 40.0%. The mean survival time of the patients receiving exploration or palliative resection was 15.0 months, shorter than the 56.9 months of the patients having radical resection. The mean survival time of the patients with N(0) was (105.3 +/- 82.0) months, much longer than (11.4 +/- 6.0) months of the patients with N(1) or N(2). CONCLUSION: Because of extensive adhesion, operations for postoperative recurrence of lung cancer are difficult, but if recurrence is found in time and operative indication is appropriate, re-surgical treatment can prolong the patients' survival time.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Effect on keratocyte-mediated collagen degradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis of cornea melting (ulceration) by pseudomona (P) aeruginosa for instruction of clinical treatment. METHODS: Type I collagen gels with or without suspended keratocytes were incubated for 24 hours under medium containing sterile P. aeruginosa culture broth. Native collagen fibrils were removed from the media by ultrafiltration. The ultrafiltrates were then hydrolyzed, and the amount of hydroxyproline was measured spectrophotometrically. The effect of a synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, Galardin, on collagen degradation was also examined. RESULTS: P. aeruginosa broth induced type I collagen gel degradation directly. In the presence of keratocytes, degradation by P. aeruginosa broth was enhanced. Galardin significantly reduced the amount of collagen degraded by P. aeruginosa culture broth, no matter keratocytes were present or not. CONCLUSION: P. aeruginosa culture broth directly degrades type I collagen and also increases keratocyte-mediated collagen degradation. The result is helpful to the clinical treatment of cornea melting caused by P. aeruginosa, and the mechanism should be further studied.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[The morphological characteristics of desmoplastic fibroblastoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and pathological characteristics of desmoplastic fibroblastoma. METHODS: Three cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma were evaluated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The patients were all adults, 2 males and 1 female, age range 46 - 62 years (mean 53 years). Clinically, the tumors presented as slowly growing painless masses, which were located in the deep soft tissue of the lower extremity, the subcutaneous tissue of the forearm and the ankle respectively. Grossly, they were well-circumscribed neoplasms with a firm consistency. Histologically, the tumors were composed of paucicellular spindle or stellate-shaped fibroblastic cells embedded in a densely fibrous or fibromyxoid stroma. The neoplastic fibroblastic cells resembled the reactive fibroblasts by containing fine chromatin and small distinct nucleoli without cellular atypia or mitotic figures. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells showed diffuse and strong immunoreactivity for vimentin, focal staining for alpha-SMA, MSA and desmin. CONCLUSION: Desmoplastic fibroblastoma is a benign fibroblastic neoplasm with distinctive clinical and pathological characteristics. It should be differentiated from a variety of reactive or low-grade fibroblastic lesions.

Actins↗