Biomedical subjects

S Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to S Zhu.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Early expression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha after corneal transplantation.

This study's aim was to determine the early postoperative expression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by corneal grafts. BALB/c (n = 90) and C57BL/6 (n = 90) murine recipients were grafted with donor corneas from either syngeneic or allogeneic mice. At 7 and 14 days after surgery, corneal grafts were excised and the recipient rims separated from the donor tissue. Corneal segments were cultured and assayed for cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was profound upregulation in expression of both IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha after corneal transplantation. Among both low-rejecting BALB/c and high-rejecting C57BL/6 hosts, levels of IL-1alpha were significantly (p < 0.01) more marked in allogeneic as compared to syngeneic grafts. TNF-alpha overexpression was similarly more marked in allogeneic as compared to syngeneic grafts in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 hosts, although the difference was generally more marked among high-rejecting C57BL/6 recipients. In the case of both IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha, the principal source of cytokine expression in the transplanted tissue was the recipient rim. There is significant overexpression of both IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha during the first 2 weeks after transplantation in both syngeneic and allogeneic orthotopic corneal grafts. However, whereas in syngeneic grafts cytokine expression generally decreases after the first postoperative week, significantly elevated cytokine levels are sustained in allogeneic grafts, implicating IL-1 and TNF-alpha as mediators of the alloimmune response in corneal transplantation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Scintigraphic detection of breast cancer xenografts with Tc-99m natural and recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein.

Because adenocarcinoma of the breast expresses receptors for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), we studied Tc-99m AFP as a radiopharmaceutical to detect breast cancer. The biodistribution of Tc-99m radiolabeled natural human AFP (full length) and recombinant domain III (DIII) of human AFP was compared to Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201 in a murine model of human breast cancer. Estrogen receptor positive (MCF7, T-47D) and estrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB-231, BT-20) human breast cancer xenografts were grown subcutaneously in the lateral thorax region of immunosuppressed mice (ICR SCID). Quantitative comparisons of percent-injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/gram) and tumor to thigh ratio (T/Th) were performed at 0-60 minutes and at 24 hours following injection. For most tumors, T/Th for AFP and DIII was significantly greater than T/Th for Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201. In all breast cancers (BT-20, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, T-47D), Tc-99m AFP T/Th increased from 60 minutes to 24 hours, suggesting good tumor retention of this radiopharmaceutical. DIII and AFP had significantly higher %ID/gram than either Tl-201 or Tc-99m sestamibi when considered across all tumor types at both 60 minutes and 24 hours. The data suggests that localization of Tc-99m AFP in human breast cancer xenografts is initially rapid, increases with time, and is superior to Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201. Given its high uptake by breast cancer cells, its low non-tumor localization and its rapid renal excretion, these Tc-99m AFP preparations may be useful agents to detect human breast carcinoma.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Recent developments in SWL physics research.

Two projects in our laboratory highlight some recent developments in shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) physics research. In the first project, we developed a prototype of a piezoelectric annular array (PEAA) shockwave generator that can be retrofitted on a Dornier HM-3 lithotripter for active control of cavitation during SWL. The PEAA generator, operating at 15 kV, produces a peak positive pressure of approximately 8 MPa with a -6-dB beam diameter of 5 mm. The shockwave generated by the PEAA was used to control and force the collapse of cavitation bubbles induced by a laboratory electrohydraulic shockwave lithotripter with a truncated HM-3 reflector. With optimal time delay between the lithotripter pulse and the PEAA-generated shockwave, the collapse of cavitation bubbles near the stone surface could be intensified, and the resultant stone fragmentation in vitro could be significantly improved. In the second project, high-speed shadowgraph imaging was used to visualize the dynamics of lithotripter-induced bubble oscillation in a vascular phantom. Compared with the free bubble oscillation in water, the expansion of cavitation bubble(s) produced in silicone tubes and a 200-microm cellulose hollow fiber by either a Nortech EHL or a Dornier XL-1 lithotripter was found to be significantly constrained. Rupture of the cellulose hollow fiber was observed consistently after about 20 shocks from the XL-1 lithotripter at an output voltage of 20 kV. These results confirm experimentally that SWL-induced cavitation in vivo can be significantly constrained by the surrounding tissue, and large intraluminal bubble expansions could cause rupture of capillaries and small blood vessels.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

Studies on the mechanism of cancer protection by wheat bran: effects on the absorption, metabolism and excretion of the food carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ).

We examined ways in which dietary supplements of wheat bran may protect against colon cancer. The effects of supplementing the diet of female Wistar rats with 10% wheat bran on the disposition and metabolism of the dietary carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) labelled with (14)C was determined. Our data show that the wheat bran had a major effect on both the distribution and metabolism of IQ. At a low dose of IQ (1 mg/kg), we unexpectedly found that up to 2 h after gavage there were higher concentrations of radioactivity in the plasma of rats fed wheat bran compared with the controls, but there were lower concentrations of radioactivity after 2 h. At a high dose of IQ (50 mg/kg), there were always lower concentrations of radioactivity in the plasma of rats fed wheat bran compared with the control rats. One of the most marked effects of wheat bran was apparently to significantly retard the metabolism of IQ in the plasma when this was fed at either dose. There were also differences between the rats fed wheat bran and the control in the concentrations and types of IQ metabolites in the urine.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Pretreatment with enalaprilat blunts nicardipine-induced sympathetic activation in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

OBJECTIVE: We measured changes in heart rate and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity in conscious, spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats during acute blood pressure lowering with nicardipine, enalaprilat and concomitant nicardipine/enalaprilat administration. In a second experiment, we determined the effect of these drugs on arterial baroreflex control of lumbar sympathetic nerve activity. METHODS: Male spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats were instrumented for continuous heart rate, blood pressure and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity recordings. Twenty-four hours later in conscious rats, nicardipine, enalaprilat and enalaprilat/nicardipine were infused at sufficient doses to reduce mean arterial pressure by 20 mmHg over 30 min. In a second experiment with the same drugs, baroreflex curves relating lumbar sympathetic nerve activity to mean arterial pressure were analyzed using a logistic curve-fitting program. RESULTS: Blood pressure reductions induced by the three infusion protocols were similar in magnitude and profile. In both spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats, nicardipine induced greater reflexive increases in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity than enalaprilat Pretreatment with a reduced dose of enalaprilat blunted subsequent nicardipine-induced sympathetic activation. Nicardipine tended to induce greater increases in the heart rate than enalaprilat, but overall, the difference was not significant Baroreflex sensitivity was similar regardless of drug class. Nicardipine significantly increased minimum nerve activity compared with enalaprilat in spontaneously hypertensive rats (similar trends were observed in Wistar-Kyoto rats). This increase in minimum nerve activity was blunted by enalaprilat CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that pretreatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor minimizes dihydropyridine-induced increases in sympathetic activity. This beneficial effect is attributable to suppression of minimum sympathetic activity. These data suggest that co-administration of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor may improve the long-term cardiovascular benefit of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Interaction between lifetime captopril treatment and NaCI-sensitive hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

DESIGN: Previous studies that were based on daytime arterial pressure recordings indicate that lifetime treatment with captopril exacerbates the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) but has no such effect in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The present study used 24-h recording methods to examine the hypothesis that during the normal waking hours of rats (night-time) the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet is exacerbated in SHR and induced in WKY rats treated with lifetime captopril. METHODS: SHR and WKY rats were (1) untreated, (2), lifetime captopril treated or (3) lifetime captopril treated but removed from the treatment 2 weeks prior to exposure to a high (8%) NaCl diet RESULTS: Compared to untreated SHR, in SHR that were continuously treated with captopril, the high NaCl diet caused a more rapid and greater rise in arterial pressure. Discontinuation of the captopril treatment did not significantly diminish this NaCl-sensitivity. In untreated WKY rats, the high NaCl diet did not alter mean arterial pressure, but in the lifetime captopril-treated WKY rats the high NaCl diet induced a rapid rise in arterial pressure. In WKY rats, discontinuation of the lifetime captopril treatment did not diminish this NaCl-induced rise in arterial pressure, even though baseline mean arterial pressure in this group is similar to that in untreated WKY rats. CONCLUSIONS: Lifetime captopril treatment accelerates the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet in SHR, and it induces a similar response in WKY rats. In both strains, the lifetime captopril treatment causes a change in the response that is not dependent on concurrent administration of the drug. This finding further suggests that lifetime captopril treatment causes a long-term resetting of cardiovascular response mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

High prevalence of anti-alpha-crystallin antibodies in multiple sclerosis: correlation with severity and activity of disease.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of T-cell reactivity to alphaB-crystallin in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has suggested that this small molecular weight heat shock protein (Hsp) may be an autoantigen in MS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have tested the serum of patients with clinically definite MS (n=30), other inflammatory neurological disease (n=22), non-inflammatory neurological disease (n=42) and healthy individuals (n=23) for systemic humoral responses to bovine alphaB-crystallin, to the homologous chaperone protein, alphaA-crystallin, and to another small Hsp, Hsp 27. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of MS patients exhibited immunoreactivity to alpha-crystallin and this was present in all 4 of 4 non-ambulatory patients with MS. In contrast, serum concentrations in MS patients of antibodies to the small Hsp, Hsp27, and to myelin basic protein were negligible (P<0.001). Serum anti-alpha-crystallin immune responses were detected in significantly lower percentages of patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (32%, P<0.025), and with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (12%, P<0.001). None of the healthy control individuals showed anti-alpha-crystallin reactivity. The concentration of anti-alpha-crystallin antibodies in patients with MS correlated with severe disease (P<0.05) and with active disease (P<0.025). CONCLUSION: Our observations support the notion that anti-alpha-crystallin autoimmune responses may contribute to pathogenicity in MS and may represent a mechanism of how recurrent attacks of MS develop subsequent to an isolated demyelinating episode.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction: methodology, physical characterization, and bioeffect study.

A method of generating in situ shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction by a modified electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripter is proposed and tested in vitro. An annular brass ellipsoidal reflector (thickness = 28 mm) that can be mounted on the aperture rim of a Dornier XL-1 lithotripter was designed and fabricated. This ring reflector shares the same foci with the XL-1 reflector, but is 15 mm short in major axis. Thus, a small portion of the spherical shock wave, generated by a spark discharge at the first focus (F1) of the reflector, is reflected and diffracted by the ring reflector, producing a weak shock wave approximately 8.5 microseconds in front of the lithotripter pulse. Based on the configuration of the ring reflector (different combinations of six identical segments), the peak negative pressure of the preceding weak shock wave at the second focus (F2) can be adjusted from -0.96 to -1.91 MPa, at an output voltage of 25 kV. The preceding shock wave induces inertial microbubbles, most of which expand to a maximum size of 100-200 microns, with a few expanding up to 400 microns before being collapsed in situ by the ensuing lithotripter pulse. Physical characterizations utilizing polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane hydrophone, high-speed shadowgraph imaging, and passive cavitation detection have shown strong secondary shock wave emission immediately following the propagating lithotripter shock front, and microjet formation along the wave propagation direction. Using the modified reflector, injury to mouse lymphoid cells is significantly increased at high exposure (up to 50% with shock number > 100). With optimal pulse combination, the maximum efficiency of shock wave-induced membrane permeabilization can be enhanced substantially (up to 91%), achieved at a low exposure of 50 shocks. These results suggest that shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction may be used selectively to either enhance the efficiency of shock wave-mediated macromolecule delivery at low exposure or tissue destruction at high exposure.

Acoustics↗

PubMed1999

Shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction: a theoretical study based on the Gilmore formulation for bubble dynamics.

The Gilmore formulation for bubble dynamics coupled with zeroth-order gas diffusion were used to investigate theoretically the cavitation activity produced by a modified XL-1 lithotripter [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 105, 1997-2009 (1999)]. The model calculation confirms many of the basic features in bubble dynamics observed experimentally, in particular the strong secondary shock wave emission generated by in situ lithotripter shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction. In addition, shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction produced by a Dornier HM-3, the most commonly used clinical lithotripter, was evaluated. It was shown that the forced collapse of inertial microbubbles with strong secondary shock wave emission could be produced consistently, provided that an appropriate preceding shock wave and interpulse delay were used. Further, it was demonstrated that truncation of the tensile stress of the lithotripter shock wave could significantly reduce the large expansion of the bubble following shock wave-inertial microbubble interaction, which may alleviate the risk for vascular injury during shock wave exposure.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1999

C/EBPbeta modulates the early events of keratinocyte differentiation involving growth arrest and keratin 1 and keratin 10 expression.

The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium composed primarily of keratinocytes that become postmitotic and undergo sequential changes in gene expression during terminal differentiation. The expression of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) within mouse epidermis and primary keratinocytes has recently been described; however, the function of C/EBPbeta within the epidermal keratinocyte is unknown. We report here that transient transfection of mouse primary keratinocytes with a C/EBP-responsive promoter-reporter construct resulted in a sevenfold increase in luciferase activity when keratinocytes were switched to culture conditions that induce growth arrest and differentiation. Forced expression of C/EBPbeta in BALB/MK2 keratinocytes inhibited growth, induced morphological changes consistent with a more differentiated phenotype, and upregulated two early markers of differentiation, keratin 1 (K1) and keratin 10 (K10) but had a minimal effect on the expression of late-stage markers, loricrin and involucrin. Analysis of the epidermis of C/EBPbeta-deficient mice revealed a mild epidermal hyperplasia and decreased expression of K1 and K10 but not of involucrin and loricrin. C/EBPbeta-deficient primary keratinocytes were partially resistant to calcium-induced growth arrest. Analysis of terminally differentiated spontaneously detached keratinocytes or those induced to differentiate by suspension culture revealed that C/EBPbeta-deficient keratinocytes displayed striking decreases in K1 and K10, while expression of later-stage markers was only minimally altered. Our results demonstrate that C/EBPbeta plays an important role in the early events of stratified squamous differentiation in keratinocytes involving growth arrest and K1 and K10 expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphisms in mild/moderate and fatal/near-fatal asthma.

Allele 2 of the polymorphism at position -308 in the promoter of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene, and the D allele of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, have been associated with asthma. We hypothesized that genotypes containing these alleles would show an increased prevalence in asthmatic as compared with nonasthmatic individuals, and would be associated with asthma severity. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were developed to determine TNF-alpha and ACE genotypes among subjects with mild/moderate asthma (n = 92), fatal/near-fatal asthma (n = 159), no asthma (n = 43), and random population controls (n = 252). The TNF-alpha -308 polymorphism was increased in both subjects with mild/moderate (p = 0.03) and those with fatal/near fatal asthma (p = 0.02) versus those without asthma, and in all subjects with asthma versus random population controls (p = 0.02). The mild/moderate group was subdivided into subjects with mild (n = 43) and those with moderate (n = 33) asthma. TNF-alpha -308 was increased in the moderately asthmatic versus the nonasthmatic subjects (p = 0.003), and in the mildly asthmatic subjects (p = 0.01). However, TNF-alpha -308 was not significantly more prevalent in the fatal/near-fatal than in the mild/moderate asthmatic group. The ACE-D allele did not show an association with either asthma or asthma severity. We conclude that the TNF-alpha -308 polymorphism may be a risk factor for asthma but does not increase the risk of a fatal or a near-fatal asthma attack, whereas the ACE polymorphism is not associated with asthma in this population.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Hirudin display on the surface of bacteriophage M13.

Hirudin was fused to the N terminus of M13 minor protein gp3 (197-406) through a linker GGGS by inserting both the hirudin gene and the gp8 signal sequence into the modified phagemid vector pCANTAB 5V to construct pCANTAB 5G8-Hir. The expressed fusion protein was directed by gp8 signal peptide into the periplasm and assembled to the phage particle to form the hirudin-phage. The fusion protein and fusion phage were detected with biotin-thrombin by Western blotting analysis. Antithrombin activity analysis confirmed that the hirudin portion in the fusion protein and fusion phage bear similar native conformation. The successful display of hirudin on the surface of M13 phage laid a sound foundation for the further study on directed evolution of antithrombotic proteins with altered properties.

Antithrombins↗

PubMed1999

All-trans retinoic acid reduces intimal thickening after balloon angioplasty in atherosclerotic rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of oral administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on inhibition of intimal thickening after balloon angioplasty in the rabbit iliac artery atherosclerotic model. METHODS: Iliac atherosclerosis was induced in 24 rabbits, and balloon angioplasty was performed. At angioplasty, 24 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): Group 1: controls not receiving oral ATRA administration; Group 2: receiving oral ATRA (0.6 mg.kg-1.d-1) administration beginning 1 week prior to angioplasty and continuing for 4 weeks; Group 3: receiving oral ATRA (0.6 mg.kg-1.d-1) administration beginning immediately after angioplasty and continuing for 4 wk; Group 4: receiving oral ATRA (0.6 mg.kg-1.d-1) administration beginning 1 wk after angioplasty and continuing for 4 wk. Values of cross-sectional area, ratio of intimal/medial area and thickness were determined by a computer-based morphometric system, and cell proliferative activity was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Both the cross-sectional area and the ratio of intimal/medial area and thickness were significantly reduced by ATRA administration compared with control group (P < 0.01). The inhibitory effect is less potent when ATRA is administered 1 week before angioplasty. The ATRA inhibitory effect when administered 1 week after angioplasty is not different significantly form that when administered immediately after angioplasty. The 3H-thymidine incorporation was also decreased in ATRA-treated rabbits compared with controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral ATRA administration can be effective in inhibiting intimal thickening after balloon angioplasty. It is reasonable that ATRA should be administered immediately after angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMed1999

[Effect of knockout AT1a receptor gene on transplasmamembrane calcium influx in aortic smooth muscle cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of angiotensin II receptor subtype (AT1a) mutant on angiotensin II (Ang II) mediated transplasmamembrane calcium influx in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from AT1a knockout and wild type mice. METHOD: Aortic SMCs were isolated and cultured. Intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was measured using Fura-2/AM fluorescentic technique. RESULTS: Ang II caused a marked increase in [Ca2+]i in both cell types [AT1a group: (204 +/- 22) nmol/L vs (108 +/- 9) nmol/L]; CONTROL: [(194 +/- 19) nmol/L vs (110 +/- 7) nmol/L]. Administration of both calcium channel blocker, nifedipine and GTP-gamma s significantly inhibited Ang II effect, in contrast, application of pertussin toxin (PTX) activated the Ang II mediated calcium influx. The response of AT1a knockout cells was more sensitive to nifedipine and were enhanced by PTX. CONCLUSION: Calcium influx induced by Ang II can be regulated by PTX insensitive and non-Gi protein in AT1a knockout cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[The relationship between sleep related breathing disorders and stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between sleep related breathing disorder(SRBD) and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS: Polysomnographic studies on 43 cases of CVD were performed and 43 sex-, age-, body mass index- compatible cases without CVD used as controls. RESULTS: The incidence of SRBD (mostly the obstructive one) was much more in CVD patients and both the obstructive and central apnea/hypopnea indices, deoxygenation indices were bigger and deoxygenation time were longer while the mean and lowest oxygen saturation were lower in CVD group than those in the controls (all P < 0.05). The blood pressure before sleep, after awakening and the mean BP during sleep were also higher in the CVD patients. In CVD group, the incidence of hypertension was also much higher in SRBD patients than that in non-SRBD ones (P < 0.01). SRBD was dangerous for CVD as OR value was 6.28. CONCLUSIONS: SRBD may be one important risk factor for CVD. An vicious circle might be formed between stroke and SRBD which inflences the outcome of stroke.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1999

[The effects of nitric oxide and endothelia levels on plasma in patients with chronic heart failure].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of prostaglandin E1 on plasma nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) levels in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary arterial and venous plasma ET and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels were determined in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) were evaluated. RESULTS: (1) Pulmonary hypertension was present in patients with CHF. Plasma NO and ET levels in the pulmonary artery were higher than those in the pulmonary vein (P < 0.05), the levels in the latter was in turn higher than those in normal subjects (P < 0.05). (2) Plasma ACE levels showed a similar change, (3) The increase of plasma ET was more than the increase of NO in patients with CHF, thus, NO/ET ratio was decreased in CHF (P < 0.05). (4) PGE1 caused significant decrease in PAP but increase in cardial index. It decreased plasma NO, ET, ACE, and increased NO/ET ratio (P < 0.05). These effects became more apparent with the increase of PGE1 level. CONCLUSION: NO and NO/ET ratio might be involved in CHF by causing pulmonary hypertension and local vascular endothelium perturbation. PGE1 could inhibit these effects and play an important role in the prevention and treatment of CHF.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Changes of transmembrane ion transport in essential hypertensives with familial histories].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of heredity on transmembrane ion transport in essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: 52 essential hypertensives were divided into two groups, 23 with positive family history (FH(+)) and 29 with negative family history (FH(-)). The rate constant of ouabain-sensitive sodium efflux ((o)K(os)) was measured as the half of the increase in erythrocyte Na(+) concentration during incubation with ouabain for 2 hours, (o)K(os) was calculated by an equation and the maximal rate (Vmax) of red cells Na(+)/H(+) exchange was determined as the Na(+) influx promoted by an outward H(+) gradient. Intracellular Na(+) concentration was measured with flame photometry and (45)Ca(2+) influx in ATP-depleted red cells with liquid scintillation counting. RESULTS: The red cell Na(+)/H(+) exchange and (45)Ca(2+) in-flux were significantly higher but the (o)K(os) lower in both the FH(+) and FH(-) groups than in the controls. FH(+) group demonstrated a significantly higher (o)K(os) and lower Ca(2+) influx as compared with those in FH(-) group. In FH(+) group, systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with age, while diastolic blood pressure positively correlated with (45)Ca(2+) influx. CONCLUSION: Our data show a genetic contribution to abnormal membrane transport in hypertension. There is a defect in membrane permeability to Ca(2+) and a greater exchangeable pool of cytosolic free Ca(2+) in FH(+) group that participate in the pathogenesis of inherited hypertension.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Partial splenic embolotherapy in hypersplenism with portal hypertension].

Twenty-one cases of hypersplenism with portal hypertension were treated with partial splenic embolization. The results were that spleens were shrink and the condition of white blood cells, platelets, and prothrombin time of the patients were obviously improved. We conclude that the appropriate antibiotics, superselective catheterization, and the management of postoperation are necessary; the volume of embolism is limited from 50% to 75% of the spleen. This technique has the features of steady therapeutic effect, safety, and microtrauma.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗