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Biomedical subjects

W Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to W Zhu.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Inflammatory linear verrucose epidermal nevus coexisting with lichen amyloidosus.

The clinical and histopathological findings in a case of inflammatory linear verrucose epidermal nevus coexisting with lichen amyloidosus are presented. A 33-year-old woman had had linear verrucose lesions which were histopathologically compatible with ILVEN, and with which no amyloid deposits were associated, on her left lower leg for 30 years. She had noticed keratotic papules around the verrucose lesions on the left leg for the last 3 years. Histopathology of these papules revealed amyloid deposits in the upper dermis under the hyperkeratotic and acanthotic epidermis. Topical application of DMSO liniment with dexamethasone successfully treated the ILVEN. This remission of both lesions and itching also alleviated the keratotic papules on the left leg.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

Human endothelial cells exposed to oxidized LDL express hsp70 only when proliferating.

Oxidized LDL (OxLDL), a causal factor in atherosclerosis, is cytotoxic and triggers the expression of various heat shock proteins (hsps), among which is hsp70, in cultured animal and human cells. hsps constitutively act as molecular chaperones and in situations of stress protect other cellular proteins from potential denaturation caused by cytotoxic stimuli. The sensitivity of endothelial cells to OxLDL toxicity and accordingly the level of hsp70 expression depend on cell density. While confluent cells were relatively resistant to OxLDL toxicity and were not induced to express hsp70 when challenged with the lipoprotein (up to 800 micrograms/mL), sparse cells exhibited a concentration- and time-dependent expression of inducible hsp70, which increased up to fivefold to sixfold in unchallenged cells. Neither the activity of receptors recognizing OxLDL nor potentially protective cell products affected the stress response. Rather, we demonstrated that cell proliferation, which is high for sparse cultures and wound-healing monolayers, is responsible for these observations. We also demonstrated that the lipid moiety of OxLDL essentially accounts for the hsp-inducing effect of the lipoprotein. OxLDL has been detected in atherosclerotic lesions, which also show an increase of immunoreactive hsp72/73. We speculate that, in vivo, rapidly growing cells, such as those of lesion-prone areas, are more sensitive to the toxicity of OxLDL than are quiescent cells and that an increased expression of hsp70 may allow proliferating cells an increased chance of survival.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1996

Percutaneous transluminal balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty using domestic balloon catheter for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis in children.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) using domestic balloon catheter for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS) in infants and children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 70 patients aged from 1.5 to 12 years (mean 5.5 +/- 3.4 years) who underwent PBPV using domestic balloon catheter for PVS in our institution were reviewed. Sixty-six patients had dome-shaped valve stenosis, and 4 had displastic valve stenosis. SaO2 reduced in 5 patients and associated open foramen ovale was noted in 23. Predilatation, right ventricular systolic pressure ranged from 60 to 234 mmHg (mean 115.75 +/- 36.15 mmHg). The systolic gradient (delta P) from right ventricle to pulmonary artery was 89.92 +/- 38.25 mmHg. Balloon diameter was selected 120%-142% of pulmonary valve annulus diameter (mean 132%). All patients were followed up for 3 months-4 years by means of clinical examination. ECG, 2D-UCG, and Doppler-UCG. RESULTS: After dilatation, delta P reduced from 89.92 +/- 38.25 to 14.65 +/- 11.40 mmHg (P < 0.001). The rate of decrease in transvalve gradient (delta P) was 83.7%. No patients experienced procedure-related events. Mid-term follow-up showed that no patients had clinical and instrumental complications. Doppler and ECG analyses showed that delta P did not change significantly similar to immediate gradient after PBPV and right ventricular hypertrophy disappeared progressively 6 months after PBPV. CONCLUSIONS: PBPV is a useful, safe and definitive procedure in the treatment of isolated PVS in infants and children. The properties and features of the balloon catheter produced by Shanghai Med-Tech Factory are similar to those of Med-Tech balloon catheter of U.S.A.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1996

Transposition of flexor pollicis brevis muscle for reconstruction of thumb opposition. Anatomical study and clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the anatomical study and clinical trial of transposition of the flexor pollicis brevis muscle (M. f. p.b.) for the reconstruction of thumb opposition, we suggested a new method for the treatment of irreparable median nerve injury which causes paralysis of the opponens pollicis and the abductor pollicis brevis muscles (M.a.p.b) and leads to loss of thumb opposition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anatomical study and biomechanic analysis were performed on 20 cadaveric hands and 8 patients who had been treated and followed up on an average for 12 months. RESULTS: The M.f.p.b. overlaps the M.a.p.b. for about half of its width at the muscle origins and the overlapping reduced to about 1/3 of the width at the muscle belley level. The M.f.p.b. chiefly inserted on the palmar aspect of the base of proximal phalanx. The M.a.p.b. primarily was inserted on the radial side of the first metacarpophalangeal(MP) joint, and the M.f.p.b. was entirely innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. In an attempt to increase the angle between longitudinal force lines of these two muscles for 7 degrees-9 degrees, we transferred the insertion of the M.f.p.b. to the radial side of the MP joint, so that it gives this muscle the function of opposition. Eight patients were treated and followed up on an average for 12 months. All had fine functional results. CONCLUSIONS: This method is effective, and least traumatic, and does not need transposition of another tendon.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Reduced tumorigenicity of metastatic human lung cancer cell subline (PGCL3) transfected with hRAR beta gene.

The recombinant PSG5-RAR beta plasmid and the G418-resistant PSV2 neo plasmid (10.1) were cotransfected into PGCL3 cells by coprecipitation with calcium phosphate. The transfectants CR3 and CR4, which expressed the RAR beta gene, were identified by Northern blot hybridization. The results showed that the in vitro growth and invasion of CR3 and CR4 were dramatically reduced compared to the control-transfected cell (CSV1). Furthermore, the colony-forming abilities in soft agar and the tumorigenicity in nude mice of CR3 and CR4 were abrogated. Our results suggests that RAR beta functions not only as a receptor mediating the RA action, but also as a suppressor in lung tumorigenesis.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

[Effect of tetramethyl pyrazine on coronary vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 in dogs].

The purpose of this study was to determine the antagonistic effect of tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP), a sort of chinese herbal medicine, on coronary vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in closed chest dogs. ET-1 at doses of 50, 75 and 100 pmol was selectively administered into left main coronary artery and coronary angiogram was performed in 1, 3 and 10 minutes after intracoronary administration of ET-1. After a 60 minute interval ET-1 administration and coronary angiogram were repeated in two groups in group A with 5 dogs intravenous infusion of saline solution was administered while in group B with 4 dogs TMP was infused at a dose of 80 mg/kg. Blood pressure of intra-femoral artery, heart rate and ECG were monitored during the experiment. The study demonstrated that coronary vessel diameter significantly decreased by 17% (P < 0.02) in group A and 20% (P < 0.02) in group B, associated with ischemia in ECG (4/5 in group A and 3/4 in group B) after intracoronary administration of ET-1. Endothelin-1 induced coronary vasoconstriction and ischemic changes in ECG were significantly inhibited by intravenous TMP. The coronary diameter increased by 20% (P < 0.03) after administration of TMP, comparing with the control group. Heart rate had an increased response to TMP. In conclusion this study demonstrated that intracoronary administration of ET-1 caused significant myocardial ischemia through coronary vasoconstriction, which was inhibited by TMP. TMP significantly dilated coronary artery.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A one-hand operation gun for transrectal prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new automatic biopsy device (ABD) that enables a radiologist to obtain multiple samples with one hand and free the other hand to handle the ultrasonic scanner for continuous monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The new ABD developed by us in April 1994 enabled a radiologist to complete all the biopsy procedures including loading and reloading the spring system, firing the device, emptying the specimen, selecting the depth of needle advancement, and multiple sampling, simply by pressing 3 buttons in turn with his/her right thumb. Using this new ABD, transrectal prostate biopsy under the guidance of transrectal ultrasonic imaging was performed in 60 consecutive cases of prostate diseases. Each biopsy procedure was completed by a single radiologist, who was able to obtain multiple specimens with one biopsy needle, using only one hand and freeing the other hand for the manipulation of the ultrasonic scanner for guidance. RESULTS: A total of 265 satisfactory core tissue specimens of 285 needle passes (93%) were obtained from the 60 patients. Definite pathologic diagnoses were made for all the 60 patients (100%). No serious biopsy-related complications were observed. The main complications were hematuria in 24 of 60 (40%) patients and fever in 5 (8.3%). CONCLUSION: On the basis of our experience with the 60 patients, this new ABD can be operated smoothly and effectively with the right hand, while the left hand is freed to handle the ultrasonic transducer for continuous monitoring.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1996

[Alterations of plasma beta-EP and cortisol contents in thyroidectomy under acupuncture anesthesia and acupuncture anesthesia combined with tetrahydropalmatine].

Acupuncture anesthesia sometimes fails to give sufficient analgesia which may be overcome by appropriate combination of non-narcotic analgetics. We measured beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and cortisol contents in thyroidectomy under acupuncture analgesia (12 cases) and acupuncture anesthesia combined with tetrahydropalmatine (12 cases) by RIA. The results showed that the increase of beta-EP and cortisol in the latter group was less than that of the former, which proved that terahydropalmatine exerted a potentiating effect on acupuncture analgesia.

Acupuncture Analgesia↗
PubMed1996

[A study of the thermosensitivity determination for the normal value of the twelve well-point (or jing-point)].

Under certain temperature and humidity, the thermosensitivity values of the twelve Well-point, on 209 healthy young people, selected at random/and aged from 20 to 24, were measured in the morning and in the afternoon respectively. The statistical results show that there is no significance (P > 0.05), when the value of one Well-point on upper limbs of the male is compared with that of the female, except very few well-point. The value of one Well-point on both the left side and the right side measured at the time are almost the same. The value of one Well-point on the lower limbs of the male is higher than that of the female, and the difference is significant (P < 0.05). This study indicates that the normal values of every Well-point exist in human beings, which will assist clinical diagnosis.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed1996

[Effect of acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment on brain dopamine level of MPTP-lesioned C57BL mice].

C57BL mice were treated with MPTP and the effect of acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment on the MPTP lesioned C57BL mice was investigated. The result showed that MPTP significantly decreased caudate nucleus (CN) DA and DOPAC levels and midbrain DA levels. The ratio of DOPAC/ DA increased in CN. After treatment, CN and midbrain DA levels increased in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine and LD treated groups, DOPAC/DA ratio of acupuncture, Chinese medicine and acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine treated groups closed to that of control. DOPAC/DA ratio of LD treated groups closed to that of only MPTP treated group. The result showes that acupuncture, Chinese medicine and LD therapy can increase the decreased DA levels in MPTP mice, and DOPAC/DA ratio in CN of acupuncture, Chinese medicine treated groups closed to that of control, suggesting that acupuncture and Chinese medicine therapy may have protection effect on neuron that different from the replacement therapy of LD.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1996

[Establishment and application of reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of hepatitis E RNA in serum].

A reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) for detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in serum was established using two pairs of oligonucleotide acid from open reading frame 1 and 2 (ORF1 and ORF2) of HEV cDNA as the inner and outer primers. Eleven serial sera from two rhesus monkeys experimentally infected with HEV were tested for HEV RNA with established RT-nPCR. HEV RNA became detectable in these two monkeys on the sixth day and the ninth day, respectively, and persisted up to the 17th and the 22nd day after infection, respectively. Twenty-eight serum specimens of the 41 patients with acute sporadic hepatitis E were HEV RNA positive (68.3%). Proportions of positive HEV RNA in patients sera collected one to ten days, 11 to 20 days and 21 to 34 days after their onset of the disease were 72.7% (16/22), 70.0% (7/10) and 55.5% (5/9), respectively. It suggests that viremia of HEV lasts a shorter period, and proportion of serum positive HEV RNA decreases with the course of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

High affinity YY1 binding motifs: identification of two core types (ACAT and CCAT) and distribution of potential binding sites within the human beta globin cluster.

PCR-assisted binding site selection was used to define the sequence characteristics of high affinity YY1 binding sites. Compilation of the sequences of 189 selected oligonucleotides containing high affinity YY1 binding sites revealed two types of core sequence: ACAT and CCAT. ACAT cores were surrounded by other invariant nucleotides, forming the consensus GACATNTT. A search of the 73 kb human beta-like globin cluster with this consensus revealed eight matching motifs, six of which were located within 1-3 kb upstream of the gamma and beta genes. CCAT-type cores were more variable in surrounding sequence context; the consensus VDCCATNWY was found to fit 89% of the selected CCAT-containing oligonucleotides. A search of the human beta globin cluster with CCAT consensus sequences revealed 171 potential YY1 binding sites. Several of these were tested directly in gel shift assays and confirmed as high affinity YY1 binding sites. Finally, a strategy called motif-based phylogenetic analysis was employed to determine which of the 179 total sites are evolutionarily conserved. This analysis permits the detection of functionally conserved binding sites despite sequence differences present between the two species. The 21 conserved sites identified will serve as important starting points in further dissection of the possible role of YY1 in globin gene regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Calpain inhibitor-induced apoptosis in human prostate adenocarcinoma cells.

Although it has been shown that calpains may play a positive role in causing apoptosis of T cells, we report here that, on the contrary, the inhibition of calpain-like activities can induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Two calpain inhibitors were used to test growth response on prostate cancer cells and showed remarkable cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity was due to apoptosis as judged by large genomic DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. Furthermore, using gel band shift assays we have demonstrated that calpain inhibitor 1 causes a prolonged elevation of AP-1 protein activity in human prostate cancer cells. The elevation of AP-1 activity appears to be specific, because calpain inhibitor 1 only stimulates AP-1 but not AP-2 and SP-1 activities. We postulate that the sustained increase in AP-1 activity may be involved in apoptosis induced in prostate cells by calpain inhibitors. Our study thus suggests that calpain-like activity may be a potentially therapeutic target for cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Interference with thymocyte differentiation by an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency causes severe combined immune-deficiency disease in humans. It is believed that the accumulation of the ADA substrate deoxyadenosine affects T cell development through interference with deoxynucleotide metabolism and/or S-adenosylmethionine-mediated methylation processes. In this study, we used a specific inhibitor of methylation, (Z)-5'-fluoro-4',5'-didehydro-5'-deoxyadenosine (FddA), to study the effect of inhibition of methylation on intrathymic T cell development in a murine model for ADA deficiency. FddA causes inhibition of thymocyte differentiation specifically at the CD8low and CD4CD8 double-positive stages. This inhibition is not due to induction of apoptosis, rather it is a result of specific inhibition of regulation of the levels of the mRNAs coding for TCR and CD4 and CD8 co-receptor molecules that normally occurs at these stages of thymocyte differentiation. We hypothesize that the transcription of these T cell-specific molecules is regulated by a common developmental stimulus involving a S-adenosylmethionine-mediated methylation step. Identification of this step will help in understanding the role of methylation in intrathymic differentiation and will also provide a molecular explanation for the tissue and developmental stage specificity observed in severe combined-immune-deficient patients with ADA deficiency.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1995

The human glioma pathogenesis-related protein is structurally related to plant pathogenesis-related proteins and its gene is expressed specifically in brain tumors.

We report the cloning of a cDNA encoding GliPR (glioma pathogenesis-related protein), a protein that is structurally similar to plant pathogenesis-related proteins. The GLIPR gene is highly expressed in the human brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme/astrocytoma, but neither in normal fetal or adult brain tissue, nor in other nervous system tumors. GliPR shares up to 50% amino acid (aa) homology with plant pathogenesis-related proteins, group 1, over a region that comprises almost two thirds of the protein. We speculate that there may be functional similarities between the human and plant proteins as well.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

A novel gene, AF1q, fused to MLL in t(1;11) (q21;q23), is specifically expressed in leukemic and immature hematopoietic cells.

Translocations involving chromosomal band 11q23 are associated with leukemias. These translocations fuse the MLL, a gene with sequence homology to the Drosophila trithorax, to genes from a number of other chromosomal loci. We have characterized two t(1;11)(q21;q23) translocations that fuse the MLL gene to a novel gene, AF1q on chromosomal band 1q21, in two infants with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMMOL). In one of these patients, der(11) represents an inframe fusion of the N-terminal portion of MLL gene to the complete AF1q open reading frame, whereas der(1) does not give rise to an open reading frame. This observation suggests that the N-terminal portion of MLL gene is critical for leukemogenesis in translocations involving band 11q23. The predicted wild-type AF-1q product is a 9-kD protein with no similarity to any other protein in the data banks. The AF1q mRNA is highly expressed in the thymus but not in peripheral lymphoid tissues. In contrast to its restricted distribution in normal hematopoietic tissue, AF1q was expressed in all leukemic cell lines tested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The alpha 6 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4 integrins in human prostate cancer progression.

Prostatic secretions are formed by glands composed of basal and luminal cells and surrounded by a basal lamina. The normal basal cells express several integrins (extracellular matrix receptors) including alpha 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, v, beta 1 and beta 4. These integrin units are polarized at the base of the cells adjacent to the basal lamina. The integrin alpha 6 beta 4 is associated with hemidesmosomal-like structures. The natural history of prostate cancer involves the presence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions (considered precursor lesions), carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. Hemidesmosomal proteins and the alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 1 integrins (laminin receptors) are retained in the early PIN lesions. Expression of the integrins alpha 2, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha v and beta 4 is lost in carcinoma. The alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 1 integrins remain associated with invasive carcinoma, the latter being predominant. Integrin expression in carcinoma is diffuse in the plasma membrane and not restricted to the basal aspects of the cell. The alpha 6 beta 1 integrin is fully functional as judged by an ability to adhere to laminin and contains the wild type alpha 6A cytoplasmic signaling domain. The alpha 6 beta 1 integrin is a leading candidate for conferring the invasive phenotype in prostatic carcinoma. Tumor cells with high expression of alpha 6 integrin are more invasive when tested in a SCID mouse model system. Following intraperitoneal injection, the human tumor cells invade the mouse diaphragm and move through the muscle on the surface of the laminin coated muscle cells. Our current working hypothesis is that the production of alpha 6 beta 1 and laminin in human tumor cells contributes to the invasive phenotype. Invasion could occur on the surfaces of laminin coated structures such as the nerves, blood vessels or muscle and account for the known patterns of human prostate tumor progression. Blockage of the expression or function of alpha 6 beta 1 or laminin or preventing the loss of beta 4 would be essential steps in confining the carcinoma to the prostate gland where conventional treatment has already proven effective.

Amino Acid Sequence↗