Biomedical subjects

X Liu

Publications and source records attributed to X Liu.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

[Preliminary study on Chinese herb induced apoptosis of thyrocytes in Graves' disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of some Chinese herbs on apoptosis of thyrocytes in Graves' disease. METHODS: Thirteen patients of Graves' disease were treated by anti-thyroid drugs and Chinese herbs were added in the therapeutic period for 2-10 weeks. Thyroid tissue of patient was sucked by percutaneous aspiration before and after adding Chinese herbs for observing the cellular morphology by fast red tablet staining, monitoring the cell apoptotic ratio by flow cytometry and terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl end labelling (TUNEL) method to observe the effect of anti-thyroid drugs combined with Chinese herbs on Graves' disease. RESULTS: Compared with that treated with anti-thyroid drugs alone, after the combined therapy, the size of thyroid decreased significantly, P < 0.01. Typical apoptosis appearance, such as vacuolated cell, marginal nuclei, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, could be seen under light microscopy. The apoptotic rate before and after adding Chinese herbs was (2.11 +/- 1.78)% and (18.66 +/- 20.01)% respectively (P < 0.01). TUNEL positive cells were detectable for up to 2-20 weeks after Chinese herbal treatment. CONCLUSION: Some Chinese herbs could induce cell apoptosis when used in combination with antithyroid drugs in treating Graves' disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Clinical study on hyperthyroidism of yang hyperactivity type due to yin deficiency treated by jiakang ning capsule].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Jiakang Ning (JKN) capsule on hyperthyroidism. METHODS: Eighty-five cases of hyperthyroidism were divided into JKN group (24 cases), JKN with low dose Tapazol group (35 cases) and Tapazol control group (26 cases) at random. The effects were evaluated by total effective rate, using principal symptoms, body weight, EKG, thyroid hormone and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) after 6 months. RESULTS: The total effective rates of three groups were 83.8%, 97.1%, 88.5% respectively, and there were insignificant difference among them statistically (P > 0.05). The first two groups had better effect in principal symptoms than Tapazol control group (P < 0.05). There were similar results in adjusting thyroid dysfunction and abnormal EKG, decreasing ANP and increasing body weight among those three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect on hyperthyroidism treatment by JKN capsule was satisfactory. The combination of Chinese herbs with western medicine could enhance the curative effect of hyperthyroidism without obvious side-effects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Systemic inflammatory response syndrome in critical patients - an analysis of 1,292 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of the occurrence and the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in critical patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 1292 patients accepted by our hospital in ten months from October 1995 to July 1996 were analyzed. The patients met at least two of the criteria for SIRS such as fever, hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea or abnormal white blood cell count. RESULTS: 1292 (67.7%) of the 1909 patients investigated met two or more of the criteria for SIRS. In the 1292 cases, those who met two, three or four of the criteria were respectively 467 (36.1%), 526 (40.7%) and 299 (23.1%). 149 patients (11.5%) in the 1292 cases died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In which 33 (7.1%), 57 (10.8%) and 59 (19.7%) respectively in patients with two, three and four of the criteria for SIRS. The proportion of patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome, metabolic function dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure increased with the increase in the number of SIRS criteria that the patients met and with the increase in the proportion of patients progressing from SIRS to septic shock. The mortality rate of the patients also gradually increased while the patients with SIRS were developing sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock, but there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that bacterial infection, severe trauma and acute pancreatitis might cause SIRS and compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome might play an important role in the maintenance of internal environment of the body. A comprehensive understanding of SIRS might be of help to the management of critical diseases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Expression of interleukin-6 and its receptors in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble-IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with disease activity and to explore IL-6 signal transduction pathways in SLE patients. METHODS: By using MTT colorimetry and ELISA, the levels of IL-6 and sIL-6R in serum from 16 patients with SLE (9 active, 7 inactive), 17 with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 29 controls were measured. The expressions of acute phase reaction factor (APRF) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also detected by using electrophoresis mobility shift assays (EMSA) after the PBMCs were isolated and then stimulated by IL-6. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 and sIL-6R levels in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.01), but were significantly lower than those in active RA patients (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 rather than sIL-6R level in active SLE patients was significantly higher than that in inactive ones (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 was correlated positively with the anti-dsDNA antibody (r = 0.658, P < 0.01), but not with CRP (r = 0.041, P > 0.05). There were no expression of APRF in PMNC from SLE patients and 8 normal controls, whereas PMNC from 11 RA patients expressed APRF activity (11/17). CONCLUSION: The level of IL-6 is a useful parameter for monitoring disease activity of SLE. In active SLE, no significant elevation of serum sIL-6R and no expression of APRF in PMBCs may be responsible for mild CRP elevation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[The diagnostic significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To inquire into the diagnostic significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Serum ANCA from 58 UC patients, 43 non-UC patients and 58 healthy donors were detected with indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)and Western blot. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the presence of ANCA in the diagnosis of UC were 37.93% and 100% respectively. In the group of UC, patients with mild, moderate and severe clinical manifestations had positive ANCA rates of 17.65%, 41.67% and 52.94% respectively. The occurrence rates of mucosal vasculitis and grade III-V mucosal inflammation were 78.95% and 78.95% respectively in ANCA-positive group, but 37.04% and 44.44% in ANCA-negative group. The levels of the binding of the five kinds of ANCA antigens i.e. myeloperoxidase (MPO), bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI), lactoferrin (LF), cathepsin G (CG) and proteinase-3 (PR-3) with the serum of UC patients were 13.99%, 13.79%, 10.34% 10.34% and 8.62% respectively. Specific protein strips were observed in 48.28% of the UC patients with Western blot technique, 47,000 polypeptide being the most common and making up 22.41% of them. CONCLUSION: The detection of ANCA was an auxiliary method for the diagnosis of UC. At present, UC-associated target antigens were not yet clarified, 47,000 polypeptide may be one of them. ANCA may participate in the pathogenesis of UC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[The causes of chylous ascites: a report of 22 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To review the causes and test the diagnostic accuracy of chylous ascites in 22 cases hospitalized in recent years and to compare the efficacy of current investigative procedures with those of previous decades. METHODS: 22 patients with chylous ascites were studied; they were admitted into Peking Union Medical College Hospital in 7 years (1990 - 1997). The data of the 22 patients were compared with those of 17 cases in previous 67 years (1923 - 1989) in the same hospital. Twelve of 22 patients underwent (99)Tc-labeled lymphoscintigraphy. RESULTS: Chylous ascites was diagnosed by ascites in all the 22 patients with analysis of ascitic fluid. Otherwise, the diagnosis would not be established in eight cases if examined with the naked eye. The causes of all the 22 cases were clearly diagnosed. However, the causes were not known in five cases in the 17 cases of previous years. The main causes in this group were malignant tumors (6/22), hepatic cirrhosis (5/22) and tuberculosis (4/22). Other causes included traumatic and congenital lymphatic lesions. CONCLUSION: The causes of chylous ascites can be made clear and definite by detailed comprehensive examinations, including scintigraphy. The main causes were malignant tumor, hepatic cirrhosis and tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Changes of the interleukin-1 in dysfunction of central nervous system in myasthenia gravis].

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have demonstrated that acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChRab) present in the serum of the patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) not only block acetylcholine transmission at the neuromuscular junction, but also cause dysfunction of central nervous system (CNS). The mechanism remains unclear. In the present study the concentration of interleukin-1 in the brain, thymus and blood was investigated to reveal the mechanism of CNS dysfunction in MG. METHODS: The concentration of interleukin-1 in brain, thymus and blood was detected after establishing the experimental MG model of central nervous system dysfunction induced by injection of AChRab purified from MG sera into the rat cerebral ventricular system. RESULTS: Interleukin-1 level in brain, thymus and blood started to increase one week after injection of AChRab. The level of interleukin-1 in brain tissue showed a very significant increase, as compared to that in thymus and blood till the end of 2 weeks after injection, where as in thymus and blood the increasing rate was relatively slow. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that interleukin-1 increased in rat brain, thymus and blood may play an important role in generating dysfunction of CNS in MG.

Animals↗

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

[The mechanism and effect of erythromycin in development of pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of erythromycin on the development of pulmonary fibrosis and explore the new therapy in pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: By evaluating the pathologic changes, the synthesis of collagen protein, the level of activity and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), the effect of erythromycin was investigated on the rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. RESULTS: The alveolitis alleviated in the first week in treatment group comparing with the control group (142.5 +/- 13.9 mg/g), the synthesis of collagen protein decreased in the fourth week treatment group (96.8 +/- 4.8 mg/g) (q Test P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Erythromycin may alleviate the process of rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[The role of mediastinoscopy for the diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenopathy and sarcoidosis].

OBJECTIVE: To find a effective method for diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenopathy and sarcoidosis of mediastinum. METHODS: Mediastinoscopy was conducted in patients who had enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on chest CT or MRI and were clinically suspected of either tuberculosis or sarcoidosis. Biopsy was done to obtain pathological diagnosis, and make therapeutic program. RESULTS: Of this series of 25 patients, 16 cases were pathologically diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenopathy, representing 64% (hyperplastic tuberculosis 14 cases; caseous tuberculosis 2 cases); 8 cases were sarcoidosis, representing 32%; one case was difficult to tell tuberculosis from sarcoidosis microscopically, representing 4%. Tuberculosis and sarcoidosis were causes of benign enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes. They were hard to be differentiated from roentgnologically, sometimes even microscopically; and they might be confused with other malignant diseases, which can also cause the enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes, such as lymphoma, metastatic malignancies, etc. Thus they were easily resulted in misdiagnosis. Of this series, the initial diagnosis of 21 cases were malignancies, representing 84%, two cases has even undergone chemotherapy at local hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes, mediastinoscopy is of great value. It was emphasized to make every effort to obtain definite pathological diagnosis before standard treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Effects of metalloproteinases on pulmonary fibrosis by bleomycin in rats].

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the mediators for dynamic equilibrium of extracellular matrix. The purpose was to investigate the effects of metalloproteinases on the development of pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: The expression and activity of metalloproteinases of alveolar macrophage, and fibroblasts were evaluated on rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. RESULTS: The activity of collagenase was low in the macrophage and fibroblast in control group, 20.4 x 10(-7) U/cell and 30.6 x 10(-7) U/cell respectively. There was an increase in the first and fourth week groups of bleomycin rats. The highest level of activity of alveolar macrophages was 258.0 x 10(-7) U/cell in first week group. A peak of enzymatic activity was found in 4th week group (289.0 x 10(-7) U/cell). The mRNA of MMP-1, MMP-2 were expressed at lower levels in the normal lung tissue and there was an increase in first week, and fourth week group of bleomycin rats with a peak in one week group. CONCLUSIONS: The regulation of metalloproteinases might play an important role in the development of pathological processes in pulmonary fibrosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[Clinical protocols for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To set up principles for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: The therapeutic principles and results of SAP in three periods were analyzed. Period I (1980 - 1990) was characterized by early surgical intervention supplemented with integrated traditional and western medical therapy, period II (1991 - 1993) by integrated traditional and western medical therapy supplemented with surgery for early complications, and period III (1994 - 1997) by integrated traditional and western medical therapy supplemented with surgery for local infectious complications only. RESULTS: Because of the improvement of intensive care, the operation rates kept declining in the three periods. They were 77.59%, 54.55% and 29.55% with a mortality rate of 40.52%, 17.17% and 11.36%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated traditional and western medicine has been effective in most SAP patients, and surgery is indicated only for late complications such as necrotizing infection. Early surgery should be restricted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Age changes in CT values of human major salivary glands].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate CT values ranges of normal major salivary gland in different age groups and regularity of age changes. METHODS: CT values of normal parotid and submandibular glands, comparing with those of masseter and sterocleidomastoid muscles, were measured and analyzed in 100 cases with 4 different age groups. RESULTS: CT values of parotid and submandibular gland decreased with aging, whereas no significant age change in CT values occurred in the masseter and sterocleidomastoid muscles. The CT values of parotid and submandibular gland showed big differences in different age groups. This difference, however, became smaller after the case were divided in 4 groups reference to age. CONCLUSION: CT value ranges of normal major salivary gland should be determined according to the age. It is possible to take the contralateral gland as the control gland for CT diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Plasmid DNA breakage caused by reaction of intracellular redox compound with potassium dichromate].

OBJECTIVE: To study plasmid DNA breakage induced by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI +)) compound in vitro. METHODS: DNA breakage was observed using plasmid relaxation method. RESULTS: pUC 118 plasmid DNA single strand breakage can not be caused by either ascorbic acid (1 mmol/L), or glutathione (5 mmol/L), or hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2), 17 mmol/L) or potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7), 0.5 mmol/L) alone. But, if DNA was incubated warmly with K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and intracellular redox compound, pUC118 plasmid DNA single strand breakage could be induced by K(2)Cr(2)O(7), ascorbic acid, or glutathione, or products of peroxidation reaction. K(2)Cr(2)O(7) (0.5 mmol/L) and H(2)O(2) (17 mmol/L) also could cause some double-strand breakage in plasmid. CONCLUSION: It suggests that ascorbic acid, glutathione and H(2)O(2) can play an important role in carcinogenicity of K(2)Cr(2)O(7).

Antioxidants↗

PubMed1999

[Measurement of soluble Fas in patients with hematological malignancy].

We measured serum levels of soluble Fas(sFas) in 68 patients with hematological malignancy by using sandwich ELISA and detected bone marrow mononuclear cell membrane Fas(mFas) positive cells in 46 patients with acute leukemias by immunohistochemical technic. It was found that sFas levels were significantly higher in acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) patients(median 10.48 +/- 5.89 ng.ml-1) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) patients(median 18.26 +/- 16.47 ng.ml-1) than those in healthy donors (median 0.92 +/- 0.88 ng.ml-1) (P < 0.05). Elevated sFas levels were correlated with the disease stage and progress, but not with other clinical parameters. According to the follow-up of five ALL patients, their serum sFas levels decreased after complete remissions. We conclude that sFas has prognostic value and is an effective clinical parameter with ALL or NHL patients. In addition, sFas levels in the sera of acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia patients were also found to be unchanged compared with those in the normal control.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Lipid peroxide damage in retinal ganglion cells induced by microwave].

The determination of lipid peroxide damage in the primary cultured pig retinal ganglion cells induced by microwave can provide some experience on the effect of microwave and the protection from its damage. Retinal ganglion cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to different intensities or time of microwave, and cultured for another 48 hours. The content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected. Results showed that the content of MDA was increased and SOD decreased after radiation. After 48 hours in culture, the content of MDA recovered, and SOD increased. It is concluded that microwave induced the lipid peroxide damage in primary cultured retinal ganglion cells. These damages were recoverable in certain range of intensity or time.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[Sequencing and analysis of 16S rDNA sequences for P. cocovenenans subsp farinofermentans].

In order to fix the phylogenetic taxonomic position of P. cocovenenans subsp. farinofermentans and describe its relationships with other closed species, seven primers were designed to amplify and sequence the 16S rDNA of 4 strains of it by using a clonal sequencing or direct sequencing method. The 16S rDNA sequence of the 4 strains were aligned with the 16S rDNA sequences of other species in genus Burkholderia, and the polygenetic tree was produced by using a Clustal V and treeview software. The results showed that P. cocovenenans subsp. farinofermentans was in a high homology with Burkholderia gladioli and Burkholderia cocovenenans, and they formed an independent phylogenetic clustal of genus Burkholderia.

DNA, Recombinant↗

PubMed1999

[Studies on immunoassay for detecting fumonisin B1].

Direct competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in corns were developed by using anti-FB1 monoclonal antibody. The minimum detectable concentration of FB1 was 10 ng/ml, and the standard curve was linear between 10 ng/ml and 5 micrograms/ml. The FB1 concentration of some corn samples from Xinjiang, Anhui, Hilongjiang provinces and Haerbin city were detected. The result imply that 34 out of 156 samples were positive for FB1. The concentrations were in the range of 0.18-31.32 micrograms/g. The average concentration was 12.04 micrograms/g.

Animals↗