[Physicians of the respiratory tract disease specialty should take the lead and be the example in the control of smoking].
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China↗
Biomedical subjects
X Weng
Publications and source records attributed to X Weng.
[Experimental study on detection of Schistosoma japonicum 5D gene by using PCR].
AIM: To search for an effective method to diagnose the schistosomiasis and evaluate the effect of treatment. METHODS: A PCR protocol was designed to detect the Schistosoma japonicum 5D gene encoding an immunogenic miracidial antigen in cercariae, eggs and adult worms. RESULTS: Specific amplification of a 262 bp DNA fragment was achieved by using PCR and a 165 bp DNA fragment by using nest-PCR in cercariae, adult worms and eggs of Schistosoma japonicum. After 40 cycles by PCR, the product could be detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. This PCR protocol was able to detect as few as a single cercariae, a single egg or a pinpoint-sized tissue of adult S. japonicum. Nest-PCR and oligonucleotide probe hybridization could further increase the sensitivity. No specific PCR product was obtained with DNA from human leucocyte, Escherichia coli, Bacillus proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus faecalis and Salmonella typhi. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of this PCR protocol are satisfactory.
Animals↗
Contribution of acute-phase proteins and cardiovascular risk factors to erythrocyte aggregation in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic individuals.
BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have demonstrated that elevated concentrations of acute-phase proteins affect red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were also shown to be correlated with RBC aggregation in hypercholesterolemia. However, whether acute-phase proteins promote RBC hyperaggregation in hyperlipidemic patients is unknown. The main objective of the study was to identify the impact of acute-phase proteins such as fibrinogen (Fib), haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha1-antitrypsin (AT), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and albumin (Alb) on RBC aggregation in 35 hyperlipidemic patients. The influence of these proteins in 32 normolipidemic subjects was also determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: RBC aggregation parameters reflecting the kinetics of rouleau formation and the adhesive strength between RBCs were measured by laser reflectometry. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between RBC aggregation and these acute-phase proteins, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high (HDL-C) and low (LDL-C) density lipoprotein cholesterol, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), mean blood pressure (Mpresure), and smoking habit. The kinetics of rouleau formation was positively correlated with the linear combination of IgG and Hp (r=0.76, p <0.0001) in hyperlipidemic patients, whereas IgG, smoking, AGP and gender were significant independent predictors in healthy subjects (r=0.79, p <0.0001). The correlations obtained for the models predicting the adhesive strength between RBCs were 0.69 in patients (Alb, HDL-C, IgG, p <0.002) and 0.71 in healthy individuals (AGP, BMI, p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that acute-phase proteins such as IgG, Hp, AGP and Alb influence significantly and in an independent way the level of RBC aggregation. The close association between RBC aggregation and cardiovascular risk factors further strengthens its clinical importance.
Acute-Phase Proteins↗
Differences in the erythrocyte aggregation level between veins and arteries of normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic individuals.
The objectives of this study were to detect differences in the Doppler power backscattered by blood in vivo, and to identify factors affecting the backscattered power. The main hypothesis was that variations in the erythrocyte aggregation level between veins and arteries of normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic individuals can be detected with power Doppler ultrasound. Doppler measurements were performed at 5 MHz, with an Acuson 128 XP/10 system, over the carotid artery and jugular vein, external iliac artery and vein, common femoral artery and vein and popliteal artery and vein. Doppler signals were recorded at the center of each vessel to optimize the detection of erythrocyte aggregation, and processed off-line to obtain the backscattered power. The power of each recording was compensated for Doppler gain differences, tissue attenuation with depth and transmitted power variations occurring with pulse-repetition interval modifications. Results showed statistically stronger backscattered power in veins compared to arteries for the iliac, femoral and popliteal sites. In comparison with healthy subjects, stronger powers were observed in hyperlipidemic patients for the femoral and popliteal sites. Power differences were also found between peripheral measurements. On the other hand, no difference was observed between the power measured in the carotid artery and jugular vein for both groups of individuals. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors affecting the backscattered power. Results showed a correlation (r) of 71.2% between the Doppler power in the femoral vein and the linear combination of two parameters: an erythrocyte aggregation index S10 measured with a laser scattering method, and the diameter of the vessel measured on B-mode images. Statistically significant linear correlation levels were also found between S10 and the Doppler power in various vessels. In conclusion, this study showed that power Doppler differences exist in vivo in large vessels between veins and arteries of normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic individuals. The Doppler power variations were also shown to be related to erythrocyte aggregation.
Adult↗
Three-dimensional structure of the Ras-interacting domain of RalGDS.
The Ras-interacting domains of the the protein-kinase Raf and the Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator, RalGDS, lack extensive sequence similarity, but their overall three-dimensional structures are very similar to each other. Mutational analysis indicated that three residues in the RalGDS domain are critical for its interaction with Ras.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Cloning and characterization of an uncoupling protein homolog: a potential molecular mediator of human thermogenesis.
We have identified a novel cDNA encoding a protein highly homologous to the mammalian brown fat uncoupling protein (UCP). Unlike the known UCP, which is expressed specifically in brown adipose tissue, the UCP homolog (UCPH) mRNA is expressed in a variety of tissues, with predominant expression in human white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In the white adipose tissue of ob/ob and db/db mice, the UCPH transcript is induced approximately fivefold relative to lean littermate controls. Expression of murine UCPH in yeast results in growth inhibition under conditions that require aerobic respiration, but does not affect growth under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, UCPH expression in yeast causes a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, as judged by staining with the potential-sensitive dye DiOC6. These observations suggest that UCPH, like UCP, uncouples oxidative phosphorylation. The possibility that the UCPH protein is an important mediator of human thermogenesis is discussed.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Mechanical analysis and treatment of Harrington-rods broken after initial operation for scoliosis.
Twenty-two cases of scoliosis with Harrington-rods broken after operation were treated by rod-sleeve method. The results of follow-up from 1 year and 3 months to 9 years and 3 months showed that all of the patients, but one patient occurred Harrington-rod rebroken and one's fixation being removed because of back pain in 6 months and 5 years and 11 months after rod-sleeve procedure, respectively, had no complaints. The author also found that the rod underwent a decrease in cross-sectional area of approximately 43.7% at the ratchet-shaft junction in experimental study on Harrington-rods, and stress unfairly distribution, stress concentration and cyclic loading producing fatigue in metals were proved to be the main cause of broken by mechanical analysis of Harrington-rod loaded in the body. In concluson, the rod-sleeve procedure was the effective method to keep from Harrington-rods broken.
Adolescent↗
[Treatment of internal medical diseases in pregnancy].
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Diabetes, Gestational↗
[Status and attitude to smoking in 1,214 nurses in Beijing].
Smoking in medical professionals is increasingly attracted attention to. A lot of studies on smoking in physicians at home have been reported, but few in nurses. In order to understand current status of smoking and trend of its changes in nurses, 1,214 female nurses in five hospitals of Beijing were interviewed on their smoking in 1993. Results showed an average proportion of smoking of 7.4%, 7.3% in urban and 7.9% in rural hospitals. As compared with the results of a survey conducted five years ago (with an average proportion of smoking of 1.6%), proportion of smoking in nurses increased obviously. Proportion of smoking quitting was very low (3.3%) in nurses, although most of them could recognize harmfulness of smoking and publicize it to patients.
Adult↗
Pw1, a novel zinc finger gene implicated in the myogenic and neuronal lineages.
The cellular and molecular processes leading to the establishment of the skeletal muscle lineage in the vertebrate are not well understood. The MyoD-related family of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) are expressed during somitogenesis although cells with myogenic capacity are present prior to gastrulation. We propose that regulatory genes exist that guide the skeletal muscle lineage during early development. In an effort to identify these regulatory genes, we performed a differential screening to isolate transcripts that are present in myogenic cells and in the embryo prior to MRF expression but absent in nonmyogenic fibroblasts. We report here the identification of Pw1. The Pw1 transcript is approximately 8.5 kb long and encodes a large protein containing 12 widespread C2H2 zinc fingers and 3 motifs containing periodic prolines and acidic residues. Consistent with the possibility that Pw1 is a transcription factor, we observe nuclear localization of the protein. Pw1 is strongly expressed upon gastrulation and subsequently becomes restricted to skeletal muscle and subregions of the central nervous system. Pw1 is initially expressed in all mesodermal cells early in development; however, its maintained expression in adult differentiated muscle suggests a specific role in the skeletal muscle lineage. Pw1 expression is cell cycle specific with levels highest during late M-phase. The gene is intronless which may facilitate transcription during cell division. At present, the precise function of Pw1 is not understood; however, we note that Pw1 maps to the proximal region of chromosome 7 near the axial segmentation mutant pudgy which shows severe perturbation of axial skeletal and muscle structures.
Animals↗
Evidence that the diabetes gene encodes the leptin receptor: identification of a mutation in the leptin receptor gene in db/db mice.
OB-R is a high affinity receptor for leptin, an important circulating signal for the regulation of body weight. We identified an alternatively spliced transcript that encodes a form of mouse OB-R with a long intracellular domain. db/db mice also produce this alternatively spliced transcript, but with a 106 nt insertion that prematurely terminates the intracellular domain. We further identified G --> T point mutation in the genomic OB-R sequence in db/db mice. This mutation generates a donor splice site that converts the 106 nt region to a novel exon retained in the OB-R transcript. We predict that the long intracellular domain form of OB-R is crucial for initiating intracellular signal transduction, and as a corollary, the inability to produce this form of OB-R leads to the severe obese phenotype found in db/db mice.
Alternative Splicing↗
Influence of acute-phase proteins on erythrocyte aggregation.
With the exception of fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, and albumin, little information is available on the effect of acute-phase proteins on erythrocyte aggregation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP), ceruloplasmin (Cp), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP), and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) on the aggregation kinetics and shear resistance of erythrocyte aggregates. The plasma concentration of these proteins was measured in 20 healthy individuals and kept unchanged while the concentration of the protein tested was increased. Adding Hp to concentrations between 2.78 and 4.99 g/l resulted in a significant progressive increase in aggregation kinetics compared with controls. An elevation of the shear resistance of the aggregates was found for CRP at a concentration of 0.438 g/l. By an increase in the concentration of Cp from 4.40 to 9.39 g/l, the aggregation kinetics and the adhesive forces between erythrocytes were significantly increased: No effect on erythrocyte aggregation was observed for alpha 1-AGP, alpha 1-AT, and Cp at concentrations of 2.85, 3.97, and 2.43 g/l, respectively. The molecular mass of the acute-phase proteins, their configuration, and the presence of specific receptors on the erythrocyte membrane are postulated as possible factors influencing erythrocyte aggregation.
Acute-Phase Proteins↗
[The pulmonary function in scoliotic patient].
This paper investigated preoperative pulmonary functions in 134 scoliotic patients, of whom 32 cases was followed up for their postoperative pulmonary functions. The results show that the bigger the Cobb of the scoliosis, the greater the damages of the pulmonary functions. Congenital scoliosis is more severely affected by pulmonary functions than idiopathic scoliosis. There was no significant difference among the different sections of scoliosis with regard to their effect on the pulmonary functions. The authors concluded that the Harrington Instrumentation improved pulmonary functions in scoliosis.
Adolescent↗
Identification and expression cloning of a leptin receptor, OB-R.
The ob gene product, leptin, is an important circulating signal for the regulation of body weight. To identify high affinity leptin-binding sites, we generated a series of leptin-alkaline phosphatase (AP) fusion proteins as well as [125I]leptin. After a binding survey of cell lines and tissues, we identified leptin-binding sites in the mouse choroid plexus. A cDNA expression library was prepared from mouse choroid plexus and screened with a leptin-AP fusion protein to identify a leptin receptor (OB-R). OB-R is a single membrane-spanning receptor most related to the gp130 signal-transducing component of the IL-6 receptor, the G-CSF receptor, and the LIF receptor. OB-R mRNA is expressed not only in choroid plexus, but also in several other tissues, including hypothalamus. Genetic mapping of the gene encoding OB-R shows that it is within the 5.1 cM interval of mouse chromosome 4 that contains the db locus.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Femtosecond excited-state dynamics of a conjugated ladder polymer.
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Journal Article↗
[Long-term effect of leprosy control in both highly endemic prefectures, Weifang of Shandong and Wenshan of Yunnan].
The long-term effect of leprosy control was studied in two prefectures of different geographical conditions and socio-economic status. During 1955-1985, the incidence rate in Weifang of Shandong decreased by 94.5% (9.1-0.5/10,000) and became evident after the introduction of MDT in 1986 (0.04/10,000, 1993). In Wenshan of Yunnan, however, it remained at about 20/10,000 before 1980. After the introduction of rifampin plus dapsone in 1979 and fixed duration MDT in 1986, it decreased by 94% (20-1.2/10,000), whereas the detection rate remained constant (+5/100,000). In comparison with the features of new patients detected since 1980, we noted a steady increase of MB rate and voluntary reporting, and a decrease of deformity rate, in the last 8 years in Weifang. It is estimated that by the year 2000 Weifang may have the detection rate of 0.001260/10 thousand and the incidence rate of 0/00757/10 thousand in contrast to the detection rate of 0.2980/10 thousand and the incidence rate of 0.316/10 thousand in Wenshan.
Adolescent↗
Surgical treatment of hallux valgus by reconstruction of metatarsal arch and modified McBride operation (40 cases report).
72 feet with hallux valgus among 40 patients treated by reconstruction of metatarsal arch and modified McBride operation are reported in this paper. After an average of 4.5 years of postoperative follow-up, the results showed an overall 9 degrees and 3 degrees correction of the hallux abductus angle and the intermetatarsal angle, respectively. 95% of the cases of bunions disappeared, 66% calli under the heads of the first and second metatarsal disappeared, and 91% patients were satisfied with the changes of their feet appearance.
Adult↗
[Effect of praziquantel treatment on serum circulating soluble egg antigen-antibody complex (SEAIC) level in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].
Employing Capture ELISA, we determined the level of the circulating soluble egg antigen-antibody complex (SEAIC) in sera from mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum for 7 weeks and then treated the infected mice with praziquantel (100 mg/kg body weight). It was noted that the serum SEAIC level in treated mice dropped gradually after treatment. There was a significant decrease in 13 out of 15 mice in serum SEAIC levels at five weeks after treatment, OD value dropped from 0.358 +/- 0.074 to 0.165 +/- 0.049 (P < 0.01). The serum SEAIC level in 10 mice declined to disappear (OD < 0.097) by the 7th week after treatment. By contrast, no significant changes in serum SEAIC levels were found in the non-treated mice, the serum SEAIC level in the control group maintained moderately high (OD = 0.266 +/- 0.076) till the end of the observation.
Animals↗