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Biomedical subjects

X Xie

Publications and source records attributed to X Xie.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

The economic costs of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in Canada, 1992.

UNLABELLED: AIMS, DESIGN AND SETTING: The economic costs of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in Canadian society in 1992 are estimated utilizing a cost-of-illness framework and recently developed international guidelines. MEASUREMENTS: For causes of disease or death (using ICD-9 categories), pooled relative risk estimates from meta-analyses are combined with prevalence data by age, gender and province to derive the proportion attributable to alcohol, tobacco and/or illicit drugs. The resulting estimates of attributable deaths and hospitalizations are used to calculate associated health care, law enforcement, productivity and other costs. The results are compared wit other studies, and sensitivity analyses are conducted on alternative measures of alcohol consumption, alternative discount rates for productivity costs and the use of diagnostic-specific hospitalization costs. FINDINGS: The misuse of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs cost more than $18.4 billion in Canada in 1992, representing $649 per capita or 2.7% of GDP. Alcohol accounts for approximately $7.52 billion in costs, including $4.14 billion for lost productivity, $1.36 billion for law enforcement and $1.30 billion in direct health care costs. Tobacco accounts for approximately $9.56 billion in costs, including $6.82 billion for lost productivity and $2.68 billion for direct health costs. The economic of illicit drugs are estimated at $1.4 billion. CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse exacts a considerable toll to Canadian society in terms of illness, injury, death and economic costs.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1998

Apoptosis and viral hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis is a diffuse inflammatory reaction of the liver caused by hepatotropic viruses. Pathomorphologic studies have shown acidophilic bodies and hepatocyte dropout, features that are compatible with apoptosis. Using in situ terminal transferase labeling, the number of hepatocytes showing features of apoptosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C was found to be small but higher than healthy subjects, indicating that apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. There is evidence that the immune (cytotoxic T lymphocyte)-mediated pathways of apoptosis are activated, suggesting that the apoptosis of liver cells may at least in part be related to the host immune defense. Whether other cytokine-mediated and cellular constitutive apoptotic pathways are involved or not remains to be studied. There are recent data suggesting that hepatitis B and C viral proteins may modulate apoptosis. The exact role of these observations in relation to pathogenesis remains to be established.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1998

Cellular and molecular actions of lamotrigine: Possible mechanisms of efficacy in bipolar disorder.

Several clinical studies have investigated the use of the anticonvulsant lamotrigine (LTG) as a treatment for bipolar affective disorder. Evidence suggests that this drug may have a broad spectrum of utility in this illness, having both mood-stabilising (antimanic) and acute antidepressant properties. This makes this molecule of particular interest in helping to understand the underlying disease processes. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular actions of LTG that may contribute to its action in bipolar disorder. LTG preferentially inhibits neuronal hyperexcitability and modifies synaptic plasticity via use- and voltage-dependent inhibition of neuronal voltage-activated Na+ channels and possibly high-voltage-activated Ca>cf6>2+>cf1> channels. As a consequence, it reduces excessive transmitter release in the brain. Indirectly, these effects would be expected to regulate aberrant intracellular and intercellular signalling in critical regions of the limbic forebrain where hyperactivity may occur in mania, and thus may be directly relevant to its mood-stabilising properties. Whether other molecular actions of LTG, for example on monoamine disposition, could contribute to its antidepressant activity, are less clear at present but warrant further investigation.

Acetates↗
PubMed1998

Pharmacokinetics and neurotoxicity of dipterex in hens. A comparative study of administration methods.

We compared the tissue concentration of dipterex and the inhibition of the neuropathy target esterase (NTE) activity among groups of hens (n = 8 each) which were intravenously (i.v.), subcutaneously (s.c.) or orally (p.o.) administered the insecticide dipterex. The tissue concentrations of dipterex in the s.c. group were higher than those in the i.v. and p.o. groups. When dosed subcutaneously, the tissue concentration of dipterex was high in the brain, spinal cord and muscle at 3 hr after dosing and then concentrated in the spinal cord and muscle for the subsequent 3 hr. When dosed intravenously or orally, dipterex was evenly dispersed in various tissues. All hens treated with dipterex showed acute neurotoxic signs within 15 min after dosing. The hens dosed intravenously recovered from this acute poisoning within 3 hr, and the hens dosed orally recovered within 6 hr, while the hens dosed subcutaneously recovered within 24 hr after dosing. One hen in the s.c. group exhibited acute neurological sequelae following the acute poisoning. In addition, the loss of body weight was the largest in the s.c. group (157 +/- 49 g), moderate in the i.v. group (133 +/- 91 g), small in the p.o. group (96 +/- 54 g) and the smallest in the PMSF (phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, which was dosed to promote delayed neuropathy) group (80 +/- 49 g). In the untreated hens, the activity of NTE in both the cerebrum and cerebellum was higher than that in the midbrain (p < 0.01). There was no difference in NTE activity between the cerebrum and cerebellum. In both the cerebrum and midbrain, the inhibition of NTE activity in the p.o. group was less than that in the i.v. and s.c. groups, and no difference was found between the i.v. and s.c. groups. In the cerebellum, the inhibition of NTE activity in the s.c. group was larger than that in the i.v. and p.o. groups. These results indicate that the s.c. dosing of dipterex results in a stronger neurotoxicity compared to i.v. and p.o. dosing. However, it was difficult to induce the clinical signs of delayed neuropathy with any administration of dipterex in hens, even when the promotion of delayed neurotoxicity of dipterex was attempted with PMSF or double doses of dipterex itself.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

[Treatment of ischemia in lower extremities by primary arterization in situ of Vana saphena magna].

In order to summarize the experience in the treatment of ischemic necrosis of lower extremities resulted from thrombotic occluded angittis, 15 cases were reported, which were treated by primary arterization in situ of V. Saphena magna. With a period of follow-up, 4-26 months on the average, it was found that symptoms in 14 cases were much allayed obviously, except 1 case with little relief. It suggested that primary arterization in situ of V. saphena magna could improve the circulation of the ischemic extremity rapidly without any influence of venous reflux.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[A comparative study on the risk factors for the incidence of tongue cancer].

The risk factors for the incidence of tongue cancer were analyzed with case study. The result showed that oral leukoplakia (OR = 8.50) residual roots of oral teeth (OR = 8.50), eating hot foods (OR = 13.0) and eating fire-roasted foods (OR = 3.5) were the main risk factors for the occurrence of tongue cancer. Eating fresh fruits (OR = 0.01) was usually helpful to the decrease in the predisposition of tongue cancer. It suggested that oral precancerous lesions and mouth diseases should be cured early and good life behavior must be developed in order to prevent the incidence of tongue cancer.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

[The clinical and pathological characteristics of exaggerated placental site].

OBJECTIVES: To study the pathological and clinical features of exaggerated placental site (EPS) and to propose its diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis. METHODS: The pathological features, immunohistochemical marks, clinical characteristics and prognosis of 13 cases with EPS were studied and analyzed. RESULTS: The histological feature of EPS was that trophoblasts mainly intermediate trophoblast (IT), infitrated into decidua and myometrium layers, while original histological structure was not destroyed, and placental site features remained partially. The immunohistochemical marks of EPS, HPL and EMA, were positive or strongly positive. The primary clinical presentation of EPS was postpartum hemorrhage and the prognosis was good in 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: EPS is a kind of gestational trophoblastic disease primarily involving IT. It may be a preneoplastic lesion of placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT). Its differential diagnosis depend on combining histological, immunohistochemical findings, and clinical features. Attentions should be paid to EPS in cases with postpartum hemorrhage.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Determination of captopril in tablets by gas chromatography (GC)].

A GC method for determination of captopril in tablets was developed. The sample was esterified to improve its sensitivity. The conditions for determination were: 2% OV-17 on 80-100 mesh Chromosorb W AW-DMCS packed in a 2 m x 3 mm i.d. column operated at 190 degrees C. Both FID detector and injector port at 220 degrees C. Octadecane was used as internal standard. The response was linear between 0.2 g/L and 1 g/L. This method is proved to be highly sensitive, good reproducible and satisfactory.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Study on relationship between ovulation inducing effect of drug-acupuncture and endometrial contents of estradiol receptor and progesterone receptor].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for replenishing Kidney combined with acupuncture in treating anovulation and infertility, and the relationship between its ovulation inducing effect and endometrial contents of estradiol receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). METHODS: Twenty-nine cases were treated with replenishing Kidney drugs combined with acupuncture for 1-3 months. Patients' ER and PR were measured by immunohistochemical method. And patients were classified according to PR content into PR positive group and mild PR positive group. RESULTS: Fifteen cases of PR positive group, completed treatment for 45 cycles, among them, 40 cycles showed ovulation, the ovulation rate being 88.89%. Ten in 14 cases, who complicated with infertility, became pregnant, the pregnant rate being 71.43%. While in 11 cases of PR mild positive group, 9 complicated with infertility, completed treatment for 33 cycle, 10 cycles showed ovulation (30.30%), and pregnant rate 22.22% (2/9). The difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The replenishing Kidney drugs combined with acupuncture treatment could result a good effect in treating infertility due to anovulation, especially on those with high endometrial PR content.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1998

[Tail-suspended rats with inguinal canal ligation and their myocardial function].

To examine the effect of testosterone level on myocardial contractility and to prevent the testis from sliding into abdominal cavity when subjected to tail-suspension, a new tail-suspended model of rat with its inguinal canal ligated was made. Rats suspended for 4 w without inguinal canal ligation (SUS) exhibited significant reduction in weight of testis (CON 1.70 +/- 0.19 g; SUS 0.60 +/- 0.16 g) and in serum testosterone level (CON 99.5 +/- 32.7 ng/dl; SUS 23.0 +/- 13.2 ng/dl) (P<0.01). Unexpectedly, 4 w tail-suspension of rats with inguinal canal ligation (ST) also showed significant changes in testis weight (1.21 +/-0.30 g) and serum testosterone level (40.7 +/- 32.6 ng/dl). A significant decrease of the developed tension of the papillary muscle of the left cardiac ventricle was observed in SUS and ST group as compared with controls (CON: 3.93 +/- 0.42 g/mm2, SUS: 2.54 +/- 0.85 g/mm2, ST: 2.60 +/- 0.73 g/mm2). There was no relationship between the developed tension and serum testosterone level. It suggests that the decrease of blood supply of the testis may result in an atrophy of the testis in ST group.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Experimental study of radiation effects on the mandibular microvasculature of the guinea-pigs].

In the experiment, both 180 kV X-ray and cobalt-60 radiation were delivered to right mandibles of 128 guinea-pigs with different dose (1000 cGy x 4, 800 cGy x 4, 600 cGy x 4, 400 cGy x 4 within 1 week). Dental extractions were conducted 1, 3, 5 months after radiation and the irradiated animals were examined by using microvascular corrosion castings of mandibles. It was found that the number of capillaries reduced and microvascular networks broke off after radiation with small veins shrinking subsequently while the alterations of arteries were slight. This result indicated that capillary was the most vulnerable part to the damage of radiation in the vascular system. In addition the defects of vascular networks around the non-healing tooth extraction sites were also discovered with irregularly capillary proliferation in the periphery of the lesion. The phenomena suggested that microcirculation failure induced by trauma-repairing process lead to occurRence of osteoradionecrosis of jaws.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Effect of varied sample treatment procedures on detection of hepatitis B virus DNA].

The detective sensitivity vary obviously in the assay of HBV DNA by means of polymerase chain reaction with 18 different sample treatment procedures. Higher sensitivity was found in three methods, namely, guanidine thiocyanate/phenol/chloroform, NaoH denaturation and sodium octanoate. The procedure of phenol/chloroform was too labor-intensive to be accepted in routine clinical testing, sodium octanoate which may suppress the inhibitory effect of denatured albumin on the polymerase chain reaction and thus the sensitivity was higher than the method of NaOH denaturation. Treatment of samples with 30-50 mmol/L of sodium octanoate in final concentration for the detection of HBV DNA has shown to be very sensitive, simple and reproducible.

Caprylates↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of a diamine exporter in Chinese hamster ovary cells and identification of specific polyamine substrates.

Export of the diamine putrescine was studied using inside-out plasma membrane vesicles prepared from Chinese hamster cells. Putrescine uptake into vesicles was a saturable and an ATP- and antizyme-independent process. Excess amounts of a series of diamines or monoacetyl spermidine, but not monoacetyl putrescine, spermidine, or spermine, inhibited putrescine transport. Putrescine uptake into vesicles prepared at pH 7.4 was suppressed at pH 5, compared with pH 7.4; was stimulated approximately 2.5-fold at pH 7.4 in vesicles prepared at pH 6.25, compared with vesicles prepared at pH 7.4; and was not inhibited by valinomycin in the presence of potassium ions. Reserpine and verapamil blocked [3H]putrescine uptake into inverted vesicles. Verapamil treatment caused an increase in intracellular contents of putrescine, cadaverine, and N8-acetylspermidine, in unstressed proliferating cells, or of N1-acetylspermidine, in cells subjected to heat shock to induce acetylation of spermidine at N1. These data indicate that putrescine export in Chinese hamster cells is mediated by a non-electrogenic antiporter capable of using protons as the counter ion. Physiological substrates for this exporter include putrescine, cadaverine, and monoacetyl spermidine and have the general structure NH3+-(CH2)n-NH2 + R at acidic or neutral pH.

Animals↗