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Biomedical subjects

Y K Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Y K Xu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Uridine nucleotide sugars in erythrocytes of patients with galactokinase deficiency.

The levels of UDPglucose and UDPgalactose (UDPGal) have been measured in erythrocytes of seven patients with galactokinase deficiency. Normal levels of UDPGal were found in all patients with galactokinase deficiency (McKusick 23020). This is in contrast with reduced values of UDPGal found in patients with classical galactosaemia who have complete absence of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase activity. It was demonstrated that patients with galactokinase deficiency had an incomplete enzyme block in erythrocytes by direct enzyme assay, by 14CO2 production from [1-14C]galactose, and by the appearance of labelled intermediates, notably galactose-1-phosphate and UDPhexose.

Adolescent↗

Galactose metabolism in human ovarian tissue.

Galactose metabolism was studied in human ovarian tissue obtained from 14 women controls between 21 and 72 y of age, and one 21-y-old galactosemic patient with hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Tissue slices were incubated with 1-14C-galactose, and labeled intermediates were analyzed by anion-exchange column chromatography. Activities of enzymes related to the galactose pathway: galactokinase, transferase, epimerase, uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPGlc) and uridine diphosphogalactose pyrophosphorylases, and UDPGlc and uridine diphosphogalactose pyrophosphatases were measured in ovarian homogenates using radioisotopic, spectrophotometric, and fluorometric techniques. Incorporation of carbon label from 1-14C-galactose into various galactose and glycolytic intermediates, as well as carbon dioxide and TCA-insoluble materials was demonstrated in samples from non-galactosemic controls. In tissue from the galactosemic individual, no labeled carbon dioxide was produced and very little incorporation into TCA-insoluble material was found. Labeled galactose-1-phosphate was elevated. In normal ovarian tissue, specific activities of galactokinase, transferase, epimerase, and UDPGlc pyrophosphorylase are much higher than those found in the red cells and in testes. UDPGlc pyrophosphorylase activity is about 50 times that of transferase, suggesting that uridine nucleotide sugars have an important role in the normal development and function of the ovary. It is hypothesized that premature ovarian failure, often observed in patients with galactosemia, is due to interference with nucleotide sugar metabolism and the synthesis of galactose containing glycoproteins and glycolipids consequent to the enzymatic defect in the major pathway of galactose metabolism.

Adult↗

Gonadal function and ovarian galactose metabolism in classic galactosemia.

Evaluation of ovarian steroid secretion, histologic examination of ovarian tissue, and incubation studies with radiolabelled galactose in ovarian tissue slices were performed in a 21-year-old woman with galactosemia and incipient ovarian failure. After exogenous gonadotropin administration in an attempt to achieve fertility, there was no evidence of ovulation by ultrasound; estrogen and androgen production were deficient indicating ovarian unresponsiveness. Histologic examination of the ovary revealed that the ovarian stroma had an increase in fibrous tissue and that a few hyalinized atretic follicles were present with no intermediate or evolving Graafian follicles. After incubation with galactose-1-14C, there was absence of labelled CO2 production and only labelled galactose-1-phosphate was identified as compared to controls in which several labelled intermediates could be seen. The incorporation of galactose into the TCA-insoluble fraction was drastically reduced in the patient compared to controls, suggesting that there may be a deficiency of ovarian galactose-containing glycolipids, glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides in the galactosemic ovary. Deficiency in the production of galactose containing compounds, or galactose-1-phosphate accumulation or both, may lead to the development of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism seen in women with galactosemia.

Adolescent↗

The effect of flexion-extension motion of the lumbar spine on the capacity of the spinal canal. An experimental study.

The symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis are often posture-dependent, and it is generally accepted that the capacity of the spinal canal is affected by flexion-extension motions of the lumbar spine. A study of spinal capacity in flexion-extension of ten cadaver specimens on the lumbar spine was done and measurements were obtained from the flexion-extension lateral myelograms. There proved to be a larger capacity of dural sac of 3.5 to 6.0 ml (4.85 +/- 0.75 ml) in flexion than in extension, and the differences were highly significant (P less than 0.001). In addition, the sagittal diameter of the dural sac and the length of the spinal canal increased from extension to flexion. Because of the effect of flexion-extension motion of the lumbar spine on the spinal capacity, we suggest that maintaining the lumbar spine in flexion is more suitable since spinal canal capacity is enlarged and symptoms may be mitigated.

Adult↗

[A preliminary study on the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging in old myocardial infarction].

MRI manifestations in 9 patients with old myocardial infarction (OMI) were analyzed and the results were compared with the changes seen in ECG (9 patients) and coronary angiography (6 patients). The authors found that: 1. Myocardial thinning was one of the important signs of OMI (78%); 2. Signal intensity was reduced which was remarkably lower than the adjacent normal myocardium (P less than 0.01). 3. MRI provided even more direct and accurate information for assessing the site and extent of infarction than ECG; 4. The results of LVEF calculated from MRI were closely correlated with that obtained from left ventriculography (r = 0.8245, 0.01 less than P less than 0.05). The authors preliminarily conclude that MRI is an accurate method for evaluating the site and extent of myocardial infarction, myocardial tissue characterization and left ventricular function.

Adult↗

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants and their frequency in Guangdong, China.

Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was characterized in blood samples obtained from 97 randomly selected males with enzyme deficiency from various regions of Guangdong Province, China. Nine new variants (Gd Kaiping, Gd Boluo, Gd Huiyang, Gd Gaomin, Gd Qing-Baijiang, Gd Gaozhou, Gd Huazhou, Gd Nanhai, and Gd Guangzhou) were identified. Of the 31 variants found in this province, Gd Kaiping, Gd Taiwan-Hakka, Gd Haad Yai, Gd Haad Yai-like and Gd Huiyang occurred most frequently. The frequency of each variant was calculated. The results demonstrated that the genetic heterogeneity of G6PD deficiency was high in this area.

China↗

Treatment of longitudinal injuries in avascular area of meniscus in dogs by trephination.

A study promoting the healing of longitudinal injuries in an avascular area of the meniscus in 21 male dogs is reported. One horizontal hole from the peripheral vasculature to one of the artificial longitudinal injuries to both medial menisci of the knee in each dog was made with a needlelike trephine. The knee joints were not immobilized and the samples were taken 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively, after the operation. [3H]Thymidine was injected into the joint cavity 72 h before the sample was taken. Healed lengths were measured, and pathologic examinations and autoradiography were performed. The results showed that all of the injuries treated with trephination were partly or totally healed whereas those in controls were not healed at all, suggesting that trephination may be the procedure of choice for clinic orthopedists dealing with such injuries. By the 8th week, the healed length stopped increasing, the scar tissue began to mature, and the DNA synthesis of the fibroblasts in the granulation tissue and the fibrochondrocytes in the trephined meniscus reduced. It is thought that the fibrochondrocyte of the meniscus and the fibroblast in the granulation might be capable of obtaining the thymidine directly from the synovia of knee joint for their DNA metabolism. Multiplication of the fibrochondrocyte in the injured meniscus was also found.

Animals↗

Lysosomal enzyme activities among Chinese: leukocyte alpha-galactosidase and beta-galactosidase.

alpha-Galactosidase and beta-galactosidase activities have been determined in leukocyte preparations from 100 randomly selected Chinese adults. For alpha-galactosidase, two groups with low activities were identified: group I consisted of 3 females having activities below 40% of normal, and group II consisted of 5 males and 1 female with activities about 60% of normal. Family studies suggested that these low alpha-galactosidase activities are genetically determined. Only 1 individual was found to have about 50% of normal beta-galactosidase activity; presumably he is a carrier for beta-galactosidase deficiency (GM1 gangliosidosis).

Adult↗

Suture and immobilization of acute peripheral injuries of the meniscus in rabbits.

A comparative study of suturing or nonsuturing with or without immobilization of acute peripheral injuries to the medial meniscus of rabbits is reported. Artificial injuries to both knees of 44 male China Blue-Violet rabbits were sutured or left unsutured. One knee joint of each rabbit was immobilized postoperatively for 6 weeks. The maximum breaking strength was measured, pathologic examinations were performed, and healed areas were measured. The results showed that there was greater healed area, higher maximum breaking strength, earlier matured scar tissue formation, and more regular fiber alignment in the treatment groups with simple immobilization of the knee joint. These results were superior to suturing plus immobilization, suggesting that external immobilization of the knee joint is the key to the treatment of acute peripheral injuries of the meniscus. It may be the procedure of choice for clinical orthopedists dealing with such injuries. The measurement of the meniscus healed area and maximum breaking strength and the use of new material with this method of immobilization were introduced by the authors.

Acute Disease↗