Biomedical subjects

Y W Wu

Publications and source records attributed to Y W Wu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Causes of death in remote symptomatic epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the causes of death of individuals with developmental disabilities that occur more frequently among those with remote symptomatic epilepsy (i.e., epilepsy occurring in persons with developmental delay or identified brain lesions) than for those without. METHODS: The authors compared causes of mortality in persons with (n = 10,030) and without (n = 96,163) history of epilepsy in a California population of persons with mild developmental disabilities, 1988 to 2002. Subjects had traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, or a developmental disability with other or unknown etiology. There were 721,759 person-years of data, with 2,397 deaths. Underlying causes of death were determined from the State of California's official mortality records. Cause-specific death rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed for those with and without epilepsy relative to subjects in the California general population. Comparisons were then made between SMRs of those with and without epilepsy, and CIs on the ratios of SMRs were determined. RESULTS: Death rates for persons with epilepsy were elevated for several causes. The greatest excess was due to seizures (International Classification of Diseases-9 [ICD-9] 345; SMR 53.1, 95% CI 28.0 to 101.0) and convulsions (ICD-9 780.3; SMR 25.2, 95% CI 11.7 to 54.2). Other causes occurring more frequently in those with epilepsy included brain cancer (SMR 5.2, 95% CI 2.2 to 12.1), respiratory diseases (SMR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.5), circulatory diseases (SMR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.7), and accidents (SMR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.7), especially accidental drowning (SMR 12.8, 95% CI 7.0 to 23.2). CONCLUSIONS: Remote symptomatic epilepsy is associated with an increased risk of death. Seizures, aspiration pneumonia, and accidental drowning are among the leading contributors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus (AFE) on liver fibrogenesis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis. Fibrosis was induced in rats by oral administration of CCl4 (20%, 0.5 ml/rat, p.o.) twice a week for 8 weeks. AFE (0.5 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o., daily for 8 weeks) was administered to rats simultaneously. AFE showed reducing actions on the elevated levels of GOT and GPT caused by CCl4. Liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 led to the drop of serum albumin concentration; the AFE increased the albumin concentration. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis markedly caused liver atrophy and splenomegalia, while AFE increased the liver weight, and decreased the spleen weight. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis decreased the protein content, and increased collagen contents in rat's liver. AFE significantly increased the contents of protein and reduced the amount of collagen in the liver. In CCl4-treated rats, glutathione concentrations of liver were not affected. AFE significantly increased liver glutathione concentrations. All these results clearly demonstrate that AFE can reduce the liver fibrogensis in rats induced by CCl4.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Synthesis, in vitro anticancer evaluation, and interference with cell cycle progression of N-phosphoamino acid esters of zidovudine and stavudine.

A series of N-diisopropylphosphoryl (DIPP) L-amino acid ester prodrugs of zidovudine (AZT) (3a-3e) and stavudine (d4T) (4a-4e) has been prepared. The activity of these compounds against MCF-7 cells (human pleural effusion breast adenocarcinoma cell line) and K562 cells (human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line) was evaluated. In difference from that of AZT amino acid phosphoramidates, the alophatic amino acid esters of AZT were found to be more cytotoxic than the aromatic analogues toward MCF-7 cell. Two DIPP-L-amino acid esters of d4T 4b (CC50 = 83 microM) and 4c (CC50 = 182 microM) were found to be more cytotoxic than the parent drug toward K562 cells. MCF-7 and K562 cell cycle disturbance was investigated showing detectable blockade in the S phase when exposed to biologically active AZT, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b and 4c, indicating that they inhibit cell growth by blocking cell cycle progression. Together with previous reports, present findings suggest that anti-breast cancer activity of AZT may be due to hamper DNA synthesis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2002

Deaths from stroke in US children, 1979 to 1998.

BACKGROUND: Studies have documented declining mortality from stroke in adults over the past two decades, with black adults at greater risk of death from stroke than whites in all years. As these findings have been attributed to control of stroke risk factors that are less important in children, trends and demographics of childhood stroke mortality are of interest, but have not been explored. METHODS: The authors analyzed death certificate data for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH] and intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH]) in children under 20 years of age in the United States for the years 1979 through 1998, covering approximately 1.5 billion person-years. RESULTS: Childhood mortality from stroke declined by 58% overall, with reductions in all major subtypes (ischemic stroke decreased by 19%; SAH, by 79%; ICH, by 54%). Black ethnicity was a risk factor for mortality from all stroke types (relative risk 1.74 for ischemic stroke; 1.76 for SAH; 2.06 for ICH; p < 0.0001 for all types). Male sex was a risk factor for mortality from SAH (relative risk 1.30, p < 0.0001) and ICH (relative risk 1.21, p < 0.0001), but not from ischemic stroke (relative risk 1.02, p = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from stroke in US children has decreased dramatically over the last 20 years. Black children are at greater risk of death from all stroke types than are white children. As control of known stroke risk factors is unlikely to account for declining stroke mortality and ethnic differences in children, unrecognized stroke risk factors may be important.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Incidence and mortality of generalized convulsive status epilepticus in California.

BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies of status epilepticus have been performed in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, case fatality, and demographics of generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) in the state of California. METHODS: Using a state-wide hospital discharge database, the authors identified all hospitalizations from 1991 through 1998 with a discharge diagnosis of convulsive status epilepticus. They identified the first admission for each individual to estimate the incidence of GCSE. In-hospital case fatality rates were calculated, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of death during hospitalization. Secondary diagnoses were analyzed by retrieving all discharge diagnoses accompanying the diagnosis of GCSE. RESULTS: The incidence rate of GCSE was 6.2/100,000 population and fell by 42% between the years 1991 and 1998 from 8.5 to 4.9/100,000. The rate of GCSE was highest among children under the age of 5 (7.5/100,000) and among the elderly (22.3/100,000). Blacks also demonstrated a relatively high incidence of GCSE (13.4/100,000). The case fatality for incident admissions was 10.7%, with increasing age being the only significant predictor in multivariate analysis. Case fatality was highest in patients who also carried a diagnosis of anoxia, CNS infection, or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of GCSE requiring hospitalization has fallen over the last decade and is lower than that reported in previous studies. The case fatality is also lower than that reported previously. Further studies are needed to determine the cause of this decline in incidence and mortality of GCSE.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Ameliorative effects of Anoectochilus formosanus extract on osteopenia in ovariectomized rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine ameliorative effects of crude aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus (AFE) on osteopenia in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. First, all of the rats were divided into sham and OVX groups. The OVX rats were allowed to lose bone for 6 weeks. At 6 weeks post-OVX, the OVX rats were divided into four groups treated with water, 17beta-estradiol (30 microg/kg, daily s.c. injection) or AFE (0.5, 2 g/kg, daily, orally) for 12 weeks. In OVX rats, the increases of body weight and serum total cholesterol were significantly decreased by AFE or 17beta-estradiol treatment. In OVX rats, atrophy of uterus and vagina was preserved by treatment with 17beta-estradiol, but not by AFE. The decreased weight of pituitary was increased by treatment with both 17beta-estradiol and AFE. There were decreases in bone density and calcium content including the right femur and the fourth lumbar vertebra, when compared with the sham control rats. Treatment with either 17beta-estradiol or AFE ameliorated these changes induced by OVX. In addition, ovariectomy increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels. The increases were suppressed by the treatment with 17beta-estradiol and AFE. Our results demonstrated that AEF could ameliorate ovariectomy-induced osteopenia.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed2001

Measurement variability of plasma beta-sitosterol and campesterol, two new biomarkers for cancer prevention.

Phytosterols are plant sterols that are structurally similar to cholesterol and are characterized by anti-carcinogenic and anti-atherogenic properties. Beta-sitosterol and campesterol are the predominant phytosterols in blood. The present study aimed to analyse the reproducibility and overtime reliability of plasma beta-sitosterol and campesterol measurements. In order to study the reproducibility of the measurement (technical variability), three healthy premenopausal women donated a sample of their blood. Each blood sample was subdivided into six aliquots and analysed within the same run by the same laboratory technician. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the assay for plasma beta-sitosterol and campesterol were 0.88 and 0.94 (95% confidence intervals low bounds (95% CI(low)) were 0.66 and 0.82), respectively. To study the reliability of beta-sitosterol and campesterol measurement over time, seven premenopausal women were recruited. Over a 6-month period, each woman provided a fasting blood sample once a month at the same time of day, and the same numerical day of the luteal phase of her menstrual cycle (between the 20th and 24th day of her menstrual cycle). All plasma samples from the same individual were processed together at the same time by the same technician at the end of the 6-month period. The overtime ICCs of plasma beta-sitosterol and campesterol were 0.91 (95% CI(low) 0.49) and 0.58 (95% CI(low) 0.31), respectively. The high reproducibility and good overtime reliability of plasma beta-sitosterol and campesterol measurements indicate that they may be suitable for potential clinical and population-based studies on cancer prevention.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Effect of CDA-II, urinary preparation, on lipofuscin, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in young and middle-aged rat brain.

The levels of lipofuscin and lipid peroxidation reflect the degree of free radical-induced oxidative damage in the brain. We examined the effects of CDA-II, a preparation of human urine, on lipofuscin and lipid peroxidation in the brain of young (3.5 months) and middle-aged rats (17 months). The rats were given CDA-II orally at dosages of 0.3 or 1.0 g/kg daily for 8 weeks. CDA-II significantly suppressed the contents of lipofuscin and lipid peroxidation in both young and middle-aged rats. CDA-II also elevated the activity of superoxide dismutase, and the amounts of glutathione and ascorbic acid in the middle-aged rats, but not in the young ones. Our results suggest that the protection against oxidative damage by CDA-II in the young rat brain may be due to its scavenging activity against free radicals. In the middle-aged rats, in addition to the scavenging activity, the levels of endogenous antioxidants were also enhanced by the CDA-II treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Studies of biochemical markers of four isonucleus-alloplasmic lines of common wheat].

The peroxidase isozyme and the soluble peoteins of four isonucleus-alloplasmic lines of common wheat--D2-CA8057 (fertile, BC14), CMS line msD2-CA8057(BC11), CMS line msA-CA8057(BC12), CA8057 (nucleus donor) in different developmental stages were studies by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and gradient SDS-PAGE respectively. The peroxidase isozyme of bionucleus-stage anther, milk-stage endosperm and the soluble proteins of bionucleus-stage anther, leaf (the beginning and ending overwinter), dry-seed endosperm among fertile line, msD2-CA8057 and msA-CA8057 were evidently different (but few differences between CA8057 and D2-CA8057). These differences resulted from the pecially-regulated expression of (male-sterile) cytoplasmic genes to nuclear genes and could be used to identify the four isonucleus-alloplasmic lines. These results showed that msD2-CA8057 and msA-CA8057 were two different kinds of new CMS pattern.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2000

Chorioamnionitis as a risk factor for cerebral palsy: A meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Chorioamnionitis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy, but most studies have not reported a significant association. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL) is believed to be a precursor of cerebral palsy in preterm infants. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether chorioamnionitis is associated with cerebral palsy or cPVL and to examine factors that may explain differences in study results. DATA SOURCES: Searches of MEDLINE (1966-1999), Index Medicus (1960-1965), Doctoral Dissertation Abstracts On-Line (1861-1999), bibliographies, and online conference proceedings (1999) were performed for English-language studies with titles or abstracts that discussed prenatal risk factors for cerebral palsy or cPVL. STUDY SELECTION: Of 229 initially identified publications, meta-analyses were performed on studies that addressed the association between clinical (n = 19) or histologic (n = 7) chorioamnionitis and cerebral palsy or cPVL in both preterm and full-term infants. Inclusion criteria were: presence of appropriate exposure and outcome measures, case-control or cohort study design, and provision of sufficient data to calculate relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Studies evaluating risk of cerebral palsy following maternal fever, urinary tract infection, or other maternal infection were collected, but not included in the meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Information from individual studies was abstracted using standardized forms by 2 independent observers blinded to authors' names, journal titles, and funding sources. DATA SYNTHESIS: Using a random effects model, clinical chorioamnionitis was significantly associated with both cerebral palsy (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5) and cPVL (RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.2-4.0) in preterm infants. The RR of histologic chorioamnionitis and cerebral palsy was 1.6 (95% CI, 0.9-2.7) in preterm infants, and histologic chorioamnionitis was significantly associated with cPVL (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.5-2.9). Among full-term infants, a positive association was found between clinical chorioamnionitis and cerebral palsy (RR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.3-16.2). Factors explaining differences in study results included varying definitions of clinical chorioamnionitis, extent of blinding in determining exposure status, and whether individual studies adjusted for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis indicates that chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for both cerebral palsy and cPVL. JAMA. 2000;284:1417-1424.

Cerebral Palsy↗

PubMed2000

Asthma and maternal body mass index are related to pediatric body mass index and obesity: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical research has shown an increased prevalence of obesity in children with asthma. This study was designed to assess the relationship between asthma and pediatric body mass index (BMI) in a national database and to examine factors that may modify this relationship. DESIGN: The cross-sectional relationship between asthma and pediatric BMI and obesity (BMI > or = 85th percentile) was studied. Variables that may influence the relationship between asthma and pediatric BMI, such as race/ethnicity and television watching were included in the model for the total sample. A smaller sample of 3,009 white and African American youth were studied in regression models including maternal BMI. STUDY POPULATION: A nationally representative cross-sectional sample of 5154 children and adolescents of 6 to 16 years of age from the Third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: In the full sample, asthma and television watching were related to BMI, accounting for 3% of the variance in BMI. When maternal BMI was included in the non-Hispanic sample, television watching, maternal BMI, and the interaction of maternal BMI and asthma were related to youth BMI, accounting for 15% of the variance. The standardized BMI z-score for those youth without asthma and no maternal obesity was 0.06, which increased to 0.33 if the youth had asthma, to 0.70 if the youth did not have asthma but the mother was obese, and to 1.71 if the youth had asthma and the mother was obese. Asthma, television watching, and maternal BMI were independent predictors of youth obesity. CONCLUSIONS: BMI and prevalence of obesity is higher in youth with asthma. Pediatric BMI, but not obesity, is also related to the interaction of asthma and maternal BMI in white and African American youth. Comorbidity of asthma and obesity may complicate treatment of either condition, and prevention of obesity should be encouraged for asthmatic children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Studies of salt tolerance of alloplasmic wheat].

Using Aegilops crassa cytoplasm wheat as test material, salt tolerance of alloplasmic wheat was identified by tissue culture, nutrient solution culture and artificial saline pond, from calli, seeding stage, recovering stage and mature period. The results showed Ae. crassa cytoplasm lines indicated the difference of salt tolerance in varying degree; the difference of cytoplasm effect among different nucleoplasm combinations showed certain nucleoplasm interaction relation. The salt tolerance of (Ae. crassa)-jian 26 was stronger than that other tested alloplasmic lines. The result demonstrated that at recovering date and at mature period indicated salt tolerance of alloplasmic lines was not only stronger than its nuclear parent but also over control variety. As compared with common wheat, lines having strong salt tolerance were more proportions in tested alloplasmic lines. The study of alloplasmic wheat should be significant for breeding salt tolerance wheat.

Cytoplasm↗

PubMed1999

Pediatric Chiari I malformations: do clinical and radiologic features correlate?

BACKGROUND: Although Chiari I malformation is increasingly recognized in children, little is known about its clinical presentation in this age group. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between clinical and MRI features of pediatric Chiari I malformations. METHODS: We performed a chart review and MRI analysis of 49 children with Chiari I malformation. The degree of tonsillar ectopia was compared with age at onset, presence of syringomyelia, and a neurologic severity score as follows: asymptomatic = 0, symptomatic with normal neurologic examination = 1, and symptomatic with abnormal examination = 2. RESULTS: Age at onset of symptoms ranged from 10 months to 14 years. Fifty-seven percent of patients were asymptomatic. Headache and neck pain were the most frequent complaints. Syringomyelia was detected in 14% of patients and skull base abnormalities in 50%. The magnitude of tonsillar ectopia (5 to 23 mm) correlated with severity score (p = 0.04) but not with other clinical measures. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical symptoms of Chiari I malformations in children are nearly identical to those seen in adults. Children with greater amounts of tonsillar ectopia on MRI are more likely to be symptomatic.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

A comparison of traditional approaches to hierarchical linear modeling when analyzing longitudinal data.

Longitudinal designs typically involve repeated time-ordered observations for each individual (or unit). Such designs are uniquely suited to studying changes over time within individuals, and relating these to individual characteristics to identify processes and causes of intra- individual changes and interindividual differences in physiologic and psychological development. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast univariate and multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures to hierarchical linear modeling as approaches to analyzing such longitudinal data. This will enable researchers to choose the approach that best meets their research needs, and it will enable them to compare research results that are reported using one analytical approach with results that are reported using the other approach.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1999

Plasma apolipoprotein B-48, hepatic apolipoprotein B mRNA editing and apolipoprotein B mRNA editing catalytic subunit-1 mRNA levels are altered in zinc-deficient rats.

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) exists as two major isoforms and serves as an obligatory component of lipid-rich plasma lipoprotein particles. Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing is a zinc-dependent, site-specific cytidine deamination that determines whether the apoB-100 or apoB-48 isoform is synthesized. The objective of this work was to examine whether dietary zinc levels affect apoB mRNA editing in vivo. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to zinc-deficient (ZD, <0.5 mg Zn/kg diet), zinc-adequate (ZA, 30 mg Zn/kg diet) or zinc-replenished (ZDA, ZD rats fed the ZA diet for last 2 d) dietary groups for 18 d. The ratio of plasma apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48) to total apoB was significantly lower in zinc-deficient compared with zinc-adequate rats. Primer extension analysis indicated a modest but significant reduction in hepatic apoB mRNA editing in ZD rats compared with that of the ZA group. In ZDA rats, hepatic apoB mRNA editing and the percentage of plasma apoB-48 to total apoB were not different from ZA rats. The mRNA abundance of hepatic apobec-1 (apoB mRNA editing catalytic subunit 1) was significantly lower in ZD and ZDA rats than in ZA rats. In summary, the plasma ratio of apoB-48 to total apoB protein as well as hepatic apoB mRNA editing and hepatic apobec-1 mRNA levels were reduced in rats consuming a zinc-deficient diet. These data suggest that one or more components of apoB metabolism may be influenced by dietary zinc status.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Ameliorative effect of an urinary preparation on acetaminophen and D-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The effect of oral administration of a preparation of human urine (PHU) on acute liver injury was examined in rats intoxicated with acetaminophen and D-galactosamine. The results indicated that PHU protected the liver from acetaminophen and D-galactosamine-induced injury as judged by morphological and biochemical observation. An increase in lipid peroxide concentrations and decrease in protein concentrations occurred in the liver by D-galactosamine injection, PHU administration significantly prevented these changes.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed1999

Effect of a urinary preparation on liver injury by short-term carbon tetrachloride treatment in rats.

The hepatoprotective effect of a preparation of human urine (PHU) was assessed against short-term carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment in rats. Significant prevention of liver injury by PHU was found after CCl4 treatment, judging by the changes of serum biochemical parameters, and hepatic protein and triglyceride contents. The increased liver lipid peroxidation, and decreased liver vitamin C concentrations observed after CCl4 treatment were significantly prevented by PHU administration. The increase in liver glutathione (GSH) contents observed after CCl4 treatment was further increased by PHU treatment. Liver catalase activity decreased after CCl4 treatment, while liver superoxide dismutase and GSH-peroxidase activities did not change. PHU administration further inhibited the decrease in liver catalase activity after CCl4 treatment. These results indicate that PHU administration can prevent liver injury induced by CCl4 in rats by inhibiting enhanced lipid peroxidation and by improving disrupted active oxygen metabolism in the injured liver.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Postoperative pain relief in primigravida caesarean section patients--combination of intrathecal morphine and epinephrine.

BACKGROUND: Uterine contraction is less severe in primigravida patients. Intrathecal coadministration of morphine and epinephrine may provide an easy way of postcaesarean pain control. METHODS: Twenty-eight primigravida patients who requested postcaesarean pain control were studied for the effectiveness of coadministration of intrathecal morphine and epinephrine. The solution for spinal anesthesia which contained 0.2 mg morphine, 0.1 mg epinephrine and 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine was injected intrathecally. Another 30 primigravida patients were collected randomly as control. In the control group, normal saline and 0.1 mg epinephrine were used with bupivacaine. Side effects from intrathecal morphine and the need of analgesia were recorded within 48 h. RESULTS: In the study group, 89.3% (25/28) of patients did not need further narcotics for pain relief during their hospitalization after caesarean section. 96.4% (27/28) of patients needed only one dose of 50 mg intramuscular meperidine (Demerol) or no narcotic at all for pain relief within 48 h. No respiratory depression occurred. In the control group, each patient received in the average 6-7 doses of 50 mg Demerol for pain control within 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that 0.2 mg morphine and 0.1 mg epinephrine in combination with 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine given intrathecally could provide a simple way of pain control in primigravida patients undergoing caesarean section.

Analgesia, Obstetrical↗