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Biomedical subjects

Yu Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Yu Xu.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a report of 2 cases, with literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the clinical manifestations of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and its treatment. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 2 cases with literature was reviewed. RESULTS: PAP presented a protracted chronic clinical course with overt symptoms but few physical signs, distinct chest radiography, and was a benign process. It was manifested as primary or secondary pathological changes. Typical chest CT scan showed "map" or "cobble stone" changes. Clinically, PAP was characterized by its incompatibility between symptoms and signs, and also radiographic picture and physical signs. The examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid could be used to confirm the diagnosis of PAP with periodic acid-schiff staining and electro microscopic examination. Whole lung lavage was an efficient therapy for PAP. CONCLUSION: It is very important for physicians to pay much more attention on the early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Clinical analysis of 45 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and radiological features of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: Analysis of the clinical presentation, chest radiographs, course of disease and features of severe pneumonia in 45 SARS patients diagnosed at our hospital in Beijing between April 5 - 20, 2003. Also included is a summation of the clinical features of SARS. RESULTS: (1) SARS appears to have high infectivity; (2) the most common symptom is fever; (3) the count of leukocyte is normal or decreased; (4) most patients (35/45, 77.8%) had experienced a 24-hour fever prior to the abnormal chest X-ray changes which showed progression of pulmonary infiltrates within 48 hours in 71.1% (32/45) of the patients and, (5) the percentage of patients who developed severe pneumonia (24.4%) is higher than those who developed typical pneumonia. CONCLUSION: SARS is a disease with high infectivity and has its own clinical and radiological features. Early recognition, prompt isolation, and appropriate therapy are the key to combat this infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[The effect of murine interferon-gamma transgene expression on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of murine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) transgene expression on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. METHODS: 6 - 8 week aged pathogen-free male ICR mice were treated with bleomycin (3 mg/kg weight in 70 micro l) by intranasal instillation on day 0 in the model group. Adenoviral vector with murine IFN-gamma cDNA (AdCMVmIFN-gamma) 5 x 10(8) plague forming unit (pfu) was administrated via nastril instillation 48 h before bleomycin treatment in the preventive therapeutic group, but 72 h after bleomycin treatment in the therapeutic group. Mice treated with a same volume of normal saline (NS) and a same dosage of sham recombinant adenoviruses (AdCMVNull) served as controls. The animals were weighted on day 0, 7, 14, and sacrificed on day 14. Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lungs were recovered. The right lung was stained with either hematoxylin-eosin or masson. The left lung was weighted, and its content of hydroxyproline (HYP) was measured by HCl acid hydrosis method. The IFN-gamma concentration in BALF was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The concentrations of IFN-gamma in BALF from the AdCMVmIFN-gamma treated groups were remarkably increased, (21,250 +/- 6,497) pg/ml and (21,000 +/- 5,451) pg/ml in the IFN-gamma transgenetic preventive therapeutic group and the therapeutic group respectively. IFN-gamma was undetectable in BALF from other groups. Mice in the two groups treated with AdCMVmIFN-gamma had statistically significant weight loss (P < 0.05), higher HYP content (P < 0.05), and tended to have more severe alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis (P = 0.07) as compared with those in other groups. CONCLUSIONS: (1) mIFN-gamma could be overexpressed in airway and alveolar epithelium by locally administrated AdCMVmIFN-gamma. (2) Early mIFN-gamma transgene expression via adenoviral vector in this bleomycin model aggravated alveolitis and fibrosis to some degree.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2002

Iron deficiency and iron excess damage mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA in rats.

Approximately two billion people, mainly women and children, are iron deficient. Two studies examined the effects of iron deficiency and supplementation on rats. In study 1, mitochondrial functional parameters and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage were assayed in iron-deficient (< or =5 microg/day) and iron-normal (800 microg/day) rats and in both groups after daily high-iron supplementation (8,000 microg/day) for 34 days. This dose is equivalent to the daily dose commonly given to iron-deficient humans. Iron-deficient rats had lower liver mitochondrial respiratory control ratios and increased levels of oxidants in polymorphonuclear-leukocytes, as assayed by dichlorofluorescein (P < 0.05). Rhodamine 123 fluorescence of polymorphonuclear-leukocytes also increased (P < 0.05). Lowered respiratory control ratios were found in daily high-iron-supplemented rats regardless of the previous iron status (P < 0.05). mtDNA damage was observed in both iron-deficient rats and rats receiving daily high-iron supplementation, compared with iron-normal rats (P < 0.05). Study 2 compared iron-deficient rats given high doses of iron (8,000 microg) either daily or every third day and found that rats given iron supplements every third day had less mtDNA damage on the second and third day after the last dose compared to daily high iron doses. Both inadequate and excessive iron (10 x nutritional need) cause significant mitochondrial malfunction. Although excess iron has been known to cause oxidative damage, the observation of oxidant-induced damage to mitochondria from iron deficiency has been unrecognized previously. Untreated iron deficiency, as well as excessive-iron supplementation, are deleterious and emphasize the importance of maintaining optimal iron intake.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

School nursing in an underserved multiethnic Asian community: experiences and outcomes.

Based on an Asian faculty's previous work, University of South Alabama College of Nursing conducted a project targeting the Asian population in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The Helene Fuld Health Trust, HSBC, Trustee funded the project to demonstrate effective models for involving nursing students and faculty members in community-based practice. This project provided health services and developed educational programs for this underserved population. To facilitate entry into the Asian community, the College established clinical sites at 2 schools in Bayou La Batre that had the highest concentration of Asians in Mobile County's public school system. The purpose of the project was to develop a new curriculum, to involve nursing students in community-based practice, and to provide health care services in the community. The health services, educational programs, and community instructional activities generated substantial outcomes for the targeted population as well as nursing students. Nursing students learned to assess aggregates, plan, and evaluate interventions. The learning outcomes of the nursing students were evaluated using objectives developed in accordance with Bloom's (1956) Taxonomy. The project not only complemented and expanded existing school health services and programs but also filled the void in some health service and program areas. Preliminary evaluation of the project revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the nursing students and Bayou La Batre school teachers. This article also explores the implications of the newly issued "National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care" for nursing education in the contexts of the Census 2000 and the megatrend of globalization.

Alabama↗
PubMed2002

Inhibition of allergic responsiveness in a murine asthma model via IFN-gamma transgene expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate adenoviral vector mediated exogenous gene expression in mouse lungs and the effect of mIFN-gamma transgene expression on allergen-induced pulmonary eosinophil infiltration in a murine asthmatic model. METHODS: LacZ marker gene was transduced into CD-1 mouse airway epithelial cells by installation of a replication-deficient adenovirus with LacZ gene (AdCMVLacZ) 5 x 10(9) plaque forming unit (pfu) in the intratrachea or nostril. C57 mice were sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged by aerosol with ovalbumin (OVA) to produce an asthmatic model. AdCMVmIFNgamma 5 x 10(9) pfu was administered via nostril in asthmatic mice 48 h before OVA challenge. Sera, bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) and lungs were recovered 48 h after OVA challenge. RESULTS: After administration with AdCMVLacZ by intratracheal installation or nose-drop, the lungs revealed a high level of widespread LacZ transduction with X-gal staining, mainly along airways. IFN-gamma via adenoviral vector transduction could be overexpressed both in vitro and in vivo (1624.7 +/- 1321.5 pg/ml in BAL 96 h after AdCMVIFNgamma infection). In AdCMVIFNgamma treated asthmatic models, histological evaluation revealed marked suppression of eosinophil peribronchial and perivascular infiltration; the recoverable percentage of eosinophils in BAL was an average of 9.00% +/- 4.58%, which was a statistically significant decrease versus that of the positive control group (75.13% +/- 6.85%) (P < 0.001). The total cell number in BAL ((145 +/- 55.6) x 10(3) cells/ml) in AdCMVmIFNgamma treated mice also was tremendously reduced compared to the positive control group ((216.6 +/- 71.1) x 10(3) cells/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Adenoviral vector was able to overexpress exogenous gene in murine lungs. IFN-gamma overexpression via adenoviral vector in pulmonary epithelia in vivo can abrogate allergen-induced eosinophilic infiltration in lungs in an asthmatic model, which may suggest a new preventively therapeutic method for cytokine immunogenetic transfer in allergic asthma.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1997

Preparation and Characterization of Novel Amphiphilic C(60) Derivatives.

Amphiphilic C(60) derivatives of [(ethoxycarbonyl)decylene]fullerene and bis[(ethoxycarbonyl)decylene]fullerene, which are used to obtain organized molecular films by the LB technique, were prepared by the reaction of C(60) with diazo compounds. They were characterized by IR, UV-vis, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and FD-MS. Direct evidence confirmed that the [6,5]-fullerenoid is the thermodynamically more stable isomer. It was converted from the arrangement of a [6,6]methanofullerene rather than a reaction product in 6,5 double bonds. A carbene mechanism is suggested for the reaction.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of AACN baccalaureate nursing education curriculum model in the People's Republic of China: a transcultural exploratory study.

This study examines the relevance of The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1998) to baccalaureate nursing curriculum development in the People's Republic of China. A Likert-type survey was developed to measure Chinese nurse educators' perceptions regarding the 21 key concepts extracted from The Essentials document in both the present curriculum and an ideal curriculum across three dimensions: importance, cultural relevance, and extent of exposure. Surveys were sent to all known baccalaureate nursing programs in China (N = 22) with a 50 percent return rate. Descriptive statistical analyses supported the universality of the majority of the 21 key concepts from The Essentials document. Some of the concepts, however, were not as readily transferable because of differences in the Chinese sociopolitical and cultural contexts for baccalaureate nursing education. Findings from this study lend support for the potential global relevance of The Essentials document. Additional transcultural and comparative studies are recommended to further test the relevance of The Essentials document in other cultures. Meanwhile, international nurse educators need to be aware of the possible limits of adopting The Essentials document without values clarification, critical discrimination, and adaptation to their home cultures.

Attitude↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Academic and clinical dissonance in nursing education: are we guilty of failure to rescue?

The experience of cognitive dissonance in novice clinical nursing students is examined. These students often confront an incongruity between the rule-bound academic ideal of nursing with which they have been prepared and the more flexible, intuition-driven clinical reality they encounter. Without insightful guidance from clinical faculty, the students' response to this dissonance could include disillusionment with clinical nursing practice or devaluation of the academic ideal of nursing. Cognitive Dissonance Theory, the Novice to Expert Model, and the Neuman Systems Model provide insight into this phenomenon and serve as a theoretical foundation for recommended strategies and interventions for optimal response to dissonance between academic ideal and clinical reality in nursing students.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Conflict management styles of Asian and Asian American nurses: implications for the nurse manager.

Foreign nurses and American nurses who are culturally diverse make up an increasing number of the US nursing workforce. Of foreign nurses, Asians constitute the largest number. Conflict is an inevitable aspect of human relations in health care settings. Nurses and other health team members with diverse cultural background bring to the workplace different conflict behaviors that directly impact the outcomes of conflicts. It is essential for health care team members and managers to be cognizant of different conflict behaviors as well as different conflict management styles so that strategies can be designed to build a culturally diverse health care team that is able to effectively achieve group and organizational objectives.

Asian↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cancer risk factors among Southeast Asian American residents of the U.S. Central Gulf Coast.

This study profiles aggregate-specific cancer risk factors of Southeast Asian Americans residing along the Central Gulf Coast in the United States. An investigator-designed cross-sectional survey was conducted with 332 volunteer Southeast Asian community residents aged 18 years and above. Aggregate-specific cancer risk factors include high prevalence of hepatitis, high smoking and drinking rates in men, extended ultraviolet light exposure without protection, low colorectal and prostate cancer screening rates, and knowledge deficits of cancer and cancer screenings. Based on the study findings, progress toward the targets of the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan: 2001-2005 is evaluated and compared to available national data. Implications for public health nursing practice and future research are also addressed. In particular, the study findings underscore the importance of developing culturally tailored interventions to reduce cancer risk factors in this underserved Asian American population.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Are Chinese nurses a viable source to relieve the U.S. nurse shortage?

The viability of recruiting Chinese nurses to ease the current U.S. nurse shortage is examined by assessing nursing's socioeconomic status and the educational preparation of nurses in China. Recruiting Chinese nurses is a win-win scenario for individual Chinese nurses, the Chinese nursing profession, and the two countries involved.

China↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of internationally educated nurses in the United States.

Among an estimated 2.7 million U.S. nurse workforce in March 2000, about 4% were internationally educated nurses. This secondary analysis of the 2000 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses profiles this unique segment of the U.S. nurse workforce. Findings indicate that internationally educated nurses have distinctive demographical, educational, and employment characteristics when compared to U.S.-trained nurses. Implications of the findings are elaborated in lieu of the present U.S. nurse shortage.

Adult↗