The link between helminthic infection and atopy.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
Z Feng
Publications and source records attributed to Z Feng.
A study on producing monoclonal antibody with one diagnostic marker screened electrophoretically from the urine of individuals infected with Schistosoma japonicum.
One diagnostic marker (a glycoprotein with 30kDa) from the urine of individuals infected with S. japonicum was screened with electrophoresis, and used as antigen to produce McAbs. Two lines of McAbs, named NP56 and NP54,were obtained. McAb NP56 was of better immunoreactivity and its immunoglobulin isotype was IgG(2b.) McAb NP56 could react with SEA (soluble egg antigen) and AWA (adult worm antigen) and express on miracidia in eggs of S. japonicum. When determined with NP56 as a probe in indirect ELISA, the sensitivity and specificity of positive urine samples (EPG median 69) was 50% and 80% in original urine samples, and 90% and 100% in concentrated urine samples, respectively. The results above indicated that with established means it is feasible to produce McAb with the diagnostic marker screened electrophoretically from the metabolic product of the individuals infected with this pathogen, and that McAb-NP56 is of potential value in the diagnosis of chronic cases and individuals with light infection with S. japonicum.
Animals↗
Poor association of TT virus viremia with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between TT virus (TTV) infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: TTV from serum was examined in 224 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 106 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) but without HCC who were admitted to our hospital between 1995-1997. As controls, 48 patients without liver disease were also examined. TTV DNA was detected using nested PCR method after extraction of DNA from serum. RESULTS: TTV DNA was detected in 29/224 (13%) of patients with HCC; in 14% (4/28) of HCC patients negative for both hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), in 9% (2/22) of HCC patients positive for HBsAg, and in 12% (21/170) of HCC patients positive for anti-HCV. The prevalence of TTV DNA in HCC patients (13%) was not significantly higher than in CLD patients (22%). There were no significant differences in age, gender, liver function, tumor biology (size, TNM classification), other viral markers, or amount of alcohol intake between TTV-positive and -negative HCC patients. Only a history of blood transfusion was significantly more frequent in TTV-positive HCC patients than in TTV-negative cases (p= 0.02). Coinfection with TTV did not correlate with the severity of HCV-positive liver disease. There was no significant difference in prognosis between TTV-positive and -negative HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: TTV does not seem to contribute to the development of HCC from chronic liver disease and is not correlated with severity of liver disease.
Aged↗
The Protein Data Bank and the challenge of structural genomics.
The PDB has created systems for the processing, exchange, query, and distribution of data that will enable many aspects of high throughput structural genomics.
Computational Biology↗
In vitro hydrodynamic characteristics among three bileaflet valves in the mitral position.
The non-fully open phenomenon of the advancing standard medical bileaflet heart valves (the ATS valve) are frequently observed in clinical cases, even though there is no problem with their hemodynamic function. The movement of the leaflets was affected easily by the transvalvular flow because of the unique open pivot design of the ATS valve. In this paper, a comparative in vitro hydrodynamic test was conducted among 3 different types of bileaflet valves, and the effect of different shapes of downstream conduits, which induce different transvalvular flow, on hydrodynamic performance was studied. Three bileaflet valves, the ATS valve, CarboMedics valve (CM), and St. Jude Medical valve (SJM), with an annulus diameter of 29 mm for the mitral position were chosen throughout our experiments. First, pressure drops across the valves under steady flow were measured. Then, the valves were tested at the mitral position with our pneumatically driven pulsatile pump. In this pulsatile flow study, 2 different conduits (straight shape and abrupt enlargement shape) were in turn incorporated at the downstream portion of the mitral valve. A high-speed video camera was employed to observe leaflet movements. In a steady-flow test, the ATS and the SJM produced the same pressure drop, but the CM recorded a higher value. In the pulsatile study, it was observed that the ATS leaflets did not open fully in the mitral position when the downstream conduit with an abrupt enlargement shape was incorporated. However, the CM and the SJM always indicated a fully open movement regardless of the shape of downstream conduits. When the straight downstream conduit was incorporated, the ATS produced a similar pressure drop to that of the SJM, which coincided with the steady test results. When the enlargement conduit was incorporated, however, the ATS presented the lowest pressure drop despite the non-fully open movement. The conduit shape at the valve downstream had a significant influence on the closing volume. These findings indicate that the conduit shape at the valve outlet can affect the hydrodynamic characteristics of bileaflet valves.
Blood Pressure↗
Distinguishing laser Doppler flowmetric responses between arterial and venous obstructions in flaps.
This study emphasizes the differences in laser Doppler flowmetric responses between arterial and venous obstruction of flaps, by using an experimental model and a clinical review. Monitoring free flaps in the early postoperative period is valuable in the salvage of failing flaps. When combined with clinical observation, the laser Doppler flowmeter can provide the surgeon with an early indication of impending flap failure, which enhances the success rate of flap salvage. Understanding the difference in laser Doppler flowmetric response between venous and arterial occlusion allows for improved interpretation of the perfusion data. The authors monitored 12 epigastric skin island flaps in six male Sprague-Dawley rats, comparing flow data between venous and arterial occlusion. Arterial occlusion consistently led to an abrupt fall below the critical value within 1 min, while venous occlusion consistently showed a more gradual decline over 15 min and beyond. In the authors' clinical series of 13 failing flaps recorded by the laser Doppler, three cases of arterial occlusion showed an abrupt decline in flow values, while 10 cases of venous obstruction showed a gradual decline to critical value, usually over several hours. When monitoring free flaps using the laser Doppler, it is crucial to pay special attention to any gradual decline in flow values, in order to detect impending flap failure and to expedite reexploration.
Adult↗
Durability of tobacco control efforts in the 22 Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation (COMMIT) communities 2 years after the end of intervention.
Funding organizations increasingly want to know that successful interventions are continued after the end of a research project. Assessments of durability are rare and where done do not include the comparison communities. In this study we ascertain what tobacco control activities continued in intervention communities involved in the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation (COMMIT), a randomized, controlled community trial aimed at adult smokers, and also assessed level of tobacco control activities in the comparison communities. A mailed survey of key informants including paid staff and community volunteers in the 22 COMMIT communities was conducted. Approximately 79% of key informants responded to the survey. Although there was evidence that tobacco control activities were continuing in the intervention communities, there was an equal amount of tobacco control effort in the comparison communities. Within the specific tobacco control intervention areas, only the youth area showed more activity in intervention communities than comparison communities. We conclude that despite a positive trial outcome, differential durability was not achieved. More work needs to be done to assist communities in maintaining proven intervention activities. More study of methods to measure durability is also needed.
Adult↗
Monitoring free flaps using the laser Doppler flowmeter: five-year experience.
Over a 5-year period, 232 microvascular composite-tissue transfers to the head and neck, trunk, and extremities were monitored using the laser Doppler flowmeter. Thirteen free flaps (5.6 percent) developed vascular complications, all within 4 days after surgery. The laser Doppler flowmeter detected vascular compromise in all cases with no false positives or negatives. Failure to monitor the flap according to protocol by nursing staff occurred in one patient, which led to a delay in detection of venous compromise and subsequent flap loss. The salvage rate was 69.2 percent, leading to an overall flap viability of 98.3 percent. Our series of free-flap monitoring using the laser Doppler flowmeter is the largest reported to date. Review of the English literature shows consistent support by numerous clinical series for the use of the laser Doppler as a valuable postoperative monitor after free-flap transfers.
Adolescent↗
Optimizing endoscopic biopsy detection of early cancers in Barrett's high-grade dysplasia.
OBJECTIVE: The of high-grade dysplasia management (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus remains controversial, in part, because of uncertainty about the ability of endoscopic biopsies to consistently detect early, curable cancers. METHODS: Here we report cancers we have diagnosed in 45 patients with Barrett's HGD using a protocol involving serial endoscopies with four-quadrant biopsies taken at 1-cm intervals. We compare these results to a modeled endoscopic biopsy protocol in which four-quadrant biopsies are taken every 2 cm in the Barrett's segment. RESULTS: Thirteen cancers were detected at the baseline endoscopy and 32 in surveillance. In 82% of patients, cancer was detected at a single 1-cm level of the esophagus, and in 69% the cancer was detected in a single endoscopic biopsy specimen. A 2-cm protocol missed 50% of cancers that were detected by a 1-cm protocol in Barrett's segments 2 cm or more without visible lesions. The maximum depth of cancer invasion was intramucosal in 96% of patients. Only 39% of patients who had endoscopic biopsy cancer diagnoses had cancer detected in the esophagectomy specimen. Adverse outcomes included the development of regional metastatic disease during surveillance (1 of 32), operative mortality (3 of 36), including two patients who had their primary surgeries at other institutions, and death from metastatic disease after endoscopic ablation performed at another institution (1 of 3). CONCLUSIONS: A four-quadrant, 1-cm endoscopic biopsy protocol performed at closely timed intervals consistently detects early cancers arising in HGD in Barrett's esophagus and should be used in patients with HGD who do not undergo surgical resection.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Effects of titanium prosthesis, offset and size of field of view on bone mineral density measurements using quantitative computed tomography.
To estimate the accuracy of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) as a method to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in the vicinity of a titanium prosthesis, we investigated the effects of (1) titanium prosthesis, (2) offset of the longitudinal axis of the bone to be examined from that of the gantry of the CT scanner, (3) size of the field of view (FOV) and (4) the combination of these effects on CT based measurements of mineral density of cortical and cancellous bone specimens. 14 bovine cortical bone parallelepipeds and 14 bovine cancellous bone parallelepipeds were used in this investigation. The bone specimens were scanned with and without a titanium prosthesis, when centered in the gantry of the CT scanner and offset from the axis of the gantry of the CT scanner at a distance of 14 cm. Image data were then reconstructed separately with a FOV of 10 cm and 30 cm. All BMD values taken from CT images obtained under different scanning condition were compared with the BMD values of the corresponding bone parallelepiped obtained under standard condition (centered in the gantry of the CT scanner, 10 cm FOV, without titanium prosthesis). When centered in the gantry of the CT scanner, the mean relative difference of BMD measurements caused by the presence of the titanium prosthesis was less than 1% for both cortical bone and cancellous bone. Size of the FOV had a negligible effect on BMD measurements. Offset at 14 cm, however, caused a significant difference in BMD measurements (p < 0.001). It was concluded that titanium prosthesis did not interfere with BMD measurements of cortical and cancellous bone when both the specimen and prosthesis were centered in the gantry of the CT scanner. However, the effect on BMD measurements of offset at 14 cm combined with the presence of a titanium prosthesis in bone was significant.
Animals↗
Recruiting women into a smoking cessation program: who might quit?
This article describes women who called a research line to quit smoking and identifies correlates of confidence in quitting among the callers. Approximately 4,000 women called the study line to participate after a single press release, indicating intensive interest in quitting. Overall, the randomized sample of women was aged 26 to 65 years, reported smoking just over one pack per day, was mostly White, predominantly employed, and had quit an average of two times the past year before joining the study. Standard background variables, such as age, income, body weight and smoking history variables did not predict baseline self-efficacy or confidence in quitting. However, level of stress, cognitive restraint, and weight gain concerns did predict self-efficacy. These data indicate strong interest in quitting among women and highlight the role of affect and weight concerns in quitting confidence.
Adult↗
Brassica vegetables increase and apiaceous vegetables decrease cytochrome P450 1A2 activity in humans: changes in caffeine metabolite ratios in response to controlled vegetable diets.
Induction or inhibition of biotransformation enzymes, enzymes that activate or detoxify numerous xenobiotics, is one mechanism by which vegetables may alter cancer risk. Using a randomized crossover design, we examined the effect of various vegetable diets on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and xanthine oxidase activity in humans. Men and women, non-smokers, on no medication and 20-40 years of age ate four 6-day controlled diets: basal (vegetable-free) and basal with three botanically defined vegetable groups. Enzyme activities were determined by measuring urinary caffeine metabolite ratios after a 200 mg caffeine dose on the last day of each feeding period. Mean CYP1A2 activity for 19 men and 17 women (least squares means adjusted for sex, GSTM1 genotype, urine volume and feeding period) with basal, brassica, allium and apiaceous vegetable diets differed significantly (P </=ISOdia</= 0. 0005) by diet, irrespective of the caffeine metabolite molar ratio used to describe CYP1A2 activity; brassica vegetables increased (P <0.04) and apiaceous vegetables decreased (P </=ISOdia</= 0.02) activity compared with the basal and allium diets. There was no effect of diet on NAT2 and xanthine oxidase activities and none of the subjects differed by GSTM1 genotype. These results demonstrate that while one vegetable subgroup induces human CYP1A2 activity, another subgroup inhibits it. This points to a complex association between consumption of a typical diet of various vegetables and biotransformation enzyme activities in humans, an association that may be difficult to interpret in observational studies.
Adult↗
ATS prosthetic valve motion: an in vitro analysis.
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: We have reported clinical findings that normally functioning open pivot ATS valves did not open completely. In order to analyze features of the ATS valve motion more precisely, in vitro tests were conducted. METHODS: Opening angles and pressure gradients of the ATS valve were measured and compared with those of the St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve under steady flow, but with various outlet configurations. Second, opening angles of the two valves were measured under pulsatile conditions in two different outflow configurations: (i) a 'straight outlet' where the leaflets did not extend into the tapering outflow chamber, and (ii) an 'abrupt enlargement outlet' where the leaflets extended directly into the enlarged outflow space. Third, flow visualization studies were made under steady flow conditions in the straight and abrupt enlargement outlet conduits, respectively. RESULTS: Under steady flow conditions, opening of the ATS valve was restricted in most outflow configurations; only when the outlet angle was 0 degrees did the valve open fully. The SJM valve opened completely in all downstream configurations. Despite restricted opening in the ATS valve, the pressure gradient was similar in both valves. Under pulsatile conditions, both valves opened fully in the straight outlet; however, in the abrupt enlargement outlet the ATS valve opened incompletely and the SJM valve completely. Substantial turbulent flow was observed at the outside of the leaflet and corners of the conduit, notably with the ATS valve. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the ATS valve did not open fully except when the outflow was straight, and the leaflet did not extend into an enlarged downstream chamber. Structural features of the ATS, such as its axis being located close to the straight edge and its leaflets extending further downstream from the ring orifice, may cause this unique valve behavior.
Heart Valve Prosthesis↗
Modulation of human glutathione S-transferases by botanically defined vegetable diets.
Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) conjugate activated xenobiotics with glutathione; thus, GST induction may improve detoxification and excretion of potentially harmful compounds. Using a randomized cross-over design, we tested the hypothesis that, in humans, serum GST-alpha concentration (GST-alpha) and GST activity increase with vegetable consumption and that this effect is GSTM1 genotype dependent. Twenty-one men (10 GSTM1-null and 11 GSTM1+) and 22 women (15 GSTM1-null and 7 GSTM1+), nonsmokers, 20-40 years of age and not on medications, ate four 6-day controlled diets: basal (vegetable-free), and basal supplemented with three botanically defined groups of vegetables (i.e., brassica, allium, and apiaceous). Fasting blood samples, collected on the last 2 days of each feeding period, were analyzed for GST-alpha, serum GST activity [against 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl)] and peripheral-lymphocyte GST-mu activity (against trans-stilbene oxide). The brassica, but not allium or apiaceous, vegetable diets (relative to the basal diet) increased GST-alpha by 26% (P = 0.005) and GST (NBD-Cl) activity by 7% (P = 0.02) in the GSTM1-null individuals, particularly the women. Apiaceous vegetable supplementation decreased GST-alpha in the GSTM1+ men (P = 0.03). Among the GSTM1+ women, both brassica and the allium diets increased GST-mu activity by 18% (P = 0.02) and 26% (P = 0.001), respectively. The vegetable diets had no effect on GST (CDNB) activity, irrespective of GSTM1 genotype or sex. These results demonstrate that GSTM1 genotype has a significant effect on GST responses to diet and that brassica vegetables are most effective at inducing GST-alpha, whereas both brassica and allium vegetables induce GST-mu. GST responses were more pronounced in women than men, but it is not clear from this study whether this is a dose-per-body-weight or a sex-specific effect.
Adult↗
[Expression of ras oncogene p21 product and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in liver cirrhosis and the correlation with liver cell dysplasia].
OBJECTIVE: To probe the role of ras oncogene p21 product, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and hepatitis B virus infection in the development of cirrhotic nodules, liver cell dysplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: S-P immunohistochemical technique was used to analyze the expression of p21, PCNA and HBsAg was studied in 30 cases of cirrhosis with HCC and 60 cases without HCC and 27 HCC cases. RESULTS: The positive rates for p21 in cirrhosis with or without HCC, and HCC tissue were 90%, 68.33%, and 62.96%, respectively. The positive rates for p21, PCNA and HBsAg in cirrhotic nodules with LCD were 92.45%, 73.59% and 64.92%, respectively, significantly higher than those without LCD (P<0.05). The incidence of p21 expression in hepatocytes was significantly higher in HBsAg- and PCNA positive cases than in negative ones (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: (1)The overexpression of p21 may play an important role in the early stage of the development of HCC; (2)LCD are precancerous cells which have the ability to initiate neoplastic growth and present a high risk of development of HCC especially combining HBV infection and the overexpression of p21 and PCNA. (3)The expression level of p21 in liver cirrhosis is related to HBV infection and the expression level of PCNA.
Adolescent↗
[Investigation of immunization status in children of floating population in Henan Province].
OBJECTIVE: To understand the immunization status in children of floating population in Henan Province. METHODS: Floating people was divided into four types based on their geographical distribution and characteristics of settlement and randomly sampled from each type in 17 cities and prefectures of Henan Province. Immunization status was investigated in 2,141 children from floating population by household visits. RESULTS: Immunization coverage in children of floating population was less than 60% and coverage of complete immunization with four kinds of vaccine was only 32%, far lower than that in local children. Coverage for children in large-size bazaars and construction sites and from peddlers' families was the lowest, 20.8% and 25.1%, respectively, which indicated that immunization for children in floating population had restricted the in-depth development of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Henan Province. The main reasons for that were floating population had no stable residence and job. The key problems in immunization for floating population at present were their unawareness of EPI, lack of initiative and certain defects in EPI service existed in some areas. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to strengthen publicity for immunization, to improve the mode of EPI service and to enhance the management in immunization for floating population.
Child, Preschool↗
Anti-fecundity immunity in mice immunized with anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody NP30 of Schistosoma japonicum.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of anti-fecundity and anti-embryonation immunity of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody NP30 of Schistosoma japonicum on female adult worm. METHODS: The active immunization of C57BL/6 mice was conducted by means of three intraperitoneal injections of NP30. The control group was injected with SP2/0 ascites intraperitoneally. RESULTS: On the twenty-seventh day after challenge infection, the number of eggs in the liver tissue and in uterus of the group immunized with NP30 decreased by 30.91% and by 38.55%, respectively. On the thirty-ninth day after the challenge infection, the number of mature eggs in the liver tissue of the group immunized with NP30 decreased by 66.63% and the number of dead eggs increased by 60.66%. CONCLUSIONS: NP30, with which mice were actively immunized, possesses double effects of anti-fecundity and anti-embryonation immunity on female adult worm of Schistosoma japonicum, therefore it can be used as a promising candidate of anti-pathologic vaccine molecule against Schistosomiasis japonica.
Animals↗
[Protective immunity induced by anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody NP30 of Schistosoma japonicum in goats].
OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective immunity in goats induced by active immunization with anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody NP30 of S. japonicum. METHODS: Goats were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group had 12 goats. The NP30 was intramuscularly injected with a dosage of 1 000 microgram into the hind leg for three dosages continuously. The goats were challenged with cercariae eight weeks after the third immunization. Ten goats in the control group were intramuscularly injected with SP2/0 ascites and challenged with cercariae at the same time as the experimental group. All goats were killed at the twelfth week post-challenge. RESULTS: Active immunization with NP30 could produce a protection rate of 42.78% in goats. The number of eggs in liver and feces in the goats immunized with NP30 was decreased by 35.83% and 25%, respectively. The size and number of egg granulomas in the liver were lessened obviously and the weight of the goats increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Active immunization with NP30 could induce a good protection in goats against the infection with Schsitosoma cercariae.
Animals↗