Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Z Li.
This paper reports the experimental results of rapid reproduction of Fritillaria taipaiensis by tissue culture. The research shows that the induction frequency of calluses and rebulbs with MS+NAA lmg/L+6BA 3mg/L is 93%. Fifteen kinds of common and trace elements that are necessary for human body are found in calluses and rebulbs. The contents of most elements obviously exceed those of cultural bulbs.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distribution of mepivacaine hydrochloride after distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint injection in horses. DESIGN: Prospective, uncontrolled study. ANIMALS: 10 adult horses. PROCEDURE: 30 minutes before euthanasia, 8 ml of 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride was injected into the dorsal pouch of a forelimb DIP joint. Synovial tissue from the DIP joint and podotrochlear (navicular) bursa and bone tissue from the medullary cavity of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone were taken from both forelimbs immediately after death. All synovial and bone specimens were analyzed for tissue concentration of mepivacaine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Synovial tissue and bone specimen concentrations from the injected forelimb were compared with corresponding specimens from the noninjected forelimb. All synovial tissue and bone specimen concentrations were compared with an estimated effective tissue concentration of mepivacaine (0.3 microgram/mg) for local anesthesia. RESULTS: Specimen concentrations of mepivacaine from the injected forelimb were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those in the corresponding tissues of the contralateral noninjected forelimb. All DIP joint and navicular bursa synovial tissue specimens from the injected forelimb had greater than the estimated effective tissue concentration of mepivacaine for local anesthesia. Of the 10 navicular bone specimens from the injected forelimb, 4 were higher and 2 were within 20% of the estimated effective tissue concentration of mepivacaine for local anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Mepivacaine hydrochloride deposited into the DIP joint should anesthetize pain arising from navicular bursa synovia and may decrease pain arising from the medullary cavity of the navicular bone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: DIP joint injection of mepivacaine hydrochloride is not specific for DIP joint pain.
The cDNA insert of the plasmid p14-6 is found to be the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the transcription factor for human interleukin-6, NF-IL6. This 3'-UTR is actively transcribed in the revertant cell line RR, which contains the p14-6 plasmid integrated into its genomic DNA. Simultaneously a protein specifically bound to this 3'-UTR is expressed in significantly larger amounts. Its overexpression is apparently related to the reversion of the malignant cellular phenotype. The properties of this protein, named BNF, and possible reasons for its overexpression are discussed, and hypothesis on the mechanism of reversion of the RR cells is proposed.
U6 RNA enters the spliceosome base paired with U4 RNA, but dissociates from U4 RNA before the catalytic steps of splicing. We have identified a cold-sensitive lethal mutation in U4 RNA (U4-cs1) that blocks the splicing pathway after U4/U6 complex formation, but before the first catalytic step of splicing. Remarkably, selection for suppressors of the cold-sensitive growth of the U4-cs1 strain yielded a tandem duplication of the highly conserved ACAGA sequence of U6 RNA (U6-Dup). The ACAGA sequence plays an essential role in spliceosome assembly and in the second catalytic step of pre-mRNA splicing; one or both of these roles involves direct base pairing to the pre-mRNA 5' splice site. In a U4-cs1/U6-Dup double-mutant strain grown at low temperature, the upstream ACAGA sequence of U6 RNA is required for suppression of the U4 mutation, whereas the downstream ACAGA sequence is required for other essential functions. Based on the sequence requirements for function of the upstream ACAGA element of U6-Dup, we propose that it pairs with the pre-mRNA 5' splice site during incorporation of the U4/U6 complex into the spliceosome and that the subsequent dissociation of U4 RNA exposes the downstream ACAGA sequence, which functions in the catalytic steps. The properties of this mutant U4/U6 complex provide compelling in vivo evidence that U6 RNA normally base pairs with the 5' splice site before disruption of its pairing with U4 RNA.
The risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is lower in women than in men, but increases in women after menopause. Some of the gender, age, and menopausal-related differences in CHD risk may relate to differences in lipoprotein subspecies. We therefore examined these subspecies in three groups of healthy subjects: premenopausal women (W, n = 72, mean age 41.2 +/- 6.5), postmenopausal women (PMW, n = 74, 55.8 +/- 7.4), and men (M, n = 139, 48.8 +/- 10.7). We measured plasma levels of lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV, B, C-III, and E, and lipoprotein subspecies Lp A-I, Lp A-I:A-II, Lp B, Lp B:C-III, and Lp B:E, as well as LDL and HDL particle sizes. Our data indicate that women have significantly higher values of HDL-C, apoA-I, apoE, and Lp A-I; larger LDL and HDL particle sizes; and lower values of triglyceride, apoB, and Lp B:C-III particles than men, with no difference in Lp A-I:A-II. Postmenopausal status was associated with significantly higher values of total cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL-C, and LDL-C; increased levels of apoB, C-III, and E; elevated values of Lp B, Lp B:C-III, and Lp B:E; and lower levels of HDL-C along with smaller HDL particle size. Moreover, we noted a strong correlation between LDL and HDL particle size. Our data are consistent with the concepts that male gender confers decreases in HDL subspecies due to lower Lp A-I levels; while postmenopausal status results in higher levels of all apoB-containing lipoproteins (Lp B, Lp B:C-III, and Lp B:E). The lipoprotein alterations associated with male gender and postmenopausal status would be expected to increase CHD risk.
In order to investigate causes of variability in low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size, we have assessed LDL composition in plasma from 66 subjects, each with a single LDL band, by 2-16% gradient gel electrophoresis, with a total of eight discrete sizes (LDL-1 to LDL-8). Lipoprotein concentrations were analyzed by standard methods; specific proteins were assessed by immunoassay and electrophoresis. Results showed decreased anhydrous molecular weight with size (2.67 +/- 0.07 x 10(6) to 1.78 +/- 0.19 x 10(6)), along with decreased relative content for cholesteryl ester (41.5% to 24.3%), free cholesterol (10.1% to 4.6%), and phospholipid (23.7% to 18.9%), and increased triglyceride (4.1% to 21.0%) and protein (20.5% to 31.2%) content. As LDL size decreased, the ratio of surface cholesterol to phospholipid decreased from 0.53 to 0.29, and the fraction of surface area covered by lipid decreased from 0.74 to 0.47. Moreover, core volume decreased with size from 24.2 A3 x 10(5) to 15.9 A3 x 10(5), and the ratio of surface-to-core lipids fell from 0.59 to 0.46. Based on surface pressures of 30 mN/m, the area covered by surface lipid was calculated to range from 6.45 A2 x 10(4) in the largest LDL, to 3.10 A2 x 10(4) in the smallest. Computer modeling indicates that alterations in the tertiary structure of apoB-100 are required to account for surface changes. The estimated core surface area requiring coverage by apoB increased with decreasing particle size from 2.26 A2 x 10(4) to 3.46 A2 x 10(4). To accommodate coverage of increasing relative surface area associated with decreasing size, apoB thickness at the interface was calculated to decrease from approximately 25 A to 16 A. Such conformational changes in apoB may alter exposed epitopes, possibly causing changes in LDL receptor binding affinity and resistance to oxidation.
RSD can be approached using objective criteria in a logical and systematic fashion. Frustration during treatment is common because (1) the pathophysiology of RSD is incompletely understood, (2) there is significant variation in presentation because of disparate premorbid anatomy and physiology, and (3) the natural history may be affected by incomplete treatment. Therapeutic efforts that theoretically should be effective may fail, and a trial-and-error approach is often mandatory. In spite of vigorous intervention using all known strategies, patients may continue to have pain and disability that progresses to stiffness and arthrofibrosis. Early recognition and prompt intervention, however, provide the best opportunity for clinical improvement.
We have determined the complete sequence of the translation elongation factor EF1 subunit alpha (EF1 alpha) mRNA of zebrafish, and the 3'-untranslated sequence of EF1 alpha mRNA of halibut. The 5'-untranslated leader sequence of the EF1 alpha mRNA starts with a polypyrimidine tract. This feature is shared with the mRNAs for ribosomal proteins, where it affects the utilization of mRNA by ribosomes. However, the secondary structures of these leader sequences may differ. 5'-Polypyrimidine tracts of vertebrate EF1 alpha mRNAs participate in the formation of stable stem-loop structures, whereas those of 15 randomly chosen mRNAs for ribosomal proteins do not. This difference may provide a basis for differential control of translation for the two classes of mRNA. The 3'-untranslated sequences of vertebrate EF1 alpha mRNA have diverged little during evolution. Analyses of sequence and putative secondary structures suggest that both sequence-specific interactions and secondary structures may have contributed to sequence conservation.
On Ko Samui, Thailand there were two epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in 1966 and 1967, followed by endemics up to 1994. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were the vectors. From January to July 1995, 51 cases of DHF were reported, out of these were many foreigners who still suffer from dengue fever and return home with negative impression. We carried out an entomological survey around the island and collected the mosquitos to detect dengue virus by digoxigenin-cDNA probe. The data revealed that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus still were abundant and some were infected with dengue virus. Visual larval survey indices (HI, CI and BI) were 90.4, 61.3 and 301.3 respectively. Biting rate (BR) of Aedes mosquitos was high, the average indoor and outdoor BR were 9.7 and 100.8 mosquitos/man-hour. From 13 pools of mosquitos, 8 strains of dengue virus were detected (61.5%). The results may encourage the local authorities to improve vector surveillance and control before the famous island becomes an unpleasant island.
OBJECTIVE: To further prove the hypothesis that local decrease of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and/or its activity might be critically important in the disturbance of vascular homeostasis after vascular injuries. METHODS: Intimal thickening model induced by air-drying denudation of rat right common carotid artery was performed to evaluate the effects of long-term oral administration of L-arginine on neointimal thickening and acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDR) by histomorphometric and functional studies. RESULTS: Reductions in EDR function persisted and simultaneously developed prominent neointimal thickening by 14 days after denudation. Long-term oral supplementation of L-arginine (1 g/kg/day) significantly enhanced EDR from 43.5% +/- 12.35% to 68.8% +/- 9.0% (n = 10, P < 0.001) and reduced neointimal thickening from 62.45 microns +/- 11.26 microns to 21.45 microns +/- 6.34 microns (n = 10, P < 0.001) as compared with each control animals. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that oral administration of L-arginine significantly inhibits neointimal thickening and preserves NO-mediated EDR in experimental endothelial denudation, suggesting an important role for L-arginine, NO pathway in the regulation of vascular homeostasis after endothelial injury which might be salutary in prevention restenosis after coronary angioplasty.
In order to make clear any influence on the weight of various organs particularly in case of chronic diseases, Basing on the result of analysis carried out previously, data of 4402 autopsy cases of sudden death collected from 22 Medical Schools and Hospitals in China were studied. The organ weight analysed included those of the heart, lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys, brain and pancreas. The results showed that weights of the heart, lungs, spleen, liver and pancrease in males and weights of the the heart, spleen and pancreas in females were heavier than those of the non-sudden death cases in adults. The difference between male and female organ weights were that weight of the female brain aged above 3 months old and weight of all the 7 organs measured in adult female were lighter than the male.
With the purpose of investigating the clinicopathological changes and the criterion for differential diagnosis, ten cases of Acute multiple sclerosis (AMS) were analysed. The data suggested that its clinical course was an acute neurologic event characterized by psychic syndrome, paralysis and incontinence of bowel movement and urination. Pathologically, the demyelination lesion consisted of three patterns, i.e.: vascullar or spongy lesions, shadow plaques and liquefaction or necrosis. One of the above forms could exist individually or coexist with the others. The accurate diagnosis was made only after autopsy. Criterion for the differential diagnosis between AMS and ADEM were discussed.
The comparative toxicological researches on crude and processed drugs show that the activating action of Radix Kansui, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae and Semen Armeniacae Amarum on EBV-EA can be decreased by processing. Processing can also decrease stimulating activity on mouse skin, inhibit tumor-promoting activity in two stage skin tumor promoting test and lapactic effect by Radix Kansui. Meanwhile the pharmacological effects of these drugs can be retained or increased by processing.
This paper report a sensitive and rapid method for the determination of metronidazole (MTZ) using theophylline as the internal standard. High performance liquid chromatograph model 344 (Beckman) with a 254 nm wavelength UV detector and YWG-C18H37 column (10 microns, 250 x 4.6 mm) was used. To the serum sample 200 microliters, 100 microliters phosphate buffer (0.8 mol/L, pH 7.5) was added, then extracted with 3 ml chloroform containing 5% isopropyl alcohol. The organic layer was removed and evaporated to dryness under an air stream in a 40 degrees C water bath. The residue was dissolved in 30 microliters mobile phase and 20 microliters injected. The mobile phase of water-methanol (73:27) was pumped at 1.0 ml/min through the column. The detector operated at 0.005 aufs. The retention times for MTZ and theophylline were 5.78 and 6.81 min respectively. Standard curve was linear in the concentration range of 0.3125 to 20 mg/L. The detection limit in serum was 0.02 mg/L. Extraction recovery was 77%-82%; method recovery 99%-102%; withinday RSD less than 3.0%; inter-day RSD less than 3.5%.
In this study, using a modified electrophoretic technique, we have defined in the mouse the myosin heavy-chain composition of both newborn and adult skeletal and cardiac muscles. Using this high resolution technique it was possible to detect modifications in the myosin heavy-chain expression in both cardiac and skeletal muscles of desmin knock-out mice.
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of myasthenia gravis (MG) with thymoma and the effect of tracheostomy at the early stage after operation. METHODS: Thymoma excision and selective tracheostomy were performed on 46 patients with MG from March 1983 to December 1994. RESULTS: There were 15 patients with benign thymomas and 31 patients with malignant thymomas. MG crises were seen in 52.2% of patients postoperatively, most in type IIb and III. The mortality of in-patients after operation was 10.9%. Thirty-nine patients with thymoma were followed up for 6 months to 12 years after being discharged from hospital. The MG symptoms were relieved in 33.3%, improved in 20.5% and unchanged in 2.6% of patients. 38.5% of patients died of the disease. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of MG with thymoma are, more severe condition of the patient, rapid advance, and more MG crises before and after operation. The perioperative mortality from MG with thymoma is higher and its prognosis is unfavourable. It is very important to treat severe cases of MG with thymoma by tracheostomy with thymoma excision at the early stage after the operation. This is an effective method to prevent and treat MG crises as well as to lower the perioperative mortality.
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OBJECTIVE: To observe the results of endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: Forty-five patients (forty-eight eyes) suffering from chronic dacryocystitis received endoscopic intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy after November 1991, and were followed up for 3 to 36 months. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eyes were cured (81.2%). It is significantly effective (8.3%) in 4 eyes, and effective in 2 eyes (4.2%). The total effective rate was 93.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The intranasal approach is simple causing little bleeding and no facial scar. With the self-made dacryocyst-illuminator (diameter = 0.8 mm), and by transilluminating the lacrimal sac with fiberoptic intraocular endoilluminator bundle, the sac can be located endonasally, thus facilitating the approach.