Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Z Liao

Publications and source records attributed to Z Liao.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Quantitive analysis of 5-hydroxytryptamine levels on edges of incised skin of rats].

To find index for early diagnosis of antemortem wound, the authors used the ICS analysis in a quantitive study of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) levels on rat's incised-skin antemortem wound in comparison with the postmortem wound inficted at various intervals. The results showed that the 5-HT increased significantly at 5 min, reached a peak at 15 min and decreased at 60 min on antemortem wounds. The 5-HT levels of antemortem groups were prominently high (more than 40%, P < 0.05) as compared with those of postmortem group and the levels of 5-HT on the wounds of postmortem groups were higher (35.77%, P < 0.05) than those of controls as well. The authors suggest that in the cases where the levels of 5-HT are as high as 40% on the edges of the injured skin, the injury should be considered an antemortem wound.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Morphologic changes of red blood cells in various conditions under scanning electron microscope].

To study the changes of RBC in various conditions, blood clots elapsed 6 days in water and air and bloodstains stored in variant time were observed under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results showed that the morphology of RBC elapsed 6 days in water and air seemed to retain their integrity. They were measured 5, 48-5, 88 microns in diameter, whereas the RBC in the bloodstains stored 14 years were obviously disfigured and some appeared membrane cracking. However, the structure of RBC membrane was well recognized under the SEM. The morphological changes under the SEM and the forensic significance of the RBC were discussed.

Blood Stains↗
PubMed1998

[Observations on rat's muscle at various postmortem intervals by scanning electron microscopy].

The aim of this study was to observe the morphological changes of muscle in the process of rigor mortis. The quadriceps of 40 rats at various postmortem intervals were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the light microscope by phosphtungstic acid-haematoxylin staining. The results showed that the striations of muscle were blurred within 4 hours, but they became apparent from 6 hours to 24 hours after death. The authors suggest that this phenomenon be associated with the increased resistance of muscle against the postmortal changes. The observations by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy have revealed that the muscles do contract in the process of rigor mortis because the distance between two Z lines shortens and the I band narrows, compared with those in anaesthetised animals. The basic biochemical process for the formation of rigor mortis is the same as that of muscle contraction except that the former happens postmortem and the latter antemortem.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Study on diagnostic value of analyzing argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in benign and malignant pleural effusions].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) measurement in benign and malignant pleural effusions. METHODS: Pleural effusions from 50 patients with proven malignant disease, 30 patients with benign disease were studied using the one-step silver staining method. Six cytologically atypical samples were also included in this study. RESULTS: The mean AgNOR count in malignant cells was significantly higher than that in benign mesothelial cells (7.6 +/- 1.4 vs 2.3 +/- 0.7, P < 0.01). The morphological features of AgNOR in malignant cells were mainly of diffuse type (80%), while in benign mesothelial cells, mainly of nucleolar type (90%). Among the six cytologically atypical samples, four were in the malignant range, two were in the benign limits, and these were proved by histopathology. CONCLUSION: AgNOR study may be useful in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusions.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1998

[The effects of Chinese medicine herb mixture on cell-mediated immune functions and four kinds of acute-phase reaction proteins in burn patients].

OBJECTIVE: To search for immunomodulators to improve postburn immune function disorder. METHOD: We studied the Chinese medicinal herbs. On the basis of previous data, we prepared a kind of Chinese medicinal herbal mixture and studied its effects in vivo and in vitro. RESULT: The mixture could restore the cell-mediated immune response such as the production of interleukin 2 and the T cell proliferative ability, and could also adjust the levels of serum acute-phase reaction proteins, i.e, haptoglobin, prealbumin, transferrin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. CONCLUSION: The Chinese herbal mixture showed immune regulatory effects on body defence imbalance and also on acute phase reaction proteins in burn patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Changes in mononuclear phagocyte microtubules after endotoxin stimulation. I. Changes in microtubule stability.

Microtubules are in a dynamic equilibrium of polymerization and depolymerization. In monocytes and macrophages, microtubules bind endotoxin and partly regulate inflammatory events such as cytokine production. To characterize the morphologic differences between alveolar macrophage and blood monocyte microtubules after LPS stimulation, cells were examined by immunofluorescent microscopy and laser confocal microscopy. Fresh monocytes contained an average of 26 microtubules per cell which significantly increased to 31 microtubules per cell following a 30-min exposure to LPS (P < 0.001). Using a nocodazole-based assay of microtubule dynamic instability, the half-life of fresh unstimulated human monocyte microtubules was approximately 18 s and extended to 26 s following a 30-min exposure to LPS. In vitro maturation of monocytes for 18 h increased microtubule stability but not number. Compared to monocytes, alveolar macrophage microtubules were longer, more numerous, and much more stable. These results suggest that alveolar macrophage microtubules are more numerous and stable than blood monocyte microtubules and that LPS causes an increase in monocyte microtubule number and stability.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Changes in mononuclear phagocyte microtubules after endotoxin stimulation. II. Changes in microtubule composition.

Microtubules are integral components of the cytoskeleton of human cells and are composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin as well as a variable number of microtubule-associated proteins. In monocytes and macrophages, microtubules bind endotoxin and partly regulate endotoxin-induced inflammatory events such as cytokine production. Endotoxin causes a rapid alteration in monocyte microtubule stability. To characterize the effect of endotoxin on mononuclear phagocyte microtubule composition, Western blots and flow cytometry were performed on human monocytes and the monocyte/macrophage-like cell line THP-1. Compared to unstimulated monocytes, monocytes stimulated with endotoxin for 18 h had increased quantities of alpha-, beta-, and tyrosinated alpha-tubulin as well as microtubule-associated protein-2. PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells had increased levels of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, microtubule-associated protein-5, microtubule-associated protein-2, and tau after endotoxin stimulation. These results indicate that endotoxin can alter mononuclear phagocyte microtubules by causing an increase in certain microtubule component proteins.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1997

[A clinical study of correlation between ablation depth and corneal subepithelial haze after photorefractive keratectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between excimer laser ablation depth and corneal subepithelial haze in correction of myopia. METHODS: The results of 31 cases (62 eyes) of myopic anisometropia on whose both eyes photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was performed at the same time were analyzed. The bilateral eyes of each patient were divided into two groups: The lower myopic eyes (-9.13 +/- 3.53 D) were in the control group and the higher myopic eyes (-14.10 +/- 4.17 D) in the treatment group. The follow-up periods were 6 to 12 months (mean, 10 months). RESULTS: There is significant difference (P < 0.05) in the haze between the two groups after PRK. CONCLUSION: The higher the correction of myopia, the more dangerous the occurrence of the haze following PRK.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Analysis and prevention of road traffic fatalities in Sichuan Province].

This is an epidemiological survey of the fatalities from road traffic accidents in Sichuan. All fatal accidents that occurred in Sichuan from January 1994 to December 1994 were analysed. The mortalities per million kilometers of vehicle travel, per 100,000 registered motor vehicles and per 100,000 resident population were 4.35, 42.41 and 3.92 respectively. These figures were compared with international death rates and those reported by other countries. The results showed that Sichuan had higher mortalities per million kilometers of vehicle travel and per 100,000 registered vehicles but lower mortality per 100,000 resident population, compared with some industrialized and rich develeping countries. The majority of the victims were males aged 21 to 40. Road traffic fatalities constituted the leading cause of all accident deaths. The cost of road accidents in Sichuan was estimated to be sixty million Yuan. Further strategies and methods to minimize the rate of such accidents have been suggested.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1997

[Computer simulation of system controlling--application to designing of anti-shock resuscitation therapy for burn injured patient].

The computer simulation of aim-controlling of changes in the circulative plasma volume, plasma protein concentration, hematocrit and electrolytes for five burn injured patients during their shock phase was carried out by using back-propagation algorithm of the simulation system. Based on the aim-controlling, the better resuscitation therapy protocol for the patient was given by computer. The clinical application in five cases of the burns showed that the new method helped us to make individualized clinical anti-shock resuscitation formula for the burn injured patient more reasonable.

Burns↗
PubMed1997

[Application of gas chromatography to identification of Clostridium difficile].

With chromatograph produced in our country, the gas chromatograms of fatty acid metabolites of five strains of Clostridium difficile isolated from stool of patients with tumor and one strain for control were compared and analysed by using stainless steel chromatographic column, 15% modified polyethylene glycol stationary phase nitrogen carriergas 140 degrees C column temperature and 190 degrees C detector temperature. The chromatograms of the isolated strains and the control strain were found to be extremely similar. All of them were peaks of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, and isocaproic acid. In comparison, the peaks of acetic, butyric, and isocaproic acid were higher, those of the isobutyric and isovaleric acid were medium and those of propionic and valeric acid were lower. Moreover, a low, flat peak appeared at 14th minute and was similar to that of p-cresol reported by Berg et al. The results of our experiment revealed that gas chromatography may be used as a simple, quick method for the identification of Clostridium difficile.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1996

Detection of IL-5 and IL-1 receptor antagonist in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in acute eosinophilic pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is an idiopathic cause of respiratory failure, characterized by very high numbers of alveolar eosinophils without significant blood eosinophilia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which cytokines are associated with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. METHODS: Soluble IL-1 type II receptor and the cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-1ra, IL-3, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured in serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from two patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia during both acute and convalescent phases. RESULTS: Compared with patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome, the patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia had high bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of IL-5, IL-1ra, and soluble type II IL-1 receptor but not IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-3, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of IL-5 and IL-1ra fell after resolution of symptoms. In the serum of patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia, IL-5 was not detectable, and IL-1ra was initially high but fell after corticosteroid treatment. CONCLUSION: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is characterized by locally high levels of IL-5, IL-1ra, and soluble type II IL-1 receptor in the alveolar space.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Facial casting as a method to help identify severely disfigured corpses.

The authors apply a previously reported method for facial casting of severely disfigured corpses, which allowed a three-dimensional cast to be made. This method involved several stages: face restoration, casting by elastomer, then three-dimensional positive image building. This technique seems to be useful in all cases of severe disfiguration of the face, particularly by trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The improved PAS-ELISA method for the diagnosis of the pathogen for banana mosaic heart rot disease.

As a fast and practical immunological test, ELISA has been widely applied both in research and diagnosis of plant viruses [1]. In its research utility, PAS-ELISA has been proven as an effective measure to obtain CMV-free micropropagated plantlets. In large-scale micropropagation of banana plantlets, we have been using it in our Quality Control Department to prepare CMV-free and/or TMV-free germplasm. From large-scale testing, we have found that component(s) in banana tissue can cause a nonspecific reaction which severely interferes with the diagnostic results, making the average optical density (OD490nm) value a much higher false positive, leading to an abnormally high percentage loss of the germplasm prepared. The procedure for preparation of the antigen extract from banana tissue has been modified to eliminate the false positive.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1995

Method for identifying putrefied corpses by facial casting.

The authors developed an original method for casting the face of putrefied corpses, which allowed a three-dimensional facial cast of an individual to be made. This method used several stages: face restoration by subcutaneous injections of specific materials, casting by elastomer, then three-dimensional positive image building. This technique enabled the person to be recognized and then identified, and seems to be useful in such difficult cases.

Face↗
PubMed1995

Copper deficiency alters isomyosin types and levels of laminin, fibronectin and cytochrome c oxidase subunits from rat hearts.

The relative amounts of cardiac proteins such as laminin, fibronectin, cytochrome c oxidase, and isomyosin types were studied by gel electrophoresis and Western blotting in control and copper-deficient Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes fed their respective diets from weanling for 3 weeks. Isomyosin types appeared to shift from V1 to greater levels of V3 in copper deficient rats for both genders. Male copper deficient rats had increased cardiac levels of fibronectin, decreased laminin levels, cardiac hypertrophy and anemia. Both male and female rats fed copper-deficient diet had lower levels of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) subunit IV, and low liver copper, and high heart-to-body weight ratios compared with their respective controls.

Animals↗