Biomedical subjects

Z Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Z Liu.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[The affect of Erigeron Breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz on axoplasmic transport of optic nerve in rats with experimentally elevated intraocular pressure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Erigeron Breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz (EBHM) can improve the optic nerve axoplasmic transport in rats with experimentally elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: Thirty healthy SD rats were used for the study, acute elevated IOP model in the right eye was built, then they were divided into three groups randomly: Group A (0 day group) included six rats for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) counting via left superior colliculus retrograde horse radish perokidase labeling; Group B, twelve rats divided into EBHM treatment group and control group (6 rats in each subgroup) for RGC counting via left superior colliculus retrograde labeling after twenty days, and Group C included twelve rats submitted the same treatment and procedure as group B after 40 days. RESULTS: After 0 day of acute elevated IOP, no labeled RGCs were observed. After twenty days of acute elevated IOP, in the control and EBHM subgroups the density of labeled RGCs were (423 +/- 220)/mm(2) and (749 +/- 294)/mm(2) respectively, the difference between two subgroups showed statistical significance (P < 0.01). After 40 days of acute elevated IOP, the density of RGCs in the control and EBHM subgroups in group C were (610 +/- 315)/mm(2) and (1,048 +/- 393)/mm(2) respectively, the difference between the two subgroups being statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: After 20 days and 40 days of acute elevation of IOP, the density of RGCs is obviously higher in EBHM group than that in the control group. It is revealed that EBHM can improve the optic nerve axoplasmic transportation blocked by acute elevation of IOP in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[The abnormal expression of epidermal growth factor receptor family in pterygium].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of type 1 growth factor receptor family [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ErbB2 and ErbB3] by the epithelium in pterygium so as to understand the pathogenesis of this disorder. METHODS: The immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting were performed in 15 patients with primary pterygium, compared to normal conjunctival epithelium, to determine the expression of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 proteins. RESULTS: The EGFR was present at the basal cells while the ErbB2 and ErbB3 were expressed by the superficial cells in normal conjunctival epithelium in immunofluorescent staining. Of 15 pterygia, 11 pterygia expressed the stains of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 in the full thickness of epithelium and with stronger staining compared to the control group, 4 of them showed the same staining pattern as that in the normal conjunctiva. Compared to normal conjunctiva, the stronger density of protein bands of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 was also demonstrated by western blotting in 11 pterygia with strong staining of these antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 is increased in pterygium, showing that the pterygium is a disorder with proliferation. The abnormal expression of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 by epithelium and their communicating with cytokines at stroma in pterygium may be one of the key pathogenetic factors in this disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Antisense oligonucleotides resistance to coxsackievirus B3 infection in HeLa cells].

OBJECTIVE: Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) hold great promise as therapeutic agents for the treatment of many human diseases. Oligonucleotides specifically hybrid with a selected sequence of RNA or DNA and inhibit the flow of genetic information DNA (or RNA) to proteins. In accordance with the present study, several oligonucleotide sequences that targeted CVB(3) RNA coding Vp(4), Vp(2), Vp(1), cleavage enzyme (P2A) or untranslational region were designed for observation. METHODS: Antiviral activities of these oligonucleotides were evaluated by plaque reduction assay and cytopathic effect (CPE). Cells were also treated with random oligonucleotides as a specificity control. RESULTS: Original ODNs, displaying sequence-specific inhibition ranging from 50% to 90% were identified. Three ODNs (at 5 microM concentration), which targeting at the pyrimidine - rich tract (S(CB1)), structural protein VP(1) (S(CB4)) and initiation of translation (S(CB2)) were shown to exhibit inhibition of viral infection 75% to 90% at 1 MOI. There was only low antiviral activity in S(CB5) and S(CB3), and random oligonucleotide were not found having antiviral activity. Oligonucleotides in this study were not toxic at 5 microM concentration. CONCLUSION: A better antiviral antisense oligonucleotides as S(CB1) and S(CB4), S(CB2), could provide candidate antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of CVB(3) infection.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2000

[Hostility behavior as risk factor of coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationships between hostility, and the risks of coronary-prone behavior and the clusters of unhealthy behaviors in individuals with different levels of hostility. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1 010 male employees from two factories in Beijing Capital Steel and Iron Company in 1997. Data on major risks of cardiovascular, other social-demographic factors and levels of hostility by Cook-Medley Scales were collected. RESULTS: Body mass index, amounts of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking were significantly increased (P < 0.01) with a characteristic of reduced social support from one's colleagues, when individual's level of hostility increased. In addition, less years of education, higher prevalence of other chronic diseases (P < 0.05) and clustering of various unhealthy behaviors were found related to the increase of individual's hostility. The odds ratio in the group with highest hostility was 2.37 times higher than in the lowest one, after confounding effects from age, blood pressure, education level, status of chronic disease and social support being adjusted. No significant differences on both systolic and diastolic blood pressures among groups with different levels of hostility were discovered. CONCLUSION: The association between hostility, coronary-prone risk behavior and cluster of unhealthy behaviors suggested that hostility might increase the risk of coronary heart diseases through affecting individual's behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Risk factors of type 2 diabetes in Shenzhen].

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to investigate the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes in the new city Shenzhen. METHODS: A representative sample of 8,182 adults aged over 20 to 75 years old were randomly selected in the residents of Shenzhen, China in 1997. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria. Questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurement and blood analysis were carried out, and logistic regression analysis was used to study the risk factors. RESULTS: The results showed that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in subjects with high total cholesterol were 4.9 times of those with lower TC value. Subjects with high triglyceride had a prevalence 5.7 times of those who had lower TG. Those HDL-ch had a prevalence 68.7% higher than those with normal HDL-ch value; on the other hand, those HDL-ch > 1.91 mmol/L were 44.6% lower in the prevalence than those with normal HDL-ch. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in subjects with BMI >or= 25 were 2.6 times of those with BMI < 25. Subject with hypertension (>or= 140/90 mm Hg) had a prevalence 3.8 times of those with normal blood pressure. Subjects with family history of type II diabetes had a prevalence 2.0 times of no family history, and women who had delivered babies over 4 kg had a prevalence 1.9 times of those who had babies less than 4 kg. Subjects with waist/hip ratio (WHR) >or= 1.0 had a prevalence 5.1 times of those with WHR < 1.0. The prevalence of type 2 Diabetes was higher with increasing amount of cigarette smoking and the duration (in years) of smoking or increasing drinking (alcohol) and the duration (in years) of drinking. CONCLUSIONS: The blood glucose level was found to be positively correlated with TC or TG, and negatively correlated with HDL-ch. This study demonstrated again that TC, TG, HDL-ch, obesity, hypertension, family history of type 2 diabetes and in women, delivery of babies over 4 kg and age were risk factors of type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[The expression of P16, P21(WAF1/CIP1) and Cyclin D1 proteins in skin of patients with arseniasis caused by coal-burning and their significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationships between arseniasis and skin carcinoma. METHODS: The expressions of p16, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Cyclin D1 proteins in skin of arsenic intoxication patients caused by coal-burning was measured by immunohistochemistry methods. RESULTS: The intensity and density, and the positive percentage of p16 protein were gradually reduced as the skin pathological changes progressed. Expressions of p16 protein was lower in the carcinoma group (A group), pre-carcinoma group (B group) and overkeratosis group (C group) than the general cell proliferation group (D group) and normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). On the other hand, the cell density and the positive percentage of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Cyclin D1 proteins were gradually increased as the skin pathological changes progressed. The expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein in all pathological groups were higher than the normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and expression of CyclinD1 protein in A, B and C groups were higher than the D group and normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Skin overkeratosis may be the earlier stage of skin carcinoma, lower expression of p16 protein and overexpression of Cyclin D1 protein may be considered as prognostic biomarkers to skin carcinogenesis; p16, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Cyclin D1 may play important role in the cooperative way in the development of arseniasis caused by coal-burning and further progression to skin carcinoma. Monitoring of the expression of p16, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Cyclin D1 proteins may be valuable for early detection and early treatment and prognostic assessment of skin carcinoma caused by coal-burning.

Arsenic Poisoning↗

PubMed2000

[Treatment of severe inhalation injury with endotracheal infusion of exogenous pulmonary surfactant].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility and the effects of clinical application of exogenous pulmonary surfactant (PS). METHODS: Two burned patients with severe inhalation injury were treated with 5% emulsified porcine PS by endotracheal infusion of 10 ml every 2 hours with the assistance of mechanical ventilation. The indices of patients' oxygenation and related pulmonary dynamics were observed. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after the application of exogenous PS, PaO(2) and PaO(2)/FiO(2) increased evidently, but (A -- a) DO(2) and RI decreased obviously and PaCO(2) sustained for the observing period. The index related pulmonary dynamics, DeltaV/DeltaP increased gradually. CONCLUSION: With the assistance of mechanical ventilation, endotracheal infusion of exogenous PS could improve oxygenation and compliance of patients with severe inhalation injury. And the patients exhibited very good tolerance to exogenous PS.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Rapid detection of alpha-thalassemia of Southeast Asian deletion by polymerase chain reaction and its application to prenatal diagnosis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid and simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting alpha-thalassemia of Southeast Asia deletion, and apply it to the prenatal diagnosis for high risk fetuses. METHODS: Two pairs of primers were designed: one pair bridging the breakpoints to identify the specific deletion, the other located in the common deletion region of --(SEA), -alpha(3.7) and -alpha(4.2) gene to detect the normal chromosomes. In this system, the two amplifications ran in the same PCR tube under identical condition. RESULTS: A 740 bp fragment was amplified in chromosomes with --(SEA) determinant and a 1,052 bp fragment in normal chromosomes. For prenatal diagnosis, 3 of 8 at-risk cases were diagnosed as normal, 3 as heterozygotes, and 2 as homozygotes of --(SEA) deletion. CONCLUSION: This detection method is rapid and accurate and can be used as a routine method for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis.

Female↗

PubMed2000

[Experimental study on inhibitory effect of xiaochaihu decoction on duck hepatitis B virus].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the therapeutic effect of Xiaochaihu decoction (XCHD) on chronic hepatitis B, and to prove the rationality of the TCM principle "strengthening the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors". METHODS: The inhibitory effects on DHBV of various doses of XCHD and its ingredients (grouped into whole recipe, partial recipe and single Bupleurum) were determined and compared, as well as compared with that of the blank control and of antiviral drug, acyclovir (ACV). RESULTS: Inhibitory effect was shown in all the treated groups. The treatment by whole recipe of XCHD with the dose 20 times that of clinical use showed the optimal effect, the difference in comparing with other treated groups was significant, P < 0.05. The effect of whole recipe was better than that of the partial recipe or single Bupleurum, P < 0.05. Moreover, the effect was rather persistent, no rebound phenomena was observed after withdrawal of medication, while in the ACV treated group, though a better effect conld be obeained, however, the DHBV returned to the level of before treatment after cessation of ACV treatment. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of XCHD might be to supplment body resistance and remove the evil pathogen, strengthen or regular immune function, so XCHD is efficient in treating chronic hepatitis B.

Acyclovir↗

PubMed2000

[The study on effects of human fetal liver cells on immunity of BALB/c mice].

This study sought to better understand the effects of human fetal liver cells(FLC) on immunity. FLC were injected into BALB/c mice intraperitoneally. The design included four groups: negative control and three dose (125 x 10(5), 25 x 10(5), 5 x 10(5) FLC/day) groups. The results showed that FLC increased the thymus visceral coefficient, numbers of T-lymphocytes(TLC) and lymphocytes(LC) in blood, total number of spleen cells, the number of plaque forming cells(PFC) of spleen, the rate(%) of transformation and stimulus index of TLC of spleen, and the function of macrophages. FLC also effected the function of natural killer cells(NK cells) of BALB/c mice. The findings suggest that human FLC can strengthen the nonspecific immunity, humoral immunity and cellular immunity in mice. In this study, however, no effect of FLC on spleen visceral coefficient was noticed, and no sign of delayed type allergy was observed.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Effect of chrysotile on nitric oxide production and anti-oxidasic activity in rabbit alveolar macrophages].

This study aimed to explore the role of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in chrysotile asbestos-caused diseases. The production of NO2-/NO3- (the final product of NO) and the alterations of NOS, SOD and GSH-Px activity were investigated when rabbit alveolar macrophages (AM) were stimulated by UICC chrysotile. The results revealed that with the dosage elevation of UICC chrysotile, the rabbit alveolar macrophages showed: (1) increased mortality, decreased survival activity; (2) increased product of NO2-/NO3-, decreased SOD and GSH-Px activity; (3) increased NOS activity in the lower dosage groups, but decreased NOS activity in the higher dosage groups. There was significantly negative correlation between NO release and SOD (or GSH-Px) activity (r1 = -0.7125, P < 0.05; r2 = -0.8496, P < 0.05 respectively). Moreover, the significantly positive correlation between NO release and NOS activity was found in the lower dosage groups, but significantly negative correlation in the higher dosage groups. These findings suggest that chrysotile could induce the alveolar macrophages to increase NO release and to decrease SOD and GSH-Px activity, which may play a role in the process of asbestos-caused diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[The expression of cell adhesion molecules on lymphatic endothelial cells in rectum adenocarcinoma of human].

This study was conducted to explore the mechanism of lymphatic dissemination and metastasis of cancer cells; the specific aim was to investigate the expression of cells adhesion molecules on lymphatic endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical method was used. The rectum tissues and lymphnodes were taken from five normal human subjects. The cancer peripheral tissues and lymphnodes, and the metastasized lymphnodes were taken from eight patients with rectum adenocarcinoma. The result showed that the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and carcinoma embryonic antigen (CEA) were expressed on lymphatic endothelial cells in cancer peripheral tissues and metastasized lymphnode. The expression of ICAM-1 and CEA in cancer peripheral tissues and lymphnodes was much more remarkable than that in metastasized lymphnodes. These data suggest that ICAM-1 and CEA be cell adhesion molecules between cancer cells and lymphatic endothelial cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[Influences of porcine enamel matrix proteins on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast proliferation and differentiation].

OBJECTIVE: Some research suggested that enamel matrix proteins(EMPs) not only induced formation of cementum, but also could promote regeneration of periodontal tissue and alveolar bone. In order to recognize the mechanisms of periodontal regeneration induced by EMPs and provide a basic data for further study, influences of EMPs on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation are explored in this study. METHODS: Porcine enamel matrix proteins were extracted by using acetic acid. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were selected and cell culture was used in vitro. EMPs with different concentrations of 50 micrograms/ml, 100 micrograms/ml and 150 micrograms/ml were added separately in alpha-MEM culture medium and compared with negative group and positive group (TGF-beta 1). The count of cell was recorded after 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 days, then the data were analysed statistically by using SAS. RESULTS: The cell count of all EMPs groups were higher than that in the negative control group (P < 0.01), 100 micrograms/ml as well as 150 micrograms/ml EMPs groups were higher than the positive group(TGF-beta 1) on the second day (P < 0.01). The cell count of 100 micrograms/ml EMPs group was not only higher than C and T groups, but also higher than that of other EMPs dose groups on the fifth day. CONCLUSION: The proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts can be promoted distinctly by enamel matrix proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Influence of smoking on nasal airway resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the influence of smoking on nasal airway resistance (NAR). METHOD: The unilateral and total NAR of 40 normal controls, 41 slight smokers and 42 heavy smokers were evaluated by anterior rhinomanometry before and after nasal decongestion. RESULT: Before nasal decongestion, the unilateral and total NAR of heavy smokers increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that of normal controls. After decongestion, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). Whenever before or after decongestion, there was no significant difference between slight smokers and normal controls (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION: Long-time and heavy smoking can enhance the NAR, which may be due to the chang of blood vessels in nasal mucosa.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[The preliminary study on the open tubular capillary affinity liquid chromatography].

A novel mode of affinity chromatography based on the open tubular column (OTAC) is presented in this paper. The OTAC column was prepared by coating a layer of Cibacron Blue F3GA onto the inner surface of capillary column with 50 microns inner diameter. The affinity chromatography experiment was performed on a capillary electrophoresis instrument by using its pressure system as driving force. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (Lys) were successfully separated with step gradient elution. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 10 consecutive runs for the elution time of lysozyme was less than 0.1%, and those for its peak area and peak height were 4.3% and 3.7% respectively. The good linear relationships of the amount of the injected lysozyme versus its peak area and peak height were observed with correlation coefficients of 0.9946 and 0.9988 respectively in the range from 8.6 ng to 28.7 ng.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

PubMed2000

[Transcription regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) on lymphatic endothelial cells of rectum adenocarcinoma of human].

This study inquired into the mechanism of cancer lymphatic metastasis. The immunohistochemistry method and DNA hybridization in situ were employed in examining the peritumoral rectum tissues and metastatic lymph nodes from 8 rectum carcinoma patients and the rectum tissues and lymph nodes from 5 normal subjects. The results showed that the proteins of ICAM-1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa Bp65) were expressed on the lymphatic endothelial cells of the rectum adenocarcinoma patients, and there was a NF kappa B binding consensus sequences on ICAM-1 promoter in lymphatic endothelial cells of rectum adenocarcinoma patients. When DIG-AKP labeled 38 bp oligonucleotide probe was used, there was no the expression of ICAM-1 and NF kappa Bp65 on the lymphatic endothelial cells of the normal human lymph node and rectum tissues. It is suggested that the activation of ICAM-1 promoter may critically depend on NF kappa Bp65 homodimers or heterodimers binding to a variant kappa B site on the lymphatic endothelial cells of the rectum adencarcinoma of human. These observations may indicate the potential roles of NF kappa B in cancer metastasis, thus giving clues to facilitate the development of a novel anti-metastasis strategy, that is obstruction the NF kappa B-activation pathways.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[Screening of acrystalliferous mutants from Bacillus thuringiensis and their transformation properties].

After elevating growth temperature of YBT-1463 and other 8 Bacillus thuringiensis parental strains to 42 degrees C, 9 acrystalliferous(Cry-) mutants were obtained, and then a series of partial plasmid-cured mutants were further obtained from 3 Cry- mutants BMB151, BMB154 and BMB160 by elevating temperature to 44 degrees C. One of which, BMB170, was further treated by elevating temperature to 46 degrees C and adding 0.05% SDS as the plasmid-curing agent. The resulting mutant, which was designated BMB171 and had no resident plasmid, was finally obtained. The studies on the transformation efficiency and stability of Cry- mutants showed that the transformation frequencies, as well as stability of several exogenous plasmids(pHT3101, pBMB1736, etc.) introduced into Cry- mutants by electroporation, were correlated with the numbers of resident plasmids bearing by the relevant recipients, the patterns of plasmid replicons and the sizes of those exogenous plasmids. Meanwhile, a much higher electro-transformation frequencies of Cry- mutants than the parental strain YBT-1463 was found, and the highest of the transformation frequency, in BMB 171, could reach up to 10(7) transformants/microgram DNA, and the stability of those exogenous plasmids in BMB171 were also higher than in other Cry- mutants and YBT-1463 strain.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗

PubMed2000

[Expression and insecticidal characteristics of cry3A in Lepidoptera-specific Bacillus thuringiensis].

The cry3A gene coding Coleoptera-specific protein was transformed into a wild strain YBT803-1 by electroporation, A transformant BMBY-001 was obtained. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that cry3A could express 64 kD protein in BMBY-001. However, the expression of cry1Ab and cry1Ac were effected. Bioassay showed that BMBY-001 was not only highly toxic to Phyllodecta vulgatissima larva(LC50 0.413 microL/mL) but also toxic to Plutella xylostella(LC50 3.319 microL/mL).

Animals↗