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Biomedical subjects

Z Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Z Wang.

At least 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Analysis of genotype and phenotype in fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To do a genetic study of clinically diagnosed Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) by means of haplotype analysis, and to study the correlation of genotype and phenotype in FCMD. METHODS: Six closest available informative markers for each of the mapped FCMD genes were tested in 100 Japanese families with at least one affected patient. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of FCMD-bearing chromosomes had an ancestral founder haplotype(138-192-147-183) and 10 chromosomes had a second founder haplotype(130-201-157-183). Thirty-five(69%) typical, and 20(77%) mild, while 5(19%) severe cases were homozygous for the founder haplotype. On the contrary, 13(25%) typical, 5(19%) mild, and 15(65%) severe cases were heterozygous. Eight of 10 that were heterozygous for the second founder haplotype had the severe phenotypes. Two typical cases with severe brain and ophthalmologic anomalies were also heterozygous for the second founder haplotype. CONCLUSION: Homozygosity was associated with the typical and mild phenotypes, while compound heterozygosity was related to the severe phenotype. The value of the second founder haplotype in predicting disease severity was suggested.

Genotype↗
PubMed2000

Studies of MAL gene in human esophageal cancer by RNA in situ hybridization.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of MAL gene mRNA in esophageal cancer tissue and adjacent epithelial mucosa. METHODS: Non-radioactive RNA in situ hybridization. RESULTS: MAL gene was expressed in all epithelia of 33 matched samples but only in 8 of esophageal cancer tissues. Differential expression between esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent epithelia was not related to clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of MAL may be an important event in the development of esophageal cancer.

Down-Regulation↗
PubMed2000

Intermediate and late rheumatoid arthritis treated by tonifying the kidney, resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis.

Eighty-seven cases of intermediate and late rheumatoid arthritis were treated with Instant Shu Guan Wen Jing Granules ([symbol: see text] Relaxing Joints by Warming Channels) and Instant Shu Guan Qing Luo Granules ([symbol: see text] Relaxing Joints by Removing Heat from the Lung Channel) to tonify the kidney, resolve phlegm and remove blood stasis, and compared with 41 cases treated with Instant Wang Bi Granules ([symbol: see text] Prescription for Arthralgia-syndrome). The treatment produced a clinical cure rate of 54.0% and a total effective rate of 90.8% as in against 29.3% and 73.2% respectively in the control group. The difference was significant (P < 0.01). Improvement in main symptoms and laboratory findings in the treatment group was all more marked than that in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with no side effects observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade on hepatic fibrosis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade, losartan, on serum levels of components of extracellular matrix in experimental fibrotic rats. METHODS: Fifty male Spague-Dawley rats were separated into five groups (control, model, and 3 treatment groups). Excepting rats in control group, all rats were given subcutaneous injection of 40% carbon tetrachloride (once every 3 days for 6 weeks). Rats in 3 treatment groups were also given losartan of 10mg/kg, 5mg/kg, 2.5mg/kg daily for 6 weeks via gastrogavage, respectively. At the end of sixth week, all rats were sacrificed. Radioimmunoassay was performed to determine the serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), Laminin (LN), procollagen type III (PCIII) and collagen type IV. Van Giesion collagen staining was used to evaluate the extracellular matrix of the liver tissue. RESULTS: Compared with model group, losartan significantly reduced the serum levels of HA [from (911.66 +/- 345.49)microg/L to (425.05 +/- 115.80)microg/L], LN [from (209.87 +/- 91.57)microg/L to (83.56 +/- 22.12)microg/L, PCIII [from (31.82 +/- 6.90)microg/L to (22.78 +/- 8.38)microg/L] and collagen IV [from (54.09 +/- 19.81)microg/L to (30.51 +/- 12.39)microg/L] (P<0.05) and greatly attenuated the degree of liver fibrosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Losartan can markedly reduce the serum levels of LN, HA, PCIII and collagen type IV of fibrotic rats induced by CCl(4) and greatly attenuate the degree of liver fibrosis.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2000

[Is Gly460Trp variant of alpha-adducin associated with essential hypertension in the Hans of Chinese population].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the variant of adducin alpha subunit (alpha-adducin) is in association with essential hypertension in the Hans of Chinese population. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-three patients with essential hypertension and 129 normotensive subjects were included in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from 3 ml of whole blood. Polymerase chain reaction, single-strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing analysis techniques were used to detect the variant in the exon 10 of alpha-adducin gene. The clinical data of height, weight and blood pressure were also measured in all subjects. RESULTS: A G-->T substitution at nucleotide 614 in exon 10 of alpha-adducin gene which resulted in the Gly460Trp variant was found in the Hans. The distribution of Gly/Gly, Gly/Trp and Trp/Trp genotypes was coincident with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and there were no statistical differences in the three genotypes and Trp allele frequencies between hypertensive and normotensive subjects (P>0.05). The variant of alpha-adducin genotypes was not associated with any significant differences in age, body mass index and blood pressure. CONCLUSION: A G-->T substitution at nucleotide 614 in exon 10 of alpha-adducin gene is found, but there is lack of the association between the variant of alpha-adducin gene and essential hypertension in the Hans of Chinese population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Protective effect of L-arginine on liver during ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on liver during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and its mechanisms. METHODS: Changes of several parameters, including nitric oxide (NO), malondiadehyde (MDA), thromboxane B(2) ( TXB(2) ), 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1-alpha) (6-keto-PGF(1-alpha) ), TXB(2) / 6-keto-PGF(1-alpha) ( T / K ) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as liver morphological changes, and the effect of L-Arg on them were observed during HIRI in 20 rabbits and 18 patients who were scheduled for elective hepatic surgery. RESULTS: The levels of NO and 6-keto-PGF(1-alpha) decreased remarkably. MDA concentration, TXB(2) content and T / K ratio as well as ALT activity increased significantly. The morphological changes of hepatocytes were obvious during HIRI. After treatment with L-Arg, the variations of all the parameters were markedly alleviated. CONCLUSION: L-Arg possess preventive effects on HIRI by raising NO and reducing MDA as well as correcting TXA(2) / PGI(2) imbalance after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Neutrophil activation in pathogenesis of preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of neutrophil activation on pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: In 22 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 21 normal pregnant women at third trimester, neutrophil activation was examined by flow cytometry to assess the CD11b expression, and the levels of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and serum NO2- were also measured with no-equilibrium radio-immunoassay and with Griess assay respectively. RESULTS: The expression of neutrophil CD11b was significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia compared with that of normal pregnant women at third trimester [the mean fluorescence index of CD11b were 439.1 +/- 169.1 and 321.2 +/- 166.3 respectively, P < 0.05], the plasma ET-1 level and serum NO2- concentration in preeclampsic women [(61.4 +/- 48.2) ng/L and (20.4 +/- 5.2) mumol/L, respectively] were both significantly increased compared with those in the normal pregnancy women [(29.3 +/- 20.9) ng/L and (15.5 +/- 4.8) mumol/L, respectively], (P < 0.01). The mean fluorescence index of CD11b was significantly correlated with plasma ET-1 level and serum NO2- concentration (r = 0.312 and 0.382, respectively, P < 0.05). But the correlation between the plasma ET-1 level and serum NO2- concentration was not found (r = 0.227, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The neutrophil CD11b expression is significantly elevated in preeclampsia. The increased neutrophil activation may cause the damage of vascular endothelium and result in compensatory increase of NO release in endothelial cells. It suggests that the neutrophil activation may play a key role in pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical study on postpartum depression and its related factors].

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence rate, related factors and clinical characteristics of postpartum depression were studied in order to promote obstetrician's understanding of the disease, and resort to preventive and therapeutic measure earlier. METHODS: Two hundred and ten puerpera were selected from September to November 1998 for mood study by self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, Hamilton depression scale, and self-made questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of postpartum depression was 37.14% (78/210), of which, 91.03% (71/78) was mild, and 8.97% (7/78) moderate. In addition, 10.48% (22/210) of women got anxiety after delivery. The symptoms, including decreased activity, difficulty in thinking, problems in decision-making, difficulty in doing things, feeling of uselessness and hopelessness were chief complaints of postpartum depression patients. Bad social behavior and mood controlling, inadequate psychological preparation for delivery, lack of knowledge of delivery were closely correlated to the onset of postpartum depression, which are the risk factors of postpartum depression. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum depression is a spiritual and psychological obstacle with relatively high prevalence rate. Bad social psychological factors can bring out and aggravate postpartum depression. It is important to carry out prenatal psychological care and to propagate the knowledge of delivery, to find out and cure of postpartum depression as soon as possible.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Buckwheat allergy and reports on asthma and atopic disorders in Taiyuan City, Northern China.

Allergy to common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) has been reported from Europe and Japan, and a 24 kDa globulin protein has been identified as one of the major allergens. In China also another type, tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tartaricum) is grown and consumed. Three groups of individuals in Shanxi province, China, were investigated for buckwheat allergy using skin prick test. The groups were: agricultural researchers with occupational exposure to buckwheat (N = 16); workers in a food industry producing buckwheat noodles (N = 25), and patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease consuming buckwheat as functional food (N = 20). Information on atopic disorders and adverse food reactions were collected by a doctors-administered questionnaire. One male industrial worker had a positive skin prick test to buckwheat, but no symptoms while eating or handling buckwheat products. In total, 34% consumed buckwheat food at least every week, and 23% had a weekly consumption of tartary buckwheat. The prevalence of doctor's diagnosed asthma was low (1.6%). Four subjects (6.6%) reported a history of allergic rhinitis, with allergy to cedar pollen, carnation and peach.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[One-dimensional impact dynamic response of cancellous bone].

In this paper a one-dimensional dynamic response of cancellous bone to impact loading is investigated. It is demonstrated, based on the studies with scanning electron microscope, cancellous bone could be viewed as a cellular solid consisting of an interconnected skeleton filled with medulla. A two-phase poroelastic model is introduced to describe the cancellous bone, in which the tissue(material) densities of the skeleton and medulla are assumed to be unchangeable while the corresponding apparent densities are changeable due to the change of volume fraction, the governing equations are derived for the case of a linear poroelastic solid skeleton saturated with an inviscid medulla. Under the impact loading, responses of the skeleton displacement and stress as well as the medullary pressure are obtained with the use of Laplace transform technique. The computational result shows that the cancellous bone is provided with certain features similar to those appearing in viscoelastic solids, which means that the responses do not only depend on time, but furthermore depend on previous loading history. It is worth paying attention to the result that the medullary pressure can be negative. This point is due to the recovery of the skeleton after unloading whereas the medulla is not squeezed out but absorbed into the pores by suction.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

[Surface EMG signal classification using wavelet transform].

A Surface EMG signal classification method based on wavelet transform is presented in this paper. To utilize the nonstationary character of the EMG signals, dyadic wavelet transform is employed to obtain the signals' time-frequency representation. Singular value decomposition(SVD) is then used to extract feature vector for pattern classification. This motion classifier can successfully identify four types of forearm movement: hand grasp, hand extension, forearm pronation and forearm supination. Experimental result shows that this method has a great potential in the practical application of prothesis control.

Electromyography↗
PubMed2000

[The development and application of a minitype multifunctional bio-impactor].

This study was aimed to develop a device that can be used for gas percussion, rigid impact, cell injury and simple estimation of the condition of injury. The device has been developed with the use of aerodynamical principle, measuring technique for feeble signal, and integration of machine-electricity. The gas percussion, rigid impact, and cell injury can be produced by altering impact tip. It was examined in the experimental researches of eye, brain, lung and cell injury; the parameters of causing injury could be controlled and on-line tested by the computer. The neurological states of pre- and post-injury were evaluated with the device. The results of animal experiments showed that mild, moderate and severe injury models were produced by gas pressure respectively. The pressure was 400, 600, 700 kPa for rats brain gas percussion injury, 600, 800, 1000 kPa for rabbits' retinal contusion, 300, 450, 600 kPa for rats' lung rigid impact injury, and 100, 150, 200 kPa for cultured cells' injury. In conclusion, the device is simple and easy to use for making controllable injury models, in which different parts and levels of injuries on different minitype animals can be reproduced.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Fusion of low-fusing porcelain to Ti-75 alloy: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the stomatological feasibility of low-fusing porcelain fused to Ti-75 alloy. METHODS: Electroprobemicroanalysis (EPMA) and shear test were used to observe interface state and bonding strength of porcelaintitanium. RESULTS: Shear bond strengths of low-fusing porcelain with Ti-75 alloy and conventional porcelain each fused to metal (NC-VMK68) were 47.38 +/- 7.95 MPa and 48.50 +/- 7.60 MPa, respectively. There was no significant difference between the shear bonding strength of low-fusing porcelain with Ti-75 and that of conventional porcelain fused to metal (PFM) (P > 0.05). EPMA showed that Ti-75 alloy and low-fusing porcelain bound tightly, had no fissure, and that low-fusing porcelain had good infiltration to Ti-75. It was shown that Ti spread from Ti-75 basal body into porcelain, and elements such as Si-Sn spread from porcelain to Ti-75. CONCLUSION: Ti-75 alloy can be used stomatologically, as a porcelain alloy.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials in burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The measurement of pain threshold (PT) and the assessment of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEPs) were performed. These experiments indicated the pathological conditions of nerve afferent and efferent pathways in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). This study also explored the probable pathophysiological mechanisms in BMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dorsum linguae of 38 samples in 19 subjects (22 BMS with pain, 10 BMS with numbness, and 6 controls) were stimulated by electroneuromyography. PT was measured as the lowest stimulation intensity the subjects could detect. N3, P4 latency, and spike potential latency of TSEP were recorded by stimulating the lingual nerve. RESULTS: Pain thresholds were significantly lower, N3, P4 latencies were significantly shorter, and the spike potential appeared earlier in the BMS with pain group (P < 0.01). The opposite tendency of these values presented in the BMS with numbness group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the nerve sensitivity was elevated in the BMS with pain group, and that these patients were easily affected by etiological factors. In the BMS with numbness group, partial or complete nerve blockage may have been indicated. This study suggested that selfreports of BMS pain appeared to be of value, and that there were pathological conditions in nerve transmission. It supported the theory that peripheral or central nervous system involvement might play an important role in BMS. It was possible to show the pathogenesis of BMS. All of these objectively explain the clinical understanding of BMS, and may be of assistance in the treatment of BMS.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2000

[Effect of eosinophil apoptosis on glucocorticoid-resistant asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the function of eosinophil apoptosis and regulation of glucocortico steroids on IL-5 and GM-CSF expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in glucocorticoid-resistant asthmatic patients. METHODS: Eosinophils (EOS) and PBMCs isolated from glucocorticoid-sensitive (SS, 15 cases) and resistant (SR, 30 cases) asthmatic subjects were cultured and treated with dexamethasone (DXM) in vitro. Concentrations of IL-5 and GM-CSF were determined by ELISA in the supernatants recovered in sham and DXM treated cells. The rates of EOS apoptosis and Fas antigen expression were documented via flow cytometer in sham, DXM treated and PBMC supernatant treated groups respectively. RESULTS: There were no statistical significant differences of the concentrations of both IL-5 and GM-CSF in sham cultured PBMC supernatants between SS and SR groups [(196 +/- 68) micrograms/L vs. (235 +/- 98) micrograms/L IL-5 (P > 0.05), (325 +/- 110) micrograms/L vs. (356 +/- 131) micrograms/L GM-CSF (P > 0.05); SS versus SR groups, respectively]. There were statistically significant decreases in both IL-5 and GM-CSF after DXM exposure in SS group [(196 +/- 68) micrograms/L vs. (147 +/- 62) micrograms/L IL-5 (P < 0.01); (325 +/- 110) micrograms/L vs. (270 +/- 97) micrograms/L GM-CSF (P < 0.01)]. In contrast, there were no significant differences in both IL-5 and GM-CSF after DXM exposure in SR group. Baseline rates of both EOS apoptosis and Fas antigen expression were statistically significant different between SS and SR groups [(67 +/- 21)% vs. (33 +/- 17)% the rate of EOS apoptosis (P < 0.001); (54 +/- 23)% vs. (27 +/- 15)% the rate of Fas antigen expression (P < 0.001), SS versus SR groups, respectively]. A dramatic increase in EOS apoptosis after DXM exposure was observed in SS group [(67 +/- 21)% vs. (89 +/- 20)% (P < 0.01), baseline vs. DXM exposure, respectively], but there was no significant change in Fas antigen expression. There were no significant changes in both EOS apoptosis and Fas antigen expression in SR group after DXM exposure. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that EOS compromised apoptosis might exist and could not be affected by glucocorticoid induction in SR asthma. On the other hand, Th2 cytokine over-expression could not be inhibited by glucocorticoid in SR group in vitro.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗
PubMed2000

[Study on the correlation of clinical features, pathology and immunohistochemistry of single HGV infection].

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to study the pathogenicity of the single HGV infection. METHODS: The ELISA was used to check the serum anti-HGV antibody of 36 cases. Immunohistochemistry staining of hepatic tissue was conducted by using HGV NS5 McAb in 20 single HGV infected patients who were further confirmed by clinical diagnosis and pathological evidence. These patients included 10 cases of acute hepatitis, 7 cases of chronic hepatitis, 1 cases of subacute severe hepatitis and 2 cases of chronic severe hepatitis. RESULTS: (1) Clinical manifestation: Acute hepatitis occurred abruptly, accompanied with fever, inertia, nausea and sometimes with vomiting and oil disgust. Chronic hepatitis developed slowly and presented mild symptoms. Severe hepatitis presented an acute onset, extreme fatigue, serious gastrointestinal symptoms, or even hepatic coma developed. (2) Changes of ALT and AST: ALT and AST increased slightly in chronic hepatitis and moderately in acute and severe hepatitis. The disproportion between ALT and BiL sometimes occurred in severe hepatitis. (3) Pathological changes in hepatic tissue: Acute hepatitis was characterized by hepatocyte swelling and inflammatory cells infiltrated in portal duct areas. Chronic hepatitis was identified by hepatocyte swelling, piecemeal necrosis or spotty necrosis, slight infiltration of inflammatory cell in portal duct areas and fibrosis. Severe hepatitis appeared as hepatic cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and slight fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of HGV can give rise to acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and severe hepatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Sequence analysis of phosphoprotein genes of respiratory syncytial virus field strains isolated in China].

OBJECTIVE: To get information about phosphoprotein (P) genes of RSV field strains isolated in China. METHODS: The complete nucleotide sequences of the P protein genes from six respiratory syncytial virus strains were determined with cDNA clones which had been amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into PTZ18R plasmid vector and compared with those of previously published counterparts of A2 and CH18537 strains. RESULTS: The data indicated that there had high identities (>95%) at nucleotide and amino acid levels among the strains within the same subgroup; there were more divergence among strains (<85%) from different subgroups at nucleotide and amino acid levels of P genes, especially in the 3'-noncoding regions and the divergent domains. The analysis of hydrophobicity indicated that there had difference from 50 to 100 amino acid of P proteins between A and B subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the P genes confirm that there existed variability among RSV field strains and strains A2 and CH18537. The data described above revealed the characteristics of the P genes of RSV field strains isolated in China.

Base Sequence↗