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Biomedical subjects

Z Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Z Zhou.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

[Influence of alum on intestinal flora in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of alum on the intestinal microecological balance in normal microorganisms. METHOD: The mice were administered orally with alum of a small dosage(0.25/kg) and a large dosage(1 g/kg) for half a month, two months and three months, and a micro flora analysis of the mice was carried out at intervals of the above mentioned administrations. RESULT: The intestinal flora in the animals administered with alum was imbalanced. The counts of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli closely related to human physiological activities were decreased. The counts of pathogenic E. Coli significantly increased; and the longer the animals were treated with alum, the stronger the microecological balance was influenced. CONCLUSION: Alum could induce imbalance of the normal intestinal flora in mice.

Alum Compounds↗

[Detection of serum hepatitis B virus DNA in patients with various chronic liver diseases].

With established competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, serum HBV DNA concentration was determined in 125 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma(n = 38), liver cirrhosis (n = 36) and chronic hepatitis (n = 51) with different serum HBV immunological markers. The results showed that: (1) No significant variation of HBV DNA concentration was detected in patients with different chronic liver diseases; (2) About one third of the examined patients whose five serum HBV markers were negative and anti-HBs were positive showed low level of viral replications; (3) The total concentration of HBV DNA in the patients with positive HBeAg were significantly higher than that in patients positive for anti-HBe, but also found a high HBV DNA concentration in some of the latter. It suggests that the manner of viral replication were not correlated with the period of the chronic liver disease. So HBV replicative status may not be completely determined only by seroconvertion of HBeAg to anti-HBe.

Adolescent↗

[Studies on the biomedical sensor techniques for real-time and dynamic simultaneous detection and measurements of respiratory gases carbon dioxide and oxygen].

Based on the studies of the direct detection of electro-inactive gas CO2 by amperometry and the mechanism of oxygen interference, a new modulated potential pulse coulometry/amperometry (MPPC/MPPA), which combines the fast modulated potential technique with the microelectrode method, has been advanced and established for the rapid determination of both CO2 and O2. The influence of modulated potential-time waveforms on the electrode activity, the accuracy and range of detection was investigated. Results were obtained which demonstrate that the novel biomedical sensor techniques can be used for the non-invasive, real-time and dynamic simultaneous monitoring of respiratory gases CO2 and O2.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Dacryology in China.

PURPOSE: International Society of Dacryology held the IV International Congress in Stockholm on June 1996. I was warmly invited as a guest of honor beforehand to deliver a lecture on a special topic of "Dacryology in China" there, so that the world might understand the dacryology in China, and thus the international growth of dacryology as a discipline would be promoted. METHODS: In China tear lab research and clinical research of LG are nearly empty except a few papers published. We had studied 3 items on LS for 28 years before 1979, and put our attention mainly on dacryology since 1979 by 3 stages: (1) collecting literatures (1979-81); (2) lab research (1981-84) and (3) clinical research, put DE as the key point by 4 steps: DE diagnosis (1984-86); DE treatment (1987-91); DE Condition Judgement (1989-92) & DE cause & mechanism (1991-95). RESULTS: In the past 44 years, esp. from 1979 on, in a planned way, we have systematically researched the dacryology with main results below: created new word "Leiyexue" in Chinese & its English words, dacryology & lacrimology by adding-ology to dacrya & lacrima; made LS consisted of reflex LG & LP, and basic LG besides; found out the normal & abnormal data of tear and serum LF & its iron bindingcapacity; MDH, LDH & isoenzymes; beta 2 m; MDA & antioxidants; trace elements, prostaglandins, intramuscular gentamicin passing the blood-tear barrier; bacteria, fungi, anaerobe, virus & parasite; Ig, T cell & subsets, Langerhan cell, HLA antigen; in cidence (KCS, 0.3-3%, trancomatous DE 0.003%); the parallel correlations between DE graded by rb, BUT & Slt; and in SS, lymphocytes infiltration in LG; Lab G & conjunctiva; LF (< 100 mg%) & beta 2 m (> 1.7 mg%); and testosterone receptors in LG; negated presence of tear Beta-lysim; set up a series of models for researching & a complete set of measures to diagnose, grade, judge and treat DE, deviced new operations. AT & prescription for DE; proved SS being autoimmune & EB virus, its one cause. CONCLUSIONS: This relatively, overall & systematical research of dacryology already have been widely applied to practice with over 100 papers published. It indicates that LS & its disease as a scientific discipline under the term of dacryology to grow up is entirely possible and extremely needful.

Animals↗

An experimental study of the tumour necrosis factor level in aqueous humor after transscleral fixation of intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) level in aqueous humor after transscleral fixation of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in rabbits and discuss the effect of TNF on postoperative anterior ocular inflammation. METHODS: Twenty-seven pigmented rabbits were divided into three groups. Group 1: transscleral fixation of posterior chamber (PC) IOL implantation; Group 2: Lens of rabbits was removed without IOL implantation; Group 3: the control group, without surgical intervention. On the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative days, aqueous humor samples were obtained. An modified double antibodies indirect sandwich ELISA was used to detected for the presence of TNF. The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance of SAS software. RESULTS: It was found that TNF level in aqueous humor was increased after transscleral fixation of IOL implantation. TNF level reached its maximum on the 14th postoperative day in the IOL implanted group. TNF level on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days postoperatively was significantly the highest (p < 0.05) in IOL implanted group when compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is something physically related to the IOL itself which induces the secretion of TNF or this simply related to mechanical factors related to the presence of the IOL itself, and the manipulation of the iris during lens implantation stimulates TNF secretion. The increase of TNF level may play critical role in anterior ocular inflammation response after IOL implantation.

Animals↗

[The vibration-rotational analysis of the high resolution ir spectrum of the CH3D molecule].

High-resolution Fourier transform spectra of the band of the CH3D molecule near 6428cm(-1) have been recorded on a BRUKER IFS 120HR Fourier-transform spectrometer with multipass cell with a length of 20m, an unapodized resolution of 0.004cm(-1) was achieved. Vibration-rotation analysis in Local-mode can provide accurate enough initial values to predict the band origins. The vibration-rotation transitions of CH3D molecule were assigned by using the ground state combination differences and least-squares fitted to yield ten vibration-rotation constants for the band of CH3D molecule near 6428cm(-1). Vibration assignment in Normal-mode and Local-mode expressed that the band of CH3D molecule near 6428cm(-1) is 3V2 vibration states of CH3D molecule.

English Abstract↗

[Determination of non-rare earth impurities including Cu, Fe, Ca and Ni in samarium oxide by ICP-AES].

The direct determination of non-rare earth trace impurities including Cu, Fe, Ca and Ni in high purity Samarium oxide by means of ICP-AES is presented in this paper. By using orthogonality experimentation, we studied main factors of influential determination and selected compromise condition of simultaneous determination of Cu, Fe, Ca and Ni. Influence of matrix concentration was discussed. We used the method of matrix match and subtraction background. For the sample solution containing 5mg/mL of Sm2O3 the determination limits were 0. 0003% for Cu, 0.003% for Ni, 0.001% for Ca and Fe, respectively. The relative standard deviation was in the range of 2.6-9.2%. The recovery ratio of these elements was in the range of 90-110%. The method is simple and rapid. It was fit to productive control analysis and determination of production.

English Abstract↗

[Study of the excitation and diffusion processes of sample atoms in a microwave boosted microsecond-pulse glow discharge source with optical emission spectrometry].

The excitation and diffusion processes of brass sample atoms in a GD-MIP tandem source have been studied with a home-made MIP boosted micros-pulse GD device. Experimental results show that under relatively low discharge pressure (< 180Pa), the micros-pulse GD can couple quite well with MIP and emit strong radiation of analytical lines. When the GD source is operated under a pressure higher than 200Pa, two emission peaks appear independently in time for a given resonant atomic line, because sample atoms are structurally excited separately first by the micros-pulse GD and then by the MIP. According to the two emission peaks, the diffusing velocities of copper atoms and zinc atoms can be calculated, yielding values of 150 and 129m/s, respectively, and the most excited area in-the micros-pulse GD is about 1.94-2.25mm away from the sputtering surface of the sample cathode. The effects of discharge parameters on emission intensities have been also investigated.

English Abstract↗

Novel immunoassay for the measurement of complexed prostate-specific antigen in serum.

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an effective diagnostic tool for detection of prostate cancer (CaP) at an early and potentially curable stage, but specificity is low. Studies have shown that the proportion of serum PSA complexed with alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) is higher in men with CaP than in men with benign prostate disease. We developed a novel immunoassay for complexed PSA based on the unique binding properties of a monoclonal antibody that fails to bind free PSA in the presence of antibodies specific for free PSA. The assay measured mixtures of free and complexed PSA accurately, and the measured values of free + complexed PSA in artificial mixtures and in patient sera were equivalent to the measured value of total PSA. Both the serum concentration and the proportion of complexed PSA was substantially higher in patients with CaP compared with patients with benign prostate disease. The cPSA assay may have utility in improving specificity in screening for prostate cancer.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The effect of fixation on the size, shape and summed optical density of endometrial cancer nuclei.

OBJECTIVE: Nuclear morphometric features have been shown to be of prognostic importance in several malignancies including recently, endometrial cancer. The authors attempted to see whether the type of fixation affected nuclear size (NUSZ), shape (NUSH), and summed optical density (NUSD). METHODS: Fifty specimens, half air dried and half alcohol fixed, were obtained from 25 consecutive patients with endometrial cancer. Results were compared with the paired samples t-test. Differences among the nuclear morphometric features and histologic grade, stage, and depth of myometrial invasion were studied by one-way analysis of variance. Logistic regression was used to determine if any were independent prognostic features. Image analysis was used to determine NUSZ, NUSH, and NUSD. RESULTS: Mean NUSZ was shown to be significantly larger in air dried specimens (89.13 microm2) as compared to alcohol fixed specimens (80.34 microm2) P=0.047. Mean NUSH was significantly closer to round in air dried specimens (15.21) as compared to alcohol fixed specimens (15.65) P=0.025. There was no significant difference in mean NUSD between air dried (128.61) and alcohol fixed specimens (126.22) P=0.76. Stage, as well as air dried NUSZ, NUSH, and NUSD were all independent predictors of recurrence. In this study none of the nuclear parameters from the alcohol fixed tissues were predictive of recurrence. CONCLUSION: The type of fixation significantly affects the nuclear morphometric parameters of size and shape. While NUSZ, NUSH, and NUSD from air dried specimens were predictive of recurrence, the same parameters from alcohol fixed specimens were not. A larger prospective trial is currently underway to validate these findings.

Analysis of Variance↗

Functional overlap of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase, poly(A) polymerase I, and polynucleotide phosphorylase.

Repair of the 3'-terminal -CCA sequence of tRNA generally requires the action of the enzyme tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. However, in Escherichia coli in the absence of this enzyme, a decreased level of tRNA end repair continues. To ascertain the enzymes responsible for this residual repair, mutant strains were constructed lacking tRNA nucleotidyltransferase and other enzymes potentially involved in the process, poly(A) polymerase I and polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase). Strains lacking tRNA nucleotidyltransferase and either one of the other enzymes displayed decreased growth rates and increased levels of defective tRNA compared with the single cca mutant. Triple mutants lacking all three enzymes grew very slowly, had even more defective tRNA, and were devoid of activity incorporating AMP into tRNA-C-C. Overexpression of poly(A) polymerase I, but not PNPase, partially compensated for the absence of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. These data show that poly(A) polymerase I and PNPase participate in the end repair process and are required to maintain functional tRNA levels when tRNA nucleotidyltransferase is absent.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

In vitro and in vivo promoter analyses of the mouse phospholamban gene.

To determine the mechanisms responsible for regulation of the phospholamban (PLB) gene expression, a critical regulatory phosphoprotein in cardiac muscle, the mouse PLB gene was isolated and promoter analysis was performed in vitro and in vivo. The PLB gene consists of two exons separated by a single large intron. Deletion analysis revealed that a 7-kb 5' flanking fragment (including exon 1, the entire intron and part of exon 2) was necessary for maximal transcriptional activity in H9c2 and L6 cell lines. Interestingly, deletion of a 2.4-kb intronic region, which contained repetitive elements, caused a dramatic increase in CAT activity in both these cell lines. In vivo analysis indicated that the PLB fusion gene containing 7 kb of the 5'-flanking region was capable of cardiac specific gene expression in transgenic mice. Furthermore, these mice exhibited 3-fold higher levels of CAT activity in the ventricles compared with the atria, mimicking endogenous PLB mRNA expression. Our findings suggest that: (a) PLB gene expression may be regulated by the interplay of cis-acting regulatory elements located within the 5' flanking and intronic regions; and (b) the 7-kb upstream region is capable of directing cardiac-specific and compartment-specific expression in vivo.

Animals↗

Phasic and long-term depression in brainstem nucleus tractus solitarius neurons: differing roles of AMPA receptor desensitization.

One important question concerning the homeostatic regulation of many physiological processes is whether the control mechanisms are purely reflexogenic or whether they may involve neural adaptation in the form of learning and memory in the brainstem. Using a brainstem slice preparation in the rat, we studied the modifiability of neural transmission in the first-order synapses of the medial and commissural nucleus tractus solitarius of the medulla. Sustained low-frequency stimulation (5 Hz) of primary afferent fibers in the tractus solitarius resulted in a phasic depression (accommodation) of synaptic strength as reflected by a concomitant decrease in the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials. In one group of neurons (type I), synaptic strength recovered rapidly after low-frequency stimulation, whereas in another group of neurons (type II), synaptic strength remained depressed for >30 min, i.e., manifesting long-term depression (LTD). The latter was switched into a short-term depression lasting 15-25 min after pharmacological blockade of NMDA receptor channels with D-APV or chelation of intracellular calcium ions with EGTA, whereas the accommodation phase was unaffected. Application of an AMPA receptor anti-desensitization agent cyclothiazide abolished the LTD, but not the accommodation response. These results suggest the presence of separate postsynaptic sites for the induction of LTD and accommodation, one being sensitive to cyclothiazide, whereas the other is not. Moreover, the maintenance of LTD is dependent on the level of intracellular Ca2+. These phasic and long-term synaptic plasticity in the nucleus tractus solitarius may play a role in the homeostatic regulation of cardiorespiratory functions.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Function of the Escherichia coli msbB gene, a multicopy suppressor of htrB knockouts, in the acylation of lipid A. Acylation by MsbB follows laurate incorporation by HtrB.

Overexpression of the Escherichia coli msbB gene on high copy plasmids suppresses the temperature-sensitive growth associated with mutations in the htrB gene. htrB encodes the lauroyl transferase of lipid A biosynthesis that acylates the intermediate (Kdo)2-lipid IVA (Brozek, K. A., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 15410-15417). Since msbB displays 27.5% identity and 42.2% similarity to htrB, we explored the possibility that msbB encodes a related acyltransferase. In contrast to htrB, extracts of strains with insertion mutations in msbB are not defective in transferring laurate from lauroyl acyl carrier protein to (Kdo)2-lipid IVA. However, extracts of msbB mutants do not efficiently acylate the product formed by HtrB, designated (Kdo)2-(lauroyl)-lipid IVA. Extracts of strains harboring msbB+ bearing plasmids acylate (Kdo)2-(lauroyl)-lipid IVA very rapidly compared with wild type. We solubilized and partially purified MsbB from an overproducing strain, lacking HtrB. MsbB transfers myristate or laurate, activated on ACP, to (Kdo)2-(lauroyl)-lipid IVA. Decanoyl, palmitoyl, palmitoleoyl, and (R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl-ACP are poor acyl donors. MsbB acylates (Kdo)2-(lauroyl)-lipid IVA about 100 times faster than (Kdo)2-lipid IVA. The slow, but measurable, rate whereby MsbB acts on (Kdo)2-lipid IVA may explain why overexpression of MsbB suppresses the temperature-sensitive phenotype of htrB mutations. Presumably, the acyloxyacyl group generated by excess MsbB substitutes for the one normally formed by HtrB.

Acylation↗

Subunit G of the vacuolar proton pump. Molecular characterization and functional expression.

The vacuolar type proton pump of clathrin-coated vesicles has a multisubunit ATP hydrolytic center that is peripheral to the membrane. Polypeptides present in this domain include the well characterized subunits A, B, C, D, E, and F; SFD, a dimer composed of 50- and 57-kDa polypeptides; and polypeptides termed G and H. Of these, subunits A, B, C, and E have been shown to be necessary but not sufficient for significant ATPase activity; in addition, either polypeptide G or H is also required for ATP hydrolysis (Xie, X.-S. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 30980-30985). In this study, the polypeptides G and H were purified and directly sequenced. Subsequent molecular analysis has revealed that these proteins are isoforms, which we designate G1 and G2. The cDNAs encoding the rat and bovine brain and chicken osteoclast forms of G1 have been cloned. The open reading frames of the rat and bovine clones encode hydrophilic proteins of 118 amino acids that differ at only five residues; bovine G1 has 36% identity with VMA10, a component of the proton channel of yeast. Northern blot analysis revealed a 1. 0-kilobase pair transcript encoding G1 in bovine brain, kidney, heart, and spleen. The cDNA encoding bovine polypeptide H was cloned and sequenced, revealing this protein to be 64% identical to G1, constituting isoform G2. In Northern blot analysis, a single 1. 7-kilobase pair transcript hybridized with a probe to G2 in brain, but not in heart, kidney, or spleen. An antibody against a bovine G1-specific domain reacts with V pump from bovine brain, kidney, and chromaffin granule, whereas an anti-G2 antibody reacts only with proton pump from brain. The bovine forms of G1 and G2 were subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli and Sf9 cells, respectively, and purified to homogeneity. Reconstitution of ATP hydrolysis was achieved by combination of recombinant subunits A, B, C, and E with either recombinant G1 or G2, demonstrating the role of these isoforms in pump function.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Identification and characterization of a novel androgen response element composed of a direct repeat.

Transcriptional regulation by the androgen receptor (AR) requires its binding to hormone response element nucleotide sequences in DNA. A consensus glucocorticoid response element (GRE) can mediate transactivation by AR and other members of the AR/glucocorticoid (GR)/progesterone (PR)/mineralocorticoid (MR) receptor subfamily. We identified putative androgen response element (ARE) sequences by binding of a human AR DNA-binding domain fusion protein to DNA in a random sequence selection assay. A 17-base pair consensus nucleotide sequence, termed IDR17, containing three potential GRE-like core binding sites organized as both inverted and direct repeats, was determined from a pool of degenerate oligonucleotides. IDR17 was active in mediating androgen-dependent induction of reporter gene expression in transient transfection assays. Dissection of the IDR17 sequence revealed an 11-base pair sequence (DR-1), consisting of two potential core binding sites oriented as an overlapping direct repeat, as the most potent ARE. DR-1 demonstrated a strong preference for AR binding and transactivation when compared with GR. To our knowledge, this is the first observation that a direct repeat of GRE-like core motifs functions as a preferred hormone response element within the AR/GR/PR/MR subfamily of nuclear receptors.

Base Sequence↗

Steroid 21-hydroxylase expression and activity in human lymphocytes.

Steroid 21-hydroxylase encoded by CYP21 is expressed in adrenal cortex. Mutations in CYP21 cause potentially lethal congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Earlier observations suggested alternative sources of 21-hydroxylase activity, although its genetic source remains unclear. We found a novel source of CYP21 expression in normal human cultured B lymphocytes. The quantity of 21-hydroxylase transcript was reduced in B cell lines of CAH subjects compared with that in normal B-lymphoblastoid cells. No CYP21 transcript was detected in lymphocytes from a CAH patient with homozygous CYP21 deletion. Cultured lymphoid cells, including those carrying homozygous CYP21 deletion, and peripheral blood leukocytes converted both 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 11-deoxycortisol and progesterone to deoxycorticosterone. We conclude that lymphocytes express CYP21, but also possess a 21-hydroxylase distinct from CYP21. Activity of this isozyme may partially compensate for severe adrenal 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗