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D Wei

Publications and source records attributed to D Wei.

114 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Computer simulation of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome utilizing a human heart model.

The relationship between the location of an accessory pathway and body surface ECG waveforms was investigated by computer simulation of the WPW syndrome using a human heart model. The 3-dimensional heart model is composed of 50,000 units so as to represent the details of ventricular excitation. Ten typical accessory pathways near the A-V groove were examined, which correspond to Gallagher's classification of the WPW syndrome based on their surgical experience. Twelve-lead ECG waveforms were calculated for these 10 cases and were compared with the clinical observations of Gallagher et al. The polarities of the delta waves at 40 msec after the onset of the QRS were listed. The agreement of our model with the clinical data obtained by Gallagher et al is 87%. Details of changes in the ECG waveforms were also examined by changing ther terminal location of the accessory pathway along the radial and longitudinal directions in the ventricles, and it was found that the ECG waveforms of the limb leads are more sensitive to this difference in the preexcited location than those of the chest leads. The simulated epicardial isochronic patterns also agree with the measurements.

Computer Simulation↗

Effect of short-term ozone exposure on exogenous thyroxine levels in thyroidectomized and hypophysectomized rats.

Short-term ozone exposure (1 ppm X 24 hr) of male rats results in a significant reduction of circulating thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The reduction of thyroid hormone levels after ozone exposure has been hypothesized as a possible adaptive mechanism to enhance survival of rats during ozone exposure. In this study, we investigated the effect of ozone on thyroid hormone (T4) levels in thyroidectomized and hypophysectomized rats which received exogenous T4 in the drinking water. Groups of normal, intact rats, thyroidectomized rats maintained on T4 at doses ranging from 75 to 1000 micrograms/liter, and hypophysectomized rats maintained on 300 micrograms T4/liter were exposed to ozone (1 ppm X 24 hr), Plasma T4 concentrations were significantly reduced after ozone exposure, and the results indicated that the higher the circulating T4 levels before exposure the more they were reduced after ozone exposure. This reduction in T4 levels cannot be accounted for in these animals by reduced pituitary TSH levels or the effects of fasting, but is likely to be due to peripheral changes in plasma thyroid binding proteins initiated by ozone exposure.

Animals↗

Polymeric gadolinium chelate magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents: design, synthesis, and properties.

We have synthesized and evaluated five series of polymeric gadolinium chelates which are of interest as potential MRI blood pool contrast agents. The polymers were designed so that important physical properties including molecular weight, relaxivity, metal content, viscosity, and chelate stability could be varied. We have shown that, by selecting polymers of the appropriate MW, extended blood pool retention can be achieved. In addition, relaxivity can be manipulated by changing the polymer rigidity, metal content affected by monomer selection, viscosity by polymer shape, and chelate stability by chelator selection.

Animals↗

Expression of endogenous transforming growth factor-beta and its type I and type II receptors in rat burn wounds.

Transforming growth factor-beta is a potent regulator of numerous processes in wound healing. These biological activities require the interaction of the growth factor with two classes of cell surface receptors, namely the type I and type II receptors. To understand the role of transforming growth factor-beta in burn wound healing, we undertook a study to localize this growth factor and its cell surface receptors within dermal burn wounds. Partial-thickness burn injuries were made on the backs of Wistar rats. At 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 days after burning, samples of wounded and control skin were removed for the isolation of total RNA and immunohistochemistry. Thermal injury induced the expression of mRNA for transforming growth factor-beta and both type I and type II receptors. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta peaked 5 to 7 days after injury, then gradually declined. Of note, the expression of the transforming growth factor-beta receptors returned to normal before the expression of the growth factor. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that transforming growth factor-beta protein levels paralleled mRNA expression, and the protein was primarily localized to the migrating epidermal cells and dermal fibroblasts. The differences between the expression of transforming growth factor-beta and its receptors in the later stages of healing thermal injuries suggests the presence of a well-controlled mechanism to limit the effect of the growth factor on repair cells.

Journal Article↗

Head-shaking nystagmus: associations with canal paresis and hearing loss.

In 108 patients referred for caloric testing, head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) was noted in 37 electronystagmography (ENG) recordings. A canal paresis was found in 31 patients and a sensorineural or mixed hearing loss in one or both ears was found in 45 patients. Both HSN and canal paresis were insensitive predictors of either hearing loss or of each other. HSN was less sensitive as well as less specific than canal paresis for hearing loss. These data suggest that HSN is not as powerful a test as canal paresis in detecting lesions of the 8th nerve.

Adult↗