Biomedical subjects

G Tao

Publications and source records attributed to G Tao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Chinese medicinal herbs for acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a relatively common acute abdominal emergency but there is no specific therapy for it. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs have been used widely for many years in China to treat acute pancreatitis, and several controlled trials have been carried out to investigate their efficacy. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for acute pancreatitis. SEARCH STRATEGY: The following electronic databases were searched, in September 2002: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2002, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AHMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine Database) and SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature). Four Chinese journals and conference proceedings were handsearched. No language restriction was used. The searches were updated in October 2003 (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2003). SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomized controlled trials involving traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in the treatment of acute pancreatitis and published in any language, regardless of whether they were single-blinded, double-blinded, or not blinded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The methodological quality of trials was evaluated using the Jadad scale plus allocation concealment. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven randomized clinical trials (including a total of 658 participants) were identified in which Chinese medicinal herbs or Chinese medicinal herbs plus routine treatment were compared with routine treatment. All of these trials were published in Chinese and all included inpatients. None of the articles described the method of randomisation. The large heterogeneity of the intervention prevented us from doing a meaningful subgroup analysis. There appeared to be some benefit from Chinese medicinal herbs over control for mortality rates, length of hospital stay and operative intervention but the trials were of low quality and this benefit did not reach statistical significance. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Some Chinese medicinal herbs may work in acute pancreatitis. However, the evidence is too weak to recommend any single herb. Rigorously designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are required.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Membrane bioreactors for water reclamation.

Singapore has been using dual membrane technology (MF/UF RO) to produce high-grade water (NEWater) from secondary treated sewage. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has very high potential and will lead to the further improvement of the productivity and quality of high-grade water. This study was focused on the technical feasibility of MBR system for water reclamation in Singapore, making a comparison between various membrane systems available and to get operational experience in terms of membrane cleaning and other issues. Three MBR plants were built at Bedok Water Reclamation Plant with a design flow of 300 m3/day each. They were commissioned in March 2003. Three different types of submerged membranes were tested. They are Membrane A, plate sheet membrane with pore size of 0.4 microm; Membrane B, hollow fibre membrane with pore size of 0.4 microm; and Membrane C, hollow fibre membrane with pore size of 0.035 microm. The permeate quality of all the three MBR Systems were found equivalent to or better than that of the conventional tertiary treatment by ultrafiltration. MBR permeate TOC was about 2 mg/l lower than UF permeate TOC. GC-MS, GC-ECD and HPLC scan results show that trace organic contaminants in MBR permeate and UF permeate were in the same range. MBR power consumption can be less than 1 kwh/m3. Gel layer or dynamic membrane generated on the submerged membrane surface played an important role for the lower MBR permeate TOC than the supernatant TOC in the membrane tank. Intensive chemical cleaning can temporarily remove this layer. During normal operation conditions, the formation of dynamic membrane may need one day to obtain the steady low TOC levels in MBR permeate.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2001

Studies on the frequencies of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in postmenopausal women of Han and Kazak nationality in China.

Polymorphyism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is reported to play a major role in variations of the genetic regulation of bone mass. The role of VDR polymorphisms within various ethnic populations is also undetermined. The purpose of the present study was to determine the frequencies of VDR genotypes in the Han and Kazak nationalities in China. We analyzed the polymorphism defined by the Bsm1 restriction enzyme using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 179 healthy postmenopausal Han women and 63 healthy postmenopausal Kazak women. The genotype frequencies of the VDR were calculated later using the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium formula. The results showed that for women of Han nationality, the bb, Bb, and BB genotypes accounted for 90.5%, 9.5%, and 0%, respectively. In Kazak women, the respective frequencies were 38.1%, 55.56%, and 6.35%. We found that there was a significant difference between women of Han and Kazak nationality in terms of the frequency of distribution of VDR genotype (P < 0.001). There was a similar distribution of VDR genotypes in Kazak women to that seen for the Caucasian population of the USA. The results of the present study provide further evidence on the different pathogeny of osteoporosis in various ethnic groups.

Bone Density↗

PubMed2001

Services provided to nonpregnant women during general medical and gynecologic examinations in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the number of visits coded as general medical or gynecologic examinations (GMGEs) per 100 nonpregnant women aged > or = 18 years per year, to examine the content of the services provided during those examinations, to examine the degree of agreement between the patient's stated reason for visits and the diagnosis coded by physicians for GMGEs, and to examine the extent of preventive services delivered during GMGE visits and non-GMGE visits. METHODS: We analyzed data from two national surveys: the 1997 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and 1997 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. In addition, we obtained the number of women aged > or = 18 years in the United States from the Bureau of Census and the number of women who were pregnant from the National Center for Health Statistics. RESULTS: The number of visits coded as GMGEs by physicians was estimated to be < 21 visits per 100 nonpregnant women aged > or = 18 years per year. The leading four services provided during a GMGE were blood pressure check, breast examination, pelvic examination, and Papanicolaou (Pap) test. Of the visits coded as GMGEs by physicians, 82% of patients stated that their reason for visit was a GMGE. Only 35% of the visits that were initially considered to be GMGEs by patients were classified as such by physicians. For the visits initially considered to be GMGEs by patients, women were more likely to receive preventive services if the visits were also classified as GMGEs by physicians. Of Pap tests provided to nonpregnant women aged > or = 18 years, 44% were provided during these visits that were classified as non-GMGE visits by both physicians and by patients. CONCLUSIONS: GMGEs were important means of delivering preventive services to nonpregnant women, but not many women had GMGE visits. Evaluation of the acceptability and cost effectiveness of GMGEs to deliver preventive services to different populations is needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Management of urethritis in health maintenance organization members receiving care at a multispecialty group practice in Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND: Cost containment has led to a concern that health maintenance organization-insured patients presenting with complaints of urethritis may be treated without being tested. GOAL: To determine the proportion of men presenting with symptoms of urethritis who are tested for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. STUDY DESIGN: Reviews were performed on 196 randomly selected patient records with an outpatient visit and a diagnostic code consistent with urethritis between 1995 and 1997. Data were collected on demographics, diagnostic testing, and treatment. RESULTS: Diagnostic testing for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae was performed, respectively, in 92.3% and 83.2% of the men presenting at an initial visit with complaints of urethritis. Altogether, 98.2% of the patients who met the Centers for Disease Control criteria for documenting urethritis were tested for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic testing for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae is nearly universal in this multispecialty group practice setting, facilitating surveillance and public health efforts.

Chlamydia Infections↗

PubMed2001

Therapeutic antitumor response to cervical cancer in mice immunized with U14 vaccines transfected with costimulatory B7 gene.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of U14 vaccine transfected with the B7 gene in inducing antitumor immune response to murine cervical carcinoma in Chinese 615-strain mice. METHODS: A recombinant retroviral plasmid vector expressing mouse B7-1 gene (pLNSX-mB7) was transfected into 615-strain mouse cervical carcinoma cell line No. 14 (U14) by electroporation to set up a highly-expressed mB7-1 U14 cell clonal strain (B7+ U14). In vivo experiments: (1) B7+ U14 vaccine was primed to protect the 615-strain mice against U14 re-challenge. (2) B7+ U14 vaccine was injected into tumor-bearing mice with different tumor sizes. Lifetimes and tumor sizes were recorded. In vitro cytotoxicity assay: Mice were immunized with B7+ U14 or U14 vaccine and 2 weeks later, spleen cells of those mice were cultured for 2 days. The cytotoxicity of these cells against U14 was detected by 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. RESULTS: We obtained several B7-1 high expression clonal U14 lines. In vivo experiment, we did not find tumor growing in 3 of the 6 mice primed by B7+ U14 vaccine during their entire life after re-challenge with U14. The other 3 mice developed tumors and their average survival time was longer than that of the control group (P < 0.01). All 6 mice grew tumors in the control group. When the transplanted tumors became palpable, the mice were randomly divided into 3 groups to be injected with B7+ U14 vaccine. It was effective for tumor-bearing mice only when the tumor diameters were < 3 mm. When the diameters were > or = 3 mm, it was not efficacious to inject B7+ U14 vaccine (P < 0.05). In vitro cytotoxicity assay, cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by B7+ U14 vaccine had a higher cytotoxicity against U14 than that induced by U14 vaccine (F = 310.8, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccines of cervical cancer cells transfected with the costimulatory molecule B7 gene can induce antitumor immune protection in host mice against U14 re-challenge. This treatment may cure part of the tumor-bearing mice but be restricted by tumor size. The results suggest that transfecting the B7 gene into cervical cancer as a cell vaccine may be an efficient supplementary method to treat cervical cancer after operation.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Anti-tumor immune response to cervical carcinoma induced by costimulatory molecule B7 gene in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of B7 costimulatory molecule on inducing anti-tumor immune response to cervical carcinoma in vivo. METHODS: We transfected mouse B7 gene into murine cervix carcinoma cell line U14 by electroporation, and obtained several high-expressed mB7 U14 cell clonal strains (B7+ U14) detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In vivo experiments: (1) 1 x 10(7) B7+ U14 cells were inoculated into the back of inbred 615-strain mice by subcutaneously injection to determine their tumorigenicity (n = 6). (2) The mice primed by B7+ U14 (1 x 10(6)) cells were re-challenged with 1 x 10(7) wild type U14 to observe the immune protection of these mice against the wild type U14 (n = 6). As control, (3) wild type U14 cells were inoculated the same as the experimental group (1) (n = 6). (4) The mice both primed and re-challenged with 1 x 10(7) wild type U14 the same as the experimental group (2) (n = 6). All mice lifetime and tumor sizes were recorded. In vitro cytotoxiaty assay: the mice were immunized with B7+ U14 or the wild type U14 by intraperitoneal injection (n = 4 x 2) and two weeks late those mice spleen cells were obtained and cultured for two days. The cytotoxiaty of these cells against the wild U14 was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed positive results in B7+ U14 cells, while negative in U14 cells. In vivo experiment: (1) after the inoculation of the B7+ U14 cells into the back of inbred mice, they lost their tumorigenicity greatly compared to wild type U14 (P < 0.01). (2) Primed by B7+ U14, mice protected themselves effectively against rechallenged (P < 0.01). In vitro cytotoxiaty assay, the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced by B7+ U14 had a higher cytotoxiaty against the wild type U14 than that induced by wild type U14 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical carcinoma cells transfected with constimulatory molecules B7 gene can decrease their tumorigenicity greatly, and induce anti-tumor immune protection of inbred mice against wild type U14 cells re-challenged. The results suggest that to transfect B7 gene into cervical cancer expression may be an effect method for treating cervical cancer in clinical.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Roles of CD43, CD20 and local IgE in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the roles of CD43, CD20 and total IgE in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. METHOD: Twenty-six cases of nasal polyps and 20 cases of mucosa of middle turbinates were used in present study. RESULTS: The number of CD43+ cells, CD20+ cells and plasma cells in nasal polyps were significantly more than that in middle turbinates (P < 0.01). The positive rate of local IgE+ cells in nasal polyps was significantly higher than in middle turbinate (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There were active cellular immunity and humoral immunity in nasal polyps. Local allergy may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta 1) in nasal polyps. METHODS: Expression of VEGF/VPF and TGF-beta 1 in nasal polyps from 34 patients and middle turbinates from 30 patients with deviation of nasal septum was prospectively studied with immunohistochemistry. Tissue sections were observed under optical microscope. RESULTS: (1) The VEGF/VPF positivity in vascular endothelium and in glandular cell was significantly higher in nasal polyps than in middle turbinates (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively); (2) The TGF-beta 1 positivity in extracellular matrix and in cells in the stroma was significantly higher in nasal polyps than in middle turbinates(P < 0.005); (3) The distribution and shape of TGF-beta 1 expressing cells in nasal polyps were similar to that of eosinophil, their positivities were significantly correlative; (4) The positivity of VEGF/VPF and TGF-beta 1 did not correlate with clinical type in nasal polyps (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: (1) The VEGF/VPF may play a key role in the formation of heavy edema of nasal polyps; (2) The TGF-beta 1 may contribute to some of the pathologic changes observed in nasal polyps, such as thickening of the epithelial basement membrane and stromal fibrosis; (3) Eosinophils in nasal polyps represent a major source of TGF-beta 1.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Functionalized hyperbranched polyethylene powder supports.

[reaction: see text] Polyethylene powders with useful loadings of functional groups are accessible by hyperbranched grafting chemistry. Using a 200 microm diameter high-density powder, loadings of up to 0.4 mmol/g of CO(2)H groups are attained. The carboxylic acid groups in the resulting powders can be further functionalized covalently or ionically and resulting powders have the physical durability and solvent resistance associated with polyethylene itself.

Alcohols↗

PubMed2000

Missed opportunities to assess sexually transmitted diseases in U.S. adults during routine medical checkups.

OBJECTIVES: Although sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause tremendous health and economic burdens in our society, awareness and knowledge regarding STDs remain poor among health care providers. To examine missed opportunities for STD-related counseling, diagnosis and treatment, we investigated how frequently U.S. adults reported being asked about STDs by their health care providers during routine checkups. METHODS: We analyzed the responses of 3390 adults aged 18-64 who reported having a routine checkup during the past year in the 1994 U.S. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative survey. We used a logistic model to determine factors that were independently associated with the likelihood of being asked about STDs during the checkup. RESULTS: Only 28% (+/-0.9%) of respondents reported being asked about STDs during their last routine checkup. Persons were significantly more likely (p<0.05) to be asked about STDs if they were aged under 45, male, single, had a household income under the federal poverty level, or were insured by a health maintenance organization, public coverage or by no plan rather than by a fee-for-service arrangement. CONCLUSIONS: Only about one quarter of U.S. adults reported being asked about STDs during routine checkups. Routine checkups in which these issues are not discussed may represent missed opportunities for STD prevention. Persons presenting for routine care can be counseled, screened and, if infected, can be treated. Interventions are needed at the patient, provider, and community levels to increase the opportunities to assess STD risk, to counsel, to diagnose, and to treat infections during routine checkups.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The relationship of hepatitis B virus infection between adults and their children in Guangxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to describe the seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with emphasis on transmission of HBV infection between adults and their children. METHODS: We analyzed the hepatitis sero-survey data collected from 2132 persons aged 1-59 years (624 families) in Guangxi Province, China, 1992. Blood was tested for the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). RESULTS: Of the 2132 persons surveyed, 119 (5.6%) reported receiving HBV vaccination. Among those persons who did not receive HBV vaccination, 19% were HBsAg positive (current HBV infection) and 57% had a past HBV infection (they were HBsAg negative and either anti-HBc positive or anti-HBs positive). Among 519 children aged 1-10 years who did not receive HBV vaccination, 21% had current HBV infection and 37% had past HBV infection. Among 289 children of both parents who were HBsAg negative, 16% had current HBV infection and 36% had past HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of community-acquired HBV infection in children and the low HBV vaccination coverage in Guangxi should alert public health agencies to re-examine their current policies for preventing HBV transmission.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Medical care expenditures for genital herpes in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 45 million Americans have serologic evidence of HSV-2 infection and HSV-2 seroprevalence in the United States has increased 30% over the past two decades. Despite rapid increases in HSV-2 prevalence, the last estimate of the U.S. national direct medical cost for genital herpes (GH) was completed in 1985. The objective of this study is to assess the U.S. direct medical expenditures for GH and its complications to assist policy makers in allocating limited STD resources efficiently. METHODS: We estimated the number of GH-related clinical visits and pharmacy claims from several national and state sources, estimated the average direct medical cost per visit from two administrative claims databases, and calculated the U.S. national direct medical costs for GH by applying the average direct medical cost per visit to the number of clinical visits and pharmacy claims. RESULTS: The U.S. national number of GH-related clinical visits was estimated to be 499,655 and there were approximately 2,056,1180 pharmacy claims annually. Of those clinical visits, private office-based physician and public STD clinic visits alone accounted for 89%. The U.S. national direct medical costs were estimated at $166 million annually for 1992-1994, which represents $207 million in 1999 dollars. Of the total cost, medical care accounted for 36% and drug treatment for 64%. CONCLUSIONS: The medical costs of pharmacy claims and office-based physician visits account for the majority of the medical expenditures for GH. Our estimates, based on the best available data on medical expenditure, indicate that GH is a major public health problem with a substantial economic burden.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Utilization of preventive medical services in the United States: a comparison between rural and urban populations.

Differences between rural and urban residents in their utilization of three clinical preventive services--Papanicolaou screening tests (Pap smears) for women aged 18 to 65, mammograms for women aged 50 to 69 and flu shots for people aged 65 or older--were examined using a nationally representative sample from the 1994 U.S. National Health Interview Survey. Eighty-two percent of urban women and 79 percent of rural women (P = 0.11) had Pap smears. Sixty-eight percent of urban women and 61 percent of rural women (P = 0.01) had mammograms. Flu shots were received by 55 percent of urban and 58 percent of rural elderly residents (P = 0.11). Of women aged 50 to 69 who had a high school education or whose annual household income was between $15,000 and $34,999, significantly fewer rural than urban women had mammograms (P < 0.01). However, the proportion of rural women receiving mammograms was not significantly different from that of urban women after adjusting for their education, household income and health insurance status. Education level, house-hold income and health insurance coverage were positively associated with utilizing mammograms. These results suggest that differences in the utilization of preventive services between rural and urban women vary by services. Improving socioeconomic status and health insurance coverage of rural women may reduce the disparity in mammogram use between rural and urban women. Mechanisms of how a woman's socioeconomic status affects her utilization of mammograms needs further study.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in postmenopausal women of the Han and Uygur nationalities in China.

OBJECTIVE: Polymorphism in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been reported to play a major role in variations for genetic regulation of bone mass. Its role within various ethnic populations is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequencies of VDR genotypes in the Han and Uygur nationalities in China. METHODS: We analyzed the polymorphism of Bsm I restriction enzyme by PCR-RFLP technique in 162 healthy postmenopausal women of the Han nationality and 50 healthy postmenopausal women of the Uygur nationality in China. The genotype frequencies of VDR were calculated using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium formula. RESULTS: In the Han nationality, the bb, Bb, and BB genotype accounted for 91.36%, 8.64% and 0%, respectively. In the Uygur nationality, frequencies were 74.00%, 18.00% and 8.00%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference between the Han and Uygur nationalities in the frequency distribution of VDR genotype (P < 0.01). Compared with the Caucasian population in the United States, Australia and France, there was a similar value to Uygur nationality in the BB genotype. This investigation gave us further evidence on the different etiopathology of osteoporosis in various ethnic groups.

Alleles↗

PubMed1999

Rates of receiving HIV test results: data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey for 1994 and 1995.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and predictors of receipt of HIV test results. METHODS: Analysis of responses from 19,127 adults in 1994 and 16,848 in 1995 surveyed for the U.S. National Health Interview Survey, using logit models to determine factors independently associated with decreased likelihood of receiving HIV test results. RESULTS: Overall, 12.5% (+/-1.0%) of persons tested in 1994 and 13.3% (+/-0.9%) in 1995 had not received their test results. Those whose test was not self-initiated were significantly less likely (p<.05) to receive their test results. The proportion who did not receive results was lowest among persons who had sought testing (6.1% in 1994 and 4.3% in 1995) and highest among persons whose tests were required for hospitalization or surgery (24.2% in 1994 and 22.9% in 1995). CONCLUSIONS: An estimated 2.3 million of the 17.5 million people tested annually for HIV infection did not receive their test results. Alternative measures to increase the number of persons who receive their results need to be evaluated. These may include enhancing prevention counseling about the importance of receiving test results, telephone notification, or using rapid HIV-screening tests that provide results at the time of testing.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed1999

Motor feedback physiological control for a continuous flow ventricular assist device.

The response of a continuous flow magnetic bearing supported ventricular assist device, the CFVAD3 (CF3) to human physiologic pressure and flow needs is varied by adjustment of the motor speed. This paper discusses a model of the automatic feedback controller designed to develop the required pump performance. The major human circulatory, mechanical, and electrical systems were evaluated using experimental data from the CF3 and linearized models developed. An open-loop model of the human circulatory system was constructed with a human heart and a VAD included. A feedback loop was then closed to maintain a desired reference differential pressure across the system. A proportional-integral (PI) controller was developed to adjust the motor speed and maintain the system reference differential pressure when changes occur in the natural heart. The effects of natural heart pulsatility on the control system show that the reference blood differential pressure is maintained without requiring CF3 motor pulsatility.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1999

pI(Cln) and cytosolic F-actin constitute a heteromeric complex with a constant molecular mass in rat skeletal muscles.

To elucidate the function of pI(Cln), its localization in subcellular organellae was investigated. A specific polyclonal anti-pI(Cln) antibody detected the soluble 38-kDa pI(Cln) exclusively in the cytosols of rat heart, lung, liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, testis, and brain, but not rat kidney. pI(Cln)-associated proteins in skeletal muscle were also analyzed. Native-gradient PAGE showed a single 340-kDa protein band reactive to anti-pI(Cln) antibody. This band also stained with anti-actin antibody. Two-dimensional PAGE and immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that all of the pI(Cln) was present in association with actin of a constant length: the molecular ratio of pI(Cln) to actin was roughly 1:7. In addition, all actin in the cytosol fractions was found in association with pI(Cln). These results suggest the possibility that skeletal muscle pI(Cln) controls the length of cytosolic F-actin.

Actins↗