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H H Wang

Publications and source records attributed to H H Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Evaluation with receptor binding assay on the water extracts of ten CNS-active Chinese herbal drugs.

In the present study, we established receptor binding assays to evaluate the water extracts of ten central nervous system (CNS)-active Chinese herbal drugs. These ten herbal drugs are Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Danggui (Radix Angelicae sinensis), Danshen (Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae pubescentis), Hangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae macrophyllae), Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Suanzaoren (Semen Zizphi spinose), and Yangjihua (Flos Daturae). The results indicated that these water extracts contained the principles acting on the dopamine (D1 & D2), muscarinice acetylcholine (M1), or 5-HT (5-HT1A & 5-HT2) receptors, or the benzodiazepine and the gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) binding sites of GABAA receptors as determined by receptor binding assays. The receptors or binding sites which predominantly acted by each water extract are listed as follows: Chaihu: D2, 5-HT1A, GABA; Chuanxiong: GABA, 5-HT1A; Danggui: GABA, 5-HT1A; Danshen: BDZ; Duhuo: GABA, 5-HT1A, D2, D1; Hangqin: BDZ, D1, 5-HT1A; Qinjiao: GABA, BDZ, 5-HT1A, D2; Shengma: 5-HT1A; Suanzaoren: 5-HT1A, 5-HT2, GABA; Yangjihua: M1, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2. These results provided evidence to explain the CNS effects of these herbal drugs at the receptor level. Furthermore, these results provided information to direct the isolation and purification of receptor-interactive compounds from these herbal drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of lymphomatoid papulosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphomatoid papulosis is a rare skin disease with malignant potential. Its epidemiology is largely unknown. METHODS: A case-control study of lymphomatoid papulosis was done to characterize the patient population and investigate the risk factors for its development. Fifty-seven patients with biopsy-proven lymphomatoid papulosis and 67 individually matched control subjects who were recruited among relatives and acquaintances of the patients answered a standard questionnaire over the telephone. RESULTS: Among patients with lymphomatoid papulosis, 3 had a history of Hodgkin disease, 3 had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 10 had mycosis fungoides; none of the control subjects reported such histories. No significant differences were observed between patients and control subjects in regard to residence or travel history or exposures to various physical, chemical, and biologic agents. A higher, although not statistically significant, percentage of patients than control subjects reported a history of radiation therapy and nonlymphoid malignant lesions. No differences were found between patients and control subjects in regard to other medical conditions or family medical history. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lymphomatoid papulosis have a significantly increased frequency of prior or coexisting lymphoproliferative disorders, an increased frequency of nonlymphoid malignant lesions, and exposure to radiation therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Image-directed percutaneous biopsy. A comparison of cytologic and histologic findings.

BACKGROUND: Image-directed biopsies may be collected as histologic or cytologic specimens. METHODS: In 34 patients, the results of aspiration cytologic examination were compared prospectively with core tissue biopsy findings obtained and diagnosed independently using the same image-guided procedure. RESULTS: Cytologic examination disclosed 22 patients with positive or suspicious findings of malignancy; there was one false-suspicious result. Seventeen patients with such results were discovered by examining the core biopsy specimens. Cytologic findings also were more definitive in diagnosing malignancy. Those in whom an immediate interpretation could be done were more likely to have adequate cytologic specimens (88%) than those without (62%). One to five passes were done, but all 21 patients with definitive findings of either benign or malignant by cytologic examination underwent three or fewer passes. The three patients with positive biopsy results, but less definitive cytologic findings, all underwent only one cytologic pass. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, it was concluded that cytologic examination is more sensitive and definitive than biopsy in diagnosing lesions using image guidance. Immediate interpretation and/or multiple passes increase the diagnostic yield. However, more than three aspiration cytologic passes appear to yield diminishing returns.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1992

Comparative features of comedo and noncomedo ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast on fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

To determine whether fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) can differentiate between comedo (C-DCIS) and noncomedo ductal carcinoma in situ (NC-DCIS), we reviewed retrospectively the preoperative FNAB and surgical biopsy slides of 13 cases of DCIS with adequate cytologic material. Eight were NC-DCIS and 5 were C-DCIS. Three (60 percent) of the C-DCIS and 7 (88%) of the NC-DCIS were nonpalpable lesions biopsied under conventional mammographic guidance. Three (60%) of the C-DCIS but only 2 (25%) of the NC-DCIS were considered either suspicious or positive for malignancy on FNAB, the remainder in both groups being atypical. A statistically significant difference in marked nuclear pleomorphism (60% of C-DCIS vs. 0% of NC-DCIS, P = 0.04) and large nucleoli (60% of C-DCIS vs. 0% of NC-DCIS, P = 0.04) was observed between these 2 groups. DCIS is morphologically diverse, and it appears that the cytologic features of individual cells on FNAB may distinguish C-DCIS from NC-DCIS.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1992

Tubal metaplasia of the uterine cervix: a prevalence study in patients with gynecologic pathologic findings.

Tubal metaplasia (TM) of endocervical epithelium may be confused with endocervical dysplasia or adenocarcinoma in histologic or cytologic specimens. However, the potential magnitude of this problem is unknown, because the prevalence of endocervical TM in routine surgical pathology material is undefined. To determine the prevalence, distribution, and associated features of endocervical TM, we retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of cone biopsy specimens (n = 82) and hysterectomy specimens in which the entire cervix had been sectioned (n = 26), obtained over 28-months. Tubal metaplasia was defined as epithelium containing all three cell types (ciliated, secretory, and intercalary) found in the normal fallopian tube. The mean patient age was 41 years (range, 21-79). Endocervical TM was present in 33 of 108 patients (31%) and was evenly distributed among all age groups. Its prevalence was related to the number of sections examined (23% of cases with less than or equal to 12 blocks of the cervix; 52% of cases with greater than 12 blocks; p less than 0.01) and was greater in hysterectomy than in cone specimens (62 vs. 21%, p less than 0.001). Although most frequent in the upper endocervix and in deep portions of glands, TM involved the surface in 36%, the superficial parts of glands in 64%, and the lower endocervix in 30% of positive cases. There was no association with phase of the menstrual cycle, inflammatory changes, or low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), but TM was inversely related to high-grade CIN in glands, presumably due to replacement of metaplastic cells by neoplastic cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[A study of the satisfaction of clients with the home visiting service provided by public health nurses].

The purpose of this study is to explore the satisfaction of clients with the home visiting services provided by public health nurses. In addition, the related factors that influence this satisfaction are to be explored. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. This study comprises 247 subjects who were chosen via distributive sampling, 222 questionnaires were completed for use. The completed percentage achieved 90%. Factors analysis was used to discern the satisfaction components. The contents of the client's satisfaction can be broken down into 5 major areas: (1) the assistance provided by home health services; (2) the professional capacities of the home-visiting nurses; (3) the disturbance caused by the home health services; (4) the home visiting nurses' capacity for instruction and reaction; (5) the autonomy of home health services. The results of this study indicate that the clients' satisfaction ratio achieves 89%. A stepwise multiple regression was used to analyze the related factors that influence the clients' satisfaction. We found that the most important variables were "the assistance provided by home-visiting services", "the necessity of home-visiting services", and "the variation in client diagnosis". The predictable variance of these three variables reaches 34.8%.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Effects of prolonged darkness and background illumination on cone horizontal cells in carp retina: a correlative study of morphology and physiology].

Using intact, immobilized carp preparations, changes in light responsiveness of cone horizontal cells and ultrastructures of their terminals in cone pedicles (HCTs) were correlatively examined in prolonged (greater than 2 h) darkness and after the presentation of a dim background light. Following background illumination cone horizontal cells exhibit high light responsiveness and HCTs give rise to a lot of long, fingerlike or ball-like extensions, called slender or round spinules. When the retina is left in the dark for more than 2 h, the light responsiveness of these cells is depressed, which is accompanied by a dramatic decrease of spinules. Thus light responsiveness of the cone horizontal cells seems to be well correlated with the number of spinules. The results suggest that spinules may play an important role in regulating light responsiveness of cone horizontal cells following background illumination by altering the efficacy of signal transfer across the synapses between cone photoreceptors and cone horizontal cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Selection and identification of antigenic determinant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain.

A new procedure for the selection of the antigenic determinant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain is described. The bacterium components destroyed by ultrasonic were isolated by 15% SDS-PAGE, transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane, immunostained with McAbs against H37Ra. One McAb-positive fragment was obtained using the Western blot analysis. The molecular weight of the antigenic determinant is 35,000 dalton. The antigenic determinant is of immunological reactivity with McAb and TB patients' sera in dot-immunoassay and demonstrated in delayed skin tests in guinea pigs. The amino acid composition of the antigenic determinant was analysed. These suggest that the Western blot analysis may be a useful tool for the analysis of the antigenic determinant.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

[A study of the satisfaction of public health nurses on home visiting service].

"Home visit" expands its service from previous health maintenance to current continuous health care. It is always one of the popular methods of public health nurses in approaching their community population. Currently, home visit is still an important task for public health nurses in health stations. The purpose of this study was to explore the satisfaction among public health nurses in home health services. In addition, related factors that influence the satisfaction were to be explored. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. In this study, the interviewees were 67 public health nurses in 11 health stations in Kaohsiung. Factor analysis was used to study the components of the satisfaction. There were five components of satisfaction: (1) administrative policy of the agencies, (2) sense of frustration and accomplishment when encountering clients' health problems, (3) clients' responses, (4) support system and availability of equipment, and (5) self assertiveness and cultivation of professional capacity. We found in this study that the percentage satisfaction among public health nurses was around 60%. The working years of nursing was significantly correlated with satisfaction of public health nurses.

Home Care Services↗
PubMed1992

Nature and significance of cells with irregular nuclear contours in esophageal mucosal biopsies.

Esophageal mucosal biopsies from patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms often contain intraepithelial cells with irregular nuclear contours (CINC). To investigate their nature and significance, we retrospectively studied biopsies and resection specimens from symptomatic patients that showed the following histologies: unremarkable mucosa (11 cases), active esophagitis (11 cases), infection (herpes: two cases; fungus: five cases), Barrett's esophagus (five cases), adenocarcinoma (three cases), and squamous cell carcinoma (two cases). H&E sections were reviewed to determine the number of intraepithelial CINC, neutrophils, eosinophils, and mononuclear cells with small, round nuclei typical of lymphocytes in five high-power fields. All specimens were also stained for S-100 protein, and six additional biopsies with numerous CINC were stained for leukocyte common antigen (LCA), L-26 (a B-cell marker), and Leu-22 and UCHL-1 (both T-cell markers). Clinical charts were reviewed to analyze endoscopic findings. The CINC had the immunohistochemical profile of T-lymphocytes: LCA (+), Leu-22 (+), UCHL-1 (+), L-26 (-), and S-100 protein (-). Their average number per high-power field was low in benign squamous epithelium away from tumors (average 0.8/high-power field) but much higher in biopsies with the other categories of histology, especially those with active esophagitis and infection (6.3/high-power field). The difference between the mean of the two tumor groups (0.8) and that of esophagitis (6.3) was statistically significant (p = 0.005). Of 11 patients with unremarkable biopsies, there was endoscopic evidence of esophagitis in five. The biopsies of these five showed an average number of CINC of 6.4, whereas the number was only 3.5 in the six with normal endoscopy (p = 0.15).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Localization of regions of the Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor labeled with an aryl azide derivative of phosphatidylserine.

A photoactivatable analog of phosphatidylserine, 125I-labeled 4-azidosalicylic acid-phosphatidylserine (125I-ASA-PS) (Blanton, M. and Wang, H.H. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 1186-1194) was used to label the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The photoactivatable group of 125I-ASA-PS is attached directly to the phospholipid head group making it an excellent probe of regions of the AchR structure in contact with the negatively-charged head group of phosphatidylserine. The 'binding domains' were localized by chemically cleaving the labeled receptor with cyanogen bromide (CNBr), separating the generated peptides by reverse-phase HPLC, and N-terminal sequence analysis of radiolabeled material. CNBr fragments containing flanking regions of the transmembrane spanning region M4 as well as within M3 were identified within HPLC separated radiolabeled material. The results suggest a topological arrangement of the transmembrane helices in which the hydrophobic faces of M3 and M4 form the boundary of the receptor complex in contact with the lipid bilayer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Role of lipid metabolism in cell killing by calcium plus ionophore A23187.

Cultured fibroblasts treated with divalent cation ionophore A23187 in the presence of extracellular calcium provide a useful model system for studying mechanisms of cell death associated with elevated intracellular calcium concentrations. Cell death induced by A23187 plus calcium can be conveniently monitored as membrane permeabilization to Trypan blue dye. Because lipids are a major component of cell membranes and play an important role in determining membrane permeability, the present study was initiated to identify changes in cell lipid composition that occur during membrane permeabilization induced by calcium plus A23187. The percent label in each of the major structural lipids in biosynthetically labeled NIH3T3 fibroblasts changed less than 10% during the time course of membrane permeabilization. During the course of membrane permeabilization there was significantly increased label in lysophosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylcholine and reduced label in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The time course of these changes corresponded to that of the arachidonic acid release response stimulated by calcium plus A23187, not to the time course of membrane permeabilization, which occurs later. These observations are consistent with lipid metabolism induced by A23187 plus calcium playing only a possible regulatory or intermediatory role in membrane permeabilization, rather than causing direct permeabilization of the lipid phase of the membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Molecular environment of the phencyclidine binding site in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor membrane.

Phencyclidine is a highly specific noncompetitive inhibitor of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. In a novel approach to study this site, a spin-labeled analogue of phencyclidine, 4-phenyl-4-(1-piperidinyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxyl (PPT) was synthesized. The binding of PPT inhibits 86Rb flux (IC50 = 6.6 microM), and [3H]phencyclidine binding to both resting and desensitized acetylcholine receptor (IC50 = 17 microM and 0.22 microM, respectively). From an indirect Hill plot of the inhibition of [3H]phencyclidine binding by PPT, a Hill coefficient of approximately one was obtained in the presence of carbamylcholine and 0.8 in alpha-bungarotoxin-treated preparations. Taken together, these results indicate that PPT mimics phencyclidine in its ability to bind to the noncompetitive inhibitor site and is functionally active in blocking ion flux across the acetylcholine receptor channel. Analysis of the electron spin resonance signal of the bound PPT suggests that the environment surrounding the probe within the ion channel is hydrophobic, with a hydrophobicity parameter of 1.09. A dielectric constant for the binding site was estimated to be in the range of 2-3 units.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Direct double-stranded DNA sequencing with baculovirus genomes.

Double-stranded DNA sequencing with the modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase) was performed directly with nuclear polyhedrosis virus DNA genomes. The conditions were optimized to allow for a rapid and unambiguous sequence analysis of nuclear polyhedrosis virus genomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Comparative features of carcinoma in situ and atypical ductal hyperplasia of the breast on fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens.

With the use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy to evaluate non-palpable breast lesions, an increasing number of cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are encountered. The authors previously demonstrated that it is not possible to distinguish definitively between DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma on fine-needle aspiration biopsy. To determine whether DCIS could be separated from atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), the authors identified all cases of exclusive DCIS or ADH with fine-needle aspiration biopsy before surgery. Sixteen cases of ADH and 19 cases of DCIS were identified. Of these, 12 in each category were sufficiently cellular to allow evaluation of architectural and cytologic features. Cases of ADH were more likely to be diagnosed as negative or atypical (11 of 12); in contrast, DCIS was more likely to be designated as suspicious or positive (9 of 12). Architectural and cytologic features characteristic of ADH included cells arranged in flat cohesive sheets, distinct cell borders, and myoepithelial cells. Those features characteristic of DCIS were single cells representing more than 10% of atypical cells, cellular dyshesion, and inflammatory background, coarsely granular chromatin, and nuclear pleomorphism. Many other features were not useful in separating ADH from DCIS. Based on this small series, it appears that the distinction between some cases of DCIS and ADH may be possible on fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Saturable binding of anesthetics to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A possible mechanism of anesthetic action.

Recent controversies in the existence of saturable binding of general anesthetics in brain tissues prompted a careful examination of specific binding of anesthetics to neural receptors. We examined the binding of both local and general anesthetics using electron spin resonance and radioligand criteria. Our results suggested that the hydrophobic path, most probably through the lipid bilayer, figures importantly in the binding of the uncharged moieties of anesthetics. Competitive interactions by hydrophobic compounds for the high-affinity site in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor led us to propose a hypothesis that includes a hydrophobic crevice of limited volume as part of the high-affinity site. Association of anesthetic at this crevice is in turn dependent on the anesthetic concentration in the lipid phase of the membrane. The hypothesis provides a mechanism for the saturable interaction of anesthetics with their protein target site in the membrane without violating the correlations expressed by the Meyer-Overton rule of anesthetic action.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1991

[The coexistence of multi-neuroactive substances in neurons of the developing cat and chicken retinas].

An improved post-embedding immunocytochemical technique was used to examine the coexistence of multi-neuroactive substances in neurons of young cat and newly hatched chicken retinas. We found that two classical neurotransmitters-glycine (Gly) and r-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and one neuropeptide, neurotensin (NT) were located in the amacrine cells of cat and chicken retinas. Among them, some cells contain Gly and GABA (Gly/GABA AC), some cells contain Gly and NT (Gly/NT AC) or GABA and NT (GABA/NT AC), and the other cells, a few of them contain Gly, GABA and NT (Gly/GABA/NT AC). In addition, two classical neurotransmitters Gly and GABA were also located or coexisted in the horizontal cells of cat retina. These results indicated that the coexistence of two neurotransmitters or one neurotransmitter and one neuropeptide or two neurotransmitters and one neuropeptide was presented in neurons of developing can and chicken retinas.

Animals↗