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Biomedical subjects

H Tan

Publications and source records attributed to H Tan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Cloning and expressionanalysis of two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genes encodingcell wall proline-rich proteins.

Two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genes, ghprp1 and ghprp2, encoding cell wall proline-rich proteins (PRPs) have been cloned and characterized. The ghprpl gene has an open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a PRP of 299 amino acids (aa), whereas the ghprp2 gene contains an ORF that codes for a 310-aa PRP. The GhPRP1 has an 80% identity in aa sequence with that of GhPRP2. Like other plant cell wall PRPs, both cotton PRPs have a hydrophobic signal peptide at their N-termini, followed by repeating peptide units. Northern blot analyses showed that the ghprpl gene is predominantly expressed in the fiber during the elongation stage of fiber development. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis showed that ghprpl is expressed in both fiber and root tissues, whereas ghprp2 is in roots only. The ghprpl gene was shown to be present in the A1, A2, D1 and D5 genomes of Gossypium by PCR amplification, whereas the ghprp2 gene is only present in the A1 and A2 genomes. The ghprpl gene was over-expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, and the expressed GhPRP1 protein was used as an antigen to raise polyclonal antibodies (anti-GhPRP1). Western analysis using the anti-GhPRP1 probe detected a major protein band (50 kDa) in 5-31-day postanthesis (DPA) fibers. However, the 50 kDa protein was absent in other cotton tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Outcome prediction in severe traumatic brain injury with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography in evaluating the outcome of severe traumatic brain injury and to correlate the TCD values with intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) monitoring. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of TCD ultrasonography to neurological outcome in a series of 96 severe traumatic brain injury patients. The quantitative variables of TCD ultrasonography included the mean blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and pulsatility index within the first 24 hours of admission. The ICP and CPP values were a lso recorded. Outcome in 6 months postinjury was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS 4-5 was considered as "good" and GOS 1-3 as "poor"). RESULTS: The mean blood flow velocity of the MCA was larger than 40 cm/s in 30 (51%) patients with good outcome whereas it was less than 40 cm/s in 27 (73%) patients with poor outcome (P<0.025). The mean PI in cases of good outcome (34 patients, 57%) was lower than 1.5 whereas in poor outcome (30 patients, 83%) was higher than 1.5 (P<0.001). The correlations of ICP and CPP to pulsatility index were statistically significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TCD ultrasonography is valid in predicting the patient's outcome of 6 months and correlates significantly with ICP and CPP values when it is performed in the first 24 hours of severe traumatic brain injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Effects of different disinfectants on levels of endotoxin in canals of chronic periapical periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare effects of formocresol, camphorated phenol and Ya Kan (metronedazole) on endotoxin levels in canals of chronic periapical periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with chronic periapical periodontitis were selected from outpatients, and 10 cases each were randomly picked out to treat by sealing with formocresol, camphorated phenol and Ya Kan respectively. All patients were both sampled before and after sealing of these disinfectants, and chromogenic substrate method of limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test was used to measure levels of endotoxin. RESULTS: The effects of Ya Kan, formocresol and camphorated phenol on levels of endotoxin did not showed significant difference. CONCLUSION: Some anti-anaerobic bacterial drugs can be used to treat chronic periapical periodontitis.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2001

[Structure and function of sanL--a gene involved in nikkomycin biosynthesis of Streptomyces ansochromogenes].

The chromosome walking strategy has been used in this experiment and a 10 kb DNA fragment was cloned from the cosmid library of Streptomyces ansochromogenes using a partial DNA fragment involved in the nikkomycin biosynthesis as a probe. The nucleotide sequence showed that the DNA fragment contains two complete open reading frames (ORFs), they are designated as sanK and sanL respectively. The sanL is located on the upstream of sanK, it has 1281 nucleotides with ATG at 345 position as start codon and TGA at 623 position as stop codon. The deduced product is L-lysine 2-aminotransferase using Blastx program. The experiment of gene disruption indicated that this gene is closely related to nikkomycin biosynthesis of Streptomyces ansochromogenes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

[Relationship among lymphatic metastasis, pericancerous lymphocytic reaction and dendritic cell infiltration in laryngeal carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role and the clinical significance of dendritic cell infiltration against tumor cells in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical method using S-100 protein antibody was employed to detect dendritic cells (DC) on paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 23 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The relationships among the density of dendritic cell infiltration in laryngeal carcinomas and cervical lymphatic metastasis, pericancerous lymphocytic reaction and other clinicopathologic parameters were observed. RESULTS: The numbers of dendritic cells infiltrating among laryngeal carcinoma cells in patients with no cervical lymph metastasis was significantly larger than those with cervical lymphatic metastasis (t = 4.889, P < 0.01). Significant increase DC infiltration among laryngeal carcinoma cells was found in the group with intensively positive reaction of pericancerous lymphocyte than in the medium and weakly positive groups. The number of infiltrating dendritic cells in patients who had survived more than 5 years was significantly larger than those survived less than 5 years (t = 4.423, P < 0.01). The numbers of the infiltrating dendritic cells in patients with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated squamous cells carcinoma were 2.2 +/- 1.07 and 14.6 +/- 7.14 respectively, which were significantly different (q = 4.532, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study showed that DC infiltration among laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells played an important role in the host immune reaction against tumor. It indicated that when the density of infiltrating DC is higher, the patients had less chance of cervical lymph metastasis and may have a longer survival time. There was a coordinative effect between DC infiltration in tumor cells and pericancerous lymphocyte reaction. Thus, the DC infiltration among laryngeal squamous cells could be used as an index of prognosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Study of Raman-PL spectra for GaAs layer on Si substrate in hot wall epitaxy].

The quality of GaAs layer on the Si substrate under different growth conditions with HWE technology was studied by Raman and PL spectra. The results show that the ratio of peak value to area for the TO peak at 265 cm-1 increased gradually with the improvement of the GaAs crystallinity quality for the GaAs layer at 300 K. The FWHM of Raman spectra of TO peak at 265 cm-1 is narrow, and the Raman shift is 2 cm-1. In the PL spectra, the FWHM at 900 nm is narrow. Then the results show GaAs layer is highly structural quality. But if we can not measure the PL peak at 900 nm, or the FWHM of Raman spectra of TO peak at 265 cm-1 is not narrow, the GaAs layer is not crystallinity. Therefore, we can estimate the layer quality by Raman and PL spectra.

Arsenicals↗
PubMed2000

Relaxation Spectra and Viscoelastic Behavior of a Model Hydrophobically Modified Alkali-Soluble Emulsion (HASE) Polymer in Salt/SDS Solutions.

The viscoelastic behavior of a semidilute hydrophobically modified alkali-soluble emulsion (HASE)-C20 polymer in NaCl and NaCl/SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) solutions was determined using a Rheometric fluids rheometer and the data were converted to relaxation spectra. The dynamic moduli can be fitted with a multiple modes Maxwell model. In the presence of increasing amounts of NaCl, the moduli decrease, where G', decreases more rapidly than G". However, in the presence of SDS and 0.4 M NaCl, the dynamic moduli increase to a maximum at a critical concentration and decrease thereafter. The relaxation spectra suggest that the structure of the polymer network is complex and it contains two to six relaxation times, depending on the NaCl or SDS/0.4 M NaCl concentrations. With increasing NaCl concentrations, the fastest peak shifts to longer times while the slowest peak decreases. This corresponds to the destruction of the network as the polymer backbone collapses to form clusters with a larger aggregation number. For HASE in SDS/0.4 M NaCl solutions, the lifetime of both the hydrophobic junction (fastest peak) and network relaxation (slowest peak) shift to longer times, which suggests the strengthening of active junctions by bound SDS molecules. However, beyond a critical SDS concentration, the relaxation time of the polymer and hydrophobic junction decreases to an asymptotic value. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Atmospheric mercury deposition in Guizhou, China

The atmospheric deposition of mercury including total gas phase mercury (TGM), gas phase divalent mercury (Hg2+), and gas phase monomethyl mercury (MMHg) was investigated. Samples were collected from central cities and nature reserve areas across the province. Techniques and equipment including moss bags, KCl-coated denuder and GARDIS-1A portable mercury vapor analyzer were employed for sample collection and analysis. The reliability of techniques and analytical methods used for the project was evaluated. The deposition of atmospheric mercury was reported in species in this important mercury polluted province for the first time. The spatial and temporal variability of mercury emissions were investigated and reported. Contribution of coal mercury emissions to the atmosphere mercury deposition of the province was also investigated.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Cloning, sequencing, and function of sanF: A gene involved in nikkomycin biosynthesis of Streptomyces ansochromogenes.

A 111-bp DNA fragment related to nikkomycin biosynthesis of Streptomyces ansochromogenes 7100 was obtained with the method of reverse genetics. Then, a 2.2-kb DNA fragment was cloned from the DNA library of S. ansochromogenes 7100 by using the 111-bp fragment as a probe. Sequence analysis showed that the fragment contains one complete open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a 219-amino acid (aa) protein, and this gene was designated sanF (GenBank Accession No. AF223971). The function of the sanF gene was studied by a strategy of gene disruption, and the resulting sanF mutants lost the ability to synthesize biologically active nikkomycin, indicating that sanF is essential for nikkomycin biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Low-density lipoprotein receptor gene mutations in a Southeast Asian population with familial hypercholesterolemia.

The aim of this study was to detect mutations in the genes coding for the low-density lipoprotein receptor and apolipoprotein B in patients of Southeast Asian origin with clinically diagnosed familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and to relate these findings with the observed lower incidence of coronary heart disease in this part of the world. A total of 86 unrelated patients with FH were selected on clinical grounds, and complete DNA analysis of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor and apolipoprotein B (apoB) genes by DGGE and DNA-sequencing was performed. In the majority (73%) of the cohort studied, no mutations could be detected, even after extensive analysis of the LDL-receptor and apoB genes. However, the 22 patients with a mutation had significantly more xanthomas and a higher incidence of coronary heart disease and levels of low-density lipoproteins were also significantly different. There was no correlation between the type of the mutation and lipoprotein levels or clinical signs of atherosclerosis. The fact that the majority of the FH patients studied had no detectable mutation and that this group had a significant milder phenotype, suggests the presence of a third gene in the Southeast Asian population, predominantly leading to a disorder resembling a milder form of FH. A similar, but less frequent, trait has recently been described in a number of European families.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Treatment of human breast cancer cells with antisense RNA to the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibits cell growth, suppresses tumorigenesis, alters the metastatic potential, and prolongs survival in vivo.

The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) plays an important role in the growth and transformation of breast cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of treatment with an antisense IGF-IR construct on cells from the highly metastatic estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435s. The cells carrying the antisense IGF-IR had a markedly reduced expression of IGF-IR, had a significant decrease in cell proliferation, and lost the ability to form colonies in soft agar. There was a delay in tumor formation and a dramatic reduction in tumor size when cells carrying the antisense IGF-IR were injected into either nude or severe combined immunodeficient (scid) beige mice. We have also provided data that show that the scid beige mouse is a more suitable model for studying metastasis of the MDA-MB-435s cells. All of the scid beige mice injected with cells carrying the control construct had metastasis to the lungs, whereas lungs from the nude mice had no apparent metastatic sites after 11 weeks. When cells carrying antisense IGF-IR were injected subcutaneously in scid beige mice, the animals had a significant increase in survival compared with mice injected with cells carrying the control construct. Taken together, these results indicate that the IGF-IR can play a critical role in the progression of breast cancer. Our studies provide a basis for the development of future treatment strategies targeting the IGF-IR in metastatic breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of denture cleansers, surface finish, and temperature on Molloplast B resilient liner color, hardness, and texture.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare color, texture, and Shore A hardness of a resilient silicone denture liner with as-polymerized, roughened, or pumiced surfaces after treatment with perborate-, persulfate-, or hypochlorite-containing denture cleansers at 25 degrees or 55 degrees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight specimens that each exhibited an as-polymerized, a roughened, and a pumiced area were exposed to 5 different commercially available perborate-, persulfate-, or hypochlorite-containing denture cleansers at 25 degrees or 55 degrees continuously for 4 (1/2) months. The solutions were replaced twice a day. Control specimens were soaked in water with no cleanser. Before and after the 4 (1/2) -month cleaning regimen, the color, hardness, and texture of resilient liner surfaces were evaluated using a color densitometer, a Shore A durometer (Shore Instrument & Mfg Co, Freeport, NY), and a surface profilometer, respectively. Differences among groups after the cleanser treatment were determined using a repeated measures analysis of variance (alpha = 0.05) and a Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference post hoc test. RESULTS: Roughened specimen surfaces after 25 degrees or 55 degrees cleanser treatment exhibited significant color loss with some perborate-containing cleansers compared with the control. Roughened specimens treated at 55 degrees with perborate-containing cleansers also exhibited significantly greater color loss than those treated with the persulfate-containing cleanser. With roughened surfaces, significantly greater hardness was found with some perborate-containing cleanser compared with a hypochlorite-containing cleanser after treatment at 25 degrees. No differences were observed in surface texture based upon cleanser treatment. CONCLUSION: After silicone resilient denture liner treatment with certain perborate-containing denture cleansers, a greater amount of components could leach from the liner leading to a loss of color if the liner surface is rough.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Genetic causes of familial hypercholesterolaemia in a Malaysian population.

A total of 86 unrelated Malaysian patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) were studied for mutations in their low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene. Amongst them, 23 had a LDL-R gene mutation, while none having an Apolipoprotein B-3500 (Apo B-3500) mutation. Patients with the LDL-R gene defect appeared to have a higher level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), an increased incidence of xanthomas and coronary heart disease (CHD), but no relationships were found between the type of LDL-R gene mutations and their lipid levels or clinical signs of CHD. In contrast to Western data, our findings seemed to indicate a predominance of mutations in the ligand binding domain and an absence of Apo B-3500 gene mutation. The latter finding may offer a genetic basis as to why Asian patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia have lower LDL-C levels and less premature CHD than their Western counterparts.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate and levels of blood cholesterol and glucose of volunteers during National Heart Weeks, 1995-1997.

The paper presents the results of a health screening programme conducted in 10 major centers in Malaysia--Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Alor Star, Kuala Terengganu, Malacca, Kota Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu during the National Heart Weeks, 1995-1997. There were 6,858 participants of both sexes aged between 6 years to 81 years old. The parameters involved in the screening programme were body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol and glucose. The following are the results of the study:- 1. The mean and standard deviation for the body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), total cholesterol (TC) and non fasting (random) blood glucose (GL) of the volunteers studied were 24.3 +/- 4.0 kg/m2, 128.3 +/- 21.1 mmHg, 79.6 +/- 11.9 mmHg, 77.2 +/- 12.1 bpm, 5.33 +/- 1.37 mmol/l and 5.11 +/- 1.97 mmol/l respectively. 2. There was a rising trend for BMI, SBP, DBP, TC and GL with age. The HR was higher in the younger age group of those below 20 years. Males tended to have higher mean values than females except for HR which was similar in both sexes. 3. The Malays, Chinese and Indians seemed to have closely similar mean values for SBP, DBP and HR but the Indians possessed the highest BMI (25.62 +/- 3.90 kg/m2), TC (5.61 +/- 1.48 mmol/l) and GL (5.41 +/- 2.43 mmol/l) among the three major ethnic groups. While the Ibans had highest TC (6.07 + 1.09 mmol/l), their GL level was the lowest (4.76 +/- 1.15 mmol/l). The Kadazans had the lowest TC level (4.94 +/- 1.39 mmol/l) among all the ethnic groups. 4. Among the participants screened, 31.9% were overweight (BMI > or = 25), 7.6% were obese (BMI > or = 30); 26.8% had raised SBP (> or = 140 mmHg) and 19.3% had raised DBP (> or = 90 mmHg); 13.6% of the participants had increased HR (> or = 90 bpm), 22% had raised TC (> or = 6.20 mmol/l) and 2% had raised GL (> or = 11.00 mmol/l). There was a higher prevalence for abnormal values with increasing age until between the ages of 60 or 70 years, when the values began to fall. 5. Age was positively correlated with SBP (r = 0.41***, df = 4351), DBP (r = 0.27***, df = 4351), TC (r = 0.22***, df = 3303) and GL (r = 0.16***, df = 2442) but negatively correlated with HR (r = -0.13***, df = 4351). The BMI was positively correlated with SBP (r = 0.29***, df = 2769), DBP (r = 0.31***, df = 2769), TC (r = 0.16***, df = 2137) and GL (r = 0.11**, df = 1637) but there was no correlation with HR (r = 0.03NS, df = 2771). The SBP and DBP were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.75***, df = 4351) and they also showed highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.08***-0.13***, df = 2441-3301) with TC and GL. TC was positively correlated with GL (r = 0.05* df = 2319) but only at the 5% probability level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Study on human leukemia cell apoptosis inducing effect of fraction C of Naja naja Actra Venom].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and mechanism of fraction C isolated from Naja naja Actra Venom (FCNNAV) in inducing apoptosis of human leukemia cells. METHODS: Light microscope, transmission electron microscope, DNA electrophoresis, flow cytometry and RT-PCR assay were used to observe the changes of human leukemia cells in morphology and biochemistry, and Bcl-2/Bax expression after exposing to FCNNAV. RESULTS: FCNNAV could induce HL60 cells apoptosis demonstrated by the typical morphological and biochemical changes. Flow cytometry showed that J6-1, K562, HL60 and fresh leukemia cells apoptosis could be induced by FCNNAV, and the apoptosis rate was dose-dependent. RT-PCR detection showed the Bcl-2 gene expression of HL60 cells was down-regulated by FCNNAV, whereas the Bax expression was unaffected. CONCLUSION: FCNNAV could induce apoptosis of human leukemia cells and this effect is related to down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene expression level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[A study on general status and affecting factors on infant intellectual development in Changsha city].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intellectual level of infants in Changsha city and analyze the main factors that affect infant intellectual development. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty infants were measured by Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence, who were randomly selected from Changsha city. RESULTS: The general intellectual level of infants in Changsha city was good; stepwise regression analysis revealed the main possible risk factors affecting intellectual development of infants in Changsha city were newborn asphyxiated at birth (B = -17.162), perinatal fever in the first trimester (B = -8.084), infant with abnormal temper (B = -6.295) and poor appetite (B = -3.103). Parental care (B = 4.622) possibly benefit the infant intellectual development. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that the main measures to promote infant intellectual development were more attention need to be paid to health care for women and children, prevention of perinatal disease and infant rearing in a scientific way.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed2000

[A study of the mechanism of effects of solution containing trace elements on remineralization layer formation of enamel carious lesions].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of several remineralization solutions with different composition on the artificial demineralization lesions of bovine enamel and the mechanism of remineralization layer formation. METHODS: 36 bovine teeth were selected and artificial carious lesions were formed with lactic acid gel. Then all specimens were divided into 4 groups which contained no fluoride, fluoride, fluoride-calcium-phosphate-tin, and de-ionic water separately, and the de-ionic group was taken as control. The structure and composition of the sediments on the enamel surface were evaluated and detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Histological change of enamel section was examined by polarized microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, all the solutions had remineralization effects, especially the solutions containing trace elements. XPS showed that there were sediments formed on the surface of carious lesion, the compositions of the sediments were CaF2, HAP and non-specifically absorbed fluoride (NSAF). Irregular, crystal deposits were also found under SEM on the enamel surface. The polarized microscopy results showed that the observed demineralization areas decreased after exposure to the solutions. CONCLUSION: Solutions containing fluoride and trace elements were effective on remineralization. The possible mechanism is that CaF2 and NSAF, instead of FA formed in the remineralization layer. Moreover, the remineralization effects of the fluoride solutions containing trace elements are more outstanding than that without trace elements. The potential mechanism is the synergistic action of fluoride and trace elements.

Animals↗