Biomedical subjects

H Z Shi

Publications and source records attributed to H Z Shi.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

The influence of pH on hydrolysis and acidogenesis of kitchen wastes in two-phase anaerobic digestion.

Batch and semi-continuous experiments were carried out to determine the effect of pH on hydrolysis and acidogenesis of kitchen wastes in the two-phase anaerobic digestion. The results of the batch experiment showed pH adjustment could improve both hydrolysis and acidogenesis rates of kitchen wastes. Compared with pH at 5, 9 and 11, pH 7 provided an optimum working condition for anaerobic digestion of kitchen wastes. At pH 7, about 86% of the total organic carbon (TOC) and 82% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were solubilized and the maximum volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of 36 g l(-1) was achieved on the fourth day. The total VFA yield was 0.27 g (g total solid (TS))(-1), which almost doubled the yield without pH adjustment (0.15 g (g TS)(-1). The acidified products with lower concentration of lactic acid were more favorable to the subsequent methanogenesis. At pH 7, most of the protein was degraded into ammonia nitrogen (NH4(+)-N), resulting in additional buffer of acidified liquid. According to this, a novel method of pH adjustment applying NH4(+)-N buffer was established. The semi-continuous experiment indicated that adjusting pH to 7 in the acidogenic stage in the two-phase anaerobic digestion process would increase both TS loading rate (16g l(-1) d(-1)) and recovery of biological energy (520 ml methane (CH4) (g TS)(-1)).

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2001

[Application of traditional Chinese medicine in space medical research].

With the development of space medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs have been widely used in counteracting motion sickness, bone loss, muscle atrophy, and circulation system disorder, improving body's adaptability and protecting the effect of irradiation, hypoxia and noise. This paper summarized the application of basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbs, acupoint treatment and Qigong in space medical research.

Acupuncture↗

PubMed2000

Lymph node trafficking and antigen presentation by endobronchial eosinophils.

Because eosinophils recruited into the airways in allergic diseases are exposed to inhaled allergens, we evaluated whether eosinophils within the endobronchial lumen can function in vivo as antigen-presenting cells for inhaled antigens. We recovered eosinophils from the airways after aerosol antigen challenge in sensitized mice or from the peritoneal cavities of IL-5 transgenic mice and fluorescently labeled these cells ex vivo. These labeled cells, instilled intratracheally into normal mice, migrated into draining paratracheal lymph nodes and localized to T cell-rich paracortical areas. The homing of airway eosinophils to lymph nodes was not governed by eotaxin, because CCR3(-/-) and CCR3(+/+) eosinophils migrated identically. Airway eosinophils, recovered after inhalational antigen challenge in sensitized mice, expressed MHC class II and costimulatory CD80 and CD86 proteins and functioned in vitro as CD80- and CD86-dependent, antigen-specific, antigen-presenting cells. Moreover, when instilled into the airways of antigen-sensitized recipient mice, airway eosinophils recovered after inhalational antigen challenge stimulated antigen-specific CD4(+) T cell proliferation within paratracheal lymph nodes. Thus, eosinophils within the lumina of airways can process inhaled antigens, traffic to regional lymph nodes, and function in vivo as antigen-presenting cells to stimulate responses of CD4(+) T cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of inhaled interleukin-5 on number and activity of eosinophils in circulation from asthmatics.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of interleukin-5 (IL-5) inhalation on changes in the activity and number of circulating eosinophils, as well as concentrations of serum total IgE, in allergic asthmatics. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study design was employed in which each subject acted as his or her own control. Eight nonsmoking patients with allergic asthma were administered recombinant human IL-5 by nebulization. Total white blood cell counts and differentials, as well as concentrations of ECP and total IgE in serum, were determined before and at 2, 24, and 48 h after inhalation. Our results demonstrated that eosinophil numbers increased from baseline (3.6 +/- 1.1 x 10(5)/ml) to 6.3 +/- 1.2 x 10(5)/ml (P < 0.01) at 24 h and to 5.7 +/- 0.9 x 10(5)/ml (P < 0.01) at 48 h after IL-5 inhalation in asthmatics. Accompanying this significantly increased blood eosinophilia were significantly elevated serum ECP levels. Compared with baseline (6.3 +/- 1.1 ng/ml), ECP levels increased with time following IL-5 inhalation, reaching 17.6 +/- 2.8 ng/ml (P < 0.01) at 24 h and remaining elevated at 48 h (18.1 +/- 2.9 ng/ml, P < 0.01). IL-5 inhalation had no significant effect on levels of serum total IgE, however. These findings provide direct evidence that nebulized IL-5 not only induces a significant blood eosinophilia but also results in the activation of circulating eosinophils. Our data further support the importance of IL-5 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma in humans.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1999

Alterations of T-lymphocyte subsets, soluble IL-2 receptor, and IgE in peripheral blood of children with acute asthma attacks.

BACKGROUND: T-cell activation and alteration of cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. However, the profile of circulating T-lymphocyte subsets, related cytokines, and plasma IgE during acute asthma attacks is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: In an attempt to illustrate the dynamics of these parameters in asthma attacks, we investigated the changes of T-cell subsets, lymphocyte activation, soluble IL-2R, and IgE in peripheral blood in children during and after acute asthma attacks. METHODS: This study was carried out in a cohort of Chinese children (n = 59) with acute asthma attacks. Immunoassays were performed when the patients had acute attacks before treatment, and the patients were reexamined in the 4 weeks after the resolution of acute attacks with therapy. Paired t tests were used for the statistical analysis of these patients to compare the data obtained during and after the acute attacks. Twenty healthy, age-matched subjects were used as normal control subjects. Nine children with long-term stable asthma were used as control subjects with stable asthma. RESULTS: CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and IL-2R+ (CD25+) cells; plasma soluble IL-2 receptor; and IgE were significantly higher in patients with acute attacks than in control subjects. (P <.05, P <.05, P <.001, P <.05, P <.0001, and P <.0001, respectively). Immunoelectron microscopy exhibited an increased expression of IL-2R on lymphocytes in acute attacks as compared to control subjects. The abnormalities returned to normal, with the exception of IgE, when clinical remission was achieved after treatment. Correlation analyses revealed a positive relationship between plasma IgE and soluble IL-2R in asthma attacks (r = 0.83, P =.0001). Plasma IgE and soluble IL-2R of those who were in remission positively correlated with their production in acute attacks (r = 0.58, P =.001 and r = 0.71, P =.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that (1) the percentage of CD4+, CD8+, or IL-2R+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood was significantly elevated during acute attacks and returned to normal ranges after complete remission was achieved; (2) plasma soluble IL-2R is a sensitive marker for asthma activity; and (3) atopic asthmatic children seem to have a hereditary predisposition of having higher levels of soluble IL-2R in asthma attacks, coinherited with the trait of IgE.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1999

Inhaled IL-5 increases concentrations of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in sputum from atopic asthmatic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Both IL-5 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) have been shown to play important roles in the production of allergic inflammation, including atopic asthma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of recombinant human IL-5 on changes of soluble (s) ICAM-1 concentrations in induced sputum from allergic asthmatic subjects. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design, 8 nonsmoking patients with allergic asthma and 6 nonallergic normal subjects were administered recombinant human IL-5 by nebulization, and the concentrations of sICAM-1 in induced sputum from each subject were determined before and at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours after inhalation. RESULTS: sICAM-1 levels in sputum within the control group did not appear to change from baseline at any time throughout the study. In allergic asthmatic subjects vehicle challenge was not able to cause any changes in sputum sICAM-1 concentrations. However, there were increases in sputum sICAM-1 concentrations after IL-5 inhalation, which increased with time to significantly greater levels than those at baseline, reaching a maximum at 48 hours and lasting no less than 72 hours. The concentrations of sICAM-1 in sputum after IL-5 challenge exceeded levels that could be accounted for by passive transudation from the circulation on the basis of the magnitude of increases in sputum albumin concentration. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that IL-5 inhalation was capable of inducing an elevation of sputum sICAM-1 concentration by stimulating its local release in allergic asthmatic, but not in nonallergic normal, subjects.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1999

[Counteracting effect of Chinese herbs-compounds on "blood stasis" induced by bed rest].

Objective. To observe the improved effect of syndromes of blood stasis by taking Chinese medicine during bed-rest simulated weightlessness. Method. Ten subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Chinese medicine group and control group. Both of them were exposed to HDBR -6 degrees for a week. The Chinese medicine group took Chinese medicine during the bed rest, and the control group took sugar water. Result. Syndromes of blood stasis of Chinese medicine group had a significant relief. And some physiological parameters, such as blood pressure, pulse graph, and amount of urine, maintained the level of pre-bed rest. While the control group was more severe than the Chinese medicine group in syndromes of blood stasis. Conclusion. Chinese medicine can be a measure in preventing the effect of weightlessness.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Counteracting effect of Chinese herbs on "insufficiency of spleen qi" induced by simulated weightlessness].

Objective. To observe the counteracting effect of a Chinese herb-compound on "insufficiency of spleen qi" induced by simulated weightlessness. Methods. Animal and human experiment were carried out to the Chinese herb-compound (Dangshen, Baizhu, Fuling etc). Result. This compound protected the tail suspended rats from atrophy of spleen, thymus, soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, prevented excessive decrease of body weight effectively; at the same time it relieved the symptoms of the subjects greatly. Conclusion. It demonstrated that the compound decreased the "insufficiency of spleen qi" of both animals and human subjects.

Aerospace Medicine↗

PubMed1999

[Effects of 7 d head-down tilt (-20 degrees) immobilization on pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe pharmacokinetic changes under simulated weightlessness in relevant to body flood flow changes. METHOD: Gentamicin was selected as probe drug in the present study, and rabbits exposed to Head-Down Tilt (HDT, -20 degrees) immobilization were selected as simulated weightlessness animal model. Seven rabbits were treated inf. with 3 mg/kg of gentamicin sulfate pre-HDT and 7 d after HDT. Gentamicin blood samples within 4 h after administration were analyzed by TDxFLx. RESULT: The distribution of gentamicin postponed significantly: a significant decrease in alpha from (0.1838 +/- 0.1076) min-1 before HDT to (0.0591 +/- 0.0334) min-1 after HDT; a significant increase in t1/2 alpha from (5.30 +/- 3.55) min to (15.04 +/- 7.49) min; a significant decrease in k12 from (0.1025 +/- 0.0721) min-1 to (0.0181 +/- 0.0161) min-1, a increase trend in V(C) and V(D). After HDT, CL(S) of gentamicin increased from (2.2 +/- 0.5) ml min-1 kg-1 to (2.7 +/- 0.3) ml min-1 kg-1. CONCLUSION: Simulated weightlessness might induce pharmacokinetic changes.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1999

[Comparison between two anti-motion sickness drugs].

Objective. To test the validity of an animal model in selecting anti-motion sickness drugs, and compare the effects of two drugs. Method. Anti-motion sickness effects of two drugs (Cyclizine and Scopolamin-d-amphetamin compound) were observed in rats with motion sickness (MS) induced by rotatory stimulation and the amount of Kaolin ate by rats was taken as an evaluation criterion. Result. The consumption of Kaolin by the rats decreased significantly after administration of both drugs, and the effect of Scopolamin-d-amphetamin compound was better than those of Cyclizine under the same condition. Conclusion. It suggests that the rat model of motion sickness is practical and useful in studying anti-motion sickness drugs.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effect of inhaled interleukin-5 on airway hyperreactivity and eosinophilia in asthmatics.

In order to investigate the role of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in airway hyperreactivity and eosinophilia, we observed the effect of inhaled recombinant human IL-5 on airway responsiveness to methacholine and cell populations in induced sputum in eight patients with allergic bronchial asthma using a placebo-controlled study design. Our results demonstrated that the inhalation of IL-5 did not alter lung function in allergic asthmatics. In the control experiments receiving either vehicle or 0.4 ng of endotoxin, methacholine PC20 values did not change nor did the numbers of eosinophils or eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) sputum values change from baseline. In contrast, after IL-5 inhalation, methacholine PC20 fell from baseline (0.90 +/- 166 mg/ml) to 0.32 +/- 1.63 mg/ml (p < 0.01) at 24 h, and to 0.55 +/- 1.49 mg/ml (p < 0.05) at 48 h. Accompanying this increased airway sensitivity was a significant eosinophilia and elevated concentrations of ECP in induced sputum. Our data provided direct evidence that IL-5 increases airway responsiveness and infiltration of activated eosinophils into the airway in patients with allergic bronchial asthma. It also could be concluded that the observed airway hyperreactivity and eosinophilia were not endotoxin related.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1998

Effect of inhaled interleukin-4 on airway hyperreactivity in asthmatics.

lnterleukin-4 (IL-4) has been shown to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease including bronchial asthma. In order to investigate the role of IL-4 in airway hyperreactivity, we investigated the effect of inhaled recombinant human IL-4 on airway responsiveness to methacholine and eosinophil numbers in induced sputum in eight patients with allergic asthma using a placebo-controlled study design. Our results demonstrated that in the control experiments receiving vehicle inhalation, methacholine PC20 values did not change nor did the numbers of eosinophils in sputum change from baseline values. In contrast, after IL-4 inhalation, methacholine PC20 fell from baseline (0.43 +/- 1.81 mg/mI) to 0.22 +/- 1.73 mg/mI (p < 0.01) at 24 h, and to 0.21 +/- 1. 74 mg/ml (p < 0.01) at 48 h. Accompanying this increased airway sensitivity was a significant eosinophilia in sputum. Our data indicated that IL-4 increases airway responsiveness by recruiting eosinophils into the airway in patients with allergic bronchial asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1994

[Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion].

Polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis in 62 patients with pleural effusion, and result of PCR was compared with those of conventional procedures. It was found that in 34 tuberculous pleural effusion, the positive rates of pleural effusion acid-fast staining, culture and PCR was 5.9%, 8.8% and 52.9%, respectively. The sensitivity of PCR was much higher than those of acid-fast staining and culture (all P < 0.01). The results of acid-fast staining and culture in 28 non-tuberculous effusion were negative, there were, however, 4 PCR positive results within this group (14.3%). Our results suggested that for the diagnosis of mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific procedure. Some factors that affected the results of PCR were discussed.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1987

[Diagnosis and taxonomy of periodical psychosis].

The concept and taxonomy of periodic psychosis still remains in controversy for the past 100 years. In China, it was first reported by Ji, and thereafter various rinds of terminology and views were given by different authors. In the presentation, clinical investigation and follow up were carried out in 62 cases. In many of these cases, the so-called "periodic psychosis" or "phasophrenia" was early clinical features of schizophrenia or manic-depression. In those cases with apparent symptoms and signs of diencephalic function, differential diagnosis should be carried out from organic brain syndrome. In a small number of cases, their clinical manifestations, conforming to previous diagnostic criteria, might be an uncommon syndrome. It was concluded by the authors that until now periodic could be considered only as a clinical syndrome rather than a disease entity.

Bipolar Disorder↗