Biomedical subjects

J L Wu

Publications and source records attributed to J L Wu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effects of L-malate on physical stamina and activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle in liver of mice.

L-malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediate, plays an important role in transporting NADH from cytosol to mitochondria for energy production and may be involved in the beneficial effects of improving physical stamina. In the present study, we investigated the effects of L-malate on the performance of forced swimming time and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue - blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (Glc), creatine kinase (CK),total protein (TP) and lactic acid (LA). To investigate the effects of L-malate on the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in mice, the activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle were measured. L-malate was orally administered to mice continuously for 30 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. The swimming time was increased by 26.1 % and 28.5 %, respectively, in the 0.210 g/kg and 0.630 g/kg L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. There were no differences in the concentrations of Glc, BUN and TP between the L-malate-treated groups and the control groups. However, the levels of CK were significantly decreased in the L-malate-treated groups. The results predict a potential benefit of L-malate for improving physical stamina and minimizing muscle damage during swimming exercise. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase were significantly elevated in the L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. These enzymatic activities may be useful indicators for evaluating changes affecting the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in the liver of mice.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Autoantibody against beta1-adrenergic receptor and left ventricular remodeling changes in response to metoprolol treatment.

Autoantibodies specific for the beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR) have been implicated in the pathology of congestive heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that the presence of autoantibodies against beta(1)-AR (anti-beta(1)-AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodelling in response to metoprolol. Synthetic beta(1)-AR peptides served as the target antigen in an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were used to screen the sera of 106 CHF patients. Patients were separated into positive (+) anti-beta(1)-AR or negative (-) anti-beta(1)-AR groups according to their anti-beta(1)-AR reactivity. Echocardiography (ECG) was performed at baseline and after one year of metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for CHF, that is, digoxin, diuretics and an ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). The dose of metoprolol was doubled on a biweekly basis up to 50 mg x 2 daily (b.i.d./day) or attainment of maximum tolerated dose. Ninety-six patients completed final data analysis. Fifty-four patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR had greater improvements than 42 patients with (-) anti-beta(1)-AR in LVEDD (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension) (P < 0.01, from 69 +/- 0.8 to 58.0 +/- 0.5 mm vs. 69.0 +/- 0.8-63.6 +/- 0.9 mm) and LVESD (left ventricular end-systolic dimension) (P < 0.01, from 57.1 +/- 1.4 to 43.9 +/- 0.8 mm vs. 56.2 +/- 0.9-48.6 +/- 1.0 mm), and LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) (P < 0.01, from 35.4 +/- 1.3 to 49.8 +/- 0.6% vs. 34.4 +/- 1.0-44.3 +/- 1.1%) by metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for one year. Of the CHF patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR, 65.4% responded to target metoprolol dose as compared to 21.4% of CHF patients without anti-beta(1)-AR (P < 0.01). Response to target metoprolol dose occurred more rapidly in (+) anti-beta(1)-AR than (-) anti-beta(1)-AR of CHF patients (67.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 100.8 +/- 3.0 days, P < 0.01). These results demonstrated that CHF patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR had greater improvements in LV remodelling and heart function by metoprolol as compared to (-) anti-beta(1)-AR patients. Moreover, patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR have better tolerance to metoprolol therapy than patients without anti-beta(1)-AR.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

Difference in expression level and localization of DNA polymerase beta among human esophageal cancer focus, adjacent and corresponding normal tissues.

The aim of this paper was to study the expression level and localization of DNA polymerase beta (polbeta) and the difference in those among the human esophageal cancer focus, cancer adjacent and corresponding normal esophageal tissues. These three kinds of tissues were collected from surgically resected tissues in 17 patients with esophageal carcinoma in Linzhou, China. Each of a total of 51 tissue pieces was divided into two aliquots: one aliquot for detection of polbeta expression by in situ hybridization and by immunohistochemistry; another for detection of polbeta expression by RNA dot blot and immunoblotting. In the tissue specimens detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the cancer focus tissue had much stronger polbeta expression signals localized in the scattered heteromorphologic cancer cells. The cancer adjacent tissue exhibited slightly stronger polbeta signals mainly localized in the epithelial proliferating cells and the corresponding normal tissue displayed weak polbeta signals basically located in the epithelial basal cells. The difference in expression level of polbeta among the three kinds of tissues detected by RNA dot blot and immunoblotting was similar to the above results. Further, the truncated POLB could be demonstrated in both cancer focus and cancer adjacent tissues, but could not be found in the corresponding normal tissue in immunoblotting. The results suggest that the overexpression of polbeta with truncated form may be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of human esophageal carcinoma.

Cytoplasm↗

PubMed2005

Health, healthcare utilization and psychiatric disorder in people with intellectual disability in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to examine health characteristics and healthcare utilization in relation to people with intellectual disability (ID) having psychiatric disorders in Taiwan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was employed; study subjects were recruited from the National Disability Registration Database. Taiwan, stratified by administrative geographical area for the study. Statistical analysis of 1026 carers for people with ID was made to examine the health status and healthcare utilization of individuals with ID having psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: Approximately 12.1% of people with ID had psychiatric disorders. These individuals were more likely to be poorer in health condition and consuming more medical services (in the outpatient, inpatient and emergency care areas), than those individuals without psychiatric disorders. These individuals with psychiatric disorders were also taking medicines regularly at a far greater percentage than did those without psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among individuals with ID, the healthcare system should take further steps to develop an appropriate health status monitoring system and community-based and easily accessible mental health services for them.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Positive electron affinity of fullerenes: Its effect and origin.

The universal variation pattern of the total energy of various fullerenes including single-walled carbon nanotubes with respect to their extra charge is revealed by the density-functional-theory calculations. The parabolic energy-charge curve with its lowest energy value corresponding to a negatively charged fullerene indicates that these carbon materials have positive electron affinity and are not in the most stable state. The positive electron affinity seems to originate from the pi-electrons and is found to be related to the aggregation property of fullerenes.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Physical and sexual abuse of women before, during, and after pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine patterns of physical and sexual abuse before, during, and after pregnancy. METHODS: A community-based interview survey of a representative group of women with children aged 6-18 months was carried out between November 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002, in 32 communities of the Tianjing, Liaoning, Henan, and Shannxi provinces. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of physical and sexual abuse (occurring before, during, and after pregnancy) was 11.7%. The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before pregnancy was 8.5%, compared with 3.6% during pregnancy and 7.4% during an average postpartum period of 11 months. Abuse before pregnancy was a strong indicator of abuse during pregnancy and after delivery, and abuse during a previous period was a strong indicator of subsequent abuse. Most abuse was recurrent and not severe. CONCLUSIONS: Routine screening for abuse in the maternity services setting is advocated to decrease the effect of abuse on women and their children.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Apoptosis does not play an important role in the resistance of 'immune' Penaeus japonicus against white spot syndrome virus.

We previously demonstrated that kuruma shrimp, Penaeus japonicus, exposed to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) became resistant ('immune' shrimp) to subsequent challenge with the virus. The present study investigated the role of apoptosis in the 'immune' shrimp during a secondary challenge with WSSV. When naive kuruma shrimp were intramuscularly injected with WSSV at a high or low dose, apoptosis was often detected by TUNEL assay in the lymphoid organ (LO), mainly in the early stage of the infection. A significantly higher incidence of apoptosis was observed in the LO of the shrimp injected with the high dose of WSSV (cumulative mortality: 100%) than in the shrimp injected with the low dose (cumulative mortality: 0%). When 'immune' and naive shrimp were injected with an equal dose of WSSV, the incidence of apoptosis was significantly lower in the 'immune' shrimp than in the naive shrimp. This difference is assumed to result from a substantial reduction of the virus by humoral neutralizing factor in the 'immune' shrimp. These results suggest that apoptosis is not a principal protective factor in 'immune' shrimp.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

An exploratory study into health care policy for persons with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Although Taiwan has already had a higher quality of health care compared with other countries, there still is a need to review the quality and effectiveness of services provided. The lack of health care policy for persons with disabilities is a reflection of health care provision in Taiwan. Health care provision problems will limit persons with disabilities in their access to the health care system. The purpose of the present study was to examine the general beliefs about the current health care policies for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Taiwan. METHODS: Data were obtained from two sources, namely government policies analysis and interviews with representatives for key stakeholders in the field of ID. RESULTS: The results illustrate that health care service problems for persons with ID include: how to enforce the discovery system and early intervention service, disability evaluation system, National Health Insurance medical payment and medical care resource development are still confining their quality of care. Furthermore, the links between social welfare, education and health care have been lost because the different roles and perspectives of people in these fields are fundamentally at odds with one another. Health care professionals have become less reform-minded as a consequence of the conditions of their work. Consequently, a complete and coordinated health care policy for persons with ID has become unattainable in society. The present paper draws on evidence from research and policies to explore the problems and potential of service development for persons with ID, and to identify review and action points for managing its implementation.

Health Policy↗

PubMed2004

Utilization of inpatient care and its determinants among persons with intellectual disabilities in day care centres in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, current understanding is limited concerning the manner in which health services are utilized by persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). The objective of this study is to describe the patterns of inpatient care sought by persons with ID, and factors affecting inpatient care utilization. METHOD: The primary method used in this study was a cross-sectional survey of 1390 persons with ID in day care centres. Data were obtained from responses to a questionnaire, copies of which were mailed to 30 day care centres catering for persons with ID. The questionnaire assessed demographic and health characteristics, disability status, and inpatient care utilization for the 12 months leading up to the survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with inpatient care. RESULTS: Findings indicated that the average age of the people with ID in the centres was 13.7 years. Fifty per cent of people were afflicted with multiple handicaps, with an average of 26 outpatient visits made per person during the 12 months, and 16% of persons having been hospitalized within the previous year. The average hospital stay was 6 days. Inpatient care was more likely to be used by those individuals with an ID who were younger, had multiple handicaps, required rehabilitation, and had other disabilities and existing illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the parameters describing age of persons with ID, as having an existing illness, and requiring rehabilitative care were statistically significant in the logistic regression model of the inpatient care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Atomistics of Ge deposition on Si(100) by atomic layer epitaxy.

Chlorine termination of mixed Ge/Si(100) surfaces substantially enhances the contrast between Ge and Si sites in scanning tunneling microscopy observations. This finding enables a detailed investigation of the spatial distribution of Ge atoms deposited on Si(100) by atomic layer epitaxy. The results are corroborated by photoemission measurements aided by an unusually large chemical shift between Cl adsorbed on Si and Ge. Adsorbate-substrate atomic exchange during growth is shown to be important. The resulting interface is thus graded, but characterized by a very short length scale of about one monolayer.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Candidate defense genes from rice, barley, and maize and their association with qualitative and quantitative resistance in rice.

Candidate genes involved in both recognition (resistance gene analogs [RGAs]) and general plant defense (putative defense response [DR]) were used as molecular markers to test for association with resistance in rice to blast, bacterial blight (BB), sheath blight, and brown plant-hopper (BPH). The 118 marker loci were either polymerase chain reaction-based RGA markers or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers that included RGAs or putative DR genes from rice, barley, and maize. The markers were placed on an existing RFLP map generated from a mapping population of 116 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between an improved indica rice cultivar, IR64, and a traditional japonica cultivar, Azucena. Most of the RGAs and DR genes detected a single locus with variable copy number and mapped on different chromosomes. Clusters of RGAs were observed, most notably on chromosome 11 where many known blast and BB resistance genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for blast, BB, sheath blight, and BPH were located. Major resistance genes and QTL for blast and BB resistance located on different chromosomes were associated with several candidate genes. Six putative QTL for BB were located on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 and nine QTL for BPH resistance were located to chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 11, and 12. The alleles of QTL for BPH resistance were mostly from IR64 and each explained between 11.3 and 20.6% of the phenotypic variance. The alleles for BB resistance were only from the Azucena parent and each explained at least 8.4% of the variation. Several candidate RGA and DR gene markers were associated with QTL from the pathogens and pest. Several RGAs were mapped to BB QTL. Dihydrofolate reductase thymidylate synthase co-localized with two BPH QTL associated with plant response to feeding and also to blast QTL. Blast QTL also were associated with aldose reductase, oxalate oxidase, JAMyb (a jasmonic acid-induced Myb transcription factor), and peroxidase markers. The frame map provides reference points to select candidate genes for cosegregation analysis using other mapping populations, isogenic lines, and mutants.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

PubMed2002

A time-course study on the resistance of Penaeus japonicus induced by artificial infection with white spot syndrome virus.

The onset and duration of resistance in experimental survivors of Penaeus japonicus produced by an intramuscular injection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were surveyed by re-challenge tests with the virus conducted at weeks 1-4 and months 1-3 post initial exposure (PIE) to the virus. Virus neutralising activity in the survivors' plasma was also examined. Plasma-treated WSSV was separated from the plasma by centrifugation and then injected into naïve shrimp, in parallel with each re-challenge test. Re-challenge tests of the survivors conducted at weeks 1-4 PIE revealed that the resistance commenced at week 3 (relative percent survival, RPS: 39%) and almost fully developed at week 4 (RPS: 58%), because statistically significant differences in survival rates were observed between the test (previously virus exposed) and control groups at weeks 3 and 4. Re-challenge at months 1-3 PIE resulted in RPS values of 67, 54 and 6%, respectively, indicating the resistance persisted until month 2. RPS values in neutralisation tests performed at weeks 1-4 and months 1-3 PIE were -5, 14, 36, 50, 100, 38 and 6%, respectively, which coincided with the RPS values in each re-challenge test conducted in parallel. The present results demonstrated that resistance of P. japonicus against the viral pathogen developed 3 or 4 weeks after an exposure to the virus, and it persisted for another month at 24 degrees C. The resistance was paralleled by a humoral neutralising factor(s) in the plasma of shrimp.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Hepatocyte nuclear factors-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta expressed in the gonad of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).

Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) are upstream regulators of many liver-specific genes and are involved in many cellular functions in the body, but their existence, expression, and function in gonads are still poorly understood. Here we report on the first cloning of partial cDNAs of HNF-1alpha and -1beta and full HNF-3beta cDNA from a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of tilapia HNF-3beta has a 90 to 96% identity with those of other fishes (dwarf gourami, medaka, and zebrafish), 74% with mammals (human, rat, and mouse), and 82% with Xenopus. RT-PCR detected IGF-I and -II and HNF-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta in both liver and gonads and the identity of the PCR fragments was confirmed by PCR hybridization. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting also detected all three HNF proteins in both liver and gonads. Expression of HNFs in the gonads of the tilapia suggests that multi-HNFs may form a cascade to regulate gonadal physiology in the bony fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Effects of shrimp density on transmission of penaeid acute viremia in Penaeus japonicus by cannibalism and the waterborne route.

To investigate the effects of shrimp density on mortalities of Penaeus japonicus in experimental penaeid acute viremia (= white spot syndrome), shrimp injected intramuscularly with penaeid rod-shaped DNA virus (PRDV) were reared at different densities. In Expt 1, challenged (10(-6) dilution of a PRDV preparation) shrimp were reared collectively in a tank or individually in separate chamber units. A significant difference in cumulative mortalities was found between collectively (75.6%) and individually (1.2%) reared groups after 30 d. In Expt 2, effects of density on mortality were clearly shown when challenged (10(-5) dilution) shrimp were reared collectively in tanks at high (260 shrimp m(-2)), middle (135 shrimp m(-2)) and low densities (73 shrimp m(-2)). The cumulative mortalities for 14 d in the high, middle and low density groups were 72, 46 and 18%, respectively. In Expt 3, challenged (10(-5) dilution) shrimp were reared collectively in 3 tanks (Groups A, B and C) at the same high density (260 shrimp m(-2)): Group A, dead shrimp were immediately removed to avoid transmission of the pathogen through cannibalism and the waterborne route; Group B, dead shrimp were removed at scheduled times but were separated from living shrimp by a net partition to avoid cannibalism; and Group C, dead shrimp were removed twice a day at scheduled times. Resulting cumulative mortalities for 20 d in Groups A, B and C were 4, 24 and 64 %, respectively. These results show that the higher mortalities occur in P. japonicus reared at the higher densities in experimental PRDV infection, and this phenomenon is caused mainly by a higher opportunity of horizontal transmission of the virus through cannibalism and the waterborne route.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Molecular cloning, developmental expression, and hormonal regulation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) beta crystallin B1, a member of the superfamily of beta crystallin proteins.

The cDNA sequence of beta crystallin B1 was determined from zebrafish (Danio rerio) and compared to the corresponding genes of bovine, rat, chicken, human, and Xenopus. Multispecies comparison of superfamily diversity demonstrated beta crystallin B1 homology between zebrafish, bovine, chicken, and rat, but large distances to beta crystallin B2 and B3. Zebrafish cDNA has a size of 943 nucleotides and encodes a polypeptide of 233 amino acids. Zebrafish beta crystallin B1 shares 71.30, 75.86, and 71.00% similarities with bovine, chicken, and rat beta crystallin B1, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed a single 0.9-kb beta crystallin B1 transcript which was expressed and progressively increased in the first 20 h of zebrafish embryogenesis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript was only specifically expressed in the lens region of the eye. A starvation experiment revealed no variation in mRNA levels after 14 and 21 days. An experiment in which hormone was injected showed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript first increased 24 h after the injection of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor II, or growth hormone, then decreased 48 h after injection. The beta crystallin B1 transcript continuously increased after insulin was injected. Taken together, our results identify the early specific expression of beta crystallin B1 within the lens. Despite small differences, these results indicate that both the structure of the beta crystallin B1 protein and its involvement with regulation by growth factors appear to have been remarkably conserved.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Cloning and characterization of zfBLP1, a Bcl-XL homologue from the zebrafish, Danio rerio.

The importance of the Bcl-2 family proteins in normal vertebrate embryogenesis is being recognized; however, their regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel zebrafish Bcl-2 family protein, zfBLP1. The zfBLP1 cDNA is 1942 nucleotides long, encoding a polypeptide of 238 amino acids. The primary sequence of zfBLP1 shares 50% identity to human Bcl-XL, and contains all four conserved BH domains of the Bcl-2 family proteins. Primary sequence analysis identified a consensus ER retention signal at the C-terminal end of zfBLP1. Northern blot analysis indicated that there were two major and two minor zfBLP1 mRNA species expressed during embryonic development. Among the two major mRNA species, the short one, approx. 3 kb in size, was expressed throughout embryonic development, while the long one, approx. 7 kb long, was not detectable until the gastrula stage. These results suggest that zfBLP1 is a novel Bcl-2 family protein under complicated regulations, and is likely to play an important role in zebrafish oogenesis and embryogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Carriage of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci among Asian children: a multinational surveillance by the Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pathogens (ANSORP).

To investigate the nasal carriage of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci by children, anterior nasal swabs were done for 4963 children <5 years old in 11 countries in Asia and the Middle East. In total, 1105 pneumococci isolates (carriage rate, 22.3%) were collected, 35.8% of which were found to be nonsusceptible to penicillin. Prevalence of penicillin nonsusceptibility was highest in Taiwan (91.3%), followed by Korea (85.8%), Sri Lanka (76.5%), and Vietnam (70.4%). Penicillin resistance was related to residence in urban areas, enrollment in day care, and a history of otitis media. The most common serogroups were 6 (21.5%), 23 (16.5%), and 19 (15.7%). The most common clone, as assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, was identical to the Spanish 23F clone and to strains of invasive isolates from adult patients. Data in this study documented the high rate of penicillin or multidrug resistance among isolates of pneumococci carried nasally in children in Asia and the Middle East and showed that this is due to the spread of a few predominant clones in the region.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2001

Primary structure and developmental expression of zebrafish sodium channel Na(v)1.6 during neurogenesis.

A zebrafish sodium channel cDNA encoding a 1949-amino acid polypeptide, Na(v)1.6, was isolated. Two transcripts were detected in zebrafish adult brain but not in cardiac or skeletal muscle. The RNase protection analysis confirmed the neural specificity of zebrafish Na(v)1.6 24 hours postfertilization (hpf) Na(v)1.6 was expressed in the trigeminal ganglion, anterior and posterior lateral line ganglia, rhombomeres, and Rohon-Beard neurons. This preferential localization suggests that Na(v)1.6 plays an important role in tactile sensitivity. The abundance of zebrafish Na(v) 1.6 mRNA in the central and peripheral nervous systems increased markedly between 48 and 72 hpf, during the maturation of the nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗