Biomedical subjects

J Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to J Zhou.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Prevalence of infectious diseases among internationally adopted children.

OBJECTIVE: Internationally adopted children are at increased risk of infections acquired in their country of origin. Ongoing surveillance of this unique population is needed to detect changing epidemiology and provide appropriate care. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 504 children adopted from abroad and evaluated from 1997 to 1998 to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with various infectious diseases. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants at medical evaluation was 1.6 years; 71% were girls, and they were adopted from 16 countries, including China (48%), Russia (31%), Southeast Asia (8%), Eastern Europe (8%), and Latin America (5%). Overall, 75 (19%) of 404 children tested had tuberculin skin tests >/=10 mm, but all had normal chest radiographs. BCG vaccination (odds ratio [OR]: 7.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.29, 17.16) and being Russian born (OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.68, 5.00) were risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection. Fourteen (2.8%) children had detectable hepatitis B surface antigen, but no child had active hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus, or syphilis. Giardia lamblia antigen was detected in 87 (19%) of 461 tested children, and such children were older (mean: 22 months vs 15.5 months) and more likely to have been born in Eastern Europe (OR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.70, 4.68). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated increased rates of latent tuberculosis infection and G lamblia infection than previously reported. Thus, ongoing surveillance of internationally adopted children, international trends in infectious diseases, and appropriate screening will ensure the long-term health of adopted children as well as their families.

Adoption↗

PubMed2001

Distribution and mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor system in pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2), the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) are involved in normal pulmonary development and in the pathogenesis of smooth muscle cell tumors. METHODS: To evaluate the role of the IGF system in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), we used immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques to characterize the expression of IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF-1R, and IGFBP-2, -4, -5, and -6 in lung tissue from 18 LAM patients. RESULTS: IGF-1, ICGF-2, IGF-1R, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5, and IGFBP-6 were expressed by LAM cells. Reactivity and mRNA expression for IGF-2 were observed in LAM cells and resembled that found in normal smooth muscle cells during pulmonary development as well as in smooth muscle cell tumors. IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-6 were associated with spindle-shaped LAM cells, whereas IGFBP-5 was associated mainly with epithelioid LAM cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the IGFBPs modulate the effects of the IGFs on LAM cells. Thus, the patterns of localization and expression of components of the IGF system in LAM strongly suggest that these agents are involved in the proliferation of LAM cells.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Primate mammary gland insulin-like growth factor system: cellular localization and regulation by sex steroids.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) plays a critical role in estrogen-induced uterine proliferation, but it is unclear whether this estromedin function occurs in other estrogen-sensitive tissues such as the mammary gland. To elucidate this possibility, we investigated the cellular localization and hormonal regulation of mRNAs for IGF1 and 2, their cognate receptors (IGF1R, IGF2R), and IGF binding proteins 2-5 (BPs 2-5) in the rhesus monkey mammary gland. METHODS: Ovariectomized monkeys were treated with placebo, estradiol (E2), and E2 plus progesterone (E2/P4) for 3 days, after which mammary tissue was harvested for in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: IGF1 and IGF2 mRNA levels were significantly increased and BP2 mRNA decreased by E2 and by E2/P4 treatment. IGF1R mRNA was increased by combined E2/P treatment but not by E2 alone. BP5 mRNA was decreased by E2/P4. No differences in IGF2R, BP3, and BP4 mRNA levels were detected in any treatment group. Mammary IGF1 and IGF2 mRNA levels were both positively correlated with local epithelial proliferation, assessed by immunodetection of the proliferation-specific antigen, Ki67.IGF1 and IGF1R expression were negatively correlated with local programmed cell death, as assessed by the in situ TUNEL method. In contrast, BP2 expression was negatively correlated with epithelial proliferation and positively correlated with programmed cell death. IGF2R, BP3, BP4, and BP5 levels were not significantly correlated with either proliferation or death. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, E2-induced proliferation is associated with upregulation of both IGF1 and IGF2 expression and downregulation of BP2 expression. These data suggest that the local mammary IGF system is involved in sex steroid-induced mammary epithelial cell hyperplasia.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Multimodality treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with tumor thrombi in portal vein.

AIM: To compare the therapeutic effect and significances of multimodality treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombi in portal vein (PVTT). METHODS: HCC patients (n=147) with tumor thrombi in the main portal vein or the first branch of portal vein were divided into four groups by the several therapeutic methods. There were conservative treatment group in 18 out of patients (group A); and hepatic artery ligation(HAL) and/or hepatic artery infusion (HAI) group in 18 patients (group B), in whom postoperative chemoembolization was done periodically; group of removal of HCC with PVTT in 79 (group C) and group of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or HAI and/or portal vein infusion (PVI) after operation in 32 (group D). RESULTS: The median survival period was 12 months in our series and the 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates were 44.3%, 24.5% and 15.2%, respectively. The median survival times were 2, 5, 12 and 16 months in group A, B, C and D, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 5.6%, 0% and 0% in group A; 22.2%, 5.6% and 0% in group B; 53.9%, 26.9% and 16.6% in group C; 79.3%, 38.9% and 26.8% in group D, respectively. Significant difference appeared in the survival rates among the groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection with removal of tumor thrombi and HCC should increase the curative effects and be encouraged for the prolongation of life span and quality of life for HCC patients with PVTT, whereas the best therapeutic method for HCC with PVTT is with regional hepatic chemotherapy or chemoembolization after hepatic resection with removal of tumor thrombi.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma models in nude mice and cell line with metastatic potential.

Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and intervention of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient-like metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20) and a low metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D35) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metastasis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding. Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-1 increased gradually following tumor progression in LCI-D20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level. Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including anti-angiogenesis,antisense approach, metalloproteinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vitro and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Cloning and expression of TPS1 gene in Escherichia coli].

A S. cerevisiae TPS1 gene for trehalose-6-phosphate synthase was cloned by PCR amplification. The 1.5 kb DNA fragment was ligated to pUC19 and transformed into otsA deficient and deleted of E. coli strains FF4169 and FF4050 separately. otsA gene is encoding trehalose-6-phasphate synthase in E. coli. Restriction endonucleases digestion analysis of transformants' plasmid DNA showed that there was a cloned 1.5 kb fragment carried on the vector. The growth curve experiment result showed that the both transformants could grow well as wild type. Trehalose was synthesized and accumulated in these transformants during high osmotic stress by HPLC combined with ELSD (Evaporate light scatter detector) determination. From the result above, we could conclude that the TPS1 gene of S. cerevisiae was able to restore otsA gene function in E. coli for both osmotolerance and trehalose accumulation during salt stress.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed2001

[Co-integration of BLG-LAtPA and WAP improved the expression of LAtPA in transgenic mouse milk].

In order to improve the expression of longer acting tissue plasminogen activator in the mammary epithelium of transgenic mice, the fragment of BLG-LAtPA hydrid gene was microinjected into mouse embryos with mice whey acid protein gene. Three mouse were tested as being Co-integration of BLG-LAtPA and WAP transgene by PCR and Southern blot. Milk obtained from lactating females contains biologically active tPA, and the concentration of tPA was calculated to be about 10 micrograms/mL.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Biomechanical studies on two thoracolumbar implants in cadaveric spine].

The aim of these studies was to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of two devices and provide information for clinical choice. In vitro cadaveric spine testing which consisted of the stability test and the yield strength test was performed. In hemicorpectomy model, the AF was stiffer than the Kaneda in flexion, extension and left lateral bending (P < 0.01). In total corpectomy model, the AF was stiffer than the Kaneda in flexion, left lateral bending and axial rotation (P < 0.01). The average values of yield strength(M) for the Kaneda, the AF and the intact were 477.3 kg, 544.4 kg and 493.6 kg resectively. The stability of the AF is superior to that of the Kaneda. In total corpectomy, the Kaneda is significantly unstable in axial rotation. Both devices restore effectively load carrying capacity of the spine.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Protective effect of rhubarb on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.

To approach the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in causing acute lung injury (ALI) and the protective effect of rhubarb and dexamethasone, lung specimens were examined with macroscopy, microscopy, electron microscopy and the biological markers of ALI including lung wet/dry weight, the rate of neutrophils and protein content in the pulmonary alveolar lavage fluid, pulmonary capillary permeability and pulmonary alveolar permeability index were observed. The mechanism of the ALI is mainly due to direct injury of alveolar epithelium and pulmonary vascular endothelium. Rhubarb and dexamethasone could significantly reduce the edema of the lung tissue, decrease the red blood cell exudation, neutrophil infiltration and plasma protein exudation in the alveoli and all the biological markers in comparison with the ALI model rats, indicating they have protective action on vascular endothelium and alveolar epithelium.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Effect of shenfukang on nephropathy rats induced by adriamycin].

UNLABELLED: Adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AIN) model in rats (mainlining 7.5 mg/kg avoirdupois adiramycine) was adopted to explore the effect of Shenfukang (SFK). The results showed that SFK could remarkably reduce the content of urine protein, cholesterol, creatinine and urinary nitrogen in serum, MDA in serum and renal cortex of AIN model rats. And SFK also could increase the content of album and golbulin in serum, the activities of SOD in serum and renal cortex of AIN model rats. CONCLUSION: SFK played an important role on AIN.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[The effect of EB virus bhrfl gene expressing on the topoisomerase I expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of bhrfl expressing on the topoisomerase I expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2. METHODS: bhrfl recombinant expressing vector was constructed and used to transfect the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2. The CNE2 cells were then tested for changes of the topoisomerase I expression and anti-apoptotic ability under the treatment of camptothecin. RESULTS: bhrfl expressing could enhance the topoisomerase I expression in CNE2 cells, that in end reduced cell sensitivity to camptothecin increased cell survival span and decreased apoptotic rate(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: By increasing the expression of topoisomerase I, bhrfl expressing can enhance the resistance of CNE2 cells to apoptosis induced by camptothecin.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2001

[Bovine alpha-sl-casein gene sequences direct expression of a variant of human tissue plasminogen activator in the milk of transgenic mice].

The fusion gene containing the promoter of casein gene, LAtPA minigene and 3' flanking sequences of casein gene was introduced into the fertilized eggs of mice by microinjection. Five positive transgenic mice were obtained. The concentration of LAtPA in the milk of one female transgenic mouse is 0.18 microgram/ml. This result showed that the LAtPA minigene could correctly express the bioactive LAtPA in the milk of the transgenic mouse under the control of the regulatory elements of the casein gene.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Evaluation and fate of the organic chlorine pesticides at the waters in Jiulong River Estuary].

18 Organochlorine Pesticides at the water(surface water and porewater) in Jiulong River Estuary were determined. The range of organochlorine pesticides at surface water was 51.3-2479 ng/L, and the concentration in porewater was 266-33,355 ng/L. The results showed that the organochlorine pesticides were removed in the estuary and the sediments were the reservior of the organochlorine pesticides. Compared with the results of other harbor and estuaries, it showed that the contamination for organic chlorine pollutants in Jiulong River Estuary was similar to those of others. At the same time, the risk of organochlorine pesticides in the estuary was evaluated.

Fresh Water↗

PubMed2001

Bone marrow-derived cells contribute to tumor neovasculature and, when modified to express an angiogenesis inhibitor, can restrict tumor growth in mice.

Inhibition of tumor-induced neovascularization appears to be an effective anticancer approach, although long-term angiogenesis inhibition may be required. An alternative to chronic drug administration is a gene therapy-mediated approach in which long-term in vivo protein expression is established. We have tested this approach by modifying murine bone marrow-derived cells with a gene encoding an angiogenesis inhibitor: a soluble, truncated form of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1). Murine bone marrow cells were transduced with a retroviral vector encoding either truncated, soluble Flk-1 (tsFlk-1) together with green fluorescent protein (GFP) or GFP alone. Tumor growth in mice challenged 3 months after transplantation with tsFlk-1-expressing bone marrow cells was significantly inhibited when compared with tumor growth in control-transplanted mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumors in each group demonstrated colocalization of GFP expression in cells staining with endothelial cell markers, suggesting that the endothelial cells of the tumor-induced neovasculature were derived, at least in part, from bone marrow precursors. These results suggest that long-term expression of a functional angiogenesis inhibitor can be generated through gene-modified, bone marrow-derived stem cells, and that this approach can have significant anticancer efficacy. Modifying these cells seems to have the added potential benefit of targeting transgene expression to the tumor neovasculature, because bone marrow-derived endothelial cell precursors seem to be recruited in the process of tumor-induced angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PubMed2001

Expression of multidrug resistance protein and messenger RNA correlate with (99m)Tc-MIBI imaging in patients with lung cancer.

UNLABELLED: In vitro studies have shown that (99m)Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) is a transport substrate for the P-glycoprotein (Pgp) pump and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) pump. However, whether MRP and lung resistance protein (LRP) affect tumor accumulation and efflux of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer is not known. In this study, we explored whether Pgp and the other pumps, MRP and LRP, affect tumor accumulation and efflux of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer. METHODS: Thirty-four lung cancer patients who underwent surgery were examined. Before surgery, (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT was performed 15 min and 180 min after injection, and early uptake, delayed uptake (L/Nd), and washout rate (L/Nwr) of (99m)Tc-MIBI were obtained. Pgp, MRP, and LRP expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of Pgp, MRP, and LRP was determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The lung cancer (99m)Tc-MIBI images were correlated with protein and mRNA expression. RESULTS: The mean L/Nd of the Pgp (-) group was significantly higher than that of the Pgp (++) group (P = 0.0324). The Pgp (++) group had a higher L/Nwr than did the Pgp (-) group (P = 0.0269). The mean L/Nd of the Pgp mRNA low-expression group was significantly higher than that of the Pgp mRNA high-expression group (P = 0.0127). The Pgp mRNA high-expression group had a higher L/Nwr than did the Pgp mRNA low-expression group (P = 0.0825). No appreciable correlation was found between the lung cancer (99m)Tc-MIBI images and the expression of MRP or LRP on the level of protein or mRNA. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that an increased level of Pgp expression correlates with a low accumulation on delayed scans and a high L/Nwr of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer. Neither MRP nor LRP expression on the level of either protein or mRNA correlated significantly with tumor accumulation or efflux of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2001

Experiences from a collaborative project on the prevention of disability in leprosy patients in Shandong Province, the People's Republic of China.

Shandong Province (present population 89 million) in the People's Republic of China established a leprosy control programme in 1955. Between that year and the end of 1999, allowing for death and migration, the cumulative number of cases registered was 53,618, including 120 cases on multiple drug therapy (MDT) and 18,248 who had completed satisfactory courses of dapsone monotherapy and/or MDT. Of this latter group, 9500 cases (52%) suffered from visible disabilities (grade 2 of the WHO classification). Prevalence and incidence rates of leprosy have decreased dramatically since 1955 and, on average, only 50-70 new cases are now being detected annually in the entire province. Leprosy is thus no longer a public health problem, but the existence of such a large number of patients with grade 2 disabilities is clearly a matter of serious concern. This paper describes a pilot project to investigate the potential of health personnel in the leprosy programme and the dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases services to (a) prevent deterioration of existing disabilities in ex-patients through self-care and (b) prevent new neuritis in patients on MDT through early detection and the use of steroids.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[A study of relationship between oral contraceptives and gene polymorphism and types of stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between combined oral contraceptives (COC) taking and differential types of stroke, together with the role of the susceptive genetic factors associated with the onset of stroke in women using pills. METHODS: Case-case study was used. A total of 111 female patients with stroke were selected and with questionnaires filled in and blood samples collected. The distributions of coagulative factor V Leiden mutation (G1691-->A), prothrombin gene mutation (G20210-->A) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion(I/D) polymorphism were observed. Differences of genetic and nongenetic risk factors between hemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke were compared. RESULTS: Women using pills had a higher risk developing hemorrhagic than ischaemic stroke (OR = 3.03, P < 0.05), comparing with those never used pills. The strength of association between body mass index (BMI) > or = 24 kg/m2 and ischaemic stroke was much greater than it between BMI and hemorrhagic stroke (OR = 2.99, P < 0.05). No mutation of G1691-->A or G20210-->A was found. The deletion allele frequency of ACE gene was slightly higher in ischaemic stroke group, but with no statistic significance. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that possible association existed between the use of COC and the onset of hemorrhagic stroke, however the mutations of G1691-->A in factor V gene, G20210-->A in prothrombin gene and I/D polymorphism of ACE gene did not seem to contribute to this association.

China↗

PubMed2001

Abnormal metabolism of nitric oxide, oxidative stress and lipoperoxidative stress in patients with acute viral myocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate metabolic status of nitric oxide (NO) as well as oxidative and lipoperoxidative stress, pathological chain reactions of a series of free radicals, and oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in patients with acute viral myocarditis (AVM). METHODS: Using a random paired control design, plasma levels of NO, lipoperoxides (LPO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR), erythrocytic level of LPO as well as activities of erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were investigated by spectrophotometric assays in 60 AVM patients and 60 healthy adult volunteers (HAV). RESULTS: Compared with the HAV group, plasma NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocyte of the AVM group significantly increased (P = 0.0001), while VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px of the AVM group significantly decreased (P = 0.0001). Compared with the AVM group before treatment, plasma NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocyte of the AVM group post treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas plasma VC, VE and beta-CAR as well as erythrocytic SOD, CAT and GSH-Px of the AVM group post treatment significantly increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings in this study suggested that in the AVM patients the metabolism of NO was disturbed, and the pathological chain reactions of a series of free radicals were severely aggravated, thus produced the oxidative damage and lipoperoxidative damages. Therefore, we recommend that antioxidants at suitable dosage, such as VC, VE, beta-CAR and others, should be given to AVM patients daily to alleviate potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

Acute Disease↗