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Biomedical subjects

M Wei

Publications and source records attributed to M Wei.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Localized membrane depolarizations and localized calcium influx during electric field-guided neurite growth.

Our study explores the mechanisms behind neurite galvanotropism. Using phase, differential interference contrast and ratiometric fluorescence microscopy, we reveal four responses of N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells to 0.1-1.0 mV/microns uniform DC electric fields: cathode-directed neurite initiation and elongation, cathode-biased growth cone filopodial protrusions, transient cathode-localized calcium increases, and persistent cathode-localized membrane depolarizations. These newly demonstrated events are temporally and spatially correlated, suggesting that they are causally related. The calcium increases are prevented by calcium channel blockers and by the removal of extracellular calcium. We therefore propose that the observed field-induced membrane depolarizations activate voltage-dependent calcium channels, resulting in cathode-localized calcium influx. This, in turn, may initiate the observed cathode-biased growth cone filopodial protrusions, followed by the cathode-directed neurite elongation.

Animals

[Estimation of genetic parameters by using analysis of variance within unit].

In the estimation of heritability, various non-genetic factors must be excluded from the variance of sire or dam. The methods of sib correlation within unit, suggested by professor Sheng Zhilian is commonly used in China. This paper will provide evidence to verify this method theoretically and discuss the application of the method to systematic classification. In addition, in this paper the author suggest some other methods to estimate heritability by using analysis of variance within unit when the blood relationship exists between sire and dam. These methods not only make the estimation procedure of hertability simple but also have the same function of analyzing variance with multiple factors.

Analysis of Variance

[Effects of longevity-antihypertensive-mixture on essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy].

A study which enrolled 65 middle-aged and elderly essential hypertensive patients with Kidney-deficiency pattern was carried out to evaluate the effects of Longevity-Antihypertensive-Mixture (LAM). As LAM was composed of Kidney-tonifying herbs, all the subjects chosen fell into the pattern of Kidney-deficiency in TCM. The subjects were randomized into two groups: The LAM group had 34, and the control group taking Apocyhum Venetum L. Fluid (AVLF) 31. The duration of medication was 12 weeks. The main results were as follows: (1) At the end of week 4, the supine systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP) in LAM group declined from 171 +/- 16 (mmHg, the same below), 101 +/- 6 and 127 +/- 7 to 153 +/- 12, 93 +/- 7 and 113 +/- 7 respectively. At the end of week 12, the supine SBP, DBP and MBP were 151 +/- 14, 93 +/- 6 and 112 +/- 8. There was significance of difference in the reduction of supine blood pressure compared with baseline (P less than 0.001). AVLF produced similar changes in the reduction of supine SBP, DBP and MBP. However, the magnitude of reduction in SBP and MBP was smaller than those with LAM (P less than 0.001). (2) There was no significance of difference in attaining goal blood pressure between LAM and AVLF groups (P greater than 0.05). At the end of week 4, 79.41% and 77.42% were achieved respectively; at 12, 79.41% and 80.65%. (3) LAM had stronger effect on relieving symptoms of essential hypertension and Kidney-deficiency than AVLF (P less than 0.05). (4) In LAM group the left ventricular mass index (VMI) decreased from 114.75 +/- 42.40 g/m2 to 100.39 +/- 36.08 g/m2 (P less than 0.001). The LVMI in AVLF group increased from 117.27 +/- 36.90 g/m2 to 117.68 +/- 38.37 g/m2 (P greater than 0.05). The results supported the therapeutic principle of TCM: Treating patients according to their pathophysiological patterns.

Cardiomegaly