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Biomedical subjects

Q Liang

Publications and source records attributed to Q Liang.

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

[Purification of recombinant hEGF expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris and the study on its characters].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain recombinant human epidermal growth factor(hEGF) that can be used in animal experiments and clinical trial. METHOD: Chemically synthesized hEGF gene was expressed in Yeast Pichia pastoris and the secretory hEGF was purified by Phenysepharose 6 Fast Flow(high sub), Q-sepharose High Performance, and Superdex 30 chromatography, and its characters were studied by respective methods. RESULTS: The purified hEGF doesn't contain pyrogen, endotoxin, or yeast chromosome DNA and the purity reached 98%. The recombinant human EGF has correct molecular weight, pI, N-terminal amino acids sequences, peptide map, ultraviolet spectrum and well-biological activity. CONCLUSION: The purified hEGF is in accord with the requirements for animal experiments and clinical trial which provides the basis of preparing EGF agents for clinical test.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[The influence of antidepressive therapy on short-term prognosis in elderly patients with unstable angina and depression].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of antidepressive therapy on short-term prognosis in elderly unstable angina pectoris patients with depression. METHODS: 76 unstable angina pectoris patients were random into a therapy group (38) and control group (38). Patients in the therapy group were treated with psychotherapy and administration of antidepressant Fluoxetine (Prozac Eli Lilly, USA) 20mg once a day on the basis of regular cardiac medicine therapy for 12 weeks, Patients in the control group were only treated with regular cardiac medicine therapy. RESULTS: Myocardial ischaemia in the therapy group was significantly improved. The recurrence rate of angina pectoris and incidence ratio of acute myocardial infarction in the therapy group were low. There was significant difference in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Antidepression can significantly improve the short-term prognosis in elderly unstable angina pectoris patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical investigation of effects of bizhongxiao decoction (BZX) on rheumatoid arthritis on active phase].

Ninety-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) on active phase were divided into BZX-treated group(BZXG) and methotrexate-treated group(MTXG). The results showed that after 1-month treatment, symptoms and signs, such as joint tenderness, arthralgia, arthroncus, of patients in BZXG improved notably(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while those of patients in MTXG did not improve, there was significant difference between these two groups(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). After 3-month treatment, these symptoms and signs improved in both groups(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but BZX had a better effect than MTX. ESR, CRP, RF, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM decreased significantly in both groups after treatment(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), ESR, CRP in BZXG decreased more and faster than those in MTXG. In BZXG the obviously efficient rat was 70%, the total efficacy rate was 94%, while in MTXG was 52% and 87% respectively. It is indicated that BZX can improve symptoms and signs of patients with RA, has better and faster effects on acute phase reaction than MTX; and it has anti-immunologic effects similar to MTX, and has no obvious side effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A mutant herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase reporter gene shows improved sensitivity for imaging reporter gene expression with positron emission tomography.

We are developing assays for noninvasive, quantitative imaging of reporter genes with positron emission tomography (PET), for application both in animal models and in human gene therapy. We report here a method to improve the detection of lower levels of PET reporter gene expression by utilizing a mutant herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-sr39tk) as a PET reporter gene. The HSV1-sr39tk mutant was identified from a library of site-directed mutants. Accumulation (net uptake) of the radioactively labeled substrates [8-(3)H]penciclovir ([8-(3)H]PCV), and 8-[(18)F]fluoropenciclovir (FPCV) in C6 rat glioma cells expressing HSV1-sr39tk is increased by a factor of approximately 2.0 when compared with C6 cells expressing wild-type HSV1-tk. The increased imaging sensitivity of HSV1-sr39tk when FPCV is used is also demonstrated in vivo both with tumor cells stably transfected with either HSV1-tk or HSV1-sr39tk, and after hepatic delivery of HSV1-tk or HSV1-sr39tk by using adenoviral vectors. The use of HSV1-sr39tk as a PET reporter gene and FPCV as a PET reporter probe results in significantly enhanced sensitivity for imaging reporter gene expression in vivo.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2000

Recurrent chromosome changes in 62 primary gastric carcinomas detected by comparative genomic hybridization.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has been applied to detect recurrent chromosome alterations in 62 primary gastric carcinomas. Several nonrandom chromosomal changes, including gains of 8q (31 cases, 50%), 20q (29 cases, 47%) with a minimum gain region at 20q11. 2-q12, 13q (21 cases, 34%) with a minimum gain region at 13q22, and 3q (19 cases, 31%) were commonly observed. The regions most frequently lost included: 19p (23 cases, 37%), 17p (21 cases, 33%), and 1p (14 cases, 23%). High copy number gain (DNA sequence amplification) was detected in 6 cases. Amplification of 8q23-q24.2 and 20q11.2-q12 were observed in 3 cases. Gain of 20q and loss of 19p were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using corresponding bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) clones from those regions. The gain and loss of chromosomal regions identified in this study provide candidate regions involved in gastric tumorigenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A multiscale dynamic programming procedure for boundary detection in ultrasonic artery images.

Ultrasonic measurements of human carotid and femoral artery walls are conventionally obtained by manually tracing interfaces between tissue layers. The drawbacks of this method are the interobserver variability and inefficiency. In this paper, we present a new automated method which reduces these problems. By applying a multiscale dynamic programming (DP) algorithm, approximate vessel wall positions are first estimated in a coarse-scale image, which then guide the detection of the boundaries in a fine-scale image. In both cases, DP is used for finding a global optimum for a cost function. The cost function is a weighted sum of terms, in fuzzy expression forms, representing image features and geometrical characteristics of the vessel interfaces. The weights are adjusted by a training procedure using human expert tracings. Operator interventions, if needed, also take effect under the framework of global optimality. This reduces the amount of human intervention and, hence, variability due to subjectiveness. By incorporating human knowledge and experience, the algorithm becomes more robust. A thorough evaluation of the method in the clinical environment shows that interobserver variability is evidently decreased and so is the overall analysis time. We conclude that the automated procedure can replace the manual procedure and leads to an improved performance.

Carotid Artery, Common↗
PubMed2000

Recurrent chromosome alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma detected by comparative genomic hybridization.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and has a very poor prognosis. Fifty primary HCC cases have been analyzed in the present study to explore the association between genomic alteration in primary HCC and clinical features. Several recurrent chromosomal abnormalities were identified in this study. The most frequently detected chromosomal gains involved chromosome arms 1q (33/50 cases, 66%), 8q (24/50 cases, 48%), and 20q (10/50 cases, 20%). High-copy-number amplifications involving 1q (4 cases), 8q (3 cases), and 20q (3 cases) were detected, and a minimum overlapping amplified region at 1q12-q22 was identified. The most frequently detected loss of chromosomal material involved 16q (35/50 cases, 70%), 17p (26/50 cases, 52%), 19p (21/50 cases, 42%), 4q (20/50 cases, 40%), 1p (18/50 cases, 36%), 8p (16/50 cases, 32%), and 22q (14/50 cases, 28%). The associations between genomic alterations detected in the present study and clinical features including clinical stage, tumor size, HBV infection, chronic liver disease, and liver cirrhosis were explored. Our CGH results suggest that the gain of 20q and deletion of 8p are late genetic alterations in HCC, because the incidence of these alterations was obviously increased in the advanced clinical stages. Another finding showed that loss of 8p and gain of 8q and 20q are associated with tumor size. The recurrent gain and loss of chromosomal regions identified in this study provide candidate regions that may contain oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes respectively involved in HCC development and progression.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Stress-corrosion test of TIG welded CP-Ti].

In this study TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welded CP-Ti were subjected to stress-corrosion test under 261 MPa in artificial saliva of 37 degrees C for 3 months. No significant difference was noted on mechanical test (P > 0.05). No color-changed and no micro-crack on the sample's surface yet. These results indicate that TIG welded CP-Ti offers excellent resistance to stress corrosion.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2000

[Effects of temperature, relative humidity and pH on germination of chalkbrood fungus, Ascosphaera apis spore].

Studies on the effects of environmental temperature, relative humidity and pH-value on the germination of Ascosphaera apis spore at the stages of activation, enlargement and germ-tube production showed that the germination was found to be independent of temperature within the range of 15-40 degrees C was and 25-40 degrees C, respectively at the stage of activation and enlargement, but closely correlated with the temperature within the range of 25-37 degrees C at the stage of germ-tube production, with the optimum range of 31-35 degrees C. Relative humidity below 80% inhibited spore germination. pH value within the range of 5-7.8 did not affect the spore germination significantly, but pH < 5 reduced the enlargement and germ-tube production drastically. The results indicated that A. apis is a highly specialized pathogen for the life in honeybee larvae.

Humidity↗
PubMed2000

[Alteration of interferon-gamma and interleukin-12 released by bronchoalveolar lavage cells from pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change of cytokine released in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients. METHODS: BALF cells were obtained from group A: 10 normal control volunteers (normal control group); group B: 10 radiographically uninvolved sites of pulmonary TB patients (uninvolved sites group); group C: radiographically involved two lobes of lung and smear-positive of 10 pulmonary TB patients with an onset less than one year; and group D: radiographically involved more than three lobes and smear-positive of 10 pulmonary TB patients with an onset longer than two years. The IFN-gamma and IL-4 production in the culture supermate of BALF lymphocytes stimulated with PHA and IL-12 production in the culture supermate of BALF macrophage (AM) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were determined using sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: In group C, the IFN-gamma and IL-12 levels [(834 +/- 101) and (294 +/- 73) ng/L, respectively] were not only significantly higher than those of the group B[(197 +/- 59) and (67 +/- 23) ng/L, respectively, all P < 0.01] and normal control group[(179 +/- 51) and (57 +/- 24) ng/L, respectively, all P < 0.01], but also significantly higher than those of group D[(431 +/- 169) and (121 +/- 63) ng/L, respectively, all P < 0.01]; in group D, the IFN-gamma and IL-12 levels were significantly higher than those of the group B and normal control group (all P < 0.01); there were no significant differences between the group C and normal control group (P > 0.05); no differences were seen in IL-4 level among the 4 study groups. CONCLUSIONS: A TH1 type response occurs in involved sites of pulmonary TB patients and that may result from AM which as a regulator through production of IL-12, and the TH1 type response may affect presentation and outcome in pulmonary TB.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Expression of HGF, KGF, EGF and receptor messenger RNAs following corneal epithelial wounding.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and their receptors have been associated with homeostasis and wound healing in the cornea. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of the messenger RNAs for these growth factors and receptors in a wounded series of mouse corneas using in situ hybridization. In situ hybridization was performed with 3H-labeled riboprobes on unwounded corneas and corneas at 30 minutes, 4, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hr, and 7 days after epithelial scrape wounds in Balb/C mice. Qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses were performed. Expression of HGF, KGF and EGF mRNAs in keratocytes in the unwounded cornea was low. EGF mRNA was also expressed in unwounded corneal epithelium. Following wounding, however, these growth factor mRNAs were markedly upregulated in keratocytes. EGF mRNA expression in the epithelium appeared unaffected by wounding. At seven days after wounding and several days following closure of the epithelial defect, HGF mRNA and KGF mRNA were still expressed at higher levels in keratocytes compared with unwounded corneas. No difference in expression of HGF or KGF mRNAs between limbal, peripheral corneal, or central corneal keratocytes was noted in the unwounded cornea, KGF receptor mRNA was prominently expressed throughout the unwounded corneal epithelium. HGF receptor mRNA and EGF receptor mRNAs were expressed at low levels in unwounded cornea epithelium. Following scrape injury, expression of HGF receptor mRNA and KGF receptor mRNA were markedly upregulated in the corneal epithelium, while no significant increase in EGF receptor mRNA expression was noted. These studies suggest a prominent role for HGF and KGF in modulating corneal epithelial wound healing following injury. Less prominent changes in EGF mRNA and EGF receptor mRNA in the corneal epithelium following wounding may suggest that EGF has more of a role in homeostasis in the mouse corneal epithelium.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Lacrimal gland HGF, KGF, and EGF mRNA levels increase after corneal epithelial wounding.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of corneal epithelial wounding on lacrimal gland expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the rabbit model. METHODS: Rabbits had corneal epithelial scrape injuries, and the lacrimal gland was removed at different times after wounding. HGF, KGF, and EGF mRNA expression was examined by quantitative RNase protection assay. HGF, KGF, and EGF proteins were detected in rabbit lacrimal tissue using immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis. RESULTS: HGF mRNA and EGF mRNA were significantly increased in rabbit lacrimal gland tissue within 8 hours after corneal epithelial injury. The increase in KGF mRNA expression was small and reached significance I clay after corneal injury. Lacrimal gland expression peaked at 3 days after wounding for each growth factor mRNA, the same day, on average, that the epithelial defect healed. After the peak increase in expression, there was a progressive decline in expression of each growth factor mRNA, but production was still increased compared with prewound levels. HGF protein, KGF protein, and EGF proteins were detected in rabbit lacrimal gland tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of HGF, KGF, and EGF mRNAs increase in rabbit lacrimal gland tissue in response to corneal epithelial wounding. The results of this study are consistent with the existence of a cornea-nervous system-lacrimal gland regulatory loop modulating expression of these growth factor mRNAs. The lacrimal gland is a likely source of increased HGF and EGF proteins detected in tears in previous studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A transgenic model of acetaldehyde overproduction accelerates alcohol cardiomyopathy.

Chronic alcohol consumption produces alcoholic heart muscle disease (AHMD), a prevalent form of congestive heart failure. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the damaging effects of alcohol on the heart, but neither the mechanism nor the ultimate toxin has been established. In this study, we use transgenic overexpression of alcohol dehydrogenase to elevate cardiac exposure to acetaldehyde, the major and most reactive metabolite of alcohol. Overexpression of alcohol dehydrogenase by 40-fold produced no detectable deleterious effects to the heart in the absence of alcohol. In the presence of alcohol, transgenic hearts contained 4-fold higher acetaldehyde than control hearts. Chronic alcohol exposure produced many changes similar to AHMD in transgenic hearts. Compared with control hearts, these pathological changes occurred more rapidly and to a greater extent: alcohol-exposed transgenic hearts were almost twice as large as control hearts. They demonstrated ultrastructural damage consistent with AHMD and had much lower contractility than alcohol-exposed control hearts. In addition, the transgenic hearts showed greater changes in mRNA expression for alpha-skeletal actin and atrial natriuretic factor than alcohol-exposed control hearts. Alterations in NAD(+)/NADH levels were insufficient to account for such severe damage in cardiomyopathic hearts. The increased damage produced in transgenic hearts suggests an important role for acetaldehyde in AHMD.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1999

[Effects of plasma catecholamines contents on acute cerebral hemorrhage treated with nao yi-an granule].

In order to investigate the efficacy mechanism of Nao Yi-an(NYA) granule on acute cerebral hemorrhage(ACH), 38 cases of ACH were treated with NYA granule(NYA group) or with Western Medicine (WM group). The contents of their plasmal NE, E, and DA before and after treatments were observed. The results showed that the contents of the plasmal NE, E and DA increase remarkably, compared with those of normal control group(P < 0.01), and accompanied by the increase of volume of hemorrhage or the gravity of the disease. After treatment, the contents of the plasmal NE, E and DA in NYA group are notably lower than those before the treatment(P < 0.01), but in WM group, they are not significantly lower than those before the treatment(P > 0.05), and they are strikingly lower in NYA group than in WM group. It is indicated that the NYA group can effectively decrease the contents of plasmal NE, E and DA, to remove cerebrovascular spasm, to relieve cerebral edema, to improve microcirculation of brain tissue, to increase blood and energy supplies, anticerebral secondary ischemia and hypoxia and improve the clinical effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Protection of naoyi-an granule in ischemic brain injury secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage in rats].

AIM: To explore the protective effect and its mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine complex, naoyi-an granule(NYAG), on intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) in rats. METHODS: Collagenase-induced ICH rats were used. Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) activity of ischemic cerebral cortex surrounding the intracerebral hematoma was assayed by monitoring the conversion of L-3H-arginine to L-3H-citrulline. Pathologic changes in the same area were observed with transmission electron microscope on the 2nd day, the 4th day and the 7th day after ICH. RESULTS: The iNOS activities of NYA-treated group decreased remarkably(P < 0.01) compared with those of the saline-treated group. Ultrastructural observation also indicated that NYAG ameliorated the brain edema, cell degeneration and necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effect of NYAG on iNOS activity may be related to its protection against ischemic brain injury secondary to ICH.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

In vivo roles of Bm3R1 repressor in the barbiturate-mediated induction of the cytochrome P450 genes (P450(BM-3) and P450(BM-)1) of Bacillus megaterium.

We previously showed [Q. Liang, A.J. Fulco, J. Biol. Chem., 270 (1995) 18606-18614) that the binding of Bm3R1 repressor to Barbie box elements and operator sites in the 5'-flanking regions of the P450BM-3 and P450BM-1 (CYP102 and CYP106) genes in Bacillus megaterium was a critical factor in their regulation at the level of transcription. We now describe experiments that delineate specific roles for Bm3R1 in the barbiturate-mediated induction of these genes. We directly demonstrate the interaction of Bm3R1 with Barbie box and operator sequences and show that high in vivo levels of Bm3R1 prevent putative positive factors from binding to Barbie box elements, strongly inhibit the expression of the P450 genes, prolong the lag phase of growth in Bacillus megaterium cultures and increase the sensitivity of the cells to the growth-inhibitory effects of barbiturates. Finally, our data suggest that there may be two forms of Bm3R1, either of which can interact with OIII, the bicistronic operator sequence.

Bacillus megaterium↗
PubMed1998

Effects of perindopril on vascular wall and left ventricular hypertrophy in rats with experimental hypertension.

The model of hypertensive rat was established by using the method of abdominal aortic constriction, 33 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (sham-operated rats serving as controls), group B (hypertensive rats serving as controls), group C (hypertensive rats subjected to low-dose perindopril treatment, 0.1 mg.kg-1/d) and group D (hypertensive rats receiving high-dose perindopril treatment, 1.5 mg.kg-1/d). The drug was administered by gavage for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, mean arterious pressure (MAP) was measured via catheter in the carotid artery. The heart was taken and weighed to calculate the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/BW). The ratio of medial mean thickness to mean diameter of lumen of aorta and superior mesenteric artery was calculated by morphometry. Concentration of angiotensin II (A II) in plasma and in aortic wall were determined by radioimmunoassay (PA II, AA II). Our results showed that both high-dose and low-dose perindopril may prevent hypertrophy of left ventricle and hypertrophy of the tunica media of superior mesenteric artery. In addition, high-dose perindopril may significantly inhibit hypertrophy of aortic media. The above effects of perindopril may be explained by inhibition on tissue renin-angiotensin system of both vascular wall and heart, but is not related to circulating A II (PA II).

Angiotensin II↗