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Biomedical subjects

Qiang Li

Publications and source records attributed to Qiang Li.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Combined buccal mucosa graft and local flap for urethral reconstruction in various forms of hyposapdias.

PURPOSE: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital deformities in the male urogenital system. Although there are more than 250 techniques for treating hypospadias, it is often difficult to repair severe hypospadias using conventional methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We combined a buccal mucosa graft with a local onlay flap for urethral reconstruction in cases of severe hypospadias or a failed previous operation. A total of 162 patients with hypospadias (glandular 11, penile 40, penoscrotal 49, scrotal 34 and perineal 28) were treated between July 2000 and November 2003. For patients whose urethral meatus was perineal 2 treatment steps were taken. First, we used the aforementioned method to construct the penile urethra, and then we constructed the scrotal and perineal urethra with a local flap. RESULTS: Of the 134 nonperineal cases 127 were managed successfully in 1 stage, and 26 of 28 perineal cases were managed successfully in 2 stages. Most patients had a satisfactory penile appearance. A urethral fistula resulted in 8 cases, of which 4 closed spontaneously within 1 month postoperatively. Meatal stenosis occurred in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is simple, safe and reliable, especially in cases of failed previous operation or for salvage hypospadias repair with deficient local tissue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Aurora C is directly associated with Survivin and required for cytokinesis.

Much recent attention has been focused on Aurora C, the third member of the mammalian Aurora kinases family that plays significant roles in mitosis. We report here that using sensitive RT-PCR to amplify the C-terminal, we found that Aurora C is not only expressed highly in testis, but also among 16 other human tissues in a broad-spectrum way. Aurora C, as a chromosomal passenger protein, is co-localized with Aurora B and Survivin in mitotic cells. Aurora C can also be associated with Aurora B and Survivin in vivo and directly binds to Survivin but not Aurora B in vitro. Over-expression of a catalytically inactive mutant of Aurora C impaired the localization of Aurora C to the spindle midzone and severely disturbed the cytokinesis, resulting in multinucleation, all of which are consistent with the results induced by the mutant of Aurora B. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Aurora C could rescue the multinucleate phenotype produced by Aurora B mutant, and vice versa. Overall, these findings demonstrate that Aurora C, a member of the chromosomal passenger complex, is required for cytokinesis.

Aurora Kinase B↗
PubMed2005

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on Clara cells and Clara cell 16 kDa protein in a murine model of allergen-induced airway inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the number of Clara cells and the production and secretion of Clara cell 16 kDa protein (CC16) in a murine model of allergen-induced airway inflammation, as well as the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on CC16 and Clara cell numbers, in order to determine the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of NAC. METHODOLOGY: BALB/c mice were divided into control, ovalbumin (OVA) and NAC groups. An allergen-induced airway inflammation model (OVA group) was established by sensitizing and challenging mice with OVA. NAC was administered as an oral treatment. The number of Clara cells and the production of CC16 were determined by immunohistochemistry. The CC16 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The proportion of Clara cells in terminal and respiratory bronchioles significantly decreased in the OVA group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). NAC treatment did not change the proportion of Clara cells in the OVA group (P > 0.05). CC16 production by Clara cells in the OVA groups was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01), but was elevated following NAC treatment (P < 0.05). The CC16 level in BALF of the OVA group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01), but was elevated by NAC treatment (P < 0.05). NAC reduced the total number of white cells and the percentage of eosinophils in BALF. Moreover, it inhibited airway inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The number of Clara cells and the production and secretion of CC16 were reduced in a murine model of allergen-induced airway inflammation. Antioxidants can enhance the expression of CC16, which might be a mechanism by which they suppress airway inflammation.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2005

Phase II metabolites of etofesalamide in filamentous fungi.

AIM: To study phase II metabolites of etofesalamide in filamentous fungi. METHODS: Seven fungi were screened to transform etofesalamide. The metabolites of etofesalamide were assayed using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The major metabolite was subject to enzymatic hydrolysis to confirm its structure. RESULTS: Etofesalamide was converted into two phase II metabolites: glucoside and riboside conjugates. Glucoside conjugate was the major product with a yield greater than 90%; no phase I metabolites were detected. CONCLUSION: Glucoside and riboside conjugations of etofesalamide in filamentous fungi differ from the phase II metabolism of glucuronidation in mammals.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2005

Hepatocyte-like cells from directed differentiation of mouse bone marrow cells in vitro.

AIM: To design the effective directed differentiation medium to differentiate bone marrow cells into hepatocyte-like cells. METHODS: Bone marrow cells were cultured in the directed differentiation media including fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) and oncostatin M (OSM). Hepatocyte-like cells from directed differentiation of bone marrow cells were identified through cell morphology, RNA expressions by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), protein expressions by Western blot, and hepatocellular synthesis and metabolism functions by albumin ELISA, Periodic acid-Shiff staining and urea assay. RESULTS: Some epithelial-like cells or polygonal cells appeared and increased in the course of the cell directed differentiation. Hepatocyte nucleur factor-3beta (HNF-3beta, albumin (ALB), cytokeratin 18 (CK18), transthyretin (TTR), glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-Pase), and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) mRNA were expressed in the course of the directed differentiation. The directed differentiated cells on d 21 expressed HNF-3? ALB, and CK18 proteins. The directed differentiated cells produced albumin and synthesized urea in a time-dependent manner. They could also synthesize glycogen. CONCLUSION: Our differentiation media, including FGF-4 and OSM, are effective to differentiate bone marrow cells into hepatocyte-like cells, which could be used for hepatocyte resources for bioartificial liver or hepatocyte transplantation.

Albumins↗
PubMed2005

Investigation of psychophysical measure for evaluation of similar images for mammographic masses: preliminary results.

We investigated a psychophysical similarity measure for selection of images similar to those of unknown masses on mammograms, which may assist radiologists in the distinction between benign and malignant masses. Sixty pairs of masses were selected from 1445 mass images prepared for this study, which were obtained from the Digital Database for Screening Mammography by the University of South Florida. Five radiologists provided subjective similarity ratings for these 60 pairs of masses based on the overall impression for diagnosis. Radiologists' subjective ratings were marked on a continuous rating scale and quantified between 0 and 1, which correspond to pairs not similar at all and pairs almost identical, respectively. By use of the subjective ratings as "gold standard," similarity measures based on the Euclidean distance between pairs in feature space and the psychophysical measure were determined. For determination of the psychophysical similarity measure, an artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to learn the relationship between radiologists' average subjective similarity ratings and computer-extracted image features. To evaluate the usefulness of the similarity measures, the agreement with the radiologists' subjective similarity ratings was assessed in terms of correlation coefficients between the average subjective ratings and the similarity measures. A commonly used similarity measure based on the Euclidean distance was moderately correlated (r=0.644) with the radiologists' average subjective ratings, whereas the psychophysical measure by use of the ANN was highly correlated (r=0.798). The preliminary result indicates that a psychophysical similarity measure would be useful in the selection of images similar to those of unknown masses on mammograms.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Putative exposed aromatic and hydroxyl residues on the surface of the N-terminal domains of Chi1 from Aeromonas caviae CB101 are essential for chitin binding and hydrolysis.

Chitinase Chi1 of Aeromonas caviae CB101 possesses chitin binding sites at both its N and C termini. Four putative exposed residues aligned in a line on the surface of the N-terminal domains of Chi1 were found to contribute to the enzyme-chitin binding and hydrolysis via site-directed mutagenesis. Also, it was found that Chi1 requires the cooperation of the N- and C-terminal domains to bind fully with crystalline and colloidal chitin.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed2005

Computer-aided detection of peripheral lung cancers missed at CT: ROC analyses without and with localization.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate whether a difference-image computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme can help radiologists detect peripheral lung cancers missed at low-dose computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed patient and observer consent were obtained. Seventeen patients (eight men and nine women; mean age, 60 years) with a missed peripheral lung cancer and 10 control subjects (five men and five women; mean age, 63 years) without cancer at low-dose CT were included in an observer study. Fourteen radiologists were divided into two groups on the basis of different image display formats: Six radiologists (group 1) reviewed CT scans with a multiformat display, and eight radiologists (group 2) reviewed images with a "stacked" cine-mode display. The radiologists, first without and then with the CAD scheme, indicated their confidence level regarding the presence (or absence) of cancer and the most likely position of a lesion on each CT scan. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated without and with localization to evaluate the observers' performance. RESULTS: With the CAD scheme, the average area under the ROC curve improved from 0.763 to 0.854 for all radiologists (P = .002), from 0.757 to 0.862 for group 1 (P = .04), and from 0.768 to 0.848 for group 2 (P = .01). The average sensitivity in the detection of 17 cancers improved from 52% (124 of 238 observations) to 68% (163 of 238 observations) for all radiologists (P < .001), from 49% (50 of 102 observations) to 71% (72 of 102 observations) for group 1 (P = .02), and from 54% (74 of 136 observations) to 67% (91 of 136 observations) for group 2 (P = .006). The localization ROC curve also improved. CONCLUSION: Lung cancers missed at low-dose CT were very difficult to detect, even in an observer study. The use of CAD, however, can improve radiologists' performance in the detection of these subtle cancers.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

A longitudinal assessment of the impact of smoke-free worksite policies on tobacco use.

OBJECTIVES: In this cohort study, we assessed the impact of smoke-free work-site policies on smoking cessation behaviors. METHODS: Smokers were tracked as part of the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation. Telephone surveys were administered to 1967 employed smokers in 1993 and 2001. Data were gathered on personal and demographic characteristics, tobacco use behaviors, and restrictiveness of worksite smoking policies. RESULTS: People who worked in environments that changed to or maintained smoke-free policies between 1993 and 2001 were 1.9 times more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11, 3.32) than people whose worksites did not do so to have stopped smoking by 2001. Continuing smokers decreased their average daily consumption by 2.57 cigarettes. People working in environments that had smoke-free policies in place in both 1993 and 2001 were 2.3 times more likely (OR=2.29; 95% CI=1.08, 4.45) than people not working in such environments to have quit by 2001, and continuing smokers reported a decline in average daily consumption of 3.85 cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: Smoke-free worksite policies help employees reduce their cigarette consumption and stop smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Access to low-taxed cigarettes deters smoking cessation attempts.

We examined whether smokers who purchased low-taxed cigarettes from American Indian reservations had lower quit attempt and cessation rates than did smokers who purchased cigarettes from full-price outlets. Smokers who bought cigarettes from American Indian reservations were half as likely to make a quit attempt and had a nonsignificant trend toward lower cessation rates (20% vs 10%) compared with those who bought full-priced cigarettes. Interventions that reduce price differentials are suggested to maximize the public health benefit of cigarette excise taxes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Therapeutic instrument for brain circulation function on the basis of direct digital synthesis technology].

Electricity can stimulate cerebral fastigial nucleus to increase regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and narrow the volume of infarct, therefore its effect on ischemic brain disorder may be helpful. The therapeutic instrument for brain circulation function based on direct digital synthesis (DDS) technology uses the domestic newest scientific findings and others in foreign countries. Adopting the DDS technology directly, it institutes safe and efficacious treatment. Through pasting the electrodes on body surface, the non-invasive instrument introduces electric current to cerebral fastigial nucleus (FN) and hence it improves the state of brain blood supply and nerve conduction, increases cerebral blood flow, reduces the number of necrotic neurons in the district of penumbra, and mitigates brain edema. Consequently, it improves the function of brain circulation.

Brain Ischemia↗
PubMed2005

[Rabbit urethral defect repair with freeze-dried acellular bladder submucosa].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the result of urethral defect repair using freeze-dried acellular bladder submucosa. METHODS: The freeze-dried acellular bladder submucosa was obtained from human cadaveric bladder submucosa using freeze-thawed enzymatic treatment and the freeze-drying technique. 18 male New Zealand rabbits were used in this experiment. A defect of 1.0 cm x 0.5 cm was created in the ventral urethra of the animal. The acellular matrix was grafted to the urethral defect in 14 rabbits. The other 4 animals underwent a sham operation as the controls. From postoperative one to twenty-four weeks, the animals underwent retrograde urethrography at certain intervals. The grafts of the acellular matrix were taken and prepared for histological evaluation. RESULTS: No obvious urethral stricture was observed in the 14 matrix-grafted animals. Histological examinations of the specimens showed progressive infiltration of cells and vascular vessels. Complete epithelization was obtained at 2 weeks. The orientation of collagen fibers in the matrix-grafted area tended to be regular with time. CONCLUSIONS: Freeze-dried acellular bladder submucosa may be a suitable material for urethral defect repair, which induces urethral mucous cells to migrate, grow and epithelialize.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and the safety of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate accuhaler compared to budesonide turbuhalar in the control of adult asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of low dose salmeterol/fluticasone (SM/FP) combination therapy as compared to morate dose of budesonide (BUD) in the management of adult asthma. METHODS: A multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, 6-week treatment study was conducted. 398 patients (18 - 70 years) were given SM/FP (50/100 microg) twice daily via Accuhaler or BUD 400 microg twice daily via Turbuhaler. RESULTS: The morning and the evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements both increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the SM/FP group, and the increase was greater than that in the BUD group. The significant benefit of SM/FP was evident from the first week. SM/FP led to a more significant reduction in the use of rescue medication and in the day- and night-time asthma symptom scores, as compared to budesonide. Both treatments were well tolerated, and the adverse reactions showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Combination use of low doses of SM/FP is a better choice for the control of asthma. The addition of a low-dose long-acting beta(2) agonist is superior to the simple increase of the dosage of inhaled corticosteroids.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Intracavernous pressure responses induced by electrical stimulation of penile dorsal nerves and intracavernosal drug injection in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of intracavernous pressure (ICP) monitoring in the electrophysiologic and pharmacologic induction of penile erection. METHODS: The penile dorsal nerves (DN) of 8 anesthetized adult male rats were isolated and the corpora cavernosa exposed. A heparinized 25-gauge angiocath (intravenous catheter) was inserted into the right corpus cavernosum to monitor the ICP and a 30-gauge needle was inserted into the left corpus cavernosum for intracavernosal drug administration. Penile erection was induced by electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve (16 Hz frequency, 0.5 ms pulse width, 20 s duration, 4 volts) and intracavernous papaverine hydrochloride injection (0.4 mg). ICP was recorded with the SMUP-PC biological signal process system. RESULTS: In the anesthetized rats, the baseline level of ICP was (12.3 +/- 3.1) mm Hg and the electrical stimulation of the DN significantly increased ICP[(36.4 +/- 2.3) mm Hg, P < 0.05], which slowly returned to baseline pressure after termination of the electrical stimulation. The intravavernosal administration of papaverine also induced a significant increase in ICP [(28.4 +/- 6.1) mm Hg, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: ICP monitoring in rats provides a useful scientific tool for in vivo studies of penile erection in experimental rat models. It is of great significance for further studying the physiology of penile erection and the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction as well as for evaluating the efficacy of novel therapies for erectile dysfunction.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Assessment on nutritional status among children under 3 years using anthropometry in 40 counties of western China].

OBJECTIVE: To assess nutritional status among children younger than 3 years in 40 counties of western China, using anthropometry. METHODS: With cross-sectional study and random sampling, a survey with a sample size of 7252 was conducted in 40 counties of western China on children under 3 years old. Height and weight were measured and nutrition status was evaluated with WHO/NCHS reference using Z scores. RESULTS: SD of height for age (HA) and weight for age (WA) were 1.10 - 1.30 and 1.06 - 1.40, respectively and SD of WAZ for infants varied. The distribution of HA Z and WAZ shifted downward to 1 unit and 0.4 unit for distribution of weight for height (WHZ). The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were 23.0%, 22.6% and 7.5% respectively. The prevalence rates were low among those yourger than 3 months. Stunting and underweight increased sharply after 6 months and reached 20% - 30%. Significant correlation was found between underweight and stunting or wasting with coefficients of 0.815 and 0.636, respectively. No correlation was found between stunting and wasting. CONCLUSION: The nutrition status adversely affected children as a whole but not only for individuals. There was a higher prevalence of malnutrition mainly on low height to children. Weight for age must be interpreted cautiously because of the inability of this indicator in distinguishing stunting and wasting just by itself. Assessment by anthropometry called for accurate information on age and measurement of height and weight.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2005

[Operation on upper cervical instability without injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study operative methods of treating upper cervical spine instability without injury. METHODS: Twenty-three cases were treated by internal fixation with autologous bone grafts. Atlantoaxial arthrodesis were performed in 10 cases with interlaminar clamp (5 cases), Atlas cable system (3 cases) and Brooks (2 cases). Occipitocervical fusion were performed in the other 13 cases by using of CD-cervical (3 cases), Cervifix (8 cases) and U-stick fixation (2 cases). RESULTS: All the 23 cases were followed up for 2. 5 years in average (ranged from 6 months to 5 years). Solid arthrodesis was obtained in all 23 cases. Six months after operation, of the 20 cases with pre-operation nervous lesion, improvement was achieved in 16 cases. According to JOA standard and Hirabashi formula, the rate of improvement was 27.1%. CONCLUSION: Posterior fusion is recommended for upper cervical instability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Facial anatomic study and application in rhytidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To find a procedure for facial rejuvenation which is simple, safe with lasting aesthetic results based on facial anatomic study. METHODS: Anatomy study was performed on 12 sides from 6 head specimens. Observe the range and thickness of fat lateral to the nasolabial grooves. Observed the location of the skin retaining ligaments and reappraised their functions combining with clinical observations. RESULTS: Skin and subcutis and SMAS (including mimic muscles) become slackening with aging, but the loosening degrees are different, especially in the region lateral to the nasolabial groove. So they should be handled respectively. The fat lateral to the nasolabial groove is thick and is mobile with aging . So the subcutaneous detachment need not beyond the anterior border of the masseter. In the past two years, we performed rhytidectomy on 100 patients by limited subcutaneous detachment and SMAS double-plication. Satisfactory results were obtained. There are no serious complications observed. CONCLUSIONS: Rhytidectomy by limited subcutaneous detachment and SMAS double-plication is a simple and safe procedure with lasting aesthetic results.

Face↗