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Biomedical subjects

T Hu

Publications and source records attributed to T Hu.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

The outcome and cost of alcohol and drug treatment in an HMO: day hospital versus traditional outpatient regimens.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome and cost-effectiveness of the two primary addiction treatment options, day hospitals (DH) and traditional outpatient programs (OP) in a managed care organization, in a population large enough to examine patient subgroups. DATA SOURCES: Interviews with new admissions to a large HMO's chemical dependency program in Sacramento, California between April 1994 and April 1996, with follow-up interviews eight months later. Computerized utilization and cost data were collected from 1993 to 1997. STUDY DESIGN: Design was a randomized control trial of adult patients entering the HMO's alcohol and drug treatment program (N = 668). To examine the generalizability of findings as well as self-selection factors, we also studied patients presenting during the same period who were unable or unwilling to be randomized (N = 405). Baseline interviews characterized type of substance use, addiction severity, psychiatric status, and motivation. Follow-up interviews were conducted at eight months following intake. Breathanalysis and urinalysis were conducted. Program costs were calculated. DATA COLLECTION: Interview data were merged with computerized utilization and cost data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Among randomized subjects, both study arms showed significant improvement in all drug and alcohol measures. There were no differences overall in outcomes between DH and OP, but DH subjects with midlevel psychiatric severity had significantly better outcomes, particularly in regard to alcohol abstinence (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.2, 4.9). The average treatment costs were $1,640 and $895 for DH and OP programs, respectively. In the midlevel psychiatric severity group, the cost of obtaining an additional person abstinent from alcohol in the DH cohort was approximately $5,464. Among the 405 self-selected subjects, DH was related to abstinence (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.3, 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Although significant benefits of the DH program were not found in the randomized study, DH treatment was associated with better outcomes in the self-selected group. However, for subjects with mid-level psychiatric severity in both the randomized and self-selected samples, the DH program produced higher rates of abstention and was more cost-effective. Self-selection in studies that randomize patients to services requiring very different levels of commitment may be important in interpreting findings for clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Pulmonary function changes following surgical correction for pectus excavatum.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether and to what extent pulmonary function returns to normal after surgical correction for pectus excavatum. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients who could be examined in person at the outpatient department of our hospital were included in this study. Of these patients, 24 were boys and 3 were girls, with age ranging from 3 to 16 years (mean: 8.67 years). The mean age at surgery was 4 years and mean years at follow-up was 6.8. Pulmonary function measurements included inspiratory vital capacity (IVC), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), functional residual capacity (FRC), RV/TLC ratio, maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), forced ventilatory capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), maximal expiratory flow at 75% vital capacity (V75), maximal expiratory flow at 50% vital capacity (V50), maximal expiratory flow at 25% vital capacity (V25) and breathing reserve ratio (BR). RESULTS: TLC, FRC, MVV, MMEF, V75 and V50 were not different from normal values. IVC, FVC, FEV1 and V25 were significantly decreased compared with normal values. RV and RV/TLC were high in 87.5% cases. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative symptoms improved substantially after operation. Little airway obstruction was observed postoperatively, suggesting that patients with pectus excavatum should have surgery as early in life as possible, preferably by age 3.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Effect of prenatal tetrandrine therapy on pulmonary vascular structural remodeling in the nitrofen-induced CDH rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of prenatal tetrandrine (Tet) therapy on pulmonary arterial structural remodeling in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: CDH was induced in fetal rats by maternal administration of 100 mg nitrofen by gavage on day 9.5 of gestation (term, day 22). Control animals received olive oil (OO). Tet (24 mg/kg per day) or normal saline (NS) was given by gavage every day from 16 to 20 days of gestation, and fetuses were delivered by caesarean section on day 21.5. Lung sections from 3 fetuses in each group were studied. The number of vessels were calculated, the external diameter (ED), medial wall thickness (MT), percent of medial wall thickness, and wall structure were evaluated by image analysis software. RESULTS: In the pre-acinar arteries, CDH-NS pups had a significantly increased %MT compared with the OO-NS group (P < 0.05), while CDH-Tet animals had a reduced %MT compared with the CDH-NS rats (P < 0.05). Similar results were seen in the intra-acinar level. Significant differences were observed between CDH-NS animals and OO-NS controls in the percentage of muscularized intra-acinar blood vessels (P < 0.001). Tet-treated CDH pups had a reduced percentage of muscularized intra-acinar arteries compared with CDH-NS animals. CONCLUSIONS: Medial hypertrophy is present in both the pre-acinar and intra-acinar arteries in the nitrofen-induced CDH rat model. Tet treatment inhibits medial hypertrophy and reduces the percentage of muscularized intra-acinar vessels. Prenatal Tet therapy may be efficacious in reducing the risk of PH in human newborns with CDH.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2000

Modified sternal elevation for children with pectus excavatum.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience in the treatment of pectus excavatum (PE) using a modified sternal elevation procedure. METHODS: From Oct. 1986 to Dec. 1997, 171 patients with PE were admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery of the First Hospital of West China University of Medical Sciences. All patients were diagnosed through a history and physical examination. Cardiopulmonary function was assessed by M-mode echocardiography and instrument of pulmonary function in 40 patients before and 4.2 years after surgery which was performed between 1989 and 1994. We performed the following three procedures in the sternal elevation: (1) forming the metal strut in a "arch" shape, (2) suturing the perichondrium into a "pipe" shape, and (3) encouraging patients to do chest expansion exercise after operation. All patients were followed up for 1 to 12 years. RESULTS: The normal contour of the costal cage was enlarged in all but one patient. Exercise tolerance was improved, and cardiac function recovered to the same level as in healthy children, while pulmonary function recovered very slowly after surgery. CONCLUSION: The normal appearance of chest wall can be recovered and normal cardiopulmonary function can be restored by the modified sternal elevation procedure in children with PE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical study of direct digital radiography in caries detection].

OBJECTIVE: Direct digital radiography is a computer-based image technique, the purpose of this paper is to investigate possible usage of direct digital radiography-radio visiography (RVG) in caries detection in clinic. METHODS: A human head model with teeth was used to establish the operative exposure time for RVG in vitro, then RVG images for normal and carious tooth were obtained in vivo and were compared with conventional E-speed film in image quality and diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The optimal exposure time for RVG image was obtained, and the exposure time was different in each tooth quarter. The acceptable rate of image quality and diagnostic accuracy of RVG was statistically equivalent to that of E-speed film (P > 0.05), however, the excellent rate of RVG was statistically superior to that of E-speed film (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The conventional X-ray will be substituted by RVG in caries detection in clinic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[A comparative study on the capacities of different strains of Streptococcus sanguis for P-aminobenzoic acid production].

This study was intended to compare the capacities of different strains of Strep, sanguis for P-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA) production. The synthesis of PABA during the growth of four strains of Strep. sanguis was measured by the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The results showed that the concentrations of PABA synthesized by S. sanguis 10556, S. sanguis 10557, S. sanguis S34 and S. sanguis H7-4. Were 1.979 +/- 0.081 micrograms/ml, 1.383 +/- 0.193 micrograms/ml, 1.983 +/- 0.052 micrograms/ml and 1.032 +/- 0.229 micrograms/ml, respectively, and in term of PABA concentration, S. sanguis 10556 was significantly different from S. sanguis 10557 and S. sanguis H7-4; S. sanguis S34 was significantly different from S. sanguis 10557 and S. sanguis H7-4. No significant difference was found between S. sanguis 10556 and S. sanguis S34, nor between S. sanguis 10557 and S. sanguis H7-4, either. In conclusion, the method is simple, rapid and accurate. S. sanguis did synthesize PABA, and the difference in ability for PABA formation existed among the four strains of S. sanguis. This study is helpful to researches on the symbiosis between S. sanguis and S. muntans and to determination of their role in the microbial homeostasis of dental plaque.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗
PubMed2000

[Association of HLA-DRB genes with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in a Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular genetic background of VKH syndrome in Han Chinese by HLA-DRB genotyping. METHODS: HLA-DRB genotyping was performed by PCR-SSOP method, then DR4 alleles were analyzed by SSOP and RFLP methods. RESULTS: The frequency of DRB1 * 0405 was significantly higher in VKH patients than that in normal controls (80.4% vs 8.1%, Pc < 10(-7), RR = 46.7), so was the frequency of DRB1 * 15 in DRB1 * 0405 negative individuals (Pc < 0.05, RR = 6.0). On the other hand, the frequencies of DRB1 * 14 and DRB1 * 08 were significantly lower in VKH patients than that in normal controls. Comparing the clinical features between DRB1 * 0405 positive and negative VKH patients, no significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: (1) DRB1 * 0405 and DRB1 * 15 are closely associated with the susceptibility to VKH syndrome, DRB1 * 0405 may be the major susceptible gene and DRB1 * 15 may be the minor; (2) DRB1 * 14 and DRB1 * 08 are negatively associated with the susceptibility to VKH syndrome, suggesting that they may be the resistant genes; (3) DRB1 * 0405 is not related to the clinical features, incidence of ocular complications as well as visual prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of p53 in Chinese hamster cell lines CHO-K1, CHO-WBL, and CHL: implications for genotoxicity testing.

Since the p53 gene function is critical to how a cell responds to DNA damage, we investigated the p53 status in Chinese hamster cell lines commonly used in genotoxicity tests for cytogenetic damage around the world. These included: Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1), Chinese hamster ovary WBL (CHO-WBL), and Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells. The results of DNA sequencing, protein analysis, and cell cycle analysis demonstrate that the CHO-K1 and CHO-WBL cell lines have mutant p53 sequence [a mutation in codon 211 in exon 6 resulting in a change from Thr (ACA) to Lys (AAA)], mutant protein (high spontaneous levels that are non-inducible after X-irradiation), and mutant function (lack of G1 checkpoint). Interestingly, the CHL cell line has a completely wild-type p53 DNA sequence. However, the CHL cells have an abnormally high spontaneous level of wild-type p53 protein expression that is not inducible after X-irradiation, yet there is some evidence of G1 delay after irradiation. The protein data suggests that p53 in CHL cells is not being regulated normally, and thus is probably not functioning normally. The mechanism leading to this abnormal regulation of p53 in CHL cells clearly does not involve mutation in the p53 gene. Overall, the CHL cell line may be similar to the CHO cell lines, in that they all appear to have abnormal p53 function. Further work is needed to determine whether the presence of spontaneously high levels of wild-type p53 in CHL cells results in a difference in response to DNA damage (quantitatively or qualitatively) compared to the p53 mutant CHO cell lines.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Winter accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins in digestive glands of mussels from Arcachon and Toulon (France) without detectable toxic plankton species revealed by interference in the mouse bioassay for lipophilic toxins.

Since January 1993, neurological symptoms and rapid deaths (5 to 10 min) were typically observed in the mouse bioassay of acetone extracts of digestive glands from Arcachon and Toulon (France) during the winter season. It was assumed initially that a new lipophilic toxin was present because tests using the AOAC mouse bioassay for paralytic shellfish toxins on acid extracts of whole shellfish meat were negative, no known lipophilic toxins were detected and no toxic phytoplankton species were observed in the area during the poisoning events. In this study, however, preparative isolation of the toxic factor from toxic mussel digestive glands has revealed the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins, the principal ones being gonyautoxins-2 and -3 at Arcachon and gonyautoxins-1, -4, -2 and -3 at Toulon. The toxin concentrations recorded were below levels harmful to consumers and therefore represent a false positive in the mouse bioassay for lipophilic toxins based upon acetone extraction. The origin of the toxins remains to be determined.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Protective effects of ischemic preconditioning on lung ischemia reperfusion injury: an in-vivo rabbit study.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine the effect of ischemic preconditioning on the extent of normothermic lung ischemia reperfusion injury in rabbits in vivo. METHODS: Thirty male Japanese white rabbits were randomized into two groups. Fifteen rabbits were treated with ischemic preconditioning (their left lung hilus clamped for 10 minutes and released for 15 minutes (group IP)). Fifteen rabbits were not treated with ischemic preconditioning (group C). Then the left lung hilus of both groups were occluded for 60 minutes and reperfused for 60 minutes. Mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and core temperature were recorded. Femoral artery blood samples and lung tissue samples were collected after ischemic preconditioning and after 60 minutes of reperfusion. RESULTS: The lung tissue showed little injury after ischemic preconditioning. After 60 minutes of reperfusion, the angiotensin II (A II) and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) levels in group IP were significantly higher than those in group C, mean pulmonary artery pressure in group IP was significantly lower than that in group C, the wet/dry ratio and malondialdehyde content of lung tissue in group IP was significantly lower than that in group C, the superoxide dismutase contents of lung tissue in group IP was significantly higher than that in group C, and histological findings showed less damage in group IP than in group C. CONCLUSION: Lung ischemic preconditioning could reduce normothermic rabbit lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. The possible mechanisms are increased production of endogenous A II and reduced formation of oxygen free radicals during lung ischemia for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion for 60 minutes.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1999

Inhibition of secretion by 1,3-Cyclohexanebis(methylamine), a dibasic compound that interferes with coatomer function.

We noted previously that certain aminoglycoside antibiotics inhibit the binding of coatomer to Golgi membranes in vitro. The inhibition is mediated in part by two primary amino groups present at the 1 and 3 positions of the 2-deoxystreptamine moiety of the antibiotics. These two amines appear to mimic the epsilon-amino groups present in the two lysine residues of the KKXX motif that is known to bind coatomer. Here we report the effects of 1, 3-cyclohexanebis(methylamine) (CBM) on secretion in vivo, a compound chosen for study because it contains primary amino groups that resemble those in 2-deoxystreptamine and it should penetrate lipid bilayers more readily than antibiotics. CBM inhibited coatomer binding to Golgi membranes in vitro and in vivo and inhibited secretion by intact cells. Despite depressed binding of coatomer in vivo, the Golgi complex retained its characteristic perinuclear location in the presence of CBM and did not fuse with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Transport from the ER to the Golgi was also not blocked by CBM. These data suggest that a full complement of coat protein I (COPI) on membranes is not critical for maintenance of Golgi integrity or for traffic from the ER to the Golgi but is necessary for transport through the Golgi to the plasma membrane.

Adaptor Protein Complex gamma Subunits↗
PubMed1999

The hydrophilic, protease-sensitive terminal domains of eucaryotic DNA topoisomerases have essential intracellular functions.

The amino-terminus of eucaryotic DNA topoisomerase I and the carboxy-terminus of eucaryotic DNA topoisomerase II contain sequences that are enriched in charged amino acid residues, hyper-sensitive to protease digestion, not required for the in vitro topoisomerase activities, able to tolerate insertion and deletion mutations, and thus may have a disordered structure. In an interesting contrast to the catalytically essential core domain, the sequences in these terminal hydrophilic domains are not conserved among the topoisomerases from different species. However, many lines of evidence, including those presented here, demonstrate that the topoisomerase tail domains have critical intracellular functions. The biological functions of the amino-terminus of topoisomerase I include the nuclear import and targeting to the transcriptionally active loci. The carboxy-terminus of topoisomerase II also contains the sequences necessary for nuclear localization and possibly sequences necessary for other critical functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Treatment of atrophic cholecystitis by regulating the spleen--a report of 50 cases.

Fifty cases of atrophic cholecystitis were treated by regulating of the spleen. Of them, 21 were cured, 18 remarkably effective, and 7 effective. The overall effective rate was 92.0%. As compared with the results of ultrasonography B performed before and after treatment, it was shown that both the longitudinal and transverse inner diameters of the gallbladder increased evidently, and the condition of atrophy improved remarkably after treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The activities of proteolytic enzymes in dental plaque of patients in different age-sex groups].

This study was intended to explore the relationship between the proteolytic enzymes in dental plaque and the patient's age and sex. Fluorometry and spectrometry were used to separately determine the activities of leucine amino peptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV and trypsin-like proteinase in children(10 boys and 10 girls), adults(n = 20) and elderly people(n = 10). The results showed that sex almost had no influence on the activities of the three enzymes in dental plaque in the children(P > 0.05), and with the increase of age, the activities of the three enzymes apparently increased (P < 0.01). These findings imply that the proteolytic enzymes may only play important roles in root lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Sex hormone receptor of hemangioma and vascular malformation in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level and difference of estrogen receptor (ER), progestogen receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR) in hemangioma tissues of Children. METHODS: 31 specimens of hemangioma and 36 specimens of vascular malformation were compound stained with hematoxylin-eosin and enzyme-linking affinitive immunohistochemistry. The prepared tissue slices were examined microscopically to find the ER, PR and AR in all the cells. RESULTS: The ER, PR and AR were detected in the two kinds of the tissue. However, their levels in the hemangioma were higher than those in the vascular malformation (P < 0.01) and the levels in the hemangioma of proliferating phase were higher than those in the hemangioma of regressive phase (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hemangioma is one of the target tissues of estrogen. ER, PR and AR play an important role in the growth and development of hemangiomas. The binding site of the receptor may be occupied by extrogenous glucocorticoid so that hemangiomas gradually degenerates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Association of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 alleles with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in Han Chinese population].

OBJECTIVE: To access the association of HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 alleles with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH). METHODS: The alleles in DQA1 and DQB1 loci of patients with VKH matched with 50 healthy controls were subtyped by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: DQA1 * 0301 and DQB1 * 0401 alleles were in close association with VKH syndrome, as compared to the controls (Pc < 10(-7)), with the relative risk (RR) 16.47 and 88.00, respectively. The frequency of DQA1 * 0301-DQB1 * 0401 haplotype in patients with VKH was also significantly higher than that in healthy controls (78.6%, 4.0%, Pc < 10(-7), RR = 88.00). Among the 15 patients who were negative for the haplotype of DQA1 * 0301-DQB1 * 0401, 7 of them were found to be positive for DRB1 * 15-DQA1 * 0102-DQB1 * 0602/3 haplotype, with the frequency significantly higher than that in the controls (46.7%, 12.5%, Pc = 0.01, RR = 6.13). However, DQA1 * 0103-DQB1 * 0601 was the only one of the DQA1-DQB1 haplotypes with a significantly lower frequency in patients with VKH in comparison with that in the controls (2.9%, 24%, Pc = 0.001, RR = 0.09). The susceptible haplotype was not related to the clinical features. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that DQA1 * 0301-DQB1 * 0401 and DRB1 * 15-DQA1 * 0102-DQB1 * 0602/3 be associated with the susceptibility in VKH. On the other hand, DQA1 * 0103-DQB1 * 0601 may play a role in resisting against VKH syndrome.

Adolescent↗