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Biomedical subjects

W Cai

Publications and source records attributed to W Cai.

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

[The study of beta-fibrinogen gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms and their association with plasma fibrinogen levels].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of beta-fibrinogen (beta-Fg) gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms and their association with plasma fibrinogen levels in Han nationality in Guangdong Chinese. METHODS: The beta-Fg gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms of 156 individuals were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Plasma fibrinogen levels were determined by turbidimetry. RESULTS: The frequencies of A(- 455), T(- 148) and A(448) allele were 0.276, 0.285 and 0.272, respectively. There were strong linkages of G(- 455), C(- 148) and G(448), and of A(- 455), T(- 148) and A(448), the correspondence was more than 97%. The plasma fibrinogen levels in the presence and absence of A(- 455) allele were (3.13 +/- 0.74) g/L and (2.89 +/- 0.57) g/L (P < 0.05); of T(- 148) allele were (3.12 +/- 0.73) g/L and (2.89 +/- 0.58) g/L (P < 0.05); and of A(448) were (3.13 +/- 0.74) g/L and (2.89 +/- 0.57) g/L (P < 0.05), respectively. The plasma fibrinogen levels of the three polymorphisms with the mutant gene are significantly higher than that in the wild type. CONCLUSION: The three polymorphisms loci are strong linkage disequilibrium. It suggests that beta-Fg gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms are associated with plasma fibrinogen levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[A survey of the changes of serum inorganic salts and alkaline phosphatase after jaw fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of serum salts and alkaline phosphatase in patients with jaw fractures and its roles. METHODS: The serum salts and alkaline phosphatase were determined in 40 cases of jaw fracture and 14 health persons. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference in Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+) contents between jaw fracture group and normal group (P>0.05), but P(3-) Mg(2+), ALP levels were higher in jaw fracture group than that in normal group (P<0.05). Furthermore the Ca(2+), P(3-), Mg(2+), ALP were higher in multiple or communition fracture of jaw than in single or double line fracture (P<0.05) except Ca content. The level of Ca(2+) was higher in single jaw fracture than in jaw damage with whole body injury (P>0.05) but the levels of P(3-),Mg(2+), ALP were no difference (P>0.05). As the same all the Ca(2+), P(3-), Mg(2+), ALP levels were higher in early stage of fracture than in 4 weeks after fracture (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The contents of Ca(2+) P(3-), Mg(2+) ALP were increased after the axilla mandible were fractured and it has an important regulation role in the activity of osteoblast and osteoclast in healing of fractured jaw.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1999

Localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1alpha and mGluR2/3 in the cat retina.

The distribution of metabotropic glutamate receptors 1alpha (mGluR1alpha) and mGluR2/3 in the cat retina was studied through the use of preembedding immunocytochemistry for light and electron microscopy. Staining for mGluR1alpha in the outer plexiform layer was seen in numerous punctate structures that were identified as rod spherules. Cone pedicles remained unlabeled. A number of amacrine and ganglion cell somata also were stained with processes ramifying throughout the inner plexiform layer. These processes were postsynaptic to cone bipolar cells in both sublaminae, where they comprised one but not both of the postsynaptic elements at dyad contacts. Immunostaining for mGluR2/3 was observed in horizontal cells as well as in numerous amacrine and displaced amacrine cells. Labeled amacrine processes were postsynaptic to cone bipolar cells in both sublaminae but, similar to mGluR1alpha, comprised only one of the postsynaptic elements. Staining for mGluR2/3 also was seen in amacrine processes postsynaptic to rod bipolar terminals; these processes were identified as belonging to type A17 amacrine cells. The distribution patterns indicate that both mGluR1alpha and mGluR2/3 are positioned for postsynaptic function, whereas mGluR1alpha also may contribute to the presynaptic regulation of glutamate release from rod photoreceptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Plasma L-5-oxoproline carbon and nitrogen kinetics in healthy young adults.

L-5-oxoproline (OP), an intermediate of the gamma-glutamyl cycle of glutathione synthesis and degradation, may serve as a probe for the state of glutathione kinetics. We explored the whole-body carbon and nitrogen kinetics of OP in five male healthy subjects (75.2 kg; 181 cm; 26 y) after a 5-d adaptation to an adequate L-amino acid-based diet (160 mg N x kg(-1) x d(-1); 188 kJ x kg(-1) x d(-1)), using a crossover design. On day 6 of the diet period, we carried out an 8-h tracer protocol (3 h fast; 5 h fed; 2/3 of daily nitrogen intake) with intravenous infusion of L-[1-(13)C]oxoproline and L-[3, 3-(2)H]cysteine or, in randomized order, on the second occasion, L-[(15)N]oxoproline and L-[3,3-(2)H]cysteine. Plasma OP was isolated by cation exchange and after addition of internal standards (DL-[(2)H(3)]-5-oxoproline; L-[(15)N, U-(13)C(5)]-5-oxoproline; DL-[(2)H(3)]-glutamic acid) derivatized to form TBDMS esters and measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Plasma OP concentration did not differ between fed and fasted state (fast: 59. 4 +/- 8.3; fed 59.2 +/- 8.9 nmol/mL). (13)C- and (15)N OP flux during the fasted and fed state were 19 +/- 3.6, 21.2 +/- 3.2, and 22.6 +/- 3.9, 25.8 +/- 4.3 micromol x kg(-1) x 30 min(-1), respectively. OP oxidation was 15.6 +/- 3.6 and 17.9 +/- 3.5 micromol x kg(-1) x 30 min(-1), in fasting and feeding, respectively, (P < 0.05). More than 80% of the plasma flux was oxidized. These findings are compared with the published literature on GSH turnover in plasma of human subjects and underscore the need to define more completely the dynamic aspects of glutathione metabolism and of the intermediates of the gamma-glutamyl cycle.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of a suture electrode for direct bladder stimulation in a lower motor neuron lesioned animal model.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a "suture" type electrode for direct bladder stimulation in an animal model of a lower motor neuron lesion. During an initial surgery, five male cats were instrumented under anesthesia using multistranded, 316 LVM, stainless-steel, wire electrodes implanted on the bladder wall serosa above the trigone area. Electrodes were constructed with a needle attached to the end that was removed after suturing the electrode in place. Additional instrumentation included urinary bladder catheters (tubes) for pressure recording and filling, and hook type electrodes for leg and pelvic floor electromyography recording. Chronic bladder filling and stimulation studies were conducted in tethered animals three to four weeks following surgery. To test these electrodes in a spinal cord injury model, a lower motor neuron lesion was performed including the sacral cord and complete nerve roots at L6 and below. These animals were evaluated during weeks 3 and 10 after injury. Direct bladder stimulation induced active contractions and voiding both before and after spinal cord injury. Effective stimulation parameters consisted of 40 pulses per s, 300 micros to 1 ms pulse duration, a stimulation period from 3 to 4 s, and a stimulation current from 10 to 40 mA. Fluoroscopy revealed an open membranous urethra during stimulation and following stimulation. A small diameter penile urethra was observed to limit flow. Postmortem evaluation of the suture electrode revealed no abnormalities such as corrosion, migration into the bladder lumen or displacement. These findings indicate that suture electrodes are suitable and effective for short-term implantation in the lower motor neuron animal model.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Preparation of GFLV CP-gene cDNA probe labeled by photosensitive biotin and its application in detection of GFLV.

The cDNA of the GFLV CP gene amplified from clone pGAB5 by PCR was labeled by photosensitive biotin. The probe sensitivity is 5 pg, and the detectable amount of unlabeled GFLV cDNA was 10 pg by Dot-blot hybridization when the biotin-labeled cDNA was used as a probe. The results of detection for GFLV by probe have positive correlation with those of ELISA. The minimum amount of grapevine tissue for detection by probe was 100 times lower than that by ELISA. The seasons and the position of grapevine leaves do not limit application of this method.

Biotinylation↗
PubMed1999

Effects of acupuncture on the pituitary-thyroid axis in rabbits with fracture.

PURPOSE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on the pituitary-thyroid axis in rabbits with fracture. METHOD: 36 male rabbits with a 3-mm width experimental defect in the middle segment of the left radius were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group, and the changes in serum T3, T4 and TSH contents in different weeks were investigated. RESULTS: Serum T3, T4 and TSH contents in the treatment group all were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences in the contents of T4 and TSH in the second week and T3 content in the fourth week (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The action of promoting union of fracture is possibly related with the pituitary-thyroid axis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Identification of beta-FBG-455G/A polymorphisms in 210 samples of Guangdong population and the relationship with plasma fibrinogen level].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of beta-fibrinogen (beta-FBG) gene G/A-455 polymorphisms in Guangdong Chinese population and the relationship between genotype and plasma fibrinogen levels. METHODS: DNA of 210 samples were analyzed by using PCR-RFLP. Turbidimetric method for the levels of plasma fibrinogen was performed in 92 samples. RESULTS: The frequency of beta-FBG G/A-455 genotype A/A was 0.038; G/G was 0.514 and G/A was 0.448. The frequency of the A-allele was 0.262. The average plasma fibrinogen level in 46 samples of genotype G/A was (2.18 +/- 0.24) g/L and in 42 samples of G/G genotype was (2.03 +/- 0.25) g/L. There was significant difference between genotype and plasma fibrinogen (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The frequency of beta-FBG G/A-455 A-allele in Guangdong Chinese population is higher than that in European. The plasma fibrinogen level in G/A genotype is higher than that in G/G genotype. It suggested that the beta-FBG gene expression might be associated with the genotype.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Neuroendocrine mechanisms of impact by experimental stress on plasma glucose level in STZ KM mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroendocrine mechanisms of effects by experimental stress on plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced mice(STZ mice). METHODS: Forty STZ mice were divided randomly into Group A (STZ mice, stress) and Group B (STZ mice, no stress), and 20 normal KM mice in Group C (normal mice, stress) and Group D (normal mice, no stress). Group A and Group C were exposed to multiple stressors (restrain, rotation, crowding) for 6 weeks. Before and after the experiment, blood glucose(BG) levels were measured. By the end of experiment, blood and hypothalamus samples were collected to measure plasma insulin(I) concentrations, insulin sensitivity index(ISI), plasma norepinphine(NE), epinphin(EPI) and beta endorphin(beta-EP) concentrations. RESULTS: After stress, the BG levels significantly increased and I concentrations decreased in Group A. Group A showed a greater decrease of ISI than that in Group B. There was significant difference in plasma NE and EPI concentrations among groups, and Group A showed marked increase. There was no significant difference in beta-EP concentrations among groups. There were low to moderate correlations among these variables after stress. CONCLUSION: The STZ mice likely have altered adrenergic sensitivity to stress, which might play a leading role in the neuroendocrine mechanism of hyperglycemia of STZ mice after stress. The beta-EP might participate in this process of regulating glucose metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Dynamic changes in hepatic myofibroblast of rabbits with Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic changes in hepatic myofibroblasts during the formation of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and to investigate the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Each rabbit was infected with 80 +/- 1 S japonicum. Liver biopsies were done at different time point after infection and the samples were embedded with paraffin and stained with HE and picric acid-sirius red. The dynamic changes in the areas of granuloma were observed, and the extent of liver fibrosis and the expression of alpha-SMA positive cells were semiquantitated. At the 16th week after infection, the rabbits with S. japonicum were received IFN-gamma after treatment of praziquantel and contrasted with the saline group. RESULTS: The granuloma appeared at the 6th week after infection and its areas reached the biggest at the 8th week. Then the granuloma shrinked gradually, but the extent of liver fibrosis aggravated progressively. The alpha-SMA positive cells were observed at the 4th week after infection and their number enhanced gradually. The extent of liver and the expression of alpha-SMA positive cells were significantly different between each treated group, and the IFN-gamma treated group showed the best result. CONCLUSION: The myofibroblasts play an essential role in the formation and development of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

[Light puncture combined with longhu xingnao granules in treating acute traumatic intracranial hematoma].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the clinical therapeutic effectiveness of Longhu Xingnao Granule (LHXNG) medicated after light puncture in treating acute traumatic intracranial hematoma. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups, 30 patients of the tested group were treated with LHXNG after light puncture and 20 patients of the control group treated with western medicine alone. RESULTS: The effect of the tested group was evidently superior to the control group (P < 0.05) and with a markedly shortened resuscitation time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LHXNG has the function of promoting blood circulation and arresting bleeding, and improving resuscitation. In coordination with light puncture, it could improve the living quality of patients, shorten the resuscitation and treatment time, so as to reduce the maim and death rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Ultrastructural characteristics of epiretinal membranes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate ultrastructural features and the correlation between the cell activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression of epiretinal membranes. METHODS: Immuno-electron-microscopy was done on the epiretinal membranes removed by vitrectomy from 16 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The specimens were stained with antibodies to ECM proteins, including type I collagen, type III collagen and fibronectin (FN). RESULTS: A type of cells with a number of lamellipodia was found in membrane sections of 9 patients. The lamellipodia appeared to be either coiled or branched and were surrounded by abundant collagen fibers of type I and III. The cells with lamellipodia varied in their phenotypes and with or without pigment. There were dense gold particles of FN in contact regions of lamellipodia and collagen. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations support that the contraction of epiretinal membranes is the result of an interaction between cells and collagen, and the cells extending lamellipodia may initiate contractile events. FN is responsible for this contractile action.

Collagen Type I↗
PubMed1999

[Chinese hamster emotionality rating scale].

To establish the rating method of Chinese Hamster emotionality and verify its reliability of assessment result so as to investigate the role of emotionality in onset/incidence of diabetes in Chinese Hamster of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Ader's rating methods of emotionality were revised, the level of emotionality for Chinese Hamster was measured, cut off score of emotionality was computed, and reliability of rating scale was analysed. The results were that the cut off score of emotionality which was 5 scores could divide the high/low emotionality response in individual animal; Some items were moderately and highly correlated to total score (r = 0.3268-0.7347); The test-retest reliabilities of total score after 1 and 8 days ranged 0.5874 to 0.6105, the inter-rater agreement for reliability trials was 95.2%, and its Kappa value was 0.905. The results suggest that Chinese Hamster Emotionality Rating Scale has the satisfactory reliability.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of long-term experimental stress on blood glucose level in mice with diabetes-prone: the age difference and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of long-term experimental stressors on blood glucose level and insulin secretion in the aged and young mice with diabetes-prone and to explore the mechanism. METHODS: Diabetes-prone was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in 40 1.5-month-old mice and 40 15-month-old mice. The young and the aged STZ mice were divided randomly into the stress group and the control group, respectively. Each group contained 20 mice. Both the aged and the young stress mice were exposed to multiple stressors (restrain, rotation, crowding) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FINS), pancreas lipid peroxidase (LPO) and the metabolic products of nitric oxide (NO2-, NO3-) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. The grade of insulitis in STZ mice was also evaluated. RESULTS: After 6-week stress, FBG level, pancreatic tissue LPO and NO2-, NO3- contents were significantly higher while FINS level and SOD activity lower in the aged stress mice than those in the youngs. The insulitis malignization in the aged stress group was severer than that in the young stress group. There were correlativities among the above variables. CONCLUSION: The effects of long-term stress in promoting hyperglycemia exacerbating insulitis, and inhibiting insulin secretion are more significant in the aged STZ mice than in the young ones. This difference may result from the excessive NO and the peroxide injury to the pancreas.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

[Construction of full-length cDNA clone and complete nucleotide sequence of RNA2 of cucumber mosaic virus SD strain].

The full-length cDNA clone of CMV-SD RNA2 was constructed from two cDNA clones, which were obtained by RT-PCR with primers synthesized based on terminal sequences determined using 5' RACE and 3' RACE, respectively; and the complete sequence was determined. It consists of 3048 nt and there are two partial overlapped ORFs. ORF1, which is located in the 5' portion (79-2652 nt), codes for 2a protein of 858aa, and GDD consensus sequence reported to be "polymerase site" was found in deduced 2a protein sequence. ORF2, which is located in the 3' portion (2414-2746 nt), codes for 2b protein of 111aa. The overall nucleotide sequence homologies with RNA2 of CMV Fny and Q strain, which are representatives of subgroups I and II, respectively, are 91.7% and 75.6%; the amino acid sequence homologies are 93.8% and 67.7% for 2a protein, and 83.0% and 51.3% for 2b protein, respectively. These results demonstrated that CMV-SD belongs to subgroup I.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA and its clinical value in patients with schistosomal liver fibrosis].

AIM: To explore the changes in TGF-beta 1 mRNA in patients with schistosomal liver fibrosis. METHODS: Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and dot blot analysis were used to determine the level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in PBMC. The serum levels of hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen, laminine and procollagen III peptide were also measured simultaneously. RESULTS: The mean level (m +/- s) of PBMC TGF-beta 1 mRNA was significantly higher in late-stage schistosomiasis group (LSS) (1.26 +/- 0.14), liver cirrhosis group (LC) (2.05 +/- 0.81) and hepatocellular carcinoma group (HCC) than that in control group (0.62 +/- 0.40) (P < 0.05). PBMC TGF-beta 1 mRNA level was higher in LC and HCC than that in LSS (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in TGF-beta 1 mRNA between PBMC and liver tissue in patients with HCC. All patients with increased fibrogenic activity (i.e., abnormal levels of serum HA, Col-IV and LN) had increased levels of TGF-beta 1 mRNA. CONCLUSION: The level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA is correlated with the fibrotic activity of liver, the increasement of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in schistosomiasis patients after praziquantel treatment might induce liver fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Studies on data compression of 1-D NMR spectra using wavelet transform].

The multiresolution signal decomposition (MRSD) algorithm based on wavelet transform was applied to the compression of 1-D NMR spectra. A NMR spectrum which was composed of 32768 data points was investigated and the spectrum can be completely reconstructed with the residual square deviation (RSD) being as small as 2.7769 x 10(-4) when the spectrum was compressed to 512 data points. The relationship among the RSD and the different wavelet function, number of decomposiion and the compression ratio was also discussed.

English Abstract↗