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Biomedical subjects

W Hao

Publications and source records attributed to W Hao.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Psychoactive substance use in three sites in China: gender differences and related factors.

One year prevalence rates for psychoactive substance use are reported based on community surveys performed in three sites in China: Hunan, Heilongjiang and Jiangsu. The data were gathered on more than 14,000 respondents (15-65 years old). The drinking rates were from 58.3 to 82.6% for men and from 16.3 to 31.4% for women. Smoking rates range from 64.9 to 68.1% for men and from 0.1 to 20.5% for women. Most drinkers were light users and most smokers were heavy users. Illicit drug use was observed at Hunan. Regarding frequency and quantity of psychoactive substance use, women are lighter consumers than their male counterparts except for use of minor tranquilizers and analgesics. The psychosocial factors related to drinking and smoking were also investigated in this study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies by 2 novel tests: rELISA and peptide EIA.

The performance of 2 newly developed enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) intended for the routine serological diagnosis of chlamydial infections was evaluated. rELISA is based on a recombinant lipopolysaccharide antigen which detects chlamydia genus-specific antibodies, and Chlamydia trachomatis EIA is based on a peptide derived from major outer membrane protein and is therefore species-specific. Both tests distinguished patients with tubal factor infertility (TFI) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) from the controls. The prevalence of IgA antibodies was higher for the PID patients than for the TFI patients; the finding indicates a more active state of infections for the PID patients. Furthermore, C. trachomatis EIA detected more IgG antibodies in the TFI patients than in patients with non-tubal factor infertility. In conclusion, rELISA detected chlamydial antibodies in general, and C. trachomatis EIA detected species-specific antibodies. These EIA tests may be useful in the serodiagnosis of chlamydial infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Antagonistic action of organic selenium on lead poisoning].

Ninety white rats were treated with liquid lead acetate. When the concentration of lead in urine was more than (0.81 +/- 0.26) mg/L and blood lead was more than (4.8 +/- 0.33) mg/L, the rats were divided into three groups randomly. The oxygenic damage indicators in serum showed SOD activity decreased and MDA content increased. In one group of lead rats fed with an organic selenium compound (code FCQY) the SOD activities were high and the lipid peroxidation was inhibited compared with controls without selenium supplementation. The lead contents of bone, kidney and liver were measured. The results suggested that the organic selenium compound could interfere with the absorption and accumulation of lead.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Regulatory role of 5-hydroxytryptamine and motilin in migrating motor complex of small bowel in dogs].

Migrating motor complex (MMC) was recorded by chronically implanted strain gauge transducers on the serosa of small bowel in conscious dogs. Two silastic catheters for injecting drugs and taking blood samples were put respectively in a vena jugularis externa and in a jejunal artery which perfused a 10-15 cm intestinal segment. The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of drugs administered intravenously and intraarterially on MMC and alterations of plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and motilin in different phases of MMC. The results showed: (1) Levels of plasma 5-HT and motilin showed cyclical fluctuations in different phases of MMC, and 5-HT reached peak before peak of motilin. Plasma 5-HT level reached a peak [(41.2 +/- 1.3) ng/ml] in the later period of phase II, which increased significantly as compared with phase I [(22.4 +/- 1.1) ng/ml] (P < 0.01), but plasma motilin level had a peak [(580.0 +/- 30.2) pg/ml] in phase III of MMC, which was higher than that in phase I [(140.0 +/- 21.0) pg/ml] (P < 0.01). (2) Intravenous motilin and intraarterial 5-HT and motilin could induce phase III contraction in the canine proximal small bowel and in the perfused segment respectively. Amplitude of contractions caused by motilin was higher than that by 5-HT in the perfused segment. (3) 5-HT receptor antagonist, motilin antiserum, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine and tetrodotoxin perfused intra-arterially inhibited expression of MMC in the perfused segment and its caudal propagation. We conclude that plasma 5-HT and motilin may be dominant factors which initiate MMC of canine small bowel, and 5-HT peak appears before peak of motilin. 5-HT neurons and motilin neurons in enteric nervous system may play an important role in controlling MMC of canine small bowel.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Effects of heat, noise, and their combination on plasma atrial natriuretic peptides, cardiodilatin, endogenous digitalis like substance, angiotensin II and endothelin in rats].

Plasma contents of atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP), cardiodilatin (CDD), endogenous digitalis like substance (EDLS), angiotensin II (A II) and endothelin (ET) were determined in rats following exposure to high temperature, noise and a combination of the two. It was found that plasma content of ANP after heat exposure decreased significantly, CDD and A II content after heat or noise exposure increased obviously, ET content decreased significantly after exposure to combined factors. ANP and CDD have the same physiological function and changes. ANP, CDD and A II observed in the present study were considered to be compensatory responses. It is harmful if exposure to high temperature or noise lasts for a long time.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1998

[Detection of rotavirus RNA using DIG labelled probe prepared by polymerase chain reaction].

The digoxigenin (DIG) labelled cDNA probe of rotavirus was directly prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results of cDNA-RNA hybridization showed that the DIG-cDNA probe exhibits rotavirus specificity and can detect as tiny as 10 pg rotavirus RNA. 120 fecal samples of diarrhea from infants and young children were tested by dot-blot hybridization. It was shown that the positive rate of dot-blot hybridization(65.0%) was significantly higher than that of PAGE(49.1%). This study indicated that direct preparation of DIG-labelled rotavirus-cDNA probe by PCR is much faster and simpler than common method of labeling.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Regulation of AP-3 function by inositides. Identification of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate as a potent ligand.

As part of the growing effort to understand the role inositol phosphates and inositol lipids play in the regulation of vesicle traffic within nerve terminals, we determined whether or not the synapse-specific clathrin assembly protein AP-3 can interact with inositol lipids. We found that soluble dioctanoyl-phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (DiC8PtdIns(3,4, 5)P3) was only 7.5-fold weaker a ligand than D-myo-inositol hexakisphosphate in assays that measured the displacement of D-myo-[3H]inositol hexakisphosphate. In functional assays we found that both of these ligands inhibited clathrin assembly, but DiC8-PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was more potent and exhibited a larger maximal effect. We also examined the structural features of DiC8-PtdIns(3,4, 5)P3 that establish specificity. Dioctanoyl-phosphatidylinositol 3, 4-bisphosphate, which does not have a 5-phosphate, and 4, 5-O-bisphosphoryl-D-myo-inosityl 1-O-(1, 2-O-diundecyl)-sn-3-glycerylphosphate, which does not have a 3-phosphate, were, respectively, 2-fold and 4-fold less potent than DiC8-PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 as inhibitors of clathrin assembly. Deacylation of DiC8-PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 reduced its affinity for AP-3 almost 20-fold, and also dramatically lowered its ability to inhibit clathrin assembly. The deacylated products of the soluble derivatives of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate were both not significant inhibitors of clathrin assembly. It therefore appears that the interactions of inositides with AP-3 should not be considered simply in terms of electrostatic effects of the highly charged phosphate groups. Ligand specificity appears also to be mediated by hydrophobic interactions with the fatty-acyl chains of the inositol lipids.

Acylation↗
PubMed1997

[Effect of heat, noise and their combination on plasma and myocardial angiotensin II in rats].

Effects of heat (40 degrees C, relative humidity 82%), noise (115dB) and the combination of heat and noise on angiotensin (A II) content in plasma and myocardia was observed in rats. The results showed: (1) plasma A II in control group, heat group, noise group and combined group were 358.72 +/- 35.78, 624.08 +/- 36.32, 783.27 +/- 34.32 and 619.65 +/- 37.72 pg/ml respectively. The A II content in heat group, noise group and combined group are significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). The increase in noise group was significant as compared with those in the heat group and combined group (P<0.05). (2) The myocardia A II in control group, heat group, noise group and combined group were 594.78 +/- 82.46, 935.10 +/- 15l.51, 326.22 +/- 28.45, and 438.37 +/- 58.63 pg/mg W.W respectively. The myocardial A II content in heat group was significantly higher (P<0.01), but that in noise group than the control was significantly lower(P<0.O5).

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1997

[Analysis of vectorcardiogram (VCG) in 150 healthy pilots].

150 healthy male pilots, aged 22-46 years (31 +/- 5) were examined with the HBD-II A instrument. The results showed that vectorcardiogram (VCG) parameters of pilots were within the normal value by clinical diagnosis standard of VCG, but some indexes of VCG appeared different from the normal people, these might be the characteristics of VCG of pilots. The present study provided some new parameters of VCG such as P loop. The results of this study may be used for pilots selection and real-time medical monitoring for pilots on ground training.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Evaluation study on determination of ZPP in blood with hematofluorometer].

The authors studied the normalization and evaluation of the method detecting the zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) by direct displaying blood fluorescent. The results revealed that this method was highly accurate and precise. The relative humidity not more than 90% had no influence to the results. The detection limit of this method was 0.1 microg/g. The linear range of standard curve was 0-15 microg/g, and the precision in batch RSD=0.27%-1.93%. On the accuracy side, the three concentration curving values of ZPP standard material in blood were all within the range of indefinition of given values. If the samples were not detected rapidly and the blood was diluted by heparin, it might be preserved at 4 degrees C for 3 days, at -8 degrees C for 8 days. The blank fluorescent value of glassy cover made in China is less than 3.5 microg/g, Hb can substitute KLI glassy cover. This method can analyse one sample per minute, has advantage of rapidity, convenience, accuracy and reliablity.

China↗
PubMed1997

Immunosuppression by metastatic lymphoma derived altered retroviral gp70 molecule.

In this report we describe the characteristics of an immunosuppressive molecule from an Abelson Leukemia Virus transformed highly malignant and metastatic RAW117-H10 murine large cell lymphoma cells. Our studies have shown that the mitomycin-c treated or irradiated RAW117-H10 cells very significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited the nitrogen induced proliferation of normal Balb/c splenocytes. The cell surface extracts from the immunosuppressive RAW117-H10 lymphoma cells significantly inhibited the in vitro T cell or NK/LAK cell functions. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that there was a significant suppression of immune response in the Balb/c mice bearing RAW117-H10 cells when compared with mice bearing low metastatic parental RAW117-P cells or control mice. Subsequently we isolated and purified the main molecule responsible for this immunosuppression and found that the molecule is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 70 kD with an isoelectric point of 4.3, which cross reacted with antibodies to murine leukemia virus envelope gp70 molecules. Further analysis using immunoelectrophoresis, molecular probing techniques, and mannose specific lectin binding assay revealed that the immunosuppressive 70 kD molecule, is different from the wild type MLV envelope gp70 molecule and thus appears to be an altered gp70 molecule. These studies demonstrate that the metastatic lymphoma associated immunosuppression may facilitate the growth and metastasis of tumor cells. Our results also elucidate the possible mechanism(s) of retrovirus induced immunosuppression and the molecular basis of this retroviral envelope-mediated process in viral pathogenesis and tumor progression.

Abelson murine leukemia virus↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and characterization of cDNA for adenosine kinase from mammalian (Chinese hamster, mouse, human and rat) species. High frequency mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells involve structural alterations in the gene.

The enzyme adenosine kinase constitutes the major purine nucleoside phosphorylating activity in mammalian cells. In view of its central role in adenosine metabolism, which is an important physiological regulator, an understanding of the primary structure of adenosine kinase is of much interest. Using microsequence information from peptides derived from purified Syrian hamster liver enzyme, we have succeeded in isolating full length cDNA clones encoding adenosine kinase from Chinese hamster ovary cells and mouse 3T3 cells. The open reading frames in these clones consist of 334 and 335 amino acids and encode proteins of molecular masses 37364 Da and 37489 Da, respectively. In addition, the coding and upstream sequences for adenosine kinase from human (HeLa cells) and rat liver have also been cloned and sequenced. Transfection of an adenosine-kinase-deficient mutant (selected for resistance to the adenosine analog toyocamycin) of Chinese hamster ovary cells with a plasmid containing the cloned adenosine kinase cDNA, leads to regaining of adenosine kinase activity in the transformed cell. The adenosine kinase transformants also simultaneously lost their toyocamycin resistance and became similarly sensitive to the analog as the parental wild-type Chinese hamster ovary cells. The cloned adenosine kinase cDNA was also used to examine structural changes in mutants affected in adenosine kinase. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, one type of mutant that lacks adenosine kinase activity and displays high degree of resistance to various adenosine analogs, is obtained at an unusually high spontaneous frequency (10(-4)-10(-3)). Results of Southern and northern-blot analysis provide evidence that this group of mutants involves gross structural alterations affecting the adenosine kinase gene. Such structural alterations are not observed in another type of mutant which exhibits increased resistance only to C-adenosine analogs. Sequence similarity searches indicate that several of the bacterial and yeast sugar kinases (ribokinase, fructokinase and inosine-guanosine kinase) exhibit limited but significant similarity to the mammalian adenosine kinase. The sequence similarity data support the possibility that adenosine kinase shares a common evolutionary ancestor with these protein sequences.

Adenosine Kinase↗
PubMed1996

Major histocompatibility complex class I molecule expression is normal on peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Recent work from one laboratory has shown, in both nonobese diabetic mice and humans, an association between insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and quantitative difference in MHC class I molecule expression. This reported decrease in MHC class I molecule expression is very controversial in the nonobese diabetic mouse model of IDDM, but to our knowledge, it has not been evaluated by another group in human IDDM. To evaluate this question, we studied 30 patients with IDDM and 30 age- and sex-matched normal controls. MHC class I molecule expression was measured by flow cytometry with conformational-dependent MHC class I mAbs. The mean antigen density of MHC class I molecule expression in IDDM vs. normal control is 454+/-34 vs. 440+/-28 for lymphocytes and 1,440+/-117 vs. 1,494+/- 117 for monocytes, both P > 0.05. Three conformational-dependent MHC class I antibodies showed consistent results. To estimate the biological variation of MHC class I molecule expression in normal controls, we also studied 10 age- and sex-matched normal control pairs. Using X +/-SD of the percentage difference of mean antigen density in the normal control pairs as our definition of normal, we found that 70% (21/30) of IDDM patients had normal, 13% (4/30) of IDDM patients had decreased, and 17% (5/30) of IDDM patients had increased MHC class I molecule expression on lymphocytes. All IDDM patients showed normal MHC class I expression on monocytes. In conclusion, we find that there is no consistent decrease in MHC class I molecule expression on either lymphocytes or monocytes from patients with IDDM. The MHC class I molecule expression observed in IDDM patients is largely within the expected biological variation of MHC class I molecule expression that has been observed in normal controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Blue and ultraviolet light-absorbing opsin from the retinal pigment epithelium.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contains an abundant opsin that is distinct from rhodopsin and cone visual pigments and is able to bind the retinaldehyde chromophore. The putative retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR) was isolated in digitonin solution from bovine RPE microsomes and copurified consistently with a minor 34-kDa protein. The absorption spectrum of RGR revealed endogenous pH-sensitive absorbance in the blue and near-ultraviolet regions of light. Membrane-bound RGR was incubated with exogenously added all-trans-retinal and formed two long-lived pH-dependent photopigments with absorption maxima of 469 +/- 2.4 and 370 +/- 7.3 nm. The effects of hydrogen ion concentration suggest that the blue and near-UV photopigments are tautomeric forms of RGR, in which an all-trans-retinal Schiff base is protonated or unprotonated, respectively. The RPE pigment was also demonstrable by its reactivity to hydroxylamine in the dark. The retinaldehyde-RGR conjugate at neutral pH favors the near-UV pigment and is a novel light-absorbing opsin in the vertebrate eye.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Pentavalent ions dependency of mammalian adenosine kinase.

The enzyme adenosine kinase (AK) has been purified to homogeneity from Syrian hamster and bovine livers. The purified enzymes from both these sources have a Mr of approximately 38 kDa, as determined by gel-filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A novel characteristic of AK observed here is that its catalytic activity shows a nearly complete dependence upon the presence of pentavalent ions such as phosphate (P(i)), arsenate or vanadate. Maximal AK activity was observed in the presence of either 2-3 mM P(i), or 5-10 mM arsenate, or 10-20 mM vanadate. A low basal level of AK activity (1-5% of maximal) observed in the absence of these ions is attributed to P(i) contamination in the adenine nucleotides preparations. The presence of P(i) had no effect on the K m for ATP (0.4 mM), but it markedly increased the affinity of the enzyme for adenosine. The K(m) of AK for adenosine in presence of 0, 0.1 mM and 2 mM P(i) was estimated to be 1.4 mu M, 0.77 mu M and 0.095 mu M, respectively. Free P(i) showed no exchange with any of the reactants during the assay conditions, and its presence had no effect on the thermostability of the enzyme. These observations suggest that the pentavalent ions such as phosphate may be playing an important role in the enzyme's catalytic mechanism by facilitating either binding of adenosine to the enzyme or in the formation of an enzyme-ATP-adenosine complex.

Adenosine Kinase↗