Biomedical subjects

W Ouyang

Publications and source records attributed to W Ouyang.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

GATA-3-dependent enhancer activity in IL-4 gene regulation.

Previously, we analyzed the proximal IL-4 promoter in directing Th2-specific activity. An 800-base pair proximal promoter conferred some Th2-selective expression in transgenic mice. However, this region directed extremely low reporter mRNA levels relative to endogenous IL-4 mRNA, suggesting that full gene activity requires additional enhancer elements. Here, we analyzed large genomic IL-4 regions for enhancer activity and interaction with transcription factors. The proximal IL-4 promoter is only moderately augmented by GATA-3, but certain genomic regions significantly enhanced GATA-3 promoter transactivation. Some enhancing regions contained consensus, GATA sites that bound Th2-specific complexes. However, retroviral transduction of GATA-3 into developing T cells induced IL-5 to full Th2 levels, but only partially restored IL-4 production. Thus, we propose that GATA-3 is permissive, but not sufficient, for full IL-4 enhancement and may act through GATA elements surrounding the IL-13/IL-4 gene locus.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Cervical ripening in the third trimester of pregnancy with intravaginal misoprostol: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening in the third trimester, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 85 patients indicated for induction of labor and with unfavorable cervices. They were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal misoprostol (100 mg) or placebo placed in the posterior vaginal fornix. The Bishop score, fetal heart rate and Doppler blood flow velocity waveforms were measured before and 12 h after drug administration. Placenta and decidu were histopathologically observed in some cases. Among 85 patients enrolled, 43 received misoprostol and 42 received placebo. Whereas the mean initial Bishop scores were not significantly different between the two groups, the mean Bishop score in misoprostol group was significantly better than those in placebo group. The mean change in Bishop score was also significantly different (4.4 for misoprostol versus 1.0 for placebo, P < 0.01). The prevalence of spontaneous onset of labor within 12 h after drug insertion in misoprostol group (67.4%, 29/43) was significantly higher than that in placebo group (14.3%, 6/42), P < 0.01. The average Doppler velocity systolic to diastolic (S/D) ratios of umbilical artery, middle cranial artery, renal artery were not significantly different before and 12 h after drug insertion between both groups. There was no significant difference in frequency of abnormal fetal heart rate tracings or fetal distress and in the mean Apgar scores between the two groups. Except the presence of vasodilation in villi vessels in the misoprostol group, the placental and decidual histopathological changes had no significantly difference between two groups. It is concluded that intravaginal misoprostol may be an effective and safe cervical ripening agent in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed1998

Inhibition of Th1 development mediated by GATA-3 through an IL-4-independent mechanism.

Recently, the transcription factor GATA-3 was shown to be selectively expressed in Th2 but not Th1 cells and to augment Th2-specific cytokines. Here, we show that loss of GATA-3 expression by developing Th1 cells requires IL-12 signaling through Stat4 and does not simply result from an absence of IL-4. Moreover, we demonstrate a novel role for GATA-3 in directly repressing Th1 development distinct from its positive actions on Th2-specific cytokines. GATA-3 inhibits Th1 cytokines by a cell-intrinsic mechanism that is not dependent on IL-4 and that may involve repression of IL-12 signaling. Thus, GATA-3 expression and IL-12 signaling are mutually antagonistic, which facilitates rapid dominance of one pathway during early Th development, producing a stable divergence in cytokine profiles.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical study on chanlibao in accelerating second stage of labor].

OBJECTIVE: To find out a new way to strengthen the uterine contraction and shorten the second stage of labor, for improving the prognosis of mother and newborn. METHODS: Primiparae observed were divided into three groups randomly and Chanlibao (CLB, a preparation of Chinese herbal medicine) or oxytocin (OTC) was given to the CLB group (80 cases) and the OTC group (52 cases) respectively, to the third group, as a control group (29 cases) of natural labor, without any drug was given. Time of second stage of labor (TSL) and prognosis of mother and newborn of different groups were observed and compared. And intrauterine pressure (IP) and fetal heart rate were monitored by means of electronic-monitor. RESULTS: TSL and postpartum hemorrhage in the CLB group were less than those in the control group. The average IP in former was higher than that in latter, but with no difference as compared with the OTC group. No side effect of CLB was found. CONCLUSION: CLB could obviously strengthen uterine contraction and shorten the TSL, it is cheap, convenient and with no side-effect, so it is a new safe, effective method for improving prognosis of primiparae and newborn, especially for those nonindicated in using oxytocine or infusion of fluid profusely.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening in the third trimester of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening in late trimester. METHOD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. 85 patients with indication for induction of labor and unfavorable cervices were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal misoprostol (100 micrograms) or placebo placed in the posterior vaginal fornix at one time. The Bishop score, fetal heart rate monitoring and Doppler blood flow velocity waveforms were measured before and 12 hours after drug insertion. Placenta and decidua were observed histopathologically in some cases. Among 85 patients enrolled, 43 received misoprostol and 42 received placebo. RESULTS: The mean initial Bishop scores were not significantly different between the two groups, while the mean Bishop score in the misoprostol group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (4.4 for misoprostol versus 1.0 for placebo, P < 0.01). The prevalence of spontaneous labor within 12 hours after misoprostol insertion (67.4%, 29/43) was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (14.3%, 6/42) (P < 0.01). The average Doppler velocity systolic to diastolic (S/D) ratios of umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, renal artery were not significantly different before and 12 hours after drug insertion between both groups. There was no significant difference in frequency of abnormal fetal heart rate tracings or fetal distress and in the mean Apgar score between the two groups. Except the presence of vasodilation in villi vessels in the misoprostol group, no significant difference existed between the two groups in the placental and decidual histopathological changes. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal misoprostol may be an effective and safe cervical ripening agent in late pregnancy.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗