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Biomedical subjects

Yan Wen

Publications and source records attributed to Yan Wen.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Clinical study of relationship between serum procalcitonin and severity of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between serum procalcitonin (PCT) level and severity of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: Sixty-one patients with MODS were enrolled in this study. They were divided into infection group and non-infection group. Serum PCT were measured using an immunoluminometric assay. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) scores and Marshall scores of the two groups were recorded and the relationship between PCT levels and APACHE II scores as well as Marshall scores was analysed. RESULTS: Serum PCT levels in patients with MODS were higher. Serum PCT [13.01(2.73, 64.79) microg/L], APACHE II [(17.50+/-5.35) scores] and Marshall score [(6.38+/-2.46) scores] of infection group were significantly higher than non-infection group [1.50 (0, 2.98) microg/L, (14.67+/-3.01) scores, and (4.62+/-2.01) scores, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.001]. Serum PCT of infection group and non-infection group did not show correlation with APACHE II (r=0.175, P=0.281; r=0.071, P=0.759). Serum PCT of all patients with MODS showed positive correlation with Marshall score (r=0.514, P<0.001), and correlation index of infection group was higher (r=0.535, P<0.001). Serum PCT of non-infection group did not show correlation with Marshall score (r=0.003, P=0.991). CONCLUSION: Serum PCT has clinical values in judgment of the severity of infected patients complicated by MODS.

APACHE↗

[Prospective 2-year clinical study of patients with positive IgG-antibodies after recovering from severe acute respiratory syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients recovering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during 2 years after the infection. METHODS: The antibody of SARS-IgG, T cell subsets, chest CT, and the pulmonary function were observed in patients 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years after convalescence from SARS. RESULTS: In the 20 SARS cases, the level of antibodies was found to descend gradually and slowly during 2 years after convalescence. In the majority of patients T cell subsets recovered completely to normal range at the second examination. At the first re-examination, the rate of abnormal chest CT was 65%, and the main abnormal images included ground glass opacities, thickening of inter-lobular and intra-lobular septa, distorted lobular structure, thickened bronchovascular bundles, thickened pleura, arc shadow under the pleura, bronchiolar dilation, and honey comb like shadows. The rate of abnormal chest CT was 30% at the 4 fourth examination. At the first re-examination, the abnormal rate of KCO was highest, accompanied by abnormalities of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and it began to recover since the third examination. CONCLUSION: The level of SARS-IgG descends slowly, and it may last for a long time. The recovery of chest CT to normal may take a long time. The abnormality in pulmonary functions manifests mainly as impairment of diffusion function. Further research on SARS is necessary.

Adolescent↗

Elastolytic activity in women with stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

AIMS: Weakening of pelvic supportive tissues is thought to be a contributing etiology in female pelvic floor disorders such as stress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse (SUI/POP). Since elastin modulates the mechanical properties of supportive tissues, we examined elastase activity in vaginal tissue from women with pelvic floor dysfunction compared to asymptomatic controls, by comparing overall elastase activity, human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin K, and alpha-1 antitrypsin (a serine protease inhibitor) mRNA and protein levels. METHODS: Full-thickness peri-urethral vaginal wall tissues were collected from age and menstrual-phase matched SUI/POP and control women at the time of pelvic surgery. Elastolytic activity in the homogenized tissue was determined by the generation of amino groups from succinylated elastin. To quantify mRNA levels of each protein, quantitative competitive-PCR and confirmatory Western blot analyses were performed on the samples for human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin K, and alpha-1 antitrypsin. RESULTS: The mean elastolytic activity in vaginal tissues from the SUI/POP group was similar to that in the control group. With respect to the proteolytic enzymes, neither human neutrophil elastase nor cathepsin K differed between the two groups. However, alpha-1 antitrypsin mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in tissues from affected women. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease in alpha-1 antitrypsin expression was seen in tissues from women with SUI/POP compared to controls. This data suggest that altered elastin metabolism may contribute to the connective tissue alterations observed in pelvic floor dysfunction. Future investigations are warranted to help define the role of elastin turnover in pelvic floor dysfunction.

Adult↗

[Persistent intestinal motility disorder after transient intestinal nematode infection in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intestinal motor function (distal colonic manometry and gastrointestinal transit time) after T. spiralis infection in rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were infected by administering T. spiralis larvae. Rats were studied on 14, 42, and 56 days post-infection (PI). Age matched non-infected animals served as controls. All rats underwent colonic manometry and gastrointestinal transit time test. RESULTS: (1) The small intestinal inflammation became the most severe on day 14 PI, and returned to normal on day 56. (2) The distal colonic manometry showed significantly active motility in acute infected rats either at rest or upon balloon stimulating. (3) Rat colonic motility parameters were not different from those of the control rats either at rest or upon small volume (1mL) balloon stimulating on day 42 and day 56 PI. But when the balloon was inflated with 2 mL of air, the colonic activity increased significantly compared with that of the control. (4) Gastrointestinal transit time was slower in acute and PI rats than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Intestinal motility function was abnormal persistently after transient intestinal nematode infection in rats either in distal colonic manometry or in gastrointestinal transit time.

Animals↗

[Clinical analysis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in patients suffering from SARS].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of organ dysfunction in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the factors inducing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in these patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 135 SARS patients and 13 patients with severe SARS complicated by MODS were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: SARS could result in organ dysfunction. Its incidence rate was high, the patients' condition was severe, and the mortality was higher. SARS could end in MODS and the mortality was 92.3x. The main dysfunctioning organs were the lung (76.9x), the immune system (92.3x), the cardiovascular system (30.8x), the blood system (61.5x), the liver (38.5x), and the kidney (53.8x). CONCLUSION: Dysfunction of organs are closely correlated with prognosis of SARS. The causes of MODS in SARS are probably injury to the immune system and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Interleukin-1beta regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone messenger ribonucleic acid in cultured human endometrial stromal cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in regulating GnRH mRNA expression in cultured human endometrial stromal cells using a modified semiquantitative competitive reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DESIGN: A controlled study. SETTING: Clinical and academic research setting in a university medical center. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing hysterectomy for nonmalignant indications. INTERVENTION(S): Confluent stromal cell cultures treated with steroid hormones were stimulated with IL-1beta and attenuated by anti-IL-1beta antibody or IL-1 receptor antagonist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The human endometrial stromal cell expression of GnRH and its receptor were determined by PCR. Interleukin-1beta-mediated regulation of stromal cell GnRH mRNA expression was determined by quantitative competitive PCR. RESULT(S): The GnRH and GnRH receptor mRNA expression were amplified in cultured stromal cells by PCR and two rounds of nested PCR, respectively. Treatment with IL-1beta stimulated stromal cell GnRH mRNA expression at concentrations of IL-1beta above 10 IU/mL. Recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist and anti-IL-1beta antibody attenuated the increase of gene expression of GnRH initiated by IL-1beta. CONCLUSION(S): These results provide indirect evidence that IL-1beta may play a crucial role at the level of embryo-maternal interaction by regulating stromal cell expression of GnRH and its receptor, both known to be important in mediating trophoblast invasion and placental hormone regulation.

Base Sequence↗

Distinctive proliferative phase differences in gene expression in human myometrium and leiomyomata.

OBJECTIVE: To gain a comprehensive view of the gene expression and regulation involved in uterine leiomyomata and matched normal myometrium using oligonucleotide microarray-based hybridization analysis. DESIGN: Retrospective analyses of tissue obtained in a prospective randomized clinical study. SETTING: Academic institution. PATIENT(S): Seven patients with leiomyomata scheduled for surgery during the proliferative phase. INTERVENTIONS(S): Seven paired samples of leiomyomata and adjacent myometrium were obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The total RNA extracted from leiomyomata and myometrium was used for gene expression profiling of 6800 human genes using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. In addition, reverse transcriptase-semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to validate tumor-specific gene expression. RESULT(S): A comparison of expression patterns in each paired sample revealed 68 genes significantly up- or down-regulated in each paired tissue sample, of which 23 genes showed increased expression and 45 showed decreased expression in leiomyomata compared with normal myometrium. Cluster analysis supported the relevance of these candidate genes for distinguishing between normal myometrium and leiomyomata biologic activity. CONCLUSION(S): Expression profiling of uterine leiomyomata using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays yields signature patterns that reflect the distinctive differences between normal human myometrium and leiomyomata during the proliferative phase. These observations suggest that a number of genes are involved in the tumorigenesis of leiomyomata.

Down-Regulation↗

Matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase expression in human preimplantation embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To examine human embryos at various stages of preimplantation development for simultaneous expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). DESIGN: mRNAs of specific MMPs and TIMPs were examined in single human embryos, at different stages of preimplantation development, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Single embryo immunohistochemistry was applied to examine the protein expression. SETTING: University-affiliated IVF-ET program. PATIENT(S): Couples, attending the university-affiliated IVF-ET program, electing to donate poor prognosis embryos with anomalous morphology. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 in preimplantation embryos. RESULT(S): The MMP-2 mRNA was expressed consistently during development from one-cell to blastocyst stage. The TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 mRNAs were detected in embryos at all stages; however, in the later preimplantation developmental stages, an increasing proportion of embryos expressing TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 mRNA were noted. The MMP-1, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 mRNAs were detected in only a minority of human embryos studied. Immunohistochemistry showed MMP-1 and TIMP-1 protein expression in preimplantation embryos. CONCLUSION(S): The existence of MMP and TIMP mRNA expression in human preimplantation embryos argues for a role for these metalloproteinases and their inhibitors during the process of implantation in humans.

Blastocyst↗

Menstrual phase-dependent gene expression differences in periurethral vaginal tissue from women with stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanical stability of the genitourinary tract is dependent on intact collagen fibers that support the bladder neck, urethra, and pelvic organs. We hypothesize that genetic differences in collagen metabolism may contribute to stress urinary incontinence. Because sex hormones have substantial influence on the female lower urinary tract throughout adult life, we investigated the gene expression of vaginal tissue of women with stress incontinence compared with women with no stress incontinence in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction was used to verify that the gene expressions were similar between periurethral vaginal tissue and pelvic ligamentous tissue. Labeled complementary RNA was obtained from periurethral vaginal tissue in five pairs of age- and menstrual phase-matched, premenopausal women with and without stress urinary incontinence. The vaginal tissues were then hybridized on HuGeneFL arrays that contained probes representing 6800 full-length human genes. The Student t test and Mann-Whitney ranking were used independently to select candidates with probability values <.05. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed on the selected candidates to assess the ability of these genes to discriminate between normal and affected individuals. RESULTS: Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and estrogen receptor-alpha messenger RNA expressions were found to be similar between uterosacral ligament and periurethral vaginal tissue in six participants. Of the 90 candidate genes that were identified, 62 genes were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated in the stress urinary incontinence group. Genes that were involved in extracellular matrix activity in the up-regulated group include transforming growth factor-beta3, laminin, and collagen type VI. Down-regulated genes that may participate in collagen metabolism include laminin-related protein, collagen XVII, serine/threonine protein kinase, type II interleukin-1 receptor, and platelet-derived growth factor-associated protein. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study, we identified differential gene expressions that may contribute to extracellular matrix remodeling in pelvic tissue from women with stress urinary incontinence in the proliferative phase versus continent control subjects. The alteration in expression of these candidate genes suggests that they should be targets for further investigation.

Adult↗

Differences in estrogen modulation of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in cultured fibroblasts from continent and incontinent women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing estrogen concentrations on metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase protein expressions in cultured pelvic fibroblasts that were obtained from continent and incontinent women. STUDY DESIGN: Periurethral vaginal wall tissues were taken from four stress incontinent and three continent premenopausal women who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign indications. Protein was extracted from these tissues, and Western blot analysis was performed to document that fibroblasts from continent and incontinent women differed with respect to metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase production. One age-matched tissue pair was prepared for fibroblast culture. Cells were cultured with increasing concentrations of estradiol (0-500 pg/mL). Extracellular metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase were assessed semiquantitatively with Western blotting. RESULTS: Periurethral vaginal tissues from incontinent women expressed less tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase when compared with tissue from the control subjects; there was no difference in the expression of cleaved, active metalloproteinase protein. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase expression from fibroblasts of continent women significantly increased with increasing estradiol concentrations (0-100 pg/mL, P <.05). No significant dose response was seen in fibroblasts from an incontinent woman. Metalloproteinase expression was not altered by increasing estradiol concentrations in fibroblasts from either continent or incontinent women. CONCLUSION: This preliminary in vitro study suggested that, in fibroblasts that were derived from the continent woman, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase protein production increases with increasing estrogen levels and that, in stress incontinent fibroblasts, no similar increase occurs. Neither group demonstrated a change in metalloproteinase production in response to varying estrogen levels, which suggests that estrogen may inhibit collagen degradation in continent women by increasing tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase production but exerts a reduced inhibitory effect on collagenolysis in women with stress urinary incontinence.

Adult↗

[Surgical treatment of micromandibular deformity associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of jaw advancement in treating micromandibular deformity associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by ramus osteotomy and genioplasty. METHODS: From April 1998 to February 2002, 12 patients with micromandibular deformity associated with OSAS (aged 14-36 years, 7 females and 5 males) were treated. Invert "L" shape ramus osteotomy and inverted replantation of posterior segment of ramus were performed to reconstruct the TMJ with the jaw advancement and genioplasty at the same time in 7 cases; mandibular angle osteotomy, bone grafts and genioplasty in 3 cases; and the jaw advancement by ramus sagittal osteotomy and genioplasty in 2 cases of the first branchial arch syndrome. RESULTS: The follow-up period was 6 months to 4 years. All the patients gained good appearance and had the distance of opening movement over 3.0 cm. Micromandible and facial asymmetries were corrected satisfactorily. The ratio of SaO2 was ascended from 82%-92% (preoperation) to 97%-99% (postoperation). OSAS was relieved. CONCLUSION: The jaw advancement by ramus osteotomy and genioplasty for treating micromandibular deformity associated with OSAS can correct the maxillofacial deformities and enlarge the upper airway space to relieve OSAS. This method has achieved satisfactory result.

Adolescent↗

Matrix metalloproteinase-2, membranous type 1 matrix metalloproteinase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), membranous type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in ectopic and eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis throughout the menstrual cycle. DESIGN: Molecular studies in human tissue. SETTING: Reproductive immunology laboratory of a university medical center. PATIENT(S): Fifty-three premenopausal woman (23 with endometriosis and 30 without endometriosis) undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Endometrium and ectopic endometriosis tissue were obtained at the time of surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Messenger RNA and protein expression from eutopic and ectopic endometrium was analyzed by using quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction, zymography, and Western blot assay. RESULT(S): Uterine endometrium from women with endometriosis expressed higher levels of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP and lower levels of TIMP-2 than did endometrium from normal women. CONCLUSION(S): Eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis may be more invasive and prone to peritoneal implantation because of greater expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP and lower expression of TIMP-2 messenger RNA, compared with endometrium from women without endometriosis. Thus, increased proteolytic activity may help to explain the invasive factors that result in endometriosis.

Adult↗

Follicle development in grafted mouse ovaries after cryopreservation and subcutaneous transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the impact of freezing, thawing, and subcutaneous transplantation on follicular development in grafted mouse ovaries. STUDY DESIGN: The mice were divided into 3 groups: control (group 1), frozen-thawed grafting (group 2), and frozen-thawed grafting with human menopausal gonadotropin injection (group 3). After freezing and thawing, the ovaries were transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue. Two weeks after transplantation, grafted ovaries and blood samples were collected. RESULTS: Ovaries from group 3 contained significantly more follicles (246 +/- 43 follicles) than group 2(P <.05). The pattern and intensity of Cx37 immunohistochemical staining was similar in all groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were significantly decreased in group 2 after ovarian grafting. CONCLUSION: In mice, gonadotropin treatment before subcutaneous grafting improved the survival of growing follicles. Subcutaneous ovarian transplantation may restore ovarian function and could obviate many of the problems that are related to ovarian banking for humans.

Animals↗

Pleiotrophin (PTN) and midkine (MK) mRNA expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in advanced stage endometriosis.

Endometriosis is characterized by the ectopic implantation of endometrium on peritoneal surfaces. Angiogenic and growth factors may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Midkine (MK) and pleiotrophin (PTN) are two related peptides associated with carcinogenesis and angiogenesis. To test the hypothesis that a higher expression of MK and PTN in ectopic and eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis might favour increased angiogenesis and growth with subsequent ectopic implantation, we investigated PTN and MK expression by quantitative competitive PCR (QC-PCR) in endometrium from 30 women with severe, stages III and IV endometriosis and from 30 women without endometriosis. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA, and QC-PCR was performed to evaluate PTN and MK mRNA expression. Results were analysed by analysis of variance. Eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients showed increased expression of MK and PTN mRNA compared with endometrium from normal women in the luteal phase (P < 0.05). MK and PTN mRNA expression in ectopic endometrium was significantly lower than that in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis (P < 0.05). Our results suggest increased MK and PTN expression may be related to the initiation of ectopic endometrial implants and peritoneal invasion.

Adult↗

Phospholipase A(2) and cyclooxygenase gene expression in human preimplantation embryos.

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and cyclooxygenase (COX) are two key enzymes in PG synthesis; the latter has two forms, COX-1 and COX-2. mRNA was extracted from single preimplantation embryos and examined for PLA(2), COX-1, and COX-2 gene expression by RT-PCR to investigate whether PLA(2) and COX genes are expressed in human preimplantation conceptuses from zygote to blastocyst stage and to compare COX-1 and COX-2 gene expression within the same stage of embryonic development. Expression of PLA(2), COX-1, and COX-2 was detected in 48, 37, and 45%, respectively, of total embryos examined. COX-1 was expressed in approximately 66% of early human preimplantation embryos from zygote to two-cell stage, whereas COX-2 was expressed in about 58% of later stage embryos from eight-cell to blastocyst stage (P < 0.05). Furthermore, COX-2 mRNA and protein were localized to trophectoderm in blastocyst stage embryos. In conclusion, PLA(2), COX-1, and COX-2 are expressed during early human embryonic development and may contribute to the production of PGs such as PGE(2) in human embryogenesis. COX-1 and COX-2 are differentially expressed, with COX-2 being primarily expressed by trophectoderm in late-stage human preimplantation embryos, which may promote embryonic differentiation and implantation.

Blastocyst↗

[Therapeutic effect of dihydroartemisinin combined with naphthoquine phosphate in patients with falciparum malaria].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of dihydroartemisinin combined with naphthoquine phosphate in patients with falciparum malaria. METHODS: Patients with Plasmodium falciparum were selected as the subjects, treated with a single dose of dihydroarteminisinin 160 mg combined with naphthoquine phosphate 400 mg (for adults) and followed up in preselective time by blood and temperature examination for 28 days after drug administration. RESULTS: 37 patients with falciparum malaria were treated and followed up. One patient had recrudescence and the cure rate in 28 days was 97.3%(36/37). The mean fever clearance time was (15.8 +/- 8.7) hours; the mean parasite clearance time was (27.6 +/- 13.2) hours; the mean reduction parasite rate in 24 hours was 96.7% +/- 26.5%. No apparent side effect was observed. CONCLUSION: A combination of dihydroartemisinin and naphthoquine is effective for the treatment of patients with falciparum malaria.

Adolescent↗