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Biomedical subjects

Ye Wu

Publications and source records attributed to Ye Wu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Trends in anthropogenic mercury emissions in China from 1995 to 2003.

We have developed multiple-year inventories of anthropogenic mercury emissions in China for 1995 through 2003. We estimate that total Hg emissions from all anthropogenic sources increased at an average annual rate of 2.9% during the period 1995-2003, reaching 696 (+/- 307) t in 2003, with a speciation split of 395 t of Hg0, 230 t of Hg2+, and 70 t of Hg(p). Nonferrous metals smelting and coal combustion continue to be the two leading mercury sources in China, as nonferrous metals production and coal consumption keep increasing. Nonferrous metals smelting and coal combustion together contributed approximately 80% of total Hg emissions during the past decade. Hg emissions from coal combustion increased from 202 t in 1995 to 257 t in 2003 at an average annual rate of 3.0%. Among all of the coal consumption sectors, the power sector is the leading one in Hg emissions growth, up by 5.9% annually. Hg emissions from nonferrous metals smelting increased from 230 t in 1995 to 321 t in 2003 at an average annual rate of 4.2%. Although Hg emissions related to gold smelting decreased since 1996, other nonferrous metals such as zinc, lead, and copper contributed significant Hg growth at annual rates of 8.5%, 13.0%, and 6.9%, respectively. At provincial level, the trends of Hg emissions show significant variation. The uncertainty level decreased from +/- 78% (95% confidence interval) in the estimate of total emissions in 1995, to +/- 44% in 2003. This is primarily attributed to the decreased emissions from those Hg sources with the largest uncertainty in both activity levels and emission factors, such as artisanal gold smelting, mercury mining, and battery/fluorescent lamp production.

China↗
PubMed2006

Y55 and D78 are crucial amino acid residues of a new IgE epitope on trichosanthin.

Trichosanthin (TCS) possesses many biological and pharmaceutical activities, but its strong immunogenicity limits its clinical application. To reduce the immunogenicity of TCS, we modified the reported method for the prediction of antigenic site and identified two crucial amino acid residues (Y55 and D78) for a new epitope. We mutated these two residues into glycine and serine, respectively, and obtained three mutants, Y55G, D78S, and Y55G/D78S. These mutants induced less amount of Ig and IgG antibodies in C57BL/6J mice than wild-type TCS (wTCS) (p<0.01) and almost lost the ability to induce IgE antibody production. The mutants stimulated fewer TCS-specific B cells in C57BL/6J mice than wTCS (p<0.01). Compared with wTCS, Y55G, D78S, and Y55G/D78S lost 26.9%, 17.9%, and 98.7% specific binding ability to anti-TCS monoclonal antibody TCS4E9, respectively. These mutants still retained RNA N-glycosidase activity. In conclusion, Y55 and D78 are two crucial amino acid residues of a new IgE epitope on TCS, and their mutation reduces the immunogenicity of TCS, but still retained the enzymatic activity.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2006

The genotype and phenotype studies of 40 Chinese patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD).

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the phenotype and the genotype-phenotype correlations in Chinese patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). METHODS: Clinical features of 40 Chinese patients with X-ALD were studied and mutation spectrums were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. RESULTS: Among these patients, four were siblings from two unrelated families, the others were unrelated. There were 31 cases with childhood cerebral (CCALD), 8 cases with adolescent cerebral (ACALD) and 1 case with adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). Visual impairment, which presented in 12 cases (30%), was the most common initial symptom. Nine (69%) of 13 cases who had hydrocortisone and ACTH measured showed adrenal insufficiency. By follow-up date, 19 cases (47.5%) were dead. The interval from onset to death varied from 1 to 6 years and the average were 3.3 years. The mean age at death was 10.5 years. Eleven cases (27.5%) were in vegetable state. The mean interval from onset to apparently vegetable state was 2.8 years (range from 1 to 6 years). Four cases had progressive neurological disability. Four cases were lost follow-up. One case with CCALD and one case with ACALD progressed slowly. The courses of the disease of these two patients were 5 years and 15 years respectively. Thirty five mutations were identified in 40 cases. Most were located within exon 1-3 (40%, 16/40) and exon 6-8 (42%, 17/40). There is a distinct clustering of missense mutations in exon 6 (17%, 7/40). Five types of mutations were associated with CCALD, three with ACALD and a missense mutation was identified in the patients with AMN. The two patients with long disease courses had a missense mutation c.1559 T>A and a nonsense mutation c.1785 G>A respectively. The siblings with similar manifestations and onset age were observed in two families, whose mutations were c.887 A>G and c.1028 G>T. CONCLUSION: The phenotypes, disease severity and rate of neurodegeneration could not be predicted by the nature of mutations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of Landau-Kleffner syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics, therapeutic response and long-term prognosis of Landau Kleffner syndrome (LKS). METHODS: The clinical and EEG data of 10 children with LKS were analyzed, and therapeutic response and long-term outcome were followed up. RESULTS: The age of onset was from 2 to 10.5 years of age. All patients had acquired aphasia, characterized by verbal auditory agnosia. All patients had epileptic seizures. Partial motor seizures during sleep occurred in 8 patients, and other seizure type including atypical absence seizure and generalized tonic-clonic seizure were also observed. Psychological and behavioral abnormalities occurred in 9 patients. There were no abnormalities of hearing and neuro-imaging tests in all patients, and family histories were negative. All the patients had EEG abnormalities. Focal spike and waves of temporal lobe were recorded in 9 patients. Electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES) was observed on Video-EEG (VEEG) monitoring in 4 patients. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) showed favorable effects on epileptic seizures, but no effects on aphasia. All patients responded to corticosteroid, and got language improved. Eight patients were followed up for long-term outcome. All patients were seizure free, while the level of language development was abnormal in 5 patients. The VEEG follow-up was conducted in 6 patients. Continuous epileptic discharges in slow sleep recurred in 2 patients after the discontinuation of steroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: LKS is one of the childhood epileptic encephalopathy, and acquired aphasia and epileptic seizures are two main clinical characteristics. Aphasia is characterized by verbal auditory agnosia. Psychological and behavioral abnormalities are very common in children with LKS. Focal epileptic discharges were often located in temporal area, and usually generalized, and could be continuous during sleep. AEDs could control seizure but had no effects on aphasia. Early use of full dose corticosteroids could improve the language significantly. Long-term follow up showed that language impairments often remained, but the outcome in terms of EEG and epileptic seizure was good.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2006

[Analysis of ARSA mutations in a Chinese family with metachromatic leukodystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To identify arylsulftase A gene (ARSA) mutations in a Chinese family with MLD. METHODS: There were two MLD patients in the investigated family. The proband, an 11-year-old girl, was well until the age of 5 years, when she began to experience difficult walking and mental regression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her brain showed widespread demyelination, nerve conduction velocity reduced, and ASA activity measured in white blood cells was zero. So, the child was diagnosed having MLD. The proband's young brother also got the same phenotype except clinical symptom being milder than hers. Their parents and elder sister all had normal phenotypes. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral bloods of the proband and all her family members. All 8 exons and exon-intron boundaries of ARSA gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and followed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Two heterozygous mutations of ARSA, which were named as, G251A (R84Q) and G296T (G99V) were identified in the proband. The two mutations were located in exon 2. The same genotype was found in the proband's young brother, but these mutations were not detected in proband's elder sister. The proband's mother had the heterozygous mutations G296T (G99V), and her father had the heterozygous mutation G251A (R84Q). CONCLUSION: These two MLD patients are with both compound heterozygous mutations, which mean one allele with the G296T (G99V) mutation was from their mother, and the other allele with the G251A (R84Q) mutation got from their father. The parents are both carrier with normal phenotype.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

[A new kind of grade system for thoracic pedicle screw placement and its clinical purpose].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new kind of grade system for thoracic pedicle screws placement by performing postoperative computerized tomography (CT) scanning and discussion the clinical purpose. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty thoracic pedicle screws were implanted in 64 patients with the assistance of fluoroscopy. Postoperative CT scanning was conducted to determine a grade for each screw: Part A, screw entirely contained within pedicle; Part B(1), violate lateral or upper pedicle but screw tip entirely contained within the vertebral body (VB); Part B(2), violate medial or inferior of pedicle; Part B(3), tip penetrated anterior or lateral VB; Part C, violate pedicle or VB and endangers spinal cord, nerve roots, or great vessels. Based on anatomical morphometry, thoracic vertebral were subdivided into upper (T(1 - 2)), middle (T(3 - 6)), and lower (T(7 - 12)) regions. The mean follow-up period was 25.8 months. RESULTS: The postoperative CT scanning-documented grade were determined: Part A, 367 screws (81.6%); Part B, 78 (17.3%), B(1) 40 (8.1%); Part B(2), 23 (5.1%); Part B(3), 15 (3.4%); Part C, 5 (1.1%). There were not significant difference between upper and lower thoracic that the placement of pedicle screws in part B or C. In part C, 5 pedicle screws were all in the middle thoracic. CONCLUSION: Postoperative CT scanning should be considered as a routine examination for evaluating thoracic pedicle screw placement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

ABCD1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) protein gene ABCD1. This study used direct sequencing of genomic polymerase chain reaction products to perform mutational analysis of ABCD1 in 34 unrelated Chinese X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy patients and 27 of their maternal relatives. Thirty-two different mutations were identified in 34 patients. Most of the mutations (62.5%, 20/32) were missense mutations, six of which are novel. One novel single nucleotide polymorphism, c.1047 C>A, was also found in three patients and their mothers, which can also be observed in 1 of 120 normal control alleles. Two synonymous mutations (p.L516L and p.V349V) appeared in two unrelated patients, and no other mutations were evident after screening the gene's 10 exons. Seventeen of the probands' mothers were found to be heterozygous for the same mutations present in their sons' ABCD1 gene. Eight of the 10 screened sisters and cousins were identified as carriers. There were no hot spot mutations in the ABCD1 gene of Chinese patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. However, over half of the mutations (19/34) were located in exon 1 and exon 6, suggesting possible hot exons. No obvious relationship between genotype and phenotype was observed.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Mem↗
PubMed2005

[Screening for carrier and prenatal diagnosis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common peroxisomal disorder characterized by progressive demyelination of the central nervous system, adrenal cortex insufficiency and accumulation of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in tissues and body fluids due to the impaired beta-oxidation in peroxisomes. X-ALD shows a wide range of phenotypic variation. Childhood cerebral form (CCER) is the most common phenotype with severe neurological symptoms and often the average interval from onset to total disability or death is 3 years. So far no effective treatment is available for the underlying defect. Screening for carriers of mutated relevant gene and prenatal diagnosis are very important for the prevention of the disease. In this study, the authors explored the method of carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis of X-ALD. METHODS: The plasma VLCFAs levels of 83 suspected carriers for ALD were determined by using GC/MS and ABCD1 gene mutational analysis was performed in 31 of them. Amniocentesis was performed in 9 suspected carriers for ALD during 18 - 30 gestational weeks. The VLCFAs level of cultured amniocytes was tested with GC/MS. ABCD1 gene mutational analysis was performed on two cases (one was a male and the other a female) whose VLCFAs levels of amniocytes were found elevated. The plasma VLCFAs levels were measured in five of the nine prenatally diagnosed children when they were 1 day to 3.5 years old. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 83 suspected carriers had high plasma VLCFAs levels; 29 of 31 suspected carriers showed ABCD1 gene mutation. Among the nine fetuses, four were males and five were females. The VLCFAs levels of the cultured amniocytes were high in two cases, one was female and the other a male. ABCD1 gene mutational analysis of these two cases showed a 871G > A (E291K) mutation and a 726G > A (W242X) mutation, respectively, which confirmed the biochemical result. The VLCFAs levels were normal in the rest of cases and five of them were confirmed by postnatal plasma VLCFAs assay. CONCLUSION: The carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis are very important for prevention of the X-ALD. Only the combined use of plasma VLCFAs level analysis and ABCD1 gene mutational analysis could detect X-ALD carriers correctly. ABCD1 gene mutational analysis and postnatal plasma VLCFAs level test verified that amniocytes VLCFAs level analysis is a reliable prenatal diagnostic method for this disease.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Mem↗
PubMed2005

[Development of mercury emission inventory from coal combustion in China].

Mercury emission inventory by province from coal combustion in China was developed by combining fuel consumption, mercury content in fuel and emission factors after combustion in this study. The study is intended to provide an understanding of mercury transformation, transportation and deposition in atmosphere, as well as propose measures to control mercury pollution in China. Mercury emission sources were classified into 65 categories by economic sectors, fuel types, boiler types and pollution control technologies. For two different data sets of mercury content in coal the total amounts of mercury released into atmosphere in 2000 in China were estimated at about 161.6 tons and 219.5 tons, respectively. The biggest three source sectors were industry, power plants, and residential use, contributing 46%, 35% and 14% of total mercury emissions, respectively. The shares of elemental mercury (Hg0), oxidized mercury (Hg2+ ) and particulate mercury (Hgp) were 16% , 61% and 23% , respectively. The spatial distribution of mercury emissions from coal combustion in China is not uniform. Henan, Shanxi, Hebei, Liaoning and Jiangsu contributed large amounts of mercury emissions, exceeding 10t x a(- 1).

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

[Long term survival results in advanced prostate cancer treated with combined androgen blockade].

OBJECTIVE: To understand long-term survival rate after combined androgen blockade (CAB) in patients with advanced prostate cancer. METHODS: A selected population of 59 patients with advanced prostate cancer were treated with CAB. 28.81% (17/59) of patients had clinical locally advanced disease (stage T3-4N0M0), and 45.76% (27/59) of patients had metastatic disease (stage TxNxM+). Overall, patients were followed for a median of 62 (range 6-136) months. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients with advanced prostate cancer, 3-year, 5-year and 7-year overall survival rates were 79.36%, 61.46% and 49.15%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate were 80.77% and 32.65% for clinical locally advanced disease and metastatic disease. Specifically, men with poorly differentiated prostate cancer had a 5-year survival of only 30% when compared with men with well-differentiated prostate disease who had a 5-year survival of 86.21%. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, men with poorly differentiated cancer, stage T3c-4NxMx or TxNxM+ and PSA level above 30 microg/L had a high probability of dying from their advanced prostate cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Tissue lipopolysaccharide-binding protein expression in rats after thermal injury: potential role of TNF-alpha.

Recent studies have suggested that levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) might play a harmful role by up-regulating the host's sensitivity to endotoxin. Our previous studies demonstrated that local endotoxin could up-regulate LBP expression after acute insults, however, the definite molecular mechanisms downstream of endotoxin action remain unclear. This study investigates whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) might be responsible for the LBP formation during endogenous endotoxemia postburn. Wistar rats were anesthetized, and a 35% TBSA full-thickness burn was created. Animals were randomly divided into normal control, thermal injury and anti-TNF-alpha mAb treatment group. A significant elevation of plasma endotoxin concentration was observed after acute insults. TNF-alpha levels in plasma also rapidly increased after thermal injury. Meanwhile, LBP mRNA expression markedly increased in liver, lungs, kidneys and intestine postburn. There was no detectable TNF-alpha in the plasma of anti-TNF-alpha mAb treated animals. Treatment with anti-TNF-alpha mAb also resulted in significantly lower concentrations of LBP mRNA in local tissues. Additionally, several organ function parameter levels in plasma significantly decreased in treatment group. These results demonstrated that an increase of plasma TNF-alpha levels caused by burns might be associated with a marked elevation of tissue LBP mRNA expression, which could contribute to the development of multiple organ damage.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2004

Measurement of flow modification in phantom aneurysm model: comparison of coils and a longitudinally and axially asymmetric stent--initial findings.

Dye-dilution imaging sequences were performed and time-density curves were constructed in elastomer vessel aneurysm models to demonstrate the effectiveness of coils and an asymmetric stent in disrupting standard vortex flow. Compared with the use of coils, the use of stents led to marked flow modification, as seen with imaging sequences, and substantially slower inflow, as indicated by time-density curves, owing to the low-porosity region of the stent that covers the aneurysm orifice. These flow examination results indicate that potentially favorable flow modification features can be created by using the described asymmetric stent design, the use of which may lead to alternative methods of image-guided endovascular cerebral aneurysm therapy.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation↗
PubMed2004

[X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy ABCD1 gene mutation analysis in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mutations of ABCD1 gene in X- linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) patients in China. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction and DNA direct sequencing were employed to analyze the 10 exons of ABCD1 gene in 25 ALD patients. RESULTS: Seventeen mutations in different exons (except exons 4, 9 and 10) were identified in 18 of 25 patients. Most of the mutations were missense mutations, including R182P, G266R, H283D, S404P, N509I, R518G, L520Q, Q556R, S606L and R617C, four (H283D, S40 4P, N509I, R518G) of 10 missense mutations were novel. Also identified were 3 nonsense mutations (W132X, W242X, W595X), 1 dinucleotides deletion mutation (1414 del AG) resulting in frameshift, and 1 base pair deletion at splice acceptor site (IVS5-6 del C). Two synonymous mutations (L516L and V349V) appeared simultaneously in 2 unrelated patients, and no other mutations could be found with them in all 10 exons screened. CONCLUSION: There were no hot spot mutations in ABCD1 gene in China. Mutations in gene were found over 70% of patients with ALD in China. The ABCD1 gene mutations identified revealed no obvious correlation between the type of mutation and phenotype.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Mem↗
PubMed2004

[Relationship between tibia callus diameter ratio and prognosis during tibia lengthening].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the tibia callus diameter ratio (CDR) and prognosis during tibial distraction and the occurrence of late deformity or fracture. METHODS: We measured tibial lengthening callus diameter and added up the cases of angular deformity and fracture in 68 cases from January 1996 to December 2001, to calculated callus diameter ratios and compare the relationship between the tibia callus diameter during tibial distraction and the occurrence of late callus angular deformity or fracture. RESULTS: In 23 cases of CDR < 80%, 13 cases had new bone fracture, 21 cases had angular deformity > 5 degree. In 6 cases of 81% < CDR < 85%, there were 4 cases of angular deformity > 5 degree. In the other 39 cases of CDR > 85%, there were no fracture and angular deformity. CONCLUSION: When the CDR was > 85%, there were no angular deformity and fracture, but when the CDR was < 80%, the complications of fracture and angular deformity occur. CDR is a better alarming index for preventing the complications occurring in tibial lengthening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Re-evaluation of marketed chemical drugs and biological products of therapeutic - a systematic review of literature].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current status on re-evaluation of marketed drug in China since the promulgation of drug law in 1985. METHODS: Review of literature on Chinese pharmaceutical abstract and CBMdisc from 1985 to 2001 year was done. RESULTS: 4029 papers and 855 marketed drugs from 1985 to 2001 were included. Drugs on anti-infection agent, cardiovascular system and digestive system were the main drugs being re-evaluated, with the proportions of 27.1%, 20.1% and 11.1% respectively. The amounts of both marketed drugs and literature were increasing year by year. The method used for re-evaluation were random and non-random clinical trial. 41.4% of all the samples had a sample size of 50 - 100 research subjects. There were 13 papers with more than 5000 samples. The level on evidence based literature was assessed. 44 papers were graded as first class, and 182 papers the second, 2466 papers the third and 1337 papers the fourth. The quality of literature was improved year by year. CONCLUSION: The amount, quality as well as the sample size of literature being re-evaluated on marketed drug were increased from 1985 to 2001. However, the design and evaluation of those trials were not standardized.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2004

[Study on on-board measurements and modeling of vehicular emissions].

It's a basic work to study the characteristics of vehicular emissions and give emission factors for development of vehicular emission inventory and decision-making of the control strategies. On-board emission measurements of on-road vehicles are regarded as important complementary to emission laboratory dynamometer tests. On-board exhaust emission measurements were conducted on seven samples of gasoline cars in a typical road in Macao, using AVL DiGas 4000 light five-gas analyzer. It was found that there was an obvious reduction of gaseous pollutant emissions from cars equipped with electronic fuel injection and three-way catalytic converter system (referred to as EFI cars in the following), compared to old carburetor cars. The average volume concentrations of CO, HC and NO of carburetor cars were 227 x 10(-6), 1.57% and 1477 x 10(-6), respectively, while those of EFI cars were 33 x 10(-6), 0.21% and 131 x 10(-6), which were about 1/11 through 1/7 of the former. However, there were high emissions during the cold start of EFI cars. The arithmetical mean concentrations of CO and NO emissions of EFI cars were calculated and their absolute values were predominantly contributed by high concentrations with low frequency. Furthermore, the emission factors of gasoline cars were estimated by test data, and at the same time, MOBILES model was used to calculate average emission factors of gasoline cars in Macao in 2000. The ratios between the results calculated by model and estimated by experiment data were in the range of 59%-139%, which would narrow into 68%-132% if only annual average emission factors were compared. The results suggest that EFI + TWC systems equipped in vehicles have good effect on the emission reduction, but catalytic converters are not activated during the cold start. Technical improvement of EFI cars, which could reduce the occurrence of high emissions with low frequency during the operation, would decrease their average level on exhaust emissions a lot. Furthermore, it's reliable that the emission factors of gasoline cars in Macao calculated by modified MOBILES model.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Chemical characteristics of airborne particulate matter near major roads and at background locations in Macao, China.

PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected near major roads and at the background locations in Macao using a TEOM1400a+ACCU system. The chemical analysis of these particles indicated the presence of 36 elements, water-soluble ions and carbonaceous species. The greatest contributors to total PM10 and PM2.5 mass were OC, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, EC, Na, Cl and crustal elements including Si, Ca, Al, Fe, K and Mg. Organic material is the largest single fraction of airborne particulate matter in Macao. It contributes 32.8-41.5% and 38.2-48.4% of PM10 and PM2.5 at the roadsides, and as high as 29.7% and 33.4-39.4% of PM10 and PM2.5 at background locations, respectively. EC contributes 3.7-7.8% and 8.0-12.9% of PM10 and PM2.5, and crustal material is 10.2-15.4% and 7.6-12.2% of PM10 and PM2.5 near major roads, respectively. The share of EC at background locations is much lower than that at the roadsides, however, the contribution of crustal material is the same in both locations. At the roadsides, secondary aerosols, including sulfate, nitrate and ammonium, account for 16.6-29.0% and 15.8-38.0% of the total PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, as compared to 29.1-36.2% and 23.2-33.8% of total PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, at background locations. In PM2.5, Na and Cl contribute 1-3%, while the average amount of these two elements increase to 1-15% of the total PM10 in Macao.

Journal Article↗