Biomedical subjects

Ye Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Ye Yang.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Religiosity, psychosocial adjustment, and subjective burden of persons who care for those with mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the nature of religious and spiritual support received by family caregivers of persons with serious mental illness and to test hypotheses that religiosity would be associated with caregiver adjustment. METHODS: Eighty-three caregivers who participated in a study of the Family to Family Education Program of the National Alliance on Mental Illness were assessed at baseline in terms of their religiosity and receipt of spiritual support in coping. They also completed measures of depression, self-esteem, mastery, self-care, and subjective burden. Hierarchical regression was used to test hypotheses that religiosity would be associated with better adjustment, with confounding variables controlled for. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of participants reported that they had received spiritual support in coping with their relative's illness in the previous three months. When age, race, education, and gender were controlled for, religiosity was associated with less depression and better self-esteem and self-care. Personal religiosity was a stronger predictor of adjustment than religious service attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers of persons with serious mental illness often turn to spirituality for support, and religiosity may be an important contributor to caregiver adjustment. Collaborative partnerships between mental health professionals and religious and spiritual communities represent a powerful and culturally sensitive resource for meeting the support needs of family members of persons with serious mental illness.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2005

Simultaneous correction of the influence of skin color and fat on tissue spectroscopy by use of a two-distance fiber-optic probe and orthogonalization technique.

We have demonstrated simultaneous correction for the optical interference of skin and fat in tissue spectra by using a two-distance fiber-optic probe. We obtained the correction by orthogonalizing the spectra collected at a long source-detector distance (SD) to the spectra collected at a short SD and mapped to the long SD space. The method was validated in tissuelike three-layer phantoms as well as preliminarily in human tissue. After the correction, a partial-least-squares model of the phantoms showed enhanced prediction performance.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

Influence of a fat layer on the near infrared spectra of human muscle: quantitative analysis based on two-layered Monte Carlo simulations and phantom experiments.

The influence of fat thickness on the diffuse reflectance spectra of muscle in the near infrared (NIR) region is studied by Monte Carlo simulations of a two-layer structure and with phantom experiments. A polynomial relationship was established between the fat thickness and the detected diffuse reflectance. The influence of a range of optical coefficients (absorption and reduced scattering) for fat and muscle over the known range of human physiological values was also investigated. Subject-to-subject variation in the fat optical coefficients and thickness can be ignored if the fat thickness is less than 5 mm. A method was proposed to correct the fat thickness influence.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

Skin color correction for tissue spectroscopy: demonstration of a novel approach with tissue-mimicking phantoms.

The application of partial least squares (PLS) regression to visible-near-infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy for modeling important blood and tissue parameters is generally complicated by the variation in skin pigmentation (melanin) across the human population. An orthogonal correction method for removing the influence of skin pigmentation has been demonstrated in diffuse reflectance spectra from two-layer tissue-mimicking phantoms. The absorption properties of the phantoms were defined by lyophilized human hemoglobin (bottom layer) and synthetic melanin (top layer). Tissue-like scattering was simulated in both layers with intralipid. The approach uses principal components analysis (PCA) loading vectors from a separate set of phantom spectra that encode the unwanted melanin variation to remove the effect of melanin from the test phantoms. The preprocessing of phantom spectra using this orthogonal correction method resulted in PLS models with reduced complexity and enhanced prediction performance. Preliminary results from a separate study that evaluates the feasibility of defining skin color variation in an experiment with a single human subject are also presented.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

[A comparative study of optic nerve damage between primary open angle glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in the characteristics of optic nerve damage in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHOD: The optic disc parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of 47 eyes of 39 subjects with POAG (IOP > 24 mmHg) and 38 eyes of 32 subjects with NTG (IOP < 21 mmHg) were measured by using a Heidelberg retina tomograph II, color stereo-optic disc photographs, and an Octopus automated perimetry. RESULTS: (1) Rim area, rim/disc area ratios and three sectors except temporal quadrant of optic disc were significantly smaller, whereas C/D was significantly larger in patients with NTG than those of POAG. The mean RNFL thickness and RNFL cross-sectional areas at temporal/interior and temporal/superior in those with NTG were significantly (P < 0.05) smaller than those of POAG. The rim volume was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller and mean cup depth was significantly (P < 0.05) larger in patients with NTG than POAG. (2) The defect types of RNFL: RNFL diffuse loss and local defect ratio were 53.19% and 4.26% in POAG, respectively; while were 21.05% and 55.26% in NTG, respectively. The difference between the proportions of the defect type of RNFL in patients with POAG and those of NTG is statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the varieties of C/D area ratio, rim area, RNFL thickness, and defect types of RNFL with NTG and POAG indicate that the different mechanisms are involved in optic nerve damage in the two types of glaucoma.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in prostate carcinoma tissues and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in prostate carcinoma tissues and its significance. METHODS: RT-PCR method was used to examine the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in normal and carcinomatous prostate tissues. RESULTS: The relative content of TGF-beta1 mRNA of normal prostate tissues was (0.74 +/- 0.11), while those of carcinomatous prostate tissues at T1-T2 and T3-T4 stages were (0.69 +/- 0.10) and (0.44 +/- 0.08) respectively, with significant difference between T1-T2 and T3-T4 (P < 0.05). And the relative contents of TGF-beta1 mRNA of carcinomatous prostate tissues with Gleason score < or = 5, 6-8 and > or = 9 were (0.70 +/- 0.12), (0.54 +/- 0.11) and (0.42 +/- 0.09) respectively. CONCLUSION: The expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was negatively correlated with the clinical stage and Gleason score of prostate carcinoma.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Microbial activity related to N cycling in the rhizosphere of maize stressed by heavy metals.

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to compare differences in potential activities of ammonification, nitrification and denitrification in rhizosphere and bulk soil in a heavy-metal-stressed system. Exchangeable fractions of Cd, Cu and Cr were all higher in the rhizosphere of maize than in bulk soil. Results showed that the mineralization of N in soil was stimulated by low concentration of Cd. Addition of Cd at low levels stimulated the ammonifying and nitrifying activity in soil, while inhibitory influences were shown at high levels. Nitrifying bacteria was proved to be the most sensitive one, whilst the effect on denitrifying bacteria was very limited. Comparing Cd, Cu and Cr(VI) at 20 mg/kg soil, Cd was the most effective inhibitor of ammonification and denitrification, while Cr(VI) had the strongest inhibitory influence on nitrifying activity. Root exudates played important roles on the different exchangeable metal fractions and bacterial activities between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere. Nitrate was the main form of mineral N in soil, as well as the main form of N absorbed by plants, but the formation and relative absorption of ammonium were promoted in response to high Cd exposure.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2004

Do clozapine and risperidone affect social competence and problem solving?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of clozapine and risperidone on social skill and problem solving in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Maryland Assessment of Social Competence were administered at baseline, week 17, and week 29 of a multisite clinical trial. RESULTS: Despite evidence of clinical improvement with both medications, there was virtually no medication effect on either social competence or problem solving. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the circumscribed nature of symptomatic improvement in the broader spectrum of clinical outcomes and suggest that new-generation medications may not be expected to produce substantial changes in social role functioning or social problem-solving capacity in the community. The generalizability of the findings should be viewed cautiously because of the low power of this trial, and replication is warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[EGG and acoustic test for the diagnosis of laryngeal diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between electroglottography/acoustic test parameter and disease diagnosis. METHOD: 3.0 software by Dr. Speech was used to test synchronically the electroglottography and acoustic test parameter of 503 cases so as to make a statistical analysis and comparison. RESULT: The shimmer was similar with the jitter on the inspection of polyp of vocal cord and vocal nodules, but the shimmer was more susceptive than the jitter. Compared with the healthy group, mean F0, jitter and shimmer of polyp of vocal cord increased, while the Harmonic-to-Noise decreased, so did the vocal nodules and carcinoma of larynx. Compared with the normal, the contact index of carcinoma of larynx increased, but the contact quotient remained on the same level. CONCLUSION: EGG, acoustic test number comparison and wave change provide an objective quantized index for the diagnosis of laryngeal diseases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Transplantation of fetal cardiomyocyte regenerates infarcted myocardium in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of fetal cardiomyocyte transplantation into the rat model of myocardial infarction. METHODS: Cardiomyocytes were isolated from aborted human embryos aged 12 - 16 weeks and cultured for 5 days to confirm their viability. Rat model of extensive myocardial infarction (MI) was established in 18 male Wistar rats by ligating the descending anterior branch of left coronary artery and the 18 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: transplantation group (n = 7, 2 x 10(6) fetal cardiomyocytes were transplanted into the myocardial scar) and culture medium injection group (n = 6, culture medium was injected into the myocardial scar) 5 days after extensive MI was caused. Another 6 rats undergoing sham operation were used as controls. Echocardiography was performed before and 60 +/- 3 days after the implantation to assess the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and cardiac function. Then the rats were killed and their heart were harvested to undergo HE staining, immunohistochemical examination with antibody against human alpha-actin smooth muscle (SMA) isoform, and light microscopy. RESULTS: Light microscopy revealed the presence of engrafted human fetal cardiomyocytes in the infarcted myocardium and the presence of nascent intercalated disks connecting the engrafted fetal cardiomyocytes and the host myocardium. The engrafted fetal cardiomyocytes were SMA positive. Serial echocardiography revealed that cell transplantation prevented scar thinning, LV further dilatation and dysfunction while the control animals developed scar thinning, significant LV dilatation accompanied by progressive deterioration in LV contractility. CONCLUSION: Fetal cardiomyocytes can be implanted and survive in the infarcted myocardial cells, thus preventing the scar thinning, and LV further dilatation and dysfunction.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Imaging the internal electronic structure of a surface adsorbate with low energy ions.

Time-of-flight spectra were collected for 2.5 keV 7Li+ backscattered from Fe surfaces covered with submonolayers of iodine. Li singly scattered from the adatoms has a consistently larger neutral fraction than for scattering from the substrate, implying a region of positive charge atop the iodine. The neutral fraction decreases for off-normal exit angles, indicating a nonuniform charge distribution around the polarizable adsorbates. This demonstrates that ion scattering can image the internal electronic structure of an adatom and provides an explanation for anomalous work function changes.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

[Study on the insulin and insulin receptor in the progression of renal ischemic and reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of insulin and it's receptor on the kidney of rabbit with acute ischemic/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Twenty three Japanese white rabbits were allocated randomly into the control group, ischemic/reperfusion group(IR group), and insulin treatment group(Ins-IR group). The IR group received clamping for 1 h followed by 2 h or 48 h of reperfusion. In the Ins-IR group, insulin injection (Ins 3U/kg, glucose 1.5 g/kg, K+ 4 mg/kg, Mg2+ 1.7 mg/kg) was administered intravenously twice a day for two days, whereas only normal saline in equal amount was given to the IR group and control group. At 2 h or 48 h after reperfusion, glucose and insulin in serum were determined. Rough plasma of renal tissue was prepared by repeated centrifugation. Insulin receptor in renal tissue was analyzed by radiologand binding assay. The binding data were calculated according to Scatchard using the ligand program. Statistical significance was analyzed with the paired t-test. RESULTS: The level of blood glucose increased after 2 h reperfusion in three groups, but the level in IR group increased much higher than those in control and Ins-IR groups(P < 0.05). The level of serum insulin of IR group after 2 h reperfusion was significantly higher than that of control (P < 0.05). Scatchard analysis showed curvilinear profiles, indicating that there are two classes of receptors with different affinity or the presence of a single class of receptors with a negative cooperative hormone-receptor interaction. Data analyzed by a two-site model showed that the values of Bmax1 (high affinity site), Bmax2 (low affinity site) and Kd1, Kd2 after 2 h reperfusion were significantly lower than those of control (P < 0.05). In IR-Ins group, only Bmax2 decreased (P < 0.05, compared with control). 48 h after IR there was no difference in Bmax1, Kd1 between the 3 groups, but Bmax2 of IR-Ins group was still lower than that of control (P < 0.001) and IR group (P < 0.05). The Kd2 of IR group increased (P < 0.05 compared with control and IR-Ins group). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the effect of intrinsic insulin decreases during renal ischemic/reperfusion. The extrinsic insulin can protect renal tissue through its high affinity receptor. There exits down-regulation of low affinity receptor but none of high affinity receptor during insulin treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[The plasma levels of proinsulin and true insulin and the effects of ramipril in hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the dynamic changes of plasma proinsulin (PI) and true insulin (TI) and their relation with essential hypertension (EH) as well as to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ramipril. METHODS: PI, TI and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were measured in 44 cases of EH, 24 normal subjects and 21 cases of EH before and after treatment with ramipril. RESULTS: The mean plasma level of PI and IRI in EH was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01); there was no significant difference in the level of TI (P > 0.05). PI was positively related to TI, There was no significant relation between PI with SBP and DBP. Plasma concentration of IRI and PI (P < 0.05), decreased remarkably, but the level of TI remained unchanged after therapy with ramipril (n = 21). CONCLUSION: The plasma concentration of PI is elevated in patients with EH due probably to impaired function of beta-cells of the pancreatic islets. Ramipril can decrease the level of PI and improve pancreatic beta cell function.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Influence of pH control on the production of curdlan by Alcaligenes faecalis strain].

A two-stage pH control method was employed in batch fermentation of curdlan by Alcaligenes faecalis WX-C12 where cell-growth stage was constantly controlled at pH 7.0 and stationary stage was controlled at a constant pH as well. The influence of pH control on the curdlan production was investigated. The optimal pH control of batch process for curdlan production was obtained when cell-growth stage was controlled at pH 7.0 and stationary stage was constantly controlled at pH 5.6. Production and productivity of curdlan, QP and YP/S reached 28.19 g/L, 291 mg/(L.h), 132.27 mg/(L.h.g) and 0.659, an improvement of 20.4%, 38.1%, 38.1% and 29.5% compared to a pH uncontrolled operation respectively.

Alcaligenes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Blood cell counting and classification by nonflowing laser light scattering method.

We present a nonflowing laser light scattering method for automatically counting and classifying blood cells. A linear charge-coupled device (CCD) and a silicon photoelectric cell (which is placed behind a pinhole plate on the CCD) form a double-detector structure: the CCD is used to detect the scattered light intensity distribution of the blood cells and the silicon photoelectric cell to complete the focusing process. An isotropic sphere, with relative refractivity near 1, is used to model the blood cell. Mie theory is used to describe the scattering of white blood cells and platelets, and anomalous diffraction, red blood cells. To obtain the size distribution of blood cells from their scattered light intensity distribution, the nonnegative constraint least-squares (NNLS) method combined with the Powell method and the precision punishment method are used. Both numerical simulation and experimental results are presented. This method can be used not only to measure the mean and the distribution of red blood cell size, but also to divide the white blood cells into three classes: lymphocytes, middle-sized cells, and neutrocytes. The experimental results show a linear relationship between the blood cell (both white and red blood cells) concentration and the scattered light intensity, and therefore, the number of blood cells in a unit volume can be determined from this relationship.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physical activity patterns among women in rural Alabama.

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors associated with physically active women in a rural community. METHODS: Physical activity patterns were assessed in 585 women in rural Alabama. RESULTS: When combining leisure and nonleisure activities, 68% of women reported > or = 150 minutes per week. Active African American women tended to be younger (AOR 0.97), married (AOR 1.75), less likely to report arthritis (AOR 0.58), or give health (AOR 0.30) or motivational reasons (AOR 0.39) for not being more active; active white women were less likely to report lower health perception (AOR 0.51). CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in factors associated with higher activity levels need to be considered in physical activity interventions.

Adult↗