Biomedical subjects

Z Shi

Publications and source records attributed to Z Shi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Arterial patterns in the thoracic and abdominal segments of the esophagus: anatomy and clinical significance.

Cadaver studies were made to obtain more details about the arterial patterns in the thoracic and abdominal segments of the esophagus, with emphasis on the arterial supply to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The results showed that the inferior thoracic segment of the esophagus usually received blood supply from a single artery, with an average diameter of 1.42 +/- 0.49 mm (X +/- s), whereas the abdominal segment was commonly supplied by two arteries. The abdominal esophageal arteries coming from the left gastric artery were semi-circular in shape with an average diameter of 2.06 +/- 0.70 mm. From these semi-circular esophageal arteries, 3 to 8 smaller arteries branched off and penetrated into the muscle of the abdominal segment of the esophagus or anastomosed with arterial branches from the inferior thoracic segment. Thus, the blood supply of the abdominal segment was richer than that of the inferior thoracic segment. This richness of blood supply, characterized by semicircular esophageal arteries in the abdominal segment, may be important for the function of the LES.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Space flight experiment on Chinese silkworm on board the Russian 10th Biosatellite.

Space flight experiments on Chinese silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) were conducted on board the Russian 10th Biosatellite for 12 days. The samples included silkworm eggs, larvae, cocoons, pupae and moths. The processes of spinning, cocooning, mating, oviposition, larval hatching, pupation and moth emergence all completed well in space. The following effects of space flight on silkworm development were observed: The times of hatching and oviposition in the flight group were 2 to 3 days earlier than in the control group; the hatching rate of diapause eggs during space flight seemed higher than that of the control group; the life span of 2 of the 7 varieties flown was shortened; genetical variations appeared in 3 varieties. The results showed that the embryonic stage was probably the period most sensitive to the space flight environment.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Improving the fixation method for preimplantation genetic diagnosis by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to modify a fixation method using Tween-20 and HCl (TH) and to compare it with a protocol using methanol and acetic acid (MA) for the improvement of preimplantation genetic diagnosis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). METHODS: Single blastomeres were allocated to either the TH or the MA procedure. The two methods were compared to evaluate efficiency of fixation and the intensities of FISH signals. RESULTS: With the TH method, 123 (93.9%) of 131 blastomeres were fixed, while only 95 (78.5%) of 121 were fixed with MA. Average scores for the intensity of FISH signals were significantly stronger for TH than for MA (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in signal intensity scores between the two methods for type-3 nuclei. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that not only are fewer nuclei lost during fixation but also stronger FISH signals can be obtained with the TH method. Thus, modified TH can improve the overall efficiency of preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMed1998

Interactions between spore morphogenetic mutations affect cell types, sporulation, and pathogenesis in Magnaporthe grisea.

We have previously defined four single-gene mutations, con1, con2, con4, and con7, that control various stages of spore morphogenesis in the rice blast fungus. To delineate the developmental pathway of spore morphogenesis, we investigated the interactions among these morphogenetic genes by generating strains with double mutations via transformation-mediated gene disruption. Plasmids containing portions of the inactivated CON4 and CON7 genes were introduced into strains harboring single mutation to produce double mutants. Interaction between con1 and con4 resulted in reduced vegetative growth and suppression of sporulation. Interaction between con1 and con7 suppressed spore production but not vegetative growth. The con2/con4 and con4/con7 double mutants produced hybrid spore types with characteristic features of both parental mutants. The con2/con7 mutant produced con2 type spores, indicating that con2 is epistatic to con7 in spore morphogenesis. The epistatic relationship, however, reversed when traits related to pathogenesis were considered. Double mutants harboring the con7 mutation could not form appressoria or colonize plant tissue, indicating that con7 is epistatic to con2 and con4 in appressorium formation and pathogenesis. Thus, morphogenetic genes interact at multiple levels leading to different epistatic relationships in the pathways of spore morphogenesis, appressorium formation, and pathogenesis.

Ascomycota↗

PubMed1998

[Study on health status of 3,333 old people in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province].

In order to study the health status of 3,333 old people (over 60) in Chengdu city, a survey was carried out from May 1996 to Nov. 1996. Results revealed that 79.4% of old people had a history of chronic diseases. The first ten common chronic diseases were stated as follows: rheumatic arthritis, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, chronic bronchitis, cataract, chronic gastritis, osteoarthrosis, asthma and diabetes mellitus. There were significant differences of body weight index, vision and auditus disorder among old people according to their age (P < 0.01). As ageing grows, old people's physical condition and daily-life-capacity decline. In order to improve the quality of life among the aged, following aspects as popularizing health education on self care, strengthening programs on prevention and care of chronic diseases, expanding the medical and nursing services in community and easier access to hospitalization etc should be promoted.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

The role of gut as a cytokine-generating organ in remote organ dysfunction after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that in a rat model of acute intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, endotoxemia from the gastrointestinal tract would play a role in mediating tumor necrosis factor (TNF) response and remote organ dysfunction. METHODS: Wistar rats underwent 45 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. The rats were treated intravenously with either TNF monoclonal antibody (MoAb) or saline solution 90 minutes prior to the onset of ischemia. RESULTS: Significant elevation of plasma TNF level in both portal and systemic circulation was detected immediately after the onset of reperfusion. The level peaked at two hours after reperfusion (P < 0.01). Similarly, a remarkable TNF mRNA expression in the intestine in controls was detected at 0.5 hour post-reperfusion, and sustained a marked elevation throughout the observation period (P < 0.05-0.01). TNF elevation was found associated with gut-origin endotoxemia, and the maximal TNF response occurred approximately 0.5-2 hours after the initial appearance of endotoxin in the portal vein. Concomitantly, multiple organ dysfunction in response to local ischemic insult was also observed in untreated controls upon reperfusion, but it was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with MoAb against TNF. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal injury can result in the gut becoming a cytokine-liberating organ. The escape of endotoxin and bacteria from the gut may be responsible for the TNF expression and release, which would be an important mechanism underlying pathophysiological alterations associated with intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Determination of avermictin in avermictin tablet by high performance liquid chromatography].

A method for the separation and determination of avermictin in avermictin tablet by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was developed. Operating conditions were as follows: TSK-GEL C18 column, 250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d., MeOH-H2O (75:25, V/V) mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and UV detection at 245 nm. The results showed that the active constituents avermictin B1a and B1b can by separated effectively. The relative standard deviations were 2.56% and 1.31%, respectively (n = 6). The method is accurate, rapid and simple, and provides a scientific basis for industrial production and quality control of avermictin tablet.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Antigen-induced airway leakage in asthmatic guinea-pigs and the effects of BRL 55834].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the role of airway leakage in asthma attack and investigate the effects of BRL 55834 on prophylaxis and treatment of asthma. METHOD: Ten normal and seventeen sensitized guinea-pigs were divided into 5 groups. After being anesthetized, right carotid artery, right jugular vein and trachea were cannulated to monitor systemic blood pressure, inject drugs, mechanical ventilate and record airway insufflation pressure (AIP). All animals were pretreated with atropine and propranolol (1 mg/kg) 30 min before experiment. DMSO or BRL 55834 was administered intravenously 2 min before intravenous injection of evans blue (EB, 30 mg/kg), Ovalbumin (OA, 3 mg/ml) was inhaled using an ultrasonic nebulier for 30 seconds 1 min after injection of EB. RESULT: (1) BRL 55834 (8 micrograms/kg) did not inhibit airway leakage in normal guinea-pig; (2) Airway leakage increased in sensitized guinea-pigs significantly after inhaling OA, 87 +/- 19 ng dye/mg tissue vs 53 +/- 7 ng dye/mg tissue in trachea (Tr); 119 +/- 67 ng dye/mg tissue vs 79 +/- 46 ng dye/mg tissue in main bronchus (MB); 65 +/- 44 ng dye/mg tissue vs 46 +/- 17 ng dye/mg tissue in central pulmonary airway (CiPA) and 50 +/- 31 ng dye/mg tissue vs 32 +/- 4 ng dye/mg tissue in peripheral pulmonary airway (PiPA, P < 0.05). (3) BRL 55834 inhibited airway leakage contrast to DMSO, especially in CiPA and PiPA, with an inhibition of 48% (Tr, P < 0.05), 57% (MB, P < 0.01), 44% (CiPA, P < 0.05), and 46% (PiPA, P < 0.05) after injection of BRL 55834 8 micrograms/kg, and 46% (Tr, P < 0.05), 57% (MB, P < 0.01), 56%(CiPA, P < 0.01) and 55% (PiPA, P < 0.01) after injection of BRL 55834 16 micrograms/kg, respectively. (4) BRL 55834 decreased base AIP in all groups, and inhibited OA-induced AIP increasing in sensitized guinea-pigs, with an inhibition of 49% (BRL 55834 8 micrograms/kg) and 57% (BRL 55834 16 micrograms/kg) in contrast to DMSO. BRL 55834 had a little side-effect on cardiovascular system, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Airway leakage is one of the most important components in asthma attack, BRL 55834, a selective potassium channel activator, not only decreases airway leakage, but also inhibits OA-induced increase in airway resistance. All these are beneficial to prophylaxis and treatment of asthma.

Airway Resistance↗

PubMed1998

[Effect of xuefu zhuyu pill on blood stasis syndrome and risk factor of atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Xuefuzhuyu Pill (XFZYP) on blood stasis syndrome and risk factor of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients of atherosclerosis were randomly divided into XFZYP group (30 cases) and aspirin group (27 cases) treated with XFZYP (6 g, three times daily) and aspirin (40 mg per day) oral taken respectively for one month. RESULTS: XFZYP could improve blood stasis syndrome of patients (P < 0.01) and reduced the level of risk factor of atherosclerosis, including high blood cholesterol (P < 0.01), oxidation of low density lipoprotein (P < 0.05) and plasma granule membrane protein alpha (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: XFZYP is beneficial to retard the progress of atherosclerosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Treatment of hemorrhoid of III, IV stage by four steps injection of xiaozhiling].

OBJECTIVE: To find a new method of non-operation treatment of hemorrhoid in III, IV stage. METHODS: Based on the principle "sore herbs can astringent and the puckery can control prolapse" and precious experience in treating hemorrhoid, four step injections of Xiaozhiling (XZL, preparation made from gallnut and alum chiefly) were injected into the branches of rectal superior artery, the submucosa, the mucous lamina propria and the sinusoid veins, to cause sclerosis and atrophy of hemorrhoid by obliterating branches of rectal superior artery. RESULTS: 21,361 cases were treated from 1987 to 1996. Among them 21,148 (99.00%) were cured, 203 (0.95%) improved and 10 (0.05%) ineffective and for whom surgical operation was used. Of the 620 cases who were followed up for 3 years, only 6 cases (0.97%) relapsed. CONCLUSION: This method is a relative ideal non-operative approach in the treatment of hemorrhoid of stage III and IV.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Effect of garlicin on unstable angina pectoris and its relationship with blood lipid and GMP-140].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Garlicin on unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and to explore the relationship between Garlicin's effect and Syndrome Differentiation of TCM. METHODS: Fifty-five patients of UAP were divided randomly into the Garllcin group (34 cases) and the control group (21 cases) and classified based on Syndrome Differentiation of TCM into Cold Syndrome type, Heat Syndrome type, severe blood stasis (SBS) type or mild blood stasis (MBS) type. Garlicin 60 mg or nitroglycerin 5 mg were given to the two groups respectively by intravenous drip for 10 days as one therapeutic course. The curatic effect was evaluated by changes of symptoms and electrocardiogram, and some indexes, such as blood lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein and GMP-140 among different groups and types were compared. RESULTS: The difference of effective rate between the Garlicin group and the control group was insignificant. In the Garlicin group, the effective rate of Cold Syndrome type was higher than that of Heat Syndrome type (P < 0.01), and HDL/LDL ratio and apoA1 level raised markedly in the former type (P < 0.05) while an oppositive trend revealed in the Heat Syndrome type. Garlicin showed a higher effect on SBS type than that on MBS type and cause GMP-140 of the MBS type decreased obviously. CONCLUSION: Garlicin is effective on UAP patients and its effect was more evident on those with Cold Syndrome type or SBS type. Its mechanism may be related to its effect in improving blood lipid and enhancing activation of platelet.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical study on Zishen Decoction in chronic uric acid nephrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ameliorative effect of Zishen Decoction (ZSD) on chronic uric acid nephrosis (CUAN). METHODS: The 72 CUAN patients were divided into 2 groups: The group with ZSD treatment, the dose of which was 400 ml/d and group with zyloric as the control, the dose of which was 200 mg/d. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The general effective rate of the ZSD group was 92.86%; and that of the control group Was 66.67%. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). ZSD treatment reduced the levels of blood uric acid, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and the levels of albumin, beta 2-microglobulin and the activity of N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase in CUAN (P < 0.01). The levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased and the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the serum of ZSD treated CUAN (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ZSD exerted obviously ameliorative effect on renal function in CUAN.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: early diagnosis and timing of operation].

OBJECTIVES: To study early clinical characteristics and diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and to search the timing of surgery. METHOD: Seventy-four cases of early diagnosed cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were treated with anterior cervical decompression and autologous ilium graft fusion. RESULT: The early stage of CSM was indistinct, and symptoms were mild. Neck pain, abnormality of motion and sensation of limbs, and hand and arm symptoms were shown frequently. Changes in neurological function could found during physical examination. Characteristic changes in imaging were helpful in early diagnosis of the disease. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and surgery of CSM are important in improving the therapeutic results.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Effect of TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody on tissue lipopolysaccharide-binding protein mRNA expression in rats after thermal injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) monoclonal antibody (MAb) on tissue TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) mRNA expression, and multiple organ dysfunction in rats after thermal injury. METHOD: 24 male Wistar rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area full-thickness thermal injury. RESULT: The tissue TNF-alpha and LBP mRNA expressions of liver, lung, intestine, and kidney were markedly increased (P < 0.05 approximately equal 0.01) after thermal injury. Treatment with TNF-alpha MAb could significantly lower TNF-alpha mRNA expression of lung, intestine and kidney, but had no effect on liver TNF-alpha mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Similarly, the tissue LBP mRNA expression also decreased significantly (36.0% - 72.9%), and returned to normal in lung, intestine and kidney. In addition, biochemical parameters including GPT, TBiL, BUN, CK-MB, and LDH were markedly elevated after thermal injury, and decreased significantly after treatment with TNF-alpha MAb. CONCLUSION: The increase of tissue TNF-alpha gene expression caused by thermal injury might be associated with a marked elevation of tissue LBP mRNA expression, which could contribute to the development of multiple organ dysfunction. The early use of TNF-alpha MAb seems to be effective in inhibiting significant LBP mRNA expression in various tissues and ameliorating multiple organ damage after major thermal injury.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1998

[The significance of changes in serum soluble lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 levels in burned patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an increased soluble lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 (sCD14) level is associated with the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in patients after major burns. METHOD: 22 patients with burns covering more than 70% of body surface area were studied. These patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of MODS (MODS group, n = 9; non-MODS group, n = 13). Blood samples were obtained from burned patients. Serum concentrations of sCD14 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were determined by sandwich ELISA. Plasma endotoxin was measured using a quantitative chromogenic LAL test. RESULT: Compared to the healthy volunteers, a significant increase in serum sCD14 levels was observed in 22 patients on day 7 postburn, which remained marked elevation up to 21 days after thermal insult (P < 0.01). The serum sCD14 levels of the MODS group were significantly higher than those of the non-MODS group on days 7, 14, and 21 postburn (P < 0.05). Additionally, the serum sCD14 and endotoxin levels were positively correlated in patients who developed MODs on days 7, 14 and 21 postburn (P < 0.05), whereas no correlation was found between sCD14 and TNF levels at any time point (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that sCD14 elevation is associated with the development of MODS after major burns, and endotoxin release may be involved in the activation of sCD14 under certain pathophysiological conditions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Diagnosis and treatment of tethered cord syndrome in adults].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of tethered cord syndrome (TCS) in adults. METHOD: 18 patients with TCS were confirmed by preoperative MRI and were operated on for releasing of tethered conus. Pathological mechanism and main points of operation were analysed according to the operative findings and radiological data. RESULT: The cord or conus were tethered by intradural tumors (6 patients), myelomeningocele (6), thickened filum terminale (3), diastematomyelia (2) and adhesion after operation (1). 14 of the 18 patients showed good results after follow-up for 8 months to 5 years. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestation and prognosis of TCS in adults are different from those of TCS in children. Attention should be paid to avoid additional injury to the conus and cauda equina during operation. The long course of disease and retethering of the conus lead to poor outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical significance of early diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the possibility of early diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) prospectively and to screen the premorbid signs of CSM clinically, radiologically and electro-physiologically. METHOD: Twenty-nine items related to the occurring of CSM were chosen as common characteristics of CSM and considered as the criteria of prospective study. 81 patients who met the criteria were studied. All patients were followed up and observed for 2 - 6.5 years (mean 3.7 years). RESULT: Twenty-nine patients showed CSM during investigation. Thirteen items of the criteria were related to the occurring of CSM. The significant items include upper limb pain and abnormal sensation limb numbness, positive dynamic Hoffmann's sign, cervical canal stenosis, lower cervical instability, cervical intervertebral disc herniation, and delay of central motor conduct time. CONCLUSION: CSM can be early diagnosed. The patients who meet the established criteria should be followed up and observed closely. Early operation results in good effect.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Relationship between dental severe attrition and the temporomandibular glenoid morphology].

This study used the indices of the temporomandibular glenoid and posterior slope of the eminence by tomography to determine the effect of severe dental attrition on temporomandibular glenoid morphology. The results showed: the temporomandibular glenoid indexes in the group with dental severe attrition and in the control group were respectively 91.49 +/- 8.20 and 92.54 +/- 8.38 (P > 0.05), and the indices of posterior slope of the eminence were 49.79 +/- 5.84 and 50.38 +/- 4.58 (P > 0.05), the difference was not statistical. It was concluded that severe dental attrition would not certainly cause abnormal temporomandibular glenoid.

Cephalometry↗