Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 35
Filter
1.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi ; 42(2): 309-315, 2021 Feb 10.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33626621

ABSTRACT

Objective: To understand the knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) on vaccination among children's parents in Jiangxi, Shanghai, and Qinghai and explore the factors influencing KAP. Methods: The study selected two counties/districts in Jiangxi, Shanghai, and Qinghai, respectively, by stratified sampling and used a unified questionnaire to investigate the parental KAP of vaccination. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to explore factors influencing parental KAP, as well as the relationship between knowledge and behavior. Results: Of the 760 valid questionnaires, the knowledge of vaccination among children's parents was better, and the vaccination knowledge of parents in Qinghai and Shanghai were slightly better than those in Jiangxi. Parents mainly obtained vaccination knowledge through medical staff and vaccination manuals. The fitting degree of SEM was relatively good; the root mean square error of approximation of the model is 0.033. The higher the parents' education level, the better their knowledge of vaccination (ß̂=0.082). Parental vaccination knowledge could influence whether the vaccinated children stay for half an hour in the clinics (ß̂=0.541). It could also impact whether parents giving up vaccinating their children in the face of media reports about the adverse effects of vaccinations (ß̂=0.515). Conclusions: The knowledge of vaccination among the parents in Jiangxi, Shanghai, and Qinghai was quite good. Moreover, we should pay more attention to the mass media programs and vaccination knowledge among parents with low or middle education backgrounds. Vaccination knowledge can be disseminated through medical staff, vaccination manuals, or mobile applications.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents , Vaccination , Child , China , Health Belief Model , Humans , Parents/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires
2.
Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi ; 54(10): 760-763, 2019 Oct 07.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31606989

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the key issues in the diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration in children with tracheobronchial variations. Methods: A retrospective study was performed for 11 pediatric patients who were treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Henan Province People's Hospital after a diagnosis of foreign body aspiration with tracheobronchial variations between January 2015 and December 2017. There were 7 males and 4 females among the 11 cases of foreign body aspiration with tracheobronchial variations, ranging between 9 months and 11 years of age. Results: Among 11 cases, the types of variationswere tracheal bronchus in 9 cases, bridging bronchus in 1 case and simple tracheal stenosis in 1 case. All of the pediatric patients were under general anesthesia, and the foreign bodies were removed by bronchoscopy successfully with no significant complications. Conclusions: The possibility of tracheobronchial variations should be considered in children with recurrent wheezing and poor efficacy of regular treatment before foreign body aspiration. Removal of foreign body via rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia is a safe and effective treatment. These children are needed to combine the situation oftracheobronchial variations and the location of foreign bodies to guide the operation, and strengthened the perioperative treatment.


Subject(s)
Foreign Bodies/diagnosis , Foreign Bodies/therapy , Respiratory Aspiration/diagnosis , Respiratory Aspiration/therapy , Respiratory Tract Diseases/complications , Bronchi/abnormalities , Bronchoscopy , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Respiratory System Abnormalities/complications , Retrospective Studies , Trachea/abnormalities , Tracheal Stenosis/complications
3.
Eur J Gynaecol Oncol ; 38(1): 76-79, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29767869

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe bevacizumab plus chemotherapy curative effect and safety for recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 30 recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer cases. The experimental group received beva- cizumab plus paclitaxel-, docetaxel-, and platinum-based chemotherapy. The control group received only chemotherapy. Curative effects were recorded after at least two treatment cycles; adverse reactions were recorded with every cycle. RESULTS: Experimental group patients were treated for an average 2.6 cycles. Compared to the control group, the experimental group effective rate (26.7%) was similar, disease control rate (73.7%) was significantly higher, and median survival time was three months longer. Bevacizumab-associated adverse reactions were bleeding, hypertension, and thrombosis/embolism; most were level 1 and 2 reactions. Adverse reactions in the two groups were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: The bevacizumab plus chemotherapy disease control rate for recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer is comparatively high, prolonging median survival; bevacizumab-associated adverse reactions are mild and tolerable.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use , Bevacizumab/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/mortality , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Adult , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/mortality , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/mortality
4.
Asian-Australas J Anim Sci ; 29(10): 1424-31, 2016 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26954111

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing different amounts of wheat, as a partial or whole substitute for corn, on digestibility, digestive enzyme activities, serum metabolite contents and ruminal fermentation in beef cattle. Four Limousin×LuXi crossbred cattle with a body weight (400±10 kg), fitted with permanent ruminal, proximal duodenal and terminal ileal cannulas, were used in a 4×4 Latin square design with four treatments: Control (100% corn), 33% wheat (33% substitution for corn), 67% wheat (67% substitution for corn), and 100% wheat (100% substitution for corn) on a dry matter basis. The results showed that replacing corn with increasing amounts of wheat increased the apparent digestibility values of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein (p<0.05). While the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were lower with increasing amounts of wheat. Digestive enzyme activities of lipase, protease and amylase in the duodenum were higher with increasing wheat amounts (p<0.05), and showed similar results to those for the enzymes in the ileum except for amylase. Increased substitution of wheat for corn increased the serum alanine aminotransferase concentration (p<0.05). Ruminal pH was not different between those given only corn and those given 33% wheat. Increasing the substitution of wheat for corn increased the molar proportion of acetate and tended to increase the acetate-to-propionate ratio. Cattle fed 100% wheat tended to have the lowest ruminal NH3-N concentration compared with control (p<0.05), whereas no differences were observed among the cattle fed 33% and 67% wheat. These findings indicate that wheat can be effectively used to replace corn in moderate amounts to meet the energy and fiber requirements of beef cattle.

5.
Asian-Australas J Anim Sci ; 29(5): 659-65, 2016 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26954181

ABSTRACT

The effects of three different feeding systems on beef cattle production performance, rumen fermentation, and rumen digesta particle structure were investigated by using 18 Limousin (steers) with a similar body weight (575±10 kg) in a 80-d experiment. The animals were equally and randomly divided into three treatment groups, namely, total mixed ration group (cattle fed TMR), SI1 group (cattle fed concentrate firstly then roughage), and SI2 group (cattle fed roughage firstly then concentrate). The results showed that the average daily gain was significantly higher in cattle receiving TMR than in those receiving SI1 and SI2 (p<0.05). Consumption per kg weight gain of concentrate, silage, and combined net energy (NEmf) were significantly decreased when cattle received TMR, unlike when they received SI1 and SI2 (p<0.05), indicating that the feed efficiency of TMR was the highest. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was significantly decreased when cattle received TMR compared with that in cattle receiving SI1 (p<0.05), whereas there was no difference compared with that in cattle receiving SI2. Ammonia nitrogen concentration was significantly lower in cattle receiving TMR than in those receiving SI1 and SI2 (p<0.05). The rumen area of cattle that received TMR was significantly larger than that of cattle receiving SI1 (p<0.05), but there was no difference compared with that of cattle receiving SI2. Although there was no significant difference among the three feeding systems in rumen digesta particle distribution, the TMR group trended to have fewer large- and medium-sized particles and more small-sized particles than those in the SI1 and SI2 groups. In conclusion, cattle with dietary TMR showed increased weight gain and ruminal development and decreased BUN. This indicated that TMR feeding was more conducive toward improving the production performance and rumen fermentation of beef cattle.

6.
Int J Clin Pract ; 69(12): 1473-85, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26299643

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: An increased risk for ischaemic stroke has been reported in young hyperthyroidism patients independent of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether the use of antithyroid drugs in hyperthyroidism patients can reduce the occurrence of ischaemic stroke remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 36,510 newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism patients during 2003-2006 were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research database. Each patient was individually tracked for 5 years from their index date (beginning the antithyroid drugs) to identify those who suffered from new episode of ischaemic stroke. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was used to represent the antithyroid drug compliance. The association between the MPR and the risk of stroke was examined. RESULTS: The stroke incidence rates for hyperthyroidism patients with age < 45 years and age ≥ 45 years were 0.42 and 3.76 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The patients aged < 45 years with MPR < 0.2 (adjusted hazard ratio, HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.13-4.70; p = 0.02) and 0.2 ≤ MPR < 0.4 (adjusted HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.06-4.72; p = 0.035) had a significantly increased risk of ischaemic stroke as compared to those with ≥ 0.6. In patients of the age ≥ 45 years, only the patients with MPR < 0.2 (adjusted HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.03-2.01; p = 0.036) had a significantly higher risk of ischaemic stroke as compared to those with MPR ≥ 0.6. In hyperthyroidism patients without AF, good antithyroid drugs compliance also reduced the incidence of stroke significantly (adjusted HR, range: 1.52-1.61; p = 0.02); but not in hyperthyroidism with AF. CONCLUSION: Hyperthyroidism patients with good antithyroid drug compliance had a lower risk of ischaemic stroke than patients with poor compliance.


Subject(s)
Antithyroid Agents/therapeutic use , Hyperthyroidism/drug therapy , Medication Adherence , Stroke/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Hyperthyroidism/complications , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Proportional Hazards Models , Risk Factors , Stroke/etiology , Taiwan/epidemiology , Young Adult
7.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 35(3): 254-9, 2012 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21623152

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To examine the association of microalbuminuria (MAU) with the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Chinese Type 2 diabetic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine patients (64±13 yr, 154 males) were divided into 2 groups: one with MAU (no.=119) or one without (no.=120). We recorded clinical and biochemical data as well as CIMT and ankle-brachial index (ABI). RESULTS: The patients with MAU had had diabetes mellitus (DM) longer, had higher blood pressure (BP). They also had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher levels of circulating glucose, glycated hemoglobin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein than those without. Lower mean ABI was found in those with MAU, however, they did not have higher mean CIMT (0.72±0.15 vs 0.71±0.16 mm, p=0.525). In patients without MAU, CIMT correlated with age, DM duration, systolic BP, eGFR, albumin- to-creatinine ratio, and ABI. However, in those with MAU, CIMT correlated only with age and eGFR. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that mean CIMT correlated only with age for patients without MAU, but correlated with age and body mass index for those with MAU. Dividing the patients into 5 age groups, we found that the older the patient, the higher the mean CIMT with no group differences between those with and without MAU in both genders. However, patients with eGFR below 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) had higher mean CIMT than those above (0.75±0.16 vs 0.69±0.14 mm, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetic patients with MAU were not associated with higher CIMT. Conversely, those with deterioration of renal function were more likely associated.


Subject(s)
Albuminuria/ethnology , Asian People/statistics & numerical data , Carotid Artery Diseases/ethnology , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness/statistics & numerical data , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ankle Brachial Index/statistics & numerical data , Blood Pressure , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Female , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Risk Factors , Taiwan/epidemiology
8.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg ; 125(6): 603-8, 2001 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11743460

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of Sepragel sinus, a hylan B gel (cross-linked hyaluronic acid molecule), when used as a postoperative dressing after endoscopic sinus surgery as a facilitator of healing and a preventative for scarring and stenosis. STUDY DESIGN: Ten patients undergoing bilateral endoscopic ethmoidectomy in an outpatient specialty hospital operating room underwent complete filling of a randomly selected right or left ethmoidectomy cavity with Sepragel sinus. Outcome measures were synechiae, middle meatal stenosis, mucosal status, mucosal regeneration, transparency of Sepragel sinus, and subjective pain and congestion. RESULTS: Sepragel sinus significantly improved all outcome measures by week 2 and remained statistically significant for reduction of synechiae and stenosis. CONCLUSION: Sepragel sinus is useful as a space-occupying gel stent to separate sinus mucosal surfaces. The data strongly support the superiority of Sepragel sinus over no treatment in the control of postethmoidectomy synechiae and middle meatal stenosis, as well as early improvement in mucosal healing and postoperative pain. SIGNIFICANCE: Because of its biocompatibility, lack of inflammatory response, transparency, and ability to fill any complex volume, Sepragel sinus offers distinct advantages over currently used stenting materials.


Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use , Endoscopy , Ethmoid Sinusitis/surgery , Hyaluronic Acid/therapeutic use , Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Analysis of Variance , Bandages , Chronic Disease , Constriction, Pathologic/etiology , Constriction, Pathologic/prevention & control , Endoscopy/adverse effects , Exudates and Transudates , Female , Gels , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid/pharmacology , Male , Nasal Mucosa/drug effects , Nasal Obstruction/etiology , Nasal Obstruction/prevention & control , Pain Measurement , Pain, Postoperative/diagnosis , Pain, Postoperative/etiology , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Recurrence , Stents , Suppuration , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Wound Healing/drug effects
9.
Neuron ; 32(2): 249-63, 2001 Oct 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11683995

ABSTRACT

Plexins are receptors implicated in mediating signaling by semaphorins, a family of axonal chemorepellents. The role of specific plexins in mediating semaphorin function in vivo has not, however, yet been examined in vertebrates. Here, we show that plexin-A3 is the most ubiquitously expressed plexin family member within regions of the developing mammalian nervous system known to contain semaphorin-responsive neurons. Using a chimeric receptor construct, we provide evidence that plexin-A3 can transduce a repulsive signal in growth cones in vitro. Analysis of plexin-A3 knockout mice shows that plexin-A3 contributes to Sema3F and Sema3A signaling and that plexin-A3 regulates the development of hippocampal axonal projections in vivo.


Subject(s)
Axons/physiology , Glycoproteins/metabolism , Hippocampus/growth & development , Hippocampus/ultrastructure , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/physiology , Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology , Signal Transduction , Animals , Axons/ultrastructure , Blotting, Western , Female , Ganglia, Spinal/chemistry , Ganglia, Spinal/embryology , Gene Expression , In Situ Hybridization , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mutagenesis, Insertional , Nerve Tissue Proteins/deficiency , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Receptors, Cell Surface/deficiency , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Semaphorin-3A , Spinal Cord/chemistry , Spinal Cord/embryology , Superior Cervical Ganglion/chemistry , Superior Cervical Ganglion/embryology , Trigeminal Ganglion/chemistry , Trigeminal Ganglion/embryology , Xenopus
10.
Circ Res ; 89(7): 599-606, 2001 Sep 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11577025

ABSTRACT

Altered expression and functional responses to cardiac beta(3)-adrenergic receptors (ARs) may contribute to progressive cardiac dysfunction in heart failure (CHF). We compared myocyte beta(3)-AR mRNA and protein levels and myocyte contractile, [Ca(2+)](i) transient, and Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) responses to BRL-37344 (BRL, 10(-8) mol/L), a selective beta(3)-AR agonist, in 9 instrumented dogs before and after pacing-induced CHF. Myocytes were isolated from left ventricular myocardium biopsy tissues. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we detected beta(3)-AR mRNA from myocyte total RNA in each animal. Using a cloned canine beta(3)-AR cDNA probe and myocyte poly A(+) RNA, we detected a single band about 3.4 kb in normal and CHF myocytes. beta(3)-AR protein was detected by Western blot. beta(3)-AR mRNA and protein levels were significantly greater in CHF myocytes than in normal myocytes. Importantly, these changes were associated with enhanced beta(3)-AR-mediated negative modulation on myocyte contractile response and [Ca(2+)](i) regulation. Compared with normal myocytes, CHF myocytes had much greater decreases in the velocity of shortening and relengthening with BRL accompanied by larger reductions in the peak systolic [Ca(2+)](i) transient and I(Ca,L). These responses were not modified by pretreating myocytes with metoprolol (a beta(1)-AR antagonist) or nadolol (a beta(1)- and beta(2)-AR antagonist), but were nearly prevented by bupranolol or L-748,337 (beta(3)-AR antagonists). We conclude that in dogs with pacing-induced CHF, beta(3)-AR gene expression and protein levels are upregulated, and the functional response to beta(3)-AR stimulation is increased. This may contribute to progression of cardiac dysfunction in CHF.


Subject(s)
Heart Failure/physiopathology , Myocardium/metabolism , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3/genetics , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3/metabolism , Up-Regulation , Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists , Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Antagonists , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/pharmacology , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/pharmacology , Animals , Blotting, Western , Calcium/metabolism , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/adverse effects , Cell Separation , Disease Models, Animal , Disease Progression , Dogs , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Ethanolamines/pharmacology , Heart Failure/etiology , Heart Failure/pathology , Myocardial Contraction/drug effects , Myocardium/pathology , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3/drug effects , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
11.
J Pharmacol Exp Ther ; 298(1): 188-96, 2001 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11408541

ABSTRACT

The beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR)-mediated increase in cardiac L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca,L)) has been documented in normal subjects. However, the role and mechanism of beta2-AR activation on I(Ca,L) in heart failure (HF) are unclear. Accordingly, we compared the effect of zinterol (ZIN), a highly selective beta2-AR agonist, on I(Ca,L) in isolated left ventricular cardiomyocytes obtained from normal control and age-matched rats with HF induced by left coronary artery ligation (4 months). I(Ca,L) was measured by using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. In normal myocytes, superfusion of ZIN (10(-5) M) caused a 21% increase in I(Ca,L) (9.21 +/- 0.24 versus 7.59 +/- 0.20 pA/pF) (p < 0.05). In HF myocytes, the same concentration of ZIN produced a significantly greater increase (30%) in I(Ca,L) (6.20 +/- 0.24 versus 4.75 +/- 0.17 pA/pF) (p < 0.01). This ZIN-induced increase in I(Ca,L) was further augmented in both normal and HF myocytes (normal: 59 versus 21%; HF: 71 versus 30%) after the incubation of myocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX, 2 microg/ml, 36 degrees C, 6 h). These effects were not modified by the incubation of myocytes with CGP-20712A (3 x 10(-7) M), a beta1-AR antagonist, but were abolished by pretreatment of myocytes with ICI-118551 (10(-7) M), a beta2-AR antagonist. In addition, all of the effects induced by ZIN were completely prevented in the presence of an inhibitory cAMP analog, Rp-cAMPS (100 microM, in the patch-pipette solution). In conclusion, beta2-AR activation stimulates L-type Ca2+ channels and increases I(Ca,L) in both normal and HF myocytes. In HF, beta2-AR activation-induced augmentation of I(Ca,L) was increased. These effects are likely to be mediated through a cAMP-dependent mechanism and coupled with both stimulatory G protein and PTX-sensitive G protein.


Subject(s)
Adrenergic beta-Agonists/pharmacology , Calcium Channels, L-Type/drug effects , Ethanolamines/pharmacology , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart/drug effects , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/drug effects , Ventricular Function, Left/drug effects , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/pharmacology , Animals , Calcium Channels, L-Type/physiology , Cyclic AMP/metabolism , GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go/drug effects , GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go/physiology , GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/drug effects , GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/physiology , Heart/physiology , Male , Myocardium/cytology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/physiology , Ventricular Function, Left/physiology
12.
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao ; 17(1): 7-10, 2001 Jan.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11330192

ABSTRACT

During the work of site-directed mutagenesis at disulfide bond Cys206-Cys210 of prochymosin, it was found that the corresponding template sequence had the potential to form a loop-stem structure with free energy of -16.1 kcal/mol, which prevent the template from pairing with primer and, in turn, the synthesis of the mutated DNA strand. Rapid annealing can overcome this difficulty. Five expression plasmids of prochymosin muants with deletion of Cys206-Cys210 (C206A, C210A, C206A/C210A, C210S and C206S/C210S) were constructed. Except for C206A they were expressed at high level in E. coli amounting to 50% of the total cellular proteins. Renaturation of the mutant prochymosin indicated that Cys206-Cys210 is dispensable for correct refolding of prochymosin. However, the amino acid residues at Cys206 and/or Cys 210 play a critical role in determining the renaturation. Among the five mutants the reactivation efficiency of C206A/C210A were about 4.5-fold, 20-fold and 30-fold higher than that of C206S/C210S, C210A and C210S respectively. C206A can not correctly refold at all. CD spectra in the far UV region indicate that C206A/C210A and C206S/C210S chymosin analogs have a secondary structure almost identical to that of the wild-type chymosin. Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis revealed that mutant chymosins have the same emission maximum at 333 nm as the wild-type chymosin but their fluorescence intensities at 333 nm are much higher than that of the wild-type chymosin. Considering that the mutants and the wild-type chymosin exhibit almost the same specific activity, it is reasonable to conclude that the mutant proteins assume a native active information with a perturbance around some tryptophan residues.


Subject(s)
Chymosin/chemistry , Disulfides/chemistry , Enzyme Precursors/chemistry , Chymosin/physiology , Enzyme Precursors/physiology , Mutagenesis, Site-Directed , Protein Folding , Protein Structure, Secondary , Structure-Activity Relationship
13.
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol ; 280(4): H1853-60, 2001 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11247801

ABSTRACT

The diastolic dysfunction present at rest in congestive heart failure (CHF) is exacerbated during exercise (Ex). Increases in circulating ANG II and endothelin-1 (ET-1) during Ex may contribute to this response. We assessed the effect of Ex on circulating plasma levels of ANG II and ET-1 and left ventricular (LV) dynamics before and after pacing-induced CHF at rest and during Ex in nine conscious, instrumented dogs. Before CHF, there were modest increases in circulating levels of ANG II (but not ET-1) during Ex. LV diastolic performance was enhanced during Ex with decreases in the time constant of LV relaxation (tau), LV end-systolic volume (V(ES)), and LV minimum pressure with a downward shift of the LV early diastolic portion of the pressure-volume (P-V) loop. This produced an increase in peak LV filling rate without an increase in mean left atrial (LA) pressure. After CHF, the resting values of ANG II and ET-1 were elevated and increased to very high levels during Ex. After CHF, mean LA pressure, tau, and LV minimum pressure were elevated at rest and increased further during Ex. Treatment with L-754,142, a potent ET-1 antagonist, or losartan, an ANG II AT(1)-receptor blocker, decreased these abnormal Ex responses in CHF more effectively than an equally vasodilatory dose of sodium nitroprusside. Combined treatment with both ANG II- and ET-1-receptor blockers was more effective than either agent alone. We conclude that in CHF, circulating ANG II and ET-1 increase to very high levels during Ex and exacerbate the diastolic dysfunction present at rest.


Subject(s)
Angiotensin II/blood , Diastole/physiology , Endothelin-1/blood , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Physical Exertion/physiology , Ventricular Function, Left/physiology , Acetamides/pharmacology , Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists , Animals , Atrial Function, Left/physiology , Disease Models, Animal , Dogs , Endothelin Receptor Antagonists , Heart Failure/blood , Losartan/pharmacology , Nitroprusside/pharmacology , Reference Values , Vasodilation/drug effects , Vasodilation/physiology
14.
Circulation ; 103(5): 750-5, 2001 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11156889

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Superoxide (O(2)(-)) generated by enhanced xanthine oxidase (XO) activity may contribute to the increased myocardial oxidative stress in heart failure (CHF). Because blocking XO with allopurinol augments myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity in reperfusion injury and CHF, we hypothesized that it may improve adrenergic inotropic responsiveness in CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the effect of allopurinol on the contractile response to dobutamine and exercise in 7 chronically instrumented conscious dogs before and after producing CHF by rapid pacing. Left ventricular (LV) contractile performance was measured by the slopes of the LV end-systolic pressure-volume relation (E(ES)) and stroke work-end-diastolic volume relation (M(SW)). Before CHF, allopurinol produced no change in LV contractile performance and did not alter the response to dobutamine or exercise. After CHF, allopurinol produced significant (P:<0.05) increases in E(ES) (5.0+/-0.6 versus 3.3+/-0.6 mm Hg/mL) and M(SW). Dobutamine and allopurinol produced greater increases in E(ES) (5.4+/-0.6 versus 7.4+/-0.6 mm Hg/mL) and M(SW) (60.1+/-7.4 versus 73.7+/-4.4 mm Hg) than did dobutamine alone. After allopurinol, dP/dt(max), stroke volume, and M(SW) were higher during CHF exercise. LV diastolic pressures were lower during CHF exercise after allopurinol. CONCLUSIONS: Allopurinol has no discernable effects on LV contractile function or adrenergic responsiveness in normal, conscious animals. In pacing-induced CHF, however, allopurinol improves LV systolic function at rest and during adrenergic stimulation and exercise.


Subject(s)
Allopurinol/pharmacology , Dobutamine/pharmacology , Heart Diseases/physiopathology , Myocardial Contraction/drug effects , Animals , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/adverse effects , Cardiotonic Agents/pharmacology , Dogs , Drug Interactions , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Heart Diseases/etiology , Heart Rate/drug effects , Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology
16.
Insect Mol Biol ; 10(5): 495-503, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11881814

ABSTRACT

The sequence analysis of a thymidylate synthase gene was identified in the Hz-1 virus HindIII-D fragment. The viral thymidylate synthase gene encodes a protein of 295 amino acids, and is closely related to that of insect, mammals and herpesvirus. The thymidylate synthase gene identified was a genuine viral gene in that it was only detected in cells infected with Hz-1 virus but not in the mock infected cells, by Southern blot analysis and by RT-PCR. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on non-synonymous and amino acid distances suggested that the TS gene of Hz-1 virus was grouped closely with that of Bombyx mori. High bootstrap values confirmed that the thymidylate synthase of Hz-1 virus was acquired by a capture event from its lepidopteran host. Results of both sequence divergences and phylogenetic analysis suggested that TS genes in insect viruses, Hz-1, CIV, and MsEPV may have a different history or originated from different capture events.


Subject(s)
Insect Viruses/genetics , Lepidoptera/genetics , Thymidylate Synthase/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Female , Genes, Viral , Herpesviridae/genetics , Insect Viruses/classification , Insect Viruses/enzymology , Insecta/virology , Lepidoptera/classification , Mammals/virology , Molecular Sequence Data , Ovary/virology , Phylogeny , Sequence Alignment , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase/chemistry , Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase/genetics , Thymidylate Synthase/chemistry , Viral Structural Proteins/genetics
19.
J Biol Chem ; 275(48): 37815-23, 2000 Dec 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10980193

ABSTRACT

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are highly conserved approximately 20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that participate in both exocytic and endocytic vesicular transport pathways via mechanisms that are only partially understood. Although several ARF-like proteins (ARLs) are known, their biological functions remain unclear. To characterize its molecular properties, we cloned mouse and human ARL4 (mARL4 and hARL4) cDNA. The appearance of mouse ARL4 mRNA during embryonic development coincided temporally with the sequential formation of somites and the establishment of brain compartmentation. Using ARL4-specific antibody for immunofluorescence microscopy, we observed that endogenous mARL4 in cultured Sertoli and neuroblastoma cells was mainly concentrated in nuclei. When expressed in COS7 cells, ARL4-T34N mutant, predicted to exist with GDP bound, was concentrated in nucleoli. Yeast two-hybrid screening and in vitro protein-interaction assays showed that hARL4 interacted with importin-alpha through its C-terminal NLS region and that the interaction was not nucleotide-dependent. Like ARL2 and -3, recombinant hARL4 did not enhance cholera toxin-catalyzed auto-ADP-ribosylation. Its binding of guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) was modified by phospholipid and detergent, and the N terminus of hARL4, like that of ARF, was myristoylated. Our findings suggest that ARL4, with its distinctive nuclear/nucleolar localization and pattern of developmental expression, may play a unique role(s) in neurogenesis and somitogenesis during embryonic development and in the early stages of spermatogenesis in adults.


Subject(s)
ADP-Ribosylation Factors/genetics , ADP-Ribosylation Factors/metabolism , Cell Nucleolus/metabolism , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , DNA Primers , DNA, Complementary , Humans , Mice , Two-Hybrid System Techniques
20.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi ; 25(2): 107-10, 2000 Feb.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12212071

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacologic effect of Jin'an Kechuan granules. METHOD: Routine antitussive, antiasthmatic and expectorant methods were used. RESULT: Jin'an Kechuan granules in the doses of 16, 8, 4 g.kg-1 ig could significantly decrease the frequency of cough caused by ammonia water in mice, and increase the secretion of phenol red from mouse tracheas in a dose-dependent manner. The granules also help increase the threshold voltage to induce cats to cough, prolong the latent period of asthma induced by histamine and acetylcholine mixture, and antagonize the contraction of isolated trachea strips induced by histamine and acetylcholine in guinea pigs. Jin'an Kechuan granules had inhibitory effects on common bacteria in the respiratory tract as well as on the swelling of acute inflammation in mice and rats. CONCLUSION: Jin'an Kechuan granules have antitussive, antiasthmatic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effects.


Subject(s)
Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Antitussive Agents/therapeutic use , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Expectorants/therapeutic use , Animals , Asthma/drug therapy , Cats , Cough/drug therapy , Drug Combinations , Guinea Pigs , Mice , Phytotherapy , Plants, Medicinal , Rats
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...