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Chang Liu,
Chun-Hong Xiu,
Xi-Gang Xiao,
Li-Xin Ni,
Zong-Hong Liu,
Bai-Chun Wang,
Jing-Xia Shen,
Kai Zhu, Guo-Wei Zhang,
Lei Xu,
Hong-Yu Liu
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Myocardial functional recovery after revascularization is considered the "gold standard" for myocardial viability (MV) assessment. However, the patency of the revascularized coronary artery affects myocardial functional recovery in patients subjected to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The influence of graft patency on viability results has not been widely studied. PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of graft patency on the prediction of MV after CABG by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (LD-DSE). METHODS: Fifty-three subjects with chronic ischemic heart disease scheduled for CABG were divided randomly into groups A (n = 26) and B (n = 27). They underwent MCE and LD-DSE preoperatively. Patients were followed up 12 months after CABG. Group B patients underwent multislice computed tomography angiography to assess CABG patency, and patients with obstructed grafts were excluded. Group A patients were not subjected to multislice CT angiography. The accuracy of MCE and LD-DSE for assessing MV between the two groups was compared. RESULTS: The accuracy and positive predictive values of MCE and LD-DSE for predicting MV were higher in group B than in group A (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative LD-DSE and MCE ability to predict MV depends on the patency of CABG. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013.
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound 04/2013; · 0.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of methylprednisolone (MP) on the activities of caspase-3, -6, -8 and -9 in rabbits with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) and to explore the mechanism underlying the antiapoptotic effect of MP on ASCI. Modified Allen's method was employed to establish the ASCI animal model. The animals were randomly divided into a sham (S; n=12), ASCI (C; n=36) and MP group (T; n=36). At 8, 24 and 72 h and 7, 14 and 28 days after ASCI, the animals were sacrificed and the spinal cord was collected. The absorbance (A) was measured with a microplate reader and the activities of caspase-3, -6, -8 and -9 were calculated followed by comparisons among the groups. In the S group, the activities of the four caspases were low. In the C and T groups, the caspase activities increased at 8 h after injury, peaked at 24 h and remained at a high level 3 days after injury. However, the caspase activities began to decrease at 7 days after injury and were significantly reduced at 14 and 28 days after ASCI. Furthermore, the caspase activities in the T group were markedly lower than those in the C group at 8 and 24 h and 3 and 7 days after surgery (P<0.05), but significant differences were not observed at 14 and 28 days after injury (P>0.05). In conclusion, MP exerted an antiapoptotic effect via inhibition of the activities of caspase-3, -6, -8 and -9 in an animal model of ASCI.
Experimental and therapeutic medicine 07/2012; 4(1):49-54.
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ABSTRACT: Glycyrrhiza uralensis licorice has long been used worldwide as a food additive and herbal medicine. It possesses a remarkable healing action on gastrointestinal ulcers. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of licorice on intestinal crypt cell proliferation and to investigate the corresponding molecular mechanism. Considering the role of crypt stem cells in intestinal mucosa repair, a well-established cytostatic cellular model, polyamine-depleted IEC-6 cells, was utilized to evaluate the effect of aqueous licorice on the proliferation of intestinal crypt cells. The growth inhibition of IEC-6 cells caused by alpha-difluoromethylornithine could be significantly reversed by concomitant treatment with 40 μg/ml and 80 μg/ml licorice aqueous extract. In particular, the restoration of cell cycle progression was accompanied by a decrease in p21 mRNA level and cytoplasmic accumulation of the RNA-binding protein HuR, which was shown to be involved in the destabilization of p21 mRNA. Using a biotin pull-down assay and a luciferase assay, it was found that licorice-modulated p21 mRNA expression was achieved by HuR-targeted AU-rich and U-rich elements that resided in the 3' untranslated region of p21 mRNA. These results demonstrate that licorice can exert its action on stimulating the growth of intestinal crypt cells by regulating p21 mRNA level at the posttranscriptional level by HuR.
The Journal of nutritional biochemistry 01/2012; 23(10):1285-93. · 4.29 Impact Factor
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Ding-hua Yang,
Jie Zhou,
Xiang-hong Li,
Jian-hua Lin,
Yan Liu,
Yu Wang, Guo-wei Zhang,
Zhong-lin Cui,
Yong-fa Tan,
Yi-xiong Lin,
Qi-fan Zhang,
He-ping Kan,
Cai-xian Liao,
Xue-jun Fang
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the feasibility and safety of adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation using a right lobe graft.
The clinical data of 2 cases of living-related donor liver transplantation performed between July, 2010 and November, 2010 were analyzed.
Liver transplantation was performed using a right lobe graft including the middle hepatic vein in one case and a right lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein in the other. The ratio of graft volume to standard liver volume was 46.2% and 47.3% in the two cases, with GR/WR of 0.83 and 0.80, and donor residue liver of 42.1% and 39.5%, respectively. The donor operation lasted for 6.5 h and 5 h in the two cases with blood loss of about 200-250 ml without blood transfusion. The donors recovered uneventfully without any surgical complications, whose liver function was normal 7 days after the operation, and were discharged 14 days and 16 days after the surgery, respectively. The recipient operation lasted for 8 h and 7 h with blood loss of about 800-1000 ml. The right hepatic vein, hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct reconstruction were performed by end-to-end anastomoses in the 2 recipients. Bile duct anastomosis stricture occurred in the first recipient 2 months after transplantation and was treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage. The second recipient recovered smoothly without any complications. The recipients have so far survived 9 months and 5 months, respectively.
Adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation is a safe and effective option for treatment of end-stage liver diseases in the context of cadaveric liver graft shortage.
Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University 12/2011; 31(12):2061-6.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the short-term outcomes of patients receiving orthopedic surgery with posterior pedicle screw fixation for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.
Between March, 2006 and August, 2009, 36 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (19 males and 17 females) underwent procedures of decompression, bone implantation and pedicle screw fixation. Fifteen patients were also treated by PLIF and 21 cases received posterior-lateral fusion. The JOA scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Cobb angle were recorded before and after the operation, and the surgical complications were also observed.
The JOA scores increased significantly by 83.3% after the operation (P<0.05). The procedures resulted in significantly lowered ODI from (67.1∓11.4)% before the operation to (32.1∓10.8)% after the operation (P<0.01). A significant improvement of the coronal Cobb's angle was achieved after the operation (26.7° preoperatively vs 12.3° postoperatively, P<0.01), and the lordosis angle was improved from 10.7° to 36.6° after the operation (P<0.01). All the patients were followed up for 12 to 50 months (mean 38 months), and no implant loosening, displacement or fragmentation, or pseudarthrosis was found at the final follow-up.
Posterior pedicle screw fixation shows good short-term therapeutic effect in treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis. Individualized surgical plans and adequate preoperative evaluation are keys to successful operations.
Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University 06/2011; 31(6):1034-8.
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ABSTRACT: Fuzhisan (FZS), a Chinese herbal complex prescription, has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for more than 16 years. However the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. The effects of the aqueous extract of FZS on the cognitive functions of the aged mice and the pharmacological basis for its therapeutic efficacy were investigated. The results showed that FZS improved impaired cognitive ability of aged SAMP-8 mice. FZS (2.4, 4.8 g/kg/d) increased hippocampal neurogenesis and the long-term survival of BrdU-labeled cells without affecting the proportion of BrdU-positive neurons and glial cells. FZS also increased the number of BrdU-positive cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles of 8-month-old SAMP-8 mice. These studies suggest that FZS upregulates neurogenesis by increasing proliferation of neural progenitor cells and prolonging survival of the newborn cells in the hippocampal DG. FZS may be beneficial for the treatment of senile dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease.
Experimental gerontology 01/2011; 46(8):628-36. · 3.34 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To summarize the experience of donor liver procurement and preparation in liver transplantation.
One hundred and twenty-six cases of donor liver and kidney procurement and 105 cases of donor liver preparation from August, 2004 to December, 2006 were analyzed. The 105 donor liver grafts were all used for orthotopic liver transplantation.
The warm ischemia time of the graft ranged from 1 to 8.5 min with a mean of 4 min. The time of graft procurement ranged from 19 to 28 min (mean 22.5 min). Donor liver preparation lasted for 38 to 102 min in the 105 cases, with a mean of 51 min. The cold ischemia time of the donor liver was 5.5 to 13 h (mean 8 h). Anatomical variations were identified in 8 of the donor liver grafts.
Cold perfusion of the donor liver and repair of the hepatic artery are important procedures in donor liver procurement and preparation. Hemorrhage due to the donor graft should be prevented and the procedures should be performed in close cooperation with the recipient operation.
Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University 05/2010; 30(5):1012-4.
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ABSTRACT: Myopia and its extreme form, high myopia, are common vision disorders worldwide, especially in Asia. Identifying genetic markers is a useful step toward understanding the genetic basis of high myopia, particularly in the Chinese population, where it is highly prevalent. This study was conducted to provide evidence of linkage for autosomal dominant high myopia to a locus on chromosome 5p13.3-p15.1 in a large Chinese family.
After clinical evaluation, genomic DNA from 29 members of this family was genotyped. A genome-wide screen was then performed using 382 markers with an average inter-marker distance of 10 cM, and two-point linkage was analyzed using the MLINK program. Mutation analysis of the candidate genes was performed using direct sequencing.
Linkage to the known autosomal dominant high myopia loci was excluded. The genome-wide screening identified a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.71 at θ=0.00 with the microsatellite marker D5S502. Fine mapping and haplotype analysis defined a critical region of 11.69 cM between D5S2096 and D5S1986 on chromosome 5p13.3-p15.1. Sequence analysis of the candidate genes inside the linked region did not identify any causative mutations.
A genetic locus was mapped to chromosome 5p13.3-p15.1 in a large Chinese family with autosomal dominant high myopia.
Molecular vision 01/2010; 16:2043-54. · 2.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Pachymic acid (PA), a natural triterpenoid, is known to significantly reduce cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in vitro through initiation of mitochondria dysfunction. However, its effect on immune cells and anti-rejection following organ transplantation remains unknown.
In this study, we investigated PA as a treatment to control acute rejection occurred in rats which had accepted cardiac transplantation. We measured apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBLs), and CD4(+) lymphocyte, as well as the number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes and the effect of PA on acute rejection in rats 7 days after cardiac transplantation.
PA treatment might decrease allograft rejection, protect PBLs from apoptosis, and reduce the percentage of CD8(+) lymphocyte. PA neither regulated the number nor the apoptosis rate of CD4(+) lymphocyte.
Our findings indicated that PA has an anti-apoptotic effect acting on PBLs through a novel mechanism involving stabilization of the PBLs mitochondrial transmembrane potential, an anti-rejection effect in rats after cardiac transplantation and an inhibiting effect to CD8(+) lymphocyte.
Chinese medical journal 12/2009; 122(23):2898-902. · 0.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hereditary hypotrichosis simplex (MIM 146520, HHS) is a rare form of nonsyndromic alopecia. The locus for autosomal dominant HHS was mapped to 18p11.32-p11.23 and 6p21.3, respectively, suggestive of genetic heterogeneity.
To identify the disease-causing gene for a four-generation Chinese family with dominant transmission of a form of HHS. The work was carried out at State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics.
Genome-wide screening was carried out in a Chinese family with HHS using microsatellite markers, and linkage analysis was performed using the MLINK program.
The highest two-point logarithm of the odds (LOD) score was obtained with the microsatellite marker D13S217 (LOD score of 4.041 at theta = 0.00). After fine mapping and haplotype analysis, we defined a critical region of about 9.57 cM flanked by markers D13S1243 and D13S1299. The disease-causing gene was mapped to 13q12.12 approximately 12.3 in this family.
A novel locus for HHS maps to chromosome 13q12.12 approximately 12.3 in a Chinese family.
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology 09/2009; 37(7):758-63. · 1.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To summarize the experience with orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).
A retrospective analysis of 105 cases of liver transplantation in our hospital was carried out.
All the 105 OLT operations were performed successfully and the operation time ranged from 210-350 min (mean 250 min), with anhepatic phase ranging from 35-65 min (mean 53.5 min) and blood transfusion during operation ranging from 0-6600 ml (mean 400 ml). Ninety-five patients recovered smoothly while the rest 10 died, with the success rate of OLT of 90.5%. Postoperative complications included biliary tract complication (12 cases, 11.4%) and abdominal bleeding (6 cases).
Reducing hemorrhage during operation is the most important factor to ensure successful OLT. Thorough hemostasis during operation and sufficient blood supply to the bile duct can significantly reduce postoperative bile duct complications.
Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University 08/2009; 29(7):1420-2.
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ABSTRACT: There is a controversy over the degree of liver and biliary injury caused by the period of secondary warm ischemia. A liver autotransplantation model was adopted because it excludes the effects of infection and immunological rejection on bile duct injury. This study was undertaken to assess biliary tract injury caused by relative warm ischemia (secondary warm ischemia time in the biliary tract) and reperfusion.
One hundred and two rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: group I (control); groups II to V, relative warm ischemia times of 0 minute, 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours. In addition to the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin, pathomorphology assessment and TUNEL assay were performed to evaluate biliary tract damage.
Under the conditions that there were no significant differences in warm ischemia time, cold perfusion time and anhepatic phase, group comparisons showed statistically significant differences. The least injury occurred in group II (portal vein and hepatic artery reperfused simultaneously) but the most severe injury occurred in group V (biliary tract relative warm ischemia time 2 hours).
Relative warm ischemia is one of the factors that result in bile duct injury, and the relationship between relative warm ischemia time the bile injury degree is time-dependent. Simultaneous arterial and portal reperfusion is the best choice to avoid the bile duct injury caused by relative warm ischemia.
Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international: HBPD INT 07/2009; 8(3):247-54. · 1.08 Impact Factor
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Chao Xu,
Meng Wei,
Bin Su,
Xue-Wei Hua, Guo-Wei Zhang,
Xiao-Pei Xue,
Cun-Ming Pan,
Rong Liu,
Yan Sheng,
Zhi-Gang Lu,
Li-Ren Jin,
Huai-Dong Song
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ABSTRACT: To identify the disease-causing gene for a large multi-generational Chinese family affected by familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM), genome-wide screening was carried out in a Chinese family with FHCM using micro-satellite markers, and linkage analysis was performed using the MLINK program. The disease locus was mapped to 1q32 in this family. Screening for a mutation in the cardiac troponin T (cTnT) gene was performed by a PCR and sequencing was done with an ABI Prism 3700 sequencer. A novel C-->G transition located in the ninth exon of the cTnT gene, leading to a predicted amino acid residue change from Ile to Met at codon 90, was identified in all individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The results presented here strongly suggest that Ile90Met, a novel mutation in the cTnT gene, is causative agent of HCM in this family.
Genetics Research 11/2008; 90(5):445-50. · 1.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To screen specific functional proteins from lymphocyte involved in acute rejection using differential proteomics research.
Two groups of rat liver transplantation models were established (isograft as control and allograft as acute rejection groups) by transplantation within Wistar rats, and between Wistar and SD. Morphology study were performed by histochemistry tech, followed by serum cytokine detection with ELISA. With 2-dimensional electrophoresis, proteomes of lymphocyte from the rats of different groups were separated and 2 proteome profiles were established. Comparing with the 2 profiles, 25 spots were selected and picked for in gel digestion, followed for analysis by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-time of fly (TOF)/TOF MS. Two of the proteins were detected with Western blot to verify the changing profiles.
The results of morphology analysis and detection of cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) indicate that the animal models were established successfully and acute rejection happened after transplantation for 3 days. Twenty-five differential proteins were found out to be associated with acute rejection, among which 13 proteins were upregulated and 12 downregulated. The expression alterations of 2 proteins (beta-actin and carbonic anhydrase) are consistent with proteomics analysis results showing in Western blot.
Twenty-five specific proteins exploiting mechanism of acute rejection are screened out, including IL-2 and carbonic anhydrase, which maybe benefit for the further works.
Zhonghua wai ke za zhi [Chinese journal of surgery] 08/2008; 46(13):1002-5.
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ABSTRACT: A promising perspective for surface acoustic wave (SAW) device applications at high temperature has been opened by langasite (LGS). The SAW properties of LGS in singly and doubly rotated cuts at 250/spl deg/C are investigated. Three noticeable regions for SAW-cut orientations and propagation directions at high temperature are put forward and are defined by Euler angles [0/spl deg/, 20/spl deg//spl rarr/50/spl deg/, 35/spl deg//spl rarr/45/spl deg/], [0/spl deg/, 85/spl deg//spl rarr/110/spl deg/, 0/spl deg/5/spl deg/], and [0/spl deg/, 138/spl deg//spl rarr/145/spl deg/, 20/spl deg/23/spl deg/], respectively. The first region includes zero or comparatively reduced temperature coefficient of delay (TCD) (<2 ppm) and smaller electromechanical coupling factor (K/sup 2/) (0.2%-0.35%); the second one exhibits higher K/sup 2/ (0.35%-0.45%) arid moderate TCD (<5 ppm); and the highest K/sup 2/ (>0.45%) and larger TCD (25-30 ppm) characterize the last region. For some typical orientations within the above-mentioned three regions, the temperature dependency of SAW characteristics (up to 1000/spl deg/C) is discussed. The second region [0/spl deg/, 85/spl deg//spl rarr/110/spl deg/, 0/spl deg//spl rarr/5/spl deg/], especially the orientation [0/spl deg/, 90/spl deg/, 0/spl deg/], has better comprehensive characteristics of SAW and is more suitable for high-temperature applications. Therefore, we should give a top priority to the orientation [0/spl deg/, 90/spl deg/, 0/spl deg/] in the design of SAW devices operating at high temperature. Comparison between published experimental results and numerical predictions based on LGS constants and their temperature coefficients available in the literature reveals that the theoretical results of TCD under 250/spl deg/C are in agreement with the experimental ones (the relative error of TCD is within 10%).
IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control 12/2005; · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Pancreatolithiasis is rarely recognized clinically. This study was undertaken to assess the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of 16 patients with pancreatolithiasis and its treatment with pancreatolithotomy plus side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was also used in some patients.
In the 16 patients with pancreatolithiasis treated at our hospital from 1977 to June 2002, 3 patients were complicated by pancreatic cancer, 2 pancreatic head cyst, and 1 choledochal cyst. Ten patients underwent operation, 3 received endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), and 3 refused operation and left the hospital.
Epigastric pain was the major symptom of the disease. Ultrasonography was the best choice for the diagnosis of the disease in addition to CT for determining characteristics and location of pancreatolithiasis associated with pancreatic cancer, ERCP for showing pancreatic stone, and EST for detecting stone in the pancreatic head. Pancreatolithotomy plus side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy was used for the treatment of pancreatolithiasis.
Ultrasonography is the first choice for the diagnosis of pancreatolithiasis. Pancreatolithotomy plus side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy is the best choice for the treatment of pancreatolithiasis. CT is of great value in determining characteristics and locations of pancreatolithiasis associated with pancreatic cancer. For patients with pancreatolithiasis associated with pancreatic cancer, surgical treatment should follow the principles of individualized therapy.
Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international: HBPD INT 03/2005; 4(1):135-8. · 1.08 Impact Factor
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Huai-Dong Song,
Chang-Chun Tu, Guo-Wei Zhang,
Sheng-Yue Wang,
Kui Zheng,
Lian-Cheng Lei,
Qiu-Xia Chen,
Yu-Wei Gao,
Hui-Qiong Zhou,
Hua Xiang, [......],
Zong-Ming Guo,
Hai-Yan Pan,
Wei-Zhong He,
Jean-Claude Manuguerra,
Arnaud Fontanet,
Antoine Danchin,
Neri Niccolai,
Yi-Xue Li,
Chung-I Wu,
Guo-Ping Zhao
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ABSTRACT: The genomic sequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses from human and palm civet of the 2003/2004 outbreak in the city of Guangzhou, China, were nearly identical. Phylogenetic analysis suggested an independent viral invasion from animal to human in this new episode. Combining all existing data but excluding singletons, we identified 202 single-nucleotide variations. Among them, 17 are polymorphic in palm civets only. The ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous nucleotide substitution in palm civets collected 1 yr apart from different geographic locations is very high, suggesting a rapid evolving process of viral proteins in civet as well, much like their adaptation in the human host in the early 2002-2003 epidemic. Major genetic variations in some critical genes, particularly the Spike gene, seemed essential for the transition from animal-to-human transmission to human-to-human transmission, which eventually caused the first severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak of 2002/2003.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 03/2005; 102(7):2430-5. · 9.68 Impact Factor
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Huai-Dong Song,
Xiao-Jian Sun,
Min Deng, Guo-Wei Zhang,
Yi Zhou,
Xin-Yan Wu,
Yan Sheng,
Yi Chen,
Zheng Ruan,
Chun-Lei Jiang,
Hui-Yong Fan,
Leonard I Zon,
John P Kanki,
Ting Xi Liu,
A Thomas Look,
Zhu Chen
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ABSTRACT: The zebrafish kidney marrow is considered to be the organ of definitive hematopoiesis, analogous to the mammalian bone marrow. We have sequenced 26,143 ESTs and isolated 304 cDNAs with putative full-length ORF from a zebrafish kidney marrow cDNA library. The ESTs formed 7,742 assemblies, representing both previously identified zebrafish ESTs (56%) and recently discovered zebrafish ESTs (44%). About 30% of these EST assemblies have orthologues in humans, including 1,282 disease-associated genes in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. Comparison of the effective and regulatory molecules related to erythroid functions across species suggests a good conservation from zebrafish to human. Interestingly, both embryonic and adult zebrafish globin genes showed higher homology to the human embryonic globin genes than to the human fetal/adult ones, consistent with evo-devo correlation hypothesis. In addition, conservation of a whole set of transcription factors involved in globin gene switch suggests the regulatory network for such remodeling mechanism existed before the divergence of the teleost and the ancestor of mammals. We also carried out whole-mount mRNA in situ hybridization assays for 493 cDNAs and identified 80 genes (16%) with tissue-specific expression during the first five days of zebrafish development. Twenty-six of these genes were specifically expressed in hematopoietic or vascular tissues, including three previously unidentified zebrafish genes: coro1a, nephrosin, and dab2. Our results indicate that conserved genetic programs regulate vertebrate hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis, and support the role of the zebrafish as an important animal model for studying both normal development and the molecular pathogenesis of human blood diseases.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 12/2004; 101(46):16240-5. · 9.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A living fetus within the maternal uterus provides an example of allogene tolerance in mammals. Poria cocos Wolf is the main component of many Chinese medicinal combination drugs that have therapeutic effects on recurrent spontaneous abortion and that can maintain pregnancy until delivery. It was hypothesized that this herbal medicine can also prolong allograft survival after organ transplantation. Here, in an in vivo study, we report the anti-rejection effect of the ethanol extract of Poria cocos Wolf (EEPCW) in rats after cardiac allograft implantation.
Ten normal rats were healthy controls. Eighty rats receiving homologous heart transplants were divided into 4 groups of 20 rats each based on type of treatment: olive oil 8 ml.kg(-1).d(-1), EEPCW 25 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), EEPCW 50 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) or cyclosporin A 5 mg.kg(-1).d(-1). Allograft survival was observed in 10 rats from each group. On the seventh day post transplantation, pathological lesions and percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood were assessed in another 10 rats from each group and in 10 normal rats.
The survival time of donor hearts in the two EEPCW groups was significantly prolonged, to (15.9 +/- 2.4) days and (30.0 +/- 0.0) days, respectively, compared with (6.7 +/- 0.8) days in the control group. Pathological lesions in the two EEPCW groups were also less severe, and the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly lower in the EEPCW groups.
Acute rejection of heart transplants and cellular immune reaction can be effectively suppressed using the EEPCW. Taking advantage of novel immunosuppressants derived from Chinese medicinal herbs used to treat abnormal pregnancy provides a hopeful road for future research and treatment in organ transplantation.
Chinese medical journal 07/2004; 117(6):932-5. · 0.86 Impact Factor
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Jian-Feng He,
Guo-Wen Peng,
Jun Min,
De-Wen Yu,
Wen-Jia Liang,
Shu-Yi Zhang,
Rui-Heng Xu,
Huan-Ying Zheng,
Xin-Wei Wu,
Jun Xu, [......],
Wei-Zhong He,
Yi-Xue Li,
Chung-I. Wu,
Guo-Ping Zhao,
Rossa W. K. Chiu,
Stephen S. C. Chim,
Yu-kwan Tong,
Paul K. S. Chan,
John S. Tam,
Y. M. Dennis Lo
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ABSTRACT: Sixty-one SARS coronavirus genomic sequences derived from the early,
middle, and late phases of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
epidemic were analyzed together with two viral sequences from palm
civets. Genotypes characteristic of each phase were discovered, and the
earliest genotypes were similar to the animal SARS-like coronaviruses.
Major deletions were observed in the Orf8 region of the genome, both at
the start and the end of the epidemic. The neutral mutation rate of the
viral genome was constant but the amino acid substitution rate of the
coding sequences slowed during the course of the epidemic. The spike
protein showed the strongest initial responses to positive selection
pressures, followed by subsequent purifying selection and eventual
stabilization.
Science 02/2004; 303:1666-1669. · 31.20 Impact Factor
