Zhejiang Medical University

About: Zhejiang Medical University is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Complementary DNA. The organization has 504 authors who have published 342 publications receiving 8672 citations.

A simple method for clinical assay of superoxide dismutase.

Abstract: This assay for superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activity involves inhibition of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, with xanthine-xanthine oxidase used as a superoxide generator. By using a reaction terminator, we can determine 40 samples within 55 min. One unit of activity of pure bovine liver Cu,ZnSOD and chicken liver MnSOD was expressed by 30 ng and 500 ng of protein, respectively. The mean concentrations of Cu,ZnSOD as measured by this method in blood from normal adults were 242 (SEM 4) mg/L in erythrocytes, 548 (SEM 20) micrograms/L in serum, and 173 (SEM 11) micrograms/L in plasma. The Cu,ZnSOD concentrations in serum and plasma of patients with cancer of the large intestine tended to be less and greater than these values, respectively, but not statistically significantly so.

Mutations in the gene encoding gap junction protein beta-3 associated with autosomal dominant hearing impairment.

Abstract: Hearing impairment is the most commonly occurring condition that affects the ability of humans to communicate. More than 50% of the cases of profound early-onset deafness are caused by genetic factors. Over 40 loci for non-syndromic deafness have been genetically mapped, and mutations in several genes have been shown to cause hearing loss. Mutations in the gene encoding connexin 26 (GJB2) cause both autosomal recessive and dominant forms of hearing impairment. To study the possible involvement of other members of the connexin family in hereditary hearing impairment, we cloned the gene (GJB3) encoding human gap junction protein beta-3 using homologous EST searching and nested PCR. GJB3 was mapped to human chromosome 1p33-p35. Mutation analysis revealed that a missense mutation and a nonsense mutation of GJB3 were associated with high-frequency hearing loss in two families. Moreover, expression of Gjb3 was identified in rat inner ear tissue by RT-PCR. These findings suggest that mutations in GJB3 may be responsible for bilateral high-frequency hearing impairment.

Diet, Physical Activity, and Colorectal Cancer Among Chinese in North America and China

Abstract: In a population-based case-control study of colorectal cancer among Chinese men and women in western North America and the People's Republic of China, a common protocol was used to assess past life-style characteristics of 905 cases diagnosed during 1981-1986 and 2,488 controls. Risks for cancers of both the colon and rectum increased with increased food energy from fat, protein, carbohydrate, and all energy sources combined, for both sexes and on both continents. Yet, in multivariate analysis, colorectal cancer risk was significantly associated only with saturated fat; no relationships were seen with other dietary sources of energy. Colon cancer risk was elevated among men employed in sedentary occupations. On both continents and in both sexes, risks for cancers of both the colon and rectum increased with increasing time spent sitting. Further, the association between colorectal cancer risk and saturated fat was stronger among the sedentary than among the active. Risk among sedentary Chinese Americans of either sex increased more than fourfold from the lowest to the highest category of saturated fat intake. Among migrants to North America, risk increased with increasing years lived in North America. These observations suggest (a) that colorectal cancer risk increases with duration of exposure to a sedentary life-style and a diet rich in saturated fat; (b) that higher incidence among Chinese-American men relative to women is due to longer duration of these habits among men, who have lived longer in North America; and (c) that higher risk among Chinese Americans of both sexes relative to risk among the general population in China is due to differences in such habits. Attributable risk calculations suggest that, if these associations are causal, saturated fat intakes exceeding 10 g/day, particularly in combination with physical inactivity, could account for 60% of colorectal cancer incidence among Chinese-American men and 40% among Chinese-American women.

Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder: diagnosis and indications for surgery.

Abstract: One hundred and eighty-two patients with an ultrasonographic and/or pathological diagnosis of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (PLG) were reviewed to determine the reliability of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of PLG and the indications for operation in this disease. Of the 182 patients operated on, PLG were demonstrated by the gross appearance of the resected gallbladder in 172. Histologically benign lesions were present in 159 gallbladders and malignant lesions in 13. Cholesterol polyps accounted for most benign PLG. The sensitivity of ultrasonography in detecting PLG was 90.1 per cent, significantly higher than that of oral cholecystography, computed tomography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (P less than 0.01). The specificity of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of PLG was 93.9 per cent. Therefore, ultrasonography is a highly sensitive method for investigating PLG, and the preoperative diagnosis of PLG in this unit has now become entirely dependent on this technique. The size and number of PLG, the presence of gallstones and the patient's age all correlate with the nature of PLG, and these features are helpful in differentiating malignant from benign lesions before operation. Surgical treatment is indicated when PLG exceed 1.0 cm in diameter, when PLG are single in number, when PLG are associated with gallstones, when patients with PLG are over the age of 50 years, or when clinical symptoms of PLG are apparent.

Current Zinc Intake and Risk of Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease and Factors Associated with Insulin Resistance in Rural and Urban Populations of North India

Abstract: Objective: To determine the association between current zinc intake and prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes as well as factors associated with insulin resistance.Design, Subjects and Methods: In this cross sectional survey, 3575 subjects, aged 25 to 64 years, including 1769 rural (894 men, 875 women) and 1806 urban (904 men, 902 women) subjects were studied. The survey methods included questionnaires for 7-day food intake record, physical examination, and electrocardiography using World Health Organization criteria.Results: The prevalence of CAD, diabetes and glucose intolerance was significantly higher among subjects consuming lower intakes of dietary zinc. There was a higher prevalence of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels which showed significant upward trend with lower zinc intakes. Serum lipoprotein (a) and 2-hour plasma insulin levels also were associated with low zinc intake. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adj...