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Biomedical subjects

C Li

Publications and source records attributed to C Li.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Intracerebellar nicotinic-cholinergic participation in the cerebellar adenosinergic modulation of ethanol-induced motor incoordination in mice.

Many epidemiological studies have suggested a high correlation between the use of tobacco and ethanol, the two most frequently abused psychoactive drugs. Recently, we reported behavioral interactions between (-)-nicotine, (-)-cotinine and ethanol within the CNS. The present report is a confirmation and an extension of that study. Using a 2 g/kg ethanol-induced motor incoordination (EIMI) as the test response, possible behavioral interactions between (-)-nicotine, (-)-cotinine and ethanol and between (-)-nicotine, (-)-cotinine and adenosine agonist + ethanol in the cerebellum were investigated. (-)-Nicotine, 0.625, 1.25 and 5 ng intracerebellarly (ICB) significantly attenuated EIMI in a dose-related manner. Likewise, ICB injection of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 ng (-)-cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, significantly attenuated EIMI after the same i.p. dose of ethanol as in case of (-)-nicotine but less markedly compared to (-)-nicotine. No change in normal motor coordination was observed when the highest dose of (-)-nicotine or (-)-cotinine was injected ICB followed by saline control, suggesting selectivity of their behavioral interactions with ethanol. The attenuation of EIMI by (-)-nicotine and (-)-cotinine was blocked by ICB hexamethonium (1 microgram) and trimethaphan (100 ng), the purported nicotinic-cholinergic antagonists. Finally, the ICB injection of adenosine agonists, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) or 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), produced marked accentuation of EIMI which was significantly antagonized by ICB (-)-nicotine and (-)-cotinine. The data obtained in the present study suggested, for the first time, a cerebellar adenosinergic-nicotinic cholinergic interaction and modulation of EIMI. The data also suggested participation of cerebellar nicotinic-cholinergic receptors in EIMI.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1994

DNA ligase I is associated with the 21 S complex of enzymes for DNA synthesis in HeLa cells.

Approximately 80% of the DNA ligase activity in HeLa cell extracts is associated with the 21 S enzyme complex that functions in simian virus 40 DNA replication in vitro (Malkas et al., Biochemistry 29, 6362-6374., 1990). The DNA ligase associated with the 21 S complex was purified extensively and its physical, enzymic and immunological properties characterized as DNA ligase I. The association of DNA ligase I with the 21 S complex of enzymes for DNA synthesis provides evidence for the physiological function of this DNA ligase in DNA replication in human cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Monomeric Re lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli is more active than the aggregated form in the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and in inducing Egr-1 mRNA in murine peritoneal macrophages.

Using the equilibrium dialysis apparatus, an aqueous suspension of predominantly aggregated Re lipopolysaccharide (ReLPS) from Escherichia coli D31 m4 (99.9% at 82.5 microM) can be processed to yield a solution of monomeric ReLPS at a saturation concentration of 77 ng/ml (3.4 x 10(-8) M). We compared the in vitro biological activities of these two physically distinct types of ReLPS preparations in two select assays, reaction in the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and induction of Egr-1 mRNA in macrophages. These assays were chosen for their rapid response times and relatively short incubation periods. The monomeric ReLPS was 179- and 1000-fold more active than the aggregated ReLPS preparation in the LAL assay and induction of Egr-1 mRNA by thioglycollate-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages, respectively. These results clearly showed that the monomeric ReLPS is the more active form. The lower biological activities of the aggregated ReLPS preparation might be due to the presence of a small amount of monomeric ReLPS (0.01-0.6%) produced during its preparation and the incubation periods in the biological assays. Thus, aggregated ReLPS may be relatively inactive.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Light microscopic studies of pedicle and early first antler development in red deer (Cervus elaphus).

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that deer antlerogenic potential resides in the periosteum of an antlerogenic region and antler forms through modified endochondral ossification, how a deciduous antler forms histologically through a permanent pedicle from the periosteum has not been reported. METHODS: Histogenesis of the pedicle and the early first antler in red deer was systematically examined using light microscopy techniques. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: At the pre-pedicle stage, the frontal lateral crest (under 5 mm in height) consisted horizontally of antlerogenic periosteum and underlying cancellous bone. Both the cellular layer (3.74 times, P < 0.01) and the fibrous layer of the antlerogenic periosteum were much thicker than those of the margin of the antlerogenic region or the facial periosteum. The crest was formed through intramembranous ossification. When the pedicle began to develop (5-15 mm in height), some discrete clusters of mature chondrocytes appeared in the bony trabeculae, which signified the beginning of the transition of the ossification pattern from the intramembranous to the endochondral. The pedicle consisted of three portions from distal to proximal, periosteum/perichondrium, osseocartilaginous tissue, and osseous tissue. When the pedicle became visible (about 20 mm in height), it consisted of the same three portions as the pedicle initiation stage, but the osseocartilaginous portion was expanded compared to the initiation stage and the cartilaginous proportion increased distally. When the pedicle grew to 25-40 mm in height, continuous cartilaginous trabeculae appeared under the apical perichondrium. The pedicle consisted of four portions from distal to proximal: perichondrium, cartilaginous tissue, osseocartilaginous tissue, osseous tissue. It was formed through endochondral ossification. All these ossification pattern changes could not be seen externally as the overlying integument was characterised by typical scalp skin. When the pedicle grew to about 60 mm in height, antler tissue was visually apparent at the apex as the hair type changed from scalp hair to the velvet-like hair of growing antler. However, this transformation could not be distinguished internally as the inside tissues were all continuous between pedicle and antler. Therefore, the histogenesis of the deer pedicle and the first antler originated from the antlerogenic cells and covered two phases: an internal phase through which pedicle was formed and an external phase which signalled the beginning of antlerogenesis.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

In vivo and electron microscopic studies of rat liver after intravenous injection of polyamino acid microspheres.

In vivo and electron microscopy were used to study the hepatocellular responses of rat livers to intravenously injected polymeric microspheres. Two microsphere preparations with different surface characteristics and degradability were used in this study. In vivo microscopy revealed that both poly(benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) and poly(hydroxypropyl L-glutamine) (PHPG) microspheres caused disturbance in the microcirculation of rat liver up to 2 months after injection. The observed changes included stagnant flow and adherence of white blood cells to the endothelial lining of venules an sinusoids. Kupffer cell (KC) activation following phagocytosis of microspheres was evidenced by the enlargement of KCs and increased number of KCs taking up fluorescent latex particles. Electron microscopy of rat livers revealed a wide range of hepatocellular injury associated with the administration of PBLG and PHPG microspheres. These results indicate that a small amount of remaining microspheres is sufficient to induce continuous disturbance to hepatic microcirculation and that particulate drug carriers should be designed to be rapidly degraded so that the return to normal liver function is possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of poly(benzyl L-glutamate).

Poly(benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) microcapsules, prepared by a solvent evaporation technique for intravenous injection, are evaluated for their potential use in diagnostic computed tomographic enhancement of liver images. The smaller microcapsules, < 3 microns, loaded with a radiopaque contrast material, ethyl iopanoate (IOPAE), produced prolonged opacification of the liver when delivered intravenously. In vivo tissue distribution studies of PBLG-131I-IOPAE (5 microCi/rat, iv) showed that liver had the highest uptake (percent of injected dose/g of tissue) among other organs 24 h postinjection. An in vitro estrogen receptor assay in pig uteri indicated that PBLG conjugated with estrone did not interfere with estrogen receptor affinity, suggesting the estrogen therapy potential of PBLG-estrone.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Ozone injury to alveolar epithelium in vitro does not reflect loss of antioxidant defenses.

The objective of this study was to characterize an in vitro model of oxidant gas toxicity, using primary cultures of alveolar type II cells maintained in serum-free medium, by evaluating (1) epithelial barrier function, (2) the stability of cellular antioxidant defenses, and (3) the response of alveolar epithelial barrier properties to ozone exposure. Antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels were measured in rat type II cells that were freshly isolated, cultured for 1 day in serum-supplemented medium, and subsequently grown in serum-free nutrient medium. After measurement of peak bioelectric properties on Day 4 in primary culture, alveolar epithelial monolayers were exposed to ozone at various concentrations and lengths of exposure. Ozone-induced alterations in monolayer bioelectric properties and impairment of cellular organization were used to evaluate oxidant injury. The primary effect of ozone exposure was a dose-dependent increase in monolayer permeability, which resulted from damage to intercellular junctions and/or loss of epithelial integrity. Extensive and persistent permeability increases correlated with focal areas of epithelial degradation. The focal nature of ozone injury to alveolar epithelium in vitro suggests that individual cell susceptibility to oxidant stress may account for the overall decrement in barrier function. However, this sensitivity does not result from overall loss of antioxidant defenses associated with cell culture, as these monolayers (when cultured in serum-free medium) maintained their antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione content at levels found in freshly isolated cells. We conclude that the sensitivity of these monolayers to ozone injury in vitro reflects a disproportionate degree of oxidant stress on cell membranes relative to intracellular antioxidant defenses, i.e., cellular susceptibility to oxidant injury may depend on the ratio of the surface area of the cell to its cytoplasmic volume.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Imaging, biodistribution and therapy potential of halogenated tamoxifen analogues.

Tamoxifen binds to estrogen receptors (ERs) and prevents breast cancer cell proliferation. This study is aimed at developing a ligand for imaging ER (+) breast tumors by positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). [18F]-Labeled tamoxifen analogue ([18F]FTX) was prepared in 30-40% yield and [131I]-labeled tamoxifen analogue ([131I]ITX) was prepared in 20-25% yield. In mammary tumor-bearing rats, the biodistribution of [18F]FTX at 2 h showed a tumor uptake value (% injected dose/gram tissue) of 0.41 +/- 0.07; when rats were pretreated with diethylstilbestrol (DES), the value changed to 0.24 +/- 0.017. [131I]ITX at 6 h showed a tumor uptake value of 0.26 +/- 0.166; when rats were pretreated with DES, the value changed to 0.22 +/- 0.044. Priming tumor-bearing rats with estradiol, a tumor uptake value for [131I]ITX was increased to 0.48 +/- 0.107 at 6 h. In the [3H]estradiol receptor assay, tumors had a mean estrogen receptor density of 7.5 fmol/mg of protein. In gamma scintigraphic imaging studies with [131I]ITX, the rabbit uterus uptake can be blocked by pretreatment with DES. Both iodo-tamoxifen and tamoxifen reduced ER(+) breast tumor growth at the dose of 50 micrograms in tumor-bearing mice. The findings indicate that tamoxifen analogue uptake in tumors occurs via an ER-mediated process. Both analogues should have potential for diagnosing functioning ER(+) breast cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of two Caenorhabditis genes encoding FMRFamide(Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2)-like peptides.

We have identified a gene encoding multiple FMRFamide-like peptides in the necromenic nematode Caenorhabditis vulgaris. This gene, Cv-flp-1, shares strong sequence homology in the coding regions with the flp-1 gene from the related free-living soil nematode C. elegans. The predicted neuropeptide precursor proteins differ by only four conservative amino acid changes, none of which affects sequences of the predicted neuropeptides. DNA sequences in the non-coding areas are less conserved, but areas of sequence homology are found in introns and in 3' and 5' non-translated regions, suggesting some functional significance for these conserved regions. In C. vulgaris, as was found in C. elegans, two transcripts are presumably produced as a result of use of an alternative 3' splice acceptor site. Lastly, an antibody specific for the RF-moiety of FMRFamide stains a similar subset of cells in C. elegans and C. vulgaris. These results indicate that the function and regulation of the peptides are likely to be conserved in both species.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

Synaptic targeting of rabphilin-3A, a synaptic vesicle Ca2+/phospholipid-binding protein, depends on rab3A/3C.

rab3A, a low molecular weight GTP-binding protein of synaptic vesicles with a putative function in synaptic vesicle docking, interacts in a GTP-dependent manner with rabphilin-3A, a peripheral membrane protein that binds Ca2+ and phospholipids. We now show that rabphilin-3A is an evolutionarily conserved synaptic vesicle protein that is attached to synaptic vesicle membranes via its N terminus and exhibits a heterogeneous distribution among synapses. In rab3A-deficient mice, rabphilin-3A is decreased in synapses belonging to neurons that primarily express rab3A and accumulates in the perikarya of these neurons. In contrast, neurons expressing significant levels of rab3C still contain normal levels of rabphilin-3A in a synaptic pattern, and rabphilin-3A binds rab3C in vitro. These results suggest that analogous to the membrane recruitment of raf by ras, rab3A and rab3C may function in recruiting rabphilin-3A to the synaptic vesicle membrane in a GTP-dependent manner.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1994

Functional properties of multiple synaptotagmins in brain.

At least four forms of synaptotagmin are expressed in neurons. Of these, synaptotagmin I has an essential function in mediating Ca(2+)-triggered neurotransmitter release at hippocampal synapses, but the functional implications of multiple synaptotagmins are unknown. Synaptotagmins I-III exhibit a strikingly differential distribution between synapses, with most neurons coexpressing either synaptotagmins I or II with III. Synaptotagmin IV is present uniformly throughout the brain at low levels. Synaptotagmins III and IV are both coexpressed with synaptotagmin I in hippocampal synapses, suggesting that these synaptotagmins are not functionally redundant. The first C2 domains of synaptotagmins I-III exhibit similar Ca2+ affinities in phospholipid-binding assays, whereas that of synaptotagmin IV is unable to bind Ca2+. All synaptotagmins tested bind the clathrin-adaptor protein AP-2 with high affinity. Our results suggest that different synaptotagmins serve distinct but overlapping functions in neuronal membrane traffic, with synaptotagmins I and II representing alternative Ca2+ sensors in exocytosis and all synaptotagmins functioning as AP-2 receptors in endocytosis.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗
PubMed1994

Three-field breast irradiation technique using tangential quarter fields.

We have developed and implemented in clinical practice an isocentric three-field breast irradiation technique using tangential quarter fields. In this technique, the same isocenter is used for the supraclavicular and the tangential breast fields. The superior-posterior corner of the tangential breast fields is placed at the central axis by asymmetric collimation of both the length and the width of the field. Consequently, the beam divergence at both the superior and posterior edges is eliminated, allowing a perfect geometric match between the posterior borders of both tangential breast fields and the supraclavicular field without table rotation. Compared to conventional techniques requiring table rotations, the present method produces a more uniform dose distribution in the target volume and requires significantly less simulation time.

Breast↗
PubMed1994

Rab proteins in regulated exocytosis.

Regulated exocytosis is responsible for neuronal communication, hormone secretion, food digestion, control of glucose uptake and many other basic processes. Despite the structural and functional diversity of the cells undergoing regulated exocytosis, all regulated exocytosis involves specialized vesicles that are stored in the cytoplasm and fuse with the plasma membrane in response to a trigger event. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of small GTP-binding proteins, Rab3 and its relatives, participate in the control of regulated exocytosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Naming convention for radiation therapy treatment fields.

We have implemented in our clinic a practical naming convention for radiation therapy treatment fields. In this convention, each treatment field is given a standardized code name that denotes its beam orientation, anatomical site, and treatment phase with up to seven characters. This practice reduces the confusion in patient charting and computer record keeping that can exist when multiple names are given to the same field.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Formation and characterization of cisplatin-loaded poly(benzyl l-glutamate) microspheres for chemoembolization.

Chemoembolization using microspheres of 100- to 200-microns is a useful way to treat primary and secondary hepatic tumors. In a search for a better embolic material, we described in detail the preparation and characterization of a poly(benzyl l-glutamate) (PBLG) microspheres containing cisplatin (CDDP). We determined the optimal experimental conditions to produce spherical free-flowing microspheres that were able to release drug content (44% [w/w] CDDP) in a sustained manner. We found that solvent viscosity played a key role in determining the resulting microsphere characteristics. Microscopic studies showed that increasing the polymer concentration (to 10% [w/v]) and the viscosity of the organic phase produced microspheres with uniform drug distribution. Increasing polymer concentration also markedly improved drug incorporation efficiency. In vitro release studies revealed that the release of CDDP was a function of drug loading; microspheres with a higher amount of entrapped CDDP had a slower release rate. This observation and the fact that CDDP/PBLG microspheres did not show "burst effect" at higher loading is ascribed to the formation of uniformly distributed drug crystal networks within the polymer matrix. The favorable properties of the CDDP/PBLG system warrants its further evaluation on experimental animal models for the treatment of hepatic tumors.

Chemoembolization, Therapeutic↗