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Biomedical subjects

D Qiu

Publications and source records attributed to D Qiu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Preoperative chemotherapy and operation for invasive Masaoke stage III and IV a thymoma].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on invasive thymoma. METHODS: Fourteen patients with invasive thymoma (12 cases in Masaoka stage III and 2 cases in stage IV a) were treated with 3-4 cycles of CAVP (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 D1, adriamycin 30 mg/m2 or epi-adriamycin 40 mg/m2 D1, vincristine 0.6 mg/m2 D1 or vindestine 3 mg/m2 D1, D8, cisplatin 30 mg/m2 D1, 2, 3). Following chemotherapy, patients were operated within 1-3 months. In 10 patients, sternotomy was performed and in 4 patients, anterolateral thoracotomy was performed. Radiotherapy was given with a total dose of 50-60 Gy in all patients except in those who were pathologically in complete remission. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 3 years. RESULTS: After chemotherapy, complete response was observed in 5 patients (35.7%) and partial response in 9 patients (64.3%). Nine patients received radical tumor resection and 5 patients received partial resection. Histologic/examination of the surgical specimens showed fibrosis of the remnant thymus in 5 patients. All but two patients survived in the follow-up period. Patient died from distant metastases at 18 and 24 months after treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: Preoperative chemotherapy helps increase the resectability of stage III and IV a invasive thymoma. A longer follow-up period and more patients are needed to ascertain the impact of this treatment strategy on long-term survival.

Adult↗

[An adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay for detecting the number of living cells].

The method for detecting the number of living cells was studied. Using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay, the present authors reported a perfect linear relationship between lg ATP concentrations and lg luminescence counts (r = 0.9963) as well as a relationship between lg number of cells and lg ATP luminescence counts (r = 0.9922). The detectable cells ranged from 10(2) to 10(6) cells/ml, the coefficients of variation 1-3%. This method is simple, accurate and sensitive and has a high reproducibility.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Applying pharmaceutical effect indexes to screen out the preparation technology of xiaobanxia added fuling granules].

After having adopted vomiting animal model created by filling stomach with cuprum sulfuricum and after having selected incubation period and vomiting index as our measuring and commenting indexes. We prepared decoction of Xiaobanxia added Fuling granules by applying orthogonal experimental method with four factors and three levels to proceed a preferable choice of extracting technology. The superior extracting technology became A2B3C2, namely: comminuting medicinal materials into coarse powder, for the first time, adding 9 times dosage of water and decocting for 45 minutes, for the second time, adding 5 times dosage of water and decocting for 30 minutes, condensing the filtrate to light paste (specific gravity 1.25-1.27, assaying at 25 centigrade), preparing decoction of Xiaobanxia added Fuling granules with a proportion as below:light paste:amylin:saccharose powder = 1:3:0.5.

Animals↗

Immunosuppressant PG490 (triptolide) inhibits T-cell interleukin-2 expression at the level of purine-box/nuclear factor of activated T-cells and NF-kappaB transcriptional activation.

PG490 (triptolide) is a diterpene triepoxide with potent immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory properties. PG490 inhibits interleukin(IL)-2 expression by normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and antibody to CD3 (IC50 of 10 ng/ml), and with PMA and ionomycin (Iono, IC50 of 40 ng/ml). In Jurkat T-cells, PG490 inhibits PMA/Iono-stimulated IL-2 transcription. PG490 inhibits the induction of DNA binding activity at the purine-box/antigen receptor response element (ARRE)/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT) target sequence but not at the NF-kappaB site. PG490 can completely inhibit transcriptional activation at the purine-box/ARRE/NF-AT and NF-kappaB target DNA sequences triggered by all stimuli examined (PMA, PMA/Iono, tumor necrosis factor-alpha). PG490 also inhibits PMA-stimulated activation of a chimeric transcription factor in which the C-terminal TA1 transactivation domain of NF-kappaB p65 is fused to the DNA binding domain of GAL4. In 16HBE human bronchial epithelial cells, IL-8 expression is regulated predominantly by NF-kappaB, and PG490 but not cyclosporin A can completely inhibit expression of IL-8. The mechanism of PG490 inhibition of cytokine gene expression differs from cyclosporin A and involves nuclear inhibition of transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB and the purine-box regulator operating at the ARRE/NF-AT site at a step after specific DNA binding.

Binding Sites↗

PG490 (triptolide) cooperates with tumor necrosis factor-alpha to induce apoptosis in tumor cells.

Progress in the treatment of solid tumors has been slow and sporadic. The efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in solid tumors is limited because tumors frequently have mutations in the p53 gene. Also, chemotherapy only kills rapidly dividing cells. Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, however, induce apoptosis regardless of the p53 phenotype. Unfortunately, the cytotoxicity of TNF-alpha is limited by its activation of NF-kappaB and activation of NF-kappaB is proinflammatory. We have identified a compound called PG490, that is composed of purified triptolide, which induces apoptosis in tumor cells and sensitizes tumor cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. PG490 potently inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB. PG490 also blocked TNF-alpha-mediated induction of c-IAP2 (hiap-1) and c-IAP1 (hiap-2), members of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family. Interestingly, PG490 did not block DNA binding of NF-kappaB, but it blocked transactivation of NF-kappaB. Our identification of a compound that blocks TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB may enhance the cytotoxicity of TNF-alpha on tumors in vivo and limit its proinflammatory effects.

Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating↗

Infection with multiple strains of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto in patients with Lyme disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess human skin biopsy specimens from erythema migrans lesions for the presence of infection with multiple strains of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. DESIGN: Skin biopsy specimens were obtained prospectively from patients with erythema migrans. To determine allelic differences and strain identification of B burgdorferi, the biopsy specimens were analyzed by cold single-strand conformation polymorphism of an amplified fragment of the outer surface protein C (ospC) gene. Further single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns of amplified ospC genes from culture isolates were compared with polymerase chain reaction products obtained directly from erythema migrans biopsy specimens. SETTING: A private dermatology office and a university medical center outpatient department. PATIENTS: Sixteen patients presenting with erythema migrans. RESULTS: Two of the 16 patients in this cohort were infected with 2 B burgdorferi sensu stricto strains, as evidenced by 2 ospC alleles in their skin biopsy results. CONCLUSION: This is the first documented description of the existence of more than a single strain of B burgdorferi sensu stricto in a human specimen.

Adult↗

Local inhibition of chlorhexidinum on Lewis pulmonary carcinoma in mice.

C57 inbred mice (n = 100) were employed to develop animal models of Lewis pulmonary carcinoma. The study on the tumor inhibition was performed by infiltrative injection of 3.5% Cy or chlorhexidinum of two different concentrations around the tumor respectively. The survival, survival rate, tumor growth rate, and pulmonary metastasis node number were compared. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of 0.1% and 0.5% chlorhexidinum were the same as that of 3.5% Cy, but the toxic and side effects were obviously reduced as compared with 3.5% Cy. The optimal concentration of chlorhexidinum was 0.5%. This provides a new approach for infiltrative injection of the tumor for clinical use.

Animals↗

Vaccines prepared with sialyl-Tn and sialyl-Tn trimers using the 4-(4-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxyl hydrazide linker group result in optimal antibody titers against ovine submaxillary mucin and sialyl-Tn-positive tumor cells.

Sialyl-Tn (STn) is an O-serine- or O-threonine-linked disaccharide [NeuAcalpha(2-->6)GalNAcalpha-O-Ser/Thr) expressed on mucins of most types of adenocarcinoma as single STn or clustered STn [STn(c)] epitopes. Though STn is expressed on some normal tissues it is relatively tumor-specific, especially in the clustered conformation. Clinical trials with STn-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugate vaccines, prepared using reductive amination with a two-carbon linker group, have resulted in high titers against STn but lower titers against natural forms of STn (ovine submaxillary mucin, or tumor cells). To obtain antibodies of more appropriate specificity, we attempted to prepare STn(c)-KLH conjugates to establish their immunogenicity in mice in preparation for clinical trials; however, conjugation efficiency was poor when the same two-carbon linker was used, presumably because of steric hindrance. STn-KLH and STn(c)-KLH conjugates were prepared using the regular two-carbon or the recently developed more efficient longer heterobifunctional 4-(4-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxyl hydrazide (MMCCH) linkers, and the resulting immunogenicities in mice were compared. The highest titers against STn were seen with the STn-KLH conjugate with the two-carbon linker, and the highest titers against STn(c) were seen with STn(c)-KLH with the MMCCH linker. Conjugation with MMCCH resulted in the highest conjugation efficiency (yield) and the highest titers against ovine submaxillary mucin and STn-positive tumor cells, and is the method of choice for the preparation of STn(c) vaccine for clinical trials.

Animals↗

Dithiothreitol has a dose-response effect on cell surface antigen expression.

BACKGROUND: The use of Dithiothreitol (DTT) to improve cell dispersion is an integral step in induced sputum examination, which has become an important noninvasive method of assessing airway inflammation. Several studies have shown that sputum treatment with DTT does not affect cell morphology, differential cell counts, and cytokine levels in the supernatant. However, the effect of DTT on cell surface marker expression has not been systematically studied. OBJECTIVE: We have investigated the effect of different DTT concentrations on antigen expression on peripheral blood cells compared with antigen expression on PBS-treated cells. METHODS: Peripheral blood from different healthy donors was incubated with either DTT or PBS, washed, and then incubated with different fluorescence-labeled antibodies. Analysis was performed after lysis of erythrocytes on a calibrated flow cytometer. Respective cell populations were identified, and the mean fluorescence intensity of surface-marker expression for each cell population was compared between DTT- and PBS-treated cells. RESULTS: We found that DTT decreased the expression of CD11a and CD49d on lymphocytes and eosinophils. The expression of CD11a on neutrophils was also decreased after DTT treatment. DTT increased CD11b expression on lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. DTT might also have a mild effect on cell activation. It decreased the expression of CD2 on lymphocytes and variably affected the expression of EG2 in eosinophils, although it had no significant effect on HLA-DR expression on lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that DTT can affect antigen expression on lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils and suggest the need for further investigation of similar consequences on induced sputum analysis.

Antigens, Surface↗

[The relation between mitochondrial DNA mutation and aminogly- coside antibiotics-induced deafness].

OBJECTIVE: To nvestigate the relation between mitochondrial DNA mutation and aminoglycoside antibiotics-induced deafness. METHODS: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of peripheral blood from 48 sporadic cases was analysed using PCR-BsmAI digestion and PCR-direct DNA silver sequencing. RESULTS: Six of 48 sporadic patients had A to G mutation in 12S rRNA gene of mtDNA at nucleotide 1555. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that mtDNA 1555(G) mutation is related to the occurring of aminoglycoside antibiotics-induced deafness which can cause genetic susceptibility to aminoglycoside antibotics ototoxicity.

Adolescent↗

Effects of Kupffer cells stimulated by triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein on proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and Kupffer cell-conditioned medium (KCCM) derived from triglyceride and VLDL treatment on proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: HSC and Kupffer cells were isolated and cultured from liver of Wistar rats by in situ perfusion with proteinase and collagenase, and density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz; HSC and Kupffer cells were identified by immunohistochemistry, endocytosis, and ultrastructure, etc. Kupffer cells were incubated with triglyceride (25 micrograms/ml) and VLDL (25 micrograms/ml) for 24 hours, KCCM were prepared, and MTT colorimetric assay was detected for HSC proliferation. RESULTS: HSC proliferation was 0.1894 +/- 0.0316 (12.5 micrograms/ml), 0.1637 +/- 0.0243 (25 micrograms/ml), 0.1450 +/- 0.0264 (50 micrograms/ml), 0.1212 +/- 0.0275 (100 micrograms/ml), 0.1226 +/- 0.0138 (200 micrograms/ml) and 0.0990 +/- 0.0163 (400 micrograms/ml) in the presence of triglyceride and was 0.1583 +/- 0.0314 (6.25 micrograms/ml), 0.1642 +/- 0.0269 (12.5 micrograms/ml), 0.1834 +/- 0.0498 (25 micrograms/ml), 0.1964 +/- 0.0287 (50 micrograms/ml) and 0.2202 +/- 0.0284 (100 micrograms/ml) in presence of VLDL, respectively. Compared with the control, HSC proliferation at 400 micrograms/ml of triglyceride was lower (P < 0.01), but at 12.5 micrograms/ml of triglyceride and 25, 50, 100 micrograms/ml of VLDL higher (P < 0.05 or 0.01); HSC proliferation was 0.1569 +/- 0.0144, 0.1924 +/- 0.0113 and 0.1871 +/- 0.0116 in the presence of KCCM, KCCM + triglyceride and KCCM + VLDL, respectively. Compared with the control and KCCM, KCCM + triglyceride and KCCM + VLDL might promote HSC proliferation (P < 0.01); there was no statistical significance between KCCM + triglyceride and KCCM + VLDL (P > 0.05); KCCM was greater in HSC proliferation than the control, but there was no significant change (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Triglyceride, VLDL, and KCCM stimulated by triglyceride and VLDL might promote HSC proliferation and be associated with fatty liver and hepatic fibrogenesis.

Animals↗

[Effects of Kupffer cells stimulated by triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein on proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Kupffer cell-conditioned medium (KCCM) derived from triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) treatment on proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: HSC and Kupffer cells were isolated from liver of Wistar rats by in situ perfusion with pronase and collagenase and density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz and then cultured. KCCM was prepared and MTT colorimetric assay was used to detect HSC proliferation. RESULTS: HSC and Kupffer cells were isolated successfully with high purity. 12.5 mg/L of triglyceride and 25 - 100 mg/L of VLDL promoted HSC proliferation (P < 0.05 or 0.01); KCCM + triglyceride and KCCM + VLDL might promote HSC proliferation as compared with a control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between KCCM + triglyceride and KCCM + VLDL (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The technique for isolation of HSC and Kupffer cells described here is simple and reliable. Triglyceride, VLDL and KCCM stimulated by them may promote HSC proliferation and be associated with fatty liver and hepatic fibrogenesis.

Animals↗

[Determination of lead in tinplate by ICP-AES].

The determination of lead in tinplate by ICP-AES was presented in this paper. The tinplate samples were pretreated with NaOH-H2O2 for dissolving tin and lead,and the spectral interferences from iron could thus be avoided. The lead content in the sample was determined in the range of 0.14-0.38 microg/cm2. The recovery and the relative standard deviation (RSD) were in the ranges of 96.1%-103.2% and 2.6%-3.8%, respectively. The method was simple,rapid and efficient.

Food Packaging↗

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation activates specific regions in rat brain.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique to induce electric currents in the brain. Although rTMS is being evaluated as a possible alternative to electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of refractory depression, little is known about the pattern of activation induced in the brain by rTMS. We have compared immediate early gene expression in rat brain after rTMS and electroconvulsive stimulation, a well-established animal model for electroconvulsive therapy. Our result shows that rTMS applied in conditions effective in animal models of depression induces different patterns of immediate-early gene expression than does electroconvulsive stimulation. In particular, rTMS evokes strong neural responses in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) and in other regions involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms. The response in PVT is independent of the orientation of the stimulation probe relative to the head. Part of this response is likely because of direct activation, as repetitive magnetic stimulation also activates PVT neurons in brain slices.

Animals↗

Specific agrin isoforms induce cAMP response element binding protein phosphorylation in hippocampal neurons.

The synaptic basal lamina protein agrin is essential for the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Agrin mediates the postsynaptic clustering of acetylcholine receptors and regulates transcription in muscles. Agrin expression is not restricted to motor neurons but can be demonstrated throughout the CNS. The functional significance of agrin expression in neurons other than motor neurons is unknown. To test whether agrin triggers responses in neurons that lead to the activation of transcription factors, we have analyzed phosphorylation of the transcriptional regulatory site serine 133 of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) in primary hippocampal neurons. Our results indicate that the neuronal (Ag4,8), but not the non-neuronal (Ag0,0), isoform of agrin induces CREB phosphorylation in hippocampal neurons. The kinetics of agrin- and BDNF-induced CREB phosphorylation are similar: peak levels are reached in minutes and are strongly reduced 2 hr later. Neuronal responses to agrin require extracellular calcium, and, in contrast to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the specific inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) does not affect agrin-evoked CREB phosphorylation. Our results show that hippocampal neurons specifically respond to neuronal agrin in a Ca2+-dependent manner and via the activation of tyrosine kinases.

Agrin↗

Chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and nitrocaphanum in malignant trophoblastic tumor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nitrocaphanum (AT 1258) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT). METHOD: From 1979 to 1988, 152 patients with trophoblastic tumor were treated with combination chemotherapy using nitrocaphanum and 5-FU. Seventy patients had nonmetastatic disease, 61 with single organ metastasis and 9 with involvement of two or more organs. Fifty patients had received previous chemotherapy. The dose of 5-FU was 26 mg/kg and that of nitrocaphanum 0.6 mg/kg each daily for 8 days, repeated every 29 days. RESULTS: Among patients who received nitrocaphanum with 5-FU, 134 of 152 patients (88%) achieved remission. By World Health Organization risk groups, the response to nitrocaphanum was as follows: 5-FU was 93.6% of 94 low-risk patients, 81.4% of 46 medium-risk patients, and 73.3% of 15 high-risk patients. Eighteen patients had to be given a second-line protocol because of resistance to nitrocaphanum and 5-FU. Fourteen of the 18 were cured while 4 patients died. There were 7 late recurrences more than 3 months after completion of therapy and 6 of these were cured by hysterectomy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Nitrocaphanum is an active chemotherapy agent in GTT and deserves further study for possible use in high-risk, chemotherapy-resistant patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

A novel and efficient method for synthetic carbohydrate conjugate vaccine preparation: synthesis of sialyl Tn-KLH conjugate using a 4-(4-N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxyl hydrazide (MMCCH) linker arm.

STn (NeuAcalpha2 --> 6GalNAc alpha-O-Ser/Thr) is a carbohydrate epitope overexpressed in various human carcinomas. Clinical trials are underway using synthetic STn or STn trimeric glycopeptides [STn, cluster; STn(c)] conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as active specific immunotherapy for these cancers. These vaccines have been prepared by conjugating a crotyl ethyl amide derivative of STn or STn(c) to KLH by direct reductive amination after ozonolysis. In the case of STn(c) the conjugation efficiency and the resulting epitope ratios were low. This may be due to steric hinderance of the short spacer arm. To overcome these difficulties, without resynthesis, the STn(c) glycopeptide was modified by attachment of an MMCCH (4-(4-N-maieimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxyl hydrazide) spacer arm to the aldehyde derivative, and then conjugated with thiolated KLH. This method gave a higher epitope ratio and yield than the direct method. The STn(c)-MMCCH-KLH conjugate induced high titer antibodies in mice against STn(c). This method may be generally applicable for large synthetic oligosaccharides.

Animals↗