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Biomedical subjects

H Cai

Publications and source records attributed to H Cai.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Analysis of proteins during recovery from lens opacity--analysis of selenite cataract model using Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rat].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The cataract in Sprague-Dawley rats injected with selenite is a dense nuclear opacity that appears by 4 or 5 days after selenite injection and becomes irreversible by 7 days. Injection of Wistar rats with selenite resulted in a similar nuclear opacity by 4 or 5 days that began to recover transparency by 7 days. In this report, the cytoplasmic proteins were analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in lenses from Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats at 4 and 7 days after injection. RESULTS: In the opaque lens cells, degradation of the 31 kDa protein and cytoskeletal proteins (vimentin, spectrin, and actin) was observed during cataract development using SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. During recovery from opacity, the decreased 31 kDa protein and the vimentin increased. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the 31 kDa protein and the vimentin may be important for recovery of transparency in a reversible model of cataract formation.

Animals↗

[Primary drug-resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Shanghai, 1985-1995].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the problem of antituberculosis drug resistance in Shanghai, 1985-1995. METHOD: All of the strains of M. tuberculosis from new patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were tested for resistance to INH, RFP, EMB, SM, PAS, and KM by the absolute concentration method on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. RESULTS: The rates of primary drug resistance to SM, INH, RFP, PAS, and KM were 10.2%, 5.2%, 4.8%, 5.6%, and 3.9% respectively in 1985, and decreased to 4.8%, 4.8%, 4.3%, 3.6%, and 2.6% in 1995, while the rate of drug resistance to EMB was 1.3% in 1985, and increased to 3.3% in 1995. The primary resistance rate to one or more drugs was 15.6% in 1985 and 8.2% in 1995. The resistance rates to one, two, three, four, five, and six drugs were 5.9%, 4.6%, 2.5%, 1.5%, 0.4%, and 0.8% respectively in 1985, and decreased to 1.9%, 3.5%, 1.2%, 1.2%, 0.1%, and 0.4% in 1995. The resistance rates to INH and RFP were 1.9% in 1992-1993, 2.4% in 1994-1995. CONCLUSION: The primary drug resistance of M. tuberculosis in Shanghai, 1985-1995, was in a trend of decline, but multi-drug resistance is still seriously existed.

China↗

[Changes of myocardial tissue and plasma angiotensin II in rats with pressure overload and effect of lujiao prescription].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of myocardial tissue and plasma angiotensin II in rats with pressure overload and effect of Lujiao prescription (LJP). METHODS: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), cardiac tissue and plasma angiotensin II were measured in the rat model with myocardial hypertrophy of congestive heart failure and pressure overload by abdominal aortic constriction by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: LVMI level in the model group was obviously higher than that of the sham group (P < 0.001), while in LJP groups (both groups of low and high dose) was lowered significantly as compared with the model group. The myocardial and plasma angiotensin II levels in the model group were obviously higher than those of the sham group (P < 0.001), while those of the LJP groups were also lowered significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cardial tissue and plasma angiotensin II in rats with myocardial hypertrophy of congestive heart failure by pressure overload were increased, and LJP could decrease them significantly. The therapeutic mechanism of LJP in treating heart failure might be related with the lowering of angiotensin II in cardial tissue and plasma so as to reduce the left ventricular hypertrophy.

Angiotensin II↗

[Study on the application of random amplified polymorphic DNA in Yersinia pestis genotyping].

OBJECTIVE: To study the type of 103 Y. pestis strains that isolated from different plague foci and different ecological types. METHOD: Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used. RESULTS: Y. pestis were divided into two RAPD types: most strains that isolated from elsewhere in the country belonged to RAPD-1 type, while most strains that isolated from Qinghai province were RAPD-2 type. CONCLUSION: The genome structures of different ecotype Y. pestis were different providing the foundation of further research and prevention of plague.

Animals↗

[Investigation of a gas chromatographic column system for the on-line analysis of gaseous components in de-propane tower of pyrolysis equipment].

Multi-dimensional gas chromatograph has become an important process analyzer due to the advantages of high resolution and fast speed. According to the production requirement, a gas chromatographic column switching system has been investigated for the on-line analysis of gaseous components from high-pressure and lower-pressure de-propane towers of pyrolysis equipment. By using two different injection times on three injectors, and fore-flush and back-flush techniques, C2-hydrocarbons, propane, propene, methylacetylene, propadiene and C4-hydrocarbons can be separated on 7 columns in 7 minutes. The practical application showed the developed column system is suitable for the on-line monitoring of the production process.

English Abstract↗

New insights into inhibitor design from the crystal structure and NMR studies of Escherichia coli GAR transformylase in complex with beta-GAR and 10-formyl-5,8,10-trideazafolic acid.

The crystal structure of Escherichia coli GAR Tfase at 2.1 A resolution in complex with 10-formyl-5,8,10-trideazafolic acid (10-formyl-TDAF, K(i) = 260 nM), an inhibitor designed to form an enzyme-assembled multisubstrate adduct with the substrate, beta-GAR, was studied to determine the exact nature of its inhibitory properties. Rather than forming the expected covalent adduct, the folate inhibitor binds as the hydrated aldehyde (gem-diol) in the enzyme active site, in a manner that mimics the tetrahedral intermediate of the formyl transfer reaction. In this hydrated form, the inhibitor not only provides unexpected insights into the catalytic mechanism but also explains the 10-fold difference in inhibitor potency between 10-formyl-TDAF and the corresponding alcohol, and a further 10-fold difference for inhibitors that lack the alcohol. The presence of the hydrated aldehyde was confirmed in solution by (13)C-(1)H NMR spectroscopy of the ternary GAR Tfase-beta-GAR-10-formyl-TDAF complex using the (13)C-labeled 10-formyl-TDAF. This insight into the behavior of the inhibitor, which is analogous to protease or transaminase inhibitors, provides a novel and previously unrecognized basis for the design of more potent inhibitors of the folate-dependent formyl transfer enzymes of the purine biosynthetic pathway and development of anti-neoplastic agents.

Binding, Competitive↗

Cloning and characterization of neuropilin-1-interacting protein: a PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 domain-containing protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of neuropilin-1.

Neuropilin-1 (Npn-1), a receptor for semaphorin III, mediates the guidance of growth cones on extending neurites. The molecular mechanism of Npn-1 signaling remains unclear. We have used a yeast two-hybrid system to isolate a protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of Npn-1. This Npn-1-interacting protein (NIP) contains a central PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain and a C-terminal acyl carrier protein domain. The physiological interaction of Npn-1 and NIP is supported by co-immunoprecipitation of these two proteins in extracts from a heterologous expression system and from a native tissue. The C-terminal three amino acids of Npn-1 (S-E-A-COOH), which is conserved from Xenopus to human, is responsible for interaction with the PDZ domain-containing C-terminal two-thirds of NIP. NIP as well as Npn-1 are broadly expressed in mice as assayed by Northern and Western analysis. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization experiments revealed that NIP expression overlaps with that of Npn-1. NIP has been independently cloned as RGS-GAIP-interacting protein (GIPC), where it was identified by virtue of its interaction with the C terminus of RGS-GAIP and suggested to participate in clathrin-coated vesicular trafficking. We suggest that NIP and GIPC may participate in regulation of Npn-1-mediated signaling as a molecular adapter that couples Npn-1 to membrane trafficking machinery in the dynamic axon growth cone.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

A novel methyltransferase catalyzes the methyl esterification of trans-aconitate in Escherichia coli.

We have identified a new type of S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase in the cytosol of Escherichia coli that is expressed in early stationary phase under the control of the RpoS sigma factor. This enzyme catalyzes the monomethyl esterification of trans-aconitate at high affinity (Km = 0.32 mM) and cis-aconitate, isocitrate, and citrate at lower velocities and affinities. We have purified the enzyme to homogeneity by gel-filtration, anion-exchange, and hydrophobic chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was found to match that expected for the o252 open reading frame at 34.57 min on the E. coli genomic sequence whose deduced amino acid sequence contains the signature sequence motifs of the major class of S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases. Overexpression of the o252 gene resulted in an overexpression of the methyltransferase activity, and we have now designated it tam for trans-aconitate methyltransferase. We have generated a knock-out strain of E. coli lacking this activity, and we find that its growth and stationary phase survival are similar to that of the parent strain. We demonstrate the endogenous formation of trans-aconitate methyl ester in extracts of wild type but not tam- mutant cells indicating that trans-aconitate is present in E. coli. Since trans-aconitate does not appear to be a metabolic intermediate in these cells but forms spontaneously from the key citric acid cycle intermediate cis-aconitate, we suggest that its methylation may limit its potential interference in normal metabolic pathways. We have detected trans-aconitate methyltransferase activity in extracts of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas no activity has been found in extracts of Caenorhabditis elegans or mouse brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a novel gene product preferentially expressed in rat lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: We searched for an mRNA that is differentially expressed in rat lens epithelial and fiber cells to use as a marker for differentiation. METHODS: An mRNA differential display method was used to identify genes with altered expression during differentiation of lens epithelial cells. RESULTS: One gene (partial sequence) was identified and confirmed to be expressed preferentially in undifferentiated rat lens epithelial cells. Among non-lens tissues, a trace amount was detected in cornea, but not in retina or eleven non-ocular tissues tested. This cloned partial gene sequence (322 base pairs) is at least 93% identical to overlapping rat and mouse EST sequences, and extends the sequence of both ESTs at the 5' end. CONCLUSIONS: A clone has been isolated that is preferentially expressed in lens epithelial cells. Expression of this gene was down-regulated when rat pup lens epithelial cell explants were induced to differentiate. The unusual pattern of expression suggests a novel function for this gene.

Animals↗

Study of temoporfin metabolism by HPLC and electrospray mass spectrometry.

The in vivo and in vitro metabolism of temoporfin (m-THPC), one of the most potent photosensitizers for the treatment of cancer by photodynamic therapy, has been studied in detail by HPLC with fluorescence and spectrophotometric detection and on-line HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry. The results showed that temoporfin was not metabolized in vivo and was excreted unchanged via the biliary system into the faeces. No temoporfin or metabolites were detected in the urine. In vitro incubation of temoporfin with human and rat liver microsomal preparations in the presence of NADPH resulted in no metabolite production, even after enzyme induction with cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme inducers such as phenobarbitone, dexamethasone and 3-methylcholanthrene. No conjugation of temoporfin by phase II cytosolic enzymes was observed. It is concluded that the possible 'metabolites' previously observed were artifacts generated by photochemical oxidation of temoporfin to hydroxylated derivatives during the sample administration, collection, preparation and extraction procedures or were impurities already present in the original drug before administration for metabolic studies. These have been confirmed experimentally.

Animals↗

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoretic separation of basic enantiomers using heptakis(2,3-dimethyl-6-sulfato)-beta-cyclodextrin.

The enantiomers of 40 basic analytes, mostly pharmaceuticals, were separated by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis in acidic methanol background electrolytes using the sodium salt of heptakis(2,3-dimethyl-6-sulfato)-beta-cyclodextrin (HDMS-beta-CD). The effective mobilities, separation selectivities, and peak resolution values were determined as a function of the HDMS-beta-CD concentration in the 0-40 mM range and were found to follow the theoretical predictions of the charged resolving agent migration model (CHARM model). Fast, efficient enantiomer separations were achieved for a large number of both very hydrophobic and hydrophilic weak bases.

Cyclodextrins↗

Persistent health effects of dioxin contamination in herbicide production.

A total of 159 cases of chloracne reported in 1969-1975 in TCDD-contaminated production of the herbicide 2,4,5-T have been followed for mortality and morbidity up to 1996 when blood and urine tests were performed on 50 survivors of these exposed chemical workers and matched controls. In exposed, the most frequent cause of sick leave was chloracne which persisted in 32%. Neurological symptoms were reported frequently (44% sleep disturbance, 32% headache, 30% neuralgia). BSR, leucocytes, gamma-GT, SGOT, and SGPT were significantly higher in exposed than in controls. The effects of exposure (P= 0.002) and alcohol (P= 0.002) on gamma-GT were found to be independent of each other. Comparisons within the chloracne cohort showed significantly exposed TCDD per gram blood lipid in patients with a history of liver disease (mean 801 pg/g) than without (mean 407 pg/g). Other congeners were not found elevated but some higher chlorinated furans and PCBs were found reduced in patients with liver disease. In multiple regression analysis with the factors age, alcohol, and log TCDD, the effects of TCDD and its interaction with age were found significant, indicative of chronic liver damage after high TCDD exposure at a young age. The prevalence of neurological symptoms and signs of chronic liver disease were related to TCDD in blood and abnormal poryphyrins in urine. In 48% coproporphyrin I > III ratio was elevated, this group showing increased TCDD (mean 719 pg/g). These results contribute to the evidence that chloracne is not the only chronic disease which can be related to TCDD exposure, even 23 years after exposure and despite high intersubject variability of TCDD half-life and other exposures.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

The Glu-298-->Asp (894G-->T) mutation at exon 7 of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and coronary artery disease.

We examined associations between the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene Glu-298-->Asp (894G-->T) mutation and the occurrence and severity of angiographically defined coronary artery disease (CAD). eNOS mediates basal vascular wall nitric oxide production, and altered nitric oxide production has been implicated in atherosclerosis. The newly identified eNOS Glu-298-->Asp mutation in exon 7 is common and likely to be functional. It was found to be associated with myocardial infarction (MI) in Japanese but not in whites. We genotyped 763 white Australians undergoing coronary angiography for the eNOS Glu-298-->Asp mutation. The frequencies of the eNOS GG, TG and TT genotypes were 47.8%, 41.2% and 11.0% in men and 45.2%, 41.1% and 13.7% in women with CAD, and were not significantly different from those without CAD (43.2%, 40.7% and 16.0%, P=0.423 in men; 40.2%, 48.1% and 11.7%, P=0.582 in women). The mutation was also not associated with MI (P=0.469 in males; P=0.389 in females) or with the number of significantly stenosed vessels (P=0.954; P=0.734). The "T" allele frequency (32.5%) was much greater than that reported for the Japanese population (7.8% in controls and 10.0% in MI patients). In conclusion, the eNOS Glu-298-->Asp mutation is common, occurring with an allele frequency of 32.5%, but is not associated with either the occurrence or severity of CAD in the Australian population or with other established coronary risk factors assessed in our study. The mutation is significantly more frequent in the Australian than in the Japanese.

Adult↗

Relationship between total plasma homocysteine, polymorphisms of homocysteine metabolism related enzymes, risk factors and coronary artery disease in the Australian hospital-based population.

Modest elevations of circulating homocysteine are common in patients with vascular disease. We explored interrelations between total plasma homocysteine levels and mutations in genes for three key enzymes in methionine-homocysteine metabolism. Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T, cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) 68-bp insertion at exon 8, and methionine synthase (MS) 2756A-->G were typed in 685 Australian caucasian patients aged < or =65 years with and without angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). We also assessed associations between homocysteine levels and extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) and other CAD risk factors. There were significant correlations between plasma total homocysteine, and EC-SOD (r = 0.170, p = 0.001 for men; r = 0.241, p = 0.003 for women) and LDL (r = 0.153, p = 0.001 for men; r = 0.132, p = 0.081 for women). Levels were also significantly higher among patients with unstable angina (15.30+/-0.44 micromol/l for men, 14.44+/-0.74 micromol/l for women) than those without angina (13.98+/-0.38 micromol/l for men, 13.41+/-0.98 micromol/l for women) or with stable angina (14.00+/-0.37 micromol/l for men, 12.88+/-0.71 micromol/l for women). There were no significant associations between the levels and the presence or severity of CAD. The mutant MTHFR homozygotes tended to have higher levels and those with the MS and CBS mutations tended to have lower levels. We conclude that there is a significant correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and EC-SOD suggesting that elevated homocysteine may exert oxidative stress and that levels are associated with unstable angina, but not the occurrence or extent of coronary stenosis. The contributions to total plasma homocysteine levels of the common mutations of genes coding for the enzymes controlling homocysteine metabolism are modest.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltran↗

NADH/NADPH oxidase p22 phox C242T polymorphism and coronary artery disease in the Australian population.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress induced by the superoxide anion (.O2-) has been implicated in atherogenesis. The NADH/NADPH oxidase system is involved in.O2- production and p22 phox is an essential component of that system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed the p22 phox C242T polymorphism in 689 consecutive Australian Caucasians aged </= 65 years with and without angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD) RESULTS: We report the rare T allele frequency of 0.33, which is 3 fold higher than that reported in the Japanese population by Inoue et al. [7]. The genotype distributions were not different among patients with CAD (CC:0.422, CT:0.459 and TT: 0.119 in men; 0.447, 0.439 and 0.114 in women) and without CAD (0.479, 0. 420 and 0.101%, chi2 = 0.794, P = 0.672 in men; 0.443, 0.471 and 0. 86, chi2 = 0.442, P = 0.802 in women). The frequencies of the rare TT homozygotes or of the 'T' allele frequency were also not associated with the number of significantly stenosed vessels (chi2 = 4.466, P = 0.614 in men; chi2 = 4.736, P = 0.578 in women) or with a myocardial infarction (MI) history (chi2 = 2.310, P = 0.315 in men; chi2 = 1.178, P = 0.555 in women). However, when the analysis was conducted in young male patients aged </= 45 years (n = 44), TT + TC patients tended to have an increased risk for CAD (odds ratio: 5.71 95% CI: 1.22-26.75, P = 0.0271). CONCLUSION: The p22 phox C242T polymorphism is not associated with the occurrence or severity of CAD or with a history of MI in Australian Caucasian patients aged </= 65 years. However, the polymorphism could be associated with an increased CAD risk in young patients, which requires confirmation in large populations.

Australia↗

Correlation between prevention of cataract development by disulfiram and fates of selenium in selenite-treated rats.

PURPOSE: We found a new pharmacological effect of disulfiram (DSF) against rat pups with cataract induced by selenite injection. The possible reactive mechanism is discussed in this present paper. METHODS: Wistar male and female rats aged 13 and 30 days, and male rats aged 7 weeks were used this present study. Cataract was induced by injection of selenite (19 micromol/kg, s.c.) to 13-day old rats. The lens opacification was monitored by using the slit lamp equipped with an anterior eye segment analysis system (EAS-1000, Nidek). The selenium contents in rat organs were detected fluorimetrically. Liposomes containing DSF (DSF-liposomes) were prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation method. Rat pups were instilled 5 microl of DSF-liposomes into both eyes 4 times per day. Adult rats were administered with DSF suspensions (100 mg/kg) by nasal cannulation. The changes of plasma concentration of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), which was a metabolite of disulfiram, were determined by HPLC method. RESULTS: Intraocular treatment with DSF-liposomes prevented the onset of cataract development in rat pups injected with sodium selenite. Treatment with DSF also significantly reduced the selenium contents in plasma at 1 h post-treatment and in the eye at 96 h post-treatment. No significant differences of selenium content in liver and kidney were observed in 13-day old rats instilled with DSF-liposomes or DSF free liposomes. Cataract could not be induced in the 30-days-old rats with the same dose of selenite (19 micromol/kg) and the liver, kidney, and especially eye of the older rats had lower levels of selenium than 13-day old rats. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), an active metabolite of DSF, was decreased in the plasma following a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite. The selenium concentration in the plasma was decreased by the intranasal administration of DSF suspensions. CONCLUSIONS: Instillation of DSF-liposomes into the eyes of rat pups given a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite to induce cataracts prevented the formation of cataracts. The mechanism of inhibition may have resulted from a decreased level of selenium in the eyes following the treatment with DSF. On the other hand, as it is known that the cataracts may result from selenite-induced oxidative stress in the lens, DSF and DDC may react as anti-oxidants.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Influence of FL on ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic cells from cord blood in long-term liquid cultures.

The use of umbilical cord blood for stem cell transplantation has numerous advantages, but a major deficiency is the rather low cell number available. Therefore, ex vivo expansion were proposed to overcome this limitation. In this paper the effects of flt-3 ligand (FL), stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin(IL)-3, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte- monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on long-term ex vivo expansion and differentiation of cord blood hematopoietic cells were investigated. In the culture containing FL + SCF + G-CSF + GM-CSF, the total cell expansion ratio reached the maximum (385.30 +/- 163.51-fold) at 28 days, whereas in the culture with FL + SCF + IL-3 + IL-6, CFU-GMs expansion ratio reached a plateau (409.52 +/- 189.50-fold) at 28 days. FL synergized with SCF and other cytokines. In all the conditions investigated, cultures with FL obtained an increase of fold expansion in both total cells and CFU-GMs. The combination of FL + SCF does not benefit the proliferation of the total cells, however, the expansion of CFU-GM was kept at a high level. Apparently, both cytokines maintained the activities of stem/progenitor cells and hampered differentiation. In the presence of G-CSF and GM-CSF, total cells enhanced quickly, and had the most expansion of total cells in comparison with other combinations. However, CFU-GM output peaked at 18 days and subsequently dropped to 0 promptly, suggesting that G-CSF and GM-CSF inspired differentiation.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

[The therapeutic effect of ligustrazin and salvia miltiorrhiza on the gene expression of alpha1 (I) and alpha1 (III) procollagen in rat pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ligustrazin and salvia miltiorrhiza on collagen gene expression in rat pulmonary fibrosis (PF). METHODS: The tested animals were divided into 7 groups: normal control, untreated animal groups (day 7, 14 and 29), Ligustrazin, Salvia Miltiorrhiza and hydrocortisone groups. Treatment was started from day 15 to day 28. HE stain and in situ hybridization with alpha(1) (I) and alpha(1) (III) procollagen (PC) cDNA probes were applied to rat lungs on day 29. The results were quantified by a feature analysor. RESULTS: All the three drugs were effective, ligustrazin the best (P < 0.01), salvia miltiorrhiza the second (P < 0.01). In untreated groups both alpha(1) (I) and alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA reached the maximum on day 7. Alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA still kept high on day 29 while alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA had decreased to normal. In ligustrazin group alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA decreased to normal (P > 0.05) but in salvia miltiorrhiza and hydrocortisone groups it was still above normal level (P < 0.01). In all groups alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA had decreased to normal on day 29. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibitive effect of ligustrazin on alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA may play an important role in treating PF. The effect of salvia miltiorrhiza is less than ligustrazin.

Animals↗