Biomedical subjects

H Li

Publications and source records attributed to H Li.

At least 1,261 records · Page 70Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Use of in vitro reconstructed skin To cover skin flap donor site.

BACKGROUND: The skin flap technique is widely used in reconstructive surgery for the coverage of deep burns of the face, neck, and joints. Facial deformities and joint contractures are avoided by transplanting vascularized full-thickness skin on wounds. The major drawback of this technique is the injury inflicted upon the donor site, which corresponds to a third degree burn. The usual technique to cover the flap donor site is the transplantation of split-thickness autografts. In the case of patients with deep and extensive burns, the harvesting of good quality autografts is often difficult because of multiple scars. In order to avoid additional trauma to the patient by split-thickness skin harvesting, we have experimented the use of a new model of in vitro reconstructed skin graft for flap donor site coverage in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reconstructed skin was grafted on the back of nude mice at the skin flap donor site, while flap was used to cover a wound generated on joint of the posterior leg. RESULTS: A 100% graft take was achieved (16 mice were used) and a limited contraction of the reconstructed skin was observed 30 days posttransplantation (78% of the initial surface area of the graft remained). Histological analysis of the graft demonstrated healing of a well differentiated epidermis laying on a dense dermis. CONCLUSIONS: Since this technique would prevent additional trauma to the patient while achieving a good healing of the wound, it may be a useful approach in the coverage of skin flap donor site in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of concurrent use of rh-IL-3 and rh-GM-CSF on apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by Ara-C.

The myeloid leukemic cell line HL-60 was studied by using DNA gel electrophoresis, flow cytomery, McAb C-myc, McAb Bcl-2 and CFU-L. From zero to 36 h, the apoptosis rates of 8 different phases and other indexes were observed. The results showed that with the prolonged time of drug incubation, apoptosis of HL-60 cells increased progressively. This effect can be enhanced obviously by rh-IL-3 and rh-GM-CSF. At the same time, the killed rate of leukemic cells by Ara-C induction was increased. C-myc expression was decreased and Bcl-2 expression did not display apparent change. Interestingly, the normal hemopoietic cells were not affected by these two kinds of cytokine. The theoretical basis was provided for concurrent use of rh-IL-3, rh-GM-CSF and cytotoxic drugs whose purpose is to elevate remission rate during the phase of induced remission of leukemia.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1997

Discriminative stimulus effects of site-selective N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists in NPC 17742-trained rats and squirrel monkeys.

Drug discrimination studies in rats and monkeys with competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate. (NMDA) antagonists as training drugs have shown that these drugs typically cross-substitute for each other, whereas phencyclidine (PCP)-like NMDA channel blockers produce partial, if any, substitution. In the present study, rats and squirrel monkeys were trained to discriminate the competitive NMDA antagonist, NPC 17742, from vehicle in a two-lever drug discrimination procedure for food reinforcement. The competitive NMDA antagonists, NPC 12626, SDZ EAA 494 (D-CPPene), and MDL 100,453 fully substituted for NPC 17742 in monkeys or in rats. The relative potencies of these compounds were similar across species. Open channel blockers, PCP and dizocilpine, and the tricyclic antidepressant and low affinity PCP-site ligand, desipramine, produced minimal responding on the NPC 17742-associated lever in rats or monkeys. The glycine-site modulators, (+)-HA-966, ACEA 1021 and milacemide, and the polyamine/NR2B-selective antagonist, eliprodil, also failed to substitute fully for NPC 17742 in rats and monkeys. These data complement and extend results of previous studies which have shown a lack of PCP-like discriminative stimulus effects of these non-competitive NMDA antagonists by further showing that they also do not share discriminative stimulus effects with those produced by many competitive NMDA antagonists. These observations would support a prediction that differences in side-effect profiles should emerge among types of NMDA antagonists.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1997

The human homolog of the rodent immediate early response genes, PC4 and TIS7, resides in the lung cancer tumor suppressor gene region on chromosome 3p21.

Recently, human chromosome band 3p21.3 was shown to undergo overlapping homozygous deletions in several small cell lung cancer lines further defining a putative tumor suppressor gene(s) region. We report the cloning and mutational analysis of a novel human gene, SKMc15, from the commonly homozygously deleted region in three small cell lung cancer lines (NCI-H1450, NCI-H740, GLC20). It has 11 exons ranging in size from 50 to 541 bp with an open reading frame of 442 amino acids. The gene covers 7 to 10 kb of genomic DNA; the message of 1.8 to 2 kb is expressed in all analyzed fetal and adult human and mouse tissues including heart, brain, placenta, lung liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, testis and pancreas and in small cell and non-small cell cancer lines. The intron/exon boundaries were used to analyze the gene for mutations by exon PCR-SSCP sequencing in 60 small cell lung cancer cell lines. No loss-of-function mutations were detected. The cDNA sequence has high homology, 75% at the protein level, to the rat early response gene PC4 and its murine homolog TIS7. In addition, the known partial sequence of the putative mouse interferon beta2 (64 amino acids) gene is highly conserved in PC4/TIS7 (94%) and in SKMc15 (83%) at the amino acid level. The sequence TAAAT, which is thought to be involved in mRNA degradation, is present in the 3' UTR of SKMc15 and in the 3' UTR of PC4 and TIS7 genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Discriminating between allelic and interlocus differences among human immunoglobulin VH4 sequences by analyzing single spermatozoa.

To address the challenging issue of distinguishing allelic and interlocus differences among repetitive sequences, human immunoglobulin VH4 loci in the parental haplotypes of 13 donors were determined by analyzing single spermatozoa. VH4 sequences detected among these donors were assigned to their corresponding loci based on the fact that allelic sequences usually segregate into different gametes. Four out of the ten VH4 loci were shown to contain null alleles that are undetectable with diploid materials. The distribution of the allelic variation within the analyzed regions at the VH4 loci is highly biased.

Alleles↗

PubMed1997

Another pedigree with pure autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia (AD-FSP) from Tibet mapping to 14q11.2-q24.3.

The mutant in a family with autosomal-dominant spastic paresis in Northern Tibet was mapped by linkage analysis with several microsatellite markers to a gene locus at 14q11.2-q24.3, an area to which a few mutants leading to a condition with similar clinical signs have previously been mapped. The mutant observed in this pedigree probably arose de novo. Gene loci at 2p21-p24 and 15q, which have been found for other pedigrees with dominant spastic paresis, were excluded. The data in this pedigree do not contradict the hypothesis proposed by another group that there might be anticipation.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

In vitro cultured human term cytotrophoblast: a model for normal primary epithelial cells demonstrating a spontaneous differentiation programme that requires EGF for extensive development of syncytium.

Normal human term cytotrophoblast cells prepared by trypsin-DNAse I digestion with and without secondary immunological purification with CD9 antibodies were investigated for the expression of morphological and genetic markers of proliferation and differentiation. After 24 h of culture, the cell preparations demonstrated spontaneous formation of microvilli and formation of small syncytial units as assessed by desmoplakin staining and FITC-dextran microinjection. EGF was required for mature syncytial formation. Compared to log-phase proliferating HeLa cells, uptake of [3H]thymidine incorporation was low and quickly decreased to negligible levels. Expression of the proto-oncogenes c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun and histone 2A decreased rapidly in the first 24 h of culture in both cell preparations, followed by an increase in expression of c-fos and junB over the next 3 days of culture. Proto-oncogene changes were similar in attached and suspension cells. Spontaneous increases in alpha hCG, pregnancy-specific beta(1)-glycoprotein and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta OHSD) occurred within 1 day in both cell preparations. EGF receptor blocking antibodies did not inhibit minor degrees of spontaneous syncytial formation nor inhibit spontaneous expression of alpha hCG or 3 beta OHSD mRNA, but did prevent extensive synctialization induced by EGF. The results demonstrate that term cytotrophoblast cells even in serum-free conditions or suspension culture rapidly commit to a non-proliferative differentiation program in culture which includes limited syncytialization and marked hormone mRNA expression. However, EGF is required for extensive syncytial development.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1997

Effectiveness of postoperative irradiation in stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer according to regression tree analyses of recurrence risks.

BACKGROUND: In the setting of grossly resected stage IIIA (N2 involvement) non-small cell lung carcinoma, the role of adjuvant postoperative thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) remains controversial. This study was initiated to subcategorize these patients into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups with respect to local recurrence and survival rates, and to determine whether there were certain subgroups of patients who were particularly likely or unlikely to benefit from postoperative TRT. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-four patients were studied. A regression tree analysis was used to separate patients who had undergone operation alone into groups that had a high, intermediate, or low risk of local recurrence and death. The effect of adjuvant postoperative TRT then was examined in each of these groups. RESULTS: The use of adjuvant postoperative TRT (compared with operation alone) was associated with an improvement in freedom from local recurrence and survival for patients who had an intermediate or high risk of local recurrence and death. However, the greatest level of improvement in freedom from local recurrence (p < 0.0001) and survival (p = 0.0002) associated with the use of adjuvant postoperative TRT was in the high-risk group. Similarly, but of lesser magnitude, the intermediate-risk group had improved freedom from local recurrence and survival rates with the use of adjuvant post-operative TRT (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively). For the low-risk group, the freedom from local recurrence and survival rates were not statistically different between the patients who received adjuvant postoperative TRT and those who underwent observation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma involving ipsilateral mediastinal lymph nodes (stage IIIA) who undergo gross resection and who are at either high or intermediate risk for local recurrence and death are likely to benefit from adjuvant postoperative irradiation. The role of radiation therapy in low-risk patients is unclear. Prospective confirmation of these observations is warranted.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

PubMed1997

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of dendritic sialyl Lewis(x).

Traditional structure activity relationship studies (SAR) have led to the development of numerous sialyl Lewis(x) analogs in the search for potential antiinflammatory agents. However, these methods do not take into account cluster or multivalent effects. Reported herein is the chemoenzymatic synthesis of di-, tetra-, and octa-valent sLe(x) ligands scaffolded on dendrimers. Hypervalent L-lysine cores with covalently attached 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (N-acetylglucosamine, GlcNAc) residues were chemically prepared and enzymatically transformed into sLe(x) containing dendrimers so that multivalency, and its role in selectin-sLe(x) interactions may be evaluated. This work constitutes another successful enzymatic synthesis of sLe(x) and represents the first example of GlcNAc elongation on a synthetic dendrimer scaffold. These sLe(x) dendrimers are currently being investigated as selectin antagonists.

Acetylglucosamine↗

PubMed1997

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor in cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis.

Steroidogenesis begins with the metabolism of cholesterol to pregnenolone by the inner mitochondrial membrane cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme. The rate of steroid formation, however, depends on the rate of cholesterol transport from intracellular stores to the inner mitochondrial membrane and loading of P450scc with cholesterol. In previous in vitro studies, we demonstrated that a key element in the regulation of cholesterol transport is the mitochondrial peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). We also showed that the polypeptide diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), an endogenous PBR ligand, stimulates cholesterol transport and promotes loading of cholesterol to P450scc in vitro, and that its presence is vital for hCG-induced steroidogenesis by Leydig cells. Based on these data and the observations that i) the mitochondrial PBR binding and topography are regulated by hormones; ii) the 18-kDa PBR protein is functionally coupled to the mitochondrial contact site voltage-dependent anion channel protein; iii) the 18-kDa PBR protein is a channel for cholesterol, as shown by molecular modeling and in vitro reconstitution studies; iv) targeted disruption of the PBR gene in steroidogenic cells dramatically reduces the ability of the cells to transport cholesterol in the mitochondria and produce steroids; v) endocrine disruptors, with known anisteroidogenic effect, inhibit PBR ligand binding; and vi) in vivo reduction of adrenal PBR expression results in reduced circulating glucocorticoid levels, we conclude that PBR is an indispensable element of the steroidogenic machinery.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

In vivo depletion of host CD4+ and CD8+ cells permits engraftment of bone marrow stem cells and tolerance induction with minimal conditioning.

BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplantation has become the preferred approach for the treatment of end-stage organ failure. However, the toxicity associated with the nonspecific immunosuppression essential to graft survival is substantial. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can overcome these limitations by the induction of donor-specific tolerance. The morbidity and mortality associated with fully ablative conditioning used to achieve engraftment has prevented the clinical application of BMT for induction of tolerance for solid organ transplantation. Although it was previously believed that fully ablative conditioning was essential to achieve engraftment, it has recently become apparent that partial conditioning may be sufficient to achieve chimerism and tolerance. The focus of this study was to characterize which cells in the host microenvironment must be eliminated for engraftment of MHC-disparate bone marrow to be achieved. METHODS: C57BL/10SnJ mice were depleted of CD4+, CD8+, or both cell types with monoclonal antibodies before irradiation with 300 centigray (cGy) and transplantation of 15 x 10(6) allogeneic (B10.BR) bone marrow cells. Two days after transplantation the animals were treated with 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide. Animals were typed for chimerism at 28 days and monthly thereafter. RESULTS: The combination of CD4+ and CD8+ depletion resulted in multilineage engraftment in 76.5% of the animals at a level of 57.1 +/- 17.7%. The depletion of CD4+ cells alone was not sufficient to allow engraftment, whereas depletion of CD8+ cells alone was. CONCLUSIONS: T cells in the recipient's marrow space play an important role in hindering allogeneic engraftment in the mouse. The T-cell subset responsible appears to be CD8+ cells rather than CD4+ cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1997