Biomedical subjects

H Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to H Zhou.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Animal experimental study on surgical repair of hypospadias by free peritoneal graft.

Surgical repair of hypospadias was successfully performed by using free peritoneal graft in the model of rabbit hypospadias. The results showed that free peritoneal graft used as a substitute for urathra had a high survival rate, and the canal was formed well. Our study demonstrated that peritoneum could be used for the surgical repair of hypospadias and other urethral disorders such as urethral stricture.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Dietary methionine level affects linoleic acid metabolism through phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation in rats.

The effects of dietary methionine level on the profiles of fatty acids and phospholipids and on the plasma cholesterol concentration were investigated to confirm whether the methionine content of dietary proteins is one of the major factors that cause differential effects on lipid metabolism. The effect of dietary supplementation with eritadenine, which is shown to be a potent inhibitor of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) N-methylation, was also investigated. Rats were fed six diets containing casein (100 g/kg) and amino acid mixture (86.4 g/kg) differing in methionine content (2.5, 4.5, and 7.5 g/kg) and without or with eritadenine supplementation (30 mg/kg) for 14 d. The ratio of arachidonic to linoleic acid of liver microsomal and plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) was significantly increased as the methionine level of diet was elevated, indicating that dietary methionine stimulates the metabolism of linoleic acid. The PC/PE ratio of liver microsomes and the plasma cholesterol concentration were also increased by dietary methionine. These effects of methionine were completely abolished by eritadenine supplementation The S-adenosylmethionine concentration in the liver reflected the methionine level of diet. These results support the idea that the differential effects of dietary proteins on lipid metabolism might be ascribed, at least in part, to their different methionine contents, and that methionine might exert its effects through alteration of PE N-methylation.

Adenine↗

PubMed1998

Effects of CO2 laser in treatment of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity.

The effectiveness of CO2 laser therapy in the reduction and elimination of dentinal hypersensitivity in vivo and its thermal effects on tooth surfaces in vitro were investigated. Twenty-three patients with 91 sensitive teeth participated in this study and were followed for 3 months. The parameters used with CO2 laser were 1 W in a continuous wave mode and irradiation time ranging from 5 to 10 s. Hypersensitivity was assessed by thermal stimulus (a blast of air from a dental syringe). Thermal effects were measured by thermography using 10 extracted human teeth. After laser treatment, all patients were immediately free from sensitive pain. Over 3 months, the CO2 laser treatment reduced dentinal hypersensitivity to air stimulus by 50%. All teeth remained vital with no adverse effects. Thermography revealed no temperature increase on irradiated tooth surfaces subjected to water coolant. These results show that the CO2 laser is useful in the treatment of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity without thermal damage to pulp.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation on root canal wall dentin with different laser initiators.

The effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation with different laser initiators on the permeability and ultrastructure of the root canal wall dentin were investigated in vitro. Forty extracted human single-rooted teeth were randomly assigned to four groups. Group 1 teeth were not lased as a control. Group 2 specimens received four 10-s duration laser exposures for a total exposure of 40 s/canal. In group 3 specimens, the root canals were painted with black ink and then lased by the same method as group 2 teeth. In group 4 specimens, root canals were treated with 38% Ag(NH3)2F and then lased by the same method as group 2 teeth. Laser parameters were set at 2 W, 20 pps. After being placed in 0.6% rhodamine B solution for 48 h, the teeth were sectioned for study by stereoscope and scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis showed there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in dentin permeability in the apical areas between groups 3 and 1, 4 and 1, and 4 and 2. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed that laser treatment alone had no obvious effects on the root canal wall. The root canal surfaces prepared for by laser irradiation with black ink or 38% Ag(NH3)2F revealed melting, smear layer evaporation, and open dentinal tubules. Black ink was more effective than 38% Ag(NH3)2F as a Nd:YAG laser initiator.

Dental Pulp Cavity↗

PubMed1998

T-cell receptors in channel catfish: structure and expression of TCR alpha and beta genes.

Herein are reported full length cDNA sequences for TCR alpha- and beta-chains of the channel catfish. Included are sequences belonging to four Valpha and six Vbeta families which share hallmarks in common with the Valpha and Vbeta genes of other species. Similar to the situation in other vertebrates, the catfish Calpha and Cbeta sequences exhibit distinct immunoglobulin, connecting peptide, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. However, the catfish TCR Calpha and Cbeta regions are shorter than those of mammals and the catfish Cbeta chain lacks a cysteine in its connecting peptide region. Two different catfish Cbeta cDNA sequences were identified, suggesting the existence of either two Cbeta loci or allotypes. Based on Southern blot analyses, each of the catfish TCR gene loci appear to be arranged in a translocon (as opposed to multicluster) organization with multiple V elements and a single or few copies of C region DNA. At the deduced amino acid level, the catfish Cbeta sequence exhibits 42% identity with the Cbeta of Atlantic salmon, 41% identity with the Cbeta of rainbow trout and 26% identity with Cbeta of the horned shark. The catfish Calpha amino acid sequence exhibits 44 and 29% identity with Calpha of the rainbow trout and southern pufferfish, respectively. TCRalpha and beta messages are selectively expressed and rearranged in a catfish clonal cell line that appears to be of the T lineage. This TCR alpha/beta expressing clonal lymphocyte line, designated 28S.1, has T-cell like function in that it constitutively produces a supernatant factor(s) with growth promoting activity. These findings should facilitate functional studies of fish TCRs and T cells in ways not previously possible with other 'lower' vertebrate models.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Localization of parathyroid hormone-related protein in osteoclasts by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Using immunohistology with two specific antisera raised against N-terminal parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and in situ hybridization (riboprobe to common coding exon), evidence is provided for the expression of PTHrP by mouse, rabbit, and human osteoclasts derived from several in vitro and in vivo sources. In cocultures of mouse bone marrow and calvarial cells treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the generated osteoclasts expressed both PTHrP messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. In addition, PTHrP was detected in the majority of actively resorbing osteoclasts in sections of newborn and adult mouse long bones. Using an in vivo intramembranous bone formation model in rabbits, expression of PTHrP mRNA and protein was demonstrated in osteoclasts at active bone resorption sites as well as in actively synthesizing osteoblasts and bone lining cells. Localization of PTHrP was also demonstrated in osteoclast-like cells of human giant cell tumors from bone. In some of these tumors, a small proportion of the multinucleated cells expressed tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), but not PTHrP mRNA or protein. Finally, both mRNA and protein for PTHrP were expressed in osteoclasts in sections of bone or joints from patients with Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. These observations raise the possibility that PTHrP might participate in osteoclast function.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Tumour amplified kinase STK15/BTAK induces centrosome amplification, aneuploidy and transformation.

The centrosomes are thought to maintain genomic stability through the establishment of bipolar spindles during cell division, ensuring equal segregation of replicated chromosomes to two daughter cells. Deregulated duplication and distribution of centrosomes have been implicated in chromosome segregation abnormalities, leading to aneuploidy seen in many cancer cell types. Here, we report that STK15 (also known as BTAK and aurora2), encoding a centrosome-associated kinase, is amplified and overexpressed in multiple human tumour cell types, and is involved in the induction of centrosome duplication-distribution abnormalities and aneuploidy in mammalian cells. STK15 amplification has been previously detected in breast tumour cell lines and in colon tumours; here, we report its amplification in approximately 12% of primary breast tumours, as well as in breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, neuroblastoma and cervical cancer cell lines. Additionally, high expression of STK15 mRNA was detected in tumour cell lines without evidence of gene amplification. Ectopic expression of STK15 in mouse NIH 3T3 cells led to the appearance of abnormal centrosome number (amplification) and transformation in vitro. Finally, overexpression of STK15 in near diploid human breast epithelial cells revealed similar centrosome abnormality, as well as induction of aneuploidy. These findings suggest that STK15 is a critical kinase-encoding gene, whose overexpression leads to centrosome amplification, chromosomal instability and transformation in mammalian cells.

Aneuploidy↗

PubMed1998

A novel method for selection of chymotrypsin inhibitors from a phage peptide library.

A novel screening strategy has been developed for the identification of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitors from a phage peptide library. In this strategy, the standard affinity selection protocol was modified by adding a proteolytic cleavage period to avoid recovery of alpha-chymotrypsin substrates. After four cycles of selection and further activity assay, a group of related peptides were identified by DNA sequencing. These peptides share a consensus sequence motif as (S/T)RVPR(R/H). Then, a corresponding short peptide (Ac-ASRVPRRG-NH2) was synthesized chemically and proved to be an inhibitor of alpha-chymotrypsin. The present work provides a useful way for searching proteinase inhibitors without detailed knowledge of the molecular structure.

Bacteriophages↗

PubMed1998

Liver carcinoma in PiZ alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

One hundred sixty-four consecutive cases of primary liver carcinoma were evaluated for tumor type, (i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], cholangiocarcinoma [CC], and combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma [CHCC]), and for signs of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in the surrounding liver tissue. Hepatocellular globular alpha-1-antitrypsin deposits, as detected by a monoclonal antibody to the mutant PiZ alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), were seen in 13 cases (7.9%). With regard to tumor type, 4 of 111 HCC cases (3.5%), but 4 of 37 CC cases (10.5%), and even 5 of 16 CHCC cases (30%) were positive for this antitrypsin variant. In all but 1 of 13 cases of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, the carcinoma developed in noncirrhotic liver tissue of elderly people (mean age, 62.9 years). In three patients, a heterozygous state of ATT (PiMZ) could be revealed using isoelectric focusing or direct genetic analysis. We conclude from our findings that CHCC and CC especially might be associated with PiZ alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Primary liver carcinoma might develop even in a heterozygote state of PiZ alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency without concurrent liver disease. Furthermore, liver cirrhosis is not a precondition for these tumors.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Regulation of insulin-stimulated glucose transporter GLUT4 translocation and Akt kinase activity by ceramide.

The sphingomyelin derivative ceramide is a signaling molecule implicated in numerous physiological events. Recently published reports indicate that ceramide levels are elevated in insulin-responsive tissues of diabetic animals and that agents which trigger ceramide production inhibit insulin signaling. In the present series of studies, the short-chain ceramide analog C2-ceramide inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose transport by approximately 50% in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, with similar reductions in hormone-stimulated translocation of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) and insulin-responsive aminopeptidase. C2-ceramide also inhibited phosphorylation and activation of Akt, a molecule proposed to mediate multiple insulin-stimulated metabolic events. C2-ceramide, at concentrations which antagonized activation of both glucose uptake and Akt, had no effect on the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) or the amounts of p85 protein and phosphatidylinositol kinase activity that immunoprecipitated with anti-IRS-1 or antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. Moreover, C2-ceramide also inhibited stimulation of Akt by platelet-derived growth factor, an event that is IRS-1 independent. C2-ceramide did not inhibit insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase or pp70 S6-kinase, and it actually stimulated phosphorylation of the latter in the absence of insulin. Various pharmacological agents, including the immunosuppressant rapamycin, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, and several protein kinase C inhibitors, were without effect on ceramide's inhibition of Akt. These studies demonstrate ceramide's capacity to inhibit activation of Akt and imply that this is a mechanism of antagonism of insulin-dependent physiological events, such as the peripheral activation of glucose transport and the suppression of apoptosis.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1998

Dissociation of K channel density and ROMK mRNA in rat cortical collecting tubule during K adaptation.

The density of conducting K channels in the apical membrane of the rat cortical collecting tubule (CCT) is increased by a high-K diet. To see whether this involved increased abundance of mRNA coding for K channel protein, we measured the relative amounts of mRNA for ROMK, the clone of the gene thought to encode the secretory K channel in the CCT. Tubules were isolated and fixed for in situ hybridization with a probe based on the ROMK sequence. Radiolabeled probe associated with the tubule was quantified using densitometric analysis of the autoradiographic images of the tubules. The densitometry signal was shown to be proportional to the amount of radioactive probe in the sample and to the time of exposure of the film. The technique was able to detect an approximately twofold increase in the abundance of mRNA coding for the water channel aquaporin 3 (AQP3), in response to a 30-h dehydration period. Tubules from rats fed a normal diet or a high-K (10% KCl) diet had equal amounts of ROMK mRNA. This suggests that an increase in the abundance of mRNA does not underlie the increase in channel density observed under these conditions.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1998

Expression of rat homeobox gene, rHOX, in developing and adult tissues in mice and regulation of its mRNA expression in osteoblasts by bone morphogenetic protein 2 and parathyroid hormone-related protein.

The rat homeobox gene, rHox, was cloned from a rat osteosarcoma cDNA library. Southwestern and gel mobility shift analyses showed that rHox binds to the promoter regions of collagen (alpha1)I and osteocalcin genes while transient transfection with rHox resulted in repression of their respective promoter activities. In situ hybridization studies showed that rHox mRNA was widely expressed in osteoblasts, chondrocytes, skeletal muscle, skin epidermis, and bronchial and intestinal epithelial cells, as well as cardiac muscle in embryonic and newborn mice. However in 3-month-old mice, rHox mRNA expression was restricted to osteoblasts, megakaryocytes, and myocardium. Bone morphogenetic protein 2, a growth factor that commits mesenchymal progenitor cells to differentiate into osteoblasts, down-regulated rHox mRNA expression by 40-50% in UMR 201, a rat preosteoblast cell line, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, PTH-related protein (PTHrP), recently shown to be a negative regulator of chondrocyte differentiation, significantly enhanced rHox mRNA expression in UMR 106-06 osteoblastic cells by 3-fold at 24 h while at the same time down-regulating expression of pro-alpha1(I) collagen mRNA by 60%. Expression of rHox mRNA in calvarial osteoblasts derived from PTHrP -/- mice was approximately 15% of that observed in similar cells obtained from normal mice. In conclusion, current evidence suggests that rHox acts as a negative regulator of osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, down-regulation of rHox mRNA by bone morphogenetic protein 2 and its up-regulation by PTHrP support a role of the homeodomain protein, rHox, in osteoblast differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Modulation of the alveolar macrophage superoxide production by protein phosphorylation.

Stimulation of alveolar macrophages (AM) with adenosine-5-diphosphate (ADP) results in transient production of superoxide anion radical (O2.-; superoxide) and H2O2 in a metabolic event known as the respiratory burst. Initiation of the respiratory burst appears to depend on activation of protein kinase activity, whereas protein phosphatases might involved in termination of the burst. The involvement of protein kinase C was suggested by inhibition by bisindolylmaleimide I (GF 109203X), a relatively specific inhibitor. KN-62, an inhibitor of calcium-calmodulin protein kinase II, also partly inhibited the respiratory burst stimulated by ADP and phorbol esters. The role of protein phosphatases in termination of the ADP-stimulated respiratory burst of AM was examined with calyculin A (CA) (25-75 nM) or okadaic acid (OA) (1-5 microM), two inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 and 2a (PP1;PP2a). A dose-dependent prolongation of the respiratory burst was observed in the presence of these inhibitors. CA and OA also markedly enhanced the rate of superoxide production stimulated by ADP, consistent with involvement of PP1/PP2a in regulating both the rate of activation and timing of termination. Treatment of AM with cyclosporin A (CsA) (1-50 microM), an inhibitor of the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase 2b (PP2b), stimulated superoxide production by itself and significantly prolonged the duration of ADP-stimulated superoxide production. CsA, however, did not increase the ADP-stimulated rate of superoxide production. Thus, PP1/PP2a appear to be the primary phosphatases for controlling the intensity of the respiratory burst during receptor-elicited superoxide production in AM, whereas PP1/PP2a and PP2b play a role in turning off the respiratory burst.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1998

Parathyroid hormone-related protein mRNA and protein expression in multiple myeloma: a case report.

Multiple myeloma frequently leads to complications, such as osteolytic lesions, hypercalcemia, and pathological fractures. Increased bone resorption in myeloma is due to osteoclast activation. The nature of the osteoclast activator(s) remains unclear. We describe a case of multiple myeloma with marked hypercalcemia and skeletal complications that progressed rapidly despite chemotherapy. The patient had marked hypercalcemia at diagnosis (4.5 mmol/l), and elevated parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) levels were found in plasma. Analysis of the bone marrow trephine biopsy showed PTHrP gene transcription and protein in myeloma cells. These results provide strong evidence for the production of significant amounts of PTHrP by human myeloma cells. PTHrP has been measured as elevated in the plasma of patients with myeloma and might be an important contributor to the skeletal complications in this disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Parathyroid hormone-related protein expression and secretion in a skin organotypic culture system.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), an important factor in the pathogenesis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, is produced by many normal tissues, including the epidermis, where it is thought to play a role in the regulation of keratinocyte growth and differentiation. Most in vitro studies of normal keratinocytes use monolayer cell cultures, which have limitations, including the inability to reproduce the stratified structure of the epidermis. The objective of this study was to investigate PTHrP production and secretion, and mRNA expression in skin organotypic cultures. The cultures consisted of an artificial dermis with differentiating keratinocytes grown at the air-liquid interface. Immunohistochemical assessment of cytokeratins 14 and 10/13, involucrin, and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) demonstrated that keratinocytes differentiated in a manner similar to keratinocytes in normal epidermis. PTHrP expression was demonstrated in all viable layers of the epidermis, as well as in some fibroblasts of the collagen lattice by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Since most fibroblasts expressed alpha-smooth muscle actin, these cells were interpreted to be consistent with myofibroblasts. PTHrP expression by myofibroblasts suggests a possible role for PTHrP in the regulation of contractibility of these cells. PTHrP was also detected in conditioned media for 50 days. In conclusion, because of its superior tissue morphology and ability to induce organized keratinocyte differentiation, this culture system will be an excellent model to study the role of PTHrP in pathologic and physiologic processes involving the epidermis in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Cloning of bovine parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) cDNA and expression of PTHrP mRNA in the bovine mammary gland.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) produced by the mammary gland has been postulated to have multiple functions in both the mother and neonate. In humans, alternative 3'-mRNA splicing and endoproteolytic processing result in multiple bioactive PTHrP peptides. Multiple PTHrP peptides also have been reported in bovine milk. To investigate the source of molecular heterogeneity of PTHrP in bovine milk, bovine PTHrP was cloned from a bovine brain cDNA library, sequenced and used to characterize the mammary PTHrP transcript. A 1065 bp clone (bP1) for bovine PTHrP was isolated from a brain cDNA library. The bP1 clone contained the entire coding sequence of PTHrP and 61 and 473 nucleotides of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of bovine PTHrP was 72-92% homologous to the sequences of chicken, rat, mouse, human, and canine PTHrP with the highest sequence divergence present in the C-terminal region of the peptide. The 5'- and 3'-UTRs of bovine brain PTHrP have a high degree of homology to exons 4 and 9 of human PTHrP respectively. PTHrP was expressed as a single 1200 nucleotide mRNA transcript in lactating bovine mammary tissue. RT-PCR using region-specific oligonucleotide primers derived from bP1 demonstrated that PTHrP mRNA transcripts in bovine brain and lactating mammary gland utilize the same 5'- and 3'-UTRs. Expression of PTHrP mRNA was localized to secretory and ductular epithelial cells within the lactating mammary gland, as detected using in situ hybridization. Expression of PTHrP mRNA was demonstrated in the mammary gland during late pregnancy and throughout lactation in cows.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

A study on visual evoked potential to show the relationship between the eyes and the twelve regular channels.

The visual electrophysiologic method was used to investigate the relationship between the eyes and the 12 regular channels. The values of the latent period and the amplitude of P100 wave were calculated and compared statistically. The results show that: 1) The eyes and the 12 regular channels are closely related, no matter whether the channels are classically associated with the eyes or not, while the control (non-channel)/ point has no such relationship; 2) the degrees of relationship between the eyes and the 12 regular channels vary significantly; and 3) acupuncture at the 12 regular channels induces different effects on the visual evoked potential that the Urinary Bladder Channel presents a facilitation effect whereas all the other channels chiefly show an inhibitory effect.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Changes of plasma testosterone level in male patients with coronary heart disease].

The plasma testosterone (T), estrodiol (E), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2-C, HDL3-C, apolipoprotein (apo) A1 and B100, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were measured in 118 male patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 53 sex and age-matched healthy controls. The results showed that plasma T, HDL-C, HDL3-C levels and HDL-C/TC ratio were significantly lower and Lp(a) level was significantly higher in patients than in the controls. After adjusting body mass index, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose, the difference of plasma level between patients and controls persisted. Plasma T level correlated positively with the HDL-C, HDL3-C level and HDL-C/TC ratio and negatively with systolic blood pressure, apoB100 and Lp(a) level. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data, and this indicated that decreased T and HDL3-C levels, and increased Lp(a) level were the independent risk factors of CHD.

Aged↗