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Biomedical subjects

Hong Wei

Publications and source records attributed to Hong Wei.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A dissociative change in the efficacy of supraspinal versus spinal morphine in the neuropathic rat.

The efficacy of spinally versus supraspinally administered morphine was studied in rats with a spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathy. Behavioural assessment indicated that the effect of intrathecally administered morphine on pain-related responses was attenuated when compared with unoperated controls. The decreased efficacy of spinal morphine was associated with neuropathic symptoms, since sham ligation or nerve ligation without accompanying tactile allodynia did not lead to spinal inefficacy of morphine. In contrast, the pain attenuating effect of morphine in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) was enhanced in neuropathic animals. The effect of systemically administered morphine on pain-related behavior of neuropathic rats was in the same range as in controls or decreased, depending on the test. Coadministration of lidocaine or MK-801, a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, into the rostroventromedial medulla enhanced the tactile antiallodynic but not the thermal antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered morphine in neuropathic animals. Supraspinal administration of MK-801 or lidocaine did not influence efficacy of spinal morphine in sham-operated animals. Electrophysiological recordings of nociceptive wide-dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the deep spinal dorsal horn of pentobarbitone-anesthetized animals corresponded to a large extent with behavioral results. The inhibitory effect of spinally and systemically administered morphine on WDR neuron responses was attenuated whereas that induced by morphine in the PAG was enhanced in neuropathic animals. The results indicate that in spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathy the efficacy of spinal morphine is decreased whereas that of supraspinal morphine is increased. Descending influence from brainstem-spinal pathways, involving NMDA receptors in the rostroventromedial medulla, may contribute to the selective reduction in tactile antiallodynic efficacy of spinal morphine.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Stereostructure of komodoquinone A, a neuritogenic anthracycline, from marine Streptomyces sp. KS3.

The absolute stereostructure of komodoquinone A (1), a neuritogenic anthracycline, which was isolated from a cultured marine Streptomyces sp. KS3, has been determined on the basis of chemical derivatization. Komodoquinone A (1) induces neuronal cell differentiation in the neuroblastoma cell line, Neuro 2A and arrests the cell cycle at the G1 phase. The effect of a solid-state medium on the production of 1 and its aglycone, komodoquinone B (2), was examined.

Animals↗

[Nanobacteria in serum, bile and gallbladder mucosa of cholecystolithiasis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To find the distribution of nanobacteria in the serum, bile and gallbladder mucosa of cholecystolithiasis patients. METHODS: The infection rate of nanobacteria was identified by ELISA in the serum samples from 338 healthy people and 76 patients with cholecystolithiasis (chi(2) = 0.89, P > 0.05). Nanobacteria were cultured from the bile samples in 57 patients with cholecystolithiasis and 18 non-cholelithiasis patients and identified by immunohistochemical staining and TEM (chi(2) = 29.80, P < 0.05). Forty samples of gallbladder mucosa randomly selected from the 57 cholecystolithiasis patients were identified by immunohistochemical staining and compared with the corresponding bile samples. RESULTS: The infection rate of nanobacteria was 8.0% and 31.6% for the serum samples of the healthy people and cholecystolithiasis patients, respectively. The positive rate of nanobacteria in the bile samples was 61.3% and there was no significant difference in the bile of the cholecystolithiasis patients and the control group (61.4% vs. 61.1%). Fourteen positive patients had infection of nanobacteria in the gallbladder mucosa, submucosa, and calcific field. CONCLUSIONS: The infection rate of nanobacteria was 8% in the serum samples from the healthy people. There are nanobacteria in the serum, bile, and gallbladder mucosa. The infection of the nanobacteria may result in calcification and fibrosis of the gallbladder.

Adult↗

[Late-onset riboflavin-responsive multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (glutaric aciduria type II)].

OBJECTIVE: Glutaric aciduria type II, or multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency is an autosomal recessively inherited defect of mitochondrial energy metabolism. The authors report two cases of late-onset glutaric aciduria type II, and evaluate the procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease. METHODS: The clinical and biochemical characteristics of 2 patients with late-onset glutaric aciduria type II were documented. Case 1 presented with lipid storage myopathy for 3 years. Case 2 presented with intermittent episodes of non-ketotic hypoglycemia and muscle weakness for 9 years. The diagnosis of the 2 cases was confirmed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of urine samples. Riboflavin supplementation and a low-fat, low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet were initiated as soon as the diagnosis was made. RESULTS: Organic acid analysis on both untreated cases revealed massive glutaric acid with elevated concentrations of isovalerylglycine, isobutyrylglycine, ethylmalonic acid, adipic acid, suberic acid and other dicarboxylic acids. The clinical manifestations were improved remarkably after the administration of riboflavin and diet control. Consistent improvements of sera enzymes and urine organic acids were observed during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with unexplained myopathy, metabolic acidosis or hypoglycemia should be carefully screened for inherited metabolic disorders. Riboflavin in conjunction with appropriate diet control is an effective therapeutic regime for patients with late-onset glutaric aciduria type II.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗

[Development of a gap ligase chain reaction for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in newborn infants].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a gap ligase chain reaction (G-LCR) assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) in neonates with pneumonia. METHODS: A G-LCR DNA amplification assay that targeted the outer major membrane protein gene (omp1) of Ct was developed to detect Ct. The sensitivity and specificity of the G-LCR test was examined by the use of highly purified elementary bodies (EBs). Nasopharyngeal swabs taken from 328 neonates with pneumonia were analyzed by Gap-LCR and cell culture. RESULTS: The detection limit of G-LCR was 2 EBs. G-LCR could detect five species of Ct and was not cross-reacted with C psittaci and other bacteria. The prevalence of Ct in 328 neonates with pneumonia, using an expanded gold standard of a positive cell culture or two confirmed positive non-culture tests, was 21% (69/328). After analysis of discrepant results, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the G-LCR were 98.6%, 100%, 100% and 99.6%, respectively; whereas those for culture were 86.9%, 100%, 100% and 96.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the G-LCR was a highly sensitive nonculture technique and good alternative test for the detection of chlamydial infections.

Chlamydia Infections↗

[Application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis on urine filter paper in the high-risk screening and diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a specific procedure for the high-risk screening and diagnosis of organic acidurias and other inherited metabolic diseases in China. METHODS: A nation-wide network for the high-risk screening and diagnosis of genetic metabolic diseases was formed to facilitate the collaboration. Urine samples were collected using filter paper from patients with clinical symptoms suspicious of inherited metabolic diseases. The samples were eluted with distilled water and internal standards were added. Samples were treated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride to form oximes to improve the recoveries of 2-ketoacids. Urinary organic acids were extracted with ethyl acetate and diethyl ether under acidic condition. After dehydration, the combined organic phase was evaporated to dryness with nitrogen. The residues were added with BSTFA + 1%TMCS and heat incubated to form the trimethylsilyl derivatives, and then were analyzed on an Agilent 5890/5973N gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), with a 7683 series auto-sampler. The peaks were identified by reference to a mass spectral library. RESULTS: Totally 352 samples were collected from the network collaborating hospitals since 2001. Thirty-four (9.66%) cases of various inherited metabolic diseases were diagnosed with an age range of 2 days to 14 years. The disease profile was consisted of methylmalonic acidemias (6), alpha-keto-glutaric aciduria (5), tyrosinemia type I (4), dicarboxylic aciduria (4), multiple carboxylase deficiency (3), phenylketonuria (3), lactic acidemia (3), propionic acidemia (2), ornithine transcarbamoylase deficiency (1), ethylmalonic-adipic aciduria (1), glutaric aciduria type II (1) and 3-methylcrotyl CoA carboxylase deficiency (1). The most common clinical symptoms and signs included mental and developmental retardation, convulsion, musculotonic abnormality and jaundice. Routine laboratory tests often revealed metabolic acidosis, hypoglycemia and hyperammonemia, etc. CONCLUSION: Urine organic acids analysis by GC-MS remains to be the most important technique for the high-risk screening and diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases. Use of urine filter paper for sample collection and analysis in advanced genetic metabolic centers is a practical approach to extend the diagnostic capacity and improve the management of such diseases in China. Collaborative network played a critical role in the success of the program.

Adolescent↗

[Recombination and fusion expression of porcine defensin gene PBD-I in E. coli].

The porcine defensin gene PBD-I was amplified by RT-PCR, then the gene was inserted into expression vector PinPoint(TM) Xa-3. Recombinant plasmid named as ppd-1 was transformed into E.Coli JM109, which could effectively produce fusion protein induced with IPTG. The positive clone of PBD-I gene expressed 17kDa fusion protein by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Expression of PBD-I gene didn't increase distinctly along with time. The expression of PBD-I gene lays a foundation in research on antimicrobial activities and its mechanism of the defensin.

English Abstract↗

[Culture and identification of nanobacteria in bile].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution and identification of nanobacteria in bile and to evaluate the identifying methods of nanobacteria. METHODS: RPMI1640 culture or RPMI1640 culture with 10% heat-inactivated gamma-FBS was added into 75 samples of cystic bile from gallbladders resected in operation. Nanobacteria were identified by immunohistochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and calcific staining. RESULTS: Nanobacteria were found in 45 bile samples with a positive rate of 61.3%. The positive rate of nanobacteria was 75.7% among 37 bile samples with white precipitate adhering to the tube, and was 47.4% among the samples with flocculent precipitate or without precipitate (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemically confirmed presence of nanobacteria was re-confirmed by TEM in all the positive samples. The positive rate, sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate and false negative rate of calcific staining were 38.7%, 58.7%, 93.1%, 6.9% and 41.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody of nanobacteria associated with TEM is useful in identifying nanobacteria. Calcific staining is of great value to identification of nanobacteria. Precipitation of white floccules adhering to the tube is an important microbiological characteristic of nanobacteria.

Adult↗

Cutaneous vascular responses evoked by noxious stimulation in rats with the spinal nerve ligation-induced model of neuropathy.

Antidromic activation of nociceptive nerve fibres innervating the skin produces an axon reflex that involves extravasation and vasodilation of cutaneous blood vessels. We determined whether the axon reflex of the hindlimb skin is influenced by an experimental model of neuropathy induced by unilateral ligation of spinal nerves L(5) and L(6) in the rat. Ligation of spinal nerves induced symptoms mimicking tactile allodynia, as indicated by a marked decrease of the hindlimb withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation. The axon reflex induced by antidromic electrical stimulation of nociceptive fibres innervating the plantar skin ipsilateral to the ligation was attenuated according to determination of extravasation response and blood flow response. Lidocaine block or transection of the sciatic nerve of the neuropathic limb did not induce any change in basal blood flow of the plantar skin. The results indicate that ligation of spinal nerves induces an attenuation of the axon reflex. This attenuation reflects a decrease in the efferent function of primary afferent nociceptors innervating the hypersensitive skin of the hindpaw. The attenuation of antidromically-induced vascular responses was not caused by overriding sympathetic activity, as indicated by lack of blood flow effects by lidocaine blocks or a transection of the sciatic nerve.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Births of calves derived from embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection without exogenous oocyte activation.

Tail-cut bovine spermatozoa were microinjected into ooplasmic lipid polarised, in vitro matured bovine oocytes using a piezomicropipette-driving system. No exogenous oocyte activation treatment was used. Of the sperm-injected oocytes, 86.3% were activated, 71.8% cleaved and 22.7% developed to the blastocyst stage. The average cell count of the blastocysts was 122.5 +/- 15 and a majority (81.8%) of the blastocysts were cytologically normal (diploid). When transferred to recipient cows, 5 of 8 blastocysts developed to fetuses and 4 of 7 recipients became pregnant. Normal offspring were born.

Animals↗

Embryonic stem cells and cardiomyocyte differentiation: phenotypic and molecular analyses.

Embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocyst-stage embryos, are pluripotent and have a virtually unlimited capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into all cell types of an embryoproper. Both human and mouse ES cell lines are the subject of intensive investigation for potential applications in developmental biology and medicine. ES cells from both sources differentiate in vitro into cells of ecto-, endoand meso-dermal lineages, and robust cardiomyogenic differentiation is readily observed in spontaneously differentiating ES cells when cultured under appropriate conditions. Molecular, cellular and physiologic analyses demonstrate that ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes are functionally viable and that these cell derivatives exhibit characteristics typical of heart cells in early stages of cardiac development. Because terminal heart failure is characterized by a significant loss of cardiomyocytes, the use of human ES cell-derived progeny represents one possible source for cell transplantation therapies. With these issues in mind, this review will focus on the differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes as a developmental model, and the possible use of ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes as source of donor cells.

Animals↗

Genetic relationships among twelve Chinese indigenous goat populations based on microsatellite analysis.

Twelve Chinese indigenous goat populations were genotyped for twenty-six microsatellite markers recommended by the EU Sheep and Goat Biodiversity Project. A total of 452 goats were tested. Seventeen of the 26 microsatellite markers used in this analysis had four or more alleles. The mean expected heterozygosity and the mean observed heterozygosity for the population varied from 0.611 to 0.784 and 0.602 to 0.783 respectively. The mean F ST (0.105) demonstrated that about 89.5% of the total genetic variation was due to the genetic differentiation within each population. A phylogenetic tree based on the Nei (1978) standard genetic distance displayed a remarkable degree of consistency with their different geographical origins and their presumed migration throughout China. The correspondence analysis did not only distinguish population groups, but also confirmed the above results, classifying the important populations contributing to diversity. Additionally, some specific alleles were shown to be important in the construction of the population structure. The study analyzed the recent origins of these populations and contributed to the knowledge and genetic characterization of Chinese indigenous goat populations. In addition, the seventeen microsatellites recommended by the EU Sheep and Goat Biodiversity Project proved to be useful for the biodiversity studies in goat breeds.

Animals↗