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Biomedical subjects

J Liu

Publications and source records attributed to J Liu.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Involvement of mitochondrial permeability transition and caspase-9 activation in dimethyl sulfoxide-induced apoptosis of EL-4 lymphoma cells.

We observed that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) induced apoptotic changes in the EL-4 murine lymphoma cell line and that effect was dependent on the concentration and time period. Incubating cells over a period of 18 h, 2.5% DMSO was found to induce sub-G1 peak in DNA histograms analyzed by flowcytometer and nucleosomal ladder formation in DNA gel electrophoresis. We also found down-regulation of Bcl-2, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) occurred following DMSO treatment, and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to cytosol. These observations suggest that DMSO converted its pro-apoptotic signal at the mitochondria. In the involvement of caspases, caspase-9 and -3, but not caspase-8, were found to be activated responding to DMSO treatment. Inhibitory experiments demonstrated that caspase cascade of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was indispensable for DMSO-induced apoptosis. In the caspase cascade, caspase-9 was an upstream initiator and its primary signal could be transduced and amplified by caspase-3, -6 and -7. Kinetic study of these data showed mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation occurred at 12 h and apoptotic change of nuclear DNA at 18 h, providing another support for the transduction of DMSO pro-apoptotic signal via the mitochondrial pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Nanostructured materials designed for cell binding and transduction.

The surface-functionalization of shell cross-linked (SCK) nanoparticles with the oligomeric peptide sequence YGRKKRRQRRR, the protein transduction domain (PTD) from the human immunodeficiency virus TAT protein, is described, and the cell binding interactions these nanobioconjugates exhibit are demonstrated. A convergent synthetic strategy was employed, whereby the SCK nanoparticles and the PTD were prepared independently and then coupled together during immobilization of the PTD component on a solid support. The SCK nanoparticles were prepared by the micellization of amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(epsilon-caprolactone-b-acrylic acid), followed by amidation-based cross-linking of the acrylic acid residues located within the micellar corona. The PTD sequence was constructed upon a solid support, from C-terminus to N-terminus, followed by extension with four glycine residues, leaving the amino chain end for subsequent coupling with remaining acrylic acid functionalities present on the surface of the SCK. Finally, cleavage from the solid support was performed, which also facilitated deprotection of the peptide side chain functionalities as well as hydrolysis of the poly(epsilon-caprolactone) segments composing the SCK core domain, to yield PTD-derivatized nanocage structures (PTD-nanocage). Covalent labeling of the SCK precursor with fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide provided fluorescently tagged PTD-nanocage nanobioconjugates to allow for their detection by fluorescence microscopy. The fluorescent PTD-nanocage bioconjugates were found to interact with CHO cells and HeLa cells, whereas the analogous structure lacking the PTD component did not. CHO cells bound with fluorescent PTD-nanocage bioconjugates were analyzed using flow cytometry and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Fluorescence confocal microscopy of isolated bioconjugate-bound CHO cells indicated that the bioconjugated nanoparticles were primarily located near the cell periphery; however, transduction of the nanoparticle into the cells also occurred.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of estrogenic activity of plant extracts for the potential treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Eight botanical preparations that are commonly used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms were tested for estrogenic activity. Methanol extracts of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus L.), and hops (Humulus lupulus L.) showed significant competitive binding to estrogen receptors alpha (ER alpha) and beta (ER beta). With cultured Ishikawa (endometrial) cells, red clover and hops exhibited estrogenic activity as indicated by induction of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and up-regulation of progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA. Chasteberry also stimulated PR expression, but no induction of AP activity was observed. In S30 breast cancer cells, pS2 (presenelin-2), another estrogen-inducible gene, was up-regulated in the presence of red clover, hops, and chasteberry. Interestingly, extracts of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) induced pS2 mRNA expression in S30 cells, but no significant ER binding affinity, AP induction, or PR expression was noted in Ishikawa cells. Dong quai [Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels] and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) showed only weak ER binding and PR and pS2 mRNA induction. Black cohosh [Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.] showed no activity in any of the above in vitro assays. Bioassay-guided isolation utilizing ER competitive binding as a monitor and screening using ultrafiltration LC-MS revealed that genistein was the most active component of red clover. Consistent with this observation, genistein was found to be the most effective of four red clover isoflavones tested in the above in vitro assays. Therefore, estrogenic components of plant extracts can be identified using assays for estrogenic activity along with screening and identification of the active components using ultrafiltration LC-MS. These data suggest a potential use for some dietary supplements, ingested by human beings, in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2001

Four new triterpenoid saponins from Conyza blinii.

Three new bisdesmosidic saponins named conyzasaponins A, B, and C (1-3) and one new monodesmosidic saponin, conyzasaponin G (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Conyza blinii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR (DEPT, DQF-COSY, HOHAHA, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and MS studies. Compounds 1-3 share a common prosapogenin, bayogenin 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which is identical with conyzasaponin G (4), and differ in the structures of the ester-linked sugar moieties at C-28. Conyzasaponin A (1) is the 28-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ester, conyzasaponin B (2), the 28-O-beta-D-apiofurano- syl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ester, and conyzasaponin C (3), the 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl ester of the prosapogenin, respectively.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Oncostatin M-induced growth inhibition and morphological changes of MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells are abolished by blocking the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Cytokine oncostatin M (OM) has profound effects on proliferation and differentiation of breast cancer cells. OM treated cells show reduced growth rate and differentiated phenotypes. The mechanisms underlying the OM growth-inhibitory activity in breast cancer cells have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the OM-elicited signaling pathways in breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB231 and MCF-7. We show that OM rapidly activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and 3 in both cell lines. Intriguingly, OM-induced growth inhibition and morphological changes in MDA-MB231 cells are completely abolished by inhibitors to ERK upstream kinase MEK (nitrogen/extracellular-regulated protein kinase kinase), but the MEK inhibitors have little effects on OM growth-inhibitory activity in MCF-7 cells. In addition, expressions of the cyclin kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 are strongly induced by OM in MCF-7 cells, but their expression is only slightly increased by OM in MDA-MB231 cells. These data together demonstrate that the growth-inhibitory activity of OM can be mediated by different signaling pathways in a cell line-specific manner. While the MEK/ERK pathway is the predominant signaling pathway that leads to the growth inhibition of MDA-MB231 cells, activation of additional signaling pathways are necessary for OM to exert its growth-inhibitory activity in MCF-7 cells.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2001

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS): the new thinking.

TTP and HUS are two disorders with many similarities. Though their first descriptions appeared at different time in history, there has been a trend among physicians to consider them as the same clinical entity. However, in recent years new research findings on the pathophysiology of TTP and HUS have revealed some differences between the two disorders. In this paper, we will review the current approaches to the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of TTP and HUS, as well as therapeutic strategies. We will also summarize the recent advances in three areas in the study of the pathophysiology of TTP and HUS, namely the newly discovered von Willebrand factor multimer-cleaving protease, endothelial cell apoptosis induced by serum from patients with TTP and atypical HUS and the activation of complement system. Since distinguishing and differentiating between TTP and HUS may help to develop more effective therapies targeted at key steps of the disease development, we will discuss possible ways of reclassifying the TTP-HUS disorders. In the end, we also present our views on possible future development.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMed2001

Translational regulation as a novel mechanism for the development of cellular drug resistance.

Cellular drug resistance is one of the principal obstacles to the clinical efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. In this review, we describe the potential role for translational regulation as a novel mechanism for modulating chemosensitivity. The evidence for the translational control of thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and p53 will be presented, as will experimental data showing how disruptions in this important regulatory process can lead to the rapid emergence of cellular drug resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B is a serious health problem worldwide. Chinese medicinal herbs are widely used for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in China and many clinical trials have been conducted. This systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Randomised clinical trials comparing Chinese medicinal herbs versus placebo, no intervention, nonspecific treatment, or interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B with > or = 3 months follow-up were included. No language and blinding limitations were applied. The electronic databases were searched, combined with handsearches on Chinese literature. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The methodological quality of trials was assessed by the Jadad-scale plus allocation concealment. RESULTS: Nine randomised trials (n=936) were included, with only one being of high quality. There was a funnel plot asymmetry (intercept 3.37, p=0.047). Compared to nonspecific treatment or placebo, the herbal compound Fuzheng Jiedu Tang showed an effect on clearance of serum HBsAg (relative risk 5.19, 95% CI 1.24-21.79), HBeAg (10.85, 3.56-33.06), and HBV DNA (8.50, 1.23-58.85). Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide showed an effect on serum HBeAg (3.06, 1.13-8.29) and HBV DNA (4.14, 1.0-17.19); Phyllanthus amarus showed an effect on serum HBeAg (3.35, 1.49-7.56). Phyllanthus compound and kurorinone showed no significant difference on clearance of serum HBeAg and HBV DNA and on alanine aminotransferase normalisation compared to interferon. No serious adverse event was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese medicinal herbs are not recommended for chronic hepatitis B because of the publication bias and low quality of the trials. Rigorously designed, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗
PubMed2001

Activation of Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization by cortactin.

Cortactin, a filamentous actin (F-actin)-associated protein and prominent substrate of Src, is implicated in progression of breast tumours through gene amplification at chromosome 11q13. However, the function of cortactin remains obscure. Here we show that cortactin co-localizes with the Arp2/3 complex, a de novo actin nucleator, at dynamic particulate structures enriched with actin filaments. Cortactin binds directly to the Arp2/3 complex and activates it to promote nucleation of actin filaments. The interaction of cortactin with the Arp2/3 complex occurs at an amino-terminal domain that is rich in acidic amino acids. Mutations in a conserved amino-acid sequence of DDW abolish both the interaction with the Arp2/3 complex and complex activation. The N-terminal domain is not only essential but also sufficient to target cortactin to actin-enriched patches within cells. Interestingly, the ability of cortactin to activate the Arp2/3 complex depends on an activity for F-actin binding, which is almost 20-fold higher than that of the Arp2/3 complex. Our data indicate a new mechanism for activation of actin polymerization involving an enhanced interaction between the Arp2/3 complex and actin filaments.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2001

Dentinogenesis imperfecta 1 with or without progressive hearing loss is associated with distinct mutations in DSPP.

Dentinogenesis imperfecta 1 (DGI1, MIM 125490) is an autosomal dominant dental disease characterized by abnormal dentin production and mineralization. The DGI1 locus was recently refined to a 2-Mb interval on 4q21 (ref. 1). Here we study three Chinese families carrying DGI1. We find that the affected individuals of two families also presented with progressive sensorineural high-frequency hearing loss (gene DFNA39). We identified three disease-specific mutations within the dentin sialophosphoprotein gene (DSPP) in these three families. We detected a G-->A transition at the donor-splicing site of intron 3 in one family without DFNA39, a mutation predicted to result in the skipping of exon 3. In two other families affected with both DGI1 and DFNA39, however, we identified two independent nucleotide transversions in exons 2 and 3 of DSPP, respectively, that cause missense mutations of two adjacent amino-acid residues in the predicted transmembrane region of the protein. Moreover, transcripts of DSPP previously reported to be expressed specifically in teeth are also detected in the inner ear of mice. We have thus demonstrated for the first time that distinct mutations in DSPP are responsible for the clinical manifestations of DGI1 with or without DFNA39.

Asian People↗
PubMed2001

Endocannabinoids acting at vascular CB1 receptors mediate the vasodilated state in advanced liver cirrhosis.

Advanced cirrhosis is associated with generalized vasodilation of unknown origin, which contributes to mortality. Cirrhotic patients are endotoxemic, and activation of vascular cannabinoid CB1 receptors has been implicated in endotoxin-induced hypotension. Here we show that rats with biliary cirrhosis have low blood pressure, which is elevated by the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A. The low blood pressure of rats with CCl4-induced cirrhosis was similarly reversed by SR141716A, which also reduced the elevated mesenteric blood flow and portal pressure. Monocytes from cirrhotic but not control patients or rats elicited SR141716A-sensitive hypotension in normal recipient rats and showed significantly elevated levels of anandamide. Compared with non-cirrhotic controls, in cirrhotic human livers there was a three-fold increase in CB1 receptors on isolated vascular endothelial cells. These results implicate anandamide and vascular CB1 receptors in the vasodilated state in advanced cirrhosis and indicate a novel approach for its management.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Selection of a high-biomass, chromium-rich yeast strain and optimization of cultivation conditions.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae LZ-53 was selected from 240 primary yeast strains from different genera and species, whose chromium (Cr) resistance and biomass were higher than others were. The highest biomass and Cr content of the strain was obtained in 30 h at 28 degrees C and 200 rpm, when 20 ml of the culture in 250-ml shake flasks was grown in wort containing 1200 microg/ml Cr. The initial pH was adjusted to 6.0. The optimal inoculum volume was 10% (v/v). The Cr content of the cells was determined by neutron activation analysis. Under the optimized cultivation conditions, the Cr content reached 3248 microg/g.

Biomass↗
PubMed2001

Frequent demonstration of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in bone marrow biopsy samples from Turkish patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

In order to investigate the frequency of HHV-8 in MM patients from another geographic location, we obtained fresh bone marrow (BM) biopsies from Turkish patients with MM (n = 21), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (n = 2), plasmacytoma (n = 1) with BM plasma cell infiltration, various hematological disorders (n = 6), and five healthy Turkish controls. The frequency of HHV-8 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in two independent laboratories in the USA and in Turkey. Using fresh BM biopsies, 17/21 MM patients were positive for HHV-8 whereas all five healthy controls, and six patients with other hematological disorders were negative. Two patients with MGUS, and one patient with a solitary plasmacytoma were also negative. The data from the two laboratories were completely concordant. Also using primer pairs for v IRF and v IL-8R confirmed the results observed with the KS330233 primers. Furthermore, sequence analysis demonstrated a C3 strain pattern in the ORF26 region which was also found in MM patients from the US. Thus, HHV-8 is present in the majority of Turkish MM patients, and the absence of the virus in healthy controls further supports its role in the pathogenesis of MM.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2001

Speciation of aluminium(III) in natural waters using differential pulse voltammetry with a pyrocatechol violet-modified electrode.

A differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) procedure is proposed for the speciation of aluminium in natural waters using Pyrocatechol Violet chemically modified electrodes (PCV-CMEs). This novel speciation idea is based on the selective determination of different AlIII forms under two pH conditions. The labile monomeric Al fraction (mainly inorganic Al) is analysed at pH 4.8 (0.20 mol dm(-3) NaOAc-HOAc) and the total monomeric Al fraction is analysed at pH 8.5 (0.20 mol dm(-3) NH3.H2O-NH4Cl). The difference is thought to be caused by the weak competition ability of PCV to sequester AlIII from AlIII-natural organic matter complexes. This sensitive and simple speciation method has been applied successfully to aluminium speciation in natural waters sampled from different regions of China. Five fractions are measured directly or indirectly: (i) labile monomeric Al; (ii) total monomeric Al; (iii) acid reactive Al; (iv) non-labile monomeric Al; and (v) acid soluble Al. The results are in satisfactory agreement with those obtained by Driscoll's 8-hydroxyquinoline extraction-ion exchange method.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2001

Preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium in aqueous samples on minicolumns packed with Chromosorb series gas chromatographic stationary phases and its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

The adsorption characteristics of five commercially available Chromosorb GC stationary phases towards Cd2+ and their application to the preconcentration and ETAAS determination of Cd2+ in several water samples were studied. The experimental results indicated that although all of the five Chromosorb GC stationary phases studied can retain Cd2+ quantitatively from aqueous solutions at appropriate pH values without adding chelating reagent. Chromosorb 105 displayed the highest adsorption capacity. A highly sensitive, simple methodology for preconcentration and ETAAS determination of trace amounts of cadmium in natural water samples using a Chromosorb 105 packed minicolumn is proposed. Conditions for quantitative and reproducible preconcentration, elution and subsequent ETAAS determination were established. The high retention efficiency (> 95%) for Cd2+ provides a sensitivity enhancement of 100-fold for a 200 mL sample volume with a detection limit of 6.2 ng L(-1) (3 sigma).

Cadmium↗
PubMed2001

Expression, purification, immunological characterization and application of Escherichia coli-derived hepatitis C virus E2 proteins.

The envelope glycoprotein E2 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been shown to bind human target cells. Anti-E2 antibodies have been associated with both recovery from natural infection in humans and protection from challenge with homologous HCV in chimpanzees. Therefore E2 has become a major target for the development of anti-HCV vaccines. Two E2 fragments [amino acids (aa) 450-565 and aa 385-565] derived from a subtype 1b HCV genome were expressed as N-terminally hexahistidine-tagged proteins in Escherichia coli and purified to over 85% purity. Both proteins were specifically recognized by homologous hepatitis-C-patient's serum on Western blotting, suggesting that these E. coli-derived E2 proteins displayed E2-specific antigenicity. E2-116 (aa 450-565) elicited strong antibody responses in BALB/c mice and rabbits. Rabbit antiserum raised against renatured E2-116 (R(E2-116R)) was able to recognize subtype 1b and 1a E2 glycoproteins expressed in mammalian cells on Western blotting. E2-181 (aa 385-565) reacted with 40% of anti-HCV(+) patients' sera in ELISA. R(E2-116R) and E2-181 were successfully used in preliminary modified vaccinia virus Ankara- and DNA-based E2 vaccine studies for detecting antigen expression in vitro and assessing induced humoral immune responses in mice. The E2 proteins and rabbit antiserum reported here could find wider applications in the development of effective diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic measures against HCV.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Caveolin-1, a putative tumour suppressor gene.

Caveolae ('little caves') are plasma membrane specializations of 50-100 nm in diameter, and the caveolins are structural proteins used by cells to form caveolae. We and other investigators have discovered that caveolae organelles may be important both in normal signal transduction and in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases, such as cancer. Here we describe the functional roles of the caveolin gene family and summarize the evidence that supports a role for caveolae as mediators of a number of cellular signalling processes, including apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗