Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Peng

Publications and source records attributed to J Peng.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Further studies on new furostanol saponins from the bulbs of Allium macrostemon.

Further studies by means of preparative HPLC led to the isolation of two new furostanol saponins, macrostemonoside J (1) and L (3), along with an artifact, macrostemonoside K (2) from the bulbs of Allium macrostemon. On the basis of chemical evidence and spectral analysis (1H-, 13C-NMR and FAB-MS), the structure of 1 was elucidated to be 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 2 beta,3 beta,22,26-tetrahydroxy-25(R)-5 beta-furostan 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside. 3 was deduced to be 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 2 beta,3 beta,26-trihydroxy-25(R)-5 beta-furostan- 20(22)-ene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside.

Allium↗

Mammalian cell cultivation in space.

In order to study the effect of microgravity on mammalian cell growth, proliferation and biosynthesis, the human T leukemia cells, human lung adenocarcinoma cells, EVI-H1 hybridoma cells and genetic engineering cells producing human growth hormone were flown on re-entry Scientific Satellite 90105 for a duration of eight days. The preliminary results indicate that the mammalian cells are sensitive to gravity. They might adapt to microgravity conditions leading to altered growth rate and subsequently, to altered biosynthesis and molecular secretion. In addition, their morphology may be affected in microgravity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Retroviral-mediated transfer of human beta-globin gene and its enhancer into MEL cells].

The present result showed that human beta-globin gene has been integrated into amphotropic packaging cell line PA317 in 5/13 clones of PA317 beta and 1/14 clone of PA317 beta E0.4. Retrovirus titers of amphotropic recombinant retrovirus ranged from 10(3) to 10(4) CFU/ml. MEL cells were transfected by supernant of PA317 beta and PA317 beta E0.4. Northern blot showed that the expression of human beta-globin gene in MEL beta E0.4 was significantly higher than MEL beta in mRNA level. This result indicated that an enhancer which comes from HS II of human LCR can increase human beta-globin gene mRNA expression in transfected MEL. However, the retrovirus titers of PA317 beta and PA317 beta E0.4 in our experiment were low. When large fragment enhancer (0.4 kb) was inserted into retrovirus vector, it could bring about the human beta-globin gene deletion in amphotropic packing cells.

Animals↗

Morphologic changes of apoptosis induced in human chronic myelogenous leukemia "blast" cells by SC41661A (Searle), a selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase.

Several inhibitors of the arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase reduce proliferation of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells and cell lines and some cells undergo limited differentiation. Cells were cultured from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in "blast" crisis with the selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, SC41661A[3-(3,5-bis(1,1-dimethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)hiol]-N-me thyl-N-[2-(2- phridinyl-propanamide)]. Cells cultured for 3 to 5 days with 40 microM SC41661A exhibited reduced cellular numbers along with ultrastructural changes and DNA laddering characteristic of apoptosis. Similar culture conditions reduced proliferation of U937 monoblastoid cells. In U937 cells, the ultrastructural features of apoptosis were not observed at 72 hours, when DNA laddering was present and cell numbers were reduced, but was present after 144 hours of culture. Dissociation between certain morphologic and biochemical sequelae of apoptosis has been described in other systems. These observations are of interest since the induction of apoptosis in dividing chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells by a non-cytotoxic agent suggests paradigmatically new sites for therapeutic intervention.

Amides↗

[Studies on the antitumor activity of organotin compounds].

Organotin compounds were found to obviously inhibit the activity of phospholipid/Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (PKC) in rat brain tissue and the proliferation of tumor cell lines in vitro. The results showed that a correlation exists between the effects on PKC and anti-proliferative and antitumor activities. The structure-activity relationship was shown to be as follows: (1) R, the organic group determines the biological activity; (2) electronegativity of the halogen can affect the activity. The organotin compounds inhibit tumor cells by its [SnR2]2+, and inhibit G1-->S phases of HL-60 cell cycle. The IC50 of [SnPh2F2], [SnPh2(CysOS)].H2O and [SnPh2Cl2.phen(CH3)2] are respectively 25, 15 and 20 mumol.L-1 on PKC, 0.5, 4.0 and 0.3 mumol.L-1 on HL-60 cells, 2.7, 9 and 1.5 mumol.L-1 on BEL-7402 cells, 2.2, 15 and 5.0 mumol.L-1 on KB cells. But no induction of differentiation of leukemic cell lines HL-60 and K562 was observed.

Animals↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the binding of captopril and penicillamine by serum albumin.

The metabolism of the thiol-containing drugs penicillamine (beta,beta-dimethylcysteine) and captopril (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline) involves the formation of mixed disulfides, including mixed disulfides with serum albumin. The reactions of penicillamine and captopril with serum albumin in aqueous solution and in intact human blood plasma have been studied by 500 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. Penicillamine was found to react rapidly at the albumin-cysteine mixed disulfide bond to form penicillamine-cysteine mixed disulfide and to react more slowly at other albumin disulfide bonds. The amino acid cysteine was found to react with albumin by the same two pathways. In contrast, captopril rapidly associates with albumin to form noncovalent albumin-captopril complexes. Exchange of captopril between its free and noncovalently bound forms takes place on the NMR time scale. On a longer time scale, captopril reacts with albumin by thiol/disulfide interchange reactions. Noncovalently bound captopril displaced lactate from its albumin binding sites, both in aqueous solution and in human plasma. The results demonstrate that 1H NMR is a useful method for characterizing the state of drug molecules in human plasma and for detecting and monitoring perturbations by drugs of delicately balanced binding equilibria involving endogenous small molecules and macromolecules in plasma.

Binding, Competitive↗

On the structure of calonyctin A, a plant growth regulator.

The plant growth regulator calonyctin A, isolated from the dried leaves of Calonyction aculeatum L. House (Yue-Guang-Hua), was separated into two pure components by high performance liquid chromatography. By use of mass spectrometry based on various ionization techniques, one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, IR spectrometry, and chemical methods the molecular structures of the two homologous glycosides were determined. Each molecule contains two hydroxy fatty acid residues and four 6-deoxyhexose units. The fatty acids are 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoic acid and 11-hydroxytetradecanoic acid or 11-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid. The 6-deoxyhexose residues (three of quinovose and one of rhamnose) comprise a tetrasaccharide having the following structure: [formula: see text] The long-chain hydroxy acid is linked glycosidically through its O-11 to Qui D and esterified to O-2 of Qui C, forming a macrocyclic lactone. The 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoic acid is ester-linked to O-3 of Qui C.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Specificity of a promoter from the rice tungro bacilliform virus for expression in phloem tissues.

The major promoter region for the transcription of the genome of rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV), a newly described badnavirus, has been identified. Fragments of the RTBV genome upstream of the site of transcription initiation were isolated and tested for promoter activity using a beta-glucuronidase receptor gene (gusA). Assays of transient gusA expression were performed following introduction of the chimeric gene into protoplasts via electroporation. The chimeric RTBV-promoter: gusA gene was more active in rice protoplasts than in maize or tobacco protoplasts, but was weaker than gusA controlled by an enhanced 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus. Analysis of gusA gene expression following introduction of chimeric reporter genes into intact leaves via micro-projectile bombardment indicated that the GUS activity is present primarily in vascular tissues. Transgenic rice plants carrying the chimeric gusA gene had GUS activity only in the phloem of the vascular bundles in the leaf. Tissue printing studies demonstrated that RTBV accumulates in the vascular bundles of infected rice leaves. The results of our study indicate that phloem-specific expression from the RTBV promoter is an intrinsic property of the viral promoter.

Base Sequence↗

Phytochrome A null mutants of Arabidopsis display a wild-type phenotype in white light.

Phytochrome is a family of photoreceptors that regulates plant photomorphogenesis; the best-characterized member of this family is phytochrome A. Here, we report the identification of novel mutations at three Arabidopsis loci (fhy1, fhy2, and fhy3) that confer an elongated hypocotyl in far-red but not in white light. fhy2 mutants are phytochrome A deficient, have reduced or undetectable levels of PHYA transcripts, and contain structural alterations within the PHYA gene. When grown in white light, fhy2 mutants are morphologically indistinguishable from wild-type plants. Thus, phytochrome A appears to be dispensable in white light-grown Arabidopsis plants. fhy2 alleles confer partially dominant phenotypes in far-red light, suggesting that the relative abundance of phytochrome A can affect the extent of the far-red-mediated hypocotyl growth inhibition response. Plants homozygous for the recessive fhy1 and fhy3 mutations have normal levels of functional phytochrome A. The FHY1 and FHY3 gene products may be responsible for the transduction of the far-red light signal from phytochrome A to downstream processes involved in hypocotyl growth regulation.

Arabidopsis↗

[Study on the relationship between two second-messenger pathways on the regulation of proliferation and differentiation in MGc 80-3 cells].

By using an inducer of differentiation (HMBA) and blockers of signal pathways, the relationship between two second-messenger pathways (DG-PKC, cAMP-PKA) in inducer-mediated MGc80-3 cell differentiation was studied. Cells were treated with HMBA for 24 h, levels of DG decreased by 64.7%, activity of PKC decreased by 28.7%, while levels of cAMP and rate of it's protein binding increased by 62% and 32.6% respectively (after treated for 48 h, the result was more remarkable). PKA-R II distributed in nuclei. H7 (PKC inhibitor) was used to substitute for HMBA to block the DG-PKC pathway. After treatment for 24 h, the levels of DG and activity of PCK both decreased, while the levels of cAMP increased 1.04 times. On the contrary, PKA inhibitor was added while HMBA was used to induce cell differentiation, cAMP-PKA pathway was blocked, levels of cAMP and rate of it's protein binding decreased. But levels of DG and activity of PKC both increased to the levels of control cells. At this time, PKA-R II distributed only in cytoplasm. These results suggest that harmonious relations of the positive and negative regulation of cAMP-PKA and DG-PKC systems in cells during the proliferation and differentiation of cells. It also showed that positive regulation of PI system may play a leading role in MGc80-3 cells. It let to normal regulation of two signal pathway out of control to remain malignant phenotype of these cells.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

[Symptomatic survey on pulmonary tuberculosis in Shanghai rural areas].

A study on the discovery of pulmonary tuberculous patients in 72 villages 312,092 population in 9 counties of Shanghai rural areas by symptomatic survey was reported. The survey showed that only 8.21% of the population (25631 cases) had suspected TB symptoms, the discovery rate of > 45 age-group was still around 10%, 233 cases of active PUL TB were discovered after all the suspected subjects were examined, and 71 cases of sputum (+) were identified. For the > 60 age-group the discovery rate of active PUL TB was 64.8% (151/233) and the sputum (+) cases was 66.2% (47/71).

Adolescent↗

[Contribution of chemiluminescence for determination of low value TSH in patients with dysthyroidism during negative TRH test].

TSH values performed by immunoradiometric method were compared with chemiluminescent method in 28 hyperthyroid patients with negative TRH-test. This last method gives a better sensitivity (0.020 mUI/L vs. 0.050 mUI/L) and reproducibility (5% V.C. vs. 40%). The measure of undetectable TSH by immunoradiometric assay becomes possible with chemiluminescence. Due to this increase of sensitivity, the TRH-test needs to be reconsidered and allows to discriminate various degrees of TSH suppression.

Adult↗

[Azygo-portal disconnection for hemorrhagic cirrhosis. Results and value of abdominal and thoracic approach apropos of 20 cases].

The authors report about the results of 20 azygoportal deconnections for the treatment of hemorrhagic cirrhosis caused by the rupture of esophageal or cardiotuberosal varices. All patients had an ethylic cirrhosis of Child-Pugh classes A (1), B (15) or C (4). All had a contraindication to calibrated laterolateral portocaval shunting. Azygoportal deconnection was performed with a thoracic approach in 7 cases, using a Bérard eso-clip in 6 cases and a Prioton button in 1. In 13 cases the approach was abdominal, using EEA circular mechanical clamps. In this cases, trunk vagotomy was performed in 12 cases, in association with pyloroplasty in 10 cases and gastroenteroanastomosis in 2 cases. Splenectomy was performed in 3 patients and the ligation of the splenic artery in a 4th patient. Mortality at 2 months is of 30%, the 6 deaths being caused by hepatic insufficiency in 3 cases, heart and esophageal fistula after an eso-clip was laid in 1 case. The two patients with chronic ascites died of hepatic insufficiency. Mortality at 2 months is of 23% for patients operated in an elective period, and 43% for semiergent operations. Twenty-six percent of the Child B patients and 50% of the Child C patients died. The percentage of residual varices is 57% in the surviving patients. Every second patient had complementary sclerosis. All had had azygoportal deconnection with mechanical clamps. Bleeding recurred in 2 patients (16.6%). Survival is 50% at 1 year and 39% at 3 years.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Diagnostic exploration of enlarged peripheral nerves in suspected cases of leprosy. An analysis of 55 cases.

In 55 cases presenting with enlarged peripheral nerves without any skin lesions, a rice grain-sized biopsy of the nerve lesion was taken for histopathological examination. As a result definitive diagnoses could be established: leprosy was diagnosed in 32 cases. In 23 cases the cause of nerve enlargement was not leprosy: post-traumatic neuritis 9, cysts 5, hypertrophic neuritis 3, nonspecific 4, neurofibroma 1, and amyloidosis 1. In all of these cases there was a deficit of the nerve function and postoperatively there were no complications. The authors, as a result of this experience, believe that surgical exploration and biopsy is a harmless diagnostic tool for establishing a definitive diagnosis of leprosy in cases presenting with enlarged peripheral nerves without any skin lesions. In 23 out of 55 such cases the nerve enlargement was proved to be other causes than leprosy.

Adolescent↗