Nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression and localization in pulmonary artery of hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
J Qi
Publications and source records attributed to J Qi.
Noradrenaline transporter expression in the pons and medulla oblongata of the rat: localisation to noradrenergic and some C1 adrenergic neurones.
Catecholaminergic neurotransmission is normally terminated by rapid re-uptake of the neurotransmitter by a high-affinity Na+/Cl--dependent plasma membrane transporter. Specific transporters have been cloned for both dopamine (DAT) and noradrenaline (NAT) in the rat. While DAT has been studied extensively, NAT expression has received less attention, particularly at the protein level. We used an antibody generated against a 49 residue segment of an extracellular loop region of NAT to study expression of the transporter protein throughout the rat pons and medulla oblongata. NAT was expressed in over 95% of noradrenergic neurones in the A1, A2/area postrema, A5, A6/locus subcoeruleus, and A7 noradrenergic groups. Approximately 10% of C1 adrenergic neurones located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) also expressed NAT. Expression of NAT mRNA in bulbospinal C1 cells was confirmed using single-cell reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of acutely isolated RVL neurones. Spinally projecting neurones were identified by retrograde labelling with rhodamine beads, and C1 neurones were identified by RT-PCR using primers specific for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) mRNAs. Thirteen percent of adrenergic bulbospinal neurones tested expressed NAT mRNA. C1 neurones are potentially important in cardiovascular control and blood pressure regulation, and the identification of NAT expression in a sub-population of these neurones provides further evidence for the heterogeneity of this neuronal population.
Animals↗
Amantadine increases aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase mRNA in PC12 cells.
Amantadine is an antiviral agent that was unexpectedly found to cause symptomatic improvement in patients with Parkinsonism, although its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) is a regulated enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa). It may be especially important during L-Dopa therapy in Parkinsonism, during which it may be rate-limiting for the production of dopamine. This study reports the effects of amantadine on the gene expression of AADC in PC12 cells. It shows that amantadine induces AADC gene expression at concentrations of 10 and 100 microM after 24 hr of incubation. The results suggest that the stimulation of AADC mRNA by amantadine may be one of its effects on dopamine metabolism that may have relevance for potentiation of L-Dopa therapy in Parkinsonism.
Amantadine↗
The immunostimulatory effect of bio-active peptide from pollen on murine and human lymphocytes.
The effects of bio-active peptide (BP) from buckwheat pollen and its synthetic analogues on murine and human lymphocytes and HL-60 cells were examined. Both natural and synthetic BP had the same effect in the lymphocyte blast transformation test. The proliferative response of HL-60 cells, co-cultured for 72 h with BP, was measured by the MTT method. BP had a stimulatory effect on HL-60 cell proliferation. The optical density (OD) value was 0.339+/-0.015, whereas, that of the control without BP was significantly lower (0.279+/-0.037; P < 0.05). The CD25 (IL-2Ralpha chain) positive cells of BP-stimulated human lymphocytes assessed by indirect immunofluorescence were 53.97+/-7.12% (1 microg/ml) and 42.53+/-4.4% (10 microg/ml), significantly higher than the control (11.77+/-1.88%; P < 0.001). The content of sIL-2R in the supernatant after culture with BP was determined by ELISA and was 1782.3+/-78.18 U/ml, lower than control 2381.2+/-99.9 U/ml. Taken together, our results showed that BP has an immunostimulatory effect on lymphocytes. The likely mode of BP action and the possibility of developing a novel immunomodulator are discussed.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
L-deprenyl potentiates NGF-induced changes in superoxide dismutase mRNA in PC12 cells.
L-deprenyl protects neurons in a number of in vivo and in vitro models and it has been postulated that it ameliorates some neurodegenerative disorders. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the enzymes responsible for the inactivation of oxygen free radicals, and one of the mechanisms of the effect of L-deprenyl is thought to act by induction of SOD. In this study, PC12 cells were used to study the effect of L-deprenyl on gene regulation of SOD and its interaction with nerve growth factor (NGF). The results show that NGF induces SOD mRNA in a dose-dependent manner and that a similar effect was produced by L-deprenyl. In addition, L-deprenyl potentiates NGF effects. This study demonstrates that both L-deprenyl and NGF may be involved in common antioxidative mechanisms and that L-deprenyl may interact with neurotrophic factors.
Animals↗
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation is required for human neutrophil function triggered by TNF-alpha or FMLP stimulation.
Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-mediated signal-transduction pathways convert extracellular stimulation into a variety of cellular functions. However, the roles of MAP kinases in neutrophils are not well understood yet. Protein phosphorylation analysis of cellular MAP kinases indicates that exposure of human neutrophils to chemotactic factor FMLP as well as granulocyte-macrophage CSF, PMA, or ionomycin rapidly induced the activation of p38 and p44/42 MAP kinases, but stimulation with inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha triggered the activation of p38 MAP kinase only. To study the cellular functions of these MAP kinases, the inhibitor SB20358, which specifically inhibited enzymatic activity of cellular p38 MAP kinase, and the inhibitor PD98059, which specifically blocked the induced protein phosphorylation and activation of p44/42 MAP kinase in intact neutrophils, were utilized. Inhibition of the cellular p38 MAP kinase activation almost completely abolished the TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-8 production and superoxide generation of human neutrophils. In addition, the FMLP-induced neutrophil chemotaxis as well as superoxide generation were suppressed markedly by inhibiting the activation of cellular p38 MAP kinase, but not p44/42 MAP kinase. Moreover, RIA indicates that the activation of cellular p38 MAP kinase was required for the neutrophil IL-8 production stimulated by granulocyte-macrophage CSF or LPS as well as TNF-alpha, but not for that induced by PMA or ionomycin. These results demonstrate that the activation of cellular p38 MAP kinase is indispensable for the TNF-alpha- or FMLP-mediated cellular functions in human neutrophils, and suggest that p38 MAP kinase may play a different role in response to distinct stimulation.
Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
Thymic B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a child.
A 13-year-old male developed thymic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of large cells, resembling centroblasts. Immunohistochemically, the tumor demonstrated leukocyte common antigen+, L26 (B-cell)+, UCHL1 (T-cell)-, suggesting the B-cell phenotype. In contrast to the terminally differentiated phenotype (CD10-, surface immunoglobulin-) observed in adult cases, flow cytometric analysis showed that they were relatively immature: CD10+, CD19+, HLA-DR-, IgM+/-, kappa+. He was successfully treated with intensive chemotherapy. Since childhood thymic lymphomas are exclusively small non-cleaved cell lymphoma with T-cell phenotype, this case represents a unique entity in children.
Adolescent↗
CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia in long-term survivors following intensive chemotherapy in childhood cancers.
BACKGROUND: It is generally believed the effects of short intensive courses of therapy are rapidly reversible in childhood cancers, and immunologic function following years of maintenance treatment with chemotherapy usually returns to normal by 6 months or less when treatment is terminated. However, we previously demonstrated that dysregulation of immunoglobulins, especially IgD, was observed in long-term survivors following intensive chemotherapy in cancer patients. With regard to cellular immunity, investigators reported that antineoplastic chemotherapy significantly reduces the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, and production of newly developing CD4+ T-lymphocytes was inversely related to the patients' age. However, the incidence of CD4+ lymphocytopenia in long-term survivors of childhood cancers is not known. PROCEDURE: Here, we report the flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood from long-term survivors who continue complete remission off chemotherapy for more than 5 years. RESULTS: Six out of 74 long-term survivors (8.1%), showed low CD4+ T-lymphocyte count (<300/mm3). Three of six patients showed continued CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia over a year. In spite of the persistent low levels of CD4+ T cells, these three patients were not susceptible to severe infections. COMMENT: Intriguingly, in patients with CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia there has been a tendency toward increased numbers of natural killer cells or gamma delta T cells that may be operating as a thymus-independent compensatory mechanism to defend the hosts.
Adolescent↗
Precise Molecular Constants for the 6Li2 A1Sigma+u-X1Sigma+g System by Sub-Doppler Polarization Spectroscopy.
We report here new and more accurate molecular constants from sub-Doppler polarization spectroscopy of the A1Sigma+u-X1Sigma+g system of 6Li2 using single mode cw dye lasers. These new constants cover the range of vibrational levels from v" = 0-8 in the ground state and v' = 0-24 in the excited state. New molecular constants and RKR potential energy curves for the A1Sigma+u and X1Sigma+g states are given. The Te value for the A1Sigma+u state is 14068.043(34) cm-1. The analysis indicates that there is a noticeable breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation for the 6Li2 and 7Li2 isotopomers. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Journal Article↗
Embolization of tumors and vascular lesions in the oral and maxillofacial regions.
The embolization was used for the treatment of 10 patients with tumors and vascular lesions in the oral and maxillofacial region. The patients were diagnosed as having vascular deformity, hemangioma, hemangiofibroma and chemodectoma. The selective and superselective target artery embolization were conducted and the satisfactory results were achieved. The procedures, effects and precautions of the embolic therapy were also discussed.
Adolescent↗
Suppression of alloreactivity with gamma delta T-cells: relevance to increased gamma delta T-cells following bone marrow transplantation.
Several reports have shown that an increase in T-cell receptor gamma/delta-positive T-cells (gamma delta T-cells) have been observed following bone marrow transplantation. gamma delta T-cells expanded from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal volunteers were used to investigate the function of gamma delta T-cells in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with synthetic ligand of gamma delta T-cells, monoethyl phosphates (MEP), for 7 days. MEP specifically expanded gamma delta T-cells. Expanded gamma delta T-cells from subject "B" were added to an A anti-B or A anti-C mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) containing responder cells from subject "A" and irradiated stimulator cells from subjects "B" or "C". The cultures were harvested on day 6 and tested for cytotoxicity against stimulator-type Con A blasts. gamma delta T-cells from subject "B" specifically inhibit generation of allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in A anti-B MLC. The results indicate that gamma delta T-cells exhibit veto-type suppression of alloreaction. If the current experiments are also applicable in vivo, gamma delta T-cells originating from the donor after bone marrow transplantation may inhibit graft rejection by suppressing recipient anti-donor reactivity. gamma delta T-cells may be involved in the suppression of allogeneic reaction in vivo following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
Late-onset unilateral renal dysfunction combined with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a child.
We report a child with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed late-onset multiple complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling. The preparative regimen consisted of total body irradiation (TBI, 12 Gy), splenic irradiation (6 Gy) and cytosine arabinoside (3 g/m2 x 10). Splenic irradiation was added because of persistent splenomegaly in spite of intensive chemotherapy. He developed bronchial asthma 1 1/2 years post transplant. He presented with microhematuria and proteinuria 4 1/2 years post-transplant, which were due to unilateral left renal dysfunction. He developed type II, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 8 years post-transplant. A biopsy from the left kidney was not compatible with diabetic nephropathy. All these complications appear to be independently related to BMT, particularly TBI and/or splenic irradiation.
Adolescent↗
Cytokine-enhanced mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in cord blood.
Although in cord blood (CB) transplantation graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is reported to be less severe, GVHD may occur even in patients with HLA-identical sibling donors. This result shows that HLA typing can not entirely predict GVHD. The standard MLR with CB cells was either normal or slightly reduced compared with adult peripheral blood (PB) cells. We used two manipulations to increase the responses of CB cells to allo-antigens. The first was to treat the stimulator cells with cytokines, and the second to amplify weak proliferative responses by adding exogenous cytokines to MLR cultures (modified MLR). The stimulator cells were treated with both interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4. The responder cells were treated with both IL-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). It is still to be determined whether or not this cytokine-enhanced MLR could be a possible predictor of GVHD. However, using these cytokines, 90% of CB could recognize allo-antigens, even if the standard MLR was negative.
Adult↗
High-resolution 3D Bayesian image reconstruction using the microPET small-animal scanner.
A Bayesian method is described for reconstruction of high-resolution 3D images from the microPET small-animal scanner. Resolution recovery is achieved by explicitly modelling the depth dependent geometric sensitivity for each voxel in combination with an accurate detector response model that includes factors due to photon pair non-collinearity and inter-crystal scatter and penetration. To reduce storage and computational costs we use a factored matrix in which the detector response is modelled using a sinogram blurring kernel. Maximum a posteriori (MAP) images are reconstructed using this model in combination with a Poisson likelihood function and a Gibbs prior on the image. Reconstructions obtained from point source data using the accurate system model demonstrate a potential for near-isotropic FWHM resolution of approximately 1.2 mm at the center of the field of view compared with approximately 2 mm when using an analytic 3D reprojection (3DRP) method with a ramp filter. These results also show the ability of the accurate system model to compensate for resolution loss due to crystal penetration producing nearly constant radial FWHM resolution of 1 mm out to a 4 mm radius. Studies with a point source in a uniform cylinder indicate that as the resolution of the image is reduced to control noise propagation the resolution obtained using the accurate system model is superior to that obtained using 3DRP at matched background noise levels. Additional studies using pie phantoms with hot and cold cylinders of diameter 1-2.5 mm and 18FDG animal studies appear to confirm this observation.
Animals↗
The effect of timing of ondansetron administration on its efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefit as a prophylactic antiemetic in the ambulatory setting.
UNLABELLED: Although ondansetron (4 mg I.V.) is effective in the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after ambulatory surgery, the optimal timing of its administration, the cost-effectiveness, the cost-benefits, and the effect on the patient's quality of life after discharge have not been established. In this placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 164 healthy women undergoing outpatient gynecological laparoscopic procedures with a standardized anesthetic were randomized to receive placebo (Group A), ondansetron 2 mg at the start of and 2 mg after surgery (Group B), ondansetron 4 mg before induction (Group C), or ondansetron 4 mg after surgery (Group D). The effects of these regimens on the incidence, severity, and costs associated with PONV and discharge characteristics were determined, along with the patient's willingness to pay for antiemetics. Compared with ondansetron given before induction of anesthesia, the administration of ondansetron after surgery was associated with lower nausea scores, earlier intake of normal food, decreased incidence of frequent emesis (more than two episodes), and increased times until 25% of patients failed prophylactic antiemetic therapy (i.e., had an emetic episode or received rescue antiemetics for severe nausea) during the first 24 h postoperatively. This prophylactic regimen was also associated with the highest patient satisfaction and lowest cost-effectiveness ratios. Compared with the placebo group, ondansetron administered after surgery significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in the postanesthesia care unit and during the 24-h follow-up period and facilitated the recovery process by reducing the time to oral intake, ambulation, discharge readiness, resuming regular fluid intake and a normal diet. When ondansetron was given as a "split dose," its prophylactic antiemetic efficacy was not significantly different from that of the placebo group. In conclusion, the prophylactic administration of ondansetron after surgery, rather than before induction, may be associated with increased patient benefits. IMPLICATIONS: Ondansetron 4 mg I.V. administered immediately before the end of surgery was the most efficacious in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, facilitating both early and late recovery, and improving patient satisfaction after outpatient laparoscopy.
Adult↗
Whole cell patch-clamp study of putative vasomotor neurons isolated from the rostral ventrolateral medulla.
A distinct subpopulation of neurons in the rostral and ventrolateral part of the medulla oblongata (RVL) plays a key role in controlling sympathetic vasomotor tone. To characterize these neurons under conditions in which all cell-to-cell interactions are eliminated, RVL neurons were acutely dissociated from 13- to 19-day old rats. Cells projecting to the upper thoracic segments were retrogradely labeled with fluorescent beads. Fifty-two percent (17/33) of examined spinally projecting neurons were catecholaminergic, as demonstrated by single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or immunocytochemistry. No spontaneous (capacitive) spikes were revealed in the tight seal cell-attached configuration. Whole cell recordings were made from 54 spinally projecting neurons using Cs(+)- or K(+)-containing pipettes. No spontaneous firing was observed in current-clamp mode with K(+)-based pipettes (membrane potential, -61.5 +/- 2.3 mV). Step depolarizations (300- or 400-ms pulses, up to 100 pA) evoked regular firing or one to four spikes. Several voltage-gated currents, resembling the transient and persistent Na+, delayed rectifier and low- and high-threshold Ca2+, were revealed in voltage-clamp mode. These results show that isolated spinally projecting RVL neurons display no pacemaker-like activity. Because data from the literature indicate that these neurons are capable of generating such activity under different experimental conditions, the factors responsible for different behavior need to be determined. Dissociated RVL neurons provide a useful new model for studying biophysical and other properties of neurons involved in blood pressure control.
Animals↗
A kinetics study on the production of alkaline proteinase by Bacillus licheniformis 2709.
With automatic control fermentation equipment, the kinetics of growth and metabolism of Bacillus licheniformis 2709 was studied with batch culture as well as with fed-batch-culture by controlling the concentration of the growth-limiting substrate. The Monod formula proved to be reasonable in describing the relationship between cell growth rate of B. licheniformis 2709 and the concentration of the growth-limiting substrate in the broth, and the data of product synthesis rate showed that the fermentation type belongs to one partially related to growth.
Bacillus↗
[The design of a circuit for detecting respiration signal with impedance method].
A respiration signal detecting circuit with impedance method is introduced. In this circuit, a four electrode arrangement is used, which can reduce movement artifact in using two electrodes. In signal processing, a series of methods such as filtering and amplyfing are used to overcome the heart beat and bloodflow signals. The circuit has successfully been applied in the blocking physiological parameters monitor that we have developed.
Electric Impedance↗