Biomedical subjects

J Ren

Publications and source records attributed to J Ren.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Characterization of the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex in humans.

Preliminary human studies suggest the presence of an upper esophageal sphincter (UES) contractile reflex triggered by pharyngeal water stimulation. The purposes of this study were to further characterize this reflex and determine the threshold volume for its activation. We studied 10 healthy young volunteers by manometric technique before and after topical pharyngeal anesthesia. UES pressure responses to various volumes and temperatures of water injected into the pharynx were elucidated. At a threshold volume, rapid-pulse and slow continuous pharyngeal water injection resulted in significant augmentation of UES pressure in all volunteers. Threshold volume for inducing UES contraction averaged 0.1 +/- 0.01 ml for rapid-pulse injection and was significantly smaller than that for slow continuous injection (1.0 +/- 0.2 ml). UES pressure increase duration averaged 16 +/- 4 s. Augmentation of UES resting tone by injection of water with three different temperatures was similar. This augmentation was abolished after topical anesthesia. Conclusions were that stimulation of the human pharynx by injection of minute amounts of water results in a significant increase in resting UES pressure: the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex. The magnitude of pressure increase due to activation of this reflex is not volume or temperature dependent. Loss of pharyngeal sensation abolishes this reflex.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Diabetes rapidly induces contractile dysfunctions in isolated ventricular myocytes.

To determine whether diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction is due to contractile dysfunction at the single-cell level, mechanical properties and Ca2+ transients were evaluated in ventricular myocytes isolated from diabetic rats. Rats were made diabetic by injection with streptozotocin and killed either 4-6 days or 8 wk after treatment. Shortening and relengthening (twitch) properties were evaluated in isolated myocytes with a high-resolution (120-Hz) video-based edge-detection system during electrical stimulation between 0.1 and 5 Hz. A separate cohort of myocytes was loaded with fura 2 to assess intracellular Ga2+ transients. Long-term (8-wk) but not short-term (4- to 6-day) diabetes depressed peak twitch amplitude. Diabetes markedly prolonged both the contraction and relaxation phases from both diabetic models. Additionally, 35% of the long-term diabetic myocytes could not pace at 5 Hz, and 48% of the short-term diabetic myocytes developed a hypercontracture at that frequency. Intracellular Ca2+ measurements showed slower Ca(2+)-transient decays in myocytes from short-term diabetic rats. These data demonstrate that contractile dysfunction seen in the diabetic heart is due, in part, to abnormalities of the myocyte. Furthermore, these abnormalities are present after only 4-6 days of diabetes, suggesting a rapid alteration in the processes regulating myocyte shortening and relengthening, which likely include impaired Ca2+ sequestration or extrusion.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Low insulin and high glucose induce abnormal relaxation in cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes.

One of the most prominent myocardial defects associated with diabetes is abnormal diastole. We have recently reported that this dysfunction involves prolonged relaxation (relengthening) in isolated ventricular myocytes that occurs within days after the induction of diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of insulin and glucose int he etiology of this dysfunction with a serum-free myocyte culture system. Adult rat ventricular myocytes were cultured for 1-4 days in a "diabetic-like" medium containing five times less insulin and approximately five times more glucose than in our normal medium. Mechanical properties and Ca2+ transients (fura 2) were evaluated with a high-resolution (120-Hz) video-based edge-detection/spectro-fluormetric system. The cells were field stimulated to contract at slow and physiologically relevant rates, and indexes of contraction and relaxation were evaluated. Relengthening was markedly longer in myocytes cultured in low-insulin-high-glucose (LIHG) medium compared with those in normal medium, whereas contraction was unaffected. Intracellular Ca2+ transients showed slower rates of decay in myocytes cultured in LIHG medium. These data demonstrate that maintaining normal ventricular myocytes in an LIHG environment prolongs relaxation in a manner similar to the effects of in vivo diabetes. Furthermore, the abnormal relaxation is inducible in 1 day, suggesting rapid alterations in processes regulating relaxation, which likely include impaired Ca2+ sequestration and/or extrusion.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

High extracellular glucose impairs cardiac E-C coupling in a glycosylation-dependent manner.

Hyperglycemia is a major manifestation of all forms of diabetes mellitus and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It is well established that cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling is adversely affected in diabetic animals such that ventricular myocyte action potential duration is prolonged and intracellular Ca2+ clearing and mechanical relaxation are slowed. We now report that ventricular myocytes incubated in a culture medium containing high extracellular glucose (25.5 mM) also exhibit these same changes in E-C coupling. These effects are not manifested for approximately 24 h after exposure. Furthermore, in the presence of normal glucose (5.5 mM), relaxation is also prolonged by fructose (20 mM), yet is unaffected by equimolar concentrations of nonmetabolizable sugars such as L-glucose and mannitol, implying that the high glucose effects require glucose entry into the cell and metabolic processing. The prolonged relaxation can also be produced by 5 mM glucosamine (an intermediate of glycosylation) and is blocked by 0.5 microgram/ml tunicamycin (an inhibitor of N-linked glycoprotein synthesis). Culturing myocytes with an inhibitor of glycation (10 mM aminoguanidine) does not prevent the high extracellular glucose concentration effects. Thus our data indicate that high extracellular glucose impairs cellular mechanisms contributing to myocardial relaxation and that this impairment may involve glycosylation of nascent proteins.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1997

Immunotolerance induced by intratesticular antigen priming: expression of TGF-beta, Fas and Fas ligand.

The authors have previously reported that an injection of S-antigen (S-Ag) into rat testes prior to immunization induces systemic tolerance (designated orchidic tolerance) and protects the animals from experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) and that the signal for orchidic tolerance induction emigrates from the testis within a few hours after antigen priming of the testis. In order to understand the mechanism by which the signal or signal carrier is generated, they determined in this study changes in immunoreactivity for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), IFN-gamma, IL-2, Fas and Fas ligand in the testis following an injection of S-Ag. Immunoreactivity for TGF-beta increased with time, reaching a maximum in six hours and declining thereafter. The time required for the maximum expression of TGF-beta coincided well with the time-dependent profile of orchidic tolerance signal generation within the testis. Little or no immunoreactivity was observed for IFN-gamma and IL-2 in normal (control) and S-Ag-injected testes. Immunoreactivity for Fas and Fas ligand was detected both in control and experimental testes and did not change appreciably with time following Ag-priming of the testis. Fas immunoreactivity was found in spermatids and virtually absent in the interstitial tissue, while Fas ligand immunoreactivity was primarily associated with the interstitial cells such as Leydig cells. Fas ligand immunoreactivity was very weak, if any, in the germ cells and Sertoli cells. These results suggest that TGF-beta and Fas ligand expressed in MHC-positive interstitial cells may play an important role in the generation of orchidic tolerance induction signal. A preliminary study showed that splenocytes preincubated with testis extracts and S-Ag, when transferred to naive rats, induced systemic tolerance in recipient animals. Inclusion of anti-TGF-beta or a carboxyl terminal peptide of Fas in the testis extract reduced the potency of incubated splenocytes to induce systemic tolerance in recipient rats. These results indicate that generation of the orchidic tolerance signal does not require the anatomical structure of the testis but is mediated by molecular entities such as TGF-beta and Fas ligand.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

[Physiological characteristics of single K+ channel currents (Ik) in cerebellar cortical neurons of neonatal rat].

The characteristics of single K+ channels in cultured cerebellar granule neurons of neonatal rat were studied by the cell- attached and inside-out configurations of patch clamp technique. The results are as follows: the predominant conductance of single channel was 25PS, the currents amplitude, the mean open time and the open probability were dependent of membrane potential, the open time distribution histograms were fitted by two exponential components, the channel activity was not inactivated during 20 s period, independent of calcium and blocked by tetraethylammonium. These results indicated that the single channel was a delayed rectifier (Ik). It is suggested that the non-inactivating channel with conductance of 25pS which exists in the cerebellar granule cell might be a new subtype of Ik channel.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

[Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss with delayed onset of vertigo (report of 13 cases)].

Sensorineural hearing loss with delayed onset of vertigo (SHL-DV) is a syndrome consisting of preexisting SHL and subsequent episodes of vertigo. The possible underlying pathophysiology is delayed endolymphatic hydrops. This paper details our clinical experience with 8 patients with SHL-DV caused by otitis media and 6 patients following sudden deafness and hearing loss due to an unknown cause. The average period of onset of vertigo after the occurance of the hearing loss was 22.6 years. The average period of vertigo was 6.2 years. Surgical treatment was performed in 13 patients (14 ears) because of disabling vertigo. Endolymphatic sac decompression was performed in 2 ears, transmastoid labyrinthectomy in 3 ears, gentamycin perfusion of the tympanic cleft in 3 ears, streptomycin perfusion of the labyrinth in 6 ears. Follow-up for 13 patients who had surgery averaged 2.3 years, all patients were cured of their episodic vertigo. Three patients underwent surgical labyrinthectomy suffering with total hearing loss, but aminoglycoside antibiotics induced labyrinthectomy preserving some hearing. We conclude that chemical labyrinthectomy is the therapy of choice for the severe SHL-DV who has serviceable hearing.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[The constituents of the volatile oil from Achillea wilsoniana].

The chemical components of essential oil from herba of Achillea wilsoniana is identified by GC-MS techniques, and 35 compounds are identified, mainly containing beta-pinene, limonene, t-beta-farnesene, delta-cadinene, alpha-cadinol, 1,4-dimethy-7-ethylazulene.

Achillea↗

PubMed1997

[Detection of hepatitis G virus RNA in sera in non A-E hepatitis patients using polymerase chain reaction with multiple set primers].

A double polymerase chain reaction, involoving nested primers deduced from NS3-5 regions of the hepatitis G virus (GBV-c/HGV) genome, was developed for a sensitive and specific detection of GBV-C (HGV) RNA. With this method, 10 anti-HGV positive patients with non A-E hepatitis and 10 healthy subjects were tested. Among 10 patients, GBV-C RNA was detected in 9, 8, 4, 9 patients by the NS-3 (1) primers, the NS3(2) primers, the NS4 primers, the NS5(1) primers and the NS5(2) primers respectively. Control sera from 10 healthy subjects did not reveal GBV-C (HGV) RNA by any set of the primers. These data suggest that the detection rate of GBV-C (HGV) RNA is different in various set of primers, the NS3(1) and the NS5(2) primers are superior to other primers and are more suitable for RT-PCR of GBV-C (HGV) RNA.

DNA Primers↗

PubMed1997

[Studies on determinaion of selenium in drink by GFAAS].

Pd(NO3)2-Triton X-100 was used as matrix modifier for determination of selenium in drink. In this way ashing temperature can be increased up to 1200 degrees C and absorbance can increase by 2.92 times. Interferences of Fe, P and other elements were reduced effectively by means of Zeemen effect background correction. Detection limit is 8.0ng/mL and linear range is from 10 to 120ng/ml, and r = 0.9931.

Beverages↗

PubMed1997

[Determination of Ni, Al, Mn and Si in copper based alloy by high current and microsecond pulsed glow discharge optical emission spectrometry].

The determination of Ni, Al, Mn and Si in copper based alloy by high current and microsecond pulsed (HCMSP) glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) has been reported. With the laboratory built experiment set-up, the factors effecting analytical performance have been studied. The results of sample analysis are in good agreements with the recommendation values, and the stansard deviation for six determinations were 2.66% for Ni, 2.17% for Mn, 6.02% for Si, 1.00% for Al respectively.

English Abstract↗

PubMed1997

[Molfig, a software for displaying the structure and vibration of molecule].

A Molfig software has been developed for displaying the structure and vibrational mode of molecule in our lab. Various functions and a friendly interface are equipped in the software. The testing results showed that the software may enhance our understanding of the relationship between the vibrational behavior and the structure of molecules.

English Abstract↗

PubMed1997

Electrical stimulation of acupuncture points enhances gastric myoelectrical activity in humans.

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture is known to enhance gastric motility. Electrical acustimulation has been shown to reduce gastric tachyarrhymia in vection-induced motion sickness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation of acupuncture points on gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy humans. METHODS: Nine healthy native Chinese were studied. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface electrogastrography (EGG). The EGG recording was made in the fasting state, in a study period during which acupuncture points were electrically stimulated continuously, and in a recovery period after stimulation. The percentage of regular slow waves was assessed by computing the percentage of 2 to 4 cycles per minute slow waves in the EGG. RESULTS: Electrical stimulation significantly increased the percentage of regular slow waves, which was sustained in the recovery period. The increase of the regular slow wave activity resulted from the normalization of arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: Electrical stimulation of acupuncture points may enhance the regularity of gastric myoelectrical activity and may be an option for treatment of gastric dysrhythmia.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1997

Acetaldehyde depresses shortening and intracellular Ca2+ transients in adult rat ventricular myocytes.

Acetaldehyde (ACA), an ethanol metabolite, exerts both stimulatory and depressive effects on isolated myocardial tissue, but its impact on individual cardiac myocytes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ACA-induced myocardial depression is due to an intrinsic alteration of the contractile properties of heart at the cellular level. Mechanical properties of adult rat ventricular myocytes were evaluated using a video edge-detection system. Myocytes were electrically stimulated to contract at 0.5 Hz under isotonic conditions in a physiological buffer containing 1 mM CaCl2. Contractile properties analyzed include: peak twitch amplitude (PTA), time-to-PTA (TPT), time-to-relengthening (TR90) and maximal velocities of shortening and relengthening (+/-dL/dt). Ca2+ transients were measured as fura-2 fluorescence intensity (FFI) changes. ACA (1-30 mM) disproportionately depressed PTA and FFI in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal inhibitions of 57 and 19%, respectively. Neither the durations nor maximal velocities of shortening and relengthening were affected by ACA. The depression of cell shortening by ACA was either attenuated or blocked by BayK 8644 or elevated extracellular Ca2+ (2.7 mM). In addition, ACA also reduced caffeine-induced FFI changes. These results suggest that ACA-induced myocardial depression in multicellular preparations is due to an intrinsic action on individual myocytes. The mechanism underlying ACA-induced myocardial depression may be due, in part, to either reduced Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and/or depression of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

PubMed1997

[Mean corpuscular volume and red blood cell volume distribution width in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of combined measurement of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW) in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. METHODS: Hemoglobin concentration (HGB), MCV, RDW, serum iron concentration (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation percentage (TS%) were simultaneously assayed in 605 pregnant women at prenatal examination. The results in different groups were analysed. RESULTS: There were 68 cases in iron deficiency anemia group, 57 cases in non-iron deficiency anemia group and 480 pregnant women in normal group. RDW was significantly increased and MCV greatly decreased in iron deficiency anemia group as compared with that in normal group and non-iron deficiency anemia group. There were no differences in both MCV and RDW between normal group and non-iron deficiency anemia group. CONCLUSIONS: Low MCV and high RDW were the characteristic changes of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. We recommend the use of RDW and MCV in the initial classification of anemia in pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Study on the relation between HPV and tumors of the throat and larynx].

HPV structural antigens and HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 DNA sequences were detected with immunohistochemical staining and DNA dot blot hybridization in papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the throat and larynx. The positive rates of HPV antigens and HPV DNA sequences in 11 cases of papillomas were 45.5%, respectively, while the positive rates of HPV in 22 cases of squamous cell carcinomas were 22.7% and 27.3% respectively. The positive rates of HPV were in accord with those by histologic study in papilloma. The results indicate that the papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the throat and larynx may be related with HPV infection.

Antigens, Viral↗

PubMed1997

[Effect of pregnenolone sulfate on delayed rectifier K+ channel in pyramidial neuron of cerebral cortex].

Recent studies have shown that endogenous brain metabolites of steroids may exert important nongenomic modulatory effects on neuronal mechanisms. In this work the effect of pregnenolone sulfate (PS) on delayed rectifier K+ channel (IK) was studied in acutely dissociated rat cerebral cortical pyramidial neurons by means of cell-attached and inside-out patch clamp techniques. The open probability and mean open time of the IK channels were increased by PS in a concentration-dependent manner over the range of 30-100 mumol/L. but without changing the IK amplitude.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Synthesis of a fluorescent 7-methylguanosine analog and a fluorescence spectroscopic study of its reaction with wheatgerm cap binding proteins.

In the initiation of protein synthesis, the mRNA 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine cap structure and several recognition proteins play a pivotal role. For the study of this cap binding reaction, one approach is to use fluorescence spectroscopy. A ribose diol-modified fluorescent cap analog, anthraniloyl-m7GTP (Ant-m7GTP), was designed and synthesized for this purpose. This fluorescent cap analog was found to have a high quantum yield, resistance to photobleaching and avoided overlap of excitation and emission wavelengths with those of proteins. The binding of Ant-m7GTP with wheatgerm initiation factors elF-4F and elF-(iso)4F was determined. The fluorescent cap analog and m7GTP had similar interactions with both cap binding proteins. Fluorescence quenching experiments showed that the microenvironment of Ant-m7GTP when bound to protein was hydrophobic.

Guanosine Triphosphate↗