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Biomedical subjects

Jie Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Jie Xu.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Regulation of Gene33 expression by insulin requires MEK-ERK activation.

Gene33 and its human homologue, mitogen inducible gene-6/receptor-associated late transducer (mig-6, RALT), is a 53-kDa soluble protein that was identified as a hepatic gene regulated by glucocorticoids and insulin. Its mRNA is expressed in numerous tissues in addition to the liver. Mitogen inducibility of Gene33 mRNA has been described in several experimental systems. Recent reports have suggested a role for Gene33 in inhibition of proliferation induced by factors that bind to members of the ErbB family of receptors. In the present work, we examine the regulation of Gene33 protein by insulin in hepatoma cells of rat (H4IIE) and human (HepG2/Hep3B) origin. Inhibition of MEK1 significantly inhibited extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation and insulin-regulated Gene33 transcription and protein levels in H4IIE cells. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) activity alone did not significantly alter transcription of Gene33. In Hep3B and HepG2 cells, insulin did not significantly induce either ERK1/2 activation or Gene33 expression. This work suggests that the MEK-ERK, but not the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), pathway plays a direct role in insulin regulation of Gene33 transcription and protein expression.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2004

Endothelial alterations during inhaled NO in lambs with pulmonary hypertension: implications for rebound hypertension.

Clinically significant increases in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) have been noted upon acute withdrawal of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Previous studies in the normal pulmonary circulation demonstrate that iNO increases endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and decreases endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, implicating an endothelial etiology for the increase in resistance upon iNO withdrawal. However, the effect of iNO on endogenous endothelial function in the clinically relevant pulmonary hypertensive circulation is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of iNO on endogenous NO-cGMP and ET-1 signaling in lambs with preexisting pulmonary hypertension secondary to increased pulmonary blood flow. Eight fetal lambs underwent in utero placement of an aortopulmonary vascular graft (shunt lambs). After delivery (4 wk), the shunt lambs were mechanically ventilated with iNO (40 ppm) for 24 h. After 24 h of inhaled NO, plasma ET-1 levels increased by 34.8% independently of changes in protein levels (P < 0.05). Contrary to findings in normal lambs, total NOS activity did not decrease during iNO. In fact, Western blot analysis demonstrated that tissue endothelial NOS protein levels decreased by 43% such that NOS activity relative to protein levels actually increased during iNO (P < 0.05). In addition, the beta-subunit of soluble guanylate cyclase decreased by 70%, whereas phosphodiesterase 5 levels were unchanged (P < 0.05). Withdrawal of iNO was associated with an acute increase in PVR, which exceeded baseline PVR by 45%, and a decrease in cGMP concentrations to levels that were below baseline. These data suggest that the endothelial response to iNO and the potential mechanisms of rebound pulmonary hypertension are dependent upon the underlying pulmonary vasculature.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2004

Biomimetic catalytic system driven by electron transfer for selective oxygenation of hydrocarbon.

Hydrocarbon oxyfunctionalization is a crucial industrial process. Most metallic catalysts require higher temperatures and often show lower selectivities. One of the intellectual approaches is the mimicry for bio-oxidation. We have established a biomimetic system with a nonmetallic redox center, composed of anthraquinones, N-hydroxyphthalimide, and zeolite HY, for selective hydrocarbon oxygenation by molecular oxygen. Selectivity of 95.8% for acetophenone and 66.2% conversion were accomplished for oxygenation of ethylbenzene at temperatures as low as 80 degrees C. The redox cycle, driven by one-electron transfer and product orientation by Zeolite HY, opens up the possibility of mimicking bio-oxidation under mild conditions.

Biomimetic Materials↗
PubMed2004

Europium-labeled melanin-concentrating hormone analogues: ligands for measuring binding to melanin-concentrating hormone receptors 1 and 2.

We investigated the use of Eu3+ chelate-labeled analogues of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) as ligands for both human MCH receptors (MCHR1 and MCHR2). The analogues employed were Ala17 MCH, S36057 (Y-ADO-RC*MLGRVFRPC*W, where ADO=8-amino-3,6-dioxyoctanoyl and *=disulfide bond), and R2P (RC*MLGRVFRPC*Y-NH2). The peptides were readily labeled on the alpha-amino residue with the Eu3+ chelate of N1-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-diethylenetriamine-N1,N2,N3,N3-tetraacetic acid and then purified by reverse-phase fast-performance liquid chromatography at neutral pH to maintain Eu3+ chelation. Both labeled Ala17 MCH and S36057 had high affinity for MCHR1 ( Kd = 0.37 and 0.059nM, respectively) while Eu3+ -labeled S36057 and R2P had high affinity for MCHR2 ( Kd = 0.16 and 0.10nM, respectively). Labeled Ala17 MCH had little demonstrable binding affinity for MCHR2. Eu3+ -labeled S36057 and R2P were full agonists at MCHR1 when assessed by measurement of agonist-stimulated GTPgamma(35)S binding. Competition binding experiments with both MCHR isoforms, a series of previously characterized alanine scan MCH analogues, and a recently identified nonpeptide MCHR1-selective antagonist T-226296 confirmed the expected receptor selectivity. These studies further extend the utility of Eu3+ chelate time-resolved fluorescence for the development of high-sensitivity, nonradioactive receptor binding assays and demonstrate the need to select the optimal ligand for labeling.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2004

Overlapping and independent contributions of MMP2 and MMP9 to lung allergic inflammatory cell egression through decreased CC chemokines.

The mechanisms that initiate allergic lung inflammation are relevant to expression of diseases such as asthma, but the factors underlying resolution of inflammation are equally important. Previously, we demonstrated the importance of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) for airway egression of lung eosinophils, a critical anti-inflammatory mechanism without which mice are rendered highly susceptible to lethal asphyxiation. Here we show that leukocyte MMP9 is the dominant airway MMP controlling inflammatory cell egression. The allergic lung phenotype of MMP9-/- mice was similar to WT and was not altered by concomitant deletion of the MMP2 gene (double knockout; dko). However, inflammatory cells accumulated aberrantly in the lungs of allergen-challenged MMP9-/- and dko mice and fewer eosinophils and neutrophils were present in bronchoalveolar lavage. These aberrant cellular trafficking patterns were explained by disruption of transepithelial chemokine gradients, in MMP2-/- mice affecting only eotaxin (CCL11), but in MMP9-/- and dko mice involving eotaxin, MARC (CCL7), and TARC (CCL17). Thus, by establishing multiple transepithelial chemokine gradients, MMP9 is broadly implicated in the resolution of allergic inflammation, an essential protective mechanism that overlaps with a more limited role played by MMP2.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

In vitro skin penetration of dazmegrel delivered with a bioelastic matrix.

The penetration of dazmegrel, a selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, through excised human and greyhound skin was measured. A bioelastic matrix was used for topical delivery. Results demonstrated that dazmegrel readily penetrated the skin. Penetration through greyhound skin was significantly greater than penetration through human skin. Penetration through greyhound skin was not significantly different between 4, 24, and 48 h of exposure for the low and intermediate doses studied.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Optical amplification of Eu(DBM)3Phen-doped polymer optical fiber.

A preform technique is used to prepare a step-index (SI) polymer optical fiber (POF) doped with Eu(DBM)3Phen. The gain (5.7 dB) at 613 nm of the doped SI POF with Eu3+ content of 4000 in 10(6) wt., 0.4-mm core diameter, and 30-cm fiber length is observed at ambient temperature by end pumping with a YAG at 355 nm. The input signal light is approximately 0.2 W. The results show the possibility of signal gain in a rare-earth-doped POF amplifier and the potential of a polymer doped with rare-earth ions as an active optical device.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Telomere lengths in cloned transgenic pigs.

Studies of cloned cattle and mice have resulted in controversies regarding the restoration of eroded telomere length of donor cells by the nuclear transfer process. Little is known about telomere lengths in pigs from either natural reproduction or nuclear transfer. In this study, we measured the telomere lengths in six major porcine organs from animals of different ages, and found that their lengths remained consistent throughout different tissues during fetal stages, and then shortened, in a tissue- specific manner, after birth. Telomeres of skin samples from six cloned transgenic pigs at 4 mo of age did not differ significantly from those of age-matched controls. Two cloned pigs that died shortly after birth had skin telomere lengths equivalent to those of late-stage fetuses.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Differential development of rabbit embryos derived from parthenogenesis and nuclear transfer.

Parthenogenetic development (PA) is often used as a model to investigate activation protocols for nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. The objective of this study was to compare the development, as well as the dynamics of the nuclear materials and microtubules of PA and NT embryos following similar activation treatment. Our results demonstrate that, during parthenogenesis, activation through either electrical pulses or chemical stimulation alone resulted in low cleavage rates and compromised development. A combination of two sets of electrical pulses and a 2-h-exposure to chemical activation medium (5 microg/ml cycloheximide (CHX) and 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) in KSOM+0.1% BSA) could effectively activate rabbit oocytes, and resulted in a 99% (n = 73) cleavage rate with greater than 60% (n = 73) developing to blastocysts at day 4. However, the same activation protocol following NT resulted in only 65-72% of oocytes cleaved (depending on donor cell type), with less than 20% developing to the blastocyst stage. The differences observed between NT and PA embryos subjected to the same activation protocol were also evident in terms of the time required for their development to the blastocyst stage, as well as the cell numbers present in blastocysts at day 6. Furthermore, laser confocal microscopy revealed that pronuclear formation in the NT embryos was delayed by comparison to that in the parthenotes. In conclusion, our study suggests that an effective protocol for parthenogenesis cannot promise a comparable outcome for NT embryos.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Airway glycoprotein secretion parallels production and predicts airway obstruction in pulmonary allergy.

BACKGROUND: Airway obstruction, perhaps the most relevant clinical feature of asthma, is typically assessed in allergic asthma models as airway hyperresponsiveness. Excess secretion of airway glycoproteins also contributes to airway obstruction in asthma but is not measured as part of most experimental models. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to develop a reliable, quantitative assay for detecting secreted airway glycoproteins and to assess the secretion of airway glycoproteins in comparison with other markers of airway obstruction resulting from allergic lung inflammation. METHODS: Two microtiter plate-based glycoprotein-detecting methods were developed, one using an antiglycoprotein antibody and the other using the glycoprotein-binding plant lectin, jacalin. Both methods were used to assess airway glycoprotein secretion in response to 2 defined agonists given intranasally, IL-13 and an allergen derived from Aspergillus fumigatus. Glycoprotein secretion was assessed concomitant with another measure of airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness provoked by acetylcholine challenge, and a histologic method for quantitating glycoprotein production. RESULTS: Both assays were sufficient for quantitating airway glycoproteins over the full range of values encountered from murine bronchoalveolar lavage and yielded highly reproducible data. Secretion of airway glycoproteins increased commensurate with the detection of both airway hyperresponsiveness and airway glycoprotein production induced by IL-13 and allergen. CONCLUSION: Airway glycoprotein secretion is a consistent feature of the allergic lung phenotype and likely contributes to airway obstruction induced by allergen in both humans and rodents.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed2004

Spectra analysis of Nd(DBM)3(TPPO)2 in MMA solution and PMMA matrix.

The absorption spectra of Nd(DBM)3(TPPO)2 (DBM = dibenzoylmethane; TPPO = triphenylphosphine oxide) in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were measured. Slater-Condon parameters (F2, F4, F6), Lander parameter (zeta4f), nephelauxetic effect parameters (beta, delta) and Judd-Ofelt parameters (Omega2, Omega4, Omega6) were calculated on the basis of the absorption spectra. Analysis of the relationship between the structure of rare-earth complexes and the nephelauxetic effect, Judd-Ofelt parameter Omega2 was carried out. The radiative properties of Nd(DBM)3(TPPO)2 in PMMA were also predicted according to the Judd-Ofelt theory. The values of the radiative lifetime and the emission cross-section of 4F3/2 --> 4I11/2 fluorescence transition are comparable with those shown by glasses used in the solid-state laser applications.

Chalcones↗
PubMed2004

Differential regulation of basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchangers SLC26A7 and AE1 in kidney outer medullary collecting duct.

SLC26A7 is a recently identified Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger that co-localizes with AE1 on the basolateral membrane of Alpha intercalated cells (A-IC) in outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). The purpose of these studies was to determine whether AE1 and SLC26A7 are differentially regulated in OMCD in pathophysiologic states. Toward this end, the expression and regulation of AE1 and SLC26A7 was examined in water deprivation, a condition known to increase the osmolality of the medulla. Rats were subjected to 3 d of water deprivation while having free access to food. Northern hybridizations demonstrated that in the outer medulla, the mRNA expression of SLC26A7 increased by approximately 300% (P < 0.01 versus control; n = 3), whereas the expression of AE1 decreased by approximately 50% (P < 0.05 versus control, n = 3) in water-deprived rats. Immunoblot analysis studies demonstrated that in the outer medulla, SLC26A7 abundance increased by approximately 3.5-fold (P < 0.02 versus control; n = 3), whereas the AE1 abundance decreased by approximately 55% (P < 0.05 versus control) in water deprivation. The expression of SLC26A7 remained unchanged in the kidney cortex and stomach in water deprivation, indicating the specificity of SLC26A7 upregulation in outer medulla. In situ hybridization indicated the exclusive expression of SLC26A7 in the outer medulla and double immunofluorescence labeling confirmed the co-localization of AE1 and SLC26A7 on the basolateral membrane of A-IC cells in OMCD. It is concluded that AE1 and SLC26A7 are differentially regulated in OMCD in water deprivation. On the basis of these results and previous functional studies indicating the activation of SLC26A7 activity by high osmolality, it is proposed that SLC26A7 may play an important role in bicarbonate reabsorption and or cell volume regulation in OMCD (specifically under hypertonic conditions).

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Co-expression of pendrin, vacuolar H+-ATPase alpha4-subunit and carbonic anhydrase II in epithelial cells of the murine endolymphatic sac.

The endolymph in the endolymphatic sac (ES) is acidic (pH 6.6-7). Maintaining this acidic lumen is believed to be important for the normal function of the ES. The acid-base regulation mechanisms of the ES are unknown. Here we investigated the expression patterns of acid-base regulators, including vacuolar (v)H+-ATPase (proton pump), carbonic anhydrase (CA) II, and pendrin in the murine ES epithelium by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and compared their expression patterns by double immunostaining. We found that pendrin and vH+-ATPase were co-localized in the apical membrane of a specific type of ES epithelial cell. Pendrin- and vH+-ATPase-positive cells also expressed cytoplasmic CA II. Co-expression of pendrin, vH+-ATPase, and CA II in the same subgroup of ES cells suggests that this specific type of ES cell is responsible for the acid-base balance processes in the ES and pendrin, vH+-ATPase, and CA II are involved in these processes.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Western blot analysis of Src kinase assays using peptide substrates ligated to a carrier protein.

We have applied intein-mediated peptide ligation (IPL) to the use of peptide substrates for kinase assays and subsequent Western blot analysis. IPL allows for the efficient ligation of a synthetic peptide with an N-terminal cysteine residue to an intein-generated carrier protein containing a cysteine reactive C-terminal thioester through a native peptide bond. A distinct advantage of this procedure is that each carrier protein molecule ligates only one peptide, ensuring that the ligation product forms a sharp band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by mutational analysis of peptide substrates derived from human cyclin-dependent kinase, Cdc2, which contains a phosphorylation site of human c-Src protein tyrosine kinase.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed2004

[Antibody production and its neutralization of Abeta42's cytoxicity in BALB/c mice induced by Abeta42 and its subunit vaccines].

AIM: To explore the production of anti-Abeta42 antibody after immunization with Abeta42 and its subunit peptide vaccines. METHODS: Seventy five male BALB/c with the age of 6 weeks were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely, control group, Abeta42 group, Abeta(36-42) group, Abeta(1-15)group and F Abeta(1-15) group. The BALB/c mice were immunized four times with PBS+MF59 adjuvant, Abeta42+MF59, Abeta(36-42)+heptalysine (MAP)+MF59, Abeta(1-15)+MAP+MF59 and Abeta(1-15)+MAP+Freud's adjuvant, respectively. The titers of specific antibodies in sera and supernatants of brain tissue homogenates from the immunized mice in every group were detected by indirect ELISA. After Abeta42, Abeta(36-42), Abeta(1-15) and F Abeta(1-15) were co-cultured together with cultured PC12 cells for 7 days, the cytotoxicity of the 3 antigen peptides to PC12 cells were determined by MTT colorimetry. In addition, after immune sera from each group were added to culture medium containing 20 mg/L Abeta42 and co-cultured with PC12 cells for 7 days, the survival rate of PC12 cells were examined by MTT assay. RESULTS: The production of anti-Abeta42 antibodies was detected in sera of each experimental group after the second time immunization, and the titer of antibody rose with the increase of immunizing times. In addition, the anti-Abeta42 antibody with low titer was also detected in supernatants of brain tissue homogenates. The Abeta42 could reduce the survival rate of PC12 cells, whereas Abeta(36-42) and Abeta(1-15) had no obvious effect on survival rate of PC12 cells. After immune sera from 4 experimental groups and Abeta42 were co-cultured with PC12 cells, their survival rate was found improved. CONCLUSION: Combination of Abeta42 and its subunit (Abeta(36-42) and Abeta(1-15)) vaccines with MF59 adjuvant can induce BALB/c mice to produce anti-Abeta42 antibody. The antibody may neutralize the cytotoxicity of Abeta42.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2004

[Six novel mutations in PAH gene detected by sequencing].

OBJECTIVE: To explore new mutation in phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. METHODS: The PAH genes from 40 phenylketonuria (PKU) patients and 30 normal controls were screened by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and further sequencing. RESULTS: Eleven mutations and 3 polymorphisms in PAH gene were found. No abnormalities in the PAH gene from 30 controls were detected. CONCLUSION: M276K, M276R, 280insT, IVS10nt+32T-->A, IVS4nt+47C-->T were demonstrated as novel mutations in comparison with the PAH mutation database. One mission mutation (H290R) was first documented in Chinese PKU gene.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗
PubMed2004

[Clinical observation on treatment of acute hemorrhagic stroke by tianhuang huoxue tongluo decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of Tianhuang Huoxue Tongluo Decoction (THTD) in treating acute hemorrhagic stroke. METHODS: Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 32) and the control group (n = 40), they were treated with conventional Western medicine treatment and to the patients in the treated group, THTD was given additionally starting from the 6th day of disease for 30 days. RESULTS: Comparison of the neurofunction deficit scoring on the 15th day and the 30th day after treatment was significantly different in both group (P < 0.05). The markedly improving rate in the treated group was 71.88%, which was better than that in the control group (55.00%, P < 0.05), and no relaptic hemorrhage or secondary infarction case was found in the treated group. CONCLUSION: THTD may have bi-directional regulation on coagulation mechanism and fibrinolysis promoting mechanism, thus to benefit the resolving and absorption of hematoma in stroke patients, which plays important role in preventing relapse and secondary infarction, raising the cure rate, reducing mortality and disability rate.

Adult↗