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Biomedical subjects

L Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to L Zheng.

341 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Overproduction and purification of McrC protein from Escherichia coli K-12.

The McrC protein, encoded by one of the two genes involved in the McrB restriction system, was produced in Escherichia coli cells by using a T7 expression system. Following sequential DEAE-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography, the protein was purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified McrC protein agreed exactly with the one deduced from the DNA sequence by Ross et al. (J. Bacteriol. 171:1974-1981, 1989).

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1991

[Changes of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension].

We measured the pulmonary arterial pressure and the level of Thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and Prostacyclin (PGI2) in 30 stable COPD patients and the level of TXA2 and PGI2 in 10 normal subjects so as to investigate the changes of TXA2 and PGI2 in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension. The results showed that the level of TXA2 increased significantly in COPD patients with dominant and latent pulmonary hypertension when compared with that in normal subjects (P less than 0.001, less than 0.01), and the level of TXA2 in COPD patients with dominant pulmonary hypertension was also higher than that in COPD patients with latent pulmonary hypertension (P less than 0.02), but there was no difference in the level of PGI2 among normal subjects and COPD patients with or without pulmonary hypertension. This indicates that TXA2 plays an important role in causing pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1990

Functional analysis of Arg-308 mutants of Flp recombinase. Possible role of Arg-308 in coupling substrate binding to catalysis.

The arginine residue at position 308 in the Flp recombinase corresponds to the only invariant arginine within the Int family of recombinases. Alterations of this residue result in Flp variants that retain substrate recognition, but form weaker protein-DNA complexes than wild type Flp. Furthermore, their DNA cleavage activity is significantly diminished. A conservative change of R308K results in a functional Flp variant; however, this protein has a lowered temperature optimum for recombination. The Arg-308 mutants can be stabilized on the DNA substrate through cooperativity with a partner Flp mutant that is tight binding. Thus, interactions between Flp monomers must be a relevant feature of the normal recombination reaction.

Arginine↗
PubMed1990

Cloning and structural characterization of porcine heart aconitase.

A full-length cDNA encoding porcine heart aconitase was derived from lambda gt10 recombinant clones and by amplification of the 5' end of the mRNA. The 2700-base pair (bp) cDNA contains a 29-bp 5' untranslated region, a 2343-bp coding segment, and a 327-bp 3' untranslated region. The porcine heart enzyme is synthesized as a precursor containing a mitochondrial targeting sequence of 27 amino acid residues which is cleaved to yield a mature enzyme of 754 amino acids, Mr = 82,754, having a blocked amino terminus. The NH2-terminal pyroglutamyl residue of the mature enzyme was identified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and sequence analyses of an NH2-terminal peptide. Mature porcine heart aconitase contains 12 cysteine residues. Cysteines 358, 421, and 424 are ligands to the Fe-S cluster in the inactive [3Fe-4S] (Robbins, A. H., and Stout, C. D. (1989) Proteins 5, 289-312) and active [4Fe-4S] (Robbins, A. H., and Stout, C. D. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 86, 3639-3643) forms. An alignment of the derived porcine heart sequence with 8 cysteine-containing tryptic peptides from bovine heart aconitase (Plant, D. W., and Howard, J. B. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 8184-8189; Plank, D. W., Kennedy, M. C., Beinert, H., and Howard, J. B. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 20385-20393) shows that 198 of 202 amino acids are conserved and suggests that the two enzymes are virtually identical.

Aconitate Hydratase↗
PubMed1983

Increased factor VIII related antigen in cerebral thrombosis.

Changes of Factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIR:Ag) were measured in patients with cerebral thrombosis on day 1-15 (125 cases), 16-45 (acute reaction phase, 70 cases), and during 1.5-5 months (recovery phase, 29 cases) after onset of the disease. FVIIIR:Ag was significantly (P less than 0.001) increased in both acute and recovery phase as compared to 108 healthy controls, although slightly decreased in recovery than in acute phase. The persistently high FVIIIR:Ag levels in acute phase are unlikely to be caused by the so-called acute phase reaction but are probably due to increased synthesis and endothelial changes in atherosclerotic lesions releasing FVIIIR:Ag from its endothelial pool. It suggested that increased FVIIIR:Ag mainly reflects the degree of vascular involvement and it may be used as a marker (or indicator) of arterial endothelial injury in patients with cerebral thrombosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of 3D image registration as applied to MR-guided thermal treatment of liver cancer.

There are many potential applications of three-dimensional (3D) image registration in MR-guided radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation of tumors. For example, after registration of image volumes obtained before and after thermal ablation, a variety of quantitative and visual assessments of therapy were performed. For liver tumors, the accuracy of rigid body, manual registration on 19 pairs of image volumes was evaluated, almost all of which were obtained during thermal treatment sessions. Registration error was estimated as a distance between anatomical landmarks, including both internal vascular structures as well as the surface of the liver. Over all image pairs and throughout a large portion of the liver, the registration error was 3.1 mm (mean + 1 SD). From the bottom to the top of the liver, error increased on the order of 13%, probably because of liver motion and deformation resulting from respiration. Although probably insufficient for blind guidance of therapy, registration accuracy was undoubtedly sufficient for interesting applications in the planning, assessment, and optimization of interventional MR-guided thermal treatment of liver tumors.

Catheter Ablation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Application of principal components analysis to 1H-NMR data obtained from propolis samples of different geographical origin.

Propolis is a widely used natural remedy and a range of biological activities have been attributed to it. The chemical composition of propolis is highly variable and its quality is often controlled on the basis of one or two marker compounds. In order to progress towards a method for the quality control of this complex material, HPLC and 1H-NMR approaches as methods of quality control have been compared. HPLC analyses of 43 samples of propolis were carried out and six marker compounds were quantified in each sample. The same samples were analysed using 1H-NMR and the spectra were then converted into their first derivative forms and digitised using the software application MestRe-C. The digitised data were subjected to principal component analysis using the software application Simca-P. It was found that the chemical composition of propolis mapped well according to the geographical origins of the samples studied when the first three principal components were used to display them. In addition, each sample was assessed for anti-oxidant activity, and the results were then overlaid onto the sample groupings according to 1H-NMR data. It was observed that anti-oxidant properties also mapped quite well according to geographical origin.

Geography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calcium channels and cation transport ATPases in cardiac hypertrophy induced by aortic constriction in newborn rats.

Cardiac enlargement due to gradual pressure overload was induced by abdominal aortic constriction in 2-day-old rats. On day 90, the functional performance of the left ventricle was assessed by acute load test (ligation of ascending aorta) in open-chest anaesthetized animals. Two subgroups, designated compensated and decompensated hypertrophy (CH and DH), were distinguished on the basis of the functional reserve of left ventricle, which was significantly impaired in DH but not in CH, and of right ventricle weight, which was markedly increased in DH but not significantly modified in CH. In total particulate fractions prepared from hypertrophied left ventricles, the levels (per g tissue) of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-transport systems were decreased, either slightly (by 13-16%: [3H]ryanodine binding) or moderately (by 28%: thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase activity). The number of sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels ([3H]PN200-110 binding) was not modified significantly, while that of beta 1-adrenoceptors ([3H]CGP-12177 binding) was reduced, especially in the DH group (by 39%). Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was reduced by 28% in CH and 41% in DH. [3H]Ouabain binding experiments (saturation and dissociation) indicated the existence of two high-affinity binding sites, attributable to the Na+, K(+)-ATPase alpha 3 and alpha 2 subunit isoforms; while the relatively minor alpha 3 component did not change significantly in hypertrophied ventricles, the alpha 2 component was markedly down-regulated, decreasing by 57% in CH and 82% in DH.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model for deepwater oil/gas blowouts.

When gas is released in deepwater, the high pressure and low temperature can convert the gases into hydrates, which are buoyant. As these hydrates travel upwards they will encounter regions of lower pressure and can decompose into free gas. The presence or absence of hydrates has a significant impact on the behaviour of the jet/plume due to the alteration of the buoyancy. The free gas may dissolve in water. This paper describes a computer model developed to simulate the behaviour of oil and gas released from deepwater locations in the ocean. The model integrates the hydrodynamics and thermodynamics of the jet/plume with kinetics and thermodynamics of hydrate formation/decomposition. Model formulation and comparison of results with laboratory data for hydrates is presented. Scenario simulations show the behaviour of oil/gas under different deepwater conditions.

Explosions↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Julibroside J8-induced HeLa cell apoptosis through caspase pathway.

The julibroside J8 was isolated from the Albizia julibrissin and evaluated for antiproliferatived on six cancer cell lines (BGC-823, Bel-7402, HeLa, PC-3MIE8, MDA-MB-435 and LH-60) in vitro. Julibroside J8 at 100 microg mL- 1 (46.08 micromol.L- 1) significantly inhibited growth in the first three cell lines. In addition, in HeLa cells typical apoptotic changes in morphology were observed, and further, nuclear damage was observed by Giemsa staining and DNA fragmentation was exhibited. Effects of julibrosideJ8 on induction of DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and downregulation of ICAD expression were effectively inhibited by a caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk. In addition, apoptosis induced with julibroside J8 was associated with an increase in expression of the apoptosis inducer Bax, and a significant reduction in expression of the apoptosis suppressor Bcl-2 in mitochondria. These results suggest that julibroside J8 induces HeLa death through caspase pathway.

Albizzia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic differentiation of Anopheles gambiae s.s. populations in Mali, West Africa, using microsatellite loci.

Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto is a principal vector of malaria through much of sub-Saharan Africa, where this disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in human populations. Accordingly, population sizes and gene flow in this species have received special attention, as these parameters are important in attempts to control malaria by impacting its mosquito vector. Past measures of genetic differentiation have sometimes yielded conflicting results, in some cases suggesting that gene flow is extensive over vast distances (6000 km) and is disrupted only by major geological disturbances and/or barriers. Using microsatellite DNA loci from populations in Mali, West Africa, we measured genetic differentiation over uniform habitats favorable to the species across distances ranging from 62 to 536 km. Gene flow was strongly correlated with distance (r(2) = 0.77), with no major differences among chromosomes. We conclude that in this part of Africa, at least, genetic differentiation for microsatellite DNA loci is consistent with traditional models of isolation by distance.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinicopathological concordance of dementia diagnoses by community versus tertiary care clinicians.

Subjects enrolled in the Autopsy Program at the University of Southern California Alzheimer's Disease Research Center may receive clinical diagnoses from primary care providers in the community or from specialists in neurology. We reviewed the autopsy concordance rates for 463 subjects for diagnoses made by both groups of clinicians. Seventy-seven percent of the sample met neuropathological criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The overall diagnostic accuracy for this sample was 81 percent. Neurologists assessed 200 of the subjects (43 percent). The diagnostic accuracy for any clinical diagnosis among the non-neurologists was 84 percent, and 78 percent (p = 0.07) among neurologists. For AD, non-neurologists had a diagnostic concordance rate of 91 percent and neurologists 87 percent. Where neuropathological AD was missed, non-neurologists had failed to detect any cognitive impairment; neurologists had diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Erroneous clinical diagnoses of AD missed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or AD concurrent with Parkinson's disease (PD). Our findings identify specific foci for improving clinical diagnosis of dementia among all physicians managing dementia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between adhesive thickness and microtensile bond strength.

This study evaluated the effect of the thickness of the adhesive resin layer of two commercially available resin bonding systems on bond strengths (Single Bond and Liner Bond 2V). The adhesive of Single Bond contains ethanol and water as solvents and is applied using the moist-bonding technique. The adhesive of Liner Bond 2V contains no solvents and is applied after a self-etching primer treatment. Forty-six caries-free molars were ground flat to expose the dentin surface and polished with #800-grit silicon carbide paper under running water. A vinyl tape punched with a 6 mm diameter hole was then placed on the dentin surface to demarcate the area for bonding. The thickness of the adhesive resin layer was varied by stacking an increasing numbers of vinyl tapes together. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either Clearfil Liner Bond 2V or Single Bond. They were further divided into subgroups according to the number of tapes placed on the dentin surface. After the bonding procedures the teeth were incrementally restored with Clearfil AP-X resin composite, building a 5 mm high crown to produce sufficient bulk for the microtensile bond test and stored in tap water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The teeth were then sectioned along their long axis into 0.7 mm thick slabs and trimmed for the microtensile bond test using a super-fine diamond bur. The thickness of the adhesive resin layer was then measured with a light microscope and the slabs tested in tension at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. The results were subjected to statistical analysis by a one-way analysis of variance and linear regressions with 95% confidence intervals. The thickness of the Clearfil Liner Bond 2V adhesive layer ranged from 5 mm-1500 mm, and for Single Bond, it varied from < 7.5 mm-430 mm. For Clearfil Liner Bond 2V, bond strengths increased significantly as the thickness of bonding layer increased (p < 0.05). However, the bond strengths of the Single Bond decreased significantly with increased thickness of the bonding layer (p < 0.05).

Acid Etching, Dental↗