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Biomedical subjects

M Chen

Publications and source records attributed to M Chen.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources

Oestrogen influences CD4+ T-lymphocyte activity in vivo and in vitro in beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice.

Oestrogen directly influences autoimmune diseases and the immune response to microbes. We studied the effect of oestrogen on CD4+ T cells specific for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) using mice genetically engineered to be deficient in beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m-/-). These mice are deficient in beta 2-microglobulin, class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Fatal leptomeningitis after intracranial infection with LCMV is mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in wild-type C57BL/6 mice, and by CD4+ T cells in beta 2m-/- mice. Male and female wild-type C57BL/6 mice showed equal susceptibility to immune meningitis. In contrast, male beta 2m-/- mice were less susceptible to fatal immune meningitis than were females. Orchidectomy and oestrogen treatment of male beta 2m-/- mice in vivo restored susceptibility to meningitis. The classic weight loss seen in beta 2m-/- mice after intracranial infection was also accentuated in females. Further, the in vitro activity of CD4+ T cells from male beta 2m-/- mice, as measured by CTL assays, was shown to be dependent on oestrogen. The natural killer cell activity of spleen cells from beta 2m-/- mice after infection with LCMV was not affected by oestrogen. These data demonstrate the influence of oestrogen on CD4+ T-cell activity both in vivo and in vitro.

Animals↗

A new method for early diagnosis of carcinoma in bile duct-sonography of common bile duct before and after injection of ceosunin.

42 cases of dilatation (7-15 mm) of extrahepatic bile duct after ceosunin injection (cholagogic method) were observed ultrasonographically. Among the 18 cases of testified obstructive lesions of the bile duct, 13 (72%) showed widening of the bile duct with an increase of calibre from 9.8 mm to 11.7 mm, 3 (16%) had no obvious change, and 2 (12%) shrank. Among the 24 cases of non-obstruction 22 (92%) shrank with a decrease calibre from 9.6 mm to 6.3 mm, and 2 (8%) showed no obvious change. After receiving cholagogue, 9 cases of periampullary carcinoma in the obstructive group were confronted with widening of the bile duct calibre. After longitudinal and transverse rotation scanning method was used, 8 of the 9 cases had their tumor mass visualized. Combined cholagogic and rotation scanning methods raised the lesion manifestation rate of lower bile duct from 41% to 88%. A dilated bile duct unable to show shrinkage of calibre after cholagogue injection is believed to be a criterion for judging the presence of a suspicious case of bile duct obstruction. This criterion has a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 92%, and accuracy of 90%.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Influence of two amounts of dietary casein on uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate urinary activity product ratios of healthy beagles.

Casein has been used as a protein source in diets designed to dissolve canine ammonium urate uroliths and to prevent their recurrence, because it contains fewer purine precursors than do many other sources of protein. However, an important question is whether reduced quantities of dietary casein have any benefit in modifying saturation of urine with urates. To answer this question, activity product ratios of uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate were determined in 24-hour urine samples produced by 6 healthy Beagles during periods of consumption of a 10.4% protein, casein-based (10.4% casein) diet and a 20.8% protein, casein-based (20.8%casein) diet. Significantly lower 24-hour urinary excretions of ammonia and phosphorus were observed when dogs consumed the 10.4% casein diet. These results suggest that use of the 10.4% casein diet in protocols designed for dissolution and prevention of uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate uroliths in dogs may be beneficial.

Ammonia↗

DNA topoisomerase II expression, stability, and phosphorylation in two VM-26-resistant human leukemic CEM sublines.

We have examined features of DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) isoforms in human leukemic CCRF-CEM cells and two teniposide-resistant sublines, CEM/VM-1 and CEM/VM-1-5. They are about 40- to 50-fold and 150- to > 400-fold resistant to teniposide, respectively, and have increased levels of cross-resistance to other complex-stabilizing topo II inhibitors. Topo II activity in these lines is reduced in proportion to their resistance. However, both sublines carry two identical point mutations in topo II alpha cDNA that have recently been found to confer resistance to etoposide and m-AMSA in transfected yeast cells. Although these data provide a strong molecular basis for this type of multidrug resistance, these findings alone cannot explain the increased level of resistance and cross-resistance, and the further decreased cellular topo II activities in the most resistant CEM/VM-1-5 cells compared to CEM/VM-1 cells. In this study we found that (1) topo II beta is not expressed in CEM/VM-1-5 cells; (2) a 160-kDa protein was consistently detected and coimmunoprecipatated only in nuclear extracts of CEM cells; (3) when nuclear extracts from all three cell lines were incubated at 37 degrees C, an immunoreactive band of 140-kDa appeared by 60-90 min only in samples of CEM cells, not in those of CEM/VM-1 and CEM/VM-1-5 cells; and (4) the in vivo phosphorylation level of topo II alpha protein was decreased > or = 2-fold in both resistant cell lines, compared to that of CEM cells. Thus, cell lines selected for the altered topo II-associated multidrug resistance phenotype may contain multiple alterations in both topo II isoforms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

[The disturbance of Ca2+ transport and the changes of some relative factors in arterial smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats with different age].

The purpose of this study was to observe the abnormalities of calcium transport of cultured arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMC) in both prehypertensive and hypertensive SHR and their control WKY rats. The changes in cAMP, ANG II and CaM contents in ASMC were also studied. The results indicated that the Ca2+ influx in ASMC of prehypertensive SHR was increased compared with that of the control, although the value of that in hypertensive SHR was higher significantly more than that of the prehypertensive rat, but there was no significant difference between them. On the other hand, the Ca2+ efflux in ASMC of prehypertensive SHR was decreased compared with that of WKY rats. A more seriously decreased efflux value was found in hypertensive SHR. The cAMP and CaM content were higher than those in WKY rats. In addition, ANG II content in ASMC had a direct bearing on blood pressure, showing a marked difference between prehypertensive and hypertensive SHR. The disturbance of transmembrane Ca2+ transport in ASMC of hypertensive rats appears to be related to genetic defect and the changes of cAMP contents might play a role in membrane Ca2+ transport in ASMC during the development of hypertension. Furthermore the level of arterial ANG II may be related to the elevation of blood pressure in hypertension.

Age Factors↗

[Study on the optimums for Pseudomonas maltophilia HCG receptor expression].

According to the design of orthogonal experiment, the optimums for expression of Pseudomonas maltophilia with HCG receptor were studied by radioassay. The results showed that the optimums influencing the specific binding percentage of Pseudomonas maltophilia were the cultures of No. 3 solid medium added with 0.5% galactose and incubated at a temperature of 37 C for 72 hours. Under these conditions, the binding percentage of Pseudomonas maltophilia to HCG was higher than those under other conditions.

Pseudomonas↗

Influence of allopurinol and two diets on 24-hour urinary excretions of uric acid, xanthine, and ammonia by healthy dogs.

Hyperxanthinuria and xanthine uroliths have been recognized with increased frequency in dogs with ammonium urate uroliths that had been given allopurinol. We hypothesized that dietary modification might reduce the magnitude of uric acid and xanthine excretion in urine of dogs given allopurinol. To test this hypothesis, excretion of metabolites, volume, and pH were determined in 24-hour urine samples produced by 6 healthy Beagles during periods of allopurinol administration (15 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 12 h) and consumption of 2 special purpose diets: a 10.4% protein (dry matter), casein-based diet and a 31.4% protein (dry matter), meat-based diet. Significantly lower values of uric acid (P = 0.004), xanthine (P = 0.003), ammonia (P = 0.0002), net acid (P = 0.0001), titratable acid (P = 0.0002), and creatinine (P = 0.01) excreted during a 24-hour period were detected when dogs consumed the casein-based diet and were given allopurinol, compared with the 24-hour period when the same dogs consumed the meat-based diet and were given allopurinol. For the same 24-hour period, urine pH values, urine volumes, and urine bicarbonate values were significantly (P = 0.0004, P = 0.04, and P = 0.002, respectively) higher during the period when the dogs were fed the casein-based diet and given allopurinol than when they were fed the meat-based diet and given allopurinol. Endogenous creatinine clearance was significantly (P = 0.006) lower when dogs were fed the casein-based diet and given allopurinol than when they were fed the meat-based diet and given allopurinol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allopurinol↗

Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of mesna adducts of some 1-aryl-4,4-dimethyl-5-(1-piperidino)-1-penten-3-one hydrochlorides.

Reaction of 1-(4-bromophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-5-(1-piperidino)-1-penten-3-one hydrochloride (1f) with sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulphonate (mesna) gave rise to the thiol adduct. 3. Recrystallization of this compound led to the formation of the corresponding zwitterion 4f. A series of analogues of 4f were prepared and the structure of a representative compound was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. In general, the thiol adducts had similar activity towards P388 cells and human tumour cell lines as the precursor enones 1 although greater selectivity to malignant diseases was found with the thiol adducts. A stability study of representative compounds conducted by 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed that the thiol adducts decomposed in solution. In one case regeneration of the ketone was noted while for the other compounds, the decomposition products were not identified.

Animals↗

Influence of four diets containing approximately 11% protein (dry weight) on uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate urine activity product ratios of healthy beagles.

Urine activity product ratios of uric acid (APRua), sodium urate (APRna), and ammonium urate (APRau), and urinary excretion of 10 metabolites were determined in 24-hour urine samples produced by 6 healthy Beagles during periods of consumption of 4 diets containing approximately 11% protein (dry weight) and various protein sources: a 72% moisture, casein-based diet; a 10% moisture, egg-based diet; a 72% moisture, chicken-based diet; and a 71% moisture, chicken-based, liver-flavored diet. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher APRua, APRna, and APRau were observed when dogs consumed the egg-based diet, compared with the other 3 diets; there were no differences in these ratios among the other 3 diets. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretions of chloride, potassium, phosphorus, and oxalic acid were significantly (P < 0.05) higher when dogs consumed the egg-based diet. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretions of sodium were significantly (P < 0.05) higher when dogs consumed the egg-based diet, compared with the casein-based diet and the chicken-based, liver-flavored diet, but were not significantly different between the egg-based diet and chicken-based diet. Twenty-four-hour urine volume was similar when dogs consumed the 4 diets. Twenty-four-hour endogenous creatinine clearance was significantly (P < 0.05) lower when dogs consumed the casein-based diet; there were no differences among the other 3 diets. Although consumption of all diets was associated with production of alkaline urine, the 24-hour urine pH was significantly (P < 0.05) higher when dogs consumed the egg-based diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Diet effect on activity product ratios of uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate in urine formed by healthy beagles.

Urine activity product ratios of uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate and urinary excretion of metabolites were determined in 24-hour samples produced by 6 healthy Beagles during periods of consumption of a low-protein, casein-based diet (diet A) and a high-protein, meat-based diet (diet B). Comparison of effects of diet A with those of diet B revealed: significantly lower activity product ratios of uric acid (P = 0.025), sodium urate (P = 0.045), and ammonium urate (P = 0.0045); significantly lower 24-hour urinary excretion of uric acid (P = 0.002), ammonia (P = 0.0002), sodium (P = 0.01), calcium (P = 0.005), phosphorus (P = 0.0003), magnesium (P = 0.01), and oxalic acid (P = 0.004); significantly (P = 0.0001) higher 24-hour urine pH; and significantly (P = 0.01) lower endogenous creatinine clearance. These results suggest that consumption of diet A minimizes changes in urine that predispose dogs to uric acid, sodium urate, and ammonium urate urolithiasis.

Animals↗

Bone marrow-derived chimerism in non-irradiated, cyclosporin-treated rats receiving microvascularized limb transplants: evidence for donor-derived dendritic cells in recipient lymphoid tissues.

Tolerance to donor transplantation antigens develops when recipients are made chimeric with donor bone marrow. To establish chimerism, the haemopoietic system of recipients typically is severely compromised. We report on a system in which chimerism develops without ablative therapies. Immunosuppression with cyclosporin A allowed the lower limb of a rat to be replaced by a microvascularized transplant from a fully allogeneic donor. Many donor-derived cells populated recipient lymph nodes and spleen, and most had the large size, irregular shape and strong major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression that typify dendritic cells. Donor cells were not found in the macrophage-rich regions of lymphoid tissues, but instead occupied splenic white pulp and lymph node cortex. The donor cells were derived from radiosensitive marrow precursors, as chimerism was abolished if the grafted limb was irradiated, or if muscle and skin flaps devoid of bone were grafted. Donor cells were rare or not detectable in blood, thymus and liver. Whereas lymphoid chimerism was prominent following limb transfer, donor cells were not detected 1-2 weeks after an injection of two femur equivalents of a marrow suspension. We suggest that dendritic cells that undergo rapid turnover in lymphoid organs are replaced from allogeneic precursors in bone grafts. The combination of cyclosporin and vascularized bone provides a means for inducing chimerism in lymphoid tissues of non-irradiated recipients.

Animals↗

[Experimental study of radioimmunotherapy for xenograft of human esophageal carcinoma].

Using nude mice bearing human esophageal carcinoma strain Eca 109 as models of tumor, we tested the therapeutic efficiency of 131I labelled monoclonal antibody MGb2 A 4-week experimental study was carried out in 5 treatment groups: group A, buffer, group B, unlabelled MGb2; group C, 131I-labelled normal mice IgG and group D, 131I-labelled MGb2 18.5MBq. All nude mice above were given agents intraperitoneally. In group E, the animals were given 131I-labelled MGb2 18.5MBq by intratumoral administration. The results showed that from the second week, in group D and E the tumor volume was remarkably decreased as compared with that of the other 3 groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). In the fourth week the mean volume in group D and E were 0.55 cm3 and 0.23cm3, while in group A, the volume was 1.43cm3. The inhibition rate of tumor growth in group D and E was higher than in other groups from the second week (P < 0.01), especialy in the third and fourth week with a mean value of 62. 4%, 61.5% and 82.2%, 83.9% respectively. There were no significant differences between group A, B, and C in tumor volume or growth inhibition rate.

Animals↗

[Field studies on preventive effect of artemether against infection with Schistosoma japonicum].

From August to October 1994, a field trial of preventive treatment with artemether (Art) was carried out in Minglang District of Yiyang City, Hunan Province, an islet with embankment type endemic area nearby southern Donting Lake region. The residents who frequently contacted with the infested water were selected for study and allocated to the Art group and the control group in reference to paired methods of randomization table. About one month before administration of Art, all residents under study were examined by stool hatching technique after nylon-bag concentration to determine the infection rate of each group, and then treated with praziquantel at a single dose of 40 mg/kg in stool egg-negative residents and 50 mg/kg in stool egg-positive ones. In Art group, the first dose of 6 mg/kg was given in late August, followed by repeated dosing every 15 days for 3 times. Placebo (starch) was given to the study residents in the control group at the same time as in Art group. The efficacy was evaluated by stool examination 25-32 days after the last medication. The results showed that after the preventive administration of Art, 20 out of 365 study residents in Art group revealed stool positive with an infection rate of 5.5%, while in the control group 51 out of 376 study residents showed stool positive with an infection rate of 13.6%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Meantime, two cases of acute schistosomiasis were seen in the control group, but none was observed in Art group. The egg per gram of feces (EPG) determined with the Kato-Katz method was 122 +/- 79 (range 12-192) in Art group and 681 +/- 909 (range 12-2,760) in the control group. No apparent adverse side effect was seen during the treatment with Art, and no abnormal change in liver and renal function was detected after the last medication. The preliminary study indicates that application of the preventive administration of Art in the endemic area during the transmission season may effectively reduce both the infection rate and intensity of schistosomiasis.

Adolescent↗

[Tissue culture of bulbus Fritillariae cirrhosae].

On the MS culture medium containing some phytohormones, regenerated Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae can induce without low temperature callus which differentiates into a plant. The total alkaloid content of the culture is two-four times that of the stock and commercial Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae. The free-protein atlas of the culture is consistent with that of the stock.

Culture Media↗

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli of the chalcone synthase gene.

Flavonoids form a class of secondary metabolites that are abundant in all higher plants. They serve important functions in flower pigmentation. Chalcone Synthase (CHS) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of all classes of flavonoids; therefore, variation of the expression of CHS might change the color of flowers. We cloned CHS-A gene from Petunia hybrida, which has 99% sequence homology with those that have been cloned abroad. The sequence of the coding region is 1170bp and encodes a protein of 39kDa. CHS-A gene is also expressed high-efficiently in E. coli. All this work establishes a sound basis for future research on the impact of the CHS-A gene on flower pigmentation.

Acyltransferases↗

Clinical analysis of steroid glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The authors accumulated 15 cases (26 eyes) of steroid glaucoma due to topical administration of dexamethasone or prednisolone. METHODS: From 1970 to 1990, 26 eyes in 15 cases were observed (bilateral 11 cases, unilateral 4 cases) including 12 right eyes and 14 left eyes. 10 cases were male and 5 cases female with age ranging from 14 to 52 years averaging 28 years. 25 eyes had the manifestation of chronic open angle glaucoma in the clinical course, and 1 eye simulated an acute glaucoma attack. RESULTS: All patients had taken antiglaucoma medication before coming to our hospital, but the IOP was over 6.7 kPa in 9 eyes. The C/D ratio was equal to or over 0.6 in 9 cases (16 eyes), and the values were inconsistent between both eyes in 55% of the patients. Treatment for glaucoma was immediate discontinuation of the steroids with antiglaucoma medication if necessary. Three eyes received filtering operations and 2 eyes had the removal of subconjunctival residual steroid. Normal IOP was restored in months up to a year. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone or prednisolone were the easiest to induce steroid glaucoma when the patients had long-term use of steroid eyedrops.

Adolescent↗