Observation of quantum interference between dressed states in an electromagnetically induced transparency.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Xiao.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Human interleukin-3/erythropoietin (IL-3/Epo) fusion protein have been constructed, expressed, and tested for biological activity. These fusion proteins were previously shown to be active on erythroid progenitors (BFU-E) from unseparated human bone marrow. We evaluated if these fusion proteins could stimulate erythroid and multipotential progenitor cells directly at the single-cell level. Two IL-3/Epo fusion proteins containing short (SL-3E, two amino acids) and long (LL-3E, 23 amino acids) linker sequences as well as a short linker Epo/IL-3 sequence (SL-E3, three amino acids) were tested. Highly enriched CD34 or BFU-E enriched CD34 CD33- cells from human umbilical cord blood or CD34 HLA-DR+CD33- cells from normal adult bone marrow were sorted as single cells into single wells. The combination of Epo plus IL-3 synergized to enhance the proliferation of BFU-E and multipotential progenitors (CFU-GEMM) in comparison to the individual effects of these cytokines. The three fusion proteins also enhanced proliferation of BFU-E and CFU-GEMM at the single-cell level and were at least as active as the combination of Epo and IL-3, demonstrating that IL-3/Epo fusion proteins directly stimulate proliferation of BFU-E and CFU-GEMM and that biological activity of IL-3 and Epo in vitro can be maintained when these proteins are fused. The activity of the combination of Epo and IL-3 or the fusion proteins was partially neutralized by preincubation with monoclonal antibodies to either Epo or IL-3 and was neutralized by greater than 90% by the combination of both antibodies, suggesting that the Epo and IL-3 components of the fusion proteins were both involved in the enhancing activity of these proteins. Additionally, use of monoclonal antibody to the human Epo receptor completely blocked the stimulating/enhancing activity of Epo alone, Epo plus IL-3, or the fusion proteins for stimulation of colony formation by BFU-E and CFU-GEMM but not for granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM), suggesting that the enhancing effects of the fusion proteins are most likely mediated, at least in part, by the Epo receptor.
Ten mongrel dogs underwent carotid artery bypass 17 times with dacron grafts, 4mm in inner diameter and 5cm in length. The grafts in experimental group A were immediately seeded with autologous endothelial cells harvested by 0.25% trypsin solution (n = 7). The grafts in experimental group B were seeded with autologous endothelial cells cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for 1 week (n = 3). The grafts in contrast group was not seeded with any endothelial cells implanted in the contralateral carotid arteries in group A (n = 7). The number of endothelial cells harvested in the two groups was 0.9 +/- 0.3 x 10. Factor VIII related antigen stain method confirmed the cells harvested by 0.25% trypsin solution to be endothelial cells. The grafts were removed and studied at the end of 2, 4, and 6 week after implantation. The total patency rate of group A was 85.7% (6/7), and that of the contrast group 57% (4/7). The weight of thrombus in group A was 40.6 +/- 36.9mg and the contrast group 85.9 +/- 26.3mg (P < 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cells at the middle segment of the grafts in the group A and B had the characteristics of ellipse, and tight intercellular junction, while the middle segment grafts in contrast group were covered by platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes and fibrin. Transmission electron microscopy, factor VIII related antigen stain method, and vimentin stain method demonstrated that the cells in the group A and B showed characteristics of endothelial cells. It was concluded that endothelialization of the dacron grafts could be accelerated and the quality could be improved by immediate seeding with endothelial cells or by seeding with endothelial cells cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for 1 week.
BACKGROUND: Heritable germline mutations of the p53 gene have been described in patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, occasionally in nonfamilial malignancies such as multifocal osteosarcoma, in a small subgroup of young patients with two or more primary malignancies, and in patients with sporadic breast carcinoma. We recently reported that multifocal gliomas are frequently associated with other primary malignancies, and we hypothesized that genetic alterations may account for this phenomenon. PURPOSE: We examined the frequency of germline p53 gene mutations in patients with glioma and either multifocality of lesions, history of an additional primary (different) malignancy, or a family history of cancer. METHODS: Lymphocytes from 51 glioma patients were analyzed for germline p53 gene mutations using RNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis, single-strand conformation polymorphism, and gene sequencing techniques. RESULTS: Germline p53 gene mutations were detected in six of 19 patients with multifocal glioma, including two with family history of cancer, one with another primary malignancy, and two with all three risk factors; one of four patients with unifocal glioma, another primary malignancy, and a family history of cancer; and two of 15 patients with unifocal glioma and a family history of cancer but no second malignancies. No mutations were detected in the patient with unifocal glioma and another malignancy or in the 12 control patients with unifocal glioma and no second malignancies or family history of cancer. Patients having mutations were younger than other patients in the same group. CONCLUSIONS: Germline p53 mutations are frequent in patients with multifocal glioma, glioma and another primary malignancy, and glioma associated with a family history of cancer, particularly if these factors are combined. IMPLICATIONS: Relatives at high risk can be identified for genetic counseling, early cancer detection, and possible enrollment in chemoprevention trials.
Three-layer artificial neural networks (ANN) with back-propagation of error have been applied to classification of nitro-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH) based on the regularity that the structure difference of NPAH compounds leads to different mutagenic activity towards Salmonella typhimurium. The network's architecture and parameters were optimized to give maximum correct classification rate of 93.8% for two different classes of NPAHs: weakly active and strongly active ones. The results compared favourably with those obtained by nonlinear mapping pattern recognition method. Considering that the most important factor for NPAH's mutagenicity might be the electron effect of the substituted nitro-groups, an electrotopological state index of nitrogen atom was introduced additionally as one of network's inputs, and the correct classification rate was consequently raised to 97.5%. The network's prediction ability for untrained samples was also satisfactory.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Nonadherent, low-density T-lymphocyte-depleted (NALT-) CD34 cells from normal human cord blood were assessed in suspension culture for the effects of recombinant cytokines on their proliferation, differentiation, and generation of myeloid progenitor cells. In this cell population, 82% of cells expressed c-kit protein as assessed by in situ hybridization, and their cloning efficiency was 85% when cells were plated at low cell numbers with combinations of growth factors. CD34 cells were sorted as 1, 5, or 10 cell(s) per well and also at 5000 cells per dish to initiate stromal-free suspension cultures in the presence of steel factor (SLF), interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, and IL-3. Forty-eight percent of the wells started with a single CD34 cell were positive for growth after 14 days, and the wells contained greater than 5 x 10(3) cells by 21-28 days. Progenitors were assayed weekly with cultures initiated with 1 or 5000 cells. While the fold expansion of nucleated cells was greater in cultures initiated with one cell per well (> 5000 compared to 791-fold expansion for 5000 cells), the fold expansion of progenitors was greater than 5000 cells were used to initiate cultures. Under optimal conditions, there was, respectively, a 160-, 164-, and 57-fold output of high proliferative potential colony-forming cells, granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, and erythroid burst-forming units/granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte colony-forming units within 1-3 weeks for cultures initiated with 5000 CD34 cells compared with respective fold increases of 29, 16, and 1, for single-initiated cultures. These results demonstrate the expansion capacity of single CD34 cord blood cells and demonstrate that factors in addition to SLF, IL-1 alpha, and IL-3 are necessary for optimal expansion of progenitors from single isolated CD34 cells.
We previously demonstrated stable integration of a transduced thymidine kinase (TK)-neo gene into immature and replatable stem and progenitor cells, as assessed by the presence of the gene in second-generation colonies. To evaluate whether this integration was still present in third- and fourth-generation colonies, nonadherent low-density T-lymphocyte-depleted (NALT-) cells from human umbilical cord blood were prestimulated with recombinant human (rhu) erythropoietin (Epo), steel factor (SLF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating factor (CSF), and granulocyte (G)-CSF. Prestimulated NALT- cells were incubated with retroviral-containing supernatant obtained from TK-neo vector-producing cells, washed, and assayed for colony formation in the presence of Epo, SLF, IL-3, GM-CSF, and G-CSF -/+ G418. The results confirmed that the TK-neo gene could be efficiently introduced into hematopoietic progenitor cells without stromal cells as a source of virus. As previously reported, proviral integration was detected in primary G418R-colonies, and in second-generation replated colonies derived from G418R granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte colony-forming units and high-proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFCs). Moreover, we now document that proviral integration was apparent in cells from colonies derived from third- and fourth-generation replated HPP-CFC, suggesting a high degree of stable integration of the transduced gene.
Umbilical cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and has recently been used successfully in the clinic as an alternative source of engrafting and marrow repopulating cells. With the likelihood that cord blood stem/progenitor cells will be used for gene therapy to correct genetic disorders, we evaluated if a TK-neo gene could be directly transduced in a stable manner into single isolated subsets of purified immature hematopoietic cells that demonstrate self-renewed ability as estimated by colony replating capacity. Sorted CD34(3+) cells from cord blood were prestimulated with erythropoietin (Epo), steel factor (SLF), interleukin (IL)-3, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and transduced with the gene in two ways. CD34(3+) cells were incubated with retroviral-containing supernatant from TK-neo vector-producing cells, washed, and plated directly or resorted as CD34(3+) cells into single wells containing a single cell or 10 cells. Alternatively, CD34(3+) cells were sorted as a single cell/well and then incubated with viral supernatant. These cells were cultured with Epo, SLF, IL-3, and GM-CSF +/- G418. The TK-neo gene was introduced at very high efficiency into low numbers of or isolated single purified CD34(3+) immature hematopoietic cells without stromal cells as a source of virus or accessory cells. Proviral integration was detected in primary G418-resistant(R) colonies derived from single immature hematopoietic cells, and in cells from replated colonies derived from G418R-colony forming unit-granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte (CFU-GEMM) and -high proliferative potential colony forming cells (HPP-CFC). This demonstrates stable expression of the transduced gene into single purified stem/progenitor cells with replating capacity, results that should be applicable for future clinical studies that may utilize selected subsets of stem/progenitor cells for gene therapy.
To characterize the growth of cord blood progenitor cells, single nonadherent, low-density, T-lymphocyte-depleted CD34 cells were sorted by flow cytometer with an autoclone device into single wells containing culture medium and cytokines. These cells were evaluated for proliferation and for replating ability of their progeny. This latter effect is used as a measure of self-renewal capacity. Colony formation was assessed in 1 degree wells containing various cytokines, alone and in combination, and single colonies deriving after 21 days in semisolid medium were replated into 2 degree wells in the presence of the combination of purified preparations of recombinant human steel factor (SF, a c-kit ligand), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and erythropoietin (Epo). Replating of single colonies was performed also for 3 degrees, 4 degrees, and 5 degrees cultures. In the presence of serum, colony formation was observed in > 66% of the wells stimulated with the combination of Epo, SF, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and IL-3, and more than 39% of the colonies formed in these 1 degree wells were very large in size (> 2.5 mm in diameter, dense in the center, and containing > 10(4) cells/colony). The replating efficiency of these large colonies was up to 93% with generation of subsequent colonies of very large size. Replating could be shown for up to five generations. The cells in these colonies were large, nonspecific esterase positive, and contained large amounts of cytoplasm with one or more nuclei containing several nucleoli per nucleus. Smaller colonies (1 to 2.5 mm in diameter and dense in the center) containing similar cells and making up an additional 14% of the colonies formed in 1 degree wells also showed extensive replating capacity, including generation of larger colonies. These colony-forming cells are likely similar to the murine macrophage high-proliferative potential colony-forming cells. The cells giving rise to these colonies are present in about eightfold higher frequency in cord blood than in adult bone marrow. These cells may at least in part be associated with the successful hematopoietic repopulating capacity of umbilical cord blood cells.
A diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase (DFPase) was purified from brain and ganglia of squid Todarodes pacificus steenstrup. The DFPase had a preference in hydrolysis toward diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP). It also was able to hydrolyze O-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphofluoridate (soman) and O-isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (sarin) at nearly equal hydrolytic rates but only 1/10 that of DFP. The hydrolytic activity toward diethyl-p-nitrophenylphosphate (paraoxon) was very low compared with DFP, soman, and sarin. The DFPase was purified 330-fold to a specific activity of 18,300 n mol/min/mg protein. Its molecular weight was 34,000 dalton determined by gel-filtration chromatography. Mn2+ stimulation of the DFPase was not observed when DFP and soman were the substrates, but with sarin, the rate increased onefold in the presence of 1.0 mM of Mn2+. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA-Na2) at 0.05 M inhibited the DFPase activity about 30%. It could be concluded that this DFPase belongs to the squid-type DFPase.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.