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Biomedical subjects

M Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to M Zhang.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Copolymer 1 inhibits experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Copolymer 1 (Cop 1) inhibits experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induced by a variety of myelin proteins, but has been found ineffective so far in inhibiting other experimental autoimmune diseases such as diabetes or arthritis. Here, we report for the first time that Cop I inhibits the development of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, induced in mice by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). Pooled data of three experiments showed that treatment with Cop 1, at 0.5 mg/mouse, reduced the disease severity by 53% ( p = 0.0002). Cop 1 treatment also inhibited the proliferation and the production of cytokines by lymph node cells in response to IRBP and moderately reduced the antibody response to this antigen. The possible mechanisms of EAU inhibition by Cop 1 are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Crystal structures of a low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its complex with the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate.

Low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases are virtually ubiquitous, which implies that they have important cellular functions. We present here the 2.2 A resolution X-ray crystallographic structure of wild-type LTP1, a low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also present the structure of an inactive mutant substrate complex of LTP1 with p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) at a resolution of 1.7 A. The crystal structures of the wild-type protein and of the inactive mutant both have two molecules per asymmetric unit. The wild-type protein crystal was grown in HEPES buffer, a sulfonate anion that resembles the phosphate substrate, and a HEPES molecule was found with nearly full occupancy in the active site. Although the fold of LTP1 resembles that of its bovine counterpart BPTP, there are significant changes around the active site that explain differences in their kinetic behavior. In the crystal of the inactive mutant of LTP1, one molecule has a pNPP in the active site, while the other has a phosphate ion. The aromatic residues lining the walls of the active site cavity exhibit large relative movements between the two molecules. The phosphate groups present in the structures of the mutant protein bind more deeply in the active site (that is, closer to the position of nucleophilic cysteine side chain) than does the sulfonate group of the HEPES molecule in the wild-type structure. This further confirms the important role of the phosphate-binding loop in stabilizing the deep binding position of the phosphate group, thus helping to bring the phosphate close to the thiolate anion of nucleophilic cysteine, and facilitating the formation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Diamino benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as a novel class of active site directed thrombin inhibitors. 5. Potency, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of modified C-3 side chain derivatives.

A systematic investigation of the structure-activity relationships of the C-3 side chain of the screening hit 1a led to the identification of the potent thrombin inhibitors 23c, 28c, and 31c. Their activities (1240, 903, and 1271 x 10(6) L/mol, respectively) represent 2200- and 2900-fold increases in potency over the starting lead 1a. This activity enhancement was accomplished with an increase of thrombin selectivity. The in vitro anticoagulant profiles of derivatives 28c and 31c were determined, and they compare favorably with the clinical agent H-R-1-[4aS, 8aS]perhydroisoquinolyl-prolyl-arginyl aldehyde (D-Piq-Pro-Arg-H; 32). The more potent members of this series have been studied in an arterial/venous shunt (AV shunt) model of thrombosis and were found to be efficacious in reducing clot formation. However, their efficacy is currently limited by their rapid and extensive distribution following administration.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Solution structure and backbone dynamics of the second PDZ domain of postsynaptic density-95.

The second PDZ domain of postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95 PDZ2) plays a critical role in coupling N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In this work, the solution structure of PSD-95 PDZ2 was determined to high resolution by NMR spectroscopy. The structure of PSD-95 PDZ2 was compared in detail with that of alpha1-syntrophin PDZ domain, as the PDZ domains share similar target interaction properties. The interaction of the PSD-95 PDZ2 with a carboxyl-terminal peptide derived from a cytoplasmic protein CAPON was studied by NMR titration experiments. Complex formation between PSD-95 PDZ2 and the nNOS PDZ was modelled on the basis of the crystal structure of the alpha1-syntrophin PDZ/nNOS PDZ dimer. We found that the prolonged loop connecting the betaB and betaC strands of PSD-95 PDZ2 is likely to play a role in both the binding of the carboxyl-terminal peptide and the nNOS beta-finger. Finally, the backbone dynamics of the PSD-95 PDZ2 in the absence of bound peptide were studied using a model-free approach. The "GLGF"-loop and the loop connecting alphaB and betaF of the protein display some degree of flexibility in solution. The rest of the protein is rigid and lacks detectable slow time-scale (microseconds to milliseconds) motions. In particular, the loop connecting betaB and betaC loop adopts a well-defined, rigid structure in solution. It appears that the loop adopts a pre-aligned conformation for the PDZ domain to interact with its targets.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Dementia research in China.

There is little information on dementia research in China in the international literature. This paper is an overview of studies on dementia conducted in China. Studies on dementia research in China were identified through a literature search, as well as through consulting Chinese psychiatrists and neurologists with expertise in the field. These studies were then reviewed. Epidemiological studies on dementia in China find the rates of dementia at the lower end of rates in Caucasians. There seems to be regional variation in the ratio of vascular dementia to Alzheimer's disease in China. In addition to epidemiological studies, there are studies on the genetics, psychopathology, neurophysiology and drug treatment in dementia. There is much research activity in China in the field of dementia and further cross-cultural studies are useful to examine the cultural differences in various areas of dementia research.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2000

MR angiography of the vascular tree from the aorta to the foot: combining two-dimensional time-of-flight and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced imaging.

A composite approach for magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the lower extremities is described. Thirty patients were studied with this approach, which combined a two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) technique with a 3D contrast-enhanced technique. A head/neck coil was selected for imaging mid-foot to upper calf, and the body coil was used for the remainder of the peripheral vascular tree. Acquired data were transferred to a workstation for postprocessing. The final maximum intensity projection images, which display the entire vascular anatomy from aortic bifurcation to foot, were created using a 1024 x 1024 matrix. Very small arteries can be differentiated in critical regions like the calf and foot. Compared with TOF-2D alone, the scan time was reduced. This method offers another option for MR angiography of the lower extremities. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:884-889.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Imaging pulmonary blood flow and perfusion using phase-sensitive selective inversion recovery.

A technique is described for imaging pulmonary blood flow using a phase-sensitive selective inversion recovery (PS-SIR) sequence. PS-SIR image reconstruction provides excellent contrast, differentiating fully relaxed inflowing blood from inverted blood and lung tissue. The magnetization of the inverted tissues remains negative at any inversion delay less than that at which the magnetization of the lung tissue is nulled, whereas that of the fully relaxed inflowing blood is always positive. Pulmonary blood flow can be observed by tracking the propagation of the pixels with positive values. Five healthy volunteers were imaged. The normal pattern of blood flow advancing from the central arteries toward the peripheries and into the lung parenchyma with return toward the center via draining veins was depicted. The method offers promise for evaluating pulmonary blood flow without the need for image subtraction or contrast administration. Magn Reson Med 43:793-795, 2000.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Enantiomeric separation by capillary electrochromatography. I. Chiral separation of dansyl amino acids and organochlorine pesticides on a diol-silica dynamically coated with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.

In this work, a commercially available diol-silica stationary phase was converted in situ to a chiral stationary phase by dynamically coating it with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD). This stationary phase was shown useful for the capillary electrochromatography (CEC) separation of neutral and anionic enantiomers such as some organochlorine pesticides and dansyl amino acids, respectively. The inclusion of HP-beta-CD in the mobile phase to produce the in situ chiral stationary phase allowed the rapid separation of the anionic dansyl amino acid enantiomers at relatively low electroosmotic flow (EOF). The formation of host-guest complexes between the dansyl amino acids and the neutral HP-beta-CD in the mobile phase lowered the actual charge-to-mass ratios of the anionic solutes, thus speeding up their transport by the EOF across the packed capillary column. Several parameters affecting enantioseparation were investigated, including the concentration of HP-beta-CD, ionic strength, pH, and organic modifier content of the mobile phase.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin↗
PubMed2000

Enantiomeric separation by capillary electrochromatography. II. Chiral separation of dansyl amino acids and phenoxy acid herbicides on sulfonated silica having surface-bound hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.

A chiral silica-based stationary phase having surface-bound hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) with a relatively strong electroosmotic flow (EOF) was introduced for enantioseparation by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The stationary phase contained a hydrophilic sulfonated sublayer to which a chiral top layer of HP-beta-CD was immobilized. While the sulfonated sublayer was to provide a relatively strong EOF, the top HP-beta-CD was to confer the desired chiral recognition towards enantiomeric solutes. This HP-beta-CD sulfonated silica (CDSS) stationary phase proved useful for the rapid separation of anionic enantiomers such as dansyl amino acids and phenoxy acid herbicides. The effects of the organic modifier content, pH, and ionic strength of the mobile phase on enantioseparation were investigated. Under the optimized separation conditions, ten dansyl amino acids and six phenoxy acid herbicides were enantioseparated with a resolution greater than unity.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin↗
PubMed2000

Additive effects of prednisolone and beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It remains unclear whether inhaled corticosteroids can produce the maximum benefits of corticosteroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To assess the additive effects of 30 mg/day prednisolone to high-dose, inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), we conducted a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The study population consisted of 21 men with stable COPD. The mean age of the patients was 69.1 +/- 6.8 years, and FEV(1)was 0.86 +/- 0.28 l. Seventeen out of the 21 patients (81%) were considered susceptible to steroids in a previous trial (FEV(1)increased at least 15% from baseline after receiving 14 days of 30 mg/day prednisolone). All of the patients had been on 1600 microg/day BDP for more than 3 months. Spirometry was performed before the entry, and at the end of 3-week placebo and prednisolone periods. The peak expiratory flow (PEF), symptoms, and Guyatt's Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) as a disease specific health-related quality of life over the last seven days of each period were also evaluated. Although a marginal increase in PEF was found during the prednisolone period, no significant differences in FEV(1), FVC, symptoms or CRQ scores were observed between the two treatment periods. We conclude that the therapeutic effects of steroid therapy may be achieved by the long-term use of high-dose, inhaled corticosteroid in some patients with stable COPD.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

Phototherapeutic keratectomy combined with photorefractive keratectomy for treatment of myopia with corneal scars.

To evaluate the effect of phototherapeutic keratectomy combined with photorefractive keratectomy in the treatment of myopia with corneal scars, corneal epithelium was removed with laser plus scraping. Corneal scars were removed with PTK, followed by PRK for myopia. Healon was used to make corneal surface smoother during operation. 30 eyes of 24 cases of myopia with corneal scars were followed up for one year. Mean corrected vision was 0.51 and myopic degree was -6.42 D +/- 4.26 D before operation. After operation, corneal scars of 21 eyes (70.0%) were removed in operative zone. The vision of 27 operated eyes (90.0%) was equal to or better than best corrected vision. Mean postoperative visual acuity was 0.72. Corneal surface was smoother and astigmatism was reduced after the surgery. Our study showed that PTK combined with PRK is a safe and effective treatment for myopia with corneal scars.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Identification by RNA fingerprinting of genes differentially expressed during the development of the basidiomycete Lentinula edodes.

As part of an ongoing project to understand the molecular mechanisms of fruit body development in Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom), RNA fingerprinting by arbitrarily primed PCR (RAP-PCR) was used to identify differentially expressed genes in RNA populations from four stages of L. edodes development vegetative mycelium, primordium, young fruit body and mature fruit body. From 30 RNA fingerprints, we cloned and sequenced 33 RAP fragments after their differential expression patterns had been verified by reverse Northern dot-blot hybridization. Thirteen RAP fragments show high sequence similarity to known gene products which are involved in (1) transport across the plasma membrane (drug efflux pump and sugar transporter); (2) cell cycle control (cyclin B); (3) signal transduction and transcriptional regulation (mitogen-activated protein kinase, Cdc39/Not1, PriA, Jun-D); (4) intracellular molecule trafficking (ubiquitin, plasma membrane proton ATPase, and alpha-adaptin); (5) mitochondrial biogenesis (mitochondrial processing peptidase beta-subunit, mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase); and (6) intermediary metabolism (fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase). The transcript levels for plasma membrane proton ATPase and alpha-adaptin remained constant, whereas the other eleven genes were differentially expressed during L. edodes. development. The expression profiles of the genes suggest that transport across the plasma membrane is important in the mycelial stage. Specific signal transduction and transcriptional controls may play important roles during the initiation of primordia and the formation of young fruiting bodies. When the mushroom matures, expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways becomes prominent. The isolation of these genes indicates their involvement in homobasidiomycete development and suggests new directions for molecular studies on mechanisms of mushroom development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Effects of euxanthone on neuronal differentiation.

The growth inhibitory and differentiation inducing effects of euxanthone (1,7-dihydroxyxanthone) from the medicinal plant Polygala caudata on the neuroblastoma (Neural 2A, subclone BU-1) were investigated. At the concentration range of 0-100 microM, euxanthone inhibits the growth of BU-1 cells in a dose dependent manner. The 50% growth inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 41 microM. Significant induction of morphological differentiation and neurite growth was observed at the concentration of 100 microM. Frequency of proliferative neuroblastoma cells was determined after induction of differentiation. The frequency of proliferating BU-1 cells was markedly reduced from 1/1.1 to <1/99. Confocal microscopy also confirmed that the morphological differentiation of BU-1 was associated with the expression of neurite specific marker MAP-2 protein in neurites. These data suggest that euxanthone may be one of the neuropharmacological active compounds in the medicinal plant Polygala caudata.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Wet spun chitosan-collagen fibers, their chemical N-modifications, and blood compatibility.

Based on an in vitro test for an improvement of the blood compatibility of chitin by blending with tropocollagen, we prepared a novel biocompatible blended fiber and its chemically N-modified fibers. Each (1 g/30 ml) of a clear mixed solution of chitosan with tropocollagen or collagen and a clear solution of chitosan itself in aqueous 2% acetic acid-methanol (2:1, v/v) was spun through a viscose-type spinneret into an aqueous 5% ammonia solution containing 40-43% ammonium sulfate at room temperature to afford a white fiber of chitosan-tropocollagen blends (1.08-1.65 g/denier for the tenacity and 10.9-43.2% for the elongation). The tropocollagen content up to 50% by weight) in the blended fiber affected little their tenacity and elongation values. The blended fiber was chemically N-modified at the fiber state by treatment with a series of carboxylic anhydrides and aldehydes to afford the corresponding N-modified fiber (0.86-1.31 g/denier for the tenacity and 8.0-12.1% for the elongation). A transparent blended hydrogel of N-acetylchitosan (chitin) with tropocollagen was produced from the above mixed solution by treatment with acetic anhydride, and its membrane and sponge sheet were also prepared from the hydrogel.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Distinctness of spore and vegetative cellular fatty acid profiles of some aerobic endospore-forming bacilli.

A gas chromatographic analysis method was employed to determine the cellular fatty acid (CFA) profiles of spores and vegetative cells of some aerobic endospore-forming bacilli. The harvests of experimental strains were processed to obtain pure spores and acquire whole cell fatty acid methyl esters for the subsequent gas chromatographic analysis, and the corresponding vegetative cells were set as control. Evaluation of reproducibility of spore CFA components revealed that, provided under standardized experimental procedure, spore CFA composition was stable enough for research purposes. Fatty acids recovered in spores in greater quantities were saturated branched-chain acids containing 15 and 17 carbon atoms, similar to the vegetative cells. Commonly, the proportions of saturated branched-chain acids in spores were greater than in vegetative cells. The dendrograms obtained by cluster analysis provided some meaningful taxonomic information of the experimental strains. The fatty acids analysis of spores seems to be a promising supplementary tool for the chemotaxonomic research of aerobic endospore-forming bacilli.

Bacillaceae↗
PubMed2000

Effect of preoperative interventions on outcome following liver resection in a rat model of cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: High morbidity and mortality rates in cirrhotic patients undergoing resections for hepatocellular malignancies underscore the need for identifying a therapy that will decrease fibrosis or enhance hepatic regenerative activity in the perioperative period. Thus, in the present study, 104 carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhotic rats received either saline (untreated cirrhotic controls) or one of the following agents that have been reported to decrease hepatic fibrosis or increase hepatic regeneration; pentoxifylline, ciprofloxacin or a traditional Chinese herbal remedy (TCHR). Twelve additional rats served as healthy, non-cirrhotic controls. METHODS: Treatments were administered daily by gavage for 4 weeks followed by a 70% partial hepatectomy. Hepatic fibrosis was documented at the time of surgery by computer-assisted quantitation of collagen content. Liver function and hepatic regenerative activity were documented 24 h post partial hepatectomy by serum bilirubin determinations and a combination of 3[H]-Thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) quantitation, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to untreated cirrhotic controls (8.1 +/- 0.7%), fibrosis was significantly reduced in the pentoxifylline- and ciprofloxacin-treated groups (4.6 +/- 0.2%, p<0.005 and 5.5 +/- 0.6%, p<0.05) but unchanged in the TCHR-treated group (6.6 +/- 11.0%). Post-operatively, total serum bilirubin levels were lower in the pentoxifylline (1.40 +/- 0.15 mg/dl,p<0.01) and ciprofloxacin (1.87 +/- 0.25 mg/dl, p<0.05)-treated groups, but unchanged in the TCHR group (2.20 +/- 0.45 mg/dl), when compared to untreated cirrhotic controls (3.00 +/- 0.37 mg/dl). Hepatic regenerative activity was also significantly improved in the pentoxifylline-treated group (17.8 +/- 2.2 versus 9.9 +/- 1.9 DPM/microg DNA in untreated cirrhotic controls, p<0.05), but unchanged in the ciprofloxacin (16.1 +/- 1.8 DPM/microg DNA) and TCHR (10.9 +/- 1.2 DPM/microg DNA)-treated groups. PCNA protein determinations were in keeping with the 3[H]-Thymidine results CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative pentoxifylline holds promise as a useful therapeutic intervention for patients with cirrhosis requiring hepatic resection.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Increased GABAergic activity inhibits alpha-fetoprotein mRNA expression and the proliferative activity of the HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a potent inhibitory neurotransmitter with growth regulatory properties. Recent data indicate that increased GABAergic activity inhibits hepatocyte proliferation in regenerating livers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether GABA inhibits the growth of malignant hepatocytes. METHODS: Increasing concentrations of muscimol (0.05-50 microM), a specific GABA(A) receptor agonist, were added to HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin mRNA expression were determined for varying periods of time (maximum 24 h) thereafter. Cell proliferation was also documented after 48 h of exposure to muscimol. RESULTS: Muscimol significantly (p<0.0001) decreased AFP mRNA expression (maximum decrease: 65% below baseline values) without affecting albumin mRNA expression. However, the effect on AFP mRNA was transient (maximum duration: 3-6 h) and not associated with changes in cell proliferation. Because preliminary data indicate that GABA(A) receptor activity is markedly downregulated in malignant hepatocytes, transfection studies were performed wherein HepG2 cells were cotransfected with GABA(A) receptor beta2 and beta2 subunit genes in a pCDM8 expression vector or vector alone followed by re-exposure to either muscimol (5 betaM) or saline. In this series of experiments, in addition to AFP mRNA inhibition being as extensive and more prolonged (maximum duration: 6-12 h) in muscimol-treated, GABA(A) receptor-transfected cells, proliferative activity was also significantly inhibited when compared to saline-treated GABA(A) receptor-transfected controls (p<0.01) and muscimol-treated cells transfected with vector alone (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that increased GABAergic activity inhibits AFP mRNA expression and cell proliferation in this malignant hepatocyte cell line.

Albumins↗