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Biomedical subjects

P Li

Publications and source records attributed to P Li.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

[Determination of imperialine and imperialine-3 beta-D-glucoside in bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora by HPLC-ELSD].

AIM: To establish an HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)-ELSD (evaporative light scattering detector) method for the quantification of chromophore-lacking imperialine (I) and imperialine-3 beta-D-glucoside (II) in bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora. METHODS: By optimizing the chromatographic conditions of HPLC and the parameters of ELSD to test the methodology. Column: Kromasil C-18 (5 microns, 200 mm x 4.6 mm), mobile phase: acetonitrile-water-triethylamine (71:29:0.03), flow rate: 1.0 mL.min-1, drift tube temperature: 88 degrees C, gas flow-rate: 2.38 L.min-1. RESULTS: The calibration curves were linear in the range of 60.72-161.92 micrograms.mL-1 for I and 48.72-194.88 micrograms.mL-1 for II. The precisions (RSD) of intra-day and inter-day were less than 1% for I and II. The recoveries of the amounts of 24.28, 30.35 and 36.42 micrograms for I were 97.1%, 96.6% and 96.8%, and 24.20, 30.24 and 36.29 micrograms for II were 95.8%, 96.9% and 96.0%. The minimal detectable concentrations of I and II were 2.43 and 1.53 micrograms.mL-1 respectively. CONCLUSION: The established method is simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive, and can be utilized to determine the contents of imperialine and imperialine-3 beta-D-glucoside in crude drug Yibeimu (derived from the bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora).

Cevanes↗

[A PC-based pulse oximetry monitor for four patients].

Pulse oximeters are used in many departments of a hospital. The pc-based pulse oximetry monitor for many patients has the features of simplicity, flexibility, large memory, powerful function, high ratio of performance to price, and it is easy to communicate with multimonitors. The principles of hardware system and the function of software block of the monitor are introduced too in this paper.

Equipment Design↗

[The contents and their change of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured cordyceps mycelia].

AIM: To compare the content of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia, and the effect of humidity and heat on the contents of nucleosides. METHODS: The contents of nucleosides were determined using high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). Beckman P/ACE System 5010 apparatus equipped with a UV detector and a Beckman untreated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 75 microns, 50 cm effective length) were used. Before sample injection, the capillary was rinsed with 1 mol.L-1 sodium hydroxide and running buffer for 5 minutes, respectively. 20 kV was applied during separation. Pressure injection was 586 kPa for 6 seconds, and the wavelength of detector was 254 nm. The running time was 20 minutes at 20 degrees C. The effect of humidity and heat on the content of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia was observed for 1, 3, 5 and 10 days at temperature 40 degrees C, and relative humidity 75%. RESULTS: The contents of nucleosides from cultured Cordyceps mycelia were higher than that of those from natural Cordyceps sinensis. The contents of nucleosides from freshly collected natural Cordyceps sinensis, were under the detection limit. The contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis were significantly increased by effect of humidity and heat, the phenomenon was not observed in cultured Cordyceps mycelia. CONCLUSION: There are difference in nucleosides content between natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia. The nucleosides in natural Cordyceps sinensis may be derived from the degradation of macro-molecular nucleic acids. That means it is probably controversial that adenosine was used for quality control of natural Cordyceps sinensis.

Adenosine↗

[Sequences of 5S-rRNA gene spacer region and comparison of alkaloid content in Fritillaria thunbergii from different habitats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the genetic basis of the formation of indigenous Chinese medicine materials. METHODS: The 5S-rRNA gene spacer regions in F. thunbergii from different habitats were amplified with AS and AS-1 as primers, and then sequenced. Total alkaloid contents were assayed by acid dye colorimetry, and 2 main alkaloid contents were assayed by pre-column derivatization and gas chromatographic method. RESULT: The sequenues of 5S-rRNA gene spacer regions in F. thunbergii from different habitats were same, and the length of them was 588 bp. They had same content total alkaloid. The results of gas chromatography showed that they had same kinds of monomer alkaloids, but the contents of different monomer alkaloids were different. CONCLUSION: The difference of alkaloid content in F. thunbergii from various habitats isn't resulted from base sequence variation, but from microenvironment.

Alkaloids↗

[The effect of fluid shear stress on the proliferation of rat primary osteoblast-like cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To inquire into the cellular mechanism by which mechanical stress regulates bone remodeling and make an attempt at establishing the most suitable physiological stress to stimulate bone formation. METHODS: The isolated rat primary osteoblast-like cells were exposed to fluid shear stress 2, 4, 8, 12, 14, 17 and 19 dyn/cm2 for 60 min respectively in the flow chamber. The ability of proliferation of cells was studied by flow cytometry. RESULTS: After exposed to fluid shear stress, the cells rearranged and the cells' axes were elongated following the flow direction. The proliferation indexes (PI) of the cells went up with the gradual increase of shear stress. When fluid stress reached 12 dyn/cm2, the PI of cells increased significantly (P < 0.05), compared with the control. But the PI of cells began to decrease when the fluid stress continued to increase, and when fluid stress reached 14 dyn/cm2, the PI of cells decreased significantly (P < 0.01), compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The mechanism by which mechanical stress regulates bone remodeling is related to the proliferation of the osteoblast cells stimulated by stress-induced fluid flow. Low shear stress has no marked influence on the proliferation of cells. Medium shear stress (12 dyn/cm2) can stimulate cells significantly. Major shear stress (14 dyn/cm2) can inhibit cells significantly.

Animals↗

Comparative experimental study of Ho-Yag laser and true-cut biopsy needle in myocardial revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism and effects of blood perfusion on acute ischemic region of myocardium through channel created by Ho-Yag laser and True-cut biopsy needles with myocardial contrast echocardiography. METHODS: We partially ligated the left anterior descending coronary artery of canine hearts between the 1st and 2nd diagonal branches to produce two groups of acute myocardial ischemia models and then performed transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) on this region with Ho-Yag laser and True-cut biopsy needles. Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed with a new generation of ultrasound contrast agent and second harmonic imaging of this region before, during ischemia and after revascularization. Pictures were taken with "R" wave trigger skill. RESULTS: Acoustic density (dB) in the ischemic region (anterior wall) with myocardial contrast echocardiography decreased obviously after the left anterior descending artery was ligated (Laser group: 5, 40 +/- 1.81, Needle group: 7.11 +/- 2.51) compared with that before (Laser group: 11.69 +/- 1.61, Needle group: 12.96 +/- 2.88, P < 0.01). dB increased remarkably after TMR by either laser or True-cut biopsy needle (Laser group: 11.02 +/- 2.01, Needle group: 10.01 +/- 4.45. P < 0.01) compared to that during ischemia and approximated to that before ischemia (P > 0.05). We found that the acoustic density of the contrast developed one picture (one cardiac cycle) ahead in the transmyocardial revascularization region than that in the lateral and other region of the left ventricle wall in the scan of both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Acute ischemic myocardium can be perfused immediately by oxygenated blood from the left ventricle through channels created with both Ho-Yag laser and True-cut biopsy needles. Evidence of blood perfusion through these channels mainly during systolic phase was detected, and myocardial contrast ultrasound using intravenous perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin was regarded as a reliable method in the study of transmyocardial revascularization.

Animals↗

[Determination of calcium and magnesium in human hair by non-complete digestion-flame atomic absorption spectrometry].

Under low temperature of 80-130 degrees C human hair sample is digested by concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide up to solution present transparent pale brown. The fat and oil produced from digestion of hair sample are solved by emulsifier OP added in the solution, a homogeneous emulsion is gained. Test solutions prepared by adding releasing agent La(III) and agar solution in appropriate amount of the emulsion are injected into air-acetylene flame and the working curve method is used to determine. Condition of digestion, elimination of interference and the detection limit are studied. Determination results are consistent with those obtained by ashing method. The relative error between them is less than +/- 0.5%. This method is convenient, rapid and accurate.

Calcium↗

Transcriptome analysis of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus): genes and expression profile from the brain.

Expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis was conducted using a complementary DNA (cDNA) library made from the brain mRNA of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). As part of our transcriptome analysis in catfish to develop molecular reagents for comparative functional genomics, here we report analysis of 1201 brain cDNA clones. Of the 1201 clones, 595 clones (49.5%) were identified as known genes by BLAST searches and 606 clones (50.5%) as unknown genes. The 595 clones of known gene products represent transcripts of 251 genes. These known genes were categorized into 15 groups according to their biological functions. The largest group of known genes was the genes involved in translational machinery (21.4%) followed by mitochondrial genes (6.2%), structural genes (3.1%), genes homologous to sequences of unknown functions (2.3%), enzymes (2.7%), hormone and regulatory proteins (2.5%), genes involved in immune systems (2.1%), genes involved in sorting, transport, and metal metabolism (1.8%), transcriptional factors and DNA repair proteins (1.6%), proto-oncogenes (1.2%), lipid binding proteins (1.2%), stress-induced genes (0.7%), genes homologous to human genes involved in mental diseases (0.6%), and development or differentiation-related genes (0.3%). The number of genes represented by the 606 clones of unknown genes is not known at present, but the high percentage of clones showing no homology to any known genes in the GenBank databases may indicate that a great number of novel genes exist in teleost brain.

Animals↗

Potentiation of nerve growth factor-action by picrosides I and II, natural iridoids, in PC12D cells.

Natural iridoid, picroside I (beta-D-glucopyranoside, 1a,1b,2,5a,6, 6a-hexahydro-6-hydroxy-1a-(hydroxymethyl)oxireno[4,5]cyclopenta[1, 2-c]pyran-2-yl, 6-(3-phenyl-2-propenoate)) or II (beta-D-glucopyranoside, 1a,1b,2,5a,6, 6a-hexahydro-6-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoyl)oxy]-1a-(hydroxymethyl )ox ireno[4,5]cyclopenta[1,2-c]pyran-2-yl) alone did not exhibit neuritogenic activity, but caused a concentration-dependent (>0.1 microM) enhancement of nerve growth factor (NGF, 2 ng/ml)-induced neurite outgrowth from PC12D cells. The picroside-induced enhancing action of NGF was abolished by GF109203X (2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-indol-3-yl]-3-(indol-3-yl)maleimide) (0.1 microM), a protein kinase C inhibitor. Furthermore, PD98059 (2-(2'-amino-3'-methoxyphenyl)-oxanaphthalen-4-one) (20 microM), a potent mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase inhibitor, completely blocked the picroside-induced enhancement of neurite outgrowth in the presence of NGF (2 ng/ml), suggesting that picrosides activate the MAP kinase-dependent signaling pathway. Interestingly, no increase in the expression of phosphorylated MAP kinase was observed in picroside-treated (60 microM) PC12D cells in the presence of NGF (2 ng/ml). These results suggest that picroside I or II enhances NGF-induced neurite outgrowth from PC12D cells, probably by amplifying a down-stream step of MAP kinase in the NGF receptor-mediated intracellular MAP kinase-dependent signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Chemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor in HIV-infected patients with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's disease: a prospective, multi-institutional AIDS clinical trials group study (ACTG 149).

To ascertain the results of standard ABVD chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) in HIV-infected patients with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's disease (HD), a nonrandomized, prospective, multiinstitutional clinical trial was conducted by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), in HIV-infected patients with Hodgkin's disease. All patients received the standard ABVD regimen, with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Antiretroviral therapy was not used. Between May, 1992 and August, 1996, 21 patients were added to the study and treated. The median CD4 count was 113 cells/mm3, and 29% had a history of a clinical AIDS-defining condition before diagnosis of HD. Systemic "B" symptoms were present in 90% at diagnosis. Stage IV HD was present in 67%, with bone marrow involvement in 12 (57%). Nodular sclerosis HD was present in 38%, with mixed cellular disease in 31%. Among all patients entered and treated, complete remission (CR) was attained in 9 (43%; 90% confidence interval [CI], 24%-63%), whereas partial response occurred in 4 (19%), leading to an overall objective response rate of 62% (90% CI, 42%-79%). Despite routine use of G-CSF, 10 patients (47.6%) experienced life-threatening neutropenia, with absolute neutrophil counts <500 cells/mm3. In all, nine opportunistic infections occurred in 6 patients (29%) during the study or shortly thereafter. Median survival was 1.5 years. Results of this study suggest that alternative treatment strategies should be explored, including use of chemotherapy together with antiretroviral therapy.

Adult↗

Mitochondria localization and dimerization are required for CIDE-B to induce apoptosis.

Cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE)-B is a member of the novel family of apoptosis-inducing factors that share homology with the N-terminal region of DFF, the DNA fragmentation factor. The molecular mechanism of CIDE-B-induced apoptosis is unclear. We have shown here that CIDE-B protein is localized in mitochondria and forms homodimers and heterodimers with other family members. Serial deletion analyses suggest that the mitochondria localization signal and dimerization interface are overlapped and localized to the 30 amino acid residues at the C-terminal region of CIDE-B. Mitochondria localization and dimerization are both required for CIDE-B-induced apoptosis. Our study has thus revealed a mechanism for CIDE-B-induced apoptosis by localization to mitochondria and the formation of a high affinity homo- or heterodimeric complex.

Animals↗

Aberrant cell cycle progression contributes to the early-stage accelerated carcinogenesis in transgenic epidermis expressing the dominant negative TGFbetaRII.

Mutations in the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) have been found in various malignant tumors, suggesting that loss of TGFbeta signaling plays a causal role in late-stage cancer development. To test whether loss of TGFbetaRII is involved in early-stage carcinogenesis, we have generated transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative TGFbetaRII (deltabetaRII) in the epidermis. These mice exhibited an increased susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis protocols at both early and late stages. In the current study, parameters for cell cycle progression and chromosome instability were analysed in deltabetaRII tumors. DeltabetaRII papillomas showed an increased S phase in flow cytometry. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and mitotic indices in deltabetaRII papillomas also showed a threefold increase compared to papillomas developing in non-transgenic mice. When papillomas further progressed to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), both control and deltabetaRII SCC showed similar BrdU labeling indices and percentages of S phase cells. However, deltabetaRII SCC cells showed a sixfold increase in the G2/M population. Mitotic indices in deltabetaRII SCC also showed a threefold increase compared to non-transgenic SCC. Consistent with a perturbed cell cycle, deltabetaRII papillomas and SCC showed reduced expression of the TGFbeta target genes p15 (INK4b), p21 (WAF-1) and p27 (Kip1), inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks). However, most deltabetaRII papilloma cells exhibited normal centrosome numbers, and deltabetaRII SCC exhibited a similar extent of centrosome abnormalities compared to control SCC (35-40% cells). Most of deltabetaRII SCC exhibited diploid chromosome profiles. These data indicate that inactivation of TGFbetaRII accelerates skin tumorigenesis at early stages by the acceleration of loss of cell cycle control, but not by increased chromosome instability.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

NF-kappa B regulates VCAM-1 expression on fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Expression of VCAM-1 on synovial fibroblasts is a clinical hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. The interaction of VCAM-1 and its integrin receptor very late Ag-4 is believed to be critically involved in the recruitment and retention of immune cells in the inflamed joints. To study the regulation of VCAM-1 in synovial fibroblasts, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were isolated from the knee joints of normal mice and passaged repeatedly to obtain a homogeneous cell population. We have found that VCAM-1 is constitutively expressed on mouse FLS (mFLS) and that its surface expression is further increased after exposure to TNF-alpha. Nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-kappa B including P50/P50 homodimer and P65/P50 heterodimer was activated by TNF-alpha treatment. In mFLS stably expressing a dominant-negative mutant of the inhibitory protein I-kappa B alpha- (mI-kappa B), which does not undergo proteolytic degradation, NF-kappa B remains in the cytosol and its activation in response to TNF-alpha is abolished. VCAM-1 protein expression after TNF-alpha stimulation was blocked in cells expressing the mI-kappa B. This effect is likely due to the loss of NF-kappa B-mediated transcription of VCAM-1, because the 5-fold increase in mRNA levels in response to TNF-alpha is absent in the mutant cells. To confirm these findings, we transduced mFLS with an adenoviral vector containing the mI-kappa B transgene. VCAM-1 expression was also blocked by mI-kappa B in this system, whereas cells transduced with a control adenoviral vector remained responsive to TNF-alpha. These results indicate that NF-kappa B mediates TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression on mFLS.

Adenoviridae↗

Axin-induced apoptosis depends on the extent of its JNK activation and its ability to down-regulate beta-catenin levels.

Axin is a multidomain protein that coordinates a variety of critical factors in Wnt signaling and JNK activation. In this study, we found that overexpression of Axin leads to apoptosis in several cell lines. A mutant Axin (Axin-deltaMID) that does not contain the MEKK1-interacting domain and is not capable of activating JNK, has less apoptotic effect. Together with the observations that dominant-negative forms of MEKK1 and JNK1 can attenuate Axin-induced apoptosis, we suggest that JNK activation is required for Axin-mediated apoptosis. Wild-type Axin proteins that can lead to destabilization of beta-catenin are more effective at causing cell death than those constructs (Axin-deltaGSK/beta-cat, Axin-deltaRGS/GSK/beta-cat) that are defective in regulation of beta-catenin but still fully capable of JNK activation. Furthermore, enhanced beta-catenin signaling by coexpression of beta-catenin or PP2C alpha attenuate cell death. Taken together, we suggest that the ability of Axin to induce apoptosis is determined by its ability to activate JNK and destabilize beta-catenin.

Animals↗

The effect of steroid sulfatase inhibition on learning and spatial memory.

Steroid sulfatase inhibitors can enhance the concentration of the neurosteroid DHEAS in rat brain. Previous studies have demonstrated that the steroid sulfatase inhibitor (p-O-sulfamoyl)-N-tetradecanoyl tyramine (DU-14) could reverse scopolamine induced amnesia in rats in a passive avoidance memory paradigm. The intent of this study was to determine whether chronic pretreatment with DU-14 could reverse scopolamine amnesia and/or enhance spacial memory in the place, probe and cued versions of the Morris water maze (MWM). Rats were divided into four groups and administered IP for 15 days either DU-14 (30.0 mg/Kg) or corn oil (1.0 ml/Kg) vehicle. On training days animals were administered either scopolamine (1.0 mg/Kg) or saline (1.0 ml/Kg). The groups administered DU-14 displayed a significant enhancement in learning and spacial memory in the place version of the MWM, when compared to respective vehicle-scopolamine and vehicle-saline groups. In the probe version, the DU-14-saline group remained in the target quadrant of the maze significantly longer than any of the other groups indicating enhanced retention. In the cued version of the MWM, treatment with DU-14 did not significantly change escape latency suggesting that the steroid sulfatase inhibitor did not alter motivation or locomotion. These results suggest that the chronic administration of steroid sulfatase inhibitors enhance learning and spatial memory in rats.

Amnesia↗