Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Li

Publications and source records attributed to S Li.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Detection of analytes by immunoassay using up-converting phosphor technology.

Up-Converting Phosphor Technology (UPT) is based on lanthanide-containing, submicrometer-sized, ceramic particles that can absorb infrared light and emit visible light. Biological matrices do not up-convert; hence, there is no contribution to test background from sample autofluorescence. Up-converting phosphors do not photobleach and are inert to common assay interferants such as hemoglobin. A reader called UPlink has been developed to interrogate lateral flow test strips that utilize UPT labels. The reader contains a miniaturized, 1-W, infrared laser with peak emission at 980 nm. Preliminary assays that use up-converting phosphor labels, including tests for a drugs of abuse panel and Escherichia coli O157:H7, have been developed. In a "sandwich" assay format, 10(3) org/mL E. coli O157:H7 organisms were detectable in a negative control background of 10(9) other organisms per milliliter of culture medium. Coefficients of variation in concentrations tested from 0 to 10(7) org/mL were all < or =10%. In a competitive inhibition assay format, a multiplexed test simultaneously detected amphetamine, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, and opiates in saliva. For all assays, the percent displacement at 10 ng/mL was > or =40% demonstrating performance comparable with lab-based, commercially available EIAs. All assays were complete in 10 min. The development of rapid tests using UPT creates new applications for on-site testing with sensitivity not available using other label technologies.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders↗

Effect of L-carnitine treatment for valproate-induced hepatotoxicity.

The authors analyzed the association of L-carnitine treatment with hepatic survival in 92 patients with severe, symptomatic, valproate-induced hepatotoxicity. Forty-eight percent of the 42 patients treated with L-carnitine survived, but only 10% of the 50 patients treated solely with aggressive supportive care survived (p < 0.001). Early intervention with IV rather than enteral L-carnitine was associated with the greatest hepatic survival. Specifically, all 10 patients who were diagnosed in <5 days and treated with IV L-carnitine survived. Most patients had features of chronic illness and most children appeared to be malnourished.

Adolescent↗

Activation of pro-death Bcl-2 family proteins and mitochondria apoptosis pathway in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced liver injury.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-induced cytotoxicity contributes to the pathogenesis in inflammatory and immune responses. Here, we studied the role of pro-death Bcl-2 family proteins and the mitochondria apoptosis pathway in the development of TNFalpha-induced hepatic injury during endotoxemia. After treating mice with lipopolysaccharide or TNFalpha in the presence of d-galactosamine, Bid was cleaved and translocated to mitochondria in hepatocytes. Independently, Bax was also activated by the death receptor engagement and translocated to mitochondria. However, its subsequent insertion into the mitochondrial membrane depends on Bid. Nevertheless, Bid was required, but Bax could be dispensed for the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, suggesting that Bid could activate additional downstream molecules other than Bax. The lack of this Bid-dependent mitochondria activation and cytochrome c release in the bid-deficient mice was responsible for the significantly delayed effector caspase activation and hepatocyte injury upon endotoxin treatment, culminating in a prolonged survival of the bid-deficient mice. Additional genetic factor(s) could further modify the dependence of TNFalpha toxicity on the mitochondria pathway as the bid-deficient 129/SvJ mice manifested an even higher resistance than the same type of mice in C57BL/6 background. The functional significance of the mitochondria apoptosis pathway was thus elucidated in the TNFalpha-mediated pathogenesis in vivo.

Animals↗

Carboxy ester hydrolysis promoted by a zinc(II) 2-[bis(2-aminomethyl)amino]ethanol complex: a new model for indirect activation on the serine nucleophile by zinc(II) in zinc enzymes.

A complexation study on the new Zn(II) complexes of asymmetric tripodal ligand 2-[bis(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanol (L) has revealed that the alcoholic OH group of complex ZnL exhibits remarkable acidity with a very low pK(a) value of 7.7 at 25 degrees C. Both the monomeric complex [ZnH(-0.25)L(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(1.75) (I) and the dimeric alkoxide-coordinating complex [Zn(2)(H(-1)L)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (II) were synthesized, and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The Zn(II)-bound alkoxide, as the reactive nucleophile toward the hydrolysis of esters, has shown a second-order rate constant of 0.13 +/- 0.01 M(-1) s(-1) in 10% (v/v) CH(3)CN at 25 degrees C in 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NA) hydrolysis, which is almost the same as the corresponding value for the very reactive alcohol-dependent [12]aneN(3)-Zn complex. Present work shows for the first time that Zn(II) complexes of the asymmetric tripodal polyamine bearing an ethoxyl pod can also serve as good models of Zn(II)-containing enzymes.

Chelating Agents↗

Autocrine cell suicide in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line (Daudi) induced by interferon alpha: involvement of tumor necrosis factor as ligand for the CD95 receptor.

The CD95 receptor, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, mediates signals for cell death on specific ligand or antibody engagement. It was hypothesized that interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) induces apoptosis through activation of the CD95-mediated pathway and that CD95 and ligands of the death domain may belong to the group of IFN-stimulated genes. Therefore, the effect of IFN-alpha on CD95-CD95L expression, on the release of TNF-alpha, and on TNF receptor 1 expression in an IFN-sensitive human Burkitt lymphoma cell line (Daudi) was investigated. After 5 days' incubation, apoptosis in 81% of IFN-alpha-treated Daudi cells was preceded by a release of TNF-alpha and an induction of CD95 receptor expression. Although supernatants of IFN-treated Daudi cells induced apoptosis of CD95-sensitive Jurkat cells, CD95L was undetectable on protein or on messenger RNA levels, and the weak initial expression of TNF receptor 1 increased only slightly during IFN treatment. Surprisingly, binding of TNF-alpha to CD95 was observed and confirmed by 3 different techniques-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using immobilized CD95:Fc-immunoglobulin G, immunoprecipitation assay using CD95 receptor precipitates of Daudi cells, and binding of sodium iodide 125-TNF-alpha to Daudi cells, which was strongly stimulated by IFN-alpha and inhibited by CD95L, CD95:Fc, unlabeled TNF-alpha, and anti-TNF-alpha antibody. Preincubation of Daudi cells with antagonists of the CD95-mediated pathway resulted in an inhibition of IFN-alpha-mediated cell death. The present investigation shows that IFN-alpha induces autocrine cell suicide of Daudi cells by a cross-talk between the CD95 receptor and TNF-alpha. The CD95 receptor can be considered a third TNF receptor, in addition to p55 and p75.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Detection of widespread fluids in the Tibetan crust by magnetotelluric studies.

Magnetotelluric exploration has shown that the middle and lower crust is anomalously conductive across most of the north-to-south width of the Tibetan plateau. The integrated conductivity (conductance) of the Tibetan crust ranges from 3000 to greater than 20,000 siemens. In contrast, stable continental regions typically exhibit conductances from 20 to 1000 siemens, averaging 100 siemens. Such pervasively high conductance suggests that partial melt and/or aqueous fluids are widespread within the Tibetan crust. In southern Tibet, the high-conductivity layer is at a depth of 15 to 20 kilometers and is probably due to partial melt and aqueous fluids in the crust. In northern Tibet, the conductive layer is at 30 to 40 kilometers and is due to partial melting. Zones of fluid may represent weaker areas that could accommodate deformation and lower crustal flow.

Journal Article↗

FTIR study of horseradish peroxidase in reverse micelles.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method was used to study the secondary structures of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in aqueous solution and in reverse micelles for the first time. Results indicated that the structure of HRP in sodium bis(2-ethylhexy)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles was close to that in aqueous solution. In cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecylfate (SDS) reverse micelles the position of some bands changed. Results indicated that the secondary structure had a close relationship with the surfactant species of the reverse micelles. Among the three types of reverse micelles, the system of AOT reverse micelles was probably the most beneficial reaction media to HRP.

Deuterium Oxide↗

Effects of azelastine on contractility, action potentials and L-type Ca(2+) current in guinea pig cardiac preparations.

Azelastine is used for symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis and asthma bronchiale. In vitro studies in smooth muscle cells from guinea pig trachea and ileum demonstrate that the drug blocks L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca, L)). However, for safety reasons, it is important to know whether azelastine also affects cardiac I(Ca, L) in therapeutically relevant concentrations. We have therefore studied the effects of azelastine on I(Ca, L) in guinea pig ventricular myocytes using standard whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Force of contraction and action potentials from isolated papillary muscles of the same species were also investigated at physiological temperature (36 degrees C). Azelastine (30 microM) significantly reduced force of contraction, shortened action potential duration, and depressed maximum upstroke velocity. I(Ca, L) was elicited by 200-ms-long clamp steps from -100 to 0 mV (one pulse every 3 s). Azelastine blocked I(Ca, L) reversibly and concentration-dependently with an IC(50) of 20.2+/-1.3 microM and a Hill coefficient of 1.1. At 10 microM, azelastine shifted steady-state inactivation by 5 mV (n=7) to more negative potentials. The time course of I(Ca, L) inactivation could be described by a double exponential function. Azelastine (10 microM) significantly shortened the slow inactivation time constant (tau(s)) from 54.2+/-2.8 ms under control conditions to 38.7+/-2.9 ms (n=16) in the presence of drug. Azelastine also reduced low-voltage-activated Ca(2+) currents with a similar IC(50) value (24 microM, at -35 mV). Since the therapeutic plasma concentrations are in the order of 10-100 nM, we conclude that azelastine does indeed affect also cardiac I(Ca, L), but the concentrations required are at least two orders of magnitude larger than those obtained during drug therapy.

Action Potentials↗

Artifact-free matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectra of tert.-butyldimethylsilyl ether derivatives of cyclodextrins used for the synthesis of single-isomer, chiral resolving agents for capillary electrophoresis.

Artifact-free, high-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectra have been obtained for the labile, single-isomer, tert.-butyldimethylsilyl ether derivatives of alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins by optimizing the MALDI sample preparation method. 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid, a 3:1 mixture of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone were investigated as MALDI matrices with methanol and acetonitrile as matrix solvents. Partial-to-complete loss of the tert.-butyldimethylsilyl groups was observed when the commonly used 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was the MALDI matrix and/or methanol was the solvent, both with and without trifluoroacetic acid as additive. Loss of the labile tert.-butyldimethylsilyl groups was avoided with 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone as MALDI matrix and acetonitrile as matrix solvent. Good ion intensities were achieved for the (M+Na)+ and (M+K)+ quasimolecular ions in the positive-ion mode. Minor byproducts were observed in some of the samples and the information was used to aid the optimization of the synthetic work.

Artifacts↗

Thrombin regulates vascular smooth muscle cell growth and heat shock proteins via the JAK-STAT pathway.

The growth-stimulating effects of thrombin are mediated primarily via activation of a G protein-coupled receptor, PAR-1. Because PAR-1 has no intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, yet requires tyrosine phosphorylation events to induce mitogenesis, we investigated the role of the Janus tyrosine kinases (JAKs) in thrombin-mediated signaling. JAK2 was activated rapidly in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) treated with thrombin, and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT1 and STAT3) were phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus in a JAK2-dependent manner. AG-490, a JAK2-specific inhibitor, and a dominant negative JAK2 mutant inhibited thrombin-induced ERK2 activity and VSMC proliferation suggesting that JAK2 is upstream of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. To elucidate the functional significance of JAK-STAT activation, we studied the effect of thrombin on heat shock protein (Hsp) expression, based upon the following: 1) reports that thrombin stimulates reactive oxygen species production in VSMC; 2) the putative role of Hsps in modulating cellular responses to reactive oxygen species; and 3) the presence of functional STAT1/3-binding sites in Hsp70 and Hsp90beta promoters. Indeed, thrombin up-regulated Hsp70 and Hsp90 protein expression via enhanced binding of STATs to cognate binding sites in the Hsp70 and Hsp90 promoters. Together, these results suggest that JAK-STAT pathway activation is necessary for thrombin-induced VSMC growth and Hsp gene expression.

Animals↗

Characterization of (123)I-vascular endothelial growth factor-binding sites expressed on human tumour cells: possible implication for tumour scintigraphy.

To explore the possibility of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor scintigraphy of primary tumours and their metastases, we analysed the binding properties of (123)I-labelled VEGF(165) ((123)I-VEGF(165)) and (123)I-VEGF(121) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), several human tumour cell lines (HMC-1, A431, KU812, U937, HEP-1, HEP-G2, HEP-3B and Raji), a variety of primary human tumours (n = 40) and some adjacent non-neoplastic tissues as well as normal human peripheral blood cells in vitro. Two classes of high-affinity (123)I-VEGF(165)-binding site were found on the cell surface of HUVECs. In contrast, one class of high-affinity binding sites for (123)I-VEGF(165) was found on HMC-1, A431, HEP-1, HEP-G2, HEP-3B and U937 cells as well as many primary tumours. For (123)I-VEGF(121), a single class of high-affinity binding site was found on certain cell lines (HUVEC, HEP-1 and HMC-1) and distinct primary tumours (primary melanomas, ductal breast cancers and ovarian carcinomas as well as meningiomas). Tumour cells expressed significantly higher numbers of VEGF receptors compared with normal peripheral blood cells and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the VEGF receptor Flk-1 is expressed to a much higher extent within malignant tissues compared with neighbouring non-neoplastic cells. We observed significantly greater specific binding of (123)I-VEGF(165) and (123)I-VEGF(121) to a variety of human tumour cells/tissues compared with the corresponding normal tissues or normal peripheral blood cells. In comparison with (123)I-VEGF(121), (123)I-VEGF(165) bound to a higher number of different tumour cell types with a higher capacity. Thus, (123)I-VEGF(165) may be a potentially useful tracer for in vivo imaging of solid tumours.

Animals↗

A novel alternative approach for prediction of radiation response of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Accurate prediction of human tumor response to radiation therapy and concomitant chemoradiation would be an important tool to assist the physician in making recommendations for tumor treatment. Most of the studies that define the molecular markers for prediction of radiation response are based on the observation of gene expression using immunostaining, Northern blot, or Western blot analysis of a single or several genes. The results vary among different studies, and some results are contradictory. However, the studies agree that the change in expression of the tumor-related gene affects the radiation response. In this study, we explored a novel approach to predict the radiation response of human tumor using Atlas human cancer 1.2 cDNA array to analyze the expression profile of 1187 tumor-related genes in radiation-resistant and radiation-sensitive tissues. Sixty tumor-related genes were selected as predictors of radiation response of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Using the expression intensity of these 60 tumor-related genes, in combination with cluster analysis, we successfully predicted the radiation identity of two tumor samples.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

The amino-terminal heptad repeats of the coiled-coil neck domain of pulmonary surfactant protein d are necessary for the assembly of trimeric subunits and dodecamers.

Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D), a lung host defense protein, is assembled as multimers of trimeric subunits. Trimerization of SP-D monomers is required for high affinity saccharide binding, and the oligomerization of trimers is required for many of its functions. A peptide containing the alpha-helical neck region can spontaneously trimerize in vitro. However, it is not known whether this sequence is necessary for the complete cellular assembly of disulfide-cross-linked, trimeric subunits and dodecamers. For the present studies, we synthesized mutant cDNAs with deletions or site-directed substitutions in the neck domain of rat SP-D, and examined the assembly of the newly synthesized proteins after transfection of CHO-K1 cells. The neck domain contains three "classical" heptad repeat motifs with leucine residues at the "d position," and a distinctive C-terminal repeat previously suggested to drive trimeric chain association. Deletion of the highly conserved core of the latter repeat (FSRYLKK) did not interfere with the secretion of dodecamers with lectin activity. By contrast, deletion of the entire neck domain or deletion of one or two amino-terminal repeats resulted in defective molecular assembly. The secreted proteins eluted in the position of monomers by gel filtration under nondenaturing conditions. In addition, the neck + carbohydrate recognition domain of SP-D was necessary and sufficient for the trimerization of a heterologous collagen sequence located amino-terminal to the trimeric coiled-coil. These studies provide strong evidence that the amino-terminal heptad repeats of the neck domain are necessary for the intracellular, trimeric association of SP-D monomers and for the assembly and secretion of functional dodecamers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tecto-isthmo-optic transmission in pigeons is mediated by glutamate and nitric oxide.

The isthmo-optic nucleus of the centrifugal system in birds receives primarily input from the ipsilateral tectum and projects to the contralateral retina. The present study using brain slices and microiontophoresis shows that synaptic transmission from the tectum to the centrifugal nucleus in pigeons is excitatory. About 75% of tecto-isthmo-optic fibers are glutamatergic, mediated by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid but not N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptors, and 25% of others may use nitric oxide as a transmitter or modulator. On the other hand, about 60% of isthmo-optic cells receive glutamatergic afferents, 20% receive nitric oxidergic afferents, and 20% of others receive both glutamatergic and nitric oxidergic afferents from the tectum. In the last group, it is more likely that both glutamate and nitric oxide may co-release from the same tecto-isthmo-optic terminals. All the isthmo-optic cells examined in the present study also receive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic afferents via GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors probably from some extratectal structures.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Induction of myeloproliferative disease in mice by tyrosine kinase fusion oncogenes does not require granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor or interleukin-3.

Tyrosine kinase fusion oncogenes that occur as a result of chromosomal translocations have been shown to activate proliferative and antiapoptotic pathways in leukemic cells, but the importance of autocrine and paracrine expression of hematopoietic cytokines in leukemia pathogenesis is not understood. Evidence that leukemic transformation may be, at least in part, cytokine dependent includes data from primary human leukemia cells, cell culture experiments, and murine models of leukemia. This report demonstrates that interleukin (IL)-3 plasma levels are elevated in myeloproliferative disease (MPD) caused by the TEL/tyrosine kinase fusions TEL/platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor (PDGFbetaR), TEL/Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and TEL/neurotrophin-3 receptor (TRKC). Plasma granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels were elevated by TEL/PDGFbetaR and TEL/JAK2. However, all of the fusions tested efficiently induced MPD in mice genetically deficient for both GM-CSF and IL-3, demonstrating that these cytokines are not necessary for the development of disease in this model system. Furthermore, in experiments using normal marrow transduced with TEL/PDGFbetaR retrovirus mixed with marrow transduced with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) retrovirus, the MPD induced in these mice demonstrated minimal stimulation of normal myelopoiesis by the TEL/PDGFbetaR-expressing cells. In contrast, recipients of mixed GM-CSF-transduced and EGFP-transduced marrow exhibited significant paracrine expansion of EGFP-expressing cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that, although cytokine levels are elevated in murine bone marrow transplant models of leukemia using tyrosine kinase fusion oncogenes, GM-CSF and IL-3 are not required for myeloproliferation by any of the oncogenes tested.

Animals↗

Interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor are not required for induction of chronic myeloid leukemia-like myeloproliferative disease in mice by BCR/ABL.

Primitive hematopoietic progenitors from some patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) express aberrant transcripts for interleukin 3 (IL-3) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and exhibit autonomous proliferation in serum-free cultures that is inhibited by anti-IL-3 and anti-IL-3 receptor antibodies. Expression of the product of the Ph chromosome, the BCR/ABL oncogene, in mice by retroviral bone marrow transduction and transplantation induces CML-like leukemia, and some leukemic mice have increased circulating IL-3, and perhaps granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). These observations raise the possibility of autocrine or paracrine cytokine production in the pathogenesis of human CML. Mice with homozygous inactivation of the Il-3 gene, the Gm-csf gene, or both, were used to test the requirement for these cytokines for induction of CML-like disease by BCR/ABL. Neither IL-3 nor GM-CSF was required in donor, recipient, or both for induction of CML-like leukemia by p210 BCR/ABL. Use of novel mice deficient in both IL-3 and GM-CSF demonstrated that the lack of effect on leukemogenesis was not due to redundancy between these hematopoietic growth factors. Analysis of cytokine levels in leukemic mice where either donor or recipient was Il-3(-/-) indicated that the increased IL-3 originated from the recipient, suggestive of a host reaction to the disease. These results demonstrate that IL-3 and GM-CSF are not required for BCR/ABL-induced CML-like leukemia in mice and suggest that autocrine production of IL-3 does not play a role in established chronic phase CML in humans.

Animals↗

The effect of ethanol on the phase transition temperature and the phase structure of monounsaturated phosphatidylcholines.

Previous studies from our laboratories have delineated the relationship between the acyl chain asymmetry of mixed-chain phosphatidylcholines, C(X):C(Y)PC, and the effect of ethanol concentration, [EtOH], on the main phase transition temperature, T(m), and the phase structure of the lipid bilayer composed of C(X):C(Y)PC using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction techniques [Huang and McIntosh, Biophys. J. 72 (1997) 2702--2709]. In the present work, we have extended these studies to characterize the effect of [EtOH] on the T(m) and the phase structure of the lipid bilayer composed of sn-1 saturated/sn-2 monounsaturated phosphatidylcholines with various positions of the cis double bond. Specifically, five positional isomers of 1-eicosanoyl-2-eicosenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines, C(20):C(20:1 Delta(n))PC with n=5, 8, 11, 13 and 17, were synthesized and studied. For C(20):C(20:1 Delta(n))PC with n=5 and 8, results from the calorimetric experiments showed that in response to various concentrations of ethanol, the change in T(m) of the lipid bilayer composed of monounsaturated lipids was characterized by a sigmoidal or biphasic profile in the plot of T(m) versus [EtOH]. In contrast, a continuous depression of the T(m) by ethanol was observed calorimetrically for C(20):C(20:1 Delta(n))PC with n> or =11. The X-ray diffraction experiments further demonstrated that C(20):C(20:1 Delta(5))PC and C(20):C(20:1 Delta(8))PC can undergo the ethanol-induced gel-to-fully interdigitated phase transition at T<T(m). Such a transition, however, was not observed for C(20):C(20:1 Delta(13))PC even at a very high ethanol concentration of 100 mg/ml. These distinct different effects of [EtOH] on the phase transition temperature and the phase structure can be attributed to various positions of the cis double bond in these monounsaturated phosphatidylcholines. And the different effects of ethanol can, in fact, be explained based on the molecular structures of these monounsaturated lipids packed in the gel-state bilayer as generated by molecular mechanics simulations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the ethanol-induced fully interdigitated bilayers are observed at T<T(m) for unsaturated phospholipids with well defined double bond positions in their sn-2 acyl chains.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗