Cusp relations for local strongly decaying properties in electronic systems.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
S Liu
Publications and source records attributed to S Liu.
Some identities in density-functional theory.
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Journal Article↗
Small-signal analysis of coherent multimode coupling and optical guiding in a Raman free-electron laser.
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Journal Article↗
Occurrence of arginine deiminase pathway enzymes in arginine catabolism by wine lactic Acid bacteria.
l-Arginine, an amino acid found in significant quantities in grape juice and wine, is known to be catabolized by some wine lactic acid bacteria. The correlation between the occurrence of arginine deiminase pathway enzymes and the ability to catabolize arginine was examined in this study. The activities of the three arginine deiminase pathway enzymes, arginine deiminase, ornithine transcarbamylase, and carbamate kinase, were measured in cell extracts of 35 strains of wine lactic acid bacteria. These enzymes were present in all heterofermentative lactobacilli and most leuconostocs but were absent in all the homofermentative lactobacilli and pediococci examined. There was a good correlation among arginine degradation, formation of ammonia and citrulline, and the occurrence of arginine deiminase pathway enzymes. Urea was not detected during arginine degradation, suggesting that the catabolism of arginine did not proceed via the arginase-catalyzed reaction, as has been suggested in some earlier studies. Detection of ammonia with Nessler's reagent was shown to be a simple, rapid test to assess the ability of wine lactic acid bacteria to degrade arginine, although in media containing relatively high concentrations (>0.5%) of fructose, ammonia formation is inhibited.
Journal Article↗
Communication of mammography results to women by radiologists: attitudes of referring health care providers.
PURPOSE: To understand the attitudes of referring physicians about the communication of mammography results directly to women by radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to 87 health care providers (85 physicians and two nurse practitioners) who regularly refer women to the authors' mammographic facility. Responses were answered by assigning a score of 1-5 (strongly agree to strongly disagree). RESULTS: Seventy-one (82%) referring providers responded to the survey. For normal results, 85% agreed that radiologists should report directly to women; for abnormal results, 58% agreed. For a radiologist to send a written report directly to women, 75% agreed for normal results and 73% for abnormal results. For follow-up reminders, 67% agreed the radiologist should do it, 25% agreed both the radiologist and referring physician should be both responsible, and 8% agreed the referring physician should do it. CONCLUSION: Referring physicians were receptive to the direct communication of mammography results to women by radiologists. Use of this type of survey is recommended for radiologists planning to change their communication protocols.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
G protein-mediated suppression of L-type Ca2+ current by interleukin-1 beta in cultured rat ventricular myocytes.
The effect and possible signal transduction pathway of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) on the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) in cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes were examined using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. When myocytes were internally dialyzed with a solution containing GTP, IL-1 beta caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the peak ICa,L (Ba2+ as the charge carrier). IL-1 beta did not significantly alter the voltage dependence of the peak ICa,L nor the steady-state inactivation and activation, but did slightly slow the rate of inactivation. In myocytes dialyzed with solutions without GTP or including guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) to replace GTP, IL-1 beta had no effect on ICa,L. In contrast, when guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) was used to replace GTP, the suppression of ICa,L induced by IL-1 beta remained. Preincubation of myocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX), which completely abolished the acetylcholine effect on isoproterenol-stimulated ICa,L, had no effect on the inhibitory action of IL-1 beta on ICa,L. We conclude that in cultured rat ventricular myocytes, IL-1 beta suppresses ICa,L via a PTX-insensitive G protein.
Animals↗
Tetramethylammonium is a muscarinic agonist in rat heart.
Studies were designed to determine if tetramethylammonium (TMA), a quaternary amine that structurally resembles the cationic portion of acetylcholine, can affect cardiac function by acting on muscarinic receptors. Experiments examined effects of this cation on 1) the spontaneous beating rate of right atrial preparations isolated from rats, 2) force of contraction in isoproterenol-treated (0.1 microM) rat papillary muscle, and 3) quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binding to rat ventricular membranes. TMA elicited concentration-dependent (0.5-50 mM) negative chronotropic and negative inotropic actions that were antagonized by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. Radioligand studies showed that TMA acts as both a competitive and noncompetitive antagonist of [3H]QNB binding; the apparent dissociation constant for [3H]QNB was increased (0.092 +/- 0.025 nM in the absence of TMA; 1.14 +/- 0.204 nM in the presence of 50 mM TMA), whereas binding site density was decreased (148 +/- 26 and 65 +/- 4 fmol/mg in the absence and presence of 50 mM TMA, respectively). These results suggest that extracellular TMA can alter the function of rat heart by stimulating muscarinic receptors. This action should be considered when using this quaternary amine as a cation substitute.
Animals↗
In vivo treatment with endotoxin induces nitric oxide synthase in rat main pulmonary artery.
Our aim was to demonstrate increased NO activity from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in pulmonary arteries (PA) from rats treated with endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 20 mg/kg ip]. LPS treatment diminished the contractile response of PA to potassium chloride (KCl) and phenylephrine (PE) and increased levels of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in endothelium-denuded vessels. Both the NO synthase (NOS) antagonists NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; nonselective) and aminoguanidine (selective for iNOS) enhanced PE-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded vessels from LPS-treated rats. Furthermore, L-NMMA-induced contraction of endothelium-denuded vessels from LPS-treated rats was stereospecifically antagonized by L-arginine and associated with decreased cGMP levels. These data suggest that NO is produced in increased amounts from PA smooth muscle after LPS treatment. LPS treatment caused increased expression of mRNA for iNOS in PA. This effect of LPS was attenuated by pretreatment with dexamethasone, suggesting that induction of NOS in PA smooth muscle underlies the increased NO activity associated with LPS administration.
Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
Parallel insulin-like growth factor I and insulin resistance in muscles of rats fed a high fat diet.
The possibility of a similarity between insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin resistance in epitrochlearis muscles of rats fed a high fat diet [20% (wt/wt) fat] vs. a low fat diet [5% (wt/wt) fat] was investigated. Half-maximally and maximally effective concentrations of IGF-I- and insulin-stimulated 3-O-methyl-glucose transport were 2.32 and 25 nM, respectively, for IGF-I, compared with 0.79 and 20 nM for insulin. The high fat diet reduced both responsiveness and sensitivity of IGF-I-stimulated 3-O-methyl-glucose transport in parallel with the impaired insulin-stimulated 3-O-methyl-glucose transport. IGF-I binding at 2.5 nM to incubated epitrochlearis muscle was also decreased by the high fat diet (P < 0.05). Thus, the high fat diet caused simultaneous IGF-I and insulin resistance in rat skeletal muscle. The IGF-I resistance induced by feeding the high fat diet seems at least partially due to a reduction in IGF-I binding.
3-O-Methylglucose↗
Ligand-stimulated beta 2-adrenergic receptor internalization via the constitutive endocytic pathway into rab5-containing endosomes.
The small GTPase rab5 appears to be rate-limiting for the constitutive internalization of transferrin receptor and for fluid-phase endocytosis. However, it is unknown whether rab5 regulates receptors whose internalization is stimulated by the binding of ligand, and whether such receptors change the underlying rate of the endocytic pathways they utilize. As a model for ligand-stimulated endocytosis, we used transfected HEK293 cells expressing high levels of an epitope-tagged human beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Nearly all receptors were on the cell surface in the absence of agonist, but within ten minutes of agonist addition > 50% of receptors internalized and colocalized extensively with rab5. Hypertonic sucrose blocked beta 2-adrenergic receptor internalization, as well as that of transferrin receptor, suggesting a clathrin-mediated process. In contrast, an inhibitor of potocytosis had little effect upon beta 2-adrenergic receptor internalization, suggesting that this process did not require active caveolae. Consistent with this finding, caveolin was not detectable in the 12 beta 6 line, as assessed by western blotting with a polyclonal anti-caveolin antibody. Stimulated receptor internalization did not affect the rate or capacity of the constitutive endocytic pathway since there was no detectable increase in fluid-phase endocytosis after addition of beta-agonist, nor was there a significant change in the amount of surface transferrin receptor. Altogether, these data suggest that beta 2-adrenergic receptors internalize by a clathrin-mediated and rab5-regulated constitutive endocytic pathway. Further, agonist-stimulated receptor internalization has no detectable effect upon the function of this pathway.
Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists↗
The effectiveness of insecticide-impregnated bed nets in reducing cases of malaria infection: a meta-analysis of published results.
The use of insecticide-impregnated bed nets to minimize human-vector contact may reduce the incidence of malaria. Consequently, several field trials have evaluated their effectiveness as a malaria prevention strategy. A meta-analysis of published reports of field trials that measured the incidence of infections was performed to provide a measure of the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets in preventing clinical malaria. Subsetted analyses were performed on the 10 field trials to calculate pooled incidence rate ratios of infection among the study groups. For the studies comparing insecticide-impregnated bed nets with untreated bed nets, the summary incidence rate ratio for acquiring malarial infections was 0.757 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.612-0.938), representing a reduction of 24%. For the studies comparing permethrin-impregnated bed nets with controls without bed nets, the summary incidence rate ratio was 0.497 (95% CI = 0.417-0.592) (Rothman-Boice heterogeneity statistics = 17.27 [P = 0.004] and 23.55 [P = 0.0003], respectively). These data suggest that insecticide-impregnated bed nets are effective in preventing malaria, decreasing the incidence rate ratio by approximately 50% in field trials performed to date.
Animals↗
[Danxi Xinfa and Zhu Danxi's correlated works].
Investigations are made on the study of serial works of Danxi Zhengzhi Xinfa carried out by later scholars. It is claimed that the background works of this is Jin Gui Gou Xuan. Danxi xinfa Benji being the Shanxi edition of Xinfa, while Chen Chong's Anhui edition of Danxi Xinfa is the representative works of Xin fa, Lu he's Danxi Zuanyao, Fang Guang's Danxi Xinfa Fuyu, Gao Zizheng's Danxi Xiansheng Zhi Fa Xin Yao also have their own uniqueness. Mai Yin Zheng Zhi and Danxi Shoujing are apocryp has of Huang Jizhi's Ben Cao Quan Du of the Ming Dynasty and should be, of course, excluded from the series.
China↗
[Isolation and identification of a pathogen of grasshoppers].
A pathogen was isolated from natural dead pests of Ceracris kiangsu in Geleshan farm of Chongqin. Its pathogenecity was confirmed by the law of KOCK. It was identified as Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes according to its physiological and biochemical properties as well as the G + C content of DNA (63.73mol%). The results of preliminary bioassay show that the pathogen can infect the grasshoppers and Ceracris kiangsu, and also can infect other pests of grassland in a certain extent.
Animals↗
[Study on adjuvant effect of Schistosoma japonicum iRNA].
The adjuvant effect of schistosome iRNA on the schistosome antigen was studied. The results by using ELISA showed that the antibody level in mice immunized with S iRNA + SWA was significantly higher than in those only immunized with S iRNA or SWA. After cercariae challenge infection, mice immunized with S iRNA + SWA or S iRNA had higher worm reduction rate. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups of mice in terms of worm reduction rate. These results suggested that the host humoral response can be enhanced by S iRNA and that the host immunity against S. japonicum failed to be enhanced by S iRNA.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Construction, expression and the characterization of t-PA mutants with increased plasma half-life and resistance to inhibition by PAI-1.
Three t-PA mutants, t-PA del K1 (with deletion of K1 domain), t-PA del (296-302) (with deletion of PAI-1 binding site) and their combination mutant t-PA del (K1, 296-302), were constructed by DNA recombination and site-directed mutagenesis techniques. Then the three t-PA mutants were transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, and in addition, the combination mutant t-PA del (K1, 296-302) was stably expressed in CHO cells. The biological analysis of the expression products demonstrated that t-PA del (296-302) and t-PA del (K1, 296-302) had obtained the resistance to inhibition by PAI-1. In addition, the half-life of t-PA del (K1, 296-302) in rat plasma was increased 6 fold while the mutant affinity for fibrin was only slightly affected. Therefore, it was reasonable to consider that the mutant t-PA del (K1, 296-302) may become a potent candidate of new thrombolytic agent.
Animals↗
[Observation on the development of Coelomomyces indica in Culex tritaeniorhynchus larvae].
The present paper reports the development of Coelomomyces indica in Culex tritaeniorhynchus larvae. Experimental observations indicated that the first instar of the mosquito larvae can be infected with fungus. The hyphal bodies developed and produced sporangia in the haemocoele of the mosquito larvae. The sporangia were released in water from the dead mosquito larvae. The development of mature sporangia with zoospores was in water at 34 degrees C within 8-12 hours. The zoospores released from the mature sporangia within 1/2-1 hour under optimal conditions were very active in water and their activities decreased after 1 hour. The zoospores act as the infective stage for the Cyclops (host).
Animals↗
Morphometric analysis of spinous cell in oral submucous fibrosis. Comparison with normal mucosa, leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma.
The morphometric analysis of the spinous cell in 16 specimens of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) was made by using interactive image analysis system (IBAS-II). 19 parameters of the size and shape were chosen, and compared with normal mucosa, leukoplakia, dysplasia and carcinoma. The results indicated that the cell dimensions (area, perimeter, all kinds of diameter) and nuclear cytoplasmic ratio in OSF were between normal mucosa and dysplasia as well as carcinoma. The former showed a progressive decrease (P < 0.01), and the latter showed a progressive increase (P < 0.01). The dimensions of the nuclei did not show considerable differences among the groups (P < 0.05). A series of discriminant functions had been developed with stepwise discriminant analysis, the agreement ratio for OSF was 93.75%. The decrease of cell area and the increase of nuclear cytoplasmic ratio could reflect a malignant progress. The cell morphometric model could discriminate OSF well from other groups, suggesting that the change of the epithelium in OSF appearing in the spinous cell is specific itself.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
Renal tubule cell repair following acute renal injury.
Experimental data suggests the recovery of renal function after ischemic or nephrotoxic acute renal failure is due to a replicative repair process dependent upon predominantly paracrine release of growth factors. These growth factors promote renal proximal tubule cell proliferation and a differentiation phase dependent on the interaction between tubule cells and basement membrane. These insights identify the molecular basis of renal repair and ischemic and nephrotoxic acute renal failure, and may lead to potential therapeutic modalities that accelerate renal repair and lessen the morbidity and mortality associated with these renal disease processes. In this regard, there is a prominent vasoconstrictor response of the renal vasculature during the postischemic period of developing acute renal failure. The intravenous administration of pharmacologic doses of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in the postischemic period have proven efficacious by altering renal vascular resistance, so that renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate improve. ANF also appears to protect renal tubular epithelial integrity and holds significant promise as a therapeutic agent in acute renal failure. Of equal or greater promise are the therapeutic interventions targeting the proliferative reparative zone during the postischemic period. The exogenous administration of epidermal growth factor or insulin-like growth factor-1 in the postischemic period have effectively decreased the degree of renal insufficiency as measured by the peak serum creatinine and has hastened renal recovery as measured by the duration of time required to return the baseline serum creatinine values. A similarly efficacious role for hepatocyte growth factor has also been recently demonstrated.
Acute Kidney Injury↗