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Biomedical subjects

S Yang

Publications and source records attributed to S Yang.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha identifies a dominant antiproliferative role for this isoform in hepatocytes.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) isoforms are thought to be important regulators of the hepatocyte phenotype. However, the specific physiological roles of different isoforms are poorly understood because hepatocytes express multiple C/EBPs, and various isoforms have overlapping functions. To identify the functions of C/EBPalpha in mature hepatocytes, replication-defective adenovirus vectors were used to efficiently and homogeneously overexpress the mouse C/EBPalpha gene in a SV40 virus-conditionally transformed rat hepatocyte line that can be induced to express C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta but that has little endogenous C/EBPalpha expression. Hepatocytes were infected with a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying the cDNA for C/EBPalpha driven by Rous sarcoma virus promoter elements (AdCEBPalpha) or a similar vector carrying the Escherichia coli lacZ gene (Adbetagal). Staining for beta-galactosidase demonstrated an infection efficiency of 100% at a multiplicity of infection of 25 plaque-forming units/cell and persistence of foreign gene expression for at least 9 days. Cultures infected with AdCEBPalpha had 50-fold higher levels of C/EBPalpha mRNA and protein than those infected with Ad-beta-gal, but similar expression of C/EBP-beta. Infection with AdCEBPalpha inhibited proliferation in cells expressing little C/EBPbeta, even when proliferation was driven by the SV40 transforming antigen, and also blunted mitogenic induction of the c-myc proto-oncogene in nontransformed cells with high levels of C/EBPbeta. Although overexpression of C/EBPalpha consistently increased C/EBPalpha DNA binding activity, it was not sufficient for albumin expression. Infection with AdCEBPalpha only increased albumin mRNA levels in nontransformed cells that also expressed relatively high levels of C/EBPbeta. Thus, in hepatocytes, C/EBPalpha has a dominant antiproliferative function, but must interact with other factors to regulate hepatocyte-specific gene expression.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1996

Quantitative structure-activity relationships studies with micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Influence of surfactant type and mixed micelles on estimation of hydrophobicity and bioavailability.

Applications of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) in quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) were studied. First, quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRR), which describe the correlation between logarithm of capacity factor (log k') in MEKC and logarithm of distribution coefficient between 1-octanol and water (log P(ow)), were investigated for 60 aromatic compounds and 9 corticosteroids using three different anionic surfactants [e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium cholate (SC), and lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate (LiPFOS)], one cationic surfactant (C14TAB), and mixed anionic micellar systems. Linear solvation energy relationships (LSER) and solvatochromic parameters were used to shed light on the different log k' vs. log P(ow) relationships of the various surfactants. It was concluded that hydrogen bonding interactions have a great influence on retention behavior in MEKC and its relationships with hydrophobicity. Interestingly, bile salt surfactants (e.g., SC) and mixed bile salt micellar systems provide better correlations for log k' vs. log P(ow) than SDS and/or SDS with buffer additives (e.g., beta-cyclodextrin, urea, and acetonitrile). Using SC micelles, only one line was adequate to describe the relationship between retention in MEKC and hydrophobicity for a group of 60 aromatic compounds. The existence of higher correlation for the SC system was attributed to a similar hydrogen bonding pattern between SC micelles and 1-octanol. In the SDS system, however, three lines were recognized for the congeneric subgroups of compounds. This is due to the hydrogen bond door (HBD) characteristic of SDS micelles that selectively differentiate between the solutes with different hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) strength, thus demonstrating that retention is not solely based on hydrophobicity. A similar result was observed for a C14TAB-MEKC system, however, the HBA characteristic of C14TAB selectively differentiates between the solutes with different HBD strength. In addition, quantitative retention-activity relationships in MEKC were also investigated for 9 corticosteroids. Two types of biological activities [small intestinal absorption in the rat (log A/NA) and protein binding to human serum albumin (log B/F) were examined in this work. High correlations were observed between bioactivity and log k' in MEKC using bile salt surfactants and mixed bile salt systems.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1996

Growth hormone treatment of hypophysectomized rats increases catecholamine-induced lipolysis and the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in adipocytes: no differences in the effects of growth hormone on different fat depots.

Growth hormone (GH) has a lipolytic effect in adipose tissue but this effect may differ in adipose tissue from various fat depots. This latter possibility was investigated in the present study, in which the effects of GH in vivo on catecholamine-induced lipolysis and the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in isolated adipocytes from different fat depots of hypophysectomized rats were investigated. Female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were hypophysectomized or sham-operated at 45 days of age. One week after the operation, hormonal replacement therapy with L-thyroxine and hydrocortisone acetate was given. In addition, groups of rats were treated with GH (1.33 mg/kg per day, given as two daily subcutaneous injections). After 1 week of hormonal treatment, adipocytes were isolated from the parametrial, epididymal and inguinal fat pads, and glycerol release after catecholamine-stimulation and 125I-cyanopindolol binding were measured. Hypophysectomy resulted in a marked decrease in the lipolytic response to catecholamines. GH treatment significantly increased catecholamine-induced lipolysis with similar effects in adipocytes from parametrial or epididymal and inguinal fat depots in both female and male rats. There were no differences between norepinephrine compared with isoproterenol-induced responses. 125I-cyanopindolol binding was reduced after hypophysectomy and normalized by GH treatment, without differences between parametrial and inguinal adipose tissue regions. We conclude that the lipolytic effects of GH in the rat may partly be mediated by a stimulatory effect on beta-adrenergic receptors in adipocytes. In addition, GH exerted similar effect on catecholamine induced lipolysis and beta-adrenergic receptors in adipocytes from parametrial, epididymal and inguinal fat depots.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1996

Sexual partner preference in female zebra finches: the role of early hormones and social environment.

This experiment investigated the effects of early estrogen treatment and sex composition of the social environment on sexual partner preference in female zebra finches, a pair-bonding socially monogamous species. Birds were injected daily with estradiol benzoate (EB) or the steroid vehicle for the first 2 weeks posthatch and then lived in either a unisex (all-female) or a mixed sex group from 40 to 100 days. After 100 days birds were implanted with testosterone propionate and given three kinds of tests: tests with a stimulus female, two-choice mate preference tests with male and female stimuli, and colony tests to assess pairing preference in a more naturalistic context. Both EB and unisex housing independently resulted in a preference for females (masculinized preference) in the two-choice tests, but only females with both EB treatment and unisex living were more likely to pair with females in the colony tests. Sexual partner preference, a key sexually dimorphic component of mate choice, appears to be organized by sex steroids in this pair-bonding species, but in a manner that may be mediated by the social environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and characterization of an IGF-1 isoform expressed in skeletal muscle subjected to stretch.

To ascertain if IGF-1 is a regulator of local muscle growth, total RNA was extracted from rabbit muscle induced to undergo rapid hypertrophy using active stretch and from control muscles. This was analysed by Northern hybridization with a 280 base pair probe containing sequences derived from exons 3 and 4 of the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene. Two types of insulin-like growth factor 1 mRNA were shown to be strong expressed in the stretched muscles. In situ hybridization using the same probe (280 base pair) showed that IGF-1 is strongly expressed in muscle that is induced to grow rapidly and is expressed in the muscle fibres themselves. Using RT-PCR a single insulin-like growth factor 1 isoform cDNA (IGF-1Ea) could be cloned from the normal resting muscles. However, an additional isoform of insulin-like growth factor 1 (insulin-like growth factor 1Eb) was found to be expressed in stretched muscle undergoing hypertrophy. The E domain sequence of the additional isoform differs from the liver insulin-like growth factor 1Ea by the presence a 52 base pair insert. This changes the reading frame of the derived carboxyl-terminal resulting in a different precursor insulin-like growth factor 1 isoform. This insulin-like growth factor 1 mRNA probably encodes the precursor insulin-like growth factor 1 isoform that is responsible for local muscle growth regulation in response to mechanical stimulation. To confirm that alternative splicing of the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene occurs in muscle in response to physical activity, oligonucleotide primers were made which specifically amplify the cDNAs of two isoforms (insulin-like growth factors 1Ea and Eb) in the human as well as the rabbit. Following altered physical activity for 2 h to 6 days, appreciable levels of insulin-like growth factor 1Eb (in human the Ec) isoform were detected in skeletal muscle by using RT-PCR. In contrast very little if any of this splice variant could be detected in control muscle not subjected to stretch or extra physical activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Hemodynamic and metabolic effects of terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis receiving a nonselective beta-blocker.

Terlipressin (Glypressin), a vasopressin analog, may be administered to patients with cirrhosis receiving a beta-adrenergic antagonist. Since terlipressin alone and beta-blockers alone both decrease portal pressure, a combination of these substances may have additional portal hypotensive effects. However, the negative side effects of terlipressin may be accentuated by long-term beta-blockade. Thus, the present study examined hemodynamic and metabolic responses to terlipressin in 12 patients receiving nonselective beta-blockers (propranolol or nadolol). Hemodynamics and oxygen (O2) -derived variables were measured prior to and 30 min after the administration (intravenous bolus) of terlipressin (1 to 2 mg, according to body weight). The hepatic venous pressure gradient and azygos blood flow significantly decreased (from 15.3 +/- 1.1 to 12.5 +/- 1.1 mm Hg, and from 0.6 +/- 0.1 to 0.5 +/- 0.1 liters/min, respectively). Arterial and pulmonary wedged pressures significantly increased. Heart rate, cardiac index, and O2 consumption were not significantly affected by terlipressin. In conclusion, in patients with cirrhosis being treated with a nonselective beta-blocker, terlipressin administration decreased portal pressure. Moreover, terlipressin induced only mild systemic hemodynamic effects in these patients. These results suggest that terlipressin can be administered in patients receiving a beta-adrenergic blocker.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1996

Partial purification of smooth muscle cell derived growth factor.

The serum free medium conditioned by cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells was partially purified using ultrafiltration and heparin affinity chromatography. Incorporation of [3H]-thymidine (3H-TdR) into cell DNA was used to measure the mitogenic activity of the fractions from chromatography for NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. The molecular weight and the iso-electric point of these fractions were determined by NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and iso-electric focusing, respectively. The results showed that the protein eluted in 1.0-1.6 mol/L NaCl from the heparin-Sepharose was mitogenic for 3T3 cells, and this protein had a molecular weight of 22.8-26.7 ku and an iso-electric point of about 4.6. The fact that the above-mentioned biochemical properties differed from that of PDGF, IGF and FGF suggests that this mitogenic protein may be a separate growth factor.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

Construction of eukaryotic expression vector pBlacz and its expression both in vitro and in vivo.

A novel eukaryotic expression vector pBlacZ was constructed, which was transfected into the cell lines of NIH/3T3, COS-1, CHO and the primary culture of murine dermatic fibroblasts in vitro, and also into the murine subcutaneous layer and skeletal muscles of rats in vivo. It was detected that the gene expression vector could encode the E. Coli beta-galactosidase effectively in all these histocytes. The results suggested that pBlacZ, as a novel expression vector, might have certain value of application.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

Epiphyseal lengthening operation--an improved technique.

An improved method of epiphyseal lengthening operation and subsequent outer fixation are presented on the basis of experience in 30 cases. The operative technique is described in detail, including the different options of separative traction and osteotomy at subtrochanteric, distal part of the upper femur and lower tibial levels. The physiological and histological research concerning this method is discussed. The authors believe that this procedure is better than the other methods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Age-related functional field losses are not eccentricity dependent.

Previous studies have found an increase in peripheral target localization errors in normally sighted older adults. These results have been interpreted as indicative of a constriction of the "useful field of view". In the present study, we parametrically manipulated masking, distractors and stimulus luminance and examined the relationships between peripheral target localization and age. We found that backward masking and/or flashed distractors increased error rates. This decrement in performance was larger for more peripherally located targets and largest for the older subjects at all stimulus locations. Stimulus luminance (either 2 or 78 cd/m2) had no effect on peripheral localization performance at any age. We also demonstrated that all subjects, regardless of age, had higher localization error rates to more peripherally located targets. In older subjects, error rates increased equally at all eccentricities; that is, there was an eccentricity independent increase in the number of target localization errors as a function of age. This finding does not support the interpretation of a selective constriction of the functional visual field in older subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Infectivity of preserved Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for immunosuppressed adult mice.

The present study was undertaken to determine the infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for immunosuppressed adult C57BL/6N mice after the oocysts had been stored from 1-48 months at 4 degrees C in 2.5% potassium dichromate. All mice inoculated with oocysts 1-18 months old developed patent infections, while mice inoculated with older oocysts remained uninfected. The prepatent period was extended from 2 to 6 or 7 days as the storage time for oocysts increased. The finding that C. parvum oocysts remain infective for mice for at least 18 months offers important economic and time-saving advantages for investigators who frequently require large numbers of oocysts that must be painstakingly purified from calf manure.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Functions of the M-CSF receptor on osteoclasts.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor has been previously reported to be present in osteoclasts both at mRNA and protein levels. However, the biochemical interactions between M-CSF and its receptor on osteoclasts are less well characterized than in mononuclear phagocytes. In this study, we show that (1) 125I-labeled M-CSF ligand specifically binds to the M-CSF receptor on osteoclasts by autoradiography; (2) binding of M-CSF to the receptor stimulates protein tyrosine phosphorylation in osteoclasts by immunostaining; (3) oxygen-derived free radicals produced by calvarial osteoclasts are increased by M-CSF stimulation (1.37 +/- 0.08, n = 10, P < 0.01); and (4) bone resorption in calvarial explants is enhanced by M-CSF (1.153 +/- 0.09, n = 10, p < 0.001). Thus, our data provide multiple lines of evidences that mouse calvarial osteoclasts are activated by M-CSF. These data suggest that under the conditions present in the calvarial model, M-CSF activates osteoclastic bone resorption.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Recognition of ovine lentivirus gag gene products by serum from infected sheep.

In order to localize the immunodominant regions, 12 ovine lentivirus (OLV) gag-coding gene fragments were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and then tested in a Western blot (WB) assay against a panel of sera collected from US and Italian OLV-infected sheep. The most immunoreactive regions were mapped to the amino-terminal of p25 and carboxyl-terminal of p14. In addition, we found that the reactivity pattern between US and Italian sheep was very similar, suggesting the antigenic domain between US and Italian isolates in the gag gene structures could be conserved. Given the broad immunoreactivity of the amino-terminal of p25, this region could serve as an ideal diagnostic antigen for the serological identification of OLV-infected sheep.

Animals↗