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T Ma

Publications and source records attributed to T Ma.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Interleukin-6 increases the levels of cyclic GMP and nitrite in rat hippocampal slices.

We examined the effect of interleukin-6 on the levels of cGMP and nitrite in rat hippocampal slices. Interleukin-6 at 400 ng/ml time dependently increased the content of cGMP of slices after incubation for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h, and the effect of interleukin-6 was maximal at 2 h post-incubation. In addition, exposure of slices to interleukin-6 at 80, 400 and 2000 ng/ml or at 16, 80 and 400 ng/ml for 2 h significantly elevated the cGMP level and nitrite level, respectively, in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, 0.1 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine alone showed no effect on either the cGMP level or the nitrite level. However when incubated in conjunction with 400 ng/ml interleukin-6 for 2 h, NG-nitro-L-arginine apparently prevented the increase in cGMP and nitrite induced by 400 ng/ml interleukin-6. The present results show that NO mediates the increase in cGMP induced by interleukin-6 and suggest that interleukin-6 may exert an inducible effect on the NO synthase in hippocampal slices.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Color Doppler monitoring of changes of utero-placental-fetal circulation in normal pregnancy and intrauterine growth retardation.

The utero-placental-fetal circulation (UPFC) of 150 subjects during second and third trimester was examined by using color Doppler. Of them 89 were normal woman and 58 were patients with intrauterine growth retardation IUGR). Our results showed that UPFC was increased gradually during normal pregnant period. In IUGR patients it was revealed that TAV and Q of UmA, UmV and UtA decreased at 20th week of gestation, especially after 30th week. PI, RI and S/D ratio of UmA were increased, but TAV, Q of UmA and UmV were markly reduced, so was UtA. PI were increased, but the changes of RI, S/D ratio in UtA were not significant. Hemodynamical findings of UmA, UmV and UtA were abnormal in 92.53% of IUGR patients. Only 81.03% present abnormal S/D ratio of UmA (P < 0.01) and the difference was statistically significant. Maternal serum E3, HPL level in IUGR were significantly lower than that of the normal. 6KP level was reduced, TXB2/6KP ratio was significantly increased. TXB2/6KP ratio was markedly related with TAV, Q of UmA, UmV and UtA. Our results suggested that using color doppler ultrasound for examination of hemodynamical changes of UmA, UmV and UtA could revealed UPFC function directly. It is one of the best methods for monitoring IUGR and might be used for early diagnosis of IUGR. The main pathophysiological changes of IUGR were UPFC obstruction and placental disfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of chemical disinfectants on the surface characteristics and color of denture resins.

PURPOSE: Because dentures are disinfected repeatedly and for various amounts of time, it was of clinical interest to determine whether chemical disinfectants altered the surface texture or inherent color. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five chemical disinfectants (Clorox, Banicide, Cidex-7, Biocide, and Multicide) in combination with five denture resins (Dentsply reline material, Hygenic HyFlo, Hygenic Perm, Lucitone 199, and Triad VLC reline resin) were evaluated at four different times of immersion (10 minutes, 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 7 days). Changes from baseline for surface roughness and color were recorded. Surface roughness data were recorded with a surface analyzer. Color data in CIE L*a*b* color space were measured with a colorimeter. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance and single-factor analysis of variance. RESULTS: Although statistical differences were demonstrated among disinfectants and resins for both measured parameters, the magnitudes of change in color and roughness was most often clinically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: One disinfectant (Multicide) cannot be used on all five resins, and the remaining four disinfectants can be used on any of the five resins for up to a period of 30 minutes. All resins tested can be immersed in the four remaining disinfectants for up to 30 minutes without appreciable alteration to surface texture or color. Lucitone 199 resin can be immersed in any of the four disinfectants for up to 7 days without perceivable color change.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1997

In vitro comparison of debonding force and intrapulpal temperature changes during ceramic orthodontic bracket removal using a carbon dioxide laser.

The aim of this study was to develop a method to reduce the fracture of ceramic orthodontics brackets during debonding procedures. Lasers have been used to thermally soften the bonding resin, which reduces the tensile debonding force. Thermal effects of lasers may create adverse effects to the dental pulp. Previous studies have shown that no pulpal injury occurs when the maximum intrapulpal temperature rise stayed below 2 degrees C. This study investigated the effect of lasing time on intrapulpal temperature increase and tensile debonding force with a 18 watt carbon dioxide laser. Ceramic brackets were bonded to mandibular deciduous bovine teeth and human mandibular first premolars with a photoactivated bonding resin. Modified debonding pliers was used to accurately position the laser beam onto the ceramic bracket. Lasing time required to keep the maximum intrapulpal temperature rise below 2 degrees C was determined by the use of thermocouples inserted into the pulp chambers of the specimens. A tensile debonding force was applied on the control group without lasing and the experimental group was debonded after applying a predetermined lasing time with a carbon dioxide laser. It was found that there was a significance difference (P < 0.05) in tensile debonding force between the control group and the experimental group. It is feasible to use a laser for the debonding of ceramic brackets while keeping the intrapulpal temperature rise below the threshold of pulpal damage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Developmental lead exposure and two-way active avoidance training alter the distribution of protein kinase C activity in the rat hippocampus.

Long-term exposure to a low level of lead is associated with learning deficits. Several types of learning have been correlated to hippocampal protein kinase C (PKC) activation. This study was designed to determine if there is a correlation between the effects of lead on hippocampal PKC activation and those on learning performance. Rats were exposed to 0.2% (w/v) lead acetate at different developmental stages including a maternally exposed group, a postweaning exposed group, and a continuously exposed group. The continuously lead exposed rats tended to avoid less frequently and not respond more frequently in two-way active avoidance training than did controls. This training process was associated with translocation of hippocampal PKC activity from cytosol to membrane. Two-way analysis of variance of data indicates that there is a significant training and lead treatment interaction in the ratio of membrane to cytosolic PKC activity (F3,32 = 3.013; p = 0.044). The interaction is attributable to the absence of the training-induced PKC translocation in the continuously lead exposed rats. In addition, no significant changes were observed in learning performance and training-induced hippocampal PKC activation after maternal and postweaning lead exposure. Continuous and longer duration of lead exposure appears to affect the learning performance and hippocampal PKC activation. These data suggest that a change in the activation of hippocampal PKC may be involved in the lead-induced deficit in learning.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Decreased paralysis and better motor coordination with microspinal versus PE10 intrathecal catheters in pain study rats.

We compared the standard PE10 catheter to a smaller microspinal catheter for intrathecal (IT) catheterization in rats. The PE10 or microspinal catheter was implanted in the lumbar subarachnoid space through the atlantooccipital membrane in rats (21 each group). Surviving rats without paralysis were tested on a rota-rod treadmill for motor function on Postoperative Days (POD) 3-6. Different doses of IT butorphanol were injected to demonstrate the functionality of the catheters by measuring tail-flick antinociception. Methylene blue was injected IT immediately before the spinal necropsy in each rat to identify the catheter tip location. For PE10 and microspinal catheters, the immediate death rate after the catheter implantation was 4 of 21 and 3 of 21 (no significant difference); paralysis rate was 8 of 21 and 2 of 21 (P < 0.05), and motor coordination recovery on POD6 was 67% and 91% (P < 0.01), respectively. Rats in both groups showed a dose-dependent response to IT butorphanol. Intrathecal methylene blue stained the lumbar spinal cord but not the surrounding tissue in both groups. Therefore, the microspinal catheter is better than the PE10 for IT catheterization in rats because it causes less paralysis and provides faster recovery of motor function.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Absence of orthogonal arrays in kidney, brain and muscle from transgenic knockout mice lacking water channel aquaporin-4.

Freeze-fracture electron microscopy (FFEM) of kidney collecting duct, muscle, astrocytes in brain, and other mammalian tissues has revealed regular square arrays of intramembrane particles called orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs). Their possible role in membrane structure and transport have been proposed, and their absence or decrease has been noted in a variety of hereditary and acquired diseases. A transgenic mouse lacking water channel AQP4 was used to show that AQP4 is the OAP protein. FFEM was done on kidney, skeletal muscle, and brain from AQP4 wild-type [+/+], heterozygous [+/-] and knock-out [-/-] mice. The [-/-] mice did not express detectable AQP4 protein, but were grossly indistinguishable from [+/+] mice. FFEM was done on blinded samples of kidney, brain and muscle from 9 mice. In all 6 kidney samples from [+/+] and [+/-] mice, OAPs similar to those in AQP4-transfected CHO cells were found in basolateral membranes of collecting duct principal cells. In all muscle and brain samples from [+/+] and [+/-] mice, OAPs of identical ultrastructure to those in kidney were seen, but in smaller patch sizes. OAPs were not seen in any sample from [-/-] mice. Label-fracture analysis using a peptide-derived AQP4 polyclonal antibody showed immunogold labeling of OAPs in AQP4-expressing CHO cells. These studies provide direct evidence that AQP4 is required for formation of OAPs and is a component of OAPs, thus establishing the identity and function of OAPs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Indirect UV detection of short chain carboxylic acids in oil field water by high performance capillary zone electrophoresis].

Short chain carboxylic acids are the major aqueous organic species in oil field water. It is considered that they play an important role in the geochemical evolution of second porosity in oil reservoir. In this paper, short chain carboxylic acid anions were analyzed by HP(3D)CE high performance capillary electrophoresis system (Hewlett-Packard, Germany) with a buffer system of dinitrobenzoic acid-hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The influence of buffer pH and the concentrations of electrolyte, surfactant and methanol on the seperation of short chain carboxylic acids have been studied. The results showed that the best separation of short chain carboxylic acids could be done with the buffer of 10mmol/L dinitrobenzoic acid, 0.5mmol/L CTAB and 5% methanol at pH=9. Separations were performed in a 50cm x 50microm i.d. fused silica capillary (effective length 48.5cm) at 25 degrees C. A negative potential of 30kV was used for each experiment. Sample was introduced into the capillary by pressure at 50kPa for 10s. Indirect UV detection was operated at 254nm and reference wavelength at 380nm for all experiments. Negative peak was changed into positive one by exchanging between detection wavelength and reference wavelength. Capillary was rinsed for 10min with 0.1mol/L sodium hydroxide and buffer solution before each run. Oil field water was injected directly after filtered through 0.45microm membrane. The result was satisfactory.

Buffers↗
PubMed1996

Precipitated kappa-opioid receptor agonist withdrawal increase glutamate in rat locus coeruleus.

Extracellular fluid levels of excitatory amino acids (glutamate, Glu; and aspartate, Asp) in the locus coeruleus and the behavioral signs during naloxone-precipitated withdrawal from kappa-opioid receptor agonists, butorphanol and (5 alpha, 7 alpha, 8 beta) -(+)-N-methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro[4,5]dec-8-yl]-be nzaneacetamide (U-69,593), were investigated by in vivo microdialysis. Increases in levels of Glu, but not of Asp, were noted after naloxone (12 or 48 nmol/5 microliters, locus coeruleus)-precipitated withdrawal in the rats which had been intracerebroventricularly infused with butorphanol (26 nmol/1 microliters/h) or U-69,593 (26 nmol/10 microliters/h) for 3 days. The Glu levels in the locus coeruleus increased following administration of naloxone before and during the first 15-min sample after the precipitation of withdrawal in the butorphanol- or U-69,593-dependent rats. Furthermore, behavioral evidence of withdrawal (teeth-chattering, wet-dog shakes, etc.) was detected following the naloxone challenge in the butorphanol- and U-69,593-infused rats, but not in saline-infused controls. These results provide direct evidence to support the role of excitatory amino acids within the locus coeruleus in butorphanol or U-69,593 withdrawal.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1996

cDNA cloning and gene structure of a novel water channel expressed exclusively in human kidney: evidence for a gene cluster of aquaporins at chromosome locus 12q13.

A 1.8-kb cDNA clone (designed hKID, gene symbol AQP2L) with homology to the aquaporins was isolated from a human kidney cDNA library. The longest open reading frame of 846 bp encoded a 282-amino-acid hydrophobic protein that contained the conserved NPA motifs of MIP family members. Cell-free translation produced a nonglycosylated protein migrating at 29 kDa. Amino acid alignment showed the greatest homology of hKID to human MIP (48% identity) and AQP-2 (52%), with lesser homology to human MIWC (AQP-4, 34%), CHIP28 (AQP-1, 38%), and GLIP (AQP-3, 22%). Northern blot analysis revealed a 2.2-kb transcript expressed only in human kidney. PCR/Southern blot analysis of human kidney cDNA using primers flanking the hKID coding sequence revealed expression of a full-length mRNA and short transcripts with partial exon 1 and partial exon 4 deletions. Expression of hKID cRNA in Xenopus oocytes did not increase glycerol or urea permeability, but increased osmotic water permeability from (2.8 +/- 0.5) x 10(-4) to (7.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(-4) cm/s (10 degrees C) in a mercurial-sensitive manner. Sequence comparison of hKID cDNA with a cloned 21-kb genomic DNA indicated three introns (lengths 0.7, 0.25, and 0.4 kb) separating four exons with boundaries at amino acids 121, 174, and 201. The hKID promoter was identified and contained TATA, SP1, E-box, and AP1 and AP2 elements; primer extension revealed hKID transcription initiation 654 bp upstream from the translational initiation site. Genomic Southern blot indicated a single-copy hKID gene. PCR analysis of a human/rodent somatic hybrid panel localized the hKID gene to chromosome 12. Chromosomal fluorescence in situ hybridization mapped the hKID (AQP2L) gene to chromosome locus 12q13, the same location as the AQP. 2 and MIP genes. The high sequence homology, similar genomic structure, and identical chromosomal loci of hKID, MIP, and AQP-2 suggest a MIP family gene cluster at chromosome locus 12q13. Further work is needed to establish the physiological significance of hKID.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Structure--activity relationships of 1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-L-arabinofuranosyl)pyrimidine nucleosides as anti-hepatitis B virus agents.

Since 2'-fluoro-5-methyl-beta-L-arabinofuranosyluracil (L-FMAU) has been shown to be a potent anti-HBV agent in vitro, it was of interest to study the structure-activity relationships of related nucleosides. Thus, a series of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-L-arabinofuranosyl)pyrimidine nucleosides have been synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity against HBV in 2.2.15 cells. For this study, L-ribose was initially used as the starting material. Due to the commercial cost of L-ribose, we have developed an efficient procedure for the preparation of L-ribose derivative 6. Starting from L-xylose, 6 was obtained in an excellent total yield (70%) through the pyridinium dichromate oxidation of the 3-OH group followed by stereoselective reduction with NaBH4. It was further converted to the 1,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-alpha-L-arabinofuranose (10), which was then condensed with various 5-substituted pyrimidine bases to give the nucleosides. Among the compounds synthesized, the lead compound, L-FMAU (13), exhibited the most potent anti-HBV activity (EC50 0.1 microM). None of the other uracil derivatives showed significant anti-HBV activity up to 10 microM. Among the cytosine analogues, the cytosine (27) and 5-iodocytosine (35) derivatives showed moderately potent anti-HBV activity (EC50 1.4 and 5 microM, respectively). The cytotoxicity of these nucleoside analogues has also been assessed in 2.2.15 cells as well as CEM cells. None of these compounds displayed any toxicity up to 200 microM in 2.2.15 cells. Thus, compound 13 (L-FMAU), 27, and 35 showed a selectivity of over 2000, 140, and 40, respectively.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1996

Gene structure, cDNA cloning, and expression of a mouse mercurial-insensitive water channel.

Three cDNAs encoding isoforms of a mercurial-insensitive water channel (mMIWC) were cloned from a mouse brain cDNA library. The predicted proteins had distinct N-terminal sequences and were 32.0 (mMIWC1), 34.3 (mMIWC2), and 37.8 (mMIWC3) kDa. Immunoblot analysis of mouse brain membranes with a C-terminus-derived polyclonal antibody was consistent with the predicted sizes. Expression in Xenopus oocytes indicated that each isoform functioned as a mercurial-insensitive, water-selective channel. Northern blot analysis indicated a major transcript of 5.5 kb in brain > eye > lung approximately kidney, and a minor 1.7-kb transcript in heart and muscle. Sequence comparison of mMIWC1 cDNA with a cloned 24-kb mouse genomic DNA indicated three introns (lengths 1.5, 0.5, and 4.0 kb) separating four exons with boundaries at amino acids 127, 182, and 209; analysis of mMIWC2 and mMIWC3 sequences indicated an additional intron at nucleotide -34 upstream from the mMIWC1 translation initiation site. The mMIWC1 promoter was identified and contained TATA, CAAT, GATA, and AP-2 elements; primer extension revealed mMIWC transcription initiation at 621 bp upstream from the mMIWC1 translational initiation site. Genomic Southern blot analysis revealed a single-copy mMIWC gene. These data indicate the presence of multiple mMIWC isoforms with distinct N-termini encoded by mRNAs produced by distinct transcriptional units and alternative splicing. The genomic cloning of mMIWC represents the first step in the construction of a targeting vector for mMIWC gene knockout.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Discontinuous oral absorption pharmacokinetic model and bioavailability of 1-(2-fluoro-5-methyl-beta-L-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (L-FMAU) in rats.

1-(2-fluoro-5-methyl-beta-L-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (L-FMAU), the L isomer of FMAU, has shown potent activity against hepatitis B virus and Epstein-Barr virus. L-FMAU showed double peaks in the plasma concentration versus time profiles following oral administration to rats, indicating discontinuous oral absorption. The objective of this study was to characterize the bioavailability and pattern of L-FMAU absorption using a pharmacokinetic model which incorporated two separate absorption processes following oral administration of the nucleoside in an animal model, the rat. Simultaneous fitting of differential equations to L-FMAU plasma concentrations following oral and intravenous administration was performed using PCNONLIN. Total clearance of L-FMAU was moderate, averaging 0.47 +/- 0.16 L h-1 (mean +/- SD). Distributional clearance averaged 0.18 +/- 0.14 L h-1. The volume of the central compartment averaged 0.30 +/- 0.09 L, and the volume of the peripheral compartment averaged 0.15 +/- 0.08 L. The first-order absorption rate constants describing the first and second absorption phases averaged 1.22 +/- 1.56 and 4.14 +/- 5.42 h-1, respectively. Oral bioavailability was calculated by three methods: AUC, urinary excretion data, and a discontinuous oral absorption pharmacokinetic model. Bioavailability averaged 0.59 +/- 0.16, 0.64 +/- 0.23, and 0.63 +/- 0.13, respectively, for the three methods. The discontinuous oral absorption pharmacokinetic model is a promising new method for estimating absorption from two phases and for calculating oral bioavailability.

Absorption↗
PubMed1996

Immunohistochemical analysis of globulin and complements in blood vessels of placental villi during pregnancy induced hypertension.

The changes of globulin and complements in placental villi blood vessels were immunohistochemically studied in pregnancy induced hypertension patients and normal pregnant patients by a randomized, double-blind approach. The immunostaining of IgG, IgE, C3, C4, and 5-HT was seen in the villous blood vessels and the helicine arteries of pregnancy induced hypertensive placental villi. The strong positive rates were 100%, 90%, 100%, 100% and 90% in serious pregnancy induced hypertensive patients, accompanied by aggregation of mastocytes and vasculopathy of villous blood vessels and the helicine arteries. It is concluded that the immuno-pathological damage took place in the villous blood vessels and helicine arteries, resulting in vasculopathy and villous regressive changes and that the immunological factors were closely related to pregnancy induced hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Angiotensin II blockade of long-term potentiation at the perforant path--granule cell synapse in vitro.

Field recordings of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (pEPSPs) were carried out in the granule cell stratum moleculare following stimulation of the perforant path in rat hippocampal slices. Under control conditions tetanic stimulation produced long-term potentiation (LTP) as measured by an increase in the initial slope of the pEPSPs that lasted for at least 1 h. LTP experiments were repeated with 0.5, 5.0, 50, or 500 nM angiotensin II (AII) present in the bath at the time of tetanization. Induction of LTP was blocked by 50 nM AII; however, normal baseline responses were not affected. At the highest dose tested, 500 nM, a decrease in the amplitude and slope of baseline pEPSPs was observed. When the AII AT1 receptor antagonist losartan was present in the bath AII inhibition of LTP was blocked. The application of losartan alone had no effect on LTP expression. These findings support previous results from in vivo studies demonstrating that activation of AT1 receptors in the dentate gyrus blocks the induction of LTP at the perforant path-granule cell synapse.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1996

Water transport across mammalian cell membranes.

This review summarizes recent progress in water-transporting mechanisms across cell membranes. Modern biophysical concepts of water transport and new measurement strategies are evaluated. A family of water-transporting proteins (water channels, aquaporins) has been identified, consisting of small hydrophobic proteins expressed widely in epithelial and nonepithelial tissues. The functional properties, genetics, and cellular distributions of these proteins are summarized. The majority of molecular-level information about water-transporting mechanisms comes from studies on CHIP28, a 28-kDa glycoprotein that forms tetramers in membranes; each monomer contains six putative helical domains surrounding a central aqueous pathway and functions independently as a water-selective channel. Only mutations in the vasopressin-sensitive water channel have been shown to cause human disease (non-X-linked congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus); the physiological significance of other water channels remains unproven. One mercurial-insensitive water channel has been identified, which has the unique feature of multiple overlapping transcriptional units. Systems for expression of water channel proteins are described, including Xenopus oocytes, mammalian and insect cells, and bacteria. Further work should be directed at elucidation of the role of water channels in normal physiology and disease, molecular analysis of regulatory mechanisms, and water channel structure determination at atomic resolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

cDNA cloning of a functional water channel from toad urinary bladder epithelium.

A cDNA was cloned from the epithelium of toad (Bufo marinas) urinary bladder, based on homology to the mammalian aquaporins (AQP). The cDNA [947 base pairs (bp), identified as AQP-t1] encoded a 272-amino acid protein with 76% identity to mammalian aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and 88% identity to frog water channel FA-CHIP. AQP-t1 cDNA was nearly identical to a fragment of a nonfunctional cDNA cloned recently from toad bladder ["AQP-TB"; J. Siner, A. Paredes, C. Hosselet, T. Hammond, K. Strange, and H.W. Harris, Am. J. Physiol. 270 (Cell Physiol. 39): C372-C381, 1996], except for reading frame shifts at bp 253, 264, and 682, two single amino acid deletions, a different 3'-coding sequence downstream from bp 786, and a different 5' sequence upstream from bp 9. Water permeability (Pf) in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing AQP-t1 cRNA was strongly increased from (0.83 +/- 0.06) x 10(-3) cm/s (water-injected control) to (17 +/- 4) x 10(-3) cm/s, with 80% inhibition by 0.3 mM HgCl2; glycerol and urea permeabilities were not increased. Northern blot analysis showed a single AQP-t1 mRNA of 2.8 kb in eye > lung > urinary bladder > skin > stomach approximately heart, brain, and intestine. AQP-t1 mRNA expression was not changed by a 3-day dehydration of toads or an 8-h stimulation of Pf in isolated bladders by forskolin. These results indicate that the epithelium of toad urinary bladder expresses a functional homologue of AQP-1 and FA-CHIP that is probably not vasopressin regulated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗