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Biomedical subjects

W Li

Publications and source records attributed to W Li.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Isotonic relaxation of control and sensitized airway smooth muscle.

Smooth muscle relaxation has most often been studied in isometric mode. However, this only tells us about the stiffness properties of the bronchial wall and thus only about wall capacitative properties. It tells us little about airflow. To study the latter, which of course is the meaningful parameter in regulation of ventilation and in asthma, we studied isotonic shortening of bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) strips. Failure of BSM to relax could be another important factor in maintaining high airway resistance. To analyze relaxation curves, we developed an index of isotonic relaxation, t1/2(P, lCE), which is the half-time for relaxation that is independent of muscle load (P) and of initial contractile element length (lCE). This index was measured in curves of relaxation initiated at 2 s (normally cycling crossbridges) and at 10 s (latch-bridges). At 10 s no difference was seen for adjusted t1/2(P, lCE) between curves obtained from control and sensitized BSM, (8.38 +/- 0.92 s vs. 7.78 +/- 0.93 s, respectively). At 2 s the half-time was almost doubled in the sensitized BSM (6.98 +/- 0.01 s (control) vs. 12.74 +/- 2.5 s (sensitized)). Thus, changes in isotonic relaxation are only seen during early contraction. Using zero load clamps, we monitored the time course of velocity during relaxation and noted that it varied according to 3 phases. The first phase (phase i) immediately followed cessation of electrical field stimulation (EFS) at 10 s and showed almost the same velocity as during the latter 1/3 of shortening; the second phase (phase ii) was linear in shape and is associated with zero load velocity, we speculate it could stem from elastic recoil of the cells' internal resistor; and the third phase (phase iii) was convex downwards. The zero load velocities in phase iii showed a surprising spontaneous increase suggesting reactivation of the muscle. Measurements of intracellular calcium (Fura-2 study) and of phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chain showed simultaneous increments, indicating phase iii represented an active process. Studies are under way to determine what changes occur in these 3 phases in a sensitized muscle. And of course, in the context of this conference, just what role the plastic properties of the muscle play in relaxation requires serious consideration.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of Measles virus multiplication in cell culture by RNA interference.

Measles takes a toll of one million people a year worldwide, especially in developing countries. As the so far applied vaccines were not able to control this disease, novel approaches to this problem are needed. In this study, we investigated the possibility of inhibition of Measles virus (MV) infection through RNA interference (RNAi), namely the interference with the second but main receptor of MV, signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM), in an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed marmoset B cell line B95-8. Three potential target sequences in the SLAM gene were chosen and cloned into the pSilencer 3.0-H1 vector. The vector constructs were used for transfection of B95-8 cells in which SLAM was then detected by flow cytometry, Western blot analysis and RT-PCR both at transcription and expression levels. One of the vector constructs was found to block effectively the SLAM expression as well as MV infection. These results suggest that RNAi could silence SLAM expression and inhibit the MV infection of host cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Microsatellite markers associated with two Aegilops tauschii-derived greenbug resistance loci in wheat.

A new source of greenbug (Schizaphis graminum Rondani) resistance derived from Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) Schmal was identified in W7984, a synthetic hexaploid wheat line and one parent of the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) mapping population. Segregation analysis of responses to greenbug feeding in a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) identified a single, dominant gene governing the greenbug resistance in W7984, which was placed in chromosome arm 7DL by linkage analysis with molecular markers in the ITMI population. Allelism tests based on the segregation of responses to greenbug feeding in F2 and testcross plants revealed that the greenbug resistance in W7984 and Largo, another synthetic line carrying the greenbug resistance gene Gb3, was controlled by different but linked loci. Using the ITMI reference map and a target mapping strategy, we have constructed a microsatellite map of Gb3 in a mapping population of 130 F7 RILs from Largo x TAM 107 and identified one marker (Xwmc634) co-segregating with Gb3 and four markers (Xbarc76, Xgwm037, Xgwm428 and Xwmc824) closely linked with Gb3. Deletion mapping of selected microsatellite markers flanking the Gb3 locus placed this resistance gene into the distal 18% region of 7DL. Comparative mapping in the ITMI and Largo x TAM 107 populations using the same set of microsatellite markers provided further evidence that greenbug resistance in W7984 and Largo is conditioned by two different loci. We suggest that the greenbug resistance gene in W7984 be designated Gb7. The microsatellite map of Gb3 constructed from this study should be a valuable tool for marker-assisted selection of Gb3-conferred greenbug resistance in wheat breeding.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Precise measurement of the pi+-->pi0 e+nu branching ratio.

Using a large acceptance calorimeter and a stopped pion beam we have made a precise measurement of the rare pi(+)-->pi(0)e(+)nu (pi(beta)) decay branching ratio. We have evaluated the branching ratio by normalizing the number of observed pi(beta) decays to the number of observed pi(+)-->e(+)nu (pi(e2)) decays. We find the value of Gamma(pi(+)-->pi(0)e(+)nu)/Gamma(total)=[1.036+/-0.004(stat)+/-0.004(syst)+/-0.003(pi(e2))]x10(-8), where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third is the pi(e2) branching ratio uncertainty. Our result agrees well with the standard model prediction.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Precise measurement of the pion axial form factor in the pi+-->e+nugamma decay.

We have studied radiative pion decays pi(+)-->e(+)nugamma in three broad kinematic regions using the PIBETA detector and a stopped pion beam. Based on Dalitz distributions of 41 601 events we have evaluated absolute pi-->enugamma branching ratios in the three regions. Minimum chi(2) fits to the integral and differential (E(e(+)),E(gamma)) distributions result in the axial-to-vector weak form factor ratio of gamma identical with F(A)/F(V)=0.443(15), or F(A)=0.0115(4) with F(V)=0.0259. However, deviations from standard model predictions in the high-E(gamma)-low-E(e(+)) kinematic region indicate the need for further theoretical and experimental work.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Statistical analysis of airport network of China.

Through the study of airport network of China (ANC), composed of 128 airports (nodes) and 1165 flights (edges), we show the topological structure of ANC conveys two characteristics of small worlds, a short average path length (2.067) and a high degree of clustering (0.733). The cumulative degree distributions of both directed and undirected ANC obey two-regime power laws with different exponents, i.e., the so-called double Pareto law. In-degrees and out-degrees of each airport have positive correlations, whereas the undirected degrees of adjacent airports have significant linear anticorrelations. It is demonstrated both weekly and daily cumulative distributions of flight weights (frequencies) of ANC have power-law tails. Besides, the weight of any given flight is proportional to the degrees of both airports at the two ends of that flight. It is also shown the diameter of each subcluster (consisting of an airport and all those airports to which it is linked) is inversely proportional to its density of connectivity. Efficiency of ANC and of its subclusters is measured through a simple definition. In terms of that, the efficiency of ANC's subclusters increases as the density of connectivity does. ANC is found to have an efficiency of 0.484.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Molecular characterization of Asian maize inbred lines by multiple laboratories.

This study focuses on the standardization of techniques across laboratories to enable multiple datasets to be compared and combined in order to obtain reliable and robust wide-scale patterns of diversity. A set of protocols using a core collection of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, reference lines and standard alleles, plus a common system of allele nomenclature, was adopted in the study of maize genetic diversity in a network of laboratories in Asia. Pair-wise allele comparisons of the reference lines, done to assess the general agreement between datasets from four laboratories, showed error rates (raw) ranging from 5.8% to 9.7%, which were reduced to less than 8% after adjustments of correctable errors, and further reduced to less than 6% after the exclusion of all markers with greater than 10% individual error rates. Overall, 45% of the total mismatches were due to frameshift errors, 39% to wrong allele size, 15% to failed amplification and 1% to "extra" alleles. Higher genetic similarity values of the reference lines were achieved using fewer markers with data of higher quality rather than with more markers of questionable quality. Cluster analysis of the merged datasets showed the lines from southern China to be highly diverse, falling into six of the seven clusters observed and all well represented by tester lines. The lines from Indonesia fell into five of six groups, with two main groups represented by tester lines. The CIMMYT lines developed for the Asian region showed a relatively narrow genetic base, falling in two out of seven and in three out of six clusters in China and Indonesia, respectively. In contrast to the case in southern China where 95% of the lines clustered separately from the CIMMYT lines, lines in the Indonesian breeding program show a closer relationship with the CIMMYT lines, reflecting a long history of germplasm exchange.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

Observation of the decay psi(2S)-->K0SK0L.

The decay psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L) is observed using psi(2S) data collected with the Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider; the branching fraction is determined to be B(psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L))=(5.24+/-0.47+/-0.48)x10(-5). Compared with J/psi-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L), the psi(2S) branching fraction is enhanced relative to the prediction of the perturbative QCD "12%" rule. The result, together with the branching fractions of psi(2S) decays to other pseudoscalar meson pairs (pi(+)pi(-) and K+K-), is used to investigate the relative phase between the three-gluon and the one-photon annihilation amplitudes of psi(2S) decays.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Thin-layer chromatography of pitch and a petroleum vacuum residue. Relation between mobility and molecular size shown by size-exclusion chromatography.

A coal tar pitch and a petroleum vacuum residue have been separated by TLC using pyridine, acetonitrile, toluene and pentane to develop the chromatograms. The bands of material detected were recovered in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) solvent and examined by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) in NMP eluent. The relation between elution time in SEC and mobility on the TLC plate indicated that molecular size increased steadily with increasing immobility on the plate. This relation was reinforced by UV fluorescence spectroscopy in that the fluorescence moved to longer wavelengths with increasing immobility. The molecular size of the material excluded from the porosity of the SEC column remains undefined; some excluded material was found in all of the fractions from both samples. The valley of zero intensity separating the retained material from the excluded material may suggest a change of structure from near-planar in the retained region to three-dimensional in the excluded region.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed2004

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: a functional receptor for SARS coronavirus.

Cellular entry of enveloped viruses is often dependent on attachment proteins expressed on the host cell surface. Viral envelope proteins bind these receptors, and, in an incompletely understood process, facilitate fusion of the cellular and viral membranes so as to introduce the viral core into the cytoplasm. Only a small fraction of viral receptors have been identified so far. Recently, a novel coronavirus was identified as the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The fusion protein gene of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was cloned and characterized, and shortly thereafter, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was shown to be its functional receptor. Identification of ACE2 as a receptor for SARS-CoV will likely contribute to the development of antivirals and vaccines. It may also contribute to the development of additional animal models for studying SARS pathogenesis, and could help identify the animal reservoir of SARS-CoV.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2↗
PubMed2004

Molecular characterization of HMW glutenin subunit allele 1Bx14: further insights in to the evolution of Glu-B1-1 alleles in wheat and related species.

1Bx14 is a member of the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits specified by wheat Glu-B1-1 alleles. In this work, we found that the full-length amino acid sequence of 1Bx14 and 1Bx20, the last two of the three cysteine residues, which are conserved in 1Bx7, 1Bx17 and homologous 1Ax and 1Dx subunits, were replaced by tyrosine residues. In the 5' flanking regions (-900 to -1,200 bp relative to the start codon), a novel miniature inverted-repeat transposable element insertion was present in 1Bx12 and 1Bx20 but not 1Bx7 and 1Bx17. 1Bx14 and 1Bx20 like alleles were readily found in tetraploid wheat subspecies but not several S genome containing Aegilops species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the four molecularly characterized Glu-B1-1 alleles (1Bx7, 1Bx14, 1Bx17, 1Bx20) could be divided into two allelic lineages. The lineage represented by 1Bx7 and 1Bx17 was more ancient than the one represented by 1Bx14 and 1Bx20. Combined, our data establish that 1Bx14 and 1Bx20 represent a novel subclass of Glu-B1-1 alleles. Based on current knowledge, potential mechanism involved in the differentiation of two Glu-B1-1 lineages is discussed.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

Fibre reinforced composite dental bridge. Part I: Experimental investigation.

This experimental investigation aims at revealing the mechanical behaviour and failure pattern of direct fibre-reinforced resin-bonded dental bridge with various designs. To evaluate the overall effects of some newly developed dental materials, in the experiment, genuine composite dental bridge specimens are prepared and tested. The ultimate load, stiffness and mode at the failure of the bridges are measured and compared with the design variations. A good agreement between test and some clinical observations is demonstrated. It is verified that the weakest region appears across the pontic-abutment interface in the composite bridges. This study suggests that the composite bridges reinforced by fibres and supported by adjacent teeth could be of a higher structural strength and stiffness; therefore would provide better clinical performances.

Composite Resins↗
PubMed2004

Fibre reinforced composite dental bridge. Part II: Numerical investigation.

Motivated by the clinical success and limitations on experimental investigation of the fibre-reinforced composite dental bridge, this paper aims at providing a numerical investigation into the bridge structure. The finite element (FE) model adopted here is constructed from computer tomography images of a physical bridge specimen. The stress and strain distributions in the bridge structure especially in the bonding interfaces are analyzed in detail. The peak stresses and their variations with the different bridge designs are evaluated. Due to the lower bond strengths of adhesives and the high stress concentration in the pontic-abutment interface, the likelihood of failure in the interface is predicted by finite element analysis. The validity of the numerical results is established by a good agreement between the FE prediction and the tests in the load-deflection responses, the structural stiffness as well as the failure location of the composite dental bridge.

Composite Resins↗
PubMed2004

Intrasplenic transplantation of allogeneic hepatocytes modified by BCL-2 gene protects rats from acute liver failure.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis of donor hepatocytes may be induced by recipient cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) during acute rejection, representing a major impediment for these cell transplants. Because the mechanisms of transplanted hepatocyte loss involve Fas-mediated pathways, BCL-2 genetic modification may protect liver cells. In the present study, we further investigated whether BCL-2 transfer into transplanted liver cells rendered them resistant to Fas ligand-induced apoptosis, and protected rats from acute liver failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatocytes isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with an adenovirus vector encoding human BCL-2 gene (AdCMVBCL-2) or a control AdCMVLacZ vector. Forty-eight hours later, cells challenged with recombinant Fas ligand (rhsFasL) were assayed for apoptosis using TUNEL staining and caspase 3 activity. Other cells were transplanted into the spleens of Wistar rats with a 90% hepatectomy 12 hours later. RESULTS: Western blot analysis and RT-PCR confirmed the expression of hBcl-2 in AdCMVhBcl-2-infected hepatocytes. Recombinant FasL produced a dose-dependent increase in TUNEL-positive percentage and caspase-3 activity in uninfected hepatocytes, but did not influence these features in AdCMVhBcl-2-infected cells. On challenge with 90% hepatectomy, the survival of Wistar rats receiving transplantation of AdCMVhBCL-2-infected hepatocytes was significantly prolonged compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Adenovirus-mediated BCL-2 gene transfer protects transplanted hepatocytes from Fas-mediated cytolysis, thus holding promise for a new avenue of acute liver failure treatment.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2004

Dioxin-like components in human breast milk collected from Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

The H4IIE rat hepatoma cell line was employed as a cell model to screen 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD)-TCDD equivalents (EROD-TEQ) of human breast milk samples collected from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China. The screening methods employed a 96-well plate spectrofluorometer-EROD assay. For cell-line validation, our results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in the Ah receptor-mediated response (i.e., CYP1A1 mRNA and EROD) of the cells upon exposure to a number of known Ah receptor agonists, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzothiophene, benzo[a]pyrene, and beta-naphthaflavone. TCDD induced CYP1A1 mRNA and EROD was in a close positive correlation (r=0.98). For the screening of dioxin-like compounds, breast milk samples collected during lactation weeks 3-5 were used. One hundred (from Hong Kong) and 48 (from Guangzhou) breast milk samples were assayed, of which 65% and 68% of the samples, respectively, showed detectable dioxin-like activities using the H4IIE cell EROD screening method. For sixty-five samples from Hong Kong the mean EROD-TEQ values ranged from 58.1 to 96.5 pg/g of milk fat for those aged 21-36 years while 32 samples from Guangzhou had mean values of 98.8-202.1 pg/g of milk fat. In comparisons of the EROD-TEQ values for different age groups from both cities, there were no significant differences (P<0.05). However, the mean and median EROD-TEQ values of the Guangzhou population were in general higher than those of the Hong Kong population. The results of the present study indicate that it is feasible to use the H4IIE cell-line as a model for screening dioxin-like compounds in human breast milk. In addition, the method is rapid and cost-effective, particularly for a routine and high-throughput sample screening analysis, compared to the costly and time-intensive chemical analytical techniques.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Improved transduction of primary murine hepatocytes by recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 vectors in vivo.

Adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV) vectors are currently in use in Phase I/II clinical trials for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis and hemophilia B. Although 100% of murine hepatocytes can be targeted by AAV vectors, the transgene expression is limited to approximately 5% of hepatocytes. Since the viral genome is a single-stranded DNA, and single strands of both polarities are encapsidated with equal frequency, it has been suggested that failure to undergo DNA strand-annealing accounts for the lack of efficient transgene expression. We and others, on the other hand, have proposed that failure to undergo viral second-strand DNA synthesis attributes to the observed low efficiency of transgene expression. We have previously documented that a cellular protein, designated FKBP52, when present in phosphorylated forms, inhibits the viral second-strand DNA synthesis, and consequently, limits transgene expression in nonhepatic cells, whereas unphosphorylated forms of FKBP52 have no effect. To further evaluate whether phosphorylated FKBP52 is also involved in regulating AAV-mediated transgene expression in murine hepatocytes, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing the cellular T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) protein, known to catalyze dephosphorylation of FKBP52, as well as mice deficient in FKBP52. We demonstrate here that dephosphorylation of FKBP52 in TC-PTP transgenic (TC-PTP-TG) mice, and removal of FKBP52 in FKBP52-knockout (FKBP52-KO) mice results in efficient transduction of murine hepatocytes following tail-vein injection of recombinant AAV vectors. We also document efficient viral second-strand DNA synthesis in hepatocytes from both TC-PTP-TG and FKBP52-KO mice. Thus, our data strongly support the contention that the viral second-strand DNA synthesis, rather than DNA strand-annealing, is the rate-limiting step in the efficient transduction of hepatocytes, which should have implications in the optimal use of recombinant AAV vectors in human gene therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Ablation of canine prostate using two-stage intraprostatic hot agarose solution and enzyme injection.

UNLABELLED: Enzyme ablation of the hyperplastic prostate may be an ideal method of management of BPH. However, the unsatisfactory ablation affects in vivo contrast with successful in vitro results limiting the enthusiasm for further research. In this study, we make efforts to solve the problems in the use of enzyme ablation of BPH in vivo and to measure satisfactory effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 18 hybrid dogs between the ages of 7 and 11 y underwent this experiment. Eight dogs were divided into four groups according to the injection formula: enzyme solution, hot D-Hanks' plus enzyme solution, hot agarose plus enzyme solution, and hot agarose solution alone. After selecting the agarose plus enzyme solution group in the first month, the remainder 10 dogs were treated with this two-stage method. Intravenous or oral antibiotics were administered perioperatively. All operations were performed directly by way of laparotomy. The prostates were observed and harvested with surrounding tissue at 24 hrs, 7 days, 14 days, 1 month and 3-5 months after treatment. Gross and microscopic examinations were performed. RESULTS: Only agarose plus enzyme group shows obvious cavity formation with concomitant size reduction and softening of the prostate ablation effect in the four groups. At 24 h after injection, the prostates demonstrated cavity formation containing liquefied necrotic tissue. The liquefied tissue was absorbed in 7-14 days. At 1 month, the size of most prostates decreased with a corresponding decrease in the size of the cavities. The cavities nearly disappeared within 3-5 months, and the size of prostates decreased to between 1/2 and 1/4 of the pretreatment sizes. All prostates had intact urethral mucosa and capsule. No complications directly related to enzyme ablation were identified. In the control groups there were no significant cavities or decrease in prostate size. CONCLUSIONS: This two-stage thermal and enzyme ablative method can significantly ablate prostate tissue without identifiable complications, and would be possibly applied to treating human BPH in the future.

Administration, Oral↗