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Biomedical subjects

W Shi

Publications and source records attributed to W Shi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Testicular microlithiasis: what is its association with testicular cancer?

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of testicular microlithiasis in patients who were referred for scrotal ultrasonography (US) at a tertiary care cancer center and to evaluate the association between microlithiasis and cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testicular sonograms obtained in 528 men were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with US findings suggestive of microlithiasis, intratesticular masses, and intratesticular heterogeneous changes. The association of US findings with medical records and with histopathologic findings that were available in 95 patients was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship of testicular cancer, intratesticular mass, and microlithiasis. RESULTS: Forty-eight (9%) of the 528 patients had microlithiasis; 13 of these (27%) had testicular cancers. Of the 480 patients without microlithiasis, 38 (8%) had testicular cancer. Ninety patients had an intratesticular mass, of whom 23 (26%) had microlithiasis. Forty-three (12 with microlithiasis) patients with a mass had testicular cancer, 43 (10 with microlithiasis) had benign findings or nontesticular malignant histopathologic findings, and four (one with microlithiasis) had no pathologic findings. CONCLUSION: Intratesticular microlithiasis is highly associated with confirmed testicular cancer, as well as with US evidence of testicular mass.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Gremlin negatively modulates BMP-4 induction of embryonic mouse lung branching morphogenesis.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is a key morphogen for embryonic lung development that is expressed at high levels in the peripheral epithelium, but the mechanisms that modulate BMP-4 function in early mouse lung branching morphogenesis are unclear. Here, we studied the BMP-4 antagonist Gremlin, which is a member of the DAN family of BMP antagonists that can bind and block BMP-2/4 activity. The expression level of gremlin in embryonic mouse lungs is highest in the early embryonic pseudoglandular stage [embryonic days (E) 11.5-14.5] and is reduced during fetal lung maturation (E18.5 to postnatal day 1). In situ hybridization indicates that gremlin is diffusely expressed in peripheral lung mesenchyme and epithelium, but relatively high epithelial expression occurs in branching buds at E11.5 and in large airways after E16.5. In E11.5 lung organ culture, we found that exogenous BMP-4 dramatically enhanced peripheral lung epithelial branching morphogenesis, whereas reduction of endogenous gremlin expression with antisense oligonucleotides achieved the same gain-of-function phenotype as exogenous BMP-4, including increased epithelial cell proliferation and surfactant protein C expression. On the other hand, adenoviral overexpression of gremlin blocked the stimulatory effects of exogenous BMP-4. Therefore, our data support the hypothesis that Gremlin is a physiologically negative regulator of BMP-4 in lung branching morphogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Migration and gelatinases in cultured fetal, adult, and hyperoxic alveolar epithelial cells.

Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) migration mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is required for lung development and repair after injury such as hyperoxia. Of specific interest in lung remodeling are the gelatinases, which are upregulated in AEC after hyperoxia. We correlated migration and gelatinase production in AEC cultured from fetal, adult, and hyperoxic rats. Fetal AEC (19-20 days) had higher MMP-2 and MMP-9 gelatinase expression than adult AEC, with fivefold higher MMP-9 activity, and were migratory through gelatin, responding to epidermal growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor-10. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and migratory activity could be detected from the time of plating. In contrast, adult AEC migrated and expressed MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins only after 48 h of culture. AEC from hyperoxic rats were significantly more migratory through gelatin than control adult AEC, with significantly higher MMP-9 activity. Inhibition of MMPs with doxycycline reduced the migration of AEC from hyperoxic rats to the level of control adult AEC. Fibronectin-cultured "hyperoxic" AEC acquired a temporary capacity for migration similar to the A549 lung cancer cell line, which is both highly migratory and invasive and is derived from the AEC type 2 lineage. These data suggest that MMP activity is associated with a migratory phenotype in fetal, hyperoxic, and transformed AEC in vitro, and we speculate that MMPs may play a key mechanistic role in AEC migration in vivo during lung development and repair.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

HDL and the inflammatory response induced by LDL-derived oxidized phospholipids.

Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) phospholipids containing arachidonic acid at the sn-2 position occurs when a critical concentration of "seeding molecules" derived from the lipoxygenase pathway is reached in LDL. When this critical concentration is reached, the nonenzymatic oxidation of LDL phospholipids produces a series of biologically active, oxidized phospholipids that mediate the cellular events seen in the developing fatty streak. Normal high density lipoprotein (HDL) contains at least 4 enzymes as well as apolipoproteins that can prevent the formation of the LDL-derived oxidized phospholipids or inactivate them after they are formed. In the sense that normal HDL can prevent the formation of or inactivate these inflammatory LDL-derived oxidized phospholipids, normal HDL is anti-inflammatory. HDL from mice that are genetically predisposed to diet-induced atherosclerosis became proinflammatory when the mice are fed an atherogenic diet, injected with LDL-derived oxidized phospholipids, or infected with influenza A virus. Mice that were genetically engineered to be hyperlipidemic on a chow diet and patients with coronary atherosclerosis, despite normal lipid levels, also had proinflammatory HDL. It is proposed that LDL-derived oxidized phospholipids and HDL may be part of a system of nonspecific innate immunity and that the detection of proinflammatory HDL may be a useful marker of susceptibility to atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Increased atherosclerosis in myeloperoxidase-deficient mice.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a heme enzyme secreted by activated phagocytes, generates an array of oxidants proposed to play critical roles in host defense and local tissue damage. Both MPO and its reaction products are present in human atherosclerotic plaque, and it has been proposed that MPO oxidatively modifies targets in the artery wall. We have now generated MPO-deficient mice, and show here that neutrophils from homozygous mutants lack peroxidase and chlorination activity in vitro and fail to generate chlorotyrosine or to kill Candida albicans in vivo. To examine the potential role of MPO in atherosclerosis, we subjected LDL receptor-deficient mice to lethal irradiation, repopulated their marrow with MPO-deficient or wild-type cells, and provided them a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 14 weeks. White cell counts and plasma lipoprotein profiles were similar between the two groups at sacrifice. Cross-sectional analysis of the aorta indicated that lesions in MPO-deficient mice were about 50% larger than controls. Similar results were obtained in a genetic cross with LDL receptor-deficient mice. In contrast to advanced human atherosclerotic lesions, the chlorotyrosine content of aortic lesions from wild-type as well as MPO-deficient mice was essentially undetectable. These data suggest an unexpected, protective role for MPO-generated reactive intermediates in murine atherosclerosis. They also identify an important distinction between murine and human atherosclerosis with regard to the potential involvement of MPO in protein oxidation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A multivariate analysis of 416 patients with glioblastoma multiforme: prognosis, extent of resection, and survival.

OBJECT: The extent of tumor resection that should be undertaken in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify significant independent predictors of survival in these patients and to determine whether the extent of resection was associated with increased survival time. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 416 consecutive patients with histologically proven GBM who underwent tumor resection at the authors' institution between June 1993 and June 1999. Volumetric data and other tumor characteristics identified on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were collected prospectively. CONCLUSIONS: Five independent predictors of survival were identified: age, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, extent of resection, and the degree of necrosis and enhancement on preoperative MR imaging studies. A significant survival advantage was associated with resection of 98% or more of the tumor volume (median survival 13 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.4-14.6 months), compared with 8.8 months (95% CI 7.4-10.2 months; p < 0.0001) for resections of less than 98%. Using an outcome scale ranging from 0 to 5 based on age, KPS score, and tumor necrosis on MR imaging, we observed significantly longer survival in patients with lower scores (1-3) who underwent aggressive resections, and a trend toward slightly longer survival was found in patients with higher scores (4-5). Gross-total tumor resection is associated with longer survival in patients with GBM, especially when other predictive variables are favorable.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Bacterial biofilm and dentistry.

Bacterial biofilms are ubiquitous in nature. Recent studies have demonstrated many unique qualities previously unknown to bacteria and have yielded new insights into relevant dental issues.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2001

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of SB-251353, a novel human CXC chemokine, after intravenous administration to mice.

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of SB-251353, a novel truncated form of the human CXC chemokine growth-related gene product beta, were studied after intravenous administration to the mouse (0.1--250 mg/kg). At the lowest dose, the clearance exceeded blood flow to the kidney. As the dose increased, clearance approached the glomerular filtration rate in the mouse. Clearance of this chemokine may be mediated by its pharmacologic receptor, CXCR2, via endocytosis with subsequent lysosomal degradation, as has been observed for several growth and hematopoietic factors. Apparent distribution volumes were high (> or =1 l/kg). Moderate binding to the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines on erythrocytes was observed. Consistent with the pharmacokinetic analysis, microscopic autoradiography showed uptake into renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. Limited excretion of SB-251353 in the urine (<2%) was consistent with catabolism of the chemokine in the tubules. Binding to hepatic sinusoids and connective tissue in the dermis was observed. This possibly reflected interaction of SB-251353 with heparin sulfate proteoglycan and may explain the large distribution volumes. This first study of the disposition of a chemokine provides insight into mechanism of action and physiological factors that may influence chemokine pharmacodynamics.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

In vitro renaturation of recombinant human pro-urokinase expressed in Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVE: Recombinant human pro-urokinase forms insoluble inclusion body when overexpressed in Escherichia coli. It must be denatured and renatured in vitro so that it can acquire activity. This study aimed at increasing the renaturation yield of denaturant pro-urokinase. METHODS: We evaluated the basic renaturation conditions of pro-urokinase through qualitative and quantitative analysis of pH, temperature, denatured concentration, protein concentration, and the ratio of reduced and oxidized thiol reagents. We also compared the effects of nonspecific additives, step-wise dilution and urea gradient dialysis. RESULTS: We defined the optimal conditions of pro-urokinase renaturation with a yield of about 20%-30%. CONCLUSION: Different recombinant denatured proteins have different renaturation conditions due to their different molecular sizes, molecular constructions, disulfide bond numbers, and hydrophobicity. The renaturation yield can be increased by optimizing the renaturation conditions of a specific protein.

Cysteine↗
PubMed2001

[Penetrating keratoplasty in active herpes simplex stromal keratitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in treating active herpes simplex stromal keratitis. METHODS: PKP was performed on 59 patients with quiescent and 66 patients with active herpes simplex stromal keratitis. The results and complications of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in the quiescent group were compared with that of the HSK active group. RESULTS: No clinical or statistical significant differences in visual outcome, graft transparent rate and recurrent rate of HSK after operation were identified between the active and quiescent groups. CONCLUSION: When the pre- and intra-operative managements of PKP are properly performed on active HSK, the same results as that performed on quiescent HSK can be obtained, and it can reduce the complications and shorten the duration of the disease.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2001

[Investigation of a-SiOxNy thin film by infrared absorption].

Infrared absorptive characteristics of a-SiOxNy thin film was investigated by altering O and N content. Various molecular bonds were identified by the infrared absorption measurement. 1,105 and 865 cm-1 peaks are associated with single Si-O and Si-N modes respectively. When the O and N contents increase, the peaks associated with the symmetry and anti-symmetry modes of O-Si-O and N-Si-N are measured. For N-Si-O, the absorptive peaks of Si-O and Si-N mode are located at 1,036 and 890 cm-1 respectively.

Absorption↗
PubMed2000

Phenotypic analyses of frz and dif double mutants of Myxococcus xanthus.

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative gliding bacterium that aggregates and develops into multicellular fruiting bodies in response to starvation. Two chemosensory systems (frz and dif), both of which are homologous to known chemotaxis proteins, were previously identified through characterization of various developmental mutants. This study aims to examine the interaction between these two systems since both of them are required for fruiting body formation of M. xanthus. Through detailed phenotypic analyses of frz and dif double mutants, we found that both frz and dif are involved in cellular reversal and social motility; however, the frz genes are epistatic in controlling cellular reversal, whereas the dif genes are epistatic in controlling social motility. The study suggests that the integration of these two chemotaxis systems may play a central role in controlling the complicated social behaviors of M. xanthus.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Structure of murine CTLA-4 and its role in modulating T cell responsiveness.

The effective regulation of T cell responses is dependent on opposing signals transmitted through two related cell-surface receptors, CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Dimerization of CTLA-4 is required for the formation of high-avidity complexes with B7 ligands and for transmission of signals that attenuate T cell activation. We determined the crystal structure of the extracellular portion of CTLA-4 to 2.0 angstrom resolution. CTLA-4 belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and displays a strand topology similar to Valpha domains, with an unusual mode of dimerization that places the B7 binding sites distal to the dimerization interface. This organization allows each CTLA-4 dimer to bind two bivalent B7 molecules and suggests that a periodic arrangement of these components within the immunological synapse may contribute to the regulation of T cell responsiveness.

Abatacept↗
PubMed2000

Type IV pilus of Myxococcus xanthus is a motility apparatus controlled by the frz chemosensory system.

Although flagella are the best-understood means of locomotion in bacteria [1], other bacterial motility mechanisms must exist as many diverse groups of bacteria move without the aid of flagella [2-4]. One unusual structure that may contribute to motility is the type IV pilus [5,6]. Genetic evidence indicates that type IV pili are required for social gliding motility (S-motility) in Myxococcus, and twitching motility in Pseudomonas and Neisseria [6,7]. It is thought that type IV pili may retract or rotate to bring about cellular motility [6,8], but there is no direct evidence for the role of pili in cell movements. Here, using a tethering assay, we obtained evidence that the type IV pilus of Myxococcus xanthus functions as a motility apparatus. Pili were required for M. xanthus cells to adhere to solid surfaces and to generate cellular movement using S-motility. Tethered cells were released from the surface at intervals corresponding to the reversal frequency of wild-type cells when gliding on a solid surface. Mutants defective in the control of directional movements and cellular reversals (frz mutants) showed altered patterns of adherence that correlate reversal frequencies with tethering. The behavior of the tethered cells was consistent with a model in which the pili are extruded from one cell pole, adhere to a surface, and then retract, pulling the cell in the direction of the adhering pili. Cellular reversals would result from the sites of pili extrusion switching from one cell pole to another and are controlled by the frz chemosensory system.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2000

Role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha in oxidized phospholipid-induced synthesis of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8 by endothelial cells.

The attraction, binding, and entry of monocytes into the vessel wall play an important role in atherogenesis. We have previously shown that minimally oxidized/modified LDL (MM-LDL), a pathogenically relevant lipoprotein, can activate human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to produce monocyte chemotactic activators. In the present study, we demonstrate that MM-LDL and oxidation products of 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAPC) activate endothelial cells to synthesize monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Several lines of evidence suggest that this activation is mediated by the lipid-dependent transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), the most abundant member of the PPAR family in HAECs. Treatment of transfected CV-1 cells demonstrated activation of the PPARalpha ligand-binding domain by MM-LDL, Ox-PAPC, or its component phospholipids, 1-palmitoyl-2-oxovalaroyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine and 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine; these lipids also activated a consensus peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor response element (PPRE) in transfected HAECs. Furthermore, activation of PPARalpha with synthetic ligand Wy14,643 stimulates the synthesis of IL-8 and MCP-1 by HAECs. By contrast, troglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist, decreased the levels of IL-8 and MCP-1. Finally, we demonstrate that unlike wild-type endothelial cells, endothelial cells derived from PPARalpha null mice do not produce MCP-1/JE in response to Ox-PAPC and MM-LDL. Together, these data demonstrate a proinflammatory role for PPARalpha in mediation of the activation of endothelial cells to produce monocyte chemotactic activity in response to oxidized phospholipids and lipoproteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Smad7 and Smad6 differentially modulate transforming growth factor beta -induced inhibition of embryonic lung morphogenesis.

Transforming growth factors beta (TGF-beta) are known negative regulators of lung development, and excessive TGF-beta production has been noted in pulmonary hypoplasia associated with lung fibrosis. Inhibitory Smad7 was recently identified to antagonize TGF-beta family signaling by interfering with the activation of TGF-beta signal-transducing Smad complexes. To investigate whether Smad7 can regulate TGF-beta-induced inhibition of lung morphogenesis, ectopic overexpression of Smad7 was introduced into embryonic mouse lungs in culture using a recombinant adenovirus containing Smad7 cDNA. Although exogenous TGF-beta efficiently reduced epithelial lung branching morphogenesis in control virus-infected lung culture, TGF-beta-induced branching inhibition was abolished after epithelial transfer of the Smad7 gene into lungs in culture. Smad7 also prevented TGF-beta-mediated down-regulation of surfactant protein C gene expression, a marker of bronchial epithelial differentiation, in cultured embryonic lungs. Moreover, we found that Smad7 transgene expression blocked Smad2 phosphorylation induced by exogenous TGF-beta ligand in lung culture, indicating that Smad7 exerts its inhibitory effect on both lung growth and epithelial cell differentiation through modulation of TGF-beta pathway-restricted Smad activity. However, the above anti-TGF-beta signal transduction effects were not observed in cultured embryonic lungs with Smad6 adenoviral gene transfer, suggesting that Smad7 and Smad6 differentially regulate TGF-beta signaling in developing lungs. Our data therefore provide direct evidence that Smad7, but not Smad6, prevents TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of both lung branching morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation, establishing the mechanistic basis for Smad7 as a novel target to ameliorate aberrant TGF-beta signaling during lung development, injury, and repair.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A cysteine residue in the helix-loop-helix domain of Id2 is critical for homodimerization and function.

Id proteins are negative regulators of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. In this study, we compared the expression of Id2 mRNA in proliferating (fetal) and nonproliferating (adult) alveolar epithelial cells (AECs). The expression of Id2 was higher in adult AECs than in the corresponding fetal cells, suggesting that Id2 might play a functional role in developmental regulation of lung epithelial cell proliferation. By screening a mouse embryo cDNA library in the yeast two-hybrid system, Id2 was identified as a self-associating protein. Structural analysis by deletion and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the HLH domain and a cysteine residue within the HLH domain are essential for Id2 homodimerization. Furthermore, in vitro synthesized Id2 homodimers became monomers under reducing conditions, indicating that the formation of an intermolecular disulfide bond is critical for Id2 homodimerization. Transient transfection assays in A549 cells showed that wild-type Id2 down-regulated the activity of the cyclin A promoter by 70%, while mutating the cysteine critical for Id2 homodimerization abolished the inhibitory effect of wild-type Id2.

Animals↗