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Biomedical subjects

W Su

Publications and source records attributed to W Su.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Mechanism of bradykinin-induced Ca(2+) mobilization in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells.

BACKGROUND: The effect of bradykinin on intracellular free Ca(2+) levels ([Ca(2+)](i)) in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells was explored using fura-2 as a Ca(2+) dye. METHODS/RESULTS: Bradykinin (0.1 nM-1 microM) increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC(50) value of 0.5 nM. The [Ca(2+)](i) signal comprised an initial peak and a fast decay which returned to baseline in 2 min. Extracellular Ca(2+) removal inhibited the peak [Ca(2+)](i )signals by 35 +/- 3%. Bradykinin (1 nM) failed to increase [Ca(2+)](i) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+ )after cells were pretreated with thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor; 1 microM). Bradykinin (1 nM)-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release was nearly abolished by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2 microM 1-(6-((17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122). The [Ca(2+)](i )increase induced by 1 nM bradykinin in Ca(2+)- free medium was abolished by 1 nM HOE 140 (a B2 bradykinin receptor antagonist) but was not altered by 100 nM Des-Arg-HOE 140 (a B1 bradykinin receptor antagonist). Pretreatment with 1 pM pertussis toxin for 5 h in Ca(2+) medium inhibited 30 +/- 3% of 1 nM bradykinin-induced peak [Ca(2+)](i) increase. CONCLUSIONS: Together, this study shows that bradykinin induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases in a concentration-dependent manner, by stimulating B2 bradykinin receptors leading to mobilization of Ca(2+) from the thapsigargin-sensitive stores in a manner dependent on inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, and also by inducing extracellular Ca(2+) influx. The bradykinin response was partly coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein pathway.

Biological Transport↗

[Photocatalytic degradation of bromomethane on sol-gel-derived SO4(2-)/TiO2].

SO4(2-)/TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy and N2 sorption analysis applying BET method. Photocatalytic decomposition of CH3Br in air stream was studied over SO4(2-)/TiO2 photocatalysts under the different reaction conditions. The results showed that the addition of SO4(2-) to TiO2 greatly enhanced its structural and photocatalytic properties. The optimum concentration of SO4(2-) on TiO2 was 9% wt and the best calcination temperature was 450 degrees C. Moreover, the sulfated TiO2(SO4(2-)/TiO2) exhibited excellent stability of activity under the moist reaction condition. When the reaction temperature was below 85 degrees C, the reactivity of bromomethane was enhanced with increasing reaction temperatures, and the apparent Arrehenius activation energy was 19.6 kJ.mol-1. In the reaction temperature range of 85 degrees C-105 degrees C, the apparent Arrehenius activation energy was zero.

Catalysis↗

Automatic analysis of image of surface structure of cell wall-deficient EVC.

Some computer applications for cell characterization in medicine and biology, such as analysis of surface structure of cell wall-deficient EVC (El Tor Vibrio of Cholera), operate with cell samples taken from very small areas of interest. In order to perform texture characterization in such an application, only a few texture operators can be employed: the operators should be insensitive to noise and image distortion and be reliable in order to estimate texture quality from images. Therefore, we introduce wavelet theory and mathematical morphology to analyse the cellular surface micro-area image obtained by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). In order to describe the quality of surface structure of cell wall-deficient EVC, we propose a fully automatic computerized method. The image analysis process is carried out in two steps. In the first, we decompose the given image by dyadic wavelet transform and form an image approximation with higher resolution, by doing so, we perform edge detection of given images efficiently. In the second, we introduce many operations of mathematical morphology to obtain morphological quantitative parameters of surface structure of cell wall-deficient EVC. The obtained results prove that the method can eliminate noise, detect the edge and extract the feature parameters validly. In this work, we have built automatic analytic software named "EVC.CELL".

Cell Membrane↗

Growth inhibition of gastric cancer cells by all-trans retinoic acid through arresting cell cycle progression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the regulation of the cell cycle in gastric cancer cells. METHODS: The protein level was detected by Western blot. Immunoprecipitation was used in protein kinase activity determination. Cell growth and cell cycle phase were examined by MTT assay and flow-cytometric analysis, respectively. RESULTS: ATRA could effectively induce G0/G1 arrest and inhibit cell growth in certain human gastric cancer cell lines. ATRA might induce p21WAF1/CIP1 expression in ATRA-sensitive cell lines through p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. Induction of p21WAF1/CIP1 caused decrease in CDK4 and CDK2 activities independent of CDK4 and CDK2 protein expression levels. In addition, the dephosphorylated form of Rb protein increased because of the down-regulation of CDK4 and CDK2 activities by ATRA. CONCLUSIONS: Growth inhibition on gastric cancer cells by ATRA occurs through the regulation of relevant proteins leading to the arrest of cell cycle progression.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[The identification of flos magnoliae by TLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a TLC identification method for Flos Magnoliae. METHOD: Selecting optimum TLC conditions. RESULTS: A TLC identification method of Flos Magnoliae has been established. CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate and reliable.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

[Study of bacteriology on local application of Tinidazole stilus in treatment for periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to evaluate the antiseptic efficacy of Tinidazole stilus against periodontal pathogen. METHODS: A total of 41 patients with periodontitis were included in this study. 26 of them were treated by Tindazole stilus and other 15 cases were treated by metronidazole stilus as controls. The prevalence of subgingival bacteria from both group were examined. RESULTS: The eliminate rates for Black pigmented anaerobic rod (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedius, Prevotella melaninogenicus), Fusobacteriums, Prevotella oris, Prevotella oralis, Eubacterium and Actinomyces were 95.8% 94.1%, 83.3% and 76.5%. The anti-bacterial efficiency of Tinidazole against periodontal pathogen was significantly higher than that of metronidazole (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It appears to be effective to use Tinidazole stilus as local application against periodontal pathogens.

Administration, Topical↗

[Application of fingerprint analysis and computer pattern interpretation in identification and quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines].

The fingerprint analysis technique used in the quality control of TCM through identifying charactreristics and evaluating stability is set up with the rapid development of instrument analyses and computer pattern interpretation. There are many kinds of methods for establishment of fingerpirnt of TCM mainly including chromatography, spectroscopic method, x-ray diffraction and molecular biological technique. The methods of computer pattern interpretation in fingerprint of TCM includes fuzzy information analysis, artificial neural networks and gray relational grade cluster.

China↗

[The factors that influence the consistency of international normalized ratio of prothrombin time].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors that influence the consistency of international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time. METHODS: Using the same automated blood coagulation analyzer and INR calibration plasma with two different types of prothrombin time (PT) reagent to assay the INR values of 19 controls (group 1), 12 patients who took long-term anticoagulant orally (group 2), 12 patients who took it at the first time (group 3) and 8 patients who took long-term anticoagulant together with cephalosporin N (group 4). RESULTS: The two kinds of reagents gave quite different INR values in all four groups (P < 0.01). The INR difference in group 3 (0.23 +/- 0.07, n = 12) was larger than that in group 2 (0.51 +/- 0.20, n = 12) (P < 0.01). The difference in group 4 (0.61 +/- 0.21, n = 8) was larger than that in group 2 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The factors that may influence INR consistency are the source and sensitivity of the reagents, as well as the period of the anti coagulant been taken and the other drugs taken at the same time.

Administration, Oral↗

[Spectrum studies on titania photocatalysts].

The nano-sized TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by sol-gel method and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, FT-Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(DRS). Photocatalytic degradation of oleic acid over the TiO2 catalysts was investigated. The result showed that calcination temperature has strong effect on crystal structure, energy band structure, optical adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 catalysts. It was found that the TiO2 photocatalyst calcined at 400 degrees C has the best apparent optical adsorption, the biggest band edge position and the highest photoactivity. The effect of calcination temperature on photocatalytic activity of TiO2 catalysts has been ascribed to the changes in structure and optical property of catalyst such as crystal size, content of rutile, residual NO3-, and band-edge position of light adsorption.

Adsorption↗

Taxol from Tubercularia sp. strain TF5, an endophytic fungus of Taxus mairei.

The diterpenoid taxol is an important anticancer agent used widely in the clinic. The purpose of this work was to identify a taxol-producing endophytic fungus (strain TF5) isolated from Taxus mairei and study its anticancer activities. Strain TF5 was identified as a Tubercularia sp. according to the morphology of the fungal culture, the mechanism of spore production and the characteristics of the spores. Strain TF5 produced taxol, when grown in potato dextrose liquid medium and analyzed by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet and mass spectrometry. The fungal taxol, which was isolated from the organic extract of the TF5 culture, had strong cytotoxic activity towards KB and P388 cancer cells in vitro, tested by the MTT assay. Observed with immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, the fungal taxol enhanced microtubule stability and bundling in culture cells and induced tubulin polymerization in vitro similar to the authentic taxol.

Animals↗

Detection of antitumor and antimicrobial activities in marine organism associated actinomycetes isolated from the Taiwan Strait, China.

The purpose of this work was to screen the actinomycetes having antitumor or antimicrobial activity, which were isolated from the surface, epidermis and intestines of sea plants and animals collected from the Taiwan Strait, China. Antitumor activity was studied by the MTT assay and DNA target activity was studied by the biochemical induction assay while antimicrobial activity was determined by observing bacterial and fungal growth inhibition. 20. 6% of marine actinomycete cultures displayed cytotoxic activity on P388 cells at dilutions at and below 1:320 and 18.6% on KB cells. 2. 96% of marine actinomycete cultures displayed inducing activity. Among all marine actinomycetes isolated, the genus Micromonospora has the highest positive rate of inducing activity. However, most antimicrobial activity was found in the genus Streptomyces. These results indicate that marine organism associated actinomycetes could be a promising source for antitumor and antimicrobial bioactive agents.

Actinomycetales↗

Carcinogenic metals induce hypoxia-inducible factor-stimulated transcription by reactive oxygen species-independent mechanism.

Nickel (Ni2+) and cobalt (Co2+) mimic hypoxia and were used as a tool to study the role of oxygen sensing and signaling cascades in the regulation of hypoxia-inducible gene expression. These metals can produce oxidative stress; therefore, it was conceivable that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may trigger signaling pathways resulting in the activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 transcription factor and up-regulation of hypoxia-related genes. We found that the exposure of A549 cells to Co2+ or Ni2+ produced oxidative stress, and although Co2+ was a more potent producer of ROS than Ni2+, both metals equally increased the expression of Cap43, a hypoxia-regulated gene. The coadministration of hydrogen peroxide with metals induced more ROS; however, this did not further increase the expression of Cap43 mRNA. The free radical scavenger 2-mercaptoethanol completely suppressed ROS generation by CoCl2 and NiCl2 but did not diminish the induced Cap43 gene expression. The activity of the HIF-1 transcription factor as assessed in transient transfection assays was stimulated by Ni2+, hypoxia, and desferrioxamine, but this activation was not diminished when oxidative stress was attenuated nor was HIF-dependent transcription enhanced by hydrogen peroxide. We conclude that ROS are produced during the exposure of cells to metals that mimic hypoxia, but the formation of ROS was not involved in the activation of HIF-1-dependent genes.

Carcinogens↗

Assembly of silver(I) polymers with helical and lamellar structures

The new versatile multidentate nonchelating ligand 1,2-bis[(2-pyr-imidinyl)-sulfanylmethyl]benzene (bpsb) was designed and prepared for supramolecular syntheses. Self-assembly between silver nitrate and the bpsb ligand resulted in the polymer [Ag4(bpsb)2-(NO3)4]n (1) with a single-stranded helical chain structure. Each bpsb ligand in 1 acts as a tetradentate ligand, in which two sulfur atoms and two nitrogen atoms from different pyrimidine groups coordinate to four Ag atoms in four different directions. The nitrate anions serve as a template for the formation of the helix and are either embedded in the interior of the helix or located in the flank of the helix. Self-assembly between silver perchlorate and the bpsb ligand under the same conditions gave rise to the polymer [Ag2(bpsb)3(ClO4)2]n (2) comprising a two-dimensional lamellar network containing crownlike cavities. The silver atoms in two adjacent layers are arranged staggered in 2. The two-dimensional lamellar network comprising isolated cavities of [Ag6(bpsb)6] is very different from that of usual honeycomb structures.

Journal Article↗