Biomedical subjects

Wen Ling

Publications and source records attributed to Wen Ling.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Selective detection of ordered sodium signals via the central transition.

Given the correlation between the concentrations of ordered (23)Na and the onset of tissue disorders, the ability to select the signal from ordered (23)Na over that of free (23)Na is of particular importance and can greatly enhance the potential of (23)Na-MRI as a diagnostic tool. Here, we describe a simple method that selectively detects the central transition of ordered sodium while minimizing the signal from free sodium. Our method relies upon the influence of the quadrupolar interaction on nutation frequencies and may also benefit solid-state imaging experiments. Both a liquid crystalline environment and a cartilage sample are used to demonstrate a clean separation between anisotropic and isotropic regions in the experiments.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Inhibitory effects of osteoblasts and increased bone formation on myeloma in novel culture systems and a myelomatous mouse model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multiple myeloma (MM) growth in the bone marrow is associated with increased osteoclast activity and a reduced number of osteoblasts. Experimental studies suggest that bone disease drives the progression of MM. Whereas those studies focused on the critical role of myeloma-induced osteoclastogenesis in disease progression, little is known about the impact of osteoblasts and increased bone formation on MM. DESIGN AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of isolated osteoblasts and osteoclasts on survival and proliferation of primary MM plasma cells (PC) in co-cultures and triple-cultures, and tested the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on bone mineral density and MM growth in myelomatous human bones of SCID-hu mice. RESULTS: Whereas osteoclasts promoted survival and proliferation of MM PC, osteoblasts supported or inhibited MM PC, depending on the source of the MM cells. In triple-cultures osteoblasts attenuated the effect of osteoclasts on MM PC in 18 of 24 experiments. The anti-MM response to osteoblasts correlated with advanced clinical stage. Injection of MSC into myelomatous bones resulted in marked inhibition of tumor growth in three of nine experiments and stabilization of disease in two additional experiments. The anti-MM response of MSC was associated with increased human bone mineral density. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the MSC were well engrafted and, in responding mice, differentiated into osteogenic cells. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: MM PC from the majority of patients are susceptible to growth inhibition by osteoblasts; however, growth of MM PC from certain patients is accelerated by osteoblasts. In vivo, increased bone formation is associated with reduced myeloma burden.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Frequency-selective quadrupolar MRI contrast.

A method for the selective detection of quadrupolar nuclei located in anisotropic environments is presented. The image contrast can be tuned to the degree of anisotropy in the sample by using frequency-swept pulsed. These methods are particularly useful in the field of sodium-MRI, where sodium signals from locally-ordered environments provide diagnostic information. In solid-state MRI, these methods could be useful for probing structural defects within the sample. We demonstrate here one-dimensional images, in which the pixel contrast indicates the presence or absence of quadrupolar coupling within a certain frequency range.

Anisotropy↗

PubMed2005

Separated quadrupolar field experiment.

We describe an NMR experiment that produces spectra correlating the first-order quadrupolar spectrum and the central transition spectrum of half-integer quadrupolar spins, allowing one to separate the quadrupolar parameters in overlapping spectra under both static and magic-angle-spinning conditions. Promising fields of applications include situations where the sample cannot easily be rotated, or where it cannot be rotated at the magic angle.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

PubMed2005

Selecting ordered environments in NMR of spin 3/2 nuclei via frequency-sweep pulses.

We demonstrate that frequency-swept pulses can be used for the selective and enhanced detection of quadrupolar nuclei located in anisotropic environments. The primary driving force for this technique development is the field of sodium-MRI, where sodium signals from locally ordered environments are known to be diagnostic of cartilage defects. We demonstrate here simple one-dimensional images of model systems, in which the signals from free sodium ions are suppressed, while ordered sodium is detected via the narrow central transition signal.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Women's load carriage performance using modular lightweight load-carrying equipment.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate how Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) fits women while walking on level surfaces with different loads, to examine women's load carriage performance before and after a simulated march using five load levels, and to examine the relationship between shoulder and leg muscle strength and load carriage performance of women while carrying loads using MOLLE. Seven physically active women carried five levels of load (no load, 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds) using MOLLE. With increased loads, women showed increased double-limb support time, decreased single-limb support time, increased trunk forward inclination excursion, decreased knee excursion, decreased medial-lateral excursion of center of gravity (COG), and increased vertical excursion of COG. Hip abductor strength was a strong predictor of COG vertical excursion. Some women required modification of the padded hip belt to ensure weight distributed evenly around the pelvis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Statins increase thrombomodulin expression and function in human endothelial cells by a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism and counteract tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced thrombomodulin downregulation.

Expression of functionally active thrombomodulin (TM) on the luminal surface of endothelial cells is critical for vascular thromboresistance. TM maintains thrombohemorrhagic homeostasis by forming a complex with thrombin, which subsequently loses its procoagulant properties and instead activates protein C. Acquired deficiency of endothelial TM is of particular pathophysiological significance in sepsis and related disorders. We show here that two different 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), atorvastatin and simvastatin, strongly increase the expression and functional activity of TM in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human coronary artery endothelial cells, and EA.hy926 endothelial cells. The increase in endothelial TM conferred by statin was prevented by the addition of mevalonic acid, geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate, and nitric oxide scavenger, and was mimicked by the addition of a specific inhibitor of geranylgeranyl transferase, as well as by nitric oxide donors. Moreover, statin counteracted tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced downregulation of endothelial cell TM. The increase in endothelial cell TM activity in response to statin constitutes a novel pleiotropic (non-lipid-related) effect of these commonly used compounds, and may be of clinical significance in disorders where deficient endothelial TM and protein C activation play a pathophysiological role.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗