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Biomedical subjects

X Huang

Publications and source records attributed to X Huang.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Studies on the relationship between urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and human sperm motility.

To clarify the role of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in the mechanisms of regulating sperm motility and the ability of fertilizing, we investigated the quantities and activities of uPA in human seminal plasma and on the membrane of spermatozoa. Semens were harvested from 22 infertile patients with asthenospermia and 20 healthy fertile men according to WHO standards. To quantify the membrane-bound uPA in the samples, polyclonal antibodies against human urokinase were employed by means of a sandwich ELISA. The uPA activities in seminal plasma and on the surface of spermatozoa were determined using A-garose-Fibrine-Plate method and the experiment of immunological identification with polyclonal antibodies against urokinase. In lysates of spermatozoa, significantly lower levels of uPA (23.1 +/- 7.35 mu/10(6) cells) and uPA activity (5.13 +/- 3.85 mu/10(6) cells) were found in patient group as compared to healthy fertile men exhibiting normospermia (29.89 +/- 9.40 mu/10(6) cells and 10.17 +/- 6.18 mu/10(6) cells). In seminal plasma, uPA activity in patient group (2134 +/- 1581.3 IU/L) was also found significantly lower than that of normal group (3365 +/- 1859.5 IU/L). Positive correlations were observed between sperm motility and uPA quantities (r = 0.48, P < 0.005), as well as with uPA activities (r = 0.45, P < 0.005). Thus, it is inferred that membrane associated uPA on human spermatozoa may be related directly to sperm motility and fertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Use of receptors immobilized on microspheres to identify ligand binding sites in tissue sections: detection of lymph node ligands for L-Selectin.

Particulate microspheres bearing immobilized probes can be used to identify ligands expressed by cells and require only brightfield microscopy for detection. There are distinct advantages to using microspheres to detect low affinity interactions; microspheres require no secondary amplification or detection procedures subsequent to the binding interaction, reducing opportunities for detachment of bound probe, and concentrating probes on microspheres may greatly increase binding avidity. Selectin leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules undergo low affinity binding to ligands, and these interactions may be difficult to detect with standard techniques. The aim of this study was to determine if immobilizing recombinant L-Selectin on microspheres would facilitate detection of specific tissue ligands. Microspheres were incubated with sections of rabbit peripheral lymph node in a modified Stamper-Woodruff assay, and binding was assessed by brightfield microscopy. L-Selectin-IgG microspheres bound to high endothelial venules, known to be sites of expression for L-Selectin ligands. Specificity was indicated by the lack of binding of microspheres coated with control protein, and inhibition of binding by antibody to L-Selectin and by competitive antagonists of L-Selectin ligand interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Temporary threshold shifts induced by low-pass and high-pass filtered noises in fetal sheep in utero.

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were obtained from nine late gestational age fetal sheep in utero before and after a 16-h exposure to low-pass (cut-off frequency 1.0 kHz) and high-pass (cut-off frequency 1.0 kHz) noises (approximately 120 dB sound pressure level, recorded in air). Bone-conduction ABRs were elicited by broadband clicks and 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 kHz tone bursts. Following low-pass noise exposure, ABR thresholds and wave IV latencies increased significantly for 0.5 and 1.0 kHz tone bursts. The high-pass noise exposure produced significant shifts in ABR thresholds and wave IV latencies only for the 1.0 kHz tone bursts. These findings confirm previous reports of low-frequency sound transmission into the fetal inner ear.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1997

Structure-binding relation of philanthotoxins from nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding assay.

Philanthotoxins are noncompetitive inhibitors of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the various glutamate receptors. Analogues carrying photoaffinity labels, fluorine atoms for solid-state NMR studies of ligand/receptor interaction, and large head groups such as porphyrins and planar bulky aromatic rings (BIG analogues) for clarifying mode of entry and orientation of analogues in receptors have been synthesized, assayed against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and brief comments are given for the assay results.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

Context sequences of translation initiation codon in plants.

In this survey of 5074 plant genes for their AUG context sequences, purines are present at the -3 and +4 positions in about 80% of the sequences. Although this observation is similar to the vertebrate consensus sequence, the number of plant mRNAs with purines at the -3 position is lower and at the +4 position is higher than reported for vertebrate mRNAs. Higher plants have an AC-rich consensus sequence. caA(A/C)aAUGGCg as a context of translation initiator codon. Between the two major groups of angiosperms, the context of the AUG codon in dicot mRNAs is aaA(A/C)aAUGGCu which is similar to the higher-plant consensus but monocot mRNAs have c(a/c)(A/G)(A/C)cAUGGCG as a consensus which exhibits an overall similarity with the vertebrate consensus. The experimental evidence regarding the importance of the AUG context in plants is discussed.

Codon↗
PubMed1997

Menadione-induced oxidative stress accelerates onset of Emory mouse cataract in vivo.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of the free-radical generator, menadione, on the time of occurrence of cataract in the Emory mouse, a model for human cataract. Concomitant experiments were done to compare production and level of reactive metabolites of oxygen in the Emory mouse and its cataract resistant (CR) genetic control. METHODS: Test and control mice were fed both a normal diet and a diet supplemented with menadione, and the lenses were evaluated for the time of occurrence of cataract and the level of membrane ATPases. Effects of menadione were determined on incubated lenses of Emory and CR mice, assaying reactive species of oxygen, levels of antioxidant enzymes, and formation of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde. RESULTS: Systemic administration of menadione markedly accelerated the onset of Emory mouse cataract, and decreased ATPase activities suggested oxidative damage to membrane proteins. Cumulative levels of O2.-, H2O2, .OH and malondialdehyde were significantly higher than controls in the lenses incubated in the presence of menadione, showing that it generates oxidative stress. However, [GSH] in lenses decreased equally in test and control mice. The observed increases in catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the test lenses indicated an early protective response to oxidative insult. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleration by menadione of the appearance of cataract in the Emory mouse demonstrates that oxidative stress is a risk factor in late-onset cataract. This quinone caused a greater increase in the production and levels of reactive metabolites of oxygen in Emory mice than in CR mice, indicative of a higher susceptibility of the former to oxidative insult.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The Bacillus subtilis sigma(X) protein is an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor contributing to survival at high temperature.

The sigX gene, identified as part of the international effort to sequence the Bacillus subtilis genome, has been proposed to encode an alternative sigma factor of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) subfamily. The sigX gene is cotranscribed with a downstream gene, ypuN, during logarithmic and early stationary phases of growth. We now report that strains lacking sigma(X) are impaired in the ability to survive at high temperature whereas a ypuN mutant has increased thermotolerance. We overproduced and purified sigma(X) from Escherichia coli and demonstrate that in vitro, both sigma(A) and sigma(X) holoenzymes recognize promoter elements within the sigX-ypuN control region. However, they have distinct salt optima such that sigma(A)-dependent transcription predominates at low salt while sigma(X)-dependent transcription predominates at high salt. A 54-bp region upstream of sigX suffices as a sigma(X)-dependent promoter in vivo, demonstrating that sigX is at least partially under positive autoregulatory control. Mutation of ypuN increases expression from the sigma(X)-dependent promoter in vivo, suggesting that ypuN may encode a negative regulator of sigma(X) activity.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1997

Positive inotropy mediated by diacylglycerol in rat ventricular myocytes.

Many neurohormones stimulate phospholipid hydrolysis and elevate diacylglycerol in the mammalian heart, but the physiological consequences of these intracellular events are unclear. Regulation of myocardial contraction by diacylglycerol was investigated in the present study by releasing the diacylglycerol analogue dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) within adult rat ventricular myocytes by using a light-sensitive caged compound. This approach permitted us to avoid exposure of myocytes to extracellular diC8 and yet to control the amount of diC8 released into the cells. Photorelease of diC8 produced a slowly developing (half-time, 1.9 +/- 0.1 minute; n = 26) but robust (406 +/- 42%) enhancement of twitch amplitude in electrically paced myocytes (0.5 Hz, 1 mmol/L Ca2+, Ringer's solution [pH 7.4], 22 degrees C). This positive inotropic effect was dose dependent, stereospecific for the S-enantiomer of diC8, synergistically enhanced by arachidonic acid, and blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine. The data provide evidence that diacylglycerol can induce a strong positive inotropic effect in mammalian ventricular muscle, possibly by activating protein kinase C. By contrast, perfusion of diC8 extracellularly onto myocytes caused a 42 +/- 2% decline in twitch amplitude, in accordance with previous reports. To account for this dependence on how diC8 is applied, we postulate that diC8 has distinct physiological actions at intracellular and extracellular sites. The peptide neurohormone endothelin-1, which elevates diacylglycerol in cardiac tissues, produced a positive inotropic effect that was similar to the response to photoreleased diC8. The diacylglycerol/protein kinase C pathway has now become a good candidate for mediator of at least a component of the positive inotropy associated with agents that stimulate phospholipid turnover in adult mammalian myocardium.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1997

Transcriptional regulation of prostaglandin-H synthase-2 gene in human trophoblasts.

Abnormal PG production by placental PG-H synthase (PGHS) is associated with preeclampsia. There are two PGHS isozymes, and their regulation in trophoblasts is presently unknown. We hypothesized that the PGHS isozymes are differentially regulated in human trophoblasts. To test this hypothesis, we transfected primary trophoblasts and JEG3 cells with promoter constructs of either PGHS-1 or PGHS-2 genes. We found that in both cell systems, the basal activity of PGHS-2 promoter was 10- to 30-fold higher than the activity of PGHS-1 promoter. In response to either 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or 8-bromo-cAMP, we observed an increase in PGHS-2 promoter activity but no change in activity of PGHS-1 promoter. Similarly, both agents enhanced PGHS-2 expression, as well as prostaglandin E2 production. The activity of PGHS-2 promoter was potentiated by coexpression of protein kinase A and inhibited by coexpression of kinase A inhibitor. Aspirin attenuated the stimulatory effect of TPA on PGHS-2 promoter. We conclude that both PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 promoters are active in trophoblasts. The activity of PGHS-2 promoter is stimulated by either TPA or cAMP, and the stimulatory effect of TPA is attenuated by aspirin. These pathways may play a role in modulation of prostanoid synthesis by trophoblasts.

Aspirin↗
PubMed1997

The expression and activity of prostaglandin H synthase-2 is enhanced in trophoblast from women with preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is associated with altered biosynthesis of vasoactive prostanoids in placental villi. The two isozymes of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) are essential for prostanoid synthesis. We tested the hypothesis that PGHS-2 expression is elevated in trophoblast from preeclamptic women, compared with trophoblast from healthy women. Using immunofluorescent staining, we demonstrated a higher PGHS-2 expression in villi from preeclampsia, compared with normal pregnancy. Cytotrophoblasts cultured from placentas of preeclamptic women expressed higher levels of PGHS-2 compared with cytotrophoblasts from normal placentas. This enhanced expression of PGHS-2 correlated with increased media levels of both thromboxane and prostaglandin E2, two products of PGHS activity. The increased prostanoid production by trophoblast from preeclamptic women was markedly reduced by NS-398, a specific inhibitor of PGHS-2. We conclude that both expression and activity of PGHS-2 are enhanced in trophoblasts from preeclamptic women compared with trophoblast from normal pregnancies. The increased production of prostanoids may contribute to the clinical syndrome of preeclampsia. Our data suggest that a selective inhibitor of PGHS-2 might provide a therapeutic alternative to prophylactic low-dose aspirin in modifying the prostanoid profile in preeclampsia.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1997

[Analysis of 9 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with legionnaires disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with legionnaires disease (LD) to avoid misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. METHOD: Nine cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with LD were retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: The clinical and chest X-ray manifestations varied, and no characteristics were found in these cases. Because cross antibodies existed between Legionella pneumophila and other causal bacteria, it was found difficult to differentiate LD, pulmonary tuberculosis and other causal bacteria infection. Efficacy of erythromycin combined with rifampicin, and decrease of serum titres of Legionella pneumophila four times after treatment were found helpful for definite diagnosis of LD. CONCLUSION: Only paying much attention to LD, and detecting the serum antibody as early as possible can provide evidence for diagnosing of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Gastric carcinoma in the young people].

We studied the characteristics of the incidence, and prognosis of the gastric carcinoma in young people. The clinicopathological findings and follow-up data of the gastric carcinoma patients treated from 1976 to 1991 were compared in 624 olderly patients. The male to female ratio was 1:1.2 in young patients and it increased with age up to a peak: in the 50-59 year-old group (2.8:1). An increase of poorly differentiated tumors was found significantly in the young people (88.2%) compared with the olderly (P < 0.01). A slight preponderance of diseases in stage III and IV was found in the young people (72.5%, P > 0.1). There was no significant difference of resectability and postoperative actuarial survival between the two groups. Most young patients were diagnosed in the late stage. Early detection of the carcinoma in the young patients plays a significant role in improving their treatment results.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in China: analysis of 39,238 cases].

All Chinese articles published from November 1995 through April 1994 about laparoscopic cholecystectomy were identified through CMCC. From 600 titles, 105 were read and left for analysis. Other 21 articles were from the 6th Biliary Surgical Congress and this hospital. Severe complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were identified in 409 patients (0.4%), bile duct injury accounted for 0.32%, postoperative cystic duct leak and bile leak for 0.11% and 0.20% respectively. Peritoneal abscess and bowel injury occurred in 0.07% and 0.06% of cases, and postoperative hemorrhages were identified in 0.1% of the cases. Fourteen (0.04%) postoperative deaths resulted from operative injury. The data demonstrate that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an operation which associated with low morbidity and mortality. But bile duct injury is still a problem, and complications of laparoscopic cholecystetomy can be minimized by improving operative procedure.

Bile Duct Diseases↗