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Biomedical subjects

X M Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to X M Zhang.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Genetic analysis of a mammalian wound-healing trait.

Wound healing of mammalian tissue is an essential process in the maintenance of body integrity. The general mechanism of wound healing usually studied in adult mammals is repair, in contrast to the regeneration seen in more primitive vertebrates. We recently have discovered that MRL/MpJ mice, unlike all other strains of mice tested, undergo rapid and complete wound closure that resembles regeneration. Specifically, through-and-through surgical ear hole wounds close without scarring in <4 weeks with normal gross and microanatomic architecture, including chondrogenesis. We also demonstrated that this healing is a heritable trait in inbred mice. In this study, we present results pertaining to its genetic control in progeny segregating for this phenotype. To identify the genetic loci that control the wound closure process, a genome-wide scan was performed on (MRL/MpJ-Faslpr x C57BL/6)F2 and backcross populations. In the primary screens of these populations, quantitative trait loci that control the extent of wound closure were detected on chromosomes 8, 12, and 15 and at two separate locations on chromosome 13. Evidence of further genetic control of healing was found on chromosome 7. All alleles that contribute to full wound closure are derived from the MRL/MpJ-Faslpr parent except for the quantitative trait locus on chromosome 8, which is derived from C57BL/6.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

DNA optical sensor: a rapid method for the detection of DNA hybridization.

A DNA optical sensor system is proposed based on the combination of sandwich solution hybridization, magnetic bead capture, flow injection and chemiluminescence for rapid detection of DNA hybridization. Bacterial alkaline phosphatase (phoA) gene and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were used as target DNA. A biotinylated DNA probe was used to capture the target gene onto the streptavidin-coated magnetic beads and a calf intestine alkaline phosphatase (CAP)-labelled DNA probe was used for subsequent enzymatic chemiluminescence detection. The detection cycle was less than 30 min, excluding the DNA hybridization time, which was about 100 min. Both the phoA gene and HBV DNA could be detected at picogramme or femtomole level. No response signal was obtained when target DNA did not exist in the sample. Successive sample detection could be made by removing the magnetic field and a washing step.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Simultaneous determination of maltose and glucose using a screen-printed electrode system.

A screen-printed sensor system consisting of a glucose oxidase (GOD) electrode and an amyloglucosidase/glucose oxidase (A/G) electrode was constructed to determine maltose and glucose simultaneously in a mixture. Sensor construction was optimised so that it contained 20 units of GOD/40 units of amyloglucosidase and 0.2 mM 1,1'-ferrocenedimethanol. These components were deposited onto a screen-printed carbon electrode and an outer membrane was printed from 3.5% hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) solution. The optimum pH was 4.8. The linear range of the system was up to 40 mM glucose or 20 mmol/L maltose with coefficients of variation (CVs) ranging from 3.5% to 5.29%. The results obtained by using the enzyme electrode system agreed well with those obtained by the Fehling titration method. When stored dry, especially at 4 degrees C, the enzyme electrodes showed good stability over four months.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Effects of oral tolerance induction by myelin basic protein on Vbeta8+ Lewis rat T cells.

Encephalitogenic T cells from Lewis rats use a restricted T cell receptor (TCR) gene combination, Vbeta8.2 and Valpha2. The oral administration of myelin basic protein (MBP) to Lewis rats prior to encephalitogenic challenge results in a marked inhibition of clinical neurologic signs of encephalitis, reduced central nervous system pathology, suppressed T cell reactivity to MBP, and decreased serum anti-MBP antibody responses. The present study determined the TCR Vbeta8 gene usage in rats rendered orally tolerant to MBP as compared with vehicle-fed or unfed controls. Total RNA was extracted from lymph node cells (LNC), Northern blots run, and hybridizations performed using a rat beta chain V region probe positive for Vbeta8.2. The results indicate that feeding MBP results in a decrease in Vbeta8+ TCR RNA expression in lymph nodes draining the site of encephalitogenic challenge. T cell proliferation was reduced in LNC of tolerized rats relative to control rats. No change in the Vbeta8+ TCR RNA expression or MBP reactivity was observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of vehicle-fed or MBP-fed rats, although an increase in cell number was found in the MLN of both groups. These results suggest that the mechanisms of orally induced tolerance involve local clonal deletion or migration of Vbeta8+ T cells, of which MBP-specific T cells are a part.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Effects of amiodarone on cardiac electrophysiology in right ventricular rapid pacing-induced heart failure dogs.

AIM: To study the effects of amiodarone (Ami) on cardiac electrophysiologic properties and ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) in right ventricular rapid pacing-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) dogs. METHODS: Dogs (n = 25) were randomly allocated into 3 groups: A) control group; B) CHF group induced by right ventricular rapid pacing (4 pulses.s-1) for 4-5 wk; C) CHF models p Ami 300 mg.d-1 for 4-5 wk. The electrophysiologic parameters and VFT were evaluated by electric stimulation and monophasic action potential (MAP) recording. RESULTS: In CHF models, ventricular MAP duration (MAPD90), ventricular late repolarization duration (VLRD), and intra-ventricular conduction time (IVCT) were prolonged by 43%, 318%, and 19%, respectively; the ratio of ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) to MAPD90 (VERP/ MAPD90) and VFT were decreased by 13% and 48% respectively; the dispersion of ventricular recovery time (RT-D) was increased by 185%. In CHF models, Ami had no effects on ventricular MAPD90, but increased VERP/ MAPD90, IVCT, and VFT by 15%, 10%, and 67%, respectively, shortened VLRD by 87%; and decreased RT-D by 87%. Ami had no significant influences on the hemodynamic parameters of the CHF dogs. CONCLUSION: Ami normalizes the cardiac electrophysiologic properties in CHF dogs.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1997

Highly selective iodide poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode based on a nickel(II) tetraazaannulene macrocyclic complex.

A PVC membrane electrode based on a nickel(II) tetraazaannulene macrocyclic complex as the carrier is described. The electrode exhibits an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence with a preference for iodide at pH 3.0-4.0. It has a linear response to iodide from 8.0 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-1) mol dm-3 with a slope of -54.7 +/- 0.2 mV per decade (20 degrees C), a satisfactory reproducibility and a rapid response time. The pH dependence of the potential response is discussed. The response mechanism of the electrode was investigated by ac impedance, quartz crystal microbalance and spectroscopic techniques. The electrode can be used for the determination of iodide in drug preparations.

Heterocyclic Compounds↗
PubMed1996

The human T-cell receptor gamma variable pseudogene V10 is a distinctive marker of human speciation.

The V10 variable gene of the human T-cell receptor gamma locus (TCRG-V10), the only member of the subgroup III, has a structural defect which inhibits the splicing of the leader intron. We show that there is a single point mutation in the V10 leader donor splice site responsible for this situation and that this mutation is found in the different populations tested, indicating that V10 corresponds to a pseudogene in humans. We restored the splice site by mutagenesis and obtained correct splicing in vitro. Analysis of the V10 germline gene in different primates reveals functional splice sites in the closest human apes, the chimpanzee and the gorilla. The splice competence of TCRG-V10 in higher primates was addressed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from chimpanzee by specific cDNA amplification, and correct splicing of the TCRG-V10 leader intron was found as well as a majority of in frame rearrangements involving only the TCRG-J1 or J2 segments. These results suggest that V10(+)gamma /delta T cells may represent an important subset in the non-human higher primates, contrary to the situation observed in the human.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

The development of human megakaryocytes. II. CD4 expression occurs during haemopoietic differentiation and is an early step in megakaryocyte maturation.

CD4 expression is not limited to T cells and monocytes. In both mouse and man the antigen has been detected on some early haemopoietic progenitors and we have shown that some mature megakaryocytes (MK) express CD4, the surface molecule that serves as the high-affinity receptor for human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Using a serum-free culture system in which sorted CD34+ haemopoietic progenitors are cultured with thrombopoietin (TPO), IL-3, IL-6 and SCF, we now show that CD4 expression is induced in virtually all developing haemopoietic cells. This phenomenon was particularly striking in the MK lineage, where CD4 expression began whilst the cells were still CD34+ but after they expressed CD41 (GPIIb/IIIa). CD4 expression and endomitotic polyploidization occur at the same time in MK development. In culture, maximum CD4 expression occurred 4-6 d after CD41 expression and lasted for a few days. Expression of CD4 declined gradually thereafter and most MK were CD4- by the end of the culture period. The amount of CD4 on the surface of some MK, as measured by intensity of fluorescence staining, exceeded that of normal monocytes and approached the brightness of T cells. Appearance of the surface antigen correlated with the presence of mRNA for CD4, as measured by RT-PCR.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed1996

[The establishment and analysis of expending dental arch]

Expending dental-arch is one of the methods being used popularly in orthodontics.but there are few researches on its basical laws.In this paper,we used mathematic methods to discuss the relationship of the arch-length(S),the width(A),and the length of dental-arch(H).We devised a mathematic model,hoping it could be useful to orthodontic therapy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Solubilization of beta-bungarotoxin-binding protein from rat diaphragm and inhibition of its binding by some other presynaptic neurotoxins].

The mechanism of the transmitter release-blocking action of beta-bungarotoxin at neuromuscular junctions is probably related to the binding of the toxin to a presynaptic voltage-dependent K+ channel. In this paper we report the solubilization of beta-bungarotoxin-binding protein from rat diaphragm membrane preparations with Triton X-100. The specific binding activities of the detergent extracts are 200-400 fmol/mg of protein, and the yields are about 50%-70%. The binding of 125I-beta-bungarotoxin to the extracts could be completely inhibited by dendrotoxin, with an IC50 of about 8 x 10(-8) mol.L. Another beta-neurotoxin, beta-agkistrodotoxin, however, could not inhibit the 125I-beta-bungarotoxin binding at all. This indicates that the acting sites of beta-agkistrodotoxin on the presynaptic membranes are different from those of beta-bungarotoxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Anti-lipid peroxidation of gomisin J on liver mitochondria and cultured myocardial cells.

AIM: To study the influences of gomisin J on lipid peroxidation and calcium paradox. METHODS: Using two in vitro models of rat liver mitochondria membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and cultured myocardial cells. RESULTS: Gomisin J inhibited Fe2+/ascorbic acid and ADP/NADPH-induced LPO with IC50 (95% confidence limits) 5.5 (4.5-6.7) and 4.7 (2.8-7.8) mumol.L-1, respectively, when cultured myocardial cells preincubated with Ca(2+)-free medium for 2 min were incubated with normal medium containing Ca2+, a marked increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) formation occurred and gomisin J 10 mumol.L-1 protected myocardial cells through decreasing MDA formation. CONCLUSION: Gomisin J inhibits LPO in rat liver mitochondria and protects cultured myocardial cells from being injured by calcium paradox.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of coronavirus RNA transcription is likely mediated by protein-RNA interactions.

Coronavirus mRNA transcription was thought to be regulated by the interaction between the leader RNA and the intergenic (IG) sequence, probably involving direct RNA-RNA interactions between complementary sequences. In this study, we found that a 9-nucleotide sequence immediately downstream of the leader RNA up-regulated mRNA transcription and that a particular strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) lacking this 9-nucleotide transcribed subgenomic mRNA species containing unusually heterogeneous leader-fusion sites. These results suggest that the sequence complementarity between the leader and IG is not necessarily required for mRNA transcription. UV cross-linking experiments using cytoplasmic extracts of uninfected cells and the IG sequence showed that three different cellular proteins bound to IG of the template RNA. Deletion analyses and site-directed mutagenesis of IG further demonstrated a correlation between protein-binding and transcription efficiency, suggesting that these RNA-binding proteins are involved in the regulation of coronavirus mRNA transcription. We propose that coronavirus transcription is regulated by RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Differential regulation of accessory mitogenic signaling receptors by the T cell antigen receptor.

In addition to the antigen receptor, resting T cells express a number of receptors that can be stimulated to generate proliferative signals. These "accessory" receptors require co-expression of the T cell receptor (TCR), suggesting that they channel their signals via secondary activation of the signal transduction function of the CD3-TCR complex. Little is known about how different receptors control each other's function when one or more stimuli are presented at the same time. In order to study the regulation of accessory receptors by the CD3-TCR and vice versa, we have investigated the activation of the CD2 cell adhesion molecule receptor and the pertussis toxin receptor, a 43 kDa plasma membrane protein. Both receptors can activate signal transduction pathways in T cells similar to that of the CD3-TCR, including increases in Ca2+ and phosphatidylinositol turnover. They are also similar in that they utilize the antigen receptor to transmit their signals to the cell since CD3-TCR(-) mutants cannot be activated via either CD2 or the toxin receptor. We have previously shown that submaximal stimulation of the CD3-TCR blocks second messenger generation and proliferation in response to pertussis toxin. This heterologous desensitization was unidirectional since activation of the toxin receptor had no effect on CD3-TCR function. Here we extend these studies to show that activation of both CD2 and the toxin receptor led to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of three similar proteins. Submaximal stimulation of the CD3-TCR completely inhibited toxin receptor-stimulated tyrosine protein kinase activity but did not desensitize CD2 function as determined by activation of tyrosine protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, CD2 stimulation did not lead to desensitization of the pertussis toxin receptor. These data support a system of complex regulatory relationships between different signaling receptors and suggest a model for signal integration and inter-receptor cross-talk in T cell activation.

CD2 Antigens↗
PubMed1995

Colonic protein fermentation and promotion of colon carcinogenesis by thermolyzed casein.

Thermolyzed casein is known to promote the growth of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colon cancer when it is fed to rats that have been initiated with azoxymethane. We speculated that the promotion was a consequence of increased colonic protein fermentation (i.e., that the thermolysis of the casein decreases its digestibility, increases the amount of protein reaching the colon, and increases colonic protein fermentation and that the potentially toxic products of this fermentation promote colon carcinogenesis). We found that the thermolysis of casein reduces its digestibility and increases colonic protein fermentation, as assessed by fecal ammonium and urinary phenol, cresol, and indol-3-ol. Thermolysis of two other proteins, soy and egg white protein, also increases colonic protein fermentation with increased fecal ammonia and urinary phenols, and thermolysis of all three proteins increases the levels of ammonia and butyric, valeric, and i-valeric acids in the cecal contents. We found, however, that the increased protein fermentation observed with thermolysis is not associated with promotion of colon carcinogenesis. With casein, the kinetics of protein fermentation with increasing thermolysis time are clearly different from the kinetics of promotion of ACF growth. The formation of the fermentation products was highest when the protein was thermolyzed for one hour, whereas promotion was highest for protein that had been thermolyzed for two or more hours. With soy and egg white, thermolysis increased colonic protein fermentation but did not promote colon carcinogenesis. Thus, although thermolysis of dietary casein increases colonic protein fermentation, products of this fermentation do not appear to be responsible for the promotion of colon carcinogenesis. Indeed, the results suggest that protein fermentation products do not play an important role in colon cancer promotion.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Determination of beta-phenyllactic acid in rat plasma by derivatization capillary gas chromatography (DCGC)].

The determination of beta-phenyllactic acid (PLA) in rat plasma by derivatization capillary gas chromatography is described. Quantitation was affected by 63Ni-electron capture detector after separation with a SE-54 quartz capillary chromatographic column. Calibration curves were linear within the range of 1.6-9.6 micrograms.ml-1. The limit of detection of PLA was considered to be 0.5 microgram.ml-1. PLA was extracted from plasma with ethyl acetate (rat plasma 0.1 ml). The recovery from plasma was high and the mean value was 98.11 +/- 3.81 (s)%, their within day and between day relative standard deviations were 5.13% and 5.99% respectively.

Animals↗