The antagonistic action of heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese drugs on endotoxins.
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Drug Therapy, Combination↗
Biomedical subjects
X Zhang
Publications and source records attributed to X Zhang.
[Effect of unprepared and prepared "he zi" on contraction of isolated trachea smooth muscle in rabbits].
Isolated trachea smooth muscle in rabbits induced by Ach or KCl was adopted to study the effect of unprepared and prepared "He Zi". The results showed that unprepared "He Zi" couldn't affect the contraction of isolated trachea smooth muscle in rabbit induced by Ach or KCl, and that prepared "He Zi" couldn't affect the contraction of isolated trachea smooth muscle in rabbit induced by KCl. The results also showed that prepared "He Zi" could significantly inhibit the contraction induced by Ach. The inhibition effect may not be associated with cGMP, adrenergic receptor, and release of NO and prostaglandin, and was epithelium independent. Maybe the different content of tannic acid contributed to the different effect between unprepared and prepared "He Zi".
Acetylcholine↗
[Effects of tobacco smoke on the expression of ICAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells].
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of tobacco smoke on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in endothelial cell. METHODS: Macrophages were challenged in vitro with cigarette smog, and the supernatant was collected at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after tobacco treatment. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was measured by the ELISA method. Then the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were incubated with the supernatant from the macrophages stimulated by cigarette smoke allergen. ICAM-1 in the supernatant was detected by the ELISA method. RESULTS: TNF-alpha was increased with the longer incubation time. A significant difference of TNF-alpha(t = -4.301, P < 0.01) was observed between the tobacco treated group (4.967 +/- 0.802 pg/ml) and the control group (3.181 +/- 0.214 pg/ml). Soluble ICAM-1 in HUVEC in the tobacco treated group (mean 0.068 4 ng/ml) increased 49% than the controls (mean 0.045 9 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that cigarette smog enhances the expression of TNF-alpha in the antigen-presenting cell(APC)-macrophage, and the latter up-regulates the secretion of the membrane glycoprotein sICAM-1 in HUVEC which can assist leukocyte immigration.
Cells, Cultured↗
[Effects of chemical agents on the prevention of fungal contamination during household wheat storage in Cixian county].
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of several commercial chemical agents (DMF, AP and Chumeijing) on the prevention of fungal contamination in household storage of wheat in Cixian county. METHODS: The antifungal agents tested include dimethyl fumarate, DMF, aluminium phosphide, AP and Chumeijing (a Chinese product comprised of propionic acid, formic acid, sorbic acid and fumaric acid). The chemicals were applied in the wheat containers in the rural households. The fungal contamination and the inhibitory effects on fungal growth in wheat were measured by fungal isolation, culture, identification and count. RESULTS: The fungal contamination in the household wheat before using fungicides were quite common, with an overall contamination rate of 67.5% to 100%. The application of the three chemical fungicides effectively reduced fungal contamination in household stored wheat, and the effective rate for DMF, AP, AMF + AP and Chumeijing was 91.2%, 85.2%, 100% and 100% respectively, while the rate of fungi growth inhibition was (61.9 +/- 21.6)%, (64.0 +/- 21.6)%, (72.5 +/- 18.0)% and (63.1 +/- 24.3)% respectively. CONCLUSION: DMF, AP and Chumeijing are all effective in the prevention of fungal contamination for household stored wheat in Cixian county. AP is not recommended owing to its higher toxicity, compared with the other chemicals tested.
Acids, Acyclic↗
[The event-related potential characteristics of reading disabilities in children under condition of continuous performance test].
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of event-related potential (ERP) of reading disabilities (RD) in children under the condition of continuous performance test (CPT) and their possible neurological basis. METHODS: Using ERP technique with CPT conditions, such as semantics, direction and pitch identification, 16 RD boys and their matched normal boys were tested. A comparative study was conducted to analyze these indicators of accuracy, reaction time, false alarm, wave amplitude and latency between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the three kinds of identification tests, RD children had lower accuracy in pitch identification (65.4 +/- 15.9) to (78.5 +/- 12.6) and lower reaction speed (557.0 +/- 97.8) ms to (493.0 +/- 47.8) ms, as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The false alarm rate was much higher in RD children than that in the control group with unattended-high simulation (1.1 +/- 0.7)% to (0.6 +/- 0.3)%, P < 0.05. Moreover, the P300 amplitude decreased with direction of (20.8 +/- 7.3) to (27.7 +/- 8.3) microV and pitch of (9.1 +/- 4.3) to (14.6 +/- 8.3) microV, P < 0.05. And, the latency delayed in pith of (571 +/- 78) ms to (512 +/- 62) ms, semantic cognition processing negativity Nd of (398 +/- 76) ms to (342 +/- 67) ms, pitch Nd of (373 +/- 56) ms to (327 +/- 53) ms, P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: There was defect in selective attention of RD children, which suggested relationship between dysfunction of frontal-basal ganglia circle and RD. The ERP combined with CPT was much better than that with single target stimulation to indicate children's cognitive characteristics.
Adolescent↗
[Adsorption of p-chlorophenol by biofilm and its components].
The p-chlorophenol (4-cp) adsorption to biofilm components was investigated by the experiment. Biofilm components included modeling water particulate (kaolin) with biofilm coating, bacterial cell, exopolysaccharide, kaolin and kaolin with exopolysaccharide. The adsorption of 4-cp in these systems could be described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations except the system of kaolin with exopolysaccharide. Under the condition of 25 degrees C and pH of 6.1 in these reaction systems, bacterial cell and EPS adsorbed more 4-cp than kaolin. The biofilm coating of kaolin affected its adsorption to 4-cp. Kaolin with biofilm coating adsorbed more 4-cp than that without biofilm coating.
Adsorption↗
[Aerobic sludge granulation and biological phosphorus removal in different operating conditions of SBR].
This paper investigate the effect of the different operating conditions on the aerobic sludge granulation and biological P removal characteristics in SBR by using synthetic domestic wastewater as feed. Different ratios of COD/TN (11.79, 18.85, 20.72, 24.66), COD/TP (27.85, 44.53, 48.93, 58.25), TN/TP (4.00, 2.36, 1.54), temperature(22 degrees C, 15 degrees C, 8 degrees C) and sludge retention time(16d, 10d, 5d) are tested in this process. It is found that the high ratios of COD/TN (24.66), COD/TP (58.25), temperature (22 degrees C) and low SRT (10d) are beneficial to the phosphorus removal and the cultivation of the aerobic granular sludge. The proper TN/TP rate (2.36), dissolved oxygen and selection of anaerobic seed sludge are basic requirement and most important factors to guarantee such aerobic granules in the process.
Aerobiosis↗
Excitatory amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute head injuries.
BACKGROUND: The excitatory amino acids (EAAs) glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) play a role in the pathogenesis of postischemic and posttraumatic brain insult. The changes of EAAs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with traumatic brain injury are incompletely understood. METHODS: We used reversed-phase HPLC with precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and fluorescence detection to measure Glu and Asp in CSF of 42 patients with acute head injury and 9 control adults without neurologic diseases. We assessed the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission, the main lesion patterns on computed tomography (CT) scan within 24 h post trauma, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 3 months post injury. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of Glu and Asp in CSF in the brain-injured group were significantly higher than those of the control group (Glu, P <0.001; Asp, P <0.05). In patients admitted within 24 h after severe injury (n = 13), peak Glu values appeared within 48 h in 11 patients (85%), and the mean value remained higher than control values at day 7 (P <0.02). The concentrations of EAAs were higher in patients with severe injuries (GCS < or =8) than in those with milder injuries (Glu, P <0.001; Asp, P <0.05). GCS and peak EAAs correlated negatively (Glu, rs = -0.5706, P <0.001; Asp, rs = -0.5503, P <0.001). The patients with focal brain contusion on initial CT scan (n = 8) had a significantly lower peak Glu value than the patients with other patterns (n = 8-15; P <0.02 to 0.001). The peak value of EAAs in the poor-outcome group (including severe disability, vegetative state, and death) was significantly higher than in the good-outcome group (good recovery and moderate disability; Glu, P <0.001; Asp, P <0.01); GOS was closely correlated to the EAA values (Glu, rs = 0.5737, P <0.001; Asp, rs = 0.5470, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The EAA concentrations in CSF increase after acute head injury and remain higher for at least 1 week post injury in severely injured patients. The more severe the trauma, the more obvious the excitotoxicity induced by EAAs and the worse the outcome.
Acute Disease↗
Clinical outcome of patients with previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction assessed with myocardial (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT and (18)F-FDG PET.
UNLABELLED: Myocardial viability was assessed by (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) SPECT and (18)F-FDG PET to evaluate the prognosis and treatment strategy of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients with previous MI and LV dysfunction (LV ejection fraction [EF], 35% +/- 6% [mean +/- SD]) who underwent (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT and FDG PET were followed-up for 26 +/- 10 mo (mean +/- SD). Distributions of the 2 radiotracers in myocardial segments were classified into 2 patterns: myocardial perfusion-metabolism mismatch (MM) and match (M). LV EF and LV end-diastolic diameter (EDD) were measured by echocardiography at baseline, 3 mo (Pos1), and 6 mo (Pos2) after revascularization. Cardiac death, acute MI, unstable angina, and late revascularization (>3 mo) experienced by the patients during follow-up were defined as cardiac events. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients underwent revascularization and 56 patients were treated medically. Of the 72 patients with > or =2 MM segments, 42 underwent revascularization (group A1) and 30 were treated medically (group A2). Of the 51 patients with <2 MM segments, 25 underwent revascularization (group B1) and 26 were treated medically (group B2). The 4 groups had similar baseline characteristics and rest LV EF. After revascularization, EF (mean +/- SD) increased in group A1 from 36% +/- 5% to 44% +/- 8% (P < 0.0001) in Pos1 and to 51% +/- 9% (P < 0.0001) in Pos2. EDD (mean +/- SD) decreased from 62 +/- 8 mm to 56 +/- 5 mm (P < 0.001) in Pos1 and to 55 +/- 5 mm (P < 0.001) in Pos2. However, EF and EDD were unchanged in group B1 (P > 0.05). During the follow-up, 22 patients (17.9%) suffered from cardiac events, including 11 cardiac deaths, 4 acute MI, 6 late coronary artery bypass grafting, and 1 unstable angina pectoris. The cardiac event rate in group A2 (50%) was significantly higher than that of groups A1 (2.4%; chi(2) = 23.08; P < 0.0001), B1 (12%; chi(2) = 8.94; P = 0.003), and B2 (11.5%; chi(2) = 9.45; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Assessment of myocardial viability using hybrid (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT and FDG PET can predict the clinical outcome and is helpful to decision making in the treatment strategy of patients with MI and LV dysfunction. Revascularization can improve the LV function and clinical outcome of patients with >2 viable myocardial segments.
Aged↗
[The apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in children with steroid-resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome].
OBJECTIVE: To study apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in children with steroid- resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (SRINS). METHODS: Sixty children with SRINS (including 9 children with focalsclerosing glomerulonephritis) were observed in comparison with 80 age-sex-matched healthy children. Seven lipoprote in metabolism parameters including serum total-cholesterol(TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein AI(apoAI), apolipoprotein B (apoB), lipoprotein (a)[Lp (a)] were detected by enzyme method, and single-strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) was used to determine the apoE genotypes in the two groups. RESULTS: Serum TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoAI, apoB, Lp(a) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (P<0.01). After 6 months, the levels of serum TC, TG, LDL-C,apoB,Lp(a) were 81.25%, 78.13%, 84.38%, 87.50% and 78.13% respectively in 32 SRINS cases of the observation group. The apo epsilon 2 allele gene frequence was higher in the observation group than in the controls (11.66% vs 5.00%, P<0.05). The apo apsilon 2 allele gene frequence in the cases of focalsclerosing glomerulonephritis was significantly higher than that in the controls (22.22% vs 5.00%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The above results indicate the obvious and long term abnormalities of serum lipoprotein metabolism in the children with SRINS. The apo apsilon 2 allele gene frequence is higher in the children with SRINS. There are risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in the children with SRINS. The antilipemic drugs should be considered in use for the children with SRINS.
Apolipoprotein A-I↗
[Cloning of the mouse Doc-1R gene by genomic walking].
OBJECTIVE: To obtain the genomic sequences of the mouse Doc-1R gene. METHODS: Gene-specific primers were designed and synthesized based on the cDNA sequences of the mouse Doc-1R gene. With the use of genomic walking strategy, the mouse genomic walking library was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Mouse genomic library constructed with a special adaptor was utilized as a template to amplify the desired fragment by nested PCR. RESULTS: A desired fragment of 1.5 kb was obtained. Sequence analysis of the desired fragment confirmed that the genomic cloning of the Doc-1R gene was successful. This gene contains four exons and three introns. All of the splice donor/acceptor site sequences are in accordance with the consensus 'GT-AG' rule. CONCLUSION: The genomic walking strategy is simple, efficient and reliable; it is an ideal method of cloning genomic fragments.
Animals↗
[Chromosomal aberration analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization in nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic alteration in primary sporadic nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) in Hunan. METHODS: Comparative genomic hybridization was applied to investigate the genomic imbalance in a series of 20 cases of primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas. RESULTS: The common chromosomal alterations included gains of chromosomes 1q, 2, 3q, 7q,8q,12 as well as losses of chromosomes 3p, 9p, 11q, 16q. CONCLUSION: There are multiple regions of chromosomes with copy number changes in NPC. The tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes on these regions may be involved in the development and progress of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Chromosome Aberrations↗
[The outlook of using chitosan related materials in nerve regeneration].
Chitosan is a kind of biodegradable materials with excellent biocompatibility. This article interpreted the progress and outlook of using chitosan related materials in nerve regeneration from the following points: the positive charges on chitosan, its ability to adsorb proteins, the specific adhesion of nerve cells on chitosan, and the surface roughness, aperture and surface topography of chitosan.
Biocompatible Materials↗
[Preparation and identification of activity of antiplatelet-derived growth factor receptor beta subunit hammerhead ribozyme in vitro].
OBJECTIVE: To study the preparation and cleavage activity of ribozyme directed against platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor beta subunit gene transcript in vitro. METHODS: PDGF receptor B subunit gene fragments were cloned into T-vector under the control of T7 promotor. 32P-labeled PDGF receptor beta subunit transcripts as target-RNAs were transcribed in vitro and purified by PAGE. Ribozyme gene designed by computer targeting the extracellular domain was cloned into vector P1.5 between 5'-cis ribozyme and 3'-cis ribozyme. 32P-labeled ribozyme transcripts was gel-purified, incubated with target-RNAs at different conditions and autoradiographed after denaturing gel-electrophoresis. RESULTS: The preparation of ribozyme was correct. It was active at 37 degrees C. The optimal temperature was 50 degrees C, Km=13,20 nm, Kcat=0.28 min-1. The cleavage efficiency was up to 78.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Ribozyme prepared in vitro possesses specific catalytic activity.
Animals↗
Changes in and effective factors of microtubule-associated protein 2 in traumatic neurons.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate alterations in the microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) of neurons in Wistar rats and the effect of nimodipine (Nim), D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-AP-5) and mild hypothermia on neuronal MAP-2 following fluid percussion injury (FPI). METHODS: Alterations of MAP-2 in Wistar rat neurons following FPI were measured by a confocal laser-scanning microscope using MAP-2 immunofluorescence staining as a MAP-2 indicator. RESULTS: MAP-2 immunofluorescence staining was limited to the cell bodies and dendritic compartments of neurons and more intense in dendrites than in cell bodies. The loss of MAP-2 was marked at 3 h post-trauma (P < 0.01), and reached a maximum at 48 h post-trauma. Afterwards, fluorescence recovered partly at 72 h post-trauma. The application of Nim markedly reduced the loss of MAP-2 immunoreactivity within 1 h post-trauma (P < 0.01), and the application of D-AP-5 markedly reduced the loss of MAP-2 immunoreactivity within 10 h post-injury (P < 0.01). The application of mild hypothermia decreased the loss of MAP-2 immunoreactivity within 1 h post-injury (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The partial recovery of fluorescence at 72 h post-trauma indicate that the partial structure of the neuronal microtubules can be repaired by itself. Nim, D-AP-5 and mild hypothermia reduce the degradation of MAP-2 by different mechanisms. The treatment of neuronal cytoskeleton degradation following FPI must employ multiple therapeutic approaches.
2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗
Components of the Arabidopsis C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factor cold-response pathway are conserved in Brassica napus and other plant species.
Many plants increase in freezing tolerance in response to low, nonfreezing temperatures, a phenomenon known as cold acclimation. Cold acclimation in Arabidopsis involves rapid cold-induced expression of the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factor (CBF) transcriptional activators followed by expression of CBF-targeted genes that increase freezing tolerance. Here, we present evidence for a CBF cold-response pathway in Brassica napus. We show that B. napus encodes CBF-like genes and that transcripts for these genes accumulate rapidly in response to low temperature followed closely by expression of the cold-regulated Bn115 gene, an ortholog of the Arabidopsis CBF-targeted COR15a gene. Moreover, we show that constitutive overexpression of the Arabidopsis CBF genes in transgenic B. napus plants induces expression of orthologs of Arabidopsis CBF-targeted genes and increases the freezing tolerance of both nonacclimated and cold-acclimated plants. Transcripts encoding CBF-like proteins were also found to accumulate rapidly in response to low temperature in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Norstar) and rye (Secale cereale L. cv Puma), which cold acclimate, as well as in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Bonny Best, Castle Mart, Micro-Tom, and D Huang), a freezing-sensitive plant that does not cold acclimate. An alignment of the CBF proteins from Arabidopsis, B. napus, wheat, rye, and tomato revealed the presence of conserved amino acid sequences, PKK/RPAGRxKFxETRHP and DSAWR, that bracket the AP2/EREBP DNA binding domains of the proteins and distinguish them from other members of the AP2/EREBP protein family. We conclude that components of the CBF cold-response pathway are highly conserved in flowering plants and not limited to those that cold acclimate.
Acclimatization↗
Regulation of human apolipoprotein A-I gene expression by equine estrogens.
Estrogen replacement therapies, such as conjugated equine estrogen (CEE, Premarin), reduce the risk of coronary heart disease among postmenopausal women. In the present study, a HepG2 stable cell line (HepG2/S) that harbors a luciferase reporter gene cassette with the human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) promoter region was used to examine the activity of CEE components in modulating human apoA-I promoter activity. A number of estrogens modulated apoA-I promoter activity, with equilenin (Eqn) being the most potent. Eqn produced a 3-fold increase in apoA-I promoter activity and a similar increase in apoA-I mRNA without affecting its degradation rate. Nuclear runoff assays indicated that the transcription rate of the apoA-I gene was increased 2.5-fold in Eqn-treated cells. When HepG2/S cells were exposed to Eqn, apoA-I protein secretion increased by 80%, whereas the level of secreted apoA-II remained unchanged. Transient transfection studies with human apoA-I promoter constructs derived from pGL3-luciferase reporter plasmid were used to identify the cis-acting element involved in Eqn-mediated induction. The results demonstrated that the apoA-I electrophile/antioxidant response element (EpRE/ARE) might be responsible for the increase in apoA-I promoter activity by Eqn. Cotransfection experiments using estrogen receptor (ERalpha and/or ERbeta) expression vectors have indicated that neither receptor can potentiate the Eqn-mediated induction of apoA-I promoter activity. In addition, mobility shift analysis using antibody against either ERalpha or ERbeta cannot detect the presence of these receptors in the DNA-protein complex. The data indicate that Eqn can induce the promoter activity of the human apoA-I gene, leading to an increase in apoA-I mRNA levels and apoA-I protein secretion through an ER-independent pathway involving apoA-I EpRE/ARE.
Animals↗
[Effect of exogenous p16 gene on biological behaviors of human lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biological effects of tumor suppressor gene p16 on human lung cancer cells with p16 gene deletion. METHODS: p16-pcDNA3 was transfected into lung cancer cell line A549 using lipofectin, in which p16 gene was homozygously deleted. Biological behaviors of the transfected cell line were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The expressions of p16 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was stable expression of p16 in the transfected cell line A549. Exogenous p16 gene significantly slowed down the growth of A549 cells as compared with the control. Flow Cytometry showed that the transfected cells were stagnated in G1 phage of cell cycle accompanying with apoptosis. In addition, clonogenic assay showed that the number of colony in soft agar was decreased in transfected cells as well. In vivo, a suppressed tumorigenicity and significantly decreased growth rate were shown in nude mice injected with A549 cells transfected with p16-pcDNA3, as compared with those in mice injected with either original A549 or A549 transfected with pcDNA3. CONCLUSION: Exogenous p16 gene can express stably in human lung cancer A549 cell line; exogenous p16 gene transfection induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells with p16 deletion and inhibits growth of the tumor in nude mice.
Animals↗