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Biomedical subjects

X Zou

Publications and source records attributed to X Zou.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: Dyspeptic symptoms are common in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The supraspinal control of sympathetic innervation to the stomach is interrupted in these patients. Gastric emptying has been reported to be delayed in some patients with cervical SCI. Gastric myoelectrical activity is known to regulate gastric motility and is correlated with gastric emptying. The change in gastric myoelectrical activity after cervical SCI is unknown; our aim was to investigate it. METHODS: The study was performed in 12 cervical SCI patients and 14 healthy controls. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface electrogastrography for 30 min in the fasting state and 1 h after a standard test meal. Spectral analysis was performed to compute the following parameters from the electrogastrogram; investigated were the percentage of 2-4 cycles/min (cpm) slow waves, the instability coefficient (IC) of the dominant frequency, the postprandial increment of dominant frequency (deltaF), and its power (deltaP). RESULTS: In both fasting and fed states, regular and stable gastric slow waves were observed in both the control group and patients with cervical SCI. The percentage of normal 2-4 cpm slow waves (preprandial, 80.7+/-3.6% vs 91.5+/-3.7%, p > 0.05; postprandial, 82.0+/-4.4% vs 87.2+/-4.2%, p > 0.05) and IC (preprandial, 0.19+/-0.04% vs 0.28+/-0.05%; postprandial, 0.24+/-0.04% vs 0.27+/-0.02%, p > 0.05) were not significantly different between the two groups. The dominant frequency and its power were also similar between the two groups, no matter whether in the fast (frequency, 2.92+/-0.3 vs 2.93+/-0.06 cpm; power, 30.05+/-1.29 vs 29.08+/-1.23 dB, p > 0.05) or fed (frequency, 3.17+/-0.07 vs 3.02+/-0.06 cpm; power, 32.55+/-0.90 vs 32.07+/-1.18 dB,p > 0.05) state. The postprandial response measured by deltaF (0.25+/-0.09 vs 0.09+/-0.07 cpm, p > 0.05) and deltaP (2.52+/-1.10 vs 2.24+/-1.20 dB, p > 0.05) were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Gastric myoelectrical activity was not altered after cervical SCI.

Adult↗

[Quantitative analysis of motor unit potential in patients with dermatomyositic disease].

To diagnose dermatomyositic disease well, we adopted the method of EMG in an investigation of 37 patients. Their electrophysiologic parameters of 220 muscles were determined. The results showed that the parameters, including the average DUR, AMP, RISE, AREA, AR/AM and SI of motor unit potentials (MUPs) were significantly lower than those of the controls (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), especially AREA and SI (P < 0.01). But no remarkable difference was found between the muscles on the two sides of the diseased extremties. These findings suggest that quantitative analysis of MUPs is of importance to diagnosis of dermatomyositic disease and the parameters such as AREA and SI may provide more valuable information.

Action Potentials↗

[Ineffective platelet transfusion in patients with hematology malignancy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the effects of platelet transfusion and histocompatibility antigen (HLA). METHODS: The relationship between the corrected count increment (CCI) of platelet with lymphocytotoxicity test (LCT) and human histocompatibity antigen system-I subtype (HLA-I) in 126 hospitalized patients who accepted platelet transfusion. RESULTS: Ineffective platelet transfusion was strongly related to LCT positive and LCT intensity (P < 0.01). The HLA A2 gene frequency was 0.91. The frequency was much higher than that of health human being (0.54). CONCLUSION: Positive LCT was mainly immune factor for ineffective platelet transfusion. CCI and LCT should be the routine test for platelet patients. It may improve the effects of platelet transfusion.

Adolescent↗

[Change of hymodynamics and circulating endothelial cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and cor pulmonale patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the vascular endothelial injuries by observing the changes of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) numbers in blood and hemodynamics in COPD and cor pulmonale patients. METHOD: The arterial catheterion technique and CEC collection technique were used, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdyhyde(MDA) levels were determined respectively. RESULT: mPAP (3.76 +/- 0.75 kPa) and CEC (16.70 +/- 2.65/0.9 microliter), MDA (6.98 +/- 1.47 mumol/L) in the chronic cor pulmonale are higher than that of mPAP (2.09 +/- 0.41 kPa) and CEC (8.48 +/- 2.23 microliters) in COPD, the numbers of CEC are adversely correlated to PaO2 (gamma = 0.9423, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with mPAP (gamma = 0.8270, P < 0.001), superoxide dismutase(SOD) was decreased. CONCLUSION: mPAP, CEC are higher in cor pulmonale than that in COPD, CEC numbers rise when the PaO2 was lowered, hypoxia may worsen the vascular endothelial injuries.

Adult↗

[Separation of celiprolol enantiomer by high performance liquid chromatography with urea derivative as chiral stationary phase].

Celiprolol enantiomer was resolved directly by using normal-phase HPLC with urea derivative as chiral stationary phase (CSP). The resolution condition was optimized by varying the content of ethanol and 1, 2-dichloroethane in the mobile phase. The effects of the two components on stereoselectivity factor (alpha) and stereochemical resolution factor (Rs) are demonstrated. The higher the 1,2-dichloroethane content the faster the elution of solute is, but the lower the values of alpha and Rs are. For a suitable content of ethanol in mobile phase, the maximum resolution factor (Rs) can be obtained. Ethanol is a strong proton-donor and proton-acceptor. Its strong hydrogen bond interaction with solute and CSP is important for the direct resolution. In order to obtain both the low retention time and a high Rs, we chose the mobile phase with n-hexane:1,2-dichloroethane:ethanol (V/V/V) = 77:21:2. Other organic modifiers such as methanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol and acetonitrile were also used. Iso-propanol, methanol and n-butanol showed longer retention time and lower values of alpha and Rs than ethanol. Acetonitrile is only a proton-acceptor and has weak hydrogen bond interaction with solute and CSP, so resolution wasn't obtained. The elution order of enantiomer was also discussed. We thought that the hydrogen bond interaction between solute and the (S)-val component of CSP may mainly control the chiral recognition. The interaction strength is different between (R)- and (S)-celiprolol, so the celiprolol enantiomer was resolved. And the elution order is S, R.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Rapid induction of B-cell lymphomas in mice carrying a human IgH/c-mycYAC.

Activation of the c-myc proto-oncogene by one of the immunoglobulin (Ig) loci after chromosomal translocation is a consistent feature of Burkitt's lymphoma. Different subtypes of this tumor vary in the molecular architecture of the translocation region. In most cases there are no known regulatory elements of the Ig locus neighboring the oncogene and this considerably obscures the mechanism of its deregulation. In order to assess possible oncogene activation signals, we produced an experimental translocation region by insertion of a c-myc gene about 50 kb from the IgH intron enhancer in a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing a 220 kb region of the human Ig heavy chain (IgH) locus. Single copy integration of this YAC into the genome of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells was achieved by spheroplast fusion. Chimeric mice derived from these ES cells developed monoclonal B-cell lymphomas expressing surface IgM by 8-16 weeks of age. The IgH/c-myc translocus showed different V(h)DJ(H) rearrangement in almost all tumors without any alterations of the distance between c-myc and the IgH intron enhancer. This mouse model can be used for the in vivo analysis of c-myc deregulation and the tumor formation capacity of the IgH locus in aberrant rearrangements.

Animals↗

Induction of c-myc transcription by the v-Abl tyrosine kinase requires Ras, Raf1, and cyclin-dependent kinases.

v-Abl is an oncogenic form of the c-Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. v-Abl induces transcription of c-myc, and c-Myc function is a necessary but not sufficient component of the v-Abl transformation program. Previously we showed that the E2F site in the c-myc promoter is a v-Abl response element and that v-Abl appears to induce c-myc by initiating a phosphorylation cascade that ultimately activates E2F-binding proteins. In this work we have investigated the signaling pathway between the v-Abl tyrosine kinase and activated E2F proteins. We show that the Ras GTPase and Raf1 serine/threonine kinase are required in this pathway. However, in contrast to other aspects of v-Abl signaling, induction of c-myc transcription is independent of the Rac GTPase. Our results also establish a requirement for activated cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks), as v-Abl-dependent induction of c-myc transcription is blocked by cdk inhibitor p21 and induction of c-myc is accompanied by activation of cdk2 and cdk4. Finally, we show that v-Abl-dependent induction of c-myc is accompanied by hyperphosphorylation of pRb, p107, and p130. On the basis of these data, we propose a model for the signaling path from v-Abl to c-myc.

Animals↗

[Role of pulmonary arterial angiotensin converting enzyme in development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of local pulmonary arterial renin-angiotensin system on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(PAH). METHOD: Normobaric hypoxic PAH animal model was adopted. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure(PAPs), pulmonary arterial angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) activity, collagen content(HP) were measured and ultrastructure of pulmonary smooth muscle cells (SMC) and was observed. RESULTS: During hypoxia, PAPs, pulmonary ACE activity, HP increased significantly and SMC changed into secretive phenotype. Treatment with cilazapril, an ACE inhibitor, decreased ACE activity along with reversal of PAPs. HP and SMC phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary ACE participated in the modulation of changes of SMC phenotype and collagen metabolism during hypoxic PAH.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

[Alterations of substance P-immune reaction positive neurons of cerebral tissues in epileptic rats].

Employing the immunocytochemical analysis, we observed the alterations of Substance P-Immune Reaction (SP-IR) positive neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and amygdala in rats suffering from epilepsy induced by Penicillin (PEN). The result showed that the number of neurons of epileptic group was higher than that of the control group and no significant change in the rumber of neurons was observed in the group in which PEN was given after injection of Nimodine. It indicates that SP and Ca2+ participate in the process of epileptogenesis.

Amygdala↗

[Antiepileptic effects of nimodipine on penicillin-induced seizures in rats].

Injecting penicillin (PNC) intraperitoneally in Wistar rats, we observed their epileptic behaviour and electroencephalographys. The results showed that nimodipine (NIM), a calcium antagonist, could inhibit the seizures and epileptic discharges significantly. No epileptic action was noted while NIM was injected before PNC. It supports our consideration of NIM as a new sort of nonsedative anticonvulsant in clinical practice.

Animals↗

[Investigation of potency to produce interleukin-2 of the peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with hemorrhagic stroke].

For further understanding the changes in immune function of the patients with hemorrhagic stroke, we investigated the activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the peripheral blood T lymphocytes from 32 patients. The results showed that the levels of IL-2 in the patients were lower than those of the healthy controls, but no significant difference was observed between the cerebral hemorrhage group and subarachnoid hemorrhage group. It suggests the cellular immune function of patients at the acute period is low. We consider that IL-2 might be of use as a kind of therapeutic measure to modulate patients' immune function and treat the diseases.

Adolescent↗

Dominant expression of a 1.3 Mb human Ig kappa locus replacing mouse light chain production.

Expression studies of multigene families, such as the immunoglobulin (Ig) loci, are difficult because of their large size and the necessity to introduce germline configured regions into an animal. Antibody diversity from Ig gene miniloci is limited by the number of variable (V) region genes and the need for distal regulatory elements to control expression. Here, we show germline transfer into mice of a 1300 kb human Ig kappa light chain locus on a yeast artificial chromosome that resulted in early DNA rearrangement and highly efficient human light chain expression. The human locus was assembled from a 300 kb authentic region using contig extension by addition of cosmid multimers to supplement the variable gene cluster. This resulted in the addition of about 100 V region genes in germline configuration from different families. In transgenic animals with Ig kappa disruption, this large human kappa locus replaced the endogenous locus, and subsequent down-regulation of Ig lambda light chain contribution led to a dominant expression of the rearranged human genes. Contrary to expectation, rather than providing a solely selective advantage for ensuring repertoire formation controlled by the sheer number of introduced genes, the lambda/kappa ratio in serum appears to be the result of competition for early surface Ig expression maintained in the developing B cell.-Zou, X., Xian, J., Davies, N. P., Popov, A. V., Brüggemann, M. Dominant expression of a 1.3 Mb human Ig kappa locus replacing mouse light chain production.

Animals↗

Anti-tumor promoting activity of canventol and its synthetic analogs through inhibition of protein isoprenylation.

Canventol, a synthetic compound, is a new inhibitor of tumor promotion on mouse skin by okadaic acid. We previously reported that canventol acts by inhibiting both protein isoprenylation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release. In this study we examined the potencies of 10 newly synthesized canventol analogs through their effect on mevalonate metabolism, and then examined 3 representative analogs for inhibition of protein isoprenylation. Since canventol in vitro did not directly inhibit farnesyl protein transferase or geranylgeranyl protein transferase-I, the effects of canventol and its synthetic analogs on the fate of [3H]mevalonate in cells were studied. Canventol at 500 microM changed the ratio of newly synthesized sterols (cholesterol and lathosterol) to ubiquinones from 0.7 to 8.2 in NIH/3T3 cells which had previously been labeled with [3H]mevalonate, suggesting that the altered pattern of mevalonate metabolism is associated with inhibition of protein isoprenylation in the cells. We named this ratio the inhibition of protein isoprenylation index (IPI index). The 10 analogs showed a wide range of IPI indices. Two analogs, S3 and S9 had effects similar to, or stronger than, canventol. Three analogs, C44, C46 and C47, with lower IPI indices, inhibited tumor promotion on mouse skin slightly less than canventol itself did. This study shows that inhibition of protein isoprenylation in the cells, indicated by an increase in the IPI index, is a new biomarker for estimating inhibition of tumor promotion.

3T3 Cells↗

[The significance of circulating endothelial cell in hypoxic injury of pulmonary vascular endothelial cell].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) in hypoxic rats and to check the damage of VEC in vivo, an experiment for observing circulating endothelial cells was conducted. METHOD: Thirty male Wistar rats were classified into 5 groups in random, exposted to 10% O2 and 1% FeCl3 intraveniously. After 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks, PaO2, circulating endothelial cells (CEC) were measured and the lung specimens, the pulmonary artery were examined by transmission electron micrography (TEM) and scanning electron micrography (SEM). RESULTS: Lung specimens and pulmonary artery under TEM and SEM: swollen appeared to VEC after 1 week. As time prolonged, VEC appeared splitting, broken and peeled off. The amount of CEC increased as the time proceeding, the longer the time, the higher the number of the CEC. Obvious hypoxemia developed in the tested animals as the time prolonged. CONCLUSIONS: All above results indicated: the time of anoxia proceeding, the structure of lung and pulmonary artery VEC were damaged obviously. The increase of CEC matched with the changes of ultrastructure of lung VEC. CEC specifically reflected the damage of VEC. Non-invasive measurement of CEC is valuble in evaluation of hypoxic injury of pulmonary VEC.

Animals↗

Subtle differences in antibody responses and hypermutation of lambda light chains in mice with a disrupted chi constant region.

Analysis of lambda light chain use in normal mice is made difficult by the dominant chi light chain repertoire. We produced mice rendered deficient in chi light chain expression by gene targeting and focused on questions concerned with the generation of lambda light chain diversity. Whilst these mice compensate the chi deficiency with increased lambda liters, and their Ig level is therefore not significantly reduced, they show major differences in immunization titers, germinal center (GC) development and somatic hypermutation. After immunization, using antigens that elicit a restricted IgL response in normal mice, we obtained in the chi-/- mice elevated primary antibody titers but a subsequent lack in titer increase after repeated antigen challenge. Analysis of the Peyer's patches (PP) revealed a dramatically reduced cell content with rather small but highly active GC. Flow cytometric analysis showed different cell populations in the PP with enriched peanut agglutinin (PNA)hi/CD45R(B220)+ B cells, implying that the apparent compensation for the lack of lambda light chain expression involves the GC microenvironment in cell selection, the initiation of hypermutation and high affinity expansion. The three V lambda genes, V1, V2 and Vx, are mutated in the GC B cells, but show no junctional diversity. In contrast, a reduced rate of V lambda hypermutation is found in the hybridoma antibodies, which appears to reflect a selection bias rather than structural constraints. However, mechanisms of somatic mutation and specificity selection can operate with equal efficiency on the few V lambda genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The determination of strong mutagen MX [3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone] in drinking water in China.

The strong mutagen, [3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone] (MX) was found to occur in chlorinated drinking water in China. Some tap water samples from Jiangsu province, which contained MX of 3-60ng/L, were analyzed. Quantitation is based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, using peak area of selective ion monitoring of the methyl derivative of MX.

China↗