Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Cao

Publications and source records attributed to Y Cao.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

Eutherian phylogeny as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data.

The phylogenetic relationships among Primates, Artiodactyla, Cetacea, Carnivora, and Rodentia were estimated from the amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genomes, for which entire nucleotide sequence data are available, using Marsupialia, Aves, and Amphibia as outgroups. The overall evidence of the maximum likelihood, as well as maximum parsimony, analyses strongly suggests that Rodentia is an outgroup to the other four eutherian orders, and that Cetacea and Artiodactyla form a clade with Carnivora as a sister taxon, consistently with the molecular phylogenetic studies of previous authors. However, analyses of individual proteins do not necessarily conform to this conclusion, and some of the proteins reject the putatively correct tree with nearly 5% significance. Furthermore, the 12S mitochondrial ribosomal RNA sequences do not give the putatively correct tree irrespective of the alignments and of the phylogenetic methods, although the tree is not rejected with a statistical significance. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequences give the putatively correct tree with our sequence alignment when the ML method is used, but the result depends on the alignment and on the choice of outgroup species. These results illustrate the limitation of the ribosomal RNA data alone in phylogenetic inference, and suggest that we must analyze as many genes as possible and synthesize the results to draw a reliable conclusion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[A preliminary study of BCG adjuvant therapy in oral and maxillofacial malignant melanoma.].

Malignant melanoma is a kind of tumor with higher malignant and lower therapeutic effect.it is demonstrated by experiment that melanoma cells have antigenicity and refer to immunology.BCG is a kind of biologic response modifier(BRM).it is able to promote physical antitumor ability.There were 42 patients with oral and maxillofacial malignant melanoma who received freezing therapy and surgery in this paper.11 cases of them added BCG immunotherapy.The result is that the median survival time of therapy plus BCG group is 4 years,and 3 years,5 years,7 years survival rate are 89%,72% and 32%,over 8 years survival rate is 18%.The median survival time of another group is 2 years,and 3 years,5 years,7 years survival rate are 55%,24% and 12%,over 8 years survival rate is 3%.There is a statistically significant difference between these two groups and BCG group has a longer survival time.This preliminary study demonstrated that BCG adjuvant therapy could decrease recurrence of metastases and increase patients survival time.

English Abstract↗

Studies with monoclonal antibodies to the V3 region of HIV-1 gp120 reveal limitations to the utility of solid-phase peptide binding assays.

Using human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) r(1)-447 (L-736,523) and 19b to the V3 region of HIV-1 gp120, we have explored epitope presentation on V3-peptides and on the corresponding gp120 proteins. HuMAb r(1)-447 binds strongly to the MN and SF-2 peptides and gp120 proteins. In contrast, while this HuMAb binds equally avidly to both the HxB2 and the BRU/BH10 peptides, it binds but weakly to the HxB2 V3 loop on gp120 and fails to bind at all to BH10 gp120. Thus, the solid-phase peptide binding assay can falsely predict reactivity of an MAb with a gp120 protein. Conversely, HuMAb 19b fails to bind to a peptide from the V3 loop of HIV-1 AD-6 in solid-phase assays, but binds to the same peptide in solution and also to AD-6 gp120. Thus, the solid-phase peptide binding assay can fail to predict reactivity of an MAb with a gp120 protein. Furthermore, serum antibodies from individual AD-6 do not react well with the AD-6 V3-peptide in a solid-phase assay, but react strongly with the corresponding MN V3-peptide. On the basis of peptide binding assays, we had assumed that the AD-6 virus was "MN-like" with a prototypic North American/European subtype B GPGR motif at the crown of the V3 loop. However, direct sequencing demonstrates that the AD-6 V3 loop contains a variant GPGK motif. This highlights a limitation of V3-peptide-based assays for serotyping viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Surgical treatment of orbital fracture].

In last six years, 51 cases (34 males, 17 females) of orbital deformities caused by fracture were treated. According to careful examinations, x-ray and CT scan, the operation plan was made. The coronal incision or plus lower eyelid incision were employed. Subperiosteal dissection began from the upper margin of the orbit to release input soft tissue and reposition the eyeball. Rib bone was grafted for orbital defects. Canthoplasty was used if necessary. The surgical results were satisfactory.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Effect of nucleosides and a nucleotide mixture on proliferation of human gastric cancer cells (KATO III).

The effect of the nucleotides and a nucleotide mixture (OG-VI), consisting of inosine, guanosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP), cytidine, uridine, thymidine (TdR) (4:4:4:3:1 in molar ratio), and TdR co-administration on proliferation of KATO III human gastric cancer cells in culture was evaluated. Consumption of purine and pyrimidine by cancer cells and changes in cell number with OG-VI or TdR were compared with the control culture medium (Williams E) after 72 hour-culture. Addition of OG-VI or TdR did not enhance the cellular proliferation, but inhibited growth when given in higher concentrations (0.3-3 mM inosine, 0.3-3 mM 5'-GMP, 0.22-2.2 mM uridine, 74-740 microM TdR). Consumption rate of TdR in the medium was less in the TdR group, 33.7%, than in the OG-VI group, 72.2% (p < 0.05). This suggests that TdR metabolism is modulated by other nucleosides and nucleotide included in OG-VI. Under the coadministration of 5-fluorouracil (FUra), addition of OG-VI or TdR suppressed cellular proliferation (p < 0.05). The inhibition rate of cellular proliferation in the OG-VI group was slightly higher than the TdR group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The combination of FUra with OG-VI or TdR enhances the antitumor effect of FUra. It is concluded that the OG-VI does not enhance the tumor cell proliferation and it is a potential biochemical modulator of FUra metabolism in human cancer cells.

Cell Division↗

[Experimental study of radiated pig skin incorporated with norfloxacin and silver].

This paper presents the preparation and experimental use of radiated pigskin incorporated with norfloxacin and silver (RPSNS). The results show that tensile strength, tissue adherence and water-vaporu permeability of RPSNS are not significantly different from that of pigskin without radiation. The histological structure of RPSNS is essentially normal. However, some of the epidermal cells present vesicles. No positive culture is found in RPSNS and radiated pigskin, while the rate of positive bacterial culture of pigskin sterilized by Bromogeramin is 10%. RPSNS can effectively inhibit Staphy. aureus, Ps aeruginosa, E. coli, Proteus and Klebsiella. The results indicate that RPSNS is a kind of sterile biological dressing with strong anti-bacterial effect.

Animals↗

[Study of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid harvested from the dogs with steam inhalation injury].

The significances of analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were studied using a steam inhalation injury model. Bronchoalveolar lavage was carried out at 1 and 5 h after steam inhalation injury. The parameters investigated included cellular analysis, the total protein content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the BALF, and pathologic examination of lungs. The study indicated that some informations of the pathophysiological changes in the lungs after inhalation injury could be acquired by the BALF analysis.

Animals↗

Cellular and molecular characterization of Ca2+ currents in acutely isolated, adult rat neostriatal neurons.

Ca2+ currents in acutely isolated, adult rat neostriatal neurons were studied with whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. In the vast majority of neurons (approximately 90%, n > 250), currents were exclusively of the high-voltage-activated (HVA) type. HVA currents activated near -40 mV and reached their maximum amplitude near 0 mV. Quasi-steady-state inactivation curves in many neurons were well fitted only with a sum of Boltzmann functions, suggesting that the HVA currents were heterogeneous. Although the block of whole-cell current by Cd2+ was well fitted with a single isotherm having an IC50 of near 1 microM, experiments with organic channel antagonists suggested that at least four types of HVA channels were expressed by most cells. On average, the L-channel antagonist nifedipine (5-10 microM) blocked 31 +/- 10% of the whole-cell current (n = 20), the N-channel antagonist omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTx) (2-5 microM) blocked 27 +/- 11% (n = 20), and the P-channel antagonist omega-agatoxin IVA (100-500 nM) blocked 21 +/- 10% (n = 18). In many neurons, the block by omega-CgTx was partially or completely reversible. In cells tested with a combination of these antagonists, 34 +/- 17% of the peak Ca2+ current remained unblocked (n = 13). Single-cell expression profiling of medium-sized neurons revealed the presence of rbA and rbB Ca2+ channel alpha 1 subunit mRNAs but low or undetectable levels of rbC mRNA (n = 12). These findings suggest that although adult neostriatal projection neurons do not express significant levels of LVA Ca2+ current, they do express a pharmacologically and structurally heterogeneous population of HVA currents.

Animals↗

Photochemically induced focal cerebral ischemia in rat: time dependent and global increase in expression of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA.

Induction of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA expression was studied in a Rose bengal induced focal cerebral ischemia during a time course of 2, 4, 24, 72 h and 7 days. Focal cerebral ischemia induced by Rose bengal resulted in a global upregulation in bFGF gene expression at the 24 h time-interval. This upregulation in bFGF gene expression was due to an upregulation in glial bFGF expression in most of the areas studied as seen by means of non-radioactive in situ hybridization in combination with immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein. However, in the piriform cortex a putative neuronal upregulation of bFGF could be detected by combination of non-radioactive in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and nuclear staining with Neutral red. Semiquantitative data concerning bFGF mRNA expression were obtained by use of computer-assisted microdensitometry and revealed substantial increases in bFGF mRNA expression in the cingulate cortex, the neostriatum, a 1 mm marginal zone close to the external capsule and the olfactory tubercle at bregma levels 1 to 2 mm rostral to the lesion. No changes in bFGF gene expression were seen in field CA1 of Ammon's horn on the lesioned side and in dentate gyrus at bregma levels between -2.12 to -3.30 mm. We observed significant changes in bFGF upregulation in the caudate putamen, the piriform cortex and the amygdaloid region and the frontoparietal cortex at bregma levels -2.12 to -3.30 mm. These data indicate that photochemically induced focal cerebral ischemia leads to an early and global response in bFGF gene expression, which is due to an upregulation mainly in astrocytes. The observed widespread upregulation of the bFGF gene transcription rostral and caudal to the lesion is suggested to be due in part to neuronal glutaminergic connections between the areas investigated and in part due to increases in extracellular fluid signals (volume transmission).

Animals↗

Initiation of glycogen synthesis. Control of glycogenin by glycogen phosphorylase.

Glycogen biosynthesis involves a specific initiation event, mediated by a specialized protein, glycogenin. Glycogenin undergoes self-glucosylation to generate an oligosaccharide primer, which, when long enough, supports the action of glycogen synthase to elongate the polysaccharide chain, leading ultimately to the formation of glycogen. We report that primed glycogenin is also a substrate for glycogen phosphorylase. Phosphorylase removed glucose from the oligosaccharide attached to glycogenin in a phosphorolysis reaction that required phosphate and produced glucose 1-phosphate. The phosphorylated form, phosphorylase a, was much more effective than the dephosphorylated phosphorylase b. However, in the presence of the allosteric effector AMP, phosphorylase b also catalyzed the phosphorolysis reaction. Glucose, an allosteric inhibitor of phosphorylase, inhibited the reaction. Glycogen, but not a short oligosaccharide (maltopentaose), also inhibited the reaction. Treatment of fully primed glycogenin with phosphorylase converted the glycogenin to a form with slightly lower apparent molecular weight, which was less effective as a substrate for glycogen synthase. These results suggest a novel role for phosphorylase in the control of glycogen biosynthesis. We propose that the glucosylation level of glycogenin would be determined by the balance between the self-glucosylation reaction and the opposing action of phosphorylase. The level of glucosylation would in turn determine whether or not glycogenin was an effective primer for glycogen synthase. In this way, several known controls of phosphorylase activity, such as epinephrine, glucagon, and insulin, could influence not only the elongation/degradation stage of glycogen metabolism but also its initiation.

Animals↗

GAP-43, aFGF, CCK and alpha- and beta-CGRP in rat spinal motoneurons subjected to axotomy and/or dorsal root severance.

The mRNA levels for growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), alpha- and beta-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in rat lumbar spinal motoneurons were studied by in situ hybridization 1, 5 and 21 days and 20 weeks following unilateral peripheral nerve sectioning, ventral rhizotomy or dorsal rhizotomy. Furthermore, CGRP- and aFGF-like immunoreactivities in the ventral horn were studied using immunohistochemistry. One to 21 days after axotomy, GAP-43 and alpha-CGRP mRNAs increased in lesioned motoneurons, while the aFGF mRNA levels were marginally higher in motoneurons on the lesion side as compared to the control side. beta-CGRP, CCK and ChAT mRNA levels, on the other hand, decreased during the short-term response (1-21 days) to axotomy. After ventral rhizotomy, but not peripheral axotomy, there was complete disappearance of aFGF-like immunoreactivity in the ventral root proximal to the lesion. In animals subjected to long-term survival (20 weeks) after peripheral axotomy, the expression of all studied substances had returned to normal levels. Unilateral dorsal rhizotomy did not induce any substantial short- or long-term shifts in the cellular expression of the GAP-43, aFGF, CGRP and CCK peptides or their mRNAs in motoneurons of lesioned segments. These results indicate that peptides/proteins in motoneurons are expressed differentially after axotomy. Whereas alpha-CGRP and GAP-43 are up-regulated, CCK and beta-CGRP become down-regulated and aFGF is largely unaffected.

Animals↗

Relationship of proton uptake on the cytoplasmic surface and reisomerization of the retinal in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle: an attempt to understand the complex kinetics of the pH changes and the N and O intermediates.

In the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle the recovery of the initial BR state from the M intermediate occurs via the N and O intermediates. The molecular events in this process include reprotonation of the Schiff base and the subsequent uptake of a proton from the cytoplasmic side, as well as reisomerization of the retinal from 13-cis to all-trans. We have studied the kinetics of the intermediates and the proton uptake. At moderately low pH little of the N state accumulates, and the O state dominates in the reactions that lead from M to BR. The proton uptake lags behind the formation of O, suggesting the sequence N(0)<==>O(0) + H+ (from the bulk)-->O(+1)-->BR+H+ (to the bulk), where the superscripts indicate the net protonation state of the protein relative to BR. Together with a parallel study of ours at moderately high pH, these results suggest that the sequence of proton uptake and retinal reisomerization depends on pH: at low pH the isomerization occurs first and O accumulates, but at high pH the isomerization is delayed and therefore N accumulates. Although this model contains too many rate constants for rigorous testing, we find that it will generate most of the characteristic pH-dependent kinetic features of the photocycle with few assumptions other than pH dependency for protonation at the proton release and uptake steps.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fibroblast growth factors enhance dopamine fiber formation from nigral grafts.

Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family have earlier been shown to exert potent trophic effects on cells of both the central and peripheral nervous system. The presence of FGF-1 and -2 (FGF-1, acidic FGF; FGF-2, basic FGF) has recently been demonstrated in the dopaminergic cells of substantia nigra in rat and FGF-2 has been shown to be able to increase survival and promote neurite outgrowth of cultured mesencephalic neurons. In the presence study, we have investigated possible trophic effects of FGF-1 and FGF-2 on developing rat ventral mesencephalon of different fetal stages by utilizing the in vivo method of intraocular transplantation to sympathetically denervated hosts. Survival and growth of developing grafts after growth factor treatment was followed in oculo. The Falck-Hillarp technique was used for evaluation of catecholaminergic fiber outgrowth into the host iris in whole-mount preparations. FGF-2 significantly increased the volume of the mesencephalic grafts when compared to grafts treated with the vehicle alone. The mean volume of FGF-1-treated grafts was larger than that of control grafts, but this difference was not statistically significant. FGF-1 significantly increased the area of outgrowth of dopaminergic fibers into the host iris without a corresponding increase in the number of dopaminergic neurons, as evaluated by TH immunohistochemistry. FGF-2 had no effect on dopaminergic fiber outgrowth on grafted E14 ventral mesencephalon but it did have a significant effect on fiber outgrowth from E15 and E16 grafts. Moreover, the FGF-2 treated E16 grafts contained a larger number of dopaminergic neurons as compared to controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗