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Y Liang

Publications and source records attributed to Y Liang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Fluorescence quenching high-performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis utilizing a scientifically operated charge-coupled device detector.

A scientifically operated charge-coupled device detector combined with fluorescence quenching high-performance thin-layer chromatographic plates was employed for the detection of organic compounds, The plates were excited with 254 nm light from a mercury lamp, and quantitative information was obtained from organic compounds that absorbed the optimum conditions for detection. The linear dynamic range, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the system were evaluated by quantitative analysis of famotidine, acetaminophen, caffeine, and acetylsalicylic acid. The detection limits of the system were found to be in the nanogram range.

Acetaminophen↗

Thermodynamics of the folding of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase assisted by protein disulfide isomerase studied by microcalorimetry.

Thermodynamics of the refolding of denatured D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) assisted by protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a molecular chaperone, has been studied by isothermal microcalorimetry at different molar ratios of PDI/GAPDH and temperatures using two thermodynamic models proposed for chaperone-substrate binding and chaperone-assisted substrate folding, respectively. The binding of GAPDH folding intermediates to PDI is driven by a large favorable enthalpy decrease with a large unfavorable entropy reduction, and shows strong enthalpy-entropy compensation and weak temperature dependence of Gibbs free energy change. A large negative heat-capacity change of the binding, -156 kJ.mol(-1).K(-1), at all temperatures examined indicates that hydrophobic interaction is a major force for the binding. The binding stoichiometry shows one dimeric GAPDH intermediate per PDI monomer. The refolding of GAPDH assisted by PDI is a largely exothermic reaction at 15.0-25.0 degrees C. With increasing temperature from 15.0 to 37.0 degrees C, the PDI-assisted reactivation yield of denatured GAPDH upon dilution decreases. At 37.0 degrees C, the spontaneous reactivation, PDI-assisted reactivation and intrinsic molar enthalpy change during the PDI-assisted refolding of GAPDH are not detected.

Animals↗

Systemic treatment with sympatholytic dopamine agonists improves aberrant beta-cell hyperplasia and GLUT2, glucokinase, and insulin immunoreactive levels in ob/ob mice.

Sympatholytic dopamine agonist treatment utilizing bromocriptine and SKF38393 (BC/SKF) significantly lowers basal plasma insulin levels and normalizes basal and glucose-induced insulin secretion of the pancreatic beta cell in ob/ob mice. While BC/SKF has no significant effect on pancreatic islet cells directly, drug action is mediated via alterations in the hypothalamic-neuroendocrine axis, which drives metabolic changes in peripheral tissues leading to a marked reduction in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and corrects autonomic control of islet function. To elucidate the nature of the functional response of islets to systemic BC/SKF treatment in ob/ob mice, we investigated the relative changes in the levels of functionally important beta-cell proteins in situ, as well as differences in the beta-cell turnover rate, following a 2-week drug treatment. Isolated islets from treated mice exhibit a 3.5-fold increase in insulin content (P <.01) that correlated with a 51% reduction in basal plasma insulin levels (P <.01) compared with vehicle-treated controls. Using quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy on pancreatic tissue sections, insulin and GLUT2 immunoreactivity of islet beta cells of BC/SKF-treated mice were significantly increased (approximately 2.3-fold and approximately 4.4-fold, respectively; P <.002) to the levels observed in islets of their lean littermates. Glucokinase (GK) immunoreactivity was greatly (75%) reduced in beta cells from ob/ob versus lean mice (P <.0001). A modest increase in GK immunoreactivity in beta cells of drug-treated mice was observed (approximately 1.6-fold; P <.05). Isolated islets from BC/SKF-treated mice exhibit a 42% reduction in DNA content compared with vehicle-treated controls (P <.01) to levels observed in lean mice, but without notable differences in islet size. In situ assays for mitosis and apoptosis, using 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and terminal deoxyribotransferase (TdT)-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining techniques, respectively, were performed in pancreas of these mice to determine if beta cells show a reduction in hyperplasia following BC/SKF treatment. Accordingly, a pronounced decrease in replicating, BrdU-positive beta cells in the drug-treated mice compared with the control group was observed, but without differences in their TUNEL-staining patterns. Collectively, these data suggest that systemic sympatholytic dopaminergic therapy that attenuates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia improves islet function in ob/ob mice by improving aberrations in the beta cell's glucose-sensing apparatus, enhancing insulin storage and/or retention, and stabilizing hyperplasia, thus reducing basal insulin levels.

Animals↗

Lack of FasL expression in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have been proposed to play a part in maintaining the eye as an immune privileged organ. However, our knowledge of the implicated mechanism is still sparse. Fas ligand (FasL) expression of RPE cells is generally recognized to be essential for the immune privilege of the eye, but due to contradictory published results, it is unclear whether RPE cells express this molecule. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of FasL in RPE cells in vitro and in vivo. Cultured human fetal and adult RPE cells were examined by flow cytometry, Western blotting, RT-PCR and RNase Protection assay for FasL expression. Additionally, sections of ocular tissue were stained for FasL by immunohistochemistry. None of the used methods indicated FasL expression in cultured fetal or adult RPE cells of various passages. However, RPE cells in vivo, as judged from tissue sections, were positive for FasL, indicating a discrepancy between RPE cells in vitro and in vivo with regard to this molecule.

Adult↗

Characterization of mouse Atp6i gene, the gene promoter, and the gene expression.

Solubilization of bone mineral by osteoclasts depends on the formation of an acidic extracellular compartment through the action of a V-type ATPase. We previously cloned a gene encoding a putative osteoclast-specific proton pump subunit, termed OC-116 kDa, approved mouse Atp6i (ATPase, H+ transporting, [vacuolar proton pump] member I). The function of Atp6i as osteoclast-specific proton pump subunit was confirmed in our mouse knockout study. However, the transcription regulation of Atp6i remains largely unknown. In this study, the gene encoding mouse Atp6i and the promoter have been isolated and completely sequenced. In addition, the temporal and spatial expressions of Atp6i have been characterized. Intrachromosomal mapping studies revealed that the gene contains 20 exons and 19 introns spanning approximately 11 kilobases (kb) of genomic DNA. Alignment of the mouse Atp6i gene exon sequence and predicted amino acid sequence to that of the human reveals a strong homology at both the nucleotide (82%) and the amino acid (80%) levels. Primer extension assay indicates that there is one transcription start site at 48 base pairs (bp) upstream of the initiator Met codon. Analysis of 4 kb of the putative promoter region indicates that this gene lacks canonical TATA and CAAT boxes and contains multiple putative transcription regulatory elements. Northern blot analysis of RNAs from a number of mouse tissues reveals that Atp6i is expressed predominantly in osteoclasts, and this predominant expression was confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and immunohistochemical analysis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization shows that Atp6i expression is detected initially in the headfold region and posterior region in the somite stage of mouse embryonic development (E8.5) and becomes progressively restricted to anterior regions and the limb bud by E9.5. The expression level of Atp6i is largely reduced after E10.5. This is the first report of the characterizations of Atp6i gene, its promoter, and its gene expression patterns during mouse development. This study may provide valuable insights into the function of Atp6i, its osteoclast-selective expression, regulation, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for osteoclast activation.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

An improved optimization strategy and its application to clustering analysis.

In this paper, a new optimization strategy is put forward which locates as many potential unimodal regions as possible in the search space. The potential optima can be further explored by a global optimization method for searching in the identified unimodal regions. The proposed strategy was evaluated by the optimization of test functions. The results obtained by this approach are comparable with those achieved by variable step size generalized simulated annealing (VSGSA) and a genetic algorithm (GA). Finally, we used this strategy in a clustering analysis of a tobacco data set.

Algorithms↗

Killing effect of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand regulated by tetracycline on gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87.

AIM: To clone the cDNA fragment of human TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) into a tetracycline-regulated gene expression system, the RevTet-On system, transduce expression vectors into a gastric carcinoma cell line-NCI-N87 and examine the effects of controlled expression of TRAIL in vitro on the gastric carcinoma cells. METHODS: The full-length cDNA of TRAIL was inserted into a vector under the control of the tetracycline-responsive element (TRE) to obtain the plasmid pRevTRE-TRAIL, which was transfected into a packaging cell line PT67. In addition, vector pRev-Tet On and pRevTRE were also transfected into PT67 separately. After hygromycin and G418 selection, the viral titer was determined. The medium containing retroviral vectors was collected and used to transduce a gastric carcinoma cell line NCI-N87. The resulting cell line NCI-N87-Tet On TRE-TRAIL and a control cell line, NCI-N87 Tet On-TRE, were established. TRAIL expression in the cell line was induced by incubating cells with doxycycline (Dox), which is a tetracycline analogue. The killing effect on gastric carcinoma cells was analyzed after induction. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid pRev-TRE-TRAIL was constructed. After hygromycin or G418 selection, the producer cell lines PT67-TRE, PT67-TRE-TRAIL and PT67-Tet On were obtained,with titers of about 10(8)CFU.L(-1). By transducing NCI-N87 cells with retroviral vectors from these cell lines, stable cell lines NCI-N87-Tet-On TRE-TRAIL (NN3T) and control cell line NCI-N87-Tet-On-TRE (NN2T) were established. The growth curves of the selected cell lines were the same with the wild type NCI-N87. When Dox was added, cell death was obvious in the test groups (29%-77%), whereas no difference was observed in control and wild type cell lines. With the addition of a medium from the test group, human leukemia cell line Jurkat was activated till death (83%), indicating the secretion of active TRAIL proteins from the test cells to the medium. CONCLUSION: With the use of the RevTet-On system, a regulated expression system for TRAIL was constructed. Using this system, the selected killing effect of TRAIL on gastric carcinoma cell line NCI-N87 could be observed.

3T3 Cells↗

Hepatocellular carcinoma and aflatoxin exposure in Zhuqing Village, Fusui County, People's Republic of China.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Asia and Africa. Epidemiological studies have found that dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and chronic infection with hepatitis B virus are two major risk factors for HCC. We have collated the incidence and mortality data of malignant tumors from 1973 to 1999 in Zhuqing Village, Fusui County, an area with very high HCC rates, and found that this cancer accounted for 64% of the total cancer incidence. Dietary intake of AFB1 was monitored for 1 week in a study group consisting of 15 males and 14 females from different households in this village. Four of 29 participants (13.8%) and 3 of 15 (20%) male participants were hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive. AFB1 was detectable in 76.7% (23 of 30) of ground corn samples (range, 0.4-128.1 ppb), 66.7% (20 of 30) of cooking peanut oil samples (range, 0.1-52.5 ppb), and 23.3% (7 of 30) of rice samples (range, 0.3-2.0 ppb) collected from each household. Mean levels of serum AFB1-albumin adducts in this group were 1.24 +/- 0.31 pmol/mg of albumin at the beginning of the study and 1.21 +/- 0.19 pmol/mg of albumin at the end of the period. Urinary AFB1 metabolites were detectable in 88.9% (24 of 27) samples (range, 0.9-3569.7 ng/24-h urine). These data provide the exposure and disease risk information for establishing intervention studies to diminish the impact of aflatoxin exposure in this high-risk population.

Adult↗

Clinical study on treatment of chronic renal failure with shenshuailing.

The therapeutic effects of Shenshuailing Kou Fu Ye (SKFY [symbol: see text], the Oral Liquid for Renal Failure) and Shenshuailing Guan Chang Ye (SGCY [symbol: see text], the Enema for Renal Failure) were evaluated in treatment of chronic renal failure, with coateg aldehyde oxystarch as the controls. The changes in the clinical symptoms, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine clearance rate were observed. The total effective rate in the former was 90.46%, and the latter 60.43%.

Aged↗

[Gene diagnosis of factor VIII gene inversion by LD-PCR for 60 patients with severe hemophilia A].

OBJECTIVE: To identify factor VIII(F VIII) gene inversion among 60 patients with severe hemophilia A (HA) in Tianjin region. METHODS: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of HA patients; F VIII gene inversion was identified by long distance-polymerase chain reaction(LD-PCR) and 0.6% agarose gel electrophoresis. Those with only 11 kb band were diagnosed as the cases of F VIII gene inversion. Those with only 12 kb band were identified as wild type(non-inversion), and those with both 11 kb and 12 kb bands were recognized as inversion carriers. RESULTS: There were 21 patients with F VIII gene inversion, accounting for 35% of the 60 patients with severe HA. CONCLUSION: LD-PCR can be used to detect the F VIII gene inversion directly; it is an effective method for the gene diagnosis of severe hemophilia A.

Chromosome Inversion↗

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: an immunohistochemical study of 8 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the biological features of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSC) of the esophagus. METHODS: Cytokeratins (CK4, CK18 and CK19), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), carcino embryo antigen (CEA), alpha-smooth muscle antigen (alpha-SMA), S-100, laminin (LN), collagen IV (Col-IV), neural-specific enolase (NSE), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 antibodies were used to detect the corresponding antigen expression in 8 cases of BSC with ABC immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Two kinds of BSC cell components have different responses to the above antibodies. For basaloid cells (BCs), 7 cases were positive for CK19, and were negative for the other 4 epithelial antibodies CK4, CK18, CEA and EMA. BCs of 4 cases were positive to the muscular antibodies alpha-SMA and S-100, and the hyaline degeneration in the tumor nests was positive for LN and Col-IV. BCs had a high index of PCNA, with an average level of 54%. For squamous cells (SCs), 7 cases were positive for the epithelial antigen CK4, CEA and EMA, but were negative for CK19, alpha-SMA and S-100. The index of PCNA of SC was low, with an average level of 25%. CONCLUSION: BSC of the esophagus is a high-malignancy tumor which is of multi-oriented differentiation. BCs represent basal cells which have the tendency of myoepithelial differentiation and have strong proliferation ability, whereas SCs represent typical squamous cell differentiation.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

All-trans retinoic acid in pulmonary vascular structural remodeling in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) exerts an inhibitory effect on rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline. METHODS: All rats were given a single subcutaneous injection of either monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) or saline. Monocrotaline-injected rats received either atRA (30 mg.kg-1.day-1) or saline through oral-gastro intubation. On Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 respectively after monocrotaline injection, cardiovascular catheters were inserted to examine the mean pulmonary artery pressure of rats in each group. Meanwhile, the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) mRNA expression and hydroxyproline content in the main pulmonary artery were determined by RT-PCR and chromometry, respectively. RESULTS: The mean pulmonary artery pressure of rats in the model group increased significantly on day 21 and reached a peak on Day 28 compared with the control group (25.7 +/- 4.3 mm Hg vs 15.1 +/- 1.5 mm Hg and 38.5 +/- 6.4 mm Hg vs 16.4 +/- 2.0 mm Hg, P < 0.01). MMP-1 mRNA overexpression was present on Day 14 (0.72 +/- 0.15 vs 0.39 +/- 0.08, P < 0.01) and was rapidly down-regulated on Day 21 and 28 compared with Day 14, but was still higher than that in the control. The hydroxyoroline content of the main pulmonary artery dropped significantly on Day 14 (4.01 +/- 1.13 micrograms/mg vs 5.10 +/- 0.91 micrograms/mg, P < 0.05) and increased significantly on Days 21 and 28 compared with the control. atRA inhibited the MMP-1 mRNA overexpression from Day 14 to Day 28 and reduced the hydroxyproline content (5.59 +/- 0.70 micrograms/mg vs 7.96 +/- 1.13 micrograms/mg and 7.77 +/- 0.96 micrograms/mg vs 9.93 +/- 1.27 micrograms/mg, P < 0.01) and the mean pulmonary artery pressure compared with the model group (19.6 +/- 3.2 mm Hg vs 25.7 +/- 4.3 mm Hg and 26.3 +/- 4.6 mm Hg vs 38.5 +/- 6.4 mm Hg, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: atRA inhibits MMP-1 overexpression and the accumulation of collagen, which might elicit favorable geometric remodeling in rat pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.

Animals↗

[A pathologic study on the bronchioles and lung tissues in guinea pig asthma models].

OBJECTIVE: To probe further the pathologic changes in peripheral airways and lung tissues and to observe the changes of surfactant in asthma. METHODS: (1) The guinea pig asthma models were established with ovalbumin challenge method. (2) 6 groups were studied: control group, asthma group of day 1, asthma group of day 4, asthma group of day 14, intraperitoneal dexamethasone group, and budesonide inhalation group. (3) The pathologic changes were observed under optical and electron microscope. (4) The total and differential white blood cells counts of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were carried out. (5) The total amounts of phospholipids which represent the levels of pulmonary surfactant were measured with phosphorus detection method. RESULTS: (1) Significant hyperplasia of mucous membrane, basement membrane, and smooth muscle layer of central and peripheral airways in the asthma groups were seen. The alveolar walls were significantly thickened and alveolar spaces diminished (P < 0.001, compared with the control group). Significant infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes were observed in airways and lung tissues. (2) The total cell number and the number eosinophils and lymphocytes in BALF were significantly increased in the asthma groups than those in the control group(P < 0.01). Neutrophils were dominant at early stage, but eosinophils and lymphocytes at late stage. (3) The ultrastructural changes of type II alveolar cells in asthma group included cell swelling, evacuation of lamellar bodies and partial cell desquamation. (4) The total amount of phospholipids in BALF was significantly decreased in the asthma groups as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The above changes were significantly improved in both corticosteroid treated groups. CONCLUSION: Widespread and significant inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration exists in the bronchioles and alveolar walls in guinea pig asthma models. Not only there is structural change, but also the function of alveolar cells is influenced. Asthma is a disease involving the whole airway and lung system.

Animals↗

[Trends of diagnosis and management of pulmonary thromboembolism in hospitalized patients in the last fifteen years].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of diagnosis and efficacy of management of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and the related risk factors in hospitalized patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 149 inpatients with PTE admitted to Anzhen hospital from Jan 1985 to Dec 1999 were reviewed. The clinical epidemiological profile including approaches of diagnosis and treatment and prognosis in three different time intervals (1985 approximately 1989, 1990 approximately 1994, 1995 approximately 1999) were compared. RESULTS: There was a four time increases of the annual admitted PTE cases in 1995 approximately 1999 period as compared with the former two periods. Mortality fell from 42.0% to 9.0%. In the first period (1985 approximately 1989) 83.3% of patients were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms only and 4.2% on ECT, as compared with 75.0% on ECT, 15% on catheterization and only 7.8% on simply clinical symptoms in the last period (1994 approximately 1999). False or misdiagnosis rate was 57.7% in those patients on admission. Male Patients < 40yrs were significantly more than female (P < 0.05). Cardiovascular intervention operation may be an important risk factor inducing PTE. CONCLUSION: There was an increasing trend of diagnosis PTE in inpatients. Owing to the improvement of diagnosis, mortality significantly decreased in the last ten years.

Adolescent↗

[Pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma: a case report and a review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the characteristics of pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma (PHG). METHOD: One patient with PHG confirmed by pathological assessment was presented and relevant literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: PHG is a rare disease characterized by multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules. Symptoms include cough, dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, fever and fatigue. Histologically, the nodules consist of haphazard or whorled arrays of lamellar, keloid - like collagen. Evidence suggests that the nodules are the result of a chronic exaggerated immune response. CONCLUSIONS: PHG should be considered in patients showing multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules. The clinical course of PHG in most patients is benign. At present, there is no effective therapy.

Fatal Outcome↗

[The black diaphragm intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of the black diaphragm intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: The black diaphragm IOL implantation performed on 23 cases (23 eyes) of traumatic aniridia (21 eyes) and congenital aniridia (2 eyes) was studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Photophobia was reduced obviously and the naked visual acuity was improved in all 23 cases after the black diaphragm IOL implantation, VA > or = 0.1 in 16 cases (70%). The complications included vitreous hemorrhage (2 eyes) in the operation, and there were exudates on the surface of IOL (13 eyes), IOP elevation (3 eyes), macular hole (1 eye), recurrent retinal detachment (1 eye) and corneal decompensation (5 eyes) after the operation. CONCLUSION: The black diaphragm IOL implantation provides an effective means of treating traumatic or congenital aniridia, but the indication should be strictly controlled.

Adolescent↗