Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Song

Publications and source records attributed to Y Song.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Melatonin receptors in the chicken kidney are up-regulated by pinealectomy and linked to adenylate cyclase.

The effect of pinealectomy on the characteristics of melatonin receptors in the chicken kidney was studied. One-day-old chicks were operated and kept under a 12 h/12 h light/dark photoperiod. Six weeks after operation, the animals were sacrificed at mid-light and mid-dark. Serum melatonin was determined by radioimmunoassay and kidney melatonin receptors were studied by radioreceptor assay using the melatonin agonist 2-[125I]iodomelatonin as the radioligand. Pinealectomy significantly reduced the mid-dark serum melatonin level and abolished the diurnal rhythm of 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding in the kidney. The density of 2-[125I]-Iodomelatonin binding sites in the kidney at mid-dark was increased significantly to a value comparable to the mid-light density after pineal ablation. Our results suggest that melatonin receptors in the chicken kidney are directly regulated by melatonin in the circulation. The coupling of kidney melatonin receptors to adenylate cyclase was investigated. The basal and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in chicken kidney explants was studied following melatonin or melatonin plus pertussis toxin treatment. Levels of cAMP in chicken kidney explants were extracted and determined by radioimmunoassay. Melatonin had no effect on basal cAMP levels. However, melatonin significantly inhibited the forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation at a concentration of 10 pmol/l. Inhibitory effects of melatonin on the forskolin-stimulated cAMP increase in the chicken kidney were totally blocked by preincubating the kidney tissue with 1.0 micrograms/ml pertussis toxin. Our results suggest that kidney melatonin receptors may modulate the adenylate cyclase leading to biological responses in the renal system.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Abnormalities of T waves in effort angina pectoris patients at rest evaluated by spatial velocity electrocardiogram.

The normal shape of the T wave on the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is asymmetrical. The spatial velocity electrocardiogram (SVECG) is a method of recording the slope of the wave of the ECG and makes it possible to quantify the symmetry of the ECG-T wave. The aim of this study was to diagnose resting effort angina pectoris not detectable by conventional resting ECG using SVECG. We studied SVECG-T waves in effort angina pectoris patients with significant coronary artery stenosis but with normal resting ECG (AP group: 50 subjects) and in an age- and sex-matched normal controls (N group: 30 subjects). The SVECG is depicted as a simple differential wave, and all SVECG-T waves had two peaks. The first peak of the SVECG-T wave was designated as the 'a' wave and the second peak as the 'c' wave. The heights (a wave-mag, c wave-mag) and c wave-mag/a wave-mag ratio (c/a ratio) were calculated. The c/a ratio was significantly decreased in the AP group (1.52 +/- 0.29 vs 1.87 +/- 0.27, p < 0.0001). In cases below the cut off c/a ratio of 1.7, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for effort angina pectoris were retrospectively evaluated to be 82%, 70% and 78%, respectively. The heights of the 'a' and 'c' waves correspond to the maximum slope of the ascending and descending limbs of the T wave on ECG. The symmetrization of the T wave on ECG is considered to occur when the c/a ratio decreases and approaches 1.0. In conclusion, the c/a ratio of the SVECG-T wave is a useful index to diagnose effort angina pectoris at rest when the resting ECG is normal.

Aged↗

Antioxidant enzymes response to endurance exercise training and dietary proteins in rat skeletal muscle and liver.

This study was conducted to observe the effects of endurance exercise training on antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle of rats being fed dietary casein and soy protein. The respective influences of dietary casein and soy protein on the activity of antioxidant enzymes were also compared. Thirty-nine male Wistar rats, aged 3 weeks, were randomly assigned to six groups: a normal protein control group, a normal protein endurance training group, a casein protein control group, a casein protein endurance training group, a soy protein control group, and a soy protein endurance training group. The endurance exercise training groups were adapted to a treadmill for 2 weeks prior to the date the rats were forced to run for 60 min at 25 m/min, 5 days/week for 12 weeks. We found that antioxidant enzyme activity in the gastrocnemius muscle was neither effected by the dietary proteins (casein and soy protein) nor by the above endurance exercise training load. However, hepatic Cu,Zn-SOD activity increased significantly for the dietary casein and soy protein diet groups as compared with the normal protein diet group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, significant increases both in hepatic Cu,Zn-SOD activity in the normal protein group and hepatic GSHpx activity in the casein and soy protein groups were observed when rats were loaded with 25 m/min of endurance exercise training (P < 0.01). These results suggest that, under the above experimental conditions, a casein or soy protein diet increase hepatic Cu,Zn-SOD activity, while endurance exercise training is effective in increasing hepatic Cu;Zn-SOD activity on a normal protein diet and in increasing hepatic GSHpx activity for cysteine and methionine deficient diets.

Animals↗

Polyethylene and titanium alloy particles reduce bone formation. Dose-dependence in bone harvest chamber experiments in rabbits.

Particles similar to those generated from joint replacements affect net bone formation within the Bone Harvest Chamber in rabbits. Whether these effects depend on the concentration of particulate materials is unknown. In this study, we performed a histomorphologic and morphometric analysis of net bone formation in the Bone Harvest Chamber in the presence of different concentrations of phagocytosable particles of high density polyethylene and titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium alloy. Chambers were implanted in 9 mature New Zealand white rabbits bilaterally. Concentrations of 10(6), 10(7) and 10(8) polyethylene particles/mL, and 10(8) and 10(9) particles/ mL of titanium alloy in 1% sodium hyaluronate carrier were implanted for 3-week periods in sequence in each of the chambers. 3-week control periods in which nothing was implanted in the chamber were included between the treatments. Increasing concentrations of polyethylene particles were associated with a more marked foreign body response and fibrosis. Net bone formation for the three polyethylene doses was reduced by 11%, 21% and 33% of controls, respectively. For titanium alloy, net bone formation was reduced by 8% and 56% of controls, for concentrations of 10(8) and 10(9) particles/mL, respectively. Our findings suggest possible adverse effects of wear debris on net bone formation and bony remodeling in the prosthetic bed, when concentrations of specific particles reach critical local levels.

Alloys↗

[Early changes in cardiac function and beta-ARs in heart after severe scalds in rat].

The changes in left ventricular function and ventricle beta-adrenoceptors (beta-ARs) were measured in rat undergoing a full thickness scalded burn of skin of 30% total body surface area. The results showed that there were a significant decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum rising and falling rate of left intraventricular pressure (LV +/- dp/dtmax) and density of ventricular beta-ARs. Correlation analysis showed that the change in beta-ARs density correlated with the change in LVSP, LV +/- dp/dtmax positively.

Animals↗

[Immunohistochemical study of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in gastric cancer: light and electron microscopic observations].

In order to study the metabolic features of gastric cancer, the relationship between intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia and gastric cancer, and the relationship between LDH isoenzymes and biological behavior of gastric cancer, the content and distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes in 60 cases of gastric cancer were observed with immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic techniques. The results showed that the content of LDH5 in gastric cancer cells was higher than that in any cells of normal gastric epithelium except parietal cells (P < 0.001). LDH-H (LDH1-LDH4) in cancer cells was lower than in parietal cells, but was not significantly different from that in chief cells and surface epithelium. Under electron microscope, LDH5 in cancer cells was mainly distributed in the matrix of cytoplasm, while LDH-H was scarce. LDH5 in the epithelium of intestinal metaplasia (IM) or dysplasia was higher than in pyloric glandular epithelium (P < 0.05), but was not significantly different from that in cancer cells (P > 0.2). LDH-H in the epithelium of IM or dysplasia was higher than that in pyloric glandular epithelium and gastric cancer cells (P < 0.05). The results suggest that increased LDH in gastric cancer cells is resulted mainly from increased LDH5, which makes the gastric cancer cells produce more lactate, with decrease in local pH. Invasion and spread of cancer cells could be indirectly promoted through an elevated activity of acid hydrolases. IM and dysplasia may be considered as borderline lesions from normal gastric mucosa to gastric cancer.

Gastric Mucosa↗

[Experimental study on the effects of FGF on the changes in vascular architecture of subdermal vascular plexus of the thin skin flap].

In this experimental study, eight rabbits were used to investigate the survival mechanism of subdermal vascular plexus thin skin flap. By histological, immunohistochemical and microcirculatory observation, we found that the vascular architecture of different parts of the flap had great dissimilarity: the vascular architecture of the proximal part was same as that of normal skin, the middle one showed extremely active angiogenesis, and the distal part also showed angiogenesis but in medium level. We conclude that the middle part of the flap works as an "intermediary pedicle", and is the basis of the early pedicle division and superior survival ratio of the flap. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) plays an important role in the changes in vascular architecture of the flap.

Animals↗

[An observation of the effect of tanshinone on cancer cell proliferation by Brdu and PCNA labeling].

The aim of this study was to find out the anti-cancer activity of Tanshinone and its mechanism of action. Human hepatic carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) and leukemia cell line (HL60) were treated with tanshinone the cancer cell proliferation indices were measured by Brdu Labeling and immuno-histochemical stain of PCNA. The Brdu labeling rates of human hepatic carcinoma and leukemia cells treated with tanshinone were 8.95% and 19.01%, which were lower than those of controls (28.0%, 25.57%) respectively (P < 0.01), PCNA positive rates were 57.0% and 30.32%, which were significantly lower than those of controls (74.3%, 47.05%) (P < 0.01). The results indicate that Brdu labeling and PCNA detection may have important utility in the studies of tumor cell proliferation and the relative factors affecting the cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect of tanshinone on cancer cell proliferation might be associated with inhibiting DNA synthesis, PCNA expression and activity of DNA polymerase delta of the tumor cells.

Abietanes↗

[Early results of CABG operation in 110 patients].

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations were performed in 110 consecutive patients. Most of them had extensive triple-vessel disease or left main coronary artery disease. Internal mammary artery (IMA) was used as a graft in 65 patients. Valvular replacement or valvuloplasty were performed in 8 patients and ventricular aneurysmectomy in 10 patients including post infarction VSD repaired in 1 patient simultaneously. Angina pectoris was relieved in all patients except one died from acute renal failure postoperatively. The IMA could be used safely and efficiently in nearly all patients. Using very fine technique, we suggested good exposure, and hemostasis to handle IMA. The key factor of success in CABG operation was complete revascularization by passing all significant stenosis larger than 1 mm diameter in all coronary artery branches.

Adult↗

ROK1, a high-copy-number plasmid suppressor of kem1, encodes a putative ATP-dependent RNA helicase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The KEM1 gene is involved in nuclear fusion during conjugation, and chromosome transmission and spindle pole body duplication/or separation during mitotic cell division in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. KEM1 was also independently identified as DST2, SEP1, XRN1 and RAR5 on the basis of DNA strand transferase or exoribonuclease activity in vitro or mutations affecting plasmid stability. To understand the various functions suggested for KEM1 and to identify other genes with functions similar or related to those of KEM1, we have characterized the ROK1 gene which was isolated as a high-copy-number plasmid suppressor of the kem1 null mutation. Sequence analysis of the smallest subclone with the suppression activity revealed an open reading frame of 564 amino acids. The ROK1 aa sequence contains highly conserved domains found in the DEAD protein family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases. ROK1 is essential for viability and is closely linked to KEM1 on chromosome VII.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Computerized microimage analysis of age-related changes of the human sinoatrial node.

This paper reports the age-related changes in the histological features of the sinoatrial node (SAN). The hearts of 106 persons dying at different ages (2 days-83 years), without clinical or pathological evidence of cardiac disease, were taken and divided into seven age-groups. Serial sections with a thickness of 2 microns, parallel to the long axis of the SAN, were prepared. Sections with the maximal area of the SAN were stained with hematoxylin/eosin (H & E) and Betty's method. The largest area of SAN were calculated by a computerized microimage analysis system. The age-related changes of the human SAN were discussed.

Adolescent↗

Expression of interleukin-11 and its encoding mRNA by glioblastoma cells.

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine with important effects on hematopoietic and other cells. IL-11 was originally described as a product of stromal cell lines and fibroblasts. Using RT-PCR, Northern blotting, and ELISA we demonstrated that the human U373 and U87 glioblastoma cell lines expressed IL-11 and its encoding mRNA when stimulated with IL-1 beta, phorbol ester, and calcium ionophore. The neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y did not express IL-11 mRNA in response to these agents. Cerebral expression of IL-11 by glial cells is important because IL-11 has been shown to have effects on neuronal electrophysiology, has overlapping functions with the neuroactive cytokine interleukin-6, and is part of the gp130-associated neuropoietic family of cytokines.

Astrocytes↗

Macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha mRNA expression in an immortalized microglial cell line and cortical astrocyte cultures.

Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP-1) is a recently characterized inflammatory and chemokinetic cytokine. Proinflammatory stimuli have been shown to induce expression of MIP-1 by macrophages. We hypothesized that microglia and astrocytes express MIP-1 alpha because of their many immunologic similarities to macrophages. MIP-1 alpha mRNA was examined with quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction in an immortalized mouse microglial cell line (BV-2) and in mouse cortical astrocyte cultures. We found that in both the BV-2 microglial cell line and in astrocyte cultures, MIP-1 alpha mRNA was strongly induced by lipopolysaccharide and the phorbol ester PMA. MIP-1 alpha mRNA was reduced by dBcAMP, interferon-gamma, and PGE1. Dexamethasone decreased MIP-1 alpha mRNA levels in astrocyte cultures, but not in BV-2 microglial cells. Interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and MIP-1 alpha had no effect on MIP-1 alpha mRNA expression. These findings demonstrate that MIP-1 alpha mRNA is expressed by cultured glial cells and is regulated by proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory stimuli. MIP-1 alpha may be expressed by microglia and astrocytes in vivo, and may help modulate cerebral inflammation.

Animals↗

Leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA is expressed in cortical astrocyte cultures but not in an immortalized microglial cell line.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a multifunctional cytokine synthesized by a variety of cell types. In the nervous system LIF affects neuronal differentiation, and may be important during cerebral infection and inflammation. To clarify the cellular source of LIF in the brain, we examined the expression of LIF mRNA by primary cortical astrocyte cultures and an immortalized microglial cell line. The microglial cell line did not express LIF mRNA in response to pro-inflammatory agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that induced expression of other cytokine mRNAs. In contrast, primary astrocyte cultures grown in serum-containing medium expressed LIF mRNA constitutively, and this expression was regulated by pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory stimuli. Agents which activate the cAMP and protein kinase C second messenger systems also increased LIF mRNA in astrocyte cultures. These results suggest that astrocytes, but not microglia, may be an important source of LIF during cerebral inflammation and infection.

Animals↗

Germline mutations in the RB1 gene in patients with hereditary retinoblastoma.

We have analyzed the 27 exons and the promoter region of the RB1 gene in familial or sporadic bilateral retinoblastoma by using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. For improvement over previous studies, a new set of primers has been designed, which allow for amplification of the coding and splicing sequences only. The positioning of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers was such that the resulting PCR products were of different sizes, which enabled us to analyze two different exons simultaneously and still distinguish between the banding profiles for both (biplex analysis). By using this approach, we were able to identify mutation in 22 new patients, but the overall efficiency of the procedure when we used a single-pass regimen was only 48%. The mutations were small insertions and deletions and point mutations in roughly equal proportions.

Base Sequence↗