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Biomedical subjects

B Sun

Publications and source records attributed to B Sun.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Modified cold storage of rat livers with self-made HYD solution.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cold preservation effect on rat livers of a modified storage method with self-made HYD solution. METHODS: The vascular bed of rat livers was expanded with an additional 20 to 40 ml self-made HYD solution/100 g liver. After resection of the liver, the extra HYD solution (expressed as % liver weight) was entrapped via portal infusion by tying off the supra- and infra-hepatic inferior vena cava. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups including control group with conventional storage method, and 20%, 30% and 40% groups according to the amount of extra HYD solution. We compared the preservation effect of the modified storage method with that of the conventional storage method using an isolated perfused rat liver model. RESULTS: Bile production and all the indices of hepatic microcirculation including portal perfusion pressure, endothelin-1 in the effluent, trypan blue distribution time and histology were significantly superior in the modified method groups compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05). The contents of dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) in the modified method groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Liver enzymes activities in the 30% group were markedly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The preservation effect on rat liver in the 30% group was the best among the modified method groups. CONCLUSION: The modified cold storage method is effective and may have potential for clinical application in liver preservation.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Vitamin D receptor and PCNA expression in severe parathyroid hyperplasia of uremic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in parathyroid proliferation and resistance of parathyroid glands to 1,25(OH)2D3 with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). METHODS: This study used archive parathyroid with 7 uremic patients. The expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and VDR was evaluated in nineteen-surgically excised parathyroid tissues, including 11 diffuse hyperplasia (DH-type) and 8 nodular hyperplasia (NH-type) of parathyroid glands, by immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin complex method). RESULTS: The weight of parathyroid in SHPT was remarkably increased by 16.1 times. The numbers of parathyroid cells were increased by 1.86 times. The rate of PCNA was remarkably increased in parathyroid hyperplasia with SHPT compared with that in control group [(6.35 +/- 3.36)@1000 vs (1.73 +/- 1.31)@1000, P < 0.001]. The number of PCNA in DH-type was lower than that in NH-type (P < 0.001). The density of VDR in the parathyroid with SHPT was significantly decreased [(40.28 +/- 13.13)% vs (83.79 +/- 3.77)%, P < 0.001], VDR immunoreactivity expression in NH-type was lower than that in DH-type [(27.14 +/- 4.12)% vs (49.84 +/- 7.33)%, P < 0.001]. A significantly negative correlation was found between VDR density and the weight of the parathyroid (r = -0.46, P < 0.05), the same as VDR and PCNA (r = -0.75, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: VDR density was significantly decreased in parathyroid tissue of uremic patients showing nodular hyperplasia compared with that in diffuse hyperplasia and there was significantly negative correlation between VDR density and the weight of the parathyroid, and this may contribute to the progression of SHPT. Furthermore, VDR deficiency may cause the resistance of parathyroid cells to 1,25(OH)2D3, in part.

Adult↗

[Analysis of telomerase activity and telomere length in acute myelogenous leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes and significance of telomerase activity and telomere length in acute myelogenous leukemia. METHODS: TRAP-ELISA-PAGE was used to detect telomerase activity, Southern blot to estimate the length of telomere. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was significantly higher in AML(Absorption(A): 2.298 +/- 1.059) than in normal control(A: 0.387 +/- 0.598) and the mean telomere length of AML [(7.6 +/- 2.1) kb] was significantly shorter than that of normal control[(9.3 +/- 1.9) kb]. The alteration of the telomere length was detected mainly in telomerase-positive AML. CONCLUSIONS: It suggested that there was a close relationship between telomerase activity and telomere length in AML. The activation of telomerase might play an important role in the genesis and development of AML and telomere length changes may correlate with the activation of telomerase.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

[Daily 1 h standing can prevent depression of myocardial contractility in simulated weightless rats].

Objective. To observe and compare the effect of daily standing of rats for different durations in alleviating the depression of myocardial contractility induced by simulated weightlessness. Method. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: simultaneous control (CON), four-week tail-suspension (SUS), SUS plus daily 1 h standing (STD1), SUS plus daily 2 h standing (STD2) and SUS plus daily 4 h standing (STD4). Four weeks later, wet weights of the left soleus, testis and adrenal gland were measured, and the isometric contractile tension and its time parameters of isolated perfused papillary muscles from rats of various groups were examined. Result. Compared with CON, the wet weights of testis in different treatment groups decreased significantly (P<0.05). The wet weight of soleus in SUS decreased by 58.9% (P<0.01); but in STD1, STD2 and STD4, decreased by 38.5%, 24.0% and 11.0% (P<0.01, or P<0.05) respectively. The relative protections were 34.7%, 59.2% and 81.4% (P<0.01) respectively. In SUS group, developed tension (DT), peak rate of tension rise (+dT/dtmax) and peak rate of tension fall (-dT/dtmax) decreased by 32.2%, 29.2% and 30.7% (P<0.05), and time to peak rate of tension rise (TPP) and time to peak tension (TPT) prolonged by 21.2% and 11.0% (P<0.05), respectively. Whereas in STD1, STD2 and STD4, all the parameters reflecting myocardial contractility (like DT, + dT/dtmax, -dT/dtmax and TPP), did not show any significant change as compared with those of CON. However, being an exception, TPT still showed obvious prolongation (P<0.05) in STD1. Conclusion. Daily 1 h standing could prevent depression of myocardial contractility in rat induced by medium-term simulated weightlessness. However, with respect to prevention of atrophic changes in soleus muscle and testis, daily standing for 1 h, 2 h, or 4 h was only partially effective and even totally devoid of any effect, respectively.

Animals↗

[Transition of soleus troponin I isoforms and atrophy of testis in tail-suspended rats].

Objective. To observe the transition time of soleus I (TnI) isoforms and to elucidate the relationship between soleus TnI transition and atrophy; and to analyze the time course between testis atrophy and soleus atrophy. Method. Eight groups of male rats were suspended for 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 d, respectively. Besides, three groups of female rats were suspended for 3, 4 and 5 d respectively. Wet and relative weights (wet weight/body weight) of testis and soleus were measured. The expression of TnI was observed by Western blot. Result. The relative weight of soleus of tail-suspended male rats decreased significantly after 4 d of suspension as compared with control. The degree of rats soleus atrophy in the first 14 d of suspension was greater than that after 14 d. The relative weight of testis showed the same change as that of soleus. There was no significant change in the relative weight of soleus in 4 d of tail-suspended female rats. The significant decrease in the relative weight of tail-suspended female rats began on the 5th day. The Western blot showed that the transition from slow skeletal TnI (ssTnI) to fast skeletal TnI (fsTnI) in the soleus occurred in 14 d of tail-suspension. Conclusion. The overt atrophy of tail-suspended male rats occurs on the 4th day. The soleus TnI transition from ssTnI to fsTnI is on the 14th day. It is suggested that the TnI is not the sensitive protein to gravity. The overt atrophy of female tail-suspended rats occurs at the 5th day. This indicated that the decrease in testosterone level may accelerate the atrophy of the soleus.

Animals↗

[An experimental study of the computer-controlled equipment for delivering volatile anesthetic agent].

Our newly-designed computer-controlled equipment for delivering volatile anesthetic agent uses the subminiature singlechip processor as the central controlling unit. The variables, such as anesthesia method, anesthetic agent, the volume of respiratory loop, age of patient, sex, height, weight, environment temperature and the grade of ASA are all input from the keyboard. The anesthetic dosage, calculated by the singlechip processor, is converted into the signals controlling the pump to accurately deliver anesthetic agent into respiratory loop. We have designed an electrocircuit for the equipment to detect the status of the pump's operation, so we can assure of the safety and the stability of the equipment. The output precision of the equipment, with a good anti-jamming capability, is 1-2% for high flow anesthesia and 1-5% for closed-circuit anesthesia and its self-detecting working is reliable.

Anesthesia, Closed-Circuit↗

[Clinical evaluation on second stage reconstruction for laryngostenosis after partial laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To present a new method of decannulation for laryngostenosis patients after partial laryngectomy and extended partial laryngectomy, and restoration of the essential functions of larynx and normal neck appearance. METHODS: Nineteen cases of laryngostenosis after partial laryngectomy and extended partial laryngectomy were treated with second stage reconstruction. The patients had been treated by vertical laryngectomy (6/19) using extended vertical laryngectomy (11/19) and frontolateral laryngectomy (2/19). Among these patients, second stage reconstruction of larynx was performed by using rotary door myocutaneous flap (17/19). Stemohyoideus flap (1/19) and sternocleidomastoid flap (1/19). RESULTS: Three and five year-survival rates were 91.7% (11/12) and 3/5, respectively. Over-all decannulation rate was 84.2% (16/19), but 94.1% (16/17) in patients with rotary door myocutaneous flap and 0% (0/2) in both patients with sternohyoideus flap and sternocleidomastoid flap. There were 3 decannulation failures (15.8%). All patients resumed acceptable voice, 94.7% (18/19) enjoyed satisfactory phonation, but 5.3% (1/19) showed severe hoarseness. All except 2 patients returned normal swallow function. The latter 2 patients experienced mild abnormal swallow during eating fluid food in early stage of surgery, but had normal swallow function after 1-2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Functional laryngectomy is a radical operation in selected cases with advanced laryngeal cancer. The second stage reconstruction with bi-pedical rotary door myocutaneous flaps can help decannulation in patients who developed laryngostenosis after partial laryngectomy and extended partial laryngectomy, and restore the essential function of larynx and normal neck appearance.

Adult↗

[FTIR study of transition metal 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonates].

Compounds of transition metal ion (Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+) 2-acrylamidomethyl-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonates were studied by FTIR and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The FTIR spectra of Co and Ni compound are similar but are different from that of Cu compound. The results of X-ray diffraction indicated that the crystal structure of Co and Ni compound are different.

Acrylamides↗

In vivo inhibition of PC-3 human androgen-independent prostate cancer by a targeted cytotoxic bombesin analogue, AN-215.

The effectiveness of chemotherapy targeted to bombesin (BN) receptors was evaluated in nude mice bearing PC-3 human androgen-independent prostate cancers. Cytotoxic BN analogue AN-215, consisting of 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (AN-201) linked to BN-like carrier peptide RC-3094, was injected i.v. at 150 nmol/kg on days 1, 11 and 21. After treatment with AN-215, tumor volume was 69% (p < 0.01) smaller than that in controls and tumor doubling time was extended from 8.5 +/- 0.7 days to 20.3 +/- 3.5 days (p < 0.05). Cytotoxic radical AN-201, carrier RC-3094 and their unconjugated mixture administered at the same dosage were ineffective. The mortality rate was 12.5% in the AN-201 group and 16.7% in the group treated with the mixture, but no deaths occurred in mice receiving AN-215. Because the ester bond linking AN-201 to the carrier molecule is hydrolyzed much faster in mouse serum than in human serum, in the second experiment we investigated the tolerance to AN-215 and its effect in nude mice bearing PC-3 tumors after pharmacological inhibition of serum carboxylesterases. Two applications of AN-201 at 200 nmol/kg were lethal, whereas no mortality was observed after 4 injections of AN-215 at the same dose. Administration of 200 nmol/kg AN-215 on days 1, 7, 17 and 26 again produced 69% tumor inhibition. BN receptors on membranes of PC-3 tumors were detected by (125)I-[Tyr(4)]BN binding, and expression of mRNA for BRS-3 and GRP-R subtypes was also found. AN-215 showed a high affinity to PC-3 tumors, displacing the radioligand at an IC(50) of 12.95 +/- 0.35 nM. Because BN receptors are present on primary and metastatic prostate cancer, targeted chemotherapy with AN-215 might benefit patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma who relapsed androgen ablation.

Animals↗

Different activities of the frizzled-related proteins frzb2 and sizzled2 during Xenopus anteroposterior patterning.

In a search for factors that regulate patterning of the Xenopus anteroposterior (A/P) axis, particularly the anterior ectoderm, we isolated two members of the Frizzled-related protein (FRP) gene family that are thought to encode antagonists of Wnt signaling. frzb2 is expressed in head mesoderm while sizzled2 is expressed in ventral ectoderm and mesoderm, tissues that modulate anterior fates. Consistent with a role for these genes in A/P patterning, ectopically expressed frzb2 inhibited head formation, while sizzled2 dorsalized embryos, causing expansion of the head. The different activities of frzb2 and sizzled2 may be explained by their interaction with distinct proteins since frzb2 is an inhibitor of Xwnt8 activity, while sizzled2 is unable to inhibit the activity of Xwnt8 or any other Xwnt tested. The data suggest that anteroposterior patterning is modulated by multiple components of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of AWP1, a novel protein that associates with serine/threonine kinase PRK1 in vivo.

We describe the cloning and expression of cDNAs encoding a novel human protein of 208 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 22.6kDa and its mouse homologue. We name this protein as AWP1 (associated with PRK1). AWP1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein, and the Awp1 gene is switched on during early human and mouse development. When expressed in COS-1 cells, the Myc-tagged AWP1 has an apparent molecular mass higher than that deduced from its amino acid sequence. AWP1 possesses a conserved zf-A20 zinc finger domain at its N-terminal and a zf-AN1 zinc finger domain at its C-terminal. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that mouse AWP1 specifically interacts with a rat serine/threonine protein kinase PRK1 in vivo. Hence, AWP1 may play a regulatory role in mammalian signal transduction pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

The presence of receptors for bombesin/GRP and mRNA for three receptor subtypes in human ovarian epithelial cancers.

Bombesin-like peptides can function as autocrine or paracrine growth factors and stimulate the growth of various cancers. The antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) suppress the proliferation of diverse tumors including ovarian cancer by mechanisms likely mediated by bombesin receptors. In this study, we used the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to evaluate the mRNA expression of three bombesin receptor subtypes: gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), neuromedin B receptor (NMBR), and bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3), in 22 specimens of human epithelial ovarian cancer and in two human ovarian cancer lines. Of the 22 ovarian cancer specimens analyzed, 17 tumors ( approximately 77%) expressed mRNA for GRPR, 19 ( approximately 86%) showed NMBR mRNA and six ( approximately 27%) revealed BRS-3 mRNA. Thus, 14 of 22 specimens ( approximately 64%) expressed mRNAs for both GRPR and NMBR, and five ( approximately 23%) expressed all three subtypes. The expression of GRPR appeared to be greater in poorly differentiated ovarian carcinomas. A higher incidence of BRS-3 expression was observed in samples with tumor Stage IV (4/4, 100%) compared with Stage III (1/17, approximately 6%). mRNA for both GRPR and NMBR was also detected in OV-1063 and UCI-107 human ovarian cancer xenografts, but BRS-3 was found only in OV-1063, which originated from a metastatic tumor. In addition, functional receptors for bombesin/GRP were found in eight of 11 ovarian cancer specimens investigated and in both ovarian cancer lines by receptor binding assay. Our study indicates that GRPR and NMBR are widely distributed in human ovarian carcinomas with BRS-3 being found in Stage IV tumors. Some approaches based on bombesin/GRP receptor antagonists or targeted bombesin analogs could be considered for treatment of ovarian cancers.

Aged↗

Vascular endothelial cells synthesize and secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an abundant neurotrophin in brain and peripheral nerves, where it affects neural development, survival and repair after injury. BDNF has been detected in rat and human blood, but the source of circulating BDNF is not established. BDNF messenger and peptide were detected in cultured cells and in the culture medium of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The expression of BDNF was up-regulated by elevation of intracellular cAMP and down-regulated by Ca(2+) ionophore, bovine brain extract and laminar fluid shear stress. These results suggest that vascular endothelial cells may contribute to circulating BDNF.

Animals↗

Inhibition of growth of MDA-MB-468 estrogen-independent human breast carcinoma by bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II.

BACKGROUND: The growth of breast carcinoma is promoted by autocrine growth factors such as the bombesin (BN)-like peptides and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The stimulatory action of BN-like peptides can be blocked by the use of BN/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonists. METHODS: The authors investigated the effects of synthetic BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II on tumor growth and the expression of mRNA for EGF receptors and three BN receptor subtypes in MDA-MB-468 human breast carcinoma. Athymic nude mice with xenografts of MDA-MB-468 human breast carcinoma were injected subcutaneously for 6 weeks with RC-3940-II at doses of 20 or 40 microg/day. In another study, the effects of RC-3940-II and RC-3095 were compared. RESULTS: RC-3940-II caused a significant and dose-dependent growth inhibition of MDA-MB-468 tumors in nude mice; therapy with either dose of RC-3940-II significantly (P<0.01) reduced the mean final tumor volume and weight compared with controls. RC-3940-II induced a persistent regression of > 50% of all tumors. One of 3 tumors treated with 20 microg of RC-3940-II and 3 of 5 tumors treated with 40 microg were found to have regressed completely by the end of the study. When RC-3940-II and RC-3095 were compared at the dose of 20 microg/day, both powerfully suppressed growth of MDA-MB-468 tumors, with RC-3940-II causing a complete regression of 2 tumors and RC-3095 a complete regression of 1 tumor. Receptor analyses of untreated MDA-MB-468 tumors revealed an overexpression of EGF receptors and two classes of binding sites for BN/GRP. mRNAs for receptors of GRP, neuromedin B, and BN receptor subtype-3 were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSIONS: A virtual arrest of growth or regression of MDA-MB-468 human breast carcinoma after therapy with RC-3940-II and RC-3095 indicates that these BN/GRP antagonists could provide a new treatment modality for breast tumors expressing BN and EGF receptors.

Animals↗

Presence of receptors for bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide and mRNA for three receptor subtypes in human prostate cancers.

BACKGROUND: Bombesin-like peptides can function as autocrine or paracrine growth factors and stimulate the growth of some cancer cells, including human prostate cancer. Three bombesin receptor subtypes, termed gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), neuromedin B receptor (NMBR), and bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3), have been identified in rodents and humans. METHODS: We investigated the presence and characteristics of the functional receptors for bombesin/GRP in human prostate adenocarcinoma specimens by radio-receptor assay and the mRNA expression of the three bombesin receptor subtypes by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Of the 80 specimens of primary prostate cancer examined by receptor binding assays, 50 ( approximately 63%) showed high-affinity, low-capacity binding sites for bombesin/GRP, and 12 of these 50 receptor-positive specimens also showed a second binding site. Of the 22 prostate cancer specimens analyzed by RT-PCR, 20 (91%) expressed GRPR mRNA, 3 (14%) showed NMBR mRNA, and 2 ( approximately 9%) revealed BRS-3 mRNA. No correlation was observed between receptor expression and patients' age or pathological data. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of a wide distribution of bombesin/GRP receptors in human prostate carcinomas supports the view that they may be involved in modulation of tumor progression and suggests that approaches based on binding of bombesin receptor antagonists or new targeted cytotoxic bombesin analogs to prostate cancers could be considered for the therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Targeted disruption of NDST-1 gene leads to pulmonary hypoplasia and neonatal respiratory distress in mice.

In order to address the biological function of GlcNAc N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase-1 (NDST-1), we disrupted the NDST-1 gene by homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells. The NDST-1 null mice developed respiratory distress and atelectasis that subsequently caused neonatal death. Morphological examination revealed type II pneumocyte immaturity, which was characterized by an increased glycogen content and a reduced number of lamellar bodies and microvilli. Biochemical analysis further indicated that both total phospholipids and disaturated phosphatidylcholine were reduced in the mutant lung. Our data revealed that NDST-1 was essential for the maturation of type II pneumocytes and its inactivation led to a neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Amidohydrolases↗

Evaluation of in vivo cytokine expression in EAU-susceptible and resistant rats: a role for IL-10 in resistance?

Messenger RNAs for six cytokines (IL-12p40, IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-4, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1) expressed in vivo during development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) were quantitated by PCR in (uncultured) peripheral lymphoid cells and in the eyes of EAU-susceptible Lewis and EAU resistant F344 rats. Disease was induced by immunization with the R16 peptide of IRBP (in RT1B haplotype rats) or with whole IRBP (in all haplotypes). In the periphery, both Lewis and F 344 expressed similar cytokine patterns. In ocular tissues, however, only Lewis expressed elevated type 1 and inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha), coincident with onset and peak of disease. Interestingly, naive F344 rats expressed higher basal levels of IL-10 mRNA in the eyes. To examine the possible involvement of this phenomenon in resistance, basal levels of IL-10 vs susceptibility to IRBP were compared in Lewis, BN, DA. F344 and ACI strains. Lewis, BN and DA were susceptible and had low levels of IL-10 mRNA in eyes. F344 and ACI were resistant and expressed high basal levels of IL-10 mRNA. In an in vitro study, recombinant rat IL-10 (but not human or mouse IL-10) suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma production by primed lymph node cells of R16 immunized rats, but did not suppress uveitogenic long-term T-cell lines polarized to the Thl phenotype, suggesting that mature effector lymphocytes in the rat may lose their ability to be suppressed by IL-10. We propose that higher expression of the IL-10 gene in ocular tissues in some rat strains may represent a mechanism that contributes to a higher threshold of resistance to EAU, but this threshold may be overcome by a more mature Thl effector with a reduced sensitivity to IL-10.

Animals↗