Biomedical subjects

Bei Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Bei Yang.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Development of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with microwave distillation and simultaneous solid-phase microextraction for rapid determination of volatile constituents in ginger.

In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) following microwave distillation and solid-phase microextraction (MD-SPME) was developed for the analysis of essential oil compounds in fresh ginger. In the proposed method, the isolation, extraction and concentration of volatile components in ginger were carried out in one single step, using the MD-SPME technique, and the analytes on the SPME fiber were analyzed by GC-MS. Some parameters, including SPME fiber coating, microwave power and irradiation time, were optimized. The optimal experiment parameters obtained were: 65 microm PDMS/DVB SPME fiber, a microwave power of 400 W and an irradiation time of 2 min. To demonstrate its feasibility, MD-SPME was compared with conventional SPME for the extraction of essential oil compounds in fresh ginger. Using MD-SPME followed by GC-MS, 54 compounds were separated and identified in ginger, which mainly included geranial (5.25%), zingiberene (15.48%), beta-sesquiphellandrene (5.54%) and beta-phellandrene (22.84%), whereas only 39 compounds were separated and identified by conventional SPME followed by GC-MS. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) values of less than 10% show that the proposed method has good repeatability. The result show that MD-SPME, followed by GC-MS, is a simple, rapid, solvent-free method for the determination of volatile compounds in ginger.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2006

Structure of human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase in complex with tRNATrp reveals the molecular basis of tRNA recognition and specificity.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are a family of enzymes responsible for the covalent link of amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. The selectivity and species-specificity in the recognitions of both amino acid and tRNA by aaRSs play a vital role in maintaining the fidelity of protein synthesis. We report here the first crystal structure of human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (hTrpRS) in complex with tRNA(Trp) and Trp which, together with biochemical data, reveals the molecular basis of a novel tRNA binding and recognition mechanism. hTrpRS recognizes the tRNA acceptor arm from the major groove; however, the 3' end CCA of the tRNA makes a sharp turn to bind at the active site with a deformed conformation. The discriminator base A73 is specifically recognized by an alpha-helix of the unique N-terminal domain and the anticodon loop by an alpha-helix insertion of the C-terminal domain. The N-terminal domain appears to be involved in Trp activation, but not essential for tRNA binding and acylation. Structural and sequence comparisons suggest that this novel tRNA binding and recognition mechanism is very likely shared by other archaeal and eukaryotic TrpRSs, but not by bacterial TrpRSs. Our findings provide insights into the molecular basis of tRNA specificity and species-specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Simultaneous determination of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma by reverse-phase HPLC from linear gradient elution.

A simple, rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma samples was developed. Captopril was derivatized with 2,4'-dibromoacetophenone (pBPB) to form a captopril-pBPB adduct. From acidified serum plasma samples, the hydrochlorothiazide and derivatized captopril was extracted with 5 ml ether, then with 5 ml dichloromethane. Effective chromatographic separation was achieved using a C(18) column (DIAMONSIL 150 mmx4 mm i.d., 5 microm) based on an acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid-water gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. The internal standard (IS), derivatized captopril and hydrochlorothiazide were detected at 263 nm and were eluted at 4.2, 6.8 and 16.9 min, respectively. No endogenous substances were found to interfere. The limit of quantification for hydrochlorothiazide and derivatized captopril in plasma were 3.3 and 7 ng/ml. The calibration curve for derivatized captopril showed linearity in the range 20-4000 ng/ml, with a regression coefficient corresponding to 0.9993 and the coefficient of the variation of the points of the calibration curve being lower than 10%. The calibration curve for hydrochlorothiazide showed linearity in the range 10-1200 ng/ml, with a regression coefficient corresponding to 0.9999 and the coefficient of the variation of the points of the calibration curve being lower than 10%. The method was suitably validated and successfully applied to the determination of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma samples.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the assay of glucosamine sulfate in human plasma: validation and application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method was developed and validated for the assay of glucosamine sulfate in human plasma. Plasma proteins were precipitated by acetonitrile, followed by vortex mixing and centrifugation. The supernatant was transferred and derivatized with phenyl iso-thiocyanate in acetonitrile at 60 degrees C for 40 min. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C(18) column (Inertsil ODS-3 150 x 2.1 mm i.d., 5 microm, JP) with a mobile phase gradient consisting of 0.2% acetic acid (aqueous) and methanol at a flow-rate of 0.3 mL/min. MS detection using electrospray ionization (ESI) as an interface was used in single ion monitoring mode to determine positive ions at m/z 297. This method was shown to be selective and sensitive for glucosamine sulfate. The limit of detection was 35 ng/mL for glucosamine sulfate in plasma and the linear range was 0.1-20 microg/mL in plasma with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9991. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra-day and inter-day assays were 8.7-11.4 and 9.8-12.6%, respectively. Extraction recoveries of glucosamine sulfate in plasma were greater than 73%. This method proved to be simple, reproducible and feasible for pharmacokinetic studies of glucosamine sulfate in healthy volunteers after a single oral administration (1500 mg). The pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailabilities were investigated for both domestic glucosamine sulfate tablet and capsule preparations compared with an imported capsule product.

Area Under Curve↗

PubMed2006

Determination of apomorphine in canine plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

An LC-ESI-MS method was developed and validated for the assay of apomorphine in canine plasma using one-step liquid-liquid extraction. The analytes were separated on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 (150 mm x 2.0 mm id 3 microm) column and determined by MS in the positive ion mode. The linear range was 0.4-40 ng/mL with an LOD of 0.2 ng/mL for apomorphine in plasma. The intraday and interday precision and accuracy of quality control samples were < 5.9% RSD and < 7.5% bias for apomorphine. Extraction recoveries were > 80%. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze canine plasma samples in a pharmacokinetic study of apomorphine in dogs and detailed pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed2006

Development of water-phase derivatization followed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for fast determination of valproic acid in human plasma.

In this study, a simple, rapid, and sensitive method was developed and validated for the quantification of valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, in human plasma, which was based on water-phase derivatization followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In the proposed method, VPA in plasma was rapidly derivatized with a mixture of isobutyl chloroformate, ethanol and pyridine under mild conditions (room temperature, aqueous medium), and the VPA ethyl ester formed was headspace-extracted and simultaneously concentrated using the SPME technique. Finally, the analyte extracted on SPME fiber was analyzed by GC/MS. The experimental parameters and method validations were studied. The optimal conditions were obtained: PDMS fiber, stirring rate of 1100 rpm, sample temperature of 80 degrees C, extraction time of 20 min, NaCl concentration of 30%. The proposed method had a limit of quantification (0.3 microg/mL), good recovery (89-97%) and precision (RSD value less than 10%). Because the proposed method combined a rapid water-phase derivatization with a fast, simple and solvent-free sample extraction and concentration technique of SPME, the sample preparation time was less than 25 min. This much shortens the whole analysis time of VPA in plasma. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze VPA in human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic studies. All these results show that water-phase derivatization followed by HS-SPME and GC/MS is an alternative and powerful method for fast determination of VPA in biological fluids.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed2005

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of vertilmicin in rat plasma using sensitive fluorometric derivatization.

A sensitive and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of vertilmicin in rat plasma. Derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) followed by C(18) reversed-phase chromatography allowed the fluorimetric detection of vertilmicin. Optimal conditions for the derivatization of vertilmicin are described. The limit of quantification was 0.02 mg/L. The pharmacokinetics of vertilmicin was studied in 24 rats following intramuscular injection (i.m.) of different doses (4, 8, 16, 32 mg/kg of body weight). The pharmacokinetic parameter values were estimated by use of 3P97 program. In this study, we assessed the dose proportionality of vertilmicin after single intramuscular injection doses and obtained new information on the pharmacokinetics of the compound.

Aminoglycosides↗

PubMed2005

TGF-beta potentiates airway smooth muscle responsiveness to bradykinin.

The molecular mechanisms by which bradykinin induces excessive airway obstruction in asthmatics remain unknown. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has been involved in regulating airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma, although it is unknown whether TGF-beta can modulate bradykinin-associated bronchial hyperresponsiveness. To test whether TGF-beta directly modulates airway smooth muscle (ASM) responsiveness to bradykinin, isolated murine tracheal rings were used to assess whether TGF-beta alters ASM contractile responsiveness to bradykinin. Interestingly, we found TGF-beta-treated murine rings (12.5 ng/ml, 18 h) exhibited increased expression of bradykinin 2 (B(2)) receptors and became hyperreactive to bradykinin, as shown by increases in maximal contractile responses and receptor distribution. We investigated the effect of TGF-beta on bradykinin-evoked calcium signals since calcium is a key molecule regulating ASM excitation-contraction coupling. We reported that TGF-beta, in a dose- (0.5-10 ng/ml) and time- (2-24 h) dependent manner, increased mRNA and protein expression of the B(2) receptor in cultured human ASM cells. Maximal B(2) receptor protein expression that colocalized with CD44, a marker of membrane cell surface, occurred after 18 h of TGF-beta treatment and was further confirmed using fluorescence microscopy. TGF-beta (2.5 ng/ml, 18 h) also increased bradykinin-induced intracellular calcium mobilization in fura-2-loaded ASM cells. TGF-beta-mediated enhancement of calcium mobilization was not attenuated with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These data demonstrate for the first time that TGF-beta may play a role in mediating airway hyperresponsiveness to bradykinin seen in asthmatics by enhancing ASM contractile responsiveness to bradykinin, possibly as a result of increased B(2) receptor expression and signaling.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Headspace solid-phase microextraction and capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of rivastigmine in canine plasma samples.

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for determination of rivastigmine in plasma samples was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The optimum conditions for the SPME procedure were: headspace extraction on a 65-microm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber; 0.5 ml of plasma modified with 1.0 ml of sodium hydroxide-sodium carbonate solution (0.7 M:0.5M); extraction temperature of 100 degrees C, with stirring at 2000 rpm for 30 min. The calibration curve showed linearity in the range from 0.2 to 80 ng/ml with regression coefficient corresponding to 0.9965 and coefficient of the variation of the points of the calibration curve lower than 10%. The quantification limit for rivastigmine in plasma was 0.2 ng/ml. The method was applied to determination of rivastigmine in canine plasma samples from animals after a single oral administration.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[The relationship between vitamin D binding protein gene polymorphism and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) susceptibility in Han Nationality in China. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Blood samples were taken from sixty-nine smokers with COPD (group A) and fifty-two smokers without COPD (Group B). DNA was extracted from the white blood cells of both groups. Genotypes of VDBP were measured with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: In group A the proportion of allele 1F homozygote was significantly Higher than that in group B (33.3% versus 11.5%, p = 0.005). The odds ratio for 1F-1F was 3.5 (95%confidence interval 1.9294-9.429) for COPD. Phenotype 2-2 showed a decreasing trend in group A, but the difference was not significant due to the small sample size. The frequency of allele 1F in group A was 0.558 compared with 0.404 in group B (p = 0.018). The frequency of allele 2 in group A was 0.196 compared with 0.308 in group B (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Our result suggests that allele 1F is one of the risk factors for COPD associated with smoking. 1F homozygote may increase the risk of COPD. On the other hand, allele 2 might have a protective effect on pathogenesis of COPD.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease↗

PubMed2002

Numerical calculations of the static magnetic field in three-dimensional multi-tissue models of the human head.

Susceptibility-induced perturbation of the static magnetic field by the human body during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) leads to undesirable artifacts as well as valuable physiological information, as in functional MRI. The ability to calculate these perturbations for a multi-tissue human body model provides a powerful tool in designing hardware and acquisition methods for reducing the artifacts, and in relating observed image contrast to physiological origins. We have developed a method for calculating the static field in arbitrary 3D magnetic susceptibility distributions and performed calculations in a complete model of the human head and shoulders. The accuracy of our method was validated in regular geometries with known analytical solutions and in comparison with experimental results acquired from the head of the same human subject used for computer modeling. Results are presented in parts per million (ppm) deviation from the applied field strength and are valid for any imaging or spectroscopy system.

Computer Simulation↗