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Biomedical subjects

C S Jung

Publications and source records attributed to C S Jung.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular, biochemical and histochemical characterization of two acetylcholinesterase cDNAs from the German cockroach Blattella germanica.

Full length cDNAs encoding two acetylcholinesterases (AChEs; Bgace1 and Bgace2) were cloned and characterized from the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Sequence analyses showed that both genes possess all the typical features of ace, and that Bgace1 is orthologous to the insect ace1 whereas Bgace2 is to the insect ace2. Transcript level of Bgace1 was significantly higher (c. 10 fold) than that of Bgace2 in all 11 tissues examined, suggesting that Bgace1 likely encodes a predominant AChE. Multiple AChE bands were identified by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectricfocusing from various tissue preparations, among which ganglia produced distinct two major and two minor AChE bands, indicative of the presence of at least two active AChEs. B. germanica AChEs appeared to be mainly localized in the central nervous system as demonstrated by histochemical activity staining, together with quantitative analysis of Bgace transcripts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of the 1st thoracic ganglion confirmed that Bgace1 is predominantly transcribed and further showed that its transcript is found in almost entire region of inter or motor neurones including the cell bodies and axonal/dendritic branches. Bgace2 transcript is found only in the subset of neurones, particularly in the cell body. In addition, certain neurones were observed to express Bgace1 only.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region.

The incidence of diagnosed xanthogranuloma of the sellar region is very low [1, 2, 5, 6]. We report about two cases 1) in a 57-year-old female and 2) in a 5-year-old boy. In both cases radiographic findings revealed an inhomogeneous, contrast enhancing sellar lesion. Histopathology showed the typical features of a xanthogranuloma of the sellar region with cholesterol clefts, lympho-plasmacellular infiltrates, marked hemosiderin deposits, multinucleated foreign body giant cells around cholesterol clefts, accumulation of macrophages and only small epithelial cell clusters [6]. As xanthogranuloma of the sellar region are rarely diagnosed we want to draw attention to this rather unusual diagnosis.

Child, Preschool↗

Clivus lymphoma.

Lymphoma as primary infiltration of the skull base, especially the clivus, is unusual and rare. However, increasing incidence of atypical lymphoma manifestations have been reported. As cranial base surgery becomes more common, it is important to be aware of lymphoma as a possible differential diagnosis of clivus lesions. This case presents a primary malignant lymphoma of the clivus, histologically confirmed after intra-operative MRI-guided transnasal-transsphenoidal biopsy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Removal of cholesterol from Cheddar cheese by beta-cyclodextrin.

This study was carried out to determine the cholesterol removal rate and resulting changes in flavor, fatty acid and bitter amino acid production in reduced-cholesterol Cheddar cheese, made by cream separation followed by 10% beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) treatment. The cholesterol removal from the cheese was 92.1%. The production of short-chain free fatty acids (FFAs) increased the ripening time in control and cream-treated cheeses. The quantity of short-chain FFAs released between treatments during ripening was different, while not much difference was found in the production of neutral volatile compounds in the samples. Reduced-cholesterol cheese produced much higher levels of bitter amino acids than the control. In sensory analysis, the texture score of control Cheddar cheese increased significantly with ripening time; however, that of the cream treatment group decreased dramatically with ripening time. On the basis of our results, we conclude that the cheese made from beta-CD-treated cream had a higher rate of cholesterol removal and ripened rapidly.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitors on big endothelin-1 induced contraction in isolated rat basilar artery.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether blocking functional endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) activity may offer a new approach to inhibit the development of cerebral vasopasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by preventing transformation of big Endothelin-1 (big ET-1) to vasoactive Endothelin-1 (ET-1). METHODS: In vitro, the effect of potential ECE inhibitors was determined by measurement of isometric contractions, induced by big ET-1, in isolated rat basilar arteries. Endothelium intact (E+) and de-endothelialized (E-) segments were examined after pre-incubated with the putative ECE inhibitors: Phosphoramidon (10(-4) M), Captopril (10(-3) M and 10(-4) M) and [(22)D-Val] big ET-1 (16-38) (10(-5) M and 10(-6) M). RESULTS: Application of 10(-4) M Phosphoramidon resulted in a statistically significant decrease in big ET-1 induced contraction in endothelium intact (E+) and de-endothelialized (E-) segments; 10(-3) M Captopril in E- segments caused a statistically significant inhibitory effect; 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M Captopril in E+ segments showed no statistically significant effect; 10(-5) M and 10(-6) M [(22)D-Val] big ET-1 (16-38) in E- segments produced no statistically significant effect. The application of 10(-6) M [(22)D-Val] big ET-1 (16-38) in E+ segments caused increased contractions as shown by the shift to the left of the concentration-effect curve (CEC). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates the existence of functional ECE activity in rat basilar artery, which is different in the endothelium and the smooth muscle layer. This ECE-activity could be inhibited by Captopril and Phosporamidon, suggesting a potency for prevention and therapy of cerebral vasospasm. However, the structural analogue of big ET-1, [(22)D-Val] big ET-1 (16-38), was ineffective in reducing big ET-1 induced vasoconstriction and rather increased contraction in E+ vessels. Therefore further studies of the biochemical nature of the functional relevant cerebrovascular ECE activity are required for better understanding and development of other efficient ECE inhibitors.

Animals↗

Run-up of gamma-aminobutyric acid(C) responses in catfish retinal cone-horizontal cell axon-terminals is modulated by protein kinase A and C.

Using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques, we investigated the protein kinase modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(C) (GABA(C))-activated currents relating to run-up regulation in dissociated cone-horizontal cell (HC) axon-terminals from catfish retina. GABA induced an inward chloride current in cells voltage-clamped at -70 mV. With repetitive applications of 10 microM GABA, the peaks of the GABA responses increased up to approximately 135% of the control responses during a period of 10 min. Intracellular application of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, decreased the run-up of GABA(C) responses. H8 dihydrochloride, a cAMP inhibitor, enhanced this run-up to 190% of the control responses. 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, a protein kinase C activator, accelerated the run-up of GABA(C) responses. GF 109203X, a PKC inhibitor, decreased the run-up. These results suggest that retinal GABA(C) responses in cone-HC axon-terminals are modulated by both protein kinase A and C.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

The GABA(C) receptor is present in cone-horizontal cell axon terminals isolated from catfish retina.

Whole cell voltage-clamp recordings were performed on isolated terminals and somata from catfish retina to compare the distribution of excitatory and inhibitory receptors in both structures. Saturating concentrations of glutamate or kainate produced small currents in axon terminals, averaging less than 8% of the current evoked in the soma. In contrast, application of high concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) produced approximately similar current amplitudes in both structures. Based on estimates of membrane surface area, GABA-induced current densities were around 0.05 pA/microm2 for both structures. The GABA-activated current in the axon terminal was not blocked by bicuculline or SR95531, but was completely inhibited by picrotoxin. Baclofen did not mimic the GABA effect, but trans-4-aminocrotonic acid (TACA, 300 microM) and muscimol (1 mM) elicited currents of 100 and 40 pA, respectively. These results suggest that the axon terminals of cone-horizontal cells possess GABA(C) receptors at a high density, do not possess GABA(A) or GABA(B) receptors, and have few glutamate receptors. The GABA(C) receptors could function as postsynaptic receptors in the inner plexiform layer or as autoreceptors.

Animals↗

Serial inhibitory synapses in retina.

Whole-cell voltage clamp in the retinal slice and intracellular current clamp in the intact retina were used to study inhibitory interactions in the inner plexiform layer. Picrotoxin or strychnine reduced inhibitory, light-evoked currents in a majority of ganglion cells. However, in nearly a third of the ganglion cells, each of these antagonists enhanced the inhibitory synaptic current. All inhibitory current was blocked by the addition of the other antagonist. This indicates a cross-inhibition between GABAergic and glycinergic feedforward pathways. Blocking of GABAARs with SR95531 shortened the time course of both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents in ganglion cells. Application of picrotoxin, which blocked both GABAARs and GABACRs, produced the opposite effect. Recordings in the intact retina indicated that the light responses of ON bipolar cells, sustained ON, and transient ON-OFF third-order neurons were all made more transient by SR95531 and made more sustained by picrotoxin. The data suggest that a GABAC feedback pathway to bipolar cells makes light responses more phasic and that this feedback is inhibited through a GABAAR pathway. Consequently, the balance between GABAAR and GABACR inhibition regulates the time course of inputs to ganglion cells.

Ambystoma↗