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Biomedical subjects

D Min

Publications and source records attributed to D Min.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The interaction of metal ions and Marimastat with matrix metalloproteinase 9.

The effect of a range of metal ions on the ability of Marimastat to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) was examined in a fluorescence based proteolytic assay. Whilst none of the metals examined significantly affected the inhibitory ability of Marimastat, several metal ions did have a significant effect on MMP-9 activity itself. In the absence of Marimastat, Zn(II) and Fe(II) significantly inhibited MMP-9 activity at metal ion concentrations of 10 and 100 microM, respectively. In both the absence and presence of Marimastat, Cd(II) significantly inhibited MMP-9 at 100 microM. In contrast, 1 mM Co(II) significantly upregulated MMP-9 proteolytic activity.

Drug Interactions↗
PubMed2003

First look: what brings clergy candidates into ministry and what happens when they don't get it.

This article reports on a retrospective examination of all candidates for ordained ministry in Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church from September 1995 to 1998. The results showed, contrary to expectations, that clergy in this annual conference are significantly more likely than the general population to become physically ill when placed under stress. One of the major stressors identified in this study was the likelihood that the clergy persons will not receive the high levels of affirmation and reinforcement they look for. The author presents some conclusions and suggestions both for action to change the predictions and for further research.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Quantitative characterization of eye tracking dysfunction in schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the nature of the processes that are involved in eye tracking dysfunction (ETD). We identified a combination of quantitative measures that best distinguished qualitatively normal eye tracking from qualitatively abnormal eye tracking, using discriminant analysis. Discriminant scores distinguished schizophrenics with ETD from both schizophrenics with normal eye tracking and normal controls, but did not distinguish schizophrenics with normal eye tracking from normal controls, underscoring the heterogeneity of schizophrenic patients with respect to eye tracking. The results of the discriminant analysis indicated that ETD is a multivariate process involving a primary impairment in the smooth pursuit system characterized by increased catch-up saccades and reduced gain, and, secondarily, disinhibition of intrusive saccades, especially square-wave jerks. Quantitative characterization of ETD makes it possible to consider eye tracking as a quantitative trait in genetic investigations of a multidimensional phenotype.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Immunohistochemical localization of phospholipase D1 in rat central nervous system.

Phospholipase D (PLD) is one of the intracellular signal transduction enzymes and plays an important role in a variety of cellular functions. We investigated the distribution of PLD isozyme, PLD1 in the rat brain and spinal cord using an immunological approach. Western blot analysis showed the presence of PLD1 protein in all tissues studied, with significantly higher levels in the brainstem and spinal cord, which was correlated with the results obtained from PLD activity assay. Prominent and specific signals of PLD1 were observed in many functionally diverse brain areas, including the olfactory bulb, medial septum-diagonal band complex, cerebral cortex, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord. In the brainstem, the red nucleus, substantia nigra, interpeduncular nucleus, cranial motor nuclei (trigeminal motor, abducent, facial, and hypoglossal), sensory cranial nerve nuclei (spinal trigeminal, vestibular, and cochlear), as well as nuclei of the reticular formation, all showed intense immunoreactivity. Purkinje cells and deep cerebellar nuclei of the cerebellum were also labeled intensely. However, no significant labeling was found in the thalamus, epithalamus, and basal ganglia. Although many of the PLD1 immunoreactive cells were neurons, PLD1 was also expressed in glial cells such as presumed astrocytes and tanycytes. These findings suggest that PLD1 may play an important role in the central nervous system of the adult rat.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Computed tomography guided core needle biopsy diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative inflammatory disease caused by the anaerobic Gram-positive bacilli Actinomyces israelii. The propensity of this disease to simulate gynecological malignancies has been described previously. The great majority of these patients were diagnosed with actinomycotic diseases during or after exploratory laparotomy, but rarely preoperatively. We reviewed the literature pertaining the management of pelvic actinomycosis. CASE: A nulliparous woman with a long history of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) and recent Papanicolaou smear findings consistent with the presence of actinomyces presented with chronic vague lower abdominal pain, weight loss, poor appetite, and recent increase in abdominal girth associated with a large immobile pelvic mass. Transcutaneous computed tomography guided core needle biopsy established the diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis obviating immediate surgical intervention. Intravenous and subsequent long-term oral penicillin therapy was constituted and resulted in a significant decrease in the size of the pelvic mass. CONCLUSION: In patients presenting with pelvic masses and a history of IUD placement, actinomycotic infection should be considered and diagnosis attempted by imaging guided needle biopsy. Furthermore, this case suggested that correct nonsurgical diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy might eliminate the need for extensive extirpative surgery and assist in maintaining future fertility.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed2000

Dysregulated production of interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in early tuberculosis patients in response to antigen 85B of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Both interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin (IL)-4 expression in T cells and IL-6 expression in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage were monitored using antigen 85B (Ag85B) protein and purified protein derivative (PPD) antigen in the early stages of tuberculosis (TB). We showed that the levels of cell-associated IFN-gamma and IL-4 (mRNA and intracellular cytokine) in Ag85B-stimulated T cells were significantly depressed in TB patients compared with those in healthy tuberculin reactors. On the other hand, the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to produce IL-6 spontaneously ex vivo was enhanced in patients (P < 0. 001), but their corresponding capacities to respond to Ag85B were not significantly different from those of normal donors. After 2 months of antituberculosis therapy, the mean blastogenic responses of Ag85B-stimulated PBMC from seven TB patients were increased 6. 1-fold (P = 0.011). Furthermore, the proportions of both IFN-gamma- (P < 0.01) and IL-4- (P = 0.05) producing T cells were significantly increased. However, those of IL-6-producing cells were diminished in response to Ag85B (P = 0.05). Our results suggest that there may be an altered regulation of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-6 to Ag85B in the early stages of TB.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1999

TCR internalization induced by peptide/MHC ligands requires the transmembrane domains of alphabeta chains of TCR, but not the expression of CD8 and Thy-1 molecules.

T-cell receptor (TCR) internalization occurs via TCR recognition of the peptide/MHC molecule complex on antigen presenting cell (APC). In this study, the requirements for inducing the internalization of TCR molecules on Ld major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted T-cells were investigated with 2C cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clones with defined peptides as the antigen. To evaluate the function of the transmembrane region of TCR alphabeta chains in TCR internalization, we generated T-cell transfectants expressing the wild type and glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-linked form of 2C TCR. Among all peptides forming proper ligands to 2C TCR, only the Qp2Ca peptide induced TCR internalization, which was known to have the highest affinity to both Ld MHC class I molecules and TCR in association with Ld molecules. Such TCR internalization was not observed in cells expressing the GPI-linked form of 2C TCR. Furthermore, the expression of CD8 coreceptor and Thy-1 accessory molecules were both not required for Qp2Ca-induced TCR internalization, and these molecules did not accompany TCR internalization. Altogether, these results suggest that TCR internalization on CTL is not a prerequisite for CTL function.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Purification and immunoreactivity of three components from the 30/32-kilodalton antigen 85 complex in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The three proteins of the antigen 85 complex (85A, 85B, and 85C), which are major secretory products of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, were purified to homogeneity in large amounts by a combination of chromatography on hydroxylapatite, DEAE-Sepharose, and DEAE-Sephacel and gel filtration from M. tuberculosis culture filtrate. Then we examined the immunological reactivity of the three proteins in tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. Antibody responses to the 85B and 85A proteins in patients were significantly greater than responses to the 85C protein. In contrast, all three antigens induced significant lymphoproliferation and gamma interferon production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy tuberculin reactors.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

[Chemical constituents of Rheum wittrochii Lundstr(II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the root of Rheum wittrochii. METHOD: Chromatography and spectroscopic analysis to isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the plant. RESULT: Six compounds, namely 3, 5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene; 3, 5, 4'-tridroxystilbene; piceatannol; desoxyrhaponticin; piceatannol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside; 2, 5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone, have been isolated from ethyl ether and ethyl acetate fractions. CONCLUSION: These compounds were isolated from the title plant for the first time.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗
PubMed1998

[Chemical constituents of Conyza blinii Lévl].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the air-dried part of Conyza blinii. METHOD: The constituent isolation was done by solvent-extraction together with column chromatography. Several methods, such as IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and MS, were used to determine the structures of the isolated constituents. RESULT: Three compounds were isolated from the air-dried part of Conyza blinii and identified as friedelinol, n-triacontanol and daucosterol on the basis of physical and chemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. CONCLUSION: These compounds have not been discovered previously in this plant.

Asteraceae↗
PubMed1998

[Chemical constituents of Conyza blinii Lévl].

Five compounds were isolated from the aerial part of Conyza blinii. On the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, they were identified as alpha-spinasterol, 5, 8-dihydroxy-7, 3', 4'-trimethoxyflavone, caffeic acid, quercetin and syringic acid. All these compounds were isolated from the plant of C. blinii for the first time.

Asteraceae↗
PubMed1998

[Chemical constituents of Rheum wittrochii Lundstr(I)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the root of Rheum wittrochii. METHOD: Chromatography and spectroscopic analysis were used to isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the plant. RESULT: Six compounds, namely chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, physcion-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and beta-sitosterol, have been isolated from petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions. CONCLUSION: All the above-cited compounds were isolated from the title plant for the first time, and anthraquinone compounds are some of the major constituents of R. wittrochii.

Anthraquinones↗
PubMed1997

Thought disorder in adolescent-onset schizophrenia.

The nature of the thinking disturbances found in adolescent-onset psychotic conditions is not as well-characterized as the thought disorders found in adult psychotic patients. We used the Thought Disorder Index to examine whether schizophrenic patients in whom psychotic symptoms appear in adolescence show the same characteristic features of thought disorder as do adult schizophrenics. Quantitative and qualitative features of thought disorder were assessed in psychiatric inpatients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia, psychotic depression, and nonpsychotic conditions compared with normal control adolescents. Elevated thought disorder occurred in all groups of adolescents hospitalized for an acute episode of psychiatric illness. The magnitude of the elevation and the frequency of occurrence of disordered thinking were greatest in the psychotic adolescents. The qualitative features of the thought disturbances found in the schizophrenic adolescents were distinct from those observed in adolescents with psychotic depression. The thinking of the schizophrenic adolescents resembled that of adult schizophrenics. In both conditions thought disorder is characterized by idiosyncratic word usage, illogical reasoning, perceptual confusion, loss of realistic attunement to the task, and loosely related ideas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Presence of prostaglandin EP4 receptor gene expression in a rat gastric mucosal cell line.

RGM-1 is an epithelial cell line established from gastric mucosa of adult Wistar rats. In this study, we characterized this newly established cell line by Northern blot analysis. We also investigated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis and hexosamine production in RGM-1 by PGE2. Northern blot analysis did not detect any transcript of proton pump, gastrin receptor, histidine decarboxylase, somatostatin and pepsinogen 1, indicating the absence of characteristics of parietal, ECL, D and chief cells in RGM-1 cells. However, this periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cell line expressed prostaglandin EP4 receptor mRNA but not EP1 and EP3 receptor mRNAs. [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA of the cells was not increased by PGE2. In contrast, PGE2 increased hexosamine content in RGM-1 cells. These results suggest that RGM-1 may be a useful model of gastric mucosal cells and that PGE2 plays a role on mucin synthesis in RGM-1 cells possibly via EP4 receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Establishment of primary epithelial cell culture from elutriated rat gastric mucosal cells.

Proliferating cells in the gastric mucosal epithelium were successfully enriched by counterflow elutriation in a medium-sized cell fraction. When inoculated on culture plates coated with E-C-L cell attachment matrix, these cells differentiated into mucus-producing cells after reaching confluence. Northern blot analysis did not detect any transcript of the proton pump, histidine decarboxylase, somatostatin, or pepsinogen I, indicating the absence of parietal, ECL, D, and chief cells in the confluent monolayer. These mucus-producing cell monolayers that respond to various growth factors may be a suitable model with which to investigate the function of gastric mucus cells in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Gene expression of keratinocyte and hepatocyte growth factors during the healing of rat gastric mucosal lesions.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The factors that stimulate the growth of gastric mucosal cells during gastric mucosal healing are not completely understood. This study was designed to investigate the gene expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the healing of gastric mucosal lesions. METHODS: Northern blot analysis and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to show HGF and KGF messenger RNA. RESULTS: Transcripts of HGF and KGF were not shown in rat gastric mucosal epithelium but were found in submucosal and muscular layers under normal conditions. When acute gastric mucosal lesions were induced by indomethacin treatment, expression of HGF messenger RNA was augmented in submucosal, muscular, or serosal layers, whereas the transcript of KGF was not influenced. When rat gastric mucosal epithelial cell line RGM1 and rat gastric mucosal primary culture cells were incubated with HGF or KGF, their proliferation was enhanced. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed increased gene expression of HGF together with constant production of KGF during gastric mucosal healing.

Acetates↗