Menopausal osteoporosis.
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Bone Resorption↗
Biomedical subjects
G Tang
Publications and source records attributed to G Tang.
Protection against oxygen toxicity by tracheal insufflation of endotoxin: role of Mn SOD and alveolar macrophages.
Endotoxin and the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, are known to protect adult rats against O2 toxicity. However, whether the effect of endotoxin is mediated through its direct effect on lung cells or through cytokines is not clear. In this study, we demonstrated that endotoxin at a dosage of 5 micrograms/rat (14-20 micrograms/kg) attenuated O2-induced pulmonary injury and markedly prolonged the survival of rats exposed to 100% O2. Endotoxin was more protective when given by intratracheal insufflation or intravenous injection than by intraperitoneal injection. The endotoxin-induced O2 tolerance was associated with a selective enhancement of pulmonary manganese superoxide dismutase, but not Cu,Zn SOD, mRNA. In addition, depletion of 84% rat alveolar macrophages by liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate, resulted in a marked reduction (86%) of endotoxin-induced release of tumor necrosis factor into the alveolar space. However, endotoxin was still protective in these alveolar macrophage-depleted animals.
Animals↗
Cellular distribution of pulmonary Mn and CuZn superoxide dismutase: effect of hyperoxia and interleukin-1.
Pulmonary superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in the lung defense against O2 toxicity. We have previously demonstrated that tracheal insufflation of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1) selectively enhances pulmonary MnSOD and protects rats against O2 toxicity. However, little is known about the cellular distribution of pulmonary MnSOD- and CuZnSOD-specific proteins. We performed immunohistochemistry in plastic sections (2 microns thick) to determine the effects of hyperoxia and IL-1 on the cellular distribution of pulmonary MnSOD and CuZnSOD in rats. MnSOD and CuZnSOD were present in all lung cells. Smooth muscle and endothelial cells appeared to contain higher immunoreactive MnSOD and CuZnSOD proteins than other lung cell types. Exposure of rats to 100% O2 for 24 hr had no effect on the cellular distribution and intensity of pulmonary MnSOD. However, at 50 hr after O2 exposure the intensity of pulmonary MnSOD was reduced. In contrast, tracheal insufflation of IL-1 markedly enhanced the intensity of pulmonary MnSOD in rats exposed to O2 for 50 hr. Neither O2 exposure nor IL-1 insufflation had any apparent effect on the distribution and intensity of pulmonary CuZnSOD. We conclude that IL-1 selectively enhances pulmonary MnSOD and that this effect is manifested in most lung cells, particularly smooth muscle and endothelial cells.
Animals↗
The use of lobectomy in the management of severe closed-head trauma.
A retrospective review is presented of 20 patients with traumatic brain injury who were treated during the course of their illness by lobectomies either after a herniation or other significant deterioration or to reduce elevated intracranial pressure. All the patients suffered from blunt head trauma. Patient ages ranged from 19 to 59 years (average, 34 yr). The initial Glasgow Coma Scale score ranged from 3 to 15 (average, 8.2). There were 14 frontal lobectomies, 2 temporal, 3 frontal and temporal, and 1 occipital. Surgery was performed between 0 and 8 days after injury (average, 2.8). Outcome was favorable (good or moderately disabled) in 11 patients and unfavorable (severely disabled, persistently vegetative, or dead) in 9. No patients survived in a persistently vegetative state. A higher initial Glasgow Coma Scale score was positively correlated with a more favorable outcome (P < 0.03). Younger patients also showed a significant positive relationship to outcome (P < 0.0005). Better pupillary reactivity showed a significant trend toward a more favorable outcome (P < 0.04). The type of lesions identified on computed tomographic scans had no association with outcome. A lobectomy can be a useful adjuvant in the management of severe brain injury, especially in younger patients with relatively higher initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores who subsequently deteriorate or develop elevated intracranial pressure.
Adult↗
Expression and secretion of glucoamylase of Aspergillus niger in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Glucoamylase cDNA synthesized from A. niger mutant T21 was modified at 5' and 3' ends in order to clone it into yeast shuttle plasmid YFD18 and to cause fusion between cDNA and the leader region of the yeast-mating pheromone alpha-factor. The modified cDNA was then inserted into YFD18 at HindIII site. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y33 was transformed with the resultant recombinant plasmid YFD18HH6. Analysis of transformants including halo formation on starch medium plate, SDS-PAGE of culture filtration and determination of glucoamylase activity showed that the yeast transformed with plasmid containing glucoamylase cDNA efficiently secreted glucoamylase into the medium. This fact indicated that yeast alpha-factor was able to direct the synthesis and secretion of functional glucoamylase of Aspergillus. In addition the protolytic cleavage site involved in the maturation of glucoamylase in A. niger also worked in S. cerevisiae.
Aspergillus niger↗
[Isolation and sequencing of glucoamylase gene from a glucoamylase over producing strain].
Chromosomal DNA was isolated from the mycelia of Aspergillus niger T21, a strain producing glucoamylase at a high level. Southern blot analysis indicated that the glucoamylase gene is situated on a 2.5kb EcoR I -EcoR V fragment. Chromosomal DNA was digested completely with EcoR I, EcoR V. The fragments in the range of 2.0-3.0kb were isolated through electrophoresis in agarose gel. The pooled fragments were ligated onto pBR322 vector prior to transformation into E. coli DH5. Four glucoamylase-specific recombinants were screened by in situ hybridization from the transformants. Restriction mapping and sequencing for one of the four were performed. Data show that the glucoamylase gene from A. niger T21 is a 2.3kb fragment containing four intervening sequences in the coding region.
Aspergillus niger↗
Epidermis and serum protect retinol but not retinyl esters from sunlight-induced photodegradation.
Sunlight-induced photodegradation of retinyl esters and retinol in human skin, blood and cultured keratinocytes was investigated. Using high-performance liquid chromatography with an extraction method that avoided saponification, the analysis of human foreskin (Caucasian) showed that levels of retinyl esters and retinol were approximately 3.5 and 5.0 times higher, respectively, in the epidermis than in the dermis. Upon irradiation by sunlight, a significant reduction in epidermal retinyl esters was observed in both summer and winter. However, epidermal retinol, dermal retinol and dermal retinyl esters did not show statistically significant reductions. When serum from volunteers who had taken a large dose of retinyl palmitate to elevate serum retinyl esters was exposed to sunlight, the retinyl esters in the serum rapidly disappeared after 10 min of exposure--similar to the photodegradation seen for retinyl palmitate in an organic solvent. While retinol in an organic solvent rapidly photodegraded similar to serum retinyl palmitate, serum retinol slowly declined upon sunlight irradiation. When cultured keratinocytes that took-up 3H-retinol and thereafter contained 3H-retinyl esters and 3H-retinol were exposed to sunlight, 80% of the 3H-retinyl esters disappeared upon sunlight irradiation whereas only about 20% of the 3H-retinol did so. These results suggest that the epidermis, serum and keratinocytes selectively protect retinol from sunlight-induced photodegradation. It is most likely that serum retinol-binding protein and cellular retinol-binding protein protect retinol, a vital epithelial growth factor, from photodegradation.
Blood↗
Mechanism of carotenoid cleavage to retinoids.
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Animals↗
Intestinal perfusion of beta-carotene in the ferret raises retinoic acid level in portal blood.
To determine whether beta-carotene (beta-C) can serve as a source of intestinally-derived retinoic acid (RA), either 15,15'-[14C]beta-C or unlabeled beta-C was perfused through 30 cm jejunal segments of ferrets in vivo. Portal vein blood was sampled periodically via an indwelling catheter. RA was identified in portal blood by comparing retention times in HPLC, by UV absorption, and by derivatization (methylation) and subsequent GC-MS analysis. The RA concentration in the portal blood increased 3-fold with perfusion of beta-C (P < 0.05), and remained at 18 nmol/L during the perfusion of beta-C. The single peak of RA in HPLC was shown to consist of four separate peaks by GC-MS, which may be cis-trans isomers of RA. The concentration of RA in portal blood returned to the initial level (5 nmol/L) after a 2 h period of intestinal perfusion with 5% dextrose. Retinyl ester concentration in portal blood did not change before or after the perfusion, whereas retinol decreased significantly during the perfusion of beta-C. This study clearly indicates that a considerable quantity and number of polar metabolites, including RA, are formed from beta-C in the ferret intestine which are transported via the portal vein to the liver.
Animals↗
Prognostic indicators in fungemia of the surgical patient.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify prognostic factors affecting mortality in surgical patients with culture-proved fungemia and to examine how amphotericin B affects mortality after controlling for these factors. DESIGN: The study is based on a retrospective logistic regression analysis of general surgical patients with blood cultures positive for fungi. We analyzed the patients' ages; whether they received triple antibiotics, had diabetes, had malignant neoplasia, received steroids, had concomitant bacteremia, or took antibiotics for greater than 7 days; and total dose of amphotericin B. SETTING: The study was carried out at a university-based county hospital. PATIENTS: Analysis of microbiology records for blood cultures that were positive for fungi from November 1987 to January 1992 revealed 63 general surgical patients. Patients with burns and those undergoing organ transplantation were excluded. Forty charts were complete and available for review. MAIN OUTCOME: Death was the outcome variable studied. RESULTS: Stepwise logistic regression analysis of death revealed age to be a risk factor for mortality. Treatment with at least 210 mg of amphotericin B was associated with relative risk of death of 0.055. CONCLUSION: Amphotericin B is effective even at low doses at decreasing the mortality in surgical patients with fungemia. On the other hand, increasing age is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Found not to be associated were concomitant bacteremia, concurrent triple antibiotic therapy, malignant neoplasia, and steroid use.
Age Factors↗
Differentiation between central and excentric cleavage of beta-carotene.
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Adipose Tissue↗
Pathologists' participation in postmortem examinations for patients with dementia.
Pathologists (n = 571) in Michigan were surveyed to examine the problem of limited access to autopsy experienced by families of patients with dementia and to assist with the implementation of the Michigan Dementia Program. The survey determined the extent to which pathologists performed autopsies for patients with dementia and/or were willing to do so as part of a statewide Postmortem Examination Program. Responses from 394 pathologists (69%) indicated that 49% were willing to perform brain removal and 44% were interested in learning more about the statewide program. The survey results were used to recruit pathologists, to identify potential problems, and to provide baseline data against which to measure the effects of a fully implemented program.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase protects rats against oxygen toxicity.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) has an important role in the protection against O2 toxicity. Conjugation of Cu,Zn-SOD to polyethylene glycol (PEG-SOD) prolongs its plasma half-life and facilitates its cellular uptake. However, prior studies have shown that intravenous injection of PEG-SOD does not protect animals against O2 toxicity. In this study, we demonstrated that tracheal insufflation of PEG-SOD resulted in a dose-dependent protection against O2 toxicity. Nine of 15 rats (60%) insufflated with 25,000 U PEG-SOD survived continuous 100% O2 exposure for more than 7 days compared with control rats (n = 45), all of which died within 3 days of O2 exposure (P < 0.025). In contrast, insufflation of 25,000 U SOD, 9.7 mg methoxy-PEG (equivalent to the amount of methoxy-PEG present in 25,000 U PEG-SOD), or a combination of SOD and methoxy-PEG had no protective effect. Furthermore, intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of PEG-SOD did not afford significant protection. Protection against O2 toxicity by PEG-SOD insufflation was associated with attenuated O2-induced pulmonary injury as evidenced by a reduced volume of pleural effusion. Insufflation of PEG-SOD markedly increased pulmonary SOD activity (to 300 and 370% of controls at 24 and 50 h, respectively) without affecting pulmonary catalase activity. We conclude that insufflation of PEG-SOD protects rats against O2 toxicity, possibly by enhancing pulmonary SOD activity.
Administration, Inhalation↗
Application of photodynamic therapy to the treatment of atherosclerotic plaques.
Photodynamic therapy is a therapeutic modality long studies for its application to the treatment of malignant neoplasms. Recently, studies have suggested its potential use in the treatment of atherosclerosis. In this study, two atherosclerotic plaques were induced in the abdominal aortas of 35 rabbits. The animals then received Photofrin II (Quadralogic Technologies Inc., Pearl River, NY), a photosensitizer, at doses of 5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg. After 48 hours, the plaques were irradiated by a fiberoptic connected to an argon ion laser. Fluency rates from 32 mW to 256 mW and energy doses from 1.6 to 60 joules were applied. Only one of the paired plaques was irradiated, the other remaining as a control. Four weeks after treatment, the vessels were assessed. Of 26 plaques treated with photodynamic therapy, 22 were no longer grossly visible, while the nine animals that received light irradiation but no Photofrin II all had visible plaque (P < 0.001). Studies of the vessel sections confirmed a reduction in intimal thickness from 0.74 +/- 0.15 mm in matched controls as compared with 0.51 +/- 0.13 mm in animals with treated plaques. There was a concomitant enlargement of the luminal diameter from 1.13 +/- 0.51 to 1.41 +/- 0.72. On the microscopic level, plaque reduction was most complete in the groups treated with 40 and 60 joules. Different fluency rates and drug dosages did not lead to differing outcomes. Our findings indicate that photodynamic therapy with dihematoporphyrin ether met our goal of reducing plaque size and may represent a means of treating atherosclerotic plaques.
Animals↗
[Influences of acupuncture on gastroduodenal mucosal lesion and electrical changing induced by stress in rats].
Experiments were performed in 57 SD rats. The stress was induced by binding plus revolving (5.5 xg, 170 c/min, 10 min) or cold (0-4 degrees C, 30-60 min). Selected acupuncture points were "Zusanli" and "Weishu". Bipolar Ag-AgCl recording electrodes were respectively implanted on the serous membrane surface of the antrum, duodenum and on the abdominal skin corresponding to above areas. The results were as follows: (1) There are 63.2% individuals in the stress group which showed a large quantity of bleeding points spreading over the gastroduodenal mucosal membrane. The area density of lesion was 15.8-27.7%. Under microscope the signs emerged including mucosal blood vessel dilatation and hyperaemia, gland cell swelling, virlus broken and peeling off and lymph cell accumulating, etc. 84% individuals showed obvious inhibition of gastroduodenal electroactivities including that the amplitude of slow wave was lower, the frequency decreased even the rhythm was disordered, the number of fast wave reduced and the IDMEC III cycle was prolonged. (2) In the group of acupuncture plus stress only 16.7% individuals showed bleeding or hyperaemia, and the lesion area density was only 1.7%. Also the pathohistological changes were obviously decreased. Gastroduodenal electrical changes were hardly seen (27.2%) or the inhibitory state above were significantly reduced (54.5%) when compared with the stress group. There is strong reason to consider that acupuncture could effectively reduce the mucosal lesion and the electrical inhibition of stomach and duodenum induced by stress in rats.
Acupuncture Therapy↗
[Regulation of purine biosynthetic genes expression in Salmonella typhimurium. II. Isolation and characterization of Oc mutants].
Purine repressor protein, encoded by purR has shown to effect expression of purine structure genes except purB in de novo pathway in Salmonella typhimurium. However, up to date there is no direct evidence of the repressor binding to operator DNA of these genes. Report here is the isolation and characterization of purine Oc mutants in Salmonella typhimurium. purD:: MudJ (lacZ Kanr) and purG:: MudJ (lacZ Kanr) were used as starting strains Both strains were mutagenized by NTG, and derepressed mutants were selected on the MacConkey plate containing an excess of adenosine (2mmol/L). 8 independent depressed mutants were obtained from purD:: MudJ (lacZ Kanr), 9 were obtained from purG:: MudJ (lacZ Kanr). Transduction analysis and trans-acting or cis-acting test of the genes with merochromosome DNA tandem genetic duplication strains proved that 1 mutant for each group exert the constitute expression by cis-acting. This is first purine Oc mutant obtained from Salmonella typhimurium.
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial↗
Synthesis, cloning and sequencing of glucoamylase cDNA from Aspergillus niger mutant T21.
Poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from Aspergillus niger T21, a glucoamylase overproducing strain and was used as template to synthesize double stranded cDNA. A cDNA library was then constructed. The E. coli transformants were screened for the glucoamylase cDNA by in situ colony hybridization with P-labeled fragment of glucoamylase gene as probe. The positive rate was 1.6%. Restriction analysis proved that 32% of the positive clones carried the inserts of 2.1 kb of full length glucoamylase cDNA. Sequence of the glucoamylase cDNA was determined and the result showed that the sequence of glucoamylase gene of the mutant T21 was almost the same as that reported previously. The high rate of glucoamylase cDNA-containing clones in the cDNA library of strain T21 provided evidence of high steady state level of glucoamylase mRNA in mycelium of mutant T21. Most likely it is one of the major causes for the high glucoamylase productivity of mutant T21.
Aspergillus niger↗
Intestinal uptake and lymphatic absorption of beta-carotene in ferrets: a model for human beta-carotene metabolism.
To determine the appropriateness of the ferret as a model for human beta-carotene (beta-C) metabolism, we have perfused both 15,15'-beta-[14C]C and unlabeled beta-C through the upper 30-cm portion of the small intestine of ferrets in vivo. The effluents of a mesenteric lymph duct cannulation and a common bile duct cannulation, as well as portal vein blood periodically sampled via an indwelling catheter, were collected. Ten percent (9.5 +/- 0.06%) of the total administered beta-C was taken up by the intestine after a 4-h perfusion. Of the radioactivity taken up, 68.6 +/- 6.5% remained in the intestinal mucosa, 3.2 +/- 0.2% was recovered in the lymph, and 28.2 +/- 6.5% (calculated) was absorbed via the portal system. The total uptake/absorption of beta-C was 12.9 +/- 6.8 nmol.h-1.30 cm intestine-1. Large amounts of unchanged beta-C and relatively small amounts of both beta-apo-12'-carotenal and beta-apo-10'-carotenal were isolated in the intestinal mucosa after a 4-h perfusion with beta-C. Considerable amounts of metabolites more polar than retinol were formed and comprised 35% of the total radioactivity recovered in the intestinal mucosa. Polar metabolites were absorbed mostly into the portal venous system, whereas retinol and retinyl esters were absorbed mainly into the mesenteric lymph. Of the total absorbed radioactivity in lymph, 10 +/- 1.0% appeared as unchanged beta-C, with peak absorption occurring at 3 h after beginning the perfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Absorption↗