PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Nie

Publications and source records attributed to H Nie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Risk factors of superinfection following imipenem/cilastatin therapy in hospitalised patients with acute exacerbations of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Imipenem is often used in treatment of acute exacerbations of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Superinfection following imipenem therapy is a common cause of treatment failure and high economic burden. This study is aimed to explore any clinical factors which determine the risk of superinfection after imipenem treatment in acute exacerbations of severe COPD. A prospective observational study was conducted in a 5-bed respiratory intensive care unit of a Chinese University hospital. Fifty-one patients with acute exacerbations of severe COPD who were hospitalised and treated with imipenem for more than 3 days were enrolled during 1.5 year. The associations between the risk of superinfection and potential factors were analysed by logistic regression. Forty-seven out of 51 patients (92.2%) had their symptoms and signs improved at the end of imipenem treatment. Superinfections were developed in 12 patients, and the superinfection rate was as high as 30.8% (12 out of 39 patients with definite bacteriologic responses). The frequent superinfecting organisms were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among a wide range of potential risk factors, we found that lower blood pH, previous cephalosporines treatment and longer period of imipenem treatment are independently associated with a higher risk of superinfection. The risk of superinfection following imipenem treatment in hospitalised patients with acute exacerbations of COPD was high. Lower blood pH, previous cephalosporines treatment and longer period of imipenem treatment all increased the risk of superinfection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Skewed T-cell receptor BV14 and BV16 expression and shared CDR3 sequence and common sequence motifs in synovial T cells of rheumatoid arthritis.

T-lymphocytes play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we evaluated the hypothesis that common T-cell receptor (TCR) structural features may exist among infiltrating T cells of different RA patients, if the TCR repertoire is shaped by interaction with common self or microbial antigens in the context of susceptible HLA genes in RA. Synovial lesion tissue (ST), synovial fluid (SF) and blood specimens from RA patients and controls were analyzed for TCR V gene repertoire by real-time PCR. There was highly skewed BV14 and BV16 usage in synovial T cells of RA as opposed to those of controls, which was accompanied with a trend for correlation between skewed BV16 and DRB1(*)0405. Immunoscope analysis of the V-D-J region of ST-derived T cells demonstrated oligoclonal and polyclonal expansion of BV14(+) and BV16(+) T cells. Detailed characterization using specific BV and BJ primers further revealed common clonotypes combining the same BV14/BV16, BJ and CDR3 length. DNA cloning and sequence analysis of the clonotypes confirmed identical CDR3 sequences and common CDR3 sequence motifs among different RA patients. The findings are important in the understanding of BV gene skewing and CDR3 structural characteristics among synovial infiltrating T cells of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed2001

The effect of hydroxyapatite ultrofine powder on the immunity function of tumor-bearing mice.

The inhibitory effect of hydroxyapatite ultrofine powder (HAUFP) on tumor and the effect on the immunity function of body were investigated. The levels of IL-2 in the spleen cells and serum TNF levels in the tumor-bearing mice at the 7th day and 14th after peritoneal injection of HAUFP were detected by using the methods of colorimetric analysis of MTT and crystal purple decoration, respectively. The disappearance of the ascites of the mice was observed. The results showed that the levels of IL-2 and TNF in the tumor-bearing mice were higher obviously in the drug-treated group than in the control group (P < 0.01), the ascites growth was inhibited. It was suggested that HAUFP could increase the levels of IL-2 and TNF of the tumor-bearing mice and improve the immune function of body.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Act1, an NF-kappa B-activating protein.

Use of an NF-kappaB-dependent selectable marker facilitated the isolation of a cell line containing a cDNA encoding Act1, an NF-kappaB activator. Act1 associates with and activates IkappaB kinase (IKK), leading to the liberation of NF-kappaB from its complex with IkappaB. Many signaling pathways that liberate NF-kappaB also activate activating transcription factor (ATF) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) through Jun kinase (JNK). Act1 also activates JNK, suggesting that it might be part of a multifunctional complex involved in the activation of both NF-kappaB and JNK. Act1 fails to activate NF-kappaB in an IL-1-unresponsive mutant cell line in which all known signaling components are present, suggesting that it interacts with an unknown component in IL-1 signaling.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2000

Neurokinin A, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and dynorphin A (1-8) in spinal dorsal horn contribute to descending inhibition evoked by nociceptive afferent pathways: an immunocytochemical study.

Immunocytochemical technique was used to compare the contents of neurokinin A (NKA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and dynorphin A (1-8) (DynA) on two sides of the lumbar dorsal horn of rats in which the unilateral thoracic dorsalateral funiculus (DLF) was transected while formalin (0.2 ml, 0.5%) was injected equally into two hindpaws. The results showed that all the NKA-like, CGRP-like, and DynA (1-8)-like immunoreactivities were significantly lower in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn on the side ipsilateral to the lesioned DLF than that on the side with intact DLF. This implies that peripheral noxious inputs activate the supraspinal descending inhibitory systems which in turn modulate the transmission of noxious message at the spinal level by changing the release of related neuropeptides.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2000

Analysis and origins of the human and mouse RNase L genes: mediators of interferon action.

The 2',5'-oligoadenylate-activated enzyme, RNase L, is an endoribonuclease implicated in the antiviral and apoptotic activities of interferons. To probe the genetics of the 2-5A system, the human and mouse genes were cloned, characterized, and compared. The first coding exon of both genes encodes the regulatory regions of RNase L, 67-70% of the proteins including nine ankyrin repeats, the 2-5A binding domain, and several protein kinase homology motifs. In contrast, the coding sequence for the ribonuclease domain in the mouse and human gene is divided among three exons. The transcriptional start site of the human RNase L gene was located in noncoding exon I by primer extension analysis. A complete coding sequence of mouse RNase L was obtained revealing a 735-amino acid protein with 64% identity to human RNase L. A hypothesis is presented concerning the evolutionary relationship of RNase L to both an ankyrin repeat protein kinase and the kinase-endoribonuclease. IRE1, that mediates the unfolded protein response.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2000

No correlation of polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme genes with left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension.

To investigate the correlation of polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genes with left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension, 151 patients with essential hypertension were studied. ACE genotypes were determined by PCR technology and diastolic left ventricular diameter (DLVd), systolic left ventricular diameter (SLVd), interseptal ventricular thickness (IVS), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were scanned by echocardiography. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were calculated from echocardiographic findings. Results revealed that DLVd, SLVd, IVS, LVPW, LVM, and LVMI of the DD genotype group were 49.9 +/- 5.6 mm, 30.5 +/- 6.5 mm, 11.2 +/- 1.6 mm, 11.7 +/- 1.5 mm, 259.5 +/- 62.1 g, 92.7 +/- 23.5 g/m2, respectively. DLVd, SLVd, IVS, LVPW, LVM, and LVMI of the ID genotype group were 8.9 +/- 5.3 mm, 31.5 +/- 5.2 mm, 11.4 +/- 1.7 mm, 11.9 +/- 1.6 mm, 261.3 +/- 70.3 g, and 94.9 +/- 25.8 g/m2, respectively, and DLVd, SLVd, IVS, LVPW, LVM, and LVMI of the II genotype group are 48.9 +/- 5.5 mm, 31.8 +/- 6.5 mm, 11.1 +/- 1.9 mm, 11.5 +/- 1.8 mm, 250.8 +/- 82.5 g and 90.8 +/- 30.1 g/m2 respectively. There was no significant difference between the ID, DD and II genotype groups as regards DLVd, SLVd, IVS, LVPW, LVM, and LVMI (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that there is no association between the ACE gene and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension occurring in the Chinese population.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Peripheral nitric oxide contributes to both formalin- and NMDA-induced activation of nociceptors: An immunocytochemical study in rats.

Nociceptive c-fos expressions in the dorsal horn following intraplantar injection of two kinds of algogenic agents combined with different doses of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)) or of NO donor (L-arginine) were used to explore if NO was involved in the activation of peripheral nociceptors. The results showed that: 1) combined injections of L-NAME with formalin into the plantar aspect of one hindpaw of normal rats elicited a dose-dependent suppression of c-fos expression as compared to that induced by formalin alone; 2) combined injections of L-arginine with formalin elicited considerable enhancement of c-fos expression when the dosages of L-arginine were less than 20 micromol, while it elicited marked suppression of c-fos expression when the dosages were in the range from 50 to 100 micromol; and 3) combined injection of L-NAME with NMDA, a selective agonist for NMDA receptors, into the hindpaw could also inhibit the NMDA-induced c-fos expression in the spinal dorsal horn. These results suggest that endogenously generated concentrations of nitric oxide may enhance the initiation of nociceptive inputs of peripheral nociceptors following local injection of formalin or NMDA.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Study on air pollution in Beijing's major industrial areas using multielements in biomonitors and NAA techniques.

Three kinds of plant leaves, Chinese white aspen, arborvitae, and pine needles, have been sampled from the Yanshan Oil refinery complex, the Capital Iron and Steel Factory, and Badachu, a control area in Beijing, as biomonitors for air-pollution studies. Each sample was divided into two parts, washed, and unwashed. Thirty-one trace elements (As, Au, Br, Ca, Cd, K, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Sb, Sm, U, W, Yb, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Rb, Sc, Se, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, and Zn) have been determined by using the relative and the K0 methods of instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) techniques. The results indicated the following: (1) The concentration of trace elements in unwashed samples are much higher than these in washed samples; (2) the area around Capital Iron and Steel Factory is heavily polluted, and the Yanshan Oil refinery complex area is moderately polluted; (3) Chinese white aspen is a good biomonitor in particular seasons and pine needles are better than arborvitae for yearly monitoring; (4) elements As, Cd, Hg, Co, Rb, Sb, W, and Zn are highly absorbed by Chinese white aspen. Pine needles are sensitive for the absorption the elements Br, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sc, Cs and rare earth elements, but arborvitae is very sensitive for the absorption of Sr.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1999

Preliminary study on the relationship between osteoporosis and trace elements with rat models.

Thirty rats were divided randomly into five groups and fed with different feeds. They were killed after 2 mo. Right thighs of these rats were taken as samples. Bone mineral densities of these samples were measured by the double-energy x-ray bone mineral densitometer, and trace elements contents of the samples were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. Results of the experiments showed that some elements were well correlated with others, and there were obvious variances between some elements of the normal group and those of other four groups.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1999

The effect of locally implanted complexes of adriamycin-hydroxyapatite complexes on tumor--study of a new alternative treatment for hepatic cancer.

A new targeting anticancer system was prepared by using hydroxyapatite particles (2 mm in diameter) as carrier material and adriamycin as anticancer agent. The adsorption and release properties of the complexes were assayed by fluorometry in vivo and in vitro and the curative effect on W-256 sarcoma of rat was observed. The results showed that one particle of hydroxyapatite could adsorb approximately 0.08 mg adriamycin and they can maintain a steady and slow release of adriamycin from hydroxyapatite for one month. When hydroxyapatite-adriamycin complexes were implanted into the liver of rat, liver adriamycin concentration at the implanted region was obviously higher than that achieved by injection of adriamycin solution. The locally implanted complexes obviously inhibited the growth of subcutaneous implanted tumor of rat, and increased the survival rate of rat with implanted liver tumor.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Effects of acetylcholine on inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation in cervix uteri myometrial cells of human].

AIM: To detect inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) formation of pregnant and nonpregnant human myometrial cells induced by acetylcholine (ACh). METHODS: [3H] IP3 competitive protein binding assay. RESULTS: Basal levels of IP3 in pregnant and nonpregnant human myometrial cells were (82 +/- 9) and (96 +/- 10) nmol.g-1 (protein), respectively (n = 6). Incubated with ACh 50 mumol.L-1 for 5 min, IP3 reached the peak levels (109 +/- 11) and (122 +/- 15) nmol.g-1 (protein), respectively (n = 6), but difference of the increments of IP3 in pregnant and nonpregnant women was not significant. The increased IP3 induced by ACh was inhibited by atropine (Atr) 1 mumol.L-1. CONCLUSION: The basal IP3 level in pregnant cervix myometrial cells was higher than that in nonpregnant women. ACh increased the IP3 formation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Chloramine T-induced structural and biochemical changes in echistatin.

Echistatin is a member of the disintegrin family of peptides and a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and cell adhesion. Echistatin binds to integrin alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(IIb)beta3 receptors with high affinity. Binding is mediated by an RGD-containing loop maintained in an appropriate conformation by disulfide bridges. In this study, we have compared the binding characteristics of echistatin iodinated by either lactoperoxidase or chloramine T method. We show that echistatin labeled by lactoperoxidase method binds to integrin alpha(v)beta3 receptor with high affinity and in a non-dissociable manner very similar to native echistatin. In contrast, chloramine T-labeled echistatin can rapidly dissociate from the receptor. We demonstrate that chloramine T reaction results in the addition of an extra oxygen to the methionine residue adjacent to the RGD motif in echistatin. Modeling studies and molecular dynamic simulation studies show that the extra oxygen atom on the methionine residue can form hydrogen bonds with the glycine and aspartic acid residues of the RGD motif. These structural changes in echistatin help explain the changes in the binding characteristics of the molecule following chloramine T reaction.

Chloramines↗
PubMed1998

Direct projections from the periaqueductal gray to pontine micturition center neurons projecting to the lumbosacral cord segments: an electron microscopic study in the rat.

Direct projections from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) to the pontine micturition center neurons directly projecting to the lumbosacral cord segments were observed electron microscopically in the rat by a double labeling method. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the PAG and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the lumbosacral cord segments. After injection of BDA into the ventrolateral part of the PAG, many BDA-labeled axons were seen light microscopically in Barrington's nucleus; a moderate number of them were found in the pontine tegmental region just ventral to Barrington's nucleus (D-region [Ding, Y-Q., Takada, M., Tokuno, H. and Mizuno, N., J. Comp. Neurol., 357 (1996) 318-330]). On the other hand, after injection of BDA into the dorsolateral part of the PAG, only a few BDA-labeled axons were seen in Barrington's nucleus or the D-region. BDA-labeled axon terminals were electron microscopically confirmed to be in synaptic contact with HRP-labeled dendrites and somata in Barrington's nucleus and the D-region. The results indicate that the ventrolateral part of the PAG is implicated in regulation of the micturition reflex.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Position 120-123, a potential active site of trichosanthin.

Trichosanthin (TCS) is a type-I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) with wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. In the present study, a potential site on the TCS molecule (position 120-123) is identified which may be important for the biological activities of TCS. By using site-directed mutagenesis, position 120-123 of TCS was either deleted or changed from Lys-Ile-Arg-Glu (hydrophilic) to Ser-Ala-Gly-Gly (hydrophobic). Deletion of these residues rendered a TCS molecule completely deprived of ribosome inactivating activity, while hydrophobic replacement caused 4000-fold decrease in ribosome inactivating activity. The abortifacient activity of these two mutants was retained with decreased potency. This implies that position 120-123 of the native TCS molecule plays a critical role in maintaining its biological activity.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗