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H Sheng

Publications and source records attributed to H Sheng.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Relative neuroprotective effects of dizocilpine and isoflurane during focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.

UNLABELLED: Both dizocilpine (MK-801) and isoflurane antagonize glutamatergic neurotransmission. In this study, we examined the relative neuroprotective effects of these drugs administered in equianesthetic doses before the onset of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats were anesthetized with 1.0%-1.5% isoflurane and surgically prepared for filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). After preparation, one group (n = 22) remained anesthetized with 0.7% isoflurane. Another group (n = 18) was given dizocilpine (1 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and isoflurane was discontinued. The third group (n = 18) was allowed to awaken immediately after the onset of ischemia. MCAO persisted for 75 min. Epidural temperature was controlled at 37.5 degrees C during ischemia and the first 22 h of recovery. A 7-day recovery interval was allowed. Total infarction volumes (mean +/- SD) were less for the dizocilpine group (100 +/- 65 mm3) versus the awake group (182 +/- 36 mm3; P = 0.001). Infarction volumes did not differ significantly between the isoflurane group (142 +/- 81 mm3) and either the dizocilpine (P = 0.11) or the awake group (P = 0.15). Isoflurane was examined at doses used clinically but smaller than those found to reduce N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated injury in vitro. This study supports the hypothesis that NMDA receptor activation is injurious during focal ischemia and that amelioration of focal ischemic brain damage by NMDA receptor antagonists persists under normothermic conditions. IMPLICATIONS: Rats underwent focal cerebral ischemia with rigid maintenance of brain normothermia. The glutamate receptor antagonist dizocilpine was effective in reducing cerebral infarction size during persistent conditions of brain normothermia. In contrast, isoflurane administered at equianesthetic doses did not reduce infarction size. This study supports the hypothesis that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation is injurious during focal ischemia and that amelioration of focal ischemic brain damage by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists persists under normothermic conditions.

Animals↗

Apolipoprotein E isoform-specific differences in outcome from focal ischemia in transgenic mice.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a 34-KD glycosylated lipid-binding protein, is expressed as three common isoforms in humans (E2, E3, or E4). Clinical evidence suggests that the apoE genotype (APOE) may be a risk factor for poor outcome after acute central nervous system injury. This was examined further in transgenic mice constructed with the human APOE3 or APOE4 gene under the control of human promoter and tissue expression elements. Presence of human apoE3 and apoE4 proteins in brains of human APOE homozygous transgenic mice was confirmed by Western blotting. APOE3 (n = 12) and APOE4 (n = 10) mice underwent 60 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion. After 24-hour recovery, infarct size was measured. Infarct volumes (mean +/- standard deviation) were smaller in the APOE3 group (cortex: APOE3 = 18 +/- 4 mm3; APOE4 = 30 +/- 11 mm3, P = 0.04; subcortex: APOE3 = 12 +/- 4 mm3; APOE4 = 18 +/- 4 mm3, P = 0.003). Hemiparesis was less severe in APOE3 mice (P = 0.02). These data indicate that human isoform-specific effects of apoE are relevant to acute pathomechanisms of focal ischemic brain damage when examined in the mouse. APOE transgenic mice may provide an appropriate model to examine the mechanistic basis for the differential effects of human apoE isoforms in acute central nervous system injury.

Alleles↗

Effects of a synthetic allosteric modifier of hemoglobin oxygen affinity on outcome from global cerebral ischemia in the rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuronal injury results from an insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain. This experiment examined whether a pharmacologically induced rightward shift of the partial pressure of oxygen at which 50% of hemoglobin is saturated (P50) would improve outcome from either incomplete and/or near-complete forebrain ischemia-induced hypoxia in the rat. METHODS: For incomplete ischemia (attenuated electroencephalogram), fasted rats (n = 17 to 19 per group) were given a synthetic allosteric modifier of hemoglobin affinity for oxygen (RSR13; 150 mg/kg IV) before or immediately after 20 minutes of bilateral carotid occlusion combined with a decrease in mean arterial pressure to 40 mm Hg. For near-complete ischemia (isoelectric electroencephalogram), rats (n = 15 per group) were given RSR13 (150 mg/kg) at onset of reperfusion after 10 minutes of bilateral carotid occlusion combined with a decrease in mean arterial pressure to 30 mm Hg. In both experiments, control rats were given vehicle (0.9% NaCl IV) only. Outcome (defined as percent dead hippocampal CA1 neurons) was determined at 5 days after ischemia. RESULTS: RSR13 (150 mg/kg) produced a 68% rightward shift of P50 (34+/-3 to 57+/-8 mm Hg). RSR13 reduced CA1 damage resulting from incomplete ischemia by 28% (P=0.02), but only when administered at the onset of reperfusion. RSR13 had no effect on outcome from near-complete ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: A postischemic pharmacologically induced increase in P50 may improve outcome from incomplete global cerebral ischemia. More severe (near-complete) ischemia negates this benefit.

Allosteric Regulation↗

[Management of abnormal blood vessels of donor kidney in renal transplantation (report of 128 cases)].

The experience on management of abnormal blood vessels in 128 cases of donor kidney during the tailoring operation was reported. The various techniques used for different types of abnormal arteries and veins, and the critical points which should be paid attention to have been discussed. It was concluded that the multiple renal arteries should be treated in a single renal artery and anastomosed with internal iliac artery or/and external iliac artery. The appropriate management given to abnormal renal blood vessels during the tailoring operation may shorten the warm ishemia time, ensure the renal blood supply, reduce the renal vasular complication, and promote the recovery of renal function.

Adolescent↗

[A study of the gene encoding Ki-67 antigen in human pancreatic cancer using non-radioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, at transcriptional and translational level in situ, the abnormal gene expression of the Ki-67 protein in pancreatic carcinoma specimens. METHOD: 40 pancreatic cancer specimens, 5 normal pancreatic and 4 chronic pancreatitis tissues were studied. A 435 bp cDNA fragment located in codon 2, exon 13 of the Ki-67 antigen gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The DIG-labeled cRNA probes were transcribed using a commercially available DIG RNA labeling kit. Localization of the Ki-67 protein and the specific mRNA were studied by combining immunohistochemistry (ICH) with (DIG)-labeled in situ hybridization (ISH). RESULT: The Ki-67 protein mRNA in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded pancreatic tissue sections was successfully localized. Analyzing the Ki-67 mRNA transcription in 17 pancreatic cancer specimens with Ki-67 ICH labeling index > 20%, we found that stronger mRNA signals were also observed in poorly differentiated specimens with Ki-67 index > 50% than in those well differentiated with ICH labeling index 20% - 50%. A high expression of both mRNA and protein was observed in poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: Abnormal overexpression of the gene encoding Ki-67 protein was detected not only at the protein level, but also at the mRNA level in pancreatic tumors. The abnormal overexpression of the Ki-67 protein might be correlated with the central part, exon 13, of the gene.

Female↗

The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ODA3 gene encodes a protein of the outer dynein arm docking complex.

We have used an insertional mutagenesis/ gene tagging technique to generate new Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants that are defective in assembly of the uter ynein rm. Among 39 insertional oda mutants characterized, two are alleles of the previously uncloned ODA3 gene, one is an allele of the uncloned ODA10 gene, and one represents a novel ODA gene (termed ODA12). ODA3 is of particular interest because it is essential for assembly of both the outer dynein arm and the outer dynein arm docking complex (ODA-DC) onto flagellar doublet microtubules (Takada, S., and R. Kamiya. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 126:737- 745). Beginning with the inserted DNA as a tag, the ODA3 gene and a full-length cDNA were cloned. The cloned gene rescues the phenotype of oda3 mutants. The cDNA sequence predicts a novel 83. 4-kD protein with extensive coiled-coil domains. The ODA-DC contains three polypeptides; direct amino acid sequencing indicates that the largest of these polypeptides corresponds to ODA3. This protein is likely to have an important role in the precise positioning of the outer dynein arms on the flagellar axoneme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of human colon cancer cell growth by selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2.

A considerable amount of evidence collected from several different experimental systems indicates that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may play a role in colorectal tumorigenesis. Large epidemiologic studies have shown a 40-50% reduction in mortality from colorectal cancer in persons taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on a regular basis. One property shared by all of these drugs is their ability to inhibit COX, a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Two isoforms of COX have been characterized, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 is expressed at high levels in intestinal tumors in humans and rodents. In this study, we selected two transformed human colon cancer cell lines for studies on the role of COX-2 in intestinal tumorigenesis. We evaluated HCA-7 cells which express high levels of COX-2 protein constitutively and HCT-116 cells which lack COX-2 protein. Treatment of nude mice implanted with HCA-7 cells with a selective COX-2 inhibitor (SC-58125), reduced tumor formation by 85-90%. SC-58125 also inhibited colony formation of cultured HCA-7 cells. Conversely, SC-58125 had no effect on HCT-116 implants in nude mice or colony formation in culture. Here we provide evidence that there may be a direct link between inhibition of intestinal cancer growth and selective inhibition of the COX-2 pathway.

Animals↗

A selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor suppresses the growth of H-ras-transformed rat intestinal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Constitutive expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) has been found in 85% of colorectal cancers. Ras mutations are found in 50% of colorectal adenocarcinomas. The aim of this study was to determine the role of COX-2 in ras-induced transformation in rat intestinal epithelial (RIE) cells. METHODS: Cell growth was determined by cell counts. The expression of COX-2 was examined by Northern and Western analyses. For tumorigenicity assays, cells were inoculated into dorsal subcutaneous tissue of athymic nude mice. DNA-fragmentation assays were performed to detect apoptosis. RESULTS: The expression of COX-2 was increased in RIE-Ras cells at both messenger RNA (9-fold) and protein (12-fold) levels. Prostaglandin I2 levels were elevated 2.15-fold in RIE-Ras cells. Serum deprivation further increased COX-2 expression 3.8-fold in RIE-Ras cells. Treatment with a selective COX-2 antagonist (SC58125) inhibited the growth of RIE-Ras cells through inhibition of cell proliferation and by induction of apoptosis. SC-58125 treatment reduced the colony formation in Matrigel by 83.0%. Intraperitoneal administration of SC-58125 suppressed RIE-Ras tumor growth in nude mice by 60.3% in 4 weeks. SC-58125 treatment also induced apoptosis in RIE-Ras cells as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of COX-2 may contribute to tumorigenicity of ras-transformed intestinal epithelial cells. Selective inhibition of COX-2 activity inhibits growth of ras-transformed intestinal epithelial cells and induces apoptosis.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effects of propofol and pentobarbital on neurologic outcome and cerebral infarct size after temporary focal ischemia in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Although propofol is known to have effects on cerebral physiology similar to the barbiturates, a direct comparison of the relative effects of these drugs on outcome from cerebral ischemia has not been performed. The authors postulated that pentobarbital or propofol would yield similar effects on neurologic and histologic outcome from temporary focal ischemia in the rat. METHODS: Wistar rats were anesthetized with sufficient doses of pentobarbital (n = 20) or propofol (n = 20) to cause electroencephalographic burst suppression. The middle cerebral artery was then occluded for 75 min. Animals were awakened 4-6 h after onset of reperfusion and allowed to recover for 1 week. Neurologic function and infarct size were then assessed. RESULTS: Relevant physiologic values were similar between groups during ischemia and early reperfusion. No difference between groups was observed for severity of hemiparesis (P = 0.10). Total cerebral infarct volumes (median +/- quartile deviation) were similar for the two groups (pentobarbital = 190 +/- 36 mm3; propofol = 200 +/- 24 mm3, P = 0.35). CONCLUSION: Neurologic and histologic outcome were similar in pentobarbital or propofol anesthetized rats undergoing temporary focal cerebral ischemia and a 1-week recovery interval.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice have increased susceptibility to focal cerebral ischemia.

Recent evidence suggests that apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plays a role in neurologic disease. This experiment compared the neurologic and histologic outcome of ApoE-deficient mutant and wild-type mice subjected to a 60- or 90-minute episode of middle cerebral artery filament occlusion and a recovery interval of 24 hours. With 60 minutes of ischemia, there was no mortality. Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice had larger infarcts (cortex: ApoE deficient = 20 mm3 +/- 12, wild-type = 9 +/- 7 mm3, P = 0.03; subcortex: ApoE deficient = 22 +/- 7 mm3, wild-type = 16 +/- 7 mm3, P = 0.07). Hemiparesis was less severe in wild-type animals (P = 0.02). After 90 minutes of ischemia, mortality in ApoE-deficient mice (n = 10) was 40% versus 0% in wild-type mice (n = 10; P = 0.09). Intraparenchymal hemorrhage was found in 3 of the 4 dead mice. No difference in cortical (ApoE deficient = 37 +/- 8 mm3; wild-type = 31 +/- 18 mm3; P = 0.49) or subcortical (ApoE deficient = 30 +/- 11 mm3; wild-type = 32 +/- 18 mm3; P = 0.78) infarct volumes was present among survivors. ApoE-deficient mice had a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and increased fibrinogen concentration. This data supports the hypothesis that apolipoprotein E plays a role in the pathophysiology of ischemic brain damage.

Animals↗

Cyclooxygenase-2 induction and transforming growth factor beta growth inhibition in rat intestinal epithelial cells.

Rat intestinal epithelial cells (RIE-1) permanently transfected with the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (also referred to as cyclooxygenase-2; COX-2) gene exhibit decreased cyclin D1 levels, decreased cdk4-associated kinase activity, and delayed G1 cell cycle progression, which represents a phenotype similar to that which follows transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) treatment. In the current study, we have found that addition of TGF-beta 1 to the parental RIE-1 cells (designated RIE-P) caused a rapid induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein. COX-2 protein levels progressively increased and reached peak levels 6 h after TGF-beta 1 addition. Cyclin D1 was decreased by 74% at 6 h and was undetectable 24 h after addition of TGF-beta 1. In RIE cells transfected with the COX-2 antisense expression vector (RIE-AS cells), TGF-beta 1 induction of COX-2 protein was reduced greater than 90%. Addition of TGF-beta 1 did not reduce the abundant cyclin D1 protein expression in the RIE-AS cells, unlike the effect in RIE-P cells. TGF-beta 1 treatment reduced peak [3H]thymidine incorporation by 60% and delayed G1/S-phase transition by at least 4 h in the RIE-P cells. In contrast, S-phase entry occurred at 16 h in RIE-AS cells and was not altered by TGF-beta 1 treatment. Restoration of cyclin D1 expression by transfection of the cyclin D1 cDNA under transcriptional control of the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer in the COX-2-overexpressing (RIE-S) cells decreased the time required for S-phase entry by at least 4 h and increased the peak level of [3H]thymidine incorporation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that TGF-beta 1 strongly induces COX-2 at both the mRNA and protein levels and suggest that this induction of COX-2 is involved in the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and inhibition of cell growth caused by TGF-beta 1 in rat intestinal epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Study of the expression of the gene encoding Ki-67 antigen in human pancreatic cancer using non-radioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, at transcriptional and translational level in situ, whether the gene expression of the Ki-67 protein in pancreatic carcinoma specimens is altered to get insight of the gene structure and function. METHODS: Forty pancreatic cancer, 5 normal pancreatic and 4 chronic pancreatitis tissues were used in this experiment. A 435 bp cDNA fragment located in codon 2, exon 13 of Ki-67 antigen gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The DIG-labeled cRNA probes were transcribed using a commercial DIG RNA labeling kit. Localization of the Ki-67 protein and the specific mRNA was performed by combining immunohistochemistry (ICH) with DIG-labeled in situ hybridization (ISH). RESULTS: Successful localization of the Ki-67 protein mRNA in pancreatic tissue sections, routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, was first accomplished in this experiment. Analysis of the Ki-67 mRNA transcription in 17 pancreatic cancer specimens with Ki-67 ICH labeling index > 20% revealed stronger mRNA signals in poorly differentiated specimens with Ki-67 index > 50% than in well differentiated cases with the ICH labeling index of 20%-50%. A high expression of both the mRNA and the protein was observed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas with poor differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in which the abnormal overexpression of the gene encoding Ki-67 protein was detected not only at the protein level, but also at the mRNA level in pancreatic tumours. The abnormal overexpression of the Ki-67 protein might be correlated with the central part, exon 13, of the gene.

Adenocarcinoma↗

G1 delay in cells overexpressing prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. Continuous use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in humans by 40-50%. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who take NSAIDs, such as sulindac, undergo a regression of intestinal adenomas. Rodents exposed to carcinogens that cause colon cancer have a 50-60% reduction in the size and number of colonic tumors when treated continuously with NSAIDs. One common target for these drugs is prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, also referred to as cyclooxygenase (COX). We and others have shown recently that COX-2 levels are increased dramatically in 85-90% of human colorectal adenocarcinomas and in 40-50% of colonic adenomas. We prepared intestinal epithelial cells that express the COX-2 gene permanently and found that they have altered adhesion properties and resist undergoing apoptosis. We report here that these cells also have a 3-fold increase in the duration of G1, lower levels of cyclin D1 protein, and a marked decrease in retinoblastoma kinase activity associated with cyclin-dependent kinase 4. The delay in G1 transit may relate to the resistance of these cells to undergo programmed cell death, which could affect their tumorigenic potential.

Adenoma↗

Biochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of nitric oxide synthase in the rat retina.

The increase in cyclic GMP contents in phototransduction is likely to be mediated with release of nitric oxide (NO). In this study we have characterized a constitutive NO synthase (NOS) isolated from rat retina supernatant. The activity of NOS was determined by monitoring L-citrulline formation from L-arginine. Soluble NOS from retina used L-arginine as substrate, with NADPH, tetrahydrobiopterin and FAD as cofactors. The enzyme activity was raised with additional calcium and was reduced with high concentrations of calmodulin inhibitors. Protein immunoblot and immunohistochemical analysis using a specific antibody against Type I NOS indicated that the same type of NOS is mainly localized in amacrine cells in the retina. However, the enzyme activity in freshly prepared sample was not completely abolished in the absence of calcium or with calmodulin inhibitors. In addition, NADPH diaphorase staining in retina was wider and more intensive than staining with the antibody against Type I NOS. These results indicate that rat retina contains more than one type of NOS.

Animals↗

Infection of primary human microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates: evidence of differential tropism.

To ascertain whether viruses present at the time of primary viremia can infect the central nervous system and to determine if microglial tropism is distinct from tropism for monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), 27 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates obtained from acutely infected individuals, as well as laboratory strains, were assayed for their ability to replicate in primary adult microglial cultures and in MDM. Most of the isolates replicated equally well in both microglia and MDM, but several isolates replicated preferentially in one of the two cell types, differing by as much as 40-fold in p24gag production. This indicated that while MDM and microglial tropism overlap, a subset of isolates is particularly tropic for one of the two cell types. One isolate was further adapted to microglia by 15 sequential passages, raising the peak p24 concentration produced by 1,000-fold. In addition, the passaged virus induced marked cytopathologic changes (vacuolization and syncytium formation) in infected microglial cultures. Sequence comparison of the V3 loop of unpassaged and multiply passaged virus revealed amino acid changes shown to be associated with isolates from patients with HIV dementia. Our data support the hypothesis that HIV-1 infection can be established in the central nervous system by viruses present early in HIV infection, that some of these viruses are particularly tropic for microglia, and that adaptation in this cell type can result in the selection of a pool of predominantly microglia-tropic (neurotropic) viruses.

Adult↗

Mechanism of bradykinin-induced cyclic GMP accumulation in bovine tracheal smooth muscle.

Bradykinin (10(-8) - 10(-5) M) caused a concentration-dependent increase in cyclic GMP (cGMP) production in bovine tracheal smooth muscle in the absence of epithelium. The effect was calcium-dependent and was inhibited by pyrogallol (10 microM) and methylene blue (10 microM). The inhibition of pyrogallol was reversed by superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml). Nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors, NG-methyl-L-arginine (10-100 microM) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (10-100 microM) reduced cGMP accumulation induced by bradykinin in a concentration-dependent fashion, and the inhibition was reversed by L-arginine. Immunohistochemistry with a specific antibody against neuronal NO synthase from rat cerebellum showed positive staining localized in some nerve fibers. Bradykinin-induced cGMP accumulation appears to be related to the release of NO, part of which is probably synthesized in nonadrenergic noncholinergic nerve in bovine trachea.

Animals↗