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Biomedical subjects

H Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to H Zhang.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Regulation of Arabidopsis root development by nitrate availability.

When the root systems of many plant species are exposed to a localized source of nitrate (NO3- they respond by proliferating their lateral roots to colonize the nutrient-rich zone. This study reviews recent work with Arabidopsis thaliana in which molecular genetic approaches are being used to try to understand the physiological and genetic basis for this response. These studies have led to the conclusion that there are two distinct pathways by which NO3- modulates root branching in Arabidopsis. On the one hand, meristematic activity in lateral root tips is stimulated by direct contact with an enriched source of NO3- (the localized stimulatory effect). On the other, a critical stage in the development of the lateral root (just after its emergence from the primary root) is highly susceptible to inhibition by a systemic signal that is related to the amount of NO3- absorbed by the plant (the systemic inhibitory effect). Evidence has been obtained that the localized stimulatory effect is a direct effect of the NO3- ion itself rather than a nutritional effect. A NO3(-)-inducible MADS-box gene (ANR1) has been identified which encodes a component of the signal transduction pathway linking the external NO3- supply to the increased rate of lateral root elongation. Experiments using auxin-resistant mutants have provided evidence for an overlap between the auxin and NO3- response pathways in the control of lateral root elongation. The systemic inhibitory effect, which does not affect lateral root initiation but delays the activation of the lateral root meristem, appears to be positively correlated with the N status of the plant and is postulated to involve a phloem-mediated signal from the shoot.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2000

Crystal structure and mutagenic analysis of the inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein survivin.

The coupling of apoptosis (programmed cell death) to the cell division cycle is essential for homeostasis and genomic integrity. Here, we report the crystal structure of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, which has been implicated in both control of cell death and regulation of cell division. In addition to a conserved N-terminal Zn finger baculovirus IAP repeat, survivin forms a dimer through a symmetric interaction with an intermolecularly bound Zn atom located along the molecular dyad axis. The interaction of the dimer-related C-terminal alpha helices forms an extended surface of approximately 70 A in length. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that survivin dimerization and an extended negatively charged surface surrounding Asp-71 are required to counteract apoptosis and preserve ploidy. These findings may provide a structural basis for a dual role of survivin in inhibition of apoptosis and regulation of cell division.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2000

Mitochondrial damage in Alzheimer's disease varies with apolipoprotein E genotype.

Brain metabolism and the activity of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC), a mitochondrial enzyme, are diminished in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In 109 subjects, the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score was highly correlated with brain KGDHC activity. In AD patients who carried the epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE4), the CDR score correlated better with KGDHC activity than with the densities of neuritic plaques or neuritic tangles. In contrast, in patients without ApoE4, the CDR score correlated significantly better with tangles and plaques than with KGDHC activity. The results suggest that mitochondrial/oxidative damage may be more important for the cognitive dysfunction in AD patients who carry ApoE4 than in those who do not.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Identification of genes specifically expressed in the accumulated visceral adipose tissue of OLETF rats.

The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rat is an animal model of type 2 diabetes, characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of obesity and its related complications, we used representational difference analysis and identified the genes more abundantly and specifically expressed in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of obese OLETF rats compared with the diabetes-resistant counterpart, that is, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. By Northern blot analysis, we confirmed the differential expression of 13 genes, including 3 novel genes. The upregulated expression of well-characterized lipid metabolic enzymes, such as lipoprotein lipase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and cholesterol esterase, were observed in VAT of OLETF rats. We demonstrated the differential expression of secreted proteins in VAT of OLETF rats, such as thrombospondin 1 and contrapsin-like protease inhibitor. In contrast to lipid enzymes, the secreted proteins revealed exclusive mRNA expression and they were not detected in VAT of LETO rats. Furthermore, the novel genes OL-16 and OL-64 were also expressed specifically in VAT of OLETF rats and were absent in that of LETO rats and other tissues, including subdermal and brown adipose tissues. The C-terminal partial amino acid sequence of OL-64 revealed that it showed approximately 40% homology with alpha(1)-antitrypsin and it seemed to be a new member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (SERPIN) gene family. VAT of OLEFT rats had a unique gene expression profile, and the accumulated VAT-specific known and novel secreted proteins may play a role(s) in the pathogenesis of obesity and its related complications.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

[Studies on lipase-catalyzed synthesis of L-ascorbyl palmitate in non-aqueous phase].

The investigation on the reaction media and lipases (NOVO435, MML, LIPOLASE, PPL) for enzymatic synthesis of L-ascorbyl palmitate as well as the factors effecting initial rate of synthesis reaction (rotation speed, temperature, water content, enzyme concentration, and substrate concentration) is presented. Among these investigated solvents and lipases, amyl alcohol and NOVO435 is the optimum pair. The reaction conditions have been optimized: 200 r/min, 55 degrees C, water content = 0, the amount of enzyme = 12.5% of the substrate's quantity.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Identification of AFLP markers on the satellite region of chromosome 1BS in wheat.

The satellite region on the short arm of chromosome 1B in wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42) carries many agronomically important genes; i.e., genes conferring fungal disease resistance, seed storage proteins, and fertility restoration. To find molecular markers located on the satellite region, we applied the fluorescent AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) technique to aneuploids and deletion stocks of the cultivar T. aestivum 'Chinese Spring'. Out of 6017 fragments amplified with 80 primer combinations in normal 'Chinese Spring', 24 were assigned to 1BS. Twelve of them clustered within a small region of the satellite known to be rich in RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) markers. AFLPs in 1BS and in the whole genome were calculated between 'Chinese Spring' and T. spelta var. duhamelianum. The polymorphism rates in the satellite region (58.3%) and in the 1BS arm (45.8%) were much higher than the average rate for the whole genome (10.7%). Seven of the 12 AFLP markers in the satellite region were revealed to be specific to 'Chinese Spring' and could potentially be useful for genetic mapping in a segregation population of 'Chinese Spring' x T. spelta.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed2000

Biotransformation of the anti-angiogenic compound SU5416.

SU5416 [3-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylene)-1, 3-dihydro-indol-2-one], an inhibitor of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) receptor tyrosine kinase, Flk-1/KDR (fetal liver kinase 1/kinase insert domain-containing receptor), also known as VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is in advanced clinical trials for treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma and colorectal and nonsmall cell lung cancers. Since this chemical class has not been studied previously with therapeutic intent, the present study was designed to investigate the in vitro metabolism of SU5416 by mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human liver microsomes and to identify the major metabolites of SU5416. An HPLC procedure was developed and validated to resolve and quantify SU5416 and its metabolites. To evaluate the in vitro metabolism of SU5416, pooled liver microsomes from mice, rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans were incubated with SU5416 (25 microM) in the presence of an NADPH-generating system. In the presence of NADPH, mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human liver microsomes converted SU5416 to at least 12, 9, 9, 7, and 6 polar metabolites, respectively. Microsomal metabolism of SU5416 showed marked species differences in the levels of different metabolites formed. The overall rate of SU5416 metabolism by liver microsomes from the species examined followed the rank order: monkey > or = mouse approximately rat > dog > human. Two major metabolites of SU5416 were identified, a hydroxymethyl derivative of SU5416 (M12) and a carboxylic acid derivative of SU5416 (M6), by spectroscopic methods and comparison with authentic compounds. Both of these oxidative metabolites were further metabolized in vivo through glucuronidation. The metabolic fate of SU5416 in microsomes from various species as well as data from in vivo biotransformation in the rat are discussed.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2000

Retinoblastoma protein activation of interleukin 8 expression inhibits tumor cell survival in nude mice.

Loss of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) has been implicated in the formation of a variety of human malignancies. Restoration of Rb expression in the cell lines representing these tumors eliminates or significantly reduces tumorigenicity in nude mice, but the mechanism for this Rb effect is unknown. Results from this study indicated that Rb expression reduced tumor cell survival in nude mice by dramatically enhancing interleukin 8 (IL-8) secretion. IL-8 secreted by the Rb-transformed cells attracted neutrophils in vitro and tumor-infiltrating neutrophils in vivo, which is consistent with the Rb-mediated tumor regression being dependent on IL-8. The apparent, contradictory roles of IL-8 as a protumorigenic and antitumorigenic cytokine are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Can endothelial seeding enhance patency and inhibit neointimal hyperplasia? Experimental studies and clinical trial of endothelial seeded venous prostheses.

BACKGROUND: Venous prostheses have poor long-term patency; to improve this situation, experimental studies have been carried out. METHODS: Methods of endothelial cell harvesting, prosthetic seeding and implantation mainly in the inferior vena cava were studied in 127 dogs. Evaluations were conducted by angiography, gross appearance, light, scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations, histo-fluorescent staining, as well as radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: It was found that at five to ten days following implantation, the prosthetic endothelialisation could be reliably achieved in the seeded group and a 100% patency of the seeded inferior vena caval prostheses was attained at 100 days. The thickness of the neointima in the seeded group at 10 and 100 days was 299 microm and 302 microm, respectively. The metabolite of PGI2 from extrinsic arachidonic acid, 6-keto PGF1a, produced by cells from seeded graft was significantly higher than that from spontaneously formed cells and the reverse found with thromboxane B2. A temporary (one week) distal (femoral) arteriovenous fistula enhanced graft patency. These results indicated that the early endothelialisation of grafts by seeding enhanced the patency and inhibited intimal hyperplasia of venous prostheses. The clinical outcome was impressively improved from our previous experience with ten of eleven venous grafts patent over a follow-up period of six to nine years. These might result from the realization of early endothelialisation and its cells derived from seeding being able to produce significantly more PGI2 and less thromboxane B2. CONCLUSIONS: The endothelial cell seeding technique may bring us much closer to an ideal venous prosthesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Morphology and formation mechanism of hydroxyapatite coating by hydrothermal method on CaO-SiO2-B2O3-Na2O glass.

Hydrothermal method was used to prepare the hydroxyapatite (HA) coating on CaO-SiO2-B2O3-Na2O glass. The phase composition, morphology and microstructure of HA coated glass composites were analyzed using XRD, EPMA, FT-IR and SEM techniques. It revealed that HA coating possessed a porous gradient construction; HA coating was tightly bonded with the glass substrate by the interface layer. During the formation of HA coating, the hydrated silica produced by the corrosion of glass substrate in the hydrothermal solution provided favorable sites for apatite nucleation. With the dissolving of HA powder and the growth of apatite small crystallites, Ca+, PO(4 (3-)) ions would precipitate on the surface of glass to form the HA coating. Silicon element released from glass reacted with calcium produced by the dissolution of HA to form the tight reaction layer. HA coating is formed by the mechanism of dissolving-ions immigrating-precipitating pattern.

Calcium↗
PubMed2000

Dissolution behavior of hydroxyapatite coating by hydrothermal method: an in vitro study.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coated CaO-SiO2-B2O3-Na2O glass composites prepared by a hydrothermal coating method were soaked in four kinds of solutions to evaluate the dissolution behavior and the chemical stability. 0.5 mol/l HCl and 0.5 mol/l HNO3 were used as acidic solution, and 5% physiological saline and sodium lactate compound solution as the neutral physiological solution. It was found that HA coated glass composites had the better chemical stability and the corroding-resistance ability. The dissolution behavior of the HA coating was mainly correlated with the phase composition of the as-received HA coating and its microstructure as well as the pH value of the solution.

Calcium↗
PubMed2000

[A quantitative study of poincare dispersed-dot plot for heart rate variability].

Poincare dispersed-dot plot is an important nonlinear dynamics method that can effectively describe the attractor shape. Yet studies in the past generally processed the plot in a graphic mode without further discussion on the quantitative indices. That was not suited for clinical application and studies. So, based on the shape of Poincare dispersed-dot plot, we propose a group of quantitative parameters of Poincare dispersed-dot plot: plot square(SQ), long axis (LA), short axis(SA), and angle related to long-axis and short-axis(ALS). According to the characters of the heart rate Poincare dispersed-dot plot, we have posed the 'tortoise crawling and counting' algorithm to get these four quantitative parameters. We have tested these four quantitative parameters with clinical and animal experiment data. The results demonstrate that these four parameters are of certain specificity to heart diseases, indicating that these parameters might be useful for clinical diagnosis.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

[Experimental study on an animal model of axonal form Guillain-Barre syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an animal model of axonal form Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). METHODS: A strain of Campylobacter jejuni (Cj PENO: 19) from stools of a patient with axonal form GBS was isolated. After the lypopolysaccharides (LPS) were extracted from the strain, they were inoculated into 26 rabbits, 10 micrograms per week. RESULTS: Three rabbits showed paralysis, with an incidence rate of 11.54%. For the three rabbits, LPS was inoculated two, three and three times, respectively. Pathological examination showed serious axonal degeneration in the sciatic nerve. The electrophysiological features showed motor axon damage. CONCLUSION: The results suggested the presence of an axonal form GBS. LPS in Cj could play an important role in causing axonal form GBS.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Surface EMG signal classification using wavelet transform].

A Surface EMG signal classification method based on wavelet transform is presented in this paper. To utilize the nonstationary character of the EMG signals, dyadic wavelet transform is employed to obtain the signals' time-frequency representation. Singular value decomposition(SVD) is then used to extract feature vector for pattern classification. This motion classifier can successfully identify four types of forearm movement: hand grasp, hand extension, forearm pronation and forearm supination. Experimental result shows that this method has a great potential in the practical application of prothesis control.

Electromyography↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of effects of CH50 on macrophage activation and its anti-tumor activity with those of lipopolysaccharides.

AIM: To investigate the characterization of pharmacological action & of CH50, a recombinant polypeptide of human fibronectin, by comparing the effects of CH50 on macrophage activation and its anti-tumor activity with those of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). METHODS: The production of nitric oxide (NO) as an index macrophage activation was determined by colorimetric assay. The interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) transfection was performed with coprecipitation of calcium phosphate and DNA. The melanoma B16 cells were inoculated into abdominal cavity of mice and the number of tumor nodes was recorded. RESULTS: At lower concentrations or when given alone in vitro, CH50 produced ten times less NO than LPS (P < 0.01). But at concentrations higher than 1 mg.L-1, CH50 activated the IFN-gamma-primed macrophages to produce NO to the same extent as LPS (P > 0.05). There was no synergism between CH50 and LPS. Both CH50 and LPS alone could reduce the number of tumor nodes in abdominal cavity of mice but CH50 had a stronger inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor in vivo as compared to LPS (P < 0.01). CH50/IFN-gamma had also a better inhibitory effect on tumor growth in vivo than LPS/IFN-gamma did. CONCLUSION: In the presence of IFN-gamma, the ability of CH50 to activate macrophages is the same as that of LPS. But CH50 has better antitumorogenic effects in vivo against mouse melanoma as compared to LPS.

Animals↗