Biomedical subjects

Jin-Long Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Jin-Long Chen.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Hyperthyroidism is characterized by both increased sympathetic and decreased vagal modulation of heart rate: evidence from spectral analysis of heart rate variability.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism resemble those of the hyperadrenergic state. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of hyperthyroidism on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and to investigate the relationship between serum thyroid hormone concentrations and parameters of spectral heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in hyperthyroidism. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Thirty-two hyperthyroid Graves' disease patients (mean age 31 years) and 32 sex-, age-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched normal control subjects were recruited to receive one-channel electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. MEASUREMENTS: The cardiac autonomic nervous function was evaluated by the spectral analysis of HRV, which indicates the autonomic modulation of the sinus node. The correlation coefficients between serum thyroid hormone concentrations and parameters of the spectral HRV analysis were also computed. RESULTS: The hyperthyroid patients revealed significant differences (P < 0.001) compared with the controls in the following HRV parameters: a decrease in total power (TP), very low frequency power (VLF), low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and HF in normalized units (HF%); and an increase in LF in normalized units (LF%) and in the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF). After correction of hyperthyroidism in 28 patients, all of the above parameters were restored to levels comparable to those of the controls. In addition, serum thyroid hormone concentrations showed significant correlations with spectral HRV parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthyroidism is in a sympathovagal imbalanced state, characterized by both increased sympathetic and decreased vagal modulation of the heart rate. These autonomic dysfunctions can be detected simultaneously by spectral analysis of HRV, and the spectral HRV parameters could reflect the disease severity in hyperthyroid patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

High selective determination iron(II) by its enhancement effect on the fluorescence of pyrene-tetramethylpiperidinyl (TEMPO) as a spin fluorescence probe.

A novel fluorescence method determination for iron(II) with a high selectivity and sensitivity has been proposed, based on the enhancement of fluorescence signals resulting from specific redox reaction between synthesized spin fluorescence probe pyrene-tetramethylpiperidinyl (TEMPO) and iron(II). Under the experimental conditions, fluorescent probe displayed a rapid and linear response for iron(II) over the concentration range from 2.4 x 10(-7) to 3.6 x 10(-6) mol/L. The limit of detection was 4.0 x 10(-8) mol/L. The relative standard deviation of six replicate measurements was 1.90% for 3.0 x 10(-7) mol/L iron(II). Because of the specific redox reaction between developed spin fluorescence probe and iron(II), there are few interference by other ions, especially in the presence of relative high concentration iron(III). The method has been successfully applied for iron(II) determinations in two different kinds of real samples. Results determined by the proposed method agree favorably with those determined UV-vis spectrometry method with 1,10-phenanthroline.

Acids↗

PubMed2005

Competitive and cooperative adsorption behaviors of phenol and aniline onto nonpolar macroreticular adsorbents.

The adsorption behaviors of phenol and aniline on nonpolar macroreticular adsorbents (NDA100 and Amberlite XAD4) were investigated in single or binary batch system at 293K and 313K respectively in this study. The results indicated that the adsorption isotherms of phenol and aniline on both adsorbents in both systems fitted well Langmuir equation, which indicated a favourable and exothermic process. At the lower equilibrium concentrations, the individual amount adsorbed of phenol or aniline on macroreticular adsorbents in single-component systems was higher than those in binary-component systems because of the competition between phenol and aniline towards the adsorption sites. It is noteworthy, on the contrast, that at higher concentrations, the total uptake amounts of phenol and aniline in binary-component systems were obviously larger than that in single-component systems, and a large excess was noted on the adsorbent surface at saturation, which is presumably due to the cooperative effect primarily arisen from the hydrogen bonding or weak acid-base interaction between phenol and aniline.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Adsorption of catechol from aqueous solution by aminated hypercrosslinked polymers.

Adsorption of catechol from aqueous solution with the hypercrosslinked polymeric adsorbent NDA-100 and its derivatives AH-1, AH-2 and AH-3 aminated by dimethylamine, the commercial resin Amberlite XAD-4 and weakly basic anion exchanger resin D301 was compared. It was found that the aminated hypercrosslinked resins had the highest adsorption capacities among the tested polymers. The empirical Freundlich equation was successfully employed to describe the adsorption process. Specific surface area and micropore structure of the adsorbent, in company with tertiary amino groups on matrix affected the adsorption performance towards catechol. In addition, thermodynamic study was carried out to interpret the adsorption mechanism. Kinetic study testified that the tertiary amino groups on the polymer matrix could decrease the adsorption rate and increase the adsorption apparent activation energy.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2004

Fluorescence enhancement method for measuring anionic surfactants with a hydrophobic cyanine dye.

A novel fluorimetric method based on use of a hydrophobic cationic cyanine dye has been developed for determination of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS). The method is based on the enhancement effect of DBS on the fluorescence of the hydrophobic cyanine dye 2-[-4'-chloro-7'-(1"-ethyl-3",3"-dimethylindolin-2"-ylidene)-3',5'-(propane-1"',3"'-diyl)-1',3',5'-heptatrien-1'-yl]-1-ethyl-3,3-dimethyl-3 H-indolium iodide. Under the optimum conditions the extent of fluorescence enhancement is proportional to the concentration of DBS in the range 0.05-5.0 mg L(-1); the detection limit is 0.014 mg L(-1). The relative standard deviation for 0.35 mg L(-1) DBS was 1.1% (n=10). The proposed method, which avoided use of toxic solvents and tedious solvent-extraction, and was applied to the determination of DBS in natural water with recoveries between 99.9 and 107%. Preliminary research shows that the fluorescence enhancement is due to the formation of a dye aggregate facilitated by DBS.

Anions↗

PubMed2004

Citric acid cycle intermediates as ligands for orphan G-protein-coupled receptors.

The citric acid cycle is central to the regulation of energy homeostasis and cell metabolism. Mutations in enzymes that catalyse steps in the citric acid cycle result in human diseases with various clinical presentations. The intermediates of the citric acid cycle are present at micromolar concentration in blood and are regulated by respiration, metabolism and renal reabsorption/extrusion. Here we show that GPR91 (ref. 3), a previously orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), functions as a receptor for the citric acid cycle intermediate succinate. We also report that GPR99 (ref. 4), a close relative of GPR91, responds to alpha-ketoglutarate, another intermediate in the citric acid cycle. Thus by acting as ligands for GPCRs, succinate and alpha-ketoglutarate are found to have unexpected signalling functions beyond their traditional roles. Furthermore, we show that succinate increases blood pressure in animals. The succinate-induced hypertensive effect involves the renin-angiotensin system and is abolished in GPR91-deficient mice. Our results indicate a possible role for GPR91 in renovascular hypertension, a disease closely linked to atherosclerosis, diabetes and renal failure.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Elucidation of signaling properties of vasopressin receptor-related receptor 1 by using the chimeric receptor approach.

The identification of endogenous or surrogate ligands for orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represents one of the most important tasks in GPCR biology and pharmacology. The challenge lies in choosing an appropriate assay in the absence of ways to activate the receptor of interest. We investigated the signaling pathway for an orphan GPCR referred to here as vasopressin receptor-related receptor 1 (VRR1) by generating a chimeric receptor, V1a/VRR1. The engineered construct contained vasopressin V1a receptor with all three intracellular loops and C terminus replaced by those of VRR1. The chimera behaved like a typical GPCR when transiently and stably expressed in mammalian cell lines based on radioligand binding and receptor internalization studies. Upon arginine vasopressin stimulation, this chimeric receptor induced robust calcium mobilization and increase of adenylate cyclase activity. The observed signaling activities are through the activation of the chimera instead of endogenously expressed receptors, as single amino acid changes in the second transmembrane regions of the chimera drastically reduced receptor efficacy and potency. Our results suggest that VRR1 has dual signaling properties in coupling to both G(q) and G(S) pathways. Analysis of native VRR1 receptor signaling pathway by using a recently identified ligand for VRR1 confirmed this conclusion and therefore validated the utility of the chimeric receptor approach for signaling pathway identification.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Fluorescence enhancement method for the determination of nucleic acids using cationic cyanine as a fluorescence probe.

A fluorescence enhancement method with a cationic cyanine as a probe was developed for the determination of nucleic acids. Under the experimental conditions, the fluorescence enhancement of cyanine (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)= 524/591.5 nm) was observed in the presence of DNA. The calibration graphs were linear over the range of 0.01-15 microg mL(-1) for both calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and fish sperm DNA (FS DNA). The limits of detection were 0.005 and 0.007 microg mL(-1) for CT DNA and FS DNA, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of DNA in synthetic and real samples and satisfactory results were obtained. A possible fluorescence enhancement mechanism was also studied.

Carbocyanines↗

PubMed2004

Determination of nucleic acids by near-infrared fluorescence quenching of hydrophobic thiacyanine dye in the presence of Triton X-100.

A near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescence quenching method was developed for the determination of nucleic acids in aqueous solution by using a cationic heptamethylene thiacyanine as a probe. The near-IR cationic cyanine showed maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 800 and 825 nm, respectively, in the presence of Triton X-100; the fluorescence of the cyanine could be greatly quenched by DNA. The calibration graphs were linear over the range of 10-400 ng/mL for CT (calf thymus) DNA and over the range 5-400 ng/mL for FS (fish sperm) DNA under optimal conditions. The corresponding detection limits were 5.2 ng/mL for CT DNA and 2.5 ng/mL for FS DNA. The relative standard deviation (n = 8) was 3.1% for 75 ng/mL CT DNA and 2.2% for 75 ng/mL FS DNA, respectively. Preliminary research showed that the fluorescence quenching might be ascribed to the formation of dye aggregate facilitated by DNA.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Identification and molecular characterization of two closely related G protein-coupled receptors activated by prokineticins/endocrine gland vascular endothelial growth factor.

We previously described two mammalian secreted proteins, prokineticin 1 and prokineticin 2, that potently contract gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Prokineticin 1 has also been shown to promote angiogenesis by stimulating proliferation, migration, and fenestration of endocrine organ-derived endothelial cells. Here we report the cloning and characterization of two closely related G protein-coupled receptors as receptors for prokineticins. Expression of prokineticin receptors in heterologous systems shows that these receptors bind to and are activated by nanomolar concentrations of recombinant prokineticins. Activation of prokineticin receptors leads to mobilization of calcium, stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover, and activation of p44/p42 MAPK signaling pathways that are consistent with the effects of prokineticins on smooth muscle contraction and angiogenesis. mRNA expression analysis reveals that prokineticin receptors are expressed in gastrointestinal organs, endocrine glands, and other tissues.

Aequorin↗

PubMed2002

T0070907, a selective ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, functions as an antagonist of biochemical and cellular activities.

The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma (NR1C3)) plays a central role in adipogenesis and is the molecular target for the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of antidiabetic drugs. In a search for novel non-TZD ligands for PPARgamma, T0070907 was identified as a potent and selective PPARgamma antagonist. With an apparent binding affinity (concentration at 50% inhibition of [(3)H]rosiglitazone binding or IC(50)) of 1 nm, T0070907 covalently modifies PPARgamma on cysteine 313 in helix 3 of human PPARgamma2. T0070907 blocked PPARgamma function in both cell-based reporter gene and adipocyte differentiation assays. Consistent with its role as an antagonist of PPARgamma, T0070907 blocked agonist-induced recruitment of coactivator-derived peptides to PPARgamma in a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence-based assay and promoted recruitment of the transcriptional corepressor NCoR to PPARgamma in both glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays and a PPARgamma/retinoid X receptor (RXR) alpha-dependent gel shift assay. Studies with mutant receptors suggest that T0070907 modulates the interaction of PPARgamma with these cofactor proteins by affecting the conformation of helix 12 of the PPARgamma ligand-binding domain. Interestingly, whereas the T0070907-induced NCoR recruitment to PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimer can be almost completely reversed by the simultaneous treatment with RXRalpha agonist LGD1069, T0070907 treatment has only modest effects on LGD1069-induced coactivator recruitment to the PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimer. These results suggest that the activity of PPARgamma antagonists can be modulated by the availability and concentration of RXR agonists. T0070907 is a novel tool for the study of PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimer function.

3T3 Cells↗