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Biomedical subjects

Jing Bai

Publications and source records attributed to Jing Bai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Source- and Solubility-specific Choline, Gut Microbiota, and Dyslipidemia Risk: Trimethylamine N-oxide-associated and Non-trimethylamine N-oxide-Associated Patterns in a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary choline, a major precursor of the gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), is implicated in dyslipidemia risk; however, source- and form-specific associations and interactions with gut microbiota remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal associations of source- and form-specific dietary choline with plasma TMAO and dyslipidemia and to identify gut microbiota interactions. METHODS: Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2018-2023), dietary intake was assessed via 3 consecutive 24-h recalls in this prospective cohort study. Two-level generalized linear mixed-effects models were applied in 4828 adults (mean age: 55.9 ± 12.6 y, 56.6% females) to assess choline-dyslipidemia associations. Choline-TMAO and TMAO-dyslipidemia analyses were conducted in 1091 participants free of dyslipidemia at baseline. Among 7169 adults with gut microbiome data, Least Absolute Selection and Shrinkage Operator and logistic regression identified lipid-associated gut genera; TMAO relationships were examined in a subset of 693 participants. RESULTS: Higher intakes of total [Q4 compared with Q1: odds ratio (OR) = 1.261; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.007, 1.580], red meat-derived (OR: 1.753; 95% CI: 1.196, 2.568), and lipid-soluble choline (OR: 1.304; 95% CI: 1.047, 1.624) were associated with higher risk of elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), whereas vegetable-derived choline was inversely associated. Egg-derived and lipid-soluble choline were positively associated with plasma TMAO, which was prospectively associated with 5-y incident dyslipidemia (Q4 compared with Q1-OR: 1.620; 95% CI: 1.047, 2.509), elevated LDL cholesterol (Q3 compared with Q1-OR: 2.478; 95% CI: 1.187, 5.174), and hypertriglyceridemia (Q4 compared with Q1-OR: 1.829; 95% CI: 1.028, 3.225). Three TMAO-associated genera were identified: Lachnospiraceae and Phascolarctobacterium as pro-risk taxa and Turicibacter as protective. The adverse LDLcholesterol association of egg-derived choline was observed exclusively in Phascolarctobacterium-enriched individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary choline source and solubility differentially associated with dyslipidemia risk through TMAO-associated and non-TMAO-associated patterns, with gut microbiota as key modulators.

Humans↗

Skin-innervating glutamatergic neurons modulate aging.

Peripheral nerves regulate skin homeostasis by secreting neurotransmitters, but their role during skin aging remains incompletely understood. Here, we report that cutaneous denervation accelerates skin aging, as evidenced by collagen reduction. Neurofilament heavy chain (Nefh) is decreased in aged skin and is predominantly expressed in vesicular glutamate transporter 2-positive (Vglut2+) skin-innervating glutamatergic neurons. Notably, dermal fibroblasts, the primary producers of collagen, frequently contact Nefh+ nerve fibers. Moreover, Nefh deletion in Vglut2+ glutamatergic neurons drives skin fibroblast senescence and collagen loss, whereas additional glutamate improves skin aging phenotypes. Mechanistically, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) interacts with both Nefh and Vglut2 and maintains glutamate release and collagen homeostasis. Additionally, in skin fibroblasts, solute carrier family 1 member 3 (Slc1a3) governs the collagen-promoting and anti-senescence functions of glutamate. Together, these findings reveal Nefh-mediated glutamatergic neuromodulation of skin aging and provide therapeutic targets for aging-related skin disorders.

Animals↗

Selection of geographical populations suitable for artificial breeding of the Northeast China Brown Frog (Rana dybowskii).

Amphibians, as a group greatly disturbed by human activities, are at increased risk of extinction. Rana dybowskii is an anuran species with both ecological and economic significance. Due to environmental changes and human overexploitation, it has been classified as Near-Threatened. This study integrates morphological and molecular immunological approaches to identify R. dybowskii populations with greater survival and disease resistance, based on 32 morphological traits and MHC class I and II polymorphism. Morphological results showed that compared with other populations, Yichun (YC) population had the highest fatness, the lowest IOD/HW, and the largest HW/SVL, HL/SVL, HW/HL, SL/TL. It indicates that YC population shows larger body size, wider vision and stronger jumping ability. The polymorphism of MHC I gene was the highest in Shangzhi (SZ) population, and the polymorphism of MHC II gene was the highest in YC population. Moreover, duplication, selection, and recombination occurred during evolution of MHC class I and II genes. Since both SZ and YC populations scored higher in this category (the variant sites, nucleotide polymorphism, amino-acid divergence/nucleotide divergence, dN/dS, Tajima' D, etc.), they were more resistant to disease. All in all, these results indicated that YC population of the Lesser Khingan Mountains had good morphology and immune results, and R. dybowskii in the Lesser Khingan Mountains might be more suitable to be the original population of artificial breeding, which provided a theoretical basis for the realization of artificial breeding in the next step.

Ranidae↗

Identification of the RA response element and transcriptional silencer in human alphaCaMKII promoter.

The promoter of alpha subunit of the rat calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alphaCaMKII) gene was identified to contain an essential TATA element. Cell-based functional assay showed that the rat promoter displayed greater activity in neuronal cells than in non-neuronal cells. To characterize the human alphaCaMKII promoter, we have developed a promoter-reporter gene assay using different cell lines. A 2047 base pairs (bp) human alphaCaMKII gene promoter was cloned from human genomic DNA. Unlike the rat alphaCaMKII promoter, DNA sequence analysis showed that the human promoter was devoid of TATA element. We made series deletions of the promoter and fused the different sizes of the human promoter sequences to a luciferase reporter gene. The promoter-reporter constructs were transfected into human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, human neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17, and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 neuronal cell lines as well as human embryonic kidney HEK293 and human glioma U251 non-neuronal cell lines. The reporter gene assay demonstrated that the human alphaCaMKII promoter displayed high activity in the neuronal cell lines, while the activity was low in non-neuronal cell lines. All-trans retinoic acid (RA) enhanced the promoter activity in SH-SY5Y cells. Further analysis showed that there were two RA response elements located between +11 and +136 and -1911 to -593. In addition, we have identified a potent silencer at position -179 to -244 of the human alphaCaMKII promoter.

5' Flanking Region↗

Computer simulation model on ultrasonic myocardial backscatter.

Myocardial ultrasonic tissue characterization with integrated backscatter (IB) has been studied in recent years. To evaluate the dynamic characters of the myocardium, dynamic tracing of each unit volume of myocardium is a key point. Thus, a 2D CVIB imaging algorithm based on an auto-tracing method was developed in our previous work. Where, an auto-tracking method was used in CVIB-weighted images so that the POI in each frame throughout the cardiac cycle is automatically traced to reflect the real myocardial tissue movement. It is necessary to validate the auto-tracing method. However, at present there are no appropriate models to support the process. In order to validate the auto-tracing method, two myocardium models have been established to simulate the short and long axis view of echocardiography. The motions of partially ischemic myocardium have been simulated. The models have been used to validate the 2D CVIB imaging methods in the detection of myocardial ischemia. The simulation results show that the auto-tracing algorithm is effective. The model developed in this work provides a tool for studying and developing technologies in myocardial behavior.

Algorithms↗

Elasticity reconstruction for ultrasound elastography using a radial compression: an inverse approach.

To reduce the inherent mechanical artifacts in the strain images, many groups have investigated solutions to the inverse problem in elastography. However, in prostate elastography or intravascular elastography where the compression direction is radial, the inverse problem has not been studied thoroughly. In this paper, an iterative approach is proposed to reconstruct tissue elasticity for ultrasound elastography using a radial compression. The method is based upon the stress-strain relations in the polar coordinates. Computer simulations in an intravascular model are performed to illustrate the feasibility of this method in reducing the mechanical artifacts of the strain images. The reconstructed elasticity error and the contrast-transfer efficiency (CTE) as a function of the iteration number show that the inverse approach converges with a few iterations.

Algorithms↗

Synthesis and the biological evaluation of 2-benzenesulfonylalkyl-5-substituted-sulfanyl-[1,3,4]-oxadiazoles as potential anti-hepatitis B virus agents.

Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection include the use of interferon-alpha and of nucleoside analogs lamivudine, adefovir and entecavir. However, the use of interferon-alpha has many side effects while that of nucleosidic inhibitors can lead to the emergence of resistant viruses. Hence, new drugs for the treatment of HBV infection are still highly desired. Oxadiazoles have been observed to exhibit antiviral activities against RNA viruses. In this study, a facile synthesis of 2-benzenesulfonylalkyl-5-substituted-sulfanyl-[1,3,4]-oxadiazoles is reported. The compounds were then evaluated for their anti-HBV activity. 1-[2-[5-(1-Benzenesulfonyl-propyl)-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl-sulfanyl]-ethyl]-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine (1i) was able to inhibit the expression of the viral antigens, HBsAg and HBeAg in a concentration-dependent manner with no cytotoxic effects and without any effects on the expression of viral transcripts. Concentration- and time-dependent reductions in virion production were also observed. The inhibition of virion production was comparable to that of lamivudine and EC(50) values of 1.63 and 2.96 microM were obtained for compound 1i and lamivudine, respectively. Thus, in addition to the antiviral effects on RNA viruses, oxadiazoles also have anti-HBV activities.

Antiviral Agents↗

Proteomic analysis for the identification of proteins related to methotrexate resistance.

Methotrexate(MTX) is one of the most important and frequently used drugs in cancer therapy, but the efficacy of this drug is often compromised by the development of resistance in cancer cells. To seek and identify differentially expressed proteins related to MTX resistance and provide clues for the mechanism of MTX resistance, proteins from cell line MTX300 (resistant to 300 micromol/L MTX) and its control cell line 3T3R500 were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). The colloidal Coomassie brilliant blue-stained 2-DE gels were subjected to image analysis, which revealed several spots with high levels of differential expression between MTX300 and 3T3R500. The protein spot with highest differential expression was submitted for tryptic peptide mass fingerprinting(PMF) for identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). MS analysis and database searches revealed it to be dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which was subsequently confirmed by Western blot. The result suggested that DHFR might play an important role in the MTX resistance.

Animals↗

Autonomic regulation of voltage-gated cardiac ion channels.

Altering voltage-gated ion channel currents, by changing channel number or voltage-dependent kinetics, regulates the propagation of action potentials along the plasma membrane of individual cells and from one cell to its neighbors. Functional increases in the number of cardiac sodium channels (Na(V)1.5) at the myocardial sarcolemma are accomplished by the regulation of caveolae by beta adrenergically stimulated G-proteins. We demonstrate that Na(V)1.5, Ca(V)1.2a, and K(V)1.5 channels specifically localize to isolated caveolar membranes, and to punctate regions of the sarcolemma labeled with caveolin-3. In addition, we show that Na(V)1.5, Ca(V)1.2a, and K(V)1.5 channel antibodies label the same subpopulation of isolated caveolae. Plasma membrane sheet assays demonstrate that Na(V)1.5, Ca(V)1.2a, and K(V)1.5 cluster with caveolin-3. This may have interesting implications for the way in which adrenergic pathways alter the cardiac action potential morphology and the velocity of the excitatory wave.

Action Potentials↗

The molecular mechanism of resistance to methotrexate in mouse methotrexate-resistant cells by cancer drug resistance and metabolism SuperArray.

Drug resistance is often a limiting factor in successful chemotherapy. Understanding of the molecular mechanism of resistance to methotrexate is important for optimal use as well as for the development of new drugs. Using standard cytogenetic techniques, double minutes (DMs) were detected in mouse methotrexate-resistant cell lines inducted in vitro in this study. Moreover, functional SuperArray, determining the regulation of gene expression corresponding to 96 genes involved in the metabolism of and the development of resistance to cancer drugs was used to study in detail the molecular mechanism of resistance to methotrexate. Significant higher expressions of many genes especially dhfr, mrp5, atm and p53 were detected in methotrexate-resistant cells than in normal mouse cells by SuperArray analysis and corresponding excessive expressions of DHFR, MRP5, ATM, and P53 proteins in methotrexate-resistant cells were also confirmed by Western blot analysis. The results in this study indicated that DHFR, MRP5, ATM, and P53 could play important roles in resistance to methotrexate and some of them would be new potential drug targets.

Animals↗

Influence of calcite and dissolved calcium on uranium(VI) sorption to a hanford subsurface sediment.

The influence of calcite and dissolved calcium on U(VI) adsorption was investigated using a calcite-containing sandy silt/clay sediment from the U. S. Department of Energy Hanford site. U(VI) adsorption to sediment, treated sediment, and sediment size fractions was studied in solutions that both had and had not been preequilibrated with calcite, at initial [U(VI)] = 10(-7)-10(-5) mol/L and final pH = 6.0-10.0. Kinetic and reversibility studies (pH 8.4) showed rapid sorption (30 min), with reasonable reversibility in the 3-day reaction time. Sorption from solutions equilibrated with calcite showed maximum U(VI) adsorption at pH 8.4 +/- 0.1. In contrast, calcium-free systems showed the greatest adsorption at pH 6.0-7.2. At pH > 8.4, U(VI) adsorption was identical from calcium-free and calcium-containing solutions. For calcite-presaturated systems, both speciation calculations and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopic analyses indicated that aqueous U(VI) was increasingly dominated by Ca2UO2(CO3)3(0)(aq) at pH < 8.4 and thatformation of Ca2UO2(CO3)3(0)(aq) is what suppresses U(VI) adsorption. Above pH 8.4, aqueous U(VI) speciation was dominated by UO2(CO3)3(4-) in all solutions. Finally, results also showed that U(VI) adsorption was additive in regard to size fraction but not in regard to mineral mass: Carbonate minerals may have blocked U(VI) access to surfaces of higher sorption affinity.

Adsorption↗

Comparison of isotropic and orthotropic material property assignments on femoral finite element models under two loading conditions.

CT data has been widely used in the finite element modeling of bone. It can provide useful information on the geometrical topology and material properties of bone. Based on CT data, the assignment of bone material properties to finite element meshes is a fundamental step in the model generation. Most work done in this area has adopted isotropic assignment strategy due to its simplicity. However, bone material has been recognized as an orthotropic material. This work is aimed to investigate the effects of orthotropic material property assignment on femoral finite element model by comparing with isotropic material property assignment on the same model. There were 72 finite element models obtained from the frozen CT male dataset of visible human project. Based on the analysis results of the maximum equivalent Von Mises stress and the maximum nodal displacement, three parameters were defined to achieve this comparison. The results have shown that the differences between the two material property assignments are small under two loading conditions (double-leg standing and single-leg standing) investigated in this work.

Adult↗

[Development of a portable ECG and blood pressure monitor based on personal digital assistant (PDA)].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a portable multifunctional electrocardiograph (ECG) and blood pressure monitor with its convenience to use. METHOD: It consisted of the electrocardiograph and blood pressure monitor module, microprocessor module and a personal digital assistant (PDA), to implement the functions of ECG/blood pressure signal automatic monitoring and remote data transferring to the hospital. RESULT: Under the control of the microprocessor, the monitor module can achieve the ECG signal, the blood pressure signal and transmit the data to the PDA. The program runs in PDA, integrating the capabilities of data waveform browsing and remote data transfering. CONCLUSION: The monitor meets the design requirements and has a good future for application.

Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory↗

[A novel myocardial motion estimation algorithm for ultrasonic image using optimal window size].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a novel speckle tracking algorithm for estimating myocardial motion. METHOD: A search method was proposed to find the optimal window size for image matching. Simulation and clinical experiment were conducted to demonstrate the validity of this algorithm. RESULT: The optimal window size for image matching was determined using this algorithm. Correct speckle tracking could be fulfilled with the algorithm proposed. CONCLUSION: The method proposed in this paper is effective for speckle tracking.

Algorithms↗

[Alkaline-degradation products of ginsenosides from leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium].

AIM: To study the alkaline-degradation products of ginsenosides from leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L. METHODS: Isolation and purification were carried out on silica gel and HPLC; the structures of chemical constituents were elucidated by spectral analysis. RESULTS: From the alkaline-degradation products, nine compounds were identified as: 20 (S) -protopanaxadiol (I), 20 (S) -dammar-25 (26)-ene-3beta, 12beta, 20-triol (II), 24 (R) -ocotillol (III), 20 (S) -protopanaxatriol (IV), 20 (S) -dammar-25 (26)-ene-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta, 20-tetrol (V), dammar-20 (21), 24-diene-3beta, 12beta-diol (VI), dammar-20(21), 24-diene-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta-triol (VII), 20 (S), 24 (S) -dammar-25 (26) -ene-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta, 20, 24-pentanol (VIII), 20 (S) -dammar-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-3beta, 6alpha, 12beta, 20-tetrol (IX). CONCLUSION: The configuration of C20 position of ginsenosides was not changed by alkaline-degradation. The complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of four new compounds V, VII, VIII, IX, were acquired by means of 2D NMR spectra. Compound I showed antitumor effect on human colon carcinoma cells in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4/ABCC4) mediates efflux of bimane-glutathione.

Multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) are ATP-dependent export pumps that mediate the export of organic anions. ABCC1 (MRP1), ABCC2 (MRP2) and ABCC3 (MRP3) are all able to facilitate the efflux of anionic conjugates including glutathione (GSH), glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of xenobiotics and endogenous molecules. Earlier studies showed that ABCC4 functions as an ATP-driven export pump for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, as well as estradiol-17-beta-D-glucuronide. However, it was unclear if other conjugated metabolites can be transported by ABCC4. Hence in this study, a fluorescent substrate, bimane-glutathione (bimane-GS) was used to further examine the transport activity of ABCC4. Using cells stably overexpressing ABCC4, this study shows that ABCC4 can facilitate the efflux of the glutathione conjugate, bimane-glutathione. Bimane-glutathione efflux increased with time and >85% of the conjugate was exported after 15min. This transport was abolished in the presence of 2.5microM carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrasone (CCCP), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Inhibition was also observed with known inhibitors of MRP transporters including benzbromarone, verapamil and indomethacin. In addition, 100microM methotrexate, an ABCC4 substrate or 100microM 6-thioguanine (6-TG), a compound whose monophosphate metabolite is an ABCC4 substrate, reduced efflux by >40%. A concentration-dependent inhibition of bimane-glutathione efflux was observed with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) which is metabolized intracellularly to the glutathione conjugate, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-glutathione (DNP-GS). The determination that ABCC4 can mediate the transport of glucuronide and glutathione conjugates indicates that ABCC4 may play a role in the cellular extrusion of Phase II detoxification metabolites.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Axial strain calculation using a low-pass digital differentiator in ultrasound elastography.

In ultrasound elastography, tissue axial strains are calculated from the gradient of the estimated axial displacements. However, the common differentiation operation amplifies the noises in the displacement estimation, especially at high frequencies. In this paper, a low-pass digital differentiator (LPDD) is proposed to calculate the axial strain from the estimated tissue displacement. Several LPDDs that have been well developed in the field of digital signal processing are presented. The corresponding performances are compared qualitatively and quantitatively in computer simulations and in preliminary phantom and in vitro experiments. The results are consistent with the theoretical analysis of the LPDDs.

Algorithms↗