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Biomedical subjects

L J Wang

Publications and source records attributed to L J Wang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Preliminary studies on tissue culture and agrobacterium-medicated transformation of Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis].

The hypocotyls and cotyledons of the asepetic seedling of Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis L cv. Pudongaijiecai) were used as explants for tissue culture. Adventitious buds were differentiated on modified MS medium supplemented with TDZ 1-2 mg/L, NAA 0.2-1 mg/L and AgNO3 7.5 mg/L. The percentage of explants which formed buds of cotyledons was about 56%, and that of hypocotyls was about 37%. When the regenerated explants were transferred onto MS medium with 2 i.p. 5 mg/L and NAA 0.1 mg/L for two weeks, whole plantlets were obtained by culturing the regenerated shoots on 1/2 MS medium with NAA 0.1 mg/L. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain (LBA 4404/PBI 121) carrying the GUS gene and Npt II gene was used for transformation. After 2 days of coculture, the hypocotyls and cotyledons were transferred onto regenerated medium containing CP 300 mg/L for bud formation. After 4-5 weeks, the differentiated buds were transferred onto selection medium with CP 200 mg/L and Km 10 mg/L for 1 month, then the green shoots were transferred onto the rooting medium containing Cef 100 mg/L and Km 20 mg/L. 4-5 weeks later, plantlets with Km resistance were obtained and some of them showed higher enzymatic activities of beta-glucuronidase than control ones.

Brassica↗
PubMed1998

pH-dependent fluorescence of a heterologously expressed Aequorea green fluorescent protein mutant: in situ spectral characteristics and applicability to intracellular pH estimation.

The green fluorescent protein of Aequorea victoria (GFP) is a natural peptide chromophore without substrate or cofactor requirements for fluorescence. In vitro, a recombinant F64L/S65T GFP mutant (GFPmut1) exhibited pH sensitive fluorescence within the physiologic range. When heterologously expressed in BS-C-1 cells or rabbit proximal tubule cells, uniform cytosolic and nuclear fluorescence was observed. Cytosolic fluorescence constituted over 80% of the total. Excitation scanning of transfected cells revealed two GFPmut1-specific regions that were pH-sensitive over the physiologic range, and each region exhibited a unique pH "bias" in fluorescence emission. Excitation at or near the expected maximum of 488 nm (region II) uniformly resulted in fluorescence that was preferentially altered at acidic pH. In contrast, a novel "wild-type" excitation peak at 400 nm (region I) resulted in alkaline-biased fluorescence similar to that described for the wild-type chromophore in vitro, suggesting that wild-type spectral features disrupted in vitro by mutagenesis may be recovered in intact cells. Calibration of intracellular pH (pHi) with in situ fluorescence following excitation in either region revealed a semilogarithmic relationship between fluorescence intensity and pH within the physiologic range. We therefore measured pHi changes attributable to altered Na/HCO3 cotransport (NBC) activity both in GFPmut1-expressing cells and in paired untransfected cells loaded with BCECF. Basal NBC activity was the same in each group, as was the stimulation of activity by 10% CO2, thus validating the utility of GFPmut1 as a fluorescent probe for pHi and establishing a novel, useful, and practical application for GFPmut1 in monitoring pHi in real time.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Regulation of renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter: VIII. Mechanism Of stimulatory effect of respiratory acidosis.

We examined the effect of respiratory acidosis on the Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity in primary cultures of the proximal tubule of the rabbit exposed to 10% CO2 for 5 min, 2, 4, 24 and 48 hr. Cells exposed to 10% CO2 showed a significant increase in Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity (expressed as % of control levels, 5 min: 142 +/- 6, 2 hr: 144 +/- 13, 4 hr: 145 +/- 11, 24 hr: 150 +/- 15, 48 hr: 162 +/- 24). The increase in activity was reversible after 48 hr. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) on the stimulatory effect of respiratory acidosis on the cotransporter was examined in presence of PKC inhibitor calphostin C or in presence of PKC depletion. Both calphostin C and PKC depletion prevented the effect of 10% CO2 for 5 min or 4 hr to increase the activity of the cotransporter. 10% CO2 for 5 min or 4 hr increased total and particulate fraction PKC activity. To examine the role of phosphotyrosine kinase (PTK) on the increase in cotransporter activity we studied the effect of two different inhibitors, 2-hydroxy-5-(2,5-dihydroxylbenzyl) aminobenzoic acid (HAC) and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (DHC) which inhibit phosphotyrosine kinase in basolateral membranes. Cells were pretreated either with vehicle or HAC or DHC and then exposed to 10% CO2 for 5 min or 4 hr. In cells treated with vehicle, 10% CO2 significantly increased cotransporter activity as compared to control cells exposed to 5% CO2. This stimulation by 10% CO2 was completely prevented by HAC or DHC at 5 min (5% CO2: 1.8 +/- 0.2, 10% CO2: 2.6 +/- 0.2, 10% CO2 + HAC: 1.6 +/- 0.2, 10% CO2: +DHC: 2.0 +/- 0.3 pH unit/min) and also at 4 hr. The protein synthesis inhibitors actinomycin D and cycloheximide appear to prevent the effect of 10% CO2 for 4 hr on the cotransporter. Our results show that early respiratory acidosis stimulates the Na-HCO3 cotransporter through PKC and PTK-dependent mechanisms and the late effect appears to be mediated through protein synthesis.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗
PubMed1998

Ganglioside GM1 alters neuronal morphology by modulating the association of MAP2 with microtubules and actin filaments.

In previous studies, we demonstrated that the exogenous ganglioside GM1 increased the complexity of the microtubular network and level of tubulin, selectively changed the distribution of microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2) immunoreactivity from the perikarya to distal neuritic processes and increased immunogold label of MAP2 in the subplasmalemmal cytoplasm, neuritic filopodia and growth cones of Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells. Since these areas are rich in actin filaments, our data suggested that MAP2 may be associated with microfilaments in the early stages of ganglioside-induced neuritogenesis. To determine if GM1 alters neuronal morphology by facilitating the interaction of actin and MAP2, we examined the immunolocalization of these two proteins with confocal and electron microscopy. We found that along with the redistribution of MAP2 from perikaryal to neuritic regions, there was parallel redistribution of actin. The uniform subplasmalemmal actin meshwork was disrupted in areas of processes and filopodia with a redistribution of actin to these areas in close association with MAP2. Our present results suggest that gangliosides enhance neuritogenesis by redistributing actin as well as MAP2 to processes and filopodia thereby facilitating their interaction. The association of MAP2 with actin filaments is likely to be an early step in ganglioside-mediated filopodia formation.

Actins↗
PubMed1998

Hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery with intercavernous anastomosis.

We report a symptomatic case of unilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery with an intercavernous anastomosis, a very rare developmental anomaly. The symptoms were caused by occlusion of the proximal middle cerebral artery which possibly related to the haemodynamic stress caused by the anomalous intercavernous anastomosis.

Arteriovenous Anastomosis↗
PubMed1998

Periaortic hematoma on helical CT of the chest: a criterion for predicting blunt traumatic aortic rupture.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of helical CT of the chest for predicting blunt traumatic aortic ruptures when periaortic hematoma is used as a positive criterion. CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of periaortic hematoma as a criterion for predicting traumatic aortic ruptures on CT because this criterion is sensitive and can reduce the false-positive rate of CT interpretations.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in atherosclerotic lesions.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a heme-degradation enzyme induced under various oxidative stress conditions. To elucidate the potential involvement of HO-1 in atherogenesis, the expression of this enzyme in atherosclerotic lesions of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and humans were examined. Both immunostaining and in situ hybridization clearly demonstrated that the expression of HO-1 was prominent in endothelium and foam cells/macrophages of thickened intima in lesions from both humans and experimental animals. The expression of this enzyme was also detected in medial smooth muscle cells of advanced lesions. The induction of HO-1 mRNA was observed in murine peritoneal macrophages after treatment with oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) but not with native LDL in a dose-dependent manner. Time course study demonstrated that the induction was prominent at 3 hours, reached a maximal induction at 6 hours, and remained evident up to 24 hours after oxidized LDL treatment. The degree of induction was in concordant with the extent of oxidation in the LDL preparation. Lysophosphatidylcholine, one of the major components present in oxidized LDL, was ineffective to induce the gene expression, suggesting that other lipophilic substances derived from LDL oxidation are responsible for the induction of HO-1. These results clearly demonstrate that HO-1 is one of the stress proteins expressed in atherosclerotic lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effects of isovolumetric hemodilution treatment and superoxide dismutase on ischemic reperfused hearts in rabbit.

UNLABELLED: The isovolumetric hemodilution treatment reduces ischemic injury and anti-radical interventions may reduce reperfusion injury. However, the effects of the treatment with both interventions have never been investigated. In the present study, anesthetized rabbits underwent 45 min of coronary artery ligation, which was followed by 180 min of reperfusion. Ten animals in each group received: (i) normal saline only; (ii) isovolumetric hemodilution with Dextran 40 during ischemia; (iii) superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 min before and during reperfusion; and (iv) combined treatment with hemodilution and SOD. RESULTS: (1) compared with those of the control group, left ventricular peak pressure (LVP) and +/- dp/dt-max improved significantly in the animals which received hemodilution or SOD alone, and left ventricular systolic function of the animals with the combination therapy improved further; (2) infarct size averaged 54.4 +/- 2.6% of the risk region in controls and was significantly smaller in the rabbits that were treated with hemodilution (32.8 +/- 1.8%) (p < 0.05), with SOD (42.1 +/- 3.2%) (p < 0.05) and with the combination therapy (23.4 +/- 1.5%) (p < 0.01). Therefore, (1) in groups where either hemodilution during ischemia or removal of oxygen radicals during reperfusion was done left ventricular systolic function and salvaged ischemic reperfused myocardium improved significantly; (2) in this acute model, SOD improved left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions and reduced infarct size further when given to the animals that had been treated with hemodilution.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Abnormal origin of the vertebral artery from the common carotid artery.

An abnormal origin of the vertebral artery from the common carotid artery (VA-CC) may occur on the right or left side with different embryonic mechanisms. We describe a patient with a double developmental anomaly, a right VA-CC and a right aortic arch. The rotation of the aortic arch caused a "twist" of the embryonic mechanisms of VA-CC and misdirected the differential diagnosis of the embryonic mechanisms at first glance. We discuss the pivotal points in differentiating the embryonic mechanisms of VA-CC.

Aortography↗
PubMed1997

Hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: clinical phase I/II trial.

PURPOSE: In an attempt to improve local control and survival of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy (HART) was carried out as a clinical phase I/II trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: HART was delivered by 1.1 Gy/fraction, three fractions per day with intervals of 4 h and five treatment days per week. The clinical tumors were irradiated to 74.3 Gy (72.6-75.9)/66-69 fx, 33 days (29-40) (not corrected for lung density), and the subclinical lesions, to 50.0 Gy (48.4-50.6)/44-46 fx, 33 days (29-40). Sixty-nine patients with NSCLC were enrolled in this study. Nine patients were withdrawn from the study during HART due to different reasons. Sixty patients formed the study for outcome analyses. They were 57 males and 3 females with median age of 61 years (21-77). There were 41 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 15 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 4 cases of large cell carcinoma. Overall, favorable patients (KPS > or = 70, weight loss < 5% and Stages I, II, IIIa) accounted for 73% (44 of 60) of all patients. Forty-four patients (73%) received adjuvant chemotherapy (DDP + VP16) with median cycles of 1.8 before and/or after HART. In order to compare the outcome of HART with conventional irradiation, 50 NSCLC patients treated by conventional fractionated irradiation (CFI) during the same period were chosen as the basis to evaluate relative effects of HART. They derived from the control group of another clinical trial of hyperfractionated irradiation for NSCLC in the same department. They received median tumor dose of 63.9 Gy (62.8-65.0)/34 fx (32-36), 48 days (45-53). RESULTS: 1. Acute and late complications: (a) In HART, 87% of patients (52 cases) developed acute radiation esophagitis: Grade 1-2, 46 cases (77%) and Grade 3, 6 cases (10%), at 2.5 weeks (2-3.5 weeks) after HART began. Five patients with Grade 3 esophagitis had their HART interrupted for <7 days. In CFI, esophagitis was much less (44%,p < 0.05) with 38% of Grade 1-2 and 6% of Grade 3. (b) In HART, acute pulmonary symptoms (RTOG Grade 1-2) occurred in 17% (10 cases), and acute radiation pneumonitis (Grade 3), in 8% (5 cases), while in CFI, they were 24% and 2% (p > 0.05), respectively. Late lung fibrosis (RTOG Grade 1-2) appeared in 20% (12 cases), whereas 18% in CFI (p > 0.05). (c), No other severe acute or late complications have been observed so far in HART. 2. Immediate response. In HART, 20% of patients (12 cases) achieved CR, 60% (36 cases), PR and 20% (12 cases), NR or PD. In CFI, the above three percentages were 10, 28, and 62%, respectively (p < 0.001). 3. Follow-up. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year actuarial survivals were 72, 47, and 28% for HART, and 60, 18, and 6% for CFI, respectively (p < 0.001). Better local control was seen in HART than in CFI with 1-, 2-, and 3-year local control rates being 71, 44, 29%, and 60, 20, and 5%, respectively (p = 0.001). Distant metastases developed less in HART than in CFI. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year distant metastasis rates were 23, 36, and 50% in HART, but 30, 48, and 80% in CFI (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: 1. HART could be tolerated by most of the favorable NSCLC patients. The predominant complication was acute esophagitis. No other severe acute or late complications have been observed so far. 2. HART resulted in better survivals and local controls, and less distant metastases than CFI.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma: CT and MRI.

We report the MRI and CT findings of an intracranial meningeal melanocytoma (IMM) arising from Meckel's cave and review the imaging characteristics of IMM. On CT, IMM constantly appear as well-circumscribed, isodense to slightly dense, extra-axial tumours with homogeneous contrast enhancement. This appearance is non-specific and similar to that of meningiomas or small neuromas. On MRI, the signal of IMM is strongly related to the amount of melanin pigment: the more melanin, the more shortening of T1 and T2 relaxation times. Only when it shows as a homogeneous mass, bright on T1 and dark on T2 weighting, can a specific diagnosis of a melanin-containing tumour be made. However, this still cannot provide a distinction between IMM and malignant meningeal melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The acoustic properties of capsaicin-induced cough in healthy subjects.

Acoustic analysis of cough both in the time and frequency domain has been reported using voluntary and spontaneous cough. The main aim of this study was to discover whether such analysis of capsaicin-induced cough enables differences between normal subjects to be recognized. We present data from 13 healthy subjects (with normal lung function and no history of respiratory disease) using a new method of acoustic analysis, which presents the data in three graphical forms: 1) spectrogram; 2) overall spectral energy, 3) root mean square (RMS) pressure plots. Using the RMS sound pressure traces, different subjects had either two peaks, a single peak or multiple peaks. The occurrence of single and multiple peaks has previously been associated with disease states but we found them in normal subjects. The number of peaks and the visual pattern of the spectrogram was reproducible within and specific to each individual over time. During a peal of coughs in a single expiration, the peak amplitude of successive coughs decreased as lung volume reduced. Despite similarities in the overall spectral energy between individuals, there were marked differences in the small visual details of the spectrograms. However, in an individual, these small details were remarkably constant both within and between days, and can be regarded as a "cough signature". This type of spectrographic analysis provides a new approach to the analysis both of normal and abnormal cough sounds, and has identified similarities and differences in capsaicin-induced cough in normal individuals. It has potential as a tool with which to study the pathophysiology of cough.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1997

Localisation of mRNA for interleukin-1 receptor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the rat ovary.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a multifunctional cytokine with profound effects on ovarian function. The effects of IL-1 on ovarian steroidogenesis have been demonstrated in several species. IL-1 mRNA levels are increased in the thecal layer of the ovulating follicle and IL-1 beta has been shown to induce ovulations in vitro. In this study we have investigated the presence and distribution of the mRNAs for type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RtI) and for the naturally occurring IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in ovaries of adult cycling rats, to elucidate the target cells for IL-1 action. We have demonstrated the presence of mRNA for both substance by in situ hybridisation and reverse transcription PCR. mRNA for IL-1RtI was not found in primordial follicles but was abundant in the granulosa and thecal layer in developing follicles with stronger signals in the granulosa layer. In the preovulatory and ovulatory follicles, there was a further increase in the signal for IL-1RtI mRNA in the thecal layer compared with the granulosa layer. Corpora lutea were weakly positive at all stages and atretic follicles were largely negative. No mRNA was detected in oocytes of any stage mRNA for IL-1ra showed a similar distribution to that of IL-1RtI. The changes in distribution suggest an action of IL-1 on rat granulosa cells during follicular development and on thecal cells during ovulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The ganglioside GM1 enhances microtubule networks and changes the morphology of Neuro-2a cells in vitro by altering the distribution of MAP2.

The effect of ganglioside GM1 on components of the neuronal cytoskeleton was studied in Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells using immunofluorescent, immunogold-labeled, and Western-blot analysis. Exposure of cells to GM1 for 24 h resulted in an increased microtubular network and level of tubulin, a redistribution of MAP2 immunoreactivity from perikarya to distal neuritic processes, and an increased MAP2 gold label in the subplasmalemmal cytoplasm, neuritic spines, and growth cones. A similar change in the distribution of actin-positive fluorescent immunoreactivity was observed. In contrast to the redistribution of MAP2, immunolocalization of MAP5 and tau did not change following 24 h GM1 exposure. Our results suggest that gangliosides enhance neuritogenesis by selectively altering the distribution of MAP2 from perikaryon to neuritic spines. Furthermore, the enhanced presence of MAP2 in regions known to be rich in microfilaments following GM1 treatment suggests that an interaction of MAP2 with microfilaments may be necessary for early neurite formation.

Actins↗
PubMed1996

Balò's concentric sclerosis: MRI.

We report a case of Balò's concentric sclerosis. In the past, the diagnosis was usually made post mortem. In this case, we found that CT demonstrated only low-density lesions, but not their concentric pattern. However, MRI showed a striking feature, reminiscent of histopathology of Balò's concentric sclerosis, and played an important role in antemortem diagnosis of this rare demyelinating disease.

Basal Ganglia↗
PubMed1996

Regulation of the renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter: V. mechanism of the inhibitory effect of parathyroid hormone.

PTH administration decreases proximal HCO3 reabsorption and inhibits the brush border Na-H antiporter. We studied the effect of PTH on the renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter and examined whether this effect is mediated through the adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP system or through the phospholipase A pathway. We studied the effect of PTH [1-34] on the Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity in rabbit renal basolateral membranes incubated with 50 microM ATP by measuring the 22Na uptake in the presence of HCO3 and gluconate. Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity (expressed in nmol/mg protein/3 seconds) was taken as the difference in 22Na uptake in the presence of HCO3 and gluconate. PTH (10(-10) M) completely inhibited Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity from 1.23 +/- 0.14 to -0.58 +/- 0.23, P < 0.001. This effect of PTH to inhibit the Na-HCO3 cotransporter was prevented by the polyclonal antibody against G alpha s indicating that PTH acts through G alpha s protein. Because G alpha s stimulates adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP system, we examined the effect of PTH in the presence and in the absence of the adenylate cyclase inhibitor, dideoxyadenosine (DDA). DDA alone (10(-4) M) stimulated the Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity. In the presence of DDA, the net inhibitory effect of PTH was the same magnitude as that of control, suggesting the existence of other pathways for the effect of PTH on the cotransporter. Calmodulin inhibition also partially prevented the effect of PTH. To determine whether the inhibitory effect of PTH is mediated at least in part, through phospholipase A, we first examined the effect of PTH on arachidonic acid release and then measured the Na-HCO3 cotransporter activity in presence and in absence of arachidonic acid or eicosatetraynoic acid (ETA), an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism. PTH significantly increased the release of arachidonic acid by isolated proximal tubule cells and arachidonic acid inhibited the Na-HCO3 cotransporter in basolateral membranes. ETA (3 microM) partially prevented the inhibitory effect of PTH. In cultured proximal tubule cells, PTH inhibited the HCO3-dependent 22Na uptake and ethoxyresorufin, an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450, blocked the inhibitory effect of PTH on the cotransporter. These results demonstrate that PTH inhibits the renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter through multiple mechanisms, that are mediated through G proteins, G alpha s and GP, and CaM-KII.

Animals↗