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Biomedical subjects

M Hu

Publications and source records attributed to M Hu.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Histopathological study of miniature pig temporomandibular joint after missing teeth of one side].

This study evaluated the histologic response of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) following one side posterior teeth extraction in miniature pig. Right posterior teeth were removed in 12 miniature pigs. Six of them were killed after 1 month and the other six after 3 monthes. 6 miniature pigs were taken as control. We found that obvious degenerative changes were common in all TMJs of the experimental pigs. Hyaline thrombus found in the condyles of posterior teeth losing side suggested that local microcirculation was disturbed. Missing one side posterior teeth had various influence on two side TMJs. Both TMJs changes were not identical, and the changes were more marked in teeth lost side than in control side. The results comfirm that occlusal disturbance can cause degenerative change of the TMJ.

Animals↗

[Studies on the scale for quality of life for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

The assessment of quality of life became more and more important, so the scale for quality of life for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was studied by the authors, with changes in disease pattern, increasing needs for people's health, and changes in their views on health and the mode of medicine. The scale for quality of life for the patients consisted of 20 items, including general and specific ones and covering four aspects in physical, psychological, social functioning status and symptoms and side-effects. It could also be used in measuring and evaluating quality of life for patients with other cancers and chronic diseases, with some modification in its specific items and reservation of the general ones.

Female↗

[Study on stress distribution of the condyle].

The stress distribution in the condyle was calculated by means of combining CT examination with computed image operating technique and three-dimensional finite element models. The results suggested that there was a higher stress level in condylar cortical bone than in cancellous bone. Stress on the cortical bone were shown to concentrate in middle and lateral 1/3 part of articular surface of the condyle. The distribution of stress on two condyles was symmetrical. That analysis method of biomechanics was introduced into the clinical and baic study on the temporomandibular joint provided a new means for helping diagnosis and treatment of the temporomandibular joint diseases.

Adult↗

[Anatomy of the endolymphatic sac and its clinical significance].

Using 28 formalin fixed temporal bones and materials of 26 cases of endolymphatic surgery for menieres' disease, the location, vascular distribution and size of the endolyphatic sac (ELS) were investigated. ELS were measured with surgical microscope in all the cadaver specimen with a mean length of 6.9393 +/- 2.0429 mm and mean width of 5.8821 +/-1.6522 mm. All the specimens showed no clear capillary distribution. Only in 24 of the 26 ELS surgeries for Menieres' disease the ELS were found. The mean length was 6.8125 +/- 2.2449 mm, the mean width 5.6666 +/- 1.5084 mm and the vascular distribution was unclear in 29% of the cases. It was found that the ELS usually located at the Donaldson line, and moved downward in the under-developed mastoid with smaller size.

Adult↗

Targeted deletion of 5'HS2 of the murine beta-globin LCR reveals that it is not essential for proper regulation of the beta-globin locus.

The beta-globin locus control region (LCR) is a complex regulatory element that is essential for the appropriate red cell-specific expression of all cis-linked beta-globin genes. Of the five hypersensitive sites that define the LCR, only 5'HS2 has been shown to augment gene expression in vitro in both transient and stable assays, as well as in transgenic mice. Thus, 5'HS2 has been assumed to be an important element for the function of the LCR in vivo. We have utilized homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and phenotypic analysis in derived mice to investigate the function of 5'HS2 in its normal chromosomal position in the murine beta-globin locus. Replacement of 5'HS2 with a selectable marker gene (delta HS2 + neo) causes a 2-5-fold reduction in expression of all of the genes in the locus, and a more pronounced effect (10-12-fold) on the most 5' embryonic globin gene, Ey, when expression of this gene is first detectable during embryogenesis. The mutation produces no alterations in the developmental timing of expression of the globin genes. When homozygous, the deletion/replacement mutation is lethal in utero, with the embryos dying during the stage of yolk sac and early fetal liver erythropoiesis. To distinguish phenotypic effects resulting from the deletion of 5'HS2 from those attributable to insertion of the selectable marker, the selectable marker was removed by expressing the FLP site-specific recombinase in ES cells harboring the homologous recombination event. Mice derived from these ES cells (delta HS2 delta neo) demonstrated nearly full expression of all the beta-like globin genes on the mutated chromosome. These results indicate that although 5'HS2 demonstrates significant regulatory activities in a variety of assays, deletion of this element from the endogenous beta-globin locus has no significant effect on the timing or extent of expression of the locus. In addition, this result emphasizes that when using homologous recombination to analyze complex regulatory elements in vivo, the inserted selectable marker must be removed to avoid influencing the phenotype of the mutation.

Animals↗

Human peri-tumoral and lung fibroblasts produce paracrine motility factors for recently established human sarcoma cell strains.

Paracrine motogenic cytokines secreted by normal cells can stimulate metastatic cell invasion. For example, human fibroblasts secrete hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), which stimulates paracrine migration of epithelial and certain carcinoma cells, and migration-stimulating factor (MSF), which stimulates autocrine migration of fibroblasts from certain breast carcinomas. We found that human peri-tumoral and lung fibroblasts secrete motility-stimulating activity for several recently established human sarcoma cell strains. Motility of lung metastasis-derived SYN-I sarcoma cells was preferentially stimulated by human lung and peri-tumoral fibroblast motility-stimulating factors (FMSFs). FMSFs were non-dialyzable, susceptible to trypsin and sensitive to dithiothreitol. Cycloheximide inhibited accumulation of FMSF activity in conditioned medium; however, addition of cycloheximide to the migration assay did not significantly affect motility-stimulating activity. Purified HGF/SF, rabbit anti-hHGF and RT-PCR analysis of peri-tumoral and lung fibroblast HGF/SF mRNA expression indicated that FMSF activity was unrelated to HGF/SF. Partial purification of FMSF by gel exclusion chromatography revealed several peaks of activity, suggesting multiple FMSF molecules or complexes. Since human soft tissue sarcomas have a distinctive hematogenous metastatic pattern (predominantly lung), FMSF may play a role in this process independent of HGF/SF.

Base Sequence↗

A novel regulatory element of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene interacts with a DNA binding activity enriched in rat brain.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that play a critical role in signal transmission in the nervous system. The genes encoding the various subunits that comprise functional acetylcholine receptors are expressed in distinct temporal and spatial patterns. Studies to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential expression of the receptor subunit genes have led to the identification, in this report, of a 19-base pair cis-acting element that is required for transcriptional activation of the rat beta 4 subunit gene. Screening of computer data bases with the 19-base pair element revealed the sequence to be unique among known transcriptional regulatory elements. Loss of this element resulted in drastically reduced beta 4 promoter activity in transfected cholinergic SN17 cells. Furthermore, this element specifically interacts with nuclear proteins prepared from both SN17 cells and adult rat brain. UV cross-linking experiments indicated the presence, in SN17 nuclear extracts, of a prominent protein species (approximately 50 kDa) that interacts specifically with the 19-base pair element. These results lead us to hypothesize that interactions between the 50-kDa protein and the novel 19-base pair element are necessary for transcriptional activation of the beta 4 subunit gene.

Animals↗

Application of PCR for detection and identification of mycoplasma contamination in virus stocks.

A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect and identify mycoplasma contaminants in viral stocks. The results of the PCR assay proved to be a sensitive and accurate indicator of the true status of the stock tested. Those samples positive by agar culture or Hoechst stain were also positive by PCR. Those samples that were inconclusive by Hoechst stain (10.05%) could be clearly determined to be mycoplasma positive or negative by PCR. The PCR assay also detected those fastidious species of mycoplasma that gave false negative results by the direct culture method. In many respects the PCR-based mycoplasma detection method described is superior to the agar culture and Hoechst staining detection methods. In this study, the PCR assay detected substantially more mycoplasma-positive viral stocks than did the agar culture assay. Due to its speed, sensitivity, and reliability, the PCR assay is of particular value in monitoring the process of removing mycoplasma from contaminated stocks. Furthermore, the PCR amplification products can be analyzed by restriction analysis to rapidly identify the species of the mycoplasma contaminating the stock tested.

Base Sequence↗

Preparation of Tyr-C-peptide from genetically altered human insulin precursor.

C-peptide radioimmunoassay (C-peptide RIA) is widely used in determination of pancreatic B-cell secretion activity. 125I labeled Tyr-C-peptide is indispensable in C-peptide RIA kit. Herein we discuss a way of obtaining recombinant Tyr-C-peptide. Arg32Tyr human pro-insulin mutant (R32Y-proinsulin) gene was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Purified R32Y-proinsulin was converted to insulin and Tyr-C-peptide by trypsin and carboxypeptidase B codigestion. Tyr-C-peptide was isolated through reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) and identified by C-peptide RIA and amino acid analysis.

Base Sequence↗

Mechanisms of transport of quinapril in Caco-2 cell monolayers: comparison with cephalexin.

PURPOSE: To determine the transport mechanisms of quinapril and cephalexin in Caco-2 cell monolayers, a cell culture model of the human small intestinal epithelium. METHODS: Uptake, transepithelial transport and intracellular accumulations of these two drugs were measured using Caco-2 cell monolayers grown onto Millicells and magnetically stirred diffusion chambers. RESULTS: Transepithelial transport, apical (AP)4 uptake and intracellular accumulation of both drugs depended on the maintenance of a transepithelial proton gradient and temperature of the medium. However, quinapril transport and accumulation, which did not display a maximum at approximately pH 6, was more sensitive to proton gradient change, whereas cephalexin transport was more sensitive to concentration change (range 0.5-5 mM). In addition, quinapril (1 mM) transport was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 10 mM cephalexin, loracarbef, Gly-Pro and Phe-Pro, but not by enalapril; whereas cephalexin (0.1 mM) transport was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by all four compounds. Similarly, AP quinapril (1 mM) uptake was also decreased by 10 mM loracarbef, Gly-Pro, cephalexin, and enalapril, but these inhibitory effects (20-50%) were quantitatively less than their inhibitory effects on cephalexin uptake (50-90%). Finally, the AP uptake of quinapril was also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by FCCP (10 micrograms/ml), amiloride (0.5 mM), DEP (0.5 mM), and staurosporine (5 nM). CONCLUSIONS: The transport of quinapril in the Caco-2 cells is via a combination of the carrier-mediated proton gradient-dependent peptide transporter and passive diffusion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Counterregulation of hypoglycemia. Skeletal muscle glycogen metabolism during three hours of physiological hyperinsulinemia in humans.

We examined the role of skeletal muscle in counterregulation of hypoglycemia (3.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/l) in 12 nondiabetic individuals (age 26 +/- 1 years, body mass index 24.2 +/- 0.7 kg/m2) during physiological hyperinsulinemia (280 +/- 25 pmol/l) compared with euglycemia (4.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/l). During hypoglycemia, hepatic glucose output (3-[3H]-glucose) was greater (7.72 +/- 2.72 mumol.kg-1.min-1, P < 0.01), glucose uptake was approximately 49% lower (21.20 +/- 3.55 mumol.kg-1.min-1, P < 0.005), and glucose clearance was reduced (P < 0.002) compared with euglycemia. Rates of flux of plasma-derived glucosyl units through glycolysis were similar in the two experiments, while glycogen synthetic rates were significantly reduced during hypoglycemia (P < 0.01) and accounted entirely for the reduction in glucose disposal. The insulin-induced activation of skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (reflected by Km decline by approximately 50% from 0.408 +/- 0.056 mmol/l and fractional velocity increase by approximately twofold from 21.8 +/- 2.7%) was completely abolished in hypoglycemia. In concert, glycogen phosphorylase activity increased during hypoglycemia by approximately 40% (P = 0.0001). Hypoglycemia resulted in seven- to eightfold increments in plasma epinephrine (P < 0.0001) and growth hormone (P < 0.001) and 40-60% increments in plasma glucagon (P < 0.005) and cortisol (P < 0.05). We conclude that, in this model of mild hypoglycemia of moderate duration, the majority of the glucose made available during the counterregulatory process (approximately 60-70%) is due to the limitation of glucose disposal, mostly via decreased glycogen synthetic activity in skeletal muscle.

Adult↗

Peptide transporter function and prolidase activities in Caco-2 cells: a lack of coordinated expression.

Peptide transport and prolidase activities were measured to determine whether the expression of these two components of protein nutrition are coordinately regulated; i.e., whether an increase in the peptide transporter function will necessarily lead to a higher prolidase activity, or vice versa. The results indicated that peptide transporter function and prolidase activity respond differently to cell differentiation and feeding schedules. The results also indicated that peptide transport and prolidase activities were different in two Caco-2 cell "clones", with S-K cells transported peptides at higher rates but had lower total prolidase activities, when compared to ATCC cells. These results suggest that the expression of the peptide transporter function and prolidase activity is not coordinated. In addition, both the transporter and the prolidase activities affected the overall transport of Phe when given as the dipeptide Phe-Pro, supporting the notion that intestinal absorption of peptides is an essential component of amino acid absorption. In conclusion, the evidence suggests that the peptide transporter function and prolidase activity are not coordinately expressed by the human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Basement Membrane↗

[Langerhans cells and human aural cholesteatoma].

Enzyme histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultramicroscopic analysis of 20 human aural cholesteatoma matrices revealed the presence of Langerhans cells, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and HLA-DR positive cells. There was no significant difference of the numerical density on the area of Langerhans cells between the cholesteatoma matrices and the normal ear canal skin. The numerical density on the area of T4 and the ratio of T4/T8 of cholesteatoma were higher than those of the normal ear canal skin. Through cell-to-cell interaction, Langerhans cells probably play a key role in skin-related disorders, including cholesteatoma.

Adolescent↗

[The influence of macrophage on the rates of cultured rabbit lens epithelial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis].

Cell and H3-TDR liquid scintillation countings were adopted to investigate the influence of macrophage on the proliferative rate of cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells, in vitro. After 24 hours of the action of macrophage opsonic fluid on the cell culture, the rates of cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05) and maintained so to the fifth day. It is demonstrated that the macrophage and its active factors can promote the proliferation of the lens epithelial cells, that is possibly related to the posterior capsular opacification after extracapsular cataract extraction.

Animals↗

[Lens epithelial proliferation induced by macrophages after intraocular lens implantation in rabbits].

To approach the effect of intraocular lens implantation on the mechanism of posterior capsular opacification, the pathological changes of posterior lens capsule after intraocular lens implantation in rabbits were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The results were as follows: In the control group, 1 week after the operation and the injection of the medium of the macrophage suspension, the lens posterior capsule was covered by a layer of lens epithelium and until post-operative 6 months, the lens epithelium remained normal. In the experimental group, 1 week after the operation and the injection of the macrophage suspension into the anterior chamber, microfilaments appeared in the cytoplasm of lens epithelial cells, after 2 weeks, the lens epithelial cells produced collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix and until postoperative 3 months, 2-3 layers of the lens epithelium proliferated in front of the posterior capsule and a large amount of collagenous fibers were formed around the cells. It is suggested that the macrophage promote the lens epithelial proliferation and the posterior capsular opacification.

Animals↗

Analysis of the developmental and transcriptional potentiation functions of 5'HS2 of the murine beta-globin locus control region in transgenic mice.

We analyze the role of 5'HS2 of the mouse beta-globin LCR in the transcriptional and developmental regulation of beta-globin gene expression. Previous studies have shown that the human beta-globin gene behaves as an adult gene in transgenic mice, being expressed in fetal liver and bone marrow-derived erythroblasts but not in yolk sac-derived embryonic erythroid cells. We show that linkage of mLCR5'HS2 to a human beta-globin gene alters this pattern of expression during ontogeny, resulting in expression of the linked beta-globin gene at all stages of murine erythroid development. Expression was independent of integration position and correlated with transgene copy number. Our results provide the first test of a phylogenetically homologous LCR in transgenic mice and demonstrate evolutionary conservation of both developmental and transcriptional potentiation functions between mammalian beta-globin LCRs.

Animals↗

Comparison of the transport characteristics of D- and L-methionine in a human intestinal epithelial model (Caco-2) and in a perfused rat intestinal model.

Absorption mechanisms of L- and D-methionine (MET) in an in vitro cultured human intestinal epithelial cell model (Caco-2) and an in situ perfused rat intestinal model were investigated to determine if the kinetic characteristics of absorption are comparable in these two popular absorption models. The results indicate that the transport of L- and D-MET were concentration-dependent in both model systems, and displayed comparable Km values. The Km value for L-MET is 1.34 mM in the Caco-2 model and 3.6 mM in the perfused rat intestinal model, while the Km value for D-MET is 1.79 mM in the Caco-2 model and 2.87 mM in the perfused rat intestinal model. Although the Jmax values were not comparable because of significant methodology differences, the Jmax values for L-MET were always higher than that for D-MET. In addition, transport of L- and D-MET across the Caco-2 cell monolayers were also inhibited by 10 mM Phe and Lys while MeAIB, Pro and Glu were generally ineffective. Similar results were also observed with these inhibitors in the perfused rat intestinal model with the exception that a combination of Pro and Glu stimulated the uptake of L-MET. In conclusion, the transport characteristics of L- and D-MET are comparable in both model systems.

Animals↗