Rapid determination of ADAMTS13 activity improves clinical decision-making.
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ADAM Proteins↗
Biomedical subjects
Ming Jin
Publications and source records attributed to Ming Jin.
Double-layered TiO2-SiO2 nanostructured films with self-cleaning and antireflective properties.
Dual function of self-cleaning and antireflection can be created in double-layered TiO2-SiO2 nanostructured films. The film were prepared by (1) layer-by-layer deposition of multilayered SiO2 nanoparticles with polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA) cations, (2) layer-by-layer deposition of multilayered titanate nanosheets with polications on PDDA/SiO2 multilayer films, and (3) burning out the polymer and converting titanate nanosheets into TiO2 by hearing at 500 degrees C. The as-prepared films, consisting of a porous SiO2 bottom layer and a dense TiO2 top layer, improved the transmittance of glass or quartz substrates, as demonstrated by transmission spectra collected at normal incidence. The photocatalytic properties of the films were studied by the change of the water contact angle together with the decay of the IR absorption of the hydrocarbon chain of octadecylphosphonic-acid-modified films under 2.6 mW cm-2 UV illumination. Both the antireflective and the photocatalytic properties of the films were dependent on the number of PDDA/nanosheet bilayers deposited. however, excellent surface wettability of the films for water was obtained, independent of the preparation conditions. The experimental findings are discussed in terms of the special structure of the double-layered nanostructured film.
Catalysis↗
Preparation and photocatalytic wettability conversion of TiO2-based superhydrophobic surfaces.
We present here a facile method for the preparation of TiO2-based superhydrophobic surfaces. It consists of two steps: (1) roughening of the TiO2 surface with a rf (radio frequency) plasma with CF4 as an etchant and (2) modification of the roughened TiO2 surface with an octadodecylphosphonic acid (ODP) monolayer. Plasma etching caused the thinning of the TiO2 film but at the same time enhanced its surface roughness. A discontinuous wedgelike surface microtexture was formed after etching for 30 s, which, after modification with a monolayer of ODP, showed Cassie-type water super-repellency with a contact angle (CA) hysteresis smaller than 2 degrees . The state of water super-repellency (water CA >165 degrees) could be converted to the state of superhydrophilicity (water CA approximately 0 degrees) by means of ultraviolet (UV) illumination as a result of the photocatalytic decomposition of the ODP monolayer by TiO2. Readsorption of ODP molecules leads directly to the recovery of water super-repellency.
Journal Article↗
An evaluation of cyclosporin and corticosteroids individually as adjuncts to plasma exchange in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
We present the results of two consecutively performed cohort studies that evaluated the clinical effects of corticosteroids or cyclosporin as an adjunct to plasma exchange (PE) for the treatment of an acute episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In comparing 12 corticosteroid-treated patients with eight cyclosporin-treated patients, none of the cyclosporin-treated patients suffered an exacerbation or recurrence of TTP in the first 30 d after discontinuing PE compared with 6/10 (60%) of the corticosteroid-treated patients (P = 0.042). These data suggest that cyclosporin may have advantages over corticosteroids as an adjunct to PE therapy in the initial treatment of idiopathic TTP.
ADAM Proteins↗
Two-dimensional gel proteome reference map of blood monocytes.
BACKGROUND: Blood monocytes play a central role in regulating host inflammatory processes through chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokine production. However, the molecular details underlying these diverse functions are not completely understood. Understanding the proteomes of blood monocytes will provide new insights into their biological role in health and diseases. RESULTS: In this study, monocytes were isolated from five healthy donors. Whole monocyte lysates from each donor were then analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis, and proteins were detected using Sypro Ruby fluorescence and then examined for phosphoproteomes using ProQ phospho-protein fluorescence dye. Between 1525 and 1769 protein spots on each 2D gel were matched, analyzed, and quantified. Abundant protein spots were then subjected to analysis by mass spectrometry. This report describes the protein identities of 231 monocyte protein spots, which represent 164 distinct proteins and their respective isoforms or subunits. Some of these proteins had not been previously characterized at the protein level in monocytes. Among the 231 protein spots, 19 proteins revealed distinct modification by protein phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study offer the most detailed monocyte proteomic database to date and provide new perspectives into the study of monocyte biology.
Journal Article↗
Reducing stem bending increases the height growth of tall pines.
The hypothesis was tested that upper limits to height growth in trees are the result of the increasing bending moment of trees as they grow in height. The increasing bending moment of tall trees demands increased radial growth at the expense of height growth to maintain mechanical stability. In this study, the bending moment of large lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) was reduced by tethering trees at 10 m height to counter the wind load. Average bending moment of tethered trees was reduced to 38% of control trees. Six years of tethering resulted in a 40% increase in height growth relative to the period before tethering. By contrast, control trees showed decreased height growth in the period after tethering treatment. Average radial growth along the bole, relative to height growth, was reduced in tethered trees. This strongly suggests that mechanical constraints play a crucial role in limiting the height growth of tall trees. Analysis of bending moment and basal area increment at both 10 m and 1.3 m showed that the amount of wood added to the stem was closely related to the bending moment produced at these heights, in both control and tethered trees. The tethering treatment also resulted in an increase in the proportion of latewood at the tethering height, relative to 1.3 m height. For untethered control trees, the ratio of bending stresses at 10 m versus 1.3 m height was close to 1 in both 1998 and 2003, suggesting a uniform stress distribution along the outer surface of the bole.
Biomass↗
ADAM28 participates in the regulation of tooth development.
Disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) proteins are a family of membrane-anchored glycoproteins with diverse functions in fertilisation, development, neurogenesis and protein ectodomain shedding. ADAM28 is a newly discovered member of the ADAM family in humans and murine with autocatalytic activity. Recently, the authors screened ADAM28 genes from patients with congenital hypoplasia of tooth root, and studied the relationship between ADAM28 and tooth development. A polyclonal antibody (pAb) against ADAM28 was preparared, and the expression and localisation of ADAM28 were detected in tooth germ and dental mesenchymal cells. The results indicated that the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-ADAM28 was constructed successfully. Glutathione S-transferase-ADAM28 fusion protein was generated after inducement by isopropylthio-beta-d-galactoside and isolated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified fusion protein was used as an antigen for production of antibody. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses verified that the antibody had a high specificity and titre. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that ADAM28 was expressed at each stage of tooth germ development at different levels. Moreover, it was expressed in human dental follicle cells, human dental papilla cells, human dental pulp stem cells, human periodontal ligament cells and human dental cervical loop epithelial cells at transcription level. In conclusion, it is reasonable to suggest that ADAM28 may participate in tooth development and the regulation of odontogenic mesenchymal cells through progressive reciprocal inductive interactions between the epithelium and the mesenchyme.
ADAM Proteins↗
Helical stacking tuned by alkoxy side chains in pi-conjugated triphenylbenzene discotic derivatives.
We report on the synthesis and self-assembly of a new series of discotic molecules containing triphenylbenzene as the core and alkoxy side chain with varying length. It was found that compounds 3 a-c, 4 b and 5 b could form stable gels in several apolar solvents. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that their morphologies were very different for the different alkoxy-substituted organogels. In toluene or hexane, 3 b and 3 c resulted in both left- and right-handed helical fibers, whereas 3 a resulted in straight rigid fibers; 4 b and 5 b resulted in most straight fibers with a few twisted fibers. The results from FT-IR and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy indicated that the hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interactions were the main driving forces for the formation of the self-assembled gels. Further detailed analysis of their aggregation modes were conducted by UV-visible absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Based on these findings, the influence of these peripheral alkoxy substituents on the gel formation and the aggregation mode were discussed. The special enhanced fluorescent emissions, which resulted from aggregation, were also found in the gel phase.
Alcohols↗
Generation of CdS nano-necklaces and NiS nanotubes templated by sugar-appended hydrogel.
A new hydrogel based on glucose-appended Schiff base derivative has been employed as the template to synthesize CdS and NiS nanostructures with different morphologies. The FT-IR and UV-vis results revealed that H-bonding and pi-pi interaction played important roles in the formation of original hydrogel fibers. The study of mineralization mechanism suggested that the inorganic ions were firstly adsorbed at the surface of the hydrogel fibers due to the hydrophilic affinity with the hydrophilic glucose groups. With the penetration of H2S gas, the preformed CdS or NiS nanoparticles on the surface of the fibers acted as the growing points for the continuous growth. And the different adsorption abilities of the metal ions at the hydrogel fibers resulted in the formation of CdS nano-necklaces and NiS nanotubes.
Cadmium Compounds↗
Triphenyl benzene-bridged fluorescent silsesquioxane: shape-controlled hybrid silicas by hydrolytic conditions.
A new silsesquioxane molecule was synthesized, in which triphenyl benzene was connected with three Si(OC2H5)3 groups using three urea groups as the bridge. The molecule could self-assemble through the intermolecular H-bonding among urea groups and pi-pi interaction of triphenyl benzene core in the solution and it could also be transferred into hybrid silicas by hydrolysis. When the non-preorganized silsesquioxane was hydrolyzed, isolated spherical hybrid silica was gained. However, when the silsesquioxane was preorganized before the hydrolyzation uniform interconnected spherical hybrid silica and intertwined nanofibrous one could be generated under acidic and basic conditions, respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the obtained hybrid silicas showed that they still kept the emission properties of their precursor silsesquioxane, and the shift of the emission bands was due to the pi-pi interaction of triphenyl benzene in the course of polycondensation.
Benzene↗
[Protective effects of dexamethasone on myocardium in rats with sepsis].
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in heart function and myocardial mechanics in murine sepsis model, and the mechanism of the protective effect of dexamethasone on heart. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (4 mg/kg LPS intravenously), LPS+dexamethasone group (4 mg/kg LPS+2 mg/kg dexamethasone intravenously), with 32 rats in each group. A catheter was passed through right common carotid artery to the left cardiac ventricle. Function of the left ventricle was monitored, and blood was drawn at 0, 2, 4, 6 hours to detect concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), troponin T (TnT), with 8 rats for each time point. RESULTS: In sepsis rats, TnT increased significantly and could be lowered by dexamethasone [at 6 hours after the treatment (1.76+/-0.57) microg/L vs. (0.70+/-0.36) microg/L, P<0.01]. There were changes in left ventricular peak systolic pressure (LVPP) and maximum rate of intraventricular pressure rise/down (+/-dp/dt max) to certain extent, and increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), but these changes could be ameliorated by using dexamethasone. TNF-alpha increased significantly in sepsis rats, but dexamethasone could lower its level [at 2 hours after the treatment (11.22+/-2.38) pmol/L vs. (7.62+/-3.21) pmol/L, P<0.01]. CONCLUSION: Myocardium is remarkably damaged in rats with sepsis. TNF-alpha could be regarded as one of the factors which could produce injury to myocardium. Dexamethasone could alleviate cardiac damage produced by endotoxin in sepsis model.
Animals↗
[Effects of ADAM28 AS-ODN on proliferation and AKPase of HDFCs].
PURPOSE: To study the effects of ADAM28 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) on proliferation of human dental follicle cells (HDFCs) and activity of alkaline phosphatase (AKPase). METHODS: Cell culture, gene transfection, MTT chromatometry and enzyme kinetics methods were used to detect the possible mechanisms of ADAM28 AS-ODN on proliferation, differentiation of HDFCs and effect of the activity of AKPase. Statistical significance was assessed by multiple comparison (q test, SNK) in one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: ADAM28 AS-ODN was transfected into HDFCs successfully. MTT and AKPase activity assays indicated that cell proliferation and AKPase activity of ADAM28 AS-ODN group were significantly lower than those of S-ODN and vacuity control group (P<0.01). MTT assay revealed P value between AS-ODN and S-ODN, blank control group was 0.0002, 0.0001 respectively, P<0.01; AKPase assay showed P value between AS-ODN and S-ODN, vacuity control group was 0.0007, 0.0003 respectively, P<0.01. ADAM28 AS-ODN could inhibit the proliferation and AKPase activity of HDFCs significantly. CONCLUSIONS: ADAM28 may promote proliferation and differentiation of HDFCs by participating in Notch signal pathway.
ADAM Proteins↗
Photoelectrochemical behavior of Nb-doped TiO2 electrodes.
The photoelectrochemical behavior of degenerate Nb-doped TiO2 (Ti(1-x)Nb(x)O2: x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.1) electrodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition on LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) was examined, revealing that an increase in Nb concentration causes a significant decay of titania photoactivity. One reason for such behavior may be a Burstein-Moss effect, which leads to a blue shift of the spectral limit of photoactivity. Another reason typical for metal-doped photocatalysts is the increase of the efficiency of charge carrier recombination.
Journal Article↗
Evaluation of automated sex hormone binding globulin immunoassays.
BACKGROUND: Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is an important regulator of testosterone and estradiol. STUDY DESIGN: We validated the Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC) and Roche Diagnostic SHBG immunoassays on the DPC Immulite 2000 and Roche Modular E170 analyzers. RESULTS: The coefficient of variation for SHBG kits from both manufacturers was in the range of 3.9-7.7% (between-run) and 0.95-5.0% (within-run), free of interference from hemoglobin, bilirubin, lipid, and rheumatoid factor, and linear up to at least 170 nM SHBG. The results of the two methods, however, were biased by up to 29% depending on the SHBG concentration. CONCLUSION: The SHBG assays perform well but standardization is needed.
Humans↗
L-Tartaric acid assisted binary organogel system: strongly enhanced fluorescence induced by supramolecular assembly.
A new series of binary organogels, which showed good gelated capability and strongly enhanced fluorescence emission, were designed and prepared by simply mixing two components of L-tartaric acid and alkoxyl substituted stilbazoles. It was found that L-tartaric acid could not only introduce stilbazole with fluorescent property into the gel system, but also provided a main motif for the formation of the gel-phase via multiple hydrogen bonds. Meanwhile, pi-pi interactions between the complexes also played a key role in the gel formation. The decreased nonradiative process, suggested by the longer fluorescent lifetime of aggregates than that of monomers and the presence of the J-aggregation for the aggregated state, favored the enhanced fluorescence emission.
Fluorescence↗
Ca2+-dependent regulation of rho GTPases triggers turning of nerve growth cones.
Cytoplasmic Ca2+ elevation and changes in Rho GTPase activity are both known to mediate axon guidance by extracellular factors, but the causal relationship between these two events has been unclear. Here we show that direct elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ by extracellular application of a low concentration of ryanodine, which activated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, upregulated Cdc42/Rac, but downregulated RhoA, in cultured cerebellar granule cells and human embryonic kidney 293T cells. Chemoattractive turning of the growth cone triggered by a gradient of ryanodine was blocked by overexpression of mutant forms of Cdc42 but not of RhoA in Xenopus spinal cord neurons. Furthermore, Ca2+-induced GTPase activity correlated with activation of protein kinase C and required a basal activity of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Thus, Rho GTPases may mediate axon guidance by linking upstream Ca2+ signals triggered by guidance factors to downstream cytoskeletal rearrangements.
Animals↗
Distinct proteome features of plasma microparticles.
Plasma microparticles (MPs) are spherical cell membrane fragments derived from either apoptotic or activated cells. Characterized by a rich phospholipid moiety and many protein constituents, MPs normally circulate in the blood and contribute to numerous physiological processes. In disease states, MPs derived from the injured organ likely contain valuable markers for determining the site, type, and extent of disease pathology. However, the basic protein characteristics of plasma MPs have yet to be described. In this study, MPs from a pooled plasma sample derived from 16 healthy donors, all of group A blood type, were prepared by ultracentrifugation. Flow cytometry confirmed that a majority of these MPs are smaller than 1 microm. Factor Xa generation assay revealed the presence of tissue factor activity in these MPs, confirming MPs' role in initiating blood coagulation. The MP proteome was analyzed by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis performed in triplicate, and compared with a 2-D gel of pooled whole plasma and blood platelets. Overall, plasma MPs displayed distinct protein features and a greater number of protein spots (1021-1055) than that detected in whole plasma (331-370). Protein spots expressed in high abundance in the MP proteome were then excised and submitted for protein identity determination. This process provided protein identification for 169 protein spots and reported their relative protein quantities within the MP proteome. These 169 protein spots represented 83 different proteins and their respective isoforms. Thirty of these proteins have never before been reported in previous proteome analyses of human plasma. These results provide unprecedented information on the MP proteome and create a basis for future studies to understand MP biology and pathophysiology.
Adolescent↗
Pharmacogenomics as molecular autopsy for forensic toxicology: genotyping cytochrome P450 3A4*1B and 3A5*3 for 25 fentanyl cases.
Pharmacogenomics, the study on genetic contributions to drug action may help in certifying fentanyl toxicity. Fentanyl is used clinically as an adjunct to surgical anesthesia and for chronic pain management. Its toxicity may be partially due to cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4*1B and 3A5*3 variant alleles, resulting in variable fentanyl metabolism. In this study, we examined 25 fentanyl-related deaths (22 Caucasians, 1 African-American, and 2 Native-Americans) from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office and referral cases. Fentanyl and norfentanyl in postmortem blood samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry. The samples were then genotyped for CYP3A4*1B and 3A5*3 using Pyrosequencing. Genotyping showed: 1 CYP3A4*1B homozygous and CYP3A5*3 heterozygous, 1 compound CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 heterozygous, 22 CYP3A4*1B wild type and CYP3A5*3 homozygous, and 1 CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A4*1B wild type. CYP variant allelic frequencies of the 25 cases were 6% for CYP3A4*1B and 92% for CYP3A5*3, compared with normal Caucasian CYP3A4*1B, 3-8%, and CYP3A5*3, 85-95%. The mean fentanyl concentration and metabolic ratio of fentanyl to norfentanyl of the 2 cases with CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 variants were 12.8 and 1.4 microg/L, respectively, lower than those of 22 cases with wild type CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 homozygous variants, 16.7 and 7.3 microg/L, respectively. The postmortem/in vivo data provided the first scientific evidence that CYP3A5 is involved in the fentanyl metabolism, and homozygous CYP3A5 *3 causes impaired metabolism of fentanyl, and genotyping CYP3A4*1B and 3A5*3 variants may help to certify the fentanyl toxicity.
Adult↗