Biomedical subjects

Peng Li

Publications and source records attributed to Peng Li.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Effect of electroacupuncture on pressor reflex during gastric distension.

The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the reflex cardiovascular response induced by mechanical distension of the stomach was studied in ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized by ketamine and alpha-chloralose. Repeated balloon inflation of the stomach to produce 20 mmHg tension on the gastric wall induced a consistent rise in mean arterial pressure, while heart rate (372 +/- 22 beats/min) was unchanged. This response was reversed by transection of the splanchnic nerves. Bilateral application of EA (1-2 mA, 2 Hz) at Neiguan-Jianshi acupoints (pericardial meridian, Pe 5-6) over the median nerve for 30 min significantly decreased the pressor response from 33 +/- 6 to 18 +/- 4 mmHg (n = 7, P < 0.05). This effect began after 10 min of EA and continued for 40 min after termination of EA. EA at Zusanli-Shangquxu acupoints (stomach meridian, St 36-37) over the deep peroneal nerve similarly inhibited the pressor response. The effect lasted for 10 min after EA was stopped (n = 6, P < 0.05), while EA at Guangming-Xuanzhong acupoints (gallbladder meridian, GB 37-39) over the superficial peroneal nerve did not inhibit the pressor response. Naloxone injected intravenously (n = 6) immediately after termination of EA or administered by microinjection into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) 25 min after initiation of EA (n = 6) reversed the inhibition by EA, suggesting an opiate mechanism, including the rVLM, was involved.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Disulfide exchange in domain 2 of CD4 is required for entry of HIV-1.

CD4, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of receptors that mediates cell-cell interactions in the immune system, is the primary receptor for HIV-1. The extracellular portion of CD4 is a concatenation of four immunoglobulin-like domains, D1 to D4. The D1, D2 and D4 domains each contain a disulfide bond. We show here that the D2 disulfide bond is redox-active. The redox state of the thiols (disulfide versus dithiol) appeared to be regulated by thioredoxin, which is secreted by CD4(+) T cells. Locking the CD4 and the thioredoxin active-site dithiols in the reduced state with a hydrophilic trivalent arsenical blocked entry of HIV-1 into susceptible cells. These findings indicate that redox changes in CD4 D2 are important for HIV-1 entry and represent a new target for HIV-1 entry inhibitors.

Arsenicals↗

PubMed2002

Epithelioid gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach with liver metastases in a 12-year-old girl: aspiration cytology and molecular study.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a stromal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract defined as CD117 (c-kit)-positive neoplasm, occurs primarily in adults. GIST with CD117 (c-kit) mutation and certain cytogenetic abnormalities is associated with malignancy, though a definite relationship between prognosis and molecular alterations remains to be elucidated. We report the cytologic features of an epithelioid GIST arising in the stomach of a child and metastatic to the liver, and the molecular mutational analysis of both the primary gastric tumor and the liver metastasis. Literature of pediatric GISTs was also reviewed. Fine needle aspiration of the liver metastasis, processed by Ultrafast Papanicolaou stain, showed fragments of cohesive small epithelioid cells with bland oval nuclei and unipolar cytoplasm transected by capillaries. Immunohistochemically, all nodules in the stomach and liver expressed CD117 (c-kit). Interestingly, some of the gastric tumor clusters were uniformly CD34 positive, whereas others were uniformly CD34 negative, suggesting heterogeneity of tumor clones. The presence of neurosecretory granules further subtyped the tumor into gastric autonomic nerve tumor (GANT). Molecular mutational analysis, performed in both the gastric tumor and the liver metastasis, showed no sequence abnormality in exons 9, 11, and 13 of CD117 (c-kit). Cytogenetic study revealed normal karyotype. These features might suggest a different molecular mechanism leading to malignancy in certain GISTs arising in children.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed2002

Caudal ventrolateral medulla mediates the depressor response elicited by the greater splanchnic nerve afferent stimulation in rats.

Caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) plays an important role in the regulation of reflex cardiovascular activity. In the present study, the possible involvement of the CVLM in mediating the depressor response elicited by the greater splanchnic nerve (GSPL) afferent stimulation was explored in rats anesthetized with urethane and alpha-chloralose. Microinjection of lidocaine, and the glutamate receptor antagonists, kynurenic acid and 2-amino-7-phosphonolieptanoic acid, into the CVLM significantly blocked the depressor response induced by the GSPL afferent stimulation. Electrical stimulation of the GSPL inputs excited 48 of 75 CVLM neurons tested (64%). Sixteen out of 21 excited CVLM neurons tested received baroreceptor inputs. Coherence analysis revealed a strong cardiac-related rhythm in the discharges of 11 out of these 21 excited neurons. These results suggest the involvement of CVLM neurons and activation of glutamate receptors in the CVLM in mediating the depressor response induced by the GSPL afferent stimulation in rats.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

PubMed2002

Identification of novel non-phosphorylated ligands, which bind selectively to the SH2 domain of Grb7.

Grb7 is an adapter-type signaling protein, which is recruited via its SH2 domain to a variety of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including ErbB2 and ErbB3. It is overexpressed in breast, esophageal, and gastric cancers, and may contribute to the invasive potential of cancer cells. Molecular interactions involving Grb7 therefore provide attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. We have utilized phage display random peptide libraries as a source of small peptide ligands to the SH2 domain of Grb7. Screening these libraries against purified Grb7 SH2 resulted in the identification of Grb7-binding peptide phage clones that contained a non-phosphorylated Tyr-X-Asn (YXN) motif. The tyrosine-phosphorylated form of this motif is characteristic of Grb7 SH2 domain binding sites identified in RTKs and other signaling proteins such as Shc. Peptides that are non-phosphorylated have greater potential in the development of therapeutics because of the instability of a phosphate group in vivo. Using a biased library approach with this conserved YXN motif, we identified seven different peptide phage clones, which bind specifically to the SH2 domain of Grb7. These peptides did not bind to the SH2 domain of Grb2 (which also selects for Asn at pY(+2)) or Grb14, a closely related family member. The cyclic structure of the peptides was required to bind to the Grb7 SH2 domain. Importantly, the synthetic Grb7-binding peptide G7-18 in cell lysates was able to specifically inhibit the association of Grb7 with the ErbB family of RTKs, in particular ErbB3, in a dose-dependent manner. These peptides will be useful in the development of targeted molecular therapeutics for cancers overexpressing Grb7 and in the development of Grb7-specific inhibitors to gain a complete understanding of the physiological role of Grb7.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2002

Wilms' tumor in adults: aspiration cytology and cytogenetics.

The fine-needle aspiration cytologic findings of Wilms' tumor occurring in a 20-yr-old female patient and a 35-yr-old male patient showing blastemal, spindled sarcomatous and rare epithelial components are reported. The male patient had the typical presentation of renal mass with metastasis to lung and pleura, whereas the female patient had an unusual presentation with the tumor originated from the subcapsular nephrogenic zone of the kidney, extending into the liver without invasion into the renal cortex. Cytogenetic analysis of this case identified: 90, XXXX, +2x3-4, -5, -15, -16, -17, -17, i (17)(q10) x2. This finding may represent a genetic change associated with Wilms' tumor of older pediatric and young adult patients. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the sixth case with cytogenetic study and the first case revealing isochromosome 17q of an adult Wilms' tumor.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Heterogeneous expression and functions of androgen receptor co-factors in primary prostate cancer.

The androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-activated transcription factor of the steroid receptor superfamily, plays an important role in normal prostate growth and in prostate cancer. The recent identification of various AR co-factors prompted us to evaluate their possible roles in prostate tumorigenesis. To this end, we analyzed the expression of AR and eight of its co-factors by quantitative in situ RNA hybridization in 43 primary prostate cancers with different degrees of differentiation. Our results revealed nearly constant expression of AR and heterogeneous expression of AR co-factors, with increased expression of PIAS1 and Ran/ARA24, decreased expression of ELE1/ARA70, and no change in TMF1/ARA160, ARA54, SRC1, or TRAP220. Interestingly, whereas TMF1/ARA160, ELE1/ARA70, ARA54, RAN/ARA24, and PIAS1 were preferentially expressed in epithelial cells, another co-factor, ARA55, was preferentially expressed in stromal cells. Although the changes in levels of these co-activators did not correlate with Gleason score, their occurrence in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, suggests their involvement in initiation (or an early stage) of cancer. In addition, human prostate tumor cell proliferation and colony formation were markedly reduced by ELE1/ATRA70. Together, these findings indicate that changes in levels of expression of AR co-factors may play important, yet different, roles in prostate tumorigenesis.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of PCR-based methods for the quantitation of integrated HIV-1 DNA.

Integration of HIV-1 DNA is essential both for productive viral replication and for viral persistence in patients. Methods to measure specifically proviral HIV DNA are required for investigating the mechanisms of HIV integration, for screening novel integrase inhibitors in cell culture and for monitoring levels of persistent integrated viral DNA in patients. In this report, the linker primer polymerase chain reaction (LP-PCR) and Alu-PCR methods for the quantitation of integrated HIV-1 DNA have been modified and evaluated. Each of the two modified assays allowed the quantitative detection of 4 copies of integrated HIV DNA in presence of 2 x 10(5) cell-equivalents of human chromosomal DNA. The results show that proper DNA isolation procedures and the inclusion of appropriate controls in these assays are important for the accurate quantitation of integrated HIV DNA. With further improvements, it should be possible to use these methods as diagnostic tools to monitor closely the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Catheter-based interventions guided solely by a new phased-array intracardiac imaging catheter: in vivo experimental studies.

BACKGROUND: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has had useful but limited use during interventional procedures because of technologic limitations. We used a novel phased-array ICE device (AcuNav) with 2-dimensional sector imaging and full Doppler capability to see whether it could guide cardiac interventions without fluoroscopy. METHODS: Twelve dogs were studied, and we performed atrial septostomy, tricuspid, and pulmonary valve disruption using only ICE. Preinterventional and postinterventional anatomic and hemodynamic data were noted. RESULTS: All attempts were successful in the placement of the ICE catheter (100%). We attempted septostomy on 11 dogs and were successful 8 times (73%). Tricuspid valve disruption and balloon dilatation were performed successfully on 5 dogs (100%). We attempted pulmonary valve disruption on 4 dogs and could always correctly place the guidewire (100%). We performed pulmonary valve balloon dilatation on one dog (25%). A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was always possible. CONCLUSION: This new ICE device can guide interventions without fluoroscopy. However, further studies are needed to evaluate whether it can replace fluoroscopy.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Anatomic and hemodynamic imaging using a new vector phased-array intracardiac catheter.

BACKGROUND: We used a new vector, phased-array intracardiac catheter (AcuNav) with complete 2-dimensional imaging and Doppler capabilities to describe a systematic approach for a detailed anatomic and hemodynamic cardiac assessment. METHODS: In 14 dogs, the intracardiac echocardiographic catheter was inserted through an 11F venous access and placed in the right side of the heart to perform a comprehensive ultrasound examination of the heart. RESULTS: Imaging was successful in all dogs. All 4 cardiac chambers and valves were imaged clearly in multiple orientations. Additional structures seen included the vena cavae, coronary sinus, right and left appendages, interarterial septum, coronary arteries, and all 4 pulmonary veins. Intra-abdominal structures, such as the aorta, liver, and hepatic veins were also visualized. A complete Doppler examination of intracardiac and paracardiac flows was also possible. CONCLUSION: AcuNav is a unique intracardiac imaging device, which allows comprehensive structural and functional cardiac assessment.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

Ultrasound-mediated transfection of canine myocardium by intravenous administration of cationic microbubble-linked plasmid DNA.

We tested the hypothesis that targeted disruption of cationic microbubble-linked plasmid DNA, using diagnostic ultrasound, may aid transfection of large animal myocardium. Plasmid DNA encoding for CAT (pCAT, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) was bound to a novel cationic microbubble containing MRX-225 for intravenous administration, and 16 dogs in 4 groups variously received this conjugate or plasmid only, or were exposed to ultrasound. Histochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis showed CAT activity in the myocardium of only those animals that received microbubble-linked DNA and were exposed to ultrasound. Thus, disruption of cationic-linked, low-dose plasmid systems by diagnostic ultrasound may facilitate transfection of large animal hearts.

Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic↗

PubMed2002

Transgenic study of the function of chymase in heart remodeling.

OBJECTIVES: To study the function of chymase on heart remodeling by overexpression of human chymase in the heart of transgenic mice. METHODS: Transgenic mice were produced by microinjection. The chymase mRNA levels in the heart and other tissues were assessed by competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of collagen I/III genes was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. Chymase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities, and angiotensin II (Ang II) content in the heart were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) in protein and activity levels were measured by Western blot and zymogram, respectively. RESULTS: A model of transgenic mice with selective overexpression of a rat myosin light chain 2 promoter-human heart chymase (MLC(2-)-hChymase) fusion gene was produced. In MLC(2)-hChymase transgenic mice (the F(6) line), the human heart chymase gene was expressed at a high level in heart and at lower levels in skeletal muscle and kidney, while no expression was detected in the liver or lung. The heart chymase activity increased markedly in the F(6) transgenic mice versus non-transgenic mice (0.274 +/- 0.071 U/mg versus 0.152 +/- 0.021 U/mg) ( P < 0.05), with no difference in ACE activity. Heart Ang II level in the F(6) transgenic mice increased nearly threefold (1984 +/- 184 versus 568 +/- 88 pg/g protein) ( P < 0.05) but was unchanged in plasma. MMP-9 activity increased significantly in the cardiac tissue of F(6) transgenic mice ( P < 0.05), while both collagen I and the ratio of collagen I : III mRNA levels decreased significantly (both P < 0.05). The F(6) transgenic mice showed no significant changes in cardiac parameters. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated selective overexpression of human chymase gene in the heart of transgenic mice, and the results support the hypothesis of a dual Ang II-forming pathway from chymase and ACE in the cardiac tissue in vivo. The results also suggest that chymase may play a role in heart remodeling by increasing Ang II formation and activating MMP-9, and the regulation of collagen I gene expression.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2002

Time-dependent expression of chymase and angiotensin converting enzyme in the hamster heart under pressure overload.

The role of a dual angiotensin (Ang) II-forming pathway from the local renin angiotensin system (RAS) of the cardiac tissue was determined in a hamster model of cardiac hypertrophy. Time-dependent expressions of chymase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genes and their enzymes activities, and Ang II levels were measured in the hamster heart at 3 days, and at 4 and 8 weeks after pressure overload. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by an operation to constrict the abdominal aorta. Compared to the sham-operated group, the cardiomyocyte diameters of hamster hearts at 3 days after overload underwent no obvious changes, while those at 4 and 8 weeks after overload increased markedly (p<0.01), and both transcriptional expressions of chymase and ACE genes gradually increased in the hamster hearts at 3 days, and at 4 and 8 weeks after overload, but the transcriptional expressions of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene gradually decreased. Chymase and ACE activities (U/mg) (0.441+/-0.040 vs. 0.175+/-0.014, 0.446+/-0.036 vs. 0.160+/-0.016 and 0.522+/-0.014 vs. 0.148+/-0.038) (p<0.01) and (0.142+/-0.023 vs. 0.056+/-0.038, 0.317+/-0.017 vs. 0.079+/-0.016 and 0.466+/-0.010 vs. 0.098+/-0.003) (p<0.01), respectively and Ang II levels (pg/g) (98.7+/-4.5 vs. 71.2+/-4.9, 134.4+/-7.8 vs. 71.9+/-12.8 and 151.6+/-10.1 vs. 80.7+/-3.0) gradually increased in the hamster hearts, vs. sham treatment, respectively, at 3 days, and at 4 and 8 weeks after overload. However, the increases in chymase and ACE activities were much higher than those in their respective mRNA levels, and the levels of chymase activities were also higher than those of ACE activities during the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The results suggested that the increase in Ang II levels via the dual pathway of Ang II formation by chymase and ACE plays an important role in the cardiac hypertrophy of hamsters caused by the overloaded state. Importantly, in the non-hypertrophied hamster heart in the early stage after overload (at 3 days), chymase could be activated by mechanical stress in advance of an increase in its mRNA, and the Ang II level increased significantly.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2002

Cyclization strategies in peptide derived drug design.

The choice of peptides as prototype modulators of biological function, is justified on the grounds that peptides are natural constituents of living systems. They exist as hormones, biochemical inhibitors, antigens, growth factors, transmembrane carriers and, indeed they are comprised of the building blocks of all proteins. As such, the natural and mutated analogs of these functional entities provide a rich variety of pharmacophore models for further development. Peptidomimetic modification of active peptides can provide biostable analogs. Moreover, cyclization of linear peptides is frequently used as an attractive venue to provide both conformationally more restricted as well as more biostable analogs. The objective of this review is to report an updated summary of the more recently developed methodologies for the design and synthesis of cyclized peptides, citing selected examples of the effect of cyclization on both proteolytic stability and biological activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Report of 16 kindreds and one kindred with hMLH1 germline mutation.

AIM: To analyze the diagnosis and treatment of 16 hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) kindreds, and to report the first kindred with hMLH1 germline mutation in Mainland China. METHODS: The diagnosis, treatment and follow-up study of 16 HNPCC kindreds were retrospectively reviewed. Data concerning site of the malignant tumor, age at the diagnosis, history of synchronous and/or metachronous cancer, and histopathology of tumors were recorded. All treatments had won formal consent. PCR and SSCP were used to screen the coding region of hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes. Variant bands were sequenced by a 377 DNA sequencer. RESULTS: Among sixteen kindreds, sixty-eight patients had a mean age of 50.8 years, including twenty-one multiple cancer patients and forty-six colorectal cancer patients (metachronous colorectal cancers in sixteen). A total of one hundred and one malignant neoplasms were found in these sixty-eight patients, including 50 colonic, 17 rectal, 11 gastric, 7 endometrial, and 4 esophageal cancers. 39.5% colorectal patients had metachronous cancers within ten years who needed reoperations. A germline G265T nonsense mutation was found in the third exon of hMLH1, resulting in a stop codon and truncated protein. Three phenotypically normal family members were also found to carry the mutated gene. CONCLUSION: HNPCC is a typical auto-dominant hereditary disease, the main characteristics include early onset and frequency of cancers; predominance of colorectal, especially right-sided colon cancers; frequency of multiple primary cancers (especially colorectal cancers). Segmental resection for colorectal cancers is not eligible for colorectal cancer patient in HNPCC kindreds. Intensive follow-up is essential for all patients and possible gene carriers. The first HNPCC kindred with hMLH1 gene germline mutation was identified in Mainland China, and three phenotypically normal family members were found to be carriers of the mutated gene. The G265T germline (nonsense) mutation in the third exon of hMLH1 found here had not been reported previously in the literature.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2002

Self-reported mammography screening among Oklahoma women age 50 and older: Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 1997-2001.

PURPOSE: To examine which factors were associated with mammography screening among women age 50 and older in Oklahoma from 1997-2001. METHODS: Using data from 4,338 women age 50 and older interviewed for the 1997-2001 Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study examines the proportion of women receiving mammography screening services and assesses the associations between covariates of interest and mammography screening. RESULTS: Among Oklahoma women age 50 and older, 17.5% had never received a mammogram and 14.9% of those who had received a mammogram had not done so in the past two years. Women without health insurance coverage, those of lower socioeconomic status and those engaging in risky health behaviors were more likely to never have had a mammogram and, if they were screened, to have not had a mammogram in the past two years. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a need to focus mammography screening programs on women with lower socioeconomic status.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

[Investigation of chronic prostatitis and altered bowel habits].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the incidence, causes, and significance of altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis. METHODS: Investigating the incidence of altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis, analyzing some possible causes to induce the symptom, such as course of disease, vegetative nerve functional disturbance, inflammation in expressed prostatic secretions, and digital rectal examination. Following up the improvement of altered bowel habits after effective treatment of chronic prostatitis. RESULTS: The incidence of altered bowel habits was 31.40% in 379 chronic prostatitis patients. The detected congestion and swelling of prostate was closed related to altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis. The incidence of improvement of altered bowel habits after effective treatment of chronic prostatitis reached to 78.79%. CONCLUSIONS: Congestion and swelling of prostate might be the main causes for altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis. Altered bowel habits should be considered as a common symptom and cure standard for chronic prostatitis.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2002

[Mating system and inbreeding retrogression of casuarina equisetifolia plantation, an introduced species in Xiamen].

Casuarina equisetifolia, an introduced species, is a good shelter species planted along coastlines due to its enduring sandy and saline habitats. Decline was, however, observed in C. equisetifolia plantations in many areas since 1980's. Mating system and inbreeding retrogression of a plantation of C. equisetifolia in Xiamen and their roles in the decline of C. equisetifolia forests were thus researched using allozyme technique. Multilocus outcrossing rate was 0.622, lower than that expected from related species, indicating a mixed-mating system, and more inbreeding caused through this introduction. Calculations from electrophoresis data showed that very a high inbreeding retrogression occurred in the C. equisetifolia plantation, indicating that inbreeding an its subsequent retrogression played an important role in the decline of C. equisetifolia plantation. Alleviating the decline through genotype species-introduction was also proposed.

Biological Evolution↗