Biomedical subjects

Ping Song

Publications and source records attributed to Ping Song.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Distinct roles of the ERK pathway in modulating apoptosis of Ras-transformed and non-transformed cells induced by anticancer agent FR901228.

Ectopic expression of oncogenic H-Ras in cells results in increases of cell susceptibility to the anticancer agent FR901228. Investigating the roles of Ras-induced pathways in FR901228-induced apoptosis, we have found that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway plays an anti-apoptotic role, whereas the stress-activated protein kinase p38 pathway plays a pro-apoptotic role in FR901228-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays an anti-apoptotic role in non-transformed cells; however, it plays a pro-apoptotic role in Ras-transformed cells in response to FR901228 treatment. An essential role of the ERK pathway in regulating caspase-3 contents may contribute to its pro-apoptotic role in Ras-transformed cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Identification of a new transcript specifically expressed in mouse spermatocytes: mmrp2.

In an effort to examine the molecular basis of gametogenesis, we screened Riken cDNA database and the clone 4930481F22 that is expressed preponderantly in mouse testis was identified. In the course of the research, a new isoform of 4930481F22 clone was found, isolated from mouse testis and sequenced. It only lacks the 7th exon of 4930481F22 transcript. The new isoform only has 837 bp and encodes a putative 28.4 kDa protein. We investigated the expression pattern at the mRNA level by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization in testis. The new isoform was only expressed in the gonad, where it began to be detected at day 8 after birth. In situ hybridization proved that the new isoform mostly expressed in spermatocytes. The structure of the predicted protein and the expression pattern of the mRNA suggest that the new isoform could have an important role in meiosis. We temporarily named it mmrp 2 (Mouse Meiosis Related Protein 2).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Regulation of the timing of MNTB neurons by short-term and long-term modulation of potassium channels.

The firing patterns of neurons in central auditory pathways encode specific features of sound stimuli, such as frequency, intensity and localization in space. The generation of the appropriate pattern depends, to a major extent, on the properties of the voltage-dependent potassium channels in these neurons. The mammalian auditory pathways that compute the direction of a sound source are located in the brainstem and include the connection from bushy cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) to the principal neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). To preserve the fidelity of timing of action potentials that is required for sound localization, these neurons express several types of potassium channels, including the Kv3 and Kv1 families of voltage-dependent channels and the Slick and Slack sodium-dependent channels. These channels determine the pattern of action potentials and the amount of neurotransmitter released during repeated stimulation. The amplitude of currents carried by one of these channels, the Kv3.1b channel, is regulated in the short term by protein phosphorylation, and in the long term, by changes in gene expression, such that the intrinsic excitability of the neurons is constantly being regulated by the ambient auditory environment.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2005

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of full-length growth hormone cDNAs from six important economic fishes.

In this study,the full-length cDNAs of GH (Growth Hormone) gene was isolated from six important economic fishes, Siniperca kneri, Epinephelus coioides, Monopterus albus, Silurus asotus, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch. It is the first time to clone these GH sequences except E. coioides GH. The lengths of the above cDNAs are as follows: 953 bp, 1 023 bp, 825 bp, 1 082 bp, 1 154 bp and 1 180 bp. Each sequence includes an ORF of about 600 bp which encodes a protein of about 200 amino acid: S. kneri, E. coioides and M. albus GHs of 204 amino acid, S. asotus GH of 200 amino acid, M. anguillicaudatus and C. auratus gibelio GHs of 210 amino acid. Then detailed sequence analysis of the six GHs with many other fish sequences was performed. The six sequences all showed high homology to other sequences, especially to sequences within the same order, and many conserved residues were identified, most localized in five domains. The phylogenetic trees (MP and NJ) of many fish GH ORF sequences (including the new six) with Amia calva as outgroup were generally resolved and largely congruent with the morphology-based tree though some incongruities were observed, suggesting GH ORF should be paid more attention to in teleostean phylogeny.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

[Population structure and its dynamics of rare and endangered plant Alsophila spinulosa].

This paper analyzed the population structure of Alsophila spinulosa in seven plots by the method of spatial sere substituting for time sere, and measured its spatial distribution pattern and dynamics by applying five aggregate indices, C, K, m*, m*/m and Idelta. The spatial distribution pattern with different quadrat scale was examined, according to the map of individual location. The results indicated that the population structure of Alsophila spinulosa in the seven plots presented growing, stable, adult or senescent type, and the spatial distribution pattern was changed from clump to random with the development of Alsophila spinulosa population. The values of dispersion index Idelta of the population decreased with increasing quadrat scale.

Callicarpa↗

PubMed2005

[Study on the expression of zebrafish (Danio rerio) nanos1 during gametogenesis by in situ hybridization].

Using in situ hybridization on tissue sections with DIG antisense RNA probe, the distribution of zebrafish (Danio rerio) nanos1 mRNA during oogenesis and spermatogenesis was detected, and the expression and function of nanos 1 during zebrafish gametogenesis was preliminarily studied. The results were as follows: nanos 1 mRNA uniformly dispersed throughout the cytoplasm of oocytes at all stages. Strong expression of nanos1 mRNA was observed in oogonia and stage I, II oocytes, but the signal became weaker in later stage oocytes. Strong expression of nanos 1 mRNA was detected in spermatogonia and relatively weaker signal was found in primary spermatocytes but no nanos 1 mRNA expression was observed in spermatids. The results suggested that nanos 1 may play an important role in maintenance and functioning of the germline stem cell-oogonia and spermatogonia.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Clinical study on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of plaque of carotid atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on carotid plaque in the patient of carotid atherosclerosis due to ischemic cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: Sixty cases were randomly divided into an acup-mox group and a drug group, 30 cases in each group. Plaque of carotid atherosclerosis and quality of the plaque were investigated by color B-ultrasonography and the thickness and area of the plaque were calculated. RESULTS: The resolution rate of the plaque was 53.9% in the acup-mox group and 10.0% in the drug group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01), and with better effects on flat plaque and soft plaque. And the thickness and area of the plaque of corotid atherosclerosis were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the plaque of corotid atherosclerosis, so as to alleviate and prevent from occurrence and development of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Acupuncture↗

PubMed2004

Sensitive PCR analysis of animal tissue samples for fragments of endogenous and transgenic plant DNA.

An optimized DNA extraction protocol for animal tissues coupled with sensitive PCR methods was used to determine whether trace levels of feed-derived DNA fragments, plant and/or transgenic, are detectable in animal tissue samples including dairy milk and samples of muscle (meat) from chickens, swine, and beef steers. Assays were developed to detect DNA fragments of both the high copy number chloroplast-encoded maize rubisco gene (rbcL) and single copy nuclear-encoded transgenic elements (p35S and a MON 810-specific gene fragment). The specificities of the two rbcL PCR assays and two transgenic DNA PCR assays were established by testing against a range of conventional plant species and genetically modified maize crops. The sensitivities of the two rbcL PCR assays (resulting in 173 and 500 bp amplicons) were similar, detecting as little as 0.08 and 0.02 genomic equivalents, respectively. The sensitivities of the p35S and MON 810 PCR assays were approximately 5 and 10 genomic equivalents for 123 bp and 149 bp amplicons, respectively, which were considerably less than the sensitivity of the rbcL assays in terms of plant cell equivalents, but approximately similar when the higher numbers of copies of the chloroplast genome per cell are taken into account. The 173 bp rbcL assay detected the target plant chloroplast DNA fragment in 5%, 15%, and 53% of the muscle samples from beef steers, broiler chickens, and swine, respectively, and in 86% of the milk samples from dairy cows. Reanalysis of new aliquots of 31 of the pork samples that were positive in the 173 bp rbcL PCR showed that 58% of these samples were reproducibly positive in this same PCR assay. The 500 bp rbcL assay detected DNA fragments in 43% of the swine muscle samples and 79% of the milk samples. By comparison, no statistically significant detections of transgenic DNA fragments by the p35S PCR assay occurred with any of these animal tissue samples.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Potentiated caspase-3 in Ras-transformed 10T1/2 cells.

Procaspase-3 protein content is highly elevated in fully Ras-transformed mouse embryo fibroblast 10T1/2 cells in which ectopic expression of oncogenic H-Ras is induced by a tetracycline-regulated expression system. Blockage of the ERK pathway results in profound reduction of transcript and protein content of procaspase-3 in both Ras-transformed and non-transformed counterpart 10T1/2 cells, indicating that the ERK pathway is involved in procaspase-3 gene expression. The elevated procaspase-3 protein content appears to facilitate the proteolytic production of active caspase-3 during selective induction of apoptosis of Ras-transformed cells by a discriminating anticancer agent, FR901228, whereas it induces growth arrest of non-transformed counterpart cells. The evidence indicates a potential role of the elevated procaspase-3 protein content and an essential role of the ERK pathway for procaspase-3 expression in the increased susceptibility of Ras-transformed 10T1/2 cells to anticancer agent FR901228.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Circle quorum system-based non-stop network service model.

Rapid developments in network systems of business service have resulted in more reliance on distributed computing, typified by "subscriber/push" architectures. Unfortunately, frequent and unexpectable network failures were routine, and downtime was not in hours, but in days. High availability has become the most important factor decreasing business risk and improving Quality of Service. Cluster technology has solved the non-stop problem on Local Area Network. However, most technologies including cluster today fail to ensure the non-stop Internet service based on Routers. With good performance on high availability and fault tolerance, quorum systems are very suitable for application to distributed business service networks. In this work, we modeled and developed a non-stop Internet service system based on a new quorum system, circle quorum system, for Boston Mutual Fund Broker, US. With five protocols, it provided highly available data services for clients on Internet.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

[Implementation of the HACCP system in the production line of the traditional sandwich in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia].

From July 2000 to July 2001, the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) system was implemented to the benefit of the traditional sandwich production in Phnom Penh City Sandwiches were initially analyzed for bacterial indicators among 6 large-scale producers during a 2 months period. In the second stage of the study, two selected producers were involved in the HACCP process. Microbiological analyses revealed a poor sanitary quality of samples from all the production lines tested. Implementation of HACCP method resulted in a reduction of microbial contamination, but this decrease was not significant compared with others steps of HACCP process (chi2 test for trend, p > 0.05). HACCP system was well accepted by producers but routine practices and wrong perception by production-line workers did limit the success of the process. A regulation on the mass catering sector should be part of a large strategy of food safety and environmental health in the city.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Polymorphism in intron 2 of crucian carp GH I gene].

High length and nucleotide polymorphisms in intron2 of GH I gene were detected in 162 individuals,which were from seven wild crucian carp colonies, two goldfish colonies and one Fangzheng crucian carp colony. Using denaturating polyareylamide gel electrophoresis (DPAGE) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), seven length variants and 15 haplotypes were identified in these fishes. The length types and haplotypes diversity was 4.32% and 9.26%, respectively. Sequence analysis of the 15 haplotypes indicated the following results: (1) The size of intron2 varied from 243 to 263 bp. In the 15 haplotypes,the average percentages of the four bases (A,T,G and C) were 34.13%, 37.36%, 15.13% and 13.38%, respectively; the frequency of G + C(28.51%) was much lower than that of A + T (71.49%). The GT/AG domain was found in exon-intron junctions,which was the 5' and 3' splice donor and acceptor sites in higher eukaryotic gene introns. The similarity sequence of GTAAGTA was located on the junction between exon2 and intron2. And there existed a richer pyrimidine region (TTTGCCTTTTGTTATC) near the 3' end of intron2. (2) The seven length variants (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) were determined to be 189, 196, 204, 205, 206, 207 and 209 bp, respectively. The polymorphism resulted from the variable repeat number of T (N = 0, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13) and the difference in one or two motifs deletions of TGAAAAC, TT and GAGTG. (3) Compared the sequences of the 15 haplotypes, 17 substitution sites were observed, of which two were of transversion sites and 15 were of transition sites. Obviously, the transition mutations (88.24%) were more frequent than transversion mutations (11.76%). Analysis of the distributions of the length types, haplotypes and composite genotypes suggested that genetic diversity was varied in different colonies. In the goldfish colonies, only one length type (A), two haplotypes (A1 and A2) and one composite genotype (A1A2) were observed. Two length types (C and D), four haplotypes (C1, C2, D2 and D5) and one composite genotype (C1C2D2D5) presented in the Fangzheng crucian carp colonies. The highest level of genetic diversity was exhibited in the seven wild crucian carp colonies: seven length types (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), 14 haplotypes (A1, A2, A3, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, F and G) and 14 composite genotypes (A1A2A3, A1A2A3B, A1C1C2D1D2D3, A1C1C2D2, A1C1C2D2D3, A1C1C2D3E2, BC1C2D2, BC1C2D3D4, C1C2D2, C1C2D2D3, C1C2D3D4, C1C2D3D4F, C1C2D4, D2E1G) were shared by the seven wild colonies. The numbers of observed length types, haplotypes and genotypes within the wild colonies ranged from 3 to 6, 6 to 10 and 2 to 6, respectively. Whether the length and nucleotide polymorphisms in the intron2 of crucian carp GH I gene were associated with gene expression and gene regulation remained unsolved and required further investigations.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Study on sero-pharmacology of fresh Gecko Swinhonis Gunther freeze-dried powder in inducing cell apoptosis of C6 glioma cells in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Gecko Swinhonis Gunther freeze-dried powder (GFP) in inducing apoptosis of C6 glioma cells. METHODS: Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups and treated with intraperitoneally injection of cisplatin, orally taken GFP or distilled water respectively. After treatment for 20 days, the serum of mice was collected for treating the C6 glioma cells. The apoptosis state of cells was observed by morphological examination, flow cytometry and TUNEL method, and the cell apoptosis related gene expression of bcl-2 and bax were determined by S-P immunocytochemical assay. RESULTS: The C6 glioma cell apoptosis induction of GFP contained serum in vitro could be confirmed by morphological examination, flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL method. Comparison between the GFP treated group and the blank control group on intracellular bcl-2 gene expression showed no difference, but bax gene expression was higher in the GFP treated group. CONCLUSION: GFP contained serum could induce C6 glioma cell apoptosis, its mechanism might be related with the up-regulation of bax gene.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Selection of lowly immunogenic and highly tolerogenic donor and recipient allochimeric class I major histocompatibility complex proteins.

BACKGROUND: Ten different highly polymorphic amino acids (AAs) are located in the alpha1 (alpha1h) and alpha2 (alpha2h) helical regions of the class I major histocompatibility complex RT1. An rat alloantigen. We examined the potential of alpha1h-RT1. An versus alpha2h-RT1. An polymorphic AAs to induce accelerated rejection or tolerance of heart allografts. METHODS: The allochimeric alpha1h52-90n-RT1.Ac and alpha2h148-179n-RT1.Ac cDNAs were produced by the substitution of nucleotides encoding recipient RT1.Ac AAs for donor RT1. An AAs. Allochimeric and wild-type (WT)-RT1. An proteins were generated in an Escherichia coli expression system. RESULTS: A single portal vein administration of 100 mug alpha1h52-90n-RT1.Ac protein in combination with a 7-day course of oral cyclosporine A (4 mg/kg) induced tolerance to Brown Norway (BN) (RT1n) heart allografts in PVG (RT1c) recipients more effectively than did WT-RT1. An protein; alpha2h148-179n-RT1.Ac protein was ineffective. However, subcutaneous injection of 100 mug WT-RT1. An (but neither alpha1h52-90n-RT1.Ac nor alpha2h148-179n-RT1.Ac) protein induced accelerated rejection of BN heart allografts. Untreated PVG recipients of BN heart allografts displayed activation of both interleukin (IL)-2- and interferon-gamma-producing T helper (Th) 1 cells and IL-4- and IL-10-producing Th2 cells on days 5, 7, and 14 postgrafting, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. In contrast, in comparison with rejectors, tolerant recipients showed down-regulation of Th1 cells and up-regulation of Th2 cells on days 5, 7, 14, and 200 postgrafting. Histology of heart allografts showed that tolerant BN heart allografts had no evidence of acute or chronic rejection when examined on day 100 after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The poorly immunogenic alpha1h52-90n-RT1.Ac allochimeric protein induces tolerance by selective activation of regulatory Th2 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Transformation of non-cancerous human breast epithelial cell line MCF10A by the tobacco-specific carcinogen NNK.

Repeated treatments of non-cancerous human breast epithelial cells MCF10A with a low dose of the tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induced the development of cancerous cells. NNK-transformed MCF10A cells acquired cancerous properties including anchorage-independent cell growth and increased cell motility. Cellular transformation of MCF10A cells was accompanied by a loss of responsiveness to 17beta-estradiol and decreased rate of cell proliferation. NNK-transformed MCF10A cells were also tumorigenic in immunodifficient mice. Studies of changes in the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways revealed that the upstream Erk pathway was down-regulated in the NNK-transformed cells. Our data provide the first evidence suggesting that the tobacco carcinogen NNK is competent to induce malignant transformation of non-cancerous human breast epithelial cells. Our findings suggest that the tobacco carcinogen NNK may contribute to early events in human breast carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Clinical observation in 86 cases of acne vulgaris treated with Compound Oldenlandis Mixture.

86 cases of acne vulgaris were treated with Fu Fang She She Cao He Ji ([symbol: see text] Compound Oldenlandis Mixture), with the other 34 cases treated with Dang Gui Ku Shen Wan ([symbol: see text] Pills Prepared from Chinese Angelica and Flavescent Sophora Root) as the controls, to observe the therapeutic effect of the former. The results showed that the cure plus markedly effective rate was 73.26% in the treatment group, and 47.06% in the control group, with a significant difference in the cure plus markedly effective rate between the two groups (P < 0.01), and also in the total effective rate between the two groups significant (P < 0.05). It may be concluded that the Compound Oldenlandis Mixture is a better agent for the illness.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMed2002

Spinal somatostatin SSTR2A receptors are preferentially up-regulated and involved in thermonociception but not mechanonociception.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of spinal somatostatin SSTR2A receptors in nociceptive processing. SSTR2A receptor-like immunoreactivity was found in a dense network in the spinal cord of normal rats. With Western blot analysis a major band of approximately 80-85 kDa was detected. Both immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis indicated a significant increase in SSTR2A receptor content in the spinal cord 6 h after noxious thermal stimulation that lasted for at least 24 h. However, there were no notable changes in SSTR2A receptor content 3, 6, 12, or 24 h after noxious mechanical stimulation. Effects of intrathecally administered polyclonal antiserum to SSTR2A receptor (anti-SSTR2A) on thermal and mechanical pain thresholds were determined with behavioral tests. In normal rats, pretreatment with anti-SSTR2A (1 microl, intrathecal) did not affect paw withdrawal latency or pinch threshold. Hindpaw inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant led to thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia as reflected by a robust decrease in paw withdrawal latency and pinch threshold. Significant attenuation of the thermal hyperalgesia was observed 3, 5, 7, 9, and 24 h after pretreatment with anti-SSTR2A. This effect disappeared in another 24 h. In contrast, pretreatment with anti-SSTR2A failed to exert any notable effect on adjuvant-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. The present findings provide the first evidence that SSTR2A receptors are responsible for thermal, but not mechanical, nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. The results also suggest that somatostatin has an excitatory role in spinal nociceptive processing and that there are differential receptor responses to different types of noxious stimuli.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Interleukin-2 regulates membrane potentials and calcium channels via mu opioid receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Our previous studies revealed that interleukin-2 (IL-2) exerted peripheral antinociception that was partially mediated by mu opioid receptors. No ionic explanations of this effect have yet been reported. The present study was designed to investigate effects of IL-2 on the physiological properties of capsaicin-sensitive small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which are predominantly responsible for nociceptive transmission from the periphery to the spinal cord. Intracellualr recordings of DRG neurons were made in DRG/peripheral nerve preparation in vitro. IL-2 (10(3) U/ml) produced membrane hyperpolarization of -9.4 +/- 3.0 mV and this effect was blocked by beta-FNA (5 microM), a mu opioid receptor antagonist. Under whole-cell patch clamp recordings, transient high-threshold Ca(2+) currents were inhibited by -56.6 +/- 11.3% by IL-2. Simultaneous calcium imaging showed that this cytokine also inhibited depolarization-evoked increase in intracellular calcium concentration. All the effects of IL-2 were blocked by naloxone (1 microM). Consistent with previous studies, DAMGO, a selective mu opioid agonist, exerted similar inhibitory effects on membrane potentials and Ca(2+) currents. The present results indicated that mu opioid receptors were involved in the regulatory effects of IL-2 on membrane potentials and calcium channels in DRG neurons, which may contribute to IL-2-induced peripheral analgesia.

Animals↗