Biomedical subjects

Ping Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to Ping Zheng.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Psychologic status comparison in patients treated with transradial or transfermoral approach coronary catheterizations].

OBJECTIVE: We previously showed that factorial score of somatization, which was obtained by the examination of symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90), was higher in patients received transfemoral coronary catheterization than norm. The aim of the present study was to compare the patient's psychologic status between transradial approach and transfemoral approach percutaneous coronary catheterizations. METHODS: A total of 198 inpatients (105 transfemoral, 93 transradial) underwent scheduled first time coronary catheterizations were enrolled. All patients were studied by symptom SCL-90 on present psychologic status 24 hours before and 24-48 hours after coronary catheterizations. RESULTS: Age, sex, weight, smokers, employment, educational background, marriage status, family relations, family history of cardiovascular disease, income and medical insurance status were similar between the two groups. There was also no difference in diabetes, hypertension history as well as coronary heart disease confirmed by coronary catheterization between the 2 groups. Compared with the status before the procedure, factorial scores of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, global severity index and total positive symptoms were significantly reduced after percutaneous coronary catheterizations (1.50 +/- 0.51 vs. 1.64 +/- 0.53, 1.50 +/- 0.48 vs. 1.67 +/- 0.55, 1.28 +/- 0.41 vs. 1.38 +/- 0.49, 1.42 +/- 0.43 vs. 1.55 +/- 0.53, 1.38 +/- 0.41 vs. 1.58 +/- 0.54, 1.32 +/- 0.35 vs. 1.44 +/- 0.41, 1.38 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.42, and 23.08 +/- 17.30 vs. 27.72 +/- 18.79, respectively, P all < 0.05). Scores on somatization, depression and positive symptom severity index were significantly lower in patients received transradial coronary catheterizations than those received transfemoral coronary catheterization approach (1.52 +/- 0.51 vs. 1.62 +/- 0.53, 1.43 +/- 0.54 vs. 1.54 +/- 0.43 and 2.36 +/- 0.66 vs. 2.50 +/- 0.43, respectively, P all < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients' psychologic status improved significantly after percutaneous coronary catheterizations. Improvement on psychologic status is significantly better in patients underwent transradial coronary catheterizations than that underwent transfemoral coronary catheterizations.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Identification of the cAMP-responsive enhancer of the murine ABCA1 gene: requirement for CREB1 and STAT3/4 elements.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanism by which expression of the murine ABCA1 gene is highly induced by cAMP analogues. METHODS AND RESULTS: ABCA1 mRNA turnover cannot account for its induction by cAMP. Thus cAMP induction of ABCA1 mRNA occurs at a transcriptional level. Shotgun cloning DNA fragments from the murine ABCA1 locus identified a strong cAMP responsive enhancer located in the first intron, which led to 25- to 100-fold cAMP-mediated induction of reporter gene activity. Deletions and mutations of this enhancer led to the identification a cAMP-responsive element (CRE) that was essential for the cAMP induction. Furthermore, the capacity of this CRE site to mediate the cAMP induction required the presence of a STAT3/4 element located 81 bp away. A dominant-negative CREB expression vector inhibited the cAMP induction of ABCA1, demonstrating that CREB was required for cAMP induction of ABCA1 expression in RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Phospho-CREB1 controls the cAMP-mediated induction of murine ABCA1 gene expression through a CRE site acting in cooperation with a nearby STAT element. This CRE site is not conserved in the human ABCA1 gene, explaining why human ABCA1 is not strongly stimulated by cAMP analogs.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗

PubMed2005

Response surface optimization for determination of pesticide multiresidues by matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography.

An optimized multiresidue analysis method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and gas chromatography (GC) is proposed for the determination of organochlorines and pyrethroids in the tea samples. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction conditions of MSPD, such as the sorbent type, eluent composition, dichloromethane concentration and eluting volume. Desirability function approach was employed to optimize the pesticide recoveries and matrix cleanup. Compromising the recoveries and cleanup degree, MSPD was carried out with Florisil as the sorbent and n-hexane-dichloromethane (1:1, v/v) as the eluent. The pesticide recoveries in tea samples were better than 80% spiked in the concentration range of 0.01-0.05mg/kg and the relative standard deviations were lower than 7%. The quantification limits of the pesticides were in the range of 0.002-0.06mg/kg, which were lower than the maximum residue limits of the pesticides in tea samples established by the European Union.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed2005

Identification and immunogold localization of a novel bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) peroxisome channel protein induced by ABA, cold and drought stresses, and late embryogenesis.

A cDNA (BG-15) was isolated through differential screening of a cDNA library made from an ABA-treated bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) suspension cell culture. The 819 bp pair cDNA encoded a 174 amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 18.08 kD and isolectric point of 7.50. The deduced amino acid sequences for the cDNA were 29.5% and 32.6% homologous to the known amino acid-selective channel proteins of the chloroplastic outer membrane in pea and barley, but were highly homologous (55.6% to 83.2%) to the putative membrane channel proteins from rice and Arabidopsis. Immunogold localization demonstrated that the channel protein encoded by this cDNA was present on the peroxisome membrane. High stringency southern analysis revealed that 1 to 2 copies of the peroxisomal channel protein (PCP) genes were present in the bromegrass genome. Northern and Western blots revealed that the PCP gene was responsive to both cold and drought stresses, and was rapidly induced by ABA (75 microM). The transcript of the PCP gene also accumulated during late embryogenesis, but declined rapidly during germination. Data taken together, responsiveness of the PCP to cold and drought stresses, and accumulation during late embryogenesis suggest this novel peroxisomal channel protein is associated with sugar and fatty acid metabolism through fatty acid import or succinate export from peroxisome during desiccation tolerance and energy metabolism.

Abscisic Acid↗

PubMed2005

Altered expression of MAP-2, GAP-43, and synaptophysin in the hippocampus of rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion correlates with cognitive impairment.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion causes cognitive impairment, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. We used permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2-VO) to induce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in male Wistar rats. Cognitive impairment and the expression patterns of MAP-2, GAP-43, and synaptophysin were examined. We found that both learning capacity and memory were gradually impaired in the rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion concomitant with increased duration of 2-VO treatment. Four weeks of 2-VO treatment resulted in down-regulation of synaptophysin expression at the protein levels, and a further decrease was observed at 10-20 weeks, although mRNA levels remained the same. Ten weeks of 2-VO treatment lead to down-regulation of MAP-2 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels with a further decrease at 20 weeks. Interestingly, GAP-43 mRNA was significantly up-regulated by 2-VO treatment, although the protein levels were not altered. Therefore, the cognitive impairment caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion may be partially explained by reduced expression of synaptophysin and MAP-2 at the protein level. The reduction in MAP-2 expression may be attributed to the inhibition of transcription, while the reduction in synaptophysin expression might be due to the inhibition of translation. Up-regulation of GAP-43 mRNA in the rat hippocampus with 2-VO treatment suggests that a compensatory mechanism may antagonize ischemic challenges.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of oxymatrine in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis of rats.

AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of oxymatrine in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis of rats. METHODS: Acute colitis was induced by giving 2% DSS orally in drinking water for 8 d. Twenty-six male rats were randomized into oxymatrine-treated group (group A, 10 rats), DSS control (group B, 10 rats) and normal control (group C, 6 rats). The rats in group A were injected muscularly with oxymatrine at the dosage of 63 mg/(kg.d) from d 1 to 11 and drank 2% DSS solution from d 4 to 11. The rats in group B were treated with 0.9% saline in an equal volume as group A and drank 2% DSS solution from d 4 to 11. The rats in group C were treated with 0.9% saline as group B from d 1 to 11 and drank water normally. Diarrhea and bloody stool as well as colonic histology were observed. The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity and the expression of inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in colonic mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: Compared with DSS control group, the inflammatory symptoms and histological damages of colonic mucosa in oxymatrine-treated group were significantly improved, the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and the expression of NF-kappaB, ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: The fact that oxymatrine can reduce the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and the expression of NF-kappaB and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa in DSS-induced colitis of rats indicates that oxymatrine may ameliorate the colonic inflammation and thus alleviate diarrhea and bloody stool.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed2005

Impact of inhibition of Qo site of mitochondrial complex III with myxothiazol on persistent sodium currents via superoxide and protein kinase C in rat hippocampal CA1 cells.

Inhibition of Qo site of mitochondrial complex III under hypoxia has received attention, but its downstream pathways remain unclear. We used Qo site inhibitor myxothiazol to mimic the inhibition of the Qo site of complex III and studied the effects of the inhibition of this site on persistent and transient sodium currents and neuron excitability in rat hippocampal CA1 cells. The results showed myxothiazol apparently increased persistent sodium currents but with a weak effect on transient sodium currents; the effect of myxothiazol on persistent sodium currents was blocked by protein kinase C inhibitor and superoxide scavengers, but not by hydrogen peroxide scavenger and hydroxyl radical formation inhibitor; myxothiazol could increase the activity of protein kinase C and neuron excitability. These results suggest that the inhibition of Qo site of mitochondrial complex III increases persistent sodium currents via superoxide production and protein kinase C activation.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

PubMed2005

Developmental regulation and in vitro culture effects on expression of DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint control genes in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos.

DNA repair is essential for maintaining genomic integrity, and may be required in the early embryo to correct damage inherited via the gametes, damage that arises during DNA replication, or damage that arises in response to exposure to genotoxic agents. The capacity of preimplantation stage mammalian embryos to repair damaged DNA has not been well characterized, particularly in primate embryos. In this study, we examined the expression of 48 mRNAs related to sensing different kinds of DNA damage, repairing that DNA damage, and controlling the cell cycle to provide an opportunity for DNA repair. The expression data reveal dynamic temporal changes, indicating a changing ability of the rhesus embryo to detect and repair different kinds of DNA damage. Low expression or overexpression of specific DNA repair genes may limit the ability of the embryo to respond to DNA damage at certain stages. Additionally, our data reveal that in vitro culture may lead to dysregulation of many such genes and a potentially impaired ability to repair DNA damage, thus affecting cellular viability and long-term embryo viability via effects on genome integrity. This effect of in vitro culture on nonhuman primate embryos may be relevant to assessing the potential advantages and disadvantages of prolonged in vitro culture of human embryos.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Captopril administered at night restores the diurnal blood pressure rhythm in adequately controlled, nondipping hypertensives.

The aim of our study was to evaluate whether captopril administered at night, can shift the circadian blood pressure (BP) from a nondipper to a dipper pattern in adequately controlled hypertensive patients, who continued their antihypertensive therapy. In a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled designed study, we enrolled 121 treated, adequately controlled nondipping hypertensive patients. All patients were randomly assigned to 12.5 mg captopril or placebo treatment administered at night. In case of nondippers, the dosage of captopril or placebo was doubled after two weeks of treatment, while for dippers antihypertensive regimens were not changed. After another two weeks, all patients underwent ambulatory BP monitoring. Our results show that at the end of the active treatment period, the prevalence of a dipping diurnal BP pattern in the captopril group (70%) was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (9.8%, P < 0.001). Nighttime BP, night/day BP ratio, nighttime BP load and 24-h systolic BP were significantly lower after 4 weeks nighttime captopril treatment compared to baseline. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates for the first time that captopril administered at night can restore the diurnal BP rhythm and decrease the elevated night/day BP ratio in appropriately controlled, nondipper hypertensive patients. These results were mainly due to the decrease of nighttime BP.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Inhibition of Qi site of mitochondrial complex III with antimycin A decreases persistent and transient sodium currents via reactive oxygen species and protein kinase C in rat hippocampal CA1 cells.

Hypoxia-induced inhibition of Qi site of mitochondrial complex III under hypoxia has received attention, but its downstream pathways remain unclear. In this paper, we used Qi site inhibitor antimycin A to mimic the inhibition of the Qi site of mitochondrial complex III and studied the effects of the inhibition of this site on persistent sodium currents, transient sodium currents, and neuronal excitability in rat hippocampal CA1 cells with whole cell patch-clamp methods. The results showed that antimycin A decreased the amplitude of both persistent and transient sodium currents; antioxidant 2-mercaptopropionylglycine or 1,10 phenanthroline abolished the effect of antimycin A; the complex III Qo site inhibitor stigmatellin, the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine, but not the protein kinase A inhibitor H89, canceled the effect of antimycin A; antimycin A decreased the amplitude of both persistent and transient sodium currents only at more depolarized membrane potentials and the decrease percentage of both persistent and transient sodium currents after antimycin A at potentials above -50 mV increased with the change in potentials toward more depolarized direction; exogenous application of H2O2 inhibited the amplitude of both persistent and transient sodium currents; the amount of current required to trigger spikes was increased and the number of spikes produced by varying levels of currents was decreased by antimycin A. These results suggest that the inhibition of Qi site of mitochondrial complex III decreases both persistent and transient sodium currents via reactive oxygen species and protein kinase C in rat hippocampal CA1 cells.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2005

Neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate inhibits stimulus-evoked EPSC via presynaptic inhibition of protein kinase A in rat prelimbic cortical neurons.

Pregnenolone sulfate is one of the most abundantly produced neurosteroids in the brain. The present paper studies the effect of pregnenolone sulfate on excitatory synaptic transmission in the pyramidal cells of the layer V-VI of the prelimbic cortex using whole-cell patch-clamp in slices. We found that pregnenolone sulfate inhibited stimulus-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC); the effect of pregnenolone sulfate was significant at concentration of 1 microM and increased with an increase in concentrations; pregnenolone sulfate had no effect on the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory spontaneous postsynaptic currents; pregnenolone sulfate significantly enhanced the paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and inhibited dopamine and 5-HT-evoked increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents; the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 and Rp-cAMPS enhanced PPF and canceled the effect of pregnenolone sulfate on PPF; pregnenolone sulfate inhibited the protein kinase A agonist forskolin-evoked increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents; the G(i) protein inhibitor N-ethylmaleimide canceled the effect of pregnenolone sulfate on PPF. These results suggest that pregnenolone sulfate inhibits stimulus-evoked EPSC via presynaptic inhibition of protein kinase A in rat prelimbic cortical neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Anatomical studies on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) under the influence of textile wastewater.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) is a prolific free floating aquatic macrohpyte found in tropical and subtropical parts of the earth. The effects of pollutants from textile wastewater on the anatomy of the plant were studied. Water hyacinth exhibits hydrophytic adaptations which include reduced epidermis cells lacking cuticle in most cases, presence of large air spaces (7 approximately 50 microm), reduced vascular tissue and absorbing structures. Textile waste significantly affected the size of root cells. The presence of raphide crystals was noted in parenchyma cells of various organs in treated plants.

Eichhornia↗

PubMed2005

[Survey of the utilization and adverse effects of antibacterial drugs in patients admitted for respiratory diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utilization of antibacterial drugs and their adverse effects in patients admitted for respiratory disease based on medical record review. METHODS: The medical records of 141 inpatients admitted in 2002 for respiratory diseases were reviewed. The drug utilization index (DUI) and daily cost of antibacterial drugs were calculated, with also assessment of the adverse effects in relation to the drug use. RESULTS: The DUI ranged from 0.9 to 1.1 in 66.7% of the patients, and the daily cost of the antibacterial drugs was 317.8+/-194.3 RMB, with a total of 14 cases with adverse drug effects recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of antibacterial drugs was basically adequate in Nanfang Hospital though with occasional abuse of cefoperazone and sulbactam, inappropriate combination and high cost of the antibacterial drugs. More careful application of these drugs in old patients is stressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Effect of gestrinone on the lipid metabolic parameters and bone mineral density in patients with endometriosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of lipid metabolic parameters, sex hormone and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with endometriosis before and after oral administration of gestrinone. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with endometriosis, aged from 20 to 45, were treated with gestrinone 2.5 mg two times a week for 6 months one week after operation. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), ApoA(1), ApoB, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), E(2) and BMD were determined before taking gestrinone, after taking for 6 months and withdrawal for 6 months. RESULTS: After administration of gestrinone for 6 months, serum HDL-C and ApoA(1) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Serum LDL-C and ApoB increased significantly (P < 0.05). Serum E(2) and BMD decreased evidently. Serum TG, TC, FSH and LH were not changed evidently. After withdrawal of gestrinone for 6 months, serum parameters restored to levels before taking gestrinone except BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Gestrinone can decrease serum E(2) and BMD in patients with endometriosis, which may not be good for lipid metabolism. It is not advisable to take gestrinone for long term.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Identification of ammonia oxidation Streptomyces strain A2 and study of its autotrophic ammonium oxidation characteristics].

Streptomyces strain A2 was isolated from a nitrification reactor. According to the characteristics of morphology, cultivation, physiology, (G + C)mol% content, 16S rDNA sequence and DNA-DNA hybridization. it was identified as Streptomyces bikiniensis. Strain A2 could heterotrophically grow on YD medium and could also autotrophically grow on inorganic medium. The heterotrophical growth rate (0.39mg/L.d) was higher than the autotrophical growth rate (0.22mg/L.d). During heterotrophical growth ammonia was mainly assimilated. During autotrophical growth, however, one part of ammonia was assimilated and other part of ammonia was converted into nitrite. When grown on the inorganic medium, the maximum ammonium oxidation rate reached at ammonium concentration of 118mgN/L. The optimal pH for growth and ammonia oxidation was 9.36 and 9.29, respectively. The optimal temperature for growth and ammonia oxidation was 31 degrees C and 40.6 degrees C, respectively. A high concentration of dissolved oxygen was good for growth and ammonia oxidation, and growth was more sensitive to dissolved oxygen change than to ammonia oxidation.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2005

[Operation performance of membrane nitrification bioreactor for ammonia-containing wastewater].

The operation performance of membrane nitrification bioreactor to treat ammonia-containing wastewater as well as the capabilities of separation and filtration of polypropylene membrane modules were tested. The removal efficiency of ammonia was kept higher than 95% when the hydraulic retention time was set at 1 day, the influent concentration was increased up to 80 mmol (NH4+ -N) x L(-1) and the volume loading rate was increased up to 1.12 kg (NH4+ -N) x m(-3) x d(-1). The biomass in the reactor was accumulated from 5 g x L(-1) to 10 g x L(-1) within 50 days, which indicated that polypropylene membrane modules were efficient in retaining biomass. The biomass attached to the membrane also contributed to the conversion of ammonia and nitrite. When the hydraulic pressure was lower than 80cm, the increase of hydraulic pressure improved the permeation of membrane. However, when the hydraulic pressure was beyond 80cm, the increase of hydraulic pressure did not significantly improve the permeation of membrane. The permeate flux was the highest 2.51 (L x m (-2) x h(-1)) but the resistance was the lowest (2.63 x 10(-5)) m(-1) when the hydraulic pressure was about 20 cm. The results showed that the membrane nitrification bioreactor could be run normally without extra energy input.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2005

[Study on energy dissipation in modified airlift bioreactor].

The effects of operational variables and reactor configurations (e.g. diameter of draft tube and the number of static mixers) on energy loss in modified airlift bioreactor were investigated at the first time. The results showed that improving the structure of draft tube could reduce energy loss in the bioreactor. When the diameter of draft tube and the number of static mixers were 4.0cm and 39, respectively, the total energy loss in the modified bioreactor was the least among all the configurations and 23.6% less than that of the conventional counterpart at the same air flowrate. The energy consumption for aeration was the smallest (43.9% less than that of the conventional counterpart) when the diameter of draft tube and the number of static mixers were 5.5cm and 13, respectively. The highest energy dissipation (70% - 80%) occurred in the riser, the bottom zone (about 20%) took the second place and the separator (less than 10%) took the third place. The energy dissipation in the downcomer was neglectable under the conditions in the research. When the energy loss per unit volume was considered, bottom zone stood the first place. It was implied that the riser was the most important zone to cut down the energy loss of the bioreactor and some attention should also be paid to the bottom zone.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2005

[Performance improvement of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating digested piggery wastewater by addition of raw wastewater].

When digested piggery wastewater was directly treated with a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process, the efficiency was low with COD removal about 10% and NH4+ -N removal about 70%. The effluent COD concentration was higher than 1000 mg/L and effluent NH4+ -N concentration was 200 mg/L or so. The working state of the reactor was unstable and its performance deteriorated gradually during operation. After adding no-digested piggery wastewater (raw wastewater) to digested piggery wastewater in the influent, the reactor performance was significantly improved with COD removal higher than 80% and NH4+ -N removal up to 99%. The effluent COD concentration was in the range of 250 mg/L to 350 mg/L and effluent NH4+ -N concentration was lower than 10 m/L. The working stability of the reactor was greatly increased. After adding raw wastewater, the ratio of BOD5 to COD in the influent was raised from 0.19 to 0.54, and the ratio of BOD5 to TN was raised from 0.28 to 2.04, which implied an increase of carbon source for microbial growth and denitrification. The elevated denitrification resulting from the increase of carbon source not only promoted the removal of total nitrogen, but also stabilized the pH value by supplementing alkalinity to treatment system.

Ammonia↗