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Biomedical subjects

R Cao

Publications and source records attributed to R Cao.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Structural and functional study of prokaryotic enhancer-like element VV1 from vaccinia virus].

Enhancer VV1 (about 283 bp) is selected as the target to analyze its structure and function systemically. Stepwise deletion experiment is used to identify the functional domain of VV1 element. The results suggest that the 20 bp at 5' terminal and 20 bp at 3' terminal are important to the activity of VV1, for without either of them its activity decreased greatly. Furthermore, the 30-50 bp at 5' terminal is essential to its activity, without which will lead to complete loss of its activity. By random mutagenesis assay it is found that base mutation can regulate the activity of enhancer VV1 positively or negatively. The more the activities of mutants descend, the more mutations take place. For singlebase mutation, the activities change relatively little, and most of the mutations always occur in the 50 bp at the 5' terminal.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

micro-Terephthalato-bis[bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I)] diperchlorate.

The title compound, [Cu(2)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(4)](ClO(4))(2), was prepared from the hydrothermal reaction of CuCl(2), 1,4-dicyanobenzene, 1,10-phenanthroline and water at 443 K. The compound is a dimer in which the cation lies about an inversion center. The terephthalate moiety acts as a bridging ligand and the phenanthrolines as terminal ligands. The unique Cu atom is coordinated by two O and four N atoms in a distorted octahedral geometry, with Cu-O distances of 1.955 (2) and 2.815 (2) A, and Cu-N distances of 2.008 (2) to 2.216 (2) A.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Bis(N,N-diethyl-1,1-diselenocarbamato-Se)selenium, [(Se(2)CNEt(2))(2)Se].

The polyseleno title compound, bis(N,N-diethylselenocarbamoyl) triselenide, [(Se(2)CNEt(2))(2)Se] or C(10)H(20)N(2)Se(5), is obtained from the disproportion of sodium N,N-diethyl-1,1-diselenocarbamate. An Se atom connects two N,N-diethyl-1,1-diselenocarbamate groups with Se-Se distances in the range 2.4500 (11)-2.8601 (12) A

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Impaired endochondral ossification and angiogenesis in mice deficient in membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase I.

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase I (MT1-MMP)-deficient mice were found to have severe defects in skeletal development and angiogenesis. The craniofacial, axial, and appendicular skeletons were severely affected, leading to a short and domed skull, marked deceleration of postnatal growth, and death by 3 wk of age. Shortening of bones is a consequence of decreased chondrocyte proliferation in the proliferative zone of the growth plates. Defective vascular invasion of cartilage leads to enlargement of hypertrophic zones of growth plates and delayed formation of secondary ossification centers in long bones. In an in vivo corneal angiogenesis assay, null mice did not have angiogenic response to implanted FGF-2, suggesting that the defect in angiogenesis is not restricted to cartilage alone. In tissues from null mice, activation of latent matrix metalloproteinase 2 was deficient, suggesting that MT1-MMP is essential for its activation in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Assembly of silver(I) polymers with helical and lamellar structures

The new versatile multidentate nonchelating ligand 1,2-bis[(2-pyr-imidinyl)-sulfanylmethyl]benzene (bpsb) was designed and prepared for supramolecular syntheses. Self-assembly between silver nitrate and the bpsb ligand resulted in the polymer [Ag4(bpsb)2-(NO3)4]n (1) with a single-stranded helical chain structure. Each bpsb ligand in 1 acts as a tetradentate ligand, in which two sulfur atoms and two nitrogen atoms from different pyrimidine groups coordinate to four Ag atoms in four different directions. The nitrate anions serve as a template for the formation of the helix and are either embedded in the interior of the helix or located in the flank of the helix. Self-assembly between silver perchlorate and the bpsb ligand under the same conditions gave rise to the polymer [Ag2(bpsb)3(ClO4)2]n (2) comprising a two-dimensional lamellar network containing crownlike cavities. The silver atoms in two adjacent layers are arranged staggered in 2. The two-dimensional lamellar network comprising isolated cavities of [Ag6(bpsb)6] is very different from that of usual honeycomb structures.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

[Functional and structural study of the prokaryotic enhancer-like element VV16 from vaccinia virus genome].

An enhancer-like element VV16 from Vaccinia virus genome DNA was obtained by using the plasmid with CAT reporter gene. Sequence analysis showed the element of 112 bp is a part of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, polyA polymerase and DNA polymerase (RPO30 gene). It contains 4 AT-rich regions. Detection of beta-galactosidase activity showed that VV16 in the positive direction can increase the activity 9.0 times and VV16 in the negative direction can increase 4.1 times. The RNA dot blotting confirmed the enhancing activity of the element are on the transcription level. DNA deletion experiment indicated the sequences of 10 bp at the 5' end and 12 bp at the 3' end in the element are important to its function and the sequence from nt76 to nt82 is essential to its activity.

Enhancer Elements, Genetic↗
PubMed2000

[Studies on Legionella-contamination to the air-conditioning cooling towers in big hotels and on its seroprevalence in the related populations in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of Legionella-contamination at cooling towers of big hotel and the level of Legionella-infection among related populations in Beijing. METHODS: Thirty-eight cooling towers of hotels were chosen for detection of Legionella. Four hundred and fourteen staff members from the hotels were selected as exposure group, with another 414 from general population as controls, for the detection of Legionella antibodies. RESULTS: Sixteen strains of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) were isolated from 21 of the 38 cooling towers, and the predominant strain was Lp serum group 1 (50%, 8/16). The seroprevalence of Lp antibodies for the exposure group was 9.9% (41/414), comparing to 3.5% (14/414) from the control group. The difference was statistically significant (chi(2) = 14.2, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Legionella was discovered in air-conditioning cooling tower of the hotels, which threatened the health to the population exposed to it.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed2000

[Syntheses, reactions and spectroscopic properties of cluster compounds containing ME4 (M = Mo, W; E = S, Se) units].

The synthetic reactions and spectroscopic studied of molybdenum (tungsten) -copper (silver, iron) -sulphur (selenium) cluster compounds, which can be prepared by the stepwise or unit construction reactions through the successive addition ML (L = Cl, Br, Sr, R2 etc) across six edges or four faces of ME4 (M = Mo, W; E = S, Se) tetrahedra, are described. A series of Mo (W)-Cu-S cluster compounds, (Et4N)2 [MCu2E4 (S2CNR2)2], (Et4N)2 [MCu2E3O (S2CNR2)2], [MCu2E4 (dppe)2] (dppe = bis (diphenylphosphine) ethane), (Et4N)2 [MCu3E4 (S2CNR2)4] (M = Mo, E = Se, R = Et (1a), R2 = C4H8 (1b), R = PhCH2 (lc)), (Et4N)2 [MCu4E4 (S2CNR2)4] (M = Mo, E = Se, R = Me (2)) (Et4N)2 [M2Cu4S8 (S2CNEt2)2], (Et4N)2 [M2Cu4S6O2- (S2CNC4H8)2], [Mo2Cu4S8 (dppm)2], [Mo2Cu4S6O2 (dppm)2], (dppm = bis (diphenylphosphine) -methane), (Et4N)4 (ME4Cu10L12) (M = Mo, E = Se, L = PhCH2S (3)), MoFe3Se4 (mu-R2NCS2)2 (R2NCS2)4 have been prepared and characterized by UV, IR and X-ray diffraction analyses.

Copper↗
PubMed1999

Suppression of angiogenesis and tumor growth by the inhibitor K1-5 generated by plasmin-mediated proteolysis.

Proteolytic enzymes are involved in generation of a number of endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors. Previously, we reported that angiostatin, a potent angiogenesis inhibitor, is a proteolytic fragment containing the first four kringle modules of plasminogen. In this report, we demonstrate that urokinase-activated plasmin can process plasminogen to release an angiogenesis inhibitor, K1-5 (protease-activated kringles 1-5). K1-5 inhibits endothelial-cell proliferation with a half-maximal concentration of approximately 50 pM. This inhibitory effect is endothelial-cell-specific and appears to be at least approximately 50-fold greater than that of angiostatin. A synergistic efficacy of endothelial inhibition was observed when angiostatin and kringle 5 (K5) were coincubated with capillary endothelial cells. The synergistic effect is comparable to that produced by K1-5 alone. Systemic treatment of mice with K1-5 at a low dose significantly blocked the fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal neovascularization, whereas angiostatin had no effect at the same dose. K1-5 also suppressed angiogenesis in chicken embryos. Systemic administration of K1-5 at a low dose at which angiostatin was ineffective significantly suppressed the growth of a murine T241 fibrosarcoma in mice. The antitumor effect correlates with the reduced neovascularization. These findings suggest that the plasmin-mediated proteolysis may be involved in the negative switch of angiogenesis.

Angiostatins↗
PubMed1999

g-matrix based on configuration interaction and Stone's perturbation theory

Stone's formula, which has usually been applied to the calculation of the g-matrix, is based on a single-configuration treatment. Here a limited configuration interaction is included to obtain the expressions of the principal g values for an orbitally nondegenerate molecule with spin S = 12. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

The g values of some halomolybdenyl, -vanadyl, and -chromyl complexes.

The principal g values of a series of [MOXn]m- (M = VIV, CrV, MoV; X = F-, Cl-, Br-; n = 4, 5; m = 1, 2, 3) complexes are calculated by the INDO-CI-Stone method. The results agree well with the experimental data and reveal that the traditional models have some limitations in calculating g values for some complexes of this type.

Chromates↗
PubMed1999

Effect of Brassinolide on Growth and Shikonin Formation in Cultured Onosma paniculatum Cells.

The effect of brassinolide (BR) on cell growth and shikonin and its derivative formation in Onosma paniculatum cell culture was studied. BR addition with IAA and BAP (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) in B(5) medium slightly increased the cell growth at 0.01-0.1 ppb concentration compared with a growth control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP). Only BR addition (+BR/-IAA/-BAP) at 0.001-100 ppb in B(5) medium significantly increased the cell fresh weight compared with a growth control (-BR/-IAA/-BAP). The same concentration of BR tested at 0-1000 ppb increased the cell fresh weight of +IAA/+BAP significantly more than that of -IAA/-BAP. BR at 0.001-0.1 ppb with IAA and BAP added (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) in M(9) medium increased shikonin and its derivative content markedly by 31-87%, compared with its control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP). BR at 0.001-1000 ppb without IAA and BAP added to M(9) medium (+BR/-IAA/-BAP) also increased shikonin and its derivative content compared with its control (-BR/-IAA/-BAP). However, the amount of shikonin and derivative formed of +IAA/+BAP was greater than that of -IAA/-BAP only at the same concentration of BR at 0-1 ppb. These combined results show that BR at 0.01 ppb with IAA and BAP added was the best for cell growth and shikonin formation. Formation of shikonin and its derivative by adding BR at 0.01 ppb with IAA and BAP (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) in M(9) medium was significantly enhanced 4 days after BR addition compared with a production control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP). In contrast, +BR/-IAA/-BAP vs. -BR/-IAA/-BAP was not as effective as +BR/+IAA/+BAP vs. -BR/+IAA/+BAP for the shikonin formation. The time course study for shikonin formation also showed that +BR/+IAA/+BAP and -BP/+IAA/+BAP only slightly increased cell growth in M(9) medium. Similarly, soluble protein content in the cells treated by BR at 0.01 ppb with IAA and BAP (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) exceeded that of the control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP) 4 days after BR addition. And +BR/-IAA/-BAP only slightly increased the soluble protein content over that of -BR/-IAA/-BAP.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Interleukin-18 acts as an angiogenesis and tumor suppressor.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), also called interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducing factor, has recently been characterized as a potent IFN-gamma-inducing cytokine. We now report that IL-18 is a novel antiangiogenic and antitumor cytokine. In vitro, IL-18 specifically inhibits fibroblast growth factor-2-stimulated proliferation of capillary endothelial cells. In vivo, IL-18 is sufficiently potent to suppress the fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal neovascularization by systemic administration in mice. This cytokine also inhibits embryonic angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Systemic and intralesional administrations of IL-18 produce a significant suppression of the growth of murine T241 fibrosarcoma in syngeneic C57Bl6/J and immunodeficient SCID mice. The antitumor effect appears to be potent because an average of >75% inhibition of primary tumor growth was observed at a dose of 50 microg/kg/day. In cell culture, murine T241 fibrosarcoma cells are insensitive to recombinant IL-18 at concentrations that significantly inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. Immunohistochemical studies of tumor tissues reveal hypovascularization of the IL-18-treated tumors. These results suggest that IL-18 may participate in the regulation of a switch of tumor angiogenesis.-Cao, R., Farnebo, J., Kurimoto, M., Cao, Y. Interleukin-18 acts as an angiogenesis and tumor suppressor.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Antihypertensive study of xingnao qingxuan recipe].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of decreasing blood pressure of Xingnao Qingxuan Casuples. METHOD: The blood pressure in normal and anesthetised cats was examined with direct method, the blood pressure in the conscious SHR was obtained by indirect method. RESULTS: Duodenuos administration(id) of XQC of 2.8 g/kg produced a decrease of blood pressure in normal cats; XQC of 1.4, 2.8 and 5.6 g/kg once a day for 14 days produced a dose-dependent reduction of blood pressure in SHR, 3-4 days after administration the blood pressure returned to the level before but the change was not significant. With gastric administration of XQC of 2.8 and 5.6 g/kg for 3 times, the incubation period of eyeball tremor induced by chloroform by dropping into the ear was prolonged by 14.4% and 13.0%, and the keeping time shortened by about 33.3% and 23.3% respectively. Brain basic arterial spasm induced by KCl or 5-HT in dog was relaxed obviously by XQC in vitro experiment. CONCLUSION: XQC has the effect of reducing blood pressure resisting dizziness, which is related to the diastole of brain blood vessel.

Animals↗