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Biomedical subjects

X B Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to X B Zhang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fine-tuning the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures by an alcohol thermal process.

A simple and efficient alcohol thermal technique was applied to control the growth of the dimensions and morphology of ZnO nanostructures under mild conditions, where surfactant was not necessary. The size of ZnO nanocrystals increased with growth temperature and they transformed into nanorods with different aspect ratios through tuning the reaction time. The length of nanorods increased significantly with the reaction time, but their thickness only slightly increased. The as-prepared ZnO nanocrystals were monocrystalline and the growth orientation of ZnO nanorods was [001]. Photoluminescence measurements showed a blue shift in violet emission with a reduction in crystal size and revealed the quantum confinement effect. Electron irradiation induced structural damage was observed in the ZnO nanorods synthesized at 120 degrees C. Experimental results proved that the possible growth mechanism of ZnO nanostructures was oriented attachment.

Journal Article↗

Multipotent neural precursors express neural and hematopoietic factors, and enhance ex vivo expansion of cord blood CD34+ cells, colony forming units and NOD/SCID-repopulating cells in contact and noncontact cultures.

In view of the possible crosstalks between hematopoiesis and neuropoiesis, we evaluated two microenvironments, murine neonatal neural cell line C17.2 and primary embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) stromal cells, on the ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells from human cord blood. In a contact culture system, C17.2 or AGM cells significantly enhanced the expansion of CD34+ cells to a panel of early and committed hematopoietic progenitor cells. In a noncontact transwell system, pre-established C17.2 cells significantly increased the expansion of total nucleated cells, CD34+ cells and multilineage colony forming cells (P<0.01). Expanded cells were infused into nonobese diabetic/severe-combined immunodeficient mice. The engraftment of human (hu)CD45+ cells in the bone marrow of these mice was consistently higher in all the 10 experiments conducted with the support of C17.2 cells when compared with those in respective control groups (11.9 vs 2.43%, P=0.03). Using RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis, we showed that AGM and C17.2 cells expressed a panel of hematopoietic, bone morphogenetic and neurotrophic factors. Our data provided the first evidence on the promoting effects of a neural progenitor cell line on hematopoiesis at a noncontact condition. The mechanism could be mediated by the expression of multilineage regulatory factors.

Animals↗

Cobblestone area-forming cells, long-term culture-initiating cells and NOD/SCID repopulating cells in human neonatal blood: a comparison with umbilical cord blood.

Our prior study demonstrated that neonatal blood (NB) contained hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that declined rapidly after birth. To validate that NB is a source of functional stem cells, we characterized this population in terms of cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC), long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) and NOD/SCID mouse repopulating cells (SRC) in NB and umbilical cord blood (CB). Our data demonstrated that the frequencies of CAFC (30.2 vs 37.1, P = 0.14) and LTC-IC (28.6 vs 31.0, P = 0.49) in 1 x 10(5) mononuclear cells (MNC) of NB and CB were similar, suggesting that these cells were preserved in the circulation of the neonates shortly after birth. Sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID mice were transplanted with CD34(+) cells enriched from thawed NB and CB. At 6 weeks post transplant, human (hu)CD45(+) cells were detected in the bone marrow (BM), spleen and peripheral blood (PB) of the mice as demonstrated by flow cytometric and DNA analysis. Levels of huCD45(+)cells and colony forming units (CFU) appeared to be dependent on the infusion cell dose and were higher in animals receiving CB cells when compared with those of the NB group. The transplanted cells were capable of differentiation into multi-lineage progenitor cells (CD34(+) cells and differential CFU), as well as mature myeloid (CD14(+), CD33(+)), B lymphoid (CD19(+)) and megakaryocytic (CD61(+)) cells in the recipients. NB cells, subjected to ex vivo culture in an optimized preclinical condition, were significantly expanded to early and committed progenitor cells. Expanded NB contained SRC at a reduced quantity but with high proportions of CD14(+) cells and CD33(+) cells. Our study confirms that NB contains pluripotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells capable of homing and engrafting the NOD/SCID mice.

Animals↗

Synthesis of glycosylated porphyrins as neutral ionophores for a berberine-sensitive electrode.

For preparing a berberine-sensitive electrode, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[2-(2,3,4,6-tetraacetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O- phenyl]porphyrin (T(o-glu)PPH2) was synthesized from the reaction of pyrrole with ortho-acetylglycosylated benzaldehyde by Lindsay's method. The electrode based on T(o-glu)PPH2 with an optimized membrane composition exhibits Nernstian response to berberine in the concentration range 2.4 x 10(-7)-5.0 x 10(-3) mol L-1, with a pH range from 3.9 to 10.2, and a fast response time of 30 s. The electrode shows fair selectivity towards berberine with respect to common co-existing species. T(o-glu)PPH2 shows better potentiometric response characteristics comparing to chloro[5,10,15,20-tetrakis[2-(2,3,4,6-tetraacetyl-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-1-O-phenyl]-porphinato]-manganese (MnT(o-glu)PPCl) and better selectivity towards berberine than tetraphenylporphyrin (TPPH2). The effect of the composition of the electrode membrane has been studied and the experimental conditions optimized. The contents of berberine in pharmaceutical tablets were determined by direct potentiometry and the results agreed with values obtained by the pharmacopoeia method.

Berberine↗

Platelet-derived growth factor enhances ex vivo expansion of megakaryocytic progenitors from human cord blood.

Infusion of ex vivo expanded megakaryocytic (MK) progenitor cells is a strategy for shortening the duration of thrombocytopenia after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The cell dose after expansion has emerged as a critical factor for achieving the desired clinical outcomes. This study aimed to establish efficient conditions for the expansion of the MK lineage from enriched CD34(+) cells of umbilical cord blood and to investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in this system. Our results demonstrated that thrombopoietin (TPO) alone produced a high proportion of CD61(+)CD41(+) cells but a low total cell count and high cell death, resulting in an inferior expansion. The addition of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), Flt-3 ligand (Flt-3L) and to a lesser extent IL-3 improved the expansion outcome. The treatment groups with three to five cytokines produced efficient expansions of CFU-MK up to 400-fold with the highest yield observed in the presence of TPO, IL-1 beta, IL-3, IL-6 and Flt-3L. CD34(+) cells were expanded by five to 22-fold. PDGF improved the expansion of all cell types with CD61(+)CD41(+) cells, CFU-MK and CD34(+) cells increased by 101%, 134% and 70%, respectively. On day 14, the CD61(+) population consisted of diploid (86.5%), tetraploid (11.8%) and polyploid (8N--32N; 1.69%) cells. Their levels were not affected by PDGF. TPO, IL-1 beta, IL-3, IL-6, Flt-3L and PDGF represented an effective cytokine combination for expanding MK progenitors while maintaining a moderate increase of CD34(+) cells. This study showed, for the first time, that PDGF enhanced the ex vivo expansion of the MK lineage, without promoting their in vitro maturation. PDGF might be a suitable growth factor to improve the ex vivo expansion of MK progenitors for clinical applications.

Antigens, CD↗

Preclinical ex vivo expansion of cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells: duration of culture; the media, serum supplements, and growth factors used; and engraftment in NOD/SCID mice.

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo expansion of cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells increases cell dose and may reduce the severity and duration of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia after transplantation. This study's purpose was to establish a clinically applicable culture system by investigating the use of cytokines, serum-free media, and autologous plasma for the expansion of CB cells and the engraftment of expanded product in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Enriched CB CD34+ cells were cultured in four media (Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium with FCS, Gibco; X-Vivo-10, BioWhittaker; QBSF-60, Quality Biological; and StemSpan SFEM, Stem Cell Technologies) with four cytokine combinations (thrombopoietin [TPO], SCF, Flt-3 ligand [FL] with and without G-CSF, and/or IL-6). The effect of autologous CB plasma was also investigated. The read-out measures were evaluated on Days 8 and 12. After expansion at the optimized condition, cultured cells were transplanted into sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID mice. The engraftment of human CD45+ cells and subsets in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood was determined. RESULTS: QBSF-60 or StemSpan SFEM supported high yields of early progenitors (CD34+ cells, <or= 64.8-fold; CD34+CD38- cells, 330-fold; CFU-granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte [GEMM], 248-fold) and CFUs of the myeloid (CFU-GM, 407-fold) and erythroid (BFU/CFU-E, 144-fold) lineages. The expansion of the megakaryocytic lineage was consistently higher in X-Vivo-10 (CFU-megakaryocyte, 684-fold). Autologous plasma promoted colony formation but reduced CD34+ cells and CFU-GEMM. The addition of G-CSF or IL-6 improved cell yields; G-CSF was more effective for committed progenitors. Expansion products from cultures in QBSF-60 with the cytokines engrafted and differentiated into the myeloid and lymphoid lineages in NOD/SCID mice. CONCLUSION: The data supported the strategy of expansion. The optimized condition may be applicable to clinical expansion for the abrogation or reduction of posttransplant cytopenia.

Animals↗

A test of the mutagenicity of cooked meats in vivo.

There is a correlation between intestinal cancer and diets high in meat, so fried beef, chicken, lamb, pork and fish were tested for their ability to induce mutations in the small intestine of mice. The mice were bred to be heterozygous at the Dlb-1 locus so that loss of the dominant Dlb-1 b allele by mutation could be detected. Mice were fed the AIN-76A diet (which contains 50% of the calories in the form of sucrose) or an isocaloric diet in which the sucrose was replaced by meat or fish, for 5 or 9 weeks. Manifestation of mutants requires approximately 1 week in this system, so this corresponds to an effective exposure of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. There was no significant difference in the weights of animals on the different diets, and no difference in mutant frequency. Several food mutagens were present, but at low levels. These results, when considered in the light of tests of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine and amino(alpha)carboline at much higher doses (Zhang,X.-B., Tao,K.S., Urlando,C., Shaver-Walker,P. and Heddle,J.A. (1996) MUTAGENESIS:, 11, 43-48), indicate that there is no highly mutagenic compound missed by previous testing with bacterial assays and that mixtures of heterocyclic amines at low levels do not show great synergy.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge injection on anticardiolipin antibody production induced by beta2 glycoprotein.

AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of Chinese herbs on antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) by observing the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge injectio (SmBI) on anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) induced by beta2 glycoprotein I (beta2-GP I). METHODS: Sixty female mice randomly fell into 6 groups: group A, B, C, D was injected through abdominal cavity with different dosage of SmBI daily; after 14 d, group A, B, C, E was immunized with 150 microg of purified human beta2-GP I in complete Freund's adjuvant subcutaneously; group F as control. The titre of aCL were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; subsets of T cell were grouped by streptavidin-biotin complex technique; and the activity of IL-2 was measured by MTT chromatometry. RESULTS: (1) Compared with group E, the absorbance (A) of aCL in group A, B, and C was decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). By linear correlation, the dosage is negatively correlated with the A values of aCL in 1, 2, and 3 weeks (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with group E, TH/TS ratio was reduced in group A, B, and C (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); there is no significant differences between group D and F (P>0.05). By linear correlation, the dosage is negatively correlated with TH/TS ratio (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with E, the activity of IL-2 in group B and C decreased significantly (P < 0.01). By linear correlation, there is negative correlation between dosage and IL-2 activity (P < 0.01). There is no significant difference between D and F (P > 0.05). (4) There is positive correlation between TH/TS ratio and IL-2 activity in different dilutions (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of suppressive effect of SmBI on aCL induced by beta2-GP I may be realized by resuming the elevated TH/TS ratio and IL-2 activity. The state that SmBI have no effect on normal mice indicates that SmBI has selective immunoregulative functive.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

A novel ethacrynic acid sensor based on a lanthanide porphyrin complex in a PVC matrix.

Lanthanide porphyrin complexes synthesized by a solid state method were used to prepare a novel ethacrynic acid (EA) sensor. The sensor, based on pentane-2,4-dionato(meso-tetraphenylporphinato)terbium [TbTPP(acac)] with an optimized membrane composition, exhibits a Nernstian response to EA- ion in the concentration range 7.4 x 10(-6)-1.0 x 10(-1) mol l-1 with a pH range from 3.2 to 6.8 and a fast response time of 30 s. The electrode shows improved selectivity towards EA- ion with respect to common co-existing ions compared with the previously reported EA sensor. As electroactive materials, lanthanide porphyrin complexes show better potentiometric response characteristics than copper porphyrin complexes. The effect of solvent mediators and lipophilic ion additives was studied and the experimental conditions were optimized. The electrode was applied to the determination of EA in human urine samples with satisfactory results.

Electrochemistry↗

Bismetalloporphyrin-based ISE sensitive to fluoroborate.

Several mu-oxo-bismetalloporphyrin complexes were synthesized for preparing fluoroborate sensors. The electrode based on mu-oxo-bis[tetra(p-chlorophenyl)porphinatomanganese(III)] with an optimized membrane composition shows a potentiometric response towards fluoroborate ion over the concentration range from 4.3 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-1) mol l-1 with a Nernstian slope, a wide working pH range from 5.5 to 12.0 and a fast response time of 30 s. The electrode shows anti-Hofmeister selectivity towards BF4- with respect to common co-existing ions, which is an improvement over methods reported so far. As electroactive materials, several mu-oxo-bismetalloporphyrins with different substituents on the benzene rings were compared for potentiometric response characteristics. The interaction between BF4- and bismetalloporphyrin was investigated using UV/VIS spectrophotometry. The electrode was applied to the determination of fluoroborate in electroplating solutions.

Borates↗

On the origin of spontaneous somatic mutations and sectored plaques detected in transgenic mice.

The use of transgenic mice with bacterial genes that can be readily recovered and analysed for mutation has made it possible to measure mutant frequencies in many tissues. The mutations are detected by packaging the murine DNA into lambda phage and then growing these phage on a bacterial lawn under conditions such that the mutants are distinguishable from nonmutants. In the lacI mouse assay, the mutant plaques are blue whereas the nonmutant plaques are clear. The mutations detected in the lacI Big Blue Mouse are, in principle, a mixture of mutations that arose in the mouse (in vivo mutations), mutations that arose in the bacterium from lesions pre-existing in the murine DNA (ex vivo mutations), and mutations that arose during growth of the phage on the bacteria (in vitro mutations). It has been suggested that plaque morphology can be used to visually distinguish in vivo mutations (which would be seen as wholly blue plaques) from ex vivo mutations (which would produce blue and white sectored plaques) and in vitro mutations (which would produce sectored or pin-point plaques). We show here that this is not the case: ex vivo mutations produce plaques that are a homogeneous blue. By superinfection of bacteria with mutant and nonmutant phage and by in vitro mutagenesis, we found that blue plaques may contain large proportions of nonmutant phage. None of the mutant plaques seen after in vitro mutagenesis were sectored but most contained nonmutant phage. In addition, we show that most spontaneous mutations from the small intestine, which has a higher than normal mutant frequency, arose in vivo, since 17 of 17 mutants were homogeneous mutants. Sectored plaques must arise in some way other than by ex vivo mutation, like perhaps by the confluence of a mutant and nonmutant plaque.

Animals↗

Agreement of mutational characteristics of heterocyclic amines in lacI of the Big Blue mouse with those in tumor related genes in rodents.

The mutational spectra of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (A alphaC) were studied in the colon of Big Blue mice. In 90, 115 and 105 lacI mutants from mice fed 300 p.p.m. MeIQ, 400 p.p.m. PhIP and 800 p.p.m. A alphaC, respectively, 92, 115 and 105 mutations were identified. G:C-->T:A transversions predominated with these HCAs. Mutational hot spots for base-substitution mutations caused by MeIQ, PhIP and A alphaC were in distinct sequence contexts; at 5'-GC-3', in runs of guanine and in 5'-CGT-3', respectively. Further, 30 of 115 (26%) PhIP-induced mutations were G:C base pair deletions, and eight of these deletions were in 5'-GGGA-3'. The mutational characteristics of MeIQ in the lacI gene coincided well with those in the Ha-ras gene of MeIQ-induced mouse forestomach tumors and rat Zymbal gland tumors. The characteristic single-base deletion induced by PhIP in the lacI gene also coincided well with those in the Apc gene of PhIP-induced rat colon tumors. These results suggest that the mutational characteristics of each chemical are conserved across different genes in different species.

Animals↗

Spontaneous and ethylnitrosourea-induced mutation fixation and molecular spectra at the lacI transgene in the Big Blue rat-2 embryo cell line.

Big Blue Rat-2 cells were evaluated for mutagenesis and mutational spectra (spontaneous and ethylnitrosourea [ENU]-induced). Survival, mutant frequency, population doubling time, and kinetics of mutant increase (to 120 hr) were determined. Exposures were 100, 200, 400, 600, and 1,000 micrograms ENU/ml. The spontaneous mutant frequency was similar to that previously reported in vivo, i.e., 5 X 10(5). Dose-related increases in mutant frequency were observed following ENU treatment. Kinetics (time course) of mutant frequency increase, population doubling, and mutational spectra were investigated following treatment at 1,000 micrograms ENU/ml. Among 39 spontaneous mutants, 26 independent mutations were found as follows: nine (34.6%) G:C-->A:T transitions (five at CpG sites), six (23%) G:C-->T:A transversions, three (11.5%) G:C-->C:G transversions (two at CpG sites), two (7.7%) frameshifts, five (19%) deletions or insertions, and one (3.8%) complex (deletion+insertion) mutation. Among 46 ENU-induced mutants, 37 independent mutations (all base substitutions) were found as follows: 15 (40.5%) G:C-->A:T transitions (four at CpG sites), five (13.5%) A:T-->G:C transitions, four (10.8%) G:C-->T:A transversions, 11 (30%) A:T-->T:A transversions, and two (5.4%) A:T-->C:G transversions. Nearly 50% of the base substitutions in the ENU-treated cells were at A:T base pairs, in contrast to the spontaneous mutants where none was found. Both the spontaneous and the ENU-induced mutational spectra were similar to that reported in vivo and for other cells. An important aspect of the experiment is that all mutations sequenced following ENU treatment (1,000 micrograms/ml) occurred under conditions which our experiments show corresponded to very little mitotic activity.

Animals↗

Intestinal mutagenicity of two carcinogenic food mutagens in transgenic mice: 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and amino(alpha)carboline.

The heterocyclic amines produced during the cooking of meat, including amino(alpha)carboline (AalphaC) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), are potent bacterial mutagens and are carcinogenic in rodents. PhIP is mutagenic in the small intestine, but its mutagenicity in the colon, where most human intestinal cancers arise, has not been reported, nor has the mutagenicity of AalphaC. In this study, AalphaC (800 p.p.m.) was fed for 30 and 45 days and PhIP (100 and 400 p.p.m.) was fed for 30, 60 and 90 days to groups of F1 (C57BL/6 x SWR) mice hemizygous for multiple tandem copies of a lacI transgene (the Big Blue mouse) and heterozygous at the endogenous Dlb-1 locus. The mutant frequencies were assayed at Dlb-1 and at lacI in the small intestine and at lacI in the colon. PhIP induced mutations at both loci in the small intestine and induced slightly fewer mutations in the colon. The accumulation of mutations at both loci appears to be linear with both PhIP concentration and duration of exposure and, thus, with dose (concentration x duration). The linear increase with time is in agreement with predictions about the effectiveness of chronic treatment protocols for tests of in vivo mutagenicity. Unlike PhIP, AalphaC induced mutations specifically in the colon and not in the small intestine, thereby showing a dramatic tissue specificity. The rate (mutations/p.p.m. day) was similar to PhIP.

Animals↗

Mutagenicity of high fat diets in the colon and small intestine of transgenic mice.

Dietary fat has been implicated as a cause of colon cancer by epidemiological studies. Unfortunately, these studies are compatible with high fat as either initiator or promoter. Since initiators are normally mutagenic, we have tested the mutagenicity of high fat diets in the intestinal epithelium at two loci. The Dlb-1 assay, used in the small intestine, detects a wide spectrum of mutations. The lacI assay (Big Blue Mouse assay) is not as sensitive to some types of mutation as is Dlb-1 but was used in the colonic epithelium. Mice suitable for both assays were fed isocaloric high fat diets and subsequently assayed for somatic mutation. The diets consisted of: (i) a mixture of beef tallow, butter and lard totalling to 31% w/w of the diet (AIN-76A) up to 17 weeks; and (ii) corn oil, beef tallow, lard or butter individually, at 31% w/w of the diet for 5 and 9 weeks. These diets provided 50% of the calories from fat. The weights of the experimental and control mice were similar throughout the experiment. No significant increases in mutant frequencies were observed on any high fat diet compared to controls, so we conclude that uncooked fats are not mutagenic and are not initiators of carcinogenesis in the intestinal epithelium.

Animals↗

Enhanced somatic mutation rates induced in stem cells of mice by low chronic exposure to ethylnitrosourea.

We have found that the somatic mutation rate at the Dlb-1 locus increases exponentially during low daily exposure to ethylnitrosourea over 4 months. This effect, enhanced mutagenesis, was not observed at a lacI transgene in the same tissue, although the two loci respond very similarly to acute doses. Since both mutations are neutral, the mutant frequency was expected to increase linearly with time in response to a constant mutagenic exposure, as it did for lacI. Enhanced mutagenesis does not result from an overall sensitization of the animals, since mice that had first been treated with a low daily dose for 90 days and then challenged with a large acute dose were not sensitized to the acute dose. Nor was the increased mutant frequency due to selection, since animals that were treated for 90 days and then left untreated for up to 60 days showed little change from the 90-day frequency. The effect is substantial: about 8 times as many Dlb-1 mutants were induced between 90 and 120 days as in the first 30 days. This resulted in a reverse dose rate effect such that 90 mg/kg induced more mutants when delivered at 1 mg/kg per day than at 3 mg/kg per day. We postulate that enhanced mutagenesis arises from increased stem cell proliferation and the preferential repair of transcribed genes. Enhanced mutagenesis may be important for risk evaluation, as the results show that chronic exposures can be more mutagenic than acute ones and raise the possibility of synergism between chemicals at low doses.

Animals↗

Factors affecting somatic mutation frequencies in vivo.

The factors that influence the spontaneous mutant frequencies in mammalian tissues have been ranked on the basis of data from our laboratory together with published data. Some of the data come from the endogenous hprt and Dlb-1 loci, but most come from transgenic mice carrying the bacterial lacI and lacZ genes in recoverable lambda phage vectors. Since there is evidence that these bacterial loci are selectively neutral, the mutant frequency observed is the integral of the mutation rates from the formation of the zygote. The factors that affect the inferred mutation rate, in decreasing order of importance are: site of integration of the transgene, age, tissue, and strain. Insufficient data exist to determine the influence of gender (probably small) and inter-laboratory variables (probably at least as important as age). The two most surprising results are (1) that about half of all mutations arise during development (and half of these in utero) and (2) that most somatic tissues, whether queiscent or actively proliferating, have similar mutant frequencies and similar increases during adult life.

Aging↗