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Biomedical subjects

X T Li

Publications and source records attributed to X T Li.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Human periodontal ligament cells express osteoblastic phenotypes under intermittent force loading in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Mechanical strain applied to bone leads to bone remodeling. In the oral cavity, it is unclear how such mechanical force applied to move teeth orthodontically induces alveolar bone remodeling. It is known that osteoclasts are the only cells that are responsible for bone resorption, while the formation and activity of osteoclasts are regulated by osteoblasts. So it is believed that osteoblasts play an important role not only in bone formation but in bone remodeling as well. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of mechanical force on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and whether they express osteoblastic characters in vitro. METHODS: Human PDL cells cultured in vitro were loaded with intermittently stretching force for 24 hours. The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were detected at mRNA and protein levels at 0, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 12th, 24th hours after intermittent force loading. RESULTS: Without any stimulation, ALP and OPG mRNA expressions were detected in human PDL cells by in-situ hybridization, but not that of OCN mRNA. ALP mRNA signal was up-regulated and that of OPG was down-regulated by mechanical force within 24 hours. OCN mRNA expression was induced by mechanical force in the late phase of the 24-hours loading cycle. The changes in secreted proteins showed similar results with those seen at the mRNA level. CONCLUSION: Human PDL cells express osteoblastic phenotypes under intermittent force loading and play a role in alveolar bone remodeling.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Application of an effective method in predicting breakthrough curves of fixed-bed adsorption onto resin adsorbent.

Removal of many organic pollutants including phenolic compounds from industrial wastewater can always be achieved by fixed-bed adsorption onto the polymeric resin adsorbent, and the relevant breakthrough curves would provide much valuable information to help to design a fixed-bed adsorption process in field application. In the present study, a model developed based on the constant-pattern wave approach theory and the Freundlich model was adopted to describe the breakthrough curves of phenol and p-nitrophenol adsorption onto a macroreticular resin adsorbent NDA-100 from aqueous solution. Column experiments were performed at different conditions to verify the model and the results proved that the model would describe the breakthrough curves well. Effect of the operation parameters on breakthrough curves was also discussed to get helpful information in choosing the adsorption process.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Biobleach boosting effect of recombinant xylanase B from the hyperthermophilic Thermotoga maritima on wheat straw pulp.

The recombinant xylanase B (XynB) of Thermotoga maritima MSB8 was found to be highly specific towards xylans and exhibit very low activity towards carboxymethylcellulose in previous study. XynB was thermostable at neutral to alkaline pH region at 90 degrees C and retained more than 90% activity after 1 h over the pH range of pH 6.1 to 11.1. The suitability of XynB for use in the biobleaching of wheat straw pulp was investigated. Pretreatment of the pulp with XynB resulted in a substantial improvement in the bleachability of wheat straw pulp. When XynB at 10 U g(-1) was used to treat wheat straw pulp, it reduced pulp kappa number by 1.1 point, enhanced pulp brightness by 5.5% (% ISO) and improved other pulp properties, such as tensile index and breaking length. Biobleaching of wheat straw pulp with XynB saved active chlorine up to 34.5% while still maintaining the brightness at the control level. Besides, pretreatment of pulp with XynB was also effective at an alkaline pH as high as pH 10.1. This is the first report on the potential application of XynB from T. maritima MSB8 in the pulp and paper sector.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of a cellulase-free, neutral xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus CBS 288.54 and its biobleaching effect on wheat straw pulp.

A xylanase purified from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus CBS 288.54 was characterized and its potential application in wheat straw pulp biobleaching was evaluated. Xylanase was purified 33.6-fold to homogeneity with a recovery yield of 21.5%. It appeared as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE gel with a molecular mass of approx. 26.2 kDa. The purified xylanase had a neutral optimum pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 7.5, and it was also stable over pH 6.5-10.0. The optimal temperature of the xylanase was 70-75 degrees C and it was stable up to 65 degrees C. The purified xylanase was found to be not glycosylated. The xylanase was highly specific towards xylan, but did not exhibit other enzyme activity. Apparent Km values of the xylanase for birchwood, beechwood, soluble oat-spelt and insoluble oat-spelt xylans were 4.0, 4.7, 2.0 and 23.4 mg ml-1, respectively. The potential application of the xylanase was further evaluated in biobleaching of wheat straw pulp. The brightness of bleached pulps from the xylanase pretreated wheat straw pulp was 1.8-7.79% ISO higher than that of the control, and showed slightly lower tensile index and breaking length than the control. Although chlorine consumption was reduced by 28.3% during bleaching, the xylanase pretreated pulp (15 U g-1 pulp) still maintained its brightness at the control level. Besides, pretreatment of pulp with the xylanase was also effective at an alkaline pH as high as pH 10.0.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of a xylanase from the newly isolated thermophilic Thermomyces lanuginosus CAU44 and its application in bread making.

AIMS: A xylanase from the newly isolated thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus CAU44, was characterized and evaluated for its suitability in bread making. METHODS AND RESULTS: Xylanase was purified 3.5-fold to homogeneity with a recovery yield of 32.8%. It appeared as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE gel with a molecular mass of c. 25.6 kDa. The purified xylanase had an optimum pH of 6.2, and it was stable over pH 5.6-10.3. The optimal temperature of xylanase was 75 degrees C and it was stable up to 65 degrees C at pH 6.2. Study was further carried out to investigate the effect of the purified xylanase on the properties of wheat bread and its staling during storage. CONCLUSIONS: The purified xylanase from T. lanuginosus CAU44 was stable up to 65 degrees C and had a broad pH range. The presence of thermostable xylanase during bread making led to an improvement of the specific bread volume and better crumb texture. Besides, addition of xylanase provided an anti-staling effect. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The xylanase from the newly isolated Thermomyces lanuginosus CAU44 shows great promise as a processing aid in the bread-making industry.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed2004

The expression of osteoprotegerin and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand in human periodontal ligament cells cultured with and without 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG), are important bone metabolism molecules, which directly control osteoclastogenesis. Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells play a vital role in maintaining the homeostasis of periodontal tissues, releasing cytokines to affect bone metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of OPG and RANKL in cultured human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) derived from permanent teeth and the expression change after stimulation by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2)vitD(3)), a kind of bone resorption promoter. HPDLCs were cultured in the presence or absence of 10(-8)M 1alpha,25(OH)(2)vitD(3) in vitro. The expression of mRNA for OPG and RANKL in hPDLCs during 6 days' culture was examined using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The level of secreted OPG protein in the culture medium during 6 days' culture was detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The result showed that OPG and RANKL were expressed by hPDLCs. OPG expression was down-regulated by 10(-8)M 1alpha,25(OH)(2)vitD(3) in a time-dependent manner, while RANKL mRNA was up-regulated. The ratio of OPG/RANKL was decreased. In conclusion, our findings suggest that hPDLCs may regulate the alveolar bone metabolism through the OPG/RANKL system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Hyperphosphorylation and accumulation of neurofilament proteins in Alzheimer disease brain and in okadaic acid-treated SY5Y cells.

We investigated the role of neurofilament (NF) proteins in Alzheimer disease (AD) neurofibrillary degeneration. The levels and degree of phosphorylation of NF proteins in AD neocortex were determined by Western blots developed with a panel of phosphorylation-dependent NF antibodies. Levels of all three NF subunits and the degree of phosphorylation of NF-H and NF-M were significantly increased in AD as compared to Huntington disease brains used as control tissue. The increase in the levels of NF-H and NF-M was 1.7- and 1.5-fold (P<0.01) as determined by monoclonal antibody SMI33, and was 1.6-fold (P<0.01) in NF-L using antibody NR4. The phosphorylation of NF-H and NF-M in AD was increased respectively at the SMI31 epitope by 1.6- and 1.9-fold (P<0.05) and at the SMI33 epitope by 2.7- and 1.3-fold (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Essentially similar effects were observed in SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells when treated with okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatase (PP)-2A and -1. This is the first biochemical evidence which unambiguously demonstrates the hyperphosphorylation and the accumulation of NF subunits in AD brain, and shows that the inhibition of PP-2A/PP-1 activities can lead to the hyperphosphorylation of NF-H and NF-M subunits.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Alzheimer-like protein phosphatase deficiency leads to abnormal phosphorylation and accumulation of neurofilaments].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Alzheimer-like protein phosphatase deficiency on neurofilament phosphorylation. METHODS: Cell culture, light microscopy, immunocytochemistry and biochemistry techniques were used to make a phosphatase deficient cell model, to detect cell morphology, neurofilament phosphorylation and distribution, cell viability and activity. RESULTS: Non-phosphorylated neurofilament recognized by SMI32 was detected both in cell body and cell processes, it was extremely enriched in cell bodies; Phosphorylated neurofilament bound to SMI34 was mainly determined in cell processes and cell surface. After treatment with okadaic acid (OA), non-phosphorylation-dependent antibodies SMI32 staining was significantly decreased in the cell body, whereas phosphorylated neurofilament reacted with SMI34 was strikingly increased in immunocytochemistry and Western blot, and prominently accumulated to the same cell location. Accompanied with hyper-phosphorylation and accumulation of neurofilament, dose dependent cell toxicity was observed by okadaic acid treatment. CONCLUSION: Deficiency in protein phosphatase induces in neuroblastoma cell line, neurofilament phosphorylation and accumulation, which is involved in Alzheimer neurofibrillary degeneration.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2000

Electrophysiological effects of agmatine on human atrial fibers.

The objective of the present study was to study the electrophysiological effects of agmatine on human atrial fibers obtained at cardiac surgery using standard microelectrode techniques. Agmatine (1 to approximately 10 mM) decreased the action potential amplitude (APA), maximum upstroke velocity of phase 0 depolarization (Vmax), velocity of diastolic (phase 4) depolarization (VDD), rate of pacemaker firing (RPF), and action potential duration at 50 and 90% of repolarization (APD(50-90)) in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.5 mM), a NOS inhibitor, did not affect the electrophysiological effects of agmatine (5 mM) on human atrial fibers. The effects of agmatine (5 mM) could be blocked completely by pretreatment with idazoxan (0.1 mM), an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (alpha2-AR) and imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonist. All these results indicate that the effects of agmatine on human atrial fibers are likely due to a decrease of intracellular calcium mediated by IR and/or alpha2-AR.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

Inhibition by agmatine on spontaneous activity of rabbit atrioventricular node cells.

AIM: To study the effects of agmatine on spontaneous activity of atrioventricular (AV) node and its action mechanisms. METHODS: Action potentials in AV node cells were recorded using intracellular microelectrode technique. RESULTS: Agmatine not only reduced the amplitude of action potential (APA), maximal rate of depolarization (Vmax), velocity of diastolic (phase 4) depolarization (VDD), and rate of spontaneous firing (RSF), but also prolonged 90% duration of action potential (APD90) in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of agmatine (10 mmol/L) could be blocked completely by pretreatment with idazoxan (0.1 mmol/L), an imidazoline receptor (IR) and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-AR) antagonist. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.5 mmol/L), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, did not affect the effects of agmatine on AV node cells. Elevation of Ca2+ concentration (5 mmol/L) in perfusate antagonized the effects of agmatine (10 mmol/L). Lemakalim (30 mumol/L), an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, inhibited the prolonging effects of agmatine on repolarization. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effects of agmatine on spontaneous activity of AV node cells in rabbits were likely mediated by IR and/or alpha 2-AR, and were related to the reduction in calcium influx and potassium efflux.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1999

Effects of agmatine on afterdepolarizations induced by isoproterenol in guinea pig papillary muscles.

AIM: To study the effects of agmatine (Agm) on early afterdepolarizations (EAD) and delayed afterdepolarizations (DAD) induced by isoproterenol (Iso) in guinea pig papillary muscles. METHODS: EAD and DAD were recorded using intracellular glass microelectrode technique. RESULTS: (1) EAD and DAD induced by Iso 20 nmol.L-1 were markedly inhibited by pretreatment with Agm 1.0-2.0 mmol.L-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. (2) NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.5 mmol.L-1), a NOS inhibitor, did not affect the inhibitory effects of Agm (1.0 mmol.L-1) on EAD and DAD induced by Iso. (3) The inhibitory effects of Agm (1.0 mmol.L-1) on EAD and DAD induced by Iso (20 nmol.L-1) were eliminated by pretreatment with idazoxan (Ida, 0.1 mmol.L-1), an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-AR) and imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonist. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effects of Agm on EAD and DAD induced by Iso in papillary muscles is related to the reduction in calcium influx and mediated by alpha 2-AR and/or IR.

Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1999

Electrophysiologic effects of agmatine on pacemaker cells in sinoatrial node of rabbits.

AIM: To study the electrophysiologic effects of agmatine (Agm) on pacemaker cells in sinoatrial (SA) node. METHODS: Parameters of action potential (AP) in SA node were recorded using intracellular microelectrode technique. RESULTS: Agm not only slowed down the amplitude of action potential (APA), maximal rate of depolarization (Vmax), velocity of diastolic (phase 4) depolarization (VDD), and rate of pacemaker firing (RPF), but also prolonged 90% duration of action potential (APD90) in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of Agm (10 mmol.L-1) could be blocked completely by pretreatment with idazoxan (0.15 mmol.L-1), an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-AR) and imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonist. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 1 mmol.L-1), an NOS inhibitor, did not affect the electrophysiologic effects of Agm on pacemaker cells in SA node. Elevation of Ca2+ concentration (5 mmol.L-1) in perfusate antagonized the effects of Agm (10 mmol.L-1). Lemakalim (Lem, 30 mumol.L-1), an opener of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, partially inhibited the prolonging effect of Agm on repolarization. CONCLUSION: The electrophysiologic effects of Agm on pacemaker cells in SA node were likely attributed to the reduction in calcium influx and potassium efflux and mediated by alpha 2-AR and IR.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1999

[Electrophysiological effects of agmatine on guinea pig papillary muscles in vitro].

The cardiac electrophysiological effects of agmatine (AGM) were examined in guinea pig papillary muscle using intracellular microelectrode technique. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Duration of action potential (APD) in normal papillary muscles were decreased by AGM in a concentration-dependent manner. (2) In partially depolarized papillary muscles, amplitute of action potential, overshoot, maximal velocity of phase 0 depolarization and APD were depressed by AGM. (3) Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.5 mmol/L) did not affect the above effects of AGM (1 mmol/L) on papillary muscles. (4) The effects of AGM (1 mmol/L) could be blocked completely by pretreatment with idazoxan (0.1 mmol/L), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor (alpha 2-AR) and imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonist. All these results indicate that the effects of AGM on papillary muscles are likely due to a decrease of intracellular calcium mediated by alpha 2-AR and IR.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1999

[Hemodynamic effects of agmatine and its cellular mechanism in anesthetized rats].

The hemodynamic effects of intravenous injection of agmatine and their cellular mechanism were investigated in anesthetized rats. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Following intravenous injection of agmatine (10 mg/kg), HR, MAP, LVP, +/- LV dp/dtmax, CI and TPRI were significantly decreased. (2) Pretreatment with N-nitro-L-arginine (15 mg/kg) or methylene blue (50 mg/kg), did not affect the hypotensive effect of agmatine. (3) The hemodynamic effects induced by agmatine could be inhibited by prior intravenous injection of idazoxan (2 mg/kg), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor (alpha 2-AR) and imidazoline receptor antagonist. The results indicate that the hypotensive effect induced by i.v. agmatine may be attributed to the decrease in cardiac output resulting from depression of myocardial contractility, as well as to the reduction in total peripheral resistance resulting from vasodilatation. These effects of agmatine may be mediated by imidazoline receptor and/or alpha 2-AR.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1997

[Reversal of multidrug resistance by cyproheptadine in KBV200 cells].

The cyproheptadine (CYP) reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) and its mechanism in KBV200 cell line were studies. MTT assay showed that CYP 15.0 mumol.L-1 could reverse vincristine, adriamycin (ADR) and etoposide resistance in KBV200 cells by a factor of 5.5, 2.0 and 1.9, respectively. CYP appeared to have no influence on the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and melphalan (MEL) in the cells. These results indicate that CYP is a MDR reversing agent. CYP 15.0 mumol.L-1 increased the ADR accumulation in KBV200 cells from 0.68 +/- 0.03 microgram/10(6) cells to 1.36 +/- 0.08 micrograms/10(6) cells (P < 0.01). CYP 15.0 mumol.L-1 was shown to obviously increase rhodamine 123 (R123) accumulation in and decrease its efflux from the cells. There was no change in PGP dying intensity under immunocytochemical assay and in mdr1 RNA level through slot blot analysis in the KBV200 cells exposed continuously to CYP 15.0 mumol.L-1 for 72 h. These results suggest that CYP acts by inhibiting the pumping function of PGP.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1997

[Effect of berberine on cytosolic free calcium of rat myocardial cells in vitro].

In order to verify the inotropic effect of berberine (Ber) on myocardial tissues, the effect of Ber on cytosolic free calcium [Ca2+]i in cultured rat single myocardial cells were examined by using Fura-2/AM and AR-CM-MIC cation measurement system. Ber (10-400 mumol.L-1) was found to increase the resting [Ca2+]i and saturate at about 200 mumol.L-1. The [Ca2+]i increase was not depressed by atropine, phentolamine, propranolol and tetrodotoxin, but was inhibited by verapamil (Ver) 3 mumol.L-1 or CoCl2 10 mmol.L-1. The [Ca2+]i increase induced by Ber (30 mumol.L-1) added to stimulating agents as KCl, CaCl2, NE or Oua was stronger than that induced by stimulating agents only and Ver 3 mumol.L-1 still showed inhibitory effects on the [Ca2+]i increase. Under Ca(2+)-free or Ca(2+)-, K+, Na(+)-free conditions, Ber (30-200 mumol.L-1) still showed ascending effects on [Ca2+]i, and Ver 3 mumol.L-1 only inhibited the Ber effects in Ca(2+)-free condition. The results suggest that Ber might induce moderate [Ca2+]i increase via Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release, and show positive inotropic effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Wild-type p53 stimulates vincristine-induced apoptosis].

Recent studies indicate that wild-type p53 can trigger cell apoptosis induced by many chemotherapeutic agents which induce DNA damage or cause disruptions of DNA metabolism, such as ADM, 5-FU, VP-16 and radiation. We introduced the wild-type p53 gene into a MDR cell line KBV200 in which the endogenous p53 was found to be rearranged. By G418 selection and Northern blot analysis, a G418-resistant clone named KBV200-p53 was obtained which continuously expressed the exogenous wild-type p53 mRNA. After treatment with Vincristine(VCR), the wild type p53-expression cells presented typical morphology characteristic of apoptosis analysed under electron and fluorescence microscopes. Flow cytometer analysis showed that the KBV200-p53 cells were more readily undergo apoptosis than their parental cells KBV200. After treatment with VCR 600 nmol.L-1 for 24 h, the apoptotic percentage of KBV200-p53 and KBV200 cells was about 42.4% and 8.4%, respectively. This result indicates that wild-type p53 stimulates VCR-induced apoptosis in KBV200 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗