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Biomedical subjects

Y Meng

Publications and source records attributed to Y Meng.

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

Time-series analysis of above-road particulate matter at the Caldecott Tunnel exit.

On November 18, 1997, above-road particulate matter (PM) lidar (light detection and ranging) signals and heavy-duty (HD) and light-duty (LD) vehicle counts were simultaneously collected for 894 10-sec sampling periods at the Caldecott Tunnel in Orinda, CA, for the purpose of measuring the relative contributions of LD and HD vehicles to the PM lidar signal under real-world driving conditions. The relationship between the PM lidar signal and traffic activity (i.e., LD and HD traffic volumes) was examined using a time-series analysis technique, multilagged regression. The time-series model results indicate that the PM lidar signal in the current sampling period (PMt) depended on the level recorded in the previous three sampling periods (i.e., PMt-1, PMt-2, and PMt-3), the number of LD vehicles in the seventh past sampling period (LDt-7), and the number of HD vehicles measured 80 sec previous to the current sampling period (HDt-8). On a 10-sec period basis, the model results indicate that HD vehicles contributed, on average, 3 times more to above-road PM lidar signals than did LD vehicles. The observed lag in the relationship between vehicle types and the lidar signal 20 m above the road suggests that resuspended road dust, rather than tailpipe exhaust emissions, was the main source of the detected PM. Detection of road dust at such heights above the road suggests the need for investigating the processes governing the vertical transport and recycling of PM over the road as a function of vehicle dynamics under a range of meteorological conditions.

Air Movements↗
PubMed2001

Regulation of physiological rates in Caenorhabditis elegans by a tRNA-modifying enzyme in the mitochondria.

We show that the phenotype associated with gro-1(e2400) comprises the whole suite of features that characterize the phenotype of the clk mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans, including deregulated developmental, behavioral, and reproductive rates, as well as increased life span and a maternal effect. We cloned gro-1 and found that it encodes a highly conserved cellular enzyme, isopentenylpyrophosphate:tRNA transferase (IPT), which modifies a subset of tRNAs. In yeast, two forms of the enzyme are produced by alternative translation initiation, one of which is mitochondrial. In the gro-1 transcript there are also two possible initiator ATGs, between which there is a sequence predicted to encode a mitochondrial localization signal. A functional GRO-1::GFP fusion protein is localized diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus. A GRO-1::GFP initiated from the first methionine is localized exclusively to the mitochondria and rescues the mutant phenotype. In contrast, a protein initiated from the second methionine is localized diffusely throughout the cell and does not rescue the mutant phenotype. As oxygen consumption and ATP concentration have been reported to be unaffected in gro-1 mutants, our observations suggest that GRO-1 acts in mitochondria and regulates global physiology by unknown mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2001

Nodosin.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

[A study of phenylketonuria heterozygotes screening in married population of Tianjin area].

OBJECTIVE: To find out a method that is simple and reliable for screening phenylketonuria(PKU) heterozygotes. METHODS: Detecting and analyzing plasma phenylalanine(Phe) and tyrosine(Tyr) from 101 known-PKU heterozygotes and 2023 married people by means of a high performance liquid chromatograph. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between known- PKU heterozygotes and screening population in plasma Phe, Phe/Tyr and Phe(2)/Tyr. The values of plasma Phe, Phe/Tyr and Phe(2)/ Tyr from 94.1% known-PKU heterozygotes were higher than mean+2s of those values from screening population. According to the limits of mean+2s, 81 cases were screened out from the 2023 married people. It was the first time to get the actual heterozygote frequency of 4% from population. CONCLUSION: The biochemical method mentioned above is available for use in screening PKU heterozygotes.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[CYP11B2 expression in rat liver and the efficacy of antisterone on liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To identify aldosterone synthase gene-CYP11B2 mRNA expression in rat livers and evaluate the efficacy of antisterone. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: model group (subcutaneous injection of CCl(4), 0.25 ml/100 mg, 3 times/week), antisterone group (besides same dosage of CCl(4) given, gastropufusion of antisterone of 20mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and control group (subcutaneous injection of olive oil). The area of collagen was examined by image analyzing system. The expression of aldosterone synthase gene-CYP11B2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA, which located in the endoplasm of HSC, was upregulated when fibrogenesis occurred. The grade of fibrosis and the area of collagen in antisterone group were less than those in model group before 6th week (P<0.05). After the 6th week however, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA is upregulated in fibrotic liver. Antisterone can partly have a fibrogenesis-inhibiting effect on the early stage of CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Extinction characteristics of TiO2 suspension for different band ultraviolet radiation].

This study focused on the global absorption characteristics of UVA, UVB and UVC radiation in the suspension of titanium-pollutant solution using 4-CBA-Na as a model pollutant. The result showed that the attenuation of ultraviolet in the suspensions conformed to Beer's Law, light intensity negative-exponentially attenuating with the optic path. The extinction coefficient increased with the titanium dosage by a quadratic polynomial law, which may be approximated by a linear function at lower dosage. The sum of the respective UVC or UVB extinction coefficient in pollutant solution and titanium-water suspension was found to approach the measured value in Titanium-Pollutant suspension. Larger extinction coefficient was observed for shorter UV wavelength, implying higher energy efficiency with UVC as ultraviolet source.

Catalysis↗
PubMed2001

[Kinetic study on photocatalytic degradation of p-chlorobenzoate at different light intensities].

Kinetics of photocatalytic degradation were investigated at different light intensities using para-chlorobenzoate as a model pollutant. It was experimentally found that the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model could satisfactorily describe all the kinetic processes. However, the two crucial parameters involved in the L-H model were dependent of the incident light intensity. With elevated light intensity, the rate constant, kr, increased whereas the apparent adsorption constant, Ks, decreased. Grossly, both kr and Ks-1 were correlated with the light intensity in a power law. The experimental discovery implies that the photonic efficiency would be much deteriorated with increased radiation intensity although the reaction rate can be enhanced. Applying mild light intensity might be one of the critical strategies in photocatalytic reactor design to improve the photonic efficiency.

Catalysis↗
PubMed2001

Gene-CYP11B2 expression in rat liver in hepatic fibrogenesis induced by CCl4.

OBJECTIVE: To identify aldosterone synthase gene-CYP11B2 mRNA expression in normal and fibrotic liver in rats and evaluate the curative effect of antisterone. METHODS: 160 Wistar rats weighing about 250 g were divided into 4 groups. In the model group (n = 40), the rats were injected with 40% CCl4 (0.25 ml/100 g) subcutaneously three times a week. In the antisterone group (n = 40), the rats were injected with 40% CCl4 (0.25 ml/100 g) subcutaneously three times a week. Antisterone equivalent to 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 was given intragastrically (ig). In the malotilate group (n = 40), the rats were injected with 40% CCl4 (0.25 ml/100 g) subcutaneously three times a week. Malotilate equivalent to 50 mg/kg-1.d-1 was given ig. In the control group (n = 40), the rats were injected with olive oil only. After 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks, animals were sacrificed, and morphological examination was carried out. The area of collagen was examined with an Image Analyse System. Expression of the aldosterone synthase gene, CYP11B2 mRNA, in fibrotic and normal liver was detected by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: In situ hybridization and RT-PCR showed that the expression of CYP11B2 mRNA, which localized in the endoplasm of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), was up regulated when fibrogenesis occurred. Histological observation indicated that the grade of fibrosis and the area of collagen in the antisterone group were less than those in model group before 6 weeks (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the antisterone and malotilate groups (P > 0.05). After that, however, the grade of fibrosis and the area of collagen in the antisterone group were higher than those in the malotilate group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the antisterone and model groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA is up regulated in fibrotic liver. Antisterone can have a partial fibrogenesis-inhibiting effect in the early stages.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Application of mRNA differential display technique in screening related gene of endometrial carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To screen related gene of endometrial cancer by mRNA differential display (DD)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Individual mRNA from normal and neoplastic endometrium obtained from the same patient were comparatively studied by DD methodology. The mRNAs were isolated from the tissues, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and then amplified by PCR. The PCR products were displayed on a polyacrylamid gel by silver staining, and the differentially expressed bands were retrieved and reamplified. Subsequently we selected four bands for sequencing and making further investigation. RESULTS: cDNA homology was analysed by searching through GenBank sequence databases and indicated that tumor fragment (T1.7) has no significant sequence homology with any sequence of known function. Acession number is AF315581. Further study showed that T1.7 expressed more abundantly in endometrial cancer than hyperplasia endometrium, but not expressed in normal endometrium. CONCLUSIONS: T1.7 is a new expressed sequence tag. It may be related gene fragment of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

[Shear bond strengths of four types of adhesive resin agents to GI II glass infiltrated ceramic].

OBJECTIVE: The shear bond strength of four adhesive resins bonded to GI II glass infiltrated alumina ceramic was investigated in this experiment. METHODS: A total of 40 ceramic blocks and 40 tooth blocks were prepared and divided into 4 experimental groups, including group A (CereDual and silicoating), group B (Calibra and silicoating), group C (Panavia) and group D (Super C&B and silicoating). The shear strength of four different bonding systems to dentin was tested respectively. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: More than 13 MPa of bonding strength was achieved using the traditional Bis GMA bonding resin (groups A and B), and more than 16 MPa was obtained using the improved Bis GMA bonding resin (group C and D). There was statistical difference between groups A, B and group C, D. CONCLUSION: It can be implied that an ideal bonding can be obtained by using different bonding materials and processing the dentin surface with the suitable conditioner.

Dental Bonding↗
PubMed2001

Expression and deletion analysis of EcoRII endonuclease and methylase gene.

OBJECTIVE: To clone complete EcoRII restriction endonuclease gene (ecoRIIR) and methyltransferase gene (ecoRIIM) in one vector and to analyze the coordinating expression of this whole R-M system. METHODS: Unidirectional deletion subclones were constructed with ExoIII. ecoRIIR/ M genes were preliminarily located in the cloned fragment according to the enzyme activities of subclones. Exact deletion sites were determined by sequencing, and transcriptional start sites were determined by S1 mapping. RESULTS: The DNA fragment which was cloned into pBluescript SK + contained intact ecoRIIR gene and ecoRIIM gene, and two transcriptional start sites of ecoRIIR gene were determined. 132bp to 458bp from 3'end of ecoRIIR gene are indispensable to enzyme activities and deletion of 202bp from 3' end of ecoRIIM gene made enzyme lose the capability in DNA protection to resist specific cut with EcoRII endonuclease (EcoRII. R). Deletion of the coding and flanking sequences of one gene did not affect the expression of the other gene, and the recombinants only containing ecoRIIR gene appeared to be lethal to dcm+ host. CONCLUSION: ecoRIIM gene linking closely to ecoRIIR gene is very important for the existence of the R-M system in process of evolution, but the key to control EcoRII R-M order may not exist in transcriptional level .

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Coding sequence, genomic organization and expression of a folate binding protein gene in the rat.

The complementary DNA (cDNA) and the gene encoding the folate binding protein alpha isoform (FBPalpha) have been reported for the human and mouse protein. However, there is no information about this gene in the rat, an animal that could be a model to study expression of this protein in vivo when folate metabolism is modified. Accordingly, the cloning and characterization of this gene in the rat have been the subject of this research. The gene has seven exons and six introns and is approximately 10kb in size. The organization and nucleotide sequence of the coding exons are similar to those of the corresponding human and mouse genes, which are the only other mammalian FBP genes cloned. However, the amino acid sequence of the rat FBPalpha is less homologous, having 48% identity with the published sequences for all the mammalian FBP isoforms. A finding not previously reported is the expression of two FBPalpha transcripts in the kidney that differ in the length of the 5' untranslated sequences, as determined by rapid amplification of cDNA end-polymerase chain reaction amplification (RACE-PCR). The brain expresses a single transcript intermediate in size between the two transcripts expressed in the kidney. The kidney transcripts are encoded by the same gene and appear to be regulated either from two independent promoters or from a single promoter in association with alternative RNA splicing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacological evaluation of aerosolized cannabinoids in mice.

The reemergence on the debate of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been the impetus for developing an acceptable delivery form of aerosolized cannabinoids. The goals of the present study were to: (1) develop and characterize the physical properties of an aerosolized form of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), the major psychoactive constituent present in marijuana; and (2) assess the pharmacological effects of cannabinoid inhalation in mice. A Small Particle Aerosol Generator (SPAG) nebulizer, used to generate the aerosol, had an output of approximately 0.154 mg/l of aerosolized Delta(9)-THC with a 2.0 microm mass median aerodynamic diameter and a 2.2 geometric standard deviation (GSD). Virtually all the particles were less than 5.0 microm in diameter suggesting that they were sufficiently small to penetrate deeply into the lungs. Inhalation exposure to aerosolized Delta(9)-THC in mice elicited antinociceptive effects that were dependent on concentration and exposure time with an estimated Delta(9)-THC dose of 1.8 mg/kg. On the other hand, inhalation exposure to Delta(9)-THC failed to produce two other indices indicative of cannabinoid activity, hypothermia and decreases in spontaneous locomotor activity. The antinociceptive effects occurred within 5 min of exposure and lasted approximately 40 min in duration. The cannabinoid receptor antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide HCl (SR 141716A), but not naloxone, blocked these antinociceptive effects (AD(50)=0.09 mg/kg) indicating a cannabinoid receptor mechanism of action. Similarly, inhalation exposure to a water soluble cannabinoid analog, 3-(5'-cyano-1', 1'dimethylheptyl)-1-(4-N-morpholinobutyrloxy)-Delta(8)-te trahydrocann abinol (O-1057), produced antinociception that was blocked by SR 141716A. These results demonstrate that the development of an aerosolized form of cannabinoids for human medicinal use is feasible.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

A new screening measure to identify potential carbon monoxide hotspots.

To demonstrate conformity of transportation projects to National Ambient Air Quality Standards in accordance with State Implementation Plans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses intersection level of service (LOS) as one of its major criteria for screening for potential carbon monoxide (CO) hotspots. Although intersection LOS is a measure of traffic volume, signal timing, and related congestion and delay, the assigned level reflects only the computed averaged stopped delay (ASD) per vehicle at the intersection. Thus, intersections can often operate at the same LOS but produce vastly different levels of predicted CO concentrations. For example, a two-lane approach operating at LOS D will produce very different levels of CO than a five-lane approach also operating at LOS D. This study explores the effectiveness of the LOS D criterion as a screen for identifying potential CO hotspots. The study results indicate that LOS is a poor predictor of potential CO hotspots when compared to results generated with the EPA-recommended micro-scale model CAL3QHCr. To more consistently screen out those intersections that will not be identified as CO hotspots using the micro-scale models, a new criterion, equivalent red-time vehicles (ERTV), is introduced. The modeling results using ERTV suggest that it is a more robust measure for identifying potential CO hotspots, and conversely, screening out those intersections that are not likely to be identified as hotspots using micro-scale simulation results.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

Ex vivo expansion of early and late megakaryocyte progenitors.

Our goal is to produce ex vivo-expanded human megakaryocytes (MK) cells from peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) harvests for use in supplementing conventional autografts. In this paper we show the megakaryocytopoietic productivity of small-scale in vitro serum-free cultures of human CD34+ cells containing MK growth and development factor (MGDF) and stem cell factor (Kit ligand; SCF) +/- granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Cultures were characterized after 3, 6, 9, and 13 days by flow cytometry and clonogenic assays. CD34+ cells expanded 5.2- and 3.4-fold, and produced 2.2 and 2.4 CD34+/41(+) cells per seeded CD34+ cell after 6 and 9 days in culture, respectively. None were detected at day 13. CD41+ cells expanded exponentially over 13 days. Colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) also expanded exponentially, but the proportion of the most primitive CFU-MK dropped from 45% to 1.5% and to <1% after 6 and 9 days, respectively. G-CSF increased total cell expansion, but decreased CD41+ frequency, yielding no gain in MK production. We also found that PB CD34+ cells cultured for 3-6 days are richer in primitive MK progenitors, while those cultured for 9-13 days have greater numbers of more differentiated MKs. Overall, the combination of MGDF+SCF proved sufficient for expanding CD34+/CD41+ cells. As the stage of ex vivo MK differentiation most conducive to optimal platelet production in vivo is not known, we are planning a clinical trial to determine the efficacy of ex vivo-expanded MKs on platelet recovery in relation to MK maturity.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed2000

CYP11B2 expression in rat liver and the effect of spironolactone on hepatic fibrogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: In consideration of the hypothetical possibility that locally produced aldosterone is likely to take an active part in fibrogenesis of the liver, we undertook the present study to investigate the expression of aldosterone synthase gene CYP11B2 in rat liver and the curative effect of spironolactone on fibrosis of the liver. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 160 Wistar rats weighing about 250 g were divided into four groups as follows: model group, spironolactone group, malotilate group and control group. After 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Morphological examination was based on microscopic and electron microscopic findings. The area of collagen was examined by an Image Analyse System (Leica). By means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization, the expression of CYP11B2 was detected. RESULTS: The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA, which was localized in the endoplasm of fat-storing cells, was upregulated when fibrogenesis occurred. The grade of fibrosis and the area of collagen in the spironolactone group were less than those in the model group before the 6th week (p < 0.05). After the 6th week, there was no significant difference between the spironolactone group and the model group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA is upregulated in fibrotic liver. Spironolactone can partly have a fibrogenesis-inhibiting effect in the early stage of CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Studies on algae and microcystin pollution in source water of Yellow River in Zhengzhou city].

OBJECTIVE: To study the law of development of pollution with algae and microcystin (MC) in source water of Yellow River in Zhengzhou city. METHODS: Algae and MC were detected continuously for source water samples collected from B and S Water Works of Zhengzhou in 1998. Microcystin was determined with high-sensitive ELISA. RESULTS: Monthly average density of algae was 1,439 x 10(4)/L in source water of B Water Works of Zhengzhou, with peak algae density of 4,762 x 10(4)/L in August, and that of S Water Works was 1,071 x 10(4)/L. Blue-algae of higher toxicity has become dominant species in source water from S water Works. Detection rate of microcystin was 70.83% in 24 samples collected from the two water works. CONCLUSION: According to Carlson's trophic state index (TSI), as well as other indices, such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demands (COD) and algae density in water, source water in Zhengzhou has presented characteristics of eutrophication.

Bacterial Toxins↗