Biomedical subjects

Yi Qin

Publications and source records attributed to Yi Qin.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A light and electron microscopic analysis of the convergent insular cortical and amygdaloid projections to the posterior lateral hypothalamus in the rat, with special reference to cardiovascular function.

The synaptic organization between and among the insular cortex (IC) axons, central amygdaloid nucleus (ACe) axons and posterolateral hypothalamus (PLH) neurons was investigated in the rat using double anterograde tracing and anterograde tracing combined with postembedding immunogold analysis. After ipsilateral injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the IC and Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) into the ACe, the conspicuous overlapping distribution of BDA-labeled axon terminals and PHA-L-labeled axon terminals was found in the PLH region just medial to the subthalamic nucleus ipsilateral to the injection sites. At the electron microscopic level, approximately two-thirds of the IC terminals made synapses with small-sized dendrites and the rest did with dendritic spines of the PLH neurons, whereas about 79%, 16% and 5% of the ACe terminals established synapses with small- to medium-sized dendrites, somata, and dendritic spines, respectively, of the PLH neurons. In addition, the IC axon terminals contained densely packed round clear vesicles and their synapses were of asymmetrical type. On the other hand, most of the ACe terminals contained not only pleomorphic clear vesicles but also dense-cored vesicles and their synapses were of symmetrical type although some ACe terminals contained densely packed round clear vesicles and formed asymmetrical synapses. Most of the postsynaptic elements received synaptic inputs from the IC or ACe terminals, and some of single postsynaptic elements received convergent synaptic inputs from both sets of terminals. Furthermore, almost all the ACe terminals were revealed to be immunoreactive for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), by using the anterograde BDA tracing technique combined with immunohistochemistry for GABA. The present data suggest that single PLH neurons are under the excitatory influence of the IC and/or inhibitory influence of the ACe in the circuitry involved in the regulation of cardiovascular functions.

Amygdala↗

PubMed2006

Insular cortical and amygdaloid fibers are in contact with posterolateral hypothalamic neurons projecting to the nucleus of the solitary tract in the rat.

After ipsilateral injections of cholera toxin B subunit (CTb) into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the insular cortex (IC) or into the central amygdaloid nucleus (ACe) in the rat, the prominent overlapping distribution of CTb-labeled neurons and BDA-labeled axon terminals was found in the posterolateral hypothalamus (PLH) region just medial to the subthalamic nucleus ipsilateral to the injection sites. At the electron microscopic level, the IC terminals formed asymmetrical synaptic contacts with dendrites and dendritic spines of the NST-projecting PLH neurons, whereas the ACe terminals formed symmetrical synaptic contacts with somata and dendrites of the NST-projecting PLH neurons. The present data suggest that output signals from the IC and ACe may exert excitatory and inhibitory influences, respectively, upon the PLH neurons that project to the NST for regulating cardiovascular functions.

Amygdala↗

PubMed2005

The mammalian Scribble polarity protein regulates epithelial cell adhesion and migration through E-cadherin.

Scribble (Scrib) is a conserved polarity protein required in Drosophila melanogaster for synaptic function, neuroblast differentiation, and epithelial polarization. It is also a tumor suppressor. In rodents, Scrib has been implicated in receptor recycling and planar polarity but not in apical/basal polarity. We now show that knockdown of Scrib disrupts adhesion between Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells. As a consequence, the cells acquire a mesenchymal appearance, migrate more rapidly, and lose directionality. Although tight junction assembly is delayed, confluent monolayers remain polarized. These effects are independent of Rac activation or Scrib binding to betaPIX. Rather, Scrib depletion disrupts E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. The changes in morphology and migration are phenocopied by E-cadherin knockdown. Adhesion is partially rescued by expression of an E-cadherin-alpha-catenin fusion protein but not by E-cadherin-green fluorescent protein. These results suggest that Scrib stabilizes the coupling between E-cadherin and the catenins and are consistent with the idea that mammalian Scrib could behave as a tumor suppressor by regulating epithelial cell adhesion and migration.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

State-dependent Ras signaling and AMPA receptor trafficking.

Synaptic trafficking of AMPA-Rs, controlled by small GTPase Ras signaling, plays a key role in synaptic plasticity. However, how Ras signals synaptic AMPA-R trafficking is unknown. Here we show that low levels of Ras activity stimulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)-p42/44 MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]) signaling, whereas high levels of Ras activity stimulate additional Pi3 kinase (Pi3K)-protein kinase B (PKB) signaling, each accounting for approximately 50% of the potentiation during long-term potentiation (LTP). Spontaneous neural activity stimulates the Ras-MEK-ERK pathway that drives GluR2L into synapses. In the presence of neuromodulator agonists, neural activity also stimulates the Ras-Pi3K-PKB pathway that drives GluR1 into synapses. Neuromodulator release increases with increases of vigilance. Correspondingly, Ras-MEK-ERK activity in sleeping animals is sufficient to deliver GluR2L into synapses, while additional increased Ras-Pi3K-PKB activity in awake animals delivers GluR1 into synapses. Thus, state-dependent Ras signaling, which specifies downstream MEK-ERK and Pi3K-PKB pathways, differentially control GluR2L- and GluR1-dependent synaptic plasticity.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Rap2-JNK removes synaptic AMPA receptors during depotentiation.

The related small GTPases Ras and Rap1 are important for signaling synaptic AMPA receptor (-R) trafficking during long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), respectively. Rap2, which shares 60% identity to Rap1, is present at excitatory synapses, but its functional role is unknown. Here, we report that Rap2 activity, stimulated by NR2A-containing NMDA-R activation, depresses AMPA-R-mediated synaptic transmission via activation of JNK rather than Erk1/2 or p38 MAPK. Moreover, Rap2 controls synaptic removal of AMPA-Rs with long cytoplasmic termini during depotentiation. Thus, Rap2-JNK pathway, which opposes the action of the NR2A-containing NMDA-R-stimulated Ras-ERK1/2 signaling and complements the NR2B-containing NMDA-R-stimulated Rap1-p38 MAPK signaling, channels the specific signaling for depotentiating central synapses.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Overexpression of exportin 5 enhances RNA interference mediated by short hairpin RNAs and microRNAs.

Plasmids or viral vectors that express short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) have emerged as important tools for the stable inhibition of specific genes by RNA interference. shRNAs are structural and functional homologs of pre-microRNAs, intermediates in the production of endogenously encoded microRNAs (miRNAs). Therefore, overexpressed shRNAs could inhibit miRNA function by competing for a limiting level of one or more factors involved in miRNA biogenesis or function. Here, we demonstrate that overexpressed shRNAs can saturate the activity of endogenous Exportin 5, a factor required for nuclear export of both shRNAs and pre-miRNAs. While shRNA overexpression can therefore inhibit miRNA function, simultaneous overexpression of Exportin 5 reverses this effect. Moreover, Exportin 5 overexpression can significantly enhance RNA interference mediated by shRNAs. These data have implications for the future clinical utilization of shRNAs and also provide a simple method to enhance RNA interference by shRNAs in culture.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2004

Particular solution of the discrete-ordinate method.

We present two methods that can be used to derive the particular solution of the discrete-ordinate method (DOM) for an arbitrary source in a plane-parallel atmosphere, which allows us to solve the transfer equation 12-18% faster in the case of a single beam source and is even faster for the atmosphere thermal emission source. We also remove the divide by zero problem that occurs when a beam source coincides with a Gaussian quadrature point. In our implementation, solution for multiple sources can be obtained simultaneously. For each extra source, it costs only 1.3-3.6% CPU time required for a full solution. The GDOM code that we developed previously has been revised to integrate with the DOM. Therefore we are now able to compute the Green's function and DOM solutions simultaneously.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

[Experimental study of the biocompatible and osteoinductive behavior of the hydroxyapatite/ultra-high molecular weight polyethtlene composite].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the biocompatibility and osteoinductive behavior of HA (hydroxyapatite) and HA/UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethtlene) composite in orbital implantation. METHODS: Osteoectomy of the upper orbital rim was perform on 24 adult New Zealand rabbits. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 of each. The HA, HA/UHMWPE composite or UHMWPE (10 mm x 10 mm x 3 mm in size) was implanted to the upper orbital defect of the animal in respective group. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks. Histopathologic sections of the implants were evaluated and compared with light and transmission electron microscopy study. RESULTS: During the experimental period of 12 weeks, there was no implant extrusion or displacement. In the groups of HA and HA/UHMWPE composite, vascular ingrowth and fibroblasts were observed shortly and osteocytes were seen at 8 weeks. Calcium deposition of the implants showed a laminar fashion at 12 weeks. In the group of UHMWPE, fibrous membranes were seen around the implant at 1 week. Transmission electron microscopy study showed that in the HA and HA/UHMWPE groups, fibroblasts and vascular ingrowth could be seen, but osteocytes were not observed. CONCLUSION: HA/UHMWPE composite demonstrated biocompatibility and osteoinductive property. It would be a good substitute for bone, particularly for orbital bone.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[The effects of tympanotomy tube insertion on distortion product otoacoustic emissions].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effects of tympanotomy tube insertion on distortion product acoustic emissions. METHOD: Twenty-six patients (29 ears) with B type of tympanogram and conductive hearing loss but their bone conductive threshold was less than 30 dB were selected and recorded the DPOAE audiogram with Smart OAE4.24 otodymic analyser before, shortly after and two weeks after tube insertion. Twelve normal subjects were selected as control. RESULT: The eliciting rate and amplitude increased after tube insertion. The difference in 1105, 1560, 2211, 4416 Hz were significant. The amplitude went up two weeks later. CONCLUSION: The amplitude of DPOAE can be influenced by otitis media with effusion, tympanic membrane perforation and tympanotomy tube, and improved after tympanotomy tube insertion, but it can't reach the normal level.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Glutamatergic plasticity by synaptic delivery of GluR-B(long)-containing AMPA receptors.

Activity-driven delivery of AMPA receptors is proposed to mediate glutamatergic synaptic plasticity, both during development and learning. In hippocampal CA1 principal neurons, such trafficking is primarily mediated by the abundant GluR-A subunit. We now report a study of GluR-B(long), a C-terminal splice variant of the GluR-B subunit. GluR-B(long) synaptic delivery is regulated by two forms of activity. Spontaneous synaptic activity-driven GluR-B(long) transport maintains one-third of the steady-state AMPA receptor-mediated responses, while GluR-B(long) delivery following the induction of LTP is responsible for approximately 50% of the resulting potentiation at the hippocampal CA3 to CA1 synapses at the time of GluR-B(long) peak expression-the second postnatal week. Trafficking of GluR-B(long)-containing receptors thus mediates a GluR-A-independent form of glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in the juvenile hippocampus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Exportin-5 mediates the nuclear export of pre-microRNAs and short hairpin RNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are initially expressed as long transcripts that are processed in the nucleus to yield approximately 65-nucleotide (nt) RNA hairpin intermediates, termed pre-miRNAs, that are exported to the cytoplasm for additional processing to yield mature, approximately 22-nt miRNAs. Here, we demonstrate that human pre-miRNA nuclear export, and miRNA function, are dependent on Exportin-5. Exportin-5 can bind pre-miRNAs specifically in vitro, but only in the presence of the Ran-GTP cofactor. Short hairpin RNAs, artificial pre-miRNA analogs used to express small interfering RNAs, also depend on Exportin-5 for nuclear export. Together, these findings define an additional cellular cofactor required for miRNA biogenesis and function.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2003

Postnatal development of GABAergic signalling in the rat lateral geniculate nucleus: presynaptic dendritic mechanisms.

Diverse forms of GABAergic inhibition are found in the mature brain. To understand how this diversity develops, we studied the changes in morphology of inhibitory interneurons and changes in interneuron-mediated synaptic transmission in the rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). We found a steady expansion of the dendritic tree of interneurons over the first three postnatal weeks. During this period, the area around a thalamocortical cell from which GABA(A) inhibition could be elicited also expanded. Dendritic branching and burst firing in interneurons evolved more slowly. The distal dendrites of interneurons began to branch extensively after the third week, and at the same time burst firing appeared. The appearance of burst firing and an elaborated dendritic tree were accompanied by a pronounced GABA(B) inhibition of thalamocortical cells. Thus, GABA inhibition of thalamocortical cells developed from one type of GABA(A) inhibition (spatially restricted) in the young animal into two distinct types of GABA(A) inhibition (short- and long-range) and GABA(B) inhibition in the adult animal. The close temporal relationships between the development of the diverse forms of inhibition and the postnatal changes in morphology of local GABAergic interneurons in the dLGN suggest that postnatal dendritic maturation is an important presynaptic factor for the developmental time course of the various types of feedforward inhibition in thalamus.

Aging↗

PubMed2003

The AF-6 homolog canoe acts as a Rap1 effector during dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryo.

Rap1 belongs to the highly conserved Ras subfamily of small GTPases. In Drosophila, Rap1 plays a critical role in many different morphogenetic processes, but the molecular mechanisms executing its function are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Canoe (Cno), the Drosophila homolog of mammalian junctional protein AF-6, acts as an effector of Rap1 in vivo. Cno binds to the activated form of Rap1 in a yeast two-hybrid assay, the two molecules colocalize to the adherens junction, and they display very similar phenotypes in embryonic dorsal closure (DC), a process that relies on the elongation and migration of epithelial cell sheets. Genetic interaction experiments show that Rap1 and Cno act in the same molecular pathway during DC and that the function of both molecules in DC depends on their ability to interact. We further show that Rap1 acts upstream of Cno, but that Rap1, unlike Cno, is not involved in the stimulation of JNK pathway activity, indicating that Cno has both a Rap1-dependent and a Rap1-independent function in the DC process.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Experimental study of using xenologous sclera as wrapping materials for hydroxy apatite(HA)].

OBJECTIVE: Use xenologous sclera (pig sclera) as wrapping materials for hydroxyapatite (HA) ocular implants in enucleated New Zealand white rabbits. METHODS: Ten rabbits were unilaterally enucleated and the sockets implanted with 10 mm HA spherical implants. All implants were wrapped with pig sclera. The rabbits were killed 4 weeks later and the sockets were examined clinically for inflammation and implant exposure. Exenterated specimens were assessed histopathologically for inflammation and vascularization. RESULTS: No clinical evidence of implant exposure or extrusion was detected in rabbits receiving pig sclera wrapped implants. Histopathologically the xenologous (pig) sclera displayed moderate inflammation, as well as maintain its lamellar arrangement without disruption. Fibrovascular ingrowth was complete in all implants. CONCLUSION: Xenologous (pig) sclera behaves similar clinically to homologous sclera as a wrapping material for spherical HA ocular implants in a rabbit model, and may represent a reasonable alternative to sclera in such procedures in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Effects of simulated weightlessness on reproduction in male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of tail-suspension on gonad and spermatic hormone in male rats. METHOD: After tail-suspension and reambulation some times in male rats, weight of testis was measured, sperm of epididymis was inspected, morphology of testicular cell was compared, and antent of testosterone assay by radioimmunoassay ratio of LH-beta positive cell in pituitary was measured by immunohistochemic. RESULT: After tail-suspension, weight of testis in male rats decreased significantly. Shape of the convoluted tubules and number of all levels of the spermatocyte in testis atrophied markedly. No sperm was found in the epididymis. Content of testosterone decreased markedly. Number of positive cell of beta-subunit of LH in the pituitary increased markedly. CONCLUSION: Tail-suspension has negative effect on sex gland and reproduction function of male rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Ras and Rap control AMPA receptor trafficking during synaptic plasticity.

Recent studies show that AMPA receptor (-R) trafficking is important in synaptic plasticity. However, the signaling controlling this trafficking is poorly understood. Small GTPases have diverse neuronal functions and their perturbation is responsible for several mental disorders. Here, we examine the small GTPases Ras and Rap in the postsynaptic signaling underlying synaptic plasticity. We show that Ras relays the NMDA-R and CaMKII signaling that drives synaptic delivery of AMPA-Rs during long-term potentiation. In contrast, Rap mediates NMDA-R-dependent removal of synaptic AMPA-Rs that occurs during long-term depression. Ras and Rap exert their effects on AMPA-Rs that contain different subunit composition. Thus, Ras and Rap, whose activity can be controlled by postsynaptic enzymes, serve as independent regulators for potentiating and depressing central synapses.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Study of the volatilization inhibitor for formalin].

OBJECTIVE: To find an inhibitor to reduce the volatilization of formalin. METHOD: The saturated solution of sodium hydrosulphite (SHS) was sprayed on the surface of the anatomy specimens, then the concentration of formaldehyde in the air was tested. RESULTS: The concentration of formaldehyde in the air of SHS sprayed group [(3.10 +/- 1.22) mg/m3] was significantly lower than that of the control group [(8.36 +/- 4.11) mg/m3, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: SHS may be a volatilization inhibitor for formalin, which could reduce the concentration of formaldehyde in the air.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗