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Biomedical subjects

Z Yan

Publications and source records attributed to Z Yan.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Structural analysis of adeno-associated virus transduction circular intermediates.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has recently been demonstrated to form circular intermediates following transduction in muscle tissue and cell lines. Although restriction enzyme and Southern blot analysis has revealed a consistent monomer and multimer head-to-tail conformation, detailed structural sequence analysis has been lacking due to the high secondary structure of the ITR arrays. To gain further insight into potential mechanisms by which AAV circular genomes are formed from linear single-stranded viral DNA, we have performed chemical sequencing of ITR arrays within seven circular intermediates independently isolated from primary fibroblasts and Hela cells. Results from these studies demonstrated several types of circular intermediates with mosaic ITR elements flanked by two D sequences. The most predominant form consisted of a structure similar to that of previously generated AAV double-D plasmids, with one complete ITR flanked by two D-region elements. However, intermediately deleted ITR arrays with more than one complete ITR were also seen. Based on this structural information, we have proposed a model for formation of AAV circular intermediates by recombination/ligation between ITR ends of panhandle single-stranded AAV genomes.

Base Sequence↗

Mass spectrometric determination of a novel modification of the N-terminus of histidine-tagged proteins expressed in bacteria.

Two proteins, FKBP, and Spo0F, were expressed in bacteria as histidine-tagged fusion proteins and isolated under native conditions. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis revealed that each protein preparation contained two components, neither of which corresponded to the molecular weights predicted from DNA sequences. The difference in molecular weight between the two FKBP components and two Spo0F components was approximately 178 +/- 14 Da. Site-specific proteolytic cleavage resulted in the release of histidine-tagged peptide from the recombinant proteins. MALDI mass spectra of the cleaved proteins showed a single molecular ion peak for each species with the predicted molecular weights. The histidine-tagged peptide released from both fusion proteins displayed two distinct peaks by MALDI-FT-MS corresponding to monoisotopic molecular weights of 2269. 027 Da and 2447.087 Da, respectively, which were both inconsistent with the predicted peptide sequence M-G-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-S-S-G-H-I-E-G-R of 2400.055 Da. The peptide at 2269.027 Da was sequenced by ESI-MS-MS and found to be a truncated histidine tag resulting from an initiator methionine deletion. ESI-MS-MS analysis of the peptide at 2447.087 Da indicated a moiety of 178.0 Da attached to the second residue glycine of the histidine tag. This alteration of the N-terminus does not fit any known modifications. A synthetic peptide with the identical sequence of the isolated his-tag M-G-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H remained unmodified during the protein purification process, suggesting that modification of the initiator methionine was carried out in vivo, rather than the result of a chemical reaction from the isolation procedure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of internal (n-1)mer deletion sequences in synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides by hybridization to an immobilized probe array.

The purity of a drug substance can influence its toxicity and potency, so impurities must be specifically determined. In the case of synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide drugs, however, product complexity makes complete impurity speciation difficult. The goal of the present work was to develop a new analytical method for speciation of individual internal (n-1)mer impurities arising from formal nucleotide deletion in synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides. A complete series of oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes were designed, each complementary to an (n-1)mer deletion sequence of the drug in question. Glass plates were used as a solid support for individually immobilizing the entire probe array. The total mixture of internal (n-1) length impurities was isolated from a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide by PAGE and labeled with 35S. Under stringently optimized conditions, only the perfectly sequence-matched oligodeoxyribonucleotide hybridized to each probe, while all other deletion sequences were removed by washing with buffer. The 35S signal intensity of the bound oligodeoxyribonucleotide was proportional to the concentration of each (n-1)mer deletion sequence in the analyte solution. This method has been applied to a number of synthetic phosphorothioate oligodeoxy-ribonucleotide lots and shown to be reliable for speciation and relative quantitation of the internal (n -1)mer deletion sequences present.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of Rosai-Dorfman disease of the breast: A case report.

We report the cytologic findings of a case of Rosai-Dorfman disease of the breast in a 52-year-old diabetic woman, initially sampled by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA). The patient presented with a 2-week history of a 3 x 2 cm nodule in the mid-upper area of the left breast. A mammogram taken 6 months prior was negative. FNA smears demonstrated lymphocytes, plasma cells, and large pale cells, with enlarged irregular nuclei, admixed with fragments of fibrous tissue and calcific debris. Lymphophagocytosis (emperipolesis) was scarce. Our diagnosis was atypical lymphohistiocytic proliferation. Flow cytometry was negative, but in the face of a strong clinical suspicion of a lymphoid malignancy, excision was performed. The final diagnosis was Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD). The differential diagnosis of FNA of breast inflammatory lesions with atypical cytology is discussed, with a review of the literature. The early recognition on FNA of the hallmarks of this rare disease should prevent unnecessary radical surgery. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:287-291.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Cholera toxin induces tumor necrosis factor alpha production in human monocytes.

Cholera toxin covalently ADP-ribosylates the a subunit of Gs proteins. The modified Gsalpha activates adenylate cyclase and leads to a dramatic increase in intracellular cAMP. The effect of cholera toxin on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), a critical mediator of toxicity for a number of bacterial and viral infections, has not been examined. Here we show that cholera toxin stimulated human monocytes to secrete TNF-alpha. The subunit A of cholera toxin alone also induced TNF-alpha production, suggesting that TNF-alpha production is mediated through ADP-ribosylation activity of the toxin. Inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation such as 3-aminobenzamide and niacinamide blocked TNF-alpha induction. However, cyclic AMP analogs and adenylate cyclase activator forskolin did not induce TNF-alpha production in monocytes, suggesting that TNF-alpha induction is independent of cAMP. Furthermore, cholera toxin-induced TNF-alpha production was suppressed by protein kinase C inhibitors H7 and sphingosine and by phospholipase C inhibitors U73122 and ET-18-OCH3, suggesting that PLC and PKC mediate TNF-alpha induction. Cholera toxin-mediated induction of TNF-alpha occurs at the transcription level as demonstrated by the time-dependent expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. These results raise the possibility that TNF-alpha may play an important role in cholera toxin-mediated toxicity and demonstrate that cholera toxin activates TNF-alpha production through PLC-dependent and cAMP-independent pathways. The probable mechanisms of signal transduction from cholera toxin to PLC in monocytes will be discussed.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Determination of chloral hydrate metabolites in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Chloral hydrate (CH) is a widely used sedative. Its pharmacological and toxicological effects are directly related to its metabolism. Prior investigations of CH metabolism have been limited by the lack of analytical techniques sufficiently sensitive to identify and quantify metabolites of CH in biological fluids. In this study a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method was developed and validated for determining CH and its metabolites, monochloroacetate (MCA), dichloroacetate (DCA), trichloroacetate (TCA) and total trichloroethanol (free and glucuronidated form, TCE and TCE-Glu) in human plasma. Of these, DCA and MCA are newly identified metabolites in humans. The drug, its plasma metabolites and an internal standard, 4-chlorobutyric acid (CBA), were derivatized to their methyl esters by reacting with 12% boron trifluoride-methanol complex (12% BF3-MeOH). The reaction mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and analyzed by GC/MS, using a selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The quantitation limits of MCA, DCA, TCA, and TCE were between 0.12 and 7.83 microM. The coefficients of variation were between 0.58 and 14.58% and the bias values ranged between -10.03 and 14.37%. The coefficients of linear regression were between 0.9970 and 0.9996.

Acetals↗

Protein phosphatase 1 modulation of neostriatal AMPA channels: regulation by DARPP-32 and spinophilin.

Modulation of AMPA-type glutamate channels is important for synaptic plasticity. Here we provide physiological evidence that the activity of AMPA channels is regulated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP-1) in neostriatal neurons and identify two distinct molecular mechanisms of this regulation. One mechanism involves control of PP-1 catalytic activity by DARPP-32, a dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein highly enriched in neostriatum. The other involves binding of PP-1 to spinophilin, a protein that colocalizes PP-1 with AMPA receptors in postsynaptic densities. The results suggest that regulation of anchored PP-1 is important for AMPA-receptor-mediated synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Animals↗

Select 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors vary in their ability to reduce egg yolk cholesterol levels in laying hens through alteration of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis and plasma VLDL composition.

The inability to markedly attenuate cholesterol levels in chicken eggs has led to speculation that cholesterol is essential for yolk formation and that egg production would cease when yolk cholesterol deposition was inadequate for embryonic survival. However, this critical level hypothesis remains unproven. Here, we determine the relative responsiveness of laying hens to three select inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis. A control diet, either alone or supplemented with one of two dietary levels (0.03 or 0.06%) of atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin, was fed to White Leghorn hens for 5 wk. Liver cholesterol concentrations (mg/g tissue) were decreased (P </= 0.05) by each HMGR inhibitor; however, total liver cholesterol (mg) did not differ among treatments. Microsomal hepatic HMGR activities were increased one- to twofold in all HMGR inhibitor-treated groups, while HMGR mRNA levels were unaffected. Diameters of plasma VLDL particles, the main cholesterol-carrying yolk precursor macromolecules, were reduced (P </= 0.05) only in hens fed 0.06% atorvastatin, and the particles contained 38% less total cholesterol (P </= 0.05) than controls. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations were lowered (P </= 0.05) by both doses of atorvastatin (-56, -63%) and simvastatin (-36,-45%). Egg cholesterol contents were maximally reduced by 46% (P </= 0.05), 7% (P > 0.05), and 22% (P </= 0.05) in hens fed the 0.06% level of atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin, respectively, while overall egg production [-19% (P </= 0.05), +4% (P > 0.05), and -3% (P > 0.05)], was much less affected. We concluded that cholesterol per se may not be an obligatory component for yolk formation in chickens and, as such, may be amenable to further pharmacological manipulation

Animals↗

Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in human T lymphocytes by staphylococcal enterotoxin B correlates with toxin-induced proliferation and is regulated through protein kinase C.

The superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) simultaneously binds both the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II receptor on monocytes and the T-cell receptor (TCR) on T lymphocytes, resulting in a range of cell responses including induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). In this study, we have used mixed cultures of human peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes to investigate biochemical events controlling SEB induction of TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha production induced by SEB in mixed cultures is more closely associated with T cells than with monocytes: (i) a TCR-binding-site mutant of SEB (N23F) is less active in TNF-alpha induction than an MHC class II receptor-binding-site mutant (F44R), and (ii) flow cytometric analysis indicated that SEB induced TNF-alpha production in T cells but not in monocytes. Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of signal transduction pathways was employed to further define events in SEB-induced TNF-alpha production. Neither protein kinase A inhibitors nor two protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors altered SEB-induced TNF-alpha production. In contrast, SEB induced protein kinase C (PKC) translocation, and pretreatment of cultures with inhibitors of PKC blocked TNF-alpha induction. Alteration of levels of diacylglycerol (DAG), an activator of PKC, by treatment with inhibitors of phospholipase C or DAG kinase also altered SEB-induced TNF-alpha production. These data suggest that PKC activation plays a critical role in SEB-induced TNF-alpha production in human T cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

Formation of adeno-associated virus circular genomes is differentially regulated by adenovirus E4 ORF6 and E2a gene expression.

A central feature of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) latent life cycle is persistence in the form of both integrated and episomal genomes. However, the molecular processes associated with episomal long-term persistence of AAV genomes are only poorly understood. To investigate these mechanisms, we have utilized a recombinant AAV (rAAV) shuttle vector to identify circular AAV intermediates from transduced HeLa cells and primary fibroblasts. The unique structural features exhibited by these transduction intermediates included circularized monomer and dimer virus genomes in a head-to-tail array, with associated specific base pair alterations in the 5' viral D sequence. In HeLa cells, the abundance and stability of AAV circular intermediates were augmented by adenovirus expressing the E2a gene product. In the absence of E2a, adenovirus expressing the E4 open reading frame 6 gene product decreased the abundance of AAV circular intermediates, favoring instead the linear replication form monomer (Rfm) and dimer (Rfd) structures. In summary, the formation of AAV circular intermediates appears to represent a new pathway for AAV genome conversion, which is consistent with the head-to-tail concatemerization associated with latent-phase persistence of rAAV. A better understanding of this pathway may increase the utility of rAAV vectors for gene therapy.

Adenovirus E2 Proteins↗

Muscarine modulates Ca2+ channel currents in rat sensorimotor pyramidal cells via two distinct pathways.

We used the whole cell patch-clamp technique and single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to study the muscarinic receptor-mediated modulation of calcium channel currents in both acutely isolated and cultured pyramidal neurons from rat sensorimotor cortex. Single-cell RT-PCR profiling for muscarinic receptor mRNAs revealed the expression of m1, m2, m3, and m4 subtypes in these cells. Muscarine reversibly reduced Ca2+ currents in a dose-dependent manner. The modulation was blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine. When the internal recording solution included 10 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N, N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or 10 mM bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), the modulation was rapid (tauonset approximately 1.2 s). Under conditions where intracellular calcium levels were less controlled (0.0-0.1 mM BAPTA), a slowly developing component of the modulation also was observed (tauonset approximately 17 s). Both fast and slow components also were observed in recordings with 10 mM EGTA or 20 mM BAPTA when Ca2+ was added to elevate internal [Ca2+] ( approximately 150 nM). The fast component was due to a reduction in both N- and P-type calcium currents, whereas the slow component involved L-type current. N-ethylmaleimide blocked the fast component but not the slow component of the modulation. Preincubation of cultured neurons with pertussis toxin (PTX) also greatly reduced the fast portion of the modulation. These results suggest a role for both PTX-sensitive G proteins as well as PTX-insensitive G proteins in the muscarinic modulation. The fast component of the modulation was reversed by strong depolarization, whereas the slow component was not. Reblock of the calcium channels by G proteins (at -90 mV) occurred with a median tau of 68 ms. We conclude that activation of muscarinic receptors results in modulation of N- and P-type channels by a rapid, voltage-dependent pathway and of L-type current by a slow, voltage-independent pathway.

Animals↗

Retinoic acid regulates arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and phenotypic features in vivo and in vitro through an RARalpha-dependent signaling pathway.

We have recently shown that all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) modulates arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) morphologic features and biochemical composition in vitro. It has been proposed that different SMC phenotypes coexist in arteries, which may be retrieved in culture: hence, a differential action of tRA on distinct SMC subsets is conceivable. We have examined the effect of tRA on SMC proliferation, migration, plasminogen activator activity, and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in 2 phenotypically different rat SMC populations, cultured respectively from the normal aortic media and from the intimal thickening (IT) after endothelial injury. tRA inhibited proliferation and increased migration and tissue-type plasminogen activator activity in both SMC populations, but decreased alpha-smooth muscle actin only in SMC cultured from the IT. The action of tRA is mediated by 2 families of nuclear receptors, RAR and RXR, each containing 3 isoforms, alpha, beta, and gamma. RAR and RAR-alpha agonists, but not RXR agonists, inhibited SMC proliferation in both cell populations and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression only in IT SMC. When administered intraperitoneally to balloon-injured rats, tRA and RAR-alpha agonists reduced the intimal hyperplasia in the carotid artery. Our results show that tRA and synthetic retinoids can affect the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of SMC in vitro. Furthermore, retinoids are able to reduce the IT induced by endothelial injury in vivo.

Animals↗

Relationship between inhibition of mevalonate biosynthesis and reduced fertility in laying hens.

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of inhibition of mevalonate biosynthesis on fertility and embryonic survival in laying chickens. White Leghorn hens were fed for 5 weeks with a control diet alone or a diet supplemented with one of two concentrations (0.03 or 0.06%) of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors atorvastatin, lovastatin or simvastatin. The hens were artificially inseminated once a week and eggs that were not analysed for cholesterol content were incubated. When averaged across dietary groups and expressed as a percentage of all eggs incubated, the incidence of unfertilized eggs was 1.6% (controls), 29.1% (atorvastatin), 4.4% (lovastatin) and 7.9% (simvastatin). In contrast, with the exception of lower values for birds fed 0.06% atorvastatin, all groups had comparable hatchabilities of fertilized eggs. Hatchability of all eggs incubated was decreased in both atorvastatin groups compared with the other treatments. However, embryonic mortality of fertilized eggs was unaffected (P > 0.05) by diet. Compared with controls, maximum decreases in egg cholesterol of 46, 22 and 7% were obtained with atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin, respectively. Although the overall correlation of egg cholesterol content with hatchability was high (r = 0.82), the hatch rate of eggs containing approximately 105 mg cholesterol ranged from 0 to 67%, indicating that egg cholesterol content was not the only factor influencing embryo survival. This is the first study to indicate that a mevalonate-derived product or products plays an important role in avian fertility. In addition, this work challenges the contention that virtually all of the cholesterol in chicken egg yolk is essential for embryonic development and survival.

Animals↗

Diagnosis and treatment of splanchnic artery aneurysms: a report of 57 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of splanchnic artery aneurysms. METHODS: A retrospective study of our case records from 1957 to 1997 was carried out. Fifty-seven patients with splanchnic artery aneurysms were involved in this study with 62 aneurysms, including hepatic aneurysm (14 patients), gastric and pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm (13), splenic aneurysm (14), renal aneurysm (6), superior mesenteric aneurysm (3), inferior mesenteric aneurysm (1), truncus coeliacus (3) and epiploic arterial aneurysm (3). Among them, 5 patients had multiple aneurysms; 29 had massive bleeding of spontaneous rupture into the biliary tract (14 patients), the upper gastrointestinal tract (10), and the peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavity (5). RESULTS: Preoperative diagnosis was confirmed by arteriography in 37 patients, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 2, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in 2. Among the 46 patients who underwent surgical intervention, 9 died. Splanchnic arterial embolotherapy was performed in 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Splanchnic artery aneurysms have a potential for rupture with life-threatening hemorrhage. Clinical assessment of these lesions before operation is very difficult. The most valuable examination is selective arteriography of the splanchnic artery (including DSA). Surgical treatment is a safe and effective procedure. Embolic therapy may be the method of choice for selected splanchnic artery aneurysms. Prognosis of this disorder depends on the anatomic location of aneurysms, primary disease and general condition of patients.

Adolescent↗

Discernment of the sensitized inner ear by peripheral immunocompetent lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of peripheral immunocompetent lymphocytes during the immune response in the inner ear. METHODS: Sensitized lymphocytes from peripheral blood, neck lymph nodes and spleen of three groups of donor animals, i.e., group A immunized intradermally with keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH) and both inner ears challenged with KLH, group B received only KLH intradermally without inner ear challenge, and group C used as control, were isolated and labelled with 51Cr. The labelled lymphocytes were injected intravenously into the recipients. They were immunized intradermally with right inner ears challenged with KLH. Twenty to 24 h later, the radioactivities in the temporal bones of the recipients were assayed to detect the infiltration of labelled cells. RESULTS: In groups A and B, the radioactivity in the right temporal bones was higher than that in the left temporal bones (P < 0.05). The highest labelling radioactivity was detected in the right temporal bones of group A. The lowest migration of 51Cr-labelled cells to the inner ear was found in group C. The ratio of radioactivity between right (challenged) and left (unchallenged) inner ears was higher in group A than in groups B and C, with the difference being significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The immune reaction in response to antigenic stimulation in the inner ear is immunologically modulated by the peripheral systemic circulation.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Quantitative assessment of Parkinson's disease deficits.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze the tremor and rigidity due to Parkinson's disease. METHODS: 38 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) ranging in age from 45 to 72 years and 211 normal subjects aged from 16 to 76 years were investigated. The frequency and range of tremor, the muscle tone of the upper limbs in elbow were detected by a computerized video motion detecting system and a new invented apparatus which can detects skeletal muscle tone. RESULTS: For the PD patients, the frequency of resting tremors was detected in 4 to 6 per second. For extensor and flexor in the PD patients, the value of muscle tone was higher than that of normal subjects and the value of muscle tone in flexor was higher than that of extensor. The rigidity increased gradually with repeat passive movement. The curves of rigidity were shown on computer screen or printed out. The data of rigidity were compared with the M-A Scale. A patient who was suspected to suffer from PD above by the equipments and found the muscle tone was higher than normal. In another PD patient the rigidity was obvious at one side and the muscle tone in "normal side" was also high. These equipments were used to record changes of rigidity and tremor in one more PD patient taking with different drugs in order to see the drug effect. CONCLUSION: Quantitative methods are useful to analyse the motion disorders due to PD.

Aged↗

Effects of BRL 55 834 on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation in sensitized guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of potassium channel activator on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation and to discuss which role it plays in asthma therapy. METHODS: Airway insufflation pressure, examination of inflammatory cells in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid, analysis of airway pathology and airway Evans blue dye extravasation measurement were employed to detect airway resistance and airway inflammatory responses. RESULTS: [(3s, 4R)-3, 4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxopiperidin-l-yl)-6-pentafluoroethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-ol] (BRL) 55 834 (8 micrograms/kg) inhibited not only ovalbumin-induced airway insufflation pressure increase but also inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) in sensitized guinea-pigs; moreover, it did not decrease blood pressure; in contrast to BRL 55 834, single dose of BRL 38 227 (200 micrograms/kg) and verapamil (0.5 mg/kg) had a little effect on ICI; single dose of aminophylline (25 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) could not inhibit ICI, but the former could inhibit airway insufflation increase; drugs, besides aminophylline, could reduce microvascular leakage; single dose of BRL 38 227, verapamil and dexamethasone had no inhibition of airway insufflation pressure; BRL 38 227 and verapamil decreased blood pressure markedly. CONCLUSIONS: Selective potassium channel activator BRL 55 834 not only decreases airway resistance, but also inhibit airway inflammation, and both of them are of benefit to asthma therapy.

Animals↗