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Biomedical subjects

A Liu

Publications and source records attributed to A Liu.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Testing secondary hypotheses following sequential clinical trials.

Sequential monitoring in a clinical trial poses difficulty in hypotheses testing on secondary endpoints after the trial is terminated. The conventional likelihood-based testing procedure that ignores the sequential monitoring inflates Type I error and undermines power. In this article, we show that the power of the conventional testing procedure can be substantially improved while the Type I error is controlled. The method is illustrated with a real clinical trial.

Biometry↗

Truncation of blood curves to enhance imaging and therapy with monoclonal antibodies.

Targeting of monoclonal antibody (Mab) to solid tumor sites is a function of the blood curve of activity versus time. It has been suggested that the blood curve be artificially reduced to approach zero so that the contrast between tumor and blood uptake is maximized. We analyzed tumor uptake as a function of the time tc of blood curve truncation. By using a convolution approach, we were able to find the optimal times for setting the blood curve to zero in either diagnostic or therapeutic animal examples. Two iodinated cT84.66 anti-CEA engineered fragments, diabody and minibody, were considered using previous data from nude mouse studies involving the LS174T colorectal tumor model. Figures of merit (FOMs) were used to compare ordinary and truncated blood curves and their associated tumor accumulations. Using a 1231 label, it was seen that the appropriate time for diagnostic truncation occurred when tumor uptake, as measured, was a maximum. The corresponding point for therapy (with 1311 as a label) was at infinite time. We also demonstrated that the use of traditional indices led to ambiguities in the choice of truncation times. The traditional therapy index, the ratio of the integral of the tumor uptake to the integral of the blood uptake, was found to be a numerical constant independent of tc. This ratio was proved to be the integral of the tumor impulse response function. Use of such convolution techniques to assess truncation of the perfused material is probably also applicable to multistep processes as well as to lesion targeting with other tumor-specific pharmaceuticals.

Animals↗

Estrogen receptor variants in epithelial compartment of normal human breast.

Estrogen receptor (ER) splice variants have previously been identified in normal human breast. Normal breast, however, comprises many cell types including fat cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and a variety of inflammatory cells besides breast epithelial cells. The objective of our study was to demonstrate the existence of several variants in the epithelial compartment of the normal human breast. To this end, highly enriched breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty specimens were isolated using Percoll gradient centrifugation. We analyzed the presence of both wild-type (WT) and variant receptors in human breast epithelial cells using the seminested polymerase chain reaction and direct automated sequencing of the amplified products. We demonstrated that a number of spliced variants of the ER coexist with the WT receptor. Variants lacking exons 2, 4, 5, and 7 are detected in the breast epithelial compartment of the normal human breast.

Alternative Splicing↗

Inhibitory effect of antisense epidermal growth factor receptor RNA on the proliferation of rat C6 glioma cells in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of antisense epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) RNA on the growth of rat glioma cells in vitro and in vivo and to determine the feasibility of targeting the EGFR gene for gene therapy in gliomas. METHODS: Antisense EGFR complementary (c)DNA was transfected into C6 glioma cells by using lipofectamine. In vitro studies, Southern and Northern blot analyses, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical staining were designed to examine the integration and expression of antisense EGFR constructs. The 3'(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the average number of argyrophilic nuclear organizer regions (Ag-NORs) were used to evaluate cell proliferation, whereas the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method and microscopy were used to observe cell apoptosis. As part of the in vivo studies, parental C6 cells and C6 cells transfected with EGFR antisense cDNA were implanted stereotactically into the right caudate nucleus of Wistar rats (C6-injected animals and transfected C6-injected animals). Rats with well-established cerebral C6 glioma foci were treated intratumorally with either antisense EGFR cDNA or empty-vector DNA by using lipofectamine (treated-C6 and control treated group). The general behavior and survival of the rats, findings on magnetic resonance images of their brains, histopathological changes, proliferation activity, and apoptosis of the cerebral gliomas in each group of rats were examined. Exogenous antisense EGFR cDNA was integrated into the genome of C6 cells and expressed. In clones with a high expression of the antisense construct, there was a dramatic decrease in endogenous EGFR messenger RNA and protein levels, reduced proliferation activity, and induction of apoptosis in vitro. The mean survival time of rats injected with C6 cells was 17.3 days. The mean survival time of rats injected with C6 cells followed by treatment with empty vector in lipofectamine was 15.4 days. Survival time was significantly prolonged in 100% of the rats injected with antisense-transfected C6 cells and in two thirds of the rats injected with C6 cells followed by antisense EGFR cDNA. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed distinct cerebral tumor foci in C6-injected rats and in control rats of the treated group, but none were found in the rats injected with transfected C6 cells. Furthermore, tumor foci disappeared completely in C6-injected rats treated with antisense EGFR cDNA. The cerebral gliomas of the rats treated by injection of antisense EGFR RNA were characterized by reduced proliferation activity and the induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that EGFR plays an important role in the genesis of malignant gliomas. It may, therefore, be an effective target of antisense gene therapy in patients with gliomas.

Animals↗

Estrogen receptor variants are present in many normal human tissues.

Estrogen receptors (ER) are present in various reproductive tissues as well as in other tissues not considered classical targets for estrogen. A variety of alternatively spliced ER variants which co-exist with the wild-type receptor has also been described in many tissues. We analyzed the presence of both wild-type and variant receptors from normal human tissues of various origin using semi-nested PCR and direct automated sequence of the amplified products. We demonstrate that many normal human tissues of various origin contain a number of spliced variants of the estrogen receptor that co-exist with the wild-type receptor. Variants lacking exons 2, 4, 5, and 7 are detected in a variety of normal human tissues.

Adolescent↗

A phase I radioimmunotherapy trial evaluating 90yttrium-labeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) chimeric T84.66 in patients with metastatic CEA-producing malignancies.

Chimeric T84.66 (cT84.66) is a genetically engineered human/murine chimeric IgG, with high affinity and specificity to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The purpose of this Phase I dose escalation therapy trial was to evaluate the toxicities, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, tumor targeting, immunogenicity, and organ and tumor absorbed dose estimates of cT84.66 labeled with 90Y. Patients with metastatic CEA-producing malignancies were first administered 5 mCi 111In-labeled DTPA-cT84.66 (5 mg), followed by administration of the therapy dose of 90Y-labeled DTPA-cT84.66 1 week later. The therapy infusion was immediately followed by a 72-h administration of DTPA at 250 mg/m2/24 h. Dose levels of administered activity ranged from 5 to 22 mCi/m2 with three to six patients per level. Serial nuclear scans, blood samples, and 24-h urine collections were performed out to 5 days after infusion. Human antichimeric antibody response was assayed out to 6 months. Patients were administered up to 3 cycles of therapy every 6 weeks. Radiation absorbed doses to organs were estimated using a five compartment model and MIRDOSE3. Twenty-two patients received at least one cycle of therapy, with one individual receiving two cycles and two receiving three cycles of therapy. All were heavily pretreated and had progressive disease prior to entry in this trial. Reversible leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were the primary dose-limiting toxicities observed. Maximum tolerated dose was reached at 22 mCi/ m2. In general, patients with liver metastases demonstrated more rapid blood clearance of the antibody. Thirteen patients developed an immune response to the antibody. Average radiation doses to marrow, liver, and whole body were 2.6, 29, and 1.9 cGy/mCi 90Y, respectively. Dose estimates to tumor ranged from 66 to 1670 cGy (8.7 to 52.2 cGy/mCi 90Y) for each cycle of therapy delivered. Although no major responses were observed, three patients demonstrated stable disease of 12-28 weeks duration and two demonstrated a mixed response. In addition, a 41-100% reduction in tumor size was observed with five tumor lesions. 90Y-labeled cT84.66 was well tolerated, with reversible thrombocytopenia and leukopenia being dose limiting. Patients with extensive hepatic involvement by tumor demonstrated unfavorable biodistribution for therapy with rapid blood clearance and poor tumor targeting. Average tumor doses when compared with red marrow doses indicated a favorable therapeutic ratio. Stable disease and mixed responses were observed in this heavily pretreated population with progressive disease. This trial represents an important step toward further improving the therapeutic potential of this agent through refinements in the characteristics of the antibody and the treatment strategies used. Future trials will focus on the use of peripheral stem cell support to allow for higher administered activities and the use of combined modality strategies with radiation-enhancing chemotherapy drugs. Further efforts to reduce immunogenicity through humanization of the antibody are also planned. Finally, novel engineered, lower molecular weight, faster clearing constructs derived from cT84.66 continue to be evaluated in preclinical models as potential agents for radioimmunotherapy.

Animals↗

[Yi nationality's sacred groves and biodiversity conservation in Chuxiong, Yunnan].

Sacred groves occur in many ethnic minority areas of Yunnan, China, which have ecologically multiplex functions and effects on biodiversity management and conservation at grassroots level. In this paper, an extensive field survey was carried out to evaluate the role of the sacred groves of the Yi nationality in Chuxiong of Yunnan. Three forest communities (sacred grove, common forest and natural reserve) under different management were sampled, and their plant species diversity was compared. The result shows that the total species, endemic species and Shannon-Wiener index in the sacred grove community were respectively 67, 17 and 2.96, higher than those in natural reserve (44.8 and 2.17) and common forest (34.4 and 2.39). The sacred groves of the Yi nationality in Chuxiong of Yunnan play an important role in local biodiversity conservation and management.

Ecosystem↗

[A comparative study on nutrient accumulation and distribution of different generations of Chinese fir plantations].

The nutrient accumulations and distribution of different generation of Chinese fir plantations in central production areas of China were studied through the investigation of plantation with different generation(first, second and third), ages (5, 10, 15, 20 years old) and sites(site index 14, 16 and 18). The nutrient accumulations and distribution of Chinese fir plantations were greatly influenced by the number of planting generation. Nutrient accumulation and utilization efficiency in tree layer of Chinese fir plantations declined with the increasing planting generation number, with the first generation > the second > the third; while the nutrient accumulation of understory vegetation was increased with the increasing of planting generation number. Compared with the first generation plantations, nutrient accumulation of tree layer of the second and the third generations decreased by 17.56% and 36.24% respectively, and the third generation platation decreased by 22.65% than the second generation. Meanwhile, successive planting resulted in a decreasing nutrient utilization efficiency of Chinese fir plantation, and an increasing nutrient necessary for dry matter production per unit, which is disadvantageous to the maintaining of soil fertility, but beneficial to the nutrient accumulation of understory vegetation.

Abies↗

[The effect of orthognathic surgery on temporomandibular joint function].

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate the signs and symptoms of TMJ in patients undergoing different orthognathic operations with rigid or non-rigid internal fixation. METHODS: The Helkimo index was used to analyze the anamnestic (Ai) and clinical (Di) data of 46 one-year postoperative cases being performed mandibular ramus osteotomies combined with other operations, and compared with preoperative data to analysis the changes of TMJ symptoms. RESULTS: The changes of the Ai and Di data were not significant. Postoperative in the four clinical indices, only the joint tenderness indice was significantly different from preoperative. Despite there were decreases of maximal opening of mouth, maximal protrusion, they were only 1% lower than preoperative data and had no clinical significance. The percentage of TMJ to develop after bimaxillary operation was not different from only mandibular operation. There was no significant difference as compared between different operations and fixation methods. CONCLUSIONS: The change of TMJ symptoms and signs after orthognathic surgery was not significant. Compared with each other the various surgical procedures (bimaxillary or only mandibular, BSSRO or BIVRO, RF or NRF) were not found any difference about the effect on the TMJ.

Adolescent↗

[Residual risk research of HIV infection after blood screening in one county in China].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of HIV infections from blood transfusions, to evaluate existing blood screening measures, and to make recommendations to improve current blood screening practices. METHODS: Research was conducted in a county blood station. A statistical model and retrospective method were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Between June 1995 and March 1998, 19 blood donors tested positive for HIV antibodies and among them, 7 were repeat blood donors. Twenty - two blood recipients were identified from these 7 donors during six months, 9 are still alive today, while one patient was infected with HIV from a blood transfusion while undergoing an operation. The residual risk of the blood station using a statistical model and retrospective methods were 1/1,773 - 1/28,867 and 1/2,008 - 1/2,730 donations respectively. CONCLUSION: The residual risk of HIV after screening in the county blood station was high. We recommend further improvements to current blood screening practices.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

[Animal experimental study on endocrine factors affecting alveolar repair].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the endocrine effects on activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) and to obtain the mechanism of the resorption and regeneration of the alveolar bone. METHODS: 24 dog models with two-side osseous infrabony pocket were divided into 4 groups randomly and were studied by histologic examination, enzyme cytochemistry and image analysis system. RESULTS: The activities of ALP and ACP, except ACP in the sixth month significantly decreased in the group of thyroidism comparing with that of the control group (P < 0.01), but only the activities of ALP significantly decreased in groups of ovariectomy and diabetes (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and there was close relationship between enzyme activities and histopathologic variations. CONCLUSION: Alveolar bone repair was regulated by systemic endocrine factors and was associated with the activities of ALP and ACP osteoblasts of and osteoclasts.

Acid Phosphatase↗

[Application of UV spectrophotometry in the detection of magnetization effect].

Compared the UV absorption spectra of some magnetized samples with them of unmagnetized samples(the pure solvents and unmagnetized solutions as the reference substances separately), we found the wavelength of absorption didn't change, but strength of absorption of all magnetized compounds changed. When unmagnetized solutions is selected as reference substances, there may be a peak of magnetic effect in UV absorption spectra. Furthermore, the different magnetization time made the absorbance change in varying degrees. This research will play an important role for the study of possible mechanism of magnetic field effect on chemical reaction.

Magnetics↗

Interaction of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase interacting protein-1 with p190 rhoGEF and its localization in differentiated neurons.

c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) interacting protein-1 (JIP-1) was originally identified as a cytoplasmic inhibitor of JNK. More recently, JIP-1 was proposed to function as a scaffold protein by complexing specific components of the JNK signaling pathway, namely JNK, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7, and mixed lineage kinase 3. We have identified the human homologue of JIP-1 that contains a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain in addition to a JNK binding domain and an Src homology 3 domain. To identify binding targets for the hJIP-1 PTB domain, a mouse embryo cDNA library was screened using the yeast two-hybrid system. One clone encoded a 191-amino acid region of the neuronal protein rhoGEF, an exchange factor for rhoA. Overexpression of rhoGEF promotes cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell rounding in NIE-115 neuronal cells. The interaction of JIP-1 with rhoGEF was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of these proteins from lysates of transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. Using glutathione S-transferase rhoGEF fusion proteins containing deletion or point mutations, we identified a putative PTB binding site within rhoGEF. This binding site does not contain tyrosine, indicating that the JIP PTB domain, like that of Xll alpha and Numb, binds independently of phosphotyrosine. Several forms of endogenous JIP-1 protein can be detected in neuronal cell lines. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis localized endogenous JIP-1 to the tip of the neurites in differentiated NIE-115 and PC12 cells. The interaction of JIP-1 with rhoGEF and its subcellular localization suggests that JIP-1 may function to specifically localize a signaling complex in neuronal cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

A genetic map and recombination parameters of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Genetic investigations of malaria require a genome-wide, high-resolution linkage map of Plasmodium falciparum. A genetic cross was used to construct such a map from 901 markers that fall into 14 inferred linkage groups corresponding to the 14 nuclear chromosomes. Meiotic crossover activity in the genome proved high (17 kilobases per centimorgan) and notably uniform over chromosome length. Gene conversion events and spontaneous microsatellite length changes were evident in the inheritance data. The markers, map, and recombination parameters are facilitating genome sequence assembly, localization of determinants for such traits as virulence and drug resistance, and genetic studies of parasite field populations.

Animals↗

Adsorption/Desorption in a System Consisting of Humic Acid, Heavy Metals, and Clay Minerals.

Metal adsorption/desorption in a system consisting of humic acid, metal ions, and clay minerals is described. Montmorillonite and purified humic acid were selected as a prototype materials for this study. At a constant ionic strength, the amount of humic acid adsorbed on montmorillonite decreases when pH is increased. A slight increase in humic acid adsorption on montmorillonite is observed when there are bivalent metals present in the system. The metal adsorption on montmorillonite does not correlate to the amount of humic acid adsorbed on montmorillonite. Montmorillonite with preadsorbed humic acid does not show a significant change in the capacity of adsorbed metal ions. An increase in the ionic strength at a pH of 6.5 results in an increase in the adsorption of lead on montmotillonite in the presence of humic acid, while at a lower pH, the increase in ionic strength results in a decrease in metal adsorption. The bridging of bivalent metal ions between montmorillonite and humic acid is proposed as the dominant adsorption mechanism. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Activation of the PI3'K-AKT pathway masks the proapoptotic effects of farnesyltransferase inhibitors.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) usually cause growth inhibition, but in certain preclinical settings they have been shown to induce apoptosis, a clinically desirable response. In this study, we show that the proapoptotic effects of FTIs in Ras-transformed cells are masked by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3'K) or AKT, which are controlled by cytokines and integrins. The results implied that FTIs disrupt a signal that is crucial for survival of malignant cells, but not normal cells, if the PI3'K-AKT pathway is inactivated. Our findings have implications for clinical applications of FTIs where apoptotic responses would be preferred.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗