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C J Huang

Publications and source records attributed to C J Huang.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Synergistic activation of RLD-1 by agents triggering PKA and PKC dependent signalling.

RLD-1 and OR-1 are closely related orphan nuclear receptors that can be activated by certain oxysterols. To obtain cells stably expressing RLD-1 or OR-1, CHOK1 cells were successively transfected with a DGRE2-ALP reporter and GR-RLD-1 or GR-OR-1 chimeric constructs. The selected cell clones that showed low background activity of the reporter and maximum fold induction by 22R(OH)cholesterol were used for subsequent experiments. Treatment of the cells with PGE2, TPA, or 8-bromo-cAMP alone did not transactivate the reporter. However, the induction of the reporter by 22R(OH)cholesterol was markedly enhanced in the presence of PGE2, TPA, 8-bromo-cAMP, or forskolin in cells expressing GR-RLD-1. The enhancement was inhibited by H-89 and bisindolylmaleimide, both inhibitors of protein kinases. These results suggest that transactivation by ligand-activated RLD-1 may be further modulated/regulated through other signal transduction pathways involving phosphorylation catalyzed by protein kinases.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1998

Genomic organization and characterization of the promoter region of the round-spotted pufferfish (Tetraodon fluviatilis) JAK1 kinase gene.

Seventeen kilobases of genomic DNA containing the promoter and the coding region of the round-spotted pufferfish JAK1 gene was isolated and completely sequenced. This gene consists of 25 exons and 24 introns spanning about 13.5 kb, compared to > 30kb in carp JAK1 gene. Primer extension analysis revealed one transcription initiation site which was 376 bp upstream of the translation initiation site. The sequence of the 2.9 kb region upstream of the transcription initiation site contains numerous potential binding sites for transcription factors including HNF-5, GCF, Sp1, CRE, AP2, GATA, GAGA, E2A, p53, and NF-IL6. When this region was placed upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene and transfected into a carp CF cell line, it could drive the synthesis of CAT enzyme three times more efficiently than could the common carp JAK1 promoter.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Protein-tyrosine kinase and protein-serine/threonine kinase expression in human gastric cancer cell lines.

Protein kinases play key roles in cellular functions. They are involved in many cellular functions including; signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, cell division, and cell differentiation. Alterations of protein kinase by gene amplification, mutation or viral factors often induce tumor formation and tumor progression toward malignancy. The identification and cloning of kinase genes can provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis as well as diagnostic tools for tumor staging. In this study, we have used degenerated polymerase-chain-reaction primers according to the consensus catalytic domain motifs to amplify protein kinase genes (protein-tyrosine kinase, PTK, and protein-serine/threonine kinase, PSK) from human stomach cancer cells. Following amplification, the protein kinase molecules expressed in the gastric cancer cells were cloned into plasmid vectors for cloning and sequencing. Sequence analysis of polymerase-chain-reaction products resulted in the identification of 25 protein kinases, including two novel ones. Expression of several relevant PTK/PSK genes in gastric cancer cells and tissues was further substantiated by RT-PCR using gene-specific primers. The identification of protein kinases expressed or activated in the gastric cancer cells provide the framework to understand the oncogenic process of stomach cancer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Isolation and identification of novel protein kinase genes from the round-spotted pufferfish (Tetraodon fluviatilis) genomic DNA.

The round-spotted pufferfish Tetraodon fluviatilis has a genome size of 380 Mb which is slightly smaller than that of another pufferfish, Fugu rubripes rubripes (Fugu). Due to their compact genome and small introns, both pufferfishes have been proposed as model organisms for genome studies. In this study, we have used genomic DNA as template to perform PCR to screen for protein kinase (pk) genes. Forty-one T. fluviatilis pk genes encoding 7 receptor tyrosine kinases, 14 nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, 16 serine/threonine kinases, 1 dual kinase and 3 novel kinases have been identified. The success of this approach depends on the size and location of the introns. Most of the identified pk gene fragments contain introns, ranging from 71 to 300 bp, with an average of 120 bp. It is noteworthy that the intron/exon boundaries of certain genes which belong to the same family are identical. We also analyzed by specific RT-PCR primers the expression profile of those 3 novel genes as well as some selected pk genes in a variety of tissues. We found that erbB3, pku a, mrk, CaMK I, CaMKIIgamma, and two novel kinase genes (133 and 3-26) are expressed in all tissues examined. However, the novel clone 146 is strongly expressed in the brain and weakly in the intestine, kidney and heart.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Round-spotted pufferfish (Tetraodon fluviatilis) snf5 gene is oriented in a tail-to-tail manner with the set gene which encodes an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A.

The round-spotted pufferfish Tetraodon fluviatilis has a genome size of 380 Mb which is slightly smaller than that of another pufferfish Fugu rubripes rubripes (Fugu). Due to its compact genome and small introns, Fugu has been introduced as a model for genome studies. Recently, the round-spotted pufferfish has also been proposed as a new model for genome studies because of the ease in obtaining material and high-sequence homology to that of Fugu. In this study, we have cloned and characterized the snf5 and set genes from the round-spotted pufferfish. The snf5 gene is composed of 9 exons spanning about 2.9 kb whereas the set gene consists of 8 exons spanning about 2.7 kb. They are linked in a tail-to-tail manner with an intergenic region of about 6.5 kb. So far, the genomic structures of human snf5 and set genes are unknown. Based on our data, the pufferfish SNF5 and SET display high amino acid sequence identity (>90%) with the respective human genes. By primer extension and sequence analysis, we found that putative promoter region of the snf5 gene contains a typical TATA box and numerous potential binding sites for transcription factors including AP1, AP2, AP3, c-Myb, HNF-5, and NF-IL6. As for the set gene, its promoter region does not have any TATA or CCAAT motif and contains a few potential binding sites for transcriptional factors such as c-Myb and gamma-IRE. When these promoter regions were placed upstream of the CAT reporter gene and transfected into a carp CF cell line, the 5'-upstream 1.6-kb DNA fragment of the snf5 gene displayed stronger promoter activity, approximately three-fold higher than that of the 5'-upstream 1.3 kb DNA fragment of the set gene. By transient expression and immunofluorescent staining, we also showed that the pufferfish SNF5 and SET are nuclear proteins, consistent with their postulated roles as transcriptional factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway and laryngeal mask airway in spontaneous breathing anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) is a modified Guedel airway with a cuff at its distal end and a standard 15 mm connector at its proximal end. This study was performed to determine if the COPA would offer any advantage over the laryngeal mask airway (LMA). METHODS: Eighty ASA class I to II adult patients scheduled for short elective procedures (less than 1 h) were randomly allocated into two groups. All patients were given atropine 0.01 mg/kg, fentanyl 2 micrograms/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg intravenously for induction of anesthesia. The COPA or LMA was inserted following the loss of eyelash reflex. If the jaw was not relaxed enough for insertion of a COPA or LMA, succinylcholine 1 mg/kg was given to facilitate the insertion. When correctly positioned, the cuff was immediately inflated with an appropriate volume. Gentle positive pressure ventilation was applied before spontaneous breathing resumed. Capnography was used to assess the patency of the airway. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane-N2O-O2 until the end of surgery. The success rate, vital signs, and adverse events were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The success rate in the LMA group (95%) was higher than the COPA group (85%). The increase in circulatory response after the LMA insertion was greater than that after the COPA insertion (P < 0.05). Nine patients (22.5%) in the LMA group needed succinylcholine to facilitate insertion compared with only two patients (5%) in the COPA group. Additional manipulation was frequently (57.5%) needed after inserting the COPA to maintain the patency of the airways, but none needed so in the LMA group. Two patients had laryngospasms upon removal of the LMA, but none had laryngospasm in the COPA group. The incidence of sore throat in the LMA group was higher than in the COPA group (18% vs. 10%). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the COPA could be easily inserted without the need of muscle relaxants in most patients. But the COPA needed airway intervention to provide an effective airway in most patients. Compared with the LMA, the COPA caused less stimulation than the LMA.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Gastric duplication cyst: report of a case.

Gastric duplication cyst is a rare disease entity, especially in the adult population. We report a case of 33-year-old female patient who presented with epigastric pain, postprandial fullness and nausea for the past several months. Gastroendoscopy showed a submucosal mass with normal overlying gastric mucosa. Upper gastrointestinal series confirmed a extrinsic compression of mass in the fundus of the stomach. Endoscopic ultrasonography and computerized tomography demonstrated the lesion to be a cyst in nature. The surgical procedure consisted of total excision without violation of the gastric lumen. Gastric mucosa was found by the histologic study of the excised cyst.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Torsion of a malignant undescended testis.

Cryptorchid testis have a greater risk of malignant change than do normally descended testis. The undescended testis would also be susceptible to torsion by the mechanism of increase in testicular size. A 36-year-old man of torsion of malignant undescended testis is presented. He was diagnosed as having incarcerated inguinal hernia on his first visit to general surgeon due to acute left lower abdominal pain. At laparotomy, a 7.5 x 5.5 x 3.0 cm3, greyish tan color mass was found. The pathological diagnosis is choricarcinoma and teratoma, mixed germ cell tumor. We would emphasise that in any patient presenting with acute abdominal symptoms and an absent scrotal testis, the possibility of a complication of torsion of undescended testis should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prevention of coughing induced by endotracheal tube during emergence from general anesthesia--a comparison between three different regimens of lidocaine filled in the endotracheal tube cuff.

BACKGROUND: "Deep" extubation, administration of intravenous (i.v.) narcotics, i.v. lidocaine and forestalling local spray of lidocaine have been used to help diminish coughing during emergence. However, the respective efficacy of these techniques has not been concluded. Sconzo et al. indicated that endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff might serve as a reservoir for local anesthetic. Alkalizing and warming are two techniques frequently used to increase in the proportion of uncharged drugs available. Matias indicated that alkalization could prompt a 63-fold increase of the rate of diffusion of lidocaine across the ETT cuff. Huang et al. also observed that alkalization together with warming could achieve a 118-fold increase further. However, the in vivo effects of ETT-cuff lidocaine have not been studied. METHODS: Eighty patients of ASA Class I-II undergoing elective surgeries were included. They were randomly assigned into four groups. After tracheal intubation, the ETT cuff was filled with one of the following solutions: normal saline 6 ml (Group A), 4% lidocaine 6 ml at room temperature (Group B), 4% lidocaine 5 ml + 7% sodium bicarbonate 1 ml at room temperature (Group C), and 4% lidocaine 5 ml + 7% sodium bicarbonate 1 ml warmed to 38 degrees C (Group D). Changes of vital signs as well as the times of coughing in the course of extubation and post-extubation complications were recorded. One way ANOVA (SPSS for windows) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The respective number of coughing per patient in the experimental groups (Group B, C and D) was significantly less than the saline or control group (mean = 9.70, 9.15 and 3.95, respectively, p < 0.05). The incidence of sore throat in Group C and Group D was significantly less than the control group (35% and 25%, respectively, p < 0.05). Regarding the hemodynamic changes, systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were higher in Group B and C (p < 0.05) before extubation. CONCLUSIONS: Alkalized and warmed lidocaine prestored in the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff can greatly reduce ETT-induced coughing and thus promote a smoother emergence from general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Serum vitamin A level in breast cancer patients.

Vitamin A or its synthetic analogues are potent in controlling cell differentiation and in preventing epithelial cancer in experimental animals. Although some community-based studies have found that high serum retinol levels in prediagnostic sera were associated with reduced risk for cancer, other reports in humans have not confirmed this finding. This study is to evaluate the preoperative serum vitamin A level in breast cancer patients in Taiwan. The serum specimens were collected from 106 female cases of breast cancer (aged 30 to 70 years), 32 female cases of benign breast disease (aged 29 to 57 years), and 40 healthy females (aged 22 to 52 years). The serum vitamin A levels were measured by colorimetic analysis. The results showed the mean value of the vitamin A level was 140.4 +/- 65.7 micrograms/dl in the breast cancer group comparing to 145.2 +/- 44.2 micrograms/dl in the benign breast disease group, 144.0 +/- 30.0 micrograms/dl in the control group (P > 0.05). The characteristics of the breast cancer group were analyzed and they revealed that serum vitamin A levels did not bear statistically significant differences in age, duration, steroid receptor, tumor size and menopausal state. (P > 0.05) In conclusion, the serum vitamin A levels were not decreased in early breast cancer patients. The serum vitamin A levels were significantly decreased in the metastatic breast cancer group, especially in liver metastatic women. (P < 0.05). Postoperative vitamin A supplement may have potential benefit to metastatic breast cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Surgery for achalasia: long-term results in operated achalasic patients.

Achalasia is a functional disorder of the alimentary tract due to decreased or absent peristalsis of the esophageal body and obstructive outlet of the esophagus. Surgical treatment, eg. esophagomyotomy of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), was one choice for resolving the problem and its effect was affirmative from reviews of many internationally authorized articles. However, few reports have ever questioned the long-term effects of it. From January 1968 to May 1996, 159 esophageal achalasic patients, 90 males and 69 females, were admitted due to dysphagia or food regurgitation. One hundred and forty-five patients had received 158 operations related to this benign motor disorder. The majority of patients received either modified Heller esophagomyotomy (M) or M plus modified Belsy Mark IV antireflux procedure (M+W) for primary treatment of their esophageal disorder, while conditional selection with addition of esophageal resection as advanced procedures for failure of primary surgery. We retrospectively studied these patients, collected their preoperative and postoperative clinical results, analyzed the causes of recurrent symptoms, compared the long-term results in different surgical procedures and searched for the pathogenesis of their failure. The results disclosed that the overall success rate for both methods was 73.1% with 85.7% for patients receiving M+W (56) and 64.9% of M (77) only. Through long-term follow-up, we had an improvement rate of 97.4% at an early stage and 53.3% for M at a late stage and 98.4% and 55.6% for M+W, respectively. The postoperative natural course of achalasic patients could be seen and progressive deterioration of the operated patients with time was noted. Several factors might contribute to the causes of unsuccessful surgery. We summarized them as incomplete myotomy, fused or healed myotomy, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), mucosal hernia and co-combined antireflux procedure by hypercalibrated or floppy wrapping. Esophagomyotomy or myotomy plus antireflux procedure for the esophagus could be concluded to rather effective in the long-term but palliative treatments for achalasia chronic deterioration of the results could be found for both of them. Defective myotomy and GER may be the major causes for their failure. The choice of types of surgery between M and M+W was not the cause of the unsuccessful results whereas the operative strategy and procedures would have a certain significance on the long-term effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Purification and cloning of carp nephrosin, a secreted zinc endopeptidase of the astacin family.

We have purified a secreted proteinase of 23 kDa from carp head kidney by sequential column chromatography on a Reactive Blue 72-agarose dye affinity column and an FPLC Mono-P column. The secretion of this proteinase from carp head kidney can be stimulated by high concentrations of potassium. Since the carp proteinase is present mainly in the head kidney, kidney, and spleen (all of which are lymphohematopoietic organs), it is named nephrosin. The carp nephrosin is most sensitive to metal chelators, but not to inhibitors specific for other classes of proteinases. A cDNA clone has been isolated from a carp head kidney cDNA library by immunoscreening with a polyclonal antiserum raised against purified nephrosin. The cloned cDNA is 1086 base pairs in length and has an open reading frame encoding a protein of 273 amino acids, including a 19-amino acid signal peptide and 56-amino acid propeptide. The deduced amino acid sequence shows moderate levels of identity to medaka HCE1 (52.5%), medaka LCE (50.7%), crayfish astacin (33.2%), murine meprin-alpha (34%), and murine meprin-beta (33.5%), all members of the astacin family of zinc endopeptidases. Nephrosin is the first member of the astacin family found in lymphohematopoietic tissues.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1997

Relaxin and estrogen synergistically accelerate growth and development in the uterine cervix of prepubertal pigs.

UNLABELLED: This study was designed to determine the development and growth-promoting effects of relaxin with or without estrogen on the uterine cervix of prepubertal gilts. Twenty littermate gilts of similar body weight (33 +/- 3 kg; mean +/- SE) at 80 days of age were randomly assigned to four treatments: Vehicle (CONTROL, 1 ml PBS and 1 ml vegetable oil, n = 5); Relaxin (Relaxin, in PBS, 1 ml, 167 micrograms ml-1, n = 5); Estradiol Benzoate (EB, in vegetable oil, 1 ml, 2 mg ml-1, n = 5); and Relaxin plus EB (Relaxin + EB, at the same doses, n = 5), total six intramuscular injections for all treatments. Twenty four hours after the last injection, hysterectomy was performed, and the uterine tissues were immediately frozen at -80 degrees C. Samples were taken from the middle portions of the cervix and the uterine horns and dried to a constant weight to determine the dry weight and water concentration. Homogenates of uterine horns and cervices were analyzed for concentrations and contents of protein, hydroxyproline (collagen index) and DNA. Relaxin alone had no significant effect on any parameters (i.e., wet weight, Relaxin vs. CONTROL: 36 +/- 5 vs. 28 +/- 3 g uterus-1, dry weight 5.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.4 g uterus-1). EB alone increased significantly (P < 0.05) wet weight of the uterus (EB vs. CONTROL: 85 +/- 23 vs. 28 +/- 3 g uterus-1), dry weight (EB vs. CONTROL: 14.5 +/- 3 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.4 g uterus-1), and hydroxyproline content (EB vs. CONTROL: 47.2 +/- 13 vs. 12.6 +/- 4 mg cervix-1). In the presence of EB, relaxin treatment increased all measurements compared with CONTROL (i.e., wet weight, Relaxin + EB vs. EB: 136 +/- 34 vs. 28 +/- 3 g uterus-1). Compared with EB, Relaxin + EB significantly (P < 0.05) increased the uterine wet weight (Relaxin + EB vs. EB: 136 +/- 34 vs. 85 +/- 23 g uterus-1), the hydroxyproline content (Relaxin + EB vs. EB: 91 +/- 29 vs. 47 +/- 13 mg cervix-1), and DNA content (Relaxin + EB vs. EB: 8.1 +/- 2 vs. 5.4 +/- 1 mg cervix-1). These results indicate that the growth-promoting effects of relaxin on the uterus and cervix may be, at least partly, estrogen-dependent and that the growth and development of the uterus and cervix can be accelerated by a combination of relaxin and estrogen treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Ciliary neurotrophic factor activates JAK/Stat signal transduction cascade and induces transcriptional expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in glial cells.

In recent reports, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been implicated as an injury factor involved in regulating astrogliosis in the CNS. In this study, we used a rat oligodendroglial progenitor cell line that is highly responsive to CNTF to examine CNTF-induced alterations that may play a role in activation of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. We determined that CNTF induces the transient translocation of Stat1 alpha/p91 to the nucleus. This nuclear translocation was followed by GFAP promoter activation and an up-regulation of GFAP mRNA and protein. Level of CNTF-alpha receptor mRNA, however, were unaffected by addition of the ligand. Transfection studies using an upstream 5'-flanking, 1.9-kb rat GFAP promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene revealed CNTF-induced transcriptional activation within 1 h of ligand exposure. Moreover, serial-deleted constructs identified a distal (-1,857 to -1,546 bp) and a proximal (-384 to -106 bp) region as being important for CNTF-induced GFAP promoter activation. These two regions showed a strong degree of overlap for CNTF- and serum-induced activation of the GFAP gene. Analysis of the two regions revealed several cis-elements that are thought to be involved in GFAP regulation and/or the regulation of other genes by members of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines. Moreover, we are the first to report the presence of several putative CNTF-responsive elements within our identified distal and proximal regions in the GFAP gene promoter.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Cation conductance regulated by ambient Cl- in cultured rat mesangial cells.

Several functions of mesangial cells, such as contraction and release of nitric oxide, are dependent on the ambient Cl- concentration. Herein we describe a direct effect of Cl- on mesangial cell membrane conductance. Rat mesangial cells were isolated, cultured, and were patch-clamped in the whole-cell configuration. The external concentration - ([Cl-]o) - of standard Ringer's solutions was changed isotonically from standard of 160 mM to 35 mM while cell membrane conductance was continuously recorded. Results indicated that control I-V curves of the steady state current had a linear slope conductance of 0.95 nS (n = 10, r = 0.9). In low [Cl-]o, conductance outwardly rectified and increased to 4.1 nS between -120 and 0 mV and to 16.8 nS between 0 and 40 mV (n = 10, r = 0.9; p<0.01). The increase in conductance occurred within a few seconds and was reversible. Our results show that a large mesangial cell membrane conductance for cations is activated upon exposure to low [Cl-]o.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Bilioma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.

A 68-year-old female, suffering from gallstones, received a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One year later, a 4x2.5x2 cm mass was noted 3 cm left of the umbilicus. Under the impression of intraabdominal tumor, the tumor was excised and a bilioma was pathologically proved. Bilioma is an encapsulated bile fluid mass, formed after damage of the biliary tree and bile leakage. Only a few cases have been reported, but never in the periumbilical area according to review of the literature. In addition to sonography, computed tomography, and cholescintigraphy, the physicians' alertness is essential for this diagnosis. In general, the treatment of choice is percutaneous drainage. But, in this case, the bilioma of periumbilical abdominal wall was excised with good prognosis after a six-month follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Pressor effect of substance P applied to the pressor area of ventral surface of medulla oblongata and the underlying mechanism in rabbits].

Experiments were performed on urethane anesthetized and artificially ventilated rabbits. The results were as follows. Application of substance P (SP) to the pressor area of ventral surface of medulla oblongata (VSMp) elicited a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure (BP), but no significant change in heart rate. The pressor response of SP was blocked by pretreatment with SP receptor antagonist (DSP) in VSMp. Application of DSP alone to VSMp elicited a significant decrease in BP. The pressor response of SP was attenuated when VSMp was pretreated with phentolamine or prazosine, whereas pretreatment with yohimbin or propranolol was without effect. Application of SP to VSMp elicited an increase in renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND) in association with pressor response; both these responses were blocked by pretreatment with DSP in VSMp. Application of DSP alone to VSMp elicited a significant decrease in RSND and BP. The above results indicate that SP has a pressor effect in VSMp due to activation of SP receptor mediated by alpha 1-receptor. The pressor effect of SP may be mainly due to an increase of peripheral vascular resistance induced by the augmented sympathetic nerve activity. In summary, it appears that endogenous SP in VSMp plays an important role in maintaining sympathetic tone and BP level.

Animals↗