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Biomedical subjects

H Y Chen

Publications and source records attributed to H Y Chen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Growth performance, diet apparent digestibility, and plasma metabolite concentrations of barrows fed corn-soybean meal diets or low-protein, amino acid-supplemented diets at different feeding level.

Two experiments, each with 36 barrows with high-lean-gain potential, were conducted to evaluate apparent nutrient digestibilities and performance and plasma metabolites of pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets (CONTROL) and low-protein diets. The low-protein diets were supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine either on an ideal protein basis (IDEAL) or in a pattern similar to that of the control diet (AACON). Amino acids were added on a true ileally digestible basis. The initial and final BW were, respectively, 31.5 and 82.3 kg in Exp. 1 and 32.7 and 57.1 kg in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, the CONTROL and IDEAL diets were offered on an ad libitum basis or by feeding 90 or 80% of ad libitum intake. Pigs were fed for 55 d. In Exp. 2, the CONTROL, IDEAL, and AACON diets were offered on an ad libitum basis or by feeding 80% of the ad libitum intake. Pigs were fed for 27 d. Pigs fed the CONTROL diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and feed efficiency (G/F) than pigs fed the IDEAL (Exp. 1 and 2) and AACON diets (Exp. 2). As the level of feed intake decreased, ADG decreased (P < 0.05), but G/F tended to improve (P < 0.10) for pigs fed 90% of ad libitum in Exp. 1 and for pigs fed 80% of ad libitum in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, the apparent total tract digestibilities of DM and energy were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs fed the IDEAL diet than for pigs fed the CONTROL diet. In Exp. 2, the apparent total tract digestibility of protein was greatest in pigs fed the CONTROL diet (P < 0.05) and was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the AACON diet than in pigs fed the IDEAL diet. Plasma urea concentrations were lower in pigs fed the IDEAL diet than in pigs fed the CONTROL diet, regardless of feeding level. For pigs fed the CONTROL diet, plasma urea concentrations were lower when feed intake was 80% of ad libitum (diet level, P < 0.01). In summary, pigs fed the IDEAL and the AACON diets gained less and had lower plasma urea concentrations than pigs fed the CONTROL diet. Based on these data, it seems that the growth potential of pigs fed the IDEAL and AACON diets may have been limited by a deficiency of lysine, threonine, and(or) tryptophan and that the amino acid pattern(s) used was not ideal for these pigs.

Amino Acids↗

Body composition and tissue accretion rates of barrows fed corn-soybean meal diets or low-protein, amino acid-supplemented diets at different feeding levels.

Two experiments, each with 39 high-lean-gain potential barrows, were conducted to evaluate the organ weights, body chemical composition, and tissue accretion rates of pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets (CONTROL) and low-protein diets supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine either on an ideal protein basis (IDEAL) or in a pattern similar to that of the control diet (AACON). Amino acids were added on a true ileally digestible basis. The initial and final BW were, respectively, 31.5 and 82.3 kg in Exp. 1 and 32.7 and 57.1 kg in Exp. 2, and pigs were fed for 55 and 27 d in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, the CONTROL and IDEAL diets were offered on an ad libitum basis, or by feeding 90 or 80% of ad libitum intake. In Exp. 2, the CONTROL, IDEAL, and AACON diets were offered on an ad libitum basis, or by feeding 80% of the ad libitum intake. Three pigs were killed at the start of the experiments and three from each treatment were killed at the end of each experiment to determine body chemical composition. In both trials, the whole-body protein concentration (g/kg) and the accretion rates of protein (g/d) were greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the CONTROL than for pigs fed the IDEAL and AACON diets. In Exp. 1, pigs fed the CONTROL diet had a trend (P < 0.10) for greater water and lower lipid concentration and had greater (P < 0.05) water and ash accretion rates. Whole-body protein concentration was greatest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed at 80% of ad libitum, but protein, water, and ash accretion rates were greatest (P < 0.05) in pigs allowed ad libitum access to feed. In summary, pigs fed the IDEAL and the AACON diets had less protein in the body and lower protein accretion rates than pigs fed the CONTROL diet. It seems that reductions in protein deposition in pigs fed the IDEAL and AACON diets may have been due to a deficiency of one or more essential amino acids or possibly to increases in the NE for metabolic processes leading to increases in adipose tissue deposition.

Amino Acids↗

A comparative study of third-order nonlinear optical properties of silver phenylacetylide and related compounds via ultrafast optical Kerr effect measurements.

A comparative study of the third-order nonlinear optical properties, via the newly developed heterodyned optical Kerr effect (OHD-OKE) measurements, of silver phenylacetylide and related compounds is reported. [AgC[triple bond]CC(6)H(5)](n) (1) was found to exhibit efficient third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility chi((3)) of 2.4 x 10(-14) esu, and second hyperpolarizability gamma of 9.07 x 10(-32) esu. These results are compared with those of two related silver phenylacetylide compounds, namely, a double salt, (silver phenylacetylide).(silver tert-butylthiolate) [AgC[triple bond]CC(6)H(5).AgS(t-C(4)H(9))](n) complex (2), and a cluster, triphenylphosphine silver phenylacetylide tetramer, [(C(6)H(5))(3)PAgC[triple bond]CC(6)H(5)](4) (3), as well as that of the related organic polymer polyphenylacetylene (4). These four compounds represent different types of phenylacetylide derivatives: 1 is an organometallic polymer, 2 a polymeric double salt, 3 a discrete metal cluster, and 4 an organic polymer. It was found that the third-order optical nonlinear response was enhanced by the incorporation of silver d electrons into the delocalized conjugated organic pi system, and its magnitude is highly dependent upon the extent of the pi delocalization. Specifically, the relative magnitudes of chi((3)) and gamma follow the order silver phenylacetylide polymer (1) > (silver phenylacetylide).(silver tert-butylthiolate) double salt (2) > polyphenylacetylene polymer (4) > tetrameric (triphenylphosphine silver phenylacetylide)(4) cluster (3). The observed trend may be attributed to the decreasing length of pi conjugation. It is interesting to note that the incorporation of Ag(I) into the polymeric framework of polyphenylacetylene enhances the chi((3)) by 25-fold for the same degree of polymerization (n = 7). The signs of chi((3)) and gamma, which are related to the response mechanisms, were found to be solvent dependent.

Journal Article↗

Studies of a disposable biosensor based on the beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex as mediator.

This paper reports the use of a disposable voltammetric biosensor based on a screen-printed basal electrode and highly efficient mediators, the beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes tetramethylbenzidine and ferrocene. The polyphenol oxidase, contained in the crude extract of mushroom, was immobilized in the membrane of the cross-linked beta-cyclodextrin polymer. The resulting biosensor gave excellent analytical performance due to the supramolecular complexation for mediators. It responded to the concentration of dopamine with high selectively in the range from 1.0 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) M with a detection limit as low as 5 x 10(-10) M. The response time for reaching 90% of its steady-state value was less than 60 s, and the activity was retained for at least 15 days.

Agaricales↗

Relation of the estrogen receptor alpha gene microsatellite polymorphism to bone mineral density and the susceptibility to osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. Our aim was to investigate the correlation of the estrogen receptor alpha gene microsatellite polymorphism (TA dinucleotide repeat polymorphism 5' upstream of exon 1) with bone mineral density and their relationship to osteoporosis. METHODS: We determined the estrogen receptor alpha gene microsatellite polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite analysis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The ERalpha genotype was classified into '12' through '27' according to the number of TA dinucleotide repeats they contained, as a 'signpost'. After adjustment for potential confounding factors including age, height, and weight, subjects with genotype 18+ (n=4) had lower bone mineral density values and a 54.5 times greater risk for osteoporosis when compared with subjects with genotype 18- (n=170) at the lumbar spine. This should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of subjects with the unfavorable genotype 18+. According to mean number of TA dinucleotide repeats, women with a high number of repeats (TA > or =20) (n=38) had the lowest bone mineral density and a 6.1 times greater risk for osteoporosis than women with a low number of repeats (TA < or =15) (n=61) at the femoral neck, after adjustment for potential confounding factors such as age, height, and weight. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the estrogen receptor alpha gene microsatellite polymorphism may be a candidate genetic marker for risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Effect of estradiol on histone acetylation dynamics in human breast cancer cells.

Histone acetylation plays an important role in remodeling chromatin structure, facilitating nuclear processes such as transcription. We investigated the effect of estradiol on global histone acetylation in hormone-responsive human breast cancer cells. Pulse-chase experiments and immunoblot analyses of dynamically acetylated histones show that estradiol rapidly increases histone acetylation in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, hormone-dependent T5, but not in ER-negative, hormone-independent MDA MB 231 breast cancer cells. The effect of estradiol on the rates of histone acetylation and deacetylation in T5 cells was determined. We found that estradiol increased the level of acetylated histones by reducing the rate of histone deacetylation, whereas the rate of histone acetylation was not altered. Enzymatic assays and immunoblot analyses of cell fractions showed that estradiol did not affect the level, subnuclear distribution, or activity of class I and II histone deacetylases. However, estradiol did alter the intranuclear distribution of ER and histone acetyltransferases, with both becoming tightly bound in the nucleus and associated with the nuclear matrix. We propose that, following the association of ER with nuclear matrix sites, ER alters the balance of histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases at these sites and the dynamics of acetylation of histones associated with transcriptionally active and competent chromatin.

Acetylation↗

Study of a novel cationic calix[4]arene used a selectivity modifier in capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.

The use of a novel cationic calixarene, p-(quaternary ammonium) calix[4]arene, as selectivity modifier in capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrochemical detection was reported. The calixarene displayed good selectivity for the positional isomers of benzenediol and aminophenol and their successful separation was obtained under optimum conditions. The interaction mechanism between p-(quaternary ammonium) calix[4]arene and the solutes is discussed using the molecular modeling method. The detection limits by electrochemical detection for the most solutes studied here were below picogram level, which was approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower than those reported in the literature using UV detection. The results showed that electrochemical detection is especially suitable for an electrophoresis system where calixarenes are used as modifier.

Calixarenes↗

Applications of a copper microparticle-modified carbon fiber microdisk array electrode for the simultaneous determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics by capillary electrophoresis.

A copper microparticle-modified carbon fiber microdisk array electrode was fabricated and employed in capillary electrophoresis for the simultaneous determination of the five aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) including netilmicin, tobramycin, lincomycin, kanamycin and amikacin. The array electrode exhibited high catalytic activity for AGs, good reproducibility and stability. Under the optimum separation conditions (separation voltage of 6.2 kV, electrophoretic medium of 125 mM NaOH), the five AGs above were baseline separated within 20 min. At a working electrode potential of 0.7 V (versus saturated calomel electrode), the calibration curves were linear over two orders of magnitude of concentration, and the detection limits (SIN=3) were below 2 microM except for lincomycin (6.7 microM). The developed method was successfully employed for the simultaneous determination of the five AGs studied in pharmaceutical injections. The feasibility of this method for the simultaneous determination of lincomycin, kanamycin and amikacin in urine sample was also demonstrated.

Aminoglycosides↗

Modeling and optimization of the chiral selectivity of basic analytes in chiral capillary electrophoresis with negatively charged cyclodextrins using electrochemical detection.

A mathematical model concerning the separation selectivity of basic analytes in chiral capillary electrophoresis (CE) modified with negatively charged cyclodextrins (CDs) has been presented to describe the dependence of chiral selectivity on the buffer pH and the chiral selector concentration. The electrophoretic method to determine the parameters of the model has also been developed. The model has been tested with racemic epinephrine and isoproterenol as target analytes and sulfonated beta-CD as chiral selector. The agreements have been found between the calculated and the measured values. Some significant conclusions to optimize chiral CE separation have been derived from the model and proven by the experiments. Electrochemical detection was used to meet the requirement of the low introduced concentration of analytes.

Cyclodextrins↗

Relation of polymorphism in the promotor region for the human osteocalcin gene to bone mineral density and occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan.

Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of the HindIII osteocalcin gene polymorphism to bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to osteoporosis. We determined the HindIII osteocalcin gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. The osteocalcin gene polymorphism was detected by the restriction enzyme HindIII, where the H allele indicated the absence of the cuttable site and the h allele indicated its presence. We then related the genotypes to BMD and occurrence of osteoporosis in these women. The allelic frequencies for postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan were 64% for h and 36% for H in HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of each genotype in the study population was 37.7% hh, 52.6% Hh, and 9.7% HH. The subjects with genotype hh had the greatest BMD at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck, and those with HH had the smallest BMD at the femoral neck, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. The HindIII osteocalcin genotype showed a significant effect on the prevalence of osteoporosis in the subjects at the femoral neck, that is, women with genotype HH had a 6.4 times greater risk for osteoporosis (P < 0.05), and those with genotype Hh had a 1.2 times greater risk than women with genotype hh. In conclusion, the HindIII osteocalcin gene polymorphism is associated with reduced BMD and predisposes women to osteoporosis at the femoral neck.

Aged↗

Relation of BsmI vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism to bone mineral density and occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan.

Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of the vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to osteoporosis. We determined the vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphfsm using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis in 171 postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. The polymorphism was detected using the restriction enzyme BsmI, where the B allele indicated absence of the cuttable site and the b allele its presence. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The allelic frequencies for postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan were 12.3% for B and 87.7% for b in BsmI restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of each genotype in the study population was: 6.4% BB, 11.7% Bb and 81.9% bb. The three genotypic groups differed significantly in BMD at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck. These differences corresponded to significant gene-dose effects at the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p<0.001 for both sites). The relative risk for the development of osteoporosis was about 2-3 times as great as that predicted by the differences between genotypes in BMD, and remained significant even after adjustment for age, height and weight. The vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphism is associated with reduced BMD and predisposes women to osteoporosis.

Aged↗

A stable glucose biosensor prepared by co-immobilizing glucose oxidase into poly(p-chlorophenol) at a platinum electrode.

An amperometric glucose biosensor was successfully developed by electrochemical polymerization of p-chlorophenol (4-CP) at a Pt electrode in the presence of glucose oxidase. The amperometric response of this biosensor to hydrogen peroxide, formed as the product of enzymatic reaction, was measured at a potential of 0.6 V (vs. SCE) in phosphate buffer solution. The performances of sensors, prepared at different monomer concentrations and polymerization potentials, were investigated in detail. The biosensor prepared under optimal conditions had a linear response to glucose ranging from 2.5 x 10(-4) to 1.5 x 10(-2) mol L(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.997 and a response time of less than 2 s. Substrate selectivity of the polymer-based enzyme electrode was tested for coexisting interferents such as uric acid and ascorbic acid, and no discernible response was observed. After 90 days, the response of the biosensor remained almost unchanged, indicating very good stability.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Arginine form of p21 gene codon 31 is less prominent in patients with calcium oxalate stone.

The formation of urinary stones is associated with cell death in response to various injuries. P21 (WAF1/CIP1) is a downstream protein of P53 and can arrest the cell cycle at G1/S with resulting cell death. We aimed to investigate the polymorphism of p2 gene codon 31 as the genetic marker in searching for the association of urolithiasis. One hundred and nineteen healthy controls and 95 patients with calcium oxalate stone were examined in this study. The polymorphism was seen from the result of polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis. The result revealed significant differences between normal individuals and stone patients (P < 0.05) and the distribution of arginine homozygote in the control group (31.9%) was higher than in the patient group (16.8%). It is concluded that polymorphisms of p21 codon 31 can be a genetic marker for urinary stone disease. Individuals possessing arginine form of p21 codon 31 have less risk of developing calcium stone disease.

Adult↗

Osteocalcin gene Hind III polymorphism is not correlated with calcium oxalate stone disease.

The formation of urinary stones is presumed to be associated with polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene. The most frequently seen polymorphism is the Hind III type located at the promoter region. This polymorphism has been used as a genetic marker in the search for a correlation between urolithiasis and normal subjects. In our study, a normal control group of 105 healthy people and 102 patients with calcium oxalate stones were examined. The polymorphism was seen following polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis. The results revealed no significant differences between normal individuals and stone patients (P = 0.978), and distribution of the TT homozygote in the control group (42.9%) was similar to that in the patient group (42.2%). Further categorization of the stone patients into normocalciuric and hypercalciuric groups also revealed no statistical differences from controls. We conclude that Hind III polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene is not a suitable genetic marker of urinary stone disease. Further searches for other polymorphisms on this gene correlated with stone disease are suggested.

Adult↗

Interleukin-1beta gene and receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms in patients with calcium oxalate stones.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) might play a role in the process of bone loss and hypercalciuria and is therefore considered to be involved in the formation of urinary stones. The aim of this study is to test whether the IL-1beta promoter region, exon 5 region and IL-1 receptor antagonist gene intron 2 polymorphisms could be genetic markers for the susceptibility to the formation of urinary stones. A control group of 152 healthy people and a group of 105 patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stone were examined in this study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyzed the variable number tandem repeats at intron 2 of the IL-1Ra gene for the polymorphisms. PCR-based restriction analysis was done for the IL-1beta gene polymorphisms of the promoter region and exon 5 by the endonucleases Ava I and Taq I, respectively. The polymorphisms studied in the IL-1beta genes did not reveal a strong association with calcium oxalate stone disease when compared with the control group (promoter region by chi-square test, P=0.627: exon 5 region by Fisher's exact test, P = 0.403). Only two frequent alleles of the IL-1Ra gene corresponding to one and two copies of an 86-bp sequence repeat were identified by PCR. The result revealed significant differences between control individuals and stone patients (P < 0.01. Fisher's exact test). In addition, the frequency of the type I allele in the stone group (99.0%) was higher than in the control group (94.0%). The odds ratio for the type I allele of the IL-1Ra gene in calcium oxalate stone disease is 6.041 (95% CI: 1.683 approximately 21.687). There is an association between urolithiasis and polymorphism in the IL-1Ra gene. No significant difference was found when dividing the stone patients into groups with normocalciuria and hypercalciuria in relation to these genetic polymorphisms. Further studies of the type I allele of the IL-IRa gene are worthwhile because of its correlation with stone disease. In our study, neither the IL-1beta promoter region nor the exon 5 polymorphisms were significantly different when comparing control subjects and calcium oxalate stone patients.

Adult↗

Polymerization contraction stress in light-cured packable composite resins.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of the polymerization contraction stress of packable composites (ALERT, Surefil, Solitaire, Solitaire 2) and a packable ORMOCER material (Definite) in comparison with a conventional hybrid composite (Tetric Ceram). METHODS: Contraction force generated by the test materials (10 replications each) was measured by polymerizing the composites filled in a plastic tray between two aluminum attachments mounted in a Stress-Strain-Analyzer testing machine (specimen size: 4x4x2 mm, C-factor=0.33). Contraction force was recorded for 300s under a standard exposure condition (40s, 800mW/cm(2)). Maximum contraction stress (MPa), force rate (N/s), relative force rate (%/s) of each material were statistically analyzed by ANOVA (alpha=0.05) and post-hoc Tukey's test. RESULTS: Maximum contraction stresses of the packable materials were 4.60 +/- 0.32MPa (ALERT), 4.16 +/- 0.18MPa (Definite), 3.36 +/- 0.08MPa (Solitaire 2), 3.33 +/- 0.23MPa (Solitaire) and 3.13 +/- 0.18MPa (Surefil), which were significantly higher than that of Tetric Ceram (2.51 +/- 0.14MPa). Tetric Ceram exhibited the significantly lowest force rate. Force/time curves were S-shaped. Solitaire especially showed a longer pre-gelation phase before contraction force was recorded. SIGNIFICANCE: High contraction stress and rapid contraction force development can lead to failure of bond to tooth structure. This study suggested that, packable composite resins are less capable of reducing the contraction stress during the early setting stage, thus not superior in maintaining the bond with cavity walls to conventional hybrid composite Tetric Ceram.

Analysis of Variance↗

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of emerging edible plants.

This study evaluates the toxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of emerging edible plants that are consumed as new leafy vegetables in Taiwan. Among eight plant extracts, only the extracts of Sol (Solanum nigrum L.) showed cytotoxicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA100 in the absence of S9 mix. The toxicity of extracts from different parts of the Sol plant, such as leaf and stem, immature fruit and mature fruit, towards S. typhimurium TA100 and human lymphocytes was also assayed. The immature fruit extracts of Sol exhibited strong cytotoxicity with dose dependence and induced significant DNA damage in human lymphocytes based on the comet assay. However, no mutagenicity was found in eight plant extracts to TA98 or TA100 either with or without the S9 mixture. Sol and Sec [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz] extracts showed the strongest inhibitory effect towards the mutagenicity of 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100; the ID(50) was less then 1 mg/plate. Cra [Crassocephalum creidioides (Benth.) S. Moore] extracts also expressed moderate antimutagenic activities towards IQ and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) either in TA98 or in TA100; the ID(50) was 1.63-2.41 mg/plate. The extracts from Bas (Basella alba L.), Bou (Boussingaultia gracilis Miers var. pseudobaselloides Bailey), Cen (Centella asiatica L. Urban), Cor (Corchorus olitorius L.) and Por (Portulaca oleracea L.) showed weak to moderate inhibition of mutagenicity of IQ. However, the potential antimutagenicity of these plant extracts towards B[a]P was weaker than that towards IQ. For a direct mutagen, 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (NQNO), only the Sol extracts showed strong inhibitory effects in the TA100 system. The antimutagenic activity of water extracts of Sec was partly reduced by heating at 100 degrees C for 20 min. The heat-stable antimutagens in Sec extracts could be produced in the plant extract preparation process. Fractions with molecular weights above 30,000 showed the strongest antimutagenicity and peroxidase activity in all the fractions of the Sec extracts.

Animals↗