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Biomedical subjects

H Yu

Publications and source records attributed to H Yu.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources

Evaluation of serum troponin T measurement in acute myocardial infarction.

The release kinetics of the cardiac specific troponin T (cTnT), measured by an immunosorbent assay, in 32 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was evaluated. In 8 AMI patients (25%), the release kinetics of serum cTnT showed biphasic serum concentration curves with a large peak at 10 to 18 hours after onset and the serum cTnT concentrations were up to 30 to 120 times of the normal upper limit-detected (0.2 microgram/ml), and another samll cTnT peak at 70 to 100 hours after onset of pain. The serum cTnT measurements in the remaining 24 AMI patients (75%) gave only one large peak which was around 32 to 108 hours after onset of pain. cTnT appeared in serum as early as 3 to 4 hours and remained elevated until 240 hours after the infarctions. The results indicated that (1) cTnT was a sensitive and specific marker of AMI; (2) the biphasic curve of cTnT releae in general, the ratio of cTnT at around 14 to 32 (14/32) > 1 in particular, may be a useful marker suggesting early reperfusion; (3) the continuous elevation of serum cTnT in AMI course might be a prognostic indicator for unfavorable outcomes.

Aged↗

[Relationship between the structure--modified N- and C- termini and the biological activity of TNF alpha molecule].

In order to elucidate the relationship between N-, C-termini of TNF alpha and it's biological activity, a TNF alpha derivative 10 (TNF alpha D10) was prepared by changing amino acid at the N-terminus positions Ser(4), Ser(5), Asp(10) and C-terminus position Leu(157) to N-terminus Cys(4), Thr(5), Arg(10) and C-terminus Phe(157) with PCR site-directed mutagenesis. The results showed that the expression level of this mutein has not altered but its cytotoxic activity increased. This might result from trimer formation of TNF alpha D10 by changing N-terminal Ser(4) residue to Cys. HPLC showed that the molecular weight of TNF alpha D10 was 17kD, 35kD, 55kD respectively. In addition, we also found that the stability of TNF alpha D10 was less than that of TNF alpha when to be stored at -20 degrees C for two months. It might be caused by changing Leu(157) to Phe(157).

Base Sequence↗

[Significance of CEA and CA242 in the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma].

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is frequently used in the diagnosis of the colorectal carcinoma. CA242 is a novel unique tumor-associated antigen characterized by higher tumor specificity and sensitivity for colorectal cancer, as compared with other mucin antigens. In this study, preoperative levels of serum CEA and CA242 were measured in 63 cases of colorectal carcinoma. It was disclosed that the positive rate of CA242 was higher than that of CEA, particularly in patients with colon cancer. The combined determination of CEA and CA242 significantly increased the sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of colorectal cancer as compared with the use of CEA alone (P < 0.01). In patients with advanced disease the positive rate was markedly elevated, especially in patients with liver metastasis. The results indicate that the combined use of CEA and CA242 assays is an useful adjunct diagnostic measure for colorectal carcinoma, and is helpful in the assessment of the stage of the disease as well as in making treatment plan.

Adult↗

[A study on protein metabolism in nephrotic patients treated with Chinese herbs].

It was found in our previous studies that two Chinese herbs Astragali and Angelica (A&A) together with high protein diet could ameliorate the lowering of serum albumin level and increase the synthesis rate of protein as shown by 15N-glicine tracer priming protein turnover study in nephrotic rats. Further experiment was designed to investigate the role of A&A and high protein intake in protein dynamic study and nitrogen balance in nephrotic patients. The level of serum total protein (STP), serum albumin (SA), urinary protein loss (UP), serum cholesterol (Cho) and index number of protein turnover and nitrogen balance in 7 patients were measured before and after treatment of 30 days with A&A. The results showed that after treatment the patients had significantly increased STA and SA (44.3 +/- 5.60 vs 49.7 +/- 6.80 P < 0.01; 22.6 +/- 0.42 vs. 29.4 +/- 7.40 P < 0.05), decreased UP and Cho (6.54 +/- 1.83 vs 4.63 +/- 1.33 P < 0.05; 9.69 +/- 2.31 vs. 7.82 +/- 1.95 P < 0.05) and increased net rates of total protein synthesis (1.06 +/- 0.03 vs 1.27 +/- 0.12 P < 0.05). It is concluded that A&A together with high protein intake could improve the disorder of protein metabolism and increase the level of serum protein by improving the net rate of protein synthesis in nephrotic patients.

Adult↗

Prognostic value of creatine kinase BB isoenzyme in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Creatine kinase BB isoenzyme (CK-BB) is overexpressed in many tumor tissues, including ovarian cancer. Using a highly sensitive and specific immunofluorometric method, CK-BB levels in 89 primary ovarian cancer cytosolic extracts have been measured and the associations between CK-BB and clinicopathological features of ovarian cancer have been studied. It was found that CK-BB levels are higher in endometrioid cell carcinomas. No clear association was established between CK-BB levels and patient age, menopausal status, clinical stage, histological grade or size of residual tumor. CK-BB was not associated significantly with either disease-free or overall survival of the patients. Based on these data, it was concluded that there is no prognostic value of CK-BB in ovarian cancer. Drugs that target CK-dependent energy metabolism of tumor cells may not be selective in ovarian cancer therapy.

Adult↗

Molecular characterization of prostate-specific antigen messenger RNA expressed in breast tumors.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is considered a highly specific biochemical marker of the prostate gland and is currently used for prostate cancer diagnosis and monitoring of patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. We recently demonstrated, however, that about 30% of female breast tumors produce a M(r) 33,000 protein that has striking similarities to seminal PSA. In this study we characterized the presence of PSA in 6 breast tumors and in the testosterone-stimulated T47D breast cancer cell line at the mRNA level. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing techniques we identified PSA mRNA in immunoreactive PSA-positive breast tumors but not in immunoreactive PSA-negative breast tumors. The sequence of the generated polymerase chain reaction products was identical to the sequence of the PSA complementary DNA derived from prostate tissue. The data presented here support the notion that breast tumors produce a M(r) 33,000 protein which is identical to PSA produced by the prostate gland. Our study suggests that the presence of PSA in breast tumors may be used as a new additional biochemical marker for breast cancer prognosis, for the spreading of hematogenous micrometastases, and/or for response to adjuvant treatment.

Base Sequence↗

Two binding orientations for peptides to the Src SH3 domain: development of a general model for SH3-ligand interactions.

Solution structures of two Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-ligand complexes have been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. Each complex consists of the SH3 domain and a nine-residue proline-rich peptide selected from a large library of ligands prepared by combinatorial synthesis. The bound ligands adopt a left-handed polyproline type II (PPII) helix, although the amino to carboxyl directionalities of their helices are opposite. The peptide orientation is determined by a salt bridge formed by the terminal arginine residues of the ligands and the conserved aspartate-99 of the SH3 domain. Residues at positions 3, 4, 6, and 7 of both peptides also intercalate into the ligand-binding site; however, the respective proline and nonproline residues show exchanged binding positions in the two complexes. These structural results led to a model for the interactions of SH3 domains with proline-rich peptides that can be used to predict critical residues in complexes of unknown structure. The model was used to identify correctly both the binding orientation and the contact and noncontact residues of a peptide derived from the nucleotide exchange factor Sos in association with the amino-terminal SH3 domain of the adaptor protein Grb2.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Directly labeled DNA probes using fluorescent nucleotides with different length linkers.

Directly labeled fluorescent DNA probes have been made by nick translation and PCR using dUTP attached to the fluorescent label, Cy3, with different length linkers. With preparation of probes by PCR we find that linker length affects the efficiency of incorporation of Cy3-dUTP, the yield of labeled probe, and the signal intensity of labeled probes hybridized to chromosome target sequences. For nick translation and PCR, both the level of incorporation and the hybridization fluorescence signal increased in parallel when the length of the linker arm is increased. Under optimal conditions, PCR yielded more densely labeled probes, however, the yield of PCR labeled probe decreased with greater linear density of labeling. By using a Cy3-modified dUTP with the longest linker under optimal conditions it was possible to label up to 28% of the possible substitution sites on the target DNA with reasonable yield by PCR and 18% by nick translation. A mechanism involving steric interactions between the polymerase, cyanine-labeled sites on template and extending chains and the modified dUTP substrate is proposed to explain the inverse correlation between the labeling efficiency and the yield of DNA probe synthesis by PCR.

Carbocyanines↗

Cyanine dye dUTP analogs for enzymatic labeling of DNA probes.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has become and indispensable tool in a variety of areas of research and clinical diagnostics. Many applications demand an approach for simultaneous detection of multiple target sequences that is rapid and simple, yet sensitive. In this work, we describe the synthesis of two new cyanine dye-labeled dUTP analogs, Cy3-dUTP and Cy5-dUTP. They are efficient substrates for DNA polymerases and can be incorporated into DNA probes by standard nick translation, random priming and polymerase chain reactions. Optimal labeling conditions have been identified which yield probes with 20-40 dyes per kilobase. The directly labeled DNA probes obtained with these analogs offer a simple approach for multicolor multisequence analysis that requires no secondary detection reagents and steps.

Base Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of a novel organometallic receptor protein regulating the expression of the broad spectrum mercury-resistant operon of plasmid pDU1358.

The narrow spectrum mercury-resistant (mer) operons of transposons Tn21 and Tn501 are inducible by inorganic mercury salts. The major regulatory gene merR is transcribed divergently from the other mer genes, which are cotranscribed. The MerR protein represses its own expression, as well as the expression of the other mer genes in the absence of the inducers. The synthesis of the polycistronic mer message is stimulated by MerR in the presence of the inducers. The MerRBS protein encoded by the broad spectrum mer operon of plasmid pDU1358 was characterized as a novel organomercurial receptor, distinguishing it from the narrow spectrum MerRNS proteins, described above. Several organomercurial compounds directly effected cellular activation of the mer operon transcription via the receptor protein MerRBS, but not by MerRNS. The merR gene from pDU1358 was cloned under the tac promoter, and the overexpressed MerRBS protein was soluble in buffer solutions containing 0.5 M NaCl at pH 7.5, but precipitated when NaCl concentration was reduced to 0.1 M (MerRBS concentrations at or above 0.1 mg/ml). MerRBS was purified to near homogeneity by selective precipitation and solubilization by varying the salt concentration in buffer solutions, followed by Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. Both MerRBS and Tn21-encoded MerRNS bound with DNA fragments containing the pDU1358 mer operator sequence with comparable affinities. In vitro run-off transcription studies revealed that MerRBS activated mer operon expression in the presence of Hg2+ or phenylmercuric acetate. Phenylmercuric acetate did not induce mer operon expression when the MerRNS was used in the assay.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Interaction of glutamine 165 in the fourth transmembrane segment of the human neurokinin-1 receptor with quinuclidine antagonists.

Substance P binds to and activates the neurokinin-1 receptor with high affinity, thereby modulating several neuronal pathways including pain transmission and neurogenic inflammation. Several high affinity non-peptide antagonists have recently been described. To elucidate the molecular interactions specific for binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor, site-directed mutagenesis has been utilized to identify amino acid residues that interact directly with antagonists. Glutamine 165 in the fourth transmembrane segment was shown to be critical for the binding of CP-96,345 but not SR140333. Analysis of quinuclidine analogs suggests that glutamine 165 interacts with the C-3 heteroatom in this class of antagonists, probably through a hydrogen bond. Glutamine 165 also plays a minor role in the binding of peptides and RP67580. In contrast, serine 169 was determined to be critical for the binding of RP67580. These data indicate that residues 165 and 169 in the fourth transmembrane segment, along with residues in the fifth, sixth, and seventh transmembrane segments as demonstrated previously, form the non-peptide antagonist binding site in the neurokinin-1 receptor. Furthermore, the antagonist binding site overlaps with the binding site for peptide agonists in the fourth and seventh transmembrane segments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interdependence of gene expression for early steps of cephalosporin synthesis in Streptomyces clavuligerus.

The early steps of cephamycin synthesis by S. clavuligerus are catalyzed sequentially by lysine epsilon-aminotransferase (LAT), delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase (ACVS) and isopenicillin N synthase (cyclase, IPNS). The genes (lat, pcbAB, and pcbC, respectively) are closely linked in the same order as the enzymes act in the biosynthetic pathway and are transcribed in the same direction. Four cephamycin non- (or low-) producing mutants are pleiotropic in that they have undetectable or markedly diminished levels of ACVS and cyclase; two mutants almost completely lack LAT activity. All four mutants are complemented in cephamycin formation by transformation with pNBR1, a plasmid containing a 7.2-kb genomic region of S. clavuligerus in vector pIJ702. The cloned DNA was found to possess no part of the cyclase gene, but instead it contained lat and the 5' upstream part of pcbAB. Doran et al. reported that the 31-bp region between pcbAB and pcbC contains no recognizable promoter or transcription termination sequences. We found that there are 153 bp between the lat ORF and the pcbAB start codon. A potential transcriptional terminator begins 4 to 6 bp downstream of the lat ORF. In the 111-bp segment between the end of the "terminator" and the pcbAB start codon, there are no Streptomyces-like or Escherichia coli-like promoter consensus sequences. However, upstream of the "terminator," that is, in the downstream portion of the lat ORF, are two regions resembling a Streptomyces consensus promoter. Promoter activity in gene fusion constructions was demonstrated in this region. A third potential promoter is upstream of the lat ORF, but only the--10 part is on the cloned DNA. The mechanism by which the cloned DNA (containing lat, the 5' part of pcbAB, and the intervening sequence) influences the expression of the downstream genes encoding ACVS and IPNS, even in strains that possess LAT activity, is an intriguing target of future investigation.

Cephalosporins↗

Crystallization of DNA polymerase II from Escherichia coli.

DNA polymerase II of Escherichia coli, an alpha-like or group B polymerase, has been crystallized. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2, with cell dimensions a = 94.4 A, b = 118.2 A, c = 84.2 A and diffract to at least 3.0 A resolution. This is the first example of a group B polymerase to be crystallized.

Crystallization↗

Molecular organization in phospholipid monolayer domains by correlative fluorescence microscopy and electron diffraction.

Lipid monolayer is a half leaflet model for lipid bilayer, which forms the basis of biological membranes. Within a certain range of surface area per molecular of phospholipid monolayers at the air-water interface, where the compressibility was nearly infinite, two phases with different molecular packings were observable by fluorescence microscopy. Mixed-phase monolayers of L-1,2-dipalmitoyl-N-monomethyl-3-phosphatidylethanolamine [DP(Me)PE] or L-1,2-dipalmitoyl-N-dimethyl-3-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine [DP(Me)2PE] were deposited on marker grids coated with Formvar films. The molecular organization in the dark and bright fluorescent areas on the grids was investigated by low dose, selected area electron diffraction. Sharp reflection arcs, at a spacing of 4.2A and arranged in a hexagon pattern, were detected from dark domains of both lipids. A diffuse reflection ring at a spacing of 4.6A was derived from the bright background areas. Diffraction patterns were obtained from neighboring areas along selected dark domains of both lipids. The orientations of diffraction patterns from areas along smooth and curving boundaries of DP(Me)2PE domains were found to turn with the boundaries. In the branching domains of DP(Me)PE, the orientations of diffraction patterns indicated that the branches were formed by twinning. Electron diffraction thus provides an unique way to sample the local molecular packing order and orientation within individual domains in phospholipid monolayers.

Microscopy, Fluorescence↗

Incidence and time course of left ventricular dilation in the early convalescent stage of reperfused anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.

The incidence and early process of left ventricular (LV) dilation in 52 patients with reperfused anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were assessed. All patients achieved coronary reflow within 24 hours of the onset and had a patent infarct-related artery in the convalescent stage. Left ventriculography was performed at pre-reflow and 25 days (mean) later to determine LV end-diastolic volume (ml) with the area/length method. Short-axis echo images at the midpapillary muscle level were recorded at days 1, 7, 14, and 28 of the AMI. With use of the papillary muscles as the internal landmarkers, the LV wall was divided into the anterior and posterior segments, and length and thickness of each segment were determined. Among 52 patients, 10 (19%) had a > or = 20% increase in end-diastolic volume in the convalescent stage. Echocardiographic studies demonstrated that there were no significant changes in lengths and thicknesses of the anterior and posterior segments during follow-up study relative to his or her baseline value in 42 patients without LV dilation. In the patients with LV dilation, however, the anterior segment exhibited a mean increase of 25% in its length with a mean decrease of 21% in its thickness at day 7 relative to their baseline values, but no progressive expansion was observed after day 7. A mean increase of 7% in the posterior segment length without reduction in its thickness first became evident at day 28.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Angiography↗

Interaction of substance P with the second and seventh transmembrane domains of the neurokinin-1 receptor.

The neurokinin-1 receptor is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family and has the highest affinity for the endogenous peptide transmitter substance P. Previous studies have indicated that several residues in the first and second extracellular segments, and at least part of the transmembrane domain, of the human neurokinin-1 receptor are involved in substance P binding to the receptor. To further map the peptide binding site, single-residue substitutions in the transmembrane domains were analyzed. Asn-85, Asn-89, Tyr-92, and Asn-96 in the second transmembrane domain and Tyr-287 in the seventh transmembrane domain are required for the high-affinity binding of peptides, with Asn-85 possibly interacting with the C-terminus of substance P. In addition, Glu-78 in the second transmembrane domain and Tyr-205 in the fifth transmembrane domain appear to be involved in the receptor activation process. Some of the key residues for peptide binding are likely to be near those residues that are required for the binding of competitive antagonists (such as His-197, His-265, and Tyr-287). These data suggest that a volume exclusion effect can explain the competitive antagonism of substance P binding by non-peptide antagonists. Furthermore, the key residues identified thus far are required for the high-affinity binding of all three neurokinin peptides, consistent with a hypothesis that the conformational compatibility between the receptor and the peptide agonist may be a major determinant of peptide recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural basis for the binding of proline-rich peptides to SH3 domains.

A common RXL motif was found in proline-rich ligands that were selected from a biased combinatorial peptide library on the basis of their ability to bind specifically to the SH3 domains from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or c-Src. The solution structure of the PI3K SH3 domain complexed to one of these ligands, RKLPPRPSK (RLP1), was determined. Structure-based mutations were introduced into the PI3K SH3 domain and the RLP1 ligand, and the influence of these mutations on binding was evaluated. We conclude that SH3 domains recognize proline-rich motifs possessing the left-handed type II polyproline (PPII) helix conformation. Two proline residues directly contact the receptor. Other prolines in the ligands appear to function as a molecular scaffold, promoting the formation of the PPII helix. Three nonproline residues consisting of combinations of arginine and leucine interact extensively with the SH3 domain and appear to confer ligand specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗