Diagnostic bone-density testing.
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Absorptiometry, Photon↗
Biomedical subjects
J L Chang
Publications and source records attributed to J L Chang.
Sequence variants and functional analysis of human papillomavirus type 16 E5 gene in clinical specimens.
Previously, we found that the E5 protein can be expressed in HPV-16 infected precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. In this study, we investigated the presence of sequence variants of E5 in HPV-16 infected tissues. Toward this end, we amplified the E5 gene by polymerase chain reaction from 29 HPV-16 infected tissues including eight normal tissues, seven high grade neoplastic tissues (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 14 cervical cancer tissues. Sequence analysis demonstrated that there were three mutational hot spots at positions 3979, 4042, and 4077 of the HPV-16 DNA; these and other mutations resulted in six variants in the E5 sequence. This resulted in four E5 protein mutants, named WTE5 [wild type E5 protein], 14E5, 21E5 and 56E5. Functional analysis of these four mutant proteins revealed that the transforming activities of 14E5, 21E5 and 56E5 were 0.95, 0.59, and 0.89 fold of WTE5, respectively. Although E5 was expressed in all of the HSIL and cervical cancer tissues, but in only one of the eight normal tissues tested, only WT E5 protein was found in HSIL while in cervical cancer tissues both WT and mutant E5 proteins were detected. Since these E5 proteins exhibited the same in vitro transforming activity, these data suggest that expression of E5 is important in development and progression toward malignancy but mutation of E5 does not affect the transformation process.
Base Sequence↗
The impact of simulated distal interphalangeal joint fusion on grip strength.
This study assessed the impact of distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint fusion on grip strength and how this may be related to a profundus quadriga. Nineteen adults (12 men and 7 women) with an average age of 32.6 years (range: 24-61 years) underwent a series of grip strength measurements with simulation of DIP arthrodesis to the index, long, and index and long (index-long) fingers. The nondominant hand served as a control for the testing. All participants were tested in the same manner: baseline dominant and nondominant hands without DIP block followed by blocking of DIP flexion on the dominant hand only for index, index-long, and long finger alone. Nondominant hands also were tested each time, but without blocking to serve as a control for normal changes in grip strength with repeated testing. Grip strength values were compared to baseline for each trial using the Student's t test. Significant decreases in grip strength were seen for all DIP blocking compared with baseline, but no significant differences were noted in the equivalent trial in the nondominant, nonblocked hand. These findings may have clinical relevance when performing DIP arthrodesis.
Adult↗
The expression of type I growth factor receptors in the squamous neoplastic changes of uterine cervix.
AIM: The type I family of growth factor receptors includes ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 which are frequently overexpressed in various human cancer cells. In this study, we systematically investigated the frequency and distribution of these four receptors in relation to neoplastic changes and tumor behaviors in the uterine cervix. MATERIALS: A total 84 of cases including 12 cases of normal cervical tissues, 6 cases of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 10 cases of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 56 cases of squamous cells carcinoma were examined. RESULTS: Our results show significant difference with increasing grades of dysplasia in terms of these four receptor expressions. No association was found between these four receptors and cell keratinization/differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Of the four receptors studied, only the expression of erbB2/neu gene was significantly associated with lymph nodal metastasis. Moreover, we find that the coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 was significant in cervical carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 in cervical carcinoma suggests that they may be involved in receptor heterodimerization leading to the activation of signaling pathway in the cervical carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
Adenovirus-mediated p21((WAF1/SDII/CIP1)) gene transfer induces apoptosis of human cervical cancer cell lines.
p21((WAF1/SDII/CIP1)) (p21) arrests cell growth by inhibiting cyclin-depend kinases. To explore the potential of using p21 for the gene therapy of cervical cancer, we infected human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cervical cancer cells (HeLa, SiHa, and Z172) and HPV-negative cervical cancer cells (C33A) with recombinant adenovirus encoding p21 cDNA. The results revealed that effective inhibition of cell growth could be achieved by sense p21 adenovirus but not antisense p21 adenovirus infection and occurred through apoptosis as measured by DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation. Apoptosis was also observed in xenografts of human cervical cancer cells infected with sense p21 adenovirus, as confirmed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). The apoptosis was not prevented by overexpression of the bcl-2 transgene. To sum up, the apoptotic effect suggests that p21 should be a tumoricidal agent instead of a tumoristatic agent in preventing cervical cancers. In addition, our report substantiates the combination of the high efficiency of adenovirus vector-mediated gene delivery and the apoptotic effect of p21.
Adenoviridae↗
The induction of apoptosis by SV40 T antigen correlates with c-jun overexpression.
Simian virus (SV40) T antigen shares many characteristics with adenovirus E1A which is known to induce apoptosis. To verify the potential of SV40 T antigen-mediated apoptosis, we stably expressed T antigen in immortalized human epithelial cells (Z172 and HaCaT). We found that SV40 T antigen could directly cause apoptosis in 22-27% of these cells under normal growth condition as measured by chromatin condensation and nucleosomal fragmentation. The apoptosis of HaCaT cells which contain mutant p53 suggests the p53-independent nature of T antigen-mediated apoptosis. T antigen-induced apoptosis was associated with increased expression of c-Jun protein. Moreover, the overexpression of c-jun alone in these cells also induced apoptosis, indicating that c-jun might play an important role in T antigen-induced apoptosis.
Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
Characterization of 14 different putative protein kinase cDNA clones of the C4 plant Sorghum bicolor.
C4 photosynthesis is functionally dependent on metabolic interactions between mesophyll- and bundle-sheath cells. Although the C4 cycle is biochemically well understood, many aspects of the regulation of enzyme activities, gene expression and cell differentiation are elusive. Protein kinases are likely involved in these regulatory processes, providing links to hormonal, metabolic and developmental signal-transduction pathways. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of 14 different putative protein kinase leaf cDNA clones from the C4 plant Sorghum bicolor. These genes belong to three different protein kinase subfamilies: ribosomal protein S6 kinases, SNF1-like protein kinases, and receptor-like protein kinases. We report the partial cDNA sequences, mesophyll/bundle-sheath steady-state mRNA ratios, mesophyll/etiolated leaf steady-state mRNA ratios, and the positions of 14 protein kinase genes on the genetic map of S. bicolor. Only three of the protein kinase genes described here are expressed preferentially in mesophyll cells as compared with the bundle-sheath.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A second type of rod opsin cDNA from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio).
A second type of rhodopsin cDNA from carp (cRh-II) shared 97.2% polynucleotide identity with the previously reported cRh-I. The deduced amino acid sequences of cRh-I and cRh-II exhibited 98.6% identity. The key difference between these two types of cRh is that valine at position 169 of cRh-I was replaced by glutamic acid in cRh-II. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA showed that there were two types of cRh gene. These two rod opsin genes were proven to be expressed in carp retinas by using RT-PCR with type-specific primers.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Carp cDNA sequence encoding a putative diazepam-binding inhibitor/endozepine/acyl-CoA-binding protein.
A full-length cDNA coding for common carp diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI)/endozepine (EP)/acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) was isolated and sequenced. The deduced DBI/EP/ACBP is comprised of 87 amino acids (including initiating methionine) without possessing a signal peptide. Common carp DBI/EP/ACBP displays 77%, 78%, 70%, 63%, 61% and 45% identity with human, bovine, rat, frog, duck and yeast DBI/EP/ACBP, respectively.
Acyl Coenzyme A↗
Acute fracture bipartite patella: case report and literature review.
Disorders of the patella are the most common cause of anterior knee pain. The etiologies of anterior knee pain are reviewed. A case report of an acute displaced patella fracture in a bipartite union is presented. Bipartite patellar development, incidence, radiographic findings, and clinical symptoms follow. Treatment of excision of displaced fragment provides an excellent result.
Basketball↗
Infiltrating angiolipoma: report of a familial occurrence.
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Child↗
Osteoid osteoma of the os calcis in a teenage athlete.
Osteoid osteomas are small, benign bone tumors most commonly located in the proximal femur or tibia. The classic presentation is localized pain increasing in severity at night, and relieved by the use of anti-inflammatory medications. In a young athlete complaining of foot pain, many conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis. A case of osteoid osteoma of the os calcis in a teenage basketball player is presented.
Adolescent↗
Cyclization of disulfide-containing peptides in solid-phase synthesis.
Disulfide-containing peptides may be obtained in good yields and purities when oxidations are carried out on peptide chains anchored to polymeric supports used for solid-phase synthesis. Such approaches take advantage of the pseudo-dilution phenomenon which favors intramolecular processes. A variety of procedures have been demonstrated using the related model peptides Ac-Cys-Pro-D Val-Cys-NH2 and Ac-Pen-Pro-D Val-Cys-NH2 (which both readily assume a type II beta-turn conformation that becomes stabilized by a 14-membered disulfide-containing intramolecular ring), and oxytocin (conformationally mobile 20-membered disulfide ring). Both Boc and Fmoc were used for N alpha-amino protection, the beta-thiols of cysteine or penicillamine were blocked by S-acetamidomethyl (Acm), S-9-fluorenylmethyl (Fm), or S-trityl (Trt), and compatible anchoring linkages included HF-labile 4-methylbenzhydrylamide (MBHA), TFA-labile tris (alkoxy)benzylamide (PAL), and photolabile o-nitrobenzylamide (Nonb). Assemblies of linear sequences proceeded smoothly, and polymer-supported oxidations were carried out in a variety of ways either directly or after deblocking to the resin-bound dithiol. Chains were released from the support without substantial damage to the disulfide bridges, and overall yields were as high as 60-90%.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
[Primary small cell carcinoma of the kidney: report of a case].
Primary small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the kidney is an extremely rare neoplasm. The morphological, immunohistological and ultrastructural features are closely akin to primary SCC of the lung. The case of a 38-year-old married male, nonsmoker, with primary small cell carcinoma of the kidney and associated multiple bony metastases is reported. Roentgenographic studies exhibited a tumor mass 3 cm in diameter over the middle portion of the left kidney. A CT scan of the cervical and thoracic spines, and a whole body bone scan displayed multiple osteolytic lesions suggesting multiple bony metastatic lesions. A chest X ray and CT scan of the nasopharynx demonstrated no significant lesions. A complete workup was performed followed by a left nephrectomy. Histologically, the tumor revealed SCC of the kidney. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells demonstrated immunoreactivity to cytokeratin (CK), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and produced negative stains to argentaffin, argyrophil, S-100 and chromogranin A. Ultrastructurally, these neoplastic small cells revealed a few cytoplasmic dense-core neuroendocrine-type differentiated secretory granules, measuring 110 to 115 nm in size. Thus, adjuvant therapy, supplemented with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, was employed. The patient was alive and well 6 months after surgery. To the best of our knowledge, there are four documented cases of primary SCC of the kidney. In this article, the light microscopic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of renal SCC are presented and suggest a renal pelvic epithelial origin of renal SCC. Cognitively renal SCC appears to be an aggressive tumor, regardless of the degree of neuroendocrine differentiation.
Adult↗
Potential applications of computational fluid dynamics to biofluid analysis.
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Algorithms↗
Characterization and partial purification of the cockroach antigen in relation to housedust and housedust mite (D.f.) antigens.
Allergens in crude cockroach antigens (CRa) have not been well defined. In order to characterize the CRa, the authors partially purified CRa by gel filtration (G-75) and analyzed it by polyacrylamide electrophoresis (PAGE) and allergy skin testing (AST). Hyperimmune serum was produced against CRa in rabbit (R anti-CRa) and used for immunoelectrophoresis (IEP), double immunodiffusion (DID), crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), and crossed radio immunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) to further characterize the CRa. The crude CRa contained 9 and 15 precipitating arcs by IEP and CIE, respectively. Indirect CRIE revealed that CRa contained nine to 15 different allergens. There were no lines of identity between the CRa and housedust mite (D.f.) or between the CRa and commercial housedust by DID or IEP. Autologous housedust of cockroach asthmatic subjects showed lines of identity with the CRa. Fractionation of CRa on a Sephadex G-75 column chromatography showed two distinct peaks (B1 and B2) separated by a broad valley. The high molecular fraction B1 was most allergenic (100%) and contained three antigens of high molecular weight. These three antigens were identifiable by the techniques of IE, CIE, and DID. B2, the low molecular fraction (molecular weight less than 13,000 dalton) contained minor allergen(s). B2 elicited positive AST in 55% of cockroach-sensitive individuals, but it was not detected by IEP, CIE, nor by DID.
Allergens↗
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen--case report and literature review.
Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the spleen is an extremely rare benign lesion. We herein report an additional case of a 64-year-old man with IPT of spleen to compare with seven cases previously reported in the literature. However, the immunohistochemical studies has demonstrated to polyclonality of plasma cells which was comparable to these seven previously reported cases. The clinical and pathological findings, as well as the possibilities of etiology and pathogenesis are also described.
Diagnosis, Differential↗
The role of immunotherapy in cockroach asthma.
To evaluate the preventive role of immunotherapy in severe perennial asthma, we investigated cockroach asthma as a model. Twenty-eight subjects with bronchial asthma due to cockroach hypersensitivity (BACR) were divided into two groups in alternating order: 15 were started with cockroach antigen immunotherapy (CRa-IT) and 13 were given control immunotherapy. Eleven in the former group and two in the latter group completed the study after 5 years. The changes in symptoms and medication scores were assessed; blocking antibody factor in the paired pre- and postimmune serum of the two groups was measured and compared. Cellular sensitivity (HR50) was measured using the basophil-rich leukocytes (BRLs) obtained from the two treated asthma groups, and the result was compared with that of the untreated cockroach asthmatic cells. The average symptom score changed from 7.2 +/- 2.7 to 1.2 +/- 0.4 in the CRa-IT group. The control-IT group showed no change. The medication score changed from 11.4 +/- 1.6 to 5.2 +/- 1.4 in the CRa-IT group only (p less than 0.01). The mean blocking antibody factor in the immune serum of the CRa-IT group showed a 2.5 x 10(2)-fold increase [1.3 +/- 0.3 x 10(-1) in postimmune serum/5.2 +/- 2.0 +/- 10(-4) in preimmune serum (p less than 0.001)]. No difference was noted in the HR50 of the BRLs in the post- and preimmune serum of the control-IT group. Antihuman IgG absorption of the post-CRa-IT serum reduced the blocking antibody to 1/1000-fold; no difference in the HR50 of the BRLs was noted between the post-control-IT and the pre-CRa-IT serum (p greater than 0.2). The BRLs of the CRa-IT asthmatics, however, showed blunted sensitivity not affected by the serum factor (5.8 +/- 1.5 x 10(-2) micrograms/ml in post-CRa-IT serum and 5.6 +/- 1.3 x 10(-2) micrograms/ml in pre-CRa-IT serum) (p greater than 0.2). The BRLs of the control-IT group retained their cell sensitivity as well as the blocking effect of the CRa-immune serum. This study thus demonstrated that CRa-IT reduces symptom and medication scores clinically in cockroach-asthmatic subjects, and the CRa-IT produces the CRa-specific blocking antibody of the IgG type. It also reduces anaphylactic leukocyte sensitivity, which is not affected by humoral factor.
Anaphylaxis↗