[Evidence for inheritance of Alzheimer disease in families].
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Alzheimer Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
J Yao
Publications and source records attributed to J Yao.
Extended half-life and elevated steady-state level of a single-chain Fv intrabody are critical for specific intracellular retargeting of its antigen, caspase-7.
8 h) and high steady-state levels of protein accumulation, while the H2 intrabodies had a half-life of 2 h and less protein at steady state. These results suggest that the choice of sFv as an intrabody depends critically on the intracellular sFv protein having an extended half-life and elevated steady-state level. Thus, extended half-life must be considered together with sFv antibody specificity and affinity when choosing an optimal sFv intrabody for functional studies of cellular proteins.
Animals↗
Usefulness of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic imaging for evaluating narrowing in the coronary arteries.
Coronary artery (CA) imaging has relied on invasive techniques for diagnosing stenotic lesions. Two-dimensional techniques are limited in obtaining optimal longitudinal views of all segments of the CA because of their spatial orientations. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) may produce any desired cross-sectional views and reconstruct 3-dimensional images from a volumetric data set. Its role in CA imaging has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of 3DE in visualizing CAs and in assessing the severity of stenosis. We performed transesophageal 3DE in 46 patients. Images were collected sequentially with the transducer rotated through 180 degrees. From the 3DE data sets of all 46 patients, cross-sectional views and 3-dimensional images of CAs were reconstructed. For segment-by-segment comparison between CA angiography and 3DE in semiquantitative analysis of coronary stenosis, 5 segments were defined for the proximal CA tree in 20 patients who underwent both procedures. The left main, anterior descending, circumflex, and right CAs were visualized from 3DE in 100%, 100%, 98%, and 72%. The available lengths of these segments from 3DE were 12+/-4 mm (range 4 to 22), 15+/-6 mm (range 6 to 36), 30+/-12 mm (range 13 to 60), and 18+/-9 mm (range 6 to 36), respectively. Comparison between 3DE and CA angiography in semiquantitative estimation of CA stenosis resulted in complete agreement in 83% of the segments (kappa value = 0.7). The sensitivity and specificity of 3DE in detecting significant stenosis (> or =50%) were 84% and 97%. In conclusion, transesophageal 3DE allows imaging of the proximal CA, detection of stenotic lesions, and estimation of the severity of stenosis.
Coronary Angiography↗
[Investigation on the contamination of Listeria monocytogenes in seven kinds of foods].
An examination on 3746 samples of 7 kinds of foods from 12 provinces of China for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) was carried out in 1996-1997. The detected rates of LM in commercial cold drinks, raw meat, sterilized milk products, cooked meat products, raw milk and aquatic products were 1.39%, 1.53%, 0.52%, 0.47%, 0.72% and 0.19% respectively. The result showed that LM present in the contaminated foods in a potential hazardous factor of foodborne disease.
Animals↗
Microsatellite instability and aneuploidy rate in young colorectal-cancer patients do not differ significantly from those in older patients.
DNA and chromosomal instabilities are thought to promote colorectal carcinogenesis. Mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency affects DNA-sequence integrity, resulting in microsatellite instability (MI). Tumor aneuploidy (AN) has been shown to reflect underlying chromosomal instability (CI). This study aimed at assessing the MI and AN rate of Singapore's colorectal-cancer (CRC) patients, who are predominantly Chinese, in association with age group, tumor site, Dukes' staging and gender. In contrast to a Caucasian series, the MI rate for our younger patients aged 40 or less without family history (23%) is not significantly different from that for older, sporadic patients (13%) aged 60 or more, suggesting that population screening for germline MMR mutations is unlikely to be cost-effective. Our MI-positive patients also show no significant differences from the MI-negative patients with respect to tumor site, staging, ploidy status and gender. This implies that the local MI-positive individuals may have a different profile from that of the Caucasians, indicating the possibility of underlying genetic differences. AN is also not significantly more prevalent in younger patients. In addition, a significant 21% of our patients (p < 0.00005) show no evidence of either the MI or CI pathways, implying that there is at least a third pathway driving colorectal carcinogenesis, involving neither genes that maintain DNA sequence stability nor genes that cause gross chromosomal segregation defects.
Adult↗
The transcription factor EGR-1 suppresses transformation of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells by coordinated induction of transforming growth factor-beta1, fibronectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
Re-expression of EGR-1 in fibrosarcoma HT1080 suppresses transformation including tumorigenicity (Huang, R.-P., Liu, C., Fan, Y., Mercola, D., and Adamson, E. (1995) Cancer Res. 55, 5054-5062) owing in part to up-regulation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 promoter by EGR-1 which suppresses growth by an autocrine mechanism (Liu, C., Adamson, E., and Mercola, D. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 93, 11831-11836). Here we show that enhanced cell attachment contributes to the suppression via increased secretion of fibronectin (FN) and also of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). The secretion of FN and PAI-1 is strongly correlated with EGR-1 expression (RPEARSON = 0.971 and 0. 985, respectively). Addition of authentic TGF-beta1 to parental cells greatly stimulated secretion of PAI-1 but not FN, whereas addition of TGF-beta antibody or lipofection with specific antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides to EGR-1-regulated cells completely inhibits the secretion of PAI-1 but not FN. However, in gel mobility shift assays pure EGR-1 or nuclear extracts of EGR-1-regulated cells specifically bind to two GC-rich elements of the human FN promoter at positions -75/-52 and -4/+18, indicating that the increased secretion of FN is likely due to direct up-regulation by EGR-1. Moreover, adhesion was greatly enhanced in EGR-1-regulated cells and was reversed by treatment with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) or PAI-1 antibody indicating that the secreted proteins are functional. We conclude that EGR-1 regulates the coordinated expression of gene products important for cell attachment ("oikis" factor) and normal growth control.
Cell Adhesion↗
Tissue-specific and light-dependent expression within a family of nuclear-encoded sigma-like factors from Zea mays.
The principal transcription machinery functioning in chloroplasts of higher plants is encoded in two subcellular compartments. Subunits of the RNA polymerase catalytic core are plastid encoded, while sigma factors required for promoter recognition are encoded in the nucleus. We have isolated nuclear-encoded cDNAs, sig1, sig2, and sig3, specifying three sigma factors from maize (Zea mays). The three deduced polypeptides have extensive sequence identity with the principal sigma factors of eubacteria. Two of the maize cDNAs, sig1 and sig3, encode NH2-terminal transit peptides which direct the uptake of a heterologous protein into chloroplasts in vitro. Transcripts for the sig3 gene were more abundant in green leaves than in roots and in light-treated seedlings than in dark-grown seedlings. In contrast, sig1 transcripts were readily detectable in all tissues examined. Thus, at least two promoter-selectivity factors function with the maize chloroplast RNA polymerase, one of which is constitutively expressed and the other is light activated.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Appropriate 3-dimensional echocardiography data acquisition interval for left ventricular volume quantification: implications for clinical application.
UNLABELLED: Volume-rendered 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) acquired with small imaging intervals has been validated for accurate left ventricular (LV) volume measurement. However, its clinical application is often impeded by the lengthy acquisition time. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of LV volume measurement from 3DE data acquired at different intervals. METHODS: Transthoracic 3DE LV data sets were acquired at intervals of 2 degrees, 6 degrees, 9 degrees, 12 degrees, 15 degrees, 18 degrees, and 20 degrees in 10 human subjects with various cardiac shapes and function. The LV end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume were measured from each 3DE data set with the "summation of disks" method. Interobserver and intraobserver variability were also examined. Measurements obtained from data acquired at 2 degrees intervals were used as references for comparison. RESULTS: From 10 subjects a total of 70 3DE data sets were obtained. Data acquisition time decreased from 189 +/- 143 seconds at intervals of 2 degrees to 19 +/- 6 minutes at 20 degrees. No statistically significant difference was found among the measurements derived from data obtained at various intervals. Excellent agreement was obtained between interobserver and intraobserver measurements. CONCLUSION: Data acquired at 12 degrees and 15 degrees intervals remained accurate for LV volume measurement and saved over 80% of time in comparison with data acquired at 2 degrees intervals. A further increase in imaging intervals tended to underestimate LV volumes without significant acceleration of the procedure.
Adult↗
Computer-integrated revision total hip replacement surgery: concept and preliminary results.
This paper describes an ongoing project to develop a computer-integrated system to assist surgeons in revision total hip replacement (RTHR) surgery. In RTHR surgery, a failing orthopedic hip implant, typically cemented, is replaced with a new one by removing the old implant, removing the cement and fitting a new implant into an enlarged canal broached in the femur. RTHR surgery is a difficult procedure fraught with technical challenges and a high incidence of complications. The goals of the computer-based system are the significant reduction of cement removal labor and time, the elimination of cortical wall penetration and femur fracture, the improved positioning and fit of the new implant resulting from precise, high-quality canal milling and the reduction of bone sacrificed to fit the new implant. Our starting points are the ROBODOC system for primary hip replacement surgery and the manual RTHR surgical protocol. We first discuss the main difficulties of computer-integrated RTHR surgery and identify key issues and possible solutions. We then describe possible system architectures and protocols for preoperative planning and intraoperative execution. We present a summary of methods and preliminary results in CT image metal artifact removal, interactive cement cut-volume definition and cement machining, anatomy-based registration using fluoroscopic X-ray images and clinical trials using an extended RTHR version of ROBODOC. We conclude with a summary of lessons learned and a discussion of current and future work.
Algorithms↗
Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by Pseudomonas nitroreducens.
A strain coded AS 1.2343 was isolated from oil-contaminated soil in an oil-field in North China Tianjian City and it was identified as Pseudomonas nitroreducens. The strain demonstrated some unusual ability to synthesize polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) homopolymer from medium-chain-length (mcl) fatty acids including hexanoate and octanoate. While polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) consisting of mcl hydroxyalkanoate (HA) monomers such as hydroxyoctanoate (HO) and hydroxydecanoate (HD) were the major compositions when butyrate, decanoate, lauric acid and tetradecanoic acid were used as substrates for the cell growth, respectively. PHA was accumulated up to 77% of the cell dry weight when growth was conducted in lauric acid, it appeared that the HA contents in the PHA would not be much affected by the changing of the lauric acid concentration. Varying the concentration ratio of butyrate to octanoate could change the composition of PHA accumulated by the strain. Yet PHB homopolymer was always the only polyester synthesized by the strain, regardless of the octanoate concentration change. Additionally, the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) in butyrate media was found to have effects on the PHA monomer content, as C/N increased from 2 to 100, content of HB decreased from 100% to 7%. PHA polyester synthesized by cells of Pseudomonas nitroreducens AS 1.2343 was a blend polymers consisting of acetone-insoluble HB and acetone-soluble mcl HA monomers.
Caprylates↗
Expression and functional analysis of SURF1 in Leigh syndrome patients with cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.
Leigh syndrome (LS) associated with cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in SURF1. Although SURF1 is ubiquitously expressed, its expression is lower in brain than in other highly aerobic tissues. All reported SURF1 mutations are loss of function, predicting a truncated protein (hSurf1) product. Western blot analysis with anti-hSurf1 antibodies demonstrated a specific 30 kDa protein in control fibroblasts, but no protein in LS patient cells. Steady-state levels of both nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded COX subunits were also markedly reduced in patient cells, consistent with a failure to assemble or maintain a normal amount of the enzyme complex. An epitope (FLAG)-tagged hSurf1 was targeted to mitochondria in COS7 cells and a mitochondrial import assay showed that the hSurf1 precursor protein (35 kDa) was imported and processed to its mature form (30 kDa) in a membrane potential-dependent fashion. The protein was resistant to alkaline carbonate extraction and susceptible to proteinase K digestion in mitoplasts. Mutant proteins in which the N-terminal transmembrane domain or central loop were deleted, or the C-terminal transmembrane domain disrupted, did not accumulate and could not rescue COX activity in patient cells. Co-expression of the N- and C-terminal transmembrane domains as independent entities also failed to rescue the enzyme deficiency. These data demonstrate that hSurf1 is an integral inner membrane protein with an essential role in the assembly or maintenance of the COX complex and that insertion of both transmembrane domains in the intact protein is necessary for function.
Animals↗
Clinical application of free digital artery flap of the hand.
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Adolescent↗
Mutational analysis, using a full-length rubella virus cDNA clone, of rubella virus E1 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains required for virus release.
We report on the construction of a full-length cDNA clone, pBRM33, derived from wild-type rubella virus M33 strain. The RNA transcripts synthesized in vitro from pBRM33 are highly infectious, and the viruses produced retain the phenotypic characteristics of the parental M33 virus in growth rate and plaque size. This cDNA clone was used to study the role of E1 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains in virus assembly by site-directed mutagenesis. Three different alanine substitutions were introduced in the transmembrane domain of E1. These included substitution of leucine 464, cysteine 466, cysteine 467, and both cysteines 466 and 467 to alanine. In the E1 cytoplasmic domain, cysteine 470 and leucine 471 were altered to alanine. We found that these mutations did not significantly affect viral RNA replication, viral structural protein synthesis and transport, or E2/E1 heterodimer formation. Except for the substitution of cysteine 470, these mutations did, however, lead to a reduction in virus release. Substitution of cysteine 467 in the transmembrane region and of leucine 471 in the cytoplasmic domain dramatically reduced virus yield, resulting in the production of only 1 and 10% of the parental virus yield, respectively, in a parallel infection. These data show that E1 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains play an important role in late stages of virus assembly, possibly during virus budding, consistent with earlier studies indicating that the E1 cytoplasmic domain may interact with nucleocapsids and that this interaction drives virus budding.
Animals↗
Role of PTP-1B in aortic smooth muscle cell motility and tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins.
Recent studies have focused attention on the role of protein tyrosine kinases in vascular smooth muscle cell biology, but similar information regarding protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) is sparse. PTP-1B is a ubiquitous nonreceptor phosphatase with uncertain function and substrates that are mostly unidentified. We used antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) against PTP-1B to investigate the role of endogenous PTP-1B in motility of primary cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). Antisense ODN decreased PTP-1B protein levels and activity in a concentration-dependent fashion, whereas sense, scrambled, or three-base mismatch antisense ODN had little or no effect. Treatment of cells with antisense ODN, but not sense, scrambled, or three-base mismatch antisense ODN, enhanced cell motility and increased tyrosine phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion proteins paxillin, p130(cas), and focal adhesion kinase. Our findings indicate that PTP-1B is a negative regulator of RASMC motility via modulation of phosphotyrosine levels in several focal adhesion proteins and suggest the involvement of PTP-1B in events such as atherosclerosis and restenosis, which are associated with increased vascular smooth muscle cell motility.
Animals↗
NO alters cell shape and motility in aortic smooth muscle cells via protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activation.
Cell motility is an important determinant of vascular disease. We examined mechanisms underlying the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on motility in cultured primary aortic smooth muscle cells from newborn rats. The NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) increased the activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B). This effect was mimicked by a cGMP analog and blocked by the guanyl cyclase antagonist 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, indicating the involvement of cGMP. Treatment of cells with antisense, but not control oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), against PTP-1B attenuated the inhibitory effect of NO on cell motility. Cell shape and adhesion are important determinants of cell motility. We report that SNAP induced cell rounding and reduced adhesion and caused dissociation of actin stress fibers. Moreover, SNAP reduced phosphotyrosine levels in focal adhesion proteins, paxillin, and focal adhesion kinase. The PTP inhibitor phenylarsine oxide or decrease of PTP-1B protein levels via the use of antisense ODN prevented NO-induced cell-shape change, altered adhesion, and migration. These results indicate that NO regulates cell shape, adhesion, and migration by dephosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins via a mechanism that requires PTP-1B activity.
Animals↗
[Criteria of Rigiscan normalcy in aged men].
PURPOSE: To define the changes in penile tumescence and rigidity in normally potent older men before a nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (NS-RRP) and to establish a base-line for investigating erectile dysfunction in that age group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 75 patients used the Rigiscan for 2-3 nights before undergoing a NS-RRP procedure. Rigiscan data were analyzed visually using Kaneko & Bradley criteria, and by computerized analysis. The computerized data were compared to the patient self-evaluation of potency (questionnaire), patient's age (above and below 60 years old), peak cavernosal artery velocity measured by Duplex Doppler scanning, and to the visual analysis of the Rigiscan data. RESULTS: 55 of 75 men (73%) completed three sessions. 42 men had at least 2 normal sessions, and when compared to the 33 with abnormal visual tracings, only age was significantly characteristic (p < 0.05). Tip event rigidity (%) in < 60 year-old men was greater than in older men (p < 0.01). Nearly all men had erections lasting more than 2 minutes, while only 29 of 74 had 10 minutes erections with rigidity > 70%. The best correlation between visual and computerized analyses was noted in the group of 54 men who experienced > 70% rigidity for more than 2 minutes. CONCLUSION: This large prospective series of potent older men studied by Rigiscan and other subjective and objective parameters helps establishing normative data in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. An important observation is clearly the lack of correlation between the patient's questionnaire or the Doppler findings and the Rigiscan data.
Adult↗
[Cost-benefit analysis for hepatitis A vaccine].
OBJECTIVE: To improve economic benefits of hepatitis A (HA) vaccination and to lay a foundation for formulating an immunization strategy for it. METHODS: Health economics methods were used for analyzing the cost-benefit ratio, balance point of cost-benefit and balance point of antibody level after HA vaccination. RESULTS: The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) for HA vaccine was 2.53 in Jiangxing City of Zhejiang Province with an HA-specific incidence rate of 41.15 per ten thousand. Incidence rate of HA was 16.26 per ten thousand at balance point of cost-benefit of HA vaccine. Cost would be reduced if serum HA antibody was screened before vaccination in the population with more than 50% of seropositive HA antibody. CONCLUSION: It indicated that more economic benefits would be gained if mass HA vaccination strategy was used. Vaccinee of choice was those at ages of 15 to 29 years. HA vaccination after antibody screening in the population aged over 25 years would be more economic than the direct use.
Adolescent↗
Experimental study of sagittal fracture of the mandibular condyle.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the healing of sagittal fracture of the mandibular condyle (SFMC) and its effect on the temporomandibular joint in immature miniature pigs. METHODS: Twenty-seven immature miniature pigs were randomly chosen and divided into three groups. Twelve immature miniature pigs underwent sagittal fracture of the mandible condyle; 12 underwent transverse fracture, and 3 were maintained as a normal control. Three-phase scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) imaging, and histological tests were conducted at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: The data showed the value of the time-activity curve of blood-flow image increased and blood-flow arriving time was postponed after condylar fracture. The alpha/beta ratio was the highest at 2 weeks after SFMC. The count of blood-pool image and static image were higher than nonfractured sides. Peaks were seen at 2 weeks postfracture. Disc and condyle adhesion was found in all sagittal fractures of the mandibular condyle and bifid mandibular condyle was formed. Adhesive tissues between condyle and disc were fibro-connective tissues, which connected the disc directly to cartilage or bone tissue. A large number of fibroblasts and sparse chondrocytes were seen in the adhesive tissue. Blood vessels and adipose cells were seen in the disc, whereas there were no distinguishable changes in transverse fracture. CONCLUSION: Bifid mandibular condyle was found in most SFMC in childhood. The mechanism of bifid condyle deformity is related to secondary injuries to the disc, adhesions between the condyle and disc, and displacement of the medial split fragment. The age when SFMC occurs is an important factor in bifid condyle formation.
Animals↗