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Biomedical subjects

Lin He

Publications and source records attributed to Lin He.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Electrochemical interrogation of DNA monolayers on gold surfaces.

In this report, we systematically investigated DNA immobilization at gold surfaces with electrochemical techniques. Comparative cyclic voltammetric and chronocoulometric studies suggested that DNA monolayers immobilized at gold surfaces were not homogeneous. Nonspecific Au-DNA interactions existed even with the treatment of mercaptohexanol, which was known to competitively remove loosely bound DNA at gold surfaces. While both thiolated and nonthiolated DNA formed monolayers on gold surfaces, their hybridization abilities were distinctly different. In contrast to thiolated DNA probes, nonthiolated DNA probes immobilized at gold surfaces were essentially nonhybridizable. The experimental results presented here might be useful for the design of high-performance electrochemical DNA sensors.

DNA↗

Identification of a novel ADAR mutation in a Chinese family with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH).

Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH [MIM 127400]) is characterized by the presence of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules mostly on the dorsal aspects of the extremities. Genetic studies have identified mutations in the ADAR gene, encoding double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase, to be responsible for this disorder. Here, we found a novel deletion mutation in the ADAR gene, 2929delA, in a Chinese family with DSH. This mutation is located in codon 977 (AGC-->GC), and leads to a frameshift and truncated protein of 250 amino acids with 76 novel amino acids prior to a premature stop codon. The truncated ADAR is predicted to lack the ADEAMc (tRNA-specific and double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase) domain. This study should be useful for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for affected families and in expanding the database on ADAR gene mutations in DSH.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Retinoid X receptor alpha Regulates the expression of glutathione s-transferase genes and modulates acetaminophen-glutathione conjugation in mouse liver.

Nuclear receptors, including constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor, and retinoid X receptor (RXR), modulate acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating the expression of phase I cytochrome P450 (P450) genes. It has not been fully resolved, however, whether they regulate APAP detoxification at the phase II level. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of RXRalpha in phase II enzyme-mediated detoxification of APAP. Wild-type and hepatocyte-specific RXRalpha knockout mice were treated with a toxic dose of APAP (500 mg/kg i.p.). Mutant mice were protected from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, even though basal liver glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly lower in mutant mice compared with those of wild-type mice. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of APAP metabolites revealed significantly greater levels of APAP-GSH conjugates in livers and bile of mutant mice compared with those of wild-type mice. Furthermore, hepatocyte RXRalpha deficiency altered the gene expression profile of the glutathione S-transferase (Gst) family. Basal expression of 13 of 15 Gst genes studied was altered in hepatocyte-specific RXRalpha-deficient mice. This probably led to enhanced APAP-GSH conjugation and reduced accumulation of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, a toxic electrophile that is produced by biotransformation of APAP by phase I P450 enzymes. In conclusion, the data presented in this study define an RXRalpha-Gst regulatory network that controls APAP-GSH conjugation. This report reveals a potential novel strategy to enhance the detoxification of APAP or other xenobiotics by manipulating Gst activity through RXRalpha-mediated pathways.

Acetaminophen↗

Positive association of the human GABA-A-receptor beta 2 subunit gene haplotype with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population.

A converging body of evidence implicates the gamma-amino butyric acid neurotransmitter system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Recently, Lo et al. reported strong positive association between schizophrenia and GABRB2, demonstrated by single markers and haplotypes of five markers in introns of GABRB2, rs6556547, rs1816071, rs194072, rs252944, and rs187269. To validate this linkage disequilibrium report, we genotyped these five SNPs and additional rs1816072 in 352 Chinese Han family trios. Though we failed to detect any positive results in single markers, we did find a significant haplotypic association (global p = 0.00157-0.00588) which had not been identified in Lo's study. Our data indicated that the haplotype 'GACTCT' (p = 0.00215, frequency = 53.6%) was overtransmitted which suggests that GABRB2 is in linkage disequilibrium with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population. The difference between the two studies may be due to the respective analytic power of the two designs. These two independent studies highlighting linkage disequilibrium support the potential involvement of GABRB2 or a nearby gene in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia.

Asian People↗

[Refined mapping of loss of heterzygosity on 10q23-24 in sporadic colorectal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of tumor suppressor gene (TSG) is believed to play a key role in carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we performed refined mapping of LOH on 10q23-24 region and screened the candidate TSG related to sporadic CRC. METHODS: Seven fluorescent labeled polymorphic markers (encompassing D10S185 locus) were analyzed in 83 cases of colorectal carcinoma and normal tissues by PCR. PCR products were eletrophoresed on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer. GeneScan 3.1 and Genotyper 2.1 softwares were used for LOH scanning and analysis. Comparison between LOH frequency and clinicopathological factors were performed by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The average LOH frequency was 36.11%. The highest frequency of LOH (D10S583 locus) and the lowest (D10S205 locus) were 54.84% and 21.3%, respectively. Two obviously high LOH regions were detected: one between D10S583 locus and D10S185 locus (about 0.9 cm, 10q23.33); another flanked by D10S1709 and D10S1265 locus (about 1.5 cm, 10q24.2-24.31). Furthermore, significant difference was observed between LOH frequency and Dukes stages only on D10S1265 locus. CONCLUSION: Two obviously high frequency LOH regions, 10q23.33 and 10q24.2-24.31, were detected in sporadic CRC. Besides PTEN gene, the above two regions may harbor candidate TSG involved in development and progression of sporadic CRC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Rates of adult schizophrenia following prenatal exposure to the Chinese famine of 1959-1961.

CONTEXT: Schizophrenia is a common major mental disorder. Intrauterine nutritional deficiency may increase the risk of schizophrenia. The main evidence comes from studies of the 1944-1945 Dutch Hunger Winter when a sharp and time-limited decline in food intake occurred. The most exposed cohort conceived during the famine showed a 2-fold increased risk of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether those who endured a massive 1959-1961 famine in China experienced similar results. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The risk of schizophrenia was examined in the Wuhu region of Anhui, one of the most affected provinces. Rates were compared among those born before, during, and after the famine years. Wuhu and its surrounding 6 counties are served by a single psychiatric hospital. All psychiatric case records for the years 1971 through 2001 were examined, and clinical and sociodemographic information on patients with schizophrenia was extracted by researchers who were blinded to the nature of exposure. Data on number of births and deaths in the famine years were available, and cumulative mortality was estimated from later demographic surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evidence of famine was verified, and unadjusted and mortality-adjusted relative risks of schizophrenia were calculated. RESULTS: The birth rates (per 1000) in Anhui decreased approximately 80% during the famine years from 28.28 in 1958 and 20.97 in 1959 to 8.61 in 1960 and 11.06 in 1961. Among births that occurred during the famine years, the adjusted risk of developing schizophrenia in later life increased significantly, from 0.84% in 1959 to 2.15% in 1960 and 1.81% in 1961. The mortality-adjusted relative risk was 2.30 (95% confidence interval, 1.99-2.65) for those born in 1960 and 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 1.68-2.23) for those born in 1961. CONCLUSION: Our findings replicate the Dutch data for a separate racial group and show that prenatal exposure to famine increases risk of schizophrenia in later life.

Adult↗

Detection of DNA point mutation by atom transfer radical polymerization.

We report here a new DNA detection method in which polymer growth in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is used as a means to amplify detection signals. In this method, DNA hybridization and ligation reactions led to the attachment of ATRP initiators on a solid surface where specific DNA sequences were located. These initiators subsequently triggered the growth of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) at the end of immobilized DNA molecules and formed polymer brushes. The formation of PHEMA altered substrate opacity, rendering the corresponding spots readily distinguishable to the naked eye. A second ATRP reaction to form branched polymers on the surface drastically improved the visibility of DNA hybridization and significantly shortened the detection time. The resulting polymer film was characterized using infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy. Direct visualization of 1 fmol of target DNA molecules of interest was demonstrated. A proof-of-principle experiment to detect DNA point mutation was conducted. The perfectly matched DNA targets were distinctively differentiated from those with mutations. The demonstrated capability to detect DNA mutation with direct visualization laid the groundwork for the future development of detector-free testing kits in single-nucleotide polymorphism screenings.

DNA↗

Association study of the A2M and LRP1 Genes with Alzheimer disease in the Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) are two plausible candidate genes for Alzheimer disease (AD) based on their important biological function and positional information. To date, numerous studies have investigated their possible association with AD but the results are controversial. METHODS: To investigate the potential genetic contribution of the two genes in the Han Chinese population, we performed a case-control association study using 10 polymorphisms (4 in LRP1 and 6 in A2M) that span approximately the whole corresponding gene. RESULTS: Comparison of allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies for polymorphisms in A2M revealed no significant differences between patients and control subjects. For the LRP1 gene, however, we found an overrepresentation of the CTCG haplotype in the control group (p = .002). The difference was still of statistical significance in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 negative subjects (p(CTCG) = .003). Multiple logistic regression analysis did not show any evidence of synergism between A2M, LRP1, and APOE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the CTCG haplotype of LRP1 may reduce the risk of late-onset AD, but A2M is not associated with this disease in the Han Chinese population.

Aged↗

A microRNA polycistron as a potential human oncogene.

To date, more than 200 microRNAs have been described in humans; however, the precise functions of these regulatory, non-coding RNAs remains largely obscure. One cluster of microRNAs, the mir-17-92 polycistron, is located in a region of DNA that is amplified in human B-cell lymphomas. Here we compared B-cell lymphoma samples and cell lines to normal tissues, and found that the levels of the primary or mature microRNAs derived from the mir-17-92 locus are often substantially increased in these cancers. Enforced expression of the mir-17-92 cluster acted with c-myc expression to accelerate tumour development in a mouse B-cell lymphoma model. Tumours derived from haematopoietic stem cells expressing a subset of the mir-17-92 cluster and c-myc could be distinguished by an absence of apoptosis that was otherwise prevalent in c-myc-induced lymphomas. Together, these studies indicate that non-coding RNAs, specifically microRNAs, can modulate tumour formation, and implicate the mir-17-92 cluster as a potential human oncogene.

Animals↗

Sodium lactate increases LPS-stimulated MMP and cytokine expression in U937 histiocytes by enhancing AP-1 and NF-kappaB transcriptional activities.

The plasma lactate concentration in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes is often higher than that in nondiabetic individuals. Although it is known that increased lactate concentration is an independent risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Because inflammation plays an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes, we postulated that increased lactate level might contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by enhancing inflammation. In the present study, we demonstrated that preexposure of U937 macrophage-like cells to sodium lactate increased LPS-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, IL-1beta, and IL-6 secretion. Augmentation of LPS-stimulated MMP-1 secretion was diminished when sodium lactate was replaced by lactic acid that reduced pH in the culture medium. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR indicated that the increased secretion of MMP-1, IL-1beta, and IL-6 was due to increased mRNA expression. To explore the underlying signaling mechanism, blocking studies using specific inhibitors for NF-kappaB and MAPK cascades were performed. Results showed that blocking of either NF-kappaB or MAPK pathways led to the inhibition of MMP-1, IL-1beta, and IL-6 expression stimulated by sodium lactate, LPS, or both. Finally, electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed a synergy between sodium lactate and LPS on AP-1 and NF-kappaB transcriptional activities. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated for the first time that sodium lactate and LPS exert synergistic effect on MMP and cytokine expression through NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways and revealed a novel mechanism potentially involved in the development of type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Cytokines↗

A novel locus of coralliform cataract mapped to chromosome 2p24-pter.

Congenital cataract is a common major abnormality of the eye, which can result in significant visual impairment or blindness in childhood. In this work, we studied four generations of a Chinese family that exhibited autosomal dominant coralliform cataract but no other ocular or systemic abnormalities. Members of the family were firstly genotyped with microsatellite markers at loci associated with congenital cataract on the reported regions of chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22, but negative LOD scores were obtained. Following exclusion of these loci, a genome-wide scan was performed, and significant evidence of linkage was obtained for marker D2S2211 (Z = 2.69, theta = 0.00). In multipoint analysis, a maximum LOD score 4.87 (theta = 0.00) was reached between markers D2S2211 and D2S2164. Haplotype data indicated a coralliform cataract disease gene in a 26-cM interval at a novel disease locus 2p24-pter between D2S297 and D2S2268. No genes related to cataract in this region have been reported so far.

Cataract↗

A locus for familial generalized lentiginosis without systemic involvement maps to chromosome 4q21.1-q22.3.

Generalized lentiginosis (GL) is characterized by widespread lentigines without associated noncutaneous abnormalities. In this study we performed a genome-wide linkage search in a Chinese family with GL and localized the familial GL locus to chromosome 4q21.1-q22.3, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.01 for D4S395 and D4S423 at a recombination fraction of 0. Multipoint analysis (maximum LOD score of 5.08 between markers D4S395 and D4S1563) and haplotype construction showed strong evidence of linkage in a region of 20 Mb flanked by markers D4S2915 and D4S1560 on chromosome 4q21.1-q22.3. This is the first report of linkage for GL, and it will provide further insight into the controversy of whether GL is an entity distinct from LEOPARD syndrome.

China↗

Polymorphisms in the TSHR (thyrotropin receptor) gene on chromosome 14q31 are not associated with mental retardation in the iodine-deficient areas of China.

Mental retardation (MR) is one of the most frequent handicaps among children. Fetal iodine deficiency disorder (FIDD) is the commonest cause of preventable MR. However, not everyone in the iodine-deficient areas is affected and familial aggregation is common. This suggests that genetic factors may play an important role. Thyroid hormone (TH) plays an important role in fetal and early postnatal brain development. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, or thyrotropin) receptor (TSHR) is located on the surface of thyroid cells and binds TSH. It results in the production of thyroid hormones via the activation of adenylate cyclase and phospatidylinositol-dependent signaling pathways. Some researchers formulated the hypothesis that TSH receptor expression in the brain may be involved in local thyroid homeostasis through TSH stimulating the DIO2 activity. In the previous study, we have proposed that DIO2 may protect against FIDD in the iodine-deficient areas of China. The TSHR gene, which located on chromosome 14q31 is a potential candidate gene for susceptibility to FIDD. To investigate the potential genetic contribution of TSHR gene, we performed a case-control association study in Chinese Han population from the Qin-Ba mountain regions using four common SNPs in the gene (rs2284716, rs917986, rs2075173 and rs2075179). Pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis showed that LD was observed between rs2284716 and rs917986 and between rs2075173 and rs2075179. Single-locus analysis found that all four SNPs in TSHR gene showed no association after correction for multiple testing. Haplotype analysis showed no significant differences in frequency for three sets of haplotypes based on the pariwise LD results. In conclusion, our association results suggest that TSHR gene is not a susceptibility gene for FIDD in the iodine-deficient areas of China.

Alleles↗

Association of the carboxyl-terminal PDZ ligand of neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population.

Several independent linkage studies have demonstrated that the 1q22 region is likely to harbor candidate schizophrenia susceptibility genes. Recently, some genetic variants within CAPON have been reported as exhibiting significant linkage disequilibrium to schizophrenia in Canadian familial-schizophrenia pedigrees. We examined nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which span an approximately 236-kb region of CAPON, in 664 schizophrenia cases and 941 controls in the Chinese Han population. We detected a significant difference in allele distributions of SNP rs348624 (P = 0.000017). Moreover, the overall frequency of haplotypes constructed from three SNPs including rs348624 showed significant difference between cases and controls (P = 0.000025). Our findings indicate that CAPON gene may be a candidate susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese Han population, and also provide further support for the potential importance of NMDAR-mediated glutamatergic transmission in the etiology of schizophrenia.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Detailed deletion mapping of loss of heterozygosity on 22q13 in sporadic colorectal cancer.

AIM: Both development and progression of malignancies occur as a multistep process, requiring the activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of several tumor suppressor genes. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of tumor suppressor genes is believed to play a key role in carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we analyzed the LOH of seven loci on chromosome 22q13 in an effort to identify candidate tumor suppressor genes involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. METHODS: Matched tumor and normal tissue DNA were analyzed by PCR using fluorescence-labeled polymorphic microsatellite markers in 83 CRC patients. PCR products were eletrophoresed and LOH was determined by calculating the peak height acquired through computer software. Comparisons between LOH frequency and clinicopathological features were performed by chi2 test. P<0.05 was considered as statistical significance. RESULTS: The average LOH frequency of chromosome 22q13 was 28.38%. The highest LOH frequency was 64.71% on D22S1160 locus, and the lowest was 21.43% on D22S1141 locus. We detected two obvious minimal deletion regions: one between markers D22S1171 and D22S274, the other flanked by markers D22S1160 and D22S1149, each about 2.7 and 1.8 cm, respectively. None had lost in all informative loci. LOH frequency on D22S1171 is 50% on distal colon, which was higher than that on proximal one (P = 0.020); on D22S114 locus, none LOH event occurred in patients with liver metastasis, whilst 46.94% occurred in patients without liver metastasis (P = 0.008); on D22S1160 locus, LOH frequency in lymph nodes metastasis patients was 83.33%, which was much higher than 43.75% without lymph nodes metastasis ones (P = 0.016). There was no statistical significance between clinicopathological features and other loci. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of two minimal deletion regions, which may harbor putative tumor suppressor genes related to progression and metastasis in sporadic colorectal carcinoma on chromosome 22q13.

Adult↗

2-Amino-5-methylpyridinium (2-amino-5-methylpyridine)trichlorozincate(II).

The title compound, (C6H9N2)[ZnCl3(C6H8N2)], consists of one 2-amino-5-methylpyridinium cation and one (2-amino-5-methylpyridine)trichlorozincate(II) anion, which are held together by N-H...Cl hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions. The cation and the pyridine ligand show similar geometric features, except for the N-C bond lengths. Molecules of the title compound are connected by N-H...Cl hydrogen bonds to form chiral chains; these chains are associated further by C-H...Cl hydrogen bonds to form layers, which are in turn linked by pi-pi interactions.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

SNPs and haplotypes in the S100B gene reveal association with schizophrenia.

The S100B gene locates in 21q22.3 and produces neurotrophin mainly in astrocytes of CNS which can act as an extensive marker of glial cell integrity. The synaptic destabilization hypothesis (GGF/SD) suggests that the functional deficiency of growth factors like S100B is involved in the etiology of schizophrenia and the S100B serum concentration is reported to be significantly increased in patients with acute schizophrenia and decreased in chronic schizophrenia patients. To validate the association between S100B and schizophrenia, 384 cases and 401 controls, all Chinese Han subjects, were recruited. Four SNPs V1 (-960C>G), V2 (-111C>T), V3 (2757C>G, rs1051169), and V4 (5748C>T, rs9722) were studied. And haplotype V3-V4 (G-C) showed a significant association with schizophrenia. Our study showed an association between schizophrenia and a possible susceptible haplotype V3-V4 (G-C) which possesses a genetic tendency for increased S100B expression. Our results suggest that S100B could be a susceptible gene for schizophrenia and provide indirect evidence for the GGF/SD hypothesis.

Adult↗