Biomedical subjects

S H Han

Publications and source records attributed to S H Han.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Production of the third component of complement (C3) by peripheral polymorphonuclear neutrophils of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Normal human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) can spontaneously produce the third component of complement (C3) in in vitro culture as detected by ELISA. This C3-producing capacity of PMN can be augmented by TNF-alpha (20 ng/ml) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/ml), but not by IL-1 beta or IL-8. The C3 production by PMN was found to be temperature dependent and was suppressed by the addition of protein inhibitor. The C3 mRNA in PMN could be detected by reverse transcription assisted polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after TNF-alpha or LPS stimulation for 6 hours. To further understand C3 production by peripheral blood PMN in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spontaneous and TNF-alpha stimulated production of C3 by peripheral PMN were compared in 15 cases of active RA, 15 inactive RA and 15 normal individuals. We failed to find any significant difference among the three groups. We conclude that PMN plays a negligible role in C3 hypercomplementemia in patients with active RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1994

Apolipoprotein E is present in hippocampal neurons without neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease and in age-matched controls.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE, protein; APOE, gene) is a susceptibility gene for late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). To examine the role of apoE in the pathogenesis of AD, we used immunocytochemistry to compare apoE localization in the hippocampus of histologically confirmed cases of AD, Parkinson's disease (PD), and normal controls. We confirmed apoE immunoreactivity in astrocytes, senile plaques, blood vessels, and some neurons containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). In addition, we observed apoE immunoreactivity in hippocampal neurons without NFTs in AD and PD patients as well as in some nondemented aged controls. In AD cases, apoE-immunoreactive neurites were closely associated with beta-amyloid (A beta) containing senile plaques and intraneuronal apoE was sometimes associated with immunoreactive tau protein accumulation. Thus, apoE is localized where it may affect the biological expression of two characteristic AD pathological correlates: extracellular A beta deposition and intraneuronal tau metabolism and NFT formation.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Dose escalation study of rhenium-186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Rhenium-186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate (186Re-HEDP) has been used for the palliative treatment of metastatic bone pain. A phase 1 dose escalation study was performed using 186Re-HEDP. Twenty-four patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer entered the study. Each patient had at least four bone metastases and adequate haematological function. Groups of at least three consecutive patients were treated with doses starting at 1295 MBq and increasing to 3515 MBq (escalated in increments of 555 MBq). Thrombocytopenia proved to be the dose-limiting toxicity, while leucopenia played a minor role. Early death occurred in one patient (10 days after administration) without clear relationship to the 186Re-HEDP therapy. Transient neurological dysfunction was seen in two cases. Two patients who received 3515 MBq 186Re-HEDP showed grade 3 toxicity (thrombocytes 25-50 x 10(9)/l), defined as unacceptable toxicity. After treatment alkaline phosphatase levels showed a transient decrease in all patients (mean: 26% +/- 10% IU/l; range: 11%-44%). Prostate-specific antigen values showed a decline in eight patients, preceded by a temporary increase in three patients. From this study we conclude that the maximally tolerated dose of 186Re-HEDP is 2960 MBq. A placebo-controlled comparative study on the efficacy of 186Re-HEDP has been initiated.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Apolipoprotein E is localized to the cytoplasm of human cortical neurons: a light and electron microscopic study.

To clarify the localization of the glial protein apolipoprotein E (apoE) in human cortical neurons, we employed specific immunoelectron microscopy using a monoclonal antibody to human apoE in surgical specimens of temporal lobe. The specimens were rapidly fixed after excision from five patients undergoing surgery for medically intractable seizures, and postmortem material was also taken from one Alzheimer's disease patient for comparison. Strong apoE immunoreactivity was observed in many astrocytes filling the perinuclear cytoplasm and distal processes completely. Some cortical neurons were also apoE-immunoreactive. ApoE immunoreactivity of neurons was less intense than glial cells and was distributed in a punctate fashion confined to the region of the cell body and proximal dendrites, but not distal processes. These findings suggest that apoE, which is presumably synthesized and stored by astrocytes, may be taken up by cortical neurons in younger adult humans. The presence of apoE in some human neurons may allow apoE to affect neuronal metabolism. Isoform-specific interactions with microtubule-associated proteins, such as tau or MAP2C, could influence the rate of pathology in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Immunoblot analysis of components of Penicillium citrinum recognized by human IgE and IgG antibodies.

Penicillium species are well-known indoor fungi and have been considered as one of the causative agents of extrinsic bronchial asthma. We have identified that Penicillium citrinum is the most prevalent Penicillium species in the Taipei area. In the present study, components of this airborne fungus recognized by human IgE and IgG antibodies were analyzed by immunoblotting. Eight components ranging in MWs from 112 to 17.5 kD reacted with IgE antibodies in 11 serum samples. The component with an MW of about 33 kD showed the highest frequency (81.8%) of IgE-binding. However, 11 components of P. citrinum showed IgG-immunoblotting activity, and the component with an MW of about 66 kD revealed the highest frequency (58.3%) of IgG-binding. Only 3 of the 9 serum samples which reflected IgE antibody activity to the 33 kD component of P. citrinum showed IgG-immunoblotting activity to the same 33 kD component. Furthermore, 4 of the 5 serum samples obtained from healthy laboratory personnel demonstrated IgG responses, but none had IgE antibody activity to components of p. citrinum. The discrepancy observed between IgE and IgG responses to the same allergenic extract requires further investigation.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1994

[Experimental study on anti-senility effects of centipede].

Our experiment has shown that the aqueous extract of Centipede can markedly decrease the contents of lipid peroxide in the serum as well as lipofuscin in the liver tissues and brain tissues of rats, enhances the activity of superoxide dismutase in erythrocyte and glutathione in blood, but has no action on the lipofuscin in the heart. In addition, the extract is able to increase the weight of spleen and thymus.

Aging↗

PubMed1994

Improvement of penicillin G acylase production by using pac gene clone.

The penicillin G acylase gene (pac gene) from Escherichia coli ATCC 9637 has been isolated. It conferred the production of penicillin G acylase upon E. coli HB101 and other enteric bacilli. Restriction enzyme analysis and subcloning studies reveal that the gene is contained within a 2.3 kb HindIII-SmaI DNA fragment. In vitro protein synthesis study suggests a gene product of approximately 90 kDa. By using the genetically engineered bacteria which harbor a novel recombinant plasmid (pGL5) bearing a constitutively expressible pac gene, a 20-fold increased production yield of penicillin G acylase activity was obtained as compared with that produced by the original strain, E. coli ATCC 9637.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1994

Evaluation of thrombocytopenia in patients treated with rhenium-186-HEDP: guidelines for individual dosage recommendations.

UNLABELLED: A potential limitation of rhenium-186-1,1-hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate (186Re-HEDP) therapy in patients with painful bone metastases is thrombocytopenia. Given the palliative character of this therapy, it is essential to be able to predict the degree of thrombocytopenia before therapy. METHODS: Thus far, 39 prostatic cancer patients with multiple painful bone metastases were treated. Twenty-one patients underwent the therapy twice, resulting in 60 therapies. From the pre-therapy 99mTc-HDP scintigram, the bone scan index (BSI) was determined as an index of the extent of bone involvement. RESULTS: The administered activity ranged from 1104 to 3479 MBq 186Re-HEDP. The platelet count was lowest 4 wk following therapy. From this value and the pretreatment level, the percentage decrease in the platelet count was determined (47% +/- 19%, range 14%-89%). The BSI ranged from 8 to 93. Regression analysis showed a functional relation (R = 0.78; p < 0.001) of the percentage of platelet decrease with BSI and administered activity normalized to standard body surface area. CONCLUSION: Using this relation, it is possible to predict thrombocytopenia by pretreatment bone scintigraphy and to adjust the dosage to each patient to avoid unacceptable toxicity.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Electron microscopic analysis of the rod pathway of the rat retina.

Two immunocytochemical markers were used to label the rod pathway of the rat retina. Rod bipolar cells were stained with antibodies against protein kinase C and AII-amacrine cells with antibodies against parvalbumin. The synaptic circuitry of rod bipolars in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) was studied. Rod bipolar cells make approximately 15 ribbon synapses (dyads) in the IPL. Both postsynaptic members of the dyads are amacrine cells; one is usually the process of an AII-amacrine cell and the other one frequently provides a reciprocal synapse. No direct output from rod bipolar cells into ganglion cells was found. AII-amacrine cells make chemical output synapses with cone bipolar cells and ganglion cells in sublamina a of the IPL. They make gap junctions with cone bipolar cells and other AII-amacrine cells in sublamina b of the IPL. The rod pathway of the rat retina is practically identical to that of the cat and of the rabbit retina. It is very likely that this circuitry is a general feature of mammalian retinal organization.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Identification and characterization of a 30 kd major allergen from Parapenaeus fissurus.

The allergenic components of the shrimp (Parapenaeus fissurus) were identified by immunoblotting with sera from 10 allergic patients. Six components, ranging in molecular weight from about 86 to 39 kd, showed IgE-binding activity and were identified as allergens of the shrimp. The component with a molecular weight of about 39 kd showed the highest frequency of IgE binding (70%) and was considered to be one of its major allergens. Two monoclonal antibodies against this 39 kd component were generated, and their antigenic cross-reactivity with five different kinds of seafood, shrimp, crab, cuttlefish, oyster, and pomfret was analyzed. Monoclonal antibody 1-6-10B reacted with the 39 kd component from shrimp only, but monoclonal antibody 2-7-1E also reacted with the 39 kd component from crab. By extraction with 0.5% sodium dodecylsulfate and ethanol precipitation, a highly purified shrimp 39 kd component was obtained. In two-dimensional gel electrophoresis six isoforms of this purified 39 kd component, with isoelectric point values from 5.1 to 5.6, were identified. No marked difference was observed when the amino acid composition of this purified 39 kd allergen was compared with those of serum albumin from different animals. They all contain a high proportion of acidic amino acids. There was also a 62% to 83% sequence homology among three different pairs of peptide fragments of purified 39 kd components of shrimp and crab. In conclusion, a 39 kd major allergen from the shrimp has been identified and characterized in the present study. According to the suggestions of the International Union of Immunological Societies, this allergen is designated as Par f I.

Allergens↗

PubMed1993

Use of monoclonal antibodies to isolate and characterize Cyn d I, the major allergen of Bermuda grass pollen.

BACKGROUND: Cyn d I has been found to be the major allergen of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen, but its exact nature remains to be clarified. METHODS: Cyn d I, the major allergen of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen, was purified by monoclonal antibody (MoAb) affinity chromatography, and its biochemical and immunologic properties were characterized. Anti-Cyn d I MoAb 4-37, which recognizes all of the isoallergens of Cyn d I, was chosen as the immunosorbent. RESULTS: The purified protein has an amino acid composition similar to that of the group I allergens of other grass pollens. It appears as a single 34 kd band or as a mixture of 34 and 29 kd polypeptides in sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. The hydrophobicity of these two polypeptides is similar because they have the same retention time on a C18 reverse-phase column when a trifluoroacetic acid/H2O/CH3CN buffer system is used. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 34 kd component has a 60% homology with residues of 1-25 of Lol p I, whereas that of the 29 kd component has a 68% homology with residues 31-68 of Lol p I. In addition, this 29 kd polypeptide can be recognized by another anti-Cyn d I MoAb 1-61. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the 29 kd component is derived from Cyn d I. In spite of the similarity in the amino acid composition between Cyn d I and group I allergens of other grass pollens, none of our four anti-Cyn d I MoAbs cross-reacted with 10 other grass pollens tested, including ryegrass pollen. Despite biochemical similarity with other group I allergens, the B-cell epitopes on Cyn d I are different from those on other grass pollens.

Allergens↗

PubMed1993

Identification and characterization of epitopes on Cyn d I, the major allergen of Bermuda grass pollen.

BACKGROUND: We identified three epitopes on Cyn d I by using four anti-Cyn d I monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). METHODS: In a cross-inhibition binding assay, the binding of MoAbs 1-61 and 10-7 to Cyn d I was completely blocked by each other but not by MoAbs 4-37 and 11-7; the binding of MoAb 4-37 and MoAb 11-7 to Cyn d I was inhibited by themselves but not by other MoAbs. The epitope recognized by MoAbs 1-61 and 10-7 is designated as E1, and those recognized by MoAbs 4-37 and 11-7 are designated as E2 and E3, respectively. RESULTS: In a radioallergosorbent inhibition assay, we found that MoAbs 1-61 and 4-37 (1:50 diluted) can inhibit the binding of human Immunoglobulin Es to Cyn d I by more than 30%, whereas MoAb 11-7 was less efficient (reduced by only 6%). These results suggest that both E1 and E2 are major allergenic epitopes but that E3 is only a minor one. Further characterization of E1 and E2 reveals that they are labile in alkaline but resistant to acid and sodium periodate treatments. Moreover, E1 is heat-labile, but guanidine- and urea-sensitive, whereas E2 is not. Both E1 and E2 lost their antigenicity after reduction and alkylation. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study provide important information on the physicochemical properties of major allergenic epitopes on Cyn d I, which may be useful for future development of therapeutic peptides for patients allergic to Bermuda grass pollen.

Allergens↗

PubMed1992

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against acid alpha-D-glucosidase for study of Chinese glycogenosis type II patients.

Two monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), 8-23 and 4-6, against human acid alpha-D-glucosidase were generated to analyse the intracellular alpha-D-glucosidase from seven Chinese Pompe's disease families with the following study design: [1] Purified alpha-D-glucosidase from normal human urine was used as antigen for immunization of mice. [2] The splenic cells of immunized mice were isolated and fused with myeloma cells NS-1 for generation of hybridomas and production of anti-human alpha-D-glucosidase Mabs and detection of presence of the enzyme in skin fibroblasts obtained from the Pompe's disease families and normal controls. [3] Functional assay of acid alpha-D-glucosidase was done. Both generated Mabs were IgG1 with a kappa light chain. Mabs 8-23 and 4-6 can recognize 70 kd (kilodaltons) alpha-D-glucosidase evidenced by radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP). Our results showed that alpha-D-glucosidase did exist in the skin fibroblasts of all seven Pompe's disease patients by RIP and in the hepatic cells by immunohistological study. However, functional assay of alpha-D-glucosidase of the seven patients with Pompe's disease showed that the enzyme function of alpha-D-glucosidase was defective. This finding is at variance with the results of other workers which indicated that the amount of mature enzyme was reduced or totally absent in most of the juvenile and adult Caucasian and South African patients. The discordance may imply that the cause of alpha-D-glucosidase deficiency in Chinese patients is quite different from that in Caucasian and South African patients. This needs further study to clarify.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody (P40) against the 68 kD major allergen of Penicillium notatum.

A monoclonal antibody (MoAb P40) against the 68 kD major allergen of Penicillium notatum (P. notatum) was obtained by immunizing the mouse with a crude extract of P. notatum. Analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, P40 reacted with two different isoforms of the 68 kD component of P. notatum with pIs of 5.4 and 5.5. In addition to P. notatum, P40 showed positive ELISA activity to Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) but not to components of six other fungi including Alternaria porri, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Aureobasidium pullulans, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus arrhizus and Candida albicans. Analysed by ELISA, MoAb P40 also showed positive activity to two (P. frequentans and P. roseopurpureum) of the 10 other Penicillium species and two (A. terreus and A. flavus) of the four other Aspergillus species tested. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting studies demonstrated P40 positive reactivity to components with MW of about 67 kD in all these Penicillium and Aspergillus species with positive ELISA activity to P40. Furthermore, immunoblotting activity of MoAb P40 to the 67 kD component of A. niger was also observed. The epitope of the 68 kD allergen of P. notatum recognized by MoAb P40 was resistant to treatment of periodate oxidation with concentration of NaIO4 up to 20 mM. This MoAb may thus be useful in the characterization and purification of the 68 kD allergen from crude extracts, and in the molecular cloning of allergen genes.

Allergens↗

PubMed1992

Anatomical observation on draining patterns of saphenous tributaries in Korean adults.

This study was done to identify the normal and variants of saphenous tributaries in Korean adults. The pattern of confluence of saphenous tributaries, medial accessory saphenous, lateral accessory saphenous, superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac and superficial external pudendal veins, was carefully examined in 249 lower limbs (right, 129; left, 120) of embalmed Korean cadavers (73 males & 56 females). The medial accessory saphenous vein drained into the great saphenous vein directly (in 82.3%) or by a common trunk (in 17.7%) with the superficial epigastric or superficial external pudendal vein. The lateral accessory saphenous vein entered the great saphenous (in 67.1%) or the femoral vein (in 32.9%) directly or, forming a common trunk with other saphenous tributaries. The superficial epigastric vein joined the great saphenous (in 77.1%) or the femoral vein (in 22.9%) directly or, by a common trunk with other saphenous tributaries. The superficial circumflex iliac vein reached the great saphenous (in 83.1%) or the femoral vein (in 16.9%) directly or, by a common trunk with other saphenous tributaries. The superficial external pudendal vein opened into the great saphenous (in 95.2%) or the femoral vein (in 4.8%) directly or by a common trunk with other saphenous tributaries. In Koreans, the incidence of the normal pattern of saphenous tributaries was 23.7% and in 76.3% any one of variant saphenous tributaries entered the femoral or the great saphenous vein by a common trunk with other saphenous tributaries.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Intestinal neurofibromatosis in von Recklinghausen's disease: presenting as chronic anemia due to recurrent intestinal hemorrhage.

Neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) is a neuroectodermal disorder characterized by pigmentary changes of the skin (café-au-lait spots), cutaneous and visceral tumors (neurofibromas) and systemic abnormalities. The involvement of gastrointestinal tract in neurofibromatosis is not common. The most common symptoms, refer able to lesions in the gut, are hematemesis, melena and abdominal pain. We experienced a case of intestinal neurofibroma in von Recklinghausen's disease. The patient was a 39 year-old female who had suffered from chronic iron deficiency anemia and recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to two neurofibromas of jejunum for 3 years, which was diagnosed by superior mesenteric and ileal arteriogram and 99mTc pertechnetate-labelled RBC scan, and treated by segmental resection of jejunum with end to end anastomosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Analysis of ragweed allergens recognized by monoclonal antibody 8-5 using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting.

A series of MoAbs against major allergens (Amb a I and Amb a II) of the short ragweed pollen is reported by this laboratory. One of these MoAbs, 8-5, showed strong reactivity to Amb a II, weak reactivity to Amb a I-B and I-C, and no reactivity to Amb a I-B2 of the short ragweed pollen by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. In the present study, ragweed allergens recognized by MoAb 8-5 were further analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The results showed that MoAb 36-6, which has been identified to be reactive with Amb a I only, reacted mainly with components with MW of about 39 kD, which corresponded to creatine kinase charge standards from -14 to -20 in both the Amb a I-B and I-C preparation and the crude extract of the short ragweed pollen. However, MoAb 8-5 showed strong reactivity to components with about the same MW but charge standards from -8 to -13 in Amb a II and the crude extract of the short ragweed pollen. Furthermore, a weak positive reactivity of MoAb 8-5 to components with MW of about 39 kD and charge standards from -8 to -14 in Amb a I-B and I-C was also observed. It was thus concluded that MoAb 8-5 reacted with Amb a II only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗

PubMed1991

Immunoblot analysis of components of Penicillium notatum recognized by human IgE antibodies.

Components of the crude extract of Penicillium notatum recognized by human IgE antibodies (Abs) were investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The allergenic components were identified with sera from 19 allergic patients and 20 blood donors. The allergen-Ab complexes were visualized by 125I-labeled monoclonal antihuman IgE and autoradiography. A total of 11 allergenic components, ranging in molecular weights (MWs) from 94,000 to 20,000 daltons, were identified. Heterogeneity in the IgE-binding patterns of the serum samples tested was also observed. However, the major allergen appears to be the component with an MW of about 68,000 daltons that was recognized by IgE Abs in 56% of the 39 sera analyzed. Furthermore, the component with an MW of about 64,000 daltons that was recognized by IgE Abs in 46% of the sera analyzed was also considered as an important allergen. Results obtained from this study will be useful in additional characterization of allergens of P. notatum and related fungal species.

Allergens↗