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S J Shin

Publications and source records attributed to S J Shin.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Identification of the ATP transporter of rat liver rough endoplasmic reticulum via photoaffinity labeling and partial purification.

In order to identify the ATP transporter in rat liver rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), a photoreactive azido derivative of ATP, 3'-O-(p-azidobenzoyl)-ATP (AB-ATP), was synthesized by the reaction of ATP with N-hydroxysuccinimido 4-azidobenzoate (NHS-AB). The activity of the ATP transporter was determined by measuring the influx of [8-14C]ATP. The ATP transport had an apparent Km value of 6.5 microM and a Vmax of 1 nmol min-1 (mg of protein)-1. The transport of ATP was specifically inhibited by AB-ATP and 4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2', 2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). Under a dim light, AB-ATP was a competitive inhibitor of the ATP transport with Ki value of 0.19 microM, which indicates that AB-ATP has a high affinity for the ATP transporter, so it can be utilized as a photoaffinity probe for the identification of the ATP transporter in rat liver RER. An SDS--PAGE analysis of RER vesicles photolabeled with [gamma-32P]AB-ATP indicates the presence of a 56-kDa protein. The 56-kDa protein was completely protected from photoaffinity labeling by 10 microM ATP but not by 30 microM GTP. The specific labeling of the 56-kDa protein was sensitive to the anion transport inhibitor DIDS. In order to confirm whether the apparent uptake of ATP was due to the 56-kDa protein, the ATP transporter was partially purified through two successive ion-exchange chromatography steps (DEAE and Mono-S). The fraction showing the high activity of the ATP transporter also contained the 56-kDa protein photolabeled with [gamma-32P]AB-ATP. On the basis of the photoaffinity labeling and reconstitution experiment, we conclude that the 56-kDa protein represents the ATP transporter in rat liver RER.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Canine brucellosis: a diagnostician's dilemma.

Salient features of brucellosis in dogs caused by Brucella canis are briefly reviewed, with emphasis on problems and pitfalls in the serodiagnosis of the disease. Procedures available to veterinarians for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis are discussed from the point of view of test sensitivity and specificity. The serodiagnosis of the disease poses a particular dilemma because several tests in current use by diagnostic laboratories have not been evaluated critically and may provide false-positive results. Blood cultures should be required of dogs who have not received antibiotics before a positive diagnosis is rendered. Expertise is required for the preparation of diagnostic antigens and in the interpretation of tests. Accurate diagnosis is essential because the diagnosis of brucellosis in a kennel often results in the depopulation of many or all dogs.

Animals↗

Lyme disease: laboratory diagnosis of infected and vaccinated symptomatic dogs.

Serological assays for detection of canine antibodies to the Lyme agent generally have been difficult to validate because an acceptable standard of comparison such as unequivocal proof of infection status has not been available. For practical and logistical reasons, it has not been possible to use culture of organism from infected animals, seroconversion in a large number of field dogs, or clinical criteria as the standard of comparison for validation of assays. Therefore, estimates of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity based on an appropriate gold standard have not been available. When it was discovered how to infect laboratory dogs via ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, it was possible to define the kinetics and magnitude of the antibody response that might be expected in nature. ELISA and Western immunoblot data from experimental dogs were then compared and correlated with results of the same tests on dogs from endemic and nonendomic areas. Coupled with studies on cross-reactive antibodies elicited from other infectious agents or autoimmune phenomena, it was possible to account for interfering antibodies and to establish estimates of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the ELISA based on objective criteria. Such validated assays can predict, with a relatively high degree of proficiency, the infection and/or vaccinal status of animals. These assays have shown that some dogs, vaccinated with the commercially available whole-cell Lyme bacterins develop typical signs of Lyme disease but have no evidence of an underlying infection; antibody elicited only by the vaccine and not by infection is detectable in these animals. Western immunoblot can also confirm infection in animals of equivocal ELISA status if their bands have been evaluated for specificity of antibodies to B burgdorferi. Serology can be a very useful aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease, but it requires that the assays used have been subjected to rigorous validation criteria. When that is not performed, an unacceptable level of false-positive and false-negative test results is virtually assured.

Animals↗

Increased renal atrial natriuretic peptide synthesis in rats with deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt treatment.

To investigate the role of renal synthesis of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) as a contributor to the water-sodium homeostasis, we studied the effects of electrolyte-water imbalance on renal ANP mRNA levels, plasma ANP concentrations, and urinary ANP excretion rates by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and radioimmunoassay. Male Wistar rates divided into the following three groups: 1) the control group, 2) deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-treated group, and 3) low-salt-treated group. The urinary sodium excretion rate and urine volume in the DOCA-salt rats were significantly elevated at 2 days and for the 10-day study. The urinary ANP excretion rate in DOCA-salt rats was significantly increased at 2 days after treatment and was well correlated to the urinary sodium excretion rate (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). Plasma ANP levels in the DOCA-salt rats were elevated on the day of death. In contrast, plasma renin activities were markedly suppressed in DOCA-salt rats and increased in low-salt rats. By immunohistochemical study, immunoreactive ANP materials were mainly localized in the proximal and distal cortical tubules of the kidney. With the PCR cloning and sequencing technique, ANP cDNA was cloned from the rat kidney, and the sequences were identical to that of ANP identified in the atria. By semiquantitative PCR technique, the expression of ANP mRNA in the ventricle and renal cortex tissues was significantly enhanced in the DOCA-salt rats. Our results confirm that the rat kidney is a site of ANP synthesis and indicate that renal ANP synthesis is enhanced in a volume-expansion state. We propose that renal synthesized natriuretic peptide participates in the intrarenal regulation of water-electrolyte homeostasis and may contribute to renal adaptation during the mineralocorticoid escape phenomenon.

Animals↗

The correlation of plasma and urine endothelin-1 with the severity of nephropathy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

To assess whether plasma and urinary endothelin-1 (ET-1) values are related to the severity of diabetic nephropathy, we measured plasma and urinary ET-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-1-LI) in 14 healthy subjects, and in 50 normoalbuminuric (group 1), 13 albuminuric (group 2), and 10 renally insufficient (group 3) patients with Type 2 diabetes. Plasma ET-1-LI values were significantly increased in group 3, and correlated positively with serum creatinine levels (r = 0.579, p < 0.01). Urinary ET-1-LI excretion in group 3 (49.3 +/- 7.3 pmol day-1) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (27.0 +/- 1.1 pmol day-1) and in group 1 (32.2 +/- 2.2 pmol day-1), while that of group 2 (38.8 +/- 5.9 pmol day-1) was also higher than in healthy controls. A significant positive correlation between urinary ET-1-LI and serum creatinine values was also found (r = 0.297, p < 0.05). Trend analysis showed significant linear and quadratic trends in the elevation of plasma ET-1-LI and a significant linear trend in urinary ET-1-LI levels from healthy controls to groups 1, 2 and 3. Our results demonstrate that an increase in plasma and urine ET-1-LI correlates with the severity of diabetic nephropathy.

Albuminuria↗

Major causes of diabetic death at one hospital.

Death certificates filed between 1987 and 1990 at the Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital (KMCH) were reviewed to investigate causes of diabetic death. During this period, 1,383 patients expired at KMCH, of which 151 had diabetes mellitus. The major causes of death in these 151 diabetic patients were infection in 25.8%, cardiovascular disease in 18.5%, cerebrovascular disease in 11.3%, uremia in 8.6% and diabetic ketoacidosis in 1.3%, while diabetes was reported as the contributory or underlying cause of death. Malignancy in 12.0%, liver disease in 5.3%, trauma in 1.3% and upper gastroenteral bleeding in 0.7%, likewise, were among the leading causes of death irrespective of underlying diabetes. However, cause of death in 15.2% of these diabetic patients was undetermined. Our analysis revealed that infection and cardiocerebrovascular disease were the leading problems contributing to diabetic death. Therefore, reducing the risk of infection by strict glycemic control, intensive medical intervention in infection and the proper prevention of diabetic angiopathy-related risk factors and complications are imperative for the reduction of diabetic mortality in our patients.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Hypercholesterolemia in undiagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes in southern Taiwan.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among subjects having diabetes and glucose intolerance, according to the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult Treatment Panel II, ATP II). This survey consisted of 2090 subjects (856 men, 1234 women) aged 30 years or more from the Sun-Ming district of Kaohsiung city. Glucose tolerance status was ascertained for both medical history and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test according to World Health Organization criteria. Frequency of elevated total cholesterol in female subjects with abnormal glucose tolerance is significantly greater than in those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). However, only male subjects with undiagnosed NIDDM (UDDM) had a statistically higher rate of hypercholesterolemia than those with NGT. Of UDDM individuals, 68% have total cholesterol level between 200 and 239 mg/dl and two or more risk factors for heart disease or evidence of coronary heart disease or total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol < or = 35 mg/dl. Such individuals should have their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol measured. Using the ATP II, LDL cholesterol levels warranting dietary treatment for hypercholesterolemia would be expected in 76% of UDDM. Due to the high prevalence of coronary heart disease in diabetic patients, investigation of blood lipid levels and coronary heart disease risk factors should be routine in these patients, and treatment strategies should include management of lipid disorders and the many other risk factors. A high frequency of dyslipidemia was found among UDDM group in our study. Early detection of undiagnosed diabetic patients is also very important in decreasing the prevalence of coronary heart disease.

Adult↗

Increased expression of heparin binding epidermal growth-factor-like growth factor mRNA in the kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), a new member of the EGF family, is a potent mitogen for smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and mesangial cells. To study whether the HB-EGF is involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy, we measured the expression of the HB-EGF gene in the kidney tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Northern blot analysis. The mean kidney weight of diabetic rats without strict blood sugar control was significantly increased as compared to that of the control group. Renal HB-EGF mRNA expression was also increased in diabetic rats without strict blood sugar control at 7 days after induction of diabetes and remained elevated for the entire 3-month study period. Strict insulin treatment abolished the elevation of HB-EGF mRNA expression and kidney growth. As HB-EGF is a mitogen for mesangial cells, our results suggest that HB-EGF may be involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Animals↗

Recombinant OspA protects dogs against infection and disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.

Twenty-two specific-pathogen-free beagles were vaccinated with recombinant OspA (ospA gene derived from Borrelia burgdorferi B31) alone or with adjuvant (QuilA, Montanide ISA25, or aluminum hydroxide) at 6 weeks of age. Thirteen dogs were used as nonvaccinated controls with or without adjuvant. Three dogs were kept as contact controls and received neither vaccine nor challenge. Six weeks or 6 months after the first vaccination, the vaccinated (20 of 22) and nonvaccinated dogs (13) were challenged by exposure to adult ticks (Ixodes scapularis) naturally that were infected with B. burgdorferi (tick infection rate, > or = 60%) and that were collected from Westchester County, N.Y. Protection from infection was evaluated by culture for B. burgdorferi from skin biopsies taken near the sites of tick bites. Skin biopsies were taken at monthly intervals for 3 months. B. burgdorferi was not isolated from any of the vaccinated dogs. In contrast, 12 of 13 control dogs challenged by exposure to the ticks were culture positive. The histopathology of the joint capsules 3 months after the challenge was used to evaluate protection from arthritis. Eight of 13 control dogs showed synovitis in single or multiple joints, while only 1 of the 22 vaccinated dogs had a single focus of mild inflammation in a single joint. At the time of the challenge, the vaccinated dogs had antibody to B. burgdorferi, which was demonstrable by kinetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting (immunoblotting), and a serum growth inhibition assay. The vaccinal antibody declined gradually after the challenge, especially in dogs vaccinated with OspA without adjuvants. Antibodies in the challenge control dogs were only detectable by 4 to 6 weeks after the challenge and remained at high levels until the termination of the study. Contact control dogs showed no antibody responses or histopathologic lesions and were culture negative. By Western blot analysis, antibodies to OspA first appeared in the sera of vaccinated dogs 3 weeks after the first vaccination. The absence of additional bands after the challenge suggests that infection in vaccinated dogs was blocked. Results from this study show that vaccination with recombinant OspA protected dogs against infection and disease after an experimental challenge with B. burgdorferi by exposure to ticks.

Animals↗

Decrease of renal endothelin 1 content and gene expression in diabetic rats with moderate hyperglycemia.

To investigate the intrarenal endothelin 1 (ET-1) synthesis in streptozocin (STZ) diabetic rats with moderate hyperglycemia, we measured plasma ET-1, renal ET-1 mRNA, and renal tissue ET-1 levels. The renal ET-1 mRNA expression progressively decreased from the 2nd to the 6th week after induction of diabetes by STZ. The renal ET-1 mRNA expression and the renal tissue ET-1 content were significantly reduced in 8 diabetic rats with a mean blood glucose level of 21.0 +/- 0.4 mM as compared with 7 normal rats sacrificed at the 6th week after STZ or citric buffer injection. The reduction of renal ET-1 and mRNA levels was ameliorated in 9 diabetic rats with a mean blood glucose level of 6.9 +/- 0.7 mM after strict glycemic control by insulin treatment. Kidney weight and glomerular filtration rate in moderately hyperglycemic rats were significantly increased as compared with normal rats at the 6th week after STZ injection. The mean plasma ET-1 levels in moderately hyperglycemic diabetic rats were not different from those of the other two groups. This study demonstrates that moderate hyperglycemia in diabetic rats is associated with a reduction in renal ET-1 synthesis. Whether decreased renal ET-1 synthesis is an adaptive phenomenon of a renal hemodynamic change during the early stage of diabetes is worthy of further investigation.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a commercial automated system and software for the identification of veterinary bacterial isolates.

A commercial gram-negative bacterial autoidentification plate was originally developed using bacterial isolates of human origin. Three veterinary diagnostic laboratories conducted a 2-phase trial to enhance the database for veterinary use. The first phase consisted of testing the plate with 447 bacterial isolates of veterinary origin and incorporating that data into the existing database. Emphasis was placed on the Actinobacillus, Bordetella, Pasteurella and Enterobacteriaceae groups, since the Pseudomonas taxon was quite complete. The second phase of the trial consisted of evaluating the enhanced database using 270 clinical veterinary isolates normally encountered in veterinary laboratories. For the Actinobacillus, Bordetella, Pasteurella and Enterobacteriaceae groups, 72% of the bacterial isolates were identified correctly to genus and 85% to species after 18 hours incubation. All identifications in phase 1 and phase 2 were confirmed using conventional methods.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Sequence analysis of leukotoxin secretion determinants from a Pasteurella haemolytica-like organism.

The pHLBD genes encoding the secretion functions for the 105 kDa RTX leukotoxin of Pasteurella haemolytica-like (PHL) organism has been cloned and sequenced. Like analogous genes from other RTX determinants, the pHLBD genes lie immediately downstream from the leukotoxin structural gene, pHLA. Although isolated from a diverse group of gram-negative organisms, the pHLBD genes and the characterized RTX BD genes from other organisms exhibit a high degree of homology at both the DNA and predicted amino acid sequence levels. We have previously reported the cloning of the leukotoxin gene (pHLCA) (Chang et al., Infect. Immun. 61:2089-2095), which encodes a 105-kda polypeptide with cytotoxic activity. DNA sequence analysis of the pHLBD genes shows 83.93% and 86.05% homologous to that of P. haemolytica IktBD genes, respectively.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in disseminated tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is still a common disease, even in some parts of developing countries. Although its major impact is pulmonary, the tuberculosis is actually a disseminated disease. An unusual form of renal involvement of tuberculosis is glomerulonephritis, as a part of systemic vasculitis, Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura (HSP). A 41-year-old man, being treated with antituberculous agents for pulmonary tuberculosis, was transferred to our hospital because of newly developed generalized purpura and pretibial edema. Renal manifestations were proteinuria and hematuria. Renal biopsy disclosed interstitial chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis and strong nodular mesangial Ig A deposit, along with trace granular Ig G deposition and perivascular C3 deposit. Skin lesions were non-thrombocytopenic palpable purpurae, proved leukocytoclastic vasculitis by skin biopsy. All clinical symptoms and signs were relieved by antituberculous medication. We concluded that disseminated tuberculosis might be a cause of HSP, an immune complex mediated disease.

Adult↗

Regulation of heparin binding-epidermal growth factor like growth factor gene expression by LDL and oxidized-LDL in rat mesangial cells.

The present study was to determine whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) modulate the heparin binding-epidermal growth factor like growth factor (HB-EGF) gene expression in rat mesangial cells (RMC). Using Northern blot analysis, LDL and Ox-LDL stimulated the expression of RMC HB-EGF mRNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and the stimulatory effect of Ox-LDL lasted longer than LDL. In addition, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor-staurosporine and a PKC-depletion condition abolished both of the stimulatory activities of LDL and Ox-LDL, while H-8 (a protein kinase A inhibitor) and cAMP-antagonist (cyclic adenosine-3':5'-monophosphothioate) had little effect. Our data indicate that LDL and Ox-LDL enhance HB-EGF gene expression and both via the PKC pathway in RMC. As HB-EGF is a mitogen for RMC, our results suggest that lipoproteins may regulate RMC function by inducing HB-EGF gene expression and thus contribute to glomerular injury.

Alkaloids↗

Hybridization of clinical Escherichia coli isolates from calves and piglets in New York State with gene probes for enterotoxins (STaP, STb, LT), Shiga-like toxins (SLT-1, SLT-II) and adhesion factors (K88, K99, F41, 987P).

Six hundred and sixty-six bovine and fifty-seven swine clinical isolates of E. coli from New York state were examined for the presence of enterotoxins (STaP, STb, LT, SLT-I, and SLT-II) and adhesins (K88, K99, F41, and 987P) using colony hybridization techniques. Three hundred and sixty-seven of the bovine isolates (45.2%) hybridized with at least one gene probe. Of these, two hundred and twenty-three (33.2%) hybridized with F41, one hundred twelve (16.7%) with K99, eighty-two (12.2%) with 987P, ninety-six (14.3%) with STaP, seven (1.1%) with STb, and none (0.0%) with LT and K88. A total of thirty-three (4.7%) of the isolates hybridized with SLT-I, and one (0.1%) with SLT-II. The major pathotypes among the 666 isolates from bovine were K99/F41/StaP (9.8%), K99/F41 (2.5%), p87P/F41 (2.1%) and 987P/K99/F41/StaP (1.4%). Of the swine clinical isolates, twenty-two hybridized with at least one gene probe. The major pathotypes among the isolates from piglets were K88/K99/F41/StaP (5.3%) and K88/F41 (5.3%).

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗

Induction of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor mRNA by protein kinase C activators.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a potent smooth muscle cell mitogen of macrophage origin. To determine whether the HB-EGF gene is transcribed and regulated in mesangial cells, we measured HB-EGF mRNA levels in cultured rat mesangial cells by RNA blot analysis. A 2.5-kb HB-EGF mRNA was detected in unstimulated mesangial cells. The protein kinase C activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) increased HB-EGF mRNA levels by 15-fold in mesangial cells, and this induction of HB-EGF mRNA by TPA was both time- and dose-dependent. HB-EGF mRNA could also be stimulated by 10% fetal calf serum, ionomycin, thrombin, and endothelin-1. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, abolished the induction of HB-EGF mRNA by TPA and serum. To determine whether HB-EGF is mitogenic for mesangial cells, we transfected COS cells with HB-EGF expression plasmids. Culture medium from COS cells transfected with these plasmids increased 3H-thymidine incorporation in mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner. To our knowledge, this is the first report that HB-EGF is expressed in renal cells. This inducible transcription of HB-EGF suggests that it may have an autocrine role in mesangial cell proliferation in kidney disease.

Alkaloids↗

Brain natriuretic peptide is synthesized in the human adrenal medulla and its messenger ribonucleic acid expression along with that of atrial natriuretic peptide are enhanced in patients with primary aldosteronism.

The present study was designed to determine whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is synthesized in the human adrenal gland and, if so, to investigate the BNP content of adrenal tissue and the changes in BNP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in patients with primary aldosteronism. A considerable amount of BNP-like immunoreactive substances was extracted from the adrenal glands of kidney donors for transplantation (0.21 +/- 0.02 pmol/g wet tissue; n = 3) and the remnant nontumorous adrenal glands of patients with primary aldosteronism (0.20 +/- 0.05 pmol/g wet tissue; n = 3; mean +/- SEM). Immunohistochemical study with a specific antihuman BNP antibody revealed that BNP-like immunoreactivity was localized in the adrenal medullary area, and an in situ hybridization study indicated that the BNP mRNA was mainly expressed in the cells of adrenal medulla. Using a reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction technique, BNP complementary DNA was cloned from the human adrenal gland, and the sequence was identical to that of BNP identified in the atria. The level of BNP mRNA in the adrenal glands of patients with primary aldosteronism (n = 4) was obviously elevated compared to that in the kidney donors (n = 4), as determined by Northern blot analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of BNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNAs showed that both of the adrenomedullary natriuretic peptide gene transcriptions were enhanced in patients with primary aldosteronism, but the amount of ANP mRNA was far higher than that of BNP mRNA in the human adrenal gland. Our results are the first to indicate that BNP is synthesized in the human adrenal medulla, and that such medullary BNP synthesis increases in patients with primary aldosteronism. These facts support the proposal that adrenomedullary BNP along with ANP may play some role in water and electrolyte homeostasis or act in a paracrine manner to regulate adrenocortical functions.

Adrenal Medulla↗