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Biomedical subjects

Y Kao

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kao.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Paraoxonase gene cluster is a genetic marker for early microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase is a serum enzyme, which prevents oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by hydrolyzing lipid peroxides. Two polymorphisms in PON1 gene have been associated with cardiovascular and microvascular diseases in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. AIMS: The current project was designed to investigate the association between the polymorphisms of two PON genes and diabetes microvascular diseases (retinopathy and microalbuminuria) and any potential linkage between Met54Leu of PON1 and Cys311Ser of PON2 gene. METHODS: Diabetic retinopathy and albumin excretion rate were assessed in 372 adolescents with Type 1 diabetes who were genotyped for the two polymorphisms. RESULTS: We confirmed the increased susceptibility for diabetic retinopathy for the Leu/Leu genotype (odds ratio (OR) 3.34 (confidence interval (CI) 1.95, 5.75), P < 0.0001). The Ser/Ser genotype was significantly more common in those patients with microalbuminuria (albumin excretion rate > or = 20 microg/min) compared with those with albumin excretion rate < 20 microg/min (OR 4.72 (CI 2.65, 8.41), P < 0.0001). The Ser311 of PON2 was in strong linkage disequilibrium with Leu54 of PON1 gene (Delta = 23 x 10(4), P < 0.001). The delta value was higher for those without complications (28 x 104, P < 0.001) compared with those with complications (15.5 x 10(4), P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the hypothesis that diabetic microangiopathy is genetically heterogeneous. PON1 Leu/Leu increases the risk for retinopathy and PON2 Ser/Ser increases the risk for microalbuminuria.

Adolescent↗

Study of the relationship between thyroid hormones and lipid metabolism during KClO4-induced metamorphosis of landlocked lamprey, Petromyzon marinus.

This study examines the role of thyroid hormones (TH) (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) in regulating lipid metabolism of landlocked larval sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus. Larvae were treated with either thyroxine (0.5 or 1 mg l(-1) water) or triiodothyronine (0.25 or 1 mg l(-1) water) in the presence or absence of the goitrogen, potassium perchlorate (KClO4) (0.05% w/v), for 4, 8, and 16 weeks. Treatment with KClO4 alone, which induced metamorphosis after 8 weeks and lowered plasma TH levels, reduced hepatic and renal total lipid content after 8 weeks of treatment. KClO4-induced lipid depletion after the 8-week treatment was supported by an increased rate of hepatic lipolysis, as indicated by increased triacylglycerol lipase activity. Furthermore, reduced lipogenesis in the liver was indicated by decreased hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activities, and by decreased renal DGAT activity following 8 weeks of KClO4 treatment. Treatment of larvae for 4 weeks with TH alone resulted in either no change or a slight increase of lipid in the liver and kidney. TH treatments in combination with KClO4 failed to induce metamorphosis and, after up to 8 weeks, several TH treatments blocked changes in lipid content and enzyme activity associated with KClO4-induced metamorphosis. These experimental results suggest that TH deficiency during metamorphosis may promote lipid catabolism, while the presence of TH tends to protect/promote lipid reserves, perhaps favoring the larval condition. The actions of TH and KClO4 on metamorphosis-associated lipid metabolism in sea lampreys may be direct, permissive, and/or indirect via other factors.

Animals↗

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with 46,XY,t(X;7) abnormality in a child.

A 9-year-old child with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans demonstrated a balanced translocation, 46,XX,t(X;7)(q21l2;q11.2), in the untreated tumor, an abnormality not previously reported. Unlike seven of eight other reports of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, no ring chromosomes were present.

Child↗