Cardosin A and B, aspartic proteases from the flowers of cardoon.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Lin
Publications and source records attributed to Y Lin.
Molecular cloning of the meiosis-induced rec10 gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
The meiotic recombination gene rec10, which encodes a region-specific activator of recombination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, has been cloned by genetic complementation and its nucleotide sequence determined. The rec10 gene was identified in a 5.6-kb cloned fragment by partial-deletion and insertion experiments. The nucleotide sequence of 3.5 kb of this clone revealed an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 791 amino-acid polypeptide for the rec10 gene product. During meiosis, thermally induced in a temperature-sensitive pat1-114 mutant, the transcript of rec10 was induced to a maximal level at 2-3 h but was present at much lower levels before and after this time. The transient induction of the rec10 transcript and the rec10 mutant phenotype suggest that the rec10 gene product is involved primarily in the early steps of meiotic recombination localized to chromosome III in S. pombe.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Serum reactivities to latex proteins (Hevea brasiliensis).
BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been an increasing incidence of allergy to latex among health care workers and children with spina bifida. The allergic response in these individuals can be severe and occasionally fatal. Several allergens have been identified with the use of sera from different patient groups. In our effort to identify reagents for in vitro testing and clinical use, we investigated the reactivities of latex proteins to sera collected from a wide range of patients with latex allergy. METHODS: Twenty-six serum samples were obtained from adult patients with latex allergy, both hospital workers and non-hospital workers. Serum pools were made either from sera of children with spina bifida or sera of adult patients with latex allergy. Proteins from C-serum and latex particles of latex sap (nonammoniated) were separated by different gel electrophoresis techniques and evaluated for specific IgE binding by immunoblotting. RESULTS: More than 50% of the sera tested reacted to an 18 kd protein, a 25.6 kd acidic protein with an isoelectric point of 3.5, or to both proteins; whereas only 23% of the individual serum samples tested reacted to the rubber elongation factor, which has been reported to be a major latex allergen. The immunoreactive patterns of children's and adults' serum pools were similar but not identical. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting techniques, different immunoreactive proteins were identified in C-serum and particles of latex. Rubber elongation factor, which reacted to only 23% of sera tested, did not appear to cross-react immunologically with other latex allergens.
Adult↗
Characterization of apple 18 and 31 kd allergens by microsequencing and evaluation of their content during storage and ripening.
Patients with tree pollinosis frequently report allergic reactions after ingestion of apples. The severity of apple allergy has been related to the variety of apples and their degree of maturity. To generate a serum pool that is representative of various IgE-binding patterns of apple-allergic sera, serum samples from 34 patients allergic to tree pollens were screened. Only 24 serum samples reacted to the apple extract. Pooled serum was used to identify allergens in apples. An efficient and consistent extraction method for apple fruits was used to compare the immunoreactivities of extracts of different varieties (McIntosh, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious) of freshly picked and store-purchased apples. We found that Golden Delicious apples had the greatest amount of the 18 kd allergen, which has been reported to be a potent IgE-binding apple allergen. Store-purchased apples contained higher concentrations of the 18 kd allergen than freshly picked apples. In our study only 37.5% of sera reacted to the 18 kd protein, whereas 75% of the sera reacted to a 31 kd allergen. Other immunoreactive bands in apple extracts included proteins of 50, 38, 16, 14, and 13 kd. The amino-terminal amino acid sequences of the two major allergens, 18 kd and 31 kd, were determined. These sequences shared approximately 50% identity with disease resistance proteins of various plants or Bet v 1 in birch tree pollens. The appearance of various allergens was also investigated in mature apples during storage. The amount of 18 kd allergen increased significantly when apples were stored at 4 degrees C. However, under controlled atmospheric conditions in which oxygen- and carbon dioxide-induced ripening were regulated, the amount of 18 kd allergen remained unaffected. Because ripening and maturation were not associated with increases in 18 kd allergen content, the observed changes might be induced by factors related to disease resistance.
Adolescent↗
Codon 249 mutation of the p53 gene is a rare event in hepatocellular carcinomas from ethnic Chinese in Singapore.
The present study characterised p53 mutations in 44 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) from Chinese patients residing in a high-incidence area. Twelve point mutations (27%) were detected in tumour tissues using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by direct DNA sequencing. Remarkably, no mutations were observed at codon 249. This is in contrast to HCCs from other high HCC incidence areas with endemic aflatoxin exposures, in which codon 249 is a mutational hot spot. It is therefore suggested that risk factors other than dietary exposure to aflatoxin may contribute to the high HCC incidence in Singapore.
Adult↗
[A comparison of NMR tomography and arthrography in functional disorders of the temporomandibular joint].
PATIENTS AND METHODS: 31 patients with clinically diagnosed dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 1.5 Tesla, TR/TE 600/30) in closed and open mouth position and functional arthrography with digital image recording. RESULTS: Both methods agreed in the evaluation of the disc position. In 23 joints with displaced disc reposition was found in 11 cases and in 14 cases using MRI or arthrography, respectively. MRI proved to be superior in the diagnosis of sideways disc rotations. Joint hypermobility, eccentric disc displacement (n = 4) and perforation (n = 3) were shown by functional arthrography. Due to the good demonstration of osseous, muscular and discoligamentous structures, MRI as a noninvasive imaging modality is the method of choice for TMJ evaluation. Arthrography can be advantageous in complex functional disturbances or if MRI and clinical findings are inconclusive. The clinical diagnosis of disc displacement was found to be accurate in only 68% of the cases.
Adolescent↗
Differences in propionate-induced inhibition of cholesterol and triacylglycerol synthesis between human and rat hepatocytes in primary culture.
Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid formed in the colon and supposedly involved in the cholesterol-lowering effect of soluble fibre. To explore the underlying mechanism(s) of this fibre action, we have used human hepatocytes in primary culture to study the effects of propionate on hepatic lipid synthesis. Initial experiments with mevalonate and mevinolin, a competitive inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.88) were performed to evaluate basic regulatory mechanisms in these cells; results were compared with those obtained with rat hepatocytes. Incubation for 24 h with mevalonate caused a similar, concentration-dependent inhibition of [14C]acetate incorporation into cholesterol in human and rat hepatocytes. Likewise, mevinolin (100 mumol/l) inhibited the formation of cholesterol from radiolabelled acetate by about 80% in cells from both species. Propionate inhibited cholesterol as well as triacylglycerol synthesis from [14C]acetate with a similar concentration-dependency in rat hepatocytes. Fifty percent inhibition was obtained at a propionate concentration of only 0.1 mmol/l. This propionate-induced inhibition was not affected by a 100-fold excess of unlabelled acetate. Human hepatocytes were much less susceptible in this respect: propionate concentrations of 10-20 mmol/l were required to obtain similar inhibitory effects in these cells, i.e. values greatly exceeding reported portal propionate concentrations in humans. The results suggest the existence of differences in the regulation of hepatic cholesterol (and triacylglycerol) synthesis between human and rat liver cells. These results do not support the hypothesis that the fibre-induced decrease in plasma cholesterol concentration in man is mediated by a direct effect of propionate on hepatic cholesterol synthesis.
Acetates↗
Differential in situ hybridization for determination of mutational specific expression of the p53 gene in human hepatoma cell lines.
The codon 249 mutation specific expression of the p53 gene was determined in 7 human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Two 20-base oligomers complementary to bases 872-891 of human p53 cDNA with a single nucleotide difference in the third position of codon 249 were end-labelled with biotin-conjugated dATP using terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT). The hybridized oligomer was visually detected in situ using streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase (AP) conjugate and AP substrate. Expression of the codon 249 mutant p53 was steady in PLC/PRF/5 and Mahlavu cells (derived from African patients), while Huh4, Huh6, Huh7 and HCC-M cells (derived from Japanese patients) expressed only the codon 249 wild-type p53. The transcripts of the p53 gene were undetectable in Hep3B cells (derived from an American patient). Hybridizations of the codon 249 specific oligomers were specific to the p53 transcripts, since the cells that expressed p53 gene homogeneously were stained in the cytoplasm only by differential hybridization with a codon 249 specific oligomer; moreover, hybridization with a labelled oligomer non-complementary to the p53 cDNA showed nuclear stainings. Thus, detection of the codon 249 mutant p53 mRNA by differential in situ hybridization is a specific method for studying the mutation-specific expression of the p53 gene in liver cancers at the cellular level, while simultaneously visualizing the cell morphology. The results also support the notion that the p53 gene codon 249 mutation may have etiological implications involving HCC from various geographic areas.
Base Sequence↗
Concentrations and plasma-tissue-diet relationships of carotenoids, retinoids, and tocopherols in humans.
Micronutrients, such as beta-carotene and vitamins A and E, are potential chemopreventive agents; however, their concentrations in human target tissues are largely unknown. Because these micronutrients may exert their action at the site of target tissues, the tissue concentrations of the micronutrients need to be determined. In this cross-sectional study, we have measured the concentrations of seven carotenoids, two retinoids, and two tocopherols in paired plasma, buccal mucosal cells (BMC), and skin samples from 96 healthy subjects (ages 26-82 yrs). The plasma-tissue, as well as the diet-plasma and diet-tissue relationships of the micronutrients, and the impact of various potential confounders on the micronutrient concentrations were evaluated. The micronutrient concentrations of plasma and BMC used in the evaluation were the average of three measurements over a one-month period. Our data indicated that 1) the correlations between the plasma and BMC (Spearman r = 0.40-0.91, p < 0.05) and the plasma and skin (r = 0.24-0.75, p < 0.05) concentrations of most micronutrients were significant in all subjects, suggesting that the status of these micronutrients in the BMC and skin may be estimated from their plasma concentrations; 2) the correlations between the diet and plasma/tissue concentrations of the micronutrients were generally not as strong as the plasma-tissue relationships; the diet-plasma and diet-tissue relationships of the carotenoids were particularly poor in the smokers; 3) the plasma and tissue concentrations of most micronutrients were lower in smokers than in nonsmokers and higher in vitamin supplement users than in nonsupplement users; the differences remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, and diet intake estimates; 4) among the seven carotenoids examined, lycopene was unique, because its concentration was not lower in smokers or higher in supplement users but was inversely associated with age.
Adult↗
Location of the PH-20 protein on acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa of cynomolgus macaques.
Fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the location of the membrane protein PH-20 on spermatozoa of cynomolgus macaques. Rabbit antiserum raised against recombinant cynomolgus macaque sperm PH-20 was used as the primary antibody, and the second antibody was goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated with either fluorescein isothiocyanate or 15 nm gold particles. Spermatozoa were evaluated before capacitation and after capacitation and induction of acrosome reactions with calcium ionophore A23187. In sperm suspensions with a high percentage of intact acrosomes, fluorescence labeling was observed uniformly over most of the sperm head. The sperm midpiece and tail were not labeled. In sperm suspensions with a high percentage of acrosome reactions, most spermatozoa labeled intensely over the anterior sperm head, but labeling of the posterior sperm head was greatly reduced. TEM of acrosome-intact spermatozoa revealed gold particles distributed uniformly on the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome, the equatorial segment, and most of the post-acrosomal region. After the acrosome reaction, gold label was present on the inner acrosomal membrane and on the plasma membrane overlying the equatorial segment. Very little label was present on the plasma membrane in the post-acrosomal region of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. The location of PH-20 on the surface of macaque spermatozoa suggests a function for this protein in primary and/or secondary binding to the zona pellucida. The apparent decrease in amount of PH-20 on the posterior head of macaque spermatozoa following the acrosome reaction is consistent with the migration of this protein to the inner acrosomal membrane, as demonstrated previously for the homologous PH-20 protein of guinea pig spermatozoa.
Acrosome↗
An intron-containing meiosis-induced recombination gene, rec15, of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Mutations in the rec15 gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe reduce meiotic recombinant frequencies, in the three intervals tested, as much as 1000-fold but have no detectable mitotic phenotype. The rec15 gene was mapped to within 1 cM of mat1. The gene was cloned by genetic complementation and its nucleotide sequence determined. Deletion analysis and gene replacement confirmed that the clones contained the rec15 gene on DNA fragments as short as 1.3 kb. The nucleotide sequence of the 1.3 kb fragment predicted that rec15 had a 49 bp intron separating two exons encoding a 180-amino-acid polypeptide product. This predicted intron was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. During thermally induced meiosis in a pat1-114 (Ts) mutant, the rec15 transcripts were induced to maximal levels at 2-3h but were present at much lower levels before and after this time. The transient induction of the transcripts and the phenotype of a rec15 null (deletion) mutation suggest that the rec15 gene product is required during the early stages of meiosis for meiotic recombination.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Acupuncture treatment for insomnia and acupuncture analgesia.
Acupuncture is a simple and useful treatment for insomnia, with a success rate of around 90%. The acupuncture points applied vary depending on the doctor and on the case, but the usual points are Shenmen (HT7) and Anmien (extrapoint). The mechanism of this treatment has not been well elucidated. Acupuncture analgesia may be used as a great indicator, because in both practices needles are inserted in deep tissues as the common stimulation. The possible neuronal integration and transmitter effect in the acupuncture treatment for insomnia are discussed.
Acupuncture Analgesia↗
T-cell cytokine responses in human infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Compared with healthy tuberculin reactors, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from tuberculosis patients had diminished production and mRNA expression of the Th1 cytokines gamma interferon and interleukin 2 (IL-2), with no change in production and mRNA expression for the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. These results were confirmed by evaluation of T cells and CD4+ cells. At the level of systemic T cells, development of tuberculosis is associated with diminished Th1 but not enhanced Th2 responses.
Adult↗
Characterization of a chimeric proU operon in a subtilin-producing mutant of Bacillus subtilis 168.
The ability to respond to osmotic stress by osmoregulation is common to virtually all living cells. Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium can achieve osmotolerance by import of osmoprotectants such as proline and glycine betaine by an import system encoded in an operon called proU with genes for proteins ProV, ProW, and ProX. In this report, we describe the discovery of a proU-type locus in the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. It contains four open reading frames (ProV, ProW, ProX, and ProZ) with homology to the gram-negative ProU proteins, with the B. subtilis ProV, ProW, and ProX proteins having sequence homologies of 35, 29, and 17%, respectively, to the E. coli proteins. The B. subtilis ProZ protein is similar to the ProW protein but is smaller and, accordingly, may fulfill a novel role in osmoprotection. The B. subtilis proU locus was discovered while exploring the chromosomal sequence upstream from the spa operon in B. subtilis LH45, which is a subtilin-producing mutant of B. subtilis 168. B. subtilis LH45 had been previously constructed by transformation of strain 168 with linear DNA from B. subtilis ATCC 6633 (W. Liu and J. N. Hansen, J. Bacteriol. 173:7387-7390, 1991). Hybridization experiments showed that LH45 resulted from recombination in a region of homology in the proV gene, so that the proU locus in LH45 is a chimera between strains 168 and 6633. Despite being a chimera, this proU locus was fully functional in its ability to confer osmotolerance when glycine betaine was available in the medium. Conversely, a mutant (LH45 deltaproU) in which most of the proU locus had been deleted grew poorly at high osmolarity in the presence of glycine betaine. We conclude that the proU-like locus in B. subtilis LH45 is a gram-positive counterpart of the proU locus in gram-negative bacteria and probably evolved prior to the evolutionary split of prokaryotes into gram-positive and gram-negative forms.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Cytokines inhibit p53-mediated apoptosis but not p53-mediated G1 arrest.
Murine erythroleukemia cells that lack endogenous p53 expression were transfected with a temperature-sensitive p53 allele. The temperature-sensitive p53 protein behaves as a mutant polypeptide at 37 degrees C and as a wild-type polypeptide at 32 degrees C. Three independent clones expressing the temperature-sensitive p53 protein were characterized with respect to p53-mediated G1 cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and differentiation. Clone ts5.203 responded to p53 activation at 32 degrees C by undergoing G1 arrest, apoptosis, and differentiation. Apoptosis was seen in cells representative of all phases of the cell cycle and was not restricted to cells arrested in G1. The addition of a cytokine (erythropoietin, c-kit ligand, or interleukin-3) to the culture medium of ts5.203 cells blocked p53-mediated apoptosis and differentiation but not p53-mediated G1 arrest. These observations indicate that apoptosis and G1 arrest can be effectively uncoupled through the action of cytokines acting as survival factors and are consistent with the idea that apoptosis and G1 arrest represent separate functions of p53. Clones ts15.15 and tsCB3.4 responded to p53 activation at 32 degrees C by undergoing G1 arrest but not apoptosis. We demonstrate that tsCB3.4 secretes a factor with erythropoietin-like activity and that ts15.15 secretes a factor with interleukin-3 activity and suggest that autocrine secretion of these cytokines blocks p53-mediated apoptosis. These data provide a framework in which to understand the variable responses of cells to p53 overexpression.
Animals↗
[An outline of spreading of Western mediciine into Yantai in modern age].
At the turn of the last century, side by side with the infiltration of religious culture from Western countries, western medicine spread into Yantai. The religious force, headed by American Presbyterian Mission, carried out charitable activities in the process of preaching and laid down the foundation for western medicine rooted in Yantai by establishing schools, education and training followers. They cultivated local physicians by first setting up clinics which had later transformed into hospitals. These are their major measures for building bases for spreading Christianity by foreigners. The Temple Hill Hospital set up by the American physician Oscar F. Hills in Yantai was a successful example of mutual promotion of missionary and medical activities which pushed forward the spreading and development of western medicine in Yantai.
China↗
Corneal topography analysis before and after radial keratotomy.
Corneal topographic analyses were conducted on 58 eyes of 42 cases with mild or moderate myopia by computer-assisted photokeratography before and after radial keratotomy (RK). The results indicate that the corneal surfaces of most examined eyes (76%) are positive aspheric shape before RK, while after RK they are changed to negative aspheric shape. Before RK, the corneal topography of most examined eyes (67%) is symmetric bow tie pattern or asymmetric bow tie pattern; after RK, the forms of central flattened regions are mainly round or approximately round, dumbbell and belt-shaped. Before and after RK there is no significant change in surface regularity index (SRI), but surface asymmetry index (SAI) is changed significantly. RK makes the central and central peripheral parts of the cornea flattened. The most significant RK effect is found at the region 1.140 +/- 0.090 mm away from the corneal optical center. Examination and analysis on the corneal topography before and after RK not only provide an accurate and objective basis for RK operational plan, but also make it possible to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the RK effect, to accurately predict the RK clinical effects, and to effectively improve the RK clinical quality.
Adolescent↗
[Lingual osteotomy--a little regarded technique for removal of the displaced mandibular wisdom tooth].
Between 1980 and 1982, 769 wisdom teeth of the lower jaw were removed from 410 patients. The lingual bone splitting technique was used 813 times and vestibular osteotomy 586 times. Statistics concerning intra- and postoperative complications using both methods were gathered and compared. Hypoeasthesia resulting to permanent damage was observed once in the area of the N. lingualis and three times in the area of the N. alveolaris inferior. These results were similar to those obtained by English-speaking authors and indicate the suitability of the lingual bone splitting technique as an alternative to the vestibular approach. The indication for lingual bone splitting osteotomy in our sample was above all the horizontal and vertical impacted wisdom tooth. The decision to use lingual osteotomy should follow radiographic and clinical assessment of the relation between crown and lingual corticalis. This technically and anatomically convincing approach can be unconditionally recommended to the experienced surgeon as a time-saving alternative.
Adult↗