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Biomedical subjects

Yu Sun

Publications and source records attributed to Yu Sun.

76 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Differential gene expression profiling of adult murine hematopoietic stem cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have self-renewal capacity and multilineage developmental potentials. The molecular mechanisms that control the self-renewal of HSCs are still largely unknown. Here, a systematic approach using bioinformatics and array hybridization techniques to analyze gene expression profiles in HSCs is described. To enrich mRNAs predominantly expressed in uncommitted cell lineages, 54 000 cDNA clones generated from a highly enriched population of HSCs and a mixed population of stem and early multipotent progenitor (MPP) cells were arrayed on nylon membranes (macroarray or high-density array), and subtracted with cDNA probes derived from mature lineage cells including spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. Five thousand cDNA clones with very low hybridization signals were selected for sequencing and further analysis using microarrays on glass slides. Two populations of cells, HSCs and MPP cells, were compared for differential gene expression using microarray analysis. HSCs have the ability to self-renew, while MPP cells have lost the capacity for self-renewal. A large number of genes that were differentially expressed by enriched populations of HSCs and MPP cells were identified. These included transcription factors, signaling molecules, and previously unknown genes.

Animals↗

Carotid atherosclerosis, intima media thickness and risk factors--an analysis of 1781 asymptomatic subjects in Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque with risk factors for atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects in Taiwan. Between 1998 and 2001, the study recruited 1781 asymptomatic subjects (1131 men and 650 women [mean age, 49 years; range 18-85 years]). These were examined by B-mode ultrasound to measure the IMT at the far wall of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the extent of plaque formation. A wide range of vascular risk factors including age, gender, smoking, body mass index, blood chemistry, and previous history were surveyed. The mean (+/-S.D.) IMT observed was 0.68 (+/-0.12) and 0.66 (+/-0.11) mm for men and women, respectively, (P=0.0008). The mean (S.D.) IMT of the CCA was 0.66 (+/-0.12) mm on the right side and 0.68 (+/-0.12) mm on the left side (P=0.0004). IMT increased with aging, according to the equation IMT=(0.005xage in years)+0.403 [corrected]. Higher IMT was associated with male gender, and IMT was greater in the left CCA. About 36.9% of subjects had carotid plaques. The percentage of plaque increased with aging. The plaque prevalence was positively associated with IMT. The value of IMT over the cut point of 0.68 mm correlated with obviously increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis. Age, systolic blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were independent risk factors related to both carotid atherosclerosis and thick IMT.

Adolescent↗

Functional analysis of a small heat shock/alpha-crystallin protein from Artemia franciscana. Oligomerization and thermotolerance.

Oviparously developing embryos of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, synthesize abundant quantities of a small heat shock/alpha-crystallin protein, termed p26. Wild-type p26 functions as a molecular chaperone in vitro and is thought to help encysted Artemia embryos survive severe physiological stress encountered during diapause and anoxia. Full-length and truncated p26 cDNA derivatives were generated by PCR amplification of p26-3-6-3, then cloned in either pET21(+) or pRSETC and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). All constructs gave a polypeptide detectable on Western blots with either p26 specific antibody, or with antibody to the His(6) epitope tag encoded by pRSETC. Full-length p26 in cell-free extracts of E. coli was about equal in mass to that found in Artemia embryos, but p26 lacking N- and C-terminal residues remained either as monomers or small multimers. All p26 constructs conferred thermotolerance on transformed E. coli, although not all formed oligomers, and cells expressing N-terminal truncated derivatives of p26 were more heat resistant than bacteria expressing p26 with C-terminal deletions. The C-terminal extension of p26 is seemingly more important for thermotolerance than is the N-terminus, and p26 protects E. coli against heat shock when oligomer size and protein concentration are low. The findings have important implications for understanding the functional mechanisms of small heat shock/alpha-crystallin proteins.

Animals↗

Bio-microarray fabrication techniques--a review.

Microarrays with biomolecules (e.g., DNA and proteins), cells, and tissues immobilized on solid substrates are important tools for biological research, including genomics, proteomics, and cell analysis. In this paper, the current state of microarray fabrication is reviewed. According to spot formation techniques, methods are categorized as "contact printing" and "non-contact printing." Contact printing is a widely used technology, comprising methods such as contact pin printing and microstamping. These methods have many advantages, including reproducibility of printed spots and facile maintenance, as well as drawbacks, including low-throughput fabrication of arrays. Non-contact printing techniques are newer and more varied, comprising photochemistry-based methods, laser writing, electrospray deposition, and inkjet technologies. These technologies emerged from other applications and have the potential to increase microarray fabrication throughput; however, there are several challenges in applying them to microarray fabrication, including interference from satellite drops and biomolecule denaturization.

Biotechnology↗