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Paillot R, Prowse L, Montesso F, Huang CM, Barnes H, Escala J. Whole inactivated equine influenza vaccine: Efficacy against a representative clade 2 equine influenza virus, IFNgamma synthesis and duration of humoral immunity. Vet Microbiol 2012; 162:396-407. [PMID: 23146168 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Equine influenza (EI) is a serious respiratory disease of horses induced by the equine influenza virus (EIV). Surveillance, quarantine procedures and vaccination are widely used to prevent or to contain the disease. This study aimed to further characterise the immune response induced by a non-updated inactivated EI and tetanus vaccine, including protection against a representative EIV isolate of the Florida clade 2 sublineage. Seven ponies were vaccinated twice with Duvaxyn IE-T Plus at an interval of four weeks. Five ponies remained unvaccinated. All ponies were experimentally infected with the EIV strain A/eq/Richmond/1/07 two weeks after the second vaccination. Clinical signs of disease were recorded and virus shedding was measured after experimental infection. Antibody response and EIV-specific IFNgamma synthesis, a marker of cell-mediated immunity, were measured at different time points of the study. Vaccination resulted in significant protection against clinical signs of disease induced by A/eq/Richmond/1/07 and reduced virus shedding when challenged at the peak of immunity. Antigenic drift has been shown to reduce protection against EIV infection. Inclusion of a more recent and representative EIV vaccine strain, as recommended by the OIE expert surveillance panel on equine influenza vaccine, may maximise field protection. In addition, significant levels of EIV-specific IFNgamma synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected in immunised ponies, which provided a first evidence of CMI stimulation after vaccination with a whole inactivated EIV. Duration of humoral response was also retrospectively investigated in 14 horses vaccinated under field condition and following the appropriate immunisation schedule, up to 599 days after first immunisation. This study revealed that most immunised horses maintained significant levels of cross-reactive SRH antibody for a prolonged period of time, but individual monitoring may be beneficial to identify poor vaccine responders.
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Huang RM, He JY, Zhao J, Luo Q, Huang CM. Fenton-biological treatment of reverse osmosis membrane concentrate from a metal plating wastewater recycle system. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2011; 32:515-522. [PMID: 21877532 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2010.504747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Although reverse osmosis (RO) has been widely used in the recycling of metal plating wastewater, organic compounds and heavy metals in the RO concentrate are difficult to remove by conventional treatment. A combination process including Fenton oxidation and a biological aerated filter was used to treat RO concentrate containing complex Cu and Ni from metal plating. During the Fenton treatment, Cu and Ni ions were released due to degradation of organic compounds and then removed by pH adjustment and coagulation. The concentrate was further treated using by a biological aerated filter. Optimum conditions were as follows: initial pH of influent of 4.0; dosage of H2O2 of 5.0 mmol l(-1); ratio of n(Fe2+)/n(H2O2) of 0.8; precipitation pH of Cu and Ni ions of 8.0; and a hydraulic retention time of the biological aerated filter of 2.5 h. The results showed that concentrations of effluent COD, Cu and Ni ions were less than 40 mg l(-1), 0.5 mg l(-1) and 0.3 mg l(-1), respectively; this means the treated effluent meets the emission standards for pollutants from electroplating set by China's Environmental Protection Agency.
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Chen SY, Wan L, Huang CM, Huang YC, Sheu JJC, Lin YJ, Liu SP, Lan YC, Lai CH, Lin CW, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. Genetic polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene MPG may be associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. J Appl Genet 2011; 51:519-21. [PMID: 21063071 DOI: 10.1007/bf03208883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease and can lead to deformities and severe disabilities, due to irreversible damage of tendons, joints, and bones. A previous study indicated that a DNA repair system was involved in the development of RA. In this study, we investigated the association of four N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) gene polymorphisms (rs3176364, rs710079, rs2858056, and rs2541632) with susceptibility to RA in 384 Taiwanese individuals (192 RA patients and 192 control subjects). Our data show a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency distributions at rs710079 and rs2858056 SNPs between RA patients and control groups (P = 0.040 and 0.029, respectively). Our data also indicated that individuals with the GG genotype at rs2858056 SNP may have a higher risk of developing RA. In addition, compared with the haplotype frequencies between case and control groups, individuals with the GCGC haplotype appeared to be at a greater risk of RA progression (P = 0.003, OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.20-1.55). Our results suggest that rs710079 and rs2858056 polymorphisms and the GCGC haplotype in the MPG gene are associated with the risk of RA progression, and thus may be used as molecular markers of RA if they are confirmed by further research.
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Miao L, Tanemura S, Huang R, Liu CY, Huang CM, Xu G. Large Seebeck coefficients of protonated titanate nanotubes for high-temperature thermoelectric conversion. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2010; 2:2355-2359. [PMID: 20735107 DOI: 10.1021/am100365y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Titanate nanotubes Na(2-x)H(x)Ti(3)O(7) produced by alkali hydrothermally treated ground TiO(2) aerogels are investigated as possible materials for high-temperature thermoelectric conversion by measuring their thermoelectric properties. Strikingly, the Seebeck coefficients increased sharply in the temperature range 745 to 1032 K, reaching a maximum of 302 muV/K. The electrical resistivity of the TNNTs ranged from 325 to 525 Omegam, which is lower than that of bulk TiO(2), and thermal conductivities at room temperature were also very low, ranging from 0.55 to 0.75 Wm(-1) K(-1). The hollow structure of the titanate nanotubes, with small, uniform diameters, is thought to be responsible for the ultralow thermal conductivity. The large thermoelectric power and ultralow thermal conductivity suggest that titanate nanotubes represent a new kind of p-type oxide thermoelectric material.
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Huang CM, Tsai CH, Tsai JJP, Kung PT, Chen CL, Tsai FJ. The relationship between insulin‐like growth factor‐II geneApaI polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2009; 33:126-7. [PMID: 15163116 DOI: 10.1080/03009740410006079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Wan L, Lin YJ, Sheu JJ, Huang CM, Tsai Y, Tsai CH, Wong W, Tsai FJ. Analysis of ERCC2/XPD functional polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus. Int J Immunogenet 2008; 36:33-7. [PMID: 19055600 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2008.00817.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sunlight/ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been recognized as an important risk factor for developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the interpretation of genetic variations involved in UV-light sensitivity is largely unknown. Recent studies indicated that two genetic variations of ERCC2/XPD gene (rs1799793 in exon 10 and rs13181 in exon 23) have been found to exert negative influences on nucleotide excision repair system. To analyse the possible contribution of the ERCC2/XPD functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in genetic susceptibility to SLE, the rs13181 and rs1799793 SNPs in ERCC2/XPD were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Association was studied by case-control analyses using samples from 172 SLE patients and 160 healthy controls. Haplotype analysis was performed to detect the association with genetic predisposition to SLE and the clinical features. Although these two functional genetic variations are linked to several immune dysfunction-induced diseases, no statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies were observed between SLE patients and controls. Haplotype analysis showed that none of ERCC2/XPD haplotypes was associated with the incidence of SLE disease, nor the preference of clinical features. In conclusion, the ERCC2/XPD functional polymorphisms analysed in this study showed no association in genetic susceptibility to SLE.
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Kuo TT, Lin YH, Huang CM, Chang SF, Dai H, Feng TY. The lysogenic cycle of the filamentous phage Cflt from Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri. Virology 2008; 156:305-12. [PMID: 18644553 DOI: 10.1016/0042-6822(87)90410-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/1986] [Accepted: 10/13/1986] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A phage, Cflt, forming turbid plaques, was isolated from Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri. After infection, infected sensitive cells become immune to Cflt and produce very few phages. These properties were genetically rather stable. The phage was purified and shown to be filamentous with a size of 1157 +/- 73 nm. The genome size is about 7.62 kb. The phage does not affect the growth of host bacteria. Under natural cultivation conditions Cflt-lysogenized cells could be induced spontaneously to give high phage yields, or cured to give phage-free cells. The integration of Cflt DNA into host DNA was proved by Southern blot hybridization. The lysogenic phage was genetically stable in log phase cells and persisted in stationary phase cells through many cell generations in the absence of extracellular phage reinfection.
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Liu HL, Huang CM, Lim SN, Kuan WC, Chen HM, Wu T, Hsu YY. SU-FF-I-68: False Positive Analysis of Functional MRI During Simulated Deep Brain Stimulation. Med Phys 2006. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2240748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Lee KC, Chang CY, Chuang YC, Young MS, Huang CM, Yin WH, Tung DY, Lee WC, Lee SL, Sue SH, Wei J. Heart transplant coronary artery disease in Chinese recipients. Transplant Proc 2005; 36:2380-3. [PMID: 15561255 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplant coronary artery disease is the principle limiting factor for long-term survival of heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. We reviewed our data to assess the incidence of this disorder among Chinese HTx recipients and to compare it with the results of Western studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS From July 1988 to May 2002, 182 patients received 184 orthotopic HTx. One hundred sixty-three recipients survived for at least 1 year with available SPECT scans or coronary angiogram studies. The data set included donor characteristics, recipient characteristics, active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection rate, rejection episodes, immunosuppressants, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches. RESULTS Surgical mortality in our program was 4.3% and the actuarial freedom from coronary artery disease at 1, 3, and 5 years was 99%, 95%, and 92%, respectively. Angiogram results were stratified into coronary artery disease (n = 15) or absence of the disorder (n = 148) groups. Only older donor age showed statistical significance between the groups. Compared with the Western series, the present data show higher actuarial survival rates and freedom from coronary artery disease. There were statistically significant differences in regard to graft ischemia time, proportion of male recipients, ischemic heart disease, rejection episodes during the first year, and incidence of CMV infection. CONCLUSIONS SPECT scan can detect coronary artery disease before there is significant stenosis of the coronary artery with acceptable survival rates. Chinese HTx recipients show a lower incidence of the disorder, lower rates of ischemia heart disease, lower proportion of male gender, lower incidence of CMV infection, fewer rejection episodes during the first year, and less ischemic time than Western recipients, which maybe the contributing factors to their better survival.
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Lo SF, Huang CM, Tsai CH, Chen ML, Tsai FJ. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism in Taiwanese patients with gout. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2005; 23:85-8. [PMID: 15789892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene polymorphism is a marker of susceptibility to or of the clinical characteristics of gout in Taiwanese patients. METHODS 196 Taiwanese patients with gout and 103 unrelated normal healthy control subjects living in central Taiwan were studied. Polymorphism of the gene for IL-1Ra was typed from genomic DNA. Allelic frequencies and carriage rates were compared between gout patients and control subjects. The relationship between IL-1Ra genotypes and the clinical characteristics of gout was also evaluated. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in genetic and allelic frequencies of the IL-1Ra gene polymorphism between patients with gout and healthy control subjects. Furthermore, we did not detect any association of IL-1Ra genotype with the clinical and laboratory profiles in patients with gout. CONCLUSION The results from the present study suggest that the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism is not a genetic marker of susceptibility to gout for Taiwanese. Furthermore, our study also suggests that the IL-1Ra gene polymorphism is unrelated to the clinical characteristics of gout.
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Yang YH, Lai HJ, Huang CM, Wang LC, Lin YT, Chiang BL. Sera from children with active Henoch-Schönlein purpura can enhance the production of interleukin 8 by human umbilical venous endothelial cells. Ann Rheum Dis 2004; 63:1511-3. [PMID: 15479906 PMCID: PMC1754792 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2003.016196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability of sera from children with active Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) to enhance endothelial interleukin (IL) 8 production and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression. METHODS Nine children with active HSP and nine normal healthy children were enrolled. IL8 serum levels of patients and controls at different stages were analysed. Production of IL8 and expression of ICAM-1 by human umbilical venous endothelial cells were detected (ELISA for IL8, flow cytometry for ICAM-1) and compared under various stimuli, including sera of patients at different stages, sera of controls, and medium alone. RESULTS Serum levels of IL8 were increased at the acute stage. Levels of IL8 in supernatants from human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) co-cultured with sera from children with active HSP were significantly higher than those from HUVEC without any treatment (p = 0.001), HUVEC treated with inactive sera (p = 0.004), and HUVEC treated with sera from healthy controls (p = 0.004). Sera from patients and from controls did not enhance the expression of ICAM-1 on HUVEC. CONCLUSIONS Some factors may be present in sera from children with active HSP that could activate endothelial cells to produce IL8. This process may account, in part, for the mechanisms of perivascular neutrophil infiltration and leucocytosis in HSP.
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Wei J, Chang CY, Chuang YC, Young MS, Huang CM, Yin WH, Tung DY, Lee WC, Lee SL, Chu CH. Heart transplantation at Cheng Hsin General Hospital in Taiwan: 15-year experience. Transplant Proc 2004; 36:2374-6. [PMID: 15561253 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.08.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Heart transplantation (HTx) in Taiwan, which started in 1987, now includes more than 500 cases. From July 1988 to September 2003, we performed 215 cases of orthotopic HTx in 164 male and 51 female recipients of mean age of 47.3 +/- 14.3 years, (range 2.7 to 74.9 years). The leading etiologies were dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP), 68.5%; ischemic CMP, 20.2%; and valvular CMP, 4.2%. The actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years are 88.3%, 77.1%, and 57.2%, respectively. We performed the first case of HTx in Asia after bridging for 14 days with an indigenous total artificial heart (TAH; the Phoenix-7 model); we performed the first case of infant HTx without blood transfusion and also the first case of autotransplantation of heart for repair of a left ventricular rupture after a mitral valve replacement. These cases were all successful with the longest surviving HTx recipient in Asia. We have used the biatrial anastomosis technique in all cases. We discovered familial CMP due to mitochondrial defects in two pediatric cases. Because of the scarcity of donor hearts, we have used size-mismatched hearts as well as suboptimal and hepatitis-positive donor hearts, all with satisfactory outcomes. Our experience has shown comparable results to Western programs, with efficacy and cost-effectiveness. We find the technique of biatrial anastomosis for orthotopic HTx to result in a low incidence of tricuspid regurgitation and conduction anomalies. The use of suboptimal and size-mismatched donor hearts is also promising.
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Huang CM, Chen CL, Tsai JJP, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. Association between urokinase gene 3'-UTR T/C polymorphism and Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22:219-22. [PMID: 15083890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism is a marker of susceptibility to or severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese patients. METHODS A total of 145 RA patients and 134 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. We identified the C/T polymorphism of the urokinase gene, which is mapped on the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) on chromosome 10 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS There were significant differences in the distribution of the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism frequency between RA patients and subjects in the control group. However, we did not detect an, association between the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism and rheumatoid factor (RF), extraarticular involvement or bone erosion in RA patients. CONCLUSION The urokinase gene 3'-UTR "T" allele was associated with RA in Chinese patients in Taiwan.
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Wu MC, Huang CM, Tsai JJP, Chen HY, Tsai FJ. Polymorphisms of the interleukin-4 gene in chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan. Lupus 2003; 12:21-5. [PMID: 12587822 DOI: 10.1191/0961203303lu249oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the relationship between two polymorphisms of the IL4 gene (-590T/C and intron 3) and systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese patients in Taiwan. This study included 91 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 163 unrelated, age matched healthy controls living in the same area. The typing of -590T/C and intron 3 VNTR (variable number of tandem repeats) polymorphisms were performed by PCR-RFLP and PCR, respectively. Allelic frequencies and carriage rates between SLE patients and controls were compared, and the relationship between allelic frequencies and clinical manifestations of SLE was evaluated. The genotype frequencies of IL-4 intron 3 were found to differ significantly between SLE patients with and without discoid rash (chi-square test, P = 0.03 5). The allelic frequency of intron 3 RP1 was significant different in the patients with discoid rash when compared to patients without this clinical feature (OR = 3.70, 95% CI 2.04-6.72, chi2 test, P = 0.029). The RP1/RP1 homozygous carriage was significantly associated with patients with discoid rash when compared to patients without this clinical feature (OR = 6.04, 95% CI 2.81-12.95, P = 0.01). The allelic frequency of -590T was significant different in the patients with discoid rash when compared to patients without this clinical feature (OR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.88-6.31, chi-square test, P=0.04). The T/T homozygous carriage was significantly associated with patients with discoid rash when compared to patients without this clinical feature (OR = 5.41, 95% CI 2.50-11.68, P = 0.02). We describe a novel association between RPI/RPI and T/T homozygous carriage and patients with discoid rash. The role of the intron 3 polymorphism of the IL4 gene in SLE remains unclear and further substantiation based on larger patient samples is needed.
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Huang CM, Wu MC, Wu JY, Tsai FJ. No association of interleukin-4 gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2002; 20:871-2. [PMID: 12508786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
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Huang CM, Wu MC, Wu JY, Tsai FJ. Association of vitamin D receptor gene BsmI polymorphisms in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2002; 11:31-4. [PMID: 11898916 DOI: 10.1191/0961203302lu143oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes BsmI polymorphisms were markers for susceptibility to or severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Chinese patients in Taiwan. The study included 47 Chinese patients with SLE. In addition, 90 unrelated, healthy individuals living in central Taiwan served as control subjects. Each polymorphism was detected as a result of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis. A PCR product length was determined to be 580bp (BB) whereas two fragments of 405 and 175bp were determined to be excisable lengths (bb) by BsmI endonuclease. The relationship between Bsm polymorphisms and clinical manifestations of SLE was evaluated. We found that BB was significantly more common and bb less common in SLE than in control group (chi2 = 54.2, P < 0.0001). In addition, the frequency of B allele was also significantly more common in patients with SLE than in the healthy control subjects (chi2 = 38.7, P < 0.0001), giving an odds ratio of 7.14 (95% confidence interval 3.53-14.4). In the SLE patients, we did not detect any associations of VDR genotype with the clinical, laboratory profiles, or lupus nephritis (chi2 = 2.34, P = 0.3). This study indicated an increased distribution of VDR BB genotype and B allelic frequencies in the Chinese SLE patients in Taiwan. However, there were no associations between the frequency of VDR allelic variations and clinical manifestations, laboratory profiles, or lupus nephritis.
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Chang AY, Huang CM, Chan JY, Chan SH. Involvement of noradrenergic innervation from locus coeruleus to hippocampal formation in negative feedback regulation of penile erection in the rat. Hippocampus 2002; 11:783-92. [PMID: 11811673 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.1094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrated previously that a novel negative feed back mechanism for the regulation of penile erection, which is triggered by ascending sensory inputs initiated by tumescence of the penis, exists in the hippocampal formation (HF). This study further elucidated the role of the locus coeruleus (LC), which is the largest aggregate of norepinephrine-containing neurons in the brain and provides the major noradrenergic innervation to the HF, in this process. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats that were anesthetized and maintained with chloral hydrate were used. The intracavernous pressure (ICP) recorded from the corpus cavernosum of the penis was used as the experimental index for penile erection. Electrical activation of the LC elicited a significant reduction in baseline ICP. Similar observations were obtained on microinjection bilaterally into the hippocampal CA1 or CA3 subfield or dentate gyrus of equimolar doses (5 nmol) of norepinephrine (alpha1-, alpha2-agonist), phenylephrine (alpha1-agonist), or BHT 933 (alpha2-agonist). Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the LC discernibly enhanced the magnitude and/or duration of the elevation in ICP induced by intracavernous administration of papaverine (400 microgram). A potentiation of the papaverine-evoked ICP increase was also observed following pretreatment with bilateral hippocampal application of equimolar doses (250 pmol) of either prazosin (alpha1-, alpha2B-, alpha2C-antagonist), naftopidil (alpha1A/D-antagonist), yohimbine (alpha2-antagonst), or rauwolscine (alpha2B-, alpha2C-antagonist). None of these antagonists, however, affected baseline ICP. These results suggest that noradrenergic innervation of the HF that originates from the LC may play an active role in negative feedback regulation of penile erection, engaging at least alpha1A/D-, alpha2B-, and alpha2C-adrenoceptors in the HF.
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Chang AY, Chan JY, Kao FJ, Huang CM, Chan SH. Engagement of inducible nitric oxide synthase at the rostral ventrolateral medulla during mevinphos intoxication in the rat. J Biomed Sci 2001; 8:475-83. [PMID: 11702011 DOI: 10.1007/bf02256610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the relationship between the toxicity induced by the organophosphate mevinphos (Mev) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the medullary origin of sympathetic neurogenic vasomotor tone. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats that were anesthetized and maintained with propofol were used. Laser scanning confocal microscopic analysis revealed colocalization of the M2 subtype of muscarinic receptors (M(2)R) and iNOS immunoreactivity in RVLM neurons. Comicroinjection bilaterally of Mev (10 nmol) and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) into the RVLM elicited a progressive decline in systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate. This was accompanied during phase 1 Mev intoxication by an increase in the power density of the very high-frequency (VHF; 5-9 Hz), high-frequency (HF; 0.8-2.4 Hz), low-frequency (LF; 0.25- 0.8 Hz) and very low-frequency (VLF; 0-0.25 Hz) components of SAP signals. Phase 2 exhibited a reversal of the VHF and VLF power to control levels and a further reduction in the power density of both HF and LF components to below baseline. Hypotension and bradycardia promoted by Mev were significantly blunted on coadministration into the RVLM of the selective iNOS inhibitors S-methylisothiourea (250 pmol) or aminoguanidine (250 pmol). Not only was the augmented power density of HF and LF components during phase 1 Mev intoxication further enhanced, the reduced power of these two spectral components during phase 2 was appreciably antagonized. On the other hand, the temporal changes in VHF and VLF power were essentially the same as with coadministration of Mev and aCSF. We conclude that, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, Mev may induce toxicity via nitric oxide produced by iNOS on activation of the M(2)R by the accumulated acetylcholine in the RVLM.
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Huang CM, Tsai FJ, Wu JY, Wu MC. Interleukin-1beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2001; 30:225-8. [PMID: 11578018 DOI: 10.1080/030097401316909576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate if IL-1beta (IL-1beta promoter and IL-1beta exon 5) and IL-1receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene polymorphisms act as markers of susceptibility to or severity of RA. The study included 104 RA patients and 103 normal controls. No significant difference was observed in the cytokine allelic frequencies of IL-1beta promoter and IL-1beta exon 5 between patients with RA and healthy controls. In addition, there was no significant association in the cytokine carriage rates of I and II allele of IL-1Ra between RA patients and healthy controls. In contrast, the IV allele of IL-1Ra was significantly increased in RA patients with low inflammatory activity (P=0.03). This study indicated that allelic frequency and carriage rate of IL-1beta (IL-1beta promoter and IL-1beta exon 5) and IL-1Ra (I and II allele) do not differ significantly between normal controls and RA patients in Taiwan. However, the carriage rate of IV allele of IL-1Ra was high in the RA patients with low inflammatory activity.
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Huang CM, Shui HA, Wu YT, Chu PW, Lin KG, Kao LS, Chen ST. Proteomic analysis of proteins in PC12 cells before and after treatment with nerve growth factor: increased levels of a 43-kDa chromogranin B-derived fragment during neuronal differentiation. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2001; 92:181-92. [PMID: 11483256 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(01)00118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Proteomic analysis is an important approach to characterizing the proteome and studying protein function in the post-genomic era. It is also a powerful screening method for detecting unexpected alterations in protein expression that may be missed by conventional biochemical techniques. The aim of this study was to perform a preliminary proteomic analysis of PC12 cells in order to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on protein expression in PC12 cells during neurite outgrowth. PC12 cell proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and visualized by silver staining, then certain proteins were identified by N-terminal amino acid microsequencing and a homology search of a protein sequence database. Over 400 proteins were detected, 10% of which showed a significant (greater than 30%) increase or decrease in expression during NGF-induced neuronal differentiation. Seven proteins in the 2DE map were identified; the levels of five of these were unaffected by NGF treatment, whereas the levels of the other two, beta-tubulin and a novel 43-kDa chromogranin B-derived fragment, were significantly increased by more than 30 and 200%, respectively. Our results suggest that chromogranin B processing is enhanced in PC12 cells during NGF-induced neuronal differentiation. In addition, since this increase in the levels of the chromogranin B-derived fragment was specifically blocked by PD98059, we suggest that the increased processing can be ascribed to activation of the MAP kinase pathway, and that the 43-kDa chromogranin B-derived fragment can serve as a new marker of neuronal differentiation for proteomic studies.
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Sha CK, Hong AW, Huang CM. Synthesis of aza bicyclic enones via anionic cyclization: application to the total synthesis of (-)-brunsvigine. Org Lett 2001; 3:2177-9. [PMID: 11440573 DOI: 10.1021/ol016022n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
[reaction: see text] A general approach to the synthesis of aza bicyclic enones was developed via a simple two-step annulation involving a Mitsunobu protocol and anionic cyclization. According to this strategy the total synthesis of (-)-brunsvigine was accomplished with 12% overall yield.
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Pan TL, Goto S, Lord R, Huang YC, Huang CM, Wang PW, Lin YC, Kawamoto S, Ono K, Liao PC, Lin CL, Lai CY, Chang HL, Lan CH, Lee TH, Wang YC, Wu ML, Jawan B, Cheng YF, Chen ST, Chen CL. Proteome analysis in liver transplantation. Transplant Proc 2001; 33:156. [PMID: 11266756 DOI: 10.1016/s0041-1345(00)01952-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Huang CM, Wu YT, Chen ST. Targeting delivery of paclitaxel into tumor cells via somatostatin receptor endocytosis. CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY 2000; 7:453-61. [PMID: 10903942 DOI: 10.1016/s1074-5521(00)00131-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The binding of somatostatin (SST) to endogenous G-protein-coupled receptors (SST receptors or SSTRs) is followed by internalization of SST, and, several reports have shown that a high density of SSTRs is present on most hormone-secreting tissue tumors. Facile synthesis of the long-acting SST analog, octreotide, has previously been described. Octreotide might be of practical value in developing tumor tracers and in serving as a carrier of cytotoxic antitumor drugs. RESULTS Fluorescein-labeled octreotide was internalized into the cytosol of human breast MCF-7 carcinoma cells via binding to SSTRs. Octreotide-conjugated paclitaxel (taxol) was created by coupling taxol-succinate to the amino-terminal end of octreotide. This conjugate retains the biological activity of taxol in inducing formation of tubulin bundles, eventually causing apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Cytotoxicity of octreotide-conjugated taxol is mainly mediated by SSTR, as shown by the observation that octreotide pretreatment can rescue the induced cell death. In comparison with free taxol, this conjugate shows much less toxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells. CONCLUSIONS Octreotide-conjugated taxol exerts the same antitumor effect of free taxol on stabilizing microtubule formation and inducing cell death. This conjugate triggers tumor cell apoptosis mediated by SSTRs and is exclusively toxic to SSTR-expressing cells. Octreotide-conjugated taxol is less toxic to low-SSTR-expressing cells compared with free taxol. Our results strongly indicated that octreotide-conjugated taxol demonstrates cell selectivity and may be used as a targeting agent for cancer therapy.
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Hwang CF, Su CY, Kou SC, Huang SC, Leung SW, Huang CM, Cho CL. Diagnostic usefulness of telomerase activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Jpn J Cancer Res 2000; 91:760-6. [PMID: 10920285 PMCID: PMC5926413 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2000.tb01010.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes which are composed of simple repetitive G-rich hexameric sequences. Activation of telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein that synthesizes telomeric DNA, is found in most malignant tumors. However, little data is available concerning the correlation between telomerase activity and NPC (nasopharyngeal carcinoma). In this study, telomerase activation was determined using the TRAP (telomerase repeat amplification protocol) assay in 62 nasopharyngeal biopsies (25 NPC, 25 non-malignant nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissues, 12 post-irradiated nasopharyngeal tissues). The results showed that strong telomerase activity was present in both NPC and non-malignant nasopharyngeal biopsies. Post-irradiated nasopharyngeal samples had a significantly lower telomerase activity than NPC and non-malignant nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissues. It is well known that nasopharyngeal tissue is infiltrated by numerous lymphocytes, which might retain telomerase activity. Therefore, the finding that the telomerase activation was lowest in post-irradiated nasopharyngeal tissues is reasonable because of the destruction of activated lymphocytes and NPC by radiation. NPC biopsies with positive lymph node involvement exhibited higher levels of telomerase compared to those without lymph node involvement. Our data indicate a positive association between telomerase activity and tumor potential for lymphatic spreading in limited local tumors. In addition, telomerase activity may be useful as a diagnostic marker in the detection of tumor cells in recurrent NPC, but not in primary NPC.
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Abstract
Gout with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) has rarely been reported, whereas mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) with the demonstration of intra-articular monosodium urate crystals has never been reported. We describe an unusual case of MCTD (SLE-PSS) in a 37-year-old woman who developed acute gouty arthritis. Arthrocentesis and synovianalysis may be necessary to differentiate gout from the arthropathy of MCTD.
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