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Chang YT, Tsai SF, Lee DD, Shiao YM, Huang CY, Liu HN, Wang WJ, Wong CK. A study of candidate genes for psoriasis near HLA-C in Chinese patients with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2003; 148:418-23. [PMID: 12653732 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05166.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic analyses have identified the HLA-Cw6 allele as the major risk allele for psoriasis in many racial groups. However, by serological typing, HLA-Cw6 is not considered a risk factor in Chinese psoriatics. There are several susceptibility genes for psoriasis residing in chromosome 6p near the HLA-C locus, including the corneodesmosin (CDSN) gene, the octamer transcription factor-3 (POU5F1) gene, the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA), and the gene for tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. However, the information about their role in psoriasis in Chinese patients is limited. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether Cw6 and the genetic polymorphism of the CDSN gene, POU5F1 gene, MICA gene and the gene for TNF-alpha promoter region were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in Chinese patients. METHODS We conducted a case-control association study in 105 Chinese patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 160 control subjects of similar ages. Genotypes of Cw6, the CDSN gene, the POU5F1 gene, and the gene for the TNF-alpha promoter region were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Genotyping of MICA was determined by PCR combined with fluorescent-based automated fragment detection technology. Results The allele frequencies showed no differences between patients and controls for the POU5F1 gene, MICA gene and the gene for TNF-alpha promoter region. The frequency of the HLA-Cw6 allele in the psoriasis group was significantly higher than that in the control group (18.6% vs. 6.56%, P < 0.00005). For the CDSN gene, patients were more likely to have C allele at position +619 (P = 0.006) and C allele at position +1243 (P = 0.007), but the significance disappeared after correction for multiple testing (Pc > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS HLA-Cw6 remains the most significant susceptibility gene in Chinese patients with psoriasis. However, the role of the CDSN gene in the pathogenesis of psoriasis deserves further scrutiny.
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Yu S, He ZL, Huang CY, Chen GC, Calvert DV. Adsorption-desorption behavior of copper at contaminated levels in red soils from China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2002; 31:1129-1136. [PMID: 12175030 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2002.1129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Adsorption-desorption of copper (Cu2+) at contaminated levels in two red soils was investigated. The red soil derived from the Quaternary red earths (clayey, kaolinitic thermic plinthite Aquult) (REQ) adsorbed more Cu2+ than the red soil developed on the Arenaceous rock (clayey, mixed siliceous thermic typic Dystrochrept) (RAR). The maximum adsorption values (M(A)) that are obtained from the simple Langmuir model were 25.90 and 20.17 mmol Cu2+ kg(-1) soil, respectively, for REQ and RAR. Adsorption of Cu2+ decreased soil pH, by 0.8 unit for the REQ soil and 0.6 unit for the RAR soil at the highest loadings. The number of protons released per Cu2+ adsorbed increased sigmoidally with increasing initial Cu2+ concentration for the RAR soil, but the relationship was almost linear for the REQ soil. The RAR soil released about 2.57 moles of proton per mole of Cu2+ adsorbed at the highest Cu2+ loading and the corresponding value for the REQ soil was 1.12. The distribution coefficient (Kd) decreased exponentially with increasing Cu2+ loading. Most of the adsorbed Cu2+ in the soils was readily desorbed in the NH4Ac. After five successive extractions with 1 mol L(-1) NH4Ac (p 5.0), 61 to 95% of the total adsorbed Cu2+ in the RAR soil was desorbed and the corresponding value for the REQ soil was 85 to 92%, indicating that the RAR soil had a greater affinity for Cu2+ than the REQ soil at low levels of adsorbed Cu2+.
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Kinney RM, Huang CY. Development of new vaccines against dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis. Intervirology 2002; 44:176-97. [PMID: 11509879 DOI: 10.1159/000050045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne dengue (DEN) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) viruses are the leading causes of arthropod-transmitted viral disease in humans. A licensed tetravalent vaccine that provides effective, long-term immunity against all four serotypes of DEN virus is needed, but is currently unavailable. Improvements to currently available JE vaccines are also needed. Past and recent strategies for the development of new DEN and JE vaccines include inactivated and live attenuated viruses, engineered viruses and chimeric viruses derived from infectious cDNA clones of DEN or JE virus, recombinant poxviruses, recombinant baculoviruses, protein expression in Escherichia coli, and naked DNA vaccines. This report summarizes some of the recent developments in DEN and JE vaccinology, particularly vaccine strategies that involve live attenuated viruses, engineered viruses derived from infectious cDNA clones, and naked DNA vaccines.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Dengue/immunology
- Dengue/prevention & control
- Dengue/virology
- Dengue Virus/genetics
- Dengue Virus/immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/genetics
- Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/immunology
- Encephalitis, Japanese/immunology
- Encephalitis, Japanese/prevention & control
- Encephalitis, Japanese/virology
- Humans
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Vaccines, Attenuated/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/genetics
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
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El-Ghamry AM, Xu JM, Huang CY, Gan J. Microbial response to bensulfuron-methyl treatment in soil. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2002; 50:136-139. [PMID: 11754557 DOI: 10.1021/jf010756x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A laboratory incubation study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bensulfuron-methyl treatment on soil microbial biomass and N-mineralization of a loamy sand soil. The herbicide was applied at 0 (control), 0.01 (field rate), 0.1, and 1.0 microg g(-1), and soil microbial biomass carbon (C(mb)), soil microbial biomass nitrogen (N(mb)), and N-mineralization rate (k) were measured at different times after herbicide treatment. Compared to the untreated soil, C(mb) and N(mb) decreased significantly (p < or = 0.05) within the first 7 days after herbicide treatment at 0.1 and 1.0 microg g(-1), and the impact was greater for N(mb) than for C(mb). Nitrogen mineralization was significantly suppressed during the first 5 days of incubation when the soil was treated with bensulfuron-methyl at 0.1 and 1.0 microg g(-1). The overall impact of bensulfuron-methyl to the soil microbial communities was closely related to the application rate in the range of 0.01-1.0 microg g(-1). This effect, however, was found to be transitory, and significant impact occurred only at high application rates.
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Huang CY, Getahun Z, Wang T, DeGrado WF, Gai F. Time-resolved infrared study of the helix-coil transition using (13)C-labeled helical peptides. J Am Chem Soc 2001; 123:12111-2. [PMID: 11724630 DOI: 10.1021/ja016631q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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81
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Huang CY, Su WJ, Perng RP. Childhood tuberculosis presenting as an anterior chest wall abscess. J Formos Med Assoc 2001; 100:829-31. [PMID: 11802524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chest wall abscess is a rare manifestation of childhood tuberculosis. We report a case of a tuberculous chest wall abscess in a 4-year-old healthy girl who had received Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination at birth. She developed a localized anterior chest wall mass, which was initially mistaken for enchondroma on the chest radiograph. Pathologic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation and positive acid-fast staining, which confirmed the diagnosis of chest wall tuberculosis infection. She received a 12-month course of anti-tuberculous treatment and was perfectly well 1 year later. The chest wall lesion resolved without the need for surgery. In conclusion, tuberculosis should be excluded in children with undiagnosed chest wall lesions, especially in endemic areas, even if they have been vaccinated with BCG. Adequate anti-tuberculosis treatment can result in a complete recovery.
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Chiang AS, Liu YC, Chiu SL, Hu SH, Huang CY, Hsieh CH. Three-dimensional mapping of brain neuropils in the cockroach, Diploptera punctata. J Comp Neurol 2001; 440:1-11. [PMID: 11745603 DOI: 10.1002/cne.1365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we present a complete three-dimensional (3D) map of major neuropil structures in the central brain of the cockroach Diploptera punctata. The positions of the structures have been ascertained by confocal microscopy, which, until now-for reasons of tissue opacity and nonhomogeneity-has been thought impractical in imaging fluorescently labeled structures thicker than 150 microm. In this report, however, we have used digestive enzymes and microwave-aided fixation to stain, clear, and optically section, in its entirety, an intact central brain more than 500 microm thick. The central brain from an adult female cockroach was stained thoroughly with the membrane probe NBD-ceramide and the DNA probe propidium iodide. The central brain as well as such neuropil regions as mushroom bodies, central complex, antennal glomeruli, and lobus glomerulati were individually outlined, segmented, and reconstructed in three dimensions to a spatial resolution of approximately 1 microm in the X-Y plane and 3 microm in the Z plane. The volume and surface area of each neuropil compartment were determined, and Kenyon cells of the mushroom bodies were counted. We determined that each brain hemisphere contains about 230,000 Kenyon cells, 99 antennal lobe glomeruli, and 40 lobus glomerulatus glomeruli. Segmented compartments were assigned as separate channels and merged into a single data base to reconstruct a 3D central brain containing eight different channels. This is the first 3D map at submicron resolution of an entire animal's brain that measures more than 500 microm in thickness.
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Jwo SC, Chen KS, Lee CM, Huang CY. Correction of migrated peritoneal dialysis catheters using lunderquist guidewire: a preliminary report. Perit Dial Int 2001; 21:619-21. [PMID: 11783775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
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84
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Chung CH, Chiang J, Jiang CM, Chen YY, Huang CY, Chen PG, Chen YJ. Basic fibroblast growth factor as a growth factor for SRV-2-infected simian retroperitoneal fibromatosis cells, an animal model for AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma. Neoplasma 2001; 48:192-9. [PMID: 11583288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) were demonstrated to be important factors sustaining the growth of Kaposi's sarcoma. RF cells were used to provide a model to study the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma. In this paper, we demonstrated that bFGF is present in the RF cells, cultured media, and tissues from monkey. The biological activities of bFGF on RF cells were also studied in vitro with serum-free media. The bFGF from serum-free-conditioned media is biologically active to stimulate RF cells in certain media condition. The mitogenic effect was abrogated by sheep neutralizing anti-bFGF antibody. Furthermore, the effect of antibody was reversed by the addition of exogenous bFGF. ELISA measurements indicating the growth potency of conditioned media correlated with the amount of bFGF in the conditioned media. The data from flow cytometry demonstrated the co-existence of SRV-2 and bFGF among RF cells and RF tissues. Immunohistochemical staining of RF tissue blocks for bFGF revealed that bFGF was present in the tumor and the presence of bFGF was not caused by the artifact of tissue culture. These results indicate that bFGF is an important growth factor to promote RF cell growth in vitro and RF tumor in vivo. Further studies are required to determine the relationship between the interaction of bFGF, SRV-2, and VEGF. This model also provides an adequate alternative to the model induced by simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to study the Kaposi's sarcoma.
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Abstract
Using a TCRalpha chain knock-in mouse, we demonstrate that V-gene replacement can operate in the T cell receptor alpha locus. Functional TCRalpha chain transcripts generated by Valpha-gene replacement at the site of the Valpha-embedded heptamer were identified in splenic T cells. This finding shows that Valpha-gene replacement can likely be used to shape the peripheral T cell repertoire. The conservation of the embedded heptamer in most Valpha segments adds support to the notion that V-gene replacement is a mechanism maintained to diversify the immune system and that argues that it is common to B and T cells.
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Huang CY, Mow VC, Ateshian GA. The role of flow-independent viscoelasticity in the biphasic tensile and compressive responses of articular cartilage. J Biomech Eng 2001; 123:410-7. [PMID: 11601725 DOI: 10.1115/1.1392316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A long-standing challenge in the biomechanics of connective tissues (e.g., articular cartilage, ligament, tendon) has been the reported disparities between their tensile and compressive properties. In general, the intrinsic tensile properties of the solid matrices of these tissues are dictated by the collagen content and microstructural architecture, and the intrinsic compressive properties are dictated by their proteoglycan content and molecular organization as well as water content. These distinct materials give rise to a pronounced and experimentally well-documented nonlinear tension-compression stress-strain responses, as well as biphasic or intrinsic extracellular matrix viscoelastic responses. While many constitutive models of articular cartilage have captured one or more of these experimental responses, no single constitutive law has successfully described the uniaxial tensile and compressive responses of cartilage within the same framework. The objective of this study was to combine two previously proposed extensions of the biphasic theory of Mow et al. [1980, ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 102, pp. 73-84] to incorporate tension-compression nonlinearity as well as intrinsic viscoelasticity of the solid matrix of cartilage. The biphasic-conewise linear elastic model proposed by Soltz and Ateshian [2000, ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 122, pp. 576-586] and based on the bimodular stress-strain constitutive law introduced by Curnier et al. [1995, J. Elasticity, 37, pp. 1-38], as well as the biphasic poroviscoelastic model of Mak [1986, ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 108, pp. 123-130], which employs the quasi-linear viscoelastic model of Fung [1981, Biomechanics: Mechanical Properties of Living Tissues, Springer-Verlag, New York], were combined in a single model to analyze the response of cartilage to standard testing configurations. Results were compared to experimental data from the literature and it was found that a simultaneous prediction of compression and tension experiments of articular cartilage, under stress-relaxation and dynamic loading, can be achieved when properly taking into account both flow-dependent and flow-independent viscoelasticity effects, as well as tension-compression nonlinearity.
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Huang CY, Klemke JW, Getahun Z, DeGrado WF, Gai F. Temperature-dependent helix-coil transition of an alanine based peptide. J Am Chem Soc 2001; 123:9235-8. [PMID: 11562202 DOI: 10.1021/ja0158814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The helix-coil transition of a synthetic alpha-helical peptide (the D-Arg peptide), Ac-YGG(KAAAA)(3)-CO-D-Arg-CONH(2), was studied by static far-UV circular dichroism (CD) and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy coupled with the laser-induced temperature-jump technique for rapid relaxation initiation. Equilibrium thermal unfolding measurements of the D-Arg peptide monitored by CD spectroscopy reveal an apparent two-state helix-coil transition, with a thermal melting temperature around 10 degrees C. Time-resolved infrared (IR) measurements following a laser-induced temperature jump, however, reveal biphasic (or multiphasic) relaxation kinetics. The fast phase rises within the 20 ns response time of the detection system. The slow phase has a decay lifetime of approximately 140 ns at 300 K and exhibits monotonic temperature dependence with an apparent activation energy around 15.5 kcal/mol.
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88
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Lin SC, Tseng FG, Huang HM, Huang CY, Chieng CC. Microsized 2D protein arrays immobilized by micro-stamps and micro-wells for disease diagnosis and drug screening. FRESENIUS' JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2001; 371:202-8. [PMID: 11678192 DOI: 10.1007/s002160100991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A novel method of protein array immobilization, using micro stamps to pick up proteins from micro wells and deposit them on to a bio-absorption chip, has been developed. This method can potentially transfer several protein spots on to an organized array for applications such as disease diagnosis and drug screening by parallel biological or chemical processes. Fabrication of the micro stamp and the micro well arrays involves thick-photoresist lithography, bulk micromachining, and a molding process, whereas fabrication of the bio-absorption chip involves amino-modification by use of APTS (aminopropyItrimethoxysilane) and surface activation by use of BS3 (bis-sulfosuccinimidyl suberate). Successful transfer of protein on to the bio-absorption surface using the micro stamp-well array has been demonstrated. The size variation between different stamping spots has been shown to be less than 10%, and the APTS-BS3 surface has also been proved to bind the protein efficiently. Appreciable protein retention was achieved during 6-h washing, which shows the binding strength of the bio-absorption surface is sufficient for protein processing.
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Chang YT, Tsai SF, Wang WJ, Hong CJ, Huang CY, Wong CK. A study of apolipoproteins E and A-I in cutaneous amyloids. Br J Dermatol 2001; 145:422-7. [PMID: 11531831 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04402.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is present in a variety of biochemically different amyloid deposits, including Alzheimer's disease, systemic amyloidosis and primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA). Among the three closely related alleleic forms of apoE, the epsilon4 allele is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), another apolipoprotein, is also found in senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease and in amyloid of aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, apoA-I has recently been found to be associated with hereditary cutaneous and cardiac amyloidosis. OBJECTIVES To determine whether the apoE epsilon4 allele is associated with increased risk of PCA and whether apoE and apoA-I are present in PCA and common secondary cutaneous amyloidosis (SCA) (i.e. basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease and seborrhoeic keratosis). METHODS We examined the apoE genotype in 57 Chinese patients with PCA and 58 normal healthy control subjects of similar age. In addition, immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the localization of apoE and apoA-I in skin tissues from 15 patients with SCA and 15 with PCA. RESULTS The frequency of the epsilon4 allele in the PCA group was not significantly higher than that in the control group (8.8% vs. 6.9%, P > 0.05). ApoE was present in amyloid deposits in both PCA and SCA, but apoA-I was not detected in these cutaneous amyloid deposits. CONCLUSIONS ApoE is also a component of amyloid deposits in SCA. Although the genetic susceptibility of certain apoE isoforms may not be a crucial factor in the development of PCA and, although apoA-I is not associated with amyloid deposits of PCA and SCA, the role of apolipoproteins in amyloidogenesis deserves further scrutiny.
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Huang CY, Liu PC, Lee KK. Withering syndrome of the small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta, is caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus and associated with thermal induction. Z NATURFORSCH C 2001; 56:898-901. [PMID: 11724402 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2001-9-1036] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The susceptibility of the small abalone Haliotis diversicolor supertexta to Vibrio parahaemolyticus 880915 strain and its extracellular products (ECP) at different temperatures was investigated. The strain was previously isolated from the haemolymph of the moribund small abalone with withering syndrome during an outbreak of mass mortality among the cultured animals in September 1999 in I-Lan, Taiwan. The bacterium and its ECP were lethal to the small abalone. Onset of the withering syndrome in the moribund or dead animals could be observed at 4-7 d post-bacterial challenge. The same bacterial strain could be isolated from the haemolymph of the moribund animals with or without the syndrome post-bacterial challenge. This syndrome could not be observed in the moribund or dead animals post-ECP challenge. The animals were more susceptible to the bacterium and ECP challenge at higher temperature (28 degrees C) indicating that the outbreak of the disease in warmer season is associated with thermal induction.
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Chien CR, Chen SW, Hsieh CY, Liang JA, Yang SN, Huang CY, Lin FJ. Retrospective comparison of the AJCC 5th edition classification for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with the AJCC 4th edition: an experience in Taiwan. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2001; 31:363-9. [PMID: 11574628 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hye087] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the new AJCC 5th edition classification system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with the AJCC 4th edition by re-evaluating the staging of patients treated in Taiwan. METHODS From 1992 through 1996, 117 NPC patients without distant metastasis were treated using complete courses of radiotherapy. All patients had complete CT examinations of the nasopharynx and neck. Each patient was re-staged according to the 5th edition of the AJCC classification system. Their overall survival (OS), loco-regional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between the two staging systems, using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, Wilcoxon test and Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 58.3 months, the 5-year OS for stage I, II, III and IV was 88, 86, 61 and 48%, respectively, according to the new staging. A more even distribution of patients was noted among the patients classified according to the AJCC 5th edition than the 4th edition. The distribution of stages I, II, III and IV was 13.7, 37.6, 15.4 and 33.3%, respectively, using the new staging system, whereas it was 0.8, 14.5, 20.5 and 64.2%, respectively, using the old staging system. More statistically significant differences among 5th edition stages and T classifications than the 4th edition were also noted. CONCLUSIONS The 5th edition of the AJCC staging system appears to have a more even distribution of patients and more statistically significant differences in predicting prognosis than the 4th edition, mostly in stages and T classification.
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Chen CH, Huang PJ, Chen TB, Cheng YM, Lin SY, Chiang HC, Huang CY, Huang CK. Surgical treatment for Haglund's deformity. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2001; 17:419-22. [PMID: 11715841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Haglund's deformity, or "pump bump" is a common cause of posterior heel pain, characterized clinically by a painful soft tissue swelling at the level of the Achilles tendon insertion. We reviewed 30 heels in 19 patients with failure of conservative treatment. Surgical management consisted of excision of the posterior calcaneal tuberosity and bursectomy through a medial longitudinal incision. The average follow-up period was 6 years (range, 3-10 years). Only 3 heels (10%) in 2 patients had persistent pain. Twenty-seven heels (90%) were cured after operation. However, 25 heels (83%) had residual pain for a half to two years after operation and became free of symptoms thereafter. We conclude surgical treatment of Haglund's deformity produces a predictably good result (90%) but requires a long time about a half to two years for full recovery.
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Rosenblatt A, Brinkman RR, Liang KY, Almqvist EW, Margolis RL, Huang CY, Sherr M, Franz ML, Abbott MH, Hayden MR, Ross CA. Familial influence on age of onset among siblings with Huntington disease. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS 2001; 105:399-403. [PMID: 11449389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
In order to provide data relevant to a search for modifying genes for age of onset in Huntington disease, we examined the relationship between CAG number and age of onset in a total of 370 individuals from 165 siblingships, in two cohorts of siblings with Huntington disease: an American group of 144 individuals from 64 siblingships, and a Canadian population of 255 individuals from 113 siblingships. Using a logarithmic model to regress the age of onset on the number of CAG triplets, we found that CAG number alone accounted for 65%-71% of the variance in age of onset. The siblingship an individual belonged to accounted for 11%-19% of additional variance. This adds to the previous evidence that there are familial modifiers of the age of onset, independent of the CAG number. Such modifiers may consist of additional genes, which could be the target of a linkage study. A linkage study is feasible with the cooperation of a number of major centers and may be made more efficient by concentrating on sibling pairs that are highly discordant for age of onset.
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el-Ghamry AM, Huang CY, Xu JM. Combined effects of two sulfonylurea herbicides on soil microbial biomass and N-mineralization. J Environ Sci (China) 2001; 13:311-317. [PMID: 11590762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The interaction effect of two sulfonylurea herbicides, bensulfuron-methyl (B) and metsulfuron-methyl(M), were tested on microbial biomass C, N, N-mineralization and C/N ratio in a loamy sand soil. The herbicides were applied at various levels of: control (B0M0), 0.01 and 0.01 (B1M1), 0.01 and 0.1 (B1M2), and 0.01 and 1.0 (B1M3) microgram/g soil. Determinations of soil microbial biomass-C, N and N-mineralization contents were carried out at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 25 and 45 days after herbicides application. The results showed that the soil microbial biomass-C (Cmic) and microbial biomass-N (Nmic) decreased consistently with the increasing rates of herbicides. The results further indicated that B1M1 and B1M2 caused a significant reduction in Cmic and Nmic within first 10 and 7 days of incubation, respectively, as compared with the control. These reductions in Cmic and Nmic were also significant (P = 0.05) with B1M3 application especially within first 15 days of incubation. A significant reduction in N-mineralization (N-min) was observed with high doses (B1M2, B1M3) of herbicides within first 5 days of incubation, while low rate (B1M1) failed to produce any significant effect. An increase in the soil microbial biomass C:N ratio was also noted.
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Lee YJ, Liu HC, Lee HC, Tzen CY, Huang CY, Yang TL. Picture of the month. Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B syndrome. ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE 2001; 155:845-6. [PMID: 11434855 DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.155.7.845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Pu YS, Chen J, Huang CY, Guan JY, Lu SH, Hour TC. Cross-resistance and combined cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel and cisplatin in bladder cancer cells. J Urol 2001; 165:2082-5. [PMID: 11371932 DOI: 10.1097/00005392-200106000-00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We studied the cross-resistance and combined cytotoxic effects of cisplatin and paclitaxel in bladder cancer cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cytotoxicity of the 2 agents alone or in combination were studied in the bladder cancer cell line NTUB1 and the 2 sublines NTUB1/P, which is cisplatin resistant, and NTUB1/T, which is paclitaxel resistant, using the microculture tetrazolium assay. Schedule dependence of the 2-drug combination was assayed using 3 treatment schedules, including 1 concurrent and 2 sequential exposures. RESULTS The mean cisplatin concentration plus or minus standard error of the means inhibiting 50% of the growth of NTUB1, NTUB1/P and NTUB1/T was 1.9 +/- 0.19, 19.3 +/- 2.33 and 2.1 +/- 0.15 microM., respectively, and the mean paclitaxel concentration inhibiting 50% of the growth of the 3 cell lines was 30 +/- 3.9, 1,033 +/- 120 and 110 +/- 15 nM., respectively. NTUB1/P had strong cross-resistance to paclitaxel. In contrast, NTUB1/T was as sensitive as NTUB1 to cisplatin. On median effect analysis the combined effects of the 2 agents given concurrently were sub-additive in the low fraction affected range of 0.1 to 0.3 and additive in the median to high fraction affected range of 0.4 to 1.0 in the 3 cell lines. Combined cytotoxicity was more synergistic when paclitaxel was given 24 hours earlier than cisplatin. The effects were less synergistic when cisplatin was given before paclitaxel. This phenomenon was noted in sensitive and resistant cells. CONCLUSIONS In our bladder cancer cell model cisplatin resistant cells have strong cross-resistance to paclitaxel, whereas paclitaxel resistant cells are sensitive to cisplatin. The combined effects may be optimized by sequential use of the 2 agents, preferably paclitaxel given 24 hours before cisplatin. Our results have clinical implications for the treatment of bladder cancer.
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Huang CY, Chang AK, Nixon PF, Duggleby RG. Site-directed mutagenesis of the ionizable groups in the active site of Zymomonas mobilis pyruvate decarboxylase: effect on activity and pH dependence. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 2001; 268:3558-65. [PMID: 11422387 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.02260.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC, EC 4.1.1.1) is a thiamin diphosphate-dependent enzyme about which there is a large body of structural and functional information. The active site contains several absolutely conserved ionizable groups and all of these appear to be important, as judged by the fact that mutation diminishes or abolishes catalytic activity. Previously we have shown [Schenk, G., Leeper, F.J., England, R., Nixon, P.F. & Duggleby, R.G. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 248, 63-71] that the activity is pH-dependent due to changes in kcat/Km while kcat itself is unaffected by pH. The effect on kcat/Km is determined by a group with a pKa of 6.45; the identity of this group has not been determined, although H113 is a possible candidate. Here we mutate five crucial residues in the active site with ionizable side-chains (D27, E50, H113, H114 and E473) in turn, to residues that are nonionizable or should have a substantially altered pKa. Each protein was purified and characterized kinetically. Unexpectedly, the pH-dependence of kcat/Km is largely unaffected in all mutants, ruling out the possibility that any of these five residues is responsible for the observed pKa of 6.45. We conjecture that the kcat/Km profile reflects the protonation of an alcoholate anion intermediate of the catalytic cycle.
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Wu YM, Huang CL, Kung HJ, Huang CY. Proteolytic activation of ETK/Bmx tyrosine kinase by caspases. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:17672-8. [PMID: 11278797 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m010964200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Etk/Bmx is a member of the Btk/Tec family of kinases, which are characterized by having a pleckstrin homology domain at the N terminus, in addition to the Src homology 3 (SH3), SH2, and the catalytic domains, shared with the Src family kinases. Etk, or Btk kinases in general, has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis. To test whether Etk is the substrate for caspases during apoptosis, in vitro translated [(35)S]methionine-labeled Etk was incubated with different apoptotic extracts and recombinant caspases, respectively. Results showed that Etk was proteolyzed in all conditions tested with identical cleavage patterns. Caspase-mediated cleavage of Etk generated a C-terminal fragment, containing the complete SH2 and tyrosine kinase domains, but without intact pleckstrin homology and SH3 domains. This fragment has 4-fold higher kinase activity than that of the full-length Etk. Ectopic expression of the C-terminal fragment of Etk sensitized the PC3 prostate cancer cells to apoptosis in response to apoptosis-inducing stimuli. The finding, together with an earlier report that Etk is potentially antiapoptotic, suggests that Etk may serve as an apoptotic switch, depending on the forms of Etk existing inside the cells. To our knowledge, this is the first case where the activity of a tyrosine kinase is induced by caspase cleavage.
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Su WJ, Huang CY, Huang CY, Perng RP. Utility of PCR assays for rapid diagnosis of BCG infection in children. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2001; 5:380-4. [PMID: 11334259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We report Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection in two children vaccinated with BCG (Tokyo strain) on the first day of life. Their diagnoses were made by biopsy of skin lesions and pus from an anterior chest wall abscess, respectively, yielding a positive culture of mycobacteria fully susceptible to rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol, but resistant to pyrazinamide. M. bovis BCG was identified by a negative niacin test, absence of nitrate reductase and resistance to pyrazinamide and cycloserine. The diagnoses were further confirmed by a combination of an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction ated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is the only available vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis. Although complications are rare after BCG vaccination and the outcome is usually favourable, serious BCG infections can occur. We report two cases of M. bovis BCG infection in children, a 4-year-old immunocompetent girl and an 8-month-old immunodeficient boy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BCG complications in children in which two recently developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods were used for rapid identification of M. bovis BCG infection. (PCR) and a multiplex PCR method. Based on the drug susceptibility results, treatment with rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol was instituted. One patient (Case 1) improved clinically and is well after treatment. However, the other patient with severe combined immunodeficiency died of disseminated BCG infection in spite of intensive anti-tuberculosis therapy. Although BCG is considered to be a safe vaccine, it should be kept in mind that complications related to BCG do occur.
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the stressors and coping behaviors of school-aged homeless children staying in shelters. A secondary analysis of interview data from 30 children, between the ages of 8 to 12 years, was used to delineate the stressors and coping behaviors. Homeless, family, self, peer, school, and violent behavior were the stressor categories derived from content analysis. The children expressed more stresses in the homeless, family, and self categories than in the other 3 categories. The coping behaviors from the content analysis were categorized by using Ryan-Wenger's (1992) coping taxonomy. The majority of the children's coping responses were in the social support, cognitive avoidance, and behavioral distraction categories. Nurses should assess each child's stressors and coping behaviors when providing care to homeless children, and assist the child in alleviating some stressors by strengthening one's coping behaviors.
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