101
|
Tang KH, Chang CH, Frey PA. Electron transfer in the substrate-dependent suicide inactivation of lysine 5,6-aminomutase. Biochemistry 2001; 40:5190-9. [PMID: 11318641 DOI: 10.1021/bi010157j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The lysine 5,6-aminomutase (5,6-LAM) purified from Clostridium sticklandii was found to undergo rapid inactivation in the absence of the activating enzyme E(2) and ATP. In the presence of substrate, inactivation was also seen for the recombinant 5,6-LAM. This adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzyme is postulated to generate cob(II)alamin and the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical through enzyme-induced homolytic scission of the Co-C bond. However, the products cob(III)alamin and 5'-deoxyadenosine were observed upon inactivation of 5,6-LAM. Cob(III)alamin production, as monitored by the increase in A(358), proceeds at the same rate as the loss of enzyme activity, suggesting that the activity loss is related to the adventitious generation of cob(III)alamin during enzymatic turnover. The cleavage of adenosylcobalamin to cob(III)alamin is accompanied by the formation of 5'-deoxyadenosine at the same rate, and the generation of cob(III)alamin proceeds at the same rate both aerobically and anaerobically. Suicide inactivation requires the presence of substrate, adenosylcobalamin, and PLP. We have ruled out the involvement of either the putative 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical or dioxygen in suicide inactivation. We have shown that one or more reaction intermediates derived from the substrate or/and the product, presumably a radical, participate in suicide inactivation of 5,6-LAM through electron transfer from cob(II)alamin. Moreover, L-lysine is found to be a slowly reacting substrate, and it induces inactivation at a rate similar to that of D-lysine. The alternative substrate beta-lysine induces inactivation at least 25 times faster than DL-lysine. The inactivation mechanism is compatible with the radical isomerization mechanism proposed to explain the action of 5,6-LAM.
Collapse
|
102
|
Su RM, Yu CH, Chang CH, Yang HB, Chang FM. Prenatal diagnosis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome complicated with hydrops fetalis at 14 weeks of gestation. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2001; 73:151-4. [PMID: 11336735 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7292(00)00388-x] [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: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) may complicate multiple pregnancy. Monochorionic discordant twins with oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios may be diagnostic. Hydrops fetalis is particularly ominous. All the signs can appear independently at any stage of gestation. However, TTTS with hydrops fetalis in early pregnancy is rare. We report here a case of TTTS complicated with hydrops fetalis diagnosed at 14 weeks of gestation. Our case may be one of the earliest cases of the prenatal diagnosis of TTTS complicated with hydrops fetalis in the literature.
Collapse
|
103
|
Tang KY, Lu T, Chang CH, Lo YK, Cheng JS, Wang JL, Chang HT, Jan CR. Effect of fluoxetine on intracellular Ca2+ levels in bladder female transitional carcinoma (BFTC) cells. Pharmacol Res 2001; 43:503-8. [PMID: 11394944 DOI: 10.1006/phrs.2001.0810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effect of the antidepressant fluoxetine on Ca2+ signaling in cultured cells was largely unknown. The effect of various concentrations of fluoxetine on [Ca 2+] i in populations of bladder female transitional cancer (BFTC) cells was evaluated by using fura-2 as a Ca2+ probe. Fluoxetine increased [Ca 2+] i concentration dependently (20-100 microM) with an EC50 value of 30 microM. The response was inhibited by 50-60% on extracellular Ca2+ removal. In Ca2+ -free medium, pretreatment with 1 microM thapsigargin (an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump) abolished 50 microM fluoxetine-induced Ca2+ release; whereas pretreatment with fluoxetine did not alter the thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ response. Addition of 3 mM Ca2+ increased [Ca 2+] i after pretreatment with 50 microM fluoxetine in Ca2+ -free medium, suggestive of fluoxetine-induced capacitative Ca2+ entry. Suppression of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation by 2 microM U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor) did not affect 50 microM fluoxetine-induced Ca2+ release. Collectively, this study shows that fluoxetine increased [Ca 2+] i in bladder cancer cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, by releasing Ca2+ from thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores in an IP3-independent manner, and by inducing Ca2+ influx from extracellular medium.
Collapse
|
104
|
Chang CH, Sheu MM, Lin KH, Chen CW. Hemorrhagic viral keratoconjunctivitis in Taiwan caused by adenovirus types 19 and 37: applicability of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in detecting adenovirus genotypes. Cornea 2001; 20:295-300. [PMID: 11322419 DOI: 10.1097/00003226-200104000-00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute keratoconjunctivitis with prominent subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is usually perceived by a clinician as acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) associated with enteroviruses; however, SCH can also be an adenoviruses infection. A rapid and sensitive laboratory diagnosis is helpful for differential diagnosis. Therefore, the sensitivity and applicability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR diagnoses were evaluated for keratoconjunctivitis associated with viral infection. METHODS Conjunctival swabs from patients with acute conjunctivitis were tested using a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for adenovirus detection and RT-PCR for enterovirus detection. The results were compared with those using the culture isolation and neutralization test; also, the clinical findings of the patients were analyzed with special attention to SCH patterns. RESULTS Neither coxsackievirus A type 24 variant (CA24v) nor enterovirus type 70 (EV70) was detected in 113 patients with acute conjunctivitis. The positive results of adenovirus (Ad) were 39.9% by the PCR method and 37.1% by culture isolation. For the patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis, 68.1% was owing to Ad37 and 19.2% was owing to Ad19. SCH was present in 51.5% of the positive cases, and 44.7% of the Ad-positive patients had secondary illnesses. CONCLUSIONS SCH can be a predominant presentation of Ad19 and Ad37 keratoconjunctivitis and may herald a new stage in the evolution of adenoviruses. PCR and PCR-RFLP are rapid and reliable methods for Ad detection and typing; however, if the amplified genes and restriction enzymes are not properly selected, they may not be able to detect new genotypes of adenoviruses or the evolution of these viruses.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adenovirus Infections, Human/diagnosis
- Adenovirus Infections, Human/epidemiology
- Adenovirus Infections, Human/virology
- Adenoviruses, Human/genetics
- Adenoviruses, Human/growth & development
- Adenoviruses, Human/isolation & purification
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Conjunctiva/virology
- Conjunctivitis, Acute Hemorrhagic/diagnosis
- Conjunctivitis, Acute Hemorrhagic/epidemiology
- Conjunctivitis, Acute Hemorrhagic/virology
- DNA Primers/chemistry
- DNA, Viral/analysis
- Female
- Genotype
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
- Prospective Studies
- Taiwan/epidemiology
- Virus Cultivation
Collapse
|
105
|
Abstract
Membrane-bound guanylate cyclase-A (GC-A), the receptor for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), has been shown to be regulated by its kinase-like domain. To resolve the nature of this regulation, we measured the effects of various proteases on the activity of guanylate cyclase in rat lung membranes, and on the activity of the bacterial-expressed catalytic domain (GC-c) and on a recombinant peptide composed of both the kinase-like and catalytic domain (GC-kc) of guanylate cyclase. Pronase increased rat guanylate cyclase activity in a biphasic manner with a maximal effect at about 10-20 microg per assay tube. Thermolysin had effects similar to those of pronase on the activity of guanylate cyclase in rat lung membranes. In the case of bacterial-expressed proteins, pronase increased the activity of GC-kc, but not GC-c. These results indicate that GC-A contains an autoinhibitory site on its kinase-like domain, and that removal of the autoinhibitory site by limited proteolysis leads to enzyme activation. GC-A was poorly activated by ANF and ATP after the rat lung membrane was pretreated with pronase, suggesting that ANF/ATP and pronase activate guanylate cyclase through the same mechanism. It is suggested that the binding of ANF and ATP to GC-A may induce a conformational change of the receptor that releases the inhibitory constraint on enzyme activity leading to enzyme activation.
Collapse
|
106
|
Wu CT, Huang SC, Chang CH. Surgical treatment of subluxation and dislocation of the hips in cerebral palsy patients. J Formos Med Assoc 2001; 100:250-6. [PMID: 11393124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Progressive subluxation and dislocation of the hip are major complications in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), causing functional deterioration and difficulties in personal hygiene. Treatment of these problems is difficult and complicated. The purpose of this study was to describe the surgical results and long-term follow-up in a group of CP patients. METHODS Twenty-three CP patients with subluxated (15 hips) or dislocated hips (12 hips) underwent corrective surgery between 1985 and 1993. This included 11 quadriplegic, eight diplegic, and four hemiplegic patients. Before surgery, four patients were bed-ridden, eight were sitters, six were house-ambulators, and five were community-ambulators. The average age at surgery was 8 years and 5 months. The surgical procedures consisted of femoral varus derotational osteotomy in 21 patients (25 hips), selected soft tissue release in 18 patients (22 hips), and pelvic osteotomy in 18 patients (20 hips). The center-edge angle, acetabular index, and neck-shaft angle were used as parameters to evaluate preoperative and postoperative radiographic changes. RESULTS After an average follow-up of 4.8 years, 19 patients (22 hips) had gained hip stability, and also had improved functional status. The four bed-ridden patients all became sitters; six of the eight sitters became house-ambulators and one became a community-ambulator; all six house-ambulators became community-ambulators, and the five community-ambulators had functional improvement. Complications included nonunion at the femoral osteotomy site in one hip, redislocation in two hips, and resubluxation in one hip. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that subluxated or dislocated hips in patients with CP can be effectively treated with aggressive correction, which may include soft tissue release, femoral derotational osteotomy, and pelvic osteotomy for improvement of hip range of motion and functional status.
Collapse
|
107
|
Chang CH, Anderson GT, Loizou PC. A neural network model for optimizing vowel recognition by cochlear implant listeners. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2001; 9:42-8. [PMID: 11482362 DOI: 10.1109/7333.918275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Due to the variability in performance among cochlear implant (CI) patients, it is becoming increasingly important to find ways to optimally fit patients with speech processing strategies. This paper proposes an approach based on neural networks, which can be used to automatically optimize the performance of CI patients. The neural network model is implemented in two stages. In the first stage, a neural network is trained to mimic the CI patient's performance on the vowel identification task. The trained neural network is then used in the second stage to adjust a free parameter to improve vowel recognition performance for each individual patient. The parameter examined in this study was a weighting function applied to the compressed channel amplitudes extracted from a 6-channel continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) strategy. Two types of weighting functions were examined, one which assumed channel interaction, and one which assumed no interaction between channels. Results showed that the neural network models closely matched the performance of five Med-EI/CIS-Link implant patients. The resulting weighting functions obtained after neural network training improved vowel performance, with the larger improvement (4%) attained by the weighting function which modeled channel interaction.
Collapse
|
108
|
Gourley TS, Chang CH. Cutting edge: the class II transactivator prevents activation-induced cell death by inhibiting Fas ligand gene expression. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2001; 166:2917-21. [PMID: 11207239 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.5.2917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Fas:Fas ligand pathway is critical in regulating immune homeostasis by eliminating activated T cells that proliferated in response to an infection. Here, we show that the MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) can suppress this pathway by inhibiting transcription of the Fas ligand gene. CIITA can effectively repress transcription from the Fas ligand promoter in both T cell lines as well as primary cells. The repression appears to be at least partly due to interference of NFAT-mediated induction of Fas ligand gene transcription. T cells that express CIITA constitutively do not up-regulate Fas ligand on the cell surface after activation via the TCR. Consequently, these cells lack the ability to undergo activation-induced cell death, and to kill Fas-bearing target cells.
Collapse
|
109
|
Chang CH, Chai CY, Ho KY, Kuo WR, Tai CF, Lin CS, Tsai SM, Wu SC, Juan KH. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin of myofibroblast in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2001; 17:133-8. [PMID: 11486645] [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] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of nasal polyps remains unclear, but recent work suggests that many cytokines are produced in nasal polyps (NPs) and that they may play various important roles in the pathogenesis of NPs. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), secreted by many inflammatory cells, is a potent inducer of myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts express alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and a source of extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we investigated a potential link between inflammation and the growth process in human NPs. Sixteen patients who were affected by NPs and who had undergone functional endoscopic sinus surgery were included in this study. Nasal mucosa of inferior turbinate (NM) of 10 patients who had received rhinoplasty or turbinectomy for other disease was used as the control. alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 were detected using immunohistochemistry and the number of labeled cells were counted (alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 indices). The expression of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 indices found in NPs and NM was compared using Student's t-test. In our study, alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 indices were found to be significantly higher in nasal polyps than in nasal mucosa. TGF-beta 1 produced by inflammatory cells can influence the development of myofibroblasts which in turn can induce extracellular matrix accumulation and, therefore, TGF-beta 1 plays a important role in the formation of nasal polyps.
Collapse
|
110
|
Chen ZJ, Che D, Chang CH. Antioxidants, vitamin C and dithiothreitol, activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase in PC12 cells. J Pharm Pharmacol 2001; 53:243-7. [PMID: 11273022 DOI: 10.1211/0022357011775262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes are known to protect against cell death induced by reactive oxygen species. However, apart from directly quenching free radicals, little is known about the effect of antioxidants on hormone-activated second messenger systems. We previously found that antioxidants such as 17-beta estradiol and resveratrol activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase GC-A, the receptor for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), in PC12 cells. It is possible that other antioxidants may also activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase GC-A. The aim of this study was to determine if dithiothreitol (DTT), vitamin C, and vitamin E activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase GC-A in PC12 cells. The results showed that both DTT and vitamin C increased cGMP levels in PC12 cells, whereas vitamin E had no effect. DTT and vitamin C inhibited membrane-bound guanylate cyclase activity stimulated by ANF in PC12 cells. In contrast, DTT and vitamin C had no effect on soluble guanylate cyclase activity stimulated by substance P. Furthermore, NO synthase inhibitors L-NAME and aminoguanidine did not affect DTT- and vitamin C-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. The results indicate that DTT and vitamin C, but not vitamin E, activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase GC-A in PC12 cells.
Collapse
|
111
|
Chang CH, Wright BD. Detecting unexpected variables in the MMPI 2 Social Introversion scale. JOURNAL OF APPLIED MEASUREMENT 2001; 2:227-40. [PMID: 12011508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The standard scoring structure of the revised Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) Social Introversion (Si) scale was reexamined with Rasch Measurement. The 69-item Si scale split into two distinct dimensions when their standardized residuals were factor analyzed. Items keyed "true" to Si defined one dimension and items keyed "false" defined another. Relationships between Lexile values (an index of reading difficulty and comprehension) and item difficulties were also explored. The article shows how to use Rasch Measurement to understand and improve personality assessment.
Collapse
|
112
|
Tseng DH, Guo GL, Chang CH, Huang SL. Removal of toluene in gas streams by a fibrous-bed trickling filter. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2001; 22:39-46. [PMID: 11286054 DOI: 10.1080/09593332208618312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A novel fibrous-bed trickling filter was developed to remove toluene present in contaminated air. Pure culture of Pseudomonas putida F1 was attached on fibrous-bed and utilized toluene as the carbon source. Experimental results indicated the removal efficiency decreased with the increase of inlet concentration. In general, the removal efficiency of toluene was greater than 90% when the inlet loading capacity was below 70 g m-3h-3. The elimination capacity increased with increasing inlet loading capacity, but the increased rate decreased gradually. When the inlet loading capacity increased to 300 g m-3h-1, the elimination capacity could approach to 130 g m-3h-1. The first order kinetics model was useful to describe the removal of toluene in this filter and an excellent linear relationship was found between the apparent first order parameter and inlet concentration (ranging from 1.2 g m-3 to 3.5 g m-3). Also, the performance of fibrous-bed trickling filter was relatively stable during the four-month period of continuous operation. Slight clogging phenomena of filters were observed only under high loading capacity.
Collapse
|
113
|
Hung HH, Chen YL, Lin SJ, Yang SP, Shih CC, Shiao MS, Chang CH. A salvianolic acid B-rich fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza induces neointimal cell apoptosis in rabbit angioplasty model. Histol Histopathol 2001; 16:175-83. [PMID: 11193193 DOI: 10.14670/hh-16.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis has been suggested to participate in stabilizing cell number in restenosis. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) Bunge which is a Chinese herb widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders contains a potent antioxidant, Salvianolic acid B. To determine whether the antioxidant affects vascular apoptosis, the present study examined the frequency of apoptotic cell death in atherosclerotic plaques and in restenotic lesions of cholesterol-fed rabbits. New Zealand White rabbits were treated with a normal diet (normal), a 2% cholesterol diet (HC), a 2% cholesterol diet and endothelial denudation (HC-ED), a 2% cholesterol diet with 5% water-soluble extract of SM (4.8 g/Kg B.W./day) and endothelial denudation (HC-ED-SM), or with a 2% cholesterol diet containing probucol (0.6 g/kg B.W./day) and endothelial denudation (HC-ED-probucol). Apoptosis and associated cell types were examined in serial paraffin sections by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and immunohistochemistry. The expression of p53, an apoptosis-related protein, was also examined. Apoptosis was mainly detected in the neointima of the three groups with endothelial denudation. The percentage of apoptotic cells in SM-treated group (68.5+/-5.9%) was significantly higher than that of normal (0%), HC (1.9+/-1.2%), HC-ED (46.1+/-5.4%), and probucol-treated (32.8+/-3.9%) groups. The SM treatment markedly reduced the thickness of the neointima which was mainly composed of smooth muscle cells with few macrophages. In accordance with the apoptotic cell counts, positive immunoreactivity for p53 was observed in restenotic lesions from HC-ED, SM-treated and probucol-treated groups but not in the intima of the other two groups. These results suggest that the treatment with salvianolic acid B-rich fraction of SM induces apoptosis in neointima which in turn may help prevent the neointimal thickening.
Collapse
|
114
|
Scott GK, Chang CH, Erny KM, Xu F, Fredericks WJ, Rauscher FJ, Thor AD, Benz CC. Ets regulation of the erbB2 promoter. Oncogene 2000; 19:6490-502. [PMID: 11175365 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1204041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Evaluating the chromatinized erbB2 gene in nuclei from breast cancer cells expressing varying levels of ErbB2 transcripts, we identified a nuclease-sensitive site within a 0.22 kb region of maximum enhancer activity centered over a conserved 28 bp polypurine(GGA)-polypyrimidine(TCC) mirror-repeat and an adjacent essential Ets binding site (EBS). Promoter footprinting with nuclear extracts reveals an intense Ets hypersensitivity site at the EBS whose degree of intensity correlates with the level of cellular ErbB2 expression. In vitro mapping assays show that the supercoiled erbB2 promoter forms an internal triplex structure (Hr-DNA) at the mirror-repeat element. Mutations preventing Hr-DNA formation can enhance erbB2 promoter activity in human breast cancer cells, a result consistent with previous demonstration that Ets-erbB2 promoter complexes cannot form when the mirror-repeat is engaged in triplex binding, and new results suggesting that Ets binding induces severe promoter bending that may restrict local triplex formation. In addition to previously described erbB2-regulating breast cancer Ets factors (PEA3, ESX/Elf-3), Elf-1 is now shown to be another endogenously expressed Ets candidate capable of binding to and upregulating the erbB2 promoter. Given current strategies to transcriptionally inhibit ErbB2 overexpression, including development of novel erbB2 promoter-targeted therapeutics, an EBS-targeted approach is presented using chimeric Ets proteins that strongly repress erbB2 promoter activity.
Collapse
|
115
|
Chang PL, Wang TM, Huang ST, Hsieh ML, Chuang YC, Chang CH. Improvement of health outcomes after continued implementation of a clinical pathway for radical nephrectomy. World J Urol 2000; 18:417-21. [PMID: 11204261 DOI: 10.1007/s003450000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical pathway is an important tool for outcome management. We evaluated the overall effects of the continued implementation of a clinical pathway for radical nephrectomy on the length of hospital stay, admission charges, and the quality of medical care. The data obtained from the second-year implementation (group 3) of the clinical pathway were compared with the data from the first-year implementation (group 2) and the year preceding implementation (group 1). Thirty-seven consecutive patients with renal cell carcinoma underwent radical nephrectomy in group 1, 47 in group 2, and 55 in group 3; all were enrolled in this study. The length of hospital stay, average admission charges, and 8 quality indicators were measured in these patients. We also evaluated the variances in the implementation of the clinical pathway. The mean length of stay decreased by 14.0% (P = 0.0048) in group 2, and by 15.8% (P= 0.0014) in group 3, when compared to group 1. The total admission charges significantly decreased by 19.0% (P = 0.001) in group 2, and by 27.9% (P < 0.0001) in group 3, compared to the charges for group 1. A continued decrease in charges for operation and anesthesia, laboratory, pharmacy, and others were found 2 years after implementation of the clinical pathway. Among the 8 quality indicators, 2 were continuously improved in the second-year implementation of the clinical pathway, 2 were improved significantly in the second-year implementation only, and 4 showed no significant change at all. Variances from the clinical pathway decreased significantly after continued implementation. Continued implementation of the clinical pathway for radical nephrectomy can improve a physician's practice continuously by decreasing the length of hospital stay, admission charges, and variances, and by improving quality. However, the improved results after implementation of the clinical pathway should be maintained carefully to assure good health care.
Collapse
|
116
|
Chang CH, Chang LT, Chang GL, Huang SC, Wang CH. Head injury in facial impact--a finite element analysis of helmet chin bar performance. J Biomech Eng 2000; 122:640-6. [PMID: 11192386 DOI: 10.1115/1.1318905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The chin bar of a motorcycle helmet protects the rider from facial and head injuries. To evaluate the protective performance of chin bars against head injuries from facial impacts, an explicit finite element method was used to simulate the Snell Memorial Foundation test and a proposed drop test. The maximum acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) were employed to assess the impact-absorbing capability of the chin bar. The results showed that the proposed approach should be more practical than the Snell test, and provided more information for improving the chin bar design to protect against head injuries. The shell stiffness was important in determining the protective ability of the chin bar, but a chin bar with only an outer shell and comfort foam offered inadequate protection. An energy-absorbing liner was essential to increase the protective performance of the chin bar and the liner density should be denser than that used in the cranial portion of the helmet. For the chin bar with energy-absorbing liner, a shell design that is less stiff would provide better protection.
Collapse
|
117
|
Chen ZJ, Miao ZH, Vetter M, Dulin N, Liu S, Che D, Hughes B, Murad F, Douglas J, Chang CH. Molecular cloning of a regulatory protein for membrane-bound guanylate cyclase GC-A. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 278:106-11. [PMID: 11071862 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.3761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Activation of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase GC-A by atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) may require the involvement of accessory proteins. To identify these postulated proteins, we isolated a 1. 0-kb cDNA clone from a rat brain expression library using a polyclonal antiserum against mastoparan. The 1.0-kb cDNA encodes a protein of 111 amino acids. Expression of this cDNA in COS-7 cells potentiated ANF-stimulated GC-A activity. Therefore, the 1.0-kb gene encodes a guanylate cyclase regulatory protein (GCRP). Fluorescence microscopy studies using the fusion protein of GCRP with green fluorescence protein (GFP) indicated that GCRP was present in the cytosol in PC12 cells, but translocated toward the plasma membrane in the presence of ANF. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicate that GCRP associates with GC-A in the presence of ANF. These results suggest that ANF induces the association of GCRP with GC-A and this association contributes to the activation of GC-A.
Collapse
|
118
|
Abstract
The present study tested the hypothesis that the stigma of being disabled and that of minority ethnic status yield more negative psychosocial outcomes for black than white persons with epilepsy. Black (n=55) and white (n=53) urban participants from a larger sample were matched for socioeconomic status and seizure frequency. Differences in these and key demographic variables were tested using chi(2) and t-tests and found to be non-significant. Group differences in psychosocial outcome variables were analyzed with the following results: (1) white subjects were more likely to have considered suicide and to have higher scores on the family background scale of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI); (2) black subjects had significantly lower scores on the Beck Hopelessness Scale and significantly more optimistic attributional styles; and (3) no between-group differences were found on other psychosocial measures. The nature of family and community supports may determine intergroup differences.
Collapse
|
119
|
Koo HN, Jeong HJ, Choi JY, Choi SD, Choi TJ, Cheon YS, Kim KS, Kang BK, Park ST, Chang CH, Kim CH, Lee YM, Kim HM, An NH, Kim JJ. Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis by Asparagus cochinchinensis in Hep G2 cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2000; 73:137-143. [PMID: 11025149 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00287-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2 cells, is a reliable system for the study of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis(MERRIL) (Liliaceae) roots (ACAE) on ethanol (EtOH)-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells. ACAE (1-100 microg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited the EtOH-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. ACAE (1-100 microg/ml) also inhibited the EtOH and TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that ACAE inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of Hep G2 cells. These results suggest that ACAE may prevent the EtOH-induced cytotoxicity through inhibition of the apoptosis of Hep G2 cells.
Collapse
|
120
|
Wang FD, Chang CH. Risk factors of deep sternal wound infections in coronary artery bypass graft surgery. THE JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY 2000; 41:709-13. [PMID: 11149637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major infections of sternal wounds after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) occur infrequently, but when they do, they contribute substantial morbidity and mortality. We identified significant risk factors of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following CABG and hoped to plan prophylactic measures for high risk patients in order to reduce the incidence of infection. METHODS From 1996 to 1997, a total of 620 patients received CABG at a medical center in Taiwan. The surgical wound was examined every day. Wound infections were defined and classified according to Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) definitions. DSWI were defined as those involving the mediastinum, bone or cartilage, and infections beneath the subcutaneous tissue. Several risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS We identified 17 (2.7%) DSWI. Univariate analysis indicated that ASA scores, surgical risk index, surgeon, postoperative low cardiac output, re-operation for bleeding, re-wiring of sternum, length of postoperative stay in the intensive care unit, postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation, operation time, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. Independent predictors by multivariate logistic regression analysis were re-operation for bleeding and operation time. A total of 16 organisms were isolated among 14 patients. Staphylococcus accounted for most isolates (93.8%) and the most of them were methicillin-resistant (80%). CONCLUSIONS Re-operation for bleeding and operation time were the independent predictors.
Collapse
|
121
|
Hsu SY, Chang CH, Su MY, Wang HZ, Tsai RK. Correlation between clinical activity score and thyroid autoantibodies in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2000; 16:533-8. [PMID: 11272800] [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
To investigate the relation between clinical activity score (CAS) and thyroid autoantibodies of thyroid ophthalmopathy, we measured the level of TSH receptor antibody (TRAb), antithyroglobulin antibody (ATA), and antimicrosomal antibody (AMA) in 41 patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy. The results of thyroid autoantibodies level were compared with CAS. Under the multiple regression and correlation analysis among CAS and the levels of TRAb, ATA, and AMA, no correlation was shown in this study. In conclusion, there is no correlation of thyroid ophthalmopathy among CAS and the levels of TRAb, ATA, and AMA in our study. If we use these three kinds of thyroid autoantibodies to match the activity of thyroid ophthalmopathy, it seems to be inappropriate. Further search of other simplified index to reflect the activity of ophthalmopathy should be encouraged.
Collapse
|
122
|
Hsieh CL, Chang CH, Chiang SY, Li TC, Tang NY, Pon CZ, Hsieh CT, Lin JG. Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of vanillyl alcohol in ferric chloride-induced epileptic seizures in Sprague-Dawley rats. Life Sci 2000; 67:1185-95. [PMID: 10954052 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(00)00706-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Vanillyl alcohol (VA) is a component of Gastrodia elata Bl. (GE), which is a traditional Chinese herb widely used to treat convulsive disorders or dizziness. This study examined the role of VA in the anticonvulsive properties of GE in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of epilepsy. The anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of VA were examined after intracortical injection of ferric chloride (100 mM, 8 microl) to induce epileptic seizures. These seizures were verified by behavioral observations and electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) recordings. Ferric chloride injection resulted in increased lipid peroxide levels in the ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral cortex, and increased luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of VA (200 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) or phenytoin 10 mg/kg prior to ferric chloride administration significantly inhibited wet dog shakes (WDS) and lipid peroxide levels in the bilateral cerebral cortex. VA 200 mg/kg also significantly reduced luminol-CL and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood, but no significant effect was observed following administration of VA 100 mg/kg or phenytoin. These data indicate that VA has both anticonvulsive and suppressive effects on seizures and lipid peroxidation induced by ferric chloride in rats. Data from the present study also demonstrate that VA has free radical scavenging activities, which may be responsible for its anticonvulsive propertics. This finding is consistent with the results from previous studies that generation of superoxide radical evoked by injection of iron salt into rat brain plays a critical role in ferric chloride-induced seizures. In addition, the results of the present study suggest that the anticonvulsive effect of GE may be attributable, at least in part, to its VA component.
Collapse
|
123
|
Chen YH, Chang CH, Liang GJ, Huang SS, Hsieh HM, Teng CM, Tsai MC. Burst firing of action potentials in central snail neurons elicited by d-amphetamine: effect of anticonvulsants. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2000; 127:221-31. [PMID: 11083032 DOI: 10.1016/s0742-8413(00)00144-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The effect of anticonvulsants on the burst firing of action potentials in snail central neuron elicited by d-amphetamine was studied in the identified RP4 neuron of the African snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac. Oscillation of membrane potential and burst firing of action potentials were elicited by d-amphetamine in a concentration-dependent manner. Voltage clamped studies revealed that d-amphetamine elicited a negative slope resistance (NSR) in steady-state I-V curve between - 40 and - 10 mV. The burst firing of action potentials was alleviated following extracellular application of phenytoin, but was not affected after ethosuximide, carbamazepine, and valproic acid. The NSR elicited by d-amphetamine was blocked by phenytoin. However, the NSR was not altered if carbamazepine was added. These results suggest that of the four anticonvulsants tested, only phenytoin could alleviate the burst firing of action potentials elicited by d-amphetamine in snail neuron.
Collapse
|
124
|
|
125
|
Sisk TJ, Gourley T, Roys S, Chang CH. MHC class II transactivator inhibits IL-4 gene transcription by competing with NF-AT to bind the coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP)/p300. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 165:2511-7. [PMID: 10946277 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.5.2511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) activates the expression of multiple genes involved in Ag presentation, but inhibits Th2-type cytokine production, including IL-4, during Th1 cell differentiation. Th1 cells derived from CIITA-deficient mice produce both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines, and the introduction of CIITA to Th2 cells down-regulates Th2-type cytokine gene transcription. Here we show that the IL-4 promoter is regulated by multiple protein-protein interactions among CIITA, NF-AT, and coactivator CBP/p300. The introduction of CBP/p300 and NF-AT enhances the IL-4 promoter activity, and this activation was repressed by CIITA. Furthermore, our data show that CIITA competes with NF-AT to bind CBP/p300 and that this competition dramatically influences transcriptional activation of the IL-4 promoter. We identified two domains of CIITA that interact with two distinct domains of CBP/p300 that are also recognized by NF-AT. CIITA mutants that retain the ability to interact with CBP/p300 are sufficient to inhibit NF-AT-mediated IL-4 gene expression.
Collapse
|