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Tsegaye Y, Yeh P, Holmes V, Jones M, Kilbo A, Micklem CN, Tsai CH, Paddon CJ. Coproduction of Phase-Separated Carotenoids and β-Farnesene as a Yeast Biomass Valorization Strategy. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2934-2946. [PMID: 37721978 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Valorization, the process whereby waste materials are converted into more valuable products, is rarely practiced in industrial fermentation. We developed a model valorization system whereby Saccharomyces cerevisiae that had previously been engineered to produce high concentrations (>100 g/L) of extracellular β-farnesene was further engineered to simultaneously produce intracellular carotenoids, both products being isoprenoids. Thus, a single fermentation generates two valuable products, namely, β-farnesene in the liquid phase and carotenoids in the solid biomass phase. Initial attempts to produce high levels of canthaxanthin (a ketocarotenoid used extensively in animal feed) in a β-farnesene production strain negatively impacted both biomass growth and β-farnesene production. A refined approach used a promoter titration strategy to reduce β-carotene production to a level that had minimal impact on growth and β-farnesene production in fed-batch fermentations and then engineered the resulting strain to produce canthaxanthin. Further optimization of canthaxanthin coproduction used a bioprospecting approach to identify ketolase enzymes that maximized conversion of β-carotene to canthaxanthin. Finally, we demonstrated that β-carotene is not present in the extracellular β-farnesene at a significant concentration and that which is present can be removed by a simple distillation, indicating that β-farnesene (the primary fermentation product) purity is unaffected by coproduction of carotenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoseph Tsegaye
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Phoebe Yeh
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Victor Holmes
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Matthew Jones
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Alexander Kilbo
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Chris N Micklem
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Chia-Hong Tsai
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Christopher J Paddon
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis St., Suite 100, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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Zienkiewicz A, Zienkiewicz K, Poliner E, Pulman JA, Du ZY, Stefano G, Tsai CH, Horn P, Feussner I, Farre EM, Childs KL, Brandizzi F, Benning C. The Microalga Nannochloropsis during Transition from Quiescence to Autotrophy in Response to Nitrogen Availability. Plant Physiol 2020; 182:819-839. [PMID: 31740503 PMCID: PMC6997683 DOI: 10.1104/pp.19.00854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The marine microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica (CCMP1779) is a prolific producer of oil and is considered a viable and sustainable resource for biofuel feedstocks. Nitrogen (N) availability has a strong impact on the physiological status and metabolism of microalgal cells, but the exact nature of this response is poorly understood. To fill this gap we performed transcriptomic profiling combined with cellular and molecular analyses of N. oceanica CCMP1779 during the transition from quiescence to autotrophy. N deprivation-induced quiescence was accompanied by a strong reorganization of the photosynthetic apparatus and changes in the lipid homeostasis, leading to accumulation of triacylglycerol. Cell cycle activation and re-establishment of photosynthetic activity observed in response to resupply of the growth medium with N were accompanied by a rapid degradation of triacylglycerol stored in lipid droplets (LDs). Besides observing LD translocation into vacuoles, we also provide evidence for direct interaction between the LD surface protein (NoLDSP) and AUTOPHAGY-RELATED8 (NoATG8) protein and show a role of microlipophagy in LD turnover in N. oceanica CCMP1779. This knowledge is crucial not only for understanding the fundamental mechanisms controlling the cellular energy homeostasis in microalgal cells but also for development of efficient strategies to achieve higher algal biomass and better microalgal lipid productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Zienkiewicz
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zienkiewicz
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Eric Poliner
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Jane A Pulman
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Center for Genomics-Enabled Plant Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Zhi-Yan Du
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Giovanni Stefano
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Chia-Hong Tsai
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Patrick Horn
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, International Center for Advanced Studies of Energy Conversion (ICASEC), University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Eva M Farre
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Kevin L Childs
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Center for Genomics-Enabled Plant Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Federica Brandizzi
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Christoph Benning
- Michigan State University-United States Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
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Tsai CH, Uygun S, Roston R, Shiu SH, Benning C. Recovery from N Deprivation Is a Transcriptionally and Functionally Distinct State in Chlamydomonas. Plant Physiol 2018; 176:2007-2023. [PMID: 29288234 PMCID: PMC5841715 DOI: 10.1104/pp.17.01546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Facing adverse conditions such as nitrogen (N) deprivation, microalgae enter cellular quiescence, a reversible cell cycle arrest with drastic changes in metabolism allowing cells to remain viable. Recovering from N deprivation and quiescence is an active and orderly process as we are showing here for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii We conducted comparative transcriptomics on this alga to discern processes relevant to quiescence in the context of N deprivation and recovery following refeeding. A mutant with slow recovery from N deprivation, compromised hydrolysis of triacylglycerols7 (cht7), was included to better define the regulatory processes governing the respective transitions. We identified an ordered set of biological processes with expression patterns that showed sequential reversal following N resupply and uncovered acclimation responses specific to the recovery phase. Biochemical assays and microscopy validated selected inferences made based on the transcriptional analyses. These comprise (1) the restoration of N source preference and cellular bioenergetics during the early stage of recovery; (2) flagellum-based motility in the mid to late stage of recovery; and (3) recovery phase-specific gene groups cooperating in the rapid replenishment of chloroplast proteins. In the cht7 mutant, a large number of programmed responses failed to readjust in a timely manner. Finally, evidence is provided for the involvement of the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway in gating the recovery. We conclude that the recovery from N deprivation represents not simply a reversal of processes directly following N deprivation, but a distinct cellular state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hong Tsai
- Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Sahra Uygun
- Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Genetics Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Rebecca Roston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Shin-Han Shiu
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Genetics Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Christoph Benning
- Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
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Vieler A, Wu G, Tsai CH, Bullard B, Cornish AJ, Harvey C, Reca IB, Thornburg C, Achawanantakun R, Buehl CJ, Campbell MS, Cavalier D, Childs KL, Clark TJ, Deshpande R, Erickson E, Armenia Ferguson A, Handee W, Kong Q, Li X, Liu B, Lundback S, Peng C, Roston RL, Simpson JP, TerBush A, Warakanont J, Zäuner S, Farre EM, Hegg EL, Jiang N, Kuo MH, Lu Y, Niyogi KK, Ohlrogge J, Osteryoung KW, Shachar-Hill Y, Sears BB, Sun Y, Takahashi H, Yandell M, Shiu SH, Benning C. Correction: Genome, Functional Gene Annotation, and Nuclear Transformation of the Heterokont Oleaginous Alga Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006802. [PMID: 28542203 PMCID: PMC5441573 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003064.].
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Tsai CH, Fordyce RE. Archaic baleen whale from the Kokoamu Greensand: earbones distinguish a new late Oligocene mysticete (Cetacea: Mysticeti) from New Zealand. J R Soc N Z 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2016.1156552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- CH Tsai
- Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - RE Fordyce
- Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Departments of Paleobiology and Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
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Chuang TL, Wang YF, Tsai CH, Chiu JE, Lee MS, Chiou WY, Lin HY, Tsai WT, Hung SK. Evaluation of salivary function by sialoscintigraphy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer patients after intensity modulated radiotherapy. Indian J Cancer 2016; 52:398-401. [PMID: 26905151 DOI: 10.4103/0019-509x.176733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the salivary gland function changes by sialoscintigraphy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) after intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Salivary function was assessed by sialoscintigraphy. Quantitative sialoscintigraphy was performed in 24 NPC patients prior to and after IMRT. Results were categorized in four groups according to the duration of treatment. The sialoscintigraphy parameters were examined. RESULTS Sialoscintigraphy showed a significant difference in the secretion of each interval groups. The parameters of scintigraphy, except maximum accumulation (MA) of submandibular glands, decreased first after radiotherapy, and then recovered. However, the MA of submandibular glands was continuously downhill after radiation. CONCLUSIONS The sialoscintigraphy parameters of each gland changed with the different radiation dose and follow-up intervals. The salivary function was influenced after radiotherapy in locally advanced NPC, especially, in the submandibular gland. Strategies to improve the salivary function should be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - S K Hung
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian; Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
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Warakanont J, Tsai CH, Michel EJS, Murphy GR, Hsueh PY, Roston RL, Sears BB, Benning C. Chloroplast lipid transfer processes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii involving a TRIGALACTOSYLDIACYLGLYCEROL 2 (TGD2) orthologue. Plant J 2015; 84:1005-20. [PMID: 26496373 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In plants, lipids of the photosynthetic membrane are synthesized by parallel pathways associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the chloroplast envelope membranes. Lipids derived from the two pathways are distinguished by their acyl-constituents. Following this plant paradigm, the prevalent acyl composition of chloroplast lipids suggests that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamydomonas) does not use the ER pathway; however, the Chlamydomonas genome encodes presumed plant orthologues of a chloroplast lipid transporter consisting of TGD (TRIGALACTOSYLDIACYLGLYCEROL) proteins that are required for ER-to-chloroplast lipid trafficking in plants. To resolve this conundrum, we identified a mutant of Chlamydomonas deleted in the TGD2 gene and characterized the respective protein, CrTGD2. Notably, the viability of the mutant was reduced, showing the importance of CrTGD2. Galactoglycerolipid metabolism was altered in the tgd2 mutant with monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) synthase activity being strongly stimulated. We hypothesize this to be a result of phosphatidic acid accumulation in the chloroplast outer envelope membrane, the location of MGDG synthase in Chlamydomonas. Concomitantly, increased conversion of MGDG into triacylglycerol (TAG) was observed. This TAG accumulated in lipid droplets in the tgd2 mutant under normal growth conditions. Labeling kinetics indicate that Chlamydomonas can import lipid precursors from the ER, a process that is impaired in the tgd2 mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaruswan Warakanont
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Chia-Hong Tsai
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Elena J S Michel
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - George R Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Peter Y Hsueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Rebecca L Roston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Barbara B Sears
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Christoph Benning
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
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Tsai CH, Zienkiewicz K, Amstutz CL, Brink BG, Warakanont J, Roston R, Benning C. Dynamics of protein and polar lipid recruitment during lipid droplet assembly in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Plant J 2015; 83:650-60. [PMID: 26096381 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In plants, neutral lipids are frequently synthesized and stored in seed tissues, where the assembly of lipid droplets (LDs) coincides with the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAGs). In addition, photosynthetic, vegetative cells can form cytosolic LDs and much less information is known about the makeup and biogenesis of these LDs. Here we focus on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a reference model for LDs in a photosynthetic cell, because in this unicellular green alga LD dynamics can be readily manipulated by nitrogen availability. Nitrogen deprivation leads to cellular quiescence during which cell divisions cease and TAGs accumulate. The major lipid droplet protein (MLDP) forms a proteinaceous coat surrounding mature LDs. Reducing the amount of MLDP affects LD size and number, TAG breakdown and timely progression out of cellular quiescence following nitrogen resupply. Depending on nitrogen availability, MLDP recruits different proteins to LDs, tubulins in particular. Conversely, depolymerization of microtubules drastically alters the association of MLDP with LDs. LDs also contain select chloroplast envelope membrane proteins hinting at an origin of LDs, at least in part, from chloroplast membranes. Moreover, LD surface lipids are rich in de novo synthesized fatty acids, and are mainly composed of galactolipids which are typical components of chloroplast membranes. The composition of the LD membrane is altered in the absence of MLDP. Collectively, our results suggest a mechanism for LD formation in C. reinhardtii involving chloroplast envelope membranes by which specific proteins are recruited to LDs and a specialized polar lipid monolayer surrounding the LD is formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hong Tsai
- Department of Energy-Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Krzysztof Zienkiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg-August-University, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cynthia L Amstutz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Benedikt G Brink
- Department of Biology and Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jaruswan Warakanont
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Rebecca Roston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Christoph Benning
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
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Singh P, Yekondi S, Chen PW, Tsai CH, Yu CW, Wu K, Zimmerli L. Environmental History Modulates Arabidopsis Pattern-Triggered Immunity in a HISTONE ACETYLTRANSFERASE1-Dependent Manner. Plant Cell 2014; 26:2676-2688. [PMID: 24963055 PMCID: PMC4114959 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.114.123356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In nature, plants are exposed to a fluctuating environment, and individuals exposed to contrasting environmental factors develop different environmental histories. Whether different environmental histories alter plant responses to a current stress remains elusive. Here, we show that environmental history modulates the plant response to microbial pathogens. Arabidopsis thaliana plants exposed to repetitive heat, cold, or salt stress were more resistant to virulent bacteria than Arabidopsis grown in a more stable environment. By contrast, long-term exposure to heat, cold, or exposure to high concentrations of NaCl did not provide enhanced protection against bacteria. Enhanced resistance occurred with priming of Arabidopsis pattern-triggered immunity (PTI)-responsive genes and the potentiation of PTI-mediated callose deposition. In repetitively stress-challenged Arabidopsis, PTI-responsive genes showed enrichment for epigenetic marks associated with transcriptional activation. Upon bacterial infection, enrichment of RNA polymerase II at primed PTI marker genes was observed in environmentally challenged Arabidopsis. Finally, repetitively stress-challenged histone acetyltransferase1-1 (hac1-1) mutants failed to demonstrate enhanced resistance to bacteria, priming of PTI, and increased open chromatin states. These findings reveal that environmental history shapes the plant response to bacteria through the development of a HAC1-dependent epigenetic mark characteristic of a primed PTI response, demonstrating a mechanistic link between the primed state in plants and epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Singh
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Shweta Yekondi
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Po-Wen Chen
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hong Tsai
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Wei Yu
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Keqiang Wu
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Laurent Zimmerli
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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Dittrich T, Macor L, Gervaldo M, Fungo F, Otero L, Lin CY, Chi LC, Fang FC, Lii SW, Wong KT, Tsai CH, Wu CC. Charge separation in donor-acceptor spiro compounds at metal and metal oxide surfaces investigated by surface photovoltage. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2013; 13:5158-5163. [PMID: 23901546 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2013.7506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecules with donor (diphenylamine) and acceptor moieties (dicyano or cyanoacrylic acid moieties) were linked by fluorene or spirobisfluorene cores and the chain length has been changed by introducing a thiophene group between fluorene and diphenylamine. Four different kinds of fluorene and spirobisfluorene compounds were adsorbed from highly diluted solutions at ultra-thin nanoporous TiO2 (np-TiO2), Au and ITO surfaces. Charge separation has been investigated by surface photovoltage spectroscopy in the fixed capacitor and Kelvin probe arrangements in vacuum. Striking differences between the interaction of linking (dicyano or cyanoacrylic moieties) and different substrates were observed. Intra-molecular charge separation and electron injection have been distinguished and the directed adsorption of spiro compounds was deduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Th Dittrich
- Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109 Berlin, Germany
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Liu HP, Lin WY, Wang WF, Tsai CH, Wu WC, Chiou MT, Shen CP, Wu BT, Tsai FJ. Genetic variability in copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATP7B) is associated with Alzheimer's disease in a Chinese population. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2013; 27:319-327. [PMID: 23830383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous experiments demonstrated that transgenic mice carrying both amyloid precursor protein and mutant ATP7B transgenes reduce amyloid plaques and diminish plasma Abeta levels. These experiments showed that a structural change of ATP7B may affect Alzheimers disease (AD) susceptibility. In this study three missense SNPs in ATP7B gene (rs1801243, rs1801244, and rs1801249) were chosen to test whether they were associated with AD. We tested this hypothesis using a case control design. The experimental data showed that there was a significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) for SNP rs1801249 (c.3419 T greater than C, Val1140Ala) in the case group (p = 0.014) but not in the control group and that there was an association between SNP rs1801249 and AD under a recessive model (p = 0.003). The data also showed that the genotype frequency distribution of the ATP7B c.1366 G greater than C polymorphism (rs1801244, Val456Leu) differed significantly between the AD patients and the normal subjects (p = 0.012). In addition, the frequency of the TGC haplotype of SNPs rs1801243, rs1801244, and rs1801249 was significantly higher in the AD patients compared with the normal subjects (p = 8.49×10-7). These observations suggested that genetic variations in the copper transporter gene ATP7B might contribute to AD pathogenesis in the Taiwanese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P Liu
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Singh P, Chien CC, Mishra S, Tsai CH, Zimmerli L. The Arabidopsis LECTIN RECEPTOR KINASE-VI.2 is a functional protein kinase and is dispensable for basal resistance to Botrytis cinerea. Plant Signal Behav 2013; 8:e22611. [PMID: 23221759 PMCID: PMC3745566 DOI: 10.4161/psb.22611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/20/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Sensing of microbial pathogens by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) elicits a defense program known as PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). Recently, we have shown that the Arabidopsis thaliana L-TYPE LECTIN RECEPTOR KINASE-VI.2 (LecRK-VI.2) positively regulates bacterial PTI. In this report, we suggest by in silico analysis that the kinase domain of LecRK-VI.2 is functional. LecRK-VI.2 also demonstrated auto-phosphorylation activity in vitro in the presence of divalent metal cations indicating that LecRK-VI.2 has the ability to auto-phosphorylate. We further investigate the role of LecRK-VI.2 in Arabidopsis resistance to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Disruption of LecRK-VI.2 did not affect Arabidopsis resistance to B. cinerea. Accordingly, wild-type upregulation levels of PTI-responsive WRKY53, FRK1, NHL10, CYP81F2 and CBP60 g after treatment with the fungal PAMP chitin were observed in lecrk-VI.2-1. These data provide evidences that the kinase domain of LecRK-VI.2 is active and show that LecRK-VI.2 is not critical for resistance to the fungal pathogen B. cinerea.
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Lin WY, Wu BT, Lee CC, Sheu JJ, Liu SH, Wang WF, Tsai CH, Liu HP, Tsai FJ. Association analysis of dopaminergic gene variants (Comt, Drd4 And Dat1) with Alzheimer s disease. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2012; 26:401-410. [PMID: 23034259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Defects in dopaminergic transmission play important roles in the disturbance of synaptic plasticity and even in advanced cognitive behavior. However, the relationship between genes involved in the regulation of dopamine levels and predisposition for Alzheimer s disease (AD) remains unclear. The potential association of dopamine-modulating gene polymorphisms with AD was evaluated. We performed a case-control study with 120 patients and 86 healthy controls. Two catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2020917 and rs4646312), two dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) SNPs (rs3758653 and rs916455), and four dopamine transporter (DAT1) SNPs (rs2937639, rs6347, rs12516948 and rs11133762) were investigated. The T allele at the DRD4 SNP (rs3758653) was found to be significantly associated with AD. Our results also showed that haplotype frequencies, observed from the analyzed SNPs, were distributed significantly differently in AD patients vs control subjects. Moreover, a strong association was observed between the A allele at rs6347 of DAT1 and moderate stage of dementia. These observations suggest that genetic variations in the dopamine-modulating genes, COMT, DRD4 and DAT1, may contribute to AD pathogenesis in the Taiwanese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Y Lin
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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15
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Singh P, Kuo YC, Mishra S, Tsai CH, Chien CC, Chen CW, Desclos-Theveniau M, Chu PW, Schulze B, Chinchilla D, Boller T, Zimmerli L. The lectin receptor kinase-VI.2 is required for priming and positively regulates Arabidopsis pattern-triggered immunity. Plant Cell 2012; 24:1256-70. [PMID: 22427336 PMCID: PMC3336125 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.112.095778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Plant cells can be sensitized toward a subsequent pathogen attack by avirulent pathogens or by chemicals such as β-aminobutyric acid (BABA). This process is called priming. Using a reverse genetic approach in Arabidopsis thaliana, we demonstrate that the BABA-responsive L-type lectin receptor kinase-VI.2 (LecRK-VI.2) contributes to disease resistance against the hemibiotrophic Pseudomonas syringae and the necrotrophic Pectobacterium carotovorum bacteria. Accordingly, LecRK-VI.2 mRNA levels increased after bacterial inoculation or treatments with microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). We also show that LecRK-VI.2 is required for full activation of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI); notably, lecrk-VI.2-1 mutants show reduced upregulation of PTI marker genes, impaired callose deposition, and defective stomatal closure. Overexpression studies combined with genome-wide microarray analyses indicate that LecRK-VI.2 positively regulates the PTI response. LecRK-VI.2 is demonstrated to act upstream of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, but independently of reactive oxygen production and Botrytis-induced kinase1 phosphorylation. In addition, complex formation between the MAMP receptor flagellin sensing2 and its signaling partner brassinosteroid insensitive1-associated kinase1 is observed in flg22-treated lecrk-VI.2-1 mutants. LecRK-VI.2 is also required for full BABA-induced resistance and priming of PTI. Our work identifies LecRK-VI.2 as a novel mediator of the Arabidopsis PTI response and provides insight into molecular mechanisms governing priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Singh
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Kuo
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Swati Mishra
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hong Tsai
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Chien
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Wei Chen
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Marie Desclos-Theveniau
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Po-Wei Chu
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Birgit Schulze
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Botanical Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Chinchilla
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Botanical Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Boller
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Botanical Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Zimmerli
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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16
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Hung TC, Lu SK, Su CH, Wu YJ, Hsieh CL, Lee WH, Tsai CH, Yeh HI. Remodeling of rabbit abdominal aorta and Cx43 gap junctions after stent placement: effect of balloon injury plus cholesterol-enriched diet. INT ANGIOL 2012; 31:62-69. [PMID: 22330626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
AIM To examine the effect of stenting and cholesterol-enriched diet (CED) on vascular remodeling, including the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions in smooth muscle cells (SMC). METHODS Rabbits abdominal aortae were either implanted stent made of 316 stainless steel (group 1) or denuded followed by stent placement 28 days later (groups 2 and 3). Animals were given normal chow except those of group 3, which were fed CED after the denudation. Eight weeks later, the development of neointima and the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) were examined. In parallel, human aortic SMC were grown on 316 stainless steel or treated with C-reactive protein (CRP) followed by analysis of Cx43. RESULTS The results showed that, serum CRP levels became transiently elevated after denudation and stent implantation. For the stented aortic segments, the dimensions of neointima were group 3 > group 2 > group 1 (P<0.05). In groups 1 and 2, Cx43 gap junctions are less in amount in neointima of the stented segment, compared to the unstented upstream neointima or medial layer (all P<0.01). In culture experiments, Cx43 in SMC grown on stent material was up-regulated in growth medium but down-regulated in differentiation medium, and CRP did not affect Cx43 expression. CONCLUSION Vascular remodeling post stent implantation varied according to the presence of balloon injury, CED, or both. Cx43 expression in SMC is altered after exposure to stent and the regulation depended on the milieu.
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MESH Headings
- Angioplasty, Balloon/instrumentation
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/injuries
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
- Cell Culture Techniques
- Cells, Cultured
- Cholesterol, Dietary/blood
- Connexin 43/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gap Junctions/metabolism
- Gap Junctions/pathology
- Hypercholesterolemia/blood
- Hypercholesterolemia/complications
- Hypercholesterolemia/etiology
- Male
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/injuries
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima/etiology
- Neointima/metabolism
- Neointima/pathology
- Prosthesis Design
- Rabbits
- Stainless Steel
- Stents
- Time Factors
- Vascular System Injuries/etiology
- Vascular System Injuries/metabolism
- Vascular System Injuries/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Hung
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Wei PC, Tsai CH, Chiu PS, Lai SC. Matrix metalloproteinase-12 leads to elastin degradation in BALB/c mice with eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:1175-83. [PMID: 21856305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The rat lugworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis can cause eosinophilic meningitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 and its substrate elastin participate in this inflammatory response. We showed that the MMP-12/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ratio was significantly increased in the CSF of A. cantonensis-infected mice from day 10 p.i., and reached high levels on days 20 and 25 p.i. MMP-12 production was correlated with elastin degradation, eosinophil count, blood-CSF barrier permeability and pathological changes in the subarachnoid space. Also, MMP-12 might contribute to elastin degradation in the meningeal vessel of the subarachnoid space. Simultaneous administration of albendazole and doxycycline significantly reduced the levels of MMP-12, elastin and Evans blue in mice with meningitis. These results imply that MMP-12 contributes to the elastin degradation that occurs in angiostrongyliasis meningitis, and doxycycline can reverse related inflammatory events by inhibition of MMP-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Wei
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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18
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Chen
- Genetic Center, Department of Medical Research, Taichung, Taiwan
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19
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Tsai CH, Singh P, Chen CW, Thomas J, Weber J, Mauch-Mani B, Zimmerli L. Priming for enhanced defence responses by specific inhibition of the Arabidopsis response to coronatine. Plant J 2011; 65:469-79. [PMID: 21265899 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2010.04436.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The priming agent β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is known to enhance Arabidopsis resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 by potentiating salicylic acid (SA) defence signalling, notably PR1 expression. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unknown. A genome-wide microarray analysis of BABA priming during Pst DC3000 infection revealed direct and primed up-regulation of genes that are responsive to SA, the SA analogue benzothiadiazole and pathogens. In addition, BABA was found to inhibit the Arabidopsis response to the bacterial effector coronatine (COR). COR is known to promote bacterial virulence by inducing the jasmonic acid (JA) response to antagonize SA signalling activation. BABA specifically repressed the JA response induced by COR without affecting other plant JA responses. This repression was largely SA-independent, suggesting that it is not caused by negative cross-talk between SA and JA signalling cascades. Treatment with relatively high concentrations of purified COR counteracted BABA inhibition. Under these conditions, BABA failed to protect Arabidopsis against Pst DC3000. BABA did not induce priming and resistance in plants inoculated with a COR-deficient strain of Pst DC3000 or in the COR-insensitive mutant coi1-16. In addition, BABA blocked the COR-dependent re-opening of stomata during Pst DC3000 infection. Our data suggest that BABA primes for enhanced resistance to Pst DC3000 by interfering with the bacterial suppression of Arabidopsis SA-dependent defences. This study also suggests the existence of a signalling node that distinguishes COR from other JA responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hong Tsai
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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20
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Liu YC, Tsai CH, Lan CW. Faceted ice growth in hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels. Cryo Letters 2010; 31:513-524. [PMID: 21410020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This study is motivated by the cryo-preservation for tissues, which is related to the solidification of blood in a confined space. The morphological behavior of growing ice facet in 1.3 mm hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels is the focus of this study. Both DI water and KCl solution were solidified without seeds in the channels and the growing front facet was discussed in regards to contact angle, in-situ morphology, conductivity difference between two phases and solute segregation. For DI water, the formation of facets was observed during ice growth in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels and could be classified into two modes according to the local curvature of the interface. The facet was formed at different positions of the interface in hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels. Solutal segregation effect was taken into consideration to partially govern the interface morphology and the facet formation during solidification of the KCl solution. In addition, the growth rates of the ice growth with a facet were also compared and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C
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21
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Wang CH, Lin WD, Bau DT, Chou IC, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. The involvement of insulin receptor genotypes in pre- and co-obese acanthosis Nigricans children and adolescent. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2010; 23:653-60. [PMID: 20857837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is most commonly related to obesity as a manifestation of cutaneous insulin resistance in children and adolescents, while the interaction and time course between AN and obesity and detailed mechanism for the pre- and co-obese appearance of AN (PCOAN) in child are unclear. In this study, the involvement of insulin receptor in child PCOAN was investigated via studying the association of polymorphisms of INSR gene with PCOAN. In total, 99 children with PCOAN and 100 healthy controls recruited were genotyped and analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. Significantly different distributions were found in the frequency of the INSR His1085His genotypes, but not in other INSR genotypes, between the two groups. Our results provide not only the evidence that the T allele of INSR His1085His is correlated with the appearance of PCOAN but revealed that the insulin receptor pathway may play an important role in this PCOAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung.
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22
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C M Huang
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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23
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Affiliation(s)
- L Wan
- Human Genetic Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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24
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Tsai CH, Ju CP, Chern Lin JH. Morphology and mechanical behavior of TTCP-derived calcium phosphate cement subcutaneously implanted in rats. J Mater Sci Mater Med 2008; 19:2407-2415. [PMID: 18185915 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-006-0055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/27/2006] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A pre-hardened, TTCP-derived CPC was immersed in Hanks' solution as well as subcutaneously implanted into abdomen of rats. The implant-soft tissue interfacial morphology was examined and properties of the CPC were evaluated and compared under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The results indicate that the surface of immersed samples appeared rougher and more porous than that of implanted samples and was covered with a layer of fine apatite crystals. The CPC samples implanted for 4 weeks or longer were surrounded by a layer of fibrous tissue, which was further surrounded by a soft tissue capsule comprising numerous fat cells. The soft tissue capsule had a non-uniform distribution in thickness, which increased most significantly between 4 weeks and 12 weeks after implantation. None of polymorphic cells, osteoblast cells or bone cells adjacent to the implant were observed. The majority of original TTCP powder was transformed into apatite after 1 day of either immersion in Hanks' solution or implantation. The average porosity values of samples immersed in Hanks' solution for 4 weeks or longer were significantly larger than those immersed for 1 day or 1 week. The porosity values of samples implanted for different times were not significantly different. The DTS values of Hanks' solution-immersed samples largely decreased after a few weeks of immersion. The implanted samples maintained their strengths throughout the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, ROC
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25
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Tsai CH, Chuang CS, Chi KW. SU-GG-I-118: A Novel Method of MRI Correlate with Electron Density Information for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning. Med Phys 2008. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2961516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Abstract
The non-protein amino acid beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) primes Arabidopsis to respond more quickly and strongly to pathogen and osmotic stress. Here, we report that BABA also significantly enhances acquired thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. This thermotolerance was dependent on heat shock protein 101, a critical component of the normal heat-shock response. BABA did not enhance basal thermotolerance under a severe heat-shock treatment. No roles for the hormones ethylene and salicylic acid in BABA-induced acquired thermotolerance were identified by mutant analysis. Using global gene expression analysis, transcript levels for several transcription factors and DNA binding proteins regulating responses to the stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) were found to be elevated in BABA-treated plants compared with water-treated plants. The role of ABA in BABA-induced thermotolerance was complex. BABA-enhanced thermotolerance was partially compromised in the ABA-insensitive mutant, abi1-1, but was augmented in abi2-1. In an unrelated process, BABA, like ABA, inhibited root growth, and the level of inhibition was roughly additive in roots treated with both compounds. Root growth of both abi1-1 and abi2-1 was also inhibited by BABA. Unexpectedly, abi1-1 and abi2-1 root growth was inhibited more strongly by combined ABA and BABA treatments than by BABA alone. Our results, together with previously published data, suggest that BABA is a general enhancer of plant stress resistance, and that cross-talk occurs between BABA and ABA signalling cascades. Specifically, the BABA-mediated accumulation of ABA transcription factors without concomitant activation of a downstream ABA response could represent one component of the BABA-primed state in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Zimmerli
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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27
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Chen TW, Tsai CH, Chou SJ, Yu CY, Shih ML, Yu JC, Hsieh CB. Intrapericardial isolation of the inferior vena cava through a transdiaphragmatic pericardial window for tumor resection without sternotomy or thoracotomy. Eur J Surg Oncol 2007; 33:239-42. [PMID: 17174512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2006.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2006] [Accepted: 11/09/2006] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The prognosis for patients with advanced tumors invading the inferior vena cava (IVC) is dismal and surgical treatments for these tumors are challenging. A surgical approach that avoids sternotomy and thoracotomy for tumors invading the IVC even to the level of the hepatocaval junction would be extremely helpful. METHODS The intrapericardial IVC was isolated via a transdiaphragmatic pericardial window using a transabdominal approach. Hepatectomy was then applied via an anterior approach until the IVC was seen. Total hepatic vascular exclusion was achieved by clamping the portal triad, intrapericardial IVC and infrahepatic IVC. We removed the primary tumor, the liver portion involved and the tumor thrombi, with segmental resection of the IVC. Vascular continuity was reestablished using a 20-mm-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene graft. RESULTS Four patients with tumors invading the IVC were treated with this method. All underwent gross en-bloc tumor resections and all survived. CONCLUSION This method for the resection of IVC tumors could avoid emboli dislodging from the tumor thrombi, prevent the complications of sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass and shorten operative times.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Chen
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Sec 2, Cheng-kung Rd, Taipei 114, Taiwan, ROC
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28
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Peng CT, Wu KH, Lan SJ, Tsai JJP, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH. Amino acid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Eur J Cancer 2005; 41:1158-63. [PMID: 15911239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2005.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2004] [Revised: 01/27/2005] [Accepted: 02/17/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amino acid concentrations were measured in 45 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Central nervous system (CNS) disease was absent in 34 and present in 11 (Groups L and M, respectively) at diagnosis. Thirty-two otherwise healthy children with febrile convulsions were studied for comparison. Results from this study show that glutamine levels at Day 0 were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Patients in Group M had elevated glutamine levels compared to Group L. In comparison, at Day 14, concentrations of glutamine and asparagine decreased, while glutamic acid amounts increased significantly in Group L. Glutamine levels fell at Day 42 in Group M, which may have resulted from more intensive treatment. From this study we hypothesise that higher baseline glutamine levels are indicative of a greater risk for CNS leukemia. Large-scale prospective trials are required to confirm increased baseline CSF glutamine levels in ALL patients, to identify glutamine as a marker for CNS disease and to clarify underlying mechanisms regulating glutamine in ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yuh Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan.
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29
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Christie PE, Jonas M, Tsai CH, Chi EY, Henderson WR. Increase in laminin expression in allergic airway remodelling and decrease by dexamethasone. Eur Respir J 2005; 24:107-15. [PMID: 15293612 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.04.00013303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Lung expression of the extracellular matrix protein, laminin, and its receptor, laminin-1 receptor, were examined in a mouse model of asthma with airway remodelling. Ovalbumin (OVA) was administered to BALB/c mice, intraperitoneally on days 0 and 14, and intranasally periodically between days 14 and 75. The mice developed airway eosinophil and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. On day 76, a marked increase in total laminin was seen in the airways of OVA-treated mice compared to controls by Western blot analysis. The increased laminin expression was detected immunocytochemically in the thickened subepithelial basement membrane and around airways and blood vessels. The OVA-treated mice showed increased expression of the alpha1, beta1, and gamma1 chains of the laminin-1 isoform in monocytes, macrophages and eosinophils infiltrating the airways. Laminin-1 receptor expression was increased in inflammatory and endothelial cells in the lungs of OVA-treated mice compared to controls. Treatment of OVA-sensitised/challenged mice with dexamethasone reduced airway expression of laminin and laminin-1 receptor in OVA-treated mice but not airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Laminin deposition may be an important component of the airway remodelling observed in chronic allergic lung inflammation and is a process modulated by corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Christie
- Dept of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6523, USA
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Wu CI, Changlai SP, Huang WS, Tsai CH, Lee CC, Kao CH. Usefulness of 99mTc ethyl cysteinate dimer brain SPECT to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Nucl Med Commun 2005; 24:1185-8. [PMID: 14569173 DOI: 10.1097/00006231-200311000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
99mTc ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients with acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Ten patients with acute CO poisoning and no past histories of psychoneurological disorders were enrolled in this study. After oxygen treatment, all of the 10 patients were investigated using 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT and brain computed tomography (CT) scan. Brain CT scan findings were normal in all of the 10 patients. 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT showed the hypoperfusion lesions of the basal ganglia and brain cortex in five and seven patients, respectively. Only three of the 10 patients had normal 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT findings. This study suggests that, in comparison with brain CT scan, 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT is a better tool for the early detection of hypoperfusion brain lesions in acute CO poisoning in patients with normal brain CT findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Wu
- Divisions of Plastic-Reconstruction Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygentherapy, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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31
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Affiliation(s)
- S F Lo
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
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33
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Tsai CH, Chang FC, Su YC, Tsai FJ, Lu MK, Lee CC, Kuo CC, Yang YW, Lu CS. Two novel mutations of the glycine receptor gene in a Taiwanese hyperekplexia family. Neurology 2004; 63:893-6. [PMID: 15365143 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000138566.65519.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors report a Taiwanese family with autosomal recessive hyperekplexia. Two novel mutations, W96C (from the paternal allele) and R344X (from the maternal allele), which are located in exon 4 and exon 7 of the GLRA1 gene, were identified in this family. A series of electrophysiologic investigations were conducted in one of the probands, and the results suggest that the "startle center" is located subcortically.
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MESH Headings
- Acoustic Stimulation
- Adult
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Brain/physiopathology
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Electromyography
- Evoked Potentials, Motor
- Female
- Genes, Recessive
- Humans
- Magnetics
- Mutation, Missense
- Pedigree
- Physical Stimulation
- Point Mutation
- Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
- Receptors, Glycine/genetics
- Reflex, Abnormal/genetics
- Reflex, Startle/genetics
- Reflex, Startle/physiology
- Reflex, Stretch/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Taiwan/epidemiology
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Liu FY, Shiau YC, Kao A, Hsu WH, Wang JJ, Tsai CH. Comparison of quantitative 99mTc-HMPAO and 67Ga citrate lung scans in patients with active diffuse infiltrative lung disease. Nucl Med Commun 2004; 24:1243-6. [PMID: 14627851 DOI: 10.1097/00006231-200312000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse infiltrative lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of disorders that predominantly affect the lung parenchyma and spare the airway. To objectively assess the degree of pulmonary vascular endothelium damage in active ILD, lung/liver uptake ratios (L/L ratios) on 99mTc hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) lung scans were determined in 21 patients with active ILD. Meanwhile, the 67Ga citrate uptake index (GUI) on 67Ga lung scans was measured in order to evaluate the severity of lung inflammation in active ILD. The results show there were statistically significant differences between normal controls and patients with active ILD, as shown in the L/L ratio and GUI. However, when the patients were divided into two groups: (1) eight patients with normal chest X-ray findings, and (2) 13 patients with abnormal X-ray findings, there was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 for the results of L/L ratio and GUI. In addition, no correlation between the degree of damage to the pulmonary vascular endothelium and the severity of lung inflammation was found. In conclusion, L/L ratios on 99mTc-HMPAO lung scans and GUI on 67Ga lung scans are different to the findings of chest X-rays and have the potential to objectively detect the degree of damage to the pulmonary vascular endothelium and the severity of lung inflammation in active IDL. However, the relationship between L/L ratio and GUI in active ILD is not significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Y Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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35
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Tsai YY, Tsai YY, Cheng YW, Lee H, Tseng SH, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. No association of p53 codon 72 and p21 codon 31 polymorphisms in Taiwan Chinese patients with pterygium. Br J Ophthalmol 2004; 88:975-6. [PMID: 15205257 PMCID: PMC1772236 DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2003.040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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36
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Chou IC, Tsai CH, Hsieh YY, Peng CT, Tsai FJ. Association between polymorphism of interleukin-1beta-511 promoter and susceptibility to febrile convulsions in Taiwanese children. Acta Paediatr 2004; 92:1356. [PMID: 14696863 DOI: 10.1080/08035250310006133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
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37
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Affiliation(s)
- C M Huang
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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38
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Chen AC, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH, Lin CC, Lee CC, Kao CH. Simultaneously evaluating the effects of one-week fluticasone propionate inhalation therapy on lung ventilation and permeability in children with asthma. Lung 2004; 181:283-9. [PMID: 14705772 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-003-1032-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of fluticasone propionate inhalation therapy on lung ventilation and alveolar permeability by quantitative Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy in 15 children with asthma. Lung ventilation was evaluated as the distribution percentage (D%) of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosols in the central, intermediate and peripheral regions of the right lung. Alveolar permeability was measured by the rate of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol clearance curve from the peripheral alveoli of the right lung and represented as slope. The D% and slopes were calculated before and after one-week inhalation therapy (100 microg fluticasone propionate two times daily for one-week) to evaluate the effects of inhalation therapy on lung ventilation and alveolar permeability. The preliminary results revealed statistically significantly improved lung ventilation but no significant change of alveolar permeability in the right lung after one-week fluticasone propionate inhalation therapy in children with asthma. We suggest that the widely available and noninvasive Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy can simultaneously evaluate lung ventilation and alveolar permeability in one study and should contribute to any disorder involving both alveoli and airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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39
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Wu KH, Chang JS, Tsai CH, Peng CT. Combined therapy with deferiprone and desferrioxamine successfully regresses severe heart failure in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Ann Hematol 2003; 83:471-3. [PMID: 14658011 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-003-0820-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2003] [Accepted: 10/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac complications caused by iron deposition are major causes of death in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Deferiprone (L1) was found to have greater efficacy at depleting myocardial iron than desferrioxamine (DFX). Furthermore, combined therapy with L1 and DFX produced an additive or synergistic iron chelating effect. We report the successful treatment of severe heart failure in two patients with beta-thalassemia major with the combined therapy. Magnetic resonance images showed a marked recovery of signal intensity in the heart, indicating a significant reduction of iron load in the heart. No significant adverse effects were noted. Therefore, combined therapy with L1 and DFX should be considered in patients with beta-thalassemia major and cardiac complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, North District, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
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40
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Tsai PC, Chang FC, Tsai CH, Jang FR, Shen AN, Huang YT, Lai SC, Yeh TH, Lu MK, Lu CS. Focal hand myoclonus caused by a small hematoma underneath the cerebral motor cortex. Eur Neurol 2003; 50:114-7. [PMID: 12944720 DOI: 10.1159/000072512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P C Tsai
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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41
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Affiliation(s)
- Y J Huang
- Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Chung Hwa College of Medical Technology, Tainan County, Taiwan, Republic of China
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42
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Huang WS, Chiu PY, Kao A, Tsai CH, Lee CC. Detecting abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome by technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography of the brain--a preliminary report. Rheumatol Int 2003; 23:174-7. [PMID: 12856142 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-002-0272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2002] [Accepted: 09/26/2002] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 32 female patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) showing definite neuropsychiatric symptoms/signs and normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. It demonstrated hypoperfusion brain lesions in 18 (56.3%) of the patients, most frequently in the parietal lobes, and appears to be a sensitive tool for this clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Huang
- Department of Neurology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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44
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Abstract
Anti-'Mia' is the most common alloantibody of potential clinical significance in the Taiwanese population. The Mi.III phenotype is rare among Caucasians but has a high incidence in various Oriental populations. We describe a nulliparous woman with no history of transfusions, who had hydrops foetalis at 28 weeks gestation. Foetal haemoglobin was 4.4 g dL-1, and a positive direct antiglobulin test was positive in the foetal blood. Intrauterine intravascular transfusion was given, and the baby was discharged healthy. Anti-'Mia' was identified in the maternal serum, the cord blood serum and the eluate from red cells of the cord blood. Anti-'Mia' in the maternal serum was confirmed to be anti-Mur. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method confirmed that both the baby and her father had the Mi.III gene. Therefore, our report documents that anti-Mur has the potential to cause hydrops foetalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Wu
- China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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45
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Huang WS, Chiu PY, Tsai CH, Kao A, Lee CC. Objective evidence of abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT. Rheumatol Int 2002; 22:178-81. [PMID: 12215861 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-002-0224-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2002] [Accepted: 06/09/2002] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 78 SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations. These patients were separated into two subgroups: group 1 including 48 cases with definite neuropsychiatric symptoms/signs and group 2 with 30 cases having no neuropsychiatric symptoms/signs. Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT demonstrated hypoperfusion brain lesions in 90% and 20% of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In both groups, parietal lobe and cerebellum are the most and least common areas with hypoperfusion lesions, respectively. This study suggests that Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT may provide objective information for detection of hypoperfusion brain lesions in SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Huang
- Department of Neurology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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46
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Tsai CH, Lo SK, See LC, Chen HZ, Chen RS, Weng YH, Chang FC, Lu CS. Environmental risk factors of young onset Parkinson's disease: a case-control study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2002; 104:328-33. [PMID: 12140099 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-8467(02)00027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
While the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown, recent evidence suggests certain environmental factors, such as well water drinking, herbicides and pesticides exposure, and neurotoxins, may trigger the chain of oxidative reactions culminating in the death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra to cause parkinsonism. Most studies to date focused on PD with old age onset. However, there is a peculiar group of parkinsonian patients, the young onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD), in whom the age of onset is before 40. It is intriguing to know whether earlier exposure to the putative neurotoxin(s) may contribute to the earlier onset. We therefore conducted this case-control study in which 60 PD patients, 30 YOPD patients and the same number of age- and sex-matched young controls were included. Using logistic regression, we found well water drinking and head injury were risk factors for the development of YOPD. When YOPD patients were compared with PD, we found head injury and exercise were the significant predictors. Keeping all other variables constant, head injury was a risk factor and exercise appeared to be a protective factor. We conclude early exposure to well water drinking and head trauma may trigger and expedite the appearance of parkinsonian features, but such acceleration may be prevented through regular exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Neurology, China Medical College Hospital, 2, Yuh-Der road, 404, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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Yeh HI, Lai YJ, Lee SH, Lee YN, Ko YS, Chen SA, Severs NJ, Tsai CH. Heterogeneity of myocardial sleeve morphology and gap junctions in canine superior vena cava. Circulation 2001; 104:3152-7. [PMID: 11748116 DOI: 10.1161/hc5001.100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The myocardial sleeve of the superior vena cava (SVC) has been identified as a potential initiating focus in atrial fibrillation, but information on cell-to-cell linkage at this site is lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the SVC in 8 dogs by immunoconfocal and electron microscopy. Cardiomyocytes outlined with vinculin and bearing striations positive for alpha-actinin are found in the proximal segment of the SVC. These cells, grouped in bundles of various orientations according to location, extend cephalically as far as 3 cm from the right atrium (RA)-SVC junction. Comparison between the junctional level and the level 2 cm distal shows that the myocardial layer in the latter is thinner and not as compact and is composed of longer cells (87.3+/-15.7 versus 71.6+/-14.4 micrometer, P<0.01). Gap junctions made of connexin43 (Cx43), Cx40, and Cx45 are aggregated mainly at the intercalated disks, and colocalization of connexins is a common feature throughout the myocardial sleeve. Areas of atypical expression exist, however, characterized by a center of abundant Cx43 labels surrounded by a periphery of scattered tiny Cx40-labeled spots. Although in the ventral subluminal compact myocardial layer, individual cells at both levels are surrounded by similar numbers of cells, the number of aggregation of labeled gap junctions at the distal level is less (2.3+/-0.6 versus 3.7+/-0.9, P<0.01). In addition, electron-microscopic examination demonstrates that the gap junctions at the distal level are smaller in size (0.37+/-0.30 versus 0.55+/-0.34 micrometer, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The myocardial sleeve in the canine SVC is a heterogeneous structure, which could potentially form a substrate for heterogeneity of electrical coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Yeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
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Chen HY, Chen WC, Hsu CD, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH, Li CW. Relation of BsmI vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism to bone mineral density and occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. Osteoporos Int 2001; 12:1036-41. [PMID: 11846330 DOI: 10.1007/s001980170014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of the vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to osteoporosis. We determined the vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphfsm using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis in 171 postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. The polymorphism was detected using the restriction enzyme BsmI, where the B allele indicated absence of the cuttable site and the b allele its presence. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The allelic frequencies for postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan were 12.3% for B and 87.7% for b in BsmI restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of each genotype in the study population was: 6.4% BB, 11.7% Bb and 81.9% bb. The three genotypic groups differed significantly in BMD at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck. These differences corresponded to significant gene-dose effects at the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p<0.001 for both sites). The relative risk for the development of osteoporosis was about 2-3 times as great as that predicted by the differences between genotypes in BMD, and remained significant even after adjustment for age, height and weight. The vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphism is associated with reduced BMD and predisposes women to osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Y Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical College Hospital, School of Medicine, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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49
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Abstract
Syntactic priming of Chinese nouns and verbs was investigated in word recognition (cued shadowing of auditory targets) and production (picture naming). Disyllabic compound words were presented after syntactically congruent, incongruent, or neutral auditory contexts, with a zero delay between offset of the context and onset of the target. Significant priming was observed in both tasks, including facilitation as well as inhibition. Post hoc analyses showed that reaction times were also affected by sublexical variables that are especially relevant for Chinese, including syllable density (number of word types and tokens in the language with the same first or second syllable) and semantic transparency (whether the meaning of the whole word is predictable from the separate meanings of the two syllables within the compound). These patterns suggest competitive effects at the sublexical level. Implications for interactive models of lexical access are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Lu
- National Hsinchu Teachers College, Taiwan
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50
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Lin WD, Wu JY, Hsu HB, Tsai FJ, Lee CC, Tsai CH. Mutation analysis of a family with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia associated with hepatic arteriovenous malformation. J Formos Med Assoc 2001; 100:817-9. [PMID: 11802521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multisystemic vascular dysplasia. Two related genes, endoglin and activin receptor-like kinase (ALK-1), have been mapped to chromosomes 9q34 and 12q13, respectively. We describe a Taiwanese HHT family with hepatic arteriovenous malformation. Clinical and molecular evaluations were performed in eight members of this family, and HHT symptoms were found in three adults. Short tandem repeat markers were used to perform linkage analysis, and this family was classified as HHT type 2 (ALK-1 gene). The exons of ALK-1 were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct DNA sequencing. The mutation causing the disease was located at ALK-1 codon 411, causing an arginine to glutamine substitution. Five members of this family carried the mutated ALK-1 gene. This investigation successfully used linkage and sequencing techniques to perform molecular diagnosis of HHT.
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MESH Headings
- Activin Receptors, Type I/genetics
- Activin Receptors, Type II
- Aged
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Antigens, CD
- Arteriovenous Malformations/complications
- Arteriovenous Malformations/genetics
- Chromosome Mapping
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9
- Endoglin
- Hepatic Artery/abnormalities
- Hepatic Veins/abnormalities
- Humans
- Male
- Mutation, Missense
- Pedigree
- Receptors, Cell Surface
- Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic/complications
- Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic/genetics
- Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Lin
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical College Hospital, 2 Yuh Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan
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