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Dudzinski SO, Cabanillas ME, Busaidy NL, Hu MI, Dadu R, Gunn GB, Reddy J, Phan J, Beckham T, Waguespack SG, Sherman S, Ying AK, Gandhi S, Wang C, Liao Z, Chang JY, Ludmir EB, Chen AB, Welsh JW, Ning MS. Definitive Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic and Oligoprogressive Thyroid Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e579. [PMID: 37785759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Local consolidative radiotherapy (LCT) for oligometastatic disease is a promising paradigm improving outcomes for various malignancies but has been underexplored for metastatic thyroid cancer. We hypothesize that LCT to distant sites with definitive RT doses can yield favorable outcomes and defer systemic therapy escalation for these patients. MATERIALS/METHODS We reviewed 96 thyroid cancer patients who received 175 LCT courses from 2010-2022 to 228 metastatic sites, including: thorax (45%), bone (40%), brain (6%), head/neck (5%), and abdomen (3%). Common prescriptions were 50-55Gy/4-5fxs or 56-70Gy/8-10fxs for lung; 52.5-60Gy/15fxs for mediastinum; and 18-24Gy/1fx or 27-30Gy/3fxs for bone. RECIST v1.1 and CTCAE v5.0 were used to define progression and toxicities, respectively. Outcomes were evaluated via Kaplan-Meier and associations examined via Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS Median age was 63 years (range: 26-92), with 62 oligometastatic cases (total 1-5 sites) and 34 oligoprogressive (with 1-5 growing sites). Primary disease was controlled in all patients, with 39% receiving post-op RT and 66% prior RAI. Histologies included papillary (40%), anaplastic (25%), follicular (12%), medullary (9%), Hurthle (7%), and poorly-differentiated (7%). Median time from initial diagnosis to LCT was 3 yrs (IQR 1-8), and median follow-up from 1st LCT was 21 mos (IQR 9-51). Patients received an average 2 LCT courses (range 1-8) treating 1-4 sites. Median survival (OS) from 1st LCT was 9 yrs (95% CI = 5-14). On multivariable analysis (MVA), worse OS was associated with anaplastic histology (HR 4.6, p<.01), but longer OS was associated with prior RAI (HR 0.33, p = .02) and oligometastatic disease (HR 0.3, p = .01). For anaplastic histology, median OS was 1.2 years vs. 9.3 years for non-anaplastic; 3-yr OS was 36% vs. 88% (log-rank, p<.01). Five-year OS for oligometastatic cases was 75% vs 53% for oligoprogressive (log-rank, p = .04). Median progression free survival (PFS) from 1st LCT was 15.5 mos (95% C I = 11-20). On MVA for all LCT courses, time to any progression (TTP) was negatively associated with anaplastic histology (HR 1.7, p = .02) and 2nd or higher LCT course (HR 1.45, p = .05), but favorably associated with thoracic site (HR 0.49, p<.01). Following later LCT courses, median TTP was 11 mos vs 17 mos for initial LCT course (log-rank, p = .03). After LCT to lung/chest, TTP was 18.6 mos vs 9.5 mos for non-thoracic sites (log-rank, p<.01). Only 6% of failures occurred at previously treated lesions. Most LCT courses (67%) were without ongoing chemotherapy, while 25% entailed continuing the same regimen and 9% had planned treatment post-RT. There were 2 Grade 3 toxicities (pneumonitis and esophagitis) and no Grade 4-5 events. CONCLUSION With high local control rates and minimal toxicity, LCT can be a feasible strategy to defer systemic therapy escalation for oligometastatic and oligoprogressive thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O Dudzinski
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - M E Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - N L Busaidy
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - M I Hu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - R Dadu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - G B Gunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - J Reddy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - J Phan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - T Beckham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - S G Waguespack
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - S Sherman
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - A K Ying
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - S Gandhi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - C Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Z Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - J Y Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - E B Ludmir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - A B Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - J W Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - M S Ning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Liu Y, Hobbs BP, Hofstetter W, Murphy MB, Gandhi S, Nguyen QN, Chang JY, Liao Z, Diehn M, Ma J, Lin SH. Prospective Trial of Using Imaging to Predict Pathologic Response and Clinical Outcomes in Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:S12-S13. [PMID: 37784311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Trimodality therapy with chemoradiation (CRT) followed by esophagectomy is the standard of care for locally advanced esophageal cancer. An unresolved question is whether pathologic complete response (pCR) can be assessed non-invasively for patients post-CRT. In this study, we assessed whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with MRI or PET can be used as predictors of pCR and other clinical outcomes after CRT. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients were enrolled on a single-arm institutional trial (PA13-0380) assessing the role of imaging in predicting outcomes in potentially resectable esophageal patients undergoing trimodality therapy. All patients received neoadjuvant CRT, and 29 patients had subsequent surgery. DWI MRI and PET scans were obtained at baseline, 2 weeks after the start of CRT (interim) and 4 to 6 weeks after completion of CRT (follow up). Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were calculated based on DWI images. Circulating tumor DNA was obtained for 27 patients post-radiation using CAPP-Seq. Mann-Whitney tests compared imaging changes associated with pCR. Discrimination of pCR by imaging changes was quantified by received operating characteristics. Youden's index was applied to select optimal thresholds. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by changes in DWI, PET, and ctDNA parameters. RESULTS Our cohort of 60 patients had a median follow up of 42.7 months, age of 65.4 yrs, and ECOG of 1 at completion of CRT. 90% were male, 58% had a history of smoking, and 85% were white. 83% had adenocarcinoma with the rest squamous cell carcinoma. Stages of the patients ranged from IIA to IIIB. All had moderately (47%) or poorly (53%) differentiated disease. All received 41.4-50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions with the majority receiving 50.4 Gy (95%). 29 patients underwent surgery after CRT of which 8 (27.6%) had pCR. Mean ΔADC from baseline to mid-treatment was most associated with pCR (AUC = 0.98, p<0.001) for patients undergoing surgery. Max ΔADC from baseline to first follow-up was most associated with OS (p = 0.002) and PFS (p<0.001) for the whole cohort. 27 patients had ctDNA analyzed after RT with the presence of ctDNA significantly associated with worse OS (HR = 0.12, p = 0.05) and PFS (HR = 0.10, p = 0.002). Combining ctDNA and max ΔADC generated a model that was more predictive of OS and PFS than either alone. We found that neither the PET parameters of TLG or SUV max at baseline or changes in these parameters from baseline to mid-treatment or first follow-up were as predictive as DWI. CONCLUSION We show that changes in DWI is associated with pCR, OS, and PFS in resectable esophageal cancer patients undergoing CRT. DWI was more predictive than PET and a model combining DWI and ctDNA was the most predictive of clinical outcomes. This study shows the significant promise of using DWI in potentially guiding treatment decisions in esophageal cancer patients and will require validation in a larger cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Liu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - B P Hobbs
- Department of Population Health, The University of Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX
| | - W Hofstetter
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - M Blum Murphy
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - S Gandhi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Q N Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - J Y Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Z Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - M Diehn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - J Ma
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - S H Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Caine SB, Plant S, Furbish K, Yerton M, Smaragdi E, Niclou B, Lorusso JM, Chang JY, Bitter C, Basu A, Miller S, Huang CY, Komson R, Liu D, Behar S, Thomsen M. Sprague Dawley rats from different vendors vary in the modulation of prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) by dopamine, acetylcholine, and glutamate drugs. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2005-2012. [PMID: 37580441 PMCID: PMC10471717 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06444-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Rodent vendors are often utilized interchangeably, assuming that the phenotype of a given strain remains standardized between colonies. Several studies, however, have found significant behavioral and physiological differences between Sprague Dawley (SD) rats from separate vendors. Prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), a form of sensorimotor gating in which a low-intensity leading stimulus reduces the startle response to a subsequent stimulus, may also vary by vendor. Differences in PPI between rat strains are well known, but divergence between colonies within the SD strain lacks thorough examination. OBJECTIVES We explored intrastrain variation in PPI by testing SD rats from two vendors: Envigo and Charles River (CR). METHODS We selected drugs acting on four major neurotransmitter systems that have been repeatedly shown to modulate PPI: dopamine (apomorphine; 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 mg/kg), acetylcholine (scopolamine; 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg), glutamate (dizocilpine; 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 mg/kg), and serotonin (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, DOI; 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg). We determined PPI and startle amplitude for each drug in male and female Envigo and CR SD rats. RESULTS SD rats from Envigo showed dose-dependent decreases in PPI after apomorphine, scopolamine, or dizocilpine administration, without significant effects on startle amplitude. SD rats from CR were less sensitive to modulation of PPI and/or more sensitive to modulation of startle amplitude, across the three drugs. CONCLUSIONS SD rats showed vendor differences in sensitivity to pharmacological modulation of PPI and startle. We encourage researchers to sample rats from separate vendors before experimentation to identify the most suited source of subjects for their specific endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Caine
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - S Plant
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - K Furbish
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - M Yerton
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - E Smaragdi
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - B Niclou
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - J M Lorusso
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - J Y Chang
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - C Bitter
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - A Basu
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - S Miller
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - C-Y Huang
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - R Komson
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - D Liu
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - S Behar
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - M Thomsen
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Forskningsenheder, Hovedvejen 17, 1. sal, 2000 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Bae JH, Ryu JC, Ha SH, Kim BJ, Kang DW, Kwon SU, Kim JS, Chang JY. Association of Left Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia with Posterior Circulation Stroke and the Functional Outcome of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation-Related Cardioembolic Stroke. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2023; 44:65-69. [PMID: 36521964 PMCID: PMC9835927 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7738] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A cardiogenic embolus could reach the posterior circulation through the right vertebral artery because of a relatively larger diameter in cases of left vertebral artery hypoplasia. Hence, we investigated whether left vertebral artery hypoplasia is associated with cardiac embolisms with atrial fibrillation in the posterior circulation and its functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this monocentric retrospective study, patients with acute cardioembolic stroke with atrial fibrillation were enrolled and underwent CT or neck MRA, which visualized the aortic arch and subclavian arteries. The laterality and size of vertebral artery hypoplasia were recorded. Posterior circulation stroke, basilar artery occlusion, and the functional outcomes after 3 months were investigated. RESULTS This study included 407 patients; the patients with left vertebral artery hypoplasia experienced a higher rate of posterior circulation stroke (19 versus 73; 42.2% versus 20.2%; P = .001) and basilar artery occlusion (5 versus 10; 11.1% versus 2.8%; P = .005) than the patients without left vertebral artery hypoplasia. Multivariate analysis revealed that left vertebral artery hypoplasia showed an association with lower odds of achieving a good functional outcome 3 months after the stroke (OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9; P = .027). CONCLUSIONS Patients with cardioembolic stroke and left vertebral artery hypoplasia had posterior circulation stroke, basilar artery occlusion, and poor functional outcomes after 3 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-H Bae
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - J-C Ryu
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - S H Ha
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - B J Kim
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - D-W Kang
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - S U Kwon
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - J-S Kim
- Department of Neurology (J.-S.K.), Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangneung, Korea
| | - J Y Chang
- From the Department of Neurology (J.-H.B., J.-C.R., S.H.H., B.J.K., D.-W.K., S.U.K., J.Y.C.), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Chen WS, Chen ZY, Chang JY, Chen CY, Zeng YP. Ultrasound-assisted desalination of crude oil: The influence of mixing extent, crude oil species, chemical demulsifier and operation variables. Ultrason Sonochem 2022; 83:105947. [PMID: 35151193 PMCID: PMC8844829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.105947] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coalescence of water droplets in crude oil has been effectively promoted by chemical demulsifiers integrated with ultrasound. Temporary images of water droplets in W/O emulsions were directly monitored using a metallurgical microscope. Water droplets achieved expansion of 118% at 40 min ultrasonic irradiation time under well mixing conditions. However, water droplets in heavy crude oil undergo less aggregation than those in light crude oil, due to resistance of mobility in highly viscous fluid. In the absence of chemical demulsifiers, water droplets enveloped by native surfactants appeared to aggregate arduously because of occurrence of interfacial tension gradients. Influential significance analyses have been executed by a factorial design method on operation variables, including acoustic power intensity, operation temperature, ultrasonic irradiation time and chemical demulsifier dosages. In this work, the outcomes indicate that the optimal operating conditions for desalination of crude oil assisted by ultrasound were as follows: acoustic power intensity = 300 W, operation temperature = 90℃, ultrasonic irradiation time = 75 min and chemical demulsifier dosages = 54 mg/L. Besides, it was found that the most influential importance of operation parameter was temperature, followed with acoustic power intensity, ultrasonic irradiation time and chemical demulsifier dosages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Shing Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Yunlin 640, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Zi-Yin Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Yunlin 640, Taiwan, ROC
| | - J Y Chang
- Refining & Manufacturing Research Institute, CPC Corporation, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chao-Yuh Chen
- Refining & Manufacturing Research Institute, CPC Corporation, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yun-Pei Zeng
- Refining & Manufacturing Research Institute, CPC Corporation, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan, ROC
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Song HY, Liu Y, Chen K, Chang JY, Zou Y, Yang JF, Dai FY, Zou FC. Prevalence and Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Cats, Rats, and Chickens in Border Areas of Yunnan Province, China. J Parasitol 2020; 106:395-399. [PMID: 32556163 DOI: 10.1645/18-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine the characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in cats, rats, and chickens in the border areas of Yunnan Province. A total of 259 samples was collected from 10 border areas in Yunnan Province including 94 cats, 58 rats, and 107 chickens. Samples were screened by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and the positive products were analyzed by multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to determine the genotypes. Toxoplasma gondii deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected from 15.96% of 94 cats, 15.52% of 58 rats, and 6.54% of 107 chickens, respectively, and the average infection rate is 11.97%. Using the multilocus PCR-RFLP, we found that the genotype of T. gondii in cats and rats was ToxoDB#9. Because of low DNA concentration, no genotype was determined from chickens. These results fill the gaps of knowledge in the prevalence and genotype of T. gondii in the border areas of Yunnan Province and have implications for the better control of T. gondii infection in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yang Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650201, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650101, China
| | - Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, China
| | - Jiang-Yan Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650201, China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, China
| | - Jian-Fa Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650201, China
| | - Fei-Yan Dai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650201, China
| | - Feng-Cai Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650201, China
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7
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Abstract
We performed a molecular survey for Cytauxzoon felis infection in 311 domestic cats in Yunnan Province, China, in 2016 and found a prevalence of 21.5%. C. felis infection in domestic and wild cats in other provinces should be investigated to determine parasite prevalence and genetic diversity among cats throughout China.
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8
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Chang JY, Zheng M, Liu Y, Liu R, Zhang JF, Deng XL. [Multidisciplinary classification of magnetic resonance imaging features of neuropsychiatric lupus]. Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2018; 50:1009-1013. [PMID: 30562773] [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: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical correlation between the manifestations of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS Retrospective analysis of 65 neuropsychiatric lupus patients with brain MRI and clinical data from Peking University Third Hospital from January 2006 to October 2016, which was classified by rheumatologist, neurologists, and radiologists based on their brain MRI findings. The correlation between brain MRI findings and clinical manifestations was analyzed. RESULTS The characteristics of the brain MRI of the 65 patients were divided into 6 categories: 16 cases (25%) with demyelination in the white matter, 15 cases (23%) with cerebrovascular disease, including 4 cases (6%) with large vascular disease and 11 cases (17%) with small vessel disease, 4 cases (6%) with inflammation, 4 cases (6%) with edema, 13 cases (20%) with multiple manifestation coexistence, and 13 cases (20%) without any abnormality. Except for 4 cases of brain MRI with edema, the clinical manifestations were only epileptic seizures, other patients had complex and diverse clinical manifestations, including epileptic seizures, lupus-like headaches, mental symptoms, blurred vision, peripheral neuropathy and disturbance of consciousness. The incidence of epileptic seizures in patients with edema of MRI is significantly higher than that of other patients, and the therapeutic response time is the shortest. CONCLUSION Multidisciplinary collaboration divides the MRI findings of neuropsychiatric lupus patients into six categories. This classification method helps clinicians to predict and intervene early possible neuropsychiatric symptoms to guide clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Handan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Handan 056001, Hebei, China
| | - M Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Y Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - R Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - J F Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - X L Deng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Chang JY, Almazar AE, Richard Locke G, Larson JJ, Atkinson EJ, Talley NJ, Saito YA. Quantifying Rome symptoms for diagnosis of the irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018; 30:e13356. [PMID: 29701271 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, diagnosed on symptom-based criteria. Many have reported discrepancies between formal Rome criteria and diagnoses made in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to explore whether a quantitative version of the Rome criteria would better represent a clinical diagnosis of IBS than the current dichotomous criteria for symptom measure. METHODS As part of a large, case-control study, participants completed a validated bowel disease questionnaire. Rome criteria were analyzed based on 15 individual symptoms. Penalized logistic regression model with stepwise selection was used to identify significant symptoms of IBS which were independently associated with case-control status. KEY RESULTS In cases with a clinical diagnosis of IBS, 347 (70%) met Rome criteria for IBS. Increasing number of Rome symptoms were found related to the odds of being diagnosed with IBS. Nearly half of the Rome-negative case group experienced infrequent symptoms suggesting milder disease. Five of 15 Rome symptoms were associated with predicting case-control status in the final model, with 96% correctly classified among Rome-positive cases, 76% for Rome-negative cases, and 91% for controls. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Irritable bowel syndrome appears to be a spectrum disorder. Quantifying individual symptoms of Rome criteria has greater utility than the current application in representing the degree of IBS affectedness and appears to better reflect a clinical diagnosis of IBS applied by physicians. The use of a quantitative diagnostic Rome "score" may be helpful in clinical practice and research studies to better reflect the degree an individual is affected with IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - A E Almazar
- Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - G Richard Locke
- Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - J J Larson
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - E J Atkinson
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - N J Talley
- Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research, University of Newcastle, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Y A Saito
- Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Luo YW, Li G, Wang Z, Fan Y, Bai HW, Chang JY, He TH, Qian YY. [Clinical analysis on effect of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in elderly donors for renal transplantation]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2016; 96:1566-9. [PMID: 27266683 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0376-2491.2016.20.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy in elderly donors for renal transplantation. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted with 123 cases of retroperitoneoscopic living donor kidney transplantation in 309th Hospital of PLA from March 2011 to March 2014, including 44 elderly donors (age≥55 years) and 79 young to middle-aged donors (age <55 years). Comparisons were made in terms of postoperative complications in both donors and recipients, renal function recovery in the donors and function of graft in the recipients. RESULTS The clinical baseline data of the two groups shows that glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of donors in the elderly donor group was lower than the young donor group (P=0.04). The 123 donors all underwent retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy successfully. Postoperative complications in donors and recipients of both groups had no significant differences (P=0.60; P=1.00). In the elderly donor group, the mean serum creatinine level of donors was significantly higher than that in the young donors group [(115.8±22.3) vs (102.5±16.3) μmol/L, P<0.01] 3 days after operation; and estimated GFR (eGFR) was lower [(53.0±9.1)vs(59.6±8.3)ml·min(-1)·(1.73 m(2))(-1,) P<0.01]. Serum creatinine and eGFR of the two groups showed no significant differences one week and six months after surgery (all P>0.05). Four recipients in the elderly donor group had delayed graft function (DGF), 3 had acute rejection; 8 recipients in the young donor group had DGF, 5 had acute rejection; no statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups (both P=1.00). Recipients' eGFR were higher in the young donor group than in the elderly donor group at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, but with no statistically significant differences(all P>0.05). After (27.8±12.6) months follow-up, 1 recipient in the elderly donor group died from pulmonary infection; two recipients in the young donor group had kidney dysfunction. Graft survival in the two groups showed no significant difference(P=0.95). CONCLUSIONS Retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy is safe and feasible for elderly donors. With careful preoperative evaluation, precise operation, and close postoperative monitoring and follow-up, it could provide satisfactory clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y W Luo
- Ward 2, Department of Urology, Institute of Organ Transplantation of PLA, 309th Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100091, China
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11
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Sze CI, Kuo YM, Hsu LJ, Fu TF, Chiang MF, Chang JY, Chang NS. A cascade of protein aggregation bombards mitochondria for neurodegeneration and apoptosis under WWOX deficiency. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1881. [PMID: 26355344 PMCID: PMC4650446 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Y M Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - L J Hsu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - T F Fu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - M F Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital Taipei, and Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - J Y Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - N S Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
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12
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Chang TC, Shiah HS, Yang CH, Yeh KH, Cheng AL, Shen BN, Wang YW, Yeh CG, Chiang NJ, Chang JY, Chen LT. Phase I study of nanoliposomal irinotecan (PEP02) in advanced solid tumor patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 75:579-86. [PMID: 25577133 PMCID: PMC4341010 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-014-2671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
To define the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of PEP02, a novel liposome-encapsulated irinotecan, in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Methods Patients were enrolled in cohorts of one to three to receive escalating dose of PEP02 in a phase I trial. PEP02, from 60 to 180 mg/m2, was given as a 90-min intravenous infusion, every 3 weeks. Results A total of 11 patients were enrolled into three dose levels: 60 (one patient), 120 (six patients) and 180 mg/m2 (four patients). DLT was observed in three patients, one at 120 mg/m2 (grade 3 catheter-related infection) and two at 180 mg/m2 (grade 4 neutropenia lasting for >3 days in one, grade 4 hematological toxicities and grade 4 diarrhea in the other). MTD was determined as 120 mg/m2. Comparing with those after free-form irinotecan in the literature, the dose-normalized PK of SN-38 (the active metabolite) after PEP02 was characterized by lower Cmax, prolonged terminal half-life and higher AUC but with significant inter-individual variation. One patient who died of treatment-related toxicity had significantly higher Cmax and AUC levels of SN-38 than those of the other three patients at 180 mg/m2. Post hoc pharmacogenetic study showed that the patient had a combined heterozygosity genotype of UGT1A1*6/*28. Two patients had objective tumor response. Conclusions PEP02 apparently modified the PK parameters of irinotecan and SN-38 by liposome encapsulation. The MTD of PEP02 monotherapy at 3-week interval is 120 mg/m2, which will be the recommended dose for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Chang
- Department of Gynecology, Linkuo Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, No.5, Fu-Hsing Street, Kuei-shan Hsiang, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan
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13
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Cheng SM, Chang YC, Liu CY, Lee JYC, Chan HH, Kuo CW, Lin KY, Tsai SL, Chen SH, Li CF, Leung E, Kanwar JR, Huang CC, Chang JY, Cheung CHA. YM155 down-regulates survivin and XIAP, modulates autophagy and induces autophagy-dependent DNA damage in breast cancer cells. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 172:214-34. [PMID: 25220225 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the potency and molecular mechanism of action of YM155, a first-in-class survivin inhibitor that is currently under phase I/II clinical investigations, in various drug-resistant breast cancers including the oestrogen receptor positive (ER(+) ) tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer and the caspase-3-deficient breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The potency of YM155 in SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and its tamoxifen-resistant sublines, TamR6, TamR7, TamR8, TamC3 and TamC6, were determined by MTT assay. Western blot analysis, flow cytometric analysis, reverse transcription-PCR, fluorescent microscopy and comet assay were used to determine the molecular mechanism of action of YM155 in different breast cancer cell lines. KEY RESULTS YM155 was equally potent towards the parental ER(+) /caspase-3-deficient MCF7 breast cancer cells and its tamoxifen-resistant sublines in vitro. The ER(-) /HER2(+) SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells and the triple-negative/caspase-3-expressing metastatic aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were also sensitive to YM155 with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Targeting survivin by YM155 modulated autophagy, induced autophagy-dependent caspase-7 activation and autophagy-dependent DNA damage in breast cancer cells. Interestingly, YM155 also induced XIAP degradation and the degradation of XIAP might play an important role in YM155-induced autophagy in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS YM155 is a potent survivin inhibitor that has potential for the management of various breast cancer subtypes regardless of the expression of ER, HER2 and caspase-3. Importantly, this study provides new insights into YM155's molecular mechanism of action and therapeutic potential in the treatment of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Cheng
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H C Lang
- National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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15
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Pu X, Wang L, Chang JY, Hildebrandt MAT, Ye Y, Lu C, Skinner HD, Niu N, Jenkins GD, Komaki R, Minna JD, Roth JA, Weinshilboum RM, Wu X. Inflammation-related genetic variants predict toxicity following definitive radiotherapy for lung cancer. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2014; 96:609-15. [PMID: 25054431 PMCID: PMC4206576 DOI: 10.1038/clpt.2014.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Definitive radiotherapy improves locoregional control and survival in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, radiation-induced toxicities (pneumonitis/esophagitis) are common dose-limiting inflammatory conditions. We therefore conducted a pathway-based analysis to identify inflammation-related SNPs associated with radiation-induced pneumonitis or esophagitis. 11,930 SNPs were genotyped in 201 stage I-III NSCLC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. Validation was performed in an additional 220 NSCLC cases. After validation, 19 SNPs remained significant. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was generated to summarize the effect from validated SNPs. Significant improvements in discriminative ability were observed by adding the PRS into the clinical/epidemiological variable-based model. We then used 277 lymphoblastoid cell-lines to assess radiation sensitivity and eQTL relationships of the identified SNPs. Three genes (PRKCE,DDX58 and TNFSF7) were associated with radiation sensitivity. We concluded that inflammation-related genetic variants could contribute to the development of radiation-induced toxicities. These loci could assist in predicting those unfavorable events.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Pu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - L Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - J Y Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - M A T Hildebrandt
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Y Ye
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - C Lu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - H D Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - N Niu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - G D Jenkins
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - R Komaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - J D Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - J A Roth
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - R M Weinshilboum
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - X Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Mitchell AJ, Yates CC, Williams DK, Chang JY, Hall RW. Does daily kangaroo care provide sustained pain and stress relief in preterm infants? J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2014; 6:45-52. [PMID: 24246458 DOI: 10.3233/npm-1364212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES 1. Determine whether stress in preterm infants, measured with salivary cortisol, decreases after five days of Kangaroo Care (KC) compared to five days of Standard Care (SC). 2. To determine whether kangaroo care provides sustainable pain relief beyond the period of skin-to-skin holding. STUDY DESIGN Preterm infants (n = 38) born at 27-30 weeks gestational age were randomized to either the KC or the SC group and received the allocated intervention starting on day of life (DOL) five and continuing for five days. Salivary cortisol was collected on DOL five and again on DOL ten. Differences were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and t tests. Pain during nasal suctioning over five days was assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). RESULT 1. Adequate saliva samples for salivary cortisol were collected for 13 KC infants and 11 SC infants. There was no main effect of group (p = 0.49), but there was a significant main effect of age (DOL five versus DOL ten), with salivary cortisol levels decreasing in both groups (p = 0.02). 2. Pain scores for both groups (n = 38) indicted mild to moderate pain during suctioning, with no significant difference in pain scores between groups. CONCLUSION 1. KC did not affect salivary cortisol levels in preterm neonates, but levels in both the KC and SC groups decreased over time from DOL five to ten. Salivary cortisol may vary with age of infant. 2. Infants experience pain during routine suctioning and may require pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Mitchell
- College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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17
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Liu CS, Chang JY, Wu WC, Mou CY. Possible s±-wave pairing evidenced by midgap surface bound states in Fe-pnictide superconductors. J Phys Condens Matter 2013; 25:365701. [PMID: 23934785 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/36/365701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A phenomenological theory of tunneling spectroscopy for Fe-pnictide superconductors is developed by taking into consideration asymmetric interface scattering between particle and holes. It is shown that, consistent with anti-phase s(±)-wave pairing, appreciable zero-energy surface bound states exist on the [100] surface of Fe-pnictide superconductors. However, in contrast to the [110] bound states in d-wave cuprate superconductors, these bound states arise as a result of non-conservation of momentum perpendicular to the interface for tunneling electrons and the s(±) pairing, and hence they can only exist in a small window (~ ± 6°) in the orientation of edges near the [100] direction. Our results explain why a zero-bias conductance peak is often observed in tunneling spectroscopy and why, when it disappears, two coherent peaks show up. These results provide unambiguous signals to test for possible s(±)-wave pairing in Fe-pnictide superconductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Liu
- School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, People's Republic of China
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18
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Wang HM, Liao ZX, Komaki R, Welsh JW, O'Reilly MS, Chang JY, Zhuang Y, Levy LB, Lu C, Gomez DR. Improved survival outcomes with the incidental use of beta-blockers among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy. Ann Oncol 2013; 24:1312-9. [PMID: 23300016 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mds616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical studies have shown that norepinephrine can directly stimulate tumor cell migration and that this effect is mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 722 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received definitive radiotherapy (RT). A Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to determine the association between beta-blocker intake and locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS In univariate analysis, patients taking beta-blockers (n = 155) had improved DMFS (P < 0.01), DFS (P < 0.01), and OS (P = 0.01), but not LRPFS (P = 0.33) compared with patients not taking beta-blockers (n = 567). In multivariate analysis, beta-blocker intake was associated with a significantly better DMFS [hazard ratio (HR), 0.67; P = 0.01], DFS (HR, 0.74; P = 0.02), and OS (HR, 0.78; P = 0.02) with adjustment for age, Karnofsky performance score, stage, histology type, concurrent chemotherapy, radiation dose, gross tumor volume, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the use of aspirin. There was no association of beta-blocker use with LRPFS (HR = 0.91, P = 0.63). CONCLUSION Beta-blocker use is associated with improved DMFS, DFS, and OS in this large cohort of NSCLC patients. Future prospective trials can validate these retrospective findings and determine whether the length and timing of beta-blocker use influence survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Chang JY, Lai PY. Uncontrolled growth resulting from dedifferentiation in a skin cell proliferation model. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 2012; 85:041926. [PMID: 22680517 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.85.041926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 01/10/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
By introducing a small backward dedifferentiation probability of postmitotic cells to progenitor cells in a recently proposed skin cell proliferation model, the homeostasis of the system can be disrupted resulting in uncontrolled growth. It is found that when the dedifferentiation probability exceeds a small critical value, the stable fixed point of the system vanishes leading to unlimited cell growth resembling scenarios in carcinogenesis. Explicit expression for the critical dedifferentiation probability and phase diagram are calculated analytically and the associated nonlinear dynamics is analyzed. In the presence of stochastic fluctuations, our model predicts that the escape rate from homeostatic growth to uncontrolled growth is greatly enhanced by a small but finite dedifferentiation probability. These results are verified by numerical solutions of the dynamical system and chemical Langevin equations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Physics, Graduate Institute of Biophysics and Center for Complex Systems, National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan 320, Republic of China
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Kim JM, Bak EJ, Chang JY, Kim ST, Park WS, Yoo YJ, Cha JH. Effects of HB-EGF and epiregulin on wound healing of gingival cells in vitro. Oral Dis 2011; 17:785-93. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2011.01836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
In contrast to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the prevalence and risk factors for diarrhoea in the absence of IBS in the community are unknown. We aimed to evaluate potential risk factors for chronic diarrhoea (non-IBS). A valid questionnaire that recorded gastrointestinal symptoms required for a diagnosis of chronic diarrhoea, self-reported measures of potential risk factors, and a somatic symptom checklist was mailed to an age- and gender-stratified random sample of Olmsted County, Minnesota residents (30-64 year). Chronic diarrhoea was defined as reporting one or more of the following symptoms more than 25% of the time in the past 3 months: > or =3 bowel movements a day, loose or watery stools, or faecal urgency. Subjects with IBS (Rome III) were excluded. Of 892 eligible subjects, 653 (73%) responded. Among 523 respondents not reporting IBS, chronic diarrhoea was reported by 148 (28%); 90 (61%) had chronic painless diarrhoea. Chronic diarrhoea was significantly associated with self-reported food sensitivity (OR = 2.05 [1.31-3.20]) and stress (OR = 1.99 [1.03-3.85]). Both remained significant in the adjusted variable models that excluded subjects with any abdominal pain. Female gender (OR = 0.67 [0.45-0.98]) and higher education level (OR = 0.60 [0.39-0.92]) had smaller odds for chronic diarrhoea. No association was detected for age, marital status, body mass index, cigarette or alcohol use, coffee, analgesics, emotional support, pets or water source. Chronic diarrhoea in the absence of IBS is common; self-reported food sensitivity, male gender and a lower level of education are risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Abstract
A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*51 allele, officially named HLA-B*5158, was identified in the cord blood from Korean. HLA-B*5158 allele shows single nucleotide difference from B*510101 in exon 2 at nucleotide position 214 (C/T), resulting in an amino acid substitution, Trp48Arg.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Y Roh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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Chang CL, Chen YH, Lin CH, Chang JY. Monolithically integrated multi-wavelength filter and second harmonic generator in aperiodically poled lithium niobate. Opt Express 2008; 16:18535-18544. [PMID: 18958132 DOI: 10.1364/oe.16.018535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We report on the design and experimental characterization of aperiodically poled lithium niobate (APLN) crystals for use in monolithically integrated dual nonlinear-optical devices. A cascade and a single aperiodic-domain-structure designs based on simulated annealing method were constructed in LiNbO(3) to simultaneously perform as 4-channel electro-optically active (EOA) filters and 4-channel frequency doublers in the telecom band. We found that we could obtain a 2.44-fold enhancement in second-harmonic-generation conversion efficiency and a 2.4-time reduction in filter transmission bandwidth with the single APLN device over the cascade one when the same device length of 2 cm and the EOA field of 1027 V/mm were used.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Chang
- Department of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan
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Abstract
Constipation has an estimated prevalence of 15% in the general population. However, the etiopathogenesis of this condition remains relatively obscure. This study sought to identify potentially novel risk factors for chronic constipation. A valid self-report questionnaire was mailed to an age- and gender-stratified random sample of Olmsted County, Minnesota residents aged 30-64 years. A logistic regression model that adjusted for age, gender and somatic symptom score (SSC) was used to identify factors associated with chronic constipation. People reporting symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were excluded. Of the 892 eligible subjects, 653 (73%) returned the survey. Among the 523 subjects not reporting IBS symptoms, chronic constipation was reported by 93 (18%) of the respondents. Chronic constipation was significantly associated with use of acetaminophen [>or=7 tablets per week, OR = 2.7 (1.1-6.6)]; aspirin [OR = 1.7 (1.0-2.7)]; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [OR = 1.8 (1.1-3.0)]; and SSC. No association was detected for age, gender, body mass index, marital status, smoking, alcohol, coffee, education level, food allergy, exposure to pets, stress, emotional support, or water supply. Chronic constipation is associated with use of acetaminophen, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The explanation of these associations requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Chang JY, Lee HJ, Chang HC. Identification of the agent from Lactobacillus plantarum KFRI464 that enhances bacteriocin production by Leuconostoc citreum GJ7. J Appl Microbiol 2007; 103:2504-15. [PMID: 17850309 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2007.03543.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To provide evidence that the production of bacteriocin by lactic acid bacteria can be enhanced by the presence of a bacteriocin-sensitive strain and identify the agent that is responsible for enhancing bacteriocin production. METHODS AND RESULTS One bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterium was isolated from kimchi. The strain GJ7 was designated as Leuconostoc citreum GJ7 based on Gram staining, biochemical properties, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolate produced a heat- and pH-stable bacteriocin (kimchicin GJ7), which has antagonistic activity against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms. Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified kimchicin GJ7 showed a single band of molecular weight c. 3500 Da. Cultures of Leuc. citreum GJ7 in the presence of thermally inactivated kimchicin GJ7-sensitive strains, Lactobacillus plantarum KFRI 464, Lactobacillus delbrueckii KFRI 347, or Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCTC 1628, increased bacteriocin production. This inducing factor was characterized and purified from Lact. plantarum KFRI 464, which showed the greatest enhancement of kimchicin GJ7 activity. The inducing factor was purified using a DEAE (diethyl aminoethyl)-Sephacel column and high-performance liquid chromatography, and yielded a single band of c. 6500 Da. N-terminal sequencing of the inducing factor identified 16 amino acids. The N-terminal sequence of the inducing factor was synthesized and examined for the induction of kimchicin GJ7 activity, and was found to induce activity, but at a level about 10% lower than that of the entire molecule. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a bacteriocin-sensitive strain, Lact. plantarum KFRI 464, acts as an environmental stimulus to activate the production of kimchicin GJ7 by Leuc. citreum GJ7. The inducing factor from Lact. plantarum KFRI 464 is highly homologous to the 30S ribosomal protein S16 from various micro-organisms. The N-terminal sequence of the inducing factor examined in this study is a very important sequence related to the inducing activity. Nevertheless, the inducing factor may not be part of the ribosomal protein S16 itself. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY We believe that the present study is the first to identify an agent that is produced by one micro-organism and influences bacteriocin production in another. The bacteriocin-enhancing system described in this study could be effectively used to control the growth of other micro-organisms (sensitive cells) in food systems. Moreover, this enhancement of bacteriocin production can be applied usefully in industrial production of natural food preservatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chosun University, 375 Seosukdong, Donggu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Lin CH, Chen YH, Lin SW, Chang CL, Huang YC, Chang JY. Electro-optic narrowband multi-wavelength filter in aperiodically poled lithium niobate. Opt Express 2007; 15:9859-9866. [PMID: 19547336 DOI: 10.1364/oe.15.009859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report on an iterative design scheme for and the first experimental demonstration of active narrowband multi-wavelength filters based on aperiodically poled lithium niobate crystals. A simultaneous transmission of 8 wavelengths, each with a ~0.45-nm linewidth and nearly 100% peak transmittance, was achieved in such a device. The transmission spectrum of this device can be tuned by temperature at a rate of ~0.65 nm/ degrees C.
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Wang CM, Huang HI, Chao CC, Chang JY, Sheng Y. Transmission enhancement through a trench-surrounded nano metallic slit by bump reflectors. Opt Express 2007; 15:3496-3501. [PMID: 19532591 DOI: 10.1364/oe.15.003496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We propose using a pair of bumps bordering the conventional trench-surrounded metal nano slit in order to confine the surface waves and further enhance the slit transmission. The bump height of 1.mum is larger than the depth of penetration on air side of the surface waves. The reflectivity of such bumps is larger than 95%. A very large slit transmission, which is 50% of the energy of the incident beam impinging on the entire size 13.mum of the trench-surrounded slit structure, is obtained through the metallic slit of 50nm width and 400nm depth. The bumps enhance the transmission by 1.75 fold.
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Bai HW, Shi BY, Qian YY, Na YQ, Cai M, Zeng X, Zhong DR, Wu SF, Chang JY, Zhou WQ. Does Endothelial Chimerism Correlate With Renal Allograft Rejection? Transplant Proc 2006; 38:3430-3. [PMID: 17175294 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.10.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 05/21/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blood vessels of a transplanted organ are an interface between the donor and the recipient. The endothelium is believed to be a major target for graft rejection. After transplantation endothelial cells of a transplanted organ may be of recipient origin. OBJECTIVES In this study we sought to determine whether endothelial chimerism correlates with graft rejection. METHODS Biopsy samples from 34 renal transplants of female recipients who received kidneys from male donors were studied for the presence of endothelial cells of recipient origin. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of renal biopsy samples were examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the presence of endothelial cells containing two X chromosomes, using a biotinylated Y-chromosome probe and digoxigenin-labeled X-chromosome probe. RESULTS The FISH methods identified endothelial cells of recipient origin. Endothelial chimerism was common, irrespective of rejection. Its presence was focal with these elements, coexisting in the biopsy. CONCLUSIONS We observed no correlation between the percentage of recipient endothelial cells among vascular elements and the type of graft rejection (P > .05).
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Bai
- Organ Transplantation Center of PLA, Second Affiliated Hospital of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Chao Y, Yeh KH, Chang CJ, Chen LT, Chao TY, Wu MF, Chang CS, Chang JY, Chung CY, Kao WY, Hsieh RK, Cheng AL. Phase II study of weekly oxaliplatin and 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Br J Cancer 2004; 91:453-8. [PMID: 15226770 PMCID: PMC2409850 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the efficacy and safety of combining weekly oxaliplatin with weekly 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) in treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Patients with histologically confirmed, locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic gastric cancer were studied. Oxaliplatin 65 mg m−2 2-h intravenous infusion, and 5-FU 2600 mg m−2 plus FA 300 mg m−2 24-h intravenous infusion, were given on days 1 and 8, repeated every 3 weeks. Between January 2001 through January 2002, 55 patients were enrolled. The median age was 64 years (range: 22–75). In all, 52 patients (94.5%) had recurrent or metastatic disease and three patients had locally advanced disease. Among 50 patients evaluable for tumour response, 28 patients achieved partial response, with an overall response rate of 56% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.8–70.3%). All 55 patients were evaluated for survival and toxicities. Median time to progression and overall survival were 5.2 and 10.0 months, respectively, during median follow-up time of 24.0 months. Major grades 3–4 toxicities were neutropenia in 23 cycles (7.1%) and thrombocytopenia in 16 cycles (5.0%). Treatment was discontinued for treatment-related toxicities in nine patients (16.4%), of whom eight were due to oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity. One patient (1.8%) died of neutropenic sepsis. This oxaliplatin-containing regimen is effective in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Except for neurotoxicity that often develops after prolonged use of oxaliplatin, the regimen is well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Chao
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - K H Yeh
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C J Chang
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - L T Chen
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T Y Chao
- Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - M F Wu
- Chung Shan Medical and Dental College Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C S Chang
- Changhua Christian Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J Y Chang
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C Y Chung
- Changhua Christian Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W Y Kao
- Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - R K Hsieh
- Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - A L Cheng
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan. E-mail:
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Talkad
- Department of Neurology, University of Illinois, Peoria, IL 61637, USA.
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Shi LH, Luo F, Woodward DJ, Chang JY. Neural responses in multiple basal ganglia regions during spontaneous and treadmill locomotion tasks in rats. Exp Brain Res 2004; 157:303-14. [PMID: 15067433 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-004-1844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2003] [Accepted: 01/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the role of basal ganglia in locomotion, a multiple-channel, single-unit recording technique was used to record neural activity simultaneously in the dorsal lateral striatum (STR), globus pallidus (GP), subthalamic nucleus (STN) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) during spontaneous and treadmill locomotion tasks in freely moving rats. Active and quiescent phases appeared alternately in a spontaneous movement session that lasted 60 min. Principal component analysis of the ensemble neural activity from each region revealed a close correlation with spontaneous motor activity. Most of the neurons in these four basal ganglia areas increased their firing rates during the active phase. In the treadmill locomotion task, the firing rates of neurons in all recording areas, especially in the STN, increased significantly during locomotion. In addition, neural responses related to tone cue, initiation and termination of treadmill were observed in a subset of neurons in each basal ganglia region. Detailed video analysis revealed a limb movement related neural firing, predominantly in the STR and the GP, during treadmill walking. However, the proportion of neurons exhibiting limb movement related firing was significantly greater only in the STR. A few neurons in the STR (4.8%) and the GP (3.4%) discharged in an oscillatory pattern during treadmill walking, and the oscillatory frequency was similar to the frequency of the step cycle. This study demonstrates a variety of neural responses in the major basal ganglia regions during spontaneous and forced locomotion. General activation of all major basal ganglia regions during locomotion is more likely to provide a dynamic background for cortical signal processing rather than to directly control precise movements. Implications of these findings in the model of basal ganglia organization are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Shi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Shi LH, Luo F, Woodward DJ, Chang JY. Dose and behavioral context dependent inhibition of movement and basal ganglia neural activity by ??9-tetrahydrocannabinol during spontaneous and treadmill locomotion tasks in rats. Synapse 2004; 55:1-16. [PMID: 15499609 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The effects of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinole (Delta-9-THC) on locomotor activities and related basal ganglia neural responses were investigated in rats. A multiple-channel, single unit recording method was used to record neuronal activity in the dorsal lateral striatum, the globus pallidus, the subthalamic nucleus, and the substantia nigra pars reticulata simultaneously during spontaneous movement and treadmill locomotion. Delta-9-THC treatment (0.05-2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently decreased spontaneous motor activity and altered walking patterns in treadmill locomotion in that stance time was increased and step number was decreased. In parallel with the behavioral effects, Delta-9-THC treatment inhibited neural activity across all four basal ganglia areas recorded during both motor tests. Further, this inhibition of basal ganglia neural activity was behavioral context-dependent. Greater inhibition was found during resting than during walking periods in the treadmill locomotion test. Delta-9-THC treatment also changed firing patterns in the striatum and globus pallidus. More neurons in these regions discharged in an oscillatory pattern during treadmill walking with Delta-9-THC, and the oscillatory frequency was similar to that of the step cycle. Synchronized firing patterns were found in few basal ganglia neurons in the control condition (approximately 1%). Synchronized firing patterns increased during the treadmill resting phase after Delta-9-THC treatment, but still represented a very small proportion of the total neural population (1.9%). The drug treatment did not change neural responses to the tone cue proceeding treadmill locomotion. This study demonstrates dose-dependent inhibitory effects of cannabinoid injection on motor activity. This effect may be related to the behavioral context-dependent inhibition observed in the basal ganglia system where CB1 receptors are densely distributed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Shi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA
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Abstract
Three novel conformational isomers of mouse prion protein mPrP(23-231) were prepared by incubating the reduced mPrP(23-231) in the presence of urea at mild acidic conditions. They are stable isomers that can be separated and isolated by reversed phase HPLC. These isomers, designated mPrP-a, mPrP-b, and mPrP-c, all exist in reduced state and monomeric form. They all exhibit a high content of beta-sheet structure upon oligomerization at near-neutral pH. They are also partially resistant to proteolysis by proteinase K and chymotrypsin. These structural properties are hallmarks of pathogenic prion protein (PrP(SC)).
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Affiliation(s)
- B Y Lu
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Abstract
We have isolated Xenopus homolog of poly(A) binding protein II (XPABPII) and examined its expression during early embryogenesis and embryonic gut development. XpabpII encodes a nuclear protein of 296 amino acids that contains an alpha-helical coiled-coil domain and a ribonucleoprotein-type RNA binding domain. XpabpII is expressed both maternally and zygotically. In gastrula and neurula embryos, XpabpII is expressed mainly in ectoderm, neural and epidermal. From tailbud through to tadpole stages, the neural tissue specific expression of XpabpII gradually becomes confined to the specific vesicle regions of developing brain, being detected in the eye, olfactory pit, telencephalon and mesencephalon, but being excluded from the diencephalon region. Intriguingly, XpabpII transcripts are observed in differentiating gut endoderm. XpabpII first becomes visible in the anterior part of a stage 35 embryonic gut in which prospective liver, stomach and pancreas are located. During further development, uniform expression in anterior gut gradually becomes restricted to the pancreas rudiment. At the seventh day of development, when the gut has formed a complex coiled structure in which each organ contains clearly differentiated cell type, XpabpII is detectable exclusively in the pancreas. Taken together, we suggest that XpabpII plays a specific role in the polyadenylation process of genes involved in brain and pancreas development.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kim
- Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31 Hyoja Dong, 790-784, Pohang Kyungbuk, South Korea
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Abstract
We have isolated a novel acetyltransferase from Xenopus laevis, named Xat-1. Xat-1 cDNA encodes a predicted protein of 846 amino acids that contains tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains mediating protein-protein interactions and a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). Its apparent molecular mass of 98.8 kDa was determined by SDS-PAGE analysis of Xat-1 recombinant protein in vitro translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Xat-1 is homologous to N-terminal acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), a gene that was originally discovered in yeast. Furthermore, it has many orthologs from human, mouse, Drosophila, C. elegans, and even Arabidopsis, thereby suggesting that these constitute a novel acetyltransferase family whose functions have been not examined. Xat-1 transcripts are expressed at relatively constant levels throughout early embryonic stages. They also exhibit dynamic expression pattern in brain, somites, branchial arches, pronephros, and otic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Choi
- Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31 Hyoja-Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk, 790-784, Republic of Korea
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Singh R, Pan S, Mueske CS, Witt T, Kleppe LS, Peterson TE, Slobodova A, Chang JY, Caplice NM, Simari RD. Role for tissue factor pathway in murine model of vascular remodeling. Circ Res 2001; 89:71-6. [PMID: 11440980 DOI: 10.1161/hh1301.092508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tissue factor (TF) is a low-molecular-weight glycoprotein that initiates the extrinsic clotting cascade and is considered a major regulator of arterial thrombogenicity. TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a major physiological inhibitor of TF-initiated coagulation. The aim of this study was to define the complex interplay between TF and TFPI and the regulation of vascular thrombogenicity in a model of vascular remodeling. To determine the levels and pattern of vascular expression of TF and TFPI associated with vascular remodeling, a murine model of flow cessation was studied. TF activity of the arteries increased after ligation (P<0.05). Quantitative analysis of homogenates of remodeled carotid arteries revealed increased TF expression but unchanged TFPI expression compared with normal carotid arteries, resulting in enhanced TF activity. To determine the potential therapeutic role of TFPI in this thrombogenic state, mice were treated with intravascular adenoviral delivery of either murine TFPI (Ad-mTFPImyc) or a control adenovirus (Ad-DeltaE1). Overexpression of TFPI decreased vascular TF activity compared with viral control (P<0.01). Overexpression of TFPI inhibited neointimal formation (P=0.038), resulting in enhanced luminal area (P=0.001) 4 weeks after flow cessation. In this murine model of vascular remodeling, an imbalance between TF and TFPI expression is generated, resulting in increased TF activity. Overexpression of TFPI in this model inhibits vascular TF activity and results in attenuation of vascular remodeling associated with flow interruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Abstract
A systematic study of the oxidative folding of murine prion protein mPrP(23-231) is reported here. Folding of mPrP(23-231) involves formation of a single disulfide bond, Cys179-Cys214. Despite this simplicity, reduced mPrP(23-231) exhibits numerous unusual folding properties. In the absence of denaturant, folding of mPrP(23-231) is extremely sluggish, regardless of pH. The optimal pH for mPrP(23-231) folding was found to be 4-5. At pH 8.0, a condition that typically favors disulfide formation, folding of mPrP(23-231) hardly occurs, and it not facilitated by inclusion of redox agent. In the presence of denaturant (4 M urea or 2 M guanidine hydrochloride) and basic pH (8.0), reduced mPrP(23-231) refolds to the native structure quantitatively. The efficiency of folding can be further promoted by the presence of oxidized glutathione. At pH 4.0 and in the presence of 4 M urea, reduced mPrP(23-231) converts to three distinctive conformational isomers, unable to form the native structure. These unusual properties lead us to the following conclusions. The reduced mPrP(23-231) adopts a highly rigid structure with the two cysteines buried or situated apart. The presence of denaturant or low pH disrupts this rigid structure and lowers the energy barrier, which permits oxidation and refolding of the reduced mPrP(23-231). Under selected conditions, reduced mPrP(23-231) is capable of taking on multiple forms of stable conformational isomer that are segregated by energy barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Y Lu
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas at Houston, Texas, USA
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Kim C, Hwang YY, Chang JY, Choi HG, Lim SJ, Lee MK. Development of a novel dosage form for intramuscular injection of titrated extract of Centella asiatica in a mixed micellar system. Int J Pharm 2001; 220:141-7. [PMID: 11376976 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5173(01)00661-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA), a drug used in treating systemic scleroderma, is poorly water-soluble. A conventional dosage form for the intramuscular injection of TECA, propylene glycol (PG)-based TECA solution, causes severe pain after intramuscular injection. To improve the solubility of TECA and reduce pain after injection, mixed micellar systems composed of 10% surfactant mixture (Tween 20 and Tween 85) and 90% phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.0 (PBS) were prepared. As the ratio of Tween 20 to Tween 85 increased from 0:10 to 10:0, the solubility of TECA in the mixed micellar systems increased from 7- to 26-fold compared to that in PBS (pH 7.0). The droplet size of micelles gradually decreased with the increasing ratio of Tween 20 to Tween 85 from 0:10 to 4:6, followed by an abrupt decrease in size above the ratio of 6:4. Furthermore, the micellar systems prepared with Tween 20 and Tween 85 at the ratio of 6:4, 8:2 or 10:0 could solubilize TECA more than 10 mg/ml and the resultant droplet sizes were less than 2 microm. No significant changes were observed in the droplet sizes and asiaticoside contents in these micellar formulations during storage, indicating these systems are stable for at least 60 days. Their osmotic pressures were remarkably lower than those of PG-based TECA solution and similar to that of saline solution, irrespective of dilution ratios. Most importantly, they markedly reduced the number of writhes compared with PG-based TECA solution after injection to mice. All of these results suggest that these three TECA micellar formulations prepared with Tween 20 and Tween 85 improved the solubility of TECA and reduced pain following injection, possibly due to the decrease in osmotic pressure. Thus, these micellar formulations composed of optimum ratios of Tween 20 and Tween 85 may have a potential as dosage forms for the intramuscular injection of a poorly water-soluble TECA.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shinlim-Dong, Kwanak-Ku, 151-742, Seoul, South Korea.
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Chang JY, Li L. The structure of denatured alpha-lactalbumin elucidated by the technique of disulfide scrambling: fractionation of conformational isomers of alpha-lactalbumin. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:9705-12. [PMID: 11118458 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m010700200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of denatured alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) has been characterized using the method of disulfide scrambling. Under denaturing conditions (urea, guanidine hydrochloride, guanidine thiocyanate, organic solvent or elevated temperature) and in the presence of thiol initiator, alpha-LA denatures by shuffling its four native disulfide bonds and converts to a mixture of fully oxidized scrambled structures. Analysis by reversed-phase HPLC reveals that the denatured alpha-LA comprises a minimum of 45 fractions of scrambled isomers. Among them, six well populated isomers have been isolated and structurally characterized. Their relative concentrations, which represent the fingerprinting of the denatured alpha-LA, vary substantially under different denaturing conditions. These results permit independent plotting of the denaturation and unfolding curves of alpha-LA. Most importantly, unique isomers of partially unfolded alpha-LA were shown to populate at mild and selected denaturing conditions. Organic solvent disrupts preferentially the hydrophobic alpha-helical domain, generating a predominant isomer containing two native disulfide bonds at the beta-sheet domain and two scrambled disulfide bonds at the alpha-helical region. Thermal denaturation selectively unfolds the beta-sheet domain of alpha-LA, producing a prevalent isomer that exhibits structural characteristics of the molten globule state of alpha-LA.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas, Houston 77030, USA.
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Lee CH, Yang AH, Chang JY, Huang CL, Chi CW. Immunohistochemical studies of Na+/I- symporter in human thyroid tissues--a correlation with clinical thyroid scintigraphy. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei) 2001; 64:141-6. [PMID: 11458618] [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: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid Na+/I- symporter (NIS) is thought to play an important role in iodide uptake in thyrocytes. We hypothesize that there is correlation between the expression of NIS protein in the normal and diseased thyroid tissues and their clinical thyroid scintigraphy. METHODS Twenty-seven patients, aged from 21 to 81, were studied from the surgical department of a tertiary referral center. Ten patients were with papillary carcinoma, 5 with follicular carcinoma, 5 with follicular adenoma, 5 with nodular goiter and 2 with Graves' disease. All the carcinoma patients underwent total thyroidectomy while others had lobectomy or subtotal thyroidectomy. The thyroid tissue sections prepared for study were stained with polyclonal hNIS antibody (SS Chiang, Ohio). RESULTS Most of the nodular goiters were negatively stained except 2 samples that showed weak signal focally. All cases with follicular adenoma or follicular carcinoma were negative for NIS expression, while some with papillary carcinoma were stained positive at sporadic follicles with weak signal. The thyroid tissue of Graves' disease was stained positive for NIS expression. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid tissues with hypofunctioning nodules displayed significantly reduced or undetectable level of NIS expression. It correlated well with pre-operative thyroid scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Lee
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
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Chang JY, Janak PH, Woodward DJ. Neuronal and behavioral correlations in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens during cocaine self-administration by rats. Neuroscience 2001; 99:433-43. [PMID: 11029536 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(00)00218-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Up to 31 neurons per animal were simultaneously recorded from the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens in 15 rats during i.v. cocaine self-administration sessions, using a multi-channel, single-unit recording technique. Alterations of neuronal activity (both excitatory and inhibitory) were found a few seconds before each lever press for cocaine infusion; we have called these pre-lever press neuronal activations "anticipatory responses". A detailed video analysis revealed that these neuronal firing alterations were associated with specific portions of the behavioral sequence performed before each lever press in both recording areas. Some of the simultaneously recorded neurons displayed similar firing patterns in relation to a given behavioral episode within the behavioral sequence (turning, raising head, etc.), while others fired at different times relative to each behavioral event. Cross-correlational analyses revealed inter-regional and intra-regional correlated firing patterns between pairs of simultaneously recorded medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens neurons. This correlated firing occurred in the neurons with and without anticipatory responses, although the incidence of correlations between anticipatory neuron pairs was much higher than that between non-anticipatory neuron pairs (18.4% vs 3.6%). Many correlated neuron pairs displayed a time lag in the peak of correlational activity that indicated a temporal sequence in correlated activity. In contradiction to our hypothesis, the temporal pattern of correlation reveals that there are more cases in which nucleus accumbens neurons fired ahead of medial prefrontal cortex neurons. The results suggest that multiple mesocorticolimbic neuronal circuits may code sequential steps during the behavioral sequence performed to obtain an infusion of cocaine. The observed correlated firing between the medial prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens indicates that dynamic, coherent activity occurs within the mesocorticolimbic circuit. Because this circuit is hypothesized to drive drug-seeking behavior, we suggest that this correlated firing between the nucleus accumbens and the medial prefrontal cortex may participate in the control of cocaine self-administration. In addition, the finding that correlated activity within the nucleus accumbens more often precedes that of the medial prefrontal cortex suggests that the nucleus accumbens may play a prime role in the initiation of cocaine self-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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Woodward DJ, Chang JY, Janak P, Azarov A, Anstrom K. Activity patterns in mesolimbic regions in rats during operant tasks for reward. Prog Brain Res 2001; 126:303-22. [PMID: 11105654 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(00)26021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D J Woodward
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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Abstract
The folding pathway of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been characterized by structural and kinetic analysis of the acid-trapped folding intermediates. Oxidative folding of the fully reduced EGF proceeds through 1-disulfide intermediates and accumulates rapidly as a single stable 2-disulfide intermediate (designated as EGF-II), which represents up to more than 85% of the total protein along the folding pathway. Among the five 1-disulfide intermediates that have been structurally characterized, only one is native, and nearly all of them are bridges by neighboring cysteines. Extensive accumulation of EGF-II indicates that it accounts for the major kinetic trap of EGF folding. EGF-II contains two of the three native disulfide bonds of EGF, Cys(14)-Cys(31) and Cys(33)-Cys(42). However, formation of the third native disulfide (Cys(6)-Cys(20)) for EGF-II is slow and does not occur directly. Kinetic analysis reveals that an important route for EGF-II to reach the native structure is via rearrangement pathway through 3-disulfide scrambled isomers. The pathway of EGF-II to attain the native structure differs from that of three major 2-disulfide intermediates of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). The dissimilarities of folding mechanism(s) between EGF, BPTI, and hirudin are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of overweight concerns and body dissatisfaction among third-grade girls and boys and the influences of ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES). STUDY DESIGN Nine hundred sixty-nine children (mean age, 8.5 years) attending 13 northern California public elementary schools completed assessments of overweight concerns, body dissatisfaction, and desired shape, height, and weight. RESULTS The sample was 44% white, 21% Latino, 19% non-Filipino Asian American, 8% Filipino, and 5% African American. Twenty-six percent of boys and 35% of girls reported wanting to lose weight, and 17% of boys and 24% of girls reported dieting to lose weight. Among girls, Latinas and African Americans reported significantly more overweight concerns than Asian Americans and Filipinas, and Latinas reported significantly more overweight concerns than whites. White and Latina girls also reported greater body dissatisfaction than Asian American girls. Some differences persisted even after controlling for actual body fatness. Higher SES African American girls reported significantly more overweight concerns than lower SES African American girls, but higher SES white girls reported less overweight concerns than lower SES white girls. CONCLUSION Overweight concerns and body dissatisfaction are highly prevalent among third-grade girls and boys, across ethnicity and SES. Young Latina and African American girls manifest equivalent or higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors as white and Asian American girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- T N Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics and the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
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Chae HJ, Chae SW, Chin HY, Bang BG, Cho SB, Han KS, Kim SC, Tae KC, Lee KH, Kim DE, Im MK, Lee SJ, Chang JY, Lee YM, Kim HM, Kim HH, Lee ZH, Kim HR. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway regulates interleukin-6 synthesis in response to tumor necrosis factor in osteoblasts. Bone 2001; 28:45-53. [PMID: 11165942 DOI: 10.1016/s8756-3282(00)00413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6), using a proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), was studied in a human osteoblast cell line (MG-63) in relation to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB transcription factor. When added to MG-63 cells, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) had a stimulatory effect on the production of IL-6, and this elevation was significantly reduced by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, the stimulation of IL-6 release was also reduced by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or NF-kappaB SN50, which has been reported to be a potent NF-kappaB inhibitor. Both the NF-kappaB inhibitors in the presence of SB203580 had a more inhibitory effect on IL-6 release. In this study, TNF-alpha stimulated NF-kappaB binding affinity as well as p38 MAP kinase activation, leading to the release of IL-6. However, the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, had no effect on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation and both NF-kappaB inhibitors failed to reduce the p38 MAPK activation in the TNF-alpha-stimulated osteoblasts. In addition, inhibition of p38 MAPK partially, but significantly, impaired TNF-alpha-regulated release of osteocalcin, an important differentiation marker in osteoblasts. These results strongly suggest that both p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB are required in TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis and that these two TNF-alpha-activated pathways can be primarily dissociated. Furthermore, p38 MAPK may play a significant role in differentiation in MG-63 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology and Wonkwang Dental Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Center of Oriental Medicinal Science, Wonkwang University, Chonbuk, South Korea
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Abstract
Viral infection in the central nervous system can induce nitric oxide production, which serves as a major host defense against viral infection. Under stress, catecholamine secretion is enhanced and immune responses are diminished in animals. Using N9 microglial cells, this study tested the effect of catecholamines on microglial nitric oxide production. Results indicated that each member of the catecholamine family (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) was a potent inhibitor of the microglial nitric oxide production. In contrast, dopa, the immediate precursor of the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway, was a weak inhibitor, except at very high concentrations. The inhibitory effect of catecholamines was mimicked by an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist (phenylephrine) and by a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist (isoproterenol), but not by forskolin or analogs of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Western blot analysis indicated that catecholamines caused a slight decrease in the formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase. These results suggest that catecholamines have the ability to block nitric oxide production by microglia, which could partially explain the impaired immune protection against viral infection in the central nervous system in stressed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Anatomy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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Abstract
Viral and bacterial infection in the central nervous system can induce nitric oxide production, which serves as a major host defense against invading microorganisms. Glucocorticoids secretion is enhanced and immune responses are diminished in stressed animals or in patients suffering depression. Using N9 microglial cells, this study tested the hypothesis that glucocorticoids and their precursors caused an impaired immune defense in animals because these compounds could inhibit microglial nitric oxide production. Results indicated that both hydrocortisone and the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, were potent inhibitors of the microglial nitric oxide production. While glucocorticoid precursors were not as potent as hydrocortisone, the potency of these precursors increased linearly as they advanced on the biosynthesis pathway. Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that hydrocortisone and dexamethasone might interfere with the inducible nitric oxide synthase at either the transcription or at the post-translational level, depending on the concentrations used. These results suggest that glucocorticoids have the ability to block nitric oxide production by microgila, which could partially explain the impaired immune protection against infection in the central nervous system in stressed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Anatomy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
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Abstract
The unfolding and denaturation curves of potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI) were investigated using the technique of disulfide scrambling. In the presence of denaturant and thiol initiator, the native PCI denatures by shuffling its native disulfide bonds and converts to form a mixture of scrambled PCI that consists of 9 out of a possible 14 isomers. The denaturation curve is determined by the fraction of native PCI converted to scrambled isomers under increasing concentrations of denaturant. The concentration of guanidine thiocyanate, guanidine hydrochloride, and urea required to denature 50% of the native PCI was found to be 0.7, 1.45, and 8 m, respectively. The PCI unfolding curve was constructed through the analysis of structures of scrambled isomers that were denatured under increasing concentrations of denaturant. These results reveal the existence of structurally defined unfolding intermediates and a progressive expansion of the polypeptide chain. The yield of the beads-form isomer (Cys(8)-Cys(12), Cys(18)-Cys(24), and Cys(27)-Cys(34)) as a fraction of total denatured PCI was shown to be directly proportional to the strength of the denaturing condition. Furthermore, the PCI sequence was unable to fold quantitatively into a single native structure. Under physiological conditions, the scrambled isomers of PCI that constitute about 4% of the protein were in equilibrium with native PCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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Chang JY, Ballatore A. Structure and heterogeneity of the one- and two-disulfide folding intermediates of tick anticoagulant peptide. J Protein Chem 2000; 19:299-310. [PMID: 11043935 DOI: 10.1023/a:1007099430211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP) is a factor Xa-specific inhibitor and is structurally homologous to bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). The fully reduced TAP refolds spontaneously to form the native structure under a wide variation of redox buffers. The folding intermediates of TAP consist of at least 22 fractions of one-disulfide, two-disulfide, and three-disulfide scrambled isomers. Three species of well-populated one- and two-disulfide intermediates were isolated and structurally characterized. The predominant one-disulfide species contains TAP-(Cys33-Cys55). Two major two-disulfide isomers were TAP-(Cys33-Cys55, Cys15-Cys39) and TAP-(Cys33-Cys55, Cys5-Cys39). Both Cys33-Cys55 and Cys15-Cys39 are native disulfides of TAP. These three species are structural counterparts of BPTI-(Cys30-Cys51), BPTI-(Cys30-Cys51, Cys14-Cys38), and BPTI-(Cys30-Cys51,Cys5-Cys38), which have been shown to be the major intermediates of BPTI folding. In addition, time-course-trapped folding intermediates of TAP, consisting of about 47% one-disulfide species and 30% two-disulfide species, were collectively digested with thermolysin, and fragmented peptides were analyzed by Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry in order to characterize the disulfide-containing peptides. Among the 15 possible single-disulfide pairings of TAP, 10 (2 native and 8 nonnative) were found as structural components of its one- and two-disulfide folding intermediates. The results demonstrate that the major folding intermediates of TAP bear structural homology to those of BPTI. However, the folding pathway of TAP differs from that of BPTI by (a) a higher degree of heterogeneity of one- and two-disulfide intermediates and (b) the presence of three-disulfide scrambled isomers as folding intermediates. Mechanism(s) that may account for these diversities are proposed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas, Houston 77030, USA.
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50
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Abstract
The disulfide folding pathway of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) is characterized by the predominance of folding intermediates with native-like structures. Our laboratory has recently analyzed the folding pathway(s) of four 3-disulfide-containing proteins, including hirudin, potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor, epidermal growth factor, and tick anticoagulant peptide. Their folding mechanism(s) differ from that of BPTI by 1) a higher degree of heterogeneity of 1- and 2-disulfide intermediates and 2) the presence of 3-disulfide scrambled isomers as folding intermediates. To search for the underlying causes of these diversities, we conducted kinetic analyses of the reductive unfolding of these five proteins. The experiment of reductive unfolding was designed to evaluate the relative stability and interdependence of disulfide bonds in the native protein. It is demonstrated here that among these five proteins, there exists a striking correlation between the mechanism(s) of reductive unfolding and that of oxidative folding. Those proteins with their native disulfide bonds reduced in a collective and simultaneous manner exhibit both a high degree of heterogeneity of folding intermediates and the accumulation of scrambled isomers along the folding pathway. A sequential reduction of the native disulfide bonds is associated with the presence of predominant intermediates with native- like structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Research Center for Protein Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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