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Biomedical subjects

F Yao

Publications and source records attributed to F Yao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A comparison of three methods of wound closure following arthroplasty: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

We carried out a blinded prospective randomised controlled trial comparing 2-octylcyanoacrylate (OCA), subcuticular suture (monocryl) and skin staples for skin closure following total hip and total knee arthroplasty. We included 102 hip replacements and 85 of the knee.OCA was associated with less wound discharge in the first 24 hours for both the hip and the knee. However, with total knee replacement there was a trend for a more prolonged wound discharge with OCA. With total hip replacement there was no significant difference between the groups for either early or late complications. Closure of the wound with skin staples was significantly faster than with OCA or suture. There was no significant difference in the length of stay in hospital, Hollander wound evaluation score (cosmesis) or patient satisfaction between the groups at six weeks for either hips or knees. We consider that skin staples are the skin closure of choice for both hip and knee replacements.

Adult↗

Identification and characterization of putative virulence genes and gene clusters in Aeromonas hydrophila PPD134/91.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen of animals and humans. The pathogenesis of A. hydrophila is multifactorial. Genomic subtraction and markers of genomic islands (GIs) were used to identify putative virulence genes in A. hydrophila PPD134/91. Two rounds of genomic subtraction led to the identification of 22 unique DNA fragments encoding 19 putative virulence factors and seven new open reading frames, which are commonly present in the eight virulence strains examined. In addition, four GIs were found, including O-antigen, capsule, phage-associated, and type III secretion system (TTSS) gene clusters. These putative virulence genes and gene clusters were positioned on a physical map of A. hydrophila PPD134/91 to determine their genetic organization in this bacterium. Further in vivo study of insertion and deletion mutants showed that the TTSS may be one of the important virulence factors in A. hydrophila pathogenesis. Furthermore, deletions of multiple virulence factors such as S-layer, serine protease, and metalloprotease also increased the 50% lethal dose to the same level as the TTSS mutation (about 1 log) in a blue gourami infection model. This observation sheds light on the multifactorial and concerted nature of pathogenicity in A. hydrophila. The large number of putative virulence genes identified in this study will form the basis for further investigation of this emerging pathogen and help to develop effective vaccines, diagnostics, and novel therapeutics.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗

Identification of differentially expressed genes by serial analysis of gene expression in human prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in American males. To better understand the genetic bases of this disease, we have generated a comprehensive molecular profile of human prostate. The gene expression pattern in normal and prostate cancer tissues was analyzed by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). A total of 133,217 transcripts were analyzed, and 35,185 distinct SAGE tags were identified representing 19,287 genes. Comparison of the transcripts in normal and tumor tissue revealed 156 differentially expressed genes (P < 0.05), of which 88 genes were up-regulated and 68 genes were down-regulated in the tumor tissue. Based on SAGE data, we estimate that the transcriptome for human prostate is approximately 37,000. Several differentially expressed genes identified by SAGE were selected for confirmation using immunohistochemistry. Some genes (e.g., E2F4) were overexpressed in tumor epithelial cells and some (e.g., Daxx) were increased in tumor stroma. Further characterization of the role of E2F4 and Daxx as well as other differentially expressed genes may provide useful insights into the mechanism of prostate cancer development.

Dihydrotestosterone↗

Identification of androgen-regulated genes in the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP by serial analysis of gene expression and proteomic analysis.

A common therapy for nonorgan-confined prostate cancer involves androgen deprivation. To develop a better understanding of the effect of androgen on prostatic cells, we have analyzed gene expression changes induced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the androgen responsive prostate cancer line LNCaP, at both RNA and protein levels. Changes at the RNA level induced by DHT were determined by means of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and protein profiling was done by means of quantitative two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Among 123,371 transcripts analyzed, a total of 28,844 distinct SAGE tags were identified representing 16,570 genes. Some 351 genes were significantly affected by DHT treatment at the RNA level (p < 0.05), of which 147 were induced and 204 repressed by androgen. In two independent experiments, the integrated intensity of 32 protein spots increased and 12 decreased at least two-fold in response to androgen, out of a total of 1031 protein spots analyzed. The change in intensity for most of the affected proteins identified could not be predicted based on the level of their corresponding RNA. Our study provides a global assessment of genes regulated by DHT and suggests a need for profiling at both RNA and protein levels for a comprehensive evaluation of patterns of gene expression.

Androgens↗

Autologous keratinocyte suspensions accelerate epidermal wound healing in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Tissue culture techniques enable in vitro expansion of keratinocytes that can be used to treat burns and chronic wounds. These keratinocytes are commonly grafted onto the wounds as differentiated sheets of mature epithelium. Less is however known about the effects of transplanting the cells as suspensions. This study evaluated epidermal regeneration in fluid-treated skin wounds treated with suspensions of cultured and noncultured autologous keratinocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven full-thickness excisional skin wounds were created on the back of 6 pigs and then transplanted with either cultured or noncultured autologous keratinocytes. The wounds were enclosed with liquid-tight chambers containing saline to provide a hydrated and standardized environment. RESULTS: Keratinocyte transplantation resulted in several cell colonies within the granulation tissue of the wound. These colonies progressively coalesced and contributed to a new epithelium. The origin of the transplanted keratinocytes was confirmed by histochemical staining of wounds transplanted with transfected keratinocytes expressing beta-galactosidase. Transplantation of 0.125 x 10(6), 0.5 x 10(6), and 2.0 x 10(6) cultured keratinocytes, and 0.5 x 10(6) and 5.0 x 10(6) noncultured keratinocytes, increased reepithelialization dose dependently over saline-treated controls. The epithelial barrier function recovered faster in transplanted wounds as demonstrated by less protein leakage over the wound surface on Days 7-10 as compared to control wounds. Wound reepithelialization and the number of keratinocyte colonies observed in granulation tissue were significantly less in wounds transplanted with noncultured keratinocytes compared to wounds seeded with cultured keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates successful transplantation of keratinocyte suspensions and their dose-dependent acceleration of wound repair. Selection of proliferative cells during culture and higher colony-forming efficiency may explain the greater effects observed with cultured keratinocytes.

Animals↗

Hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV) accounts for approximately 50% of the cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States. Cirrhosis or an advanced stage of fibrosis is the major risk factor of HCC; patients with cirrhosis are recommended to undergo surveillance with alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasound. Alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) is associated with a reduced risk of HCC in patients with chronic infection but insufficient data exist to recommend treatment of patients with cirrhosis and HCV for this reason alone. Resection and liver transplantation are the only "curative" therapies available. Advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with HCC limits the number of patients for whom resection is applicable. Moreover, the remaining liver is at high risk of developing a second primary tumor. Partial hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma should be restricted to patients with well-compensated cirrhosis (Child's A class). Acceptable parameters include a single lesion not exceeding 5 cm, normal levels of bilirubin, and absence of portal hypertension. Liver transplantation is the best definitive treatment for HCV-infected patients who have small, localized HCC (solitary lesion not greater than 5 cm, or no more than 3 lesions, none of which are greater than 3 cm). Limitations of liver transplantation as a therapy for HCC are the scarcity of donor organs and the prolonged waiting time during which continued tumor growth occurs. Living donors can reduce waiting time and increase the number of patients treatable by transplantation. Chemoembolization and local ablation therapies have not been shown to confer survival benefits as primary treatments for HCC. The potential benefit of these procedures in controlling tumor growth to "bridge" patients to liver transplantation must be further investigated. Similarly, systemic chemotherapy and hormonal therapy do not generally produce a survival advantage. However, recent studies that used octreotide and combination doxorubicin/cisplatin/5-FU/interferon appear to be promising.

Adult↗

ARIP cells as a model for pancreatic beta cell growth and development.

Pancreatic ductal epithelium contains the pluripotent cells that develop into pancreatic beta cells. However, little is known about intrinsic or extrinsic factors that enable this differentiation to occur. PDX-1 plays a critical role in pancreatic development and insulin secretion. Therefore we transfected the PDX-1 gene into ARIP cells, a rat pancreatic ductal cell line. The ARIP and ARIP/PDX-1 cells were treated with known growth and differentiation factors including hepatocyte growth factor, activin A, betacellulin, reg, INGAP, nicotinamide, and retinoic acid. Despite the ductal origin of these cells, no changes in expression of 24 pancreatic genes, as determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), occurred in either cell line. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of the active phosphorylated form of the PDX-1 protein. To enhance PDX-1 phosphorylation, we cultured ARIP and ARIP/PDX-1 cells in a high-glucose medium; however, as with the other conditions, no differences in mRNA expression were noted on the RT-PCR assay. We conclude that other factors may be necessary for beta cell differentiation and/or that ARIP cells are a poor model of pancreatic development.

Activins↗

Design and in vitro characterization of a single regulatory module for efficient control of gene expression in both plasmid DNA and a self-inactivating lentiviral vector.

BACKGROUND: Regulation of transgene expression in target cells represents a critical and challenging aspect of gene therapy. Recently, a two-plasmid tetracycline-inducible system was developed in which the tetracycline repressor (tetR) alone, rather than the tetR-VP16 fusion derivative, was shown to function as a potent trans-modulator of a second plasmid that contains two tandem repeats of the tetracycline operator (tetO) inserted between the TATA box and the transcription start site of the hCMV major immediate-early promoter. A technological advance in this area would be the development of a single autoregulatory cassette that incorporates both of these components into nonviral and viral gene transfer vectors. For the latter, an inducible lentiviral vector that is capable of temporal and quantitative control of gene expression in either dividing or nondividing cells is highly desirable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A one-piece inducible (1Pi) autoregulatory cassette was constructed to provide IRES-mediated translation of the tetR as well as tight control over the tetO unit preventing transcription initiation of the first cistron in the absence of the tetracycline. To increase efficiency of tetR-mediated repression, a nuclear localization signal was incorporated at the 3' end of the tetR gene. Regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and protein level was analyzed in transient transfection experiments using plasmid DNA. Construction of a self-inactivating lentiviral vector containing this 1Pi cassette allowed the study of its long-term effectiveness in primary human cells. RESULTS: The 1Pi autoregulatory cassette when incorporated into plasmid DNA allows efficient control of the secretable hEGF as well as eGFP expression in a variety of cell types. Transient transfection studies demonstrated that the time course of repression is different for the 1Pi and two-plasmid system (2Pi). In the 2Pi system, greater repression is seen with the first 24-48 hr; however, by 72 hr, similar levels of repression with the 1Pi and 2Pi systems are obtained. This regulation is reached three times faster when the tetR is modified with a nuclear localization signal to direct nascent proteins into the nuclear compartment. In addition, stable transduction of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with a self-inactivating lentiviral vector incorporating this single regulator cassette provided tetracycline-inducible control of gene expression that is not diminished over time and is completely reversible upon removal of tetracycline. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a model in which the 1Pi autoregulatory system reaches a steady state over time, the minimal amount of tetR produced by the basal activity of the CMV promoter and accumulated is adequate to replace the tetR that is lost over time. These studies also show that the inducible self-inactivating lentiviral vector can temporally and reversibly regulate transgene expression in HUVECs. The use of this transcriptional control unit in both nonviral and viral vector delivery systems will constitute an attractive technological advance for many gene therapy applications where temporal and quantitative control of gene expression is desired. The strengths and limitations of the 1Pi system are discussed.

Animals↗

[Analysis on HLA-E polymorphism in Shanghai Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of HLA-E alleles in Chinese Han in Shanghai area. METHODS: HLA-E alleles were assigned by using a PCR/SSO method in 201 random healthy individuals from Shanghai region. HLA-A,-B antigens typing was carried out with NIH standard microlymphocytoxicy method. RESULTS: Three alleles of HLA-E could be detected in this population. The E*0101 is the most common allele with a frequency of 42.29%, followed by E*01032 and E*01031 with 32.84% and 24.88% respectively. No E*0102 and E*0104 could be detected in all of the individuals. The analysis of linkage on two loci between HLA-E and HLA-A or -B showed that no significant difference could be found between expected frequencies and observed frequencies excepting B15/E*01032 and A2/E*01032. CONCLUSION: The allele frequencies of HLA-E are 42.29% for E*0101, 24.88% and 32.84% for E*01031 and E*01032 respectively in Shanghai Chinese. No extensive linkage disequilibrium was found between HLA-E and HLA-A or -B locus.

Alleles↗

[GC-MS analysis of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine chemical constituents of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis(D. C.) Koidz by quantitative with qualitative analysis. METHODS: By GC and GC/MS/DS analytical technology and SE-54 capillary column, the chemical constituents of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis(D. C.) Kiodz were systematically analyzed. RESULTS: 68 peaks were separated, which occupied over 90% of the total area of all chromatographic peaks. The 55 components were identified. CONCLUSION: The number of compoments of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis(D. C.) Koidz determined in this analysis, are two times as many as those reported in some literatures.

Asteraceae↗

Accelerated healing of full-thickness skin wounds in a wet environment.

Full-thickness skin wounds are preferably allowed to heal under controlled hydration dressings such as hydrocolloids. It was hypothesized that a wet (liquid) environment rather than a dry or moist one would accelerate the wound healing process. We compared skin repair by secondary intention in full-thickness skin wounds in wet (saline), moist (hydrocolloid), and dry (gauze) conditions in an established porcine wound healing model. The study included three animals with a total of 70 wounds layered in a standardized fashion on the back of young Yorkshire pigs. Twelve days after wounding, 0 percent of dry, 20 percent of moist, and 86 percent of saline-treated wounds were completely reepithelialized (p values = 0.0046 and 0.027 for saline wounds compared with dry and moist wounds, respectively). The accelerated healing was caused at least in part by faster contraction in wet wounds (p value < 0.005 compared with that of other groups 9 and 12 days after wounding). Development of granulation tissue was faster in moist conditions than it was for dry and wet wounds. The thickness and number of cell layers of the newly formed epidermis were greater in dry and wet wounds than in moist ones. It was concluded that these full-thickness porcine skin wounds healed faster in a wet environment than in a moist one. Dry wounds healed more slowly than moist wounds. The basic mechanisms of skin wound repair were influenced by the treatment modality as demonstrated by the observed differences in granulation tissue formation, reepithelialization, and rate of wound contraction.

Animals↗

Study on polymorphism of MICA exon 5 microsatellite in Shanghai Han population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the polymorphism distribution of MICA gene exon 5 microsatellite in Shanghai Han population and study the relationship of MICA gene and its closely linked gene HLA B. METHODS: The microsatellite polymorphism of MICA exon 5 in 175 unrelated healthy individuals were investigated using PCR-heteroduplex analysis. RESULTS: (1)There are 5 alleles of the microsatellite polymorphism in exon 5 of the MICA gene in Shanghai Han population, the gene frequency of MICA*A5 is the highest(39.14%), the next is MICA*A5.1(22.29%). (2)There is strong linkage disequilibrium between the HLA-B and MICA STR loci, e.g. MICA*A5 and HLA-B15, MICA*A4 and HLA-B27. CONCLUSION: The polymorphism distribution of MICA gene and the linkage disequilibrium between MICA and HLA-B have deviations in different ethnic groups.

China↗

A novel anti-herpes simplex virus type 1-specific herpes simplex virus type 1 recombinant.

A recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV) capable of inhibiting its own replication as well as the replication of wild-type virus would have greatly increased safety as a general purpose vector for in vivo gene transfer, antitumor therapy, and viral vaccine against HSV infection. By using a tetracycline repressor (tetR)-mediated HSV-1 viral replication switch [Yao and Eriksson (1999). Hum. Gene Ther. 10, 419-427], we have generated a novel anti-HSV-1-specific HSV-1 recombinant (CJ83193) that expresses a trans-dominant negative HSV-1 UL9 origin-binding protein, UL9-C535C. The de novo synthesis of CJ83193 can be suppressed by UL9-C535C by at least 1 x 10(6)-fold in non-tetR-expressing cells, and is subject to tetracycline regulation over a range of four to five orders of magnitude in a tetR-expressing osteosarcoma line. In particular, the UL9-C535C peptides expressed from the CJ83193 genome can inhibit the replication of wild-type HSV-1 by 100- to 200-fold in single-step growth assays. The construction of CJ83193 creates a new general strategy for developing recombinant viral vectors able to function as an intracellular therapy against wild-type viral infections.

Animals↗

Induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest by DCC.

The Deleted in Colorectal Cancer gene (DCC) encodes a cell surface receptor that belongs to the Ig superfamily. Inactivation of the DCC gene has been implicated in human tumor progression. However, little is known about the biological function of the DCC protein. In the present study, we demonstrated that expression of DCC activated caspase-3 and programmed cell death, or induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in tumor cells. In some cell lines, apoptosis was evident within 24 h of DCC expression. Timing of the appearance of apoptotic cells coincided with that of the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a substrate of caspase-3. Expression of the apoptosis inhibitory gene Bcl-2 was not able to abrogate the DCC-induced apoptosis. In the G2/M cycle arrest cells, cdk1 activity was inhibited. Our results suggest that the DCC protein may transduce signals resulting in activation of caspases or inhibition of Cdk1. These data provide a possible mechanism by which DCC suppresses tumorigenesis.

Apoptosis↗

A novel tetracycline-inducible viral replication switch.

With the cloning of DNA encoding the trans-dominant negative mutant form of the HSV-1 origin-binding protein UL9, UL9-C535C, under the control of the tet operator-bearing hCMV major immediate-early promoter (pcmvtetO), this article demonstrates that the tetR-mediated mammalian transcription repression switch (Yao et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 9:1939-1950, 1998) can be converted to a novel HSV-1-specific viral replication switch. Using this viral replication switch, the plaque-forming efficiency of infectious HSV-1 DNA can be reversibly regulated by tetR over 100-fold in transient viral infection assays. Moreover, while less than 0 PFU/ml of HSV-1 was detected from tetR-expressing cells transfected with infectious HSV-1 DNA and plasmid pcmvtetOUL9-C535C in the presence of tetracycline, close to 1000 PFU/ml of HSV-1 was produced when similar experiments were carried out in the absence of tetracycline. The tetracycline treatment led no reduction in HSV-1 synthesis in cells transfected with infectious HSV-1 DNA alone. Taken together, given that the UL9-C535C-associated antiviral activity can be silenced in the context of this HSV-1 replication switch, the establishment of this reversible switch would allow construction of a new generation of HSV-1 recombinants able to inhibit its own replication as well as replication of wild-type virus.

Animals↗

Efficiency of leukocyte removal by filters made of superfine glass fiber membranes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the application of leukocyte removal filters made of a new type of filter material - superfine glass fiber - for depleting leukocytes in SAGM red cell suspensions and preventing nonhemolytic transfusion reactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extent of leukocyte depletion and red cell recovery was based on cell counts. Trace leukocytes were counted in a 50-microl Nageotte counting chamber or by using a flow cytometer. The chemical stability of the glass fiber membranes was studied by plasma emission spectrometer and by measuring the ion content and weighing nonvolatile matter in water extract. The structural stability of the glass fiber membranes was studied by a micropore-filter membrane method. RESULTS: Leukocyte removal filters made of superfine glass fiber membranes removed more than 99.0% of leukocytes in SAGM red cell suspensions prepared from 400 ml whole blood. Red cell recovery exceeded 90%, and the total number of residual leukocytes was less than 5x10(6). A water extract of the glass fiber membranes contained only traces of Si4+ and Ca2+ and less than 2 mg/100 ml of nonvolatile matter. No broken or loose fibers were found in the filters. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the web structure of the glass fiber membranes was instrumental in trapping and holding leukocytes. CONCLUSION: A filter made of glass fiber membranes is effective in leukocyte depletion.

Adenine↗

[Establishment of transformation system of Streptomyces lincolnensis].

Transformation system of S. lincolnensis was established to improve lincomycin--producing strains by Gene retransformation Technology. Under optimal conditions, 10(11) protoplasts were prepared from 25 ml SM culture medium, and the regeneration frequency of protoplasts was 16%. The transformation frequency of pIJ702 was up to 5.5 x 10(5)/microgram DNA. The results revealed that gene manipulation in S. lincolnensis was facile as that in S. lividans.

Culture Media↗