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Biomedical subjects

J S Huang

Publications and source records attributed to J S Huang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) type V receptor has a TGF-beta-stimulated serine/threonine-specific autophosphorylation activity.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) type V receptor, a newly identified high molecular weight TGF-beta receptor (M(r) approximately 400,000) has been purified from bovine liver plasma membranes (O'Grady, P., Kuo, M.-D., Baldassare, J. J., Huang, S. S., and Huang, J. S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 8583-8589). The purified TGF-beta type V receptor underwent autophosphorylation at serine residues when incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of 0.1% beta-mercaptoethanol and 2.5 mM MnCl2. This phosphorylation was stimulated by preincubation with TGF-beta. The preferred exogenous substrate for the Ser/Thr-specific phosphorylation activity of the type V receptor was found to be bovine casein. The TGF-beta type V receptor could be affinity-labeled with 5'-p-[adenine-8-14C]fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine. Polylysine appeared to stimulate the autophosphorylation of the TGF-beta type receptor in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP and the incorporation of 5'-p-[adenine-8-14C]fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine into the TGF-beta type V receptor. The amino acid sequence analysis of the peptide fragments produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage of the purified TGF-beta type V receptor revealed that a peptide, namely CNBr-19, contained an amino acid sequence which shows homology to the putative ATP binding site of the receptors for activin, the Caenorhabditis elegans daf-1 gene product, and TGF-beta type II receptor (Lin, H. Y., Wang, Y.-F., Ng-Eaton, E., Weinberg, R. A., and Lodish, H. F. (1992) Cell 68, 775-785). These results suggest that the TGF-beta type V receptor is a Ser/Thr-specific protein kinase and belongs to the new class of membrane receptors associated with a Ser/Thr-specific protein kinase activity.

Adenosine

Purification and characterization of the neu/erb B2 ligand-growth factor from bovine kidney.

A neu/erb B2 ligand growth factor (NEL-GF) was purified to homogeneity from bovine kidney by a procedure involving ammonium sulfate fractionation (35-70% saturation) followed by sequential column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose (DE52), Sulfadex (sulfated Sephadex G-50), heparin-Sepharose 4B, and Superdex 75 (fast protein liquid chromatography). NEL-GF was found to be a 25-kDa polypeptide according to the analysis by gel filtration on Superdex 75 and 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. NEL-GF stimulated the tyrosine-specific autophosphorylation of the neu/erb B2 gene product purified by immunoabsorbent and tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of the neu/erb B2 gene product in intact dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR/G-8 cells (NIH 3T3 cells transfected with rat c-neu). NEL-GF also down-regulated the cell surface neu/erb B2 gene product in DHFR/G-8 cells. NEL-GF was mitogenic toward NIH 3T3 cells, DHFR/G-8 cells, A431 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma cells), and SK-BR-3 cells (human breast carcinoma cells) but inactive toward bovine aorta endothelial cells. NEL-GF was sensitive to 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid but resistant to 5% beta-mercaptoethanol and appeared to be distinct from a neu protein-specific activating factor (Davis, J. G., Hamuro, J., Shim, C. Y., Samanta, A., Greene, M. I., and Dobashi, K. (1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 179, 1536-1542) and a 30-kDa glycoprotein which competed with a monoclonal antibody for binding to the neu/erb B2 gene product (Lupu, R., Colomer, R., Zugmaier, G., Sarup, J., Shepard, M., Slamon, D., and Lippman, M. E. (1990) Science 249, 1552-1555).

3T3 Cells

Distribution of decane within the unit cell of the inverted hexagonal (HII) phase of lipid-water-decane systems determined by neutron diffraction.

The addition of a free alkane such as decane to lipid-water systems is known to promote the formation of a low-temperature inverted hexagonal (HII) phase [Kirk, G. L., & Gruner, S. M. (1985) J. Phys. (Paris) 46, 761]. Kirk et al. [Kirk, G. L., Gruner, S. M., & Stein, D. E. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1093] have discussed the hydrocarbon packing anisotropy in the HII unit cell and have suggested that free alkane will distribute in a way that reduces this packing anisotropy by allowing the lipid chain environment to become more uniform. By combining neutron and X-ray diffraction data to do a Fourier reconstruction of the HII phase of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) + water + deuterated decane, it was found that the decane preferentially partitions into the interstitial regions of the HII unit cell where it should be the most effective in alleviating the hydrocarbon chain packing stress, supporting the suggestion of Kirk et al. Using the distribution of decane within the unit cell, we have calculated the lipid length distribution for the situations with and without added alkane. With a suitable molecular model, this lipid length distribution may eventually be used to calculate the free energy change upon the addition of alkane. Such a measurement is important for a more realistic understanding of the interactions which lead to the formation of the HII phase.

Alkanes

Characterization of heparin-binding growth-associated factor receptor on NIH 3T3 cells.

Scatchard plot analysis of the binding of 125I-labeled heparin binding cell growth-associated factor (125I-HBGAF) to NIH 3T3 cells revealed a single class of high affinity receptors (-5000/cell) with kd of -0.6 nM. 125I-HBGAF was covalently cross-linked to the cell surface receptor on NIH 3T3 cells with disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). Two 125I-HBGAF-cross-linked complexes of 170 kDa and 142 kDa were observed on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and nonreducing conditions. The 125I-HBGAF-cross-linked complex formation was completely abolished in the presence of greater than or equal to 100-fold excess of unlabeled HBGAF but not PDGF, EGF, aFGF, bFGF, or insulin. 125I-HBGAF appeared to undergo rapid internalization and relatively slow degradation following binding to the HBGAF receptor on NIH 3T3 cells. These results suggest that NIH 3T3 cells express a high affinity HBGAF receptor which shows two different estimated molecular masses of -155 kDa and -127 kDa. This high affinity HBGAF receptor was also found to express in other cell types.

3T3 Cells

The transition from late G1 to early S phase is most vulnerable to the coclastogenic effect of ultraviolet radiation plus arsenite.

It has previously been reported that chromosome aberrations induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be enhanced by treatment with sodium arsenite for 24 h post-irradiation. Using synchronized CHO-K1 cells, it has now been established that cells in the transitional stage from late G1 to early S phase are most vulnerable to the coclastogenic effect of treatment with UV radiation and arsenite. This result cannot be explained by the special vulnerability of cells in the late G1 to early S transition to UV clastogenicity, as the coclastogenic effects of UV and caffeine or UV and arabinofuranosylcytosine were detected when treating the mid-S but not late-G1 or G2 phase cells.

Animals

Bilateral macular coloboma and pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy.

A patient had bilateral macular coloboma with aggregations of pigment clumps located perivascularly, predominantly paravenously, and in other parts of the retina. The Toxoplasma IgG antibody was negative. The diagnosis of bilateral macular coloboma with pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy was made and seemed to be a developmental abnormality in origin.

Adult

[Acute abdomen with intraperitoneal bowel perforation-demonstration by CT scan].

Ninety-eight cases of surgically proved bowel perforation in VGH-Kaohsiung within one year were reviewed. Among them, 25 patients received abdominal CT scans before operation. Free gas or fluid could be demonstrated with CT scan in 80% of cases though sometimes the fluid was too scanty to be well recognized. Local abscess formation with or without tumor mass lesion (n = 3), local fluid accumulation (n = 1) and negative CT findings (n = 1) constituted the remaining 20% of cases. The recognition of perforation sites depended on direct evidences of perforation such as ulceration, abscess formation and tumor mass lesion (32%), or indirect evidences including hematoma formation, dependent extraluminal gas accumulation and phlegmonous reaction (12%). An inexplicable localized extraluminal fluid accumulation might also suggest a possibility of hollow organ perforation and lead to the recognition of perforation site in the absence of free gas (4%). Absence of extraluminal fluid or gas can not completely rule out the possibility of hollow organ perforation (4%). Massive free air, especially with an air-fluid level, suggested a possibility of upper abdominal perforation. The perforation hole located at the anterior wall of stomach produced more free gas than that located at posterior wall. Air-fluid levels could never be identified in the cases of lower gastrointestinal perforations. Local bowel wall thickening and the distribution of free gas contributed little to the recognition of perforation site. Extravasation of oral contrast media sometimes led to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal perforation but was not necessary to be noted around the perforation hole and did little contribution to the perforation site recognition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdomen, Acute

[Epidemiologic study of head injuries in Taipei City, Taiwan].

This study was designed to examine the descriptive epidemiology of head injuries in an urban population in the Taiwan area, Taipei City, during the period from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988. Clinical records reviewed included emergency room (ER) charts, inpatient charts of 19 major hospitals, death registration forms and medical examiners' reports in this city. A formulated definition was used to identify patients with head injuries. A total of 4,692 cases were collected, which included 4,319 hospital inpatients and 373 non-hospital deaths. The average incidence rate for head injury was 180/100,000 per year, 246/100,000 for males and 111/100,000 for females. The highest incidence rate was observed in the elderly group followed by the age group of 20-29 years. Sixty eight percent of the head injuries were caused by traffic accidents, 59.7 percent of which were involved in motorcycle rides. This rate was higher than those in any western reports. Among the 10-39 age group, the head injuries caused by traffic accidents were mainly due to motorcycle accidents. However, most of the children and the elderly who were injured were either pedestrians or bicycle riders. The average mortality rate was 23/100,000 per year, 34/100,000 for males and 12/100,000 for females. Initially the Glasgow Coma Scale was used in assessing the severity of head injuries. Seventy-two percent of the cases were considered mild, and 28 percent moderate to severe in degree, including 609 deaths.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Meningeal carcinomatosis from solid tumors: clinical analysis of 42 cases.

From January 1984 to June 1990, we observed 42 patients with meningeal carcinomatosis, 20 men and 22 women, aged 21 to 80 years (median age, 53 years). The two most common primary malignancies were lung cancer (50%) and breast cancer (31%). Sixty-four per cent was adenocarcinoma. On the first lumbar puncture, 86% had malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. The findings of brain computed tomography were hydrocephalus (62%), contrast enhancement in the cerebral sulci or basal cisterns (31%), concomitant parenchymal metastases (15%) and normal scan (18%). In five out of seven cases, myelography showed irregular filling defects over the spinal cord or cauda equina. Treatment results were evaluated in 24 patients. Eight received radiation therapy (RT) alone, and 16 had combined therapy with RT plus intrathecal methotrexate (IT MTX). Of the patients who received RT alone, only one patient with lung carcinoma was stabilized clinically. Of the cases receiving combined therapy, seven improved clinically. Six of these were patients with breast carcinoma who received IT MTX via Ommaya reservoir. The latter had a median survival of 23 weeks. The follow-up period of the entire group of patients ranged from one day to 50 weeks. The median survival was four weeks. Based on this study, combined therapy with RT and IT MTX is indicated for breast carcinoma with meningeal carcinomatosis, but the therapeutic effects are uncertain for lung carcinoma and other malignancies.

Adult

The plasma cell membrane glycoprotein, PC-1, is a threonine-specific protein kinase stimulated by acidic fibroblast growth factor.

A 32P-labeled protein that co-purified with acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) receptor from bovine liver proved to be a distinct membrane protein, which itself has kinase activity that is stimulated by aFGF. The protein was designated MAFP for major aFGF-stimulated phosphoprotein. MAFP was purified from bovine liver using immunoaffinity chromatography with monoclonal antibody to MAFP following Triton X-100 extraction of plasma membranes and wheat germ lectin-Sepharose 4B column chromatography. The purified MAFP showed molecular masses of 130 kDa and 260 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively. Purified MAFP elicited aFGF-stimulated Thr-specific autophosphorylation activity and phosphorylation activity toward protein substrates (myelin basic protein and histone). Amino acid sequence analyses of 16 peptide fragments of MAFP, produced by endoproteinase Lys-C digestion followed by reduction and S-pyridylethylation, showed approximately 80-100% homology with the cDNA-deduced amino acid sequences of human and mouse plasma cell membrane glycoprotein, PC-1 (Buckley, M. F., Loveland, K. A., McKinstry, W. J., Garson, O. M., and Goding, J. W. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17506-17511), suggesting that MAFP is the bovine version of PC-1. The amino acid sequences of bovine MAFP, human and mouse PC-1 reveal a putative ATP binding site in their extracellular domains. These results suggest that MAFP(PC-1) is an ectoprotein kinase. In addition to the kinase activity, MAFP(PC-1) was also found to possess alkaline nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. It is now clear that several of the unique properties previously attributed to the aFGF receptor kinase are actually properties of this novel Thr-specific ectoprotein kinase, which co-purifies with the aFGF receptor and is responsive to stimulation by aFGF.

Amino Acid Sequence

Expression of a new type high molecular weight receptor (type V receptor) of transforming growth factor beta in normal and transformed cells.

A new type high molecular weight receptor (type V receptor) of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) was recently purified from bovine liver plasma membranes and appears not to be related to receptors previously described for TGF-beta (Pauline O'Grady, Ming-Der Kuo, Joseph J. Baldassare, Shuan Shian Huang and Jung San Huang [1991] J. Biol. Chem. 266:8583-8589). This type V receptor may be important in the regulation of cell growth by TGF-beta. We examined its distribution in a wide range of normal and transformed cells. The type V receptor was found to be expressed in many normal cells including cells of epithelial, endothelial, fibroblastic and chondrocytic origins. However, a number of human epithelial tumor cells (5 out of 6 examined) did not express detectable levels of the type V TGF-beta receptor. These results suggest that loss of the type V receptor may potentially contribute to the transformed state of certain epithelial tumor cells.

Animals

Purification of a new type high molecular weight receptor (type V receptor) of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) from bovine liver. Identification of the type V TGF-beta receptor in cultured cells.

A 400-kDa transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) receptor was purified from plasma membranes of bovine liver using Triton X-100 extraction, wheat germ lectin-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography, and Sepharose CL-4B gel filtration chromatography. This procedure yielded approximately 20 micrograms of the receptor from 1 kg of bovine liver. During purification, the 400-kDa TGF-beta receptor was detected by a cross-linking assay in which the TGF-beta receptor-125I-TGF-beta complex was cross-linked by disuccinimidyl suberate, a bifunctional reagent, and analyzed by 5.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography. This novel 400-kDa TGF-beta receptor was also identified on cultured cells including cells reported to lack the type III receptor. The 400-kDa TGF-beta receptor, a nonproteoglycan glycoprotein, appears to be distinct from TGF-beta receptors (types I, II, III, and IV) previously identified on cultured cells and is designated as the type V receptor. The 400-kDa TGF-beta receptor as well as type I, II, and III receptors underwent internalization upon 125I-TGF-beta binding in mink lung epithelial cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Degeneration of the cholinergic innervation of the locus ceruleus in Alzheimer's disease.

Choline acetyltransferase (Acetyl-CoA: choline O-acetyltransferase: EC 2.3.1.6) (ChAT) enzyme activity and neuron density were measured in the locus ceruleus (LC) of autopsied brains of neurologically normal individuals and patients who had Alzheimer's disease. Neuron density in the LC of individuals with Alzheimer's was significantly reduced to approximately 50% of normal values. ChAT activity was also reduced by about 50%. Furthermore, the number of pigmented neurons in the LC was highly correlated with presynaptic ChAT activity. These findings were specific for the LC, since deficits in ChAT and neuron density were not found in two adrenergic brainstem nuclei (C1 and C2). We measured mitogen activity in LC extracts in order to determine whether loss of cholinergic afferents to the LC, as evidenced by loss of ChAT, was related to putative trophic factors. Mitogen activity was significantly reduced (50%) in the Alzheimer's group as compared to normals. Mitogen activity was significantly correlated with ChAT activity and the density of neurons in the LC. The loss of cholinergic nerve terminals in the LC in Alzheimer's disease may be functionally significant, since acetylcholine has important effects on LC physiology. The highly significant relationships between ChAT, neuron density and mitogen activity has important implications for our understanding of mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

Aged

Designing appropriate nutrition education for the Chinese: the urban and rural nutrition situation in Sichuan.

In the People's Republic of China, as in the West, diet has emerged as an important determinant of morbidity and mortality. In order to provide one of the bases for designing nutrition education, two nutrition knowledge-attitudes-practices surveys of adults aged 18-55 were conducted in 1989 in an urban (N = 1004) and a rural (N = 506) area of Sichuan. Nutrition knowledge levels were low in both sites, but lower in the rural site. Certain general nutrition concepts, such as the value of a varied diet, were reported correctly by over 50 per cent of the population in both areas. However, less than 10 per cent of the urban residents and only 3 per cent of the rural residents reported taking correct measures to prevent or delay cancer or heart disease. Dietary practices, elicited by a food frequency questionnaire, revealed large differences in consumption habits in the two areas. More than half of the urban respondents reported eating rice, vegetable oil, green vegetables, lean meat, and wheat on a daily basis, and other vegetables, pickles, fruit, eggs, soybean products, and meat fat on at least a weekly basis. However, the rural respondents reported eating only rice, vegetable oil, green vegetables, and other vegetables on a daily basis, and no additional foods on a weekly basis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Acute poisoning with a glyphosate-surfactant herbicide ('Roundup'): a review of 93 cases.

Between 1 January 1980, and 30 September 1989, 93 cases of exposure to herbicides containing glyphosphate and surfactant ('Roundup') were treated at Changhua Christian Hospital. The average amount of the 41% solution of glyphosate herbicide ingested by non-survivors was 184 +/- 70 ml (range 85-200 ml), but much larger amounts (500 ml) were reported to have been ingested by some patients and only resulted in mild to moderate symptomatology. Accidental exposure was asymptomatic after dermal contact with spray (six cases), while mild oral discomfort occurred after accidental ingestion (13 cases). Intentional ingestion (80 cases) resulted in erosion of the gastrointestinal tract (66%), seen as sore throat (43%), dysphagia (31%), and gastrointestinal haemorrhage (8%). Other organs were affected less often (non-specific leucocytosis 65%, lung 23%, liver 19%, cardiovascular 18%, kidney 14%, and CNS 12%). There were seven deaths, all of which occurred within hours of ingestion, two before the patient arrived at the hospital. Deaths following ingestion of 'Roundup' alone were due to a syndrome that involved hypotension, unresponsive to intravenous fluids or vasopressor drugs, and sometimes pulmonary oedema, in the presence of normal central venous pressure.

Adolescent

[Unilateral thalamic tumor with atrophy of ipsilateral cortical cortex: report of a case].

Ipsilateral brain atrophy is rare in neoplastic lesions of the brain, but it has been reported in patients with a thalamic tumor. We report a Chinese boy who presented with a right focal motor seizure and right side weakness at the age of six and half years when an electroencephalogram (EEG) showed focal epileptic discharges over the left hemisphere, but computed tomography (CT) of the brain failed to reveal a definite mass lesion. The weakness became gradually worse. On admission at age 8, follow-up CT scan revealed a huge tumor (5 x 5 x 7 cm) compressing the third and lateral ventricles with mixed densities in the left thalamus and centrum semiovale. The scan after contrast infusion showed a marked enhancement of the tumor. Instead of peri-mass edema surrounding the tumor, the overlying cerebral tissue showed atrophy of the ipsilateral cortical layer. He received subtotal resection of the tumor. The pathology proved to be germinoma. A test of tumor markers revealed a high human chorionic gonadotrophin level in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. A short course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was given after surgery. He has been well for the past two years.

Atrophy

[A comparison of patient-controlled analgesia with traditional intramuscular administration for postoperative pain relief].

The use of a disposable non-electronic patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device (Baxter) was evaluated in this study. Every patient under trial was instructed thoroughly how to use the PCA device before operation. The PCA device delivers a 25 mg IV injection of pethidine upon patient demand with a delay of 15 min between allowable administrations. The degree of patient satisfaction, the drug consumption, and the duration of using analgesia were compared with those in IM pethidine group. The results showed that, in the PCA group, the duration of using analgesic was longer; the drug consumption was greater (especially during the first 20 h after operation); and the degree of patient satisfaction was higher. The series comprised a total of 54 patients, 14 of whom complained of mild dizziness or nausea which did not require specific treatment. In sum, giving analgesic by the Baxter PCA device was a safe and effective alternative for IM analgesic in postoperative pain control.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled