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Biomedical subjects

J T Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to J T Hsu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Heart failure due to giant congenital aorto-right atrial fistula: report of a case.

Coronary arterio-venous fistula (CAVF) is a rare coronary artery anomaly. We demonstrated the rare findings of a large congenital aorto-right atrial fistula with initial presentation of heart failure symptoms. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography made the accurate diagnosis. Further haemodynamic and angiographic study proved this large CAVF with extraordinary oxygen saturation step-up (26%) and large pulmonary to systemic shunt (Qp/Qs = 4.25). It was corrected by surgery because of evidence of heart failure and the possible risk of endocarditis and coronary steal effect.

Aorta↗

Growth inhibition of human endothelial cells by the phyto-oestrogen biochanin A, a metabolite of genistein.

This study examined the growth regulatory effects of a phyto-oestrogen, biochanin A, on a transformed human endothelial cell line ECV304 in vitro. Biochanin A was found to inhibit cell proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion and this effect was influenced by the concentration of serum present in the culture medium. In the absence of serum, the calculated IC50 of biochanin A was 0.18 +/- 0.1 microm compared to an IC50 of m at 10% serum. At low cell density, the growth inhibitory effects of biochanin A were more evident than at high cell density. Co-administration of a synthetic oestrogen diethylstilboestrol with biochanin A did not suppress the growth regulatory effects of biochanin A treatment. We conclude that biochanin A inhibits the cell proliferation of human endothelial cells at concentrations that are physiologically achievable in vivo and that this effect may play an important role in the cancer-preventing activity of the phyto-oestrogens.

Analysis of Variance↗

Groove pancreatitis: case report and literature review.

Groove pancreatitis is a form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the groove between the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and the common bile duct. It was first described by Becker in 1973. Differentiation between groove pancreatitis and pancreatic head carcinoma is often difficult. Herein, we report a 24-year-old man with groove pancreatitis presenting with epigastralgia, jaundice, fever and vomiting. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography of the abdomen, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgical exploration. The operative procedures involved were pancreatic biopsy and choledochotomy with T-tube drainage. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course.

Adult↗

Optimizing lipase activity, enantioselectivity, and stability with medium engineering and immobilization for beta-blocker synthesis.

Lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia showed poor activity and moderate enantioselectivity (E) in pure aqueous systems for hydrolysis of a racemic mixture (+/-)-1-chloro-2-acetoxy-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-propane, which is a potential intermediate for beta-blocker synthesis. However, addition of polar organic solvents to the reaction can change both the activity and the enantioselectivity for this chiral reaction significantly. It was observed, in general, that the activity increases and the enantioselectivity decreases with the increase in the polarity of the organic solvent added to the medium. Among the six solvents chosen (i.e., dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO], 1, 4-dioxane, dimethylformamide [DMF], acetone, 1-propanol, and tetrahydrofuran [THF]), maximum activity and minimum enantioselectivity was obtained with DMSO, whereas minimum activity and maximum enantioselectivity was obtained with THF as the cosolvents. In the subsequent studies, native or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified lipase was immobilized by entrapping in Caalginate gel beads. In a fixed-bed continuous reactor containing these catalyst beads, the enzyme was found to be at least three times more enantioselective than the native form in a batch reactor. This fixed-bed reactor with the beads could be operated with high concentration of acetone (33% v/v) for about 1 month without a significant loss of enzyme activity and enantioselectivity.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Differential display screening for specific gene expression induced by dietary nonsteroidal estrogen.

The dietary phytoestrogen, daidzein, produced a biphasic response in cell proliferation of cultured, estrogen-responsive human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. Cell growth was stimulated at a daidzein concentration of 0.25 microg/ml whereas the addition of daidzein at concentrations >25 microg/ml significantly inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent fashion, resulting in an IC50 value of 50 microg/ml. Upon exposure to 50 microg/ml of daidzein, cell morphology was severely altered, cell volume decreased, and condensation of the chromosomes was clearly noticeable. To identify genes whose expression were inhibited by daidzein, a differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay (DD-RT-PCR) was performed and the cDNA fragments of several daidzein-regulated genes were visualized. The sequence of one of the cloned cDNA fragments that showed differential mRNA expression level in response to daidzein at a concentration of 50 microg/ml had a high homology with a cDNA expressed in fetal human brain, EST 06411.

Base Sequence↗

Effects of the dietary phytoestrogen biochanin A on cell growth in the mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7.

Studies of the dietary phytoestrogen biochanin A on cell proliferation of the cultured estrogen responsive cells human breast carcinoma MCF-7 showed that biochanin A exhibits biphasic regulation on MCF-7 cells. At concentrations of less than 10 microg/mL, cells respond to biochanin A by increasing cell growth and de novo DNA synthesis. The addition of biochanin A at concentrations of greater than 30 microg/mL significantly inhibited cell growth and DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent fashion, resulting in an IC(50) value of 40 microg/mL. The reversibility of these inhibitory effects by biochanin A appears also to be concentration dependent. Cells previously treated with high concentrations (>60 microg/mL) of biochanin A did not regain normal growth after treatment ceased. Biochanin A was cytostatic at low concentrations (<40 microg/mL) and cytotoxic at higher concentrations. Upon exposure to 100 microg/mL of biochanin A, cell morphology was severely altered, cell volume decreased, and condensation of cell components was clearly noticeable. In addition, biochanin A damaged cell membranes by increasing membrane permeability. These results suggest possible molecular and cellular mechanisms of the action of dietary phytoestrogens on estrogen target cells.

Journal Article↗

The effects of starch and protein degradation rates, hay sources, and feeding frequency on rumen microbial fermentation in a continuous culture system.

Six continuous culture fermenters were used in three experiments to study the effects of dietary starch and protein degradability combination, hay sources, and feeding frequency on fermentation by rumen microorganisms. Experiments 1 and 2 used a 3 x 2 factorial design in which six diets were formulated to contain low (LS), medium (MS), or high starch degradability (HS) in combination with low (LP) or high protein degradability (HP). The dietary combinations were (1) LS + HP, (2) LS + LP, (3) MS + HP, (4) MS + LP, (5) HS + HP, and (6) HS + LP. In experiment 1, pangola was used as the hay source, and in experiment 2, alfalfa hay was used. In experiment 3, two starch degradabilities (LS, MS) and two hay sources (alfalfa, A; pangola, P) were combined with two feeding frequencies (2 X/d, 12 X/d). The dietary combinations were (1) LS + A + 12 X/d, (2) MS + A + 12 X/d, (3) LS + A + 2 X/d, (4) MS + A + 2 X/d, (5) LS + P + 12 X/d, and (6) MS + P + 12 X/d. A CRD design was used for experiment 3. Two rumen-cannulated Holstein cows fed alfalfa hay ad lib were used as donors of rumen fluid for all experiments. Each period was 6 d in length, with 5 d for adaptation and 1 d for sampling. In experiments 1 and 2, the effects of starch degradability on the composition of rumen microorganisms were significant. The MS or HS with HP had the highest total bacterial and protozoal density (P < 0.05). As for VFA, pH and nitrogen products, the effects of starch and protein degradability were not significant. There was no interaction between starch and protein degradability on most of microbial composition (ammonia-N, microbial nitrogen). In experiment 3, 12 X/d feeding frequency (MS + A + 12 X/d vs. MS + A + 12 X/d) resulted in higher pH, which tended to increase bacterial and protozoal density and starch and protein digestibilities. Different hay sources altered the starch and protein synchronization effect on the ammonia-N concentration (mg/dl) and non-ammonia N content (% DM) in the continuous culture system.

Animal Feed↗

Procedures for measuring the quality of heat-treated soybeans.

Soybeans were subjected to 12 heat treatments, differing in temperature and steeping (conditioning) time: control (no heat); 110 degrees C, 0 min; 110 degrees C, 30 min; 123 degrees C, 0 min; 123 degrees C, 30 min; 135 degrees C, 0 min; 135 degrees C, 30 min; 146 degrees C, 0 min; 146 degrees C, 15 min; 146 degrees C, 30 min; 153 degrees C, 30 min; and 160 degrees C, 30 min. These soybean treatments were tested for protein dispersibility index, absorbance at 420 nm, ADIN, pepsin-insoluble N, and in situ and in vitro protein degradation. Seven of these treatments (control; 123 degrees C, 30 min; 135 degrees C, 0 min; 135 degrees C, 30 min; 146 degrees C, 0 min; 146 degrees C, 30 min; and 153 degrees C, 30 min) were used in a feeding study involving 21 Holstein heifers (7 x 7 Latin square design replicated three times) and a lactation experiment (7 x 7 Latin square design replicated two times) using 14 multiparous Holstein cows in early lactation. Concentrations of branched-chain AA in blood plasma were used as indicators of protein uptake from the intestine in the heifer study, and production of 3.5% FCM was used to evaluate soybean treatments in the lactation study. Based on the criteria used, soybeans heated to 146 degrees C for 30 min were considered to be optimal. The protein dispersibility index and absorbance at 420 nm proved useful in evaluation of heat exposure of soybeans, and these procedures are suggested for routine monitoring of quality of commercially heated soybeans.

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗

Effect of protein and starch degradation rates on rumen metabolism in Taiwan native goat.

Six ruminal and duodenal cannulated Taiwan native goats (body weight = 20 kg) were fed 35% roughage, 65% concentrate diet (crude protein = 9.5%) in a 6 x 6 Latin square design to study the effect of the combination of 3 varying starch (corn) and 2 varying protein (soybeans) ruminal degradation rates on ruminal microbial density and ruminal nutrient digestibilities. Goats in treatment consisting of both rapid starch and protein ruminal degradation rates had higher total bacterial and protozoal numbers than did those in other treatments (p < 0.05). The combination of rapid starch degradation rate and slow protein degradation rate supported the highest numbers of Holotrichs whereas the combination of both rapid starch and protein degradation rate supported the highest numbers of Entodiniomorphs. Ruminal starch digestibilities were higher for treatment diets with autoclaved corn than for those with raw corn whereas ruminal digestibility of protein was greater in diets with raw soybeans than in those with heated ones. Higher neutral detergent fiber digestibilities in the rumen were found with the raw corn rations and the raw soybean rations.

Animals↗

Protein purification by dye-ligand chromatography.

Dye-ligand chromatography has developed into an important method for large-scale purification of proteins. The utility of the reactive dyes as affinity ligands results from their unique chemistry, which confers both the ability to interact with a large number of proteins as well as easy immobilization on typical adsorbent matrices. Reactive dyes can bind proteins either by specific interactions at the protein's active site or by a range of non-specific interactions. Divalent metals participate in yet another type of protein-reactive dye interactions which involve the formation of a ternary complex. All of these types of interactions have been exploited in schemes for protein purification. Many factors contribute to the successful operation of a dye-ligand chromatography process. These include adsorbent properties, such as matrix type and ligand concentration, the buffer conditions employed in the adsorption and elution stages, and contacting parameters like flowrate and column geometry. Dye-ligand chromatography has been demonstrated to be suitable for large-scale protein purification due to their high selectivity, stability, and economy. Also, the issue of dye leakage and process validation of large-scale dye-ligand chromatography has been discussed. Reactive dyes have also been applied in high performance liquid affinity chromatographic techniques for protein purification, as well as non-chromatographic techniques including affinity partition, affinity membrane separations, affinity cross-flow filtration, and affinity precipitation.

Adsorption↗

Aqueous two-phase systems for biomolecule separation.

Over the past thirty years, aqueous polymer two-phase technology has evolved, both experimentally and theoretically, into a separation science with many useful applications in biomolecule purification and bioconversion. This paper summarizes the developments in the applications of aqueous two-phase systems to biotechnology. The main topics to be considered are the phase diagram and its characteristics, fundamentals of biomolecule partition, large-scale and multi-stage aqueous two-phase biomolecule purification, and extractive bioconversions. The first topic involves a discussion of the thermodynamics of aqueous polymer two-phase formation and how it is influenced by such factors as polymer molecular weight and concentration, temperature, and salt type and concentration. Next, the theoretical and experimental aspects of biomolecule partition in aqueous two-phase systems will be discussed in light of the factors which influence biomolecule partition: polymer concentration and molecular weight; temperature; salt type and concentration; the addition of charged, hydrophobic and affinity derivatives. Having reviewed the fundamentals of phase diagram formation and biomolecule partition, the next two topics are applications of aqueous two-phase technology. The first set of applications involve the large-scale extraction of proteins using one to three equilibrium stages and multi-stage purifications using countercurrent distribution, liquid-liquid partition chromatography and continuous countercurrent chromatography. The second application, and very promising area for future aqueous two-phase technology, is the extractive bioconversion which permits the simultaneous production and purification of a biomolecule.

Biotechnology↗

Isolation and chemical analyses of nonfermented fiber fractions of oat hulls and cottonseed hulls.

The purpose of this study was to isolate, using both in situ and in vivo methodology, the nonfermented fiber fraction of oat hulls (OH) and cottonseed hulls (CSH) and to compare the concentrations of alkali-labile phenolic monomers, nitrobenzene oxidizable phenolic monomers, and neutral monosaccharides, as well as the cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) carbon-13 (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, of the nonfermented fraction with the original OH or CSH. The in situ isolation procedure involved a 30-h ruminal pretreatment and an 8-h acid:pepsin pretreatment followed by 1 to 7 additional days of incubation in the rumen. Fractions not fermented in vivo were isolated from duodena, ileal, and fecal material obtained from a site and extent of digestion trial in which these byproducts were fed to sheep at 80% of the diet (as-fed basis) and they represented the sole source of dietary fiber. Based on nonfermented fraction composition, both in situ and in vivo, all components analyzed were degraded to some extent. Also, all components present in original byproduct material were present in both the in situ and in vivo nonfermented fractions. Based on NMR analysis, cellulose crystallinity did not change during either long-term in situ or in vivo fermentation. However, CSH cellulose was more crystalline than that of OH. The ADL content of OH and CSH was 6.1% and 19.4%, respectively, and very little (15%) of the ADL disappeared during either in situ or in vivo fermentation. Much of the p-coumaric and ferulic acid of OH, associated with the cell wall matrix as lignin-carbohydrate and phenolic-carbohydrate complexes, was recovered in the fermented fractions. Data are interpreted to indicate that lignin encrustation and cellulose crystallinity are factors affecting CSH fermentation. Lignin encrustation and the presence of lignin-carbohydrate/phenolic-carbohydrate complexes are factors that inhibit OH fermentation.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of defaunation and various nitrogen supplementation regimens on microbial numbers and activity in the rumen of sheep.

Five sheep (average BW 62 kg) were fed 65% roughage: 35% concentrate diets (CP = 15%) in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to study the effects of combinations of defaunation and N supplements (soybean meal [SBM], corn gluten meal [CGM], blood meal [BM], urea, and casein) differing in ruminal degradation on ruminal microbial numbers and activity. Diets were fed twice daily (DM intake 1,759 g/d). Defaunation was accomplished with doses of 30 ml of alkanate 3SL3.sheep-1.d-1 for 3 d with 2 d of fasting. Treatment 1 (control) involved feeding faunated sheep a diet in which the supplemental N was 67% SBM N and 33% urea N. Treatment 2 involved feeding defaunated sheep the same diet as the control. Treatments 3, 4, and 5 involved feeding defaunated sheep diets in which the supplemental N source was either 67% CGM-BM N (CGM and BM combined on a 1:1 N ratio): 33% urea N, or 33% CGM-BM N:67% urea N or 33% CGM-BM N:33% urea N:33% casein N, respectively. Compared with the faunated control, defaunation (Treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5) increased (P less than .05) total direct counts of ruminal bacteria (2.7 vs 1.3 x 10(11)/ml), fungal zoospores (2.8 vs 1.4 x 10(5)/ml), and ruminal microbial protease activity (1.4 vs 1.0 mg azocasein/[ml ruminal fluid.h]). Defaunation did not have a consistent effect on ruminal microbial deaminase activity. Compared with the control, defaunation resulted in lower (P less than .05) total perchloric acid-soluble amino N in ruminal fluid at 4 and 10 h after the morning feeding. Defaunation did not decrease (P greater than .05) total free amino acid concentrations in ruminal fluid, but it altered the profile of free amino acids. Although defaunation increased (P less than .05) ruminal bacterial numbers, no increases in total microbial CP or OM concentrations in ruminal contents were observed.

Amino Acids↗

Manipulation of nitrogen digestion by sheep using defaunation and various nitrogen supplementation regimens.

Five ruminally, duodenally, and ileally cannulated sheep (average BW 62 kg) were fed 65% roughage: 35% concentrate diets (CP = 15%) in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to study the applicability of using a combination of defaunation with N supplements (soybean meal [SBM], corn gluten meal [CGM], blood meal [BM], urea, and casein) with different extents of ruminal degradation to manipulate microbial protein synthesis and amount of ruminal escape protein. Diets were fed twice daily (1,759 g DM/d). Defaunation was accomplished with 30-ml doses of alkanate 3SL3 (active ingredient: sodium lauryl diethoxy sulfate)/sheep daily for 3 d with 2 d of fasting. Treatment 1 (control) involved feeding faunated sheep a diet in which the supplemental N (45% of total dietary N) was 67% SBM N and 33% urea N. Treatment 2 involved feeding defaunated sheep the same diet as the control. Treatments 3, 4, and 5 involved feeding defaunated sheep diets in which the supplemental N source was either 67% CGM-BM (1:1 N ratio) N:33% urea N, or 33% CGM-BM N:67% urea N or 33% CGM-BM N:33% urea N:33% casein N, respectively. Compared with the faunated control, defaunation decreased (P less than .05) ruminal ammonia concentration (19 vs 26 mg/dl) and increased (P less than .05) CP flow to the duodenum (253 vs 214 g/d) due to a trend for increases in both bacterial (BCP) and nonbacterial (NBCP) CP flows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗