PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P L Yu

Publications and source records attributed to P L Yu.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The human salivary protein complex (SPC): a large block of related genes.

We have shown that genes for at least six human parotid proteins, parotid acidic protein (Pa), proline-rich protein (Pr), double-banded protein (Db), glycoprotein (Gl), parotid middle-band protein (Pm), and parotid-size variant (Ps) are linked. We have designated this complex of genes as the salivary protein complex (SPC). Several of the genes in this complex show marked associations that are most likely the result of linkage disequilibrium. It seems likely that the SPC arose through the process of gene duplication. This hypothesis is supported by the results of our present study that demonstrate the biochemical similarity of the protein products of several SPC genes. The amino acid compositions of the major SPC proteins are compared, including several (Ps 1 and 2, and Db) that have not been published. All of these proteins are quite similar and consist to a large extent of the amino acids, proline, glycine, and gix (glutamine and/or glutamic acid).

Computers↗

The natural history of Huntington disease: possible role of "aging genes".

In this paper we consider a model in which genetic factors that control aging also modify expression of the Huntington disease (HD) gene. Significant correlation coefficients were obtained for age-at-onset (AO) and age-at-death (AD) between affected parents and their affected offspring. However, more relevant to our hypothesis, the correlations between mean AD in normal sibs and AD in the affected parent (r = .57) and mean AD in their affected sibs (r = .54) are also significant. When onset is used instead of death for affected individuals the coefficients are .46 and .52, respectively. Also, AD in the normal parent is significantly correlated with AD in his affected (r = .39) and normal (r = .36) offspring. Current genetic theories on aging and related trends in HD are discussed. Our results and evidence from gerontological studies support the hypothesis that HD gene carriers with "superior" aging genes manifest symptoms later in life and have increased longevity over those with "inferior" aging genes.

Adult↗

Genetic polymorphism of CON 1 and CON 2 salivary proteins detected by immunologic and concanavalin A reactions on nitrocellulose with linkage of CON 1 and CON 2 genes to the SPC (salivary protein gene complex).

Two new genetic protein polymorphisms (CON 1 and CON 2) were identified in parotid saliva. Genetic polymorphisms of salivary CON 1 (concanavalin A) and CON 2 proteins are determined by autosomal inheritance of one expressed (dominant) and one unexpressed (recessive) allele for each gene. Autosomal inheritance is supported by studies in 26 families including 105 children for CON 1 and 23 families including 95 children for CON 2. Gene frequencies determined for randomly collected salivas from 134 whites, 79 Chinese, and 74 blacks are as follows: for whites, CON 1+ = 0.396 and CON 1- = 0.604, CON 2+ = 0.034 and CON 2- = 0.966; for Chinese, CON 1+ = 0.580 and CON 1- = 0.420, CON 2+ = 0 and CON 2- = 1; for blacks, CON 1+ = 0.581 and CON 1- = 0.419, CON 2+ = 0.007 and CON 2- = 0.993. Both CON 1 and CON 2 proteins, transferred from SDS gels to nitrocellulose, react with concanavalin A. The CON 1 and CON 2 proteins react with antisera prepared to proline-rich proteins (PRP), and the CON 1 and CON 2 proteins have isoelectric points greater than pH 8.5. In randomly collected salivas, the CON 1 protein shows a strong association with Ps proteins, and the CON 2 protein shows a strong association with the PmF protein. On the basis of association data, PmS and CON 2 genes may be outside markers in a linear arrangement of the three genes, PmS, PmF, and CON 2. There is strong evidence for linkage of CON 1 and CON 2 to the SPC (salivary protein gene complex), CON 1 to Ps (15 families, lod score at theta = 0 is 6.77), CON 2 to PmF (7 families, lod score at theta = 0 is 5.93), and CON 2 to G1 (5 families, lod score at theta = 0 is 3.91). In addition to immunologic reactions with the CON 1 and CON 2 proteins, antisera to PRP show extensive immunologic reactions with many other salivary proteins when tested by immunoblotting on nitrocellulose. Some of these proteins were previously identified PRP (proline-rich proteins) that are determined by different PRP loci.

Alleles↗

Genetic polymorphisms of Pe and Po salivary proteins with probable linkage of their genes to the salivary protein gene complex (SPC).

Two new genetic polymorphisms (Pe and Po) are found in human parotid saliva. Each polymorphism is determined by the autosomal inheritance of one expressed (dominant) and one unexpressed (recessive) allele. Autosomal inheritance is supported by studies of 63 families including 264 children for Pe and 57 families including 242 children for Po. For randomly collected salivas, gene frequencies in 317 whites are Pe+ = 0.76 and Pe- = 0.24; in 408 whites, Po+ = 0.75 and Po- = 0.25; in 51 blacks, Pe+ = 0.76 and Pe- = 0.24; and in 59 blacks, Po+ = 0.77 and Po- = 0.23. Both Pe and Po proteins react immunologically with polyclonal antisera prepared to proline-rich proteins PRPs. The Pe protein has an isoelectric point of approximately pH 6.1-6.3, and the Po protein has an isoelectric point greater than pH 8.0. In randomly collected salivas, the Pe and Po proteins are associated with other known salivary PRPs. The Pe protein is most strongly associated with the CON 1 and Ps proteins, is less strongly associated with the Pr and Pa proteins, and is not significantly associated with the PmF, PmS, PIF, Db, Con 2, or Gl proteins. If it is assumed that the strength of these associations (presumed linkage disequilibrium) may be related in part to map distance, then these data roughly fit the linear order of PRP genes as previously determined from recombination data derived from family linkage studies. The Po protein is associated with the PmS protein. There is evidence for probable linkage of Pe and Po to the SPC (salivary protein gene complex): Pe to Pa (nine families, lod score at theta = 0 is 2.67) and Po to CON 2 (three families, lod score at theta = 0 is 2.35).

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

Neuromuscular response to resistive unloading: helium vs. bronchodilation.

To evaluate the neuromuscular response to resistive unloading, we compared the ventilatory and occlusion pressure (P100) response of normal subjects breathing 20.9% O2 in helium (He-O2) with their response to unloading produced by inhaled atropine sulfate. During He-O2 breathing airway resistance (Raw) fell by 49% of the base-line value on air, and P100 decreased by 20.8%. Minute ventilation, tidal volume, respiratory frequency, end-tidal Pco2, inspiratory and expiratory duration, and mean inspiratory flow were not significantly different when air was replaced by He-O2. In contrast, although atropine reduced Raw by an equivalent amount, there was no change in P100. Atropine had no significant effect on other respiratory variables, although a trend toward higher minute ventilation was noted. Fowler dead space increased after atropine but was not affected by He-O2. We conclude that, unlike He-O2 unloading, atropine unloading does not cause a reduction in occlusion pressure. This may be due to the effect of atropine on anatomical dead space which stimulates ventilation sufficiently to offset the fall in neuromuscular output due to resistive unloading.

Airway Resistance↗

Reproducibility of CO2 response curves with ten minutes separating each rebreathing test.

It is unclear whether duration of the interval separating CO2 rebreathing tests has any effect on the CO2 response curve. In normal subjects, we compared slopes and intercepts, respectively, of CO2 response curves from 3 rebreathing tests separated by each of three different time intervals: 10, 20, and 30 min. The slopes and intercepts, respectively were no different from the first through third test with each interval and no different between tests from different intervals. Therefore, reproducibility of slope and intercept was not affected by the time interval separating each test. During each rebreathing test, heart rate and systolic blood pressure increased but diastolic blood pressure decreased. These effects resolved within 10 min after the test. We conclude that, in normal subjects, 3 CO2 rebreathing tests can be repeated rapidly with only 10 min of rest separating each test.

Adult↗

Effect of nutrition staging on treatment delays and outcome in Stage IV neuroblastoma.

The effect of the state of nutrition of 18 children with Stage IV neuroblastoma at diagnosis and during initial therapy, was evaluated with respect to treatment delays, drug dosage alterations, tumor response, days to first event (relapse or death), and survival. All patients received similar therapy (CCSG protocol CCG 371). Based on nutrition staging at diagnosis, nine were classified as malnourished; four were randomized to receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and four peripheral parenteral nutrition plus enteral nutrition for 28 days (through 2 chemotherapy courses), and one died before randomization. Nine were nourished at diagnosis; seven received a comprehensive enteral nutrition program and two received TPN. By life-table analysis, the duration of remission was significantly greater in the nourished than the malnourished (P less than 0.01) and a trend towards improved survival was evident at one year (P = 0.08). The median length of survival for children nourished at diagnosis was approximately 12 months, whereas those malnourished had a median survival of only 5 months. Nine children remained nourished or were becoming renourished during the first 21 days of therapy, and one of these had treatment delays and decreased drug dosages. Seven were becoming malnourished or remained malnourished during this period and six had treatment delays (P less than 0.01). These data support the idea that nutrition staging at diagnosis and during initial treatment should be an integral part of protocol design and initial evaluation of children with Stage IV neuroblastoma.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Effectiveness of central parenteral nutrition versus peripheral parenteral nutrition plus enteral nutrition in reversing protein-energy malnutrition in children with advanced neuroblastoma and Wilms' tumor: a prospective randomized study.

The effectiveness of central parenteral nutrition (CPN) versus peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) plus enteral nutrition in reversing protein-energy malnutrition was evaluated in 19 children (nine CPN, 10 PPN) with advanced neuroblastoma or Wilms' tumor. Weekly dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical measurements were compared for 15 patients (eight CPN, seven PPN) who completed more than 25 days of nutrition support. The groups had similar mean energy and protein intakes (CPN: 95 +/- 5% of healthy children, 2.5 +/- 0.3 g/kg; PPN: 102 +/- 5% of healthy children, 2.9 +/- 0.3 g/kg). Increases in weight (p less than 0.001), subscapular skinfold thickness (p less than 0.001), albumin (p less than 0.05), and transferrin (p less than 0.05) for the first 28 days were significant and did not differ between groups. Fever, sepsis, elevated SGOT, and severe anemia occurred with both CPN and PPN. PPN resulted in subcutaneous infiltrations and more psychological trauma. PPN with enteral nutrition seems most appropriate for short term intravenous nutrition support or as a temporary substitute for CPN; CPN is preferred for long-term support.

Body Weight↗

Ventilatory and occlusion pressure responses to helium breathing.

To characterize the ventilatory response to resistive unloading, we studied the effect of breathing 79.1% helium-20.9% oxygen (He-O2) on ventilation and on mouth pressure measured during the first 100 ms of an occluded inspiration (P100) in normal subjects at rest. The breathing circuit was designed so that external resistive loads during both He-O2 and air breathing were similar. Lung resistance, measured in three subjects with an esophageal balloon technique, was reduced by 23 +/- 8% when breathing He-O2. Minute ventilation, tidal volume, respiratory frequency, end-tidal partial pressure of CO2, inspiratory and expiratory durations, and mean inspiratory flow were not significantly different when air was replaced by He-O2. P100, however, was significantly less during He-O2 breathing. We conclude that internal resistive unloading by He-O2 breathing reduces the neuromuscular output required to maintain constant ventilation. Unlike studies involving inhaled bronchodilators, this technique affords a method by which unloading can be examined independent of changes in airway tone.

Adult↗

Airway anesthesia effects on hypercapnic breathing pattern in humans.

Minute ventilation (VE) and breathing pattern during an abrupt increase in fractional CO2 were compared in 10 normal subjects before and after airway anesthesia. Subjects breathed 7% CO2-93% O2 for 5 min before and after inhaling aerosolized lidocaine. As a result of airway anesthesia, VE and tidal volume (VT) were greater during hypercapnia, but there was no effect on inspiratory time (TI). Therefore, airway anesthesia produced an increase in mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) during hypercapnia. The increase in VT/TI was compatible with an increase in neuromuscular output. There was no effect of airway anesthesia on the inspiratory timing ratio or the shape and position of the curve relating VT and TI. We also compared airway resistance (Raw), thoracic gas volume, forced vital capacity, forced expired volume at 1s, and maximum midexpiratory flow rate before and after airway anesthesia. A small (0.18 cmH2O X l-1 X s) decrease in Raw occurred after airway anesthesia that did not correlate with the effect of airway anesthesia on VT/TI. We conclude that airway receptors accessible to airway anesthesia play a role in hypercapnic VE.

Adult↗

Reduced stroke volume related to pleural pressure in obstructive sleep apnea.

Left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) falls during obstructed inspiration in animals and normal human subjects through mechanisms that may be closely related to pleural pressure. In this study we postulated that a similar reduction in LVSV should occur in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Daytime polysomnograms were performed in 10 patients with OSA. A noninvasive electrical impedance method was used to determine LVSV. Pleural pressure was measured by esophageal balloon. In comparison with awake values, during OSA we found reductions in LVSV, cardiac output, and heart rate of 18, 27, and 11%, respectively (P less than 0.01). We observed that systolic pleural pressure did not have a significant effect on LVSV (P greater than 0.05). However, at pleural pressures lower than 10 cmH2O below resting expiratory level, there was a linear relationship between falls in LVSV and falls in middiastolic pleural pressure (P less than 0.0001). We concluded that reduced LVSV shown in patients with OSA was significantly related to diastolic pleural pressure level. Our findings suggested reduced preload as the most likely mechanism for decreased cardiac output in OSA.

Adult↗

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis in Prader-Willi syndrome.

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile (MCPP) was determined on 16 Prader-Willi patients. Chromosome analysis of 14 patients showed an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 in seven subjects and normal chromosome results for the remaining individuals. Two separate and distinguishable hand profiles for each group based on the chromosome findings were identified. Correlation studies confirmed the homogeneity of the chromosome deletion group relative to the Prader-Willi individuals with normal chromosomes. Discriminant analysis of Prader-Willi versus normal individuals produces a function of three MCPP variables plus age which may provide a useful tool for diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Radiographic hand abnormalities in fifteen cases of Crouzon syndrome.

Fifteen patients with Crouzon syndrome were evaluated for abnormalities of hand bone length via metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis. Data from this group were compared to that from a normal control sample. A discriminant function, utilizing Z scores based on the lengths of three hand bones, was derived and distinguished between the two samples at a rate of 88.3%. The discriminant variables selected in the function represented hand bones that are prominently involved in ACS type V and ACPS type II, syndromes that feature craniofacial abnormalities not unlike those in Crouzon syndrome. The possibility of a common developmental mechanism affecting the hand skeleton in all three of these different conditions is raised.

Craniofacial Dysostosis↗