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Biomedical subjects

Y Feng

Publications and source records attributed to Y Feng.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Resection of primary liver cancer following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: clinicopathological features and postoperative course in cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathological changes and post-operative course following transcatheter hepatic arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) in primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: One hundred and eighty-two cases of PLC were resected in 8 years. 35 cases of them that resected after 1-5 times of TACE were evaluated. 11 of the 35 cases were 5 cm or less in diameter, 24 cases were larger than 5 cm. RESULTS: Uptake of iodized oil, shrinkage of tumor mass and decrease of AFP level were good clinical features of the tumor after TACE and were related to the times of TACE. Only 7 of the 35 cases after TACE with 100% necrosis were found pathologically. The degree of necrosis was relative to injured vessels of PLC and was also related to the times of TACE. Post-operative survival rate and disease-free survival rate of the 35 cases in 5 years were 40.5% and 28.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Single treatment of TACE is not curative to PLC, and it is essential to seize a chance to perform secondary liver resection of unresectable PLC after 2-3 times of TACE.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Polyamine analogue regulation of NMDA MK-801 binding: a structure-activity study.

A series of analogues and homologues of spermine were synthesized, and their impact on MK-801 binding to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor was evaluated. These tetraamines encompass both linear and cyclic compounds. The linear molecules include norspermine, N1, N11-diethylnorspermine, N1,N12-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)spermine, homospermine, and N1,N14-diethylhomospermine. The cyclic tetraamines consist of the piperidine analogues N1,N3-bis(4-piperidinyl)-1,3-diaminopropane, N1,N4-bis(4-piperidinyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, N1,N4-bis(4-piperidinylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, and N1,N4-bis[2-(4-piperidinyl)ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane and the pyridine analogues N1,N3-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3-diaminopropane, N1,N4-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, N1,N4-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, and N1,N4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)-ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane. This structure-activity set makes it possible to establish the importance of charge, intercharge distance, and terminal nitrogen substitution on polyamine-regulated MK-801 binding in the NMDA channel. Four families of tetraamines are included in this set: norspermines, spermines, homospermines, and tetraazaoctadecanes. Calculations employing a SYBYL modeling program revealed that the distance between terminal nitrogens ranges between 12.62 and 19.61 A. The tetraamines are constructed such that within families cyclics and acyclics have similar lengths but different nitrogen pKa's and thus different protonation, or charge, states at physiological pH. The pKa values for all nitrogens of each molecule and its protonation state at physiological pH are described. The modifications at the terminal nitrogens include introduction of ethyl and beta,beta,beta-trifluoroethyl groups and incorporation into piperidinyl or pyridyl systems. The studies clearly indicate that polyamine length, charge, and terminal nitrogen substitution have a significant effect on how the tetraamine regulates MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor. Thus a structure-activity basis set on which future design of MK-801 agonists and antagonists can be based is now available.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Red-Emitting Semiconductor Quantum Dot Lasers

Visible-stimulated emission in a semiconductor quantum dot (QD) laser structure has been demonstrated. Red-emitting, self-assembled QDs of highly strained InAlAs have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a GaAs substrate. Carriers injected electrically from the doped regions of a separate confinement heterostructure thermalized efficiently into the zero-dimensional QD states, and stimulated emission at approximately 707 nanometers was observed at 77 kelvin with a threshold current of 175 milliamperes for a 60-micrometer by 400-micrometer broad area laser. An external efficiency of approximately 8.5 percent at low temperature and a peak power greater than 200 milliwatts demonstrate the good size distribution and high gain in these high-quality QDs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Molecular characterization of a second mouse pancreatic polypeptide receptor and its inactivated human homologue.

The family of mammalian neuropeptide Y (NPY)/peptide YY (PYY)/pancreatic polypeptide (PP) receptors comprises several G protein-coupled receptors, i.e. Y1, Y2, and Y4/PP1. We now report cloning of a novel member of this family named PP2. The coding region of the mouse PP2 gene reveals no introns and predicts a seven transmembrane domain (TM) receptor of 371 amino acids. Percent identities of the mouse PP2 to mouse Y1, mouse Y4/PP1 and human Y2 receptors are 53, 42, and 31, respectively. The mouse PP2 receptor expressed in COS cells binds rat 125I-PP with high affinity, i.e. IC50 = 65 pM. Pharmacological characterization of 125I-PP binding shows a rank order of potency of PP >> PYY >/= NPY, which is similar to that of the mouse Y4/PP1 receptor. Mouse PP2 transcripts were not detectable by Northern analysis in adult tissues and in 11-, 15-, and 17-day-old embryos. However, a 9.8-kb PP2 transcript was detectable in 7-day-old mouse embryo, i.e. prior to the organogenesis of pancreas and the onset of PP production. We have also cloned the human homologue of PP2, which is a single copy gene and maps to human chromosome 5q31. Surprisingly, the human PP2 cDNAs and gene sequences display a single base deletion in the coding region. This frameshifting mutation predicts a truncated receptor of 290 amino acids without TM7. Transfection of COS-7 cells with several different human PP2 expression constructs failed to confirm any specific binding of 125I-PP, 125I-PYY, or 125I-NPY to cell membranes. These data suggest that in mouse there are at least two PP receptors, Y4/PP1 and PP2, whereas in humans, PP2 is either functionally inactive or it has acquired a PP-independent function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Phenotypic effects of the weaver gene are evident in the embryonic cerebellum but not in the ventral midbrain.

Degeneration of neurons in two structures, the cerebellum and the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral midbrain, is a well characterized action of the weaver gene. In order to see whether the gene has effects prenatally, both the cerebellum and the ventral midbrain were examined in mouse embryos genotyped for the weaver gene (wv, Girk2) on day E19. Anatomically matched sections of the midline cerebellar vermis were quantitatively analyzed 2 h after the dams were given a single injection of [3H]thymidine. A gene-dose effect was seen in the retardation of fissure development. This was more pronounced in homozygotes (wv/wv) and less so in heterozygotes (wv/+) when compared with wild type controls (+/+). Quantitative measures of the following features showed stepwise differences between genotypes so that the wv/wv are most affected and wv/+ are somewhat affected compared with +/+: surface length of the midline vermis, area of the entire midline vermis and the external germinal layer (egl), total number of cells in the egl, [3H]thymidine-labeled and -unlabeled egl cells, cells in the Purkinje cell layer, cells in the region of the deep nuclei, [3H]thymidine-labeled cells in the Purkinje cell layer (presumptive proliferating Bergmann glia), and [3H]thymidine-labeled cells in the region of the deep nuclei. In contrast to the obvious phenotypic effects of wv in the embryonic cerebellum, qualitative immunocytochemical examination of tyrosine hydroxylase staining in the ventral midbrains of the same embryos showed that the position and density of the presumptive dopaminergic neurons was similar in all genotypes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A fragile X male with a broad smear on Southern blot analysis representing 100-500 CGG repeats and no methylation at the EagI site of the FMR-1 gene.

Fragile X DNA studies were carried out on all obligate carriers of a large fragile X family with 10 mentally retarded individuals. One 64-year-old carrier man with an altered FMR-1 allele was not described as being mentally retarded or as having any limitations in function. He was married, raised 8 children, and worked as an auto mechanic. On examination, he had macrocephaly and mild macroorchidism but few of the other typical physical findings of males with fragile X syndrome. His Full Scale IQ is 73, and his Vineland Adaptive Behavior Composite is 73. On the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Revised, he achieved standard scores of 64 in Reading, 55 in Math, and 83 in Knowledge. His DNA findings showed a broad smear on Southern blot analysis of 100-500 CGG repeats and no methylation at the EagI site upstream of the FMR-1 protein coding region. His FMR-1 protein production is 12% of normal. His daughters all have large premutations, with somatic instability in the size of the CGG repeat lengths. They all have evidence of academic underachievement and 2 have physical characteristics frequently described in individuals with fragile X.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1996

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on proliferation and on induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells by a prostaglandin-independent pathway.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease the incidence of and mortality from colon cancer. We observed that NSAIDs inhibit the proliferation rate, alter the cell cycle distribution, and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines. We evaluated whether the inhibition by NSAIDs of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis is required for their effects on colon cancer cells by studying two human colon cancer cell lines: HCT-15 and HT-29. HCT-15, which lacks cyclooxygenase transcripts, does not produce PGs even when exogenously stimulated, whereas HT-29 produces PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and PGI2. HCT-15 and HT-29 cells, when treated for up to 72 hr with 200 microM sulindac sulfide (an active metabolite of sulindac) or 900 microM piroxicam, showed changes in proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, and apoptosis. Treatment with PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and PGI2, following a variety of protocols, and at concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-11) M, failed to reverse the effects of NSAIDs on these three parameters of cell growth. We concluded that NSAIDs inhibit the proliferation rate of the two colon cancer cell lines independent of their ability to inhibit PG synthesis. Thus, alternative mechanisms for their activity on tumor cell growth must be entertained. These observations may be relevant to the mechanism of colon tumor inhibition by NSAIDs.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1996

CC CKR5: a RANTES, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta receptor as a fusion cofactor for macrophage-tropic HIV-1.

Human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) entry requires fusion cofactors on the CD4+ target cell. Fusin, a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor, serves as a cofactor for T cell line-tropic isolates. The chemokines RANTES, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-1beta, which suppress infection by macrophage-tropic isolates, selectively inhibited cell fusion mediated by the corresponding envelope glycoproteins (Envs). Recombinant CC CKR5, a G protein-coupled receptor for these chemokines, rendered CD4-expressing nonhuman cells fusion-competent preferentially with macrophage-tropic Envs. CC CKR5 messenger RNA was detected selectively in cell types susceptible to macrophage-tropic isolates. CC CKR5 is thus a fusion cofactor for macrophage-tropic HIV-1 strains.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

Metabolically programmed polyamine analogue antidiarrheals.

The design, synthesis, and testing of a novel class of antidiarrheal drugs based on a tetraamine pharmacophore are reported. While N1,N14-diethylhomospermine (DEHSPM) (5 mg/kg) completely prevents diarrhea in rodents, tissue distribution studies demonstrated that the principal metabolite of DEHSPM, homospermine (HSPM), accumulates and persists in tissues for a protracted period of time. This accumulation accounts for a large part of the chronic toxicity of DEHSPM. Thus a major objective was to develop a metabolically labile analogue of DEHSPM which retained the desirable biological properties of the parent drug. Hydroxyl groups, sites vulnerable to further metabolic transformation, were introduced into the external aminobutyl segments providing N1,N14-diethyl-(3R),(12R)-dihydroxyhomospermine [(HO)2-DEHSPM]. The design concept was assisted by molecular modeling, which predicted that (HO)2DEHSPM would have a Ki for polyamine transport essentially identical with that of DEHSPM. The experimentally measured Ki and also the observed values of other biological properties of (HO)2DEHSPM were in fact identical with those of DEHSPM, including IC50 against L1210 cells, impact on the NMDA receptor, and impact on L1210 native polyamine pools. Most significantly, however, there was no accumulation of the dideethylated metabolite in tissues from mice treated chronically with (HO)2DEHSPM, and (HO)2DEHSPM was 3-fold less toxic than DEHSPM. Finally, (HO)2DEHSPM completely prevented diarrhea in the castor oil-treated rat model at a dose of 5 mg/kg, just as did DEHSPM.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Three-dimensional solution structure and backbone dynamics of a variant of human interleukin-3.

The three-dimensional structure and backbone dynamics of a truncated and multiply substituted recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3) variant (SC-65369) have been determined from multidimensional heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data. Sequential application of distance geometry and restrained molecular dynamics calculations produced a family of 25 convergent structures which satisfy a total of 1812 experimental constraints (1659 proton-proton NOEs, 75 backbone dihedral angle constraints, and 39 pairs of hydrogen bond constraints) with an average root-mean-square deviation from the mean coordinate positions of 0.88(+/- 0.15) angstroms and 1.37(+/- 0.13) angstroms for the backbone and all heavy atoms, respectively, of all residues except 28 to 39. The structure is a left-handed four-helix bundle (comprised of helices A through D) with two long overhand loops (designated as loops AB and CD). Loop AB contains a short fifth helix (helix A') which is closely packed against helix D in an approximately parallel fashion and which has multiple contacts with loop CD. The overall molecular tumbling time (6.5 ns) determined from the 15N relaxation data was consistent with a monomeric protein under the conditions of the experiment (1 mM protein, pH 4.6, 30 degrees C). The 15N relaxation data indicate that the helical regions of SC-65369 are quite rigid, while portions of loop AB, loop CD, and the C terminus undergo significant internal motions. Among the structurally related four-helical bundle cytokines, the structure of SC-65369 is most similar to those of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and the single structural domain of interleukin-5 (IL-5), all of which share a common receptor subunit required for signal transduction and activation of their hematopoietic target cells. Indeed, the C(alpha) atoms in the four-helix core of these three proteins can be superimposed to 1.71 angstroms (SC-65369 and GM-CSF, 62 C(alpha) atoms) and 1.96 angstroms (SC-65369 and IL-5 single structural domain, 58 C(alpha) atoms), respectively. When the structures of the IL-3 variant, GM-CSF, and IL-5 were aligned, the conserved and conservatively substituted residues were found to be hydrophobic and buried, with the single exception of Glu-22 (IL-3 numbering), which is strictly conserved but nonetheless fully exposed to solvent. The most remarkable differences between the SC-65369 structure and that of GM-CSF occur in loop AB. This loop in GM-CSF crosses over the top of helix D and passes underneath loop CD on its way to helix B. In contrast, loop AB of SC-65369 passes in front of helix D, similar to the first crossover loop in human growth hormone and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. In addition, helix A', which is interdigitated into the helical bundle in a manner similar to the helices in the CD loop of interferon-beta and interferon-gamma, exists in a region where short stretches of beta-structure are found at analogous positions in GM-CSF and IL-5. These differences suggest that the structural elements within this region may be important for recognition by their cognate receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

HIV-1 entry cofactor: functional cDNA cloning of a seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor.

A cofactor for HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus-type 1) fusion and entry was identified with the use of a novel functional complementary DNA (cDNA) cloning strategy. This protein, designated "fusin," is a putative G protein-coupled receptor with seven transmembrane segments. Recombinant fusin enabled CD4-expressing nonhuman cell types to support HIV-1 Env-mediated cell fusion and HIV-1 infection. Antibodies to fusin blocked cell fusion and infection with normal CD4-positive human target cells. Fusin messenger RNA levels correlated with HIV-1 permissiveness in diverse human cell types. Fusin acted preferentially for T cell line-tropic isolates, in comparison to its activity with macrophagetropic HIV-1 isolates.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

Cloning and characterization of a novel receptor to pancreatic polypeptide, a member of the neuropeptide Y receptor family.

We report isolation of a murine gene, NPYR-D, which predicts an intronless novel G protein-coupled receptor of 375 amino acids. Percent identities of NPYR-D to the clone Y1, Y2, rat Y4/PP1 and human Y4/PP1 receptors are 45, 32, 92 and 76, respectively. Southern blots indicate that NPYR-D and human Y4/PP1 receptor genes are species homologues. Rat [125I]pancreatic polypeptide ([125I]rPP) bound to NPYR-D transfected COS-7 cell membranes with a high affinity, i.e. IC50=90 pM. Pharmacological characterization of [125I]rPP binding showed a rank order of potency of P >> PYY > or = NPY, such that PYY and NPY were at least 5000-fold weaker than PP. Interestingly, [125I]rPYY binding produced the same rank order, but PYY and NPY were only 25-fold weaker than PP, which had an IC50 value of approximately 120 pM. Tissue distribution studies in mouse and humans suggest potential roles of this novel receptor in the gastrointestinal tract, heart, prostate, as well as in neural and endocrine signalling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Acetylator genotype (NAT2)-dependent formation of aberrant crypts in congenic Syrian hamsters administered 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl.

Some but not all human epidemiological studies suggest a higher incidence of colon cancer in rapid acetylator individuals. Aberrant crypts, the earliest morphologically evident preneoplastic lesions in chemical colon carcinogenesis, were measured in rapid and slow acetylator congenic Syrian hamsters administered 3,2' -dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl, an aromatic amine colon carcinogen, to investigate the specific role of the acetylator genotype (NAT2) in colon carcinogenesis. Age-matched rapid (Bio. 82.73/H-Patr) and slow (Bio. 82.73/ H-Pat(s) acetylator female Syrian hamsters congenic at the NAT2 locus received a s.c. injection of 3,2' -dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (100 mg/kg) at the start of weeks 1 and 2. After 10 and 14 weeks, the hamsters were sacrificed, and each whole cecum, colon, and rectum was stained with 0.2% methylene blue, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and examined under a dissecting microscope for the presence of aberrant crypts. Aberrant crypts were identified in the cecums and colons of both rapid and slow acetylator congenic hamsters treated with 3,2' -dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl but not in vehicle controls. The size of the aberrant crypt foci was larger in the colon than in the cecum, and the highest frequency of aberrant crypt foci was observed in the cecum. No aberrant crypts were detected in the rectum. The frequency of aberrant crypt foci was significantly higher (2-3-fold) in rapid versus slow acetylator congenic hamsters in both cecum (P = 0.0352) and colon (P = 0.0006). These results support human epidemiological studies that suggest the rapid acetylator genotype is associated with higher risk of colon cancer induced by aromatic amines.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1996

Collagen-based structures containing the peptoid residue N-isobutylglycine (Nleu): synthesis and biophysical studies of Gly-Pro-Nleu sequences by circular dichroism, ultraviolet absorbance, and optical rotation.

A peptoid residue N-isobutylglycine (Nleu) was introduced as a proline surrogate in collagen-like triple helical structures. A series of single chain and template-assembled collagen-based peptide-peptoid structures composed of Gly-Pro-Nleu sequences were prepared by solid-phase segment condensation methods. Both a synthetic route in solution and a solid phase method were employed to couple the KTA (cis,cis-1,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, also known as the Kemp triacid) based template, KTA-(Gly-OH)3, to peptide-peptoid chains. Biophysical studies using CD, uv absorbance, and optical rotation measurements demonstrated that these compounds form triple-helical structures when the chains are longer than critical lengths. Results from melting curve measurements indicated that the Gly-Pro-Nleu sequence is comparable to the Gly-Pro-Pro sequence in stabilizing a triple-helical conformation. The KTA-based template stabilized triple-helical structures as can be seen by the increased melting temperatures as compared to equivalent single chain molecules. In addition, the template reduced the minimum chain length necessary to form a triple helix from six to only three trimer repeats.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed1996

3,2'-Dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl-DNA adduct formation in tumor target and nontarget organs of rapid and slow acetylator Syrian hamsters cogenic at the NAT2 locus.

DNA adduct formation is an important step in initiation of the carcinogenic process. 3,2'-Dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMABP) is a well-documented multiorgan carcinogenic aromatic amine in rodents. In the present study, DMABP-DNA adduct levels were measured in rapid (Bio. 82.73/H-Pat(r)) and slow (Bio. 82.73/H-Pat(s)) acetylator Syrian hamsters congenic at the NAT2 locus following a single injection of 33 or 100 mg/kg body wt DMABP. Two DNA adducts, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-DMABP and 5-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-DMABP, were identified and quantitated by 32P-postlabeling assay. After injection of 33 mg/kg, DMABP-DNA adducts were detected in urinary bladder at 6, 18, 24, and 48 hr with adduct levels increasing up to 48 hr postinjection. DMABP-DNA adducts were not detected in liver, colon, and heart. After injection of 100 mg/kg, DMABP-DNA adducts were detected in urinary bladder, liver, prostate, colon, and heart at 48 hr postinjection. DMABP-DNA adduct levels were significantly higher in urinary bladder (primary tumor target organ) than in the other organs of both rapid and slow acetylator congenic hamsters. N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-DMABP levels were significantly higher in liver and prostate than in colon and heart of rapid and slow acetylator congenic hamsters, whereas 5-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-DMABP levels were significantly higher in prostate than in colon and heart of rapid and slow acetylator congenic hamsters. DMABP-DNA adduct levels in each tissue examined did not differ significantly between rapid and slow acetylator hamsters following either 33 or 100 mg/kg injection. The tissue-dependent differences in DMABP-DNA adduct levels observed in the Syrian hamster differ from those reported in the rat and are consistent with previous studies that show DMABP induces primarily urinary bladder tumors in the Syrian hamster.

Acetylation↗