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Biomedical subjects

Y Huo

Publications and source records attributed to Y Huo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antinociceptive activity and chemical composition of constituents from Caragana microphylla seeds.

This investigation was undertaken to ascertain the antinociceptive activity of Caragana microphylla Lam. seeds and isolate and characterize the constituents. Antinociceptive activity was screened using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction in ICR mice. The 75% ethanol extract and some fractions showed analgesic activity, but the antinociceptive activity of chloroform fraction was the strongest and was more productive than other fractions. Seven compounds were isolated from it and identified as: (1) machaeric acid, (2) beta-sitosterol, (3) stigmasterol, (4) pratol, (5) dehydrocavidine, (6) formononetin and (7) sucrose. Caragana microphylla Lam. seeds showed analgesic activity, with the chloroform fraction showing the strongest analgesic activity among the fractions.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2005

The University of Maryland electron ring: a platform for study of galactic dynamics on a laboratory scale.

The University of Maryland electron ring (UMER) is a novel experimental storage ring designed to investigate the dynamics of large systems of collisionless particles that nevertheless interact via collective mechanisms. Heavily diagnosed and designed to circulate a 100 mA electron beam at 10 keV for several turns, UMER allows us to follow the evolution of the beam over a large number of dynamical periods. Given the similarity of dynamics between the Coulomb forces and gravitational forces, it is possible to design beam experiments that will simulate such astrophysical events as galactic merger, for instance. The cross-comparison of beam experiments with accelerator simulation codes provides invaluable benchmarks of transient processes akin to, for example, violent relaxation in stellar systems that are otherwise impossible to obtain.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Linkage of bipolar affective disorder on chromosome 8q24: follow-up and parametric analysis.

Our group first reported a linkage finding for bipolar (BP) disorder on chromosome 8q24 in a study of 50 multiplex pedigrees, with an HLOD score reaching 2.39. Recently, Cichon et al reported an LOD score of 3.62 in the same region using two-point parametric analysis. Subsequently, we published the results of a genome scan for linkage to BP disorder using a sample extended to 65 pedigrees in which chromosome 8q24 provided the best finding, an NPL score of 3.13, approaching the accepted score for suggestive linkage. We have now fine mapped this region of chromosome 8 in our 65 pedigrees by the addition of 19 microsatellite markers reaching a marker density of 0.8 cM and an information content of 0.84. After the addition of the new data, the original NPL score slightly increased to 3.25. Two-point parametric analysis using the model employed by Cichon et al obtained an LOD score of 3.32 for marker D8S256 at theta=0.14 exceeding the proposed threshold for genomewide significance. After adjusting the parameters in accordance with the 'common disease-common variant' hypothesis, multipoint parametric analysis resulted in an HLOD of 2.49 (alpha=0.78) between D8S529 and D8S256, and defined a 1-LOD interval corresponding to a 2.3 Mb region. No allelic association with the disease was observed for our set of microsatellite markers. Biologically, plausible candidate genes in this region include thyroglobulin, KCNQ3 coding for a voltage-gated potassium channel and the gene for brain adenyl-cyclase (ADCY8).

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed2004

Integrated modeling of microwave food processing and comparison with experimental measurements.

This paper presents an integrated electromagnetic and thermal model for the microwave processing offood packages. The model is developed by combining the edge finite element formulation of the 3-D vector electromagnetic field in the frequency domain and the node finite element solution of the thermal conduction equation. Both mutual and one-way coupling solution algorithms are discussed. Mutual coupling entails the iterative solution of the electromagnetic field and the thermal field, because the physical properties are temperature-dependent. The one-way coupling is applicable when the properties are temperature independent or this dependence is weak. Mesh sensitivity and shape regularity for the edge element based formulation for computational electromagnetics are discussed in light of available analytical solutions for a simple wave guide. The integrated model has been used to study the electromagnetic and thermal phenomena in a pilot scale microwave applicator with and without the food package immersed in water. The calculated results are compared with the experimentally measured data for the thermal fields generated by the microwave heating occurring in a whey protein gel package, and reasonably good agreement between the two is obtained.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2004

Modeling of noninvasive microwave characterization of breast tumors.

This paper describes an approach for the noninvasive microwave characterization of tumors in breast tissue. Tumors are modeled as lossy dielectric targets. Their complex natural resonances (CNR) can be extracted from the time-domain response and correlated with diagnostically useful properties. Finite-difference time-domain simulation is used to obtain the time-domain response from a tumor with a short electromagnetic pulse as an input. The normal breast tissue and tumor are modeled as dispersive media using the Debye model and CNRs are extracted using Prony's method. It is shown that the locations of the dominant CNRs are separated in the complex frequency plane as functions of the tumor dielectric properties. The technique has potential as a diagnostic tool to characterize breast lesions in conjunction with other imaging modalities such as ultrasound for detection.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Investigation of opportunistic pathogens in municipal drinking water under different supply and treatment regimes.

Changing regulations to lower disinfectant byproducts in drinking water is forcing utilities to switch disinfection from chlorine to monochloramine. It is generally unknown whether this will impact positively or negatively on the microbiological quality of drinking water. A utility in Florida, using water with relatively high organic carbon levels from deep wells in several wellfields, made the decision to change its disinfection regime from chlorine to chloramine in order to meet the new regulations. To assess the impacts of such a change on the microbiology of its water supplies, it undertook a number of studies before and after the change. In particular, the presence of the opportunistic pathogens Legionella and Mycobacterium, and also the composition of drinking-water biofilms, were examined. A preliminary synthesis and summary of these results are presented here. Legionella species were widely distributed in source waters and in the distribution system when chlorine was the disinfectant. In some samples they seemed to be among the dominant biofilm bacteria. Following the change to monochloramine, legionellae were not detected in the distribution system during several months of survey; however, they remained detectable at point of use, although with less species diversity. A variety of mycobacteria (21 types) were widely distributed in the distribution system when chlorine was the disinfectant, but these seemed to increase in dominance after chloramination was instituted. At point of use, only four species of mycobacteria were detected. Other changes occurring with chloramination included (a) an altered biofilm composition, (b) increased numbers of total coliforms and heterotrophs and (c) nitrification of water storage tanks. The results suggested that consideration should be given to the microbiological effects of changing disinfection regimes in drinking-water and distribution system biofilms.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2003

Genome-wide scan of bipolar disorder in 65 pedigrees: supportive evidence for linkage at 8q24, 18q22, 4q32, 2p12, and 13q12.

The purpose of this study was to assess 65 pedigrees ascertained through a Bipolar I (BPI) proband for evidence of linkage, using nonparametric methods in a genome-wide scan and for possible parent of origin effect using several analytical methods. We identified 15 loci with nominally significant evidence for increased allele sharing among affected relative pairs. Eight of these regions, at 8q24, 18q22, 4q32, 13q12, 4q35, 10q26, 2p12, and 12q24, directly overlap with previously reported evidence of linkage to bipolar disorder. Five regions at 20p13, 2p22, 14q23, 9p13, and 1q41 are within several Mb of previously reported regions. We report our findings in rank order and the top five markers had an NPL>2.5. The peak finding in these regions were D8S256 at 8q24, NPL 3.13; D18S878 at 18q22, NPL 2.90; D4S1629 at 4q32, NPL 2.80; D2S99 at 2p12, NPL 2.54; and D13S1493 at 13q12, NPL 2.53. No locus produced statistically significant evidence for linkage at the genome-wide level. The parent of origin effect was studied and consistent with our previous findings, evidence for a locus on 18q22 was predominantly from families wherein the father or paternal lineage was affected. There was evidence consistent with paternal imprinting at the loci on 13q12 and 1q41.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Trapping and sequence analysis of 1138 putative exons from human chromosome 18.

In a search for novel genes on chromosome 18 (HC18), on which several regions have been linked to bipolar disorder, we applied exon trapping to HC18-specific cosmids. Among the 1138 exons trapped, 1052 of them have been mapped to HC18, and the remaining 86 have not been localized. No exons were localized to genomic regions other than HC18. BLAST database search revealed that 190 exons were identical to 98 Unigenes on HC18; 98 identical to additional 82 clusters of ESTs not present in the HC18 Unigene set; 39 homologous to genes from human and other species (e<10(-3)); and the remaining 811 exons had no significant homology to transcripts in public databases. The mapped exons were compared to the 867 annotated genes on HC18 in the Celera databases; 216 exons were identical to 104 Celera 'genes' and the remaining 836 exons were not found in the Celera databases. On average, there were two exons for a matched transcript (known genes and ESTs). Therefore, the 850 novel exons may represent hundreds of novel genes on chromosome 18.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed2002

Four novel mutations associated with autosomal recessive inclusion body myopathy (MIM: 600737).

Recently, mutations in the gene encoding for the bi-functional enzyme UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE/MNK), symbol GNE or GLCNE (MIM: 603824) [EC 5.1.3.14], were associated with IBM2 (MIM: 600737). IBM2 is a recessively inherited vacuolar myopathy with a prevalence rate of 1-2/1000 amongst people of Iranian-Jewish descent. Seven missense mutations were previously described by Eisenberg et al. All families tested from Iranian and Middle Eastern Jewish ancestry have the same homozygous mutation (bp2186t>c). Here we review the mutations in GNE associated with IBM2, and we describe additional four mutations found in individuals suffering from clinically similar disorder who are not of Iranian or Jewish descent. These findings further confirm that homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations of GNE/MNK gene associated with IBM2 are not confined to any single specific region of the enzyme outside its negative feedback regulatory domain located at codons 249-275.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

RANTES deposition by platelets triggers monocyte arrest on inflamed and atherosclerotic endothelium.

BACKGROUND: Circulating platelets and chemoattractant proteins, such as the CC chemokine RANTES, contribute to the activation and interaction of monocytes and endothelium and may thereby play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and atherosclerotic disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The binding of RANTES to human endothelial cells was detected by ELISA or immunofluorescence after perfusion with platelets or exposure to their supernatants. Monocyte arrest on endothelial monolayers or surface-adherent platelets was studied with a parallel-wall flow chamber and video microscopy. We show that RANTES secreted by thrombin-stimulated platelets is immobilized on the surface of inflamed microvascular or aortic endothelium and triggers shear-resistant monocyte arrest under flow conditions, as shown by inhibition with the RANTES receptor antagonist Met-RANTES or a blocking RANTES antibody. Deposition of RANTES and its effects requires endothelial activation, eg, by interleukin-1beta, and is not supported by venous endothelium or adherent platelets. Immunohistochemistry revealed that RANTES is present on the luminal surface of carotid arteries of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with early atherosclerotic lesions after wire-induced injury or cytokine exposure. In a mechanistic model of atherogenesis, monocyte adherence on endothelium covering such lesions was studied in murine carotid arteries perfused ex vivo, showing that the accumulation of monocytic cells in these carotid arteries involved RANTES receptors. CONCLUSIONS: The deposition of RANTES by platelets triggers shear-resistant monocyte arrest on inflamed or atherosclerotic endothelium. Delivery of RANTES by platelets may epitomize a novel principle relevant to inflammatory or atherogenic monocyte recruitment from the circulation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

L-selectin shedding regulates leukocyte recruitment.

The physiologic role of L-selectin shedding is unknown. Here, we investigate the effect of L-selectin shedding on firm adhesion and transmigration. In a tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced model of inflammation, inhibition of L-selectin shedding significantly increased firm adhesion and transmigration by a lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1-dependent mechanism. We examined the quality of leukocyte rolling and L-selectin-mediated signaling. Blockade of L-selectin shedding significantly reduced the "jerkiness" of leukocyte rolling, defined as the variability of velocity over time. A low level of jerkiness was also observed in the rolling of microbeads conjugated with L-selectin, a model system lacking the mechanism for L-selectin shedding. Inhibition of L-selectin shedding potentiated activation of LFA-1 and Mac-1 induced by L-selectin cross-linking as shown by activation epitope expression and binding of ICAM-1-conjugated beads. We conclude that inhibition of L-selectin shedding increases leukocyte adhesion and transmigration by (a) increasing leukocyte exposure to the inflamed endothelium by decreasing jerkiness and (b) promoting leukocyte activation by outside-in signaling. These observations help to resolve the apparent discrepancy between the minor contribution of L-selectin to rolling and the significant leukocyte recruitment defect in L-selectin knockout mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

NEDD4L on human chromosome 18q21 has multiple forms of transcripts and is a homologue of the mouse Nedd4-2 gene.

The validation of full-length cDNA represents a crucial step in gene identification and subsequent functional analysis. In searching for candidate genes for bipolar disorder on chromosome 18q21, a novel gene homologous to NEDD4 (Neural precursor cells expressed developmentally down-regulated) was identified using exon trapping and cDNA cloning. This novel gene is termed NEDD4L (Human Gene Nomenclature Committee symbol). Typical NEDD4 orthologues that contain a C2 (Ca(2+)/lipid-binding) and a HECT (Homologous to the E6-AP Carboxyl Terminus) ubiquitin-protein ligase domain, and multiple WW domains have been shown to regulate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). In mice, Nedd4 has two distinct isoforms termed Nedd4-1 that belongs to the typical NEDD4 class, and Nedd4-2 that is homologous to Nedd4-1 but lacks the C2 domain. NEDD4L contains the WW and HECT domains seen in the NEDD4 gene family, but lacks the C2 domain in the N-terminus. BLAST database search showed that the deduced polypeptide of NEDD4L has 97 and 62% sequence identity to mouse Nedd4-2 and human NEDD4, respectively. Multiple forms of transcripts of NEDD4L have been isolated, which differ in transcription start and termination sites together with the presence or absence of an alternative spliced exon. Northern blot analysis showed a 3.4 kb mRNA species was specifically expressed in heart and skeletal muscle, while a 3.2 kb band and/or an additional 3.6 kb band is seen in other tissues tested. Striking homology of NEDD4L to mouse Nedd4-2 suggests it is the human homologue of mouse Nedd4-2. Its position in a region of linkage for autosomal dominant orthostatic hypotensive disorder and its potential role in regulating ENaC make NEDD4L a candidate gene for this disorder.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2001

Adhesion molecules and atherogenesis.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the vessel wall characterized by monocyte infiltration in response to pro-atherogenic factors such as oxidized lipids. Recently, the role of specific adhesion molecules in this process has been explored. The endothelium overlying atherosclerotic lesions expresses P-selectin and the shoulder regions express vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is also expressed on endothelium in regions not prone to plaque development. Serum levels of soluble P-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are elevated in patients with angina pectoris or peripheral atherosclerotic disease. Reconstituted in vitro systems using monocytes on cytokine-activated endothelial cells under shear flow suggested the involvement of P-selectin, L-selectin, VCAM-1, its ligand, VLA-4 integrin and CD18 integrins. Studies of monocyte adhesion in isolated perfused carotid arteries harvested from atherosclerotic (apoE-/-) mice show a predominant involvement of P-selectin and its ligand P-selectin glycoprotein-1 (PSGL-1) in rolling and of VLA-4 and VCAM-1 in firm adhesion. Consistent with these findings, apoE-/- mice that are also deficient for P-selectin show significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion sizes and are almost completely protected from neointimal growth after vascular injury. Milder effects are also seen in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor deficient (LDLR-/-) mouse. In a high cholesterol/cholate model, a role of ICAM-1 and CD18 integrins was also shown, but this awaits confirmation in more physiologic models. Transient blockade of the VLA-4/VCAM-1 adhesion pathway by antibodies or peptides in apoE-/- or LDLR-/- mice reduced monocyte and lipid accumulation in lesions. These data suggest that P-selectin, PSGL-1, VLA-4 and VCAM-1 are the most important adhesion molecules involved in monocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Simulation of field characteristics of the focused axisymmetrically curved surface transducers.

The acoustical fields produced by a variety of focused axisymmetrically curved surface transducers with large aperture have been investigated on the basis of Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction theory. The interrelation of ultrasound characteristics with some structural aspects of the transducers has been calculated and compared. The forms of resulting intensity maxima and their resulting suitability for surgical lesion of tissues are compared through parameters such as "lesioning capability" and "focussing efficiency." Although only modest changes in intensity distribution are possible, some may have applications in making lesions for control of focal cancer and other pathologies.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMed2001

The chemokine KC, but not monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, triggers monocyte arrest on early atherosclerotic endothelium.

In a reconstituted flow chamber system, preincubation with chemokines can trigger the arrest of rolling monocytes, suggesting that this interaction could help recruit these cells to early atherosclerotic lesions. To date, however, the contribution of endothelium-derived chemokines found in these lesion to monocyte arrests has not been investigated. The endothelium of lesion-prone carotid arteries from apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, but not control mice, presents the chemokines KC (mouse GRO-alpha) and JE (mouse monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1]). Arrest of a monocytic cell line or mouse blood monocytes perfused through carotid arteries of ApoE(-/-) mice was reduced by treating with either pertussis toxin, an antagonist of CXCR2, or an antibody to KC, but this process was insensitive to agents that blocked CCR-2 or JE. Conversely, monocyte accumulation more than doubled upon pre-perfusion of the carotid artery with KC but not with mouse MCP-1. Blockade of alpha(4)beta(1) integrin (VLA-4) or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, but not CD18 or intercellular adhesion molecule-1, almost completely inhibited the arrest of monocytes. We conclude that when presented by early atherosclerotic lesions, KC but not murine MCP-1 triggers VLA-4-dependent monocyte recruitment.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

192Ir endovascular irradiation prevents restenosis after balloon angioplasty in rabbit.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of endovascular irradiation on restenosis after balloon angioplasty in rabbit. METHODS: After the establishment of rabbit iliac atherosclerosis model, balloon angioplasty was performed at the lesion segment of the iliac artery. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group, 10 Gy irradiated group and 18 Gy irradiated group. Endovascular irradiation was performed for irradiated groups at the dilated sites by introducing the 192Ir radioactive guidewire through a catheter. After four weeks, the animals were killed and the target segments were cut down. Histopathologic and morphometric analyses were carried out. RESULTS: The mean final lumen area in the 18 Gy group was larger than that in the control or 10 Gy group (P < 0.05). The intimal area in the 18 Gy group was smaller (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 192Ir endovascular irradiation may prevent restenosis after balloon angioplasty. The effect is related to the delivered dose. The mechanism is involved in inhibition of neointimal proliferation.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗