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Biomedical subjects

Y P Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Y P Yang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A stage-specific open reading frame from three-day old adult worms of Trichinella spiralis encodes zinc-finger motifs.

The aim of the study was to isolate genes coding for stage-specific antigens of T. spiralis. Such antigens may then be associated with local and systemic immune responses against adult T. spiralis. Recombinant clones were obtained with an adult stage specific probe from a cDNA library of three-day old adult T. spiralis. Several cDNA clones encoding the same peptide were identified and their stage specificity was confirmed by northern blot analysis. Three independent clones were fully sequenced, and the resulting sequence found to code for a 487 amino acid peptide with a deduced molecular weight of approximately 55 kDa. Sequence analysis showed that the 55 kDa peptide contained putative DNA binding motifs, suggesting that this protein may be involved in transcriptional regulation during the early development of the parasite.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular analysis in newborns from Texas affected with galactosemia.

The spectrum of mutations in the Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) gene is described in 11 cases of classic galactosemia and 38 of Duarte-2 type identified by the Texas Newborn Screening Program. Blinded studies were done by automated DNA sequencing of all the 11 exons and the exon-intron boundaries of the GALT gene using genomic DNA isolated from dry blood spots. Fourteen different mutations (11 missense mutations, 2 nonsense mutations and 1 splicing mutation) were detected in 94 of the 98 mutant alleles (diagnostic efficiency of 96%). The prevalent mutations were N314D (41%), Q188R (37%) and K285N (4%). The other less frequent mutations were IVS2-2A>G and S135L (3% each), T138M (2%) and T23A, H184Q, Y251S, L195P, Q207X, L264X, Q344K, and A345D (1% each). Three novel mutations, T23A, Q207X, and A345D, were identified. Our study supports previous findings that N314D and Q188R are prevalent in Hispanics and Whites and K285N was only observed in Whites. The IVS2-2A->G mutation is probably ethnic specific because it was identified exclusively in Hispanics. S135L, a prevalent mutation in Blacks, was also present in 3 Hispanics. Two unusual genotypes were observed in 2 patients homozygous for the Duarte-2 N314D allele and heterozygous for a novel mutation (Q207X- N314D/N314D in a classic galactosemia and T23A- N314D/N314D in a Duarte-2 case). The detection of GALT gene mutations in newborns from Texas should focus first on N314D, Q188R, K285N, IVS2-2A>G, S135L and T138M. Other exons and exon-intron boundaries would have to be studied if either one or no mutations are found in the primary screening.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

Pain model and fuzzy logic patient-controlled analgesia in shock-wave lithotripsy.

Pain control in conscious patients was investigated using a push-button, demand-driven supply of drugs. A fuzzy logic patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) algorithm was compared with a conventional algorithm, for alfentanil administration in extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. The conventional PCA algorithm used an initial dose of 0.25mg, a fixed infusion rate of 60 mg h(-1) and a fixed bolus size of 0.2 mg with a 1 min lockout. The fuzzy logic PCA algorithm used an initial dose of 0.25 mg, a changeable infusion rate and a bolus size of 0.1 or 0.05 mg. The infusion rate was adjusted according to a look-up table that accepted the button-pressing history over the last three lockout intervals. The look-up table was designed using fuzzy logic. The bolus size was adjusted according to the button-pressing history over the past two lockout intervals. Twelve patients were treated using conventional PCA, and thirteen were treated with PCA + fuzzy logic control (FLC). PCA + FLC patients consumed 45% less drug. Also, PCA + FLC patients had a mean delivery/demand ratio of 82%, compared with 60% in conventional PCA. When the pain intensity scale was analysed, PCA + FLC patients had acceptable pain intensity at 62%, compared with 44% in conventional PCA.

Adult↗

Reverse dot-blot hybridization as an improved tool for the molecular diagnosis of point mutations in congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

BACKGROUND: More than 90% of cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are caused by mutations of the CYP21 gene that result in deficiencies of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase. Allele-specific PCR, allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization, and Southern blot analysis are the most common methods to detect point mutations and deletions in the CYP21 gene. METHODS AND RESULTS: This report is the first application of the reverse dot-blot (RDB) assay for diagnosis of the nine most common point mutations in the CYP21 gene associated with CAH (P30L, g.659A>G or g.659C>G, I172N, I236N-V237E-M239K, V281L, g.1767-1768insT, Q318X, R356W, P453S). Normal and mutant oligonucleotides spanning these nine mutation sites were spotted onto a nylon membrane. DNA was extracted from dried blood spots, and exons encompassing mutations from samples to be tested were amplified and labeled with biotin-dUTP by PCR. These exons then were hybridized to membrane strips. Signal detection was achieved by chemiluminescence. Thirty clinically confirmed cases that were identified by the Texas Newborn Screening Program were tested. All mutations were subsequently confirmed by automated DNA sequencing. CONCLUSION: The RDB method has the advantages of being accurate and cost-effective for the molecular diagnosis of CYP21 point mutations in CAH. It permits simultaneous detection of a panel of point mutations with only one hybridization per sample and could be automated to study many samples.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

[Screening and sequence analysis of the adult stage-specific gene of Trichinella spiralis].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the sequence of the adult stage-specific gene of Trichinella spiralis. METHODS: An adult T. spiralis cDNA library was screened using an adult T. spiralis stage-specific probe. The gene sequence was analyzed by DNAstar software and GenBank database. RESULTS: A cDNA clone of 1,629 bp was obtained by screening the library with an adult stage-specific probe. The clone contained one open reading frame composed of 1,464 bp encoding 487 amino acids. GenBank searching revealed that no identical cDNA was found. Two zinc fingers located at the positions within amino acids 207-270. Some possible antigen epitopes were predicted within the amino acids 52-64, 108-116, 137-163 and 226-260. CONCLUSION: A novel stage-specific gene of adult T. spiralis encoding the protein containing certain predicted antigen epitopes was obtained.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Genotypes of merozoite surface protein 2 of Plasmodium falciparum in different malaria endemic areas].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the genotypes and distribution of MSP2 of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Yunnan and Hainan provinces, China. METHODS: The central polymorphic region of MSP2 allele was amplified by the nested PCR for genotyping of P. falciparum. RESULTS: The higher degree of polymorphism of MSP2 of P. falciparum was observed in Yunnan and Hainan. Distribution and allele frequencies differed in both provinces, indicating considerable geographical heterogeneity of parasite populations. The mixed infection of different allele-type and multiplicity of infection was more frequent in Hainan than in Yunnan. CONCLUSION: There were obvious differences in the distribution and frequencies of MSP2 alleles between Yunnan and Hainan endemic areas. MSP2 is suitable to be used as a marker gene for the genotyping of P. falciparum infection.

Alleles↗

RH maps of bovine chromosomes 15 and 29: conservation of human chromosomes 11 and 5.

Comparative mapping data on evolutionary conserved coding sequences and synteny maps between human and cattle are insufficient to define the extent and distribution of conserved segments between these two species, because the order of loci is often rearranged. A 5000-rad cattle whole-genome radiation hybrid (WG-RH) panel was constructed to provide high-resolution comparative maps and also to integrate linkage maps of microsatellites with evolutionary conserved genes and transcripts in a single ordered map. We used the WG-RH panel to construct radiation hybrid maps of bovine Chromosomes (Chrs) 15 and 29 (BTA15 and BTA29), integrating microsatellites from published linkage maps with selected genes. The comprehensive map of BTA15 consists of 24 markers, 13 of which were placed in the framework map. Eleven molecular markers compose the comprehensive map of BTA29, seven of which were placed in the framework map. We identified the homologous regions between bovine Chr 15 (BTA15) and human Chrs 5 and 11 (HSA5 and HSA11), as well as between BTA29 and HSA11. The present study demonstrates that WG-RH mapping is an efficient method for integrating multiple genetic maps into one map and for incorporating monomorphic Type I loci into ordered maps for comparison between species.

Animals↗

Four new naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from Ancistrocladus tectorius.

Four new naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, ancistrotectoriline A (1), ancistrotectoriline B (2), 6-O-methyl-4'-O-demethylancistrocladine (3), and 6-O-methyl-4'-O-demethylhamatine (4), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Ancistrocladus tectorius, collected from Hainan Province, Southern China. Their structures were elucidated using MS and NMR methods.

Alkaloids↗

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of ABT-627, an oral ETA selective endothelin antagonist, in humans.

AIMS: Endothelins (ETs) may play a role in the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of the orally active ETA selective receptor antagonist ABT-627 in healthy humans. METHODS: Healthy volunteers were included in two studies with cross-over design. Subjects received single or multiple dose (an 8 day period) administration of oralABT-627 or matched placebo, in a dose range of 0.2-40 mg. The pharmacokinetics of ABT-627 were described and its effects on systemic haemodynamics under resting conditions and on forearm vasoconstriction in response to ET-1 were assessed. RESULTS: ABT-627 was generally well tolerated in both studies, with transient headache being the most reported adverse event (in 62% vs 4% during placebo, P < 0.05, for Study 1 and in 42% vs 60%, P = 0.2, for Study 2). ABT-627 was rapidly absorbed, reaching maximum plasma levels at approximately 1 h post dose. Single dose ABT-627, at a dose of 20 and 40 mg, inhibited ET-1 induced forearm vasoconstriction at 8 h post dose. Eight days ABT-627 treatment, at a dose level of 5 mg and above, also effectively blocked forearm vasoconstriction to ET-1. ABT-627 caused a significant reduction in peripheral resistance as compared with placebo (16 +/- 1 vs 19 +/- 1, 18 +/- 2 vs 23 +/- 3, 15 +/- 1 vs 17 +/- 1 AU at 1, 5, 20 mg in Study 2) with only a mild decrease in blood pressure (79 +/- 2 vs 84 +/- 3, 80 +/- 4 vs 90 +/- 5, 75 +/- 3 vs 79 +/- 1 at 1, 5, 20 mg in Study 2). ABT-627 caused a moderate dose-dependent increase in circulating immunoreactive ET levels (a maximal increase of 50% over baseline at the 20 mg dose level). CONCLUSIONS: The oral ETA receptor blocker ABT-627 is well tolerated, rapidly absorbed, effectively blocks ET-1 induced vasoconstriction and causes a decrease in total peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure. Our data suggest that ABT-627 may be a valuable tool in treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗

Properties of recombinant HtrA: an otitis media vaccine candidate antigen from non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae.

Non-encapsulated or non-typable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major cause of middle ear infections in young children. HtrA has been identified as a vaccine candidate antigen from NTHi; therefore physicochemical characterization of this antigen is important for vaccine development. Recombinant NTHi HtrA has been expressed in E. coli and shown to have serine protease activity. Several mutant, recombinant HtrA proteins were expressed and purified to obtain suitable vaccine antigens lacking protease activity. Two mutants with alterations at the putative active site His91 and Ser197, designated H91A and S197A were examined by circular dichroic spectropolarimetry (CD) to evaluate secondary structure. The S197A mutant had a more random secondary structure compared to wild-type rHtrA or H91A. It is likely that improper folding of S197A accounts for its lack of immunoprotective properties in a chinchilla model of otitis media.

Animals↗

A direct interaction between EXT proteins and glycosyltransferases is defective in hereditary multiple exostoses.

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant condition in which bony outgrowths occur from the juxtaepiphyseal regions of the long bones. In a few percent of cases these exostoses undergo malignant transformation to chondrosarcomas. HME results from mutations in one of two homologous genes, EXT1 and EXT2. These are members of a new gene family that is conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to higher vertebrates. In humans this family comprises five genes which are most conserved at their C-termini, but they do not contain any discernible functional motifs and their function(s) is unclear. Indirect evidence suggests that EXT proteins are involved in glycosaminoglycan synthesis, act as tumor suppressors and affect hedgehog signaling. One recent study has also reported that these proteins co-purify with glycosyltransferase (GlcA and GlcNAc transferase) activity and on that basis it has been postulated that they are themselves glycosyl-transferases. We performed two-hybrid screens with a fragment of EXT2 from the region that is most highly conserved in the gene family and identified two interacting proteins: the tumor necrosis factor type 1 associated protein and a novel UDP-GalNAc:poly-peptide N -acetylgalactosaminyltransferase. Significantly, both these interactions were abrogated by a disease-causing EXT mutation, indicating that they are important in the etiology of HME. The EXT2-GalNAc-T5 interaction provides the first direct physical link between EXT proteins and known components of glycosamino-glycan synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biological effects of man-made mineral fibers (II)--their genetic damages examined by in vitro assay.

In order to study and compare genetic damage induced by 10 kinds of man-made mineral fibers (JFM fibers) in cells, human lung epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to JFM fibers and chrysotile for 1 h, then single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was used to detect DNA strand breaks, DNA-DNA interstrand crosslink and the ability of DNA to repair; The results showed that all 10 JFM fibers could induce DNA strand breaks, DNA-DNA interstrand crosslinks and inhibit the ability of DNA repair. When human embryo lung (HEL) cells were exposed to JFM fibers and chrysotile for 24 h respectively, the chromosomal aberration was analyzed and the results showed that chrysotile and most of JFM fibers at 5.0 micrograms/ml induced structural chromosomal aberration, but all of these effects were lower than that of chrysotile and were different among them, suggesting that 10 types of JFM fibers had genotoxicity with different degree in vitro, but all of them were lower than that of chrysotile.

Analysis of Variance↗

An integrated radiation hybrid map of bovine chromosome 19 and ordered comparative mapping with human chromosome 17.

We recently constructed a 5000-rad cattle whole-genome radiation hybrid panel with the primary objective of integrating linkage maps of microsatellites with evolutionarily conserved genes into one ordered map. This study utilized the panel to construct a radiation hybrid (RH) map of bovine chromosome 19 (BTA19). Twelve microsatellites from different cattle linkage maps, 15 coding genes, and 2 expressed sequence tags were placed on the BTA19 RH map, with 16 of the markers ordered with odds of at least 1000:1. When the BTA19 RH map was compared with human chromosome 17 cytogenetic and RH maps, rearrangements in linear order were revealed for homologous genes on these two chromosomes that are totally conserved at the level of synteny mapping. Radiation hybrids, which have to date been used almost exclusively in mapping the human genome, are a potentially powerful resource for constructing maps for other species and for ordered comparative mapping between species.

Animals↗

Physical assignment of six type I anchor loci to bovine chromosome 19 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

A bovine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was screened for the presence of eight type I anchor loci previously used within hybrid somatic cells and an interspecies hybrid backcross to construct a genome map of bovine chromosome 19 (BTA19). Six out of eight loci were identified in the BAC library (NF1, CRYB1, CHRNB1, TP53, GH1 and P4HB). The BACs were then used in single-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to assign these genes to BTA19 band locations. Gene order was determined by single-colour FISH, and was confirmed by dual-colour FISH to mitotic and meiotic chromosomes. The order, centromere-NF1-CRYB1-CHRNB1-TP53-GH1-P4HB, was in agreement with the order determined by linkage analyses. In addition, the order of CHRNB1 and TP53, previously unresolved by linkage analyses, was established. These data provide high-resolution cytogenetic anchorage of the BTA19 genome map from chromosome bands 14-22.

Animals↗

Parallel radiation hybrid mapping: a powerful tool for high-resolution genomic comparison.

Comparative gene mapping in mammals typically involves identification of segments of conserved synteny in diverse genomes. The development of maps that permit comparison of gene order within conserved synteny has not advanced beyond the mouse map that takes advantage of linkage analysis in interspecific backcrosses. Radiation hybrid (RH) mapping provides a powerful tool for determining order of genes in genomes for which gene-based linkage mapping is impractical. Comparative RH mapping of 24 orthologous genes in this study revealed internal structural rearrangements between human chromosome 17 (HSA17) and bovine chromosome 19 (BTA19), two chromosomes known previously to be conserved completely and exclusively at level of synteny. Only six of the 24 genes had been previously ordered on the human G3 RH map. The use of the G3 panel to map the other 18, however, produced parallel RH maps for comparison of gene order at a resolution of <5 Mb on the bovine linkage map and from 1 to 3 Mb in the human physical map.

Animals↗

The Haemophilus influenzae HtrA protein is a protective antigen.

The htrA gene from two strains of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae has been cloned and sequenced, and the encoded approximately 46-kDa HtrA proteins were found to be highly conserved. H. influenzae HtrA has approximately 55% identity with the Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium HtrA stress response proteins, and expression of the H. influenzae htrA gene was inducible by high temperature. Recombinant HtrA (rHtrA) was expressed from E. coli, and the purified protein was found to have serine protease activity. rHtrA was found to be very immunogenic and partially protective in both the passive infant rat model of bacteremia and the active chinchilla model of otitis media. Immunoblot analysis indicated that HtrA is antigenically conserved in encapsulated and nontypeable H. influenzae species. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed on the htrA gene to ablate the endogenous serine protease activity of wild-type HtrA, and it was found that eight of nine recombinant mutant proteins had no measurable residual proteolytic activity. Two mutant proteins were tested in the animal protection models, and one, H91A, was found to be partially protective in both models. H91A HtrA may be a good candidate antigen for a vaccine against invasive H. influenzae type b disease and otitis media and is currently in phase I clinical trials.

Amino Acid Sequence↗