Browsing by Author "Liu, Tzu-An"

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A NOVEL FLUOROMETRIC ASSAY OF HUMAN 3'-PHOSPHOADENOSINE 5'-PHOSPHOSULFATE SYNTHETASE
(2008-09-01)
Liu, Tzu-An
;
Yang, Yuh-Shyong
;
生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
A target-specific approach for the identification of tyrosine-sulfated hemostatic proteins
(2009-07-01)
Liu, Tzu-An
;
Yasuda, Shin
;
Williams, Frederick E.
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Liu, Ming-Yih
;
Suiko, Masahito
A simple methodology for the identification of hemostatic proteins that are subjected to post translational tyrosine sulfation was developed. The procedure involves sequence analysis of members of the three hemostatic pathways using the Sulfinator prediction algorithm, followed by [(35)S]sulfate labeling of cultured HepG2 human hepatoma cells, immunoprecipitation of targeted [(35)S]sulfate-labeled hemostatic proteins, and tyrosine O-[(35)S]sulfate analysis of immunoprecipitated proteins. Three new tyrosine-sulfated hemostatic proteins-protein S. prekallikrein, and plasminogen-were identified. Such a target-specific approach will allow investigation of tyrosine-sulfated proteins of other biochemical/physiological pathways/processes and contribute to a better understanding of the functional role of post-translational tyrosine sulfation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Factors associated with sustained return of spontaneous circulation in children after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of noncardiac origin
(2010-03-01)
Li, Chao-Jui
;
Kung, Chia-Te
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Liu, Ber-Ming
;
Chou, Chu-Chung
;
Chang, Chin-Fu
Purpose: The study aimed to determine the factors predictive of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of noncardiac origin. Methods: Eighty children were included in this retrospective study. The variables that lead to sustained ROSC and those that do not lead to sustained ROSC were analyzed. Survival analyses, including chance of achieving sustained ROSC and sum duration of ROSC, were conducted according to the duration of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Results: Etiologies of noncardiac OHCA differed significantly across different age groups (P < .001). Only 8.8% of children had initial arrest rhythms that were shockable. Predictors of sustained ROSC included the initial cardiac rhythm (P = .002), a shorter period between collapse and the first chest compression (P = .002), a shorter in-hospital CPR duration (P = .004), and prehospital CPR (P = .007). In children where ROSC was initially sustained, those with in-hospital CPR of more than 20 minutes, ROSC was sustained for less time (P < .001). Conclusions: Few children with noncardiac OHCA present with shockable cardiac rhythms. Furthermore, long-term ROSC is difficult to maintain in children who receive in-hospital CPR for more than 20 minutes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Identification and characterization of two novel cytosolic sulfotransferases, SULT1 ST7 and SULT1 ST8, from zebrafish
(2008-08-29)
Liu, Tzu-An
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Bhuiyan, Shakhawat
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Snow, Rhodora
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Yasuda, Shin
;
Yasuda, Tomoko
Cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) constitute a family of Phase 11 detoxification enzymes that are involved in the protection against potentially harmful xenobiotics as well as the regulation and homeostasis of endogenous compounds. Compared with humans and rodents, the zebrafish serves as an excellent model for studying the role of SULTs in the detoxification of environmental pollutants including environmental estrogens. By searching the expressed sequence tag database, two zebrafish cDNAs encoding putative SULTs were identified. Sequence analysis indicated that these two putative zebrafish SULTs belong to the SULT1 gene family. The recombinant form of these two novel zebrafish SULTs, designated SULT1 ST7 and SULT1 ST8, were expressed using the pGEX-2TK glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene fusion system and purified from transformed BL21 (DE3) cells. Purified GST-fusion protein form of SULT1 ST7 and SULT1 ST8 exhibited strong sulfating activities toward environmental estrogens, particularly hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), among various endogenous and xenobiotic compounds tested as substrates. pH-dependence experiments showed that SULT1 ST7 and SULT1 ST8 displayed pH optima at 6.5 and 8.0, respectively. Kinetic parameters of the two enzymes in catalyzing the sulfation of catechin and chlorogenic acid as well as 3-chloro-4-biphenylol were determined. Developmental expression experiments revealed distinct patterns of expression of SULT1 ST7 and SULT1 ST8 during embryonic development and throughout the larval stage onto maturity. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Immunohistochemical analysis of a novel dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase-like protein in Drosophila neural circuits
(2008-02-29)
Liu, Tzu-An
;
Liu, Ming-Cheh
;
Yang, Yuh-Shyong
;
生物科技學系
;
Department of Biological Science and Technology
Sulfotransferase (ST)-catalyzed sulfation plays an important role in various neuronal functions such as homeostasis of catecholamine neurotransmitters and hormones. Drosophila is a popular model for the study of memory and behavioral manifestations because it is able to mimic the intricate neuroregulation and recognition in humans. However, there has been no evidence indicating that cytosolic ST(s) is(are) present in Drosophila. The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not cytosolic ST(s) is(are) expressed in the Drosophila nervous system. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ST-like protein in Drosophila brain and a sensitive fluorometric assay revealed its sulfating activity toward DHEA. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated this DHEA ST-like protein to be abundant in specific neurons as well as in several bundles of nerve fibers in Drosophila. Clarification of a possible link between ST and a neurotransmitter-mediated effect may eventually aid in designing approaches for alleviating neuronal disorders in humans. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Pharmaceutical Poisoning Exposure and Outcome Analysis in Children Admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department
(2011-02-01)
Lin, Yan-Ren
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Liu, Tzu-Hsuan
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Liu, Tzu-An
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Chang, Yu-Jun
;
Chou, Chu-Chung
Background: Pharmaceuticals involved in childhood poisoning vary, and treatment of poison exposure can be a challenge for primary physicians when children are unconscious or histories are lacking. Knowledge of the clinical manifestations and prognosis of poisoning will help primary physicians perform appropriate clinical assessments. In this study, we aim to report on patient characteristics, outcomes, and clinical features of pediatric poisoning in the emergency department. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 87 children younger than 18 years of age and presented to the emergency department with pharmaceutical poisoning (2001-2008). The detailed categories of pharmaceutical were reported, and their associations with patient outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, children were divided into two groups, based on the reasons for poison exposure (accidental or intentional poisoning). Clinical features and outcomes between accidental or intentional poisoning were analyzed, and the cut-off age for high risk of intentional poisoning was also calculated. Results: Age groups of adolescents (48.3%) and preschool age (32.2%) children were the major representation. Neurologic system agents (48.3%) and analgesics (18.4%) were the most common causes of poisoning. Among the two major agents above, anxiolytic/hypnotic drugs (lorazepam) and acetaminophen were the most frequent causes. Of all children, 70.1% had duration of major symptoms for <= 1 day, and intentional poisoning caused significantly longer duration of hospital stay than accidental poisoning did (p = 0.008). Moreover, female gender (p < 0.001), older age (p < 0.001), and analgesics (p = 0.008) were more predominantly associated with intentional poisoning in children, and the cut-off age for high risk of intentional poisoning was over 10.5 years. Conclusion: Neurologic system agents and analgesics were responsible for the majority of cases. Intentional poisoning caused longer hospital length of stay than accidental poisoning, and the factors associated with intentional poisoning were older age, female, and neurologic system agents. Copyright (C) 2011, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.
Poison exposure and outcome of children admitted to a pediatric emergency department
(2011-05-01)
Lin, Yan-Ren
;
Wu, Tung-Kung
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Liu, Tzu-An
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Chou, Chu-Chung
;
Wu, Han-Ping
Background: This paper reports the characteristics, outcomes and clinical features of children with poisoning treated at an emergency department (ED). Methods: This retrospective study at an emergency department consisted of 140 children with poison exposure who were aged under 18 years. Their characteristics were analyzed in order to understand the differences between accidental and non-accidental poisoning. The poisonous materials were divided into two major categories (pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals) and their associations with patient outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, the association was analyzed between the incidence of poison exposure and the season in which the poison exposure occurred. Results: The incidence of poison exposure was highest among adolescents and pre-school age children. Non-accidental poisoning was more common in older girls and accidental poisoning was more common in younger boys (P < 0.001). Neurological system agents were the most common cause of poisoning in the pharmaceutical group and cleansing products were the most common cause of poisoning in the non-pharmaceutical group. Neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common clinical presentations for the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical groups, respectively. Furthermore, poisoning due to cleansing products and analgesics were associated with the longest duration of hospitalization. March was the highest risk month for pediatric poisoning (P=0.018). Conclusions: Cleansing products and analgesics were associated with the longest duration of hospitalization and intentional poison was more common in girls. World J Pediatr 2011;7(2):143-149
Post-resuscitative clinical features in the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC predict the duration of survival in children with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
(2010-04-01)
Lin, Yan-Ren
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Li, Chao-Jui
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Wu, Tung-Kung
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Chang, Yu-Jun
;
Lai, Shih-Chang
Aim of the study: Although sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can be initially established after resuscitation from non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in some children, many of the children lose spontaneous circulation during hospital stay and do not survive to discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features during the first hour after ROSC that may predict survival to hospital discharge. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 228 children who presented to the emergency department without spontaneous circulation following non-traumatic OHCA during the period January 1996 to December 2008. Among these children, 80 achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min. The post-resuscitative clinical features during the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC that correlated with survival, median duration of survival, and death were analyzed. Results: Among the 80 children who achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min, 28 survived to hospital discharge and 6 had good neurologic outcomes (PCPC scale = 1 or 2). Post-resuscitative clinical features associated with survival included sinus cardiac rhythm (p = 0.012), normal heart rate (p = 0.008), normal blood pressure (p < 0.001), urine output > 1 ml/kg/h (p = 0.002), normal skin color (p = 0.016), lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-induced rib fracture (p = 0.044), initial Glasgow Coma Scale score > 7 (p < 0.001), and duration of in-hospital CPR <= 10 min (p < 0.001). Furthermore, these variables were also significantly associated with the duration of survival (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: The most important predictors of survival to hospital discharge in children with OHCA who achieve sustained ROSC are a normal heart rate, normal blood pressure, and an initial urine output > 1 ml/kg/h. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Thermostable Direct Hemolysin from Grimontia hollisae Causes Acute Hepatotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo
(2013-02-21)
Lin, Yan-Ren
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Chen, Yao-Li
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Wang, Keh-Bin
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Wu, Yi-Fang
;
Wang, Yu-Kuo
Background: G. hollisae thermostable direct hemolysin (Gh-TDH) is produced by most strains of G. hollisae. This toxin has been reported to be absorbed in the intestines in humans. Secondary liver injury might be caused by venous return of the toxin through the portal system. We aimed to firstly analyze the in vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity of Gh-TDH. Methods: Liver cells (primary human non-cancer cell and FL83B mouse cells) were treated and mice (BALB/c) were fed with this toxin to investigate its hepatotoxicity. Morphological examination and cytotoxicity assays using liver cells were also performed. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated toxin was used to analyze the localization of this protein in liver cells. Mice were subjected to liver function measurements and liver biopsies following toxin treatment and wild-type bacterial infection. PET (positron emission tomography)/CT (computed tomography) images were taken to assess liver metabolism during acute injury and recovery. Results: The effect of hepatotoxicity was dose and time dependent. Cellular localization showed that the toxin was initially located around the cellular margins and subsequently entered the nucleus. Liver function measurements and liver biopsies of the mice following treatment with toxin or infection with wild-type Grimontia hollisae showed elevated levels of transaminases and damage to the periportal area, respectively. The PET/CT images revealed that the reconstruction of the liver continued for at least one week after exposure to a single dose of the toxin or bacterial infection. Conclusions: The hepatotoxicity of Gh-TDH was firstly demonstrated. The damage was located in the periportal area of the liver, and the liver became functionally insufficient.