The impact of family obligation on the daily activities and psychological well-being of Chinese American adolescents.

A daily diary method was employed to examine the extent to which Chinese adolescents in the United States assist and spend time with their families, and the implications of such behaviors for their involvement in other activities and psychological well-being. Adolescents (N = 140) completed checklists in which they reported their activities and psychological well-being every day for a period of 2 weeks. Adolescents showed a greater propensity to balance family obligations with their academic demands than with their social life with peers on a daily basis.

Comprehensive proteomic profiling identifies serum proteomic signatures for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma and its subtypes.

Background: Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is difficult. We investigated the use of comprehensive proteomic profiling of sera to differentiate HCC from CLD.

Methods: Proteomes in sera from 20 CLD patients with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) <500 microg/L (control group) and 38 HCC patients (disease group) were profiled by anion-exchange fractionation (first dimension), two types (IMAC3 copper and WCX2) of ProteinChip Arrays (second dimension), and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (third dimension).

SELDI ProteinChip array in oncoproteomic research.

Research into the causes, early detection and treatment of cancers is a primary focus of the health care industry and proteomic-based methodologies are providing an increasingly important role in addressing these issues. The ProteinChip Array technology forms the basis of a clinical proteomics platform designed to expedite the discovery, validation, and characterization of cancer biomarkers at all stages of cancer progression. Being able to detect cancer progression early in turn allows for the possibility of more effective treatment.

Cyclic flow characteristics in an idealized asymmetric abdominal aortic aneurysm model.

The flow characteristics and the corresponding hydrodynamic stability in an idealized asymmetric abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model have been investigated using a laser Doppler anemometer. A rectified sine waveform was used to simulate aortic flow conditions (Re(delta) = 806 and alpha = 12.2).

Proteinchip(R) surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry: a novel protein biochip technology for detection of prostate cancer biomarkers in complex protein mixtures.

Improving early detection, diagnosis, treatment monitoring and prognosis of cancer will require rapid and high throughput detection, identification, and measurement of multiple biomarkers. In this study, we demonstrate the versatility of the innovative SELDI ProteinChip(R) MS technology for the rapid, reproducible and simultaneous identification of four well-characterized prostate cancer-associated (PCA) biomarkers, prostate specific antigen (free and complexed forms), prostate specific peptide, prostate acid phophatase and prostate specific membrane antigen in cell lysates, serum and seminal plasma. Proteins corresponding to the mass of these biomarkers could readily be captured and detected using either chemically defined or antibody coated ProteinChip(R) arrays.

Proteomic analyses of arsenic-induced cell transformation with SELDI-TOF ProteinChip technology.

In this study, we demonstrated that low levels (1.5 microM) of arsenite induces B[a]P-treated lung cell transformation. We then used a proteomic approach to identify protein expression by ProteinChips, which could potentially be important for transformation induced by this toxic metal.

Daily variation in ethnic identity, ethnic behaviors, and psychological well-being among American adolescents of Chinese descent.

This study examined the links among Chinese American adolescents' (N = 96) global ethnic identity and their ethnic behaviors, ethnic identity salience, and psychological well-being based on daily diaries collected over a 2-week period. The daily association between engagement in ethnic behaviors and ethnic salience was positive regardless of overall ethnic identity. The daily-level association between ethnic identity salience and well-being, however, was dependent on adolescents' global ethnic identity.

Significance of monocytic cytokines at single cell level for the immune responsiveness in renal transplant recipients.

Cytokine dysregulation is an important factor underlying the immune unresponsiveness to hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) in renal transplant recipients. This study investigated the relationship between monocyte-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production and the immune responsiveness using flow cytometry (cytoflow) after whole blood culture. According to their previous response to hepatitis B vaccination, 40 renal transplant recipients were divided into two groups of 20 patients.

Characteristics of polymeric lambda-IgA binding to leukocytes in IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by predominant mesangial polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1) deposits, with increased plasma IgA1 levels. Plasma IgA levels are determined by the rate of IgA production, uptake by leukocytes, and removal by hepatocytes. Fc(alpha) receptor 1 (Fc(alpha)R1) is a candidate molecule for the regulation of IgA levels, but reports of its expression in leukocytes in IgAN are conflicting.

Cystatin C assay for the detection of renal dysfunction in Chinese renal transplant recipients.

Background: Accurate and rapid assessment of kidney function in patients after renal transplantation is of major significance. We investigated whether cystatin C can accurately reflect creatinine clearance over the entire range of kidney graft function. The performance of serum cystatin C as a screening marker of reduced creatinine clearance in renal transplantation was evaluated and compared to serum creatinine.

Circulating Epstein-Barr virus DNA in serum of patients with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung: a potential surrogate marker for monitoring disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to study the sera of patients with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the lung for circulating EBV DNA.

Experimental Design: Prospectively collected serum samples from five female patients with advanced, inoperable LELC of the lung were measured for free circulating EBV DNA using a quantitative PCR technique. EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER)-1 was assayed in serial serum samples of three of the five patients, either from the start or during the initial phase of chemotherapy/radiotherapy until their terminal event or last follow-up.

Prevalence and significance of hepatitis GB virus-c/hepatitis G virus viremia in a large cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, with chronic hepatitis C infection, and on renal replacement therapy in Hong Kong.

A total of 455 patients were recruited to study the prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus viremia in Hong Kong. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus- and hepatitis C virus-infected patients compared to that of controls (1.56% and 7.

Remarkable application of serum EBV EBER-1 in monitoring response of nasopharyngeal cancer patients to salvage chemotherapy.

Nineteen consecutive patients with metastatic or recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) receiving combination chemotherapy were monitored for EBV DNA in their serum. EBV DNA (EBER-1) concentration in serum was measured before, during, and after chemotherapy. Thirteen patients had additional multiple prechemotherapy readings.

Monitoring personal fine particle exposure with a particle counter.

Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between ambient combustion-source particulates and adverse health outcomes. In order to better understand exposure to particles, we evaluated a portable particle counter for its ability to measure short-term peaks in personal particle exposure associated with various activities, such as proximity to vehicular traffic. In a series of laboratory and field measurements, a hand-held particle counter was evaluated by collecting simultaneous filter samples of particulate matter less than 2.

Direct evidence of the generation in human stomach of an antimicrobial peptide domain (lactoferricin) from ingested lactoferrin.

The ability to define specific alterations in the structure and function of proteins as they are introduced and processed in vivo remains an important goal. We have evaluated the generation, in vivo, of an antimicrobial peptide (lactoferricin) derived from ingested bovine lactoferrin by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI). SELDI was used in the affinity mass spectrometry operational mode to detect and quantify lactoferricin directly from unfractionated gastric contents using a chemically defined ligand with a terminal n-butyl group as the lactoferricin affinity capture device.

Prognostic significance of DNA flow cytometric analysis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent malignant tumor among Southern Chinese. Previously, the authors described the prognostic significance of a serum antibody assay to a recombinant Epstein-Barr virus Bam HI-Z replication activator protein (ZEBRA) in NPC patients with long term follow-up. In this study, the authors further reported the use of DNA flow cytometry (DNA-FCM) as an additional technique for determining the prognosis of NPC patients in the same series.

Direct detection and quantitative determination of bovine lactoferricin and lactoferrin fragments in human gastric contents by affinity mass spectrometry.

Lactoferricin (Lfcin) is a bioactive fragment of lactoferrin derived from the bactericidal and putative lymphocyte receptor binding domain(s) located within the N-lobe of lactoferrin. Although known to be liberated from at least three species of lactoferrin, conditions leading to Lfcin generation in vivo and factors affecting its distribution are still not known. Recently, we have developed a method of surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) affinity mass spectrometry using n-butyl terminal groups for surface-enhanced affinity capture (SEAC) to quantify not only Lfcin generated in vivo but also other lactoferrin fragments.

The survival of ingested lactoferrin in the gastrointestinal tract of adult mice.

Lactoferrin is an 80 kDa major protein component of mammalian colostral whey. The antimicrobial active centre of lactoferrin, lactoferricin (Lfcin), may also be an important determinant of the interaction between lactoferrin and specific receptors on lymphocytes. We have documented the survival in vivo of ingested lactoferrin in the gastrointestinal tract of adult mice by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization affinity MS.

Bactericidal domain of lactoferrin: detection, quantitation, and characterization of lactoferricin in serum by SELDI affinity mass spectrometry.

Lactoferricin is a bioactive peptide fragment (3196 Da) derived from lactoferrin (80 kDa) that contains the bactericidal domain and the lymphocyte receptor-binding domain of lactoferrin. Although lactoferricin has been produced from lactoferrin by proteolytic digestion in vitro, its natural occurrence and distribution in vivo are still not clear, in part because of the absence of a suitable detection means. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) was used to detect and characterize lactoferricin by affinity mass spectrometry.

Amino-acid change in the Epstein-Barr-virus ZEBRA protein in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas from Europe and North Africa.

Different Epstein-Barr-virus(EBV) variants were found to be associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The type-C variant lacks the BamHI site between the BamHI W1* and I* regions and the type-f variant has an extra BamHI site in the BamHI F fragment. The BNLF1 gene (which encodes the LMP1 protein) from a nude-mouse-passaged CAO strain and from NPC biopsies from Taiwanese patients also exhibits variations resulting in structural and functional differences in the protein.

Phosphorylation of human progesterone receptor by cyclin-dependent kinase 2 on three sites that are authentic basal phosphorylation sites in vivo.

The human progesterone receptor (hPR) in T47D breast cancer cells is phosphorylated on at least nine different serine residues. We have previously reported the identification of five sites; three are hormone inducible (Ser102, Ser294 and Ser345), and their phosphorylation correlates with the timing of the change in receptor mobility on gel electrophoresis in response to hormone treatment. The other two sites, Ser81 and Ser162, along with the remaining sites, are basally phosphorylated and exhibit a general increase in phosphorylation in response to hormone.

Cryptic antigenic determinants on the extracellular pyruvate dehydrogenase complex/mimeotope found in primary biliary cirrhosis. A probe by affinity mass spectrometry.

Affinity mass spectrometry (AMS) was used to evaluate the structural diversity of the E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in normal and diseased liver cells, including those from patients with the autoimmune disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Two different antibodies to PDC-E2, the immunodominant mitochondrial autoantigen in patients with PBC, were used. AMS was performed directly on frozen liver sections and purified bile duct epithelial cells.

Quantitative analysis of oligonucleotides by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Quantitative aspects of oligonucleotide analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry remain largely unexplored relative to the efforts that have been devoted to quantitative peptide and protein analysis. The successful quantitation of these other biopolymers coupled with the potential of rapid nucleic acid analysis by desorption/ionization techniques prompted the present investigation into quantifying mixed base oligonucleotides of intermediate molecular weights. This report describes the concentration-dependent desorption/ionization of a 21-base oligonucleotide (MW 6361) using a 36-base oligonucleotide (MW 11 131) as an internal standard.