Hoang Truong - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Hoang Truong

Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2003

We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated ... more We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated bovine histone H2A. At physiological pH, the bound Ni(II) assists in hydrolysis of the E-S peptide bond in this motif that results in a cleavage of the terminal octapeptide SHHKAKGK off the histone's C-tail. To test if the hydrolysis could also occur in living cells, we cultured CHO (Chinese hamster ovary), NRK-52 (rat renal tubular epithelium), and HPL1D (human lung epithelium) cells with 0.1-1 mM Ni(II) for 3-7 days. As found by gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, histones extracted from the cells contained a new fraction of histone H2A lacking the terminal octapeptide (q-H2A). The abundance of q-H2A increased with Ni(II) concentration and exposure time. It can be anticipated that the truncation of histone H2A may alter chromatin structure and affect gene expression. The present results provide evidence for novel mechanisms of epigenetic effects of Ni(II) that may be involved in nickel toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

A novel cathepsin B inhibitor-producing bacterium was isolated from marine sediments and identifi... more A novel cathepsin B inhibitor-producing bacterium was isolated from marine sediments and identified based on its 16S rDNA sequence as Pseudomonas sp. strain PB01 (Accession No. EU126129). The growth and enzyme inhibitor production were investigated under various culture conditions. A mixture of organic nitrogen source was required for the optimal production, whereas both glucose and maltose proved to be the effective carbon sources for cathepsin B inhibitor production. Other optimal culture conditions included temperature range between 25 and 28 degrees, initial medium pH of 6.6, and shaking speed of 200 rpm. Under these optimal conditions, the maximum inhibitory activity from culture broth was approximately 50% after 30 h of cultivation. Additionally, kinetic study revealed that inhibitor production paralleled with cell growth, which suggested that the inhibitor may be a primary metabolite of that bacterium.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2015

The development of a multivalent outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine where each strain contribut... more The development of a multivalent outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine where each strain contributes multiple key protein antigens presents numerous analytical challenges. One major difficulty is the ability to accurately and specifically quantitate each antigen, especially during early development and process optimization when immunoreagents are limited or unavailable. To overcome this problem, quantitative mass spectrometry methods can be used. In place of traditional mass assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), quantitative LC-MS/ MS using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) can be used during early-phase process development to measure key protein components in complex vaccines in the absence of specific immunoreagents. Multiplexed, label-free quantitative mass spectrometry methods using protein extraction by either detergent or 2-phase solvent were developed to quantitate levels of several meningococcal serogroup B protein antigens in an OMV vaccine candidate. Precision was demonstrated to be less than 15% RSD for the 2-phase extraction and less than 10% RSD for the detergent extraction method. Accuracy was 70 to 130% for the method using a 2-phase extraction and 90-110% for detergent extraction. The viability of MS-based protein quantification as a vaccine characterization method was demonstrated and advantages over traditional quantitative methods were evaluated. Implementation of these MSbased quantification methods can help to decrease the development time for complex vaccines and can provide orthogonal confirmation of results from existing antigen quantification techniques.

Cancer Research, 2014

While the precise molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis remain unclear, epithelial-to-mesenc... more While the precise molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis remain unclear, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the loss of an epithelial cell phenotype and acquisition of a mesenchymal cell phenotype, has been implicated in cancer cell invasion and dissemination. The ZEB family of transcription factors, which includes ZEB1 and ZEB2, has been demonstrated to mediate this transition by downregulating the expression of genes associated with an epithelial phenotype. We sought to investigate the effects of direct ZEB family overexpression on EMT in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell systems. We overexpressed ZEB1 or ZEB2 in the epithelial, ER+, luminal A breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and ZR75. Overexpression of individual ZEB1 and ZEB2 levels were confirmed and localization of the ZEB factors to the nucleus was confirmed by confocal microscopy in both cell lines. ZEB2 overexpressing cells, but not ZEB1 overexpressing cells, showed increased migration and invas...

Food Science and Biotechnology, 2015

Bioactivities of peel and flesh extracts of 3 genetically diverse mango (Mangifera indica L.) var... more Bioactivities of peel and flesh extracts of 3 genetically diverse mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties were studied. Nam Doc Mai peel extracts, containing the largest amounts of polyphenols, were associated with an effect on MCF-7 viable cell numbers with an IC 50 (dose required for 50% inhibition of cell viability) of 56 µg/mL and significantly (p<0.01) induced cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells, compared with other varieties. Hydrophilic fractions of Nam Doc Mai peel extracts had the highest bioactivity values against both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Soluble polyphenols were present in the largest amounts in most hydrophilic fractions. The Nam Doc Mai mango variety contains high levels of fruit peel bioactivity, which appears to be related to the nature of the polyphenol composition.

Breast cancer research and treatment, 2014

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype that lacks effe... more Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype that lacks effective targeted therapies. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key contributor in the metastatic process. We previously showed the pan-deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 induces CDH1 expression in TNBC cells, suggesting regulation of EMT. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of LBH589 on the metastatic qualities of TNBC cells and the role of EMT in this process. A panel of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and BT-549), drugged with LBH589, was examined for changes in cell morphology, migration, and invasion in vitro. The effect on in vivo metastasis was examined using immunofluorescent staining of lung sections. EMT gene expression profiling was used to determine LBH589-induced changes in TNBC cells. ZEB overexpression studies were conducted to validate requirement of ZEB in LBH589-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis. Our results indicate a revers...

PROTEOMICS, 2004

A method to extract peptides and low molecular weight proteins from serum under denaturing condit... more A method to extract peptides and low molecular weight proteins from serum under denaturing conditions using acetonitrile containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid has been developed. The extraction procedure precipitates large, abundant proteins to simplify subsequent mass spectral analysis. This sample preparation method provides an efficient way to extract serum peptides, enabling them to be compared and identified using different mass spectrometry approaches. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis of mouse blood serum samples prepared by this method allowed detection of two markers which were significantly reduced in mice with B cell lymphoma tumor. One of these markers has been identified as apolipoprotein A-II.

PROTEOMICS, 2004

The next phase in molecular medicine will require the ability to identify signal transduction eve... more The next phase in molecular medicine will require the ability to identify signal transduction events inside a cell, in the biologic context of the disease-host interface and at a given point in time. New technologies are needed to profile the activity of these signaling pathways in patient tissue rather than cultured cell lines since the tumor-host microenvironment influences the cellular proteome. We introduce such a technology, rapid affinity capture of signaling proteins (GRASP), to investigate the activity of signaling pathways from patient-derived carcinomas and benign epithelial surfaces and apply it to studying important signaling events in ovarian carcinoma. During the progression from benign ovarian epithelium to invasive carcinoma, there is loss of repression of Rho A as evidenced by its dissociation from its inhibitor, Rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor (RhoGDI). GRASP is more informative than simply profiling transcript or protein levels. Furthermore, GRASP coupled with mass spectrometry allowed us to identify a protein-binding partner of RhoGDI, demonstrating the power of this technology in the discovery of potentially novel protein-protein interactions. GRASP represents an advance in the field of proteomics as it detects protein interactions present in cells as they exist in their native tissue microenvironment.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Background: Childhood tuberculosis causes significant morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia, ... more Background: Childhood tuberculosis causes significant morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia, yet little is known about the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of this disease in Viet Nam. Objectives: To determine the demographics, clinical presentations, radiographic and microbiologic findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes of children admitted with tuberculosis (TB) to a national referral hospital in Viet Nam. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series study of children # 15 years old with bacteriologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed TB admitted to a national referral hospital in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from January through December 2007. Results: One hundred three children were identified: median age 5 years (IQR 2-10), 44% female, 99% Kinh ethnicity, 27% residing in Ha Noi, 88% with BCG vaccination, 27% with known TB contact, and 38% malnourished. Intrathoracic TB was present in 62%, extrathoracic in 52%, both intra and extrathoracic in 19%, and undetermined site in 5%. The most common extrathoracic manifestation was peripheral lymphadenitis, and children under 5 were more likely to have miliary TB or both intra and extrathoracic TB. Fever and failure to thrive were common presenting symptoms among all participants (65% and 56%, respectively), 66% of those with intrathoracic TB presented with cough, and 92% of those with TB meningitis presented with severe neurologic impairment. Acid-fast bacilli smears and mycobacterial cultures were positive in 18% and 21% of children tested, and histopathology was positive in 88% of those biopsied. There were no adverse drug reactions necessitating change in therapy, and no inpatient mortality. Conclusions: Extrathoracic TB was common, treatment well tolerated and clinical outcomes excellent. Culture confirmation rates were low and emphasize the need for improved diagnostics.

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2000

Salivary agglutinin is a high molecular mass component of human saliva that binds Streptococcus m... more Salivary agglutinin is a high molecular mass component of human saliva that binds Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacterium implicated in dental caries. To study its protein sequence, we isolated the agglutinin from human parotid saliva. After trypsin digestion, a portion was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which gave the molecular mass of 14 unique peptides. The remainder of the digest was subjected to high performance liquid chromatography, and the separated peptides were analyzed by MALDI-TOF/post-source decay; the spectra gave the sequences of five peptides. The molecular mass and peptide sequence information showed that salivary agglutinin peptides were identical to sequences in lung (lavage) gp-340, a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein family. Immunoblotting with antibodies that specifically recognized either lung gp-340 or the agglutinin confirmed that the salivary agglutinin was gp-340. Immunoblotting with an antibody specific to the sialyl Le x carbohydrate epitope detected expression on the salivary but not the lung glycoprotein, possible evidence of different glycoforms. The salivary agglutinin also interacted with Helicobacter pylori, implicated in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, Streptococcus agalactiae, implicated in neonatal meningitis, and several oral commensal streptococci. These results identify the salivary agglutinin as gp-340 and suggest it binds bacteria that are important determinants of either the oral ecology or systemic diseases.

Food & Function, 2012

Obesity is associated with many chronic disease states, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary disea... more Obesity is associated with many chronic disease states, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary disease and certain cancers, including those of the breast and colon. There is a growing body of evidence that links phytochemicals with the inhibition of adipogenesis and protection against obesity. Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) are tropical fruits that are rich in a diverse array of bioactive phytochemicals. In this study, methanol extracts of peel and flesh from three archetypal mango cultivars; Irwin, Nam Doc Mai and Kensington Pride, were assessed for their effects on a 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line model of adipogenesis. High content imaging was used to assess: lipid droplets per cell, lipid droplet area per cell, lipid droplet integrated intensity, nuclei count and nuclear area per cell. Mango flesh extracts from the three cultivars did not inhibit adipogenesis; peel extracts from both Irwin and Nam Doc Mai, however, did so with the Nam Doc Mai extract most potent at inhibiting adipogenesis. Peel extract from Kensington Pride promoted adipogenesis. The inhibition of adipogenesis by Irwin (100 μg mL(-1)) and Nam Doc Mai peel extracts (50 and 100 μg mL(-1)) was associated with an increase in the average nuclear area per cell; similar effects were seen with resveratrol, suggesting that these extracts may act through pathways similar to resveratrol. These results suggest that differences in the phytochemical composition between mango cultivars may influence their effectiveness in inhibiting adipogenesis, and points to mango fruit peel as a potential source of nutraceuticals.

Current Protein & Peptide Science, 2013

Despite the success in antimicrobial development, the rapid emergence of pathogenic bacteria resi... more Despite the success in antimicrobial development, the rapid emergence of pathogenic bacteria resistance to conventional antibiotics calls for an increased focus on the purification and characterization of new antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates in future therapeutics. In addition to their broad array of antimicrobial activity, these peptides show multi advent function to human health. The marine environment is relatively poorly explored in terms of potential pharmaceuticals. It contains a tremendous organism diversity which would be a good source of novel AMPs. In this present review we discuss recent antimicrobial peptides isolated from both marine fish and marine invertebrates. We also mention the isolation and benefit of these marine-derived natural antibiotics.

Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2003

We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated ... more We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated bovine histone H2A. At physiological pH, the bound Ni(II) assists in hydrolysis of the E-S peptide bond in this motif that results in a cleavage of the terminal octapeptide SHHKAKGK off the histone's C-tail. To test if the hydrolysis could also occur in living cells, we cultured CHO (Chinese hamster ovary), NRK-52 (rat renal tubular epithelium), and HPL1D (human lung epithelium) cells with 0.1-1 mM Ni(II) for 3-7 days. As found by gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, histones extracted from the cells contained a new fraction of histone H2A lacking the terminal octapeptide (q-H2A). The abundance of q-H2A increased with Ni(II) concentration and exposure time. It can be anticipated that the truncation of histone H2A may alter chromatin structure and affect gene expression. The present results provide evidence for novel mechanisms of epigenetic effects of Ni(II) that may be involved in nickel toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Cell Adhesion & Migration, 2011

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2008

Two cathepsin B inhibitors were isolated from the culture supernatant of a marine Pseudomonas sp.... more Two cathepsin B inhibitors were isolated from the culture supernatant of a marine Pseudomonas sp. PB01 (GenBank Accession No. EU126129). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses as dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Both dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate showed dose-dependent cathepsin B inhibitions with IC 50 of 0.42 and 0.38 mM, respectively. It is also observed from kinetic analyses that dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate acted as noncompetitive inhibitors with K i values of 0.64 and 0.42 mM, respectively. Furthermore, both of them caused inactivation of the pericellular cathepsin B of murine melanoma cell with no acute cytotoxicity. The IC 50 values were found to be 0.23 mM for dibutyl phthalate and 0.14 mM for di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, respectively, and were 50% compared to that of purified cathepsin B.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2013

ATG4B belongs to the autophagin family of cysteine proteases required for autophagy, an emerging ... more ATG4B belongs to the autophagin family of cysteine proteases required for autophagy, an emerging target of cancer therapy. Developing pharmacological ATG4B inhibitors is a very active area of research. However, detailed studies on the role of ATG4B during anticancer therapy are lacking. By analyzing PC-3 and C4-2 prostate cancer cells overexpressing dominant negative ATG4B C74A in vitro and in vivo, we show that the effects of ATG4B C74A are cell type, treatment, and context-dependent. ATG4B C74A expression can either amplify the effects of cytotoxic therapies or contribute to treatment resistance. Thus, the successful clinical application of ATG4B inhibitors will depend on finding predictive markers of response.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2011

The methods for leaf-derived callus induction, callus proliferation, adventitious shoot induction... more The methods for leaf-derived callus induction, callus proliferation, adventitious shoot induction and plant regeneration of Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) were examined. In this study, callus induction was formed on both medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alone or in combination with thidiazuron (TDZ). The highest callus induction frequency was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.2 mg/l TDZ. The best callus proliferation medium was Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) supplemented with 0.2 mg/l TDZ and 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D. The maximum callus-derived shoot number (8.2) was obtained on SH medium supplemented with 50 g/l sucrose in combination with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). The most successful rooting of regenerated adventitious shoots was obtained on SH medium with 1.0 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Plantlets were successfully acclimatized without growth chamber facility on Ngoc Linh mountain with a survival rate of 85% after two months. On the other hand, substantial increase of root length was observed. This study describes an efficient method for in vitro regeneration of P. vietnamensis, which could be considered for large-scale multiplication and propagation of this important medicinal plant.

In this paper, we present the implementation of an OFDM system based on the TMS320C6416 DSP. Meth... more In this paper, we present the implementation of an OFDM system based on the TMS320C6416 DSP. Methods for synchronization and channel estimation are shortly described. Structure of the used DSP board, and the interface between host and target are reviewed. Protocols for implementing a whole real time system are introduced. Synchronization results and received signal obtained by the DSP are visualized to verify the implemented system.

Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2003

We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated ... more We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated bovine histone H2A. At physiological pH, the bound Ni(II) assists in hydrolysis of the E-S peptide bond in this motif that results in a cleavage of the terminal octapeptide SHHKAKGK off the histone's C-tail. To test if the hydrolysis could also occur in living cells, we cultured CHO (Chinese hamster ovary), NRK-52 (rat renal tubular epithelium), and HPL1D (human lung epithelium) cells with 0.1-1 mM Ni(II) for 3-7 days. As found by gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, histones extracted from the cells contained a new fraction of histone H2A lacking the terminal octapeptide (q-H2A). The abundance of q-H2A increased with Ni(II) concentration and exposure time. It can be anticipated that the truncation of histone H2A may alter chromatin structure and affect gene expression. The present results provide evidence for novel mechanisms of epigenetic effects of Ni(II) that may be involved in nickel toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

A novel cathepsin B inhibitor-producing bacterium was isolated from marine sediments and identifi... more A novel cathepsin B inhibitor-producing bacterium was isolated from marine sediments and identified based on its 16S rDNA sequence as Pseudomonas sp. strain PB01 (Accession No. EU126129). The growth and enzyme inhibitor production were investigated under various culture conditions. A mixture of organic nitrogen source was required for the optimal production, whereas both glucose and maltose proved to be the effective carbon sources for cathepsin B inhibitor production. Other optimal culture conditions included temperature range between 25 and 28 degrees, initial medium pH of 6.6, and shaking speed of 200 rpm. Under these optimal conditions, the maximum inhibitory activity from culture broth was approximately 50% after 30 h of cultivation. Additionally, kinetic study revealed that inhibitor production paralleled with cell growth, which suggested that the inhibitor may be a primary metabolite of that bacterium.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2015

The development of a multivalent outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine where each strain contribut... more The development of a multivalent outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine where each strain contributes multiple key protein antigens presents numerous analytical challenges. One major difficulty is the ability to accurately and specifically quantitate each antigen, especially during early development and process optimization when immunoreagents are limited or unavailable. To overcome this problem, quantitative mass spectrometry methods can be used. In place of traditional mass assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), quantitative LC-MS/ MS using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) can be used during early-phase process development to measure key protein components in complex vaccines in the absence of specific immunoreagents. Multiplexed, label-free quantitative mass spectrometry methods using protein extraction by either detergent or 2-phase solvent were developed to quantitate levels of several meningococcal serogroup B protein antigens in an OMV vaccine candidate. Precision was demonstrated to be less than 15% RSD for the 2-phase extraction and less than 10% RSD for the detergent extraction method. Accuracy was 70 to 130% for the method using a 2-phase extraction and 90-110% for detergent extraction. The viability of MS-based protein quantification as a vaccine characterization method was demonstrated and advantages over traditional quantitative methods were evaluated. Implementation of these MSbased quantification methods can help to decrease the development time for complex vaccines and can provide orthogonal confirmation of results from existing antigen quantification techniques.

Cancer Research, 2014

While the precise molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis remain unclear, epithelial-to-mesenc... more While the precise molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis remain unclear, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the loss of an epithelial cell phenotype and acquisition of a mesenchymal cell phenotype, has been implicated in cancer cell invasion and dissemination. The ZEB family of transcription factors, which includes ZEB1 and ZEB2, has been demonstrated to mediate this transition by downregulating the expression of genes associated with an epithelial phenotype. We sought to investigate the effects of direct ZEB family overexpression on EMT in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell systems. We overexpressed ZEB1 or ZEB2 in the epithelial, ER+, luminal A breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and ZR75. Overexpression of individual ZEB1 and ZEB2 levels were confirmed and localization of the ZEB factors to the nucleus was confirmed by confocal microscopy in both cell lines. ZEB2 overexpressing cells, but not ZEB1 overexpressing cells, showed increased migration and invas...

Food Science and Biotechnology, 2015

Bioactivities of peel and flesh extracts of 3 genetically diverse mango (Mangifera indica L.) var... more Bioactivities of peel and flesh extracts of 3 genetically diverse mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties were studied. Nam Doc Mai peel extracts, containing the largest amounts of polyphenols, were associated with an effect on MCF-7 viable cell numbers with an IC 50 (dose required for 50% inhibition of cell viability) of 56 µg/mL and significantly (p<0.01) induced cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells, compared with other varieties. Hydrophilic fractions of Nam Doc Mai peel extracts had the highest bioactivity values against both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Soluble polyphenols were present in the largest amounts in most hydrophilic fractions. The Nam Doc Mai mango variety contains high levels of fruit peel bioactivity, which appears to be related to the nature of the polyphenol composition.

Breast cancer research and treatment, 2014

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype that lacks effe... more Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype that lacks effective targeted therapies. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key contributor in the metastatic process. We previously showed the pan-deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 induces CDH1 expression in TNBC cells, suggesting regulation of EMT. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of LBH589 on the metastatic qualities of TNBC cells and the role of EMT in this process. A panel of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and BT-549), drugged with LBH589, was examined for changes in cell morphology, migration, and invasion in vitro. The effect on in vivo metastasis was examined using immunofluorescent staining of lung sections. EMT gene expression profiling was used to determine LBH589-induced changes in TNBC cells. ZEB overexpression studies were conducted to validate requirement of ZEB in LBH589-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis. Our results indicate a revers...

PROTEOMICS, 2004

A method to extract peptides and low molecular weight proteins from serum under denaturing condit... more A method to extract peptides and low molecular weight proteins from serum under denaturing conditions using acetonitrile containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid has been developed. The extraction procedure precipitates large, abundant proteins to simplify subsequent mass spectral analysis. This sample preparation method provides an efficient way to extract serum peptides, enabling them to be compared and identified using different mass spectrometry approaches. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis of mouse blood serum samples prepared by this method allowed detection of two markers which were significantly reduced in mice with B cell lymphoma tumor. One of these markers has been identified as apolipoprotein A-II.

PROTEOMICS, 2004

The next phase in molecular medicine will require the ability to identify signal transduction eve... more The next phase in molecular medicine will require the ability to identify signal transduction events inside a cell, in the biologic context of the disease-host interface and at a given point in time. New technologies are needed to profile the activity of these signaling pathways in patient tissue rather than cultured cell lines since the tumor-host microenvironment influences the cellular proteome. We introduce such a technology, rapid affinity capture of signaling proteins (GRASP), to investigate the activity of signaling pathways from patient-derived carcinomas and benign epithelial surfaces and apply it to studying important signaling events in ovarian carcinoma. During the progression from benign ovarian epithelium to invasive carcinoma, there is loss of repression of Rho A as evidenced by its dissociation from its inhibitor, Rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor (RhoGDI). GRASP is more informative than simply profiling transcript or protein levels. Furthermore, GRASP coupled with mass spectrometry allowed us to identify a protein-binding partner of RhoGDI, demonstrating the power of this technology in the discovery of potentially novel protein-protein interactions. GRASP represents an advance in the field of proteomics as it detects protein interactions present in cells as they exist in their native tissue microenvironment.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Background: Childhood tuberculosis causes significant morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia, ... more Background: Childhood tuberculosis causes significant morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia, yet little is known about the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of this disease in Viet Nam. Objectives: To determine the demographics, clinical presentations, radiographic and microbiologic findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes of children admitted with tuberculosis (TB) to a national referral hospital in Viet Nam. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series study of children # 15 years old with bacteriologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed TB admitted to a national referral hospital in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from January through December 2007. Results: One hundred three children were identified: median age 5 years (IQR 2-10), 44% female, 99% Kinh ethnicity, 27% residing in Ha Noi, 88% with BCG vaccination, 27% with known TB contact, and 38% malnourished. Intrathoracic TB was present in 62%, extrathoracic in 52%, both intra and extrathoracic in 19%, and undetermined site in 5%. The most common extrathoracic manifestation was peripheral lymphadenitis, and children under 5 were more likely to have miliary TB or both intra and extrathoracic TB. Fever and failure to thrive were common presenting symptoms among all participants (65% and 56%, respectively), 66% of those with intrathoracic TB presented with cough, and 92% of those with TB meningitis presented with severe neurologic impairment. Acid-fast bacilli smears and mycobacterial cultures were positive in 18% and 21% of children tested, and histopathology was positive in 88% of those biopsied. There were no adverse drug reactions necessitating change in therapy, and no inpatient mortality. Conclusions: Extrathoracic TB was common, treatment well tolerated and clinical outcomes excellent. Culture confirmation rates were low and emphasize the need for improved diagnostics.

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2000

Salivary agglutinin is a high molecular mass component of human saliva that binds Streptococcus m... more Salivary agglutinin is a high molecular mass component of human saliva that binds Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacterium implicated in dental caries. To study its protein sequence, we isolated the agglutinin from human parotid saliva. After trypsin digestion, a portion was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which gave the molecular mass of 14 unique peptides. The remainder of the digest was subjected to high performance liquid chromatography, and the separated peptides were analyzed by MALDI-TOF/post-source decay; the spectra gave the sequences of five peptides. The molecular mass and peptide sequence information showed that salivary agglutinin peptides were identical to sequences in lung (lavage) gp-340, a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein family. Immunoblotting with antibodies that specifically recognized either lung gp-340 or the agglutinin confirmed that the salivary agglutinin was gp-340. Immunoblotting with an antibody specific to the sialyl Le x carbohydrate epitope detected expression on the salivary but not the lung glycoprotein, possible evidence of different glycoforms. The salivary agglutinin also interacted with Helicobacter pylori, implicated in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, Streptococcus agalactiae, implicated in neonatal meningitis, and several oral commensal streptococci. These results identify the salivary agglutinin as gp-340 and suggest it binds bacteria that are important determinants of either the oral ecology or systemic diseases.

Food & Function, 2012

Obesity is associated with many chronic disease states, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary disea... more Obesity is associated with many chronic disease states, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary disease and certain cancers, including those of the breast and colon. There is a growing body of evidence that links phytochemicals with the inhibition of adipogenesis and protection against obesity. Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) are tropical fruits that are rich in a diverse array of bioactive phytochemicals. In this study, methanol extracts of peel and flesh from three archetypal mango cultivars; Irwin, Nam Doc Mai and Kensington Pride, were assessed for their effects on a 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line model of adipogenesis. High content imaging was used to assess: lipid droplets per cell, lipid droplet area per cell, lipid droplet integrated intensity, nuclei count and nuclear area per cell. Mango flesh extracts from the three cultivars did not inhibit adipogenesis; peel extracts from both Irwin and Nam Doc Mai, however, did so with the Nam Doc Mai extract most potent at inhibiting adipogenesis. Peel extract from Kensington Pride promoted adipogenesis. The inhibition of adipogenesis by Irwin (100 μg mL(-1)) and Nam Doc Mai peel extracts (50 and 100 μg mL(-1)) was associated with an increase in the average nuclear area per cell; similar effects were seen with resveratrol, suggesting that these extracts may act through pathways similar to resveratrol. These results suggest that differences in the phytochemical composition between mango cultivars may influence their effectiveness in inhibiting adipogenesis, and points to mango fruit peel as a potential source of nutraceuticals.

Current Protein & Peptide Science, 2013

Despite the success in antimicrobial development, the rapid emergence of pathogenic bacteria resi... more Despite the success in antimicrobial development, the rapid emergence of pathogenic bacteria resistance to conventional antibiotics calls for an increased focus on the purification and characterization of new antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates in future therapeutics. In addition to their broad array of antimicrobial activity, these peptides show multi advent function to human health. The marine environment is relatively poorly explored in terms of potential pharmaceuticals. It contains a tremendous organism diversity which would be a good source of novel AMPs. In this present review we discuss recent antimicrobial peptides isolated from both marine fish and marine invertebrates. We also mention the isolation and benefit of these marine-derived natural antibiotics.

Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2003

We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated ... more We have demonstrated previously that Ni(II) binds to the C-terminal-TESHHKAKGK motif of isolated bovine histone H2A. At physiological pH, the bound Ni(II) assists in hydrolysis of the E-S peptide bond in this motif that results in a cleavage of the terminal octapeptide SHHKAKGK off the histone's C-tail. To test if the hydrolysis could also occur in living cells, we cultured CHO (Chinese hamster ovary), NRK-52 (rat renal tubular epithelium), and HPL1D (human lung epithelium) cells with 0.1-1 mM Ni(II) for 3-7 days. As found by gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, histones extracted from the cells contained a new fraction of histone H2A lacking the terminal octapeptide (q-H2A). The abundance of q-H2A increased with Ni(II) concentration and exposure time. It can be anticipated that the truncation of histone H2A may alter chromatin structure and affect gene expression. The present results provide evidence for novel mechanisms of epigenetic effects of Ni(II) that may be involved in nickel toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Cell Adhesion & Migration, 2011

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2008

Two cathepsin B inhibitors were isolated from the culture supernatant of a marine Pseudomonas sp.... more Two cathepsin B inhibitors were isolated from the culture supernatant of a marine Pseudomonas sp. PB01 (GenBank Accession No. EU126129). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses as dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Both dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate showed dose-dependent cathepsin B inhibitions with IC 50 of 0.42 and 0.38 mM, respectively. It is also observed from kinetic analyses that dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate acted as noncompetitive inhibitors with K i values of 0.64 and 0.42 mM, respectively. Furthermore, both of them caused inactivation of the pericellular cathepsin B of murine melanoma cell with no acute cytotoxicity. The IC 50 values were found to be 0.23 mM for dibutyl phthalate and 0.14 mM for di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, respectively, and were 50% compared to that of purified cathepsin B.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2013

ATG4B belongs to the autophagin family of cysteine proteases required for autophagy, an emerging ... more ATG4B belongs to the autophagin family of cysteine proteases required for autophagy, an emerging target of cancer therapy. Developing pharmacological ATG4B inhibitors is a very active area of research. However, detailed studies on the role of ATG4B during anticancer therapy are lacking. By analyzing PC-3 and C4-2 prostate cancer cells overexpressing dominant negative ATG4B C74A in vitro and in vivo, we show that the effects of ATG4B C74A are cell type, treatment, and context-dependent. ATG4B C74A expression can either amplify the effects of cytotoxic therapies or contribute to treatment resistance. Thus, the successful clinical application of ATG4B inhibitors will depend on finding predictive markers of response.

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2011

The methods for leaf-derived callus induction, callus proliferation, adventitious shoot induction... more The methods for leaf-derived callus induction, callus proliferation, adventitious shoot induction and plant regeneration of Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) were examined. In this study, callus induction was formed on both medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alone or in combination with thidiazuron (TDZ). The highest callus induction frequency was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.2 mg/l TDZ. The best callus proliferation medium was Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) supplemented with 0.2 mg/l TDZ and 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D. The maximum callus-derived shoot number (8.2) was obtained on SH medium supplemented with 50 g/l sucrose in combination with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). The most successful rooting of regenerated adventitious shoots was obtained on SH medium with 1.0 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Plantlets were successfully acclimatized without growth chamber facility on Ngoc Linh mountain with a survival rate of 85% after two months. On the other hand, substantial increase of root length was observed. This study describes an efficient method for in vitro regeneration of P. vietnamensis, which could be considered for large-scale multiplication and propagation of this important medicinal plant.

In this paper, we present the implementation of an OFDM system based on the TMS320C6416 DSP. Meth... more In this paper, we present the implementation of an OFDM system based on the TMS320C6416 DSP. Methods for synchronization and channel estimation are shortly described. Structure of the used DSP board, and the interface between host and target are reviewed. Protocols for implementing a whole real time system are introduced. Synchronization results and received signal obtained by the DSP are visualized to verify the implemented system.