Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C C Lin

Publications and source records attributed to C C Lin.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Differences in acupuncture point SP-10 and non-acupuncture point following subcutaneous injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate.

A new method of radionuclide venography, namely SC-RNV, by subcutaneous injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate at acupuncture points was recently developed in our laboratory. The time-activity curve of SC-RNV can be divided into 3 phases as: the phase of diffusion of radioisotopes through the subcutaneous space, the phase of entrance of radioisotopes into intravascular space to reach a peak concentration and the phase of equilibrium state of radioisotopes in the intravascular space. In this study, we used the 3 phases of SC-RNV to evaluate the absorption of Tc-99m pertechnetate injected subcutaneously in the acupuncture point SP-10 (Xuehai) and in a non-acupuncture point near SP-10. The results revealed that the absorption of Tc-99m pertechnetate via SP-10 was significantly greater than that of non-acupuncture point, evidenced by shorter phase 1, higher peak activity and greater accelerating rate of phase 2. This suggests that the absorption of radioisotopes from acupuncture point is faster and greater than that of non-acupuncture point.

Absorption↗

The effects of Chinese herbs on improving survival and inhibiting anti-ds DNA antibody production in lupus mice.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an important autoimmune disease with multiple organ system involvement. From preliminary studies, we have found that six Chinese herbs: Atractylodes ovata, Anqelica sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis, Liqustrum lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Homo sapiens can improve defective in vitro interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in patients with SLE. In order to investigate the in vivo effects of these herbs, we used NZB/NZW F1 mice, a typical lupus animal model used to test these herbs. It was found that C. pilosula, H. sapiens and C. sinensis could prolong the life span of female NZB/NZW F1 mice and inhibited anti-ds DNA production. Although A. sinensis could prolong the life span of experimental mice, it did not inhibit the production of anti-ds DNA antibody. These herbs may have great potential for the management of human SLE in the future.

Animals↗

Effects of jen-sheng-yang-yung-tang on cellular immunocompetence of gamma-irradiated mice.

This study was conducted to determine the therapeutic effects of Jen-Sheng-Yang-Yung-Tang on mice irradiated by gamma-ray. A total of 160 male ICR strain mice, 6-7 weeks of age, were chosen to receive different treatment of radiation and Jen-Sheng-Yang-Yung-Tang. After the treatments, six to eight mice from each group were sacrificed on days 1, 5, 12, 19, 26 and 33. The body and splenic weights of mice by different treatments were measured and the splenic cells were separated under aseptic conditions, thereafter. The changes of cellular immunocompetence in mice following treatments were measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation in each experimental mouse. The results revealed that 4 Gy of gamma-ray irradiation inhibited the increases of body and splenic weights and exerted an obvious inhibitory effect on the blastogenic responses of the splenic lymphoid cells after being stimulated by mitogens such as PHA, Con A, PWM and LPS. Jen-Sheng-Yang-Yung-Tang administration seemed to help the recovery of cellular immunocompetence in the gamma-ray irradiated mice. Among these treatments, Jen-Sheng-Yang-Yung-Tang administered with the concentration of 20 mg/20 g body weight after irradiation enhanced the recovery of radiation damages and had the highest efficacy of any other kinds of treatments.

Animals↗

Interstitial localization of telomeric DNA sequences in the Indian muntjac chromosomes: further evidence for tandem chromosome fusions in the karyotypic evolution of the Asian muntjacs.

The Indian muntjac is believed to have the lowest chromosome number in mammals (2n = 6 in females and 2n = 7 in males). It has been suggested that a series of tandem chromosome fusions from an ancestral Chinese muntjac-like species (2n = 46) may have occurred during the karyotypic evolution of the Indian muntjac. In an earlier study, hybridization signals generated by the Chinese muntjac centromeric heterochromatin DNA probe (C5) were found to be distributed interstitially in the chromosomes of the Indian muntjac, providing supportive evidence for the tandem chromosome fusion theory. In this study, the highly conserved human telomeric DNA sequence (TTAGGG)n was localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on the metaphase chromosomes of three Cervidae species: the Indian muntjac, Chinese muntjac, and woodland caribou. As expected, hybridization signals were observed at the termini of almost every chromosome in all three species. In addition, interstitial hybridization signals were detected in chromosomes 1 and 2 of the Indian muntjac. The observed interstitial telomeric signals appeared to correspond to specific interstitial centromeric heterochromatin sites. These interstitial telomeric signals could represent remnant DNA sequences from the ancestral species telomeres, further supporting the tandem chromosome fusion theory. Furthermore, these observations permit the elucidation of the chromosome sites where breakage and fusion most likely occurred during the restructuring of the ancestral Chinese muntjac-like chromosomes to form the present day Indian muntjac karyotype.

Animals↗

Serial changes of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in drain dialysate of uremic patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis during peritonitis.

In this study, we investigated whether peritoneal dialysate interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 levels were elevated during peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, with special reference to the high peritonitis occurrence (HPO) group. Serial measurements of IL-6 and IL-8 levels in dialysate before, during and after resolution of peritonitis were done in 13 CAPD patients with 15 episodes of peritonitis. Based on the peritonitis occurrence, 7 patients were assigned to the low peritonitis occurrence (LPO) and 6 patients to the HPO group. Marked elevation of IL-6 and IL-8 in drain dialysate occurred in the early period of peritonitis especially on the first 2 days in both groups. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in drain dialysate on the first day of peritonitis. However, the disappearance of peritoneal dialysate IL-8 level was faster in the LPO than in the HPO group. The decrease in IL-8 levels during peritonitis was faster than that of IL-6. Marked elevation of IL-6 and IL-8 in drain dialysate was found in the patient with peritonitis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and mixed gram-negative bacilli. Therefore, we hypothesize that when peritonitis occurs too frequently in a short period in the HPO group, more IL-6 and IL-8 have been produced in the peritoneum contributing to the ongoing peritoneal injury and/or fibrosis.

Adolescent↗

Changes in cell population and tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 in malignant pleural effusions after treatment with intrapleural tetracycline.

To evaluate the changes in cellular components and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6 and IL-8) before and after intrapleural tetracycline (TC) injection, we evaluated 10 patients with malignant pleural effusion. Differential cell counts in the pleural fluid were obtained using cytocentrifuge preparations. Mononuclear cells from pleural fluid, collected before intrapleural injection of TC, on Day 4, and Days 10 to 14 after TC injection, were stimulated either with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or PHA plus phorbol myristic acetate. The production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-8 was measured. In addition, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF from serial collections of pleural fluid in these patients were measured by RIA or ELISA. The main inflammatory cells in pleural effusions before therapy were lymphocytes and mononuclear cells, but neutrophils predominated after TC injection. IL-6, IL-8, and TNF were markedly increased on Day 4 after TC intrapleural injection and then decreased to baseline levels on Day 14. The results suggest that TC intrapleural injection induces the release of cytokines (IL-6 and TNF), which are markers of an inflammatory response, and releases IL-8, which attracts neutrophils into the pleural space, which may be the mechanism of the sclerosing effect of TC.

Aged↗

Characterization of high affinity binding sites of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with respect to site-specific probes on human serum albumin.

A site-oriented study of nine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), suprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, pirprofen, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, and ketophenylbutazone, on human serum albumin (HSA) was carried out at pH 7.4 by various direct and indirect methods to gain insight into the high affinity binding sites of NSAIDs. The binding was determined by equilibrium dialysis, circular dichroism and fluorescence methods in order to strengthen the results. Irrespective of the method used, close agreement between the binding parameters obtained by the different methods was obtained. A site-oriented description, as revealed by the fluorescent probe displacement method, suggests that site II and site I probes bound to HSA were selectively displaced by NSAIDs with a carboxyl group and without a carboxyl group, respectively. The absence of a carboxyl group of the NSAIDs changed the binding site from site II to site I. Different binding models describing the competitive and independent binding of a NSAID and a site-specific probe bound simultaneously to HSA further describe the respective high affinity binding sites for NSAIDs, thus underscoring the necessity of a carboxyl group in order for a NSAID to bind to site II. The presence of tyrosine, lysine and histidine amino acid residues in the binding of carboxyl group-containing NSAIDs to HSA was evident, whereas tryptophan is believed to take part in the binding of non-carboxyl group-containing NSAIDs. The present findings support the proposal that two separate primary binding sites exist for different NSAIDs; hence, an attempt to correlate the present results with those in literature has been made.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

A case of massive osteolysis after knee prosthesis polyethylene failure.

A case of massive osteolysis of the distal femur in response to particulate polyethylene from a broken uncemented tibial component is described. The osteolysis was so extensive that it made the revision arthroplasty extremely difficult. Early detection and early revision is recommended.

Femur↗

Intracranial chronic subdural hematoma following spinal anesthesia: report of a case.

The authors report a case of intracranial chronic subdural hematoma after spinal anesthesia for a perianal abscess. The chronic subdural hematoma was successfully treated by burr hole drainage. This complication should be suspected in patients who complain of prolonged headache, or who develop signs of increased intracranial pressure or neurologic deficits after spinal anesthesia.

Adult↗

Prognostic factors in 43 cases of osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors in the overall and disease-free survival rates by using univariate methods and Cox's multivariate regression model. Patients from Tri-Service General Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung with pathologically proven high-grade osteosarcoma were recruited for this study. There were 29 (67.4%) men and 14 (32.6%) women with a mean age of 17.8 years (range 8 to 35 years). Twenty-five cases (58.1%) were stage IIB, and 18 cases (41.9%) were stage III. The overall five-year survival rate was 15% for these 43 cases. Additionally, the disease-free survival rate was 20% at five years for the 25 stage IIB cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that male gender, stage III disease, surgery only, radiotherapy only, chemotherapy only, no treatment and proximal extremity location were the unfavorable factors associated with death in these 43 cases; while male gender, radiotherapy only, chemotherapy only, no treatment and an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level were the unfavorable factors associated with recurrence for stage IIB cases.

Adolescent↗

[Effects of protriptyline on day and night time oxygenation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

To determine the effects of protriptyline, a tricyclic non-sedative antidepressant, on sleep architecture, day and night arterial oxygen saturation and pulmonary function, ten patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were evaluated. Overnight polysomnographic measurements were made before and 2 to 4 months after Protriptyline (10-20 mg daily) therapy. The results showed that two patients could not tolerate the protriptyline. Protriptyline caused xerostomia in eight of 10 cases, dysuria in five of 10 cases. Protriptyline therapy did not alter sleep efficiency and sleep latency but shortened the REM sleep stage from 15.6% to 8.2% Even though protriptyline did not change simple spirometry comparing before and after therapy, protriptyline decreased delta SaO2 and increased lowest SaO2 and baseline PaO2. In conclusion, these results suggest that protriptyline may benefit COPD patients by improving nocturnal oxygenation and nocturnal desaturation events.

Aged↗

Ultrasound imaging aids infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Infraclavicular approach to the brachial plexus provides adequate anesthesia of the entire arm. Local anesthetics can be deposited over cords and branches of brachial plexus above the formation of musculocutaneous and axillary nerves. The approach can also easily block ulnar segment of medial cord and intercostobrachial nerve, which helps preventing tourniquet pain. However, distance to the plexus is deeper than the other approaches so that current blind method using anatomical landmarks requires anesthesiologists' delicate manipulation and experience. Through ultrasonography, the location of subclavian artery, as an anatomical landmark, can be easily identified. It is then very easy and safe to perform infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Our new method showed 89% (n = 9) successful rate. The time for the block was 4.2 +/- 1.5 min and there was an average of 3.2 +/- 0.6 needle penetrations. Thirty three percent (n = 3) had subclavian artery been punctured without formation of hematoma clinically. No patient had clinical postoperative pneumothorax.

Adult↗

Cardiac amyloidosis--a case report.

A 52-year-old male patient presented with resistant congestive heart failure. Echocardiographic findings revealed increased right ventricular (RV) wall thickness in conjunction with concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, LV systolic dysfunction and a granular sparking myocardial appearance. Doppler assessment showed a restrictive LV and RV diastolic filling pattern. These echocardiographic features combined with low voltage of the electrocardiogram is highly suggestive of cardiac amyloidosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy.

Amyloidosis↗

Medical treatment of uterine myoma with long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist prior to myomectomy.

A less bulky uterine myoma is technically easier to deal with during surgery. Recently gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) have been used for the purpose of medical hypophysectomy, thereby reducing the size of uterine myomas. Ten premenopausal women with infertility and intramural-submucous myoma manifesting with menorrhagia and obstruction of the tubal ostia were recruited for this study. A long-acting depot GnRH-a, Decapeptyl, was given intramuscularly every four weeks for three months as an adjunct prior to myomectomy. Luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone and estradiol declined to the menopausal range following treatment. The size of the myoma decreased to a mean of 32.3 +/- 13.3% of the original volume. Myomectomy was performed in eight patients at the end of the study. Remarkably little blood loss was observed during the surgery. All of the patients had their uteri preserved, and six out of eight patients achieved pregnancy within 12 months after surgery. Our results indicate that monthly administration of long-acting GnRH-a significantly reduces the myoma volume and makes myomectomy technically easier to perform with the possibility of reduced complication rates and better preservation of future fertility.

Adult↗

Effect of ionic contrast medium on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide.

To evaluate the effect of ionic contrast medium on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and its contributing factors, we measured plasma ANP, serum osmolality, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), femoral artery systolic pressure (FASP), and heart rate before and after left ventriculography with Rayvist in 13 patients suspected of coronary artery disease. The control values of plasma ANP, serum osmolality, and PCWP were 20.3 +/- 5.1 pg/ml, 293.5 +/- 1.5 mosm/kg, 6.6 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, respectively. Rayvist produced a significant increase in plasma ANP, serum osmolality, and PCWP at 1 minute (26.0 +/- 6.3 pg/ml, p < 0.05; 300.7 +/- 1.9 mosm/Kg, p < 0.001; 10.7 +/- 1.3 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and 5 minutes (27.3 +/- 6.3 pg/ml, p < 0.01; 296.8 +/- 1.9 mosm/Kg, p < 0.001; 10.4 +/- 1.7 mm Hg, p < 0.01) post left ventriculography. The FASP decreased significantly at 1 minute, followed by an insignificant increase at 5 minutes. The heart rate increased significantly at 1 minute but no significant change was noted at 5 minutes. We conclude that plasma ANP increases significantly after left ventriculography with Rayvist and its response may be related to left ventricular filling pressure and serum osmolality, but not to FASP or heart rate.

Adult↗

[A preliminary report about body shape and composition of 300 citizens in Kaohsiung City].

We studied 300 healthy citizen of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, to discover factors that affect body shape, and especially body weight. It's our hope that we could find an objective evaluative index to assess obesity that would be suitable for use in out-patient clinics. During the study period, 300 healthy, under 50 years old volunteers were participated in our study. All the participant were asked to completed a questionnaire and anthropometric measures for analysis. The result of our study showed that age, sex and drinking habit all were significantly affected body shape. We also found that relative body weight and subscapular skinfold thickness are best predictor of body fat composition. Therefore, we suggest the combined use relative body weight and subscapular skinfold thickness as an index for assessing obesity in out-patient clinics.

Adult↗

Dilatation of the biliary tract in pediatric patients.

Forty cases of dilatation of the biliary tract in infants and children were diagnosed and treated at the Veterans General Hospital, Taipei and Taichung between 1980 and 1992. The male to female ratio was 1:2.6 and the age ranged from 1 day to 14 years. Major clinical presentations were abdominal pain (57.5%), jaundice (42.5%), vomiting (37.5%) and abdominal mass (30%); the classical triad of abdominal pain, jaundice and abdominal mass occurred in only three cases (7.5%). Abnormal liver function tests included elevated bilirubin (Bil) (22/37), aminotransferase (30/40), alkaline phosphatase (Alk-P) (34/37), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (22/34) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (13/15). The amylase in bile was detected in 16 cases with 10 cases higher than 500 Somogyi units/dL. All cases were diagnosed correctly, using real time sonography. Technetium-labeled scintiscan (Tc-99m DISIDA scan) was interpreted correctly in 88% (15/17) and abdominal computerized tomography (CT) in 10 cases (10/10). According to Todani's classification, type I cyst was the most common (35 cases, 87.5%) and the remaining cases were type IV-A (3 cases) and type V (2 cases). Operation was performed in 38 cases except for two who had type V dilatation of biliary tract (Caroli's disease). Complications included rupture of the gall bladder in two patients and common bile duct stone in one; mortality after operation occurred in one case. Surgical specimens of the liver revealed periportal fibrosis in nine instances.

Adolescent↗

Human erythrocyte protein 4.2: isoform expression, differential splicing, and chromosomal assignment.

Human protein 4.2 (P4.2) is a major membrane skeletal protein in erythrocytes. Individuals with P4.2 deficiency exhibit spherocytosis and experience various degrees of hemolytic anemia, suggesting a role for this protein in maintaining stability and integrity of the membrane. Molecular cloning of P4.2 cDNAs showed that P4.2 is a transglutaminaselike molecule in erythrocytes but lacks the essential cysteine for cross-linking activity. Two cDNA isoforms have been identified from a human reticulocyte cDNA library, with the long isoform containing a 90-base pair (bp) in-frame insertion encoding an extra 30 amino acids near the N-terminus. Characterization of the P4.2 gene suggests differential splicing as the mechanism for generating these two cDNA isoforms. The donor site for the short isoform (P4.2S) agrees better with the consensus than the donor site for the long isoform (P4.2L) does. Expression of P4.2L was detected by a long-isoform-specific antibody raised against a peptide within the 30-amino acid insert. Western blot analyses showed P4.2L to be a minor membrane skeletal protein in human erythrocytes with an apparent molecular weight (mol wt) of approximately 3 Kd larger than the major protein 4.2, P4.2S. By in situ hybridization of a full-length 2.4-kilobase (kb) cDNA to human metaphase chromosomes, the gene for P4.2 was mapped to bands q15-q21 of chromosome 15, and it is not linked to the gene for coagulation factor XIIIa (plasma transglutaminase, TGase).

Amino Acid Sequence↗