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Biomedical subjects

C C Lin

Publications and source records attributed to C C Lin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Lin-Telaranta classification: the importance of different procedures for different indications in sympathetic surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The second sympathetic thoracic ganglion has long been regarded as the most important structure in all sympathetic procedures for any indication, be it hand sweating, blushing, or social phobia. Earlier, we had found an interesting new basis for the selection of more specific methods in individual disorders. The aim of the present study was to either confirm the old theory or to bring forward a more appropriate theory for sympathetic surgery to be used as a classified method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Altogether 193 patients were treated in Taiwan and 55 in Finland according to the new selective principle. Endoscopic sympathetic block of the second thoracic ganglion (ESB 2) was used as a method for conflicted type of social phobia or blushing for 25 patients. ESB 3 was used for facial sweating and blushing for 55 patients. ESB 4 was used for hand and axillary sweating for 168 patients. Reflex sweating was taken as the most important sign of unsuccessful surgery. RESULTS: All patients benefited of the procedure in their presenting symptoms. Four of 25 cases in ESB 2 -group and three of 55 cases in ESB 3 -group had unacceptable reflex sweating. No patient with reflex sweating was found in ESB 4 -group. These results confirm our previous findings, that sympathetic nerves innervate the human body in similar dermatome fashion as the peripheral nervous system. According to this, we organized the various sympathetic disorders into three main categories: those restricted within the head, like conflicted type social phobia and conflicted type blushing, to Group 1; those on the head and face, like sweating with or without blushing, to Group 2; and those in the hands and underarms to Group 3. The principle of different surgical procedures for different disorders of the sympathetic system are proposed: ESB 2 for Group 1, ESB 3 for Group 2, and ESB 4 for Group 3 disorders. CONCLUSIONS: We call this new classification "Lin-Telaranta classification". Not only the incidence of complication rates is lowered but also the side effects can be predicted by the Lin-Telaranta classification in sympathetic surgery.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Endoscopic t4-sympathetic block by clamping (ESB4) in treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris et axillaris--experiences of 165 cases.

Prevention of postoperative complications becomes relatively important when surgical procedures are easy to learn and perform. Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathetic Surgery (ETS), which is now more accessible to surgeons after the 2nd International Symposium of Thoracic Sympathicotomy, would be the typical examples in surgery. Reflex sweating is one of the famous and annoying complications that surgeons endeavor to avoid but in vain in ETS. Incidentally, we found that preservation of sympathetic tone to the head is the main influential factor in avoiding reflex sweating in ETS; and with the lower sympathetic ganglion blocked, the more sympathetic tone to the head is preserved. T4-sympathetic block is an ideal procedure that can treat palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis and preserve most of sympathetic tone to head. We used T4-sympathetic block by clamping (ESB4) in treatment of 165 cases of Hyperhidrosis et axillaris and attained excellent operative results without reflex sweating from August 1, 2000 to February 28, 2001. We concluded, ESB4 is the method that can treat hand and axillary hyperhidrosis without inducing reflex sweating.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Kuntz's fiber: the scapegoat of surgical failure in sympathetic surgery.

Resection of Kuntz's fiber is considered a guarantee to treat Hyperhidrosis in sympathetic surgery. The incidence of Kuntz's fiber is about 60.0% in clinical studies while the surgical failure rate is about 1.5% when Kuntz's fiber is preserved on Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathetic Block by clamping, which is performed by clamping the upper and lower end of ganglion. We found that supererogatory resection of Kuntz's fiber is inessential; clamping of upper and lower ends of the ganglia should be a complete procedure in sympathetic surgery. Kuntz's fiber plays only anatomic, and no clinical role in surgical failure of sympathetic surgery.

Ganglionectomy↗
PubMed2001

A survey on anesthesia for thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery in treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris in Taiwan.

Thoracoscopic approach to sympathetic surgery has gained its popularity and emerged as the main stream in the treatment of hyperhidrosis palmaris in Taiwan. Different kinds of anesthesia have been practiced and reported in these surgeries. We made a survey of anesthetic methods in twelve medical centers and regional hospitals of the island. It was found out that the choice of the anesthesia was mainly dependent on the mutual trust and the full communication between the anesthesiologist and the surgeon, both based on their skills and the operative methods chosen by the surgeon. Single-lumen endotracheal tube with general inhalation anesthesia is practiced in most of the hospitals surveyed. Sevoflurane and desflurane are the choices of the inhalational anesthetic agents. In short, the anesthesiologists tend to practice the type of anesthesia that is simple but safe enough to secure the airway of the patient throughout the thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2001

Prophylactic effect of four prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats.

AIM: To study the prophylactic effects of four Chinese traditional prescriptions against experimental liver injury. METHODS: Liver toxins, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were used to induce acute liver injury. Simo Yin(SMY), Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW), Xieqing Wan (XQW), and Sini San (SNS) were fed (500 mg/kg, in saline, po) to the rats before toxin administration. All the animals were killed 48 h after toxin insulted. Serum index of liver function and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) were estimated. Histopathological observation was conducted simultaneously. RESULTS: The rats treated with ANIT exhibited elevations of serum total bilirubin (TBI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate-oxalate- transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT), as well as cholestasis and parenchyma necrosis. In rats, challenged with ANIT, receiving the pre-treatment of prescriptions of SMY, XQW, and SNS, the biochemical and morphological parameters of liver injury were significantly reduced. The increased LPO level in liver tissue, associated with the provoked serum GOT and GPT levels were the salient features observed in CCl4-insulting rats. Pre-treatment of four prescriptions showed a remarkable protective effect, and also was effective in counteracting the free radical toxicity by bringing about a significant decrease in peroxidative level. CONCLUSION: These recipes ameliorate liver damage induced by both ANIT and CCl4 despite the differences in their mechanisms of injury. Therefore they may be able to exert hepatoprotective effects through more than one mechanism of action because they contained a mixture of anti-hepatotoxic ingredients with mutual reinforcement and assistance.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗
PubMed2000

Anticancer activity evaluation of the solanum glycoalkaloid solamargine. Triggering apoptosis in human hepatoma cells.

Solamargine, an herbal and molluscicidal medicine derived from Solanum incanum, is a steroidal alkaloid glycoside. To characterize the anticancer mechanism of solamargine on human hepatoma cells (Hep3B), changes of cell morphology, DNA content, and gene expression of cells after solamargine treatment were studied. The appearance in solamargine-treated cells of chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and a sub-G(1) peak in a DNA histogram suggests that solamargine induces cell death by apoptosis. The maximum number of dead Hep3B cells was detected within 2 hr of incubation with constant concentrations of solamargine, and no further cell death was observed after an extended incubation with solamargine, indicating that the action of solamargine was irreversible. To determine the susceptibility of cell phases to solamargine-mediated apoptosis, Hep3B cells were synchronized at defined cell cycles by cyclosporin A, colchicine, and genistein, followed by solamargine treatment. The IC(50) values of solamargine for control, G(0)/G(1)-, M-, and G(2)/M-synchronized Hep3B cells were 5.0, > 10, 3.7, and 3.1 microg/mL, implying that cells in the G(2)/M phases are relatively susceptible to solamargine-mediated apoptosis. In addition, a parallel up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-I and -II on Hep3B cells was detected after solamargine treatment, and the solamargine-mediated cytotoxicity could be neutralized with either TNFR-I or -II specific antibody. Therefore, these results reveal that the actions of TNFR-I and -II on Hep3B cells may be independent, and both are involved in the mechanism of solamargine-mediated apoptosis.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2000

Pulmonary function changes and increased Th-2 cytokine expression and nuclear factor kB activation in the lung after sensitization and allergen challenge in brown Norway rats.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to evaluate the expression of Th-1 and Th-2 related cytokine mRNA and nuclear factor (NF) kB in the lung tissue of ovalbumin (OA) sensitized brown Norway rats (BNR). We also evaluated the correlation between bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) and eosinophils with cytokine mRNA expression. METHODS: Eight BNR (weight range 250-350 g) were sensitized by inhaled OA (group I) with a 1-week interval between and then provoked with OA 1 week later. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed at baseline and 24 h after acetylcholine challenge. Eight weight-matched normal BNR served as controls (group II). All animals were anesthetized, paralyzed with gallamine, and ventilated via tracheostomy. They were given varying doses of acetylcholine (25, 50, 75, 100 microg/kg) injected through a jugular venous catheter. Five seconds after acetylcholine injections, PFTs were performed, including a maximal forced expiratory maneuver (MFEM), airway opening pressure (P(ao)) at tidal breathing and total dynamic lung compliance (C(dyn)). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was then performed with 20 ml normal saline divided into two doses. Thereafter, the lungs were removed and examined histologically. Total RNA was extracted from lung tissue samples and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed using primers for mRNA of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFNr) and beta-actine. RESULTS: Group I OA treated rats had typical airway obstruction on PFTs and airway inflammation on histological examination. Ratios of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels to beta-actine as measured by densitometry were significantly lower in controls than in OA-sensitized rats. The IFNr mRNA to beta-actin ratio was significantly reduced in OA-sensitized rats. Group I demonstrated a band shift when compared with group II in electromobility shift assay (EMSA) for NF-kB indicating increased activation of this transcription factor. CONCLUSION: Th-2 related cytokine mRNA was increased but Th-1 related cytokine mRNA was decreased in OA-sensitized BNR. An increased level of Th-2 related cytokine mRNA correlated with decreased airflow and inflammatory changes. These results demonstrate the value of the BNR model for studying allergic asthma at the molecular level.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Role of chronic exercise in decreasing oxidized LDL-potentiated platelet activation by enhancing platelet-derived no release and bioactivity in rats.

This study investigates how chronic exercise affects Ox-LDL mediated-platelet activation. Five-week-old male Wistar rats were assigned to either control or trained groups. Trained rats were treadmill-trained for 10 weeks after familiarization. The following measurements were taken in both control and trained groups: plasma lipid profile, oxidation of LDL, platelet adhesiveness, aggregability, cGMP contents, plasma and platelet-NO metabolite (nitrite plus nitrate) levels, and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PG F2alpha) levels. Based on those measurements, major findings in this study can be summarized as follows: 1) the trained group prolonged the lag time of isolated LDL subjected to copper-induced in vitro oxidation significantly longer than the control group; 2) although having higher plasma and platelet derived-NO metabolite levels, the trained group had lower urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2alpha than the control group; 3) the trained group had a lower platelet adhesiveness and aggregability and higher platelet derived-NO metabolite and cGMP productions than the control group; 4) the trained group had a lower Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet adhesiveness and aggregability and Ox-LDL-attenuated NO metabolite and cGMP productions in platelet than the control group; and 5) treating the platelet with L-arginine inhibited Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet activation in both control and trained groups. Results in this study demonstrate that amounts of preformed lipid peroxides decrease while NO production (which acts as an antioxidant) is significantly increased after chronic exercise. Moreover, exercise training decreases Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet activation most likely by enhancing platelet-derived NO release and bioactivity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the anti-fungal agent SCH 56592 in dog serum.

SCH 56592 is a novel triazole antifungal agent that is active both orally and intravenously. This compound is in phase II-III clinical trials for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the analysis of SCH 56592 in serum of dogs, a species used for safety evaluation. The HPLC analysis involved protein precipitation with methanol followed by separation on a C18 column and quantitation by UV absorbance at 262 nm. The method was sensitive with a limit of quantification of 0.05 microg/ml in dog serum. The linearity was satisfactory as indicated by correlations of >0.996, in addition to visual examination of the calibration curves. The precision and accuracy were satisfactory as indicated by coefficients of variation (C.V.) ranging from 2.0 to 3.8%, and bias values ranging from -6.5 to 10%. Moreover, SCH 56592 was stable in dog serum after being subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles. The assay was shown to be sensitive, specific, accurate, precise, and reliable for use in pharmacokinetic or toxicokinetic studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence and risk factor analysis of TTV infection in prostitutes.

TTV, a DNA virus, has been isolated from patients with non-A to non-E post-transfusion hepatitis. In the past it was assumed that TTV was transmitted parenterally. It is unclear whether sexual contact leads to transmission of this virus. In this study, two sets of TTV-specific polymerase chain reaction primers were used to detect serum TTV DNA in 140 prostitutes and 136 controls. The prevalence of TTV DNA in prostitutes was significantly higher than in the control group (46/140 [32.9%] vs. 29/136 [21.3%]; P = 0.043). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of positive antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) in either group (87.8% for prostitutes, 85.3% for controls). No particular risk factor was significantly associated with positive TTV DNA in prostitutes. In summary, TTV is highly prevalent in prostitutes. Transmission of TTV via sexual contact is not as efficient as transmission of hepatitis C and D viruses and GB virus-C hepatitis G virus. The high prevalence of TTV in controls indicates that there are diverse routes of transmission of this virus.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Acathopanax senticosus.

Acathopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms. is a popular folk medicine used as a nutrient for hepatitis and cancer in Taiwan. In this study, the antioxidant activity of the crude extract and the hepatoprotective activities on CCl(4)- or acetaminophen-induced toxicity in the rat liver were evaluated. Our results suggest that A. senticosus exerts some antioxidant effects. On a CCl(4)- or acetaminophen-intoxicated -model, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were increased by CCl(4) or acetaminophen administration and reduced by treatment with the plant extract. Histological changes around the hepatic central vein were also recovered by treatments. However, treatments with larger doses of the crude extract of A. senticosus enhanced liver damage. This result suggests that even if A. senticosus had hepatoprotective activity in small doses, treatment with larger doses would possibly induce some cell toxicity.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2000

Chiral high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of antifungal SCH 56592 and evaluation of its chiral inversion in animals and humans.

SCH 56592 is a novel triazole antifungal agent that is active both orally and intravenously in animal models of infection. This compound is in Phase II-III clinical trials for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. SCH 56592 is a single enantiomer with four stereogenic centers; therefore, it was necessary to evaluate the possible chiral inversion of this drug candidate in animals and humans. Thus, chiral high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods have been developed to separate SCH 56592 from its diastereomers and to evaluate its chiral inversion in rats, dogs, cynomolgus monkeys, and humans. Chiral HPLC analysis involved the use of a Chiralcel OD column set at 39 degrees C with a mobile phase of hexane-ethanol-diethylamine and a fluorescence detector set at an excitation wavelength of 270 nm and an emission wavelength of 390 nm. Plasma or serum samples were subjected to solid phase extraction on a C(2) cartridge followed by HPLC analysis. The method was sensitive with a limit of quantitation of 0.1 microg/ml in dog serum. The linearity was satisfactory, as shown by correlations of >0.997 and by visual examination of the calibration curves. The precision and accuracy were satisfactory, as indicated by coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 1.1 to 12.1% and bias values ranging from -11.0 to 9.0%. Chiral HPLC analysis indicated that SCH 56592 was not subjected to chiral inversion in rats, dogs, cynomolgus monkeys, and humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The prevalence of heavy proteinuria and progression risk factors in children undergoing urinary screening.

To evaluate the prevalence and incidence density of heavy proteinuria and chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and the factors related to disease progression, 10,288,620 urinary screenings of elementary and junior high-school students from 1992 to 1996 were studied retrospectively. Urinary screening included pH, protein, occult blood, and glucose measurements. Blood sample analysis included total protein, albumin, A/G ratio, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (Cr), antistreptolysin O titer, C3, cholesterol, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, IgA, and fasting blood sugar. The results showed that the 4-year prevalence of proteinuria was higher in girls than in boys (6.87x10(-4) vs. 4.83x10(-4) respectively). There were 189 cases with disease progression into CRI among the 10,288,620 students screened and followed continuously, with the prevalence of disease progression into CRI higher in boys than in girls (2.24x10(-5) vs. 1.41x10(-5) respectively). Of the 119 cases (63%) presenting with CRI since the first urine screening and blood sampling, only 14 had serum Cr levels higher than 6.0 mg/dl. There were 1,289 patients (10.5%) with proteinuria in 1992 and 705 patients (7.1%) in 1996. The absolute number of patients with heavy proteinuria decreased. The percentage of underlying glomerulonephritis in children on dialysis also decreased from 63.2% in 1992 to 47.0% in 1996. Logistic regression analysis showed that a persistent serum cholesterol level higher than 220 mg/dl, an albumin level lower than 3.5 g/dl, total protein less than 6 g/dl, and diastolic pressure higher than 90 mmHg were the significant risk factors for disease progression to CRI. We conclude that early detection of students with heavy proteinuria by mass urinary screening, early appropriate treatment, and monitoring of significant risk factors may help to decrease or delay the progression of renal disease, delay the introduction of dialysis in these predialysis CRI patients and maintain their growth and development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by oxidized low-density lipoprotein in canine cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL) contributes significantly to the development of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms of OX-LDL-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation are not completely understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of OX-LDL on cell proliferation associated with a specific pattern of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by [3H]thymidine incorporation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation in canine cultured VSMCs. OX-LDL-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in VSMCs. Pretreatment of these cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) for 24 hours attenuated the OX-LDL-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation, indicating that these responses were mediated through a receptor coupled to a PTX-sensitive G protein. In cells pretreated with PMA for 24 h and with either the PKC inhibitor staurosporine or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein for 1h, substantially reduced the [3H]thymidine incorporation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation in response to OX-LDL. Removal of Ca(2+) by addition of BAPTA/AM plus EGTA significantly inhibited OX-LDL-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation, indicating the requirement of Ca(2+) for these responses. OX-LDL-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation was completely inhibited by PD98059 (an inhibitor of MEK1/2) and SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38 MAPK). Furthermore, we also showed that overexpression of dominant negative mutants of Ras (RasN17) and Raf (Raf-301) completely suppressed MEK1/2 and p42/p44 MAPK activation induced by OX-LDL and PDGF-BB, indicating that Ras and Raf may be required for activation of these kinases. Taken together, these results suggest that the mitogenic effect of OX-LDL is mediated through a PTX-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptor that involves the activation o Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK pathway similar to those of PDGF-BB in canine cultured VSMCs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Time-course analysis of stretch reflexes in hemiparetic subjects using an on-line spasticity measurement system.

Spasticity after a stroke is usually assessed in a score form by subjectively determining the resistance of a joint to an externally imposed passive movement. This work presents a spasticity measurement system for on-line quantifying the stretch reflex of paretic limbs. Four different constant stretch velocities in a ramp-and-hold mode are used to elicit the stretch reflex of the elbow joint in spastic subjects. The subjects are tested at supine position with the upper limb stretched towards the ground, in contrast with the horizontally stretched movement used in other studies. By subtracting the baseline torque, reflex torque measured at a selected low stretch velocity of 5 deg/sec, the influence of gravity torque and inertial in vertical stretching mode can be minimized. The averaged speed-dependent reflex torque (ASRT), defined as the measured torque deviated from the baseline torque, is used for quantifying the spastic hypertonia. Four subjects having incurred cerebrovascular accident (CVA) are recruited for time-course study in which the measurements are taken at 72 hours, one week, one month, three months, and six months after onset of stroke. During the development of spasticity, the changes of ASRT and velocity sensitivity of ASRT of the involved and the intact elbow joints are discussed.

Elbow Joint↗
PubMed2000

Interstitial colocalization of two cervid satellite DNAs involved in the genesis of the Indian muntjac karyotype.

A number of repetitive DNA clones were generated from PCR amplifications of Indian muntjac genomic DNA using primer sequences derived from a white tailed deer satellite II DNA sequence. One clone (Mmv-0.7) was characterized and shown to be a cervid satellite II DNA clone. Multiple colored FISH studies with cervid satellite I (C5) and this satellite II clone (Mmv-0.7) to Chinese muntjac metaphase chromosomes localized both satellite DNAs at the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes except for chromosome 3 and the Y chromosome, whereas chromosome 3 exhibited pericentromeric satellite II DNA only. Where distinguishable, the pericentromeric satellite II signals appeared terminally oriented with respect to satellite I. Six pairs of Chinese muntjac autosomes had interstitial satellite I sites with four of these autosomal pairs (chromosomes 1, 2 and two other smaller autosomal pairs) also exhibiting interstitial satellite II signals. An interstitial site on the X chromosome was found to have satellite II signals. For the Indian muntjac chromosomes, FISH studies revealed a pericentromeric hybridization for satellites I and II as well as 27 distinct interstitial hybridization sites, each having at least one of the satellite DNAs. These data were used to more precisely define the chromosome fusion-associated breakpoints that presumably led to the formation of the present-day Indian muntjac karyotype. It further hints at the possibility that the Indian muntjac karyotype may have evolved directly from a 2n = 70 ancestral karyotype rather than from an intermediate 2n = 46 Chinese muntjac-like karyotype.

Animals↗