Biomedical subjects

C C Lin

Publications and source records attributed to C C Lin.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha- and interleukin-1beta-stimulated cell proliferation through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in canine tracheal smooth muscle cells.

The elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) have been found in the fluid of airways in symptomatic asthmatics. These cytokines have been considered as mitogens to stimulate cell proliferation in tracheal smooth muscle cells (TSMCs). We therefore investigated the effects of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta on cell proliferation and activation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in these cells. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The maximal stimulation of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation induced by TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was seen 12 h after incubation with these cytokines. In response to TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, p42/p44 MAPK was activated with a concentration-dependent manner in TSMCs. Pretreatment of TSMCs with pertussis toxin did not change DNA synthesis and phosphorylation of MAPK induced by TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. These responses were attenuated by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin, a phosphatidyl choline (PC)-phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor D609, a phosphatidyl inositide (PI)-PLC inhibitor U73122, a protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, and removal of Ca(2+) by addition of BAPTA/AM plus EGTA. TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-induced [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation and phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK was completely inhibited by PD98059 (an inhibitor of MEK1/2), indicating that activation of MEK1/2 was required for these responses. These results suggest that the mitogenic effects of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were mediated through the activation of MEK1/2 and p42/p44 MAPK pathway. TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-mediated responses were modulated by PLC, Ca(2+), PKC, and tyrosine kinase associated with cell proliferation in TSMCs.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

A new acylated flavonol glycoside and antioxidant effects of Hedyotis diffusa.

A study on the bioactive principles of Hedyotis diffusa Willd., led to the isolation of a new acyl flavonol di-glycoside which was characterized as kaempferol 3-O[2"-O-(E-6'"-O-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-galactop yranoside by spectral and chemical methods from the methanolic extract. In addition, three known flavonol glycosides and six known iridoid glycosides were also obtained. The above-mentioned glycosides were tested for antioxidant effects on xanthine oxidase inhibition, xanthine-xanthine oxidase cytochrome c and TBA-MDA systems.

Acylation↗

PubMed2000

Urgent endoscopic nasobiliary drainage without fluoroscopic guidance: A useful treatment for critically ill patients with biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) is routinely performed under fluoroscopic control. This is a report of our experience with urgent ENBD without fluoroscopic guidance in critically ill patients. METHODS: Twenty-six critically ill patients who underwent urgent ENBD for biliary obstruction were analyzed. ENBD was performed without fluoroscopic control because of high risk of transportation or inaccessibility of the x-ray facilities. A pig-tailed nasobiliary catheter was inserted into the bile duct with the help of a guidewire under endoscopic control to bypass the site of obstruction. Successful placement was confirmed by free flow of bile on aspiration via the nasobiliary catheter. RESULTS: A nasobiliary catheter was successfully placed in 23 patients (88%). Adequate bile drainage was achieved in 20 patients with an overall success rate of 77%. There were no procedure-related complications. The mortality rate for patients with successful biliary drainage was 10% (2 of 20), in contrast to 83% (5 of 6) for the group in which drainage was unsuccessful. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent ENBD is effective for patients with biliary obstruction. With experience, this procedure may be successfully performed in critically ill patients without fluoroscopic guidance at primary care hospitals or intensive care units where fluoroscopic facilities are not readily available.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test among adolescents in Taiwan: norms, factorial structure, and relation to schizotypy.

The aims of this study were to assess developmental trends in performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) among 817 randomly selected adolescents aged 13-15 years, and to explore WCST performance factor structure and relationship to schizotypy. The results showed that of the nine WCST indexes, only the Categories Achieved and Failure to Maintain Set scores were associated with age, and only the Learning to Learn scores reached adult levels. Factor analysis of WCST performance scores yielded a three-factor structure. Psychometrically defined schizotypic subjects did not perform significantly worse than control subjects on any WCST indexes. These findings suggest that performance on various WCST indexes might indicate developmental changes at different ages, and deficits in WCST performance might not be sensitive indicators of vulnerability to schizophrenia in adolescence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Apparently unstable normal FMR1 alleles in nine developmentally delayed patients: implications for molecular diagnosis of the fragile X syndrome.

The Fragile X syndrome is a common form of X-linked mental retardation, affecting approximately 1 in 4,000 males. Since the discovery of the FMR1 gene responsible for the syndrome, molecular, rather than cytogenetic, diagnosis of Fragile X syndrome has become the gold standard. Numerous molecular diagnostic centers worldwide use PCR and Southern blotting to characterize the size of the CGG repeats within the gene, expansion of which has been shown to be associated with the vast majority of cases of Fragile X syndrome. Instability of this repeat through successive generations has been demonstrated in many patients and has been associated with numerous factors, including repeat length and molecular structure of the repeat. Nine males with normal-size alleles that exhibit repeat length instability by the presence of a second normal length distinct band by repeated PCR analysis from peripheral lymphocytes are reported. Many hypotheses addressing the reason for this apparent instability were tested without elucidating the underlying molecular causes, including cytogenetic analysis, sequence analysis of the repeat locus, and analysis of flanking dinucleotide repeat loci. All patients exhibited a normal complement of sex chromosomes by cytogenetic and molecular analysis. These results from the widely used PCR analysis illustrate an interesting molecular phenomenon and raise many questions relating to the factors and mechanisms involved in trinucleotide instability as well as having implications for the diagnostic testing of the Fragile X syndrome.

Alleles↗

PubMed2000

Home telecare system using cable television plants--an experimental field trial.

To solve the inconvenience of routine transportation of chronically ill and handicapped patients, this paper proposes a platform based on a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network in Taiwan designed to make a home telecare system feasible. The aim of this home telecare system is to combine biomedical data, including three-channel electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP), video, and audio into a National Television Standard Committee (NTSC) channel for communication between the patient and healthcare provider. Digitized biomedical data and output from medical devices can be further modulated to a second audio program (SAP) subchannel which can be used for second-language audio in NTSC television signals. For long-distance transmission, we translate the digital biomedical data into the frequency domain using frequency shift key (FSK) technology and insert this signal into an SAP band. The whole system has been implemented and tested. The results obtained using this system clearly demonstrated that real-time video, audio, and biomedical data transmission are very clear with a carrier-to-noise ratio up to 43 dB.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2000

Pharmacokinetics of SCH 56592, a new azole broad-spectrum antifungal agent, in mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and cynomolgus monkeys.

SCH 56592 is a new broad-spectrum azole antifungal agent that is in phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of serious systemic fungal infections. The pharmacokinetics of this drug candidate were evaluated following its intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) administration as a solution in hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD) or oral administration as a suspension in 0.4% methylcellulose (MC) in studies involving mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and cynomolgus monkeys. SCH 56592 was orally bioavailable in all species. The oral bioavailability was higher with the HPbetaCD solution (range, 52 to approximately 100%) than from the MC suspension (range, 14 to 48%) and was higher in mice ( approximately 100% [HPbetaCD] and 47% [MC]), rats ( approximately 66% [HPbetaCD] and 48% [MC]), and dogs (72% [HPbetaCD] and 37% [MC]) than in monkeys (52% [HPbetaCD] and 14% [MC]). In rabbits, high concentrations in serum suggested good oral bioavailability with the MC suspension. The i.v. terminal-phase half-lives were 7 h in mice and rats, 15 h in dogs, and 23 h in monkeys. In rabbits, the oral half-life was 9 h. In species given increasing oral doses (mice, rats, and dogs), serum drug concentrations were dose related. Food produced a fourfold increase in serum drug concentrations in dogs. Multiple daily doses of 40 mg of SCH 56592/kg of body weight for eight consecutive days to fed dogs resulted in higher concentrations in serum, indicating accumulation upon multiple dosing, with an accumulation index of approximately 2.6. Concentrations above the MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations for most organisms were observed at 24 h following a single oral dose in MC suspension in all five species studied (20 mg/kg for mice, rats, and rabbits and 10 mg/kg for dogs and monkeys), suggesting that once-daily administration of SCH 56592 in human subjects would be a therapeutically effective dosage regimen.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Diagnostic value of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) tests based on HEV RNA in an area where hepatitis E is not endemic.

Acute hepatitis E (AHE) has rarely been reported in industrialized countries, but the rate of seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies (anti-HEV) is inappropriately high. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay used to test for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM anti-HEV have not been well established in areas where hepatitis E is not endemic (hereafter referred to as "nonendemic areas"). We collected serum samples from 13 AHE patients, 271 healthy subjects, and 160 other liver disease patients in Taiwan to test for HEV RNA by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and for IgG and IgM anti-HEV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The sensitivities of IgG and IgM anti-HEV (relative to RT-PCR) were 86.7 and 53.3%, respectively. The specificities of IgG and IgM anti-HEV assays for diagnosing AHE were 92.1 and 98.6%, respectively. The rate of seroprevalence of IgG anti-HEV was 11% among healthy subjects in this nonendemic area, and it increased with age. In summary, IgG anti-HEV is a good diagnostic test for screening for AHE in nonendemic areas. The high rate of prevalence of anti-HEV in healthy subjects indicates that subclinical infection may exist.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Anoectochilus formosanus and Gynostemma pentaphyllum.

Anoectochilus formosanus Hay. and Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino are popular folk medicines that have been used for treating hepatitis, hypertension and cancer in Taiwan. Our previous studies showed that these crude drugs exert antiinflammatory activity and hepatoprotective activity against CC14-induced liver damage. In this study, the antioxidant effect of these crude drugs and their hepatoprotective activity on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rat was evaluated. Our results suggest that A. formosanus and G. pentaphyllum do have antioxidant effects. On acetaminophen-intoxicated model, the increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by acetaminophen administration were reduced by treatment with these two herbs. In histological observation, gross necrosis in the centribular area, sinusoidal congestion, infiltration of the lymphocytes and Kupffer cells around the hepatic central vein, and loss of cell boundaries and ballooning degeneration were reduced with herbal treatment. However, the effect of A. formosanus and G. pentaphyllum is biphasic. Methanol extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) and water extract (300 and 500 mg/kg) of A formosanus and water extract (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) of G. pentaphyllum enhanced the recovery of liver injury while treatment with 500 mg/kg of A. formosanus methanol extract resulted in serious hepatic injury.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2000

The hepatoprotective effects of Solanum alatum Moench. on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Solanum alatum Moench. has been shown to have a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. Solanum alatum treatment (100 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT; GPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; GOT) induced by acetaminophen (paracetamol) (600 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. It also decreased the extent of visible necrosis in liver tissue. In addition, Solanum alatum treatment restored hepatic glutathione (GSH) depletion induced by acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Microsomal enzyme levels such as P-450, reductase, and aniline hydroxylation enzyme were also restored to normal levels after Solanum alatum administration. The hepatoprotective mechanism may function through direct binding with acetaminophen toxic metabolites, decreasing the attraction of acetaminophen metabolites for other cellular GSH or thiol protein. Additionally, Solanum alatum treatment increased the concentration of hepatic GSH and maintained a high level activity of GSTase, which led to acceleration of the excretion of toxic acetaminophen metabolites.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2000

Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage.

The root of Arctium lappa Linne (A. lappa) (Compositae), a perennial herb, has been cultivated for a long time as a popular vegetable. In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of A. lappa, male ICR mice were injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 32 microl/kg, i.p.) or acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.). A. lappa suppressed the SGOT and SGPT elevations induced by CCl4 or acetaminophen in a dose-dependent manner and alleviated the severity of liver damage based on histopathological observations. In an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanism(s) of this hepatoprotective effect, glutathione (GSH), cytochrome P-450 (P-450) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were studied. A. lappa reversed the decrease in GSH and P-450 induced by CCl4 and acetaminophen. It was also found that A. lappa decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl4 or acetaminophen-intoxicated mice. From these results, it was suggested that A. lappa could protect the liver cells from CCl4 or acetaminophen-induced liver damages, perhaps by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from CCl4 or acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2000

RAPD analysis of Astragalus medicines marketed in Taiwan.

The genetic variability of Astragalus medicine materials sold by twenty randomly selected stores in Taiwan was investigated using RAPD analysis in order to obtain available primers which could clearly differentiate among them. Total DNA isolated from the rhizomes of the samples were used as templates, and sixty 10 mer arbitrary primers were used in the analysis. The aim of the present study is to construct an identification model of molecular biotechniques applicable to Chinese herbal medicines in RAPD analysis. Three of the primers, OPT-03, OPT-13, and OPT-17, revealed polymorphic RAPD fingerprints among the samples of Astragalus membranaceus, and between Astragalus membranaceus and Hedysarum polybotrys samples. SSCP analysis was also conducted on PCR products from the ITS-1 region of ribosomal DNA in order to differentiate the two species.

Astragalus propinquus↗

PubMed2000

The evaluation of the therapeutic effect of tao-shang-tsao on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats.

The hepatoprotective effects of Tao-shang-tsao, Ixeris laevigata Sch.-Bip. var. oldhami Kitam., were studied on cholestatic hepatitis induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 100 mg/10 ml/kg, in olive oil, i.p.) and acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (20% CCl4/olive oil, 1.5 ml/kg, i.p.) in rats by post-treatment with the crude methanolic extracts of I. laevigata (0.3, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg) orally in the therapeutic model. Hepatoprotective activity was monitored by estimating the serum transaminases concentrations and histopathological changes in the livers of experimental rats. It was found that the I. laevigata extract significantly decreased the acute elevation of serum transaminases by biochemical examination. According to pathohistological studies in the liver of experimental rats, the crude I. laevigata extract ameliorates the central necrosis, fatty change or proliferation of bile duct epithelium focal necrosis caused by ANIT or CCl4-induced hepatitis rats.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗

PubMed2000

Direct visualization of the genomic distribution and organization of two cervid centromeric satellite DNA families.

Several repetitive DNA fragments were generated from PCR amplifications of caribou DNA using primer sequences derived from the white-tailed deer satellite II DNA clone OvDII. Two fragments, designated Rt-0.5 and Rt-0.7, were sequenced and found to have 96% sequence similarity. These caribou clones also had 85% sequence similarity with OvDII. Multiple-colored fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies with satellite I and satellite II DNA probes to caribou metaphase chromosomes and extended chromatin fibers provided direct visualization of the genomic organization of these two satellite DNA families, with the following findings: (1) Cervid satellite I DNA is confined to the centromeric regions of the acrocentric autosomes, whereas satellite II DNA is found at the centromeric regions of all chromosomes except for the Y. (2) For most acrocentric chromosomes, the satellite I signal appeared to be medially located at the primary constriction, in contrast to that of satellite II, which appeared to be oriented toward the lateral sides as two separate fluorescent dots. (3) The satellite II clone Rt-0.7 appeared to be enriched in the centromeric region of the caribou X chromosome, a pair of biarmed autosomes, and a number of other acrocentric autosomes. (4) Fiber-FISH demonstrated that the satellite I and satellite II arrays were juxtaposed. On highly extended chromatin fibers, the total length of the hybridization signals for the two satellite DNA arrays often reached 300-400 microm. The length of a given satellite II array usually reached 200 microm, corresponding to 2 x 10(3) kb of DNA in a given centromere.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

No evidence for association of alpha 1a adrenoceptor gene polymorphism and clozapine-induced urinary incontinence.

Clozapine is an effective atypical antipsychotic that has high affinity for many neurotransmitter receptors. Among the adverse effects of clozapine, urinary incontinence is commonly found and is suggested to be caused by alpha-adrenergic blockade. We tested the hypothesis that clozapine-induced urinary incontinence is related to a genetic variant of the alpha(1a)-adrenoceptor. We also tested whether the alpha(1a)-receptor gene confers susceptibility to schizophrenic disorders. Our result indicated that the alpha(1a)-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism investigated plays no major role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia or in clozapine-induced urinary incontinence. Considering the superior effects of clozapine and its potent adrenergic antagonistic effects, it is of interest to investigate the association between this polymorphism and the treatment response.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Identifying attitudinal barriers to family management of cancer pain in palliative care in Taiwan.

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to examine attitudes held by Taiwanese family caregivers of hospice inpatients with cancer that serve as barriers to cancer pain management; (2) to determine the relationship of attitudinal barriers to family caregiver hesitancy to report pain and to administer analgesics; and (3) to determine the relationship of attitudinal barriers to the adequacy of analgesics used by the patient. A total of 80 pairs of palliative care inpatients and their primary family caregivers participated in this study. Family caregivers completed the Barriers Questionnaire-Taiwan (BQT) form and a demographic questionnaire. The instruments completed by patients consisted of the Brief Pain Inventory-Chinese version and a demographic questionnaire. The data revealed that Taiwanese family caregivers of palliative care patients with advanced cancer had concerns about reporting pain and administering analgesics, particularly as they related to disease progression, side-effects and p.r.n. analgesics. Older and less-educated family caregivers scored significantly higher on the BQT than did their younger, more educated counterparts. Family caregivers' concerns measured by the BQT were related to family caregivers' reluctance to administer analgesics to their patients. Implications for a broader understanding of analgesics in the advancement of pain management in palliative care in Taiwan are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Baicalein, a novel apoptotic agent for hepatoma cell lines: a potential medicine for hepatoma.

This study has demonstrated that baicalein has anticancer effectiveness against human hepatoma cells. The dose response of baicalein in Hep G2 and Hep J2 cells indicates that baicalein decreased viability >90%. In comparison, baicalein had only minimal effects on the viability of control Chang liver cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that baicalein inhibited the cell cycle of Hep G2 cells in the S phase. In addition, baicalein treatment resulted in a decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential and damaged the integrity of the cell membrane. The TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay results indicated that baicalein elicited a significant increase of DNA fragmentation in Hep G2 cells after incubation for 48 hours. These results indicate that baicalein is an effective antihepatoma agent with minimal influence on noncancer cells. The effects of baicalein on Hep G2 cells include inhibition of the S phase of the cell cycle, dysfunction of mitochondria, and initiation of apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2000

Anti-hypercholesterolaemia, antioxidant activity and free radical scavenger effects of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions used for stroke.

The generation of oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation may be factors in the cerebral damage secondary to ischaemia of the cerebrovascular disease, as in stroke. Five traditional Chinese medicinal prescriptions were investigated for their antioxidant activity: Shiee Fuu Jwu Iu Tang (TCMP1), Oh Yaw Shuen Chin Saan (TCMP2), Buu Yang Hwan Wuu Tang (TCMP3), Sheau Shiuh Ming Tang (TCMP4), and Chir Hwu Jia Long Guu Muu Lih Tang (TCMP5). Anti-lipid peroxidation, anti-superoxide formation and free radical scavenger activity were determined by the FeCl2--ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation effects on lipids in-vitro, xanthine oxidase inhibition, cytochrome C system and an electron spin resonance spectrometer, respectively. The results showed that TCMP5 had greater anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-superoxide formation activity than the other prescriptions. TCMP4 had the greatest free radical scavenging effect, TCMP5 showed the greatest superoxide radical scavenger activity and TCMP3 showed the greatest hydroxyl radical scavenger activity. Tests were also performed to evaluate the effects of the five prescriptions on blood lipid in-vivo. The test showed that the prescriptions decreased the level of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum in high cholesterol-fed rats. From these results, it seems probable that these prescriptions may be effective in the prevention and therapy of stroke and ischaemia.

Animals↗