Biomedical subjects

C H Chien

Publications and source records attributed to C H Chien.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Breast milk beta-glucuronidase in breast milk jaundice.

Breast milk jaundice (BMJ) is the most common etiology of prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in a newborn infant. The pathogenesis of BMJ has been studied by many investigators, yet the etiology still remains uncertain. A prospective study was done to examine the role of breast milk beta-glucuronidase in BMJ in healthy full-term Chinese newborns. There were 71 infants in the formula-fed group (FF group), 28 in the breast-fed group (BF group) and 27 in the mixed feeding group (MF group). Study infants were followed at the well-baby clinic for at least two months. Enzyme activity in maternal breast milk and infants' stools decreased significantly during the first week postpartum. There was no intergroup difference in fecal enzyme activity for the different age groups. Significantly more infants in the BF group (35.7%) developed prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia than did infants in the FF group (2.8%) and the MF group (0%). We did not find higher enzyme activity in breast milk or stools of infants with BMJ than in infants without BMJ. We, therefore, conclude that breast milk beta-glucuronidase is not related to the development of BMJ.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Effects of thyroidectomy on the hematocrit and blood viscosity in ovariectomized rats.

The hematocrit and blood viscosity were measured in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats following thyroidectomy or sham operation. Rats were thyroidectomized (Tx) or sham Tx immediately after ovariectomy. Three months later, Ovx, Ovx+Tx, and intact rats at proestrus stage were bled. Blood was collected by heart puncture in rats under ether anesthesia and heparinized. One month after the first bleeding, Ovx and Ovx+Tx rats were bled once again. the viscosity of whole blood and plasma was measured at various shear rates at 37 degrees C by means of a Mooney-Ewart viscometer. The hematocrit was determined by a microhematocrit centrifuge. The plasma osmolality was measured by a computerized micro-osmometer. Concentrations of plasma sodium and potassium were measured by a flame photometer. The concentration of plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured by a radioimmunoassay. In Ovx+Tx rats, the plasma TSH concentration was higher, but the hematocrit and blood viscosity were lower than those in Ovx and proestrus rats. The levels of plasma sodium, osmolality and viscosity were not altered by ovariectomy and thyroidectomy. These results suggest that the lower blood viscosity in thyroidectomized rats is due to a reduction of hematocrit.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

A Taiwanese with a pair of sternalis muscles.

A pair of sternalis muscles have been found on both sides of the chest in an adult Taiwanese male. The muscles are located superficial to the medial part of the pectoralis major, arising from the sternum and are inserted into the sheaths of the rectus abdominis. They are innervated by the intercostal nerve. It should be emphasized that the sternalis muscle is rarely found in Taiwan.

Asian People↗

PubMed1991

Immobilized enzyme system for determination of sialic acid in serum or urine.

An immobilized enzyme system has been developed and employed to determine the concentration of sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) in human serum and urine. Two enzyme pairs, neuramindiase-Neu-5-Ac lyase and pyruvate oxidase-peroxidase, have been respectively co-immobilized onto 1,12-aminododecane-agarose with glutaraldehyde. The relative specific activity of the co-immobilized neuraminidase and Neu-5-Ac lyase were 60% and 78%, and those of pyruvate oxidase and peroxidase were 50% and 95% of the corresponding soluble enzymes, respectively. The optimal reaction pH at 37 degrees C for each of the co-immobilized enzymes was about one pH unit higher than that of the corresponding soluble enzyme. The optimal reaction temperature of each enzyme was increased as a result of immobilization. The thermal stability at 45 degrees C of the immobilized neuraminidase, Neu-5-Ac lyase, pyruvate oxidase, and peroxidase were increased 80-, 83-, 115-, and 147-fold, respectively. Km and Vm of each immobilized and co-immobilized enzyme have also been determined. The system provided a convenient and rapid method to determine the concentration of total sialic acid without pretreatment of the sample. The results correlated satisfactorily with those obtained by using a soluble enzyme system. The co-immobilized enzymes were stable for at least 1 year of 500 tests when used repeatedly. The system is thus a reproducible and reliable novel assay method for sialic acid in the serum or urine sample.

Enzymes, Immobilized↗

PubMed1991

The ovarian innervation in the dog: a preliminary study for the base for electro-acupuncture.

The origin of the canine ovarian sensory and sympathetic nerves was studied by applying horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to HRP (WGA-HRP) to the ovarian stroma and into the ovarian bursa. HRP/WGA-HRP positive neurons were found bilaterally in the dorsal root ganglia of T10 to L4 segment with the majority located in T13 to L2. In sympathetic paravertebral ganglia, labeled neurons were distributed bilaterally in ganglia from T11 to L4 with the majorities located in segments T13 to L2. Both distributions show ipsilateral predominance. Labeled prevertebral neurons were mainly located in the aorticorenal ganglion, ovarian ganglia and caudal mesenteric ganglion. No labeled neurons were found in the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus, nodose ganglia or sacral segment from S1 to S3. This study provides the possible morphological basis of electro-acupuncture concerning the somato-visceral reflex of the ovary.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Effect of emitted bioenergy on biochemical functions of cells.

The 3-5 microns infrared spectra of the external "Qi" generated by a "Qigong" master from his palm was measured using a III-V compound semiconductor InSb detector. It was found that certain Qigong master can emit two opposite kinds of "Qi": the "facilitating" (beneficial) and "inhibiting" (destroying) "Qi". During the facilitating "Qi" emission, large amount of infrared wave were detected by a temperature rise of the air in the vicinity. When the inhibiting "Qi" was emitted, the infrared wave was absorbed from the environment resulting in a cooling of the air. The temperature rise or drop possibly reflects the fact that the blood flow to the palm was increased or decreased by dilating or constricting the blood vessels through parasympathetic or sympathetic nerves. The biochemical effects of emitted "Qi" from the same Qigong master on the human fibroblast FS-4 were investigated. The facilitating "Qi" caused 1.8% increase of the cell growth in 24 hrs, 10-15% increase of DNA synthesis and 3-5% increase of protein synthesis of the cell in a 2-hr period; while inhibiting "Qi" caused 6% decrease of cell growth in a 24 hr period, 20-23% decrease of DNA synthesis and 35-48% of protein synthesis in a 2-hr period. In addition, we found that the respiration rate of boar sperm increased 12.5-13.0% after receiving 5 min exposure in facilitating "Qi," and a decrease to 45-48% by exposure to 2-min of inhibiting "Qi." The results could be attributed to the effects of emitted "Qi" or energy containing infrared light (wave) and possibly some other types of energy.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Immunochemotherapy with recombinant interleukin-2 and adriamycin in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and adriamycin were administered systemically to treat nine patients (age 15.5-68 years, mean 48.9 years) with far advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Three patients were newly diagnosed, and the remaining patients had received surgery, transcatheter arterial embolization, chemotherapy and other treatments but without improvement. RIL-2 was given at a dose of 10,000 to 30,000 units/kg every 8 hours for consecutive 9 days, and on the fifth day, a single dose of adriamycin 30 to 60 mg/M2 was administered. Four patients interrupted the immunotherapy because of severe intolerable side effects, 4 patients completed one course and the remaining one received 2 courses of treatment. Various adverse reactions were encountered, however, they subsided promptly after stop of therapy. All patients failed to respond to the regimen. Primary hepatic tumors continued to enlarge in 8 patients and remained unchanged in one, and pulmonary metastases also increased in size and number in 4 patients. Transient decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein was found in 6 patients. These results suggests that systemic IL-2 immunotherapy, even in combination with chemotherapy, is not effective for the treatment of far advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, in viewing of its immune amplifying effect, rIL-2 in combination with other treatment modalities may still be worth trying in early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Postirradiation angiosarcoma of the terminal ileum.

Sarcomas which develop after radiotherapy mainly involve the soft tissue and the bone. Postirradiation angiosarcomas involving the internal organs are exceedingly rare and so far only three cases have been reported. Here, a case of angiosarcoma of the terminal ileum in a 48-year-old female is reported. The tumor developed 39 months after radiotherapy for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Angiosarcoma recurred locally and metastasized to the liver eight months after initial resection of the primary lesion of the terminal ileum. The patient died from sepsis 23 days after the resection of the recurrent ileal and metastatic hepatic neoplasms. Hence, any patients complaining of new discomfort that occurs in an irradiated field two years or more after radiotherapy should be promptly searched for the presence of the postirradiation neoplasms.

Female↗

PubMed1991

Immunochemotherapy with recombinant interleukin-2 and adriamycin in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and adriamycin were administered systemically to treat nine patients (age 15.5-68 years, mean 48.9 +/- 15.5 years) with far advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Three patients were newly diagnosed, and the remaining patients had received surgery, transcatheter arterial embolization, chemotherapy and other treatments but without improvement. rIL-2 was given at a dose of 10,000 to 30,000 units/kg every 8 hours for consecutive 9 days, and on the fifth day, a single dose of adriamycin 30 to 60 mg/m2 was administered. Four patients interrupted the immunotherapy because of severe intolerable side effects, 4 patients completed one course and the remaining one received 2 courses of treatment. Various adverse reactions were encountered, however, they subsided promptly after stopping therapy. All patients failed to respond to the regimen. Primary hepatic tumors continued to enlarge in 8 patients and remained unchanged in one, and pulmonary metastasis also increased in size and number in 4 patients. Transient decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein was found in 6 patients. These results suggest that systemic IL-2 immunotherapy, even in combination with chemotherapy, is not effective for the treatment of far advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, in view of its immune amplifying effect, rIL-2 in combination with other treatment modalities may still be worth trying in early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Clinical and cellular biologic diagnosis of Cockayne syndrome: a case report].

We report a case of Cockayne syndrome. A 6-year-old boy presented with a progeroid face, dwarfism, psychomotor retardation, skin photosensitivity and retinal pigmented degeneration. Neurological study disclosed slowed nerve conduction velocities and a brain CT showed calcification in the basal ganglia. Auditory brain stem evoked potential showed prolonged interpeak latency of wave I to wave V. Laboratory evaluation revealed mild liver dysfunction and peripheral eosinophilia. Fibroblast cultures from the patient and his family were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light of 254 nm, ranging from 1 to 10 J/m2. Under 1 J/m2 irradiation, the surviving fraction of the fibroblasts from the patient, his mother, and a control subject were 40%, 50%, 90% respectively. If the fibroblasts of these subjects were exposed to 2 J/m2 and 3 J/m2 irradiation, the surviving fraction changed to 10%, 22%, 80% and 1.5%, 9%, 68%, respectively. However, fibroblasts from his sister and father showed the same surviving fraction as the control. The study showed that fibroblasts from the patient and his mother were extremely sensitive to UV light irradiation. We also study the concentration of the pyrimidine dimer of DNA in the patient and the control subject. Pyrimidine dimer showed no difference between the patient and the normal subject before and after 24-hour UV irradiation. These results suggest that the sensitivity to UV of Cockayne fibroblasts may be due to a ligase deficiency or to a replicon initiation disturbance in Cockayne cells.

Cell Survival↗

PubMed1991

Combined analysis of serum lactic dehydrogenase levels and isozyme patterns in ovarian neoplasms.

A total of 65 cases of ovarian tumor admitted for surgical intervention were prospectively enrolled in this study, including 40 cases with benign ovarian tumors and 25 cases of ovarian cancer. The 25 malignancies were comprised of 22 cases of common epithelial origin and three cases with Krukenberg tumors. Serum total LDH level and its isozyme activity were measured preoperatively in each patient. The mean value (+/-SD of serum LDH in the malignant group was 876.3 (+/- 450.4) IU/1, which was significantly higher than 364.8 (+/- 87.9) IU/1 in the benign group. Twenty-two cases of ovarian malignancy (88%) and 6 cases of the benign group (15%) had elevated serum LDH levels above 450 IU/1. Analysis of the LDH isozyme pattern demonstrated that there was a significant shift to LDH-4 and LDH-5 fractions in ovarian malignancy when compared to the benign group (with the mean value of 9.5%, 14.6% vs. 6.5% and 4.6%, respectively). The elevated LDH level could yield 88% and 85% in sensitivity and specificity for detecting ovarian malignancy, while the abnormal isozyme pattern could yield 84% and 77.5%, respectively. From combined analysis of total LDH levels and isozyme patterns, the true positive detection rate and true negative detection rate could both reach 100%. In conclusion, the present findings imply that total serum LDH level and isozyme activity measurement may provide significant aids in evaluation and detection of human ovarian cancers among patients with ovarian tumors.

Female↗

PubMed1991

Intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis simulating posterior mediastinal mass--report of a case in patient with beta-thalassemia intermedia.

Intrathoracic involvement of the extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rare condition. It is usually found in patients with thalassemia or hereditary spherocytosis. In the literature, only 79 cases have been reported. Here, in Taiwan, a 22 year-old female patient of beta-thalassemia intermedia presented with posterior mediastinal mass proved as an intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis by thoracoscopic biopsy was reported.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Mapping of the Alz 50 epitope in microtubule-associated proteins tau.

Alz 50 and seven other monoclonal antibodies have been shown to react with both tau and Alzheimer brain proteins of molecular mass 60-70 kDa. The location of some of the epitopes of these antibodies (Alz 50, Tau-2, NP14, Ab 636.7) on the tau molecule is unknown, whereas those of others (Tau 60, Tau 14, Tau-1, Tau 46) have recently been demonstrated in fetal human tau at amino acid residues 60-72, 83-120, 131-140, and 315-352. To determine the location of the unknown epitopes, human tau was digested with chymotrypsin and trypsin, and the bovine microtubule fraction was incubated with chymotrypsin. Comparison of the immunoblots of chymotryptic digested tau with those of untreated preparations showed that the Alz 50 epitope was more sensitive than other tau epitopes to proteolysis. Cleavage of a 3-4 kDa polypeptide from the periphery of tau was sufficient to remove the Alz 50 epitope, but not the epitopes of Tau 46 (C-end) or Tau 60 (N-end). The distribution of the Alz 50 epitope in endogenously degraded, chymotrypsin or trypsin digested tau fragments was different from that of the Tau 46 epitope known to be located within 38 residues from the C-terminus of the tau molecule. Based on these observations Alz 50 epitope was considered to be located within 3-4 kDa of the N-terminus of tau. A comparison of immunoblots of different tau-reactive antibodies showed similarities between Tau 60 and Tau-2, and between Tau 14, Tau-1, NP14, and Ab 636.7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Atrial natriuretic polypeptide in human adrenal pheochromocytoma: immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopical localization.

Using the immunoperoxidase and immunogold methods with specific antibody, we studied the atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) in seven tumor tissues of six patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma. Light microscopically, the reaction product for ANP was observed in all seven tumor tissues. Intracytoplasmic immunoreaction product for ANP was finely granular. In four cases studied with the electron microscope, the immunogold stain for ANP was demonstrated in secretory granules of the tumor cells. A considerable amount of alpha-hANP immunoreactive substance was also extracted from two tumor tissues (67.2 and 28.7 pg/mg wet tissue). This is the first report of the human adrenal pheochromocytoma that contains immunoreactive ANP. These findings provide additional evidence for the multisecretory APUD cells of neural crest origin.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed1990

Amplification and expression of c-Ki-ras oncogene in human ovarian cancer.

The amplification and expression of the cellular oncogene c-Ki-ras have been detected in twelve tissue specimens of human ovarian adenocarcinoma, one ascites of ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer cell line NIH: OVCAR-3. Four out of the twelve cancer tissue specimens, one specimen of cancer ascites cells and the NIH: OVCAR-3 cancer cell line showed elevated amplification of c-Ki-ras, as compared to the human fibroblast cell line FS4 and normal ovarian tissues. The amplification of the c-Ki-ras gene showed some correlation with clinical stages of ovarian cancer. The levels of c-Ki-ras specific RNA transcripts and ras gene product p21 were also elevated in these four cancer tissue specimens. Surprisingly, a discrepancy between amplification and expression of c-Ki-ras was noted in five of the other eight cancer tissue specimens, in which enhanced expression of c-Ki-ras was present without the accompanying elevated amplification of c-Ki-ras. The results do provide some clues to understanding the possible mechanisms of tumorigenesis in human ovarian cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1990

Acute abdomen in childhood leukemia.

With the continuing advancement in the treatment of childhood leukemia and the lengthened survival of these patients, an increased incidence of abdominal complications has been observed. A retrospective analysis of 364 patients with leukemia treated at the National Taiwan University Hospital from January 1977 through April 1988 was undertaken. Eleven patients (3.0%) developed abdominal complications during their course of disease, including acute appendicitis, intussusception, intestinal perforation, ovarian cyst rupture, etc. All of these patients had abdominal complications during the initial presentation or relapse of leukemia, and 9 (82%) of them had just received chemotherapy. Ten patients (91%) had thrombocytopenia and 7 (64%) had leukopenia. Blood cultures were positive in 5 patients (45%), and gram-negative enteric bacilli were isolated in 4 of them. All 5 septicemic patients had leukopenia or neutropenia. The clinical manifestations were nonspecific and were often masked. Most of the complications occurred in the right lower abdominal structures. Of the 7 children treated surgically, 3 had long term survival. Among the 4 patients who did not receive an operation, only 1 survived for more than 4 weeks. The mean length of survival tended to be longer in patients with additional surgical treatment. Prompt diagnosis and early aggressive treatment, under modern supportive facilities, appear to offer a more favorable outcome.

Abdomen, Acute↗

PubMed1990

Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome with congenital central hypothyroidism in one of monozygotic twins.

A pair of monozygotic twins discordant for the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome (WBS) associated with congenital central hypothyroidism is described. During pregnancy, the mother was noted to have marked polyhydramnios and severe abdominal distension. At birth, a large diamniotic, monochorionic placenta was noted. According to a study of the minor blood groups and HLA typing, the possibility of monozygosity is 0.985. The mode of inheritance of the syndrome is debatable, and according to observations of discordance in monozygotic twins, single gene control seems unlikely. The thyroid function was noted to be subnormal when the proband was 3 days old. Oral thyroxine has been supplied since infancy. Repair of the umbilical hernia, the bilateral inguinal hernia, and a bilateral orchidopexy were done. A partial glossectomy was later performed to prevent progressive orofacial maldevelopment. The postnatal gigantism persisted as he grew.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome↗

PubMed1990

Evaluation of urease test, gram stain, culture, and histology in the detection of Campylobacter pylori.

To evaluate the commonly available tests for detection of Campylobacter pylori infection in the human stomach, we prospectively performed endoscopy and biopsy from the antrum of the stomach in 121 consecutive patients. Four tests, including the urease test, Gram stain, culture, and the hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stain were used to detect the presence of C. pylori. A C. pylori positive was defined by a positive culture or positive results in two of the other three tests. The sensitivity of the urease test, Gram stain, culture, and H & E stain was 95%, 95%, 71%, and 97%, respectively, and the specificity of those tests was 96%, 100%, 100%, and 73%, respectively. For diagnosis, theoretically, all four tests should be performed from the biopsy specimens. In our experience, the culture was less sensitive, and the H & E stain was less specific, while the urease test and Gram stain were more rapid and had high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of C. pylori infection.

Adolescent↗