Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Y Lin

Publications and source records attributed to C Y Lin.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Thermotolerance of isolated mitochondria associated with heat shock proteins.

Mitochondria isolated from 2-day-old etiolated soybean (Glycine max) seedlings which had been subjected to various heat shock treatments, i.e. (A) 28 degrees C (2 h), (B) 38 degrees C (2 h), (C) 38 degrees C (2 h)-42.5 degrees C (0.5 h), and (D) 38 degrees C (2 h)-42.5 degrees C (0.5 h)-28 degrees C (4 h), were monitored for O(2) uptake using an oxygen electrode. Mitochondria isolated after all four heat shock treatments were active in O(2) consumption at 28 degrees C in response to succinate and ADP (derived P/O ratios were 1.6, 1.7, 1.3, and 1.3, respectively.) The mitochondria from all four treatments were also active in O(2) uptake at 42.5 degrees C. However, only mitochondria isolated after treatment (C) were tightly coupling at 42.5 degrees C (derived ADP/O ratio was about 1.4). Combined with our earlier findings on the subcellular localization of heat shock proteins, our present data demonstrate that association of heat shock proteins with mitochondria by treatment (C) enables them to phosphorylate at 42.5 degrees C (i.e. they become thermotolerant). Isolated mitochondria from treatment (C) and treatment (A) were compared by electron microscopy. They appeared to be very similar and no significant ultrastructural differences were noted.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Urinary neopterin as a new biochemical marker for the monitoring of disease activity and prognosis in membranous nephropathy associated with hepatitis B surface antigenemia.

In an attempt to find a parameter for the differentiation of membranous nephropathy with hepatitis B surface antigenemia (HBVMN) and other types of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in HBsAg (+) carriers, we measured the urinary neopterin in 20 HBVMN patients, other types of NS in HBsAg (+) carriers, asymptomatic HBsAg (+) carriers and HBsAg (-) controls, during the active nephrotic phase and in remission. The urinary neopterin excretion was found to be significantly elevated only in the HBVMN during NS or heavy proteinuria. It progressively decreased and corresponded with the amount of proteinuria. In patients with deteriorated renal function, initially, urinary neopterin excretion was significantly higher than in others and it remained significantly elevated during the follow-up period. In vitro when a patient's mononuclear cells were stimulated with lymphoblastoid cell line, the release of neopterin content in supernatant was increased during the acute phase. There was a significant correlation between supernatant and urinary neopterin level. These results suggest that urinary neopterin may be a new biochemical marker for the differential diagnosis of HBVMN and may be used to monitor the course of HBVMN and serve as a prognostic indicator. However, the specificity is not clear.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1989

Improvement of histological and immunological change in steroid and immunosuppressive drug-resistant lupus nephritis by high-dose intravenous gamma globulin.

From July 1984 to December 1987, 9 patients with lupus nephritis did not respond to the administration of two courses of methylprednisolone pulse therapy and cyclophosphamide treatment for 56 days. Therefore, high-dose intravenous human gamma-globulin (IVIG) was administrated. Before IVIG therapy, renal biopsy showed class IV lupus nephritis in 5 cases, class V in 2 cases, and class IV with V in 2 cases. Immunofluorescence of the renal biopsy showed heavy IgG deposits along the glomerular capillary walls. These heavy glomerular IgG deposits were dissociated after in vitro incubation of the cryostat kidney sections with plasmin-treated, PEG-treated, sulfonated human gamma-globulin and a human Fc fragment, as evidenced by a dramatic decrease or even absence of fluorescent intensity. After high-dose IVIG treatment, 3 out of 5 cases of class IV lupus nephritis had a good response with decreased proteinuria and creatinine; serum C3, C4 levels and CH50 hemolytic activity also increased. The glomerular IgG deposits decreased in the follow-up biopsy. Pathologically, 2 of them transformed into class IIb. The capacity to synthesize immunoglobulin after pokeweed mitogen stimulation was reduced and the circulating immune complexes (CIC) lowered after high-dose IVIG treatment. In the others there was partial response. These clinical and immunological improvements after high-dose IVIG therapy are probably related to the modulation of macrophage-T cell function and enhancement of suppressor T cell function. The toxicity of high dose IVIG was minimal, but the cost is high, search for an optimal dosage is warranted.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1989

Chemiluminescence and antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity between human alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes in smokers, nonsmokers, and lung cancer patients.

Some evidence suggests a capability of peripheral blood monocytes to destroy tumor cells, while this ability by human alveolar macrophages, the main defense cells in the alveoli, is still debatable. We measured the chemiluminescence and antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity in the PBMs and HAMs of 12 lung cancer patients and 20 healthy subjects; the latter included ten smokers and ten nonsmokers. The PBMs were prepared by using a Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient, then separated by Petri-dish adherence. The HAMs were taken during the bronchoalveolar lavages. The chemiluminescence in the HAMs of smokers was significantly higher than nonsmokers, (p less than 0.05), which did not occur in the PBMs. Chemiluminescence in HAMs from the lung cancer patients was also significantly higher than the smoker control subjects (p less than 0.01). However, the lung cancer patients had significantly lower ADCC activity than the smokers in the control group (4.52 +/- 2.96 vs 8.27 +/- 2.83 percent; p less than 0.05). The chemiluminescence in the PBMs showed no statistical difference between the lung cancer patients and smoker control, but PBMs of the lung cancer patients had significantly lower ADCC activity than the smoker normal control group. The HAMs from lung cancer patients produced more superoxide anion, for an increased chemiluminescence reaction was noted, although ADCC activity was lower than in smokers, ie, HAMs were ineffective in killing tumors. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoking affect HAM's function by causing an increase of superoxide anion production. The chemiluminescence and ADCC activity in the PBMs does not always correspond to the HAMs findings. These results suggest that PBMs can not accurately reflect or predict the HAMs' function in lung diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Relationships of milk protein types to lifetime performance.

Data from 889 cows at five research stations of Agriculture Canada were used to study the effects of alpha s1-casein, beta-casein, kappa-casein, and beta-lactoglobulin loci on herdlife and total yield over fixed parities (one, two, and three parity) and to a fixed age (36, 48, and 61 mo). Actual yields of all cows were utilized to compute total milk regardless of lactational length. The model consisted of station, breed, year of birth, season of birth, and milk protein types with age at first calving as a covariate. Of the four milk protein types studied, only the kappa-casein locus had significant effects on fixed parity and fixed age total milk and herdlife. Cows with BB kappa-casein type outproduced those with AB or AA kappa-casein types in three parity total milk by 963 and 1657 kg, respectively. Considering total milk accumulated up to 61 mo of age in life, cows with BB kappa-casein type outperformed their counterparts with AB or AA kappa-casein types by 1050 and 1923 kg, respectively. Complete replacement of A by B allele at kappa-casein locus would result in an increase of 1657 kg in three parity total milk and an increase of 1923 kg in 61-mo total milk. The moderate gene frequency of kappa-casein B allele in the current dairy population can be increased to improve lifetime total milk to the benefit of the dairy industry.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

Renal abnormalities in schoolchildren.

To establish prevalence of some renal abnormalities in schoolchildren, an epidemiologic study of 132,686 schoolchildren, including 69,903 boys and 62,783 girls, was conducted from March 1987 to May 1988 in the city of Taipei. At the health station of each school, the students were screened quickly by a physician with portable real-time ultrasound equipment. When a renal abnormality was detected or suspected, the examinee was referred to Taipei Municipal Women and Children's Hospital for further investigation. Radiologic and urologic procedures were then selectively performed to establish the correct diagnosis. Renal abnormalities were detected in 645 students (approximately 0.5% of total population screened). There were 256 cases of hydronephrosis, 103 cases of unilateral renal agenesis, 128 cases of unilateral small kidney, 90 cases of renal cystic disorders, 30 cases of ectopic kidney, and 38 cases of other abnormalities. Surgically correctable lesions were demonstrated in 50 of these students. Rapid renal ultrasonography was found to effectively detect some renal abnormalities initially, and prevalence could then be established after further investigations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Mycobacterium fortuitum mastitis following augmentation mammaplasty: report of a case.

A 26-year-old woman was admitted to the Veterans General Hospital with the chief problem of recurrent abscess formation over the right breast one month after augmentation mammaplasty. Pus aspirated from the right breast grew Mycobacterium fortuitum, a rapidly growing atypical Mycobacterium, in 4 consecutive cultures. The infected mammanoplastic prosthesis was surgically removed. Acid-fast bacilli were found on pathologic examination of the surgical specimen. Amikacin, doxycycline and ethambutol were given for two weeks according to the sensitivity test. The patient underwent reconstructive surgery of her right breast 10 months later. A specimen obtained from that surgery showed no more acid-fast bacilli on pathological examination. To date there are no signs of recurrence. We suggest that the possibility of mycobacterial infection should be kept in mind when the pus is reported as being "sterile" on an ordinary bacterial culture.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Decreased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in minimal change nephrotic syndrome.

Secondary IgG response to a tetanus toxoid booster and in vitro measurement of immunoglobulin synthesis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) production were evaluated in 20 healthy controls and in 17 children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), during the acute nephrotic phase and 6 months after remission. Defective responses were observed in all but IFN-gamma production during the acute nephrotic phase; these improved with disease remission. There was a significant correlation between decreases in vitro IgG production and ADCC reaction. These data indicate that defective antibody production is associated with decreased ADCC during the acute nephrotic phase of MCNS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Transient disappearance of immunologic disorders and remission after intercurrent measles infections in children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

In two children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) a transient remission of thrombocytopenia was observed after intercurrent measles infection. Both cases were girls who had a long history of thrombocytopenia. During acute measles infection, the delayed hypersensitivity response was suppressed. Total T lymphocytes, T-cell subsets, especially OKT4 cells, the lymphoproliferative response, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon production were decreased accompanying normalization of the OKT4/OKT8 ratio. However, OKT4 cells remained at a reasonably low level and the lymphoproliferative response stimulated with pokeweed mitogen was still in the lower normal range. Direct immunofluorescent study demonstrated that the measles antigen was present in the mononuclear cells, especially OKT4 cells. The levels of platelet-associated IgG antibody (PAIgG) and IgG circulating immune complex (CIC) were undetectable. One month later, the OKT4/OKT8 ratio lymphoproliferative response significantly increased, IL-2 and gamma-interferon production increased, and PAIgG and IgG CIC reappeared with the relapse of thrombocytopenia. There was also a significant increase in in vitro IgG production due to the presence of patient OKT8 cells and/or OKT4 cells. However, there was no enhancement in the presence of patient B cells. This suggests that the presence of specific OKT4 helper T cells and a defect in the suppressor function of suppressor OKT8 cells contribute to an overproduction of IgG and the appearance of PAIgG accompanied by thrombocytopenia. The transient remission associated with measles infection is probably related to the effect of the virus on the helper T cells, resulting in a decrease in specific OKT4 helper T cells and normalization of the OKT4/OKT8 ratio, suppression of IL-2 and gamma-interferon production, and platelet-associated IgG production.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1988

Enhancement of interleukin-2 and gamma-interferon production in vitro on cord blood lymphocytes and in vivo on primary cellular immunodeficiency patients with thymic extract (thymostimulin).

Cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from 20 normal full-term newborns. These MNC were preincubated with either 50, 100, or 200 micrograms/ml Thymostimulin or without Thymostimulin. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) production, cytotoxicity, and lymphoproliferation and IL-2 receptor (Tac) expression were all significantly increased after Thymostimulin treatment. For evaluation of the in vivo effect, two combined-immunodeficiency patients defective on the thymic level, one with progressive BCG infection, and one with DiGeorge syndrome were used. Before Thymostimulin treatment, the patient's MNC did not produce sufficient amounts of IL-2 and gamma-IFN. The cytotoxicity and lymphoproliferation were also low. After Thymostimulin treatment, the IL-2 and gamma-IFN production, cytotoxicity, and lymphoproliferative response were enhanced. These results suggest that Thymostimulin may be beneficial in the clinical treatment of primary cellular immunodeficiency. The improved immune reactivity including cytotoxicity and enhanced IL-2 and gamma-IFN production in the Thymostimulin treatment also indicates that there may be a beneficial effect on the combination of chemotherapy and Thymostimulin.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1988

Zinc can activate cellular acidic alpha-D-glucosidase activity.

In an attempt to elucidate the effect of metallic ions and EDTA on acidic alpha-D-glucosidase activity, we measured acidic alpha-D-glucosidase activity from either lymphocyte and muscle tissue homogenates or intact cells after incubation with metallic ions. The results showed that this enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by Ag+, Hg2+, and Fe3+ in either lymphocyte or muscle tissue homogenates. There was no effect of Zn2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+. However, intact cells, either lymphocyte or muscle cells, after incubation with Zn2+ for 1 or 2 hr, showed enhanced enzyme activity and suppression in the other metallic ion groups, especially in Ag+, Hg2+, and Fe3+. Since deficiency of this enzyme can cause type II glycogen storage disease (Pompe's disease), the more we understand the character of this enzyme, the more we can improve our enzymatic therapy.

Cations↗
PubMed1988

Lipogenic enzyme activities in primary cultures of adult mouse hepatocytes.

The effects of various unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic (18:1n-9), linoleic (18:2n-6) and arachidonic (20:4n-6) on the activities of fatty acid synthetase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) all were determined in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes. Activities of FAS and ME were found to decrease with time in culture regardless of whether hepatocyte donors were fed diets containing polyunsaturated fatty acid-free hydrogenated cottonseed oil (HCTO) or corn oil (CO). On the other hand, while G6PDH activity also declined in cultured hepatocytes obtained from HCTO-fed mice, the activity of this enzyme increased in cells cultured from CO-fed mice. 6PGDH activity was found to increase in hepatocytes obtained from both diet groups. Neither 18:2 nor 20:4 when added to media could alter FAS or ME activities compared with those observed with either 18:1-containing or fatty acid-free media. Since lactic dehydrogenase activity and the rate of incorporation of [3H] leucine into FAS protein were unaltered with time in hepatocyte cultures, the decreased activities of FAS and ME cannot be attributed to a loss in cell viability during culture but rather appear to be specific for those enzymes which respond to diet hormones in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Heater probe in massive peptic ulcer hemorrhage and shock.

We treated 35 patients in shock from massive peptic ulcer hemorrhage with the heater probe (HP). Twelve of them (34.3%) were poor surgical candidates. Their mean age was 62.3 years. All had massive bleeding, requiring an average of 2,300 ml of blood transfusion. The average lowest mean hemoglobin was 7.94 g/dl. We used the Olympus GIF-1T10 and the HP unit, applying an average of 899 J to each bleeder. In 34 patients (97.1%) hemostasis was achieved after initial treatment. Six patients (17.6%) rebled within 1 week. With HP therapy in those six we achieved hemostasis in five (83.3%). Ultimately, only two cases failed in this study, to give a success rate of 94.3% (33/35). We conclude that HP thermocoagulation may, in the near future, replace operations in many patients with massive peptic ulcer hemorrhage.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Clinical significance of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and biochemical tests in the rapid diagnosis of gallstone-related pancreatitis: a prospective study.

Real-time ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and biochemical tests were prospectively performed to detect gallstones in 88 consecutive patients immediately after the onset of an attack of acute pancreatitis. The sensitivity of biochemical tests was 84.6% when the patients had three or more positives of five parameters [including serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alanine transaminase-aspartate transaminase (ALT-AST) ratio]. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 71.8, 98.0, and 86.4% for US, and 52.9%, 100%, and 79.5% for CT. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were improved to 82.1, 100, and 93.2% by the combination of US and CT, and 94.9, 100, and 97.7% by the combination of US and biochemical tests. Adding CT to the combination of US and biochemical tests resulted in only a slight improvement in sensitivity and accuracy. In conclusion, a combination of US and biochemical tests can provide the best noninvasive method in rapidly detecting gallstones as an etiological factor in acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography is not cost-effective. A positive result of biochemical tests despite a negative finding in US calls for an intensive search for gallstones by further investigation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or repeated US examinations.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Serial cell-mediated immunological changes in terminal uremic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis therapy.

To investigate the mechanism of immunologic defects in uremia, we examined the cell-mediated immunity in 20 uremic patients with well balanced dietary assessments before continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy and the serial changes in cell-mediated immunity 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after therapy. Absolute lymphocyte count, active T, total T, OKT4, OKT8, and B-cell levels were significantly lower in uremic patients than in controls, but progressively increased after CAPD treatment. The lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens decreased and were more evidently suppressed in the presence of autologous plasma. The suppressive effect of autologous plasma could be abolished by indomethacin treatment. The plasma prostaglandin E2 level, which was increased in uremic patients, decreased after CAPD treatment. These results suggest that prostaglandin E2 may play an important role in the suppression of T-cell function. The T-cell response to the stimulation of autologous non-T cells (autologous mixed-lymphocyte reaction; AMLR) in uremic patients was also low in patients before CAPD treatment. The patients' autoreactive T cells could suppress AMLR, and so did the supernatant from AMLR and isolated T-cell culture of uremic patients. These results suggest the existence of suppressor autoreactive T cells which can release suppressor factor(s). However, to our surprise, the autoreactive T-cell proliferation increased, and the suppressive effect of the supernatant was abolished after CAPD therapy. The mechanism for this peculiar phenomenon is not known and deserves further investigation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Sodium-valproate-induced interstitial nephritis.

A 5-year-old Chinese girl had had absence seizures and received sodium valproate (VPA) treatment which provided good control. Six months later, she developed interstitial nephritis with proteinuria and microhematuria. Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis with granular deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3 in the renal tubular basement membrane (TBM). Ultrastructurally, dilated smooth endoreticular cisternae with mitochondrial degeneration in the tubular cells and scattered electron-dense deposits within the TBM were also noted. Serum circulating immune complexes were detectable, ACH50 and properdin factor B increased. Mononuclear cells (MNC) from the patient after in vitro incubation with VPA (100 micrograms/ml) induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and lymphoproliferative response. However, there was no response in controls. The serum VPA level ranged from 84 to 92 micrograms/ml. After VPA was stopped, the microhematuria and proteinuria disappeared. These observations indicate that VPA-induced interstitial nephritis represents a sequence of interrelationships among multiple immunologic factors.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1988

Enhanced enzyme activity after incubation with zinc can be used to distinguish heterozygotes of Pompe's disease.

In an attempt to identify heterozygotes for Pompe's disease, the acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity at pH 4 in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes was measured. In the standard assay an overlap in the enzyme activity between normal controls and obligate heterozygotes was demonstrated. When the assay was modified by adding zinc chloride into the incubation mixture, the enzyme activity of the lymphocyte homogenates did not change. However, the enzyme activity increased dramatically after intact lymphocytes were preincubated with zinc chloride. There was no more overlap in the acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity between normal controls and obligate heterozygotes when lymphocytes were incubated 1 h with 10(-4) mol/liter zinc chloride or 2 h with 10(-3) or 10(-4) mol/liter zinc chloride. This modified enzyme activity should facilitate improved heterozygote detection.

Chlorides↗