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Biomedical subjects

C Y Lin

Publications and source records attributed to C Y Lin.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Choledocholithiasis treated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid infusion through an endoscopic nasobiliary catheter.

A 64 year old man was admitted to the National Cheng Kung University Hospital for obstructive jaundice. He had received cholecystectomy 5 years previously. Sonography revealed common bile duct stones. He was treated with endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) for 5 days for concomitant cholangitis. The muddy pigment stones disappeared completely after 10 days of infusion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) via the ENBD tube. There were no adverse effects, and he was stone-free 4 months later.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

Emergency endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for acute calculous suppurative cholangitis and its potential use in chemical dissolution.

Acute suppurative cholangitis is one of the common causes of acute abdomen in Taiwan. Emergency decompression is a life-saving procedure if patients fail to respond to antibiotic treatment. From July 1988 to June 1991, 224 patients were encountered with concomitant bile duct stones and cholangitis; 40 were brought to the emergency service with shock or mental confusion or responded poorly to antibiotic treatment. The patients consisted of 20 males and 20 females aged 21-81 years (mean age 64 years); 55% had intrahepatic duct stones, 50% had positive blood culture, 38% had undergone previous biliary surgery, 25% had concomitant medical illnesses and 20% presented with mental confusion. Emergent endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) was performed within 48 h of each patient's arrival in the emergency room. In 3 days all the patients exhibited significant improvement as defined by body temperature, vital signs, white blood cell count, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphates levels. When their condition had stabilized, 21 patients underwent elective surgery. Six patients received ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid infusion through an ENBD tube. Two of the patients' stones dissolved completely. Six patients received papillotomy with stone removal. The remaining patients refused further treatment. There was no hospital mortality. It is therefore concluded that ENBD offers an effective treatment for acute calculus suppurative cholangitis and it is a potential route of administration for the chemical dissolution of bile duct stones.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Emphysematous gastritis secondary to acute gastric dilatation.

Emphysematous gastritis is a life-threatening disease. Although rare in incidence, it has a fulminating course with a high mortality rate. A case of a 58 year old male with emphysematous gastritis is reported. Initially, he presented with acute gastric dilatation secondary to anorexia/bulimia-like behaviour. Later, emphysematous gastritis developed. The abdominal sonographic findings, which have not been previously described in the literature, showed intramural gas and gastric wall thickening. After receiving a total gastrectomy, he had a satisfactory outcome. The present report discusses the possible aetiologic relationship between acute gastric dilatation and emphysematous gastritis, and suggests abdominal sonography to be the first choice of diagnostic measure for patients and the intramural gas in the gastric wall. This is the first case of emphysematous gastritis diagnosed by abdominal sonography.

Acute Disease↗

Oral health assessment by nursing staff of Alzheimer's patients in a long-term-care facility.

Dental care and oral hygiene are often neglected in nursing homes. This study examines the effect of an education program on the ability of nursing staff to conduct an oral health assessment for a population of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The findings of this study showed that the CNA's are as capable as the Licensed Nurses in assessing oral health status. In future training of nursing staff, increased emphasis on identification of problems in specific areas may improve the overall assessments by nurses and nursing assistants.

Adult↗

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by benzothiazinone analogues.

Fourteen synthetic benzothiazinone analogues were tested for their inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase. The enzyme, xanthine oxidase (XO) catalyses the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to uric acid, which has a lambda max of 295 nm, forming the basis for a spectrophotometric assay for the activity of xanthine oxidase. The results showed that 2-amino-4H-1,3-benzothiazine-4-one (1), 2-guanidino-4H-1,3-benzothiazin-4-one (2) and rhodanine (3) display inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase with an order of activity of IC50 = 5.54, 5.60 and 121.40 microM respectively. The apparent inhibition constants (Ki) were 5.12, 19.47 and 206.23 microM, and induced non-competitive, mixed type (non-competitive-uncompetitive) and mixed type (non-competitive-uncompetitive) inhibitions respectively with respect to the substrate xanthine.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Long-term outcome of kidney transplantation in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The impact of HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection on the long-term outcome of kidney transplant patients is controversial. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-four renal allograft recipients who were seronegative for hepatitis B surface antigen and had been screened for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were included. The outcome and survival were compared between anti-HCV-positive (n = 30, group 1) and anti-HCV-negative (n = 54, group 2) kidney transplant patients. Group 1 patients were further compared to 52 anti-HCV-positive end-stage renal disease patients (group 3) who were on chronic dialysis. RESULTS: Group 1 patients had a higher prevalence of chronic hepatitis than group 2 and group 3 patients did (67% vs. 2% and 31%). Liver-related complications and deaths between group 1 and group 2, and group 1 and group 3 patients were not significantly different. The comparisons of the long-term survival between these groups showed no significant differences, despite group 3 patients had a higher overall mortality rate. Cox regression analysis confirmed that age more than 45 years was the only independent factor that affected survival in anti-HCV-positive end-stage renal disease patients with or without kidney transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: HCV infection is not a contraindication to kidney transplantation. For anti-HCV-positive end stage renal disease patients, survival is better in younger patients, and is not influenced by kidney transplantation or continuing dialysis.

Adolescent↗

Mass urinary screening and follow-up for school children in Taiwan Province.

Mass urinary screening has been carried out among the students of public and private elementary and junior high schools in the Province of Taiwan each semester since 1990. About 3 million students were screened each time. The students who had abnormal urine screening results at the first time received a second urine analysis 10 to 15 days later to confirm the abnormal urine analysis. The blood samples of the students with abnormal urine examination were taken and biochemistry examinations including creatinine (Cr) etc. were performed since 1992. All students with abnormal urine screening results were graded by the severity of hematuria and proteinuria, the heavy proteinuria graded as "D". Chronic renal failure (CRF) is defined as impaired renal function with the serum Cr over 1.7 mg/dl. Longitudinal continuous blood and urine examinations were performed each semester for the students of grade "D" and with CRF. CRF was confirmed by either the hospital medical records or telephone visit. The purpose of this study was to delineate the prevalence of heavy proteinuria (grade D) and CRF in the students of elementary and junior high school in the Taiwan Province from 1992 to 1996. The results revealed the number of urinary screening was 10,288,620. There were 5980 cases with heavy proteinuria with four-year prevalence of 5.81 x 10(-4), 4.83 x 10(-4) for boys; 6.87 x 10(-4) for girls. Girls were affected more often than boys. The peak age of girls was 12 years old and boys was 13 years old. The number of CRF cases was 189 with the four-year prevalence of 1.84 x 10(-5), 2.24 x 10(-5) for boys; 1.41 x 10(-5) for girls. The incidence rate increased after the age of 10; the peak age of boys being 14-year-old and of girls 12-year-old. The exact contributing factors, such as location on islet or lack of pediatric nephrologist, need further study. In conclusion, the four-year prevalence of heavy proteinuria in the students of the elementary and junior high schools in Taiwan was higher in girls than in boys. Glomerular nephritis (GN) is still one of the major causes of urinary abnormalities. The most-important secondary GN was systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with lupus nephritis. The percentage of SLE patients among anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positive was 72%. In contrast, the four-year prevalence of CRF disease was higher in boys with the peak age at 14-year-old. GN is still the major cause of urinary screening abnormality. ANA study is indicated in all Chinese students with abnormal urinary screening.

Adolescent↗

Mutation analysis of type II Gaucher disease in five Taiwanese children: identification of two novel mutations.

Gaucher disease (GD), one of the most prevalent lysosomal storage diseases, is caused by deficiency of lysosomal acid beta-glucosidase (GBA). It is divided into three types according to the presence and progression of neurologic symptoms. Of those, type II is relatively rare and most severe; patients usually die before the age of two years. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of GBA gene in five Taiwanese type II GD patients, we identified two novel mutations: G355D and three-nucleotide insertion in exon 7 of GBA. The latter resulted in an in-frame insertion of a methionine residue between Leu241 and Ser242. L444P, the second most common GD allele among non-Jewish Caucasian population, was found in all five type II GD patients (50%). Overall, 9 out of 10 GD alleles were identified in this study. Direct sequencing of all PCR products led to high detection rate of GD alleles and identification of the RecNci 1 alleles. In the future, high throughput sequencing will make it possible identifying more rare mutations in type II GD patients.

Base Sequence↗

Treatment guideline of enuresis in Taiwan.

The treatment guideline of enuresis suggested by the study group of enuresis in Taiwan is reported. Medical consultation and treatment of enuresis are recommended at the age of 5 and 6 years respectively. Evaluation of the enuretic children includes history taking, physical examination and laboratory investigations. A checklist is provided for quick evaluation in busy clinics. Urinalysis, urine specific gravity and office ultrasonography are essential tests. An algorithm of treatment of monosymptomatic enuresis is constructed. The two main options of treatment are behavioral modification with alarm system and pharmacotherapy with desmopressin or imipramine. Imipramine is recommended as one of the treatment options because of its relative safety in Taiwan. However the potential toxicity and mortality of imipramine is highlighted and warned. The responses to treatment are evaluated after a period of treatment for 1 to 3 months. Further evaluation and individualized treatment is suggested for poor responders.

Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic↗

Proliferation characteristics of canine transmissible venereal tumor.

Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) grows progressively (P-phase) in the host and then spontaneously regresses (R-phase). The mechanisms behind the transition from the P-to R-phases are not well understood. In this study, in order to determine the proliferation characteristics of CTVT, we evaluated telomerase activity and enumerated nuclear organizing regions (AgNOR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). It was found that CTVT cells from the P-and R-phases were both positive for telomerase activity, although it was lower in the R-phase. Evaluations of telomerase activity should take into account the stage of mitosis. Although, in the majority of cases, telomerase activity can be used to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors in dogs, other factors or markers should also be used to obtain accurate diagnoses. The PCNA-positive rate and the number and area of AgNOR per cell increased much more in the P-phase than the R-phase. However, the AgNOR values were always higher. Thus, the AgNOR count can be used to distinguish the P-and R-phases of CTVT. In addition, mitotic figures were much higher in number in the P-phase as compared to the R-phase. We believe that, during spontaneous regression of CTVT cells, slow tumor cell proliferation must contribute to the decrease in tumor size. However, shortening of tumor cell telomeres is not directly involved in this process. Other factors, such as expression of MHC antigens on CTVT cells, humoral immunity, cytokines released by the inflammatory cells and, especially, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes may contribute to CTVT regression.

Animals↗

Defective response of plasma growth hormone to growth hormone releasing factor in growth hormone deficient children.

In an attempt to establish the reference pattern and the plasma growth hormone (GH) response to growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) (1-29)NH2, 5 normal stature with single kidney children and 14 with idiopathic GH deficient dwarfism received intravenous injections of 1 microgram/kg GRF(1-29)NH2. Plasma GH levels were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection. The results showed that, first, in normal stature with single kidney children, each plasma GH reached peak level (80.31 +/- 19.28 ng/ml) at 45 min after injection. Second, the majority of those with GH deficient dwarfism also obtained maximal GH levels (13.10 +/- 10.78 ng/ml) at 45 min after injection but at significantly lower levels than the normal children (P < 0.01). To compare with that obtained after the insulin-induced hypoglycemia test, the peak GH level after GRF was higher but there was no significant correlation between them. The maximal GH level after GRF(1-29)NH2 injection did not show significant correlation with either chronological age or bone age. Third, 3 of 14 (21.4%) with GH deficient dwarfism had half response to GRF(1-29)NH2. It is reasonable to assume that out of these patients' GH deficiency is of hypothalamic origin. Therefore, GRF test is a safe and useful test for differential diagnosis of defect level in GH deficiency and may become a therapeutic regimen.

Adolescent↗

Enzyme inhibitory assay using monoclonal antibody against acid alpha-D-glucosidase in prenatal diagnosis to identify homozygotes of Pompe's disease.

From January 1985 to January 1990, measurements of acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity in amniocytes or chorionic villus samplings were done for 24 pregnant mothers who were carriers of Pompe's disease. 6 women had two subsequent pregnancies. Amniotic fluid was obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis performed on 10 of them, while chorionic villus samplings were obtained in the other 20. The results showed that 7 (23.3%) cases were homozygotes, 16 (53.4%) cases were heterozygotes, and 7 (23.3%) cases were normal. Pregnancies were terminated in the homozygotic group. Final diagnosis was confirmed by either skin fibroblast culture or clinical course. However, we found that there was overlap in the acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity of amniocytes between homozygotes and heterozygotes due to residual activity of neutral alpha-D-glucosidase. In an attempt to identify heterozygotes for Pompe's disease, we established an enzyme inhibitory assay using monoclonal antibody (mAb) against acid alpha-D-glucosidase. Comparing the differences in alpha-D-glucosidase activity before and after mAb treatment the homozygotes were significantly lower than heterozygotes (P less than 0.001). There was no more overlap in the difference of acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity before and after mAb treatment between heterozygotes and homozygotes in amniocytes. This modified enzyme inhibitory assay should facilitate homozygote detection. Comparing acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity between CVS and amniocytes, the enzyme activity in CVS is about 5 times higher than in amniocytes. There was no overlap in the acid alpha-D-glucosidase activity between homozygotes and heterozygotes. Therefore, CVS is better than amniocentesis in the prenatal diagnosis of Pompe's disease.

Animals↗

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for children with end stage renal disease.

From June 1986 to October 1989, ten children suffering from end stage renal disease (ESRD) were treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Their ages ranged from 4 to 16 years; 3 were boys and 7 were girls. IgM mesangial nephropathy (IgMN) (three cases) were the most common causes of renal failure in the patients. All patients were trained in the hospital. After CAPD treatment, serum BUN and creatinine dropped significantly. Serum levels of potassium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase dropped and serum sodium and calcium rose significantly after treatment. Improvement of anemic state and control of hypertension were also noted. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia developed after CAPD treatment. Despite protein loss through the peritoneal cavity, there was no evidence of protein malnutrition. Total serum protein and albumin increased significantly after treatment. The most common complication was peritonitis. Three of these 10 patients developed an episode of peritonitis, or an incidence of 1 episode per 17.2 patient months. To the present, seven patients are still doing well on CAPD. Three patients have received renal transplantation. The majority of the patients experienced an increased sense of well-being, easier diet and fluid management, freedom for travel and daily activities. Physical development also improved, with body length and body weight gaining steadily. It can be concluded that CAPD is a good modality of long-term therapy for ESRD children.

Adolescent↗

Bone mineral content in growing children.

In order to establish the normal values of bone mineral content (BMC) (g/cm2), the BMC of 140 healthy growing children including 49 girls (aged 5 to 16 years) and 91 boys (aged 7 to 17 years) was measured using Dual Photon absorptiometry (DPA) at L2-L4 level of the spine. The BMC increased significantly with age, after stratification by age. Both male and female children aged 7 to 10 years had similar BMC, but female children had significantly higher BMC at 12 to 13 years of age. We also established regression equations. Female: BMC = 0.38 + 0.021 x age. Male: BMC = 0.45 + 0.017 x age. They may be useful in estimating BMC in unknown individuals

Adolescent↗