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Biomedical subjects

C Y Yang

Publications and source records attributed to C Y Yang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Magnesium in drinking water and the risk of death from diabetes mellitus.

This report examines whether magnesium in drinking water is protective against the probability of dying from diabetes mellitus. All eligible deaths from diabetes (6781 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1990 through 1994 were compared with deaths from other causes (6781 controls), and the levels of magnesium in the drinking water of these residents was determined. Data on magnesium levels in drinking water throughout Taiwan were obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). Controls were pair matched to the cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. The results of the present study show that there seems to be a significant protective effect of magnesium intake from drinking water on the risk of dying from diabetes mellitus. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1999

[The study of family structure, illness symptom, and stress adaptation of psychotic patients].

The major purposes of this paper are to explore the phenomena of family structure, illness symptoms, family coping and adaptation for patients with schizophrenia or manic-depression psychosis. This paper tries to provide a good reference instrument for application by nurses in home care, in order to understand and evaluate family needs. Subjects are schizophrenic or manic-depression outpatients from 3 hospitals located in northern Taiwan. Data were collected through home interview with primary caregivers and observations. There were fifty subjects from each of the 3 hospitals, and 151 subjects in total. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple stepwise correlation were used to analyze data. Research indicates that most patients are aged between 31 to 40, with over 10 years elapsed since onset, and are not married. Most primary caregivers are parents over 60 years old. Most family development was at the stage with young adult offspring. The manic-depressive patients have more working opportunities than schizophrenic patients. For schizophrenic patients, paranoia was the most serious in active symptoms; lack of interpersonal interaction was the most serious in negative symptoms; the other major problem was sleep disturbance in emotion-behavior assessment. Patient's disposition was the most concerning issue for families and the worst coping efficiency occurred with lazy behavior and sleep disturbance. For manic-depressive patients, aggressive behavior was the most serious active symptom, lack of energy was the most serious in negative symptom, and sleep disturbance was the most concerning problem in emotion-behavior assessment. The patient's symptom was the most concerning issue for families and the worst coping efficiency was found in drug side effect. The result also indicates that active and negative symptoms are both related to coping efficiency.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Multiplane transesophageal echocardiography for assessing cardiac abnormalities: comparison to biplane imaging.

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is useful for visualizing the spatial relationships of the cardiac anatomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of multiplane TEE with that of biplane TEE in assessing cardiac abnormalities. METHODS: A total of 102 consecutive patients underwent an initial comprehensive diagnostic assessment using transverse (0 degree) and longitudinal (90 degrees +/- 2 degrees) planes in the biplane imaging technique. "Off-axis" tomographic sections through the full 0 degree to 180 degrees angle were obtained later by means of the gradual electrical rotation of the transducer. The echoscope can be manipulated to improve the quality of images. All data were recorded on high fidelity videotapes. Subsequently, one observer reviewed only biplane TEE images, while another reviewed only multiplane TEE images; both were blinded to the other's TEE data. The echocardiographic results obtained by these two observers were compared to determine whether multiplane TEE provides any additional information. RESULTS: Multiplane TEE detected more cardiac lesions (275) compared to biplane TEE (235). Significantly more (70 cases) information affecting patient management was obtained using multiplane TEE. Among these patients, biplane TEE detected cardiac lesions in 48 (68.6%) patients. Additional diagnoses provided by multiplane TEE were found in 22 (31.4%) patients. These findings included ventricular septal defect in two patients, prosthetic valve dysfunction in three, cardiac tumor or clot in four, endocarditis in two, aortic dissection in one, valvular abnormality in nine and coronary arteriovenous fistula in one. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplane TEE provides precise visualization of cardiac structures without undue probe manipulation, resulting in greater diagnostic assurance than does biplane TEE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[A clinical study on prosthodontic treatment of periodontal problems with conical telescopic removable denture]

OBJECTIVE:Clinical study was made on curative effect of medium to severe periodontal diseases as well as those complicated with partial edentulism by conical telescopic removable denture.METHODS:14 cases of medium to severe periodontal diseases and these complicated with partial edentulism were treated with prosthodontic methods after comprehensive periodontal therapy.Examinations of both before and following prosthetic restoration of 3,12,14 months were made.Bacterial plague index,gingival index,tooth movability and masticatory efficiency were recorded,analysed and compared. RESULTS:Periodontal plague attachment was under effective control through this way,which also eliminated periodontal trauma thus preventing the relapse of periodontal diseases.Further more it can diminish tooth movability and improve masticatory efficiency continuously as time goes on.CONCLUSION:Conical telescopic removable denturs is an effective prosthetic method in treating medium to severe periodontal diseases.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of removable partial denture(RDP) generated occlusal interference on masticatory efficiency-A preliminary study]

OBJECTIVE:This study was primarily aimed to observe the effect of RPD-generated occlusal interference on masticatory efficiency.METHODS:In this study,masticatory performances of thirty-six patients treated with removable partial dentures were assessed by peanut-light absorption test before and after occlusal adjustment was performed.Then comparing the differences of masticatory efficiency when occlusal interferences on dentures were present or eliminated.RESULTS:Patients who received occlusal adjustment made significant improvement in their masticatory efficiency (P<0.01). Occlusion appeared to do directly influence chewing ability.CONCLUSION:The results showed that occlusal factor is one of the major factors responsible for denture quality and health of stomatognathic system. Occlusal adjustment is important and necessary in dental prosthesis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Calcium and magnesium in drinking water and risk of death from rectal cancer.

The possible association between the risk of rectal cancer and the levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. All eligible rectal-cancer deaths (986 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1990 through 1994 were compared with a sample of deaths from other causes (986 controls), and the levels of calcium and magnesium in the drinking water of these residents were determined. Data on calcium and magnesium levels in drinking water throughout Taiwan were obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The control group consisted of people who died from other causes, and the controls were pair-matched to the cases by gender, year of birth and year of death. Compared with those with calcium levels below 22.0 mg/liter, the adjusted odd ratios (95% confidence interval) were 0.72 (0.53-0.98) for the group with water calcium levels between 22.0 and 40.8 mg/liter and 0.63 (0.45-0.87) for the group with calcium levels of 40.9 mg/liter or more. The adjusted odd ratios were not statistically significant for the relationship between magnesium levels in drinking water and rectal cancer. The results of the present study show that there may be a significant protective effect of calcium intake from drinking water on the risk of rectal cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Respiratory symptoms of primary school children living in a petrochemical polluted area in Taiwan.

In 1994-1995 a cross-sectional epidemiological study investigating the respiratory health of school children in two Taiwan areas was conducted; one area was located in a region with petrochemical manufacturing complexes (Linyuan), and the other was situated in a reference area with no local industrial emissions (Taihsi). All primary school children residing in the two areas were involved in the study. Four hundred seventy children were studied in the area with high exposure to industrial emissions, and 611 children lived in the reference area. Respiratory health was assessed by evaluation of the children's respiratory symptoms and illnesses, using a parent-completed questionnaire. Particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and acid aerosols levels were significantly higher in the exposed area than in the reference area. The school children in the petrochemical area had significantly more upper respiratory symptoms and asthma compared with the children living in the control area. Although the association with known petrochemical air pollution is suggestive, this cross-sectional study cannot confirm a causal relation and further studies are needed.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1998

Indoor environmental risk factors and childhood asthma: a case-control study in a subtropical area.

This study examined the relation between indoor environmental factors and childhood asthma in a subtropical area. A hospital-based case-control study was performed in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, between July of 1995 and June of 1996. Eighty-six children seen in the out-patient clinic of our university hospital and who had a first-time diagnosis of asthma made by a pediatrician were the test group; 86 control subjects were selected from children attending the Childhood Orthopaedic Clinic in the same hospital and who had no previous diagnosis of asthma or asthma symptoms and no history of physician confirmed atopic diseases. The control subjects were matched with test case children on the basis of gender and age. Information was obtained from parents using a structured questionnaire. Of the many indoor environmental factors included in this study, only home dampness showed an association with asthma (adjusted odds ratio=1.77; 95% confidence intervals, 1.24-2.53). We conclude that dampness in the home is a new public health risk factor related to asthma in subtropical areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Chlorination of drinking water and cancer mortality in Taiwan.

Chlorination has been the major strategy for disinfection of drinking water in Taiwan. An ecologic epidemiological study design was used to examine whether chlorination of drinking water was associated with cancer risks. A "chlorinating municipality" (CHM) was defined as one in which more than 90% of the municipality population was served by the chlorinated water while an "nonchlorinating municipality" (NCHM) was one in which less than 5% of the municipality population was served by chlorinated water. Age-adjusted mortality rates for cancer during 1982-1991 among the 14 CHMs were compared to rates among the 14 matched NCHMs with similar urbanization level and sociodemographic characteristics. The results of this study suggest a positive association between consumption of chlorinating drinking water and cancer of the rectum, lung, bladder, and kidney. Although these findings must be interpreted with caution because of limitations in the ecological study design, their public health significance should not be disregarded because chlorination of water is so widely practiced in Taiwan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Colon cancer mortality and total hardness levels in Taiwan's drinking water.

The possible association between the risk of colon cancer and hardness levels in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. All eligible colon cancer deaths (1,714 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1989 through 1993 were compared with deaths from other causes (1,714 controls) and the hardness levels of the drinking water used by these residents were determined. Data on water hardness throughout Taiwan have been collected from Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The control group consisted of people who died from other causes and the controls were pair matched to the cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. The results show a significant negative relationship between drinking water hardness and colon cancer mortality. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.22 (1.04-1. 43) and 1.46 (1.22-1.75), respectively, for exposure to moderately hard water and soft water compared with the use of hard water. Trend analyses showed an increasing odds ratio for colon cancer with decreasing levels of hardness in drinking water. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of the synthesis of eicosanoid-like substances in a human oral cancer cell line by interferon-gamma and eicosapentaenoic acid.

The objectives were to examine the production of eicosanoids in a Chinese human oral cancer cell line (OEC-M1) and to test the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and enzyme inhibitors on this biosynthesis. The eicosanoids were identified by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Two predominant peaks appeared in the chromatograms. One compound (P-1) was identified by ultraviolet absorption at a lambda(max) of 278nm with shoulders at 272 and 284nm. The other compound (P-2) was identified by ultraviolet absorption at a lambda(max) of 284 nm with shoulders at 278 and 290 nm. The production of P- was significantly inhibited by the addition of IFN-gamma (200 and 400 U/ml), and EPA (10 to 40 microM). It was only partially inhibited (p < 0.05) by indomethacin (INDO) (0.5 and 1 microM), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (30 and 60 microM/ml), and eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid (ETYA) (20-60 microM). It was almost completely inhibited by indomethacin (2 and 3 microM), and dexamethasone (0.6 and 6 microM). The production of P-2 was almost completely inhibited by IFN-gamma (200 and 400 U/ml), and partially inhibited (p < 0.05) by EPA (10 and 20 microM), NDGA (30 and 60 microM), ETYA (20 and 40 microM), dexamethasone (0.6 and 6 microM). The production of both peaks was significantly reduced by excluding arachidonic acid (AA), and almost completely inhibited by heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min during incubation. These results demonstrate that two eicosanoid-like compounds are synthesized by the OEC-M cell line and that their production can be modulated by IFN-gamma, EPA, indomethacin, NDGA, ETYA, and dexamethasone.

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid↗
PubMed1998

gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter-mediated current from bipolar cells in tiger salamander retinal slices.

About 10% of bipolar cells in salamander retina synthesize and take up gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and may use GABA as a neurotransmitter. As GABA uptake is electrogenic, bipolar cells expressing GABA transporters (GATs) should give transport current (IGAT) to extracellular GABA. Using whole-cell patch recording, 28 bipolar cells responded to 30-200 microM GABA puffed to the axon terminals with a picrotoxin (PTX)-sensitive chloride current (ICI) only. Another three bipolar cells had, in addition to ICI, a PTX-resistant, sodium-dependent current that was completely and reversibly blocked by NO-711, an IGAT inhibitor, indicating that this component was an IGAT. This finding provides further support for a subset of GABAergic bipolar cells in the salamander retina.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The incidence of school-related injuries among adolescents in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of nonfatal school-related injuries in adolescent schoolchildren. DESIGN: Nurses completed a Student Accident Report Form (SARF) on all injuries in schools meeting standardized criteria from September 1995 to June 1996. SETTING: Six junior high schools in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan. SUBJECTS: 13,335 adolescents aged 13-15 in six schools. RESULTS: A total of 3,640 injuries were reported among the city's 13,335 students, for an overall injury rate of 27.3 injuries/100 student years. Injury rates were higher for boys than for girls at all grade levels. The seventh-grade students had the highest incidence rate. Injuries not involving other students accounted for nearly 64% of all injuries. Injuries occurring on the playground/gymnasium and classroom were the two most common types and were more than twice as frequent as injuries occurring in the hall or stairs. Contusions, abrasions, and swelling were the most frequently reported types of injuries. The body sites most frequently injured were the extremities. When exposure time is taken into account, injury rates were higher in the unsupervised areas of the schools. CONCLUSIONS: School-related injury incidence among adolescents attending junior high school is higher than has been previously reported and should be recognized as a significant public health problem in Taiwan.

Accidents↗
PubMed1998

Surface characteristics of Ti6Al4V alloy: effect of materials, passivation and autoclaving.

The properties of passivated films for Ti6Al4V alloy prepared by various methods (as-polished, brazed at 970 degrees C for 2 h and brazed at 970 degrees C for 8 h) were investigated. Four passivations (non-treated, nitric acid passivation, 400 degrees C-treated in air, and aged in boiling water), with or without autoclaving treatments, were adopted for evaluating the changes of surface properties, including chemical composition, chemical structure, and oxide thickness. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analyses, surface elements of copper and nickel in brazed samples were undetected for non-treated, acid-passivated and boiling water-aged specimens, while they were found in the 400 degrees C-treated specimen. The relative contents of Ti2++Ti3+ to Ti4+ were determined by passivation treatments, but were not related to the experimental materials and autoclaving treatment. Passivation and autoclaving decreased the Ti to Ti4+ ratio by virtue of an increase in oxide thickness. Of the four types of passivation treatment, the 400 degrees C thermal treatment exhibited the lowest content of suboxides and metallic elements and the thickest oxide by XPS analysis; however, this treatment may cause a desorption of the basic OH group in the hydration layer on the surface of titanium alloy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

A comparison of the corrosion behaviour and surface characteristics of vacuum-brazed and heat-treated Ti6Al4V alloy.

The corrosion characteristics of the brazed Ti6Al4V specimens were analysed and compared with respect to the conventionally heat-treated specimens by an electrochemical corrosion test. The object of this research was to explore the potentiality of the brazed titanium for biomaterials. The characteristics of the 1300 degrees C heat-treated and the 970 degrees C brazed specimens, with passivation and sterilization treatment, were evaluated by measurement of corrosion potential, Ecorr, corrosion current densities, Icorr, polarization resistance of the reacted surface films, Rp, in a potentiodynamic test. The experimental results show that the corrosion rates of the heat-treated and the brazed samples are similar at Ecorr, and the value of Ecorr for the brazed sample is noble to the heat-treated samples. The passive current density of the brazed specimen is either lower or higher than the heat-treated specimen, depending on the polarization potential. By Auger electron spectroscopic and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis on specimens from the potentiostatic test, the elements of copper and nickel in the brazing filler were not detected while less alumina was found in the reacted film of the brazed specimens when compared with the heat-treated specimens. The implication of the results is discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

The effect of acupuncture on the incidence of postextubation laryngospasm in children.

Laryngospasm occurring after tracheal extubation in children is potentially dangerous. This study uses acupuncture with bloodletting at the Shao Shang (L 11) or Shang Yang (Li 1) acupoints to investigate whether this technique can prevent or treat laryngospasm. Seventy-six patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the acupuncture group (n = 38) were treated with bilateral Shao Shang acupunctures at the end of the operation. Patients in the control group (n = 38) were not. The incidence of laryngospasm in the acupuncture group (5.3%) was less than that in the control group (23.7%) (p < 0.05). If laryngospasm developed, patients were immediately treated with acupuncture at either the Shao Shang or Shang Yang acupoints. As judged by an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation, the laryngospasm was relieved within 1 min of acupuncture in all patients. It is concluded that acupuncture with bloodletting at the Shao Shang acupoint may prevent and treat laryngospasm occurring after tracheal extubation in children.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed1998

Prediction of equilibrated postdialysis BUN by an artificial neural network in high-efficiency hemodialysis.

In urea kinetic modeling, postdialysis blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is usually underestimated with an overestimation of the Kt/V especially in high-efficiency hemodialysis (HD). Thus, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to predict the equilibrated BUN (Ceq) and equilibrated Kt/V (eKt/V60) by using both predialysis, postdialysis, and low-flow postdialysis BUN. The results were compared to a Smye formula to predict Ceq and a Daugirdas' formula (eKt/V30) to predict eKt/V60. Seventy-four patients on high-efficiency or high-flux HD were recruited. Their mean urea rebound was 28.6+/-2%. Patients were divided into a "training" set (n = 40) and a validation set (n = 34) for the ANN. Their status was exchanged later, and the two results were pooled. In the prediction of Ceq, both Smye formula and low-flow ANN were equally highly accurate. In patients with a high urea rebound (>30%), although Smye formula lost its accuracy, low-flow ANN remained accurate. In the prediction of eKt/V60, both Daugirdas' formula and low-flow ANN were equally accurate, although the Smye formula was not so accurate. In patients with a high urea rebound, although both Smye and Daugirdas' formulas lost their accuracy, low-flow ANN remained accurate. We concluded that low-flow ANN can accurately predict both Ceq and eKt/V60 regardless of the degree of urea rebound.

Blood Urea Nitrogen↗