Retroperitoneal plasmacytoma associated with hyperamylasemia.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
J S Lin
Publications and source records attributed to J S Lin.
Effects of modafinil and amphetamine on sleep-wake cycle after sleep deprivation in cats.
AIM: The effects of modafinil and amphetamine on sleep-wake cycle and cortical power spectrum were assessed in the cats before and after sleep deprivation. METHODS: The sleep deprivation in the cats was used with the water tank technique. Cats were administrated with modafinil (5 mg.kg-1 p.o.) or amphetamine (1 mg.kg-1) before and after sleep deprivation. RESULTS: The waking effect of 8-10 h induced by modafinil before and after sleep deprivation was similar and was not followed by an increase in sleep rebound. On the contrary, the arousal effect about 8 h evoked by amphetamine after sleep deprivation was less lasting than that of 10-12 h observed in normal conditions and followed by an amplified rebound in both deep slow wave sleep and paradoxical sleep. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the efficiency of modafinil against somnolence and hypersomnia without increasing subsequent sleep.
Amphetamine↗
[Studies on individual characters of juvenile delinquents in Fujian province].
Ashenk's Character Questionnaire was adopted to study the relationship between juvenile delinquency and individual characters. 621 delinquents at the age of 13-19 and 1371 school students (as control group) were questioned, and results were statistically analyzed. For male delinquents of 16-19, scores of extroversion, psychosomatic and nervosity were significantly higher than for control group (P < 0.01). For male delinquents of 13-15, scores of psychosomatic and nervosity were significantly higher than for control group (P < 0.01). For female delinquents of 16-19, score of nervosity was lower than for control group (P < 0.05). Different types of delinquency had no statistical relations with characters. The study reveals that characters of psychosomatic and nervosity might be related with male delinquent crimes, and that stabilization with female delinquent crimes.
Adolescent↗
(Z)- and (E)-2-((hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene)methyladenine and -guanine. New nucleoside analogues with a broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
New nucleoside analogues 14-17 based on a methylenecyclopropane structure were synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity. Reaction of 2,3-dibromopropene (19) with adenine (18) led to bromoalkene 20, which was benzoylated to give N6,N6-dibenzoyl derivative 23. Attempts to convert 20 or 23 to bromocyclopropanes 21 and 22 by reaction with ethyl diazoacetate catalyzed by Rh2(OAc)4 were futile. By contrast, 2,3-dibromopropene (19) afforded smoothly (E)- and (Z)-dibromocyclopropane carboxylic esters 24 + 25. Alkylation of adenine (18) with 24 + 25 gave (E)- and (Z)-bromo derivatives 21 + 22. Base-catalyzed elimination of HBr resulted in the formation of (Z)- and (E)-methylenecyclopropanecarboxylic esters 26 + 27. More convenient one-pot alkylation-elimination of adenine (18) or 2-amino-6-chloropurine (30) with 24 + 25 afforded (Z)- and (E)-methylenecyclopropane derivatives 26 + 27 and 31 + 32. The Z-isomers were always predominant in these mixtures (Z/E approximately 2/1). Reduction of 26 + 27 and 31 + 32 with DIBALH afforded (Z)- and (E)-methylenecyclopropane alcohols 14 + 16 and 33 + 34. The latter were resolved directly by chromatography. Compounds 14 + 16 were converted to N6-(dimethylamino)methylene derivatives 28 and 29 which were separated and deprotected to give 14 and 16. Reaction of 33 and 34 with HCO2H led to guanine analogues 15 and 17. The 1H NMR spectra of the Z-analogues 14 and 15 are consistent with an anti-like conformation of the nucleobases. By contrast, 1H NMR and IR spectra of bromo ester 21 are indicative of syn-conformation of adenine. Several Z-(hydroxymethyl)methylenecyclopropanes exhibited in vitro antiviral activity in micromolar or submicromolar range against human and murine cytomegalovirus (HCMV and MCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Analogues 14, 15, and 33 were the most effective agents against HCMV (IC50 1-2.1, 0.04-2.1, and 0.8-5.6 microM), MCMV (IC50 2.1, 0.3, and 0.3 microM) and EBV in H-1 (IC50 0.2, 0.3, and 0.7 microM) and Daudi cells (IC50 3.2, 5.6, and 1.2 microM). Adenine analogue 14 was active against HBV (IC50 2 microM), VZV (IC50 2.5 microM), and HHV-6 (IC50 14 microM). Synadenol (14) and the E-isomer (16) were substrates of moderate efficiency for adenosine deaminase from calf intestine. The E-isomer 16 was more reactive than Z-isomer 14. The deamination of 14 effectively stopped at 50% conversion. Synadenol (14) was also deaminated by AMP deaminase from aspergillus sp.
Adenosine↗
Protein-tyrosine kinase and protein-serine/threonine kinase expression in human gastric cancer cell lines.
Protein kinases play key roles in cellular functions. They are involved in many cellular functions including; signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, cell division, and cell differentiation. Alterations of protein kinase by gene amplification, mutation or viral factors often induce tumor formation and tumor progression toward malignancy. The identification and cloning of kinase genes can provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis as well as diagnostic tools for tumor staging. In this study, we have used degenerated polymerase-chain-reaction primers according to the consensus catalytic domain motifs to amplify protein kinase genes (protein-tyrosine kinase, PTK, and protein-serine/threonine kinase, PSK) from human stomach cancer cells. Following amplification, the protein kinase molecules expressed in the gastric cancer cells were cloned into plasmid vectors for cloning and sequencing. Sequence analysis of polymerase-chain-reaction products resulted in the identification of 25 protein kinases, including two novel ones. Expression of several relevant PTK/PSK genes in gastric cancer cells and tissues was further substantiated by RT-PCR using gene-specific primers. The identification of protein kinases expressed or activated in the gastric cancer cells provide the framework to understand the oncogenic process of stomach cancer.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Potential value of urinary intercellular adhesion molecule-1 determination in patients with bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is known to play a role in immunity against bladder cancer and can be detected in the supernatants of cultured bladder cancer cells that constitutively express ICAM-1. This study was performed to examine the relevance of the ICAM-1 urine test in patients with bladder cancer. METHODS: A total of 53 patients with bladder carcinoma, 35 with history of bladder cancer, and 30 normal control subjects were included in this analysis. Urinary ICAM-1 (ulCAM-1) levels were measured by immunoassay and corrected for hydration status. RESULTS: Levels of ulCAM-1 were significantly elevated in patients with bladder cancer or those at tumor-free status compared with normal control subjects (P=0.001). However, there was no apparent difference between the two groups of urothelial disorders (P >0.1). ulCAM-1 did not correlate with clinicopathologic variables of bladder cancer or patient outcome (P >0.1). Six patients at tumor-free status had multiple ulCAM-1 determinations during the study period. Three of these 6 patients had elevated ulCAM-1 levels and proved to have recurrent tumors; 3 of the 6 had stable ulCAM-1 levels and were still free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that urinary excretion of ICAM-1 is elevated in the early stage of bladder carcinogenesis, but is independent of biologic properties of bladder cancer. Serial monitoring of ulCAM-1 may be helpful in selecting patients who are at risk of tumor recurrence.
Adult↗
Spatial differences in gap junction gating in the lens are a consequence of connexin cleavage.
Gap junctions in the vertebrate lens exhibit spatial differences in pH gating: those in the cortical fibre cells close upon tissue acidification while those in the core region do not. It has been speculated that this difference in channel gating is a consequence of the cleavage of the connexins (Cx) that form the gap junction channels. We report the construction of a truncation mutant of ovine Cx50 which mimicks the cleavage in the intact lens. The construct when expressed in Xenopus oocytes results in the formation of functional channels. Comparison with full-length Cx50 revealed a significant reduction in the pH-sensitivity of the truncated form. This is the first evidence linking the non-uniform gating of gap junction channels in the lens with connexin cleavage. It also reveals how fibre cells in the core region remain connected despite the acidic environment caused by elevated lactate levels.
Animals↗
A longitudinal study of immunological status in Chinese haemophiliacs: importance of the heat viral inactivation of factor concentrates. II. Improvements of CD4/CD8 ratio after treatments with heat-inactivated factor concentrates.
Screened and heated clotting factor concentrates of intermediate purity have been used in Taiwanese haemophiliacs since the end of 1986. A significant improvement of CD4/CD8 ratio during the years 1987-1989 as compared with those during the years 1984-1986 was observed in haemophilia A patients [mean +/- SD (median), 1.191 +/- 0.495 (1.163) vs. 0.880 +/- 0.325 (0.838), P = 0.0020] who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus. Almost all patients received an increased amount of factor VIII concentrates and total plasma products since 1987. Multiple linear regression analysis for the association of CD4/CD8 ratio with changes in dosage of plasma products revealed that there was a significant positive association of CD4/CD8 ratio measured during 1987-1989 with dosage of factor VIII concentrate administered during 1984-1986 (P = 0.0230), which is an indicator for changes in viral load, but not with changes in dosage of plasma products, which are indicators for changes in plasma protein intake. Our data indicate that immunological abnormalities after replacement therapy observed in haemophiliacs are mainly attributed to virus infection through infusion of factor concentrates, not to allogeneic proteins existing in plasma products.
Adolescent↗
Human immunodeficiency virus infection in haemophiliacs in Taiwan: the importance of CD4 lymphocyte count in the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
From July 1984 to December 1996, we tested and studied 303 haemophilic patients for the infection of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Among the 261 haemophilia A patients 44 were HIV positive (16.9%), while none of the haemophilia B patients was HIV positive. The mean age of the 44 HIV-seropositive patients in 1984 was 20.6 years (2-37 years). Seven who had known seroconversion dates and 29 whose first seropositive dates were known seroconverted before 1986. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has developed in 16 patients, nine of whom presented with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, three with tuberculosis infection, and 13 had died. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the progression rate to AIDS after the date of first seropositive test is about 30% at the 10th year. The median survival time after development of AIDS obtained from the Kaplan-Meier estimate of the survival curve was 11.7 months. Statistical analysis for the covariate effects on the risk of developing AIDS by the Cox proportional hazards model revealed that there was a statistically significant negative association of the risk for progression to AIDS with the logarithm of initial CD4 cell counts (P = 0.027) and the rate of decline of CD4 cell counts (P = 0.040), but not with age (P = 0.650). In conclusion, the clinical characteristics of AIDS haemophiliacs in Taiwan were not different from that observed in western countries. Low initial CD4 cell count and sharp decline in CD4 cell counts, but not age, increased the risk of progression to AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among men with urethritis and their female sex partners.
Transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among infected men and their female sex partners was examined using a design enhancing the likelihood that spread was directed from men to women. Chlamydia culture-negative specimens were examined using DNA amplification tests. Infection rates in women exposed to male sex partners with Chlamydia only were 65% (20/31) and with gonorrhea only were 73% (33/45). Infection of women by either agent was not influenced by the number of sexual exposures to or coinfection in men. There was a 98% (40/41) concordance of N. gonorrhoeae isolates among partners by auxotype and serovar. Chlamydia isolates were serotyped using ELISA and immunofluorescence testing and confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction: 50% (6/12) of men and 57% (8/14) of women yielded mixed serovars. Sixty-four percent of pairs (9/14) were infected with identical serovars and an additional 28% shared at least one serovar. Multiple serovars of C. trachomatis, but not of N. gonorrhoeae, were common in sex partners and exchanged frequently.
Boston↗
Randomized, double-blind clinical trial of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion vs. amphotericin B in the empirical treatment of fever and neutropenia.
We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) with amphotericin B in the empirical treatment of fever and neutropenia. Patients with neutropenia and unresolved fever after > or = 3 days of empirical antibiotic therapy were stratified by age and concomitant use of cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Patients were then randomized to receive therapy with ABCD (4 mg/[kg.d]) or amphotericin B (0.8 mg/[kg.d]) for < or = 14 days. A total of 213 patients were enrolled, of whom 196 were evaluable for efficacy. Fifty percent of ABCD-treated patients and 43.2% of amphotericin B-treated patients had a therapeutic response (P = .31). Renal dysfunction was less likely to develop and occurred later in ABCD recipients than in amphotericin B recipients (P < .001 for both parameters). Infusion-related hypoxia and chills were more common in ABCD recipients than in amphotericin B recipients (P = .013 and P = .018, respectively). ABCD appeared comparable in efficacy with amphotericin B, and renal dysfunction associated with ABCD was significantly less than that associated with amphotericin B. However, infusion-related events were more common with ABCD treatment than with amphotericin B treatment.
Adolescent↗
Familial macrothrombocytopenia with granulocyte inclusion: a clinical and laboratory problem.
The differential diagnosis of familial macrothrombocytopenia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may be difficult owing to the similarities in their clinical and laboratory presentations, but it is important because of dissimilarities in their management and prognosis. We investigated two families with familial macrothrombocytopenia and granulocyte inclusion. The probands of both families presented with mild bleeding tendency, macrothrombocytopenia, normal bone marrow, and increased percentages of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (IgG) and reticulated platelets. ITP had been misdiagnosed in both patients initially. Both probands failed to respond to steroid therapy. Family study revealed an autosomal dominant pattern of heredity in both families, with absence of Alport's syndrome-like features (hearing impairment, congenital cataract, and interstitial nephritis). All thrombocytopenic family members showed blue cytoplasmic inclusions in neutrophils on peripheral blood smears. Ultrastructurally, distinct granulocyte inclusions comprising clusters of rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and polysomes were detected, without the presence of parallel filaments. The clinical, laboratory, and hereditary findings were consistent with a diagnosis of Sebastian platelet syndrome in both families. In conclusion, caution should be exercised when interpreting the percentages of platelet-associated IgG in thrombocytopenic patients, as overinterpretation may lead to misdiagnosis of macrothrombocytopenia as ITP. Family history is important, as familial ITP is rare, and careful examination of blood smears is essential.
Adult↗
Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and early detection of donor engraftment by polymerase chain reaction.
Patients with hematologic malignancy or severe aplastic anemia after myeloablative chemo- and radiotherapy were given granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized, cryopreserved allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) from 15 healthy donors who were either human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched siblings (n = 13) or haploidentical offspring (2). Polymerase chain reaction-amplified short tandem repeat genotyping was used for early confirmation of donor engraftment after PBSC transplantation (PBSCT). A standard cyclosporine A/methotrexate combination was used to prevent acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). All donors, including one in the third trimester of pregnancy, tolerated G-CSF administration and 3-day PBSC harvesting procedures well. Engraftment was prompt for all patients; it was verified using a panel of 12 human polymorphic short tandem repeat loci from bone marrow as early as 7 days posttransplantation. This status was maintained until relapse, when mixed chimerism was detected using the polymerase chain reaction. A minimum resurgence of recipient cells to 1% of the population was required to detect chimerism. The median times to recovery of the absolute neutrophil count to greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L and the sustained platelet count to greater than 20 x 10(9)/L without transfusion were 10 and 12 days after PBSCT, respectively. Six patients experienced acute GVHD, Grade I in two patients and Grade II in four, including two HLA-haploidentical recipients. Chronic GVHD was noticed in three of the 11 patients who were followed for at least 100 days after PBSCT. Ten patients were still alive at the latest follow-up and have been disease free for a median of 278 days (range 60-671). Five patients died from causes other than graft failure: three from leukemia relapse and two from transplant-related complications. The results confirm that G-CSF can be safely administered to healthy donors and that engraftment after allogeneic PBSCT is fast and durable. Complete chimerism can be detected early by genomic analysis. PBSCT may offer an alternative to bone marrow transplantation.
Adolescent↗
The mutation at position 20210 in the 3'-untranslated region of the prothrombin gene is extremely rare in Taiwanese Chinese patients with venous thrombophilia.
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3' Untranslated Regions↗
Polymorphisms of twelve short tandem repeat loci in a Taiwanese population and their application in parentage testing.
With the advancement of techniques in molecular biology, rapid, sensitive, and reliable methods of DNA typing for parentage testing have become available. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 12 unlinked short tandem repeat (STR) loci for paternity testing in Taiwan. The genetic informativeness of this test was then compared with that of conventional human leukocyte antigen (HLA) analysis in 167 parentage studies. The 12 STR loci alone provided a cumulative power of exclusion of up to 0.9998. Paternity was excluded in 59 (35.3%) cases, including 40 of 112 paternity trios and 19 of 55 paternity duos. In the 40 trios in which paternity was excluded, a mean of 6 (range, 3-9) incompatible STR markers were in the 19 duos in which paternity was excluded, a mean of 4 (range, 1-8) incompatible STR markers were noted. In the 72 trios in which the alleged paternity could not be excluded, the mean probabilities of paternity (PP) were 90.6863% with HLA testing alone, 99.9847% with STR analysis alone, and 99.9972% with combined HLA and STR analysis. In the 36 duos in which the alleged paternity could not be excluded, the mean PPs were 81.4768% with HLA testing alone, 99.6124% with STR analysis alone, and 99.9145% with combined HLA and STR analysis. These results suggest that STR analysis is very powerful when used alone for paternity trio testing and when combined with conventional serologic HLA typing for duo parentage testing in the Taiwan population.
Chromosome Mapping↗
(Z)- and (E)-2-(hydroxymethylcyclopropylidene)-methylpurines and pyrimidines as antiviral agents.
Several Z- and E-methylenecyclopropane nucleoside analogues were synthesized and tested for antiviral activity in vitro against human and murine cytomegalovirus (HCMV, MCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The Z-2-amino-6-cyclopropylaminopurine analogue was the most effective agent against HCMV (EC50 or EC90 0.4-2 microM) followed by syncytol and the Z-2,6-diaminopurine analogues (EC50 or EC90 3.4-29 and 11-24 microM, respectively). The latter compound was also a strong inhibitor of MCMV (EC50 0.6 microM). Syncytol was the most potent against EBV (EC50 < 0.41 and 2.5 microM) followed by the Z-2,6-diaminopurine (EC50 1.5 and 6.9 microM) and the Z-2-amino-6-cyclopropyl-aminopurine derivative (EC50 11.8 microM). Syncytol was also most effective against VZV (EC50 3.6 microM). Activity against HSV-1, HSV-2 and HHV-6 was generally lower; synthymol had an EC50 of 2 microM against HSV-1 (ELISA) and 1.3 microM against EBV in Daudi cells but was inactive in other assays. The 2-amino-6-cyclopropylamino analogue displayed EC50 values between 215 and > 74 microM in HSV-1 and HSV-2 assays. 2-Amino-6-cyclopropylaminopurine and 2,6-diaminopurine derivatives were effective against HBV (EC50 2 and 10 microM, respectively), whereas none of the analogues inhibited HIV-1 at a higher virus load. Syncytol and the E isomer were equipotent against EBV in Daudi cells but the E isomer was much less effective in DNA hybridization assays. The E-2,6-diaminopurine analogue and E isomer of synthymol were devoid of antiviral activity.
Animals↗
Factors affecting progenitor cell yields using three tandem leukaphereses in previously treated malignancies.
BACKGROUND: Mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) have increasingly been used to replace autologous bone marrow to allow faster hematopoietic reconstitution after myeloablative therapy in various malignancies. There is a paucity of data concerning factors that affect the total yield of three tandem leukaphereses. METHODS: Factors affecting the yield of PBPCs were analyzed in a series of 121 consecutive patients including 36 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, two with Hodgkin's disease, four with multiple myeloma, 44 with acute leukemia, 20 with breast cancer and 15 with other solid tumors. PBPCs were mobilized using granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone (group I, n = 15), or after conventional-dose (group II, n = 70) or high-dose (group III, n = 36) chemotherapy followed by G-CSF. The total yield of three tandem PBPC collections for each patient was assessed by the number of mononuclear cells (MNCs), CD34+ cells and colony-forming units of granulocyte macrophages (CFU-GM). The factors evaluated included age, sex, diagnosis, history of marrow involvement, previous radiotherapy, the number of prior chemotherapy cycles and mobilization method. The two -sample t-test and logistic regression analysis were performed for univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. RESULTS: With univariate analysis, a diagnosis of acute leukemia, positive history of bone marrow involvement, more chemotherapy cycles and mobilization with high-dose chemotherapy adversely affected the yields of CD34+ cells. By multivariate analysis, Group II had higher yields of MNCs (p = 0.039), CFU-GM (p = 0.002) and CD34+ cells (p = 0.011) than Group III. Fewer cycles of prior chemotherapy is the common favorable factor for the yields of both CD34+ cells (p = 0.016) and CFU-GM (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The number of prior chemotherapy cycles adversely affects progenitor cell yield. Conventional-dose chemotherapy followed by G-CSF seems to be the mobilization methods of choice for heavily pretreated cancer patients with limited bone marrow reserve. PBPCs should be harvested early, when the tumor burden is less, to avoid cumulative marrow toxicity from chemotherapy.
Adolescent↗