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Biomedical subjects

M Lin

Publications and source records attributed to M Lin.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Left ventricular geometry and cardiac function in mild to moderate essential hypertension.

To elucidate left ventricular (LV) cardiac structure and function in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, we studied the relationship between LV geometry and function. We evaluated LV diastolic and systolic functions by M-mode echocardiography in 91 age-matched normotensive control subjects (NT) and 124 patients with essential hypertension. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups based on the WHO stage classification: WHO I (n = 76) and WHO II (n = 48). Patients in WHO I and WHO II were further categorized according to the relative wall thickness as normal left ventricle (n = 47), concentric remodeling (n = 29), concentric hypertrophy (n = 25), and eccentric hypertrophy (n = 23). LV diastolic function was significantly decreased in the hypertensive groups compared to NT. There was no significant difference in LV systolic performance among NT, WHO I and WHO II. LV contractility was significantly increased in WHO I compared to NT. In respect to ventricular geometric pattern, LV diastolic function was significantly decreased in both the concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy groups. LV systolic dysfunction was noted only in the eccentric hypertrophy group. In conclusion, patients with concentric remodeling had normal systolic and diastolic functions. LV diastolic function was impaired in both the concentric and eccentric hypertrophy groups due to an increase in LVMi. Moreover, LV systolic impairment was noted in the eccentric hypertrophy group due to an inappropriate compensation to LV systolic load.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reappraisal of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Short-term results and long-term follow-up.

To investigate whether serial incremental continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has any short-term or long-term advantages over face-mask oxygen therapy by way of intrapulmonary shunt reduction, 100 patients admitted to the coronary care unit for the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema were studied. All patients received Swan-Ganz catheterization. Hemodynamic and pulmonary function parameters were recorded over the next 6 h, and the patients were followed until hospital discharge. All survivors received regular follow-up at 1-month intervals in the outpatient clinic. During the first-stage investigation period (3 h) PaO2 in the CPAP group showed a significant increase, whereas the intrapulmonary shunt and alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient (P[A-a]O2) was significantly reduced (p < 0.005). The CPAP group had significantly lower rate-pressure product and higher stroke volume index compared with the control group. The therapeutic failure rate over 6 h was 24% in the CPAP group and 50% in the control group (p < 0.01). The CPAP group had a significantly lower incidence of tracheal intubation and ventilator therapy than the control group; however, there was no significant difference in short-term mortality and hospital stay between the two groups. In conclusion, although study size was not large enough to demonstrate a difference in mortality, CPAP therapy resulted in physiologic cardiovascular and pulmonary function improvement and significantly reduced the need for intubation; however, it did not decrease mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and a much larger study is needed to investigate this possibility.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Electron microscopy of the seminiferous epithelium in the triploid (ZZZ and ZZW) fowl, Gallus domesticus.

The ultrastructure of cells of the seminiferous epithelium is described in both triploid ZZZ and ZZW fowls, especially cytological aberrations influencing the development of morphologically abnormal spermatids and spermatozoa. Mitotic divisions in triploid fowls are similar to those in diploid fowls, but meiosis in both the ZZZ and ZZW triploid fowl is abnormal and many defective gametes are produced. The majority of spermatids have structural abnormalities and this is attributed to the aneuploidy expected from meiotic chromosome pairing in a triploid. Some spermatids were observed to possess an irregularly shaped head, 2 centriolar complexes, 2 acrosomes and 2 tails and this type differentiated into large-headed spermatoza. Such spermatids and spermatozoa are suggested to be near diploid due to their large nuclear size and 2 sets of organelles. Other spermatids, observed with only 1 centriolar complex, 1 acrosome and 1 tail, are suggested to be near haploid. Differentiation of these spermatids is similar to the process observed in diploid fowls except that there is a high percentage of abnormally shaped heads. The fact that morphologically normal spermatozoa were rare is consistent with the expectation that very few spermatozoa would be exactly haploid. In both ZZZ and ZZW triploid fowls, triple pairing of chromosomes is observed in synaptonemal complexes (SC) during meiosis and recombination nodules are distributed at random in the central regions of the triple pairing SC. In ZZW triploid fowls gamete formation is more severely affected than in ZZZ triploid fowls and it is suggested that many of the degenerative changes occurring in ZZW fowls could be attributed to those spermatids that possess a W sex chromosome, since normal male fowls are the homogametic sex (ZZ) and normal spermatids and spermatozoa contain only a Z sex chromosome.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of the benzodiazepine inverse agonist RO19-4603 on the maintenance of tolerance to a single dose of ethanol.

The time course of the novel benzodiazepine inverse agonist, RO19--4603 (0.075 or 0.150 mg/kg) in antagonizing the depressant effects of ethanol (EtOH) (0.50, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg) and the development of tolerance on locomotor behaviors (e.g., ambulatory count, total distance and stereotypy count) were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats given EtOH injections spaced at 24-hr intervals. A single dose of RO19--4603 prevented the development of tolerance to the 0.50- and 1.0-g/kg EtOH doses 24-hr post-RO19--4603 administration on most locomotor behaviors. On Day 1, the 0.150-mg/kg RO19--4603 dose prevented the reduction of motor behaviors after the 1.0- and 1.5-g/kg EtOH doses, whereas the 0.075-mg/kg RO19--4603 dose prevented the reduction of motor behaviors only after the 1.5-g/kg EtOH dose. The 0.075- and 0.150-mg/kg RO19--4603 doses also prevented the EtOH-induced reduction of motor behaviors after the 1.5-g/kg EtOH dose 24-hr post-RO19--4603 administration. RO19--4603 was without effect on activity when given alone. These data suggest that the motor impairing effects of EtOH and the development of tolerance to them may involve gamma-aminobutyric acidA-benzodiazepine receptor mechanisms that when occupied, even briefly by certain benzodiazepine inverse agonists, produce long-lasting effects on locomotion and tolerance.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[High yield techniques for bupleurum falcatum L].

The growth of plants may be controlled by clipping the aerial part. This may increase the yield of Bupleurum falcatum. Different methods of cultivation may result in different outputs of crude drugs. Compared with land plotting, deep ploughing and high ridging may increase the root weight of one-year-old plant by 28% and 50% respectively.

Plants, Medicinal↗
PubMed1995

[The use of measuring serum soluble IL-2 receptor levels in cyclosporine-A treated lupus nephritis].

Twenty-one patients with Lupus Nephritis (LN) were treated with cyclosporine-A (CsA) for three months. Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptors (SIL-2R) were measured before and after treatment and correlated prospectively with serologic findings of LN activity. The patients had significantly higher IL-2R level before treatment (during LN flare) than after treatment (disease remission). A significant positive correlation was present between serum SIL-2R and proteinuria, and ANA as well, whereas the SIL-2R levels in LN patients were inversely correlated with serum levels of C3 and CH50. These observations suggest that serum SIL-2R level is an useful marker of disease activity in LN and may serve as a helpful adjunct in the management of this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[A study on behavioural characteristics of staying on the mountain and its relationship with malaria infection in Li and Miao minorities in Hainan Province].

A study of sociology combined with epidemiology was conducted in Li Minority's two villages and Miao Minority's two villages nearby the foot of mountain in a historically malaria hyperendemic area, Nanqiao Township of Wanning County in August, 1993. The results showed that malaria infection was closely correlated to the behaviour of staying overnight on the mountain of Li and Miao Minorities during farming seasons. Most of Li people stayed overnight on the mountain for planting areca were adults, accounting for 21.6% of the whole population, the duration of stay was about half a year; Miao people stayed overnight on the mountain planting and harvesting upland rice, always with their family member, so the percentage of people who had stayed on the mountain was as high as 82.1%, the duration of stay was about one and half a month. Blood smear examination showed that the malaria parasite rates in both Li and Miao villages were 11.1% and 24.1%, respectively, the positive rate of P. falciparum was 1.0% and 9.1%, respectively, the positive rate of IFA (titer >or= 1 : 40) was 31.2% and 46.5%, respectively. It is indicated that both the rate of parasitaemia and the P. falciparum infection were much higher in Miao Minority than those in Li Minority (P < 0.001). A cohort analysis showed that the malaria parasite rate of population who having not stayed, having ever stayed and being stayed on the mountain was 6.5%, 27.4% and 42.1%, respectively, of them the rate of P. falciparum infection was 0.5%, 8.8% and 18.4%, respectively. The results suggest that malaria acquired from mountainous forest referring to "up-mountain infection" is a major source of malaria infection and a significant risk factor in determining the prevalence of malaria (especially falciparum malaria) in Hainan Province. This behavioural risk factor has become the main obstacle for malaria control in Hainan Province. Therefore, controlling "up-mountain infection" and adopting appropriate anti-malaria measures to protect the risk population who have to work and stay on the mountain should be strengthened in the malaria control program.

China↗
PubMed1995

Effect of age on left ventricular geometric patterns in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of age on left ventricular structure and geometry in hypertensive patients, we studied the relationship between age and echocardiographic variables in patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We divided 168 patients with hypertension into three groups according to age: young (<40 years), middle-aged (40-59 years) and an elderly group (> or = 60 years). They were further categorized according to relative wall thickness and the left ventricular mass index. We then evaluated the prevalence of left ventricular geometric patterns in these patients according to age. RESULTS: The left ventricular end-diastolic dimension decreased with age, both in normotensive control subjects and in hypertensive patients. The magnitude of this decrease was similar for both. The relative wall thickness and left ventricular mass index were greater in the hypertensive patients than in the normotensive control subjects, and these increased with age both in the controls and the hypertensives. The differences between normotensives and hypertensives in these variables remained unchanged with age. The prevalence of a normal left ventricle (normal relative wall thickness and left ventricular mass index) in the hypertensive patients decreased with age. Conversely, the prevalence of concentric remodeling (increased relative wall thickness with normal left ventricular mass index) and concentric hypertrophy (increased relative wall thickness and left ventricular mass index) increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that age significantly affects left ventricular structure both in normotensive control subjects and in hypertensive patients. Thus, the differences in left ventricular geometric patterns with age may have important implications in assessing left ventricular structure and geometric patterns in hypertensive patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Enhanced separation and detection of serum bilirubin species by capillary electrophoresis using a mixed anionic surfactant-protein buffer system with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

The four major bilirubin species in serum are separated by capillary electrophoresis and detected using laser-induced fluorescence detection. The optimum buffer system consists of 40 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-0.012 mM bovine serum albumin (BSA). The use of the SDS-BSA mixture in the mobile phase allows for the separation of four major bilirubin species at physiological pH with untreated capillaries. The results show that the use of BSA as a run buffer modifier in SDS solution improves separation efficiency and increases sample solubility via pH changes of the run buffer. The limits of detection for the bilirubin species using laser-induced fluorescence are between 30 and 150 nM, depending on the bilirubin species; not only is this approximately two orders of magnitude lower than with visible-light absorption methods, it allows the bilirubin species in normal sera to be quantitatively measured without sample pretreatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Antibody-antigen binding constants determined in solution-phase with the threshold membrane-capture system: binding constants for anti-fluorescein, anti-saxitoxin, and anti-ricin antibodies.

Affinities of various monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for fluorescein-containing antigens, saxitoxin and ricin, were determined by using a light addressable potentiometric sensor-based system (Threshold). The dissociation constants, determined from Scatchard plots, ranged from 2 x 10(-7) to approximately 3 x 10(-12) M. Dissociation constants for fluorescein and saxitoxin were compared with values determined by independent means. This technique was found to be quick, simple, reproducible, and accurate.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1994

High-grade stereo acuity after early surgery for congenital esotropia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of very early surgery for establishing straight eyes and sensory fusion in patients with congenital esotropia. DESIGN: A review of consecutive patients with congenital esotropia who underwent surgery between 13 and 19 weeks of age. SETTING: A children's hospital with a teaching affiliation. PATIENTS: Seven patients who had surgery between 13 and 19 weeks of age. INTERVENTION: A bilateral medial rectus recession through a fornix incision with recessions ranging from 5.75 to 6.5 mm in infants younger than 6 months of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensory fusion as measured by stereo acuity and Worth four-dot testing and motor alignment within 8 prism diopters. RESULTS: Five of the seven patients achieved essentially straight eyes with tropias of less than 8 prism diopters after one horizontal surgery. Five patients cooperated with sensory testing, and all showed stereo acuities that ranged from 400 to 40 seconds of arc. Three children had evidence of high-grade stereo acuity by showing stereopsis on random dot stereograms (Randot, Stereo Optical Co, Chicago, Ill) and by fusing the Worth four-dot test at distance and near range. Two of the patients with high-grade stereo acuity achieved a stereo acuity of 40 seconds of arc by Titmus testing; however, one had a late reduction of stereo acuity to 70 seconds of arc. CONCLUSION: Very early surgery can result in excellent motor alignment and high-grade stereo acuity in some patients with congenital esotropia.

Depth Perception↗
PubMed1994

Imaging myelinated nerve fibres by confocal fluorescence microscopy: individual fibres in whole nerve trunks traced through multiple consecutive internodes.

Current methods of morphological analysis do not permit detailed imaging of individual myelinated fibres over substantial lengths without disruption of neighbouring, potentially significant, cellular and extracellular relationships. We report a new method which overcomes this limitation by combining aldehyde-induced fluorescence with confocal microscopy. Myelin fluorescence was intense relative to that from other tissue components, enabling individual myelinated nerve fibres to be traced for distances of many millimeters in whole PNS nerve trunks. Image obtained with a Bio-Rad MRC-600 confocal laser scanning microscope clearly displayed features of PNS and CNS myelinated fibres including nodes of Ranvier; fibre diameter; sheath thickness and contour; branch points at nodes; as well as (in the PNS) Schmidt-Lanterman incisures and the position of Schwann cell nuclei. Direct comparisons using the same specimens (whole nerve trunks; also teased fibres) showed confocal imaging to be markedly superior to conventional fluorescence microscopy in terms of contrast, apparent resolution and resistance to photobleaching. Development of the fluorophore was examined systemically in sciatic nerves of young adult rats. In separate experiments, animals were perfused systemically using (1) 5% glutaraldehyde; (2) Karnovsky's solution; (3) 4% paraformaldehyde; buffered with either 0.1 M sodium phosphate or sodium cacodylate (pH 7.4). The concentration of glutaraldehyde in the fixative solution was the principal determinant of fluorescence intensity. Confocal imaging was achieved immediately following perfusion with 5% glutaraldehyde or Karnovsky's. Fluorescence intensity increased markedly during overnight storage in these fixatives and continued to increase during subsequent storage in buffer alone. The fluorophore was stable and resistant to fading during storage (15 months at least), enabling data collection over extended periods. To demonstrate application of the method in neuropathology, individual fibres in transected sciatic nerve trunks were traced through multiple successive internodes: Classical features of Wallerian degeneration (axonal swelling and debris; ovoid formation and incisure changes; variation among fibres in the extent of degeneration) were displayed. The method is compatible with subsequent ultrastructural examination and will complement existing methods of investigation of myelinated fibre anatomy and pathology, particularly where preservation of 3-dimensional relationships or elucidation of spatial gradients are required.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Vasodilator therapy in chronic asymptomatic aortic regurgitation: enalapril versus hydralazine therapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to evaluate the long-term efficacy of enalapril versus hydralazine therapy on left ventricular volume, mass and function as well as on the renin-angiotensin system in chronic asymptomatic aortic regurgitation. BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that early administration of a vasodilator drug might be able to reduce left ventricular dilation and mass expansion. Because the renin-angiotensin system may be activated in chronic aortic regurgitation, early enalapril therapy might be beneficial. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1993, 76 asymptomatic nonrheumatic patients with mild to severe chronic aortic regurgitation were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind trial comparing enalapril with hydralazine. All patients underwent serial noninvasive studies. Seventy patients completed the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: At 1 year, patients receiving enalapril had a significant reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes (124 +/- 15 vs. 108 +/- 17 ml/m2, p < 0.01; 50 +/- 12 vs. 40 +/- 14 ml/m2, p < 0.01, respectively) and mass index (131 +/- 16 vs. 113 +/- 19 g/m2, p < 0.01), whereas hydralazine therapy showed no significant changes. Both regimens not only had a significant reduction in left ventricular mean wall stress but also had a mild increase in exercise duration. Only enalapril therapy achieved a significant inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, in contrast to hydralazine therapy. Moreover, the multiple r2 value from the analysis for end-diastolic volume index using the two variables of age and treatment drugs was 72.1% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both regimens decrease left ventricular mean wall stress. Enalapril therapy achieves significant left ventricular mass regression, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index reduction and renin-angiotensin system suppression. These findings suggest that early unloading enalapril therapy has the potential to favorably influence the natural history of chronic aortic regurgitation.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

The incidence and significance of anti-"Mia" in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of the Mill phenotype among Chinese blood donors in Taiwan is 7.3 percent. Anti-"Mia" is the most frequently occurring alloantibody of potential clinical significance encountered among Chinese patients in Taiwan, with a frequency of 0.28 percent. CASE REPORTS: A case of hemolytic disease of the newborn and a transfusion reaction due to anti-"Mia" are described. CONCLUSION: It may be important to include the Mill phenotype in the antibody screening of sera from Chinese patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Glucose intolerance exaggerates left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction in essential hypertension.

The influence of glucose intolerance, the preclinical stage of diabetes mellitus, on the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in essential hypertension, was assessed with two-dimensional M-mode echocardiography in age- and sex-matched essential hypertensive patients with (n = 28) or without (n = 44) glucose intolerance, and normotensive control subjects (n = 29). Left ventricular mass index in hypertensive patients with glucose intolerance was significantly higher than that in hypertensive patients without glucose intolerance (mean +/- SD, 115.6 +/- 28.2 v 102.1 +/- 22.1 g/m2; P < .05). Left ventricular diastolic function as reflected by peak lengthening rate was reduced in glucose-intolerant hypertensive patients than in hypertensive patients without glucose intolerance (2.68 +/- 0.71 v 3.16 +/- 0.82/sec; P < .05). End-systolic wall stress/left ventricular end-systolic volume index, an index of left ventricular contractility, was reduced more in glucose-intolerant hypertensive patients than in hypertensive patients without glucose intolerance (2.75 +/- 0.55 v 3.13 +/- 0.55 10(3) dyn.m2/cm2.mL-1; P < .01). These findings suggest that glucose intolerance accelerates progression of left ventricular hypertrophy and deteriorates left ventricular diastolic function and contractility in essential hypertension.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1994

Postnatal development of red cell Le(a) and Le(b) antigens in Chinese infants.

Lewis phenotyping of 487 blood samples from Chinese newborn infants and young children, revealed that 50% of cord cells were Le(a-b+) and 50% Le(a-b-). The weak Leb antigen of Le(a-b+) cord cells is most likely produced by the newborn infant rather than of maternal origin and it appears that these infants eventually develop by way of an intermediate Le(a+b+) stage into the adult Le(a-b+) phenotype. Most infants with Le(a-b-) cord cells, but not all, appear to develop through a transitional Le(a+b-) stage, into Le (a+b+) by about 1 month of age, most likely continuing as such into adulthood. This development of Le(a-b-) cord cells into the adult Le(a+b+) phenotype is postulated to be the result of the weak secretor gene Se omega. Those infants with Le(a-b-) cord cells that do not convert to Le(a+b+) during the first month of life, most likely remain as such into adulthood. The blood of 120 adult voluntary blood donors, used as controls, reconfirmed adult Chinese phenotypic frequencies of approximately 70% Le(a-b+), 22% Le(a+b+) and 8% Le(a-b-).

Adult↗