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Biomedical subjects

M Lin

Publications and source records attributed to M Lin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia due to an antibody against a labile component of human platelet antigen-3b (Bak b).

We report the second case of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia due to anti-human platelet antigen (HPA)-3b (Bak(b)) antibody. The infant was severely affected with intracranial haemorrhage. Most importantly, we were able to detect this antibody only by using fresh, unfixed platelets as antigen. This antibody was detectable neither by conventional mixed passive haemagglutination, platelet immunofluorescence test using fixed platelets, nor by monoclonal antigen immobilization of platelet antigen assay using solubilized platelets. We assume that this antibody reacts only with fresh platelets and that the antigen is a labile component of HPA-3b (Bak(b)).

Antigens, Human Platelet↗
PubMed2004

Identification of a new HLA-DRB1 allele, HLA-DRB1*0436.

Anovel allele, HLA-DRB1*0436, was identified in a Taiwan indigenous individual by sequence-based typing. DRB1*0436 was identical to DRB1*0403 in exon2 but differed at codons 67-74 with five nucleotide substitutions. This corresponded to three amino acid changes within the P4 peptide-binding pocket of the DR molecule. These substitutions constitute a motif that is also seen in other DRB1*11 alleles. It is possible that the new allele resulted from a gene conversion event.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in Taiwan.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms may affect their transcription, influence their level of production, and may be implicated in inducing susceptibility or resistance to diseases. Cytokine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to determine allelic and genotypic frequencies in the Minnan, the Hakka, and in four indigenous tribes: the Ami, the Tsou, the Atayal, and the Tao (or Yami). The following cytokine gene polymorphisms were analyzed: interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) (T/C -889), IL-1beta (C/T -511, T/C +3962), IL-1R (C/T Pst-I 1970), IL-1Ralpha (T/C Mspa1-I 1100), IL-2 (T/G -330, G/T +166), IL-4 (T/G -1098, T/C -590, T/C -33), IL-4Ralpha (G/A +1902), IL-6 (G/C -174, G/A nt565), IL-10 (G/A -1082, C/T -819, C/A -592), IL-12 (C/A -1188), interferon-gamma (A/T UTR 5644), transforming growth factor-beta (C/T codon 10, G/C codon 25), and TNF-alpha (G/A -308, G/A -238). Little differences were observed between the Minnan and the Hakka. On the other hand, the Minnan and Hakka showed significant differences with the indigenous people.

Cytokines↗
PubMed2004

Rapid and quantitative detection of the microbial spoilage in chicken meat by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (600-1100 nm).

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility of visible and short-wavelength near-infrared (SW-NIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (600-1100 nm) to quantify the microbial loads in chicken meat and to develop a rapid methodology for monitoring the onset of spoilage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four prepackaged fresh chicken breast muscle samples were prepared and stored at 21 degrees C for 24 h. Visible and SW-NIR was used to detect and quantify the microbial loads in chicken breast muscle at time intervals of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h. Spectra were collected in the diffuse reflectance mode (600-1100 nm). Total aerobic plate count (APC) of each sample was determined by the spread plate method at 32 degrees C for 48 h. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) based prediction models were developed. PCA analysis showed clear segregation of samples held 8 h or longer compared with 0-h control. An optimum PLS model required eight latent variables for chicken muscle (R = 0.91, SEP = 0.48 log CFU g(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: Visible and SW-NIR combined with PCA is capable of perceiving the change of the microbial loads in chicken muscle once the APC increases slightly above 1 log cycle. Accurate quantification of the bacterial loads in chicken muscle can be calculated from the PLS-based prediction method. SIGNIFICANCE AND THE IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Visible and SW-NIR spectroscopy is a technique with a considerable potential for monitoring food safety and food spoilage. Visible and SW-NIR can acquire a metabolic snapshot and quantify the microbial loads of food samples rapidly, accurately, and noninvasively. This method would allow for more expeditious applications of quality control in food industries.

Food Microbiology↗
PubMed2004

Inactivation of Listeria innocua in nisin-treated salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) caviar heated by radio frequency.

Recent regulatory concerns about the presence of the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat aquatic foods such as caviar has prompted the development of postpackaging pasteurization processes. However, caviar is heat labile, and conventional pasteurization processes affect the texture, color, and flavor of these foods negatively. In this study, chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta, 2.5% total salt) caviar or ikura and sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus, 3.5% total salt) caviar were inoculated with three strains of Listeria innocua in stationary phase at a level of more than 10(7) CFU/g. L innocua strains were used because they exhibit an equivalent response to L monocytogenes for many physicochemical processing treatments, including heat treatment. The products were treated by immersion in 500 IU/ml nisin solution and heat processed (an 8-D process without nisin or a 4-D process with 500 IU/ml nisin) in a newly developed radio frequency (RF; 27 MHz) heating method at 60, 63, and 65 degrees C. RF heating along with nisin acted synergistically to inactivate L. innocua cells and total mesophilic microorganisms. In the RF-nisin treatment at 65 degrees C, no surviving L. innocua microbes were recovered in sturgeon caviar or ikura. The come-up times in the RF-heated product were significantly lower compared with the water bath-heated caviar at all treatment temperatures. The visual quality of the caviar products treated by RF with or without nisin was comparable to the untreated control.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The role of computed tomography in clinically-suspected but equivocal acute appendicitis.

INTRODUCTION: To study the role of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis in the evaluation of patients with clinically-suspected but equivocal acute appendicitis. METHODS: The medical records of 206 consecutive patients who had CT of the abdomen and pelvis for equivocal signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis were reviewed. 7 mm collimated axial sections from the diaphragm to the iliac crest and 5mm collimated sections of the pelvis with intravenous and oral contrast were obtained. The criteria used to diagnose acute appendicitis were: (a) a thickened appendix of more than 7 mm or (b) inflammatory changes in the periappendiceal fat. The CT findings were correlated with the histological diagnosis at appendectomy. If the CT findings were negative for acute appendicitis and surgery not performed, the results were correlated with other corroborating diagnostic investigations or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 206 patients were scanned, of which 39 were excluded due to lack of any follow-up. Of the final 167 that were studied, there were 36 true positives, 127 true negatives, 4 false negatives and no false positives, resulting in a sensitivity of 93.9 percent, specificity of 100 percent and accuracy of 98.5 percent. CONCLUSION: We have found CT to be a safe, reliable and accurate modality in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in patients with equivocal presentation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

A likelihood approach for mapping growth trajectories using dominant markers in a phase-unknown full-sib family.

Dominant markers have been commonly used in mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in outcrossing species, in which not much prior genome information is available. But the dominant nature of these markers may lead to reduced QTL mapping precision and power. A new statistical method is proposed to incorporate growth laws into a QTL mapping framework, under which the use of the efficiency of dominant markers can be increased. This new method can be used to identify specific QTLs affecting differentiation in growth trajectories, and further estimate the timing of a QTL to turn on, or turn off, affecting growth during the entire ontogeny of a species. Using this method based on dominant markers we have successfully mapped a QTL for stem height growth trajectories to a linkage group in a forest tree. The implications of this method for the understanding of the genetic architecture of growth using dominant markers are discussed.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2003

Effect of short-term exposure to gaseous pollution on asthma hospitalisation in children: a bi-directional case-crossover analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Assess associations between short-term exposure to gaseous pollutants and asthma hospitalisation among boys and girls 6 to12 years of age. DESIGN: A bi-directional case-crossover analysis was used. Conditional logistic regression models were fitted to the data for boys and girls separately. Exposures averaged over periods ranging from one to seven days were used to assess the effects of gaseous pollutants on asthma hospitalisation. Estimated relative risks for asthma hospitalisation were calculated for an incremental exposure corresponding to the interquartile range in pollutant levels, adjusted for daily weather conditions and concomitant exposure to particulate matter. SETTING: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 7319 asthma hospitalisations for children 6 to 12 years of age (4629 for boys and 2690 for girls) in Toronto between 1981 and 1993. MAIN RESULTS: A significant acute effect of carbon monoxide on asthma hospitalisation was found in boys, and sulphur dioxide showed significant effects of prolonged exposure in girls. Nitrogen dioxide was positively associated with asthma admissions in both sexes. The lag time for certain gaseous pollutant effects seemed to be shorter in boys (around two to three days for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide), as compared with girls (about six to seven days for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide). The effects of gaseous pollutants on asthma hospitalisation remained after adjustment of particulate matter. The data showed no association between ozone and asthma hospitalisation in children. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed positive relations between gaseous pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide) at comparatively low levels and asthma hospitalisation in children, using bi-directional case-crossover analyses. Though, the effects of certain specific gaseous pollutants were found to vary in boys and girls.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

The atherogenic lipid profile is associated with type 2 diabetes and some of its treatment modalities.

BACKGROUND: Since diabetes is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, we tested whether: 1) diabetic patients have a high prevalence of the atherogenic lipid profile and 2) the drugs used to treat hyperglycemia are related to the atherogenic lipid profile. METHODS: Seventy-two diabetic patients were retrospectively studied for lipids using the Lipid Research Clinic methods and LDL and HDL gel electrophoreses. RESULTS: Despite normal mean levels of total LDL- and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), diabetic patients had abnormal mean levels and an unusually high prevalence of lipid abnormalities not apparent on routine lipid blood tests. Thus, mean LDL peak particle diameter (PPD) was 258 +/- 11A and values < 263A occurred in 57% of diabetic patients; HDL2 < 40% in 61% and Lp(a) > 25 mg/dl occurred in 36% of patients, despite good glycemic control. Mean HbA1c [Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) formatted] was 6.5 +/- 1.4%. In contrast to patients using sulfonylureas or metformin, diabetic patients using insulin had significantly larger mean LDL PPD (261 vs 254A, p < 0.006), lower triglycerides (115 vs 215 mg/dl,p < 0.0001), higher HDL-c (53 vs 40 mg/dl,p < 0.0001) and higher HDL2 levels (43 vs 29%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this diabetic group, traditional guidelines fail to identify patients with high dyslipidemic prevalence rates (84%). Further, certain oral hypoglycemic treatments are associated with less favorable atherogenic lipid profiles when compared to insulin treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction due to anti-Ku in a Knull patient.

A fatal transfusion reaction due to anti-Ku in a Knull (Ko) patient is reported. The patient was transfused with 34 units of incompatible RBCs during 44 days of hospitalization. Apart from the first transfusion, all subsequent transfusions failed to raise the patient's Hb. No serum antibody was identified until he was transferred to another hospital for dialysis. A compatibility test demonstrated a weak antibody and autocontrol reacting at room temperature by a manual polybrene method. The antibody was considered to be a "cold agglutinin." A blood sample was sent to a reference laboratory where the patient was found to be Knull and the antibody was identified as anti-Ku.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Fetal meconium peritonitis in single and twin pregnancy. Two cases report.

We present two cases of fetal meconium peritonitis in a single and twin pregnancy, respectively. The first case diagnosis was made at 30 weeks and was confirmed after delivery of the twins by cesarean section at 37 weeks. The second case diagnosis was made at 31 week and was confirmed at 37 weeks. Meconium peritonitis is a rare prenatal complication that results from intrauterine perforation of small bowel with spillage of sterile meconium into peritoneal cavity. We now report two cases of meconium peritonitis diagnosed at 30 and 31 weeks gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Change in demographic picture and increase of drug resistance in pulmonarytuberculosis in a 10-year interval in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare the change in demographics, medical characteristics and drug resistance of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) between two time periods within a 10-year interval. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and chest radiographs of 1,826 patients with active pulmonary TB for two time periods from 1992-1996 (n = 884) and 1982-1986 (n = 942). RESULTS: The mean age was significantly higher and there were significantly more female patients in the 1992-1996 period than in the 1982-1986 period. In the 1992-1996 period, there were significantly fewer patients with the main complaints of cough, fever and body weight loss at the time of diagnosis but significantly more patients who had diabetes mellitus, obstructive airway disease, cancer other than lung cancer or who were on corticosteroid therapy. During the 1992-1996 period, single drug resistance against isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF) and streptomycin increased by 0.5%, 3% and 0.7%, respectively. Multiple drug resistance against both INH and RIF increased by 2% in the 1992-1996 period. A history of pulmonary TB and extensive pulmonary involvement were two significant factors for drug resistance against INH, RIF or ethambutol (EMB). CONCLUSION: In the 1992-1996 period, the mean age of patients and number of female patients significantly increased. There were more patients with diabetes mellitus, obstructive airway diseases, cancer other than lung cancer and prior steroid therapy but fewer patients presenting with classic clinical symptoms of TB. In consideration of the high prevalence and increasing rate of single and multiple drug resistance, we recommend an initial four-drug regimen (INH, RIF, EMB, pyrazinamide) for the treatment of pulmonary TB in Taiwan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Thymosin-alpha1 and famciclovir combination therapy activates T-cell response in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in immune-tolerant phase.

We examined whether combination therapy with thymosin-alpha1 and famciclovir would induce hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in the immune-tolerant phase without inducing significant hepatic necro-inflammation. We studied 32 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients in the immune-tolerant phase of infection, treated with 26-weeks combination therapy of famciclovir and thymosin-alpha1 (group 1). Thirty-two patients who received 26-weeks famciclovir monotherapy (group 2) and another 32 patients who received no treatment (group 3), served as controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in response to recombinant HBV core and surface antigen and serial serum HBV-DNA, were assayed. No significant difference in adverse events were observed among the three groups. By week 26, the median reduction in group 1 (0.94 log10 copies/mL) was greater than group 2 (0.70 log10 copies/mL, P < 0.001). Five (15.6%) patients in group 1 at 52 weeks (median range 13-78 weeks) and none in group 2 or 3 experienced hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion (P = 0.053). Sustained serological clearance of hepatitis B e antigen was associated with activation of CD4 positive HBV-specific T-cell reactivity and were of T-helper 1. Hence combination therapy with immunomodulatory agents and nucleoside analogues should be explored.

2-Aminopurine↗
PubMed2002

Hydrops foetalis caused by anti-Mur in first pregnancy--a case report.

Anti-'Mia' is the most common alloantibody of potential clinical significance in the Taiwanese population. The Mi.III phenotype is rare among Caucasians but has a high incidence in various Oriental populations. We describe a nulliparous woman with no history of transfusions, who had hydrops foetalis at 28 weeks gestation. Foetal haemoglobin was 4.4 g dL-1, and a positive direct antiglobulin test was positive in the foetal blood. Intrauterine intravascular transfusion was given, and the baby was discharged healthy. Anti-'Mia' was identified in the maternal serum, the cord blood serum and the eluate from red cells of the cord blood. Anti-'Mia' in the maternal serum was confirmed to be anti-Mur. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method confirmed that both the baby and her father had the Mi.III gene. Therefore, our report documents that anti-Mur has the potential to cause hydrops foetalis.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2002

Niacin treatment of the atherogenic lipid profile and Lp(a) in diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypotheses that niacin is effective for the separate treatments of abnormalities of LDL particle size, HDL2 percentage and Lp(a) without potential negative effects on glycated haemoglobin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The atherogenic lipid profile lipids, such as triglycerides, small, dense LDL cholesterol (LDLc) particle mass, LDL particle size, total HDLc and HDL2 percentage as well as Lp(a), were measured in 42 diabetic patients with abnormalities of LDL particle size, HDL2 percentage and/or Lp(a) levels before and after niacin treatment. LDL particle size and HDL2 were measured using polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoreses and Lp(a) was measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbance assay (ELISA). RESULTS: After niacin treatment, LDL peak particle diameter increased from 252 +/- 7 A to 263 +/- 7 (p < 0.0001), small, dense LDLc particle mass decreased from 27 +/- 11 mg/dL to 15 +/- 4 (p < 0.0001), total HDLc increased from 39 +/- 7 mg/dL to 51 +/- 11 (p < 0.0001), HDL2 as the percentage of total HDLc mass increased from 29 +/- 8% to 45 +/- 10 (p < 0.0001) and Lp(a) decreased from 43 +/- 17 mg/dL to 25 +/- 10 (p < 0.0001). Mean haemoglobin A1c level was improved during treatment from 7.6 +/- 1.8% to 6.5 +/- 1.0 (p < 0.0001) using increased oral agent and insulin treatment doses in more than 90% of the patients. A total of 21% of the patients were unable to tolerate niacin owing to reversible side-effects, and 14% were unable to adhere to the niacin dosing regimen of three times daily. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that in diabetic patients, niacin (i) is effective for treating diabetic dyslipidaemias associated with both the atherogenic lipid profile and Lp(a); (ii) must be used with modern and aggressive oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin treatment; and (iii) is an important drug to treat diabetes dyslipidaemias because of its broad spectrum of effectiveness.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed2002

Expression of a novel reticulon-like gene in human testis.

Identification of genes that are specifically expressed in the adult testis or the fetal testis is important for the study of genes related to the development of the testis. In this study, a human testis cDNA microarray was established. PCR products of 9216 clones from a human testis cDNA library were dotted on a nylon membrane; mRNA from adult and fetal testes were purified and probes were prepared by a reverse transcription reaction with testis mRNA as template. The microarray was hybridized with probes of adult and fetal testes, and 96.8 and 95.4% of clones were positive, respectively. In total, 731 clones were differentially expressed: 592 were highly expressed in adult testis and 139 were highly expressed in fetal testis. Among these genes, a new reticulon (Rtn)-like gene was detected and named Rtn-T. Rtn-T was highly expressed in adult human testis. The cDNA of Rtn-T contains 3491 bp and the putative protein had 968 amino acids. This protein is homologous to the six known members of the Rtn family (KIAA0886, Rtn xL, reticulon 4a, Nogo-A, Nogo-A short form, and brain my043) but was different at the 5' end. All homologues originate from one gene, and result from both different promotor regions and different splicing. Rtn-T lacks the first exon and contains a second exon that is lacking in the other homologues. Rtn-T is shorter than KIAA0886, Rtn xL, reticulon 4a and Nogo-A, but longer than the Nogo-A short form and brain my043. Sequence analysis showed that Rtn-T protein has two hydrophobic regions that may be membrane-spanning domains. Expression profiles showed that Rtn-T is specifically and strongly expressed in testis. The results of the present study indicate that the Rtn-T gene is differentially expressed in adult and fetal testes and encodes a membrane protein that may have a function in testis development.

Adult↗