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Biomedical subjects

M Liu

Publications and source records attributed to M Liu.

697 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Newly developed short behavior scale for use in stroke outcome research.

This study was designed to examine the scale quality of our newly developed short behavior scale and to identify its role in predicting the functional outcome of stroke patients. The short behavior scale consists of six items that assess cognitive function related to the daily behavioral status of a patient in activities of daily living and exercise. It can be scored quickly through observation of a patient's behavior. We assessed 190 stroke inpatients, who had a mean age of 61 years. The mean days and length of stay from onset were 47.3 and 138.2, respectively. We examined internal consistency with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Interrater reliability was tested by having two examiners evaluate 30 patients independently. We studied how the short behavior scale correlated with the admission Functional Independence Measure, Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and speech and visuospatial functions. We also studied how the short behavior scale contributed to the prediction of discharge Functional Independence Measure raw scores with stepwise multiple regression analysis. In another group of 116 patients, we cross-validated our predictive equation. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.88. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.84 for total score. The short behavior scale correlated significantly with cognitive Functional Independence Measure scores and Mini-Mental State Examination scores. We could explain 70.8% of the variance of discharge Functional Independence Measure scores from the Short Behavior Scale, days from onset to admission, age, speech scores, and admission Functional Independence Measure scores. Stability of the predictive equation was shown in cross-validation to a second sample of 116 patients. In conclusion, our newly developed short behavior scale proved reasonable and would be useful to enhance the precision of outcome prediction in stroke rehabilitation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

ADL structure for nondisabled Japanese children based on the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM).

The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) instrument was developed, based on the FIM instrument, to assess disability in children aged 6 mo to 7 yr. Normative data are reported for American and Japanese children, and it is increasingly used for the disabled. Our purpose was to confirm scale quality and to determine the difficulty pattern of the WeeFIM in Japan. The WeeFIM was measured in 225 children (113 girls and 112 boys) aged 6 mo to 7 yr without developmental delays. The scores were converted to an interval scale by Rasch analysis, which assumes unidimensionality of the measurement items, determines the degree of the fit to the assumption, and decides item difficulty. When the WeeFIM items were divided into two groups of motor and cognitive items to minimize misfit, the degree of misfit was acceptable, except for eating, bladder management, tub/shower transfer, and comprehension. For the motor items, grooming, bathing, and bladder control were more difficult, and stairs, bed/chair transfer, and walk or wheelchair were easier. Concerning the cognitive items, expression and comprehension were easier, and problem-solving was most difficult. When we compared item difficulty patterns in the four age groups (6-21 mo, 22-45 mo, 46-62 mo, and 63-100 mo), we found no differences, except in toilet transfer. It was more difficult for younger children, possibly because of its different pattern of chronological change, which shows rapid changes from dependent to independent levels over a short period of time. Our study confirmed the scale quality of the WeeFIM instrument with Rasch analysis and demonstrated the difficulty pattern of the WeeFIM in nondisabled Japanese children.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comorbidities in stroke patients as assessed with a newly developed comorbidity scale.

We previously reported reliability and validity of our newly developed comorbidity scale (CS) for stroke outcome research based on a retrospective sample. The objectives of this study were to cross-validate the comorbidity scale in a new prospective sample and to investigate longitudinal changes of the comorbidity scale during hospitalization. In a prospective sample of 175 stroke patients admitted to five nonacute rehabilitation hospitals in Japan, we analyzed the frequency and grading of comorbidities and compared the comorbidity scale with demographic data, impairment as assessed with the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), and disability as measured with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM(SM)). The results were compared with our previous retrospective study. We also studied longitudinal changes by measuring the comorbidity scale on admission, 2 wk later, and at discharge of 67 patients. As a result, the comorbidity scaling was significantly lower in the prospective sample, and it increased at the second measurement and then plateaued. Among the comorbidities, hypertension ranked first, followed by shoulder pain, and diabetes mellitus. Similar to our previous retrospective study, the comorbidity scale correlated positively with age and length of stay and correlated negatively with the SIAS motor item scores and the FIM scores. In conclusion, the present study suggested concurrent and predictive validity of the comorbidity scale in a prospective sample as well and clarified the comorbidity characteristics of stroke inpatients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergen-induced sensory neuroplasticity in airways.

This study investigates the influence of allergic inflammation in airway sensory innervation. We conclude that allergic inflammation in the guinea pig leads to both an increase in excitability, as manifested by an increase in the mechanical sensitivity of the airway nerve endings, and an induction of substance P production in airway sensory neurons. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the induction of substance P occurs in fast conducting nodose sensory neurons that were previously devoid of this neuropeptide. Thus, allergen challenge is associated with a phenotypic change in the airway tachykinergic innervation. We also provide evidence that nerve growth factor is a potentially important mediator for these effects, and that it is elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage of asthmatic subjects.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relaxation in different-sized rat blood vessels mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor: importance of processes mediating precontractions.

To clarify the mechanisms involved in relaxations mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations and hyperpolarizations were examined in the rat aorta, the main branch of the mesenteric artery (MBMA) and the first branch of the mesenteric aftery (FBMA). In the presence of 100 microM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and 10 microM indomethacin, ACh (1 nM to 100 microM) produced no relaxation in the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta. The L-NNA-resistant relaxations by ACh in MBMA precontracted with phenylephrine were eliminated in the presence of 1 microM nifedipine where contractions were independent of L-type Ca(2+) channel activation. In FBMA precontracted with phenylephrine, the L-NNA-resistant relaxations were only partially inhibited by nifedipine. When vessels had been contracted with 300 nM phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate in the presence of nifedipine, ACh-induced L-NNA-resistant relaxations were observed in FBMA only. Pinacidil produced relaxations in all different-sized blood vessels, although sensitivity was inversely related to vessel size. The extent of the ACh hyperpolarizing responses was much smaller than that by pinacidil in the aorta. The membrane potential changes by ACh and pinacidil were almost the same in FBMA. These results indicate that the contribution of EDHF to endothelium-dependent relaxations increases as the vessel size decreases. This may be partly explained by precontractile processes dependent on Ca(2+) entry through L-type Ca(2+) channels, because Ca(2+) channel deactivation seems to be involved as a major mechanism of EDHF-mediated vasorelaxations. However, EDHF may also generate vasorelaxations by an additional mechanism, probably a reduced Ca(2+) sensitivity of contractile elements, as proposed for ATP-sensitive K(+) channel openers.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Removal and recovery of chromium(III) from aqueous solutions by a spheroidal cellulose adsorbent.

The removal and recovery of chromium(III) (Cr3+) from aqueous solutions with a spheroidal cellulose adsorbent containing the carboxyl anionic group was investigated. The adsorption of Cr3+ ion on the adsorbent has been found to be time, concentration, pH, and temperature dependent. The adsorption process follows both the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms, and has been found to be endothermic (enthalpy change, deltaH = 31.35 kJ/mol). The Cr3+ ion adsorbed on the adsorbent can be recovered by treating with a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution in one of two methods, static desorption or mobile desorption (column operation). A 1.2 mol/L HCl aqueous solution was finally chosen to recover the Cr3+ ion using column operation. The recovery percentage is approximately 85.2%. The exhausted column can be chemically regenerated by treatment with 1 mol/L NaOH aqueous solution and no dismantling is required. The adsorption mechanism is explained on the basis of complexation and ion exchange, between which the complexation adsorption is predominant.

Adsorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stretch-induced growth-promoting activities stimulate fetal rat lung epithelial cell proliferation.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that fetal lung growth requires normal fetal breathing movements. To study this process in vitro, the effect of mechanical stretch on proliferation of fetal rat lung cells maintained in organotypic cultures was examined. In previous studies it has been demonstrated that DNA synthesis and cell division are stimulated by stretch. To determine whether stretched cells release soluble growth factors into their culture medium, conditioned media (CMs) were collected after static culture or culture while stretched. At a 10% dilution (v/v), CM from stretched cells (S-CM) increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA of mixed fetal rat lung cells by 60%, compared to CM from nonstretched cells (C-CM) (p < .01). S-CM increased [3H]thymidine incorporation of fetal lung epithelial cells by 3 to 4-fold (p < .01) and increased cell number by 11.9% (p < .05), but had no effect on fetal lung fibroblast growth. Addition of either PDGF-BB (20 ng/mL), IGF-I (25 ng/mL), or EGF (50 ng/mL) to C-CM, did not mimic the effect of S-CM on epithelial cell DNA synthesis. The stimulatory activity of S-CM on epithelial cell proliferation was heat-, acid- and trypsin-sensitive. It is concluded that organotypic fetal lung cell cultures respond to stretch by elaborating growth-promoting factors which stimulate fetal rat lung epithelial cell, but not fibroblast, proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrophysiological and clinical assessment of a simple wrist-hand splint for patients with chronic spastic hemiparesis secondary to stroke.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of a simple wrist-hand splint, made of mesh materials, on the spastic paretic hand. METHODS: The participants were 15 patients with hemiparetic stroke. Time from stroke onset was over 120 days. We assessed integrated EMG of flexor digitorum sublimus (FDS), extensor indicis proprius (EIP), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), brachioradialis (BR) and triceps brachii (Tri) during active finger extension and shoulder flexion, without and with the wrist-hand splint. H reflexes and M waves were obtained on FCR by stimulating the median nerve, and H/M ratio was calculated. In another 5 patients who used the splint for 8 weeks, its long-term effects were assessed with clinical measures (active range of motion and muscle tone). RESULTS: With the splint, muscle activities of FCR and BR were reduced during shoulder flexion, and those of FDS, FCR and BR decreased during finger Attaching the splint also reduced the H/M ratio of FCR. In five patients who had worn the wrist-hand splint during daytime for 8 weeks, significant increase in the active range of shoulder flexion and finger extension and decrease in muscle tone were demonstrated. The splint reduced co-activation of antagonists not only in wrist but also in finger and elbow muscles. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the wrist-hand splint is beneficial to improve upper limb motor function in patients with spastic hemiparesis.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduced oxygenation in a rat mammary carcinoma post-radiation and reoxygenation with a perflubron emulsion/carbogen breathing.

Oxygen profiles of the rat mammary 13672 carcinoma were determined using a pO2 histograph prior to treatment and 24 hrs. and 48 hrs. after 2 or 5 fractions of 3 gray given once daily. The tumors were much more hypoxic at 24 hrs. post radiation therapy than prior to therapy. There was little increase in the oxygenation of the tumors at 48 hrs. post therapy compared with 24 hrs. post therapy indicating that reoxygenation was occurring very slowly in this tumor. Carbogen breathing improved the oxygenation of the tumors under each of the conditions studied. Administration of a perflubron emulsion (8 ml/kg) produced little or no change in the oxygenation of the tumors under normal air breathing conditions. However, with the addition of carbogen breathing to administration of the perflubron emulsion there was an increase in the mean/median pO2's of the tumors to levels equal to or greater than carbogen breathing alone. Perhaps most significantly administration of the perflubron emulsion with carbogen breathing increased the oxygenation of the most hypoxic regions of the tumors but carbogen breathing alone did not.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Double-blind randomized evaluation of intercostal nerve blocks as an adjuvant to subarachnoid administered morphine for post-thoracotomy analgesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thoracotomy is associated with pain and compromised pulmonary function. Intercostal nerve blocks (INB) and subarachnoid morphine (SM) act on different portions of the pain pathway. Each is effective for post-thoracotomy pain relief. The combination of these two modalities in relieving post-thoracotomy pain and improving postoperative pulmonary function has not been investigated. METHODS: In a double-blind study, 20 patients undergoing lateral thoracotomy for lung resection were randomized to receive 0.5 mg SM preoperatively and INB with bupivacaine (INB+) prior to wound closure or 0.5 mg SM with INB using saline (INB-). Visual analog scale pain scores at rest, with cough, and with movement of the ipsilateral arm, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured at 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the operation. Opioid use was measured during the initial 24 hours after the operation. RESULTS: At 4 hours, the INB+ group demonstrated better FEV1 (56.6% vs. 40.4% of baseline, P < .05) and FVC values (54.6% vs. 39.6% of baseline, P < .05) and less resting and cough pain (P < .05). However, FEV1 continued to decline in the INB+ group at 24 hours to lower than the INB- group although pain scores were similar beyond 4 hours. Opioid usage during the first 24 hours was similar (INB-, 16.7 mg vs. INB+, 13.2 mg, P = .7). CONCLUSIONS: Although postoperative INB provided modest improvements in pain and pulmonary function when used as an adjuvant to 0.5 mg SM for post-thoracotomy analgesia, the benefits were transient. The authors do not recommend adding INB for patients undergoing lateral thoracotomy who receive 0.5 mg SM.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prostate-specific antigen promoter driven gene therapy targeting DNA polymerase-alpha and topoisomerase II alpha in prostate cancer.

Attainment of cell type-specific cytotoxicity with minimal side effects is the ultimate goal of cancer therapy. By employing the prostate-specific antigen promoter (PSAP), we investigated (1) whether PSAP-driven antisense genetic constructs targeting DNA polymerase-alpha and topoisomerase II alpha (Top II alpha), designated PSAP-antipol and PSAP-antitop respectively, could induce death of prostate cancer cells, and (2) whether the cytotoxicity is restricted to cells of prostate origin. A PSAP-driven beta-galactosidase gene, PSAP-LacZ, was also used to estimate the expression of the PSAP-driven transcripts. Lipofection-mediated gene transfers were performed with these 3 constructs and a control plasmid, pCDNA3, in 3 human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU-145, PC-3) and 5 other cell lines (Cos-1 [monkey kidney], HL-60 [human myeloid leukemia], Hep G2 [human hepatoma], NCI H460 [human lung cancer] and SW 480 [human colon cancer]). On transfection with PSAP-LacZ, LNCaP, DU-145, and PC-3 showed a 10.8, 1.8, and 1.6 fold increase in beta-galactosidase activity, respectively. The remaining 5 cell lines showed no changes after transfection. Corresponding to the levels of the induced beta-galactosidase activity, LNCaP showed the strongest growth inhibition by the antisense constructs: 36% by PSAP-antipol, 39% by PSAP-antitop and 80% by PSAP-antipol+PSAP-antitop. DU-145 and PC-3 had minimal growth inhibition with PSAP-antipol alone or PSAP-antitop alone. However, when cotransfected with PSAP-antipol and PSAP-antitop, DU-145 and PC-3 displayed 42% and 55% growth inhibition, respectively. In contrast, no cytotoxicity was observed in the remaining 5 cell lines when transfected with PSAP-antipol, PSAP-antitop or both. Therefore, PSAP-driven antisense gene therapy targeting DNA polymerase-alpha and Top II alpha inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer cells and the cytotoxic effect is restricted in cells of prostate origin.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The usefulness of technetium-99m-MIBI scintimammography in diagnosis of breast cancer: using surgical histopathologic diagnosis as the gold standard.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 99mTc-MIBI scintinammography for the detection of breast cancer. METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive patients referred for a suspicions breast lesion on clinical examination were studied with 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography. There were 60 female patients and 1 male patient with 63 pulpable breast abnormalities. Each patient received 20mCi 99mTc-MIBI intravenously. Ten and 120 minutes postinjection, three planar views, right and left lateral prone and anterior supine thoracic views, were obtained. The patient underwent surgery within one week and the final diagnostic results (histopathology) were obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 63 abnormalities of breast were pathologically confirmed breast cancer, and 31 were benign lesions. In the group of patients studied, the sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography was 78.1% (25 true-positive, 7 false-negative) and the specificity was 90.3% (28 true-negative, 3 false positive). The positive predictive value was 89.3%, the negative predictive value was 80.0%, the positive likelihood ratio was 8.1, the negative likelihood ratio was 0.2. CONCLUSION: This study showed the high diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in detecting breast cancer. 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography can be used as an assistant method to non-invasively assess breast cancer invasiveness before surgery.

Breast Diseases↗