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Biomedical subjects

S Lee

Publications and source records attributed to S Lee.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

A clinical and histopathological study of 22 patients with membranous lipodystrophy.

Membranous lipodystrophy, an uncommon disorder, was described by Nasu et al. in 1973 as a form of regressive degeneration or localized destruction of the adipose tissue. Clinical features of the lesions with membranous fat necrosis are variable and the condition can only be diagnosed histopathologically. These peculiar changes in fat tissue have been associated with many local and systemic diseases including lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, erythema nodosum, stasis dermatitis, morphoea and trauma, but occasionally no underlying disease is found. Even though various hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis of membranous lipodystrophy have been proposed, the exact causes are still in dispute. We reviewed 22 patients having membranous lipodystrophy confirmed by biopsy and discuss the pathogenetic mechanisms which have been suggested by many authors.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Nucleotide sequences of MHC class I introns 1, 2, and 3 in humans and intron 2 in nonhuman primates.

HLA-class I genes are the most polymorphic genetic system yet known. The polymorphic substitutions are mostly located in exon 2 and 3, encoding alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains, respectively, which are involved in peptide binding and T cell receptor interaction. In this study, we present the sequences of the introns neighboring the polymorphic exons in humans with few examples from nonhuman primates. In general, intron sequences are found to be less polymorphic than the adjacent exons, displaying numerous locus-specific and group-specific sites. These sequences will provide important information for developing DNA based typing strategies for HLA-class I alleles.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Vesiculobullous Hailey-Hailey disease: successful treatment with oral retinoids.

A 56-year-old male presented with a pruritic, generalized vesiculobullous eruption. His past history revealed classical symptoms of limited Hailey-Hailey disease for 34 years. Clinically, vesicles, bullae and occasional pustules were present and multiple biopsies confirmed this to be an unusual presentation of Hailey-Hailey disease. Various therapeutic modalities including topical and oral antibiotics, oral prednisone and dapsone failed to achieve sustained remission. Treatment with low-dose oral etretinate (25 mg daily) produced marked clinical improvement with complete suppression of new vesicle formation after 6 weeks.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Function and medical comorbidity in south Texas nursing home residents: variations by ethnic group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in functional status and burdens of medical conditions in Mexican American and non-Hispanic white nursing home residents. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey of 17 nursing homes in south Texas. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 617 older nursing home residents, of whom 366 were Mexican American and 251 were non-Hispanic white. MEASURES: Activities of Daily Living (ADL) status abstracted from standard nurses notes and Burden of Disease abstracted from medical records. RESULTS: Mexican American residents had greater numbers of ADL dependencies and poorer overall ADL scores than non-Hispanic white residents. This poor functioning was not explained by age, gender, or marital or educational status. The average number of medical conditions was greater, and specific conditions, such as cerebrovascular disease, recent acute infections, diabetes, hypertension, and anemia, were more common in Mexican American residents compared with non-Hispanic white residents. In models relating function with medical conditions and ethnic group, ADL scores and dependencies were significantly related to bowel and bladder incontinence, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, recent infections, and skin decubiti, but not to ethnic group. CONCLUSION: Mexican American nursing home residents are more functionally dependent than non-Hispanic white residents. The difference in function is explained by a greater burden of medical conditions in the Mexican American residents.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

Biomechanical model for the myogenic response in the microcirculation: Part I--Formulation and initial testing.

The pressure dependent or myogenic contraction of arterioles is one of the most fundamental control mechanisms of microvascular perfusion. While many experimental observations have been obtained on the myogenic response, no generally accepted biomechanical model has been formulated. A novel biomechanical theory is proposed based on two fundamental assumptions: the arteriolar wall exhibits viscoelastic properties before and during myogenic contractions, and the contraction is achieved by a pressure dependent change of reference length. The formulation of the model and its application to different experimental procedures on microvascular smooth muscle in the literature is presented. The model describes closely a broad spectrum of steady and unsteady pressure dependent diameter variations of arterioles under a pressure dependent stimulus.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Biomechanical model for the myogenic response in the microcirculation: Part II--Experimental evaluation in rat cremaster muscle.

In order to test experimentally a novel model for myogenic contraction of the arterioles, presented in Part I of this series, a sequence of in-vivo studies was performed on arterioles of rat cremaster muscle using a modified "Box Method." The tissue was enclosed in a sealed chamber in which the extravascular pressure could be changed as a means of stimulating the myogenic response. The microvascular pressures were measured using an improved cremaster preparation with intact distal feeder. The experiment consists of measurements of a static myogenic response and the response to a step extravascular pressure, as well as passive viscoelastic properties of the arteriole. These measurements served to determine the parameters involved in the theoretical model. The model prediction were then compared with in-vivo observations during a ramp and during oscillatory extravascular pressure changes in the same arterioles. The results indicate that the model is capable of quantitatively predicting time dependent in-vivo changes in response to transmural pressure. The measured model parameters suggest an increase in myogenic activity from proximal arcade arterioles to more distal transverse arterioles in cremaster muscle of Wistar rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Purification and characterization of a fibrinolytic enzyme produced from Bacillus sp. strain CK 11-4 screened from Chungkook-Jang.

Bacillus sp. strain CK 11-4, which produces a strongly fibrinolytic enzyme, was screened from Chungkook-Jang, a traditional Korean fermented-soybean sauce. The fibrinolytic enzyme (CK) was purified from supernatant of Bacillus sp. strain CK 11-4 culture broth and showed thermophilic, hydrophilic, and strong fibrinolytic activity. The optimum temperature and pH were 70 degrees C and 10.5, respectively, and the molecular weight was 28,200 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The first 14 amino acids of the N-terminal sequence of CK are Ala-Gin-Thr-Val-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Ile-Pro-Leu-Ile-Lys-Ala-Asp. This sequence is identical to that of subtilisin Carlsberg and different from that of nattokinase, but CK showed a level of fibrinolytic activity that was about eight times higher than that of subtilisin Carlsberg. The amidolytic activity of CK increased about twofold at the initial state of the reaction when CK enzyme was added to a mixture of plasminogen and substrate (H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-pNA). A similar result was also obtained from fibrin plate analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Measurement of retinal blood flow with fluorescein leucocyte angiography using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope in rabbits.

AIMS: To measure blood flow in the rabbit retinal circulation with fluorescein leucocyte angiography using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. METHODS: Blood was withdrawn from the ear vein of a rabbit (New Zealand White), mixed with fluorescent dye in a test tube and centrifuged. The yellow-brown layer containing fluorescein stained leucocytes was collected and injected into the ear vein of the same rabbit while performing fluorescein angiography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The image of retinal angiography displaying circulating fluorescent leucocytes was recorded on video tape. From each frame of the video tape, the consecutive positions of fluorescein stained leucocytes were digitised using an image analysis system and the velocity of blood flow was calculated. RESULTS: Fluorescent leucocytes were clearly visualised in the retinal arteries, capillaries, and veins which allowed measurement of blood flow. The mean capillary velocity was 0.69 (SD 0.21) mm/s. The mean velocities of leucocytes measured in different sized vessels were as follows: 5.83 (2.42) mm/s in arteries over 50 microns, 3.33 (0.62) mm/s in those 35-50 microns, and 2.42 (1.08) mm/s in arteries under 35 microns, 3.08 (1.56) mm/s in veins over 50 microns, 2.79 (1.49) mm/s in those 35-50 microns, and 1.21 (0.50) mm/s in veins under 35 microns. Blood flow pulsation occurs in arteries, arterioles, veins, and venules but not capillaries. CONCLUSION: Fluorescein leucocyte angiography can be used for simultaneous measurement of the blood flow in retinal arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Aldosterone and insulin stimulate amiloride-sensitive sodium transport in A6 cells by additive mechanisms.

The individual effects of aldosterone and insulin on amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport in model renal epithelia have been well characterized. However, in the physiological state, many hormones are present concurrently and their interactions need to be addressed. We have found that, over 5 h, the effects of insulin and aldosterone are additive. This indicates that the biochemical pathways are largely independent. To delineate the signaling pathways, we examined the requirement for tyrosine kinases by using genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Genistein blocks basal (constitutive) Na+ transport and inhibits insulin- and aldosterone-stimulated Na+ transport. From these results, we conclude that a tyrosine phosphorylation is an important component of amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1996

Sensory-evoked pocket scratch motor patterns in the in vitro turtle spinal cord: reduction of excitability by an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist.

1. In intact turtles, tactile stimulation of the body surface in the "shell pocket" region surrounding the hindlimb elicits a pocket scratch reflex, in which the hindlimb reaches toward and rhythmically rubs the stimulated site. In the present study, we utilized reduced in vitro preparations of the turtle spinal cord with attached peripheral nerves to investigate the time course and pharmacology of sensory-evoked excitability in the pocket scratch neural network. Fictive pocket scratch motor output was elicited by electrically stimulating either the ventral-posterior pocket (VPP) cutaneous nerve or the distal D8 (d.D8) nerve. Both nerves contain afferents innervating part of the pocket scratch receptive field. 2. Six-segment (D7-S2) preparations of the spinal cord, which included the entire hindlimb enlargement, produced fictive pocket scratch motor output in response to VPP nerve stimulation (n = 6). We recorded fictive motor output as electroneurograms from up to five peripheral nerves in D7-S2 preparations, including three knee extensor muscle nerves (IT-KE, which innervates triceps femoris pars iliotibialis; AM-KE, which innervates pars ambiens; and FT-KE, which innervates pars femorotibialis), a hip flexor (protractor) muscle nerve (VP-HP, which innervates puboischiofemoralis internus, pars anteroventralis), and a mixed cutaneous-muscle nerve that exhibits hip-extensor-correlated motor output during the scratch (d.D8). The timing characteristics of activity in these nerves during in vitro motor patterns were similar to what has been observed during the in vivo pocket scratch. 3. Even a single segment of spinal cord from the anterior hindlimb enlargement (D8) contained sufficient neural circuitry to generate rhythmic motor patterns in AM-KE, VP-HP, and d.D8 nerves during repeated stimulation of VPP (n = 5) or d.D8 (n = 1). Stimulus trains delivered at 3-5 Hz for > or = 6 s elicited one or more VP-HP bursts with clear burst terminations; in some cases, these were followed by distinct hip-extensor-correlated d.D8 bursts. AM-KE timing was characteristic of a pocket scratch synergy, beginning during the VP-HP burst and continuing after VP-HP offset. Thus even isolated D8 segments were capable of expressing rhythmic alternation between hip-flexor- and hip-extensor-correlated motor bursts as well as a pocket-scratch-specific knee-hip synergy. 4. A single electrical pulse delivered to the VPP or d.D8 nerve increased the excitability of the pocket scratch network in D7-S2 and D8 preparations for > or = 5-10 s. We estimated the time course of increased excitability by observing the temporal summation of scratch motor output in response to single pulses applied to cutaneous afferents at multisecond intervals. Stimulus parameters were adjusted so that a single pulse delivered to a "rested" preparation (rested = no stimulation for > 2 min) was at or just below threshold for evoking motor output. Single pulses delivered at 5- to 10-s intervals evoked strongly summating scratch motor output in D7-S2 and D8 preparations. These results show that neural mechanisms that store sensory-evoked excitation in the pocket scratch circuit exist within the spinal hindlimb enlargement and even within the isolated D8 segment. 5. With the use of in vitro preparations, we have begun to examine the pharmacology of sensorimotor processing in the pocket scratch network. Application of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) (50-100 microM) to the spinal cord greatly reduced pocket scratch excitability. APV lowered the motor burst frequency of pocket scratch responses in D7-S2 preparations elicited by 3-Hz stimulation; it also reduced the amplitude of summating motor output in D7-S2 and D8 preparations in response to single electrical stimuli delivered at 5-s intervals. These results indicate that NMDA receptors have a key role in synaptic processing and sustained excitation within the pocket scratch neura

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗
PubMed1996

Lodoxamide in vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Lodoxamide may be superior compared with cromolyn sodium for treatment of VKC. It is difficult, however, to conclusively determine the superiority of lodoxamide compared with cromolyn from the three studies reviewed in this article. Optimally, a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial involving the ophthalmic products cromolyn sodium 4%, lodoxamide 0.1%, and placebo (preferably NaCl 0.9%) with a treatment duration of at least 90 days and a similar sample size for each study group would lend the most credence to the determination of superiority of lodoxamide compared with cromolyn sodium for the treatment of VKC.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗
PubMed1996

Effects of intermittent food restriction and refeeding on energy efficiency and body fat deposition in sedentary and exercised rats.

The effects of body weight cycling on energy metabolism and body fat accumulation were examined in sedentary and exercised rats. Ten rats were sacrificed before the experiment to obtain basal data, and then 90 rats were divided into three groups; control (CN), food restricted (FR) and weight cycling (WC). Food intake in rats of the FR group was restricted constantly to 70% of the intake of the CN group. The rats of WC group were subjected to four bouts of weight cycling consisting of 7-days food restriction followed by 7-days refeeding, but were fed the same total amount of dietary energy as that of the FR group throughout the experimental period. The rats of all groups were meal-fed twice a day. Half of the rats in each group were exercised by running on a treadmill (30 min/day) throughout the experimental period. The body weight, abdominal adipose tissue weight, body fat, body protein and energy restoration for the study in both sedentary and exercised groups were greater in the WC group than in the FR group. The resting metabolic rate of the WC group after four bouts of weight cycling was lower than that of the FR group in the sedentary rats, but this difference was not observed in the exercised rats. Also, the thermic effect of food (TEF) in the sedentary rats for 6 h after a meal was significantly less in the WC group as compared to that of the FR group. However, the TEF for the exercised rats was not different between the two groups. The serum insulin level, activities of lipogenic enzymes and lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue for the sedentary rats of the WC group were higher than those of the FR group, but did not differ in the exercised rats. These results suggest that weight cycling increases body fat deposition and energy efficiency by decreasing energy expenditure, particularly the TEF, and that exercise training can alleviate the effects of weight cycling on the energy metabolism.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

A method of estimating infant deaths in Korea.

"The goal of this project was to develop a new method for estimating infant deaths in [South] Korea. An attempt was made to collect information on real infant death cases by using...medical insurance benefit data and by conducting a medical facilities survey, which allows us to [trace] back the fate of the births from the delivery. Another strategy employed was the gathering of information on infant deaths from the various existing sources and integrating them into one set after adjusting for overlapping cases among the sources." (SUMMARY IN KOR)

Asia↗
PubMed1996

[Health and welfare of foreign children and pregnant women overstaying their visas in Japan].

In recent years, the problems of foreign nationals who are working in Japan without proper visa status, or who are illegally staying in Japan (overstaying) have been actively discussed by the mass media as constituting a major social problem. The rapid increase in number of "stateless" children suggests that the issue of foreign mothers and children, in particular, can no longer be neglected. Obtaining accurate knowledge of the current state of this problem is, however, difficult as almost no nationwide surveys have been conducted. Our study was conducted among welfare centers throughout Japan for the purpose of determining the current state of overstaying foreign children and pregnant women, and to reveal problems in the health and welfare of these mothers and children. At the same time, future directions were examined. A questionnaire was mailed to welfare centers throughout Japan in August 1993, and 562 responses were received with the following information: 1) About 10% of the welfare centers investigated have been consulted by overstaying foreign children and pregnant women. 2) About 70% of the welfare centers consulted by overstaying foreigners have helped them as far as possible. 3) About 20% of the welfare centers have asked for the cooperation of individual volunteers and nongovernmental organizations to provide solutions in such cases. 4) Of the consultations related to children, infants of less than three years of age accounted for about 90%. 5) Common problems related to pregnant women were the cost of childbirth and guarantee of visa status. 6) Some of the problems in these cases were solved by application of the Livelihood Protection Law, the Child Welfare Law, and the Child and Maternal Health Law. 7) Individual cases were reported by welfare centers throughout Japan, and revealed the existence of various health and welfare problems. Mechanisms for welfare centers to handle these cases and provide assistance poses a significant challenge for the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Current status of the use of Welfare Centers Japan by foreign children and pregnant women living in Japan].

This survey was conducted to determine how Welfare Centers throughout Japan were addressing the health care and welfare issues of foreign children and pregnant women living in Japan, and to analyze statistics (1988-1992) on the number of consultations by foreigners living in Japan. Questionnaires were mailed to 1220 Welfare Centers throughout Japan in mid August 1993, and responses from 562 centers were received. The survey conducted among these centers revealed the following information: 1) About half of the Welfare Centers responding had had consultations with foreign children and pregnant women, and about 60% of them had encountered difficulties, including language problems. 2) Comparison of rural and urban areas revealed that a higher percentage of Welfare Centers in the urban areas had had foreigners as clients. Welfare Centers were more likely to be accessed by foreigners when there was a large foreign population in the area under their domain. About 90% of the Welfare Centers in large cities had been consulted by foreigners. 3) Only about 30% of the Welfare Centers responding had employees who were competent in foreign languages, and guidebooks in foreign languages were available at less than 10% of the Welfare Centers. In most of the Welfare Centers that had staff competent in a foreign language, the language of competency was English. About 30% of the Welfare Centers responded that they could obtain the service of interpreters when they were consulted by foreigners who spoke languages which they could not understand. 4) The responding Welfare Centers were found to have had consultations by foreign children and pregnant women from all over the world. Consultations by South American and Asian nationals were found to be increasing rapidly. With respect to visa status, an increase was noted in the number of people who had married Japanese spouses. As to the age of children, the majority of those seen at Welfare Centers were infants. 5) There was an increased number of cases related to application of the Child Welfare Law, and the Maternal and Child Health Law.

Adolescent↗