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Biomedical subjects

T L Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to T L Hsu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Liu-wei-dihuang: a study by pulse analysis.

Pulse analysis method was used in studying the traditional Chinese formula Liu-Wei-Dihuang as well as five of its main components (Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Paeonia Suffruticosa, Poria cocos and Alisma plantogo-aquatica var oriental). Based on our recently developed resonance theory, we tried to elucidate the mechanism and mutual reactions of these meridian related herbs. Hot water herbal extracts were injected intraperitoneally into rats and the pressure pulse spectrum at the caudate artery was measured. The results of this study indicated that Liu-Wei-Dihuang mildly increased blood flow to meridians with lower resonance frequency: namely the liver C1, the kidney C2 and the spleen C3; but decreased blood flow to the higher resonance frequency organs and meridians: the lung C4, the stomach C5, the gall bladder C6, and the bladder C7. It also decreased the heart load C0. All of the five herb components increased blood flow to the kidney C2 and the spleen C3; but their effects on the high frequency organs varied. Alisma plantogo-aquatica var. oriental decreased the C0, C5, C6, C7; Poria cocos decreased C1, C4, C5, C6; Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia Suffruticosa decreased C0, C4, C5, C6, C7; Cornus officinalis increased C4 but decreased C0, C5, C6, C7.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Survey of Theileria parasite infection in cattle in Taiwan.

An survey of Theileria parasite infection in cattle in Taiwan was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 491 blood samples, 105 from southern area and 386 from northern area, were collected from bovine in 16 different farms. From northern area, Theileria piroplasms could be seen in only 4 of 105 blood samples microscopically. However, when p32/34 genes (encoding immunodominant piroplasm surface proteins) were amplified by PCR, 15 blood samples were detected positive. They were analyzed by using allele-specific primers of 3 allelic forms of p32/34 and all contained C type of T. sergenti. Four blood samples were found infected with both C and B (T. buffeli) type parasites. Examination of 386 blood samples from southern area of Taiwan did not reveal any Theileria parasite microscopically, as well as by PCR amplification.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Driving out the 'toothworm' in today's China.

For thousands of years people have tried to explain toothache as the result of a worm residing in a carious tooth. Fumigation of the carious tooth, with the smoke from burning henbane or leek seeds, was used to drive the "toothworm" out of the tooth. A quack in modern China adopted the same ruse and supposedly drove the worms out of student's tooth. This duplicitous procedure was captured on film by a dentist who witnessed it.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1997

Serine/threonine kinase activity associated with the cytoplasmic domain of the lymphotoxin-beta receptor in HepG2 cells.

The lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LT-betaR) has been shown to be the receptor for the membrane-bound lymphotoxin heterotrimers LTalpha1/beta2 and LTalpha2/beta1. The extracellular domain of LT-betaR shows extensive similarity with members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, while its cytoplasmic domain is distinct and lacks any inherent enzymatic activity. This suggests that the interaction of LT-betaR with other molecules might be important for signal transduction. Here we demonstrate the association of a fusion protein, comprising glutathione S-transferase and the cytoplasmic domain of LT-betaR (GST-LT-betaR(CD)), with several proteins in the size range 29-80 kDa from HepG2 cell lysates. We present evidence that two of these proteins are serine/threonine kinases, which associate with amino acids 324-377 of the cytoplasmic domain of LT-betaR and phosphorylate this receptor. The characteristics of these novel kinases indicate that they are distinct from the previously described tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated kinases. This suggests the presence of novel signal transduction pathway(s) for LT-betaR.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

Pulse spectrum study on the effect of sie-zie-tang and Radix aconiti.

Extracts of the traditional Chinese formula Sie-Zie-Tang as well as one of its main components, Radix Aconiti were injected into rats intraperitoneally to observe pressure wave spectrum changes at the caudate artery. We found that Radix Aconiti decreased the C0 (DC term of the pulse), C5 and C6 (the harmonic proportions of the 5th and the 6th harmonic), but increased C2 and C3 (the harmonic proportions of the second and the third harmonic) significantly. For Sie-Zie-Tang, the increases of C2, C3, and C4 were accompanied by the decreasing of C0. The decreases of C5, C6 were small and not significant. The additional ingredients in the formula reduce toxic side effects (arrhythmia or heart failure caused by faster and stronger heart beat) due to Radix Aconiti. For human subjects, low dose Sie-Zie-Tang tends to normalize the Fourier components of the pressure wave. Orally taking the formula elevates the harmonic proportion of the harmonic that is lower than normal, but suppresses the higher one. Our results provides a possible mechanism for heart meridian related herbs. It strengthens heart beats, and normalizes energy distribution to different meridians. The study on Sie-Zie-Tang reveals another formula construction to reduce toxic side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The prandial effect on the pulse spectrum.

The prandial effect on the pulse spectrum of the radial artery was studied. Ingestion greatly affected the spectrum of the pressure pulse. For most of the tested subjects, the harmonic proportions of the 2nd and the 4th harmonic increased significantly after ingestion, however a decreasing effect was found on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th harmonics. The spectrum became stable from half hour after ingestion and last 3 to 4 hours. From these results, a reliable pulse diagnosis is therefore suggested to be done in the period when the pulse spectrum is stable; physiological significance of these postprandial phenomena is also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Pulse spectrum analysis of chemical factory workers with abnormal blood test.

Double blind tests to check the correlation between pulse diagnosis and liver function tests were performed. Blood tests including T-Bil, D-Bil, SGOT and SGPT of 70 chemical factory workers were compared with pulse analysis. Special attention was paid to the indicators of liver and lung meridians for pulse diagnosis. It was found that using the criterion (1) C1 > or = 3+ and C1 + C4 > or = 4+ (hyperfunction) and (2) C1 < or = 3-(hypofunction) as abnormal liver meridian (for C1, every 5% above normal give one +, every 5% below normal give one-; for C4 every 10% above normal give one +, every 10% below normal give one -). The correlation or agreement between the blood tests and the pulse diagnosis was very high (noncorrelation chance checked by X2-test, P < 0.001, degree of agreement checked by Kappa test Ka = 0.61 which means a substantial relationship). Suggestions such as more tests, more criteria and precautions for future study are also proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of acupuncture at tai-tsih (K-3) on the pulse spectrum.

The frequency specific acupuncture effect on Tai-Tsih (K-3) was examined by investigating pulse variations at the radial artery. The harmonic proportions of the 2nd, 3rd, and the 4th harmonics were increased but the 5th, 6th and 9th harmonics were decreased significantly. The phase angles of all except the 2nd harmonic were increased (wave propagated slower). These results are compared with the frequency specific acupuncture effect on Tsu-San-Li (St-36) which we reported previously (Wang et al., 1995a). This study solidified the weak coupling resonance theory, which successfully explains these frequency specific effects as well as the acupuncture mechanism.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1996

Effects of right ventricular pacing on ventriculoatrial conduction and systemic venous responses in sick sinus patients.

This study was designed to assess the ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction and systemic venous responses to right ventricular pacing at different pacing rates and the feasibility of identifying patients prone to pacemaker syndrome by means of a Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiographic technique. Twenty-two sick sinus patients who received ventricular-demand permanent pacemakers constituted the study group. The proximal inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters were measured by two-dimensional echocardiography. Fourteen patients had VA conduction by preimplant electrophysiologic study or paced electrocardiogram (Group II), while the other 8 patients presented no VA conduction (Group I). Abnormal systolic retrograde flow in the hepatic vein following each paced beat could be demonstrated in those patients with VA conduction in the basal state. In the 8 patients without VA conduction, the IVC diameters were significantly increased during rapid right ventricular pacing in those with left ventricular dysfunction (n = 4) as compared with those with normal left ventricular function (n = 4) (% increment at 120 beats per minute.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1996

Myocardial infarction with normal coronary artery after carbon monoxide exposure: a case report.

Carbon monoxide intoxication usually disturbs the normal human biochemical respiratory chain cascade from which high affinity of carboxyhemoglobin to oxygen causes ischemic insult to the human tissues and cells. Ubiquitous injuries to human cells have already been well documented for a long period of time. Here we reported a 42-year-old female who was sent to the medical emergent unit under the suspicion of carbon monoxide exposure mainly with neurologic deficits. Serum carboxyhemoglobin level was found to be 18%. Serial revolutional changes of serum CK level and ECG were noted. The echocardiogram showed hypokinesia of left ventricular apical lateral wall. Normal coronary arteriogram was found in later admission date. The patient received hyperbaric oxygen therapy and was discharged with residual psychotic symptoms. This report presented normal coronary arteriogram with serial EKG and biochemical changes in a victim of CO intoxication with evidence of myocardial infarction. Impaired oxygen delivery and disturbed intracellular mitochondrial metabolism were considered to be responsible for the ischemic insult associated with carbon monoxide exposure. The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy was also discussed in this report; however, more experiences in application are needed to determine it's benefits for patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Dynamic three-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of intracardiac blood flow jets.

Transthoracic dynamic 3-dimensional reconstruction of the heart with tissue depiction has been proved to be feasible when using various methods of data acquisition. The same method can theoretically be applied to color Doppler flows to generate dynamic 3-dimensional images of intracardiac blood flow jets. To explore the feasibility of this approach, we studied 41 patients with various valvular disorders or intracardiac shunts. We acquired sequential 2-dimensional images along with color Doppler information using rotational scanning from a transthoracic or a subcostal window. Images were digitized and processed for 3-dimensional reconstruction using dedicated software. After adequate segmentation, the flow jets were displayed in 3 dimensions in a gray scale format. With use of this approach, 3-dimensional reconstruction of color Doppler flows was possible in all but 1 patient. Still frames allowed immediate appreciation of the shape of the jets, their location in the cardiac chambers, and their size related to that cavity. Dynamic display was even more striking by showing the flow in real time. Dynamic 3-dimensional images enabled visualization of flow jets in projections not available in conventional color flow Doppler, looking directly at the views of shunt and regurgitant flows, and also permitted 3-dimensional delineation of flow convergence zones. We conclude that dynamic visualization of various intracardiac flows in 3 dimensions using transthoracic echocardiography is possible. It provides a better understanding of the shape and size of the jets, and can potentially aid in flow quantification by displaying the actual shape of flow convergence regions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Relation between diurnal variation of blood pressure and left ventricular mass in a Chinese population.

In western populations, patients with hypertension who have a nocturnal decrease in blood pressure (BP) may have less left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and cardiovascular morbidity than those without a diurnal variation in BP. To further examine this association between nocturnal BP reduction and LV mass index, we studied 720 normotensives (< 140/90 mm Hg), 380 borderline hypertensives (140 to 159/90 to 94 mm Hg), and 582 hypertensives (> or = 160/95 mm Hg) from Taiwan and Quemoy island by using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and 2-dimensional echocardiography to obtain LV mass index during a community-based cardiovascular survey. After controlling for age, sex, height, weight, daytime BP, and daytime heart rate, the nocturnal reduction of systolic BP was found to associate weakly with LV mass index, for the whole population (partial correlation coefficient = -0.06, p < 0.05), as well as for the patients with hypertension (partial correlation coefficient = -0.09, p < 0.05), but these associations were eliminated when 24-hour BP and heart rate were accounted for. The average and percent nocturnal decrease of systolic BP (mean +/- SD; mm Hg, [%]) of 3.2 +/- 5.9 (2.7 +/- 4.8%); 3.3 +/- 7.3 (2.4 +/- 5.4%); and 4.6 +/- 9.0 (3.0 +/- 6.1%) in normotensives, borderline hypertensives, and hypertensives, respectively, was smaller than that found in previous studies. Hence, in this large Chinese population, a small nocturnal BP drop was found and it was only weakly associated with LV mass index. These results emphasize the general need for ambulatory BP reference values based on internal controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effect of acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) on the pulse spectrum.

Effect of acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) was examined by investigating the pulse variation of the radial artery. Our results indicated that acupuncture at Tsu San Li has a specific effect on the Fourier components of the pulse. The harmonic proportions were redistributed (C2, C4 decreased, C5, C6, C8 and C9 increased), and the phase angle of the 5th and 8th harmonic waves were decreased (propagating faster). This specific frequency effect was not found when acupuncture needle was applied on a non-acupuncture point. These results can be explained by the resonance theory, which provides a scientific explanation of the acupuncture effect from the hemodynamic view point.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed1995

Collective effect of a Chinese formula--a study of xiao-jian-zhong-tang.

Components of a traditional Chinese medicine formula Xiao-Jian-Zhong-Tang were divided into three groups: (1) Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae, (2) Radix Astragali, and (3) Cinnamon twig, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Fructus jujubae and Saccharum Granorum. Extracts of each group were injected into rats to observe the blood pressure wave spectrum changes at the caudate artery. The whole formula was also extracted and injected into rats to monitor blood pressure wave spectrum changes. Each group has its own effect on the Fourier components of the blood pressure wave. The meridian effects of these herbs are the same as described in the Chinese medical literature, if we consider each meridian in resonance with a specific Fourier component. The whole formula when injected into rats had an effect on the Fourier components of the blood pressure wave similar to the linear combination of individual effect of the three herb groups when used separately. This may be the fundamental idea behind formula construction.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Different effects of fosinopril and atenolol on wave reflections in hypertensive patients.

We conducted this study to compare the effects of fosinopril versus atenolol on peripheral blood pressure, central arterial wave reflection, and left ventricular mass in a group of patients with essential hypertension. We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial of fosinopril and atenolol in 79 hypertensive patients (52 men, 27 women; mean age, 45.8 +/- 8.5 years; range, 30 to 68 years). Carotid pressure waveforms were recorded noninvasively by applanation tonometry with a Millar micromanometer-tipped probe. The extent of wave reflection was estimated by the augmentation index defined as the ratio of the amplitude of pressure wave above its systolic shoulder to the pulse pressure. The augmentation index, left ventricular mass index by two-dimensional echocardiography, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures were determined before and after 8 weeks of daily treatment with fosinopril (10 to 20 mg) or atenolol (50 to 100 mg) with or without diuretics and compared with those values in 79 normotensive control subjects. After 8 weeks of treatment, both drugs lowered 24-hour ambulatory peripheral systolic and diastolic pressures into the normal range to a similar extent (fosinopril, -18/-13 mm Hg; atenolol, -23/-17 mm Hg, both P = NS). On the other hand, whereas the elevated augmentation index in hypertensive patients compared with normotensive subjects (16 +/- 11% versus 10 +/- 8%) was completely normalized by fosinopril (-9.3 +/- 9.8%, P < or = .002), it was lowered by atenolol (-4.8 +/- 8.9%, P < .002) but to a significantly smaller extent (fosinopril versus atenolol effect, P = .04).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Short-term and long-term effects of benazepril in mild to moderate hypertensives.

BACKGROUND: Benazepril hydrochloride is a non-sulfhydryl-containing, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The short-term and long-term antihypertensive effects of benazepril remain to be established in Chinese. METHODS: Hypertensive subjects with diastolic blood pressure 95-110 mmHg, after two week placebo run-in first, entered a four-week double-blind phase with treatment of benazepril 10 mg once daily or captopril 25 mg three times daily, then received one-year open treatment of benazepril 10 mg daily with or without diuretics. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed at the end of placebo run-in, after four-week double-blind phase, and after one-year open treatment. RESULTS: Of the 75 subjects (41 male, 34 female, mean age 57 +/- 12 years, range 34-88 years) who completed the double-blind phase, 42 subjects finished the one-year extension phase. Reasons for withdrawal from the study included irritable cough (16, 21%), hypotension (1, 1%), and poor compliance (16, 21%). During the short-term double-blind phase, benazepril reduced clinic and mean 24-h ambulatory blood pressure by -21/-10 mmHg and by -17/-10 mmHg respectively, and captopril by -21/-13 mmHg and by -17/-10 mmHg respectively. After one-year open treatment by benazepril for the 42 subjects, the one-year average clinic blood pressure was 134/88 mmHg (155/104 mmHg at entry and 135/93 mmHg at the end of the double-blind phase), and the mean 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was 137/87 mmHg (149/95 mmHg at entry and 132/84 mmHg at the end of the double-blind phase). CONCLUSIONS: The antihypertensive effect of benazepril 10 mg daily with or without diuretics is not significantly different from that of captopril 75 mg daily in the short-term and can reasonably be maintained for one year.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reappraisal of cardiac murmurs related to aortic regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of color Doppler echocardiography, which can detect even a trivial aortic regurgitation (AR), the spectrum of the audible cardiac murmurs caused by AR which presents specific and characteristic findings should receive further refinement. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects with isolated AR (21 male and 7 female, mean age 61 +/- 41 yrs) diagnosed by colour Doppler echocardiography (15 mild, 6 moderate, and 7 severe by Nanda's criteria) and 8 normal controls (5 male and 3 female, mean age 38 +/- 15 yrs) were randomly invited for a physical examination to evaluate the systolic and diastolic murmurs in four auscultation areas by two experienced cardiologists who were blind to the clinical profile of each patient. Subsequently, a complete and comprehensive echocardiographic examination was performed to measure the transaortic peak velocity and time velocity integral, aortic root diameter, stroke volume, peak diastolic velocity and pressure half time of the AR jet, fractional shortening, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic internal dimensions. RESULTS: Systolic murmur was present in 62.5%, 66.7%, 100% and 100% of subjects with no, mild, moderate and severe AR, respectively. The corresponding numbers for diastolic murmur were 12.5%, 13.3%, 100% and 100% in subjects with no, mild, moderate and severe AR, respectively. The corresponding numbers for diastolic murmur were 12.5%, 13.3%, 100% and 100%. Multivariate analyses revealed that only the high peak aortic flow velocity was a significant determinant of systolic murmur. High grade AR, low diastolic blood pressure, high peak velocity of the AR jet and high systolic blood pressure were significant determinants of diastolic murmur. CONCLUSIONS: Both systolic and diastolic murmurs can be heard in most patients with moderate to severe AR. In contrast, a large proportion of subjects with mild AR have systolic murmur alone.

Adult↗