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Biomedical subjects

Y C Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Y C Huang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Measurement of B(0)(d)-B_(0)(d) mixing rate from the time evolution of dilepton events at the upsilon(4S).

We report a determination of the B(0)(d)-&B_(0)(d) mixing parameter Deltam(d) based on the time evolution of dilepton yields in Upsilon(4S) decays. The measurement is based on a 5.9 fb(-1) data sample collected by the Belle detector at KEKB. The proper-time difference distributions for same-sign and opposite-sign dilepton events are simultaneously fitted to an expression containing Deltam(d) as a free parameter. Using both muons and electrons, we obtain Deltam(d) = 0.463+/-0.008 (stat)+/-0.016 (syst) ps(-1). This is the first determination of Deltam(d) from time evolution measurements at the Upsilon(4S). We also place limits on possible CPT violations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Measurement of the CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) in B(0)(d) meson decays.

We present a measurement of the standard model CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) (also known as sin2beta) based on a 10.5 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is reconstructed in the J/psiK(S), psi(2S)K(S), chi(c1)K(S), eta(c)K(S), J/psiK(L), or J/psipi(0) CP-eigenstate decay channel and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its charged particle decay products. From the asymmetry in the distribution of the time interval between the two B-meson decay points, we determine sin2 phi(1) = 0.58(+0.32)(-0.34)(stat)+0.09-0.10(syst).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Posterior cranial fossa arteriovenous fistula with presenting as caroticocavernous fistula.

We report cases of posterior cranial fossa arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with presenting with exophthalmos, chemosis and tinnitus in 26- and 66-year-old men. The final diagnoses was vertebral artery AVF and AVF of the marginal sinus, respectively. The dominant venous drainage was the cause of the unusual presentation: both drained from the jugular bulb or marginal sinus, via the inferior petrosal and cavernous sinuses and superior ophthalmic vein. We used endovascular techniques, with coils and liquid adhesives to occlude the fistulae, with resolution of the symptoms and signs.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

MRI in a case of adult-onset citrullinemia.

A 42-year-old man presented with a history of repeated episodes of consciousness disturbance for 5 years. The MRI showed abnormally high signal intensities on T2-weighted images at bilateral cingulate gyri, temporal lobes and insular regions, mimicking the finding of herpes simplex encephalitis. Hyperammonemia was disclosed. Serial work-up led to the diagnosis of adult-onset citrullinemia, deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase. The clinical symptoms improved after diet control and medication. Follow-up MRI showed resolution of the abnormal signal intensities. The MRI findings of citrullinemia and other urea-cycle defects might be attributed to hyperammonemic encephalopathy, but the manifestations were varied. Similar distribution of the abnormalities in the MRI could be found in some reported cases and indicates probably vulnerable sites of hyperammonemic brain injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prophylaxis of intravenous immunoglobulin and acyclovir in perinatal varicella.

UNLABELLED: Maternal chickenpox around the time of delivery can cause severe and even fatal illness in the newborn but an effectively preventive method has not yet been established. We proposed that a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and acyclovir (ACV) intravenously could effectively prevent perinatal varicella. A group of 24 newborn infants whose mother had developed a varicella rash within 14 days before and after delivery were studied. Some 15 infants whose mothers' rash appeared within 7 days before and 5 days after delivery were categorised as an at-risk group and received IVIG prophylaxis (500 mg/kg) administered soon after birth or post-natal contact either alone or with intravenous acyclovir (5 mg/kg every 8 h) for a total of 5 days starting from 7 days after the onset of maternal rash. Of four infants receiving IVIG alone, two developed clinical varicella. None of ten infants receiving both IVIG and ACV contracted varicella. One infant receiving ACV alone had no varicella vesicles either. Of nine infants in the not at-risk group four had undetectable varicella-zoster virus antibody on admission and developed clinical varicella subsequently. CONCLUSION: The combination of intravenous immunoglobulin given soon after birth and prophylactic acyclovir intravenously administered 7 days after the onset of maternal rash can effectively prevent perinatal varicella.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2001

A new aspect of view in synthesizing new type beta-adrenoceptor blockers with ancillary antioxidant activities.

A series of vanilloid-type beta-adrenoceptor blockers derived from antioxidant traditional Chinese herbal medicines were synthesized and tested for their antioxidant and adrenoceptor antagonistic activities. They all possessed significant beta-adrenoceptor blocking activities under in vitro experiments and radioligand binding assays. In addition, some compounds were further examined in in vivo tests and produced antagonist effects matching that of propranolol and labetalol by measurements of antagonism toward (-)isoproterenol-induced tachycardia and (-)phenylephrine-induced pressor responses in anesthetized rats. Furthermore, all of the compounds had antioxidant effects inherited from their original structures. In conclusion, compound 11 had the most potent beta-adrenoceptors blocking activity, 12 and 13 possessed high cardioselectivity, whereas 14, 15 and 16 possessed additional alpha-adrenoceptor blocking activity and 15 is the most effective antioxidant of all. The antioxidant activity may be due to their alpha and beta unsaturated side chain at position 1 and ortho-substituted methoxy moiety on 4-phenoxyethylamine.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2001

Vitamin B6 intakes and status assessment of elderly men and women in Taiwan.

Studies have indicated that vitamin B6 status decreases with age. However, little is known about vitamin B6 status of elderly people in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to assess vitamin B6 status of elderly Taiwanese and to examine the effect of protein on various indices of vitamin B6 status in the elderly. Thirty-nine men (mean age = 69.9 +/- 4.2 years) and 55 women (mean age = 69.5 +/- 3.9 years) completed a 24-h diet recall. The mean total vitamin B6 intake (men: 1.7 +/- 0.9 g/day; women: 1.6 +/- 1.2 g/day) was higher than the 1998 US Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) and the current Taiwan Recommended Daily Nutrient Allowance (RDNA). Dietary energy and protein intakes were not related to any vitamin B6 status parameters in any sex groups and the pooled group. Vitamin B6 intake correlated only with erythrocyte aspartate transaminase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) in the pooled (r = -0.214, p < 0.05) group. There were no significant differences in plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), erythrocyte alanine transaminase activity coefficient (EALT-AC), and EAST-AC between sex groups. Although elderly subjects had adequate mean plasma PLP concentrations, 59% of men and 55% of women had plasma PLP concentrations lower than a cutoff of 20 nmol/L. The mean EALT-AC was < 1.25 in two groups with adequate vitamin B6 status. However, 23% of men and 18% of women had EALT-AC values > 1.25. The mean EAST-AC value of subjects was higher than the suggested value (< 1.8) for inadequate vitamin B6 status. The incidence of biochemical vitamin B6 deficiency in our elderly is probably more relevant from other causes than from dietary intake of protein and vitamin B6.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Postnatal depression -- biological or cultural? A comparative study of postnatal women in the UK and Taiwan.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the factors which are associated with postnatal depression in the UK (United Kingdom) and Taiwan. BACKGROUND/RATIONALE: A comparative study of postnatal women in the UK and Taiwan was undertaken to investigate postnatal care and the prevalence of postnatal depression. DESIGN/METHODS: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to determine the prevalence of postnatal depression. A semistructured interview and validated questionnaire were used to collect data on maternal satisfaction with postnatal care and the factors associated with postnatal depression. A one in three random sample of women from two community midwife teams in Sheffield, UK and three public health stations in Keelung, Taiwan took part in the study. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Fifty (94% response rate) women from Sheffield and 101 (83% response rate) women from Keelung, who were at low risk for maternal or foetal problems during labour and the postnatal period, agreed to participate. The prevalence of postnatal depression in the British and Taiwanese women was almost equal; 18% in the UK and 19% in Taiwan. In Taiwan, the prevalence of postnatal depression had a negative association with relationship with partner (Spearman correlation=-0.34, P < 0.001) and self-confidence (Spearman correlation=-0.28, P < 0.01, Spearman correlation). In addition Taiwanese women who felt more anxious after birth (10.9 +/- 7.9, P < 0.001, t-test) had a higher chance of postnatal depression. In the UK, there was a significant negative association between adaptation to the new role of motherhood and score on the EPDS (Spearman correlation=-0.47, P < 0.001). The overall scores for maternal satisfaction were 28.1 and 24.3 in the UK and Taiwan, respectively (P < 0.001, t-test). British women reported a better quality of care during the postnatal period in terms of emotional support and physical care. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that further cross cultural investigation could shed light on the relative balance of biological and cultural factors which may be associated with the onset of postnatal depression. As the prevalence of postnatal depression is similar in both cultures despite large differences in culture and postnatal care systems, some support is given to a hypothesis that postnatal depression has at least some biological determinants as well as cultural/social ones.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Surgical implications of pseudomonas aeruginosa necrotizing fasciitis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Necrotizing fasciitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is extremely rare. Only 4 cases were reported in the literature. The authors report the occurrence of P aeruginosa necrotizing fasciitis starting out as a vulval abscess in a girl before induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To our knowledge, this is the second case described in association with leukemia. In this case, the outcome was favorable because of early surgical intervention, confirming the diagnosis. J Pediatr Surg 36:948-950.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2001

Antifungal susceptibility testing and the correlation with clinical outcome in neonatal candidemia.

The objective of this article is to assess the distribution of minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) for candidal isolates from bloodstreams in neonates and to assess the correlation of clinical outcome with antifungal susceptibility testing. Of the 62 episodes of neonatal candidemia in a Children's Hospital between January 1994 and July 1998, 38 stocked isolates from 38 infants' bloodstreams were available and underwent antifungal susceptibility test according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M27-A document. Correlation of clinical response with in vitro results was assessed in 37 patient-episode-isolate events. No less than 90% of these isolates tested were susceptible to amphotericin B, flucytosin, and fluconazole. The ranges of amphotericin B MICs and flucytosin MICs were narrow, ranging from 0.25 to 2 microg/mL, respectively. The range of fluconazole MICs was broad, ranging from 0.25 to >64 microg/mL. Successful therapy was achieved in 18 (62%) of 29 amphotericin B-treated patient-episode-susceptible isolate (MIC < or =1 microg/mL) events and 9 (64%) of 14 fluconazole-treated patient-episode-susceptible isolate events, respectively. Most isolates from the bloodstreams of neonates with candidemia were susceptible to antifungal agents tested but a low MIC of the antifungal agent did not predict successful therapy in this study. Correlating MICs with clinical outcome in neonatal candidemia requires complex evaluation of other factors.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed2001

Kawasaki disease presenting as cervical lymphadenitis or deep neck infection.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a group of patients with Kawasaki disease who had cervical lymphadenopathy as their dominant initial presentations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 children who were admitted to Chang-Gung Children's Hospital between May 1996 and July 1998 with the initial impression of cervical lymphadenitis, cellulitis, and/or deep neck infection but for which a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease was established later. RESULTS: Five (35.7%) patients were less than 5 months of age, and 8 (57.1%) patients were more than 53 months of age. The mean duration for establishing a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease from the onset of illness was 8.2 (6 to 20) days. Initially, empiric antibiotics were prescribed in each case with unsatisfactory response. Intravenous immune gamma globulin (2 g/kg) was administered in 13 patients. Three (21.4%) patients developed coronary artery lesions. CONCLUSION: If a child less than 6 months or more than 4 years of age has a fever and an enlarged cervical lymph node and is unresponsive to empiric antibiotics, Kawasaki disease should be considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Nutritional status of functionally dependent and nonfunctionally dependent elderly in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare nutritional status of the functionally dependent elderly with those nonfunctionally dependent elderly by assessing nutrient intake, anthropometric measurements, hematological and biochemical parameters, and the nutritional risk index (NRI). METHODS: Ninety-six volunteers (42 functionally dependent elderly, 54 nonfunctionally dependent elderly) participated in this study. The items of activity of daily living (ADL) were assessed to determine functional status. Demographic and health data were collected at the time of interview. Subjects completed 24-hour diet recall and food frequency questionnaires. Height, weight and skinfold thickness measurements were taken. Hematological and biochemical parameters were measured. The NRI was then calculated. RESULTS: Osteoporosis and hypertension were the most frequently reported chronic diseases. A small proportion of the elderly with functional dependence (9.5%) and with nonfunctional dependence (13%) had a body mass index (BMI) (< or = 21 kg/m2), indicating they were underweight. There were no significant differences in nutrient intake between the two groups. However, a higher percentage of the functionally dependent elderly had a nutrient intake of less than 75% of the Taiwan Recommended Daily Nutrient Allowance (RDNA). The functionally dependent group had a higher prevalence of malnutrition than the nonfunctionally dependent group (44.7% vs. 25%) based on the NRI. CONCLUSIONS: These functionally dependent elderly people exhibited a poorer nutritional status than the nonfunctionally dependent elderly. The elderly with functional dependence were at risk for inadequate iron intake and abnormal serum triglyceride concentrations: they were also at greater risk for chronic diseases and had a greater need for medications.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Membranous obstruction of the fourth ventricle outlet. A case report.

We report the case of a 15-year-old girl with amenorrhea and a several-week history of headache. After the diagnosis of membranous obstruction of the foramen of Magendie suggested by MRI, suboccipital craniotomy for removal of the membrane was carried out. The patient made an excellent postoperative recovery, and postoperative phase-contrast MRI demonstrated patent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways at the level of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka. We believe that this case is of interest because of the unequivocal evidence on MRI studies of the occlusion of the foramen of Magendie preoperatively, and because of the dramatic postoperative MRI findings demonstrating the effectiveness of the surgical procedure both in terms of ventricular size and CSF flow characterization.

Adolescent↗