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Biomedical subjects

C J Su

Publications and source records attributed to C J Su.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Intracerebroventricular injection of senktide-induced Fos expression in vasopressin-containing hypothalamic neurons in the rat.

Intracerebroventricular injection of senktide, a selective agonist for neurokinin B receptor (NK3), induced Fos expression in many neurons of the rat hypothalamus. Fos-positive neurons were predominantly present in the supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei, and some of them were seen in the lateral preoptic area, lateral hypothalamic area, arcuate nucleus, perifornical region, posterior hypothalamic area, circular nucleus, and along relatively large blood vessels (lateral hypothalamic perivascular nucleus) in the anterior hypothalamus. A double labeling study was performed to examine if vasopressin-containing neurons in the hypothalamus could be activated by the treatment. Neurons with both Fos-like immunoreactivity (-LI) and vasopressin-LI were found in the paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, circular nucleus and lateral hypothalamic perivascular nucleus. In the supraoptic nucleus, about 87% of vasopressin-containing neurons exhibited Fos-LI, which corresponded to about 64% of Fos-positive neurons in the nucleus. In the paraventricular nucleus, about 80% of vasopressin-like immunoreactive neurons exhibited Fos-LI, which constituted about 51% of the total population of Fos-positive neurons in the region. The results suggest that NK3 receptor may be involved in the modulation of release of vasopressin from the hypothalamus in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Perceptual differences between stroke patients with cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To assess perceptual performances of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) compared with those of ischemic patients early after stroke and to analyze the psychometric properties of three perceptual tests used in the study. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A rehabilitation unit at a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-two stroke patients with ICH and 22 demographically matched stroke patients with infarction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery (RPAB), and Motor-Free Visual Perception Test (MVPT). RESULTS: Stroke patients with ICH had significantly more severe deficits on a task of thinking operations than did patients with infarction. A significant lateralized effect of stroke existed in the ICH group, with patients with right-hemisphere strokes scoring lower than patients with left-hemisphere strokes on the figure-ground discrimination subtest of the RPAB. A considerable overlap among the three instruments was found. Yet, the observed correlations between supposedly similar subtests from the tests proved to be moderate, indicating that to a certain extent these test measures tap different perceptual processes. Four factors were generated from a joint LOTCA-RPAB-MVPT factor analysis. They assessed different facets of perceptual functioning, including higher-level and lower-level perceptual skills, part/whole conceptual integration, and color perception. This factor pattern accounted for 75.5% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: Higher-level perceptual functions tend to be relatively susceptible to ICH stroke pathology early in the course of the disease. This information has important clinical implications in the early treatment planning for the stroke patients with ICH, such that specific compensatory strategies for these deficiencies should be devised to facilitate a successful rehabilitation. Knowledge regarding the influences of specific deficits on the performance of daily activities may also be useful to the patients' family.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Fos protein expression in the medulla oblongata and changes in size of spinal lateral horn neurons after 4-wk simulated weightlessness in rats.

Responses of the neurons in medulla oblongata and C8-T1 spinal cord lateral horn of rats induced by simulated weightlessness were investigated using anti-Fos protein and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) double staining immunohistochemical methods, and Nissl-staining technique respectively. After four weeks of tail-suspension, many Fos-like positive neurons were localized in the medullary visceral zone (MVZ), predominantly in the nucleus of tractus solitarii and ventrolateral medulla, and some of them showed TH-like immunoreactivity. Sizes of the cell bodies of the lateral horn neurons in C8-T1 segment were significantly increased in 4-wk tail-suspended rats (P<0.05) as compared with that in controls. The results suggest that the neurons in MVZ and the spinal lateral horn may be involved in the adaptation of central cardiovascular regulation during weightlessness.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Microbial hexachlorobenzene dechlorination under three reducing conditions.

The potential dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in medium by 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene (TCB)-adapted mixed culture under three reducing conditions was investigated. It was found that strongest to weakest HCB dechlorination occurred in the order of methanogenic conditions > sulfate-reducing conditions > denitrifying conditions. Under denitrifying conditions, no dechlorination was observed during the first 20 days of incubation. Biotransformation occurred in this order: HCB-->pentachlorobenzene (PCB)-->1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB)-->1,3,5-TCB + 1,2,4-TCB-->1,3-dichlorobenzene (DCB), HCB dechlorination was delayed following treatment with ferric chloride and manganese dioxide, but enhanced by the addition of lactate and pyruvate under methanogenic or sulfate-reducing conditions, the addition of acetate had no significant effect on HCB dechlorination under any of the three reducing conditions. Sequential dechlorination was observed at concentrations of 2-50 mg/L, but at a significantly slower rate at the highest concentrations.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1996

Lunate and perilunate dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Perilunate dislocation is an uncommon injury of the wrist due to hyperextension. The factors affecting its prognosis are still controversial. The aim of the present study was to review its fracture types, associated injuries, timing of surgery, different fixation methods and prognostic factors. METHODS: Fourteen patients with perilunate dislocation or fracture dislocation were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, and were followed for at least 12 months. A functional scoring system and X-ray findings were used for follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: Two patients had excellent results, six patients had good results, and four had fair results. Only two patients had poor results. Treatment delayed over one month, transscaphoid perilunar fracture dislocation, or fixation of the transscaphoid fracture with Kirschner wire was associated with poorer results. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of perilunate dislocation, prompt open reduction and rigid fixation for fracture combined with ligament repair can give more promising results.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

A study of pinch strength in normal Taiwanese adults.

The purpose of this study was to describe norms of pinch strength for normal Taiwanese adults and to investigate the effects of age, gender, height, weight, and digit length on pinch strength. Three types of pinch (i.e. tip, key, and palmar pinch) were measured for a sample of 356 adults aged 20 to 88 years from a major metropolitan city located in southern Taiwan. A newly calibrated B&L pinch gauge was used for strength measurements with a standardized position during testing. The dominant hand was tested first, followed by the nondominant hand. The average of two trials for each pinch strength test was used as the subject's test scores. The results indicated that in the male group, pinch strength remained relatively stable up to 50 to 59 years old before a decline began, whereas pinch strength peaked with the 40- to 59-year-old group for female subjects. Males were stronger than females on all prehension patterns. Pinch strength of the right hand was significantly affected by such variables as the lengths of thumb and index finger and height, along with weight. With regard to the left hand, only height and weight had significant impact on pinch strength. Finally, there was an overall 13% pinch strength difference between the dominant and nondominant hands for the total sample. These findings provide therapists with objective data concerning the pinch strength of the Taiwanese adult's hand for clinical use.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Possible origin of sequence divergence in the P1 cytadhesin gene of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Specific regions of the P1 adhesin structural gene of Mycoplasma pneumoniae hybridize to various parts of the mycoplasma genome, indicating their multiple-copy nature. In addition, restriction fragment length polymorphisms and sequence divergence have been observed in the P1 gene, permitting the classification of clinical isolates of M. pneumoniae into two groups, I and II. These data suggest that the observed P1 gene diversity may be explained by homologous recombination between similar but not identical multicopy P1-related sequences and the P1 structural gene. We used oligonucleotide probes specific to the diverged regions of the group I and group II P1 structural genes to clone and sequence multicopy P1-related DNA segments. We detected sequences in group I M. pneumoniae isolates that were homologous not only to the group I P1 structural gene but also to the diverged regions of the group II P1 structural gene. Likewise, sequences in group II clinical isolates that were homologous both to the group II P1 structural gene and the diverged regions of the group I P1 structural gene were detected.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1991

Effects of high-energy shock waves on murine renal cell carcinoma.

The effects of high-energy shock waves (HESW) on a murine renal cell carcinoma (RenCa) was investigated. In vitro exposure of tumor cells to HESW resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability as determined by trypan blue dye exclusion, plating efficiency, growth curve, and soft agar clonogenic assays. Activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected in the supernatant after the HESW treatment due to cellular destruction, and a dose-dependent increase in cytocidal effect was demonstrated. Ultrastructural changes with swelling and distorted cristae of mitochondria, vacuolation, ribosomal lysis, and chromatinolysis were observed in HESW-treated RenCa cells. Flow cytometric (FCM) study revealed that DNA content of RenCa cells diminished after 200 HESW treatment, and RNA content of tumor cells decreased markedly after 400 HESW treatments. Partial or complete inhibition of tumor growth was shown in both animal modalities of subcutaneous inoculation and intravenous injection with sequential lung metastases. This study stressed again that HESW may play a role in combinational protocol for the treatment of human renal cell carcinoma in certain circumstances.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of magnesium on calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Previous studies have shown that hypomagnesuria induced by magnesium deficient diet causes calcium oxalate crystal deposition in renal tubules of hyperoxaluric rats and administration of magnesium to these rats results in prevention of calcium oxalate crystallization in their kidneys. Based on these studies magnesium was claimed to be beneficial for calcium oxalate stone patients. However, hypomagnesuria is not a common phenomenon. To better understand the role of magnesium as an inhibitor of calcium oxalate crystallization in urine, we studied the effect of magnesium on calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats on a regular diet and a hyperoxaluric protocol. Excess magnesium was administered to male rats on regular diet and a lithogenic protocol. Magnesium administration to hyperoxaluric rats did not result in significant changes in urinary excretion of calcium or oxalate or in calcium oxalate relative supersaturation. Urinary excretion of citrate was also not significantly altered. Some animals from both groups, those on magnesium therapy and those not on magnesium therapy had crystals deposited in their renal tubules. We conclude that excess magnesium has no significant effect on calcium oxalate urolithiasis in normomagnesuric conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Distinctions in DNA and protein profiles among clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae previously shown to exhibit significant sequence divergency in a major 170 kDa adhesin, designated P1, were further characterized using restriction enzyme fingerprinting of genomic DNA and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of total proteins. Numerous differences in DNA restriction patterns and protein profiles were found, possibly reflecting various degrees of virulence and antigenic potential.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Abnormal guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in MVP dysautonomia: evidence from reconstitution of Gs.

We and others have used the term MVP dysautonomia for a particular subset of hyperadrenergic dysautonomia patients. The role of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gs) in this dysautonomia was studied by cholate extraction of Gs from erythrocytes from 11 normal subjects and 14 symptomatic dysautonomic patients and reconstitution into cyc-S49 lymphoma membranes, which have normal receptor and adenylyl cyclase but lack Gs. Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in the dysautonomia group was increased compared to that in controls [3.66 +/- 0.20 (mean +/- SE; n = 14) vs. 2.87 +/- 0.14 (n = 11) U cyc- reconstituted activity/mg erythrocyte protein; P less than 0.05]. beta-Adrenergic receptor high affinity state formation was greatest in the severely symptomatic group [KL/KH: severe symptoms, 130 +/- 48 (n = 6); mild symptoms, 33 +/- 7 (n = 7); control, 27 +/- 6 (n = 11); severe dysautonomia distinct, P less than 0.017]. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of cholera toxin-dependent ADP-ribosylated G-proteins yielded no gross distinction between severely symptomatic and control groups. This subset of hyperadrenergic dysautonomia patients, thus, has supercoupled beta 2-adrenergic receptors (increase in both agonist binding and cyclase activation) conferred by an abnormal Gs, whose effects on agonist binding reflect the severity of illness.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1991

Urinary kallikrein excretion in chronic renal disease with respect to salt intake and renal reserve.

In order to investigate the status of urinary kallikrein excretion (UKE) in various chronic renal diseases, we measured the UKE in 56 patients with chronic renal diseases. They ranged in age from 19 to 80 with 26 males and 30 females. Among them were 31 patients with primary glomerulonephritis (GN) without nephrotic syndrome, 8 with nephrotic syndrome, 10 with various renal diseases in the azotemic stage, 3 in the uremic stage and 4 with type I renal tubular acidosis (RTA) due to Sjögren syndrome. The primary GN patients who were on a low salt diet were classified as group II GN, while those who partook freely of salt were classified as group I GN. Thirty-six normal volunteers were enrolled as controls. Kallikrein activity was determined by enzymatic hydrolysis of synthetic chromogenic substrate S-2266. Urinary electrolytes were measured by flame photometry. The results showed that UKE was lower in patients with group I GN, azotemic or uremic patients and in patients with RTA, as compared with normal controls. If UKE was corrected by creatinine clearance (CCr), the UKE/CCr ratio was still lower in group I GN patients, but became higher in patients with azotemia and uremia. The UKE/CCr ratio was not different from that of controls or patients with RTA. In nephrotic patients, the UKE and UKE/CCr ratio were both higher than that for normal controls. However, in group II GN patients, neither UKE nor the UKE/CCr ratio differed from that of controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Failure of surgery to improve outcome in hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage. A prospective randomized trial.

Hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage remains a major cause of hemorrhagic stroke carrying extremely high morbidity. Considerable controversy remains regarding the optimal form of therapy. Between 1983 and 1989 we conducted a prospective randomized trial with three treatment strategies: best medical management, best medical management plus intracranial pressure monitoring, and surgical evacuation. Only patients with significant deficit harboring a putaminal hematoma at least 3.0 cm in diameter were entered. The study was interrupted after 21 patients had been studied (9, best medical management; 4, intracranial pressure monitoring; and 8, surgical evacuation). No differences were found among groups for age, admission blood pressure, and time interval between onset of symptoms and arrival at hospital. None of the subjects were capable of returning to prestroke activity. Fifteen (71%) died or remained vegetative at 6 months, and only 4 (19%) were capable of independent life at home. Of the 9 patients in the best medical management arm, 7 were dead or vegetative. In the surgical group, 4 patients died and only 2 were capable of independent life. These results suggest that current medical and neurosurgical therapies remain ineffective in preventing the devastating neurologic consequences of hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Restriction fragment length polymorphism in the cytadhesin P1 gene of human clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Genomic DNA obtained from Mycoplasma pneumoniae clinical isolates spanning a 30-year period was analyzed for the presence of polymorphism in their P1 cytadhesin genes. All clinical isolates expressed a 170-kilodalton P1 protein that reacted with anti-P1 monoclonal antibodies. However, Southern blot analysis of specific M. pneumoniae isolates with subclones of the P1 structural gene revealed the presence of restriction fragment length polymorphism, permitting the classification of their P1 genes into two distinct categories.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

Sequence divergency of the cytadhesin gene of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

The Mycoplasma pneumoniae cytadhesin P1 genes from two groups of clinical isolates that display restriction fragment length polymorphisms were cloned and sequenced. Within each group the nucleotide sequences were identical, but two major differences were detected between the groups. These two stretches of sequence divergence were located in multiple-copy regions of the P1 gene and resulted in considerable amino acid changes.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

Genome size of Mycoplasma genitalium.

The genome size of Mycoplasma genitalium was determined by using restriction enzymes that infrequently cut its DNA. The calculated value of 577 to 590 kilobases is one-fourth smaller than the genome of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is considered among the smallest genomes of self-replicating organisms.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

Molecular distinctions among clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Restriction enzyme fingerprinting of genomic DNA and Southern blots probed with subclones of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae cytadhesin P1 gene were used to characterize clinical isolates of M. pneumoniae. On the basis of the examination of 29 individual M. pneumoniae isolates, two distinct groups were established. Group 1, which displayed a 12-kilobase band following DNA digestion with HindIII, consisted of strain M129-B16 and three others obtained in the state of Washington during the 1960s. The remaining M. pneumoniae strains belonged to group 2, which lacked the 12-kilobase band and included samples from the 1940s, 1970s, and 1980s. This category also included the only M. pneumoniae strain isolated from the synovial fluid of an arthritic patient.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗