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Biomedical subjects

C T Lee

Publications and source records attributed to C T Lee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Modification of adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity by recombinant human interferon-gamma and/or verapamil in human stomach cancer cells.

Recombinant human-interferon-gamma (rH-IFN-gamma) and verapamil (VRP), either alone or in combination, were evaluated in MTT assay for their modification effects on adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity against MKN-45, human stomach adenocarcinoma cells. VRP as a single agent did not inhibit the survival of MKN-45 at doses of up to 5.0 micrograms/ml. The survival of MKN-45 was inhibited by rH-IFN-gamma dose-dependently and further inhibited by the addition of VRP. However, the maximum growth inhibition of MKN-45 in any combination treatment with rH-IFN-gamma and VRP was less than 50% except in the highest concentration combinations (% survival: 47.9% at 10(4) U/ml of rH-IFN-gamma and 3.0 micrograms/ml of VRP). Adriamycin caused a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and its cytotoxicity was significantly enhanced by the addition of rH-IFN-gamma and further enhanced by the combined use of rH-IFN-gamma and VRP. The modification effects of rH-IFN-gamma and VRP on adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity were evaluated in terms of modification index (MI), demonstrating that rH-IFN-gamma significantly increased in adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity and that the combined use of rH-IFN-gamma and VRP enhanced the adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity to a greater extent than did rH-IFN-gamma alone: MI values at 10(2) U/ml and 10(3) U/ml of rH-IFN-gamma were 1.7 and 3.1, respectively; those at 1.5 micrograms/ml and 3.0 micrograms/ml of VRP in the presence of 10(3) U/ml of rH-IFN-gamma were 4.4 and 6.0, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

The application of immunocytochemistry in diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis in a patient with unknown primary site.

A 55-year-old female with meningeal signs was suspected to have carcinomatosis meningitis based on cytospin cytology study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with Wright stain. There was no primary site of any malignancy which could be identified as the source of metastasis. Immunochemical staining for cytokeratin and carcinoembryonic antigen on suspicious large immature cells in the CSF gave positive results and confirmed the malignant nature of her disease. Intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate and whole brain irradiation then eradicated the symptoms rapidly. Immunocytochemistry was considered to be a very powerful diagnostic tool in management of this patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Mollaret's meningitis: a case report and literature review.

Mollaret's meningitis is a rare syndrome with characteristic features. We present a case with interesting clinical course and cerebrospinal fluid studies. The patient was admitted to Veterans General Hospital-Taipei 6 times between May, 1984 and May, 1991 because of recurrent meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis). No causative etiology was identified although a series of investigations were performed, including studies of the blood and CSF, roentgenogram and nuclear scintinographs. To date, there has been no standard therapeutic modality for this disease. We use aspirin for his symptomatic control with satisfactory result though colchicine has been reported as being effective also.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Lack of correlation between frontalis electromyography and self-ratings of either frontalis tension or state anxiety.

Since training in deep muscular relaxation is common to most behavioral treatments for anxiety and tension-related disorders, muscle tension measures, such as electromyography (EMG), would provide valuable information as to the efficacy of these treatments. In the past, however, the majority of clinical reports on behavioral treatments employing muscular relaxation have based results primarily on self-rated outcome measures, despite evidence in the literature of a lack of correspondence between self-ratings and physiological measures of muscle tension. An experiment was performed on 20 normal subjects comparing self-ratings of anxiety and frontalis muscle tension with frontalis EMG before and after a 15-min. relaxation period accompanied by frontalis EMG biofeedback. Analysis showed that the self-ratings of anxiety and frontalis tension correlated significantly both before and after the relaxation period. However, no correlation was observed between self-rated anxiety or frontalis tension and frontalis EMG either before or after the relaxation period. The relaxation period had no significant effect on the dependent measures. It is suggested that, if people are unable to report accurately on their somatic states, then physiological outcome measures, such as EMG, would be preferable to self-rated measures in assessments of relaxation training procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of cranial transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in normal subjects at rest and during psychological stress.

Some effects of sub-threshold sine-wave transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), passed between earlobe electrodes at a constant alternating current (AC) frequency of 100 Hertz (Hz), were investigated in 90 normal subjects after 30 minutes of treatment, and after 3 minutes of standardized mental stress (mental arithmetic) which immediately followed the 30 minute treatment. In a double-blind protocol, five groups received 1) active TENS during treatment and active TENS during stress; 2) active TENS during treatment and placebo TENS during stress; 3) placebo TENS during treatment and placebo TENS during stress; 4) placebo TENS during treatment and active TENS during stress; and 5) no treatment during both treatment and stress. Results showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, pulse rate and anxiety, but not in diastolic blood pressure or peripheral vascular tension, after 30 minutes of active TENS as compared to no treatment. No placebo TENS effect was observed. No significant differences were observed between active TENS; placebo TENS and no treatment in physiological or psychological response to the stress procedure. Results are discussed in terms of the applicability of this technique to the management of stress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Diagnostic and prognostic values of in vitro culture growth patterns of marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

The in vitro culture growth of marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM assay) was studied in 102 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to determine its diagnostic utility and prognostic value. There were 18 patients with refractory anemia (RA), eight RA with ringed-sideroblast (RARS), 30 RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), 18 chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and 28 RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T). Patients with MDS had a significantly lower number of GM colonies and a significantly higher cluster to colony ratio than those of normal controls and patients with cytopenias of other causes. Six in vitro growth patterns were observed; 85% of patients with MDS showed various abnormal growth patterns, and 42% of all MDS patients exhibited a leukemic growth pattern at diagnosis. None of the 40 patients with cytopenias of other causes had a leukemic type growth. A leukemic growth pattern was rarely observed in patients with RA and RARS (4%), but was common in other subgroups (57%). The distribution of various growth patterns was not statistically different among patients with RAEB, CMML, and RAEB-T. Thirty-six patients developed acute leukemia during the follow-up period. The MDS patients with leukemic type growth were at increased risk of rapid progression to acute leukemia, and they also had a shorter survival time than patients with a non-leukemic pattern. These results showed that simply scoring the number of CFU-GM is of limited value for the diagnosis and the prediction of prognosis of MDS, whereas the in vitro marrow culture growth pattern is of prognostic significance independently of the FAB classification. It is concluded that the in vitro growth pattern of marrow CFU-GM is helpful in diagnosing patients with MDS as well as in predicting their clinical outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Dermatologic surgery--its scope and some practical aspects.

Dermatologic surgery is of increasing interest to both dermatologists and other medical practitioners. It includes procedure like biopsy, excisional surgery, laser surgery, electrosurgery, curettage surgery, nail surgery, cryosurgery, minigrafting, sclerotherapy, collagen implant, punch grafting, Moh's micrographic surgery, dermabrasion and hair transplant. This article highlights the important aspects of the various procedures and some of the more important practical points.

Dermatologic Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1990

Pyodermas: an analysis of 127 cases.

In an analysis of 127 patients with pyodermas, 38 (30%) had primary pyodermas and 89 (70%) had secondary pyodermas. Seventy-one percent (71%) of the primary pyodermas were due to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Five (5%) of the primary pyodermas were due to multiple organisms. Among the patients with secondary pyodermas, 45% were due to S. aureus, 21% Streptococci, 9% Pseudomonas and 9% Proteus species. Forty-four percent (44%) of the secondary pyodermas were due to multiple organisms. S. aureus is highly sensitive to cephalothin, cloxacillin, erythromycin, methicillin and co-trimoxazole. Streptococci are highly sensitive to cephalothin, erythromycin, ampicillin and penicillin. The gram-negative organisms are sensitive to amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin and co-trimoxazole. Cloxacillin, or erythromycin (for patients with penicillin allergy) is the antibiotic of choice in patients with primary pyodermas. In patients with infected eczemas, first-generation cephalosporin or cloxacillin is the preferred antibiotic. In patients with infected ulcers, a combination of cloxacillin and gentamicin or a cephalosporin effective against the causative agent is most suitable.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Bacampicillin to treat non-gonococcal urethritis in men: pilot study.

Of 84 men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), 24 yielded Chlamydia trachomatis by either cell culture or MicroTrak immunofluorescence test. All 84 were treated with bacampicillin 800 mg twice a day for seven days. Five (one chlamydia positive) defaulted from follow up 10 to 14 days after the start of treatment. Of the 23 chlamydia positive patients who attended follow up, 22 became chlamydia negative; 14 of the 23 patients also became asymptomatic and had normal urethral smears. Of the 56 chlamydia negative patients who attended follow up, 21 were cleared of their urethritis. Two patients reported side effects; one drowsiness and one mild diffuse alopecia. Bacampicillin may therefore be a safe and effective alternative to tetracycline or erythromycin in treating chlamydial urethritis in men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The effects of cranial TENS on measures of autonomic somatic and cognitive activity.

Peripheral and central nervous system effects of the cranial application of sub-threshold transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), of sinusoid waveform passed between earlobe electrodes at an AC frequency of 100 Hertz, were investigated. In a single-blind study, each of thirty healthy volunteer subjects was administered one 30 minute treatment of either active TENS, placebo TENS or no treatment. Pretreatment to post-treatment changes in measures of autonomic activity (blood pressure, pulse rate, peripheral vasomotor activity), somatic activity (skeletal muscle tension), and anxiety were evaluated. Significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (p less than .05), diastolic blood pressure (p less than .01), pulse rate (p less than .05), peripheral vasomotor activity (marginally significant: p less than .07) and anxiety (p less than .05) were observed subsequent to active. TENS as compared to both placebo TENS and no TENS. No significant placebo TENS effect was observed. Possible mechanisms of action of this form of cranial TENS on the peripheral and central nervous system are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiology of acute epididymo-orchitis in Singapore.

A prospective study on 55 patients with acute epididymo-orchitis was studied. Their ages ranged from 15 to 65 years. Thirty-three (60%) were within the 20-29 year age group and 9 were above 35 years of age. 69% cited prostitutes as the source of sexual contact. Twenty-six patients did not receive and 29 patients received antibiotic therapy before recruitment. In the former untreated group, 6 patients (23%) had gonococcal urethritis, 3 patients (11%) had chlamydial urethritis and 2 patients (8%) had combined gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis. No pathogens were isolated from the urethra from the remaining 15 (58%) patients, 8 of whom had nonspecific urethritis. In the latter treated group, 4 patients (14%) had gonococcal urethritis and no organisms were isolated from the remaining 25 (86%) of whom 6 had non-specific urethritis. None of the 55 patients had urinary tract infections. Forty-three patients (78%) had unilateral involvement of both the testis and epididymis, and 4 patients (7%) had bilateral epididymo-orchitis. Semen analysis was performed on 13 patients of whom 8 showed pyospermia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Endocervical chlamydial infection in female contacts of patients with nongonococcal urethritis.

Eighty-five female contacts of patients with nongonococcal urethritis attending Middle Road Hospital were examined. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the cervix in 39% of them. Forty-five per cent of the chlamydia-positive patients were asymptomatic and 79% of them showed signs of a cervicitis. None of the patients developed complications. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was not isolated from any of the patients. Clinical markers other than cervicitis are not useful for detecting chlamydial infections in female contacts of NGU. Until such time when cheaper, more convenient and accurate methods of laboratory diagnosis of C. trachomatis are put to routine use, it would seem prudent to treat all female contacts of NGU patients after exclusion of other sexually transmitted diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid in asymptomatic late syphilis.

A prospective study of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 49 previously untreated patients with asymptomatic late syphilis of more than two year's duration was conducted. The sera of all patients had reactive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-Abs) tests or Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests (TPHA), and reactive or non-reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) tests. Five (10%) patients had abnormal CSF findings; these included elevated protein in four of 49 and pleocytosis in three of 49. Asymptomatic neurosyphilis, diagnosed on the basis of a reactive VDRL test of the CSF, was present in one (2%) of 49 patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Single dose oral norfloxacin or intramuscular spectinomycin to treat gonorrhoea (PPNG and non-PPNG infections): analysis of efficacy and patient preference.

Norfloxacin, a new oral quinolone, was compared with intramuscular spectinomycin for treating culture proved gonorrhoea (caused by penicillinase producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) and non-PPNG strains. A total of 547 infected men and women were randomly allocated to treatment with either single dose norfloxacin (800 mg by mouth) or spectinomycin (2 g intramuscularly). Patient preference for tablets or injections was noted at this visit. Patients returned four to eight days later for assessment of efficacy, safety, and preference. Of the 482 patients who attended follow up, all those treated with norfloxacin (94 infected with PPNG strains, 145 with non-PPNG strains) and all 82 infected with PPNG strains and treated with spectinomycin were cured. Of 161 infected with non-PPNG strains and treated with spectinomycin, 159 (99%) were cured. Side effects (headache, nausea, and sleepiness) occurred in three patients receiving norfloxacin and in 17 (16 pain at injection site, 1 giddiness) receiving spectinomycin. Most patients preferred tablets to injection both on day 1 (313 v 200) and at follow up (373 v 104). This study showed that norfloxacin was a highly effective alternative to spectinomycin, produced fewer side effects, and was the preferred mode of administration.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

Genital herpes in Singapore.

As in many parts of the world, the incidence of genital herpes has increased in Singapore, the increase occurring sharply from 1982 onwards, and affecting females to a greater extent than males. Peak incidence in both sexes was found to occur in the 15-34 year age group. Changes in sexual practices, a decreasing prevalence of age-specific antibody to herpes simplex type 1 virus in sexually active adults, and greater interest in the disease following publicity in the media, are factors which have contributed to both a real and an apparent increase in incidence. However, the incidence in Malay males is very low, and neonatal herpes is extremely rare in the local population. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is responsible for about 30% of initial genital infections and an even higher proportion of primary genital herpes infections. Approximately 16% of purulent penile ulcers in Singapore are associated with genital herpes infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Foscarnet (phosphonoformate sodium) in the treatment of recurrent male genital herpes.

Foscarnet 0.3% cream was compared with placebo in a randomised double-blind study. The objective was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety in men with recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. A total of 51 patients were selected, of which 49 (25 treated with foscarnet) were valid for efficacy analysis. Different variables were analysed including the time to healing, alleviation of symptoms, side effects and the results of viral cultures. The median time to healing was 4 days in foscarnet treated patients compared to 5 days in placebo controls. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). However, foscarnet alleviated the severity of pain and also significantly reduced the median time to abolition pain to 3 days from 6.6 days in placebo treated patients (p = 0.0028). An antiviral effect of foscarnet was evident. The percentage of positive viral cultures found after starting treatment was 15% in the foscarnet-treated group compared to 44% in the placebo-treated group (p = 0.01). Treatment with foscarnet cream was not associated with any significant side effects.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1979

Social chemosignals in five Belontiidae (Pisces) species.

Approach behaviors toward conspecific chemical stimuli of the opposite sex were examined in five Belontiidae species: Betta splendens, Macropodus opercularis, Colisa labiosa, C. lalia, and Trichogaster trichopterus. Approach was measured by (a) preference for section 1 of a three-section tank, which contained a vertical tube that introduced the stimulus water, and (b) occupancy of the tube. Experiments 1A and 1B showed that (a) approach behaviors were displayed by the isolated male Betta only to ripe-female stimulus water, (b) group-housed males of the remaining four species were not attracted to female-conditioned water, and (c) socially isolated males of these four species preferred section 1 during presentation of either ripe- or nonripe-female-inhabited water but occupied the tube only during exposure to ripe-female-conditioned water. The findings of Experiment 2A were that (a) the female Betta, regarless of physiological state, showed approach behaviors to male-inhabited water and (b) only ripe females of the remaining species indicated a preference for section 1 during male-water exposure but performed no tube entries. Results of Experiment 2B indicated that social isolation of the females, especially ripe females, facilitated their approach behaviors.

Animals↗