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Biomedical subjects

Cheng-Chieh Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Cheng-Chieh Lin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Interleukin (IL)-12 receptor beta1 codon 378 G homozygote and allele, but not IL-1 (beta-511 promoter, 3953 exon 5, receptor antagonist), IL-2 114, IL-4-590 intron 3, IL-8 3'-UTR 2767, and IL-18 105, are associated with higher susceptibility to leiomyoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether certain polymorphisms are correlated with leiomyoma susceptibility, i.e., interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-18, which are all immunomodulatory cytokines that play important roles in host immune responses against cancers. SETTING: Departments of gynecology and genetics in a medical center. PATIENT(S): Women were divided into: [1] a leiomyoma group (n = 162) and [2] a nonleiomyoma group (n = 156). INTERVENTION(S): Genotyping for the IL-1beta-511 promoter, IL-1beta exon 5, IL-1Ra, IL-2 114, IL-4 -590 intron 3, IL-8 3'-UTR 2767, IL-12Rbeta1 codon 378, and IL-18 105 were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT(S): Genotypes and allelic frequencies in both groups were compared. RESULT(S): Proportions of IL-12Rbeta1 codon 378 *CC/CG/GG in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups were: [1] 7.4%/43.8%/48.8% and [2] 11.5%/54.5%/34%, respectively. Distributions of other polymorphisms in both groups were not significantly different. Proportions of IL-1beta-511 promoter *CC/CT/TT were: [1] 22.8%/50%/27.2% and [2] 21.8%/57.1%/21.1% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. The IL-1beta exon 5 *E1 homozygote/heterozygote/E2 homozygote were: [1] 96.3%/3.7%/0% and [2] 96.9%/3.1%/0% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. Alleles I/II/III/IV/V for IL-1Ra were: [1] 92.6%/7.1%/0.3%/0/0% and [2] 93.9%/5.7%/0%/0.4/0% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. The IL-2 114 G homozygote/heterozygote/T homozygote were: [1] 27.8%/49.4%/22.8% and [2] 20.5%/53.2%/26.3% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. The IL-4 -590 intron 3 *RP1 homozygote/heterozygote/RP2 homozygote were: [1] 64.8%/32.7%/2.5% and [2] 69.2%/26.9%/3.9% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. The IL-8 3'-UTR 2767 A homozygote/heterozygote/G homozygote were: [1] 14.2%/43.8%/42% and [2] 20.5%/41.7%/37.8% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. The IL-18 *AA/AC/CC were: [1] 56.8%/40.7%/2.5% and [2] 59%/39.7%/1.3% in the leiomyoma and nonleiomyoma groups, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): The IL-12Rbeta1 codon 378 *G homozygote and G allele are related to a higher susceptibility to leiomyoma. The IL-1beta-511 promoter, IL-1beta exon 5, and IL-1Ra, IL-2 114, IL-4 -590 intron 3, IL-8 3'-UTR 2767, and IL-18 105 gene polymorphisms are not correlated with the development of leiomyoma.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2007

Lifetime cigarette smoke and second-hand smoke and cervical intraepithelial neoplasm--a community-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Both active cigarette smoking and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are known risk factors for cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN). The association between second-hand smoke (SHS) and CIN has not been conclusively determined. We conducted a community-based case-control study to estimate the relationship between SHS and CIN. METHODS: Potential study subjects were selected through Pap smear screening in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. A total of 171 subjects with either their first case of inflammation (benign epithelial lesion) or > or = CIN1 by biopsy confirmation were assigned to a case group; 513 normal subjects with negative findings by Pap smears or biopsies were assigned to a control group. RESULTS: Non-smoking women exposed to more than 20 pack-years of cigarette smoke had a significantly greater risk of developing > or = CIN2 than unexposed non-smokers (adjusted OR=7.2, 95% CI=2.5-20.6). Among the women without HPV infections, the greater the severity of disease found in the groups (normal, inflammation, CIN1, to > or = CIN2), the more likely it was for the women to be exposed to SHS, a significant increasing trend (p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to HPV infection and active cigarette smoking, exposure to SHS is a major risk factor for CIN among Taiwanese women.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Interactive effects of lifetime alcohol consumption and alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase polymorphisms on esophageal cancer risks.

In our previous study, we found that polymorphisms of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH1B and ALDH2) are important risks for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Taiwanese population. In this study, we increased the sample size to investigate the modifying effect of lifetime alcohol consumption on the association between ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes and the risks of esophageal cancer. A multicenter hospital-based case-control study was conducted between August 2000 and June 2004. Three hundred and thirty newly-diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and 592 controls were recruited from National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Controls were matched to the case patients by gender and age within 4 years (case:control = 1:1-4). Polymorphisms of ADH1B and ALDH2 were genotyped by the method of PCR-RFLP. Individuals with ADH1B*1/*1 genotype had a 3.99-fold risk (95% CI = 2.13-7.48) of developing esophageal cancer, compared with those with ADH1B*2/*2 genotype, after adjusted for appropriate covariates. Individuals with ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 had 4.99-fold risk (95% CI = 3.11-7.99) and 4.24-fold risk (95% CI = 1.52-11.84), respectively, of developing esophageal cancer, compared with those with ALDH2*1/*1, after adjusted for appropriate covariates. We also found a modifying effect of lifetime alcoholic consumption on the association between genotypes of ADH1B and ALDH2 on esophageal cancer risk. These results suggest that ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms play a pivotal role on esophageal cancer and that the effect of these polymorphisms was modified by the amount of alcohol consumed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Validation of the Chinese version of the diabetes impact measurement scales amongst people suffering from diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Chinese translation of the Diabetes Impact Measurement Scale (DIMS). METHODS: A total of 219 consecutive patients with type II diabetes mellitus, who had visited the diabetic clinics at the China Medical University Hospital completed a questionnaire. Clinical data were extracted from the participants' medical records. Multiple regression analyses were used to estimate the differences in scores among type II diabetic patients in groups with different complications, glucose control statuses, and number of co-morbidities. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for estimates of internal consistency testing ranged from 0.61 to 0.86. The Pearson's correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.55 to 0.92. Patients with complications had lower symptom scale score compared with those without complications (p < 0.05); patients with poor glucose control had lower well-being, social role fulfillment, and total scale scores than those with good glucose control (all p < 0.05); patients with more co-morbidities had lower scores on all scales compared with those with fewer co-morbidities, except on the social role fulfillment scale (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). These significant differences consistently supported the hypothesis that the scale truly measures health status and disease impact. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results confirm the validity of the DIMS instrument as a measure of health-related quality of life in adult type II diabetic patients. Future research will be needed to establish its responsiveness to important changes in health.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Positive correlation between standardized uptake values of FDG uptake in the stomach and the value of the C-13 urea breath test.

PURPOSE: The distribution of FDG uptake in the stomach is variable. Gastritis is one of the causes of elevated FDG uptake. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was found in approximately 80% of patients with peptic ulcer and 30% to 60% of symptomatic gastritis. The C-13 urea breath test (UBT) is one of the gold standard tools in diagnosis of HP infection. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between standardized uptake values (SUVs) of FDG uptake in the stomach and the value of the C-13 urea breath test (UBT). METHODS: Sixteen patients, referred from the department of community medicine, for FDG PET for health examination were chronologically enrolled for detection of HP infection by using the C-13 UBT within 1 week. The maximal SUVs of FDG uptake in the gastric wall as well as the value of the C-13 UBT were measured. The correlation between maximal SUVs of FDG uptake in the stomach and the value of the C-13 UBT was observed. RESULTS: We took the results of C-13 UBT as the final diagnosis of HP infection. Of 16 patients, 5 were HP-infected and 11 were uninfected. Standardized uptake values of FDG uptake in the gastric wall were strong positively correlated with the value of the C-13 UBT in this retrospective study (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Except for gastric cancer, HP infection has to be concerned when high SUVs of FDG uptake in the stomach are noted.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed2005

Relationship between genetic polymorphisms of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in males.

AIM: To investigate the association between the genetic polymorphisms of ADH2 and ALDH2, lifetime alcohol consumption and esophageal cancer risk in the Taiwanese men. METHODS: Between August 2000 and June 2003, 134 pathologically-proven esophageal squamous cell carcinoma male patients and 237 male controls were recruited from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital in southern Taiwan. ADH2 and ALDH2 polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Compared to those with ADH2*2/*2, individuals with ADH2*1/*2 and ADH2*1/*1 had 2.28- and 7.14-fold, respectively, increased risk of developing esophageal cancer (95%CI = 1.11-4.68 and 2.76-18.46) after adjusting for alcohol consumption and other covariates. The significant increased risk was also noted among subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 (adjusted OR (AOR) = 5.25, 95%CI = 2.47-11.19), when compared to those with ALDH2*1/*1. The increased risk of esophageal cancer was made greater, when subjects carried both ADH2*1/*1 and ALDH2*1/*2, compared to those with ADH2*1/*2 or ADH2*2/*2 and ALDH2*1/*1 (AOR = 36.79, 95%CI = 9.36-144.65). Furthermore, we found a multiplicative effect of lifetime alcoholic consumption and genotypes (ADH2 and ALDH2) on esophageal cancer risk. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that polymorphisms of ADH2 and ALDH2 can modify the influence of alcoholic consumption on esophageal cancer risk.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Polymorphism for transforming growth factor beta 1-509 (TGF-B1-509): association with endometriosis.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) family members are multi-functional cytokines that play a key role in cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the TGF-B1-509 gene polymorphism could be used as a marker of susceptibility in endometriosis. Women were divided into two groups: endometriosis (n = 150) and non-endometriosis (n = 159). Polymorphisms for TGF-B 1-509 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and detected after restriction enzyme digestion. Genotypes and allelic frequencies in both groups were compared. Genotype proportions and allele frequencies of TGF-B1 gene polymorphisms differed significantly in both groups. Proportions of C homozygote, heterozygote, and T homozygote for TGF-B1 gene polymorphisms were 9.3/61.3/29.4% in the endometriosis group and 41.3158.510% in the non-endometriosis group. Alleles C and T for TGF-B1 gene polymorphism were 40/60% (endometriosis) and 70.8/29.2% (non-endometriosis). Association of endometriosis with TGF-B 1-509 gene polymorphism exists. T homozygote and T allele for TGF-B1 are associated with higher susceptibility to endometriosis.

Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific↗
PubMed2005

Estrogen receptor alpha dinucleotide repeat and cytochrome P450c17alpha gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of endometriosis with estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and cytochrome P450c17alpha (CYP17) gene polymorphisms in light of the fact that estrogen plays a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and the CYP17 enzyme is involved with estrogen biosynthesis. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Genetics and gynecology units. PATIENT(S): All patients were divided into two groups: group 1, women with endometriosis (n = 119); group 2, normal controls (n = 108). INTERVENTION(S): A dinucleotide (thymine-adenine [TA]) repeat polymorphism lying upstream of the ER alpha gene and A1/A2 polymorphism of the CYP17 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, enzyme restriction, and electrophoresis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The ER genotypes were classified into A through T (TA repeats, 10-29). The CYP17 genotypes included indigestible (A1 homozygote), heterozygote, and digestible (A2 homozygote). We compared these polymorphism distributions in both groups. RESULT(S): The percentage of genotypes D-G (TA, 13-16) in both groups were 10.5%, 29.4%, 13.0%, and 11.3% in group 1 and 7.9%, 16.7%, 19.9%, and 17.6% in group 2. The genotype E (14 TA repeats) is associated with a higher risk of endometriosis. Proportions of A1 homozygote/heterozygote/A2 homozygote for CYP17 were 26.1%/46.2%/27.7% for group 1 and 14.8%/44.5%/40.7% for group 2, respectively. The A1 homozygote and allele were associated with a higher susceptibility of endometriosis. CONCLUSION(S): ER alpha* 14 TA repeats and the CYP17* A1 allele are associated with an increased risk of endometriosis. Both polymorphisms are useful markers for predicting endometriosis susceptibility.

Dinucleotide Repeats↗
PubMed2005

Serum resistin level among healthy subjects: relationship to anthropometric and metabolic parameters.

Resistin is a novel adipocyte-secreted hormone that has been proposed to be the link between obesity and diabetes, although little appears to be known regarding the physiological role of resistin in human beings. We aimed to explore the relationship between serum resistin level and certain anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Seventy-one healthy subjects with a mean body mass index of 23 kg/m 2 or greater were recruited in this study. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure were recorded. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Fasting serum resistin, insulin and plasma glucose, lipid profiles, and uric acid levels were measured. The results revealed that serum resistin level did not correlate with any markers for adiposity, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, or uric acid level for either sex. Serum resistin level correlated negatively with fasting insulin level (gamma=-0.455, P=.006) and HOMA (gamma=-0.455, P=.006) in women but not in men. Serum resistin level only correlated negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level in men (gamma=-0.347, P=.038); there was no correlation between serum resistin level and lipid profiles in women. Multiple linear regression analysis using the logarithm of resistin as a dependent variable revealed that only HDL-C level (beta=-.058, P=.019) was an independent significant predictor for resistin in men; however, the analysis revealed that HDL-C level (beta=-.044, P=.029) and HOMA (beta=-.719, P=.004) were independent significant predictors for resistin in women. In conclusion, resistin is not related to adiposity, blood pressure, insulin resistance, fasting plasma glucose level, and most lipid profiles. Resistin correlates negatively with HDL-C level for both sexes. The role of resistin in metabolic syndrome warrants further investigation.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

The impact of the SARS outbreak on an urban emergency department in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency departments (ED) were on the front lines for possible cases of transmission during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the SARS catastrophe on an urban ED. METHODS: The patients' characteristics in an urban ED were collected from March to May 2003 during the SARS outbreak in Taiwan. The crisis period was divided into 2 periods: 30 days before (period 1) and after (period 2) April 21, the date of the first hospital-associated transmission. Problem severity in the ED and stress levels of ED staff during the SARS catastrophe were rated from mild (1 point) to severe (5 points). RESULTS: The number of ED patients declined 33.4% in period 2. There was a 2.1% (95%CI, 0.4-3.8) increase in the percentage of male patients, a 2.5% (95% CI, 1.5-3.7) increase in percentage of fever (>38 degrees C), and a 4.0% (95% CI, 2.6-5.4%) increase in chief complaint of fever in period 2. The number of nontrauma patients younger than 18 years had declined by 44.5% in period 2. The total charge for reimbursement from an insurance institution declined 21.7%. During the SARS outbreak, the most severe stress experienced by either physicians or nurses occurred during emergency resuscitation (median stress rating point, 4; interquartile range, 1). CONCLUSION: The SARS catastrophe affected the ED visit volume, finances, various patient characteristics, and stress levels in the ED physicians and nurses. EDs must be fully prepared to face the challenges of the next outbreak of SARS or other infectious disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in subjects with hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the lipid-lowering effect of Monascus purpureus Went rice on serum lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia, and to assess its safety by reporting adverse events and clinical laboratory measurements. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In all, 79 patients (aged 23-65 years) with a mean baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of 5.28 mmol/l (203.9 mg/dl) received a twice daily dose of placebo or Monascus purpureus Went rice (600 mg) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: At week 8, Monascus purpureus Went rice therapy reduced LDL-C by 27.7%, total cholesterol by 21.5%, triglycerides by 15.8% and apolipoprotein B by 26.0%. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels were increased by 0.9 and 3.4% respectively (not significant). No patient in the Monascus purpureus Went rice treatment group had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or creatine phosphokinase (CPK) measurement that was > or = 3 times the upper limit of normal at week 4 and week 8. CONCLUSION: Monascus purpureus Went rice significantly reduced LDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B levels, and was well tolerated in patients with hyperlipidemia. However, this study only provides data from an 8-week trial and long-term safety and efficacy data are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Emergency department response to SARS, Taiwan.

How emergency departments of different levels and types cope with a large-scale contagious infectious disease is unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the response of 100 emergency departments regarding use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and implementation of infection control measures (ICMs) during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in Taiwan. Emergency department workers in large hospitals were more severely affected by the epidemic. Large hospitals or public hospitals were more likely to use respirators. Small hospitals implemented more restrictive ICMs. Most emergency departments provided PPE (80%) and implemented ICMs (66%) at late stages of the outbreak. Instructions to use PPE or ICMs more frequently originated by emergency department administrators. The difficulty of implementing ICMs was significantly negatively correlated with their effectiveness. Because ability to prepare for and respond to emerging infectious diseases varies among hospitals, grouping infectious patients in a centralized location in an early stage of infection may reduce the extent of epidemics.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed2005

Short course of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a short course of prophylactic antibiotics is as efficacious as a longer course in laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 156 patients who underwent LAVH were included in the study; 82 received a long course of combined prophylactic antibiotics, and 74 received a short course, administered for < 24 hours during the perioperative period. The subjects were randomly assigned using a computer-generated schedule. Data regarding resource consumption were collected from the hospital's electronic database. Patient characteristics and medical care process data were collected from the patient charts. Student's t test was used to determine the statistical significance of the differences between continuous variables in the 2 groups of patients. The chi2 test was used to measure the statistical significance of differences between nominal variables in the 2 groups. RESULTS: The short course significantly influenced the number of injected vials of antibiotics, the antibiotic fee and the total admission fee. The average total admission fee decreased by 2.3% (p = 0.034), and the average antibiotic-fee dropped by 68.4% (p < 0.01). The average injected vials of cephalothin decreased by 4.3, and the vials of gentamycin decreased by 3.3 (p < 0.01). As for the rate of operative site infection and urinary tract infection during hospitalization and within 7 days of discharge, no statistical differences were found between the 2 groups (p = 0.735; p = 0.917). CONCLUSION: This pilot study revealed that a short course of prophylactic antibiotics was as efficacious as a longer course in preventing postoperative infection. It was also cost-effective.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The physician as a factor in outpatient medical care after laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy: a multivariate analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether physician experience affects outpatient medical care utilization after laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 120 patients who underwent LAVH were included in the study; 84 underwent LAVH by 2 senior physicians, who had performed an average of 3 LAVHs per month for >6 years; 36 patients underwent LAVH by 3 junior physicians, who had performed an average of 1 case per month for < 3 years. Data were analyzed by the multiple linear regression model. The dependent variable was the number of outpatient visits within 3 months after discharge. The independent variables were patient age, parity, pelvic adhesions, chronic disease and physicians performing LAVH > 6 years. RESULTS: The patients in the 2 groups did not differ in age, parity, chronic disease or pelvic adhesions. The level of physician experience significantly influenced the mean number of outpatient visits after LAVH within 3 months. After controlling for patient characteristics, the mean number of outpatient visits after discharge within 3 months of LAVH performed by senior physicians with 6 years of experience was reduced (-1.98). CONCLUSION: LAVH performed by experienced physicians reduces the need for patients to seek postoperative outpatient medical care, thereby controlling medical costs incurred under the hospital global budget payment system. However, adding more variables to the multiple regression model, such as the socioeconomic status of patients, habits of seeking medical help, distance between home and hospital and relationship between patient and physician, may further explain the factors affecting outpatient medical care utilization.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme ACE 2350*G and ACE-240*T-related genotypes and alleles are associated with higher susceptibility to endometriosis.

Endometriosis displays features similar to malignancy, ranging from neovascularization to local invasion and aggressive spread to distant organs. The altered vascular-related genes might be related to the development of endometriosis. This study investigates whether angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) *A2350G and A-240T gene polymorphisms could be used as markers of susceptibility in endometriosis. Women were divided into two groups: (1) endometriosis group (n=150) and (2) non-endometriosis group (n=159). Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral leukocytes. ACE A2350G and A-240T gene polymorphisms were amplified by PCR and detected after restriction enzyme digestion with BstUI and XbaI. Genotypes and allelic frequencies in both groups were compared. We observed that genotype distribution and allele frequency of ACE 2350 and ACE-240 gene polymorphisms in both groups were significantly different. Proportions of ACE 2350*A homozygote/heterozygote/G homozygote in both groups were: (1) 66.7/29.3/4% and (2) 96.2/3.1/0.7%. Proportions of ACE-240*A homozygote/heterozygote/T homozygote in both groups were: (1) 43.3/46/10.7% and (2) 62.9/35.8/1.3%. We concluded that ACE 2350*G and ACE-240*T-related genotypes and alleles are associated with higher susceptibility to endometriosis. ACE A2350G and A-240T gene polymorphisms might be associated with endometriosis development.

Adult↗