Biomedical subjects

Hsin-Yu Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Hsin-Yu Lee.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Many reports in the literature suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with diabetes, but the results are conflicting. The aim of our study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV infections in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. METHODS: We collected 820 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients attending 2 of 5 outpatient endocrinology clinics in Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from March to July 2003. The control group consisted of 905 subjects who came for medical check-ups at the Family Medicine Department. We determined hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV in both groups, using third-generation microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between type 2 DM patients and the control group for seropositivity of HBsAg (13.5% versus 12.4%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77-1.55; p = 0.441), but anti-HCV seropositivity was detected in 6.8% of patients and 2.6% of the control subjects (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.51-5.46; p < 0.001). In anti-HCV-positive DM patients, abnormal alanine aminotransferase was observed in 61.8%, compared with only 34.2% of anti-HCV-negative DM patients (p < 0.001). We did not observe any difference in risk factors for HCV infection between anti-HCV-positive and -negative DM patients. CONCLUSION: The rate of seropositive anti-HCV is 2.8 times higher in type 2 DM patients than non-diabetic control subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Thyroid papillary carcinoma in subhyoid ectopic thyroid tissue.

Ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare entity in thyroidology; however, the occurrence of thyroid carcinoma in such aberrant thyroid tissue has been reported. Carcinoma arising in subhyoid thyroid is especially unusual, with even fewer reports published. Usually, surgical excision is considered to be therapeutic strategy for managing possible malignancy in ectopic thyroid. Thyroid ultrasonography, radioactive iodine scanning, and fine-needle aspiration cytology are rapid, safe, and minimally invasive diagnostic procedures. We report one case of papillary carcinoma in subhyoid ectopic thyroid to emphasise the importance to evaluate all ectopic thyroid tissues.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

PubMed2004

Induction of protein growth factor systems in the ovaries of transgenic mice overexpressing human type 2 lysophosphatidic acid G protein-coupled receptor (LPA2).

The lipid growth factor lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is produced by ovarian cancer cells in quantities sufficient to attain concentrations of up to 10 microM. An autocrine circuit was demonstrated when ovarian cancer cells, but not normal ovarian surface epithelial cells, were proven to express LPA(2) (Edg-4) and LPA(3) (Edg-7) G protein-coupled receptors for LPA. Human LPA(2) now has been expressed transgenically in C57BL/6 mouse ovaries under direction of the alpha-inhibin large promoter. Human LPA(2) mRNA and protein were detected in all transgenic (TG) mouse ovaries at levels far higher than in other tissues and at least fivefold higher than in cultured lines of human ovarian cancer cells, with the expected sex cord-stromal distribution. Most LPA(2) TG ovaries produced significantly higher levels than non-TG ovaries of type A, but not type B, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), isomers of VEGF-A, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Many LPA(2) TG ovaries had elevated expression of VEGF receptors 1 and 2, and a depressed level of type 2 PA inhibitor. Thus, the LPA-LPA(2) circuit regulates ovarian cells both directly and through increases in protein growth factor systems.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Chronic glue sniffing with transient central hypothyroidism and hypergonadotropism.

Neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal and muscular disorders associated with glue sniffing have been widely reported, but endocrinologic abnormalities of glue exposure are rarely mentioned in the literature. We report a 26-year old male patient, a chronic glue sniffer, who presented with weakness of both lower limbs. On physical examination, he had reduced muscle strength of his 4 limbs, especially in his lower limbs. Laboratory examination revealed hypokalemia with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. His thyroid function showed low TSH, T4, T3, free T4 and reverse T3 level. Other pituitary functions were normal apart from high FSH and LH level. TSH response to TRH stimulation was normal, but there was impaired T3 response to TRH. MRI of pituitary showed no significant changes. He continued glue sniffing after discharge. He repeatedly came to our hospital for recurrent hypokalemic paralysis. His serum T4 and free T4 level were low when he had certain amount of glue sniffing and it returned to normal after he stopped sniffing or sniffed less amount of glue. His serum T3 concentrations were normal most of the times thereafter. His FSH and LH level were persistently elevated, even after he did not sniff glue for 2 weeks. Low free T4, TSH and reverse T3 level associated with glue sniffing in our patient were compatible with central hypothyroidism. Toluene, a neurotoxic organic solvent, is present in glues. Being highly lipophilic, it can easily enter and is retained within the lipid-rich nervous system after being inhaled. Like other organic solvents, toluene has been shown to affect dopaminergic and adrenergic turnover within various parts of the brain. The effects on these neurotransmitters could lead to abnormal secretion of pituitary hormones resulting in transient central hypothyroidism and abnormal gonadotropin levels. Long-term harmful effect of central hypothyroidism and chronic influence of abnormal gonadotropins to reproduction function needs further observation.

Adult↗