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K J Lin

Publications and source records attributed to K J Lin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Biodistribution study of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 alone or combined with other dopaminergic drugs in mice with macroautoradiography.

A 99mTc labeled tropane derivative, [99mTc] TRODAT-1 (2beta-((N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl) ethylene diamino)methyl), 3beta-(4-chlorophenyl) tropane), is a potential dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging agent for the central nervous system. To better understand the binding localization of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 both in the brain and the body, whole-body macroautoradiography (WBAR) was used in this study. The effect of DAT competing drugs, such as levadopa (L-DOPA), N-methyl-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4fluorophenyl)tropane (CFT, WIN 35,428) and methylphenidate, on the biodistribution of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 were also included in this study. Doses of 150 MBq [99mTc] TRODAT-1 were injected into normal male ICR mice through the caudal veins. For comparison, mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), L-DOPA, methylphenidate and CFT, respectively, were also investigated under the similar protocols. One and a half hours after [99mTc] TRODAT-1 injection, the mice were sacrificed. Whole-body autoradiography was performed immediately after sacrifice. Both frontal and sagittal sections showed that the liver and mucosa of stomach had the highest uptake of [99mTc] TRODAT-1. Other binding sites included the periphery of the spinal cord and the epithelium of the intestine. In the brain, autoradiographic imaging obtained from frontal sections showed symmetrical uptakes of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 in bilateral striata. Remaining binding sites include olfactory bulbs, thyroid gland, and salivary gland. The autoradiographic imaging obtained from sagittal sections showed a similar biodistribution. Mice treated with MPTP or L-DOPA showed no significant difference in the uptake of [99mTc] TRODAT-1 in bilateral striata, as compared to those of the control. In CFT or methylphenidate-treated mice, DAT binding sites were almost completely inhibited. These data showed that [99mTc] TRODAT-1 has potential clinical use for neurological investigation, such as Parkinson's and similar diseases.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed2001

Sonographic features of breast abscesses with emphasis on "hypoechoic rim" sign.

BACKGROUND: There are only limited reports on the ultrasound (US) features of breast abscess. The purpose of this paper is to review the US features of breast abscess with emphasis on "hypoechoic rim" sign which is more commonly seen in chronic abscess. METHODS: In a period of 10 years, 20,998 patients were referred for breast US examinations. Medical records identified 204 patients in whom breast abscess was diagnosed. All patients were examined using high-resolution real-time US scanners. The initial ultrasound reports and hard copy images were all carefully reviewed. The grading of the echogenicity of the abscess was classified from grade 0 to grade 5. The contours of the lesions were described as smooth, macrolobulated, microlobulated, irregular, zigzag, spiculate or indistinct. The wall thickness was measured to document the presence of "hypoechoic rim" which denoted a wall thickness greater than 2 mm. The associated findings and other acoustic phenomena related to the lesion were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six patients (136/204) having specific aspiration and/or biopsy/histopathological results were included in the study. All of the 136 patients showed abnormal US findings (100%). Most lesions showed grade 1 or grade 2 echogenicity (117, 86%). The contour of the abscess was usually smooth (42, 31%), macrolobulated (42, 31%), or irregular (22, 16%). A hypoechoic rim was noticed in 18 lesions (13%). Focal skin thickening was chiefly noticed in 91% of superficial abscesses (39/43) and 17% of intramammary abscesses (14/84). Diffuse skin thickening was exclusively evident in the breasts coexisting with mastitis. Hypoechoic interstitial streaks were not a common finding (7%), occurring in acute abscesses. The other findings included surrounding hypoechoic amorphous tissue (26%), posterior wall enhancement (71%), distal enhancement (60%) and lateral shadows (57%). CONCLUSIONS: US plays an important role in confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of breast abscess and aids significantly in the management of inflammatory breast diseases. Presence of the hypoechoic rim surrounding a fluid space or a central area of low-level echoes (i.e., grade 1 to grade 3) is indicative of a chronic abscess.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

Prophylactic effect of four prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats.

AIM: To study the prophylactic effects of four Chinese traditional prescriptions against experimental liver injury. METHODS: Liver toxins, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were used to induce acute liver injury. Simo Yin(SMY), Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW), Xieqing Wan (XQW), and Sini San (SNS) were fed (500 mg/kg, in saline, po) to the rats before toxin administration. All the animals were killed 48 h after toxin insulted. Serum index of liver function and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) were estimated. Histopathological observation was conducted simultaneously. RESULTS: The rats treated with ANIT exhibited elevations of serum total bilirubin (TBI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate-oxalate- transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT), as well as cholestasis and parenchyma necrosis. In rats, challenged with ANIT, receiving the pre-treatment of prescriptions of SMY, XQW, and SNS, the biochemical and morphological parameters of liver injury were significantly reduced. The increased LPO level in liver tissue, associated with the provoked serum GOT and GPT levels were the salient features observed in CCl4-insulting rats. Pre-treatment of four prescriptions showed a remarkable protective effect, and also was effective in counteracting the free radical toxicity by bringing about a significant decrease in peroxidative level. CONCLUSION: These recipes ameliorate liver damage induced by both ANIT and CCl4 despite the differences in their mechanisms of injury. Therefore they may be able to exert hepatoprotective effects through more than one mechanism of action because they contained a mixture of anti-hepatotoxic ingredients with mutual reinforcement and assistance.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗
PubMed2000

The role of 67Ga in the early detection of spinal epidural abscesses.

In this study, we evaluated the role of 67Ga whole-body and single photon emission tomographic (SPET) imaging in the early diagnosis and lesion localization of spinal epidural abscess before confirmation by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Six patients with fever of unknown origin had a 67Ga whole-body scan, four of whom also underwent SPET imaging. For further confirmation of a spinal epidural abscess, gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed in all patients. All patients had increased 67Ga uptake in a spinal or paraspinal area on the whole-body scan. They were later confirmed to have a spinal epidural abscess after gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Of these six patients, five underwent surgical drainage plus parenterally administered antibiotics, and had complete or partial recovery. One died before operation due to sepsis. In conclusion, we suggest performing a 67Ga whole-body survey as early as possible in patients with fever of unknown origin, fever and back pain and/or the spinal syndrome, before MRI is performed. If a spinal epidural abscess is strongly suspected, SPET is needed for further confirmation of spinal versus non-spinal and contiguous versus non-contiguous lesion(s). If MRI is unavailable, then 67Ga scintigraphy is a satisfactory method for investigating spinal epidural abscesses.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Interleukin-8 as a predictor of the severity of bacteremia and infectious disease.

The relationship between cytokines and sepsis has been studied frequently in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the determination of cytokines in patients as they enter the emergency department (ED) would be more meaningful in predicting the outcome of infection. This study investigated plasma interleukin-8 in the ED as the predictor of bacteremia and sepsis. One hundred patients admitted through the ED with signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome were studied. Plasma IL-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patient's data were evaluated using the APACHE II scoring system as predictive factors of morbidity and mortality. Plasma IL-8 (149 pg/mL) detected bacteremia with a positive predictive value of 90.9% and a specificity of 98.7%. Results indicated that the odds ratios (ORs) of bacteremia were 24.78 (P < 0.01, CI = 2.27-270.8), 5.42 (P < 0.05, CI = 1.37-21.4), and 6.05 (P < 0.05, CI = 1.36-26.8) for IL-8, IL-6, and APACHE II, respectively. Occurrence of bacteremia was highly correlated with increases in plasma IL-8 (P < 0.01). IL-8 (OR = 8.25, CI = 1.03-65.9) and APACHE II scores (OR = 12.6, CI = 2.24-70.4) were found to be significantly better predictive factors of mortality (P < 0.01) than IL-6 (OR = 3.60, CI = 0.57-22.7), TNF (OR = 0.24, CI = 0.01-11.0) and age (OR = 1.02, CI = 0.98-1.06). During bacteremia, IL-8 also correlated well with patient use of a ventilator (P < 0.01, OR = 2.43, CI = 2.41-311.19), use of vasopressors (P < 0.05, OR = 2.67, CI = 1.79-370.78), length of stay in the hospital (P < 0.01, OR = 3.14, CI = 1.87-988.31), and stay in the ICU (P < 0.01, OR = 2.51, CI = 2.98-449.80). Measuring IL-8 on patients in the ED with apparent bacterial infections appears to be a reliable predictor of bacteremia and the severity of disease.

APACHE↗
PubMed1999

Value of Ga-67 SPECT in monitoring the effects of therapy in invasive aspergillosis of the sphenoid sinus.

PURPOSE: We report a case of invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis clinically presenting as a pituitary mass. METHODS: After exploration via the trans-sphenoidal approach and subsequent treatment with amphotericin-B, Ga-67 brain SPECT was performed twice to monitor the therapeutic effect. RESULTS: Three months after antifungal treatment, Ga-67 brain SPECT showed partial resolution of the lesion in the sella turcica region. The patient continued with fluconazole treatment for another 2 months and received another Ga-67 brain SPECT, which showed complete clearing of the previous lesion. CONCLUSION: Ga-67 brain SPECT may play a potentially useful role in monitoring the therapeutic effect of treatment of invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Multiple pyogenic granuloma demonstrated by SPECT using 99Tcm-labelled red blood cells.

Pyogenic granuloma is a polypoid form of capillary haemangioma that occurs on the skin and mucosal surface. The eruption of multiple pyogenic granuloma is a rare phenomenon. We report the case of a 73-year-old male with a 2 year history of intermittent lower gastrointestinal bleeding. 99Tcm-labelled red blood cell scintigraphy was performed to rule out the possibility of capillary haemangioma on the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract. The images showed disseminated haemangiomas involving the skull, abdominal wall, intestine, scrotum and right leg. The final diagnosis of multiple pyogenic granuloma was made by skin biopsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case using 99Tcm-labelled red blood cell scintigraphy to demonstrate multiple pyogenic granuloma.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Complementary role of dual isotope in non-bacteriuric renal infection--a case report.

To detect non-bacteriuric renal infection in a diabetic patient, though difficult but is very important because early diagnosis and early treatment can prevent later complications such as renal abscess, renal hypertension or even end stage renal disease. Herein, we presented a case of diabetic patient with septicemia whose urine culture and renal ultrasonography were negative initially. By using a combination of dual isotope images and single photon emission computed tomography technique, an infectious lesion in the upper pole of left kidney was revealed, which was identified as acute focal bacterial nephritis by computed tomography four days later. This case report showed that 67Ga plus 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid images are useful in patients under clinical suspicion of renal infection, especially for those with negative urine analysis and/or urine culture initially.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Diagnostic thoracic-computed tomography in radiotherapy for loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study was initiated to evaluate whether pretreatment diagnostic thoracic CT scan was useful for patients with loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma, and to assess its impact on the design of radiotherapeutic treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between March 1991 and January 1997, 44 patients underwent thoracic CT examination with contrast material before the consideration of radiotherapy for their isolated loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma. The CT radiographs were prospectively reviewed for additional findings clinically undetected by prior physical examination and plain-chest radiograph. The changes made in treatment design and dosage of radiation as a result of CT findings were recorded for analysis. The correlation between prognostic indicators and the CT findings was also studied. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 44 (50%) patients were found to have additional abnormalities detected only after thoracic CT examinations were performed. The strategy of radiation therapy was altered in 17 of 22 (77%) patients as a result. Patients with shorter disease-free interval (p = 0.08) and multiple sites of recurrence (p = 0.05) tended to have greater numbers of findings on CT scan previously unsuspected. Thus, CT scan is a valuable guide to treating loco-regional recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment diagnostic thoracic CT scan offers essential information that can alter treatment planning and thus optimize treatment strategy for a large proportion of patients with clinically isolated loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma. In this population of patients we recommend that thoracic CT examination be considered before the initiation of radiation therapy.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Rectus abdominis rhabdomyolysis after sit ups: unexpected detection by bone scan.

Uptake of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate by the rectus abdominis muscle was unexpectedly found in a 29 year old man who had started to perform 30 to 40 sit ups a day for five days before the bone scan. After a week of rest, serum creatine kinase activity was still abnormal but muscle uptake of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate had ceased. This specific muscle injury after short term sit ups as well as the resolution of the phenomenon within a week are of interest.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

133Xenon ventilation scan as a functional assessment in bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Mucus impaction in the airways impairs ventilation and exercise tolerance in patients with bronchiectasis. Parameters for evaluating the ventilatory dynamic change have been limited by variable cofactors. We developed a tool to evaluate the changes directly on images of a ventilation scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a 133Xenon ventilation washout scan to assess the time of half clearance (T1/2) of the regions of interest (ROIs) corrected by that of a control area (CA) as T1/2ROI/CA. We then compared the ventilation washout scan with high-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) scoring to assess the severity of bronchiectasis, as well as conducting 6-minute walking tests or spirometry for the evaluation of the clinical response to a 3-day course of chest physiotherapy. Nine patients with bronchiectasis and mucus hypersecretion were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: The functional impairments by mucus impaction or air trapping were well documented in the ventilation washout scan, which not only provided an anatomical image but also dynamic profiles. The ratios of T1/2ROI/CA were significantly correlated to the corresponding scoring of HRCT (3.45 +/- 0.85 vs 7.50 +/- 1.51, r2 = 0.61, p = 0.023, n = 8). The improvement in T1/2ROI/CA (from 3.45 +/- 0.85 to 2.60 +/- 0.59, p = 0.022, n = 9) was paralleled by an increase in the 6-minute walking test (from 310.4 +/- 43.2 m to 352.4 +/- 45.1 m, p = 0.028, n = 7). CONCLUSION: The 133Xenon scan may be used to evaluate the heterogeneity of ventilation abnormalities and the efficacy of clinical therapy directly in patients with bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III and II for prediction of mortality in multiple organ failure patients treated by plasma exchange.

This study examined the efficacy of a different scoring system for multiple organ failure (MOF) patients treated by plasma exchange (PE). Twenty-five patients with MOF resulting from fulminant hepatitis who had been treated by PE for a total number of 91 PEs in a consecutive period of 22 months were included in our study. Data were collected from each patient to compute acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and APACHE (AP) III scores. The sensitivity, specificity, and correct prediction of outcomes were measured. The correct prediction of outcomes was 86.5%in AP III and 77.5% in AP II. For the prediction of patient mortality, the AP III system seems to be more reliable than AP II.

APACHE↗
PubMed1996

Antimicrobial activities of iodinated polystyrene derivatives.

The antimicrobial activities of insoluble halogenated acetamidomethy1-styrene polymers (prepared by covalent bonding of iodine to polystyrene) were assessed as were the factors determining antimicrobial efficacy. The most active materials were selected from chlorinated or iodinated polymers. Antimicrobial activities were assessed for Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922; American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, MD, U.S.A.), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans by determining time-course changes in microbial counts in vitro. A 2-iodoacetamidomethylstyrene polymer (No.6-I:-CH2I) was found to have the greatest antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungi. No.6-I is the first antimicrobial material that did not make an inhibition hollow in the conventional diffusion test or for which conjugated iodine showed antibacterial activity. This material can be introduced into styrene units on the surface of devices by chemical modification. This material was most active at 37 degrees C. For coated dishes, antimicrobial activity depended on the depth or swollen character of the reactive layer. NO.6-I requires not only a minimum width of polymer layer, but also frequent contact with microbes to have an antimicrobial effect. No.6-I is valuable as a new material because it has strong antimicrobial activity by itself but does not release active iodine. This material is expected to have various applications in implantable clinical devices.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1994

A specific 4977-bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA in human ageing skin.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have recently been proposed as important contributors to ageing and degenerative diseases. In this study, we applied the polymerase chain reaction technique to detect 4.977 bp-deleted mtDNA, the most common and abundant deletion of mtDNA, in normal human skin. None of the skin specimens from patients less than 60 years of age were found to bear this type of mtDNA deletion. The incidence of the 4977-bp-deleted mtDNA increased with advancing age. The incidence of the deletion was 20%, 46.7% and 83.4% for patients of the age groups of 61-70, 71-80, and 81-90 years, respectively. Moreover, the incidence of 4977-bp-deleted mtDNA was significantly higher in exposed skin than that in non-exposed skin. We suggest that mtDNA mutations are molecular events associated with the human skin ageing process.

Adolescent↗