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Biomedical subjects

L C Lin

Publications and source records attributed to L C Lin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Month of birth and schizophrenia in Taiwan: effect of gender, family history and age at onset.

Schizophrenic patients have been shown to have a moderate excess of winter births in the areas where seasonal variations in weather are large. In this report, we examined the seasonality of schizophrenic births in Taiwan, which has a subtropical climate. Using nationwide hospitalization data (2429 male and 1320 female schizophrenic patients), we applied the life table method to compare the risk of schizophrenia among 12 cohorts of month-of-birth for males and females, respectively. Differences among the risks of the 12 cohorts were tested using the logrank test. The samples were further stratified by family history and age at onset. There was a significant association between the risk of being admitted as a schizophrenic and month of birth for both males and females. The cohorts born in November and January had the highest risks. After stratification, the association was significant only for non-familial, male, and early onset schizophrenic patients. The results indicate that seasonally varying factors might increase the risk of schizophrenia, especially in those without a family history of the disease. Men are more vulnerable to such factors than women, and the schizophrenics resulting from such insults tend to be early onset.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Localized pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee: a report of two cases.

Two cases of localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) are reported, both having received surgery. Localized PVNS and diffuse PVNS have not been clearly separated in the literature. Although the clinicopathologic features of the former lesions are similar to diffuse PVNS involving the synovium of the knee joint, the villous component with brownish red color, brownish-stained bloody fluid, and the hemosiderin in the surface-lining cells were lacking in these two cases. Localized PVNS can be treated with simple excision arthroscopically, but it tends to recur as diffuse PVNS if it is excised inadequately. It is suggested that attention must be paid to a soft tissue mass within the knee joint by doing comprehensive pre-operative evaluations which include history taking, computed tomography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Intra-operative findings focused on the morphology including the proliferated synovial membrane, gross appearance of the lesion and the pattern of effusion which are all important for distinguishing between localized PVNS and diffuse PVNS. There was no evidence of recurrence in these two cases during the 18 months' follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of evodiamine in rat plasma: application to pharmacokinetic studies.

A previously published simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination and identification of rutaecarpine in rat plasma was used for evodiamine determination. However, the ultraviolet detection was not 344 nm, but 227 nm. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of evodiamine in rats after 2 mg/kg intravenous administration. A biphasic phenomenon with a rapid distribution followed by a slower elimination phase was observed from the plasma concentration-time curve. Compartmental analysis yielded a two-compartment model.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Dysregulation of T helper cell cytokines in autoimmune prone NZB x NZW F1 mice.

Multifactorial involvement in the pathogenesis of autoimmune NZB/W F1 mice has been well documented. To further elucidate the role of cytokines in the disease development of murine lupus, single spleen cells isolated from NZB/W F1 and non-autoimmune C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with T cell mitogens or anti-CD3 antibody at pre-determined optimal concentration. Supernatants were collected and assayed for production of cytokines including IL-2, gamma-IFN, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. In both young and old mice, cytokine profiles by mitogen-stimulated T cells showed higher TH2 (type 2 T helper) cell-related cytokine production in NZB/W F1 mice compared to those in non-autoimmune C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, cytokines produced by TH1 (type 1 T helper) cells, such as gamma-IFN and IL-2, were lower in NZB/W F1 mice by stimulation with either mitogen or anti-CD3 antibody. In addition, cytokine production at different time points also demonstrated decreased gamma-IFN and increased IL-4 levels by anti-CD3 stimulated splenic cells in autoimmune NZB/W F1 mice. Furthermore, the IL-10 levels produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenic and peritoneal exudate cells were higher in young NZB/W F1 mice compared to those in C57BL/6 mice. Our data suggest that dysregulation between TH1 and TH2 cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in NZB/W F1 mice.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

High-performance liquid chromatography of the quinazolinocarboline alkaloid dehydroevodiamine.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of dehydroevodiamine (DeHE), an active principle from Evodia fruit. Plasma was denatured with acetonitrile and centrifuged, the supernatant was separated and blown dry, and the residue was redissolved in water. Bile was acidified with perchloric acid and centrifuged to yield the supernatant. Aliquots were used for analysis. Elution was isocratic on a reversed-phase column with acetonitrile-water-phosphoric acid (64:35:0.8, v/v) adjusted to pH 3.5 as the mobile phase. Ultraviolet detection was at a wavelength of 367 nm. The detection limits were 2 ng/ml for plasma and 10 ng/ml for bile. The intra-day and inter-day variations were mostly below 10%.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1993

Primary use of a double J silicone ureteric stent in renal transplantation.

Vesicoureteric leakage and obstruction are the commonest urological complications after renal transplantation. A retrospective analysis of our initial experience using a double J silicone ureteric stent showed that primary splinting of the vesicoureteric anastomosis eliminated these complications, whereas their combined incidence was 13.6% in the non-stented patients. The presence of the stent was not associated with increased risks of urosepsis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Comparison of preoperative and postoperative iliohypogastric ilioinguinal nerve block for pediatric herniorrhaphy patients.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of preoperative and postoperative iliohypogastric ilioinguinal nerve block (IINB) performed on 30 pediatric patients having elective unilateral herniorrhaphy for postoperative pain control and to discuss the theory of post-injury hypersensitivity of the nerves system. The patients were assigned into two groups (A = 15, B = 15) randomly. Both groups were given GA during the surgical procedure except that group A received IINB 15 minutes prior to skin incision and group B immediately after skin closure. The local anesthetic used was 0.25% bupivacaine and the dosage was 1 mg/Kg. The heart rate, BP, and anesthetic concentration (halothane) were recorded during the procedure and postoperative pain was assessed by using the modification of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) behavior pain score which were taken at 1 hr, 3 hr (POR), 6 hr, and 24 hr (ward) postoperatively. Group A had less pain at 1 hr and 3 hr than group B postoperatively and is statistically significant. There was no statistically significant in pain score at 6 hr and 24 hr between the two groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Variation and secretion of toxins in gastropod mollusc Niotha clathrata.

Nearly 300 specimens of the gastropod mollusc Niotha clathrata were collected in South Taiwan. All specimens were assayed for toxicity by the official method for tetrodotoxin (TTX). The frequency value of toxic specimens in N. clathrata was 30.0%, 68.0% and 80.4% at Anping, Chiating and Tungkang, respectively. The highest lethal potency of a gastropod specimen was 1900 mouse units (MU). The specimens collected from Tungkang showed the highest frequency of toxic specimens and toxicity, followed by those from Chiating and Anping. The specimens collected in autumn and spring showed higher toxicity than those collected in other seasons. Moreover, another 17 specimens of N. clathrata were collected for testing the toxin secretion by electric shock treatment. It is found that the gastropod did not secrete any additional toxin when electric shock treatment was performed twice at approximately 1-hr intervals. The toxicity of secreted toxin was 206 MU.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Occurrence of a new toxin and tetrodotoxin in two species of the gastropod mollusk Nassariidae.

The lethalities of 102 specimens of three species of the gastropod mollusk Nassariidae, collected from fish markets in Taiwan, were examined. The frequency of toxicity in Zeuxis scalaris and Z. castus-like specimens was 94 and 41%, respectively. The range of lethal potency in toxic specimens of Zeuxis scalaris and Z. castus-like was 2-140 and 2-13 mouse units, respectively, while all tissues of Z. castus were non-toxic. The toxins were partially purified from the toxic specimens of Z. scalaris and Z. castus-like. Two toxin fractions were obtained from the extract of each species of Nassariidae by using Bio-Gel P-2 column chromatography. Analyses by thin layer chromatography, electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet spectroscopy, showed that toxin fraction I contained tetrodotoxin while toxin fraction II contained a new neurotoxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The immunology of the human foetal pancreas aged 8-13 gestational weeks.

The expression of MHC class I and class II antigens by the human foetal pancreas (HFP) during the first trimester is poorly documented. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we analysed 37 HFPs aged 8-13 gestational weeks (gw) and compared the results with those of 9 HFPs aged 14-16 gw. In all of the specimens, the ductal cells were class I- and class II-negative. Islets and endothelial cells expressed class I but were class II-. Interstitial class II+ cells included macrophages, B lymphocytes and dendritic-like cells that were negative for macrophage markers. While the frequency of class II+ cells in the HFP remained constant from 8 to 13 gw, a threefold increase was observed from the end of the 13th gw to the 16th gw. In conclusion, the lower density of interstitial class II+ cells in HFPs aged 8-13 gw indicates that immunomodulation is likely to be more successful in this age group.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Tetrodotoxin and derivatives in several species of the gastropod Naticidae.

The organs of 195 specimens of 4 species of the gastropod Naticidae, collected from fish markets in Taiwan, were assayed for toxicity. The calf moon shell Natica vitellus contained weak toxicity (10-99 MU/g) in the muscle and digestive gland. The bladder moon shell Polinices didyma contained moderate (100-999 MU/g) and weak toxicity in the muscle and digestive gland, respectively. The digestive gland in 1 out of 20 specimens of the pear-shaped moon shell P. tumidus was toxic (4 MU/g). All tissues of the butterfly moon shell N. alapapilionis were non-toxic. The toxins were partially purified from the toxic specimens of the calf moon shell and the bladder moon shell, and identified to be tetrodotoxin and anhydrotetrodotoxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of stresses before slaughter on changes to the physiological, biochemical and physical characteristics of duck muscle.

1. This experiment was designed to study the effects of fasting and enforced exercise on the physiological, biochemical and physical characteristics of duck muscle. 2. Sixty 75-d-old male ducks weighing 3.0 +/- 0.2 kg were assigned to three treatments: a control, and an 8 and 24 h fast plus enforced exercise for 10 min. The ducks were then sacrificed and the carcass stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h. 3. Although the pH and serum lactate contents gradually increased with fasting time the responses were not significant. The ultimate pH was elevated and the lactate of breast and thigh muscles was lower in stressed birds. 4. The activity of lactic dehydrogenase was significantly increased by the stress, and the activities of creatine phosphokinase and alkaline phosphatase were also increased slightly. However, no effect was found on the ATPase activity of the myofibrillar protein of either breast or thigh muscle as a result of the stress. The ATPase activity of myofibrillar protein of breast muscle significantly increased with storage time. 5. The extractability of myofibrillar protein increased with storage time for all treatments. The SDS-PAGE patterns of myofibrillar proteins were also studied. 6. Consequently DFD-like muscle was observed in the breast and thigh muscles of ducks which had been stressed.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Spinal transpedicular drill guide: design and application.

Short-segment stability problems of the spine, such as fracture, pseudoarthrosis, tumor, degenerative disc, and spondylolisthesis should be resolved by short-segment stabilization methods. The "rod long, fuse short" technique using traditional Harrington or Luque rods still have unavoidable problems of facet arthritis at the segments temporarily instrumented but not grafted. Transpedicular fixation of the spine is currently being used in many systems. Biomechanical studies have shown that three-level transpedicular fixation is more rigid than five-level fixation of Harrington or Luque rods. Regardless of the system used, the primary concern is how the transpedicular screw can be inserted safely through the pedicle as deep into the vertebral body as possible. A spinal transpedicular drill guide has been designed for transpedicular screws, and a prototype has been completed. Cadaver studies have been carried out and transpedicular screw position has been confirmed by computed tomography scan. Early clinical experience has demonstrated its efficacy and safety.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Spinal pedicle finder for transpedicular screw fixation--design and early clinical result.

Spinal transpedicular fixation has gained widespread popularity in the past 5 years. In biomechanical studies, the deeply-inserted transpedicular screws withstood the largest number of cycles in the cephalad-caudad and medial-lateral direction before failure. However, in clinical practice, the risk of screw placement which is too far medially or too far laterally do exist. The optimization of increasing screw depth to avoid complication is of significant clinical importance. A Spinal Pedicle Finder (S.P.F) has been designed for transpedicular screws and a prototype has been completed. It is composed of an I-shaped body with a pair of front rails and a pair of rear rails. The front rail comprises two positioning arms that fit against the laminal bony crest, and the rear rail comprises two guiding bases that provide the transpedicular pin inserted with a specific angle. Both positioning arms and both guiding bases can be adjusted synchronously, and the specific angle over the guiding bases can be pre-set preoperatively according to the angle of pedicle axis. To date, in 7 cases (5 fracture and 2 spondylolisthesis) transpedicular screw fixation has been applied by aid of the S.P.F. Two-level fixation was applied in a fracture group and three-level fixation was applied in a spondylolisthesis group. The position of the transpedicular screw has been checked by CT scan postoperatively. A total of 32 transpedicular screws were inserted and all were in the pedicle and vertebral body except in one instances. One transpedicular screw was malpositioned on one side, partially lateral to the pedicle. However, this malposition did not cause any neurologic problem, such as dural tear, nerve root injury or other. Clinical experience has demonstrated its efficacy and safety.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Carbonic anhydrase in guinea pig skeletal muscle mitochondria.

The presence of carbonic anhydrase activity was demonstrated in guinea pig skeletal muscle mitochondria purified by Percoll gradient centrifugation such that contamination by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was less than 5%. Assay of purified heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles for carbonic anhydrase activity showed these to have somewhat less activity than the mitochondria, so that any contribution by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to mitochondrial activity would be negligible. In agreement with this observation, rabbit skeletal muscle mitochondria prepared by the Percoll method had no detectable activity. Assay of the guinea pig muscle mitochondrial enzyme activity in the presence of Triton X-100 showed a sixfold greater activity than in its absence, indicating a matrix location for the carbonic anhydrase. The enzyme is highly sensitive to the sulfonamide inhibitor ethoxzolamide, with Ki = 8.7 nM. The activation energy obtained from the rate constant for CO2 hydration, kenz with units (mg/ml)-1 s-1, over the range 4 to 37 degrees C was 12.8 kcal/mol. These properties are those expected for a carbonic anhydrase of the CA II class of isozymes, rather than for CA I, CA III, and the liver mitochondrial enzyme CA V.

Animals↗