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Biomedical subjects

L W Chu

Publications and source records attributed to L W Chu.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Acute ultrastructural changes in the middle cerebral artery due to the injury and ischemia of surgical clamping.

Ultrastructural changes in the zone of clamping of the middle cerebral artery of the squirrel monkey are described after application of a surgical clip. The experimental model utilized has been widely applied to the study of cerebral ischemia and possibly has relevance to clamps applied to the cerebral vessels during neurosurgical treatment of patients with cerebrovascular disorders. The earliest changes within the arterial wall were found in the smooth muscle (media) and accompanying fasciculi of nerves. Changes within the nerve bundles were sufficiently advances following 4 hours of vascular clipping to suggest temporary or permanent impairment of neurogenic innervation of the cerebral vessels distal to the trunk of the vessel clipped.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial abnormalities in progressive ophthalmoplegia.

A clinically diagnosed case of progressive external ophthalmoplegia was biopsied and ultrastructurally evaluated. The disease was found to be characterized by numerous giant mitochondria. The intramitochondrial changes consisted of either swirls of cristae or of paracrystalline structures which were in apposition with the membranes of the cristae. The internal structure of the paracrystalline units consisted of parallel bands of material which were aligned in the same plane as the membranes of the related cristae.

Humans↗

The ultrastructure of the middle cerebral artery and its associated nerve fibers in the squirrel monkey and baboon.

This study describes the ultrastructural characteristics of the middle cerebral artery and its related neural elements in the squirrel monkey and baboon. The cytoarchitecture of the M-1 segment as well as that of the smaller extracerebral and intracerebral vessels is comparable in both animals. Smooth muscle elements are occasionally found within the intimal lining. The nerve bundles associated with vessels contain fewer myelinated fibers as the vessel diameter decreases. The cytological relationship between the neural structures and the smooth muscle cells are discussed.

Animals↗

Morphological responses of cerebral tissues to temporary ischemia.

The ultrastructural responses of cerebral tissue following temporary periods (1/2, 1,2,3, or 4 hour) of right, middle cerebral artery, (MCA) occlusion were studied acutely after a 3 day or 7 day interval following the removal of the MCA clip. Cortical and basal ganglia tissues for each ischemic duration were compared at 3 post-occlusive periods (acute, 3 days, 7 days). With the short periods of ischemic insult (1/2, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hour), the temporal and insular cortex contained no greater changes in the 7 day group than in the 3 day group. The basal ganglia were more susceptible to MCA occlusion as indicated by more marked cytological changes and/or necrosis in all intervals of ischemia.

Acute Disease↗

Risk factors for early emergency hospital readmission in elderly medical patients.

BACKGROUND: Early emergency readmissions is a common and important problem in the elderly patient. Identification of the risk factors for early emergency readmissions is needed to prevent this occurring. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the risk factors for early emergency readmission in the elderly medical patient. METHODS: A case-control study (sex- and age-matched) was conducted from March to December 1996. 380 elderly (age 65 years or over) medical patients with emergency hospital readmission (within 28 days) and 380 matched controls were recruited from an acute university general hospital in Hong Kong. Potential risk factors which included demographic, socio-economic, principal medical diseases, comorbid diseases, dysphagia, physical functional status and mental status were studied. RESULTS: In bivariate analyses for the risk factors of early emergency readmission, institutional caregiver, previous visiting nurse service, adverse drug reaction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal failure, mobility being chair- or bed-bound, dysphagia, use of a nasogastric tube feeding, urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence were significant. Readmission cases had higher mean number of comorbid diseases, lower mean Barthel Index, higher mean number of impairments in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) tasks and lower mean Abbreviated Mental Test score than controls. In multivariate logistic regression model, the number of ADL impairments (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.08-1.19), no income (OR = 2. 28, 95% CI = 1.19-4.37), adverse drug reaction (OR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.56-11.2), advanced malignancy (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.37-4.37), congestive heart failure (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.05-2.53), chronic obstructive airways disease (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.47-3.02), end-stage renal failure (OR = 5.48, 95% CI = 1.69-17.75), dysphagia (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.5-10.11) and the number of comorbid diseases (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.13-1.49) were significant risk factors for early emergency readmissions. Living in a private old aged home was associated with a lower risk of readmissions (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0. 36-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Definite medical, functional and socio-economic factors were found to be risk factors for early emergency readmissions in the elderly medical patient. A multiple risk factors intervention approach should be considered in designing future prevention strategies.

Aged↗

A geriatric day hospital in Hong Kong: an analysis of activities and costs.

A survey of the activities of a geriatric day hospital in Hong Kong was carried out. It revealed that alternative modalities of hospital-based treatment were impractical and difficult to organize. Most patients and their carers were satisfied with the day hospital service, and the main area for improvement was in transportation. Costs of day hospital treatment were also calculated, and were found to be cheaper than an equivalent period of in-patient rehabilitation or out-patient therapy.

Aged↗

Sonographic measurements of renal size in normal children and children with compensatory renal hypertrophy.

Renal length and anteroposterior diameter of both kidneys were measured from normal renal sonograms of 326 children (aged from newborn to 15 years) and graphed to provide a growth chart of normal renal size against age. Mean renal lengths are reported for each year of age. The renal size of 20 children with single kidney, either congenital or postnephrectomy, were also evaluated. Our data showed actual nephromegaly of the solitary kidney indicating compensatory renal growth.

Adolescent↗