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Biomedical subjects

Li-Wei Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Li-Wei Lin.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Primary trabeculectomy surgery performed by residents at a county hospital.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of trabeculectomies performed by ophthalmology residents at a metropolitan county hospital, under the supervision of attending physicians. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of resident-performed trabeculectomies at the San Francisco General Hospital from the period of 1994 to 2004 was performed. The preoperative and postoperative ocular data of 50 eyes in 35 patients were evaluated. Of the 50 cases, 47 procedures were performed as primary trabeculectomies and 3 were revisions of trabeculectomies. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 28.9+/-17.6 months with an intraocular pressure (IOP) decrease from 23.2+/-9.4 mm Hg preoperatively to 11.3+/-4.4 mm Hg at last follow-up, for a mean reduction of 11.9+/-10.5 mm Hg (51.6%) (P<0.0001). Follow-up periods ranged from 3 months to over 6 years. The number of medications required decreased from 3.2+/-1.1 to 0.6+/-0.1 (P<0.0001). Success, defined by a postoperative IOP < or =21 mm Hg or a decreased postoperative IOP of at least 25% from preoperative pressure if the preoperative IOP was already < or =21 mm Hg, was observed in 42 eyes (84%) at last follow-up. Best-corrected visual acuity was stable or improved in 22 eyes (44%) and was noted to decrease 2 or more Snellen lines in 28 eyes (56%). Notable complications included 3 cases (6%) of persistent hypotony (IOP<5), 1 case (2%) of late endophthalmitis, and 1 case (2%) of phthisis. Seven eyes (14%) required subsequent penetrating glaucoma procedures due to bleb failure. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that the outcomes of trabeculectomies performed by residents at a county hospital can have a high success rate, comparable with previous studies in the literature. Rates of complications are overall similar to those found in the published literature.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effects of Scutellariae Radix on gene expression in HEK 293 cells using cDNA microarray.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of Scutellaria Radix (SR). The complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray method was used to survey the effects of SR on the changes of gene expression profile in HEK293 cells. Based on differential expression, 66 genes were selected for further analysis from 9,600 candidate genes in the microarray; 23 genes were validated by RT-PCR. The broad spectrum of the differentially expressed genes, including those associated with inflammation, immune response, energy metabolism, as well as others, such as ISGF3G, IL6ST, CD98, ATP5G2, PHKG2, YB-1 and SLC7A4, indicate overall cellular response to SR treatment. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of SR may be related to IL6ST down-expression, and over-expression of CD98. Moreover, SR-related improvement in immune response may be related to the ISGF3G over-expression.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed2006

Differential gene expression in hemodialysis patients with "cold" zheng.

The aim of the present study was to search for the differential gene expression and measure the serum level of a number of biochemical parameters in the cold zheng (CZ) and non-cold zheng (NCZ) in patients receiving hemodialysis. Hemodialysis (HD) patients were randomly selected from the CZ and NCZ groups. The between-group differences in gene expression were assessed using complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray. Differential gene expression was further validated by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results demonstrated that the up-regulation of the inflammation-associated genes, ALOX5AP, S100A8 and S100A12, down-regulation of the genes related to immunity (DEFA4), metabolism (GNG11, PYGB, PRKAR2B), and growth/proliferation (HSF2, DDR2, TK1) were found in the CZ group. Furthermore, the CZ HD patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels compared with their NCZ counterparts (3.31 +/- 0.08 g/dL versus 4.18 +/- 0.12 g/dL). It appears reasonable to conclude that up-regulated inflammatory-gene expression (ALOX5AP, S100A8 and S100A12) may play an important role in CZ HD patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Implications of nursing care in the occurrence and consequences of unplanned extubation in adult intensive care units.

This 18-month study used a structured questionnaire to explore the roles of nursing care on the occurrence and consequences of unplanned endotracheal extubation (UEE) in intensive care units in Taiwan. Experiencing UEE were 225/1176 (22.5%) intubated patients: 91.7% were self-extubations and 8.3% were accidental. Self-extubations occurred most frequently during night shifts and in the care of nurses with less working experience. Accidental extubations occurred most frequently in patients undergoing routine nursing procedures, usually required immediate re-intubation and were associated with more complications. An appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio, better working procedures and continual nursing education programs might help reduce occurrence and complications of UEE.

Accidents↗
PubMed2004

The effects of continuing education in restraint reduction on novice nurses in intensive care units.

A decrease in the use of physical restraints in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is an important indicator of quality of nursing care. This quasi-experimental study examined the effect on nurses of a session of continuing education aimed at reducing the use of restraints. At a medical center in southern Taiwan, 37 novice nurses were surveyed about their knowledge, perception, attitude and clinical practice of restraint use in 11 ICUs. Two instructors then taught a four-hour continuing education class on patient restraint standards, principles for reducing physical restraint use, and alternatives to restraining. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and the results of identical structured questionnaires which participants received before and after the lecture, showed that, afterwards, knowledge (t = -6.04, p <.01), perception (t = 4.76, p <.01), and attitude (t = 3.93, p <.01) toward restraint use had significantly improved. The continuing education improved the nurses ' knowledge and attitude toward restraint use and may therefore enhance the quality of care provided to ICU patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Differential gene expression of scopolamine-treated rat hippocampus-application of cDNA microarray technology.

The molecular study of learning and memory has been concentrated at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and their associating signaling molecules. To explore alternative pathways we applied human cDNA microarray and searched for differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of scopolamine-treated rat. Interspecies hybridization using human cDNA microarray to analyze scopolamine-treated rat hippocampus exhibited a minor difference for the expression profile compared to normal control with standard deviation of 0.08-fold in ratio. Based on differential expression, forty-two genes were selected for further analysis from 9,600 candidate genes on the array. Twenty-eight genes were validated by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primer pairs against rat orthologs. The broad spectrum of the differentially expressed genes indicated an overall cellular response upon scopolamine treatment. In addition to genes associated with muscarinic receptor signaling pathways, we have disclosed genes associated with novel pathways such as apoptosis, cytoskeleton reconstruction, protein trafficking, cell differentiation, and genes without a clear role. Our result should provide an insight into the molecular study of scopolamine-induced memory impairment.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2003

Satisfaction of nurse aides with pre-job training programs.

Services provided by nurse aides (NAs) directly influence quality of care. Consequently, NA training programs are critical in providing the qualified personnel who carry the bulk of the workload in long-term care facilities. Because studies related to NA pre-job training programs and student satisfaction are limited, we examined NA pre-job training programs and student satisfaction in Taiwan. The highest satisfaction levels were with lecturers and clinical applications. The lowest satisfaction levels were with tuition, class size and practice hours. General hospitals and nursing homes were the preferred sites for providing lectures and clinical practice instruction. The results of this study provide government departments and health care professionals data pertinent to designing more effective NA training programs.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The ameliorating effects of acute and chronic administration of LiuWei Dihuang Wang on learning performance in rodents.

The ameliorating effects of LiuWei Dihuang Wang (LDW) after single, one-week or two-week treatment of scopolamine (SCOP)-induced and p-chloroamphetamine (PCA)-induced amnesia by using the passive avoidance task and the facilitatory effects on two-way active avoidance performance in rats were studied. LDW (2 g/kg) after single treatment significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by SCOP and PCA. Then, SCOP- and PCA-induced amnesia was reversed by 1 and 0.1-1 g/kg LDW with one-week consecutive treatment respectively. For two-week consecutive treatment with LDW, the reversal from SCOP- and PCA-induced amnesia required only 0.01 g/kg. However, the rats treated with LDW only at 0.5, but not 0.01-0.1 g/kg, before or after each training session showed an increasing number of avoidances and a decreasing number of escapes on days 2-5 of learning. LDW at any dose alone did not influence the step-through latency in the training trial produced by non-shock rats, the motor activity and pentobarbital-induced hypnosis in rodents. These results suggest that LDW possesses the anti-amnestic and cognitive-enhancing activities related to the memory processes, and these activities were parallel to treatment duration and dependent on the learning models.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity caused by Cistanche deserticola in rodents.

In the present study, the rhizomes of Cistanche deserticola (Orobanchaceae, abbreviated as CD) were extracted with 50% ethanol and isolated orderly by ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of CD extract and three layers were evaluated in several animal models. CD extracts effectively inhibited writhing response induced by 1% acetic acid and biphasic licking responses caused by 1% formalin, and also reduced the edema induced by 1% carrageenan but not zymosan. Furthermore, the butanolic and aqueous layers of CD extract not only reduced the pain induced by acetic acid and formalin, but also decreased the edema that induced by carrageenan. Effects of the butanolic layer of CD extract are better than that of the aqueous layer. In addition, the effect of the butanolic layer of CD extract was not abolished by naloxone. These results revealed that CD has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and the butanolic and aqueous layers are mainly active constituents. Furthermore, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the butanolic layer of CD extract were not related to opioid receptors and immune system.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed2002

Correlations among serum calcium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels in the elderly in southern Taiwan.

This study correlates serum vitamin D levels to related hormones and dietary intakes among 57 elderly Chinese above the age of 65 who were living in the same community in rural Southern Taiwan (Pingtung) and who had no conditions or drug intake known to interfere with the metabolism of vitamin D. Demographic characteristics, past medical history, medications, and dietary intake were collected via questionnaires. Venous blood samples were collected for analyses of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels. Our results showed subjects in this study to have normal mean values of serum 25(OH)D, PTH and calcium levels. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 36.21 (+/- 6.37) ng/ml, the mean serum PTH level 29.24 (+/- 18.62) pg/ml and the mean serum calcium level 9.14 (+/- 0.52) mg/dl. While the mean serum 25(OH)D and calcium values were not found to be significantly different between men and women, the mean serum PTH level was significantly higher in women (33.42 +/- 20.00 pg/ml) than in men (23.07 +/- 14.66 pg/ml) (p <.05), and serum PTH levels were significantly negatively correlated to serum calcium (r = -.33, p <.05) but not 25(OH)D (r = -.21). A higher intake of calcium was significantly associated with higher serum calcium levels (r =.29, p <.05), but not with serum 25(OH)D levels. Results from this study suggested that the elderly people living in Pingtung, a particularly sunny region, had normal serum 25(OH)D levels. The fact that the elderly women studied had higher serum PTH levels and that these levels were negatively correlated to serum calcium levels suggests that a higher PTH level in the elderly women may be related to susceptibility for osteoporosis. In an effort to provide optimal nursing care for the elderly by minimizing hip fractures and related morbidity, further nursing studies are needed to study the effects of the environment, dietary intake and bone metabolism.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

The quality of nursing home care in Taiwan.

This study describes the quality of care in nursing homes in Taiwan using demographic data, functional status measures, resident clinical care outcomes, and resident's ratings of satisfaction with nursing home care. Three hundred and eight randomly selected elderly residents in 13 nursing homes were interviewed through a structured interview process and demographic and medical information was collected from their nursing home records. Nursing home residents were younger and less functional than their counterparts in the United States. Stroke and dementia were the most common primary diagnoses and more than 27% of the residents had a history of urinary tract infections while more than 25% had been physically restrained within the past 3 months. There was no correlation between the number of nursing home staff per resident and the prevalence of selected clinical care outcomes. A moderate level of satisfaction with nursing home care was reported with acceptance of family visits and nursing home cleanliness rating highest, and loss of personal belongings and life as boring rating lowest. Level of satisfaction with nursing home care was positively correlated with the number of RNs and nursing assistants (NAs) on staff. Recommendations for improving the quality of nursing home care in Taiwan include increased recruitment of multidisciplinary professional and technical nursing home staff; restrictions in the use of restraints with development of alternatives; and use of standardized resident assessment, care planning, and evaluation tools. The authors recommend continuing education in geriatric nursing and continued nursing research focusing on identifying structure and process variables that affect clinical care outcomes and satisfaction with nursing home care.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A longitudinal evaluation of nursing home care quality in Taiwan.

Aging populations worldwide have important implications for elderly care composition and quality, particularly with regard to care provided by nursing homes. Our study investigated quality of nursing home care in Taiwan using resident satisfaction and clinical outcomes as indicators. We randomly recruited 306 residents in 13 nursing homes and assessed them at initial, 3, 6,and 12-months follow-up. The outcomes of the nursing home care in the 12-month follow-up period showed significant decreases in pressure sores and moderate satisfaction of nursing home care, but increases in physical restraints and psychological loneliness. Study results suggest that long-term nursing home care may improve residents' quality of life. However, to achieve this, nursing homes must provide improved psychological support for residents and decrease the use of physical restraints.

Aged↗