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Biomedical subjects

M C Lin

Publications and source records attributed to M C Lin.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations in healthy men on diets enriched in either canola oil or safflower oil.

This randomized, blind study measured changes in serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations in 16 men consuming 39 +/- 1% of energy (en%) as fat either from safflower- or canola-oil-based diets for 8 wk. Initially, the men were stabilized for 3 wk on a typical American (baseline) diet. Compared with baseline, the vegetable-oil-based diets reduced serum total cholesterol 9-15% (P less than 0.002), low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol 12-20% (P less than 0.002), and apolipoprotein B-100 21-24% (P less than 0.001). There were no significant changes from baseline to the end of the study in serum triglycerides, total high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, or apolipoprotein A-I. These data suggest that even if total fat intake remains at 39-40 en%, many men show lowered LDL cholesterol if saturated fatty acid intake is minimized and that diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids do not necessarily lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Prevalence of simple adnexal cysts in postmenopausal women.

This prospective study was performed with ultrasound (US) to determine the prevalence of unilocular, nonseptated adnexal cysts ("simple cysts") in healthy postmenopausal women and the relationship between cyst occurrence and both hormone replacement and length of time since onset of menopause. Transabdominal and transvaginal US were performed on 149 volunteers aged 50 years or older. Patients were classified according to hormone regimens (no hormones, unopposed estrogen, continuous daily estrogen and progesterone, and sequential estrogen and progesterone) and time since onset of menopause (less than 5 years, 5-10 years, and greater than 10 years). Simple adnexal cysts were found in 22 women with the aid of transvaginal and/or transabdominal US, yielding a relative frequency of 14.8% +/- 5.7% and a prevalence of 14,800 patients with cysts per 100,000 patients. No statistical relationship was found between cyst frequency and type of hormone replacement or length of time since onset of menopause.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Endometrial thickness after menopause: effect of hormone replacement.

Ultrasound (US) images of the pelvis were evaluated in 112 asymptomatic postmenopausal women to investigate the normal range of endometrial thickness (double-layer measurement) and the effect of hormone replacement on these measurements. Twenty-one patients (19%) had endometrial thickness greater than 0.8 cm. One patient, with an endometrial thickness of 2.5 cm, had endometrial carcinoma. Consideration of the known actions of estrogen and progestogen on the endometrium led the authors to believe that the clinical significance of an endometrium measuring more than 0.8 cm depends on the patient's hormonal status. Among asymptomatic postmenopausal women with an endometrial thickness between 0.8 and 1.5 cm, those receiving unopposed estrogen or continuous estrogen and progestogen need to undergo dilatation and curettage (D&C) or biopsy and those receiving no hormones or receiving sequential estrogen and progestogen should be encouraged to undergo D&C or biopsy. If a patient in one of the latter two groups is unwilling to undergo an invasive procedure, then US examination at 3-month intervals is acceptable. Any patient with endometrial thickness of at least 1.5 cm should undergo histologic diagnosis, regardless of symptoms or hormone status.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1991

Serum level of immunosuppressive acidic protein in patients with urological malignancies.

Immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) is a non-specific immunoreactive protein arising from inflammatory or malignant conditions in the human body. We determined the IAP levels in 65 cases with urological malignancies and in 31 cases with benign diseases as a control group during a 9-month period. There were significantly higher serum levels of IAP in cases of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (p = 0.025), prostate adenocarcinoma (p less than 0.00001) and upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (kidney and/or ureter, p = 0.013) as compared with those of the control group. Significant differences in IAP between different tumor stages were found in the bladder cancer group with high stage cases having higher IAP levels (p less than 0.0005). However, no significant differences were found between different tumor gradings. Most of the prostate cancer patients had extremely high IAP values (1,029 +/- 490 micrograms/ml) in this study. Renal cell carcinoma and testicular tumors showed no statistical differences from the control group (p = 0.89 and 0.37, respectively). No differences could be found in the different age groups (by decades) or sexes. The serum IAP level can be a good non-specific tumor marker for bladder cancer staging and probably a good follow-up tool for most urological malignancy patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Thoracic actinomycosis--review of 9 cases.

Nine cases of thoracic actinomycosis treated in the period from 1976 to 1990 were reviewed. Among them, 4 cases were children. The clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations were non-specific. Chest roentgenographic manifestations including nodular (3 cases), infiltrations (4 cases), and infiltrations with pleural changes (2 cases) were also non-specific. Chest wall masses were noted in four patients. There were no cases correctly diagnosed on admission. The diagnosis of thoracic actinomycosis was made from thoracotomy in 6 cases, from culture of chest wall mass incisional specimens in 2 cases and from bronchoscopic biopsy in 1. All the patients received antibiotics, however the varied duration of postoperative antibiotics did not change the outcome. No mortality or recurrence was noted in our 9 patients with a mean follow-up of 1.9 years (from 2 months to 6 years.) We conclude that surgical intervention is still the cardinal method for diagnosis and treatment. Establishment of the role of postoperative antibiotics will need further prospective study. The prognosis of thoracic actinomycosis is fairly good.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1990

Identification of cytosolic and microsomal bile acid-binding proteins in rat ileal enterocytes.

Studies were performed to determine the subcellular fractions and proteins involved in the intracellular transport of bile acids in rat ileal cells. The photolabile derivative 7,7-azo-taurocholate inhibited the Na(+)-dependent uptake of taurocholate into rat ileal enterocytes reversibly in the dark and irreversibly following photolysis. When photolabeled cells were submitted to subcellular fractionation, greatest radioactivity was found in the soluble protein (SP) fraction with decreasing radioactivity in the brush-border-(BBM), basolateral-(BLM), mitochondria-(MT), microsome-(MC), and Golgi-(GO) enriched fractions. Following trichloroacetic acid precipitation, delipidation, and correction for loss of marker enzyme activity, protein bound radioactivity was in SP greater than BBM greater than MC greater than BLM greater than GO greater than MT. When photolabeled cells were first fractionated and then submitted to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a 99-kDa polypeptide was associated with BBM, 54- and 59-kDa polypeptides with BLM, 14-, 35-, 43-, 59-, and 68-kDa polypeptides with SP and a 20-kDa polypeptide with MC fractions. Immunoprecipitation with known antisera identified the 68-kDa polypeptide as albumin and the 43-kDa polypeptide as actin. No precipitation on the 14-kDa polypeptide was noted with anti-hepatic and anti-intestinal fatty acid-binding proteins. No precipitation of the 35-kDa polypeptide occurred with antibody to the hepatic cytosolic bile acid-binding protein. These studies reveal a previously unrecognized 20-kDa microsomal, and 14- and 35-kDa cytosolic bile acid-binding polypeptides which may be involved in the transcellular movement of bile acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Night light alters menstrual cycles.

Dewan asserted 20 years ago that a bedside light could shorten and regularize the menstrual cycle among women with long and irregular menstrual patterns. To replicate this, seven volunteers slept with a 100-watt bulb by the bedside from days 13-17 of their menstrual cycles, while nine controls similarly used a dim red placebo (photographic safe light). Indeed, the 100-watt bulbs shortened menstrual cycles from a mean of 45.7 days to 33.1 days and reduced variability, but the placebo had no effect. These results suggest that light may have promise for treatment of infertility, for contraception, and for other endocrine interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Plasma electrolyte changes after ingestion of bile extract of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) in rats.

Some Chinese people believe that eating the gallbladder of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) may improve their visual acuity. However, ingestion of grass-carp bile, in severe cases, may kill human beings and experimental animals. The cause of death after eating grass-carp bile was studied in rats. The bile acid fraction was prepared from the n-hexane-insoluble and alcohol-soluble parts of grass-carp and hog bile. The bile extract (6 ml/kg, 15%) was administrated by gastric intubation to conscious female Long-Evans rats. Ingestion of grass-carp bile extract killed all the experimental rats in 2-8 h and was associated with a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in plasma potassium, hydrogen ions, blood urea nitrogen and hematocrit. However, rats that ingested hog bile or saline showed no significant changes in the measured parameters. If the rats were fed cholestyramine-treated grass-carp bile extract, they survived without significant change in the measured parameters. This report demonstrates that a drastic increase in plasma potassium and hydrogen ions probably caused the death of the rats, and also shows that bile acid (alcohol) in grass-carp bile is related to the toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Induction of differentiation in v-Ha-ras-transformed MDCK cells by prostaglandin E2 and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP is associated with a decrease in steady-state level of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

We used Ha-ras-transformed Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as a model to study possible signal transduction mechanisms underlying the induction of glucagon responsiveness by the differentiation inducers prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 8-bromo-cyclic (8-Br-cAMP) AMP and the inhibition of induction by phorbol ester or a serum factor. The steady-state level of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) was higher in Ha-ras-transformed MDCK cells than in parental MDCK cells. In contrast, the steady-state level of intracellular cAMP of transformed cells was similar to that of normal cells. PGE2 and 8-Br-cAMP increased cAMP content but decreased IP3 levels in a concentration-dependent fashion after 5 days of treatment. We examined the time course for effects of PGE2 and 8-Br-cAMP and found that there was a lag period of 8 to 16 h between elevation of cAMP after the addition of 8-Br-cAMP or PGE2 and the decrease of IP3 levels. Another lag period of 2 days existed before the induction of differentiation. Both the reduction of IP3 levels and the induction of glucagon responsiveness were blocked by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or serum, suggesting that a decrease in the IP3 level might be causally involved in induction of differentiation in transformed MDCK cells. However, induction of differentiation was not due to changes in the expression or guanine nucleotide-binding properties of p21 protein. It is likely that cAMP has a direct regulatory effect on the phospholipid signaling pathway. We conclude that perturbation of the inositol phosphate signaling pathway may be responsible for the induction of differentiation by PGE2 and 8-Br-cAMP in transformed MDCK cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1990

A new sperm collection method for treatment of retrograde ejaculation.

Retrograde ejaculation is an uncommon but treatable form of male infertility. Successful recovery of motile spermatozoa from a post-ejaculatory urine for artificial insemination is dependent on careful regulation of osmolarity and acidity of the bladder contents into which the ejaculate emanates, and the separation of the motile spermatozoa from the debris and cells which are found in these specimens. A pregnancy established by artificial insemination of spermatozoa recovered from bladder contents of a patient suffering from retrograde ejaculation is presented. The techniques for preparing the urinary bladder for spermatozoal survival and the removal of debris and cells by delicate centrifugation are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A digoxin-like immunoreactive substance and atrioventricular block induced by a Chinese medicine "kyushin".

The attempted suicide by 2 women with a kyushin overdose is reported. Kyushin caused them to produce a significant elevation of a serum digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (2.35 and 1.84 ng/ml) and symptoms of nausea, vomiting and general malaise. Their blood biochemistry and electrolytes were normal. In one patient, an electrocardiogram revealed a second degree Wenckebach atrioventricular block and T-wave change. Toad venom, a kyushin ingredient, is possibly responsible for the development of these clinical features and electrocardiographic changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Optic nerve decompression by the transorbital sphenoethmoidal approach].

5 cases of intracanalicular optic nerve injury were treated with decompression by the transorbital-sphenoethmoidal approach. The methodology and a typical case were presented. The indications and principles of the operation were discussed. The authors deemed the procedure facile, safe and with few complications, hence worthy of recommendation for early adoption, preferably within 2 weeks after the trauma for good effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effect of a Chinese medicine "kyushin" on serum digoxin concentration measurement in dogs.

The effect of the Chinese medicine kyushin administered orally on serum digoxin measurement was studied in an animal model. Administration of 6 pills of kyushin caused a significant increase in the serum concentration of a digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS). The DLIS concentration increased to a peak value of 1.14 ng/ml at 11/2 hours and declined to 0.5 ng/ml after 24 hours. A one-week administration of 10 pills of kyushin a day produced a steady-state DLIS concentration ranging from 0.91 to 1.07 ng/ml. Among the 7 different kyushin ingredients, toad venom (ch'an-su in Chinese) was the only drug that produced DLIS in the dogs' serum. The similarity in structures of digoxin and toad venom most likely plays an important role in producing a cross-reactivity of DLIS with immunoassay antibody to digoxin. Although these findings require confirmation in human beings, they suggest that this nonprescription drug may seriously compromise the accuracy and interpretation of digoxin concentration measurements.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Recording of penile tumescence and rigidity in impotence.

A new method of continuous and simultaneous recording of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity was used in 70 men (38 normal and 32 impotent). The RigiScan test provided several findings concerning nocturnal penile erection in impotent men. Of 32 impotent men, 9(28.1%) had normal patterns, 2(6.3%) had normal penile tumescence without rigidity, and 6(18.7%) had a dissociation of rigidity between the tip and base of the penis. Of 9 patients (28.1%) with a shortened duration of erection in the RigiScan test, 6 had undergone cavernosography, and all were proved to have venous incompetence. Low amplitude of rigidity (6.3%) and flat tracing (12.5%) were also seen. The RigiScan test is superior to other available methods of assessing erectile response. It produces an objective, accurate record of rigidity as well as tumescence, thus aiding in differentiating psychogenic from organic impotence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Identification and comparison of bile acid-binding polypeptides in ileal basolateral membrane.

Bile acid-binding polypeptides were examined using basolateral membrane vesicles and enterocytes isolated from rat ileum. The uptake of a photolabile taurocholate derivative, (7,7,-azo-3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta[3 beta-3H]cholan-24-oyl)-2- aminoethanesulfonate,7,7-azo-TC, in ileal vesicles preloaded with paraaminohippurate (PAH) was stimulated with respect to uptake in unpreloaded vesicles. The PAH-transstimulated uptake of 7,7-azo-TC was inhibited by taurocholate and vice versa. Irradiation of membrane vesicles in the presence of 7,7-azo-TC irreversibly inhibited PAH-transstimulated taurocholate uptake. Photoaffinity labeling of basolateral membrane vesicles directly with [3H] 7,7-azo-TC and separation of proteins by SDS-PAGE revealed incorporation of radioactivity into several polypeptides. Photoaffinity labeling of vesicles in the presence of taurocholate inhibited the labeling of 54,000 and 59,000 mol. wt. polypeptides. The efflux of taurocholate from ileal enterocytes was cis-inhibited by 7,7-azo-TC and transstimulated by PAH. Irradiation of enterocytes in the presence of 7,7-azo-TC inhibited taurocholate efflux greater than the presence of 7,7-azo-TC in the dark. When enterocytes that were irradiated in the presence of [3H] 7,7-azo-TC were fractionated and the resultant basolateral membrane fraction was subjected to SDS-PAGE, incorporation of radioactivity into the 54,000 and 59,000 mol. wt. polypeptides was seen. In contrast, when the brush-border membrane fraction was subjected to SDS-PAGE, greatest incorporation of radioactivity was seen in the previously described 99,000 mol. wt. polypeptide. These studies suggest that 7,7-azo-TC shared transporters with natural bile acid and identified polypeptides that may be involved in bile acid transport across the basolateral membrane and differ from that seen in the brush-border membrane of the ileal epithelial cell.

Affinity Labels↗