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Biomedical subjects

M Lin

Publications and source records attributed to M Lin.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

The effect of diclofenac sodium on the initial comfort of RGP contact lenses: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a pilot study to assess the effect of 0.1% diclofenac sodium eyedrops on the initial comfort of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses. METHODS: A double-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was performed on 20 unadapted subjects. In Phase I, subjects used either 0.1% diclofenac or placebo eyedrops four times per day for 3 days before RGP lenses were dispensed. Contact lenses were inserted on Day 4 and worn for 8 continuous hours. Eyedrops were used twice during the 8-hour period. Ocular symptoms were graded on a visual analog scale at six points during the day. Visual acuity and slitlamp examinations were performed at the same six study points. After a 2-week wash-out period, subjects received the opposite treatment in Phase II, following the same protocol used in Phase I. RESULTS: The treatment effect was tested using the Mainland-Gart chi-square test. There was no statistically significant treatment effect (chi-square = 0.20, p = 0.653) on patient symptoms. Biomicroscopy findings were analyzed and, likewise, showed no significant treatment effect (chi-square = 2.10, p = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Data from this pilot study showed no statistically significant reduction in symptoms or signs with diclofenac eyedrops.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Mitochondrial tRNA(leu(UUR)) gene mutation and the decreased activity of cytochrome C oxidase in preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of mitochondrial tRNA(leu(UUR)) gene mutation at nuecleotide 3243 and the activity of cytochrome C oxidase on the pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH). METHODS: 57 cases of PIH and 60 normal pregnancy women were detected of tRNA(leu(UUR)) nt3243A-->G mutation with the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Cytochrome C oxidase activity was measured by the rate of cyanide-sensitive oxidation of reduced cytochrome C using luminosity photographer. RESULTS: Cytochrome C oxidase activity was significantly lower in the PIH group than that of controls. The mitochondrial DNA mutation at position 3243 was not found in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the decreased activity of cytochrome C oxidase might impair the energy production, leading to the mitochondrial dysfunction and placental dysfunction in PIH patients. Mitochondrial dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The particular mutation of mitochondrial DNA may not be the common contributor of PIH.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Estimation and clinical significance of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors in patients with acute leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the levels of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFRs) and the relationships with clinical situation, chemotherapeutic effects and TNF alpha level in acute leukemia (AL) patients. METHODS: Serum levels of sTNFRs and TNF alpha were measured by ELISA. Six parameters which might influence therapeutic effects were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: 1. Serum levels of sTNFR I and sTNFR II in 31 untreated AL patients were significantly higher than those in controls(P < 0.001 and < 0.005, respectively) and in bone marrow remission (BMR) AL patients (P < 0.005 and < 0.05, respectively). The levels of sTNFR I and sTNFR II in 11 relapsed/refractory AL patients were significantly higher than those in controls(P < 0.001 and < 0.05, respectively), but were not different from those in untreated AL patients. 2. Serum levels of sTNFR I in untreated ALL patients were significantly higher than those in ANLL patients (P < 0.05). 3. High levels of serum sTNFR I were more common in patients with high leukocyte count(> or = 100 x 10(9)/L) and high levels of serum sTNFR II were more common in patients with splenomegaly. Levels of the two sTNFRs positively correlated with blasts in peripheral blood (P < 0.001 and < 0.05, respectively). 4. The level of TNF alpha in 31 untreated AL patients significantly correlated with the level of sTNFR I (r = 0.440, P < 0.05). 5. The BMR rate was higher in those serum sTNFR I level < 2.0 micrograms/L than in those > or = 2.0 micrograms/L(P < 0.05). 6. Of the six parameters which might influence AL therapeutic effects, only sTNFR I < 2.0 micrograms/L was predictive. CONCLUSION: High levels of serum sTNFRs in AL patients might be derived from leukemic cells and predicted an adverse prognosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[A clinical study on vaccine of Mycobacterium vaccae in treating pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of vaccine of Mycobacterium vaccae on cell-mediated immunity and on treating patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Seventy cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with smear positive and initial treatment were classified randomly into group I (35 cases) and group II (35 cases), receiving 2HRZS/4HR and 2HRZS/4HR plus vaccine of Mycobacterium vaccae regimens respectively. Thirty-one multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis cases were classified into group III, receiving 4 - 6 sensitive antituberculous drugs and vaccine of Mycobacterium vaccae. Improvement of clinical symptoms, resolution of pulmonary lesions, negative conversion of sputum and changes of immunological functions were observed. RESULTS: No significant difference in improvement of symptoms was found in group I and group II (P > 0.05), and the improvement rate of clinical symptoms in group III was found more than 50%. X-ray resolution rates in 4th month were 83% and 89%, and cavity reducing rates 40% and 50% respectively in group I and group II, and no significant differences were found (P > 0.05). X-ray resolution rate was 29%, cavity reducing rate 7% and no deteriorated case was found in group III. Sputum negative conversion rates in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th month were 23%, 51%, 83% and 97% respectively in group I, while 31%, 77%, 89% and 100% in group II, and 3%, 16%, 29% and 32% in group III. Significant difference was found between group I and group II in sputum negative conversion rate in 2nd month after treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, values of lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), CD(3), CD(4) and CD(4)/CD(8) of the above 3 groups were all higher than that before the treatment (P < 0.05), level of tumor necrosis factor decreased in group II and IL-2, IL-6 increased in group III. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine of Mycobacterium vaccae is a good immunotherapy preparation, which promotes sputum negative conversion and activation of cell-mediated immunity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The experimental research of purification and character of cultured retinal ganglion cell].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a cell line and purification model of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vitro. METHOD: RGCs from Sprague Dawley neonatal rats (postnatal 1 - 3 days) were cultured in basal medium eagle (BME) basal medium. The growth regularity of RGCs in vitro was observed under phase-contrast microscope. RGCs were purified by Thy 1.1 with FITC antibody and detected under fluorescent microscope and phase-contrast microscope. RESULTS: Higher density of retinal cells and tectal extract facilitate cultured RGCs to survive. The purification rate of retinal ganglion cells in the experiment arrived at 95 percent. CONCLUSION: Cytokine and trophic factors from other cells in the retina and tectal extract can promote RGCs to survive, and they can be purified by Thy 1.1 antibody.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Determination of TNF-alpha and endotoxemia in patients with chronic liver diseases].

The incidence of endotoxemia in 153 patients with different liver diseases was determined by Limulus Lysaite Test(LLT). Comparative studies were carried out on the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) between positive and negative endotoxemia in patients suffering from chronic liver diseases. At the same time, 58 patients of positive endotoxemia were divided into two groups--bifidobiogen group (38 cases) and control group(20 cases). The patients in bifidobiogen group were treated mainly with daily administration of bifidobiogen for 1 month besides general liver--protection therapy and the bifidobiogen was not given to the control group. The results showed that: 1. Incidence of endotoxemia in 153 patients suffering from various types of liver diseases was 65.36%; the highest rate was found in the patients with severe hepatitis; 2. The TNF-alpha level was obviously increased in the patients of positive endotoxemia; 3. The total efficacy in bifidobiogen group was significantly higher than that in control group. The data suggest that chronic liver diseases are generally complicated with endotoxemia, and TNF-alpha plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia. The serum endotoxin level may be reduced after the treatment with bifidobiogen.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Psychological aspects of patients with burning mouth syndrome: an investigation of personality, psychopathological profiles and social life background stress].

OBJECTIVE: To know the psychosocial background of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) in China. METHODS: In this study, 30 patients with BMS and 30 normal subjects of control group were evaluated for their personality, psychopathological profile and existence of recent life events. All subjects were required to complete the EPQ questionnaire, the SCL-90 questionnaire and a Life Event Scale, and chi-square test analysis of variance and rank sum test were used in this study. RESULTS: The personality of introversion and instability was common in BMS group. The scores of 9 emotional factors and negative life events were higher than that of the control group significantly. CONCLUSION: BMS may be a series of psychological disorder and somatic discomfort caused by stresses of social life events on the people with special personality.

Burning Mouth Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

[A pilot study on malaria control by using a new strategy of combining strengthening infection source treatment and health education in mountainous areas of Hainan province].

AIM: To explore a new malaria control strategy that fits current epiodemiological condition and coincides with modern medicine model and the principle of cost-benefit. METHODS: The new strategy highlights the risk villages and risk population as the focal point and integrates health education with behavioral intervention. The main anti-malaria measures consists of carrying out health education in risk villages, giving mass drug administrations in risk population staying overnight in the mountain, following up malaria cases for implementing radical cure, but without using traditional residual spraying or impregnating bednets with insecticides. RESULTS: After having adopted the new strategy and taken the control measures, the people's knowledge about malaria increased to a higher level and the indices of malaria reduced to a lower level. The rate of bednet-using in the population was increased from 26.8% to 72.6%. The annual parasite incidence (API) of malaria was declined from 3.5% in 1994 to 1.1% in 1996 and 0.8% in 1997, and the API of falciparum malaria was declined from 1.0% to 0.3% and 0.3% respectively in the townships at the same time. The parasite rate(PR) of malaria was declined from 7.2% in May, 1995 to 2.1% in November, 1996 and 1.2% in October, 1997 and the PR of falciparum malaria was declined from 1.2% in May, 1995 to 0.1% in October, 1997. The proportion of villages without malaria cases was increased from 18.6% in 1994 to 54.2% in 1997, and the number of risk villages with a malaria incidence above 5% was reduced from 14 to 2 at the same time. The ratio of cost/benefit was 1:2.4 in 1995-1996 and 1:4.4 in 1997, showing a better economic benefit. CONCLUSION: The expectant result has been obtained, thereby providing new experience for the malaria control in the mountainous areas of Hainan Province.

China↗
PubMed1999

The preliminary study of glucocorticoid receptor gene in Chinese patients with glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To study the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the associated gene regulation in the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma (GIG) in Chinese patients. METHODS: The trabecular cells of normal individuals and patients with GIG were cultured in vitro. By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gene fragments on GR DNA binding sites of trabecular cells were amplified. The product was detected by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The trabecular cells were cultured successfully in normal individuals and patients with GIG in vitro. A single PCR product was obtained in both two groups with the same size of 545 base pairs. CONCLUSION: There is not any difference in gene on the GR DNA binding sites between normal individuals and patients with GIG. The results suggest the difference in mRNA or other functional genes.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1999

New management of malignant glaucoma by phacoemulsification with posterior chamber foldable intraocular lens implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of phacoemulsification with posterior chamber foldable intraocular lens implantation in the management of malignant glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with malignant glaucoma diagnosed in the Department of Glaucoma were enrolled in the study. 12 patients developed malignant glaucoma after filtration surgery. 1 developed after peripheral iridectomy. 1 patient developed malignant glaucoma without any clear cause. Cataract phacoemulsification was performed. Posterior chamber intraocular foldable lens was implanted in 10 cases of patients. RESULTS: All 14 patients were cured with normal intraocular pressure, normal anterior chamber depth and increased visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber foldable intraocular lens implantation is a good alternative in treating malignant glaucoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate and dexamethasone on apoptosis of rat cultured retinal ganglion cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) and Dexamethasone on cultured rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCS). METHODS: RGCs were obtained from 1-3 days old SD rats. In two groups, exposure of cocultured ganglion cells to N-methyl-D-aspartate (20-500 mumol/L) lasted for 24 hours. Apoptotic cells were identified by Hochest 33258 in one group; In another group, 0.4% Trypan blue dye was added. Cells excluding the dye were counted, and the survival rate of cells was determined by the ratio of the excluding cells in the experiment over in the control; Cocultured RGCs and purified RGCs were exposed to Dexamethasone(1 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-6) mol/L). After 24 hours, apoptotic cells were identified by Hochest33258. RESULT: Cocultured RGCs showed distinct morphological appearance of apoptotic cells when they were exposed to NMDA. The survival rate of cells was dose-related to the concentration of NMDA. Cocultured RGCs didn't show typical apoptotic appearance at 24 hours after exposure to Dexamethasone. But purified RGCs did so, even in the control group. CONCLUSION: NMDA has the effect of inducing cocultured RGCs apoptosis. Dexamethasone had no this effect on RGCs. Without additional neurotrophic factors, purified RGCs may become apoptotic cells when cultured in vitro for 24 hours.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Diagnosis of bovine brucellosis using a homogeneous fluorescence polarization assay.

To evaluate the fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, 118 sera from cattle which were culture positive for Brucella abortus, 1751 sera from cattle from premises containing cattle infected with B. abortus, 1222 sera from cattle vaccinated with B. abortus strain 19 and 1199 sera from cattle with no evidence of brucellosis were tested in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and in the American states of Iowa, Missouri and Texas. Initial determination of serological positivity and negativity was based upon reactivity in currently used serological tests, consisting of a rapid screening test, the rose-bengal or the buffered plate antigen tests, followed by a second serological test, the complement fixation test. Sensitivity of the FPA (sera from culture positive animals) ranged from 87.5% to 100%. Serological positivity of cattle from infected premises ranged from 65.5% to 99.0% while the % negative cattle in herds without evidence of brucellosis was between 94.9 and 100%. Of B. abortus strain 19 vaccinated cattle which were positive in at least one in-use serological tests, 88.2% were negative in the FPA. In contrast, previous Canadian studies, sensitivity values were 99.0% and 100% and the specificity in both cases was 100%. This discrepancy was probably due to the use of less well characterized sera in the current study.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Expression of plasma phospholipid transfer protein mRNA in normal and emphysematous lungs and regulation by hypoxia.

The lung is the major site expressing plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) mRNA in humans and mice, suggesting that this protein might have an important role in maintaining normal function of this organ. In the lung of human collagenase transgenic mice, an emphysematous animal model, PLTP mRNA was 3-fold higher than in control mice. However, the mRNA in other tissues was not changed. To further assess the expression and function of PLTP, we measured PLTP mRNA level in lung tissue of two emphysematous patients and found that the mRNA was 4-fold higher than in control subjects. In situ hybridization on mouse lung suggested positive staining in alveolar type II epithelial cells. In addition, immortalized rat alveolar pre-type II epithelial cells and freshly isolated mature rat alveolar type II epithelial cells both highly expressed PLTP mRNA, and the former cells actively secreted PLTP activity into the medium. To examine the possible mechanisms leading to high levels of PLTP expression in vivo, we exposed the pre-type II cells to hypoxia and demonstrated induction of PLTP mRNA and a coordinate increase in secreted PLTP activity. Thus, the PLTP gene is highly expressed in alveolar type II epithelial cells and is induced during hypoxia and in emphysema. These observations suggest that a hypoxic stimulus occurring in emphysema may be a novel mechanism that contributes to enhanced expression of PLTP.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Isotope-Filtered Affinity NMR

A double-editing pulse sequence has been developed that allows the direct observation of protein binding ligand(s) from a mixture of compounds. This technique should aid the discovery of lead pharmaceutical compounds. The proton NMR signals from protein and the nonbinding ligands are simultaneously eliminated using 13C isotope editing and PFG diffusion-edited NMR. This new experiment is demonstrated using 13C/15N-labeled stromelysin catalytic domain (SCD). Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Leptin in human pregnancy: the relationship with gestational hormones.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were (1) to examine the relationship between leptin and placental hormones by measuring serial changes in serum levels of leptin during and after pregnancy and (2) to study the effects of several gestational hormones on leptin release from fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell cultures. STUDY DESIGN: Serum levels of leptin were measured throughout pregnancy and at 3 months post partum in 29 healthy women and were also measured in 18 healthy women at delivery by cesarean section and on postpartum day 3. In addition, 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes were incubated for 24 hours in media containing various reproductive hormones and leptin production was measured. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels increased significantly (8.4 +/- 0.9 vs 13.5 +/- 1.5 ng/mL; P <.001) between the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy but not between the second and third trimesters. These changes in leptin did not correlate significantly with changes in body mass index. Leptin levels dropped significantly during the immediate postpartum period, from 34.1 +/- 4.9 at cesarean delivery to 7.3 +/- 1.4 ng/mL on postpartum day 3 (P <.001). Fasting insulin level did not correlate significantly with leptin level during pregnancy but did so during the postpartum period (r = 0.60; P <.05). Leptin secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes was increased significantly when cells were cultured with human chorionic gonadotropin (150%, P <.01) and also when they were cultured with estrogen (120%, P <.03). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that leptin production by adipose tissue is stimulated by several hormones of pregnancy, which may contribute to the increased leptin levels observed during gestation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Immunohematology in Taiwan.

There are major differences in the distribution of blood group antigens and antibodies between the different population groups of Taiwan and whites. As a result, standard Western pretransfusion testing procedures have been modified for use in Taiwan, resulting in great reductions in cost and labor. These differences, in addition to their influence on the clinical practise of transfusion medicine in Taiwan, are also important anthropologically, and it is hoped that more population groups in Asia can be investigated in the near future. Further DNA studies on the B3 phenotype, the MiIII phenotype, and the Lewis phenotypes among our different population groups are in progress and further interesting findings are awaited.

Antigens↗