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Biomedical subjects

M Yee

Publications and source records attributed to M Yee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Medical students' opinions of chaperone use during gynecological and anorectal examinations.

The opinions of medical students on chaperone use during physical examinations of the male and female was studied. The students (157) had conducted their first gynecological or first anorectal and prostate examination. Fifty-one percent of students were female, 56% younger than 25 years of age, and 77% males and 73% females had experienced sexual intercourse. Data on the use of a chaperone during vaginal, anorectal, breast and musculoskeletal examinations when conducted by doctors and by students was collected by anonymous questionnaires. Most students feel a chaperone is necessary when students-in-training conduct vaginal (94%), anorectal (94%) or breast (89%) examinations. Fewer students feel a chaperone is necessary when doctors rather than students conduct vaginal (41%), anorectal (22%) and breast (25%) examinations. Students were significantly more likely to feel a chaperone was necessary when a doctor of the opposite sex conducts vaginal (58%) and anorectal (34%) examinations, compared to a doctor of the same sex. Students who were male, 25 years or older or had not experienced sexual intercourse were significantly more likely to favour doctors using chaperones. The differences in responses of students of differing age, gender and sexual experience should be considered and discussed when students are learning invasive physical examinations.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Quality of life in advanced prostate cancer: results of a randomized therapeutic trial.

BACKGROUND: For patients with metastatic prostate cancer, treatment is primarily palliative, relying mainly on the suppression of systemic androgen hormone levels. To help document the achievement of palliation and to characterize positive and negative effects of treatment, we evaluated quality-of-life (QOL) parameters in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who were randomly assigned to two methods of androgen deprivation. METHODS: Patients (n = 739) with stage M1 (bone or soft tissue metastasis) prostate cancer were enrolled in a QOL protocol that was a companion to Southwest Oncology Group INT-0105, a randomized double-blind trial comparing treatment with bilateral orchiectomy (surgical castration) plus either flutamide or placebo. Patients completed a comprehensive battery of QOL questionnaires at random assignment to treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months later. Data were collected on three treatment-specific symptoms (diarrhea, gas pain, and body image), on physical functioning, and on emotional functioning. All P values are two-sided. RESULTS: Questionnaire return rates for this study never dropped below 80%; only 2% of the patients did not submit baseline QOL assessments. Cross-sectional analyses (corrected for multiple testing) identified statistically significant differences that favored orchiectomy plus placebo for two of the five primary QOL parameters as follows: patients receiving flutamide reported more diarrhea at 3 months (P = .001) and worse emotional functioning at 3 and 6 months (both P<.003). Longitudinal analyses replicated these findings. Other analyzed QOL parameters favored the group receiving placebo but were not statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: We found a consistent pattern of better QOL outcomes at each follow-up assessment during the first 6 months of treatment for orchiectomized patients with metastatic prostate cancer who received placebo versus flutamide. Improvement over time was evident in both treatment groups but more so for patients receiving placebo.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Simultaneous differentiation and quantitation of erythroblasts and white blood cells on a high throughput clinical haematology analyser.

After the neonatal period, the presence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in peripheral blood is indicative of pathology. Despite the clinical utility of such measurements, automated NRBC counting has hitherto not been available on routine automated blood cell counting analysers. To address this, an automated method for the analysis of NRBC was developed and incorporated into the Abbott Cell Dyn 4000 (CD4000) haematology analyser. The system white blood cell (WBC) reagent was specifically formulated to preserve concomitantly white blood cell (WBC) morphology, rapidly lyse red blood cell and NRBC membranes, and subsequently stain NRBC nuclei with a nucleotide specific fluorochrome dye (Kim et al. 1996a). The fluorochrome itself does not permeabilize the membrane of intact viable white blood cells. The sample is processed by flow cytometry and the signals generated from an argon-ion laser light source are analysed. Axial light loss (AxLL), intermediate angle light scatter (IAS) and red fluorescence (FL3) are used to discriminate between particles of various types. By using these discriminators in a three-dimensional approach, NRBC from a discrete cluster which can easily be separated from leucocytes and enumerated as a distinct cell population during the optical WBC differential analysis. Consequently, accurate absolute WBC counts and differentials can be obtained even in the presence of NRBC. Background 'noise' (both fluorescent and non-fluorescent) from platelets. Howell-Jolly bodies, basophilic stippling, RNA from lysed reticulocytes, and DNA from leucocyte and megakaryocytic fragments are essentially eliminated (Kim et al. 1996b). While the membranes of intact and viable leucocytes remain impermeable to the passage of the fluorochrome stain, leucocytes with damaged membranes are permeable to the dye and generate FL3+ signals. Such cells, which are commonly seen as a consequence of sample ageing as well as in some distinctive pathologies, are identified by the algorithm (using their AxLL signal size) and are labelled as non-viable. Moreover, because non-viable leucocytes are retained in the WBC count and differential analyses, the CD4000 is further able to provide both numerical and graphical data regarding the relative frequency of viable and non-viable components. This additional information can serve as valuable 'decision-drivers' in the laboratory data review process.

Automation↗
PubMed1998

A comparative study of intervention methods (full, partial and non-integration) on late case detection and treatment irregularity in Yangon, Myanmar.

The high percentage (20%) of new cases with grade 2 disabilities, and a low treatment regularity of 47% indicated problems in case detection and case holding in Urban Yangon. The fact that Urban Health Centers (UHCs) were not involved in leprosy control programme might have had an adverse influence. To compare the effectiveness of two methods of integration (full and partial) of urban leprosy services in terms of early case detection and regularity of treatment this study was conducted, in an urban area. Two townships with similar leprosy prevalence, staff infrastructure, socio-economic status, transport, communication and working capacity of the Township Medical Officers (TMOs) were chosen for this intervention study: UHC-A(Thingangyun) for full integration and UHC-B(Tamwe) for partial integration and the remaining 14 townships as non-integrated areas served by the Central Special Skin Clinic (CSSC). This study has shown that it was possible to fully integrate Leprosy Control Programme (LCP) into the Urban Health Centres [Basic Health Services (BHS)] in Urban Yangon. Case detection could be improved by active case finding such as contact examination and school examination conducted by the personnel of UHCs. Treatment regularity was found to be directly proportional to prompt defaulter retrieval action and the motivational level of the TMO and peripheral BHS workers. There were more complaints from patients (8.1%) treated at UHC-A when compared to CSSC (6.7%). Among defaulters there were more adults than children, more males than females and more PB than MB patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

One hundred and one new simple sequence repeat-based markers for the canine genome.

One hundred and one new dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms specific for the canine genome have been identified and characterized. Screening of both primary libraries and marker-selected libraries enriched for simple sequence repeats led to the isolation of large numbers of genomic clones that contained (CA)n repeats. Over 200 of these clones were sequenced, and PCR primers that bracket the repeat were developed for those that contained ten or more continuous (CA)n units. This effort led to the production of 101 polymorphic markers, which were assigned to one of four categories depending on their degree of polymorphism. Fifty-four markers were found to be highly or very highly polymorphic as they had four or more alleles when tested on a panel of unrelated dogs. This group of markers will be useful for following inheritance of traits in crosses between dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The development of gender differentiation in young children.

A sample of 128 boys and girls in four age groups (three, five, seven, nine years) undertook tasks designed to assess their ability to categorize by gender, gender constancy, evaluations of gender groups, and gender discrimination in the allocation of prizes in a task performance setting. Results indicated that all children could categorize accurately by gender although nine-year-olds tended to adopt more complex criteria. Gender constancy increased with age, although not monotonically--seven-year-olds displayed less constancy than five-year-olds. Gender differentiation in attitudes was very marked from five years upwards, and even earlier in girls (both groups viewed their own gender more favourably). This greater own gender favouritism among girls was even clearer in the discrimination task: girls awarded girls' groups more desirable toys even when they had ostensibly performed less well than the boys' group. The boys attended more to performance information. Girls also made more negative comments about boys than vice versa.

Child↗
PubMed1993

The distribution of erythrocyte phospholipids in hereditary spherocytosis demonstrates a minimal role for erythrocyte spectrin on phospholipid diffusion and asymmetry.

In the human erythrocyte membrane phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin reside mainly in the outer leaflet, whereas the aminophospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine, are mainly found in the inner leaflet. Maintenance of phospholipid asymmetry has been assumed to involve interactions between the aminophospholipids and the membrane skeleton, in particular spectrin. To investigate whether spectrin contributes to maintaining the phospholipid transbilayer distribution and kinetics of redistribution, we studied erythrocytes from hereditary spherocytosis patients whose spectrin levels ranged from 34% to 82% of normal. The phospholipid composition and the accessibility of membrane phospholipids to hydrolysis by phospholipases were in the normal range. Spin-labeled phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine analogues that had been introduced into the outer leaflet were rapidly transported at 37 degrees C to the inner leaflet, whereas the redistribution of spin-labeled phosphatidylcholine was slower. The kinetics of transbilayer movement of these spin-labeled phospholipid in all samples was in the normal range and was not affected by the level of spectrin. Although these erythrocyte membranes contained as little as 34% of the normal level of spectrin and were characterized by several physical abnormalities, the composition, distribution, and transbilayer kinetics of the phospholipids were found to be normal. We therefore conclude that spectrin plays, at best, only a minor role in maintaining the distribution of erythrocyte membrane phospholipid.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1988

Pluripotent stem cells with normal or reduced self renewal survive lethal irradiation.

Transfusion with 10,000 or 20,000 marrow cells resulted in 30+ days survival of 15%-50% of mice exposed to an Ld90 or LD100 or radiation. The use of congenic mice with alloenzyme markers permitted the identification of host and donor cells in the peripheral blood of transfused animals. Donor cells were present initially in all hosts. Between 55% and 92% of the animals became 100% host type by 12-24 weeks after transfusion in three separate experiments. To explore whether the temporary repopulation by donor cells was due to short-lived stem cells, the marrows of several primary hosts were transfused into secondary, lethally irradiated hosts. Some of the retransplanted primary donor and host cells persisted only temporarily. It is suggested that some of the donor stem cells in both the primary and secondary hosts had an intrinsically shortened life span.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effectiveness of self-monitored, home-based, moderate-intensity exercise training in middle-aged men and women.

The effects of 6 months of self-monitored, home-based exercise training on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), body composition and plasma lipid levels of healthy, sedentary, middle-aged persons were evaluated in 60 men, aged 49 +/- 6 years, and 60 women, aged 47 +/- 5 years. Moderate-intensity training was performed 5 times per week in sessions of 47 +/- 7 minutes and 54 +/- 8 minutes for men and women, respectively. The individually prescribed range of heart rate corresponded to 65 to 77% of the peak value during symptom-limited treadmill testing (mean of 72% for men and 69% for women). Caloric expenditure per training session was approximately 345 kcal for men and 235 kcal for women. VO2 max increased 15% in men and 9% in women (both p less than 0.01). The greater increase in VO2 max in men than in women primarily reflected greater adherence to training in men (greater than or equal to 90% vs greater than or equal to 75%). The increase in VO2 max in women who showed very high adherence was comparable to that of men. Body weight decreased, by 1.5 +/- 10 kg, in men (p less than 0.05) but not in women undergoing training. No significant training-induced changes in plasma lipid levels were noted in either men or women. Baseline orientation and follow-up telephone calls required less than 1 hour of staff time per participant. Self-monitored, moderate-intensity, home-based exercise training significantly increases functional capacity in healthy, middle-aged men and women. Such training provides an alternative to group-based exercise training.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Altered plasma membrane phospholipid organization in Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes.

The intraerythrocytic development of the malaria parasite is accompanied by distinct morphological and biochemical changes in the host cell membrane, yet little is known about development-related alterations in the transbilayer organization of membrane phospholipids in parasitized cells. This question was examined in human red cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Normal red cells were infected with strain FCR3 or with clonal derivatives that either produce (K+) or do not produce (K-) knobby protuberances on the infected red cells. Parasitized cells were harvested at various stages of parasite development, and the bilayer orientation of red cell membrane phospholipids was determined chemically using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) or enzymatically using bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and sphingomyelinase C (SMC). We found that parasite development was accompanied by distinct alterations in the red cell membrane transbilayer distribution of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS). Increases in the exoplasmic membrane leaflet exposure of PE and PS were larger in the late-stage parasitized cells than in the early-stage parasitized cells. Similar results were obtained for PE membrane distribution using either chemical (TNBS) or enzymatic (PLA2 plus SMC) methods, although changes in PS distribution were observed only with TNBS. Uninfected cohort cells derived from mixed populations of infected and uninfected cells exhibited normal patterns of membrane phospholipid organization. The observed alterations in P falciparum-infected red cell membrane phospholipid distribution, which is independent of the presence or absence of knobby protuberances, might be associated with the drastic changes in cell membrane permeability and susceptibility to early hemolysis observed in the late stages of parasite development.

Erythrocyte Membrane↗
PubMed1985

Conception of male and female homosexual stereotypes among university undergraduates.

Following the procedure used by Broverman, Broverman, Clarkson, Rosenkrantz, & Vogel (1970), male and female undergraduates described a male homosexual, lesbian, and normal adult in terms of 41 adjective rating scales, each scale having a masculine and a feminine pole. Results indicated that compared to ratings of the normal adult, the male homosexual was viewed unfavorably and was significantly different from "normality" on 27 scales. Ratings of the lesbian were closer to those for the normal adult, although significant differences appeared on 11 scales. Ratings for the lesbian differed significantly from those for the male homosexual on 20 scales. On all but two scales, lesbian ratings were closer to the more favorable pole than were male homosexual ratings. The position seems supported that male gender nonconformity is viewed more seriously than female gender nonconformity.

Female↗
PubMed1983

Alteration of membrane phospholipid bilayer organization in human erythrocytes during drug-induced endocytosis.

Our plan was to evaluate the potentially important role of phospholipids in erythrocyte shape alterations by determining if their orientation was altered during endocytosis. Stomatocytosis and endocytosis were induced in normal intact human erythrocytes by incubation with three agents: primaquine, vinblastine, and chlorpromazine, each of which has its own requirements and time course for producing endocytosis. The organization of the phospholipid bilayer was assessed by measuring the extent of degradation of phophatidylcholine (PC), phophatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), and sphingomyelin (SM) produced by exposure of erythrocytes to a nonpenetrating protease-free phospholipase A2 alone or in combination with a purified sphingomyelinase as well. The induction of stomatocytosis did not change this orientation. However, correlating with the onset of endocytosis but not its extent, there was an increase in PE degradation, which could be detected regularly only by use of phospholipase A2 alone. Use of the combination of phospholipase A2 and sphingomyelinase showed that the extent and course of endocytosis was paralleled by an apparent movement of PC and SM from the outer to the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Since no further PE was hydrolyzed and because no PS was ever degraded, this inward movement of PC and SM did not represent the establishment of complete symmetry in the membrane. By adjusting the experimental design it was possible to implicate the endocytic process, and not insertion of drug in the membrane, as the cause of the alterations in phospholipid organization seen. Our findings indicate that the phospholipid orientation is very closely involved in the endocytosis process and that specific states of phospholipid asymmetry may be related to identifiable membrane events.

Chlorpromazine↗
PubMed1982

Peroxidation, vitamin E, and sickle-cell anemia.

In summary, we propose the following scheme (Figure 5) to describe the role of peroxidation in the pathophysiology of SCA. Sickle erythrocytes are more susceptible to peroxidation than are normal erythrocytes. This increased susceptibility to peroxidation is, in part, due to decreased blood vitamin E levels and abnormal membrane phospholipid organization induced by sickling. The peroxidative damage of sickle erythrocytes may accelerate or contribute to loss of cell deformability and to chronic hemolysis. Peroxidative damage can produce abnormal cellular properties, such as potassium leak and reduced filterability, and contribute to formation of ISCs. Increased red cell rigidity can initiate episodes of capillary obstruction, leading to vasoocclusive painful crises and to tissue infarction. Liver dysfunction as well as increased production of bilirubin secondary to hemolysis could result in bile sludging and decreased secretion of bile salts into the intestinal lumen. Reduced bile salt secretion leads to partial fat and vitamin E malabsorption. Vitamin E deficiency enhances red cell susceptibility to peroxidation and promotes a vicious cycle in SCA. Although we have not studied factors that might initiate peroxidative damage, sickle hemoglobin and excess body iron should be considered as potential sources. Our studies suggest that vitamin E supplementation to sickle-cell patients could be of clinical benefit.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1981

Hemorrhagic infarction and coronary reperfusion.

Coronary ligation experiments were performed on 23 primates. Some of the experiments were followed by reperfusion after periods of occlusion of from 1 to 6 hours. Hemorrhage into the infarct was noted in all animals and was greatest following reperfusion after 4 hours of occlusion or longer. Hemorrhage increases the measured infarct size to the point that it is actually larger than that seen with ligation alone. However, this increase is accounted for by the larger amount of intramyocardial hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is greatest in the center of the infarct and decreases at the margins. It appears that hemorrhage occurs into necrotic muscle and does not occur significantly at the margins of the infarct where damage to otherwise viable myocardium might result.

Animals↗