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Biomedical subjects

Mei Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Mei Lin.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Increased risk of depression in COPD patients with higher education and income.

This study examined potential modifying effects of income and education on the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and depression. The analysis was based on 44,963 Canadians aged 35 years or more who participated in the Canadian National Population Health Survey in 1996-1997. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between prevalence of depression and COPD according to sex, income adequacy or educational level. We used a bootstrap procedure to take sampling weights and design effects into account. People with COPD had twice the prevalence of depression compared to those without COPD. The association tended to be stronger in well-educated men [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04, 8.75] and women (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.55, 4.38) than those less educated (men: OR= 1.19, 95% CI = 0.47, 3.05; women: OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 0.96, 3.87). An increased prevalence of depression associated with COPD was also found in women with higher household income (adjusted odds ratio = 4.57, 95% CI = 2.27, 9.19) than those with lower income. However, this pattern was not found in men. In conclusion, COPD patients with higher education are more likely to be depressed. The modifying effect of income may vary by gender. Possible reasons for these findings are explored.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Coarse particulate matter and hospitalization for respiratory infections in children younger than 15 years in Toronto: a case-crossover analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between ambient air pollution and hospitalization for respiratory infections among children who were younger than 15 years in Toronto during a 4-year period (1998-2001). METHODS: Exposures averaged during periods that varied from 1 to 7 days were used to assess the effects of air pollutants, including thoracic particulate matter (PM10), fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-2.5) particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3), on hospitalization for respiratory infections. A case-crossover design was used to calculate odds ratios for the hospitalization adjusted for daily weather conditions with an incremented exposure corresponding to the interquartile range in air pollution exposures. RESULTS: When particulate matter and gaseous pollutants were mutually taken into account, the effect remained pronounced for PM10-2.5 in both boys and girls. The adjusted odds ratio for 6-day average exposure to PM10-2.5 with an increment of 6.5 microg/m3 was 1.15 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.30) for boys and 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.36) for girls. The effect also remained for PM10 in boys and for NO2 in girls. PM2.5, CO, SO2, and O3 showed no significant effects on hospitalization for respiratory infection in both genders when other pollutants were taken into consideration. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested a detrimental effect of relatively low levels of ambient particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, especially coarse particulate matter and NO2, on hospitalization for respiratory infections in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Gaseous air pollutants and asthma hospitalization of children with low household income in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Associations of gaseous air pollutants (including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) with asthma hospitalization, stratified by sex and socioeconomic status, were examined among children 6-12 years of age in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, between 1987 and 1998. Relative risks for an exposure increment corresponding to the interquartile range for each gaseous air pollutant were estimated for asthma hospitalization after adjustment for weather conditions, including daily maximum and minimum temperatures as well as average relative humidity. Similar results were obtained by using locally weighted smoothing functions (LOESS) with default convergence criteria and by using natural cubic splines with a more stringent setting. Exposures to nitrogen dioxide were found to be significantly and positively associated with asthma hospitalization for males in the low socioeconomic group but not in the high socioeconomic group. For females, this same pattern of association was observed for exposures to sulfur dioxide. No significantly positive associations were found between carbon monoxide and ozone and asthma hospitalization in either low or high socioeconomic groups.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

[Epidemiologic surveillance for bacterial meningitis in 140 000 children under 5 years of age in Nanning district, Guangxi province].

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the incidence, epidemiologic features, etiologic agents and sequelae of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age in Nanning, Guangxi. METHODS: A population-based surveillance was conducted to evaluate children with signs and symptoms of meningitis. All hospitals, township health centers and village clinics in the surveillance area were structured to participate in the case referral and evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimens were obtained and processed using standardized microbiologic methods. RESULTS: During the 26-month surveillance period, among the children under 5 years old, a total of 1272 cases who met the screening criteria of meningitis were studied. 265 of 1272 cases were identified as clinically diagnosed meningitis, with an incidence rate of 86.36 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate under the 38 cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis appeared to be 12.38/100 000. Staphylococcus species accounted for the largest proportion of laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis, followed by E. coli and S. pneumoniae. The highest attack rate occurred in neonates < 1 month, followed by children aged 1 - 12 months in the confirmed patients. Meningitis caused by Sp and Hi mainly occurred in children aged 1 - 12 months. All cases of meningitis due to Hi and Sp were children aged 1 - 24 months. 13.16% and 0.00% of the cases survived with complications and sequelae, and the case-fatality rate was 18.42%. 40 bacterial isolates were identified from 1193 blood cultures and 23 from 1211 cerebrospinal fluid samples, but no Neisseria meningitidis was found. CONCLUSION: Meningitis due to Hi was first confirmed in Guangxi with the incidence of 0.98 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate of confirmed bacterial meningitis was 12.38 per 100 000, which was considered an important public health problem in children. Staphylococci was the predominant pathogen in confirmed bacterial meningitis.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2003

The epidemiology of chronic rhinosinusitis in Canadians.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis and its risk factors among Canadians. STUDY DESIGN: Complex survey design incorporating stratification, multiple stages of selection, and unequal probabilities of selection of respondents. METHODS: We used the cross-sectional data from 73,364 subjects (34,241 male and 39,123 female subjects) 12 years of age or older who participated in the second cycle of the National Population Health Survey, which was conducted from 1996 to 1997. All these individuals were asked whether they had certain chronic health conditions that had lasted or were expected to last 6 months or longer, including rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: The prevalence of rhinosinusitis was higher in female (5.7%) than in male (3.4%) subjects. The sex difference was consistent across age groups. The prevalence increased with age and leveled off after the age of 60 years. In female but not in male subjects, the prevalence was slightly higher among those living the eastern region or among native Canadians as compared with those living in the central or western regions or immigrants. Cigarette smoking and low income were associated with a higher prevalence of rhinosinusitis in both sexes. The smoking effect was modified by allergy history in male subjects. Rhinosinusitis was more common among subjects with allergy history, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The prevalence of rhinosinusitis was similar in subjects with or without reporting regular alcohol drinking and exercise. CONCLUSION: Previous data indicating an increased susceptibility of women to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, together with the similar finding for rhinosinusitis, suggest that women have a general increase in susceptibility to respiratory tract disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Relationship between expression of CD105 and growth factors in malignant tumors of gastrointestinal tract and its significance.

AIM: Angiogenesis is an important step in the growth of solid malignant tumors. A number of angiogenic factors have been found such as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the roles of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis are still unclear. This study was to investigate the expressions of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in gastrointestinal tract malignant tumors, as well as their association with microvessel density (MVD). At the same time, we also observed the localization of TGF-beta1 and its receptor CD105 in gastric malignant tumors. METHODS: The expressions of TGF-beta1 and CD105 were detected in 55 fresh specimens of gastric carcinoma and VEGF and CD105 in 44 fresh specimens of colorectal carcinoma by immunohistochemical staining (S-ABC). TGF-beta1 and CD105 in 55 gastric carcinoma tissues on the same slide were detected by using double-stain Immunohistochemistry (DS-ABC). RESULTS: Among the 55 cases of gastric carcinoma tissues, 30 were positive for TGF-beta1 (54.55%). The MVD of TGF-beta1 strong positive group (++ approximately +++ 23.22 +/- 5.8) was significantly higher than that of weak positive group (+17.56 +/- 7.2) and negative group (- 17.46 +/- 3.9) (q=4.5, q=5.3207, respectively, P<0.01). In the areas of high expression of TGF-beta1, MVD and the expression of CD105 were also high. Among the 44 cases of colonic carcinoma tissues, 26 were positive for VEGF (59.1%). The expressions of both VEGF and CD105 (MVD) were related with the depth of invasion (F=5.438, P<0.05; F=4.168, P=0.05), lymph node metastasis (F=10.311, P<0.01; F=20.282, P<0.01) and Dukes stage (F=6.196, P<0.01; F=10.274, P<0.01), but not with histological grade (F=0.487, P>0.05). There was a significant correlation between the expression of VEGF and CD105 (MVD) (r=0.720, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Over-expression of TGF-beta1 and VEGF acts as stimulating factors of angiogenesis in gastrointestinal tumors. CD105, as a receptor of TGF-beta1, can regulate the biological effect of TGF-beta1 in tumor angiogenesis. MVD marked by CD105 is more suitable for detecting newborn blood vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Effect of millimeter therapy in burning mouth syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the millimeter wave therapy responses in patients with burning mouth syndrome. METHODS: Eighty patients were randomized divided into 4 groups. The first group was treated with both millimeter wave irradiation and routine medication, the second group with millimeter wave irradiation, the third with pretending millimeter wave irradiation and routine medication and the fourth with routine medication. Pain, extravasated blood level and autonomic nerve system condition were double-blindly evaluated either before or after the treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found as the degree of pain was compared before and after treatment of all the 4 groups. The first and second group, which were affected by the millimeter wave irradiation, had obvious improvements in the extravasated blood level and autonomic nerve system condition (P < 0.05). When the 4 groups were compared with each other, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the first and the fourth groups, and the second and the fourth groups regarding the reduction of pain. According to extravasated blood level, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in the first and third or fourth groups, the second and third or fourth groups. CONCLUSIONS: The irradiation of holographic point by millimeter wave can improve the patients' pain, extravasated blood level and autonomic nerve system condition. It might provide a new treatment method for burning mouth syndrome.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2003

[Clinical analysis of the patients with burning mouth syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: Clinical data of burning mouth syndrome were investigated in detail and the relation to pain was analyzed in order to find a clue to clinical treatment. METHODS: 78 patients with burning mouth syndrome were examined carefully and 7 factors that related to the degree of pain were analyzed with multivariate stepwise regression. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that the psychological disorder, autonomic nerves system abnormity, oral dryness and high-extravasated blood level were positively related to the degree of pain. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that psychotherapy, improvement of autonomic nerves system, treatment for oral dryness and Chinese traditional therapy of invigoration of blood circulation were of great importance in curing burning mouth syndrome.

Burning Mouth Syndrome↗
PubMed2003

[Correlations among mood disorder, serum interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 in patients with burning mouth syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To examine serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels in BMS patients with or without depression and make clear the relationship between serum IL-2, IL-6 and mood disorder. METHODS: Serum IL-2 and IL-6 were examined in 48 BMS patients by means of ELISA. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was used to evaluate the depressive symptomatology. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in serum IL-2 and IL-6 among BMS patients with or without depression. Mood disorder was not correlated to serum IL-2 and IL-6, but positively correlated to pain levels. CONCLUSION: Depression status may not influence serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels significantly, but it has a relationship with BMS. The HDRS can be used to determine depression status in BMS patients in order to help clinical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The influence of ambient coarse particulate matter on asthma hospitalization in children: case-crossover and time-series analyses.

In this study, we used both case-crossover and time-series analyses to assess the associations between size-fractionated particulate matter and asthma hospitalization among children 6-12 years old living in Toronto between 1981 and 1993. Specifically, we used exposures averaged over periods varying from 1 to 7 days to assess the effects of particulate matter on asthma hospitalization. We calculated estimates of the relative risk of asthma hospitalization adjusted for daily weather conditions (maximum and minimum temperatures, and average relative humidity) for an incremental exposure corresponding to the interquartile range in particulate matter. Both bidirectional case-crossover and time-series analyses revealed that coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5) averaged over 5-6 days was significantly associated with asthma hospitalization in both males and females. The magnitude of this effect appeared to increase with increasing number of days of exposure averaging for most models, with the relative risk estimates stabilizing at about 6 days. Using a bidirectional case-crossover analysis, the estimated relative risks were 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02, 1.28] for males and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.02, 1.36) for females, for an increment of 8.4 microg/m(3) in 6-day averages of PM10-2.5. The corresponding relative risk estimates were 1.10 and 1.18, respectively, when we used time-series analysis. The effect of PM10-2.5 remained positive after adjustment for the effects of the gaseous pollutants carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3). We did not find significant effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) or of thoracic particulate matter (PM10) on asthma hospitalizations using either of these two analytic approaches. For the most part, relative risk estimates from the unidirectional case-crossover analysis were more pronounced compared with both bidirectional case-crossover and time-series analyses.

Air Pollutants↗