When testosterone concentrations in serum, saliva and seminal plasma were measured with a solid-phase enzymeimmunoassay in which antitestosterone antibody was bound to CNBr-Sepharose-4B, we found the ratios of testosterone in saliva and seminal plasma to that in serum were 2.5 +/- 0.2% and 5.19 +/- 0.42%. Testosterone level in saliva could be an index of free serum testosterone. In addition, we found a correlation between sperm motility and testosterone level in seminal plasma when sperm motility was measured with a transmembrane migration method. This enzymeimmunoassay could be applied to clinical studies of testosterone.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The use of the ferrous sulphate dosimeter for intercomparison of absorbed dose from electron beams.

An intercomparison of absorbed dose from high-energy electron beams using Fricke dosimetry at four radiotherapy centers in the north of Taiwan is described. Two water phantoms of 30 X 30 X 30 cm3 and a number of Fricke dosimeters were used at each center. The dosimeters were irradiated to an absorbed dose of approximately 45 Gy (4500 rad) at different electron energies. The measurements, calibration procedures, and the factors affecting the response of the dosimeters are discussed. The results of the intercomparison of the four centers are given in detail.

Electrons↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Safety and efficacy of cefpirome in comparison with ceftazidime in Chinese patients with sepsis due to bacterial infections.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of cefpirome (CPM), a fourth-generation cephalosporin, has not yet been studied in an Asian population. METHODS: Sixty-nine adult Chinese patients with sepsis due to bacterial infections were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive CPM (2 g i.v. every 12 h) or ceftazidime (2 g i.v. every 8 h). RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic, clinical and microbiological features. The causative pathogen was Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae in the majority of microbiologically documented cases. The rates of clinical response (94 vs. 94%) and bacteriological response (65 vs. 68%) were similar in both groups. Similar adverse events, including rashes, gastrointestinal upset and asymptomatic elevation of hepatic enzymes, occurred in a minority of patients in both groups. All events were self-limited after discontinuation of the drugs. CONCLUSION: CPM is as safe and effective as ceftazidime in the treatment of sepsis due to bacterial infections in Chinese patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Usefulness of AgNOR score in differentiating benign from malignant pulmonary aspiration cytology.

OBJECTIVE: Malignant cells are known to display greater argyrophil staining for nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) than for benign cells due to their active proliferation. In this study we assessed the diagnostic value of AgNOR staining on 47 fine needle aspiration cytologic specimens of lung previously stained with the May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) method. METHODS: Cytologic specimens obtained from fine needle aspiration of the lung in 47 proven cases prestained with the MGG technique were destained and restained with the AgNOR method. Seventeen of them were benign and 30 malignant. To differentiate malignant from benign entities, the highest median value for AgNOR number (AgNOR score) obtained from the benign cases was chosen as a cutoff point (test specificity, 100%). RESULTS: AgNOR scores of malignant cases were significantly higher than those of benign cases (P < .001). There was no significant difference between two subgroups of benign diseases or among four subgroups of malignant diseases. The sensitivity of the AgNOR score was 93% (28/30) in providing a diagnosis of malignancy when the cutoff value was set at 6. CONCLUSION: The AgNOR technique may be of considerable value in aiding a diagnosis of malignancy, especially when the score is > 6.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of chain length on the in vitro hydrolysis of model ester prodrugs by ocular esterases.

In designing ester prodrugs to improve corneal drug bioavailability, it is important to consider the influence of chain length on both corneal permeation and hydrolysis of the prodrug. However, the second factor has received relatively little attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the ocular hydrolysis of a homologous series of alpha- and beta-naphthyl esters was influenced by chain length. Solutions of each ester were incubated with selected ocular tissues and fluids of adult albino rabbits. For the alpha-series peak hydrolytic rate was reached at the caproate (C6) ester, coinciding with minimization in the value of the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximization in the value of maximum velocity (Vmax). For the beta-series peak hydrolytic rate was reached at the valerate (C5) ester. In contrast to the alpha-series this was primarily due to a large increase in value for Km. These findings indicate that the rate of ocular esterase-mediated hydrolysis varies within a homologous series of esters, and that this chain length dependency is influenced by the chemical nature of the parent compound.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mortality, morbidity, length and cost of hospitalization in very-low-birth-weight infants in the era of National Health Insurance in Taiwan: a medical center's experience.

The impact of implementation of the National Health Insurance on the outcome, cost, and length of hospitalization of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants is not clear in Taiwan. These data are important for the planning of medical care and regionalization in this area. This study was an attempt to examine these questions. We retrospectively collected mortality, morbidity, and length and cost of hospitalization data of VLBW (BW < 1500 g) infants between March 1995 and February 1998. There were totally 162 patients enrolled. The overall mortality rate was 21.6%; the birth weight (BW)-specific mortality rate was 72%, 31%, 19%, and 3% for infants with BWs of < 750 g, 750-999 g, 1000-1249 g, and 1250-1499 g, respectively. The incidence of morbidities were: respiratory distress syndrome (74%), patent ductus arteriosus (36%), necrotizing enterocolitis (9%), sepsis (42%), intraventricular hemorrhage (15%), retinopathy of prematurity (31%), failure to pass auditory brainstem response (ABR) (34%), and chronic lung disease (17%). The average length of hospitalization was 67.2 days, and the cost per infant was 62 x 10(4) NT dollars; 108 +/- 38 days, 73 +/- 32 x 10(4) NT dollars if BW < 750 g; 94 +/- 15 days, 99 +/- 35 x 10(4) NT dollars if BW 750-999 g; 66 +/- 23 days, 64 +/- 36 x 10(4) NT dollars if BW 1000-1249 g; and 43 +/- 14 days, 39 +/- 37 x 10(4) NT dollars if BW 1250-1499 g. In conclusion, VLBW infants are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. They have long lengths and high costs of hospitalization, and therefore deserve attention in the implementation of the National Health Insurance and regionalization.

Hospital Costs↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antibiotic therapy for Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia.

Listeria monocytogenes has been recognized as an important pathogen in immunocompromised patients, but it has been rarely reported in Taiwan. We reviewed 13 cases of L. monocytogenes bacteremia at National Taiwan University Hospital over a 12-year period. All of the patients had underlying diseases. Fever was the most common presenting symptom, and neurologic signs were found in 6 patients. Most of the patients received penicillin G, ampicillin or piperacillin with an aminoglycoside. Corticosteroids were used in 9 of 13 patients. The overall mortality directly due to L. monocytogenes bacteremia was 31%. However, patients treated with cephalosporins or oxacillin had higher mortality than those treated with penicillin G, ampicillin or piperacillin (p = 0.05). Given the increasing number of immunosuppressed patients in Taiwan, it is likely that more cases will be encountered. Physicians in Taiwan should be aware of L. monocytogenes bacteremia and its treatment.

Adolescent↗