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Biomedical subjects

T Y Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to T Y Hsu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Anti-oxidant activity and effect of Pinus morrisonicola Hay. on the survival of leukemia cell line U937.

The free radical scavenging and anti-cancer activites of Pinus morrisonicola Hay. were studied using different parts of the pine, namely, needle, bark and cone. Results showed that pine needle water extract has the highest scavenging superoxide anion activity and the lowest IC50 value in inhibiting superoxide anion formation; however, the bark water extract showed the best anti-lipid peroxidation activity. Additionally, needle water extract displayed the highest inhibition of leukemia cell line U937 growth. The results indicated that P. morrisonicola Hay. possesses potential chemopreventative and therapeutic properties.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Betel quid chewing and risk of adverse birth outcomes among aborigines in eastern Taiwan.

It is known that substance abuse during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the use of alcohol, cigarettes, betel quid, and drugs among pregnant aboriginal women and to assess the risk of adverse effects of betel quid use on birth outcomes in eastern Taiwan. Of a total of 229 women recruited into this study, 32 women with adverse birth outcomes constituted the case group. Analyses revealed that adverse birth outcomes were associated with maternal betel quid chewing and maternal age. After adjusting for maternal age, the risk of adverse birth outcome was five times higher among betel quid chewing women as compared to substance nonusers. Based on this finding, it is suggested health education, especially when concerned with the harmful effects of substance abuse, which includes betel quid use during pregnancy, should be stressed in concert with routine prenatal care.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2001

Adverse pregnancy outcome in a petrochemical polluted area in Taiwan.

The petrochemical industry is the main source of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Reported here are the results from an ongoing study of outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in a community in close proximity to petrochemical industrial complexes. The prevalences of term low birth weight (LBW) in the petrochemical municipality and control municipality were 3.22%, and 1.84%, respectively. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.767 (1.002-3.116) for term LBW in the petrochemical municipality. Data provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Arsenite induces oxidative DNA adducts and DNA-protein cross-links in mammalian cells.

Arsenic is generally recognized as a nonmutagenic carcinogen because sodium arsenite induces DNA damage only at very high concentrations. In this study we demonstrate that arsenite concentrations above 0.25 microM induce DNA strand breaks in both human leukemia cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Therefore, DNA damage may be involved in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. Formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase and proteinase K greatly increased DNA strand breaks in arsenite-treated cells, providing evidence that a large portion of arsenite-induced DNA strand breaks come from excision of oxidative DNA adducts and DNA-protein cross-links. Because DNA strand breaks appear only temporarily during excision repair, the level of detectable DNA strand breaks will be low at any given time point. For this reason many previous studies have only detected low levels of DNA strand breaks. We also show that catalase, and inhibitors of calcium, nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase, and myeloperoxidase, could modulate arsenite-induced DNA damage. We conclude that arsenite induces DNA adducts through calcium-mediated production of peroxynitrite, hypochlorous acid, and hydroxyl radicals.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Prenatal sonographic appearance of Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome: two- and three-dimensional ultrasonographic findings.

Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome is characterized by craniofacial anomalies, particularly craniosynostosis, ear defects, cutis gyrata, acanthosis nigricans, anogenit anomalies, skin tags, and prominent umbilical stump. The prenatal two- and three-dimensional ultrasonographic findings of this rare condition is reported. The detection was made at 32 weeks of gestation in a woman with polyhydramnios and fetal head anomaly. The ultrasound appearance and postnatal follow-up are presented.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2001

First trimester diagnosis of holoprosencephaly and cyclopia with triploidy by transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasonography.

We present the prenatal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound findings in a case of holoprosencephaly and cyclopia at 11 weeks gestation. Only holoprosencephaly with missing cyclopia were initially diagnosed because suboptimal views of the fetal face were obtained with transvaginal two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography due to fetal position. Chromosomes identified by analysis of a fluid sample from early amniocentesis demonstrated a triploidy (69, XXX), spontaneous fetal demise occurred at 12 weeks and the pregnancy was terminated. This case demonstrated the usefulness of transvaginal 3D ultrasonography in establishing the final diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis in cord blood T lymphocytes: involvement of both tumour necrosis factor receptor types 1 and 2.

Cord blood T cells are much more likely to be induced to apoptosis in vitro than adult T cells. Nevertheless, the expression of Fas is markedly lower on cord blood lymphocytes than on peripheral blood lymphocytes. In the current investigation, we determined the capacity of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to induce apoptosis in human naïve T cells in cord blood, and assessed the roles of two distinct TNF receptors (TNFRs) in mediating death signals. After activation, cord blood T cells were sensitive to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis, and interleukin 2 (IL-2) could prevent this apoptotic response. Both TNFR1 (p55) and TNFR2 (p75) expressed on activated cord blood T cells were able to transmit apoptotic signals. Moreover, a synergistic effect was observed by a combination of TNFR1- and TNFR2-signals. Additionally, CD4(+) T cells showed higher sensitivity to TNFR-mediated apoptosis than CD8(+) T cells. These data suggest that TNF-alpha probably is a mediator of apoptosis in cord blood T cells in vivo and may contribute to the low incidence of graft-versus-host disease in cord blood transplantation.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2001

Prenatal diagnosis of persistent fetal bradycardia: report of four cases.

Persistent fetal bradycardia is infrequent in prenatal life and difficult to manage optimally. It is generally attributable to sinus bradycardia due to fetal distress, blocked atrial extrasystoles, and congenital complete heart block. We reported four cases of persistent fetal bradycardia from 1995 to 1999 in our hospital. The first, second, and third cases of sustained fetal bradycardia had congenital complete heart block with positive titers for anti-Ro/SSA antibodies in both mothers and fetuses. Because of progressive fetal hydrops in the second case, the pregnancy was terminated. The first and third cases were isolated congenital complete heart block without structural anomaly. After prenatal examination the babies were followed up closely until term and both had a good prognosis without any implantation of pacemaker. In the fourth case there was no clinically known etiology associated with sustained fetal bradycardia. The fetal heart rate returned to normal after 6 weeks of follow-up and the baby was delivered without any cardiac problems. Congenital complete heart block is the most common cause of persistent fetal bradycardia. Prenatal detailed monitoring until delivery is necessary before heart failure develops. Treatment strategies (corticosteroids, ritodrine, and plasmapheresis) are debatable and may include prophylactic therapy for high-risk pregnant women.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2001

Waveforms of the ductus venosus blood flow in normal human fetuses aged 8-38 weeks.

BACKGROUND: We attempted to establish normal Doppler flow velocity waveform patterns in the human fetal ductus venosus (DV), and also to establish a standardized measurement technique. METHODS: Ductus venosus blood flow was measured in a prospective study involving 545 fetuses aged between 8 and 38 weeks in utero, the mothers of whom received prenatal care in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in a 12-month period in 1998-1999. Several DV hemodynamic parameters were assessed, including peak systolic velocity (DVP), peak systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio, time-averaged velocity (TAMX), maximum velocity during atrial contraction (DVM), pulsatility index (PI), Pourcelot's resistance index (RI), and fetal heartbeat (FHB). RESULTS: Technically acceptable ductus venosus blood flow velocity waveform patterns were collected from 490 of 545 pregnant women (89.9%). The mean +/- SD value for the peak systolic DV velocity during the time period of 8 to 38 weeks in utero was 0.33 +/- 0.11 meters/sec (m/s), the TAMX being 0.24 +/- 0.09 m/s. The maximum velocity during atrial contraction was 0.15 +/- 0.09 m/s, and the peak S/D velocity ratio was 2.5 +/- 1.01. The PI, Pourcelot's RI and fetal heart beat were, 0.67(+/- 0.21), 0.64 (+/- 0.11), and 163.3 (+/- 18.82 bpm), respectively. Significant increases in DVP, TAMX, and DVM with advancing gestational age were established, and decreases in PI, RI, S/D, and FHB with advancing gestational age were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation of DV hemodynamics throughout pregnancy may enable a greater understanding of normal placental perfusion, the fetal venous return to the heart and associated cardiac function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Isolated craniosynostosis: prenatal ultrasound of scaphocephaly with polyhydramnios.

Craniosynostosis is an abnormal shape or dimension of the skull caused by premature closure of one or more skull sutures. It includes scaphocephaly, brachycephaly, oxycephaly, plagiocephaly, trigonocephaly, turricephaly, and a cloverleaf-shaped head. The only cases of craniosynostosis that have been reported concern fetuses with complex and marked craniosynostosis syndromes such as acrocraniofacial dysostosis, Apert's syndrome, Beare-Stevenson cutis gyratum syndrome, Calabro's syndrome, etc. Isolated or simple craniosynostosis, however, is a developmental anomaly rarely found on routine ultrasound examination. We present a case that was diagnosed as scaphocephaly with moderate polyhydramnios by prenatal ultrasound. No other structural anomaly was detected, and the karyotyping was normal. So isolated sagittal craniosynostosis was diagnosed prenatally and was confirmed by postnatal skull radiography as well as 3-dimensional computed tomography. The infant underwent bilateral parietal craniectomy at the age of 3 months. He obtained a good result with no mental problems 4 years after the operation. To our knowledge, this is the second report on the prenatal detection of an isolated form of craniosynostosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Chlorination of drinking water and sex ratio at birth in Taiwan.

Chlorination has been the major strategy for disinfecting drinking water in Taiwan. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the chlorination of drinking water was associated with abnormal sex ratios, an indicator of exposure to pollutants. A "chlorinating municipality" (CHM) was defined as one in which more than 90% of the municipality population was served with chlorinated water. A "nonchlorinating municipality" (NCHM) was one in which less than 5% of the municipality population was served with chlorinated water. The results of this study found no association between the use of chlorinated drinking water and abnormal sex ratios at birth in Taiwan. The imbibing of chlorinated water may not reflect contaminant exposure using sex ratio as a biomonitor.

Chlorine↗
PubMed2000

Female lung cancer mortality and sex ratios at birth near a petroleum refinery plant.

This study was conducted to assess whether female mortality from lung cancer is associated with residence in communities adjacent to a petroleum refinery plant and whether petroleum air pollution could affect the sex ratios of births. The Kaohsiung Refinery of the Chinese Petroleum Corp. is the oldest oil refinery in Taiwan and is located between the Tso-Ying and the Nan-Tzu municipalities. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for female lung cancer and sex ratios of births were calculated for each municipality for the years 1971-1996. Cumulative-sum techniques were used to detect the occurrence of changes in the SMRs. The study results show that mortality from female lung cancer rose gradually about 30 to 37 years after the operation of a petroleum refinery plant began. However, the association between exposure to the petroleum air pollution and abnormal sex ratios at birth was not significant.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2000

Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinomas: relation to H. pylori infection and genetic alterations.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and gastric carcinomas (GCs) has been shown to vary among different populations and certain histological subtypes. Few studies have addressed the status of Helicobacter pylori infection and genetic alterations in these EBV-positive or -negative GCs. METHODS: Eleven gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas (LELCs) and 139 cases of common non-LELCs were evaluated for the presence of EBV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RNA in situ hybridization. H. pylori infection was determined by anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G in preoperative sera. Immunostaining for p53, c-erbB-2, and E-cadherin was performed. Microsatellite instability was analyzed by PCR using 10 primers. RESULTS: EBV was detected in 11 (100%) LELCs and in 19 (13.7%) of 139 common GCs. Compared with EBV-negative GCs, gastric LELCs tended to have a relatively higher frequency of proximal location, diffuse histological subtype, p53 overexpression, and reduced E-cadherin expression but a lower frequency of lymph node metastasis, previous H. pylori infection, and c-erbB-2 overexpression. In contrast, no significant difference of clinicopathologic and genetic profiles was observed between EBV-positive non-LELC GCs and EBV-negative GCs. No correlation of microsatellite instability was found among these 3 subsets of GCs. CONCLUSIONS: Dissecting clinicopathologic characteristics and infection status of EBV and H. pylori provide additional evidence of etiological and genetic heterogeneity for GC. Distinct clinicopathologic and genetic pathways exist in gastric LELCs, in which EBV may play a more important role than H. pylori infection.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

A model to study antioxidant regulation of endotoxemia-modulated neonatal granulopoiesis and granulocyte apoptosis.

Neonates with septicemia tend to develop granulocytopenia, which may, in part, be due to septic mediators such as oxygen free radicals and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Granulocytopenia may be caused by a decrease in granulocyte growth and/or an increase in granulocyte destruction. In the present study, we investigated antioxidant regulation of endotoxin-modulated neonatal granulopoiesis and granulocyte apoptosis. Using human umbilical cord blood (HUCB), we found that simulating endotoxemia in vitro elicited significant superoxide production within a few minutes. Endotoxin exposure suppressed colony-forming unit-granulocyte and monocyte formation in a dose-dependent fashion. Addition of antioxidants such as N-acetyl-cysteine could reverse the endotoxin suppression of colony-forming unit-granulocyte and monocyte formation (13 +/- 5 versus 75 +/- 5 colony-forming units/mL). Spontaneous in vitro granulocyte apoptosis in 6 h, as reflected by phosphatidylserine expression on the cell surface, was higher in granulocytes from HUCB than in those from adult blood (10.8 +/- 1.0% versus 5.6 +/- 1.2%). The addition of endotoxin or IL-8 to the cells in the in vitro model did not promote granulocyte apoptosis, but TNF-alpha, a major mediator of the effects of endotoxin, significantly induced granulocyte apoptosis in HUCB (control versus TNF-alpha: 8.9 +/- 1.2% versus 35.9 +/- 2.9%). Addition of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine effectively blocked TNF-alpha-induced granulocyte apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation. Results from these studies indicate that oxygen radicals are directly involved in endotoxin suppression of granulopoiesis, and indirectly promote granulocyte apoptosis, presumably through TNF-alpha-mediated action. Thus, under certain conditions, modulation of oxygen radical production in the blood may benefit neonates with granulocytopenia.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2000

Antibacterial effect of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol and florfenicol against aquatic animal bacteria.

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was measured to evaluate the antibacterial activities of chloramphenicol (CP), thiamphenicol (TP) and florfenicol (FFC) against the aquatic bacterial isolates from soft-shell turtles, fish and shellfish. Amoxicillin (AMPC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and oxolinic acid (OA) were included to compare with above protein synthesis inhibitors. The results showed that the order of MIC range of the isolates from soft-shell turtles for tested drugs was OA>FFC, CP>TP> AMPC, OTC. The percentage of the resistant strains indicated that OA was the lowest (7.14%) and OTC was the highest (85.07%). The order of antibacterial activity against the isolates from fish was OA>FFC>CP>AMPC>OTC>TP. The percentage of the resistant strains revealed that OA (13.64%) and OTC (80.91%) were the lowest and the highest, respectively. For the isolates from shellfish, the order of antimicrobial activity was OA>CP, FFC>AMPC, OTC, TP. TP showed the greatest percentage of the resistant strains (58.7%), but that of OA was the lowest (4.35%). The most common resistant patterns of the isolates from turtles, fish and shellfish were AMPC-OTC, CP-TP-AMPC-OTC, and FFC-CP-TP-AMPC-OTC, respectively. There were partially-complete resistance of the resistant isolates among CP, TP and FFC. The findings indicated that previous treatment might affect the choice of drug to use for aquatic bacterial diseases.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed2000

Precipitate delivery and postpartum hemorrhage after term induction with 200 micrograms misoprostol.

Misoprostol has been widely applied in early pregnancy termination and term pregnancy induction. However, the upper dosage limit of misoprostol through vaginal route has not been firmly established. Most popular dosages of vaginal misoprostol recommended are 25, 50 or 100 micrograms. There are no reports on the dangers of high-dosage misoprostol 200 micrograms as used in term labor induction. We present a primiparaous woman who was administered 200 micrograms misoprostol vaginally for term labor induction. The following precipitate delivery resulted in multiple lacerations of the isthmus, cervix and vagina, postpartum hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Inevitably, a hysterectomy was performed. A postsurgical check of the uterus confirmed lacerations of the isthmus and internal cervix. This rare complication suggests the possible dangers of vaginal misoprostol doses as high as 200 micrograms for term induction of labor at term.

Adult↗