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Biomedical subjects

W S Lin

Publications and source records attributed to W S Lin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Prednisolone non-compliance and its related factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: The combination of western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine is still exerting a pervading influence on symptom relief in Chinese society. The Medical behavior pattern may influence medication non-compliance by patients with chronic illness. METHODS: The study was designed to investigate prednisolone non-compliance and its related factors for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) under giving patients' health beliefs, the influence of prednisolone and Chinese culture. All patients of the SLE Mutual Aid Group (N=570) participated in this study. A questionnaire which included medical behavior and individual attitudes was sent each by mail. The response rate was 63.7% (N=363); 329 responses were useable in the study. RESULTS: Of the 329 patients, 27.9% had taken traditional medicine or a combination of traditional medicine with western medicine within the past month; 25.4% patients were non-compliant with prescribed prednisolone during the past week. The important reasons for non-compliance were feeling better, fearing side effects and treatment by Chinese medicine. The predicting factors for prednisolone non-compliance were the effects of the prednisolone, medical feasibility, patterns of medical behavior and perceived seriousness of the disease. Physician-patient relationship served as modifying factors which influenced individual attitudes toward prednisolone non-compliance and choice of medical behavior. Traditional beliefs, influenced by Chinese culture, indirectly affected prednisolone non-compliance, but through medical behavior patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Predisolone non-compliance is quite essential for SLE patients. Findings suggested that the attributes of prednisolone and the influences of Chinese traditional medicine should be considered as well as a health belief model, when trying to improve prednisolone compliance for SLE patients in Taiwan society.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species and oxidation of cytokinin in germinating soybean seeds.

Seed germination is an important developmental switch when quiescent seed cells initiate oxidative phosphorylation for further development and differentiation. During early imbibition of soybean seeds (Glycine max L. cv. Weber), a superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity peak was observed, in embryonic axes, after 6 h imbibition. Peroxidase activities, including catalase, were significantly increased after 12 h inhibition and during germination phase III. Catalase was the most efficient enzyme in catabolizing H2O2 in embryonic axes. When stored at 42 degrees C and 100% relative humidity, seeds were stressed and lost their viability in a time-dependent manner. A significant increase in the Cu, Zn-superoxide-dismutase activity, and to a lesser extent, Mn superoxide dismutase activity was observed during germination in low-viability (stressed) seeds as compared to high-viability (unstressed) seeds. Northern blot analysis confirmed that superoxide dismutase induction resulted from an accumulation of its transcripts in response to the production of O2-. The induction of catalase did not occur in low-viability seeds, resulting in dramatic accumulation of H2O2. Using capillary electrophoresis, HPLC and NMR we found that the endogenous cytokinin, zeatin riboside, was present in large quantities in the high-viability seeds, but it was oxidized into adenine in the low-viability seeds. In vitro superoxide anion could also oxidize the cytokinin. Zeatin riboside, but not adenine, was found to act as a scavenger of superoxide anions and may help to maintain seed viability by detoxifying reactive oxygen species. Germination of stressed seeds was partially restored by the addition of exogenous cytokinin (zeatin riboside). Protection against oxidative stress by cytokinin seemed to be a general phenomenon, as Escherichia coli cells were also protected against superoxide stress in the presence of cytokinin.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1994

Transfusion-associated respiratory distress in Taiwan.

Transfusion-associated respiratory distress occurred more often in the past in Taiwan but recently only very rarely. From the results of our studies it would appear that the former cases did not represent immune reactions involving red blood cells, serum proteins (especially IgA), HLA or granulocyte-specific antigens. Other causes, such as improper handling of the blood units may have been involved, but further study is also needed to investigate the possibility of the role of cytokine release from leukocytes or other factors. In addition, it appears that both plasma and serum obtained by recalcification of plasma may cause false-positive reactions in the granulocyte microagglutination test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Sequence analysis and molecular characterization of genes required for the biosynthesis of type 1 capsular polysaccharide in Staphylococcus aureus.

We previously cloned a 19.4-kb DNA region containing a cluster of genes affecting type 1 capsule production from Staphylococcus aureus M. Subcloning experiments showed that these capsule (cap) genes are localized in a 14.6-kb region. Sequencing analysis of the 14.6-kb fragment revealed 13 open reading frames (ORFs). Using complementation tests, we have mapped a collection of Cap- mutations in 10 of the 13 ORFs, indicating that these 10 genes are involved in capsule biosynthesis. The requirement for the remaining three ORFs in the synthesis of the capsule was demonstrated by constructing site-specific mutations corresponding to each of the three ORFs. Using an Escherichia coli S30 in vitro transcription-translation system, we clearly identified 7 of the 13 proteins predicted from the ORFs. Homology search between the predicted proteins and those in the data bank showed very high homology (52.3% identity) between capL and vipA, moderate homology (29% identity) between capI and vipB, and limited homology (21.8% identity) between capM and vipC. The vipA, vipB, and vipC genes have been shown to be involved in the biosynthesis of Salmonella typhi Vi antigen, a homopolymer polysaccharide consisting of N-acetylgalactosamino uronic acid, which is also one of the components of the staphylococcal type 1 capsule. The homology between these sets of genes therefore suggests that capL, capI, and capM may be involved in the biosynthesis of amino sugar, N-acetylgalactosamino uronic acid. In addition, the search showed that CapG aligned well with the consensus sequence of a family of acetyltransferases from various prokaryotic organisms, suggesting that CapG may be an acetyltransferase. Using the isogenic Cap- and Cap+ strains constructed in this study, we have confirmed that type 1 capsule is an important virulence factor in a mouse lethality test.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Transnasal endoscopic surgery of sphenoid sinus aspergillosis.

Aspergillus sp. are the most common contaminants of the paranasal sinuses with the maxillary sinus as the site most frequently involved. Fungal sphenoid sinusitis can be a life-threatening situation, thus aggressive therapy is indicated. The treatment is primarily surgical. The transnasal endoscopic technique offers excellent visualization and an atraumatic approach to the sphenoid sinus. Surgical exteriorization and aeration of the involved sinus, without using antifungal chemotherapeutic agents is curative. A rare case of sphenoid sinus aspergillosis which was successfully treated by transnasal endoscopic sphenoidotomy is reported.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed1992

Increase in superoxide production by heat-shocked cells of Neurospora crassa, demonstrated by a fluorometric assay.

1. Increase in superoxide production by heat-shocked cells of Neurospora crassa was demonstrated by a fluorometric assay. 2. A sensitive fluorometric assay for the estimation of superoxide anion radical--based on the liberation of 4-methylumbelliferone from 4-methyl-beta-D-umbelliferyl glucopyranoside--is described. 3. Using this system the level of superoxide in the medium of heat-shocked Neurospora crassa cells was found to be consistently higher, in comparison with that of non-shocked cells, cultured at the normal growth temperature of 28 degrees C. 4. Addition of superoxide dismutase to the culture media suppressed the production of 4-methylumbelliferone.

Fluorometry↗
PubMed1991

[An epidemiological study of otolaryngologic emergency diseases].

We studied 2561 cases of otolaryngologic emergencies in the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1989, looking for the distribution and epidemiology of these emergency diseases. Our conclusions were as follows: 1. Total emergency otolaryngologic cases [otologic cases and pharyngolaryngologic cases] demonstrated a tendency to increase from year to year. 2. Acute otitis media and foreign bodies of the nose also showed an increase from year to year. 3. The "top five" emergency otolaryngologic diseases in order of frequency were: epistaxis (22.7%), foreign bodies of the throat (18.7%), acute tonsillitis (11.4%), acute otitis media (7.7%), and foreign bodies of the ear (6.4%). 4. Patients admitted to the emergency department (7.2%) ranked in order of frequency were: epistaxis (29%), acute tonsillitis (24.5%) and esophageal foreign bodies (14.1%). 5. Emergency visits occurred most frequently between 20-24 o'clock (26.5%) daily; the least from 4-8 o'clock (9.3%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Diagnostic value of Rhizoma alismatis mixture in Menière's disease].

Rhizoma Alismatis Mixture (RAM), which can promote diuresis to eliminate wetness-evil and activate blood circulation, is a pure TCM preparation composed of Rhizoma Alismatis, Semen Plantaginis, Rhizoma Ligustici Wallichii and Herba Leonuri. After clinical observation, it showed that RAM can greatly case the inner ear edema of patients with Menière's disease and therefore improved their hearing threshold (63.7%). RAM can also diminish SP amplitude or reduce the SP/AP ratio on the cochleogram. As compared with glyceral test, there was no statistically significant difference, while the side effect of RAM group (5%) was lower than that of glyceral group (87.3%) significantly, therefore RAM test can replace glycerin test in the diagnosis of Menière's disease. The animal experiment results indicated that RAM did not affect stria vascularis permeation but it probably dehydrates the inner ear by changing the osmotic pressure between endolymphatic and perilymphatic or increasing the absorption of the endolymphatic sac.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical study of allergic rhinitis treated by "bu qi gu biao" therapy].

The authors summarized 500 cases of allergic rhinitis treated by "Bu Qi Gu Biao" therapy since 1980. After treatment, long term curative effect was 87%. Moreover, the authors had observed serum IgE, IgA and IgG, plasma cyclic nucleotides, blood flow in nasal mucosa, and ultrastructure of nasal mucosa before and after the treatment in 200 cases. The results indicated that "Bu Qi Gu Biao" therapy could adjust immune function and cyclic nucleotides metabolism in organism, improve blood flow in nasal mucosa tissue, restore or improve cell's shape and function and eliminate partial deposition of immune compound in vascular basement membrane. Therefore, it could control or eliminate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical and experimental research on a kidney-tonifying prescription in preventing and treating children's hearing-loss induced by aminoglycoside antibiotic ototoxicity].

This paper reports 30 cases of hearing-loss induced by aminoglycoside antibiotic ototoxicity treated mainly with Kidney-tonifying herbs such as Herba Epimedii, Rhizoma Drynariae, Rhizoma Polygonati, Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Magnetitum and Rhizoma Acori Graminei, etc. After three month's treatment, the authors found that 19 cases had improved their hearing more than 15 db, among which there are 8 cases who had improved 15 db and 11 cases 30 db. The patients' hearing of pre-treatment and post-treatment were determined by BAR V-wave hearing threshold. In order to further prove that Kidney-tonifying prescription can antagonize the aminoglycoside antibiotic ototoxicity, animal experiments had been made. The authors chose guinea pigs for experimental animals, which were randomly divided into three groups: Kanamycin group, kanamycin with Kidney-tonifying herbs group, and control group. The indexes of the experiments were the animals' helix reflection index, BAR and observation of animals' cochlear under electron microscope. As a result, the damage to hair cell of Cortis organ has marked for the animals of kanamycin group, while for kanamycin with herbs group, it was obviously slighter (P less than 0.01). There was significant difference between the groups. The result indicates that Kidney-tonifying herbs had the effect of protecting the animals' hair cells of cortis organ against aminoglycoside antibiotic ototoxicity and thus protected the animals' hearing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Role of superoxide in radiation-killing of Escherichia coli and in thymine release from thymidine.

The role of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals in gamma-radiation-killing of Escherichia coli K12 was studied in aerated suspensions supplemented with formate, phosphate, superoxide dismutase, catalase and saturated with nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide, which converts e-aq to .OH, caused decreased radiosensitivity. On the other hand, formate, which results in conversion of .OH to .O2-, resulted in an increased radiosensitivity. The results implicated .O2- as a major cause of radiation-mediated cell-killing. The addition of the enzymes, superoxide dismutase or catalase to the E. coli suspensions prior to and during irradiation had no effect on cell survival, indicating that the biologically significant site of generation and action of .O2- is an intracellular one. Further studies were undertaken to examine the role of superoxide in DNA damage. The release of thymine from the DNA base, thymidine was studied as a result of gamma-irradiation and of chemically generated superoxide (using KO2 in dimethyl sulfoxide). Thymine was identified by HPLC and mass spectrometry. C-13 NMR analysis of the reaction mixture of thymidine with KO2 in dimethyl sulfoxide provided evidence for attack of .O2 at the ribosyl Cl' atom.

Catalase↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of acute toxicities of deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol in the B6C3F1 mouse.

The acute toxic effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) were compared in the B6C3F1 female mouse after oral and intraperitoneal exposure. Using the abbreviated procedure of Lorke (Archs Toxicol. 1983, 54, 275), LD50 values for DON were estimated to be 78 mg/kg (oral) and 49 mg/kg (ip) whereas the LD50 values for 15-ADON were 34 mg/kg (oral) and 113 mg/kg (ip). Acute doses of these toxins resulted in extensive necrosis of the gastro-intestinal tract, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues, and focal lesions in kidney and cardiac tissue. The minimum doses required for these histopathological effects were consistent with LD50 estimations. The results indicate that 15-ADON was more or less toxic than DON depending on the route of administration. Risk assessments for DON should therefore consider the potential for 15-ADON occurrence and toxicity in food and feed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Emetic activity of the trichothecene 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol in swine.

The emetic activity of 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), a deoxynivalenol (DON) precursor, was evaluated in swine over a dose range of 25-200 micrograms/kg body weight and found to be very similar to that of DON. The minimum effective oral doses for 15-ADON and DON were 75 and 50 micrograms/kg, respectively, with 3/15 of the 15-ADON- and 4/15 of the DON-treated pigs exhibiting emesis, over the total dose range. The minimum effective ip doses for 15-ADON and DON were also 75 and 50 micrograms/kg, respectively, with 9/15 pigs in each group exhibiting emesis, over the total dose range. For pigs receiving 15-ADON and DON ip, increased dosage was associated with decreased average time to vomition, increased duration of emesis and increased average number of vomitions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Decreased feed consumption and body-weight gain in the B6C3F1 mouse after dietary exposure to 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol.

15-Acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), a biosynthetic precursor of deoxynivalenol (DON), was extracted from rice cultures of Fusarium graminearum R6576 and purified. Growing female B6C3F1 mice were fed semi-purified diets containing 0, 0.5, 2.0 and 5.0 ppm 15-ADON over 56 days and assessed for effects on feed intake, body-weight gain, terminal organ weights and blood clotting function. A significant reduction in feed intake was observed at the 5.0-ppm level after 44 days, whereas reduced rates of weight gain were found to occur at the 5.0-ppm level after only 16 days. Terminal liver, kidney and spleen weights were significantly lower in mice consuming the 5.0-ppm diet when compared with controls. Dietary 15-ADON at the 0.5- and 2.0-ppm levels did not show significant effects on weight gain, feed intake or organ weights. Although mice treated with 15-ADON had significantly decreased bleeding times, other measurements of clotting function indicated no differences between the control and treated groups. Results indicated that 15-ADON was only slightly less toxic than DON and that chronic manifestations of dietary 15-ADON were similar to those found previously for DON. Future risk assessments for DON should therefore include consideration of 15-ADON occurrence and toxicity.

Animals↗