Biomedical subjects

Y T Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Y T Lin.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

[A comparison of ankle fixation between two kinds of low-temperature plastic anterior ankle foot orthoses].

The low-temperature ankle foot orthosis (AFO) was designed in the anterior leaf type, called anterior AFO, to meet the need of indoor barefoot walking. It could be easily molded and remolded to fit the foot, as well as to adjust the position of the foot and ankle. Two kinds of low-temperature plastic anterior ankle foot orthoses, anterior encased and anterior direct molding ankle foot orthoses, were compared to analyze the effectiveness of ankle fixation in plantar flexion and inversion. Force was applied to each of the anterior AFOs at the anterior-middle and anterior-lateral sides to simulate the movement of ankle plantar flexion and inversion. At the same time, the deformation in plantar flexion and inversion of both anterior AFOs were recorded to analyze the relationship between force and the deformed angle. The results showed that plantar flexion deformed angles of the anterior direct molding AFO were 2.6 times more flexible than anterior encased AFO. The ankle inversion deformed angles of the anterior direct molding AFO were 3 times more flexible than the anterior encased AFO in inversion. These results support our belief that anterior encased AFO is more effective in controlling ankle plantar flexion and inversion than anterior direct molding AFO, especially for severe spastic hemiplegia in gait correction.

Ankle Joint↗

PubMed1993

[Investigation of activity of daily living performance in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy].

The purpose of this study was to reach a better understanding the deficits of activity of daily living (ADL) skills in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and their influencing factors. Our samples consisted of 35 male DMD patients, aged 3-24 years. The Barthel index was used to assess daily living abilities. Besides ten different motor abilities, muscle strengths of both upper and lower extremities and joint contractures were also included in each patient's evaluation. The results of degree of severity in ADL performance showed that 21.1% of patients were classified as totally dependent, 48.5% were severely dependent, 12.1% moderately dependent, 9.1% mildly dependent and 9.1% totally independent. Among the ADL skills, the bathing needed most assistance whereas feeding required the least. Two of the sixteen factors influencing ADL performance was calculated to be significant after stepwise multiple regression analysis. They were hip contracture and static sitting balance. In conclusion, we find that DMD patients are highly dependent in carrying out ADL tasks. Therefore, it is very important to avoid contracture, to increase static sitting balance and to use appropriate devices to improve their daily living abilities. Finally, the Barthel index proved acceptable in evaluating Taiwanese children over six years of age.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1993

[Comparison of various patterns of chopstick use and functional performance].

Three hundred and ninety-seven normal adult subjects were tested in order to investigate the prevalences of various patterns of chopstick-use. Manipulation speed was also compared. According to the movement of the fingers, finger positions and contact areas, we can divide the various chopstick-use patterns into 3 basic patterns with 13 variations. Prevalences of the 3 basic patterns were palmar prehension (68.5%), lateral prehension (14.2%), and dynamic palmar prehension (17.3%). There was a statistically significant difference in manipulation speed among the 3 basic patterns. The influence of sex and age on manipulation speed was also analyzed for each of the 3 basic chopstick-use patterns. The results of this study will serve as a reference for occupational therapists in the evaluation and training for eating activities.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Open heart surgery in a patient with an implanted pacemaker: case report.

When a patient has a pacemaker and requires operation, surgeons have to consider some possible intraoperative pacemaker complications induced by electrocautery. Electrocautery is commonly used during surgery to achieve hemostasis. However, this very effective tool may introduce innumerable problems in the paced patient, including irreversible damage to the pulse generator, pacemaker reprogramming, induction of a rise in the capture threshold, and ventricular fibrillation. Although electrocautery may be avoided in some surgical procedures, open heart surgery cannot be performed without it. One case is presented to illustrate how to achieve hemostasis while decreasing electric interference and how to protect the permanent pacemaker while avoiding those possible complications during the defibrillation. The purpose of this article is to call attention to potential problems induced by electrocautery and in an effect to facilitate the perioperative management of the paced patient undergoing open heart surgery.

Aortic Valve↗

PubMed1992

Evidence of direct activation of adenosine A1 receptor by 5'-adenosine monophosphate in isolated guinea pig atrial myocytes.

The electrophysiological effect of 5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) was examined in isolated atrial myocytes of guinea pig. Membrane potential and ionic currents were measured by the tight-seal, whole-cell patch-clamp technique. AMP caused the shortening of atrial action potential in a dose-dependent manner. In voltage-clamp experiments, AMP (3-10 microM) caused the activation of IKACh as well as the decrease in basal ICa. Prolongation of action potential duration caused by isoproterenol (20 nM) was antagonized by AMP (10 microM). Isoproterenol (20 nM) occasionally caused the sustained rhythmic activity and the subsequent application of AMP (10 microM) terminated it. AOPCP (10 microM), which inhibits 5'-nucleotidase and hence prevents breakdown of AMP, did not significantly attenuate the effect of AMP on shortening action potential. However, the application of adenosine deaminase (1 U/ml), which deaminates adenosine to inosine, partially reversed the shortening of action potential caused by AMP (10 microM). These results indicate that (1) AMP could activate IKACh and decrease basal ICa simultaneously, and antagonize the isoproterenol-stimulated action potential prolongation; and (2) the observed electrophysiological effect of AMP in whole-cell preparation is attributed to AMP per se as well as its degradative product, adenosine.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1992

Congenital absence of the pulmonary valve: report of two cases with review of the literature.

Congenital absence of the pulmonary valve is an uncommon combination of anomalies. Recently, we encountered two such cases, one associated with tetralogy of Fallot (case 1), the other with ventricular septal defect (case 2). Clinically, our cases had minimum symptoms. The congenital cardiac anomalies were diagnosed with physical examination, chest x-ray film, echocardiography, and confirmed with cineangiography. These procedures disclosed a rudimentary pulmonary valve, pulmonary regurgitation and aneurysmal dilatation of the main and right pulmonary artery. In case 2, the right lower pulmonary artery occlusion and left hydronephrosis were also demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. The two cases underwent surgical repair to correct the tetralogy of Fallot and the ventricular septal defect respectively. Our experience in diagnosing these cardiac anomalies is reported.

Child↗

PubMed1992

[The strength and functional performance of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on natural history].

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disease of progressive muscular weakness and wasting. This study is designed to evaluate the muscle strength and functional performance of patients with DMD during the natural progression of this disease. This study comprises a sample of 35 subjects who were confirmed to have DMD. Manual muscle testing (MMT) was used to evaluate muscle strength, the Brooke functional scale to rate the motor function of the upper extremity, and the Vignos functional scale to rate the motor function of the lower limbs. The results showed a significant positive correlation between age and the decrement in strength, i.e. a one year increment in age led to a 3.9% decrease in the average muscle strength. The strength loss always occurred in a typical pattern proceeding from the lower extremities to the upper extremities, and from the proximal to the distal parts. There was a significant negative correlation between muscle strength and both the Brooke and Vignos functional scales. These findings may suggest that decreased muscle strength results in a progressive worsening of the functional performance of the extremities. In addition, the Brooke scale is significantly correlated with the Vignos scale through the natural course of DMD. The high percentage (90.5%) of subjects without the long leg braces needed for ambulation indicates an inadequate rehabilitation care for DMD patients in this country.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Effect of moisture content on the microbial activity in JP-5 fuel oil.

The water solubility of JP-5 fuel oil was found to be proportional to the reciprocal of absolute temperature from 0 degree C to 60 degrees C. Water in the fuel oil would become condensed once the temperature was shifted from a high temperature to low temperature. During the storage, condensed water was precipitated in the bottom of the tank. Both the static and the dynamic dehumidification processes with molecular sieve could reduce the moisture content of fuel oil to less than 5 ppm. However, pre-dried fuel oil had a mildly hydroscopic phenomenon at relatively high humidity condition. The spores of contaminated microbes could survive in the fuel oil with 5 to 80 ppm of moisture content. High moisture content of fuel oil was not favorable to the spore survival. Penicillium sp. could survive in the fuel oil longer than Cladosporium resinae.

Cladosporium↗

PubMed1992

Successful surgical correction of acute ascending aortic dissection: a case report.

The prognosis of patients with acute aortic dissection is extremely poor, especially when involving the ascending aorta. It has long been recognized as a catastrophic cardiovascular event. Acute dissections involving an ascending aorta have approximately a 90 percent acute mortality rate if left untreated or treated medically. Therefore, nearly all patients with acute ascending aortic dissection should be surgically treated immediately after a diagnosis has been established. A 60-year-old man having an acute ascending aortic dissection was successfully operated on with a resection of the dissecting aorta which was replaced with a Dacron graft. The postoperative course was complicated with a respiratory insufficiency and a disruption of the sternal wound. A 4 years follow-up confirmed the patient was in good condition. This is the first successfully operated case of acute ascending aortic dissection at our hospital.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

The results of transplant livers from selected non-heart-beating cadaver donors.

The clinical experience following transplantation of livers obtained from non-heart-beating cadaver donors (NHBD) with the use of core cooling method is presented here. Six livers procured from such cadavers were transplanted into 6 recipients with hepatoma involving right and left lobes but without distant metastases. The first liver subjected to 75 minutes of warm ischemia had insufficient function after transplantation. The recipient died of graft failure 54 days later. The other 5 livers with 32 to 45 minutes of warm ischemia had a good or excellent immediate function. These 5 recipients died of tumor recurrence, acute rejection or septicemia 131 to 261 days after transplantation. The utilization of selected NHBD is suggested by our practice as a possible approach to help alleviate the acute organ shortage in the areas where heart-beating cadaver donors of brain death are not available.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[The relationship between functional recovery one year after a stroke, and related factors].

This study examines the factors affecting functional performance of 40 hemiplegic subjects in their homes following discharge from the hospital. All subjects suffered a cerebral vascular accident at least one year prior to this research period. Barthel Index was used to assess subjects' self-reported functional level in activities of daily living (ADL). A backward elimination of stepwise regression analysis was performed to ascertain the predictive value of the variables in determining functional performance one year after the onset of a stroke. These variables are factors related to the initial onset and those affecting the patient's functional status at home. The results revealed that subjects who had a shorter length of stay in the hospital, scored a higher on the Barthel Index (p less than 0.05). It also demonstrated that subjects who were more satisfied with their current subjective health status, had a higher Barthel Index score.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1991

In vivo study of fluoride chewing gum for the remineralization of human root lesions.

The purpose of this study was to study the efficacy of a fluoride-containing chewing gum (0.1 mg F/stick chewed 5 x/day) in the remineralization of artificial caries lesions in abraded root surfaces compared to sorbitol-containing chewing gum and a no gum control group in vivo. Root specimens were cut from human root surfaces and polished. The specimens were demineralized in a buffered lactate solution with low concentration of fluoride in order to preserve an intact surface layer. Six healthy subjects wore mandibular Hawley-type appliances containing up to fourteen slabs for each of one control and two experimental periods. The experimental protocol included chewing five pieces of gums per day and brushing with fluoride-free dentifrice for each 21 days period. All three regimens were analyzed for fluoride uptake and microradiography. The results indicate that fluoride-containing chewing gum has a highly significant fluoride uptake and remineralization compared to sorbitol gum and control regimens, suggesting that fluoride chewing gum may provide another vehicle for fluoride delivery.

Chewing Gum↗

PubMed1991

Inconsistent effectiveness of myocardial preservation among cardiac chambers during hypothermic cardioplegia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the selective and differential natures of ischemic injuries among three cardiac chambers (right atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle) from the viewpoint of ultrastructural morphometric study. Twenty consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac operations were studied. The duration of aortic crossclamp time varied from 36 to 142 minutes (mean 83.4 +/- 36.4 minutes). Two serial specimens (preischemic and ischemic) were obtained from the right atrium, the right ventricle, and the left ventricle, respectively. A total of 120 biopsy specimens was obtained from these 20 patients. The average mitochondrial surface area of the left ventricle was 0.308 +/- 0.062 micron 2 in the preischemic stage and 0.352 +/- 0.083 microns 2 in the ischemic stage. This represented a 14.3% increase in mitochondrial surface area after ischemic injury (p less than 0.01). The mitochondrial surface area of the right ventricle showed an average increase of 43.7%, from 0.252 +/- 0.036 micron 2 in the preischemic stage to 0.362 +/- 0.087 micron 2 in the ischemic stage (p less than 0.0005). With respect to the mitochondrial surface area of the right atrium, there was an increase of 88.0%, from 0.217 +/- 0.044 micron 2 in the preischemic stage to 0.408 +/- 0.084 micron 2 (p less than 0.0005). The difference of mitochondrial swelling among three chambers was statistically significant (right atrium versus right ventricle versus left ventricle, p less than 0.0005). Moreover, the differences of mitochondrial swelling between any two chambers were also highly significant (right atrium versus right ventricle, p less than 0.0005; right ventricle versus left ventricle, p less than 0.01; right atrium versus left ventricle, p less than 0.0005). In conclusion, our findings suggest that from the viewpoint of ultrastructural morphometric study myocardial injury after an average of 83 minutes of ischemic arrest is poorer in the right chambers of the heart than in the left ventricle, with the right atrium having the poorest preservation.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase genotypes and alcoholism in Chinese men.

The liver enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are responsible for the oxidative metabolism of ethanol, are polymorphic in humans. An allele encoding an inactive form of the mitochondrial ALDH2 is known to reduce the likelihood of alcoholism in Japanese. We hypothesized that the polymorphisms of both ALDH and ADH modify the predisposition to development of alcoholism. Therefore, we determined the genotypes of the ADH2, ADH3, and ALDH2 loci of alcoholic and nonalcoholic Chinese men living in Taiwan, using leukocyte DNA amplified by the PCR and allele-specific oligonucleotides. The alcoholics had significantly lower frequencies of the ADH2*2, ADH3*1, and ALDH2*2 alleles than did the nonalcoholics, suggesting that genetic variation in both ADH and ALDH, by modulating the rate of metabolism of ethanol and acetaldehyde, influences drinking behavior and the risk of developing alcoholism.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1991

[Permanent pacemaker with implantation in a young child with congenital complete atrioventricular block: a case report].

Congenital atrioventricular block is a congenital disorder of the cardiac conducting system. Pacemaker implantation is the treatment of choice for patients with congenital A-V block if prior medical treatment fails. The criteria for pacemaker implantation in infants and children are (1) frequent syncope (2) heart failure (3) ventricular rate below 55 beats/min (4) ventricular arrhythmia (5) QRS widening in the ECG (6) moderate to severe exercise intolerance. Our experience with a 15-month-old male child is herein presented. The patient suffered from frequent attacks of upper respiratory tract infection, bradycardia and complete A-V block as found on electrocardiograms. At 15 months old, he was admitted again due to respiratory tract infection and several attacks of syncope. Stokes-Adams syndrome was noted several times despite medical treatment. Following implantation of a VVI mode epicardiac pacemaker, the patient's condition, including resistance to heart failure and respiration, were improved dramatically. He was followed up regularly for 4 years, his heart beat remaining stable.

Follow-Up Studies↗

PubMed1990

Uneven myocardial hypothermia among cardiac chambers during hypothermic myocardial preservation.

During the development of methods to protect the heart from ischaemic injury, attention has been focused on protection of the left ventricle. In an attempt to assess right heart preservation. 55 consecutive patients undergoing open heart surgery were studied. Mean aortic cross-clamp time was 59.3 +/- 29.4 min. Temperature probes were inserted into the right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), and left ventricle (LV). During cardioplegia, the mean myocardial temperatures of RA, RV and LV were 19.1 degrees +/- 4.1 degrees C, 12.7 degrees +/- 4.8 degrees C and 7.3 degrees +/- 3.4 degrees C, respectively. Of the LV temperature measurements, 67.2% were 10 degrees C or lower. By contrast, 94.1% of RA measurements and 58.5% of RV measurements were above 10 degrees C. The inhomogeneity of chamber temperatures was observed irrespective of the patient's disease or age and whether the atrium or right ventricle were open or not. Hearts with mitral regurgitation (MR), in contrast to mitral stenosis and stenoinsufficiency, had higher LV temperatures, similar to those in the RV. We conclude that there is uneven hypothermia among the three cardiac chambers during hypothermic cardioplegic arrest, regardless of disease states except MR and regardless of age and procedure performed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Meniscectomy operation as a surgical treatment for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint in our department.

This paper describes the surgical treatment of six patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (nine joints). Meniscectomy was performed on all the patients, because severely advanced cases in which the articular disk could not be preserved or replaced were chosen. Our surgical technique and the results of short-term follow up are presented. Indications of meniscectomy and the criteria for postoperative evaluation are also described. The postoperative outcomes were assessed as "good" for seven joints in five patients and as "acceptable" for two joints in one patient.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

[The relationship between early motor stage and hand function recovery six months after stroke].

The prognosis of hemiplegic hand function may reflect intrinsic recovery. Applying the variables of initial neurological loss in the hemiplegic upper extremity to predict the prognosis of hand function will enable therapists to establish the ultimate goals of rehabilitation and to select the appropriate treatment programs. Pinch and grip strength tests, Frenchay arm function test and the nine-hole peg test were used to determine the relationship between the initial Brunnstrom motor stage of the hemiplegic upper extremity and the prognosis of hand function after six months. Forty stroke patients were divided into three groups. Group I was subjects with a motor stage below the Brunnstrom motor stage III in both proximal and distal parts of the hemiplegic upper extremity. Group II was subjects with motor stage below Brunnstrom motor stage III in the proximal part and above stage III in the distal part or vice versa. Group III was subjects with a motor stage above Brunnstrom motor stage III both in the proximal and the distal parts. The results of this study indicated that the prognosis of the Brunnstrom motor stage of the hemiplegic upper extremity generally improved about one or two stages. According to the results of the grip and pinch strength tests, the Frenchay arm function test or the nine-hole peg test, group I patients could hardly use their affected hand functionally. The grip strength and the pinch strength deficits of group I were 93.8% and 91.4% respectively. The grip strength and the pinch strength deficits of group II were 72.1% and 68.5% respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗