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Biomedical subjects

Y Y Chang

Publications and source records attributed to Y Y Chang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Antiplatelet drugs induce apoptosis in cultured cancer cells.

In order to understand if antiplatelet drugs possess direct antineoplastic property, we tested the apoptotic effect of 5 popularly marketed antiplatelet drugs in Taiwan in 6 cultured cancer cell lines (Hep 3B hepatocarcinoma, U87-MG malignant glioma, PC-3 prostate adenocarcinoma, HeLa cervical adenocarcinoma, HL-60 preleukemia and K-562 chronic myelogenous leukemia). While acetylsalicylate and flunarizine exerted no effect on these cancer cells, pentoxifyline (PTX), dipyridamole (DYA) and ticlopidine hydrochloride (T. HCl) displayed a time and dose-dependent apoptotic effect on them except for HL-60 and K-562 cells. PTX induced apoptosis in U87-MG, Hep 3B and HeLa cells, DYA in HeLa cells, while T. HCl in U87-MG, Hep 3B, PC-3 and HeLa cells. Adriamycin also provoked apoptotic effect in all 6 cell lines but neither PTX, DYA nor T. HCl acted synergy with adriamycin to HeLa cells, implicating that they may share a similar pathway for inducing apoptosis. Therefore, our results show that the antiplatelet drugs do possess antineoplastic property in vitro. A co-administration of antiplatelet drugs is noteworthy for an alternative adjunctive therapy in cancer patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Prediction of total cholesterol: high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio in young adults.

Abnormal cholesterol fraction is an essential risk factor for atherosclerosis of large cerebral arteries in young Asians. In order to reduce the medical cost and social resource for cholesterol electrophoresis, especially in undeveloped and developing Asian countries, we evaluated the validity of Nanji's GUT score for predicting TC: HDLC ratio in this population. Results showed that GUT score only predicted 71% of them. We also tested the predictive power of CUT index, and predicting rate was 81%. Therefore, Nanji's GUT score is not an ideal surrogate for cholesterol electrophoresis. We recommend CUT index to screen for high-risk subjects till a new method can satisfy the economic pattern in Asian countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Transient global amnesia and thalamic hemorrhage.

A left rostral thalamic hematoma was found in a 52-year-old hypertensive man who suffered from a 10-h episode of transient global amnesia (TGA). A neuropsychological study revealed no cognitive impairment in a follow-up period for 5 years. The left rostral part of the thalamus appears to be responsible for his TGA, due probably to an interference of the mamillothalamic tract, ventroamygdalofugal pathway or dorsal noradrenergic bundle.

Amnesia↗
PubMed1996

Prognostic factors of primary aldosteronism.

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a rare but potentially curable cause of hypertension. Between October 1982 and November 1994, 30 patients of PA received unilateral adrenalectomy with a long-term follow up (mean:60.3 months). Nineteen (63.3%) cases were cured (Group 1); 11(36.7%) cases were improved (Group 2). The purpose of this study was to determine prognostic factors after surgery in patients with PA. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed regarding age and sex of the patients, duration of hypertension, family history of hypertension, preoperative blood pressure, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin activity (PRA) and efficacy of spironolactone on blood pressure between both groups. End-organs (including kidney, heart, retina and brain) involvement was evaluated and compared. Adrenalectomy and renal biopsy specimen for pathology were similarly evaluated. RESULTS: The duration of hypertension was longer in Group 2 than in Group 1 (8.18 +/- 4.94 vs 5.21 +/- 4.24 years). The efficacy of spironolactone on blood pressure (BP) was positive in 81.8% of Group 1 and 16.7% of Group 2. Adrenal cortical adenoma in 24 cases with a cure rate of 70.8% (17/24) and adrenal cortical macronodular hyperplasia in 6 cases with a cure rate of 33.3% (2/6) were noted. Group 2 had more end-organs involvement than Group 1. The severity of histopathological change of the renal biopsy was similar. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that preoperative response of blood pressure to spironolactone administration predicts the postoperative prognosis of hypertension in patient with PA. Long duration of hypertension and involvement of two or more end-organs were poor prognostic factors. Excellent results can be achieved by unilateral adrenalectomy in adrenal cortical adenoma and fair results, in adrenal cortical macronodular hyperplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The effect of child-birth class on first-time fathers' psychological responses.

The purpose of this study was to examine fathers' psychological responses to labor/delivery over time and to evaluate the effect of child-birth class on the father. A quasi-experimental and exploratory study was conducted with data collected at the 36th and the 39th weeks of pregnancy, and the first day of the postpartum period. 100 married, first-time expectant fathers in both the experimental and control groups were drawn from one medical center in southern Taiwan as a convenient sample. Three two-hour sessions of childbirth class, each lasting for one day, were conducted consecutively following the first data point for the experimental group. The "Chinese Health Questionnaire" and Zung's Self-rating Anxiety and Self-rating Depression Scales were used to obtain the first-time fathers' health status, anxiety, and depression scores at each data point. The two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to compare the means of psychological responses between experimental and control groups at each point in time. The main effect of classes on paternal health status, anxiety, and depression of the experimental group was not found and the limitations of the study were discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1996

The lipoprotein profile of young adults with cerebral atherosclerosis.

In order to elucidate the relationship between the lipoprotein profile and large cerebral artery atherosclerosis in the young adults living in developing Asian countries, the serum lipoprotein profile and the luminal diameter of large cerebral arteries (internal carotid, middle/anterior cerebral and vertebrobasilar arteries) were measured and correlated in 67 young Taiwanese with non-embolic cerebral infarct (CI). Totally 23 (21.9%) patients had atherosclerotic stenosis. A significant elevation of the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, total lipids, beta-lipoprotein (beta-LP) and pre-beta-LP level was found in atherosclerotic CI patients. But multiple regression analysis showed only the serum beta-LP (p = 0.0041) and TC (p = 0.0324) level to be the independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. Secondary dyslipoproteinemia is the main cause for hyperlipoproteinemia in our atherosclerotic patients. Therefore, an abnormal lipoprotein profile is linked to large cerebral artery atherosclerosis in young Asians regardless of ethnic group. A tailored program is recommended to modify the life style and dietary habit, as well as to gain access to secondary control for large cerebral atherosclerosis prevention in developing countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Detection by site-specific disulfide cross-linking of a conformational change in binding of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase to lipid bilayers.

Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase, a peripheral membrane homotetrameric flavoprotein, exposes its C-terminal lipid binding site in the presence of substrate pyruvate and co-factor thiamine pyrophosphate Mg2+ and binds tightly to phospholipid bilayers during catalysis. Using site-specific disulfide cross-linking, we demonstrate that disulfide cross-links are formed between C termini of D560C pyruvate oxidase and that the degree of cross-linking is greatly increased by the presence of substrate and co-factors indicating a conformational change that results in juxtaposition of two subunit C termini. The cross-linked oxidase is enzymatically active and remains able to associate with lipid micelles. These results argue strongly that lipid bilayer binding of pyruvate oxidase involves pairing of the C termini of two subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Bilateral cheiro-oral syndrome and traumatic subdural hematoma.

Typical bilateral cheiro-oral syndrome was encountered in a 74-year-old man who had bilateral subdural hematoma after a minor head injury. The delayed grave neurologic deficits occurred 1 month later without expansion of the hematoma. Removal of the lesions reversed both cheiro-oral syndrome and his late-onset neurological disabilities.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

An investigation of junior high students' attitudes toward amphetamine use and related forms of behavior.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the attitudes toward amphetamine use and some forms of behavior related to it. Two different kinds of junior high schools from southern Taiwan participated in this study. Five hundred and sixty-nine students supplied urine samples and filled in questionnaires. The results indicated that the prevalence rate of amphetamine use was 4.0% and the subjects had a fair level of cognition and very negative beliefs toward amphetamine use. Discriminant analyses indicated that access to amphetamine and the unlikelihood of being caught when using amphetamine were the two most important and meaningful variables in the distinction of previous using experience. School, grades, opinions about amphetamine use, the ease with which amphetamine could be obtained, and the severity of misbehavior were the most important variables in the prediction of the probable intention to use it, if amphetamine were available. However, because of the limited number of amphetamine users found in the study, any conclusions based on the results should be used cautiously. Strategies of prevention are suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Amphotericin B-induced leukoencephalopathy in a patient with cryptococcal meningitis.

A 43-year-old male was diagnosed as having cryptococcal meningitis based on his clinical condition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile and high titer CSF cryptococcal antigen. The patient received intravenous amphotericin B at a total dose of 91 mg over 5 days. The therapy was then abandoned due to acute hepatorenal failure. The patient's neurologic status remained stable for 2 months, after which he began experiencing somnolence, confusion and a personality change. Cranial computed tomography revealed multifocal white matter lesions, and a brain biopsy showed a demyelination change with concurrent IgM and C1q deposition. A clinical diagnosis of amphotericin B-induced leukoencephalopathy was made. The patient's clinical condition was partially reversed after low-dose steroid therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Posterior urethral valves: a report of five cases.

From 1985 to 1993, five male patients with posterior urethral valves were treated at our hospital; they included three newborns, a 32-month-old and a 10-year-old child. On initial examination, all patients showed severe bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter on sonographic findings, dilatation of the prostate urethra and trabeculation of the bladder wall in the voiding cystourethrogram; only one patient showed vesicoureteral reflux. Type I urethral valves were present in all patients. Retrograde transurethral ablation of the valves was performed in four patients with good preoperative renal function. The postoperative courses were smooth except for vesicoureteral reflux in one patient and systemic fungus infection in another. Reimplantation of the ureter was done for the vesicoureteral reflux, and the fungus infection was treated by amphotericin B. Cutaneous vesicostomy was performed for a newborn since the urethral orifice was small. He presented with poor renal function and ascites. Delayed antegrade ablation of the valves per vesicostomy and closure of the vesicostomy were done three months later after restoration of the renal function. Renal function returned to normal after operation in all patients, but the function of the upper urinary tract and bladder continence need long-term follow-up.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Isolated vertiginous dysequilibrium due to bilateral caudal cerebellar infarction.

We present a 74-year-old woman who developed a sudden onset of vertigo, vomiting, and axial retropulsion without limb ataxia. A clinical diagnosis of acute peripheral labyrinthine lesion was made initially. However, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a small infarct area involving the caudal part of the cerebellar vermis and medial cerebellar hemispheres on both sides. We emphasize that a cautious attitude should be taken in managing patients with isolated vestibular dysfunction, especially in aged person or those associated with stroke risk factor.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Delayed transhemispheric c-fos gene expression after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Using a unilateral, focal, cortical, ischemia-reperfusion rat model, c-fos mRNA and Fos immunoreactivity in the brain were investigated. The study was divided into a series of reperfusion intervals which were carried out for a period of up to 7 days. The c-fos mRNA peaked in the ischemic cortex (about 15-fold) after 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 1 hour of reperfusion and dropped to baseline level after 1 day of reperfusion. Increased expression switched to the bilateral retrosplenial and frontal cortex, as well as the left (nonischemic) parietal cortex, at 3- or 5-days of reperfusion (about three- to fourfold). Fos immunohistochemical staining correlated positively with the surge of c-fos mRNA. Nuclear run-off transcription assays further indicated that the increase in c-fos mRNA was regulated at the transcriptional level not only in the ischemic cortex (30 min of ischemia, followed by 1 h of reperfusion) but also in the contralateral counterpart (30 min of ischemia, followed by 3 d of reperfusion). A link between altered gene expression and diaschisis is suggested. The distant/delayed c-fos expression is probably caused by loss of inhibition from the ischemic cortex through a polysynaptic transneural pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Fibromuscular dysplasia associated with intracranial giant aneurysm: report of a case.

Although the correlation between fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and intracranial aneurysm is well established, the combination of FMD with a giant aneurysm is rare. This paper reports a patient with extracranial FMD associated with a giant intracavernous aneurysm compromising the trigeminal and abducens nerve. A review of the literature uncovered only four documented cases of FMD with concurrent giant intracranial aneurysms. The present case adds further weight to the argument for including FMD in the differential diagnosis list when confronted with a patient with a giant intracranial aneurysm. Absence of adequate collaterals in this patient eliminated ligation as a treatment strategy for the aneurysm.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Expression of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase (PoxB) depends on the sigma factor encoded by the rpoS(katF) gene.

The activity of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase (PoxB) was shown to be growth-phase dependent; the enzyme activity reaches a maximum at early stationary phase. We report that PoxB activity is dependent on a functional rpoS(katF) gene which encodes a sigma factor required to transcribe a number of stationary-phase-induced genes. PoxB activity as well as the beta-galactosidase encoded by a poxB::lacZ protein fusion was completely abolished in a strain containing a defective rpoS gene. Northern and primer extension analyses showed that poxB expression was regulated at the transcriptional level and was transcribed from a single promoter; the 5' end of the mRNA being located 27 bp upstream of the translational initiation codon of poxB. The poxB gene was expressed at decreased levels under anaerobiosis; however, the anaerobic regulatory genes arcA, arcB or fnr were not involved in anaerobic poxB gene expression. Expression of the rpoS(katF) gene has been reported to be affected by acetate, the product of PoxB reaction. However, we found that poxB null mutations had no effect on rpoS(katF) expression. Inactivation of two genes involved in acetate metabolism, ackA and pta, had no effect on either poxB or rpoS(katF) expression.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1994

A case of Graves' diseases associated with intracranial moyamoya vessels and tubular stenosis of extracranial internal carotid arteries.

A 28-year-old woman presented with a clinical picture of hyperthyroidism, goiter, ophthalmopathy, and an ensuing ischemic stroke. Cerebral angiography demonstrated moyamoya vessels around the Willis's circle and tubular stenosis of the bilateral extracranial internal carotid arteries. The combination of the above angiographic abnormalities occurring in a patient with Graves' disease is extremely rare. A pathogenic link between Graves' disease and certain specific vascular disorders is suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Asymptomatic sacral arachnoid cyst in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

A sacral arachnoid cyst was found incidentally in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. The clinical manifestations were perithecal bony erosions and thecal sac displacement while no associated neurological deficit was detected. This peculiar situation is of special interest as cauda equina syndrome invariably presented in such clinical complex. The pathogenesis of the arachnoid cyst remains unclear. And surgical intervention is only indicated in patients with evidence of nerve root compression.

Arachnoid Cysts↗