Biomedical subjects

Yu-Tsan Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Yu-Tsan Lin.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Clinical characteristics of childhood erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in Taiwanese children.

Erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are mucocutaneous diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study compared childhood EM, SJS and TEN in terms of clinical courses, laboratory data, etiologies and outcomes in Taiwan. The initial laboratory findings, clinical presentations, etiologies and subsequent clinical courses of 30 patients with a diagnosis of EM, SJS or TEN, who were admitted between 1995 and 2003 at National Taiwan University Hospital were included and analyzed. There were 19 cases of EM, 8 cases of SJS, 2 cases of SJS/TEN and 1 case of TEN. The most common etiology in EM was infection (84.2%), and the most common implicated organism was Mycoplasma pneumoniae (42.1%). In contrast, 75% of SJS and 100% of TEN were induced by drugs. The most common offending drug was carbamazepine. Those patients with underlying diseases had more protracted courses and longer hospitalization stays. No mortalities were found in our cases. Early short-term steroid equivalent to 1-2 mg/kg/day of prednisolone for 3-5 days was used in 87.5% of SJS patients, without any significant side effects. Those with poor responsiveness to steroids and protracted courses were treated with additional intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) [1 g/kg/day], with satisfactory results. Early ophthalmic consultations were performed in all cases. No ocular complications were found in our cases. In conclusion, EM, SJS and TEN were associated with significant morbidity. Early ophthalmic consultations and withdrawal of the offending medication was necessary. Early short-term use of steroids in SJS showed promising results without significant side effects. The additional IVIG in those who had a poor response to steroid treatment may be helpful.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Differential susceptibility to staphylococcal superantigen (SsAg)-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T cells from atopic dermatitis patients and healthy subjects: the inhibitory effect of IL-4 on SsAg-induced apoptosis.

This study had two aims: 1) to determine whether there are differences between atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy subjects in staphylococcal superantigen (SsAg)-induced CD4(+) T cell activation, cytokine production, chemokine receptor expression, and apoptosis; and 2) to investigate the effect of IL-4 on SsAg-induced apoptosis. By using immunofluorescence and annexin V staining, we analyzed PBMC with or without staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) stimulation in the presence or absence of rIL-4 or anti-IL-4-neutralizing Abs in 15 healthy subjects and 27 AD patients. We found that SEB preferentially induced production of Th1 cytokine in SEB-reactive (TCRVbeta3(+) or Vbeta12(+) or Vbeta17(+)) CD4(+) T cells from healthy subjects and Th2 cytokine in those from AD patients. SEB induced up-regulation of CXCR3(+) cells in SEB-reactive CD4(+) T cells from healthy subjects and CCR4(+) cells in those from AD patients. SEB-reactive CD4(+) T cells from AD patients were more resistant to SEB-induced apoptosis than those from healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between AD and healthy subjects in SEB-induced activation of CD4(+) T cells. CXCR3(+) CD4(+) T cells were more susceptible to SEB-induced apoptosis than CCR4(+) CD4(+) T cells in healthy subjects. Exogenously added IL-4 inhibited SEB-induced apoptosis of SEB-reactive CD4(+) and CXCR3(+) CD4(+) T cells but not of CCR4(+) CD4(+) T cells in healthy subjects. Inhibition of endogenous IL-4 increased SEB-induced apoptosis of SEB-reactive CD4(+) T cells from AD patients. These results might provide new clues to the mechanism that SsAgs contribute to the persistence and exacerbation of allergic skin inflammation in AD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Cyclosporin A therapy for steroid-dependent Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura is one of the most common types of systemic vasculitis in children. Although recurrence is frequent, most cases are benign and self-limited. Standard treatment consists of supportive care and nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs and/or steroid. Here we report 2 cases of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, both of which had a prolonged and corticosteroid-dependent disease course. After treatment with cyclosporin A, the symptoms and signs subsided gradually in both cases with no recurrence after tapering of corticosteroid and cyclosporin A.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2003

Association between levels of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha promoter -308 A/A polymorphism in children with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of vasculitis in Kawasaki disease (KD). We investigated the serum levels of TNF-alpha and soluble TNF receptor 1 (STNFR1) levels, and genetic polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha promoter gene in children with KD to delineate the genetic basis of KD. METHODS: A total of 18 children (12 boys and 6 girls) with KD were studied, 9 of whom had the complication of coronary artery lesion (CAL) within 30 days after the onset of symptoms. Serum levels of TNF-alpha and STNFR1 were assayed by enzyme-linked immnosorbent assay, and DNA polymorphisms of the 5' flanking region of TNF-alpha promoter gene at position -308 [guanine (G) to adenine (A)] and -238 (G to A) were studied by direct nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS: The serum TNF-alpha level in KD patients was 113 +/- 209.9 pg/mL (range, 2.0 to 756.9 pg/mL; median, 24.7 pg/mL; normal, < 10 pg/mL). The serum levels of STNFR1 in KD (4255 +/- 2425 pg/mL) were higher than those of the control group (160 +/- 116 pg/mL). Allele frequencies of -308A and -238A were 11.1% and 0% in the KD patients, and 0% and 3.1% in the control group. Neither TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism nor any significant risk factor for CAL was identified in KD patients. One patient, who was homozygous for -308A, showed the highest TNF-alpha level and elevated STNFR1 level but had no evidence of CAL. Positive correlations were found between serum levels of STNFR1 and C-reactive protein (r = 0.731, p = 0.007), and between STNFR1 and leukocyte counts at admission (r = 0.620, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum levels of TNF-alpha and STNFR1 were found in KD patients but there was no correlation between these levels. The relationship between the pathogenesis of KD and TNF-alpha gene promoter -308G to A mutation towards cytokine production remains to be clarified.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2003

The role of food allergens in childhood asthma.

Eighty-eight patients' sera with allergen-specific IgE levels elevated only to food allergens were collected between October 1997 and March 2002 at the National Taiwan University Hospital. Thirty-three of the patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of asthma and were included. Most (72.7%) patients had elevated serum allergen-specific IgE levels only to one food allergen. The most common food allergens were milk and egg white. The patients with elevated soy bean-specific IgE levels had significantly higher levels of serum food allergen-specific IgE than those with either elevated milk or egg white-specific IgE levels. This study investigated some food allergen responses of asthmatic patients whose serum allergen-specific IgE levels were elevated only to food allergens. The results suggested that the allergic asthmatic response in our patients was most likely related to food rather than aeroallergens or fungal allergens.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

Natural killer cell deficiency associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report.

Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes that play important roles in immunity against viral infection. NK cell deficiency is associated with recurrent episodes of severe herpes group virus reactivation. Few cases of NK cell deficiency have been reported. Here, we report the case of a Taiwanese girl who had suffered from severe atopic dermatitis since infancy, and recurrent episodes of herpes virus reactivation since the age of 3 years old. NK cell deficiency was diagnosed based on the finding of persistently low NK cell counts in peripheral blood. Hodgkin's lymphoma developed when she was 6 years old. The present case suggests that NK cell deficiency may be an important risk factor in the development of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Child↗

PubMed2002

Sulfasalazine therapy for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sulfasalazine (SSZ) has recently been shown to be effective for the management of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). This study investigated the efficacy and adverse effects of SSZ therapy in children with JRA. METHODS: Data from the medical records of 24 children with JRA who were treated with oral SSZ during the period from 1993 through 2000 were analyzed retrospectively. Disease onset was polyarticular in six children, oligoarticular in 11, and systemic in seven. All patients had received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and 17 had received SSZ and azathioprine (AZA) concomitantly. The initial dose of SSZ averaged 21.6 mg.kg-1.d-1. The mean duration of treatment was 13.3 months (range, 3-66 mo). The mean duration of follow-up was 16.6 months (range, 3-66 mo) from the start of SSZ therapy. RESULTS: Twenty children (83%) showed clinical improvement and 18 children (75%) achieved clinical remission. Patients with systemic-onset JRA had lower response rates than did those with an oligoarticular onset (p < 0.05). SSZ was discontinued in seven patients following 7 months of clinical remission and 10 months of treatment. Relapse occurred in four patients (16.7%) following a mean of 17 months of clinical remission. All achieved remission again after restarting the regimen and increasing the SSZ dosage by one-third. Adverse effects related to SSZ were found in only three patients (12.5%): nausea and epigastralgia in two, skin rash in the other. CONCLUSIONS: SSZ in combination with other drugs (NSAIDs or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) is safe and appears to be an effective treatment for JRA, especially in patients with the oligoarticular- and polyarticular-onset disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Steroid refractory interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with juvenile dermatomyositis.

Interstitial pneumonitis is a severe complication of juvenile dermatomyositis. We report a 4-year-old girl with juvenile dermatomyositis. Coughing, shortness of breath, and general malaise developed during steroid treatment. The histology of her lung biopsy is compatible with interstitial pneumonitis. Aggressive treatment including intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, and oral cyclosporin all failed. Creatinine phosphokinase level was within the normal range during the disease course. The clinical features are discussed and the importance of a differential diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis is emphasized.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗