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Chan OW, Lee EP, Chou CC, Lai SH, Chung HT, Lee J, Lin JJ, Hsieh KS, Hsia SH. In-hospital care of children with COVID-19. Pediatr Neonatol 2024; 65:2-10. [PMID: 37989708 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Children have been reported to be less affected and to have milder severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection than adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, children, and particularly those with underlying disorders, are still likely to develop critical illnesses. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, most previous studies have focused on adult patients. To aid in the knowledge of in-hospital care of children with COVID-19, this study presents an expert review of the literature, including the management of respiratory distress or failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), hemodynamic and other organ support, pharmaceutical therapies (anti-viral drugs, anti-inflammatory or antithrombotic therapies) and management of cardiopulmonary arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oi-Wa Chan
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - En-Pei Lee
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Che Chou
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Hao Lai
- Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Tao Chung
- Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, China
| | - Jung Lee
- Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric General Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jainn-Jim Lin
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Sheng Hsieh
- Center of Structure and Congenital Heart Disease/Ultrasound and Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics and Structural, Congenital Heart and Echocardiography Center, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Shao-Hsuan Hsia
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Chou CC, Hou JY, Chou IJ, Lan SY, Kong SS, Huang MH, Weng YC, Lin YY, Kuo CY, Hsieh MY, Chou ML, Hung PC, Wang HS, Lin KL, Wang YS, Lin JJ. Electroencephalogram pattern predicting neurological outcomes of children with seizures secondary to abusive head trauma. Pediatr Neonatol 2023:S1875-9572(23)00187-0. [PMID: 38012896 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical presentations of abusive head trauma can abruptly worsen, so the occurrence of seizures and changes of EEG can be variable according to patients' conditions. Since the changes of EEG background waves reflect the cortical function of children, we aimed to find out whether the timing of EEG background, epileptiform discharges and seizure patterns were associated with the outcomes of patients with AHT. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using seizure type and acute stage electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics to assess adverse neurological outcomes in children with seizures secondary to abusive head trauma (AHT). Children who were hospitalized with AHT at a tertiary referral hospital from October 2000 to April 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 50 children below 6 years of age admitted due to AHT were included. KOSCHI outcome scale was used to evaluate the primary outcome and neurological impairment was used as secondary outcome after 6 months discharge. RESULTS Children with apnea, cardiac arrest, reverse blood flow and skull fracture in clinic had a higher mortality rate even in the no-seizure group (3/5 [60%] vs. 3/45 [6.7%], odds ratio [OR] = 11; 95% CI = 2.3-52; p = 0.025). Seizure occurrence reduced mostly at the second day after admission in seizure groups; but children with persistent seizures for 1 week showed poor neurological outcomes. The occurrence of initial seizure was frequency associated with younger age; focal seizure, diffuse cortical dysfunction in acute-stage EEG, and low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score were significantly related to poor outcomes after 6 months. Diffuse cortical dysfunction was also associated with motor, speech, and cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Diffuse cortical dysfunction in acute-stage EEG combined with low GCS score and focal seizure may related to poor outcomes and neurological dysfunctions in children with AHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Che Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Yin Hou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - I-Jun Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yun Lan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, New Taipei City Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sing Kong
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Man-Hsu Huang
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chieh Weng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yu Lin
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yen Kuo
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ying Hsieh
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Min-Liang Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Hung
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Shyong Wang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Lin Lin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shan Wang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jainn-Jim Lin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linko, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Bai GH, Shih PY, Chen SY, Hsieh KS, Chou CC, Feng PH, Kong SS, Lin WC, Lu MC. Clinical features and characteristics of pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection: Experiences in a Tertiary Taiwan Hospital. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30157. [PMID: 36107524 PMCID: PMC9439632 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients have distinct clinical features in the pediatric groups. However, there is a paucity of research focused on clinical manifestation within pediatric group in Taiwan. This study is to conduct a retrospective study of the clinical features of COVID-19 in Taiwan pediatric patients. A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients (Aged ≤ 18 years) in a Northern Taiwan hospital from May 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2021. Thirty-eight patients were included from emergency room. They were laboratory confirmed COVID-19 through specimens from nasopharyngeal swab by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data including RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values, clinical and epidemiological features were collected and analyzed. Thirty-eight patients aged from 7-month to 18-year-old were included. The median age of patients was 15-year-old. The patients had sex ratio of 23 males to 15 females. More than half patients were infected from family members. Asymptomatic patients were 47.37%. In the symptomatic patients, fever (34.21%) was the most predominant symptom. Cough, nasal obstruction and sore throat were also common. Asymptomatic children had significantly higher Ct-values than symptomatic children, and diagnosed patients with Ct-values more than 19 were associated with asymptomatic infection (P = .0084). Ct-values higher than 19 were associated with asymptomatic infection, which may be a predictor of pediatric disease severity. Our results highlight the distinct clinical manifestations and outcomes in pediatric COVID-19 patients. Compared to the adults, pediatric patients aged ≤ 18 years with COVID-19 in Taiwan mainly had mild disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng-Hao Bai
- Department of Education, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei city, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Yi Shih
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei city, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Sheng Hsieh
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Che Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hao Feng
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei city, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sing Kong
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chuan Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Che Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Ho SY, Chiang MC, Lin JJ, Chou IJ, Lee CC, Diane Mok TY, Lai MY, Wu IH, Mun-Ching Wong A, Wang HS, Lin KL, Lin KL, Wang HS, Chou IJ, Wang YS, Chou CC, Sing KS, Su IC, Lin JJ, Chiang MC, Lien R. Middle cerebral artery velocity is associated with the severity of MRI brain injury in neonates received therapeutic hypothermia. Biomed J 2020; 44:S119-S125. [PMID: 35735081 PMCID: PMC9038941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background No previous study has investigated the relationship between middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocity and the severity of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between cerebral blood flow as assessed by transcranial Doppler sonography and the severity of MRI brain injury in asphyxiated neonates with clinical HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between April 2011 and May 2014. All neonates with HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia, transcranial Doppler examinations, and brain MRI were eligible. Brain MRI was performed at 11 days of age (interquartile range: 8.5–15 days) and the severity of MRI brain injuries was evaluated using the MR scoring system proposed by Barkovich et al. Serial transcranial Doppler examinations were performed in pre-hypothermia, hypothermia, and post-hypothermia phases. Results Twenty-six neonates met the eligibility criteria for this study. Neonates with an abnormal MCA mean flow velocity (MFV) during the hypothermia phase had a higher risk of brain MRI abnormalities (77.8% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.017) and neonates with abnormal high MFV of MCA had higher MR scores of basal ganglia (p = 0.022). However, there were no statistical differences between abnormal MFV of MCA and brain MRI abnormalities during pre- and post-hypothermia phases. Conclusions During therapeutic hypothermia, mean cerebral blood flow velocity of the MCA was associated with the severity of MRI brain injury in the neonates with clinical HIE.
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Lin TL, Chung SH, Sung CH, Yeh SY, Cheng TL, Chou CC. Establishment of feline in-house reference intervals for hematologic and biochemical parameters and potential age-related differences. Pol J Vet Sci 2020; 22:599-608. [PMID: 31560478 DOI: 10.24425/pjvs.2019.129969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Reference intervals (RIs) are one of the essential elements in the procedure of disease diagnosis. This is especially true for feline species in which RI is less available than in canine species. RIs are affected by biological, geographical and instrumental factors, yet published RIs with incomplete background are popularly used. Inappropriate interpretations of RIs may affect classification of disease and subsequent treatment. In this study, we demonstrated the step-by-step establishment of feline RIs following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) reference interval guideline. A total of 51 parameters were examined, including 20 hematology and 31 biochemistry parameters, and the results were compared to one local RI and two foreign RIs. Overall, about 29% (10/35) of tested parameters were different form local RIs and 60% (30/50) were different from the two foreign RIs, highlighting geographical variations. A higher upper reference limit (URL) in red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), Hemoglobin (Hgb), albumin, creatinine and lower URL in potassium and white blood cell count (WBC) were identified, which may impact the interpretation. In addition, statistical analysis of age and gender were factored separately and indicated that 10 parameters were significantly higher in the adult group. For the impact of gender, percentage of basophil and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were lower in female and male cats, respectively. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that it is desirable to establish in-house RIs or RIs of local sources. An age specific RI for the geriatric feline population is advisable for better diagnosis and monitoring the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, 250-1 Kuo-Kuang Rd., Taichung 40254, Taiwan
| | - S H Chung
- Tai-Da Animal Hospital, No. 11, Section 2, Wenhua Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, 220
| | - C H Sung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, 250-1 Kuo-Kuang Rd., Taichung 40254, Taiwan
| | - S Y Yeh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, 250-1 Kuo-Kuang Rd., Taichung 40254, Taiwan
| | - T L Cheng
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, 250-1 Kuo-Kuang Rd., Taichung 40254, Taiwan
| | - C C Chou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, 250-1 Kuo-Kuang Rd., Taichung 40254, Taiwan
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Kong SS, Chen YJ, Su IC, Lin JJ, Chou IJ, Chou ML, Hung PC, Hsieh MY, Wang YS, Chou CC, Wang HS, Lin KL. Immunotherapy for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: Experience from a single center in Taiwan. Pediatr Neonatol 2019; 60:417-422. [PMID: 30449706 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an anti-neuronal antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease that causes severe psychiatric and neurological deficits in previously healthy patients. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and to compare the different treatment strategies among these patients. METHODS Patients presenting with newly acquired psychiatric and/or neurological deficits were studied retrospectively from 2009 to 2017. Patients with evidence of anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid were enrolled. The modified Rankin scale was used to assess the initial status and outcomes of the enrolled patients. Details of the clinical presentations and results of investigations were analyzed. RESULTS All (n = 24) of the patients received first-line immunotherapy (steroids, and/or intravenous immunoglobulin, and/or plasma exchange), and 14 patients received second-line immunotherapy (rituximab and/or cyclophosphamide). The mean time between the first- and second-line treatment was 13 days. During the first 6 months, 20 patients (20/24, 83%) achieved a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) and 15 patients (15/24, 62.5%) completely recovered. Four patients (17.7%) relapsed, and three patients (12.5%) had associated tumors. CONCLUSION Immunotherapy is an effective treatment for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Rituximab and/or cyclophosphamide are treatment options for those who cannot tolerate or do not respond to first-line immunotherapy. Prospective studies are necessary to investigate the role of rituximab and cyclophosphamide in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Sing Kong
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - I-Chen Su
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Jainn-Jim Lin
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Center, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - I-Jun Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Min-Liang Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Po-Cheng Hung
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Meng-Ying Hsieh
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Shan Wang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Che Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatrics, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
| | - Huei-Shyong Wang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Kuang-Lin Lin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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- Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Chou CC, Su IC, Chou IJ, Lin JJ, Lan SY, Wang YS, Kong SS, Chen YJ, Hsieh MY, Hung PC, Wang HS, Chou ML, Lin KL. Correlation of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody levels and long-term outcomes of juvenile myasthenia gravis in Taiwan: a case control study. BMC Neurol 2019; 19:170. [PMID: 31319795 PMCID: PMC6637626 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-019-1397-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myasthenia gravis is the most common disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. The most common etiology among patients with juvenile myasthenia gravis is the production of antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor. However, the clinical outcome in relation to serum levels of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in juvenile myasthenia gravis has rarely been discussed. We aimed to analyze the correlation between the presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies and outcome in juvenile myasthenia gravis. Methods Patients diagnosed with juvenile myasthenia gravis younger than of 20 years of age were retrospectively recruited from January 1995 to February 2017 in a tertiary referral medical center. According to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America outcome scale, the primary outcome was complete symptom remission and cessation of medications for at least 1 year measured 2 years after diagnosis. Secondary outcome was complete symptom remission at the last outpatient clinic. Results A total of 54 patients were followed up for over 2 years. Nine patients (9/54, 16.7%) achieved complete remission without medication use at 2 years after diagnosis. Thirteen (24.1%) patients achieved complete remission during longer follow-up periods. Those with negative anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies were more likely to achieve complete remission at 2 years (6/15 [40%] vs. 3/39 [7.7%], 95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.670 to 38.323) and at the last outpatient clinic follow-up (8/15 [53.3%] vs. 5/39 [12.8%], 95% CI 2.367 to 20.704). Thirteen patients with comorbid autoimmune thyroid diseases were older than those without disease (11.8 ± 5.8 years old vs. 8.0 ± 6.3 years old, 95% CI 0.018 to 7.33). Moreover, patients negative for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies were less likely comorbid with autoimmune thyroid disease (1/35 [2.9%] vs. 12/71 [16.9%], 95% CI 0.018 to 1.161). Conclusions Juvenile myasthenia gravis patients without anti-acetylcholine antibodies exhibited significantly increased complete remission rates and a reduced likelihood of comorbid autoimmune thyroid diseases compared with those with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies among Chinese. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12883-019-1397-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Che Chou
- Division of Paediatrics, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 222, Maijin Road, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - I-Chen Su
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - I-Jun Chou
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jainn-Jim Lin
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Division of Paediatrics, Neurocritical Care Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yun Lan
- Division of Paediatrics, Saint Paul Hospital, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shan Wang
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sing Kong
- Division of Paediatrics, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ying Hsieh
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Hung
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Shyong Wang
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Min-Liang Chou
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Kuang-Lin Lin
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 33305, No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Chen CN, Chou CC, Tsai PSJ, Lee YJ. Plasma indoxyl sulfate concentration predicts progression of chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. Vet J 2017; 232:33-39. [PMID: 29428089 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Indoxyl sulfate is a protein-bound uremic toxin that increases as the severity of impaired renal function increases in humans, laboratory animals, dogs and cats. An elevation of indoxyl sulfate is related to prognosis among people with chronic kidney disease. However, whether indoxyl sulfate is able to predict the progression of chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats has not been previously studied. In the present study, 58 cats and 36 dogs with chronic kidney disease were enrolled. Plasma indoxyl sulfate was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Renal progression was defined as an increase by one International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage and/or a rise in serum creatinine concentration of 0.5mg/dL during the same stage within a 3-month period. Compared with the non-progression groups, across different stages of renal failure, the baseline plasma indoxyl sulfate concentration was increased in the renal progression group (P<0.05), especially for IRIS stages 2 and 3 animals. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curves of indoxyl sulfate, when predicting renal progression, was above 0.75 for both dogs and cats. Indoxyl sulfate concentrations were also correlated with the increase of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and phosphate and the decrease of hematocrit among cats; while in dogs, concentrations were only correlated with the increase of phosphate concentrations. Indoxyl sulfate served as a biomarker of progression risk in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Chen
- Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veteriarny Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - C C Chou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - P S J Tsai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veteriarny Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan; Research Centre for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Y J Lee
- Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veteriarny Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, No. 153, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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Lin JJ, Chou CC, Lan SY, Hsiao HJ, Wang Y, Chan OW, Hsia SH, Wang HS, Lin KL. Therapeutic burst-suppression coma in pediatric febrile refractory status epilepticus. Brain Dev 2017; 39:693-702. [PMID: 28433581 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence for the beneficial effect of therapeutic burst-suppression coma in pediatric patients with febrile refractory status epilepticus is limited, and the clinical outcomes of this treatment strategy are largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of therapeutic burst-suppression coma in a series of children with febrile refractory status epilepticus. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed consecutive pediatric patients with febrile refractory status epilepticus admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit between January 2000 and December 2013. The clinical characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS Thirty-five patients (23 boys; age range: 1-18years) were enrolled, of whom 28 (80%) developed super-refractory status epilepticus. All of the patients received the continuous administration of intravenous antiepileptic drugs for febrile refractory status epilepticus, and 26 (74.3%) achieved therapeutic burst-suppression coma. All of the patients received mechanical ventilatory support, and 26 (74.3%) received inotropic agents. Eight (22.9%) patients died within 1month. The neurologically functional outcomes at 6months were good in six (27.3%) of the 22 survivors, of whom two returned to clinical baseline. The patients with therapeutic burst-suppression coma were significantly associated with hemodynamic support than the patients with electrographic seizures control (p=0.03), and had a trend of higher 1-month mortality rate, worse 6months outcomes, and a longer duration of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that therapeutic burst-suppression coma to treat febrile refractory status epilepticus may lead to an increased risk of hemodynamic instability and a trend of worse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jainn-Jim Lin
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Center, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Che Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Shih-Yun Lan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Hsiang-Ju Hsiao
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Center, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Keelung, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yu Wang
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Center, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
| | - Oi-Wa Chan
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Center, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Shao-Hsuan Hsia
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Center, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Huei-Shyong Wang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Kuang-Lin Lin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Children's Hospital Study Group for Children with Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Related Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy (CHEESE), Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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10
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Cheng FP, Hsieh MJ, Chou CC, Hsu WL, Lee YJ. Detection of indoxyl sulfate levels in dogs and cats suffering from naturally occurring kidney diseases. Vet J 2015; 205:399-403. [PMID: 26118479 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Indoxyl sulfate (IS), a protein-bound uraemic toxin, has been found to accumulate in the serum of people with renal diseases and is associated with free radical induction, nephrotoxicity cardiovascular toxicity, and osteoblast cytotoxicity. Although IS has been studied in humans and in experimental models, the role of IS in dogs and cats with kidney disease has not been investigated. A high performance liquid chromatography system was applied to detect plasma IS concentrations in non-azotaemic animals (63 dogs, 16 cats) and in animals with renal azotaemia (66 dogs, 69 cats). The IS levels of azotaemic animals were significantly higher (P <0.01) than those of non-azotaemic animals (median [IQR] 20.4 (9.5) mg/L vs. 7.2 (8.8) mg/L for dogs; median [IQR] 21 (18.9) mg/L vs. 14.8 (12.3) mg/L for cats). The IS level was significantly correlated with blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and phosphate concentrations. Dogs with acute kidney injury had significantly higher IS levels (P <0.01) than those with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) (median [IQR] 57.7 (40.8) mg/L vs. 17.7 (25.1) mg/L). When CKD was graded using the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) staging system, IS levels were correlated with CKD severity in both dogs and cats. The IS concentration is directly related to loss of renal function. Further studies are necessary to determine whether measurement of IS provides any additional diagnostic or prognostic information in dogs and cats with kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Cheng
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - M J Hsieh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, No. 153, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - C C Chou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - W L Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Y J Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, No. 153, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei 106, Taiwan; Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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Kao TW, Chou CH, Wang CC, Chou CC, Hu J, Chen WL. Associations between serum total bilirubin levels and functional dependence in the elderly. Intern Med J 2013; 42:1199-207. [PMID: 22032210 DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02620.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies support the role of bilirubin as a cytoprotector in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as stroke and atherosclerosis. AIM To investigate the relationship between serum total bilirubin levels and functional dependence in older adults. METHODS Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002) pertaining to 2235 old adults were analysed. All participants had given a household interview, providing information of five major domains on self-reported functional status (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, leisure and social activities, lower extremity mobility and general physical activities), had completed serum total bilirubin measurement, and a questionnaire regarding personal health. Poor performance was defined as experiencing difficulty with one or more items in a given domain. Functional dependence was defined as having three or more poor performances in the five major domains. Multiple logistic regression was performed together with quartile-based stratified odds ratio (OR) comparison and trend tests. RESULTS The OR of functional dependence for each standard deviation increment in the serum total bilirubin level was 0.56 (P = 0.002). After additional adjustment, the inverse association remained essentially unchanged. In quartile-based analysis, participants with higher quartiles of serum total bilirubin tended to have lower ORs of functional dependence. The trends of lower likelihood of functional dependence across increasing quartiles of the serum total bilirubin level were statistically significant (P < 0.05 for all trends). CONCLUSIONS Higher serum total bilirubin levels were associated with lower likelihood of functional dependence in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Kao
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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12
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Hsu CA, Yu RC, Lee SL, Chou CC. Cultural condition affecting the growth and production of β-galactosidase by Bifidobacterium longum CCRC 15708 in a jar fermenter. Int J Food Microbiol 2007; 116:186-9. [PMID: 17320993 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2005] [Revised: 09/07/2006] [Accepted: 12/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the growth and production of beta-galactosidase by Bifidobacterium longum CCRC 15708 in a 5-L jar fermenter as influenced by cultivation temperature (27-42 degrees C), medium pH (4.5-7.5) and agitation speed (5-200 rpm) were evaluated. In general, it was found that a cultivation temperature of 37 degrees C proved optimal for both growth and beta-galactosidase production by the test organism. Although the growth of the test organism was the highest in the culture with pH controlled at 4.5-6.5, the culture with pH controlled at 6.5 resulted in the highest production of beta-galactosidase. Further, agitation at 100 rpm or more was found to enhance both the growth and production of beta-galactosidase. Fermentation conducted in a jar fermenter having the pH of the culture medium, the cultivation temperature, and the agitation speed controlled at 6.5, 37 degrees C, and 100 rpm, respectively, a maximum beta-galactosidase activity of 36.7 U/ml and a maximum transgalactosylation activity of 0.49 U/ml was achieved in 10 h of fermentation. There are ca 2.0 and 12.3 fold greater than the reported maximum beta-galactosidase and transgalactosylation activity, respectively, produced by B. longum CCRC 15708 in a flask culture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University 59, lane 144, Keelung Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Hsu CA, Lee SL, Chou CC. Enzymatic production of galactooligosaccharides by beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708. J Agric Food Chem 2007; 55:2225-30. [PMID: 17316019 DOI: 10.1021/jf063126+] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The production of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) by transgalactosylation using beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708 was studied. Other than lactose, galactose, and glucose, two types of GOSs, tri- and tetrasaccharides, were formed after beta-galactosidase action on 40% lactose. Trisaccharides were the major type of GOS formed. Generally, an increase of the initial lactose concentration in the reaction mixture resulted in a higher GOS production. A maximum yield of 32.5% (w/w) GOSs could be achieved from 40% lactose solution at 45 degrees C, pH 6.8, when the lactose conversion was 59.4%. The corresponding productivity of GOSs was 13.0 g/(L.h). Transgalactosylation activity of beta-galactosidase from a test organism showed a relatively lower sensitivity toward glucose and galactose than that from other organisms. The addition of 5% or 10% glucose or galactose to the reaction mixture did not significantly (p>0.05) reduce the transgalactosylation reaction of beta-galactosidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Food Science & Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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14
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Tung KC, Liu JS, Cheng FP, Yang CH, Tu WC, Wang KS, Shyu CL, Lai CH, Chou CC, Lee WM. Study on the species-specificity of Isospora michaelbakeri by experimental infection. Acta Vet Hung 2007; 55:77-85. [PMID: 17385558 DOI: 10.1556/avet.55.2007.1.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Isospora michaelbakeri is one of the Isospora species most commonly found in the wild field, which can cause severe infection and mortality in young sparrows. In this study, we selected I. michaelbakeri (Chung Hsing strain) as a pathogen to orally inoculate russet sparrows (Passer rutilans), spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), canary (Serinus canaria), Java sparrows (Padda oryzivora), chicken (Gallus domesticus), ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and BALB/c mice. The results indicated that I. michaelbakeri infected only russet sparrows. Infected sparrows displayed lethargy, muscular weakness and fluffy feathers, followed by rapid death. Liver and spleen enlargement was seen in the infected birds. Schizonts were identified in thin smears from the venous blood, enlarged livers and spleens. Histopathological examination revealed schizonts and merozoites from the liver and spleen of infected russet sparrows, but not from other species experimentally inoculated with I. michaelbakeri in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Tung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Taiwan, ROC
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Abstract
Bacteria were isolated from dairy cows, dairy farm environments, and dairy workers in 2 geographically different areas of eastern and northern Taiwan. Isolates were evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility and the phylogenetics of isolated Escherichia coli O157:H7 were characterized. A total of 1,346 bacteria were identified, including 226 E. coli, 30 Pseudomonas spp. (7 Pseudomonas aeruginosa), 259 other gram-negative bacteria, 271 Enterococcus spp., 314 Staphylococcus spp., 195 Streptococcus spp., and 51 other gram-positive bacteria. Among them, 88% (1,184/1,346) of the isolates were resistant to sulfadimethoxine. The percentages of gram-negative bacteria resistant to oxy-tetracycline and streptomycin were 48% (249/515) and 78% (404/515), respectively. Gram-positive bacteria isolated from eastern Taiwan, the least polluted region of Taiwan, were found to have greater antimicrobial resistance than those isolated from northern Taiwan. Two E. coli O157:H7 from 2 different geographical areas were isolated. Both were vt2-positive but vt1-negative and had phylogenetic similarities of 82 and 67%, respectively, compared with previous isolates. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility revealed from this dairy farm survey may serve as a baseline for future studies and may also highlight the need to formulate better regulation strategies for the safe use of antimicrobials on food-producing farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y P Ma
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan
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Hsu CA, Yu RC, Chou CC. Production of β-galactosidase by Bifidobacteria as influenced by various culture conditions. Int J Food Microbiol 2005; 104:197-206. [PMID: 15985305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2005.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2004] [Revised: 08/16/2004] [Accepted: 02/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Beta-Galactosidase production by Bifidobacterium longum CCRC 15708, Bifidobacterium longum B6 and Bifidobacterium infantis CCRC 14633 was first examined with B. longum CCRC 15708 showing the highest production of beta-galactosidase and the highest specific activity. Further study with B. longum CCRC 15708 revealed that the highest level of beta-galactosidase was produced with lactose and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Optimal enzyme production occurred at an initial pH of 6.5 and at 37 degrees C. Under these optimum culture conditions, a maximumbeta-galactosidase activity of 18.6 U/ml could be obtained after 16 h of fermentation in a medium contain 4% lactose, 3.5% yeast extract, 0.3% K2HPO4, 0.1% KH2PO4, 0.05% MgSO4.7H2O and 0.03% L-cysteine. The highest transgalactosylation activity was also detected in this culture after 14-16 h of fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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17
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Abstract
(1) Factors influencing the survival of chickens in the first week of life in Taiwan were identified by modelling data from 63% of the annual national broiler production database (4769 broiler flocks). (2) Broiler chicks raised in rooms with open-curtain ventilation had the lowest mean first week cumulative mortality (CM), 1.30%, relative to those raised in rooms with negative pressure ventilation (1.42%) and water-cooled ventilation (1.37%). Increasing flock size reduced the CM. Broiler chicks shipped distances within 50 km had the lowest CM (1.22%), while broiler chicks raised in mountain areas showed the highest CM (1.65%). (3) Multiple regression analysis results indicate that ventilation type, flock size, shipping distance and delivery route influence CM in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks kept in rooms with negative pressure ventilation have an 11.22% greater CM compared to those in rooms with open-curtain ventilation. For each 1000-chicken increase in flock size, CM is reduced by 0.12%. For each kilometre increase in shipping distance, CM increases by 0.05%. Broiler chicks delivered via mountain routes show a 9.48% increase in CM compared to delivery via flat terrain. (4) Negative pressure ventilation and delivery via mountain routes are the most critical factors affecting the survival of chicks up to one week old.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
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Abstract
During 2000 to 2001, a total of 73 blubber samples from 13 species of stranded or accidentally captured cetaceans were collected from Taiwan coastal waters for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analysis. After homogenization, saponification, liquid-liquid extraction, and silica-gel solid-phase extraction, PCB concentrations were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Total concentrations of 19 PCB congeners (SigmaPCBs) were between 0.23 microg/g lipid weight of Risso's dolphin to 33.73 microg/g lipid weight of rough-toothed dolphin. Pentachlorobiphenyls, hexachlorobiphenyls and heptachlorobiphenyls were the predominant PCB congeners species. PCB153 was the most abundant congener in all samples. The PCB153/SigmaPCBs consistently comprised between 20% to 30% of all congeners. The toxicity measured as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) were from 2.7 pg/g lipid weight of finless porpoise to 2,900 pg/g lipid weight of rough-toothed dolphin. PCB 118, a mono-ortho congener, was the largest contributor to TEQs. PCB concentrations and TEQs were higher in mature male than in immature male animals but were inconsistent in female animals because of a possible transferring of PCBs from maternal cetaceans to their offsprings during gestation and lactation. Stranded cetaceans had significantly higher PCB levels than by-catch cetaceans because of their higher lipid consumption during starvation or illness. From the collected samples, we also found that cetaceans from Taiwan waters had relatively lower PCB concentrations and TEQs than those from high-latitude areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106.
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Abstract
Long-dan-tan (Chinese name) is one of the most common herbal medicines used by Chinese people with chronic liver disease. Accumulated anecdotal evidence suggests that Long-dan-tan may show a beneficial effect in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Long-dan-tan is made from five plants: Gentiana root, Scutellaria root, Gardenia fruit, Alisma rhizome, and Bupleurum root. In this study, we have examined the cytotoxic effects of the five major ingredients isolated from the above plants, i.e. gentiopicroside, baicalein, geniposide, alisol B acetate and saikosaponin-d, respectively, on human hepatoma Hep3B cells. Annexin V immunofluorescence detection, DNA fragmentation assays and FACScan analysis of propidium iodide-staining cells showed that gentiopicroside, baicalein, and geniposide had little effect, whereas alisol B acetate and saikosaponin-d profoundly induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells. Alisol B acetate, but not saikosaponin-d, induced G2/M arrest of the cell cycle as well as a significant increase in caspase-3 activity. Interestingly, baicalein by itself induced an increase in H(2)O(2) generation and the subsequent NF-kappaB activation; furthermore, it effectively inhibited the transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1))-induced caspase-3 activation and cell apoptosis. We suggest that alisol B acetate and saikosaponin-d induced cell apoptosis through the caspase-3-dependent and -independent pathways, respectively. Instead of inducing apoptosis, baicalein inhibits TGF-beta(1)-induced apoptosis via increase in cellular H(2)O(2) formation and NF-kappaB activation in human hepatoma Hep3B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Pharmacological Institute, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chou CC, Riviere JE, Monteiro-Riviere NA. The cytotoxicity of jet fuel aromatic hydrocarbons and dose-related interleukin-8 release from human epidermal keratinocytes. Arch Toxicol 2003; 77:384-91. [PMID: 12851741 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-003-0461-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2002] [Accepted: 03/25/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Many jet fuel aromatic hydrocarbons are known carcinogens with the ability to both readily penetrate the skin with high absorptive flux and cause skin irritation. In order to evaluate the in vitro cutaneous toxicity of individual aromatic hydrocarbons in jet fuels and their potential for inducing skin irritation, we evaluated the LD(50), the highest non-cytotoxic (5% mortality) dose (HNTD), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) release activity of nine major jet fuel aromatic hydrocarbons in human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK). LD(50) ranged from 1.8 mM (0.03%) for cyclohexylbenzene to 82.9 mM (0.74%) for benzene, with a rank order potency of cyclohexylbenzene >trimethylbenzene >/=xylene >dimethylnaphthalene >ethylbenzene >toluene >benzene. The HNTD values ranged from 0.1 mM (0.001%) for cyclohexylbenzene to 48.2 mM (0.43%) for benzene. Naphthalene and methylnaphthalene could not be ranked in this comparison since their concentrations, presented as percentage saturation, were not comparable to the others presented as solutes in solution. There was a dose-related differential response in IL-8 release at 24 h. Toluene, xylene, trimethylbenzene, cyclohexylbenzene and dimethylnaphthalene significantly decreased IL-8 release at the respective HNTDs, while IL-8 release did not continue to decrease, or significantly increased (cyclohexylbenzene and dimethylnaphthalene), at the LD(50). IL-8 significantly increased with both doses of methylnaphthalene and naphthalene. The presence of hexadecane and mineral oil greatly attenuated the cytotoxicity elicited by individual aromatic hydrocarbons in HEK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Center for Chemical Toxicology Research and Pharmacokinetics, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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Chou CC, Chen CL, Rice BL, Colahan PT. Reduced resident time and pharmacodynamic effects of acepromazine after subclinical multiple dosage in exercised thoroughbreds. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2002; 25:379-82. [PMID: 12423229 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2885.2002.00422.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Zeng EY, Chou CC, Yu C. Potential application of gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in the measurement of coeluting isomers. Anal Chem 2002; 74:4513-8. [PMID: 12236363 DOI: 10.1021/ac025652f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite the unprecedented popularity of separation chromatography, the measurement of coeluting isomeric chemicals remains an extremely difficult task. We developed an analytical scheme capable of measuring two coeluting isomers using a single chromatographic column and a gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry system. The protocol utilized two product ion fragments generated from a common parent ion associated with the isomers for quantitation. The utility of the analytical scheme was demonstrated with the measurements of several pairs of coeluting polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) isomers in standard solutions and fish liver samples. Best results were given when a set of stringent constraints for the abundance ratio of the two product ion fragments was satisfied. Analyses of seven fish liver samples collected from nearshore San Diego, CA, indicated that the domain that had been previously reported to comprise PCB 153 and PCB 168 actually contained PCB 153 only. Although only a selected number of PCB congeners were examined, the results presented indicate that the analytical scheme has the potential to be used to determine the concentrations of all chromatographically coeluted isomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddy Y Zeng
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Westminster 92683, USA.
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23
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Chou CC, Webb AI, Brown MP, Gronwall RR, Vickroy TW. Continuous measurement of caffeine and two metabolites in blood and skeletal muscle of unrestrained adult horses by semi-automated in vivo microdialysis. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2001; 24:405-14. [PMID: 11903871 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2885.2001.00364.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Concentrations of caffeine (CA) and two metabolites were measured simultaneously in venous blood and splenius muscle of adult horses using a semi-automated in vivo microdialysis sampling technique. Dialysates from muscle and jugular vein were collected continuously for 48 h and drug levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Following i.v. injection, CA (3 mg/kg) attained a peak blood level of nearly 5400 +/- 600 ng/mL and decreased with a half-life of 15.3 +/- 0.7 h. Pharmacokinetic and statistical comparisons between CA concentrations in jugular dialysates and plasma samples revealed no significant differences between these sampling techniques. However, measurements in muscle and blood revealed unexpected pharmacokinetic differences, including significantly elevated concentrations of CA in muscle for 4 h following drug administration. In contrast, the CA metabolites theophylline (TP) and theobromine (TB) exhibited delayed appearances in muscle and blood with peak concentrations of 300 +/- 60 ng/mL (TP) and 150 +/- 50 ng/mL (TB) detected in both tissues 1 day following CA administration. This study demonstrates that our novel semi-automated microdialysis procedure for continuous monitoring of drug and metabolite levels may be useful for related studies in other domesticated large animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0144, USA
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24
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Chou CC, Wu D. Torsade de pointes induced by metoclopramide in an elderly woman with preexisting complete left bundle branch block. Chang Gung Med J 2001; 24:805-9. [PMID: 11858397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing list of drugs implicated in acquired long QT syndrome and torsade de pointes. However, the torsadogenic potential of metoclopramide, a commonly used antiemetic and prokinetic drug, has not been reported in the literature, despite its chemical similarity to procainamide. We report on a 92-year-old woman with preexisting complete left bundle branch block who developed torsade de pointes after intravenous and oral administration of metoclopramide. This patient also developed torsade de pointes when cisapride and erythromycin were given simultaneously. These two episodes were suppressed successfully after discontinuing the offending drugs and administering class IB drugs. This is the first documentation that metoclopramide provokes torsade de pointes clinically. Metoclopramide should be used cautiously in patients with a risk of torsade de pointes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC.
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25
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Chou CC, Wang C, Sun YJ, Shr HL, Hsiao CD. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the 10 kDa C-terminal subdomain of 70 kDa heat-shock cognate protein. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 2001; 57:1928-30. [PMID: 11717520 DOI: 10.1107/s090744490101722x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2001] [Accepted: 10/15/2001] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The 70 kDa heat-shock cognate protein (Hsc70) is a cytosolic molecular chaperone. It is composed of a 44 kDa N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain, an 18 kDa peptide-binding subdomain and a 10 kDa C-terminal subdomain. Single crystals of recombinant 10 kDa subdomain of rat Hsc70 have been obtained using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant at room temperature. The crystals diffract beyond 3.5 A using a synchrotron-radiation source at a wavelength of 1.0 A. The crystals belong to the hexagonal space group P6(1)22 or P6(5)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 119.0, c = 166.4 A.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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26
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Teh BS, Aguilar-Cordova E, Kernen K, Chou CC, Shalev M, Vlachaki MT, Miles B, Kadmon D, Mai WY, Caillouet J, Davis M, Ayala G, Wheeler T, Brady J, Carpenter LS, Lu HH, Chiu JK, Woo SY, Thompson T, Butler EB. Phase I/II trial evaluating combined radiotherapy and in situ gene therapy with or without hormonal therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer--a preliminary report. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001; 51:605-13. [PMID: 11597799 DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(01)01692-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the preliminary results of a Phase I/II study combining radiotherapy and in situ gene therapy (adenovirus/herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene/valacyclovir) with or without hormonal therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS Arm A: low-risk patients (T1-T2a, Gleason score <7, pretreatment PSA <10) were treated with combined radio-gene therapy. A mean dose of 76 Gy was delivered to the prostate with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Arm B: high-risk patients (T2b-T3, Gleason score >or=7, pretreatment PSA >or=10) were treated with combined radio-gene therapy and hormonal therapy. Hormonal therapy was comprised of a 4-month leuprolide injection and 2-week use of flutamide. Arm C: Stage D1 (positive pelvic lymph node) patients received the same regimen as Arm B, with the additional 45 Gy to the pelvic lymphatics. Treatment-related toxicity was assessed using Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program common toxicity score and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) toxicity score. RESULTS Thirty patients (13 in Arm A, 14 in Arm B, and 3 in Arm C) completed the trial. Median follow-up was 5.5 months. Eleven patients (37%) developed flu-like symptoms (Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program Grade 1) of fatigue and chills/rigors after gene therapy injection but recovered within 24 h. Four patients (13%) and 2 patients (7%) developed Grade 1 and 2 fever, respectively. There was no patient with weight loss. One patient in Arm B developed Grade 3 elevation in liver enzyme, whereas 11 and 2 patients developed Grade 1 and 2 abnormal liver function tests. There was no Grade 2 or above hematologic toxicity. Three patients had transient rise in creatinine. There was no RTOG Grade 3 or above lower gastrointestinal toxicity. Toxicity levels were as follows: 4 patients (13%), Grade 2; 6 patients (20%), Grade 1; and 20 patients (67%), no toxicity. There was 1 patient with RTOG Grade 3 genitourinary toxicity, 12 patients (40%) with Grade 2, 8 patients (27%) with Grade 1, and 9 patients (30%) with no toxicity. No patient dropped out from the trial or had to withhold treatment because of severe toxicity. CONCLUSIONS This is the first trial of its kind in the field of prostate cancer that aims to expand the therapeutic index of radiotherapy by combining in situ gene therapy. Initial experience has demonstrated the safety of this approach. There is no added toxicity to each therapy used alone. Long-term follow-up and larger cohort studies are warranted to evaluate long-term toxicity and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Teh
- Department of Radiology/Section of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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27
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Chou CC, Shih HH, Ko SF, Tiao MM, Huang FC. Endoscopic variceal ligation for intractable esophageal variceal bleeding in children with idiopathic extrahepatic portal vein occlusion: report of three cases. Chang Gung Med J 2001; 24:734-40. [PMID: 11820655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Extrahepatic portal vein occlusion (EPVO) is an important cause of extrahepatic portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage in children. We report 3 children with a diagnosis of EPVO and intractable esophageal variceal bleeding who underwent scheduled endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and prophylactic propranolol therapy for eradication of esophageal varices. Complete variceal obliteration was achieved in all 3 children following 3-4 treatment sessions. There were no significant complications or gastrointestinal hemorrhage during a follow-up period of 9 to 31 months after variceal eradication. In conclusion, EVL and long-term propranolol prophylaxis is safe and effective in eradicating bleeding esophageal varices in children with EPVO.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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28
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Strizki JM, Xu S, Wagner NE, Wojcik L, Liu J, Hou Y, Endres M, Palani A, Shapiro S, Clader JW, Greenlee WJ, Tagat JR, McCombie S, Cox K, Fawzi AB, Chou CC, Pugliese-Sivo C, Davies L, Moreno ME, Ho DD, Trkola A, Stoddart CA, Moore JP, Reyes GR, Baroudy BM. SCH-C (SCH 351125), an orally bioavailable, small molecule antagonist of the chemokine receptor CCR5, is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 infection in vitro and in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:12718-23. [PMID: 11606733 PMCID: PMC60120 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.221375398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2001] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe here the identification and properties of SCH-C (SCH 351125), a small molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 entry via the CCR5 coreceptor. SCH-C, an oxime-piperidine compound, is a specific CCR5 antagonist as determined in multiple receptor binding and signal transduction assays. This compound specifically inhibits HIV-1 infection mediated by CCR5 in U-87 astroglioma cells but has no effect on infection of CXCR4-expressing cells. SCH-C has broad and potent antiviral activity in vitro against primary HIV-1 isolates that use CCR5 as their entry coreceptor, with mean 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging between 0.4 and 9 nM. Moreover, SCH-C strongly inhibits the replication of an R5-using HIV-1 isolate in SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice. SCH-C has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rodents and primates with an oral bioavailability of 50-60% and a serum half-life of 5-6 h. On the basis of its novel mechanism of action, potent antiviral activity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic profile, SCH-C is a promising new candidate for therapeutic intervention of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Strizki
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
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29
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Hsin-Yi C, Chou CC. Acid adaptation and temperature effect on the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in acidic fruit juice and lactic fermented milk product. Int J Food Microbiol 2001; 70:189-95. [PMID: 11759757 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1605(01)00538-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this study, two strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7, (ATCC 43889 and ATCC 43895) were acid adapted at pH 5.0 in tryptic soy broth (TSB) for 4 h. Commercial products of mango juice (pH 3.2), asparagus juice (pH 3.6), Yakult--a diluted milk fermented drink (pH 3.6), and low-fat yoghurt (pH 3.9) were inoculated with acid-adapted or nonadapted cells of E. coli O157:H7. Survival of the inoculated E. coli O157:H7 in these commercial food products during storage at 25 or 7 degrees C was examined. It was found that although survival of the acid-adapted and nonadapted E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43895 in asparagus juice during storage at 7 degrees C did not show marked difference, in general, acid adaptation and low temperature enhanced the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in both the commercial fruit juices tested. On the contrary, acid adaptation reduced the survival of both the strains of the test organism in Yakult and low-fat yoghurt stored at 7 degrees C. Besides, E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43895 survived longer than ATCC 43889 in all the products examined, regardless of the storage temperature and acid adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Hsin-Yi
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei
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30
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Jenh CH, Cox MA, Hipkin W, Lu T, Pugliese-Sivo C, Gonsiorek W, Chou CC, Narula SK, Zavodny PJ. Human B cell-attracting chemokine 1 (BCA-1; CXCL13) is an agonist for the human CXCR3 receptor. Cytokine 2001; 15:113-21. [PMID: 11554781 DOI: 10.1006/cyto.2001.0923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The CXC chemokine CXCL13, known as BCA-1 (B cell-attracting chemokine 1) or BLC (B-lymphocyte chemoattractant), has been identified as an efficacious attractant selective for B lymphocytes. The chemokine receptor BLR1 (Burkitt's lymphoma receptor 1)/CXCR5 expressed by all mature B cells has to date been identified as the only known receptor for BCA-1. As the loss of the BLR1/CXCR5 receptor is sufficient to disrupt organization of follicles in spleen and Peyer's patches, BCA-1 may act as a B cell homing chemokine. Nonetheless, BCA-1 has not been tested against all known chemokine receptors. In this study, we report that human BCA-1 competes with radiolabeled interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) inducible protein 10 (IP-10) for binding to the human CXCR3 receptor expressed in Ba/F3 and 293EBNA cell lines. Furthermore, human BCA-1 is an efficacious attractant for human CXCR3 transfected cells; BCA-1-induced chemotaxis is inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against human CXCR3. In these cells, as in human B lymphocytes expressing CXCR5, BCA-1 does not induce a calcium flux. Indeed, BCA-1 attenuates the calcium flux induced by IP-10. In addition, human BCA-1 is an agonist in stimulating GTP gamma S binding. Together these data suggest that human BCA-1 is a specific and functional G-protein-linked chemotactic ligand for the human CXCR3 receptor. The biological significance of this new finding is supported by our recent observation that human BCA-1 induces chemotaxis of activated T cells and the BCA-1-induced chemotaxis is inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against human CXCR3.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Jenh
- Department of Immunology, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
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31
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Ho WL, Chou CC. Effects of carbon and nitrogen sources, sodium chloride and culture conditions on cytotoxin production by Salmonella choleraesuis. Int J Food Microbiol 2001; 67:81-8. [PMID: 11482572 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1605(01)00439-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The effects of carbon and nitrogen sources, incubation temperature, shaking speed, initial pH of culture broth as well as various concentration of NaCl on the production of cytotoxin by Salmonella choleraesuis SC-5 were evaluated in the present study. Results reveal that the optimal temperature, initial medium pH and shaking speed for cytotoxin production was 37 degrees C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 100 rpm, respectively. Tryptone was the best of the eight nitrogen sources tested for toxin production by S. choleraesuis. Among the nine carbon sources tested, S. choleraesuis produced a higher amount of cytotoxin in media containing glucose, fructose, galactose, sorbitol or mannitol as the carbon source. No toxin was detected in broths containing 4.0% or more sodium chloride in Tryptic soy broth (TSB). Cultures of S. choleraesuis in the medium containing 2.0% tryptone, 0.5% NaCl, 0.25% K2HPO4 and 0.25% of the best carbon source under the optimal conditions for 14 h resulted in the highest cytotoxin production. The Vero cell CD50 of S. choleraesuis lysate of cells grown under these optimal conditions was a titer of 589-758 per mg of lysate protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Ho
- Department of Food Health, Deh Yui College of Nursing and Management, Keelung, Taiwan
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32
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Teh BS, Chou CC, Schwartz MR, Mai WY, Carpenter LS, Butler EB. Perineal prostatic cancer seeding following radioactive seed brachytherapy. J Urol 2001; 166:212. [PMID: 11435863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B S Teh
- Department of Radiology/Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine and Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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33
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Sun YJ, Chang NC, Hung SI, Chang AC, Chou CC, Hsiao CD. The crystal structure of a novel mammalian lectin, Ym1, suggests a saccharide binding site. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:17507-14. [PMID: 11278670 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m010416200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ym1, a secretory protein synthesized by activated murine peritoneal macrophages, is a novel mammalian lectin with a binding specificity to GlcN. Lectins are responsible for carbohydrate recognition and for mediating cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions in microbes, plants, and animals. Glycosaminoglycan heparin/heparan sulfate binding ability was also detected in Ym1. We report here the three-dimensional structure of Ym1 at 2.5-A resolution by x-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of Ym1 consists of two globular domains, a beta/alpha triose-phosphate isomerase barrel domain and a small alpha + beta folding domain. A notable electron density of sugar is detected in the Ym1 crystal structure. The saccharide is located inside the triose-phosphate isomerase domain at the COOH terminal end of the beta-strands. Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions are noted in the sugar-binding site in Ym1. Despite the fact that Ym1 is not a chitinase, structurally, Ym1 shares significant homology with chitinase A of Serratia marcescens. Ym1 and chitinase A have a similar carbohydrate binding cleft. This study provides new structure information, which will lead to better understanding of the biological significance of Ym1 and its putative gene members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y J Sun
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 115, Republic of China
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Abstract
The ability of a Bacillus cereus strain, isolated from spoiled milk, to adhere to the surface of stainless steel chips was evaluated during its growth in diluted tryptic soy broth (DTSB). The number of cells that adhered to the surface increased markedly as the culture reached the end of the log phase and entered stationary phase, and continued to increase with further incubation. The surface properties of cells from the log, stationary, and late stationary phases were measured by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and electrostatic interaction chromatography (ESIC). It was found that surface hydrophobicity of B. cereus vegetative cells from the late stationary phase was the highest followed by those from the stationary phase and the log phase cultures. While the vegetative cells prepared from stationary phase and log phase cultures, respectively, had the highest and the lowest surface charges. Adhesion of B. cereus vegetative cells to stainless steel was positively correlated with the cell surface hydrophobicity (R = 0.979). Surface hydrophobicity and surface positive charge noted on the spores harvested from diluted tryptic soy agar (DTSA) and Mn2+-tryptone glucose extract agar were higher than those harvested from the sucrose or lactose-added DTSA. A wide variation in the surface charge values was noted on the surface of various spores prepared from cultures grown on the four different media tested, while their ability to adhere to stainless steel chips in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Similarly, the number of spores or vegetative cells adhering to stainless steel suspended in PBS, milk or diluted milk (1000 x) did not differ significantly (p > 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Peng
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei
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35
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Lin YL, Chou CC, Pan TM. Screening procedure from cattle feces and the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Taiwan dairy cattle. J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2001; 34:17-24. [PMID: 11321124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
A procedure has been established for screening Escherichia coli O157:H7 from bovine feces. It consists of four steps: enrichment, selective culture, phenotyping and genotyping. Modified trypticase soy broth (mTSB) containing 20 microg/mL of novobiocin was used for the enrichment step. The selective culture step was done using sorbitol MacConkey agar containing 0.05 microg/mL of cefixime and 2.5 microg/mL of potassium tellurite. The phenotyping steps include: species confirmation as E. coli, serotyping to O157 and H7, and the detection of verocytotoxin (VT) production. Genotyping was made up of confirmation of the presence of the O157 antigen (rfb), the H7 antigen (ficC), the adherence factor (eaeA), hemolysin (hlyA), and VT production (vt I and vt II) by polymerase chain reaction. mTSB gave better enrichment for E. coli O157 than gram-negative (GN) broth. The detection limit for this screening procedure was 0.85 +/- 0.5 cfu/g. Using the screening procedure described above, E. coli O157 was found in four out of 3062 (0.13%) fresh bovine fecal specimens, and in two out of 78 (2.56%) dairy herds in Taiwan. Three out of the four detected strains were vt II producing E. coli O157:H7, while the other was E. coli O157:H7 which lacked VT-producing ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y L Lin
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC
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36
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Chou CC, Lee TY, Shih FJ. [The decision-making process of pregnant women with positive reaction to maternal serum screening for Down's syndrome when facing amniocentesis]. Hu Li Yan Jiu 2001; 9:15-27. [PMID: 11548212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the decision-making process of pregnant women with positive reaction to maternal serum screening for Down's syndrome when facing amniocentesis. Seventeen pregnant women consented to participation in this study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the grounded theory method. The findings revealed that there were four decision-making patterns. Each pattern could be grouped into three stages: post-acknowledgement transition, decision-making transition, and after-decision transition. Most participants had psychological reactions, which included shock, fear, nervousness, worry, sadness, and stress. Their concerns during the decision-making transition stage were: confirmation of health, normality, and safety of the fetus, fear of abortion due to amniocentesis, clarification of relations between amniocentesis and maternal serum screening, opinions from physicians and family members, and fear of artificial abortion for unhealthy fetus. Concerns during the after-decision transition stage were: information relating to amniocentesis, the management of an abnormal fetus, the place for amniocentesis, preparation before amniocentesis, and inadequate time for making a decision. Coping strategies were developed to deal with their concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, ROC
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37
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Yang SE, Yu RC, Chou CC. Influence of holding temperature on the growth and survival of Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus and the production of staphylococcal enterotoxin in egg products. Int J Food Microbiol 2001; 63:99-107. [PMID: 11205959 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1605(00)00416-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In this study, growth and survival of Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus in steamed egg and scrambled egg held at 5, 18, 22, 37, 55 and 60 degrees C are investigated. The production of staphylococcal enterotoxin in steamed egg is also examined. Results reveal that Salmonella spp. and Staph. aureus in the egg products multiply best at 37 degrees C, followed closely by 22 and 18 degrees C. Neither pathogen showed growth in the egg products held at 5 degrees C. Initial inoculation dose, holding temperature and holding time affected the population of both organisms found in the egg products. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and B (SEB) are detected only in the egg products held at 37 or 22 degrees C. After holding at 37 degrees C for 36 h, scrambled egg inoculated with ca. 5.0 log cfu/g Staph. aureus contains the highest levels of SEA (> 64 ng/g) and SEB (> 64 ng/g). Although Salmonella spp. and Staph. aureus grow better in steamed eggs than in scrambled eggs, production of staphylococcal enterotoxin, in general, was higher in scrambled eggs than in steamed eggs. On the other hand, a repaid destruction of the test organisms in steamed eggs held at 60 degrees C was observed. Holding the steamed eggs at 60 degrees C, Salmonella spp. and Staph. aureus with an initial population of ca. 5.9 and 5.6 log cfu/g, respectively, reduced to a non-detectable level in 1 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Yang
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC
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38
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Chou CC, Lin T, Shy JT. Wavenumber Measurements of CO(2) Transitions in 1.5-µm Atmospheric Window Using an External-Cavity Diode Laser. J Mol Spectrosc 2001; 205:122-127. [PMID: 11148116 DOI: 10.1006/jmsp.2000.8242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Using an external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) as the light source, we have observed the spectrum of CO(2) in the 1.5-µm atmospheric window including the (30(0)1)(I) <-- (00(0)0) and (31(1)1)(I) <-- (01(1)0)(I) bands. Good signal-to-noise ratio allowed us to lock the frequency of our ECDL to the absorption line centers. Wavenumber measurements of the transitions with accuracy about 6.6 x 10(-4) cm(-1) are made with the help of a precision wavemeter calibrated to the accurate C(2)H(2) frequency references in the 1.5-µm wavelength region. Molecular constants are obtained by making the least-squares fits of the measured transition wavenumbers. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants are consistent with the previous results using high-resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy. However, the band centers are different with previous results by several thousandth reciprocal centimeters. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
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Affiliation(s)
- CC Chou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Dai-Yeh University, Taiwan, Chang-Hwa, 51501, Republic of China
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Abstract
We obtained evidence that increased stability of nucleophosmin/B23 is involved in antiapoptotic effect of ras during serum deprivation. Nucleophosmin/B23 in serum-deprived (0% serum) NIH-3T3 cells was found to be highly unstable with a half-life less than 4 h. In contrast, nucleophosmin/B23 in serum-deprived ras-transformed (RAS-3T3) cells was as stable as that in serum-supplemented NIH-3T3 or RAS-3T3 cells. Treatment of RAS-3T3 cells with nucleophosmin/B23 antisense oligomer significantly potentiated the apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. Much less caspase-3 activity was noted in the lysate derived from serum-deprived RAS-3T3 cells compared with that in the lysate of serum-deprived NIH-3T3 cells. Cell permeable caspase-3 inhibitor added in the medium blocked the decrease of nucleophosmin/B23 and apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in NIH-3T3 cells. The inhibitor, on the other hand, promoted significant decrease of nucleolin/C23 in NIH-3T3 cells during serum deprivation. Unlike nucleolin/C23, down-regulation of nucleophosmin/B23 was thus not proliferation-dependent but caspase-3- and apoptosis-dependent. Our results indicate important relationships among ras, nucleophosmin/B23, activation of caspase-3, and induction of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang Ming University, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Wang MJ, Lin YC, Pang TL, Lee JM, Chou CC, Lin JJ. Telomere-binding and Stn1p-interacting activities are required for the essential function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc13p. Nucleic Acids Res 2000; 28:4733-41. [PMID: 11095684 PMCID: PMC115178 DOI: 10.1093/nar/28.23.4733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc13p is the telomere-binding protein that protects telomeres and regulates telomere length. It is documented that Cdc13p binds specifically to single-stranded TG(1-3) telomeric DNA sequences and interacts with Stn1p. To localize the region for single-stranded TG(1-3) DNA binding, Cdc13p mutants were constructed by deletion mutagenesis and assayed for their binding activity. Based on in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay, a 243-amino-acid fragment of Cdc13p (amino acids 451-693) was sufficient to bind single-stranded TG(1-3) with specificity similar to that of the native protein. Consistent with the in vitro observation, in vivo one-hybrid analysis also indicated that this region of Cdc13p was sufficient to localize itself to telomeres. However, the telomere-binding region of Cdc13p (amino acids 451-693) was not capable of complementing the growth defects of cdc13 mutants. Instead, a region comprising the Stn1p-interacting and telomere-binding region of Cdc13p (amino acids 252-924) complemented the growth defects of cdc13 mutants. These results suggest that binding to telomeres by Cdc13p is not sufficient to account for the cell viability, interaction with Stn1p is also required. Taken together, we have defined the telomere-binding domain of Cdc13p and showed that both binding to telomeres and Stn1p by Cdc13p are required to maintain cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Wang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Science, National Yang-Ming University, Shih-Pai, 112, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Chou CC, Cheng SJ. Recovery of low-temperature stressed E. coli O157:H7 and its susceptibility to crystal violet, bile salt, sodium chloride and ethanol. Int J Food Microbiol 2000; 61:127-36. [PMID: 11078163 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1605(00)00266-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the alteration of some characteristics of E. coli O157:H7 subjected to various periods of storage at -5, -18 and -28 degrees C. Results revealed that the low-temperature treatments increased the susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 to crystal violet, bile salt, sodium chloride and ethanol. In general, the susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 subjected to storage at -18 degrees C increased most significantly. The susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 to the tested agents increased as the period of low-temperature storage extended, regardless of storage temperature. Among the various nitrogen and carbon sources tested, tryptone and soytone were the most effective nitrogen sources, while glucose and maltose were the most effective carbon sources for the growth of the low-temperature stressed cells. When growing the stressed E. coli O157:H7 in media containing the same nitrogen source or carbon source, their lag period increased as the time of frozen storage increased. It was also noted that in general, the recovery of the low-temperature stressed E. coli O157:H7 was highest on tryptic soy agar followed by Modified eosin methylene blue agar, while recovery on MaConkey sorbitol agar and Modified MaConkey sorbitol agar was lowest.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
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Schuster PJ, Chou CC, Prasad P, Jayaraman G. Development and validation of a pedestrian lower limb non-linear 3-d finite element model. Stapp Car Crash J 2000; 44:315-34. [PMID: 17458734 DOI: 10.4271/2000-01-sc21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Lower limb injury is becoming an increasingly important concern in vehicle safety for both occupants and pedestrians. To enable vehicle manufacturers to better understand the biomechanical effects of design changes, it is deemed beneficial to employ a biomechanically fidelic finite element model of the human lower limb. The model developed in this study includes long bones (tibia, fibula, femur) and flat bone (patella) as deformable bodies. The pelvis and foot bones are modeled as rigid bodies connected to the femur and tibia/fibula via rotational spring-dashpots. The knee is defined by scanned bone surface geometry and is surrounded by the menisci, major ligaments, and patellar tendon. Finite elements used to model include 6- and 8-node solids for cartilage, menisci, surrounding muscles, and cancellous bone; 3- and 4-node shells for skin and cortical bone; and nonlinear spring-dashpots for ligaments. Anatomical, physiological, and material properties data are from the literature while the bone surface geometry was scanned by a commercial source. Validation against published cadaver test results consisted of tibia and femur 3-point bending (lateralmedial and anterior-posterior) and whole limb lateral knee shear. Validation was performed under both static and dynamic loading conditions, until bone failure or ligament rupture. Additional dynamic validation with the lower limb in a seated orientation has not been completed, limiting current applications to the pedestrian impact condition. The validated models were employed to examine the effect of axial compressive force (the physiological condition) on tibia and femur lateral-medial and anterior-posterior bending under static conditions.
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Lee MR, Song YS, Hwang BH, Chou CC. Determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum via headspace derivatization solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2000; 896:265-73. [PMID: 11093661 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9673(00)00596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluates solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine trace levels of amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum. Headspace post-derivatization in a laboratory-made design with heptafluorobutyric anhydride vapor following SPME was compared with that without derivatization SPME. The SPME experimental procedures to extract amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum were optimized with a relatively non-polar poly(dimethylsiloxane) coated fiber at pH 9.5, extraction time for 40 min and desorption at 260 degrees C for 2 min. Experimental results indicate that the concentration of the serum matrix diluted to a quarter of original (1:3) ratio by using one volume of buffer solution of boric acid mixed with sodium hydroxide and two volumes of water improves the extraction efficiency. Headspace derivatization following SPME was performed by using 6 microl 20% (v/v) heptafluorobutyric anhydride ethyl acetate solution at an oil bath temperature of 270 degrees C for 10 s. The precision was below 7% for analysis for without derivatization and below 17% for headspace derivatization. Detection limits were obtained at the ng/l level, one order better obtained in headspace derivatization than those achieved without derivatization. The feasibility of applying the methods to determine amphetamine and methamphetamine in real samples was examined by analyzing serum samples from methamphetamine abused suspects. Concentrations of the amphetamine and methamphetamine ranged from 6.0 microg/l (amphetamine) to 77 microg/l (methamphetamine) in serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Lee
- Department of Chemistry, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Liu TC, Huang CJ, Chu YC, Wei CC, Chou CC, Chou MY, Chou CK, Yang JJ. Cloning and expression of ZAK, a mixed lineage kinase-like protein containing a leucine-zipper and a sterile-alpha motif. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 274:811-6. [PMID: 10924358 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.3236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A novel mixed lineage kinase-like protein ZAK, containing a leucine-zipper (LZ) and a sterile-alpha motif (SAM), was cloned. This cDNA has 2456 bp and encodes a protein of 800 amino acids that contains a kinase catalytic domain, a leucine-zipper and a SAM. The molecular weight of this protein is 91kDa. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of this ZAK gene is found in various parts of human tissues. We also found that ZAK proteins might form homodimers or oligomers in mammalian cells. MLKs have been proposed to function as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase in pathways leading to MAPK cascade. The expression of ZAK in mammalian cells specifically leads to the activation of the JNK/SAPK pathway as well as the activation of transcription factor, NF-kappaB. Overexpression of the ZAK gene induces the apoptosis of a hepatoma cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Liu
- Department of Nutrition, Chung-Shan Medical College, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
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Chern MK, Wu TC, Hsieh CH, Chou CC, Liu LF, Kuan IC, Yeh YH, Hsiao CD, Tam MF. Tyr115, gln165 and trp209 contribute to the 1, 2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane-conjugating activity of glutathione S-transferase cGSTM1-1. J Mol Biol 2000; 300:1257-69. [PMID: 10903867 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2000.3904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the epoxidase activity of a class mu glutathione S-transferase (cGSTM1-1), using 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane (EPNP) as substrate. Trp209 on the C-terminal tail, Arg107 on the alpha4 helix, Asp161 and Gln165 on the alpha6 helix of cGSTM1-1 were selected for mutagenesis and kinetic studies. A hydrophobic side-chain at residue 209 is needed for the epoxidase activity of cGSTM1-1. Replacing Trp209 with histidine, isoleucine or proline resulted in a fivefold to 28-fold decrease in the k(cat)(app) of the enzyme, while a modest 25 % decrease in the k(cat)(app) was observed for the W209F mutant. The rGSTM1-1 enzyme has serine at the correponding position. The k(cat)(app) of the S209W mutant is 2. 5-fold higher than that of the wild-type rGSTM1-1. A charged residue is needed at position 107 of cGSTM1-1. The K(m)(app)(GSH) of the R107L mutant is 38-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme. On the contrary, the R107E mutant has a K(m)(app)(GSH) and a k(cat)(app) that are 11-fold and 35 % lower than those of the wild-type cGSTM1-1. The substitutions of Gln165 with Glu or Leu have minimal effect on the affinity of the mutants towards GSH or EPNP. However, a discernible reduction in k(cat)(app) was observed. Asp161 is involved in maintaining the structural integrity of the enzyme. The K(m)(app)(GSH) of the D161L mutant is 616-fold higher than that of the wild-type enzyme. In the hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments, this mutant has the highest level of deuteration among all the proteins tested. We also elucidated the structure of cGSTM1-1 co-crystallized with the glutathionyl-conjugated 1, 2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane (EPNP) at 2.8 A resolution. The product found in the active site was 1-hydroxy-2-(S-glutathionyl)-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane, instead of the conventional 2-hydroxy isomer. The EPNP moiety orients towards Arg107 and Gln165 in dimer AB, and protrudes into a hydrophobic region formed by the loop connecting beta1 and alpha1 and part of the C-terminal tail in dimer CD. The phenoxyl ring forms strong ring stacking with the Trp209 side-chain in dimer CD. We hypothesize that these two conformations represent the EPNP moiety close to the initial and final stages of the reaction mechanism, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Chern
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, 11529, ROC
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Chou CC, Sun YJ, Meng M, Hsiao CD. The crystal structure of phosphoglucose isomerase/autocrine motility factor/neuroleukin complexed with its carbohydrate phosphate inhibitors suggests its substrate/receptor recognition. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:23154-60. [PMID: 10770936 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m002017200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoglucose isomerase catalyzes the reversible isomerization of glucose 6-phosphate to fructose 6-phosphate. In addition, phosphoglucose isomerase has been shown to have functions equivalent to neuroleukin, autocrine motility factor, and maturation factor. Here we present the crystal structures of phosphoglucose isomerase complexed with 5-phospho-D-arabinonate and N-bromoacetylethanolamine phosphate at 2.5- and 2.3-A resolution, respectively. The inhibitors bind to a region within the domains' interface and interact with a histidine residue (His(306)) from the other subunit. We also demonstrated that the inhibitors not only affect the enzymatic activity of phosphoglucose isomerase, but can also inhibit the autocrine motility factor-induced cell motility of CT-26 mouse colon tumor cells. These results indicate that the substrate and the receptor binding sites of phosphoglucose isomerase and autocrine motility factor are located within close proximity to each other. Based on these two complex structures, together with biological and biochemical results, we propose a possible isomerization mechanism for phosphoglucose isomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Abstract
Growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in steamed eggs and scrambled eggs held at different temperatures (5, 18, 22, 37, 55, and 60 degrees C) were investigated in the present study. Among the holding temperatures tested, both pathogens multiplied best at 37 degrees C followed by 22, 18, and 5 degrees C. In general, E. coli O157:H7 grew better in the egg products than L. monocytogenes did at all the storage temperatures tested except at 5 degrees C. E. coli O157:H7 did not grow in steamed eggs and scrambled eggs held at 5 degrees C. L. monocytogenes showed a slight population increase of approximately 0.6 to 0.9 log CFU/g in these egg products at the end of the 36-h storage period at 5 degrees C. The population of both pathogens detected in the egg products was affected by the initial population, holding temperature, and length of the holding period. It was also noted that L. monocytogenes was more susceptible than E. coli O157:H7 in steamed eggs held at 60 degrees C. After holding at 60 degrees C for 1 h, no detectable viable cells of L. monocytogenes with a population reduction of 5.4 log CFU/g was observed in steamed eggs, whereas a lower population reduction of only approximately 0.5 log CFU/ml was noted for E. coli O157:H7.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Yang
- Graduate Institute of Food Science & Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei
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Abstract
A rapid and simple capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method has been developed for the determination of atovaquone in serum. The drug was extracted from equine serum-chloroform (1:3, v/v) at greater than 80% recovery and assayed in buffer containing 25 mM sodium borate (pH 9.1) and 25% acetonitrile. A 100 microm I.D. fused-silica capillary was used and the detection was by UV-diode array at 254 nm; the migration time was approximately 8 min. Intra- and inter-assay variabilities were less than 7.8% and 5.8%, respectively, and the accuracy of the assay (expressed as % bias) ranged from 4.5 to -5.2%. The working assay range was from 2 to 100 microg/ml. This sensitivity could be increased by concentrating during the extraction procedure. Replacement of acetonitrile with 75 mM surfactant 3-(dimethyldodecylammonio)propanesulfonate gave similar sensitivity and provided an additional option to facilitate the separation of atovaquone on multiple-drug samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Department of Large Animal and Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
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Abstract
Growth of Bifidobacterium infantis CCRC 14633 and B. longum B6, in soymilk was investigated in the present study. It was found that soymilk could support the growth of both organisms tested. B. infantis grew better than B. longum in soymilk. Supplementation of bifitose (isomaltooligosccharie), glucose, lactose or galactose to soymilk increased the growth of B. infantis and B. longum as determined after 48 h of fermentation. On the other hand, addition of yeast extract, peptone, tryptone, casitone or N-Z-Case plus to soymilk enabled B. infantis to reach its maximum population in a shorter cultivation time of 24 h. Acid production by B. longum and B. infantis in soymilk was mainly non-growth associated, while in the yeast extract-supplemented soymilk, acid produced by B. infantis was found to be growth-associated. Populations of B. longum reduced more than did B. infantis in the prepared fermented soymilk drink during storage period. Viable population of both test organisms reduced less in the fermented drink held at 5 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. After a 10-day storage at 5 degrees C, viable B. infantis and B. longum reduced by 0.44 and 3.18 log CFU/ml, respectively, in the fermented drink. Addition of sucrose to the fermented drink resulted in an increased reduction of viable bifidobacteria during the storage period. This phenomenon was most prominent with B. infantis in the fermented drink held at 25 degrees C.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Chou
- Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
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Wu CT, Chuang CK, Chou CC, Chu SH, Chen HW, Chen CS, Chiang YJ, Liao SK. The role of free to total prostate-specific antigen ratio for prostate cancer in screening patients with total serum levels between 4 and 20 ng/ml. Chang Gung Med J 2000; 23:142-8. [PMID: 15641217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We retrospectively tried to determine if the free to total prostate-specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratio could improve the specificity of PSA in prostate cancer screening of patients with total serum levels between 4 and 20 ng/ml. METHODS Two hundred ninety-five patients with serum PSA levels from 4 to 20 ng/ml had undergone sextant prostate needle biopsy. Each patient had no prior history of prostate cancer, acute urine retention, or prostatitis. Prebiopsy free PSA values were measured in 155 patients. Total PSA levels were determined with the AxSYM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Free PSA levels were measured with the AxSYM microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Mean f/t PSA ratios were 0.114+/-0.004 in men of the cancer group and 0.161+/-0.008 in men of the benign group (p<0.002). Based on the analysis of sensitivity and specificity in relation to f/t PSA ratios, use of the 18% cutoff point could detect 89% of cancer cases, and at the same time could avoid 35% of unnecessary prostate biopsies. The areas under the receiver-of-characteristic curve for f/t PSA ratio and total PSA were 0.649 and 0.545, respectively. CONCLUSION Serum f/t PSA ratios were significantly lower in patients with prostate cancer than in patients with benign disease. The determination of an appropriate f/t PSA ratio should be based on the generated data such as that demonstrated in this study in order to improve diagnostic accuracy and specificity for patients with equivocal PSA values and to avoid conducting unnecessary prostate biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei
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