1. Serum lipid profiles are associated with semen quality
Asian Journal of Andrology 2017;19(6):633-638
We aimed to explore the associations between different lipid profiles and semen quality in a large-scale general male population. Sperm concentration, total sperm motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology of total 7601 participants were recorded. The association of these semen parameters with the triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein of serum lipid profiles was analyzed. Sperm concentration was statistically positively correlated with triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (adjusted P = 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Total sperm motility and progressive motility were statistically increased with increasing low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels (both adjusted P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively). The similar J-shaped associations (high-low-low-high) were noted between individual lipid profile and normal sperm morphology, especially low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol with statistical significance (adjusted P = 0.017 and P = 0.021, respectively). The prevalence of abnormal total sperm motility and progressive motility was decreased in participants with high levels of cholesterol (P = 0.008 and P = 0.019, respectively), and the reverse J-shaped associations (low-high-high-low) were noted between high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, and the prevalence of abnormal normal sperm morphology (P = 0.010, P = 0.037, and P = 0.025, respectively). A high cholesterol level was associated with better sperm motility. Similar J-shaped associations were noted between all lipid profiles and normal sperm morphology; meanwhile, the reverse J-shaped trends were identified between them and abnormal normal sperm morphology prevalence.
2.HIV-associated parkinsonism reversed with antiretroviral therapy
Yu-Wen Cheng ; Chin-Hsien Lin ; Ruey-Meei Wu
Neurology Asia 2014;19(2):199-203
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause variable movement disorders, including parkinsonism. HIV-related parkinsonism usually responds well to highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), suggesting a possible reversible dysfunction of the dopaminergic system. We report the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with rapidly progressive symmetric parkinsonism, cognitive decline, and loss of postural reflex as the initial manifestation of HIV infection. A significant improvement of his parkinsonism after HAART demonstrates a potentially reversible dopaminergic system dysfunction secondary to HIV infection. A normal 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT image after HAART treatment paralleled the clinical improvement in extrapyramidal symptoms. Early identification of HIV-related parkinsonism, especially in patients with symmetrical akinetic-rigidity and early loss of posture reflex, is important for its potential reversibility with HAART therapy.
3.Needs Assessment for Functionalities in Electronic Health Record Systems in General Hospitals.
Jee In HWANG ; Seung Jong YU ; Ho Jun CHIN ; Jeong Wook SEO
Journal of Korean Society of Medical Informatics 2006;12(1):57-70
OBJECTIVE: As an electronic health record system is implementing in Korean health care sectors, concerns about key functionalities of electronic health record systems are increasing. The purpose of this study was to identify core functions and set the priority in electronic health record systems under the Korean contexts in order to assure and improve the quality of the systems. METHODS: A survey was conducted using questionnaire developed by the study team based on literature review. The subjects were medical record administrators working at medical record department in general hospitals. RESULTS: The response rate was 59.8%(55/92). The functions which more than ninety percent of subjects responded as necessary right now and/or in near future related to 'drug alert', 'clinical guideline', 'chronic disease management', 'automated real-time surveillance', 'coded data', 'result reporting', 'de-identifying data', 'disease registry', and 'provider-provider communication and connectivity'. CONCLUSION: The results showed the high prioritized functions were decision support and health information/data management.
Electronic Health Records*
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Health Care Sector
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Hospitals, General*
;
Humans
;
Medical Record Administrators
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Medical Records
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Needs Assessment*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
4.31 cases of pneumoconiosis complicated with acute myocardial infarction in coal miners.
Yong WON ; Hui CHIN ; Yu-tzai CHEN ; Shi-hi LIU ; Shi-she WANG ; Wen-sho HSU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2003;21(3):171-171
Aged
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Coal Mining
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Female
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Humans
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Male
;
Middle Aged
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Myocardial Infarction
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diagnosis
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etiology
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Pneumoconiosis
;
complications
5.Cytotoxic activity of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and oil against human cancer cell lines
Wong Hua Yu ; Tan Yan Wai ; Tan Ping Chin ; Long Kamariah ; Nyam Lin Kar
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2014;(z1):510-515
Objective: To examine the cytotoxic properties of both the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and kenaf seed oil on human cervical cancer, human breast cancer, human colon cancer and human lung cancer cell lines.Methods:kenaf seed oil on human cancer cell lines was evaluated by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and sulforhodamine B assays. Cell morphological changes were observed by using an inverted light microscope.Results:The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract and cancer cell lines. Morphological alterations in the cell lines after KSE and KSO treatment were observed. KSE and KSO possessed effective cytotoxic activities against all the cell lines been selected.Conclusions:KSE and KSO could be potential sources of natural anti-cancer agents. Further The kenaf seed extract (KSE) exhibited a lower IC50 than kenaf seed oil (KSO) in all of the investigations on using kenaf seeds for anti-proliferative properties are warranted.
6.N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor:Potential Role in TreatingNeuraxial Opioid Induced Pruritus.
Xiao TAN ; Le SHEN ; Guang Yu HUANG
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2019;41(6):851-856
Neuraxial opioid administration is one of the most common methods of anesthesia and analgesia,while itching is the most troublesome adverse effect.The current treatments for neuraxial opioid-induced pruritus still have certain limitations.This article reviews the current treatments and basic scientific findings(including neurotransmitters,opioid receptors,and signaling pathways)of pruritus caused by neuraxial opioids.Based on our recent findings on N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptors and pruritus caused by neuraxial opioids,we provide new ideas for the treatment of itching caused by neuraxial opioids.Since NMDA receptors may play a key role in neuraxial opioid-induced pruritus,NMDA receptor antagonists can have certain therapeutic advantages.
Analgesics, Opioid
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Humans
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Pruritus
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
7.Three Cases of Coarctation of the Aorta.
Yu Young CHANG ; Young Ho KIM ; Seung Kyu LEE ; Jun Hee SUL ; Dong Shik CHIN ; Seung Rock HONG
Journal of the Korean Pediatric Society 1983;26(11):1133-1138
No abstract available.
Aortic Coarctation*
8.Update in management of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Korean Journal of Perinatology 2009;20(1):6-16
Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk for adverse outcome during pregnancy and the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome after pregnancy. Offspring of women with GDM are at increased risk of obesity, glucose intolerance, and diabetes in late adolescence and young adulthood. For preventing complication, patients diagnosed with GDM should monitor their blood glucose level, physical activity, and undergo nutritional counseling for the purpose of maintaining normoglycemia, but not meeting glycemic goals with dietary changes alone should begin insulin therapy. After delivery, patients with prior gestational diabetes mellitus, especially history of obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin treatment during pregnancy, should be tested for diabetes annually. Offspring of women with GDM should be followed closely for the developing of obesity and impaired glucose tolerance.
Adolescent
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Blood Glucose
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Cardiovascular Diseases
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Counseling
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Diabetes, Gestational
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Female
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Glucose
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Glucose Intolerance
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Humans
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Hyperglycemia
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Insulin
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Mass Screening
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Motor Activity
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Obesity
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Organothiophosphorus Compounds
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Pregnancy
9.Methods for the pre-treatment of biological tissues for vascular scaffold.
Xixun YU ; Min CHENG ; Huaiqing CHEN
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2004;21(3):476-481
Today, the blood vessel substitutes are in large demand for coronary and peripheral bypass procedures, and the demand cannot be met by conventional sources. This problem will be solved by applying tissue-engineered blood vessel in clinics. The prefabrication of vascular scaffold will be involved in engineering a blood vessel substitute. Biological tissues are important biomaterials fabricating vascular scaffold which can offer better constructs for adhesion and growth of cells onto synthetic materials. Because of immediate degradation of biological tissues obtained from the abattoir, cadaver or patient and the presence of antigenicity in allogenic or xenogenic tissues, the fresh biological tissues can not directly be preserved and applied. The use and preservation of these natural biomaterials have typically required pre-treatment aimed at (1) reducing the antigenicity of the materials, (2) enhancing the resistance of the materials to enzymatic degradation, (3) stabilizing the structure of the tissues and maintaining their mechanical properties. Physical and chemical methods for the pre-treatment of biological tissues are available. The predominant chemical agents that have been investigated for the pre-treatment of biological tissues for vascular scaffold are glutaraldehyde, polyepoxy compound, carbodiimide, genipin and proanthocyanidin. Typical and particularly promising physical pre-treatment of biological tissues for vascular scaffold is dye-mediated photooxidation. The crosslinking mechanisms of all classes of pre-treatments and the effects of pre-treatments on antigenicity, biostability, mechanical properties, cytoxicity and calcification of treated tissues are described in this article. The advantages and disadvantages of all pre-treatments are also reviewed. The trend of pre-treatment of biological tissues is to investigate and exploit the naturally occurring crosslinking reagent with less cytoxicity. Meanwhile, dye-mediated photooxidation crosslink is also a promising pre-treatment which should be widely applied in vascular scaffold.
Biocompatible Materials
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Bioprosthesis
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Blood Vessel Prosthesis
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Cross-Linking Reagents
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Ethyldimethylaminopropyl Carbodiimide
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Glutaral
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Humans
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Iridoid Glycosides
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Iridoids
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Materials Testing
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Pyrans
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Stents
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Tissue Engineering
10.Prospect of severe hepatitis and liver failure.
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2009;17(1):10-11
Acute Disease
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Antigens, CD
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blood
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Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
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blood
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Hepatitis, Viral, Human
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classification
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pathology
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therapy
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Humans
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Liver Failure, Acute
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etiology
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pathology
;
therapy
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Liver Transplantation
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Liver, Artificial
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Prognosis
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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blood
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Troponin I
;
blood