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Biomedical subjects

A C Wang

Publications and source records attributed to A C Wang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Surgical treatment for hilar bile duct stricture].

474 patients suffering from hilar bile duct strictures were treated from 1975 to 1992. 74.7% of the patients had a history of biliary surgery for 1-5 times. Causes of strictures were of iatrogenic in 10.9%, of primary in 71.7%, and of suppurative in 7.1%. Site of strictures: LHD in 37.6%, LHD+RHD+CHD in 17.4%, RHD in 9.6%, CHD in 14.7%, and LHD+RHD in 11.5%. The inferior end of the CBD were of spasmodic or flaccid in 23.6% and 48.3%, respectively. Treatment included cholangioplasty in 56.5%, dilatation and stent in 15.2%, lobectomy and segmetectomy of involued liver in 48%, repairing in 11.4%, bilio-enterostomy in 60.7%, and portal vein decompression in 6.3%.

Adolescent↗

Minimizing the effects of radio-frequency heating in multidimensional NMR experiments.

Application of radio-frequency power in multidimensional NMR experiments can significantly increase the sample temperature compared to that of the surrounding gas flow. Radio-frequency heating effects become more severe at higher magnetic field strengths and ionic strengths. The effects are particularly noticeable for experiments that utilize 1H and/or 13C isotropic mixing and broadband decoupling. If radio-frequency power is applied during the systematically increasing evolution period t1, the sample temperature can change with t1 and thereby cause line-shape distortions. Such distortions are easily avoided by ensuring that the average radio-frequency power remains constant during the entire experiment.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Measurement of endogenous synthesis of plasma cholesterol in rats and humans using MIDA.

We used the mass isotopomer distribution analysis (MIDA) technique to measure endogenous synthesis of plasma cholesterol in vivo in rats and normal human subjects. Sodium [1-13C]- or [2-13C]acetate was infused, and plasma free cholesterol was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Frequencies of mass isotopomers M0-M4 (mass-to-charge ratio 368-372) were quantified. The enrichment of the true precursor for cholesterol synthesis (acetyl-coenzyme A in contributing tissues) was determined using the MIDA method. This technique remains mathematically valid even if more than one tissue contributes to circulating free cholesterol. The fractional contribution (f) from endogenous synthesis to free cholesterol in normal women (n = 5) was 2.48 +/- 0.39% after 7 h in the postabsorptive state and 1.27 +/- 0.41% after 8 h of refeeding. In ad libitum-fed rats (n = 12), f was 2.89 +/- 0.44% after 12 h, whereas administration of recombinant tumor necrosis factor increased this value fourfold. Next, the rate constant (k) for removal of labeled free cholesterol from plasma was calculated. Higher masses (M2-M4) were followed to avoid the problem of persistent label incorporation. During the 60 h after cessation of [13C]acetate infusions, k was 0.02490 +/- 0.00298/h in humans. Using these values of k and f, absolute cholesterogenesis was 568 +/- 55 mg/day in normal women (follicular menstrual phase), similar to prior estimates based on whole body sterol balances. Women also exhibited a diurnal variation for endogenous cholesterol synthesis (34.6 +/- 5.4 mg/h nighttime vs. 15.9 +/- 5.2 mg/h daytime) consistent with current knowledge about rhythms in cholesterogenesis. Checks on the model were internally consistent (e.g., comparisons among different isotopomers for calculating precursor enrichment). We conclude that fractional and absolute endogenous cholesterol synthesis can be measured using stable isotopes in vivo by the MIDA technique.

Adult↗

[Diagnostic value of fiberbronchoscopy on pulmonary tuberculosis].

Result of fiberbronchoscopy in 89 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were reported. Among them, lesions were located in the right in 49, left 20 and bilateral 1 case. The total positive rate of brushings was 80.28% and of BAL 85.71%, both significantly higher than of biopsy (42.55%). In the area of the congested, swollen and coarse bronchial mucose, brushings and BAL respectively gave positive rates of 86.36% and 90.91%, statistically greater than biopsy (21.88%). But, biopsy of the granulations and nodules was positive for 100%, while brushings for 50% (P < 0.01). When bronchoscopy revealed no obvious abnormality of the visible airways, the positive rate of BAL (80.00%) was remarkably higher than of biopsy (50%).

Adolescent↗

Errors in RNA NOESY distance measurements in chimeric and hybrid duplexes: differences in RNA and DNA proton relaxation.

Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments reveal that the base H8/H6 protons of oligoribonucleotides (RNA) have T1 relaxation times that are distinctly longer than those of oligodeoxyribonucleotides (DNA). Similarly, the T1 values for the RNA H1' protons are approximately twice those of the corresponding DNA H1' protons. These relaxation differences persist in single duplexes containing covalently linked RNA and DNA segments and cause serious overestimation of distances involving RNA protons in typical NOESY spectra collected with a duty cycle of 2-3 s. NMR and circular dichroism experiments indicate that the segments of RNA maintain their A-form geometry even in the interior of DNA-RNA-DNA chimeric duplexes, suggesting that the relaxation times are correlated with the type of helix topology. The difference in local proton density is the major cause of the longer nonselective T1s of RNA compared to DNA, although small differences in internal motion cannot be completely ruled out. Fortunately, any internal motion differences that might exist are shown to be too small to affect cross-relaxation rates, and therefore reliable distance data can be obtained from time-dependent NOESY data sets provided an adequately long relaxation delay is used. In hybrid or chimeric RNA-DNA duplexes, if the longer RNA relaxation times are not taken into account in the recycle delay of NOESY pulse sequences, serious errors in measuring RNA proton distances are introduced.

Base Sequence↗

Therapeutic effect of carbon dioxide laser versus single application of trichloroacetic acid for koilocytic squamous papillae.

This paper reports the treatment results of 50 symptomatic females who had clinical features of squamous papillae and histologic evidence of koilocytosis. Either a carbon dioxide laser or a single application of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) was used to treat these patients. All of the patients were alternately and prospectively randomized into one of two groups. Twenty-three of the 25 women treated by laser and 10 of the 25 women treated by TCA had resolution of either the symptoms or the vulvar lesions in a follow-up period ranging from six to 22 months. Hence, we were able to control the symptoms and lesions in 92% of the women following initial laser treatment and 40% of the women following a single application of TCA. In addition, cosmetic results were satisfactory, and complications were minimal in the laser-treated group of patients. However, human papillomavirus DNA was still detected three to four weeks after treatment in 24% of the women treated by laser and 64% of the women treated by TCA. Whether they are at a higher risk of recurrence as compared to those without detectable viral DNA remains to be determined.

Adolescent↗

Contact Nd:YAG laser and CO2 laser for cylindrical excision of the cervix. A comparative study.

An excess of blood loss and persistence of intraepithelial neoplasia after cervical conization occur with some frequency. Contact Nd:YAG laser conical excision of the uterine cervix is a new technique designed to remedy those problems. In this study, 36 women with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were treated with cylindrical excision of the uterine cervix with a contact Nd:YAG laser. The results were compared with those in 30 women who had similar lesions and were treated with the CO2 laser. Use of the Nd:YAG laser resulted in less intraoperative blood loss (mean +/- SD, 3.12 +/- 0.28 vs. 30.3 +/- 2.12 mL for the CO2 laser, P less than .01) and less postoperative blood loss. The volume of early bleeding was 6.23 +/- 1.21 vs. 20.13 +/- 2.24 mL for the CO2 laser (P less than .01), and that of late bleeding was 5.22 +/- 2.21 vs. 31.24 +/- 0.05 mL for the CO2 laser (P less than .01). The operative time was similarly less for the contact Nd:YAG laser (6.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 20.2 +/- 1.2 minutes for the CO2 laser, P less than .01). The dimensions of the excised specimens were similar. These findings suggest that the contact Nd:YAG laser offers distinct advantages over the CO2 laser in performing cylindrical excision of the cervix.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

Identification of Thy-1 homologue in rabbit brain by immunoblot, immunohistochemistry and DNA/DNA hybridization.

A membrane glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 26,000 reacted on immunoblot with a monoclonal antibody (HB-3S-17) directed toward human Thy-1. At cellular level, HB-3S-17 reacted with both rabbit and human cerebral cortexes in a similar manner as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. Screening of a rabbit brain expression cDNA library with HB-3S-17 resulted in the isolation of a clone designated RBT-2A-1. The rabbit cDNA insert of RBT-2A-1 hybridized in Southern blot with an oligonucleotide probe derived from the mouse Thy-1.2 gene. These data strongly indicate the existence of a glycoprotein in rabbit brain which is the counterpart of human and mouse Thy-1.

Animals↗

Evidence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid in vulvar squamous papillomatosis.

Squamous papillae of the vulva represent a controversial lesion. Forty-six women with histologically confirmed vulvar squamous papillae and koilocytosis were studied at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Vulvar washings were analyzed by the filter in-situ technique using biotin-labeled probes for typing human papillomavirus DNA. Forty of 46 women (87%) were symptomatic. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was detected in 76% (35 of 46) of women, including type 6/11 in 21.7%, type 16/18/31/33 in 45.6%, and both types in 8.6%. Furthermore, intraepithelial neoplasia was found in the epithelium of squamous papillae in two women. This study suggests the potential value of histologic examination and HPV DNA typing in separating anatomic variation from pathologic squamous papillae. We suggest that those squamous papillae with histologic evidence of koilocytosis be designated as squamous papillomatosis.

Adult↗

[Changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in male patients with acute attack of chronic cor pulmonale].

Contents of serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and plasma testosterone and estradiol in 50 male patients with acute attack of chronic cor pulmonale and in 26 healthy men were determined using the method of radioimmunoassay, and the response of pituitary gonadotropins to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHR) was measured. Analysis of the results suggested that there are greatly disturbances of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in male patients with acute attack of chronic cor pulmonale, and that hypoxemia is an important factor leading to this disorder.

Acute Disease↗

Antibodies to synthetic peptides corresponding to variable-region first-framework segments of T cell receptor. Detection of T cell products and cross-reactions with classical immunoglobulins.

Recent studies at the gene level have shown that T cells express rearranged genes for four types of T cell receptors that are strongly homologous to classical immunoglobulins in the joining region and in the framework 1 (Fr1) and 3 segments of the variable region. Based upon the homologies in gene sequence, it follows that the gene products would show similarities in amino acid sequence and in the folding of the proteins so that cross-reactivities in antigenic determinants would be expected between variable regions of the T cell receptors and classical immunoglobulins. We have synthesized peptides corresponding to predicted protein sequences of the Fr1 residues of T cell receptor alpha, beta- and gamma-chains and have produced antibodies in rabbits against these synthetic peptides. Use of antisera and affinity-purified antipeptide antibodies indicated that high-titer antibodies could be raised that were specific for individual Fr1 peptides. Cross-reactions among Fr1 peptides of T cell receptors and immunoglobulin light chains were observed. In addition, some rabbit antisera raised against classical polyclonal immunoglobulins or affinity-purified immunoglobulin-like T cell receptors were found to exhibit binding activity against Fr1 peptides of T cell receptor beta- and gamma-chains. The sequence homology, although real among the Fr1 of T cell receptors and immunoglobulin light chains, is moderate and the antigenic cross-reaction must reflect the configuration and types of amino acids present. The development of antipeptide antibodies holds promise for the characterization of T cell receptors of various T cell sources and also offers a new means for the identification of molecules related to rearranging immunoglobulins.

Animals↗

Detection of a Thy-1 precursor in human T lymphoma cell lines.

In an attempt to gain insight into the biosynthesis and processing of human Thy-1, rabbit antisera (R alpha TP) were raised against a synthetic peptide (TP) of 13 amino acid residues of identical amino acid sequence to that of residues 110-122 of the putative Thy-1 precursor deduced from the cDNA sequencing. Immunoblotting assay showed that the IgG fraction of R alpha TP (R alpha TP-IgG) recognized the synthetic peptide without demonstrable cross-reactivity with isolated human brain Thy-1 and detergent-solubilized membrane proteins of human brain cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed that both R alpha TP-IgG and HB-2S-1 (a monoclonal antibody which reacts with both membrane-bound Thy-1 on viable cells and detergent-solubilized Thy-1) stained cells of two human T lymphoma cell lines (HUT-78 and HUT-102) but they did not stain cells of a human B lymphoma cell line (Raji). In contrast, in cell surface indirect immunofluorescence assay, HB-2S-1 reacted with HUT-78 and HUT-102 cells while R alpha TP-IgG did not. Taken together, these data indicate the existence of a precursor form of human Thy-1 which is processed prior to anchoring to the cell surface.

Antigens, Surface↗

Expression of Thy-1 and effect of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C on primate and murine cell lines.

BALC/c mice were immunized with isolated human brain Thy-1. The antisera at an appropriate dilution only reacted with a doublet of an apparent molecular weight (MW) around 25,000 among all the glycoproteins of brain tissue isolated by lentil lectin affinity chromatography when tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. When the antisera were used to test a number of human cell lines and a marmoset T-cell line (70N2) by flow cytometry, an astrocytoma cell line (U-373), a T-lymphoblastoid cell line (MOLT-3), and two cutaneous T-lymphoma cell lines (HUT-78 and HUT-102) as well as the 70N2 cells were stained. However, a B-lymphoma cell line (Raji), a plasmacytoma cell line (HMy2), and normal peripheral blood lymphocytes were negative. When the positive cells were treated with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, a significant decrease in both stain intensity and percentage of positive cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Although Thy-1 expression in human lymphoid system is currently thought to be confined in early T- and B-lymphocyte development, our data suggest that well-differentiated T cells with mature phenotypes such as HUT-78 and HUT-102 which may be considered as tumor counterparts are also capable of expressing Thy-1, presumably after certain stimulation.

Animals↗