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Biomedical subjects

B R Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to B R Hsu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Pheochromocytoma in a pregnant woman.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of hypertension. It is even more unusual when associated with gestation. We report a 24-year-old housewife who developed episodic palpitations, flushed face and hypertension during the early postpartum period. Her symptoms were usually induced by abdominal palpation. Biochemical studies, anatomic localization with computed tomography and 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scan identified an adrenal tumor in the left adrenal gland. The patient underwent a left adrenalectomy without any complications. Pathologic examination of the tissue confirmed the clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Outcome of Graves' thyrotoxicosis after antithyroid drug treatment.

To investigate the outcome of Graves' thyrotoxicosis after antithyroid drug management, data from 81 patients, treated in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Taipei and Linkou from October 1981 to March 1990, were analyzed. The gender ratio of female to male was 59:22. The mean age of onset was 33.1 +/- 10.5(15-60) year-old. All the patients were treated with antithyroid drug (Thionamide group) for a duration of 11 to 63 months (mean +/- SD = 28.1 +/- 9.8 months). Forty of 81 patients (49.4%) were remained remission after up to 2 years of follow-up. Those patients relapse usually occurred within 2 years after discontinuation of treatment (34/41), and only one exceptional case relapsed after 3 years. Three conditions affected the relapse rate. Patients with larger goiter (grade II-III) and shorter duration of treatment (< 23 months) had a higher relapse rate than those-with smaller goiter (grade O-I) [29/46 vs. 12/35; chi 2 = 6.576, p = 0.010; p = 0.015 in stepwise logistic regression (LR)] and longer duration of treatment (> or = 23 months) (15/20 vs. 26/61; chi 2 = 6.316, p = 0.012; p = 0.020 in LR). Patients with higher pre-treated serum triiodothyronine (T3) level (T3 > or = 300 ng/dl) had a higher relapse rate than those with lower T3 level (T3 < 300 ng/dl) in univariate analysis (30/50 vs. 11/31, chi 2 = 4.601, p = 0.032), but no significant difference by LR (P = 0.094). Other clinical parameters including age, sex, past history, family history, thyroxine (T4) level, T3/T4 ratio, thyroid autoantibodies, staging of ophthalmopathy, responsiveness to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test at the end of treatment, and whether combined treatment with thyroxine had no significant difference between the relapse and remission groups. These data suggest: (a) patients with larger goiter (grade II-III had higher relapse rate; (b) most of the recurrent thyrotoxicosis patients relapsed within two years after drug withdrawal; (c) continuing treatment for more than twenty-three months produces better outcome; (d) patients with Graves' thyrotoxicosis should be followed up for at least three years after withdrawal of antithyroid drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of the outcome between the calculated dosimetry and the estimated dosimetry of 131I in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

To compare the outcomes of different methods in prescribing the optimal dose of radioactive iodine (131I) for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, we retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with toxic diffuse goiter. They received single dose of 131I for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. In addition, all of them met the following criteria: 1) symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism; 2) elevated blood triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) method; 3) diffuse goiter with increase of uptake proved by thyroid scintiscan; 4) only one dose of 131I was given during the follow-up period; 5) well-documented thyroid function test in the medical chart during the follow-up period (6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after 131I therapy). The enrolled patients were divided into estimated and calculated group. The dose of 131I in the calculated group was obtained from the measurement of size and 131I uptake of thyroid gland. The dose of 131I in the estimated group was prescribed according to the size of thyroid gland by physical examination, and the association with cardiac arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, or ischemic heart disease. The mean doses of 131I were 4.8 +/- 1.4 mCi and 7.0 +/- 1.1 mCi in the calculated and estimated group respectively. In this study, there were no significant difference in the incidence of euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism between these two groups in thefollow-up period after 131I therapy. In view of simplicity and time-saving, it is a practical choice to prescribe the dose of 131I therapy for toxic diffuse goiter according to the size of thyroid gland and the associated cardiac condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The effect of acute and chronic ACTH administration on pituitary-adrenal response to acute immobilization stress. Relationship to changes in corticosteroid-binding globulin.

The effect of single and chronic ACTH administration on serum levels of the corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and pituitary-adrenal (PA) responsiveness to acute immobilization (IMO) stress was studied in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Single ACTH administration significantly reduced CBG levels but did not alter PA response to acute IMO. Chronic ACTH administration caused a greater fall in CBG than single ACTH administration and blunted PA response to IMO. The effect of chronic ACTH administration on CGB levels recovered 2 days after the last administration, but the ACTH response to IMO was normal only by day 7 after the last ACTH injection. The present data indicate that ACTH administration to rats reduced CBG levels and impaired PA response to acute stress, but impaired PA responsiveness cannot be solely attributed to changes in CBG.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1994

The use of field effects to generate calcium alginate microspheres and its application in cell transplantation.

The diameter and sphericity of alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate microcapsules, which was determined by the size and shape of calcium alginate microspheres, affected durability and biocompatibility of microcapsules and the result of transplantation. The commonly used airjet spray method generated microspheres with wide variation in diameter and sphericity. In order to overcome these drawbacks, we designed a field effect microparticle generator which established a stable electric field. This generated calcium alginate microspheres with an adjustable diameter (range, 50-350 microns). Factors which influenced the diameter and sphericity of microspheres included the percentage of alginate, field strength, speed of extrusion of alginate, needle gauge, field distance, and cell density in sodium alginate. The conditions used for microencapsulation of rat, pig, and human islets were 5500-6500 volts, 22 gauge needle with blunt end, 1-cm field distance, 1.5% sodium alginate, and 0.57 mL/min extrusion speed. These combinations would give most of the islet-containing microcapsules a diameter of 300-450 microns when alginate microspheres were incubated with calcium chloride solution for a total of six minutes. If individual cells (eg, NS-1) were microencapsulated, a larger gauge needle resulted in smaller microcapsules. Field strength of 6500 volts at a distance of 1 cm did not change the doubling time of NS-1 myeloma cells. By using the electric field microparticle generator, encapsulated cells were distributed around the periphery of the microspheres and thus improved the oxygen and nutrient supply of these encapsulated cells.

Alginates↗
PubMed1988

Comparative structural analyses of corticosteroid binding globulin.

Some physicochemical characteristics of corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) in several species have been determined. Molecular radii were determined from Ferguson plots and were used in conjunction with sedimentation coefficients determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation to calculate the molecular weights of the CBG. These were found to range from 44,200 (dog) to 60,000 (turtle) for most species. The squirrel monkey was found to have a molecular weight twice that of other species (119,800). Purified CBG was prepared from human, rat, and guinea pig sera. The molecular weights of the purified material, as determined by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, were in excellent agreement with those determined by Ferguson analysis. Careful examination of the purified proteins by electrophoresis at pH 8.3 revealed that each consisted of two closely related electrophoretic variants. Tryptic peptides were prepared from the purified proteins and separated by reversed phase HPLC chromatography. The peptide patterns were identical for the three proteins with the exception of three hydrophilic peptides. Amino terminal sequence analysis of the rat and human proteins revealed no apparent homology, however. The immunologic relatedness of the three purified proteins was also examined, but no crossreactivity was observed. The results obtained suggest that while the molecular size and hydrophobicity of peptides have been conserved across species considerable surface differences must exist.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

The role of the adrenal in generating the diurnal variation in circulating levels of corticosteroid-binding globulin in the rat.

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) levels were measured in serum samples collected sequentially from rats into which indwelling catheters had been inserted. A distinct diurnal variation in CBG levels was found, with the highest levels of binding protein at the beginning of the dark period. CBG levels then decreased until a nadir was reached shortly after the beginning of the light period. To examine the role of glucocorticoid in the generation of this pattern, rats were adrenalectomized 10 days before repeating the experiment. Adrenalectomy abolished both the diurnal variation in CBG levels and the high degree of variation in the levels of binding protein between animals. However, adrenalectomy just before the onset of the dark period did not eliminate the expected decrease in CBG levels. To further explore the role of steroid, animals that had been adrenalectomized for 10 days were given saline containing 25 micrograms/ml corticosterone for a period of 24 h. Despite the attainment of normal plasma corticosterone levels, no decrease in CBG levels was observed. When steroid administration was discontinued, however, CBG levels dropped concurrently with the decreasing steroid. These studies show that a diurnal variation in CBG exists and suggest that it is the result of the diurnal variation in glucocorticoid levels.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1987

A homologous radioimmunoassay for guinea pig corticosteroid-binding globulin.

A rapid, specific, and sensitive (requiring only 20 fmole of antigen equivalent to 0.007 microliter of serum) radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for the measurement of guinea pig corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). CBG was purified to homogeneity from guinea pig serum by affinity chromatography and used for immunization, as the standard and as the radiolabeled trace in the RIA. The antiserum to CBG was raised in rabbits. It was judged specific by immunoelectrophoresis and by comparison of RIA values with steroid-binding assay profiles obtained on serum separated on the basis of size and ion-exchange properties. The results of the radioimmunoassays agree with those of a steroid-binding assay run on identical samples. The sensitivity of the assay allows detection of CBG in serial serum samples, other biologic fluids such as milk, and cell culture supernatants.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Evidence for the direct transfer of corticosteroid-binding globulin from plasma to whey in the guinea pig.

Two steroid-binding proteins, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and progesterone-binding globulin (PBG), are known to be present in the milk whey of lactating guinea pigs. After injection of radioiodinated CBG into the maternal circulation, labeled CBG was found in the milk whey. The labeled whey CBG was identical to its plasma counterpart on the basis of size (sucrose gradients, Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis), charge (DEAE-chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and immunoprecipitability. In contrast, radioiodinated ovalbumin was not transferred to the milk. These results demonstrate that the CBG present in guinea pig whey results from the direct transfer of CBG from plasma to milk.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Value of serum alkaline phosphatase in evaluating hyperplasia of parathyroid glands in chronic hemodialysis patients.

To investigate the value of serum alkaline phosphatase in evaluating hyperplasia of parathyroid glands in hemodialysis patients, 28 hemodialysis patients who had parathyroid sonography examinations for secondary hyperparathyroidism were studied retrospectively. There were significant elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum total calcium, and dialysis duration in patients with sonography-detectable parathyroid (N = 17) as compared with those of sonography-undetectable (N = 11) parathyroid. Hemodialysis patients who have both higher serum alkaline phosphatase (> 94 IU/L) and considerably elevated serum PTH (9 x or higher) are likely to have sonography-detectable parathyroids (positive predictive value of 93%). Patients with mildly or moderately elevated serum PTH but normal serum alkaline phosphatase are less likely to have sonography-detectable parathyroids (negative predictive value is 100%). These findings suggest that the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase could be a valuable parameter in addition to the high serum PTH level in predicting hyperplasia of parathyroid glands in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The rescue effect of 15-deoxyspergualin on intraperitoneal microencapsulated xenoislets.

Because the development of surface neogrowth composed mainly of macrophages and fibroblasts precedes the recurrence of hyperglycemia in treated diabetic animals, the pericapsular macrophages may adversely affect the graft function of i.p. alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (A-P-A) microencapsulated islets. In order to clarify the role of pericapsular macrophages on late islet xenograft dysfunction, we investigated whether 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DSG), a macrophage inhibitor, has a rescue effect on the recurrent hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice that had been treated with i.p. transplantation of A-P-A microencapsulated rat islets. The mean duration of normoglycemia (whole blood glucose level below 8.3 mmol/l) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice treated with implantation of about 2200-2400 of A-P-A microencapsulated rat islets was 75 days. When the blood glucose levels were higher than 11.1 mmol/l for two consecutive determinations, 15-DSG at a dose of 0.625 mg/kg body weight or isotonic sodium chloride solution (control group) was given daily s.c.. The blood glucose levels decreased significantly from 13.9 +/- 0.5 mmol/l to 11.0 +/- 1.3 mmol/l (n = 18, p < 0.05) at the fourth day and to 7.6 +/- 1.0 mmol/l (n = 18) at the 14th day of 15-DSG administration. That was not significantly different from the mean glycemic level during the normoglycemic period (7.6 +/- 1.0 vs. 7.0 +/- 1.7 mmol/l, n = 18, p = NS). Isotonic sodium chloride solution injections did not reduce glycemic levels of mice in the control group. As another control, 10 streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were given the same daily doses of 15-DSG for 14 days. 15-DSG did not decrease the blood glucose levels of diabetic mice in the control group. We further studied the effect of 15-DSG on the expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in peritoneal exudate mononuclear cells (PEMCs) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. It was found that the mRNA of IL-1beta was undetectable in PEMCs of 15-DSG-treated diabetic mice even after those cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharides in vitro. Administration of 15-DSG at a daily dose of 0.625 mg/kg body weight from the 22nd to the 28th day after transplantation and 7 consecutive days every 3 weeks thereafter did not prolong graft survival of i.p. microencapsulated rat islets. Our data suggest that 15-DSG has a rescue effect when A-P-A microencapsulated islets have induced cellular overgrowth that threatens the survival of the graft. It is possible that the surface overgrowth composed of macrophages is involved in the pathophysiology of late failure of A-P-A microencapsulated xenogeneic islets.

Alginates↗