Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C L Wu

Publications and source records attributed to C L Wu.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Histologic changes of doxycycline pleurodesis in rabbits. Effect of concentration and pH.

The effects of doxycycline hyclate (DOXY) pleurodesis were compared with those of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCN) in 25 healthy New Zealand White rabbits. One group of rabbits received TCN (pH 2.0) in the left pleural space at a concentration of 35 mg/kg in 3.0 ml of saline solution. Four other groups of rabbits received DOXY in two concentrations (35 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) and at two pHs (an acid of 2.0 and a NaOH neutralized pH of 7.6). No attempt was made to drain the pleural space after pleurodesis. At autopsy 2 weeks later, bloody fluid filled the pleural cavity and extensive intrapleural adhesions compressed the underlying lung. Microscopically, fibrin and collagen were diffusely deposited in the pleural connective tissue and in the intrapleural adhesions. The visceral pleural thickness increased from its normal value of 0.01 mm to values of 0.5 to 0.9 mm in the TCN and DOXY groups. Fibroblasts were the predominant inflammatory cell in the pleural connective tissue with few neutrophils or lymphocytes. No significant differences of histologic characteristics were observed between the TCN and DOXY groups. Alterations in pH or concentration in the DOXY groups produced similar changes in the gross and microscopic appearance of the pleural space. We conclude that DOXY is as effective as TCN in producing chemical pleurodesis. Doxycycline concentrations of 10 mg/kg were sufficient to substantially sclerose the pleural space in these healthy rabbits. Doxycycline pleurodesis was effective at neutral pH suggesting a mechanism of action independent of acid injury to the mesothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Growth inhibitors against tumor cells in Cordyceps sinensis other than cordycepin and polysaccharides.

Cordyceps sinensis is a parasitic fungus that has been used as a Chinese medicine for a long time. In the present study, inhibitory effects of crude methanolic extracts of C. sinensis fruiting bodies on various tumor cell lines were demonstrated. The crude methanolic extracts were fractionated into 15 fractions by silica gel column chromatography. Two of the 15 fractions (CS-36-39 and CS-48-51) significantly inhibited the growth of K562, Vero, Wish, Calu-1, and Raji tumor cell lines. The inhibitory activities were not due to the polysaccharides, which have been removed in the extracting process. The polarities of these two fractions indicated that they were different from that of cordycepin. Therefore, it is suggested that tumor cell growth inhibitors, other than cordycepin and polysaccharides, are contained in C. sinensis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Subarachnoid glioependymal cyst: a case report.

A case of subarachnoid glioependymal cyst in a newborn baby is reported. An intracranial cystic lesion was found at 32 weeks of gestation by ultrasonography. The infant was born with an enlarged head and impaired auditory evoked potential (AEP). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large homogeneous cystic lesion over the left cerebral convexity with displacement of the left hemisphere to the right. Craniotomy was performed, with removal of the cystic wall and insertion of a cystoperitoneal shunt. Postoperatively, improvement was noted on clinical examination and ultrasonography. Previously, only one such case, treated perinatally, has been reported.

Arachnoid Cysts↗
PubMed1993

Production of a model for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient mice.

The inherited disease Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, which is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), is characterized by behavioural alterations, including self-injurious behaviour and mental retardation. Although HPRT-deficient mice have been generated using the embryonic stem cell system, no spontaneous behavioural abnormalities had been reported. We examined whether mice were more tolerant of HPRT deficiency because they were more reliant on adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) than HPRT for their purine salvage. The administration of an APRT inhibitor to HPRT-deficient mice induced persistent self-injurious behaviour. This combined genetic and biochemical model will facilitate the study of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and the evaluation of novel therapies.

Adenine↗
PubMed1993

Heterodimerization of the transcription factors E2F-1 and DP-1 leads to cooperative trans-activation.

The E2F transcription factor has been implicated in the regulation of genes whose products are involved in cell proliferation. Two proteins have recently been identified with E2F-like properties. One of these proteins, E2F-1, has been shown to mediate E2F-dependent trans-activation and to bind the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB). The other protein, murine DP-1, was purified from an E2F DNA-affinity column, and it was subsequently shown to bind the consensus E2F DNA-binding site. To study a possible interaction between E2F-1 and DP-1, we have now isolated a cDNA for the human homolog of DP-1. Human DP-1 and E2F-1 associate both in vivo and in vitro, and this interaction leads to enhanced binding to E2F DNA-binding sites. The association of E2F-1 and DP-1 leads to cooperative activation of an E2F-responsive promoter. Finally, we demonstrate that E2F-1 and DP-1 association is required for stable interaction with pRB in vivo and that trans-activation by E2F-1/DP-1 heterodimers is inhibited by pRB. We suggest that "E2F" is the activity that is formed when an E2F-1-related protein and a DP-1-related protein dimerize.

Adenovirus E2 Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Tetracycline and doxycycline inhibit pleural fluid metalloproteinases. A possible mechanism for chemical pleurodesis.

We hypothesized that inhibition of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) accounts for a portion of the pleural fibrosis and adhesions of tetracycline pleurodesis. MMPs recently have been described in pleural fluid from patients with both exudative and transudative effusions. Since tetracyclines are recognized inhibitors of other metalloproteinases, we investigated their inhibitory capacity in pleural fluid. High concentrations of several different tetracyclines reduced MMP activity of pleural fluid by more than 75 percent. Lower concentrations (< or = 1 mg/ml) had only modest inhibitory effects. High concentration of of tetracyclines also inhibited cell synthesis of MMPs, in vitro, but other measures of vital cell function were also impaired. We conclude that tetracyclines are effective inhibitors of MMP activity in pleural fluid and may also reduce synthesis of MMPs via non specific cell injury. These data suggest a possible mechanism to account for tetracycline pleurodesis; ie, an inhibition of MMP activity in pleural fluid.

Collagenases↗
PubMed1993

Case of Isaacs syndrome successfully treated with phenytoin.

We herein report on an 18-year-old Taiwanese man who developed acute onset of generalized continuous contractions of the muscles. The involuntary cramps caused a dystonic posture of the neck and limbs. Opisthotonos was noted when the cramps were exacerbated. The cramps were painful and sensitive to movement, so the patient limited movement of his body. External stimulation, such as a pin prick or a loud noise, would aggravate them. The contractions of the muscles persisted during sleep. No other neurologic abnormalities were noted. Electromyography showed spontaneous continuous muscle fiber activity. The symptoms did not respond to baclofen or diazepam; however, remarkable improvement was noted after giving phenytoin. The clinical presentation, electromyographic findings, and the patient's beneficial response to phenytoin fulfilled the diagnostic characteristics of Isaacs syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Surgical management of blunt renal trauma].

From 1986 to 1990, 26 patients with blunt renal trauma were hospitalized and received surgery in this Hospital. Included were 23 males and 3 females with a mean age of 28.6 years (range: 5 to 82). The mean duration of follow-up was 37 months. The severity of renal injury was classified by using the renal injury scale which was published by the Organ Injury Scaling (O.I.S.) Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (A.A.S.T.) in 1989. According to operative findings, the renal injuries of the 26 cases were classified as follows: Grade I, 3 cases; Grade II, 4 cases; Grade III, 2 cases; Grade IV, 6 cases; and Grade V, 12 cases. One case had bilateral renal injuries. Among the patients, four were treated with drainage. Three cases underwent repair and drainage. One case was treated with partial nephrectomy. Nineteen cases underwent nephrectomy. The mortality rate was 7.6% and the morbidity rate, 15.2%. The most frequent postoperative complications related to renal injury in the patients who survived initial operation were intra-abdominal abscesses (3.8%), small bowel obstruction (3.8%), pulmonary infection (3.8%) and pancreatitis (3.8%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Surgical management of blunt abdominal trauma].

From 1986 to 1990, 175 patients with blunt abdominal trauma were hospitalized and operated on in Kuang Tien General Hospital. Included were 140 males and 35 females with a mean age of 33 years (range: 2 to 82). The mean duration of the follow-up was 42 months. We classified the severity of the injured organs with the organ injury scale which was published by the Organ Injury Scaling (O.I.S.) Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (A. A. S. T.) in 1989 and 1990. Among the patients, 12 cases were treated with splenorrhaphy. Eighty-two cases underwent splenectomy. Four cases underwent partial resection of the liver. Three cases required repair of the inferior vena cava. Seventeen cases were treated with partial resection of the small intestine and anastomosis. Seven cases underwent colostomy. Three cases were treated with distal pancreatectomy. Nineteen cases underwent nephrectomy. One case was treated with partial nephrectomy. The mortality rate was 6.3%, and the morbidity rate 20.6%. The most frequent postoperative complications related to blunt abdominal trauma in the patients who survived the initial operation were wound infection (8.0%), small bowel obstruction (4.0%), pulmonary infection (2.3%), intra-abdominal abscesses (2.3%), pancreatitis (1.7%), pancreatic fistula (1.7%), and pseudocyst (0.6%).

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1993

[Surgical management of blunt pancreatic trauma].

From 1986 to 1990, 22 patients with blunt pancreatic trauma were hospitalized and operated on in Kuang Tien General Hospital. Included were 19 males and 3 females with a mean age of 31 years (range: 2 to 58). The mean duration of the follow-up was 42 months. We classified the severity of pancreatic injury with the pancreatic organ injury scale which was published by the Organ Injury Scaling (O.I.S.) Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (A.A.S.T.) in 1990. According to the operative findings, the pancreatic injury of the 22 cases were classified as follows: grade I 8 cases, grade II 9 cases, grade III 4 cases, grade IV 1 case, and no grade V pancreatic injuries. Among the patients, 12 cases were treated with drainage. Seven cases underwent repair and drainage. Three cases were treated with distal pancreatectomy. The mortality rate was 18.2%, and the morbidity rate 40.9%. The most frequent postoperative complications related to the pancreatic injury in the patients who survived the initial operation were pancreatic fistula (13.7%), small bowel obstruction (9.2%), intraabdominal abscesses (4.5%), wound infection (4.5%), pancreatitis (4.5%), and pseudocyst (4.5%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Blunt small intestinal trauma].

From 1986 to 1990, 41 patients with blunt small intestinal trauma were hospitalized and underwent surgery in Kuang Tien General Hospital. Included were 34 males and 7 females with a mean age of 37 years (range: 8 to 67). The mean duration of follow-up was 41 months. We classified the severity of small intestinal injury with the duodenum organ injury scale or small bowel organ injury scale published by the Organ Injury Scaling (O.I.S.) Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (A. A. S. T.) in 1990. According to the operative findings, the small intestinal injuries of the 41 cases were classified as follows: grade I-11 cases, grade II-16 cases, grade III-8 cases, grade IV-2 cases, and grade V-7 cases. Three cases had both duodenal and small bowel injuries. Among the patients, 4 cases were treated by drainage. Seven cases underwent simple repair. Three cases were treated with repair and drainage. Thirteen cases underwent enterorrhaphy and drainage. Seventeen cases were treated with resection and anastomosis. The mortality rate was 7.2%, whilst the morbidity rate was 34.0%. The most frequent postoperative complications related to the small intestinal injury in patients who survived the initial operation were wound infection (22.0%), intra-abdominal abscesses (4.8%), pulmonary infection (4.8%), and small bowel obstruction (2.4%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A family of human cdc2-related protein kinases.

The p34cdc2 protein kinase is known to regulate important transitions in the eukaryotic cell cycle. We have identified 10 human protein kinases based on their structural relation to p34cdc2. Seven of these kinases are novel and the products of five share greater than 50% amino acid sequence identity with p34cdc2. The seven novel genes are broadly expressed in human cell lines and tissues with each displaying some cell type or tissue specificity. The cdk3 gene, like cdc2 and cdk2, can complement cdc28 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suggesting that all three of these protein kinases can play roles in the regulation of the mammalian cell cycle. The identification of a large family of cdc2-related kinases opens the possibility of combinatorial regulation of the cell cycle together with the emerging large family of cyclins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Human pleural effusions are rich in matrix metalloproteinases.

We identified and characterized type IV collagenase and gelatinase activity in pleural fluid from 32 patients. The capacity to substantially degrade type IV collagen was demonstrated in every pleural sample. Comparable results were also noted for the degradation of a radiolabeled gelatin substrate. Gelatin gel zymography of the pleural fluids revealed two prominent zones of lysis at 66 kDa and 92 kDa. These were identified by specific polyclonal antibodies as human matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. The concentration of MMP-2 in pleural fluid, as measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay, averaged 1,622 ng/ml whereas those of MMP-9 were 210 ng/ml. Substrate degradation activity was compared in both serum and pleural fluid from three patients and found to be similar. In serum this enzymatic activity was primarily due to MMP-9 whereas in pleural fluid, the predominant gelatinase was MMP-2. This was confirmed by immunoassay that showed that MMP-2 levels were two to five times higher in pleural fluid than in serum. We conclude that substantial amounts of MMP-2 and, to a lesser degree, MMP-9 are present in pleural effusions. The bioactivity and the immunoactivity of these enzymes did not help to distinguish among pleural fluids characterized as transudates, nonmalignant exudates, or malignant exudates. The differences in the distribution of these enzymes in pleural fluid and blood suggest that their presence is not due simply to the ultrafiltration of plasma, but rather to synthesis by the resident cells at the pleural surfaces.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1992

Immunohistochemical study of dystrophin in neuromuscular disorders.

Dystrophin, a protein product of the gene that is affected in Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), is localized on the sarcolemma of muscle fibers. We tried to study various neuromuscular disorders, including DMD/BMD and their carriers, by the immunohistochemical method with two types of anti-dystrophin antibodies. No dystrophin stain was found on the muscles of cases of DMD. In cases of BMD, partial deficiency or a mosaic appearance of dystrophin was found. In members of DMD/BMD families, polyclonal antibody stains did not show definite membrane abnormality. However, partial deficiency or a mosaic appearance of dystrophin on muscle membranes was found in the carriers by a monoclonal anti C-terminal antibody stain. The explanation may be: 1) more non-specific antigen-antibody cross reactions occurred in the polyclonal antibody stain; and 2) a partial defect exists, such as a segmental deletion of the C-terminal portion of dystrophin. Dystrophin study in muscle diseases is a helpful tool for the following reasons: 1) it improves diagnostic accuracy and helps to differentiate variant types of muscle disorders; 2) it makes an early diagnosis possible before the onset of the symptoms of DMD/BMD; and 3) it detects nonsymptomatic carriers of DMD/BMD. However, without the aid of a genetic study, dystrophin antibody stains cannot absolutely rule out the diagnosis of carriers.

Dystrophin↗
PubMed1992

Delayed-onset dystonia following recovery from central pontine myelinolysis.

We report on a 47-year-old female patient with Sheehan's syndrome who developed delayed-onset dystonia following recovery from central pontine myelinolysis. The dystonia was observed in the head, neck and limbs during active movement. MRI scan demonstrated a discrete lesion in the central pons without involving the basal ganglia. The action dystonia was markedly improved by giving trihexyphenidyl. The patient showed that generalized dystonia can be induced by an isolated pontine myelinolysis. There have been four other cases reported in the literature. On reviewing all five cases, we conclude that delayed-onset dystonia following central pontine myelinolysis usually presents with generalized action dystonia and has a beneficial response to trihexyphenidyl.

Demyelinating Diseases↗
PubMed1992

[Surgical management of blunt liver trauma].

From 1986 to 1990, 46 patients with blunt liver trauma were hospitalized and operated on in Kuang Tien General Hospital. Included were 33 males and 13 females with a mean age of 31 years (range: 2 to 62). The mean duration of the follow-up was 43 months. We classified the severity of liver injury with the liver injury scale which was published by the Organ Injury Scaling (O. I. S.) Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (A. A. S. T.) in 1989. According to the operative findings, the liver injury of the 46 cases were classified as follows: grade I 4 cases, grade II 18 cases, grade III 16 cases, grade IV 2 cases, grade V 4 cases, and grade VI 2 cases. Among the patients, 4 cases were treated with drainage. Four cases underwent simple repair. Twenty-seven cases were treated with repair and drainage. Three cases underwent debridement and selective ligation of bleeding vessels. Four cases underwent partial resection of liver, and 3 cases required repair of the inferior vena cava. One case was packed with gauze for hemostasis. The mortality rate was 15.2%, and the morbidity rate 30.3%. The most frequent postoperative complications related to the hepatic injury in the patients who survived the initial operation were wound infection (8.7%), intra-abdominal abscesses (6.5%), pancreatitis (6.5%), pulmonary infection (4.3%), and small bowel obstruction (4.3%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Surgical management of blunt splenic trauma].

From 1986 to 1990, 94 patients with blunt splenic trauma were hospitalized and operated on in the Kuang Tien General Hospital. Included were 74 males and 20 females with a mean age of 33 years (range: 5 to 78). The mean duration of the follow-up was 40 months. We classified the severity of the injury according to the splenic injury scale which was published in 1989 by the Organ Injury Scaling (O.I.S.) Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (A.A.S.T.). Based on the operative findings, the splenic injuries of the 94 cases were classified as follows: grade I--4 cases, grade II--14 cases, grade III--24 cases, grade IV--41 cases, and grade V--11 cases. Twelve of the patients were treated with splenorrhaphy, and 82 cases underwent splenectomy. The mortality rate was 5.3%, and the morbidity rate, 12.8%. The most frequent postoperative complications in the patients who survived the initial operation were wound infections (4.2%), small bowel obstruction (3.2%), pulmonary infection (3.2%), intra-abdominal abscesses (1.1%), and pancreatitis (1.1%).

Adolescent↗