Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C T Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to C T Hsu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

High frequency of cytotoxin-associated gene A in Helicobacter pylori isolated from asymptomatic subjects and peptic ulcer patients in Taiwan.

Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), expressed in about 60% of H. pylori isolates in Western countries, may play a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. In this study, we determined the prevalence and significance of the H. pylori cagA gene and protein expression in Taiwan. Genomic DNA from antrum biopsies and H. pylori isolates were analyzed for cagA using polymerase chain reaction, Southern hybridization, or colony hybridization. CagA seropositivity was analyzed using Helico blots. In addition, Western blotting was performed to detect the CagA protein. About 94% of antrum tissues from both asymptomatic subjects and duodenal ulcer patients and all 76 H. pylori isolates (21 asymptomatic subjects, 39 with duodenal ulcers, 13 with gastric ulcers, 2 with gastric cancers, and 1 with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT] lymphoma) were positive for the cagA gene. Moreover 77 out of 78 H. pylori-positive serum and all 27 H. pylori lysates had anti-CagA antibodies or CagA protein, respectively. H. pylori isolated from patients with various upper gastrointestinal diseases in Taiwan contained the cagA gene and expressed CagA protein at high frequencies.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Educational card games for understanding gastrointestinal physiology.

In the last few years, there has been an emphasis on the development of creative educational materials that supplement the traditional lecture format. The new materials should engage students in interactive learning and enhance critical thinking, small group discussion, and problem-solving skills. To help students understand and apply basic science concepts in a challenging, interactive format, we developed two card games. Although the principles of the games can be adapted to many scientific disciplines, these specific games provide a unique opportunity to integrate, analyze, and interpret basic concepts of gastrointestinal (GI) physiology. Go GI and GI Rummy were developed to assist students in the understanding of GI physiology and were designed to function as a tool for learning lecture material. Both games were evaluated by medical, graduate, and high school students. Student evaluation of the educational material showed that the games were successful in promoting the learning of GI physiology and engaging students in the discussion of GI concepts. Through this new approach, the students' level of understanding and ability to apply and synthesize materials were enhanced.

Education↗
PubMed1998

New one-week, low-dose triple therapy for the treatment of duodenal ulcer with Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial therapy is the recommended treatment for duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The eradication of bismuth-based triple therapy with bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole and amoxicillin is limited by low compliance, drug resistance and side-effects. Two-week proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy has a higher eradication rate but is costly. This study was designed to compare the efficacy, patient compliance and cost of short-term PPI-based triple therapy with those of bismuth-based triple therapy. METHODS: Ninety patients with active duodenal ulcer disease and H pylori infection, proven with the 13C-urea breath test and CLO test (Campylobacter-like organism test) were treated randomly in three therapeutic groups: Group A, DeNol 120 mg, amoxicillin 500 mg and metronidazole 250 mg four times a day orally for 14 days; Group B, omeprazole 20 mg plus clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day and amoxicillin 500 mg four times a day for 14 days; Group C, omeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 500 mg twice a day for seven days. Nizatidine 150 mg twice a day was given continuously following the end of anti-H pylori therapy for each group. Two months later, endoscopy, the CLO test and 13C-urea breath test were repeated to assess the eradication rate of H pylori and the ulcer-healing rate. Drug tolerance was evaluated by patients themselves by daily recording of any side-effects. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients completed the entire course of therapy and evaluation for H pylori infection. The H pylori eradication rates in Groups A, B and C were 75% (21/28), 93% (26/28) and 89% (25/28), respectively (p = 0.466). The ulcer healing rate was 86% (24/28) in Group A and 89% (25/28) in Groups B and C (p = 0.764). A total of 74 patients (88%) were free from symptoms at the end of the triple therapy. Symptom relief was faster in patients with PPI-based triple therapy (Groups B and C) (days 3 and 4) than for patients with bismuth-based triple therapy (day 5). The cost of Group C therapy was lower than that for Groups A and B. There were no major side-effects in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: One-week triple therapy with omeprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole is highly effected for the eradication of H pylori. A therapeutic regime of one week's duration with lower cost, good compliance and mild side-effects may offer a good choice for treatment of duodenal ulcer associated with H pylori infection in clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Alcoholism and alcoholic organ damage and genetic polymorphisms of alcohol metabolizing enzymes in Chinese patients.

It is still not clear why some alcoholic patients acquire certain organ-specific complications of alcoholism whereas other alcoholic patients acquire different ones. As we know the liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and cytochrome P4502E1 (P4502E1) are polymorphic at the ADH2, ADH3, and ALDH2 loci and the 5'-flanking region of the P4502E1. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between Chinese alcoholic patients with cirrhosis and acute pancreatitis by studying the genetic polymorphisms of ADH2, ADH3, ALDH2, and P4502E1. Genotyping of ADH2, ADH3, ALDH2, and P4502E1 was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods on peripheral white blood cell DNA from 75 alcoholic cirrhotic patients, 48 acute alcoholic pancreatitis patients, 19 heavy drinkers without liver disease or pancreatitis, and 235 controls. The results showed that the frequencies of the alleles ADH2*1 and ALDH2*1 in the alcoholic cirrhotic patients were significantly higher than those in the nonalcoholic controls. In acute alcoholic pancreatitis patients, only the frequency of allele ALDH2*1, not ADH2*1 was significantly higher than in the nonalcoholic controls. The allele frequency of ADH2*1 in acute pancreatitis patients was significantly lower (P < .01) than in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. The daily amount of alcohol consumption was significantly lower in patients with acute pancreatitis than in patients with cirrhosis (P < .0005). The genotype distributions of P4502E1, detected by RsaI and PstI, were not different among alcoholic cirrhotic patients, alcoholic pancreatitis patients, heavy drinker, and nonalcoholic controls. In conclusion, ALDH2*1 is the most important alcohol metabolizing gene affecting predisposition to alcoholism whereas the ADH2*2 gene may influence susceptibility to acute alcoholic pancreatitis. The patients with alcohol-induced cirrhosis and with alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis are of two different subpopulations.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of four prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine: syh-mo-yiin, guizhi-fuling-wan, shieh-qing-wan and syh-nih-sann on experimental acute liver damage in rats.

Syh-Mo-Yiin (SMY), Guizhi-Fuling-Wan (GFW), Shieh-Qing-Wan (SQW) and Syh-Nih-Sann (SNS) are four prescriptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used in the remedy of liver trouble in various types. The hepatoprotective effects of water extracts of these four recipes against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute hepatic damage were determined in rats. The results indicated that the serum glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (sGOT) and the serum glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT) levels provoked by D-GalN and CCl4 decreased after treatment with these prescriptions of TCM. Histological changes around portal area (D-GalN-induced hepatotoxicity) and central vein (CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity) were simultaneously improved by the treatment with TCM mentioned above.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1997

Erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus in Taiwan: a higher frequency than expected.

In contrast to Western countries, erosive esophagitis has been considered less common, Barrett's esophagus presumed less frequent, and hiatal hernia extremely uncommon in the Orient. However, accelerated modernization and adoption of Western customs have resulted in marked life-style changes in many Asians in the Orient that may potentially affect the frequency of erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus in this population. Our aim was to determine the current frequency of erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and other gastroesophageal reflux disease complications in self-referred Chinese patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Taipei, Taiwan. Between July 1991 and June 1992, 464 consecutive patients underwent endoscopy for a variety of upper gastrointestinal symptoms at a major medical center. The presence of erosive esophagitis, strictures, Barrett's esophagus, and hiatal hernia was recorded. The extent of mucosal injury was determined by using the Savary-Miller grading system. Sixty-six (14.5%) patients were found to have erosive esophagitis, 9 (2%), Barrett's esophagus, and 32 (7%) hiatal hernias. Erosive esophagitis showed a male-to-female preponderance of 3.1:1. Disease severity increased with age and peaked during the sixth and seventh decades. We concluded that in contrast to previous experience, the Chinese population in Taiwan appears to have a higher frequency of erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and hiatal hernia. Increased fat consumption, aging, and other possible factors are suggested as possible mechanisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Ameliorative effect of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon-tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats.

Syh-Mo-Yin (SMY), Guizhi-Fuling-Wan (GFW), Shieh-Qing-Wan (SQW) and Syh-Nih-San (SNS) are prescriptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for liver disease. The effects of these four prescriptions against experimental liver injury induced by alpha-Naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were studied. Rats treated with ANIT (100 mg/kg) exhibited elevations of serum total bilirubin (TBI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate-oxalatetransaminase (sGOT) and glutamate-pyruvate-transminase (sGPT) as well as cholestasis and parenchymanecrosis. In rats receiving SMY, SQW and SNS treatment after ANIT challenged, the biochemical and morphological parameters of liver injury were significantly reduce. Elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in liver tissue, associated with an increase in serum GOT and GPT level, was observed in CCl4-treated rats. Treatment with these four prescriptions on CCl4-induced liver injury rats showed a remarkable hepatoprotective effect. A significant decrease in peroxidative level suggested that these prescriptions have anti free radical properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Laboratory exercise using "virtual rats" to teach endocrine physiology.

Animal experimentation is limited in many curricula due to the expense, lack of adequate animal facilities and equipment, and limited experience of the teachers. There are also ethical concerns dealing with the comfort and safety of the animals. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a "dry laboratory" using "virtual rats." The "virtual rat" eliminates the obstacles inherent in animal experimentation, such as inadequate budgets, as well as avoiding important animal rights issues. Furthermore, no special materials are required for the completion of this exercise. Our goal in developing this dry laboratory was to create an experience that would provide students with an appreciation for the value of laboratory data collection and analysis. Students are exposed to the challenge of animal experimentation, experimental design, data collection, and analysis and interpretation without the issues surrounding the use of live animals.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1996

A rare case of multiple intussusceptions: intense segmentary lipomatosis of the ileum.

We report a patient who presented with intestinal obstruction; his small intestine showed intense segmentary lipomatosis associated with unusually situated multiple intussusceptions. Preoperatively, we diagnosed intussusceptions in the ileocecal region by ultrasonography and computed tomographic scan. During surgery, the ileum was dilated and contained numerous movable polypoid masses. One reducible intussusception was encountered in the ileocecal region. In addition, an ileoileal intussusception that could not be reduced was resected with an end-to-end anastomosis. At histological examination, more than 150 submucosal lipomas were found.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hydatid cysts in the liver.

A 67-year-old Taiwanese woman with multilocular hydatid cysts of the liver presented with a 5-month history of intermittent right upper abdominal discomfort. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed multiple cysts in both lobes of the liver. Subsequent selective celiac angiography revealed an avascular space-occupying lesion in the right lobe. She underwent a radical excision of the cyst by total closed (without opening the wall) cystopericystectomy over segments 4, 5 and 6. Histologic study of the lesions showed three structural components: 1) an outer acellular laminated membrane, 2) a thin nucleated germinal membrane and 3) several protoscolices with Echinococcus granulosus suckers. The patient has been well for 5 years since her discharge. Although hydatid cysts of the liver are extremely rare in Taiwan, they may cause life-threatening complications and mortality. Making a preoperative diagnosis is important and is only possible if this rare disease is kept in mind.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The accuracy of the rapid urease test and 13C-urea breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important predisposing factor in peptic ulcer disease. Many tests have been proposed, but there is no generally accepted single method for the detection of H. pylori. This study compared the four available methods in the detection of H. pylori. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients were studied with endoscopic biopsy. Biopsy specimens were examined with modified Giemsa stain and rapid urease (CLO) test. Serology (ELISA) and 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) were also performed. The 13C-UBT results were expressed at an excess delta 13CO2 excretion of 5 per mil as the upper limit. Multiple breath samples were collected 15, 30 and 60 minutes following 13C-urea ingestion (t = 15, 30, 60) in the first 60 patients. Gastric inflammatory changes were graded according to the Whitehead classification. The diagnostic gold standard was defined when three or more of the four test parameters showed positive. RESULTS: According to this diagnostic gold standard, the positive rates of H. pylori were 97.9% for duodenal ulcer, 81.8% for gastric ulcer, 47.6% for symptomatic gastritis and 13.6% for asymptomatics. Rapid urease test and the 13C-UBT had better sensitivity (93.6% and 96.2%) and accuracy (93.8% and 93.8%). The specificity and positive predictive value for rapid urease test was better than 13C-UBT (94.3% v.s. 88.6%, 97.3% v.s. 94.9% respectively). Modified Giemsa stain had the lowest sensitivity (87.2%), and the ELISA test had the lowest specificity (71.4%). Severity of the gastric inflammatory processes was directly correlated with the excess delta 13CO2 (r = 0.576). CONCLUSIONS: Both the CLO and 13C-UBT had higher accuracy in the detection of H. pylori. When the CLO test result is positive, there is little additional diagnostic benefit from performing other tests. If patients refuse endoscopic examination, 13C-UBT is a good alternative for the detection of H. pylori, either during diagnosis or follow-up after therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The role of the autonomic nervous system in chemically-induced liver damage and repair--using the essential hypertensive animal model (SHR).

The effects of autonomic nervous system on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and repair were investigated morphologically and biochemically in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). After repetition of CCl4 treatment twice a week for 4 weeks, the SHR showed liver cirrhosis histologically. In WKY, however, only fibrosis was observed. Biochemically, the serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), liver lipid peroxidation (LPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. CCl4 increased the activities of GPT and LPO but decreased that of SOD in SHR more than in WKY. These findings indicate that liver damage induced by CCl4 was more severe in the sympathetic hyperactive SHR than in the normally active WKY. In induced cirrhotic liver of SHR and fibrotic liver of WKY, diffuse serotonin particles and numerous mast cells were observed in the fibrotic matrix, and some neovascular adrenergic fibers were found in these areas. These results indicate that the sympathetic nerve can exacerbate the liver damage, and both mast cells or serotonin particles and sympathetic nerve participate at some stages in the repair of liver damage.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1995

Effects of pregnancy and progesterone on autonomic function in the rat urinary bladder.

Previous studies have shown that pregnancy is associated with a decrease in cholinergic function in the rabbit urinary bladder. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of pregnancy on the autonomic function of the rat urinary bladder and to elucidate whether progesterone is responsible for such alterations. Female Wistar rats, 3 months old, were divided into four groups: (1) 2-week pregnant rats; (2) rats given daily intramuscular injections of progesterone 5 mg/kg for 2 weeks; (3) rats given intramuscular injections of vehicle for 2 weeks, and (4) controls. Cystometry showed a significant increase in bladder capacity in the pregnant rats. The wet weight of the pregnant rat bladder was also significantly increased. Histologic study revealed increased bladder wall thickness with interstitial edema and urothelium proliferative changes to a papillary configuration in these pregnant bladders. Bladder muscle strip study showed significantly reduced maximum contractile responses to acetylcholine and methoxamine in the pregnant and the progesterone groups. Muscarinic receptor binding study demonstrated reduced Bmax in the pregnant rats and rats receiving progesterone injections (control group Bmax = 57 +/- 11, pregnant group Bmax = 44 +/- 8, p < 0.05; progesterone group Bmax = 40 +/- 7, vehicle group Bmax = 58 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein, p < 0.05). The contractile response to lower concentrations (10(-6) mol/l to 10(-4) mol/l) of ATP was elevated in the pregnant rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗