Biomedical subjects

Full-Young Chang

Publications and source records attributed to Full-Young Chang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Early changes of serum proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-induced pancreatitis provides a model to study the time course of cytokine release during the initiation phase of pancreatitis. The early changes of inflammatory cytokines after ERCP have been unclear. AIMS: To evaluate the early changes in serum levels of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines after ERCP and to assess their value in the early recognition of post-ERCP pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-eight consecutive patients undergoing ERCP were prospectively studied. The serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-10 were determined immediately prior to and 1, 4, 8, and 24 hours after ERCP. RESULTS: Seven of 78 patients (9.0%) developed post-ERCP pancreatitis. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-10 significantly increased at 8 and 24 hours but not at 1 and 4 hours after ERCP in patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis, in comparison with patients without pancreatitis. Using a cutoff level of 36 pg/mL for interleukin-6 at 8 hours after ERCP, we found that the sensitivity and specificity for recognition of post-ERCP pancreatitis were 100% and 87%, respectively. Serum levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 modestly increased from baseline values, 1 to 24 hours after uncomplicated ERCP. CONCLUSION: Proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines significantly increased in the early stage after ERCP-induced pancreatitis. Among the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 is the most useful for recognition of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Diabetes mellitus is a recurrence-independent risk factor in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing resection.

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic impact of diabetes mellitus and its association with virological factors on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the outcome in HCC patients undergoing resection with and without diabetes mellitus and the interaction with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: A total of 239 HCC patients were included. Survival and tumour recurrence were analysed according to the status of diabetes mellitus and viral hepatitis. RESULTS: Diabetic patients tended to have an overall decreased survival compared with non-diabetic patients in 32 +/- 19 months of follow-up. A total of 113 (47%) patients developed tumour recurrence during the follow-up period. No significant difference of tumour recurrence between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, or between patients seropositive and seronegative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), was noted. Stratified analysis showed that diabetic patients with HBV but not with HCV infection had a poor long-term outcome. In the HBV group, the one-, three- and five-year survival rates were 83%, 51% and 41% versus 90%, 78% and 73% in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, respectively, compared with 90%, 83% and 42% versus 91%, 73% and 73% in the HCV group with and without diabetes mellitus, respectively. Cox multivariate analysis disclosed that diabetic patients seropositive for HBsAg had a significantly poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus does not affect the long-term survival in HCV-related HCC but is a recurrence-independent poor prognostic factor for HBV-related HCC.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Polymorphism of the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene, red meat intake, and the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Carcinogenic aromatic amines, derived from cooked meat, are activated or inactivated by hepatic N-acetyltransferase (NAT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of NAT2 genetic polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with special reference to the interaction of dietary habits. METHODS: Peripheral white blood cell DNA from 185 HCC patients and 185 matched controls were genotyped for NAT2 by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. All the subjects studied were chronic viral hepatitis B or C carriers with liver cirrhosis. Dietary habits of the subjects were assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no association between the susceptibility of HCC and the overall NAT2 genotypes. However, in rapid acetylators (with two wild type NAT2*4 alleles), there was a trend of increased HCC risk from low to intermediate and high red meat intake (OR = 1, 2.66, 3.89; p(trend) = 0.016), even when adjusted for family history of HCC and habitual alcohol drinking. The interaction between red meat intake and the NAT2*4 acetylator status for an increased risk of HCC was significant (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms of the NAT2 gene may confer different susceptibilities to the effect of red meat intake on HCC. In rapid acetylators with chronic viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis, red meat intake may play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing resection: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently have diabetes mellitus (DM) due to coexisting liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of DM on the hepatic regenerative ability of HCC patients undergoing surgical resection. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 245 HCC patients (210 male; age, 61 +/- 13 yr) with well-preserved liver functions undergoing resection. Forty (16%) of them were diabetic and were controlled with hypoglycemic agents. The Child-Pugh scoring system was used to evaluate the postoperative liver regeneration ability. The endpoint was the occurrence of hepatic decompensation, defined as a sustained increase in the Child-Pugh score of 2 or more points or the development of tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (31%) developed hepatic decompensation during a follow-up period of 27 +/- 18 months (range, 3-75). DM (p = 0.001), large (>3 cm) tumor size (p = 0.044), and age > 65 yr (p = 0.058) were the factors associated with hepatic decompensation in univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox regression model analysis confirmed that DM (relative risk [RR] = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.4-3.7, p = 0.001) and tumor size > 3 cm (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.7, p = 0.046) were independent prognostic predictors associated with the occurrence of hepatic decompensation; the respective 3- and 5-yr cumulative rates were 53% and 64% versus 27% and 50% for diabetic and nondiabetic patients, and 24% and 41% versus 38% and 60% for patients with small (< or =3 cm) versus large (>3 cm) tumors. CONCLUSION: HCC patients with DM or large tumor size are at a cumulative increased risk for postoperative hepatic decompensation.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and angiogenin in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a hypervascular malignancy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and angiogenin (ANG) are important angiogenic factors of neoangiogenesis. This study investigated the predictive value of serum VEGF, bFGF, and ANG in tumor recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) in HCC patients. METHODS: Preoperative serum VEGF, bFGF, and ANG were measured in 98 patients with resectable HCC and in 15 healthy controls. The median follow-up time was 43 months. RESULTS: Preoperative serum VEGF was increased in patients with resectable HCC compared with healthy controls (P <.05). Increased serum VEGF was correlated with tumor recurrence (P =.001). Univariate analysis showed that serum VEGF, tumor-node-metastasis stage, tumor size and number, macroscopic portal vein invasion, and microscopic vascular invasion were correlated with OS and DFS. Serum bFGF and ANG were not associated with survival. Multivariate analysis showed that serum VEGF was the most significant predictor of DFS (relative risk, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-4.39; P =.007) and OS (relative risk, 3.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.81-6.57; P <.001) in HCC patients after surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum VEGF is a significant independent predictor of tumor recurrence, DFS, and OS in patients with resectable HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed2003

Spider angiomas in patients with liver cirrhosis: role of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor.

AIM: To investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) are associated with spider angiomas in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled and the number and size of the spider angiomas were recorded. Fifty-three healthy subjects were selected as controls. Plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF were measured in both the cirrhotics and the controls. RESULTS: Plasma VEGF and bFGF were increased in cirrhotics compared with controls (122 +/- 13 vs. 71 +/- 11 pg/mL, P=0.003 for VEGF; 5.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.5 pg/mL, P=0.022 for bFGF). In cirrhotics, plasma VEGF and bFGF were also higher in patients with spider angiomas compared with patients without spider angiomas (185 +/- 28 vs. 90 +/- 10 pg/mL, P=0.003 for VEGF; 6.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.5 pg/mL, P=0.017 for bFGF). Multivariate logistic regression showed that young age and increased plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF were the most significant predictors for the presence of spider angiomas in cirrhotic patients (odds ratio [OR]=6.64, 95 % confidence interval [CI]=2.02-21.79, P=0.002; OR=4.35, 95% CI=1.35-14.01, P=0.014; OR=5.66, 95% CI=1.72-18.63, P=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Plasma VEGF and bFGF are elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis. Age as well as plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF are significant predictors for spider angiomas in cirrhotic patients.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Surgical resection of duodenal lymphangiectasia: a case report.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia, characterized by dilatation of intestinal lacteals, is rare. The major treatment for primary intestinal lymphangiectasia is dietary modification. Surgery to relieve symptoms and to clarify the etiology should be considered when medical treatment failed. This article reports a 49-year-old woman of solitary duodenal lymphangiectasia, who presented with epigastralgia and anemia. Her symptoms persisted with medical treatment. Surgery was finally performed to relieve the symptoms and to exclude the existence of underlying etiologies, with satisfactory effect. In conclusion, duodenal lymphangiectasia can present clinically as epigastralgia and chronic blood loss. Surgical resection may be resorted to relieve pain, control bleeding, and exclude underlying diseases in some patients.

Duodenal Diseases↗

PubMed2003

Life-threatening hemobilia caused by hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication of chronic cholangitis.

Hemobilia is one of the causes of obscure gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Most cases of hemobilia are of iatrogenic or traumatic origin. Hemobilia caused by a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm due to ascending cholangitis is very rare and its mechanism is unclear. We report a 74-year-old woman with a history of surgery for choledocholithiasis 30 years ago, suffering from a protracted course of life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. A small intestines series and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a chronic cholangitis with marked contrast reflux into the biliary tree. Angiography confirmed the bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm of the middle hepatic artery. Coil embolization achieved successful hemostasis. We discussed the mechanism and reviewed the literature.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Glucose intolerance in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of glucose intolerance in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C and to evaluate the relationship between interferon (IFN) treatment and glucose intolerance in these patients. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the prevalence of glucose intolerance in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from the outpatient clinic of Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Chronic hepatitis C was defined as persistent presence of anti-HCV and persistent elevation of liver transaminase for at least 1.5 folds for at least 6 months. Moreover, patients were further categorized into normal fasting glucose and glucose intolerance (diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose) according to the diagnostic criteria of American Diabetic Association. RESULTS: Totally, 359 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled (212 males and 147 females, mean age=58.1+/-13.0 years). One hundred and twenty-three patients (34.3 %) had received various forms of IFN treatment. One hundred and twenty-five patients (34.6 %) had glucose intolerance, including 99 patients (27.6 %) with DM and 26 patients (7.0 %) with impaired fasting glucose. In comparison with those with normal fasting glucose levels, patients with chronic hepatitis C with glucose intolerance were significantly older, had a significantly higher body mass index, and they were more likely to suffer from obesity, to have family history of diabetes and to have had previous IFN treatment. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly that age >=57 years, obesity, previous history of IFN treatment and the presence of family history of diabetes were independent risk factors associated with the presence of glucose intolerance in chronic hepatitis C patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 34.6 % of Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C had glucose intolerance. Chronic hepatitis C patients who were older in age, obese, had previous IFN treatment history and had family history of diabetes were prone to develop glucose intolerance. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based report to confirm that interferon treatment to be an independent risk factor to develop glucose intolerance.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Good response to hepatic arterial chemoembolization in a patient with primary neuroendocrine tumor of the liver.

A primary neuroendocrine tumor without endocrine symptoms was reported on a 64-year-old woman. Despite of intensive survey, no other primary source of the tumor was found. Contrasted-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed three nodules in both lobes. After two courses of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), the serial follow-up CT scans showed nearly complete regression of these hepatic tumors. The patient was well without tumor recurrence 18 months after TAE. We reported this successful experience and the recent literature on management of neuroendocrine tumor was also discussed.

Chemoembolization, Therapeutic↗

PubMed2002

Effects of evodiamine on gastrointestinal motility in male rats.

The effects of evodiamine on gastric emptying, gastrointestinal transit, and plasma levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) were studied in male rats. Evodiamine, isolated from the dry unripened fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham (a Chinese medicine named Wu-chu-yu), has been recommended for abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, nausea, diarrhea, and dysmenorrhea. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed in rats 15 min after intragastric instillation of a test meal containing charcoal and Na(2)51CrO(4). Gastric emptying was determined by measuring the amount of radiolabeled chromium contained in the small intestine as a percentage of the initial amount received. Gastrointestinal transit was evaluated by calculating the geometric center of distribution of the radiolabeled marker. Blood samples were collected for CCK radioimmunoassay (RIA). After administration of evodiamine (0.67-6.00 mg/kg), both gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit were inhibited, whereas the plasma concentration of CCK was increased in a dose-dependent manner. The selective CCK(1) receptor antagonists, devazepide and lorglumide, effectively attenuated the evodiamine-induced inhibition of gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit. L-365,260 (3R-(+)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3-yl)-N'-(3-methylphenyl)-urea), a selective CCK(2) receptor antagonist, did not alter the evodiamine-induced inhibition of gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit. These results suggest that evodiamine inhibits both gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in male rats via a mechanism involving CCK release and CCK(1) receptor activation.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Involvement of cholecystokinin receptor in the inhibition of gastric emptying by oxytocin in male rats.

The effects of oxytocin (OT) on gastric emptying and plasma levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) were studied in male rats. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed in rats 15 min after intragastric instillation of a test meal containing charcoal and Na2(51)CrO4. Gastric emptying was determined by measuring the amount of radiolabeled chromium contained in the small intestine as a percentage of the initial amount received. Blood samples were collected for OT and CCK radioimmunoassay. After administration of OT (0.2-0.8 mg x kg(-1)), gastric emptying was inhibited, whereas plasma concentrations of OT and CCK were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Atosiban, an oxytocin receptor antagonist, effectively attenuated the OT-induced inhibition of gastric emptying. However, administration of atosiban alone had no effect on gastric emptying. Devazepide (3 mg x kg(-1)), a selective CCKA receptor antagonist, effectively attenuated the OT-induced inhibition of gastric emptying. L-365, 260, a selective CCKB receptor antagonist, did not alter the OT-induced inhibition of gastric emptying. These results suggest that OT inhibits gastric emptying in male rats via a mechanism involving CCK stimulation and CCKA receptor activation.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

HCV NS5A interacts with p53 and inhibits p53-mediated apoptosis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes a persistent infection, chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV NS5A, one of non-structural proteins of HCV, was suggested to play a role in oncogenic transformation. Since the tumor suppressor p53 is important for preventing neoplastic transformation, we investigated the functional effects of HCV NS5A on p53. In vitro and in vivo coimmunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy were used to determine the interaction of NS5A and p53. HCV NS5A binds directly to p53 and colocalizes p53 in the perinuclear region. NS5A inhibits transcriptional transactivation by p53 in a dose-dependent manner by use of a reporter assay. Down regulation of endogenous p21/waf1 expression, which is activated by p53 in Hep3B cells, by NS5A was demonstrated by using FLAG- and FLAG-NS5A Hep3B stable cell lines. The effect of NS5A on p53-mediated apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry in both NS5A permanently and transiently transfected Hep3B cells with exogenous p53. The p53-induced apoptosis was abrogated by NS5A and the inhibition effect correlates well with the binding ability of NS5A to p53. In addition, HCV NS5A protein interacts with and colocalizes hTAF(II)32, a component of TFIID and an essential coactivator of p53, in vivo. These results suggest that HCV NS5A interacts with and partially sequestrates p53 and hTAF(II)32 in the cytoplasm and suppresses p53-mediated transcriptional transactivation and apoptosis during HCV infection, which may contribute to the hepatocarcinogenesis of HCV infection.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

One-week losartan administration increases sodium excretion in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.

BACKGROUND: Losartan, a highly selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, has been reported to have a significant portal hypotensive effect in cirrhotic patients. A recent study also showed that losartan exerted a dramatic natriuretic effect in preascitic cirrhosis. The influence of losartan on renal hemodynamics and sodium homeostasis in cirrhotic patients with ascites is unclear. This study was undertaken to evaluate the renal effects of 1-week losartan treatment in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites. METHODS: All 12 patients in the study received a daily oral dose of 25 mg losartan for 7 consecutive days. Effective renal plasma flow, urine volume, creatinine clearance, 24h urine sodium excretion and fractional excretion of sodium, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: In cirrhotic patients without ascites, creatinine clearance, 24-h urinary sodium excretion, and fractional excretion of sodium were significantly increased after losartan administration. Effective renal plasma flow and serum creatinine showed almost no change after treatment. In cirrhotic patients with ascites, creatinine clearance, 24-h urinary sodium excretion, fractional excretion of sodium, and effective renal plasma flow were significantly increased after losartan administration. In addition, the magnitudes of the increases in the fractional excretion of sodium and in the 24-h urinary sodium excretion were greater in cirrhotic patients with ascites than in those without ascites. CONCLUSIONS: One-week treatment with losartan increases sodium excretion in association with an improvement of renal function in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites. The natriuretic effect was more profound in cirrhotic patients with ascites than in those without ascites.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Effects of somatostatin and octreotide on portal-systemic collaterals in portal hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Somatostatin and its long-acting analogue, octreotide, have been used to cease variceal bleeding with uncertain mechanisms. This study investigated whether somatostatin and octreotide have a direct vasoconstrictive effect on the portal-systemic collaterals of portal-hypertensive rats and potentiate the vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 in these vascular beds. METHODS: The vascular responses of collateral vessels to graded concentrations of somatostatin (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/l), octreotide (10(-10)-10(-6) mol/l), norepinephrine (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/l) and vehicle (Krebs solution) were evaluated in perfused collateral vascular beds of rats with portal hypertension induced by partial portal vein ligation. In addition, the perfusion pressure changes of collateral vessels to endothelin-1 (10(-8) mol/l) in the presence of vehicle(control), somatostatin (10(-6) mol/l) and octreotide (10(-6) mol/l) were tested. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle group, norepinephrine significantly increased the perfusion pressure of collateral vessels at concentrations between 10(-7) and 10(-5) mol/l. In contrast, neither somatostatin nor octreotide significantly changed the perfusion pressure. Somatostatin and octreotide significantly enhanced the endothelin-1-induced vasoconstrictive effect on the collaterals. CONCLUSIONS: Somatostatin and octreotide exert no direct vasoconstrictive effect on the collateral vessels of portal hypertensive rats. In the presence of endothelin-1, somatostatin and octreotide exert a local vasoconstrictive effect on these vascular beds.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Effect of 1-week losartan administration on bile duct-ligated cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nitric oxide and angiotensin play important roles in the pathogenesis of the hemodynamic derangement in cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The hemodynamic effects of losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension are conflicting. This study was undertaken to explore the possible mechanism of action of losartan on portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats produced by bile duct ligation (CBL). METHODS: Three weeks after surgery, CBL and sham-operated rats randomly received vehicle or losartan (3 mg/kg per 12 h by gavage) for 1 week. Hemodynamic values, hormone levels, and aortic eNOS protein expression were measured after drug administration. RESULTS: In CBL rats, 1-week losartan treatment decreased portal pressure and ameliorated hyperdynamic circulation associated with a blunted vascular response to N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester infusion. The hematocrit increased and the plasma volume, aldosterone, plasma renin activity, norepinephrine, and nitrate and nitrite levels decreased. The eNOS protein expression was reduced in CBL rats receiving losartan compared with those receiving vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: One-week losartan treatment in CBL rats decreased portal pressure and ameliorated hyperdynamic circulation. In addition to the suppression of renin-angiotensin axis, the reduced aortic eNOS protein expression may play a partial role for the mechanism of action of losartan in CBL rats.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2002

Unchanging trend of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia in Taiwan: a 15-year experience in a single center.

Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease is closely associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia carcinoma, and esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia carcinoma have both been increasing in Western countries recently. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is not rare in Taiwan, but the frequency of occurrence of esophageal adenocarcinoma or gastric cardia carcinoma has not been studied here to date. Patients diagnosed with esophageal and gastric cancers at this hospital between 1981 and 1995 were recruited using the hospital tumor registry database. There were 45, 1546, 970, and 4167 patients diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cardia carcinoma, and gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma, respectively. The ratios of esophageal adenocarcinoma versus esophageal squamous cell carcinoma among the three cohorts were 0.030, 0.016, and 0.041, respectively (trend, P = 0.086). The corresponding values for gastric cardia carcinoma versus gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma were 0.252, 0.232, and 0.218, respectively (trend, P = 0.256). The ratios of esophageal adenocarcinoma versus esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and of gastric cardia carcinoma versus gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma have not risen in the three cohorts. Unlike the situation in Western countries, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia carcinoma versus esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma have not increased over the past 15 years among the Chinese in Taiwan. Although gastroesophageal reflux disease is common here, its definite pathogenesis leading to esophageal adenocarcinoma or gastric cardia carcinoma remains unresolved.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

No difference of accuracy between capillary and venous blood in rapid whole blood test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

The aims of the study were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid whole blood test (one-step BM-Test Helicobacter pylori) in different blood collections and compare it with a quantitative ELISA test (HEL-p TEST II). One hundred four dyspeptic patients were studied, and 53 (51%) were H. pylori-positive as determined by [13C] urea breath test. The area under the ROC curve was higher for HEL-pTEST II compared to the one-step BM-Test with either fingerstick or venipuncture (0.972 vs 0.721 and 0.714, P = 0.000). The most appropriate cutoff reading time was 5 min for the one-step BM-Test. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 52.8%, 88.2%, 70.2% for fingerstick; 62.3%, 80.4%, 71.2% for venipuncture; and 90.6%, 92.2%, 91.3% for HEL-pTEST II. We conclude that there is no difference in diagnostic performance between capillary and venous blood for rapid whole blood test, and extending the reading time beyond the manufacturer's suggestion for the one step BM-Test does not improve its accuracy.

Blood Specimen Collection↗