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J C Lin

Publications and source records attributed to J C Lin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Up-regulation of Fas ligand expression by human cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene product 2: a novel mechanism in cytomegalovirus-induced apoptosis in human retina.

Human CMV (HCMV) is an important pathogen that causes widespread diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Among the opportunistic HCMV infections, HCMV retinitis is most common in transplant recipients and AIDS patients. It often leads to blindness if left untreated. The question as to how HCMV infection causes retinal pathogenesis remains unresolved. Here, we report that viral immediate-early gene product 2 (IE2), but not IE1, up-regulates the Fas ligand (FasL) expression in HCMV-infected human retinal pigment epithelium cells. Increased secretion of FasL from virally infected cells into cultured medium was observed upon HCMV infection. The capability of such cell-free medium to induce apoptosis of Fas (CD95)-expressing Jurkat cells further implies that Fas-FasL interaction might mediate cell death in the lesion of HCMV retinitis. To support this idea, we observed augmented soluble FasL levels in vitreous from AIDS patients with HCMV retinitis as compared with that from AIDS patients without HCMV infection. In addition, by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we detected enhanced signals of FasL, the existence of viral IE Ags and apoptotic cells at the same sites in the lesion of HCMV-infected retina. These results strongly suggest that IE2 induction of FasL expression in human retina might be an important event that takes place in the early stage of infection and finally leads to visual loss in individuals affiliated with HCMV retinitis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Effect of pravastatin-to-simvastatin conversion on low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol.

The effects of a pravastatin-to-simvastatin conversion program on low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were studied. Patients receiving pravastatin at a Veterans Affairs medical center were switched to simvastatin beginning in 1997. The dosage of simvastatin was based on the additional percent reduction in LDL cholesterol needed to achieve the goal specified by the National Cholesterol Education Program. The primary endpoint was the change in the percentage of patients meeting their LDL cholesterol goal at baseline and follow-up. Changes in lipid indices, the relative risk (RR) of coronary heart disease (CHD), and program costs were also evaluated. A total of 1032 patients completed the program. The mean +/- S.D. daily doses of pravastatin and simvastatin were 25.2 +/- 11.3 and 22.7 +/- 13.3 mg, respectively. Median baseline and follow-up LDL cholesterol concentrations were 116 and 99 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, 44% of the patients met their LDL cholesterol goal while taking pravastatin, compared with 69% after conversion to simvastatin (p < 0.001). The predicted mean RR of a future CHD event (based on changes in serum lipids) was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.91) four years after conversion. The total cost of the program was $40,644 in the first year, and there was a net saving thereafter. Therapeutic interchange between pravastatin and simvastatin increased the number of patients meeting their LDL cholesterol goal.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Stress-inducible transcription factor CHOP/gadd153 induces apoptosis in mammalian cells via p38 kinase-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

CHOP/gadd153 is a transcription factor induced by cellular stresses such as UV light, genotoxic agents, and protein misfolding in the endoplasmic reticulum. The fact that these stresses induce CHOP expression, and at the same time cause cellular apoptosis, suggests that CHOP may be directly involved in apoptosis. However, evidence has been circumstantial. Here, we show that CHOP can directly induce apoptosis. A GFP-tagged CHOP vector, ectopically overexpressed in several cell types (3T3 fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and HeLa cells), caused apoptosis as defined by morphology, DNA fragmentation, and FACS analysis. Apoptosis was quantified using a rapid fluorescence assay that measures the signal from cells collected in culture supernatants. The apoptosis-modulating effects of p38 kinase, previously shown to phosphorylate CHOP, were also examined. Simultaneous overexpression of CHOP and p38 significantly augmented apoptosis. However, although p38 kinase clearly modulated the activity of full-length CHOP, it was not absolutely required. Deletion mapping experiments showed that the bZIP region of CHOP stimulates apoptosis to nearly the same extent as wild-type CHOP. Thus, while the amino-terminal region of CHOP serves an important modulatory role (i.e., regulation by p38), the underlying apoptosis-inducing activity of CHOP resides within the bZIP region of the molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Surface characterization and platelet adhesion studies of self-assembled monolayer with phosphonate ester and phosphonic acid functionalities.

Because of its well-defined surface configuration and creative chemical structure, an alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold is a model surface for a blood compatibility investigation. In this study two laboratory-synthesized long-chain alkanethiols, HS(CH(2))(10)PO(3)-(C(2)H(5))(2) and HS(CH(2))(10)PO(3)H(2), were employed for the direct preparation of SAMs with nonionic and ionic functional groups. Various instrumental analyses confirmed the high purity of the phosphonate ester and phosphonic acid terminated alkanethiols. The surface characterization results showed the -PO(3)H(2) terminated SAM was more hydrophilic than the -PO(3)(C(2)H(5))(2) one. Higher hysteresis values for the -PO(3)(C(2)H(5))(2) and -PO(3)H(2) terminated SAMs were noted, which were possibly due to the steric hindrance of the bulky terminal groups. In addition, the O(2) plasma + EtOH-rinse pretreated Au sample was hydrophilic because of the residual gold oxide on the surface. This finding was supported by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) as well. The ESCA analysis also indicated bulky and polar terminal groups [-PO(3)(C(2)H(5))(2) and -PO(3)H(2)] were situated in the outermost layer of its monolayer. The platelet reactivity on the SAM with the nonionic group -PO(3)(C(2)H(5))(2) was less than those of the ionic terminated SAMs -COOH and -PO(3)H(2). The O(2) plasma + EtOH-rinse pretreated gold substrate exhibited the least platelet-activating surface among the different pretreated Au substrates studied.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2001

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in the peripheral-blood cells of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: relationship to distant metastasis and survival.

PURPOSE: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been proved to be an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cancer. By use of nested polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), we examined whether the presence of EBV DNA in the peripheral-blood cells (PBC) can serve as a prognostic indicator for NPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood from 124 patients with NPC who had no evidence of distant metastasis and 114 healthy volunteers with serologically positive findings for EBV infection was collected prospectively. Plasma and erythrocytes were separated. DNA was extracted from PBCs and analyzed by a nested PCR using primers specific to Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1). All patients were treated by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Clinical parameters and status of EBNA-1 in PBCs were used for survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Positive rates of EBNA-1 DNA in PBCs of NPC patients and healthy volunteers are 71% and 14%, respectively (P =.001). No significant difference was observed with regard to the clinical characteristics of patients who were EBNA-1-positive (n = 88) and those who were EBNA-1-negative (n = 36). After a median follow-up period of 38 months (range, 24 to 56 months), 29 of 88 EBNA-1-positive patients and only one of 36 EBNA-1-negative patients developed distant metastases (P =.00015). Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (P =.0010), metastasis-free survival (P =.0004), and progression-free survival (P =.0004) were significantly lower for the patients in the EBNA-1-positive group than for those in the EBNA-1-negative group. Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed the same results. CONCLUSION: The presence of EBNA-1 DNA in PBCs is a novel, important risk factor for patients with NPC that indicates a significantly higher risk of developing distant metastasis as well as a lower survival rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Deficiency of the specific granule proteins, R-binder/transcobalamin I and lactoferrin, in plasma and saliva: a new disorder.

The mechanisms of hereditary deficiency of R binder, which originates in neutrophils and exocrine gland epithelium, are unknown and may be multiple. This led us to examine if defective R binder synthesis also involves proteins that colocalize with it in neutrophil-specific granules and exocrine epithelial cells and may be under common regulatory control. Stored plasma and saliva samples from five unrelated R binder-deficient patients and control subjects were assayed for R binder, lactoferrin, cationic antimicrobial protein-18, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, gelatinase, lysozyme, and myeloperoxidase. One patient, patient A, had lactoferrin levels below the limits of detection in both plasma and saliva in addition to his R binder deficiency. Although his deficiency involved lactoferrin as well, he had no history of predisposition to infection. PCR amplification of his R binder gene promoter region and the beginning of the first exon revealed no DNA abnormalities. His son and the son of his equally deficient brother, both presumptive heterozygotes, had mild deficiency of both R binder and lactoferrin. The results show that R binder deficiency exists in at least two forms. One, presumably the less common of the two forms, is the new hereditary entity described here, which is characterized by deficiency of more than one specific granule protein in both plasma and saliva. Despite this more widely distributed absence of the proteins than is found in congenital specific granule deficiency, infection posed no clinical problem in the affected patient.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Functional mutation in the promoter region of thrombomodulin gene in relation to carotid atherosclerosis.

Thrombomodulin is an important endothelial anticoagulant protein that decreases thrombin activity and activates protein C. Our recent study has shown that the G-33A promoter mutation of thrombomodulin gene is associated with coronary artery disease. This study was conducted to determine whether the G-33A mutation in the promoter region of thrombomodulin gene is a genetic risk factor for ischemic stroke or carotid atherosclerosis. The functional significance of this mutation was also evaluated. We recruited 333 patients (mean age 64 years, 59% male) with ischemic stroke and 257 age- and sex-matched controls. In all study participants, carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by Duplex scanning, and thrombomodulin G-33A promoter mutation was detected by single-strand conformation polymorphism. Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the influence of this mutation on thrombomodulin promoter activity. There was no significant difference in the thrombomodulin G-33A mutation frequency (GA+AA genotypes) between the stroke and the control groups (18.3 vs. 24. 1%, P=0.105). The G-33A mutation frequency was also similar between the study participants with and without carotid atherosclerosis (22.2 vs. 19.8%, P=0.550). When only younger subjects (age </=60 years) were included in the analysis, however, we found the mutation occurred more frequently in participants with carotid atherosclerosis (33.3 vs. 17.3%, odds ratio [OR]=2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16-4.90, P=0.027). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that only diabetes mellitus (OR=3.11, 95% CI=1.33-7.30, P=0.009) and G-33A mutation (OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.14-5.29, P=0.021) were associated independently with carotid atherosclerosis in younger subjects. As assessed by luciferase reporter gene assays, the contructs bearing the G-33A mutation showed a significant decrease (36+/-12%) in transcriptional activity in comparison with the wild type constructs. Our findings suggest that G-33A mutation reduces the thrombomodulin promoter activity and is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in younger subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Excess mortality due to pneumonia or influenza during influenza seasons among persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports suggest that influenza-related morbidity may be high among persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but little information is available concerning the population-level impact of influenza on mortality in persons with AIDS. METHODS: Using the Multiple Cause-of-Death data files, which contain information on all deaths occurring in the United States each year, we calculated the numbers of excess deaths and rates of excess death due to pneumonia or influenza among persons with AIDS aged 13 years and older during the influenza seasons 1991-1992 through 1993-1994. For comparison, numbers of excess deaths and excess death rates were also calculated for several other groups including the general US population aged 13 years and older and the general US population aged 65 years and older. RESULTS: During the 1991-1992, 1992-1993, and 1993-1994 influenza seasons, there were 261, 254, and 191 excess deaths due to pneumonia or influenza in persons with AIDS and excess death rates of 19.74, 15.38, and 10.17 deaths per 10 000 persons, respectively, compared with a summer baseline period. For the same seasons, we observed excess death rates of 1.40, 1.62, and 1.48 for the general US population aged 13 years and older and 8.10, 9.28, and 8.54 for the general US population aged 65 years and older. Thus, persons with AIDS had excess death rates substantially higher than the general US population and similar to, if not somewhat higher than, the general US population aged 65 years and older, a group that is already targeted for annual vaccination. The findings were similar when we compared the preinfluenza season with the influenza season. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with AIDS have significant excess mortality due to pneumonia or influenza during influenza seasons and should be considered a high-risk group that is targeted for the prevention of influenza.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

The external granule layer of the developing chick cerebellum generates granule cells and cells of the isthmus and rostral hindbrain.

The external granule layer (EGL) on the dorsal surface of the developing cerebellum consists of neural progenitors originating from the rostral rhombic lip (RRL). The RRL and the EGL were thought to give rise exclusively to the granule neurons of the cerebellum (Alder et al., 1996). To study the fate of individual RRL cells, we used a retroviral library to mark clones in the chick embryo at Hamberger-Hamilton stages 10-12. RRL clones comprised the EGL and cerebellar granule cells, as expected. Surprisingly, however, as many as 50% of the RRL clones also contained cells ventral to the cerebellum proper. Ventral derivatives were found in clones with a medial origin, as well as in those with a lateral origin along the RRL. Some of the ventral progeny appeared to be in the process of migration, whereas others appeared to be differentiating neurons in the isthmus and the rostral hindbrain region, including the locus coeruleus (LC) and pontine reticular formation. Furthermore, the Phox2a marker of LC precursors was detected in the EGL within the anterior aspect of the cerebellum. A stream of cells originating in the EGL and expressing Phox2a was observed to terminate ventrally in the LC. These data demonstrate that single RRL progenitor cells are not restricted to producing only cerebellar granule cells; they produce both cerebellar granule cells and ventral derivatives, some of which become hindbrain neurons. They also suggest that some progeny of the EGL escape the cerebellum via the anterior aspect of the cerebellar peduncles, to contribute to the generation of ventral structures such as the LC.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2001

A 915-MHz antenna for microwave thermal ablation treatment: physical design, computer modeling and experimental measurement.

A 915-MHz antenna design that produces specific absorption rate distributions with preferential power deposition in tissues surrounding and including the distal end of the catheter antenna is described. The design features minimal reflected microwave current from the antenna flowing up the transmission line. This cap-choke antenna consists of an annular cap and a coaxial choke which matches the antenna to the coaxial transmission line. The design minimizes heating of the coaxial cable and its performance is not affected by the depth of insertion of the antenna into tissue. The paper provides a comparison of results obtained from computer modeling and experimental measurements made in tissue equivalent phantom materials. There is excellent agreement between numerical modeling and experimental measurement. The cap-choke, matched-dipole type antenna is suitable for intracavitary microwave thermal ablation therapy.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2001

Surface characterization and platelet compatibility evaluation of surface-sulfonated chitosan membrane.

The effect of various sulfonated derivatives of chitosan on platelet activation and blood coagulation was examined. The surface properties of artificial biomaterials have been thought as the key factors which mediate the interactions between the biological environment and biomaterial itself. In this study, the sulfonation was directly performed on the chitosan membrane surface. The chitosan membrane was surface-sulfonated by reactions with sulfur-pyridine trioxide complex (SO3/pyridine) in H2O solution and N,N-sulfur-dimethylformamide trioxide complex (SO3/DMF) in DMF. Blood compatibility was evaluated by an in vitro platelet adhesion assay. The surface reaction of SO3/pyridine in aqueous acid medium yields N,O-sulfated chitosan with cationic NH3+ groups. After neutralization, this surface has been shown to induce a low degree of platelet adhesion and activation. When the surface-sulfonation is performed in an aqueous alkaline medium, although the degree of sulfonation is lower than the samples above, the N-sulfated chitosan significantly reduced the adhesion and activation of platelets. For the acidic SO3/DMF reaction system, N,O-sulfated chitosan was obtained with a high extent of sulfonation and cationic NH3+ groups. On this surface fully spread platelets and some platelet aggregates were found instead. This may be attributed to the ionic interactions between the platelets membrane surface and the cationic groups on the modified chitosan membrane.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy of cefepime versus ceftazidime in the treatment of adult pneumonia.

Effective empiric treatment of pneumonia requires antibiotic coverage against gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens, including drug-resistant isolates. This study evaluated the efficacy of cefepime treatment in 20 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 21 patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ceftazidime treatment in 20 patients with HAP. The mean age of patients was over 70 years. More than half of the patients had multiple lobe involvement. There was no significant difference in the severity of illness according to the acute physiology, age, chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III score between the HAP-cefepime and HAP-ceftazidime group. The most common bacteria isolated from sputum of patients with CAP were Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 7), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2). In patients with HAP, P. aeruginosa (n = 13), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 11), Serratia marcescens (n = 6), K. pneumoniae (n = 5), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 5), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 3), Citrobacter spp. (n = 2), and Escherichia coli (n = 2) were isolated. The cure rates were 95%, 76%, and 60% in the CAP-cefepime group, the HAP-cefepime group, and the HAP-ceftazidime group, respectively. The increased rates of antimicrobial resistance commonly found among isolates causing CAP and HAP indicate that extended-spectrum antimicrobial agents, such as cefepime, would be more appropriate therapeutic agents.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of early-stage Parkinson's disease with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 imaging.

UNLABELLED: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a selective loss of dopamine in the striatum. Problems remain in the accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. A 99mTc-labeled tropane derivative that binds to dopamine transporter with high selectivity is [2-[[2-[[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-yl]methyl](2-mercaptoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]ethanethiolato(3-)-N2,N2',S2,S2']oxo-[1R-(exo-exo)] (TRODAT-1). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential usefulness of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 imaging in the evaluation of patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with early-stage idiopathic Parkinson's disease were recruited. For all patients, the Parkinson's disease was stage 2 or less as assessed by the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Seventeen age-matched healthy volunteers (8 men, 9 women) served as controls. 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was prepared from a lyophilized kit. Brain SPECT imaging was performed between 165 and 195 min after injection, using a double-head camera equipped with fanbeam collimators. Specific uptake in the striatum and its subregions, including the putamen and caudate nucleus, was calculated and compared with that of the other sides and of healthy volunteers. RESULTS: A continuous reduction in specific striatal uptake of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 with increasing disease severity was found in Parkinson's disease patients (control vs. stage I vs. stage II, 1.98 vs. 1.62 vs. 1.22, respectively, P < 0.01). The changes were magnified by measurement of specific putaminal uptake (control vs. stage I vs. stage II, 1.81 vs. 1.27 vs. 0.94, respectively, P < 0.01). The mean values of specific putaminal uptake contralateral to the more affected limbs were significantly decreased compared with the ipsilateral sides in both stage I and stage II groups (1.02 vs. 1.49 for stage I and 0.73 vs. 1.14 for stage II, P < 0.01). Moreover, a significant loss of putaminal uptake ipsilateral to the symptoms was found in the stage I group compared with the healthy volunteers (1.49 vs. 1.81, P < 0.01). The difference became greater when the posterior putaminal uptakes were compared. No remarkable adverse reactions were found in either healthy volunteers or Parkinson's disease patients during or after imaging. CONCLUSION: For clinical practice, 99mTc-TRODAT-1 may serve as a useful imaging agent for the early detection of Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis, surface characterization, and platelet reactivity evaluation for the self-assembled monolayer of alkanethiol with sulfonic acid functionality.

Owing to the capability of fabricating a well-defined chemical structure on the surface, self-assembled alkanethiols with a variety of terminal functionalities were prepared on the gold substrate for investigating the interactions between the biological environment and synthetic surface. In this study, we report the synthesis of the sulfonic acid terminated long-chain alkanethiol, 10-mercaptodecane-sulfonic acid, for direct preparation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with -SO(3)H functionality. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and elemental analysis studies indicated that a high purity of sulfonic acid terminated alkanethiol was obtained. Surface characterization results showed that the -SO(3)H terminated SAM is hydrophilic and has a slightly higher hysteresis value, possibly because of the slower chain mobility of the bound sulfonic acid alkanethiol. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) analysis demonstrated that the -SO(3)H terminal group is situated in the outermost layer of the monolayer, as previous alkanethiol SAM structure models proposed. The platelet reactivity of the -SO(3)H SAM was higher than that of -OH SAM but less than the -CH(3) terminated one in vitro, whereas similar platelet reactivity was noticed between the -SO(3)H and -COOH SAMs. The higher platelet reactivity found on the -SO(3)H SAM could be caused by the higher surface functional group density inherent in the SAM structure and/or the composition and conformation state of the adsorbed protein layer.

Alkanesulfonic Acids↗
PubMed2000

Transcriptional regulatory effects of lymphoma-associated NFKB2/lyt10 protooncogenes.

C-terminal truncations of the NFKB2 p100 gene product have been observed in a number of cases of human cutaneous T cell lymphomas, as well as human B-cell lymphomas and myelomas. The contribution of these alterations to lymphomagenesis is not understood; however, truncation at amino acid 666 to generate 80 - 85 kD proteins in the HUT78 cell line is associated with addition of a short (serine-alanine-serine) fusion at the 3' end of p80HT, as well as with increased expression of NFKB2 mRNA. We therefore examined the effects of p80HT on the regulation of NFKB2 expression, as well as the properties of a series of other tumor-associated, and site directed mutations of NFKB2. While p80HT had not itself acquired novel transcriptional activation properties with respect to the NFKB2 P1 or P2 promoters or the IL-6 kappaB promoter, p80HT had lost the potent inhibitory (IkappaB-like) activity associated with the wild-type, p100 gene product. Loss of the inhibitory property depended on the SAS residues in the fusion protein, direct truncation at aa666 was fully inhibitory, as was a substitution of three alanines for the SAS residues. The presence of as few as two C-terminal ankyrin motifs was sufficient for inhibition of NF-kappaB-mediated transcriptional activation. Assays of a series of additional lymphoma-associated NF-kappaB-2 truncation suggested that the C-terminal truncation associated with these proteins was also associated with a loss of the IkappaB-like activities of p100 NF-kappaB-2, for at least some NF-kappaB target promoters. Thus, the loss of IkappaB-like activity of lymphoma-associated NFKB2 mutations may play an important role in the genesis of a subset of human lymphomas.

Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed2000

In vitro and in vivo studies for modified ethyl cyanoacrylate regimens for sclerotherapy.

Cyanoacrylates have known for their ability to polymerize rapidly in the presence of traces of weakly basic moieties such as water. The tissue adhesive, Histoacryl(R) (N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate), has been reported to control bleeding through endoscopic sclerotherapy. But the commercially available Histoacryl(R) is expensive, and it has the problem like other cyanoacrylates that the glue tends to flow/run away from the point of application, which is inherent to the low viscosity, making precise application difficult. In this study, ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA), the main constituent of "super glue," was employed instead of Histoacryl(R) due to its lower cost. The aim of the research is to modify the compositions of ECA regimen and evaluate its feasibility for sclerosant application through both in vitro flow circuit model and in vivo animal tests. It was noted that the difference in the relative hardening rate between the in vitro Hepes-Tyrodes buffer flowing model and the in vivo rat model for the ECA and Histoacryl(R) was related to the existence of the blood protein, such as albumin, in the physiological milieu. It was also noticed that the ECA setting rate was greatly increased either in Hepes-Tyrodes buffer or in blood (to a comparable rate as Histoacryl(R) in vivo) by adding a few doses of caffeine, which acts as a polymerization initiator. This would lead to far better injection precision during sclerotherapy. Furthermore, in vivo histological examination for the occluded lumen of the rat's inferior vena cava and a clinical piglet portal vein occlusion experiment have suggested this new sclerosant regimen, caffeine/ECA, is of great promise in endoscopic sclerotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Relapsing pancreatitis in a child duplication in an aberrant pancreatic lobe.

An aberrant pancreatic lobe associated with an enteric duplication cyst is a rare cause of relapsing pancreatitis in childhood. We present an 8-year-old boy with relapsing pancreatitis caused by this rare congenital foregut anomaly. The computed tomography (CT) findings revealed an unusually long segment of aberrant pancreatic lobe arising from the pancreatic neck, projecting anteriorly at a distance to a cystic duodenal duplication and appearing as an inflammatory mass. There has been no previous report of this unusual appearance on CT. Appreciation of the relevant anatomy provided by CT led to the successful management of this surgically-treatable cause of relapsing pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗