Biomedical subjects

J Y Lu

Publications and source records attributed to J Y Lu.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Spindle cell carcinoma of the lung: a clinicopathologic presentation of three cases.

Three patients with spindle cell carcinoma located in the lower respiratory tract are presented, including cases of two monophasic and one biphasic tumor. On light microscopic examination, the spindle cell components of the tumors were histologically characterized by sheets of fusiform spindle cells that closely resembled a sarcoma. Keratin expression in the spindle cell components of these tumors, as shown by anti-cytokeratin antibody staining, demonstrated their epithelial nature. It is supposed that the spindle cell component displays a spectrum of phenotypes originating from epithelial cells with varying degrees of mesenchymal transformation. It is difficult to establish a diagnosis of this rare primary pulmonary malignancy prior to surgical intervention. A review of the literature allowed for a summary of the clinicopathologic characteristics of this tumor.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

A synopsis of the occurrence and pathogenicity of Phytophthora species in mainland China.

To date, 26 species of Phytophthora have been reported in mainland China but only 23 are accepted as good taxa. Phytophthora nicotianae (P. parasitica) is the single most important species causing over 40 different plant diseases; P. boehmeriae is widespread attacking Gossypium, Boehmeria, Citrus, Broussonetia papyrifera and Pterocarya stenoptera; P. "fragariae var. oryzo-bladis" is unique to mainland China causing blight of Oryza sativa seedlings; P. megasperma sensu lato has been isolated from Glycine max, Asparagus officinalis and Spinacia oleracea. In Hainan Province, P. heveae is present in the soil without causing apparent diseases to Hevea brasiliensis there.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase and the molecular pathogenesis of infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT) has recently been shown to be the defective enzyme underlying the infantile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL). In this paper, we review the enzymology of PPT, evidence for its localization in lysosomes, and recent advances in understanding the metabolic defect caused by PPT deficiency. Absence of PPT activity in lysosomes isolated from INCL lymphoblasts is demonstrated. A model for the formation of the storage bodies in INCL involving defective autophagocytic proteolysis is proposed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

The acting site of bronchodilator, methacholine and upper respiratory tract infection on airways.

BACKGROUND: The bronchodilator agent is an important drug for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methacholine is a popular bronchial provocative agent. Although the major acting site of bronchodilator, methacholine and upper respiratory tract infection (URI) has been evaluated in some studies, the sites are still in debate. This study investigated the exact major acting sites. METHODS: Thirty subjects participated in this study. Episodes of URI were identified by a questionnaire. Spirometry, bronchial provocative test with methacholine, and five minutes' inhalation of a mixture of helium and oxygen (HeO2) were done on day one. Spirometry, bronchodilator test, with five minutes' inhalation of HeO2 and expiratory flow-volume (F-V) curve were performed on another day. The change of pre- and post-HeO2 VEMax50 was calculated as delta VEMax50. The pre- and post-bronchodilator VEMax50 and delta VEMax50 differences were counted to decide the acting site of bronchodilator. After bronchial provocative test with methacholine, the volume of isoflow (VisoV) was estimated from pre- and post-HeO2 F-V curve to establish the acting site of methacholine. RESULTS: This study indicated that small airways are the major acting sites of bronchodilators, large airways are the major acting sites of methacholine and URI affects mainly large airways. Although airway hyperresponsiveness is more severe in subjects with positive methacholine response, the recovery of spirometry values is not significantly different between the methacholine-positive and -negative groups. CONCLUSIONS: The major acting sites of the bronchodilator, methacholine, and URI are the small, large and large airways, respectively. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is not a cause of quick restoration of spirometry values in subjects with positive methacholine response.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Lipid thioesters derived from acylated proteins accumulate in infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis: correction of the defect in lymphoblasts by recombinant palmitoyl-protein thioesterase.

Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase is a lysosomal long-chain fatty acyl hydrolase that removes fatty acyl groups from modified cysteine residues in proteins. Mutations in palmitoyl-protein thioesterase were recently found to cause the neurodegenerative disorder infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a disease characterized by accumulation of amorphous granular deposits in cortical neurons, leading to blindness, seizures, and brain death by the age of three. In the current study, we demonstrate that [35S]cysteine-labeled lipid thioesters accumulate in immortalized lymphoblasts of patients with infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The accumulation in cultured cells is reversed by the addition of recombinant palmitoyl-protein thioesterase that is competent for lysosomal uptake through the mannose-6-phosphate receptor. The [35S]cysteine-labeled lipids are substrates for palmitoyl-protein thioesterase in vitro, and their formation requires prior protein synthesis. These data support a role for palmitoyl-protein thioesterase in the lysosomal degradation of S-acylated proteins and define a major new pathway for the catabolism of acylated proteins in the lysosome.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Outbreak of bronchiolitis obliterans associated with consumption of Sauropus androgynus in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: In August, 1995, there was an outbreak in Taiwan of rapidly progressive respiratory distress associated with consumption of uncooked Sauropus androgynus, a vegetable with a claimed yet unconfirmed effect on weight control. We report on 23 patients with strikingly similar clinical presentations. METHODS: A structured questionnaire for clinical manifestations was completed. Radiographic findings, pulmonary physiological changes, immunological and microbiological studies, and pathological examination were evaluated. FINDINGS: All patients were young and middle-aged women (mean age 39 years [range 21-52]). They took uncooked S androgynus juice, generally mixed with guava or pineapple juice, for a mean duration of 10 weeks. Progressive dyspnoea and persistent cough were the main symptoms on presentation. Pulmonary function testing uniformly revealed moderate to severe airflow obstruction with mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 0.66 L (26% of predicted). No bronchodilator response was observed. Room-air arterial blood gas analysis showed hypoxaemia (mean PaO2 9.6 [SD 1.6] kPa). Chest radiographs were essentially normal. High-resolution computed tomography showed bilateral bronchiectasis and patchy low attenuation of lung parenchyma with mosaic perfusion. Ventilation-perfusion scintigraphic findings were compatible with obstructive lung disease. Histopathology of open lung biopsy specimens in four patients confirmed the presence of bronchiolitis obliterans. Immunohistochemical stains of the open lung biopsy specimens showed predominance of T cells over B cells. Immunofluorescent stains for IgG, IgM, IgA, C1q, C3, and C4 were negative. Serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor alpha were higher than those of normal controls. Clinical response to prednisolone was limited. INTERPRETATION: We describe an unusual association between bronchiolitis obliterans and ingestion of the vegetable S androgynus. T-cell mediated immunity may be involved in the pathogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Biological degradation and composition of inedible sweetpotato biomass.

Many challenges are presented by biological degradation in a bioregenerative Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) as envisioned by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the studies conducted with biodegradative microorganism indigenous to sweetpotato fields, it was determined that a particle size of 75 microns and incubation temperature of 30 degrees C were optimal for degradation. The composition of the inedible biomass and characterization of plant nutrient solution indicated the presence of potential energy sources to drive microbial transformations of plant waste. Selected indigenous soil isolates with ligno-cellulolytic or sulfate-reducing ability were utilized in biological studies and demonstrated diversity in ability to reduce sulfate in solution and to utilize alternative carbon sources: a lignin analog--4-hydroxy, 3-methoxy cinnamic acid, cellulose, arabinose, glucose, sucrose, mannitol, galactose, ascorbic acid.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1996

Diagnostic value of transbronchial lung biopsy under fluoroscopic guidance in solitary pulmonary nodule in an endemic area of tuberculosis.

In the endemic area of tuberculosis, there are many cases that present tuberculosis as a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) on chest radiographs. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) under fluoroscopic guidance in SPNs such as lung cancer or pulmonary tuberculoma in areas with high prevalence of tuberculosis. One hundred and seventy patients with SPNs on chest radiographs were included in the study; all had negative sputum smears for tubercle bacilli and no malignancy by sputum cytology before bronchoscopy. Transbronchial lung biopsy and brushing were performed, routinely, under fluoroscopic guidance. Of 170 patients, 120 (70.6%) had lung cancer (including three with metastatic cancer), 40 (23.5%) patients had pulmonary tuberculosis (Tb), and the remaining 10 (5.9%) patients had other benign pulmonary lesions. The overall diagnostic rate in SPNs was 62.4% (106 of 170). Transbronchial lung biopsy and brushing revealed a diagnostic sensitivity of 70.0% in lung cancer (84 of 120) and a sensitivity of 55% in Tb (22 of 40). In addition, TBLB and brushing also provided rapid microscopic identification of Tb in 18 of 40 patients (45%, including 15 by TBLB, one by brushing smear, and two by postbronchoscopic sputum). The percentage of positive diagnosis correlated with diameter of the SPN. Solitary pulmonary nodules with diameter less than 2 cm were diagnosed in only 35.3% of cases (6 of 17; cancer 40% vs. Tb 29%). In contrast, the diagnostic rates in SPNs with diameters 2-4 cm and greater than 4 cm were 64.5% (78 of 121; cancer 72.0% vs. Tb 62.5%) and 68.8% of cases (22 of 32), respectively. Diagnostic bronchoscopy under fluoroscopic guidance is a useful tool in evaluation of patients with a peripheral pulmonary nodule since it may provide additional information to minimize unnecessary thoracotomy and give way for proper medication as early as possible.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Ultrastructure and human papillomavirus DNA in papillomatosis of external auditory canal.

BACKGROUND: A viral etiology has been suspected in papillomatosis of the external auditory canal (PEAC), but virus particles have not been detected so far, although they are easily demonstrable in skin warts. The purpose of the study was to solve this discrepancy by the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens from the external auditory canal of 14 patients with PEAC, but no human papilloma virus infection of the genital areas, were examined histologically by light and electron microscopy, as well as by PCR to detect viral DNA. RESULTS: Histologically, papillomatosis was present in all specimens. Vacuolated cells were found in the upper part of the stratum malpighii in five cases. On electron microscopy, the numbers of perichromatin and interchromatin granules were increased, but no viral granules were observed. In all specimens, DNA of HPV 6 was detected using PCR, but there was no evidence of DNA of other HPV. CONCLUSIONS: Papilloma of the external auditory canal is produced by infection with HPV 6.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

CYFRA 21-1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Evaluation as a tumor marker in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The CYFRA 21-1, a newly developed sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was used to measure soluble cytokeratin 19 fragment in serum that is expressed in simple epithelium and its malignant counterpart. The present study was designed to investigate whether CYFRA 21-1 is a sensitive and specific tumor marker for non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: CYFRA 21-1 assay, using two specific monoclonal antibodies (KS 19.1 and BM 19.21) for cytokeratin 19, was measured in 312 serum samples, including 164 lung cancer, 118 benign pulmonary disease, and 30 healthy individuals. The sensitivity of CYFRA 21-1 was also compared with two other markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), in 164 patients with lung cancer. RESULTS: The median value of healthy individuals was 1.3 ng/mL (95th percentile 1.8). In patients with benign pulmonary diseases, the median was 1.5 ng/mL (95th percentile 2.9). There is no significant difference between sexes, smoking habit, and the subgroups of benign pulmonary disease, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or COPD. Using the cutoff value of 3.3 ng/mL, defined at 95% specificity for benign lung disease, the sensitivities of CYFRA 21-1 for squamous cell carcinoma (n=74), adenocarcinoma (n=54), undifferentiated large cell carcinoma (n=11), and small cell lung cancer (n=25) were 62%, 39%, 36%, and 20%, respectively. Despite the cell types, the sensitivities of CYFRA 21-1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n=169) were 51% (CEA 42%, SCC 20%). The sensitivity of CEA was significantly higher in patients with adenocarcinoma (58%) than other markers; while in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, CYFRA 21-1 assay has the highest sensitivity. The median level of CYFRA 21-1 in squamous cell carcinoma is significantly higher than that of other cell types (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.001). The serum level and sensitivity of CYFRA 21-1 were well correlated with staging and tumor size in squamous cell carcinoma. The CYFRA 21-1 values were measured for monitoring progression of disease in 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma. There is significant difference in paired observation of CYFRA 21-1 level in patients with progressive disease (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.05), but no difference was observed in patients with stabilized disease (p>0.1). CONCLUSION: For patients with NSCLC, especially in squamous cell carcinoma, CYFRA 21-1 is not only a sensitive and specific tumor marker, but also may be a useful adjunctive marker for disease monitoring.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Digital ischemia associated with lung cancer: a case report.

Digital ischemia or necrosis has unusually been associated with neoplasm. The occurrence of cryoglobulinemia and lung cancer with digital ischemia has been extremely rare in the past. This report concerns a case with adenocarcinoma of the lung associated with cryoglobulinemia, with rapidly developing digital ischemia of the tips of fingers and toes. Following concurrent chemoradiotherapy, there was improvement in digital ischemia and disappearance of serum cryoglobulin. The mechanisms of neoplasm-associated digital ischemia are complex; however, the cryoglobulinemia and probable arteritis may have played important roles in producing the ischemic symptoms in this case.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Depalmitoylation of CAAX motif proteins. Protein structural determinants of palmitate turnover rate.

In the present study, we examined the effect of amino acid substitutions on the rate of turnover of palmitate bound to a model "CAAX" motif protein H-Ras. These experiments were designed to shed light on the specificity of the process that removes palmitate from prenylated proteins. H-Ras, protein A-Ras fusion constructs, and constructs with amino acid substitutions in the H-Ras hypervariable region were transfected into COS cells, and the turnover rate of palmitate bound to each expressed protein was measured. We found no evidence for strict sequence specificity for palmitate removal, but found a strong inverse correlation between palmitate turnover rate and the degree of membrane association for any given construct, with slower turnover rates associated with stronger membrane binding. These data support a model in which the palmitate turnover rate is determined by access to a depalmitoylating enzyme and argue against a more complex model in which specific recognition of palmitoylated proteins is required.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Zygomycotic lung abscess: a case report.

Zygomycosis is an uncommon, but frequently fatal, fungal infection caused by members of the class Zygomycetes. The risk factors include diabetes mellitus, uremia, leukemia and use of deferoxamine as an iron-chelating agent; healthy persons also are occasionally infected. Those fungi, spread by their ubiquitous spores, most frequently involve the respiratory system. Rhinocerebral zygomycosis occurs predominantly in patients with uncontrolled diabetic ketoacidosis. Pulmonary zygomycosis most frequently is observed in granulocytopenic and corticosteroid-treated patients. Other clinical manifestations are gastrointestinal, cutaneous, disseminated and miscellaneous. This report concerns a previously robust farmer who suffered from left upper lung abscess caused by Rhizopus spp.-one member of the order Mucorales. Initially, it was intended to administer amphotericin B to a total dose of 2,000 mg; however, the patient could not tolerate such side effects as nausea, vomiting and refused further management when the cumulative dose was 948 mg. However, he did recover without further fever and cough. Chest X-ray, followed every three months, disclosed satisfactory improvement.

Amphotericin B↗

PubMed1995

99Tcm-HMPAO and 99Tcm-DTPA radioaerosol clearance measurements in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The clearance rate of an inhaled aerosol of a lipophilic complex, 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO), was compared with that of a hydrophilic complex, 99Tcm-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99Tcm-DTPA), in nine normal subjects and in eight patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Data were acquired as follows. The subjects were placed supine with their back against the scintillation camera and breathed aerosol for 2 min; pulmonary radioactivity was then monitored for 30 min. A time-activity curve (TAC) was generated from the region of interest (ROI) over the periphery of each lung field and a computer program was then used to calculate percentage clearance per minute (k) in each lung. The mean (+/- S.E.M.) rate of clearance of 99Tcm-DTPA (k = 1.31 +/- 0.13% min-1) was not significantly different from that of 99Tcm-HMPAO (k = 1.32 +/- 0.27% min-1, P > 0.025) in the normal subjects. However, 99Tcm-DTPA clearance was 1.91 +/- 0.27% min-1 and 99Tcm-HMPAO clearance 0.78 +/- 0.17% min-1 in eight patients with IPF (P < 0.001, 99Tcm-DTPA vs 99Tcm-HMPAO). By regression analysis using a multiplicative model, both values correlated fairly [r = -0.71, y = exp (0.08-0.85 ln chi); P < 0.005], with a change in clearance rate in the opposite direction in all eight patients. The results of our study demonstrate that the pulmonary clearance of 99Tcm-HMPAO is different from that of 99Tcm-DTPA in IPF.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1995

Elevated serum CK-MB and CK-BB isoenzymes in a patient with small cell lung cancer: a case report.

An increase in serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) isoenzyme is regarded as a specific indication of acute myocardial infarction. Recently, increased concentrations of various types of creatine kinase isoenzymes (mostly CK-BB and macro CK type 2 isoenzymes) have been found in the blood of some patients with malignancies. However, highly elevated serum CK-MB isoenzyme associated with malignancy has rarely been reported previously. Herein a case of extensive small cell lung cancer is presented in which the elevated serum levels of CK were detected throughout the three weeks of hospitalization. Fractionation of its isoenzymes by gel electrophoresis displayed elevated CK-MB and CK-BB isoenzymes. The proportion of serum CK-MB and CK-BB isoenzyme activities was persistently above normal (CK-MB 50-53%, normal < 5%). Clinical examination showed no evidence of myocardial infarction or injury, or tumor involvement of the heart. The tumor was the probable source of most circulating CK-MB isoenzyme. In clinical practice, markedly elevated levels of CK-MB, or increased levels of CK-MB in combination with CK-BB may point away from a myocardial origin and toward the existence of a malignancy.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Isolation and cultivation of aortic endothelial cells from spontaneously hypertensive rat with a modified tissue explant technique.

In the present study, we successfully established a "tissue explant technique" to obtain high yield and purity of endothelial cells from the aorta of hypertensive and normotensive rats (SHR and WKY). Small pieces of aorta were placed on fibronectin precoated petri dishes. The effects of oxygenation in the tissue preparation stage, tilting of the petri dish during the explanting period and timing of the removal of tissue blocks from petri dishes were evaluated. These procedures appeared to be critical for cell survival, tissue adhesion and minimizing of non-endothelial cell contamination. The cultured endothelial cells were characterized by morphological, immunohistochemical and biochemical examination. The cultured cells from both SHR and WKY rats showed similar endothelial cell character, positive immunofluorescence staining for the von Willebrand factor, and uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiI-ac-LDL). The secretory function of prostacylcin I2 (PGI2), thromboxane A2 and endothelin of cultured endothelial cells was measured. The results showed that the secretion of both PGI2 and endothelin was greater in SHR than in WKY rats, but that there was no difference in thromboxane A2 secretion. Therefore, our "tissue explant technique" can provide high yield and purity of endothelial cells with their specific biological function in vitro. It will permit us to further study the role of endothelial cells in the development of hypertension.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Biomedical ultrasound beam forming.

The principles of biomedical ultrasound beam forming control the quality of diagnostic imaging. Beam parameters associated with imaging quality are: (1) lateral and axial resolutions; (2) depth of field; (3) contrast and (4) frame rate. In this paper, we review some of the current beam forming techniques and their principles. We focus on trade-offs among the above four aspects of beam forming and relate them to system parameters such as aperture size, f-number (the ratio between focal length and aperture diameter), central frequency (wavelength), system bandwidth and sidelobes. Methods for steering conventional and limited diffraction beams with array transducers are also reviewed.

Ultrasonics↗

PubMed1994

Use of quantitative CT to predict postoperative lung function in patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of quantitative computed tomography (CT) for predicting postoperative lung function in patients with lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative spirometry and conventional CT of the chest were performed in 38 patients. A postprocessing CT program was applied to quantitate the volume of whole-lung parenchyma with attenuations of -500 to -910 HU; this was defined as total functional lung volume (TFLV). The regional functional lung volume (RFLV) of the lobes or lung to be resected was quantitated separately. CT-predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were derived by multiplying the preoperative spirometry values by (1 - RFLV/TFLV). RESULTS: CT-predicted values correlated well with postoperatively measured results (FEV1: r = .93, P < .001; FVC: r = .86, P < .001) in patients who underwent pneumonectomy or lobectomy, regardless of the patient's preoperative ventilation status. CONCLUSION: This method is effective in the prediction of postoperative FEV1 and FVC in patients undergoing pulmonary resection.

Aged↗