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Biomedical subjects

S M Wang

Publications and source records attributed to S M Wang.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Factors in recurrence after curative resection of rectal cancer].

Data on 409 Patients who had a curative resection for rectal cancer at the National Taiwan University Hospital between 1977 and 1989 were analysed to determine the independent effect on recurrence. In our series, the total operative mortality rate was 1.7% and the resectability rate was 88.1%. For these cases who received curative resection, the overall 5-year survival rate was 62.6%. The 5-year survival rate varied according to the Dukes' stage: stage A, 96.4%; stage B, 73.3% and stage C, 39.6%. The total recurrence rate after curative resection was 35.9%, including local recurrence 18.3%, systemic recurrence 12.0%, and combined recurrence 5.6%. According to Dukes' staging system, the recurrence rate for stage A, B and C were 0%, 22.4% and 63.8%, respectively. We used Cox's regression model to analyse the patients characteristics and pathological variables on recurrence and to assess the independent influence of each when all other factors were held constant. The pathological stage of the cancer had the strongest association. Other variables found to have an independent yet significant importance, were CEA level and tumor size. The identification of the patient group, at a high risk of recurrence, might promote a more judicious selection for surgical procedure and trials of adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

The role of endothelin-1 during ischemia-reperfusion injury.

In order to investigate the role of endothelin-1 during ischemia-reperfusion injury, 80 adult male Wistar rats were subjected to three hours of ischemia and one hour of reperfusion. Animals were evenly divided into eight groups. The rats in group 1 served as the normal control group, while the rats in group 2 received an intravenous infusion of endothelin-1 in a dosage of 0.5 ng/kg/min, group 3 in a dosage of 5 ng/kg/min, and group 4 in a dosage of 50 ng/kg/min. The rats in group 5 were infused with angiotensin II (10 ng/kg/min). The rats in group 6 received an intravenous infusion of 10,000 units of superoxide dismutase and 10,000 units of catalase. Group 7 rats were infused with endothelin-1 (50 ng/kg/min), superoxide dismutase (10,000 units), and catalase (10,000 units). Group 8 rats received an infusion of angiotensin II (10 ng/kg/min), superoxide dismutase (10,000 units) and catalase (10,000 units). The infusions were given during the reperfusion period. After one hour of reperfusion, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the experimental animals were excised and assayed for ischemia-reperfusion injury by measuring triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction. The results showed that the limb activity of the ischemic extremity was 40.33 +/- 2.75% in group 1, 41.62 +/- 4.08% in group 2, 14.42 +/- 3.14% in group 3, 4.43 +/- 1.05% in group 4, 23.81 +/- 3.51% in group 5, 57.23 +/- 4.52% in group 6, 31.79 42- 3.63% in group 7, and 27.39 +/- 3.95% in group 8. Endothelin-1 reduced the limb activity in a dose-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Studies on the interaction between titin and myosin.

This study examines the interaction of titin and myosin. In order to analyze the domains of myosin contributing to the binding for titin, we conducted a solid phase binding assay. Different portions of myosin (heavy chains, light chains and myosin fragments) were coated on the microtiter wells and reacted with biotinylated titin. Then the binding of biotinylated titin to these polypeptides was detected by using the avidinbiotin-peroxidase method. The results demonstrated that light meromyosin and subfragment 1 were the major domains of myosin interacting with titin. Titin fragments obtained by trypsin digestion were allowed to react with myosin in an affinity column, and the bound fragments were isolated by an acidic elution. Immunoblot analysis of myosin-bound titin fragments revealed that an A-band domain of titin was responsible for the binding of myosin. In addition, biotinylated titin labelled the outer A-bands and Z-bands in intact myofibrils, thus confirming the in situ binding of titin to myosin.

Animals↗

Effects of light deprivation on prolactin cells in golden hamsters: an immunoelectron microscopic study.

In the golden hamster light deprivation has been shown to induce gonadal regression and reduction of pituitary and plasma levels of prolactin (PRL). In the present study we examined changes in morphology and population ratios of three types of PRL cells 8 weeks after light deprivation, by means of blinding or exposure of hamsters to continuous darkness. In the pituitary of intact hamsters of either sex, which were entrained to a 14-h light: 10-h dark cycle, Type C cells with large secretory granules were the most numerous and Type A with smaller granules the least. After light deprivation the pituitary was found to contain remarkably atrophic PRL cells and showed a profound change in population ratio of PRL cell types, i.e., Type A cells prevailed over the other two types. Pituitary glands from light-deprived and concurrently pinealectomized hamsters exhibited structures and a population ratio of three types of PRL cells similar to those from intact animals. It is suggested that small-granule-containing PRL cells represent an inactive stage of PRL cells, whereas medium- and large-granule-containing cells are functionally active cells. The atrophy of PRL cells can account for the decreased pituitary level of PRL in light-deprived hamsters reported previously.

Animals↗

Location of the C-terminus of titin at the Z-line region in the sarcomere.

Limited proteolysis of titin with trypsin yielded a number of polypeptides which were electrophoresed and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. Proteolytic removal of the C-terminal residues on the nitrocellulose-bound polypeptides was achieved by using carboxypeptidase Y. The species of the polypeptides left after the digestion was quantified by immunoblotting with two distinct monoclonal anti-titin antibodies A2 and A12 of which the epitopes were located at 0.74 micron and 0.69 micron away from the center of an A-band, respectively. Two polypeptides (266 kd and 84 kd) reactive to both antibodies were identified in the control group. Fifteen minutes after the digestion, the immunoreactivities of A2 on 266 kd and 84 kd polypeptides were disappeared, while those of A12 on these polypeptides were not affected. The results indicate that the C-terminal end of titin is located near the Z-line region and the N-terminal end at the M-line region in the sarcomere.

Animals↗

Chicken cardiac myofibrillogenesis studied with antibodies specific for titin and the muscle and nonmuscle isoforms of actin and tropomyosin.

Myofibrillogenesis was studied in cultured chick cardiomyocytes using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and antibodies against alpha- and gamma-actin, muscle and nonmuscle tropomyosin, muscle myosin, and titin. Initially, cardiomyocytes, devoid of myofibrils, developed variable numbers of stress fiber-like structures with uniform staining for anti-muscle and nonmuscle actin and tropomyosin, and diffuse, weak staining with anti-titin. Anti-myosin labeled bundles of filaments that exhibited variable degrees of association with the stress fiber-like structures. Myofibrillogenesis occurred with a progressive, and generally simultaneous, longitudinal reorganization of stress fiber-like structures to form primitive sarcomeric units. Titin appeared to attain its mature pattern before the other major contractile proteins. Changes in the staining patterns of actin, tropomyosin, and myosin as myofibrils matured were interpreted as due to longitudinal filament alignment occurring before ordering in the axial direction. Non-muscle actin and tropomyosin were found with sarcomeric periodicity in the initial stages of sarcomere myofibrillogenesis, although their staining patterns were not identical. The localization of the "sarcomeric" proteins alpha-actin and muscle tropomyosin in stress fiber-like structures and the incorporation of non-muscle proteins in the initial stages of sarcomere organization bring into question the meaning of "sarcomeric" proteins in regard to myofibrillogenesis.

Actins↗

Some dicopper complexes of benzimidazole-containing ligands.

Dicopper complexes of the following benzimidazole-containing ligands have been studied as possible models for the active site of hemocyanin: EDTB (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine), EGTB (1,1,10,10-tetrakis-(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-1,10-diaza-4,7- dioxadecane), and MEGTB (1,1,10,10-tetrakis-(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-y lmethyl)-1,10-diaza-4,7-dioxadecane). The initial oxygenation product of Cu2(EDTB)(ClO4)2 in Me2SO gives optical absorption maxima at 315 nm (epsilon = 3750 M-1 cm-1) and 690 nm (epsilon = 100 M-1 cm-1). The fluorescence emission intensities of Cu2(EDTB)(ClO4)2 at 400 and 700 nm (excitation at 350 nm) decreases rapidly on exposure to air. This suggests oxidation of Cu2(I) to Cu2(II). The x-ray absorption edge spectra suggest that both coppers in the oxygenation product, analyzed as Cu2(EDTB)(ClO4)2(O).3H2O, are Cu(II). From spectrophotometric titration of Cu2(MEGTB)Cl4 with azide, formation constant of the Cu2(MEGTB)N3Cl3 complex has been obtained. Data from cyclic voltammetry experiments suggest that in the presence of azide, Cu(II)(N3)Cu(II) species is present.

Benzimidazoles↗

Reduced DNA repair in progeria cells and effects of gamma-ray irradiation on UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in normal and progeria cells.

A reduction in the amount of UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS), and reduced cell survival and host-cell reactivation against UV exposure in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome cell strains were shown. UV-induced UDS in 4 progeria cell strains was 33-50% of the normal level. A similar reduction in the UV-induced UDS in normal cells was caused by gamma-ray irradiation to the cells before UV irradiation. The dose of gamma-rays required to cause a reduction in UDS of normal cells to the level of progeria cells was 40 Gy and the reduction was reversible after 2 days. In progeria cells, gamma-ray irradiation further reduced UDS with a lower gamma-ray dose required than in normal cells, and the reduction was also reversible but with less relative recovery than in normal cells. The presence of a 'built-in' defect in progeria cells responsible for the reduced DNA-repair capacity was suggested, and such defect may share a common mechanism with the reduction of UV-induced UDS in normal cells caused by gamma-ray irradiation.

Adolescent↗

Primary malignant tumor of the small intestine.

The records of 101 patients with primary small intestinal malignant tumor at NTUH, collected from 1960 to 1989, were reviewed. These patients represented 1.2% of the patients with gastrointestinal cancer at NTUH over the same period. Fourty-two (41.6%) of the cancer patients had lymphomas, 30(29.7%) had adenocarcinomas, 26 (25.7%) had leiomyosarcomas, and 3(3.0%) had carcinoid tumors. The average age at cancer presentation was 47.5 years (range from 3 to 96). The lymphoma patients had an average age of 35.1 years, while adenocarcinoma patients averaged 60.4 years of age. Leiomyosarcoma and carcinoid tumors averaged 51.2 years and 59 years, respectively. There were 65 male patients and 36 female patients, and there was a male predominance in all groups except for the leiomyosarcoma group which had an equal sex ratio. Generally speaking, the incidence rate for the areas involved were similar in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. However, adenocarcinomas were more common in the duodenum (53%) and 45% of lymphomas were found in the ileum, as were the carcinoid tumors (66%). The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (62%), with bleeding second (32%). Obstruction and palpable mass together were present in 29% of the cases. Body weight loss was found in 25% of patients, and 14% of the patients presented with acute abdomen due to intestinal perforation. Laparotomy was the most common diagnostic procedure (60%). Preoperative diagnoses were possible in cases of duodenal and upper intestinal malignancies, but were rarely possible in patients with lower intestinal malignancies. Sixty-eight patients (68%) underwent tumor resection for palliation or cure. The operation mortality was 4%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Factors affecting local or regional recurrence in breast cancer.

Between 1975 and 1989, 535 patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast in various clinical stages were treated by modified radical mastectomy and axillary node clearance, followed by chemotherapy, endocrine therapy or radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 3 years (5 months to 15 years). Fifty-eight local or regional recurrences occurred. The 5-year and 10-year actuarial risks of breast recurrences were 14% +/- 2% and 23% +/- 4%, respectively. Using multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model, the most important multivariate-adjusted independent contributing factors to local or regional breast recurrences were age less than or equal to 40 (p less than 10(-4), relative risk = 2.94), positive lymph nodes greater than 3 (p less than 10(-3), relative risk = 2.57), and multicentricity (p = 0.044, relative risk = 2.73). The overall 5-year survival rate of recurrent patients was 64 +/- 7%, and was significantly worse when breast recurrence occurred in the first 18 months after operation. The multivariate-adjusted relative risk of death for early recurrence was 4.35 (p = 0.04). The unadjusted 5-year survival rate for early recurrence was 58% +/- 1%, and 85% +/- 8% for late recurrence. This study confirms the relationship between young age and low breast control rates. It emphasizes the adverse prognosis of early breast recurrences as compared to the relatively favorable outcome of late recurrences.

Adult↗

Tumoricidal activity of interferon-r activated peripheral monocytes in colorectal cancer patients.

Peripheral blood monocytes obtained from 8 colorectal cancer patients and 6 normal controls were incubated in vitro with interferon-r (IFN-r) in the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cytotoxic properties of the monocyte were determined subsequent to the interaction with radiolabeled autologous, allogeneic, as well as cultured colorectal cancer cells. Monocytes from normal controls and all colorectal cancer patients were activated in vitro to become tumoricidal; monocytes lysed tumorigenic cells but not nontumorigenic cells. Activators of protein kinase C (e.g. phorbol esters, PMA) and Ca2+ ionophores (A23187) when added alone did not effect the activation state of the monocyte. Whereas, PMA and A23187 cooperatively reproduced the ability of IFN-r to prime monocytes for tumoricidal activity. In the presence of PMA, A23187, and EGTA, the addition of excessive Ca2+ was sufficient for priming, whereas the addition of excessive Mg2+ was much less efficient. Priming by IFN-r, however, was not blocked by EGTA. An efflux of Ca2+ from preloaded monocytes was significantly increased by A23187 and by IFN-r. Quin-2/AM, an intracellular chelator of Ca2+, blocked priming by IFN-r. The results suggest that priming of monocytes for tumoricidal function by IFN-r may be involved in the activation of protein kinase C and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.

Aged↗

An immunocytochemical study of effects of light deprivation on prolactin cells in the adenohypophysis of the golden hamster.

Population ratio and morphology of prolactin cells were studied by employing immunohistochemical methods in the adenohypophysis of normal and experimental golden hamsters of both sexes at 16 weeks of age. Prolactin cells occupied 29% of the total adenohypophyseal cells in the intact males exposed to 14/10 h light/dark schedule. After stimulation of the pineal activity by binding or exposure of males to continuous darkness for eight weeks, prolactin cells became atrophic and were reduced in population to 17% and 13%, respectively. Pinealectomy prevented to some extent the effects of the above treatments; thus, prolactin cells constituted 27% in the pinealectomized and blinded hamsters, and 19% in the pinealectomized and darkness-treated group; and their morphology was comparable with that of the intact controls. Prolactin cells in the normal females were apparently larger in size and more numerous as compared with those of the normal males, comprising 47% of cell population in the anterior pituitary. In response to light deprivation, prolactin cells were atrophic with a diminished cytoplasm and decreased in cell number as reflected in the population ratio of 27% in the blinded and 21% in the darkness-treated groups. In pinealectomized females combined with binding or darkness-treatment, prolactin cells contained an abundance of secretory granules in the cytoplasm and maintained the population ratio comparable to that in the intact females. The present study revealed that light deprivation exerts an inhibitory effect on the secretory activity of prolactin cells and also causes hypoplasia of prolactin cells in the hamster adenohypophysis, the effects being mediated by the pineal gland.

Animals↗

An immunoelectron microscopic study of corticotrophs in the golden hamster.

The ultrastructure of corticotrophs in the pituitary of golden hamsters was studied by immunocytochemistry. Corticotrophs were classified into three types according to the different size of the secretory granules. Type A and B cells were oval or polygonal in shape containing small (158 +/- 38 nm) and medium-sized (250 +/- 53 nm) secretory granules, respectively. Type C cells were usually pyramidal or irregular in shape, and contained large secretory granules (380 +/- 78 nm). The cytoplasmic organelles of type B and C cells were fairly well developed. In all types of corticotrophs, the secretory granules varied in electron density, and were either arranged in a single row along the cell membrane, or concentrated in the vascular pole of the cytoplasm. Many of the corticotrophs sent processes to encircle neighboring somatotrophs. In the female, the proportions of type A and B cells were higher than those in the male, whereas that of the type C cells was lower. All three types of corticotrophs were observed in the early postnatal stage. The population of type A cells decreased with the advancement of postnatal development, with a concomitant increase of that of the type C cells. Thus, type A cells might represent the immature type of corticotrophs which would evolve to become the type C cells. One to 2 weeks after adrenalectomy, the number of type C cells was drastically increased. This was accompanied by their prominent changes in ultrastructure as in the type B cells. The cytoplasm became hypertrophic with extensive dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenalectomy↗

Striated muscle tropomyosin-enriched microfilaments of developing muscles of chicken embryos.

The striated muscle tropomyosin-enriched microfilaments were isolated from developing muscles in ovo by the previously described method with a monoclonal antibody against striated muscle isoforms of tropomyosin (Lin & Lin, 1986). Two-dimensional gel analysis of the isolated microfilaments from developing heart, thigh and breast muscles revealed the coexistence of non-muscle isoforms of tropomyosin and actin throughout all stages of embryogenesis. A small but significant amount of skeletal muscle isoforms (alpha, beta) of tropomyosins and their phosphorylated forms was detected in the microfilaments isolated from hearts of 6-15-day-old embryos. These skeletal isoforms of tropomyosins disappeared after this stage of embryogenesis. In addition, we also detected both embryonic and adult isoforms of troponin T in early developing hearts. In developing thigh and breast muscles, the presence of non-muscle tropomyosin isoforms 2, 3a and 3b in the isolated microfilaments was apparent. The contents of tropomyosin isoform 2 were decreased with development and this non-muscle isoform completely disappeared at the 15th day of embryogenesis. On the other hand, the non-muscle tropomyosin isoforms 3a and 3b were present throughout all stages of development. Double-label immunofluorescence microscopy with monoclonal CH1 (anti-striated muscle isoforms of tropomyosin) and CG beta 6 (anti-non-muscle isoforms of tropomyosin) on the isolated, glycerinated skeletal and cardiac muscle cells of 10-day-old or 13-day-old embryos confirmed the colocalization of muscle and non-muscle isoforms of tropomyosins within the same cells. These results suggest that different isoforms of actin and tropomyosin can assemble into a class of microfilaments (i.e. striated muscle tropomyosin-enriched microfilaments) in ovo, which may transform into the thin filaments of mature muscle cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Effect of genetic background on cosegregation of renin alleles and blood pressure in Dahl rats.

The cosegregation of renin alleles and blood pressure was evaluated in segregating populations derived from inbred Dahl salt hypertension sensitive (S) and inbred Dahl salt hypertension resistant (R) rats. The populations were raised on high salt diet (8% NaCl). In F2 and F1 X S populations, there was a significant positive gene-dosage relationship between the S-rat renin allele and blood pressure. In contrast, no such relationship was seen in the F1 X R population. Since in the F1 X R population the genetic background is strongly influenced by genes from the R rat (75% R, 25% S), the result is interpreted to mean that genes at other (unidentified) loci modify the blood pressure effect of the S-rat renin allele.

Alleles↗

Complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas--a case report and review of the literature.

A case of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas associated with diabetes mellitus and dilated biliary trees was reported. Preoperative diagnosis was made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and computed tomography. Laparotomy revealed a normal head of the pancreas but complete agenesis of the body and tail. Biopsy specimens removed from the head showed normal pancreatic tissue but only fat tissue from the presumed body and tail. This anomaly has rarely been reported in the literature. A thorough review of the literature was made and consideration of differential diagnosis was discussed.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Proliferation, interleukin-2 production and receptor expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from colorectal cancer patients.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in 46 colorectal cancer patients and 27 normal controls. By collectively comparing the cancer patients with the normal controls, the cancer patients had: (1) decreased interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion, (2) fewer interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on cell surface, and (3) less 3H thymidine incorporation. The ability of the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and the calcium ionophore, A23187, in co-stimulation with PHA, to enhance the IL-2 secretion, IL-2R expression and 3H thymidine incorporation were studied in the PBMC of colorectal cancer patients. By adding A23187 into the PHA-stimulated PBMC from colorectal cancer patients, IL-2 production and IL-2R expression were increased up to levels equal to that obtained in PHA-stimulated PBMC from normal controls. Whereas there was no significant increase in proliferative response. However, PMA has no effect on all three parameters. A23187 is known to be effective in elevating cytosolic free Ca2+ and PMA is regarded as an activator of protein kinase C. Therefore, we may conclude that the impairment of IL-2 production and IL-2R expression in PHA-stimulated cultures is mainly due to failure of the free Ca2+ release which can be repaired by A23187. While protein kinase C activation may not be impaired since its deficit in IL-2 production and IL-2R expression can not be corrected by PMA.

Aged↗