Biomedical subjects

S Pan

Publications and source records attributed to S Pan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Adjuvant sclerotherapy after ligation for the treatment of esophageal varices: a prospective, randomized long-term study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of adjuvant sclerotherapy after banding for the treatment of esophageal varices, a randomized trial was carried out of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) alone with sequential sclerotherapy versus sequential ligation-sclerotherapy (SLS) after banding with respect to variceal eradication, associated complications, and recurrence of varices. METHODS: One hundred patients qualified for this study. Fourteen patients were not included for the following reasons: 6 chose not to participate, 4 had fundal varices, and 4 had some form of cancer. Of the remaining 86 patients in the study, 42 underwent EVL alone and the other 44 SLS. Variceal ligation was begun in the region of the gastroesophageal junction, with subsequent ligatures applied cephalad 3 to 5 cm; ligation was repeated every 2 weeks until variceal obliteration. For SLS, ligation was also begun in the region of the gastroesophageal junction and repeated until varices were reduced to F1 size. Subsequently, these patients underwent sclerotherapy with between 6 and 8 mL of sodium tetradecyl sulfate (free hand technique). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between EVL alone and SLS with regard to variceal eradication, development of associated complications, and recurrent bleeding during a follow-up of 2 years. The probability of variceal recurrence requiring further treatment after 1 year was 14% for the SLS group and 26% for EVL group patients. Another year later, the probability of variceal recurrence was 24% and 45%, respectively, for the SLS and EVL groups. CONCLUSIONS: Because a significantly lower rate of variceal recurrence was found for SLS patients, sequential sclerotherapy followed by ligation to eradicate those varices too small to easily band may be a better procedure.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMed2001

[Correlation between electroretinographic findings, clinical phenotypic and genotypic analysis in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between electrophysiological changes, clinical phenotype and genotype in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy(DMD/BMD), to address the expression and roles of dystrophin and its isoforms on the retina, and to inquire into the molecular mechanism of the abnormal electroretinogram(ERG) on DMD/BMD patients with different genotype. METHODS: Gene deletions were screened by multiplex DNA amplification with eleven primers on twenty-two consecutive patients with DMD and BMD, and then, the ERG was tested according to international ERG standard. RESULTS: ERG phenotype was associated with the site of DMD gene defects rather than the severity of the phenotype. Patients with deletion in the central region of the gene had more severe changes in the scotopic ERG as compared to those with gene non-deletion. CONCLUSION: The ERG genotype-phenotype correlation suggests that DP260 may play the most important role in the retinal neurotransmission.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Intron 44 is not the most unstable intron in the "central deletion hot spot" of dystrophin gene].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the distributional characteristics of dystrophin gene deletion breakpoints in "central deletion hot spot" and analyze the instability of introns 44-51 after excluding the effect of intron's length. METHODS: Fifty-nine Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy(DMD/BMD) patients were detected by polymerase chain reactions with the primers to amplify exons 44-52 of dystrophin gene. The amount of actual breakpoints, expected breakpoints according to its length, and the ratios of actual breakpoints to expected values(A/E) for introns 44-51 were calculated respectively. RESULTS: In "central deletion hot spot", about 30.8% of breakpoints fell in intron 44, about 23.1%, 17.9%, 10.3%, 10.3% of breakpoints fell in introns 50,51, 45, 48, respectively. But the amount of actual breakpoints of intron 44 was less than that of expected breakpoints according to its length, the ratio of A/E was 0.7. The amount of actual breakpoints of introns 48, 50, 51, 45 were more than that of length expected value. The ratios of A/E were 2.7, 2.0, 1.9, 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: Intron 44 is more stable than the whole molecular region of "central deletion hot spot". Introns 48, 50 and 51 are comparatively instable in "central deletion hot spot".

Dystrophin↗

PubMed2001

Relationship of duodenal ulcer recurrence to gastric metaplasia of the duodenal mucosa and duodenal bulb deformity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study investigated changes in the severity of gastric metaplasia (GM) of the duodenal mucosa before and after ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori eradication. It also investigated whether deformity of the duodenal bulb affects the severity of GM and the likelihood of ulcer recurrence. METHODS: Eleven patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. They all had duodenal ulcer(s) and H. pylori infection, for which they had received anti-H. pylori triple therapy during the active ulcer stage, and had all undergone serial endoscopic examinations during both the active ulcer and scarring ulcer stages, and at 1 year after ulcer healing. Duodenal biopsies were obtained at each endoscopy to identify the severity of GM. Duodenal ulcers were divided into three types by bulbar shape and GM was classified into four grades of severity. RESULTS: All 11 patients had increased GM severity just after ulcer healing. The 1-year follow-up study revealed that the GM was unchanged in six of eight patients with grade 3 GM severity at the scarring stage, while in the other two it regressed to grade 1 or 2; these two patients suffered ulcer recurrence. A markedly deformed bulb (type III) was found in three patients, of whom two had ulcer recurrence. CONCLUSION: Two characteristic conditions were found in patients with duodenal ulcer recurrence after H. pylori eradication: a markedly deformed bulb with grade 3 GM at the scarring stage, and a change in GM from high to low grade at or around the previous ulcer site after ulcer healing.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Low incidence of severe aGVHD and accelerating hemopoietic reconstitution in allo-BMT using lenograstim stimulated BM cells.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of accelerating hemopoietic reconstraction and reducing a graft versus host disease (GVHD) in Allo-BMT receiving lenograstim stimulated donor marrow and to assess the preliminary biological mechanism. METHODS: The donors for thirty patients (study group) with leukemia were given lenograstim 3-4 micrograms.kg-1.d-1 for seven days prior to marrow harvest. The results of subsequent engraftment in the recipients was compared with fifteen donors without G-CSF (control group). Five donors themselves were studied to assess the effects of lenograstion on hematopoietic progenitor cells and lymphocyte subsets in BM. RESULTS: The stimulated bone marrow contained a higher number of nucleated cells, CFU-GM and CD34+ cells (P < 0.01). The hematopoetic reconstitution was accelerated. Until granulocyte counts exceeded 0.5 x 10(9)/L and plalete counts exceeded 20 x 10(9)/L, the days were 16.7 +/- 3.2 and 18.4 +/- 3.0 days as compared with those of the control group (22.5 +/- 5.1 and 26.3 +/- 5.9 days respectively, P < 0.01). The incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD was very low, only one case with grade II aGVHD on the skin in the study group. Four out of fifteen patients (26.7%) in the control group had grade II-IV aGVHD (P < 0.05). The number of T lymphocyte subsets in the harvested BM stimulated by G-CSF changed. In comparison with the control group, CD4+ decreased and CD8+ increased significantly (P < 0.01). The changes of progenitor cells and T lymphocyte subsets in BM from pre- to post-G-CSF stimulation indicated that the percentage of CD4+ cells reduced (P < 0.05), that of CD8+ cells, and that of CD34+ increased (P < 0.01). The incidence of chronic GVHD and relapse of leukemia were not different significantly between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Allogenic bone marrow transplant (Allo-BMT) donors given G-CSF can accelerate engraftment and minimize the incidence of severe aGVHD. There is a trend in favour of improved transplant-related complications.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Endoscopic mucosal resection with a cap-fitted endoscope for early gastric carcinoma with focal submucosal invasion in a patient with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Prognosis for patients with early gastric cancer who undergo gastric resection is far better than that for patients with advanced disease. However, patients with advanced liver cirrhosis may not be suitable for general anesthesia and major surgery. We used a less invasive endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with a cap-fitted endoscope to resect an early gastric cancer in a 58-year-old male with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Although postoperative pathology revealed that the tumor had focal invasion to the submucosa, the patient had an uneventful course and was well during 4 years' follow-up. This method may be effective for the treatment of early gastric cancer with focal submucosal invasion when patients are not suitable for major surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

[Human cytomegalovirus inhibits the proliferation of CFU-MK in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on the proliferation of colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK). METHODS: Semi-solid CFU-MK culture system was used to observe the effect of HCMV AD169 strain on CFU-MK growth of 20 cord blood samples. HCMV DNA and immediate early antigen (IEA) mRNA in CFU-MK were detected by in situ-polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: HCMV AD169 suppressed the differentiation and proliferation of CFU-MK in vitro significantly. The suppression was in a dose-dependent fashion. HCMV DNA was successfully detected in colony cells from viral infection group, and did the expression of HCMV IEA mRNA. CONCLUSION: HCMV AD169 can directly infect megakaryocyte progenitor and suppress their proliferation and differentiation.

Cell Proliferation↗

PubMed2001

[Clinical and pathological characteristics of heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy in China].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical, image and pathological characteristics of Heroin Spongiform Leukoencephalopathy(HSLE). METHODS: Clinical, CT and MRI analysis of 28 cases, brain autopsies of 2 cases and brain biopsies of 8 cases with HE, Loyez and Congo Red staining and observation through electron microscope. RESULTS: The clinic, image and pathologic characteristics of HSLE: (1) the history of inhalation of heated heroin vapor; (2) among 28 cases with HSLE, recurrence of HSLE was found in 17 cases during the abstinence, in 8 cases 1-2 month after abstinence, in 2 cases 4 month after abstinence and in 1 case after inhaling large amount of heroin; (3) the majority of cases were described with the acute onset characterized by cerebellar signs; (4) pyramidal tract lesion was frequently involved, but sensory system usually remained normal; (5) CSF test was normal; (6) CT and MRI revealed extensive symmetric white matter lesions in cerebra and cerebellum; (7) spongiform vacuoles degeneration of white matter was the main morphological change. CONCLUSIONS: Spongiform leukoencephalopathy may be considered if a patient who had a history of inhaling heated heroin vapor showed acute cerebellar signs. Spongiform vacuoles degeneration of cerebral white matter was the main pathological change.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Administration of leukemic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to donors: the changes in donor bone marrow cell composition and the transplantation outcome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of bone marrow cell composition the effect of graft on hemopoietic reconstitution and the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor G-CSF administration to donors before marrow harvesting. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with myeloid leukemia underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The donors of twelve patients (study group) were given G-CSF 250 microg/d for seven days prior to harvesting. The marrow cell composition, the outcome of subsequent engraftment and the occurrence of aGVHD were compared with those in twelve patients without G-CSF (control group). RESULTS: The bone marrow stimulated by G-CSF yielded higher number of nucleated cells, CD34+ cells, CFU-GM and CFU-MK (P < 0.01). The number of T lymphocyte subsets in the graft stimulated with G-CSF was different from that in the control group. The number of CD4+ cells was decreased and that of CD8+ increased. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was reduced markedly (P < 0.01). The change of CD34+, CD4+, CD8+ percentage and CFU-GM, CFU-MK proliferation in donor bone marrow with and without G-CSF was compared. The same characteristic change as above graft was observed. Hemopoietic reconstitution in the study group after allo-BMT was accelerated. In the study group the days of granulocyte count exceeding 0.5 x 10(9)/L and platelet count exceeding 20 x 10(9)/L were 16 days (range 11 - 23 days) and 17 days (range 14 - 25 days) (in the control group 20.5 day, range 14 - 29 days and 23 days, range 17 - 32 days P < 0.05). Grade II - IV aGVHD did not occur in patients of the study group but in 3 patients of the control group. CONCLUSION: The bone marrow harvested from donor with G-CSF stimulation can accelerate hemopoietic recovery and decrease the incidence of severe aGVHD. The accelerated hematopoietic recovery is associated with increased number of CD34+, CFU-GM and CFU-MK in the graft.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Increased nondisjunction of chromosome 21 with age in human peripheral lymphocytes.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on binucleated cells with chromosome-specific DNA probes provides a convenient way to visualize reciprocal segregation patterns in daughter nuclei, and overcomes most problems related to the artefactual loss or gain of chromosomes that flaw chromosome preparations. In this study, FISH was employed to evaluate age- and sex-effects on spontaneous malsegregation, nondisjunction and loss of chromosome 21 in human lymphocytes after the first division in culture. A total of 68 healthy nonsmokers and nondrinkers of alcohol (37 males and 31 females) were grouped by age as Group I (0-10 years), Group II (20-30 years), Group III (40-50 years) and Group IV (60-70 years), with at least seven subjects per group and sex. FISH with a pericentric chromosome 21 specific DNA probe was carried out on binucleated lymphocytes, cytokinesis-blocked by cytochalasin B (6 microg/ml for 26 h) at 44 h after initiation of cultures. Linear regression analyses demonstrated a significant age-related increase in the frequency of micronuclei without chromosome 21 (MN-21)(r=0.73, p<0.001 in females; r=0.69, p<0.001 in males) in all binucleated cells, with a steeper slope in females (0.1758) than in males (0. 1241). Analysis using the 2x2 chi-square (chi(2)) test on the frequencies of MN-21 showed significant age-related differences in both males and females, except males in Group III and Group IV (p>0. 05). A significant sex-related difference was found only in subjects over 60 years (p<0.05), with females having more MN-21 (12.57 per thousand vs. 8.43 per thousand) than males. Loss of chromosome 21, occurring at mean levels of 0.38 per thousand in all binucleated cells and 0.24 per thousand in binucleated cells containing four FISH signals, was shown not to be age- or sex-related. A positive age-related increase in nondisjunction of chromosome 21 was shown in males (r=0.50, p<0.01), females (r=0.61, p<0.001) and all subjects (r=0.55, p<0.001) by linear regression analysis. An age effect was found only between children and adults (p<0.01 for females, p<0.05

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

NFATz: a novel rel similarity domain containing protein.

Nuclear Factor of Activated T cell (NFAT) is a family of transcription factors that are important for the coordinate expression of various cytokines and immunoregulatory cell surface molecules in T cells and other types of cells in the immune system. In addition, analysis of gene disrupted mice revealed that some members of NFAT family are important for the development of myocardium, myocardial hypertrophy, and mesenchymal stem cells. NFAT family proteins have two conserved domains, the NFAT Homology Domain (NHD) and the Rel Similarity Domain (RSD). The RSD is DNA binding and AP-1 interacting domain which has structural similarity to the Rel Homology Region, the DNA binding domain of Rel family proteins. The NHD is a regulatory domain required for the Ca regulated translocation of NFAT. We report here the isolation and initial characterization of a novel RSD containing protein designated NFATz. NFATz has a RSD but no NHD. NFATz protein is localized in the nucleus without Ca signal. There is no detectable binding to a typical NFAT site even in the presence of AP-1, and it is not capable of activating transcription through the NFAT site. The chromosomal location determined by FISH revealed that NFATz and NFATx genes are in the same region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Bazex syndrome) with adenocarcinoma of the colon: report of a case and review of the literature.

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica is a rare disease and is uncommon even in patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer. We report a 63-year-old man with a 1-month history of numerous pruritic lesions and vesicles on both feet. Although he had received local therapy, progressive dense scale formation involving both palms and both soles was found. Colonoscopy was performed because of hematochezia, and it revealed an early colon cancer. After the resection of the cancer, the skin lesions began to fall off dramatically. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report of acrokeratosis paraneoplastica associated with colon cancer in the literature. This is the first case report of acrokeratosis paraneoplastica associated with early colon cancer.

Acrodermatitis↗

PubMed2000

Pulmonary artery perfusion with protective solution reduces lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory response and higher temperature of lung tissue during cardiopulmonary bypass can result in lung injury. This study was to evaluate the protective effect of pulmonary perfusion with hypothermic antiinflammatory solution on lung function after cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Twelve adult mongrel dogs were randomly divided into two groups. The procedure was carried out through a midline sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass was established using cannulas placed in the ascending aorta, superior vena cava, and right atrium near the entrance of the inferior vena cava. After the ascending aorta was clamped and cardioplegic solution infused, the right lung was perfused through a cannula placed in the right pulmonary artery with 4 degrees C lactated Ringer's solution in the control group (n = 6) and with 4 degrees C protective solution in the antiinflammation group (n = 6). Antiinflammatory solution consisted of anisodamine, L-arginine, aprotinin, glucose-insulin-potassium, and phosphate buffer. Plasma malondialdehyde, white blood cell counts, and lung function were measured at different time point before and after cardiopulmonary bypass; lung biopsies were also taken. RESULTS: Peak airway pressure increased dramatically in the control group after cardiopulmonary bypass when compared with the antiinflammation group at four different time points (24 +/- 1, 25 +/- 2, 26 +/- 2, 27 +/- 2 cm H2O versus 17 +/- 2, 18 +/- 1, 17 +/- 1, 18 +/- 1 cm H2O; all p < 0.01). Pulmonary vascular resistance increased significantly in the control group than in the antiinflammation group at 5 and 60 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (1,282 +/- 62 dynes x s x cm(-5) versus 845 +/- 86 dynes x s x cm(-5) and 1,269 +/- 124 dynes x s x cm(-5) versus 852 +/- 149 dynes x s x cm(-5), p < 0.05). Right pulmonary venous oxygen tension (PvO2) in the antiinflammation group was higher than in the control group at 60 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (628 +/- 33.3 mm Hg versus 393 +/- 85.9 mm Hg, p < 0.05). The ratio of white blood cells in the right atrial and the right pulmonary venous blood was lower in the antiinflammation group than in the control group at 5 minutes after the clamp was removed (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde were lower in the antiinflammation group at 5 and 90 minutes after the clamp was removed (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Histologic examination revealed that the left lung from both groups had marked intraalveolar edema and abundant intraalveolar neutrophils, whereas the right lung in the control group showed moderate injury and the antiinflammation group had normal pulmonary parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary artery perfusion using hypothermic protective solution can reduce lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Role of the TATA binding protein-transcription factor IIB interaction in supporting basal and activated transcription in plant cells.

The TATA binding protein (TBP) and transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) play crucial roles in transcription of class II genes. The requirement for TBP-TFIIB interactions was evaluated in maize cells by introducing mutations into the Arabidopsis TBP (AtTBP2) within the C-terminal stirrup. Protein binding experiments indicated that amino acid residues E-144 and E-146 of AtTBP2 are both essential for TFIIB binding in vitro. Activation domains derived from herpes simplex viral protein VP16, the Drosophila fushi tarazu glutamine-rich domain (ftzQ), and yeast Gal4 were tested in transient assays. TBP-TFIIB interactions were dispensable for basal transcription but were required for activated transcription. In general, activated transcription was more severely inhibited by TBP mutation E-146R than by mutation E-144R. However, these TBP mutations had little effect on activity of the full-length cauliflower mosaic virus 35S and maize ubiquitin promoters, thus demonstrating that strong TBP-TFIIB contacts are not always required for transcription driven by complex promoters.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Ticlopidine-induced severe cholestatic hepatitis.

We report a case study of an 86-year-old female patient with severe cholestatic hepatitis who was undergoing treatment with oral ticlopidine 250 mg daily for coronary artery disease. The patient had nausea and vomiting and was jaundiced after taking ticlopidine for 6 weeks. She was admitted to the hospital for further evaluation. Ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography eliminated the presence of biliary obstruction. Results from a liver biopsy showed a histopathologic picture consistent with cholestatic hepatitis. Ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis has been reported 32 times in the foreign literature. This is the first reported severe cholestatic hepatitis (total bilirubin up to 43 mg/dl) case in Taiwan. Ticlopidine-related blood dyscrasia is a renowned adverse drug effect; liver function should be monitored in patients receiving ticlopidine therapy.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Study on alkaline hydrolysis of polyglutamate for de-esterification].

This paper reports the alkaline hydrolysis of poly(methyl glutamate), poly (benzyl glutamate) and copoly(methyl glutamate-benzyl glutamate-glutamic acid) for de-esterification. The results showed that in this process of alkaline hydrolysis the demethylation of poly(methyl glutamate) was faster, but debenzylation of poly(benzyl glutamate) was hardly processed. An increase in the methyl glutamate content of starting copolymers, in the alkaline concentration and the time of alkaline hydrolysis, and a decrease in the film thickness, would lead to a raise in the degree of alkaline hydrolysis, that is, an increase of the glutamic acid segment content in product of alkaline hydrolysis.

Drug Interactions↗

PubMed2000

[The influence of different root length on stress distribution in the bone around abutment root of telescopic overdenture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of bone height around the roots on stress distribution in a mandible with two canines remained and covered with an telescopic overdenture. METHODS: Three-dimensional finite element method. RESULTS: As the height of the bone around the roots decreased, the stress increased. But the maximum stress in the bone in this study is lower than that in the bone around the canine under normal condition. CONCLUSION: In the mandible, when the alveolar bone resorption reaches the apical 1/3 of canine (root length 4, 5 mm), if part of the tooth crown was removed, to make an acceptable crown/root ratio, so the canine can be used as the abutment of an overdenture.

Compressive Strength↗

PubMed2000

[Allotransplantation of cultured fetal parathyroid gland cells in treating patients with hypoparathyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of transplantation of cultured human fetal parathyroid gland (chf-PTG) cells in treating patients with primary or secondary hypoparathyroidism. METHODS: Chf-PTG cells were allotransplanted into the renal adipose capsules of 6 patients with hypoparathyroidism under the ultrasonic guidance. The levels of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium were monitored by radioimmunometric assay (RIA) and biochemical method, respectively. Both indexes of pre-and post-operation were compared and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: The levels of serum PTH and calcium were markedly elevated from three days to the first two weeks following transplantation of chf-PTG cells (P < 0.01). The PTH and calcium levels gradually stabilized from day 14 up to months 9-12, during which the symptoms of the patients alleviated or relieved. CONCLUSION: The transplantation of chf-PTG cells is a potential method for treating patients with primary or secondary hypoparathyroidism.

Adult↗