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Biomedical subjects

S T Huang

Publications and source records attributed to S T Huang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder: a ten-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is a limited amount of information available on treatment efficacy and optimal management of squamous cell carcinoma of bladder. The goal of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder treated using different modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 22 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1986 though 1996 was performed. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 111 months. RESULTS: The treatment modalities included transurethral resection in 7 patients, radical cystectomy with urinary diversion in 6 patients, preoperative radiation followed by total cystectomy in 8 patients, and partial cystectomy in one patient. The overall 5-year survival rate was 9%. Only 6 patients (27.3%) in this series were alive two years after diagnosis. Treatment using a combination of modalities including preoperative radiation followed by total cystectomy resulted in a 5-year survival rate of 12.5% in 8 patients. Total cystectomy alone in 6 patients resulted in a 5-year survival rate of 0%. However, the difference in survival rates between these 2 treatment groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that no definite significance concerning the role of preoperative radiation followed by total cystectomy could be drawn. The results were probably because most of our patients had locally advanced bladder cancer. Another consideration is the small sample size, which may have affected the significance. Although, cystectomy did not improve the 5-year survival rate of patients in this series, it improved the 2-year survival rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The early effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise after transurethral prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the early effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise on the frequency of urination, terminal dribbling, urinary incontinence and satisfaction with life in patients after transurethral prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February to October 1996, 50 patients who had undergone transurethral prostatectomy were selected for study. The first 25 men served as a control group and the next 25 were the experimental group. Pelvic floor muscle exercise was started after removal of the Foley catheter postoperatively in the experimental group. The patients were evaluated before pelvic floor muscle exercise and weekly at our outpatient department after discharge from the hospital. Results for the later 25 patients treated with the pelvic floor muscle exercise program were compared to those of the prior 25 patients. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p <0.05) in the strength of pelvic floor muscle contractions at 4 weeks, length of between void interval (p <0.01), terminal dribbling at week 4 (p <0.05) and urinary incontinence at weeks 3 and 4 between the 2 groups after pelvic floor muscle exercise. During this study no complication or mortality occurred and there were no cases of hospitalization for either group. After pelvic floor muscle exercise patients in the experimental group had better satisfaction with life than the control group (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that pelvic floor muscle exercise seems to help reduce symptoms within the first 4 weeks after transurethral prostatectomy, and provides better psychological and social quality of life.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Ethambutol-induced pulmonary infiltrates with fever and skin rash: a case report.

A 55-year-old man presented with the suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis. He was treated with isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. However, he developed high fever, skin rash and pulmonary infiltrates following 10 days of treatment. The above-mentioned conditions subsided promptly after stopping ethambutol therapy and reappeared after rechallenge, marking ethambutol as the offender. To present knowledge, this is the second case of an ethambutol-induced hypersensitivity lung reaction reported in English literature.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1997

Carboxylate ions are strong allosteric ligands for the HisB10 sites of the R-state insulin hexamer.

The insulin hexamer is an allosteric protein which displays positive and negative cooperativity and half-site reactivity that is modulated by strong homotropic and heterotropic ligand binding interactions at two different loci. These loci consist of phenolic pockets situated on the dimer-dimer interfaces of T-R and R-R subunit pairs and of anion sites comprising the HisB10 metal ion sites of the R3 units of the T3R3 and R6 states. In this study, we show that suitably tailored organic carboxylates are strong allosteric effectors with relatively high affinities for the R-state HisB10 metal sites. Methods of quantifying the relative affinities of ligands for these sites in both Co(II)- and Zn(II)-substituted insulin hexamers are presented. These analyses show that, in addition to the electron density on the ion, the carboxylate affinity is influenced by polar, nonpolar, and hydrophobic interactions between substituents on the carboxylate and the amphipathic protein surface of the narrow tunnel which controls ligand access to the metal ion. Since the binding of anions to the HisB10 site makes a critically important contribution to the stability of the T3R3 and R6 forms of the insulin hexamer, the design of high-affinity ligands with a carboxylate donor for coordination to the metal ion provides an opportunity for constructing insulin formulations with improved pharmaceutical properties.

Allosteric Site↗
PubMed1997

mRNA and protein expression of nitric oxide synthase and adrenoceptor alpha 1 in young and old rat penile tissues.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate alterations of neuronal structure and the mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and adrenoceptor alpha 1 in young and old rat penile tissues, and assess the importance of these factors in erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with ageing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NOS was determined in the pelvic ganglia of 32 rats using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase staining. Adrenergic neurons were identified by histofluorescence staining. The gene expression for NOS and for adrenoceptor alpha 1 was investigated in corporal tissue by differential reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific oligonucleotide primers. b-actin was used as an internal standard in each tube to quantify the baseline gene expression. RESULTS: The following changes occurred in old rats: (i) an increase of lipofuscin and a decrease in both bNOS-containing neurons and fluorescent adrenergic neurons in the pelvic ganglia; (ii) significantly less expression of NOS mRNA than in young rat penile tissues; and (iii) no significant alteration in adrenoreceptor alpha 1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: The fewer adrenergic and NOS-containing neurons and neurotransmitters in pelvic ganglia from old rats may explain the enhanced penile smooth muscle tone previously reported in older impotent men. Furthermore, lower mRNA expression of NOS may be associated with structural and functional changes associated with ageing penile tissue.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Progress toward preparation of universal donor red cells.

Coupling of an inert polymer to the surface of red cells was examined as a potential means of covering blood group antigens and producing cells that could serve as universal donor cells for transfusion. Effective blockade of red cell antigens was achieved with N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated esters of polyethylene glycol. It was possible to block all antigens tested, but lower concentrations of reactants were required to block peptide-defined antigens than carbohydrate-defined antigens. Red cells remained intact after modification but were significantly damaged. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of antigenic blockade of red cells, but there is a need to reduce damage during coupling reactions to produce viable red cells.

Blood Donors↗
PubMed1997

Use of the transurethral prostatectomy clinical path to monitor health outcomes.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect on cost and medical care quality of use of the transurethral prostatectomy clinical path. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results in 100 patients treated when the transurethral prostatectomy clinical path was used were compared to those of 100 treated by the same physicians before implementation of this path. RESULTS: After implementation of the transurethral prostatectomy clinical path the length of hospital stay was significantly decreased from 5.9 to 5.0 days (p < 0.01) and Foley catheterization time was significantly decreased from 3.13 to 2.84 days (p < 0.01). Antibiotics were routinely used from the day before surgery to the day of hospital discharge as required by patient conditions. Therefore, a shorter hospital stay will significantly decrease the use of antibiotics. After implementation of the clinical path the average admission charges were decreased significantly by 17% (p < 0.01). Although some results from use of this path will not significantly affect costs, they will reflect some quality improvement. The effect of clinical path implementation on length of hospital stay between patients treated by junior and senior attending physicians was not significant. However, there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between results obtained by junior and senior attending physicians regarding average admission charges. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the transurethral prostatectomy clinical path can improve health care outcome by decreasing length of stay and admission charges, and improving quality of medical care, particularly for patients treated by junior attending physicians.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The patterns of dental caries of preschool children in Kaohsiung City Taiwan.

In order to understand caries patterns, we investigated the severity of caries and the distribution of decayed teeth in 1,654 preschool children aged 3-6 years old in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The results of our investigation were as follows: the lower second molars had the highest percentage of caries followed by the upper central incisors in the deciduous teeth. The distribution of decayed surfaces in the upper dentition indicated that the occlusal surface of molars, the labial surface of canines, and the mesial and labial surfaces of incisors had relatively high percentages of caries in all age groups. In the 3 year-old children, labial caries on the four upper anterior teeth and no caries in the lower anterior teeth is basically similar to baby bottle tooth decay. Most caries remained in the enamel at this stage. Dentin caries and pulp involved caries became more complex and multiple surfaces were involved in both 5 and 6 year-old children. We therefore suggest that 6, 18, and 30 month-old babies, at the time of vaccination, should have an oral examination as well, and the prevention program for baby bottle tooth decay plus oral hygiene instructions should also be given to the parents. Dentists, pediatricians, gynecologists, and family doctors should all participate in the prevention program against baby bottle tooth decay. For 3 year-old children who already have caries, increasing the filling rate for them should be a very important thing to do for pedodontic specialists and general dental practitioners alike.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1996

[The loss-grief reaction and coping behavior of a mother whose child died of a brain tumor].

This is a study on the loss-grief reaction and coping behavior of a mother whose child died of brain tumor. The researcher used field methods to collect data and analyze observations of mother-nurse interaction. The results showed that this mother had self-blame depression, and guilt feelings and affected the whole family. With the help of nurses and various supportive resources the mother was finally able to go through the grieving process smoothly.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Ligand binding to wild-type and E-B13Q mutant insulins: a three-state allosteric model system showing half-site reactivity.

By using ultra-violet and visible absorbance in conjunction with high field 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the insulin hexamer has been shown to undergo two allosteric transitions in solution involving three allosteric states (T6<-->T3 R3<-->R6). A simple mathematical model consisting of four variables has been derived that quantitatively describes the complex homotropic and heterotropic interactions that modulate these allosteric transitions. The mutation of one residue, Glu-B13 to Gln, results in an unexpected change in the T3R3 to R6 equilibrium by a factor of 10(7).

Allosteric Site↗
PubMed1994

Effects of fluoride on dental pulp of young rabbits.

Fluoride has been adopting as an anticariogenic agent for many years. Many histologic experiments with the effect of fluoride were made on dental hard tissue, but little is known about its effect on dental pulp. We made histopathological tests on dental pulp of rabbits during administration of fluoride. In this study, 24 young New Zealand rabbits aged 7 days were used. The experimental group (N = 20) was given two intraperitoneal injections of sodium fluoride that contained approximately 7 mg F/kg body mass. The control group (N = 4) was injected with an equivalent volume of normal saline. At the thirteenth day after the final injection, the mandibles were collected and processed according to routine histologic methods. Selected sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. The mandibular incisor pulp was microscopically examined. The following results were obtained. In the experimental group, histopathologic alterations were observed in the pulp, with loss of palisading of the odontoblastic layer. Slightly elongated swollen odontoblasts were found which showed hydropic alterations. Dilatation and hyperemia of blood vessels were also noted. This dose affected deciduous root resorption and changes in secretory ameloblasts; and also appeared to disturb the dental pulp. The present observations of initial reactions in the pulp following intraperitoneal injection of fluoride are considered suitable as a basis for detailed discussion of histopathologic implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[The comparison of shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets to bovine enamel pretreated by different conditions of Nd-YAG laser].

Laser beams can cause the enamel surface roughly which is similar to the effect of the traditional acid-etching technique. We wanted to study the possibility of the application of the laser on enamel etching. In this study we treated the enamel with different energy levels for orthodontic bracket placement and measuring the shear bond strength. 104 bovine teeth were polished by 600 # grit sandpaper, then cut, embedded, set and divided into 13 groups. The control group was not treated. 12 different energy levels (10pps 50, 70, 85, 100mJ; 15pps 83.3mJ; 20pps 50, 87.5, 100, 150mJ; 30pps 50, 86.7, 100mJ) were treated on the enamel. The orthodontic brackets were placed on 8 specimens of each group with orthodontic resin (Ormco). Then, the specimens were put in 37 degrees C water bath for 24 hours. 7 specimens of the control group of brackets fell off after water bath. The shear forces of the other 97 specimens were measured by the Instron at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The shear strength of the only one specimen of the control group was 0.1MPa. The results for the range of shear strength of the laser group were 2.66-5.53MPa. The shear strength increased proportionately to the energy density. Because the mean shear strength of the laser group were significantly high, we can refer the practical application in orthodontic clinic. The laser beam only affected the area coated with Chinese ink, so the treated area is controllable. The fracture surface of the laser-etched was smooth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Pheochromocytoma nuclear pattern analysis by flow cytometry].

Flow cytometric nuclear DNA analyses were performed on paraffin-embedded tissue samples taken from 39 patients with pheochromocytoma treated between 1981 and 1992. The Hedley technique was used for measurement of nuclear DNA contents. Only 30 cases out of the 39 tumors were available for the determination of DNA ploidy analyses. Ten cases (33.3%) showed a diploidy pattern, 8-cases (27%) showed an aneuploidy pattern and 12 cases (40%) revealed a tetraploidy pattern. Four cases of malignant pheochromocytoma with regional or distal metastasis had been noted during a mean follow-up period of 4.75 years. All these four cases showed tetraploidy nuclear pattern with vascular invasion on pathological examination, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in differentiation between benign and malignant pheochromocytoma. About one third of patients with tetraploidy appeared to have malignant tendencies and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). None of the patients with either diploidy or aneuploidy pattern had disease progression. The location of the tumor (adrenal vs. extra-adrenal) and 24 hours urine total vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) amounts were not significantly different from the diploid, aneuploid or tetraploid groups. These results suggested that nuclear DNA ploidy pattern is an important independent, and useful prognostic factor for patients with pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

[A radiographic survey of root resorption in pulpless primary teeth].

The goal of this article is to survey the relation between root resorption types and sex, age, pulpless source, tooth position of pulpless primary central incisors. Healthy children with pulpless primary maxillary central incisors were systematically selected from the Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital Pedodontic Department. After a complete recording of age (3-6y/o), Sex (male, female), pulpless source (caries, trauma), and tooth position (#51, #61), the bisecting angle technique was used to take periapical X-ray film of pulpless primary maxillary central incisors. A total of 112 pulpless primary central incisors was collected and classified into 5 types: Type I--mild resorption Type II--end-cutting resorption Type III--semi-circumferential resorption Type IV--circumferential resorption Type V--irregular resorption 15 teeth (13.4%) were classified as type I, 27 teeth (24.1%) classified as type II, 35 teeth (31.2%) as type III, 30 teeth (26.8%) as type IV, and 5 teeth (4.5%) classified as type V. Chi-square analysis between root resorption types and sex, age, pulpless source, tooth position were performed, and two results were noted: (1) There are no relation between root resorption types and sex, age, tooth position. (2) There is a close relation between root resorption type and pulpless source. The pulpless teeth caused by caries tend to be resorbed as type III and type IV; on the other hand, the pulpless teeth caused by a traumatic source tend to behave like type I and type II.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Selection of platelets for refractory patients by HLA matching and prospective crossmatching.

A multi-site clinical study compared platelets chosen for refractory patients by prospective platelet crossmatching using stored donor platelets and HLA-based selection. Seventy-three patients who were refractory to random-donor platelets received two plateletpheresis components, one chosen by HLA-based criteria and the other by crossmatching. Patients were carefully evaluated to exclude nonimmune factors that could adversely affect transfusion results. Each of the five study sites used a crossmatch procedure with which it had experience. Results from this study indicate the following: 1) The overall rate of successful transfusion was similar when an HLA-based method of donor selection that includes all grades of matching and mismatching was compared to a crossmatch-based method of donor selection. 2) HLA-based selection that restricts recipients to grade A and BU matches was superior to a selection method based upon crossmatching alone. Donor selection based on HLA matching (grades A or BU) was also superior to selection based on any degree of HLA mismatching (grades BX, C, or D). 3) Selection of donors based on HLA-cross-reactive groups (defined by in vitro serologic crossreactivity) was no more successful than that based on grade C and D mismatches and was no more successful than selection by crossmatching alone. 4) Lymphocytotoxic and platelet antibodies were not detected in many of the enrolled patients, even though patients demonstrating nonimmune factors were eliminated from the study. It can be concluded that HLA-compatible (grades A and BU) platelets provide optimal support for refractory patients, but that crossmatch-selected platelets are acceptable as an alternative component.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[A dental anthropological study of Chinese in Taiwan (3). Dental trait].

Models of the upper and lower dental arches of 125 Chinese children in Taiwan with acceptable normal permanent dentition were surveyed in order to understand the developmental grades of dental traits from the viewpoint of dental anthropology. Developmental grades of dental traits were classified, calculated, statistically analysed by x2 test and results were summarized. Upper anterior teeth showed high frequency of shovel form; upper lateral incisors showed less tendency of regression. Interstitial cusp, lingual cusp, paracusp, central prominence and occlusal groove of lower premolars developed prominently. Upper molars showed low frequency of Carabelli cusps. Hypocone of upper second molars showed strong tendency of regression, but metacone had low regression tendency and a strong degree of compression. Compared to Japanese, Central American and South American Indians and Caucasians, the development of dental traits of Chinese in Taiwan was more similar to that of Japanese than to others. The characteristics of dental trait of Chinese in Taiwan and Japanese also showed greater similarity to Central and South American Indians than to Caucasians.

Anthropology, Physical↗