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Biomedical subjects

S-J Wang

Publications and source records attributed to S-J Wang.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Cephalic venous congestion aggravates only migraine-type headaches.

We performed the Queckenstedt's (Q)-test (compression over bilateral internal jugular veins) and a sham test on 33 patients with migraine attacks (coded as 1.1 based on headache classification proposed by International Headache Society (IHS)), 15 with migrainous attacks (IHS code 1.7), and 15 with tension-type headache (IHS code 2.1) in both supine and sitting positions. 'Migrainous headache' (code 1.7) was defined if the headache characteristics fulfilled all but one criteria for 'migraine without aura'. Migraine sufferers reported a marked increase in headache intensity after a 30-second Q-test in both supine and sitting positions. Aggravation was greater in the supine position. The intensity increase was not demonstrated in the sham test, or in patients with migrainous attacks or tension-type headaches after the Q-test. Patients with acute migraine thus appear more sensitive to increased cerebral venous pressure or intracranial pressure. The discrepancy of intensity changes between supine and sitting positions may reflect different amount of venous return through the internal jugular veins.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Collapsed superior ophthalmic veins in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

The authors measured the average diameter of bilateral superior ophthalmic veins (SOV) in 13 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) on contrast-enhanced, coronal, T1-weighted MRI. Compared with sex- and age-matched neurology inpatients with normal CSF pressure, the SIH group had a smaller SOV diameter (0.90 vs 1.85 mm, p < 0.001), which partly reversed after treatment (1.09 vs 0.90 mm, p = 0.045, n = 7). Collapsed SOV might provide an additional MRI finding for SIH.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A high-fibre diet in combination with bisacodyl for bowel preparation in gallium renal scintigraphy.

Bowel accumulation of gallium-67 frequently complicates the interpretation of gallium-67 scintigrams. This is a drawback, especially when reading gallium renal images. In this study, we evaluated the value of a high-fibre diet in bowel preparation for improving the quality of gallium renal imaging in lupus nephritis. Group A, consisting of 86 patients, was on a regular diet and received bisacodyl the night before imaging. Group B, consisting of 77 patients, was on a high-fibre diet for three consecutive days before imaging and received bisacodyl the night before imaging. Gallium bowel activity was rated on a scale of 0 to III on the basis of anterior and posterior views of delayed 48 h images. Our data revealed that there was a significant difference in image quality between groups A and B. Fifty per cent of group A patients had obvious bowel activity. The percentage decreased significantly to 25% in group B. In conclusion, the application of a high-fibre diet significantly improves the efficacy of bowel preparation for gallium renal scintigraphy in the evaluation of lupus nephritis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effects of cisapride on colonic transit in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) may involve any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, including the colon. Constipation is common in patients with PSS. Cisapride, a benzamide derivative, is a potentially useful agent in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation. The effect of cisapride on colonic transit was evaluated in 16 PSS patients by a radionuclide colonic transit method. Each patient received cisapride orally three times a day for a week. The results showed acceleration in colonic transit in response to cisapride. We conclude that cisapride is effective in the treatment of constipation in patients with PSS.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Attained adult height in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with or without corticosteroid treatment.

Growth impairment has been described in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Both the direct action of underlying disease and prolonged corticosteroid usage for disease management may contribute to growth impairment. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of systemic corticosteroid treatment on attained adult height in patients with JRA. We reviewed patients who first visited our hospital from 1973 to 1995 with a diagnosis of JRA. Adult height (AH) and the reported parental heights of these patients were recorded. Target height (TH) is estimated according to midparental height. Patients who never had or had only transient (less than 1 week) systemic corticosteroid therapy were classified as group 1. Group 2 included patients who had corticosteroid therapy for more than 1 week but never continuously for more than 12 months, and group 3 included patients on long-term steroid treatment (continuously for more than 1 year). Height data were analysed using adult height and the difference between adult height and target height (AH minus TH). Thirty-three patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for JRA were reviewed. Fourteen belonged to group 1, 13 to group 2 and six to group 3. The difference between adult height and target height in group 1 was 2.96 +/- 4.54 cm, in group 2 0.71 +/- 6.08 cm (group 1 vs. group 2, P = 0.28), and in group 3 -11.65 +/- 10.71 cm (group 1 vs. group 3, P<0.05). In 15 patients who never received corticosteroid therapy continuously for more than 1 year, AH-TH was statistically correlated neither with the cumulative corticosteroid exposure dose nor with cumulative corticosteroid exposure period by linear regression ( P = 0.408, P = 0.278, respectively). We concluded that continuous systemic corticosteroid usage for less than 1 year does not affect attained adult height in JRA patients; however, prolonged corticosteroid treatment for more than 1 year can lead to irreversible growth impairment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Designing of polymerase chain reaction primers for the detection of Salmonella enteritidis in foods and faecal samples.

AIMS: In this study, novel insertion element (IE) DNA targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed and further used for the specific detection of Salmonella enteritidis in foods and faecal samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction primers, based upon their IE gene sequence (accession number Z83734), were developed for the detection of Salm. enteritidis. These primers were termed IE1L-IE1R and IE2L-IE3R. The cell lysate, rather than the extracted DNA, was used as template and preculturing of bacterial material was carried out prior to the PCR assay. The specificities of these developed primers were to be confirmed further. The PCR procedure developed was used to examine 170 endogenously contaminated samples, including poultry, seafood, meats, faecal specimens and some feed samples. Salmonella enteritidis was detected in 5.29% (nine of 170) of the samples. CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Two sets of novel PCR primers, based upon their IE gene sequence, have been developed. These primers demonstrated the ability to be used for the specific detection of Salm. enteritidis. When PCR primers IE1L-IE1R were used for the detection of artificially Salm. enteritidis-contaminated food samples, as few as 1 cell ml(-1) sample could be detected using this PCR process.

DNA Primers↗
PubMed2002

MR findings of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

PURPOSE: To present the MR features of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and to discuss the correlation of MR features with clinical manifestations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2000, 15 patients with SIH underwent brain MR investigation. Lumbar puncture for the measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was performed in 6 patients. Follow-up MR was obtained in 8 patients after the clinical symptoms had improved. We analyzed the MR findings of SIH, and discuss them in relation to CSF pressure and clinical manifestations. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 15 patients with SIH had abnormal MR findings. The imaging findings included: diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement in 13 patients; descent of the brain in 6 patients; and subdural effusion/hematoma in 2 patients. Low CSF pressure was shown at lumbar puncture in 5 out of 6 patients. Follow-up MR examination in the symptoms-relieved status demonstrated a recovery of the abnormal MR findings in 6 of 8 patients. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed that MR is sensitive in diagnosing SIH. The presence of characteristic clinical manifestations and MR features are virtually diagnostic for SIH syndrome. Invasive lumbar puncture is thus reserved for the equivocal cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Solid phase radionuclide esophageal transit in mixed connective tissue disease.

Esophageal motility was studied in 24 patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and 20 control subjects by the solid phase radionuclide esophageal transit study. A computer routine modified from Klein and Russel was used. Total mean transit time, regional mean transit time, residual fraction after first swallow, and retrograde index increased significantly in MCTD patients compared with normal control subjects. An abnormal total mean transit time occurred in 84% (20 of 24) of the patients with MCTD. Our results confirmed that delayed esophageal transit is common in patients with MCTD.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scintigraphic pattern of planar gallium scan in wound infection after colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of postoperative wound infection is higher after colorectal surgery than after other surgical procedures. No studies have evaluated the usefulness of gallium 67 scintigraphy for detecting wound infection after colorectal surgery. We investigated the clinical potential of gallium imaging for detecting wound infection after colorectal surgery. METHODS: Fifty patients who had fever after colorectal surgery were enrolled in this study. All patients had open surgical incisions at the midline of the abdomen. Planar gallium scintigraphy was performed 24 h, and then as needed, after the injection of 111 MBq (3 mCi) Ga 67 citrate. All scans were interpreted by two physicians specializing in nuclear medicine. Intensities of gallium uptake at the surgical wound were recorded as grades 0 (no uptake), 1 (less than liver uptake), 2 (equal to liver uptake), or 3 (greater than liver uptake). When the intensity of gallium uptake was equal to or greater than grade 2, gallium uptake was classified as two patterns: regular and irregular. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were diagnosed with wound infection. When interpretation was based on only gallium-uptake intensity, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the gallium scan were 100%, 75%, and 84%, respectively. When interpretation was based on gallium-uptake intensity and pattern, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 96.9%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy had increased, from 84% to 96%. CONCLUSION: Planar gallium scan is useful for detecting wound infection after colorectal surgery. Gallium-uptake pattern and intensity are important for interpreting planar gallium scans.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of genomic signatures in therapeutics development in oncology and other diseases.

Pharmacogenomics is the science of determining how the benefits and adverse effects of a drug vary among a target population of patients based on genomic features of the patient's germ line and diseased tissue. By identifying those patients who are most likely to respond while eliminating serious adverse effects, the therapeutic index of a drug can be substantially increased. This may facilitate demonstrating the effectiveness of the drug and may avoid subsequent problems due to serious adverse events. Our objective here is to provide clinical trial designs and analysis strategies for the utilization of genomic signatures as classifiers for patient stratification or patient selection in therapeutics development. We review methods for the development of genomic signature classifiers of treatment outcome in high-dimensional settings, where the number of variables available for prediction far exceeds the number of cases. The split-sample and cross-validation methods for obtaining estimates of prediction accuracy in developmental studies are described. We present clinical trial designs for utilizing genomic signature classifiers in therapeutics development. The purpose of the classifier is to facilitate the identification of groups of patients with a high probability of benefiting from it and avoiding serious adverse events. We distinguish exploratory analysis during the development of the genomic classifier from prospective planning and rigorous testing of therapeutic hypotheses in studies that utilize the genomic classifier in therapeutics development. We discuss a variety of clinical trial designs including those utilizing specimen collection and assay prospectively for newly accrued patients and those involving a prospectively planned analysis of archived specimens from a previously conducted clinical trial. Our discussion of the development and use of classifiers of efficacy is mostly focused on applications in oncology using classifiers based on biomarkers measured in tumors. Some of the same considerations apply, however, to development of efficacy and safety classifiers in nononcologic diseases based on single-nucleotide germline polymorphisms.

Biomarkers↗