Bicarbonate-dependent betaine synthesis in rat kidney.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
T J Chen
Publications and source records attributed to T J Chen.
Apoptosis in decidual tissue regression and reorganization.
During blastocyst implantation, cellular degeneration of decidual tissue spreads from the antimesometrial region to the mesometrial region to accommodate the developing conceptus. To identify the mechanism of decidual regression and its tissue localization, decidual formation was induced in either intact pseudopregnant rats or ovariectomized rats treated with steroids. Antimesometrial and mesometrial cells were separated by elutriation and cultured for 48 h before DNA analysis. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was observed in antimesometrial cells, whereas DNA fragmentation was less marked in mesometrial cells. To determine whether a similar pattern of apoptosis occurred during decidual development in vivo, decidua tissues from antimesometrial and mesometrial regions were obtained on days 8-14. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was first detected on day 10 in the antimesometrial region, with fragmentation in the mesometrial region delayed by at least 24 h. DNA fragmentation increased in both tissues with time, but was always more pronounced in antimesometrial cells. Sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2) has been associated with apoptosis, and its expression was examined by Northern analysis. Levels of SGP-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected in the antimesometrial region on day 9 and increased markedly by day 10; mesometrial expression was delayed 24 h. Levels of SGP-2 mRNA in both regions decreased before the onset of DNA fragmentation. In contrast, cathepsin-D expression, detected by immunohistochemistry, was localized to few mesometrial and antimesometrial cells between days 9-12, with all cells showing extensive staining by day 14. To determine whether changes in progesterone control mechanisms initiated decidual apoptosis, plasma progesterone levels were measured by RIA, and progesterone receptor mRNA levels in decidual tissues were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Both parameters remained unchanged during decidual growth and regression. These results provide biochemical evidence that decidual regression occurs by apoptosis initiated in the antimesometrial region and with progression to the mesometrial region. Apoptotic cell death occurs despite high levels of plasma progesterone and high levels of progesterone receptor message in decidual tissue.
Animals↗
[Cholangiocarcinoma with mucobilia].
Mucobilia is a rare condition, with copious mucus secretion within the extrahepatic bile ducts resulting in obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. Fifteen patients with mucobilia were treated over an 11 year period. Preoperative study included ultrasonography (15), cholangiography (15), liver scanning (2) and computed tomographic (CT) scanning (1). The diagnosis was made preoperatively in 26.6% (4/15) of the patients. The preoperative diagnosis was based on 1) mucinous substance draining out from the papilla after endoscopic cannulation or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage fistula 2) multiple amorphous filling defects of the bile duct on cholangiograph 3) biliary duct dilatation with an intrahepatic or liver tumor on image study (sonography or CT scan). The etiology of mucobilia was papillary cholangiocarcinoma in 10 patients, biliary cystadenocarcinoma in three patients, and cystadenocarcinoma of the liver in another two. Intraoperative choledochoscopy revealed an intrahepatic biliary tumor in seven patients, intrahepatic duct stricture or obliteration in six and normal findings in another two. Surgical treatment of the 15 patients included left hepatectomy with choledochotomy in eight and choledochotomy with tumor biopsy in another seven patients. One patient died after T-tube drainage due to septic shock for a 6.6% mortality rate. Postoperative follow-up revealed the continuous drainage of a mucinous substance from the T-tube fistula receiving regular choledochoscopic irrigation in six patients. Four cholangiocarcinoma patients with mucobilia were effectively controlled by external radiation and intraluminal radiation therapy. The overall survival time ranged from 9 months to 11 years 6 months (mean, 46 months). Three patients (20%) are still surviving more than 5 years post diagnosis.
Aged↗
Effects of age on open-field behavior of male rats.
As age advances, the performance of animal behavior declines gradually. The purpose of this study was to investigate the onset of age-related changes in open-field behavior of rats from a wide age spectrum. Male Long-Evans rats, ranging from 2 to 22 months, were placed in an open-field apparatus during the dark phase for a cumulative period of 28 min. Data were collected for the following parameters of open-field behavior: horizontal activity (HA), total distance (TD), stereotypy count (SC), vertical activity (VA), movement time (MT) and margin time (MGT). The highest value of HA, TD, SC and MT was found in rats at the age of 3 months. After 3 months, the values for these parameters gradually declined, subsequently reaching statistical significance by 6 months (HA, TD and SC) or 8.5 months (MT) of age. Maximum activity of VA occurred at 8.5 months of age and thereafter gradually declined with increasing age, however, no significantly statistical difference was reached as compared to the highest value. In contrast, the values for MGT gradually declined after 2 months of age, thereby reaching statistical significance by 11 months of age. These results indicate that the onset of age-related decline in open-field behavioral parameters can differ and the age-related changes in open-field behavior depends on observational parameters.
Age Factors↗
[Effect of aminoglycoside on ascending auditory pathway evaluated by evoked potentials].
Permanent ototoxic injuries frequently occur after long term administration of aminoglycosides (AGs). An attempt was made to evaluate the effects of AGs on both peripheral and central auditory systems in rats by brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). A total of 43 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, and 4 kinds of AGs (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and streptomycin) were applied respectively to rats in each group with IM injection daily for 9 weeks. BAEPs were recorded pre- and post-injection weekly. Rats with gentamicin administration had no apparent changes in peak latencies until 7 weeks when prolongations occurred. Tobramycin administration in rats caused peak latencies to prolong progressively. Prolongations of peak latencies initially followed by no more evident changes were present in rats with amikacin or streptomycin. However, few consistent changes in interpeak latencies were shown in all rats. These results indicate that ototoxicity occurs at the peripheral auditory system, and the involvement of central auditory pathway was uncertain.
Aminoglycosides↗
A reappraisal of cholangiocarcinoma in patient with hepatolithiasis.
BACKGROUND: Hepatolithiasis associated with cholangiocarcinoma is not often encountered. During the past 3 years, an increased incidence of patients with hepatolithiasis associated with cholangiocarcinoma was noted. Data were needed to reliably determine the incidence of this disease. METHODS: Data concerning the relationship between cholangiocarcinoma and hepatolithiasis are presented. The treatment modalities and factors that influence long-term survival are discussed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in association with hepatolithiasis was 5.0% (55 in 1105). Before 1987, 65% of cholangiocarcinoma in association with hepatolithiasis was diagnosed postoperatively. After 1987, the incidence of accurate preoperative diagnosis increased (22.8%), and in most of the other instances (62.8%), the diagnosis was made at laparotomy. Surgical procedures consisted of common bile duct exploration with T-tube drainage (100%) and hepatectomy (38.2%). Mortality for patients who underwent surgery was 5.4%; they died of recurrent cholangitis. The overall median survival time of patients with cholangiocarcinoma in association with hepatolithiasis was 10.4 months; the 1-, 2-, and 4-year cumulative survival rates were 30.0%, 12.7%, and 3.6%, respectively. Patients with hepatectomy or the presence of mucobilia had better survival rates (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of hepatolithiasis associated with cholangiocarcinoma was 5%. In most patients with cholangiocarcinoma in association with hepatolithiasis, diagnosis can be made preoperatively and at laparotomy. Patients with hepatectomy or presence of mucobilia had better survival rates.
Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
Hepatic injury during propylthiouracil therapy in patients with hyperthyroidism. A cohort study.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, severity, and course of propylthiouracil-induced hepatic injury in patients with hyperthyroidism. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of a university-based hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-four patients with normal aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values and a definite diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. INTERVENTION: Treatment with propylthiouracil, 300 mg/d for 2 months followed by 100 to 150 mg/d for 3 months and a subsequent maintenance dose of 100 mg/d. MEASUREMENTS: Liver biochemical tests were studied before therapy and 2 months and 5 months after starting propylthiouracil therapy. The patients were monitored with clinical evaluation and weekly liver biochemical tests after AST or ALT levels became abnormal. Serologic markers of hepatitis A, B, C, and delta virus infection were also studied when appropriate. RESULTS: Fifteen (28%; 95% CI, 16% to 42%) of the 54 patients showed ALT elevations 2 months after propylthiouracil therapy. The mean peak ALT level for these patients was 1.35 mu kat/L (range, 0.65 3.85 mu kat/L). None of these patients had symptoms or hyperbilirubinemia. Liver biopsy in three patients showed mild perivenular focal necrosis or ill-defined granuloma composed of foamy histiocytes with ceroid pigment and mild fatty metamorphosis. Despite continued propylthiouracil therapy at a reduced dose, ALT levels returned to normal in 13 of 15 patients in the following 3 months. None of these ALT elevations resulted from hepatitis A, B, C, or delta virus infection. No statistical difference was seen in the pretreatment characteristics between patients with and those without ALT elevation, except that the former had a higher pretreatment T4 level (270 +/- 12.9 compared with 237 +/- 7.72 nmol/L, P = 0.027) and T3 level (7.22 +/- 0.72 compared with 5.85 +/- 0.39 nmol/L, P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Propylthiouracil-induced subclinical liver injury is common and is usually transient and asymptomatic. Therapy with propylthiouracil may be continued with caution in the absence of symptoms and hyperbilirubinemia.
Adult↗
Effects of aircraft noise on hearing and auditory pathway function of school-age children.
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of high-frequency aircraft noise on the function of the auditory system of school-age children. A total of 228 students attending a school near an airport (school A) and 151 students attending a school far from an airport (school B) were analyzed. Audiometry and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) detection were performed in all subjects to evaluate cochlear and retrocochlear function. The results of audiometry indicated that hearing ability was significantly worse in the children of school A, which was located under the flight paths. The values of pure tone average, high pure tone average, and threshold at 4 kHz were all higher in children who were frequently exposed to aircraft noise. There was no consistent difference in BAEP latencies between the two schools. These results indicate that central transmission is not affected in children who have been exposed to aircraft noise for several years. The results of the present study showed a significant association between aircraft noise exposure and prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss. Although damage to peripheral cochlear organs was confirmed in school-age children, involvement of the central auditory pathway could not be verified.
Aircraft↗
Effects of prednisolone pretreatment in interferon alfa therapy for patients with chronic non-A, non-B (C) hepatitis.
The effect of corticosteroid pretreatment on interferon alfa treatment of chronic non-A, non-B or C hepatitis was evaluated in an open, randomized, controlled study. Normalization of the serum alanine aminotransferase level, which suggested complete response, was recorded in 14 (56%) of 25 patients at the end of a 6-month treatment with 3 million units of interferon alfa three times weekly alone. Prednisolone withdrawal followed by the same interferon alfa treatment resulted in complete response in 14 (61%) of another 23 patients. Both of these rates are significantly higher than the spontaneous ALT normalization rate of 9% observed in 2 of 22 patients during the same period (p < 0.01). ALT normalized within 2 months of interferon therapy in most (89%) of the complete responders. Of the patients pretreated with prednisolone, 43% showed a "rebound" following prednisolone withdrawal and 89% of the patients with "rebound" responded to subsequent interferon therapy. The cumulative probability of sustained remission in patients with and without prednisolone pretreatment in a 24-month period of follow-up after the end of therapy was 79% and 30%, respectively (p < 0.05). Clinical relapse mostly (85%) occurred within 3 months after the end of therapy. No obvious factor could be identified as a predictor of response or relapse. The results of this study suggest that prednisolone withdrawal tends to enhance the durability of the beneficial effects of interferon alfa therapy in patients with chronic non-A, non-B or C hepatitis.
Alanine Transaminase↗
Augmentation of liver regeneration with glucagon after partial hepatectomy in rats.
The direct stimulating effect of glucagon on partially hepatectomized rats was studied. Following a 70% hepatectomy, male Wister rats were divided into three groups. Group I received glucagon 0.8 mg/kg/day; group II received hydrocortisone 10 mg/kg/day; and group III received normal saline as a control. Their blood sugar levels and food intake were not significantly different. After one week, the regenerated livers in group I were larger (9.69 +/- 0.30 cm3 vs 8.29 +/- 0.34 cm3 in group II and 8.20 +/- 0.10 cm3 in group III), and heavier (9.83 +/- 0.28 g vs 8.52 +/- 0.33 g in group II and 8.75 +/- 0.21 g in group III) than those in the other two groups. The mitotic index in group I was also higher. The results suggest that glucagon has a direct hepatotrophic effect and enhances regeneration of the liver in rats.
Animals↗
Liver transplantation for a hepatitis B-related cirrhotic patient.
A patient with chronic end-stage liver cirrhosis resulting from a hepatitis B viral infection had a successful liver transplantation performed on 1 July 1991. Preoperative serology revealed that both HBsAg and HBeAg were positive, and the anti-HBs antibody was negative. Immunoprophylaxis included active immunization, as well as injections of large doses of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) given perioperatively to reverse the antigen status. The patient has been anti-HBs antibody positive for more than 10 months since the transplantation. The immunoprophylaxis protocol used has been effective in the prevention of hepatitis B viral reinfection.
Adult↗
Suppression of hepatitis delta virus by concurrent hepatitis C virus superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
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Adult↗
Estrogen and osteoarthritis: a study of synovial estradiol and estradiol receptor binding in human osteoarthritic knees.
Estrogen appears to be a risk factor in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Results from 21 patients revealed that synovial estradiol level was highly related to the severity of OA. Increased estradiol receptor bindings in the medial compartment of the femoral condylar and tibia plateau cartilages were observed; the increase was significantly higher in the medial than in the lateral compartment (p less than 0.05). Although the synovial estradiol level was significantly lower in women with OA than in men with OA (p less than 0.01), postmenopausal women were hypothesized to be more susceptible to OA, since the possible existence of synovial testosterone might counteract the high estradiol synovial level in men, which results in a lower incidence of knee OA in men than in postmenopausal women. We suggest that excessive synovial estradiol and higher estradiol receptor bindings may be involved in the development of knee OA, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Aged↗
Concurrent hepatitis C virus and hepatitis delta virus superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are transmitted by the same routes as hepatitis B virus (HBV), simultaneous or concurrent HCV and HDV infection in patients with chronic HBV infection may occur. To test this hypothesis and to examine the clinicohistological and immunopathological presentations of such multiple hepatitis virus infections, acute and/or convalescent serum specimens from 86 patients with acute HDV superinfection were tested by enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to HCV. Of the 86 patients, 18 (20.9%) were associated with HCV infection. Although patients with early mortality cannot be evaluated by the HCV markers used in this study, the results showed that the clinical and histologic features were similar except that patients with HCV infection were older than those without HCV infection (P less than 0.01). Immunopathological studies carried out within 2 months after the onset of acute HDV superinfection demonstrated that hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was not detected in any patient and HDV antigen was detected in 18.2% of the patients with HCV infection whereas HBcAg and HDAg were found in 7% and 65.1%, respectively, of those without HCV coinfection (P less than 0.02). It is concluded that concurrent HCV and HDV superinfections can and do occur in patients with chronic HBV infection. In these triple viral infections, HCV may even transiently suppress HDV and HBV.
Adult↗
Progesterone regulation of progesterone receptor in mesometrial and antimesometrial deciduoma in pseudopregnant hamster.
Experiments were performed to examine the trophic effects of progesterone (P) on the progesterone receptor (PR) and the maintenance of the deciduoma. Deciduomal reactions in response to artificial stimuli were induced in hamsters' uteri on the 4th (D4) day of pseudopregnancy (PSP). On and after the 8th day, PSP hamsters received P supplement (2mg; s.c.) daily. Histological observation revealed that the life span of the deciduoma was partially prolonged. The maintenance and regression of the deciduoma was heterogeneous. P was able to maintain the morphology of the cells at the mesometrial site (MS) on D12, whereas cells at the antimesometrial site (AMS) regressed. The cytosol progesterone receptor (cPR) concentration in cells of the MS was higher than that of the AMS on D10. The cPR in MS and AMS decreased drastically on D12. The nuclear PR (nPR) remained at a higher concentration in both tissues on D10 followed by a precipitous decrease. The deciduomal nPR in the AMS decreased at a faster rate. By day 12, the nPR in the MS was much higher than that in the AMS. These data show that P acts as a trophic hormone of the deciduoma. The maintenance of deciduoma is closely related to the presence of PR. Other mechanisms may exist for the heterogeneous responses observed at the MS and AMS.
Animals↗
Sex differences in estrogen and androgen receptors in hamster brain.
The present study was conducted to measure the levels of estrogen and androgen receptors (ER and AR, receptively) simultaneously in the anterior pituitary (AP), and various brain regions from adult male and proestrous female hamsters. Medial preoptic area (MPOA), medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), lateral hypothalamus (LH), medial forebrain bundle (MFB), and amygdala (AMG) were identified and removed from 200-microns frozen brain sections by the Palkovits punch-out technique. ER and AR were determined by the in vitro binding assay using [3H]-estradiol and [3H]-methyltrienolone as the binding ligands. In males, high levels of AR were found in the MPOA, MBH, and AP. In females, the MPOA, MBH, LH, and AP contained high levels of ER. The males exhibited significantly higher levels of AR than females in the MPOA, MBH, and LH, whereas the ER levels in these areas were higher in females. In males, ER and AR contents in the AP were higher, but the contents in the AMG were lower as compared to those of females. The calculated ER/AR ratio in MPOA, MBH, and LH were lowest in males. On the contrary, the ratio in these areas were highest in females. These data suggest that sex differences in response to estrogen and androgen may in part be due to sex differences in ER and AR contents in specific brain regions.
Animals↗
Effects of anterior roof deafferentation on lordosis behavior and estrogen receptors in various brain regions of female rats.
This study investigated whether the estrogen receptors (ER), located at different brain areas and anterior pituitary (AP), changed after anterior roof deafferentation (ARD), and on the effects of facilitating the lordosis reflex in female rats. Female rats were ovariectomized and implanted with estradiol capsules. ARD or sham operation was performed with a Halász knife. All animals were tested for lordosis both before and after surgery. One day after the last test they were sacrificed. Cytosol and nuclear ER in the AP, medial preoptic area (MPOA), basal medial hypothalamus (BMH), amygdala (AMYG), septum (SEP), hippocampus (HPC), and cortex (CTX) were measured using an in vitro exchange assay. Rats with ARD showed significantly higher mean levels of lordosis quotient than the control and the sham groups before ARD surgery. An increase of both cytosol and nuclear ER in the BMH area compared to the control was observed, whereas the ER, in the SEP was reduced. ER in other areas were not affected by ARD. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were not altered by the operation. These data suggest that the dorsal inhibitory pathway from the extrahypothalamus to the preoptic area and hypothalamus may modulate the estrogen receptor and the display of lordosis in female rats. Change of ER level in the BMH area may influence the hormonal sensitivity of lordosis in female rats.
Animals↗
Hepatitis B X-gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.
A RNA-PCR method and different sets of primers were used to investigate the expression of different hepatitis B (HB) virus genes at the RNA level. We tested paired samples (tumor and non-tumor) from the liver tissues of 48 Taiwanese patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By using a set of primers which spanned the sequences of the S-gene, we found expression in only 2 patients. In one HBs-RNA was only detected in the tumor tissue and in the other only in the surrounding non-tumor tissue. Using primers covering the C-gene, expression was found in 7 patients. In 2 of these RNA was detected in both the tumor and the surrounding tissue, in 2 in the tumor tissue, and in 3 in the surrounding tissue only. Finally, when primers spanning the X-gene sequences were used, RNA was detected in 40/48 patients. In 33 of these cases HBx-RNA was detected in both tumor and non-tumor tissue, in 3 patients in tumor tissue only, and in 4 in the surrounding tissue. Among the cases in which HBc and HBs-RNA was expressed, all showed HBx expression also. These data indicate that the expression of the HBx gene in HCC may play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
Base Sequence↗