Biomedical subjects

Y C Chang

Publications and source records attributed to Y C Chang.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Iron, copper and zinc levels in serum and cirrhotic liver of patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.

It has been pointed out that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops more frequently in cirrhotic liver with siderosis than in liver without iron deposition, that excess copper in hepatocytes inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis, and that an increase in copper and a decrease in zinc are seen in the sera of patients with various malignant tumors. Iron, copper and zinc concentrations in the serum and liver were estimated in normal subjects and cirrhotic patients with and without HCC. Serum copper level was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with or without HCC than in normal subjects. No significant differences were observed in the levels of these trace elements in the serum and liver of cirrhotic patients with and without HCC. The current study seems to indicate that iron, copper and zinc do not play an important role in the development of HCC in cirrhotic patients in Japan.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1989

Visual, brainstem auditory and somatosensory evoked potential abnormalities in thyroid disease.

In order to investigate the neurophysiological effects of thyroid hormones, sixteen hypothyroid and twenty-seven hyperthyroid patients were studied for changes in visual, brainstem auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials. Hypothyroidism was associated with prolonged latency and reduced amplitude of visual evoked potential, prolonged latency and prolonged central conduction time of somatosensory evoked potential, and prolonged latency and interpeak latency of brainstem auditory evoked potential. Hyperthyroidism was associated with mild prolonged latency of visual evoked potential; other evoked potentials were normal. The prominent evoked potential abnormalities in hypothyroidism and mild evoked potential change in hyperthyroidism are consistent with a possibility that the central nervous system is more sensitive to a deficiency of thyroid hormone than to an excess.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Adverse effects of preoperative hepatic artery chemoembolization for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective comparison of 138 liver resections.

During the past 8 years we have treated 268 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); total extirpation of the tumor was carried out in 138. Thirty-one of the patients with resectable HCCs had already been treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the liver before they were referred to us. The clinical values of preoperative TAE were retrospectively evaluated for those 31 patients and for the remaining 107 patients without TAE. There were no substantial differences between the two study groups in the clinical and histopathologic backgrounds. No differences were observed in the extent of liver resection, estimated blood loss during surgery, and operation time. During surgery, however, troublesome intra-abdominal complications relevant to TAE were encountered in 15 patients, and detection of tumors was impossible, even with intraoperative ultrasonography, in five patients in the group with TAE. Such findings were not present in any of the patients without TAE. Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of recurrence of tumor in the liver, but the recurrence time was significantly shorter in the group with TAE. TAE did not improve the long-term survival rates in patients either with or without cirrhosis. Results of our study seem to indicate that preoperative TAE is meaningless in the treatment of resectable HCCs and therefore should be avoided, particularly in patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1989

Recurrent form of hepatocellular carcinoma after partial hepatic resection.

An analysis of 27 recurrent cases after partial hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, closely followed-up with various diagnostic imagings, is reported. The patients comprised 22 males and 5 females. Their ages ranged from 34 to 76 years, with an average of 57.8 years. Twenty-five had underlying cirrhosis and 2 presented chronic hepatitis histologically. The 27 patients were classified into the following three types. Type I comprised 18 patients with local recurrence. Local recurrence means that the tumor recurred in an adjacent segment to that initially affected or in the same segment. Thirteen of these patients had a recurrence within a year-after the initial operation. Type II comprised 6 cases of multiple intrahepatic metastases, and Type III 3 cases which were thought to represent a metachronous occurrence. Five of the 6 cases of Type II had multiple intrahepatic metastases within 3 months after the initial operation. The results of the present series indicate that when patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are operated on, manipulation should be as careful as possible in order not to disperse the cancer cells, and close follow-up with imagings more than once every three months, especially in the first year after the initial operation should be ensured wherever possible.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Better survival in women than in men after radical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

During the period between January 1980 and December 1987, 229 male and 39 female adult patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were hospitalized in our unit. Radical hepatic resection was carried out in 90 (39.3%) males and 17 (43.6%) females in whom no specific cancer treatment had been attempted preoperatively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates in the male and female patients were 78% and 70%, 45% and 52%, and 19% and 52%, respectively. The difference was significant after 47 months. No substantial differences were found between the two groups with respect to age, preoperative clinical condition and laboratory data, method of liver resection, postoperative morbidity and mortality, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and histopathology of HCC and the liver. Only the incidence of alcohol abuse was significantly different, being higher in male than in female patients. However, the survival analysis demonstrated that alcohol abuse had had no influence on recurrence rate and long-term survival in either male or female patients. As a control, survival was analyzed for the patients with similar clinicopathological background but without HCC who had undergone distal splenorenal shunt for esophageal varices. There was no significant difference between the male and female patients. The current clinical results seems to support our hypothesis based upon sex hormone receptor studies that HCC may be androgen-dependent.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1989

Current status of MR imaging of the female pelvis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important diagnostic method for the study of the female pelvis. It provides a noninvasive means of evaluating uterine zonal anatomy and can reflect the variable appearance of the female genital tract in response to different hormonal stimuli. It is considered a problem-solving technique for evaluating benign uterine and adnexal masses and is the primary imaging modality for staging endometrial, cervical, and vaginal carcinoma. It is also valuable in the assessment of vaginal agenesis and congenital uterine anomalies by providing information needed in surgical management. The role of MRI has not yet been established in the evaluation of ovarian carcinoma.

Female↗

PubMed1989

Gynecologic tumor imaging.

Anatomy of the female pelvis is superbly delineated by MRI due to excellent soft tissue contrast. In patients with infertility, MRI is the best technique to evaluate suspected myomata. Since tumors are directly visualized, MRI can be an effective technique for staging cervical, uterine, and vaginal malignancies.

Female↗

PubMed1989

The study of house dust mites in Taiwan.

By using a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and intradermal skin testing, our previous studies strongly suggested that house dust mites are the most important allergen in Taiwan, especially in asthmatic children. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of house dust mites in houses of mite-sensitive asthmatic children and normals, the species of mites in various house dust samples, the seasonal prevalence, and the relation between the content of mite allergen and the mite density in dusts. Serial samples were collected every month between February 1986 and January 1987 from 61 houses of mite-allergic patients and nine normals. About 1 m2 surface area each of (A) family couch, (B) TV room floor carpet, (C) mattress, and (D) bed room floor carpet was vacuumed for one minute. The flotation method was used to collect mites in dusts and mites were counted under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Identification of house dust mite species was also performed. The RAST inhibition method was used for assay of mite allergen in dust extracts. The results showed the following six points. (1) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) was the dominant species found in house dust in the Taipei area (78.8%). (2) The mean number of mites was greater in August through November and lowest in July. (3) The content of mite allergen did not correlate with the number of mites in dust sample. (4) The average number of mites in patients' houses was not different from that in normals' houses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗

PubMed1988

Isolation, characterization and evolutionary relatedness of three members from the soybean multigene family encoding chlorophyll a/b binding proteins.

The soybean light-harvesting complex II (LHC II) was composed of one major and three minor chlorophyll a/b (Cab) binding proteins. This study demonstrated that the soybean genome contained at least 11 genes that code for these Cab proteins. Three members of the soybean Cab gene family were characterized. Cab 3 coded for a 25.7 kD mature apoprotein with a 32 amino acid transit peptide. Comparisons with previously published Cab protein sequences indicated that Cab 3 coded for the major Cab protein of LHC II. Cab 2 coded for a novel Cab protein with an apparent molecular weight of 24.6 kD. Cab 2 retained a high degree of similarity with Cab 3, but distinguished itself from previously reported minor photosystem II type II Cab genes and products. Finally, Cab 1 was determined to be a pseudogene that had two deletions relative to Cab 2 and Cab 3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1988

Elevation of alpha-fetoprotein level without evidence of recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Seven Japanese patients showed a gradual rise in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels for periods of 4 to 14 weeks after partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. These levels then gradually decreased, but not always to a normal level, and various procedures after surgery failed to detect tumor recurrence. All the cases were complicated with liver cirrhosis. It is suggested that the postoperative elevation in the AFP level may have been caused by hepatic regeneration as a result of the intervention chemotherapy and/or surgery, but it does not exclude the possibility of a tumor recurrence.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Concurrent treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal varices by hepatic resection and distal splenorenal shunt.

Ten patients with both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and esophageal or esophagogastric varices were concurrently treated by partial hepatic resection and distal splenorenal shunt. All the patients were men aged from 45 to 71 years. Four patients had had recent episodes of variceal bleeding. Six patients were considered to be at high risk for bleeding, as their varices were large and had "red color signs" endoscopically. Liver cirrhosis was associated with all cases. The grade of hepatic dysfunction was Child A in seven and Child B in three patients. As the HCCs were relatively small, partial wedge hepatectomy was carried out in all patients. Five patients underwent the original Warren shunt, but the remaining five had modified shunts with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) interposition. There was no operative mortality within one month. Nine patients with patent shunts had no variceal bleeding despite the fact that three of them had tumor recurrence in the liver. Hepatic encephalopathy occurred transiently in only one instance. Six patients were alive at the time this report was written, eight to 49 months after operation. Five were free of cancer and one had tumor recurrence. This result may indicate that relatively small HCCs and esophageal varices can be simultaneously treated by limited hepatic resection and distal splenorenal shunt in patients with Child A or B liver disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Hepatocellular pseudotumour (regenerating nodule) in the cirrhotic liver mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma.

During a recent 6-year period we have encountered 10 patients with 'hepatocellular pseudotumour in the cirrhotic liver' (regenerating hyperplastic nodule). The patients were all male, aged 40-82 years. Seven were chronic alcohol consumers. None was positive for HBs-Ag but seven had either anti-HBs or anti-HBc. Serum AFP level ranged from 4 to 28 ng/ml in six patients who did not have hepatocellular carcinoma at the time of the diagnosis of the pseudotumour. The lesions were depicted by ultrasonography in seven, by computed tomography in two, and by angiography in one case. Liver scan was negative in all five cases investigated. The pre-operative diagnosis was definitely or highly suspicious of hepatocellular carcinoma in three, of pseudotumour in the cirrhotic liver in three, and of recurrent carcinoma in one. In another three patients, pseudotumour was coincidentally discovered in resected specimens with hepatocellular carcinoma. The histopathological and follow-up studies demonstrated synchronous or metachronous development of carcinoma in seven patients. Whether or not these lesions in the cirrhotic liver are premalignant remains to be elucidated.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed1988

Ultrasonographic features of hepatocellular pseudotumour in the cirrhotic liver.

Eight cases of hepatocellular pseudotumours (HPT) were encountered in 6 years during which time 140 hepatectomies were performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All were found during screening of cirrhotic patients. The ultrasonographic pattern of HPT was similar to that of HCC and their correct diagnosis was impossible by ultrasonography alone. A space-occupying lesion in the cirrhotic liver which is detected by ultrasonography but not by computed tomography and angiography may be a hepatocellular pseudotumour. This diagnosis is particularly likely if the serum alpha-fetoprotein level is normal.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Invasive cervical carcinoma: comparison of MR imaging and surgical findings.

The accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in staging invasive carcinoma of the cervix was determined retrospectively in 57 consecutive patients in whom the extent of disease was surgically confirmed. MR images were analyzed for (a) location and size of the primary tumor; (b) tumor extension to the uterine corpus, vagina, parametria, pelvic sidewall, bladder, or rectum; and (c) pelvic lymphadenopathy. The accuracy of MR imaging in determination of tumor location was 91% and for determination of tumor size within 0.5 cm, 70%. Its accuracy was 93% for vaginal extension and 88% for parametrial extension. Pelvic sidewall, bladder, and rectal involvement were accurately excluded in all patients, but the positive predictive values were 75%, 67%, and 100%, respectively. Overall, the accuracy of MR imaging in staging was 81%. MR imaging is valuable because it can accurately demonstrate tumor location, tumor size, degree of stromal penetration, and lower uterine segment involvement. It is also valuable for ruling out parametrial, pelvic sidewall, bladder, and rectal involvement.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Vagina: evaluation with MR imaging. Part I. Normal anatomy and congenital anomalies.

The appearance of the vagina was evaluated on magnetic resonance (MR) images of 65 subjects who were healthy or had disease unrelated to the vagina and 24 patients with suspected congenital anomalies of the vagina. MR imaging accurately demonstrated the presence of (n = 78) or complete (n = 7) or partial (n = 4) absence of the vagina in each case. Partial (n = 2) or complete (n = 2) duplication of the vagina was also correctly diagnosed. Regardless of field strength, T2-predominant images were essential for evaluation. The transverse plane was optimal, and a 5-mm section thickness was preferable. Estrogen stimulation affected the appearance of the vagina: The contrast between the vaginal wall and the central mucus-containing area was greatest during the early proliferative and late secretory phases. MR imaging offers unique depiction of congenital anomalies and should be used when results of physical examination or other radiologic studies, such as ultrasound, are inconclusive.

Disorders of Sex Development↗

PubMed1988

Vagina: evaluation with MR imaging. Part II. Neoplasms.

The potential of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the detection of vaginal tumors and the assessment of their extent was evaluated retrospectively in 87 patients in whom primary, metastatic, or recurrent vaginal cancer was clinically suspected. MR findings were compared with the results of surgery and/or biopsy. Results of histopathologic study verified a normal vagina in 51 patients, benign cysts in two, primary tumor in four, metastatic cancer in 22, and recurrent tumor in eight. MR imaging demonstrated the two benign cysts, correctly depicting their size and location, and demonstrated and enabled correct staging of the four primary tumors. MR accuracy for demonstrating metastatic cancer was 92%, sensitivity was 95%, and specificity was 90%. Tumor extension to the vagina was reliably excluded (negative predictive value = 97%), but false-positive interpretations occurred (positive predictive value = 84%) primarily because inflammation (n = 2) and congestion (n = 2) could not be distinguished from tumor invasion. An additional role of MR imaging was the ability to differentiate tumor from fibrotic tissue in patients with suspected recurrent vaginal carcinoma. The overall accuracy of MR imaging for recurrent vaginal cancer was 82% (14 of 17).

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Morbidity and mortality after major hepatic resection in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Major hepatic resection was carried out on 23 adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and underlying cirrhosis of the liver (macronodular in six cases, micronodular in 11 and mixed type cirrhosis in six). Pre-operative liver functional state was Child's class A in 19, class B in three, and class C in one. The operations performed were extended right lobectomy in four patients, right lobectomy in 10, left found in 10 patients, five of whom had duplicated complications and finally died of liver failure 15-65 days after operation. In three of those five patients, other complications (hemorrhagic shock in two and portal thrombosis in one) had preceded liver failure. Eighteen patients tolerated the resection and were discharged from hospital. However, among 13 noncirrhotic patients with HCC who had undergone major hepatic resection during the same period of time, only two had postoperative complications and all patients were discharged from hospital. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates in the 23 cirrhotics were 60.9%, 37.5% and 24.9% respectively, whereas the 1-5-year survival rates were all 61.5% in the 13 noncirrhotics. Thus, major hepatic resection may be indicated in selected patients with HCC and associated cirrhosis, but meticulous managements during and after operation are mandatory to prevent fatal postoperative liver failure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Severe generalized polyneuropathy in lithium intoxication.

A woman developed a severe generalized polyneuropathy in acute lithium intoxication. Nerve conduction studies suggested an axonal neuropathy. Her peripheral nerve problem became manifest after treatment had already started; therefore, a high serum lithium level is not considered to be the only factor for the development of a severe polyneuropathy in lithium intoxication.

Adult↗