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1.
Opt Express ; 22(12): 14411-24, 2014 Jun 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24977538

ABSTRACT

In the exposure process of photolithography, a free-form lens is designed and fabricated for UV-LED (Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode). Thin film metallic glasses (TFMG) are adopted as UV reflection layers to enhance the irradiance and uniformity. The Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with high transmittance is used as the lens material. The 3-D fast printing is attempted to make the mold of the lens. The results show that the average irradiance can be enhanced by 6.5~6.7%, and high uniformity of 85~86% can be obtained. Exposure on commercial thick photoresist using this UV-LED system shows 3~5% dimensional deviation, lower than the 6~8% deviation for commercial mercury lamp system. This current system shows promising potential to replace the conventional mercury exposure systems.

2.
Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol ; 24(2): 345-56, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21658309

ABSTRACT

Eugenol and isoeugenol, two components of clover oil, have been reported to possess several biomedical properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. This study aims to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol, isoeugenol and four of their derivatives on expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7), and to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. We found that two derivatives, eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol, had potent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced upregulation of nitrite levels, iNOS protein and iNOS mRNA. In addition, they both suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced by LPS. Moreover, they both attenuated the DNA binding of NF-kB and AP-1, phosphorylation of inhibitory kB-alpha (IkB-alpha), and nuclear translocation of p65 protein induced by LPS. Finally, we demonstrated that glyceryl-isoeugenol suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK, whereas eugenolol suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Taken together, these results suggest that that eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol suppress LPS-induced iNOS expression by down-regulating NF-kB and AP-1 through inhibition of MAPKs and Akt/IkB-alpha signaling pathways. Thus, this study implies that eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol may provide therapeutic benefits for inflammatory diseases.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Endotoxins/pharmacology , Eugenol/pharmacology , Glycerol/pharmacology , I-kappa B Proteins/metabolism , Macrophages/drug effects , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Down-Regulation , Eugenol/analogs & derivatives , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Macrophages/enzymology , Macrophages/immunology , Mice , NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics , Phosphorylation , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
3.
Oncogene ; 30(17): 2077-85, 2011 Apr 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21170084

ABSTRACT

The polycomb group family protein BMI-1 is overexpressed by and functions as an oncogene in many different human cancers. We have previously shown that BMI-1 promotes the tumorigenicity of Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs) and that this is mediated independently of CDKN2A repression. In this study, we have discovered that high levels of BMI-1 confer resistance to contact inhibition in ESFT cells. Using stable retroviral transduction, we evaluated the consequences of BMI-1 knockdown on the growth of CDKN2A wild-type and mutant ESFT cells in subconfluent and confluent conditions. Although knockdown of BMI-1 had no effect on proliferation in low-density cultures, at high cell densities it resulted in cell cycle arrest and death. The normal cell contact inhibition response is mediated, in large part, by the recently described Hippo pathway which functions to inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell death by inactivating the Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Significantly, we found that YAP levels, activity and expression did not diminish in confluent ESFT cells that expressed high levels of BMI-1. In contrast, YAP expression and nuclear localization were reduced in confluent BMI-1 knockdown cells suggesting that silencing of BMI-1 restored contact inhibition by restoring normal activation of the Hippo-YAP growth-suppressor pathway. Importantly, knockdown of YAP in ESFT cells resulted in profound inhibition of cell proliferation and anchorage-independent colony formation suggesting that stabilization and continued expression of YAP is critical for ESFT growth and tumorigenicity. Together, these studies reveal a previously unrecognized link between BMI-1, contact inhibition and the Hippo-YAP pathway and suggest that resistance to contact inhibition in BMI-1 overexpressing cancer cells may be in part a result of Hippo inhibition and aberrant stabilization of YAP.


Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/metabolism , Bone Neoplasms/pathology , Contact Inhibition , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism , Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Base Sequence , Bone Neoplasms/genetics , Cell Cycle Proteins , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Oncogenes/genetics , Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 , Protein Stability , Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics , Signal Transduction , Transcription Factors/genetics
4.
Nanotechnology ; 21(13): 134008, 2010 Apr 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20208118

ABSTRACT

Pt contact on p-Si nanowires (NWs) using Ga-ion-induced deposition by a focused ion beam was formed with a specific contact resistance (rho(c)) of 1.54 x 10(-6) Omega cm(2). Ohmic behavior is caused by Ga-ion-induced amorphization of Si NWs underneath the Pt contact. A very low Schottky barrier height associated with interface states raised from Pt-amorphized Si junction and with an image force induced by the applied bias can be implemented to elucidate ultralow rho(c). The value of rho(c) lower than that of any known contact to Si NWs demonstrates a practical method for integrating NWs in devices and circuits.

5.
Anaesthesia ; 62(8): 818-23, 2007 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17635431

ABSTRACT

We compared four different skin surface landmarks, the lower margin of the right 2nd costo-sternal junction (point A); the upper margin of the right 3rd costo-sternal junction (point B); the lower margin of the right 3rd costo-sternal junction (point C); and a point 5 cm below the manubrio-sternal junction (point D), in 20 cancer patients undergoing insertion of permanent central venous catheters whose tips were placed near the superior vena cava - right atrium (SVC-RA) junction under transoesophageal echocardiography guidance. The landmark was satisfactory if it was located within 1 cm of the SVC-RA junction. Points C and D were closer to the SVC-RA junction than points A and B (p < 0.0001). However, point C had the highest incidence (C: 70%, A: 0%, B: 20%, D: 30%, p < 0.0001) of being within 1 cm of the SVC-RA junction.


Subject(s)
Catheterization, Central Venous/methods , Neoplasms/therapy , Skin/anatomy & histology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Catheters, Indwelling , Echocardiography, Transesophageal , Female , Heart Atria/anatomy & histology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Ribs/anatomy & histology , Sternum/anatomy & histology , Vena Cava, Superior/anatomy & histology
6.
Anaesthesia ; 62(1): 85-7, 2007 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17156233

ABSTRACT

We describe an unusual case of tumour lysis syndrome in a child with a high-grade lymphoma undergoing a staging laparotomy. The patient presented with a refractory ventricular arrhythmia, which required continuous resuscitation in the operating room and continuous venous-venous haemodialysis in the intensive care unit. This case report suggests that surgery is a possible trigger for developing tumour lysis syndrome, so anaesthetists should be alert to this possibility during surgery in patients with pre-existing high tumour burdens.


Subject(s)
Intraoperative Complications/etiology , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/surgery , Tumor Lysis Syndrome/etiology , Abdomen , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/therapy , Child , Heart Ventricles , Humans , Intraoperative Complications/therapy , Laparotomy/adverse effects , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology , Male , Pelvis , Renal Dialysis/methods , Treatment Outcome , Tumor Lysis Syndrome/therapy
7.
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand ; 50(6): 731-5, 2006 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16987369

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: When implanting a permanent central venous catheter, the usual aim is to place the tip at the superior vena cava/right atrial (SVC/RA) junction. However, data validating radiographic landmarks of the SVC/RA junction are limited. This investigation was undertaken to compare the radiographic landmarks with the SVC/RA junction as determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). METHODS: In 20 adult oncologic patients undergoing implantation of a permanent subcutaneous central venous catheter, the catheter tip was placed in the SVC/RA junction under TEE guidance. The position of the catheter tip on chest X-ray, which represented the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction, was then compared with a standard radiographic landmark of the SVC/RA junction and with thoracic vertebral levels. RESULTS: In all but two patients radiographic SVC/RA junctions were identified. The echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from 0.6 cm above to 2.8 cm below the radiographic SVC/RA junction. There was a significant difference between the distance from the carina to the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the distance from the carina to the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction. The thoracic vertebral body correlating with the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from the sixth to the ninth level. CONCLUSION: Both the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the thoracic vertebral bodies are not reliable landmarks for the SVC/RA junction defined by TEE. Physicians should be aware that using the radiographic SVC/RA junction to confirm proper positioning of permanent central venous catheters risks placing the catheter tip in the upper SVC, with subsequent potential long-term complications. More reliable radiographic landmarks for the SVC/RA junction should be investigated.


Subject(s)
Catheterization, Central Venous , Heart/anatomy & histology , Vena Cava, Superior/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Echocardiography, Transesophageal , Female , Heart Atria/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Preoperative Care
8.
J Agric Food Chem ; 54(18): 6790-9, 2006 Sep 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16939341

ABSTRACT

The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and related humic acids (HAs) extracted from the soils of field plots were investigated after 8 years of annual paddy (Oryza sativa L.) and upland maize (Zea mays L.) rotation with various fertilizations. Seven fertilization treatments were selected: Ck (no inputs); Chem (chemical fertilizer of NPK); Comp (swine compost); Comp + 33% of Chem N rate; Comp + 67% of Chem N rate; GM (legume green manure) + 33% of Chem N rate; and peat + 33% of Chem N rate. Organic and inorganic nitrogen inputs of six treatments were equivalent with respect of nitrogen content, but Comp, GM, and peat treatments were complemented with various amounts of inorganic N. After harvest of the eighth paddy crop, surface soil samples collected from the plots were subjected to soil characterizations and extraction of humic substances, which were used for chemical, spectroscopic (FTIR, 13C NMR, ESR, X-ray diffractometry), delta13C, and 14C dating analyses. The yields of HAs extracted from the seven treatments were significantly different. Treatment containing persistent organic compound such as the peat + 33% N treatment increased the humification process in topsoils and produced higher yield of HA. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that fertilization treatments changed the functional groups, alkyl C, crystalline characteristics, and delta13C ratios of HAs and turnover rate of SOC considerably. The SOC of the peat + 33% N treatment had the highest mean residence time of 3100 years. Various fertilizer treatments are correlated with turnover rate of SOC and related HAs, which are associated with concerned carbon sequestration as well as mitigation of CO2 emission in the soil environment.


Subject(s)
Agriculture/methods , Carbon/analysis , Fertilizers , Humic Substances/analysis , Oryza/growth & development , Soil/analysis , Nitrogen/analysis , Zea mays/growth & development
9.
Biosens Bioelectron ; 19(11): 1465-71, 2004 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15093218

ABSTRACT

The detection performance of conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors is limited to a 1 pg/mm(2) surface coverage of biomolecules, and consequently, such sensors struggle to detect the interaction of small molecules in low concentrations. The present study is attempted to propose the use of a novel SPR biosensor with Au nanoclusters embedded in a dielectric film to achieve a 10-fold improvement in the resolution performance. A co-sputtering method utilizing a multi-target sputtering system is used to fabricate the present dielectric films (SiO(2)) with embedded Au nanoclusters. It is shown that the sensitivity of the developed SPR biosensor can be improved by adjusting the size and volume fraction of the embedded Au nanoclusters in order to control the surface plasmon effect. The present gas detection and DNA hybridization experimental results confirm that the proposed Au nanocluster-enhanced SPR biosensor provides the potential to achieve an ultrahigh-resolution detection performance of approximately 0.1 pg/mm(2) surface coverage of biomolecules.


Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation , Silver , Surface Plasmon Resonance/instrumentation , Argon/chemistry , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Nanotechnology , Nitrogen/chemistry
10.
J Biotechnol ; 108(1): 1-9, 2004 Feb 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14741764

ABSTRACT

This paper provides a method for producing a novel type coded micro-carrier. A simple and cost effective solution for bio-molecule applications was developed. Application relevant items such as manufacture process, biospecific interaction, and analysis method are discussed. For low cost fabrication, the use of LIGA-like process is suggested. LIGA-like process is used as a dry patterning process in which an intense beam of light from an excimer laser is used to pattern a material directly. This process has found extensive application in the microelectronics industry for patterning of polymer materials. The use of LIGA-like techniques offers two attractive features: first, we can cut the polymer into many tiny micro-carriers with micrometer precision. Second, LIGA-like process allows to encode with high precision spatial information onto the micro-carrier that can be used in the identification of the bio-molecule. This paper gives a description of the basic idea, describes the fabrication of the novel micro-carrier that we called "coded micro-carrier," and of the image processing algorithms used for the analysis of bio-molecules. This study also provides a test method for identifying a bio-molecule, which includes mixing several coded micro-carriers with the hybridized unknown bio-molecules; and identifying the codes on the micro-carrier via image recognition system. The numbers and types of the known micro-carrier can be flexibly adjusted according to the number of tested bio-molecules.


Subject(s)
Microchemistry/methods , Protein Array Analysis , Animals , Equipment Design , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Microchemistry/instrumentation , Models, Biological , Surface Properties
11.
Nucl Med Commun ; 24(7): 819-24, 2003 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12813201

ABSTRACT

Our objective was to examine and correlate 99mTc-diethylenetriaminopentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) ventilation and 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) perfusion (V/Q) lung scans with spirometry in asymptomatic asthmatic children. We evaluated 89 subjects (age range, 6-15 years; mean age, 9.4 years), all with at least 70% predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). There were four V/Q scan patterns: normal in 38 (42.7%), inhomogeneous ventilation in 11 (12.4%), matched defects in 25 (28.3%) and mismatched perfusion defects in 13 (14.6%). The maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (MMEF) of the normal scan group was significantly different from that in the other groups. The MMEF of the inhomogeneous group was significantly different from that in the matched defect group and the mismatched perfusion defect group. No other significant differences in spirometric indices were found. In two children with perfusion defects, pulmonary arteriograms demonstrated no obstructive lesions. In conclusion, lung scans provide diagnostic information in asymptomatic asthmatic children, even when they are uncooperative. Abnormal scans are common in these children and are significantly correlated with reduced MMEF (% predicted), reflecting small airway flow obstruction. The pathophysiology of V/Q defects in asymptomatic asthmatic children warrants further investigation.


Subject(s)
Asthma/diagnostic imaging , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Respiratory Function Tests/methods , Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin , Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate , Administration, Inhalation , Adolescent , Asthma/diagnosis , Child , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Injections, Intravenous , Lung/blood supply , Male , Radionuclide Imaging , Radiopharmaceuticals , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spirometry/methods , Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin/administration & dosage , Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate/administration & dosage , Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio
12.
J Formos Med Assoc ; 100(9): 613-9, 2001 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11695277

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During the period from August 1994 to October 1998, a total of 19 isolates of Exophiala jeanselmei were recovered from 17 patients with various underlying thoracic diseases treated at National Taiwan University Hospital. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients and to determine the microbiologic relatedness of the E. jeanselmei. METHODS: Of the 19 isolates, 11 from nine patients were preserved and were identified based on their biotypes as determined by the API ID32C System, their cellular fatty acid profiles by gas-liquid chromatography, their antibiotypes to five antifungal agents by the E-test, and their random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns by arbitrarily primed PCR. Extensive environmental surveillance cultures and cultures from the skin of eight patients and hands of one physician were also performed. RESULTS: One of the 17 patients had E. jeanselmei isolated from cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis (3 isolates), and the other 16 patients had isolations from pleural effusion specimens (15 isolates) or lung mass (1 isolate) following sonography-guided aspiration. The latter 16 patients had no clinical or pathologic evidence of fungal infection. Isolates (clone 1) from aspirated specimens had identical biotypes, antibiotypes, and RAPD patterns, which were different from those of the three isolates (clone 2) from the patient with a cutaneous lesion. All specimens from environmental sources, patients' skin, and the hands of the physician were negative for E. jeanselmei. CONCLUSION: This series of patients demonstrates the difficulty in identifying the sources of a nosocomial pseudoinfection due to this slow-growing microorganism when isolated from pleural effusion specimens.


Subject(s)
Cross Infection/microbiology , Exophiala/isolation & purification , Mycoses/microbiology , Thoracic Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Biopsy, Needle , Exophiala/classification , Exophiala/drug effects , Fatty Acids/analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique , Thoracic Diseases/complications , Ultrasonography
13.
J Med Eng Technol ; 25(4): 173-7, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11601445

ABSTRACT

Image segmentation is the partition of an image into a set of non-overlapping regions that comprise the entire image. The image is decomposed into meaningful parts, which are uniform with respect to certain characteristics, such as grey level or texture. This study presents a novel methodology to evaluate ultrasound image segmentation algorithms. The sonographic features can differentiate between various sized malignant and benign breast tumours. The clinical experiment can determine whether a tumour is benign or not, based on contour, shape, echogenicity and echo texture. Further study of the standardized sonographic features, especially the tumour contour and shape, will improve the positive predictive value and accuracy rate in breast tumour detection. The effectiveness of using this methodology is illustrated by evaluating image segmentation on breast ultrasound images. Via definite segmentation, the appreciated tumour shape and contour can be ascertained. Furthermore, this method can enhance the ability of ultrasound to distinguish between benign and malignant breast lesions.


Subject(s)
Algorithms , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/diagnostic imaging , Fibroadenoma/diagnostic imaging , Fibrocystic Breast Disease/diagnostic imaging , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Ultrasonography, Mammary , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Odds Ratio
14.
Comput Med Imaging Graph ; 25(6): 477-82, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11679209

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this investigation is to establish a practical method to predict and create surface a profile of bone defects by a well-trained 3-D orthogonal neural network. First, the coordinates of the skeletal positions around the boundary of bone defects are input into the 3-D orthogonal neural network to train it to learn the scattering characteristic. The 3-D orthogonal neural network avoids local minima and converges rapidly. After the neural network has been well trained, the mathematic model of the bone defect surface is generated, and the pixel positions are derived. Herein, to verify its performance the proposed method is applied on a patient with a craniofacial defect.


Subject(s)
Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Maxilla/anatomy & histology , Models, Anatomic , Neural Networks, Computer , Skull/anatomy & histology , Humans , Maxilla/abnormalities , Maxilla/surgery , Skull/abnormalities , Skull/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods
16.
Environ Pollut ; 114(1): 119-27, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11444000

ABSTRACT

This research was conducted to study the influence of composting on the concentrations, water solubility, and phase association of Cu, Mn, and Zn from swine (Sus domesticus) feces. Composting of separated swine manure was performed in two piles for 122 days. The metal concentrations increased rapidly during the first 49 days and leveled off thereafter. All metal concentrations increased approximately 2.7-fold in the final compost due to decomposition of organic matter. A sequential extraction protocol was used to evaluate the humification process and partition metals into water-soluble, exchangeable, organically complexed, organically bound, solid particulate, and residual fractions. Temporal changes in the water-soluble fractions of Cu, Mn, and Zn were reflected by water-soluble organic C concentrations, which rapidly increased to a maximum at Day 18 and declined thereafter. An increase in the humic acid/fulvic acid ratio in Na4P2O7 or NaOH extracts at various stages of composting represented the humification process. During composting, the major portions of Cu, Mn, and Zn were in the organically-bound, solid particulate, and organically complexed fractions, respectively. Metal distributions in different chemical fractions were generally independent of composting age and, thus, independent of respective total metal concentrations in the composts.


Subject(s)
Conservation of Natural Resources , Copper/metabolism , Manganese/metabolism , Manure , Zinc/metabolism , Animals , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry, Physical , Copper/chemistry , Environmental Pollution/prevention & control , Manganese/chemistry , Organic Chemicals/metabolism , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Solubility , Swine , Zinc/chemistry
18.
J Gastroenterol Hepatol ; 15(5): 536-41, 2000 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10847441

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: From October 1990 to January 1999, 11 of 2237 hepatoma patients at our hospital had gastrointestinal tract metastasis. We describe the radiological and endoscopic features, clinical course and prognoses of those patients. METHODS: All patients were male. Six patients were hepatitis B carriers, and cirrhosis was noted in eight patients on admission. We reviewed all available radiological, endoscopic and pathological features. RESULTS: The commonest clinical presentation was frank gastrointestinal bleeding. Histological proof of gastrointestinal involvement was seen in six patients. Endoscopic features included ulcerative tumours mimicking advanced gastric carcinoma (43%) and submucosal tumours (29%). The sites of organ involvement were stomach (five), duodenum (two), colon (three) and duodenum and colon (one). Direct invasion by a contiguous neoplasm was the major route of gastrointestinal tract metastasis. Portal vein thrombosis may be the key point of haematogenous spread to other sites. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis in these patients was extremely poor. Almost all patients died within 5 months if no further aggressive management was performed. Surgical intervention may be the optimal choice for palliative treatment of HCC with gastrointestinal tract involvement.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/secondary , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/mortality , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Prognosis , Survival Analysis
19.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei) ; 63(4): 279-87, 2000 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10820906

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection leads to the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), gland atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and in certain individuals, gastric lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. We conducted a prospective study to determine the effect of H pylori eradication on the development of MALT, gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. METHODS: From July 1995 to October 1996, 63 consecutive patients with H pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease were enrolled in a bacterial eradication trial. The grade of MALT and the degree of gastritis of the antrum were assessed using Wotherspoon's scale and the Sydney system before treatment, and at eight weeks and one year after H pylori eradication therapy. RESULTS: During the study period, 43 patients received complete follow-up. In the patient group with eradication failure (n = 22), MALT score was significantly decreased at the end of the eighth week (p < 0.05) but returned to the initial level by one year of follow-up. There were no changes in the scores for inflammation, neutrophil activity, gland atrophy or intestinal metaplasia at the end of the eighth week and at one year following H pylori eradication therapy. In contrast, there was a marked reduction in the MALT, inflammation, and activity scores at eight weeks (p < 0.01, < 0.05 and < 0.05, respectively) and one year after treatment (p < 0.05, < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively) in the patient group with successful eradication (n = 21). However, no significant changes in gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication of H pylori leads to regression of MALT in the stomach, but the degrees of gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia remain unchanged, even after one-year of follow-up.


Subject(s)
Gastric Mucosa/pathology , Helicobacter Infections/pathology , Helicobacter pylori , Lymphoid Tissue/pathology , Adult , Aged , Atrophy , Female , Gastritis/etiology , Helicobacter Infections/complications , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Male , Metaplasia , Middle Aged , Pyloric Antrum
20.
J Infect Dis ; 181(5): 1706-12, 2000 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10823772

ABSTRACT

From January 1987 through December 1998, Penicillium marneffei infection (23 patients) or colonization (1 patient) was diagnosed in a total of 24 patients in Taiwan. Of these 24 patients, 16 (67%) had AIDS and 20 (83%) had disseminated P. marneffei infection. The majority (63%) of the infections were considered indigenous. The number of cases has increased markedly in recent years, with 17 of the 24 cases diagnosed from 1996 through 1998. Twenty preserved isolates of P. marneffei, recovered from 11 patients treated at National Taiwan University Hospital during the period of January 1996 through December 1998, were studied to determine the epidemiology of P. marneffei infections. Among the 20 isolates, a total of 8 strains (highly related isolates) were identified on the basis of tests for susceptibility to 5 antifungal agents, for chromosomal DNA restriction fragment-length polymorphism types, and for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA patterns. One of the strains (6 isolates) was isolated from 4 patients treated in 1997 and 1998. Strain spreading of P. marneffei may partially contribute to the increased number of infections caused by this organism in immunosuppressed patients in Taiwan.


Subject(s)
Mycoses/epidemiology , Mycoses/microbiology , Penicillium/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Female , Genotype , Hospitals, University/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Molecular Epidemiology , Penicillium/drug effects , Penicillium/isolation & purification , Phenotype , Taiwan/epidemiology
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