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Biomedical subjects

C Y Fang

Publications and source records attributed to C Y Fang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A study of soluble HLA-G1 protecting porcine endothelial cells against human natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

UNLABELLED: Human natural killer (NK) cells, which can mediate direct lysis of porcine endothelial cells, play an important role in xenograft rejection. HLA-G, which is a critical molecule in maintaining maternal immune tolerance of semi-allogenic fetus, is able to protect susceptible target cells from lysis induced by NK cells. In this study, we investigated whether soluble HLA-G1 (sHLA-G1) protected porcine xenogeneic cells against human NK cell-mediated lysis. METHODS: The human sHLA-G1 genomic DNA (pcDNA3-sHLA-G1) was transfected into a B lymphoblastoid cell line 721.221 (LCL721.221) by nucleofector. The sHLA-G1 expression of the transfected LCL721.221 cells was identified by RT-PCR and Dot-ELISA. The sHLA-G1 protein was purified by affinity chromatography on anti-HLA-ImAb W6/32 coupled to cyanogen-bromide-activated Sepharose 4B from culture supernates of transfectants. Various concentrations of sHLA-G(1) protein (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 microg/mL) were added to a NK cell-mediated xenogenic cell lysis system with either NK92 cells or fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cocultured with the porcine endothelial cells line. A LDH release assay was used to evaluate NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. RESULTS: sHLA-G1 provided significant protection of porcine endothelial cells against human NK-mediated cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. The rates of NK92 cell-mediated cytotoxicity were reduced to 83.4 +/- 5.7% (2 microg/mL), 56.6 +/- 9.3% (4 microg/mL), 39.3 +/- 10.2% (6 microg/mL), and 31.2 +/- 4.9% (8 microg/mL) versus 96.9 +/- 3.0% in the control group (P < .01). Similarly, adding 6 microg/mL sHLA-G1 reduced the mean rate of PBMC-mediated cytotoxicity (n = 4) to 5.8 +/- 1.6% from 23.9 +/- 1.3% in the control group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that sHLA-G1 protected xenogeneic porcine endothelial cells against attack by human NK cells, thus providing a new approach to overcome NK-mediated immunity to xenografts.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Study of self-threading pins in the preservative restoration of teeth with large area defects].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of self-threading pins in the preservative of teeth with large area defects. METHODS: A follow-up study of 42 out of 50 patients with large area defects in vital teeth were restored by self-threading pins. RESULTS: Among the cases that had been followed up for 5 years, except 2 upper molars which were extracted because of fraction, other cases achieved good effects. CONCLUSION: Self-threading pins are very suitable to restore large area defects of teeth with healthy pulp, and can be widely used because of significant clinical effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The effects of racial stressors and hostility on cardiovascular reactivity in African American and Caucasian men.

This study examined the effects of race-related stressors and hostility on cardiovascular reactivity in 31 African American and 31 Caucasian men. Participants viewed 3 film excerpts that depicted neutral, anger-provoking (but race-neutral), and racist situations. Participants exhibited significantly greater diastolic blood pressure reactivity to anger-provoking and racist stimuli compared with neutral stimuli. In addition, high hostility was associated with higher recovery systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels after exposure to the films. Although the results failed to confirm previous reports of greater reactivity to racism in African Americans, the findings suggest that diastolic blood pressure levels may remain elevated after exposure to racist stimuli. These results indicate that even indirect exposure to interpersonal conflict elicits significant reactivity, which can persist after exposure to the stressor, especially among high-hostile men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Unusual complication of retrograde dissection to the coronary sinus of valsalva during percutaneous revascularization: a single-center experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND: While coronary dissection, which is one of the most frequently occurring complications during interventional procedures, has various forms, extensive coronary dissection retrograde to the coronary sinus of Valsalva (CSV) is very rarely observed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Within the last 5 years, we retrospectively reviewed our experience with 4,700 consecutive patients who underwent angioplasty procedures, 7 of whom (0.15%) developed extensive coronary dissection retrograde to the CSV. Six of the seven patients developed retrograde dissection of the right CSV during angioplasty to the right coronary artery. One of the seven patents developed retrograde dissection of the left CSV during angioplasty to the left anterior descending artery. Retrograde dissection, which extended to the ascending aorta in two patients, was observed by transthoracic echocardiography and surgical findings, respectively. Five patients were successfully treated by coronary stenting. However, this complication caused four patients to have acute myocardial infarctions, resulting in emergency surgery for one patient and in-hospital death for another. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience increased our understanding of this very rare complication. However, this complication may be life threatening, and patients in this clinical setting may have a potential risk for acute myocardial infarction, emergency surgery, or even sudden cardiac death. Therefore, it is important to learn how to promptly diagnose and manage this complication.

Aortic Dissection↗
PubMed2001

Successful metallic stent placement for recurrent stenosis after balloon angioplasty of membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava.

A 23 year-old Taiwanese male presented with complete membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava at its suprahepatic portion. After 3 angioplasty procedures using Inoue-balloon catheters, a Wall stent was deployed for restenosis 4 years after the first procedure. Venography at 6 months showed no significant restenosis. At 20 months transfemoral venography confirmed patency of the vena cava.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Retrograde transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus: preliminary experience in Gianturco coil technique without heparinization.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the initial experience of using the Gianturco coil (Cook Cardiology, Bloomington, Indiana) without heparinization to close patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients (30 females, 10 males) underwent transcatheter closure of a PDA via the right femoral artery approach without heparinization. Patients ages ranged from 7 months to 55 years (median, 6.8 years); weights ranged from 7.8 65 kg (median, 18.3 kg). Twenty-one patients had cardiomegaly (n = 21), congestive heart failure (n = 10), or both (n = 10). The PDAs measured 0.8 4.5 mm (median, 2.6 mm) at the narrowest diameter; the mean Qp/Qs ranged from 1.0 2.6 (1.4 +/- 0.4). The helical diameter of the coil that we chose was 1.7 times the narrowest PDA diameter. The length of the coil was sufficient to produce 4 or 5 loops. RESULTS: Successful coil placement was accomplished in all 40 patients. Thirty-five patients (87.5%) underwent single coil implantation, 2 patients (5%) had 2 coils, and 3 patients (7.5%) had 3 coils. Complete ductus occlusion was achieved in 80% of cases at the end of the procedure, while 8 patients had minimal shunt detected by aortography or echocardiography. The occlusion rate increased to 87.5% by the next day, 90% by 1 month, 92.5% by 3 months, 95% by 6 months, and 97.5% by 9 and 12 months. Only one asymptomatic patient had minimal residual shunt detected by color Doppler at 12 months follow-up. At a median follow-up of 17 months (range, 5 25 months), no patient had thromboembolism, endocarditis, coil migration, diminished femoral pulse or hemolysis. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that retrograde transcatheter closure of PDA with the Gianturco coil without heparinization is feasible, safe and efficacious. A single coil allowed complete occlusion of PDA 3 mm in diameter.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Primary angioplasty in acute inferior myocardial infarction with anomalous-origin right coronary arteries as infarct-related arteries: focus on anatomic and clinical features, outcomes, selection of guiding catheters and management.

BACKGROUND: Inferior wall myocardial infarction caused by obstruction of an anomalous-origin right coronary artery (RCA) is a rare angiographic finding; primary angioplasty to an anomalous-origin RCA has never been reported. METHODS: In 185 patients with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction resulting from RCA occlusion who underwent primary angioplasty, eight patients (4.3%) had anomalous-origin RCAs. RESULTS: Coronary angiography showed that all 8 patients had a dominant RCA. Six patients (75%) had an anomalous-origin RCA arising from the anterior aspect of the ascending aorta above the sinotubular line and the other 2 patients (25%) had an anomalous-origin RCA arising from the left sinus of Valsalva with a separate ostium from the left main coronary artery. The standard Judkins right guiding catheter did not offer adequate support in these patients. In the group of 6 patients, an Amplatz guiding catheter offered good support, while a standard Judkins left guiding catheter was adequate in the other 2 patients. Obstruction of the proximal RCA occurred in 6 patients (75%). Successful reperfusion was achieved in 6 patients (75%), resulting in an uneventful clinical course and long-term survival (mean follow-up, 24.9 +/- 16.5 months). Two patients (25%) had unsuccessful reperfusion and died from cardiogenic shock. CONCLUSIONS: In this small series, anomalous-origin RCAs were the dominant artery and predisposed to atherosclerosis at the proximal portions. We suggest that appropriate guide catheter selection and careful manipulation are essential for the success of revascularization. Complete reperfusion results in an excellent clinical and long-term outcome in patients with anomalous-origin RCAs.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2001

Functional impairment, marital quality, and patient psychological distress as predictors of psychological distress among cancer patients' spouses.

This study investigated contextual determinants of psychological distress among 197 spouses of cancer patients. It was hypothesized that higher levels of patient functional impairment would lead to greater patient distress. Patient distress, in turn, would lead to lower spouse marital satisfaction and ultimately to higher spouse distress. Spouses completed measures of distress and marital quality at three time points. Cancer patients rated their functional impairment and psychological distress at the same time points. Results indicated that at all time points, greater patient impairment was associated with higher levels of patient distress, which, in turn, was related to lower marital satisfaction. However, marital quality was related to spouse distress at only 1 time point, but spouse distress was directly associated with patient distress at each time point. Implications for cancer patients and spouses are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[A morphometric study on the microvessel in oral submucous fibrosis].

To investigate the pathologic change of the microvessel in oral submucous fibrosis(OSF), the pathologic buccal tissues of 27 patients with OSF were studied by using immunochemical method. Microvessel quantity(MVQ), quantity density(QD), microvessel area(MVA) and area density(AD) were determined by means of computer-aided image analysis system. The results showed the increase in MVQ and QD in the early stage and the decrease in MVQ, QD, MVA and AD in the middle stage and the late stage. The authors concluded that presence of microvessel hyperplasia occurred in the early stage of OSF.

Capillaries↗
PubMed2000

A safe and effective regimen without heparin therapy after successful primary coronary stenting in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Short-term heparin therapy has been administered routinely after primary coronary stenting. However. heparin therapy results in a significantly higher incidence of bleeding and vascular complications. A new therapeutic regimen of ticlopidine and aspirin without further heparin after coronary stenting in patients without AMI has been shown to be safe and reduce the incidence of stent thrombosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a new therapeutic regimen of aspirin and ticlopidine without heparin is safe and effective in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who have undergone primary coronary stenting and have Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow in the infarct-related artery. Between January 1997 and September 1999, one hundred and fifty two consecutive patients with AMI on Killip score 1 or 2 who underwent primary coronary stenting resulting in TIMI grade 3 flow were enrolled and divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 95 patients) received aspirin, ticlopidine and further intravenous heparin infusion for 48 hours following primary coronary stenting; Group 2 (n = 57 patients) received only aspirin and ticlopidine without further heparin therapy following primary coronary stenting. No in-hospital major cardiac events were observed in either group. However, the combined incidence of bleeding and vascular complications (27.4% vs 12.3%, p = 0.029) and the need for blood transfusions (9.5% vs 0%, p = 0.013) were significantly higher in Group I patients. Furthermore, hospital stay was also longer in Group I patients (5.8+/-2.4 vs 4.7+/-1.7 days, p = 0.0003). At the 30-day follow-up, there were no differences (1.05% vs 0%, p = 0.63) in the combined incidence of vascular complications and the major cardiac events were similar (1.05% vs 1.75%, p = 0.71) between the groups. The results suggest that further heparin therapy following primary coronary stenting increases the combined incidence of bleeding and vascular complications as well as the need for blood transfusions and prolongs the length of hospital stay without further benefit to those patients with coronary flow restored to TIMI 3 grade flow.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of renal artery stenosis in a child with hypertensive heart disease.

A 1.5-year-old girl developed congestive heart failure 9 months after she presented with hypertension. The hypertension was caused by a renal artery stenosis. A short-segment stenosis at the ostium of the left renal artery was confirmed by arteriogram. After balloon angioplasty, the blood pressure and heart function returned to normal. Angioplasty had an excellent result of relieving hypertension and heart failure in this patient. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:374-377, 1999.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1999

Decision making about prophylactic oophorectomy among at-risk women: psychological influences and implications.

OBJECTIVE: Women with a family history of ovarian cancer are confronted with difficult decisions regarding the management of their risk status. Currently, the main preventive option available is prophylactic oophorectomy. The objective of the present paper is to review research and theory on psychological factors that influence decision making about preventive surgery and discuss the implications for patient management. METHODS: Guided by a cognitive-social framework, the literature on decision making about preventive surgery is reviewed and integrated. RESULTS: The available studies show that women are more likely to opt for surgery if they feel more vulnerable to cancer, believe that surgery will prevent cancer, and are worried about developing cancer. Further, the response to ovarian risk is influenced by the individual's characteristic psychological style: monitors (who typically scan for and amplify threatening cues) tend to feel more vulnerable to cancer and more distressed about their cancer risk than blunters (who typically distract from threatening cues) do. CONCLUSION: On the basis of prior research, monitors may be more likely to choose surgical intervention to reduce their distress, without fully anticipating the psychological and medical consequences of that decision. In order to facilitate informed decision making, counseling protocols should be designed to enable the patient to understand and take account of the psychological consequences of the available medical options. Future studies are needed to systematically extend and explore the proposed theory-based relationships.

Affect↗
PubMed1997

Attitudes toward genetic carrier screening for cystic fibrosis among pregnant women: the role of health beliefs and avoidant coping style.

In this study we examined the relations among psychosocial factors associated with pregnant women's attitudes toward genetic carrier testing for cystic fibrosis (CF). A sample of 511 pregnant women attending various health clinics for general prenatal care were educated about CF. Women's health beliefs, coping styles, and attitudes toward CF carrier screening were assessed. Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicated that women who perceived themselves as more likely to be carriers of the CF gene and who perceived greater benefits of screening were positively inclined toward genetic screening. Perceived barriers to screening were negatively associated with women's attitudes toward CF genetic testing. In addition, the findings suggest that some types of avoidant coping styles may indirectly influence one's decision to undergo genetic screening through perceptions of risk, benefits, and barriers. Given the advent of genetic screening options for many diseases, in this study we address some issue in women's attitudes toward prenatal screening that are relevant to a variety of genetic screening programs.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

PCR-based screening for cystic fibrosis carrier mutations in an ethnically diverse pregnant population.

As the most common lethal autosomal recessive disorder in North America, cystic fibrosis (CF) is an obvious candidate for general population carrier screening. Although the identification of the causative gene has made detection of asymptomatic carriers possible, the extreme heterogeneity of its mutations has limited the sensitivity of the available DNA screening tests and has called into question their utility when they are applied to patients with no family history of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the technical feasibility, patient acceptance and understanding, and psychosocial impact of large-scale CF carrier screening in an ethnically diverse pregnant population. A total of 4,739 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics located in both an academic medical center and a large HMO were invited in person to participate. Of this group, 3,543 received CF instruction and assessments of knowledge and mood, and 3,192 underwent DNA testing for the six most common CF mutations, by means of a noninvasive PCR-based reverse-dot-blot method. Overall participation rates (ranging from 53% at the HMO to 77% at the academic center) and consent rates for DNA testing after CF instruction (>98%) exceeded those of most other American studies. The PCR-based screening method worked efficiently on large numbers of samples, and 55 carriers and one at-risk couple were identified. Understanding of residual risk, anxiety levels, and overall satisfaction with the program were acceptable across all ethnic groups. Our strategy of approaching a motivated pregnant population in person with a rapid and noninvasive testing method may provide a practical model for developing a larger CF screening program targeting appropriate high-risk groups at the national level, and may also serve as a paradigm for population-based screening of other genetically heterogeneous disorders in the future.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1996

p53 mutations in gastric cancers from Taiwan.

Mutations of the p53 gene were investigated in 80 surgical specimens of primary gastric cancer by polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Mutations were detected in 18 tumors (22.5%) and localized to exons 5, 7 and 8. Mutations did not follow a random distribution among different subtypes, but instead clustered in the group of papillary adenocarcinomas, in which 7/12 (58.3%) cases were mutated. Positivity for p53 mutation was significantly higher in intestinal-type (37.5%) than in diffuse-type carcinomas (12.5%). These results suggest that gene alterations of p53 are not rare and may participate in the carcinogenesis of intestinal-type carcinomas of the stomach. Twenty of 21 p53 mutations were represented by single nucleotide changes, mostly missense mutations (19 events) and one nonsense mutation. Transversional mutations constitute the majority of p53 mutations (65%) and only 20% of mutations show G:C to A:T transitions. It is possible that the etiologies of gastric cancer in different geographical areas are different.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the left ventricle: a case report.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults, but is distinctly rare as a primary tumor of the heart. Herein we report a case of left ventricular MFH obstructing the outflow tract and presenting as congestive heart failure. Surgical removal of the mass confirmed the tissue diagnosis of MFH. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MFH originating from the left ventricle.

Aged↗