PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Dai

Publications and source records attributed to D Dai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Interpretation of the magnetic structures of Cu2Te2O5X2 (X = Cl, Br) and Ca3.1Cu0.9RuO6 on the basis of electronic structure considerations: cases for strong super-superexchange interactions involving Cu2+ ions.

For super-superexchange interactions between Cu(2+) ions, a qualitative rule was formulated to assess their strengths based on the geometrical parameters of the exchange paths. Spin dimer analysis was carried out for Cu(2)Te(2)O(5)X(2) (X = Cl, Br) and Ca(3.1)Cu(0.9)RuO(6) to evaluate the relative strengths of their superexchange and super-superexchange interactions. The strongest antiferromagnetic interactions in Cu(2)Te(2)O(5)X(2) (X = Cl, Br) are given by the super-superexchange interactions involving the most linear Cu-X.X-Cu paths between tetrahedral clusters Cu(4)O(8)X(4) along the (a +/- b)-directions. The adjacent CuRuO(6) chains of Ca(3.1)Cu(0.9)RuO(6) are antiferromagnetically coupled through the most linear Cu-O.O-Cu paths along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the CuRu zigzag chain. The spin lattices of Cu(2)Te(2)O(5)X(2) and Ca(3.1)Cu(0.9)RuO(6) deduced from our spin dimer analysis are consistent with the available magnetic data. The spin lattice of a magnetic solid should be determined on the basis of appropriate electronic structure considerations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome with convalescent plasma.

In March 2003, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome started in Hong Kong. A 57-year-old woman had a typical presentation, including fever, non-productive cough, malaise, lymphopenia, and raised liver aminotransferases. The clinical course and successful treatment with convalescent plasma, ribavirin, and corticosteroids are discussed.

Convalescence↗
PubMed2002

The first clinical results of "wide-focus and low-pressure" ESWL.

A clinical study of the concept "wide-focus and low-pressure" extracorporal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed in a scientific cooperation between the Physical Institute of the University of Stuttgart and the Xixin Medical Instruments Co. Ltd. in Wuxian-Suzhou, China. In this cooperation, self-focusing electromagnetic shock-wave generator systems from the University of Stuttgart were integrated into Xixin lithotripters and installed in seven hospitals in China. A total of 297 detailed patient protocols revealed an average of 1532 shock pulses for successful treatment with no necessity for pain medication and auxiliary measures, and a stone-free rate of 86% after a follow-up of 3 months. These results are discussed in terms of the wide-focus low-pressure conditions and the mechanism of binary fragmentation by squeezing.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Partitioning and interfacial tracers for differentiating NAPL entrapment configuration: column-scale investigation.

Research on the use of partitioning and interfacial tracers has led to the development of techniques for estimating subsurface NAPL amount and NAPL-water interfacial area. Although these techniques have been utilized with some success at field sites, current application is limited largely to NAPL at residual saturation, such as for the case of post-remediation settings where mobile NAPL has been removed through product recovery. The goal of this study was to fundamentally evaluate partitioning and interfacial tracer behavior in controlled column-scale test cells for a range of entrapment configurations varying in NAPL saturation, with the results serving as a determinant of technique efficacy (and design protocol) for use with complexly distributed NAPLs, possibly at high saturation, in heterogeneous aquifers. Representative end members of the range of entrapment configurations observed under conditions of natural heterogeneity (an occurrence with residual NAPL saturation [discontinuous blobs] and an occurrence with high NAPL saturation [continuous free-phase LNAPL lens]) were evaluated. Study results indicated accurate prediction (using measured tracer retardation and equilibrium-based computational techniques) of NAPL amount and NAPL-water interfacial area for the case of residual NAPL saturation. For the high-saturation LNAPL lens, results indicated that NAPL-water interfacial area, but not NAPL amount (underpredicted by 35%), can be reasonably determined using conventional computation techniques. Underprediction of NAPL amount lead to an erroneous prediction of NAPL distribution, as indicated by the NAPL morphology index. In light of these results, careful consideration should be given to technique design and critical assumptions before applying equilibrium-based partitioning tracer methodology to settings where NAPLs are complexly entrapped, such as in naturally heterogeneous subsurface formations.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

Cloning, sequencing, heterologous expression, and characterization of murine cytochrome P450 3a25*(Cyp3a25), a testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding a novel form of the cytochrome P450 3A subfamily (Cyp3a-25) has been isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library. The sequence contained 2010 base pairs and encoded a protein with 503 amino acids. The amino acid sequence shared greater identities with rat CYP3A18 (90%) and golden hamster CYP3A10 (81%) sequences than with known mouse sequences (Cyp3a-11, Cyp3a-13, Cyp3a-16, and Cyp3a-41 [68--70%]). CYP3A25 was expressed in the Escherichia coli PCWori(+) expression vector following slight modifications of the N- and C-terminals of the cDNA. The purified CYP3A25 was recognized on an immunoblot by CYP3A1 antibody and has a molecular weight of 50 kD. CYP3A25 was catalytically active in the 6 beta-hydroxylation of testosterone and the N-demethylation of benzphetamine and erythromycin. It was demonstrated by RT-PCR that the CYP3A25 mRNA is present in both fetal and adult tissues, including liver, lung, intestines, kidney, and brain. Northern blotting demonstrated that expression is greatest in the liver and small intestine.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Molecular tools to reestablish progestin control of endometrial cancer cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancers often arise in a setting of estrogen stimulation unopposed by the differentiating effects of progesterone. Our laboratory and others have previously shown that progesterone receptor down-regulation or perturbation of progesterone receptor isoform A or B expression is associated with the development of poorly differentiated endometrial cancers that are not growth inhibited by progestins. The purpose of these studies was to reestablish high progesterone receptor isoform A and B gene expressions in such endometrial cancer cells and to examine the effects of progestin treatment on cell growth and metastatic potential after this transformation. STUDY DESIGN: To induce high levels of expression of the progesterone receptor isoforms in KLE and Hec50 endometrial cancer cells, adenoviral vectors encoding the genes for progesterone receptor isoforms A and B were created. The characteristic ability of cancer cells to grow independently of anchorage to the surrounding solid matrix was measured by counting colony formation on soft agar for 8 to 14 days. Cell proliferation in response to a time course of progestin treatment was tested with flow cytometry. RESULTS: After treatment with a control vector without a progesterone receptor--encoding insert, no effect of progestin treatment on cell proliferation was found; after treatment with vectors encoding progesterone receptor isoform A or B, however, progestin treatment resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth. The anchorage-independent cell growth on soft agar assay showed that by 8 to 14 days the number of cell colonies was reduced by 50% relative to control preparations in the presence of progesterone receptor isoform A plus progestin (P <.0001, both Hec50 and KLE cell lines) and by 90% in the presence of progesterone receptor isoform B plus progestin (P <.0001, both Hec50 and KLE cell lines). Progestin treatment also resulted in a time-dependent reduction in cell proliferation as measured by flow cytometry. Although transfection with both progesterone receptor isoforms A and B reduced cell proliferation according to our assays, progesterone receptor isoform B caused a much more dramatic decrease in cell growth (P =.001, Hec50 cells; P <.0001, KLE cells). CONCLUSION: In poorly differentiated endometrial cancer cells that are resistant to progestin therapy, adenovirus-induced expressions of progesterone receptors A and B reestablish progestin control of endometrial cancer cell proliferation.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2001

Polymorphisms in human CYP2C8 decrease metabolism of the anticancer drug paclitaxel and arachidonic acid.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is the principal enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol). It is also the predominant P450 responsible for the metabolism of arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in human liver and kidney. In this study, we describe two new CYP2C8 alleles containing coding changes: CYP2C8*2 has an Ile269Phe substitution in exon 5 and CYP2C8*3 includes both Arg139Lys and Lys399Arg amino acid substitutions in exons 3 and 8. CYP2C8*2 was found only in African-Americans, while CYP2C8*3 occurred primarily in Caucasians. Neither occurred in Asians. The frequency of the CYP2C8*2 allele was 0.18 in African-Americans, and that of CYP2C8*3 was 0.13 in Caucasians. CYP2C8*1 (wild-type), CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3 cDNAs were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the ability of these enzymes to metabolize both paclitaxel and arachidonic acid was assessed. Recombinant CYP2C8*3 was defective in the metabolism of both substrates. The turnover number of CYP2C8*3 for paclitaxel was 15% of CYP2C8*1. CYP2C8*2 had a two-fold higher Km and two-fold lower intrinsic clearance for paclitaxel than CYP2C8*1. CYP2C8*3 was also markedly defective in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to 11,12- and 14,15-EET (turnover numbers 35-40% that of CYP2C8*1). Thus, CYP2C8*3 is defective in the metabolism of two important CYP2C8 substrates: the anticancer drug paclitaxel and the physiologically important compound arachidonic acid. This polymorphism has important clinical and physiological implications in individuals homozygous for this allele.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Assembly, annotation, and integration of UNIGENE clusters into the human genome draft.

The recent release of the first draft of the human genome provides an unprecedented opportunity to integrate human genes and their functions in a complete positional context. However, at least three significant technical hurdles remain: first, to assemble a complete and nonredundant human transcript index; second, to accurately place the individual transcript indices on the human genome; and third, to functionally annotate all human genes. Here, we report the extension of the UNIGENE database through the assembly of its sequence clusters into nonredundant sequence contigs. Each resulting consensus was aligned to the human genome draft. A unique location for each transcript within the human genome was determined by the integration of the restriction fingerprint, assembled genomic contig, and radiation hybrid (RH) maps. A total of 59,500 UNIGENE clusters were mapped on the basis of at least three independent criteria as compared with the 30,000 human genes/ESTs currently mapped in Genemap'99. Finally, the extension of the human transcript consensus in this study enabled a greater number of putative functional assignments than the 11,000 annotated entries in UNIGENE. This study reports a draft physical map with annotations for a majority of the human transcripts, called the Human Index of Nonredundant Transcripts (HINT). Such information can be immediately applied to the discovery of new genes and the identification of candidate genes for positional cloning.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Metabolism of chlorpyrifos by human cytochrome P450 isoforms and human, mouse, and rat liver microsomes.

One of the factors determining the toxicity of chlorpyrifos (CPS), an organophosphorus (OP) insecticide, is its biotransformation. CPS can be activated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) through a desulfuration reaction to form chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO), a potent anticholinesterase. CPS can also be detoxified by CYP through a dearylation reaction. Using pooled human liver microsomes (HLM), a K(m(app)) of 30.2 microM and V(max(app)) of 0.4 nmol/min/mg of protein was obtained for desulfuration, and a K(m(app)) of 14.2 microM and a V(max(app)) of 0.7 nmol/min/mg of protein was obtained for dearylation. These activities are lower than those obtained from rat liver microsomes. Gender differences in humans were also observed with female HLM possessing greater activity than male HLM. Use of human CYP isoforms expressed in human lymphoblastoma cells demonstrated that CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9*1, 2C19, and 3A4 are involved in CPS metabolism. CYP2B6 has the highest desulfuration activity, whereas dearylation activity is highest for 2C19. CYP3A4 has high activity for both dearylation and desulfuration. The use of phenotyped individual HLM demonstrated that predictions of metabolic activation and/or detoxication could be made based on relative amounts of CYP2B6, 2C19, and 3A4 in the microsomes. Thus, individuals with high CYP2C19 but low 3A4 and 2B6 are more active in dearylation than in desulfuration. Similarly, individuals possessing high levels of CYP2B6 and 3A4 have the greatest potential to form the activation product. These differences between individuals suggest that differential sensitivities to CPS may exist in the human population.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase and its relationship with tumor suppressor gene p53 in HCC].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (HTERT) and its relationship with tumor suppressor gene p53. METHODS: RNA-RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) technique was applied to localize the expression of HTERT mRNA and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to observe the p53 protein expression in 34 specimens of HCC and their corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Both the significance of HTERT mRNA expression in the different histopathologic characters and its relationship with p53 protein were investigated. RESULTS: HTERT was detected in tumor tissue in 30 of 34 cases (88.2%), and all the 6 cases of small cancer (diameter<3cm) were positive. The positive rate of HTERT mRNA was higher in the tumor tissues with low-differentiation, extra- or intra-hepatic metastasis, uncompleted fibrotic capsule and/or the non-cancerous tissue with chronic active lesions or positive HBsAg. Intensive signal was seen both in the HCC cells along the front of invasive area and in a few non-cancerous liver cells with dysplasia. Of all 34 HCC, p53 protein was presented in 25 cases. There was a correlation between the expression of HTERT mRNA and of p53 protein. The coincidence rate of the expression (HTERT+/p53+ and HTERT-/p53-) was 79.4%. More intensity of HTERT signal could be seen in the cases of positive p53. HTERT mRNA was not found in normal liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS: High expression of HTERT mRNA is proved in most cases of HCCs. HTERT expression may relate to the pathogenesis and the invasion of HCC. p53 may play a role in regulating the expression of HTERT.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Identification of variants of CYP3A4 and characterization of their abilities to metabolize testosterone and chlorpyrifos.

CYP3A4 is the most abundant isoform of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in adult human liver. It metabolizes numerous clinically, physiologically, and toxicologically important compounds. The expression of CYP3A4 varies 40-fold in individual human livers, and metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates varies at least 10-fold in vivo. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP3A4 were identified by direct sequencing of genomic DNA in 72 individuals from three different ethnic groups, including Caucasians, Blacks (African-Americans and African pygmies), and Asians. A total of 28 SNPs were identified, including five which produced coding changes M445T (CYP3A4*3), R162Q (CYP3A4*15), F189S (CYP3A4*17), L293P (CYP3A4*18), and P467S (CYP3A4*19). The latter four represent new alleic variants. Racial variability was observed for the frequency of individual SNPs. CYP3A R162Q was identified only in Black populations with an allelic frequency of 4%. CYP3A4 F189S and CYP3A4 M445T were identified in Caucasians with allelic frequencies 2% and 4%, respectively. L293P and P467S were only observed in Asians at allelic frequencies of 2%. The cDNAs for the F189S, L293P, M445T, and P467S mutant alleles were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system. Testosterone and the insecticide chlorpyrifos were used to assess the catalytic activities of the most common CYP3A4 allele (CYP3A4*1) and its allelic variants. CYP3A4 F189S exhibited lower turnover numbers for testosterone and chlorpyrifos, while CYP3A4 L293P had higher turnover numbers for both substrates. The turnover numbers of the CYP3A4 M445T and P467S alleles to metabolize these compounds were not significantly different from those of wild-type CYP3A4.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

[The clinical significance of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression in human gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of cell adhesion molecules E-cadherin (E-CD) and alpha-catenin (alpha-CA) in relation to biologic behavior of gastric cancer. METHODS: The level of E-CD and alpha-CA expression was examined in 70 cases of primary gastric cancer by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The rate of E-CD and alpha-CA expression was significantly reduced in gastric cancer with more prominent malignant phenotype, such as tumor in stage III/IV with poor cell differentiation, invasion through serosa and lymph node (LN) metastasis. With the increase in the number and frequency of LN metastasis and its dissemination distal to second group LNs, the reduction in expression of the two adhesion molecules was increasingly significant. The frequency of LN metastasis and shed cancer cells in the peritoneum in patients with E-CD(-)/alpha-CA(-) and E-CD(+)/alpha CA(-) cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with E-CD(+)/alpha-CA(+) tumor. Liver metastasis was most frequent in all cases with E-CD(+)/alpha-CA(-) tumor. CONCLUSION: Down regulation of E-CD and/or alpha-CA correlates with the malignant behavior of gastric cancer. Examination of E-CD and alpha-CA expression in primary gastric cancer helps evaluate its intensity of LN metastasis, TNM staging and prognosis.

Cadherins↗
PubMed2000

Transfection of C6 glioma cells with glia maturation factor upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor: trophic effects and protection against ethanol toxicity in cerebellar granule cells.

Glial cells play active roles in neuronal survival, as well as neuroprotection against toxic insult. Recent studies suggest that the brain protein glia maturation factor (GMF) is involved in intracellular signaling in glia. This study investigated whether or not GMF plays a role in the survival-promoting and neuroprotective functions of glia. C6 glioma cells were transfected in vitro with GMF utilizing an adenovirus vector. The transfected cells overexpressed GMF intracellularly, but did not secrete the protein. The conditioned medium (CM) was obtained from the GMF-transfected cells (CM-GMF) and tested on primary neuronal cultures, consisting of cerebellar granule cells (CGC). The CGC cultures were utilized because these cultures have a background level of cell death, and the survival-promoting, i.e. neurotrophic effect, of the CM could be tested. In addition, since CGC cultures are ethanol-sensitive (ethanol enhances neuronal death), the neuroprotective effect of the CM against ethanol-induced cell death was tested also. We demonstrated that the CM-GMF had an enhanced neurotrophic effect as well as an increased neuroprotective effect against ethanol-induced cell death compared to control CM obtained from untransfected C6 cells (CM-Mock) or CM obtained from cells transfected with an unrelated gene (CM-LacZ). Because neurotrophins have trophic and protective effects, we investigated whether GMF-transfection upregulated the expression of neurotrophins in C6 cells. RT-PCR verified that GMF-transfected C6 cells had increased mRNA levels for BDNF and NGF. Immunoblotting corroborated the RT-PCR results and indicated that CM-GMF contained greater concentrations of BDNF and NGF protein compared to CM-Mock and CM-LacZ. A soluble TrkB-IgG fusion protein, which selectively binds BDNF and prevents its binding to the neuronal TrkB receptor, eliminated the neurotrophic effect of CM-GMF; whereas anti-NGF antibody was ineffective in preventing this effect, suggesting that the neurotrophic effect was due to BDNF. On the other hand, both the TrkB-IgG fusion protein and anti-NGF reduced neuroprotection, suggesting that BDNF and NGF both contribute to the neuroprotective effect of CM-GMF. In conclusion, GMF upregulates the expression of BDNF and NGF in C6 cells, and these factors exert neurotrophic and neuroprotective functions on primary neurons.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and pharmacology of a hybrid cannabinoid.

A pentacyclic hybrid cannabinoid (4) has been synthesized, which combines structural elements of traditional cannabinoids and cannabmimetic indoles. Cannabinoid 4 contains a 1-pentylindole structure fused to the 2,3-positions of the partially reduced hydroxydibenzopyran system of THC. The successful approach to 4 employed 9-benzoyl-5,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole (17) as the starting material. Dehydrogenation to carbazole 18, followed by demethylation and condensation with trans-p-menthadienol gave N-benzoyl hybrid cannabinoid 22, N-alkylation of which afforded target cannabinoid 4. The hybrid cannabinoid had affinity for the CB1 receptor approximately equal to that of delta8-THC (Ki = 19.3+/-3 nM), and shows comparable potency in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Regression of the decidualized mesometrium and decidual cell apoptosis are associated with a shift in expression of Bcl2 family members.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether regression of the decidua basalis (DB), which begins on Day 14 of pregnancy in the rat, results from an intrinsic program of apoptosis regulated by Bax and Bcl2. Expression of Bax and Bcl2 and the incidence of apoptosis were evaluated throughout gestation by Western blot analysis and detection of DNA fragments. Antiprogestin (RU486) was also administered during proliferation of DB to study progesterone regulation of Bax/Bcl2 balance. Bax, the pro-apoptotic protein, was expressed at a low level throughout pregnancy, whereas Bcl2, the pro-survival partner, was most abundantly expressed on Days 8 and 10, which are a time of proliferation and decidualization, and declined to barely detectable levels thereafter. These changes resulted in a 12-fold increase in the Bax:Bcl2 ratio on Day 17 as compared with Day 8 of pregnancy (P < 0.05). DNA laddering and in situ staining of DNA fragments first became visible on Day 14 and involved 2% of cells by Days 17 and 21 (P < 0.05). Treatment with RU486 on Day 9 enhanced Bax and suppressed Bcl2 within 6 h, increasing the Bax:Bcl2 ratio sixfold (P < 0.05). Apoptosis was minimal at 6 h and increased to 9% of cells by 24 h (P < 0.05). Thus, progesterone appears to regulate the apoptotic threshold of stromal cells by modulating Bax and Bcl2 expression.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Performance of a 62Zn/62Cu generator in clinical trials of PET perfusion agent 62Cu-PTSM.

UNLABELLED: The 62Zn/62Cu PET generator can be inexpensively produced and distributed from a single production site operating under typical good manufacturing practice guidelines. It therefore has the potential to greatly facilitate development of clinically practical PET. We report generator performance in a study in which 62Cu-pyruvaldehyde-bis(n4-methylthiosemicarbazone (PTSM) myocardial perfusion imaging is compared with 99mTc-sestamibi in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The 62Zn/62Cu generator is an improved version of a previously reported system that employs automated synthesis of 62Cu-PTSM. With this approach, the cumbersome step of 18C purification has been eliminated. METHODS: The 62Zn (9.3 h half-life) parent isotope is prepared by proton bombardment of natural copper at 33 MeV. A typical target irradiated with 37.5 microA/h is delivered by 12:00 PM on the day it is to be processed. Purified 62Zn obtained from the target is loaded onto the generator column in 2 mol/L HCl. The generator is eluted using an internal three-channel peristaltic pump, which delivers 2.25 mL eluant (1.8 mol/L NaCl, 0.2 mol/L HCl) through the generator column to elute the 62Cu in 40 s. The same pump simultaneously pumps an equal volume of buffer (0.4 mol/L NaOAc) and 1 mL ligand solution (2 ppm PTSM, 2% EtOH) passing it through a septum into a 35-cc syringe preloaded with 28 mL sterile water. This solution is thoroughly mixed by agitation of the syringe and injected as a bolus through a 0.2 microm filter. The generator is eluted twice before shipping, providing quality assurance samples, and shipped to the clinical site by overnight delivery. Complete quality assurance testing is performed the evening before the generator reaches the clinical site. RESULTS: A total of 34 generators have been produced and shipped to 2 clinical sites for a phase III Food and Drug Administration study. The load activity on the generators at 8:00 AM the day of clinical use was 1.7+/-0.2 GBq (46.7+/-5.6 mCi), and yield was 72%+/-16%. Breakthrough of 62Zn was undetectable by high-purity germanium spectroscopy for all units. Radiochemical purity was 95.4%+/-2.4%. Volume delivered, pH, sterility, and bacterial endotoxin tests yielded passing results on all generators. The entire process of generator production, from target receipt to generator shipment, took less than 6 h and cost approximately $1000, including shipping charges and cyclotron cost. A total of 68 patients were injected with 2 62Cu-PTSM doses, with a mean injected activity of 0.8+/-0.2 GBq (20.5+/-5.3 mCi) with no adverse side effects. CONCLUSION: Results of this work confirm that the 62Zn/62Cu generator is an easily produced, transportable, and inexpensive source of PET radiopharmaceuticals, which can expand the field of clinical PET imaging by providing radiopharmaceuticals to sites not associated with cyclotrons.

Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic↗
PubMed2000

[The causes of death in patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated by metallic stent and/or biliary drainage].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of death in patients with malignant bile duct obstruction treated by metallic stent endoprosthesis and biliary drainage. METHODS: One hundred and seven patients with malignant bile duct obstruction were so treated. Of the 107 patients, 12 (11.2%) died within 30 days after operation. The bile duct obstruction in the 12 cases was due to primary hepatic cancer(n = 4), metastasis of lymph nodes in hepatic hilus(n = 3) and bile duct cancer(n = 5). RESULTS: Five patients died of biliary infections, 4 patients died of hepatic coma, and 2 patients died of cancerous cachexia and 1 patient died of biliary tract hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The major causes of postoperative death of patients with biliary obstruction treated by metallic stent to support bile duct are biliary infection and hepatic encephalopathy.

Aged↗