Prolonged chlorambucil therapy for idiopathic membranous nephropathy may induce myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia: report of a case.
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Acute Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
J J Huang
Publications and source records attributed to J J Huang.
Disseminated cutaneous Mycobacterium haemophilum infection with severe hypercalcaemia in a failed renal transplant recipient.
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Adult↗
Systemic lupus erythematosus presented as non-inflammatory necrotizing vasculopathy-induced ischemic glomerulopathy and small vessels-related ischemic cardiomyopathy.
The clinical significance of lupus non-inflammatory necrotizing vasculopathy (NINV) is not well established. For example, since lupus renal NINV is usually reported to coexist with proliferative and active glomerulonephritis, it is difficult to demonstrate the role of NINV on renal pathophysiology. Here we report a 16-year-old SLE boy with renal NINV presenting as ischemic glomerulopathy and small vessels-related ischemic heart failure. The renal biopsy demonstrated mild proliferative glomerulonephritis and NINV initially, and one month later repeated renal biopsy showed NINV with ischemic glomerulopathy. These findings established that NINV, but not proliferative glomerulonephritis, was responsive for his acute renal failure (ARF). Another interesting question is about the pathophysiology of his myocardial dysfunction. This patient presented typical angina and congestive heart failure (CHF). Echocardiograms and ventriculography revealed dilatation of four chambers and low ejection fraction. Serial electrocardiograms demonstrated evolutionary ischemic changes. Coronary angiography revealed no abnormality of large vessels. These findings suggested small vascular lesions-induced myocardial ischemia was the underlying mechanism of dilated cardiomyopathy. As myocardial biopsy was not done in our case, we could only speculate, but not prove, that the NINV observed in renal biopsy may also involve in cardiac microvascular beds. Nevertheless, this interesting case emphasized the role of obliterative small vascular lesions in the pathophysiology of ARF and myocardial dysfunction. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroid, plasma infusion and hemodialysis. His cardiac function improved gradually, however the renal function did not recover.
Acute Kidney Injury↗
[Study on base insertion/deletion of CAG-rich region in insulin receptor substrate-1 5'-regulatory sequence].
To study the relationship of the polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) gene 5'-flanking regulatory sequence and Type 2 diabetes, the IRS-1 gene 5'-flanking regulatory sequence was scanned by PCR-SSCP in 78 healthy control subjects and 76 Type 2 diabetic subjects. Applying PCR-denatured polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining, the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the CAG-rich region was analyzed. The genome DNA of the normal and variant subjects was amplified with high-fidelity pfu DNA polymerase. The purified and digested target fragments were then subcloned into the pCAT Basic vector. Each allele was identified according to the mobility by the restrictive endonuclease digestion of the recombinant combined with denatured polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining, and finally the constructive plasmids containing different alleles were analyzed by DNA sequencing. Firstly, we found several insertion/deletion variations in the CAG-rich region of IRS-1 gene. Secondly, 7 genotypes and 6 alleles(T1-T6) in this site were detected. Moreover, T5 and T6 were only observed in Type 2 diabetic group.
Adult↗
Incidence, transmission, and clinical significance of hepatitis G virus infection in hemodialysis patients.
A high prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection has been noted in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD) therapy, yet the incidence rate and transmission route have rarely been reported. Serum samples from 160 chronically uremic patients in a HD unit were initially collected at the time chronic HD therapy was begun, and thereafter annually in July and, finally, in November 1999. Serum HGV RNA was detected using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and HGV E2 antibody was determined using an enzyme immunoassay. Nucleotide sequences of the 5'-noncoding region were studied in the HD patients with HGV viremia. Forty healthy staff members were also enrolled as control subjects. Three of the 40 (7.5%) healthy staff members were positive for HGV RNA or HGV E2 antibodies, in contrast to 40 of the 160 (25%) HD patients, including 14 (8.8%) who were positive for HGV RNA only, 25 (15.6%) who were positive for HGV E2 antibody only, and 1 (0.6%) who had both markers. HGV exposure did not correlate with gender, age, duration of HD therapy, or history of blood transfusions. At least 20 of the 40 (50%) patients with HGV exposure had been infected before the start of chronic HD therapy. Nevertheless, at least nine (22.5%) patients acquired new HGV infections after starting chronic HD therapy, with an incidence rate of > or = 2.6% per year. Three patients with newly acquired HGV viremia after HD therapy was started and two with pre-existing HGV viremia before HD therapy was started had the same nucleotide sequences. HGV and HCV infections (with a prevalence of 14.4%) might have been transmitted independently in HD patients. In addition, HGV infection was not found to cause significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase levels in the group exposed to HGV. To conclude, the incidence of new HGV infections was at least 2.6% per year. In addition to transmission through blood transfusion, HGV may have been transmitted nosocomially patient-to-patient within the HD unit. The compliance with standard universal precautions should be carefully re-examined, but it is not necessary to routinely screen for HGV infection among patients on chronic HD.
Adult↗
Extreme metabolic alkalosis treated with normal bicarbonate hemodialysis.
Metabolic alkalosis (MA), defined as a primary increment in plasma bicarbonate concentration, is a common complication in hospitalized patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality in severe cases. One of the major routes of compensation for MA (ie, the secretion of an alkaline urine) is lost in renal failure patients. We report three cases involving four episodes of extreme MA with an arterial pH value greater than 7.60, serum bicarbonate concentration greater than 55 mmol/L, and stupor or seizure. Profound vomiting or massive gastric drainage combined with concurrent oliguric renal failure was the underlying mechanism for severe MA. Hydration and normal central venous pressure failed to improve the MA. The extreme MA was reversed quickly and safely by conventional hemodialysis with normal bicarbonate dialysate of 25 to 28 mmol/L. To our knowledge, this is the first reported successful use of normal bicarbonate dialysate in the treatment of severe MA. We also found that either H(2) blockers or proton-pump inhibitors have a prophylactic effect on the formation of MA.
Adult↗
Generalized argyria in two chronic hemodialysis patients.
Silver can be absorbed through ingestion, topical administration, or inhalation. Generalized argyria results from deposition of silver in the skin, nails, mucous membranes, and internal organs and is characterized by a diffuse bluish-gray discoloration in sun-exposed areas. We report two cases of generalized argyria in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) therapy for more than 15 years. They presented with diffuse hyperpigmentation of the face that was mistaken to be related to uremia and bluish-gray discoloration of all nails believed to be cyanosis. Histopathologic examination of skin biopsy specimens showed characteristic findings of argyria, which was further confirmed by radiograph microanalysis. Their serum silver levels were also elevated. No definite silver source could be determined. However, their argyria might be related to their long-term HD therapy because (1) they had been on HD therapy for more than 15 years and the discoloration appeared several years afterward, and (2) the water used for HD was not well processed in the early 1980s in TAIWAN: Argyria should be suspected in chronic HD patients presenting with a diffuse bluish-gray discoloration of the skin and nails and evaluated carefully by skin biopsy.
Argyria↗
Preoperative oral rofecoxib does not decrease postoperative pain or morphine consumption in patients after radical prostatectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the rofecoxib po before radical prostatectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Anesthetic management was standardized. Patients received either a 50-mg rofecoxib capsule or a placebo capsule po 1 hour before induction of anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patient-generated 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after surgery. Morphine consumption was recorded from a patient-controlled analgesia device at the same time. A patient-generated overall pain relief score was obtained at 24 hours after surgery. We were unable to detect any differences between study groups with respect to postoperative morphine consumption, VAS score, or overall pain relief score. CONCLUSIONS: When rofecoxib is used po in maximum recommended doses before surgery, it does not provide significant analgesia that results in reduction in pain scores or analgesic requirements for patients after radical prostatectomy.
Aged↗
Body warmer and upper extremities position affect the accuracy of cutaneous thermometers during anesthesia.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether axillary skin temperature can accurately reflect distal esophageal temperature. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 48 ASA physical status I and II adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received standard general anesthesia. 19 patients had abducted upper extremities and an upper body surface warmer, 19 patients had abducted upper extremities with no upper body surface warmer, and 10 patients had adducted upper extremities with no upper body surface warmer. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The temperatures were measured 60 minutes after the induction of general anesthesia. There was no significant difference between axillary skin temperature (36 +/- 1.7) (degrees C) and core temperature (36 +/- 0.7) (degrees C) when the upper body surface warmer was used. There was no difference between axillary skin temperature (35.5 +/- 0.4) (degrees C) and core temperature (35.8 +/- 0.4) (degrees C) when upper extremity was adducted 0 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: At 0 degrees of arm adduction, or at 90 degrees using the upper body, forced-air surface warmer, axillary skin temperature accurately identified the core temperature in patients during general anesthesia.
Anesthesia↗
The heterogeneity in risk factors of lung cancer and the difference of histologic distribution between genders in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE: The difference in histologic patterns of lung cancer between men and women in Taiwan may be associated with the heterogeneity in causal factors of lung cancer between the sexes. A sex- and age-matched case-control study was designed to investigate such a relationship. METHODS: Cases consisted of 236 male and 291 female incident cases with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed primary carcinoma of the lung, and were compared to one or two individually matched controls. RESULTS: Cigarette smoking, occupations, and previous tuberculosis history were found to independently correlate with an elevated risk of squamous/small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma for male patients. However, there was little difference in the effect of these risk factors except smoking. The use of fume extractors in the kitchen, and the habit of waiting to fry after the fumes were emitted, separately explained the majority of the attributable fraction of female squamous/small cell carcinoma (28.2%) and adenocarcinoma (47.7%). With the exception of a kitchen with fume extractors and a clinical history of tuberculosis, the environmental causal factors of lung cancer were heterogeneous between these two histologic cell groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the causal factors of lung cancer might be specific for the type of tumor concerned. The gender-specific risk factors of lung cancer could partly explain the difference in cell-type distribution between men and women.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Regional anaesthesia decreases the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation in very low birth weight infants undergoing herniorrhaphy.
BACKGROUND: We were interested to know whether regional anaesthesia allowed improved respiratory function postoperatively in very low birth weight babies. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to examine the association between regional anaesthesia and postoperative ventilation after herniorrhaphy in very low birth weight infants. Thirty-four prematurely born infants underwent herniorrhaphy from 1995 to 1997 at St Louis Children Hospital. Eighteen patients had general anaesthesia, 16 had regional anaesthesia. The mean gestational age was 26 weeks, mean postconceptual age at surgery was 38 weeks, mean birth weight was 860 g. RESULTS: There was significant difference in postoperative ventilation support requirements between the two study groups (7/18 versus 1/16, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regional anaesthesia decreases the need for postoperative ventilatory support requirements in very low birth weight infants undergoing herniorrhaphy.
Anesthesia, Conduction↗
Noninvasive stool antigen assay can effectively screen Helicobacter pylori Infection and assess success of eradication therapy in hemodialysis patients.
Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) stool antigen (HpSA), serological antibody against H pylori (immunoglobulin G [IgG]), and urea breath test (UBT) are noninvasive methods used to detect H pylori infection that can allow a patient to avoid the discomfort and risk of invasive endoscopy. However, because the UBT has proven not highly reliable in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), this study attempts to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of HpSA and IgG for H pylori detection in 80 patients with ESRD and 80 dyspeptic patients without renal function impairment as a control group. All patients in both study groups underwent panendoscopy to obtain gastric biopsy specimens for histological examination and H pylori culture. With H pylori infection defined as a positive result on either histological examination or culture, we evaluated the reliability of HpSA and serum IgG in detecting H pylori infection. Forty of the patients with ESRD (50%) and 48 patients in the control group (60%) were proven to be infected with H pylori. To eradicate H pylori infection, these patients were administered a 1-week course of triple therapy. To evaluate the success of H pylori eradication, 38 patients in the ESRD group and 44 patients in the control group underwent a follow-up endoscopy and provided stool samples for HpSA 6 to 8 weeks later. Success of H pylori eradication was found in 86.8% of the patients with ESRD (33 of 38 patents) and 84.1% of the control patients (37 of 44 patients). Before therapy, HpSA for H pylori detection was 97.5% sensitive and 97.5% specific in patients with ESRD, as effective as that in the control group. After therapy, HpSA was 100% sensitive and more than 96% specific to detect the failure of H pylori eradication therapy in both the ESRD and control groups. Conversely, the use of IgG as a screening method for H pylori infection proved to be less effective because it showed a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 80% in this study. Monitoring the success of triple therapy, IgG had a specificity of only 21.9% in the ESRD group and 24.3% in the control group. In summary, HpSA is a noninvasive and reliable tool to screen H pylori infection before therapy and assess the success of eradication therapy in patients with ESRD.
Adult↗
Candidaemia in patients with dialysis-dependent acute renal failure: aetiology, predisposing and prognostic factors.
BACKGROUND: Infections remain the major cause of death among patients with acute renal failure (ARF), especially in severe ARF necessitating dialysis therapy (ARF(d)). Although the clinical features and outcomes of candidaemia in various patient populations have been described, data concerning candidaemic episodes among patients with ARF(d) are scarce. This study investigated the aetiology, predisposing, and prognostic factors for candidaemia in the ARF(d) patient population. Three patient groups were investigated in this study. METHODS: During an 8-year study period from January 1992 to December 1999, 37 candidaemic episodes that developed among 653 ARF(d) patients were assigned to ARF(d) candidaemic group, and 170 candidaemic episodes developing in patients without ARF(d) or chronic uraemia as the non-ARF(d) candidaemic group, and 28 matched ARF(d) patients without candidaemia were assigned to the ARF(d) control group. Among these groups, clinical characteristics in ARF(d) candidaemia patients, predisposing factors, and outcomes were compared. Four management strategies including central catheter removal, anti-fungal therapy, both, or neither were applied. The prognostic factors for attributable death were evaluated by univariate analysis followed by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of ARF(d) patients with candidaemia was significantly higher than in patients who had no ARF(d) or chronic uraemia (5.7% vs 0.15%, P<0.001). Compared with the non-ARF(d) candidaemic group, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), administration of corticosteroid, and central venous catheter-associated candidaemia were more common in the ARF(d) candidaemic group (P<0.05). In matched case-control study, multiple antibiotic usage was shown to be a predisposing factor for developing candidaemia in patients with ARF(d), and corticosteroid therapy has a marginal significance (P=0.059). The occurrence of candidaemia increased the mortality rate of ARF(d) (71% vs 39.2% in ARF(d) control group, P<0.05). By multivariate logistic analysis, the variables associated with attributable death in ARF(d) candidaemic group were identified to be an APACHE II score of >or=18, and anti-fungal therapy for >48 h. Central venous catheters were removed in 32 (86.5%) of the 37 ARF(d) candidaemic patients, among whom the 18 patients who had received anti-fungal therapy for >48 h had a lower attributable death rate than those patients who had not (27.8% vs 64.3%, P<0.05). Of the remaining five patients who did not have their catheter removed, three patients subsequently died and two patients improved only after catheter removal. CONCLUSIONS: The higher prevalence of candidaemia in ARF(d) patients is due to their underlying illnesses and multiplicity of predisposing factors, rather than ARF and dialysis therapy per se. Predisposing factors include SLE, indwelling central venous catheter, multiple antibiotic usage, and corticosteroid therapy. Prompt anti-fungal therapy and catheter removal should be mandatory for ARF(d) patients with candidaemia.
Acute Kidney Injury↗
Decreased predominance of papG class II allele in Escherichia coli strains isolated from adults with acute pyelonephritis and urinary tract abnormalities.
PURPOSE: We compared the genotypes of fimbriae or adhesions of Escherichia coli causing acute pyelonephritis in adults with and without urinary tract abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a total of 92 E. coli strains isolated from 54 patients with acute pyelonephritis and a normal urinary tract, and 38 with urinary tract abnormalities. Of those with urinary tract abnormalities 13 with moderate to severe hydronephrosis were also considered a separate group for the purpose of analysis. The genes of 7 known fimbriae or adhesins of E. coli were detected by the polymerase chain reaction, including the papG class I to III alleles (PapG adhesins of P-fimbriae), sfa/foc (S-/F1C-fimbriae), fimH (type 1 fimbriae), and afa (afimbrial adhesin). Virulence genes associated with APN were identified by comparing the prevalence of each of these 7 genes in E. coli strains from 54 patients with acute pyelonephritis with a normal urinary tract to the prevalence in the strains from 37 patients with acute cystitis using univariate and multivariate analysis. Differences in the prevalence of the genes associated with acute pyelonephritis and the incidence of underlying illness were then compared in the 3 acute pyelonephritis groups. RESULTS: On univariate and multivariate analysis the papG class II allele was the only virulence gene associated with acute pyelonephritis (p <0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was noted in the prevalence of underlying medical disease in the 3 acute pyelonephritis groups. The papG class II allele was significantly less predominant in E. coli strains isolated from acute pyelonephritis cases with versus without urinary tract abnormalities (76% versus 93%, p = 0.03). The incidence of the papG class II allele in patients with urinary tract abnormalities and moderate to severe hydronephrosis was less than in those without urinary tract abnormalities (69% versus 93%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that the papG class II allele has an important role in E. coli infection in patients with acute pyelonephritis and a normal urinary tract, while urinary tract abnormalities and/or obstruction may permit ascending infection of E. coli strains with lower adhesive ability.
Acute Disease↗
Cost analysis in vitrectomy: monitored anesthesia care and general anesthesia.
A retrospective study was performed to compare differences in hospital charges between monitored anesthesia care with retrobulbar block and general anesthesia among patients having vitrectomy. Of 128 consecutive patients undergoing vitrectomy between July 1996 and July 1997, group 1 received general anesthesia (n = 41), group 2 received monitored care anesthesia with retrobulbar block (n = 59), and 28 patients were eliminated from the study. There were significant differences in anesthesia charges, operating room charges, pharmacy charges, and total hospital charges between groups 1 and 2. Charges associated with monitored care anesthesia with retrobulbar block are 20% less than charges associated with general anesthesia. Fewer patients in group 2 required postoperative intravenous narcotics than in group 1.
Aged↗
Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients.
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Helicobacter Infections↗
[The status and prospects of X-ray photographs marking technology].
This article introduces three different marking technologies used in clinical radiation photography at present and their respective theories, their advantages and disadvantages, analyzes the space-time and technology conditionality of different marking technologies in selecting mark messages. In the future, new marking technology will be fused with the cassette into one and will contain message as much as possible on photograph marks in order to satisfy the need of technicians and doctors.
Radiography↗
Emphysematous pyelonephritis: clinicoradiological classification, management, prognosis, and pathogenesis.
BACKGROUND: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare, severe gas-forming infection of renal parenchyma and its surrounding areas. The radiological classification and adequate therapeutic regimen are controversial and the prognostic factors and pathogenesis remain uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the clinical features, radiological classification, and prognostic factors of EPN; to compare the modalities of management (ie, antibiotic treatment alone, percutaneous catheter drainage combined with antibiotic treatment, or nephrectomy) and outcome among the various radiological classes of EPN; and to clarify the gas-forming mechanism and pathogenesis of EPN by gas analysis and pathological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight EPN cases from our institution were enrolled between August 1,1989, and November 30, 1997. According to the radiological findings on computed tomographic scan, they were classified into the following classes: (1) class 1: gas in the collecting system only; (2) class 2: gas in the renal parenchyma without extension to extrarenal space; (3) class 3A: extension of gas or abscess to perinephric space; class 3B: extension of gas or abscess to pararenal space; and (4) class 4: bilateral EPN or solitary kidney with EPN. The clinical manifestations, management, and outcome were compared. The gas contents of specimens from 6 patients were analyzed. The pathological findings from 8 patients who received nephrectomy were reviewed. The statistical methods consisted of the Fisher exact test (2 tailed) for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables to test the predictors of poor prognosis. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (96%) had diabetes mellitus, and 10 (22%) of the 46 also had urinary tract obstruction in the corresponding renoureteral unit. The other 2 nondiabetic patients (4%) had severe hydronephrosis. Twenty-one (72%) of the 29 patients with diabetes mellitus also had a glycosylated hemoglobin A(1c) level higher than 0.08. Escherichia coli (69%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (29%) were the most common pathogens. The mortality rate in patients who received antibiotic treatment alone was 40% (2 of 5 patients). The success rate of management by percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) combined with antibiotic treatment was 66% (27 of 41 patients). In classes 1 and 2 EPN, all the patients who were treated using a PCD or ureteral catheter combined with antibiotic treatment survived. In extensive EPN (classes 3 and 4), 17 (85%) of the 20 patients with fewer than 2 risk factors (ie, thrombocytopenia, acute renal function impairment, disturbance of consciousness, or shock) were successfully treated using PCD combined with antibiotic treatment; and the patients with 2 or more risk factors had a significantly higher failure rate than those with no or only 1 risk factors (92% vs 15%, P<.001). Eight of the 14 patients who had an unsuccessful treatment using a PCD underwent subsequent nephrectomy, 7 of whom survived. Only 2 patients were managed by direct nephrectomy and survived. The overall success rate of nephrectomy was 90% (9 of 10 patients). The total mortality was 18.8% (9 of 48 patients). Five of the 6 gas samples contained hydrogen (average, 12.8%), and all had carbon dioxide (average, 14.4%). The pathological findings from 8 of 10 who underwent nephrectomy revealed poor perfusion in most cases (ie, infarction, 5 patients; vascular thrombosis, 3 patients; and arteriosclerosis and/or glomerulosclerosis, 4 patients). CONCLUSION: Acute renal infection with E coli or K pneumoniae in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or urinary tract obstruction is the cornerstone for the development of EPN. Mixed acid fermentation of glucose by Enterobacteriaceae is the major pathway of gas formation. For localized EPN (classes 1 and 2), PCD combined with antibiotic treatment can provide a good outcome. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
Adult↗