Biomedical subjects

S S Chiou

Publications and source records attributed to S S Chiou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Mutations in the NS3 gene and 3'-NCR of Japanese encephalitis virus isolated from an unconventional ecosystem and implications for natural attenuation of the virus.

The T1P1 strain of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus was recently isolated from paddy-free Liu-Chiu Islet in which natural JE antibody has been prevalent. In mouse neuroblastoma-derived Neuro-2a cells, T1P1 appeared significantly lower in virus productivity than another local isolate, CH1392. It implied that this new isolate possesses a characteristic viral replication pattern other than that of CH1392. T1P1 has also shown lower neurovirulence, which was reflected by a significantly higher LD(50) (2.44 x 10(6) PFU) than CH1392 (2.87 x 10(2) PFU). In comparison of the full-length RNA sequences between T1P1 and CH1392, a total of 7 nucleotides, including 1 in preM/M and 2 each in NS3, NS5, and the 3'-end noncoding region (NCR), appeared different. Of them, only the changes in NS3 (position 325, T for CH1392, A for T1P1; and position 364, G for CH1392 and A for T1P1) resulted in substitutions of deduced amino acids. There were two additional nucleotide changes appearing in the 3'-NCR. The amino acids 109 Phe and 122 Glu in NS3 of CH1392 were substituted by Ile and Lys, respectively, in T1P1. The unique growth properties and low virulence of T1P1 presented in this report were likely related to abnormal enzymatic activity due to mutations of the NS3 gene (especially position 364) and possibly to the mutations in the 3'-NCR. The natural attenuation of T1P1 that has been circulating in paddy-free Liu-Chiu Islet may account for the absence of clinical JE cases in past years.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2000

Late diagnosis of Kawasaki disease is associated with haptoglobin phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness characterized by multiple clinical and biochemical features of inflammation and the most common complications of coronary artery abnormality (CAA). Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute-phase protein whose phenotype is known to be involved in coronary artery diseases. In this paper, we report the investigation of the association of Hp phenotype with the formation of CAA in KD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed KD were admitted. Sera were taken before therapy of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) plus aspirin, and levels of serum proteins were measured by a rate immunonephelometer. The echocardiographic criteria for coronary artery abnormality were evaluated during acute or subacute stages. Hp phenotyping was performed by Western immunoblotting. RESULTS: Duration of fever at diagnosis of KD was significantly different between patients with Hp 2-2 (6.4 +/- 1.2 days, n = 25) and with Hp1 allele (Hp 2-1 plus Hp 1-1; 8.8 +/- 3.5 days, n = 22). In contrast, serum levels of Hp between KD patients with Hp2-2 and with Hp1 allele (297 +/- 121 mg dL-1 vs. 330 +/- 101 mg dL-1, respectively) was not significantly different. On the other hand, no patients with Hp 2-2 (0/25) were recognized as having KD in subacute stage. However, 5 out of 20 patients with Hp 2-1 were recognized in subacute stage, and their incidence of CAA was 80.0% (4/5). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Hp 2-1 have patterns of delayed or incomplete presentation of clinical symptoms. Therefore, the late diagnosis of KD is associated with haptoglobin phenotype.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Status and natural course of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection among high-risk groups and volunteer blood donors in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia, thalassemia and uremia patients are at risk of parenterally transmitted infectious agents. The status and nature of the course of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) infection among these groups and blood donors in Taiwan was investigated. METHODS: Serum GBV-C HGV-RNA and antibodies to GBV-C/HGV envelope-2-protein (anti-E2) were determined in 500 blood donors and in 44 hemophilia, 37 thalassemia and 85 uremia patients. Phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV-RNA and anti-E2, respectively, was 38.6 and 27.3% in hemophilia patients, 27.0 and 27.3% in thalassemia patients, 14.1 and 10.6% in uremia patients and 3.4 and 7.2% in blood donors. The prevalence of GBV-C HGV exposure was 59.1 and 51.4% in hemophilia and thalassemia patients, respectively, which was significantly higher than that for uremia patients (22.4%; P < 0.01) and blood donors (10.2%; P < 0.001). The anti-E2 seroconversion rate was 66.7% in blood donors and 47.4, 36.8 and 34.6% in thalassemia, uremia (P < 0.05 compared with blood donors) and hemophilia (P < 0.01 compared with blood donors) patients, respectively. Discrepancies in the prevalence of GBV-C HGV and hepatitis C virus infection were found among the three risk groups. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 51 of 56 GBV-C HGV isolates clustered in group 3; the remaining five were of group 2a. Twelve of 39 viremic patients in the risk groups cleared the virus during the 4 year follow-up period; seven developed concomitant anti-E2 reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: GB virus C hepatitis G virus infection is epidemic among risk groups and GBV-C HGV group 3 is the major strain in Taiwan. In the risk groups, approximately 18% of infections resolve with concomitant anti-E2 seroconversion within 4 years.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2000

Traumatic injury among drywall installers, 1992 to 1995.

This study examined the traumatic-injury characteristics associated with one of the high-risk occupations in the construction industry--drywall installers--through an analysis of the traumatic-injury data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An additional objective was to demonstrate a feasible and economic approach to identify risk factors associated with a specific occupation by using an existing database. An analysis of nonfatal traumatic injuries with days away from work among wage-and-salary drywall installers was performed for 1992 through 1995 using the Occupational Injury and Illness Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Results from this study indicate that drywall installers are at a high risk of overexertion and falls to a lower level. More than 40% of the injured drywall installers suffered sprains, strains, and/or tears. The most frequently injured body part was the trunk. More than one-third of the trunk injuries occurred while handling solid building materials, mainly drywall. In addition, the database analysis used in this study is valid in identifying overall risk factors for specific occupations.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2000

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in one of two siblings with Alstrom syndrome.

Alstrom syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease; less than 60 cases have been reported. No Chinese patient with this disease has been reported previously in the literature. Here, we describe an 11-year-old Chinese boy with this condition. His elder sister also had Alstrom syndrome, and his father had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Both siblings had degenerative retinopathy, obesity, mental retardation, perceptive hearing loss, short stature, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, hyperlipidemia, acanthosis nigricans, and hepatic dysfunction. The boy also developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which was confirmed by cytochemistry and immunophenotyping findings. He received chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the malignancy. The present case suggests that acute lymphoblastic leukemia may be coincident with or may be a previously undescribed systemic manifestation of Alstrom syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Tc99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy for detection of intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis in patient with beta-thalassemia major--a case report.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) refers to the production of blood cells outside the bone marrow and is a compensatory mechanism for bone marrow dysfunction. A 34 year-old female patient with beta thalassemia major was found to have multiple large, well-circumscribed radiopaque paravertibral mass lesions in chest radiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thorax disclosed a right upper apical and two lower thoracic paraspinal mass lesions with heterogeneous isointensity on T1-weighted images and hypointensity on T2-weighted images. Because intrathoracic EMH is suspected in our case, which had obvious bone marrow dysfunction, radionuclide bone marrow scintigraphy is helpful in supporting the diagnosis. Tc99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy demonstrated three intense radioactive thoracic paraspinal mass lesions corresponding to the lesions seen on MRI. We believe whole body bone marrow scintigraphy with Tc99m sulfur colloid is the best convenient noninvasive method for supporting the diagnosis of EMH.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with 1.5% Sotradecol for bleeding cardiac varices.

The authors retrospectively studied the efficacy of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with 1.5% Sotradecol (STD) in patients with bleeding cardiac varices (CV). Case histories of 27 patients with large, isolated, bleeding CVs were reviewed. Case records of another 27 patients with isolated esophageal varices (EV), matched for age, sex, and year EIS was performed, were selected from a computer data bank as controls. Using a small volume (2-4 ml) of injection per vessel, the rate of immediate control of bleeding was 66.7% (18 of 27) in the CV group and 70.4% (19 of 27) in the EV group. The early rebleeding rate was higher for patients in the EV group (48.1%, 13 of 27) than for those in the CV group (18.5%, 5 of 27) (p = 0.0209). On the other hand, it was more difficult to control the rebleeding from CV (p = 0.00494). In terms of mortality, there was no statistically significant difference between the CV and EV groups (33.3 versus 29.6%) within 1 week after EIS, but the 1-month post-EIS mortality rate was significantly higher (p = 0.0278) in the CV group (18 of 27, 66.7%) than in the EV group (10 of 27, 37.0%). Among those in the CV group who died of late complications within 1 month after EIS, three died of recurrent hemorrhage, five of infection, and one of viscus perforation. In the EV group, only two patients died of infection. Thus, it was concluded that EIS with small volumes (2-4 ml) of 1.5% STD was equally effective in controlling immediate bleeding from CV and EV. However, it was more difficult to control early rebleeding from CV, and the mortality and complications within 1 month after EIS were significantly higher in patients with CV. These observations are currently under careful study and evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

RS-66271, a C-terminally substituted analog of human parathyroid hormone-related protein (1-34), increases trabecular and cortical bone in ovariectomized, osteopenic rats.

It was predicted from the amino acid sequence of the bone anabolic peptides, parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1-34) and PTH related protein (PTHrP) (1-34), that the C-terminal amino acids form an amphipathic alpha-helix. Therefore, we substituted a model amphipathic alpha-helical peptide (MAP) sequence in the C-terminal region of hPTHrP(1-34), obtaining RS-66271 ([MAP1-10]22-31 hPTHrP(1-34)-NH2). The anabolic activities of RS-66271 and hPTHrP(1-34) were evaluated in 3-month-old, ovariectomized (OVX) osteopenic rats. Subcutaneous injection of hPTHrP(1-34) at 80 micrograms/kg/day partially reversed estrogen depletion trabecular bone loss but was ineffective in the cortex. In contrast, RS-66271 dose-relatedly reversed loss at both sites and, at 80 micrograms/kg/day, returned both trabecular and cortical bone calcium to the level of sham-operated controls. Histomorphometric analysis showed significantly elevated bone formation rates over vehicle-treated OVX in both trabecular and cortical tibial bone following treatment with RS-66271. Electron microscopy showed an increase in the relative surface area of vertebral trabeculae covered by osteoblasts in animals treated with RS-66271. These studies demonstrate that the C-terminal amino acids of hPTHrP(1-34) can be replaced by a model amphipathic helix and that the new chemical entity has greater anabolic activity than the parent peptide. The results suggest that RS-66271 may be a candidate molecule for the treatment of human osteoporosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Sequential evaluation of portal venous hemodynamics by Doppler ultrasound in patients with severe acute hepatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Portal hypertension may develop in patients with severe acute hepatitis. Sequential changes of portal venous hemodynamics in acute hepatitis is not well understood. This study evaluated portal hemodynamic changes and prognostic values in patients with severe, acute hepatitis. METHODS: Doppler studies, liver function tests, and virology studies were done in the inclusion, the 3rd month, and the 6th month for patients with severe, acute hepatitis. An indocyanine green clearance was done in the inclusion. Doppler portal hemodynamic studies were done in the hilar area by an average of two measurements. RESULTS: A total of 88 consecutive patients was included. Nine of them died. On initial study, fatalities were generally older patients with more delayed indocyanine green clearance, lower portal vein velocity, lower albumin values, higher bilirubin values, longer prothrombin time, and ascites. Using stepwise logistic regression, portal blood flow and prothrombin time were the two independence prognostic factors. By multiple linear regression, portal blood flow was associated with ascites, and average portal blood velocity was associated with bilirubin. During the hospital days, transient, depressed portal blood velocities followed by a hyperdynamic stage were found in survivors. The portal vein velocity changes for fatalities either were kept at a lower level or had a declining pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler ultrasound detects portal hemodynamic changes for patients with severe, acute hepatitis. Sequential portal hemodynamic studies will be helpful for evaluating patients with severe, acute hepatitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1995

Molecular basis of altered red blood cell membrane properties in Southeast Asian ovalocytosis: role of the mutant band 3 protein in band 3 oligomerization and retention by the membrane skeleton.

Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) is an asymptomatic trait characterized by rigid, poorly deformable red cells that resist invasion by several strains of malaria parasites. The underlying molecular genetic defect involves simple heterozygous state for a mutant band 3 protein, which contains a deletion of amino acids 400 through 408, linked with a Lys 56-to-Glu substitution (band 3-Memphis polymorphism). To elucidate the contribution of the mutant SAO band 3 protein to increased SAO red blood cell (RBC) rigidity, we examined the participation of the mutant SAO band 3 protein in increased band 3 attachment to the skeleton and band 3 oligomerization. We found first that SAO RBC skeletons retained more band 3 than normal cells and that this increased retention preferentially involved the mutant SAO band 3 protein. Second, SAO RBCs contained a higher percentage of band 3 oligomer-ankyrin complexes than normal cells, and these oligomers were preferentially enriched by the mutant SAO protein. At the ultrastructural level, the increased oligomer formation of SAO RBCs was reflected by stacking of band 3-containing intramembrane particles (IMP) into longitudinal strands. The IMP stacking was not reversed by treating SAO RBCs in alkaline pH (pH 11), which is known to weaken ankyrin-band 3 interactions, or by removing the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 from SAO membranes with trypsin. Finally, we found that band 3 protein in intact SAO RBCs exhibited a markedly decreased rotational mobility, presumably reflecting the increased oligomerization and the membrane skeletal association of the SAO band 3 protein. We propose that the mutant SAO band 3 has an increased propensity to form oligomers, which appear as longitudinal strands of IMP and exhibit increased association with membrane skeleton. This band 3 oligomerization underlies the increase in membrane rigidity by precluding membrane skeletal extension, which is necessary for membrane deformation.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

PubMed1995

Success of endoscopic injection therapy in correlation with maximal one-day transfusion requirement.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The rate of blood transfusion is related to blood flow and the diameter of the bleeding vessel. Therapeutic endoscopy is less effective in larger vessels. To determine the effect of therapeutic endoscopy with pure ethanol injection in massive peptic ulcer bleeding, we conducted a retrospective study using the maximal one-day blood requirement as an indicator of the required blood transfusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The maximal one-day blood requirement was defined as the total amount of blood transfusion needed within a day to keep hemodynamics stable and hemoglobin above 8.0 g% before therapeutic endoscopy. From January 1986 to May 1993, 283 patients with high-risk signs of the stigmata of hemorrhage on endoscopy, who received pure ethanol injection therapy, were included in this study. There were 214 men and 69 women with a mean age of 58.4 years (ranging from 16 to 93 years). One hundred forty-three had gastric ulcers; 125 had duodenal ulcers; and 15 had stomal ulcers. Patients whose maximal one-day blood requirement was less than 1000 ml were assigned to Group I. Patients without, and patients with, major organ diseases whose maximal one-day blood requirement was more than 1000 ml were assigned to Group IIa and Group IIb, respectively. RESULTS: In Group I, 87.1% attained permanent hemostasis; 51.3% in Group IIa; and 49.4% in Group IIb. Temporary hemostasis and failure rates were 8.9% and 4.8% in Group I; 14.5% and 33.8% in Group IIa; and 21.2% and 29.4% in Group IIb. The rate of permanent hemostasis was significantly lower in patients with massive bleeding (p < 0.001) but did not differ between patients with and without major organ diseases (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The success rate for pure ethanol injection therapy was lower in patients with a large maximal one-day blood transfusion requirement.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Molecular basis of spectrin deficiency in beta spectrin Durham. A deletion within beta spectrin adjacent to the ankyrin-binding site precludes spectrin attachment to the membrane in hereditary spherocytosis.

We describe a spectrin variant characterized by a truncated beta chain and associated with hereditary spherocytosis. The clinical phenotype consists of a moderate hemolytic anemia with striking spherocytosis and mild spiculation of the red cells. We describe the biochemical characteristics of this truncated protein which constitutes only 10% of the total beta spectrin present on the membrane, resulting in spectrin deficiency. Analysis of reticulocyte cDNA revealed the deletion of exons 22 and 23. We show, using Southern blot analysis, that this truncation results from a 4.6-kb genomic deletion. To elucidate the basis for the decreased amount of the truncated protein on the membrane and the overall spectrin deficiency, we show that (a) the mutated gene is efficiently transcribed and its mRNA abundant in reticulocytes, (b) the mutant protein is normally synthesized in erythroid progenitor cells, (c) the stability of the mutant protein in the cytoplasm of erythroblasts parallels that of the normal beta spectrin, and (d) the abnormal protein is inefficiently incorporated into the membrane of erythroblasts. We conclude that the truncation within the beta spectrin leads to inefficient incorporation of the mutant protein into the skeleton despite its normal synthesis and stability. We postulate that this misincorporation results from conformational changes of the beta spectrin subunit affecting the binding of the abnormal heterodimer to ankyrin, and we provide evidence based on binding assays of recombinant synthetic peptides to inside-out-vesicles to support this model.

Ankyrins↗

PubMed1995

Septic acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Bacteremia occurs frequently in cholangitis, but the incidence of bacteremia in acute cholecystitis has not previously been examined. METHODS: Seventy-eight cases (46 men and 32 women; mean age, 63 +/- 10 years) of acute cholecystitis with positive blood cultures were analyzed for clinical manifestation, bacteriology, and what consequences ensued. Seventy-eight non-bacteremic cholecystitis patients, matched for age and sex, served as the control group. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacteremia in acute cholecystitis was 7.65% (78 of 1020). A single microorganism was isolated from the blood and bile in 87.2% and 27.3%, respectively. The commonest organisms were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The source of bacteremia could be identified from the infected bile in 80% of cases. Compared with the non-bacteremia group, significant increases in liver biochemical test results (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and bilirubin, and so forth), more complications (acute renal failure and septic shock), and higher mortality (9.0%) were found in the bacteremic group. CONCLUSION: Acute cholecystitis is not often complicated by bacteremia, but when bacteremia is present, morbidity and death more consistently ensue.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1995

[Small cell lung cancer with liver and bone metastasis associated with hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis--a case report].

A 67-year-old man was hospitalized with the chief complaint of diffuse abdominal pain for 3 days. Hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis was found by laboratory examination. Abdominal CT scans showed swelling of the pancreas, multiple liver tumors and osteolytic lesions of bone. Upper mediastinal lobulated mass was suspected from chest x-ray examination, then small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was proved by bronchoscopic and pathological examination. The final diagnosis is SCLC with liver and bone metastasis associated with hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis. After pancreatitis subsided, the patient was put on chemotherapy. Unfortunately, due to immunocompromise, he died of pneumonia and sepsis. There was no reasonable explanation regarding to the cause of acute pancreatitis except hypercalcemia, which might be due to SCLC with bone metastasis. This is the first report of such a complication in a patient with SCLC.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1995

[Current clinical approaches and gene mutation study of beta-thalassemia major].

Forty-one cases of beta-thalassemia major were assessed for their clinical manifestations and gene mutation. The age distribution was from 1 to 18 years old. Patient's initial clinical symptoms began mostly before 2 years of age (90.2%). Patient's initial hematological data included mean hemoglobin value, 5.8 +/- 1.2 gm/dl, hemoglobin F value, 85.0 +/- 12.1%, hemoglobin A2 value 2.3 +/- 1.8%, reticulocyte count 9.2 +/- 9.0%. Eight different point mutations were characterized. Of these mutations, C to T substitution at nucleotide (nt) 654 of intervening sequence (IVS) 2, accounting for 46.3% of mutant beta-globin genes, is the most common mutation in our series, followed by frameshift codons 41/42 with a four nucleotides (TCTT) deletion for 31.7%; A to G substitution at position -28 of the promotor area for 8.5%; A to T substitution at codon 17 for 6.1%; frameshift codons 27/28 (insertion of C) for 2.4%; G to T substitution at nucleotide 1 of IVS-1 for 2.4%; frameshift codons 71/72 (insertion of A) and IVS-1 3' end TAG-->GAG for 1.2%. The first four mutations account for 92.6% of all beta-globin gene mutations in our series. As to mutations in each individual, the incidence of compound heterozygotes of two different mutations is much higher than homozygotes of a single mutation, 78.0% vs. 22.0%. Compound heterozygotes of C to T substitution at nt 654 of IVS-2 and frameshift codons 41/42 with a four nucleotides deletion is the most common pattern of beta-thalassemia mutation in our patients (41.5%). Patients with beta(0)/-28 beta(+) compound heterozygote mutation had much delayed initial symptoms than beta (0)/beta(0) homozygote mutation, but clinical manifestation may be aggravated when the mutation combined with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Severity of iron overload was significantly correlated with total transfusion amount and patient's age in simple regression analysis (p < 0.001). Splenectomy may effectively prolong transfusion interval, maintain higher hemoglobin level before each transfusion and palliate clinical symptoms (p < 0.01). Iron-chelating agent therapy can effectively lower the total amount of serum ferritin. Higher severity of iron overload correlates with higher incidence of EKG and cardiac abnormalities in patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Molecular basis and hematological characterization of Hb H disease in southeast Asia.

We molecularly characterized sixty-seven cases of Hb H disease by the polymerase chain reaction. The strategy depends on amplifying the alpha-thalassemia-1 (alpha-thal-1) gene by primers flanking the breakpoint and sequence differences of the 3' end of the alpha-globin gene and the nonhomologous elements I, II, and III among different types of alpha-thala-2. In the 67 cases studied, all involved alpha-thal-1 of the Southeast Asia type (SEA) in combination with deletional or nondeletional alpha-thal-2. Thirty-two cases were of the deletion form and 35 cases were of the nondeletion form. In 32 cases of the deletion form, 29 cases were rightward deletion (-alpha 3.7), and three cases were leftward deletion (-alpha 4.2). We found that all of the nondeletion forms were alpha-thal-1 of SEA type with Hb CS. After the subtyping of Hb H with -alpha 3.7, 26 out of 29 were type I deletion and 3 out of 29 were type II deletion. Comparisons of clinical data of deletion forms and the nondeletion form showed that there were earlier occurrence of anemic symptoms and a larger erythrocyte volume in the nondeletion form group (P < 0.005).

Asia, Southeastern↗

PubMed1994

Rapid molecular characterization of Hb H disease in Chinese by polymerase chain reaction.

We have developed a rapid method to molecularly distinguish different types of Hb H disease. The study depended on (a) most of the Hb H disease in Taiwan having an alpha-thalassemia-1 of the Southeast Asia type (--SEA) in one allele and (b) the differences of X box of alpha-globin gene cluster in the other allele. To detect the --SEA allele, we utilized the primers located on either side of the breakpoint to do PCR, then characterized the amplified products. For the other allele, we sequenced part of the X box, and found that bases -2803 to -2461 of the X box of -alpha 3.7 belonged to the X box of alpha 2 globin gene. In -alpha 4.2, the bases belonged to the X box of alpha 1 globin gene, whereas in alpha CS alpha it contained both X boxes of alpha 1 and alpha 2 globin genes. There was an MboII site at this region of the X box of alpha 2 globin gene. We utilized PCR to amplify this region and digested it with restriction enzyme MboII, then combined it with another PCR of different types of Hb H disease. One hundred and one cases of Hb H disease from different families were studied: all of the cases had one allele of --SEA deletion, while the other allele showed that 52/101 were -alpha 3.7, 41/101 were alpha CS alpha, 7/101 were -alpha 4.2, and 1/101 was -alpha G. Taichung. Of 52 cases of Hb H with -alpha 3.7, 47 were type-I deletion and five were type-II deletion.

Alleles↗

PubMed1994

Role of Helicobacter pylori in cirrhotic patients with peptic ulcer. A serological study.

Helicobacter pylori was found to be a promoter factor of peptic ulcer that has an incidence higher in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. To clarify the role between H. pylori and peptic ulcer in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, a serological test (ELISA test, HEL-p, AMRAD, Australia), was used to measure the presence of H. pylori of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Within two years, 108 cirrhotic patients who had received a panendoscopic examination were enrolled in this study. There were 79 males and 27 females with a mean age of 53.2 years. Sixty-four cases had positive serum HBsAg and 44 had negative serum. The results showed that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in cirrhosis was 43.5% (47/108). There was no difference of HEL-p-positive rate between peptic ulcer and normal gastroduodenal mucosa (45.2% vs 46.1%, P > 0.05). According to this study, there appears to be no relation between peptic ulcer and H. pylori in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. The etiology of peptic ulcer in cirrhotic patients need further study.

Adult↗