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Biomedical subjects

Shyh-Haw Tsay

Publications and source records attributed to Shyh-Haw Tsay.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Lacrimal gland extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT-type.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features and outcome of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type (MALT lymphoma) in the lacrimal gland. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, observational case series in an academic referral setting. METHODS: A consecutive series of 13 histologically verified MALT lymphoma in the lacrimal gland at presentation was studied. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Eight males and five females with a median age of 64 years and a median follow-up time of 48 months were included. All patients had no prior lymphoma and initially presented as MALT lymphoma in the lacrimal gland. Extraorbital involvement at diagnosis was noted in six patients (46.2%). Two patients had autoimmune disease, and both had Stage IV disease at presentation. Treatment consisted of surgical resection in one patient, radiotherapy in four, chemotherapy in four, and combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy in four. Complete remissions were obtained in eight patients (61.5%). Patients with bilateral disease (61.5%) had a higher rate of advanced-stage disease and a poor outcome. Recurrence was noted in two patients. At the last follow-up, eight patients were free of disease, three were alive with disease, one died of sepsis as a complication of chemotherapy, and one died of lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: MALT lymphoma in the lacrimal gland has a high rate of extraorbital involvement and synchronous bilateral lacrimal gland involvement at presentation. The prognosis is relatively poor, especially in patients with advanced disease and bilateral involvement. Extensive staging and long-term follow-up are warranted for these patients.

Adult↗

Prognostic value and clinical relevance of the 6th Edition 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: A simplified American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (the 6th edition) was proposed in 2002. In this study, we validated the prognostic value of the staging system in a patient cohort undergoing hepatic resection with longterm followup. STUDY DESIGN: From a prospective database, the study cohort consisted of 440 patients who underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC between July 1991 and January 1999. Median followup time was 66 months. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent prognostic factors related to postoperative survival. Patients were staged according to both the 5th edition (TNM-5) and 6th edition (TNM-6) AJCC TNM staging criteria. RESULTS: The independent prognostic factors included major vascular invasion, microvascular invasion, surgical margin < 1 cm, indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes > 10%, multiple tumors, tumor rupture, male, and serum aspartate aminotransferase > 90 U/L. The breakdown by TNM-5 staging: I, 27 (6.1%); II, 108 (24.5%); III, 218 (49.5%); and IVA, 87 (19.8%) and by TNM-6 staging: I, 120 (27.3%); II, 170 (38.6%); and III, 150 (34.1%). When stratified according to the TNM-5 system, difference in survival was notable between stages II and IIIA (p < 0.001), between stages IIIA and IVA (p < 0.001), but not between stages I and II (p > 0.05). When stratified according to the TNM-6 system, difference in survival was considerable between stages I and II (p < 0.01), stages II and III (p < 0.001), and stages I and III (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the TNM-6 staging system appears to provide a reliable prognostic classification of HCC patients and is simpler to use than the TNM-5 staging system.

Adult↗

Postresectional adjuvant intraportal chemotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The postresectional tumor recurrence rate is high in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor portal venous invasion is the most important factor related to recurrence. Adjuvant intraportal infusion chemotherapy (IPIC) was used in HCC patients to improve the outcomes. METHODS: Between June 1998 and May 1999, 28 HCC patients (IPIC group) underwent postresectional IPIC daily for 2 days with 5-fluorouracil (650 mg/m(2)), leucovorin (45 mg/m(2)), doxorubicin (10 mg/m(2)), and cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)). Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks for six cycles. Patient outcomes were compared with those of 66 matched HCC patients (control group) who underwent hepatectomy without adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: The IPIC group received an average of 5.2 cycles of chemotherapy, starting 5 to 24 days after surgery. The most frequent IPIC-related adverse events were upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and myelosuppression. Five-year disease-free and overall survival rates for the IPIC group were 44.6% and 60.7%, respectively. Subgroup analysis of patients with tumor-node-metastasis stage I and II disease identified significantly lower recurrence rates for the IPIC group (33.3%) than the control group (65.0%; P = .025). For patients with stage I and II disease, 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates for the IPIC group (70.6% and 83.3%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the control group (33.4% and 46.9%, respectively; P < .05). Patients with stage III disease do not benefit from IPIC. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative IPIC benefits HCC patients with tumor-node-metastasis stage I and II disease. The survival advantages demonstrated justify a selection of patients for future trials.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Effects of gabexate mesilate on serum inflammatory cytokines in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Gabexate mesilate is a synthetic protease inhibitor. The effectiveness of gabexate mesilate in patients with acute pancreatitis is controversial. Proinflammatory cytokines are associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in acute pancreatitis. A compensatory anti-inflammatory response occurs in parallel with SIRS. We investigated the effects of gabexate mesilate on acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats, emphasizing the changes in serum levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by retrograde infusion of sodium taurodeoxycholate into the pancreatobiliary duct in rats. The rats were divided into three groups. Group I was given gabexate mesilate 2 mg/kg/h i.v. continuously 1 h before the induction of acute pancreatitis. Group II was given gabexate mesilate the same dose immediately after the induction of acute pancreatitis. Group III was given normal saline as the controls. Serum levels of amylase, lipase, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, pancreatic histopathology and hemodynamics were examined at 5h after the induction of acute pancreatitis. Gabexate mesilate significantly reduced serum levels of amylase, lipase, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 at 5 h. Serum levels of interleukin-10 significantly increased in Group I, as compared with Groups II and III. The severity of pancreatic histopathology, the reduction of mean arterial pressure, the volume of ascites and pancreatic wet weight/body weight ratios were also significantly improved by the administration of gabexate mesilate. The beneficial effects of gabexate mesilate on acute pancreatitis may be, in part, due to the modulation of inflammatory cytokine responses.

Amylases↗

Urothelial carcinoma with rhabdoid features: report of 6 cases.

Extrarenal rhabdoid tumors have been described in a variety of primary sites with only rare case reports of urothelial carcinomas with rhabdoid features in the literature. In this report, we describe the clinicopathologic characteristics, including clinical follow-up on 6 cases of urothelial carcinoma with prominent rhabdoid features. Four cases were retrieved from the consultation files of one of the authors and 2 were retrieved from the surgical pathology files at our institution. The patients were all men, with ages ranging from 53 to 86 years (mean, 66.5 years). Patients initially presented with hematuria or obstructive symptoms. The sites included bladder (n = 4) and renal pelvis (n = 2). All cases had a prominent rhabdoid component (mean, 60%), ranging from 40% to 80%. In addition to the rhabdoid component, multiple coexistent histological components were seen, including in situ urothelial carcinoma (carcinoma in situ) and high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (n = 2), poorly differentiated carcinoma with small-cell features (n = 1), sarcomatoid (n = 2), and a myxoid component (n = 2). All cases in this series had focal or diffuse positive staining with one or more cytokeratin markers (epithelial membrane antigen, CAM 5.2, AE1/AE3). Of the 6 patients, 4 were treated initially with surgery (radical cystoprostatectomy, n = 2; radical nephrectomy, n = 2). Of 6 patients, 2 died within 1 month, whereas a third patient died within 4 months. The remaining 3 patients were alive at 3, 3, and 9 months after diagnosis. The histological and immunohistochemical findings in this study serve to broaden the morphological spectrum of urothelial carcinomas with prominent rhabdoid features and add further evidence as to their poor prognosis.

Aged↗

Acute hepatitis induced by Chinese hepatoprotective herb, xiao-chai-hu-tang.

Xiao-chai-hu-tang (syo-saiko-to in Japanese) is a herbal remedy that has been widely used in China for treatment of respiratory, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal diseases, particularly among patients with chronic liver disease. However, its safety has recently been challenged. We, herein, report a Chinese patient with acute hepatitis induced by this herb. A 52-year-old woman presented with weakness, fatigue, and tea-colored urine after continual consumption of the decoction of xiao-chai-hu-tang for 1.5 months. Laboratory studies disclosed acute hepatitis even though all of the viral hepatitis markers were negative. Liver biopsy also revealed a picture of acute hepatocellular hepatitis. The symptoms improved after discontinuing the drug, and liver biochemical tests normalized 2 months later. The case report reminds us of the probable adverse drug reaction of herbs, even in some that are claimed to have hepatoprotective effects.

Acute Disease↗

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease manifesting esophageal variceal bleeding.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fatty liver disease occurring in patients without alcohol consumption. It includes a broad spectrum of liver disease, from fatty infiltration, inflammation and fibrosis, to cirrhosis, usually having obesity, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus as its etiology. NAFLD-related cirrhosis has rarely been reported in Taiwan. We herein report a 41-year-old male patient with nonalcoholic fatty liver cirrhosis (NAFLC), with the first clinical manifestation being bleeding esophageal varices (EV). The patient was obese with diabetes mellitus, but without hyperlipidemia or any history of drinking alcohol. The laboratory tests, abdominal sonography, and computed tomography revealed a typical case of liver cirrhosis. The pan-endoscopy disclosed EV with red-color sign. EV ligation was performed successfully to stop the bleeding. When the patient was in a stabilized clinical condition, a liver biopsy showed a typical histologic finding of NAFLD. Most of the cases of NAFLC reported in the literature have silent signs and symptoms. Sudden onset of the EV as the first clinical manifestation, as in this case, is rare. This case reminds us that NAFLD may indeed induce severe liver impairment, such as liver cirrhosis. Liver biochemical tests and abdominal sonography should be considered in patients with overt obesity and diabetes.

Adult↗

Clinical significance of p16INK4a and p53 overexpression in endocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

This study was designed to determine the expression of p16, p53, and CD117 in gastrointestinal tract endocrine tumors. Immunohistochemical studies of p16, p53, and CD117 were performed in 57 gastrointestinal tract endocrine tumors, including 22 poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas (PDECs) and 35 well-differentiated endocrine tumors (WDETs). Overexpression of p16 and p53 was observed in 16 (73%) and 10 (45%) of the PDECs, respectively, whereas only 1 WDET showed overexpression of p53 and none showed overexpression of p16. A total of 18 (82%) of the PDECs showed overexpression of p16 or p53 proteins. This is closely associated with PDEC (P < .0001). By using overexpression of p16 or p53 as the criteria for PDEC, the sensitivity and specificity are 81.8% and 97.1%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 94.7% and 89.5%, respectively. CD117 was not detected in any of the 57 gastrointestinal endocrine tumors by immunohistochemical analysis.

Adult↗

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the nasal cavity.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is an unusual vascular neoplasm characterized by proliferation of endothelial cells with epithelioid morphology. It has an indolent course, with the potential for recurrence, but rarely metastasizes. The common locations include soft tissue, skin, viscera and bone. We present an unusual case of EH in the nasal cavity and describe the clinical characteristics, histopathologic findings, differential diagnosis and management. The 25-year-old male patient initially presented with an 8-month history of intermittent epistaxis. Nasal endoscopy revealed a vascular tumor involving the nasal cavity. The tumor was excised and the final histopathologic diagnosis was consistent with EH. EH in the head and neck is extremely rare. Wide excision is the treatment of choice, and regular follow-up is suggested due to the potential for recurrence. Definitive diagnosis depends on histopathologic and immunohistochemical features.

Adult↗

Differential immunoprofiles of hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and adrenocortical carcinoma: a systemic immunohistochemical survey using tissue array technique.

The differential diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) are sometimes difficult due to their overlapping histologic features. Immunohistochemistry is a helpful adjunct in supporting the histologic diagnosis. In this study, the authors used the tissue array technique to systemically analyze the efficacy of different immunohistochemical panels in discerning these neoplasms. Immunohistochemical stains were performed on a total of 895 tumors (including 170 HCCs, 176 RCCs, and 40 ACCs) using monoclonal antibodies against hepatocyte antigen (HPA), CD10, RCC marker, vimentin, alpha-inhibin, keratins (KL-1, CAM 5.2, 7, and 20), epithelial membrane antigen, and polyclonal antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen (pCEA) and alpha-fetoprotein, and antibodies Melan-A (A103), MOC31, and BG8. HPA immunostain alone detected 85.9% of HCCs, and the addition of canalicular pattern of pCEA and CD10 immunostains raised the sensitivity to 94.7%. RCC marker was positive in 54.5% of RCCs but was negative in all non-RCC tumors. Using positive CD10 and negative HPA and pCEA together with RCC marker increased the sensitivity to 74.4%. Immunoreactivity for alpha-inhibin and A103 could be detected in 67.5% and 55% of ACCs, respectively. When the two antibodies were combined, 82.5% of ACCs were labeled. Proper selection of immunohistochemical stains aid in the differential diagnosis of the three neoplasms. Using the tissue array technique, the authors also showed an effective model for comprehensive antibody testing.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗

Long-term results of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the noncirrhotic liver.

HYPOTHESIS: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who do not have cirrhosis, the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term postresectional outcomes must be clarified and liver transplantation may also have a role in future treatment strategy. DESIGN: Case series. The mean (SD) follow-up time was 52.4 (33.8) months. SETTING: A tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: From a prospective database, 445 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy were classified into 2 groups-those without cirrhosis (n = 223) and those with cirrhosis (n = 222). Clinicopathologic factors and postresectional outcomes were compared between these groups based on the new American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union Internationale Contre le Cancer TNM (sixth edition) staging system and the patient selection criteria for undergoing transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postresectional disease-free and overall survival rates. RESULTS: Compared with patients with cirrhosis, patients without cirrhosis were younger, had a lower rate of viral hepatitis type C infection, and had more advanced TNM stage III disease. Also more of the patients who did not have cirrhosis had undergone major resection. The tumor recurrence rate was significantly lower in the noncirrhotic group than in the cirrhotic group (59.5% vs 69.5%, P =.03). The 5- and 10-year disease-free and overall survival rates of the noncirrhotic group were 36.8% and 25.7%, and 53.0% and 36.9%, respectively. The survival of the members of the noncirrhotic group was better than the survival of the members of the cirrhotic group for patients with early stage (TNM stage I or transplantable) diseases. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates in patients without cirrhosis with transplantable diseases were 54.8% and 70.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In early stage diseases, patients without cirrhosis had significantly better survival rates than patients with cirrhosis. For a small hepatocellular carcinoma originating in a noncirrhotic liver, hepatic resection is a reasonable first-line treatment. Liver transplantation can be reserved as salvage treatment for patients with recurrent disease after hepatic resection.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Splenic hamartoma: presentation on contrast-enhanced sonography.

Splenic hamartoma is a rare benign tumor of the spleen. It is usually found incidentally at autopsy or splenectomy. We report a case of splenic hamartoma that was discovered during medical workup for vague upper abdominal pain. Abdominal sonography demonstrated a well-demarcated, slightly hypoechoic splenic solid mass; the mass was markedly enhanced on color Doppler sonography after injection of microbubble contrast agent. This finding may help to distinguish splenic hamartomas from other relatively common splenic tumors, such as hemangiomas or metastases.

Contrast Media↗

Cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for thyroid transcription factor-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparative immunohistochemical analysis of four commercial antibodies using a tissue array technique.

To evaluate the consistency of cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we performed immunohistochemical stains for 4 commercial anti-thyroid transcription factor (TTF)-1 antibodies (DAKO, Zymed, Novocastra, Santa Cruz Biotechnology [see text]) on 77 HCCs and 334 nonhepatic epithelial tumors. The HCC cases were submitted for hepatocvte antigen immunohistochemical stain. Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) methods were used: with DAKO Target Retrieval Solution, the positive rates of cytoplasmic TTF-1 in HCC for DAKO, Zymed, Santa Cruz, and Novocastra antibodies were 58% (45), 14% (11), 6% (5), and 0% (0), respectively; with EDTA buffer, the positive rates increased to 70% (54), 40% (31), 69% (53), and 0% (0), respectively. Immunoreactivity for the DAKO anti-TTF-1 antibody generally correlated with that for hepatocyte antigen. Among nonhepatic tumors, 2 of 6 ovarian mucinous carcinomas and 2 of 11 pancreatic adenocarcinomas showed cytoplasmic reactivity for the DAKO antibody; 28 cases showed nonspecific cytoplasmic staining for the Santa Cruz antibody with EDTA HIER. Zymed and Novocastra antibodies did not produce cytoplasmic staining in nonhepatic tumors. Owing to the staining variation, we do not consider TTF-1 a reliable marker to distinguish HCC. In general, the Novocastra antibody with EDTA HIER is superior for its consistent nuclear positivity and absence of erratic cytoplasmic staining.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on retrograde bile salt-induced pancreatitis rats.

BACKGROUND: The serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been reported to be significantly higher in severe acute pancreatitis compared with mild pancreatitis. Nitric oxide (NO) produced by cytokine-inducible NO synthase might be involved as the mechanisms for the progression of pancreatitis and the occurrence of systemic complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a non-selective NO synthase inhibitor, nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and an inducible NO synthase inhibitor, L-canavanine, on sodium taurodeoxycholate-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomized into 3 groups to receive L-NAME 5 mg/kg/h, L-canavanine 20 mg/kg/h, and equivalent volume of saline, respectively, i.v. infusion after the induction of pancreatitis for 5 hours. The serum levels of amylase and lipase and mean arterial pressure and heart rate at baseline and 5 hours, and cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, the amount of ascites and pancreatic histopathology at 5 hours were examined. RESULTS: Five hours after induction of pancreatitis, all rats treated with L-canavanine and all but 1 treated with saline survived; however, all rats treated with L-NAME died. As compared with the control group, L-canavanine significantly reduced serum levels of amylase and lipase, the severity of pancreatic edema and necrosis, and the volume of ascites in 5 hours. In addition, L-canavanine significantly improved the reduction of mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance at 5 hours. CONCLUSIONS: L-NAME results in the mortality of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. L-canavanine reduces serum pancreatic enzymes and improves the changes of pancreatic histopathology and systemic hemodynamics at the early stage of acute pancreatitis. Inducible NO synthase inhibitor is beneficial for severe acute pancreatitis.

Animals↗

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the maxillary sinus presenting as toothache.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a high-grade and aggressive sarcoma. It is relatively rare in the head and neck region. Its diagnosis is based on immunohistochemical stains. Wide excision followed by postoperative radiotherapy is believed to be the treatment of choice for MFH. In October 2001, a case of MFH in the maxillary sinus, which presented as a toothache at the beginning, was successfully diagnosed and treated. Using the external approach, the tumor mass was completely removed, and postoperative radiotherapy was subsequently performed. Seventeen months after the surgery, the patient was clinically well without any evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Adult↗

Fenofibrate-induced acute cholestatic hepatitis.

Fenofibrate-induced acute or chronic hepatitis is rare, and only 11 reports from French, Italian or Spanish literature have been published up to date. We report a case of fenofibrate-induced acute cholestatic hepatitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first one reported in Taiwan. A 61-year-old man developed acute cholestatic hepatitis after taking fenofibrate 100 mg tid for 10 days. Laboratory profile on admission showed serum total bilirubin 9.3 mg/dL, direct bilirubin 2.7 mg/dL, alanine aminotransferase 249 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 259 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase 259 IU/L, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase 1014 IU/L. Pathology proved hepatocanalicular cholestasis in liver. Fenofibrate was discontinued immediately. His clinical manifestations and liver function tests improved gradually and returned to nearly normal in 2 months. We suggest that liver function tests, including total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, be checked at least 2 weeks after taking the drug and that serum aminotransferase be monitored every 3 months during the first 12 months of therapy. Treatment should be discontinued if alanine aminotransferase values increase by more than 100 IU/L.

Acute Disease↗