PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W Y Lui

Publications and source records attributed to W Y Lui.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

The nontransformed progesterone and estrogen receptors in gastric cancer.

Contents of the progesterone receptors (PgR) and estrogen receptors (ER) in 18 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues were determined using both the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) assay and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). PgR were found in 15 cancer tissues (range, 1.0-58.8 fmol/mg protein) and 12 normal mucosal tissues (range, 1.4-26.8 fmol/mg protein) by DCC assay, whereas only 6 cancer tissues (ranged, 0.2-3.3 fmol/mg protein) and 7 normal mucosal tissues (range, 0.1-0.8 fmol/mg protein) had measurable PgR by EIA analysis. Similar results were observed for ER. DCC assay found ER in 12 cancer tissues (range, 2.9-112.6 fmol/mg protein) and 12 normal mucosal tissues (range, 1.2-36.6 fmol/mg protein), whereas EIA measured ER in 16 cancer tissues (range, 0.1-3.5 fmol/mg protein) and 15 normal mucosal tissues (range, 0.1-4.8 fmol/mg protein). No significant correlation between DCC and EIA was observed for either PgR or ER. DCC assay and its modified procedures including 5% DCC stripping of cytosol and/or the addition of sodium molybdate in buffer were simultaneously measured in 5 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and 1 gastritis cystica polyposa tissue (a precancerous lesion). Higher receptor levels were found by the modified procedures than by conventional method. Using the DCC procedure with addition of sodium molybdate in buffer for receptor analysis, PgR and ER were found in gastric tissues in six patients, with significantly increased levels of measurable PgR. The results suggest that PgR and ER may be involved in the physiology of normal and gastric cancer tissues; their clinical implications are worthy of further study.

Aged↗

Regulation of arginase production by glucocorticoid in three human gastric cancer cell lines.

Gastric cancer tissues have high levels of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and arginase. To investigate the interrelation of glucocorticoid, GR and arginase, three human gastric cancer cell lines (AZ-521, NUGC-3, KATO-III) were treated with hydrocortisone in the presence or absence of a glucocorticoid antagonist RU38486. GR were found to be present in all three lines, and hydrocortisone significantly increased the production of total arginase in all 3 lines. The induction of arginase production by hydrocortisone was inhibited by RU38486. These findings suggest that the regulation of arginase production by hydrocortisone in gastric cancer cells is mediated through GR.

Arginase↗

Hormonal therapy for stomach cancer.

Stomach cancer is one of the major cancers in Asia. Recent advances in diagnosis and surgical techniques have improved the survival of patients with gastric cancer. But radiation and chemotherapy had limited value in promoting the outcome of patients with gastric cancer. Hormonal therapy with tamoxifen had been tried with conflicting results. Previously, we have found that estrogen receptors (ER) were present in 50% cases of Chinese patients with gastric cancers. Recently, the amplification of c-erbB-2 oncogene and its overexpression have been found to correlate with the advancement of lung, ovarian, breast and gastric cancers. In addition, estrogen has been found to inhibit the expression of c-erbB-2 through ER in breast cancer cell lines. A hypothesis is that the same event may occur in ER-positive gastric cancer cell. Thus patients with gastric cancers whose tumors were positive for both ER and c-erbB-2 gene expression, may benefit from estrogen therapy rather than tamoxifen therapy.

Animals↗

Preparation of [131I]lipiodol as a hepatoma therapeutic agent.

An isotopic exchange method was used to label lipiodol with 131I. The labelling efficiency was > 92.5%, and the radiochemical purity of [131I]lipiodol was above 98% as determined by ITLC. The influencing factors e.g. the heating temperature, reaction time, pH and storage conditions were studied and the optimum conditions were determined. In a pilot study injecting [131I]lipiodol for the treatment of hepatoma, about 70% of hepatoma patients had a response to the treatment with a reduction of alpha-fetoprotein and decrease of hepatoma sizes. The overall median survival was 9 months (range 2-17 months).

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Prediction of relapse or survival after resection in human hepatomas by DNA flow cytometry.

To investigate the change of DNA content and the effect of synthetic phase (S-phase) fraction on hepatocytes and hepatomas, DNA content and S-phase fraction were measured by flow cytometry in human livers and hepatoma tissues. The ploidy status of nontumor parts of resected hepatoma, fetal liver, and focal nodular hyperplasia were diploid, similar to that of the normal liver. Three patterns of DNA ploidy in human hepatoma cells were newly classified, namely, pattern I, diploid tumors; pattern II, aneuploid tumors with single G0/G1 peak; and pattern III, aneuploid tumors with more than one G0/G1 peaks. Among the 130 resectable hepatomas measured for DNA ploidy status, 84 (64.6%) were pattern I, 20 (15.4%) pattern II, and 26 (20%) pattern III. Multivariate analyses for those 130 patients who underwent hepatic resection showed that, in addition to tumor size, DNA ploidy was another prognostic factor in predicting overall survival and disease-free survival. Patients with small tumors (less than 5 cm) had a significantly higher overall survival rate than those with large tumor (greater than 5 cm). Patients with pattern III hepatomas had a significantly lower overall survival rate and a higher recurrent rate than did those with pattern I or pattern II tumors. The S-phase fraction was a significant predictor of overall survival rate in patients with pattern II, but not with pattern I, tumors. We conclude that DNA flow-cytometric measurements of ploidy and S-phase fraction are potential important prognostic predictors in patients with resectable hepatomas.

Adult↗

[The role of total gastrectomy in the management of gastrinoma syndrome].

Total gastrectomy used to be considered as a standard operation in the surgical treatment for gastrinoma syndrome. Although this end organ resection is a good palliation, to cure this ulcerogenic disease, gastrinoma resection is preferred. It remains a question if a total gastrectomy is necessary when a gastrinoma is found and resected. In a period of 12 years, nine out of 17 patients with gastrinoma syndrome were surgically treated. Fifteen gastrinomas were removed without histologic evidence of malignancy. Total gastrectomy was added in three, Whipple's operation was done in one and tumor resection alone in five. Serial examination of the resected stomach didn't find any gastrinoma. Eight gastrinomas of seven patients were found located in the pancreas, duodenum and lymph nodes within the gastrinoma triangle. These patients except one were followed up for six months to five years (mean 32 months). One died of post-operative hepatic failure, and one died of hypophysectomy for a co-existent huge prolactinoma (MEN I) four years later. Cure of the disease in terms of normal fasting serum gastrin levels, symptom free without medication, endoscopic evidence of healed ulcer, and a negative conversion of secretin provocative test was found in 2/3 of the patients with additional total gastrectomy, and 4/6 of the others. All cured patients had their gastrinomas located in the gastrinoma triangle, and six of the seven (85.7%) patients with gastrinomas in the triangle were cured. It is our conclusion that total gastrectomy was retrospectively unnecessary in most of the patients with gastrinomas in the gastrinoma triangle. Staged operations should be planned.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Shouldice inguinal hernioplasty.

Since 1978, 108 patients with 111 inguinal hernias have been treated with Shouldice hernioplasty in our hospital, including 97 males and 11 females with a mean age of 54 years. 85.6% of them were primary hernias and 14.4% of them were recurrent ones. Local anesthesia was performed in 67.6%. The average operation time was 84 min. Immediate postoperative complications were present in 4.5% of the patients. 93.5% of the patients were followed for an average period of 4.6 years. There was only one recurrence (1.0%). These results indicate that Shouldice hernioplasty is an effective repair for both primary and recurrent inguinal hernia in which most cases can be performed under local anesthesia with early recovery.

Adolescent↗

[The incidence and cause of death following surgery for benign biliary tract disease].

A total of 4056 consecutive patients operated for benign biliary tract disease between January 1983 and June 1990 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 71 in-hospital deaths, representing 1.75% of morality rate. Cholecystectomy was performed in 2275 patients; common bile duct exploration was carried out in 1494, with operative mortality rates of 0.4% and 3.1% respectively. Sepsis was the leading cause of mortality. The second common cause of death was hepatic failure, and respiratory failure the third. Cardiovascular problems accounted for 11.3% of death, which was much lower than reports from western series. Other causes of mortality included hypovolemic shock, anaphylactic shock, epilepsy and hypoglycemia. Of the total 4056 patients, 28.5% underwent emergency surgery. The mortality rate for emergency surgery was 3.6 times higher than for those who underwent elective operations (p less than 0.005) Significantly higher mortality rates were also seen for those aged over 70 years and of male gender. Because the mortality rate of patients who underwent emergency operation due to acute inflammatory or obstructive complications were much higher than that of elective operation group, we suggested early surgical intervention for the symptomatic patients before complications occurred.

Adolescent↗

Parathyroid carcinoma in a patient with non-secretory pituitary tumor: a variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia type-I?

We report a case of pituitary adenoma in association with parathyroid carcinoma as an unusual combination of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN). A 48-year-old man had a trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy and transcranial partial removal of a recurrent pituitary chromophobe adenoma followed by a course of radiotherapy in 1980. Four years later, he developed hypercalcemic crisis from a parathyroid carcinoma with invasion to the adjacent thyroid gland and skeletal muscle. A hemithyroidectomy and resection of the left lower parathyroid gland was performed. Three years later, he had local recurrence and anterior chest wall metastasis accompanied by hypercalcemia. After resection of the remnant and metastatic lesion, eucalcemia was achieved. There was no family history of endocrine tumors. This case illustrates the rare association of a malignant parathyroid tumor and a chromophobe adenoma of the pituitary as a variant of MEN syndrome.

Adenoma, Chromophobe↗

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy of gallbladder stones.

Recently, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy has been introduced as a nonoperative treatment for gallstone disease. To evaluate its applicability in Taiwan, where cholesterol stones are not very frequent, 18 patients out of 194 (9.3%) were selected according to the Munich inclusion criteria to receive this treatment. Chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid were administered as adjunctive litholytic therapy. Twenty-eight sessions of lithotripsy were performed, resulting in a 83% satisfactory fragmentation rate (< or = 5 mm). No serious complications were encountered; however, two patients later underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The stones disappeared in four patients after treatment, but recurred in one after discontinuation of oral bile acids. The long-term result was discouraging compared to European reports. A 13% stone-free rate was noticed at one year and 25% was anticipated during the 13-18 month follow-up. It is our conclusion that low eligibility, low cost-effectiveness and poor treatment results will restrict the wide-spread use of this nonoperative therapy in Taiwan.

Adult↗

In vitro release, pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin HCl) encapsulated in lipiodolized w/o emulsions and w/o/w multiple emulsions.

The lipiodolized w/o emulsion or w/o/w multiple emulsion containing Doxorubicin hydrochloride (1; Adriamycin HCl) with different emulsifiers was prepared to evaluate in vitro sustained-release behavior, pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution function in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The results of dissolution indicate that the release of 1 was significantly sustained for both emulsions when HCO-60 (polyoxyethylene (60) hydrogenated castor oil) was used as an emulsifier. The serum concentration of 1 was reduced and prolonged for both emulsions with the increase of HCO-60. The C(max) level was lowered and T(max) value was delayed after administration of w/o emulsions with higher HCO-60 concentration. The apparent terminal half-life for 1 released from some emulsions with higher concentration of HCO-60 was 3-folds higher than that of the 1 solution. The clearance of some w/o or w/o/w ADR emulsions also decreased with the increase of HCO-60. Not only the concentration of 1 in heart and kidney decreased significantly after the administration of w/o emulsions with the higher concentration of HCO-60, but also the hepatic concentration of 1 was higher and increased with HCO-60 concentration. The hepatic 1 level became lower after administration of w/o/w multiple emulsions with the increase of HCO-60; however, the concentration of 1 in heart, lung and spleen increased somewhat. The results indicate that lipiodol and HCO-60 seemed to play an important role in the prolongation and selective retention of w/o emulsion or w/o/w multiple emulsion, in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

Mesenteric and omental cysts: an ultrasonographic and clinical study of 15 patients.

The clinical and ultrasonographic (US) features of 15 cases of mesenteric or omental cyst are herein described. This series included seven male and eight female patients, whose age ranged from 2-89 years. Correct clinical diagnosis was made in two children only, but preoperative US examination accurately demonstrated the lesion in 11 of 13 patients (85%). These cystic lesions usually had a thin wall, internal septations, and fluid content with sedimentation. Enteric duplication cysts had a relatively thick wall merging with the muscle layer of bowel loop, and multiloculation was noted mainly with cystic lymphangiomas or pseudocysts. The diagnostic and surgical management of these lesions are briefly reviewed and their US appearance is illustrated.

Adult↗

Hormonal therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is not only the leading cause of male cancer death in Taiwan, but also one of the most common cancers in the world. The survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients is very low, mainly due to the lack of effective treatments. Radiation and chemotherapies in general are not satisfactory: surgery itself is the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma but only on small resectable tumors. The overall prognosis is still poor. Previously, we have found that the level of glucocorticoid receptor and its mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than that of the adjacent liver tissue. This correlated well with the elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, a female hormone, progesterone, has been found to inhibit the expression of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatoma cells. In addition, progesterone has been used to treat a few hepatocellular carcinoma patients with promising responses. These results together with our hypothesis that the expression of alpha-fetoprotein is regulated by glucocorticoid receptor complex in proliferating hepatocellular carcinoma cells lead to the conclusion that steroid hormones and/or their antagonists may interfere with the function of glucocorticoid receptors in tumors, consequently regulate tumor growth. The potential of hormonal therapy for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is worthy of further investigation.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Comparison of nonspecific radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography, and fluorescence polarization immunoassay for cyclosporine monitoring in renal transplantation.

Three methods, i.e., nonspecific radioimmunoassay (RIA; Incstar), fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA; TDx Abbott), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), have been used for monitoring cyclosporine blood levels in renal transplantation patients. The levels obtained from 135 samples showed a modest correlation between RIA and HPLC, FPIA and HPLC, RIA and FRIA. The mean ratios of RIA to HPLC, FPIA to HPLC, and RIA to FPIA were 2.96, 4.14, and 0.73. The significant variations in cyclosporine levels result from the cross-reaction of antibody with some cyclosporine metabolites, by which these two methods often overestimate the true blood cyclosporine level. HPLC is a more effective and reliable method for pharmacokinetic studies and blood level monitoring of cyclosporine in clinical practice.

Adult↗

Lung deposits of lipiodol in normal and cirrhotic rats.

The distribution of Lipiodol in the liver and lungs following arterial or portal injection was studied in normal (n = 55) and cirrhotic rats (n = 20). Using magnified xeroradiography and radioisotope labeled tracers, it was found that Lipiodol was deposited mainly in the liver and lung after either arterial or portal administration. In control rats after arterial injection, deposits in the lung peaked after 2 hours and gradually declined over 48 hours; whereas after portal injection, the deposit steadily increased for 48 hours. Twenty-five percent of cirrhotic rats demonstrated a Lipiodol-induced military pattern in the lung. An increased number of portosystemic shunts in cirrhotic rats was also noted. These results suggest that cirrhosis of the liver may be a potential risk factor for developing pulmonary complications after Lipiodol administration.

Animals↗

Abdominal tuberculosis--a retrospective analysis of 121 cases.

From 1960 to 1989, a total of 121 patients with abdominal tuberculosis were treated at this hospital. Ages, at the time of diagnosis, ranged from 14 years to 81 years with a mean of 44 years. There were 86 males and 35 females. No clinical feature was diagnostic, but the leading presenting complaints were abdominal pain (79%) and fever (53%). Chest x-ray showed that 80 patients (69%) had coexisting evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Lesions were most commonly located at the ileocecal region (40%). The diagnosis was bacteriologically established in only 39 patients (32%). It was difficult to obtain the definitive diagnosis, most of our patients (91 cases) were diagnosed while undergoing laparotomy with tissue biopsy. Although the principal treatment of abdominal tuberculosis was chemotherapy and operation should be reserved until complications occurred, there were still 96 patients (79%) who underwent surgical procedures. The reasons of high operative rate were the difficulty of early diagnosis and the delay of proper treatment. The common complications of abdominal tuberculosis and the related managements were discussed and the findings in our cases which were helpful in diagnosing abdominal tuberculosis were also presented. Sixteen severely ill patients who died tended to be older, poor nutrition and associated with underlying medical diseases. Abdominal tuberculosis is still persistent in Taiwan, and it must be included in the differential diagnosis of obscure abdominal conditions to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary illness and death.

Abdomen↗