Sialadenoma papilliferum of the esophagus.

Sialadenoma papilliferum is an extremely rare benign tumor of the esophagus. We report a 70-yr-old woman who was first thought to have adenocarcinoma in the distal esophagus. Transhiatal esophagectomy and left colon interposition were performed.

High-energy shock waves alter cytosolic calcium mobilization in single MDCK cells.

The damaging effect of shock waves on intracellular calcium homeostasis in renal tubular cells has not been investigated previously. We have examined the effects of shock waves on Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells by determining the release of two cellular enzymes: glutamate oxalactate transferase (GOT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and both the basal cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the [Ca2+]i rises evoked by Ca2+-mobilizing agonists after shock wave exposure (SWE). Immediately but transiently after SWE, the release of GOT and LDH increased by 15 % and 5-fold, respectively, implicating cell membrane damage; and within 1-7 h after SWE, basal [Ca2+]i was elevated by 15-141%.

Activation of muscarinic K+ channels by extracellular ATP and UTP in rat atrial myocytes.

The effects of extracellular adenine and pyrimidine nucleotides on the acetylcholine-activated K+ channels (KACh) in rat cardiac myocytes were compared and examined by using the patch-clamp technique. In perforated-patch whole-cell recording experiments, extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) reversibly caused an increase in K+ current. 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX; 1 microM), a potent A1-adenosine-receptor antagonist, only partially antagonized the ATP-induced increase in K+ current, whereas glibenclamide (30 microM) had no effect.

Mechanism of lanthanum inhibition of extracellular ATP-evoked calcium mobilization in MDCK cells.

We have studied the effects of La3+ on ATP-evoked rises in intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) measured by fura-2 fluorimetry in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. ATP evoked [Ca2+]i rises dose-dependently with an EC50 of 2.5 microM.

Correlation of hepatocyte growth factor-induced proliferation and calcium-activated potassium current in human gastric cancer cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been found to stimulate proliferation and migration of human gastric carcinoma cells. Whether the HGF-induced responses are correlated with the expressed level of HGF receptors or the changes of ionic currents is not clear. The present study investigated the effects of HGF on the proliferation and ionic currents of two human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines, which were found to express different amounts of HGF receptor.

Prediction of recurrent choledocholithiasis by quantitative cholescintigraphy in patients after endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is widely used for the removal of stones from the bile duct, but stones recur in about one fifth of patients.

Aims: To investigate hepatic clearance by quantitative cholescintigraphy (QC) in patients after EST and to discern the relationship between biliary emptying and stone recurrence.

Methods: One hundred and forty nine patients who had EST and clearance of the bile duct for choledocholithiasis were selected.

Correlation of serum immunoglobulin G Helicobacter pylori antibody titers with histologic and endoscopic findings in patients with dyspepsia.

Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody tests are used extensively. We attempted to find out whether the titers of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody correlated with the degree of macroscopic gastrointestinal damage, the severity of antral gastritis, and the density of antral H. pylori colonization in symptomatic patients.

Characteristics of store-operated Ca(2+)-permeable current in monocytic U937 cells.

The electrophysiological properties of store-operated Ca(2+)-permeable current in monocytic U937 cell line were characterized. The whole-cell voltage clamp technique with patch pipette containing Cs-internal solution was carried out. Membrane currents were elicited by the ramp pulses from -90 mV to +40 mV with a duration of 200 msec.

Effect of hepatocyte growth factor on cell cycle and c-met expression in human gastric cancer cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was found to stimulate the growth and progression of gastric cancer cells through hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR). In the present study, the effects of HGF on the expression of HGFR in relation to cell cycle progression of human gastric cancer cells were investigated by two-parameter flow cytometric analysis. We found that the expression of HGFR in SC-M1 and KATO-III gastric cancer cells was cycle dependent, the level of HGFR increased from GO-G1 to S phase and the highest level of HGFR was found in G2-M phases.

Cardiovascular effects of nitric oxide and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii of rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenously synthesized effector molecule that acts as a neurotransmitter with novel properties in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. We previously reported that NO was involved in central cardiovascular regulation and modulated the baroreflex in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of rats. The aim of the present study was to determine whether NO and excitatory amino acids reciprocally release each other in the NTS.

Induction intraarterial chemotherapy for T4 breast cancer through an implantable port-catheter system.

Eleven patients with T4 breast cancer received induction intraarterial chemotherapy (IACT) as the first step in multidisciplinary therapy. The IACT agents (epirubicin and mitomycin C), were delivered weekly in the outpatient department by bolus injection through an implantable port-catheter system. A modified technique of port-catheter system implantation was used.

Role of benzathine penicillin G in prophylaxis for recurrent streptococcal cellulitis of the lower legs.

Cellulitis of the lower leg is an infection caused by streptococci or, less commonly, Staphylococcus aureus and other gram-negative rods. Recurrence of cellulitis is a common problem. In the present study, we evaluated the use of monthly intramuscular injections of benzathine penicillin G to prevent recurrences of cellulitis.

Skin and soft-tissue manifestations of Shewanella putrefaciens infection.

Shewanella putrefaciens, a saprophytic gram-negative rod, is infrequently recovered from clinical specimens. Although a number of clinical syndromes have been attributed to S. putrefaciens, the pathogenic role of this agent remains largely undefined.

Disseminated miliary cerebral candidiasis.

We present a case of disseminated intracranial infection by Candida albicans in a 5-year-old girl who had fever and a change of consciousness after surgery for complex congenital heart malformation. MR imaging revealed multiple small ring-enhancing hemorrhagic abscesses. One year after antifungal treatment, the abscesses and ventriculomegaly were almost completely resolved.

Cytomegalovirus appendicitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs predominantly in immunocompromised hosts. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients is frequent. Nevertheless, CMV appendicitis is exceeding rare.

Parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone related protein assays in the investigation of hypercalcemic patients in hospital in a Chinese population.

There are many pathological causes and potential mechanisms for hypercalcemia. We measured intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) in the hypercalcemic in-patients and attempted to evaluate the roles of PTH and PTHrP in hypercalcemia due to malignancy. We performed a prospective study of 178 patients with corrected serum calcium concentrations greater than 2.

Implications of serum basic fibroblast growth factor levels in chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Angiogenesis occurs in response to tissue damage, and is of vital importance for tumor growth and metastasis. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a well-known angiogenic factor, has been suggested to be a useful diagnostic marker in certain hypervascular tumors. However, the relevance of its detection has not been well evaluated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and benign chronic liver diseases.

Reflux esophagitis after proximal subtotal gastrectomy.

Background: Carcinoma of the cardia of stomach or carcinoma of the esophagocardiac (EC) junction has a poor prognosis. Proximal subtotal gastrectomy is often performed for a smaller tumor. It achieves a prognosis similar to that of total gastrectomy and prevents pernicious anemia.

Ionic mechanisms of tetrandrine in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

The ionic mechanism of tetrandrine, an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Radix stephania tetrandrae, was investigated in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. The nystatin-perforated whole-cell voltage-clamp technique was performed to examine the effects of tetrandrine on ionic currents. Tetrandrine (1-100 microM) reversibly caused an inhibition of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ current (I(Ca,L)) in a concentration-dependent manner.

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analyses of urinary proteins in Chinese male urinary stone patients.

This study was aimed to detect the differences in soluble urinary proteins between normal Chinese male individuals and urinary stone formers by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Twenty urine samples were obtained from normal male adults and 35 from recurrent male urinary stone formers. The stone compositions included calcium oxalate, uric acid, carbonate apatite, and brushite.

Association of Sauropus androgynus and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome: a hospital-based case-control study.

In late April 1995, an outbreak of a poorly defined respiratory illness related to the ingestion of leaves of Sauropus androgynus was observed in southern Taiwan. To further evaluate the association between S. androgynus and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, a hospital-based case-control study was conducted with one case group and three different control groups at Veterans General Hospital-Kaohsiung between April and September 1995.

Emergency banding ligation versus sclerotherapy for the control of active bleeding from esophageal varices.

Active bleeding varices are a great challenge to endoscopists. In this study, we compared the short-term efficacy and safety of banding ligation with injection sclerotherapy in the arresting of active bleeding from esophageal varices. Seventy-one cirrhotic patients with active variceal bleeding were randomized to receive banding ligation (37 patients) or sclerotherapy (34 patients) immediately after endoscopic examinations.

Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease manifestating as recurrent breast tumor: a case report.

A case of cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy) manifestating as a recurrent breast tumor is reported. The tumor occurred on the left breast of a 35-year-old woman. Before arriving at the correct diagnosis, four biopsies had been performed with various diagnoses of chronic inflammation, plasma cell mastitis and inflammatory pseudotumor.

Correlation of high-resolution CT and pulmonary function in bronchiolitis obliterans: a study based on 24 patients associated with consumption of Sauropus androgynus.

Objective: An outbreak of Sauropus androgynus-associated bronchiolitis obliterans occurred in Taiwan in the summer of 1995. We undertook a study of the correlation between high-resolution CT findings and pulmonary function testing in patients from this outbreak.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated inspiratory-expiratory high-resolution CT scans of 24 patients with S.