Jenn-Yuan Kuo

Increase of Resting Levels of Superoxide Anion in the Whole Blood of Patients With Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the resting level of superoxide anion (O2.) and liver cirrhosis (LC). The resting levels of superoxide anion in the whole blood of healthy controls and patients with compensated or decompensated LC were measured, by an ultra-sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) analyzer and lucigenin amplification. The assay system can be performed in the absence of leukocyte isolation and stimulant administration. The results showed that the blood CL levels of compensated cirrhotic patients (381.0 +/- 201.5 counts/10 s, mean +/- SD, n = 24) were similar to that of healthy controls (467.9 +/- 299.5 counts/10 s, n = 24). However, the blood CL levels of decompensated cirrhotic patients (2083.5 +/- 1462.4 counts/10 s, n = 24) were significantly greater than that of healthy controls and patients with compensated LC (both p < .001, Students t-test). The correlation analysis revealed that the blood CL levels in cirrhotic patients were significantly correlated with serum concentrations of albumin (r = -0.65, p < .001) and total bilirubin (r = +0.42, p < .005). However, there was no significant correlation between the blood CL levels and serum levels of transaminases (GOT and GPT). These results suggest that blood levels of superoxide of decompensated cirrhotic patients were greater than those of healthy controls or compensated cirrhotic patients. Moreover, the increase of blood levels of superoxide in decompensated cirrhotic patients is related to the impairment of liver function but not to the inflammation.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of The Esophagus: Report of a Case

原發性食道惡性黑色素瘤是罕見的疾病。本例報告一名60歲女性患者，最近二個月來因吞嚥固體食物特別困難而至本院求診。食道攝影及內視鏡檢查發現在食道中下部有一息肉樣的腫瘤，經手術切除。病理診斷證實為惡性黑色素瘤，由於此病預後極差，手術治療目前仍是緩解症狀及延長生命的主要治療方法。

Biliary Papillomatosis: Roport of 3 Cases

Three patients with papillomatosis of the bile ducts presenting with obstructive jaundice and symptoms of cholangitis were described. The preoperative diagnosis was choledocholithiasis and/or hepatolithiasis, and the definite diagnosis was only made intra- or postoperatively. Recurrence of cholangitis was noted in two patients whose prognosis was poor and died after repeat curettage and palliative biliary drainage. In endemic areas of choledocholithiasis and hepatolithiasis, clinicians must be alert to this rare entity in patients with recurrent cholangitis.