PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C B Huang

Publications and source records attributed to C B Huang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Determination of tobacco alkaloids by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection.

An improved method, gas chromatography (GC) with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD), has been used for determination of alkaloids in green and cured tobacco. Tobacco alkaloids of interest included nicotine, nornicotine, myosmine, anabasine, and anatabine. Tobacco samples were treated with a small quantity of aqueous ammonia solution to "loosen" tobacco tissue and to adjust pH, then extracted with solvent. The composition of the extraction solvent solution affected recoveries of the alkaloids, particularly nornicotine, and also contributed to other phenomena such as carry-over in the injection liner and "quenching" of the nitrogen-phosphorus detector. Use of a packed injection liner (e.g. with Carbowax-KOH on Chromosorb) to reduce carry-over was studied. Quenching of the nitrogen-phosphorus detector was eliminated by reducing the injection volume (i.e. increasing the split ratio), by use of a packed injection liner, and by reducing the amount of pretreatment with aqueous ammonia. A narrow bore capillary column (i.e. 0.18 mm id) was used to improve sensitivity and resolution and to increase the speed of GC analysis. An internal standard, 2,4'-dipyridyl, was used for quantitative measurement of these tobacco alkaloids.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2002

Optimization of headspace sampling using solid-phase microextraction for volatile components in tobacco.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was evaluated as a tool for headspace sampling of tobacco samples. Several experimental parameters (e.g. sampling temperature, pH, moisture, and the type of SPME fibers) were optimized to improve sampling efficiency in two aspects; maximum adsorption and selective adsorption of volatile components onto SPME fibers. The effect of these parameters was often dominated by the physical and chemical nature (e.g. volatility, polarity) of target compounds, thus, SPME sampling conditions can be adjusted to favor a selected group of compounds, such as organic acids in tobacco.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed2001

Neonatal lupus erythematosus in association with anti-RNP antibody: a case report.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a syndrome with the manifestation of dermatological, cardiac, hepatic, or hematological abnormalities. Thrombocytopenia has been documented infrequently in association with congenital heart block or lupus dermatitis in NLE. However, isolated neonatal thrombocytopenia may be the only manifestation of NLE. The strong association with maternal anti-SSA/Ro antibodies suggests a role for these antibodies in the pathogenesis of NLE. There are some data to suggest that anti-SSB/La and, rarely, anti-RNP antibodies play an important pathological role in some cases of NLE. The manifestation of anti-RNP-positive NLE was somewhat atypical. We report a case of anti-RNP-positive NLE with the manifestation of thrombocytopenia. Anti-SSA/Ro antibodies, which were negative based on the use of immunodiffusion, did exhibit low titer when later tested by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA).

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed2001

Clinical features and outcome of appendicitis in children younger than three years of age.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgically amenable cause of acute abdominal pain in children. We analyzed our past experience of appendectomies in children and present the clinical characteristics of appendicitis in children younger than 3 years of age. A better understanding of appendicitis in early childhood would allow us to achieve an earlier diagnosis. METHODS: A group of 475 children from 4 months to 15 years of age who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis was studied over a 5-year period from July 1994 to June 1999. Excluding cases with negative pathological findings (n = 34), they were divided into 2 age groups: group I (< or = 3 years old) and group II (> 3 years old). Medical records were reviewed and comparisons between clinical findings, laboratory data, pathology findings, and complications were made. RESULTS: Of 441 cases enrolled in our study, 24 (5.4%) were 3 years of age or younger. Of all children older than 3 years of age, 32 (7.1%) had negative pathological findings compared to children younger than 3 years of age (7.7%). The duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis in group I was 3.6 days compared to group II at 2.0 days. Children from group I frequently showed a higher incidence of fever (90% vs. 53.4%), abdominal distention (50% vs. 9.8%), perforation (50% vs. 40.1%), and missed first impression (29% vs. 2.4%) than those from group II. Children of group I also had a higher complication rate (41.7% vs. 11.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In early childhood the symptoms and signs of appendicitis usually are nonspecific. There is a longer duration before diagnosis, more instances of fever and abdominal distention, less right lower quadrant pain, less local tenderness and rebounding pain, and no obturator sign. Close observation and on-going evaluation of patients are essential.

Appendicitis↗
PubMed2001

Pancreatitis with gallbladder ascariasis in a child: case report.

A 10-year-old girl was admitted for abdominal pain for 1 week. Morning vomiting with 5 Ascaris and diarrhea with Ascaris were found. Radiograph of the abdomen disclosed no significant abnormality. Abdominal sonogram revealed a normal biliary tree; but mildly enlarged pancreatic thickness, and thickened gallbladder wall. Within the thickened gallbladder wall a linear echogenic structure with worm-like movement suspected of being Ascaris was found. We report this case because pediatric pancreatitis and a gallbladder wall thickened with worm-movement have rarely been reported. Urgent treatment and surgery are required for the very ill child with a tensely distended abdomen or signs of peritoneal irritation. Early diagnosis is very important to prevent further complications. We emphasize the role of sonography in the diagnosis of this case and the prevention of progressive deterioration.

Ascariasis↗
PubMed2001

[Genescan analysis of the loss of heterozygosity on the long arm of chromosome 6 in non-small cell lung cancer].

To investigate if there are microsatellite loci in the long arm of chromosome 6 that have close relationship with non-small cell lung cancer, Multiple PCR approach was used to analyze the 36 loci in the long arm of chromosome 6. The PCR products were analyzed in PAGE and then the electrophoresis maps were analyzed with Genescan and Genotyper. There is different LOH frequency in different loci. The total frequency of LOH in 41 lung cancers was 78%(32/41), with the highest frequency of LOH was detected on the locus D6S302(75%). There are 14 loci which have LOH frequency more than 20% and the loci are mainly located in 2 regions: 6q16.3-q21 [6 loci D6S458 (21.43%), D6S1694 (26.92%), D6S1717 (35.71%), D6S1565 (40%), D6S302 (75%), D6S1706 (36.36%) and 6q26-q27 (5 loci D6S1550 (38.46%), D6S264 (20%), D6S1585 (25%), D6S446 (33.33%), D6S281 (30.77%)], There may be tumor suppressor genes located in the two regions, which have a close relationship with non-small cell lung cancer.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2001

Primary spinal epidural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a child.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma usually involves the central nervous system by metastatic disease. Primary spinal epidural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PSENL) is a relatively rare cause of spinal cord compression. It mainly occurs in adults past the 4th or 5th decades. This entity is even rarer in children. The proper treatment modalities are controversial in adults with PSENL. Radiotherapy is the main strategy after surgery; the role of chemotherapy is uncertain. Therapeutic experience in childhood PSENL is extremely limited. We report a 10-year-old boy presenting with backache and bilateral lower leg weakness after minor trauma. Small non-cleaved cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the epidural space was proven after subtotal tumor removal. Other investigations including computed tomography of the chest and abdomen, bone scan, gallium scan, bone marrow aspiration, and cerebrospinal fluid study were all negative for occult disease. The patient received combined therapy with irradiation and chemotherapy after surgery. Esophageal stricture resulting from radiotherapy developed during treatment and colon interposition was performed. He has remained disease free 42 months after the diagnosis with normal functional status.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Profiles of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from premature infants with respiratory distress disease.

In view of cytokine's effects in promoting or inhibiting inflammation, the objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the inhibitory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of premature infants suffering from respiratory distress disease. Eighteen premature neonates with respiratory distress disease with gestational age (GA) ranging from 24 to 37 weeks were recruited for study. BAL fluids were collected following endotracheal intubation during an episode of hypoxemia or dyspnea. A series of BAL samples were obtained on day 1, 2, 4 and 7 after intubation for measuring IL-8 and IL-10 levels. The results indicate that premature infants with GA ranging from 24 to 32 weeks had a higher level of IL-8 (p = 0.029), but not level of IL-10 (p = 0.109), in the BAL obtained during the first intubation compared to premature infants with GA ranging from 33 to 37 weeks. The administration of exogenous surfactant did not influence the profiles of IL-8 and IL-10, as compared to those in-patients without treatment. Levels of IL-8 were correlated with IL-10 levels (r = 0.613, p = 0.007) in BAL fluid samples obtained on the day of intubation. The level of IL-8, but not IL-10, was significantly correlated with the duration of intubation. IL-8 and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid samples collected on the day of intubation were correlated with the development of chronic lung disease (CLD). The results suggest that extreme prematurity tends to have increased IL-8 and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid compared to premature infants with older GA, and that these increased levels are associated with the development of CLD.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed2000

Unexpected delivery before arrival at hospital: an observation of 18 cases.

BACKGROUND: We identify and discuss risk factors related to prolonged hospitalization, as compared with the average hospital stay (5.1 days) of normal delivery neonates throughout the last 10 years, associated with babies delivered unexpectedly in southern Taiwan. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study; those babies delivered unexpectedly, including both pre-term and term infants, were pooled out from normal-birth babies, and their laboratory data and clinical histories were reviewed and discussed. RESULTS: There was a total of 18 babies delivered unexpectedly during the past 10 years. Out of these 18 babies, there was only 1 mortality. The mean gestational age was 38 weeks; the mean birth body weight was 3097 g, and the average hospital stay was 6.2 days. Possible clinical factors related to prolonged hospitalization include the following: hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, polycythemia, and a relatively high ratio of positive findings of chest X-ray study. CONCLUSION: The best way to reduce prolonged hospitalization caused by unexpected delivery is by prevention, or if this is not possible, by increasing the knowledge and effectiveness of handling intrapartum accidents. Hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, polycythemia, and positive chest radiological results were the most common reasons for prolonged hospital stays in unexpectedly delivered neonates. However, due to the limited cases in our study, a larger group study is still needed in the future for more precise statistical information.

Delivery, Obstetric↗
PubMed2000

Hemorrhagic disease in a newborn due to inadequate vitamin K prophylaxis: case report.

Vitamin K prophylaxis for all neonates has been recommended to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), but it is still an uncommon practice in most developing countries throughout the world. In the United States and Canada, where vitamin K injections continue to be recommended in the newborn period, HDN is not a major concern. The risk factors for HDN include inadequate vitamin K prophylaxis, exclusively breast-fed infants, diarrhea, and alternative causes of vitamin K deficiency, such as liver disease and cystic fibrosis. We present an exclusively breast-fed 3-week-old infant with diarrhea for 2 days who died from intracranial hemorrhage related to HDN despite having received a single intramuscular injection of 0.2 mg of vitamin K at birth. Hemorrhage in the infant from vitamin K deficiency should be a concern for pediatricians and obstetricians. We emphasize the importance of administering an adequate dosage of vitamin K for prevention of HDN, particularly in an exclusively breast-fed infant.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

Flexible bronchoscopic diagnosis of airway injuries after intubation in children.

BACKGROUND: Airway intubation injuries occur frequently but are often neglected because of spontaneous regression. Although most airway injuries that result from intubation resolve without sequelae, severe complications can develop even when initial symptoms of upper airway obstruction are absent. This retrospective study assessed the clinical features, flexible bronchoscopic findings, and clinical outcomes in children with airway intubation injuries. METHODS: From February 1998 to February 1999, 90 children underwent flexible bronchoscopic examination in our hospital. Fifteen of these patients (6 girls, 9 boys; age range, 1 mo to 5 yr; mean, 21.1 +/- 24.4 mo) were noted to have intubation injuries. RESULTS: The average time for symptoms to emerge after extubation was 1.8 days (range, 0-14 days). The airway intubation injuries diagnosed by flexible bronchoscopy were subglottic stenosis in seven patients, vocal cord granulation in four, supraglottic granulation in two, subglottic web in two, bronchial granulation in two, glottic stenosis in one, and tracheal stenosis in one; two cases were discovered incidentally during postoperative follow-up. Four patients had undergone repeated intubation and eventually required tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that flexible bronchoscopy is a simple, safe, and useful technique for the diagnosis and follow-up of airway intubation injury. It should be performed on all patients who have symptoms of upper airway obstruction after extubation as well as those who have undergone long-term or emergency intubation.

Bronchoscopy↗
PubMed2000

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a 5-month-old baby: case report.

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is commonly seen in infants 2 to 4 weeks old. We report a case of pyloric stenosis diagnosed in a boy 5 months and 11 days old suffering from the sudden onset of vomiting. Gastric volvulus was initially diagnosed at another hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography at first using an Acuson 5-MHz transducer revealed a negative diagnosis. However, a tubular pyloric mass measuring 5.5 mm in thickness, 15 mm in the transverse diameter, and 2.0 cm in length was detected by a 7-MHz transducer immediately after the infant vomited. On physical examination, no abdominal mass was palpable. This suggested that this might have been a case of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis which was missed until the infant was older than 5 months. We believe this is the oldest reported case of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in Taiwan.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Bezoars in children: report of four cases.

We reviewed the histories of four children (2 boys and 2 girls, aged 6 mo to 10 yr) with surgically proven bezoars, treated from 1991 to 1998. Two had gastric bezoars and two had intestinal bezoars. All four patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and none had undergone previous surgery. Three had a history of abnormal ingestion, including one who ate a pickled fruit from the Boraginaceae (locally known as Po-pu-tsu) plant for 1 year. Plain radiographs revealed intestinal obstruction in all four patients. Abdominal sonography disclosed a hyperechoic band-like lesion and acoustic shadow in both cases of gastric bezoar, and these bezoars were subsequently confirmed by gastric endoscopy. Lower gastrointestinal studies showed obstruction considered most likely to be due to bezoar in one case, while computed tomography (CT) revealed a characteristic small bowel mottled gas pattern in another. Surgical treatment relieved obstruction in all four patients. Bezoar should be suspected in patients with intestinal obstruction who have a history of ingestion of unusual substances. The findings of this report suggest that sonography and endoscopy are useful in the diagnosis of gastric bezoar, while CT is useful in the detection of intestinal bezoar.

Bezoars↗
PubMed1999

Noonan syndrome presented with cystic hygroma and chylothorax: case report.

A cystic hygroma was found in a full-term (39 week-old) male newborn delivered by cesarian section. Polyhydramnios was diagnosed by sonography at 21 weeks of gestation. Clinical manifestations at birth, such as respiratory distress, tachypnea and chylothorax were successfully relieved by the insertion of chest tube and medical therapy. Other conditions, which included mild hydronephrosis of left kidney, thickening of aortic and pulmonary valves with mild mitral and tricuspid valves regurgitation, subsided within six months. The cystic hygroma regressed to a webbed neck. In general, the features and clinical manifestations of the present case resembled the criteria of Noonan syndrome including various congenital heart defects; webbed neck; chest deformity; a characteristic facial appearance comprising of a broad forehead, ocular hypertelorism, antimongoloid slant of palpebral fissures, low set ears; and bilateral undescended testis etc., suggested by Noonan and other subsequent authors. The outcome of this infant was satisfactory following medical and surgical therapy (chest tube, orchiopexy) and a special dietary regimen.

Chylothorax↗
PubMed1999

Usefulness of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy in the early diagnosis and postoperation evaluation of vascular rings: report of three cases.

Vascular rings are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for pediatricians. Many diagnostic modalities contribute to the detection of these rare congenital vascular anomalies. The role of flexible bronchoscopy is still being debated. We present 3 cases to emphasize the usefulness of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy (PFB) in the early diagnosis and postoperative evaluation of vascular rings. In patient 1, PFB was performed before conventional techniques were available. A right aortic arch with a retroesophageal aortic diverticulum and mirror-image branching was later confirmed. In patients 2 and 3, pulmonary artery slings could not be detected clearly by imaging studies before PFB was performed. PFB was arranged again postoperatively for these 2 patients, because of difficulty weaning patient 2 from ventilator support and persistent respiratory distress in patient 3. In conclusion, we expect that more vascular rings will be diagnosed using PFB. This instrument is also useful in making a decision for surgery, and for detecting associated tracheobronchial anomalies preoperatively, assuring appropriate correction intraoperatively, and monitoring the condition of vascular rings postoperatively.

Blood Vessels↗