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Christopher Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Christopher Huang.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prospective trial of endoscopic clips versus combination therapy in upper GI bleeding (PROTECCT--UGI bleeding).

BACKGROUND: It is not known if combination therapy of epinephrine injection and multipolar electrocoagulation or hemoclips are a more efficient or effective treatment for patients with acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. METHODS: Adult patients with active nonvariceal upper GI bleeding, a nonbleeding visible vessel, or after removal of an adherent clot findings of active bleeding or a visible vessel were studied. Patients were randomized to either therapy and the outcomes were assessed at 30 days. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were studied: 26 patients randomized to hemoclips and 21 to combination therapy. There were 22 patients with active bleeding, 13 with a nonbleeding visible vessel, and 12 with an adherent clot. The median duration of endoscopic therapy was 17 min in the hemoclip group versus 20 min for the combination therapy, p= 0.29. Primary hemostasis with successful initial control of bleeding occurred in 26 (100%) of 26 hemoclip patients and 20 (95.2%) of 21 combination therapy patients, p= 0.45. The rebleeding rates were: 4 (15.4%) of 26 hemoclip patients versus 5 (23.8%) of 21 combination therapy patients, p= 0.49. Overall, the length of hospital stay, units of blood transfused, surgery rates, and mortality were not different. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial of endoscopic hemoclips versus combination therapy in the nonvariceal upper GI bleeding, the efficiency, efficacy, and complications of the two treatment modalities were not significantly different.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Immunosuppressive effects of a Kv1.3 inhibitor.

The voltage gated potassium channel (Kv1.3) has been shown to play a role in immune responsiveness. Blockade of the channel led to diminution of T cell activation and delayed type hypersensitivity. Previous in vitro studies of the blockade were focused on T cell activation and proliferation. In this study we examined other T and monocytic cell mediated events to glean the extent of the immunosuppressive effects of a Kv1.3 specific inhibitor, Margatoxin (MgTX). We found that MgTX inhibited the intracellular production of Th-1 as well as Th-2 cytokines. MgTX can also inhibit IL-2 production and proliferation of T cells upon stimulation with anti-CD3 and VCAM-1. Furthermore, a redirected cytolytic activity was also inhibited by MgTX. However, MgTX did not inhibit generation of CTL to EBV transformed lymphoma cells or antibody-dependent cellular cytolysis mediated by monocytes. It appears that a Kv1.3 blockade does not affect all immune responses, particularly those of innate immunity.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗
PubMed2002

Pancreatic and biliary tract disorders in inflammatory bowel disease.

Hepatobiliary disorders occur frequently in patients with IBD, with PSC and cholangiocarcinoma being the most clinically significant for endoscopists. Endoscopic therapy for PSC is effective in improving symptoms, biochemical parameters, and radiographic abnormalities. Endoscopic therapy may also confer survival benefit, but this has yet to be confirmed in randomized, controlled trials. Treatment should be restricted to those individuals with a rapid decline in liver function testing or those with recurrent cholangitis. Cholangiocarcinoma is a serious complication of PSC and carries an extremely poor prognosis. ERCP with brush cytology has a relatively low sensitivity and the diagnosis is usually made after the disease has become metastatic. Malignant biliary obstruction can be palliated by endoscopic stenting. Photodynamic therapy is a promising experimental technique that may confer symptomatic and survival benefit in patients with nonresectable, advanced cholangiocarcinoma. IBD patients also have an elevated risk for developing acute and chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic insufficiency. The majority of cases of acute pancreatitis are likely due to medication side effects and local structural complications of IBD. The remainder may possibly represent true extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. Chronic pancreatitis is frequently subclinical, but may be accompanied by clinically relevant exocrine insufficiency. ERCP is the test of choice for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, but the role of endoscopy in the therapeutic management of IBD-associated chronic pancreatitis remains to be defined.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗