PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Cheng

Publications and source records attributed to E Cheng.

99 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Septicemia caused by Capnocytophaga in a granulocytopenic patient with glossitis.

A patient receiving immunosuppressive treatment for multiple myeloma became granulocytopenic, and acute glossitis developed. Blood cultures were positive for Capnocytophaga, a fastidious Gram-negative bacillus that is known to be part of the normal oral flora and a pathogen for periodontitis. The infection responded to treatment with antibiotics, including penicillin G, to which the organism was sensitive. This is one of the first reports of Capnocytophaga septicemia, and suggests that this organism may be an important pathogen in immunosuppressed patients with oral mucosal lesions.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of catecholamines on ion transport in dog tracheal epithelium.

The action of adrenergic agonists on ion fluxes across the epithelium of the canine trachea was determined. Isolated sheets of tracheal mucosal membranes were mounted in Ussing-type chambers, bathed with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, and gassed with 5% CO2 Iin oxygen. Various adrenergic agents, when added to the bathing medium elevated short-circuit current (SCC) (isoproterenol greater than epinephrine greater than norepinephrine greater than phenylephrine). Propranolol (10(-6) M) decreased SCC response to epinephrine. Epinephrine (1mM) increased both unidirectional 36Cl fluxes; net 36Cl secretion toward the lumen increased from 2.01 +/- 0.52 to 3.20 +/- 0.46 mueg/cm2.h (P less than 0.05); 22Na flux did not change. In epinephrine-stimulated tissues, propranolol (1mM) abolished net 36Cl secretion. The SCC response to epinephrine was blunted in the absence of Na from the submucosal reservoir; this blunting suggests that Cl entry across the basal membrane is coupled with Na. Both the relative sensitivities of SCC to various adrenergic agonists and the effect of propranolol suggest that Cl-secretory process is highly sensitive to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Epinephrine increased cell membrane permeability to Cl and probably stimulated a specific Cl pump.

Animals↗

Spontaneous pneumothorax as a result of intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurring as a complication of the antitumor effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy has been reported in occasional cases of osteogenic sarcoma. Its occurrence in other tumors has not been described. This report describes two cases of this complication in patients with germinal tumors and discusses possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Adult↗

Germ cell tumors (II): VAB II in metastatic testicular cancer.

Between June 1974 and January 1976, 50 patients with metastatic non-seminometous testicular carcinoma were treated with the VAB II protocol. The induction phase consisted of vinblastine (0.4 mg/kg) and actinomycin D (0.02 mg/kg) on day 1. Bleomycin (0.5 mg/kg) was given by continuous infusion for 7 days, and cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum (II) (DDP) (1 mg/kg) was given on day 8. A weekly maintenance of vinblastine and bleomycin, with actinomycin D and DDP on a rotating schedule was given followed by vinblastine, actinomycin D and chlorambucil every 3--4 weeks. Therapy was discontinued after 30--36 months of treatment in the face of continued remission. The response rate was 50% CR, 34% PR with 60% CR and 36% PR in previously untreated patients. Second-look surgery and excision of residual lesions was performed in selected cases. Alopecia, mucositis, nausea, and vomiting were universal. One patient died in the postsurgical period of toxicity from the combination of bleomycin and high concentrations of oxygen. There were seven instances of allergic reactions to DDP. Eleven of 25 complete responders and 4 partial or minor responders who underwent excision of stable disease remain alive from 19 to 35 months following start of therapy, 12 of them without evidence of disease.

Adolescent↗

Optical properties of an outer membrane lipoprotein from Escherichia coli.

The infrared spectrum of a structural lipoprotein from the Escherichia coli outer membrane indicated the lipoprotein had an alpha-helical conformation but no sign for the existence of beta-structures. From circular dichroism spectra of the lipoprotein, the alpha-helical content of the protein was found to be as high as 88% in 0.01-0.03% sodium dodecyl sulfate in the presence of 10(-5) M Mg2+ at pH 7.1 and 23 degrees C. When sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration increased higher than 0.1%, the alpha-helical content of the lipoprotein decreased to about 57%. Divalent cations, such as Mg2+ and Mn2+, were found to increase the helical content of the lipoprotein. The high alpha-helical content of the lipoprotein was observed in a wide range of temperatures (23 to 55 degrees C). The significance of the high alpha-helical content of the lipoprotein is discussed in light of the three-dimensional molecular models of the lipoprotein proposed previously.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Labor epidurals improve outcomes for babies of mothers at high risk for unscheduled cesarean section.

CONTEXT: Epidural placement for labor in the general population of laboring women is associated with increased incidence of operative deliveries, prolongation of labor, and may be associated with an increased cesarean section rate. The risks and benefits associated with epidural placement for labor in the subpopulation of mothers at high risk for cesarean section have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine if a population of mothers and babies at high risk for cesarean section will have improved outcomes with labor epidural placement. DESIGN: A decision and cost analysis examining epidural placement for labor on a population of women who are at high risk for unscheduled cesarean section and may benefit from scheduled cesarean section as determined by threshold analysis was performed. Outcomes and probabilities were determined through analysis of the Department of Defense's 1996 National Quality Management Program (NQMP) Birth Product Line data set containing more than 7000 deliveries. Outcomes were defined using variables comprised of all documented conditions that occurred during the peripartum and neonatal hospitalizations. The 1997 NQMP data set was used to validate the results. SETTING: Military Treatment Facilities throughout the United States and abroad and civilian facilities in the United States providing care to military dependents. PATIENT POPULATION: Active duty and dependent pregnant women and babies. RESULTS: About 8% of mothers in this patient population were found to be at high risk for cesarean section. The decision and cost analyses showed that babies of the high risk mothers who received epidurals for labor had better clinical outcomes (p<0.05) and the procedure was cost neutral (p=0.23). The procedure did not increase the frequency of cesarean section, and there was no effect on maternal outcomes scores. These results were confirmed by the validation study. CONCLUSIONS: There is a sizable subpopulation of women at high risk for cesarean section whose babies may have better outcomes with epidural placement with no sacrifice in maternal outcomes or costs.

Adolescent↗

Phase II trial of vindesine in advanced head and neck cancer.

Twenty-one patients with advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck region were treated with vindesine. Therapy was started at a dose of 3 mg/m2. Dose escalation by 0.5 mg/m2 weekly to a maximum of 4.0 mg/m2 was permitted when no toxicity was seen. Major dose-limiting toxic effects were neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy. Objective responses were seen in five patients: three partial responses lasting 2, 2, and 3 months, and two minor responses lasting 2 and 5 months.

Adult↗