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Biomedical subjects

K C Chin

Publications and source records attributed to K C Chin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular analysis of G1B and G3A IFN gamma mutants reveals that defects in CIITA or RFX result in defective class II MHC and Ii gene induction.

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and the invariant (Ii) gene are inducible by interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) but not by interferon-alpha and interferon-beta. The promoter regions of these genes contain three regulatory elements that mediate constitutive and IFN gamma-induced expressions; however, none of the DNA-binding proteins that interact with these elements are regulated by IFN gamma. Recently, a gene coding for a transactivator (CIITA) of class II MHC genes that complements a HLA-DR-negative immunodeficiency has been isolated. Using one IFN gamma mutant cell line (G3A) that is selectively defective in HLA-DR and Ii induction, four lines of evidence are presented to show that CIITA mediates the IFN gamma induction of HLA-DR and Ii genes. Analysis of another mutant line, G1B, indicates that the lack of DRA and Ii gene induction by IFN gamma is correlated with the lack of RFX DNA binding activity, thus providing the link between RFX and an IFN gamma response.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte

Caffeine or theophylline for neonatal apnoea?

Caffeine, in the dose usually recommended (12.5 mg/kg loading dose and 3 mg/kg daily maintenance), and a higher dose regimen (25 mg/kg loading and 6 mg/kg daily maintenance), was compared with theophylline (7.5 mg/kg loading and 3 mg/kg thrice daily maintenance). The study was a randomised controlled trial in the treatment of a group of 44 infants of less than 31 weeks' gestation (mean gestational age 28.3 weeks) who were suffering from frequent apnoeic attacks. All three regimens produced a significant reduction in apnoeic attacks within 24 hours, but only the higher dose caffeine and theophylline groups showed a significant improvement in apnoea within eight hours. The use of caffeine for the treatment of neonatal apnoea is recommended, because a once daily dose is more easily administered, and because it was found that plasma concentrations were more predictable than those of theophylline. If used in very preterm infants, however, its is suggested that a higher dose regimen than that previously recommended be used to achieve a faster response.

Apnea

Hepatitis B vaccine in the prevention of perinatally transmitted hepatitis B virus infection: final report on a West Midlands pilot study.

A four-dose vaccination schedule was used to interrupt perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus from carrier mothers to their babies. Of 49 babies immunised and successfully followed up, 43 (88%) became immune: 15 out of 21 (71%) of babies born to HBeAg + mothers became immune, the other 6 becoming the only carrier babies in the study. Without immunisation a carrier rate in excess of 70% would have been expected in this high-risk group. Vaccine alone, given in a rapid immunisation schedule, protected the majority of babies at risk. In those babies in whom the carrier state occurred in spite of immunisation, infection may have taken place in utero, or the infant may have failed to produce adequate antibody in response to the vaccine.

Carrier State

Light transmission of phototherapy eyeshields.

Twelve types of phototherapy eyeshields showed peak light transmission of less than 0.1%, and none transmitted greater than 0.04% light in the 460 nm spectral region. Commercial eyeshields offered no advantage over locally made ones. The choice of shield may be less important than how it is secured over the infant's eyes.

Eye Protective Devices

Neonatal typhoid fever.

Three infants of Pakistani immigrant mothers developed typhoid fever in the neonatal period. All three survived, but two became chronic excretors of Salmonella typhi. The risk of an outbreak of typhoid fever in a maternity unit or special care baby unit is emphasized.

Cross Infection

Development of visual evoked potentials in neonates. A study using light emitting diode goggles.

We used a signal averager with light emitting diode goggles as the photostimulator to study the development of the visual evoked potentials in 40 normal neonates of between 23 and 42 weeks' gestation. All except two infants of less than 24 weeks' gestation had replicable visual evoked potentials. A negative peak of latency (mean (SD), 308 (21) msec) was present in all infants, but the development of the primary positive peak depended on maturity. Only infants of 37 weeks or more had a consistent positive peak of latency (mean (SD), 220 (22) msec). The practical simplicity and reliability of this technique has distinct advantages over previous conventional recording systems. Neonatal visual evoked potentials are shown to change with maturity.

Evoked Potentials, Visual

A pharmacological study of cefaclor in the newborn infant.

The absorption and excretion of cefaclor were studied in 10 newborn infants. A mean peak serum concentration of 7.7 microgram/ml was achieved at 1 hour after an oral dose of 7.5 mg/kg. It is concluded that cefaclor is a well absorbed and tolerated cephalosporin for use in newborn infants.

Bacterial Infections