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Biomedical subjects

K C Hwang

Publications and source records attributed to K C Hwang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[AIDS and the oral cavity].

The oral cavity is the site for a number of diseases associated with an infection of the human immunodeficiency virus. Often the oral lesions may appear before the establishment of an AIDS diagnosis; and occasionally, the diagnosis may depend solely on the oral manifestations. The most commonly reported oral infections are those caused by Candida albicans and the herpes simplex virus. Hairy leukoplakia, a newly described lesion, may also be of viral origin. Kaposi's sarcoma is the most frequently reported oral malignancy in patients with AIDS. Oral squamous cell carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas have also been reported.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Reduced doses of hepatitis B immune globulin in the prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B.

From October 1982 to May 1983, newborn infants of 79 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive women were enrolled in a study of the efficacy of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) in the prophylaxis of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBIG 0.5 ml or 0.25 ml was given to the newborn within 15 minutes of birth and at 3 and 6 months. The mother-infant pairs were followed-up every 3 months for at least 9 months. Similar observations of untreated infants were used for comparison. Among infants of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive carrier mothers, the HBsAg carrier rates at 3 months were similar in the 0.5-ml and 0.25-ml HBIG dose groups. At 12 months the difference--17.7% of 17, 40% of 15--did not reach statistical significance, but the differences between these rates and that of the untreated control-85.7% of 35--did. Among infants of HBeAg-negative carrier mothers, HBV infection rates in both dose groups were similar to those of untreated infants. In the treated groups at 12 months about 45% of infants of HBeAg-positive mothers and 90% of infants of HBeAg-negative mothers were still negative for HBsAg and anti-HBs. Vaccination to induce active antibody is necessary to prevent postnatal infection and chronic carriage of HBV. To reduce the cost of combined passive and active hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis in children born to HBeAg-positive carrier mothers, 0.25 ml of HBIG could be used instead of the usually recommended 0.5 ml.

Hepatitis B↗
PubMed1985

Deficient concanavalin-A-induced suppressor-cell activity in patients with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

Concanavalin-A (Con-A)-induced suppressor activity against the proliferative response of autologous lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was examined in the peripheral-blood lymphocytes from fourteen patients with bronchial asthma, ten patients with allergic rhinitis and eleven patients with atopic dermatitis and compared with eleven simultaneously studied healthy normals. Eight of fourteen patients (57%) with bronchial asthma, eight of ten patients (80%) with allergic rhinitis and five of eleven patients (45%) with atopic dermatitis demonstrated deficient Con-A-induced suppressor function. Abnormal suppressor-cell functions could play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic states.

Asthma↗
PubMed1984

Suppressor function in respiratory allergic diseases. Deficient concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activity in patients with bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis.

Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced suppressor action against the proliferative response of autologous lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was examined in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 32 patients with bronchial asthma, 10 patients with allergic rhinitis and then compared with 12 simultaneously studied healthy normals. Twenty-two of 32 patients (68.8%) with bronchial asthma, 8 of 10 patients (80%) with allergic rhinitis demonstrated deficient Con-A-induced suppressor function. Abnormal suppressor cell functions could play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic states.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in man. VII. Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in patients with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

The proliferative response of T lymphocyte cultured with autologous non-T lymphocyte is known as the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). In AMLR, both helper and suppressor functions are generated. In this investigation we have examined T cell proliferative responses in AMLR in 12 patients with bronchial asthma, 10 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 10 patients with atopic dermatitis and compared that with simultaneously studied healthy controls. Our data show that the T cell proliferation in AMLR in patients with bronchial asthma is significantly higher than that of healthy normals. However, AMLR response in patients with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis is comparable to controls. Mechanisms for increased AMLR in patients with bronchial asthma are discussed.

Asthma↗
PubMed1981

Immunological studies of newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia.

In order to study the immunocompetence of severely jaundiced newborn infants and the possible role of infection in the pathogenesis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, 74 newborn infants with varying degree of jaundice were studied with respect to several immunological parameters. The results showed that neonates with total serum bilirubin more than 20 mg/dl had statistically significantly higher numbers of white blood cells (WBCs), band form granulocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and monocytes with Fc and complement (C') receptors and elevated serum IgM than did those with lower serum bilirubin. It is therefore concluded: 1) There is no difference in immunocompetence between severely and mildly jaundiced newborn infants, 2) Infection may play some role(s) in the pathogenesis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and 3) Determinations of total WBCs, band form granulocytes, phagocytes with Fc and C' receptors and serum IgM level are of help in the diagnosis of infection in the newborn period.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intestinal malrotation and gastric perforation in a newborn with tetralogy of Fallot: report of one case.

Gastric perforation with gastrointestinal anomaly is rare in newborns. A case of Tetralogy of Fallot with both malrotation and gastric perforation is reported. Before operation, malrotation was diagnosed from the x-ray films. Laparotomy disclosed a linear perforation on the posterior wall of the gastric body. Mechanical obstruction might have played a role in this case.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intracerebral arteriovenous fistula: report of one case.

Intracranial arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is rare. Of the 320 arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by Halbach over the past ten years, only five (1.6%) had a single arteriovenous connection. In the present study, a male infant developed focal seizure and intracranial hemorrhage without cardiac decompensation at the age of 42 days. When he was 3 years and 4 months old, status epileptics occurred, and AVF was discovered via CT scan and cerebral angiographic examination. The AVF was fed by a middle cerebral artery and drained into a huge cortical vein over the left parietooccipital area. Endovascular therapy and/or surgery were suggested, but the family refused. Though seizures occurred occasionally, the patient's consciousness level had become more clear, and he was discharged after three weeks' hospitalization. The patient was noted to be lethargic and only could roll over partially at the age of 3 year and 8 months, in the latest follow-up.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Arsenic burden survey among refuse incinerator workers.

BACKGROUND: Incinerator workers are not considered to have arsenic overexposure although they have the risk of overexposure to other heavy metals. AIM: To examine the relationship between arsenic burden and risk of occupational exposure in employees working at a municipal refuse incinerator by determining the concentrations of arsenic in the blood and urine. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The workers were divided into three groups based on their probability of contact with combustion-generated residues, namely Group 1: indirect contact, Group 2: direct contact and Group 3: no contact. Healthy age- and sex-matched residents living in the vicinity were enrolled as the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heavy metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Downstream rivers and drinking water of the residents were examined for environmental arsenic pollution. A questionnaire survey concerning the contact history of arsenic was simultaneously conducted. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Non-parametric tests, cross-tabulation and multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: This study recruited 122 incinerator workers. The urine and blood arsenic concentrations as well as incidences of overexposure were significantly higher in the workers than in control subjects. The workers who had indirect or no contact with combustion-generated residues had significantly higher blood arsenic level. Arsenic contact history could not explain the difference. Airborne and waterborne arsenic pollution were not detected. CONCLUSION: Incinerator workers run the risk of being exposed to arsenic pollution, especially those who have incomplete protection in the workplace even though they only have indirect or no contact with combustion-generated pollutants.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo and in vitro productions of interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor and gamma-interferon in multitransfused thalassemic patients.

In vivo and in vitro productions of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) in 64 multi-transfused thalassemic patients and 20 healthy children were studied. The results were: 1) Increased serum concentrations of IL-2 and IL-2R, and decreased serum concentration of gamma-IFN were found in thalassemic patients when compared to controls. 2) In in vitro study, productions of IL-2, IL-2R and gamma-IFN were much lower in thalassemic patients than in controls. The possible mechanisms for the altered lymphokine productions are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy and safety of oral cefixime therapy in common infectious diseases in children.

Twenty-nine children, including 20 boys and 9 girls, were enrolled in an open trial of oral cefixime therapy for common pediatric infectious diseases. Patients aged between 0.5 month and 12 years with a mean +/- standard deviation of 2.3 +/- 2.8 years. The diagnoses included 10 of acute otitis media, 2 of purulent rhinitis, 4 of acute enterocolitis, and 13 of urinary tract infection. Most children received 6-12 mg/kg/day of cefixime granules, orally twice daily for more than five days. All 10 cases (100%) of acute otitis media and 2 cases of purulent rhinitis were either cured, or improved by oral cefixime treatment. None of them was microbiologically evaluable. Four cases (100%) of acute enterocolitis, 3 due to Salmonella group B, one due to Shigella flexneri, were also successfully treated with bacteria eradication. However, the cure rate of 13 cases of urinary tract infection was only 85% (11/13). Seven Escherichia coli and 4 Proteus mirabilis infections were eradicated, whereas one each of Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections did not respond to treatment; these two cases had a complicated course. The overall cure and improvement rate was 93%. Although five patients had transient episodes of mild diarrhea, no significant adverse reaction was observed. In summary, oral cefixime given twice daily was effective and safe in the treatment of a variety of common infectious diseases in pediatric patients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Short-term ceftriaxone treatment of typhoid fever in children].

Ten children, diagnosed as having typhoid fever, were enrolled in this study between April and September, 1989. Ceftriaxone was administered intravenously, in two dosages adding to 50-100 mg/kg/day over as short a period as five days. The mean period of defervescence was 3.2 days. No adverse reactions to the drug occurred; all those fulfilling the prescribed course were cured. To date, no relapse has been reported nor has any patient become a chronic carrier. Shortterm use of Ceftriaxone had the advantages of rapid response, abscence of serious side effects, and low failure rate in treating children with typhoid fever.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Jejunal atresia with "apple peel" deformity: report of one case.

A case of jejunal atresia with "apple peel" deformity is presented. A 27-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, suffered from premature labor pain and vaginal bleeding at 32 weeks of gestation. Prenatal ultrasound examination revealed presence of three areas of cystic dilatation in the fetal abdomen and marked polyhydramnios, indicating a high bowel obstruction. A female baby was delivered by Cesarean section with Apgar scores of 7 and 8 at one and five minutes, respectively. Physical examination showed abdominal distention. Nasogastric tube aspiration got more than 50 ml of blood-tinged fluid. Roentgenography demonstrated a high jejunal obstruction as well as a normally rotated colon. Laparotomy disclosed proximal jejunal atresia with typical "apple peel" appearance of the distal small bowel. An end-to-end anastomosis was performed smoothly after resection of both the proximal and distal small bowels. A reduction tapering antimesenteric jejunoplasty was also done. Partial parenteral nutrition had been administered for 10 days followed by enteric feeding. The postoperative course was uneventful. Her chromosomal analysis revealed a normal karyotype of 46,XX.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased erythrocyte adenosine deaminase activity in asthmatic children.

Erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was measured in 19 newly-diagnosed and 20 hyposensitized asthmatic children, as well as 11 age-matched normal children. ADA activity was determined by adenosine catalyzed reactions. The results showed: 1) The mean value of ADA activity was 72.9 +/- 30.4 mumole/min/unit OD541 nm in newly-diagnosed asthmatics; 52.7 +/- 37.9 mumole/min/unit OD541 nm in hyposensitized patients and 39.5 +/- 26.7 mumole/min/unit OD541 nm in normal controls; 2) there was significant elevation in erythrocyte ADA activity in newly-diagnosed asthmatic patients as compared to normal controls (P less than 0.05), but there was no difference between newly-diagnosed and hyposensitized patients (P greater than 0.05), and between hyposensitized patients and normal controls (P greater than 0.2). The mechanism and possible clinical implication of increasing erythrocyte ADA activity in newly-diagnosed asthmatic patients are discussed.

Adenosine Deaminase↗