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Biomedical subjects

C H Tang

Publications and source records attributed to C H Tang.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

XX-agonadism in a fetus with multiple congenital anomalies.

We report on an 18-week gestation fetus with 46,XX karyotype, gonadal agenesis, meningo-encephalocele, spina bifida, omphalocele, webbing of right upper limb, deformed right clavicle and right sided ribs, absent interventricular septum, hypoplastic aorta, hypoplastic spleen, and single umbilical artery. This case is similar to the one previously described by Kennerknecht et al. in 1997 and may represent a unique syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2001

Caspase activation in response to cytotoxic Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease in MCF-7 cells.

Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease (RC-RNase) and onconase were proven to own anti-tumor activity. While molecular determinants of onconase-induced cell death have become more explicit, the RC-RNase-induced death pathway remains presently unknown. Here we demonstrated that RC-RNase-induced molecular cascades in caspase-3-deficient MCF-7 cells did not include activation of initiation caspase-8 and -9. Cleavage timing suggested that procaspase-2 and -6 might be processed by active caspase-7 in MCF-7 cells. Caspase-7 was also responsible for cleavage of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Furthermore, we reported that overexpression of Bcl-X(L) could raise the survival rates of MCF-7 cells treated with RC-RNase and onconase.

Amphibian Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Synergistic cytotoxicity of Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease and IFN-gamma on hepatoma cells.

RC-RNase purified from Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) oocytes is a pyrimidine-guanine sequence-specific ribonuclease. RC-RNase is derived from the RNase superfamily genes exerting distinct ribonucleolytic activity and possesses cytotoxicity to tumor cells, but rarely to primary cells. In this study, we utilized RC-RNase to function with antiproliferative cytokines. The combination with TNF-alpha or TNF-beta would not aggravate cell death. However, the combination with IFN-gamma could induce synergistic cytotoxicity verified by XTT assays toward three hepatoma cell lines bearing different differentiation stages. The distinct cytotoxicity from RC-RNase or RC-RNase/IFN-gamma on different hepatoma cells was correlated with the differentiation extent but not the proliferation rate of the cells. Despite the synergistic cytotoxicity and severe mitochondrial disruptions in the RC-RNase/IFN-gamma-treated cells, we scarcely detected any significant feature of apoptosis or necrosis by FACS analysis on annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. The mechanisms of cell death triggered by RC-RNase or RC-RNase/IFN-gamma require further investigation.

Amphibian Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Demand for traditional medicine in Taiwan: a mixed Gaussian-Poisson model approach.

Hurdle count models are used to examine the participation and consumption decisions in Chinese medicine use. Motivated by a household production model, a second censoring mechanism is introduced into existing single-hurdle models, and the resulting specification accommodates conscientious abstainers, as well as economic non-consumers, and admits excessive zeros in the sample. In contrast to previous studies that found few predictors, empirical results based on a Taiwanese national sample suggest that Western medicine is a gross substitute to Chinese medicine, and both time price and money price play more important roles than income. Insurance, lifestyle and demographics also determine the use of Chinese medicine.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of human copine III as a phosphoprotein with associated kinase activity.

The copines, first described by Creutz et al. [(1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 1393-1402], comprise a two C2 domain-containing protein family and are known to aggregate phosphatidylserine membranes in a calcium-dependent manner. No enzymatic function has been attributed to copines yet. Due to a cross-reacting activity of Mikbeta1, an antibody to the IL-2Rbeta chain, we were able to serendipitously purify, partially microsequence, and clone human copine III. The 5 kb copine III transcript is expressed ubiquitously as determined by a multitissue Northern blot analysis. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed phosphorylation of copine III on serine and threonine residues. In vitro kinase assays were performed with immunoprecipitated endogenous copine III, chromatography-purified endogenous copine III, and recombinant copine III expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The exogenous substrate myelin basic protein was phosphorylated in all in vitro kinase assays containing copine III immunoprecipitate or purified copine III. A 60-kDa band was observed in corresponding in gel kinase assays with staurosporine-activated cells. Cell lines expressing high levels of copine III protein had correspondingly high kinase activity in copine III antiserum immunoprecipitate. However, the copine amino acid sequences lack the traditional kinase catalytic domain. Therefore, the data suggest copine III may possess an intrinsic kinase activity and represent a novel unconventional kinase family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Poisoning due to an over-the-counter hypnotic, Sleep-Qik (hyoscine, cyproheptadine, valerian).

The clinical features and risk of hepatotoxicity of 'Sleep-Qik' (valerian dry extract 75 mg, hyoscine hydrobromide 0.25 mg, cyproheptadine hydrochloride 2 mg) were determined in 23 patients treated in our hospital between 1988 and 1991. The main clinical problems were central nervous system depression and anticholinergic poisoning. There was no clinical evidence of acute hepatitis in the 23 patients after taking an average of 2.5 g of valerian (range 0.5 to 12 g). There was no evidence of subclinical liver damage in 12 patients who had routine liver function tests performed approximately 6-12 hours after ingestion. Delayed onset of severe liver damage was excluded in 10 patients in whom a telephone follow-up was possible. However, subclinical liver dysfunction in the acute stage (onset after 12-24 hours) and in the intervening period after discharge from hospital could not be excluded. To establish the risk of hepatotoxicity in long-term users and in those taking an overdosage of valerian, a much larger study of longer duration with serial liver function tests is clearly needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Relationship between illumination and growth of the stroma of Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc].

The growth of the stroma of Cordyceps sinensis largely depends upon the illumination in its growth period. By increasing illumination time and light intensity, its growth height can be controlled, growth rate slowed down and the corrosion time of larva body of host insect prolonged. Ultraviolet light is able to affect the growth of stroma too. The stroma also shows the strong phototaxis in its growth period. The arrangement and formation of the perithecium vary with the illumination.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗
PubMed1992

Reconstruction of the bones and joints of the upper extremity by vascularized free fibular graft: report of 46 cases.

The vascularized free fibular graft was applied in reconstructing bone and joint structures of the upper extremity in 46 cases between August, 1977 and December, 1989. Among these, 30 were grafts of the fibular shaft and 16 were grafts of the fibular head. There were 19 bony defects after trauma or osteomyelitis, 18 bony or articular defects after resection of tumors, five congenital deformities or defects, and four replacements for fibrous dysplasia. The longest grafted fibula was 22 cm and the shortest, 5 cm. Thirty-one cases were followed for more than two years, and these were evaluated for functional ability in daily living, roentgenologic appearance, and 99mTc scan during follow-up. The results revealed quite sufficient functional restoration, solid bone healing, and adequate blood supply, in most cases. The vascularized free fibular head graft appears to be an ideal procedure for the reconstruction of defects of the lower end of the radius or the upper humerus, including the humeral head. The stability of the reconstructed wrist or shoulder joint was maintained by suturing the lateral collateral ligament, the palmar collateral ligament around the wrist, or by passing the long head of the biceps brachii through the grafted fibula at the shoulder. Methods for fixation of the fibular shaft to the recipient bone and the selection of vessels for anastomoses, both in the graft and at the recipient site, are discussed. The importance of postoperative functional exercise is emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Report on Shanghai norms for the Chinese translation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised.

The Chinese translation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised (WISC-RC) was administered to 660 children (ages 6 through 16 yr.) in the city of Shanghai. The obtained norms represent children's intelligence levels in big cities where the economic and cultural development is advanced. The norms are reported as "Scaled Score Equivalents of Raw Scores" for each age group and as "IQ Equivalents of Sums of Scaled Scores." The reliability and validity of the norms indicate that the WISC-R is suitable for use with school-age children in China. The difference between the results for our Shanghai sample (WISC-RCs) and a USA sample (WISC-R) is also discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Cross-bridge free skin flap transfer: case report.

The authors present a procedure that can be used in cases of massive skin and soft tissue defect accompanied by extensive vascular injury. The technique involves the use of two donor components (a free skin flap and a vascular donor) which form a single unit postoperatively. The free flap is stretched over crossed limbs, with its major lateral portion serving to cover the defect, and the margin of its medial portion containing the flap pedicle sutured to a pedicled skin flap from the healthy contralateral limb. End-to-end anastomoses of vessels from both components are performed within the skin bridge that connects the crossed limbs. A temporary cross-over vascular supply to the free flap from vessels of the healthy limb is thus created. The procedure is offered as a satisfactory solution to the problem of transferring free flaps in cases where recipient site vessels are absent or unusable.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Reconstruction of the thumb by free skin flap of the big toe.

Experience with 12 cases of thumb reconstruction is reported, utilizing a free skin flap from the big toe and remodelled iliac bone graft, to create metacarpal and phalangeal configuration. Results show that the reconstructed thumbs have good functional recovery, cosmetic appearance, and varying degrees of sensation. The procedure preserves the big toe of the donor foot and produces minimal impairment.

Amputation, Traumatic↗