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Biomedical subjects

H C Peng

Publications and source records attributed to H C Peng.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Jejunoileal atresia in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Jejunoileal atresia is the most common intestinal atresia and the most frequent cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction. The prognosis depends on several important factors. The patients reported were collected for evaluation of the factors contributing to their prognoses. METHODS: In the ten-year period from October 1982 to October 1992, all jejunoileal atresia patients who received treatment in this hospital were entered in this study. Possible factors contributing to prognosis, such as prematurity, low birth weight, apple peel atresia, anastomotic leakage, sepsis, short bowel syndrome were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients of jejunoileal atresia had been managed in our hospital in 10 years period. Their ages ranged from one to thirteen days old (mean 3.9 days). The numbers and types of atresia were as follow: type I (n = 4), type II (n = 4), type IIIa (n = 10), type IIIb (n = 5), type IV (n = 1). All patients received surgical correction. Nine complications were found in eight patients, which included four anastomotic leakage, three wound infections and two intestinal obstructions. There were three mortalities from sepsis. Total parenteral nutrition was applied to 14 patients (58.3%). The mean hospital stay was 45.1 days, and the survival rate was 87.5%. Low birth weight and anastomotic leakage contributed to prolonged hospital stays (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Jejunoileal atresia is a common neonatal surgical condition. The prognosis is generally good, except when a patient presented with factors, such as, low birth weight or anastomotic leakage, which prolonged hospital stays. Moreover, sepsis is the only important factor contributing to mortality.

Female↗

Posterior urethral valves: a report of five cases.

From 1985 to 1993, five male patients with posterior urethral valves were treated at our hospital; they included three newborns, a 32-month-old and a 10-year-old child. On initial examination, all patients showed severe bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter on sonographic findings, dilatation of the prostate urethra and trabeculation of the bladder wall in the voiding cystourethrogram; only one patient showed vesicoureteral reflux. Type I urethral valves were present in all patients. Retrograde transurethral ablation of the valves was performed in four patients with good preoperative renal function. The postoperative courses were smooth except for vesicoureteral reflux in one patient and systemic fungus infection in another. Reimplantation of the ureter was done for the vesicoureteral reflux, and the fungus infection was treated by amphotericin B. Cutaneous vesicostomy was performed for a newborn since the urethral orifice was small. He presented with poor renal function and ascites. Delayed antegrade ablation of the valves per vesicostomy and closure of the vesicostomy were done three months later after restoration of the renal function. Renal function returned to normal after operation in all patients, but the function of the upper urinary tract and bladder continence need long-term follow-up.

Child↗

Characterization of integrin expression and regulation on SW-480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells and the effect of rhodostomin on basal and upregulated tumor cell adhesion.

Integrins are a superfamily of cell surface glycoproteins that mediate cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion. Immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analysis using anti-integrin mAbs as the primary binding ligands demonstrated that the platelet integrin receptor alpha IIb beta 3, as well as alpha v beta 3, alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 1, are present on the surface of SW-480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against alpha IIb beta 3 and alpha 5 beta 1 inhibited unstimulated basal adhesion to fibronectin by approximately 30% and 40%, respectively. The surface immunoreactivity of tumor cells for alpha IIb beta 3 was enhanced by pretreatment (5 min) with a phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)) or a lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SW-480 cells possess a large intracellular pool of alpha IIb beta 3, from which the receptor complex translocates to the cell surface following pretreatment with TPA or 12(S)-HETE. This pretreatment enhances adhesion to fibronectin, which is mediated exclusively by alpha IIb beta 3 integrins. Staurosporine was found to block alpha IIb beta 3 up-regulation and enhanced-adhesion. TPA and 12(S)-HETE also facilitated the redistribution of alpha IIb beta 3 during the enhanced-spreading process. Rhodostomin, an Arg-Gly-Asp- (RGD) containing antiplatelet snake venom peptide, was about 400-times more potent than RGDS at inhibiting control, TPA- or 12(S)-HETE-enhanced adhesion of SW-480 cells to fibronectin. The binding of mAbs against alpha IIb beta 3, alpha v beta 3 and alpha 5 beta 1 was inhibited by pretreatment with rhodostomin, suggesting that rhodostomin binds via its RGD sequence to multiple integrin receptors (i.e., alpha IIb beta 3, alpha v beta 3, alpha 5 beta 1) expressed on the SW-480 cell surface, inhibiting cell adhesion to ECM.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗

Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide, inhibits human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell-substratum adhesion through an RGD-dependent mechanism.

Triflavin, a 7.5-kDa cysteine-rich polypeptide purified from Trimeresurus flavoviridis snake venom, belongs to a family of RGD-containing peptides, termed disintegrins, that have been isolated from the venoms of various vipers and shown to be potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation. The interaction of tumor cells with extracellular matrices such as fibronectin, vitronectin, and collagen has been shown to be mediated through a family of cell surface receptors that specifically recognize an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence within each adhesive protein. In this study, we show that triflavin dose-dependently inhibited adhesion of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells to extracellular matrices (ECMs; i.e., fibronectin, fibrinogen, and vitronectin). On the other hand, triflavin exerted a limited inhibitory effect on cell adhesion to laminin and collagen (type I and IV). On a molar basis, triflavin is approximately 800 times more potent than Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) at inhibiting cell adhesion. When immobilized on plate, triflavin significantly promoted HeLa cell adhesion, and this attachment was inhibited by GRGDS. Furthermore, FITC-conjugated triflavin bound to cells in a saturable manner and its binding was inhibited by GRGDS. In addition, triflavin did not affect [3H]thymidine uptake of HeLa cells during a 3-day incubation. These results suggest that triflavin probably binds to integrin receptors expressed on HeLa cell surface via its RGD sequence within its molecule, thereby inhibiting the adhesion of extracellular matrices to HeLa cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intestinal lengthening experience in short-bowel swine.

BACKGROUND: Traditional therapy for short-bowel syndrome is long-term, expensive and inconvenient; it is often associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, there has been increasing interest in the surgical management of this syndrome. Intestinal lengthening is attractive not only because of tapering of the dilated intestine, but also for preserving the intestine that is tapered. The purposes of this study were (a) to develop a reproducible surgical technique for intestinal lengthening and (b) to assess the response of the lengthened jejunum to a short-gut situation. METHODS: Fourteen pigs weighing 13-20 kg were chosen for the study. The animals were divided into three groups: Group I: two pigs received a 20 cm jejunum lengthening only; Group II: six pigs received an 80% bowel resection only; Group III: six pigs received an 80% bowel resection, followed by a 20 cm loop lengthening in the residual jejunum four to seven weeks later. All were observed for a period from 4 to 28 weeks. RESULTS: All lengthened loops, of either primary lengthening (Group I) or delayed lengthening (Group III) functioned well and showed no clinical leakage. Three pigs in Group II (bowel resection only) died of malnutrition at the 5th, 10th and 19th postoperative week, respectively. Only one pig in Group III died, 67 days after bowel lengthening, from intestinal obstruction. During sacrificing laparatomy, two pigs in Group III were found to have side to side enteroenteral fistulae between the lengthened loops. The lengthened bowel was found to be normal histologically. CONCLUSIONS: These results proved that intestinal lengthening is technically feasible, and may be useful for patients suffering from surgical short-bowel syndrome and who have not been completely weaned off parenteral feeding.

Animals↗

Adrenal adenoma with primary aldosteronism in a child: a case report.

Primary aldosteronism caused by an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma was documented in an 11-year-old girl who presented with persistent hypertension, headache, tinnitus and hypokalemia. Elevated plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) (45.5 ng/dl) and suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA) (< 0.3 ng/ml/hrs) were detected. Saline infusion test and postural test helped to confirm the diagnosis. The tumor site was localized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Surgical removal of the tumor yielded dramatic improvement in blood pressure; PAC and PRA returned to normal range. This rare case illustrates the feasibility of recognition and localization of adrenal adenoma in children. The high cure rate by surgical excision warrants careful screening of hypertensive patients with this entity.

Adenoma↗

Congenital duodenal web in late infancy and childhood: a report of two cases.

Congenital duodenal webs are rare lesions, usually detected during early infancy because of signs of high intestinal obstruction. The occasional patient escapes both symptoms and detection until adolescence or adulthood. This report concerns two cases of congenital duodenal web at different ages and with different clinical manifestations. Case 1, a six-month-old male, was admitted because of abdominal distention and vomiting. Case 2, a 13-year-old boy, was referred here for further evaluation of recurring seizure attacks, elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine and hyponatremia. Duodenotomy and excision of the web performed for both patients. Complete amelioration of all symptoms was then observed at Outpatient Clinic follow-up for one year.

Adolescent↗

Pulmonary sequestration.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sequestration is a relatively rare congenital abnormality. It is a cystic mass of nonfunctioning lung tissue which lacks an obvious communication with the tracheobronchial tree and which receives all or most of its arterial blood from anomalous systemic vessels. METHODS: Six patients with intralobar pulmonary sequestration were treated at this Hospital from 1982 to 1993. The two males and four females had ages ranging from 15 years to 56 years. Five of the six patients were symptomatic, with histories of chronic cough, intermittent fever, hemoptysis, and/or pleuric chest pain. The other patient was asymptomatic. Locations of the lesion included the left lower lobe in three, the right lower lobe in two and the right middle lobe in one. RESULTS: All patients received surgical intervention. Lobectomies were performed in five, and segmentectomy in one. There was no postoperative complication or mortality and all have remained asymptomatic during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion is the most important element in the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration. Angiography is mandatory to demonstrate the aberrant arterial supply and the venous drainage of pulmonary sequestration. Surgery should be performed early in order to reduce potentially life threatening obstruction and infection, and hasten the return of normal pulmonary function.

Adolescent↗

Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide, inhibits tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation.

In this study, we examined the effect of triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing snake venom peptide, on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell- and B16-F10 mouse melanoma cell-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) in heparinized platelet-rich plasma. TCIPA appears to play an important role in the development of certain experimental tumor metastases. Two ADP-scavenging agents, apyrase (10 U/ml) and creatine phosphate (CP) (5 mM)/creatine phosphokinase (CPK) (5 U/ml) completely inhibited B16-F10 TCIPA, but hirudin (5 U/ml) had no effect. In contrast, apyrase and CP/CPK did not inhibit HeLa TCIPA while hirudin completely inhibited it. Furthermore, HeLa cells initially induced platelet aggregation and then blood coagulation at a later stage. In addition, HeLa cells shortened, in a concentration-dependent manner, the recalcification time of normal as well as factor VIII- and IX-deficient human plasma, but did not affect the recalcification time of factor VII-deficient plasma. This suggests that HeLa TCIPA occurs via activation of the extrinsic pathway, probably owing to tumor cell expression of tissue factor-like activity. HeLa cell-induced thrombin generation was confirmed by detection of amidolytic activity towards a chromogenic substrate, S-2238 (H-D-Phe-Pip-Arg-p-NA). Triflavin and GRGDS inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, TCIPA caused by either cell line. On a molar basis, triflavin was 10,000-30,000 times more potent than GRGDS in this regard. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies raised against glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex (i.e., 7E3 and AP2) and against GP Ib (i.e., AP1) completely inhibited HeLa TCIPA. 7E3 and AP2 inhibited B16-F10 TCIPA by up to 80% whereas AP1 showed only 30% inhibition of B16-F10 TCIPA. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect of triflavin on HeLa and B16-F10 TCIPA may be mediated principally by the binding of triflavin to the fibrinogen receptor associated with GP IIb/IIIa complex on the platelet surface. However, GP Ib is also involved in HeLa TCIPA as thrombin formation is the key factor in triggering platelet aggregation caused by HeLa cells.

Animals↗

Congenital short small intestine: report of three cases.

Three cases are presented in which the recognized syndrome of functional small bowel obstruction with malrotation and short small bowel was diagnosed. Each patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy for intestinal obstruction, which revealed short small intestines with malrotation, measuring 30 cm to 39 cm. Ladd's procedure was performed in each case and gastrointestinal patency was assured during the operations. Two patients received long-term parenteral nutrition and one, in addition, received bowel lengthening using Bianchi's method. However, the symptoms persisted. The third patient received a prokinetic agent (cisapride) but with no effect; the parents withdrew further management. All three patients subsequently died. Although autopsies were performed in two cases, the exact deficits of intestinal motility are unknown.

Female↗

The multicystic dysplastic kidney in children.

Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is the most common renal cystic disease in infancy and the second most common neonatal abdominal mass. It represents an extreme form of renal dysplasia. The key features in MCDK include variability in size, loss of kidney shape, absence of function and obstruction of ureter. Current management is still controversial. The prognosis is largely depended upon the problems of associated anomalies and the condition of the contralateral kidney. From September '82 to September '91, twelve patients with multicystic kidney have been treated at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Ten of them received elective nephrectomy. The postoperative condition was uneventful. However, there was a high frequency of associated anomalies (41.6%) and pathologic contralateral kidney (50%). Two patients who refused operation were put on close observation and follow-up with ultrasound. During the surgical patients' follow-up period, one suffered from repeated urinary tract infection and the other died of multiple congenital anomalies.

Female↗

Recurrent pneumonia resulting from retained esophagus following esophageal replacement for corrosive stricture: a case report.

Benign corrosive stricture of the esophagus rarely requires esophageal replacement due to failed dilatation. A patient is presented with severe esophageal stricture from corrosive injury; the native esophagus was eventually replaced with an ileocolon interposition graft. He suffered from recurrent pneumonia one year after operation. Mucocele formation from the retained esophagus with compression of the tracheobronchial tree, was diagnosed by computerized tomographic (CT) scan, and was resected. The clinical status improved dramatically after the procedure. Tracheobronchial compression by mucocele from the retained esophagus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent pneumonia after esophageal replacement.

Burns, Chemical↗

[Cantrell's pentalogy: a case report].

Cantrell's pentalogy is a congenital anomaly resulting from embryologic development defect. The anomalies observed in this disorder were: (1) a midline, supraumbilical abdominal wall defect, (2) a defect of the lower sternum, (3) a deficiency of the anterior diaphragm, (4) a defect in the diaphragmatic pericardium, (5) congenital intracardiac defects. Its occurrence in the newborn is quite uncommon, though it was first described by Cantrell and his colleagues in 1958. A one-day-old male fullterm newborn was presented. Omphalocele and partial ectopia cordis were noted immediately after birth. Echocardiogram revealed tetralogy of Fallot with atrium septal defect. Operative findings were sternal cleft, pericardial defect and ventral diaphragmatic defect. The literature on clinical manifestations, embryogenic defect and management of Cantrell's pentalogy is reviewed briefly.

Abdominal Muscles↗

A novel alpha-type fibrinogenase from Agkistrodon rhodostoma snake venom.

By means of CM-Sephadex C-50 column chromatography, gel-filtration on sephadex G-75 and Sephacryl S-200 columns, a purified fibrinogenase, kistomin, was obtained from venom of Agkistrodon rhodostoma. It was a single peptide-chain with a molecular mass of about 21,800 Da containing about 202 amino-acid residues as revealed by amino acid analysis. Kistomin preferentially cleaved A alpha- and subsequently the gamma-chain of fibrinogen, leaving the B beta-chain unaffected. Its fibrinogenolytic activity was estimated to be 36.6 +/- 4.5 mg/min per mg protein and was inhibited by the pretreatment of EDTA, suggesting that it is a metalloproteinase. Its fibrinogenolytic activity in platelet-poor plasma is much less potent as compared to that in purified fibrinogen solution. It inhibited ristocetin-induced aggregation of human platelets in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of von Willebrand factor.

Amino Acids↗

An antiplatelet peptide, gabonin, from Bitis gabonica snake venom.

Interaction of fibrinogen with its receptors (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex) on platelet membranes leads to platelet aggregation. By means of gel filtration, CM-Sephadex C-50, and reverse-phase HPLC, an antiplatelet peptide, gabonin, was purified from the venom of Bitis gabonica. The purified protein migrates as a 21,100-Da polypeptide on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions and as a 11,000-Da peptide in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol, indicating that gabonin is a disulfide-linked dimer. It is a polypeptide consisting of about 84 amino acid residues, rich in Asp, Pro, and half-cystine. Gabonin dose-dependently inhibited human platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, collagen, U46619, or thrombin in preparations of platelet-rich plasma and platelet suspension (IC50 = 340-1600 nM). It also blocked platelet aggregation of whole blood. However, it apparently did not affect the initial shape change and only slightly reduced ATP release caused by aggregation agonists. Gabonin did not inhibit the rise of cytosolic calcium in Quin-2-loaded platelets stimulated by thrombin. In addition, gabonin dose-dependently inhibited fibrinogen-induced aggregation of elastase-treated platelets. In conclusion, gabonin inhibits platelet aggregation mainly through the blockade of fibrinogen binding toward fibrinogen receptors of the activated platelets.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rat hind-paw swelling effect of an edema-producing protein isolated from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus snake venom.

TMV F-IV, isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus (TMV), caused rat hind-paw edema in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum hind-paw swelling was reached at 1.5-2 h after subplantar injection of TMV F-IV. The edematous response caused by TMV F-IV was suppressed by the s.c. pretreatment with diphenhydramine, methysergide, acetylsalicylic acid or dexamethasone, and by the subplantar co-injection with FPL 55712, a SRS-A antagonist, and BN 52021 or L 652731, both PAF antagonists. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte infiltration appeared within 1 h and gradually increased in the rat paw 3-6 h after edema induction. Compound 48/80 or methotrexate pretreatment also inhibited paw edema caused by TMV F-IV. In isolated mast cells, TMV F-IV increased the formation of PGE2 and LTB4 and caused a dose-dependent release of histamine and beta-glucuronidase. Since there are no significant differences in paw edema and mast cell degranulation responses between TMV F-IV and its DFP-modified analogue, the esterase activity may not be necessary in these models. These results indicate that mast cells. PMN leukocytes and some inflammatory mediators such as histamine, serotonin, arachidonate metabolites and PAF are involved in TMV F-IV induced paw edema.

Animals↗

Evaluation of anorectal malformations using magnetic resonance imaging.

Demonstration of the anatomy of the anal sphincter muscles in patients with anorectal malformations is important. The information can help us in preoperative planning for surgical repair and in predicting a patient's prognosis. For patients with postoperative incontinence, the anatomic imaging is especially useful. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a relatively new diagnostic tool that generates images of sections of the body taken in any plane. From Oct. 1989 to Dec. 1990, twelve patients received MRI examination, imaging the pelvis and lumbosacral spine in the sagittal, transverse, and coronal planes. Normal anorectum in 2 cases was recorded for comparison. The other ten cases included three of postoperative incontinence, three of cloacal anomaly, and four of questionable level of anorectal anomaly before MRI evaluation. Our experience proved that MRI is a useful examination in selected patients with anorectal malformation. To be cost-effective, we suggest that MRI is performed only in patients with postoperative incontinence and some questionable cases.

Anal Canal↗

Solitary spinal cord metastasis of Wilms' tumor.

Wilms' tumor metastasis to the spinal cord is very rare at any age. We recently encountered a case of a 4-year-old girl, who had a solitary lumbar spinal cord metastasis about 1 year following the initial nephrectomy and an incomplete course of chemotherapy for a stage I Wilms' tumor. The patient recovered uneventfully after decompressive laminectomy, removal of the extradural spinal cord tumor, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy according to the National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS)-IV protocol.

Child, Preschool↗