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Biomedical subjects

J L Chang

Publications and source records attributed to J L Chang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen--case report and literature review.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the spleen is an extremely rare benign lesion. We herein report an additional case of a 64-year-old man with IPT of spleen to compare with seven cases previously reported in the literature. However, the immunohistochemical studies has demonstrated to polyclonality of plasma cells which was comparable to these seven previously reported cases. The clinical and pathological findings, as well as the possibilities of etiology and pathogenesis are also described.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

The role of immunotherapy in cockroach asthma.

To evaluate the preventive role of immunotherapy in severe perennial asthma, we investigated cockroach asthma as a model. Twenty-eight subjects with bronchial asthma due to cockroach hypersensitivity (BACR) were divided into two groups in alternating order: 15 were started with cockroach antigen immunotherapy (CRa-IT) and 13 were given control immunotherapy. Eleven in the former group and two in the latter group completed the study after 5 years. The changes in symptoms and medication scores were assessed; blocking antibody factor in the paired pre- and postimmune serum of the two groups was measured and compared. Cellular sensitivity (HR50) was measured using the basophil-rich leukocytes (BRLs) obtained from the two treated asthma groups, and the result was compared with that of the untreated cockroach asthmatic cells. The average symptom score changed from 7.2 +/- 2.7 to 1.2 +/- 0.4 in the CRa-IT group. The control-IT group showed no change. The medication score changed from 11.4 +/- 1.6 to 5.2 +/- 1.4 in the CRa-IT group only (p less than 0.01). The mean blocking antibody factor in the immune serum of the CRa-IT group showed a 2.5 x 10(2)-fold increase [1.3 +/- 0.3 x 10(-1) in postimmune serum/5.2 +/- 2.0 +/- 10(-4) in preimmune serum (p less than 0.001)]. No difference was noted in the HR50 of the BRLs in the post- and preimmune serum of the control-IT group. Antihuman IgG absorption of the post-CRa-IT serum reduced the blocking antibody to 1/1000-fold; no difference in the HR50 of the BRLs was noted between the post-control-IT and the pre-CRa-IT serum (p greater than 0.2). The BRLs of the CRa-IT asthmatics, however, showed blunted sensitivity not affected by the serum factor (5.8 +/- 1.5 x 10(-2) micrograms/ml in post-CRa-IT serum and 5.6 +/- 1.3 x 10(-2) micrograms/ml in pre-CRa-IT serum) (p greater than 0.2). The BRLs of the control-IT group retained their cell sensitivity as well as the blocking effect of the CRa-immune serum. This study thus demonstrated that CRa-IT reduces symptom and medication scores clinically in cockroach-asthmatic subjects, and the CRa-IT produces the CRa-specific blocking antibody of the IgG type. It also reduces anaphylactic leukocyte sensitivity, which is not affected by humoral factor.

Anaphylaxis↗

Nonflammable endotracheal device for CO2 laser ablation of benign laryngeal and proximal tracheal tumors.

A Holinger aspirating tube may be utilized as a nonflammable endotracheal device during CO2 laser ablation of benign laryngeal and proximal tracheal tumors. Adequate jet ventilation may be performed through this small diameter (3.0 mm), metallic device while providing an unobstructed view of the surgical lesion. This technique was well-accepted by surgeons during the clinical trials. Because the 3.0 mm outside diameter was significantly smaller than the smallest flexible, uncuffed metal endotracheal tube currently available (6.9 mm), the rigid structure facilitated atraumatic insertion past the surgical lesion. Both the use of this device and the required anesthetic technique are described in three CO2 laser ablative procedures. The authors consider that this device increases safety during this potentially hazardous procedure by eliminating the flammable polyvinyl chloride endotracheal tube and cottonoid packings most frequently used during this procedure.

Adult↗

Is running an analogue of anorexia nervosa? An empirical study of obligatory running and anorexia nervosa.

A recent report suggested that compulsive runners share a common set of psychological traits and behavioral dispositions with patients with anorexia nervosa. In an effort to objectively assess the similarity between anorexia nervosa and obligatory running, 43 runners and 24 patients with anorexia nervosa completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Results indicated that the obligatory runners generally scored within the normal range, while the anorectic patients did not. The anorectic patients obtained more pathological scores than the runners on eight of the ten clinical subscales of the MMPI. Fifty percent of the anorectic patients obtained elevations on three or more of the MMPI subscales, while no runners obtained more than two scale elevations. Depression (scale 2) and psychopathy (scale 4) were particularly prevalent in the anorectic group. We conclude that obligatory runners do not suffer from the same degree of psychopathology as do patients with anorexia nervosa.

Adult↗

Characterization of the B-chain of human plasma alpha 2HS-glycoprotein. The complete amino acid sequence and primary structure of its heteroglycan.

alpha 2HS-Glycoprotein, a normal human plasma protein, was recently shown to consist of two polypeptide chains. In the present study, we have separated these two chains from one another and have elucidated the complete primary structure of the B-chain. Employing automated Edman degradation, the polypeptide moiety of this chain was shown to consist of 27 amino acid residues with an unequal distribution of the neutral and charged amino acid residues. The first 20 residues are uncharged, whereas the carboxyl-terminal heptapeptide contains all charged residues. Utilizing 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy, the carbohydrate unit proved to be a trisaccharide consisting of sialic acid, galactose, and N-acetylgalactosamine O-glycosidically linked to serine (residue 6). The structure of the B-chain was found to be as follows. (formula; see text) Thus, the molecular weight of the B-chain is 3386. Evaluation of the polypeptide chain by the procedure of Chou and Fasman (Chou, P.Y., and Fasman, G.D. (1979) Adv. Enzymol. 47, 45-148) predicts that the B-chain has two beta-turns. Thereby, the carbohydrate unit which is linked to the Ser residue located in the first beta-turn appears to be directed away from the protein. The second beta-turn probably includes the Cys residue which links the B- to the A-chain. In agreement with the CD analysis, the B-chain lacks beta-conformation but possesses a short alpha-helical region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inadvertent endobronchial intubation with nasogastric tube. Occurrence after head and neck surgery.

Inadvertent endobronchial intubation with nasogastric tubes is hazardous. Massive aspiration can be fatal after nasogastric feeding. In this study, methods of blind nasogastric tube insertion and conventional techniques of confirming the site of the tube are discussed. We stress that direct laryngoscopy either during or immediately after placement or a chest roentgenogram should be considered in the case of nasogastric feeding after major head and neck surgery.

Aged↗