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Biomedical subjects

S Huang

Publications and source records attributed to S Huang.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

Section of the pituitary stalk in the rhesus monkey: morphological and endocrine observations.

The effect of sectioning the pituitary stalk on the hypothalamic magnocellular system of the rhesus monkey was studied by specific immunocytochemical techniques. Regeneration of the proximal stump with reconstitution of a "new" neurohypophysis occurred as early as three weeks after operation, illustrating the remarkable regenerative ability of the system. The functional capacity of the newly formed neurovascular units was also tested, and the results indicate that they not only resume basal secretion of posterior pituitary hormones, but are also able to increase their output in response to a variety of challenges.

Animals↗

Detection of candida antigenemia in human invasive candidiasis by a new solid phase radioimmunoassay.

There is a continuing need to develop reliable non-invasive methods to aid in the early diagnosis of disseminatyed candidiasis. We report the development of a solid phase "sandwich" radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the detection of soluble cytoplasmic protein antigens (SPA) of Candida albicans in patients with systemic candidiasis. SPA were prepared by ultrasonic disruption of blastospores of C. albicans. Anti-SPA IgG was covalently linked to a solid phase of polyacrylamide-like microspheres. Standard amounts of patient sample or SPA in pooled normal human serum were reacted with the conjugated microspheres, washed and reacted with anti-SPA IgG-125I. The amount of antigen was directly correlated with the amount of bound 125I-IgG anti-SPA. In a retrospective analysis, circulating SPA in the range of 0.5-1.6 microgram/ml was detected in the serum of 12 of 19 patients (63%) with documented systemic candidiasis. There was no detectable SPA in the serum of 20 hospitalized patients with bacteremia, two patients with aspergillosis, one with cryptococcosis, and three with invasive Candida tropicalis. We observed no crossreaction of the RIA with mannan from C. albicans, coccidioidin or culture filtrate antigen of Aspergillus fumigatus. There was significant inhibition of the RIA by serum samples from two patients with chronic candidiasis suggestive of anti-SPA antibody excess. The solid phase RIA to detect circulating SPA can provide a useful noninvasive method for the diagnosis of systemic C. albicans infection.

Antigens, Fungal↗

The purification and properties of dextransucrase from Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10558.

Dextransucrase has been purified from the culture fluids of S. sanguis 10558 by a combination of hydroxylapatite, ion-exchange, and gel-filtration steps. Two active proteins were isolated with specific activities approaching one order of magnitude higher than other preparations reported. The enzymes have mol. wt. on the order of 100 000 and exhibit pH optima between 5,8 and 6.2. In addition, detailed analysis of one of the enzymes indicates that the enzyme undergoes two ionizations that are important for activity. One pK is at 4.4 and the second at 7.4. The structures of dextrans produced by the two enzymes have been examined by p.m.r. spectroscopy, and a substantial degree of similarity was observed, with only minor differences in the proportion of alpha-(1 leads to 3) and alpha-(1 leads to 6) bonds. No evidence could be obtained that either of the enzymes was capable of catalyzing a rearrangement of alpha-(1 leads to 6) to alpha-(1 leads to 3) bonds.

Dextrans↗

Effect of sodium azide on the ultrastructural preservation of tissues.

An electron microscopic study was carried out to examine the quality of ultrastructural preservation of parenchymatous and mesenchymatous tissues and isolated cells fixed in glutaraldehyde with sodium azide (NaN3) as an additive. The dense tissues fixed with conventional glutaraldehyde containing calcium chloride demonstrated only a narrow zone of good tissue preservation on the surface of the specimens. Addition of azide at a concentration of 0.1% greatly improved the cellular preservation in the deeper region of tissues, in particular with respect to the mitochondrial morphology. There was no adverse effect on other cell organelles. The improvement in mitochondrial preservation and the enhancement of penetration of the fixative is presumably due to selective and instantaneous inhibition of mitochondrial metabolic activity by the azide, thus retarding anoxic degenerative effects on cellular structures until permanent fixation is completed by the comparatively slow-acting aldehyde. However, the addition of azide offers no significant improvement in the ultrastructural preservation of isolated lymphocytes and liver cells, or fibroblasts maintained in culture.

Animals↗

Color preservation of gross specimens for teaching and medical illustration.

We routinely employ cold Jores' fixative to improve color preservation of gross autopsy specimens for conferences and teaching and to facilitate development of a photographic teaching collection of gross pathological specimens. The fixed specimens also permit light microscopic examination. Additionally, we have found that color restoration of previously fixed gross specimens is possible with McCormick's fixative.

Color↗

Ultrastructure of the skin of patients treated with sodium aurothiomalate.

Skin biopsies from cases of rheumatoid arthritis treated with sodium aurothiomalate were examined with the electron microscope. Intralysosomal gold deposits were found in the macrophages of both normal-looking skin and from areas of erythematous rash that had developed as a toxic manifestation of gold therapy. The main difference between affected and normal-looking skin was the presence of numerous mast cells in the former. It is hence suggested that the dermatologic side-effects of gold are probably mediated by the release of vasoactive substances from mast cells and that vigorous administration of antihistamines to neutralise the liberated products of mast cells or an agent that interferes with degranulation of mast cells might have a palliative effect on the skin rash that sometimes develops during chrysotherapy.

Adult↗

Concentric hemorrhagic necrosis of the myocardium. A morphological and clinical study.

Froty-nine cases of concentric hemorrhagic necrosis of the left ventricular myocardium were reviewed in a series of 97 autopsy studies in patients subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass for various types of cardiac surgery. The gross and microscopic findings were analyzed in order to define the morphologic evolution of the lesion. The extent of involvement was graded by gross examination of serial transverse sections of the heart. Microscopically there were five major histologic changes, probably representing the sequential evolution of the lesion, i.e., contraction bands, subendocardial hemorrhages, coagulative necrosis, healing by granulation tissue, and fibrosis. The location of the lesion conincided with the vulnerable region of the microcirculation. Owing to the implementation of new surgical techniques, the cases were subdivided into two groups, one covering the period from 1963 to 1970 and the other , 1971 to 1974. Concentric hemorrhagic necrosis was less frequent in the more recent group, but when it was present it was more pronounced in the individual heart. The lesion in the earlier group was milder but demonstrated a higher incidence of platelet microthrombi in the heart. In the recent cases concentric hemorrhagic necrosis tended to be more diffuse in aortocoronary bypass than in valvular replacement surgery. We discuss one possible explanation for the development of this lesion, i.e., transient hypoxemia occurring at the time of cardiopulmonary bypass, followed by reperfusion and accelerated necrosis with hemorrhage.

Adult↗

The incidence of cervical cancer and duration of oral contraceptive use.

In a prospective study carried out on a cohort of 17,942 women belonging to the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and living in suburban communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, a positive association was found between the incidence of cervical carcinoma and total duration of oral contraceptive use. The association was established while controlling for the effects of age, education, and selected infections. The association persists when incident cases of dysplasia are added to those of carcinoma. A further study, in which covariates relating to sexual behavior will also be taken into account, is in progress.

Adolescent↗

A study of human cardiac allograft in a patient with four-year survival.

A report is presented of a patient surviving four years with a human cardiac allograft. The allograft arteries showed marked graft arteriosclerosis with intimal fibrocellular proliferation. The arteriosclerotic lesions occurring in the larger epicardial vessels were strikingly similar to spontaneous atherosclerosis. The relationship of the long-term survival to the use of a permanent transvenous pacemaker and of the development of severe vascular lesions to acute rejection and hyperlipemia are discussed.

Aorta↗