Biomedical subjects

S M Chang

Publications and source records attributed to S M Chang.

147 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

GABA activity in dispersed bovine pineal cells: effect on serotonin release and calcium and chloride uptake.

The presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and peripheral and central benzodiazepine receptors in the mammalian pineal gland prompted the examination of GABAergic transmission in dispersed bovine pineal cells. The effect of GABA on 3H-serotonin (5HT) release was examined in bovine pineal cells. GABA, by acting through GABA B receptor subtype, decreased 5HT release and by acting through GABA B, and presumably through GABA A receptor subtypes, inhibited depolarization-induced 45Ca2+ uptake in bovine pinealocytes. GABA, by acting on GABA B as well as on GABA A receptors, prevented the 5HT2- or 5HT1C-mediated stimulatory effect of serotonergic agonists on calcium uptake in pineal cells. GABA augmented 36Cl- uptake by bovine pineal cells. These results are interpreted to indicate that, by regulating the release of 5HT, GABA may modulate the synthesis and action of melatonin.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Unstable angina with coronary to pulmonary artery fistulae.

Three patients presenting with chest pain were found at cardiac catheterization to have fistulae between the left anterior descending coronary and the main pulmonary artery. Two patients presented with unstable angina, the third with atypical chest pain. Of the two patients presenting with unstable angina both had concomitant coronary artery disease. One was successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The other underwent successful double aorto-coronary bypass grafting and fistulae ligation. The remaining patient's symptoms resolved after informing him that he did not have atheromatous coronary artery disease. In no patient was the presence of the fistula felt to be related to the patients presenting complaint. In the two patients with unstable angina, a coronary steal phenomenon was postulated as a possible contributing factor.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cystic fibrosis in two Chinese infants in Taiwan.

Cystic fibrosis was diagnosed in two female infants, respectively nine months old (Case 1) and six months old (Case 2). Clinical presentation of these two infants showed frequent episodes of pneumonia, dehydration and poor weight gain, despite fair intake of food since birth. Hyponatremic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis had been found during their previous hospitalizations. In Case 1, stool fat was positive with negative trypsin test. Both cases had abnormal findings on chest X-ray films, but the pancreas showed no remarkable cystic changes from sonography. Plastic-bag method of sweat test showed Na/Cl: 155/185 nmol/L in Case 1, Na/Cl: 127/135 nmol/L in Case 2. A family history was suggested, since each one had an elder brother who had died in early infancy with similar clinical presentations. Both patients were put on special diet therapy as well as chest physical therapy. Case 1 died suddenly at 16 months of age. Autopsy revealed mucusplugged dilated ducts with atrophy of the exocrine portion of the pancreas. DNA analysis in Case 2 showed abnormal mutation point at 1898+5 G-->T on chromosome 7.

Cystic Fibrosis↗