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Wong YJ, Teng M, Sim A, Thet HM, Teoh X, De Roza MA, Sen Kew G, Koh JH, Loi PL, Lim K, Kang G, Kuang J, Low EXS, Ho JL, Cher LYG, Sze K, Wong GW, Kwek BYA, Yang WL, Abraldes JG, Chang J. Full adherence to cirrhosis quality indicators is associated with lower mortality in acute variceal bleeding: Nationwide audit. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00764. [PMID: 38381716 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is a major complication in patients with cirrhosis. Using a nationwide AVB audit, we performed a nested cohort study to determine whether full adherence to the AVB quality indicator (QI) improves clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and AVB. APPROACH AND RESULTS We assessed real-world adherence to AVB QI among patients with cirrhosis admitted for AVB in all public hospitals in Singapore between January 2015 and December 2020. Full adherence was considered when all 5 QIs were fulfilled: prophylactic antibiotics, vasoactive agents, timely endoscopy, endoscopic hemostasis during index endoscopy, and nonselective beta-blockers after AVB. We compare 6-week mortality between the full adherence and suboptimal adherence groups using a propensity-matched cohort.A total of 989 patients with AVB were included. Full adherence to all AVB QI was suboptimal (56.5%). Analysis of the propensity-matched cohort with comparable baseline characteristics showed that full adherence was associated with a lower risk of early infection (20.0% vs. 26.9%), early rebleeding (5.2% vs. 10.2%), and mortality at 6 weeks (8.2% vs. 19.7%) and 1 year (21.3% vs. 35.4%) ( p <0.05 for all). While full adherence was associated with a lower 6-week mortality regardless of the MELD score, nonadherence was associated with a higher 6-week mortality despite a lower predicted risk of 6-week mortality. Despite high adherence to the recommended process measures, patients with CTP-C remain at a higher risk of rebleeding, 6-week and 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS Full adherence to the AVB QI should be the target for quality improvement in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jun Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth, Singapore
- Liver unit, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Margaret Teng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Alyssa Sim
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Tan Tock Seng General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Htay Myat Thet
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ng Teng Fong Hospital, Singapore
| | - Xuhui Teoh
- Department of General Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Guan Sen Kew
- Department of Medicine, Woodlands Health, Singapore
| | - Jia Hong Koh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Pooi Ling Loi
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kai Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Garrett Kang
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Kuang
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Tan Tock Seng General Hospital, Singapore
| | - En Xian Sarah Low
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ng Teng Fong Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Liu Yuan Gabriel Cher
- Department of General Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kenny Sze
- Department of General Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Guan Wee Wong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ng Teng Fong Hospital, Singapore
| | - Boon Yew Andrew Kwek
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth, Singapore
| | - Wei Lyn Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Tan Tock Seng General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Juan G Abraldes
- Liver unit, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Jason Chang
- Duke-NUS Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth, Singapore
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
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Makrinioti H, Mac Donald A, Lu X, Wallace S, Mathew J, Zhang F, Shao J, Bretherton J, Tariq M, Eyre E, Wong A, Pakkiri L, Saxena AK, Wong GW. Intussusception in 2 Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2020; 9:504-506. [PMID: 32770243 PMCID: PMC7454795 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piaa096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We note that intussusception was likely associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection in 2 infants in Wuhan and London. The intussusception was reduced by enemas in Wuhan; the outcome was fatal. The intussusception was not reduced by enemas in London and required surgery; the outcome was favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Makrinioti
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK,corresponding author: Heidi Makrinioti, e-mail
| | - Alexander Mac Donald
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - X Lu
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - S Wallace
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jobson Mathew
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - F Zhang
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - J Shao
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - J Bretherton
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mehmood Tariq
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - E Eyre
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - A Wong
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - L Pakkiri
- West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Amulya K Saxena
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
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Abstract
For many patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), the presence of extrahepatic features is well recognised both at the time of presentation and during long-term follow-up. Concomitant 'autoimmune disorders' have been described in 20-50% of patients with AIH, both in adults and children. Indeed, the presence of these associated phenomena has been incorporated into both the original and revised International AIH group scoring systems as an aid to codifying the diagnosis. In acute index presentations, non-specific joint pains sometimes flitting in nature have been reported in 10-60% of patients, and while joint swelling is uncommon, rheumatoid arthritis and mixed connective tissue disease have been reported in 2-4% of patients with AIH. For a majority of patients, these joint symptoms resolve within days of the introduction of immunosuppressive therapy. Rarer features at index presentation include a maculopapular skin rash and unexplained fever, which are features that tend to resolve quickly with treatment. Interestingly, joint pain and stiffness are also well recognised in the context of steroid withdrawal and cessation in AIH. The occasional co-presentation of AIH with coeliac disease is clinically important (1-6%), since for some patients, there is a risk of immunosuppression malabsorption, thus delaying effective treatment. Similarly, the co-existence of selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) can occur in patients with coeliac disease or in isolation. Selective IgAD as a co-existing extraheaptic feature seems to be more common in paediatric patients with AIH. For these patients, they are at an increased risk of respiratory and sinus infections. Although, typically associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis, the presence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) has been described in 2-8% of patients with AIH. Interestingly, for patients with autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, a distinct pattern of IBD has been recently described. Other conditions have been reported at a lower frequency, including Sjogren's syndrome 1-7%, systemic lupus erythematosus 1-3% and glomerulonephritis 1%. Rarer still and at a frequency of <1% include fibrosing alveolitis, haemolytic anaemia, uveitis, mononeuritis multiplex, polymyositis and multiple sclerosis. In contrast, the reported associations between AIH and thyroiditis 8-23%, diabetes 1-10% and psoriasis 3% are commonly seen and notable in clinical practice.
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Chang PE, Wong GW, Li JW, Lui HF, Chow WC, Tan CK. Epidemiology and Clinical Evolution of Liver Cirrhosis in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singap 2015; 44:218-225. [PMID: 26292950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liver cirrhosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality and an important burden on the healthcare system. There is limited literature on liver cirrhosis in Singapore. We aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cirrhotic patients seen in an ambulatory setting in a tertiary referral centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective observational cohort study of cirrhotic patients attending the ambulatory clinic of Singapore's largest tertiary hospital over 5 years. Cirrhosis was diagnosed on characteristic radiological features and/or histology. Aetiology of cirrhosis was determined by history, serology, biochemistry and/or histology. Data on decompensation events and death were retrieved from computerised hospital records. RESULTS The study included 564 patients with median follow-up of 85 months. Mean age was 60.9 ± 12.5 years with 63.8% males. Main aetiologies of cirrhosis were chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (63.3%), alcohol (11.2%), cryptogenic (9%) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) (6.9%). CHB was the predominant aetiology in Chinese and Malays whereas alcohol was the main aetiology in Indians. CHC cirrhosis was more common in Malays than other races. Majority had compensated cirrhosis with 76.8%/18.3%/5%; Child-Pugh A/B/C respectively. Decompensation events occurred in 155 patients (27.5%) and 106 of them (18.8%) died. Diagnosis of cirrhosis via surveillance ultrasound was associated with improved 10-year survival. Age at diagnosis, portal vein thrombosis, Child-Pugh class and decompensation within 1 year of diagnosis were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION CHB is the primary cause of liver cirrhosis in Singapore. The major aetiologies of cirrhosis vary amongst the different ethnic groups. Cirrhotics with advanced age, portal vein thrombosis, poorer liver function and early decompensation have a higher mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pik Eu Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
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Wong GW, Yasuda S, Madhusudhan MS, Li L, Yang Y, Krilis SA, Sali A, Stevens RL. Human tryptase epsilon (PRSS22), a new member of the chromosome 16p13.3 family of human serine proteases expressed in airway epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:49169-82. [PMID: 11602603 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m108677200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Probing of the GenBank expressed sequence tag (EST) data base with varied human tryptase cDNAs identified two truncated ESTs that subsequently were found to encode overlapping portions of a novel human serine protease (designated tryptase epsilon or protease, serine S1 family member 22 (PRSS22)). The tryptase epsilon gene resides on chromosome 16p13.3 within a 2.5-Mb complex of serine protease genes. Although at least 7 of the 14 genes in this complex encode enzymatically active proteases, only one tryptase epsilon-like gene was identified. The trachea and esophagus were found to contain the highest steady-state levels of the tryptase epsilon transcript in adult humans. Although the tryptase epsilon transcript was scarce in adult human lung, it was present in abundance in fetal lung. Thus, the tryptase epsilon gene is expressed in the airways in a developmentally regulated manner that is different from that of other human tryptase genes. At the cellular level, tryptase epsilon is a major product of normal pulmonary epithelial cells, as well as varied transformed epithelial cell lines. Enzymatically active tryptase epsilon is also constitutively secreted from these cells. The amino acid sequence of human tryptase epsilon is 38-44% identical to those of human tryptase alpha, tryptase beta I, tryptase beta II, tryptase beta III, transmembrane tryptase/tryptase gamma, marapsin, and Esp-1/testisin. Nevertheless, comparative protein structure modeling and functional studies using recombinant material revealed that tryptase epsilon has a substrate preference distinct from that of its other family members. These data indicate that the products of the chromosome 16p13.3 complex of tryptase genes evolved to carry out varied functions in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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6
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence rates of asthma and other atopic disorders have increased steadily in many developed countries over the past few decades. Recent epidemiological and animal studies have suggested that BCG vaccination might be beneficial in reducing the subsequent development of atopy. This study investigates the relationship between asthma, allergic symptoms, atopy, and tuberculin response in Chinese schoolchildren who received BCG vaccination at birth. METHODS A total of 3110 schoolchildren aged 10 years were recruited for the Hong Kong arm of the phase II International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Of the 2599 children born in Hong Kong and vaccinated with BCG after birth, 2201 had tuberculin testing performed at a mean (SD) age of 8.4 (1.4) years. A random subsample of 980 children was also recruited for skin prick testing. RESULTS The prevalence rates of asthma ever, wheeze ever, current wheeze, current rhinoconjunctivitis, and current flexural eczema were not significantly different between tuberculin positive and negative subjects. The mean (SE) tuberculin response was 3.4 (0.2) mm in atopic subjects and 3.3 (0.2) mm in non-atopic subjects (difference not significant). Logistic regression analyses did not reveal any significant relationship between asthma ever, current wheeze, atopy, and positive tuberculin responses. CONCLUSIONS This study did not find any relationship between asthma, allergic symptoms, atopy, and positive tuberculin reactivity in Chinese schoolchildren vaccinated with BCG at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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Wong GW, Ko FW, Lau TS, Li ST, Hui D, Pang SW, Leung R, Fok TF, Lai CK. Temporal relationship between air pollution and hospital admissions for asthmatic children in Hong Kong. Clin Exp Allergy 2001; 31:565-9. [PMID: 11359423 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01063.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many epidemiological studies have shown positive association between respiratory health and current levels of outdoor air pollution in Europe and America. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between air pollution and the number of childhood admissions for asthma in Hong Kong. METHODS Daily counts of childhood admission for asthma to a large teaching Hospital were obtained from the computerized database for the period 1993-1994. A Poisson regression allowing for seasonal patterns and meteorological conditions was used to assess the associations between the number of Hospital admissions and the three pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and inhalable particles (measured as PM10, particles < 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter). RESULTS A total of 1217 children under 15 years of age were admitted for asthma during the study period. The calculated annual hospitalization rates were 283 and 178 per 100 000 for boys and girls, respectively. The mean PM10, NO2 and SO2 levels were 44.1 microg/m3, 43.3 microg/m3, and 12.2 microg/m3, respectively. Daily admission for asthma increased significantly with increasing ambient level of nitrogen dioxide (relative risk (RR) = 1.08 per 10 microg/m3 increase), sulphur dioxide (RR = 1.06) and inhalable particles (RR = 1.03). No association was found between hospital admission and humidity, temperature or atmospheric pressure. CONCLUSION This is the first daily time series study of childhood admissions for asthma and air pollution in Hong Kong. The results support that current levels of air pollution contribute to the respiratory morbidity in asthmatic children in Hong Kong.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
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8
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological surveys have shown that the prevalence of asthma in the Asian population is relatively low. Within the Chinese population, schoolchildren from Hong Kong were found to have the highest rate of asthma. OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalence of respiratory and atopic disorders, and to assess the role of atopy in the development of asthma, in Chinese schoolchildren from Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou. METHODS Community-based random samples of schoolchildren aged 9-11 years from three Chinese cities (Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou) were recruited for study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II protocol. Subjects were studied by parental questionnaires (n = 10902), skin-prick tests (n = 3479) and skin examination (n = 3479). RESULTS The prevalence rates of current wheeze, speech limiting wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis and flexural dermatitis were significantly more common in Hong Kong than in Beijing or Guangzhou. The atopy rate was also higher in Hong Kong (41.2%) than in Beijing (23.9%) or Guangzhou (30.8%). Atopy was strongly correlated with current wheeze (OR 7.74; 95% CI = 5.70-10.51). Subgroup analyses of children from Hong Kong revealed that children born in mainland China who had subsequently migrated to Hong Kong had a significantly lower rate of allergic symptoms and atopy than those children born in Hong Kong. CONCLUSION Using a standardized written questionnaire along with a skin prick test and skin examination, we confirmed that the prevalence of asthma, allergic diseases and atopy was highest in schoolchildren from Hong Kong. Atopic sensitization is an important factor associated with asthma in Chinese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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Li Y, Li L, Wadley R, Reddel SW, Qi JC, Archis C, Collins A, Clark E, Cooley M, Kouts S, Naif HM, Alali M, Cunningham A, Wong GW, Stevens RL, Krilis SA. Mast cells/basophils in the peripheral blood of allergic individuals who are HIV-1 susceptible due to their surface expression of CD4 and the chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR4. Blood 2001; 97:3484-90. [PMID: 11369641 DOI: 10.1182/blood.v97.11.3484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A population of metachromatic cells with mast cell (MC) and basophil features was identified recently in the peripheral blood of patients with several allergic disorders. This study now shows that these metachromatic cells express on their surface the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI), CD4, and the chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR4, but not the T-cell surface protein CD3 and the monocyte/macrophage surface protein CD68. This population of MCs/basophils can be maintained ex vivo for at least 2 weeks, and a comparable population of cells can be generated in vitro from nongranulated hematopoietic CD3(-)/CD4(+)/CD117(-) progenitors. Both populations of MCs/basophils are susceptible to an M-tropic strain of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). Finally, many patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have HIV-1-infected MCs/basophils in their peripheral blood. Although it is well known that HIV-1 can infect CD4(+) T cells and monocytes, this finding is the first example of a human MC or basophil shown to be susceptible to the retrovirus. (Blood. 2001;97:3484-3490)
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Li
- Department of Medicine, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
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Wong GW, Li L, Madhusudhan MS, Krilis SA, Gurish MF, Rothenberg ME, Sali A, Stevens RL. Tryptase 4, a new member of the chromosome 17 family of mouse serine proteases. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:20648-58. [PMID: 11259427 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m010422200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic blot analysis raised the possibility that uncharacterized tryptase genes reside on chromosome 17 at the complex containing the three genes that encode mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 6, mMCP-7, and transmembrane tryptase (mTMT). Probing of GenBank's expressed sequence tag data base with these three tryptase cDNAs resulted in the identification of an expressed sequence tag that encodes a portion of a novel mouse serine protease (now designated mouse tryptase 4 (mT4) because it is the fourth member of this family). 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends approaches were carried out to deduce the nucleotide sequence of the full-length mT4 transcript. This information was then used to clone its approximately 5.0-kilobase pair gene. Chromosome mapping analysis of its gene, sequence analysis of its transcript, and comparative protein structure modeling of its translated product revealed that mT4 is a new member of the chromosome 17 family of mouse tryptases. mT4 is 40-44% identical to mMCP-6, mMCP-7, and mTMT, and this new serine protease has all of the structural features of a functional tryptase. Moreover, mT4 is enzymatically active when expressed in insect cells. Due to its 17-mer hydrophobic domain at its C terminus, mT4 is a membrane-anchored tryptase more analogous to mTMT than the other members of its family. As assessed by RNA blot, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and/or in situ hybridization analysis, mT4 is expressed in interleukin-5-dependent mouse eosinophils, as well as in ovaries and testes. The observation that recombinant mT4 is preferentially retained in the endoplasmic reticulum of transiently transfected COS-7 cells suggests a convertase-like role for this integral membrane serine protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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11
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was designed to allow international comparison of epidemiological data on atopic conditions in childhood. In so doing, further aetiological information would be obtained that in turn would provide a framework for future studies. The global ISAAC results on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis indicated a 60-fold variation recorded in different countries. Such a degree of difference may be partially due to the translated questionnaires that were not validated in all of the involved countries. OBJECTIVE To validate the Chinese version of the ISAAC core questions for atopic eczema. METHODS One thousand nine hundred and twenty children aged between 3 and 5 were randomly recruited from 13 kindergartens in Hong Kong. Using a dermatologist's clinical examination as the gold standard, we validated the Chinese version of the ISAAC core questions for atopic eczema. The Youden's Indexes obtained in our study were compared with those obtained in the United Kingdom's validation study. RESULTS The Youden's Indexes obtained in our study were significantly lower than those from the United Kingdom. The low scores were likely to be due to a reduction in the sensitivity of the Chinese questionnaire, which ranged from 23.5% to 70.6%. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the translated questionnaire is less effective than the English version in assessing the prevalence of atopic eczema. The indication of a low prevalence of atopic eczema among the Chinese population reported in previous studies was at least partially due to problems with the translated questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Chan
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Ng PC, Lam CW, Lee CH, Wong GW, Fok TF, Wong E, Chan IH, Ma KC. Changes of leptin and metabolic hormones in preterm infants: a longitudinal study in early postnatal life. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2001; 54:673-80. [PMID: 11380499 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2001.01231.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Very little is known concerning the physiological role of leptin and growth in the early postnatal period and the association of leptin with other metabolic hormones in preterm infants. This study aims to investigate these relationships, and to explore the longitudinal and dynamic profile of leptin and metabolic hormones including insulin, ACTH, cortisol and FT4 in this category of patient. We also postulate that a rapid increase in body weight and body mass index in the first few weeks of life may be associated with a corresponding increase in serum leptin if the 'adipoinsular axis' is active at this stage. DESIGN A longitudinal study in a cohort of preterm infants < 34 weeks gestation for the first five weeks of postnatal life. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-one preterm newborns < 34 weeks gestation were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples were collected in the morning when the newborns were 24 h of age (day 1), and on days 5, 14 and 35 of life. Serum leptin, insulin, cortisol, FT4, glucose and plasma ACTH concentrations were analysed using standard biochemical methods. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the inter-relationship of different metabolic hormones on the first day of life, and the relationship between metabolic hormones on day 1 and anthropometric or clinical parameters. The mixed-effects models were further used for analysing the multiple longitudinal measurements, and also for comparing the hormone concentrations between day 1 (baseline) and their corresponding levels on days 5, 14 and 35. RESULTS Serum leptin on day 1 (baseline) was significantly associated with serum insulin (r = 0.30, P < 0.05) and insulin:glucose ratio (r = 0.29, P < 0.05) in infants < 34 weeks gestation. Female preterm infants had significantly higher serum leptin (P < 0.05) and insulin (P < 0.05) levels than male infants. In addition, the duration between the last dose of antenatal dexamethasone and delivery significantly influenced the serum concentrations of leptin (r = - 0.27, P < 0.05), cortisol (r = 0.52, P < 0.001), plasma ACTH (r = 0.28, P < 0.05) and insulin:glucose ratio (r = - 0.27, P < 0.05) on the first day of life. Despite significant increase in body weight (P < 0.00001) and body mass index (P < 0.00001) by day 35 when compared to birth weight, no corresponding significant changes were observed for serum leptin, insulin and FT4. However, there was an increasing though statistically nonsignificant trend in serum leptin after day 14 of life. CONCLUSION This study characterized the longitudinal profile of leptin and metabolic hormones in preterm infants < 34 weeks gestation in the first 5 weeks of life. Serum leptin was significantly associated with serum insulin and insulin:glucose ratio supporting the hypothesis that an 'adipoinsular axis' exists and is likely to be functional before 34 weeks of gestation. Although a significant increase in body weight was demonstrated by day 35, no significant corresponding changes occurred with regard to serum leptin. We postulate that the limited quantity of adipose tissue at this stage of development might have contributed to this observation. Moreover, our results also showed that the duration between the last dose of antenatal corticosteroid and delivery could influence the postnatal concentrations of adipoinsular and pituitary-adrenal hormones. Thus, it is possible that antenatal dexamethasone might affect fetal growth and development via these neuroendocrine pathways in early intrauterine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong.
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13
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood Graves' disease has been reported to be rare but preliminary epidemiological data on its incidence appeared to be high in Hong Kong Chinese children. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of childhood Graves' disease in Hong Kong and to analyse whether there is an increasing trend of the incidence. PATIENTS AND DESIGN We established a registry of childhood Graves' disease at our centre to collect cases from four districts in Hong Kong. The diagnosis of Graves' disease was based on clinical features, diffused enlargement of thyroid gland, raised free thyroxine or triiodothyronine levels, suppressed TSH levels, and the presence of thyroid receptor antibodies. Confirmed cases of Graves' disease who resided in any of the four districts were used to calculate the incidence for the study period between 1989 and 1998. RESULTS One hundred and eighteen Chinese children under 15 years of age had a confirmed diagnosis of Graves' disease during the study period from January 1989 to December 1998. There were 11 boys and 107 girls giving a male to female ratio of 1 : 9.7. The overall incidence rates were 3.2/100 000/year and 6.5/100 000/year for the two periods 1989-93 and 1994-98, respectively. The incidence rates for girls have increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 3.8/100 000/year in 1989 to 14.1/100 000/year in 1998. The current incidence of childhood Graves' disease in our population is about eight times that reported in Danish children. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the high incidence of childhood Graves' disease in Hong Kong and documents an increasing trend for girls. Further studies are required to reveal possible genetic or environmental factors responsible for such epidemiology in Hong Kong Chinese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
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14
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15
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Abstract
To investigate the effect of diabetes on the growth of children and to detect possible impairment of their final height, 58 Chinese subjects (22 boys; 36 girls) with childhood diabetes were studied longitudinally from diagnosis. Mean onset age at presentation was 8. 70 years. All patients were measured and weighed at diagnosis and every 3-4 months during the follow up period. Their height and weight measurements were converted to standard deviation scores (S.D. S.) using normal height and weight-for-height reference standards for Chinese children established in Hong Kong. The mean height S.D.S. for boys and girls at diagnosis were +0.76 and -0.07 (P=0.015). The mean final height S.D.S. for boys and girls were +0.14 and -0.57. The final heights of girls were significantly shorter than their target heights. At attainment of final height for diabetic girls, their mean weight-for-height S.D.S. was +0.76 indicating that they tended to become overweight. This study demonstrates the sex differences in the growth of diabetic children. Diabetic boys were tall for age at presentation but they achieved average final heights while diabetic girls attained below average adult stature and they tended to become obese.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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16
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Abstract
AIMS To investigate the effect of maternal diabetes on leptin in term newborns and to determine whether leptin correlates with insulin and its associated biochemical parameters in support of the hypothesis that a functional "adipoinsular axis" might exist at this stage of development. METHODS A total of 116 term newborns were prospectively enrolled and categorised into three groups: 44 were infants of non-diabetic mothers (control group C); 41 were infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes on dietary treatment (group D); and 31 were infants born to mothers with gestational or pregestational diabetes on insulin treatment (group I). RESULTS No significant difference in serum leptin was observed between the three groups; the results of the study population were therefore pooled and analysed. Serum leptin correlated significantly with serum insulin, insulin:glucose ratio, birth weight, body length, body mass index, placenta weight, and maternal HbA(1c). Female infants had significantly higher serum leptin than male infants. All parameters except placenta weight and body length remained significantly associated with serum leptin when multivariate stepwise regression analysis was applied. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant correlation between serum leptin and cortisol in group D. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference in serum leptin between infants born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers, though infants born to mothers requiring insulin treatment had the highest median serum leptin concentrations. The significant association between serum leptin and insulin or insulin:glucose ratio supports the hypothesis that a functional adipoinsular axis might exist in term newborns. Furthermore, the significant correlation between maternal HbA(1c) and circulating leptin of the studied infants suggests that the clinical control of maternal diabetes could affect the regulation of serum leptin in these infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Paediatrics, Level 6, Clinical Science Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
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17
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Abstract
AIM To investigate the inter-relation between leptin and other metabolic hormones in preterm and term infants and to explore whether a functional "adipoinsular axis" might exist in preterm newborns. METHODS A total of 140 preterm and term newborns were prospectively recruited and categorised according to gestation length. Blood samples were taken at 24 hours (day 1), and on day 4-5 of life. RESULTS Serum leptin, cortisol, free thyroxine, and plasma ACTH on day 1 were significantly higher in term than in preterm infants. The relation between serum leptin and gestation followed a non-linear pattern; the slope of the curve began to increase steeply between 33 and 35 weeks gestation. Serum leptin on day 1 was significantly associated with serum insulin, insulin:glucose ratio, and plasma ACTH in infants less than 34 weeks gestation; serum leptin on day 1 and day 4-5 were significantly correlated with insulin:glucose ratio in infants 34 or more weeks gestation. Significant changes in the pattern of metabolic hormones were observed in the first week of life. Serum insulin and plasma glucose were significantly increased between day 1 and day 4-5; serum leptin was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS The circulating leptin concentration increases markedly after 34 weeks gestation and bears a close temporal relation with the exponential accumulation of body fat mass during that period. The inter-relation between serum leptin and insulin or insulin:glucose ratio before and after 34 weeks gestation indicates that the "adipoinsular axis" is likely to be functional in early (<34 weeks gestation) intrauterine life. The rapid decline in the circulating concentrations of leptin after birth may be of physiological advantage to preterm and term newborns by limiting their body energy expenditure and conserving nutritional reverses for subsequent growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Paediatrics, Level 6, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
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18
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Xia P, Fu KK, Wong GW, Akazawa C, Verhey LJ. Comparison of treatment plans involving intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2000; 48:329-37. [PMID: 10974445 DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(00)00585-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment plans with conventional treatment plans for a case of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS The study case was planned using two types of IMRT techniques, as well as a three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technique (3D-CRT), and a traditional treatment method using bilateral opposing fields. These four plans were compared with respect to dose conformality, dose-volume histogram (DVH), dose to the sensitive normal tissue structures, and ease of treatment delivery. RESULTS The planned dose distributions were more conformal to the tumor target volume in the IMRT plans than those in the conventional plans. With similar dose coverage of the clinical target volume (CTV), defined as delivery of minimum of 60 Gy to >/= 95% of CTV, the IMRT plans achieved better sensitive normal tissue structure sparing, while concomitantly delivering a minimum dose of 68 Gy to >/= 95% of the gross tumor volume (GTV) at a higher dose per fraction. CONCLUSIONS Compared to conventional techniques, IMRT techniques provide improved tumor target coverage with significantly better sparing of sensitive normal tissue structures in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. With improvement of the delivery efficiency, IMRT should provide the optimal treatment for all nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Further studies are needed to establish the true clinical advantage of this new modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Xia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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19
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Chen HD, Huang YK, Ault K, Wong GW, Lin MC, Chen HC, Kung HF. Molecular basis for differing antineurogenic effects of GATA-1a and GATA-1b in Xenopus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 273:614-20. [PMID: 10873654 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.2988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The erythroid transcription factor GATA-1 in Xenopus has been cloned as a pair of presumably duplicated genes designated as xGATA-1a and xGATA-1b. Although both xGATA-1a and xGATA-1b are able to stimulate erythropoiesis, only xGATA-1b is capable of inhibiting neurogenesis in Xenopus embryos. Chimeras of these two genes were constructed by permuting coding and untranslated regions (UTR) on both ends of these two xGATA-1, and their neurogenesis-inhibitory effects were studied. These results reveal that (1) sequence variations between the coding regions alone do not account for the neurogenesis effect; (2) 3' UTR of xGATA-1a causes the loss of the neurogenesis inhibition of xGATA-1b; (3) 3' UTR of xGATA-1b is essential to inhibit neurogenesis. In addition, the presence of either UTR does not affect the stability of the mRNA in vitro. These observations suggest the influence of 3' UTR in xGATA-1 on the inhibition of neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H D Chen
- Endocrinology and Reproduction Research Branch, NICHD, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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20
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Fenno JC, Tamura M, Hannam PM, Wong GW, Chan RA, McBride BC. Identification of a Treponema denticola OppA homologue that binds host proteins present in the subgingival environment. Infect Immun 2000; 68:1884-92. [PMID: 10722578 PMCID: PMC97362 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.4.1884-1892.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins secreted or exported by Treponema denticola have been implicated as mediators of specific interactions between the spirochete and subgingival tissues in periodontal diseases. However, limited information is available on the ability of this peptidolytic organism to bind or transport soluble peptides present in the subgingival environment. A prominent 70-kDa protein was isolated from surface extracts of T. denticola ATCC 35405. A clone expressing a portion of the protein was identified in an Escherichia coli expression library of T. denticola DNA. DNA sequence analysis showed that the cloned gene encoded a peptide homologous to OppA, the solute binding protein of an ATP-binding cassette-type peptide transporter involved in peptide uptake and environmental signaling in a wide range of bacteria. Genes encoding OppB, -C, -D, and -F were identified directly downstream of oppA in T. denticola. OppA was present in representative strains of T. denticola and in Treponema vincentii but was not detected in Treponema pectinovorum or Treponema socranskii. Immunogold electron microscopy suggested that OppA was accessible to proteins at the surface of the spirochete. Native OppA bound soluble plasminogen and fibronectin but did not bind to immobilized substrates or epithelial cells. A T. denticola oppA mutant bound reduced amounts of soluble plasminogen, and plasminogen binding to the parent strain was inhibited by the lysine analog epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Binding of soluble host proteins by OppA may be important both for spirochete-host interactions in the subgingival environment and for uptake of peptide nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Fenno
- Department of Microbiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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21
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Huen KF, Low LC, Wong GW, Tse WW, Yu AC, Lam YY, Cheung PC, Wong LM, Yeung WK, But BW, Cheung PT, Kwan EY, Karlberg JP, Lee C. Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in children in Hong Kong: the Hong Kong childhood diabetes register. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2000; 13:297-302. [PMID: 10714755 DOI: 10.1515/jpem.2000.13.3.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To establish a registry for Chinese children with onset of type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus before 15 years of age and to determine the incidence of childhood onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in Chinese children in Hong Kong. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A registry was established in 1997 to collect childhood diabetes cases retrospectively from all districts in Hong Kong. The study included all newly diagnosed cases of diabetes with onset < 15 yr of age from 1st January 1984 to 31 December 1996. Primary ascertainment was based on review of medical records at all regional public hospitals in Hong Kong and survey of all the registered practitioners in Hong Kong. The secondary source of validation was made impractical, if not impossible, because of the recent implementation of the Personal Data Privacy Ordinance in Hong Kong. RESULTS A total of 255 diabetic cases were identified, 227 type 1 diabetes mellitus (218 were Chinese), 18 type 2 diabetes mellitus and 11 secondary diabetes. 246 patients were Chinese and 9 non-Chinese. The age-standardized incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in southern Chinese children in Hong Kong was 1.4/100,000/yr and 0.1/100,000/yr respectively for children < 15 yr of age during the study period. The incidence rates for type 1 diabetes were 0.9, 1.5 and 1.7 per 100,000/yr for 0-4 years, 5 to 9 years and 10 to 14 years age-groups respectively. The incidence for males was 1.2/100,000/yr and for females 1.7/100,000/yr. A significant increase in the incidence was demonstrated during the study period by simple linear regression (slope 0.14/100,000/year, r2 = 0.73, p = 0.0002) CONCLUSIONS A diabetic registry is established in Hong Kong. This study documents a very low incidence rate of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in southern Chinese children in Hong Kong and we have seen an increasing incidence of the disease in the past 13 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- K F Huen
- Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
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22
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Wong GW, Tang Y, Feyfant E, Sali A, Li L, Li Y, Huang C, Friend DS, Krilis SA, Stevens RL. Identification of a new member of the tryptase family of mouse and human mast cell proteases which possesses a novel COOH-terminal hydrophobic extension. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:30784-93. [PMID: 10521469 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.43.30784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping of the tryptase locus on chromosome 17 revealed a novel gene 2.3 kilobase 3' of the mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 6 gene. This 3.7-kilobase gene encodes the first example of a protease in the tryptase family that contains a membrane-spanning segment located at its COOH terminus. Comparative structural studies indicated that the putative transmembrane tryptase (TMT) possesses a unique substrate-binding cleft. As assessed by RNA blot analyses, mTMT is expressed in mice in both strain- and tissue-dependent manners. Thus, different transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional mechanisms are used to control the expression of mTMT in vivo. Analysis of the corresponding tryptase locus in the human genome resulted in the isolation and characterization of the hTMT gene. The hTMT transcript is expressed in numerous tissues and is also translated. Analysis of the tryptase family of genes in mice and humans now indicates that a primordial serine protease gene duplicated early and often during the evolution of mammals to generate a panel of homologous tryptases in each species that differ in their tissue expression, substrate specificities, and physical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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23
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Childhood thyrotoxicosis is an uncommon condition. To investigate the effect of thyrotoxicosis on the growth of children and to detect possible influence of the disease on their final height, 105 Chinese children (90 girls; 15 boys) with thyrotoxicosis were studied longitudinally from diagnosis. At presentation their mean age was 11. 57 years. Their height and weight measurements were converted to standard deviation scores (SDS) using normal height and weight-for-height reference standards for Chinese children established in Hong Kong. Their mean height SDS at diagnosis was +0. 73. Bone age assessment at diagnosis was done in 48 girls and 8 boys and their mean +/- S.D. bone development quotient was 1.16 +/- 0.11. A total of 53 girls have reached adult height and their mean height was 161.3 cm, corresponding to a SDS of +0.63. Their final heights significantly exceeded their target heights. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that children with thyrotoxicosis were tall for age and their bone ages were advanced at presentation. They continued to be tall for age after starting treatment and they achieved final heights exceeding their target height.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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24
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Humphries DE, Wong GW, Friend DS, Gurish MF, Qiu WT, Huang C, Sharpe AH, Stevens RL. Heparin is essential for the storage of specific granule proteases in mast cells. Nature 1999; 400:769-72. [PMID: 10466726 DOI: 10.1038/23481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 349] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
All mammals produce heparin, a negatively charged glycosaminoglycan that is a major constituent of the secretory granules of mast cells which are found in the peritoneal cavity and most connective tissues. Although heparin is one of the most studied molecules in the body, its physiological function has yet to be determined. Here we describe transgenic mice, generated by disrupting the N-deacetylase/N-sulphotransferase-2 gene, that cannot express fully sulphated heparin. The mast cells in the skeletal muscle that normally contain heparin lacked metachromatic granules and failed to store appreciable amounts of mouse mast-cell protease (mMCP)-4, mMCP-5 and carboxypeptidase A (mMC-CPA), even though they contained substantial amounts of mMCP-7. We developed mast cells from the bone marrow of the transgenic mice. Although these cultured cells contained high levels of various protease transcripts and had substantial amounts of mMCP-6 protein in their granules, they also failed to express mMCP-5 and mMC-CPA. Our data show that heparin controls, through a post-translational mechanism, the levels of specific cassettes of positively charged proteases inside mast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Humphries
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, and VA Medical Center, Massachusetts 02130, USA.
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25
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Ng PC, Wong GW, Lam CW, Lee CH, Fok TF, Wong MY, Ma KC. Effect of multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids on pituitary-adrenal function in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1999; 80:F213-6. [PMID: 10212084 PMCID: PMC1720941 DOI: 10.1136/fn.80.3.f213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the pituitary-adrenal function of preterm infants whose mothers received multiple courses (8 or more doses) of antenatal dexamethasone. METHODS The pituitary-adrenal function of 14 preterm infants whose mothers received eight or more doses of antenatal dexamethasone were assessed using the human corticotrophin releasing hormone (hCRH) stimulation test when 7 days (n = 14) and 14 days old (n = 12). During each test, blood samples were taken at 0 (baseline), 15, 30 and 60 minutes after an intravenous bolus dose of hCRH (1 microg/kg). The corresponding hormone concentrations were compared between days 7 and 14, and with various associated factors. RESULTS The baseline (0 min) plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentration was significantly higher at day 14 than at day 7 (p = 0.036). None of the corresponding poststimulation (15, 30, and 60 min) hormone concentrations was significantly different between the two time epochs. When the association between the hormone concentrations and the number of antenatal dexamethasone doses received by the mothers was assessed, a significant negative correlation was observed in serum cortisol concentrations at 15 and 30 min on day 14 (r = -0.59, p = 0.04 and r = -0.60, p = 0.039, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The absence of a significant difference in poststimulation hormone concentrations between days 7 and 14 in this cohort of infants, and the similarity of their hormone responses with those of older children and adults, suggests that no severe pituitary-adrenal suppression had occurred. None the less there was evidence of mild adrenal suppression in some of the treated infants. Vigilance in monitoring blood pressure, electrolytes and signs of adrenal suppression in infants whose mothers receive multiple courses (8 or more doses) of antenatal dexamethasone is required, as some of them might have diminished adrenal reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Paediatrics Prince of Wales Hospital Chinese University of Hong Kong
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26
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Graves' disease has been documented to be associated with different HLA genes in Caucasians and Chinese adults. The incidence of childhood Graves' disease has been reported to be high in Hong Kong Chinese. The aims of this study were to examine the HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 associations with Graves' disease in Chinese children. PATIENTS AND DESIGN Sixty-seven Chinese children with Graves' disease (59 girls and 8 boys) and 51 racially matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood samples. HLA-DQ typings were determined by sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing of the respective enzymatically amplified gene. Frequencies of HLA-DQ alleles at each locus were compared between patients and controls using the chi 2-test. RESULTS The frequency of HLA-DQB1.0303 was increased in the combined male and female patient group [53.7%; relative risk (RR) = 4.22; Pc = 0.005] and female patients (50.8%; RR = 3.76; Pc = 0.018) compared with that in the entire control group (21.2%). HLA-DQB1*201 was protective for Graves' disease (10.4%; RR = 0.20; Pc = 0.006). In contrast to studies in Caucasians, DQA1*0501 was not associated with susceptibility for Graves' disease in Chinese children. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that DQB1*0303 is a race-specific susceptible allele for Graves' disease in Chinese. Both susceptible and protective HLA-DQ alleles for Graves' disease in Chinese children are different from those in Caucasians.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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27
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong
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28
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Three functionally distinct tryptases have been identified in the mouse, one of which encodes an unusual protease that possesses a membrane-spanning domain located in its C terminus. METHODS AND RESULTS Using the deduced nucleotide sequence of this mouse transmembrane tryptase (mTMT) gene in a polymerase chain reaction approach, cDNAs were isolated from a number of tissues which encode its human homolog. The amino acid sequences of hTMT and mTMT are 74% identical, and the human tryptase also has the novel membrane-spanning domain. CONCLUSION The discovery that the human genome contains a large number of homologous, but distinct, tryptase genes suggests that the individual members of this family of proteases evolved to carry out discrete functions in mast cell-mediated allergic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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29
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Panesar NS, Poon CW, Liew CT, Wong GW, Hjelm NM. Histochemical, clinical, and in vitro beta cell responses in a neonate with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1998; 79:F141-4. [PMID: 9828742 PMCID: PMC1720842 DOI: 10.1136/fn.79.2.f141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
When treatment with diazoxide and somatostatin for persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy failed, subtotal pancreatectomy was performed on a neonate on day 41. The pancreatic tissue was saved and used for immunohistochemical and cell culture studies. The initial immunohistochemistry of beta cells for insulin was negative, using a 1 in 200 dilution of insulin antiserum, but positive results were obtained with an increased concentration of the antiserum. The insulin to somatostatin cell ratio in islets of Langerhans was about 1:1, with no somatostatin cells outside the islets. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion in a concentration dependent manner in vitro. Isobutyl methyl xanthine doubled insulin secretion, but lithium had no effect. The glucose stimulated insulin secretion was inhibited by somatostatin, epinephrine, and in the absence of Ca2+. In view of the normal in vitro responses of beta cells to various secretory analogues, the lack of responsiveness to somatostatin analogue before pancreatectomy may not have been due to deficiency or resistance to somatostatin, but to beta cell hyperplasia overwhelming the paracrine regulatory mechanism(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Panesar
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, People's Republic of China.
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30
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Ng PC, Fok TF, Wong GW, Lam CW, Lee CH, Wong MY, Lam K, Ma KC. Pituitary-adrenal suppression in preterm, very low birth weight infants after inhaled fluticasone propionate treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998; 83:2390-3. [PMID: 9661616 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.83.7.4947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Systemic corticosteroids prescribed for treatment of pulmonary diseases in preterm, very low birth weight infants caused severe suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and produced serious physiological and metabolic disturbances. However, the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on their pituitary-adrenal functions is not known. We prospectively evaluate the pituitary-adrenal function using the human CRH stimulation test in a cohort of very low birth weight infants at risk for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression in a double blind, randomized pilot study designed for assessing the efficacy and adverse effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate in newborn preterm infants who required mechanical ventilation for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. Twenty-five preterm (< 32 gestational weeks), very low birth weight (< 1500 g) infants were randomized to receive inhaled fluticasone propionate (n = 13) or a placebo inhaler (n = 12). The medication was given every 12 h (fluticasone propionate, 1,000 micrograms/day) for 14 days. All surviving infants had their pituitary-adrenal functions assessed by human CRH test on the following morning immediately after completion of the 2-week course. All basal (0 min) and post-stimulation (15, 30, and 60 min) plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations were significantly suppressed in the inhaled fluticasone group compared to their corresponding levels in the placebo group [basal plasma ACTH concentrations (F = 6.0; P = 0.02), poststimulation plasma ACTH concentrations (F > 8.6; P < 0.01), basal serum cortisol concentrations (F = 5.6; P = 0.03), and poststimulation serum cortisol concentrations (F > 15.6; P < 0.001)]. This is the first study in very low birth weight infants that demonstrates unequivocally that cumulative high dose inhaled corticosteroids can induce moderately severe suppression of both the pituitary and adrenal glands. The systemic bioactivity is probably associated with pulmonary vascular absorption, which effectively circumvents the hepatic first pass metabolism. Until the question of safety can be adequately addressed, inhaled fluticasone propionate should be used with cautionin preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Pediatrics and Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
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31
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Abstract
The pore-forming major surface protein (Msp) and the chymotrypsin-like protease (CTLP) of Treponema denticola ATCC 35405 have been implicated in periodontal pathogenicity. Allelic replacement mutations were constructed at two sites in the msp gene and at one site in the CTLP locus. All mutant strains lacked the Msp hexagonal array outer membrane ultrastructure. Strain CKE, in which the locus encoding CTLP was disrupted, produced no CTLP and had aberrant Msp expression. The msp mutant MHE lacked Msp, and produced increased levels of CTLP. In contrast, msp mutant MPE made small amounts of a truncated Msp, but produced no CTLP. Interactions between Msp and CTLP in transport or assembly of the outer membrane complex are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Fenno
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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32
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To obtain normative reference values for urinary calcium excretion in Chinese adolescents. METHODOLOGY A random group of 425 healthy Chinese adolescents aged 12-19 years were recruited from secondary schools in Hong Kong. Each subject provided a sample of morning urine for the assessment of calcium and creatinine excretion. A subgroup of 80 subjects provided a 24-h urine sample for assessment of daily calcium excretion. RESULTS The mean (+/-S.D.) and median urinary calcium/creatinine concentration ratios (UCa/Cr) expressed in mmolmmol creatinine were 0.18 (+/-0.16) and 0.12. Girls had a higher UCa/Cr than boys (P < 0.0001). The mean+/-S.D. 24-h urinary calcium excretion was 0.043+/-0.025 mmol kg day(-1) (1.71+/-1.01 mg kg day(-1)). CONCLUSION The UCa/Cr ratio and 24-h urinary calcium excretion are low when compared with published values for Caucasian children. The apparent rarity of nephrolithiasis and microscopic haematuria associated with hypercalciuria may be related to the low urinary calcium excretion in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories
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33
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Abstract
Stroke is a rare complication of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection although recent studies suggest that infection may be a risk factor of acute ischemic stroke. We report a 5-year-old girl who had a stroke 10 days after M. pneumoniae infection. This is the first case of documented middle cerebral artery occlusion after Mycoplasma infection in children. In this article, we review other published reports on this topic and discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of the middle cerebral artery occlusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fu
- Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin
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34
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Huang C, Friend DS, Qiu WT, Wong GW, Morales G, Hunt J, Stevens RL. Induction of a selective and persistent extravasation of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity by tryptase mouse mast cell protease 6. J Immunol 1998; 160:1910-9. [PMID: 9469453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant mouse mast cell protease 6 (mMCP-6) was generated to study the role of this tryptase in inflammatory reactions. Seven to forty-eight hours after the i.p. injection of recombinant mMCP-6 into BALB/c, mast cell-deficient WCB6F1-Sl/Sl(d), C5-deficient, or mMCP-5-null mice, the number of neutrophils in the peritoneal cavity of each animal increased significantly by >50-fold. The failure of the closely related recombinant tryptase mMCP-7 to induce a comparable peritonitis indicates that the substrate specificities of the two tryptases are very different. Unlike most forms of acute inflammation, the mMCP-6-mediated peritonitis was relatively long lasting and neutrophil specific. Mouse MCP-6 did not induce neutrophil chemotaxis directly in an in vitro assay, but did promote chemotaxis of the leukocyte in the presence of endothelial cells. Mouse MCP-6 did not induce cultured human endothelial cells to express TNF-alpha, RANTES, IL-1alpha, or IL-6. However, the tryptase induced endothelial cells to express large amounts of IL-8 continually over a 40-h period. Neither enzymatically active mMCP-7 nor enzymatically inactive pro-mMCP-6 was able to induce endothelial cells to increase their expression of IL-8. Although the mechanism by which mMCP-6 induces neutrophil accumulation in tissues remains to be determined, the finding that mMCP-6 induces cultured human endothelial cells to selectively release large amounts of IL-8 raises the possibility that this tryptase regulates the steady state levels of neutrophil-specific chemokines in vivo during mast cell-mediated inflammatory events.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Huang
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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35
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Goitre is common among growing children and adolescents. To define the aetiology of goitre in adolescents of Hong Kong and to examine their current level of iodine intake, this cross-sectional survey of goitre in high school students was performed and urine samples were collected for the analysis of iodine excretion. Screening examinations were carried out in 2439 secondary school students aged 12-18 years from ten randomly selected high schools in Hong Kong. Blood samples were obtained from all goitrous subjects for the determination of serum TSH, free T4 and thyroid antibodies. We obtained 476 random urine samples and 80 24-h urinary collections for the analysis of iodine excretion. Of these, 85 subjects (3.5%) had goitre, 70 had simple goitre. Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was found in ten subjects. Two had Graves' disease and three had nodular goitre. The median urinary iodine concentration for the random urine samples was 190 microg/l (1.50 micromol/l) or 158 microg/g creatinine. The median 24-h urinary excretion of iodine was 189 microg (1.49 micromol) per day. CONCLUSION This cross-sectional study demonstrates the spectrum of thyroid disease in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Their urinary iodine excretion was adequate and much higher than those of children from many European countries and coastal cities of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories.
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36
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Huang C, Wong GW, Ghildyal N, Gurish MF, Sali A, Matsumoto R, Qiu WT, Stevens RL. The tryptase, mouse mast cell protease 7, exhibits anticoagulant activity in vivo and in vitro due to its ability to degrade fibrinogen in the presence of the diverse array of protease inhibitors in plasma. J Biol Chem 1997; 272:31885-93. [PMID: 9395536 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.50.31885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 7 is a tryptase of unknown function expressed by a subpopulation of mast cells that reside in numerous connective tissue sites. Because enzymatically active mMCP-7 is selectively released into the plasma of V3 mastocytosis mice undergoing passive systemic anaphylaxis, we used this in vivo model system to identify a physiologic substrate of the tryptase. Plasma samples taken from V3 mastocytosis mice that had been sensitized with immunoglobulin (Ig) E and challenged with antigen were found to contain substantial amounts of four 34-55-kDa peptides, all of which were derived from fibrinogen. To confirm the substrate specificity of mMCP-7, a pseudozymogen form of the recombinant tryptase was generated that could be activated after its purification. The resulting recombinant mMCP-7 exhibited potent anticoagulant activity in the presence of normal plasma and selectively cleaved the alpha-chain of fibrinogen to fragments of similar size as that seen in the plasma of the IgE/antigen-treated V3 mastocytosis mouse. Subsequent analysis of a tryptase-specific, phage display peptide library revealed that recombinant mMCP-7 preferentially cleaves an amino acid sequence that is nearly identical to that in the middle of the alpha-chain of rat fibrinogen. Because fibrinogen is a physiologic substrate of mMCP-7, this tryptase can regulate clot formation and fibrinogen/integrin-dependent cellular responses during mast cell-mediated inflammatory reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Huang
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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37
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Ng PC, Wong GW, Lam CW, Lee CH, Wong MY, Fok TF, Wong W, Chan DC. Pituitary-adrenal response in preterm very low birth weight infants after treatment with antenatal corticosteroids. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82:3548-52. [PMID: 9360505 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.82.11.4392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Antenatal corticosteroids have been widely used for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm neonates, yet little is known about their effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in these infants. We prospectively evaluated pituitary-adrenal function in 61 preterm (< 32 gestational weeks), very low birth weight (< 1500 g) infants on days 7 and 14 of life using the human CRH stimulation test. The baseline and poststimulation plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations did not differ significantly between infants whose mothers received no antenatal corticosteroids, and those whose mothers received 1-2 doses or > 2 doses (mean 7.2 doses) of prenatal dexamethasone (P = > 0.12). The number of doses of dexamethasone and the time intervals between the last dose of drug and delivery did not significantly affect the pituitary-adrenal responsiveness on days 7 and 14 of life. Among infants who did not require mechanical ventilation at the time of the human CRH test, significantly higher plasma ACTH (P < 0.014) and lower serum cortisol concentrations (P < 0.02) were found on day 14 than on day 7. In contrast, none of the poststimulation hormone concentrations were significantly different in ventilated infants between days 7 and 14. The relationship between the blood hormone concentrations in each time epoch (day 7 and day 14) and possible confounding factors including gestational and postconceptional age, birth weight, sex, Apgar scores, mode of delivery, single or higher order births, and mode of ventilation were determined. Plasma ACTH concentrations on day 7 were found to be significantly higher in ventilated than in nonventilated infants (P = 0.006). However, none of the aforementioned factors correlated significantly with plasma ACTH concentrations on day 14. Serum cortisol concentrations on day 7 were significantly higher in infants of greater gestational age (P = 0.039) and birth weight (P = 0.013), with lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min (P = 0.021 and P = 0.049, respectively), and in those delivered vaginally (P = 0.047). Similarly, serum cortisol concentrations on day 14 were found to be significantly higher in infants with lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min (P = 0.011 and P = 0.014, respectively) and in infants requiring mechanical ventilation (P = 0.014). Our results suggest that single or multiple courses of antenatal dexamethasone have no long-lasting suppressive effects on pituitary-adrenal function in preterm, very low birth weight infants. Maturation of pituitary function appears to be more advanced than adrenal function. The organ's ability to respond appropriately to various stressful stimuli indicates that the pituitary-adrenal axis is highly responsive at these early gestational ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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38
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Ng PC, Wong GW, Lam CW, Lee CH, Fok TF, Wong MY, Wong W, Chan DC. Pituitary-adrenal suppression and recovery in preterm very low birth weight infants after dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82:2429-32. [PMID: 9253312 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.82.8.4152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
High dose dexamethasone is frequently used for the treatment of neonatal respiratory conditions and to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation in preterm, very low birth weight infants. However, very little is known about the severity, site, and duration of steroid-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression in this category of patients. Twenty-three preterm, very low birth weight infants who received a full 3-week dose-tapering course of dexamethasone were prospectively studied, with a human CRH stimulation test performed at three different times: before the start of steroid treatment (week 0), immediately after the course (week 3), and 4 weeks after stopping dexamethasone (week 7). Plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations were measured at 0 (baseline), 15, 30, and 60 min. Immediately after the steroid course (week 3), both basal and poststimulation plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations were markedly suppressed. The hormone concentrations at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min in week 3 were significantly lower than their corresponding levels in week 0 (P < 0.0001 for both ACTH and cortisol) and week 7 (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.005 for ACTH and cortisol, respectively). In contrast, when the hormone levels in week 7 were compared to their corresponding concentrations in week 0, only the 60 min serum cortisol concentration in week 7 was significantly lower (P = 0.02). The currently used dosage of dexamethasone caused severe pituitary-adrenal suppression immediately after treatment, but substantial recovery of the endocrine axis was observed 4 weeks after discontinuation of therapy. Although the recovery appeared to be earlier with the pituitary center, both pituitary and adrenal glands were capable of mounting a biochemically adequate response to exogenous human CRH stimulation at this stage. Steroid replacement therapy may be desirable at a time of stress in the immediate posttreatment period, but it would seem unnecessary 1 month after stopping dexamethasone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
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39
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Abstract
The dentofacial morphology of Chinese is different from Caucasians. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the skeletal and dental changes contributing to the sagittal correction in group of consecutive Chinese children who were treated with the Herbst appliance. A comparison was made between 14 Chinese and 14 Swedish subjects who all had Herbst appliance treatment. All subjects were corrected from the Class II division 1 malocclusion to an overcorrected Class I or Class III dental relationship within a 6-8 month period. Lateral cephalograms taken before and immediately after the Herbst treatment were analysed. In general, the skeletal and dental changes during treatment were comparable between both ethnic groups. However, individual variations within the two groups were wide. It can be concluded that the Herbst appliance was equally successful in Southern Chinese children and similar treatment changes as those achieved in Swedish children could be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Children's Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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40
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Ng PC, Wong GW, Lam CW, Lee CH, Wong MY, Fok TF, Wong W, Chan DC. The pituitary-adrenal responses to exogenous human corticotropin-releasing hormone in preterm, very low birth weight infants. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82:797-9. [PMID: 9062485 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.82.3.3832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the pituitary-adrenal reserve and to standardize the methodology of performing the human CRH (hCRH) stimulation test, we performed the hCRH test on 14 preterm (< 32 gestational weeks), very low birth weight infants, who did not receive antenatal or postnatal corticosteroid treatment, on days 7 and 14 of life. Blood samples were obtained 0 (baseline), 15, 30, and 60 min after an iv dose of hCRH (1 microgram/kg). The plasma ACTH concentration rose from a basal value of 5.7 +/- 0.6 pmol/L (mean +/- SEM) to 11.9 +/- 2.1 pmol/L (P < 0.005), 9.2 +/- 1.2 pmol/L (P < 0.005), and 7.7 +/- 0.8 pmol/L (P < 0.005) at 15, 30, and 60 min, respectively. The corresponding rises in serum cortisol from a basal concentration of 396 +/- 67 nmol/L were 509 +/- 71 nmol/L (P < 0.0001), 647 +/- 62 nmol/L (P < 0.0001), and 578 +/- 60 nmol/L (P < 0.0001). The plasma ACTH concentration consistently peaked early at 15 min, whereas the maximum cortisol response occurred 30 min post-hCRH stimulation. No significant differences were detected between the hCRH tests performed on days 7 and 14 (P > 0.15). Mechanical ventilation, infant gender, and mode of delivery did not significantly influence the hormonal responses (P > 0.25). We have defined in this study the pattern, the magnitude of the pituitary-adrenal response, and the timing of the peak concentrations of plasma ACTH and serum cortisol in relation to a standard iv dose of hCRH. The hCRH test in very low birth weight infants appears to be safe and reproducible, and produces a pituitary-adrenal response comparable to that seen in older children and adults, indicating that pituitary-adrenal function is mature at these early stages of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
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41
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Fenno JC, Wong GW, Hannam PM, Müller KH, Leung WK, McBride BC. Conservation of msp, the gene encoding the major outer membrane protein of oral Treponema spp. J Bacteriol 1997; 179:1082-9. [PMID: 9023187 PMCID: PMC178801 DOI: 10.1128/jb.179.4.1082-1089.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The major surface protein (Msp) of Treponema denticola has been implicated as a mediator of the interaction between the spirochete and the gingival epithelium in periodontal diseases. Previous studies showed that the Msp of T. denticola ATCC 35405 had porin activity, depolarized epithelial cell membranes, bound to extracellular matrix components of epithelial cells, and formed a regular hexagonal surface array in the treponemal outer membrane. The gene encoding Msp in ATCC 35405 was recently cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli (J. C. Fenno, K.-H. Müller, and B. C. McBride, J. Bacteriol. 178:2489-2496, 1996). In the present study, we identified genes encoding Msp-like proteins in several oral spirochetes. A prominent heat-modifiable Msp-like protein having an apparent molecular mass of between 43 and 64 kDa was present in all oral spirochete strains tested. Antibodies raised against the ATCC 35405 Msp reacted strongly with the Msp proteins of T. denticola ATCC 35404 and T. vincentii, reacted very weakly with the Msp protein of T. denticola ATCC 33520, and did not react with T. denticola OTK, T. socranskii, and T. pectinovorum. The msp loci of the T. denticola strains and T. vincentii were identified in analyses using PCR with oligonucleotide primers derived from the DNA sequence flanking msp in ATCC 35405. Southern blot analysis showed at least three groups of related msp DNA sequences. Comparison of DNA sequences of the 5' and 3' ends of the msp genes showed high sequence homology in the flanking regions and signal peptide coding regions, while the homologies between regions encoding the mature peptide were as low as 50%. The entire msp DNA sequences of T. denticola ATCC 33520 and OTK were determined, and the deduced Msp amino acid sequences were compared to the sequence of the previously reported Msp of ATCC 35405. The results show that the msp locus is conserved in oral treponemes but that there are significant differences between the mature Msp peptides of different strains. Further studies of the antigenic domains, functional domains, and physical structures of Msp proteins, based on these results, will enhance understanding of the role of Msp in the cytopathology associated with oral spirochetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Fenno
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Leung SS, Lau JT, Xu YY, Tse LY, Huen KF, Wong GW, Law WY, Yeung VT, Yeung WK, Leung NK. Secular changes in standing height, sitting height and sexual maturation of Chinese--the Hong Kong Growth Study, 1993. Ann Hum Biol 1996; 23:297-306. [PMID: 8830917 DOI: 10.1080/03014469600004532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In 1993 a territory-wide cross-sectional growth survey on 25,000 Chinese children from birth to 18 years was performed in Hong Kong. Compared to the last growth survey in 1963, definite secular changes were observed. There was an increase of final adult standing height of 3.6 cm in boys and 2.7 cm in girls, in which 1.8 cm and 0.5 cm respectively for boys and girls was accounted for by the sitting height. Thus most of the height increase had occurred in the leg length in girls, but in boys only half of it. The height difference was more marked during the pubertal years because secular change had brought about an earlier sexual maturation, including an advancement of median menarcheal age by 0.5 year, coupled with an earlier growth spurt. This paper also provides the first growth standards for Chinese from birth to 18 years, with percentile charts on both standing height and sexual maturation in boys and girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Leung
- Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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43
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Abstract
A random sample of 3872 southern Chinese boys ranging from 7 to 21 years of age were selected from primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong for the assessment of sexual maturation. The median ages of onset of puberty and pubic hair development were 11.4 and 12.7 years, respectively. The advancement of sexual maturation coincides with the secular increase in height and weight for Chinese children in Hong Kong.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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44
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood Graves' disease has been reported to be rare and epidemiological data on its incidence are limited. In our Paediatric Endocrine Clinic, Graves' disease was the most common thyroid disorder seen. There is no previous epidemiological study on Graves' disease in Chinese children. This study was performed to determine the incidence of childhood Graves' disease in Hong Kong Chinese. DESIGN AND PATIENTS We established a registry of childhood Graves' disease in 1990 at our centre, which has a catchment population of 1,010,000 with 240,000 under 15 years of age. Graves' disease was diagnosed on clinical features, diffuse thyroid gland enlargement, elevated free thyroxine or triiodothyronine levels with suppressed TSH level. All confirmed cases were recorded prospectively. Population data were obtained from the Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Government. RESULTS Forty-six Chinese children under 15 years of age had a confirmed diagnosis of Graves' disease during the study period from January 1990 to December 1994. The overall incidence was 3.8/100,000/year with a 95% confidence interval of 1.8-7.3/100,000/year. Incidence was low in children under 4 years. The highest incidence was in girls between 10 and 14 years of age at 15.5/100,000/year. The cumulative incidence for boys and girls of developing Graves' disease during the first 15 years was 11 and 104 per 100,000 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate a very high incidence of Graves' disease in Hong Kong Chinese children, with an overall incidence about 5 times that reported in Danish children. A female predominance was found in all three age groups (0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 years) and was particularly striking in the adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin
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45
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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46
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Abstract
In a 9-year retrospective review of goitre in Chinese children in Hong Kong, 84 children and adolescents were identified. There was a female predominance with a male:female ratio of 1:5.5. The majority of patients (95%) were found to have diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. Forty-nine were found to have Graves' disease. The mean age of presentation of patients with Graves' disease was 11.34 years. Forty-three of them were found to have thyroid autoantibodies. Only two cases of autoimmune thyroiditis with thyroid autoantibodies were diagnosed. The other causes of goitre include simple colloid goitre, multinodular goitre and suppurative thyroiditis. The spectrum of disease causing goitre in Chinese children is thus quite different from that reported in Caucasian children in developed countries. Further studies are necessary to define the genetic or environmental factors resulting in the observed differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin
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47
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Abstract
Thirty-three southern Chinese children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were studied. The patients had a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (range 1.2-8.2). The mean age of onset was 8.3 years (range 1.7-13.5). The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 22 days. Ten patients (30%) presented with diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis. Only one patient (3%) was found to have thyroid microsomal antibodies and none was found to have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Incidence and prevalence were calculated from data recorded retrospectively and prospectively in a population-based registry of IDDM. The prevalence in 1991 and 1992 was 8.3 per 100,000 children under 15 years of age. The age-standardized incidence of IDDM was 1.7/100,000 per year with the 95% confidence interval of 1.2-2.4/100,000 per year for children under 15 years of age during the years 1986-93. The incidence for males was 1.1/100,000 per year and for females, 2.4/100,000 per year.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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48
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Abstract
Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II is a rare hereditary disease that results from target organ resistance to the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. There is a great heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of this condition. The affected patients usually present early in childhood with clinical and biochemical evidence of rickets. Physiological replacement dosage of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has no therapeutic effect. Responses to pharmacological doses of vitamin D metabolites or long-term calcium infusion have been variable. A case is reported here of an 8 year old girl, of consanguineous parents with vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II, in whom treatment with high dose oral calcium resulted in marked biochemical and radiological improvement. It is concluded that high dose oral calcium treatment is an effective treatment option for patients with vitamin D-dependent rickets type II.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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49
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Wong GW, Oppenheimer SJ, Poon W, Leung R. Intracranial tuberculoma and hydrocephalus developing during treatment of tuberculous meningitis. J Trop Med Hyg 1994; 97:236-8. [PMID: 8064947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A 3 1/2-year-old boy with tuberculous meningitis is described. He developed hydrocephalus and subsequently an intracranial tuberculoma while receiving appropriate antituberculous therapy. Such a paradoxical response is thought to be due to a hypersensitivity reaction to the infection during antituberculous therapy. Both hydrocephalus and tuberculomata should be looked for if any patient develops new neurological signs or symptoms during treatment of tuberculous meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT
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50
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