DNA from five isolates of Entamoeba histolytica were examined for their pathogenicity by polymerase chain reaction. Three isolates SH-3,SH-6,SH-8 were isolated from patients with acute amoebic dysentery, whereas SH-5 and SH-7 were isolated from asymptomatic cyst passers. Gel electrophoresis of PCR products showed that primers P11 , P12 for pathogenic strains could amplify genomic DNA extracted from SH-8 , and primers P13, P14 for non-pathogenic strains could amplify genomic DNA extracted from SH-3, SH-5, SH-6 and SH-7. Furthermore, zymodeme analysis and the reactivity of McAb 4G6, which recognizes the 30 kDa antigen of pathogenic E. histolytica indicated that only SH-8 was pathogenic, while the others were nonpathogenic. The results of the genotypic analysis by PCR were in accord with the phenotypic properties.It is suggested that there are differences in genomic DNA between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. PCR is a highly sensitive and specific method for genomic DNA analysis of E. histolytica.

Objective To prepare recombinant human monoclonal antibody Fab fragments specific to the surface antigen of Entamoeba histolytica. Methods Total RNA was isolated from lymphocytes which were separated from an asymptomatic E. histolytica cyst carrier. The genes of IgG light chain and Fd region of heavy chain were amplified by a reverse transcriptase PCR and ligated with a plasmid vector. After the genes were introduced into Escherichia coli, the clones expressing Fab fragments specific to the surface antigen of E. histolytica were screened and the product was purified. Results Thirty thousand clones were screened and one of them was proved positive to the surface antigen of E. histolytica. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the bacterial system can be used to produce recombinant human monoclonal antibody Fab fragments specific to the surface antigen of E. histolytica and they may be applicable for the future diagnosis and treatment of the infection.

Depression and pain are common and often early non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD). The relationship between pain and depression in PD has been unsettled, with conflicting findings. The PD patients followed up at the general neurology outpatient clinics were requested to complete Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and McGill pain questionnaire. The patients were categorized in three groups according to the Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of PD; mild (stage I&II), moderate (stage III) and advanced stage (stage IV&V), and group comparisons were performed in each group between those with and without pain. A total of 186 patients completed the questionnaires. Their mean age was 74±9.3 years, and the mean H-Y stage was 2.8±0.8.Sixty-nine percent of the patients reported pain symptoms of various natures. The BDI scores were significantly higher in the pain group (P< 0.0001) despite the absence of statistically significant differences in the mean age, H-Y stage, and duration of illness. Only PD patients of mild stage revealed significant difference of BDI scores between those with pain and without pain (P <0.001). Our results showed that pain is a common symptom in patients with PD and suggest that it may be related to depression in the early stage of the disease.

Depression and pain are common and often early non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD). The relationship between pain and depression in PD has been unsettled, with conflicting findings. The PD patients followed up at the general neurology outpatient clinics were requested to complete Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and McGill pain questionnaire. The patients were categorized in three groups according to the Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of PD; mild (stage I&II), moderate (stage III) and advanced stage (stage IV&V), and group comparisons were performed in each group between those with and without pain. A total of 186 patients completed the questionnaires. Their mean age was 74±9.3 years, and the mean H-Y stage was 2.8±0.8.Sixty-nine percent of the patients reported pain symptoms of various natures. The BDI scores were significantly higher in the pain group (P< 0.0001) despite the absence of statistically significant differences in the mean age, H-Y stage, and duration of illness. Only PD patients of mild stage revealed significant difference of BDI scores between those with pain and without pain (P <0.001). Our results showed that pain is a common symptom in patients with PD and suggest that it may be related to depression in the early stage of the disease.
Parkinson Disease

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of concomitant arthroscopic lateral release (LR) in open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) by comparing the pre- and postoperative radiological parameters of patellar position and orientation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was comprised of 19 knees undergoing OWHTO and concomitant LR and 18 knees undergoing OWHTO alone. Radiological parameters for patellar position and orientation included the Caton-Deschamps index (CDI), Blackburne-Peel index (BPI), patellar tilting angle (PTA), patellar lateral shift (PLS), and patellofemoral distance (PFD), which were evaluated in the preoperative period and at one year after surgery. RESULTS: Patellar height was significantly reduced after surgery as indicated by the decrease in BPI (p=0.03) in the OWHTO/LR group, and decrease in CDI (p=0.03) and BPI (p=0.04) in the OWHTO alone group. PTA and PLS were significantly reduced after the combined OWHTO/LR procedure (p=0.04 and p=0.04, respectively). By contrast, no significant changes were detected when isolated OWHTO was performed. CONCLUSIONS: OWHTO induced a postoperative decrease in patellar height in both groups. Regarding the change in patellofemoral alignment, concomitant LR in OWHTO significantly decreased lateral patellar tilt and shift, while no significant difference in those parameters were noted in the OWHTO alone knees.
Arthroscopy ; Knee ; Osteotomy ; Preoperative Period