The cyclophilins (Cyps) are family members of proteins that exhibit peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase, EC 5.2.1.8) activity and bind the immunosuppressive agent cyclosprin A (CsA) in varying degrees. During the process of random sequencing of a cDNA library made from Giardia intestinalis WB strain, the cyclophilin gene (gicyp 1) was isolated. An open reading frame of gicyp 1 gene was 576 nucleotides, which corresponded to a translation product of 176 amino acids (Gicyp 1). The identity with other Cyps was about 58-71%. The 13 residues that constituted the CsA binding site of human cyclophilin were also detected in the amino acid sequence of Gicyp 1, including tryptophan residue essential for the drug binding. The single copy of the gicyp 1 gene was detected in the G. intestinalis chromosome by southern hybridization analysis. Recombinant Gicyp 1 protein clearly accelerated the rate of cis-- Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cyclophilins/antagonists & inhibitors/chemistry/genetics/*isolation&purification ; Cyclosporine/metabolism/pharmacology ; Giardia lamblia/*chemistry/genetics ; Human ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Binding ; Protozoan Proteins ; Recombinant Proteins

The ectomycorrhizal roots were collected from the soils around the bases of basidiocarps of the four edible mushrooms in the stands of Pinus densiflora or Querus acutissima communities (Mt. Wol-Ak in Eastern Chung-Puk): The basidiocarps of Tricholoma matsutake (TM), Sarcodon asparatus (SA), S. imbricatum (SI), and Polyozellus multiplex (PM) are usually collected. The ectomycorrhizal roots of TM, PM and SI were related to the roots of P. densiflora, but the other to the roots of Q. acutissima in Korea. Particularly, the basidiocarps of PM were collected in the mixed stand of both P. densiflora and Q. acutissima. The morphologies of the ectomycorrhizal roots were observed to be the yellowish brown coral (dichromatous) or pyramid types in the roots of the pine, but dark brown un-branched sticks (roots) in the ends of ectomycorrhizal roots of Querus plants. The un-branched roots were covered with the dark mycelia (rhizomorph) around them. Therefore, the ectomyorrhizal roots of PM were observed to have two kinds of types; The single blackish un-branched roots were observed to be attached to the yellowish coral type roots. The bundles of TM mycelia were filled with cortical cells (in the roots of P. densiflora), but the mycelia of the other fungi (Aphylloporales) were massed between the cortical cells of P. densiflora or Q. acutissima. Their anatomical and gross features were considered to be simailar but very important in the ectomycorrhizal roots for these edible mushrooms.
Agaricales ; Anthozoa ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal* ; Fungi ; Korea ; Mycorrhizae ; Pinus ; Soil ; Tricholoma

PURPOSE: To analyze the radiologic findings of facial nerve schwannoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed CT and/or MR images and clinical history of eight patients with histologically provenfacial nerve schwannoma. After classifying this extratemporal and intratemporal types, clinical and radiologic findings were analysed. RESULTS: The most common clinical findings of facial nerve schwannoma were facial nervepalsy and hearing impairment in an intratemporal schwannoma(4/5), and a palpable parotid mass in an extratemporal schwannoma(3/3). On CT, each involved segment of intratemporal schwannomas(five cases) showed characteristic radiologic findings, while extratemporal schwannomas(three cases) showed masses of various types. On MRI, all tumors(two cases) showed hypointensity on T1WI, hyperintensity on T2WI, and strong enhancement on Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WI. CONCLUSION: Intratemporal facial nerve schwannomas can be easily diagnosed by characteristic clinical and radiologic findings. Extratemporal facial nerve schwannomas show nonspecific findings. However, if the tumor islocated between the superficial and the deep lobe of the parotid gland and extends to the posterior portion of thestyloid process, then facial nerve schwannoma is strongly suspected.
Facial Nerve* ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurilemmoma* ; Parotid Gland

No abstract available.
Head* ; Neck*

In order to evaluate the possible roles of secretory proteases in the pathogenesis of amoebic keratitis, we purified and characterized a serine protease secreted by Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/E2, isolated from a Korean keratitis patient. The ammonium sulfate-precipitated culture supernatant of the isolate was purified by sequential chromatography on CM-Sepharose, Sephacryl S-200, and mono Q-anion exchange column. The purified 33 kDa protease had a pH optimum of 8.5 and a temperature optimum of 55 degrees C. Phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and 4- (2- Aminoethyl) -benzenesulfonyl-fluoride, both serine protease specific inhibitors, inhibited almost completely the activity of the 33 kDa protease whereas other classes of inhibitors did not affect its activity. The 33 kDa enzyme degraded various extracellular matrix proteins and serum proteins. Our results strongly suggest that the 33 kDa serine protease secreted from this keratopathogenic Acanthamoeba play important roles in the pathogenesis of amoebic keratitis, such as in corneal tissue invasion, immune evasion and nutrient uptake.
Acanthamoeba/*enzymology/isolation & purification/pathogenicity ; Acanthamoeba Keratitis/*parasitology ; Animals ; Cornea/parasitology ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Serine Endopeptidases/chemistry/*isolation & purification/*metabolism ; Substrate Specificity ; Temperature ; Virulence Factors

The purpose of educational effort for career planning in medical school is to help students develop identity as a competent physician and to assist them in selecting their future career properly. To achieve the above, the specific education programs for career plan together with an individual counselling and problem solving approach are required. We proposed an education model for career planning in Gachon Medical School which would be directed by cooperative system consisted of medical school, faculty mentor and student counselling office. Career education should not be limited to several lectures or short-term counselling, but it requires a continuous and consistent program implemented throughout 6 years of medical school life. At the same time, an opportunity to explore future career and to consult their problems in accord with needs and characteristics of individual students must be provided. Further study should be directed to examine the usefulness and problems of this education model. In addition, a persistent attention to the problems in career planning of medical students and efforts to solve them is needed.
Education* ; Humans ; Lectures ; Mentors ; Problem Solving ; Schools, Medical* ; Students, Medical

Intraorbital hydroxyapatite implant has advantages such as nondisplacement, prolapse and good prosthetic motility. The surgical effect of the secondary implantation of hydroxyapatite sphere was evaluated for 18 anophthairnic sockets of 18 patients. After follow-up period of over 6 months, extraocular muscle motility, prosthesis motility, improvement of the superior sulcus deformity, and enophthalmos were evaluated. Postoperative good EOM motility was noted in 7 cases (43.8%). Of the 15 cases without drilling, good prosthetic motility was noted in I case (6.7%), fair in 3 cases (20.0%), and poor in 11 cases (73.3%). One of the two eyes with drilling had good motility and the other one eye showed fair prosthetic motility. Superior sulcus deformity and enophthalinos improved in 12 cases-(75%) and 14 cases (82.4%). In postoperative complication, displacement or prolapse of the implant was not noted in any patient. and one patient. with postradiation showed m.inimal wound dehescence with spontaneous healing.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Durapatite* ; Enophthalmos ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Prolapse ; Prostheses and Implants ; Wounds and Injuries

Collet-Sicard syndrome is one of the syndromes of the multiple lower cranial nerve palsies, characterized by unilateral paralysis of 9th through 12th cranial nerves. The present report describes a 34-year-old woman who had hoarseness, dysarthria, and loss of taste developed after febrile illness. Brain MRI, both T1WI and T2WI, showed high signal intensity in the left jugular foramen. Gd-GTPA contrast injection revealed thickening and enhancement of the left tentorium. Angiography disclosed nonvisualization of the left transverse and sigmoid sinus, and reconstruction of the left internal and external jugular vein by collaterals from the angular, facial, and posterior fossa veins. The patient improved spontaneously two months later. This is the first report of Collet-Sicard syndrome resulting from jugular vein thrombosis.
Adult ; Angiography ; Brain ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerves ; Dysarthria ; Female ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paralysis ; Thrombosis* ; Veins

Medullary pyramid is the one place where corticospinal fibers are isolated as the pyramidal tract, and the result of such lesions has been a flaccid hemiplegia. Medial medullary syndrome may occur bilaterally, resulting in flaccid quadriplegia with facial sparing, bilateral lower motor neuron signs of the tongue, and complete loss of position and vibratory sensation affecting all for extremities. Occasionally, only the pyramid is damaged, resulting in a pure motor quadriplegia without other medullary signs. We report a 78-year-old man who suddenly developed flaccid quadriplegia without any other medullary signs. Brain MRI showed bilateral medial medullary infarctions that was probably due to anterior spinal artery occlusion.
Aged ; Arteries ; Brain ; Extremities ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Motor Neurons ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Quadriplegia* ; Sensation ; Tongue

No abstract available.
Free Tissue Flaps* ; Hand Injuries* ; Hand*