No abstract available.
Korea*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to determine the relationship between the HBV precore mutant and the severity of liver disease in Korea, we performed liver biopsies in patients with HBV related chronic liver disease and compared the types of mutations and histologic findings in the same liver tissue simultaneously. METHODS: HBV DNA in liver tissues was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The precore mutants were detected by PCR-SSCP(single strand conformation polymorphism), cloning the amplified PCR products and direct sequencing for them. RESULTS: 1. HBV DNA was detected in liver tissues of 28 cases among 30 patients with PCR. And with SSCP, the most cases were mixed type infections. 2. The HBV precore mutants were found in 12 cases among the total number of 28 cases(42.9%) and all mutations were G to A change at nucleotide 1896, creating a stop codon at codon 28. However, 10 cases among 12 mutants were associated with simultaneous another mutation at different positions or regions;9 cases at core gene region, 2 cases at nucleotide 1856(C to T change at codon 15), one case at core promoter, and one case with double mutations at nucleotide 1837 and 1846 respectively. Also, all HBV precore mutants were combined with wild type HBV sequence. 3. The relationship between HBV precore mutants and HBeAg status revealed that 4 cases from 13 HBeAg positive(30.8%) and 8 from 15 HBeAg negative or Anti-Hbe positive(53.3 %) were mutants. 4. In analysis of the types of mutants and histopathological findings of liver diseases, 6 among 15 chronic active hepatitis(40.0%), all 3 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma(100,0 %), 2 among 4 asymptomatic carriers with minimal histopathologic changes(50.0%) and a case with chronic lobular heaptitis(100.0%) showed precore region mutation. CONCLUSION: The patterns of HBV precore mutants in Korea could be summarized as followings. Firstly, most of the mutations are composed of G to A change at nucleotide 1896. Secondly, the most of the mutants at nuclmtide 1896 have been associated with simultaneous mutations at core promoter, core gene, and rarely at other positions, and manifested usua'ly mixed type viremic conditions. Thirdly, although precore mutation could be occurred in asymptomatic carrier, this type of mutation might be closely related with chronic or severe liver disease. However, it needs further investigations hereafter.
Biopsy ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Codon ; Codon, Terminator ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Liver* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational

PURPOSE: Prader-Willi Syndrome(PWS) is caused by absence of paternal contributions of the chromosome region 15q11-q13. To detact this region, high resolutional cytogenetic analysis, FISH with probe at PWS critical region or microsatellite polymorphism can be used. The gene for the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N(SNRPN) is not expressed in patients with PWS. We conducted molecular analysis with RT-PCR with SNRPN primers to find out more useful diagnostic tool in PWS. METHODS: Four patients with obesity and other characteristics of PWS were studied. The exprssion of SNRPN and control gene were studed by RT-PCR from peripheral lymphocytes. RESULTS :The SNRPN expression in reverse transcribed RNA from blood were easily detected in normal control but not in patients with suspected Parder-Willi Syndrome. CONCLUSION: We conclude that SNRPN expression study is a useful diagnostic method for detection of Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Cytogenetic Analysis ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Obesity ; Pathology, Molecular* ; Prader-Willi Syndrome* ; Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear ; RNA ; snRNP Core Proteins*

No abstract available.
Coronary Restenosis*

No abstract available.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Erythrocyte Indices* ; Iron*

The concentrations of serum proteins fractions and their electrophoretical patterns were investigated in 135 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis who participated in confirmative examination for pneumoconiosis in December 1989. Their radiographical profusions were classified as 1/0 or more. Agarose film and phosphoric acid-sodium hydroxide buffer(pH 8.6) were used for electrophoresis. Concentration of each protein fractions and electrophoretical patterns seemed to be equivalent to reference values. Serum alpah1- and beta-globulin concentrations, however, were significantly different(p<0.50) among categories of small opacity profusions and showed the lowest level in the group of category 1. Albumin concentrations decreased and alpha2-globulin concentrations increased significantly(p<0.05) in the group of complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. gamma-globulin concentrations were not varied by category of profusions nor by pulmonary tuberculosis complication.
Beta-Globulins ; Blood Proteins ; Coal* ; Electrophoresis ; gamma-Globulins ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Reference Values ; Sepharose ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

No abstract available.
Epidemiologic Studies* ; Female* ; Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* ; Young Adult*

No abstract available.

Background: This study was aimed to compare the analgesic effect and side effects of morphine- bupivacaine mixture with those of fentanyl-bupivacaine mixture after Cesarean section. Methods: Eighty patients who were taken continuous epidural catheterization after Cesarean section were divided into two groups. In group 1 (N=40) the mixture of 1% lidocaine 10 ml and morphine 1mg was firstly injected via epidural catheter, and then two day infusor (Baxter(R)) which contained the mixture of 0.15% bupivacaine 100 ml and morphine 6mg was connected to epidural catheter. In group 2 (N=40) the mixture of 1% lidocaine 10 ml and fentanyl 100 mcg was firstly injected via epidural catheter, and then two day infusor (Baxter(R)) which contained the mixture of 0.15% bupivacaine 100 ml and fentanyl 850 mcg was connected to epidural catheter. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were checked preoperatively, and at post-injection 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was checked at postoperative 1/2, 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The side effects of epidural analgesia were evaluated. Results: In group 2 MAP was significantly decreased at post-injection 20 minute. VAS was significantly increased at post-injection 1/2 and 1 hour in group 1. The most frequent side effect was pruritus in both groups. Conclusions: The first bolus injection of the mixture of 1% lidocaine 10 ml and fentanyl 100 mcg has more rapid analgegic effect than the mixture of 1% lidocaine 10 ml and morphine 2 mg, but because of shorter duration of action of fentanyl it seems to be better to increase the dosage of fentanyl or replace fentanyl by morphine for more effective epidural analgesia after Cesarean section.
Analgesia, Epidural ; Arterial Pressure ; Bupivacaine ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Infusion Pumps ; Lidocaine ; Morphine ; Pregnancy ; Pruritus

The glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli encountered about 10% of all gram-negative bacilli isolated from clinical material. Therefore, a rapid and correct identification of glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli is impotent for a better management of infectious disease. There are many conventional systems for the identification of glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli but most of them have problems and difficulties. Commercial Kit Systems exist and they are too expensive for daily use in Korea because of high cost. Based on 12 selected tests we propose a new code system, MCRCODE-N for rapid and inexpensive identification of glucose nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli. The selective 12 tests are oxidase, glucose oxidation motihty, urease, DNase arginine dehydrolase, nitrate reduction, gelatin Liquefaction, esculin hydrolysis, mannitol oxidation, maltose oxidation, Lactose oxidation. The 12 tests are divided 4 group and then each group has 3 tests. The result of each group is expressed by the number as below. The positive test is given by specific number (1st test=1, 2nd test=2, 3rd test=4), while any negative result is 0. Each 3 numbers of one group are added and make number of 1 digit. Four digit number is referred to the code book of MCRCODE-N system or MCRCODE system using computer (Apple-II model) created by authors. This MCRCODE-N system is suitable ones for out use in Korea. We propose the MCRCODE-N system for clinical use.
Arginine ; Clinical Coding* ; Communicable Diseases ; Deoxyribonucleases ; Esculin ; Gelatin ; Glucose Oxidase ; Glucose* ; Hydrolysis ; Korea ; Lactose ; Maltose ; Mannitol ; Urease