No abstract available.

No abstract available.
DNA*

Plasmid vectors with either RSV or CMV promoter are frequently used for DNA- mediated immunization due to the availability in commercial. Consequently, influence of the vector constituents, such as promoter, enhancer and transcription termination signal etc. on vaccination efficiency is not studied extensively. As an initial attempt to develop an efficient vector system for DNA-rnediated immunization, influence of promoter for antigen gene expression on vaccination efficiency has been analyzed. Initially, plasmids with either B-actin or muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter were constructed from the plasmid with prototype CMV promoter. In addition, ovalbumin (OVA) antigen gene has been cloned into each vectors to generate the plasmid vectors with different promoters for induction of the anti-OVA immune responses. Antigen protein expression in antigen gene transfected mouse muscle myoblast cells showed that the level from MCK promoter containing plasmid was slightly higher than those from either CMV or B-actin promoter containing plasmids. Also, the same plasmid turned out to be slightly more efficient than other plasmids in antibody imrnune response induction in vivo, when they were applied both through intramuscularly and intradermally. These results suggest that the commonly used CMV promoter containing plasmid vector could be further modified to develop an efficient vector for DNA-mediated immunization.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Creatine Kinase, MM Form ; Gene Expression ; Immunization ; Mice ; Myoblasts ; Ovalbumin ; Plasmids* ; Vaccination*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of IVIG infusion on renal function in VLBW infants. IVIG has been proved quite safe in neonates given prophylactic and therapeutic doses. But nephrotoxicity is not recognized as adverse in IVIG therapy, only several previous adult cases have been noted. METHODS: For a total of ten VLBW infants who had not been received any medication except parenteral nutrition, vitamin and Fe supplements was assigned for study. To observe changes in renal function after preventive dose of IVIG administration(500mg/kg, 1dose) serum BUN and creatinine, 2-microglobulin( 2-MG) and N-acetyl- -D-glucosaminidase(NAG) were obtained prior to study and 1, 3 and 7 days after infusion. RESULTS: 1) There were no elevation of serum BUN and creatinine after IVIG administration, 2) There was transient increase of urine NAG from 1.1+/-0.7 u/mg creatinine before infusion to 2.7+/-5.3 u/mg creatinine on the first day of infusion, which was not statistically significat, decreasing to pretreatment level on the 3rd and 7th days after infusion. 3) There was transient increase of urine 2-MG from 294.6+/-223.8 microgram/mg creatinine before infusion to 680.0+/-108.9 microgram/mg creatinine on the first day and 416.0+/-246.3 microgram/mg creatinine on 3rd day after infusion, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that prophylactic dose of IVIG in VLBW infants does not cause clinically significant impairment of renal function. but mild increment of urine NAG and 2-MG may suggest the possibility of renal tubular damage. Based on these results, further evaluation of the effect of IVIG on renal function in VLBW infant is recommended.
Acetylglucosaminidase ; Adult ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Vitamins

This study evaluated the effect of dagassing on the ceramic bond strength of two Ni-Cr alloys under varying holding time at the upper limit temperature and atmospheric conditions. Metal specimens were divided into 5 groups for each alloy according to degassing conditions prior to porcelain application : no degassing, degassing under vacuum without hold, degassing under vacuum with hold for 5min. and 10 min. respectively at the upper limit temperature and degassing in air. Total number of metal ceramic specimens was eighty and each group had eight specimens : The ceramic bond strength was measured by four-point flexural test using Instron and the fractured surface was examined under SEM. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Degassing in air improved the ceramic bond strength of Ni-Cr alloys. 2. in degassing under vacuum, hold at the upper limit temperature was advantageous to the ceramic bonding of Ni-Cr alloys. 3. After ceramic metal bond test, metal surfaces were partially covered with the thin porcelain layer, and the cohesive failures in porcelain were predominant in groups showing higher ceramic bond strength.
Alloys* ; Ceramics* ; Dental Porcelain ; Vacuum

We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of fetal congenital goiter at 31weeks of gestation by ultrasonogram and fetal hypothyroidism confirmed at birth as thyroid function test by umbilical cord blood sampling. Maternal Graves' disease and the drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism in pregnant women can affect the fetus, causing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and goiter. Fetal hypothyroidism may be caused by transplacental passage of either maternal thyrotropic-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin(TBII) antibodies or maternal treatment with propylthiouracil(PTU). Untreated fetal hypothyroidism may result in mental retardation, perceptual-motor, visual-spatial, and language developmental problems. In this article fetal thyroid function was not assessed by cordocentesis, but fetal congenital goiter was detected ultrasound. Ultrasound should be used to detect fetal goiter from 20 weeks onward. Fetal goiter should resolve when maternal PTU treatment is decreased. We have diagnosed fetal hypothyroidism in utero by ultrasonography. Significance of in utero management of fetal hypothyroidism is discussed.
Antibodies ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; Cordocentesis ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Fetus ; Goiter* ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism* ; Hypothyroidism ; Intellectual Disability ; Language Development ; Mothers* ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Ultrasonography

Methemoglobinemia can be caused by dapsone toxicity. We report a case dapsone induced methemoglobinemia unresponsive to methylene blue successfully treated by exchange transfusion. A 52-year-old male ingested a handful of dapsone. He presented with severe peripheral cyanosis in lips and fingertips and his methemoglobin level was found to be 21.9%. After admission, methylene blue (1%) at 1 mg/kg was injected each time peripheral cyanosis and rising serum methemoglobin occurred. Despite methylene blue therapy, the patient's methemoglobin level continued to fluctuate. Five days after the injections of methylene blue, many Heinz bodies were visualized in the peripheral blood, suggestive of hemolytic anemia occurrence. By hospital day 6, serum methemoglobine levels were elevated and not measurable (> 50%) and the patient was constantly in a semi-comatose mental state. An exchange transfusion carried out by utilizing 6 units of packed red blood cells and 4 units of fresh frozen plasma was performed. The patient's methemoglobin levels were subsequently kept up below 20% and his peripheral cyanosis receded. Physicians should recognize the important role of exchange transfusion in refractory dapsoneinduced methemoglobinemia.
Anemia, Hemolytic ; Cyanosis ; Dapsone ; Erythrocytes ; Hand ; Heinz Bodies ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Methemoglobin ; Methemoglobinemia ; Methylene Blue ; Middle Aged ; Plasma

A modern development of ambulatory ECG monitoring gave great advances in the diagnosis and evaluation of various cardiac conditions. Fifteen cases of ischemic heart disease, 11 cases of nonischemic heart disease, 5 cases of noncardiac disease and 9 cases of normal healthy subjects were studied from January 1980 to July 1981 in national Medical Center, with the following results: 1) The heart rate was decreased during night time, with less decreasing tendency in patients with ischemic heart disease. 2) Among 30 cases, including 12 patients with ischemic heart disease, who didn't show arrhythmia on routine 12 lead ECG, 12 cases, including 6 patients with ischemic heart disease, showed arrhythmia on Holter monitoring. 3) Among 5 cases with ischemic heart disease who showed premature ventricular contraction on day time monitoring, 2 cases didn't show premature ventricular contraction on nigh time monitoring. 4) The S-T segment and T wave were changed during night time in 2 cases with ischemic heart disease and in 2 normal subjects. From these results, we could assert that Holter monioring or ambulatory ECG tracing would be a good method for diagnosis and evaluation of ischemic heart disease, and other cardiac conditions. Several another studies with this equipment have to be performed and would give more distinctive outcomes.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory* ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Ventricular Premature Complexes

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome is a disease characterized by corneal endothelial degeneration, corneal edema, peripheral anterior synechia, iris stromal change, and secondary glaucoma. This syndrome is considered to have three major variations: Chandler's syndrome, progressive (essential) iris atrophy, and Cogan-Reese syndrome. We experienced three cases of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome with transient intraocular pressure elevation.

No abstract available.
Herpes Zoster* ; Psoriasis*