OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether embryonic stem (ES) cells can be established from isolated blastomeres of mouse embryos. METHODS: Blastomeres were separated from mouse (C57Bl/6J) 2- or 4-cell embryos. Isolated blastomeres or whole 4-cell embryos were co-cultured with mitosis-arrested STO feeder cells in DMEM supplemented with recombinant murine leukemia inhibitory factor and ES-qualified fetal bovine serum. After the tentative ES cell lines were maintained from isolated blastomeres or whole embryos, some of them were frozen and the others were sub-cultured continually. Characteristics of tentative ES cell lines as were evaluated for specific gene expressions with immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: One ES cell line (3.0%) was established from isolated blastomere of 2-cell embryo and one cell line (4.0%) from isolated two blastomeres of 4-cell embryo. And five cell lines (16.7%) were established from whole 4-cell embryos. Both cell lines from isolated blastomere and whole embryo expressed mouse ES cells specific markers such as SSEA-1, Oct-4 and alkaline phosphatase. Marker genes of three germ layers were expressed from embryoid bodies of both cell lines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mouse ES cells could be established from isolated blastomeres, although the efficiency is lower than whole embryos. This animal model could be applied to establishment of autologous human ES cells from biopsied blastomeres of preimplantation embryos in human IVF-ET program.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antigens, CD15 ; Blastocyst* ; Blastomeres* ; Cell Line ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Embryonic Structures ; Feeder Cells ; Gene Expression ; Germ Layers ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; Mice* ; Models, Animal

No abstract available.
Dysgerminoma* ; Female ; Ovary* ; Pregnancy*

BACKGROUND: Traditional antimicrobial susceptibility test methods for detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) require 24 hours to perform. In addition, accuracies of these methods can be influenced by prevalence of strains that express heterogeneous resistance. The mechanism of methicillin resistance in S. aureus is based on the production of an additional lowaffinity penicillin binding protein (PBP 2a), which is encoded by mecA gene. Therefore, PCR for mecA gene and immunological methods for PBP 2a could be used to determine resistance, but most clinical laboratories do not have resources to efficiently perform these technique on routine basis. Recently, slide latex agglutination test using latex particles sensitized with a monoclonal antibody against PBP 2a for the direct detection of PBP 2a was developed. In this study, we evaluated this new latex agglutination test, and compared to oxacillin disk diffusion test and PCR detection of mecA gene for detection of MRSA. METHODS: A total 151 clinical isolates of coagulase positive S. aureus were selected. All isolates were subjected to "blinded"testing with oxacillin disk diffusion, PBP 2a latex agglutination, and mecA PCR for detection of MRSA. RESULTS: Of 151 S. aureus, 116 (76.8%) strains were MRSA. The sensitivities and specificities of disk diffusion, latex agglutination and PCR were 94.0 and 91.4%, 97.4 and 100%, 98.3 and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PCR for detection of mecA gene and latex agglutination test for PBP 2a are more sensitive and specific methods for detection of MRSA than oxacillin disk diffusion test. Latex agglutination test is rapid, simple, and easier to perform than PCR. In conclusion, PBP 2a detection with latex agglutination test has the potential to be used for routine applications in the microbiology laboratory where mecA gene detection with PCR is not readily available.
Agglutination ; Coagulase ; Diffusion ; Latex ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Microspheres ; Oxacillin ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*

Thelazia callipaeda is a slender, long, and cylindrical nematode which parasitizes in the conjunctival sac of human and causes conjunctivitis. The animals such as the dog, rabbit, horse, deer, and cow were revealed as its reservoir and some species of the fly suspected as its vector. We experienced a case of T. callipaeda isolated from human conjunctival sac of a 41-year old man who lived in Wanju-gun, Chonbuk province and raised the dogs. He complained of an irritation, itching and foreign body sensation on his right eye and the two worms were picked out of his right eye by forceps from conjunctival sac. General features of the worms were ivory colored and slender. Two worms were 15.2mm and 15.8mm in length and both have less than 1.0mm in maximum width. Microscopically, both of the worms were female. The vulva opening of the worms located anterior to esophago-intestinal junction. The uterus filled with the eggs an6 larvae encysted with oval membrane. The buccal cavity in head portion was tetrazoid and connected with well-developed esophagus. At the tails of the worms, anus and papillae were observed. Characteristic compact cuticular transverse striations were identified on the whole body surface.
Adult ; Anal Canal ; Animals ; Conjunctivitis ; Deer ; Diptera ; Dogs ; Eggs ; Esophagus ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Head ; Horses ; Humans* ; Jeollabuk-do ; Larva ; Membranes ; Ovum ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Surgical Instruments ; Tail ; Thelazioidea* ; Uterus ; Vulva

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key tool for diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, MRI analysis by visual interpretation and reading can be time-consuming and requires specialized expertise. Brain MRI-based artificial intelligence (AI) software has been developed to aid clinicians in diagnosing and managing neurodegenerative disorders, including AD. This study demonstrates the clinical application of the AI software for volumetric analysis of brain MRI scans in patients within the AD spectrum. In the current case series, four patients with memory impairment visited the memory clinic of Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital. They underwent a series of assessments, including automated analysis of AI-based software for brain MRI volumetric measurements. The information provided by the software was highly accurate, consistent, and was especially valuable for the early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. The results imply that this technology potentially aids in the early detection and management of AD, making it a valuable tool for clinicians in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

We isolated Triton X-100 solubilized protein (TSP) antigen which may be preferentially associated with the cell wall of M. tuberculosis. In this study, the proliferative activities and cytokine mRNA expression patterns of the TSP antigen were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lymph node mononuclear cells (LNMCs) from 4 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis. The results of the TSP antigen were compared with those of the PPD antigen, known as a major seretory protein antigen of M. tuberculosis. The peak proliferative response to the TSP by PBMCs was observed at 0.1 ug/ml, whereas that of LNMCs was at 1.0 ug/ml. All of the patients showed greater blastogenic responses for the PPD than those for the TSP. IFN-r, IL-2, and IL-2Ru mRNA production from PBMCs after stimulation with the TSP were greatly augmented after 48 hrs, whereas IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA were gradually suppressed. In addition, high levels of IL-12 p40 mRNA were detected by PBMCs to the TSP antigen at 3 hrs. Elevated IFN-r and IL-2 mRNA production were observed in freshly isolated LNMCs, whereas IL-4 mRNA production was undetectable in either freshly isolated or mycobacterial antigen-stimulated LNMCs. Furthermore, IL-10 mRNA expression from LNMCs was markedly increased by the PPD antigen, but it was considerably reduced by the TSP antigen after 18 hrs. These data suggest that the TSP antigen may be a strong inducer of cytokine mRNA such as IFN-r, IL-2, and IL-12 which are involved in Thl cell and macrophage activation, and inhibit IL-10 mRNA production in LNMCs. In conclusion, the TSP antigen can be used as a preferential Thl cell immunogen in tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Cell Wall ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymph Nodes* ; Macrophage Activation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Octoxynol ; RNA, Messenger* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node*

OBJECTIVE: Embryonic stem (ES) cells could be differentiated into the specific cell types by alternation of culture condition and modification of gene expression. This study was performed to evaluate the differentiation protocol for mouse and human ES cells to insulin secreting cells. METHODS: Undifferentiated mouse (JH-1) and human (Miz-hES1) ES cells were cultured on STO feeder layer, and embryoid bodies (EBs) were formed by suspension culture. For the differentiation, EBs were cultured by sequential system with three stage protocol. The differentiating ES cells were collected and marker gene expressions were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in each stage. Amount of secreted insulin levels in culture media of human ES cells were measured by human insulin specific RIA kit. RESULTS: During the differentiation process of human ES cells, GATA-4, alpha-fetoprotein, glucose transporter-2 and Ngn-3 expression were increased whereas Oct-4 was decreased progressively. Insulin and albumin mRNAs were expressed from stage II in mouse ES cells and from stage III in human ES cells. We detected 3.0~7.9 microU/ml secretion of insulin from differentiated human ES cells by in vitro culture for 36 days. CONCLUSION: The sequential culture system could induce the differentiation of mouse and human ES cells into insulin secreting cells. This is the first report of differentiation of human ES cells into insulin secreting cells by in vitro culture with serum and insulin free medium.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Animals ; Culture Media ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Feeder Cells ; Gene Expression ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells* ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, a number of studies have reported that the gut microbiota could contribute to human conditions, including obesity, inflammation, cancer development, and behavior. We hypothesized that the composition and distribution of gut microbiota are different according to stool frequency, and attempted to identify the association between gut microbiota and stool frequency. METHODS: We collected fecal samples from healthy individuals divided into 3 groups according to stool frequency: group 1, a small number of defecation (≤2 times/wk); group 2, normal defecation (1 time/day or 1 time/2 day); and group 3, a large number of defecation (≥2–3 times/day). We evaluated the composition and distribution of the gut microbiota in each group via 16S rRNA-based taxonomic profiling of the fecal samples. RESULTS: Fecal samples were collected from a total of 60 individuals (31 men and 29 women, aged 34.1±5.88 years), and each group comprised 20 individuals. The microbial richness of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 3 and tended to decrease with increasing number of defecation (P<0.05). The biological community composition was fairly different according to the number of defecation, and Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio was higher in group 1 than in the other groups. Moreover, we found specific strains at the family and genus levels in groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio and the abundance of Bifidobacterium were different according to the stool frequency, and specific bacteria were identified in the subjects with large and small numbers of defecation, respectively. These findings suggest that stool frequency might be associated with the richness and community composition of the gut microbiota.
Bacteria ; Bacteroidetes ; Bifidobacterium ; Biota ; Defecation ; Feces ; Female ; Firmicutes ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Obesity

BACKGROUND: Continuous interscalene block has been known to improve postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. This was a prospective study investigating the ultrasound-guided posterior approach for placement of an interscalene catheter, clinical efficacy and complications after placement of the catheter. METHODS: Forty-two patients undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in this study and an interscalene catheter was inserted under the guidance of ultrasound with posterior approach. With the inplane approach, the 17 G Tuohy needle was advanced until the tip was placed between the C5 and C6 nerve roots. After a bolus injection of 20 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine, a catheter was threaded and secured. A continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% 4 ml/hr with patient-controlled 5 ml boluses every hour was used over 2 days. Difficulties in placement of the catheter, clinical efficacy of analgesia and complications were recorded. All patients were monitored for 48 hours and examined by the surgeon for complications within 2 weeks of hospital discharge. RESULTS: Easy placement of the catheter was achieved in 100% of the patients and the success rate of catheter placement during the 48 hr period was 92.9%. Postoperative analgesia was effective in 88.1% of the patients in the post anesthetic care unit. The major complications included nausea (7.1%), vomiting (4.8%), dyspnea (4.8%) and unintended vascular punctures (2.4%). Other complications such as neurologic deficits and local infection around the puncture site did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound-guided interscalene block with a posterior approach is associated with a success high rate in placement of the interscalene catheter and a low rate of complications. However, the small sample size limits us to draw definite conclusions. Therefore, a well-designed randomized controlled trial is required to confirm our preliminary study.
Amides ; Analgesia ; Catheters ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Nausea ; Needles ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Sample Size ; Shoulder ; Vomiting

Immotile cilia syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by specific ultrastructural defects of cilia and associated impairment of ciliary motion and mucociliary clearance. Disorders of ciliary structure or function result in chronic sinopulmonary diseases manifested as chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media, nasal polyposis, and ultimately bronchiectasis. In addition, situs inversus, dextrocardia, and infertility can be associated with dysfunctional ciliary activity. We experienced a case of immotile cilia syndrome presenting with recurrent bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic sinusitis, otitis media, and bronchiectasis. She was diagnosed by lack of dynein inner arm on electron microscopy. Treatment included chest percussion, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and surgical intervention. She has been followed up at regular intervals. We report this case with related literatures.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arm* ; Bronchiectasis ; Bronchitis ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Cilia ; Ciliary Motility Disorders* ; Dextrocardia ; Dyneins* ; Infertility ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Mucociliary Clearance ; Otitis Media ; Percussion ; Pneumonia ; Sinusitis ; Situs Inversus ; Thorax