No abstract available.
Humans*

The gag encoded p24 protein of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a major constitutent of the viral core, and is also known as one of the most immunodominant antigens in the host immune response against the HIV-1. Based on the neutralizing ability of anti-p24 antibodies as well as their rapid appearance in human serum after viral infection, the development of vaccines and diagnostic tools targeting the p24 protein and anti-p24 antibodies is of great interest. For the characterization of the immunological properties of the HIV-1 p24 protein, in a previous study, putative B-cell epitopes were identified by screening the reactivity of a goat anti-p24 antiserum to a large array of overlapping synthetic peptides covering the whole p24 sequence. Four peptides were identified for their abilities to elicit a strong B-cell response, which sequences comprises the regions p24 (164-182), (202-221), (217-236) and (232-256), respectively. In the present study, the immunogenicity and differential properties of each of these individual epitopes were further characterized. To evaluate the time course of the antibody response, BALB/c mice were immunized with the HIV-1 p24 protein and their serum titers against each of these peptides were determined. The earliest immune response was observed against the p24 (202-221) peptide, which also showed the highest antibody titer against the immunized antigen. Furthermore,. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with HIV-1 p24 protein coated microtiter plates revealed that anti-p24 (202-221) antiserum has the most pronounced reactivity against the native p24 protein. Since the p24 (202-221) epitope has also been reported to include a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope, it is suggested that this region might represent a powerful antigenic site responsible for eliciting both T- and B-cell immune response. The possible application of this specific epitope in vaccine development or AIDS diagnosis is discussed.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation ; B-Lymphocytes ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes* ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; Goats ; HIV* ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Immunodominant Epitopes ; Mass Screening ; Mice ; Peptides* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Vaccines

No abstract available.
Leiomyoma*

Retinal detachment is a rare and unusual complication of preeclampsia. In 6,194 consecutive deliveries from January 1987 to July 1990 at the Soonchunhuang University Hospital, pregnancy induced hypertension was diagnosed in 223 patients(3.6%), and in 11 cases serous retinal detachment occured. We studied retrospectively the incidence, clinical characteristics and pathophysiology of the retinal detachment in the pregnany induced hypertension. The results were as follows: 1. Retinal detachment was serous type and mostly bilateral(90.9%). 2. Retinal detchment occured principally in primigravid(63.64%). 3. Serotts retinal detachment occured in 11 cases in 6,194 consecutive diliveries(0.18%) with 9 cases in 211 preeclampsia(4.27%) and 2 cases in 12 eclampsia(17.67%). 4. Reattachment of the retina occured at an interval of 7 to 29 days with an average interval of 14 days after delivery. 5. The fluorescein angiographic findings provide clinical evidence that retinal detachment in pregnancy induced hypertension is secondary to choroidal damage.
Choroid ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Incidence ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy* ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies

Retinal detachment is a rare and unusual complication of preeclampsia. In 6,194 consecutive deliveries from January 1987 to July 1990 at the Soonchunhuang University Hospital, pregnancy induced hypertension was diagnosed in 223 patients(3.6%), and in 11 cases serous retinal detachment occured. We studied retrospectively the incidence, clinical characteristics and pathophysiology of the retinal detachment in the pregnany induced hypertension. The results were as follows: 1. Retinal detachment was serous type and mostly bilateral(90.9%). 2. Retinal detchment occured principally in primigravid(63.64%). 3. Serotts retinal detachment occured in 11 cases in 6,194 consecutive diliveries(0.18%) with 9 cases in 211 preeclampsia(4.27%) and 2 cases in 12 eclampsia(17.67%). 4. Reattachment of the retina occured at an interval of 7 to 29 days with an average interval of 14 days after delivery. 5. The fluorescein angiographic findings provide clinical evidence that retinal detachment in pregnancy induced hypertension is secondary to choroidal damage.
Choroid ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Incidence ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy* ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The cause and pathogenesis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in elderly men is unclear. We analyzed the clinical and urodynamic findings of elderly patients with LUTS to search for accurate diagnosis and effective treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 154 male patients older than 65 years old with LUTS who underwent urodynamic studies between January 2002 and December 2008. The patients were divided into irritative and obstructive symptom groups according to their chief complaints. The urodynamic findings between two groups were compared. And the prevalence of detrusor dysfunction (either detrusor underactivity; DU or detrusor overactivity; DO) according to age, history of urinary retention, the presence of an indwelling urethral catheter, neurologic disease, or diabetes was estimated. RESULTS: The mean age of men was 70.8+/-4.5 years. On urodynamics, detrusor dysfunction was detected in 116 (75.4%) of 154 patients. Seventy eight (50.6%) patients showed demonstrable evidence of DU of whom 33 (21.4%) had concomitant DO, while 18 (11.7%) had concomitant bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). BOO and DO was identified in 67 (43.5%) and 71 (46.1%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of was significantly greater in the presence of history of acute urinary retention and an indwelling urethral catheter. CONCLUSION: One hundred forty one (91.6%) elderly patients with LUTS showed urodynamic abnormalities such DO, DU and BOO. Urodynamic study would play a important role in establishing a correct diagnosis in elderly patients with LUTS and deciding on additional treatments.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Retention ; Urinary Tract ; Urodynamics*

Pheochromocytoma originate from chromaffin cells and occur in the adrenal medulla in majority. About 10 per cent of pheochromocytomas can occur in the ectopic or extra-adrenal sites, anywhere along the fetal route of the chromaffin tissues. Pheochromocytoma of the bladder is a rare neoplasm that often occurs with the unique symptom complex of micturitional attacks, such as headache, palpitation, hypertension of sweating due to increased catecholamine secretion during detrusor activity. We report a very rare case of nonfunctioning pheochromocytoma of the bladder in a 67- year-old woman without typical symptoms. Preoperatively elevated urine catecholamines and their metabolites returned to normal after removal of the tumor.
Adrenal Medulla ; Catecholamines ; Chromaffin Cells ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Urinary Bladder*

A histopathological study of erythema nodosum-like lesions in Behcet's disease was performed on 55 patients with incomplete and suspect types of Behcet's disease. Relatively common characteristics in histopathology of erythema nodosum-like lesions could be found in the patients with incomplete type of Behcet's disease. The histopathologic findings of erythema nodosum-like lesions in 21 patients with incomplete type of Behcet's disease were as follows : l. A moderate lymphocytic infiltration was found around the blood vessels and the sweat glands in the dermis. In the subcutaneous tissue, besides lymphohistiocytic infiltration, neutrophils were present in significant number in 9 cases (42.9%) 2. Vasculitis of small vessels was found within the periphery of fat lobules in 7 cases (81.0%), Five cases (23.8%) also showed thrombophlebitis. Seven cases (33.3%) showed histiocytic granuloma formation within the fat lobules. Microabscess formation in the subcutaneous tissue was seen in 5 cases (23.8 %), but it was not certain whether this was the charateristic feature.
Blood Vessels ; Dermis ; Erythema Nodosum* ; Erythema* ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Sweat Glands ; Thrombophlebitis ; Vasculitis

The femoral neck in children is dense and is small in diameter and its periosteum is thicker and stronger than that of an adult. Thus, fractures of the femoral neck in children, unlike the 60-year-old woman, are rare and usually require severe violence and this accounts for the high frequency of associated injuries. Since these fractures are rare and the femoral neck in children has many anatomic and physiologic differences, we have to consider some factors that work against treatment of these fractures. Twenty seven cases of fractures of the femoral neck in children which were treated at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Mediicne from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1980 were analyzed both clinically and radiologically and the following results were obtained. 1. Among the 27 patients, the ratio of boys and girls was 2:1 and the highest incidence was between the ages of 3 and 5 years. 2. The main course of fractures was traffic accidents, 14 cases (51.9%) and the other causes were falling from a height (37.0%) and a few cases of a slip and a fall. 3. According to the classification of Delbet and Colonna, the cervico-trochanteric fracture (40.8%) was the commonest type and 13 cases (48.1%) were displaced fractures. 4. Common associated injuries were pelvic bone fractures, skull fractures, cerebral concussion and soft tissue injuries. 5. Fifteen cases (55.6%) were treated by conservative treatment and ten cases (37.0%) by closed reduction & internal fixation. 6. 23 of the 27 cases were followed for from 6 months to 10 years, average 19 months. The results were analyzed according to Ratliffs assessment and 14 cases (60.9%) showed good results. 7. Total cases with complications were 14 (60.9%), the commonest complication being coxa vara (40.8%) and the other main complications being premature epiphyseal closure (39.1%) and avascular necrosis (30.1%). 8. Secondary treatment was done in 6 cases and correction osteotomy was done in 4 cases which had showed a poor result. 9. Finally, factors affecting results were type of fracture, degree of displacement, maintenance of reduction, interval between injury and treatment, complications and patients age. 10. The authors recommend closed reduction and internal fixation with some threaded pins for all type II and type III fractures.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Brain Concussion ; Child ; Classification ; Clinical Study ; Coxa Vara ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Osteotomy ; Pelvic Bones ; Periosteum ; Skull Fractures ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Violence

No abstract available in English.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Clinical Study