BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transfection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome requires the cloning of tandem HBV sequences inserted into a plasmid vector, which is usually screened for by the restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid minipreparation from at least a dozen of bacterial colonies. The aim of this study was to develop a simple alternative screening method for bacterial colonies harbouring tandem HBV sequences by a PCR. METHODS: A set of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer was designed to detect the bacterial colonies harbouring "head to tail" dimeric HBV DNA. PCR which amplifies the head to tail junction site of two tandem HBV molecules was performed. RESULTS: PCR products with appropriate size (1.2kb) were obtained. The accurate detection by PCR screening technique was confirmed by enzyme digestion. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PCR screening technique is a simple and rapid method for the identification of bacterial colonies containing tandem HBV sequences.
Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Digestion ; DNA ; Genome ; Head ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Mass Screening* ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Transfection

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection in infants and young children, but the pathogenesis of RSV-induced inflammation is not well defined. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In order to examine the potential interactions between virus-infected airway epithelial cells and neutrophils, we studied the ability of neutrophils to adhere to yirus-infected airway epithelial cell monolayers by myeloperoxidase assay. Also we measured the ability of airway epithelial cells to secrete interleukin-8(IL-8) and inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in virus-infected airway epithelial cell cultures by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The degree of IL-8 and ICAM-1 gene expression in the RSV-infected BEAS-2B cell cultures were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). RESULTS: The RSV-infected BEAS-2B cell resulted in significantly enhanced level of neutrophil adherence compared to the uninfected control(p (0.001). IL-8 and ICAM-1 production significantly increased by RSV infection(p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between neutrophil adherence and IL-8 level(r=0.73, p=0.002), and ICAM-1 level (r=0.843, p=0.001) in RSV-infected cells. The degree of both IL-8 and ICAM-1 mRNA expression increased in the RSV-infected cells compared with the uninfected ones. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RSV infection significantly enhances the production of IL-8 and ICAM-1 in airway epithelial cells which then results in increased neutrophil adherence.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Child ; Epithelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Infant ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-8 ; Neutrophils* ; Peroxidase ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; RNA, Messenger

No abstract available.
Hydronephrosis* ; Teratoma*

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic*

Actinomycosis is an indolent, suppurative infection caused by an anaerobic gram-positive organism (usually actinomyces israelii) which usually causes infection in the face, mediastitum, lung, and abdomen. Primary esophageal actinomycosis which is not related with pulmonary or mediastinal actinomycosis, is very rare, especially in immunocompetent host. A 58-year-old woman has been suffered from dysphagia, odynophagia, and chest pain after insertion of esophageal stent in esophageal acid stricture. She underwent a esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy for above mentioned symptoms. Pathologic diagnosis was a esophageal actinomycosis.
Abdomen ; Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Chest Pain ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Stents*

No abstract available.
Thumb*

No abstract available.
Head*

Direct immunofluorescent (DIF) starining was performed on biopsy specimens from four patients with pityraasis lichenoides chronica. Deposits of IgM and C3 were foundin the dermal vessel walls of the lesional skin in two patients with pityriasis lichenoides chronic. Deposition of C3 and cytoid bodies were detected along the dermo-epidermal junction in one patient. This supports the view that deposition of immune complexes may play a part in the pathogenesis of pityriasis lichenoides chronica.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Pityriasis Lichenoides ; Skin ; Vasculitis*

Previous studies implied association of osteoporosis with estrogen deficiency, immobilization and low calcium absorption only through epidemiological studies. There have been only a few experimental studies verifying the etiologic factors of osteoporosis in vivo condition. Authors conducted an experimental study using white rats(Sprague Dawley) in order to find out what the endocrinological and biochemical changes of experimentally induced osteoporosis are and how they behave with or against each other. White rats, eighty five in number of 3 to 6 months females and weighing 220±12.7gm were divided into four groups. They consisted of Group I(n=10) for control, Group II(n=25) for bilateral oophorectomy, Group III(n=25) for bilateral division of sciatic nerve and hip spica cast immobilization, and Group IV(n=25) for bilateral oophorectomy and bilateral division of sciatic nerve plus hip spica cast immobilization. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and postoperatively at six weeks to check Estradiol and Osteocalcin levels there of. And then, rats were sacrified immediately after the second sampling to retrieve femora for bone mineral density measurement and torsional stress test. Estradiol levels before operation were 21.4±13.3pg/ml for Group I, 31.6±3.1pg/ml for Group II, 25.6±4.5pg/ml for Group III and 33.7±4.5pg/ml for Group IV, respectively. There were no significant differences observable among the groups. Estradiol levels at six weeks postoperatively were 42.3±18.8pg/ml for Group I, 5.4±2.7pg/ml for Group II, 40.8±5pg/ml for Group III and 6.2±2.3 pg/ml for Group IV, respectively. Apparent reductions in group II and IV were proved of statistical significance. Osteocalcin levels preoperatively were 1.2±0.6ng/ml for Group I, 1.7±0.4ng/ml for Group II, 1.5±0.1lng/ml for Group III and 1.5±0.1.lng/ml for Group IV, respectively. At six weeks postoperatively they were 1.6±0.1lng/ml for Group I, 1.7±0.3ng/ml for Group II, 1.8±0.3ng/ml for Group III and 1.2±0.1lng/ml for Group IV, respectively. The differences and changes among the groups and measurements were not of statistical significance. Bone mineral contents at six weeks postoperatively were 0.248±0.03g for Group I, 0.177±0.03g for Group II, 0.226±0.04g for Group III and 0.092±0.01g in Group IV, respectively. Low values of Group II and IV compared to those of Group I and III were of statistical significance.(P=0.0001) Torsional strength of bones at six weeks postoperatively were 4.0±0.2N/m for Group I, 1.5±0.1N/m for Group II, 1.5±0.1N/m for Group III and 1.4±0.1N/m for Group IV, respectively. Decreases of experimental groups(II, III, IV) compared to that of control group(I) were of statistical significance, but differences among the experimental groups were not of significance(p>0.05). For above observations, it was possible to conclude that osteoporosis measurable by bone mineral content and torsional stress test was caused by oophorectomy and immobilization in vivo, the former of which was more rapid and profound than the latter during early phase. When both factors, i.e., oophorectomy and immobilization are exerated simultaneously. the resultant osteoporosis was found in higher degree than either factor only, but not at incremental degree as one may expect.
Absorption ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve

The latissimus dorsi muscle or musculocutaneous flap is one of the most useful flaps in reconstructive surgery. This flap has many advantages, such as its reliable anatomy, long pedicle with large caliber vessels, minimal functional deficit of the donor site, and low incidence of donor site complications. However, the bulkiness of the flap has been considered a disadvantage, so various modifications of technique have been devised. The cutaneous portion of the flap can be safely elevated based on the cutaneous perforating branch of the thoracodorsal vessel. From March 1997 to February 1998, 10 patients underwent reconstructive procedures with thoracodorsal perforator-based free flaps. The composition of the flaps varied in accordance with the nature of the defect. The variances in the flaps were as follows; 3 were cutaneous, 6 musculocutaneous, and 1 osteomusculocutaneous including the rib. All flaps survived with good contour. We concluded that this thin and reliable flap was useful for reconstruction of various defects, and that the composition of the flap, such as subcutaneous, muscle and bone, gave it considerable flexibility as needed.
Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Pliability ; Ribs ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors