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: It has been reported that heart disease is the most common cause of sudden death in children. There have been relatively few studies concerning heart disease screening of school children in Korea. This study was to evaluate the usefulness of 12-lead ECG for mass screening of heart disease in elementary school children. METHODS: Mass screening of heart disease with 12-lead ECG was done in 17,343 first grade elementary school children(male 8,948, female 8,395) in Kwangju area during 4 months period since September 1992. Among 200 children(male 135, female 65) who showed abnormal electrocardiographic findings, 128 were referred to pediatric cardiologist for detection of heart diseases by thorough examinations including 24-hour ECG, echordiography, cardiac catherization and angiocardiography. RESULTS: 1) The incidence of 12-lead ECG abnormalities was 1.2%. Male outnumbered female in the incidence of abnormalities(0.8% vs 0.4%). 2) Incomplete right bundle branch block was the most frequent ECG abnormality with the incidence of 5.3 among 1,000, followed by right ventricular hypertrophy and premature ventricular contraction, both of them stand the next common abnormalities with the same incidence of 1.6 among 1,000. 3) Out of 39 cases undergoing echocardiography, seven were found to have structual heart abnormalities : 6 atrial defects and one ventricular septal defect. 4) All patients having structual defects but one with atrial septal defect underwent open heart surgery without problems. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that routine 12 lead ECG be one of the useful methods for mass screening of heart disease and imply that establishment of heart disease screening system is necessary for the health promotion of the school chidren with heart disease.
Angiocardiography ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Child* ; Death, Sudden ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Gwangju ; Health Promotion ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Thoracic Surgery ; Ventricular Premature Complexes

Cytokeratin 7 has been known to be present in various types of human epithelial cells including the ovarian neoplasms, but not in colon cancers. The antibody to colon ovarian tumor antigen (COTA) has been introduced as a marker of colon and ovarian tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of cytokeratin 7 and COTA in the differential diagnosis between ovarian primary and metastatic tumors. Nineteen primary ovarian epithelial tumors, seven metastatic carcinomas of the ovary from the stomach, three metastatic carcinomas of the ovary from the colon, one mucinous tumor of the ovary associated with a mucinous tumor of the appendix and pseudomyxoma peritonei, and nineteen colonic and twenty gastric adenocarcinomas were stained with monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratin 7 and COTA. The results are summerized as follows; In the primary ovarian tumors, 94.4% were positive for cytokeratin 7 and 50% were positive for COTA. In the primary colonic adenocarcinomas, 94.7% were negative for cytokeratin 7 and 68% were positive for COTA. In the metastatic ovarian tumor from the colonic adenocarcinomas, 100% were negative for cytokeratin 7 and positive for COTA. In the primary gastric adenocarcinomas, 40% were negative for cytokeratin 7 and 85% were negative for COTA. In the metastatic ovarian tumor from the gastric adenocarcinomas, 43% were negative for cytokeratin 7 and 14% were negative for COTA. From the results of this study, it could be concluded that in the differential diagnosis of primary ovarian tumors from metastatic colonic carcinomas, positive reaction for cytokeratin 7 suggests a primary ovarian tumor but a negative reaction for cytokeratin 7 and positive reaction for COTA suggest metastatic colonic carcinomas. The results of this study also reveal that cytokeratin 7 and COTA are not useful in the differential diagnosis of primary ovarian tumors from metastatic gastric carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Appendix ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-7* ; Keratins* ; Mucins ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ; Stomach

Apert described acrocephalosyndactyly as a clinical entity in 1906. At first he included a patient with craniofacial deformities combined with syndactyly of both the upper and lower extremities. This is a rare congenital disturbance in the growth of bone and soft tissue affecting principally the head, the hands and the feet. More than 200 cases have been reported in the world literature, and three cases in Korea. Authors experienced one case of the classic pattern of Apert's syndrome and treated surgically for syndsctyly.
Acrocephalosyndactylia ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Foot ; Hand ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Syndactyly

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 study presents the application of STR polymorphisms to male identification in the cases of a serial rapist in Korea. Since October 2000 a rapist from Cheongju city (a town located in central district) committed at least 36 rapes. DNA profiles obtained from semen stains, buccal cells and tongue tissue left at the scenes of crime and vaginal swabs of victims gave information that one and the same man had committed all the rapes. The Y-chromosome haplotype (12 loci) obtained was used for the identification process of rapist in mixed genotypes including victim's alleles. The crime scene data were referred from investigating police authorities described the relationship of victim to the offender, victim's age, time and place of sexual assault and rape locations. The behavioural analysis of crime scenes showed more similarities than differences for related crimes. These components were usually assessed in terms of proximity in time and space. Certain crime scene aspects of a serial rapist help identify components of offender spatial behaviour. As a result of this work, future research on the geography of rape and behavioural aspects of rapist will be directed towards those aspects of offences, which have been identified as relevant to the distance between an offender's base, and the site where he approached his victim.
Alleles ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Coloring Agents ; Crime* ; Criminals ; DNA ; Genotype ; Geography ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Korea ; Male* ; Police ; Rape ; Semen ; Tongue

Background: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is a conservative treatment for patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, there are reports of various complications that can occur after TFESI; among these, paraplegia is a serious complication. Case: A 70-year-old woman who was unable to lie supine due to low back pain exacerbation during back extension underwent TFESI. After injection, there was pain relief and the patient was able to lie supine; however, paraplegia developed immediately. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed cauda equina syndrome (CES) due to nerve compression from L1–2 LDH. We determined that the patient's LDH was already severe enough to be considered CES and that the TFESI procedure performed without an accurate understanding of the patient's condition aggravated the disease. Conclusions It is important to accurately determine the cause of pain and disease state of a patient to establish a correct treatment plan before TFESI is performed.

PURPOSE: This study intended to examine the effect of pamidronate, when it was administrated in early estrogen deficiency period, by examining biomechanically bone mass generated in trunkal and extremity bone with bone strength examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17-weeks-old 95 mice of Sprague-Dawley lines were divided into 1st group 28mice, 2nd group 25mice and 3rd group 42mice. The 1st group was sham-operated group, 2nd group underwent bilateral ovariectomy and then injected intravenously normal saline 0.05cc, and 3rd group underwent bilateral ovariectomy and then injected intravenously pamidronate 0.1mg/Kg. RESULTS: The strength of femur, tibia and spine was surveyed with Young' modulus. Femur and spine had a statistically significant difference between 1 and 2 group, 2 and 3 group, and tibia had between 2 and 3 group. CONCLUSION: In early osteoporosis, pamidronate administration is supposed to prevent or decrease osteoporosis and fracture resulting from osteoporosis.
Animals ; Estrogens ; Extremities ; Female ; Femur ; Mice ; Osteoporosis* ; Ovariectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine ; Tibia

We report a case of epidermolysis bullosa simplex occurred in a 12-year-old girl, who presented with intractable bullous lesions of the hands and feet after minor traumas ever since her early neonatal period. The bullous lesions were noted on the 2nd and 4th webs of the fingers and dorsum of the hands as well as on the skin of the ankle. The lesions were healed without scar formation. Family history was not contributary and seasonal pattern was not noted. Histologic sections revealed intraepidermal bullae just above the well preserved basement membrane. Electron microscopic findings revealed cytolysis of basal cells with preservation of the basement membrane, indicating the epidermal type of epidermolysis bullosa simplex.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans

PURPOSE: The aim for this study was to investigate clinical manifestation of seasonal influenza A and B during the 2012 winter season in Wonju, South Korea. Their clinical and laboratorial characteristics and effect of oseltamivir were compared and analyzed. METHODS: Children under the age of 18 years who visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital with fever or acute respiratory symptoms and who were diagnosed with influenza A or B by rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swab were selected for the study. The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Influenza A was detected in 374 patients (83.7%), and influenza B in 72 (16.6%). The incidence of influenza A was highest in February (n=186), while that of influenza B was highest in March (n=36). The most common symptoms were fever (n=434, 97.1%) and cough (n=362, 81.0%). No significant differences were observed between influenza A and B in symptoms and laboratory data. Patients who had used oseltamivir within 2 days showed statistically lower admission rate, shorter admission duration, and lower incidence of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This study found no statistical difference between influenza A and B, in symptoms, progression, and laboratory test, but those who were treated with oseltamivir given within 2 days of the onset of fever experienced more positive outcomes.
Child ; Cough ; Fever ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Incidence ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Oseltamivir ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons*