The whole cell extract of Helicobacter pylori strain 26695 was treated with the hemin-agarose resin and the bound fraction was analyzed by 2-Dimensional electrophoresis. The 2-D-PAGE-displayed spots were eluted and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Among the 120 spots processed, 94 protein spots were identified to represent 58 genes. Forty-five protein spots that represented thirty-four genes were newly identified in this study, including iron-containing proteins and hemin-containg proteins such as fumarate reductase, iron-sufur subunit(FrdB), ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, beta subunit (NrdB), glutamyl-tRNA reductase (HemA), nikel-cobalt-cadnium resistance protein (NccB), and porphobilinogen deaminase (HemC).
Chromatography, Affinity* ; Electrophoresis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase ; Mass Spectrometry ; Oxidoreductases ; Proteome* ; Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase ; Succinate Dehydrogenase

No abstract available.
Neuroblastoma*

The component of Helicobacter pylori responsible for mouse death was identified and partially characterized. Mice that were injected with H. pylori cell lysate showed pathological changes such as decreased activity, diarrhea, mild convulsion, dramatic decline of body temperature, and even death. In order to identify the lethal factor, recently isolated H. pylori strain 335 and old culture (for 10 years) of H. pylori strain 51 were used. LD50 of the cell lysate of H. pylori 335 and 51 were 338 microgram and 985 microgram, respectively, meaning the long passage of H. pylori in the laboratory might have decreased the lethal activity in the lysate. Mouse lethal activity disappeared by either treatment of cell lysate with proteinase K or heating cell lysate at 60 degrees C for 30min. Mutation analysis and genetic complementation study revealed that active urease of H. pylori is the mouse lethal factor. The recombinant H. pylori urease expressed in Escherichia coli showed si milar lethal activity.
Animals ; Body Temperature ; Complement System Proteins ; Diarrhea ; Endopeptidase K ; Escherichia coli ; Heating ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Hot Temperature ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mice* ; Seizures ; Urease*

Radiological criteria such as smooth, sharply defined interface, obtuse angles between lesion and lung and intimate effect on mediastinal contents were usually used to differentiate mediastinal lesion from parenchymal lung lesion Recently, we experienced a 60-year-old female presenting with anterior mediastinal mass with cavitation. Grossly it was proven to be peripheral lung cancer adjacent to mediastinum and microscopically it was squamous cell carcinoma. The gross pathological findings of surgical specimen were very well correlated with radiological findings. The unique location such as lung periphery and attachment to mediastinum led us to misdiagnosis of anterior mediastinal mass such as germ-cell tumor and neurogenic tumor.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: To identify the prostate cancer detection rate on the patients who had second prostate biopsy out of the patients who were reported negative in their first biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2006 to February 2012, prostate biopsy was performed on 843 patients with over 4 ng/ml and on 618 biopsy negative patients PSA was performed from between 6 months and 9 months after biopsy. On 164 patients, second biopsy was performed, and 42 patients were selected. If there was less than 10% change between PSA before the prostate biopsy and PSA measured during 6 to 9 months after the first biopsy it was considered as no change. If above 10% increase, it was considered increase and if above 10% decrease it was considered as decrease. RESULTS: The cancer detection rate in PSA increase group was 20%, the detection rate in no change in PSA level but still over the normal range group 8.3%, and that in the PSA decrease group was 0%. When comparing prostate cancer group and non-cancer group, it is more probable to have prostate cancer when they are older, prostate volume is smaller and PSA density is higher. CONCLUSIONS: The second biopsy is strongly recommended when PSA level shows no change or increase, age is older, prostate volume is smaller or PSA density is higher.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Reference Values

Endodontics ; Osteotomy ; Tooth

No abstract available.
Lymphoma* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis*

OBJECTIVES: In order to assess the effects of sera from severe preeclamptic patients on endothelial cell viability in vitro and endothelin-1 synthesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS: The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with media containing 10% sera from women with either preeclamptic patients or normal pregnancies for 24 hours or 48 hours. After then, their viability was measured by colorimetric MTT{3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide} assay and their production of endothelin-1 was measured. We also measured the serum levels of endothelin-1 level in sera obtained from the normal and severe preeclamptic pregnancies. RESULTS: The calorimetric MTT assay revealed that after 24 hours, the absorbances in the media treated with normal pregnancies and severe preeclampsia sera were 0.0718+/-0.0078 and 0.0837+/-0.0129, respectively and after 48 hours, they were 0.1133+/-0.0103 and 0.1268+/-0.0186, respectively. Serum obtained from severe preeclampsia did not affect endothelial cell viability. 2. The serum mean levels of endothelin-1 in normal and severe preeclamptic pregnancies were 22.66+/-8.6 fmol/ml and 48.98+/-25.27 fmol/ml. The mean level in preeclamptic sera was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women. (P<0.05) 3. After 24 hours, the mean amount of endothelin-1 stimulated by normal pregnant and severe preeclamptic sera were 37.52+/-18.41 fmol/ml and 97.58+/-53.64 fmol/ml, respectively. The mean amount of endothelin-1 in preeclamptic sera-treated cells was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant sera-treated cells. (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The sera from severe preeclamptic women do not affect cell viability but act selectively on specific activation of their function such as endothelin-1 production. And it is necessary that the identification and isolation of the putative serum factor(s) will be performed to resolve the pathogenesis in future.
Cell Survival ; Endothelial Cells* ; Endothelin-1* ; Female ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells* ; Humans ; Humans* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

OBJECTIVES: To analyze chromosomal abnormalities according to patient's age and indications of patients in midtrimester amniocentesis for prenatal genetic diagnosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1,565 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocentesis cases which were done in the cytogenetics laboratory at Kangnam St. Hospital, Catholic University Medical College from November1997 to May 2000. RESULTS: In 1,565 cases, the most common maternal and gestational age distributions were 35 to 39 years old and 17 to 17+6 weeks (32.78% and 21.47%, respectively). Abnormal maternal serum markers were the most common indication for amniocentesis (43.64%), and followed by advanced maternal age (40.45%) and abnormal ultrasonographic findings (3.64%). The overall incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 4.47% (70 cases), of which numerical abnormalities and structural abnormalities were 1.86% (29 cases) and 2.61% (41 cases), respectively. Among the autosomal abnormalities, Down syndrome was most common (10 cases, 0.65%), and followed by Edward syndrome (9 cases, 0.59%). Among the sex chromosomal abnormalities, both of 47,XXX and 47,XXY were most common (3 cases, 0.20%, respectively). Chromosomal abnormalities were most frequently noted in the maternal age of 25 to 29 years old (5.10%), 30 to 34 years old (4.82%), 40 to 44 years old (4.31%), and followed by 35 to 39 years old (3.90%). On the other hand, chromosomal abnormalities were most frequently noted in abnormal ultrasonographic findings (7.02%), previous history of aneuploidy (5.88%), and followed by advanced maternal age (3.95%). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that although advanced maternal age is still important indication in midtrimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, abnormal maternal serum markers and ultrasonographic findings might be also important as indications. Therefore, they should be considered in prenatal genetic counseling.
Adult ; Amniocentesis* ; Aneuploidy ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Diagnosis ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Gestational Age ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of Cordyceps militaris in Korean adults with mild liver dysfunction. C. militaris is a mushroom traditionally used for several clinical purposes in East Asian territory, including China, and has been found to be effective in improving liver function through animal studies. METHODS: The C. militaris group was administered 1.5 g/day of C. militaris (2 capsules per dose, twice per day) and the placebo group was administered the same volume of placebo. Laboratory test (white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine), liver computed tomography (CT) were performed, and visual analogue scale score for subjective symptoms and fatigue severity scale were measured. RESULTS: In analysis of the liver CT scan at 8 weeks after administration compared to baseline, the mean ratio of change of Hounsfield unit of 8 segments of liver increased by an average of 21.43%+/-45.11% in the C. militaris group and 9.64%+/-11.41% in the placebo group. Others showed no statistically significant inter-group difference. CONCLUSION: C. militaris extract was used safely as a functional food in patients with mild liver dysfunction, and is expected to protect against progression of fatty liver or cirrhosis caused by suppression of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.
Adult* ; Agaricales ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Blood Cells ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Capsules ; China ; Cordyceps* ; Fatigue ; Fatty Liver ; Fibrosis ; Functional Food ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Oxidoreductases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed