Serovars of 22 leptospiral field isolates from rats trapped in Korea were identified by cross-agglutinin absorption test (CAAT). Genomic characteristics of 7 selected isolates and 6 antigenically closely related reference serovars of lai, yeonchon, birkini, gem, mwogolo, and canicola were differentiated by arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) and southern blot hybridization using 16S rRNA gene probe from Borrelia burgdorferi. Among the 22 isolates, 21 strains were identified as serovar lai by CAAT, while the serological reactivity of NR13 did not accord with that of serovar lai. Results of AP-PCR using primers RSP, KF and PB-1 were in general agreement with those obtained by serological identification, and all 7 isolates including NR13 showed the same profile with serovar lai or yeonchon. In the southern blot hybridization with 16S rRNA gene probe, the isolates were divided into two ribotype groups when HindIII and BamHI digests were employed: isolates NR4, NR13, and serovar lai showed the same profile, and isolates JR34, JR57, KR48, JR77, and JR82 were classified as the another ribotype group. Isolate NR13 and serovar yeonchon, which were isolated in Korea and showed serological differences with serovar lai, were indistinguishable from serovar lai in this DNA study using AP-PCR and ribotyping. These results demonstrate that Korean leptospiral isolates were closely related in DNA level, and ribotyping would be useful for subgrouping of field isolates.
Absorption ; Animals ; Blotting, Southern ; Borrelia burgdorferi ; DNA ; Genes, rRNA ; Korea ; Leptospira* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Rats ; Ribotyping*

Several observation suggest that the antimelanocyte autoantibodies could play a role in melanocyte destruction. Some experiments indicate that melanocyte antibodies from patients with vitiligo can kill melanocyte in vitro. In these experiments, we demonstrated that vitiligo patient's sera containing antimelanocyte antibodies can lyse cultured human melanocytes by complement activation. Melanocyte cytotoxicity was measured using the ethidium bromide/ acridine orange viability assay. Significant melanocyte cytotoxicity was seen in sera from patients with both active and inactive vitiligo(p<0.01). Melanocyte cytotoxicity measured with complement-mediated cytotoxicity decreased after systemic steroid treatment(p<0.05) ; however melanocyte cytotoxicity showed no significant change with systemic PUVA therapy.
Acridine Orange ; Antibodies ; Autoantibodies* ; Complement Activation ; Ethidium ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; PUVA Therapy ; Vitiligo*

BACKGROUND: It is reported by rnany t,hat UVB and large coses of UVA damage epidermal Langerhans cells. UVA irradiated skin produces reactive oxygen soecies such as superoxide anion(O ), hydrogen peroxide(H O), hydroxyl radical( OH) and singlet oxigen(O ). Reactive oxygen species such as O are invnlved in the process of decreasing the number if epidermal Langerhans cells after irradiation with UVB. However, no well established studies have been carried out after irradiation with UVA. OBJECTIVES: We wished to find out whether the UVA-induced decrease in the number of Ia Langerhans cells would be protected by scavengers of reactive oxiygen species. METHODS: We irradiated 200J/cm and 400J/cm of UVA on thi ears of C3H mice with or without intravenous injectior. of SOD, catalase, and sodium azide which are the scavengers of O , HO and O, respectively. We biopsied the ears of mice 2 days after irradiaion, stained them with immunope-roxidase technique, and counted the number of Langerhans cells. RESULTS: 1, There was significant decrease in the number of Ia Langerhans cells in the 200J/cm or 400J/cm of UVA irradiated group compared to the normal control group. 2. The pretreatment groups with SOD, catalase, and sodium to before irradiation with 200J/cm or 400J/cm of UVA showed less decrease in the number of la Langerhans cells compared to the 200J/cm or 400J/cm irradiated group with UVA only. CONCLUSION: Frorn the above result, we can deduce that reactive oxygen species are involved in the decrease in the number of Ia Langerhans cells induced by 200J/cm. or 400J/cm of UVA irradiation.
Animals ; Catalase ; Ear ; Hydrogen ; Langerhans Cells* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Oxygen ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Skin* ; Sodium ; Sodium Azide ; Superoxides

No abstract available.
Cactaceae* ; Dermatitis* ; Humans ; Leprosy*

We reviewed 205 hips (in 151 patients, 125 men and 26 women) which were diagnosed osteonecrosis of femoral head and treated with bipolar endoprosthesis from 1985 to 1993 in Seoul National University Hospital to delineate the efficacy and indication of use of bipolar endoprosthesis in osteonecrosis. They were followed up for an average of 56 months (16 to 100 months). The mean age at operation was 44 years (21 to 84 years). The types of prosthesis used were as follows : Omnift (107), AML (57), Harris-Galante (19) and others (22). The preoperative Harris hip score improved from 49 points preoperatively to 89 points at last follow-up. The pain score improved from 18 points to 39 points, activity score from 9 points to 12 points and gait scare from 19 points to 31 points. The improvement pattern of activities and gait was converse, but that of pain was diverse. One hundred and seventy-eight hips (87%) were satisfactory (Harris hip score : more than 80 points) and 27 (13%) were unsatisfactory. Radiologic findings of last follow-up showed stable bony fixation in 186 hips (91%), stable fibrous fixation in 12 hips (6%) and unstable fixation in 7 hips (3%), Ten migrations of prosthesis were noted: cup migration 5 (2.4%) and stem sinking 5 (2.4%). Heterotopic ossification was noted in 9 (4.4%). Osteolysis in acetabular side was observed in 6 (3%) and in femoral side, 22 (11%). Complications were as follows : 4 stem loosening (1.9%), 5 fixed varus position of cup (2.4%) and 1 dislocation of cup (0.5%). Revision was performed in 4 (1.9%) and the causes were 1 infection, 1 protrusio acetabuli, 1 stem loosening and 1 cup dislocation. In conclusion, biopolar endoprosthesis generally gave good results. However, the improvement of pain was unpredictable. Increasing tendency of osteolysis was noted with increasing follow-up duration. Long-term follow-up is mandatory for the accurate determination of osteolysis.
Acetabulum ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Head ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Osteolysis ; Osteonecrosis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Seoul

Iliofemoral vein thrombosis is a serious disease causing major morbidity, such as phlegmasia alba dolens, phlegmasia cerulea dolens, fatal pulmonary embolism, and post-thrombotic syndrome. Systemic anticoagulation therapy with heparin and coumadin often shows no effect and thrombectomy often results in poor long term patency due to recurrent thrombosis. Some recent studies have reported good results by catheter-guided thrombolysis therapy (CGTT) in iliofemoral vein thrombosis. Authors have experienced a good result by CGTT in an old (aging 7 weeks) iliofemoral vein thrombosis. (Case) A 21 years-old female patient with diffuse edema of left thigh and leg was admitted in SNUH. Her parents notified her abnormal gait at the age of three, but no treatment was done. In Jan. 1998, she was diagnosed as spastic diplegia due to cerebral palsy and underwent orthopedic surgery (semitendinosus tendon transfer) at other hospital. After long leg cast for 6 weeks, swelling of her left thigh developed, which waxed and waned. Seven weeks thereafter, she was diagnosed to have left iliofemoral vein thrombosis and transferred to our hospital. After initial evaluation and systemic heparin therapy, we performed CGTT via left popliteal vein puncture. After successful passage of guidewire, serial balloon dilatation and intra-clot urokinase infusion was done. Total 3.5 million units of urokinase was infused for 28 hours with simultaneous intravenous heparin. Despite of some residual thrombi, the venous flow of iliofemoral vein was restored with no complication and her symptom has much improved. Patent venous flow was detected at 6 months follow-up doppler examination.
Cerebral Palsy ; Dilatation ; Edema ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Heparin ; Humans ; Leg ; Orthopedics ; Parents ; Popliteal Vein ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Punctures ; Tendons ; Thigh ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombolytic Therapy* ; Thrombophlebitis ; Thrombosis* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; Veins* ; Warfarin ; Young Adult

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16, E7 proteins derived from the prototype (Bac73) and natural variant (Bac101) E7 open reading frame were produced in Sf9 insect cells. The variant E7 gene occurred naturally by substitution mutation at the position of 88 nucleotide, resulting serine instead of asparagine. Using E7 specific monoclonal antibody (VD6), both E7 proteins were identified in recombinant baculovirus infected SF9 cells. Radiolabelling and immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that both E7 proteins were phosphoproteins. Immunostaining result showed that E7 proteins were mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Nuclear form of E7 proteins was also detected after a sequential fractionation procedure for removing chromatin structure. Considering that the VD6 recognition site in E7 protein is located within 10 amino acid at the N-terminus, this region appears to be blocked by the nuclear component. Western blot analysis revealed that nuclear form was more abundant than cytoplasmic E7 proteins. Time course immunostaining showed that the primary location of E7 protein was the nucleus and exported to the cytoplasm as proteins were accumulated. These events occurred similarly in both Bac73 and Bac101 infected Sf9 cells, suggesting that these two proteins may have similar biological functions.
Asparagine ; Baculoviridae* ; Blotting, Western ; Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Humans* ; Immunoprecipitation ; Insects ; Open Reading Frames ; Phosphoproteins ; Serine ; Sf9 Cells

CT and portographic findings of 63 patients with hepatoma, undergone hepatic angiography and superiormesenteric portography for evaluation of tumor and thrombosis of portal vein and determination of indication oftranscatheter arterial embolization for palliative treatment of hepatoma from April,85 to June, 86 in Hanyanguniversity hospital, were reviewed. The results were as follows: 1. In 36 cases, portal vein thrombosis wasdetected during portography. Nineteen of 37 cases which revealed localized hepatoma in the right lobe of the livershowed portal vein thrombosis; 9 of 11 cases of the left lobe; 8 of 14 cases which were involved in entire liverrevealed thrombosis. One case localized in the caudate lobe showed no evidence of invasion to portal vein. 2.Twenty-four of 34 cases with diffuse infiltrative hepatoma revealed portal vein thrombosis and the incidence ofportal vein thrombosis in this type were higher than in the cases of the nodular type. 3. The portal veinthrombosis appeared as filling defects of low density in the lumen of the portal veins in CT and they did notreveal contrast enhancement. 4. CT revealed well the evidences of obstructions in the cases of portal veinthrombosis and the findings were well-corresponded to the findings of the superior mesenteric portography. 5. Fiveof the cases of the portal vein thrombosis were missed in the CT and the casuses were considered as due to partialvolume effect of enhanced portal vein with partial occlusion or arterioportal shunts. 6. Six of 13 cases withocclusion of main portal vein showed cavernous transformation and they were noted as multiple small enhancedvascularities around the porta hepatis in the CT. According to the results, we conclude that CT is a usefulmodality to detect the changes of the portal veins in the patients of the hepatoma.
Angiography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Humans ; Incidence ; Palliative Care ; Portal Vein ; Portography ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is associated with α-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to assess the differences in the clinical characteristics of PD with and without RBD. METHODS: Forty-two patients previously diagnosed with PD were evaluated for clinical history, motor and cognitive functioning using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), autonomic symptoms, sleep characteristics using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the presence of RBD using the Korean version of the RBD screening questionnaire (RBDSQ). The prevalence of RBD and the patients' demographic features were evaluated. The patients were classified into two groups, PD with RBD and PD without RBD, based on the RBDSQ scores. The motor and cognitive functions, as well as other clinical features of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 42 PD patients were enrolled. Eighteen patients were classified as PD with RBD. Compared to PD without RBD, PD with RBD showed higher scores of rigidity in the UPDRS subscale. Regarding sleep problems, PD with RBD revealed higher sleep disturbance, lower sleep efficiency, and lower overall sleep quality in the PSQI. There was no difference in cognitive dysfunction between the two groups according to the Korean version of the MMSE. CONCLUSIONS: PD with RBD was associated with poorer sleep and motor symptoms. Therefore, RBD symptoms in PD are possibly poor prognostic markers.
Cognition ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Parkinson Disease ; Prevalence ; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder* ; Sleep, REM*

BACKGROUND: Genital skin diseases are common, yet there has been insufficient clinical investigation of these conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the epidemiological aspects of genital skin diseases, and to highlight the clinical features of common dermatoses of the genitalia. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed data of 84 patients biopsied for genital skin lesions at Maryknoll Hospital between September 1991 and August 2004. RESULTS: The ratio of males to females was 2: 1 (56: 28). The most frequent genital skin diseases present were lichen simplex chronicus, condyloma accuminata, irritant contact dermatitis, lichen sclerosus et atropicus and calcinosis cutis in decreasing order of frequency. Of the 84 cases, 42 had patches or plaques, 36 had papules or nodules and 16 had vesicles, erosions or ulcers. CONCLUSION: Our results were similar to other studies in some cases and different from others in other cases. Further investigation with a larger group of patients is necessary to better understand the epidemiology of genital skin diseases.
Calcinosis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Genitalia* ; Humans ; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus ; Male ; Neurodermatitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Diseases* ; Skin* ; Ulcer