We describe a riboprinting scheme for identification of unknown Acanthamoeba isolates at the species level. It involves use of the PCR-RFLP of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (riboprint) of 24 reference strains by 4 kinds of restriction enzymes. Seven strains in morphological group I and III were identified at species level with their unique sizes of PCR product and riboprint type by Rsa I. Unique restriction fragment length patterns of 17 strains in group II by Dde I, Taq I and Hae III were classified into: (1) four taxa that were identifiable to the species level, (2) a subgroup of 4 taxa and a pair of 2 taxa that were identical to each other, and (3) a species complex of 7 taxa assigned to A. castellanii complex that were closely related. These results were consistent with that of 18s rDNA sequence analysis. This approach provides an alternative to the rDNA sequencing for rapid identification of a new clinical isolate or large number of environmental isolates of Acanthamoeba.
Acanthamoeba/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Animals ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA, Protozoan ; RNA, Ribosomal ; Ribotyping/*methods

No Abstract Available.
X-Ray Film*

No abstract available.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Biliary Tract Diseases* ; Biliary Tract* ; Reoperation*

No abstract available.
Hemorrhage*

No abstract available.
Hyperaldosteronism*

The cyclophilins (Cyps) are family members of proteins that exhibit peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase, EC 5.2.1.8) activity and bind the immunosuppressive agent cyclosprin A (CsA) in varying degrees. During the process of random sequencing of a cDNA library made from Giardia intestinalis WB strain, the cyclophilin gene (gicyp 1) was isolated. An open reading frame of gicyp 1 gene was 576 nucleotides, which corresponded to a translation product of 176 amino acids (Gicyp 1). The identity with other Cyps was about 58-71%. The 13 residues that constituted the CsA binding site of human cyclophilin were also detected in the amino acid sequence of Gicyp 1, including tryptophan residue essential for the drug binding. The single copy of the gicyp 1 gene was detected in the G. intestinalis chromosome by southern hybridization analysis. Recombinant Gicyp 1 protein clearly accelerated the rate of cis-- Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cyclophilins/antagonists & inhibitors/chemistry/genetics/*isolation&purification ; Cyclosporine/metabolism/pharmacology ; Giardia lamblia/*chemistry/genetics ; Human ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Binding ; Protozoan Proteins ; Recombinant Proteins

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly is increasing in Korea and in the developed countries due to the increased elderly population and their predispositions to chronic disease, poverty and decreased immunity. To define the characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly, we evaluated the clinical spectrum of pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We analyzed 92 patients retrospectively that were diagnosed as active pulmonary tuberculosis over the age of 65. The analysis involved patient's profiles, clinical manifestations, coexisting diseases, diagnostic methods, anti-TB medications and their side effects, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The results were as follows:- 1) The ratio of male to female was 2.1:1(62:30 cases) 2) Chief complaints were a cough (47.8%),dyspnea(40.2%), sputum(38.0%), chest pain(12.0%), anorexia(10.9%), and fever(9.8%). 3) 38(41.3%) of cases had a past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. 4) The coexisting diseases were:-COPD, 25 cases(27.2%);pneumonia, 17 cases(18.5%);DM, 13 cases(14.1%);and malignancy, 10 cases(10.9%). 5) The positivity of Mantoux test(5 TU, PPD-S) was 82.7%. 6) Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed using the following methods : sputum AFB (Acid Fast Bacillus) smear 42.4%, sputum TB(M.Tuberculosis) culture 15.2%, sputum TB PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) 10.9%, bronchial washing AFB smear 2.1%, chest radiology only 25.0%. 7) Locations of radiologic lesions were RULF, 50 cases;RLLF, 50 cases, mostly, then LLLF;26 cases were leastly involved. 8) The coexisting tuberculosis were endobronchial TB(8.7%), TB pleurisy(7.6%) miliary TB(5.4%), intestinal TB(2.2%), renal TB(1.1%) 9) The proportion of treatment regimen with 1st line drug and 2nd line drug were 92.3% and 7.6%, respectively. 10) The outcome of treatment were as follows:cured 31.5%, expired 13.0%, no return 47.8%, follow-up now 7.6%. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly has atypical patterns with chronic coexisting diseases. Therefore, the possibility of pulmonary tuberculosis should be considered in elderly patients with pulmonary symptoms.
Aged* ; Chronic Disease ; Cough ; Developed Countries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Poverty ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

No abstract available.
Intra-Articular Fractures* ; Tibia*