PURPOSE: The growth hormone receptor(GHR) is essential for the actions of growth hormone on postnatal growth and metabolism. GHR transcripts are characterized by the presence of disparate 5'untranslated exons. In contrast to L1 transcript, factors regulating the expression of the GC rich L2 transcript have remained unidentified. The purpose of this study is in order to characterize the mechanisms regulating expression of the L2 transcript in the murine GHR gene METHODS: Transient transfection experiments including deletional analysis and co-transfection assay were performed to find a region containing promoter activity in the L2 5'flanking sequence using BNCL2(mouse liver) cells, CV-1(African green monkey kidney) cells, HRP.1 trophoblasts and Drosophila Schneider(SL2) cells. Sequencing analysis was performed to find the region contained consensus binding sites for transcription factors. Standard gel shift(Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, EMSA) and supershift analysis using liver nuclear extracts was performed to establish proteins(transcription factors) bound this regulatory element. RESULTS: The 5'flanking region of the L2 untranslated region(UTR) exhibited promoter activity in BNCL2(mouse liver), CV-1(monkey kidney) cells and HRP.1 trophoblasts. Deletional analyses indicated the presence of a Sp binding site important for transcription of the L2 UTR and localized the major regulatory region within 75 bp of the 5'transcription start site. Sequencing analyses revealed the region contained consensus binding sites for the Sp family of transcription factors. EMSA and supershift EMSA revealed that in mouse liver nuclear extracts that Spl and Sp3 bound to this cis-element. Functional studies in Drosophila SL2 cells and BNCL2(mouse liver) cells established the ability of Sp3 and Sp1 to stimulate transcriptional activity via this cis-element. Functional studies in Drosophila SL2 cells demonstrated a functional interaction between Sp3 and Sp1 at this DNA-binding site. CONCLUSION: Sp family transcription factors play a role in regulation of L2 transcript gene expression in the 5'flanking region of the murine GHR gene.
Animals ; Binding Sites ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Consensus ; Drosophila ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Exons ; Gene Expression ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Liver ; Metabolism ; Mice ; Receptors, Somatotropin* ; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Transcription Factors* ; Transfection ; Trophoblasts

Vitreous hemorrhages of white rabbit eyes were obtained by the following three methods and their ultrasonographies were checked several times for four weeks. 1 st group: fresh human blood was injected into the vitreous cavity through the sclera, 2 nd group: oxalated human blood was injected into the vitreous cavity in the same way, 3 rd group: a 26 gauge needle was inserted into the vitreous cavity and retinal vessels were mechanically ruptured to cause vitreous hemorrhage. Ultrasonography of the above groups revealed no definite differences between groups, but a high echo from the vitreous hemorrhages in initial stage changed to several low echoes in later stage. This fact was well matched with funduscopic observation for gradual absorption of the vitreous hemorrhage.
Absorption ; Humans ; Needles ; Retinal Vessels ; Sclera ; Ultrasonography* ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

The eye is a common target organ of the allergy, and allergic conjunctivitis is the most common of eye diseases. Clinical manifestations of allergic conjunctivitis are acute bilateral red, itchy, and watery eyes. The presence of conjuncitival eosinophilia may be consided to be a diagnostic indicator of allergic conjunctivitis. ECP is a quantifiable toxic product secreted by activated cosinc phils. VCAM-1 promotes adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium in vitro and may promote imflammation in vivo. The objective of this study is to measure eosinophil count, ECP and sVCAM-1 levels of tears and sera in patients with acute allergic conjunctivitis and normal subjects and to assess the correlation of these mediators with the severity of the disease and the clinical usefulness. Seventeen subjects were selected on the basis of clinical manifestations, history, skin prick test, total IgE. A microcapillary tube was used to collect the tears from the inner canthus, conjunctival epithelia were obtained for eosinophil count by scraping the upper tarsal conjunctiva. The level of ECP was measured by CAP system (Kabi-Pharmacia, Sweden), sVCAM-1 was measured by ELISA (R&D, USA). Serum IgE and eosinophil count were in creased in 10 patients, allergic skin prick test were positive in 11 subjects (D.p: 9, D.f: 8), eosinophilia in conjunctival epithelium were present in 11 subjects (4 patients: > 3/HPF, 7 patients: 1-3/HPF). ECP in tears were increased in patients significantly (12.0+8.0 vs 3.9+3.8 ng/ml, p=0.01), but not in serum (52.5+43.1 vs 28.3+25.9 ng/ml). There is no significant correlation between eosinophil count and ECP in serum and tears (p>0.05, r-=0.19). Serum sVCA-M-1 level is significant different between patients and controls (1916.5+756.0 vs 1147.2+146.1 micro gram/ml, p=0.01), sVCAM-1 is significantly correlated to eosinophil count (p=0.01, r=0.56) and ECP (p<0.05, r=0.65). In conclusion, eosinophil and ECP in tears may be very important role in allergic conjunctivitis and are useful indicators of the disease. The elevation of sVCAM-1 in serum may be interpreted simply as marker of the presence of non-specific inflammation.
Cell Adhesion* ; Child* ; Conjunctiva ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic* ; Endothelium ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Epithelium ; Eye Diseases ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes ; Skin ; Tears* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to assess the growth status and to evaluate the factors affecting the development of metabolic syndrome in children born with small for gestational age (SGA) at term gestation. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 73 (36 boys, 37 girls) children born with SGA at term gestation who were visited for short stature and metabolic problems at Seoul National University Children' Hospital between 1994 and 2003. We assessed several clinical parameters as follows:birth weight, height standard deviation score (SDS), weight SDS, weight for height, bone age (BA), chronologic age (CA), predicted adult height (PAH) and midparental height (MPH). We evaluated the factors affecting height SDS according to pubertal status. We also evaluated the factors affecting development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or obesity. RESULTS:Pubertal children had greater height SDS, weight SDS and difference between BA and CA than prepubertal children, respectively (P<0.05). Height SDS positively correlated with difference between BA and CA (r=0.43, P<0.01), but BA advancement (BA>CA) was not observed in prepubertal children. BA advancement was observed in all pubertal children except one. The children who had greater weight SDS than height SDS had significantly lower height SDS and delayed BA, respectively (P<0.05). The children who had metabolic problems had higher weight SDS (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that rapid skeletal maturation may develope during transition from prepuberty to puberty and catch-up growth may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome in children born with SGA, but further study will be required.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Dyslipidemias ; Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Obesity ; Pregnancy* ; Puberty ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

No abstract available.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Lymphoma*

Free flaps have been widely used in lower leg reconstruction. However, in cases with extensive injury to the vessels as well as to the bone and soft tissues, and having only one intact major vessel in the lower leg(single vessel leg), careful selection of recipient vessels for the free flap transfer is mandatory for preventing further vascular compromise of the distal lower leg. The sural artery and its vena comitantes are frequently protected form externally harmful forces by the bulky surrounding gastrocnemius muscle and can be used as recipient vessles for free flaps without any detrimental influence on the vascularity of the distal lower leg. In our department, three latissimus dorsi muscle free flap were transferred with sural vessels as recipient vessels in the reconstruction of the single vessel legs. Except for one case of flap failure due to serious infection at the microvascular anastomoses site, all the other cases were successfully reconstructed without any necrosis of the gastrocnemius muscle or the distal leg. In addition, the sural vessels were easily accessed in any patient position and their caliber was similar to that of the vascular pedicles of the donor muscle flaps. In conclusion, the sural vessels can be another useful option in selecting recipient vessels for free flap transfer in the reconstruction of the single vessel leg.
Arteries ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Leg* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Necrosis ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors

To describe and evaluate the morphologic changes and the different expression of cell-specific or correlating protein molecules during cell growth, immunocytochemistry and morphologic observations were done on retinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells obtained from several culture conditions. These include culture time, spatial or cell density, transdifferentiation, and presence of growth factors. The human fetal and porcine RPE cells were cultured with and without individual growth factor or in combinations inchlding extracellular matrix (ECM), Insulin, basic fibroblatio growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Mouse monoclonal anti-human, or anti-mouse antibodieg with or without species cross reactlvity against the intermediate filament proteins (cytokeratin, vimentin, GFAP) were used. To determine RPE-specific molecules of cytokeratin, nine commercially available antibodies, representing subclones of Moll's catalog number 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19 were applied. The morphological changes and the proliferation of cells started after their attachment on the culture plate as soon as they lost pigment granules. The epithelial cells like fibroblasts occurred in the area where the cellular density was low, and finally, their shape was restored to their original phenotype when the cellular connuency was achieved. The degree of proliferation and the duration of achieving confluency of cells were dependent on whether ECM and growth factors were added in media or not. Cells with the epithelial morphology were positively stained with anticytokeratine antibodies, especially with clone 19, 18, 17, 8 and 7 in human RPE cells; with 19, CAM 5.26 (8/18) in porcine cells. The fusiform or digitating cells of sparse density also expressed vimentin strongly through out all stages, whereas GFAP was not expressed at any stage in either species.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cell Count ; Clone Cells ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Epithelial Cells* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; Keratins* ; Mice ; Phenotype ; Retinaldehyde* ; Vimentin*

To describe and evaluate the morphologic changes and the different expression of cell-specific or correlating protein molecules during cell growth, immunocytochemistry and morphologic observations were done on retinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells obtained from several culture conditions. These include culture time, spatial or cell density, transdifferentiation, and presence of growth factors. The human fetal and porcine RPE cells were cultured with and without individual growth factor or in combinations inchlding extracellular matrix (ECM), Insulin, basic fibroblatio growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Mouse monoclonal anti-human, or anti-mouse antibodieg with or without species cross reactlvity against the intermediate filament proteins (cytokeratin, vimentin, GFAP) were used. To determine RPE-specific molecules of cytokeratin, nine commercially available antibodies, representing subclones of Moll's catalog number 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19 were applied. The morphological changes and the proliferation of cells started after their attachment on the culture plate as soon as they lost pigment granules. The epithelial cells like fibroblasts occurred in the area where the cellular density was low, and finally, their shape was restored to their original phenotype when the cellular connuency was achieved. The degree of proliferation and the duration of achieving confluency of cells were dependent on whether ECM and growth factors were added in media or not. Cells with the epithelial morphology were positively stained with anticytokeratine antibodies, especially with clone 19, 18, 17, 8 and 7 in human RPE cells; with 19, CAM 5.26 (8/18) in porcine cells. The fusiform or digitating cells of sparse density also expressed vimentin strongly through out all stages, whereas GFAP was not expressed at any stage in either species.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cell Count ; Clone Cells ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Epithelial Cells* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; Keratins* ; Mice ; Phenotype ; Retinaldehyde* ; Vimentin*

BACKGROUND: beta-lactam antibiotics are one of the most frequently used antimicrobial agents. However, with the increase of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, penicillins arid 1 st generation cephalosporins have become less useful. Cefatrizine and clavulanic acid combination (CTCA) was developed to restore the activity. The aim of this study was to determine the activities of CTCA against major recent clinical isolates. METHODS: Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria tested were isolated from clinical specimens in Severance Hospital during 1996 to 1999. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the NCCLS agar dilution methods. RESULTS: MICs of cefatrizine (CT) and CTCA were similar for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and S. pneumoniae. For Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, MIC90 CTCA was 1 microgram/mL, which was 1/8-fold lower than that of cefatrizine. MIC90S of CTCA for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 4 microgram/mL and 8 microgram/mL, respectively, which were 1/4- to 1/16-fold lower than those of CT. However, it was less active against Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens. Against Bacteroides fragilis group organisms, it showed good activities similar to those of other beta-lactam and beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. CONCLUSIONS: CTCA showed good antimicrobial activities against M. (B.) catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and B. fragilis. In conclusion, it would be useful for the treatment of infections due to those organisms, and for the empirical treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteria* ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Bacteroides fragilis ; beta-Lactamases ; Cefatrizine ; Cephalosporins ; Citrobacter freundii ; Clavulanic Acid ; Enterobacter cloacae ; Escherichia coli ; Haemophilus influenzae ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Proteus vulgaris ; Serratia marcescens ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Urinary Tract Infections

No abstract available.
Electric Impedance* ; Plethysmography, Impedance*