The effect of a secretory proteinase from the pathogenic amoebae Acanthamoeba castellanii on hosts defense-oriented or regulatory proteins such as immunoglobulins, interleukin-1, and protease inhibitors was investigated. The enzyme was found to degrade secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), IgG, and IgM. It also degraded interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and IL-1beta. Its activity was not inhibited by endogenous protease inhibitors, such as alpha2-macroglobulin, alpha1-trypsin inhibitor, and alpha2-antiplasmin. Furthermore, the enzyme rapidly degraded those endogenous protease inhibitors as well. The degradation of hosts defense-oriented or regulatory proteins by the Acanthamoeba proteinase suggested that the enzyme might be an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba infection.
Acanthamoeba/*enzymology/pathogenicity ; Animals ; Endopeptidases/*physiology ; Immunoglobulins/*metabolism ; Interleukin-1/*metabolism ; Protease Inhibitors/*metabolism ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Virulence

BACKGROUND: Housekeeping genes, which show constant protein expression patterns between different tissue types, are very important in molecular biological studies as an internal control for protein research. METHODS: The protein expression profiles of seven housekeeping genes (HPRT1, PPIA, GYS1, TBP, YWHAZ, GAPDH and ACTB) in various rat tissues (cerebrum, cerebellum, cardiac ventricle and atrium, psoas muscle, femoral muscle, liver, spleen, kidney, and aorta) were analyzed by Western blot and compared by coefficient of variation (CV). RESULTS: HPRT1 was stably expressed (CV< or =10%) in six tissues (cerebrum, cerebellum, ventricle, femoral muscle, spleen, and kidney), PPIA was stably expressed in five tissues (cerebrum, cerebellum, ventricle, spleen and kidney), YWHAZ was stably expressed in three tissues (cerebrum, cerebellum, and kidney), and GAPDH was stably expressed in four tissues (cerebrum, ventricle, psoas muscle, and kidney). In comparison, GYS1, TBP, and ACTB were found to have CV values over 10% in all tissues. Of the seven genes examined, four (HPRT1, PPIA, YWHAZ, and GAPDH) were found to be stably expressed across multiple organs, with low CV values (< or =10%). CONCLUSIONS: These results will provide fundamental information regarding internal controls for protein expression studies and can be used for analysis of postmortem protein degradation patterns in forensic medicine.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cerebellum ; Forensic Medicine ; Genes, Essential* ; Heart Ventricles ; Kidney ; Liver ; Postmortem Changes ; Proteolysis ; Psoas Muscles ; Rats* ; Spleen

BACKGROUND: Although human parasitic infestations have decreased generally in Korea, Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani, Cysticercus and Sparganum are still a serious concern due to their relatively high prevalence and severe complications. A definitive diagnosis, however cumbersome and occasionally invasive, is required in order to detect adult worms, eggs, or cysts. The parasite-specific IgG antibody (PSA) test using the ELISA method has been recently developed to diagnose and monitor the infestations of those four parasites. We analysed PSA positive patients for Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani, Cysticercus and Sparganum. METHODS: The serum samples referred to the Neodin Medical Institute for PSA were tested by the ELISA method using crude extracts of C. sinensis, P. westermani, Sparganum and cystic fluid of Cysticercus. The PSA results during the 7-month period from January to July 2001 were retrospectively analysed. The medical records of the patients at Asan Medical Center (AMC) with positive PSA were reviewed with stool examinations for parasites, skin tests for C. sinensis and P. west-ermani, radiological findings and antiparasitic management. RESULTS: A total of 865 specimens were tested for PSA and 84 samples (9.7%) of 76 patients were positive; C. sinensis, Cysticercus, Sparganum, and P. westermani were positive in 26 patients (3.0%), 26 (3.0%), 14 (1.6%) and 10 (1.2%), respectively. 26 specimens from 18 AMC patients were positive for one or more PSA; 6 Cysticercus. 4 C. sinensis, 5 Sparganum and 3 P. westermani. All PSA-positive cases for Cysticercus, C. sinensis and P. westermani were compatible with the clinical diagnosis; however, it was difficult to elucidate in the clinical correlation of 3 out of 5 Sparganum-positive cases. CONCLUSION: Cysticercus, C. sinensis and P. westermani are currently prevalent in Korea. Positive PSA ELISA tests for Cysticercus, C. sinensis and P. westermani are reliable indicators in diagnosing present infestations among the clinically suspected patients.
Adult ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Clonorchis sinensis* ; Complex Mixtures ; Cysticercus* ; Diagnosis ; Eggs ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Ovum ; Paragonimus westermani* ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Tests ; Sparganum*

BACKGROUND: The accentuated nitric oxide (NO) release that is induced by the systemic inflammatory response associated with infective endocarditis (IE) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may result in catecholamine refractory hypotension (vasoplegia) and increased transfusion requirement due to platelet inhibition. Methylene blue (MB) is an inhibitory drug of inducible NO. We aimed to evaluate the effect of prophylactic MB administration before CPB on vasopressor and transfusion requirements in patients with IE undergoing valvular heart surgery (VHS). METHODS: Forty-two adult patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 mg/kg of MB (MB group, n = 21) or saline (control group, n = 21) for 20 min before the initiation of CPB. The primary end points were comparisons of vasopressor requirements serially assessed after weaning from CPB and hemodynamic parameters serially recorded before and after CPB. The secondary endpoint was the comparison of transfusion requirements. RESULTS: Two patients in the control group received MB after weaning from CPB due to norepinephrine and vasopressin refractory vasoplegia and were thus excluded. There were no significant differences in vasopressor requirements and hemodynamic parameters between the two groups. The mean number of units of packed erythrocytes transfused per transfused patient was significantly less in the MB group. The numbers of patients transfused with fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates were less in the MB group. CONCLUSIONS: In IE patients undergoing VHS, prophylactic MB administration before CPB did not confer significant benefits in terms of vasopressor requirements and hemodynamic parameters, but it was associated with a significant reduction in transfusion requirement.
Adult ; Blood Platelets ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Endocarditis ; Erythrocytes ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Methylene Blue ; Nitric Oxide ; Norepinephrine ; Plasma ; Thoracic Surgery ; Vasoplegia ; Vasopressins ; Weaning

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play an important role in myocardial protection. We examined the effects of thromboxane A₂ on the regulation of K(ATP) channel activity in single ventricular myocytes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from the hearts of adult Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice by enzymatic digestion. Single channel activity was recorded by excised inside-out and cell-attached patch clamp configurations at -60 mV holding potential during the perfusion of an ATP-free K-5 solution. RESULTS: In the excised inside-out patches, the thromboxane A₂ analog, U46619, decreased the K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner; however, the thromboxane A₂ receptor antagonist, SQ29548, did not significantly attenuate the inhibitory effect of U46619. In the cell-attached patches, U46619 inhibited dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner, and SQ29548 attenuated the inhibitory effects of U46619 on DNP-induced K(ATP) channel activity. CONCLUSION: Thromboxane A₂ may inhibit K(ATP) channel activity, and may have a harmful effect on ischemic myocardium.
15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adenosine* ; Adult ; Animals ; Digestion ; Heart ; Humans ; KATP Channels ; Mice* ; Muscle Cells* ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play an important role in myocardial protection. We examined the effects of thromboxane A₂ on the regulation of K(ATP) channel activity in single ventricular myocytes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from the hearts of adult Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice by enzymatic digestion. Single channel activity was recorded by excised inside-out and cell-attached patch clamp configurations at -60 mV holding potential during the perfusion of an ATP-free K-5 solution. RESULTS: In the excised inside-out patches, the thromboxane A₂ analog, U46619, decreased the K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner; however, the thromboxane A₂ receptor antagonist, SQ29548, did not significantly attenuate the inhibitory effect of U46619. In the cell-attached patches, U46619 inhibited dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced K(ATP) channel activity in a dose-dependent manner, and SQ29548 attenuated the inhibitory effects of U46619 on DNP-induced K(ATP) channel activity. CONCLUSION: Thromboxane A₂ may inhibit K(ATP) channel activity, and may have a harmful effect on ischemic myocardium.
15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adenosine* ; Adult ; Animals ; Digestion ; Heart ; Humans ; KATP Channels ; Mice* ; Muscle Cells* ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium*

Background/Aims: The HBsAg levels have been used to monitor the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment response to antiviral therapy.On the other hand, it is unclear if the HBsAg quantification levels at each treatment point differ according to the HBeAg status and drug in CHB patients. This study compared the changes in HBsAg in CHB patients according to the HBeAg status and treatment drugs. Methods: CHB patients with at least 1 year of follow-up treatment with one drug, either entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TDF), were enrolled in this study. The mean HBsAg levels were measured annually for up to 6 years. A linear mixed model was used to compare the HBsAg quantification levels during the follow-up period. An independent samples t-test was used to analyze the differences in the HBsAg quantification levels at each treatment time point. Results: Ninety-seven patients were enrolled in this study; 59 among them were HBeAg-positive. Two patients in the TDF group achieved HBsAg seroconversion. The HBsAg level decreased during the follow-up in the ETV and TDF groups. The HBsAg level was lower in the TDF group than the ETV group during the follow-up. On the other hand, subgroup analysis showed that this trend was the same only in the HBeAg-negative patients, not in the HBeAg-positive patients. In the HBeAg-negative patients, HBsAg level in the TDF group was significantly lower than that in the ETV group at 36, 48, and 72 months. The change in HBsAg level from the baseline increased at a decreasing rate during the follow-up in both groups. Furthermore, the change in the HBsAg level in the TDF group was significantly larger than that of the ETV group at 36 months in the HBeAg-negative patients. Conclusions Although TDF might be more efficient than ETV in reducing the HBsAg level in HBeAg-negative patients in a few years, HBsAg seroconversion occurred very rarely. A further large-scale, long-term study will be needed to confirm the antiviral effects on the HBsAg level.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in frictional resistance among metal, ceramic, self-ligation brackets and coated or non-coated Ni-Ti archwires at various bracket-archwire angulations during the sliding movement of an orthodontic archwire, using an orthodontic sliding simulation device. METHODS: Four types of bracket (Micro-arch Perpect Clear2 Clippy-C and Damon3 and 5 types of orthodontic archwire (0.014", 0.016", and 0.016" x 0.022" inch coated Ni-Ti, and 0.016" and 0.016" x 0.022" inch Ni-Ti) were used. Further, the bracket-archwire angles were set at 4 different angulations: 0degrees, 3degrees, 6degrees, and 9degrees. RESULTS: The frictions from all the experimental groups were found to be significantly increased in order of self-ligation brackets, Micro-arch and Perpect Clear2 (p < 0.001). The presence of a coat had no effect on the friction of the same sized archwires at 0degrees and 3degrees bracket-archwire angles (p < 0.001). Coated archwires had significantly higher frictions than the same sized non-coated archwires at 6degrees and 9degrees bracket-archwire angles (p < 0.001). The frictions increased significantly as the bracket-archwire angles were increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of self-ligation brackets will be beneficial in clinical situations where a low frictional force is required. Further, in cases where crowding is not severe, the use of coated archwires should not cause problems. However, more additional explanation is required considering the fact that the damage of coated archwire and exposure of the metal portion in case of binding and notching and the effects of saliva were not taken into account.
Ceramics ; Crowding ; Friction ; Nickel ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Saliva ; Titanium

This case report describes the treatment of an adult patient with a Class I canine and molar relationship but a convex profile with a retrognathic mandible and marked lip protrusion, as well as an excessive lower anterior facial height and reduced transverse width on both arches due to a nasal airway obstruction. The constricted arches were expanded by surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion and the application of a Schwarz appliance to the maxilla and mandible. Acceptable facial balance was obtained using contemporary directional force technology with microimplant anchorage (MIA), which provided horizontal and vertical anchorage in the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth, as well as intrusion and torque control in the maxillary anterior teeth, resulting in a favorable counterclockwise mandibular response. The total treatment period was 29 months and the results were acceptable for 13 months after debonding.
Adult ; Humans ; Lip ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Nasal Obstruction ; Tooth ; Torque

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to find out whether Er:YAG laser can aid in debonding ceramic brackets, and to see what kind of method will be the most appropriate for debonding. METHODS: One hundred and ninety teeth, monocrystalline brackets (MISO(TM), HT, Ansan-Si, Korea), polycrystalline brackets (Transcend(TM) series 6000, 3M Untek, Monrovia, CA, USA) and the KEY Laser3 (KavoDental, Biberach, Germany) were used. Experimental groups were classified according to the type of ceramic brackets, and the amount of laser energy (0, 140, 300, 450, 600 mJ). After applying laser on the bracket at two points at 1 pulse each, the shear bond strength was measured. The effect of heat caused by laser was measured at the enamel beneath the bracket and pulp chamber. After measuring the shear bond strength, adhesive residue was evaluated and enamel surface was investigated using SEM. RESULTS: All ceramic bracket groups showed a significant decrease in shear bond strength as the laser energy increased. The greatest average temperature change was 3.78degrees C on the enamel beneath the bracket and 0.9degrees C on the pulp chamber. Through SEM, crater shape holes caused by the laser was seen on the enamel and adhesive surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: If laser is applied on ceramic brackets for debonding, 300 - 450 mJ of laser energy will be safe and efficient for monocrystalline brackets (MISO(TM)), and about 450 mJ for polycrystalline brackets (Transcend(TM) series 6000).
Adhesives ; Ceramics ; Dental Enamel ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Hot Temperature ; Tooth