This study describes the characterization of 80 kDa protease showing gelationlytic property among three proteases in the excretory/secretory proteins (ESP) from Toxoplasma gondii. The protease activity was detected in the ESP but not in the somatic extract of RH tachyzoites. This protease was active only in the presence of calcium ion but not other divalent cationic ions such as Cu (2+), Zn (2+), Mg (2+), and Mn (2+), implying that Ca (2+) is critical factor for the activation of the protease. The 80 kDa protease was optimally active at pH 7.5. Its gelatinolytic activity was maximal at 37 degrees C, and significant level of enzyme activity of the protease remained after heat treatment at 56 degrees C for 30 min or 100 degrees C for 10 min. This thermostable enzyme was strongly inhibited by metal chelators, i.e., EDTA, EGTA, and 1, 10-phenanthroline. Thus, the 80 kDa protease in the ESP secreted by T. gondii was classified as a calcium dependent neutral metalloprotease.
Animals ; Calcium/metabolism ; Endopeptidases/*metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Molecular Weight ; Temperature ; Toxoplasma/*enzymology

No abstract available.
Bone and Bones* ; Dental Implants*

Author analysed ECG records of conventional 12 leads of 240 healthy persons (120 males and 120 females of 15-90 years of age) to evaluate the cardiac changes with advancing age and following results were obtained; 1. P-R intervals were not changed significantly with advancing age. The QT, Q-aT, Q-aU, and Q-U intervals were prolonged with advancing age and they were marked in male than female. 2. Mean QRS axis were shifted to the left with advancing age and these were more distinct in male than female. Mean P axis and mean T axis were not changed appreciably with advancing age. 3. The incidences of ECG position of vertical and semivertical heart position were decrease with advancing age and intermediate, horizontal and semihorizontal heart position were increased with advancing age. 4. The transitional zone of precordial leads were not changed with advancing age.
Aging* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra* ; Electrocardiography* ; Female ; Heart* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

No abstract available.
Crowns* ; Dental Porcelain*

A case of retroperitoneal teratoma was presented in a 40-year-old Korean Male. The radiologic studies were evaluated a space occupying mass containing tooth like a density in the retroperitoneal region. Surgical removal of mass wag performed and histological finding was conformed the benign teratoma.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Teratoma* ; Tooth

No abstract available.
Balloon Valvuloplasty* ; Child* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Humans

The authors have reviewed 11 cases of prosthetic replacement for severe proximal humeral fractures which were treated from March 1989 to December 1993, paying particular attention to the range of motion attained after surgery and the factors which influence the limitation of shoulder motion. The results of this study were as follows: l. Among the 11 cases, 10 cases showed sttisfactory pain relief. 2. Active motion of the shoulder averaged 91° of forward flexion, 72.8° of abduction and 35° of external rotation. 3. The humeral offset averaged 30.9mm in normal shoulder and 18.9mm in affected shoulder. 4. In 6 cases which the humeral offset measured over 20mm, active motion averaged 104° of forward flexion and 83° of abduction and 5 cases showed satisfactory results. 5. In 5 cases which the humeral offset measured under 20mm, active motion averaged 104° of forward flexion and 83 of abduction and 5 cases showed unsatisfactory results. 6. Prosthetic replacements were performed within 1 week after injury in 7 cases and among these 5 cases showed satisfactory results. The range of motion after prosthetic replacement for severe proximal humeral fracture was disappointing. We concluded that limited range of motion is mainly due to reduced humeral offset and restoration of humeral offset by appropriate reattachment of greater tuberosity will allow better clinical result.
Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures

The hypotony with cyclodialysis after blunt trauma to the eye rarely happens and the cyclodialysis is diagnosed by finding the cleft in the anterior chamber anglel It is treated with cycloplegics conservatively or with surgery. In this study, the authors reviewed the hyphema, the onset of hypotony, the size of cyclodialysis cleft and transient scleral buckling that is one of the surgery in 7 eyes of 7 patients . The hyphema was seen in all cases after blunt trauma to the eyes and the duration between the trauma and the onset of hypotony was average 7.2 days. The traumatic cyclodialyses clefts were half an clock hour in 3 patients and 1 to 4 clock hours in 4 patients . Six patients had an initial conservative treatment, 3 patients required surgical treatment, scleral buckling, for 3 weeks for the full recovery of intraocular pressure.
Anterior Chamber ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Intraocular Pressure ; Mydriatics ; Scleral Buckling

No abstract available.
Prurigo

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of central corneal thickness and axial length after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for myopia. 101 eyes of 53 patients who underwent laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) were included in this study.Routine examinations were done in all cases. Central corneal thickness, axial length, keratometry, and refractive error were measured preoperatively and on the 6 month post-operatively. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -5.52 D (SD, 1.98 D).Preoperative and postoperative mean central corneal thickness was 530.64 micrometer (SD, 27.62 micrometer)and 468.84 micrometer (SD, 33.32 micrometer).Preoperative and postoperative keratometry was 43.69 D (SD, 1.90 D)and 39.12 D (SD, 1.98 D).Preoperative and postoperative average axial length was 25.56 mm (SD, 1.05 mm)and 25.51 mm (SD, 1.08 mm).When postoperative measurements were compared with preoperative measurements, there was a significant decrease in central corneal thickness (t=25.68, p=0.000)and keratometry (t=23.61, p=0.000), but there was no significant difference in axial length (t=1.82, p=0.072). Refractive changes related to axial length measurements changes on the 6 month after LASIK are not important compared with the total refractive corrections of LASIK.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Myopia* ; Refractive Errors