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

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.
Bone and Bones* ; Dental Implants*

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 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

To evaluate the consistency of the thickness and size of the corneal flap made by the Innovatome automatic microkeratome and to determine the cor-relation between preoperative variables and corneal flap dimensions, we per-formed the prospective study comprised 102 consecutive eyes of 51 patients having laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK)with the Innovatome microker-atome.Central corneal thickness, corneal curvature, and refractive error were measured preoperatively.All flaps were created using No.170 blades. The mean corneal flap thickness was 139.70 +/-2 2.5 6 micrometer, and the range was 93.0 ~193.7 micrometer.There was no relationship between the corneal flap thickness and the preoperative corneal curvature or spherical equivalent, but the corneal flap thickness increased with the preoperative central corneal thickness. The mean corneal flap size (vertical diameter)was 9.17 +/- 0.25 mm (range :8.5 0 ~9.7 5 mm).There was no relationship between the corneal flap diameter and the preoperative central corneal thickness or spherical equivalent, but the corneal flap size increased with the preoperative corneal curvature.
Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Prospective Studies ; Refractive Errors

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of refraction, geometry of the posterior corneal surface and the residual corneal thickness after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. METHODS: Thirty eyes of 15 patients were treated with Star S2 Smooth Scan (VISX, U.S.A.) and followed up for 3 months. The refractive, anteroposterior changes in the posterior corneal surface and residual corneal thickness were measured using slit-scanning topography, Orbscan IIR (Orbtek, Bausch & Lomb) at 1 week preoperatively, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean forward shift of the posterior cornea surface was 8.83+/-1.34 micrometer, 11.53+/-4.23 micrometer and 14.70+/-3.50 micrometer at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months respectively. Mean spherical equivalence of posterior cornea was = -7.01+/-0.31 D preoperatively; it changed to -7.17+/-0.47 D, -7.22+/-0.21 D and -7.17+/-0.6 D at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. The degree of forward shift of posterior corneal surface is correlated with the posterior corneal refractive changes (r=-0.808, P< 0.01). The forward shift of the posterior corneal surface is correlated with the residual corneal thickness (r=-0.483, P< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Photorefractive keratectomy significantly influenced the forward shift of the cornea, which is correlated with the residual corneal thickness.
Cornea ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer ; Photorefractive Keratectomy*