Human caspase-2, Ich-1 (Ice and Ced-3 homolog), has two different forms of mRNA species derived from alternative splicing, which encodes Ich-1 and Ich-1s. Ich-1v which induces apoptosis is antagonist of Ich-1s which suppresses Rat-1 cell death by serum deprivation. To investigate functions of Ich-1 and Ich-1s in T celi apoptosis, the fusion DNA constructs were made with the ecto and transmembrane of CDB and Ich-lv or Ich-1s and CDS-Ich-1 or CD8-Ich-1s chimeric protein was transiently expressed on Jurkat T cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins was induced in these transfectans when activated shortly by anti-CDB Ab. CDB-Ich-li transfectant in serum-rich condition and CDB-Ich-ls transfectant in serum-deprived condition underwent apoptosis when treated with anti-CDS Ab or incubated with NIH3T3 cells expressing stably Fas-L on their surface. We also made six antisense DNA constructs which could specifically inhibit the expression of Ich-1v, Ich- 1s, and then they were transiently transfected into Jurkat T cell. The overexpression of both of the antisese- Ich-1 against N-terminal 42 bp and against C-terminal 366 bp inhibited apoptosis through Fas signalling. But, when three different forms of antisense-Ich-1s were overexpressed in their transfectants, antisense-DNA against N-terminal 197 bp increased knd the one against C-terminal 66 bp inhibited apoptosis, instead the full size of antisense-DNA did not give any effects on apoptosis through Fas pathway.
Humans

No abstract available.
Lipomatosis*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Plasma* ; Renin*

Anti-M antibody is usually a naturally occurring antibody reacting optimally 4 degrees C and is not considered to be clinically significant. Rarely has anti-M been implicated in hemolytic disease of the newborn(HDN) and the true incidence of HDN due to anti-M has not been well delineated. Authors report the second case of hemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-M in Korea. A 3-days old baby boy was admitted due to jaundice and severe anemia which were developed at birth. The blood type of his mother was A, CcDEe, Ns, while the blood type of the infant of was A, CcDEe, MNs. The mother's serum had anti-M which wits strongnly positive in room temperature and albumin phase. The reaction was only weakly positive in the antiglobulin phase. Direct antiglobulin test of baby's red cells was negative, while the serum was weakly positive in polyethylene glycol-Coombs test. The antibody was found to be partially IgG through the treatment with dithiothreitol. After an exchange transfusion and phototherapy, the anemia and jaundice were corrected and and the patient discharged at the age of 16.
Anemia ; Coombs Test ; Dithiothreitol ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Jaundice ; Korea ; Male ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Phototherapy ; Polyethylene

The T cell antigen receptor (TcR) in combination with costimulatory signals triggered by accessory molecules present on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells (APC) regulates the activation and growth of T lymphocytes. Calyculin A and Okadaic acid is known to be an inhibitor of serine/threonine phosphatase and RK-682 specifically blocks functions of tyrosine phosphatase. To investigate roles of these inhibitors in TcR-mediated signaling cascade, chimeric molecule CD8-5 which contains the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the human CD8a molecule and the cytoplasmic tail of TcR 5 chain were stably expressed in Jurkat cell line. CD8-5 chimeric protein induced tyrosine phosphorylation of various cytoplasmic substrates and IL-2 gene expression in a NFAT dependent manner by stimulation with anti-CD8 mAb OKT8 as seen in TcR stimulation. When CD8-5 transfectants were preincubated with Okadaic acid, Calyculin or RK682, they differentially affected tyrosine phosphorylation of signaling mediators including CD8-5 molecule. When Jurkat Tag cell line was used where SV40 T antigen is stably expressed and the expression of p-galactosidase is driven by the multiple NFAT binding sites plus minimal IL-2 promoter, these phosphatase inhibitors -RK682, Calyculin A, Okadaic acid- effectively inhibited IL-2 gene expression at the concentration of 1.2832 x 10 ' M, 3.9924 x 10 M, 7.2707 x 10 M respectively. These results suggested that Okadaic acid, Calyculin or RK682 modulate TcR-proximal as well as TcR-distal signaling events during T cell activation.
Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Antigens, Viral, Tumor ; Binding Sites ; Cell Line ; Cytoplasm ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Jurkat Cells ; Okadaic Acid* ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tyrosine

No abstract available.
Empyema, Subdural* ; Haemophilus influenzae* ; Haemophilus* ; Meningitis*

An ABO discrepancy was encountered in a 29-year-old woman with a pregnancy of 36 weeks. The patient's red cell was typed as group O and her serum had only anti-A antibody. Absence of B antigen on patient's RBC was confirmed by adsorption-elution test, B substance was not demonstrated in the saliva and serum. B-transferase activity was not detected in the serum. Patient's serum Ig level was within normal range. The patient's father and son had normal O phenotype and no additional abnormalities were detected among the family members studied.
Adult ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values ; Saliva

The Di(a+b-) phenotype is extremely rare among Caucaclans and mostly confined to mongoloids. The incidences of Di antigen among Koreans were reported to be 6.1 to 14.5%, with an average of 9.6%; it can be calculated that the frequency of Di(a+b-) is 0.25% on the average. Authors report the first case of hemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-Dib in Korea. The Diego phenotypes of the mother, baby and father were Di(a+b-), Di(a+b+) and Di (a-b+), respectively. The mother's serum and eluate from infant's erythrocytes contained anti-DP antibody active in the antiglobulin phase. After transfusions of Di-negative red cells from the mother and mother's relative, the patient was recovered from anemia and jaundice.
Anemia ; Erythrocytes ; Fathers ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Jaundice ; Korea ; Mothers ; Phenotype

No abstract available.
Animals ; Isoproterenol* ; Plasma* ; Rats* ; Renin*

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and radiological results of different surgical methods in osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients, with neurologic deficits in the thoracolumbar junction. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Various surgical methods have been reported for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, with neurologic deficits, in the thoracolumbar junction. These are: anterior decompression, anterior decompression and anterior or posterior reconstruction, and Egg shell procedure. However, it is controversial as to which method is better. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 13 patients that had undergone surgical treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, with neurologic deficits, With a mean age of 68+/-8.4, ranging from 51 to 79 years. Six of the cases were male and seven were female. The mean follow up period was 18 months. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A (n=8): Anterior decompression, anterior interbody fusion, with cage or autologous strut iliac bone block, and instrumentation (anterior or posterior). Group B (n=5): Posterior decompression and posterior reconstruction (egg shell procedure). The kyphotic angles, neurologic improvements and complications in each group were analyzed preoperatively, postoperatively and at final follow up. RESULTS: In group A, the mean kyphotic angles were 29+/-5.9 degrees, 18+/-6.7 degrees and 23+/-7.7 degrees preoperatively, postoperatively and at the final follow up, respectively. In group B, the mean kyphotic angles were 31+/-1.1 degrees, 12+/-6.3 degrees and 18+/-5.5 degrees preoperatively, postoperatively and at the final follow up, respectively. In group A, 3 and 5 patients were graded as Frankel grades C and D, respectively. In group B, 1, 1 and 3 patients were graded as Frankel grades B, C and D, respectively. The neurological status improved in all the patients, by mean 1.1 grades in group A and 1.2 grades in group B. In group A, postoperative transient dyspnea and screw loosening occurred in one and two patients, respectively. In group B, postoperative paralytic ileus and screw loosening occurred in one two patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior decompression and posterior reconstruction (egg shell procedure) was an effective surgical method, equivalent to an anterior or anterior and posterior procedure, for osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients, with neurologic deficits.
Animals ; Decompression ; Dyspnea ; Egg Shell ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Retrospective Studies