In this study, the trypsin gene (bgtryp-1) from the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, was cloned via the immunoscreening of patients with allergies to cockroaches. Nucleotide sequence analysis predicted an 863 bp open reading frame which encodes for 257 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited 42-57% homology with the serine protease from dust mites, and consisted of a conserved catalytic domain (GDSGGPLV). bgtryp-1 was determined by both Northern and Southern analysis to be a 0.9 kb, single-copy gene. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analyses of the recombinant protein (Bgtryp-1) over-expressed in Escherichia coli revealed that the molecular mass of the expressed protein was 35 kDa, and the expressed protein was capable of reacting with the sera of cockroach allergy patients. We also discussed the possibility that trypsin excreted by the digestive system of the German cockroach not only functions as an allergen, but also may perform a vital role in the activation of PAR-2.
Allergens/analysis/chemistry/*genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blattellidae/*genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Catalytic Domain/genetics ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; Escherichia coli/metabolism ; Female ; *Genes, Insect ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Receptor, PAR-2/metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins/analysis/biosynthesis/chemistry ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Trypsin/analysis/chemistry/*genetics

No abstract available.
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Interleukin-6* ; Keratinocytes*

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of two-year course of food and nutrition on improving nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes and food habits of junior college female students by questionnaires. The subjects were 108 college female students enrolled in the department of food and nutrition in Gyeonggi area. The results were as follows: There were no significant changes in the weights and BMI (Body Mass Index) after 2-yr course of food and nutrition. Nutrition knowledge (14.7 vs 16.3, p < 0.001) and dietary attitude (34.3 vs 35.8, p < 0.01) increased significantly after 2-yr course. However, no significant changes in food habit were observed. Among nutrition knowledge, the scores of functions (4.5 vs 5.2, p < 0.001) and understanding (6.7 vs 7.4, p < 0.01) of nutrients were significantly increased. The recognition of nutrition knowledge increased significantly (83.1 vs 95.7, p < 0.001). Among food habit, dietary habit (13.2 vs 12.5, p < 0.01) and health related habit (15.6 vs 14.6, p < 0.001) were significantly lowered after 2-yr course. The change in dietary attitudes showed significantly positive correlation with food habit changes (p < 0.05). These results showed that 2-yr course of Food and Nutrition had improved the nutrition knowledge and dietary attitudes. Therefore, providing the more systematic and appropriate nutrition education to students during their study period will be improved dietary attitudes and food habits.
Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the procedure-related complications of the TIPS and its clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials consisted of 52 patients who had 57 TIPS procedures for the management of variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension. To detect the occurrence of complications during transhepatic needle puncture(from hepatic vein to the portal vein), contrast material was injected with the withdrawl of the puncture needle. RESULTS: Procedure-related complications occurred in 28 patients (54%) among 52 patients. The corn lications were biliary tree puncture(15 cases), transperitoneal puncture(14 cases), stent malposition(3 cases) stent migration(1 case), hepatic arteries puncture(1 case), splenic vein perforation(1 case), and paroxysmal tricular tachycardia(1 case). Three patients had acute stent thrombosis with rebleeding immediately after procedure. The procedure was repeated in two patients. One patient was expired due to rebleeding. CONCLUSION: The procedure related complications were clinically insignificant in most instances, when stent thrombosis or proxysmal ventricular tachycardia was developed.
Biliary Tract ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hepatic Artery ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Needles ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical* ; Punctures ; Splenic Vein ; Stents ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thrombosis ; Zea mays

No abstract available.
Hand* ; Humans

The purpose of this study was to improve bone formation and shorten the period involved in distraction osteogenesis using sodium fluoride (NaF). This has been used in managing osteoporosis for several decades. This study was carried out on 40 New Zealand white rabbits. Twenty animals were used for a control group (no medication) and 20 for the experimental group. NaF 1 mg/kg/day was administered to each experimental animal via drinking water beginning 4 weeks prior to surgery and continued until sacrifice for examination. A distraction device was applied to the left mandible along a plane perpendicular to the direction of osteotomy. After a 5-day latent period, the mandibles were lengthened at 1 mm per 24 hours for 10 days. Five rabbits from each group were sacrificed on the 1st day, 2nd week, 4th week and 8th week of the consolidation period. After lengthening, all the rabbits developed a severe cross-bite. By the 4th week, cortical continuity was seen. Bone densities at the site of bony lengthening were measured by quantitative computer tomography (QCT) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The results were as follows: the measurements of the experimental group were significantly higher than of the control group by the 1st day of the consolidation period (p>0.05) and insignificantly higher after the 2nd week. Histologically, in the experimental group, there were more osteoblasts, increased and thickened trabeculae and more mature lamellar bones than in the control group. This study showed that osteogenesis of the experimental group was significantly higher during and immediately after distraction. Our study suggested that the use of NaF could improve bone formation and decrease the period of distraction osteogenesis if a safe dose and method of fluoride administration can be determined for growing humans.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Drinking Water ; Fluorides ; Humans ; Mandible* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Osteoporosis ; Osteotomy ; Rabbits* ; Sodium Fluoride* ; Sodium*

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the biodurability of the covering material in retrievable metallic stents covered with polycarbonate polyurethane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a peristaltic pump at a constant rate of 1ml/min, bile was recirculated from a reservoir through a long tube containing four stents. Each of these was removed from the system every two weeks and a radial tensile strength test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. Each stent, removed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, was compared with a control stent not exposed to bile juice. RESULTS: Gross examination showed that stents were intact at 2 weeks, but at 4, 6 and 8 weeks cracks were observed. The size of these increased gradually in accordance with the duration of exposure, and at 8 weeks several large holes in the polyurethane membrane were evident. With regard to radial tensile strength, extension and peak load at break were 84.47% and 10.030 N/mm, 54.90% and 6.769 N/mm, 16.55% and 2.452 N/mm, 11.21% and 1.373 N/mm at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy at 2 weeks revealed intermittent pitting and cracking, and examination at 4, 6 and 8 weeks showed that the size of these defects was gradually increasing. CONCLUSION: When the polyurethane membrane was exposed to bile, biodegradation was first observed at week two and increased gradually according to the duration of exposure.
Bile Acids and Salts/physiology ; Biodegradation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/*instrumentation ; Phantoms, Imaging ; *Polyurethanes ; *Stents ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tensile Strength ; Time Factors

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of a direct breastfeeding program for premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted during August 2016 to April 2017. Sixty mothers of premature infants were assigned to the experimental (n = 31) or control groups (n = 29). The program was comprised of breastfeeding education and direct breastfeeding support. The experimental and control groups were provided with education and counseling on breastfeeding at the time of admission and discharge. In the experimental group, the mothers initiated oral feeding with direct breastfeeding and engaged in breastfeeding at least seven times during the NICU stay. The collected data were analyzed by the χ2 -test and repeated measures ANOVA using an SPSS program. Results: The experimental group showed a higher direct breastfeeding practice rate (χ2 = 19.29, p < .001), breastfeeding continuation rate (χ2 = 3.76, p < .001), and self-efficacy (F = 25.37, p < .001) than the control group except for maternal attachment. Conclusion The direct breastfeeding program in the NICU has significant effects on the practice and continuation rate of breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Therefore, this program can be applied in the NICU settings where direct breastfeeding is limited.

Protrusion of coil loop(s) and subsequent occlusion of the parent artery is one of the dreadful complications during endovascular coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm. Although protrusion of one or two coil loops may not cause adverse events and can be ignored in many instances, it can also compromise the parent artery in some cases with or without thrombus formation. We report a case of rescue balloon reposition of the protruding coil mass back into the aneurysm and recanalization of parent artery during embolization of the anterior communicating artery aneurysm.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Parents ; Thrombosis

Ethylene oxide is widely used to sterilize heat-sensitive materials in hospital. Previous reports for neurotoxic effects of ethylene oxide have been described in animals and humans. To assess the exposure level and neurobehavioral effect of ethylene oxide, a cross-sectional study was performed to 27 nurses from central supply unit at hospital, exposed to ethylene oxide and 32 nurses as reference. Ethylene oxide was collected with using a personal air sampler and analyzed by gas chromatography for the determination of exposure level, and five items among Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) of World Health Organization, including Digit Span, Benton visual retention. Santa Ana dexterity, Digit Symbol and Simple reaction time, were administered to the exposed and reference group. The mean exposure level was 0.63 ppm in the exposed group and six subjects were exposed above the level of 1 ppm, which is currently regulated by the Korean Ministry of Labor. The results of neurobehavioral test in the exposed group showed significantly poorer performances in Digit Span forward and backward, Benton visual retention and Simple reaction time, comparing with the reference group. When the exposure level was divided into below and above the level of 1 ppm, there were significant differences in performance on Benton visual retentions, Digit Symbol and Simple reaction time. Also, Digit Span forward and backward showed significantly poorer performances below the level of 1 ppm, compared with reference group. Simple reaction time was still significantly delayed by the exposure level after controlling the confounding factors with multiple regression analysis. The results suggest that the periodic measurement of ethylene oxide in hospital and health care program is needed.
Animals ; Chromatography, Gas ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Ethylene Oxide* ; Humans ; Reaction Time ; World Health Organization