The characterization of genetic variation at the level of DNA has generated significant advances in gene mapping and disease diagnosis, and forensic identification of individuals. It is now possible to identify individual DNA from various tissue specimens, like hair, using the PCR and oligonucleotide probes. To date, however, the number of hairs needed, the preservation conditions, and the kinds of hair suitable for DNA extraction have not been well known. We performed DNA extraction using hairs from different body sites, using different numbers of hairs, under various different preservation conditions to investigate the acquisition conditions of DNA data from hair using PCR and specific HLA-DQA probe. HLA-DQA genotyping of DNA extracted from peripheral blood was performed to compare the results of hair and blood HLA-DQA genotyping from individuals. The results are as follows: 1) The concentration of DNA extracted from a single strand of hair is 5.23+/-0.54 g/ml. It is possible to extract sufficient DNA for HLA-DQA genotyping from a single strand of hair. 2) DNA concentration is different according to body site. Concentrations are 7.01+/-0.33 g/ml in scalp hair, 6.28+/-0.29 g/ml in axillary hair, and 6.10+0.24 microgram/ml in pubic hair. 3) There is no difference between the electrophortic bands resulting from DNA extracted from the hair of an individual preserved under different conditions, such as room temperature, exposure to sunlight, exposure to low temperature (+4degrees C), or exposure to moisture. 4) There is no difference between the electrophoretic bands resulting from DNA extracted from hair of a single individual preserved for different lengths of time. 5) In an individual, the HLA-DQA genotype obtained from peripheral blood is identical to that obtained from hair. Even though the amout of DNA obtained from hair is limited, it is possible to identify the HLA-DQA genotype of an individual using a single strand of hair. This requires adequate extraction of DNA for PCR analysis using an allele specific probe. We believe that HLA-DQA genotyping using the PCR method on DNA extracted from hair is useful for disease diagnosis and forensic science.
Alleles ; Chromosome Mapping ; Diagnosis ; DNA* ; Forensic Sciences ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Hair* ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Scalp ; Sunlight

Purpose: To identify inflammatory factors that may serve as biomarkers for dry eye syndrome using a hyperosmotic dry eye syndrome model. Methods: Cultured human conjunctival epithelial cells were subjected to 400, 450, 500, and 550 mOsm/L NaCl, and cell viability was assessed in response to osmolarity. The relative expression of inflammatory factors was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 according to the NaCl concentration. Results: An increase in the concentration of NaCl led to a notable decrease in cell viability (p < 0.05). IL-8, TNF-α, and MMP-9 expression levels increased significantly in proportion to NaCl concentration (p < 0.05). Conclusions IL-8, TNF-α, and MMP-9 may serve as effective biomarkers in dry eye studies.

The internal morphology of the right and left atria of rabbit, cat, pig, and human, particularly on the luminal structures of the auricle, were observed by stereomicroscope improving corrosion casting method using latex. Structures of the right auricular casts markedly differ from those of the left side, consisting of defined surface sturctures with distinct folds and branching patterns. The main atrial region consists of smooth surfaced single mass of the latex, and the auricular region is characterized by well developed branching patte and delicate small folds. The results of this study indicate that auricula have well organized duct-like luminal structures and many small pouches (out-pocketings) expanding the internal wall of the duct-like structures and small pouches. The endocardial nuclear imprints on the surface of the folds in the auricular region appeared larger and deeper than those on the atrium proper region of the atrial cast. These morphological observation will be aid in understanding structures of auricular lumen, regional differences of the endocardium and their function to the secretory process of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release.
Animals* ; Cats ; Corrosion Casting* ; Corrosion* ; Endocardium ; Humans ; Latex ; Methods* ; Phenobarbital* ; Secretory Pathway

No abstract available.
Abscess ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Muscle, Skeletal

Purpose: To report two cases of adult inclusion conjunctivitis masquerading as chronic conjunctivitis.Case summary: (Case 1) A 34-year-old man presented with a foreign body sensation in his right eye for 2 months. At the first visit, slit lamp examination showed follicles on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive. The patient was prescribed doxycycline for 1 week, which improved the symptoms, followed by gentamicin and levofloxacin for an additional 5 days, which further improved the clinical symptoms and conjunctivitis. (Case 2) A 39-year-old man presented with right eye pain and redness for 5 months. At the first visit, slit lamp examination showed follicles on the inferior palpebral conjunctiva. Chlamydia trachomatis IgM antibody and PCR tests were positive. After 1 week of doxycycline treatment, the clinical symptoms and conjunctivitis improved. Conclusions Because adult inclusion conjunctivitis caused by chlamydial infection has non-specific symptoms, it can be misdiagnosed as chronic conjunctivitis. A detailed medical history and appropriate diagnostic tests are necessary to make this diagnosis.

We present the case of a 4-yr-old child who experienced pulmonary edema during adenotonsillectomy. The pulmonary edema occurred unexpectedly around 50 minutes into the operation. We suggest that postobstructive pulmonary edema can occur soon or sometime after the resolution of a chronic airway obstruction.
Airway Obstruction ; Child* ; Humans ; Pulmonary Edema*

BACKGROUND: Propofol often causes pain when injected into small peripheral veins, but the pain can be minimized by using a larger vein. This study was designed to determine whether local warming of the injection site and forearm before propofol injection is effective in reducing pain. METHODS: Sixty adult patients undergoing general anesthesia for an elective surgery were randomly allocated to one of two groups. All were unpremedicated and had an 18-gauge cannula inserted into a cephalic vein on the wrist. Patients in group 1 (n = 30) received 1% propofol at room temperature. Patients in group 2 (n = 30) received 1% propofol after local warming (36-37 degrees C) of the injection site and forearm using a forced-air warming system (Bair Hugger(R)). For each patient, the pain during injection of the propofol solution was graded as none, mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: Overall the incidence of pain was significantly reduced in group 2 (36.7%) compared with group 1 (66.7%). No patients complained of pain at the injection site and forearm in group 2. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence or severity of pain on the elbow and axilla between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that local warming applied to the injection site (wrist) and forearm before propofol injection is significantly effective in reducing pain at the injection site and forearm, but there was no improvement of pain on the elbow and axilla when injecting.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Axilla ; Catheters ; Elbow ; Forearm* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Propofol ; Veins ; Wrist

The Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare disorder characterized by infantile hypotonia, subsequent obesity with hyperphagia. Hypogonadism, cryptorchidism, delayed psychomotor development, short status, strabismus, myopia, scoliosis, kyphosis and temperature regulation abnormality are other features. The cause of this syndrome is unknown, but a disturbance in the hypothalamus has been postulated because of the various manifestation of the syndrome. The major genetic mechanism giving rise to PWS is a paternal deletion of about the same size in the 15q11-q13 region, that occurs in 70% of the cases. The principal problems related to anesthesia are those that are secondary to the patient's hypoglycemia, skeletal muscle hypotonia and obesity. An 20-month-old boy with PWS was scheduled for surgical correction of bilateral undescended testes. The trachea was intubated with the aid of succinylcholine 7.5 mg intravenous injection. Muscle relaxation was facilitated with intermittent intravenous administration of atracurium (total dose 8 mg). No prolonged effect of muscle relaxants was observed during anaesthesia. High grade fever (38-39 degrees C) was present during anaesthesia.
Administration, Intravenous ; Anesthesia ; Atracurium ; Cryptorchidism ; Fever ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypogonadism ; Hypothalamus ; Infant ; Injections, Intravenous ; Kyphosis ; Male ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myopia ; Obesity ; Prader-Willi Syndrome* ; Scoliosis ; Strabismus ; Succinylcholine ; Trachea

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans