Plasmid vectors with either RSV or CMV promoter are frequently used for DNA- mediated immunization due to the availability in commercial. Consequently, influence of the vector constituents, such as promoter, enhancer and transcription termination signal etc. on vaccination efficiency is not studied extensively. As an initial attempt to develop an efficient vector system for DNA-rnediated immunization, influence of promoter for antigen gene expression on vaccination efficiency has been analyzed. Initially, plasmids with either B-actin or muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter were constructed from the plasmid with prototype CMV promoter. In addition, ovalbumin (OVA) antigen gene has been cloned into each vectors to generate the plasmid vectors with different promoters for induction of the anti-OVA immune responses. Antigen protein expression in antigen gene transfected mouse muscle myoblast cells showed that the level from MCK promoter containing plasmid was slightly higher than those from either CMV or B-actin promoter containing plasmids. Also, the same plasmid turned out to be slightly more efficient than other plasmids in antibody imrnune response induction in vivo, when they were applied both through intramuscularly and intradermally. These results suggest that the commonly used CMV promoter containing plasmid vector could be further modified to develop an efficient vector for DNA-mediated immunization.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Creatine Kinase, MM Form ; Gene Expression ; Immunization ; Mice ; Myoblasts ; Ovalbumin ; Plasmids* ; Vaccination*

Neonatal and Infantile conjunctivitis are common disease in ophthalmologic outpatient department but, a study of causative organisms and antibiotics sensitivity tests are insufficient till now We divided 117 babies(117eyes) having conjunctivitis into neonatal and infantile group who were visited Sung-Ae General Hospital from Jan, 1989 to May, 1990. We performed bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity test. The results were as follows; 1) Culture positive rates are 65% in neonates and 87% in infants. There is no sexual difference of ratio. 2) The incidence of isolated organisms is Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative staphylococcus and Streptococcus. 3) Cephalothin is most sensitive antibiotics and Chloramphenicol shows relatively lower sensitivity.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalothin ; Chloramphenicol ; Coagulase ; Conjunctivitis* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Outpatients ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus

The authors analysed 127 patients(130 eyes) with ocular injuries among 561 inpatients who had been admitted to Chung-Ang University Hospital during the period of 3 years from January 1986 to December 1988. 1. The incidence of ocular injuries was 22.6% of all inpatients. 2. The incidence was more common in male(91.3%) and in the age of second(40.1%) and third decade(20.5%). 3. The most common cause of ocular injuries was industrial acddent(34.6%), followed by fight(22.0%) and traffic accident(18.9%). 4. The ocular injuries commonly developed between 11 and 14 o'clock(29.9%). Especially, 43.2% of the industrial ocular injuries occurred at this time. 5. The most common causative agent of ocular injuries was broken glass pieces(26.8%), followed by metal(18.9%) and fist and foot(17.3%). 6. The most common nature of ocular injuries was eyeball perforation(53.0%), followed by hyphema(18.5%). 7. The expectancy of a good visual outcome were nonperforating injury, corneal laceration and absence of severe prolapse of intraocular tissue. 8. The most common complication was corneal opacity(58.7%).
Accidents, Occupational ; Glass ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients* ; Lacerations ; Prolapse

As a partial effort of the survey in the National Plan for the Eye Health, the analysis of the visual impairment mainly refractive errors among 4,004 School Children in Seoul(1986) with the ancilliary questionnaire on various conditions was attempted. The number of the student with subnormal vision(0.7 or less) was 1,552(38.8 %), and this rate was increased with the higher school grade. Of the 2,551 eyes with subnormal vision(0.7 or less), the confirmed refractive errors consisted of myopia 2,170(78.7%), hyperopia 237(8.6%), and mixed astigmatism 144(5.2%) eyes. The number of glasses wearer among the students of vision 0.5 or below(1,129) was 770(63.2%), of which the under-corrected cases 380(49.3%) weregreater in number with the over corrected cases. The causes of not-wearing glasses in the students who belonged to the vision 0.5 or below indicated in prominence of numbers of 1) no complaints without glasses in 172(42.0%), 2) unwareness of the visual impairment in 77(20.0%), and 3) annoyance to wearing glasses in 51(13.4%), rather than economical reasons in 12(3.1%). The amblyopic components were estimated among 129 cases(3.2%) in combination of refractive errors. Further program to supply the glasses with appropriated prescription and the details on the practical aspects of related elements would be discussed.
Astigmatism ; Child ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Myopia ; Prescriptions ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Refractive Errors ; Vision Disorders*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical safety of PMR(Palatal Muscle Resection) in obstructive sleep apnea patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen Patients underwent only PMR were reviewed retrospectively. ESS(Epworth Sleepiness Scale) was analyzed after PMR surgery to assess surgical results. Visual Analogue Scale were reviewed to evaluate postoperative pain. Eustachian tube function test, voice analysis, and measurement of forced expiration power were done after two months of surgery. RESULTS: ESS were improved after PMR. There were little postoperative pain. There was no significant change is observed vowel sounds except /u/ nor postoperative nasalization in voice, Eustachian tube dysfunction and change of expiration power. CONCLUSION: PMR may be regarded clinically safe surgery in obstructive sleep apnea patient.
Eustachian Tube ; Humans ; Muscles ; Pain, Postoperative ; Palate ; Phonation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Voice

Small cell osteosarcoma is rare, representing 1-4% of all osteosarcomas. We experienced a case of small cell osteosarcoma in an 8-year-old girl on her calcaneus. Histologically, the tumor consists of small round cells that resemble those of Ewing's sarcoma, and variable foci of lacy osteoid formation between tumor cells. The rare location, histologic characteristics and differential diagnostic points are discussed.
Bone Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology ; Calcaneus/*pathology ; Case Report ; Child ; Female ; Human ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osteosarcoma/diagnosis/*pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a condition characterized by a paroxysmal stabbing pain in the area of the greater or lesser occipital nerves; it is usually regarded by clinicians as idiopathic. Some have suggested that ON can be induced by trauma or injury of the occipital nerves or their roots, but tumor has rarely been reported as a cause of ON. CASE REPORT: We report herein a case of foramen magnum meningioma in a 55-year-old woman who presented with ON triggered by head motion as the only symptom without any signs of myelopathy. CONCLUSIONS: This case indicates that it is important to consider the underlying causes of ON. Precise neurologic and radiological evaluations such as cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging are needed.
Female ; Foramen Magnum ; Head ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine

Giant cell tumors are distinctive neoplasms characterized by a profusion of multinucleate giant cells scattered throughout a stroma of mononuclear cells. Most giant cell tumors are found at the epiphyses of long bones, especially around the knee joint. Flat bone involvement is rare. However, a case of giant cell tumor with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst was encountered at the scapula of a 25-year-old man. Since the occurrence of a giant cell tumor with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst on flat bones (i.e., the scapula) is extremely rare, the above-mentioned case is worthy of reporting.
Adult ; Bone Cysts/*etiology/pathology ; Bone Neoplasms/*complications/pathology ; Giant Cell Tumors/*complications/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Scapula

Congenital hemolytic anemia is mainly developed due to intrinsic defects of erythrocytes, but in some cases the cause of hemolytic anemia is unclear. Gilbert's syndrome shows mild, chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia that is due to reduced UDP glucuronosyltransferase (UGT-1A1) activity and this develops because of UGT-1A1 gene mutation. We report here on a case of severe hyperbilirubinemia in a 17-year-old male who was diagnosed with congenital hemolytic anemia of an unknown cause combined with Gilbert's syndrome.
Adolescent ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital ; Erythrocytes ; Gilbert Disease ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Male

Growth hormone deficiency is the medical condition of inadequate production of growth hormone. Growth hormone deficiency in adults is not common, but it may feature a diminished, lean body mass, poor bone density and a number of physical and psychological symptoms, including poor memory, social withdrawal and even depression. Abnormally low growth hormone levels in adults typically result in a diminished quality of life and it can even be disabling. The physical symptoms include loss of strength, stamina, and musculature. Growth hormone deficiency can also impair the biological and physiological/functional substrate of penile erection, which can be, at least in part, restored by the normalization of the plasma levels of growth hormone. This is a report on a 63-year-old man who suffered with severe erectile dysfunction and loss of libido due to growth hormone deficiency. Upon growth hormone administration, his erectile function improved dramatically.
Adult ; Bone Density ; Depression ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Memory ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Plasma ; Quality of Life