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

No abstract available.
Denture, Overlay*

This study was performed in order to evaluate the sero-epidemiological status of toxoplasmosis in pregnant Korean women. Among 5, 175 sera and 750 amniotic fluid samples obtained from pregnant women, 41 serum samples (0.79%) and 10 (1.33%) amniotic fluid samples tested positive for IgG antibodies by ELISA. Fifty one cases showing a score more than 0.25 on ELISA were tested for PCR reaction against the SAG1 gene. Only one case of the 51 ELISA positive cases exhibited a positive reaction on all tests. This case had a history of acute nephropyelitis during early pregnancy, but fortunately, had delivered a phenotypically healthy baby. In this study, the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was found to be comparatively low, consistent with previous reports from Korea. However our trials, performed with a variety of diagnostic tools, were considered to be useful for the precise diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis.
Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/diet therapy/*epidemiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma/*immunology ; Toxoplasmosis/*epidemiology

Between january 1, 1981 and December 31, 1986, 1,310 Cesarean sections (26.7%) were performed among 4,898 paturient women at St. Mary's pospital, Catholic Medical College. The perioperative condition of the newborns along with morbidity and mortality after Cesarean section wha analyzed. The incidencea of Cesarean sections between 1981 and 1986 were 25.0% 27 .6%, 23.4%, 29.5%, 31.2% and 27.1%, respectively. The anesthetic methods employed were inhalation anesthesia with thiopental sodium for induction and nitrous oxide-oxygen-halothane for maintenance of anesthesia. This study did net include the 76 cases of lumbar epidural or spinal technique performed during this Period. Based on one minute Apgar scores, 82 infants (6.26%) were assessed as moderately (score 4-6) depressed, and 44 infants (3.36%) were rated as severely (score 0~3) depressed. Twenty (45.5%) of the severely depressed newborns were promptly resuscitated and given ade- quate treatement, but 11 infants (25.0%) did not survive. The incidence of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) in this study was 9 cases (0.79%) Ammong 7he total 1,310 cases; this induded 7 cases of premature birth or low birth weight and 2 cases of aspiration pneumonia. The mortality of the IRDS group was 4 of 9 cases (44.4%). Among the severely depressed group, the time from induction to delivery was five minutes in 8 case? (18.2%) , six to ten minutes in 22 cases (57.777) and more than 11 minutes in 14 cases (31.8%) . The pro7n7stic status of newborn babies was evaluated with respect to the anesthetic procedure and the outcome of deliveries by Cesarean sections performed between 1981 and 1986 at St. Mar's Hospital, Catholic Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn* ; Korea ; Mortality ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Seoul ; Thiopental

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to compare the intra-operative and post-operative measured angle in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to evaluate the postoperative improvement in the mechanical axis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty TKAs were performed using CAOS between February and May 2004. We measured the mechanical axis in the preoperative orthograms. After inserting the implant, we measured the femoral component angle (FCA), tibial component angle (TCA) and tibial component slope (TCS) using the verification tool in CAOS, on the post-operative orthogram and X-ray of the lateral tibial view, 2 observers measured the FCA, TCA, TCS and mechanical axis. RESULTS: The mean FCA, TCA and TCS using the verification tool in CAOS, were valgus 0.03+/-0.85degrees, valgus 0.49+/-1.02degrees, nd 4.26+/-1.64degrees. The mean FCA, TCA and TCS by observer 1 were valgus 0.67+/-1.24degrees, varus 0.54+/-1.54degrees, and 4.57+/-1.74degrees and those by observer 2 were valgus 0.48+/-1.17degrees, varus 0.52+/-1.44degrees, and 4.24+/-2.83degrees. There was a positive correlation between the measured angle by respective observers and the angle measured by the CAOS (p<0.05). The mechanical axis by observers 1 and 2 improved from varus 13.96degrees to valgus 0.04degrees and from varus 14.12degrees to valgus 0.08degrees respectively. CONCLUSION: CAOS affords the possibility of precisely placing the femoral and tibial components. The angles measured by the respective observers and in the CAOS were significantly correlated.
Arthroplasty* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Knee*

PURPOSE: To analyze the pre- and postoperative posterior tibial slope angle (PSA) of performing cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to identify the ideal value of the PSA in relation to the clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1999 to May 2005, 202 TKA with a NexGen(R) cruciate-retaining knee were performed in 160 patients. The mean follow-up period was 39.8 months. The pre- and postoperative PSA referenced by the proximal tibial medullary canal (PSA-A) and the proximal tibial anterior cortex (PSA-B) were measured by two independent observers. The knee and function scoring system of the American Knee Society and the range of motion of the knee at the last follow-up were evaluated as the clinical results. RESULTS: The mean PSA-A was 11.4+/-4.8degrees preoperatively and 6.0+/-2.8degrees postoperatively, and the mean PSA-B was 13.6+/-4.9degrees preoperatively and 8.1+/-2.9degrees postoperatively. The difference between the pre- and postoperative PSA increased as the preoperative PSA-A changed from 6.0degrees and the PSA-B changed from 8.1degrees; these findings showed statistical significance based on a simple linear regression (PSA-A: r= 0.837, p=0.000; PSA-B: r=0.834, p=0.000). The knee and function score of American Knee Society improved respectively from 62.9 and 55.8, preoperatively, to 97.4 and 89.7 respectively, at the last follow-up. The range of motion of the knee joint was 128.0degrees preoperatively and 129.7degrees at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: In cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty, PSA-A is mostly distributed within 3.2-8.8degrees, and a reasonable range of PSA-A is 6.0+/-2.8degrees.
Arthroplasty ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Linear Models ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: To evaluate midterm results after microfracture in osteoarthritic knees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1997 and April 2006, 67 osteoarthritic knees, with minimum 4-year follow-up, underwent microfracture. Baumgaertner scores were evaluated to determine clinical results. Radiological results were assessed based on joint space widening and improvement of mechanical axis deviation. Joint space widening was calculated by comparing the preoperative joint space with the final follow-up joint space. Varus deformity was evaluated on orthoroentgenogram and recorded as a percentile of the point at which the mechanical axis intersected a line extending from the center of the knee to medial border of the medial tibial condyle. The figure was expressed as MA%. RESULTS: The average Baumgaertner score at final follow-up was 7.0. The average joint space changed from 2.74 mm to 4.22 mm on AP radiographs and from 1.91 mm to 3.85 mm on lateral radiographs. Average MA% was 57.5% preoperatively and 45.8% at final follow-up. Clinical and radiological improvements were maintained in most cases followed for more than 4 years. Four patients had total knee arthroplasty after an average of 4.1 years. CONCLUSION: We noted pain relief, joint space widening, and improvement of mechanical axis after microfracture for degenerative arthritis of the knee. Maintenance of clinical and radiological improvement was observed at midterm follow-up.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroscopy ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: To analyze the causes and clinical outcomes associated with re-revision total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen cases of re-revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were performed between June 1996 and September 2006. The average patient age was 69.8 years, and the average follow-up period was 3.4 years. We evaluated the time interval between revision and re-revision arthroplasty and the causes of re-revision. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee rating score and determining the range of motion in the knee. RESULTS: The mean interval between revision and re-revision arthroplasty was 9 years 1 month. Causes of re-revision included 9 cases of polyethylene wear, 6 cases of aseptic loosening, 1 case of infection, and 2 cases of other causes. The average HSS score was 89.1, and the average range of motion was 111.1 degrees. For 5 cases of revision undertaken secondary to infected TKA, the interval between revision and re-revision arthroplasty was 9 years 3 months, and the cause of re-revision surgery was aseptic loosening in all cases. CONCLUSION: The main causes of re-revision surgery were polyethylene wear and aseptic loosening. Reasonable restoration of function was achieved in re-revision arthroplasty using appropriately selected implants, metal augmentation, structural allografts, and stems. When revising an infected TKA, it is important to achieve structural stability in the implant because of the possibility of late aseptic loosening.
Arthroplasty ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Polyethylene ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Transplantation, Homologous

The nfa1 gene was cloned from a cDNA library of pathogenic Naegleria fowleri by immunoscreening; it consisted of 360 bp and produced a 13.1 kDa recombinant protein (rNfa1) that showed the pseudopodia-specific localization by immunocytochemistry in the previous study. Based on the idea that the pseudopodia-specific Nfa1 protein mentioned above seems to be involved in the pathogenicity of N. fowleri, we observed the effect of an anti-Nfa1 antibody on the proliferation of N. fowleri trophozoites and the cytotoxicity of N. fowleri trophozoites on the target cells. The proliferation of N. fowleri trophozoites was inhibited after being treated with an anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody in a dose-dependent manner for 48 hrs. By a light microscope, CHO cells co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites (group I) for 48 hrs showed severe morphological destruction. On the contrary, CHO cells co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites and anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody (1: 100 dilution) (group II) showed less destruction. In the LDH release assay results, group I showed 50.6% cytotoxicity, and group II showed 39.3%. Consequently, addition of an anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody produced a decreasing effect of in vitro cytotoxicity of N. fowleri in a dosedependent manner.
Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*immunology ; Antigens, Protozoan/genetics/*immunology ; CHO Cells ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Female ; Hamsters ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Naegleria fowleri/growth & development/immunology/*pathogenicity ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/*immunology ; Recombinant Proteins/immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: During the last two decades, Borna disease virus (BDV) has received much attention as a possible zoonotic agent, particularly as a cause of psychiatric disease. Although several studies have shown that BDV is present in Asia, BDV has not been detected in Korea. This study was designed to further investigate the presence of BDV infection in Korea. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 39 race horses and 48 jockeys. Antibody to BDV was detected by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and RNA of BDV by real time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR). RESULTS: No evidence of BDV was detected in either the horses or the jockeys group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that BDV infection may not be endemic in Korea. Further studies with novel diagnostic tools are required to clarify the prevalence of BDV infection in Korea.
Animals ; Asia ; Borna Disease ; Borna disease virus ; Continental Population Groups ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Horses ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA