No abstract available.
Myasthenia Gravis* ; Pregnancy*

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

PURPOSE: Communication in hospitals is one of the major factors in patient safety. So, the purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between intra-organizational communication satisfaction and the safety attitude of nurses in hospitals. METHOD: A descriptive survey design with convenience sampling was used. Data collection was done using a self-report questionnaire answered by 278 nurses from one university hospital located in Kyeoung-gi Province, Korea. RESULT: Intra-organizational communication satisfaction positively correlated with safety attitude (r=.747, p<.01). Among the 6 sub dimensions of safety attitude, perceptions of management (r=.675, p<.01), job satisfaction (r=.640, p<.01) and teamwork climate (r=.600. p<.01) were strongly related to intra-organizational communication satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was done to identify explanation power of intra-organizational communication satisfaction against safety attitude. The model was significant (F=48.540, p<.01). Intra-organizational communication satisfaction accounted for 60.9% of variance in safety attitude (Adj R2=.609). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that higher levels of intra-organizational communication satisfaction promote positive safety attitude in hospital nurses and that communication media quality is an important factor in patient safety attitude. Therefore, developing interventions to revitalize intra-organizational communication level based on communication media quality will help in the construction of positive safety attitude in nurses.
Climate ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Job Satisfaction ; Patient Safety

The thymus is the central lymphoid organ for development of bone marrow-derived precursor cells into mature T-cells. The thymic stroma provides the specialized microenvironment for the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of the immature T-cells, thymocytes. The CD27 is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family member whose expression is limited to cells of the lymphoid lineage. CD70, the ligand of CD27, is a TNF related trans-membrane protein induced upon activation on T and B cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. CD70/CD27 interaction plays a key role in T dependent B cell responses and is responsible for plasma cell differentiation. This study was performed to investigate the expression of CD70 during regeneration following acute involution induced by cyclophosphamide (CY) in the rat thymus using RT-PCR analysis and single and double immunohistochemistry. The results from RT-PCR analysis showed that CD70 is expressed in mouse thymic medullary interdigitating (IDC)-like cells (MDC), DC2.4 and Raw264.7 but not expressed in the mouse thymic epithelial cells (subcapsular/cortex epithelial cells, cortical epithelial cells and medullary epithelial cells). Interestingly, upregulation of CD70 expression was observed in the thymic stromal cells and thymocytes isolated from rat thymus during thymus regeneration. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CD70 was mainly expressed in the ED1 positive macrophages predominantly in the thymic cortex both in the normal thymus and during thymus regeneration. In line with the data obtained by biochemical analysis, CD70 immunoreactive macrophages is increased both in number and in size during thymus regeneration. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that CD70 expressed on the thymic macrophages could play a role in the development of new T cells to replace T cells damaged by cyclophosphamide treatment during thymus regeneration.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cyclophosphamide ; Dendritic Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Plasma Cells ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Stromal Cells ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes ; Thymus Gland* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation

Stereoacuity has given a reliable clue of detacting clinically important strabismus, amblyopia and anisometropia in children. There are many tests of stereoacuity in common use, and comparisions of these tse tests are needed for clinical application. Stereoacuity was investigated in 2 to 14-year-old children by using commercially available stereotests(Lang, Randot, TNO and New stereo tests). Each test was held exactly at right angles and at a distance of about 40 cm in front of the examinee and was illuminated about 160 lux. Various tests of stereopsis were discussed and their practicalities for clinical use was considered. Comparative analysis was done with each stereotest, and factors influencing stereoacuity threshold difference among the different tests were discussed. We knew many statistically interesting results and those were described in our study. Lang stereotest was simple and useful screening test in younger children. Randot stereotest was useful single method for screening and quantitative test.
Adolescent ; Amblyopia ; Anisometropia ; Child* ; Depth Perception ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Strabismus

BACKGROUND: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is known to increase blood flow to the innervations area of the stellate ganglion. Near infrared spectroscopy reflects an increased blood volume and allows continuous, non-invasive, and bedside monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2). We investigated the influence of SGB on bilateral cerebral oxygenation using a near infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: SGB was performed on 30 patients with 1% lidocaine 10 ml using a paratracheal technique at the C6 level and confirmed by the presence of Horner's syndrome. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and rSO2 were measured before SGB and 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after SGB. Tympanic temperature of each ear was measured prior to SGB and 20 minutes after SGB. RESULTS: The increments of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline were statistically significant at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The rSO2 on the non-block side compared with the baseline, however, decreased at 15 and 20 minutes. The difference between the block and the non-block sides was significant at 15 and 20 minutes. The BP at 10, 15 and 20 minutes was increased and the HR was increased at 10 and 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increment of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline; however, the rSO2 on the non-block side decreased.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Volume ; Ear ; Heart Rate ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Oxygen ; Spectrum Analysis ; Stellate Ganglion

No abstract available.
Family Practice* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Internship and Residency*

PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was to examine the impact of group dynamic imagery therapy on job stress and psychosocial stress of female nurses. METHODS: The research questions were tested through a quasi-experimental research with a non-equivalent pretest-posttest design. Seventy-seven female nurses from G University Hospital in J City participated in this study; 38 of them were assigned to the experimental group, and the rest were assigned to the control group. Once a week for 8 continuous weeks, participants in the experimental group had 90-minute group dynamic imagery therapies. RESULTS: 1) The level of job stress was significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group, and 2) The level of Psychosocial stress was also significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that group dynamic imagery therapy can be an effective intervention against job stress and psychosocial stress of female nurses.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: Leptin, the product of the ob gene is primarily by adipose tissue but also by the human placenta. Leptin may also have a role as a regulator of fetal growth and development during normal pregnancy as well as in pregnancies associated with anomalous fetal growth. Our study aimed to discover whether or not leptin concentration in neonatal cord blood correlates with maternal disorder(preeclampsia, antenatal steroid). METHODS: Seventy newborns - twenty of preeclampsia, twenty of antenatal steroid treatment, ten of diabetes mellitus, twenty of neonatal asphyxia- and their mother were enrolled in this study. Gestational age, birth weight, length and placental weight were measured. Maternal age and weight were measured. Cord blood and maternal venous samples were collected and serum was separated and stored at -70dgreesC. Leptin was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Neonatal cord leptin concentration was significantly elevated in infants whose mothers received antenatal steroid, preeclamptic mothers and diabetic mothers Also, neonatal cord leptin concentration was correlated with maternal serum leptin concentration in those maternal disorders. Cord blood leptin concentration in neonatal asphyxia group was significantly elevated, but wasn't significantly correlated with their maternal serum leptin concentration. CONCLUSION: Neonatal cord leptin concentration was significantly increased in mothers with preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, and exposure of the antenatal steroid. We find that maternal disorders affected leptin concentration in cord blood, and that increased cord blood leptin in neonatal asphyxia was shown to be a product of fetus.
Adipose Tissue ; Asphyxia ; Birth Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Fetal Blood* ; Fetal Development ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leptin* ; Maternal Age ; Mothers ; Placenta ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy ; Radioimmunoassay

Cardiac lymphangioma is one of the rarest, primary, benign tumor of the heart. We report a case of cardiac lymphangioma, which was diagnosed with CT and MRI in a 50 years old female. Plain chest film showed minimal enlargement and globular shape of the heart. On CT scan, abnormal fluid density mass lesion was noted within pericardial sac. The signal intensity was lower on T1-weighted image and hgher on T2-weighted image than that of the myocardium and located along the left atrioventricuar groove. Several small low signal spots representing hemorrhage were seen within this lesion.
Female ; Heart ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lymphangioma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myocardium ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed