Human cytomegalovirus encodes an unusual protein kinase UL97 which can phosphorylate exogenous substrates, including histone H2B and nucleoside analogs such as ganciclovir. The previous result interestingly showed that the peptides phosphorylated by UL97 have K/R at the 5 positions (P+5) downstream from the pSer. To confirm the importance of the basic residue in the position, we used two peptide libraries, 4S4K (MAXXXXSXXXXKXANNN) and 4S6N (MAXXXXSXXXXXXNNN). The activity of phosphorylation by UL97 was higher in the peptide library 4S4K than 4S6N, suggesting the importance of basic residue at P+5 position. The screening with a peptide library 4S4K showed slight tendencies for N in the P+1 and P+2, M in the P+2, K in the P+4 and P+6 positions and several amino acids in the other positions. This result will give information to develop an optimal peptide for screening a novel UL97 inhibitor.
Amino Acids ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Ganciclovir ; Histones ; Humans* ; Mass Screening* ; Peptide Library* ; Peptides ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases* ; Substrate Specificity*

Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of pinealectomy on the renin-angiotensin system in Sprague-Dawley rats. The results obtained were as follows. 1) There was no differences of systolic blood pressure, heart rate, water intake, and plasma electrolytes between pinealectomized and sham-operated rats. 2) Renin activity in plasma and pituitary gland did not differ in two experimental groups. 3) The pituitary gland contained the renin activity of about 50pg AI/hr/mg of wet weight. The results suggest that the pineal gland has no correlation with cardiovascular and renin-angiotensin system.
Angiotensins ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System ; Drinking ; Electrolytes ; Heart Rate ; Pineal Gland ; Pituitary Gland ; Plasma ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley* ; Renin ; Renin-Angiotensin System*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological results of distal chevron osteotomy in patients aged 50 and older with moderate-to-severe hallux valgus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records and radiographs of 19 patients (26 feet). Average age at time of surgery was 58 years and the mean follow-up period was 3 years and 1 month. For radiological evaluation, we analyzed changes in hallux valgus angles and 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angles after index operations. Clinical results were assessed with respect to pain, activities of daily living, and shoe-wear. RESULTS: Hallux valgus angles and 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angles improved, but considerable correction loss occurred with time. This correction loss was found to be significantly correlated with preoperative subluxation of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and the 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle. Clinically, remarkable improvements were achieved in terms of pain and level of activity, but most patients (except 4) still wore comfortable shoes rather than hard shoes at latest follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Distal chevron osteotomy is beneficial for patients aged 50 and older with moderate-to- severe hallux valgus deformity, but correction loss may occur in patients with marked subluxation of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint or a severe 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hallux ; Hallux Valgus ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Osteotomy ; Shoes

The most common cause of the postoperative failure of glaucoma filtration surgery(GFS) is scarring secondary to fibroblast proliferation and fibrosis at the interface of the episclera and conjunctive. To inhibit this process, mitomycin C(MMC) has been studied experimentally, both in vivo and in vitro. In evaluating the toxicity of MMC, we observed the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation and of fibrosis by light microscope, and the ultrastructual changes of the sclera by transmission electron microscope following the soaking of MMC during GFS in rabbit eyes. The sixty rabbits which comprised this study were divided into four groups; the first control group(I) was soaked with the BSS during GFS, the second(II), the third(III), and the fourth(IV) group were soaked with the 0.2 mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml, and 0.5 mg/ml MMC soaked groups, respectively, during GFS as experimental groups. On histologic examination, the degree of proliferation of fibroblasts with fibrosis and infiltration of lymphocytes in MMC soaked groups was less than those of BSS soaked group at 2 weeks and 2 months after GFS. At six months after GFS, there was ultrastructural evidence of degenerative changes of scleral fibroblasts such as clumping of nuclear chromatin, wrinkling of nuclear membrane, and cystic dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum in MMC soaked groups. Higher concentration of MMC caused more degenerative changes in cellular structures. These results surggested that the scar formation after GFS could be significantly suppressed by a single application of MMC during surgery, and MMC could be0 used effectively in cases of poor prognosis of GFS. Further experiments need to be conducted to determine the optimal concentration, exposure time, and application method of MMC.
Cellular Structures ; Chromatin ; Cicatrix ; Dilatation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Filtering Surgery* ; Filtration* ; Glaucoma* ; Lymphocytes ; Mitomycin* ; Nuclear Envelope ; Prognosis ; Rabbits ; Sclera

Adrenal cortical tumor is a rare disease both in adults and children. Most of these tumors are malignant and functional, especially in children, producing endocrine syndrome such as virilization, Cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism or feminization. Recently, we experienced a case of adrenal cortical tumor in a 26 month-old boy who showed features of virilization. This case was diagnosed with typical hormonal findings and abdominal CT and confirmed by pathologic examinations. He was successfully treated with right adrenalectomy. We report a case of virilizing adrenal cortical tumor and review the literature.
Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Cushing Syndrome ; Feminization ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Virilism

No abstract available.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor* ; Hepatocytes* ; Placenta* ; Pre-Eclampsia*

Leiomyosarcoma of the intestine is an uncommon malignant tumor of the small and large bowels. It may metastasize mostly to the peritoneum, omentum and liver. We describe a case of a liver metastasis from ileal leiomyosarcoma which was treated by right hepatic lobectomy. Ultrasonography revealed multiple cysts in both lobes of liver and pelvic mass. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed that lobulated, marginated, low density mass was noted in ileal loop, and multiple, well-defined, low density masses were identified in both lobes of the liver. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and removal of the ileal leiomyosarcoma. One month later, the patient underwent a right hepatic lobectomy and removal of a cystic mass on the liver dome of the left lobe. The patient recovered and was discharged by postoperative day 24.
Abdomen ; Humans ; Intestines ; Laparotomy ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Liver* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Omentum ; Peritoneum ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The treatment of intrahepatic stones is difficult because of frequent recurrence and residual stones. There are several suggested methods of treatment which include surgical bile-uct exploration with or without biliary drainage, an endoscopic procedure, transhepatic cholangiolithotomy, and hepatic resection. METHODS: We reviewed the therapeutic results in 96 patients who had hepatolithiasis and received surgery at Soon Chun Hyang University Chunan Hospital during the 10 years from June 1987 to June 1997. We divided them into 2 groups: one was the group of patients receiving a hepatic resection with or without a drainage procedure (resection group), and the other was the group of patients receiving only a T-ube choledochostomy or drainage procedure (nonresection group). RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.74, and the most prevalent age group was the 5th decade (31.3%). The most common symptoms were epigastric pain (61%) and RUQ pain (60%), and the locations of stones were the right intrahepatic duct in 10 cases (10.4%), the left intrahepatic duct in 47 cases (49%), and both intrahepatic duct in 39 cases (40.6%). Operative methods were a resection in 29 cases and a nonresection in 67 cases. The incidence of residual stones were 31.0% in the hepatic resection group and 68.6% in the nonresection group. The postoperative complication rate was 20.6% in hepatic resection group and 38.8% in the nonresection group, and the follow-p study showed the good results (Good & Fair) for 92.5% of the hepatic resection group and 66.7% of the nonresection group. CONCLUSION: The hepatic resection with or without drainage is an adequate treatment for hepatolithiasis. It can eradicate localized intrahepatic calculi, irreversible biliary stricture, an atrophied segment, and, possibly, an associated cholangiocarcinoma, with good results in clinical evaluation.
Calculi ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Choledochostomy ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: The optimum surgical treatment for rectal prolapse is controversial, and many different operations have been described. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of a perineal procedure for the treatment of rectal prolapse. METHODS: Between February 1990 and March 1997, 16 consecutive patients underwent perineal rectosigmoidectomy for a complete rectal prolapse. One patient was lost to follow up. The remaining 15 patients were followed up for an average of 58.4 (9~94) months, and clinical and functional outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 8 males and 7 females, and ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. The mean prolapse duration was 10.7 (0.25~30) years. There were no postoperative deaths. Two patients developed postoperative complications (one wound infection and the other wound hematoma). Five patients had fecal incontinence prior to surgery. Three of the five patients had improved fecal incontinence after the procedure. There were three recurrences (recurrence rate of 20%): one of them underwent a Delorme operation at our institution and others had no treatment. CONCLUSION: A perineal rectosigmoidectomy is a safe and effective operation for the primary treatment of rectal prolapse and has low mortality and morbidity.
Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Male ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Prolapse ; Rectal Prolapse* ; Recurrence ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

Over 26 kinds of tablets and capsules, such as Tetracycline, Quinidine and Potassium preparations were reported to cause esopbageal ulcerations, eharacterized in various size, shape and number, ind sually in mid-esophagus, Recently authors experienced 10 cases of drug-induced esophageal ulcerations due to antibiotics and antiinflammatory agents such as Tetracycline, Aspirin, etc. Four cases were men and six were women. Four cases were in third dades, three in fourth cleeades, two in fifth decades and one in sixth decades. Presenting symptoras were odynophagia(4/10), dysphagia(3/10), substernal pain(7/10) and epigastric pain(3/10). Endoscopic examination of the esophgus showed single or multiple, small and shallow ulcers on the mid-esophgeal mucosa at the level of 30cm from the ineisor in eight cases, one Iarge and deep ulcer at the level of 40cm from incisor in one patient and one amall, shallow and one large, deep ulcers at the same time. in one patient The shape of alcers were various from a round to a large horseshoe shaped one. The clinical course was mild without complications. It was suggested that drug-induced esophsgeal ulcers with antibiotics and antiinflammatory agents could be found frequently and they had benign and mild clinicalc ourse,
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Aspirin ; Capsules ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Potassium ; Quinidine ; Tablets ; Tetracycline ; Ulcer*