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

The aims of this study were to develop strategies and algorithms of calculating food commodity intake suitable for exposure assessment of residual chemicals by using the food intake database of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). In this study, apples and their processed food products were chosen as a model food for accurate calculation of food commodity intakes uthrough the recently developed Korea food commodity intake calculation (KFCIC) software. The average daily intakes of total apples in Korea Health Statistics were 29.60 g in 2008, 32.40 g in 2009, 34.30 g in 2010, 28.10 g in 2011, and 24.60 g in 2012. The average daily intakes of apples by KFCIC software was 2.65 g higher than that by Korea Health Statistics. The food intake data in Korea Health Statistics might have less reflected the intake of apples from mixed and processed foods than KFCIC software has. These results can affect outcome of risk assessment for residual chemicals in foods. Therefore, the accurate estimation of the average daily intake of food commodities is very important, and more data for food intakes and recipes have to be applied to improve the quality of data. Nevertheless, this study can contribute to the predictive estimation of exposure to possible residual chemicals and subsequent analysis for their potential risks.
Eating ; Korea* ; Malus ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUND : The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Billroth I method using an EEA stapler is safe, reliable, and easy-to-use for treatment of gastric cancer compared with a distal gastrectomy with conventional manual anastomosis. METHODS : A prospective comparative study was performed between forty patients with EEA stapling and thirty patients with manual suturing during gastroduodenostomies performed during the past three years with respect to operation time, diameter of anastomosis, postoperative clinical course, and post operative complications. RESULTS : The operation time was significantly shortened by about 50 minutes on the average, in the cases where the EEA stapler was used (p<0.001). On postoperative hypotonic duodenography, the diameter of the anastomosis was significantly larger in the cases where the EEA stapler was used (p< 0.001). However, the postoperative clinical course showed no difference between the two groups. Complications, such as anastomotic stenosis and anastomotic leak age were noted only in the cases where manual suturing was used. CONCLUSIONS : A gastroduodenostomy using the EEA stapler might be a faster, simpler and safer pro cedure compared with the gastroduodenostomy using the conventional manual anastomosis.
Anastomotic Leak ; Bezafibrate ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastroenterostomy* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach*

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: Patients with liver injury can be managed by various techniques, including simple closure, electrocautery, hemostatic agent application, temporary packing, perihepatic drainage, and hepatic resection. Two different types of hepatic resections can be employed in selected and advanced hepatic injury; resectional debridement and anatomical hepatic resection. The aim of this study was to consider the role of hepatic resection in the management of severe liver trauma and to define the roles of the different types of resections. METHODS: Two hundred two patients with traumatic liver injury underwent surgical treatment from July 1989 to June 1998 at the Department of Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Chunan Hospital. From them, the records of forty-six patients who received hepatic resections in the same period were collected. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the patients with resectional management, the peak incidence was in the third and the fourth decades. The male-to-female ratio was 3.1:1. The most frequent injury mechanism was blunt trauma (95.7%). There was one postoperative death among the 8 anatomical resections (12.5%) and nine postoperative deaths among the 38 resectional debridements (24.4%). The overall mortality rate was 21.7%. There were no intraoperative deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients (23.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection can play a major role in the management of hepatic trauma. It can be indicated in cases of deep laceration in the liver involving major vascular structures or the bile duct, extensive devitalization of the hepatic parenchyma, and hepatic venous bleeding. In selected cases, an anatomical resection can be successful by making a clear line of resection through anatomical planes away from any damaged parenchyma.
Bile Ducts ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Debridement ; Drainage ; Electrocoagulation ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lacerations ; Liver* ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications

PURPOSE: Intradermal BCG vaccine has not well been accepted by pediatric practitioners due to BCG lymphadenitis. Therefore, this study was undertaken to find out the incidence of lymphadenitis following intradermal BCG vaccination and its clinical outcome. METHODS: One thousand and fifty infants, who received intradermal BCG(French 1173 P2, Korea Tuberculosis Association) vaccination in the Well Baby Clinic of Hanyang University Hospital from July 2001 to January 2004, were included in the study. Severe local reactions at the injection site and any mass noted on surrounding areas were reported to, and evaluated by, pediatricians. Surgical procedures, either surgical resection or needle aspiration, were recommended when lymph nodes progressed to suppurate without regression. RESULTS: Twenty infants(1.9 percent) developed lymphadenitis 2 to 8 months following vaccination. The incidence of BCG lymphadenitis was significantly higher in infants born with intrauterine period of <38 weeks and birth weight of <2,700 g. The lymph nodes became suppurative in 7/17 infants (41.2 percent) and four infants required surgical procedures with which the rate for the requirement of surgical procedures among intradermal BCG vaccinnes approximated to be 0.45 percent. There was no correlation between the size of lymph nodes and suppuration, however surgical procedures were required significantly more often for lymph nodes of greater than 3 cm in diameter. CONCLUSION: The incidence of BCG lymphadenitis following intradermal BCG(French 1173 P2, Korea Tuberculosis Association) vaccinations would be more than 1.9 percent, when considering cases of lymphadenits not reported. More efforts need to be paid to decrease the incidence of BCG lymphadenitis in order to promote intradermal BCG vaccination in Korea.
BCG Vaccine ; Birth Weight ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphadenitis* ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Needles ; Suppuration ; Tuberculosis ; Vaccination*