BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: GJB2 (Connexin 26), the gene of the gap-junction proteins, was found to be the main causative gene of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (DFNB1). Whereas 35delG was known as the major type mutation in the western countries, 235delC was reported as the specific form of mutation in Asian population. The objective of this study is to identify how two mutations (235 delC, E114G) found in the Korean population affect the function of GJB2 using the molecular biology techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 235delC and E114G types of mutations were cloned in the pcDNA3 vector. HeLa cells were transfected with these cloned vectors by the liposome complex method. 1) The expression and subcellular localization of Cx26 were determined using antibodies against amino acid sequences in the intracellular loop (IL) and N-terminal (NT) portions of Cx26. 2) To analyze functions of the GJB2, we examined the lucifer yellow dye transfer between cells with scrape-loaded technique. We used the wild-type (WT) Cx26 of normal hearing as a positive control, and mock cells as a negative control. RESULTS: The immunocytochemical analysis showed that cells transfected with E114G and WT gave characteristic punctuated patterns of reaction in the cell membrane with both antibodies. However, 235delC cells were not stained with the anti-IL antibody but only with the anti-NT antibody slightly around the nucleus regions. In the functional study of GJB2, transfer of lucifer yellow dye into contiguous cells was detected in E114G but not in 235delC. CONCLUSION: The 235delC type of mutation showed loss of their targeting activity on the cell membrane. As a result, the function of gap junction channels were severely deteriorated. With the E114G type mutation, we didn't find any difference when compared with the WT transfected cells. Above data indicate that types of GJB2 mutation are closely related to the status of hearing loss due to altered function of gap junction protein.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Antibodies ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cell Membrane ; Clone Cells ; Connexins ; Gap Junctions* ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing* ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Molecular Biology

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Influenza virus are the most common pathogen for causing severe upper respiratory infection in all age groups. A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been developed to detect and subtype influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1), B virus and RSV simultaneously in one tube reaction. Amplification with primers derived from conserved sequences within the nucleocapsid for RSV and hemagglutinin subunit for Influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1) and B viruses yielded a 384 bp, a 300 bp, a 236 bp and a 151 bp, respectively. Assay specificity was confirmed by pulse field gel electrophoresis and autosequencing method. Assay sensitivity was 3 PFU/ml of RSV, 22 PFU/ml, 45 PFU/ml of Influenza type A (H3N2 and H1N1) and 6.6 PFU/ml of Influenza B virus by plaque assay. A rapid and sensitive detection method of a one-tube with multiplex RT-PCR capable of identifying more than one viral template as well as synchronizing reverse transcription and PCR had the potential to produce considerable savings of time and cost effectiveness in the diagnostic laboratory.
Conserved Sequence ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Electrophoresis ; Hemagglutinins ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine ; Humans* ; Income ; Influenza B virus ; Influenza, Human* ; Nucleocapsid ; Orthomyxoviridae* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Reverse Transcription* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Lichen aureus is a variant of pigmented purpuric lichenoid dermatitis. The skin lesions usually appear asymptomatic rusty, copper, or orange colored roundish lichenoid erythematous-purpuric papules and patches on the lower extremities. Histologically, the epidermis shows minimal changes, with a dense lymphohistiocytic infiltrate observed in the superficial derrnis, typically distributed in a band-like fashion. The typical lesion is a single patch localized on the lower extremity. We report a rare case of segmental lichen aureus localized on the right lower extremity.
Citrus sinensis ; Copper ; Dermatitis ; Epidermis ; Lichens* ; Lower Extremity ; Skin

No abstract available.
Carotid Artery, Common* ; Rupture*

No abstract available in English.
Gangrene

No abstract available.
Cisplatin* ; Humans ; Nausea* ; Ondansetron* ; Vomiting*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between actinomycosis and chronic tonsillar diseases, such as chronic recurrent tonsillitis or tonsillar hypertrophy, has been reported several times; but there seems to remain some controversy. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence of actinomycosis in the tonsil and its clinical significance. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A histologic evaluation with tonsil specimen for actinomycosis was done for 300 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy from July 2005 to February 2006. Other clinical features such as age, sex, chief complaints, tonsil size, frequency of recurrent tonsillitis, and laboratory findings were also analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of actinomycosis in tonsil was significantly high in adult group. There was no significantly statistical difference in the rate of actinomycosis according to sex, chief complaints, tonsil size, frequency of recurrent tonsillitis, number of leukocytes, and hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: Actinomycosis seems to have no causal role in recurrent tonsillitis or tonsillar hypertrophy. However, the possibility of actinomycosis should be considered in unusual tonsillar hypertrophy patients.
Actinomycosis* ; Adult ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Incidence* ; Leukocytes ; Palatine Tonsil* ; Tonsillectomy ; Tonsillitis

Ganglion cyst of the lumbar facet joint is a rare elsion. We have experienced a patient who had right leg radiating pain and he was diagnosed with ganglion cyst in the lumbar facet joint. On the MRI images, an 0.8cm sized round mass was located on the anterior aspect of the right side facet joint between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra. It was compressing the right 4th spinal root. After surgical excision, his symptoms were disappeared. Ganglion cyst of the spine occurs most commonly in the facet joint between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra, which is the most mobile back joint. It must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spine* ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effect of school- based obesity prevention and management program applied to adolescents in a middle school on body mass index (BMI), weight-related attitude, eating behavior and physical activity of adolescents. METHODS: A total of 664 adolescents (14.7+/-0.9 years old) in a middle school located in Busan were study subjects. The obesity prevention and management program was conducted for 6 months, from March to September, 2005. Their weight and height were measured and their weight-related attitude, eating habit and physical activity were assessed using a questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months. Their weight status was classified into under-, normal-, and overweight according to their BMI at baseline. RESULTS: The prevalence of underweight and overweight was 6.2% and 19.3%, respectively. Among the adolescents with overweight, the BMI significantly decreased after 6 months compared to the BMI at baseline (P < 0.05), while the BMI was not significantly changed over 6 months among the under- and normal weight groups. The adolescents were more likely to become highly concerned about obesity-related problems (P=0.002) and actively participating in obesity prevention program (P=0.007) after 6 months compared to those attitude at baseline. The BMI significantly decreased in the adolescents whose eating behavior or physical activity were improved compared to their counterparts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 6-months program for obesity prevention and management seemed to reduce BMI in overweight adolescents and raise concern about obesity related problems and promote participation in obesity prevention program in adolescents as a whole. Further long-term intervention studies need to be implemented.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Clinical Trial ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Thinness ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We retrospectively evaluated the 20 patients who underwent the Raz operation for stress urinary incontinence. In the degree of severity, 4 cases were in Stamey grade I, 14 cases in Stamey grade II and 2 cases in Stamey grade III. Posterior urethrovesical angle(PUVA) and Urethral inclination angle(ULA) on lateral cystourethrogram were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperative PUTA and ULA were increased as the grade was higher, but postoperative PUVA and ULA were returned to normal range. The overall success rate were 90% and complications were minima1. We think that Raz technique for stress urinary incontinence is safe, reliable and low morbidity procedure.
Humans ; Neck* ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Incontinence*