BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) of rodent origin are produced with ease by hybridoma fusion technique, and have been successfully used as therapeutic reagents for humans after humanization by genetic engineering. However, utilization of these antibodies for therapeutic purpose has been limited by the fact that they act as immunogens in human body causing undesired side effects. So far, there have been several attempts to produce human mAbs for effective in vivo diagnostic or therapeutic reagents including the use of humanized xenomouse that is generated by mating knockout mice which lost Ig heavy and light chain genes by homologous recombination and transgenic mice having both human Ig heavy and light gene loci in their genome. METHODS: Genomic DNA fragments of mouse Ig heavy and light chain were obtained from a mouse brain lamda genomic library by PCR screening and cloned into a targeting vector with ultimate goal of generating Ig knockout mouse. RESULTS: Through PCR screening of the genomic library, three heavy chain and three light chain Ig gene fragments were identified, and restriction map of one of the heavy chain gene fragments was determined. Then heavy chain Ig gene fragments were subcloned into a targeting vector. The resulting construct was introduced into embryonic stem cells. Antibiotic selection of transfected cells is under the progress. CONCLUSION: Generation of xenomouse is particularly important in medical biotechnology. However, this goal is not easily achieved due to the technical difficulties as well as huge financial expenses. Although we are in the early stage of a long-term project, our results, at least, partially contribute the successful generation of humanized xenomouse in Korea.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biotechnology ; Brain ; Clone Cells* ; DNA* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Gene Knockout Techniques* ; Gene Targeting ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Immunoglobulin ; Genetic Engineering ; Genome ; Genomic Library ; Homologous Recombination ; Human Body ; Humans* ; Hybridomas ; Indicators and Reagents ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Mice* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Transgenic ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rodentia

No abstract available.
Blepharoptosis*

BACKGROUND: Although several kinds of treatment methods(destructive therapy, immunotherapy, etc) for plane warts have been attempted but there have been no entirely satisfactory treatments, because the plane wants are seen to recur frequently. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to evaluate the combination therapy of griseofulvin and immunotherapy(dinitrochlorobenzene=DNCB, diphenylcycloprope none=DPCP) on plane warts. METHOD: Sixteen patients(age range, 9 to 41; mean age, 21.8 years) with VPJ were treated with the combination therapy with griseofulvin(500mg/day) and single contact immunotherapy(DNCB or DPCP).
Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Griseofulvin* ; Immunotherapy ; Warts*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pattern of distant lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinoma and its correlation with distant organ metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed abdominal CT scans of 46 patients with pathologically proven colorectal carcinoma. RESULTS: The incidence of distant lymphadenopathy in colorectal carcinoma was 30.4%(14/46). The most commonly involved distant lymph node was the left paraortic lymph node below the renal hilum(9/25). The most common type of distant lymphadenopathy was solitary type(7/14) and all of these lymphadenopathies were noted in the left paraortic lymph node below the renal hilum. Six cases of left sided colorectal carcinoma showed left paraortic lymphadenopathy with solitary type. The incidence of distant organ metastasis was 17. 4%(8/46) and markedly increased if distant lymphadenopathy was multiple and confluent, or confluent type(5/7). CONCLUSION: The incidence of distant lymphadenopathy in colorectal carcinoma was not high and the most common lymphadenopathy was the left paraaortic lymph node with solitary type below the renal hilum. The possibility of distant organ metastasis was high if distant lymphadenopathy was multiple and confluent, or confluent type.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the MR appearance of the accessory hepatic veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 87 consecutive patients for whom abdominal MR images were obtained. The subjects who had liver lesion or hepatic vascular abnormalities were excluded. Couinaud classified accessory hepatic veins into inferior and middle right hepatic veins. Our major interests were evaluation of the incidence, morphology, and location of the accessory hepatic vein. RESULTS: Inferior right hepatic vein was demonstrated in 43 out of 87 patients(49%). The morphology was linear in 35 patients(80.5%), and V-shaped in 8 patients(19.5%). In 40 patients(93%), the inferior right hepatic vein was located in the posteroinferior aspect of the right lobe. Middle right hepatic vein was demonstrated in 7 out of 87 patients(8%). All were single linear in morphology, combined with the inferior right hepatic vein, and located between the right hepatic vein and inferior right hepatic vein. CONCLUSION: The accessory hepatic vein was demonstrated in 49% among the Korean adult population, and was located in posteroinferior portion of the liver, in 93%.
Adult ; Hepatic Veins* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

No abstract available.
Burns* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Infant*

No Abstract Available.
Cytokines* ; Perforin* ; Shwartzman Phenomenon* ; Vibrio vulnificus* ; Vibrio*

No Abstract Available.
Melanoma* ; Stomach*

We describe an 18-year-old male with generalized pruritic, tense annular or polycyalic blistera on normal-appearing skin or erythematous bases. Histopathological fmdings of an iatact early blistering showed subepidermal blistering and papillary neutrophilic gnicroabscesses. A direct immunofluctescent study of a section from the skin adjacent to a lesioti revealed linear deposits of IgA at the dermoepidermal junction. There were no deposits of IgG, lgM, or C3. In 1.0M NaC1 eplit skin, IgA was found to be bound linearly on the epidermal roof. The patient respmded weIl to eteroid and dapsone therapy.
Adolescent ; Blister ; Dapsone ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis* ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Skin ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

To investigate the nature of artifacts caused by air and chemical shift by fat, a test tube phantom study was performed in 2.0T and 0.5T superconducting magnetic resonance imaging systems in various imaging sequences. Spatial mismapping and signal change made image distortion in spin echo images of the air-column and severe signal voids in gradient echo images. Chemical shift artifacts appeared in the planes of frequency-encoding axis as crescent-shaped signal voids and summated bright signals, Both artifacts were more prominent in high field strength, Images at 0.5T showed more severe artifacts in the T2-weighted images than those in the other sequences. As the acquisition matrix increased, truncation artifacts decreased and susceptibility artifacts in gradient echo images diminished. Familiarity with causes, appearances and mechanisms of various artifacts will help radiologists for interpretation of MRI.
Artifacts* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Recognition (Psychology)