No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Fistula ; Iliac Vein ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Skin Manifestations* ; Skin*

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is introduced as a marker of disease. At present, a variety of method may be used to quantify expression of this protein. Antigen capture-ELISA is a sensitive and accurate quantification method previously used with ovine, rat, and human IL-6 proteins. However, it has never been reported to quantify porcine IL-6 protein using capture ELISA. In this study, we generated and characterized a set of IgY and mono-specific polyclonal antibodies to recombinant porcine IL-6 (rpIL-6), and combining these with a sensitive and specific capture-ELISA for a diagnostic purpose. cDNA encoding the mature protein coding region of porcine IL-6 was cloned and expressed with pQE-30UA expression vector. rpIL-6 was then expressed and purified by using Ni-NTA resin. Protein mass of 24 kDa was found with SDS-PAGE and the identity of the protein was confirmed by Western-blot. Production of polyclonal antibodies against rpIL-6 was performed using the purified rpIL-6 in mice and hens. An antigen capture-ELISA was developed with the antibodies after their extraction. To compare the IL-6 level in the different sanitary state of farms, pig sera were randomly collected and concentration of IL-6 in the sera was measured with the antigen capture-ELISA. The capture-ELISA with the optimal concentration of antibodies, in this study, was able to detect about 10 ng/ml of rpIL-6. IL-6 levels determined with the capture-ELISA in pig sera showed positive correlation with the sanitary states of the farms. These results suggested that the developed antigen capture-ELISA could be a good tool for the screening of microbial infection in pig farms.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood ; Blotting, Western/veterinary ; Chickens ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary/genetics/isolation&purification ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel/veterinary ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods/*veterinary ; Female ; Immunoglobulins/*blood ; Interleukin-6/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Recombinant Proteins/immunology ; Swine/*immunology

Fractures of the shaft of the radius and ulna occur commonly in children and are usually treated by closed reduction and plaster cast immobilization. Anatomic reduction is seldom necessary because of the remodelling potential in the child under 10 years of age, whereas the bones of children older than 10 years of age have less capacity to remodel and the diaphyseal fracture is unstable. In case of either unacceptable reduction or unstable fractures in adolescent patients, an operative treatment is required. In five children older than 12 years of age for whom conservative treatment had hailed, we treated a closed intramedullary nailing using a distal radial and proximal ulnar approach, and followed up for 1 year or more. All fractures healed within 6 weeks. No nonunion, cross-union or refrature occured. Another advantages of this method are negliable cosmestic defect and easy removal of the internal fixation device under local anesthesia. We think that closed intramedullary nailing with rush pin is a safe and reliable method to treat unstable forearm fracture in children older than 12 years of age.
Adolescent ; Anesthesia, Local ; Casts, Surgical ; Child ; Forearm ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Internal Fixators ; Methods ; Radius ; Ulna

Purpose: Dislocation is the second most common cause of failure, after implant loosening, in revisional THA (Total hip arthroplasty), and its evaluation and treatment still remain controversial issue. This study was undertaken to evaluate the risk factors after THA using the posterolateral approach and posterior soft tissue repair. Materials and Methods: Between January 1998 and May 2003, 211 consecutive primary total hip replacement arthroplasties using the posterolateral approach and posterior soft tissue repair were performed by the same surgeon. To compare the dislocation groups (6 cases) with the non-dislocation groups (205 cases), we randomized 120 of the non-dislocation cases. The risk factors for hip dislocation were categorized into patient factors and surgical factors. Patient factors included gender, age, preoperative diagnosis, underlying systemic disease, and alcoholic history. Surgical factors included position of the component (acetabular version and inclination, femoral anteversion), leg length discrepancy, and sum of anteversions of the cup and stem. Their parameters were measured on postoperative radiographs. Statistics were performed with Fishe`s Exact test and T test. Results: Dislocations occurred at an overall incidence rate of 2.8% (6/211cases). There were 4 (1.9%) cases of anterior dislocations and 2 (0.9%) cases of posterior dislocations. Dislocations occurred on average at postoperative day 6.1 and all dislocated hips were reduced with the closed method, except for one case that was treated surgically. There was no statistical significance in patient factors between the two groups, except for neurologic disease and alcoholic history. However, the sum of the acetabular and femoral anteversions in the anterior dislocation group was larger than that of the non-dislocation group by approximately 19 degrees. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that by using the posterior approach and repair of soft tissue, the posterior dislocation rate after total hip replacement arthroplasty can be reduced and the sum of the acetabular and femoral anteversions had more influence on dislocations after THAs than did either anteversion alone.
Acetabulum ; Alcoholics ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Diagnosis ; Dislocations ; Hip Dislocation* ; Hip* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Risk Factors*

BACKGROUND: Microlymphocytotoxicity test is most widely used for HLA Class l typing but almost all laboratories depend on imported HLA Class 1 typing trays. Matching criteria for the selection of HLA- matched platelets to treat platelet refractoriness is not as strict as for bone marrow transplantation. Therefore, with the acquisition of various antisera against high frequency HLA antigens, self-made HLA typing trays can be used for HLA typing of HLA-matched platelet donors. METHODS: 140 samples obtained during placental delivery were tested for the presence of HLA antibodies against a well-characterized panel of 90 cells. Specificity of HLA antisera were determined by evaluating the correlation coefficient r of the 2 x 2 table, x2 test. Antisera strength was evaluated by the strength index. RESULTS: HLA antibodies were detected in 25 samples by primary screening and 23 samples also showed a positive reaction in secondary screening(16%). Among 23 samples, 1 1 antisera were of reagent grade quality and 7 were monospecific antisera. DISCUSSION: Imported HLA typing trays can be replaced by harvesting HLA antisera against HLA antigens which are relatively common in Koreans through continuous HLA antibody screening using gushed out blood during placental delivery. (Korean J Blood Transfusion 10(1): 53-60, 1999)
Antibodies ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Histocompatibility Testing ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Mass Screening ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Gene Expression* ; Virulence*

BACKGROUND: With the rapid growth of the elderly population, osteoporosis has become a major health problem worldwide. Although health knowledge and self-efficacy are important assets to facilitate healthy behaviors and disease prevention, such information as it relates to individuals and their bone health is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors on promoting bone health in middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study. A convenience sampling of middle-aged women (> or =40 years) was done at a community health center in Korea. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry with the DEXXUM T. The level of knowledge was measured with the Knowledge of Osteoporosis Scale, and self-efficacy with the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale. A questionnaire for bone health behaviors was developed for this study. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive methods, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 150 middle-aged women whose mean age was 59.8+/-11.5 years participated in the study. Most (74%) were menopausal. Less than one-quarter of participants (22.7%) had osteoporosis and less than half (42%) had osteopenia based on the T-score at the left femur neck site. Level of knowledge (mean score, 10.35) and self-efficacy (mean score, 47.67) ranged from low to moderate. Intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods was insufficient in our subjects. Bone health behaviors had significant positive relationships with knowledge (r=0.22, P=0.008) and self-efficacy (r=0.29, P<0.001) on promoting bone health. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that educational interventions are needed to enhance knowledge and confidence and to encourage middle-aged women to engage in bone health behaviors.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcium ; Community Health Centers ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; Self Efficacy ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic*