No abstract available.
Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.

The ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) activity of mouse was found to be highest in the small intestine. The mitochondrial OAT from mouse small intestine was purified to homogeneity by the procedures including heart treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, octyl-Sepharose chromatography, and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. Comparing to the amino acid sequence of mouse hepatic OAT, six N-terminal amino acid residues have been deleted in intestinal OAT. However, the subsequent sequence was identical with that of hepatic OAT. The molecular weights of both intestinal and hepatic OAT were estimated as 46 kDa by SDS-gel electrophoresis and as 92 kDa by gel filtration, indicating that both native OATs are dimeric. Biochemical properties of intestinal OAT, such as molecular weight, pH optimum and K(m) values for L-ornithine and alpha-ketoglutarate, were similar to those of hepatic OAT. However, intestinal OAT was more labile than hepatic OAT to tryptic digestion.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animal ; Intestine, Small/enzymology* ; Liver/enzymology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Ornithine-Oxo-Acid Transaminase/metabolism* ; Ornithine-Oxo-Acid Transaminase/isolation & purification ; Ornithine-Oxo-Acid Transaminase/genetics* ; Tissue Distribution ; Trypsi

To create an experimental glaucoma model in rabbit and to study the effect of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) on rabbits ocular tissues, we treated trabecular meshwork of 7 adult pigmented rabbits with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. And then we studied the IOP lowering effect of topical verapamil in experimental glaucoma model. The IOP and outflow facility were measured with an applanation pneumotonograph (Alcon, Texas). During sustained rap elevation, 50ul of 0.25% verapamil was instilled in one eye and normal saline in the fellow eye. The IOP was measured 1, 2, 4, 8 hours after instillation. The measurement was repeated twice at 2 weeks interval. After 5 weeks, the IOP increased from an average baseline IOP of 16.6mmHg to 25.51mmHg, an increase of 55.6%. The outflow facility was decreased from 0.21 microliter/min/mmHg to 0.09 microliter/min/mmHg. There were statistically significant reductions in IOP in both verapamil and placebo-treated eyes(p<0.05). The reduction was greater in verapamil-treated eyes than in placebo-treated eyes(p<0.05). Maximal reduction of IOP was observed 2 hours after single-drop of verapamil, with significant reduction of IOP up to 4 hours duration(p<0.05). During the observation period of this study, cupping of the optic nerve head developed. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive scarring of the anterior chamber angle structure. There are marked hyaline degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in temporal retina.
Adult ; Anterior Chamber ; Cicatrix ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Intraocular Pressure ; Optic Disk ; Rabbits* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; Trabecular Meshwork ; Verapamil*

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Dilatation* ; Esophageal Stenosis*

Maple syrup urine disease(MSUD) is an autosomal recessive disorder involving the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids(BCAA) such as leucine, isoleucine and valine. The disorder is due to a defect in branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase(BCKAD) and the classic form causes rapid progressive and overwhelming illness beginning in the first weeks of life, present with poor feeding, lethargy, change in muscle tone, acidosis, seizures and coma. The goal of therapy in acutely ill patients with MSUD is an immediate reduction in the plasma levels of the BCAAs and branched-chain ketoacids. In this report, we describe an infant with MSUD who was treated by dietary therapy alone. During the therapy, acrodermatitis enteropathica-like syndrome developed with low plasma isoleucine concentration while she was receiving a formula deficient in BCAAs.
Acer* ; Acidosis ; Acrodermatitis* ; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain ; Coma ; Diet Therapy* ; Diet* ; Humans ; Infant ; Isoleucine ; Lethargy ; Leucine ; Maple Syrup Urine Disease* ; Metabolism ; Plasma ; Seizures ; Valine

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the clinical and radiologic results of treatments in unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and compression hip screw with trochanter stabilizing plate (CHS with TSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 66 cases of unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur treated with PFNA (Group I) and CHS with TSP (Group II) which could be followed up for minimum a year. We evaluated several comparative factors such as operation time, blood loss, time to bone union, changes in neck-shaft angle, sliding of screw (or blade), complications, postoperative pain, social-function score of Jensen, and mobility score of Parker and Palmer. RESULTS: Group I showed shorter operation time and less blood loss with significance than group II (p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups in the mean time to bone union, changes in neck-shaft angle, sliding of screw (or blade), complications, postoperative pain, and social-function score of Jensen (p>0.05). Two cases of cutting out of the blade through the femoral head were found in group I. One case of cutting out of the screw, one case of the breakage of the plate, and loosening of the plate were found in group II as complications. CONCLUSION: We think that there were no significant differences between PFNA and CHS with TSP in view point of radiologic and clinical outcomes in unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur, but PFNA is less invasive device than CHS with TSP, therefore it may be useful device in elderly patients.
Aged ; Femur ; Head ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Nails ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between biological markers of lead exposure and thyroid functions among male workers occupationally exposed to inorganic lead. 30 male workers exposed to inorganic lead at smelting and battery factories were investigated, and 30 male control workers who were not exposed to inorganic lead occupationally were chosen for this study. The data were obtained using direct interview and assessment of biological markers of lead exposure and thyroid indices. As biological markers for lead exposure, blood ZPP. blood lead, urine lead and hemoglobin were measured. As thyroid indices. TSH and FT4were determined. The results of the study were summarized as follows 1. Levels of ZPP, blood lead, and urine lead were significantly higher in lead-exposed group than in nonexposed control group(p<0.01 all). Hemoglobin level was significantly lower in lead-exposed group than in nonexposed group(p<0.01). 2. Study subjects had normal values of TSH and FT4 But TSH level was insignificantly lower in lead-exposed group than in nonexposed control group(p=0.11) and FT4 level was significantly lower in lead-exposed group than in nonexposed group(p<0.01). 3. As the result of simple regression analysis in lead-exposed group. FT4 level was negatively correlated with the amount of smoke, blood ZPP, and blood lead(p < 0.05 all). 4. In lead-exposed group, FT4 was used as a independent variable and age, the amount of smoke, blood ZPP, and blood lead were entered as a dependent variables in the model. As the result of multiple regression analysis with stepwise selection method, the amount of smoke and blood ZPP were negative predictors of FT4(p=0. 04, p=0.09, respectively). In conclusion, levels of TSH and FT4were lower in lead-exposed group than in nonexposed control group. In lead-exposed group, FT4 level was negatively correlated with amount of smoke, blood ZPP, and blood lead in simple regression analysis. To clarify this relation, further research between lead exposure and thyroid function may be required for worker with long-term lead exposure or high lead exposure.
Biological Markers ; Humans ; Male* ; Occupations* ; Osmeriformes ; Reference Values ; Smoke ; Thyroid Gland*

A nevus which is a benign melanocytic neoplasm rarely occurs within the external auditory canal (EAC). A dysplastic nevus presents atypical features both clinically and histologically, and is important as a potential precursor for melanoma. We present a case of a 33-year-old female patient with a dysplastic nevus in her EAC. Physical examination revealed a protruding mass arising from the posterior wall of the left cartilaginous EAC. The mass showed clinically characteristic findings of a melanocytic nevus. The patient underwent excisional biopsy via a transcanal approach under local anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed an intradermal nevus with atypical melanocytes without pleomorphism. There was no evidence of recurrence two years after surgical excision.
Adult ; Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome/*diagnosis/*pathology/surgery ; Ear Canal/*pathology/surgery ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Conductive/*etiology/surgery ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome