We compared the DNA sequence difference of isolates of Clonorchis sinensis from one Korean (Kimhae) and two Chinese areas (Guangxi and Shenyang). The sequences of nuclear rDNA (18S, internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2: ITS1 and ITS2) and mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1: cox1) were compared. A very few intraspecific nucleotide substitution of the 18S, ITS1, ITS2 and cox1 was found among three isolates of C. sinensis and a few nucleotide insertion and deletion of ITS1 were detected. The 18S, ITS1, ITS2 and cox1 sequences were highly conserved among three isolates. These findings indicated that the Korean and two Chinese isolates are similar at the DNA sequence level.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; China ; Clonorchis sinensis/enzymology/*genetics ; Comparative Study ; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/*genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry/*genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Genetic Markers ; Korea ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Sequence Alignment ; Species Specificity ; *Variation (Genetics)

No abstract available.
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma*

BACKGROUNDS : Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) are plasmid-mediated enzymes that confer broad-spectrum resistance to aztreonam, most penicillins, and cephalosporins including ceftazidime, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. But with most routine susceptibility tests, ESBL-producing strains may not appear to be resistant, which makes it difficult to predict the effectiveness of the beta-lactam agents. In this study, we performed several test procedures to detect ESBL in blood isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and examined the risk factors for bacteremia due to ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 87 blood culture Isolates of K. pneumoniae during the first 7 month of 1996, 39 showed reduced susceptibilities to at least one of the 4 antibiotics, aztreonam, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. Twenty-three of the 39 isolates were assailable for screening for ESBL. Antibiotic resistance was tested by the agar dilution method and beta-lactamase assay using nitrocefin disks. Effect of beta-lactamase inhibition was examined by the doubledisk synergy test using aztreonam, cefotakime, ceftazldime, and ticarc illin/clavulanate disks and by ESBL Etest involving ceftazidime and cert tazidime/clavulanate. Ability to transfer the beta-lactam resistance was tested by conjugation. We also reviewed the medical records of the patients with K. pneumoniae. (21 with and 41 without ESBL) bacteremia to ananlyze their clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of 23 strains tested, reduced susceptibilities to cefotaxime, aztreon am and ceftazidime were shown in 23, 18, and 18 strains, respectively. All strains were positive for beta-lactamase and its activity was trasfered to E. coli in all strains. Activities of beta-lactamases were shown to be inhibited by clavulanate in 21 strains by the double-disk method, but in only 15 strains by the ESBL Etest. Nineteen of 21 bacteremia were nosocomially acquired. ESBL-producing strains were associated with length of hospitalization, stay in intensive care unit, use of invasive procedures and administration of antibiotics Including penicillins and third-generation cephalosporins. CONCLUSIONS: Although an increasing incidence of and outbreaks by ESBL-producing strains are reported, detection of ESBLs has proved to be difficult. Using several testing methods such as double-disk synergy test, ESBL Etest and conjugation, we estimated that 40.9% of blood isolates of K. pneumoniae produce ESBL. We should pursue for more sensitive and reliable screening methods for the detection of ESBL.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aztreonam ; Bacteremia ; beta-Lactam Resistance ; beta-Lactamases* ; Cefotaxime ; Ceftazidime ; Ceftriaxone ; Cephalosporins ; Clavulanic Acid ; Disease Outbreaks ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.

A case of primary non-clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina is reported occurring in a 65-year-old woman without exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero. The adenocarcinoma did not appear to be associated with vaginal adenosis. It lacked clear cell component and interestingly composed of columnar epithelial cells of endocervical-type. Cytologically round to oval nuclei revealed one or more small nucleoli and fine granular chromatin pattern. Cytoplasm was plump, faintly basophilic and homogeneously stained. Histologically well differentiated columnar epithelial cells were arranged in trabecular pattern mainly, and also occasional glandular lumina and small solid sheets were found. Mitoses were hardly found.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Basophils ; Cellular Structures ; Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Diethylstilbestrol ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Humans ; Mitosis ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch* ; Vagina

We present the cytologic features of a case of solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas. Cytologically, the tumor was composed of a monotonous population of polygonal cells containing eccentrically located round nuclei with one or two distinct small nucleoli and a finely stippled chromatin pattern. The tumor cells were similar to those of the islet cell tumor and showed isolated loosely aggregated and solid sheets or large cell clumps. The large cell clumps revealed a branching papillary structure containing fibrovascular central core, which is characteristic histologic feature of solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas. This case was confirmed by tissue examination including histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopical studies. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained a few membrane-bound electron dense granules.
Adenoma, Islet Cell ; Chromatin ; Pancreas ; Urinary Tract*

HIV-1 tat, a strong transactivator, is essential for the HIV-1 replication and AIDS progression. The Tat function is markedly inhibited by human anti-oncogene p53. This work was initiated to identify the p53-associated inhibitory mechanism on tat-mediated transactivation. Inhibitory function of P53 was confirmed by co-transfection of tat-expressing Jurkat cells with LTR-CAT plasmid, or H3Tl cells (LTR-CAT integrated HeLa cells) with different ratio of pSV-tat/pCDNA-p53 plasmids. Results from the direct protein-protein .interaction between soluble p53 and tat, and yeast two-hybrid experiments showed that the co-suppression mechanism is unlikely to be due to the direct interaction. CAT activity was not affected by tat in Jurkat cells which were transfected with p53-promoter-CAT or p53-enhancer-CAT, suggesting that the tat-mediated p53 suppression is not directly associated with p53-promoter. Finally, we have tested protein kinase activity in p53-tranfected Jurkat cells, which might phosphorylate HIV-1 tat, resulting in inhibition of tat function. Some of our data lead us to assume that the p53-mediated tat inhibition is likely to be associated with p53-associated, signaling-mediated phosphorylation of tat, resulting in the dysfunction of tat. This study is now under investigation.
Animals ; Cats ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; HIV-1* ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Phosphorylation ; Plasmids ; Protein Kinases ; RNA Interference ; Trans-Activators ; Transcriptional Activation ; Yeasts

To determine the molecular phylogenic location of Plagiorchis muris, 28S D1 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) were sequenced and compared with other trematodes in the family Plagiorchiidae. The 28S D1 tree of P. muris was found to be closely related to those of P. elegans and other Plagiorchis species. And, the mtCOI tree also showed that P. muris is in a separate clade with genus Glypthelmins. These results support a phylogenic relationship between members of the Plagiorchiidae, as suggested by morphologic features.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/chemistry/*genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/chemistry/*genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Trematoda/classification/*genetics

A 20-year-old woman presented with 2-year history of low back pain. She is a basketball player. There was neither major traumatic episode nor history of febrile illness, On plain roentgenograms, sclerosis and slightly decreased height of L5 vertebral body was detected while the intervertebral disc spaces were intact. We found that L5 body was destructed by materials showing high signal intensity on T2 weighted images and connecting the two adjacent disc spaces on MRI. The initial diagonsis included bone tumors. Vertebrectomy was done and the intravertebral material was revealed as degenerated nucleus pulposus.
Basketball ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sclerosis ; Young Adult

The skin defects or sensory impairment of the fingers, especially at the critical area for prehension(tips of thumb, index and middle fingers) should be reconstructed for the better function of hand. In our department, we performed neurovascular island pedicle flap transfer for the purpose of reconstruction of sensibility and skin defect simultaneousely to the critical area. 1. Since 1978, we had performed neurovascular island pedicle flap transfer in 14cases, among which 9 cases were followed for more than one year. 2. The operation was performed for the reconstruction of thumb in 8 cases, and index in 4 cases. The most common cause of injury was crushing by machine(8 cases). 3. The island flap was transferred from middle finger(9 cases) and from ring finger(4 cases). 4. Recovery of the protective sensation at the recipient sites was good or fair after one year, but reorientation and two point discrimination were poor. 5. Cold intolerance was developed in 3 cases and callosity was formed in 2 cases. 6. In all cases, the transferred flaps were good in circulation status and durability. 7. It is considered that the neurovascular island pedicle flap is an accepted method of restoring skin coverage as well as sensation to a localized tactile area in the hand.
Callosities ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Fingers ; Hand ; Methods ; Sensation ; Skin ; Thumb