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)

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

We investigated the sero-prevalence of toxocariasis among healthy Korean adults in 1999. A total of 314 sera from normal inhabitants in Whachon-gun, Gangwondo, Korea was examined for specific antibody levels against excretory-secretory products of second stage larvae of Toxocara (TES). The presence of cross-reactions with other helminthiases such as cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, sparganosis or clonorchiasis was also checked by specific IgG ELISA. Sera showing positive reaction against TES were also tested by IgG immunoblot and by IgE ELISA. Out of 314 subjects, 16 was found to be positive by TES IgG ELISA and immunoblot, among whom 12 were also positive by TES IgE ELISA. Among the 16 seropositive samples, two sera showed positive reaction against Paragonimus and sparganum antigen, respectively. These results inferred that cross-reactions were negligible between toxocariasis and other helminthiases. Toxocariasis seroprevalence among Korean rural adults was detected to be approximately 5%.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Cross Reactions ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Larva Migrans, Visceral/*epidemiology/immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toxocara/immunology

We attempted to identify parasite DNA in the biliary stones of humans via PCR and DNA sequencing. Genomic DNA was isolated from each of 15 common bile duct (CBD) stones and 5 gallbladder (GB) stones. The patients who had the CBD stones suffered from cholangitis, and the patients with GB stones showed acute cholecystitis, respectively. The 28S and 18S rDNA genes were amplified successfully from 3 and/or 1 common bile duct stone samples, and then cloned and sequenced. The 28S and 18S rDNA sequences were highly conserved among isolates. Identity of the obtained 28S D1 rDNA with that of Clonorchis sinensis was higher than 97.6%, and identity of the 18S rDNA with that of other Ascarididae was 97.9%. Almost no intra-specific variations were detected in the 28S and 18S rDNA with the exception of a few nucleotide variations, i.e., substitution and deletion. These findings suggest that C. sinensis and Ascaris lumbricoides may be related with the biliary stone formation and development.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Ascaridida/genetics/isolation & purification ; Ascaris lumbricoides/genetics/isolation & purification ; Base Sequence ; Clonorchis sinensis/genetics/isolation & purification ; Common Bile Duct/*parasitology ; DNA, Helminth/*genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Face/parasitology ; Female ; Gallbladder/parasitology ; Gallstones/*parasitology ; Helminths/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics ; Sequence Alignment

We compared the DNA sequences of the genus Metagonimus: M. yokogawai, M. takahashii, and M. miyatai. We obtained 28S D1 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) fragments from the adult worms by PCR, that were cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from the nucleotide sequences of the 28S D1 rDNA and mtCOI gene. M. takahashii and M. yokogawai are placed in the same clade supported by DNA sequence and phylogenic tree analysis in 28S D1 rDNA and mtCOI gene region. The above findings tell us that M. takahashii is closer to M. yokogawai than to M. miyatai genetically. This phylogenetic data also support the nomination of M. miyatai as a separate species.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Comparative Study ; DNA, Helminth/*chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/chemistry/*genetics ; Heterophyidae/classification/enzymology/*genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/chemistry/*genetics ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Sequence Alignment ; Trematode Infections/*parasitology

BACKGROUND: This clinical trial was performed to evaluate the hemodynamic and side effects of enoximone, a newly developed phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in moderately severe congestive heart failure in Korean population and to base the development of long acting oral preparations in the future. METHODS: Principal admission criteria for this trial were a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45% by radionuclide ventriculography, NYHA functional class II or III and a documented congestive cardiomyopathy. Exclusion criteria were restrictive cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, multisystemic lillness and uncontrolled ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The hemodynamic measurements were made by using the thermodilution Swan-Ganz catheter and radial arterial canulation. Enoximone was administered(continuous infusion) for 24 hours after initial bolus. The hemodynamic parameters to be observed were blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. The clinical reponse, hematology, blood chemistry, and Holter monitoring were checked before and after enoximone trial. RESULTS: The following results are obtained. 1) The included patients were 15 females, 24 males, total 39 patients and mean age of 55.3 years old(28-70 years old). 2) The causes of congestive cardiomyopathy were idiopathic 35(89.9%), hypertensive 3(7.7%), and alcoholic 1(2.6%). 3) The mean ejection fraction measured by radionuclide left ventriculography were 28. 6%. 4) THe cardiac output was significantly increased(50%), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(38%), systemic vascular resistance(34%), pulmonary vascular resistance(27%) were significantly decreased during enoximone infusion. 5) NYHA Functional Class was improved by 1 step with enoximone. 6) There were no significant changes in hematology, blood chemistry, and Holter monitoring with enoximone. CONCLUSION: From the above results, the short term intravenous enoximone was very effective in moderately severe congestive heart failure in congestive cardiomyopathy without major adverse effects in Korean.
Alcoholics ; Blood Pressure ; Capillaries ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive ; Catheters ; Chemistry ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Enoximone* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Female ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Rate ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Hematology ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Radionuclide Ventriculography ; Stroke Volume ; Tachycardia ; Thermodilution ; Vascular Resistance

We experience a case of 34-year-old Turner's syndrome(45, XO) associated with atrial septal defect(secondum type) and mitral valve prolapse who was admitten due to moderate exertional dyspnea. It is well know hat chromosomal abnormality is one of the etiology of congenital heart disease. In case of Turner's syndrome, coarctation of aorta or bocuspid aortic valve is frequently combined, but atrial septal defect simultaneously with mitral valve prolapse is not reported till now in Krea. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.
Adult ; Aortic Coarctation ; Aortic Valve ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Dyspnea ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Turner Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Abscess* ; Nocardia*

We postulated that apolysis was processed in accordance with apoptotic changes occurring in a cestode, Spirometra erinacei (Pseudophyllidea). We cloned the novel putative apoptosis-associated gene from S. erinacei via screening of a S. erinacei cDNA library with a ced-3 gene (activator of apoptosis) probe from Caenorhabditis elegans. We identified a 261-bp cDNA sequence, which encodes for an 86-amino acid protein. The cloned gene expression was observed in the neck and gravid proglottids via Northern blotting, using cloned cDNA inserts as probes, but the clone was not expressed in any of other tissues. We suggest that this gene may be involved in the apolysis of S. erinacei during normal tissue development and differentiation in cestode parasites.
Spirometra/*genetics/growth & development/physiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Gene Library ; Cloning, Molecular ; Caspases/genetics ; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics ; Base Sequence ; Apoptosis/*genetics ; Animals ; Amino Acid Sequence

The authors have experienced two cases of general anesthesia for repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Both patients were female (1 year 5 months and 8 months of age) and had left sided Bochdalek hernia. Anesthesia was maintained with halothane-oxygen using nonrebreathing system with Ruben valve, and the patients tolerated the whole procedure very well. The importance of maintaining adequate ventilation with high concentrations of oxygen and avoiding abdominal distension has been stressed.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Female ; Hernia ; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital* ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Ventilation