Tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) lymphocytes contain immunologically sensitized to tumor but functionally deficient T cells. The 30 kDa protein antigen, a major secreted protein antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, exhibits strong T cell stimulatory effect. In this study, it examined that the feasibility of using M tuberculosis 30 kDa antigen to stimulate tumor-draining lymph node cells for the generation of specific immune effector cells. Freshly isolated TDLN lymphocytes could directly respond to the 30 kDa antigen alone and their proliferative responses were markedly augmented by stimulation with rIL-2. TDLN cells were stimulated with the 30 kDa antigen for various time intervals and examined for the induction of IFN-r and IL-4 mRNA using RT-PCR. The expression of IFN-r mRNA was greatly augmented after 1 wk, whereas IL-4 mRNA is markedly decreased after 1 wk. Cytotoxic T cell activities induced by the 30 kDa antigen was also evaluated. TDLN cells stimulated with the 30 kDa antigen alone were able to generate remarkable cytotoxic response to K562 or Daudi cell lines after 6 days of culture. And their cytotoxic effects were highly augmented by stirnulation with rIL-2. These results suggest that the 30 kDa antigen of M. tuberculosis may selectively activate Thl cells of TDLN lymhocytes and induce the cytotoxic T cell activities. In conclusion, the 30 kDa antigen can be used as a biologic response modifier in tumor immunology.
Allergy and Immunology ; Cell Line ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes ; Th1 Cells* ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli O157 were reported. And E. coli O157:H7 produce various Shiga toxin (Stx) such as Stx1, Stx2, or variants of Stx2. In this study, we tried to establish laboratory methods that detect E. coli O157:H7 quickly and precisely by analyzing sensitivity of colony hybridization test and PCR technique. METHODS: Stx1-producing E. coli ATCC 43890, Stx2-producing E. coli ATCC 43889, and Stx2vha- producing E. coli ATCC 51435 were tested. Three strains of E. coli were diluted with 0.1 g of diarrheal stools from 107 CFU to 101 CFU respectively. The stool samples were incubated overnight in MacConkey agar plates. A mean of 63 colonies were hybridized by stx1- and stx2-specific oligonucleotide probes. PCR for stx1 gene and stx2 gene was done after overnight- incubation of stool samples in the LB broth with vancomycin (6 ug/mL). Positive colonies by colony hybridization were confirmed by PCR for stx1 gene and stx2 gene. RESULTS: Colony hybridization test could detect Stx1-producing E. coli at 103 CFU per 0.1 g of stool, Stx2-producing E. coli at 105 CFU per 0.1 g of stool, and Stx2vha-producing E. coli at 104 CFU per 0.1 g of stool. PCR technique after enrichment in LB broth with vancomycin (6 ug/mL) could detect stx1-, stx2-, and stx2vha-containing E. coli at 10 CFU per 0.1 g of stool respectively. CONCLUSOIN: A combination of colony hybridization and PCR after enrichment in broth with vancomycin (6 ug/mL) is useful for the rapid and precise diagnosis of infections of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7.
Agar ; Diagnosis ; Escherichia coli O157 ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Shiga Toxin ; Sorbitol ; Vancomycin

Motor evoked potentials(MEP) have been recently introduced as intraoperative monitoring of descending motor pathways. Transcranial electrical or magnetic MEP have been using clinically, but there are still some limitations of using in operating room. Furthermore, according to anesthetic regimens, MEP responses vary significantly. The authors observed the effects of the various anesthetics (thiopental, fentanyl, ketamine, nitrous oxide and isoflurane) on electocortical MEP in a patient who had been previously undertaken electrocortico-graphic grid insertion operation for seizure monitoring. Electromyographic responses were recorded from contralateral arm flexor and extensor using needle type electrode. Most anesthetics except ketamine decreased the amplitude of MEPs reversibly and there were differences in electromyographic responses according to measuring compound muscles.
Anesthetics* ; Arm ; Efferent Pathways ; Electrodes ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Ketamine ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Muscles ; Needles ; Nitrous Oxide ; Operating Rooms ; Seizures ; Thiopental

Continuous assessment of arterial oxygenation is important in the clinical management of critically ill patients. Analysis of arterial blood gas is reliable but is invasive and only provides intermittent informations. In order to determine the accuracy of pulse oximeters in ICU patients, arterial oxygen saturation was measured in 58 patients in ICU using two kinds of pulse oximeters (Ohmeda, CSI), while simutaneously analyzing arterial blood gases. The relationship between the pulse oximeters saturation (SpO2) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was evaluated, Group l consisted of 102 samples of SpO2 using an Ohmeda pulse oximter in 45 of 72 patients. Group ll included 102 samples of SpO2 using a CSl pulse oximeter in 45 of 72 patients. Both Ohmeda and CSI pulse oximeters were applied to 32 patients. Group lll had 204 samples, thE Sum of Groups l and ll. The results were as follow ; 1) The correlation coefficients of SpO2 to SaO2 in Groups l, ll and lll were 0.97, 0.90 and 0.96 (p < 0.775). 2) Mean difference between SaO2 and SpO2 in Groups l, ll and lll were almost within the limit of 1%. 3) The correlation coefficient of SpO2 between Ohmeda andcsr pulse oximeter was 0.79, and there was no mean difference between them in the 32 patients who were tested with both the Ohmeda and the CSI pulse oximeters. In conclusion, a pulse oximter is an accurate noninvasive device which assesses arterial oxygenation and provides information continuously. Wider clinical indication will follow.
Critical Illness ; Gases ; Humans ; Oximetry* ; Oxygen

Inhalation induction of anesthesia is seldom used in a routine adult practice because of the long induction time and the prolonged excitement phase with the risk of laryngospasm and vomiting. So in modern practice, anesthesia is usually administered intravenously and produces unconsclousness pleasantly. However there are situaions where intravenous induction may not be ideal, and where rapid induction is still desired. The author wanted to evaluate the clinical application of inhalation induction of halothane using a vital capacity breath as a substitute for intravenous induction of anesthesia. The patients in this study had an ASA physical status of l or ll and presented no cardiopulmonary disease or abnormal laboratory data. The patients were divided into two group: a control group(n=30) and an experimental group(n=30). Control group: Intravenous induction with thiopental sodium. Experimental group: Inhalation induction with halothane using a vital capacity breath. The results are as follows: 1) The control group consisted of 14 males and 16 females. The mean age was 37.8+/-11.5years, and the ages ranged from 16 to 65 years. The mean body weight was 59.8+/-8.0kg, and body weights ranged from 44 to 75kg. in the experimental group, there were 17 males and 13 females. The mean age was 28.9+/-13.7 years, and the ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. The mean body weight was 57.4+/-8.1 kg, and body weight ranged from 43+/-75kg. 2) In the experimental group, the apnea time ranged from 20 to 105 sec, with a mean of 44.5+/-20.4 sec. The mean induction time was 76.7+/-32.1sec. and induction time ranged from 20 to 150 sec. There was no relationship between apnea time and induction time. 3) The hemodynamic changes were as follows: a. There were significantly greater changes in blood pressure and pulse rate during intubation and postintubation in the control group than in the experimental group(p<0.05). b. There were significant changes in blood pressure and pulse rate in the control group(p<0.05), but seemed not to be hazardous clinically. 4) Induction was impossible in two patients in the experimental group due to profuse secretion or excitement. 5) The side effects in the experimental group included coughs(5 cases), arrythmias(4), excitements(4) and secretion(1), respectively. 6) Postanesthetic comments in the experimental group:27 of the 28 patients remembered the anesthetic smells: 3 pleasantly, 20 moderately and 4 unpleasantly. In conclusion, inhalation induction of halothane using a vital capacity breath is a safe, acceptable and practical alternative to intravenous induction in cooperative adult patients.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Apnea ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Female ; Halothane* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Inhalation* ; Intubation ; Laryngismus ; Male ; Smell ; Thiopental ; Vital Capacity* ; Vomiting

Global aphasia without other focal neurologic lateralizing signs (GWLS) is an uncommon stroke syndrome. The pathogenesis of GWLS has been thought as the result of multiple cardioembolism. However, a few cases of GWLS with a single lesion have been reported. We report an unusual case of GWLS with a single left superior temporal infarction. A 73-year-old right handed man was admitted with receptive and expressive language impairment without other focal neurologic lateralizing signs. The patient's global aphasia symptom has being 4 weeks after symptom onset. Brain CT showed only one lesion of left superior temporal lobe. Our case notes that the multiple lesions of the speech area are not only necessary to produce GWLS, and it is not necessarily imply a double lesion or an embolic causes.
Aged ; Aphasia* ; Brain ; Hand ; Humans ; Infarction ; Stroke ; Temporal Lobe

The neuromuscular blocking effect of pipecuronium was evaluated in 35 patients under N2O-O2-isoflurane anesthesia with visual and/or tactile counts for the twitch of the adductor pollicis muscle in response to train-of-tour(TOF) stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. Group I, II and III were classified according to the initial dose of pipecuronium of 50, 80 and 100ug/kg, respectively. The additional dose, 30 ug/kg, was given in all three groups when the first twitch of TOF(T) reappeared. The onset time in Group I, II and III was 361.4+/-98.6, 218.7+/- 80.8 and 239.0+/-73.7 seconds, respectively. The onset time in Group I was significantly slower(p<0.005) than those in the other groups. All three doses of pipecuronium provided good to exceUent intubating condition in about 4 to 6 minutes after the administration of the initial dose. The time interval from the disappearance of T1 to the reappearance of T1 was 39.0+/-20.8 min in Group I, which was significantly longer(p<0.05) in Group II(67.7+/-26.4 min) or III(63.8+/-20.8 min). The cumulative effect of pipecuronium was evaluated by comparing the mean time intervals of an additional dose to the succeeding ones. The intervals between additional doses were independent of the size or duration of the initial dose. There were no significant differences in the intervals between additional doses. Heart rates, rhythms and mean arterial blood pressures were not significantly changed in any groups following the administration of pipecuronium In conclusion, pipecuronium bromide can be recommended as a long-acting neuromuscular blocking agent with an absence or minimum of cumulative and cardiovascular effects for patients in whom a long operation is scheduled and the cardiovascular stability is required.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Pipecuronium* ; Ulnar Nerve ; Wrist

The retrograde microorganismal colonization in the pharynx from stomach may cause the nosocomial pneumonia and that may be more likely when the gastric pH is relatively high. We tried to find out the relationships between the gastric pH and the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia with twenty patients intubated for longer than 48 hours at ICU. We achieved following results: 1) The incidence of the nosocomial pneumonia was twenty percent. 2) All the patients developed nosocomial pneumonia showed the gastric pH above 4.0. 3) In the patients intubated for longer than 5 days, the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia was 33.3% in contrast to 9.0% for less than 5 days. 4) With the sputum culture, the incidence of colonization was higher in the patients with gastric pH above 4.0 than that in the patients with gastric pH below 4.0(84.6% vs 58.1%). 5) With regard to the duration of intubation, the incidence of colonization was higher in the patients intubated for longer than 4 days than that in the patients intubated for less than 4 days(90% vs 50%). 6) The most common pathognomic organisms were astreptoccus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. It is conculded that the nosocmial pneumonia might develop more frequently in the patients with gastric pH above 4.0 than in the patients with gastric pH below establishment of the relationship between the treatment of the stress ulcer and the nosocomial pneumonia.
Colon ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Pharynx ; Pneumonia* ; Pseudomonas ; Sputum ; Stomach ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity orthoses are important in the rehabilitation of the patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury. But it is unknown how much they are used in the social activity after the discharge from the hospital. This study was carried out to investigate the status of using orthosis in social activity and complaints about orthosis. METHOD: The questionnaires were given to 42 cases with stroke and 17 cases with traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: The user of lower extremity orthosis in social activity were 55.9%, and the causes of disuse were patient's poor condition, improved gait pattern, inappropriate design and defect of orthosis, and patient's refusal. The degree of satisfaction with orthosis for comfort, external appearance and weight were 79.3%, 86.2%, and 72.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Physiatrists should give more attention in orthosis at follow-up of patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury and make efforts to improve function and external appearance of orthosis.
Brain Injuries* ; Disulfiram ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Orthotic Devices* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke*

We report a case of intravenous infusion amiodarone induced acute hepatitis, occurs within 1 day after initiation of drug in a 72-year-old woman with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Liver function test before intravenous infusion amiodarone treatment was normal. She was treated with intravenous infusion amiodarone, and then developed acute hepatitis next day. We suspected drug induced hepatitis due to intravenous infusion amiodarone. The liver function test returned to normal after the amiodarone was stopped. We described an unusual case which intravenous infusion amiodarone induced acute hepatitis within.
Aged ; Amiodarone* ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Female ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous* ; Liver Function Tests