BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transfection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome requires the cloning of tandem HBV sequences inserted into a plasmid vector, which is usually screened for by the restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid minipreparation from at least a dozen of bacterial colonies. The aim of this study was to develop a simple alternative screening method for bacterial colonies harbouring tandem HBV sequences by a PCR. METHODS: A set of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer was designed to detect the bacterial colonies harbouring "head to tail" dimeric HBV DNA. PCR which amplifies the head to tail junction site of two tandem HBV molecules was performed. RESULTS: PCR products with appropriate size (1.2kb) were obtained. The accurate detection by PCR screening technique was confirmed by enzyme digestion. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PCR screening technique is a simple and rapid method for the identification of bacterial colonies containing tandem HBV sequences.
Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Digestion ; DNA ; Genome ; Head ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Mass Screening* ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Transfection

Background: Cerebral palsy is due to static encephalopathy during perinatal period. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) involves selective division of posterior nerve roots to reduce spasticity and improve function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Anesthesia during SDR must preserve muscle contraction in response to direct electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve roots. We did this study to get the better management of anesthesia for SDR. Methods: Anesthetic records were reviewed for 16 patients who underwent SDR during January 1996 to August 1997. Demographic data; anesthetic drugs and doses; changes of vital signs and end tidal CO2; dorsal root stimulation; postoperative pain control were analysed. Results: The mean age of patients was 4.9+/-1.7 years old. The mean weight was 16.3+/-4.0 kg. The under 1 MAC concentration of isoflurane and 2~3 mcg/kg/hr fentanyl did not interfere with electrophysiologic monitoring. Esophageal temperature was increased significantly during electrical stimulation of dorsal roots. End tidal CO2 concentration had a tendency to increase after electrical stimulation too. Direct installation of 10~15 mcg/kg intrathecal morphine prior to dural closure, and postoperative 0.5 mcg/kg/hr fentanyl had a good postoperative analgesia without complication. Conclusions: Isoflurane and fentanyl during anesthesia, and intrathecal morphine with continuous infusion of fentany postoperatively are suggested a good anesthetic method for SDR.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Electric Stimulation ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Morphine ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Spasticity ; Pain, Postoperative ; Rhizotomy* ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Vital Signs

A 2-month-old female infant presented with a bluish-black, flat, hairy patch, 1.2cm in diameter, on the posterior aspect of her neck since birth. Histologic sections from the lesion showed numerous diffusely scattered dermal melanocytes throughout the dermis. The histopathologic and clinical findings were not fully oonsistent with any other known dermal melanocytosis. The diagnosis of “hairy blue nevus” was proposed for this unique lesion.
Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Melanocytes ; Neck ; Nevus, Blue* ; Parturition

No abstract available.
Cytomegalovirus* ; DNA* ; Humans* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

No abstract available.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy*

Herpes zoster is a viral infection of the dorsal nerve root causing painful vesicular eruptions over the skin or mucous membrane of the affected nerve. It is less well known to the dermatologists that berpes zoster causcs bladder dysfunction when the zoster affects the lumbar and sacral spinal ganglia. The authors observed a case of herpes zoster involving the S 2~4 dermatomes, associated with bladder atony in a 58 year old male who had received rad.iotherapy and chemotherapy for his malignant Iymphoma of lymphocytic type. Conservative treatment with urinary catheterization and antibiotics resulted in complete recovery of the bladder function about 3 weeks later. He had also ichthyosiform skin lesions on his back and lower extremities which, by carefuI history and histopathological examination, proved to be acquired ichthyosis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Drug Therapy ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Ichthyosis* ; Lower Extremity ; Lymphoma* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters

Soft denture liners or conditioners may be valuable therapeutic materials. The life of these liners is short and varies, but it can be extended by the use of a mono-poly(polymethyl methacrylate coating material). This study determined whether coating three temporary soft denture liners with mono-poly affected the resiliency of soft liners, and evaluated the ability of mono-poly to prevent water absorption and alcohol loss from the underlying soft liners. 20x12mm cylindrical specimens of Coe-Soft, Soft-Liner, Coe-Comfort soft lining materials were made and divided into two groups of mono-poly uncoated(control) and mono-poly coated specimens. Specimens were immersed in water and compressed on an instron universal testing machine and weighted at initial, 24 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. resiliency was determined by measuring the energy absorbed by the soft liners when stressed to a specific yield point. Mono-poly coating significantly increased the resiliency of the Soft-Liner, but had no effect on the other soft liners. Among the 3 soft liners, Soft-Liner showed the hightest resiliency and modulus of elasticity. The weight loss in Soft-Liner was the least among the 3 liners, and the weight loss in Coe-Soft was decreased by monopoly coating.
Absorption ; Denture Liners* ; Dentures* ; Elastic Modulus ; Water ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Thumb*

No abstract available.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Fistula*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Young Adult*