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

No abstract available.
Adolescent* ; Humans ; Naloxone* ; Self-Injurious Behavior*

No abstract available.
Blood Pressure* ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Intubation* ; Lidocaine*

Catheters ; Choanal Atresia ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Hand ; Membranes ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasopharynx ; Nose ; Operative Time ; Parturition ; Rubber

BACKGROUND: Management of massive rotator cuff tears can be challenging because of the less satisfactory results and a higher retear rate regardless of the use of open or arthroscopic repair technique. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 102 cases of massive rotator cuff tear treated with either open or arthroscopic repair. Open repair was performed in 38 patients; and arthroscopic repair, in 64 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59.7 years in the open group and 57.6 years in the arthroscopic group. RESULTS: The Constant score increased from the preoperative mean of 55.9 to 73.2 at the last follow-up in the open repair group and from 53.8 to 67.6 in the arthroscopic repair group (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score increased from a preoperative mean of 17.7 to 30.8 at the last follow-up in the open group and from 17.5 to 28.7 in the arthroscopic group (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference in the Constant and UCLA scores was observed between the two groups at the last follow-up (p=0.128 and 0.087, respectively). Retear was found in 14 patients (36.8%) in the open group and 39 patients (60.9%) in the arthroscopic group (p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Open and arthroscopic repairs of massive rotator cuff tears may provide satisfactory clinical results with no significant difference. However, a significantly lower retear rate was observed for the open repair group compared with the arthroscopic repair group.
Arthroscopy ; California ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff* ; Shoulder ; Tears* ; Tendon Injuries

Rapid identification of Mycobacterium spp. isolated from patients is important with increased isolation of mycobacteria other than tubercle bacilli (MOTT). DNA-DNA hybridization with streptavidin-peroxidase and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) color reaction method was recognized as a useful tool for identification of various species of mycobacteria. In this study, optimum condition of the test was determined. The optimal concentrations of tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride and hydrogen peroxide for streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase were 0.3-0.6 ug/ ml and 0.16 mM, respectively. The TMB stock solution was stable when prepared in methanol and the dilution of TBM stock solution in 10 mM sodium citrate-10 mM EDTA solution (pH 5.0) gave highest peroxidase-TMB activity. The suitable composition of hybridization solution consisted of 2 x SSC, 10% dextran sulfate, 50 ug/ml salmon DNA, 5 x Denhardt's solution, and 50% formamide. The 5-minute heating at 100C of test DNA prior to photobiotin labeling significantly increased the reaction. In conclusion, DNA-DNA hybridization method with streptavidin-peroxidase and TMB color reaction method may be useful for rapid identification of Mycobacterium spp. isolated from patients.
Dextran Sulfate ; DNA ; Edetic Acid ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Methanol ; Mycobacterium* ; Peroxidase ; Salmon ; Sodium

PURPOSE: The aim for this study was to investigate clinical manifestation of seasonal influenza A and B during the 2012 winter season in Wonju, South Korea. Their clinical and laboratorial characteristics and effect of oseltamivir were compared and analyzed. METHODS: Children under the age of 18 years who visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital with fever or acute respiratory symptoms and who were diagnosed with influenza A or B by rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swab were selected for the study. The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Influenza A was detected in 374 patients (83.7%), and influenza B in 72 (16.6%). The incidence of influenza A was highest in February (n=186), while that of influenza B was highest in March (n=36). The most common symptoms were fever (n=434, 97.1%) and cough (n=362, 81.0%). No significant differences were observed between influenza A and B in symptoms and laboratory data. Patients who had used oseltamivir within 2 days showed statistically lower admission rate, shorter admission duration, and lower incidence of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This study found no statistical difference between influenza A and B, in symptoms, progression, and laboratory test, but those who were treated with oseltamivir given within 2 days of the onset of fever experienced more positive outcomes.
Child ; Cough ; Fever ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Incidence ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Oseltamivir ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons*

Metastatic tumors to the oral cavity from other parts of the body are rarely reported and representing about 1-4% of all oral malignancies. The most common primary tumor site of oral metastatic tumor was the breast followed by the lung, kidney, thyroid, prostate, and colon. Oral metastasis of primary esophageal carcinoma is extremly rare and only 11 cases were reported till now. Only one case was metastased to the maxilla. We experienced a mteastatic squamous cell carcinoma to the maxilla and the scalp in a 52-year-old male patient who previously diagnosed as esophageal carcinoma and performed operation with post operative radiation therapy. We report the case with literature review.
Breast ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colon ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lung ; Male ; Maxilla* ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostate ; Scalp* ; Thyroid Gland

Ketamine hydrochloride is a unique dissociative anesthetic agent that has been used in children for more than 20 years. Ketamine is devoid of sedation and hypnotic properties but has profound analgesic and amnesic characteristics even in low doses. It is recommended to use with benzodiazepines for the alleviation of ketamine-induced emergence reaction and with anticholinergic agent for the antisialogogue affect. We used the intramuscular ketamine, midazolam, and glycopyrrolate in thirty pediatric patients who were uncontrolled by conventional behaviour management in the OPD of Chungbuk National University Hospital Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Emergency Room. The results were as follows: 1. 20 males and 10 females were involved and the average age was 3 years(range, 19 months to 6 years). 2. The anesthetic technique was used for the following reasons: 10 for the I & D of submandibular abscess, 2 for the post operative wound care of cleft lip, and 4 for the other causes. 3. Average onset time of anesthesia was 5.1 minutes(range, 2 to 10 minutes) and average working time was 26 minutes(range, 12 to 50 minutes). 4. 24(80%) of 30 children were rated as 'Cooperative of sleeping' within an average 4.8, and the other children(20%) were rated as 'Intermittent crying or fighting'. 5. Emesis occurred during the recovery period in 2 children, but there was no airway compromise or aspiration. Other side effects were a transient rash(10%), and random movement(7%). 6. The recovery room behavior was quite and uneventful in 23(77%) children and mild agitation in 7(23%) ones.
Abscess ; Anesthesia ; Anesthetics* ; Benzodiazepines ; Child ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Cleft Lip ; Crying ; Dihydroergotamine ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Glycopyrrolate ; Humans ; Ketamine* ; Male ; Midazolam* ; Recovery Room ; Surgery, Oral ; Vomiting ; Wounds and Injuries

Inflammatory pseudotumor, originally described in the lung, is a relatively rare tumor-like lesion that occurs in various organs and tissues. It is usually well demarcated from the surrounding tissue, however it can be unfortunately resected as a malignant tumor. A few inflammtory pseudotumor in the kidney have been reported in English literature, but there have been no reports in Korea. We report a case with inflammatory pseudotumor of the kidney. A 48 year old woman had an intermittent flank pain on the right side. An ultrasonographic study suggested a renal cell carcinoma and a nephrectomy was done. Grossly, there were two separate masses with a well demarcated yellowish appearance, measuring 2.3 cm and 1.3 cm in diameter, respectively. Histologically, they were composed of smooth muscle actin positive spindle cells and a large number of foamy histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in the fibrotic backgound.
Actins ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Female ; Flank Pain ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell* ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Lung ; Lymphocytes ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nephrectomy ; Plasma Cells