Plasmid vectors with either RSV or CMV promoter are frequently used for DNA- mediated immunization due to the availability in commercial. Consequently, influence of the vector constituents, such as promoter, enhancer and transcription termination signal etc. on vaccination efficiency is not studied extensively. As an initial attempt to develop an efficient vector system for DNA-rnediated immunization, influence of promoter for antigen gene expression on vaccination efficiency has been analyzed. Initially, plasmids with either B-actin or muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter were constructed from the plasmid with prototype CMV promoter. In addition, ovalbumin (OVA) antigen gene has been cloned into each vectors to generate the plasmid vectors with different promoters for induction of the anti-OVA immune responses. Antigen protein expression in antigen gene transfected mouse muscle myoblast cells showed that the level from MCK promoter containing plasmid was slightly higher than those from either CMV or B-actin promoter containing plasmids. Also, the same plasmid turned out to be slightly more efficient than other plasmids in antibody imrnune response induction in vivo, when they were applied both through intramuscularly and intradermally. These results suggest that the commonly used CMV promoter containing plasmid vector could be further modified to develop an efficient vector for DNA-mediated immunization.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Creatine Kinase, MM Form ; Gene Expression ; Immunization ; Mice ; Myoblasts ; Ovalbumin ; Plasmids* ; Vaccination*

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is the association of thrombocytopenia, disorder of coagulation, spontaneous bleeding and enlargement of a hemangima or extensive hemangiomatosis, which can be often life threatening. We experienced a three years-old girl with suddenly enlarging hemangioma of right cheek, complicated by severe thrombocytopenia, consumptive coagulopathy and hemorrhagic cystitis. Generalized petechia and ecchymosis were noted on the overlying skin of hemangioma, trunk and extremities. But the study of MRI and angiography, hypevascular was located within the right masseter muscle extending to temporalis muscle and anterior to parotid gland. So selective embolization with PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) was performed through the distal branch of internal maxillary artery and facial artery. She was medicated with oral corticosterioid for 3 weeks. After embolizationn, blood flow to hemangioma and facial swelling were markedly decreased. Patient was followed up for 7 years and she showed normal contour of face and no bleeding diathesis.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Cheek ; Cystitis ; Disease Susceptibility ; Ecchymosis ; Extremities ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhagic Disorders* ; Humans ; Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Masseter Muscle ; Maxillary Artery ; Parotid Gland ; Skin ; Thrombocytopenia

A 70-year-old female Patient was admitted due to the impression of lung abscess via local clinic. Chest P-A showed air shadow containing huge mass lesion in the right lower lung field, pericardio phrenic angle. But the patient complained of only mild upper respiratioy tract infection symptoms and the laboratory tests were within normal limits. Barium enema and chest C-T taken right after barium enema were performad in suggesting of the diaphragmatic hernia. Barium tilled transverse colon and associated omentum were in the right anterior hemithorax surrounded by the hernial sac. The mass lesion shown in the chest P-A was compatible with the diaphragmatic hemia, Morgagni type. Operative reduction of the herniated bowel and simple closure of the diaphragm was performed.
Aged ; Barium ; Colon, Transverse ; Diaphragm ; Enema ; Female ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Abscess ; Omentum ; Thorax*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Mice*

BACKGROUND: Tourniquet pain is probably mediated by C-fiber. The ability of fentanyl to interrupt this nociceptive conduction was studied by administering either fentanyl or saline intrathecally along with hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia. METHOD: The incidence of tourniquet pain was evaluated in 60 patients having orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities during spinal anesthesia by administering either 30 mcg fentanyl (group 2) or saline (group 1) along with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 10 mg. We measured the maximal sensory spread of analgesia to pinprick, the incidence of tourniquet pain, and the sensory anesthesia to pinprick at the onset of tourniquet pain. RESULTS: The average maximal sensory spread of analgesia was the same in both groups (T9). The incidence of tourniquet pain was significantly greater in group 1 (33%) than in group 2 (10%). The sensory levels of anesthesia at the onset of tourniquet pain were not different in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal fentanyl was effective against tourniquet pain for 2 hours of the orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Bupivacaine* ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Orthopedics ; Tourniquets*

No abstract available.
Leg*

Hypercalcluria is well recognized as an important factory in the cause of idiopathic calcium stone disease. Absorptive hypercalciuria and renal hypercalciuria constitutes two major forms of idiopathic hypercalciuria. It is now suggested that renal prostaglandins influence internal hemodynamics and tubular electrolyte excretion, so determine the renal handling of calcium. It is generally believed that urinary c-AMP which comes from renal tubular cells in response to parathyroid hormone stimulation may have an effect calcium reabsorption in distal convoluted tubules. We performed the study to evaluate the significance of urinary calcium, PGE2 and c-AMP in stone formation. Urinary sodium, calcium, PGE2 and c-AMP were measured in 23 in-patients with urolithiasis under the usual diet. The results obtained were summarized as follows: l. 24-hour urinary Na was 120.6+/-49.7mEq/day(mean S.D), 24-hour Ca 202.8+/-68.3 mg/day, Urinary PGE2 625.6+-h 386.9pq/ml and Urinary c-AMP l2.9+/-10.2 nmol/mg creatinine. 2. There was high correlation between urinary. PGE2 level and urinary Na level(r =0.95, <0.005 by paired t-test). 3. There was high correlation between urinary PGE2 level and urinary Ca level(r=0.87, p< 0.005). 4. Urinary Ca level has no significant correlation with urinary c-AMF level(r=0.63, p<0.05).
Calcium* ; Creatinine ; Diet ; Dinoprostone* ; Hemodynamics ; Hypercalciuria ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prostaglandins ; Sodium ; Urolithiasis*

No abstract available.
Cause of Death* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Survival Rate*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Amniotic Fluid* ; Female ; Iron* ; Meconium* ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*