No abstract available.

In vitro culture of Toxoplasma gondii in HL-60 cells cnd cell-mediated immunity against Toxoplasma in dimethylsulfoxide(DMSO)-induced HL-60 cells, i.e., differentiation into granulocytes, were pursued. HL-60 cells were treated with various concentrations of DMSO, and 1.3%(v/v) for 3 day incubation was chosen as the optimal condition for differentiation into granulocytes. The degree of differentiation was assayed in physiological and functional aspects in addition to morphological point. When treated with 1.3% DMSO for 3 days, HL-60 cells did not synthesize DNA materials beyond background level, and showed active chemotactic response to chemotactic peptide, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine(FMLP). Morphologically promyelocytes of high nuclear/cytoplasmic(N/C) ratio changed to granulocytes of relatively low N/C ratio. The relationships between HL-60 cells or DMSO-induced HL-60 cells and Toxoplasma were examined after stain with Giemsa and fluorescent dye (acridine orange). HS-60 cells did not show any sign of toxoplasmacidal activity but showed intracellular proliferation of Toxoplasma to form rosette for 72 hr co-culture. In contrast, DMSO-induced HL-60 cells phagocytosed Toxoplasma within 1 hr, and performed a process of intracellular digestion of Toxoplasma thereafter. With the above results, it is suggested that phagosome-lysosome fusion is one of the critical events for the parasitism by Toxoplasma or for susceptibility of host cells. The in vitro culture system of this study has offered a defined condition to study the protozoan parasite-host cell interactions.
parasitology-protozoa ; Toxoplasma gondii ; HL-60 cells ; dimethylsulfoxide ; in vitro culture ; dimethylsulfoxide

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine whether the clinical presentation of patients with central precocius puberty(CPP) varies according to the etiology, whether this permits the differentiation between idiopathic and organic forms and to examine whether LH determination in a single timed blood sample after GnRH administration is sufficient to diagnose CPP. METHODS: This study included 33 girls with signs of breast development, of whom 23 were diagnosed as definite central precocious puberty. Sixteen patients had idiopathic CPP; the remaining 7 patients had organic CPP. Ten patients were classified as non-CPP. Potential clinical and laboratory predictors of CNS abnormalities were assessed and GnRH stimulation test was done. RESULTS: The age of onset in patients with organic CPP was 4.11+/-2.08 years, whereas the age in patients with idiopathic CPP was 7.25+/-1.34 years. This parameter is the only one showing statistical significance. We compared sensitivities and specificities at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min which yielded sensitivities of 8.7%, 87.0%, 91.3%, 87.0%, 73.9%, 60.9%. CONCLUSION: It is impossible to exclude a central nervous system lesion in patient with central precocious puberty without performing central nervous system imaging. However, this study indicates earlier the onset of disease, higher the possibility of presence of CNS lesion. According to the mean GnRH stimulated LH levels and sensitivity at each times, a single blood sample obtained for LH determined after GnRH administration at 30 min can be used to diagnose the central precocious puberty.
Age of Onset ; Breast ; Central Nervous System* ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Puberty, Precocious*

A 25-year-old woman developed generalized urticaria and an anaphylactic syndrome of sudden onset while she was being treated for her decubitus ulcer with chlorhexidine antiseptic solution. Prick test with 0.5% chlorhexidine produced a wheal in a few minutes. A passive intradermal transfer test (PK test) to her mother was positive. These enabled us diagnose her as having an immunologic contact urticaria to chlorhexidine.
Adult ; Chlorhexidine* ; Female ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pressure Ulcer ; Urticaria*

PURPOSE: Epilepsy is generally defined as a chronic condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizure. It is still controversial whether the long-term antiepileptic drugs(AED) treatment will be necessary in children with first unprovoked seizure. Cognitive and behavioral side effects of AEDs are especially important in developing children. Therefore the rationale of AED treatment in the children with first unprovoked seizure depends upon the seizure recurrence rate and presence of risk factors related with seizure recurrence. We are going to evaluate the risk of seizure recurrence and risk factors after a first unprovoked seizure in children. METHODS: One hundred fifty eight patients presented with a first unprovoked seizure from July, 1994 to June, 1999 were prospectively followed by regular epilepsy clinic visit or telephone interview for a mean of 27 months. We analyzed overall recurrence risk and risk factors of seizure recurrence(EEG finding, etiology of seizure, seizure type, history of prior febrile convulsions, neurodevelopmental status prior to first seizure, presence of a Todd's paresis, family history of seizures, a seizure occuring while asleep, and duration of seizure) by Cox's proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: In 158 patients with first unprovoked seizure, 61 (39%) patients experienced subsequent seizure. The cumulative risk of seizure recurrence was 28.5, 37.6, and 42.3% at 6, 12, and 18 months. The median time to recurrence was 3 months, with 72% of recurrence occurring within 6 months, 92% within 1 year, and 100% within 2 years. On univariate analysis, risk factors for seizure recurrence included an etiology of seizure and abnormal EEG. In idiopathic cases, the risk factor was an EEG abnormality. CONCLUSION: Many of the children with a first unprovoked seizure will not have recurrences. The recurrence risk of a first unprovoked seizure in children have statistically correlated with the etiology of seizure(cryptogenic and symptomatic) and abnormal EEG. Children with an idiopathic first seizure and a normal EEG have a particularly favorable prognosis.
Ambulatory Care ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Paresis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies* ; Recurrence* ; Risk Factors ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile

No abstract available.
Child* ; Drug Therapy* ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Receptors, Thyrotropin* ; Thyroid Function Tests* ; Thyroid Gland*

Aquagenic urticaria is a rare form of physical urticaria in which wheal is produced by contact with water. A 21-year-old woman was referred to our department because of itching wheal after contact with water for 1 month. Match-head-sized wheal surrounded by bean sized erythema was provoked with water on her face regardless of its tempera ture, osmolarity and quality. Passive transfer test was negative. Result of pro vocation test with normal saline and NaHCO solution, which was reported to be therapeutically effective, was similar to those with pure water.
Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Intradermal Tests ; Occupations ; Osmolar Concentration ; Pruritus ; Urticaria* ; Water ; Young Adult

No abstract available.

The clinical observation was performed on 32 patients of acetabular fracture, who had been admitted and treated at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Busan National University from January 1980 to December 1983. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The prevalent age ranged from 20 to 50 years, which comprised 71.9% and the ratio between males and females was 2.6: l. 2. The causes of injury were 16 cases of traffic accident, which comprised the highest incidence, 10 falling down and 6 direct blow. 3. According to Letournels classification, 21 cases (65.6%) were simple fractures, llcases(34.4%) were associated fractures. 4. Total patients associated injuries of another part of body were 24 cases#{75.0%) among them pelvic bone fracture was the most common fractured case and cerebral concussion was the most common soft tissue injury. 5. 2 types of treatment were performed, one was 18 conservative treatment and the other was 14 surgical treatment which was performed by open reduction and internal fixation. 6. The satisfactory result of conservative treatment was 61.6% and surgical treatment was 85.7. 7. The complications were 7 cases(21.9) of degenerative arthritis, ectopic ossification in 2cases (6.3%), avascular necrosis, superficial infection, and secondary displacement of fracture site in 1 case(3.1%) respectively. 8. The anatomical reduction and internal fixation was an important factor in treatment of acetabular fracture, especially in severe displaced articular fracture.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Acetabulum ; Brain Concussion ; Busan ; Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Necrosis ; Orthopedics ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Osteoarthritis ; Pelvic Bones ; Soft Tissue Injuries

No abstract available.
De Lange Syndrome*