We have constructed several panels of MAbs which specifically recognize B-subunit of HCG (BHCG). Splenocytes from Balb/c mice immunized with B-subunit of HCG were fused with SP2/o-Ag14 myeloma cells by PEG method. Fifteen different hybridorna clones (individually named as mG10.127, mG10.61, mG9.5, mG9.18, rnG9.20, mG6.3, mG6.36, mG6.8, mG7.31, mG7.79, mG9.11, mG9.51.6, mG9.51.12, mH4.17, and mH4.4) were obtained by indirect ELISA screening and three to five successive cloning procedures. The distinct features of these MAbs were determined by specificity, western blot, isotyping, and isoelectrofocusing. All of the MAbs except mG9.20 and mG6.8 specifically bind to BHCG without cross- reaction with B-subunit of LH (BLH). In western blot analysis, all of the MAbs bind to non-denatured form of BHCG suggesting that the MAbs recognize conformation-dependent epitope of BHCG. This new panels of MAbs to BHCG should be useful for developing diagnostic reagent such as pregnancy, choriocarcinoma, Down's syndrome as well as for the fine quantitation of serum or urinary HCG.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Blotting, Western ; Choriocarcinoma ; Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Down Syndrome ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans* ; Mass Screening ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Adolescent smoking is one of the most serious social problems. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the attitude of parent and school on smoking status and to help to reduce the smoke rate in high school students. METHODS: Data was collected by self-administered questionnaire between September and October 2002. The study subjects were 977 students of 7 high schools in the Nonsan area. The data was analysed by using the SPSS program which included t-test, X2-test and logistic regression test. RESULTS: The smoking rates were 18.1% of general school students and 20.8% of vocational school in males, while 2.6% of general school students and 7.9% of vocational school in females. The mean starting age for the first cigarette was 15.3+/-1.9 in males and 15.6+/-1.3 in females. The mean age for regular smoking was 16.0+/-1.3 in males and 16.2+/-1.3 in females. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that the smoking rate increased in males (OR=2.75), early age for the first cigarette (OR=7.04), small family (OR=8.60), high family income (OR=1.95), colleagae smoking (OR=5.68), strict attitude by school (OR=0.28) and loss of one's parents (OR=2.58). Among smokers, 71.4% of male smokers and 75% of female smokers wanted to quit. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the strict attitude of parents on their children's smoking decreased the smoking rate, while the stern attitude of school on their students increased it. Therefore, in order to decrease smoking rate, the strict attitude of parents on smoking should be continued and the attitude of school will have to consider aspects of students' characteristics and their interests when they propose to practice a school-based education program. It may have an effect on smoking prevention and reduction of the smoking rate.
Adolescent ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Parents* ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking* ; Social Problems ; Tobacco Products ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the worldwide public health problem affecting about 300 million people. The envelope protein of HBV consists of three components known as preS1, preS2, and S antigen. According to the recent study, anti-HBs Ab showed effective neutralization ability against HBV from chronic hepatitis B and liver transplant patients, suggesting the possible development of therapeutic antibody. METHODS: Spleen cells immunized with S antigen of HBV were fused with myeloma cell line to obtain HBsAg specific monoclonal antibodies. High affinity antibodies against HBsAg (adr, ad and ay type) were selected by competitive ELISA method. Nucleotide sequence of the variable regions of monoclonal antibodies was analyzed by RT-PCR followed by conventional sequencing method. RESULTS: We produced 14 murine monoclonal antibodies which recognize S antigen of HBV. Two of them, A9-11 and C6-9 showed the highest affinity. The sequence analysis of A9-11 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain I (B) and light chain lambda 1, respectively. Likewise, the sequence analysis of C6-9 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain II (B) and light chain kappa 1, respectively. Neutralization assay showed that A9-11 and C6-9 effectively neutralize the HBV infection. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A9-11 and C6-9 mouse monoclonal antibodies can be used for the development of therapeutic antibody for HBV infection.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Mice ; Public Health ; Sequence Analysis ; Spleen

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic sclerotherapy and band ligation have been well documented beneficial therapeutic options of esophageal variceal bleeding. But acute variceal bleeding is refractory to sclerotherapy in upto one-hird of patients, and rebleeding occurs in 30% to 50%. Recently alternative endoscopic modality, N-utyl--yanoacrylate (Histoacryl) injection is performed in intravariceal sclerotherapy but its efficacy and safty are not clearly established. We evaluated the efficacy of Histoacryl on esophageal variceal bleeding and compared with that of endoscopic band ligation in the present study. MATERIALS/METHODS: From March 1994 to March 1998, ninety seven patients with endoscopically documented esophageal variceal bleeding were enrolled. Histoacryl injection (Histoacryl group, n=33) or endoscopic band ligation (EVL group, n=64) was done for esophageal variceal bleeding. We evaluated the rebleeding rate and in-ospital mortality in both groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar but active bleeding on first endoscopic session was significantly higher in Histoacryl group (Histoacryl group; 90.7%, EVL group; 26.6%, p=0.002). Successful hemostasis was done at 87.9% in Histoacryl group, 95.3% in EVL group (not significant). There were no significant differences on early rebleeding rate (18.2% vs 23.4%), late rebleeding rate (39.4% vs 37.5%) and in-ospital mortality (24.2% vs 15.6%) between Histoacryl group and EVL group. There were no technique-elated fatal complications at Histoacryl injection group. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic efficacy of Histoacryl injection was similar to the endoscopic band ligation in patients with esophageal varix bleeding in terms of hemostasis and rebleeding. Histoacryl is effective therapeutic option for esophageal variceal bleeding as well as gastric variceal bleeding.
Enbucrilate ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Ligation* ; Mortality ; Sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Common bile duct stones are the most common among bile duct diseases. In the past, common bile duct stones were considered a surgically operable disease, but is now considered a medical disease due to the advancement of endoscopy and endoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to determine the results of endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones. METHODS: Removal of primary or secondary common bile duct stones were attempted by peroral or percutaneous endoscopy. The common bile duct stones were diagnosed by ultrasonography or cholangiography. As a primary approach route, the peroral transpapillary endoscopic approach was tried. On the other hand, percutaneous common bile duct stone removal was attempted if the patient already had a percutaneous route, peroral transpapillary approaches failed, or if conditions for endoscopy were unfavorable. RESULTS: The study subjects consisted of 196 patients; 96 males and 100 females. The mean age was 61.8 years. A total of 272 endoscopic stone removal were attempted in 196 patients. Of the 272, peroral approaches were conducted 241 times for 183 patients, and percutaneous approaches were performed 31 times for 12 patients. The success rate of the first treatment modality to remove the common bile duct stones was 90.3% (176/195). The overall success rate of endoscopic common bile duct stones removal was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In all patients, the common bile duct stones were removed successfully by endoscopy, and thus supporting the shift of recognizing common bile duct stones as a medical rather than surgical discase.
Bile Duct Diseases ; Cholangiography ; Chymopapain ; Common Bile Duct* ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Typhlitis*

Pleural effusion due to hepatic cirrhosis with ascites is well known, although hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites is a rare condition, the pathogenesis of which is still unknown. We report a case of hepatic hydrothorax without ascites confirmed by the intraperitoneal injection of Tc-99m macroaggregated serum albumin (Tc-99m MAA) that demonstrated the passage of Tc-99m MAA into the right pleural cavity.
Ascites* ; Hydrothorax* ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Pleural Cavity ; Pleural Effusion ; Serum Albumin*

Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) is currently commonly used material for the reconstruction of bone defects and fixation of joint prosthetics following congenital and acquired causes. Although PMMA has widespread use, it does not possess the ideal mechanical characteristics with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity required. In order to overcome these problem, addition of bovine bone drived defatting demineralized bone (BDB) powders to a PMMA bone cement was done for improvement of physical property and bone forming characteristics of composite. In order to investigate the influence of BDB reinforcement on the PMMA, we measured physical property of compressive, tensile, flexural strength, and scanning electron microscopic examinations. The results were obtained as follows : 1. The PMMA forms a solid cellular matrix with open cells about above 100micrometer in variable size and incorporating BDB. BDB aggregates inside the cells form a porous network that is accessible from the outer surface. 2. The physical properties were compressive strength of mean 22.74+/-1.69MPa, tensile strength of mean 22.74+/-1.69MPa, flexural strength of mean 77.53+/-6.93MPa. Scanning electron microscopic examinations were revealed that there was DBD particles form a highly porous agglomerates. BDB can be added PMMA in the form of dried powders, the composites are applicable as bone substitutes. BDB and PMMA mixture is shown to produce a class of composites that due to their microstructure and improved mechanical properties may be suitable for application as bone substitutes. The mechanical and material properties of the BDB-PMMA bone substitute composites are competitive with those properties of a porous ceramic matrix of other hydroxyapatite and with those of natural bones.
Bone Substitutes ; Ceramics ; Compressive Strength ; Durapatite ; Joints ; Polymethyl Methacrylate* ; Powders ; Tensile Strength

Chronic silica nephropathy has been associated with tubulointerstitial disease, immune-mediated multisystem disease, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal disease. On the other hand, acute intentional exposure is extremely rare. The authors' experienced a 44-year-old man who took rapid cement hardener (sodium silicate) in a suicide attempt whilst in a drunken state. He visited the emergency department approximately 1 hour after ingestion. Information on the material was obtained after 3 L gastric lavage. The patient complained of a sore throat, epigastric pain, and swollen to blood tinged vomitus. Proton pump inhibitors, hemostats, steroid, and fluids were administered. Nine hours after ingestion, he was administered 200 mL hematochezia. Immediately after, a gastroenterologist performed an endoscopic procedure that revealed diffuse hyperemic mucosa with a color change and variable sized ulceration in the esophagus, whole stomach, and duodenal 2(nd) portion. Approximately 35 hours later, persistent oligouria and progressive worsening of the renal function parameters (BUN/Cr from 12.2/1.2 to 67.5/6.6 mg/dL) occurred requiring hemodialysis. The patient underwent 8 sessions of hemodialysis for 1 month and the BUN/Cr level increased to 143.2/11.2 mg/dL and decreased to 7.6/1.5 mg/dL. He was discharged safely from the hospital. Follow up endoscopy revealed a severe esophageal stricture and he underwent endoscopic bougie dilatation. Acute cement hardener (sodium silicate) intoxication can cause renal failure and strong caustic mucosal injury. Therefore, it is important to consider early hemodialysis and treatment to prevent gastrointestinal injury and remote esophageal stricture.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Adult ; Caustics ; Dilatation ; Drug Overdose ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Lavage ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hand ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mucous Membrane ; Pharyngitis ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Silicates ; Silicon Dioxide ; Stomach ; Suicide ; Tolnaftate ; Ulcer

Objective: Appropriate triage in emergency rooms is fundamental. This study assessed the appropriateness of the triage results using the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) by emergency medical technicians (EMT) by comparing an emergency physician and a KTAS instructor. Methods: The medical records of patients who presented to a local emergency room for a month were analyzed retrospectively. This study compared the triage results using KTAS among EMTs, an emergency physician, and a KTAS instructor. Results: Among 2,248 patients, consistent KTAS codes of 1,453 patients (64.6%) were obtained between the EMTs and emergency physicians. In addition, a KTAS instructor had agreed with the results of EMT for 1,686 patients (75%). The Kappa value to evaluate the agreement between an emergency physician and a KTAS instructor was 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.89). Conclusion The results of triage using KTAS by EMT was appropriate because substantial agreement existed between an emergency physician and KTAS instructor. On the other hand, there were some inappropriate results of triage, and it is proposed that the results would be reflected in KTAS provider education programs aimed at EMTs. It is expected that qualified KTAS providers will be produced, and the quality of triage can be controlled and improved.