The truncated E1192-283 and E2384-649 genes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) linked to the gene for glutathione 5-transferase (GST) were constructed and their expressions were analyzed. The GST-E1192-283 fusion gene overexpressed the fusion protein in E. coli as a soluble form, while the GST-E1192-383 plasmid did not express expected fusion protein. The purified GST-E1192-283 fusion protein was efficiently cleaved by thrombin. More than 90% pure, HCV E1192-283 protein was obtained by GST-agarose chromatography. The truncated GST-E2384-649 fusion gene expressed the fusion protein mainly as an insoluble form, whereas the GST-E2384-740 did not express the fusion protein. The truncated GST-E1 182-283 and GST-E2384-649 fusion proteins reacted specifically with an HCV patient serum. In addition, mice immunized with either the purified E1192-283 or GST-E2384-649 proteins generated specific antibodies to each antigen. The results suggested that hydrophobic carboxyl portions of the E1 and E2 proteins might affect expression levels as well as the solubility of each fusion protein in bacteria. Also, the truncated E1 protein with Tyr-192 to Ser-283 contained antigenic epitope(s) which could be specifically recognized by an HCV patient serum.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Bacteria ; Chromatography ; Glutathione ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Solubility ; Thrombin

No abstract available.
Intubation, Intratracheal ; Temporomandibular Joint

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

We evaluate the water content, hygroscopicity and water holding capacity in 40 healthy individuals and 17 leprosy patients by skin surface hydrometer(IBS Inc, Japan), and the correlation between the nerve destruction and the hydration state. In Eiealthy individuals the measuring sites were the flexor and extensor surfaces of the arm, forearm, thigh and leg, In leprosy patients we measured on the extensor surface of forearm with shows abnormal sensation, and opposite ar neighboring skin which shows normal sensation. The results are as follows: 1. The water content of healthy individuals is highest in the flexor surface af arm (49. 50 + 18.38ug ) and lowest in the extensor surface of leg(30.75 -12.09ug) 2. The hygrosccpicity of healthy individuals is highest in the flexor surface of arm(296. 30 + 70.75ug ) and lowest in the extensor surface of leg(24$. Q7+5) 5ppg) 3. The water content of the extensor surface of lorearm in leprosy patients, which .hows abnormal sensation, is decreased(16. 35 +20. 82 ug) and it is statisti calli significant when compared with healthy individuals(p<0.005). 4. The hygroscopicity of the extensor surface of forearm in leprosy patients. which shows abnormal sensation, is decreased(94. 29 + 71. 62 ug) and it is statistically significant when compared with opposite or neiphboring skin and healthy individuals(p<0. 005)
Arm ; Forearm ; Humans ; Leg ; Leprosy* ; Sensation ; Skin ; Thigh ; Water* ; Wettability

BACKGROUND: The main function of melanocyte is known to protect the skin from hazardous sunlight. But, some investigators have claimed lately that melanocytes are also related to the immunologic role in the epidermis because these cells produce IL-1 activity and IL-1beta convertase activity, in vitro. OBJECTIVE: Our purposes were to investigate the effects of rIFN-gammaon the proliferation of melanocytes, melanin content, and the expression of HLA-DR antigen on melanocytes after a rIFN-gammaexposure. MEHTODS: The number of melanocytes, the melanin content, and the expression of HLA-DR antigen were evaluated on cultured human melanocytes according to a time sequence and various concentrations of rIFN-gamma. RESULTS: Antiproliferative activity on melanocytes was dependent on the exposure time and the concentration of rIFN-gamma. According to the exposure time and the concentration of rIFN-gamma, melanogenic acivity was inhibitd or stimulated. Normal melanocytes didn't express HLA-DR antigen, but when normal melanocytes were exposed to rIFN-gamma, the expression of HLA-DR antigen increased in a time-and concentration-dependent fashion. After the removal of rIFN - gammafrom the culture media, the expression of HLA-DR antigen on melanocytes also disappeared. CONCLUSION: In our study, melanocytes seem to be related to the immunologic role in the epidermis because these cells expressed HLA-DR antigen after rIFN-gammaexposure and we think that study could help to investigate between melanocytes and immunologic mechanisms in various inflammatory skin diseases.
Culture Media ; Epidermis ; HLA-DR Antigens* ; Humans* ; Interleukin-1 ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Sunlight

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Killer Cells, Natural*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pneumonia*

We report a case of Darier's disease occuring in 49-year-old female patient. She had hyperkeratotic crusted eruptions on her forehead, neck and posterior auricular area. The skin lesions aggravated in summer and improved in winter, but never been healed completely. Histopathologic features from neck lesions revealed hyperkeratosis with corps ronds and grains as well as formation of villi and laeunae. We treated her with oral etretinate, and she was almost completely free of disease after 3 months treatment. We suggested that etretinate is an importnat advance in the treatment of Darier's disease.
Acitretin* ; Edible Grain ; Darier Disease ; Etretinate* ; Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Skin

No abstract available.
Diaphragm* ; Ultrasonography*

Acropustulosis of infancy is an uncommon, but not rare syndrome established as a new disease entity by Kahn and Rywlin(1976), which is characterized by recurrent, intensely pruritic vesicopustules on the distal extremities. We'd like to report a case of acropustulosis of infancy. Our patient was 19 month old girl who had been suffering from her skin disease since the age of 12 months. Intensely pruritic, 1 to 2 mm vesicopustules erupted on the palms, soles and the ventral aspects of the fingers. There were no bacteria, fungus and parasites(Sarcoptes scabiei) on the pustular lesions. Histopathologically, biopsy specimen of the left sole revealed large, well circumscribed intraepidermal pustule which was filled wth polymorphonuclear leukocytes. We confirmed our case as typical case of acropustulosis of infancy by it's characteristic clinical features and histopathologic findings. Severity of the skin lesions seems closely related to the dosage of dapsone. The eruptions were unresponsive to topical steroid, antibiotics and antihistaminics. But we observed that dapsone has dose dependent relationship with acropustulosis of infancy.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Dapsone ; Extremities ; Female ; Fingers ; Fungi ; Humans ; Infant ; Neutrophils ; Skin ; Skin Diseases