Synthetic genes encoding the gag p24 and the part of the envelope protein gp41 of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) were cloned and overexpressed as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli, using an expression vector carrying 77 promoter and the poly-histidine leader sequence. The overexpressed p24 fusion protein was purified by centrifugation, Ni-affinity chromatography and CM-sepharose chromatography The overexpressed gp41 fusion protein was purified by centrifugation, C4 chromatography and DEAE-sepharose chromatography. The purified fusion proteins showed a high level of purity and immunoreactivity in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis. These results suggest that this prokaryotic expression-purification method is suitable for obtaining a large amount of the viral antigen which may be useful for screening of antibodies to HIV-1 in human blood samples.
Antibodies ; Blotting, Western ; Centrifugation ; Chromatography ; Clone Cells ; Electrophoresis ; Escherichia coli ; Genes, Synthetic ; HIV* ; HIV-1* ; Humans* ; Mass Screening

No abstract available.
Humans ; Biomarkers, Tumor* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

To evaluate the normal range of articular disk postion, MRIs of 25 temporomandibular joints(TMJs) in 19 asymptomatic volunteers were analysed. On the closed mouth sagittal T1 weighted MRI the junction of the posterior band and bilaminar zone was within 10°anterior from the vertical line through the apex of condylar head in 19 (76%) lad within 20°in 23 (92%) TMJs. The intermediate zone of the articular disk was located between the posterior surface of articular eminence and the anterior surface of condylar head in 22 (88%) TMJs. We suggest that on the closed mouth sagittal MRI the junction of the posterior band and the bilaminar zone could be within 10°anterior from the vertical line through the apex of condylar head in asymptomatic Korean persons. If the junction is located more than 20°anterior from the vertical line or the intermediate zone is anterior to the anterior surface of condylar head it is suggested that the disk is anteriorly displaced. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of mild anterior displacement of the articular disk(11°-20°) in asymptomatic persons.
Head ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mouth ; Reference Values ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Volunteers

No abstract available.

Minimal cleft lip has been defined as a cleft which does not extend over the vermilion. Minimal cleft lip has no specific classification and few methods for its correction. Based on our operative experience with secondary cleft lipnose deformities, we have developed principles of operation for minimal cleft lip: minimal incision, nostril and alar reconstruction, philtrum reconstruction. alignment of cupid's bow, and vermilial notching correction. Nine patients of minimal cleft lip were operated on from March 1992 to June 1998 in our department. Each partients was evaluated for lip and nose deformities presurgically: the nasal tip, columella, ala, scar, cupid's bow, lip pout and lip length. Every patients required a different technique for repair. Satisfactory results were obtained by treating the cleft following the principles.
Cicatrix ; Classification ; Cleft Lip* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Lip ; Nose

PURPOSE: Classically air in the portal vein has been detected on plain radiography, but computed tomography and ultrasonography have been shown to be more sensitive. We report a case of air in the PV in a 10-day-old infant with pneumatosis intestinalis with its ultrasonographic and Doppler findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient was a 10-day-old infant born by cesarean section at 41 weeks. Simple abdomen film revealed branching pattern of radiolucent air shadows within the contour of liver, gas distention of bowel loops and thickenod bowel walls with lincar intraluminal air shadows in abdomcn, suggesting neerotizing enterocolitis. So we performed Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed branching pattern of hyperechogenic dots along the lumen of left portal vein. The color Doppler study revcaled an aliasing duo to increased velocity and whirling pattern of blood flow, and the Duplex Doppler spectral display showed sharp, vertical bidirectional spikes by air in portal vein. CONCLUSION: Air in the portal voin can be easily diagnosed by the followign signs:hyperechogenic dots in the portal vein on ultrasonography and vertical, sharp bidirectional spikes superimposod on the usual Doppler tracing of the portal vein on Duplex ultrasonography.
Abdomen ; Cesarean Section ; Enterocolitis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver ; Portal Vein* ; Pregnancy ; Radiography ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

So called pseudosarcoma of the esophagus is an extremely rare polypoid malignant tumor and a number of cases, totaling 19 cases have been reported in world literatures until 1985. The presenting case is an unique one of pseudosarcoma of the esophagus and we illustrated all microscopic features with mapping, immunoperoxidase stain for cytokeratin and electron microscopic findings to clarify the histogenesis of spindle cells. It is postulated that the spindle cells of pseudosarcoma are transformed from squamous carcinoma cells based on (1) morphological similarity between squamous epithelial cells and spindle cells, (2) positive reaction of immunoperoxidase staining for cytokeratin in the adjacent normal esophageal mucosa, squamous cell carcinoma, spindle cells and giant cells and (3) presence of transformation zone.

The distribution of transforming growth factor -alpha (TGF -alpha ) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the cardiovascular system of developing mouse embryos of gestational age 7 to 12 days were immunohistochemically (ABC method) studies to investigate the differential expression of these growth factors. Paraffin embedded sections were immunostained with antibodies for TGF -alpha and EGF. In the 8 -day -old mouse embryos, the endocardial tissue, myocardial tissue and cardiac jelly were all TGF -alpha stained. EGF stain was observed in the cardiac jelly and myocardial tissue but was not observed in the endocardial tissue. This suggests that in the initial phase of the cardiovascular system development, TGF -alpha function as earlier growth factor than EGF. The 9, 10 and 11 -day -old embryos showed TGF -alpha stain in the broad spectrum of developing cardiovascular tissues such as, the bulbus cordis, primitive atrium, sinus venosus, aortic sac, dorsal aorta, vitelline artery, endocardial cushion tissue, and myocardium of primitive ventricle. However, EGF stain was observed only in the bulbus cordis, primitive atrium and endocardial tissue. This finding indicates that TGF -alpha function as a more extensive growth factor than EGF. The 12 -day -old embryos showed stronger EGF stain than TGF -alpha in the primitive ventricle, bulbus cordis, and endocardial tissue. This suggests that EGF function as a more growth factor than TGF -alpha at this particular developmental stage and plays important role at the end stage of the primitive heart development.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Aorta ; Arteries ; Cardiovascular System ; Embryonic Structures* ; Endocardial Cushions ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Gestational Age ; Heart ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mice* ; Myocardium ; Paraffin ; Transforming Growth Factors* ; Vitellins

No abstract available.
Edema* ; Hydrops Fetalis*

No abstract available.
Leg* ; Myocutaneous Flap* ; Superficial Back Muscles*