Korean population genetic data for eleven STR loci

Allele frequency and forensic parameters for eleven STR loci were surveyed in a random sample from the Korean population.

Production of shotgun libraries using random amplification

In the following report, thermal cycling coupled with random 10-mers as primers was used to construct randomly amplified shotgun libraries (RASLs). This approach allowed shotgun libraries to be constructed from nanogram quantities of input DNA. RASLs contained inserts from throughout a target genome in an unbiased fashion and did not appear to contain chimeric sequences. This protocol should be useful for shotgun sequencing the genomes of unculturable organisms and rapidly producing shotgun libraries from cosmids, fosmids, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), and bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs).

STATT: a titrate-to-goal study of simvastatin in Asian patients with coronary heart disease. Simvastatin Treats Asians to Target

BACKGROUND

Most published studies on the use of lipid-lowering agents to treat hypercholesterolemia have focused on Western populations, with few data on Asian populations.

OBJECTIVE

The Simvastatin Treats Asians to Target (STATT) study used a titrate-to-goal protocol to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of simvastatin 20 to 80 mg/d in the treatment of Asian patients with coronary heart disease.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled, 14-week study in patients with coronary heart disease and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 115-180 mg/dL and triglyceride levels of < or = 400 mg/dL. The dose of simvastatin was titrated from 20 to 80 mg/d to achieve the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) LDL-C target of < or = 100 mg/dL. The primary efficacy measure was the percentage of patients achieving the NCEP target. Among secondary measures were the percentage of patients achieving European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society/European Society of Hypertension target LDL-C levels of < or = 115 mg/dL and the percentage change from baseline in lipid parameters. Tolerability was assessed in terms of the overall incidence of adverse experiences and the incidences of the most commonly reported adverse experiences.

RESULTS

The intent-to-treat analysis included 133 Asian patients (93 men, 40 women; mean age, 59.5 years), of whom 125 completed 14 weeks of therapy. Their mean blood pressure was 130.2/79.4 mm Hg. Overall, 104 (78.2%) patients treated with simvastatin achieved LDL-C levels < or = 100 mg/dL at week 14, and 125 (94.0%) achieved this target at some point during the study. Similarly, 122 (91.7%) patients achieved an LDL-C level < or = 115 mg/dL at week 14, and 130 (97.7%) achieved this target at some point during the study. Treatment with simvastatin had favorable effects on the lipid profile, producing significant percentage changes from baseline in all parameters (P < 0.001). Simvastatin was well tolerated across the dose range. Overall, 40 patients (30.1%) had > or = 1 clinical adverse experience. Only 14 (10.5%) had adverse experiences that were possibly, probably, or definitely related to study drug; none of these experiences were considered serious. The most common adverse experiences (> or = 3% incidence) were abdominal pain (6%); chest pain (5%); dizziness (4%); and asthenia/fatigue, fibromyalgia, headache, insomnia, and upper respiratory tract infection (3% each). No new or unexpected adverse experiences were seen at the higher doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Simvastatin was effective and well tolerated at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/d in Asian patients with coronary heart disease. Titration enabled the majority to achieve target LDL-C levels of < or = 100 mg/dL.

Genetic variation at eight STR loci in the Korean population

The frequency distributions of eight STR loci were surveyed in 510 unrelated individuals from the Korean population

Freezing immature oocytes

The establishment of a long-term preservation system for mammalian oocytes is important for the development of both biological and medical sciences. A number of efforts have been made to develop this system. In human reproductive medicine, the development of an oocyte cryopreservation system can improve the efficacy of the current assisted reproductive technology (ART) for infertile patients with severe reproductive disorders. In this article, the technical development of cryopreservation programs for human oocytes and its biological background were reviewed. Clinical outcome after the use of this technology was further introduced.

Effects of epidural injection on spinal block during combined spinal and epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Epidural injection has been known to enhance spinal anesthesia in combined spinal and epidural (CSE) anesthesia. Saline and local anesthetics have been reported to have a volume effect, elevating sensory level when supplementing a volume into the epidural space. We evaluated the effects of epidural injection when using the CSE technique for cesarean delivery.

METHODS

Sixty-six parturients were allocated randomly into group C (control, n = 21), S (saline, n = 21), or B (bupivacaine, n = 24): epidural injections of 10 mL saline and 0.25% bupivacaine were given in groups S and B, respectively, 10 minutes after they received 8 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, and no injection was given in group C. The sensory level at 10 minutes, the maximal level and the time to reach it, and degree of motor block and muscle relaxation were compared. We also investigated intraoperative side effects and postoperative findings in the postanesthesia care unit.

RESULTS

Epidural injection raised the sensory level significantly in groups S and B, but the maximal height of sensory block and degree of muscle relaxation did not differ among the groups. Fewer patients complained of intraoperative pain in group B than in the other groups (P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We could not achieve satisfactory surgical analgesia with 8 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine injected into the subarachnoid space using the needle-through-needle technique in cesarean deliveries. An epidural saline injection elevated the sensory level, which did not improve the spinal block, whereas an epidural injection of 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine enhanced the spinal block and sustained the block postoperatively.

Purification and characterization of iron superoxide dismutase and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase from Acanthamoeba castellanii

Two superoxide dismutases (SOD I and SOD II) were purified from Acanthamoeba castellanii and characterized for several biochemical properties. Analysis of the primary structure and inhibition studies revealed that SOD I is iron SOD (Fe-SOD), with a molecular mass of 50 kDa, and SOD II is copper-zinc SOD (Cu,Zn-SOD), with a molecular mass of 38 kDa. Both enzymes have a homodimeric structure consisting of 2 identical subunits, each with a molecular mass of 26 and 19 kDa for SOD I and SOD II, respectively. The isoelectric points of SOD I and SOD II were 6.4 and 3.5, respectively, and there were no isoenzyme forms detected. Both enzymes show a broad optimal pH of 7.0-11.0. Because no differences were observed in the apparent molecular weight of SOD I after addition of the reducing agent 2-mercaptoethanol, the subunits do not appear to be linked covalently by disulfide bonds. However, the subunits of SOD II were covalently linked by intra- and interdisulfide bonds. Western blot analyses showed that the 2 enzymes have different antigenicity. Both enzymes occur as cytoplasmic and detergent-extractable fractions. These enzymes may be potential virulence factors of A. castellanii by acting both as antioxidants and antiinflammatory agents. These enzymes may be attractive targets for chemotherapy and immunodiagnosis of acanthamoebiasis.

Cordycepin: selective growth inhibitor derived from liquid culture of Cordyceps militaris against Clostridium spp

The growth responses of nine human intestinal bacteria to liquid culture of Cordyceps militaris Link. Pt. (Ascomycotina: Clavicipitaceae) collected from a pupa of Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) were examined using spectrophotometric and impregnated paper disk methods and compared to those of tetracycline and chloramphenicol, as well as those of Coptis japonica root-derived berberine chloride. The biologically active constituent of the cultures was characterized as cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) by spectroscopic analysis. This compound revealed potent growth-inhibiting activity toward Clostridium paraputrificum and Clostridium perfringens at 10 microgram/disk without adverse effects on the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus casei, whereas tetracycline and chloramphenicol inhibited the growth of these lactic acid-producing bacteria, clostridia and Escherichia coli. However, C. militaris-derived materials revealed no growth stimulation on the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These results may be an indication of at least one of the pharmacological actions of C. militaris. As a naturally occurring antibacterial agent, cordycepin could be useful as a new preventive agent against various diseases caused by clostridia.

Serologic and histopathologic study of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in atherosclerosis: a possible pathogenetic mechanism of atherosclerosis induced by Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chronic infection and inflammation have recently been implicated as important etiologic agents for atherosclerosis in general and, in particular, ischemic heart disease. Several agents have been suggested as possible candidates for the chronic inflammation including cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae. We hypothesized that a vascular infection with C. pneumoniae may induce a chronic inflammatory reaction in the host vascular tissue and activated inflammatory cells may express inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). At first, we evaluated the relationship between C. pneumoniae infection and atherosclerosis indirectly by serologic study, and then, to confirm our hypothesis, we performed an immunohistochemical study of atherosclerotic plaques. The seropositive rate of anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG was higher in the disease group (Group I, 59.8%, n = 254) than in the negative control group (Group III, 47.4%, n = 97) (p = 0.041), but the anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA was not different in seropositivity between the two groups (Group I, 64.6%; Group III, 57.7%). The simultaneous seropositive rates of both IgG and IgA were 56.7% in Group I and 43.3% in Group III (p = 0.033). In subgroups without the conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis, these findings were more prominent. Furthermore, we performed immunohistochemical staining on the atherosclerotic aortic tissues obtained from patients that were seropositive to C. pneumoniae (n = 5), by using antibodies to C. pneumoniae, COX-2, and MMP-9. The immunoreactivity for COX-2 and MMP-9 increased in the atherosclerotic plaques itself, predominantly in the surrounding area of immunoreactive C. pneumoniae. These findings support our hypothesis and C. pneumoniae may participate in a pathogenetic mechanism for atherogenesis or progression of atherosclerosis. The present study may open a promising perspective concerning future therapeutic trials of chronic inflammation related atherogenesis under pathophysiological conditions.

Bupivacaine-sparing effect of fentanyl in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Visceral pain decreases in cesarean patients under spinal anesthesia when the dose of local anesthetic is increased. However, larger doses of local anesthetic are associated with higher sensory blocks. We hypothesized that the addition of fentanyl could reduce the dose of bupivacaine necessary to achieve adequate surgical anesthesia.

METHODS

Two double-blinded, sequential, prospective studies were performed on 120 patients. In the preliminary study, the patients received 8, 10, or 12 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally. In the second, main study, they received each bupivacaine dose with 10 microg of fentanyl. Each group consisted of 20 patients, and the groups were identified as B8, B10, B12, BF8, BF10, and BF12. Sensory and motor block, intraoperative pain defined by visual analogue scale (VAS), muscle relaxation, and side effects were assessed. We also measured the sensory and motor recovery and the onset of pain in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

RESULTS

Maximal block level and incidence of high block (> or = T1) were higher in the 12-mg groups. There was intraoperative pain in 35% of the B8 patients and 20% of the B10 patients, but none in the B12 patients and all fentanyl groups. Incidences of other side effects were not different. The addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine significantly delayed the onset of postoperative pain and sensory recovery, but motor recovery time did not change with additional fentanyl.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine to produce surgical anesthesia was 12 mg, which was accompanied by high sensory block. With the addition of 10 microg of fentanyl, the dose of bupivacaine could be reduced to 8 mg in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery.

Pregnancies and deliveries after in vitro maturation culture followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer without stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To improve the efficacy of an IVF-ET program for unstimulated patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with the use of culture for oocyte maturation.

DESIGN

Prospective studies with the comparison of different ET procedures from March 1995 through February 1998.

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Ninety-four cycles in 64 consenting patients with PCOS.

INTERVENTION(S)

Immature oocytes were retrieved from unstimulated patients with PCOS and subsequently cultured and fertilized in vitro. Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), uterine ET, or a combined approach of ZIFT + uterine ET was subsequently performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Laboratory and clinical data.

RESULT(S)

Among 1, 280 immature oocytes (13.6 +/- 7.5 oocytes per patient) retrieved, 89% (1,139) were morphologically normal, and 62.2% (708/1,139) of the normal oocytes matured in vitro after culture for 48 hours. When intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed, 68% (481/708) developed to the normal pronuclear stage, and 88.1% of the embryos cocultured with Vero cells (266/302) cleaved. Eighty-five ET cycles were conducted and pregnancy was established in 23 cycles (27.1%), which consisted of 8 after uterine ET and 15 after a combined approach. Seventeen patients delivered 20 normal infants.

CONCLUSION(S)

The IVF-ET method using no ovarian stimulation followed by in vitro maturation culture can be a feasible assisted reproductive technology for treatment of PCOS with various complications.

The prevalence and associated risk factors of renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

Renal artery stenosis may be a cause of hypertension and a potential contributor to progressive renal insufficiency. However, the prevalence of renal artery disease in a general population is poorly defined. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of angiographically-determined renal artery narrowing in a patient population undergoing routine cardiac catheterization, and to identify the risk factors for renal artery stenosis. After left ventriculography, abdominal aortography was performed to screen for the presence of renal artery stenosis. A total of 427 patients (274 males, 153 females) were studied and the mean age was 59 years. Renal artery narrowing was identified in 10.5% of patients. Significant (> or = 50% diameter narrowing) renal artery stenosis was found in 24 patients (5.6%) and insignificant stenosis was found in 21 patients (4.9%). Significant unilateral stenosis was present in 4.2% of patients and bilateral stenosis was present in 1.4%. The stem of the renal artery was a more common site of stenosis in 62.2% of patients than in the ostium (37.8%), but the severity of stenosis was not significantly different according to the site of stenosis. By univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the association of clinical variables with renal artery stenosis was assessed. Multivariable predictors included age, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.05). The variables such as sex, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, renal insufficiency, as well as the presence of obesity, severity of coronary heart disease and D.M., were not associated. In conclusion, the prevalence of angiographically-determined renal artery narrowing in a patient population undergoing cardiac catheterization is 10.5%. Old age, hypertension and evidence of peripheral vascular disease represent the predictors of renal artery stenosis.

In vitro blastocyst formation of human oocytes obtained from unstimulated and stimulated cycles after vitrification at various maturational stages

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the developmental competence and chromosomal normality of oocytes vitrified at various times after maturation culture.

DESIGN

In vitro model study.

SETTING

A university-affiliated hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Unstimulated women who underwent cesarean section or oophorectomy and infertile women who underwent a long protocol of GnRH stimulation.

INTERVENTION(S)

Retrieved oocytes were vitrified at 0 or 48 hours after culture in unstimulated cycles and at 0, 8-15, or 24-28 hours after culture in stimulated cycles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Postthaw morphologic normality, maturation, fertilization, cleavage, blastocyst formation, and chromosome number.

RESULT(S)

In the 53 oocytes that were obtained from unstimulated cycles, no statistically significant differences were found in rates of morphologic normality (range, 56%-63%) or fertilization (range, 31%-37%) according to the time of vitrification. In the 50 oocytes that were obtained from stimulated cycles, more of those that were vitrified at 24-28 hours were morphologically normal than those that were vitrified at 0 or 8-15 hours. Regardless of these differences, high cleavage rates (83%-100%) were obtained that did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. In both cycles, 20%-43% of cleaved oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage by 6 days after IVF. All the karyotyped blastocysts, three from unstimulated cycles and four from stimulated cycles, had a normal number of chromosomes.

CONCLUSION(S)

Vitrified and thawed oocytes from unstimulated or stimulated cycles developed to the blastocyst stage, regardless of when vitrification occurred; the number of chromosomes in the blastocysts was normal.

Comparison of combined spinal epidural anesthesia and epidural anesthesia for cesarean section

BACKGROUND

Epidural anesthesia (EA) is popular for cesarean section, but has some drawbacks such as incomplete block, inadequate muscle relaxation and delayed onset. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) has gained increasing interest as it combines the reliability of a spinal block and the flexibility of an epidural block. We investigated the efficacy of CSEA that combines the main spinal and the supporting epidural anesthesia, comparing with pH-adjusted EA, for cesarean section.

METHODS

Sixty-four pregnant women at full term were divided into two groups. Patients in the CSEA group (n=32) were given 1.5-1.6 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, followed by 10 ml of 0.25% plain bupivacaine through the epidural catheter 10 min later. Patients in the EA group (n=32) received 20-25 ml of 2% lidocaine which was already mixed with 0.1 ml of 0.1% epinephrine, 100 g of fentanyl and 1.5 ml of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate. The quality and side effects of surgical anesthesia, neonatal state, and postoperative course were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In the EA group, 22% (7 cases) complained of intraoperative pain but none in the CSEA group (P=0.011). Muscle relaxation and motor block were much better in the CSEA group (P<0.001 and P=0.011 each). Significantly more women in the EA group had shivering (P=0.001). They also had more nausea and vomiting but the differences were not significant. Not only the time to T4 block (9.7 vs. 18.3 min, mean, P<0.001) but also the stay in the postanesthesia care unit, recovery of sensory and motor block and start of postoperative pain were all significantly shorter in the CSEA group. No one in either group had postdural puncture headache (PDPH).

CONCLUSION

We can conclude that, when combining the main spinal and the supporting epidural anesthesia, CSEA has greater efficacy and fewer side effects than the pH-adjusted EA in cesarean sections.

Polyamine-depletion induces p27Kip1 and enhances dexamethasone-induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in human T lymphoblastic leukemia cells

Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis is preceded by G1 arrest and supposed to be up-regulated by polyamine-depletion, which also induces G1, arrest. In CEM leukemia cells, dexamethasone showed an antileukemic effect by inducing G1 arrest and apoptosis. DFMO, which depleted cellular polyamines by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, induced G1 arrest but without apoptosis, though it enhanced dexamethasone-induced G1 arrest and apoptosis. The G1 arrest was associated with hypophosphorylation of pRb. Dexamethasone inhibited the increase of mutated p53 expression but had little effect on p2Wafl/Cip1 expression. The p27Kip1, level was increased by dexamethasone or and DFMO in line with the kinetics of G1 arrest. Therefore, the up-regulation of dexamethasone-induced apoptosis by polyamine-depletion may be associated with additive down-regulation of G1 progression via the p27Kip1-pRb pathtway.

Growth-inhibiting effects of Coptis japonica root-derived isoquinoline alkaloids on human intestinal bacteria

The growth-inhibiting activity of Coptis japonica (Makino) root-derived materials toward eight human intestinal bacteria was examined using an impregnated paper disk method and compared to that of four commercially available isoquinoline alkaloids [berberine sulfate (BS), berberine iodide (BI), palmatine chloride (PC), and palmatine sulfate(PS)], as well as that of Thea sinensis leaf-derived epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The biologically active constituents of the Coptis extract were characterized as the isoquinoline alkaloids berberine chloride (BC), palmatine iodide (PI), and coptisine chloride (CC) by spectral analysis. The growth responses varied with both chemical and bacterial strain used. In a test using 500 microg/disk, BC and PI produced a clear inhibitory effect against Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Clostridium perfringens, and Clostridium paraputrificum, whereas weak or no inhibition was observed in Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Escherichia coli. At 1000 microg/ disk, CC revealed weak or no growth inhibition toward all test bacteria, whereas EGCG exhibited weak growth inhibition against only C. perfringens and C. paraputrificum. Among various isoquinoline alkaloids, BC exhibited more potent inhibitory activity toward C. perfringens than BI and BS, whereas the inhibitory effect was more pronounced in PI compared to PC and PS. The Coptis root-derived materials did not promote growth of B. longum and C. perfringens.

Characterization of antimicrobial agents extracted from Asterina pectinifera

The extracts from the starfish Asterina pectinifera obtained using various organic solvents and distilled water were tested for their antimicrobial activities against fungi and yeasts. The methanol and water extracts were found to be the most active and Aspergillus spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans proved to be sensitive species. The extracts are polar, stable to a wide range of pH and a high temperature, and possess a very distinctive UV spectrum. The colour reactions for functional groups of antimicrobial substances indicate the presence of some distinctive chemical properties common to steroidal oligoglycosides which results suggest that the antimicrobial activity is due to structures common to steroidal oligoglycosides.

Inhibition of wound-induced expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA by its antisense oligonucleotides

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a member of a gene superfamily that regulates proliferation, differentiation and other functions in many cell types. To gain insight into the role of TGF-beta 1 in wound repair, we have analysed the ability of an antisense TGF-beta 1 oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) to specifically inhibit wound-induced expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in the mouse skin. Although injury induced the expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA at the wound sites, expression of TGF-beta 2-or TGF-beta 3-mRNA was not detected. In comparison to the 24 h following injury, higher levels of TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression were observed in the wound sites after 72 h. Northern blotting and in situ hybridisation analysis showed that wound sites treated with antisense TGF-beta 1 ODN exhibited no detectable levels of TGF-beta 1 mRNA after injury, whereas the sites treated with sense TGF-beta 1 ODN possessed significant amounts of its mRNA. Our results demonstrated that antisense TGF-beta 1 ODN inhibited the wound-induced expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in vivo.

The enhancement of growth and differentiation of rat adrenal nerve cells by the addition of conditioned medium from human fibroblast cultures

The growth of rat adrenal nerve cells was remarkably enhanced by supplementing the cultured medium from the human fibroblast cell line, Hs 68. Maximum specific growth rate and length of the neurites were observed as 0.076 (1/hr) and 0.026 mm, respectively in 20% supplement of five day old medium. In adding more than 20% of the cultured medium both cell and neurite growth was severely decreased. It was interesting that the cultured medium from Hs 68 cells could play a role in the extension of the neurites rather than in the growth of neurite cells. It was also found that molecules lower than 50,000 daltons in the conditioned medium could improve the growth of neurite bearing cells and the extension of the neurites than larger molecules. The efficacy of the proteins (<50,000 MW) was similar to that of human nerve growth factor and much better than that of basic fibroblast growth factor which was mainly secreted from human fibroblast cells.

Real-time neural network based camera localization and its extension to mobile robot control

The feasibility of using neural networks for camera localization and mobile robot control is investigated here. This approach has the advantages of eliminating the laborious and error-prone process of imaging system modeling and calibration procedures. Basically, two different approaches of using neural networks are introduced of which one is a hybrid approach combining neural networks and the pinhole-based analytic solution while the other is purely neural network based. These techniques have been tested and compared through both simulation and real-time experiments and are shown to yield more precise localization than analytic approaches. Furthermore, this neural localization method is also shown to be directly applicable to the navigation control of an experimental mobile robot along the hallway purely guided by a dark wall strip. It also facilitates multi-sensor fusion through the use of multiple sensors of different types for control due to the network's capability of learning without models.