Solitary median maxillary central incisor and normal stature: a report of three cases

Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is a rare finding. Growth deficiency or other systemic abnormalities may or may not be seen in children with this anomaly. Nevertheless, the growth and development of all children with SMMCI should be closely monitored. This article reports the dental findings of three Chinese girls with SMMCI, but no growth deficiency or other systemic involvement.

A 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein gene of Spirometra erinacei plerocercoid induced by chemical and physiological stresses

To adapt to different environmental conditions between poikilothermic and homeothermic hosts, the plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei (sparganum) might express a variety of biologically active molecules. We have identified a 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein of the sparganum (SpGrp78) by differential display of mRNA, employing RNAs each from sparganum adjusted at 9 degrees C and 37 degrees C. A full-length cDNA of 2148 bp encodes for a protein of 651 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 71 610 Da and shares molecular characteristics with heat-shock protein 70, including a putative ATP binding site, signal peptide cleavage site and endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SpGrp78 was mostly related to those of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus. Expression of SpGrp78 mRNA increased approximately 7-fold by inhibition of glycosylation by tunicamycin, 2-fold by temperature-shift from 9 degrees C to 37 degrees C and slightly by pH-shift to 4.0 or 5.5. These results suggested that induction of SpGrp78 mRNA is related to the functional role of SpGrp78 as a molecular chaperone when the parasite adapts to a new host environment.

Molecular determination of the origin of acephalic cysticercus

Acephalic cysticercus (Ac), a rarely developed multilobulated and nonencysted form of larvalTaenia, causes hydrocephalus or adhesive arachnoiditis in the ventricles and subarachnoidal space that often lead to fatal outcome in affected patients. Ac has been proposed to originate fromT. soliumon the basis of morphological features, while no molecular data supporting the presumption have been available. In the present study, we investigated the immunological properties as well as molecular characteristics of Ac that was obtained surgically from 6 patients. Immunoblotting of the cyst fluid from Ac samples demonstrated the constitutive expression of aT. soliummetacestode (TsM) 10 kDa protein. Specific antibodies against the truncated 10 kDa protein, which appears to be species specific for TsM cysticercosis, were detected in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples of Ac patients. Nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) genes of Ac were almost identical to those ofT. soliumbut differed substantially from those of the otherTaeniaspecies. In phylogenetic analysis, Ac clustered withT. soliumin a well-supported clade. Our results strongly suggest that Ac may have originated fromT. solium.

Congenitally missing maxillary permanent canines: report of 32 cases from an ethnic Chinese population

Cases of congenitally missing permanent teeth involving only maxillary canines are uncommon. Prevalence studies have revealed that it is a rare finding in Caucasian populations, but it may be relatively more common in Asian groups. This report describes radiographic findings in 32 Chinese children with congenitally missing maxillary permanent canines. The aetiology of such an anomaly is obscure, but the racial difference in prevalence suggests that genetic factors may be more influential than environmental ones.

Contents of cesium, iodine, strontium, thorium, and uranium in selected human organs of adult asian population

Contents of cesium, iodine, strontium, thorium, and uranium in some selected human organs were estimated for adult Asian population using data obtained in four Asian countries: China, India, Philippines, and Republic of Korea, as part of a Coordinated Research Program of the International Atomic Energy Agency on "Ingestion and Organ contents of elements of importance in radiation protection." These countries together represent more than 40% of the world population. Highly sensitive analytical techniques were employed to measure cesium in skeletal muscle, iodine in thyroid, strontium in skeleton, thorium and uranium in skeleton, liver, kidneys, and lungs where, in comparison to other organs, these elements are present in higher concentrations. The organ contents for adult Asian population, when compared with the corresponding data proposed for Reference Man by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), showed about 40 times lower kidneys content and about 10 times lower skeleton content of uranium. The content of thorium in skeleton for Asian population was also half of the ICRP Reference Man value. Interestingly, organ contents for the other elements such as iodine in thyroid, cesium in skeletal muscle, and strontium in skeleton were comparable for Asian and the Caucasian population (represented by ICRP Reference Man). Organ contents for these elements were also calculated by applying the new ICRP models of these elements to their daily intakes. The comparison of the calculated and measured organ contents showed that despite uncertainties in the organ content values arising due to the inter-country variations in daily dietary intakes, the contents were within a factor of two to three. This observation is significant since human data both on organ contents and ingestion were obtained at environmental level of intakes. The study suggests that currently available ICRP models for these elements are quite realistic.

Dietary intakes of seven elements of importance in radiological protection by asian population: comparison with ICRP data

Within the framework of a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, the daily dietary intakes of seven elements by adult populations living in nine Asian countries were estimated. The countries that participated in the study were Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), and Vietnam and together they represented more than half of the world population. The seven elements studied were calcium, cesium, iodine, potassium, strontium, thorium, and uranium. These elements have chemical and biological similarity to some of the radionuclides abundantly encountered during nuclear power production and therefore data on these elements could provide important information on their biokinetic behavior. Analyses of diet samples for these seven elements were carried out using highly sensitive and reliable analytical techniques. One thousand one hundred and sixty analytical determinations were made on two hundred and twenty samples of typical diets consumed in these countries to estimate the daily intakes of these elements by the adult Asian population. The median daily dietary intakes for the adult Asian population were found to be 0.45 g calcium, 7 microg cesium, 90 microg iodine, 1.75 g potassium, 1.65 mg strontium, 1 microg thorium, and 1 microg uranium. When compared with the intakes proposed for ICRP Reference Man by International Commission for Radiological Protection, these intakes were lower by factors of 0.41 for calcium, 0.7 for cesium, 0.45 for iodine, 0.53 for potassium, 0.87 for strontium, 0.33 for thorium, and 0.52 for uranium. The lower daily intakes of calcium, cesium, and iodine by Asian population could be due to significantly lower consumption of milk and milk products, which are rich in these elements. The significantly lower intake of calcium in most of the Asian countries may lead to higher uptake of fission nuclide 90Sr and could result in perhaps higher internal radiation dose. The use of highly sensitive and reliable analytical methods resulted in accurate and lower intake values obtained for thorium and uranium, which suggest that radiation dose from their ingestion at natural background levels is likely to be lower than what may be concluded from ICRP data.

A cathepsin F of adult Clonorchis sinensis and its phylogenetic conservation in trematodes

A novel 28 kDa cysteine protease (Cs28CF) secreted by the hepatobiliary trematode, Clonorchis sinensis was identified. The protease was purified from the excretory-secretory products (ESP) of the adult worm using DEAE-ion exchange and Arginine-Sepharose 4B chromatography. It showed a high activity between pH 6.5 and 7.5 in a dithiothreitol (DTT)-dependent manner. Inhibitors specific to cysteine proteases down-regulated the activity. Addition of Cs28CF to monkey cholangiocyte cultures resulted in approximately 95% cell death after 7 days. The full-length cDNA (1078 bp) encoded a single peptide of 328 amino acids (aa) with an N-terminal hydrophobic sequence, an ERFNAQ motif in the propeptide and a mature domain. Expression of mRNA transcripts of Cs28CF was observed in both the metacercaria and adult stages. Bacterially expressed recombinant protein exhibited a specific antibody reaction with clonorchiasis sera. Deduced aa exhibited 52-76% sequence identity with the cathepsin F analogues from other organisms. A novel E/DXGTA motif was recognized in the propeptide region. Phylogenetic analysis of 63 papain family members revealed that the trematode cysteine proteases formed 2 major clades of cathepsins F and L. The trematode cysteine proteases classified as cathepsin F shared higher homology among themselves than those classified as cathepsin L. Cathepsin F is phylogenetically conserved in the trematode parasites as well as in mammals.

Surviving male with incontinentia pigmenti: a case report

Incontinentia pigmenti, or Block-Sulzberger Syndrome, is an X-linked dominant disorder with characteristic skin, hair, eye and tooth abnormalities. It is classically considered a male-lethal disorder with recurrent miscarriages of male foetuses. A few cases of surviving males with incontinentia pigmenti have been reported in the medical literature. This article reports the medical and dental findings of a boy diagnosed with incontinentia pigmenti.

Estimation of internal radiation dose to the adult Asian population from the dietary intakes of two long-lived radionuclides

Daily dietary intakes of two naturally occurring long-lived radionuclides, 232Th and 238U, were estimated for the adult population living in a number of Asian countries, using highly sensitive analytical methods such as instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis (INAA and RNAA), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Asian countries that participated in the study were Bangladesh (BGD), China (CPR), India (IND), Japan (JPN), Pakistan (PAK), Philippines (PHI), Republic of Korea (ROK) and Vietnam (VIE). Altogether, these countries represent more than 50% of the world population. The median daily intakes of 232Th ranged between 0.6 and 14.4 mBq, the lowest being for Philippines and the highest for Bangladesh, and daily intakes of 238U ranged between 6.7 and 62.5 mBq, lowest and the highest being for India and China, respectively. The Asian median intakes were obtained as 4.2 mBq for 232Th and 12.7 mBq for 238U. Although the Asian intakes were lower than intakes of 12.3 mBq (3.0 ug) 232Th and 23.6 mBq (1.9 ug) 238U proposed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for the ICRP Reference Man, they were comparable to the global intake values of 4.6 mBq 232Th and 15.6 mBq 238U proposed by the United Nation Scientific Commission on Effects of Radiation (UNSCEAR). The annual committed effective doses to Asian population from the dietary intake of 232Th and 238U were calculated to be 0.34 and 0.20 microSv, respectively, which are three orders of magnitude lower than the global average annual radiation dose of 2400 microSv to man from the natural radiation sources as proposed by UNSCEAR.

Purification and localization of a 10 kDa calcareous corpuscle binding protein of Spirometra mansoni plerocercoid

In cestode parasites, calcareous corpuscles are thought to be associated with a number of intracellular physiologies by regulating the trafficking of mineral components. We previously separated these particular components by Ficoll, and their binding proteins of 10 kDa and 35 kDa in the Spirometra mansoni plerocercoid (sparganum). In the present study, we purified a 10 kDa protein employing octyl-Sepharose CL-4B affinity chromatography. Anti-serum raised against the purified protein showed specific reactions to the calcareous corpuscles of the worm section by immunohistochemistry, and recognized the 10 kDa protein by immunoblotting.

Impact of final coronary flow velocity reserve on late outcome following stent implantation

Aims To assess whether coronary flow velocity reserve following stent implantation is predictive of the subsequent need of target lesion revascularization. Methods and Results The outcome was examined of 417 patients enrolled in a multicentre prospective randomized study (DESTINI), who received a successful single vessel stent implantation in native coronary arteries and in whom coronary flow velocity reserve was measured. Logistic regression analysis and the receiver operator characteristic curve were used. When compared with 358 patients not requiring target lesion revascularization, 59 patients (14%) who underwent target lesion revascularization had a lower final coronary flow velocity reserve (2.33 +/- 0.87 vs 2.48+/- 0.80, P= 0.20) and smaller final minimal lumen diameter (2.62 +/- 0.66 mm vs 2.73+/- 0.60, P= 0.19); however, those differences were not statistically significant. Patients with a coronary flow velocity reserve of < 2.0 (n=109, 26%) exhibited a significantly higher target lesion revascularization rate than patients with a coronary flow velocity reserve of > or = 2.0 (22% vs 11%, P= 0.010). This difference remained significant (odds ratio=2.01, 95% CI=1.11 to 3.66) after adjustment for other variables that were also correlated with the incidence of target lesion revascularization. Conclusion The presence of a final coronary flow velocity reserve of < 2.0 is an independent predictor of the need for target lesion revascularization after stent implantation in native coronary artery lesions.

Effects of Puerariae Flos and Puerariae Radix extracts on antioxidant enzymes in ethanol-treated rats

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Puerariae Flos (PF) and Puerariae Radix (PR) water extracts on the activities and mRNA expression of three hepatic antioxidant enzymes in ethanol-treated rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, a control, ethanol-treated, ethanol plus PF-treated, and ethanol plus PR-treated group with seven rats per group. Ethanol (25 % v/v, 5 g/kg body weight) was orally administered once a day for 5 weeks. The PF and PR water extracts were supplemented in a diet based on 1.2 g of raw PF or PR/kg body weight/day. Ethanol administration without the PF or PR supplement significantly lowered the activities of hepatic Cu/Zn SOD and catalase (CAT), whereas it increased the hepatic GSH-Px activity. However, the PF and PR supplementation resulted in a significant increase in the Cu/Zn SOD and/or CAT activities and a significant decrease in the GSH-Px activity in the ethanol-treated rats. The mRNA levels of these antioxidant enzymes in the ethanol-treated rats were normalized to the control level by the PF or PR supplement. The hepatic glutathione content, which was significantly lower in the ethanol-treated group than in the control group, was also normalized to the control level by supplementing with either PF or PR. The PF or PR supplement resulted in lowering the hepatic malondialdehyde to the control level in the ethanol-treated rats.

Cloning and characterization of a type II integral transmembrane protein gene, Itm2c, that is highly expressed in the mouse brain

An Itm2C cDNA encoding a member of the mouse type II integral transmembrane protein (Itm2) was cloned from a mouse 13.5 days' post-coitum (dpc) embryonic head cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence and protein prediction analyses indicate that the membrane topology of the mouse Itm2c is a type II integral transmembrane protein with the N-terminus being intracellular and C-terminus, which is considered as either an extracellular or a luminal organelle domain. The predicted protein consists of 269 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 30,482 and a theoretical pI of 8.83. A putative N-glycosylation site was identified at amino acid 171, Asn. The single N-glycosylation site is conserved in the three members of the family in both mice and humans. The amino acid sequence of Itm2C is 41 and 49% identical to those of mouse Itm2A and Itm2B, respectively. A single approximately 2.1 kb transcript was detected with different levels in all of the tissues examined by Northern blot analysis. The Itm2c was highly expressed in both adult and postimplantation embryonic brains, although weak or moderate signals were also detected in other adult tissues. Among the tissues examined, RT-PCR analyses in various adult tissue shows that the Itm2c expression is highest in the adult brain. The results from this study suggest that the cloned Itm2c is a member of the Itm2 family that is specifically expressed in adult brains, unlike other members.

Role of reactive oxygen species in apoptosis induced by N-ethylmaleimide in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells

We have previously reported that N-ethylmaleimide induces apoptosis through activation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells. In this study, we investigated the role for reactive oxygen species as a mediator of the apoptosis induced by N-ethylmaleimide. N-ethylmaleimide induced a significant elevation of intracellular level of reactive oxygen species. Treatment with antioxidants (N-acetyl cysteine, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine) which markedly suppressed generation of reactive oxygen species, significantly inhibited the N-ethylmaleimide-induced activation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport and apoptosis. Inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (diphenylene iodonium, apocynin, D-(+)-neopterine) also significantly blunted the generation of reactive oxygen species, activation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport and apoptosis induced by N-ethylmaleimide. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated through activation of NADPH oxidase may play a role in the N-ethylmaleimide-induced stimulation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport and apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Incidence patterns of vivax malaria in civilians residing in a high-risk county of Kyonggi-do (province), Republic of Korea

The characteristics of vivax malaria epidemics along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in the Republic of Korea has been established by the early surveillance data. To further characterize the epidemic, data of civilian patients microscopically diagnosed with malaria from 1995 through 2000 were analyzed in Yonchon-gun (county). Malaria incidence was greater in male civilians > 30 years of age (p < 0.05). The annual parasite index was significantly higher in those living in the administrative areas (Myeon) traversed by DMZ than those living in Myons not traversed by DMZ (p < 0.05). Analysis according to the distance (4 to 14 km) from DMZ showed that people living in villages close to DMZ had higher annual parasite indices than those living in villages remote from DMZ (p for trend < 0.05). Civilians living in Myeons with plains and located in northwestern part of the county had higher annual parasite indices than those living in hilly Myeons located in southeastern part of the county (p for trend < 0.05). These findings suggest that the contraction of vivax malaria is related with night-time outdoor activities, and that the distance from DMZ is a risk factor. In this area, the flying distance of infected vector mosquitos can explain the annually repeating occurrence of civilian cases.

Enhanced 3D shape recovery using the neural-based hybrid reflectance model

It is known that most real surfaces usually are neither perfectly Lambertian model nor ideally specular model; rather, they are formed by the hybrid structure of these two models. This hybrid reflectance model still suffers from the noise, strong specular, and unknown reflectivity conditions. In this article, these limitations are addressed, and a new neural-based hybrid reflectance model is proposed. The goal of this method is to optimize a proper reflectance model by learning the weight and parameters of the hybrid structure of feedforward neural networks and radial basis function networks and to recover the 3D object shape by the shape from shading technique with this resulting model. Experimental results, including synthetic and real images, were performed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed reflectance model in the case of different specular effects and noise environments.

Histo-topographic distribution of acute inflammation of the human umbilical cord

Acute inflammation of the umbilical cord, acute funisitis, is a sign of fetal inflammatory response, and the clinicopathological need for its identification is increasing. This study was conducted in order to describe the topographic distribution of acute funisitis, and thereby to provide more information on the intrinsic nature of acute funisitis and find a better way of pathologically examining the umbilical cord. A total of 10 umbilical cords affected by acute funisitis were histopathologically examined throughout their entire lengths at 1 mm intervals. Pathological examination was done to characterize the extent of the funisitis, the involvement of the vein (phlebitis) or of one or both arteries (arteritis), and the presence of inflammation in Wharton's jelly. Umbilical cord plasma interleukin (IL)-6 was measured by specific immunoassay to assess whether or not the severity of acute funisitis correlates with fetal cytokine response. It would appear that the inflammatory reaction begins as a discrete, multifocal process which eventually becomes contiguous as the inflammatory reaction proceeds. Umbilical cord plasma IL-6 concentrations tended to correlate with the extent of umbilical cord inflammation. The initial phase of acute funisitis involves discrete and multiple foci along the length of the umbilical cord. Moreover, the extent of acute funisitis reflects the severity of systemic fetal cytokine response. Therefore, adequate sampling using multiple sections would facilitate the identification of acute funisitis. We propose a standard sampling procedure taking one section from each third of the umbilical cord.

Isolation of neuronal precursors from differentiating P19 embryonal carcinoma cells by neuronal T alpha 1-promoter-driven GFP

The induction of pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells with retinoic acid results in their differentiation into cells that resemble neurons, glia, and fibroblasts. To isolate and enrich the developing neurons from heterogeneously differentiating P19 EC cells, we used a recently introduced protocol combining the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by a tissue-specific promoter and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Cells were transfected with the gene for GFP, which is under the control of the neuronal T alpha 1 tubulin promoter. After four days of retinoic acid treatment, GFP was specifically detected in cells undergoing neuronal differentiation. Sorting of fluorescent differentiating P19 EC transfectants yielded populations highly enriched in neuronal precursors and neurons. Immunoreactivity for nestin and neurofilament was observed in 80 and 25% of the sorted cell population, respectively. These results demonstrate that differentiated neuronal precursor cells can be efficiently isolated from differentiating pluripotent embryonic cells in vitro, suggesting that this method can reproducibly provide homogeneous materials for further studies on neurogenesis.

The enhanced effect of a hexameric deoxyriboguanosine run conjugation to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides on protection against allergic asthma

BACKGROUND

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing a CpG motif (CpG ODNs), as potent inducers of T(H)1 immunity, are considered promising candidates for immune modulation in asthma. We have previously demonstrated that conjugation of a hexameric deoxyriboguanosine run to the 3' terminus (3' dG(6)-run) of phosphodiester (PE) CpG ODNs enhanced their immuno-stimulatory activities in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 3' dG(6)-run conjugation to PE or phosphorothioate (PS) CpG ODNs on protection against murine allergic asthma in vivo.

METHODS

Balb/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin by intraperitoneal injection with or without CpG ODNs (PS CpG ODNs, PE CpG ODNs, and those with 3' dG(6)-run) and subsequently challenged with ovalbumin. We evaluated airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil proportion in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, airway inflammation, and ovalbumin-specific antibody responses.

RESULTS

The conjugation of a 3' dG(6)-run to PE CpG ODNs enhanced the production of IFN-gamma from ovalbumin-specific T(H) cells and prevented the development of asthma in terms of airway hyperresponsiveness, airway eosinophilia, and ovalbumin-specific IgE responses; these effects were comparable to those of PS CpG ODNs. Enhanced effects of the 3' dG(6)-run were also observed in PS CpG ODNs, though they were lower than those in PE CpG ODNs.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that conjugation of a 3' dG(6)-run to CpG ODNs might provide an effective method for immune modulation of allergic asthma.

[4 + 3] Cycloaddition of cyclopropanone hemiacetals

[reaction: see text]. Intermolecular and intramolecular [4 + 3] cycloaddition reactions of readily available cyclopropanone hemiacetals with furans are described.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of vancomycin dimers with potent activity against vancomycin-resistant bacteria: target-accelerated combinatorial synthesis

Based on the notion that dimerization and/or variation of amino acid 1 of vancomycin could potentially enhance biological activity, a series of synthetic and chemical biology studies were undertaken in order to discover potent antibacterial agents. Herein we describe two ligation methods (disulfide formation and olefin metathesis) for dimerizing vancomycin derivatives and applications of target-accelerated combinatorial synthesis (e.g. combinatorial synthesis in the presence of vancomycin's target Ac2-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala) to generate libraries of vancomycin dimers. Screening of these compound libraries led to the identification of a number of highly potent antibiotics effective against vancomycin-suspectible, vancomycin-intermediate resistant and, most significantly, vancomycin-resistant bacteria.

Solid- and solution-phase synthesis of vancomycin and vancomycin analogues with activity against vancomycin-resistant bacteria

Vancomycin, the prototypical member of the glycopeptide family of antibiotics, is a clinically used antibiotic employed against a variety of drug-resistant bacterial strains including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The recent emergence of vancomycin resistance, viewed as a growing threat to public health, prompted us to initiate a program aimed at restoring the potency of this important antibiotic through chemical manipulation of the vancomycin structure. Herein, we describe the development of synthetic technology based on the design of a novel selenium safety catch linker, application of this technology to a solid-phase semisynthesis of vancomycin, and the solid- and solution-phase synthesis of vancomycin libraries. Biological evaluation of these compound libraries led to the identification of a number of in vitro highly potent antibacterial agents effective against vancomycin-resistant bacteria. In addition to aiding these investigations, the solid-phase chemistry described herein is expected to enhance the power of combinatorial chemistry and facilitate chemical biology and medicinal chemistry studies.

CsRn1, a novel active retrotransposon in a parasitic trematode, Clonorchis sinensis, discloses a new phylogenetic clade of Ty3/gypsy-like LTR retrotransposons

We screened the genome of a trematode, Clonorchis sinensis, in order to identify novel retrotransposons and thereby provide additional information on retrotransposons for comprehensive phylogenetic study. Considering the vast potential of retrotransposons to generate genetically variable regions among individual genomes, randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) detected by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reactions were selected as candidates for retrotransposon-related sequences. From RAPD analysis, we isolated and characterized a novel retrotransposon in C. sinensis as the first member of uncorrupted long-terminal-repeat (LTR) retrotransposons in phylum Platyhelminthes. The retrotransposon, which was named Clonorchis sinensis Retrotransposon 1 (CsRn1), showed a genomewide distribution and had a copy number of more than 100 per haploid genome. CsRn1 encoded an uninterrupted open reading frame (ORF) of 1,304 amino acids, and the deduced ORF exhibited similarities to the pol proteins of Ty3/gypsy-like LTR retrotransposons. The mobile activity of master copies was predicted by sequence analysis and confirmed by the presence of mRNA transcripts. Phylogenetic analysis of Ty3/gypsy-like LTR retrotransposons detected a new clade comprising CsRn1, Kabuki of Bombyx mori, and an uncharacterized element of Drosophila melanogaster. With its high repetitiveness and preserved mobile activity, it is proposed that CsRn1 may play a significant role in the genomic evolution of C. sinensis.

Postinfarction left ventricular rupture misdiagnosed ruptured intramural hematoma of aorta

Left ventricular rupture is a fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction, however accurate preoperative diagnosis is still difficult. We experienced a postinfarction left ventricular rupture patient whose symptoms and radiologic findings mimicked those of acute intramural hematoma of the aorta. Upon emergency operation, he was proven to have a postinfarction LV rupture and underwent successful surgery. We herein report the case with a brief review of the literature.

Flail aortic valve and acute aortic regurgitation due to spontaneous localized intimal tear of ascending aorta

This report describes the transesophageal echocardiographic findings of acute severe aortic regurgitation resulting from localized transverse intimal tear of ascending thoracic aorta which could not be suspected as a cause of flail aortic valve preoperatively. In patients with chest pain and acute aortic regurgitation associated with flail aortic valve, localized intimal tear of aorta should be considered as a possible cause of flail aortic valve.