Expression of the S glycoprotein of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) in transgenic potato and its immunogenicity in mice / 대한수의학회지

Transgenic plants have been tested as an alternative host for the production and delivery of experimental oral vaccines. Here, we developed transgenic potatoes that express the major antigenic sites A and D of the glycoprotein S from transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV-S0.7) under three expression vector systems. The DNA integration and mRNA expression level of the TGEV-S0.7 gene were confirmed in transgenic plants by PCR and northern blot analysis. Antigen protein expression in transgenic potato was determined by western blot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that based on a dilution series of Escherichia coli-derived antigen, the transgenic line P-2 had TGEV-S0.7 protein at levels that were 0.015% of total soluble proteins. We then examined the immunogenicity of potato-derived TGEV-S0.7 antigen in mice. Compared with the wild-type potato treated group and synthetic antigen treated group, mice treated with the potato-derived antigen showed significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA responses.

Clinical Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the 1990s / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There has been a shift of the etiologies of chronic liver disease in the 1990s. Therefore, we studied clinical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the 90s. METHODS: Medical records of 806 patients diagnosed as having primary HCC were reviewed. Etiology, clinical and laboratory characteristics were evaluated according to the time of diagnosis (the early period, 1992~1995; the late period, 1996~2000). RESULTS: The mean age was 55.7 years and male to female ratio was 4.6:1. The proportion of the symptomatic patients at the time of diagnosis was decreased from 67.4% of the early period to 41.3% of the late period. On the other hand, that of the patients detected by a periodic check-up was increased up to 58.7% in the late period from 32.6% in the early period (p<0.01). The majority of the patients accompanied cirrhosis (73.3%) and the main cause of HCC was HBV (78.6%) with no changes in the etiologic distribution according to the periods. The proportion of the candidates for surgical resection was significantly increased to 12.4% in the late period compared with 7.1% in the early period. CONCLUSIONS: Although the proportion of HCC which can be treated curatively has increased in the later half of the 1990s, its absolute number is still small. More meticulous periodic examination may be required in high risk patients.

A Case of Intracardiac Lymphoma as a Presentation of Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Lymphomatous involvement of the heart is extremely rare at initial diagnosis and presentation of malignant lymphoma. Worldwide, only a few cases have been diagnosed and treated during life and only four cases were diagnosed before death in Korea. We report a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with two right atrial masses detected by chest computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography. The patient was an 80 year- old man and the presenting symptoms included generalized weakness, weight loss, constipation and low abdominal pain. For diagnosis, the mass of the perinephric area was biopsied under ultrasonographic guidance, and pathologically it was determined to be malignant lymphoma, diffuse large B cell type. The patient was treated with continuous low dose cyclophosphamide and prednisolone vice standard chemotherapy because of advanced age and renal dysfunction. After 2 months of treatment the masses in the atrium and the intraabdominal masses disappeared.

Comparison of the Rate of Catheter Malposition and Survival according to the Site of Catheter Tip Placement / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: The peritoneal catheter of the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) is patients' lifeline. A significant number of complications and catheter failures in CAPD are due to mechanical problems. We describe our retrospective experience with CAPD focusing on the rate of catheter displacement and survival according to the site of catheter tip placement in 70 cases of CAPD in Kyunghee University Hospital between November 1994 and February 2000. METHODS: We describe our retrospective experience with CAPD focusing on the rate of catheter displacement and survival according to the site of catheter tip placement in 70 cases of CAPD in Kyunghee University Hospital between November 1994 and February 2000. RESULTS: Among 70 cases of CAPD, 46 cases were right pelvic cavity tip placement and 24 cases were left. Causes of chronic renal failure(CRF) were diabetes mellitus in 29 cases(63%), hypertension in 13 cases (28%), glomerulonephritis in 4 cases(9%) in right pelvic cavity catheter tip placement and diabetes mellitus in 13(54%), hypertension in 10(42%), renal tuberculosis in 1 case(4%) left pelvic cavity catheter tip. There were no difference in causative diseases of CRF between both groups. Incidence of CAPD catheter tip displacement were 17.4%(8/46) at right and 4.2%(1/24) at left catheter(p=0.01). Methods for treatment of displacement were fluoroscopic brushing, laparoscopic manipulation and operation. Of the 9 cases, 5 case were received fluoroscopic brushing, 3 case were laparoscopic manipulation and 1 case was received operation. Other complication were peritonitis, catheter obstruction, hernia, death. Overall survival of catheter were 65%(30/46) at right and 71 %(17/24) at left catheter(p=NS). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CAPD catheter tip displacement was higher with catheter tip at the right pelvis than left(p=0.01). But there is no difference in the catheter survival.

Comparison of the Rate of Catheter Malposition and Survival according to the Site of Catheter Tip Placement / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: The peritoneal catheter of the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) is patients' lifeline. A significant number of complications and catheter failures in CAPD are due to mechanical problems. We describe our retrospective experience with CAPD focusing on the rate of catheter displacement and survival according to the site of catheter tip placement in 70 cases of CAPD in Kyunghee University Hospital between November 1994 and February 2000. METHODS: We describe our retrospective experience with CAPD focusing on the rate of catheter displacement and survival according to the site of catheter tip placement in 70 cases of CAPD in Kyunghee University Hospital between November 1994 and February 2000. RESULTS: Among 70 cases of CAPD, 46 cases were right pelvic cavity tip placement and 24 cases were left. Causes of chronic renal failure(CRF) were diabetes mellitus in 29 cases(63%), hypertension in 13 cases (28%), glomerulonephritis in 4 cases(9%) in right pelvic cavity catheter tip placement and diabetes mellitus in 13(54%), hypertension in 10(42%), renal tuberculosis in 1 case(4%) left pelvic cavity catheter tip. There were no difference in causative diseases of CRF between both groups. Incidence of CAPD catheter tip displacement were 17.4%(8/46) at right and 4.2%(1/24) at left catheter(p=0.01). Methods for treatment of displacement were fluoroscopic brushing, laparoscopic manipulation and operation. Of the 9 cases, 5 case were received fluoroscopic brushing, 3 case were laparoscopic manipulation and 1 case was received operation. Other complication were peritonitis, catheter obstruction, hernia, death. Overall survival of catheter were 65%(30/46) at right and 71 %(17/24) at left catheter(p=NS). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CAPD catheter tip displacement was higher with catheter tip at the right pelvis than left(p=0.01). But there is no difference in the catheter survival.