Activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in swine influenza virus-mediated cell death

The mitochondrial pathway of swine influenza virus (SIV)-induced apoptosis was investigated using porcine kidney (PK-15) cells, swine testicle (ST) cells, and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells which are known not to support viral replication. As judged by cell morphology, annexin V staining, and DNA fragmentation, PK-15 and ST cells infected with three different subtypes of SIV (H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2) were obviously killed by apoptosis, not necrosis. SIV infection in PK-15 and HeLa cells was shown to decrease the cellular levels of Bcl-2 protein compared to that of mock-infected control cells at 24 h post-infection, whereas expression levels of Bax protein increased in the PK-15 cells, but did not increase in HeLa cells by SIV infection. Cytochrome c upregulation was also observed in cytosolic fractions of the PK-15 and HeLa cells infected with SIV. Apoptosome (a multi-protein complex consisting of cytochrome c, Apaf-1, caspase-9, and ATP) formation was confirmed by immunoprecipitation using cytochrome c antibody. Furthermore, SIV infection increased the cellular levels of TAJ, an activator of the JNK-stressing pathway, and the c-Jun protein in the PK-15 and HeLa cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the mitochondrial pathway should be implicated in the apoptosis of PK-15 cells induced by SIV infection.

Isolation and Genetic Characterization of H1N2 Subtype of Influenza A Virus from Pigs in Korea

In order to investigate swine influenza virus (SIV) infection in South Korea, 180 nasal swabs from pigs with respiratory symptoms of 18 different farms were collected between November 2001 and February 2002. Of the 180 swabs, 52 were positive for SIV by a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Positive samples were then subtyped by two multiplex RT-PCR assays, and 43 and 9 samples were found to be H1N2 and H3N2, respectively. SIV was isolated from the positive samples using embryonated chicken eggs. Two H1N2 isolates designated as A/Sw/ Korea/CY01/02 and A/Sw/Korea/CY02/02 were genetically characterized. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences between the two isolates showed 99.6% to 99.9% nucleotide identity of each gene segment. Pairwise sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA)1 gene segments indicated that HA genes of the Korean isolates were more closely related to those of the US H1N2 isolates (94.5% to 97.9% amino acid identity) than those of the Japanese H1N2 isolates (82.4% to 93.7% amino acid identity). Amino acid sequences of the Korean isolate (A/Sw/Korea/CY02/02) showed high homology with the US H1N2 isolates; neuraminidase (NA) (97.4~99.2%), matrix (98.8~99.9%), nucleoprotein (97.6~ 98.0%), non-structural (96.8~98.6%), PA (97.9~98.7%), PB1 (98.3~99.6%) and PB2 (97.8~98.9%) genes.

Production and Characterization of Egg Yolk Antibodies to Human Rotavirus

No abstract available.

A Case of Orbital Rhabdomyoma Removed by Subtotal Orbital Exenteration with Preservation of Conjunctiva, Cornea and Sclera

Orbital rhabdomyoma is an exceedingly rare, benign, slow growing tumor of mature myofibers. The authors experienced a case of orbital rhabdomyoma in three-year old female who had limitation of eyeball movement with marked proptosis of the left eye. The subtotal orbital exenteration with preservation of lid, conjunctiva, cornea, and sclera through lateral orbitotomy was performed. The removed tumor was consisted of many irregularly shaped fragments of grayish tan soft tissue, me as uring 0.7 X 1.8 X 1.0 cm in size. Pathologically it was proved as orbital rhabdomoma as seen in adult. Postoperatively the conjunctival sac was well preserved and artificial eye could be successfully fitted.

Surgical Treatment of Intermittent Exotropia

Intermittent exotropia at times is completely controlled by the convergence mechanisms and at other times escapes this control and becomes a manifest exotropia. The treatment of choice is surgical and the treatment is directed at normalization of binocular functions, and recurrence and overcorrection are frequently seen after surgery. Therefore it is important to decide the time and the type of surgery. The author experienced 66 cases of intermittent exotropia in which surgery was done. Surgery was indicated in the cases with deviation of 20 PD or more, deviation of less than 20 PD with asthenopia, exotropia occurred during more than 40% of waking hours, and deterioration of stereoacuity even at early age. Bilateral recession was initial procedure regardless type of intermittent exotropia. In the case with amblyopia, however, R and R was done on the amblyopic eye and in convergence insufficiency type bimedial resection. Lateral Incomitancy was present in 37.9%. The basic type which was shown in 68.2% was the most frequent one. The amount of esodeviation was 15 to 10 PD in 43.9% and 11 to 15 PD in 21.2% on the first postoperative day. The phoria within 10 PD was shown in 95.4% 6 weeks after surgery, in 98.5% 3 months after surgery, and in 93.9% 6 months after surgery. Six months after surgery, 4 cases revealed exodeviation above 16 PD and no case esodeviation. Stereopsis was tested in 54 cases who understood the test before operation and 43 cases(79.6%) showed stereopsis. Nine out of 11 cases who had no stereopsis showed stereopsis after operation. In this study, success rate of first surgery was as high as 93.9% in 6 months follow-up and stereopsis was restored in considerable number of cases in intermittent exotropia compared to other types of strabismus and binocular function could also be restored and improved after surgery.

A Case of Superior Oblique Palsy after Superior Oblique Tenotomy in Inferior Oblique Paresis

Following both tenotomy and tenectomy of the homolateral superior oblique muscle as surgical tnatment for isolated paresis of inferior oblique muscle, iatrogenic progressing paralysis of the superior oblique muscle can occur. But tenotomy of the superior oblique muscle resulted in a far lower rate of superior oblique palsy than that of the tenectomy. The authors experienced a case of left superior oblique muscle(LSO) palsy and moderate limitation of left eye in left down gaze after superior oblique tenotomy in left inferior oblique(LIO) paresis and we performed adhesiolysis at tenotomy site and modified Harada-Ito procedure on reconnected superior oblique muscle which had been tenotomized. After surgery, right head tilting disappeared and diplopia remained in left down gaze with minimal limitation of left eye in that direction.

A Case of Bilateral Brown's Syndrome

Brown's syndrome is a clinical entity which shows restriction of elevation in the adducted position of the affected eye and in which the forced duction test for elevation in adduction is positive. The syndrome has been found to be bilateral in 10% of the cases. The authors experienced Brown's syndrome of both eyes associated with exophoria-tropia and both superior oblique overaction(SOOA OU) in an 18-year-old girl. We performed tenotomy of the superior oblique muscles in both eyes and 8mm recession of left lateral rectus muscle. After operation, orthophoria was achieved in primary, up and downgaze and SOOA of both eyes disappeared and there is only mild restriction of elevation in adduction in each eyes. The same findings were shown in follow up of 6 month after operation.