Leukotriene-related gene polymorphisms in patients with aspirin-intolerant urticaria and aspirin-intolerant asthma: differing contributions of ALOX5 polymorphism in Korean population

The pathogenesis of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)-intolerant urticaria (AIU) is still poorly understood but it has recently been suggested that it is associated with the overproduction of leukotriene (LT). This is supported by evidence that cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor is given safely to patients with AIU. The present study was designed to investigate the role of genetic polymorphism of LT related genes in the pathogenesis of AIU via a case-control study. We screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding enzymes involved in leukotriene synthesis in the Korean population with AIU (n = 101), ASA-intolerant asthma (AIA, n = 95) and normal healthy controls (n = 123). Genotype was determined by primer extension reactions using the SNapShot ddNTP primer extension kit. Among 8 SNPs of four LT related genes, the polymorphism of ALOX5 at positions of -1708 G > A showed significant difference in genotype frequency between AIU and AIA (p = 0.01). Furthermore, there were significant differences observed in the frequencies of two ALOX5 haplotypes between the AIU group and AIA group (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in allele, genotype, or haplotype frequencies of ALOX5 between the AIU group and the normal control group. These results suggested that ALOX5 has a differing contribution in two major clinical pathogenesis related to ASA-sensitivity.     

Should patients with a pre-operative prostatespecific antigen greater than 15ng/ml be offered radical prostatectomy?

Background Patients with prostate cancer with a pre-operative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) τ;15ng/ml who undergo radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) generally do not have a good outcome, yet may have organ-confined cancer and should be offered the option of surgery. Aim To assess the outcome of patients who underwent RRP with a pre-operative PSA ≥ 15ng/ml. Methods Thirty-four patients, mean pre-operative PSA: 25.46ng/ml (15.03–76.6) and mean Gleason score: 6.4 (5–9) were assessed. Results Two groups were identified. Group I: 41% (14/34) have no biochemical recurrence to mean follow up of 58 months (30–106). Mean PSA: 18.8ng/ml (15.03–25.84). Mean Gleason score: 6.1 (5–7). Clinical stage: T1c in 80%. No patient had seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement. Group II: 59% (20/34) have biochemical recurrence or died (3) from their disease to mean follow up of 66 months (36–98). Mean PSA: 28.9ng/ml (15.28–76.6). Mean Gleason score: 6.7 (5–9). Clinical stage: T1c in 25%. Eleven patients had seminal vesicle (8) involvement or positive lymph nodes (3) or both (2). Conclusion RRP seems feasible in patients whose pre-operative PSA is between 15 and 25ng/ml with stage T1c, Gleason score ≤ 7 and negative lymph node frozen section.     

Lack of difference in the rates of hypopigmentation with 90-microsecond pulsed and longer dwell time carbon-dioxide laser resurfacing

BACKGROUND: Hypopigmentation is an adverse outcome associated with carbon-dioxide (CO(2)) laser resurfacing. A 90-microsecond pulse produces a more favorable postoperative course of healing, erythema, and pain compared with a 900-microsecond dwell time. The rate of hypopigmentation after 90-microsecond pulsed CO(2) resurfacing may also be reduced. To date, there have been no comprehensive reports on the effect of varying pulse duration on the occurrence of hypopigmentation. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the relationship between pulse duration and the occurrence of hypopigmentation after CO(2) laser resurfacing. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 447 consecutive patients who were treated with a 90-microsecond pulsed CO(2) laser (n = 229) or a continuous wave CO(2) laser with a modifiable dwell time (100-950 microseconds, n = 218). Follow-up ranged from 8 to 61 months (median: 27). RESULTS: A series of 4 threshold dwell times (range: 90-950 microseconds) were used to divide patients into 2 treatment groups (above and below) at each threshold. The rates of hypopigmentation between groups were similar (range: 6.37%-9.09%) and serial chi-square testing revealed no statistical differences between groups for each dwell time tested (P < 1.0). CONCLUSION: No significant relationship between pulse duration and the occurrence of hypopigmentation was observed.     

Development of experimental carbohydrate-conjugate vaccines composed of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides and the universal helper T-lymphocyte epitope (PADRE)

Experimental carbohydrate-conjugate vaccines composed of the 13 amino acid universal Pan HLA-DR Epitope (PADRE) and Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 14, 6B and 9V were produced. Simple carbodiimide-mediated condensation chemistry was used to conjugate the PADRE synthetic peptide to the three chemically different capsular polysaccharides in a 1:1 molar ratio. The immunogenicity of the PADRE peptide component of the conjugate vaccines was confirmed by the induction of PADRE-specific CD4+ helper T cell (HTL) responses following immunization of C57BL/6 mice. High titer antibody responses specific for polysaccharides of S. pneumoniae serotypes 14, 6B and 9V were induced using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) and alhydrogel Al(OH)3 formulations. The HTL, or carrier, effect of the PADRE synthetic peptide was only evident using the PADRE-polysaccharide conjugates; simple mixtures of the PADRE peptide and polysaccharides were essentially nonimmunogenic. The functional or potential protective value of the polysaccharide-specific antibodies was measured as a function of opsonophagocytic activity for the 6B serotype. High titers of opsonophagocytic activity were measured in sera from mice immunized with formulations containing both adjuvants. These data demonstrate that the PADRE synthetic peptide can induce the HTL responses needed to support the development of antibodies specific for bacterial carbohydrates used in conjugate vaccines.     

Diverse profiles of specific IgE response to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-human serum albumin conjugate in TDI-induced asthma patients

The prevalence studies on specific IgE to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate in TDI-induced asthma have shown variable results. In this study, we attempted to compare specific IgE bindings to TDI-HSA conjugate and its specificity using 3 different conjugates. Sera were collected from 20 TDI-induced asthma and 10 controls. Specific IgE were measured by ELISA using three TDI-HSA conjugates; two from Carnegie Mellon (CM; 98 and 99 CM conjugates) and one from Ajou University. To evaluate specificity and cross-reactivity, ELISA inhibition tests were applied. Positive and negative predictive values between Ajou conjugate and 98 CM conjugate were 75% and 100%. Those between Ajou and 99 CM were 100% and 93.8%. One patient showed an isolated positive response to the Ajou with negative responses to the other two conjugates. ELISA inhibition test using this patient's serum revealed the significant inhibitions by the Ajou and minimal inhibitions by the others. On the other hand, another patient showed an isolated positive response to 99 CM with negative responses to the others, and ELISA inhibition test showed significant inhibition by 99 CM with minimal inhibitions by the others. These results suggest that specific IgE bindings to a new antigenic determinant of TDI-HSA conjugate can be heterogeneous and differ from one individual to another.     

Appendicitis During Pregnancy

Acute appendicitis is the most common extra-uterine surgical emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention during pregnancy [1]. Six young female patients presented with appendicitis during May 1996 to May 2001 in different service hospitals. Five patients underwent emergency appendectomy successfully. Gestational age at presentation included first trimester in 4 patients, second trimester in 2 patients and none in third trimester. 84% had pathologically proven acute appendicitis. One patient presented with appendicular lump in first trimester, proved on ultra sonography examination, which was treated by Oshner Sherren regime and subsequently interval appendectomy was done in second trimester. No long term adverse maternal morbidity or mortality was reported. One patient had premature onset of labour and delivered. Natural history of acute appendicitis is not changed during pregnancy while gestational physiological changes obscure the accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis.Key Words: Acute appendicitis, Appendectomy, Pregnancy     

Obstetric and nonmalignant gynecologic bleeding: treatment with angiographic embolization

Eight patients (seven post partum, one post abortion) with massive pelvic hemorrhage related to pregnancy and one patient with uncontrollable bleeding following a cervical biopsy underwent angiography to facilitate the identification and treatment of bleeding sites. In all nine patients pelvic hemorrhage was successfully controlled with embolization under angiographic guidance. Angiographic embolization allowed preservation of the uterus in six patients referred prior to hysterectomy, and one patient subsequently became pregnant. When conservative measures and minor surgical repairs have failed, embolization should be the next step in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage to avoid major surgery in an unstable patient and to maintain reproductive function.     

带有蛋白转导结构域的bcr/abl癌蛋白片段表达及其跨膜转运

0　引言　人类免疫缺陷病毒 (human immunodeficiencyvirus,HIV) - 1编码的反式激活蛋白 TAT具有独特的跨膜运转方式 ,而且有转导速度快 ,效率高的特点 ,被称为蛋白转导结构域 (protein transduction domain,PTD) [1 ,2 ] .本研究用PCR扩增了慢性粒细胞白血病慢粒 bcr/ abl融合蛋白的基因片段 ,在其 5′端融合 PTD结构域的编码区后在大肠杆菌中进行了表达 .表达产物经纯化后 ,加入培养的 HL 6 0细胞 ,表达的蛋白可直接进入细胞内 .这一结果为用外源蛋白负载(L oading)免疫细胞提供了新的途径 .1　材料和方法1.1　 DNA重组　人工合…