Paragonimus westermani: cloning of a cathepsin F-like cysteine proteinase from the adult worm.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
H Park
Publications and source records attributed to H Park.
Occurrence of a diploid type and a new first intermediate host of a human lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani, in Korea.
The biology, chromosome number, and karyotype of a lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani (Kerbert, 1878) collected in Haenam, Haenam-gun Chollanam-do, Korea were analyzed. We compared the size of metacercariae from Haenam with those taken from a crayfish collected at Youngam, Youngam-gun, Chollanam-do, Korea. The mean length of P. westermani metacercariae from Haenam was 300.3 microm and that from Youngam was 362.0 microm. Adult worms were recovered from the lungs of experimentally infected dogs. The mean egg sizes obtained from adult flukes were 72.1 x 46.8 microm from Haenam and 93.5 x 54.2 microm from Youngam. Semisulcospira tegulata collected in the Youngam area were found to be infected with cercariae of P. westermani, one of the snail-borne human lung fluke trematodes in Korea. Of 4218 snails studied, 5 (0.12%) harbored P. westrermani larvae. This is the first report of S. tegulata serving as the initial intermediate host of P. westermani. The chromosome numbers of P. westermani from Haenam and Youngam were 2n = 22 and 3n = 33. The diploid type of P. westermani has not been previously reported in Korea.
Animals↗
Identification of four novel mutations in classical Menkes disease and successful prenatal DNA diagnosis.
Menkes disease is an X-linked recessive disorder of the copper metabolism and affected males suffer a systemic copper deficiency due to malabsorption and defective distribution of dietary copper. It is caused by a defect in the Menkes (ATP7A) gene, which encodes a transmembrane copper-transporting P-type ATPase. A variety of mutations were reported; however, only a few mutations were reported in Asian patients. We identified four novel mutations and one known mutation in five Korean patients. Arg646Ter in exon 8, a novel mutation transmitted from his carrier mother, was identified in one patient. Prenatal DNA diagnosis on an unaffected fetus in this carrier mother was successfully accomplished. An additional three novel mutations, Leu706Arg in exon 9, Gly1118Asp in exon 17, and Gly1255Arg in exon 19, were identified. Splicing mutation was not identified. Menkes disease in Korean patients appears to be caused by heterogeneous mutations with different spectrums from Caucasian patients.
Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
Lipopolysaccharide temporarily impairs sphincter of Oddi motility.
The aim of our study was to determine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on sphincter of Oddi (SO) motility. Opossums received saline, Escherichia coli LPS (1.0 mg/kg), or E. coli LPS (1.0 mg/kg) and aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg), and the SO was removed 6-24 h later. At 12 h LPS decreased electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxation and increased baseline tone. These changes were reversed when the animals were pretreated with aminoguanidine. The dose-dependent decrease in EFS-induced relaxation by N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine was impaired after LPS, but not in animals that received LPS and aminoguanidine. The impaired EFS-induced relaxation after LPS was reversed when l-arginine was added to the tissue bath. Serum levels of NO(-)(2)/NO(-)(3) were increased with LPS as compared to saline or both LPS and aminoguanidine. Inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA was readily seen in SO segments after LPS. LPS impairs EFS-induced relaxation and increases baseline tone of the SO. The effects of LPS on SO motility appear to be mediated by nitric oxide.
Animals↗
HIV-1 integrase inhibitory phenylpropanoid glycosides from Clerodendron trichotomum.
Seven phenylpropanoid glycosides named acteoside (1), acteoside isomer (2), leucosceptoside A (3), plantainoside C (4), jionoside D (5), martynoside (6), and isomartynoside (7) were isolated from Clerodendron trichotomum. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent inhibitory activities against HIV-1 integrase with IC50 values of 7.8 +/- 3.6 and 13.7 +/- 6.0 microM, respectively.
Disaccharides↗
Synthesis of (+/-)-methyl-(1-aryl-4-pyridin-3-yl-but-3-enyl)-amines.
trans-Metanicotine, a subtype (alpha4beta2)-selective ligand for neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, is under clinical phase for Alzheimer's disease. An efficient synthetic route for (+/-)-methyl-(1-aryl-4-pyridin-3-yl-but-3-enyl)-amines, derivatives of trans-metanicotine, was explored. Allylation reaction of aryl aldimines with allylmagnesium bromide in THF gave (+/-)-methyl-(1-aryl-but-3-enyl)-amines. Protection of the amines with the Boc group and following Heck reaction of the N-Boc amines with 3-bromopyridine gave (+/-)-methyl-(1-aryl-4-pyridin-3-yl-but-3-enyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl esters. Deprotection of the N-Boc group in aqueous 1N-HCI solution gave the titled amines in good yields. Thus, trans-metanicotine analogues modified at the a-position of the methylamino group with aryl groups were obtained in 5 steps.
Nicotine↗
Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of cephalosporins with a pyridinium substituent carrying an isoxazole moiety at the C-3 position.
Several quaternary pyridinium cephalosporin analogues were prepared and evaluated in vitro for antibacterial activity against selected gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Most of the synthesized analogues were either as effective or less effective against the tested bacterial organisms than the reference compounds, Cefpirome and Ceftazidime.
Cephalosporins↗
Evaluation of occupational health service systems in small- and medium-sized industries in Korea.
OBJECTIVES: To establish a system of analytical methodology that can be used to evaluate an occupational health service system, to evaluate the performance of different types of the system in small- and medium-sized industries using the evaluation model, and to identify factors which influence the performance of an occupational health service system. METHODS: The input-output-outcome aspects of two different systems, capitation-based Group health services and fee-for-service-based Individual health services, were examined, based on a causal model. Each causal relationship in the model was tested for its statistical significance by the linear regression technique based on the ordinary least square method. Data from 16 enterprises in the Group-type, 17 enterprises in the Individual-type, and 32 enterprises in the Transitional Group-type were used in the analyses. RESULTS: In the Group model, enterprises utilized fewer resources for occupational services, their workers were provided with more services when services such as medical examinations were supplied directly by the system, and they had worse outcome measures of health and industrial injuries. The latter was the result of less input and fewer services, the supply of which was not within the direct control of the system, such as compliance with the recommendation to install machine safety devices and the proper maintenance and operation of these devices. CONCLUSIONS: Although study results revealed problem areas in the performance of the Group system, the study found a potential for an effective and efficient system in the Group-type with efforts geared to the better follow-up of work environment problems.
Humans↗
[D-Leu(1)] microcystin-LR, a new microcystin isoplated from waterbloom in a Canadian prairie lake.
A previously undescribed cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin was isolated from a cyanobacteria waterbloom collected in Pakowki Lake, Alberta, Canada (49 degrees 20'N and 110 degrees 55'W). The compound was characterized by amino acid analysis, ESIMS/CID/MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and UV spectroscopy. Structure of the new microcystin was assigned as [D-Leu(1)]microcystin-LR (1). The amino acid composition is the same as microcystin-LR (2) except for D-Leu and L-Leu in 1 instead of D-Ala and L-Leu in 2. This is the first microcystin identified, among the 64 known microcystins, that has both a D- and L-Leu amino acid. Toxicity as measured by the protein phosphatase inhibition activity of 1 is similar to microcystin-LR. The presence of microcystins in waterblooms from this lake is discussed in relation to the almost yearly bird mortalities that have occurred there since 1995.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
A hybrid artificial neural network as a software sensor for optimal control of a wastewater treatment process.
For control and automation of biological treatment processes, lack of reliable on-line sensors to measure water quality parameters is one of the most important problems to overcome. Many parameters cannot be measured directly with on-line sensors. The accuracy of existing hardware sensors is also not sufficient and maintenance problems such as electrode fouling often cause trouble. This paper deals with the development of software sensor techniques that estimate the target water quality parameter from other parameters using the correlation between water quality parameters. We focus our attention on the preprocessing of noisy data and the selection of the best model feasible to the situation. Problems of existing approaches are also discussed. We propose a hybrid neural network as a software sensor inferring wastewater quality parameter. Multivariate regression, artificial neural networks (ANN), and a hybrid technique that combines principal component analysis as a preprocessing stage are applied to data from industrial wastewater processes. The hybrid ANN technique shows an enhancement of prediction capability and reduces the overfitting problem of neural networks. The result shows that the hybrid ANN technique can be used to extract information from noisy data and to describe the nonlinearity of complex wastewater treatment processes.
Automation↗
Mixture of N-carbamoyl-L-glutamate plus L-arginine can protect rats with liver cirrhosis from acute ammonia intoxication.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We earlier reported that N-carbamoyl-L-glutamate (CG) plus L-arginine (Arg) protected normal and 70% hepatectomized rats from intoxication by a lethal or sub-lethal dose of ammonium acetate, respectively. In the present study, the protective effect of these compounds on cirrhotic rats was assessed. METHODS: CG plus Arg were administered prior to the injection of a sub-lethal dose of ammonium acetate into dimethylnitrosamine-induced cirrhotic rats. Control rats were given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) instead of the mixture. The behavior of the rats was monitored until the time of sacrifice. Blood ammonia level, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and liver carbamoylphosphate synthetase I (CPS I) activity were determined. RESULTS: Pretreatment of rats with the mixture of CG plus Arg could significantly lower the blood ammonia level (P<0.05), increase the activity of CPS I (P<0.05), improve abnormal behavior associated with ammonia intoxication (P<0.05), and increase BUN (P<0.05), as compared with the PBS-injected control group. There were significantly close correlations between (1) the increase of CPS I activity; (2) the improvement of abnormal behavior; (3) the increase of BUN; and (4) the decrease of the blood ammonia level. CONCLUSIONS: A mixture of CG plus Arg could protect rats with liver cirrhosis from acute ammonia intoxication.
Acetates↗
Health risk factors and occupation among Iowa workers.
BACKGROUND: Health behaviors represent major risks for premature morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to establish whether health risks varied substantially across occupational groups. METHODS: We focused on the 2223 Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) subjects who reported, in 1999, that they were currently working. RESULTS: Even after controlling for age and gender, we found significant associations between occupation and health risk factors. We found these associations among the different categories of health risk factors, including insurance/access, health conditions, preventive behaviors, and screening behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The considerable differences in the prevalence of risk factors for chronic disease and injury across occupational groups in Iowa underscore the need for nationwide ongoing collection of occupational status in the BRFSS. These national data on the distribution of risk factors across occupations will support development of more targeted prevention interventions.
Adolescent↗
Regulation of gene expression, cellular localization, and in vivo function of Caenorhabditis elegans DNA topoisomerase I.
BACKGROUND: DNA topoisomerase I is dispensable in yeast, but is essential during the embryogenesis of Drosophila and mouse. In order to determine functions of the enzyme in the development of Caenorhabditis elegans, phenotypes resulting from the deficiency were observed and correlated with the expression of the gene. RESULTS: The transcriptional regulation of the C. elegans DNA topoisomerase I gene was investigated by mRNA localization and reporter gene expression in C. elegans. The mRNA was expressed in the gonad and in the early embryos, followed by a rapid decrease in its level during the late embryonic stage. A reporter gene expression induced by the 5'-upstream DNA sequence appeared at the comma stage of embryos, continued through the L1 larval stage, and began to decrease gradually afterwards. The DNA topoisomerase I protein was immuno-localized in the nuclei of meiotic gonad cells and interphase embryonic cells, and unexpectedly in centrosomes of mitotic embryonic cells. Double-stranded RNA interference of DNA topoisomerase I gene expression resulted in pleiotropic phenotypes showing abnormal gonadogenesis, oocyte development and embryogenesis. CONCLUSION: These phenotypes, along with expressional regulations, demonstrate that DNA topoisomerase I plays important roles in rapidly growing germ cells and embryonic cells.
Animals↗
7-feruloylloganin: an iridoid glucoside from stems of Lonicera insularis.
A new iridoid glucoside, 7-feruloylloganin (1), was isolated from stems of Lonicera insularis, along with six known lignans including (-)-pinoresinol, 9alpha-hydroxypinoresinol, balanophonin, erythro-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-[2-formyl-(E)-vinyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol, threo-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-[2-formyl-(E)-vinyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol and buddlenol A. The structure of 1 was determined by analyses of 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC) and HRFABMS.
Glucosides↗
Isolation of virus-cell fusion inhibitory components from Eugenia caryophyllata.
The fractionation of Eugenia caryophyllata (Myrtaceae) guided by the syncytia formation inhibition assay led to the isolation of four tannins (eugeniin, casuarictin, 1,3-di-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose, and tellimagrandin I), and two chromones (biflorin and isobiflorin). Among the isolated compounds, tellimagrandin (4) showed a significantly high inhibitory activity on the syncytia formation with an IC50 value of 16.12 +/- 1.98 micrograms/ml.
Chromones↗
A comparison of Greater Taper files, ProFiles, and stainless steel files to shape curved root canals.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of engine-driven nickel-titanium files to maintain the original curvature of root canals during canal preparation. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 36 simulated curved canals on resin blocks were instrumented with Greater Taper (GT) files, ProFiles, and stainless steel files. With the mounting device, which can reproduce the same position of the resin blocks and the camera, the unprepared and prepared canals were accurately compared by means of a double-exposure photographic technique. The analysis of variance test was used for the statistical analysis of data obtained. RESULTS: The canals prepared by means of a ProFile with a 6% taper up to the working length were excellent in taper and in maintaining the original curvature. The canals prepared with GT files were also found to be excellent in taper and in maintaining the original curvature; however, these canals showed a slight enlargement toward the inner side at the beginning of the curvature. The canals prepared with stainless steel files showed nontapered widening and severe transportation. CONCLUSION: The canals prepared with GT files and ProFiles were excellently tapered and maintained the original curvature of the canals in comparison with the ones prepared with stainless steel files.
Analysis of Variance↗
Evaluation of porous ceramic as microbial carrier of biofilter to remove toluene vapor.
Three kinds of porous ceramic microbe media are fabricated from fly ash, diatomite and a mixture of fly ash and diatomite powders. Water holding capacity, density, porosity, pore size and distribution, compressive strength and micro-structure of each of the fabricated media are measured and compared. The fly ash and diatomite mixture ceramic is evaluated as the best biofilter medium among the three media because of its high compressive strength. It is selected as an experimental biofilter medium inoculated with thickened activated sludge. The laboratory scale biofilter was operated for 42 days under various experimental conditions varying in inlet toluene concentration and flow rate of contaminated air stream. The experimental result shows that the removal efficiency reaches up to 96.6% after 4 days from the start-up. Nutrient limitation is considered as a major factor limiting biofilter efficiency. Biofilter efficiency decreases substantially at the build-up of backpressure, which is largely due to the accumulation of excess VSS within the media. Periodic backwashing of the biofilter is necessary to remove excess biomass and attain stable long-term high removal efficiency. The bed needs to be backwashed when the overall pressure drop becomes greater than 460.6 Pa at space velocity of 100 h-1. A maximum flow rate of 444.85 g m-3hr-1 of toluene elimination by the mixture ceramic biofilter, which is higher than the previously reported values. This indicates that the fly ash and diatomite mixture ceramic biofilter can be effectively applied for removing toluene vapor.
Air Pollutants↗
Farm-related dermatoses in Iowa male farmers and wives of farmers: a cross-sectional analysis of the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project.
Agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of hazards that increase their risk for dermatitis. Nevertheless, the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors for dermatitis have not been well characterized among farmers in the United States. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for dermatitis among 382 male farmers and 256 wives of farmers in Iowa using a cross-sectional study design. From 1992 to 1994, we collected data on potential risk factors and dermatitis. The results showed that 9.6% of male farmers and 14.4% of wives of farmers reported dermatitis during the previous 12-month period. In multivariable models, a history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 8.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0 to 33.3) was strongly associated with dermatitis among male farmers. Among wives of farmers, some college education (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 9.9) and exposure to petroleum products (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.0) were associated with dermatitis. These results can be used to form preventive efforts in controlling farmwork-related exposures.
Adult↗