• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1336-1344
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• 2011

This study details and examines a novel ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LM-PCR) method. Named the LM-PCR/Shifter, it relies on the use of a Class IIS restriction enzyme giving restriction fragments with different 4-base, 5' overhangs, this being the Shifter, and the ligation of appropriate oligonucleotide adapters. A sequence of 4-base, 5' overhangs of the adapter and a 4-base sequence of the 3' end of the primer(s) determine a subset of the genomic restriction fragments, which are amplified by PCR. The method permits the differentiation of bacterial species strains on the basis of the different DNA band patterns obtained after electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels stained with ethidium bromide and visualized in UV light. The usefulness of the LM-PCR/Shifter method for genotyping is analyzed by a comparison with the restriction endonuclease analysis of chromosomal DNA by the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (REA-PFGE) and PCR melting profile (PCR MP) methods for isolates of clinical origin. The clustering of the LM-PCR/Shifter fingerprinting data matched those of the REA-PFGE and PCR MP methods. We found that the LM-PCR/Shifter is rapid, and offers good discriminatory power and excellent reproducibility, making it a method that may be effectively applied in epidemiological studies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.258-265
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• 2024

Purpose: To date, there is no region-specific guideline for pediatric endoscopy training. This study aimed to illustrate the current status of pediatric endoscopy training in Asia-Pacific region and identify opportunities for improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a standardized electronic questionnaire, was conducted among medical schools in the Asia-Pacific region in January 2024. Results: A total of 57 medical centers in 12 countries offering formal Pediatric Gastroenterology training programs participated in this regional survey. More than 75% of the centers had an average case load of <10 cases per week for both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies. Only 36% of the study programs employed competency-based outcomes for program development, whereas nearly half (48%) used volume-based curricula. Foreign body retrieval, polypectomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and esophageal variceal hemostasis, that is, sclerotherapy or band ligation (endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy and endoscopic variceal ligation), comprised the top four priorities that the trainees should acquire in the autonomous stage (unconscious) of competence. Regarding the learning environment, only 31.5% provided formal hands-on workshops/simulation training. The direct observation of procedural skills was the most commonly used assessment method. The application of a quality assurance (QA) system in both educational and patient care (Pediatric Endoscopy Quality Improvement Network) aspects was present in only 28% and 17% of the centers, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with Western academic societies, the limited availability of cases remains a major concern. To close this gap, simulation and adult endoscopy training are essential. The implementation of reliable and valid assessment tools and QA systems can lead to significant development in future programs.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.2 s.27
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• pp.15-24
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• 1980

[${\alpha}$]-Amylase catalyses the hydrolysis of starch, glycogen, and related poly- and oligosac-charide by random cleavage of ${\alpha}$-D-(l-4) glucan linkage. In man large amounts of amylase are secreted into the digestive tract by the salivary and exocrine pancreatic gland, minimal amount being produced also in other tissues. It has been known that ${\alpha}$-amylase exists in multiple molecular forms, isoenzyme which can be separated from each other because of difference in their physicochemical properties. By using various methods, several groups of investigator have separated the many isoenzyme in serum, saliva and pancreatic juice. Furthermore, changes of the normal serum isoenzyme pattern is diagnostically useful even when the total serum enzyme activity is noninformative, such as the clinical use of isoenzyme of serum lactate dehydrogenase. Procarboxypeptidase-A which is one of the pancreatic enzymes is also present as isoenzymes. Four forms of procarboxypeptidase-A haye been found in the bovine enzyme and three forms of the porcine enzyme. In human pancreatic juice four forms of procarboxypeptidase-A isoenzyme were found by isoelectric focusing method. Recently, the so-called isoamylase analysis was developed for the diagnostic use of amylase in pancreatic diseases. In alcohotic patients, the serum concentration of pancreatic isoamylase is subnormal and this lowered activity provides strong evidence for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the variations of the isoenzyme of amylase and procarboxypeptidase-A in serum, saliva and pancreatic juice of the experimental animals. The results are as follow. 1) Three main forms of isoenzyme of amylase by isoelectric focusing were found in pancreatic juice of normal rabbit. However, many new bands were appeared in the pancreatic juice of cholic acid administered animal intravenously while the infusion of cholic acid or elastase into pancreatic duct produced the decrease of number of the fractions on the isoelectric focusing. In the case of serum isoenzyme from normal animal, two major and a few minor isoamylases were observed. By injecting alcohol intravenousely the fractions of serum isoamylase were significantly decreased and in contrary to the pattern in the pancreatic juice the infusion of cholic acid or elastase into pancreatic duct exhitited a significant decrease of the isoenzyme of amylase fractions. In saliva from normal animal three main isoamylase were produced of the administration of alcohol. 2) In the case of procarboxypeptidase-A isoenzyme, two major fractions which have isoelectric point at 6.2 and 6.4 and other two minor bands were observed in the pancreatic juice of normal rabbit. By the treatment of the juice with trypsin, only one band was produced on the isoelectric focusing. No procarboxypeptidase was appeared on the electrofocusing by the infusion of cholic acid or phospholipase A into the pancreatic duct of rabbit. However, a single major fraction of procarboxypeptidase-A was appeared at 3 hr after simple ligation of the pancreatic duct. No significant changes were observed in the juice of the alcohol or cholic acid administered group.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.781-789
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• 1999

Background: Pulmonary artery banding(PAB) accompanies some risks in the aspect of band complications and mortality in the second-stage operation. To assess these risks of the second-stage operation after PAB, we reviewed the surgical results of the second-stage operation in the pediatric patients who had undergone PAB in infancy. Material and Method: From May 1988 to June 1997, a total of 29 patients with preliminary PAB underwent open heart surgery. Ages ranged from 2 to 45 months(mean 20.6$\pm$9.0 months). Preoperative congestive heart failure conditions were improved after PAB(elective operation group) in 27 patients, but early second-stage procedures were required in the remaining 2 patients due to sustaining congestive heart failure(early operation group). Preoperative surgical indications included 2 double outlet right ventricles(DORV group) and 27 ventricular septal defects as the main cardiac anomaly(VSD group). Result: The mean time interval from PAB to the second-stage operation was 15.5$\pm$8.7 months(range 5 days to 45 months). One patient in the DORV group underwent intraventricular tunnel repair and modified Glenn procedure in the other. In the VSD group, the VSD was closed with a Dacron patch in all patients. Concomitant procedures included a right ventricular infundibulectomy in 4 patients and a valvectomy of the dysplastic pulmonary valve in 1 patient. At the second-stage operations, pulmonary angioplasty was required due to the stenotic banding sites in 18 patients. One patient underwent complete ligation of the main pulmonary artery with the modified Glenn procedure. The mortality at the second-stage operation was 17.2%(5 patients). Causes of death were 4 low cardiac output, and 1 autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Diagnosis with DORV and the early operative group were the risk factors for operative death in this series. There was 1 late death. Conclusion: This study revealed the second-stage operation for pulmonary artery debanding and closure of VSD in children was complicated by the correction of the acquired lesions with a significantly high incidence of morbidity and early postoperative deaths. Primary repair is recommended for isolated VSD, if possible.