No abstract available.
Blood Donors* ; HIV* ; Humans ; Mass Screening*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

Some variables can influence the efficiency of leukocyte removal filter for red cell concentrates. We performed this study to evaluate whether the filtration efficiency for platelet concentrates(PCs) can be influenced by bedside filter(PXL8K, Pall Corporation, USA) used, platelet storage time and transient stopping of platelet agitation, and to measure the amount of cytokines released from donor leukocytes in PCs during the storage time. In addition, we examined the effect of leukocyte reduction by filtration before the storage of PCs on the subsequent generation of cytokines. Any of the above mentioned variables did not make significant differences. From day 1 to day 5, there were significant increases in IL-1 beta (<1 vs. 8.6 pg/mL, p<0.05), IL-8 (<10 vs. 455.3 pg/mL, p<0.05) and TNF-alpha (<4 vs. 16.6 pg/mL, p<0.05) in unflltered PCs, whereas no increased revels of cytokines were found in the cases of prestorage filtration.
Blood Platelets* ; Cytokines ; Dihydroergotamine ; Filtration* ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-8 ; Leukocytes* ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

It is very important to prevent hemolytic transfusion reaction. We experienced 1 case of transfusion in liver transplantation patient with multiple unexpected antibodies. On crossmatching for 20 pRBC (packed red blood cells), weak reactions were observed in room temperature, but strong reactions were observed in 37 , and AHG (antihuman globulin) phase. The patient had unexpected antibodies of anti-C, anti-Jka, anti-Dia. The probabilitis of compatible blood of anti-C, anti-Jka, anti-Dia in Koreans had been reported to be 14.2%, 32.8%, and 90%, respectively. We received 217 units of C antigen-negative pRBCs prepared by typing of 2679 type B pRBCs from Central, Eastern and Southern Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross. From the 217 units, 60 units of pRBCs compatible with patient's serum in AHG phase were prepared in our laboratory. The hemolytic tranfusion reaction can be successfully prevented by aid of Blood Center of Korean Red Cross and it should be emphasized that performing crossmatching including AHG phase is very important.
Antibodies* ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Red Cross ; Transplantation*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

OBJECTIVES: We report an outbreak of skin disorder in semiconductor packing workers. Through an evaluation of the degree of work-relatedness in this case, we aim to develop a method to overcome such health problems in the workplace. METHODS: A questionnaire investigating the job characteristics and skin symptoms was administered to 51 packing workers working in a semiconductor production factory and 49 questionnaires returned. The 16 subjects in the exposure group and 12 in the non-exposure group underwent doctor's examination and patch test. Two of 28 subjects were excluded in patch test. We investigated the work environment and carbon fiber level which was the potential causative agent. RESULTS: Forty-five (91.8%) of 49 packing workers complained of itching and stinging. Three of 14(21.4%) in the exposure group and 3 of 11 (27.3%) in the non-exposure group were positive at 48hr reading of patch test for carbon fiber and carbon fiber paper. None was positive at 96hr reading of patch test. Prominent carbon fibers were microscopically observed on the surface of the packing box and the fiber diameter, measured up to 6.0~7.5 micrometer, was likely to induce skin irritation to skin. To avoid worker's direct contact with to carbon fiber, carbon fiber paper box was substituted by a wax coated carbon fiber paper box was substituted for the original carbon fiber paper box, which caused and the workers' symptoms to of workers disappeared. CONCLUSION: The probably cause of this outbreak of skin disorder was mild irritant contact dermatitis for carbon fiber. To prevent outbreaks of such occupational skin disorder like this, workers should avoid direct contact with carbon fiber.
Bites and Stings ; Carbon* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Disease Outbreaks ; Patch Tests ; Pruritus ; Questionnaires ; Semiconductors ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major cancers with a high incidence and mortality in Korea. A Korean multidisciplinary collaborative committee consisting of hepatologists, radiologists, epidemiologists and family medicine doctors systematically reviewed clinical practice guidelines in the world and literatures. The level of evidence for each recommendation was assessed and discussed to reach a consensus. Meta-analysis was also conducted to evaluate the grade of recommendation for the five key questions. Several randomized controlled studies and cohort studies showed a survival gain associated with surveillance for those at risk of developing HCC. The target populations for HCC surveillance were identified as hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus carriers and cirrhotic patients, since numerous studies revealed that these patients have significantly higher risk of HCC compared with non-infected or non-cirrhotic controls. Individual surveillance strategy according to treatment history or degree of fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis remains to be settled. Based on several cohort and randomized studies, a surveillance interval of six months was recommend. The starting age of surveillance was determined as 40 years from the epidemiologic data. Although ultrasonography (US) is the mainstay for detection of HCC, its sensitivity is not fully accepted. Measurement of serum alpha-fetoprotein can complement US examination, increasing the sensitivity of HCC detection. The recommendation for HCC surveillance is that those with hepatitis B virus (or hepatitis C virus) infection or cirrhosis should have liver US and serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement every six months from 40 years of age or at the time of diagnosis of cirrhosis.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cohort Studies ; Complement System Proteins ; Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Liver ; Mortality ; Ultrasonography