BACKGROUND: Microbial screening tests of umbilical cord blood (UCB) are essential for stem cell transplantation. We analyzed the microbial contamination rate and distribution of isolated microorganisms over 10 years of samples from the MEDIPOST Cord Blood Bank. In addition, we studied the influence of inoculum volume microorganism culture and compared the yield and speed of microorganism detection. METHODS: Microbial screening tests were performed using a manual method, which includes using an inoculum of 2 mL of plasma, a byproduct of UCB processing from pediatric culture bottles. When positive blood culture was detected, each set was once again inoculated with 2 mL and 4 mL of plasma. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, a total of 133,610 UCB units were screened, of which 1,311 (0.9%) tested positive for contamination. The most frequently identified microorganism was Escherichia coli (34.6%), followed by Bacillus spp. (12.8%), Enterococcus faecalis (5.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.4%). The total yield rate increased by 0.2% over this time period, although the yield rate of Bacillus spp. increased by 8.3%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study could be used in many ways with both domestic and international data regarding cord blood contamination. Also, other microbiology laboratories using culture conditions similar to ours could refer this study when preparing guidelines. Finally, by detecting low levels of bacteria, we have contributed to cord blood safety.
Bacillus ; Bacteria ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Escherichia coli ; Fetal Blood* ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Mass Screening ; Plasma ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Umbilical Cord*

The aims of this study were to clarify the topography and variations stylopharyngeus (STP) and superior constrictor (SC) muscles, and to examine what role they play in the pharyngeal movement. Forty-four specimens (22 right and 22 left sides) from embalmed Korean adult cadavers (13 males, 9 females; age range, 46–89 years; mean age, 69.2 years) were used in this study. The accessory bundle of STP and petropharyngeus was found in 18.2% (8/44) and 25.0% (11/44) of cases, respectively. A variation of the STP, in which it ran transversely and merged with the SC muscle, was found in 2.3% (1/44) of cases while a variation of the SC muscle, in which it ran longitudinally and merged with the contralateral constrictors, was found in 11.4% (5/44). The variant muscle bundles play their own role in pharyngeal movement according to their morphology. These results provide information that will help a comprehensive understanding of the effects of pharyngeal muscles on movement.

OBJECTIVES: "Internet-addiction" came into common use not only in clinical setting but also in everyday life. But, pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria of the internet addiction remain unknown. Because adolescents are in developing period, they might be vulnerable to the internet addiction, depression and sleep-related problem. The objectives of this study were to investigate the characteristics of internet addiction and its association with sleep pattern and depression in Korean adolescence. METHODS: Subjects were 799 middle and high school students in Seoul, Korea. We administered a self-reported questionnaire including socio-demographic data, Korean versions of Young's Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression Scale (CES-D) and questions about internet using patterns. Data of 696 subjects were included in analysis. Chi-square tests were used to analyze proportional differences, and ANOVA with post-hoc tests were used to analyze differences among groups. Partial correlation analyses were performed to analyze the correlation of internet addiction with other variables (two-tailed, p<0.05). RESULTS: Of the 696 participants (grade 2 of middle school;M2 135 vs. grade 1 of high school;H1 238 vs. grade 2 of high school;H2 323), 2.0% (n=14) were internet-addicted (IA), 27.7% (n=193) were over-using (OU) and 70.3% (n=489) were not-addicted (NA). The mean scores of YIAS, PSQI and CES-D scores were 35.24+/-12.78, 5.53+/-3.04 and 16.72+/-8.69, respectively. In higher grade students, average total sleep time was shorter (M2 426.20+/-67.68 min. vs. H1 380.47+/-62.57 min. vs. H2 354.67+/-73.37 min., F=51.909, p<0.001), and PSQI (4.69+/-3.14 vs. 5.42+/-3.15 vs. 5.97+/-2.83, F=8.871, p<0.001) CES-D (13.53+/-8.37 vs. 16.96+/-8.24 vs. 17.87+/-8.84, F=12.373, p<0.001) scores were higher than those of lower grade students. Comparing variables among IA, OU and NA groups, computer using time not for study (96.36+/-63.31 min. vs. 134.92+/-86.79 min. vs. 213.57+/-136.87 min., F=34.287, p<0.001) and portable device using time not for study (84.22+/-79.11 min. vs. 96.97+/-91.89 min. vs. 152.31+/- 93.64 min., F=5.400, p=0.005) were different among groups. PSQI (5.26+/-2.97 vs. 6.08+/-2.97 vs. 7.50+/-4.41, F=8.218, p<0.001) and CES-D scores (15.40+/-8.08 vs. 19.05+/-8.42 vs. 30.43+/-13.69, F=32.692, p<0.001) were also different among groups. YIAS score were correlated with computer using time not for study (r=0.356, p<0.001) and portable device using time not for study (r=0.136, p<0.001). PSQI score (r=0.237, p<0.001) and CES-D score (r=0.332, p<0.001). YIAS score and PSQI score (r=0.131, p=0.001), YIAS and CES-D score (r=0.265, p<0.001), PSQI score and CES-D score (r=0.357, p<0.001) were correlated each other. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that adolescents' internet-addiction was correlated with not only computer and portable device using time not for study but also depression and sleep-related problems. We should pay attention to depression and sleep-related problems, when evaluating internet-addiction in adolescents.
Adolescent ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Internet ; Korea ; Porphyrins ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) implemented in FibroScan(R) is reported to be a non-invasive means of detecting steatosis (>10% steatosis). We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of CAP in detecting steatosis among health checkup examinees and to assess its correlation with ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Consecutive CAP results were retrospectively collected. A total of 280 subjects were included. RESULTS: Fatty liver was detected in 119 subjects (42.5%) by US, whereas it was detected in 160 subjects (57.1%) by the CAP. The numbers of subjects with S0:S1:S2:S3 steatosis according to the CAP value were 120:59:58:43, respectively. The mean CAP values were 203.34+/-28.39 dB/m for S0, 248.83+/-6.14 dB/m for S1, 274.33+/-8.53 dB/m for S2, and 322.35+/-22.20 dB/m for S3. CAP values were correlated with body weight (r=0.404, p<0.001), body mass index (r=0.445, p<0.001), and the fatty liver grade by US (r=0.472, p<0.001). Among the 161 subjects with normal US findings, steatosis was detected in 65 subjects (40.4%) using the CAP. CONCLUSIONS: The CAP seems to be useful for detecting very low-grade hepatic steatosis in health checkup examinees. Its role in predicting subjects with a risk of metabolic derangement needs to be evaluated.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/*methods ; Fatty Liver/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/*ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination/*methods ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) implemented in FibroScan(R) is reported to be a non-invasive means of detecting steatosis (>10% steatosis). We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of CAP in detecting steatosis among health checkup examinees and to assess its correlation with ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Consecutive CAP results were retrospectively collected. A total of 280 subjects were included. RESULTS: Fatty liver was detected in 119 subjects (42.5%) by US, whereas it was detected in 160 subjects (57.1%) by the CAP. The numbers of subjects with S0:S1:S2:S3 steatosis according to the CAP value were 120:59:58:43, respectively. The mean CAP values were 203.34+/-28.39 dB/m for S0, 248.83+/-6.14 dB/m for S1, 274.33+/-8.53 dB/m for S2, and 322.35+/-22.20 dB/m for S3. CAP values were correlated with body weight (r=0.404, p<0.001), body mass index (r=0.445, p<0.001), and the fatty liver grade by US (r=0.472, p<0.001). Among the 161 subjects with normal US findings, steatosis was detected in 65 subjects (40.4%) using the CAP. CONCLUSIONS: The CAP seems to be useful for detecting very low-grade hepatic steatosis in health checkup examinees. Its role in predicting subjects with a risk of metabolic derangement needs to be evaluated.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/*methods ; Fatty Liver/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/*ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination/*methods ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index

Headache is a frequent complaint in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Nevertheless, no detailed information on the pathophysiology of headache in COVID-19 infection is currently limited. We encountered a patient developing headache, diplopia, and intracranial hypertension after COVID-19 infection. The patient no more complained of headache and diplopia after the intracranial pressure was normalized. Our case suggests that intracranial hypertension is a mechanism of headache in COVID-19 infection. We report herein a case of transient intracranial hypertension after COCVID-19 infection.

Hereditary angioedema is a disease of congenital deficiency or functional defect in the C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) consequent to mutation in the SERPING1 gene, which encodes C1-INH. This disease manifests as recurrent, non-pitting, non-pruritic subcutaneous, or submucosal edema as well as an erythematous rash in some cases. These symptoms result from the uncontrolled localized production of bradykinin. The most commonly affected sites are the extremities, face, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory system. When the respiratory system is affected by hereditary angioedema, swelling of the airway can restrict breathing and lead to life-threatening obstruction. Herein, we report a case of a 24-year-old woman with type 2 hereditary angioedema who presented with recurrent episodic abdominal pain and swelling of the extremities. She had no family history of angioedema. Although her C4 level was markedly decreased (3.40 mg/dL; normal range: 10-40 mg/dL), she presented with a very high C1-INH level (81.0 mg/dL; normal range: 21.0-39.0 mg/dL) and abnormally low C1-INH activity (less than 25%; normal range: 70%-130%). The SERPING1 gene mutation was confirmed in this patient. She was treated with prophylactic tranexamic acid, as needed, and subsequently reported fewer and less severe episodes. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of type 2 hereditary angioedema in Korea that was consequent to SERPING1 mutation and involved a significantly elevated level of C1-INH as well as a low level of C1-INH activity.
Abdominal Pain ; Angioedema ; Angioedemas, Hereditary* ; Bradykinin ; Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein ; Edema ; Exanthema ; Extremities ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Korea ; Reference Values ; Respiration ; Respiratory System ; Tranexamic Acid ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among medical students in South Korea. METHODS: Students from one medical school, who were in second- or third-year classes before clerkship course, were enrolled for three consecutive years in the study. A standard questionnaire was given to each participant, and tuberculin skin test (TST), QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay, and chest radiography were performed. RESULTS: A total of 153 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 21.9+/-0.9 years, 105 (68.6%) were male, and 132 (86.3%) had been vaccinated with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Four students (2.6%) had a history of contact with tuberculosis (TB) patients during medical practice. No abnormal chest radiograph findings were found for any of the subjects. Of the 153 subjects, 23 (15.0%) tested positive for the TST, and 8 (5.2%) tested positive for the QFT-GIT. The agreement between the two tests was determined to be 0.34 using kappa coefficients. Of the four students who had a history of contact with TB patients, only one subject tested positive for both tests, and the other three students tested negative for both tests. CONCLUSION: A low prevalence of LTBI was found among medical students before clerkship course in South Korea.
Humans ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Male ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Schools, Medical ; Skin Tests ; Students, Medical ; Thorax ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculin Test ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that habitual exercise can improve skeletal mitochondrial function; however, to date, the association between exercise and mitochondrial function in peripheral leukocytes has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between regular exercise and mitochondrial function by measuring leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 144 relatively healthy, non-diabetic, non-smoking, postmenopausal women. Clinical parameters, including anthropometric measurements and cardio-metabolic parameters, were assessed. Regular exercise was defined as at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity, over a duration of at least 6 months. Leukocyte mtDNA copy numbers were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, and these were normalized to the β-globin copy number to give the relative mtDNA copy number. RESULTS: The mtDNA copy number of peripheral leukocytes was significantly greater in the exercise group (1.33±0.02) than in the no exercise group (1.05±0.02, P<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that regular exercise was independently associated with mtDNA copy number (β=0.25, P<0.01) after adjusting for the variables age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value, and levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and homocysteine. CONCLUSION: Regular exercise is associated with greater leukocyte mtDNA copy number in postmenopausal women.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; DNA, Mitochondrial* ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Leukocytes* ; Lipoproteins ; Mitochondria ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that habitual exercise can improve skeletal mitochondrial function; however, to date, the association between exercise and mitochondrial function in peripheral leukocytes has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between regular exercise and mitochondrial function by measuring leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 144 relatively healthy, non-diabetic, non-smoking, postmenopausal women. Clinical parameters, including anthropometric measurements and cardio-metabolic parameters, were assessed. Regular exercise was defined as at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity, over a duration of at least 6 months. Leukocyte mtDNA copy numbers were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, and these were normalized to the β-globin copy number to give the relative mtDNA copy number. RESULTS: The mtDNA copy number of peripheral leukocytes was significantly greater in the exercise group (1.33±0.02) than in the no exercise group (1.05±0.02, P<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that regular exercise was independently associated with mtDNA copy number (β=0.25, P<0.01) after adjusting for the variables age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value, and levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and homocysteine. CONCLUSION: Regular exercise is associated with greater leukocyte mtDNA copy number in postmenopausal women.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; DNA, Mitochondrial* ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Leukocytes* ; Lipoproteins ; Mitochondria ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; Waist-Hip Ratio