PURPOSE: The pretransplant pregnancy has been thought to be a detrimental factor for graft survival following renal allografts. However, graft survival in woman who underwent renal allografts from her offspring donor can be affected either positively by chimerism during fetal circulation or negatively by hypersensitive response. We attempted to define the role of pretransplant pregnancy on allografts survival of mother recipients from offspring donors. METHODS: During July 1, 1990 through July 31, 2002 117 patients were enrolled in this study. We divided these patients into 3 groups: group 1 (mothers receiving allografts from offspring) of 40 patients, group 2 (fathers receiving allografts from offspring) of 42 patients, and group 3 (women with a history of pregnancy and received allografts from unrelated donors) of 35 patients. We analysed the rejection rate, and patient and graft survival among the 3 groups. RESULTS: The acute rejection episodes (ARE) within 3 months were prevalent in the patients who received allografts from offspring. But after 3 months, no significant difference was observed among the three groups. The 1, 5 years graft survival rate of each group was 90.0%, 85.5% in group 1, 97.4%, 97.4% in group 2 and 94.3%, 94.3% in group 3. And the 1, 5 years patient survival rate was 92.5%, 88.1% in group 1, 100%, 100% in group 2 and 94.3%, 94.3% in group 3. CONCLUSION: From these results we can assume that the higher rejection rate and somewhat lower graft survival rate in mother recipients who underwent renal allografts from the offspring donors were caused by the anamnestic response from presensitization during pregnancy. To achieve better results in this group, a perioperative cautious care with different strategy of immunosuppressant is recommended.
Allografts* ; Chimerism ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pregnancy* ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Donors*

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of malaria has been usually made using microscopic examination of Wright stained thin blood films in Korean army. This method is labor-intensive, time consuming and requires the microscopic expertise. Therefore, the alternative techniques, rapid diagnostic test, have been sought for use in Korean army. We performed a comparison of the OptiMAL test with GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I, II to assess its sensitivity and specificity of Plasmodium vivax malaria. METHODS: Blood specimen were collected from 51 patients who were presented and initially diagnosed for P. vivax by the microscopy of blood smears and from 30 control patients without malaria infection at the Capital Armed Forces General Hospital (CAFGH) between October 2000 and February 2001. Among the 51 patients, we also collected 24 samples from 24 patients at 2 or 3 days after therapy. The OptiMAL test and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I, II were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions on all samples respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the blood film, sensitivities and specificities of the OptiMAL test, GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid II were 94.1~100% (29/29), 80.4~83.3%, 96.1~96.7% respectively. One case was interpreted as 'undetermined' by OptiMAL test. In 24 patients during therapy, the sensitivities of the OptiMAL test, GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid II on 8 specimens with mean 120/microliter parasitemia and 16 specimens with negative parasitemia were 75~43.8%, 87.5~81.3%, 100~100% respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of the GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I were not satisfactory, but the sensitivity and specificity of the OptiMAL test and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid II were relatively high and useful diagnostic tests for diagnosis of P. vivax in areas like the militaries where laboratory facilities are poor or non-existent.
Arm ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Malaria* ; Malaria, Vivax ; Microscopy ; Military Personnel* ; Parasitemia ; Plasmodium vivax* ; Plasmodium* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Arotinolol, a new alpha and beta receptor antagonist, was administered in 27 essential hypertensive patients for 8 weeks in order to evaluate the antihypertensive effect and side effects. The dose were 10mg to 15mg given twice a day. The results are as follows : 1) Before medication, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in sitting, supine and erect position were 173.1+/-3.2/105.8+/-1.8, 171.1+/-3.6/86.7+/-2.0 and 169.3+/-2.6/97.2+/-2.1mmHg. 2) After 8 weeks treatment moderated to marked antihypertensive effect was observed in 74.0%(in systolic blood pressure) and 81.4%(in diastolic blood pressure) respectively in sitting position. 3) There was a significant reduction of pulse rate from 73.0+/-2.5 beats per minute on the beginning of the treatment to 63.4+/-5.2 beats per minute after 8 weeks of medication. 4) There was no significant change in hematocrit, WBC, serum lipid, GOT, GPT, BUN and creatinine. But fasting blood sugar was reduced from 95.3mg% to 81.5mg% with treatment. 5) The side effects of arotinolol were gastrointestinal symptoms(15%), fatigue(11%), dizziness(7%) and insomnia(3%). But these side effects were not severe enough to discontinue medication. In summary, arotinolol seemed to be an effective antihypertensive drug in treating mild to moderate hypertension without significant side effects.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Creatinine ; Fasting ; Heart Rate ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypertension

PURPOSE: To analysis the efficacy of MRI in assessing fracture configuration and frequency of associated soft tissue injuries in tibial plateau fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the plain films and MRI of 47 cases with tibial plateau fractures,every fracture was classified by findings on plain film and MRI respectively according to the Schatzker system and they were compared with each other. The degree of displacement and depression of the fracture fragments were measured on plain film and MRI. RESULTS: MRI was more accurate in determining the classification of the fracture and measuring the displacement and depression of fragments. Fracture classifications were changed in 12 cases. Especially in Schatzker VI cases, articular step off over 2 mm and articular fragments over 2X2 cm were revealed in detail by MRI. Evidence of internal derangement of the knee was found in 38 (80.8%) cases. CONCLUSION: Most of the cases with acute tibial plateau fracture were commonly associated with ligamentous and meniscal injuries. MRI can aid in accurate evaluation of tibial plateau fracture patterns and decision of treatment plan.
Classification ; Depression ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Soft Tissue Injuries

p27Kip1 protein, a negative cell cycle regulator in G1 progression, has been reported to be related with human cancers including colon, breast and non-small cell lung carcinomas. To elucidate a possible prognostic indicator, we studied 49 cases of human breast carcinoma for expression of p27Kip1 protein using an immunohistochemical method, and compared these results with known prognostic parameters of the breast cancer. p27Kip1 protein was intensely stained in nuclei of carcinoma cells in 26 cases (53.1%). The expression rate of p27Kip1 protein was significantly higher in higher nuclear grade (p<0.05), lower histologic grade (p<0.01), lower N classification (p<0.001) and lower clinical stage (p<0.05) than in lower nuclear grade, higher histologic grade, higher N classification and higher clinical stage, respectively. p27Kip1 protein expression was significantly correlated with progesterone receptor status (p<0.05) or cyclin D expression (p<0.05). No statistical correlations were found between expression of p27Kip1 protein and other parameters including tumor size, estrogen receptor status, p53 overexpression and c-erbB-2 expression. The results suggest that reduced expression of p27Kip1 protein plays a role in biologically aggressive behavior of breast carcinoma and might contribute in predicting breast cancer patient's survival.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Cycle ; Classification ; Colon ; Cyclin D ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Estrogens ; Humans* ; Lung ; Phosphotransferases* ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Progesterone

Rowell's syndrome is believed to be a distinct and rare clinical entity originally descrived as lupus erythematosus associated with erythema multiforme-like skin lesions, immunologic findings of speckled antinuclear antibodies, anti-La antibodies and a positive test for rheumatoid factor. We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 31-year-old woman with annular erythematous patches on both hands, feet and back. Also, she presented abnormal serologic and immunologic findings. We believed that our patient meets the criteria for this rarely reported entity.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Erythema ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Skin

BACKGROUND: COPA (cuffed oropharyngeal airway) is a convenient device for airway management in patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery in supine position. It causes less pharyngeal trauma than LMA (Laryngeal mask airway). The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of COPA with and without muscle relaxant. METHODS: Forty patients with ASA physical status I and II for elective surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg/kg) and vecuronium (1.5 mg/kg) and was administered intravenously in Group I but not in Group II. Mask ventilation was done for 5 min with O2 5 L/min. COPA was placed and heart rate, and systolic, mean, diastolic blood pressure and peak inspiratory pressure were measured at 1 min interval for 5 min. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol 150 microgram/kg/min, fentanyl 1 microgram/kg/hr, O2 2 L/min and N2O 2 L/min. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between Group I and Group II in heart rate, systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure. PIP (Peak inspiratory pressure) was increased and hiccups occurred significantly (p < 0.05) in Group II. Complete airway obstruction occurred in one patient of Group I and severe coughing, body movements and gagging occurred during induction and insertion in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of appropriate muscle relaxant, we can use COPA without increased inspiratory pressure or significant complication.
Airway Management ; Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Cough ; Fentanyl ; Gagging ; Heart Rate ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Masks ; Propofol ; Supine Position ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Use of single donor apheresis platelets and concerning for the quality of apheresis platelets has been rapidly increased. Apheresis platelets depleted white blood cell(WBC) are used to prevent or to reduce febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, alloimmunization and cytomegalovirus infection. We compared COBE Spectra LRS (leukoreduction system) and COBE Spectra with PALL PXL 8 in terms of the yield predictors, processing times, and WBC contamination. METHOD: Seventy-two single donors who visited Apheresis Unit(APU) in St. Mary s hospital were prospectively randomized into COBE Spectra LRS and COBE Spectra followed by PALL PXL 8 between September 1997 and October 1998. We used Coulter counting for platelet and Nageotte hemocytometer for WBC count. Data were analyzed by independent t-test. RESULTS: The mean platelet yield per unit was 3.6+ 1.0 x 10 ' with COBE spectra LRS compared to 2.9+ 1.1 X 10 with COBE Spectra(p=0.002), and the mean WBC content per unit with COBE spectra LRS was 4.1 x 104(0.4-23.5) compared to 3.7 x 104(0.43-17.9) with PALL PXL""8(p=0.0728). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that COBE Spectra LRS has higher platelet yields than that of COBE Spectra, and similar WBC contamination compared to PALL PXL 8. Therefore, this data suggests that COBE Spectra LRS is conveient than COBE Spectra with PALL PXL 8 in clinical practice. (Korean J Blood Transfusion 10(1): 43-51, 1999)
Blood Component Removal ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets* ; Blood Transfusion ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; Humans ; Leukocytes* ; Prospective Studies ; Tissue Donors*

Several medications are associated with the production of crystals that are insoluble in human urine. Intratubular precipitations of these crystals can lead to acute renal insufficiency. Many patients who require treatment with these medications have additional risk factors, such as volume depletion, underlying renal insufficiency and immunocompromised state that increase the risk of drug induced intrarenal crystal deposition. We experienced a case of crystal-induced acute renal failure due to acyclovir in a 44 year-old male renal allograft recipient. He was diagnosed as Varicella Zoster at 12 days after transplantation, and treated with intravenous (IV) acyclovir (IV infusion of acyclovir 250 mg mixed with normal saline 100 mL within several minutes three times a day, total seven times). Two days after initiation of IV acyclovir, serum BUN was increased up to 160 mg/dL, serum creatinine was increased up to 9.9 mg/dL and urine output was decreased to anuria. With discontinuation of acyclovir, hemodialysis was started as treatment of renal insufficiency. Renal function was restored after discontinuation of acyclovir.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Acyclovir* ; Adult ; Allografts ; Anuria ; Chickenpox ; Creatinine ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Male ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Potassium, the most common cation in the intracellular space, plays a critical role in our physiology. Potassium imbalance may cause life-threatening problems, ranging from general weakness to cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. For emergency physicians, detection of such derangement within a short period of time is of critical importance. In this study, we wanted to determine whether analysis of whole blood samples can be used as a screening tool for potassium imbalance by comparative analysis of whole blood and serum samples. METHODS: Two samples were drawn from 227 patients. The whole blood sample was taken from the radial artery and contained in a commercially available arterial blood collection syringe with a lithium-heparin coating. The serum sample was contained in a commercially available vacuum bottle in a non-additive silicone coated tube and transported to the laboratory. The study population was divided into three groups, patients with normal whole blood potassium, patients with decreased whole blood potassium, and patients with elevated whole blood potassium. Potassium levels for each group were coupled with serum potassium levels and compared. RESULTS: No significant difference in potassium values was observed between whole blood and serum samples (P<0.05). Strong associations were observed among the three groups (normal range, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia group). Compared to the normal group (r=0.851), the hyperkalemia group showed a stronger association between variables (r=0.897), and the hypokalemia group showed a weaker association (r=0.760). Their correlation coefficients were highly significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study illustrates that point-of-care testing using whole blood with whole blood can be a reliable screening tool when treating patients with suspicious potassium abnormality, especially in hyperkalemia patients.
Emergencies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Hypokalemia ; Intracellular Space ; Mass Screening ; Potassium ; Radial Artery ; Silicones ; Syringes ; Vacuum ; Ventricular Fibrillation