No abstract available.
Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: Receptors for the Fc of IgG(FcvR) and a beta2 integrin molecule, CD11c/CD18 are important in clearance of microbes by granulocytes. We performed an in vitro study on the effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(rhG-CSF), or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(rhGM-CSF) on the expression of Fc R II, Fc R III, CD11c and CD18 and respiratory burst function of granulocytes. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from six healthy adults. The isolated granulocytes were stimulated with rhG-CSF, 250mg/mL, rhGM-CSF, 100ng/mL or both of them for 1, 3, 9, 24, and 48 hours. Using flow cytometry, we compared the expression of the Fc R II, Fc R III, CD11c and CD18 of granulocytes before and after stimulation. We also the studied respiratory burst of granulocytes with chemiluminescence assay. RESULTS: Fc R II and CD18 expression were not changed significantly after stimulation. Fc R III expression was decreased significantly after stimulation with rhG-CSF, rhGM-CSF, or both of them. CD11c expression was increased initially but was found to decrease significantly after 9 hours of stimulation. Granulocytes treated with rhG-CSF, rhGM-CSF, or both displayed enhanced respiratory burst. Our results suggest that exposure of granulocyte to growth factor results in granulocyte activation. CONCLUSION: We have shown that rhG-CSF and rhGM-CSF resulted in an activation of peripheral blood granulocytes immunophenotypically and functionally.
Adult ; Antigens, CD18* ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocytes* ; Humans* ; Luminescence ; Receptors, IgG* ; Respiratory Burst*

BACKGROUND: Cytokine-mediated ex vivo expansion has been proposed as a means of increasing the number of cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. As well as stem cell number, stromal cells are necessary for functional maturation of hematopoiesis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the development of stromal cells during ex vivo expansion of CB CD34+ cells. METHODS: CD34+ cells were purified from CB by magnetic bead selection. The levels of of interleukin-3, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured in culture supernatants on 0, 1, 2, and 3 weeks, using ELISA techniques. CB CD34+ cells were expanded in Iscoves modified Dulbeccos medium in the presence of several cytokines. The expression of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule- 1, intercellular adhesion molecule- 1, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, von Willebrand factor, vimentin, and CD14 in newly developed stromal cells was examined by immunocytochemical method. Relevant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and proper cytokines were also assayed for the most suitable condition for expansion of stromal cells. RESULTS: Several cytokines were found to have been produced by CB CD34+ cells as well as bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells. During ex vivo expansion of CB CD34+ cells, stromal cells appeared in the culture by day 4 and expanded over the following 7- 10 days before being confluent by day 2 1. These cells expressed surface markers characteristic of cells of endothelial lineage. Furthermore, these stroaml cells also expanded effectively when treated with thrombopoietin+flt-3 ligand+stem cell factor+leukemia inhibitory factor or 0. 1% poly-L-lysine-coated wells. CONCLUSION: Stromal cells were developed during ex vivo expansion of CB CD34+ cells and that this development could be enhanced further by treating the stromal cells with cytokines or ECM.
Cell Adhesion ; Cytokines ; E-Selectin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fetal Blood* ; Granulocytes ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-3 ; Interleukin-6 ; Stem Cells ; Stromal Cells* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vimentin ; von Willebrand Factor

PURPOSE: Aggressive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation have a large demand for platelet concentrate and packed RBC transfusion. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are an immunologically mediated reaction involving plasma in the recipient and the white blood cells in the donor. This study was performed to understand the role of cytokines and factors associated with febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction to transfused blood. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 42 transfused blood(36 packed RBC, 6 platelet concentrates). Initial WBC count, pH, LDH, irradiation, use of filter and storage time were checked. The serum levels of Interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFalpha) and Interleukin-6(IL-6) were measured by ELISA method using commercial kit for each cytokines. Transfusion reactions, including fever, were recorded in all cases. RESULTS: With the storage time of blood products longer in duration, the serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 were significantly higher(P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 increased significantly as these blood products were more contaminated with WBC>3000/mm3(P< 0.05). There was no relationship between cytokines and LDH, pH respectively. Febrile reaction was noted in 2.3%(1/42). CONCLUSION: Transfusion reactions are not always the result of an antigen-antibody reaction, but could be caused by the administration of large amounts of cytokines in the plasma. The longer storage times of blood products was associated with frequency of febrile transfusion reactions. We recommend fresh blood transfusion and reduction of WBC before storage because it abrogates cytokine accumulation and dramatically lowers the rate of febrile transfusion reaction.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cytokines ; Drug Therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-6* ; Leukocytes ; Plasma ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

PURPOSE: Aggressive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation have a large demand for platelet concentrate and packed RBC transfusion. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are an immunologically mediated reaction involving plasma in the recipient and the white blood cells in the donor. This study was performed to understand the role of cytokines and factors associated with febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction to transfused blood. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 42 transfused blood(36 packed RBC, 6 platelet concentrates). Initial WBC count, pH, LDH, irradiation, use of filter and storage time were checked. The serum levels of Interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFalpha) and Interleukin-6(IL-6) were measured by ELISA method using commercial kit for each cytokines. Transfusion reactions, including fever, were recorded in all cases. RESULTS: With the storage time of blood products longer in duration, the serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 were significantly higher(P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 increased significantly as these blood products were more contaminated with WBC>3000/mm3(P< 0.05). There was no relationship between cytokines and LDH, pH respectively. Febrile reaction was noted in 2.3%(1/42). CONCLUSION: Transfusion reactions are not always the result of an antigen-antibody reaction, but could be caused by the administration of large amounts of cytokines in the plasma. The longer storage times of blood products was associated with frequency of febrile transfusion reactions. We recommend fresh blood transfusion and reduction of WBC before storage because it abrogates cytokine accumulation and dramatically lowers the rate of febrile transfusion reaction.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cytokines ; Drug Therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-6* ; Leukocytes ; Plasma ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

PURPOSE: Osteoarticular infections in children and adolescents are important because it can cause functional compromise if appropriate treatment is delayed. Therefore, this study was designed to describe the clinical presentations and causative organisms of osteoarticular infections in children and adolescents in order to propose early diagnosis method and an appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy. METHODS: Forty-two medical records were reviewed retrospectively, which were confirmed as osteomyelitis (OM) or septic arthritis (SA) at Department of Pediatrics or Orthopedic Surgery in patients under 18 years old of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from March 2008 to March 2015. RESULTS: We identified 21 cases of OM, 13 cases of SA and 8 cases of OM with SA. There were 31 males and 11 females and mean age was 7.1 years old. The most common symptoms were pain and tenderness of involved site. Major involved bones were femur (10 cases, 34.5%), tibia (7 cases, 24.1%) and major involved joints were hip (9 cases, 42.9%), and knee (5 cases, 23.8%). Increased serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in 37 cases (88.1%) respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 40 cases among 42 cases and was used to demonstrate osteoarticular infections and other adjacent infections. Nine cases (23.7%) among 38 cases and 20 cases (50.0%) among 40 cases were positive in blood culture and infected site culture respectively. The most common causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus, which was represented in 22 cases (75.9%), of which nine cases (40.9%) were resistant to methicillin. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus was the most common causative organism of osteoarticular infections in children and adolescents and the proportion of MRSA was high in this study. Therefore, we recommend vancomycin as the first empiric antimicrobial therapy and suggest that further study is necessary to elucidate an appropriate guideline for treatment which takes into account MRSA proportion.
Adolescent* ; Arthritis, Infectious ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child* ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Femur ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Medical Records ; Methicillin ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Orthopedics ; Osteomyelitis ; Pediatrics ; Retrospective Studies* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Tibia ; Vancomycin

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate short-term and long-term skeletodental outcomes of Class III activator treatment. METHODS: A Class III activator treatment group (AG) comprised of 22 patients (9 boys, 13 girls) was compared with a Class III control group (CG) comprised of 17 patients (6 boys, 11 girls). The total treatment period was divided into three stages; the initial stage (T1), the post-activator treatment or post-mandibular growth peak stage (T2), and the long-term follow-up stage (T3). Cephalometric changes were evaluated statistically via the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Friedman test. RESULTS: The AG exhibited significant increases in the SNA angle, ANB angle, Wits appraisal, A point-N perpendicular, Convexity of A point, and proclination of the maxillary incisors, from T1 to T2. In the long-term follow-up (T1-T3), the AG exhibited significantly greater increases in the ANB angle, Wits appraisal, and Convexity of A point than the CG. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable skeletal outcomes induced during the Class III activator treatment period were generally maintained until the long-term follow-up period of the post-mandibular growth peak stage.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incisor ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The neonate is susceptible to severe and overwhelming bacterial infections. One of the most important deficiency in the neonatal host defense system seems to be quantitative and qualitative deficiency of the myeloid and the phagocytic system. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown to induce neutrophilia and enhance mature effector neutrophil function. We examined serum levels of G-CSF in neonates with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. METHODS: Sera from 42 patients in neonatal neutropenic sepsis (n=13) and non-neutropenic sepsis (n=29), as well as sera from 32 neonates in normal full-term were collected. Total WBC, absolute neutrophil count and serum G-CSF levels were measured at acute and recovery phases in sepsis and at cord blood, day 3 and day 7 in normal full term, respectively. RESULTS: The G-CSF level in normal full-term neonate was 105.6pg/mL at cord blood, and decreased to 35.1pg/mL on day 3, and 28.3pg/mL on day 7. There was statistical correllary relationship between their G-CSF level and peripheral neutrophilic granulocyte count in sepsis and suspected sepsis groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the neonatal neutrophil count in sepsis is stimulated by endogenously secreted G-CSF and exogenous rhG-CSF is not needed.
Bacterial Infections ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neutrophils ; Sepsis*

PURPOSE: Obesity is a frequent nutritional disorder in children and adolescent and its prevalence is increasing. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a simple, rapid, non-invasive and reproducible technique. The aim of this study was to measure percent of body fat using bioelectrical impedance in healthy children. METHODS: We measured height, weight and bioelectrical impedance in 1035 children aged 7-18 years(496 males and 539 females). RESULTS: Percent of body fat was decreased in male children, but it was increased during the pubertal period in female. 95th percentiles of percent of body fat by bioelectrical impedance was 32.9% in 7 year olds, 31.6% in 8, 34.7% in 9, 35.1% in 10, 35.8% in 11, 33.1% in 12, 36.1% in 13, 38.2% in 14, 33.3% in 15, 28.3% in 16, 32.8% in 17 and 32.2% in 18 year olds for males. 95th percentiles of percent of body fat by bioelectrical impedance was 25.1% in 7 year olds, 29.6% in 8, 30.5% in 9, 35.6% in 10, 34.5% in 11, 36.5% in 12, 39.1% in 13, 34.1% in 14, 33.7% in 15, 32.8% in 16, 34.5% in 17 and 35.1% in 18 year olds for females. Intraobserver reliability coefficient of bioelectrical impedance analysis was 0.995 and intraobserver reliability of BI(Bioelectrical impedance) analysis was significantly high. CONCLUSION: To measure body fat percentage using bioelectrical impedance analysis in healthy children provides objective data in diagnosing obesity.
Adipose Tissue* ; Adolescent ; Child* ; Electric Impedance* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutrition Disorders ; Obesity ; Pediatric Obesity ; Prevalence

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) causes up to 10% of all ischemic strokes, and the rate of recurrent vascular ischemic events is very high. Important predictors of vulnerability in atherosclerotic plaques include the degree of stenosis and the underlying plaque morphology. Vascular wall MRI can provide information about wall structures and atherosclerotic plaque components. High-resolution (HR)-MRI in ICAD poses a greater challenge in the neurologic fields, because a high in-plane resolution and a high signal-to-noise ratio are required for vessel wall imaging of ICAD. Until now, plaque imaging of ICAD has focused on assessing the presence of a plaque and evaluating the plaque load. Going forward, evaluation of plaque vulnerability through analysis of imaging characteristics will be a critical area of research. This review introduces the acquisition protocol for HR-MRI in ICAD and the current issues associated with imaging.
Atherosclerosis ; Cerebral Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Stroke