Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes has been regarded as a useful method in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. However, this procedure has been shown to be of limited value in the diagnosis of low or intermediate grade malignant lymphomas in some studies. Immunophenotyping is an essential adjunct to cytomorphology for the diagnosis of lymphoma by FNA. Immunophenotyping using flow cytometry (FCM) is rapid, objective and reliable. Using FCM, multiparametric analysis of 33 FNA materials from lymph nodes was performed and profiles of surface markers of lymphoid cells were assessed. In reactive hyperplasia, patterns of cell surface markers were quite variable, but disclosed polyclonality. Most of the B-cell lymphomas showed immunophenotypes for B-cell lineages with their kappa: lambda or lambda: kappa ratio being over 3:1. In T-cell lymphomas, T-cell surface markers were predominantly expressed as well. In conclusion, our results suggest that immunophenotyping of lymph node aspirates is a valuable diagnostic adjunct for lymphoproliferative disorders, particularly in B-cell lymphomas because immunophenotyping can be easily and adequately performed by FCM.
Antigens, CD19/analysis ; Antigens, CD20/analysis ; Antigens, CD3/analysis ; Antigens, CD4/analysis ; Antigens, CD5/analysis ; Antigens, CD7/analysis ; Antigens, CD8/analysis ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/chemistry ; Biopsy, Needle ; Flow Cytometry/methods* ; Hodgkin Disease/pathology ; Human ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymph Nodes/pathology ; Lymph Nodes/chemistry ; Lymphatic Diseases/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; T-Lymphocytes/chemistryt

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of vitrectomy combined with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and macular laser photocoagulation for the treatment of nontractional diabetic macular edema (DME) refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes from 28 subjects who were diagnosed with nontractional DME refractory to three or more sequential anti-VEGF injections underwent sequential vitrectomy, IVTA, and macular laser photocoagulation. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) during the six months following vitrectomy were evaluated. Additionally, the CST and BCVA outcomes were compared with those of 26 eyes treated with the same triple therapy for nontractional DME refractory to conventional treatment, such as IVTA or macular laser photocoagulation, or both. RESULTS: The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVAs before and one, three, and six months after vitrectomy were 0.44 +/- 0.15, 0.36 +/- 0.18, 0.31 +/- 0.14, and 0.34 +/- 0.22, respectively. The mean CSTs were 433.3 +/- 77.9, 329.9 +/- 59.4, 307.2 +/- 60.2, and 310.1 +/- 80.1 microns, respectively. The values of both BCVA and CST at one, three, and six months were significantly improved from baseline (p < 0.05). The extent of CST reduction during the first month after triple therapy was greater in eyes refractory to conventional treatment than in eyes refractory to anti-VEGF (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy combined with IVTA and macular laser photocoagulation had a beneficial effect on both anatomical and functional outcomes in eyes with nontractional DME refractory to anti-VEGF therapy.
Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*drug therapy/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage ; Intravitreal Injections ; Light Coagulation/*methods ; Macula Lutea/drug effects/surgery ; Macular Edema/*drug therapy/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Triamcinolone Acetonide/*administration & dosage ; Vitrectomy/*methods

PURPOSE: At many institutes in Korea, preliminary interpretations of after-hours CT and MR images are performed by radiology residents, with the attending radiologist's reviewing the interpretations the next day. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of discrepancy between residents' interpretations and the final interpretations performed by attending radiologists. METHODS: We reviewed the interpretations of 1381 CT and 404 MRI scans that were obtained at the emergency department of our institute over three months. Any discrepancies between the preliminary and final interpretations were categorized as either major or minor discrepancies with a major discrepancy defined as one resulting in a change in diagnosis and treatment plans. We conducted patient follow-up via a retrospective review of the medical records to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the discrepancies. RESULTS: The rate of major discrepancies was 2.5%, and the rate of minor discrepancies was 11.4%. Major discrepancies led to a change in diagnosis or patient treatment plans, but did not lead to any increase in patient morbidity. CONCLUSION: The discrepancy rate at our institution was relatively insignificant, and patient care at the emergency department was not adversely affected by having radiology residents interpret CT and MRI scans after-hours and the attending radiologist review the interpretations the next morning. Still, further efforts are needed in order to reduce the frequency of major discrepancies.
Academies and Institutes ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medicine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Patient Care ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate preferences and trends in the management of diabetic retinopathy in Korea and Japan. METHODS: An Internet survey comprised of 49 questions was sent to the members of Korean Retina Society (KRS) and Japanese Society of Ophthalmic Diabetology (JSOD). The survey was conducted during the period between June 2012 and July 2012. RESULTS: Ninety-one of 210 members of the KRS (43%) and 120 of 754 members of the JSOD (16%) participated in the survey. For diffuse diabetic macular edema, 'intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) followed by focal laser treatment' was the most preferred treatment in Korea (48%), while 'sub-tenon steroid injection followed by focal laser treatment' was the most common procedure in Japan (33%). Vitrectomy was the second most common procedure in Japan (18%). In contrast, none of the KRS members preferred vitrectomy in this situation. For refractory diabetic macular edema, however, vitrectomy with or without the use of anti-VEGF was chosen in 75% of the KRS members. In Japan, vitrectomy without the use of intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF or steroid was relatively more preferred. Small-gauge (G) vitrectomy using either a 23 G or 25 G needle was popular in both countries (90% in Korea, 64% in Japan). CONCLUSIONS: Although the trends in diagnostic and surgical environments were similar in Korea and Japan, the preferred treatment approaches for diabetic macular edema were different. Sub-tenon steroid injection and vitrectomy were preferred in Japan, while anti-VEGF injection was most commonly employed in Korea.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Humans ; Internet ; Intravitreal Injections ; Japan* ; Korea* ; Macular Edema ; Needles ; Retina ; Vitrectomy

BACKGROUND: Anthracofibrosis, a descriptive term for multiple black pigmentation with fibrosis on bronchoscopic examination, has a close relationship with active tuberculosis (TB). However, TB activity is determined in the later stage by the TB culture results in some cases of anthracofibrosis. Therefore, it is necessary to identify early markers of TB activity in anthracofibrosis. There have been several reports investigating the serum levels of IL-2 sRalpha, IFN-gamma and TBGL antibody for the evaluation of TB activity. In the present study, we tried to measure the above mentioned serologic markers for the evaluation of TB activity in patients with anthracofibrosis. METHODS: Anthracofibrosis was defined when there was deep pigmentation (in more than two lobar bronchi) and fibrotic stenosis of the bronchi on bronchoscopic examination. The serum of patients with anthracofibrosis was collected and stored under refrigeration before the start of anti-TB medication. The serum of healthy volunteers (N=16), patients with active TB prior to (N=22), and after (N=13), 6 month-medication was also collected and stored. Serum IL-2 sRalpha and IFN-gamma were measured with ELISA kit (R&D system, USA) and serum TBGL antibody was measured with TBGL EIA kit (Kyowa Inc, Japan). RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-2 sRalpha in healthy volunteers, active TB patients before and after medication, and patients with anthracofibrosis were 640+/-174, 1,611+/-2,423, 953+/-562, and 863+/-401 pg/ml, respectively. The serum IFN-gamma levels were 0, 8.16+/-17.34, 0.70+/-2.53, and 2.33+/-6.67 pg/ml, and TBGL antibody levels were 0.83+/-0.80, 5.91+/-6.71, 6.86+/-6.85, and 3.22+/-2.59 U/ml, respectively. The serum level of TBGL antibody was lower than that of other groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of serum IL-2 sRalpha and IFN-gamma levels among the four groups. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of IL-2 sRalpha, IFN-gamma and TBGL antibody were not useful in the evaluation of TB activity in patients with anthracofibrosis. More useful ways need to be developed for the differentiation of active TB in patients with anthracofibrosis.
Bronchi ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibrosis ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; Pigmentation ; Refrigeration ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

The prevalence of group B streptococcus (GBS) among pregnant women and disease burdens in neonates and adults are increasing in Korea. Colonizing isolates, collected by screening pregnant women (n=196), and clinical isolates collected from clinical patients throughout Korea (n=234), were serotyped and screened for antibiotic resistance. Serotype III (29.8%) and V (27.7%) predominated, followed by Ia (17.0%). Antibiotic resistance was higher among clinical than colonizing isolates for erythromycin (35.1% and 26.9%; P=0.10) and for clindamycin (49.4% and 42.1%; P=0.17). erm(B) occurred in 91.9% of erythromycin resistant isolates, and 84.0% of isolates resistant to clindamycin. Only five isolates (4.2%) resistant to erythromycin were susceptible to clindamycin; by contrast, and unique to Korea, 34% of isolates resistant to clindamycin were erythromycin susceptible. Among these 60 erythromycin-susceptible & clindamycin-resistant isolates, 88% was serotype III, and lnu(B) was found in 89% of strains. Four fifths of the serotype V isolates were resistant to both erythromycin and clindamycin. Further characterization of the genetic assembly of these resistance conferring genes, erm(B) and lnu(B), will be useful to establish the clonal lineages of multiple resistance genes carrying strains.

Background/Aims: Low-level viremia (LLV) after nucleos(t)ide analog treatment was presented as a possible cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, detailed information on patients’ adherence in the real world was lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LLV on HCC development, mortality, and cirrhotic complications among patients according to their adherence to entecavir (ETV) treatment. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational analysis of data from 894 consecutive adult patients with treatment-naïve CHB undergoing ETV treatment. LLV was defined according to either persistent or intermittent episodes of <2,000 IU/mL detectable hepatitis B virus DNA during the follow-up period. Good adherence to medication was defined as a cumulative adherence ≥90% per study period. Results: Without considering adherence in the entire cohort (n=894), multivariate analysis of the HCC incidence showed that LLV was an independent prognostic factor in addition to other traditional risk factors in the entire cohort (P=0.031). Good adherence group comprised 617 patients (69.0%). No significant difference was found between maintained virologic response and LLV groups in terms of the incidence of liver-related death or transplantation, HCC, and hepatic decompensation in good adherence group, according to multivariate analyses. Conclusions In patients with treatment-naïve CHB and good adherence to ETV treatment in the real world, LLV during treatment is not a predictive factor for HCC and cirrhotic complications. It may be unnecessary to adjust their antiviral agent for patients with good adherence who experience LLV during ETV treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) is freely filtered at the glomerulus and subsequently reabsorbed and catabolized by proximal renal tubular cells. Urinary beta2-MG is an early and sensitive biomarker of acute kidney injury; however, its utility as a biomarker of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is unclear. METHODS: We included urinary beta2-MG levels in the routine laboratory examination of all inpatients with biopsy-proven IgAN at our hospital from 2006 to 2010. We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between beta2-MG levels and clinical parameters as a prognostic biomarker of IgAN. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients (30 males, 21 females; mean age, 33.01 +/- 12.73 years) with IgAN were included in this study. Initial demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for all patients are listed. The mean initial estimated glomerular filtration rate and 24-hour urine protein levels were 94.69 +/- 34.78 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 1.28 +/- 1.75 g/day, respectively. The mean level of urinary beta2-MG was 1.92 +/- 7.38 microg/mg creatinine. There was a significant correlation between initial serum creatinine (iSCr), urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR), and the level of beta2-MG (r = 0.744, r = 0.667, p < 0.01). There was also a significant correlation between renal function tests and the level of urinary beta2-MG (p < 0.01). Cox regression analysis showed that albumin, beta2-MG, iSCr, and UPCR were significant predictors of disease progression in IgAN. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary beta2-MG levels showed a significant correlation with renal function and proteinuria in IgAN. Thus, we propose that urinary beta2-MG may be an additional prognostic factor in patients with IgAN.
Adult ; Biological Markers/blood/urine ; Biopsy ; Creatinine/blood/urine ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/blood/diagnosis/physiopathology/*urine ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Proteinuria/blood/diagnosis/physiopathology/*urine ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult ; beta 2-Microglobulin/*urine

OBJECTIVE: To compared obstetric outcomes of pregnancies complicated by diabetes according to the managing department and to consider role of obstetrician and endocrinologist METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 72 pregnant women managed for diabetes during March 2004 to December 2006 was performed. Eighteen women had been managed by obstetricians (Group I) while 54 women had been managed by endocrinologists of internal medicine (Group II) during their pregnancies at Eulji Hospital. None of these patients had multiple pregnancies, abnormal karyotype, or other medical disorders other than diabetes. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between two groups. RESULTS: No difference was found with regard to the age, parity, BMI (body mass index), weight gain during the pregnancy, and the gestational weeks of delivery. There was also no difference in the blood glucose levels after 100 gm OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) and HbA1C levels in two groups. The neonatal birth weight of group I (2.89+/-0.21 kg) was significantly lower than that of group II (3.38+/-0.08 kg, P=0.040). The 1 min APGAR score, which was corrected by weight through ANCOVA test, was also significantly lower in group I (7.11+/-0.51 vs 8.11+/-0.19, P=0.028). But There was no difference in 5 min APGAR score. The incidence of birth weight over 3.8kg was significantly higher in group II [37/54 (68.5%) vs 1/17 (5.6%), P=0.030]. Neonatal hypoglycemia was also higher in group II (37.0% vs 11.1%, P=0.043). Other neonatal and maternal complications associated with diabetes were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In medical point of view, obstetrician can effectively manage diabetes during pregnancy as good as internist. Besides, the management by obstetricians may be more economic, less annoying, and can induce more compliance and motivation of the patients.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Blood Glucose ; Compliance ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Incidence ; Internal Medicine ; Motivation ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Gain

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Stem Cells