Recently, there is a growing concern for loss of iron among repeat blood donors. We evaluated the effects of blood donation to iron deficiency in several studies and propose following measures to prevent iron depletion among repeat blood donors. We reviewed and analyzed comprehensively results of several domestic and foreign studies and cited Korean blood donor's statistics data. There is a high prevalence of iron depletion in repeat blood donors. Predictors of iron depletion (serum ferritin <12~15 ng/mL) included a high frequency of blood donation, short donation interval, and female gender regardless of blood donation type. Taking iron supplements reduced the risk of iron depletion for repeat blood donors. We would like to propose the following preventive measures for repeat blood donors. 1) Test for serum ferritin for repeat donors who donate at least three times per year. If the donors show low serum ferritin level which is below 15 ng/mL, 2) Increase the donation interval or limit of blood donation frequency and 3) Recommend iron supplement for a certain period.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Blood Donors ; Female ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron ; Prevalence ; Tissue Donors

Traditionally, schizophrenia is considered to be a result of dopaminergic hyperactivity while dopaminergic deficiency underlies Parkinson’s disease (PD). This opposing pathophysiology makes comorbid schizophrenia and PD seemingly impossible; however, they do coexist rarely in clinical practice. We present four patients with paranoid schizophrenia diagnosed in their youth who developed parkinsonian symptoms on a stable regimen of quetiapine or clozapine after several years. The diagnosis of comorbid schizophrenia and PD was made mainly according to clinical observation. In addition, dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging with 18F-FP-CIT PET was done in two patients, which showed normal DAT density. It is believed that dopaminergic dysfunction in distinct dopaminergic pathways may explain the coexistence of these two disorders

A 66 years old male presented with severe right-sided otalgia and throat pain, which persisted more than a year. He also complained of bilateral tinnitus. Tinnitus was continuous and high-pitched. Severe pain usually followed swallowing food. Pressing his right tonsil aggravated such symptoms. Pure tone audiogram showed both high frequencies hearing loss. Neck CT image revealed a small tonsillolith in his right tonsil. Gabapentin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduced the intensity of pain, but could not eradicate the pain. Finally, we performed radiofrequency tonsil ablation to eliminate right side tonsillolith. After ablation, pain immediately subsided and his tinnitus also disappeared. Tiny impacted tonsillolith may induce glossopharyngeal neuralgia and somatic tinnitus.

Background and Objectives: Measurement of sleep parameters in both supine and non-supine positions is important for the diagnosis of positional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the influence of right and left lateral decubitus positions (RLDP and LLDP, respectively) on sleep parameters is relatively unknown and has not been well investigated. This study was performed to verify the associations between sleep parameters and lateral decubitus sleep position. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 38 patients who were diagnosed with OSA and underwent surgical interventions from January 2014 to December 2016. Preoperative sleep parameters were evaluated with WatchPAT, and patients who slept sufficiently in both RLDP and LLDP to accurately analyze sleep parameters were enrolled in the study. Basic clinical data including body mass index (BMI) and nasal endoscopic findings of patients were assessed. Results: The difference in peripheral arterial tonometry apnea-hypopnea index (pAHI) and PAT respiratory disturbance index (pRDI) between RLDP and LLDP showed no association with the side of deviated nasal septum. Patients with higher BMI showed higher pRDI in LLDP than RLDP (p=0.038). The difference in sleep position percentage between RLDP and LLDP was negatively correlated with the difference in pRDI (p=0.023). Conclusion Higher BMI patients with OSA might benefit more from sleeping in RLDP than LLDP. Patients slept longer in the lateral decubitus position that produced lower pRDI. Not only supine and non-supine positions, but also RLDP and LLDP need to be evaluated in patients with OSA.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) is characterized by autoantibody-induced platelet destruction. Although several studies have shown that pathogenic autoantibodies are mainly IgG directed platelet glycoproteins (GP), a platelet GP specific test is not available in clinical laboratories. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a Modified Antigen Capture Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MACE) test in the diagnosis of AITP. METHODS: We investigated fifty-seven patients who showed a platelet count lower than 100 x 10(9)/L and underwent a bone marrow examination. They were classified into primary AITP (P-AITP) (n=21), secondary AITP (S-AITP) (n=15), and non-immune thrombocytopenia (NITP) (n=21) by bone marrow findings and clinical diagnosis. Platelet GP (IIb/IIIa, Ia/IIa, Ib/IX, IV)-specific antibodies and anti-HLA class I antibody were detected by MACE test. RESULTS: Among 57 samples, platelet GP specific antibodies were detected in 8 (22.2%) of 36 patients with AITP and 1 (4.8%) of 21 patients with NITP. The specificities were as follows: GP IIb/IIIa (n=4), GP Ia/IIa (n=5), GP Ib/IX (n=3) and GPIV (n=2). Of the nine patients with platelet GP specific antibodies, four (44.4%) had more than two platelet GP specific antibodies. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of the MACE test for AITP were 22.2%, 95.2%, 88.9%, 41.7%, respectively. A previous transfusion history was associated with a higher detection rate of anti-HLA class I antibodies (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The MACE test is a convenient method to detect platelet GP specific antibody and is very specific to diagnose AITP. In clinical practice, even though it is not sensitive, the MACE test would be useful in differentiating AITP from NITP.
Antibodies* ; Autoantibodies ; Blood Platelets* ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Platelet Count ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film photocatalyst generates strong oxidizing power when illuminated with Ultra Violet (UV) light with wavelengths of less than 385 nm. In this study, we evaluated the bactericidal activity of it against Escherichia coli, Aspergillus fumigatus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS: The TiO2 film were prepared from titanium isopropoxide solution and it was coated on either inner(test) or outer(control) side on Petri dish. annealing at 500 degrees C. The test and control suspension of E. coli, A. fumigatus and M. tuberculosis were grown in the chamber coated inner and outer side. respectively with UV light. For the blank, cell suspensions were grown in TiO2 coated Petri dishes without UV light. The bactericidal activities were estimated by survival ratio calculated from the number of viable cells which form the nutrient agar. RESULTS: In the test, the survival ratio for E. coli and M tuberculosis decreased to a negligible level (i.e., essentially complete sterilization) within 1hr and 2 hr, respectively. and that for 11. fumigatus decreased markedly to about 15% within 6 hr. In the control, the survival ratio for E. coli, A. fumigatus and M. tuberculosis decreased to 40% within 150 min. 6 he and 2 hr, respectively. In the blank, the survival ratio for E. coli and M tuberculosis decreased only about 67% within 150 min and 40% within 2hr. In A. fumigatus, TiO2 only caused little Sterilization within 4 hr. CONCLUSIONS: TiO2 photocatalysts under UV light clearly showed bactericidal activity against E. coli, A. fumigarus and M. tuberculosis. This feature render TiO2 photocatalysts to be applicable to eliminate microorganism from indoor air environment combined with ventilation.
Agar ; Aspergillus fumigatus* ; Aspergillus* ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Sterilization ; Suspensions ; Titanium* ; Tuberculosis* ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Ventilation ; Viola

A case is presented to show tracheal cartilaginous sleeve in Antley-Bixler syndrome, which is the second case to be reported so far. In this patient, W290C mutation in FGFR2, the mutation previously known to cause Pfeiffer syndrome, was newly identified. After receiving tracheostomy, the patient recovered from repetitive respiratory distress, and retrieved normal respiratory function. Thorough airway examination and active surgical management such as tracheostomy is necessary in children with syndromic craniosynostosis, including Antley-Bixler syndrome.

Objectives: . We, herein, report two novel USH2A variants from two unrelated Korean families and their clinical phenotypes, with attention to severe or more than severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Methods: . Two postlingually deafened subjects (SB237-461, M/46 and SB354-692, F/34) with more than severe SNHL and also with suspicion of Usher syndrome type II (USH2) were enrolled. A comprehensive audiological and ophthalmological assessments were evaluated. We conducted the whole exome sequencing and subsequent pathogenicity prediction analysis. Results: . We identified the following variants of USH2A from the two probands manifesting more than severe SNHL and retinitis pigmentosa (RP): compound heterozygosity for a nonsense (c.8176C>T: p.R2723X) and a missense variant (c.1823G>A: p.C608Y) in SB237, and compound heterozygosity for two frameshift variants (c.14835delT: p.S4945fs & c.13112_13115delAAAT: p.G4371fs) in SB354. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology guidelines, two novel variants, c.1823G>A: p.C608Y and c.14835delT: p.Ser4945fs, can be classified as “uncertain significance” and “pathogenic,” respectively. The audiogram exhibited more than severe SNHL and a down-sloping configuration, necessitating cochlear implantation. The ophthalmic examinations revealed typical features of RP. Interestingly, one proband (SB 354-692) carrying two truncating compound heterozygous variants exhibited more severe hearing loss than the other proband (SB 237-461), carrying one truncation with one missense variant. Conclusion . Our results provide insight on the expansion of audiological spectrum encompassing more than severe SNHL in Korean subjects harboring USH2A variants, suggesting that USH2A should also be included in the candidate gene of cochlear implantation. A specific combination of USH2A variants causing truncating proteins in both alleles could demonstrate more severe audiological phenotype than that of USH2A variants carrying one truncating mutation and one missense mutation, suggesting a possible genotype-phenotype correlation. The understanding of audiological complexity associated with USH2A will be helpful for genetic counseling and treatment starategy.

Norovirus is a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Rapid and accurate detection of norovirus is essential for the prevention and control of norovirus outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to propose and develop a process for establishing appropriate standardized guidelines for the approval and evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDD) for norovirus detection in Korea based on the related laws, regulations, and guidelines of USA, Europe, and Korea. We expect that this study could be used for diagnostic test standardization and the approval and evaluation of domestic norovirus diagnostic devices. We also expect the results will contribute to industrial expansion and public health promotion.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine* ; Disease Outbreaks ; Europe ; Gastroenteritis ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Norovirus* ; Public Health ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Social Control, Formal

A “pathogen resource” contains information about pathogens (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa) and microbial derivatives (e.g., DNA, RNA, plasmid, clone, and cDNA). Pathogen resources are important for their potential use in healthcare research because they contain clinical and epidemiological information that is different from microbial resources. In October 2014, the “Nagoya Protocol” on access and benefit-sharing with the Convention on Biological Diversity was enacted to restrict the movement of transboundary pathogens and protect the natural pathogen resources of each country. On July 2017, the Korean Medical Fungal Pathogen Resource Bank (KMFRB) was established to secure, discover, and develop biological resources focused on medical fungi. KMFRB has since been operating under the National Culture Collection for Pathogens of the National Institute of Health based on the Act No. 13992. This report aims to provide general information regarding KMFRB and suggest efficient ways to utilize human fungal pathogen resources for clinical research.