No abstract available.
Animals ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Mast Cells* ; Mice*

Histiocytosis X patients present with a variety of clinical manifestations and outcomes. The principal difficulty in the establishment of a definite protocol for treatment is based on the poor understanding of the basic nature of this disease, the absence of reliable prognostic criteria, and the problems with nomenclature. The objectives of this study were to analysis the course of the disease and the results of treatment in patients who had Langerhans cell histiocytosis and to suggest prognostic factors and guidelines for management. We reviewed the thirty patient who had Langerhans cell histiocytosis for past ten years. These patients were followed for an average 4.8 years (range, excluding patients who died of the disease, two to eleven years). The patients were divided into tow group; eighteen patients who Langerhans cell histiocytosis localized in skeleton (group I) and twelve patients who had Langerhans cell histiocytosis disseminate in both skeleton and extra-skeleton (group II). Methods of treatment included curettage with or without bone graft, radiotherapy, or watchful observation alone in group I; chemotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or curettage in group II. All eighteen patients in group I had a complete response to the therapy. Seventeen of these eighteen patients had not a recurrence by the time of the latest follow-up examination; one had a recurrence. Four of twelve patients in group II had a complete response to the therapy, four had a partial response, and four had no response. Eight of these twelve patients had a recurrence; four did not. Two patients in group II died of the disease. The significant prognostic factor was the extent of the disease, limited to the skeleton or not, and the age of onset was an indirect prognostic factor predictin multiple organ involvement.
Age of Onset ; Curettage ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Skeleton ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with metabolic syndrome including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In NAFLD, insulin resistance plays an important role in the progression of liver damage. In this study, we evaluated insulin resistance, plasma adiponectin, hepatic steatosis, and their association in adults with normal liver transaminase concentrations. METHODS: We analyzed 111 subjects, aged over 20 years old, who visited the Health Management Center at Chung-Ang University Hospital between May 2006 and August 2006. They had neither history nor clinical evidence of diabetes, cardiovascular or liver disease. They were divided into three groups by the degree of hepatic steatosis based on ultrasound findings. Anthropometric parameters were measured and blood samples were drawn after eight hours of fasting. RESULTS: Hepatic steatosis had a positive correlation with body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI. Moreover, it had a negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin. Triglycerides, Adiponectin, and QUICKI were independent variables in predicting the degree of hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that triglycerides and plasma adiponectin are independent predictors of hepatic steatosis in adults with normal liver transaminase concentrations.
Adiponectin ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Fatty Liver ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Polyvinyl (PVC) plastic container plasticized with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been used for the storage of platelet concentrates for five days in Korea. Authors evaluated a second generation platelet storage container plasticized with tri (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (TOTM) which was recently produced by Green Cross Medical Corp.(Korea). METHODS: 30 units of platelet concentrates were stored in TOTM-PVC container at 22'C in a flatbed agitator. Samples were taken at day 1,3,5, and 7 from the containers and tested for platelet count, MPV, PDW, pH, HCO3-,LDH, lactate, hypotonic shock response and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG). Electron microscopic examination was also performed. RESULTS: The number and functions of platelets were well preserved during storage. pH was maintained above 6.8 and any evidence for platelet activation was minimal. CONCLUSION: The TOTM-PVC second generation platelet storage container recently produced by the Green Cross Medical Corp.(Korea) was able to preserve platelets for at least five days without significant storage lesions.
beta-Thromboglobulin ; Blood Platelets* ; Dihydroergotamine ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Lactic Acid ; Osmotic Pressure ; Plastics ; Platelet Activation ; Platelet Count ; Polyvinyls

OBJECTIVE: Recently, there are many reports that glutamate receptors have close relationships with a pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of D-cycloserine, which is glycine site partial agonist in NMDA receptor on psychopathologic symptoms and cognitive functions. METHODS: This study was done for chronic schizophrenic inpatients taking typical antipsychotics for more than 4 months. Exclusion criteria were patients with over 8 points according to Simpson-Angus scale for EPS or those with over 17 points of Hamilton Depression Scale. Patients were randomized to classify into two groups; D-cycloserine group (n=13) and placebo group (n=13). Each group received D-cycloserine 100 mg or placebo separately for 8 weeks. Psychopathology was evaluated with PANSS at baseline, 2nd week, fourth week and eighth week. Cognitive function was evaluated with KWIS at baseline and eighth week. RESULTS: Total 26 patients completed this trial. The average period of morbidity was 10.39+/-3.87 years and the average doses of antipsychotic was 1228.35+/-720.30 mg based on chlorpromazine equivalent. In positive subscale, negative subscale, general psychopathology subscale, total PANSS scale and KWIS, there were no significant differences between D-cycloserine and placebo groups. However, negative subscale scores had decreased from 24.92+/-3.64 (Baseline) to 23.46+/-3.41 (week 8) (p=0.077). CONCLUSION: There were no clear changes in positive symptom, negative symptom, memory, language function, and performance intelligence when D-cycloserine 100 mg was given with antipsychotic medication. However, some patients showed clear improvement in negative symptom, especially blunted affect. Therefore, D-cycloserine combination therapy could be effective for negative symptom. In future, study that can show effectiveness in psychopathology and cognitive function according to drug dosage is needed.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Chlorpromazine ; Cognition* ; Depression ; Glycine ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Intelligence ; Memory ; N-Methylaspartate ; Psychopathology ; Receptors, Glutamate ; Schizophrenia*

BACKGROUND: Clinical manifestations and complications of measles are more severe in adults than children. But, there has been few clinical and epidemiologic data about adult measles in Korea. OBJECTIVE: We investigated clinical features, laboratory findings, disease courses and complications and discussed the reason why measles incidence has been increasing recently in young adults to find out the solutions to prevent measles. METHOD: From April 1999 to February 2001, we examined prodromal symptoms, skin rash, complications, routine CBC, and blood chemistry of 42 adults who were admitted in KangBuk SamSung Hospital for measles and performed qualitative serum measles specific IgM and IgG antibody test using ELISA method. RESULTS: Age distribution of most adult measle patients was between 15 and 25 years old(78.6%). Fever was found in all patients and cough, coryza, headache, myalgia, conjunctivitis, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and vomit were found in decreasing order of frequency. Skin rashes were started from the face and spread to trunk, arms and then legs in 37 patients out of 42. Five patients had skin rash in the face and trunk at the same time, and one had hemorrhagic rash. Koplik's spots were found in 26 patients (62%). Among them, 2 had Koplik's spots before the rash and 24 had Koplik's spots with the rash simultaneously or thereafter. Koplik's spots were disappeared as skin rash disappeared. Exfoliative dermatitis was found following the skin rash in one patient. Among 26 patients who performed qualitiative serum measles specific IgM and IgG antibody test using ELISA, the seropositivity of measles specific IgM was 70%, of measles specific IgG was 27%, and of both measles specific IgM and IgG was 12%. Complications were like this; hepatitis in 23, cervical lympadenitis in 20, laryngitis and bronchitis in 7, otitis media in 4, pneumonia on chest X-ray in 3, hepatosplenomegaly on upper abdomen ultrasonography in 5. Two patients were in pregnancy of 12 and 16 weeks, and the former had spontaneous abortion. Pnemonia and otitis media were recovered within average 5 days after administrating antibiotics and antipyretics.
Abdomen ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antipyretics ; Arm ; Bronchitis ; Chemistry ; Child ; Conjunctivitis ; Cough ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Diarrhea ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Headache ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Incidence ; Korea ; Laryngitis ; Leg ; Measles* ; Myalgia ; Nausea ; Otitis Media ; Pharyngitis ; Pneumonia ; Pregnancy ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Clinical manifestations and complications of measles are more severe in adults than children. But, there has been few clinical and epidemiologic data about adult measles in Korea. OBJECTIVE: We investigated clinical features, laboratory findings, disease courses and complications and discussed the reason why measles incidence has been increasing recently in young adults to find out the solutions to prevent measles. METHOD: From April 1999 to February 2001, we examined prodromal symptoms, skin rash, complications, routine CBC, and blood chemistry of 42 adults who were admitted in KangBuk SamSung Hospital for measles and performed qualitative serum measles specific IgM and IgG antibody test using ELISA method. RESULTS: Age distribution of most adult measle patients was between 15 and 25 years old(78.6%). Fever was found in all patients and cough, coryza, headache, myalgia, conjunctivitis, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and vomit were found in decreasing order of frequency. Skin rashes were started from the face and spread to trunk, arms and then legs in 37 patients out of 42. Five patients had skin rash in the face and trunk at the same time, and one had hemorrhagic rash. Koplik's spots were found in 26 patients (62%). Among them, 2 had Koplik's spots before the rash and 24 had Koplik's spots with the rash simultaneously or thereafter. Koplik's spots were disappeared as skin rash disappeared. Exfoliative dermatitis was found following the skin rash in one patient. Among 26 patients who performed qualitiative serum measles specific IgM and IgG antibody test using ELISA, the seropositivity of measles specific IgM was 70%, of measles specific IgG was 27%, and of both measles specific IgM and IgG was 12%. Complications were like this; hepatitis in 23, cervical lympadenitis in 20, laryngitis and bronchitis in 7, otitis media in 4, pneumonia on chest X-ray in 3, hepatosplenomegaly on upper abdomen ultrasonography in 5. Two patients were in pregnancy of 12 and 16 weeks, and the former had spontaneous abortion. Pnemonia and otitis media were recovered within average 5 days after administrating antibiotics and antipyretics.
Abdomen ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antipyretics ; Arm ; Bronchitis ; Chemistry ; Child ; Conjunctivitis ; Cough ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Diarrhea ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Headache ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Incidence ; Korea ; Laryngitis ; Leg ; Measles* ; Myalgia ; Nausea ; Otitis Media ; Pharyngitis ; Pneumonia ; Pregnancy ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) transplantation has been widely used as a substitute of bone marrow transplantation in patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Because, PBSC harvest by serial daily apheresis procedure is expensive and time consuming, it is important to determine the best time to start the collection for reducing the number of apheresis procedure. We analyzed our experiences of PBSC collections and evaluated the preapheresis hematologic parameters that may predict the PBSC yields. METHODS: One hundred seventy six PBSC harvests from seventy cancer patients (median age : 32 yrs; fourty five males and twenty five females) were performed using our large volume leukapheresis protocol (total blood volume processed : over three total blood volume) after chemotherapy and infusion of G-CSF. Peripheral blood obtained immediately before the start of apheresis was analyzed for total WBC, mononuclear cell (MNC), and CD34+ cell counts. Total WBC, MNC, and CD34+ cell count were performed on selected samples of PBSC from each patient before freezing for determining the PBSC yields. Linear regression analysis was performed on logarithmized data whether preapheresis WBC, MNC, and CD34+ cell counts on the day of harvest in the peripheral blood might correlate well with the PBSC yield, respectively. RESLUTS: With the use of linear regression analysis, preapheresis WBC counts and MNC counts were not correlated significantly with the CD34+ cell yield in PBSC harvests (WBC/microliter in PB vs. CD34+ cell/kg in harvests, r=0.35, p=0.10; MNC/microliter in PB vs. CD34+ cells/kg in harvests, r=0.42, p=0.07). But the CD34+ cell count (CD34+ cells/microliter in peripheral blood) correlated most closely with the progenitor cell yield in the corresponding leukapheresis product (CD34+ cells/kg body weight, r=0.75, p<0.001). A number of 20 circulating CD34+ cells/microliter blood ensured 2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg, that is known to be a threshold dose for rapid hematologic recovery, and the best time for the collection on the same day by a single leukapheresis in more than 85% cases. CONCLUSIONS: The number of CD34+ cells/microliter blood allows a reliable prediction of the CD34+ progenitor cell yield in subsequent leukapheresis procedure, while WBC and MNC counts did not predict the progenitor cell yield. A level of more than 20 CD34+ cells/microliter indicates that the threshold quantity of 2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg is likely to be obtained by a single leukapheresis processing 15~20 liters of peripheral blood.
Blood Component Removal ; Blood Volume ; Body Weight ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cell Count* ; Drug Therapy ; Freezing ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Leukapheresis ; Linear Models ; Male ; Stem Cells*

BACKGROUND: The knowledge about the nucleotides sequence of 9th chromosome that regulates the phenotype of ABO blood group has made the ABO genotyping possible. Since the genotyping can be done with only a small amount of DNA sample, it was primarily applied to the field of forensic medicine. When applied to the blood bank, it is useful in the resolution for ABO discrepancies between the cell and serum typing and determination of A and B subgroups. Rapid ABO genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and its value in determination of ABO subgroups is presented. METHODS: ABO genotyping was performed in seven patients and three families, seven were the cases of ABO discrepancies in routine ABO grouping and three families were for the confirmation of the ABO group. To identify the 261th nucleotide, a 252 bp PCR amplifed fragment was amplified by PCR and digested with Kpn I. For 703th nucleotide, a 128 bp PCR amplified fragment was designed and digested with Alu I. To determine the ABO genotype, the patterns of digestion in DNA fragment were examined. RESULTS: Among the seven cases of ABO discrepancies, B3 and Ael were two cases each. Weakened B due to leukemia was the one, and the other two cases were cis-AB and Am. The three families for confirmation of the ABO group were acquired B due to infection one family, cis-AB two families. CONCLUSIONS: ABO genotyping is a rapid and reliable method that can be used in the case of ABO discrepancies and determination of ABO subgroups.
Blood Banks ; Digestion ; DNA ; Forensic Medicine ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Nucleotides ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Three cell separators are being used and they collect platelets with different centrifuge speed and duration. Because centrifugation may cause platelet activation, the differences of centrifuge speed and duration are important in controlling the quality of apheresis platelet products. We compared many parameters of activation of platelets collected by Spectra (Cobe BCT, Lakewood, CO, USA), CS3000plus (Baxter Healthcare, Fenwal Division, Round Lake, IL, USA) and Mobile Collection SystemTM (MCS, Haemonetics co., Braintree, MA, USA). METHODS: Platelets were collected from ninety-five normal donors with Spectra (n=39), CS3000plus (n=19) and MCS (n=37). We underwent the procedure according to the automatic program set. We measured platelet yield and assayed pH, hypotonic shock respose (HSR), CD62 (p-selectin, GMP140) expression and beta-thromboglobulin in each stored unit on day 0 and day 3 for evaluation of the storage lesions. RESULTS: Platelet yield per product was 3.7 +/- 1.2 x 1011, mean final product volume was 316 +/- 69 mL and mean procession time was 100 +/- 19 minutes. Mean collection efficiency was 42.5 +/- 8.3%. The cell separator volume of product collected by CS3000plus was the smallest while platelet concentration and total yield were the highest in the product collected by Spectra. The pH of the products were 7.1 +/- 0.1 on day 0 and 6.7 +/- 0.4 on day 3. Hypotonic shock response was 69 +/- 13 % on day 0 and 28 +/- 17 % on day 3. P-selectin expression was 19 +/- 9 % (4.2 +/- 1.9 relative fluorescence intensity, RFI) on day 0 and 60 +/- 22 % (17.9 +/- 14.2) on day 3. beta-thromboglobulin was 28.5 +/- 7.0 IU/107 platelets on day 0 and 31.3 +/- 7.2 IU/107 platelts on day 3. The comparison of the three cell separators showed that on day 0 platelet product of MCS has lower pH and higher beta-thromboglobulin release than others (p<0.05). And on day 3 platelet product of MDS has better hypotonic shock response than others (p<0.05). Other parameters revealed no differences among three cell separators. The expression of p-selectin was shown to correlate highly with pH reduction (r=0.72), but not with the release of beta-TG (r=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Most parameters showed no differences among three cell separators, but apheresis platelet concentrates processed by MCS showed lower pH on day 0 and higher beta-thromboglobulin concentration on day 0 and day 3 than apheresis platelet concentrates processed by Spectra or CS3000plus and hypotonic shock response on day 3 was the lowest in CS3000plus. So platelet activation produced during apheresis processing was lowest in apheresis platelet concentrates with Spectra.
beta-Thromboglobulin ; Blood Component Removal* ; Blood Platelets* ; Centrifugation ; Delivery of Health Care ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lakes ; Osmotic Pressure ; P-Selectin ; Platelet Activation* ; Tissue Donors