Clinically, the Rh blood group system is important since Rh antibodies are readily induced by transfusion or pregnancy in individuals negative for the antigert and may cause hemolytic reactions or hemolytic disease of the newborn. Since the D antigert is strongly immunogenic, donors and patients are routinely typed for D status and patients are generally given D compatible blood. But under several circumstances such as spontaneous agglutination of red blood cells coated with immunoglobulin, antisera with additives may cause false positive results in test using high-protein reagents. And facton in the patient' s own serum may also affect the test, since unwashed red blood cells suspended in their own serum or plasma are frequently tested. Therefore, manufacturers and American Association of Blood Banks(AABB) recommend that the Rh(D) control test with Rh(D) control reagent which contains the same additive present in high-protein anti-D except for the anti-D. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefss of the Rh(D) control test in Korea where Rh(D) negative population is small. Red blood cells from 1115 in-patients and 468 out-patients at Korea University Medical Center were employed in Rh(D) typing and Rh(D) control test in parellel. 1580 cases are Rh(D) positive and 3 cases were Rh(D) negative. No agglutination was observed with Rh(D) control test. Though AABB and manufacturers recommended that the Rh(D) control test should be done in parellel with Rh(D) typing test, the authers concluded that there were no need to run the Rh(D) control test in Korea.
Academic Medical Centers ; Agglutination ; Antibodies ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Immunoglobulins ; Indicators and Reagents ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide(NO), a multifunctional mediator, is known as a endothelium-derived relaxing factor, a neurotransmitter, and a killer molecule formed by activated immune cells and participates in tissue destruction via apoptosis. In the skin, an increase in apoptotic cells has been desribed in the epidermis in various lichenoid diseases, in response, to ultraviolet radiation, and in neoplasia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a positive correlation occurs between iNOS(inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression and apoptosis index in psoriasis vulgaris(PV), lichen planus(LP), and Bowen's disease(BD). METHODS: TUNEL staining and immunohistochemical staining with anti-iNOS antibody were done in paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 4 cases of PV, 4 cases of LP, and 2 cases of BD.
Apoptosis* ; Bowen's Disease* ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; Epidermis ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lichen Planus* ; Lichens* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nitric Oxide ; Psoriasis* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions occurs in 2 to 10% of patients with herpes zoster. It occurs mainly in old or debilitated persons especially those who have immunologic defects such as lymphoproliferative diseases, AIDS, or recipients of immunosuppressive therapy. The reported incidence of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions is variable. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the incidence and clinical features of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 962 patients with herpes zoster by retrospective methods. The annual incidence, age, sex, seasonal variation, predilection sites, and associated conditions of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions were analyzed from January 1990 to December 1996 (7 years). RESULTS: 1. Among 962 patients, 8 patients with herpes zoster revealed generalixed varicelliform eruptions (0.83%). 2. The age ranged from 20 to 85 and the majority of cases occurred in the 6th decade. There were 4 females and 4 males. 3. Past histories of malignancy were observed in 2 patients. However, there were no signs of malignancy at the time of diagnosis of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions. 4. The most common site of initial lesion was the thoracic dermatome,followed by the lumbar and the cervical ones. CONCLUSION: From our observation, it is suggested that herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions may occur in patients without underlying malignancy or immunosuppressive disorders. Sudden incidental uprising of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions was observed in 1996.
Clinical Study* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

No abstract available.
Carnitine* ; Renal Dialysis*

No abstract available.
Acidosis, Renal Tubular* ; Captopril*

PURPOSE: Lymphoma is considered when multiple, nonnecrotic lymph nodes are present in the superficial and deep lymphatic chains, especially if they are large and bilateral, on CT scan. It is reported that combined nodal and extranodal presentation of HD is uncommon. However, we found central low density in involved lymph node of NHL, and combined nodal and extranodal disease in HD, not infrequently. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether our findings may be characteristics of NHL and HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings with contrast enhancement were reviewed in 23 patients with untreated neck lymphoma:18 NHL and 5 HD. The followings were analyzed in each case: nodal or extranodal involvement; unilateral or bilateral involvement; presence or absence of central low density with peripheral enhancement in nodal lesion ;infiltration into adjacent structures. Nodal and extranodal lesions were confirmed by pathologic studies. RESULTS: Of 18 patients with NHL, nine cases had nodal disease and the rest had combined nodal and extranodal disease. Lymphadenopathy was bilateral in ten cases and unilateral in eight. Five cases with HD were composed of three combined nodal and extranodal diseases and two nodal diseases. Central low density of involved lymph node was shown in eight cases of 18 NHL and in one case of five HD. CONCLUSION: Central low density with peripheral enhancement was not uncommon in NHL, in contrast to HD. Hence, it is suggested that in case of nodal necrosis, NHL be also considered, besides tuberculous lymphadenitis and metastatic lymphadenopathy. It is not considered that nodal or extranodal disease, and unilateral or bilateral involvement are of high significance in differentiation of NHL from HD.
Hodgkin Disease* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Neck* ; Necrosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Humans ; Mitral Valve* ; Tricuspid Valve*

We investigated a unilocular mammary cyst occurring in a two and a half year old male baby. The cyst was lined by simple columnar epithelium and filled with a milky secretory material. These histologic features were consistent with galactocele. The child had enlarged left breast since birth, but it seemed to be noncontributory as the child had neither endocrine abnormalities nor perinatal disorders. Galactocele is an uncommon breast lesion usually occuring in females following lactation. It is rarely a cause of breast enlargement.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Cysts

CD44 is a hyaluronic acid receptor that exists as a standard 90-kd form (CD44H) as well as several CD44 variants isoforms are produced through alternative splicing. Alternatively spliced variants of the CD44 molecule have been found to be associated with invasive and metastatic potential of cancer cells and poor prognosis in several types of carcinoma. The purpose of the present study is to define the expression of CD44H and CD44v6 in ovarian tumors and to investigate whether the expression of these molecules is associated with adverse prognosis. We evaluated the expression of CD44 isoforms in 58 ovarian tumors by means of immunohistochemistry, and correlated between CD44 expression and the histologic types, tumor grade, peritoneal implants, pseudomyxoma peritonei and FIGO stage. While the CD44H was commonly expressed in ovarian tumors, the CD44v6 was expressed in a minor proportion of serous tumors in comparison with frequent expression of v6 isoform in mucinous tumors. The CD44H expression was significantly higher in stage I/II than in stage III. However, there was no correlation between the expression of CD44 and the presence of peritoneal implants or pseudomyxoma peritonei. These results suggest that CD44H could play an important role in the adhesive function in the lower stage of the ovarian tumor and reduced expression in the higher stage might be related to the metastasis and widespread invasion of ovarian carcinoma cells.
Adhesives ; Alternative Splicing ; Female ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mucins ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Protein Isoforms ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei