Red blood cells that agglutinate with most normal adult sera but never with own sera are termed polyagglutinable and can be separated by patterns of lectin reactivity into various types. Among these polyagglutination, activation of the T cryptantigen occurs when carbohydrate structures on glycophorins A and B lose sialic acid and express the disaccharide Gal beta-l-3 GalNac which reacts with the peanut agglutinin, a lectin from Arachis hypogaea. T activation is a temporary condition due to exposure of the membrane antigen to the action of microbial neuraminidase. In T activated red cells, the following hazards, which are theoretically possible, are spontaneous polyagglutination of red cells in vitro, in vivo and severe blood transfusion reactions. We experienced a case of T activation in 6 month old girl with bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The reactivity to lectins indicated the patient's red cells were T activated. We report a case of T activation in an infant with the review of literature.
Adult ; Arachis ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Glycophorin ; Humans ; Infant ; Lectins ; Membranes ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid ; Neuraminidase ; Peanut Agglutinin ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

We experienced nutiple brain abscess in two neonates. Diagnosis was made CT scan, Which revealed multiple ring-like enhancing leason in both frontoparietal and left posterior parietal cerebral parenchyme. Therapy was consisted of systemic antibiotic treatment and CSF V-P shunt operation due to complicated hydrocephalus. One neonate was died and the other neonate has been followed up due to convulsion and neurological sequale.
Brain Abscess* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant, Newborn* ; Rabeprazole ; Seizures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Because melanocytes are found throughout the leptomeninges, primary melanotic pigmented tumors such as pigmented meningioma, malignant melanoma, melanoblastosis, and melanocytoma can arise from this region. Melanocytomas have been described in the literature as isodense or hyperdense compared with brain parenchyme, as seen on noncontrast-enhanced CT, and as showing relatively homogeneous enhancement. MR imaging demonstrates a high signal on T1-weighted images, and an iso to hypointense signal on T2- weighted images. We report the imaging findings of a melanocytoma that showed hyperdense attenuation on precontrast CT with homogeneous enhancement and hyperintense signal intensity on T1-weighted images and dark signal intensity enhancement on T2-weighted images, and also review the literature.
Brain ; Cerebellopontine Angle* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Meninges ; Meningioma

BACKGROUND: We prospectively compared the response to blind and ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection of corticosteroids for treatment of shoulder stiffness. METHODS: A total of 77 patients with shoulder stiffness between April 2008 and March 2012 were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either a blind (group 1, n=39) or ultrasound-guided (group 2, n=38) glenohumeral injection of 40 mg triamcinolone. The clinical outcomes and shoulder range of motion (ROM) before injection, at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection and at the last follow-up were assessed. The same rehabilitation program was applied in both groups during the follow-up period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic data on age, sex, ROM, and symptom duration before injection between groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in ROM including forward flexion, external rotation at the side, external rotation at 90o abduction, and internal rotation, visual analogue scale for pain and functional outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder test between the two groups at any time point (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current data, the result of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection was not superior to that of blind injection in the treatment of shoulder stiffness. We suggest that ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection could be performed according to the patient's compliance and the surgeon's preference. Once familiar with the non-imaging-guided glenohumeral injection, it is an efficient and reliable method for the experienced surgeon. Ultrasound could be performed according to the surgeon's preference.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones* ; Compliance ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Shoulder Joint* ; Shoulder* ; Triamcinolone ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy(HOA) is a clinical syndrome consisting of clubbing, periostitis and synovitis. Most frequent causes of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy are intrathoracic neoplasms, among which the bronchogenic carcinoma ranks the highest. But computed tomographic evaluation of intrathoracic neoplasm associated with HOA has been seldom reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate CT findings of intrathoracic neoplasm associated with HOA, and to infer possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven cases of intrathoracic neoplasm associated with HOA were included in our study. Diagnoses of HOA were made by Tc99m bone scintigraphy or plain radiography. The findings of chest CT scans were reviewed retrospectively, with main interests on their size, location and internal characteristics, ect. RESULTS: Seven cases of intrathoracic neoplasm consisted of five bronchogenic carcinomas and two thymic tumors. The size of intrathoracic tumors were relativelY, large ranging from 6cm to 13cm(average 8.0cm). All thoracic neoplasms showed wide pleural contact, and one of them invaded thoracic wall. The range of length of pleural contact was 5-18cm(average 9.9cm). All of seven patients had internal necrosis, and one of them showed cavitation in thoracic mass. CONCLUSION: lntrathoracic neoplasms associated with HOA had a tendency to be large, to contain internal necrosis, and to widely abut the thoracic pleura.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Periostitis ; Pleura ; Radiography ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Synovitis ; Thoracic Neoplasms ; Thoracic Wall ; Thymus Neoplasms ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Epidermal cysts may develop on any part of the body. Most of them are thought to occur following inflammation of the epithelium of the hair follicle. These found on the palm and sole where the hair follicle is absent have been considered to developmant of following a traumatic inclusion of the epidermis into the Dermis. Because only a few cases w re known to be related to preceding trauma, the latter assumption has been questioned. Reerly, the HPV-like virions and papillomavirus genus-speciric antigen were detected in the epicrml cyst of the sole in some reports. 1 our cases of plantar epidermal cyst were studied for the presence of human papillomavirus using conventional histologic and immunohistochemical examinator Histologic examination showed three characteristic findings, that is, intracytoplasmic eosinophil odies in the cyst wall, parakeratosis within the cyst caviti, and vacuolar structures disperse the wall and cavity. In all of the cases, immunohistochernical staining was positive for papule evirus antigen. These findings suggest an etiologic as.iation between the papillomavirus infection and plantar epidermal cyst.
Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Hair Follicle ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Papilloma* ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Parakeratosis ; Virion

Sinusitis manifested as symptomatic imflammation of the paranasal sinuses is a common pediatric diagnosis. Many studies have focused more directly on the question of relationship between allergy and sinusitis but the relevance of the relationship between allergy and sinusitis still needs further examination, The purpose of this study is to assess of relationship of allergy to extent or severity of sinusitis. A clinical evaluation was performed on 199 children, age 2 to 15 years, in whom the diagnosis of sinusitis was confirmed by paranasal sinus radiographic assessment at our hospital Pediatric OPD and in the ward from July 1991 to June 1993. The results were as follows: 1) Male was more prominent than female (M:F ratio 1.76:1). The age distribution, 100 cases(55.2%) of the total case were 4-7 year old. 2) The symptoms were coughing, most common (77,9%), rhinorrhea, nasal discharge and nasal stuffiness, in decreasing order. The clinical signs were postnasal drip (62.8%), most common, throat injection, wheezing sound, and allergic shiner in decreasing order. Eighty eight patients were evaluated acute and compared with 111 patients with chronic sinusitis. 3) Comparable study between two groups were summarized as follwos: (1) There was no significant difference in age and sex distribution between acute and chronic group. (2) The lowest seasonal incidence of acute group was seen in summer and autumn but there was no significant variation between both group (p>0.05). (3) Allergc disease was more prevalent in chronc group than acute group (p<0.05). Asthma incidence was higher in chronic group than acute group (p<0.05). (4) The frequency of total IgE level checked by PRIST higher than 200 IU/ml in acute group and chronic group was 23.2% and 42.3%, respectively (p<0.05). The incidence of positive skin prick test in acute group and chronic group was 25.0% and 46.5% respectively (p<0.05). (5) Otitis media, nasal polyp and adenoid hypertrophy incidence were higher in chronic group than acute group (p<0.05). (6) There was no significant difference if ESR between both groups. The eosinophilia in peripheral blood higher than 5% in the acute group and chronic group was 15.9% and 42.3% respectively (p<0.05). (7) The patients with chronic group had more severe involvement of the paranasal sinuses than acute group (p<0.05). (8) There were no significant difference in chest radiographic findings and follow up paranasal sinus radiographic findings after treatment (P>0.05).
Adenoids ; Age Distribution ; Asthma ; Child* ; Cough ; Cyprinidae ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophilia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulin E ; Incidence ; Male ; Nasal Polyps ; Otitis Media ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Pharynx ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Sounds ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Sinusitis* ; Skin

PURPOSE: To characterize strain-specific differences in radiation response in murine tissues with different radiosensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six-week old male mice of 2 strains, C57Bl/6J and C3H/HeJ, were given whole body gamma-radiation with a single dose of 10 or 25 Gy. At different times after irradiation, mice were killed and tissues with different radiosensitivity, thymus and liver, were collected. Each tissue sample was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and apoptotic cells were scored. Expression of p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-x, and Bax was analysed by western blotting and densitometry. RESULTS: Radiation induced massive apoptosis in thymus with a peak level at 8 h after radiation. With 10 Gy irradiation, apoptotic indices in C57Bl/6J and C3H/HeJ were 81.0 2.5% and 59.4 4.0%, respectively (p<0.05). Radiation upregulated the expression of p53, Bcl-x, and Bax, but not Bcl-2; p53 with a peak level of 2.5 fold (C57Bl/6J) and 1.4 fold (C3H/HeJ) at 4 h, Bax with a peak level of 2.6 fold (C57Bl/6J) and 1.3 fold (C3H/HeJ) at 8 h, and Bcl-x with a peak level of 11.1 fold (C57Bl/6J) and 8.2 fold (C3H/HeJ) at 8 h after radiation. In liver, however, radiation-induced apoptosis was minimal (peak apoptotic index of 2.1% in C57Bl/6J and 1.7% in C3H/HeJ). None of p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-x, and Bax was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of apoptosis and regulation of related genes by radiation were tissue specific. Strain difference of radiation-induced apoptosis was well coupled with theinduction of related genes in thymus, a radiosensitive tissue. This study shows that quantitative difference of radiation induced apoptosis by strain is regulated at the gene level with the involvement of multiple genes.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Densitometry ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Mice ; Radiation Tolerance ; Thymus Gland

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemias are characterized by autoantibodies recognizing antigens on the Individual's own red blood cells, resulting in immune- mediated hemolysis. Blood transfusions have been regarded as hazardous in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) because of potential intensification of hemolysis and a presumed high incidence of alloimmunization. METHODS: We examined the pretransfusion and posttransfusion hemoglobin levels in 6 patients with autoantibodies in their sera, which showed panagglutinations with all bloods tested in the compatibility testing. They received 'least' incompatible blood because of inability to find compatible blood. RESULTS: When we compared pretransfusion hemoglobin level with posttransfusion hemoglobin level, in 5 of 6 patients with AIHA, the hemoglobin levels were increased after red cell transfusion. 4 patient who did not respond to transfusion therapy initially had an increase in hemoglobin level after steroid treatment. Any signs or symptoms indicating hemolytic transfusion reaction were not observed ducting the transfusion period in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to transfuse in AIHA should consider multiple factors including the patient's clinical status, the potential benefit of transfusion, the potential response to other therapeutic modalities, but must never be regarded as contraindicated, even though the compatibility test may be strongly incompatible.
Anemia, Hemolytic* ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Autoantibodies ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocyte Transfusion* ; Erythrocytes* ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Incidence

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemias are characterized by autoantibodies recognizing antigens on the Individual's own red blood cells, resulting in immune- mediated hemolysis. Blood transfusions have been regarded as hazardous in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) because of potential intensification of hemolysis and a presumed high incidence of alloimmunization. METHODS: We examined the pretransfusion and posttransfusion hemoglobin levels in 6 patients with autoantibodies in their sera, which showed panagglutinations with all bloods tested in the compatibility testing. They received 'least' incompatible blood because of inability to find compatible blood. RESULTS: When we compared pretransfusion hemoglobin level with posttransfusion hemoglobin level, in 5 of 6 patients with AIHA, the hemoglobin levels were increased after red cell transfusion. 4 patient who did not respond to transfusion therapy initially had an increase in hemoglobin level after steroid treatment. Any signs or symptoms indicating hemolytic transfusion reaction were not observed ducting the transfusion period in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to transfuse in AIHA should consider multiple factors including the patient's clinical status, the potential benefit of transfusion, the potential response to other therapeutic modalities, but must never be regarded as contraindicated, even though the compatibility test may be strongly incompatible.
Anemia, Hemolytic* ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Autoantibodies ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocyte Transfusion* ; Erythrocytes* ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Incidence