No Abstract available.
Adolescent* ; Adult* ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: An exact ABO blood group is essential for prevention of transfusion accident and safe transfusion therapy. It is known that one of causes of ABO discrepancies is ABO subgroup caused by genetic polymorphism. Therefore, we analyzed ABO genotype of ABO discrepancies in blood donors and studied the distribution and cause of ABO discrepancies. METHODS: This study examined 118 samples showing ABO discrepancies of ABO blood typing between May 2003 and Dec 2003. ABO genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) method was performed on 118 samples. Restriction enzymes including BssH II, Kpn I and Alu I were used for PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: The genotypes of 118 cases were composed of 43 cases of A/B, 12 cases of A/O, 10 cases of B/O, 1 case of B/B, 37 cases of cis-AB/O, 4 cases of cis-AB/A, 11 cases of cis-AB/B. The genotype of cis-AB/O showed 32 cases with phenotype A2 B3 , 2 cases with phenotype A2 B, 2 cases with phenotype A1 B3 , 1 case with phenotype Ael B. The genotype of cis-AB/B showed 11 cases with phenotype A2 B, and cis-AB/A showed 2 cases with phenotype A2 B3 , 1 case with phenotype A1 Bx and 1 case with phenotype A1 Bel. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrated that the most frequent genotype of ABO discrepancies in our study is cis-AB. The most predominent phenotype of cis-AB/O is A2 B3 . ABO genotyping is useful in resolving ABO discrepancies, and determination of ABO subgroups.
Blood Donors* ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; Genotype ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic

BACKGROUND: The FDA has approved the storage of frozen red blood cells (RBCs) at -80degrees C for 10 years. After deglycerolization, the RBCs can be stored at 4degrees C for no more than 24 hours, because open systems are currently being used. We evaluated Haemonetics ACP 215, an automated, functionally closed system, for both the glycerolization and deglycerolization processes. METHODS: Thirty packed RBCs that had been glycerolized and stored at -80degrees C for 2 weeks were thawed, deglycerolized and resuspended in AS-3. The RBCs were then stored at 4degrees C for 2 weeks. For the evaluation of the procedure, RBC recovery rate, osmolarity, specific gravity, LDH, K+, Hb-2, 3 DPG, Hb-ATP, and plasma hemoglobin were tested at day 0 and day 14. RESULTS: The recovery rate of RBCs was 83.7+/-2.6% (78.9-88.8%). The Hb ATP and 2, 3-DPG of RBCs were 5.16+/-1.0 mol/g Hb and 10.4+/-2.4 mol/g Hb, respectively, at day 0. The supernatant K+, specific gravity, osmolarity, LDH were 1.3+/-0.6 mmol/L, 1.008+/-0.001, 295.0+/-3.1 mOsm/kgH2O, 175.0+/-39.0 unit/L, respectively. All measurements were acceptable to allow the RBCs deglycerolized on ACP 215 to be stored at 4degrees C for 14 days. The blood cultures were negative at day 0 and day 14. CONCLUSIONS: Haemonetics ACP 215 provides a closed, automated system for RBC glycerolization and deglycerolization. This study showed that the RBCs that were glycerolized and deglycerolized in the automated instrument and stored in AS-3 at 4degrees C for 14 days are of an acceptable quality.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Cryopreservation* ; Erythrocytes* ; Glycerol ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasma ; Specific Gravity

OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to evaluate the effects of Sil-Select and Percoll in sperm preparation. METHODS: Semen samples of 22 patients with normal sperm parameters by WHO criteria were divided into two equal parts and prepared with Percoll and Sil-Select. After completion of semen preparation procedures with Percoll and Sil-Select, sperm concentration, motility and morphology using strict criteria were evaluated in each group and all semen samples were fixed and stained for transmission electron microscopy(TEM). RESULTS: There were no significant diffrences in sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa and percentage of normal spermatozoa in morphology evaluation using strict criteria under light microscopy between Percoll and Sil-Select-treated groups. However, the percentage of normal shape and position of acrosome, and normal helix assembly of mitochondria under TEM were significantly higher in the Sil-Select-treated group compared to Percoll-treated group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that Sil-Select is less detrimental to the acrosome and mitochondria of spermatozoa in sperm preparation compared to Percoll.
Acrosome ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mitochondria ; Semen ; Spermatozoa*

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency obliteration and endovenous laser therapy of the greater saphenous vein have recently been introduced as alternative, minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of saphenous vein incompetence. The 7 Fr. VNUS ClosureFAST(R) radiofrequency obliteration system was introduced in Gwang-Ju Veterans hospital. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and complications of radiofrequency obliteration using the 7 Fr. VNUS ClosureFAST(R) system. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May 2, 2007 and May 31, 2008, we performed radiofrequency obliteration on 90 patients. The number of males was 67 and their mean age was 57.9+/-11.0 (range: 23~78) years old. The patients underwent follow up exams at 3 weeks after the procedures and then every 3 months. The effects of treatment and the complications were reviewed. RESULT: The postoperative complications were ecchymosis (94.4%), pain (27.8%), paresthesia (25.6%), bullous formation (8.9%), edema (6.7%) and phlebitis (2.2%). One patient showed good blood flow after 3 weeks and one patient showed good blood flow after 3 months. The one-year success rate of radiofrequency obliteration in varicose veins was 97.6%. CONCLUSION: Our data showed acceptable operative results and short-term clinical results for treating varicose veins with radio frequency obliteration. Long-term follow-up and comparison of radio frequency obliteration with high ligation and stripping, previous radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser therapy are needed in the future.
Ecchymosis ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, Veterans ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Ligation ; Male ; Paresthesia ; Phlebitis ; Postoperative Complications ; Saphenous Vein ; Varicose Veins ; Veins

BACKGROUND: The lymphocytes including morphologically immature lymphoid cells are frequently increased in the marrow aspirates of children with neuroblastoma. We studied about the clonality of these lymphoid cells and its effects on the marrow involvement and prognosis of disease. METHODS: We evaluated 30 marrow aspirates of 23 children with neuroblastoma from 1990 to 1998. We tested the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement PCR for B cell clonality and T cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement PCR for T cell clonality with bone marrow specimens. RESULTS: Younger children showed negative bone marrow involvement more than older children. In this group, the proportions of immature lymphoid cells and total lymphocytes were higher (3.4+/-3.2% vs. 0.8+/-1.9%, 31.3+/-17.0% vs. 14.7+/-12.0%). Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements were present in 19/30 (64%) specimens and more frequently observed in negative marrow involvement cases. Seven cases with the proportions of total lymphocytes more than 30% showed significantly high long-term survival probability (P=0.05). Ten cases with B cell monoclonality showed the tendency of high long-term survival probability (P=0.13). CONCLUSION: The increase of lymphocytes including morphologically immature lymphoid cells in the marrow aspirates of children with neuroblastoma were frequently observed in the children without marrow involvement of malignancy and closely related to B cell clonality. The increase of total lymphocytes and related B cell monoclonality may be one of possible explanations of goodprognosis of children with neuroblastoma.
Bone Marrow* ; Child* ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; Lymphocytes* ; Neuroblastoma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who were treated with repeated (3 times or more) PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD and followed up for more than 6 months were collected from 17 hospitals around the country. Visual outcomes at 12 and 24 months, follow-up were compared between subtypes of choroidal neovascularization. The factors related to final visual prognosis and PDT-related adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 244 patients (244 eyes) were recruited (male: 60%, age: 67.7+/-9.1 years). The portion of patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was 57%, 13%, and 24%, respectively and that of patients with visual improvements or less than moderate visual loss at 24 months follow-up were 28%, 38%, 30% and 47%, 56%, and 65%, respectively. Baseline visual acuity and age were significantly related to the final visual prognosis (p<0.05). PDT-related adverse events developed in 15 (6.1%) patients, but most were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD has effects comparable to those of previous prospective, controlled trials without any significant safety concerns in Korea.
Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization