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: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of plasma concentration of vitamin C is on the plasma total antioxidant status(TAS) in patients with paraquat intoxication. METHODS: As a preliminary research for this study, we measured plasma vitamin C levels, uric acid, TAS, and bilirubin from 100 healthy Koreans aged between 25-55 years. Various concentrations of vitamin C were constructed in vitro with normal pooled plasma between 1mg/dl and 100 mg/dL and TAS was measured. Both vitamin C concentrations and TAS were measured from the blood samples, taken at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 hours after a bolus injection of vitamin C(50 mg/kg) from 7 volunteers who had been recruited from medical students at our hospital. Various amounts of vitamin C were given to 10 patients with paraquat intoxication for 5 consecutive days in the morning : first day ; 100 mg single dose, second day; 500 mg single dose, third day ; 1,000 mg single dose, fourth day : 3,000 mg single dose, and fifth day ; 3,000 mg three times every 8 hours. RESULTS: The mean value of TAS and vitamin C measured in 100 healthy Korean adults was 2.22 +/-0.16 mmol/L and 0.48+/-0.10 mg/dL. Age and sex do not influence these levels(p> 0.05, data are not presented). A direct correlation was observed between TAS and vitamin C concentrations of 1 mg/dL and 100 mg/dL both in vivo and vitro. As the vitamin C concentration was increased gradually 5 consecutive days, the TAS values increased in the same way as follows : first day(vitamin C 100 mg) 2.26+/-0.98 mmol/L, second day(vitamin C 500 mg) 2.76+/-0.78 mmol/L, third day(vitamin C 1.000 mg) 2.81+/-0.68 mmol/L, fourth day(vitamin C 3.000 mg) 3.18 mmol/L. On the fifth day when 3.000 mg of vitamin C was given by bolus intravenous injection 3 times(every 8 hours for a day), the TAS values measured one hour after the injection was 3.58+/-0.37 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: When vitamin C is used as a free radical scavenger, the loading dose and maintenance dose should be around 2278 mg intravenous bolus and 146 mg/hour. High doses of vitamin C are effective and safe for patients with acute paraquat intoxication.
Adult ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Bilirubin ; Free Radical Scavengers ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Paraquat* ; Plasma* ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Students, Medical ; Uric Acid ; Vitamins* ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: This study were designed to supply the opportunity to make a base of emergency syndromic surveillance warning system to detect the bioterrors through the construction of predictive models which were made by reported patients in 'Emergency Syndromic Surveillance System' who were diagnosed as waterborne contagious diseases. METHODS: On this study, we used the neural network analysis methods among the data mining to analyze the reliable variables which was extracted from the reported data bases in the Emergency Syndrome Surveillance System. RESULTS : In this study, we were using the patients data pools from 13th May 2002 to 13th May 2003 in Emergency Syndrome Surveillance System. So we could get the reliable variables - clinical symptoms, severity of patient, humidity and temperature - to predict the waterborne infections. This study shows the successful predictation rate of 96% in error rate of 0.4 with sensible variables through Chisquare analysis and the construction of one hidden layer which is near linearity. CONCLUSION: Early emergency syndromic surveillance warning models made by the neural network in Emergency Syndrome Surveillance System could make the early detection of waterborne infections, could also stop the transmission of waterborne infections in early stage, and furthermore could be used as the preventive and detective methods of bioterror attacks.
Bioterrorism ; Data Mining ; Emergencies* ; Humans ; Humidity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between myocardial perfusion defect in single photon emission tomography(SPECT) and the difference in left ventricular functional parameters obtained after stress and at rest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty five patients known to have coronary artery disease (CAD) or suspected to have CAD underwent gated Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT using one or separate day rest/stress protocol. We compared post-stress left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF-s) with that at rest (LVEF-r) in gated myocardial SPECT. We considered myocardial stunning was developed when LVEF was >5% lower than that at rest. METHODS: Forty one (48%) patients demonstrated reversible or irreversible perfusion defects in gated perfusion SPECT (group 1). Forty four (52%) patients demonstrated normal perfusion status (group 2). In group 1, LVEF-s was significantly lower than that at rest([mean+/-SD] 46+/-15.5 vs 48+/-16.0 respectively, p<0.05). In group 2, There was no significant difference among LVEF-s and LVEF-r(60+/-7.6 vs 61+/-7.9, p=NS). In group 1, no difference was observed between LVEF-s and LVEF-r by stress modes. In 13 (32%) of 41 patients with perfusion defects, LVEF-s was >5% lower than LVEF-r. CONCLUSION: The LVEF obtained after stress with gated SPECT may not reflect true resting values. We recommend gated myocardial perfusion SPECT should be performed also at rest especially in patients with myocardial perfusion defects.
Adenosine* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Humans ; Myocardial Stunning ; Perfusion* ; Stroke Volume ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Ventricular Function, Left*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the expierience of the Wonju Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT)'s activities during the Chun-cheon landslide (AM 00:08 on July 7th, 2011) and to present damages caused by the landslide. The scale of the domestic DMAT in the landslide disaster was also assessed. METHODS: In a retrograde study, victims were analyzed video camera recordings and medical records at the landslide disaster. Follow-up surveys of patients taken to the hospital after the Chun-cheon landslide were also analyzed. In addition, pertinence of the Wonju DMAT's activities during the rescue activity, designated by National Emergency Management, were evaluated. RESULTS: Rescue efforts continued until 13:00 on July 7th, 2011. The number of casualties was forty one, consisted of three immediate patients, six delayed patients, nineteen minimal patients, and thirteen expectant patients. The Wonju DMAT arrived at the scene of the landslide disaster at AM 02:30 on July 7th, 2011. After installing a medical office, they categorized patients by ID-ME classification and provided medical treatment to twenty-two patients, including local residents and rescue workers. CONCLUSION: The cause of death in the landslide disaster was suffocation. A small-scale DMAT rescue, composed on five to six people, is more proper for disaster response in a landslide disaster.
Asphyxia ; Cause of Death ; Classification ; Disasters* ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Landslides* ; Medical Assistance ; Medical Records ; Rescue Work

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the expierience of the Wonju Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT)'s activities during the Chun-cheon landslide (AM 00:08 on July 7th, 2011) and to present damages caused by the landslide. The scale of the domestic DMAT in the landslide disaster was also assessed. METHODS: In a retrograde study, victims were analyzed video camera recordings and medical records at the landslide disaster. Follow-up surveys of patients taken to the hospital after the Chun-cheon landslide were also analyzed. In addition, pertinence of the Wonju DMAT's activities during the rescue activity, designated by National Emergency Management, were evaluated. RESULTS: Rescue efforts continued until 13:00 on July 7th, 2011. The number of casualties was forty one, consisted of three immediate patients, six delayed patients, nineteen minimal patients, and thirteen expectant patients. The Wonju DMAT arrived at the scene of the landslide disaster at AM 02:30 on July 7th, 2011. After installing a medical office, they categorized patients by ID-ME classification and provided medical treatment to twenty-two patients, including local residents and rescue workers. CONCLUSION: The cause of death in the landslide disaster was suffocation. A small-scale DMAT rescue, composed on five to six people, is more proper for disaster response in a landslide disaster.
Asphyxia ; Cause of Death ; Classification ; Disasters* ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Landslides* ; Medical Assistance ; Medical Records ; Rescue Work

PURPOSE: Hypertension may be involved an alteration of intrinsic basal tone in vascular smooth muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on isolated non-contracted aorta from two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats. METHODS: 2K1C hypertension was induced by clipping the left renal artery and were used 6 weeks later. Age-matched rats receiving a sham treatment, which served as controls. The thoracic aortae were mounted in tissue baths to measure the isometric tension. RESULTS: ANP diminished basal tone in previously unstimulated thoracic aortic rings from 2K1C hypertensive rats, while it had no effect in the control rats. Endothelial destruction potentiated the vasorelaxant effect of ANP on basal tone in 2K1C rats. A similar potentiation of the ANP response was observed by pre-treatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or methylene blue in aortic rings with endothelium. Treatment with calcium-free Krebs decreased basal tone and abolished ANPresponse. These effects were observed only in aortic rings from 2K1C rats. Similarly, staurosporine and calphostin C, inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), lowered basal tone and abolished ANP-response in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that ANP has a vasorelaxant effect on basal tone in 2K1C renovascular hypertension. Inhibition of ANP effects on basal tone by calcium-free Krebs and PKC antagonists suggests that altered Ca2+ -active tone is involved in hypertension, that modifies the response of vascular smooth muscle to the ANP.
Animals ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Baths ; Endothelium ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Methylene Blue ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Naphthalenes ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Placebos ; Protein Kinase C ; Rats ; Renal Artery ; Salicylamides ; Staurosporine

No abstract available.
Leukemia, Plasma Cell* ; Plasma Cells* ; Plasma*

PURPOSE: Recently, all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related injuries have increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and analyze the ATV injuries in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed the patients who visited Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital emergency center with ATVrelated injuries, from 2004 January to 2008 December. The injury severity was evaluated according to the injury severity score (ISS), the revised trauma score (RTS), and the yrauma score and the injury severity score (TRISS). RESULTS: From 2004 to 2008, a total of 78 cases, 28 male and 50 female, of ATV-related injuries were reviewed. The annual incidence had increased 22.5-fold from 2004(2 cases) to 2008(45 cases). The age ranged from 8 to 68 years (median, 24 years). The most frequently injured site was the lower extremity(48.7%). The primary mechanism of injury was roll-over(35.9%), the next was falling down (33.3%). Eighty-two percent(82%) of accidents occurred on paved roads when ATVs are legislated for off-road use only. The average ISS was 6.8. In cases including both the driver and the passenger, the ISS of passengers was higher than that of drivers(7.4 vs. 4.7). Fifty percent (50%) of patients required an operation. The rate of admission was 62.8%. The average length of hospital stay was 25 days. Eighty-one percent (81%) of patients had no previous experience of operating an ATV. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of patients did not receive any formal training before operating an ATVs. CONCLUSION: Both the incidence and severity of ATV-related injuries are increasing in Korea. There is a lack of regulation enforcement and public awareness of the dangers of ATV use. The wearing of appropriate safety equipment and sufficient education about driving skills can reduce the ATVrelated injuries.
Emergencies ; Female ; Heart ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injury Severity Score ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Off-Road Motor Vehicles

Neck trauma can result in a spectrum of injuries and complications ranging from incidental to life threatening, including hemorrhagic shock, acute neurologic injury, and airway obstruction. A prevertebral hematoma associated with a cervical vertebra fracture is not a common condition, moreover, in such cases, airway obstruction is rare. If this condition occur, it may very fatal that can producing hypoxia, cyanosis, acidemia, hypoxic brain damage, and then death. For this reason, the attending physitian must careful observation and protect the airway until the hematoma is reduced and other complications relieved. Recently, we experienced a case of airway obstruction induced by cervical vertebra teardrop fracture (C5). The hematoma progressed slowly and then progressively; Finally it compressed the airway. So we present this case with a reviews of the literature.
Airway Obstruction* ; Anoxia ; Cyanosis ; Hematoma* ; Hypoxia, Brain ; Neck ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; Spine*