The ESR is one of the oldest laboratory test still in use. Although it lacks specificity in diagnosis, it can be effective for monitoring disease activity and following-up. The Westergren method is used for reference method, however coefficient of variation has been described 0.8% to 22.9% according to the literature. Since the ESR was invented in 1921, measurement technique has developed and automated measurement is introduced. We analyzed one hundred forty-three patient samples using SEDIsystem' automated ESR measuring system and compared with modified Westergren and Wintrobe methods. Comparison between SEDIsystem' and modified Westergren for ESR measurement yields the following regression equation; y = 0.863x - 1.69 (r=0.830), SEDIsystem'M and Wintrobe y'= 1.14x - 14.7 (r=0.789), rcspectively. We repeated measurement to evaluate reliability, results are not significant in statistically. In conclusion, SEDIsysten' automated ESR measurement correlated with modified Westergren and Wintro" ; methods, reveal reliable results after 4 hours and can report rapidly for large samples. Thus, these results indicate that SEDIsystenT"' automated ESR measurement may be useful tool for clinical practice.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

In the figure 3, designation of severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was misprinted. Open bars (white) represent severe BPD, not mild BPD. Closed bars (Black) represent mild BPD, not severe BPD. Gray bars in the middle represent moderate BPD without change.

BACKGROUND: Elecsys 2010 immunoassay system is based on the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using a ruthenium (II) tris (bipyridyl) label. Since it was the first time to use the system in our laboratory, we would like to evaluate the analytical performances (precision, linearity and recovery rate) and correlation with radioimmunoassay (RIA) and microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) methods. METHODS: We used precicontrol tumor marker (TM1, TM2) for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Precicontrol universal (Ul, U2) for triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), Precicontrol-TSH for thyrotropin (TSH) and pooled serum for the evaluation of precision and recovery rate. Patients' sera were used for the linearity and comparison study. RESULTS: The coefficients of variatron of Imprecision study were below; 4.0%, 8.7% and 10.2%, respectively in the within-run, within-day and between-day analysis. The recovery rates were 100.5%, 96.1% and 102.5%, respectively in T4, TSH, and AFP. The linearity were y=1.02x-0.182(r=0.99) for T4, y=1.01x+0.12 (r=0.99) for TSH and y=1.01x+0.54(r=1.00) for AFP. T3, T4, TSH, CEA and PSA results showed good correlation with RIA (r>0.90), but AFP showed r=0.88. Also, AFP, CEA and PSA results showed excellent correlation with AxSYM (r>0.99). CONCLUSION: Elecsys 2010 immunoassay system showed excellent precision, recovery rate, clinically acceptable linearity and good correlation with the results obtained by RIA and MEIA methods.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Immunoassay* ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Radioimmunoassay ; Ruthenium ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of hope of terminal cancer patients in Korea. METHODS: Seven participants receiving hospice care were interviewed about hope experiences based on Parse's research methodology. RESULTS: Practical propositions derived from the structure of the hope experience were: Terminal cancer patients are beings newly recognizing the value of their lives by maintaining their hopes while they are experiencing powerlessness due to feelings of loss and distress. Ways of truly being with them are accepting their experience of distress, understanding the existence of paradoxical relationships, active symptom management, and finding hope in the current situation. Through these processes, the patients restructure their remaining lives for peaceful death by changing their perceptions about death. This structure can be interpreted as 'the hope experience of terminal cancer patients is a process of changing the value of life, overcoming fear of death, enhancing meaning, and transcending.' CONCLUSION: The concept of 'true presence' applied in this study was proved to be an effective nursing practice improving quality of life of the patients. Parse's Human Becoming Methodology may be applied to terminal cancer patients in the future.

Sa-Sang, one of the Korean traditional medicines, classifies people's constitution into 4 types, which are referred to as Tae-Yang-In, Tae-Eum-In, So-Yang-In and So-Eum-In. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic and dietary factors and to test any significant differences between Sa-Sang constitution and related factors. The participants were 483 college students and the data of 428 students were finally analyzed. Constitution was determined identically through both the questionnaire on Sa-Sang constitution and an inquiry by a Korean traditional medical doctor. Tae-Eum-In showed statistically significant higher BMI and higher smoking frequency. Tae-Eum-In also had significantly higher intakes in iron, potassium, sodium, vitamin B1, niacin, beta-carotene and vitamin E. So-Eum-In had significantly lower intakes in protein, phosphorous, and folate. From this study, we could expect to get some scientific, objective and accurate diet information on the types of constitution. Considering the fact that most chronic degenerative diseases could be developed by any lifestyle factors, it is necessary to conduct educational programs about lifestyles including the dietary habit for maintaining good health. Therefore, it will be better to continue a long-term follow-up study on any chronic degenerative disease based on the types of Sa-Sang constitution in the future.
beta Carotene ; Constitution and Bylaws* ; Demography ; Diet ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Iron ; Life Style ; Niacin ; Potassium ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sodium ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thiamine ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: The use of autologous transfusion is gradually increasing since it eliminates transfusion-transmitted viral diseases, and avoids the risk of alloimmunization of red blood cells and posttransfusion graft-versus-host disease. The majority of premature neonates born at less than 1500 g need one or more red blood cell transfusion during the hospitalization and cord blood is considered as the most ideal blood for neonate autologous transfusion. In order to evaluate the adequacy of stored cord blood for autologous transfusion for neonates, the levels of plasma free hemoglobin, red blood cell adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) were measured at the time of collection, and then a week interval by 4 weeks. METHODS: The cord blood was collected in a single donor bag with CPDA-1 by aseptic technique from 28 newborns, stored for 28 days at 4degrees C, and changes in the levels of plasma free hemoglobin, red blood cell ATP and 2,3-DPG were measured at the time of collection, and then a week interval by 4 weeks for 26 cord bloods which were not presented with any bacterial growth during the storage. RESULTS: At the time of sampling, hemolysis was 0.11+/-0.16%, and intracellular ATP and 2,3-DPG were 3.74+/-0.99 mumol/g Hb and 11.67+/-1.21 mumol/g Hb, respectively. During the storage, hemolysis gradually increased to 0.61+/-1.09% on 28 days (p<0.05). ATP gradually decreased to 2.98+/-0.92 mumol/g Hb (80% of initial level) on 28 days(p<0.05). The levels of 2,3-DPG were 4.20+/-0.87 mumol/g Hb (about 35% of initial level) on 7 days(p<0.05) and 1.16+/-0.74 mumol/g Hb (less than 10% of initial level) on 28 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, ATP and 2,3-DPG levels of cord blood that are related to the viability of red blood cells during the storage were similar to those of adults. Thus the cord blood appeared to be an appropriate source for neonate autologous transfusion, however, more intensive studies on the effects of 2,3-DPG and metabolic products in vivo are necessary since physical conditions and physiology of the red blood cells in the neonates are different in many aspects from those of adults and children.
2,3-Diphosphoglycerate* ; Adenosine Triphosphate* ; Adenosine* ; Adult ; Child ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Fetal Blood* ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hemolysis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Physiology ; Plasma* ; Tissue Donors ; Virus Diseases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between multidrug resistance (MDR) gene and prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), several parameters were compared according to the expression status of MDR associated P-glycoprotein. METHODS: 40 bone marrow samples from 36 children of acute lymphoblastic leukemia were analyzed with immunohistochemical stain by C219 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: 1) The expression of MDR associated P-glycoprotein was positive in 47% at the time of initial diagnosis & 66.7% at relapse. 2) There are no stastical difference between two groups in complete remission rate, relapse rate, mean 2 years survival rate. 3) Event free survival duration was 11.3 months (+/-8.5 months) in P-glycoprotein positive group, while 20 months (+/-7.3months) in P-glycoprotein negative group (P<0.05). 4) There are no stastical difference between two groups in the mean age, sex ratio, initial WBC and immunophenotype of subjects. CONCLUSION: These results suggested the possibility of adopting MDR associated P-glycoprotein in the design of therapeutic regimen and prognostification of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, a prospective, randomized study incorporating a larger population should precede before a firm conclusion of significance would draw regarding the prognostic and the therapeutic implication of P-glycoprotein in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Bone Marrow ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Resistance, Multiple* ; Humans ; P-Glycoprotein* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Sex Ratio ; Survival Rate

The thalamus, located between the cerebrum and midbrain, is a nuclear complex connected to the cerebral cortex that influences motor skills, cognition, and mood. The thalamus is composed of 50-60 nuclei and can be divided into four areas according to vascular supply. In addition, it can be divided into five areas according to function. Many studies have reported on a thalamic infarction causing motor or sensory changes, but few have reported on behavioral and executive aspects of the ophthalmoplegia of the thalamus. This study reports a rare case of a paramedian thalamus infarction affecting the dorsomedial area of the thalamus, manifesting as oculomotor nerve palsy, an abnormal behavioral change, and executive dysfunction. This special case is presented with a review of the anatomical basis and function of the thalamus.
Cerebral Cortex ; Cerebrum ; Cognition ; Executive Function ; Infarction* ; Mesencephalon ; Motor Skills ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Thalamus

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether gene expressions of VEGF and PlGF are different between the human placenta of normal and abnormal pregnancy. METHODS: Placenta was collected at each trimester of normal pregnancy, missed abortion, intrauterine growth retardation and pre-eclampsia. Total RNA was extracted from placenta. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed using VEGF and PlGF primer. RESULTS: VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189 were identified in normal pregnancy and missed abortion. In two cases of four IUGR and one case of three pre-eclampsia, four of isoforms (VEGF121, VEGF145, VEGF165, and VEGF189) were identified. The intensity of signal was strongest for VEGF165 in all cases. PlGF131 and PlGF152 were identified in all cases. However, the signal intensities of VEGF121, VEGF165, VEGF189, PlGF131 and PlGF152 were not different according to the gestational age. They were also not different between normal pregnancy and abnormal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: VEGF and PlGF were not only expressed at placenta but also overexpressed in part of IUGR and pre-eclampsia. The results suggest that VEGF may play a role in the induction of angiogenesis of placenta in normal pregnancy and its production may be increased under the hypoxic condition.
Abortion, Missed ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gene Expression* ; Gestational Age ; Humans* ; Placenta* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Protein Isoforms ; RNA ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: Thymic size can be affected by glucocorticoids which promotes surfactant synthesis in preterm infants. We assessed the hypothesis that the fetal lung maturity in preterm infant correlates with the size of the thymus detected at birth on the routine chest radiograph. We also searched for a possible relationships between thymus size, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and the cord blood cortisol level. METHODS: The cardiothymic/thoracic ratios (CT/T) within 6 hours after birth and cord blood cortisol levels were measured in 42 preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Seoul National University Children's Hospital from June 2002 to December 2003. Multiple linear regression analyses were done to assess the relationships between the CT/T, the perinatal events and the cord blood cortisol levels. The receiver operation characteristic curve analysis was done to evaluate the CT/T in the prediction of RDS. RESULTS: 8 infants (19.0%) developed RDS. The CT/T positively correlated with the birth weight, but not with the gestational age. The CT/T were significantly larger and the cord blood cortisol levels were significantly lower in the preterm infants with RDS than in those without RDS. The cord blood cortisol levels were negatively correlated with the CT/T. The birth weight and RDS were all independently associated with the CT/T. The CT/T less than 0.37 identified infants with RDS with 87.5% sensitivity and 61.8% specificity. CONCLUSION: The larger thymus at birth can be used to identify RDS. The lower cord blood cortisol level may be associated with the larger thymus in RDS.
Birth Weight ; Fetal Blood* ; Gestational Age ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Linear Models ; Lung ; Parturition ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul ; Thymus Gland*