BACKGROUND: Hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL) cause preanalytical interference and vary unpredictably with different analytical equipments and measurement methods. We developed an integrated reporting system for verifying HIL status in order to identify the extent of interference by HIL on clinical chemistry results. METHODS: HIL interference data from 30 chemical analytes were provided by the manufacturers and were used to generate a table of clinically relevant interference values that indicated the extent of bias at specific index values (alert index values). The HIL results generated by the Vista 1500 system (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, USA), Advia 2400 system (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics), and Modular DPE system (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) were analyzed and displayed on physicians' personal computers. RESULTS: Analytes 11 and 29 among the 30 chemical analytes were affected by interference due to hemolysis, when measured using the Vista and Modular systems, respectively. The hemolysis alert indices for the Vista and Modular systems were 0.1-25.8% and 0.1-64.7%, respectively. The alert indices for icterus and lipemia were <1.4% and 0.7% in the Vista system and 0.7% and 1.0% in the Modular system, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HIL alert index values for chemical analytes varied depending on the chemistry analyzer. This integrated HIL reporting system provides an effective screening tool for verifying specimen quality with regard to HIL and simplifies the laboratory workflow.
Blood Chemical Analysis/instrumentation/*methods/standards ; Female ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; *Hemolysis ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias/metabolism/*pathology ; Jaundice/metabolism/*pathology ; Male ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure the concentration of volatile organic compound (VOC)s originated from the chemicals used and/or derived from the original parental chemicals in the photolithography processes of semiconductor manufacturing factories. METHODS: A total of four photolithography processes in 4 Fabs at three different semiconductor manufacturing factories in Korea were selected for this study. This study investigated the types of chemicals used and generated during the photolithography process of each Fab, and the concentration levels of VOCs for each Fab. RESULTS: A variety of organic compounds such as ketone, alcohol, and acetate compounds as well as aromatic compounds were used as solvents and developing agents in the processes. Also, the generation of by-products, such as toluene and phenol, was identified through a thermal decomposition experiment performed on a photoresist. The VOC concentration levels in the processes were lower than 5% of the threshold limit value (TLV)s. However, the air contaminated with chemical substances generated during the processes was re-circulated through the ventilation system, thereby affecting the airborne VOC concentrations in the photolithography processes. CONCLUSION: Tens of organic compounds were being used in the photolithography processes, though the types of chemical used varied with the factory. Also, by-products, such as aromatic compounds, could be generated during photoresist patterning by exposure to light. Although the airborne VOC concentrations resulting from the processes were lower than 5% of the TLVs, employees still could be exposed directly or indirectly to various types of VOCs.
Humans ; Korea ; Light ; Parents ; Phenol ; Semiconductors ; Solvents ; Toluene ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Ventilation ; Volatile Organic Compounds

Accidents, Occupational ; Facial Bones ; Heart ; Humans ; Mandible ; Mandibular Fractures ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; Motor Vehicles ; Sports ; Surgery, Oral ; Trauma Centers ; Urbanization

PURPOSE: We prospectively conducted a multi-center, open-label, randomized phase II trial to compare the efficacy and safety of docetaxel plus cisplatin (DC) and etoposide plus cisplatin (EC) for treating advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight previously untreated patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic NSCLC were enrolled in this study. The patients received cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1 and either docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 1 or etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 in the DC or EC arm, respectively, every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The objective response rate was 39.4% (15/38) and 18.4% (7/38) (p=0.023) in the DC and EC arms, respectively. The median time to progression (TTP) was 5.9 and 2.7 months (p=0.119), and the overall survival was 12.1 and 8.7 months (p=0.168) in the DC and EC arms, respectively. The prognostic factors for longer survival were an earlier disease stage (stage III, p=0.0095), the responders to DC (p=0.0174) and the adenocarcinoma histology (p=0.0454). The grades 3 and 4 toxicities were similar in both arms, with more febrile neutropenia (7.9% vs. 0%) and fatigue (7.9% vs. 0%) being noted in the DC arm. CONCLUSION: DC offered a superior overall response rate than does EC, along with tolerable toxicity profiles, although the DC drug combination did not show significantly improved survival and TTP.
Adenocarcinoma ; Arm ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Cisplatin* ; Etoposide* ; Fatigue ; Febrile Neutropenia ; Humans ; Prospective Studies

A case of 51-year-old woman with a malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) that exhibited no growth over a period of 4 years is reported. Surgical wedge resection revealed an adenocarcinoma upon intra-operative frozen ex-amination. The operation was completed with a right upper lobectomy and complete lymphadenectomy. The authors recommend an early surgical procedure for any SPNs due to risk factors for developing lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule*

BACKGROUND: The balances of the proteinases and antiproteinases system have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various exudative pleural effusions. The aim of this study was to examine the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels in exudative pleural effusions. METHODS: The study included 33 tuberculous effusions, 17 malignant, and 5 transudates. The pleural levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were determined using a commercially available ELISA assay. RESULTS: The group of tuberculous effusions showed higher pleural MMP-1 levels than the malignant and transudates. The pleural TIMP-1 levels of the tuberculous and malignant effusions were higher than the transudates. CONCLUSION: Elevated pleural MMP-1 and TIMP-1 levels were found in tuberculous effusions.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Exudates and Transudates ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Pleural Effusion* ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1*

Recurrent peritonitis is the major complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and a common reason for discontinuation of this form of therapy. Polymicrobial peritonitis by gram- negative organisms suggests intraabdominal pathology not directly associated with CAPD, necessitating early removal of catheter and/or abdominal exploration. The source of infection may still be gastrointestinal, especially in light of the polymicrobial gram-negative peritonitis and rarely be gastrointestinal malignancy. We recently experienced a case of 64-year-old woman with recurrent CAPD peritonitis by polymicrobial gram-negative organisms, originated from colon cancer. Colon cancer was confirmed by barium enema, abdominal CT and colonoscopic biopsy. She underwent right hemicolectomy and removal of catheter simultaneously. The biopsy revealed a moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with abundant mucin production.
Adenocarcinoma ; Barium ; Biopsy ; Catheters ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Pathology ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and obstetric consequences of women with uterine anomalies and correlation between obstetric consequence and congenital uterine anomalies. Materials and METHODS: A retrospective study was made on 65 patients with uterine anomalies in order to evaluate the obstetric consequence at department of obstetrics and gynecology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital from January 1994 to June 1997. The diagnosis of uterine anomalies was made with hysterosalpingogram or ultrasonogram, or at the time of cesarean section. The uterine anomalies were classified according to the classification of Buttram and Gibbons and compared the pregnancy outcome for each classification. The obstetric consequences were divided into preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth restriction, and abnormal presentation of fetus. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi-square test, the significance was defined as P< 0.05. RESULTS: 1. The incidence of uterine anomalies accounted for 1.04% (65/6,250 deliveries). 2. The most common uterine anomalies were class III (Uterine didelphys, 47.7%). 3. We noted preterm birth rate (16.9%), premature rupture of membranes rate (20%), intrauterine growth restriction rate (9.2%) in 65 patients. 4. The rate of breech presentation was 41.5% and the mean birth weight was 2,747 gram. 5. When uterine anormalies were present, the incidence of obstetric consequences was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: We concluded that congenital uterine anomalies were closely related to obstetric consequences, such as preterm, breech presentation, intrauterine growth retardation.
Birth Weight ; Breech Presentation ; Cesarean Section ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Fetus ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hylobates ; Incidence ; Membranes ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography

Acute Disease ; Diagnosis ; Enterotoxins ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Hypotension ; Shock ; Shock, Septic ; Staphylococcus aureus

Adipose Tissue ; Cheek ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Mouth ; Oroantral Fistula ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Tissue Donors ; Tongue ; Transplants