The 19-year-old twin sisters donated their blood in 2000. Their blood had typical Rh D negative red cell phenotype in Rh typing and weak D test using an anti-D reagent (Dade Behring, USA). Twin sisters donated blood again in 2001. Both were negative in anti-D reagent (Bioscotte Ltd., UK) and weakly positive in additively performed weak-D test. So we have acquired blood samples from them for further study in 2002. The red blood cells from twin sisters were not agglutinated with 4 various commercially available anti-D reagents. But in subsequently performed weak-D test, different reactivity to their anti-D reagents were shown, namely negative (Dade Behring, USA) and weakly positive (Ortho-clinical diagnostics, USA; Greencross, Korea; Bioscotte Ltd., UK). The lack of reactivity with some anti-D as shown in these cases can indicate the presence of a partial D antigen. So we carried out a additional serologic test using 6 monoclonal anti-D antibodies in partial-D typing set (Diamed, Switzerland) on Rh D antigens of red cells from twin sisters. According to the different reactivity patterns, we confirmed elder sister was partial-D category DFR and younger sister was partial-D with indeterminate category.
Antibodies ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents* ; Korea ; Phenotype ; Serologic Tests ; Siblings ; Twins ; Young Adult

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic eczematous skin disease attended by pruritus, erythema, edema, excoriation, and dryness. This study was to evaluate the effects of Korean red ginseng (RG) on AD in NC/Nga mice treated with 1-chloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (picryl chloride; PC). Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; normal control (NC), PC control, and PC-RG (50 and 100 mg/kg). RG was orally administered every day repeatedly during 6 weeks. The skin lesions in severity score, scratching behavior, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels, and histological appearance were examined. AD-like lesions were developed on the NC/Nga mice by topical PC applications. Oral administration of RG (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the development of AD, as analyzed by a modified SCORAD score. The scratching behavior decreased after RG administration. The levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-gamma were increased by PC stimulation, but treatment with RG (100 mg/kg) suppressed the increment of the serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels. Histologically, RG inhibited dermatitis lesions such as hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into epidermis and dermis. These results suggest that the administration of RG may be effective in alleviating the AD induced by PC.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermis ; Edema ; Epidermis ; Erythema ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-4 ; Mice ; Panax ; Picryl Chloride ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Skin Diseases, Eczematous

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic eczematous skin disease attended by pruritus, erythema, edema, excoriation, and dryness. This study was to evaluate the effects of Korean red ginseng (RG) on AD in NC/Nga mice treated with 1-chloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (picryl chloride; PC). Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; normal control (NC), PC control, and PC-RG (50 and 100 mg/kg). RG was orally administered every day repeatedly during 6 weeks. The skin lesions in severity score, scratching behavior, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels, and histological appearance were examined. AD-like lesions were developed on the NC/Nga mice by topical PC applications. Oral administration of RG (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the development of AD, as analyzed by a modified SCORAD score. The scratching behavior decreased after RG administration. The levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-gamma were increased by PC stimulation, but treatment with RG (100 mg/kg) suppressed the increment of the serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels. Histologically, RG inhibited dermatitis lesions such as hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into epidermis and dermis. These results suggest that the administration of RG may be effective in alleviating the AD induced by PC.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermis ; Edema ; Epidermis ; Erythema ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-4 ; Mice ; Panax ; Picryl Chloride ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Skin Diseases, Eczematous

In order to study the treatment of aneurysms, the technique of making experimental aneurysms in laboratory animals must be established. In our study, to examine the feasibility of making experimental aneurysm and selective angiography on the common carotid artery in rabbits and to determine the size of experimental aneurysm after surgery, saccular aneurysms were fashioned on the right common carotid artery in 17 rabbits using a vein pouch technique. Selective angiography of the common carotid artery was performed immediately after surgery, and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery. Also, histological changes in the aneurysms were observed. In 16 rabbits with established successful experimental aneurysm, no differences were found in diet intake and behavior before and after surgery. The patency of the carotid artery was confirmed by selective angiography. The average size of the aneurysm immediately after surgery was similar to that of 1 week postoperatively in selective angiography, however it increased with time at 4weeks and 8 weeks. Histologically, infiltration of inflammatory cells and hemorrhage were found at the junction of the carotid artery and the vein pouch at 1 week, which disappeared at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. This study suggests experimental saccular aneurysm using the vein pouch technique might form aneurysms similar to that of the human in its properties such as increment of size, and selective angiography might be suitable for assessment of experimental aneurysm. Therefore, this animal model may be suitable for investigating new treatment methodologies for human aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Animals, Laboratory ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Diet ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Veins

We determined the genetic diversity and distance between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses by genotyping for 20 microsatellite loci consisting of (TG)n repetitive sequence. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.1 to 0.789 in the Jeju horses and from 0.505 to 0.824 in the Thoroughbred horses. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.09 to 0.709 in the Jeju horses and 0.365 to 0.730 in Thoroughbred horses. There were no significant differences in heterozygosity and PIC values between Jeju and Thoroughbred horsesHowever, LEX035 was estimated relatively high heterozygosity (0.789) and PIC value 0.709) in Jeju horses and LEX050 was respectively 0.824, and 0.730 in the Thoroughbred horses. We may conclude that the genetic differentiation was low between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses. LEX 050, LEX055, LEX059 and LEX 063 could be used as geneticmarkers for differentiating Jeju from Thoroughbred horses.
DNA ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Horses ; Korea ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid

Klinefelter's syndrome is characterized by small testes, azoospermia, gynecomastia, and elevated levels of plasma gonadotropins in men with two or more X chromosomes. Previous investigators reported that patients with Klinefelter's syndrome are predisposed to the development of a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor in the mediastinum. It is suggested that this linkage may be due to the hormonal imbalance in Klinefelter's syndrome and consequently, the formation of dysgenetic germ cell and/or abnomal migration of germ cell. We report here a case of Klinefelter's syndrome in a 24-years-old man who was presented with anterior mediastinal mass. The clinical and laborarotory findings were compatible with Klinefelter's syndrome and he was found to have 47 XXY karyotype. Pathological findings for mediastinal mass revealed mixed germ cell tumor composed of mature cystic teratoma and endodermal sinus tumor. He was treated with cis-platin containing chemotherapy and followed up in partial remission.
Azoospermia ; Drug Therapy ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; Germ Cells* ; Gonadotropins ; Gynecomastia ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Klinefelter Syndrome* ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Plasma ; Research Personnel ; Teratoma ; Testis ; X Chromosome

BACKGROUND: Clinical isolates of Escherichia coli were evaluated to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Ambler class A extended-spectrum beta -lactamases (ESBLs). METHODS: Clinical isolates of E. coli were collected from 12 hospitals from February through July, 2004. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion and agar dilution methods, and ESBLproduction was determined by double-disk synergy test. TEM, SHV, CTX-M, PER-1, VEB, IBC, GES, and TLA type ESBL genes were detected by PCR amplifications, and the PCR products were subjected to direct sequencing. RESULTS: The double-disk synergy test was positive in 90.9% (149 in 164) of the ceftazidime- or cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates. The most prevalent types of Ambler class A ESBLs in E. coliisolates were CTX-M-15 (n=53). CTX-M-14 (n=24), CTX-M-3 (n=9), CTX-M-9 (n=3), CTX-M-12 (n=3), SHV-2a (n=1), SHV-12 (n=5) and TEM-52 (n=3) were also found. CTX-M-12 ESBL had never been reported before in Korea. CONCLUSIONS: CTX-M type ESBL-producing E. coli isolates are spreading and CTX-M-12 is emerging in Korea.
Agar ; beta-Lactamases* ; Diffusion ; Escherichia coli* ; Genotype ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence

Recent several reports have demonstrated that periodontitis is prevalent and adversely affects the survival in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease. However, its impact on transplant outcomes remains uncertain. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 136 and 167 patients, respectively, who underwent living donor kidney transplantation (KT) at Seoul National University Hospital from July 2012 to August 2016 and Korea University Hospital from April 2008 to October 2018. We divided patients into three groups according to stages of periodontitis based on a new classification system. Results: Patients with severe periodontitis were older, had a higher prevalence of diabetes, a higher body mass index and C-reactive protein level, a lower cardiac output, and were more likely to be smokers, indicating its association with chronic systemic inflammation. After KT, stage IV periodontitis was independently associated with a lower incidence of acute T cell-mediated rejection, suggesting the possible effect of periodontitis on immune function. However, 1-year and 3-year estimated glomerular filtration rates were not different. Among the KT recipients followed up more than 3 years, new-onset cardiovascular disease occurred in nine patients, and coronary artery disease occurred more frequently in patients with stage IV periodontitis. However, diabetes was the independent predictor of new-onset coronary artery disease in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our findings showed that periodontitis might be an important player in determining posttransplant outcomes in recipients. Further interventional trials to test whether treating periodontitis could modify transplant outcome are needed.

A novel Helicobacter species was identified from the gastrointestinal tract of the Korean striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Biochemical testing, ultrastructure characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested that this bacterium represents a distinct taxon. The bacterium was positive for urease activity, susceptible to cephalothin and nalidixic acid, and weakly positive for oxidase and catalase activity. Electron microscopy revealed that the bacterium has spirally curved rod morphology with singular bipolar nonsheathed flagella. Genotypically, the isolated bacterial strains (YMRC 000215, YMRC 000216, and YMRC 000419) were most closely related to a reference strain of Helicobacter mesocricetorum (97.25%, 97.32%, and 97.03% 16S rRNA sequence similarities, respectively). The 16S rRNA sequences of these strains were deposited into GenBank under accession numbers AF284754, AY009129, and AY009130, respectively. We propose the name Helicobacter apodemus for this novel species.
Animals ; Catalase ; Cephalothin ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; Flagella ; Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Genes, rRNA ; Helicobacter* ; Korea* ; Mice* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Murinae* ; Nalidixic Acid ; Oxidoreductases ; Sequence Analysis ; Urease