BACKGROUND: It has been well known that the degree of HLA matching in renal transplantation is important in graft and patient survival. Because HLA-identical living-related donor grafts are free from immunological attacks, they have benefits of one immunosuppressants or early withdrawal of steroids. However, there is acute rejection due to early withdrawal of immunosuppressants and graft loss due to recurrent glomerulonephritis following HLA- identical living-related renal transplantation. The purpose of this study is to determine the graft survival and the impact of recurrent glomerulonephritis on graft survival in HLA-identical living-related donor grafts. METHODS: From December 1984 to March 2004, 44 HLA-identical and 80 HLA-haploidentical living- related renal transplants in Bongsaeng Memorial Hospital were included in this study. We evaluated graft survivals, immunosuppressants and causes of graft failure. RESULTS: The mean graft survival for HLA-identical transplants is 198 months (16.5 years) and for HLA-haploidentical transplants is 166 months (13.8 years), respectively (p=NS). Acute rejection episodes occurred in 2 of the 44 (5%) identical transplants and 17 of the 80 (21%) haploidentical transplants, respectively (p=0.013). 6 grafts were lost in HLA- identical transplants and the causes are 4 recurrent glomerulonephritis (66.7%), 2 chronic rejections (33.4 %). 11 grafts were lost in HLA-haploidentical transplants and the causes are 6 chronic rejections (54.5 %), 1 acute rejection (9.1%), 1 drug toxicity (9.1%), 3 patient deaths (27.3%). Recurrent glomerulonephritis in HLA-identical transplants are three, but in HLA-haploidentical transplants are none. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed that there was no difference in graft survival between the two groups, but lower acute rejection rate in HLA-identical groups. Recurrent glomerulonephritis was the main cause of graft failure in HLA-identical groups and the impact of recurrent disease on graft survival needs to be investigated.
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Glomerulonephritis ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Transplantation ; Steroids ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants

In this report, we present a case of chyluria that is a very rare urine abnormality in Korea. A 43-year-old woman was referred to our clinic with intermittent turbid and creamy-colored urine for 10 days. The urine tests, including a urine lipid profile, indicated a diagnosis of chyluria. There was no evidence of secondary causes of chyluria such as a tumor and filariasis, and a urinary-lymphatic fistula was not found. The patient was instructed to begin a high protein diet with low fat content and medium chain triglyceride oil supplementation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a patient that presented with chyluria in Korea.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Female ; Filariasis ; Fistula ; Humans ; Korea ; Triglycerides

Ionizing radiation including I131 might produce chromosomal translocation, causing hematologic malignancy. The incidence of leukemia following radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer has been reported to be approximately 0.1 to 2.0% in Western countries, whereas fewer cases have been reported in Korea. We hereby report four cases of secondary hematologic malignancy, who received iodine therapy for thyroid cancer after thyroidectomy: two cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), a case of MDS with 5q deletion, and a case of MDS with normal karyotype. Three cases of hematologic malignancy have developed after cumulative dosage of less than 800 mCi. The treatment intervals in two cases were less than 12 months, and the other two cases had I131 therapy only once. Assessment of causality using the Naranjo probability scale for adverse drug reactions showed that a 'possible' relationship existed between the use of I131 and secondary hematologic malignancy in all of the four cases in this report.
Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Hematologic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/genetics ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Leukemia, Radiation-Induced/*diagnosis/etiology ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/diagnosis/genetics ; Neoplasms, Second Primary/*diagnosis/genetics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnosis/genetics ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*radiotherapy ; Thyroidectomy ; Translocation, Genetic

BACKGROUND: Since the recent introduction of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) using antibodies against cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 for the treatment of lymphoma, the clinical significance of the CD45 antigen has been increasing steadily. Here, we analyzed CD45 expression on lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry in order to predict the susceptibility of normal lymphocytes to RIT. METHODS: Peripheral blood specimens were collected from 14 healthy individuals aged 25-54 yr. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the cell surface antigens was measured using a FACSCanto II system (Becton Dickinson Bioscience, USA). MFI values were converted into antibody binding capacity values using a Quantum Simply Cellular microbead kit (Bangs Laboratories, Inc., USA). RESULTS: Among the lymphocyte subsets, the expression of CD45 was the highest (725,368+/-42,763) on natural killer T (NKT) cells, 674,030+/-48,187 on cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, 588,750+/-48,090 on natural killer (NK) cells, 580,211+/-29,168 on helper T (Th) cells, and 499,436+/-21,737 on B cells. The Th cells and NK cells expressed a similar level of CD45 (P=0.502). Forward scatter was the highest in NKT cells (P<0.05), whereas side scatter differed significantly between each of the lymphocyte subsets (P<0.05). CD3 expression was highest in the Th and NKT cells. CONCLUSIONS: NKT cells express the highest levels of CD45 antigen. Therefore, this lymphocyte subset would be most profoundly affected by RIT or pretargeted RIT. The monitoring of this lymphocyte subset during and after RIT should prove helpful.
Adult ; Antibodies/immunology ; Antigens, CD45/*analysis/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry/*methods ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology/metabolism ; Lymphocytes/immunology/*metabolism ; Lymphoma/radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Radioimmunotherapy ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology/metabolism

BACKGROUND: Since the recent introduction of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) using antibodies against cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 for the treatment of lymphoma, the clinical significance of the CD45 antigen has been increasing steadily. Here, we analyzed CD45 expression on lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry in order to predict the susceptibility of normal lymphocytes to RIT. METHODS: Peripheral blood specimens were collected from 14 healthy individuals aged 25-54 yr. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the cell surface antigens was measured using a FACSCanto II system (Becton Dickinson Bioscience, USA). MFI values were converted into antibody binding capacity values using a Quantum Simply Cellular microbead kit (Bangs Laboratories, Inc., USA). RESULTS: Among the lymphocyte subsets, the expression of CD45 was the highest (725,368+/-42,763) on natural killer T (NKT) cells, 674,030+/-48,187 on cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, 588,750+/-48,090 on natural killer (NK) cells, 580,211+/-29,168 on helper T (Th) cells, and 499,436+/-21,737 on B cells. The Th cells and NK cells expressed a similar level of CD45 (P=0.502). Forward scatter was the highest in NKT cells (P<0.05), whereas side scatter differed significantly between each of the lymphocyte subsets (P<0.05). CD3 expression was highest in the Th and NKT cells. CONCLUSIONS: NKT cells express the highest levels of CD45 antigen. Therefore, this lymphocyte subset would be most profoundly affected by RIT or pretargeted RIT. The monitoring of this lymphocyte subset during and after RIT should prove helpful.
Adult ; Antibodies/immunology ; Antigens, CD45/*analysis/immunology ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry/*methods ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology/metabolism ; Lymphocytes/immunology/*metabolism ; Lymphoma/radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Radioimmunotherapy ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology/metabolism

Thiazolidinediones (TZD), which are widely used as insulin sensitizers, and fibrates, which are lipid-lowering drugs, are used in the treatment of dyslipidemia that commonly accompanies diabetes. Several reports suggest elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, but the paradoxical reduction of HDL cholesterol level during single or combined TZD and fibrate therapies has been occasionally reported. Herein, we report a case of paradoxical decrease in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 levels during rosiglitazone and fenofibrate treatment for the first time in Korea. The patient was a 56-yr-old man presenting with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. His HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 levels returned to normal after the cessation of fenofibrate therapy. Since diabetes is an established risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, low HDL cholesterol can be a key cause of concern for patients with diabetes. Therefore, HDL cholesterol level should be determined before and after starting TZD and/or fibrate therapy in diabetic patients.
Apolipoprotein A-I/metabolism ; Cholesterol, HDL/*blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications/*drug therapy ; Dyslipidemias/complications/*drug therapy ; Fenofibrate/*therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thiazolidinediones/*therapeutic use

Tetraploidy or near-tetraploidy is a rare cytogenetic abnormality found in AML, and is divided into primary and secondary forms. The secondary tetraploidy or near-tetraploidy found in AML is known to be specifically associated with t(8;21). In this case report, FISH analysis detected RUNX1-RUNX1T1 gene rearrangement in the absence of cytogenetic abnormality of t(8;21), which suggests the presence of unvailed t(8;21). This is the first case report of tetraploidy or near-tetraploidy AML with cryptic RUNX1/RUNX1T1 in Korea. Although the prognosis of tetraploidy or near- tetraploidy with t(8;21) is known to be poor, this patient shows a relatively good clinical course compared to other reported cases.
Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/*genetics ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/*genetics ; *Polyploidy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/*genetics ; Transcription Factors/*genetics ; Translocation, Genetic

Bartonella henselae causes cat-scratch disease, bacteremia, and various focal infections. Despite the worldwide occurrence of B. henselae infections, reports in humans are rare in Korea. The clinical manifestation of all 5 previously reported cases was lymphadenopathy. Herein, we report a case of bacteremia in a woman who presented with prolonged fever. B. henselae was isolated from a blood specimen by cell culture. Conventional polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic space region confirmed the isolate to be B. henselae. The patient had no underlying immunocompromising conditions and no recent exposure to animals. She was successfully managed with a combination of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine.
Animals ; Bacteremia* ; Bartonella henselae* ; Bartonella* ; Cat-Scratch Disease ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chloroquine ; Doxycycline ; Female ; Fever ; Fever of Unknown Origin ; Focal Infection ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Korea* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Gender differences in aggression viewed from an evolutionary and sociocultural perspective have traditionally explained why men engage in more direct and physical aggression, and women engage in more indirect and relational aggression. However, psychological and behavioral studies offer inconsistent support for this theory due to personal or social factors, and little is known about the gender-based neurobiological mechanisms of aggression. This study investigates gender differences in aggression through an analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) based neurobiological responses to commonly encountered stimuli, as well as psychological approaches in healthy Korean youth. Our results from self-reports indicate that overall aggression indices, including physical and reactive/overt aggression, were stronger in men. This agrees with the results of previous studies. Furthermore, our study reveals prominent gender-related patterns in γ signals from the right ventrolateral frontal cortex and changes in heart rate through stimulation by aggressive videos. In particular, gender differences in EEG and ECG responses were observed in response to different scenes, as simple aversion and situation-dependent aggression, respectively. In addition, we discovered decisive gender-distinct EEG signals during stimulation of the situation-dependent aggression regions within the right ventromedial prefrontal and ventrolateral frontal regions. Our findings provide evidence of a psychological propensity for aggression and neurobiological mechanisms of oscillation underlying gender differences in aggression. Further studies of oscillatory responses to aggression and provocation will expand the objective understanding of the different emotional worlds between men and women.
Adolescent ; Aggression ; Electrocardiography* ; Electroencephalography* ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUND: The world encountered the global outbreak of an H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009. Influenza has accounted for grave outcomes, not only through infectious complications, but also through the exacerbation of underlying chronic diseases. A substantial number of confirmed or probable cases of influenza had been reported during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in South Korea, but a review of the development of influenza-related complications or the exacerbation of underlying chronic diseases has been absent. This study aims to understand the influence of the 2009 pandemic on the exacerbation of existing cardiopulmonary diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed the number of hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute myocardial infarctions, and heart failure during the period of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in a 950-bed teaching hospital in Korea. Three influenza seasons from 2007 to 2009 were compared via a medical records review. Data collection included the number of hospitalizations, patient age, number of deaths from all causes, and underlying medical conditions of fatal patients. RESULTS: The weekly number of cardiopulmonary hospitalizations showed no differences between the 2009 pandemic influenza period and seasonal influenza epidemics (53 and 56 on average, respectively), but the total number of hospitalized patients during the pandemic influenza period was 1481, whereas there were 625 on average for seasonal influenza. The hospitalization rate for patients under five years of age exceeded that of the patients sixty years of age or older in pandemic influenza, and the hospitalization rate of patients twentyfive to fifty-nine during pandemic influenza was significantly higher than that of seasonal influenza outbreaks (P=0.012). On the other hand, the hospitalization rate of the patients sixty years of age or older during the pandemic influenza period significantly fell short of that in past seasonal influenza periods (P<0.001). However, the patients sixty years of age or older had the highest case fatality rate during both periods. The total number of deaths among hospitalized patients with cardiopulmonary diseases in pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza epidemics was 87 and 46 on average, respectively. Weekly fatal cases were 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiopulmonary hospitalization rate during the pandemic period outnumbered that of preceding seasonal influenza epidemics by its extended length. But, the virulence or disease severity of the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza seems to be little different. A larger-scale epidemiological investigation is necessary.
Asthma ; Chronic Disease ; Data Collection ; Disease Outbreaks ; Hand ; Heart Failure ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Republic of Korea ; Seasons