PURPOSE:Insulin induced hypoglycemia and L-dopa are potent for growth hormone(GH) secretion in children. We evaluated the effects of GH secretion with insulin and L-dopa in 22 children with height percentile below 3 and 11 children with height percentile between 10 to 25. METHODS:Thirty four children were performed GH secretion study after classified by height percentile and bone age according to their age and sex. Twenty two children are height percentile below 3 and bone age is delayed more than one years compare to chronologic age(group A). As a control group, twelve children took part in this study and their height percentile were between 10 to 25 but, bone age was not concerned(group B). Serum GH concentration and blood glucose level was detected on 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after insulin 0.1U/kg was injected intravenously. And then serum GH concentration was measured on 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after L-dopa 10mg/kg was administered orally. Serum GH was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS:GH level in group A was below 7ng/mL in 13 children(59%) after insulin and L-dopa administration respectively but in 11 children(50%) GH level were all below 7ng/mL after insulin and L-dopa adminstration. GH deficiency(7ng/mL) was detected only one children in group B. In Group A and B, peak GH concentration was noted on 30 minutes after insulin administration, but on 60 minutes after L-dopa, peak GH concentration appeared in group B. GH concentration in zero time to 90 minutes after L-dopa was steady increased in group A. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric data such as height percentile and bone age are good for prediction of GH deficiency and if we use these data and GH secretory effects of insulin induced hypoglycemia and L-dopa, we can predict GH deficiency more accurately.
Blood Glucose ; Child* ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia* ; Insulin* ; Levodopa* ; Radioimmunoassay

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia(IPEH) is a solitary slowly enlarging, often tender, blue to red elevated nodule. The predilection sites include the head and neck region, and the extremities, especially the fingers. Histologically, IPEH is characterized by the well-circumscribed intravascular papillary structures, which are formed by fibrous cores that are lined by endothelial cells. We report a case of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia developed on the unusual site of lip.
Endothelial Cells ; Extremities ; Fingers ; Head ; Hyperplasia* ; Lip* ; Neck

BACKGROUND: To ensure the safety of plasma derivatives, some countries have been screening for the human parvovirus B19 (B19V) antigen or DNA in blood donors. We investigated the prevalence of B19V DNA and anti-B19V antibodies in Korean plasmapheresis donors to evaluate the necessity of B19V DNA screening test. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected between March and July 2008 from 10,032 plasmapheresis donors. The B19V DNA test was performed using the LightCycler 2.0 (Roche, Germany) with quantification kits. Anti-B19V IgM and IgG were tested in 928 randomly selected samples from the 10,032 donors using recomWell Parvovirus B19 ELISA IgM, IgG assay (Mikrogen, Germany). RecomLine Parvovirus B19 LIA IgG, IgM assay (Mikrogen, Germany) was used to analyze the epitopes of antibodies in donors showing positive results for B19V DNA and anti-B19V antibodies. DNA sequencing was performed to identify the genotypes. RESULTS: The prevalence of B19V DNA was 0.1% (10/10,032). Virus titers in B19V DNA positive donors were less than 10(5) IU/mL (range: 2.7x10(1)-3.2x10(4) IU/mL) except for 1 donor (1.33x10(8) IU/mL). All the isolated B19V DNAs from 6 donors were identified as genotype I. Nine out of 10 B19V DNA positive donors also possessed anti-B19V IgG only or IgG and IgM. The prevalence of anti-B19V IgG was 60.1% (558/928). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of B19V DNA in Korean blood donors was not high and most donors also possessed neutralizing anti-B19V antibodies. Thus, the implementation of a B19V screening test for Korean blood donors does not appear to be imperative.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; *Blood Donors ; DNA, Viral/*blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Immunoglobulin M/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parvoviridae Infections/epidemiology ; Parvovirus B19, Human/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; *Plasmapheresis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The safety of plasma derivatives has been reinforced since 1980s by variable pathogen inactivation or elimination techniques. Nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) for the source plasma has also been implemented worldwide. Recently nanofiltration has been used in some country for ensuring safety of plasma derivatives to eliminate non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19 (B19V) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). We evaluated the efficacy of nanofiltration for the elimination of B19V and HAV. METHODS: To verify the efficacy of nanofiltration, we adopted a 20 nm Viresolve NFP (Millipore, USA) in the scaling down (1:1,370) model of the antithrombin III production. As virus stock solutions, we used B19V reactive plasma and porcine parvovirus (PPV) and HAV obtained from cell culture. And 50% tissue culture infectious dose was consumed as infectious dose. The methods used to evaluate the virus-elimination efficacy were reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for B19V and the cytopathic effect calculation after filtration for PPV and HAV. RESULTS: B19V was not detected by RT-PCR in the filtered antithrombin III solutions with initial viral load of 6.42x10(5) IU/mL and 1.42x10(5) IU/mL before filtration. The virus-elimination efficacy of nanofiltration for PPV and HAV were > or =10(3.32) and > or =10(3.31), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nanofiltration would be an effective method for the elimination of B19V and HAV. It may be used as a substitute for NAT screening of these viruses in source plasma to ensure safety of plasma derivatives in Korea.
Antithrombin III/isolation & purification ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Filtration/*methods ; Hepatitis A virus/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Nanotechnology/*methods ; Parvovirus B19, Human/genetics/*isolation & purification ; RNA, Viral/analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: For effective blood usage and reduction of unnecessary workload at blood banks, we established the maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) for major elective surgeries and evaluated indicators, including the rate of returned red blood cells (RBCs). METHODS: During August 2016 and May 2017, MSBOS for neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and general surgery was established using two formulas: the mean units of transfusion per procedure (MSBOS 1) and the mean units of transfusion in transfused patients per procedure (MSBOS 2). The crossmatch to transfusion (C/T) ratio, transfusion probability, and rate of returned RBCs were calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: Based on MSBOS 1, type and screen can be applied to all elective surgeries of the general surgery department. MSBOS 2 was higher than MSBOS 1 in most surgeries ranging from 1 to 3 units. The C/T ratio and transfusion probability of surgery exhibited similar tendencies, and the general surgery department was over-prescribed compared to the actual transfusion requirement. The rate of returned RBCs was the highest in thoracic surgery (32/101, 32%), and the total number of returned RBC unit was the highest in orthopedic surgery (276 of 1131 units). CONCLUSION: MSBOS 1 was the formula corresponding to the purpose of the maximum blood application protocol. Application of an appropriate MSBOS protocol and concurrent utilization of C/T ratio, probability of transfusion, and rate and number of returned units of RBCs will further aid the efficiency of blood bank resources.
Appointments and Schedules* ; Blood Banks ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Neurosurgery ; Orthopedics ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: The ABO blood group typing test (ABO test) is an initial pre-transfusion test based on hemagglutination. Although various factors affect hemagglutination strength, few studies have examined how these factors can be applied in clinical laboratories and their effects on hemagglutination. This study was conducted to analyze the factors affecting hemagglutination strength in the ABO test using a tube method applied in many laboratories. METHODS: We conducted a detailed questionnaire survey of 51 laboratories which use the ABO test with a tube method. We also analyzed the results of the ABO test (cell and serum typing) with 40 specimens using factors affecting hemagglutination at a tube method and applied differently in each laboratory. RESULTS: Each laboratory used various methods to prepare red cell suspensions as specimens or reagents and used different reagent to sample ratios, centrifugation protocols, and shaking test tubes before evaluating hemagglutination strength. By testing various combinations of these factors, direct sampling from the red cell layer of the original specimen was found to have the largest effect on lowering hemagglutination strength in cell typing tests. In serum typing tests, various factors influenced hemagglutination strength, including shaking the tube before analysis and the concentration of a home-made red cell suspension used as a reagent. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve accurate results in the ABO test by the tube method, detailed guidelines that include the factors affecting hemagglutination strength determined in this study should be established.
Centrifugation ; Hemagglutination* ; Indicators and Reagents ; Methods* ; Suspensions

Purpose: To report the first domestic case of orbital eccrine hidrocystoma.Case summary: A 40-year-old man visited our clinic after an orbital mass was discovered in the left eye. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined 1 cm mass on the superomedial side of the orbit, slightly posterior to the globe. The mass was excised completely without rupture through an incision to the upper eyelid skin. The mass appeared more like a cyst than a hemangioma. The diagnosis of eccrine hidrocystoma was confirmed histopathologically. The patient recovered and there was no recurrence at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions Although orbital eccrine hidrocystoma is very rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors.

Relapsing polychondritis is a systemic disorder characterized by recurrent inflammation and degeneration of cartilaginous tissue throughout the body. The association with HLA-DR4 and the occurrence of antibodies to type II collagen and other antoantibodies suggest that an immunologic mechanism is involved in its pathogenesis. The eyes, oars, nose, larynx, trachea and articular areas are commonly involved. Airway narrowing or collapse from respiratory tract involvement, occurs in up It 50% of patients with relapsing polychondritis. Treatment consists of administration of corticosteroids arid other anti-inflammatory and immunosuppresive drugs. We experienced a case of relapsing polychondritis involving the tracheobronchial tree, nose and ears in a 49-year-old woman. The patient was clinically and histologically diagnosed as relapsing polychondritis according to McAdam's and Damiani's criteria. We report this case with a review of the literature.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Antibodies ; Collagen Type II ; Ear ; Female ; HLA-DR4 Antigen ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Larynx ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; Polychondritis, Relapsing* ; Respiratory System ; Trachea

Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) are important opportunistic pathogens that cause urogenital infections and complicate pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, effects on pregnancy outcomes, and antimicrobial susceptibilities of M. hominis and U. urealyticum. We tested vaginal swabs obtained from 1035 pregnant women for the presence of genital mycoplasmas between June 2009 and May 2014. The laboratory and clinical aspects of genital mycoplasmas infection were reviewed retrospectively, and the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of genital mycoplasmas were determined using the Mycoplasma IST-2 kit. A total of 571 instances of M. hominis and/or U. urealyticum were detected. Of them, M. hominis was detected in two specimens, whereas U. urealyticum was detected in 472 specimens. The remaining 97 specimens were positive for both M. hominis and U. urealyticum. Preterm deliveries were frequently observed in cases of mixed infection of M. hominis and U. urealyticum, and instances of preterm premature rupture of membrane were often found in cases of U. urealyticum. The rates of non-susceptible isolates to erythromycin, empirical agents for pregnant women, showed increasing trends. In conclusion, the prevalence of M. hominis and/or U. urealyticum infections in pregnant women is high, and the resistance rate of antimicrobial agents tends to increase. Therefore, to maintain a safe pregnancy, it is important to identify the isolates and use appropriate empirical antibiotics immediately.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Mycoplasma Infections/drug therapy/*epidemiology ; Mycoplasma hominis/*drug effects/physiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/drug therapy/*epidemiology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureaplasma Infections/drug therapy/*epidemiology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/*drug effects/physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a drug that has been used to treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the specific mechanism for its pharmacologic action has been largely unknown. It has been reported that dysregulation of lymphocytic apoptosis mediated by Fas ligand (FasL) and Fas is associated with the development of autoimmune diseases and HCQ induces apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes. These reports suggest that HCQ may exert its pharmacologic effects through the modulation of FasL and Fas. Therefore, we are intended to investigate the effects of HCQ on the regulation of FasL and Fas. Jurkat cells or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were treated with varying concentrations of HCQ. Semiquantative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and ELISA were used for this study. HCQ at nontoxic concentrations( 50~150 micrometer) caused a dose dependent increase of FasL mRNA expression and FasL in cell lysates. HCQ inhibited the release of intracellular 40 kDa FasL by Jurkat cells which were pulse-stimulated with PHA (50 microgram/ml). Jurkat cells activated with PHA increased membrane bound FasL (mFasL) expression (24.5+/-4.3%), however Jurkat cells pretreated with HCQ(150 micrometer) followed by PHA administration did not further increase mFasL expression (26.8+/-1.6%). Addition of different concentrations of HCQ to the cultured PBMNC stimulated with PHA for 24 hours showed increase of soluble FasL (sFasL). The levels of sFasL treated with HCQ zero, 50, 150 and 300 micrometer for 24 hours were 38.6+/-3.0, 43.4+/-5.1, 77.0+/-3.6(P<0.05) and 72.3+/-8.1pg/ml(P<0.05) respectively. However, fas metabolism was not affected by HCQ. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HCQ may exhibit its pharmacological effects by upregulation of FasL gene expression and increased production sFasL without any influence on the Fas metabolism of T cells.
Apoptosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fas Ligand Protein* ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine* ; Jurkat Cells ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lymphocytes ; Membranes ; Metabolism* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Up-Regulation