OBJECT: Peripheral blood stem cells(PBSC) were collected after remission induction chemotherapy and reinfused after intensified chemotherapy in order to increase the chemotherapeutic efficacy. METHOD: Collection of mononuclear cells(MNC) was started when CD34+ cells above 1% and WBC above 1,000/ul with mononuclear cell percentage above 30%, the collection procedures were done 2-6 times in each patient of total 6 cases. The collected MNCs were stored in -75 degrees C and reinfused after thawing in the water bath at 37 degrees C. RESULTS: Twenty three collection procedures from the 6 cases of acute leukemia had made effective MNC collection in 4 cases and mean collection efficiency was 49.8%(from 39.0% to 74.5%). Hematological changes after the procedure were mean reduction of hemoglobin 1.34g/dl and mean 20.25% of decreased platelet count. There were noticed transient symptoms of discomfort, coughing, chest tightness and dyspnea in association with the infusion of stored cells. CONCLUSION: The basic process for the peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(PBSCT) was accomplished with this supportive care for the consolidation chemotherapy of acute leukemia. Effective PBSCT would be warrented with more qualified process and high dose chemotherapy.
Baths ; Consolidation Chemotherapy ; Cough ; Drug Therapy* ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Platelet Count ; Remission Induction ; Stem Cells* ; Thorax ; Water

PURPOSE: To compare ocular biometry and refractive results measured using conventional applanation ultrasonography and 3 different optical interferometries, Lenstar LS900(R), AL-Scan(R) and OA-2000(R). METHODS: The biometries of 31 cataractous eyes were measured using ultrasonography, Lenstar LS900(R), AL-Scan(R) or OA-2000(R). The axial length, anterior chamber depth and keratometry were measured. The SRK/T formula was used to calculate intraocular lens power. Two months after cataract surgery, the refractive outcome was determined and results from the 4 different biometry methods were compared. RESULTS: Axial lengths were 23.39 +/- 0.95 mm, 23.42 +/- 0.98 mm, 23.43 +/- 0.98 mm and 23.44 +/- 0.98 mm measured using ultrasonography, Lenstar LS900(R), AL-Scan(R) and OA-2000(R), respectively with no statistically significant differences observed (p = 0.996). The anterior chamber depth and keratometry were 3.14 +/- 0.41 mm, 3.10 +/- 0.38 mm and 3.13 +/- 0.39 mm (p = 0.936) and 44.41 +/- 1.52 D, 44.54 +/- 1.57 D and 44.44 +/- 1.52 D (p = 0.937) for Lenstar LS900(R), AL-Scan(R) and OA-2000(R) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the 3 optical devices. The mean absolute error of the 4 different devices were not statistically significant (p = 0.722). CONCLUSIONS: The ocular biometric measurements and prediction of postoperative refraction using ultrasonography, Lenstar LS900(R), AL-Scan(R) or OA-2000(R) showed no significant differences.
Anterior Chamber ; Biometry ; Cataract ; Interferometry* ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Optical Devices ; Refractive Errors ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Leukemia* ; Sweet Syndrome*

Hyperphosphatemia develops when there is impaired renal phosphate excretion or massive extracellular fluid phosphate load. For example, renal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, exogenous phosphate administration, and extensive cellular injury induce a hyperphosphatemic state. In patients with multiple myeloma, renal insufficiency occurs as a result of hypercalcemia, light chain tubulopathy, urate nephropathy or infection, and hyperphosphatemia usually results from renal failure. We report here a case of a patient with multiple myeloma who had an elevated serum phosphate level measured by the phosphomolybdate UV method without significant renal insufficiency and was finally diagnosed with pseudohyperphosphatemia.
Extracellular Fluid ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperphosphatemia ; Hypoparathyroidism ; Light ; Molybdenum ; Multiple Myeloma ; Phosphoric Acids ; Renal Insufficiency ; Uric Acid

No abstract available.
Artemisia*

Congenital bladder diverticulum usually occurs in areas where the muscle is inadequately formed, typically at the ureterovesical junction, or between bundles of hypertrophied muscle. Congenital bladder diverticulum might be missed in excretory urography, especially in case that primary symptom is not so severe to justify further invasive studies. Physicians should not neglect voiding symptoms in pediatric patients and should have high suspicion of congenital diseases. We report a case of rare congenital bladder diverticulum, misdiagosed as non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder, presenting as nocturnal enuresis, daytime frequency and post-voiding residual urine sensation without vesicoureteral reflux or outlet obstruction.
Diverticulum* ; Enuresis ; Humans ; Nocturnal Enuresis ; Sensation ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* ; Urography ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

BACKGROUND: The captopril reduces radiation induced lung injury and fibrosis. We designed a study to evaluate the antifibrogenic effect of Captopril in radiation induced lung injury. METHODS: Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into radiation group (I) (n=30) and radiation plus captopril group (II) (n=15). The rats were sacrificed at 12 hours and 11 weeks after radiation. We examined light microscopic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic features in each groups. RESULTS: In Group I, the lungs showed acute lung injury at 12 h. The lungs showed patchy fibrosis with collagen deposits at 11 weeks. The severity of the alveolar injury and fibrosis was correlated with radiation doses. The Group II showed less severe lung fibrosis than Group I. The mean numbers of mast cells and myofibroblasts of Group II were lower than Group I (p< 0.05). The TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were higher expressed according to radiation doses in Group I, and less prominent in Group II. Ultrastructurally, the alveolar cell injury and fibrosis were less severe in Group II. The TUNEL stains showed higher expressions according to radiation doses in Group I, and expressed in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: The captopril decreases the number of mast cells and myofibroblasts, reduces collagen deposition and apoptosis of alveolar cells in rat lungs after radiation, and so reduces the degree of pulmonary injury and fibrosis.
Acute Lung Injury ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Captopril ; Collagen ; Coloring Agents ; Fibrosis* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lung Injury* ; Lung* ; Mast Cells ; Myofibroblasts ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the law reguires submission of immunization certificate to elementary school on admission since 2001 in order to prevent measles outbreaks such as those that occurred in the year 2000 and 2001. As a result, the submission rate of immunization certificate has been almost 99%. To that effect it seems to have been a very successful policy. But the validity and accuracy of such certificates have not been guestioned. This study aimed to assess the validity of the measles immunization certificates and general practitioners' perception of the law to submit immunization certificate. METHODS: A postal survey was conducted from April to May 2005 among general practitioners who were pediatricians and family physicians. The main questions were the method to confirm childrens' past vaccination and the proportion of doing booster vaccination, and also their opinions on governments' policy to extend the submission of immunization certificate on school admission. RESULTS: The total study subjects were 840. The proportion of issued immunization certificates based on exact vaccination records or booster vaccination was 98.7%. The opinions concerning the law to submit immunization certificates were: very necessary (88.8%), and should include all children basic immunization (62.8%). On the other hand, the most common reason against the law was that they did not feel the necessity (31.4%). CONCLUSION: The validity of immunization certificates was very high. The opinions concerning the law to submit immunization certificates were favorable in most subjects. And mutual understanding between the general practitioners and the government is in demand before the law to submit immunization certificates becomes effect.
Child ; Disease Outbreaks ; General Practitioners* ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunization* ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Measles Vaccine ; Measles* ; Physicians, Family ; Vaccination

No abstract available.
Choledochal Cyst*

Methimazole is a widely used and generally well-tolerated antithyroid agent. Adverse reactions occur in 1~5% of patients taking methimazole medication, but these are most commonly transient, benign leukopenia and a skin rash. Severe cholestatic jaundice, combined with agranulocytosis, has been known as a rare complication. Herein, a case of methimazole induced cholestatic jaundice, with agranulocytosis, is reported.
Agranulocytosis* ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Leukopenia ; Methimazole