No abstract available.
Bone Marrow* ; Iron* ; Microwaves* ; Plastics*

Three cases of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) were diagnosed in a returnee from a trip to Thailand and in 2 domestic farmers during July and September, 2003. The linear and serpiginous skin lesions on the lower extremities were presented in all 3 cases. Routine laboratory findings were normal. In the imported case, a 650 x 30 micrometer sized filariform nematode larva, presumably a species of hookworm, was detected in the lesion. All cases were treated with 400 mg albendazole once daily for 3-5 days, and their skin lesions gradually improved. In the present study, a causative agent of CLM was isolated for the first time in the Republic of Korea. Moreover, we speculate that CLM is prevalent in farmers who are in frequent contact with soil in the Republic of Korea.
Middle Aged ; Male ; Larva Migrans/*diagnosis/drug therapy/*pathology ; Humans ; Female ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Aged ; Adult

No abstract available.
Blood Platelets* ; Citric Acid* ; Edetic Acid* ; Platelet Count* ; Pyridoxal*

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow* ; Microwaves* ; Plastics*

BACKGROUND: The amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of acute congestive heart failure. A point-of-care test (POCT) could rapidly detect the presence of NT-proBNP during emergencies. We evaluated the analytical performance of the new Samsung LABGEO PA CHF Test (Samsung Electronics, Korea). METHODS: Based on the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), we compared the precision, linearity, and method with those of the E170 (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). Matrix comparison between the NT-proBNP values in whole blood and plasma was also performed, and the reference interval was determined using residual samples from healthy adults selected based on the evaluation criteria. RESULTS: The Samsung LABGEO PA CHF Test provided results in approximately 18 min. The coefficient of variation (CV) of within-laboratory precision was below 6.8%. A desirable linearity was observed in the range of 0–10,000 pg/mL, with R²=0.99. The correlation with E170 was also excellent (N=108, r=0.96). NT-proBNP values in the whole blood were correlated with those in the plasma (N=36, r=0.99). The reference interval for the circulating NT-proBNP concentration was determined in 118 plasma samples from healthy subjects (26-75 yr of age). The 97.5th percentile was found to be 58.3 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The Samsung LABGEO PA CHF Test demonstrated a good analytical performance. It could be a powerful tool as a POCT for clinical practice, particularly during emergencies.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Methods ; Plasma ; Point-of-Care Systems* ; Point-of-Care Testing

The Clinical Chemistry Subcommittee of the Korean Association for External Quality Assessment Service conducted external quality assessments in 2015. This included general chemistry and blood gas measurements as part of a scheme of six trials, comprising three samples each. All control materials were included at the same time. The overall response rates were 94.4% for general chemistry and 92.2% for blood gas. The parameters tested included sodium, potassium, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyl transferase, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for general chemistry, and pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO₂), and partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂) for blood gas assessments. Two types of reports were generated: a method summary, including mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation for each test method; and a result summary of each participating laboratory, including mean, standard deviation, number of peer groups, and standard deviation index and variance index scores of each laboratory. The overall quality performance in 2015 was similar to that of previous years, and showed lower interlaboratory variation than that in 2014. The requisite continual improvement in clinical chemistry testing quality can be achieved through participation in similar proficiency testing programs.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Carbon Dioxide ; Chemistry ; Chemistry, Clinical* ; Cholesterol ; Clinical Chemistry Tests ; Creatinine ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lipoproteins ; Methods ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Peer Group ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Transferases ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: The proficiency testing (PT) program for HbA1c, performed by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (KAEQAS), first started in 2007. From 2007 to 2008, the results were assessed using means as the standard within a peer group (identical method group). However, the assessment method changed to accuracy-based PT in 2009. This study aimed to analyse the results of an external quality assessment of HbA1c from 2009 to 2014. METHODS: Based on the data obtained from the external quality assessment of HbA1c from 2009 to 2014, we analysed the number of participating institutions, response rate, 'unacceptable' result rate, bias from the target value, and CVs according to each instrument code. RESULTS: The number of participating institutions was only 180 in 2009. However, it increased over the next 5 years, and as of 2014, 345 institutions were enrolled. The response rates were 93.8% to 99.1%. Since 2009, the measurement method changed and most of the participating institutions now use the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. As of 2014, the HPLC method showed small bias from the target value and inter-laboratory CVs (<3.5%), demonstrating satisfactory performance. Immunoassays and point-of-care testing (POCT) demonstrated relatively unsatisfactory performance, showing larger inter-laboratory CVs compared to those obtained with the HPLC method, with some of them exceeding the acceptance limit of +/-8% of the target value. CONCLUSIONS: As of 2014, relatively large-scale laboratories are participating in the accuracy-based PT for HbA1c. According to the accuracy-based PT for HbA1c, POCT showed the highest 'unacceptable' rate and imprecision. Therefore, small-scale laboratories mostly using POCT for HbA1c measurement should be encouraged to participate in the accuracy-based PT program for HbA1c, and the external quality assessment program undertaken by KAEQAS should be expanded.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Immunoassay ; Korea ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing ; Peer Group

BACKGROUND: False positive rate of 17-OHP screening test was higher more than other screening tests due to use same cutoff value both term and preterm infants in Korea. The purpose of this study is to set cutoff value of 17-OHP on the basis of birth weight in neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. METHODS: 17-OHP was measured in filter paper blood spots obtained by heel puncture between 3 and 7 days after birth. 17-OHP values were analyzed with respect to birth weight in order to decide the appropriate cutoff values in a neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of 17-OHP according to birth weight groups were as follows : 12.6, 7.0, 5.1, 3.7, 3.0, 2.5 ng/mL for birth weight of 1.50 or less, 1.50-1.99, 2.00-2.49, 2.50-2.99, 3.00-3.49, 3.50 kg or more, respectively. The cutoff values for determining the 17-OHP for recall were decided as follows : 55, 35, 18, 11, 8, 8 ng/mL for birth weight of 1.50 or less, 1.50-1.99, 2.00-2.49, 2.50-2.99, 3.00-3.49, 3.50 kg or more, respectively. Application of the new cutoff values according to birth weight dropped the total recall rate from 3.3% to 1.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The cutoff values of 17-OHP on the basis of birth weight should be used in the neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We believe that the recall rate due to false positive can be reduced using this method in low birth weight infants.
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Birth Weight ; Heel ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Neonatal Screening ; Parturition ; Punctures

BACKGROUND: Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P), a coenzyme of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) reactions, is required to measure aminotransferase levels (IFCC method). However, a modified IFCC method that uses a reagent devoid of P5P is commonly used in laboratories in Korea. To determine the differences between the two methods, we compared aminotransferase levels measured by using the IFCC method and modified IFCC method. METHODS: Serum levels of AST and ALT, with and without P5P, were measured in 2,318 patients. Based on the allowable limits of performance set by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), differences between the two methods were analyzed under various conditions. RESULTS: Higher AST and ALT values were obtained by the IFCC method compared to modified IFCC method, showing significant differences between the two methods (AST, 5.8±14.2 IU/L; ALT, 2.8±6.9 IU/L) (P<0.001). Values exceeding RCPA criteria were more frequently observed in emergency orders (AST, 65.8%; ALT, 14.4%) than in routine orders (AST, 3.2%; ALT, 9.6%), as well as in inpatient wards (AST, 70.4%; ALT, 18.5%) compared to outpatient clinics (AST, 56.6%; ALT, 10.0%). However, the differences between the two methods were not significant among the disease groups, except for the acute myocardial infarction group. CONCLUSIONS: The method using reagents without P5P underestimated aminotransferase activity. The effect of P5P was more significant in patients with acute myocardial infarction, considered as P5P-deficient. In conclusion, the IFCC method with P5P should be applied for measuring AST and ALT serum levels.
Alanine Transaminase ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Australasia ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Liver Function Tests ; Methods ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pyridoxal Phosphate

Pharmacological management is the first choice for treatment of the trigeminal neuralgia patients; however, if this mode of treatment fails a minimally invasive procedure should be performed. One of the most commonly used procedures is conventional radiofrequency lesioning of the Gasserian ganglion. Despite its popularity and success rate, this technique has disadvantages such as diminished corneal reflex, masseter weakness, numbness and anesthesia dolorosa. As a result, many studies have been conducted in an attempt to find a better method of treating trigeminal neuralgia. We report here a case of a trigeminal neuralgia patient that was treated with pulsed radiofrequency lesioning of the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve due to pain in the frontal head that was refractory to the pharmacological treatments. Following the procedure, the Visual Analogue Scale score for pain decreased to 1-2/10 and the pain relief persisted for 7 months. These results indicate that pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the peripheral nerve may be useful for trigeminal neuralgia patients that do not respond to pharmacological treatments.
Anesthesia ; Head ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Peripheral Nerves ; Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment ; Reflex ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; Trigeminal Neuralgia