BACKGROUND: Microlymphocytotoxicity test is most widely used for HLA Class l typing but almost all laboratories depend on imported HLA Class 1 typing trays. Matching criteria for the selection of HLA- matched platelets to treat platelet refractoriness is not as strict as for bone marrow transplantation. Therefore, with the acquisition of various antisera against high frequency HLA antigens, self-made HLA typing trays can be used for HLA typing of HLA-matched platelet donors. METHODS: 140 samples obtained during placental delivery were tested for the presence of HLA antibodies against a well-characterized panel of 90 cells. Specificity of HLA antisera were determined by evaluating the correlation coefficient r of the 2 x 2 table, x2 test. Antisera strength was evaluated by the strength index. RESULTS: HLA antibodies were detected in 25 samples by primary screening and 23 samples also showed a positive reaction in secondary screening(16%). Among 23 samples, 1 1 antisera were of reagent grade quality and 7 were monospecific antisera. DISCUSSION: Imported HLA typing trays can be replaced by harvesting HLA antisera against HLA antigens which are relatively common in Koreans through continuous HLA antibody screening using gushed out blood during placental delivery. (Korean J Blood Transfusion 10(1): 53-60, 1999)
Antibodies ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Histocompatibility Testing ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Mass Screening ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Social support is defined as interpersonal transaction ; the giving of symbolic or material aid to another. It has been shown to have both buffering effects and direct beneficial effects on diverse health related outcomes. But there has been the dearth of well-validated measurement instruments. This article describes the development of Korean version of the Duke-UNC functional social support questionnaire(DUFSS), focusing on the aspect of social support. METHODS: The 13-item, self-administered questionnaire was translated to Korean language. It was evaluated on 177 patients attending the family medicine clinic of Seoul National University Hospital during one month(November, 1996.) Comparisons to the family APGAR, COOP/ WONCA functional status chart are made to assess validity. Factor analyses are performed. Correlation of the questionnire score with the sum of family APGAR and each items of COOP/ WONCA functional chart are measured Internal consistency are evaluated. RESULTS: The questionnaire score are correlated with significantly correlated with social activity item. The total Cronbachs alpha is calculated as 0.89. The four content areas developed by factor analyses are donfidant support(items 8, 9, 10), af fective support(items 4, 5, 6, 7), instrumental support(items 3, 12) and quantity of support(item 1). These shows similarity to American study results. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the Duke-UNC functional social support questionnaire has been documented as having high reliability and moderate validity. It covers two dimensions well(confidant support, affective support) with a small enough number of questions. Instrumental support may need further study.
Humans ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

A simple, rapid and selective liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is developed and validated for quantification of venlafaxine in human plasma with simple liquid-liquid extraction step consisted of extraction with ether and dichloromethane for 10 min and mixing with 1 M sodium acetate in human plasma using fluoxetine as an internal standard (IS). The analyte are separated using an isocratic mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium formate (4/3, v/v) on a isocratic YMC hydrosphere C18 (2.0x50.0 mm, 3.0 microm) column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using the transitions of respective [M+H](+) ions, m/z 278.2-->260.3 and m/z 310.1-->148.1 for quantification of venlafaxine and IS, respectively. The standard calibration curves showed good linearity within the range of 1.0-200.0 ng/mL (r2=0.9986, 1/chi2 weighting). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1.0 ng/mL. The retention times of venlafaxine and IS were 0.6 min and 0.7 min that means the potential for the high-throughput potential of the proposed method. In addition, no significant metabolic compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for the concentrations over the standard curve range. The validated method was successfully applied to bioequivalence study after 75-mg of venlafaxine sustained-release (SR) capsule in 24 healthy Korean subjects.
Ammonium Compounds ; Calibration ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Ether ; Fluoxetine ; Humans ; Ions ; Liquid-Liquid Extraction ; Methylene Chloride ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma* ; Sodium Acetate ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Therapeutic Equivalency* ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

The cardiovascular and CNS effects of MIDAZOLAM 0.25 mg/kg were studied in 40 patients, randomised and emergency operations(20 males and 20 females). The effects of the administration of MIDAZOLAM intravenously on the cardiovascular and central nervous system were determined. The results were as follows: 1) It had short duration of action and absence of vascular irritation compared with MIDAZOLAM. 2) Three minutes after injection, mean systolic pressure decreased from 132+/-16 mmHg to 115+/-18 mmHg and diastolic pressure from 87+/-11mmHg to 77+/-13 mmHg. One minute after injection heart rate increased from 89+/-19 beat/min to 95+/-20 beat/min and after three minutes returned to prior level. 3) Our study shows that the intraveous administration of MIDAZOLAM 0.25mg/kg produces. a statistically significant, but clinically unimportant, decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. 4) The effects of MIDAZOLAM on the central nervous system were determined from the time of onset of injection. Spontaneous eye closure, loss of eyelash reflex and apnes were observed at 113+/-66 sec, 133+/-65 sec, and 147+/-58 sec, after injection of MIDAZOLAM. 5) MIDAZOLAM as an induction agent for anesthesia is not indicated for in out-patient surgery due to the extended duration of drowsiness losting over 3 hours in the recovery room. 6) MIDAZOLAM was sufficient as an induction agent for general anesthesia.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Central Nervous System ; Emergencies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Midazolam ; Outpatients ; Recovery Room ; Reflex ; Sleep Stages

This study was performed to investigate the effects of nutrition education program in physical health, nutritional status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL )of the Elderly in Seoul. Nutrition education program was consisted of healthy eating, prevention and diet therapy of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Seventy eight free-living elderly people (13 male, 65 female ), aged > or =60 years participated in this program. Before and after nutri-tion education program, we surveyed the general characteristics, physical health, general health, nutrition status, and health-related quality of life to the subjects. All the subjects were divided into program completers (N =47 )and non-completers (N =31 ). All the data were analyzed by student t-test, chi-square test, paired t-test, and marginal homo-geneity test using SPSS 9.0 version at p <0.05. After nutrition education program, physical activity and ADL maintained, however IADL improved in program noncompleters. In eating habits, 'slow eating' significantly improved in program completers in program completers. Nutrition knowledge and recognition scores were significantly increased in both groups, and accuracy score was significantly increased in program completers. However, nutrient-intakes of %RDA were not significantly changed in both groups, and it seemed to be more influenced by other factors such as 'family income' or 'family type' than by the nutrition education program. In HRQoL, social functioning was improved after nutrition education program in both groups (p <0.05 ). The nutrition education program has more effects on the pro-gram completers than on the noncompleters, and it is also needed social supports for the Elderly to fulfill their nutrient requirements.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diet Therapy ; Eating ; Education* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Nutritional Status* ; Obesity ; Osteoporosis ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul*

Corticosteroids have endowed the organism with the capacity to resist many types of noxious stimuli, and enviromental changes. Although many anesthetic agents and surgical stress have been shown to have some influence on adrenocortical function in man, there is no report on the effect of flunitrazepam-morphine-nitrous oxide anesthesia on endocrine activity. The present investigation was undertaken to study to what extent flunitrazepam-morphine-nitrousoxide anesthesia nfluences adrenocortical function by judging its effect on plasma cortisol levels in peripheral venous blood in man. Fifteen patients, ranging in age from 17 to 48 years (average 33 years) and in weight from 46kg to 73kg(average 58kg) who underwent various surgical operations, were free from endocrine, neurological, hepatic, renal and cardiopulmonary disease. Each patient was premedicated with atropine sulfate(0.01mg/kg) and Valium(0.15mg/kg) i.m. one hour before the induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced at 9:00 a.m. with flunitreazepam(0.05+/-0.01mg/kg) and morphine(0.29+/-0.04mg/kg) was given by intreavenous injection. Pancuronium bromide(0.09+/-0.013 mg/kg) was given intreavenously for endotracheal intubation. General anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide 2L/min. and oxygen 1L/min. controlled ventilaration was carried on throughout the procedure. A moderate depth of anesthesia was maintained by clinical judgment based on signs including blood pressure and pulse rate. Blood samples were obtainesd at the following times: 1) the control group at 9:00 a.m. just prior to induction. 2) 30 min after anesthesia only. 3) 30 min. after the start of operation. Venous blood(5ml) was drawn into an aseptic syringe previously rinsed with heparin. The plasma was separated within 30 min. in a refrigerated centrifuge, then frozen at -40 degrees C. for storage. the cortisol levels in plasma were determined by a Gamma coat I 125 cortisol radiommunoassay kit. The plama cortisl level at 9:00 a.m. just prior to induction in the control group was 12.64+/-3.77 ug/ml. It decreased slightly (about 20%) but no significantly(p>0.01) to 10.11+/-2.47 ug/100ml at 30 min. after the anesthesia alone. At 30 min. after the start of operation it was elevated slightly (about 24%) but not significantly(p>0.1) to 15.42+/-6.88 ug/100ml. This finding indicated that flunitrazepam-nitrous oxide anesthesia has a depressing effect on adrenal cortical function, but did not block the influence on adrenal cortical function of surgical stress.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Atropine ; Blood Pressure ; Flunitrazepam* ; Heart Rate ; Heparin ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Judgment ; Morphine* ; Nitrous Oxide* ; Oxygen ; Pancuronium ; Plasma ; Syringes

BACKGROUND: Aspirin/NSAIDs can release cysteinyl-leukotriene (cys-LTs) into airways and precipitate asthmatic symptoms in aspirin - induced asthma(AIA). It has been reported that there is profound overexpression of LTC4 synthase in their bronchial mucosa, compared to aspirin-tolerant asthma. Objective : We observed whether genetic polymorphism of LTC4 synthase may be predisposed to LTC4 synthase overexpression in AIA. Subject and METHOD: Forty - four AIA patients having positive responses on lysin aspirin bron choprovocation tests and 47 non - aspirin induced asthma ( non - AIA ) patients having negative challenges and 32 healthy controls were enrolled. The genotypes of the promoter LTC4 synthase gene ( A,C transversion ) were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism ( RFLP ) method. RESULTS: LTC4 synthase promoter polymorphism ( A444C btransversion) was not significantly different between non - AIA and AIA patients (p>0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that genetic polymorphism of LTC4 synthase promoter may not be predisposed to LTC, synthase overexpression in AIA.
Aspirin* ; Asthma* ; Asthma, Aspirin-Induced ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leukotriene C4* ; Mucous Membrane ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT: Immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ISS CpG-ODN) up-regulate the TH1-type immune response and down-regulate the TH2-type response. This study was performed to investigate the immune response changes resulting from ISS CpG-ODN on bronchial hyperrestponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in rat asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 normal controls(NC) and 26 asthmatic rats, which were generated by ovallbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge, were studied. The asthmatic rats were randomized into 11 asthma controls(AC) and 15 in the asthma-CpG treatment group(CpG). The CpG group was administered ISS CpG-ODN intramuscularly and the AC group was administered a placebo(0.9% NaCl)on day 15 and 20. After CpG-ODN or placebo administration, we measured the IFN-(TH1-type cytokine) and IL-4(TH2-type cytokine) levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), the specific airway resistance(sRaw), eosinophilic fraction in BALF, eosinophilic infiltration, goblet cell dysplasia and MUC5AC gene expression in the lung tissue. RESULTS: In the BALF of the CpG group, the IFN-γ concentration was significantly high and the IL-4 concentration was significantly low when compared with the AC group. Both the sRaw and eosinophilic fraction, and infiltration into the BALF and lung tissue significantly lower in the CpG group when compared with the AC group. However, little difference in goblet cell dysplasia and MUC5Ac gene expression was observed between the CpG group and the Ac group. CONCLUSION: ISS CpG-ODN decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation in the rat asthma model through the up-regulation of the TH1-type immune response with the down-regulation of the TH2-type response. However, the effect of these immune response changes on mucus hypersecretion was is not remarkable in this study.
Animals ; Asthma* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Down-Regulation ; Eosinophils ; Gene Expression ; Goblet Cells ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-4 ; Lung ; Mucus ; Rats* ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: Interleukin (IL)-8 is one of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reduced metabolites of O2. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is one of representative periodontopathogens. To investigate the role of A. actinomycetemcomitans in IL-8 expression of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, we estimated the production of IL-8 and ROS in A. actinomycetemcomitans treated PDL cells. METHODS: The IL-8 production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ROS production was estimated using H2DCFDA and FACS. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans increased the production of IL-8 and ROS at 10, 100, and 500 multiplicity of infection. N-cetylcysteine, an antioxidant of ROS, down-regulated the production of IL-8 induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans induces IL-8 production and ROS may act as a mediator in this process.
Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluoresceins ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Periodontal Ligament ; Reactive Oxygen Species

PURPOSE: To evaluate CT findings which may help differentiate benign from malignant parotid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT findings of seventy-one cases with surgically-proven parotid tumors were retrospectively analysed for size, location, margin, internal density, adjacent tissue plane and lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: The margin of the mass was smooth and sharp in most benign tumors (89.5%), and irregular or indistinct in twelve which were malignant (75%, p<0.01). With regard to internal density, 70.2% of benign tumors were homogeneous (similar to muscle) and 81.3% of malignant tumors were heterogeneous (p<0.01). When analysing low density patterns within the mass, focal low densities in benign tumors (11/17) and diffuse or scattered multifocal low densities in those which were maligant (8/13) were frequently seen. Three malignant tumors invaded adjacent muscles, the parapharyngeal space, and bones, each in one case, and twelve malignant and one benign tumor infiltrated the adjacent fascia or subcutaneous fat layer. In five patients with a malignant tumor, obliteration by the mass of the fat plane between the mastoid tip and styloid process was noted, suggesting facial nerve invasion, while in three cases of malignancy, lymphadenopathy greater than 1cm was seen. CONCLUSION: In differentiating malignant and benign parotid tumors, the presence of irregular or indistinct margin of the mass, and invasion of adjacent structures, are important. Lymph node enlargement greater than 1cm and diffuse internal low densities, which may suggest necrosis or cystic change were also helpful in differential diagnosis.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Facial Nerve ; Fascia ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mastoid ; Muscles ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Subcutaneous Fat