BACKGROUND: Hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL) cause preanalytical interference and vary unpredictably with different analytical equipments and measurement methods. We developed an integrated reporting system for verifying HIL status in order to identify the extent of interference by HIL on clinical chemistry results. METHODS: HIL interference data from 30 chemical analytes were provided by the manufacturers and were used to generate a table of clinically relevant interference values that indicated the extent of bias at specific index values (alert index values). The HIL results generated by the Vista 1500 system (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, USA), Advia 2400 system (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics), and Modular DPE system (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) were analyzed and displayed on physicians' personal computers. RESULTS: Analytes 11 and 29 among the 30 chemical analytes were affected by interference due to hemolysis, when measured using the Vista and Modular systems, respectively. The hemolysis alert indices for the Vista and Modular systems were 0.1-25.8% and 0.1-64.7%, respectively. The alert indices for icterus and lipemia were <1.4% and 0.7% in the Vista system and 0.7% and 1.0% in the Modular system, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HIL alert index values for chemical analytes varied depending on the chemistry analyzer. This integrated HIL reporting system provides an effective screening tool for verifying specimen quality with regard to HIL and simplifies the laboratory workflow.
Blood Chemical Analysis/instrumentation/*methods/standards ; Female ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; *Hemolysis ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias/metabolism/*pathology ; Jaundice/metabolism/*pathology ; Male ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

BACKGROUND: The false positive signals of a continuous monitoring blood culture system (CMBCS) increase the reporting time and laboratory cost. This study aimed to determine the highly relevant variables that discriminate false positive signals from true positive signals in a CMBCS. METHODS: Among 184,363 blood culture sets (aerobic and anaerobic), the signal-positive samples according to a BACTEC FX system (Plus Aerobic/F, BDA; Plus Anaerobic/F, BDN) and BacT/Alert 3D system (Standard Aerobic, BSA; Standard Anaerobic, BSN) between April 2010 and November 2013 were classified into two groups: false positive or true positive signals. The data of 15 parameters between the two groups were then statistically compared. RESULTS: Among total blood cultures, the positive rates of CMBCS signals according to BDA, BDN, BSA, and BSN were 4.9%, 2.8%, 3.8%, and 3.2%, respectively. The false positive rates of CMBCS signals according to BDA, BDN, BSA, and BSN were 0.6%, 0.1%, 0.1%, and 0.1%, respectively. The blood volume, detection time, time interval between admission and test, C-reactive protein concentration, leukocyte count, delta neutrophil index, and mean peroxidase index showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There were no variables with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for discriminating the two groups. Therefore, analysis of bacterial growth curves produced by CMBCS is needed for early and effective detection of false positive signals.
Blood Volume ; C-Reactive Protein ; Leukocyte Count ; Neutrophils ; Peroxidase

Aspergillus causes a variety of clinical syndromes in the lung including tracheobronchial aspergillosis, invasive aspergillosis, chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and aspergilloma. Aspergilloma usually results from ingrowths of colonized Aspergillus in damaged bronchial tree, pulmonary cyst or cavities of patients with underlying lung diseases. There are a few reports on endobronchial aspergilloma without underlying pulmonary lesion. We have experienced a case of endobronchial aspergilloma associated with foreign body developed in an immunocompetent patient without underlying lung diseases. A 59-year-old man is being hospitalized with recurring hemoptysis for 5 months. X-ray and computed tomography scans of chest showed a nodular opacity in superior segment of left lower lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed an irregular, mass-like, brownish material which totally obstructed the sub-segmental bronchus and a foreign body in superior segmental bronchus of the lower left lobe. Histopathologic examinations of biopsy specimen revealed fungal hyphae, characteristic of Aspergillus species.
Aspergillosis ; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary ; Aspergillus ; Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Colon ; Foreign Bodies ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Immunocompetence ; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Thorax

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure the concentration of volatile organic compound (VOC)s originated from the chemicals used and/or derived from the original parental chemicals in the photolithography processes of semiconductor manufacturing factories. METHODS: A total of four photolithography processes in 4 Fabs at three different semiconductor manufacturing factories in Korea were selected for this study. This study investigated the types of chemicals used and generated during the photolithography process of each Fab, and the concentration levels of VOCs for each Fab. RESULTS: A variety of organic compounds such as ketone, alcohol, and acetate compounds as well as aromatic compounds were used as solvents and developing agents in the processes. Also, the generation of by-products, such as toluene and phenol, was identified through a thermal decomposition experiment performed on a photoresist. The VOC concentration levels in the processes were lower than 5% of the threshold limit value (TLV)s. However, the air contaminated with chemical substances generated during the processes was re-circulated through the ventilation system, thereby affecting the airborne VOC concentrations in the photolithography processes. CONCLUSION: Tens of organic compounds were being used in the photolithography processes, though the types of chemical used varied with the factory. Also, by-products, such as aromatic compounds, could be generated during photoresist patterning by exposure to light. Although the airborne VOC concentrations resulting from the processes were lower than 5% of the TLVs, employees still could be exposed directly or indirectly to various types of VOCs.
Humans ; Korea ; Light ; Parents ; Phenol ; Semiconductors ; Solvents ; Toluene ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Ventilation ; Volatile Organic Compounds

PURPOSE: Thyroid cancer is rare in childhood. Although thyroid cancer is biologically more aggressive in children because of the high incidence of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis when compared with that of adults, the prognosis is better. This study investigated the prognosis of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer with 15 years or greater follow-up and we consider the proper treatment of pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: From January, 1979 to December, 1994 during 16 years, 17 patients younger than 17 years old and who underwent thyroid surgery for well differentiated thyroid cancer at the Department of Surgery at Presbyterian Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed by the medical records and they were interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: Total thyroidectomy was performed in 4 patients (23.5%), subtotal thyroidectomy was performed in 10 patients (58.8%) and lobectomy was performed in 3 patients (17.7%). The mean follow-up period was 23.5 years (range: 15~28.2 years) and recurrence was found in 7 cases (41.3%). Five cases (29.5%) showed locoregional recurrence and 2 cases (11.8%) showed distant metastasis. Postoperative radioiodine (¹³¹I) therapy was done in 6 cases (35%) and 6 cases (35%) underwent radioiodine therapy as a therapeutic modality for metastasis. CONCLUSION: The pediatric well differentiated thyroid cancer in this study showed high rates of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis and a high recurrence rate, but the prognosis was good (100% overall survival rate during the follow-up period). Therefore, total thyroidectomy, radical lymph node dissection and postoperative radioiodine therapy are considered the initial patient management. This aggressive therapeutic management can decrease of the recurrence rate and increase the therapeutic effect. A radioiodine scan and thyroglobulin can used for follow-up.
Adult ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Protestantism ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Telephone ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: To determine the normal reference range of pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) values in healthy Korean subjects and to find out the factors that may affect them. METHODS: A total of 280 eyes of 280 normal subjects were included in this study. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length, POBF, systemic blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured. The mean, standard deviation, range, and the 5th and 95th percentiles of POBF were calculated, and the influences of various parameters to POBF were determined by multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean POBF value was 766.0+/-221.6 microliter/min in men and 1021.1+/-249.5 microliter/min in women. The 5th and 95th percentiles for POBF values were 486.0 microliter/min and 1140.0 microliter/min in men and 672.0 microliter/min and 1458.0 microliter/min in women. The POBF values were significantly influenced by gender, mean blood pressure, pulse rate, and axial length. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the POBF values were influenced by gender, BP, and axial length, we could define the normal reference range of POBF in healthy Koreans.
Adult ; *Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Pressure/physiology ; Eye/*blood supply ; Female ; Heart Rate/physiology ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure/physiology ; Korea ; Male ; Pulsatile Flow/*physiology ; Reference Values ; Tonometry, Ocular/methods

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements obtained with the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the Heidelberg retina topography (HRT) in normal, normal tension glaucoma (NTG), and high tension glaucoma (HTG). METHODS: Normal, NTG and HTG subjects who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were evaluated retrospectively. One hundred seventy eyes of 170 patients (30 normal, 40 NTG, and 100 HTG) were enrolled. Complete ophthalmologic examination, HRT, OCT, and automated perimetry were evaluated. RESULTS: Disc area, cup area and cup/disc area ratio measured with HRT were significantly different between NTG and HTG (all p<0.05). Mean RNFL thickness measured by OCT with ascanning diameter of 3.4 mm was larger in NTG than HTG (84.97+/-24.20 micrometer vs. 73.53+/-27.17 micrometer, p=0.037). Four quadrant RNFL thickness measurements were not significantly different between NTG and HTG (all p>0.05). Mean deviation and corrected pattern standard deviation measured by automated perimetry was significantly correlated with mean and inferior RNFL thickness in both NTG and HTG (Pearson's r, p<0.05). Mean RNFL thickness/disc area ratio was significantly larger in HTG than NTG (35.21+/-18.92 vs. 31.30+/-10.91, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that optic disc and RNFL damage pattern in NTG may be different from those of HTG.
Adult ; Aged ; Axons/*pathology ; *Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological ; Female ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ocular Hypertension/diagnosis ; Optic Disk/*pathology ; Optic Nerve Diseases/*diagnosis ; Perimetry ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/*pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; *Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: To evaluate and report the clinical results of the treatment of distal humerus intercondylar fractures treated with internal fixation through the modified posterior approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1999 to October 2003, 20 patient who had intercondyle fracture of the distal humerus treated with internal fixation through the modified posterior approach. We evaluated bone union, complication, postoperative elbow function. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 12.8 months. Nearly all most cases united at 14 weeks in an average. There were two neuropraxia and two hardware failure. The range of the elbow joint motion was flexion contracture 8 degree (5~15 degree) to further flextion 120 degree (75~140 degree) in average. The functional result with Riseborough and Radin's functional scale were as follows; 13 good, 4 fair, 3 poor. CONCLUSION: Not with severe comminuted like type C3 fracture, but in cases with intercondylar distal humerus fracture the modified posterior approach provided satisfactory exposure for open reduction and rigid internal fixation with satisfactory bone union. There was satisfactory bone union and good clinical result in postoperative elbow function.
Adult* ; Contracture ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Postoperative Complications

A case of 51-year-old woman with a malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) that exhibited no growth over a period of 4 years is reported. Surgical wedge resection revealed an adenocarcinoma upon intra-operative frozen ex-amination. The operation was completed with a right upper lobectomy and complete lymphadenectomy. The authors recommend an early surgical procedure for any SPNs due to risk factors for developing lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule*

Group B subtype, A1B3, was observed in a 22-year-old blood donors by conventional serologic test. In our family study, his father demonstrated uncomplicated B phenotype and his mother typed as group A. We sequenced exon 6 and 7 of phenotypically A1B3 propositus and his family members by direct sequencing and PCR-based cloning. And we have identified a novel Bvar allele characterized by a 547G>A polymorphism present in propositus and his father. This suggests that the Bvar allele is expressed differently depending on the co-inherited ABO allele.
Alleles* ; Blood Donors ; Child* ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Exons ; Fathers* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Phenotype ; Serologic Tests ; Young Adult