PURPOSE: Steatocystoma multiplex is a rare benign disease that occurred multiply on whole body surface. Many physicians have tried managing steatocystoma in variable methods. However it is hard to define the optimal way to cure steatocystoma. We performed both aspiration and excisional method to study the usefulness of both methods. METHODS: A 28-year-old woman has asymptomatic multiple subcutaneous nodules on whole body. Most lesions were aspirated with 26-guage needled 3cc syringe but large and purulent three nodules were excised. RESULTS: We diagnosed the lesion histologically as steatocystoma multiplex. Aspirated wound healed without scar, excised wound remained scar but esthetically acceptable. Axillary lesion contained so clustered type cysts that was difficult to aspirate whole cyst. Thus additional excisional method was needed. CONCLUSION: There are many practical methods to cure steatocystoma. However, there is no appropriate method to cure it. Therefore we should select different therapeutic method according to anatomical location and cyst size. Especially at subcutaneous fat-rich lesion like axilla and abdomen, it is better to excise the clustered cyst than to aspirate.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Axilla ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Steatocystoma Multiplex ; Syringes

Chimerism in humans is a rare phenomenon often initially identified in the resolution of an ABO blood type discrepancy. We report a dispermic chimera who presented with mixed field in his B antigen typing that might have been mistaken for the B3 subtype. The propositus is a healthy Korean male blood donor. Neither his clinical history nor initial molecular investigation of his ABO gene explained his mixed field agglutination with murine anti-B. Chimerism was suspected, and 9 short tandem repeat (STR) loci were analyzed on DNA extracted from blood, buccal swabs, and hair from this donor and on DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes from his parents. The propositus' red blood cells demonstrated mixed field agglutination with anti-B. Exon 6 and 7 and flanking intronic regions of his ABO gene were sequenced and revealed an O01/O02 genotype. B allele haplotype-specific PCR, along with exon 6 and 7 cloning and sequencing demonstrated a third ABO allele, B101. Four STR loci demonstrated a pattern consistent with a double paternal chromosome contribution in the propositus, thus confirming chimerism. His karyotype revealed a mosaic pattern: 32/50 metaphases were 46,XY and 18/50 metaphases demonstrated 47,XYY.
ABO Blood-Group System ; Adult ; Alleles ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; Chimera ; Chimerism ; Chromosome Disorders/*diagnosis/*genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Korea ; Male ; Phenotype ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *XYY Karyotype

BACKGROUND: There have been several studies aimed at determining the presence of the B(3) specific alleles in Korean B(3) blood donors. However, in these samples, only consensus exons 6 and 7 have been detected. Therefore, this study analyzed the complete exons (1~7) and flanking intronic region of the ABO gene sequence in B(3) donors. METHODS: A total of 12 B(3) blood donors collected at the Gwangju-Chonnam Red Cross Blood Center were identified using standard tube techniques. The genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood and of exons 1~7 including flanking intronic regions were sequenced and an allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was performed. RESULTS: Complete exon and flanking intronic analysis of the ABO alleles revealed the consensus B101 allele along with either the O01 or O02 allele in 11 out of the 12 donors. The remaining 1 donor had the Bw03/O01 genotype. CONCLUSION: No B(3) specific novel alleles were found in most Korean B(3) donors, and the genetic basis of B(3) blood group could not be explained.
Alleles ; Blood Donors* ; Consensus ; DNA ; Exons* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Introns* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Several attempts have been made to expand human NK cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This study examined the selective expansion of NK cells using interleukin 2 (IL-2) plus the K562 cell line, the expression of the NK cell receptors, and the cytotoxic activity. METHODS: The PBMCs from seven healthy volunteers were cultured in a medium containing the IL-2 plus the K562 cell line for 14 days. The expression of the activating and inhibitory receptors on the resting NK cells and the 72 hr-expanded NK cells were analyzed. A flow cytometric cytotoxic assay was used to determined the killing activity of the non-expanded NK cells and the 7 day-expanded NK cells against the K562 target cells. RESULTS: The NK cells from PBMCs expanded 4.5-fold after 7 days, and contained 56.5% CD3-CD56+ cells. The IL-2 or IL-2 plus K562 increased the expression levels of CD158b (MFI, mean florescence intensity), CD158e1/e2 (MFI), and NKp44 (MFI), while it decreased the expression levels of NKp30 (%), CD16 (MFI), and 2B4 (MFI). The non-expanded NK cells lysed 9.0% and 27.6% of the K562 target cells in the 1 : 1 and 5 : 1 effector and target ratio, respectively, and the 7-day expanded NK cells lysed 36.9% and 57.2% of the K562 target cells, respectively. CONCLUSION: The selective expansion of CD3-CD56+ NK cells occurred only during 7 days of culture. IL-2 or IL-2 plus the K562 cells altered the expression of various activating and inhibitory receptors of NK cells, and the cytotoxicity of the expanded NK cells was higher than in the non-expanded cells.
Cell Line* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Homicide ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Receptors, Natural Killer Cell

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microalbuminuria is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors and mortality. The aims of this study were to clarify the relationship between the spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) and coronary artery stenosis on diagnostic coronary angiograms and to investigate its association with inflammatory markers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirteen consecutive patients, who underwent a diagnostic coronary angiogram, between April 2004 and July 2004, were divided into two groups: group I (n=89, 58+/-1 2 years, 6 1 male, no microalbuminuria) and group II (n=24, 65+/-10 years, 14 male, microalbuminuria). Microalbuminuria was diagnosed when the ACR was between 30 and 300 mg/g.cr. RESULTS: The mean age was higher in group II than group I (58+/-1 2 vs. 65+/-1 0 years, p=0.013), and group II also showed higher levels of white blood cell (7.0+/-2.4 vs. 9.5+/-4.1 x 103/mm3, p=0.009), monocyte (0.4+/-0.2 vs. 0.5+/-0.2 x 103/mm3, p=0.039), homocysteine (8.8+/-3.5 vs. 10.8+/-4.1 micro mol/L, p=0.02) and fasting plasma glucose (126.1+/-33.6 vs. 183.7+/-75.3mg/dL, p=0.001), and more frequent higher value of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (>0.5mg/dL) (16.9 vs. 66.7%, p<0.001 ) compared with those of group I. There was a correlation between the ACR and all the inflammatory markers tested. Significant coronary lesions, requiring percutaneous coronary intervention, were more frequently detected in group II than in group I (50.6 vs. 75%, p=0.032). CONCLUSION: The ACR was associated with significant coronary artery disease and the inflammatory markers.
Albuminuria ; Angina Pectoris* ; Blood Glucose ; C-Reactive Protein ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Fasting ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Monocytes ; Mortality ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is serological and epidemiological evidence of an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary artery disease. We conducted a randomized study using azithromycin treatment in Korean patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to determine whether azithromycin treatment reduced the inflammatory markers and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty nine patients were randomly selected to receive 500 mg azithromycin daily for 3 days before and after PCI, followed by 500 mg/week for 2 weeks (Group l: 64 patients, 43 male, 60.0+/-10.0 years), or they received a placebo (Group ll: 65 patients, 45 male, 59.6+/-10.1 years). Patients were followed up for 12 months. The primary endpoints were cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and Non-TLR during the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics, coronary angiography finding, lesion characteristics, baseline inflammatory markers and baseline antibody titers of Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pyroli and Mycoplasma. After the antibiotic treatment, ESR and CRP decreased from 19.6+/-20.7 mg/dL and 0.75+/-0.99 mg/dL to 9.36+/-10.5 mg/dL and 0.22+/-0.20 mg/dL in group l (p=0.002, 0.001 respectively), and from 19.6+/-21.5 mg/dL, 1.44+/-2.69 mg/dL to 10.4+/-10.8 mg/dL, 0.55+/-1.48 mg/dL in group ll (p=0.052, <0.0001 respectively). However, there were no significant changes in the serologic markers. MACE developed in 17 (26.6%) out of 64 patients in group l with 2 death, 2 MI and 13 TLR. In group ll, 14 (21.5%) out of 65 patients had MACE with 2 death, 1 MI and 10 TLR during the 12-month clinical follow-up (p=NS). CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with azithromycin does not reduce the major adverse cardiac events in Korean patients with ACS after PCI.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Azithromycin* ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Death ; Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Mycoplasma ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Secondary Prevention*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Increased QT dispersion (QTD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be related with such adverse events as sudden cardiac death and ischemic heart failure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred eight patients (age : 62+/-10.4 years, 158 males), underwent diagnostic coronary angiography under the diagnosis of AMI between January and December 2001 at the Heart Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, and these patients were enrolled to evaluate the relationship between the QTD and myocardial injury and the complex coronary arterial lesion. RESULTS: A QTD of over 80 ms was observed in 89 patients (42.7%). There were in 61 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, 68.5%) and 28 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI, 31.5%). There was no correlation between the QTD and such risk factors as hypertension, diabetes, gender, smoking, hyperlipidemia and family history. The level of CK-MB on admission was correlated with the QTD (112.5+/-98.1 U/L in the group with a QTD over 80 ms and 72.6+/-73.4 U/L in the group with a QTD under 80 ms, p<0.05). The ejection fraction measured by two dimensional echocardiography on admission showed correlation with the QTD (50.9+/-11.4% in the group with a QTD over 80 ms and 54.7+/-11.2% U/L in the group with a QTD under 80 ms, p<0.05). For the coronary angiographic findings, the lesion type, according to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification, correlated with the QT dispersion (type B2 or C : 64.1% in the group with a QTD over 80 ms, 49.6% in the group with a QTD under 80 ms, p<0.05) CONCLUSION: There was significant correlation between the prolonged QTD and the severity of myocardial injury at admission, and the complex coronary arterial lesion in patients with AMI.
Classification ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Jeollanam-do ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

The importance of quality control for dramatically growing genetic tests continues to be emphasized with increasing clinical demands. Diagnostic genetics subcommitee of KSQACP performed two trials for cytogenetic study in 2003. Cytogenetic surveys were performed by 33 laboratories and answered correctly in most laboratories except some problems in nomenclature and analysis for FISH and complex cytogenetic abnormalities in neoplasia. The molecular genetic test surveys include M. tuberculosis, HBV, HPV, leukemia/lymphoma, ApoE genotyping, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myoclonic epilepsy and ragged red muscle fibers, and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. HPV, myoclonic epilepsy and ragged red muscle fibers, and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy were the first challenge of the genetic survey. Molecular genetic survey showed excellent results in most participants, however, HPV tests should be improved by quality control in a few laboratories. External quality assessment program for cytogenetic analysis could be helpful to give participants many chances of continuous education and of interesting case materials.
Apolipoproteins E ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; Education ; Epilepsies, Myoclonic ; Genetics* ; Korea* ; Molecular Biology ; Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch ; Muscular Disorders, Atrophic ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Quality Control ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic therapy with heparin reduces the rate of ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Low-molecular-weight heparin, given subcutaneously twice daily, has a more predictable anticoagulant effect than standard unfractionated heparin. Moreover, it is easier to administer and does not require monitoring. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 180 patients with unstable angina who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1999 and 2001 at Chonnam National University Hospital and had received either 120 U/kg of dalteparin (Fragmin (R) ), administered subcutaneously twice daily (Group I; n=90, 61.8 +/- 8.9 years, male 67.8%), or had received continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin (Group II; n=90, 62.6 +/- 9.7 years, male 70.0%). During hospitalization and at 6 month after PCI, major adverse cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, death, and restenosis were examined. RESULTS: During hospitalization, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and death were not different between the two groups. At follow-up coronary angiography 6 months after PCI, the incidence of restenosis was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 26/90, 28.8% vs. Group II; 32/90, 35.6%, p=0.041) and the incidence of target vessel revascularization was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 21/90, 23.3% vs. Group II; 27/90, 30.0%, p=0.039). No difference was found in the rates of major and minor hemorrhages, ischemic strokes or thrombocytopenia between two groups. By multivariate analysis, the factors related to restenosis were lesion length, postprocedural minimal luminal diameter, CRP on admission, diabetes mellitus, the type of heparin, and stent use. CONCLUSION: Dalteparin, a low molecular weight heparin, is superior to standard unfractionated heparin in terms of reducing the restenosis rate and target vessel revascularization without increasing bleeding complications.
Angina, Unstable/radiography/*therapy ; *Angioplasty, Transluminal, Percutaneous Coronary/methods ; Anticoagulants/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Comparative Study ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Restenosis/prevention & control ; Female ; Human ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care ; Prospective Studies ; Tedelparin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The current techniques for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) remain limited by restenosis. Recent studies have provided evidence of inflammation playing a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Whether inflammatory markers are predictors of subsequent restenosis were prospectively tested in 272 consecutive patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease. Patients having undergone PCI at Chonnam National University Hospital, between Sept. 1999 and Mar. 2001, were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of restenosis on a follow-up coronary angiogram: Group I were patients with restenosis (n=99, 59.5 +/- 10.8 years, M: F=77: 22) and Group II were those without restenosis (n=173, 58.8 +/- 10.2 years, M: F=131: 42). The IgG seropositivity, cytomegalovirus (CMV) titers, C. pneumoniae, H. pylori and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the seropositivity of the CMV IgG C. pneumoniae IgG and H. pylori IgG between the two groups (Groups I vs. II: 100 vs. 100%, 24.7 vs. 25.7% and 62.2 vs. 63.7%, respectively). Of the angiographic parameters, a low Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow (TIMI 0 or I) was more common in Group I than Group II (p=0.038). The patients with an elevated CRP (> 0.5 mg/dL) were more common in Group I than Group II (57.6 vs. 36.4%, p=0.001), with the CRP values being higher in Group I than Group II (3.3 +/- 5.8 vs. 1.3 +/- 2.6 mg/dL, p=0.001). According to a multiple logistic regression analysis, the CRP was the only predictor of restenosis, with an odds ratio of 2.1169 (95% C.I. 1.2062-3.7154, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The CRP value is the most important predictor of restenosis after PCI.
*Angioplasty, Transluminal, Percutaneous Coronary ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Biological Markers/analysis ; C-Reactive Protein/*analysis ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae/immunology ; Comparative Study ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Restenosis/*blood/diagnosis/*therapy ; Cytomegalovirus/immunology ; Female ; Helicobacter pylori/immunology ; Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence