Serological evaluation of patients with coronavirus disease-2019 in Daegu, South Korea.

Background: Early and accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to prevent spread of the infection. Understanding of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is insufficient, particularly in relation to those whose responses persist for more than 1 month after the onset of symptoms. We conducted a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test to identify factors affecting the serological response and to evaluate its diagnostic utility in patients with COVID-19.

Clinical features and outcomes of V617F-positive polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia according to the V617F allele burden.

Background: mutation status is a well-known risk factor for thrombosis in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. However, the clinical usefulness of V617F allele burden is under investigation.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the impact of the V617F allele burden on clinical characteristics and outcomes of V617F-positive polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET).

IgG Seroprevalence of COVID-19 among Individuals without a History of the Coronavirus Disease Infection in Daegu, Korea.

Background: Seroprevalence studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from many countries have shown that the number of undiagnosed missing cases is much larger than that of confirmed cases, irrespective of seroprevalence levels. Considering the strategy of Korea entailing massive testing and contact tracing from the beginning of epidemic, the number of undiagnosed missing cases in Korea may be negligible. This study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of COVID-19 among individuals who were never diagnosed with COVID-19 in Daegu, the epicenter of COVID-19 epidemic in Korea.

Selective purging of human multiple myeloma cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a preliminary study.

Background: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation are standards of therapy for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The purging process to remove contaminating residual myeloma cells could improve patient outcomes. In this study, a purging method of human multiple myeloma cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated.

Effects of one directional pneumatic tube system on routine hematology and chemistry parameters; A validation study at a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The validation of sample stability through pneumatic tube system (PTS) is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of PTS transportation on laboratory results.

Methods: Paired EDTA and SST blood samples were collected from 56 randomly selected patients.

Analysis of Turnaround Time for Intraoperative Red Blood Cell Issues: A Single-Center Study.

Background: When unpredicted surgical blood loss occurs, it is essential that blood arrive from the blood bank in a timely manner.

Objective: To evaluate the turnaround time (TAT) for red blood cells (RBCs) from the blood bank to the operating suite. Cases with delayed TATs were further analyzed to determine potential causes for the delays.

Utility of preoperative in vitro platelet function tests for predicting bleeding risk in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: It is necessary to predict the bleeding risk in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). To evaluate the adequacy of primary hemostasis, preoperative hemostatic screening tests are used. In the present study, we determined whether there is a positive correlation between prolonged closure time (CT) with collagen/epinephrine (CT-epi), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and bleeding during FESS.

Total extract of Korean red ginseng facilitates human bone marrow hematopoietic colony formation in vitro.

Background: The number of CD34+ cells in a peripheral blood stem cell collection is the key factor in predicting successful treatment of hematologic malignancies. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) (Panax ginseng C.A.

Changes of peripheral blood lymphocyte subtypes in patients with end stage cancer administered localized radiotherapy and bojungikki-tang.

Localized radiotherapy (RT) can cause immune dysfunction. Bojungikki-tang is known to restore immune function. We investigated the absolute counts and percentages of peripheral blood (PB) lymphocyte subtypes in end stage cancer patients before and after RT and after oral administration of Bojungikki-tang water extract (BJITE) and to evaluate the changes mediated by RT and BJITE.

A case of myelodysplastic syndrome with marked eosinophilia showing favorable prognosis.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with eosinophilia is a rare condition and has yet to be classified under the 2008 World Health Organization classification. However, reports have described the prognostic significance of chronic persistent eosinophilia in MDS. Here, we report a case of a 67-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital in July 2007 with generalized weakness, dizziness, and dyspnea on exertion persisting for 5 years.

Mean cell volumes of neutrophils and monocytes are promising markers of sepsis in elderly patients.

Background: Sepsis in elderly patients is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic significance of volume conductivity scatter (VCS) parameters and to compare their reliability with that of inflammatory markers.

Methods: Patients (N=85) were divided into 3 groups according to their clinical history and culture results: control (N=29), localized infection (N=38), and sepsis (N=18).

The distinct expressions of interleukin-15 and interleukin-15 receptor α in Behçet's disease.

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pleotrophic cytokine that is involved in the pathogenesis of diverse inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The aims of this study were to compare serum IL-15 levels and expression of its receptor (IL-15Rα) in Behçet's disease (BD) with those in other rheumatic diseases and to identify the relationship between serum IL-15 levels and various clinical parameters in BD. One hundred fifty-eight subjects consisting of 40 BD, 38 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 40 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 40 healthy controls were enrolled.

γδ T cells are increased in the peripheral blood of patients with gastric cancer.

Background: γδ T cells are implicated in immunoregulation. However, little is known about the characteristics of γδ T cells in gastric cancer. In this study, we assessed the incidence of γδ T cells and lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of gastric cancer patients.

Inhibition of P-glycoprotein facilitated glycosaminoglycan accumulation during chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Aim: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an adenosine-5-triphosphate Binding Cassettes B 1 (ABCB1) transporter that exports various substrates on cellular membrane. Surface expression of P-gp was decreased during chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). We examined the role of P-gp in extracellular matrix deposition during chondrogenesis of human BM-MSCs.

Decreased interleukin-18 response in asthmatic children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a common causative agent of pneumonia in children. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is any difference in selected cytokine or chemokines response in asthmatic children compared to non-asthmatic children during acute M.

Human leucocyte antigen-B27 subtypes in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis: higher B*2705 in the patient group.

Aim: To investigate the distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens and B27 subtypings in a group of B27(+) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and a group of B27(+) control individuals, and to compare differences in their clinical features using subtyping.

Methods: A total of 143 B27(+) AS samples and 32 B27(+) control samples were collected consecutively from two rheumatology centres in South Korea. All patients were diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria for AS.

[Anti-inflammatory effect of near-infrared irradiated cell culture media].

Background: Near-infrared light (NIR, 0.8-1.5 microm light) has been used in therapeutic devices for various injuries such as infected, ischemic and hypoxic wound.

A case of natural killer cell leukemia misdiagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

Natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms are a group of rare but highly malignant tumors. We report here one case of NK cell leukemia. A 54-yr-old woman presented with a 2-month history of progressive left neck mass.

P-glycoprotein expression in extracellular matrix formation of chondrogenic differentiation of human adult stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been known as a good source of progenitor for multiple connective tissue including cartilage, muscle, adipocyte, and bone. P-glycoproteins (P-gps) also known as ABCB1 that exports diverse substrates are the product of the multidrug resistance-1 (MDR-1) gene. P-gp expression has been reported in chondrosarcoma and hypertrophic chondrocyte in the human growth plate.

Age-related difference in immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus infection in young children.

There have been longitudinal studies of the developmental change of the immune system during the first year of life. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is any age-related difference in cytokine responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection between the patients under 6 months of age and the patients over 12 months of age compared with age-matched controls. Forty-five children < or =24 months of age who were admitted with acute RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled.

The relationship between serum endothelin (ET)-1 and wheezing status in the children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Although Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known to be associated with acute wheezing and the exacerbation of asthma, the mechanism by which this pathogen contributes to the development of wheeze-related symptoms is not fully understood. The aim of our study was to examine serum endothelin (ET)-1 and other cytokines in acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia and investigate if there is any relation between these inflammatory mediators and the occurrence of wheezing.

Relationship between atopic status and nasal interleukin 10 and 11 levels in infants with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.

Background: Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IL-11 are known to have anti-inflammatory activities, and they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

Objectives: To determine IL-10, IL-11, and myeloperoxidase levels in nasal secretions of infants with acute RSV bronchiolitis and to investigate whether there are any differences in these levels in patients with vs without atopy.

Methods: We measured IL-10, IL-11, and myeloperoxidase levels in nasal secretions of 44 infants (20 were atopic) with acute RSV bronchiolitis.

A case of relapsing polychondritis associated with myelodysplastic syndrome with erythroid hypoplasia/aplasia.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare multisystem disorder. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with erythroid hypoplasia/aplasia is a rare form of myelodysplasia. Several cases of RP associated with MDS have recently been described.