Rh(D) Alloimmunization Risk After Rh(D)-Incompatible Solid Organ Transplantations in Rh(D)-Negative Recipients.

Objectives: Rh(D)-incompatible (Rh-i) solid organ transplantations are not considered for organ matching, but no consensus guidelines exist regarding the need for anti-D immunoglobulin (RhIG) prophylaxis.

Methods: We reviewed 35 Rh(D)-negative patients who had received Rh-i solid organ transplantation. We divided the patients into a RhIG-administered group and a nonadministered group.

Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles Enhance the Sensitivity of Hepa1-6 Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Radiation by Remodeling Tumor Microenvironments.

We evaluated the effect of manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MFN) on radiosensitization and immunologic responses using the murine hepatoma cell line Hepa1-6 and the syngeneic mouse model. The clonogenic survival of Hepa1-6 cells was increased by hypoxia, while being restricted by ionizing radiation (IR) and/or MFN. Although MFN suppressed HIF-1α under hypoxia, the combination of IR and MFN enhanced apoptosis and DNA damage in Hepa1-6 cells.

Double-filtered leukoreduction as a method for risk reduction of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.

Background: Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD) is caused by leukocytes, specifically T cells within a transfused blood product. Currently, the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease is performed by irradiation of blood products. With a sufficient reduction of leukocytes, the risk for TA-GvHD can be decreased.

NOD2 Supports Crypt Survival and Epithelial Regeneration after Radiation-Induced Injury.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) affords stem cell protection and links microbes to intestinal epithelial regeneration. We investigated whether NOD2 status is associated with crypt survival and intestinal epithelial regeneration independent of microbiota-derived molecules. To assess crypt survival, a clonogenic microcolony assay was performed with 15 Gy of X-ray irradiation.

Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and natural killer cell activity revealed by measurement of interferon-gamma levels in a healthy population.

Background: While a method of assaying natural killer (NK) cell activity by measuring the amount of interferon (IFN)-γ released from NK cells has been proposed, no data are available about the factors that influence IFN-γ levels related to NK cell activity. NLR has recently been reported to be a predictor of several diseases. In the present study, we investigated the pre-analytical variables for NK cell activity using measurements of IFN-γ and the relationship between NLR and NK cell activity.

Improvement of Cell Cycle Lifespan and Genetic Damage Susceptibility of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Hypoxic Priming.

Hypoxic culture is widely recognized as a method to efficiently expand human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) without loss of stem cell properties. However, the molecular basis of how hypoxia priming benefits MSC expansion remains unclear. We report that hypoxic priming markedly extends the cell cycle lifespan rather than augmenting the multipotency of MSC differentiation lineage.

An effective diagnostic strategy for accurate detection of RhD variants including Asian DEL type in apparently RhD-negative blood donors in Korea.

Background And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide an effective RHD genotyping strategy for the East Asian blood donors.

Material And Methods: RhD phenotyping, weak D testing and RhCE phenotyping were performed on 110 samples from members of the RhD-negative club, private organization composed of RhD-negative blood donors, in the GwangJu-Chonnam region of Korea. The RHD promoter, intron 4, and exons 7 and 10 were analysed by real-time PCR.

Erratum to: Asymmetric Gray Matter Volume Changes Associated with Epilepsy Duration and Seizure Frequency in Temporal-Lobe-Epilepsy Patients with Favorable Surgical Outcome.

This corrects the article on p. 323 in vol. 12, PMID: 27449913.

Asymmetric Gray Matter Volume Changes Associated with Epilepsy Duration and Seizure Frequency in Temporal-Lobe-Epilepsy Patients with Favorable Surgical Outcome.

Background And Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the changes in gray matter volume (GMV) and their hemispheric difference in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) using a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) methodology, and to determine whether GMV changes are correlated with clinical features.

Methods: VBM analysis of brain MRI using statistical parametric mapping 8 (SPM8) was performed for 30 left MTLE (LMTLE) and 30 right MTLE (RMTLE) patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We also analyzed the correlations between GMV changes and clinical features of MTLE patients.

Serious Adverse Transfusion Reactions Reported in the National Recipient-Triggered Trace Back System in Korea (2006-2014).

Background: Adverse transfusion reactions (ATRs) are clinically relevant to patients with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to review the cases of ATR reported in the recipient-triggered trace back system for a recent nine-year period in Korea.

Methods: Nine-year data obtained from 2006 to 2014 by the trace back system at the Division of Human Blood Safety Surveillance of the Korean Centers for Disease Control (KCDC) were reviewed.

Venous thrombosis after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the frequency, morphological patterns, sequential changes, and clinical significance of venous thrombosis after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 1379 RFAs performed in 1046 patients with HCC (mean tumor size, 1.93 cm) were surveyed.

Modular cementless total hip arthroplasty for multiple epiphyseal dysplasia.

We analyzed a consecutive series of 23 total hip arthroplasties that had been performed using modular cementless prostheses in 13 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia and end-stage osteoarthritis of the hip. The average Harris hip score improved from 40.6 to 93.