ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since free light chain (FLC) is metabolized in the kidney, serum FLC concentration and kappa/lambda ratio are increased in patients with decreased renal function, even in the absence of monoclonal protein. In this study, we measured serum FLC levels to investigate the change in kappa/lambda ratios in relation to the severity of renal dysfunction. METHODS: Serum FLC concentrations were measured in 92 archived serum samples from patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease using the Freelite assay (The Binding Site Group Ltd., UK), and kappa/lambda ratios were calculated. Serum creatinine levels were assayed to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and patients were divided into subgroups according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. We analyzed the difference in serum FLC levels and kappa/lambda ratios between subgroups. RESULTS: Serum FLC levels and kappa/lambda ratios increased depending on the severity of renal dysfunction. When patients were classified by setting cut-off value of eGFR as 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (group A: eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, group B: < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), the kappa/lambda ratio of group B was significantly higher than that of group A (group B: 1.60±0.46 vs. group A: 1.35±0.27, P=0.018). Serum FLC kappa/lambda ratios were within the previously determined renal reference interval (0.37–3.1). CONCLUSIONS: When interpreting results of serum FLC kappa/lambda ratio, renal function status should be considered in addition to hematological findings. If renal function deteriorates, a wider renal reference interval is preferred instead of the usual reference interval.
Subject(s)
Humans , Binding Sites , Creatinine , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Kidney , Kidney Diseases , Renal Insufficiency, ChronicABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: One of the major concerns with biobanking is the absence of standard operating procedures to eliminate pre-analytical variation arising from sample collection, preparation, and storage. Currently, there is a lack of tools to carry out quality control procedures for stored blood samples. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of stored blood samples in our biobank and to suggest appropriate indicators for their quality control. METHODS: The stored blood samples that we tested have been registered into our biobank since 2003. These were transferred to our biobank after carrying out routine requested tests, because the samples would have otherwise been discarded. For the purpose of quality control, we analyzed the concentrations and the integrity of DNA and RNA extracted from the stored samples and tested the levels of several serum proteins; the results were compared with the corresponding pre-storage levels. RESULTS: A total of 19 samples were stored from 2006 to 2009. Of the 22 samples stored between 2003 and 2005, 50% showed complete DNA integrity. However, sufficient RNA integrity was noted in only 1 sample stored as recently as 2009. High blood urea nitrogen levels were also noted in the stored sera, but the increase did not correlate to the duration of storage. CONCLUSIONS: The amount and integrity of nucleic acids extracted from stored blood samples are potential indicators that can be used for quality control. A guideline for the quality assessment of stored blood samples in a biobank is urgently needed.
Subject(s)
Blood Banks/standards , Blood Proteins/chemistry , Blood Urea Nitrogen , DNA/analysis , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Quality Control , RNA/analysis , Specimen Handling/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was to investigate how the heparin, which has been known to induce neovascularization by MMP in the infarcted tissue of the myocardium, had influence on the expression of mRNA of MMP 1,2,9 of the skin wound of rat. METHODS: Full depth skin wounds were created on the dorsum of Sprague-Dawley 60 rats. The experimental rats were divided into two groups according to the concentration of heparin(100microgram/ml in 20, 300microgram/ml in 20). Heparin soaked gelatin sponges in different concentration were inserted into the pocket of experimental rats and the wounds were closed. Normal saline soaked gelatin sponges were used in control rats. Wounds were harvested at 48 and 72 hours after closure. We performed histologic study in H-E stain. RNA was isolated from the harvested tissue and then real time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the gene expression of MMP-1,2,9. RESULTS: We observed that inflammatory cell decreased in heparin soaked group and heparin increased the expression of MMP-1,9 mRNA of dorsal wound of rat at 72 hours (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This result suggest that heparin may be used inducing another factor inducing scarless wound healing by increasing MMP.
Subject(s)
Adult , Animals , Humans , Rats , Gelatin , Gene Expression , Heparin , Myocardium , Porifera , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA , RNA, Messenger , Skin , Wound Healing , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently been recognized to be one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated strongly with NAFLD. Although often used to detect liver disease, sometimes the cause of elevated Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activity was unclear. In the absence of other causes, the author examined whether BMI and metabolic markers of NAFLD can explain the cause of abnormal ALT in Korean. METHODS: From April 2002 to November 2003, 9997 persons visited health promotion center of Kyungpook National University Hospital and took health screening. After excluding persons with excessive alcohol consumption, abnormal gamma-GTP, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, 8379 persons were included in this study. All patients underwent anthropometric measures, blood chemistry analysis and abdominal ultrasonographic exam. RESULTS: Elevated ALT levels were found in 10% (835 persons) of the all subjects. In univariate analysis, factors associated with elevated ALT levels (por=23 kg/m2) was 79% in abnormal ALT group. In multivariate logistic regression study, total cholesterol and blood pressure were eleminated but sex, BMI, triglyceride level, ultrasonographic fatty change were strongly associated with elevated ALT level (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, unexplained ALT elevation was strongly associated with obesity, adiposity and other features of metabolic syndrome, and thus may represent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, more research is needed for the definite clinical determinants of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adiposity , Alanine Transaminase , Alanine , Alcohol Drinking , Blood Glucose , Blood Pressure , Body Mass Index , Chemistry , Cholesterol , Fasting , Fatty Liver , Health Promotion , Hepatitis B , Hepatitis C , Hypertension , Liver Diseases , Logistic Models , Mass Screening , Obesity , Triglycerides , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Many attempts have been made to fill the space the dermis with biological or artificial implants. The ideal injectable material should be biocompatible, nonantigenic, nonpyrogenic, noninflammatory, nontoxic, easy to use, stable for injection, non-migratory, long-lasting, and not too expensive. This study was designed in order to select the ideal injectable filler material among PMMA microspheres suspended in collagen solution(Artecoll(R)), micronized allderm(Sheba(R)), and hyaluronic acid (Restylane(R)). We divided into 3 groups according to the injected material (Group I; Artecoll(R) , Group II; Restylane(R) , Group III; Sheba(R)). 0.2 ml of Artecoll(R) was injected into back skin of group I mice in subdermal plane. 0.2 ml of Restylane(R) & Sheba(R)were injected intradermally group II & III in each. The biopsy specimens were taken from each group at 3 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks after injection and examined grossly as well as histologically. Three matrials showed mild inflammatory response until 4 weeks and disappeared until 12 weeks. Foreign body giant cell has not been shown in any section. In Artecoll(R) and Sheba(R) group, the volume of injected materials was reduced significantly at 24 weeks, but that of Restylane(R) group maintained at 24 weeks. In conclusion, Restylane(R) might be more ideal as an injectable filler than Artecoll(R) and Sheba(R) in this study.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Biopsy , Collagen , Dermis , Giant Cells, Foreign-Body , Hyaluronic Acid , Microspheres , Polymethyl Methacrylate , Prostheses and Implants , SkinABSTRACT
Basal cell nevus syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by developmental and skeletal anomalies, palmo-plantar pits, odontogenic keratocysts, ectopic calcification, and occurrence of various types of tumors including basal cell carcinoma. Within our country, 9 cases at dentistry and 3 cases at dermatology were reported. The patient was a 66-year-old woman. Chief complaint was multiple dark brownish colored papules which were symmetrically distributed around the neck. Excision and biopsy were done under general anesthesia and the wound was healed without complication. Histological examination of the lesion revealed 'basal cell carcinoma'. During the evaluation of metastasis of basal cell carcinoma, at PNS CT we found odontogenic keratocyst on the left alveolar process of maxilla by accident. Physical examination revealed pits of the palm and sole. These are consistent with the major diagnostic criteria for basal cell nevus syndrome. Hereby we report one case of basal cell nevus syndrome.