IDH1/2 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia

The mutational and epigenetic landscape of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has become increasingly well understood in recent years, informing on biological targets for precision medicine. Among the most notable findings was the recognition of mutational hot-spots in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes. In this review, we provide an overview on the IDH1/2 mutation landscape in Korean AML patients, and compare it with available public data. We also discuss the role of IDH1/2 mutations as biomarkers and drug targets.Taken together, occurrence of IDH1/2 mutations is becoming increasingly important in AML treatment, thus requiring thorough examination and follow-up throughout the clinical course of the disease.

Analysis of Cariogenic Bacteria in Saliva of Cancer Patients / 전남의대학술지

This study examined salivary flow and salivary pH and the prevalence and levels of cariogenic bacteria in the saliva of oncological patients and healthy controls. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the levels of microbes including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus acidophilus in the saliva of 41 patients with a solid tumor (SO), 30 patients with a hematologic malignancy (HE), and 40 healthy controls. Salivary flow and pH were lower in oncological patients than in controls. The frequencies of all four cariogenic bacteria were highest in the SO group. S. mutans and L. salivarius were the most commonly detected in all three study groups. Mean numbers of S. sobrinus and L. salivarius in the SO group were significantly higher than in controls (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between patients and controls with respect to mean numbers of S. mutans and L. acidophilus in saliva. However, the proportions of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and L. salivarius versus total bacteria in the SO group were significantly higher than in controls. Within patients, both mean numbers and the proportions of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were significantly different (p<0.05). In summary, significant differences were found in salivary pH values and the levels of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and L. salivarius between SO patients and healthy controls.

Analysis of Cariogenic Bacteria in Saliva of Cancer Patients / 전남의대학술지

This study examined salivary flow and salivary pH and the prevalence and levels of cariogenic bacteria in the saliva of oncological patients and healthy controls. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the levels of microbes including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus acidophilus in the saliva of 41 patients with a solid tumor (SO), 30 patients with a hematologic malignancy (HE), and 40 healthy controls. Salivary flow and pH were lower in oncological patients than in controls. The frequencies of all four cariogenic bacteria were highest in the SO group. S. mutans and L. salivarius were the most commonly detected in all three study groups. Mean numbers of S. sobrinus and L. salivarius in the SO group were significantly higher than in controls (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between patients and controls with respect to mean numbers of S. mutans and L. acidophilus in saliva. However, the proportions of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and L. salivarius versus total bacteria in the SO group were significantly higher than in controls. Within patients, both mean numbers and the proportions of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were significantly different (p<0.05). In summary, significant differences were found in salivary pH values and the levels of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and L. salivarius between SO patients and healthy controls.

Gait Analysis in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy at Pre- and Post-Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate objectively the postoperative change of the gait pattern in patients with cervical myelopathy through gait analysis. METHODS: Thirty nine patients who underwent cervical decompression and fusion for cervical myelopathy were studied. Preoperatively, gait disturbance was present in all patients. The patients were evaluated with Nurick classification, Functional Independence measure (FIM) score and gait analysis using three dimensional motion analyzer before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: In the Nurick classification there was statistically significant change but no significant change in FIM score after surgery. In the gait analysis there were statistically significant improvements in all the linear parameters, kinetic (ankle plantarflexion moment) and kinematic (knee range of motion in swing phase) parameters (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that gait analysis can be used as a quantitative tools of postoperative gait improvement in patient with cervical myelopathy.

Thoracic Arachnoiditis Following Surgical Lumbar Fixation: A case report

This 32 year-old man sustained crush injury and resultant in paraplegia. Lumbar MRI was taken and revealed fracture and dislocation between L2 and L3 vertebrae bodies. On the day of the injury, he underwent a surgical intervention of posterolateral fixation and bone graft from L1 to L4 vertebrae. He was transferred to Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Asan Medical Center where patient was subsequently found to have an unexpected neurologic finding of decreased sensation below T5 dermatome on right and below T6 on left. Accordingly we took a thoracic MRI which showed features consistent with arachnoiditis at thoracic and lumbar cord segment. A dermatomal somatosensory evoked potential study was performed with finding of abnormal somatosensory pathway below mid thoracic dermatome. We reported an unusual case of thoracic arachnoiditis occurred after the surgical fixation of the lumbar vertebral fracture and dislocation.

Infections in Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients (1992~1999) / 감염

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are highly susceptible to infection. This study aims to analyze the frequencies, types and distributions of the organisms causing infectious complications following BMT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed infectious complications of 76 bone marrow transplant patients treated at Chonnam National University Hospital during the period 1992~1999. RESULTS: The patient group consisted of 52 allogeneic and 24 autologous recipients. In the allogeneic recipient group, the majority of the patients were diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (37%) and in the autologous group, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (58 %). Sixty-five of 76 recipients (85.5%) had a total of 118 infectious complications. Out of the 52 allogeneic and 24 autologous recipients, 87 and 31 infectious complications occurred, respectively. Clinically defined infections were reported in 88 cases, microbiologically defined infections in 20 cases, and unexplained fever in 10 cases. Seventy-two infections occurred within the first 30 days following transplant, 17 cases between days 30 and 100, and 29 cases after the 100th day. Infection of the oral cavity occurred in 25.9% of the subjects, pneumonia in 24.1% and skin and soft tissue infection in 19.4%. Oral mucositis was the most common type of infection within the first 30 days following transplant, pneumonia between days 30 and 100, and skin and soft tissue infection after the 100th day. The causative organisms for bacteremia were gram- positive organisms in four of the cases and gram-negative organisms in six of the cases. Similarly, the causative organisms for pneumonia were cytomegalovirus in 5 cases, Pneumocystis carinii in 1 case, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 1 case, and M. tuberculosis in 2 cases. The most common cause of death was acute respiratory distress syndrome due to pneumonia (11 cases). CONCLUSION: Infection is a major complication in patients undergoing BMT. Infection occurred most commonly within the first 30 days following transplant, with oral mucositis and pneumonia being the most common types of infection. Antimicrobial prophylaxis with improved strategies should be utilized in order to prevent infection during post-BMT immunohematopoietic recovery.