Establishing veterinary graduation competencies and its impact on veterinary medical education in Korea

Competencies are defined as an observable and assessable set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Graduation competencies, which are more comprehensive, refer to the required abilities of students to perform on-site work immediately after graduation. As graduation competencies set the goal of education, various countries and institutions have introduced them for new veterinary graduates. The Korean Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges has recently established such competencies to standardize veterinary education and enhance quality levels thereof. The purpose of this study is to describe the process of establishing graduation competencies as well as their implication for veterinary education in Korea.Graduation competencies for veterinary education in Korea comprise 5 domains (animal health care and disease management, one health expertise, communication and collaboration, research and learning, and veterinary professionalism). These are further divided into 11 core competencies, and 33 achievement standards, which were carefully chosen from previous case analyses and nation-wide surveys. Currently, graduation competencies are used as a standard for setting clear educational purposes for both instructors and students. Establishing these competencies further initiated the development of detailed learning outcomes, and of a list of basic veterinary clinical performances and skills, which is useful for assessing knowledge and skills. The establishment of graduation competencies is expected to contribute to the continuous development of Korean veterinary education in many ways. These include curriculum standardization and licensing examination reform, which will eventually improve the competencies of new veterinary graduates.

Trends in age-, period- and cohort-specific incidence of hepatitis C in Jingzhou City from 2008 to 2022 / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the trend in incidence of hepatitis C in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province from 2008 to 2022, and to examine the age-period-cohort effect, so as to provide the basis for the formulation of hepatitis C prevention strategies. @*Methods@#Demographic data and incidence data of hepatitis C in Jingzhou City from 2008 to 2022 were collected through the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the trend in incidence of hepatitis C was analyzed using average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC). The effects of age, period and cohort on the incidence of hepatitis C were examined with an age-period-cohort model. @*Results@#The average annual incidence of hepatitis C in Jingzhou City from 2008 and 2022 was 20.26/105, with a male incidence of 20.04/105 and a female incidence of 20.47/105. The incidence of hepatitis C initially rose and then fell (AAPC=5.375%, P<0.05), with a rising trend from 2008 to 2018 (APC=13.370%, P<0.05) and a decreasing trend from 2018 to 2022 (APC=-12.231%, P<0.05). The incidence of hepatitis C appeared a tendency towards a rise with age, and the 80-84 age group had the highest risk (RR=11.420, 95%CI: 7.631-17.090) in relative to the 45-49 age group. The incidence of hepatitis C appeared a tendency towards a rise followed by a decline with time, and an increased risk of hepatitis C was seen from 2013 to 2017 (RR=1.393, 95%CI: 1.272-1.525) and a decreased risk was seen from 2018 to 2022 (RR=1.237, 95%CI: 1.072-1.428) in relative to the period from 2008 to 2012. The incidence of hepatitis C appeared a tendency towards a rise followed by a decline with the cohort, and a higher risk was found in the 1965-1984 cohort (all RR>1.300) in relative to the 1960-1964 cohort. The incidence of hepatitis C, the age and period effects in men and women, and the cohort effects in men were consistent with the whole population. In addition to the 1965-1984 cohort, a higher risk was found in the 2000-2014 cohort in women (all RR>1.250).@*Conclusions@#From 2008 to 2022, the incidence of hepatitis C in Jingzhou City experienced a notable rise and subsequent decline. The incidence of hepatitis C increased with age, with higher risks seen among middle-aged and elderly people.

Korean farm animal veterinarians’ perception and practice of prudent use of antimicrobials

Antimicrobial (AM) resistance is a growing threat in human and veterinary medicine, spreading across species and perceived as One-Health issue. Prudent use of AM products is essential in mitigating this risk in both human and veterinary medicine. Farm veterinarians, responsible for prescribing appropriate AM and offering advice to farmers on their proper usage, are regarded as key players in the livestock industry. An online survey of farm veterinarians (n = 1,531) was conducted to assess their educational experience, beliefs, current status of prescription, practical behavior, and self-efficacy regarding the prudent use of antimicrobials (PUA). The data from 170 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression and mediation analysis. Participants chose AM based on their experiences, academic resources, and peer veterinarians. Approximately 77% did not routinely conduct antibiotic-susceptibility-test. Most participants believed in the importance of PUA and the role of veterinarians to reduce AM resistance, but they reported a lack of awareness among farmers and insufficient national support interfere with their practical behavior with regard to PUA. Half of the participants had PUA-education, and 78.6% reported that education had a positive impact on their behavior with PUA. Self-efficacy partly mediates the relationship between belief and behavior for PUA, which accounted for 23.77% of the total effect that beliefs have on behavior for PUA. The findings of the study show that enhancing veterinarians' abilities to practice and their self-efficacy through education tailored to the current status of farms can contribute to the reduction of AMs in the livestock sector.

Death of HIV/AIDS cases within 1 year in Jingzhou City from 1996 to 2021 / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the characteristics of dead HIV/AIDS cases within 1 year after confirmatory testing in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province from 1996 to 2021, so as to provide the evidence for facilitating early identification and treatment of AIDS.@*Methods@#The basic and follow-up data of HIV/AIDS cases were retrieved from the HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and mortality density and its trend were evaluated within 1 year after confirmatory testing. The factors affecting death within 1 year after confirmatory testing were identified using a Cox proportional hazards model, and the demographics, detection, treatment and cause of death were analyzed among dead HIV/AIDS cases within 1 year after confirmatory testing.@*Results@#A total of 3 304 HIV/AIDS cases were included, with 508 deaths within 1 year after confirmatory testing. The overall mortality density was 17.43 per 100 person-years, and the mortality density appeared a tendency towards a reduction from 1996 to 2021 (χ2trend=21.053, P<0.001). Of all dead HIV/AIDS cases within 1 year after confirmatory testing, 77.76% were men, 67.72% at ages of 45 years and older, 83.86% with transmission by heterosexual contact, 83.66% identified in medical institutions, 62.20% without antiretroviral therapy, and 47.83% without detection of CD4+T cell count. Mortality that was not associated with AIDS was the predominant cause of death among dead HIV/AIDS cases within 1 year after confirmatory testing (58.86%). Age of 30 years and older (HR: 1.781-4.644, 95%CI: 1.073-7.784), identification in medical institutions (HR=2.130, 95%CI: 1.306-4.474), initial CD4+T cell count of <200 cells/μL (HR: 2.649-12.879, 95%CI: 1.669-19.189), no antiretroviral therapy (HR=7.945, 95%CI: 5.743-10.993) and initiation of antiretroviral therapy 4 to 12 months after confirmatory testing (HR=1.636, 95%CI: 1.005-2.662) resulted in a higher risk of mortality within 1 year after confirmatory testing.@*Conclusions@#The mortality density appeared a tendency towards a reduction among cases within 1 year after confirmatory testing in Jingzhou City from 1996 to 2021. Mortality within 1 year after confirmatory testing was associated with advanced age, heterosexual contact transmission, identification in medical institutions, low CD4+T cell counts, and delay or absence of antiretroviral therapy.

Pneumonia due to Schizophyllum commune in a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Case Report and Literature Review / 감염과화학요법

Schizophyllum commune is a mold in phylum Basidiomycota and is an uncommon human pathogen. Sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis are the two major diseases caused by S. commune. Although there have been several reports of invasive fungal diseases, most of them were invasive sinusitis. We present a case of invasive fungal pneumonia due to S. commune, developed in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia presenting neutropenic fever. The diagnosis was made by characteristic macroscopic and microscopic findings of fungal isolate and was confirmed via sequencing of internal transcribed spacer region. The patient was improved after 8 weeks of antifungal therapy based on the susceptibility result.We propose that S. commune should be considered as an emerging pathogen of invasive fungal pneumonia when a patient is under immunocompromised state. We also reviewed global literatures focused on the invasive fungal diseases caused by S. commune

A study on stress experiences of Korean veterinary students

The quality of a veterinary service depends on the veterinarian’s physical and mental health. However, a veterinarian’s mental health is generally considered to be more vulnerable than that of other health care professionals. As many veterinary students will enter the veterinary profession in near future, it is necessary to investigate their psychological status. This study examined stressors affecting student life in one veterinary school. Anxiety, depression, and stress levels were assessed using questionnaires and qualitative research techniques. The results obtained from questionnaires showed that the proportion of veterinary students with psychological distress was higher than expected. The major stressors experienced by the veterinary students were academic, economic, and environmental. Qualitative study using a photovoice method revealed that the students in this study felt relatively deprived compared with those in other veterinary schools. In addition, they were distressed by the school environment and limited human relationship. Our results suggest that veterinary school administrators should be aware of students’ psychological distress and should undertake systematic improvement in their educational system by altering counseling programs, curricula, and school culture principles.

Justicidin A Reduces β-Amyloid via Inhibiting Endocytosis of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein

β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) can be cleaved by α-, and γ-secretase at plasma membrane producing soluble ectodomain fragment (sAPPα). Alternatively, following endocytosis, APP is cleaved by β-, and γ-secretase at early endosomes generating β-amyloid (Aβ), the main culprit in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, APP endocytosis is critical for Aβ production. Recently, we reported that Monsonia angustifolia, the indigenous vegetables consumed in Tanzania, improved cognitive function and decreased Aβ production. In this study, we examined the underlying mechanism of justicidin A, the active compound of M. angustifolia, on Aβ production. We found that justicidin A reduced endocytosis of APP, increasing sAPPα level, while decreasing Aβ level in HeLa cells overexpressing human APP with the Swedish mutation. The effect of justicidin A on Aβ production was blocked by endocytosis inhibitors, indicating that the decreased APP endocytosis by justicidin A is the underlying mechanism. Thus, justicidin A, the active compound of M. angustifolia, may be a novel agent for AD treatment.

Safety analysis of thulium laser in thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To explore the feasibility and safety of 2 μm thulium laser in thoracoscopic wedge resection.  Methods     The clinical data of 137 patients who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection with thulium laser (as a thulium laser group, 64 patients, including 22 males, 42 females, average age of 58.39±10.40 years) and staplers (as a stapler group, 73 patients, including 33 males, 40 females, average age of 60.79±10.96 years) in thoracic Department of Xuanwu Hospital between April 2016 and August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. In the study, the intraoperative blood loss, the operative time, chest tube duration, daily amount of fluid leak, hospital stay and hospitalization costs were compared between two groups.  Results     The intraoperative blood loss of the thulium laser group (16.05±23.67 mL) was significantly shorter or lower than that of the stapler group (28.56±32.09 mL) (P=0.011). Besides, the post operation hospital stay and hospitalization costs of the thulium laser group (4.72±2.49 d, 37 127.33±9 302.14 yuan) were also significantly shorter or lower than those of the stapler group (5.67±2.02 d, 49 545.76±13 831.93 yuan) (P=0.015, P=0.000). Furthermore, no statistical difference was found between the thulium laser group and the stapler group in the operative time (116.38±41.91 min vs. 108.36±47.25 min), total hospital stay (10.13±2.98 d vs. 11.05±3.26 d), daily amount of fluid leak (138.38±72.23 mL vs. 152.7±77.54 mL), chest tube duration (2.89±2.34 d vs. 3.52±1.48 d) and the frequency of postoperative fever (0.89±1.55 times vs. 1.23±1.70 times).  Conclusion     Applying 2 μm thulium laser to thorascopic wedge resection is safe and feasible. Besides, 2 μm thulium laser can achieve a similar result to that of the standard technique by using staplers.

Ensuring reproducibility and ethics in animal experiments reporting in Korea using the ARRIVE guideline / 한국실험동물학회지

The aim of this study is to evaluate the reporting quality of animal experiments in Korea using the Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guideline developed in 2010 to overcome the reproducibility problem and to encourage compliance with replacement, refinement and reduction of animals in research (3R's principle). We reviewed 50 papers published by a Korean research group from 2013 to 2016 and scored the conformity with the 20-items ARRIVE guideline. The median conformity score was 39.50%. For more precise evaluation, the 20 items were subdivided into 57 sub-items. Among the sub-items, status of experimental animals, housing and husbandry were described under the average level. Microenvironment sub-items, such as enrichment, bedding material, cage type, number of companions, scored under 10%. Although statistical methods used for the studies were given in most publications (84%), sample size calculation and statistical assumption were rarely described. Most publications mentioned the IACUC approval, but only 8% mentioned welfare-related assessments and interventions, and only 4% mentioned any implications of experimental methods or findings for 3R. We may recommend the revision of the present IACUC proposal to collect more detailed information and improving educational program for animal researchers according to the ARRIVE guideline.

Rabies Outbreaks and Control during the Japanese Colonial Period in Korea / 의사학

Rabies became one of the critical zoonoses in the modern urban environment since pet keeping culture became widespread in the Western countries in the 18th century. The sanitary policy against rabies was a forceful tool for the colonial rulers in the 19th century. This study describes the rabies outbreaks in the context of prevention methods, experts' engagement and the public response to the policies based on the statistics, regulations and newspaper articles on rabies in Korea during the Japanese colonial period. Based on the changes in the rabies policies, this study divides the time period into three phases. First phase (1905-1914) was characterized with the first epizootics investigation in Korea in 1905 and the “Domestic dog control regulation” in 1909, which legitimated elimination of dogs without owners' name tags. In the second phase (1915-1926), rabies was designated as a reportable disease by the “Act on Prevention of Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases (1915)” and thousands of dogs were slaughtered every year for rabies prevention. In the third phase (1927-1945), vaccination for dogs became a main intervention. From 1927 to 1942, 760,515 dogs were vaccinated. However, the broad scale rabies control projects over these decades did not seem to decrease the outbreaks of rabies because they did not reflect the rabies situation in Korea. Furthermore, the rabies control policy of the Japanese colonial government was criticized by the public for its violence against dogs and humans, for causing conflicts between social classes, and for lack of understanding of traditional human-dog relationship.

A Case of Pseudoaneurysm of the Superior Thyroid Artery after Core Needle Biopsy

A pseudoaneurysm is a collection of blood that locates between the two outer layers of an artery, the muscularis propria and the adventitia. It is resulted from disruption of a portion of the arterial wall. A pseudoaneurysm can be caused by trauma, blood vessel intervention, intravenous drug use, vasculitis, infectious aneurysm, and postoperative anastomotic leakage. The pseudoaneurysm of superior thyroid artery after core needle biopsy is rare. We report a case of pseudoaneurysm caused by thyroid core needle biopsy and treated by surgical treatment.

Establishment of Experimental Murine Peritonitis Model with Hog Gastric Mucin for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria / 감염과화학요법

Animal models are essential to studies of infectious diseases. The use of mice to test bacterial infection has been extensively reported. However, methods applied to clinical isolates, particularly for carbapenem-resistant bacteria, must be tailored according to the infection models and bacteria used. In this study, we infected 6-week-old female BALB/c mice intraperitoneally with different strains of resistant bacteria plus 3% hog gastric mucin. This method was found to be efficient and readily applicable for investigation of carbapenem-resisant Gram-negative pathogens (e.g., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii) detected in Korea.

Infections by pathogens with different transmission modes in feral cats from urban and rural areas of Korea

In this study, we examine prevalences of three infectious pathogens with different transmission modes (Bartonella henselae, hemoplasma, and Toxoplasma gondii) in feral cats from urban and rural habitats. Infection status of the three pathogens in blood samples (n = 117) was determined through molecular or serological diagnostic methods. Overall prevalence of hemoplasma, Toxoplasma gondii, and Bartonella henselae was 47.9%, 50%, and 35.7%, respectively. Comparing the two habitats, only seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae was significantly higher in urban cats. Based on the results, we discuss how pathogens with distinct transmission modes may show different prevalence between urban and rural habitat types.

Anaplasma sp. and hemoplasma infection in leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) from Korea

This study examined the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. and hemoplasma infection in leopard cats, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, in Korea. Twenty-nine biological samples were tested by molecular analysis. Two (6.9%) and eight (27.6%) tested specimens were positive for Anaplasma bovis and hemoplasma infection, respectively. Based on our results, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. and hemoplasma are regularly infecting leopard cat populations of Korea. Considering their endangered status, regular monitoring of infection by arthropod-borne pathogens known to cause clinical symptoms in feline hosts such as Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. and hemoplasma would be crucial as part of ongoing conservation efforts.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Immunoassay in Korea (2009) / 임상검사와정도관리

Two trials with 15 test items of external quality assessment survey were performed in 2009. The test items were constituted three immunoassay categories, i.e., tumor markers, thyroid hormones and immunoproteins (IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C4). Fifteen test items commonly used in clinical laboratories and performed by immunoassay method were surveyed as scheduled. The number of participated laboratory of external quality assessment for Immunoassay Subcommittee were 494 institutions in the first trial survey and 519 institutions in the second survey. All of the fourteen control materials consisted of 12 home-made pooled sera and 2 commercial control sera (Liquimmune(R), Liquid Assayed Immunoassay Control, Microgenics Co, USA) were used for the two trials in 2009 survey. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Laboratories participating in external quality control program of immunoassay were 494 and 519 laboratories and the response rate were 97.6% and 98.3% in 2009. 2. Chemiluminiscence immunoassay autoanalyzers were most commonly used for immunoassay testing in the clinical laboratories for detecting tumor markers and hormones. 3. Stability tests of home-made control materials were performed and confirmed the CV values were in acceptable ranges. 4. Workshops titled "National health examination for tumors" and "Standardization and harmonization of laboratory tests" were held on September 4, 2009 and December 16, 2009 in cooperation with Annual Autumn Academic Conferences of Clinical Laboratory and Quality Control, and Immunoserology Subcommittee, respectively. The quality of the participating laboratories seems to be continuously improved. And, this year, new sixty eight laboratories were participated to our Immunoassay Subcommittee.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment of Immunoassay Subcommittee in Korean Clinical Laboratory Survey (2008) / 임상검사와정도관리

Two trials of external quality assessment were performed in 2008. The first and the second trials assessed by three test categories, i.e., tumor markers, thyroid hormones and immunoproteins (IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C4). Fifteen test items using immunoassay method were surveyed as scheduled. The number of participated laboratory of external quality assessment for Immunoassay Subcommittee were 437 institutions in the first trial survey and 476 institutions in the second survey.Fourteen control materials consisted of 12 home-made pooled sera and 2 commercial control sera (Liquimmune(R), Liquid Assayed Immunoassay Control, Microgenics Co, USA) were used. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Laboratories participating in external quality control program of immunoassay were 437 and 476 laboratories and the response rate were 94.6% and 98.7% in 2008. 2. Chemiluminiscence immunoassay autoanalyzers were most commonly used for immunoassay testing in the clinical laboratories for detecting tumor markers and hormones. 3. Some analyzers of a few test items showed variations of the test results of the same control material probably due to personal factors of the institution. 4. Workshops titled "Quality control of Immunoassay" and " Quality control of tumor markers" were held on September 5, 2008 and December 3, 2008 in cooperation with Annual Autumn Academic Conferences of Clinical laboratory and Quality Control and Immunoserology Subcommittee. The quality of the participating laboratories seems to be thought being continuously improved. And, this year, about 51 laboratories are newly participated to our Immunoassay Subcommittee.

A Statistical Observation on 1,430 Cases of Cutaneous Malignant Tumors over 20 Years (1987~2006) in Gwangju City and Chonnam Province / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors has recently markedly increased due to the increased longevity of life, along with the changes of social and environmental factors. However, few articles have reported on these changes, from a statistical aspect, of malignant skin tumors in Gwangju City and Chonnam Province. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to clarify the recent trends and changes in the incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous malignant tumors observed in Gwangju City and Chonnam Province and to compare them with the previously reported data. METHODS: A total of 1,430 cases were pathologically diagnosed as cutaneous malignant tumor during a 20 year period between January 1987 and December 2006 at the Department of Dermatology in Chonnam National University Hospital. The tumor incidence and its changes, the age and gender distribution and the anatomical sites were investigated. RESULTS: The average annual incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors among the total number of outpatients was 1.4+/-0.5%. The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors increased with time in 10-year intervals, from 1+/-0.25% (1987~1996) to 1.83+/-0.38% (1997~2006). Among the malignant tumors, the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was increased up to 1.14% (1997~2006) as compared to 0.05% (1987~1996). The most common tumor among the 1,430 patients with cutaneous malignant tumor was BCC (58.96%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (17.58%), malignant melanoma (MM) (10.01%), metastatic carcinoma (3.57%) and malignant lymphoma (3.01%). The mean age of onset of the patients who were diagnosed with cutaneous malignant tumors was 63.64 years old (males: 62.23, females: 63.61) in this study. There was a similar incidence of malignant skin tumors between the males and females (1:1.04). The most common site for the development of malignant skin tumors were the head and neck where 94.54% of the BCCs and 63.3% of SCCs developed. The nose (33.02%) was the most preferential site for BCC, followed by the cheek (20.72%). SCC most frequently developed in the cheek (20.72%), followed by the lower lip (10.76%). The most frequent site for the development of MM was the sole and heel (36.37%) rather than the head and neck (14.7%). CONCLUSION: The total number of patients and the incidence of malignant skin tumors have gradually increased in the area of Gwangju City and Chonnam Province. Especially, BCC has markedly increased and this is mainly due to the increment of aged people in this area, along withsocial and environmental factors.

Matrix Metalloproteinases and Autoimmune Bulbous Diseases: Expression of MMP-2, -3, and -9 in Bullous Pemphigoid, Pemphigus Vulgaris, and Pemphigus Foliaceus / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in extracellular matrix degradation and may play an important role in basal membrane damage in many dermatologic diseases. Recent studies implicated the importance of MMP-9 in the pathogenesis of bulla formation of bullous pemphigoid (BP). Various autoimmune bullous diseases are strongly associated with desmosome or hemidesmosome pathologies, and show an increased level of lesional MMP and exposed autoantigens from these structures. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the level of MMP-2, -3, and -9 in three types of autoimmune bullous disease [BP, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), pemphigus foliaceus (PF)] with the aim of investigating the role of MMPs in the pathogenesis of autoimmune bullous diseases. METHODS: Sample specimens were obtained from skin lesions of patients with BP (n=12), PV (n=10), and PF (n=12), and from normal controls (n=8). The immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2, -3, and -9 was analyzed and serum levels of MMP-2, -3, and -9 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The results were analyzed with reference to graded levels of clinical severity. RESULTS: Expression of dermal MMP-2, -3, and -9 were increased in BP, PV, and PF (p=0.036, 0.022, and 0.015, respectively). However, decreased expression of the three MMPs in the epidermis of skin lesions may have resulted from epidermal destruction. ELISA-determined serum levels of MMP-2, -3, and -9 increased in BP, PV and PF. Interestingly, MMP-2 was significantly increased in the sera of BP patients (p=0.015), consistent with the previous studies concerning the role of gelatinase (MMP-2 and -9) in the pathogenesis of BP. In BP patients, clinical severity was proportional to increased levels of MMP-2 in both skin lesions and and sera. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of MMP-2, -3, and -9 in skin lesions and sera may reflect the involvement of these enzymes in the mechanism of bulla formation in autoimmune bullous diseases including BP. In addition, expression of MMP and clinical severity may be closely connected.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment of Immunoassay Subcommittee in Korean Clinical Laboratory Survey (2007) / 임상검사와정도관리

Two trials of external quality assessment were performed in 2007. The first and the second trials assessed by three test categories, tumor markers, thyroid hormones and immunoproteins(IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C4). All of fifteen test items using immunoassay method were surveyed. The response rates of external quality assessment for Immunoassay Subcommittee were 98.3%in first trial and 98.8% in second trial in 2007. Fourteen control materials consisted of 12 home-made pooled sera and 2 commercial control sera (LyphoCheck, BioRad, USA) were used for external survey. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Laboratories participating in external quality control program of immunoassay were 400 laboratories and the response rates were 95.4% and 98.8% in 2007. 2. Recently chemiluminescence immunoassay autoanalyzers were most commonly used for immunoassay testing in the clinical laboratories. 3. Still some test items show big variations of the test results of the same control material according to reagents and autoanalyzers. 4. A workshop for "Quality control practices of Immunoassay" was held on September 7th, 2007 in cooperation with Annual Autumn Academic Conferences of Clinical Laboratory and Quality Control. The quality of the participating laboratories seems to be continuously improved. And, this year, many laboratories are newly participated to Immunoassay Subcommittee. A new surveillance system for the individual laboratory according to its performance by method and analyzer is on scheduling for special performance-based QC.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment of Immunoassay Subcommittee in Korean Clinical Laboratory Survey (2007) / 임상검사와정도관리

Two trials of external quality assessment were performed in 2007. The first and the second trials assessed by three test categories, tumor markers, thyroid hormones and immunoproteins(IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C4). All of fifteen test items using immunoassay method were surveyed. The response rates of external quality assessment for Immunoassay Subcommittee were 98.3%in first trial and 98.8% in second trial in 2007. Fourteen control materials consisted of 12 home-made pooled sera and 2 commercial control sera (LyphoCheck, BioRad, USA) were used for external survey. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Laboratories participating in external quality control program of immunoassay were 400 laboratories and the response rates were 95.4% and 98.8% in 2007. 2. Recently chemiluminescence immunoassay autoanalyzers were most commonly used for immunoassay testing in the clinical laboratories. 3. Still some test items show big variations of the test results of the same control material according to reagents and autoanalyzers. 4. A workshop for "Quality control practices of Immunoassay" was held on September 7th, 2007 in cooperation with Annual Autumn Academic Conferences of Clinical Laboratory and Quality Control. The quality of the participating laboratories seems to be continuously improved. And, this year, many laboratories are newly participated to Immunoassay Subcommittee. A new surveillance system for the individual laboratory according to its performance by method and analyzer is on scheduling for special performance-based QC.