The Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)$^{(R)}$-100 measures the ability of platelets activated in a high-shear environment to occlude an aperture in a membrane treated with collagen and epinephrine (CEPI) or collagen and ADP (CADP). The time taken for the flow across the membrane to stop (closure time, CT) is recorded. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the PFA$^{(R)}$-100 as a primary clinical screening tool using the wide spectrum of clinical samples assessed for platelet function as well as to perform the optimal algorithm for the use of PFA$^{(R)}$-100. We established the reference interval in 460 hospital inpatients defined as having normal platelet function based on classical laboratory tests. The reference interval by using the range $5^{th}$ and $95^{th}$ percentile was 84~251 seconds for males CEPI-CT and 85~249 seconds for females CEPI-CT. A total of 1,200 inpatients were enrolled to identify impaired hemostasis before surgical interventions. The abnormal group showing prolonged CEPI-CT was 303 cases (18.9%). Only 3 cases had both abnormal CEPI-CT and CADP-CT. Several factors including sample errors, drugs, hematologic abnoralities were contributed to unexpected prolonged CEPI-CT for screening test. The von Willebrand factor (vWF:Ag) assay was performed only in one patient to verify the algorithm for the use of PFA$^{(R)}$-100. The PFA$^{(R)}$-100 was sensitive and rapid method for primary screening test of platelet dysfunction, so we can substitute it for the bleeding time in routine clinical practice.

Ring chromosome occurs when both telomeres of a chromosome are lost and the remaining portion of the chromosome circularizes to re-establish chromosome stability. This abnormal structure shows mitotic instability unlike the normal chromosomes, causing problems during mitosis. Here, we report one case of "chromosome 4 ring syndrome" on a 6-month-old male patient with growth retardation. Ring chromosome, monosomy, dicentric chromosome were shown by conventional chromosome analysis using peripheral blood. Peripheral blood was used and incubated for 72 hours for chromosome analysis. 3 probes (LSI WHS SpectrumOrange/CEP 4 SpectrumGreen, 4p subtelomere probe, 4q subtelomere probe) were used to detect the origin and breakpoint of ring chromosome 4 by FISH (fluorescense in situ hybridization) technique.

Chromosomal rearrangements are major pathology in hematological malignancies. The detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) for these gene rearrangements helps in monitoring treatment outcomes and predicting prognosis of patients. Recently, quantification of these gene transcripts based on real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) has been used as MRD detection. The purpose of this study is to ensure the usefulness of the RQ-PCR technique for detecting MRD in hamatological malignancy patients. The patients had been diagnosed to AML1-ETO positive AML, PML-RARa positive AML and BCR-ABL positive MPN at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital from Jan. 2006 to Aug. 2008. The fusion transcript was quntified by RQ-PCR and analyzed in comparison to conventional cytogenetics, FISH and RT-PCR. The fusion gene transcript was quantified by RQ-PCR in 57 samples from 14 patients with AML1-ETO positive AML, 79 samples from 27 patients with PML-RARa positive AML and 108 samples from 36 patients with CML. At diagnosis, the quantitative fusion transcripts for AM1-ETO, PML-RARa and BCR-ABL showed the range of 0.485552651~10.82233683 (mean 3.782217131, SD 2.998052348), 0.005300395~0.29267494 (mean 0.056901315, SD 0.080131381) and 0.1293929~12.94826849 (mean 1.701935665, SD 2.200913158). The increase of AML1-ETO fusion gene transcripts preceded morphologic relapse in two patients. Quantification of fusion gene transcripts by RQ-PCR could detected MRD in samples which were negative by in cytogenetic analysis or FISH. Our findings indicated that quantitative analysis of AML1-ETO, PML-RARa and BCR-ABL transcripts by RQ-PCR might be a useful tool for the monitoring of minimal residual disease in hematological malignancies.

Rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) are the most important drug for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mutations correlated to rifampicin and isoniazid-resistance have been detected in rpoB gene and katG gene, respectively. Of the rifampicin-resistant isolates, 90% showed mutations in rpoB gene at codon 507 to 533. Isoniazid-resistant isolates analysed had a mutation in katG at codon 315. The aim of this study is to develop a pyrosequencing-based approach for rapid detection of ripampin or isoniazid resistant M. tuberculosis based on characterization of all possible mutation in the target region. For this study, the DNA selected from 35 cases of MTB PCR positive clinical sample such as bronchial washing, sputum, and pleural fluid. RIF or INH resistant was analyzed by pyrosequencing data of rpoB and katG gene. 28 (80%) and 7 (20%) of 35 MTB PCR positive DNAs were occured rifampicin-sensitivity and resistant, respectively. For INH, 30 (85.7%) and 5 (14.5%) cases were detected isoniazid-sensitivity and resistant, respectively. When pyrosequencing analysis was compared with ABI sequencing analysis, both analysis were presented same result, but pyrosequencing analysis was more rapid than ABI sequencing analysis. In conclusion, we found that pyrosequencing technology offers high accuracy, specificity, short turn around time and a high throughput in detection of rifampicin or isoniazid resistance in M. tuberculosis.

The exposure of human beings to toxic trace metals (Cu, Zn) continues to be an important public health issue and concern. This study was conducted to assess the exposure to trace metals (Cu, Zn) in the general Korean population by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Serum samples were obtained from 40 healthy volunteers. Specimens were collected in special container and we applied sample processing to minimize contamination. We used ICP-MS and AAS to analyze simultaneously the concentration of metals including copper, zinc. Distribution of trace metal levels in the general healthy population showed lower values. The results in this study can provide background data for clinical studies associated with trace metal exposure in the korean population.

Measurement of hemoglobin A1c is used as an objective indicator of long-term blood glucose control in diabetic patients. We evaluated recently introduced Norudia$^{(R)}$ HbA1c (Daiichi Pure Chemical Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) test reagent using enzyme method for HbA1c assay. Linearity, precision and correlation with VARIANT$^{TM}$ II Turbo HbA1c analyzer (BIO-RAD, Hercules, CA, USA) were evaluated. The reference range was determined from 201 healthy subjects. The Norudia$^{(R)}$ HbA1c test reagent was founded to be linear in a range of 5.6% to 14.0% ($r^2=0.9885$). The within-run and between-day precision were 0.954% and 1.03% for low level (HbA1c 5.24%), 0.67% and 1.28% for high level (HbA1c 9.01%), respectively. Comparison study between Norudia$^{(R)}$ HbA1c test reagent and VARIANT$^{TM}$ II Turbo showed good correlation with a slope of 1.0489. an intercept at -0.9717, and coefficient of correlation was 0.9907. The reference range of HbA1c obtained from this reagent was 4.07-5.50%. The Norudia$^{(R)}$ HbA1c test reagent showed good linearity, precision and correlation with HbA1c analyzer with HPLC method. In addition, the exclusive analyzer is not required for assay and then this kit may be useful for HbA1c assay in clinical laboratory.

Unlike most bacteria, Treponema pallidum subspecies cannot be readily isolated or sustained in cell culture for numerous generations. In korea, two non treponemal tests are currently considered as standard; the VDRL slide test and RPR card test. These tests are based on an antigen composed of an alcoholic solution containing measured amount of cardiolipin, cholesterol, and sufficient purified lecithin to produce reactivity. The nontreponemal reagin tests measure immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG to lipoidal material released from damaged host cells as well as to lipoprotein-like material and possibly by cardiolipin released from the treponemes. The object of the evaluation was to evaluate the performance of the Mediace RPR kit on the automated biochemistry analyzer system as a method for screen method of syphilis as well as to identify BFP possibility. For evaluation of routine screening test, a total 2,380 specimens tested by Mediace RPR from 28th Oct, 2007 to 22th Feb, 2008. For evaluation of BFP possiblility, we measured samples which have potential BFP reaction in Syphilis test such as ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) positive (135 samples), CRP (C-reactive protein) positive (100 samples), RF (Rheumatoid factor) positive (26 samples), and other potential BFP cases (17 samples) including total 278 samples. These samples were tested quantitative test Mediace RPR with Hitachi 7600 P module. For comparison with current manual test, VDRL slide test were performed. Of these 2380 specimens, 2350 were negative, 30 were positive, and one were positive with TPHA. Both methods agreed for 2356 (98.9%) samples. Of the 30 samples showed positive results over 1.0 R.U, 6 samples showed positive results with VDRL test. Of these 6 samples, 1 samples showed positive with TPHA test. The combination of the Automated Biochemistry analyzer and VDRL test for retest can be increase efficiency of syphilis screening test.