• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2021

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (Anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a neuroinflammatory disease mediated by autoantibodies to NMDAR. In the initial clinical stages of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, psychiatric symptoms like delusions, perceptual disturbances, and disorganized speech or behaviors are pronounced even without obvious neurological symptoms. Early treatments like immunotherapy and/or tumor removal are central to good clinical outcomes. Hence, it is important to diagnose early anti-NMDAR encephalitis, distinguishing it from mental disorder. In the present case study, the authors described psychiatric symptoms assessed with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) of Ms. A, a 26-year-old woman, in the early phase of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. We will discuss the characteristic psychopathology of anti-NMDAR encephalitis toward prompt diagnosis and treatment. Ms. A showed a higher negative subscale score than positive one on the PANSS. Compared with mental disorder, negative symptoms and cognitive impairment would be more prominent in the early stage of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Rituximab and teratoma removal were effective, and quetiapine showed good tolerability. It is recommended to evaluate anti-NMDAR encephalitis when negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, catatonia, changes in consciousness level, and neurological symptoms are observed, especially in young women.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.429-434
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• 2019

A lateral flow immunoassay platform utilizing antibody functionalized water soluble CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) was developed for the analysis of human serum amyloid A-1 (hSAA1) in a buffer solution. hSAA1 was chosen as a target protein because it is regarded as a potential biomarker associated with early diagnosis and prognosis in patients of lung cancer. The immunoassay strip on a nitrocellulose membrane was fabricated by spraying two lines composed of a test line with a monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (10G1) (anti hSAA1) and a control line of anti-chicken IgY. While the CdSe/ZnS QDs synthesized in an organic phase were transferred to a water phase by ligand exchange using carboxylic acid modified alkane thiol. The QDs was then conjugated to monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (14F8) [anti hSAA1 (14F8)] and used as a fluorescent detection probe. The sequential lateral flow of hSAA1 in different concentration and QDs-anti hSAA1 (14F8) complex allowed to form the surface sandwich complex of anti hSAA1 (10G1)/hSAA1/QD-anti hSAA1 (14F8), which was then analyzed using fluorescence microscope. A 100 nM concentration of hSAA1 protein can be detected by naked eyes under an optimized lateral flow buffer condition with a sensing time of 5 mins.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

The names of medical technologist in Korea, Japan, and the United State of America vary depending on the medical system, educational system, and work areas. Conventionally, jobs equal or similar to medical technologist (commonly known as clinical laboratory technologist, medical laboratory technologist, clinical laboratory scientist, and medical laboratory scientist), histotechnologist, cytotechnologist, and genetic technologist. Jobs, such as extracorporeal technologist, medical electrophysiology technologist, and medical sonographer, allow other allied health professionals including medical technologists, to obtain their qualification. The work areas of medical technologists are classified into clinical pathologic technology, pathologic technology, clinical genetics technology, nuclear medicine in vitro technology, and clinical physiologic technology. New titles of Korean specialized medical technologists refer to certification systems, such as CLMJ, CMAJ, ASCP, IAC, ABRET, and ARMDS. Currently, there are eight types of specialized medical technologists under the cooperation of specialized academic societies. They are hematology, transfusionology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine. It can be further divided into 20 categories according to the work areas such as mass spectrometry, infection control, Pathologists' Assistant, flow cytometry, HLA, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, cardiopulmonary physiology, neurophysiology (EEG/EMG/PSG/etc.), cardiac sonography, neurosonography (TCD/carotid), and medical device quality manager.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Eikenella corrodens rarely causes invasive head and neck infections in immunocompetent children. We report a case of epidural abscess caused by E. corrodens in a previously healthy 13-year-old boy who presented with fever, headache, and vomiting. On physical examination upon admission, there was no neck stiffness, but discharge from the right ear was observed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed approximately 4.5-cm-sized epidural empyema on the right temporal lobe as well as bilateral ethmoid and sphenoid sinusitis, right mastoiditis, and right otitis media. During treatment with vancomycin and cefotaxime, purulent ear discharge aggravated, and on follow-up brain MRI, the empyema size increased to $5.6{\times}3.4cm$ with interval development of an abscess at the right sphenoid sinus. Burr hole trephination was performed, and foul-smelling pus was aspirated from the epidural abscess near the right temporal lobe. Pus culture yielded E. corrodens. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy was also performed with massive pus drainage, and the same organism was grown. The patient was treated with intravenous cefotaxime for 3 weeks and recovered well with no other complications. Therefore, E. corrodens can cause serious complications in children with untreated sinusitis.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.82-89
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with contracting Lyme disease (LD) among Korean deer farmers. This cross-sectional study devised questionnaire that addressed farm activities, was devised and the blood samples of 516 Korean deer farmers were tested. LD seroprevalence was determined by Western blot test. Fisher's exact test, the chi-squared test, and the chi-squared test for trend analysis were performed to assess the risk associated with LD. Of total 516 study participants recruited, only 12 (2.3%) were seropositive for LD. The result of the study revealed that only deer farmers raising Elk (Cervus Canadensis) were found to be at significantly higher risk of contracting LD than other deer farmers (p=0.033). In addition, a male sex, an age of < 40 years, and those that had raised deer for < 19 years had higher rates of LD infection than their counterparts. Similarly, those that managed livestock sheds, fed deer, processed industry and prepared compost had higher rates of LD infection. In terms of protective factors, those who did not use protective measures such as wear glasses and masks, or protective gloves and aprons, and those that did not disinfect work instruments and did not shower after work had higher rates of LD than those that used protective measures. In conclusion, preventive health strategies should take into account the profiles of deer farmers at greater risk based on considerations of personal, type of work, and the use of personal protective measures.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.341-348
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• 2021

Serum amylase is a representative enzyme secreted by the salivary gland and pancreas. This study investigates the clinical significance of serum amylase levels in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Totally, 70 female subjects were enrolled, who were diagnosed as SS and had no accompanying afflictions that affected the serum amylase levels. Unstimulated salivary flow rate (U-SFR) and stimulated SFR (S-SFR), salivary gland scan, and disease activity markers (ESSDAI and ESSPRI), as well as blood tests including ESR, CRP, and amylase, were evaluated. Serum amylase showed significant positive correlation with the U-SFR and S-SFR, and was increased with higher ejection fraction (EF) of the parotid gland. However, there was no significant correlation with disease activity and inflammatory markers. Based on their average amylase levels, subjects were divided into two groups. The group with higher serum amylase levels showed a statistically significant increase in the S-SFR and EF of the parotid gland. Considering the results of the salivary gland scan, we conclude that serum amylase is significantly correlated with SFR and the EF of the parotid gland, thereby indicating that the salivary gland function remains intact in SS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.16-28
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• 2023

Lung adenocarcinoma accounts for about 40% of all lung cancers. With the recent development of gene profiling technology, studies on mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which are important for the development and growth of tumors, have been actively conducted. Companion diagnosis using next-generation sequencing helps improve survival with targeted therapy. In this study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of non-small cell lung cancer patients were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining for detecting genetic mutations that induce lung adenocarcinoma in Koreans. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed to accurately classify lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Based on the results, next-generation sequencing was applied to analyze the types and patterns of genetic mutations, and the association with smoking was established as the most representative cause of lung cancer. Results of next-generation sequencing analysis confirmed the single nucleotide variations, copy number variations, and gene rearrangements. In order to validate the reliability of next-generation sequencing, we additionally performed the existing genetic testing methods (polymerase chain reaction-epidermal growth factor receptor, immunohistochemistry-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (D5F3), and fluorescence in situ hybridiation-receptor tyrosine kinase 1 tests) to confirm the concordance rates with the next-generation sequencing test results. This study demonstrates that next-generation sequencing of lung adenocarcinoma patients simultaneously identifies mutation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.512-522
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• 2023

Cancer with unlimited cell growth is a leading cause of death globally. Various cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, can be applied alone or in combination depending on the cancer type and stage. New treatments with fewer side effects than previous cancer treatments are continually under development and in demand. Undifferentiated stem cells with unlimited cell growth are gradually changed via cellular differentiation to arrest cell growth. In this study, we reviewed the possibility of treating cancer by using cellular differentiation into the adipocytes in cancer cells. In previous in vitro studies, oral antidiabetic drugs of the thiazolidinedione (TDZ) class, such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, were induced into the adipocytes in various cancer cell lines via increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR γ) expression and glucose uptake, which is the key regulator of adipogenesis and the energy metabolism pathway. The differentiated adipogenic cancer cells treated with TDZ inhibited cell growth and had a less cellulotoxic effect. This adipogenic differentiation treatment suggests a possible chemotherapy option in cancer cells with high and abnormal glucose metabolism levels. However, the effects of the in vivo adipogenic differentiation treatment need to be thoroughly investigated in different types of stem and normal cells with other side effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1134-1150
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• 2020

Various types of tumors and tumor-like lesions may affect the pancreas. Among them, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common and is generally referred to as "pancreatic cancer." Recently, the detection rates of rare pancreatic tumors and tumor-like lesions have increased owing to technological advancements and increased frequency of imaging tests. Considering that rare pancreatic tumors and tumor-like lesions differ from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in terms of the treatment plan and prognosis, the differential diagnosis of these diseases is clinically relevant. Various imaging tests play an important role in the differential diagnoses of rare tumors, such as acinar cell carcinoma and schwannoma, tumor-like lesions, such as autoimmune pancreatitis and inflammatory pseudotumor, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but accurately distinguishing these diseases solely based on imaging findings is difficult. The aim of this pictorial review was to present the imaging findings of rare pancreatic tumors and tumor-like lesions and discuss important points for the differential diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1613-1618
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• 2021

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and primary T-cell lymphoma of the cauda equina is extremely rare. We describe a case involving a 56-year-old female who presented with low back pain and radiating leg pain for 4 months. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed an elongated, multinodular intradural lesion of approximately 10 cm from the L4 body to the S2 body level with iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, heterogeneous iso- and high-signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, and a heterogeneous intense enhancement on gadolinium contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. A peripheral T-cell lymphoma of the cauda equina was diagnosed on the basis of immunohistochemical and T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement analysis after intradural biopsy of the mass.