• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.181-187
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• 2008

Purpose: In order to establish efficient palliative treatment plans. It is important to estimate the survival time of a terminally ill cancer patient as accurate as possible. Proper estimation of life expectancy aids not only in improving the quality of life of the patient, it also promotes productive communication between the medical staff and the patient. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of survival time in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: Between January 2004 and June 2007, 67 terminally ill cancer patients who were admitted or transferred for palliative care, were included. Patients were categorized into three groups by Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and blood samples were analyzed. Results: In univariate analysis, survival time of the highest Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio group (${\geq}12.5$) was significantly shorter than that of the others (hazard ratio (HR)=3.270, P=0.001). After adjustment for low performance status (ECOG score 4) and dyspnea, high Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (${\geq}12.5$) was significantly and independently associated with short survival time (HR=2.907, P=0.007). Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio was also significantly increased before death (P=0.001). Conclusion: Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio can be useful in predicting life expectancy in terminally ill cancer patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 1997

Toxoplasmn gonnii, an intracellular protozoan infecting many kinds of eukaryotic cells, has been used to experimentally infect macrophages, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and various cancer cells, but rarely T and B Iymphocytes or granulocytes. The present study was performed to determine the susceptibility of murine (BALB/c or CBA) splenic T and B llrnphocytes, and granulocytes to infection trio T. gondii RH tachyzoites. The ultrastructure of the infected host cells was observed by TEM, and the degree of intracellular parasite proliferation was quantified using 3H-uracil uptake assay. At 24 hrs post-culture, the host cell cytoplasm was found to contain 1 or 2, or a maximum of 7-8 tachyzoites. Infected T Iymphocytes demonstrated a peripherally displaced nucleus, a parasitophorous vacuole enveloping the parasite, and an increased number of mitochondria. In B Iymphocytes infected with tachyzoites, RER was not well developed compared to uninfected B Iymphocytes. Uninfected granulocytes contained many electron dense granules, but T. gondii-infected granulocytes demonstrated a decreased number of granules. Based on the 3H-uracil uptake assay. the susceptibility of T and B Iymphocytes, and granulocytes, to infection with T. gonnii tachyzoites was fairly high irrespective of cell type and strain of mouse. This strongly suggests deterioration in the functioning of infected host immune cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.150-150
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• 2002

40두 규모의 농장에서 사육된 홀스타인 종, 4개월령의 수컷 송아지에서 거세 후 고열, 식욕부진, 기침 등의 증상과 함께 전신 체표 림프절의 종대가 관찰되어 백혈병으로 잠정진단 하고 도태를 권유하였으나 축주가 치료를 원해 항생제와 해열제 및 기타 대증요법을 실시한 후 치료반응이 없어 폐사하여 부검을 실시하였다. 혈액 검사상 이상핵과 다형핵을 가진 다수의 림프구 및 백혈구, 호중구, 림프구 및 단핵구의 증가가 관찰되었다. 또한 백혈병 바이러스에 대한 분리 및 PCR 검사는 음성이었다. 부검 소견으로 체표 림프절, 슬관절 부위 및 비장과 간의 종대가 관찰되었으며 비장 중심에 12x11 cm의 종괴와 폐의 전엽부 유착 및 폐문, 종격동 림프절의 심한 종대가 관찰되었다. 견갑전 림프절을 비롯하여 대퇴골 전, 서혜, 폐문, 이하림프절 등 전신 림프절의 종대 및 소성의 연한 황색의 매끄러운 절단면을 보였다. 전지 관절의 종대와 관절강 내부는 증가된 농성 활액을 보였으며 고관절 강 내에 농성 활액의 증가와 공기 노출 후 젤리양 응고를 보였다. 심장은 장액성 위축과 함께 섬외막성 점상출혈이 나타났다. 병리조직학적 소견으로 비장은 지주 주변에 미성숙형의 세포들의 침윤이 보이며 유사분열상이 다수 관찰되었고 백색 수질에도 유사분열상의 증가와 함께 림프아구성 세포들이 다수 나타났다. 이들 주요한 비정상 세포들은 다형성의 큰 핵을 가진 다양한 림프아구의 형태를 지녔으며 핵내 공포가 인정되었다. 비장의 종괴 주변에는 증식된 섬유조직으로 둘러싸여 있었으며 미세농양 형성되어 있고, 일부 석회화가 진행된 부위도 있었다. 간소엽성 중심성 울혈과 가벼운 간세포내 지방침윤, 혈관 내 림프아구 형태의 세포와 소수의 호중구가 관찰되었다. 간삼조 주변에는 가볍거나 중등도의 단핵세포의 침윤이 미만성으로 관찰되었다. 폐에서는 중등도의 기관지 폐렴과 함께 일부는 무기폐가 관찰되었으며 폐포강과 세기관지내에는 염증성 삼출물이 다량 들어 있었다. 다병소성 미세농양과 함께 괴사가 있었고 실질의 섬유화가 진행되어 있었다. 또한 중등도의 간질성 신장염과 림프절은 지주 주변에 간극 내 비정상 림프구 세포의 형태는 비장의 그것과 유사하였으며 적수와 백수의 구이 힘들며 림프소절이 증가되어 있었다. 한 시야에서 유사분열상이 6-8 개로 그 지수가 매우 높으며 이와 더불어 큰 림프구가 전반에 걸쳐 침윤되어 있었다. 주변부 동(sinus)에는 많은 물질들이 침윤되어 있으며 렴프소절내 미만성의 성상현상이 관찰되었다. 회장은 파이어판내 심한 림프구 소실이 나타났다. 이상의 소견을 바탕으로 본 증례는 산재성 송아지 백혈병으로 진단되었다

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.437-443
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• 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to consider the significance of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity combined with lymphocyte/neutrophil (L/N) ratio in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy (TBpl) in a region of intermediate prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). Methods: We collected data from 388 patients with exudative pleural effusions. The final diagnoses were compared to the results from our diagnostic method using pleural fluid ADA and L/N ratio. Results: 108 patients had a final diagnosis of TBpl; 102 cases had high levels of ADA ($\geq$40 IU/L). When we considered ADA $\geq$40 IU/L as a diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity was 94.4%, specificity 87.5%, and posttest posttest probability 74.5%. However, when we considered ADA $\geq$40 IU/L combined with the L/N ratio $\geq$0.75 as a diagnostic criterion, the specificity and post-test probability were rose to 97.5% and 93%, respectively. The other causes of high ADA and L/N ratios were lymphoma and metastatic carcinoma, but mass-like lesions were found on the chest radiographs or CT scans. Conclusion: To evaluate the causes of exudative pleural effusions in a region of intermediate prevalence of tuberculosis, we recommend measuring the pleural fluid ADA and L/N ratio first. If the result is high and malignancies are not suspected, it may be diagnostic of TBpl.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2006

Milk yield and its quality traits determine the dairy enterprise profitability and sustainability. Milk quality traits including somatic cell counts (SCC) is an upcoming economic challenge for dairy farming community in Korea. This study estimated the effect of parity, stage of lactation (early, mid and late lactation) on SCC, stress (blood cortisol) and immunity (blood IgG, lymphocyte and neutrophil) traits, their heritabilities and genetic correlations between them. SCS and blood neutrophil count were significantly affected by both parity and stage of lactation, however; IgG was affected by only stage of lactation, and blood cortisol and lymphocyte were not affected by both factors. The SCS has shown increasing trend with the parity, however; the difference between first and second parity, second and third parity were not significant. The SCS in early (≤90 days) and late lactation (181≤days) were higher than that of mid lactation (91～180 days). Cortisol concentration in blood was lowest in fourth parity, however; the differences among the first three parties were not significant. The IgG was higher in fourth parity compare with first parity however; all other comparisons were noted non-significant. The IgG concentration was significantly higher in early lactation than those of mid and late lactation. The blood lymphocytes were decreased with increasing parity however the differences beyond second parity were not significant. The neutrophils were increased with the increasing lactation stage however; the difference between early and mid lactation was not significant. Although heritability of SCS was still lower, but it was meaningful value (0.09) and may be considered to improve milk quality. The genetic correlations between SCS and cortisol (-0.96), and lymphocyte (-0.76) were highly negative. Heritability of cortisol was low, however genetic correlations between cortisol and lymphocyte (0.79) was highly positive. IgG with medium heritability was correlated negatively with lymphocyte (-0.88) and neutrophil (-0.98). Lymphocyte was lowly heritable and highly correlated with neutrophil concentration (0.87).This study suggested that cortisol, IgG, lymphocyte and neutrophil being positively genetically correlation with somatic cell score could be used as alternative traits to enhance milk quality in Holstein cattle. Further studies are warranted to estimate genetic relationships between immunological and production traits to increase the genetic merit of Holstein cows for milk yield, to improve animal health and economic viability under intensive management system.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2004

Background : The measurement of adenosine deaminase(ADA) level in pleural fluid is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous(TB) pleural effusion. However, ADA is also elevated in other diseases such as malignancy, bacterial infections, empyema, and collagen vascular disease, ADA alone has limited value. The object of this study is to determine diagnostic usefulness of the combined use of ADA value with lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio(L/N ratio) rather than the use of ADA alone. Method : We evaluated 198 patients(age=$55.9{\pm}12.9$, M/F=2.7:1) with pleural effusion who had admitted in Gyeong-sang National University Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2001. retrospectively. Patients were divided into four diagnostic groups: TB pleural effusion(n=91), parapneumonic effusion(n=65), malignant effusion(n=21), and transudative effusion(n=13). The ADA level, differential cell count, biochemistry, cytology, and microbiology of each diagnostic groups were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value(npv), positive predictive value(ppv) and efficiency were calculated at each ADA values and combined ADA value with various L/N ratios. Results : The ADA level in TB pleural effusion was significantly higher than that of parapneumonic effusion, malignant pleural effusion, and transudative effusion(p<0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, ppv, npv and efficiency at $ADA{\geqq}50$ IU/L in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusion were 89.0%, 82.2%, 81.0%, 89.8% and 85.5% respectively. When $ADA{\geqq}50$ IU/L was combined with lymphocyte/neutrophil $ratio{\geqq}0.75$, sensitivity, specificity, ppv, npv, and efficiency were 83.5%, 96.3%, 95.0%, 87.9% and 90.5% respectively. Specificity, ppv and efficiency were increased with combination of ADA value and L/N ratio. Conclusion : Combination of ADA value and L/N ratio in pleural effusion is more useful than ADA value alone in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2007

Background: Many diagnostic approaches for defining the definitive cause of pleurisy should be included due to the large variety of diseases resulting in pleural effusion. Although ADA is a useful diagnostic tool for making a differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, particularly for tuberculous pleural effusion, a definitive diagnostic cut-off value remains problematic in Korea. It was hypothesized that ADA multiplied by the Lymphocyte/Neutrophil ratio(L/N ratio) might be more powerful for making a differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. Methods: One hundred and ninety patients, who underwent thoracentesis and treatment in Chung-Ang University Hospital from January, 2005 through to February 2006, were evaluated. The clinical characteristics, radiologic data and the examination of the pleural effusion were analyzed retrospectively. Results: 1. Among the 190 patients, 59 patients (31.1%) were diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy, 45 patients(23.7%) with parapneumonic effusion, 42 patients(22.1%) with malignant effusions, 36 patients(18.9%) with transudate, and 8 patients(4.2%) with empyema. One hundred and twenty one patients were found to have an ADA activity of 1 to 39 IU/L(63.7%). Twenty-nine were found to have an ADA activity of 40 to 75 IU/L(15.3%) and 40 were found to have an ADA activity of 75 IU/L or greater(21.0%). 2. Among the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, 5(8%), 18(30%) and 36 patients(60%) had an ADA activity ranging from 1 to 39 IU/L, 40 to 75 IU/L, and 75 IU/L or greater, respectively. In those with an ADA activitiy 40 to 75 IU/L, 18 patients(62%) had tuberculous pleurisy, 9(31%) had parapneumonic effusion and empyema, and 1(3.4%) had a malignant effusion. 3. In those with an ADA activity of 40 to 75 IU/L, there was no significant difference between tuberculous pleurisy and non-tuberculous pleural effusion(tuberculous pleurisy : 61.3 ${\pm}$ 9.2 IU/L, non-tuberculous pleural effusion : 53.3${\pm}$10.5 IU/L). 4. The mean L/N ratio of those with tuberculous pleurisy was 39.1 ${\pm}$ 44.6, which was significantly higher than nontuberculous pleural effusion patients (p<0.05). The mean ADA x L/N ratio of the tuberculous pleurisy patients was 2,445.7 ${\pm}$ 2,818.5, which was significantly higher than the non-tuberculous pleural effusion patients (level p<0.05). 5. ROC analysis showed that the ADA x L/N ratio had a higher diagnostic value than the ADA alone in the group with an ADA between 40-75 IU/L. Conclusion: The ADA multiplied by the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio might provide a more definitive diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.314-317
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• 2005

The potential therapeutic effect of ozone gas on bovine mastitis was investigated. Eighteen quarters from 18 lactating cows with chronic mastitis were included. The 18 quarters were assigned to the control group (treatment with antibiotics for 3 days), experimental group I (0.1 ppm ozone treatment, for 7 days) and experimental group II (1ppm ozone treatment, for 3days). In experimental group I, milk somatic cell counts were lower on day 7 after ozone treatment, compared to the pretreated counts, but were higher than the control counts. In experimental group II, somatic cell counts were significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 7 compared to the pretreatment counts, and they were lower than the control counts. There were no changes in leukocyte, neutrophil, or lymphocyte numbers, N/L ratios, N/L ratios, or serum total protein in the control and experimental groups. We concluded that ozone gas treatment(1ppm for 3days) might be effective for treatment of bovine mastitis.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2010

This study was aimed to investigate the effects in different immersion doses of garlic, Allium sativum, juice to modulate on the nonspecific immune responses of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, artificially prechallenged with Streptococcus iniae BS10 and Edwardsiella tarda KE-1, respectively. The nonspecific immune responses of the tested fish were assessed in term of skin mucus lysozyme activity, the change of bacterial cell counts in organs, the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils in blood, and SOD activity. Almost groups of the prechallenged with either S. iniae BS10 or E. tarda KE-1 fish which had been immersed in garlic juice showed the enhanced skin mucus lysozyme activity, the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils in blood, and SOD activity in the kidney but the decreased the number of bacterial cell in surveyed organs. RPS in the group immersed in 0.25 g/L of garlic juice was much higher than in other immersed test groups. These results suggested that the garlic juice immersion can be effective on enhancement of the nonspecific immune responses and the protective ability of olive flounder to the artificial challenge with S. iniae BS10 and E. tarda KE-1.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2020

Smoking is associated with increased inflammation and is a risk factor for a range of diseases. Conversely, yogurt has beneficial effects on health. This study examined the effects of yogurt consumption on the hematological parameters and fibrinogen levels in smokers. The participants were categorized into four groups. Non-smokers were assigned to the control and yogurt groups while smokers were assigned to the smoking and combined (yogurt plus smoking) groups. The participants consumed yogurt, and either smoked or did not smoke for three weeks. The changes in hematological parameters and fibrinogen levels were examined. In the combined group, the proportion of neutrophils and fibrinogen levels increased significantly, whereas the lymphocyte proportion decreased. The eosinophil proportion increased significantly in the Smoking group, but no change was observed in the combined group. In addition, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration increased in the smoking and combined groups, indicating that smoking may affect the lifespan of red blood cells. In conclusion, this study showed that yogurt consumption might influence the immune function by modulating the levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and fibrinogen in smokers. Furthermore, the absence of any increase in the eosinophil proportion in the combined group, unlike in the smoking group, suggests that yogurt consumption may have an inhibitory effect on allergic reactions.