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Purpose@#This study evaluated the validity and reliability of Shively and colleagues’ self-efficacy for HIV disease management skills (HIVSE) among Korean participants. @*Methods@#The original HIV-SE questionnaire, comprising 34 items, was translated into Korean using a translation and back-translation process. To enhance clarity and eliminate redundancy, the author and expert committee engaged in multiple discussions and integrated two items with similar meanings into a single item. Further, four HIV nurse experts tested content validity. Survey data were collected from 227 individuals diagnosed with HIV from five Korean hospitals. Construct validity was verified through confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion validity was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficients with the new general self-efficacy scale. Internal consistency reliability and test-retest were examined for reliability. @*Results@#The Korean version of HIV-SE (K-HIV-SE) comprises 33 items across six domains: “managing depression/mood,” “managing medications,” “managing symptoms,” “communicating with a healthcare provider,” “getting support/help,” and “managing fatigue.” The fitness of the modified model was acceptable (minimum value of the discrepancy function/degree of freedom = 2.49, root mean square error of approximation = .08, goodnessof-fit index = .76, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = .71, Tucker-Lewis index = .84, and comparative fit index = .86). The internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α = .91) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .73) were good. The criterion validity of the K-HIV-SE was .59 (p < .001). @*Conclusion@#This study suggests that the K-HIV-SE is useful for efficiently assessing self-efficacy for HIV disease management.
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Background@#The objective of this study was to determine whether manually performed calibration and quality control (QC) processes could be replaced with an automated laboratory system when installed analyzers fail to provide automated calibration and QC functions. @*Methods@#Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), creatinine (Cr), direct bilirubin (DB), and lipase (Lip) items were used as analytes. We prepared pooled serum samples at 10 levels for each test item and divided them into two groups; five for the analytical measurement range (AMR) group and five for the medical decision point (MDP) group. Calibration and QC processes were performed for five consecutive days, and ALT, TC, Cr, DB, and Lip levels were measured in the two groups using automated and manual methods. Precision and the mean difference between the calibration and QC methods were evaluated using the reported values of the test items in each group. @*Results@#Repeatability and within-laboratory coefficients of variation (CVs) between the automated system and the conventional manual system in the AMR group were similar. However, the mean reported values for test items were significantly different between the two systems. In the MDP group, repeatability and within-laboratory CVs were better with the automation system. All calibration and QC processes were successfully implemented with the Aptio total laboratory automation system. @*Conclusion@#The Aptio total laboratory automation system could be applied to routine practice to improve precision and efficiency.
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Background@#This study examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and total testosterone deficiency based on facial flushing among Korean men. @*Methods@#A total of 314 men were included in this study and divided into non-drinkers (n=78) and drinkers (n=236). Drinkers were also divided into flushers (n=96) and non-flushers (n=140). Flushers and non-flushers were separated into two groups based on the amount of alcohol consumed: moderate drinkers (≤8 standard drinks per week) and heavy drinkers (>8 standard drinks per week). Total testosterone 8 drinks per week) who flush compared to that in non-drinkers.
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X-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets are the most common form of familial hypophosphatemic rickets resulting from hypophosphatemia caused by renal phosphate wasting, which in turn is a result of loss-of-function mutations in PHEX.Herein, we report a 39-year-old female with short stature and skeletal deformities and 12-month-old asymptomatic daughter.The female has a history of multiple surgical treatments because of lower limb deformities. Her biochemical findings revealed low serum phosphorus levels with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity and normal serum calcium levels, suggesting presence of hypophosphatemic rickets. To identify the molecular causes, we used a multigene testing panel and found a mutation, c.667dup (p.Asp223GlyfsTer15), in PHEX gene. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel mutation. A heterozygous form of the same variant was detected in daughter, who showed no typical symptoms such as bow legs, frontal bossing, or waddling gate, but presented early signs of impaired mineralization in both X-ray and biochemical findings. The daughter was initiated onto early medical treatment with oral phosphate supplementation and an active vitamin D analog. Because the daughter was genetically diagnosed based on a family history before the onset of symptoms, appropriate medical management was possible from early infancy.
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Although the prevalence of hereditary hemolytic anemia (HHA) is relatively low in Korea, it has been gradually increasing in recent decades due to increment in the proportions of hemoglobinopathies from immigrants of South East Asia, raising awareness of the disease among clinicians, and advances in diagnostic technology. As such, the red blood cell (RBC) Disorder Working Party (WP), previously called HHA WP, of the Korean Society of Hematology (KSH) developed the Korean Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the diagnosis of HHA in 2007. These SOPs have been continuously revised and updated following advances in diagnostic technology [e.g., flow cytometric osmotic fragility test (FOFT) and eosin-5-maleimide (EMA) binding test], current methods for membrane protein or enzyme analysis [e.g., liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)], and molecular genetic tests using next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, the diagnosis and treatment of HHA remain challenging as they require considerable experience and understanding of the disease. Therefore, in this new Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis of HHA, on behalf of the RBC Disorder WP of KSH, updated guidelines to approach patients suspected of HHA are summarized. NGS is proposed to perform prior to membrane protein or enzyme analysis by LC-MS/MS, UPLC-MS/MS or HPLC techniques due to the availability of gene testing in more laboratories in Korea. We hope that this guideline will be helpful for clinicians in making diagnostic decisions for patients with HHA in Korea.
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Despite strict guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), South Korea is facing its fourth pandemic wave. In this study, by using an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay assay, we tracked anti-spike protein receptor-binding domain (anti-S-RBD) antibody titer from the second dose to 2 weeks after the booster dose vaccination. After the second dose, 234 participants had their anti-S-RBD antibody titers decrease over time. We also showed the booster dose (the third dose) increased antibody titer by average 14 (min–max, 2–255)-fold higher compared to the second dose among the 211-booster group participants, therefore, the booster dose could be recommended for low responders to the second dose. Our findings showed a distinct humoral response after booster doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines and may provide further evidence of booster vaccination efficacy. These data will also be helpful in vaccination policy decisions that determine the need for the booster dose.
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The antibody titer of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was observed in 289 healthy healthcare workers who had completed the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Antibody tests were performed using both the automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and the chromatographic lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). All subjects had antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 only one week after completing the vaccination, and the antibody titer became significantly higher after another week (P < 0.001). Since there was a large amount of antibody formation within two weeks after completion of vaccination, the less sensitive method, LFIA, also showed high sensitivity.There was no significant difference between whole blood and serum in detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after vaccination. This is an early study of vaccinations among Koreans and is expected to contribute to the establishment of national guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination.
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X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets is an X-linked dominantly inherited disorder characterized by defects in renal phosphate transport leading to phosphate wasting and hypophosphatemia. In this report, we describe a case of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets in a patient with a rare pathogenic PHEX variant. The 25-year-old female patient came to our clinic for genetic counseling regarding presumed genetic disease and pregnancy. When she was 9 years old, she had been diagnosed with vitamin D-resistant rickets based on laboratory results and symptoms. She had undergone orthopedic surgery due to bowing leg deformities. Since then, she was intermittently self-prescribing oral phosphate and calcium supplements. At 25 years old, she was diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets with a rare pathogenic PHEX variant (c.1483-1G>C) by next-generation sequencing. This is the second report of the c.1483-1G>C variant to date, and her pathogenicity was confirmed based on the most recent guideline. Traditionally, the disease had been diagnosed mostly based on clinical findings. However, with advancements in genetic testing, genetic confirmation has become an imperative part of diagnostic workup. Herein, we report a 25-year-old female Korean patient diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets harboring a rare pathogenic PHEX variant.
ABSTRACT
The antibody titer of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was observed in 289 healthy healthcare workers who had completed the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Antibody tests were performed using both the automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and the chromatographic lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). All subjects had antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 only one week after completing the vaccination, and the antibody titer became significantly higher after another week (P < 0.001). Since there was a large amount of antibody formation within two weeks after completion of vaccination, the less sensitive method, LFIA, also showed high sensitivity.There was no significant difference between whole blood and serum in detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after vaccination. This is an early study of vaccinations among Koreans and is expected to contribute to the establishment of national guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination.
ABSTRACT
X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets is an X-linked dominantly inherited disorder characterized by defects in renal phosphate transport leading to phosphate wasting and hypophosphatemia. In this report, we describe a case of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets in a patient with a rare pathogenic PHEX variant. The 25-year-old female patient came to our clinic for genetic counseling regarding presumed genetic disease and pregnancy. When she was 9 years old, she had been diagnosed with vitamin D-resistant rickets based on laboratory results and symptoms. She had undergone orthopedic surgery due to bowing leg deformities. Since then, she was intermittently self-prescribing oral phosphate and calcium supplements. At 25 years old, she was diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets with a rare pathogenic PHEX variant (c.1483-1G>C) by next-generation sequencing. This is the second report of the c.1483-1G>C variant to date, and her pathogenicity was confirmed based on the most recent guideline. Traditionally, the disease had been diagnosed mostly based on clinical findings. However, with advancements in genetic testing, genetic confirmation has become an imperative part of diagnostic workup. Herein, we report a 25-year-old female Korean patient diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets harboring a rare pathogenic PHEX variant.
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Background@#In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era, the simultaneous detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza virus (Flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is important in the rapid differential diagnosis in patients with respiratory symptoms. Three multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays have been recently developed commercially in Korea: PowerChek™ SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A&B Multiplex Real-time PCR Kit (PowerChek; KogeneBiotech); STANDARD™ M Flu/SARS-CoV-2 Real-time Detection Kit (STANDARD M; SD BioSensor); and Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay (Allplex; Seegene). We evaluated the analytical and clinical performances of these kits. @*Methods@#A limit of detection tests were performed and cross-reactivity analysis was executed using clinical respiratory samples. Ninety-seven SARS-CoV-2-positive, 201 SARS-CoV-2-negative, 71 influenza A-positive, 50 influenza B-positive, 78 RSV-positive, and 207 other respiratory virus-positive nasopharyngeal swabs were tested using the three assays. The AdvanSure™ respiratory viruses rRT-PCR assay (AdvanSure; LG Life Sciences) was used as a comparator assay for RSV. @*Results@#Except in influenza B, in SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A, there were no significant differences in detecting specific genes of the viruses among the three assays. All three kits did not cross-react with common respiratory viruses. All three kits had greater than 92% positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement and ≥ 0.95 kappa value in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and flu A/B. Allplex detected RSV more sensitively than AdvanSure. @*Conclusion@#The overall performance of three multiplex rRT-PCR assays for the concurrent detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and RSV was comparable. These kits will promote prompt differential diagnosis of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV infection in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
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We performed a point seroprevalence survey of measles among healthcare workers (HCWs) at two Korean teaching hospitals in 2019. A total of 2,830 HCWs underwent an antibody test.The overall seropositivity of measles was 93.1%. The seroprevalence of measles was lowest in HCWs aged 20 - 24 years (81.2%), followed by those aged 25 - 29 years (90.1%). The rates of anti-measles IgG positivity were significantly different between the two hospitals (97.0% vs.89.4%, P <0.001). These results suggest that the seropositivity of measles in HCWs may differ depending on the hospital's vaccination policy.
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Carnobacterium is a genus of gram-positive bacilli belonging to the family Lactobacillaceae.Generally, Carnobacterium species are considered nonpathogenic to humans and are mostly found in the natural environment, food, and food packaging. Furthermore, some Carnobacterium species play a bioprotective role in the food industry. Isolation of Carnobacterium from human blood or other sites, such as skin or abscess, has rarely been reported—there are only four published case reports worldwide, and none of them is from Korea. In all the reported cases, the patients reported contact with an aqueous environment or were administered nutrition via a parenteral route. Herein, we report the detection of Carnobacterium divergens bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient by using mass spectrometry in Korea.
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BACKGROUND: Cord blood (CB) is a reliable source of hematopoietic stem cells, and its utilization in stem cell transplantation is increasing continuously. The CD34+ cell count is arguably one of the most important parameters for evaluating the quality of a cord blood unit (CBU), but there is little evidence on the post-genetic modifications that can affect the CD34+ cell counts. In this study, the difference in the miRNA expression profiles between low and high CD34+ CBU was evaluated. METHODS: Paired CB and maternal samples with low (0.9%) were selected for analysis. MicroRNA profiling was performed, and differentially expressed miRNA were identified. In addition, gene ontology analysis was conducted on the miRNA to elucidate the genes that could potentially affect the CD34+ cell count. RESULTS: Ten miRNA were identified to show significantly different expression between the low and high CD34+ groups. Four of the 10 miRNA were hematopoiesis-related (miR-199a-5p, miR-22-5p, miR-140-5p, and miR-181b-5p). From a total of 119 associated genes, nine (CALCA, FARP2, FSHR, ITGAM, MELK, MLF1, PRG4, TREM2 and VCAM1) were associated with two or more of the aforementioned miRNA. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that examined the difference in the miRNA expression profiles between high and low CD34+ CB cells and revealed the relevant genes associated with hematopoiesis. These results provide basic insight into the genetic processes involving hematopoietic stem cell proliferation.
Subject(s)
Cell Count , Fetal Blood , Gene Ontology , Genetic Phenomena , Hematopoiesis , Hematopoietic Stem Cells , MicroRNAs , Stem Cell Transplantation , Stem CellsABSTRACT
Facklamia hominis is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccus generally displaying weak alpha-hemolysis and negativity for catalase and oxidase. Facklamia species are part of the normal flora of the female genitourinary tract and have been reported in invasive diseases such as meningitis and infective endocarditis, albeit rarely. A 67 year-old-man presented to hospital with a tender, erythematous epidermal cyst on the right side of his upper back. Simple excision of the cyst was performed and the pus was taken with a sterile swab for culture, yielding no growth. One week later, discharge was observed in the patient's wound site and a sterile swab for culture was taken. The colonies grown were identified as F. hominis by the Vitek 2 system (bioMérieux, France), and the result was then reported to clinicians, and later confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of F. hominis isolation from a clinical specimen in Korea.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Catalase , Endocarditis , Epidermal Cyst , Genes, rRNA , Korea , Mass Spectrometry , Meningitis , Oxidoreductases , Suppuration , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The performance of the self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with diabetes should be properly evaluated to ensure strict glycemic control. This study evaluated the self-testing Blood Glucose Monitoring System GlucoDr.S™ (All Medicus Co., Ltd., Korea). METHODS: This study recruited 120 patients. Use of the glucometer was evaluated according to ISO 15197:2013 guidelines. The YSI 2300 STAT PLUS Glucose Analyzer (YSI Life Sciences, USA) was used as the reference device. RESULTS: The standard deviation and coefficients of variation ranges for measurement repeatability and intermediate measurement precision conducted with 10 meters and 3 reagent lots on the same day were 2.7–3.2 mg/dL (0.99. The influence effect of hematocrit and the 24 interference agents was not significant, except for xylose. A system accuracy test was conducted with 100 subjects taking duplicate measurements from each of the 3 reagent lots. When glucose levels were 95% of the samples were within ±15 mg/dL and within ±15% of the average measured values of the reference measurement, respectively. In Consensus Error grid analysis, all results were distributed in zone A and B. The results of the user performance evaluation using 115 lay persons were also included in the acceptance range. CONCLUSION: The GlucoDr.S™ showed acceptable performance according to the ISO 15197:2013 guidelines and could be a clinically useful self-testing glucometer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biological Science Disciplines , Blood Glucose , Consensus , Glucose , Hematocrit , XyloseABSTRACT
The authors regret that there were errors in the article. The errors were in one co-author's affiliation and funding source.
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the dietary habits of Korean adolescents and to investigate their effects on sleep duration. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis drawn from the 2016 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (N=65,528). ANCOVA was used to determine the relationship between dietary habits and sleep duration. Ordinal logistic regression was used to find out the effects of dietary habits on sleep duration adjusted for general characteristics and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS: The group that consumed no breakfast (AOR=0.89, p < .001) had less sufficient sleep duration than those who had breakfast 7 times per week. The group that had drunk no milk (AOR=0.88, p < .001) had less sufficient sleep duration than those who enjoyed it 5 times per week. On the contrary, the groups that had no soda drinks (AOR=1.18, p=.015), caffeine drinks (AOR=1.77, p < .001), and sweet drinks (AOR=1.25, p < .001) were more likely to have sufficient sleep duration than the groups that consumed those beverages 5 times per week. CONCLUSION: It is important to educate adolescents about healthy eating habits including drinks and optimal sufficient sleep duration through a multidisciplinary approach.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Humans , Beverages , Breakfast , Caffeine , Diet , Eating , Feeding Behavior , Logistic Models , Milk , Risk-TakingABSTRACT
The genus Gordonia is one of the mycolic acid-containing aerobic actinomycetes. This genus has 38 named species that are widespread in the natural environment; however, Gordonia species rarely cause human infections. A 76-year-old woman presented with cough and sputum for over 1 year and was suspected of having nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. An NTM isolate from the sputum was initially identified as Mycobacterium lentiflavum or Mycobacterium genavense by genotypic identification targeting internal transcribed spacer (ITS). However, the isolate was finally confirmed as Gordonia otitidis by sequencing of 16S rRNA, gyrB and secA1 genes. In patients with suspected NTM lung disease, the etiologic agent might be an organism other than NTM such as G. otitidis but still be identified as NTM without sequencing of 16S rRNA or other genes. Especially in case that a possible NTM isolate is identified as M. lentiflavum or M. genavense by the genotypic method targeting ITS, additional genotypic tests such as sequencing of 16S rRNA and other genes would be necessary for more reliable identification.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Actinobacteria , Actinomycetales , Cough , Lung Diseases , Lung , Methods , Mycobacterium , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria , Respiratory Tract Infections , SputumABSTRACT
Tuberculosis can occur in various organ systems and may present with diverse manifestations. We report an unusual case of mediastinal tuberculoma in a 3-month-old boy who presented to the hospital after experiencing fever, cough, and progressive pneumonia for two weeks. The chest computed tomography scan indicated a mediastinal mass suggesting lymphoma. However, histological analysis confirmed that the mass was caused by tuberculosis. The present report describes the delayed diagnosis of a disease due to an uncommon presentation. Misdiagnosing unusual cases of tuberculosis results in treatment delays and may lead to an increase in morbidity. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for children presenting with a mediastinal mass, especially in areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis.