Panel-Reactive and Donor-Specific Antibodies before Lung Transplantation can Affect Outcomes in Korean Patients Receiving Lung Transplantation

Purpose@#Data on the distribution and impact of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) and donor specific antibodies (DSA) before lung transplantation in Asia, especially multi-center-based data, are limited. This study evaluated the prevalence of and effects of PRA and DSA levels before lung transplantations on outcomes in Korean patients using nationwide multicenter registry data. @*Materials and Methods@#This study included 103 patients who received a lung transplant at five tertiary hospitals in South Korea between March 2015 and December 2017. Mortality, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) were evaluated. @*Results@#Sixteen patients had class I and/or class II PRAs exceeding 50%. Ten patients (9.7%) had DSAs with a mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) higher than 1000, six of whom had antibodies with a high MFI (≥2000). DSAs with high MFIs were more frequently observed in patients with high-grade PGD (≥2) than in those with no or low-grade (≤1) PGD. In the 47 patients who survived for longer than 9 months and were evaluated for BOS after the transplant, BOS was not related to DSA or PRA levels. One-year mortality was more strongly related to PRA class I exceeding 50% than that under 50% (0% vs. 16.7%, p=0.007). @*Conclusion@#Preoperative DSAs and PRAs are related to worse outcomes after lung transplantation. DSAs and PRAs should be considered when selecting lung transplant recipients, and recipients who have preoperative DSAs with high MFI values and high PRA levels should be monitored closely after lung transplantation.

Comparison of trauma systems in Asian countries: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the demographic characteristics and trauma service structures and processes of hospitals in 15 countries across the Asia Pacific, and to provide baseline data for the integrated trauma database: the Pan-Asian Trauma Outcomes Study (PATOS).METHODS: Medical directors and emergency physicians at PATOS-participating hospitals in countries across the Asia Pacific were surveyed through a standardized questionnaire. General information, trauma care system data, and trauma emergency department (ED) outcomes at each hospital were collected by email and analyzed using descriptive statistics.RESULTS: Survey data from 35 hospitals across 15 countries were collected from archived data between June 2014 and July 2015. Designated trauma centers were identified as the highest hospital level for trauma patients in 70% of surveyed countries. Half of the hospitals surveyed had special teams for trauma care, and almost all prepared activation protocol documents for these teams. Most hospitals offered specialized trauma education programs, and 72.7% of hospitals had a hospital-based trauma registry. The total number of trauma patients visiting the ED across 25 of the hospitals was 300,376. The overall survival-to-discharge rate was 97.2%; however, it varied greatly between 85.1% and 99.7%. The difference between survival-to-discharge rates of moderate and severe injury groups was highest in Taiwan (41.8%) and lowest in Thailand (18.6%).CONCLUSION: Trauma care systems and ED outcomes vary widely among surveyed hospitals and countries. This information is useful to build further detailed, systematic platforms for trauma surveillance and evidence-based trauma care policies.

Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of cardiac symptoms assessed by emergency medical services providers in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction: a multi-center observational study

OBJECTIVE: For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), symptoms assessed by emergency medical services (EMS) providers have a critical role in prehospital treatment decisions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EMS provider-assessed cardiac symptoms of AMI. METHODS: Patients transported by EMS to 4 study hospitals from 2008 to 2012 were included. Using EMS and administrative emergency department databases, patients were stratified according to the presence of EMS-assessed cardiac symptoms and emergency department diagnosis of AMI. Cardiac symptoms were defined as chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, and syncope. Disproportionate stratified sampling was used, and medical records of sampled patients were reviewed to identify an actual diagnosis of AMI. Using inverse probability weighting, verification bias-corrected diagnostic performance was estimated. RESULTS: Overall, 92,353 patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 13,971 (15.1%) complained of cardiac symptoms to EMS providers. A total of 775 patients were sampled for hospital record review. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of EMS provider-assessed cardiac symptoms for the final diagnosis of AMI was 73.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.8 to 75.7), 85.3% (95% CI, 85.3 to 85.4), 3.9% (95% CI, 3.6 to 4.2), and 99.7% (95% CI, 99.7 to 99.8), respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that EMS provider-assessed cardiac symptoms had moderate sensitivity and high specificity for diagnosis of AMI. EMS policymakers can use these data to evaluate the pertinence of specific prehospital treatment of AMI.

Effect of a multi-tiered dispatch system on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: preliminary report from the Gyeonggi province, South Korea

OBJECTIVE: In South Korea, the Gyeonggi Fire Services introduced a multi-tiered dispatch system for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases in July 2015. In this study, we investigated whether the multi-tiered dispatch system improved the pre-hospital return of the spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate. METHODS: All non-traumatic adult OHCAs treated and transported by the 119 emergency medical system from July 2015 to December 2015 were included in the study. Demographic and pre-hospital Utstein element-data were collected from the emergency medical system OHCA database. The primary outcome was pre-hospital ROSC as measured at the scene. RESULTS: Of the included OHCAs, 1,436 (89.0%) were categorized to the single-tiered dispatch group and 162 (10.1%) to the multi-tiered dispatch group. The rate of administration of advanced airway ventilation (61.1% vs. 48.0%, P=0.002) and intravenous access (18.5% vs. 12.5%, P=0.037) was higher in the multi-tiered group compared to that in the single-tiered group. The use of epinephrine was higher in the multi-tiered group (4.9% vs. 1.5%, P=0.002). The pre-hospital ROSC rates in the multi-tiered group were higher when compared with the single-tiered group, but the difference was not significant (10.5% vs. 7.5%, P=0.218). The adjusted odds ratio for pre-hospital ROSC rates in the multi-tiered group was 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 2.40). CONCLUSION: The multi-tiered dispatch system was not associated with a significant increase in the pre-hospital ROSC rate during the early phase of its implementation, even though advanced maneuvers were performed more frequently.

Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium (KoCARC): rationale, development, and implementation

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the conceptualization, development, and implementation processes of the newly established Korean Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Consortium (KoCARC) to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes. METHODS: The KoCARC was established in 2014 by recruiting hospitals willing to participate voluntarily. To enhance professionalism in research, seven research committees, the Epidemiology and Preventive Research Committee, Community Resuscitation Research Committee, Emergency Medical System Resuscitation Research Committee, Hospital Resuscitation Research Committee, Hypothermia and Postresuscitation Care Research Committee, Cardiac Care Resuscitation Committee, and Pediatric Resuscitation Research Committee, were organized under a steering committee. The KoCARC registry was developed with variables incorporated in the currently existing regional OHCA registries and Utstein templates and were collected via a web-based electronic database system. The KoCARC study population comprises patients visiting the participating hospitals who had been treated by the emergency medical system for OHCA presumed to have a cardiac etiology. RESULTS: A total of 62 hospitals volunteered to participate in the KoCARC, which captures 33.0% of the study population in Korea. Web-based data collection started in October 2015, and to date (December 2016), there were 3,187 cases compiled in the registry collected from 32 hospitals. CONCLUSION: The KoCARC is a self-funded, voluntary, hospital-based collaborative research network providing high level evidence in the field of OHCA and resuscitation. This paper will serve as a reference for subsequent KoCARC manuscripts and for data elements collected in the study.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis after Lung Transplantation / 대한중환자의학회지

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but fatal complication after solid organ transplantation. Acquired forms of HLH are described in association with severe sepsis, autoimmune disorders, malignancy, immune-compromised states, infections, and solid organ transplantation. We experienced a case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after bilateral lung transplantation. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia were noted and became aggravated 50 days after transplantation. Diagnosis of HLH was based on clinical and laboratory findings of splenomegaly, cytopenia, elevated ferritin, elevated interleukin-2 receptor, and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow. Other features such as elevated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer which can be present in HLH were also noted. The patient was immediately treated with etoposide and dexamethasone. Despite aggressive therapy, the patient deteriorated and died. Awareness of the diagnostic criteria of HLH after lung transplantation is important for clinicians.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis after Lung Transplantation / 대한구급학회지

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but fatal complication after solid organ transplantation. Acquired forms of HLH are described in association with severe sepsis, autoimmune disorders, malignancy, immune-compromised states, infections, and solid organ transplantation. We experienced a case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after bilateral lung transplantation. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia were noted and became aggravated 50 days after transplantation. Diagnosis of HLH was based on clinical and laboratory findings of splenomegaly, cytopenia, elevated ferritin, elevated interleukin-2 receptor, and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow. Other features such as elevated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer which can be present in HLH were also noted. The patient was immediately treated with etoposide and dexamethasone. Despite aggressive therapy, the patient deteriorated and died. Awareness of the diagnostic criteria of HLH after lung transplantation is important for clinicians.

Relation between Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility and Central Venous Pressure

PURPOSE: For evaluation of volume status in the emergency department, central venous pressure (CVP) measurement is a standard practice. However, this is an invasive method. Measuring inferior vena cava (IVC) size through ultrasound is promising as a non-invasive method. However, few studies have been reported in Korea. Therefore this study measured IVC size and collapsibility in order to examine the clinical usefulness. METHODS: In a prospective study setting, IVC size was measured with ultrasound for patients whose CVP was measured in the emergency department. IVC size of healthy applicants was measured. RESULTS: The healthy group included 100 people: 68 men and 32 women. The average IVC size of men was 1.8+/-0.4 cm and that of women was 1.8+/-0.3 cm. For collapsibility, men were 0.28+/-0.14 and women were 0.23+/-0.14, thus there was no statistical difference in size and collapsibility between men and women. The patient group included 51 people, average age was 59.9+/-18.5, and 28 (54.9%) were men. This group showed a significant negative correlation between CVP and collapsibility. IVC Max was 1.7+/-0.5 cm, IVC Min was 1.2+/-0.5 cm, median collapsibility was 0.26 (0.15-0.38), mean lactate was 6.4+/-4.4 mmol/L, and median CVP was 10.0 (1.0-14.5) cmH2O. CONCLUSION: IVC collapsibility can be used as a reference measure, or even instead of CVP in certain cases.

Implementation of a Direct Medical Direction System for 119 EMS Providers and Expansion of Scope of Practices Under the Indirect Protocols-Experience in Gyunggi Province

PURPOSE: Medical direction is an integral part of proper prehospital care, which is performed by EMS providers. In Gyunggi province, a number of measures have been implemented to improve the direct medical direction system. We aimed to report on the process and results of the newly implemented medical direction system. METHODS: This is a descriptive analysis of the newly implemented medical direction system for community EMS providers from June 2014 to October 2014. Direct medical direction was requested by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) during the study period, as follows: when a destination hospital was selected, EMTs requested medical direction from the physicians at the destination hospital. During the study period specially-trained advanced EMTs were permitted to perform intravenous (IV) access for fluid or glucose infusion without direct medical direction. EMTs were asked to complete records when they requested direct medical direction and performed IV access without medical direction. These records were collected and used in the analysis. RESULTS: Of 5949 direct medical direction requests, 5527 were analyzed; 2958 (53.5%) cases were requested to the destination hospitals, 2569 (46.5%) were requested to the centralized dispatch center. 'Patient evaluation' was the most common reason for EMTs to request medical direction to the destination hospitals (1680, 54.4%) and centralized dispatch center (980, 38.1%). EMTs' degree of satisfaction did not differ significantly between destination hospitals and the centralized dispatch center (4.12+/-0.82 and 4.09+/-0.84, p=0.053). IV access rate for hypotensive patients increased 6.1% during the study period compared to the same period of 2013 (17.6% and 11.5%, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that it is feasible to request direct medical direction to the destination hospitals and perform IV access for fluid or glucose infusion without direct medical direction for specially-trained advanced EMTs. Continuing efforts to establish an optimized medical direction system would be required for proper pre-hospital care.

Etiologies and Underlying Diseases of Leg Edema in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND: Leg edema is a common symptom among elderly patients with multiple underlying diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the etiologies and underlying diseases of leg edema in elderly patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 247 patients aged over 65, who visited an Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital due to leg edema from January 2010 to December 2012. RESULTS: A total of 226 patients with complete medical records were included. The most common cause of leg edema in elderly patients was renal failure (42 cases, 18.6%), followed by heart failure (37 cases, 16.4%), and deep vein thrombosis (32 cases, 14.2%). However, the etiologies were not established in 66 cases (29.2%). Patients with leg edema caused by renal and heart failure had renal (40 cases, 95.2%) and cardiovascular diseases (29 cases, 78.4%), respectively, while others had diabetes mellitus and trauma. Patients with leg edema caused by deep vein thrombosis had underlying conditions such as cancer (13 cases, 40.6%), trauma, surgery within 1 year, and diabetes mellitus. Overall, chronic bilateral edema (120 cases, 53.1%) was most commonly observed form of leg edema in elderly patients. Deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis, and lymphedema usually caused unilateral edema, whereas systemic diseases such as renal failure, heart failure, and liver cirrhosis caused bilateral edema. CONCLUSION: Leg edema in elderly patients is usually caused by systemic diseases such as renal and heart failure closely related to underlying diseases. Therefore, it is important to consider the variety of underlying diseases, when approaching the cause and treatment of leg edema in elderly patients.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in a Patient with Previous Mitral Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has shown favorable outcomes in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who are at high surgical risk or are unsuitable candidates for open heart surgery. However, concerns exist over treating patients who have previously undergone mitral valve surgery due to the potential interference between the mitral prosthetic valve or ring and the TAVI device. In this case report, we present a patient with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and previous mechanical mitral valve replacement who was successfully treated with TAVI using a CoreValve.

Comparative Analysis of Acute Toxic Poisoning in 2003 and 2011: Analysis of 3 Academic Hospitals

Social factors may affect the available sources of toxic substances and causes of poisoning; and these factors may change over time. Additionally, understanding the characteristics of patients with acute toxic poisoning is important for treating such patients. Therefore, this study investigated the characteristics of patients with toxic poisoning. Patients visiting one of 3 hospitals in 2003 and 2011 were included in this study. Data on all patients who were admitted to the emergency departments with acute toxic poisoning were retrospectively obtained from medical records. Total 939 patients were analyzed. The average age of patients was 40.0 +/- 20 yr, and 335 (36.9%) patients were men. Among the elements that did not change over time were the facts that suicide was the most common cause, that alcohol consumption was involved in roughly 1 of 4 cases, and that there were more women than men. Furthermore, acetaminophen and doxylamine remained the most common poisoning agents. In conclusion, the average patient age and psychotic drug poisoning has increased over time, and the use of lavage treatment has decreased.

Clinical Features of Patients with False Negative Diffusion-weighted MR Findings in Acute Ischemic Stroke

PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) image (DWI) has advantages for the assessment of acute stroke. However, false negative DWI findings in acute ischemic stroke have been reported. Our purpose was to estimate the rate of initial false negative DWI studies in acute ischemic stroke patients and to identify characteristics of false negative DWI stroke patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study from January 2010 to June 2011, acute ischemic stroke patients (within 6 hours after stroke onset) were enrolled. A total of 56 patients were included in this study. Cases with negative initial DWI findings, with an ischemic lesion visible on follow-up MR studies, were analyzed for times between the onset of symptoms and initial DWI, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the location of the ischemic stroke lesion. RESULTS: We found seven cases (12.5%) of false negative initial DWI studies. The initial false negative DWI group had a significantly shorter time from the onset of symptoms to the initial DWI compared to the initial positive DWI group (p=0.011). The false negative group had a lower NIHSS without significance (p=0.091). CONCLUSION: A false-negative DWI study is not uncommon in the assessment of acute ischemic stroke. Thus, patients suspected of having a stroke should not be ruled out on the basis of a negative DWI, especially a suspected low NIHSS, for an early onset of symptoms.

Clinical Significance of Hyperlactatemia and Acidosis in Patients with Suspected Generalized Convulsion

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical usefulness of lactic acidosis in an evaluation of patients with suspected generalized convulsion. METHODS: This was retrospective cohort study. The correlation between the lactate level and the time to blood gas analysis (ABGA) was analyzed in patients who had a final diagnosis of seizure to exclude the time effect on the spontaneous clearance of lactate. The patient's data in the true seizure group and false seizure group was then compared. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of lactate, pH and base deficit for diagnosing true seizure was drawn. The sensitivity and specificity of the presence of hyperlactatemia or acidosis for a diagnosis of seizure and predicting epileptiform discharge at electroencephalography (EEG) was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 173 patients suspected of having generalized convulsion, 136 patients were diagnosed with a true seizure on hospital discharge and patients whose ABGA was performed within 60 minutes after seizure showed a significantly higher arterial lactate level, lower arterial pH and base deficit than the patients whose ABGA was performed after 60 minutes of seizure onset. 62 patients whose ABGA was performed 60 minutes after symptom onset were excluded. Finally, of 111 patients, 89 patients with true seizure showed a significantly higher arterial lactate level, lower arterial pH and base deficit than the 22 patients with false seizure. The ROC curve of lactate, pH and base deficit showed a significant area under the curve for diagnosing true seizure. The presence of hyperlactatemia or acidosis showed high sensitivity for diagnosing true seizure and expecting epileptiform EEG when they were measured with 60 minutes after symptom onset. CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected generalized convulsion, upon presentation to the ED within 60 min of symptom onset, the presence of hyperlactatemia or acidosis increased the likelihood of a true seizure and might be an objective indicator for further evaluations of seizure. On the other hand, normal lactate levels and no acidosis could not exclude a true seizure.

Appropriate Rest Time after Repetitive Sleep Deprivation Suppresses Apoptosis and Cell Proliferation in the Hippocampus

PURPOSE: Sleep deprivation may exert many negative effects on hippocampus-dependent cognitive function, such as learning and memory. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of repetitive sleep deprivation on cognition, apoptotic neuronal cell death, and cell proliferation in the hippocampus, using mice. METHODS: To induce sleep deprivation, mice were placed in a water cage containing six platforms (3 cm in diameter), surrounded by water up to 1 cm beneath the surface of the platform for 24 h. Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=20 in each group): control group, 24 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group, 48 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group, and 72 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group. This cycle was continued for 36 days. Novel objective recognition test and immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), western blot for expression of Bax, Bcl-2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and caspase-3 were performed. RESULTS: Results of the novel objective recognition test showed decreased cognition in the 24 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group, while a similar effect was observed in other groups, compared to the control group. Increased cell proliferation and enhanced expression of BDNF and Bax protein were observed in the 24 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group and the 48 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group, compared to the control group. Expression of Bcl-2 showed a decrease in the 24 h and 48 h rest groups, compared to the control group. Expression of caspase-3 in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus showed a significant increase in the 24 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group and in the 48 h rest after 24 h sleep deprivation group, compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study indicate that insufficient rest after sleep deprivation may induce impairment of cognitive function. After sleep deprivation, at least 72 hr of rest time is needed for recovery.

Hypertonic saline downregulate the production level of lipopolysaccharide-induced migration inhibitory factor in THP-1 cells / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) may serve as a general marker for systemic inflammation in septic and nonseptic acute critical illness. Additionally, our previous experiment has demonstrated that immunosuppressant Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) lowered MIF levels and inhibited T-cells proliferation when compared to control levels. The addition of hypertonic saline (HTS) increased MIF production as compared with PGE2-stimulated T-cells in concordance with restore PGE2-suppressed T-cells proliferation. Generally, HTS has been well known for its anti-inflammatory effect so far. Therefore, the experiments were conducted to evaluate MIF after stimulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) either in the presence or absence of HTS in monocyte, in response to early phase injury. METHODS: Human acute monocytic leukemic cell line (THP-1) cells were cultured in RPMI media, to a final concentration of 1 x 10(6) cells/mL. The effect of HTS on LPS-induced MIF was evaluated in monocyte with 1 microg/mL LPS. HTS at 10, 20 or 40 mmol/L above isotonicity was added. MIF concentrations of the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cell lysates were used for Western blots analysis to determine the MIF expression. RESULTS: MIF concentrations in the cell supernatant increased in LPS-induced cells compared to control cells. Also, levels of MIF protein expression were higher in LPS stimulating cells. However, the addition of HTS to LPS stimulated cell restored MIF concentrations and MIF expression. CONCLUSION: The role of HTS in maintaining physiological balance in human beings, at least in part, should be mediated through the MIF pathway.

Pseudotumor of the Omentum Associated with Migration of the Ingested Crab-Leg

Foreign body ingestion is not uncommon in clinical practice, and it may occasionally lead to penetration injuries. Emergency physicians and radiologists sometimes fail to obtain complete histories including ingestion and may overlook the possibility of foreign body-induced complications. Herein, we report a case of stomach antrum perforation due to foreign body migration. We were unaware of the patient's history of eating the Korean delicacy "Kanjang-gaejang," which is raw crab seasoned with soy sauce. Several imaging diagnostic modalities had suggested the possibility of a malignant mass in the gastrocolic ligament area. During the operation, a crab leg was discovered as the cause of an intra-abdominal abscess. The patient underwent an antrectomy, a vagotomay, and a transverse colon wedge resection. We present this unusual case of a pseudotumorous lesion caused by ingestion of Kanjang-gaejang.

Predictive Factors for MDCT as a Primary Survey in Traumatic Cervical Spine Injury

PURPOSE: Missing cervical pathology after injury may lead to disability and influence long-term survival. Controversies continue to evolve concerning the initial screening methods used to predict cervical spine injury. Through a retrospective chart review, we attempted to analyze and propose factors predictive of cervical trauma. METHODS: Of all the patients who had visited the Emergency Department of Korea University, from January 2009 to December 2009, a retrospective review of the clinical records of the 217 patients who had undergone cervical spine computed tomography was done. We investigated whether we could predict the need for cervical spine computed tomography shortly after presentation in trauma patients by comparing the group with fractures and group without fractures and by finding risk factors showing significant differences between the two groups that might be used as guides in decision making. RESULTS: Of the 217 subjects who underwent cervical spine computed tomography scans, 33 were identified with fractures of the cervical spine while 184 were not. The most common mechanisms of trauma, in order, for those with fractures were falls, followed by traffic accidents. We found that the injury severity score, multiple injuries, a high-energy injury mechanism, neurologic deficit, and pain and tenderness of the cervical spine showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Fractures of the cervical spine that are not observed with simple radiography occur with a relatively high frequency in trauma patients. Consideration should be given to the risk factors for cervical spine fracture, and if pertinent, cervical spine computed tomography should be performed with speed for early diagnosis of cervical spine fractures.

Effect of hypertonic saline and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in restoration of T cell dysfunction / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: Trauma-induced suppression of cellular immune function likely contributes to sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. T cell proliferation decreases after traumatic stress. The addition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which depresses immune function after hemorrhage and trauma, to T-cells decreases T-cell proliferation; and hypertonic saline restores PGE2-induced T-cell suppression. Recently, it has become apparent that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a central role in several immune responses, including T-cell proliferation. However, the role of MIF in mediating hypertonic saline (HTS) restoration of T cell dysfunction is unknown. Therefore, we hypothesize that T cell immune restoration by HTS occurs, at least in part, by a MIF-mediated mechanism. METHODS: Jurkat cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute media, at a final concentration of 2.5 x 106 cell/mL. The effects of HTS on T-cell proliferation following PGE2-induced suppression were evaluated in Jurkat cells: HTS at 20 or 40 mmol/L above isotonicity was added. MIF levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. RESULTS: PGE2 caused a 15.0% inhibition of Jurkat cell proliferation, as compared to the control. MIF levels decreased in PGE2-suppressed cells, as compared to the control. MIF levels were higher in cells treated with HTS than PGE2-stimulated cells. CONCLUSION: The role of HTS in restoring Jurkat cells proliferation suppressed by PGE2, at least in part, should be mediated through a MIF pathway.

Effect of beta-hCG with a Point-of-Care Test in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The rapid and accurate diagnosis of pregnancy is important in the emergency department (ED) before evaluation of radiologic tests and medication decisions. Our primary objective was to assess the agreement between whole blood pregnancy tests done in the emergency department and those done in laboratory [serum human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and urine beta-hCG]. The secondary objective was to compare turnaround times for tests done in the ED and those done in the laboratory. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled females of childbearing age needing a pregnancy test who visited an ED. Using whole blood, urine and serum from each patient, testing was done in the ED (whole blood - Hubi Quan pro-point of care test, POCT) and in the laboratory using a urine hCG kit (iIexscreen) and in serum (ADVIA centaur). The data included time of each test, beta-hCG result, and urine pregnancy test result. RESULTS: There was a high level of agreement between the POCT using whole blood and the serum beta-hCG as indicated by a kappa value of 0.921(95% confidence interval). The POCT performed in the ED was significantly faster in time to report than tests performed in the laboratory, with mean differences of 20.21+/-2.0 minutes and 36.14+/-20.86 minutes. The sensitivity and specificity of POCT was 98.18% and 93.75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In ED, the POCT test can perform pregnancy test as accurately as in the laboratory, and can provide results on which to base care much faster than waiting for the laboratory results. POCT may expedite the ED management of patients who require pregnancy tests. Especially, this POCT uses whole blood instead of the urine, since the latter was inconvenient for the test.