Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn Associated with Anti-Jr(a) Alloimmunization in a Twin Pregnancy: The First Case Report in Korea

Jr(a) is a high-frequency antigen found in all ethnic groups. However, the clinical significance of the anti-Jr(a) antibody has remained controversial. Most studies have reported mild hemolytic disease of the newborn and fetus (HDNF) in Jr(a)-positive patients. Recently, fatal cases of HDNF have also been reported. We report the first case of HDNF caused by anti-Jr(a) alloimmunization in twins in Korea. A 33-yr-old nulliparous woman with no history of transfusion or amniocentesis was admitted at the 32nd week of gestation because of vaginal bleeding caused by placenta previa. Anti-Jr(a) antibodies were detected in a routine laboratory examination. An emergency cesarean section was performed at the 34th week of gestation, and 2 premature infant twins were delivered. Laboratory examination showed positive direct antiglobulin test and Jr(a+) phenotype in the red blood cells and the presence of anti-Jr(a) antibodies in the serum in both neonates. The infants underwent phototherapy for neonatal jaundice; this was followed by conservative management. They showed no further complications and were discharged on the 19th postpartum day. Preparative management to ensure the availability of Jr(a-) blood, via autologous donation, and close fetal monitoring must be performed even in cases of first pregnancy in Jr(a-) women. (Korean J Lab Med 2010;30:511-5)Arriaga F, 2009, TRANSFUSION, V49, P813, DOI 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02118.xPeyrard T, 2008, TRANSFUSION, V48, P1906, DOI 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01787.xROBACK JD, 2008, TECHNICAL MANUAL, P411CHUNG HJ, 2007, KOREAN J BLOOD TRANS, V18, P111Ishihara Y, 2006, FETAL DIAGN THER, V21, P269, DOI 10.1159/000091354Daniels GL, 2004, VOX SANG, V87, P304Kwon MY, 2004, TRANSFUSION, V44, P197Bellver-Pradas J, 2001, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V184, P75STROUP M, 1970, P 23 ANN M AM ASS BL, P86KIM DW, 1995, ELS APPL ELECT MAT, V6, P185MIYAZAKI T, 1994, VOX SANG, V66, P51OGASAWARA K, 1990, ACTA HAEMATOL JAPON, V53, P1131GARRATTY G, 1990, TRANSFUS MED REV, V4, P297NANCE SJ, 1987, TRANSFUSION, V27, P449BACON J, 1986, TRANSFUSION, V26, P543LEVENE C, 1986, TRANSFUSION, V26, P119TAKABAYASHI T, 1985, TOHOKU J EXP MED, V145, P97TOY P, 1981, VOX SANG, V41, P40ORRICK LR, 1980, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V137, P135NAKAJIMA H, 1978, VOX SANG, V35, P265VEDO M, 1978, TRANSFUSION, V18, P569TRITCHLER JE, 1977, TRANSFUSION, V17, P177KENDALL AG, 1976, TRANSFUSION, V16, P646

Effects of Sc and Be Microalloying Elements on Mechanical Properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (Al7xxx) Alloy

We demonstrate via comprehensive microstructural investigation the effects of Sc and Be microalloying on the mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-based alloys, where Sc microalloying enhances the tensile properties of an Al-9.0Zn-3.0Mg-3.0Cu alloy from 645 MPa (εf = ~6%) to 672 MPa (εf = ~8%). In contrast, simultaneous microalloying with Sc and Be reduces the mechanical strength of a synthesized Al alloy to 654 MPa (εf = ~8%). Comprehensive microstructural investigation revealed that Sc microalloying leads to Al grain refinement, the formation of hardening (MgZn2, Al3M) phases, and an increase in the solid solution of Al. Additional Be microalloying also enhances the formation of MgZn2 phase, while Al3M (M: Zr, Sc) type phases are restrained from forming in Al grains. Furthermore, solid solution in Al grains is reduced by the trace addition of Be microalloying, resulting in an increase in large intermetallic compounds at Al grain boundaries

Nanopore formation on Au coated pyramid under electron beam irradiations (plasmonic nanopore on pyramid)

There have been tremendous interests about the single molecule analysis using a sold-state nanopore. The solid-state nanopore can be fabricated either by drilling technique, or diffusion technique by using electron beam irradiations. The solid-state SiN nanopore device with electrical detection technique recently fabricated, however, the solid-state Au nanopore with optical detection technique can be better utilized as the next generation single molecule sensor. In this report, the nanometer size openings with its size less than 10 nm on the diffused membrane on the 200 nm Au pyramid were fabricated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) electron beam irradiations, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. After the sample was being kept under a room environment for several months, several Au (111) clusters with ~6 nm diameter formed via Ostwald ripening are observed using a high resolution TEM imaging. The nanopore with Au nanoclusters on the diffused membrane can be utilized as an optical nanopore device. Keywords: Electron beam irradiation, Surface diffusion, Carbon contamination, Au cluster, Ostwald ripenin

Therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome: The 10-year experience of a single center

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used for the treatment of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS). We report the 10-year treatment results along with the risk factors analyses. Methods: Retrospective analyses were performed on patients who were treated with TPE for TTP-HUS. Results: Fifty-two patients were included. Secondary causes were identified in 38 patients (73.1%). The others were classified as idiopathic. After a median five sessions of TPE, 26 patients (50.0%) achieved remission. Remission rate in patients with idiopathic and secondary TTP-HUS was 71.4 and 42.1%, respectively. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 34.6% and median overall survival was 5.2 months. Patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated TTP-HUS did not respond and had poor overall survival. Males had a lower remission rate than females (P=0.009). Conclusions: TPE was an effective treatment in patients with idiopathic TTP-HUS. Treatment results were various according to etiology and gender

Enhancing Fatty Acid Production of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> as an Animal Feed Supplement

<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> is used for edible purposes, such as human food or as an animal feed supplement. Fatty acids are also beneficial as feed supplements, but <i>S. cerevisiae</i> produces small amounts of fatty acids. In this study, we enhanced fatty acid production of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> by overexpressing acetyl-CoA carboxylase, thioesterase, and malic enzyme associated with fatty acid metabolism. The enhanced strain pAMT showed 2.4-fold higher fatty acids than the wild-type strain. To further increase the fatty acids, various nitrogen sources were analyzed and calcium nitrate was selected as an optimal nitrogen source for fatty acid production. By concentration optimization, 672 mg/L of fatty acids was produced, which was 4.7-fold higher than wild-type strain. These results complement the low level fatty acid production and make it possible to obtain the benefits of fatty acids as an animal feed supplement while, simultaneously, maintaining the advantages of <i>S. cerevisiae</i>

Comparative outcomes of reduced intensity and myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients under 50 with hematologic malignancies

We have conducted a direct comparison of the outcomes of reduced intensity and myeloablative conditioning in younger adults with hematological malignancies0.5x10(9)/L) occurred more rapidly in the reduced intensity group (median: 10 d; range: 0-21 d) than in the myeloablative group (median: 18 d; range: 11-38 d; p<0.0001). The incidence of grades 2-4 acute graft-vs.-host disease were similar between the reduced intensity and myeloablative groups, at 17% vs. 24% respectively (p=0.40). The cumulative incidence of day 100 non-relapse mortality was 18% in the reduced intensity group, and 21% in the myeloablative group (p=0.88). The overall two-yr survival rates were 43% in the reduced intensity group, and 35% in the myeloablative group (p=0.72). In conclusion, reduced intensity transplantation yielded outcomes comparable with those of myeloablative transplantation in patients under 50 with hematological malignancies