• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2006

Purpose: Efficacy of the new rotavirus vaccines ($Rotarix^{(R)}$, $RotaTeq^{(R)}$) recently developed can be affected by the rotavirus genotypes prevalent in communities. We performed this study to identify the recent distribution of rotavirus genotypes prevalent in Jeju. Methods: Genotyping of human rotaviruses was performed using 81 samples collected from 154 inpatients and outpatients with rotavirus gastroenteritis at Cheju National University Hospital between July 2005 and June 2006. All six (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9) G serotypes were identified by amplification of segments of the gene for VP7 using the reverse transcription-polymerase reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The results of RT-PCR for 81 samples were all positive. G typing of the VP7 protein showed that G1 was the most dominant circulating genotype (65.5%) followed by G2 (14.8%), G3 (13.6%), G8 (1.2%), G9 (1.2%), G4 (0%), and a combination of G1/G3 (3.7%). Conclusion: This distribution of rotavirus VP7 genotypes in Jeju is different from that in other domestic areas; the most dominant circulating genotype was G1.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.495-501
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• 1999

Lactobacillus acidophilus KY 2104 was isolated from 41 healthy korean ($2{\sim}35\;age$, 26 man, 15 woman) feces to use as a probiotic lactic acid bacteria for functional foods, fermented milk and pharmaceutical products. L. acidophilus KY 2104 survived in the presence of acid and bile, and inhibited pathogens. It survived almost 100% in pH 3.0 phosphate buffer for 2 hr, and more than $10^4\;cfu/mL$ in pH 2.0 phosphate buffer when inoculated by $10^7\;cfu/mL$. It was also found to grow in MRS medium containing 0.5% oxgall. L. acidophilus KY 2104 exerted inhibitory effect against enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, when grown with each in associative cultures for 16 hr. As a result of acute toxicity of L. acidophilus KY 2104 in rats, there was no observation on motality, clinical signs, body weights and gross findings in the oral administration.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2019

Pueraria thomsonii Benth. as a medicinal ingredient, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat fever, acute dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The effects of P. thomsonii flower on skin have not been reported yet. In this study, the whitening effect of P. thomsonii flower was verified using B16F1 melanoma cells and HS68 fibroblasts. P. thomsonii flower extract reduced melanin contents of B16F1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To identify its active components, we analyzed P. thomsonii flower extract using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a result, we identified three major isoflavones of tectorigenin, tectoridin, and tectorigenin 7-O-xylosylglucoside. At a non-cytotoxic concentration, the three components also reduced melanin contents of B16F1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The depigmentation effects were attributed to the reduced gene expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). In order to elucidate another depigmentation mechanism, their effects on DKK-1, a fibroblast-derived depigmentation factor, was determined in HS68 cells. As a result, P. thomsonii flower extracts, tectoridin and tectorigenin 7-O-xylosylglucoside, reduced DKK-1 gene expression, while tectorigenin increased DKK-1 gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that tectorigenin can be used as an effective whitening agent that inhibit melanin synthesis in melanocytes and promote the secretion of depigmentation factor from fibroblasts.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.246-254
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• 2023

V. parahaemolyticus causes waterborne and foodborne disease such as acute diarrhea. In this study, V. parahaemolyticus isolates from seawater, fish tanks, and distributed fishery products in Jeju were investigated for potential toxin or species-specific genes (tdh, trh, tlh, and toxR) using RT-PCR and their genetic characteristics were analyzed using Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Overall, V. parahaemolyticus of 90 strains (36.7%), including 33 strains from seawater, 8 strains from fish tanks, and 50 strains from fishery products, were isolated from 245 samples. All V. parahaemolyticus strains did not detect the tdh gene, whereas all strains detected tlh or toxR genes. In addition, trh genes were detected in 3 strains from seawater and 1 strain from fishery products. Monthly quantitative testing of seawater revealed that V. parahaemolyticus was positively correlated with water temperature. The 90 strains of V. parahemolyticus obtained in this study showed by gene homology between types, ranging from 64.0-97.3%. Among these, thirteen types showed 100% homology between genes. These results indicate that continuous monitoring is needed to facilitate food poisoning epidemiological investigations because some isolated V. parahaemolyticus strains harbored toxin genes and V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from seawater, fish tanks, and distributed fishery products showed genetic similarity.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of intestinal ultrasonography (US) and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the early diagnosis of Henoch-Sch$\"{o}$nlein purpura (HSP) with the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms preceding the emergence of the skin lesion. Methods: The clinical, intestinal US and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic records of 85 patients (88 cases) with GI symptoms relating to HSP presenting between January 1999 and April 2001 were reviewed. Results: 1) GI symptoms were observed in 52 cases (59%) and skin, joint, renal and scrotal manifestations were observed in 88 (100%), 64 (73%), 15 (17%), 3 cases (3%) respectively. 2) Out of 52 cases with GI symptoms, abdominal pain was observed in all cases (100%). Positive stool occult blood, nausea and vomiting, abdominal tenderness, melena or tarry stool, diarrhea, hematemesis, rebound tenderness and rigidity were observed in 28 (50%), 17 (33%), 17 (33%), 12 (23%), 6 (12%), 4 (8%), 1 (2%) and 1 case (2%) respectively in order of frequency. 3) Intestinal US examination was performed in 27 cases with HSP and GI symptoms (52 cases). Out of 27 sonographic examinations 22 showed abnormal findings. Thickening of the duodeno-jejunal wall was observed in 16 cases (73%). Free peritoneal fluid, enlarged mesenteric lymph node, ileus and abnormal gall bladder were seen in 8 (36%), 8 (36%), 4 (18%) and 1 case (5%) respectively. In three cases of HSP without GI symptoms, those changes were absent. 4) In all of five cases with HSP and GI symptoms, endoscopic study showed mucosal edema and multiple hemorrhagic erosions especially at the second portion of the duodenum. Biopsy specimens from the duodenum of 2 cases out of 5 endoscopic examinations showed acute inflammatory infiltrates in the mucosa with hemorrhage. 5) Both intestinal US and endoscopic studies were performed in 4 cases with HSP and GI symptoms simultaneously. Out of 4 those cases, 3 cases showed the thickened duodeno-jejunal wall on the intestinal US, which suggested erosive hemorrhagic duodenitis by endoscopic findings. Conclusion: The typical but nonpathognomonic intestinal US findings including the thickening of the duodeno-jejunal wall and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings including hemorrhagicerosive duodenitis, in children with GI symptoms, should be considered a manifestation of HSP, even in the absence of skin lesion.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 1997

Purpose : Recently a shift in hepatitis A incidence from children to adults has been well noted. We experienced under 15-years old 31 patients who presented hepatitis A infection. In order to prepare for the prevention on hepatitis A outbreak in the future, we studied the clinical and epidemiologic manifestations of these patients. Methods : We enrolled patients from July to December in 1996 (6 months) and evaluated the monthly incidence, geographical distribution, age and sex, and clinical manfestations, including laboratory fadings. Results : Many cases of hepatitis A occured in the summer months, especially August (16/31 cases). Most of patients (87%) were living in the Seo-Ku area (northwest district of the city). In age distribution, there were no cases under 3 years of age, 3 cases from 4~5 years, 13 cases from 6~10 years, 15 cases from 11~15 years. Clinical profiles showed that dark urine, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue were the common presenting symptoms. The initial presenting laboratory tests included total bilirubin 3.3mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase of 856units/L, and serum asparate aminotransferase and alanine aminolransferase levels of 910IU/L and 1239IU/L, respectively. No patient presented atypical clinical courses or complications. Conclusions : Hepatitis A in children shows benign clinical features. This study showed that the possibility of another outbreak of Hepatitis A in the TaeJon area or elsewhere in the near future Korea will be possible. To prevent an outbreak we will be concerned about the anti-HAV IgG prevalance rate in children and preventive modalities including vaccination against hepatitis A.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the clinical and epidemiological changes after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in Korea, as well as to determine the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine among hospitalized rotaviral gastroenteritis patients over the past two years. Methods: We analyzed yearly and seasonal patterns of 1,165 inpatients who were hospitalized for rotaviral gastroenteritis under the age of 5 years between 2006 and 2013. We also conducted a survey among 460 gastroenteritis patients who were hospitalized between 2012 and 2013 regarding the rotavirus vaccination and the symptoms of gastroenteritis. Among those individuals surveyed, clinical indices were analyzed for 124 patients who were tested positive for the rotavirus antigen. Results: The incidence of Rotaviral gastroenteritis have decreased significantly by year 2010. After the introduction and widespread dissemination of the rotavirus vaccine, the onset of the disease and the seasonal peak have been delayed. Overall, the vaccinated group showed a lower rate of positivity than the unvaccinated group. Among the hospitalized rotaviral gastroenteritis patients, the vaccinated group had a shorter hospitalization period, less severe clinical symptoms of gastroenteritis, and better laboratory test results. Conclusions: After introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in Korea, there were two main trends observed: 1) the overall level of disease incidence was reduced; 2) the severity of rotaviral gastroenteritis cases also decreased. Based on this data, more children should receive vaccination in order to prevent the rotavirus infection and decrease the severity of rotaviral gastroenteritis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2007

Purpose : Human bocavirus (HBoV) was recently identified world widely in clinical specimens from infants and children with respiratory tract illness, but the role of HBoV in respiratory tract illnesses is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and the clinical manifestation of HBoV in pediatric patients. Methods : We retrospectively investigated 1,777 throat swab obtained between 2005 and 2006 from pediatric in-patients with acute respiratory tract diseases at the Kwang-ju Christian Hospital. The medical records of patients with positive results were reviewed for demographic and clinical data of HBoV infections. Results : HBoV DNA was found in 84 (4.7%) of the 1,777 hospitalized children and the mean age was 19 months. The most common diagnosis were pneumonia (67.8%), bronchiolitis (35.7%). HBoV infections were found year-round, though most occurred in spring and winter months. Conclusion : HBoV is frequently found in hospitalized infants and children with acute respiratory tract diseases in Korea, but an association of HBoV with a distinct respiratory tract manifestation was not apparent. To clarify the clinical significance of HBoV, further evaluation of various age groups and clinical groups is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2006

Purpose : Human metapneumovirus(hMPV) is a respiratory viral pathogen that causes a wide spectrum of illnesses, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe bronchiolitis. The virus has been identified world widely, but so far it has not been published in Korea. Methods : We obtained clinical samples by nasopharyngeal aspiration from 218 children hospitalized due to acute lower respiratory tract infections at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Cheonan from October, 2004 to April, 2005. We designed specific primers from conserved region of fusion glycoprotein of hMPV. Total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed, and single specific 423 bp product was obtained. The PCR product was confirmed to be fusion glycoprotein RNA by sequencing. Results : We detected hMPV in 15(6.9 percent) of the 218 hospitalized children. The infected children comprised nine boys and six girls; their mean age was 2.8 years(5 mo-12 yrs) and they were diagnosed with pneumonia(60 percent), bronchiolitis(33.3 percent), croup(6.6 percent). The number of cases of detected hMPV in Korea increased dramatically during the period from March to May 2005. Conclusion : hMPV is circulating in Korean children and is associated with respiratory tract infection. Additional studies are required to define the epidemiology and the extent of diseases in the general population caused by hMPV.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2009

Purpose : Clinical and laboratory findings predict a severe outcome for mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with hyponatremia and to determine the factors associated with its development. Methods : Retrospective studies were performed on 114 KD patients who received an initial high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, single 2 g/kg/dose) within 10 days of fever onset from January 2006 to February 2008. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 (26.3%) patients with hyponatremia, and group 2 consisted of 84 (73.6%) patients without hyponatremia. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings were compared between the groups. Results : Group 1 patients were more likely to have a coronary artery lesion (53.3% versus 20.2%, P=0.005) and suffered from diarrhea (41.3% versus 14.1%, P=0.007). There was a higher incidence of cardiovascular involvement in group 1 patients, including coronary dilatation (46.6%), valvular regurgitation (13.3%), pericardial effusion (6.7%) and medium-sized aneurysm (6.7%). There were no coronary aneurysms in group 2 patients. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in patients with hyponatremia ($12.2{\pm}7.79$ mg/dL versus $7.3{\pm}4.7$ mg/dL, P=0.003) and IVIG-resistant patients were more common in group 1 (13.3% versus 3.6%). Conclusion : These results indicate that hyponatremia in KD occurs in patients exhibiting severe inflammation and was significantly associated with the development of coronary disease. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathogenic mechanisms of hyponatremia in KD patients.