• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.672-676
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• 2006

Purpose : Low dose aspirin is used due to its antiplatelet effect for the subacute phase of Kawasaki disease(KD). It is usually used for 6-8 weeks, then various hematologic laboratory tests and follow up echocardiography for evaluating coronary abnormalities are performed. Our review investigated the usefulness of various follow up laboratory tests performed at 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Methods : Two hundred eighty-two children diagnosed and hospitalized with KD were identified by reviewing patient's charts. Cases which were diagnosed between January 1997 and December 2004 were included in this study. We reviewed laboratory data including leukocytes, platelet counts, antistreptolysin O(ASO), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), urinalysis, and echocardiograms performed at admission and 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Paired t-test and Fisher's exact test, as well as logistic regression tests, were used for the statistical analysis. Results : At 6th week data, ESR and CRP were still elevated in 35(12.4 percent) and 12(4.3 percent) patients, respectively. Sterile pyuria were all normalized. But, 36 patients(12.8 percent) showed thrombocytosis, 22(7.8 percent) elevated AST, 15(5.3 percent) leukocytosis, and 6(2.1 percent) coronary abnormalities. Coronary abnormalities at the 6th week were only shown in patients with initial abnormalites. Younger age and initial thrombocytosis were risk factors for thrombocytosis at the 6th week. Conclusion : All children with initial coronary abonormalites should have an echocardiogram at 6 weeks after the onset of fever. In view of case-effectiveness, additional echocardiographic studies are justified only if abnormalities are present at admission. ESR, CRP, and urinalysis performed at the 6 weeks after onset of KD is not significant for clinical information of progression. Platelet count should be estimated at 6th week for a judgement of continuous antiplatelet therapy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 1996

Differentiation of invasive strains of Entamoebn histolytica according to their pathogenicity has been a topic of long debate, but now the pathogenic species only is regarded as E. histolytica while the non-pathogenic species is E. dispar. The present study applied immunoblot to differentiale infections of the two species among microscopically- detected cyst-passers in Korea. The crude extract of 5. histolyticn separated in 5-20% gradient gels, revealed many fractions of 94. 81. 71, 50. 44, 38.5. 37.5, 29, 19. and 18 kDa when the cysteine proteinase inhibitor. E64, was supplemented. The serum IgG antibody of 3 proven E. histolytirc cases reacted loth the antigenic fractions of 117. 110. 99.68,66,60.54.52, 46. and 45 kDa. Sera of PCR confirmed 3 cases of E. disper reacted only to the 117 kDa fraction or the E. histolytica crude extract which was regarded as non specific. To the antitigen of monoxenic E. dispar. sera or E. dispar and E. histolytica cases showed the same immunoblot reactions. The serum IgG antibody reacted with several antigenic fractions of both E. histolytica and E. dispar. but IgM and IgE antibodies showed no reaction to either antigen. Sera of 24 symptomless amebic cyst-passers were screened with the E. histolytica alltigen; two were found to be infected by E. histolytica and 22 were by E. dispar. The present findings suggest that in Korea most of asymptomatic cyst passers of E. histolytica are carriers of E. dispar. Immunoblot using E. histolytica antigen is a good technique for the differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar infections.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2005

Shoots of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC.) derived from in vitro germinated seeds were cultured on MS medium containing $0.1\;\cal{mg/L}$ NAA under various photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) 33, 66, and $99\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ with or without membrane filter. Number of air exchanges per hour (NAEH) of the culture vessel with membrane filter on the lid was $4.9 h^{-1}$ and that without membrane filter was $0.1 h^{-1}$ Plantlets grown in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH showed greater growth than in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH. According to increase of PPF, plantlets growth decreased in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH while it increased in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH. At the same PPF, fresh weight and sugar content in plantlets in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH were above 1.9, 2.0 times higher than those in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH, respectively. Also they were enhanced in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH by increase of PPF whereas no significance in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH. The percentage of water content of plantlets in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH was $4.2\~5.5\%$ lower than those in $0.1 h^{-1}$ and no difference in PPF. The content of total chlorophyll in plantlets in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH was higher $0.27\~0.79\;\cal{mg/g}$ F.W. than that in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH. By increase of PPF, it was decreased in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH while had no significant difference in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH. Guard and subsidiary cells of leaves in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH were more developed than in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH. Especially, in $99\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ leaves in $0.1 h^{-1}$ NAEH had undeveloped subsidiary cells and wide open stomata whereas those in $4.9 h^{-1}$ NAEH had well-developed subsidiary cells.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2009

Background: As cardiovascular operations become more complex and sophisticated, there is an increasing need for various bioprostheses for use as components of blood vessels and heart valves. We developed a fatigue stimuli test instrument to objectively evaluate the mechanical durability of a bioprosthesis, and we tested several currently known processing methods for bovine pericardium and we then compared the results. Material and Method: Fresh bovine pericardium was collected at the butcher shop with using aseptic technique, and each piece of pericardium was fixated and/or decellularized by 16 representative methods. We measured the permeability and compliance of the processed bovine pericardium samples, and measured them again after exposure to the fatigue stimuli. All the pieces of pericardium underwent microscopic examinations before and after the fatigue stimuli. Result: A mixture of glutaraldehyde and solvent treatment showed better mechanical durability than did the single glutaraldehyde treatment. High concentration glutaraldehyde treatment showed equal or no worse results than did low concentration glutaraldehyde treatment. After SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate) decellularization, the mechanical property of the bioprosthesis became much worse ($20{\sim}190$ times) and the mechanical durability to the fatigue stimuli was also very poor. Conclusion: We obtained the basic durability data after various fixation methods with using a home-made fatigue test instrument.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2006

Total 150 packs of UHT milk and UHT-ESL milk, produced by different domestic milk companies, were compared at refrigerated and room temperature for 35 days in terms of microbiological qualities such as incidence date, number of incidence packs, and numbers of bacteria, and post-pasteurization contamination. Overall qualities of UHT-ESL milk were slightly better than that of UHT milk in relations to total bacteria in milk. No coliforms were detected in two groups of UHT milk samples after 35 days. Aerobic spores were more common in two brands of UHT milks stored in 20$^{\circ}$C than those in 7$^{\circ}$C, in which spores were broken out at 7 and 14 day. No incidences of thermoduric bacteria were founded until 14 days in two groups of UHT milks, but high level of counts (<300${\sim}$<3,000 CFU/ml) after 21 days at 20$^{\circ}$C and 40${\sim}$3,600 CFU/ml at 7$^{\circ}$C were detected, respectively. Psychrotrophic bacteria were higher in UHT milk than in UHT-ESL milk, in which began to detect at 28 days. No post-pasteurization contamination by salmonella spp. and staphylococcus aureus were found throughout the experimental periods. One may conclude that the shelf life of UHT milk under cold-chains system can be extended up to 21days, as long as UHT treated milk are filled in sterilized containers by aseptic packaging system.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2014

GRAS probiotics can be used to modulate intestinal microbiota and to alleviate various gastrointestinal disorders. In several recent studies, researchers have explored the potential expansion and usability of probiotics to reduce the risk factors associated with diseases, including obesity, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia, and oxidative stress. In this review, our aim was to clarify the mechanism underlying interactions between hosts (animal or human) and probiotics and the beneficial effects of probiotics on human health.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.946-952
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• 2005

Purpose : Vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE) are now nosocomial pathogens in Korea. But little is known about the prevalence of stool colonization with VRE in neonates in Korea. So we studied the prevalence and risk factors of VRE colonization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU). Methods : From January 2000 to December 2004, the medical records of 294 neonates(127 cases of VRE group and 167 cases of non-VRE group, according to the results of stool culture) were reviewed retrospectively. We studied the annual prevalence of VRE and risk factors of VRE colonization in neonates. Results : From 2000 to 2003, the prevalence rate of VRE in NICU increased. After preventing VRE transmission, the prevalence rate of VRE has decreased. Conclusion : VRE colonization increased recently. Risk factors of VRE colonization were prematurity, lower birth weight, longer hospitalization and use of vancomycin or 3rd generation cephalosporin, compared with the non-VRE group. To prevent VRE transmission among newborns, aggressive infection control strategies by NICU staffs must be implemented immediately for all babies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.953-959
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• 2005

Purpose : The administration of total parenteral nutrition(TPN) has become a standard procedure in the management of nutritionally deprived and critically low birth weight neonates. Sepsis remains the most frequent serious complication during TPN, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and complications of percutaneous central venous catheterization(PCVC) in very low birth weight infants. Methods : A total of 56 very low birth weight infants below 1,500 g during the period from January 1998 to December 2003 were enrolled and their medical records reviewed. Study group(n=32) included the babies who had undergone PCVC and a control group(n=24) included babies who had not undergone PCVC. We compared the study group with the control group for factors such as subject characteristics and catheter-related complications. Results : There was no difference in subject characteristics, such as birth weight, gestational week, respiratory distress syndrome, duration of ventilator therapy, duration from tube to complete oral feeding, days at TPN and its total duration, body weight at discontinuation of TPN and the days taken to reach to 2,000 g. However, the morbidity rate due to patent ductus arterious, chronic lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, osteopenia, cholestasis, and sepsis showed no difference. The study group with infants below 1,000 g showed a higher incidence of sepsis compared to the control group of the same weight group. The study group with infants between 1,000 to 1,500 g showed significantly higher incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage and took longer reach the a body weight of 2,000 g. Conclusion : Considering the high incidence of sepsis in the PCVC group, every attempt should be made to minimize the length of TPN therapy and encourage early enteral feeding. We also recommend the use of PCVC carefully in patients requiring prolonged nutritional support.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.1186-1193
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• 2006

Purpose : Enterovirus infection is a type of viral infection that occurs relatively frequently in children during summer. It has clinical symptoms of non-specific fever, aseptic encephalomeningitis, gastrointestinal diseases, skin rash and, hand-foot-mouth disease. However, it can also occcaisionally, result in fatal symptoms like myocarditis, epicardial inflammation, transverse myelitis, quadriplegia and etc. There have been epidemic enterovirus studies, but not in the Chungnam area. Therefore, we undertook this study in order to comprehend the cause viruses in this area. Methods: We enlisted 157 children hospitalized with enteroviral infections at Soonchunhyang University hospital in Cheonan between May and August 2005. Cerebrospinal fluids or feces were collected during the acute phase after hospitalization, and observed the cytopathic effects caused by enterovirus and using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results : The number of children hospitalized due to possible enteroviral infection during the period of study was 157. The number of children who tested positive with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction totalled 32 cases (20.4 percent). Among the children with entroviral diseases, 20 were male and 12 were female, thus the sex ratio of male to female was 1.67:1. Their clinical symptoms included fever most frequently (93.7 percent), was followed by headaches (90.0 percent), meningeal irritation signs (65.0 percent), and abdominal pain (30.0 percent). As for the type of isolated enterovirus, there were 17 cases of echovirus 18 and 6 cases of coxsackievirus B5. Furthermore, there were 2 cases of echovirus 9, 1 case of coxsackievirus A6 and coxsackievirus B3, respectively. But 5 cases were not determined by genotype. Conclusion : Echovirus 18 is circulating in Korea. We reported on identified enteroviruses, including echovirus 18, using RT-PCR in the Chungnam area during the summer of 2005.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

Purpose : Although the incidence of polymicrobial bloodstream infection (PBSI) has increased, only a few studies have so far focused on children. Therefore, in an effort to prevent more serious situations in pediatric patients, we analyzed the clinical features, organisms, and laboratory results of PBSI. Methods : We performed a retrospective review of the case records of 97 patients with polymicrobial bloodstream infection in the Severance hospital, from 2001 to 2008. Using t-test and chi-square test, we analyzed the underlying medical conditions, clinical characteristics, organisms, and laboratory results of those patients. Results : Annual incidence of polymicrobial bloodstream infection increased from 1.4 % in 2001 to 10.9% in 2008 in pediatric patients. Immunocompromised hemato-oncological malignancy was found in 31 (31.9%) patients, and was the most common underlying medical condition; cardiovascular disease was found in 15 patients (15.4%), neurologic disease in 10 patients (10.3%), and so on. Gram positive organisms were recovered in 143 cases and gram negative organisms were recovered in 101 cases of PBSI. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common organism. Factors affecting mortality included underlying medical disease, immune status, nosocomial infection, and central catheter-related infection, for which the rate of mortality showed a greater increase (P<0.05). Conclusion : Due to the close connection between PBSI and fatal conditions or high mortality, it requires more aggressive management. Compared with previous studies, we discovered that immunocompromised hemato-oncological malignancy was the most common underlying medical condition and that frequency of gram-positive bacteria and fungus isolated has increased.