• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.617-622
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• 2006

Purpose : High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) has been recognized as a very useful and sensitive predictor of the future risk of myocardial infarction. But the clinical significance of hs-CRP in children remains uncertain. To confirm the existence of obesity-induced vascular inflammation and the association between metabolic syndromes and elevation of CRP in children, we investigated the relationship among CRP, obesity, blood pressure(BP), and serum lipids in schoolboys. Methods : Twenty-eight obese(BMI $29.61{\pm}3.29kg/m^2$) and 93 non-obese(BMI $18.99{\pm}2.21kg/m^2$) boys aged 14 years were examined. Serum CRP levels was measured by the high sensitive latex turbidimetric immunoassay and subjects with CRP levels below 0.3 mg/dL were adopted to avoid the influence of acute infection. Results : Obese children had significantly higher hs-CRP levels than their non-obese group($0.104{\pm}0.075$ vs. $0.054{\pm}0.005mg/dL$). In the obese group, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, atherogenic index, and triglyceride were significantly higher than in nonobese. The BMI, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein E, atherognic index, and triglyceride showed positive correlation with log CRP by simple regression. Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. Conclusion : This study revealed that obese children tended to have higher levels of serum hsCRP, BP elevation and dyslipidemia than the control group and that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. These results indicate that obesity related metabolic syndrome can be developed in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.597-603
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• 2008

Purpose : Obesity is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and the presence of pro-inflammatory mediators are thought to cause a state of vascular endothelial dysfunction, an abnormal lipid profile, hypertension, and vascular inflammation. These chronic inflammatory responses, which are characterized by abnormal cytokine production, lead to activation of a pro-inflammatory signaling pathway. Leptin is an important mediator of inflammatory processes and immune-mediated diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leptin and various cytokines associated with obesity in adolescents. Methods : Sixty-six obese adolescents (between 16-17 years of age, obesity index >130%) and 26 normal controls were included in this study. Obesity index and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Serum lipid profile, AST and ALT were tested after 10 hours of fasting. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured by ELISA. Insulin, adiponectin, and leptin levels were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Results : Leptin was significantly higher in the obese adolescents compared to the control adolescents ($12.0{\pm}6.8ng/mL$ vs $6.3{\pm}1.0ng/mL$). TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and insulin were significantly higher in the obese adolescents. Adiponectin was significantly lower in the obese group than the control group ($3.3{\pm}1.9{\mu}g/mL$ vs $5.0{\pm}1.4{\mu}g/mL$). Leptin had positive correlations with obesity index, BMI, and IL-6. Conclusion : In obese adolescents, leptin, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and insulin might be important mediators of obesity. Further clinical research is necessary to ascertain leptin as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases and to develop a guideline for clinical intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.44-48
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• 2015

The equations of hydrocarbon dew points(DT) of the fuel gas mixtures have been derived using the multiple regression analysis. In QSDR(Quantitative Structure Dew-point Relationship), the principal descriptors are CN(average carbon number) and BI(the ratio of the branched isomers). QSDRs studied by changing the pressures of the fuel gas mixtures in the range of 100 kPa ~ 500 kPa are as follows; $$DT(^{\circ}C)=-683.1+1224.98CN-898.01CN^2+308.58CN^3-49.56CN^4+3.02CN^5-12.42BI$$ (at 100 kPa, $$R_{adj}{^2}=0.99$$) (1) $$DT(^{\circ}C)=-745.2+1351.66CN-978.1CN^2+332.7CN^3-52.96CN^4+3.20CN^5-12.84BI$$ (at 200 kPa, $$R_{adj}{^2}=0.99$$) (2) $$DT(^{\circ}C)=-795.4+1457.1CN-1051.1CN^2+357.53CN^3-57.07CN^4+3.46CN^5-13.10BI$$ (at 300 kPa, $$R_{adj}{^2}=0.99$$) (3) $$DT(^{\circ}C)=-868.1+1608.4CN-1156.0CN^2+393.38CN^3-63.06CN^4+3.85CN^5-13.39BI$$ (at 500 kPa, $$R_{adj}{^2}=0.99$$) (4) As the average carbon numbers in the mixed fuel being reduced or the ratio of the branched isomers having a boiling point lower increase, The hydrocarbon dew point becomes lower, The differences between the hydrocarbon-dew points determined by the multiple regression and those calculated by the commercial program, VMGSim are negligible.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.209-221
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of climate change on the nonpoint source pollution in a small watershed using a mid-range model. The study area is a basin in a rural area that covers 384 ha with a composition of 50% forest and 19% paddy. The hydrologic and water quality data were monitored from 1996 to 2004, and the feasibility of the GWLF (Generalized Watershed Loading function) model was examined in the agricultural small watershed using the data obtained from the study area. As one of the studies on climate change, KEI (Korea Environment Institute) has presented the monthly variation ratio of rainfall in Korea based on the climate change scenario for rainfall and temperature. These values and observed daily rainfall data of forty-one years from 1964 to 2004 in Suwon were used to generate daily weather data using the stochastic weather generator model (WGEN). Stream runoff was calibrated by the data of $1996{\sim}1999$ and was verified in $2002{\sim}2004$. The results were determination coeff, ($R^2$) of $0.70{\sim}0.91$ and root mean square error (RMSE) of $2.11{\sim}5.71$. Water quality simulation for SS, TN and TP showed $R^2$ values of 0.58, 0.47 and 0.62, respectively, The results for the impact of climate change on nonpoint source pollution show that if the factors of watershed are maintained as in the present circumstances, pollutant TN loads and TP would be expected to increase remarkably for the rainy season in the next fifty years.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2016

This study aimed to analyze the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measured in acute infection within four weeks post artificial joint surgery to predict potential infection in early stages, provide rapid treatment, and prevent the abuse of antibiotics. This study included 50 patients with acute infection and 50 patients without any symptoms of infection, among patients who received artificial joint replacement surgery on the lower limbs in a four-week period. CRP was the highest two-to-three days after surgery. with $5.77{\pm}3.69$ and $5.17{\pm}3.48$, respectively, in those with infection and without infection. Thereafter, the value rapidly reduced in those without infection. However, it increased again to $3.16{\pm}2.87$ in the group with infection according to the bimodal curve (p<0.001). ESR was the highest two-to-three days after surgery, with $58.8{\pm}24.63$ and $44.08{\pm}21.48$, respectively. Thereafter, the value slowly reduced in those without infection. However, it was increased again to $47.62{\pm}26.26$ in those with infection according to the bimodal curve p<0.001). As this study shows, if there is an increasing trend for CRP and ESR after artificial joint replacement surgery, it may be possible to question whether patients are acutely infected post surgery. In particular, this result is expected and regarded as a useful factor for diagnosing infection due to the high level of sensitivity and uniqueness for CRP.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.865-870
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• 2005

Purpose : The use of growth hormone(GH) to promote growth in normal short children without classical GH deficiency is controversial. Numerous foreign studies have shown the effects of GH therapy in children with idiopathic short stature(ISS) whereas few has been interested in Korea. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of GH therapy on ISS by observing correlations and changes among various growth parameters such as, insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3). Methods : This study was conducted retrospectively with 15 children with ISS in Chungbuk National University Hospital in Korea. Mean age was $11.44{\pm}2.81$ and the children were treated with 0.66 IU/kg/wk dosage of GH for 1 or 2 years. Also, the growth parameters before and after the GH therapy were observed. Results : Height standard deviation score(HT-SDS) was increased from $-1.85{\pm}0.70$ to $-1.58{\pm}0.56$ at 1 year and to $-1.21{\pm}0.37$ at 2 years after GH therapy. Predicted adult height standard deviation score(PAH-SDS) was also increased from $-2.10{\pm}0.52$ to $-1.67{\pm}0.59$ at 1 year, and to $-0.96{\pm}0.60$ at 2 years. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly increased after 1 year and marginally increased after 2 years of GH therapy. Conclusion : It is concluded that GH therapy has growth promoting effect. The significant increase in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels during the GH therapy suggests that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are useful predictors of response to the use of GH therapy. It is expected that larger patient samples would provide more reliable information about the effect of GH therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.766-771
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• 2005

Purpose : Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma; therefore interruption of cysteinyl leukotrienes by leukotriene receptor antagonists improves clinical symptoms in the management of patients with mild to moderate asthma. We evaluated whether clinical response to montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in childhood asthma was predicted by genotypes of leukotriene $C_4$ synthase($LTC_4S$) promoter gene polymorphism. Methods : An 8-week prospective, open trial of montelukast was carried out in 161 children with mild to moderate asthma. Genotyping of $LTC_4S$ gene polymorphism was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results : The distribution of the $LTC_4S$ genotypes AA, AC, and CC was 70.8 percent, 23.6 percent, and 5.6 percent, respectively in asthma group and 74.0 percent, 22.6 percent, and 3.4 percent, respectively in control group. A statistically significant difference in the distribution of $LTC_4S$ genotype was not observed between the asthma and the control groups, and there was no significant difference between the $LTC_4S$ genotype and asthma severity. The responders to montelukast were significantly prevalent in the mild asthma group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the responders compared to non-responders within genotype in the total asthma group or the moderate asthma group. However, the responsiveness for montelukast was significant difference within genotype for both AA and AC/CC in the mild asthma group : The AA genotype was more included in the responder group(P<0.05). Conclusion : In the mild persistent asthma group, the A allele of $LTC_4S$ polymorphism may be regarded as a predictable factor for clinical response to montelukast. However, LTC4S polymorphism was not significantly associated with the clinical response to montelukast in asthmatic children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.811-816
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• 2003

Purpose : Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology with a predilection for the coronary arteries. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is a cytokine which promotes vascular permeability and angiogenesis. We investigated serum VEGF(sVEGF) levels in Kawasaki disease to determine whether sVEGF level can be used as a risk factor to predict the occurrence of coronary artery lesions(CAL) in Kawasaki disease. Methods : We measured sVEGF levels in 11 patients with Kawasaki disease in acute phase(patient group)and 11 normal children(control group) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. We investigated the relationship between sVEGF levels and the lumen diameters of coronary artery and other potential CAL risk factors; duration of fever, hemoglobin, WBC counts, platelet counts, ESR, CRP and LDH levels. Results : SVEGF levels of patients in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease(mean $847.9{\pm}495.7pg/mL$) were significantly higher than that of normal controls(mean $279.9{\pm}150.6pg/mL$; P<0.05). SVEGF levels showed significant positive correlation with the lumen diameters of the coronary artery(P<0.05, $r_s=0.75$) in the patient group. There was no significant correlation between sVEGF levels and duration of fever or other laboratory measurements. Conclusion : Our results support the notion that sVEGF level may be considered as a predictive indicator for the occurrence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.593-600
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• 2007

Recent studies described the ${\varepsilon}4$ allele of apoE confers a two-to fourfold increased risk for late-onset Alzheimer#s disease (LOAD), but LOAD pathology does not all fit neatly around apo E. Therefore, the goal of this study was to find the association between Alzheimer and apo E4 genotype in the 107 elderly between 50 to 64 years old who visited to FHWC of Sungshin Women#s University. We conducted the questionnaire survey (general & 24 hr dietary recall), anthropometerics (BP, waist & BMI) and blood biochemistry (FBS & lipid profiles). LDL-c and HOMA-IR were calculated by Friedwald#s and Matthew#s formulas. The apo E genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method and subjects were divided into three allele groups (${\varepsilon}3$; wild, ${\varepsilon}2$ & ${\varepsilon}4;$ mutants). The apo E allele frequencies were 7.0% for the ${\varepsilon}2$, 83.6% for the ${\varepsilon}3$ and 9.3% for the ${\varepsilon}4$. In comparison with biochemistry characteristics by apo E genotype, FBS was significantly higher in ${\varepsilon}4(129.2{\pm}6.8)$ than that in the others (${\varepsilon}2$: $117{\pm}7.4$, ${\varepsilon}3$: $107.3{\pm}2.2)$ (p<0.01). More than forty percents of ${\varepsilon}4$ group shown the dyslipidemia [high TG (>150mg/dl) & low HDL (<40 mg/dl:male or <50 mg/dl: female)]. The cytokines levels such as IL-1 ${\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were not different among three apoE alleles. After the adjusting sex, age & dietary fiber, LDL-c level was siginificantly higher in ${\varepsilon}4$ ($108.3{\pm}7.7$) than that in ${\varepsilon}2$ ($100.4{\pm}8.4$) (p<0.05). According to food intake and the recipe on the basis of 24 hr dietary recall, the elder]y with ${\varepsilon}4$ allele took higher intake frequency of the light -colored vegetable (radish, onion & cabbage) and pan-fried foods (sauteed beef and vegetables, stir-fried vienna with vegetables) than the others. We knew that the elderly with ${\varepsilon}4$ allele had been restricted the calories intakes with high dietary fiber (33.6+2.5 g/d) to maintain the normal level of FBS and LDL-c. On next study, the prevalence of Alzheimer#s disease in this population who has ${\varepsilon}4$ allele on the condition of calories restriction will be continually follow-up.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2008

Objective: This study was performed to investigate whether cumulus morphology and oocyte diameter influence on in vitro maturation (IVM) of human germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes obtained from stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Methods: Forty-one GV stage oocytes were obtained from 21 patients who received ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF. According to cumulus morphology before denudation, GV oocytes were classified into oocytes with dispersed cumulus cells (CCs) or compacted CCs. The diameters of denuded oocytes, both including and excluding the zona pellucida, were measured. All oocytes were cultured in commercial IVM medium. Maturation was defined as extrusion of the first polar body and the matured oocytes were inseminated by ICSI method. Results: Overall maturation and fertilization rate were 56.1% and 73.9%. Matured oocytes had significantly higher proportion of oocytes with dispersed CCs compared to oocytes failed to mature (91.3% vs. 55.6%, p=0.023). There were no significant differences of oocytes outer ($155.7{\mu}m$ vs. $152.4{\mu}m$, NS), inner ($114.3{\mu}m$ vs. $113.4{\mu}m$, NS) diameters and zona thicknesses ($41.3{\mu}m$ vs. $39.1{\mu}m$, NS) between matured and not-matured oocytes. In-vitro maturation rate of oocytes with dispersed CCs was significantly higher than which of oocytes with compacted CCs (67.7% vs. 20.0%, p=0.044). Oocyte diameters (outer and inner) and thicknesses were not related with maturational competence. Conclusion: Our results suggest that in vitro maturational competence of GV stage oocytes obtained from stimulated IVF cycles is closely associated with the cumulus morphology but not oocyte diameter.