• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate epidemiological data of pathogens obtained from stool exams and compare them with the clinical course in pediatric patients with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. Methods : Subjects were selected from patients presenting with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis who visited the outpatient clinic or who were admitted to the Dankook University Hospital from December of 2004 to December of 2005. Stool exams for 17 pathogens was performed. RT-PCR was used to detect norovirus and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) was used to detect rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus in the subjects stool samples. Ten different species of bacteria(Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Clostridium perfrigens, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Vibrio spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Yersinia spp., and L. monocytogenes) were each selectively cultivated and enzyme immunoassays(EIA) was used to test for antigens for C. parvum, E. histolytica and G. lamblia. Retrospective chart review was performed for comparisons of clinical manifestations. Results : A total of 215 subjects was selected and of these 89 cases(41.4%) showed positive results for at least one pathogen. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Age distribution showed 4 cases less than one month(4.5%), 4 cases from 1~2 months(4.5%), 24 cases from 3~12 months(26.7%), 47 cases form 13~48 months(52.8%), 10 cases greater than 48 months (21.2%). Viruses showed the greatest proportion of cases with 68 subjects(77.5%), of these rotavirus being the most commonly reported in 50 cases. Bacteria was identified in 26 cases (29.2%), of these nontyphoidal salmonella was noted in 10 cases. Protozoa followed with 21 cases(23.6%), of these C. parvum was noted in 11 cases and G. lamblia was noted in 10 cases. Mixed infections with more than two pathogens were seen in 22 cases(24.7%), of these viral infection with accompanying parasitic infection was seen in 12(54.5%) cases. Conclusion : In this study we examined various pathogens known to cause acute gastroenteritis in children. Further studies for various pathogens can provide useful information for management of the acute gastroenteritis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.226-232
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of leptin on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in childhood obesity. Methods: A total of 50 male children (25 obese and 25 controls) were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic at the Chosun University Hospital from November 1st 2005 to May 30th 2006. BMI, body fat percentage, serum leptin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), C-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (CICP), total deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (total DPD) were measured. The correlations of leptin with BMI, body fat percentage, B-ALP, CICP, total DPD were analyzed by Pearson's correlation. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis, leptin after correction for body weight was evaluated if there was a correlation with biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption respectively. Results: The leptin levels of the obese group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p=0.012). In the obese group, the leptin level was significantly positively correlated with the BMI (r=0.551, p=0.01) and the percentage of body fat (r=0.584, p=0.018). In the obese group, of bone markers, B-ALP (r=-0.613, p=0.026) and CICP (r=-0.583, p=0.037) were negatively correlated with leptin. B-ALP (r=-0.728, p=0.007) and CICP (r=-0.684, p=0.014) were negatively correlated with leptin when corrected for body weight. In the control group, bone markers were not correlated with leptin. In the multiple stepwise regression analyses, there was a negative correlation between the leptin and B-ALP (Y=-39.653X+356.341, p=0.026), CICP (Y=-13.437X+ 116.013, p=0.037) respectively in the obese group. Conclusion: Leptin was a significant factor in the bone formation but not in bone resorption in childhood obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.776-785
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• 2008

Maternal stress was one of the common symptoms that pregnant women could have experienced during pregnant period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of maternal stress with maternal nutrients intake and pregnancy outcome. Subjects were 248 pregnant women and were recruited at two hospitals in Seoul area. Individual stress levels were divided by the stress scores (total 41 scores), as low stressed group (< 12) and high stressed group (${\geqq}12$). The social characteristics, nutrient intake, anthropometric measurements and pregnancy outcome were compared between low stressed group (LSG) and high stressed group (HSG) to recognize risk factor of maternal stress. We found that subjects experience stress by various factors which were concern about newborn (40.4%), concern about health (28.8%), economic difficulties (13.2%), depress (10.1%), family relationship (2.9%), concern of house work (2.5%), human relationship (2%). In HSG, unemployed rate (p < 0.05) and pre-pregnancy BMI (p < 0.05) were higher than in LSG. Family size in HSG was larger than that in LSG (p < 0.01). Doing regular exercise with the light activity level was significantly higher in LSG (p < 0.05). The nutrient intake in LSG was slightly higher than that in HSG, but not statistically significant. Pregnancy outcome was not significantly affected by the maternal stress. In conclusion, the risk of maternal stress may be related with a life style during pregnancy. Therefore, life style for maternal stress control, such as weight control and regular exercise is recommended to prevent maternal stress.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

Background : A large number of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone influence on the body. These pollutants put a burden on the lung and the sequelae resulting from the oxidative stress are thought to contribute to the development of fibrotic lung disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Also, carbon monoxide generated from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes and has the toxic effect of tissue hypoxia and produce various systemic and neurologic complications. The objective of this study is to compare the difference of pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin(CO-Hb) level between the traffic policemen and clerk policemen. Method : Three hundred and twenty-nine of traffic policemen, and one hundred and thirty clerk policemen were included between 2001 May and 2002 August. The policemen who took part in this study were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included questions on age, smoking, drinking, years of working, work-related symptoms and past medical history. The serum CO-Hb level was measured by using carboxyoximeter. Pulmonary function test was done by using automated spirometer. Additional tests, such as elecrocardiogram, urinalysis, chest radiography, blood chemistry, and CBC, were also done. Results : $FEV_1(%)$ was $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, and $105.7{\pm}1.21%$(p<0.05). FVC(%) was $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, and $102.1{\pm}1.09%$, respectively(p<0.05). Serum CO-Hb level was $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, and $1.8{\pm}0.08%$(p<0.05). After correction of confounding factors (age, smoking), significant variables were FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$ and serum CO-Hb level(%)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Long exposure to air pollution may influence the pulmonary function and serum CO-Hb level. But, further prospective cohort study will be needed to elucidate detailed influences of specific pollutants on pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin level.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine how dental hygienists health management and to what extent they used medical care services due to occupational diseases. It's ultimately attempted to improve the health care of dental hygienists and promote their health. After relevant literature and data were reviewed, a survey was conducted for five months from June through October, 2003. The subjects in this study were 160 dental hygienists who worked at dental hospital and clinics across the nation. And the collected data were analyzed. The findings of this study were as follows: (1) Concerning job-related health education experience, 83.1 percent, the greatest rate, had no experience to receive education, and the type of service made a significance difference to that(p<0.05). (2) As to in-house medical examination, 98.6 percent felt the need for medical examination, and 56.3 percent had ever their bodies examined. Their health examination experience was significantly different according to age(p<0.01), marital status(p<0.01), type of service(p<0.01), career(p<0.01) and yearly income(p<0.01). (3) Concerning how much they used hospitals after working as dental hygienists, 85.6 percent, the biggest group, had no experience to be hospitalized, and that was significantly different according to age(p<0.05), type of service(p<0.05), career(p<0.01) and yearly income(p<0.05). 51.9 percent had no experience to receive treatment as outpatients, and their career(p<0.01) made a significant difference to that. (4) As for how to cope with casual diseases, 34.4 percent, the largest group, visited pharmacies, and 32.5 percent, the next largest group, saw the doctors. In regard to herb restorative, 68.1 percent had no experience to take herb restorative, and that experience varied significantly with age(p<0.01), career(p<0.05) and annual income(p<0.01).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.192-197
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• 2006

Purpose : Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is a key cytokine for controlling vascular permeability and angiogenesis, which is one of the major findings in airway remodeling. However, it is not well known if it is associated with acute lower respiratory tract disease such as lobar pneumonia. The aim of this study is to compare serum VEGF levels in patients with asthma according to its severity and duration of cough, and to compare its levels with children with lobar pneumonia. Methods : Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum VEGF levels were measured in 16 mild asthmatics, 14 moderate to severe asthmatics, six children with lobar pneumonia, and 22 control subjects. The asthmatics were also classified into three groups according to the duration of cough. Serum VEGF levels were compared in each group. Results : Serum VEGF levels were significantly increased in the children with moderate to severe asthma and lobar pneumonia compared to the children with mild asthma and control subjects. Serum VEGF levels were higher in children with chronic coughs of more than two weeks than in children with coughs lasting less than two weeks. Serum levels of VEGF showed positive correlations with blood platelet and white blood cell counts. Conclusion : VEGF increased according to the severity of asthma and duration of cough in children with asthma. It may play an important role not only in chronic airway inflammation, but also in the acute inflammation in children with lower respiratory tract disease.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and severity of symptoms between panic patients with and without comorbid major depressive disorder, and to ascertain the differences in the function of the autonomic nerve system measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: The subjects were 60 patients who have panic disorder without major depressive disorder and 19 patients who met DSMIV criteria for both panic disorder and major depressive disorder. First, they drew up symptom checklists and self-rating scales, and were measured by Anxiety Disorder Inventory Schedule-Panic Attack & Agoraphobia (ADIS-P&A), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). For statistical analysis, we performed t-test to compare the scores of self reported scales and clinician’s rating scales in panic patients with comorbid major depressive disorder and those without major depressive disorder. ANCOVA was used to compare the variables of HRV, considering age as a covariate. Results: The subjective severities of depression and anxiety that comorbid patients complained of were higher than those of patients with only panic disorder. Futhermore, comorbid patients were more sensitive to anxiety and physical sensations, and they tend to be more negative in their thinking. The scores of clinician-rating scales such as CGI and PDSS were also higher in the comorbid patients. However, there were no significant differences in HRV variables between both groups, despite a tendency to low heart rate variability in the comorbid group. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with panic disorder and comorbid major depressive disorder tend to complain of more symptoms and to be more sensitive to various symptoms than those with panic disorder without comorbid depression. However, in this study comorbid major depressive disorder did not have a significant impact on the HRV variables of patients with panic disorder.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was planned to evaluate complications? of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with tibial inlay technique using autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. Materials and Methods: From September 1994 to January 2004, we analyzed surgical complications in fifty-seven patients with fifty-eight cases who underwent PCL reconstruction. Fifty of them were male and seven female. The mean age of the patients was 35(15$\~$73). Twenty eight cases of injury were isolated PCL, while thirty cases had associated injury of knee. The causes of injury were thirty-nine cases of traffic accident, seven sport injuries, seven fall down injuries, and five of others. The follow-up study was done at 4 weeks, 3 months,6 months and 1 year after surgery. KT-2000 arthrometer and posterior stress X-ray were used to examine the stability of the knee joint and the Lysholm Knee Score and a variety of clinical complications were evaluated. Results: Although the mean score of the preoperative Lysholm Knee Score was 43.2, the postoperative score was increased to 87.9. The preoperative mean value of knee stability using KT-2000 arthrometer was 8.75 mm(6.2$\~$14.3 mm) but the postoperative mean was 3.41 mm(2.1$\~$10.6 mm). The intraoperative complications were: one case of popliteal artery injury with compartment syndrome, one case of patellar fracture, two cases of 20$^{\circ}$ flexion loss, and two cases of anterior cortical penetration of the screw through proximal tibia during screw fixation. The postoperative complications were: eleven cases of knee instability, one case of patellar fracture, five cases of extension loss, thirteen cases of flexion loss, twenty-one cases of around knee pain and eight cases of kneeling pain. Conclusion: After PCL reconstruction with tibial inlay technique using autogenous bone-patella tendon-bone graft, complications were observed in this study. Careful attention during and after the operation, as well as rehabilitation must be required.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2002

Purpose : About 41% of obtained group A streptococci in the 1998 was reported as erythromycin-resistant streptococci in Seoul, Korea. The most common T serotype was T12, followed by T4 and T28. We'd like to monitor the serological changes and antibiotic sensitivity test of Streptococcus pyogenes obtained from the patients with pharyngotonsillitis and invasive diseases from 1999 through 2001. Also, it could be proposed to choose the proper antibiotic selection in the area where the rate of erythromycin-resistant streptococci is high. Methods : From Jan. 1999 to Oct. 2001, 208 isolates of group A streptococci were collected from inpatients and outpatients with pharyngotonsillitis, scarlet fever, and invasive infections in Seoul and Southern part of peninsula. All isolates were serotyped by T-agglutination, minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) which were determined by agar dilution methods, according to the guidelines of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Results : The most common T serotype was T12(29.8%), followed by T1(23.1%), T4 (14.9%). T1 was prominent serotype compared with previous year. T serotyping, among 25 isolates obtained from the patients with scarlet fever in Southern part of peninsula mostly, was T12, T1, and T4 in order of frequency. All the isolates tested were susceptible to penicillin, cefprozil, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol. However, 23 isolates(14.2%) was resistant to erythromycin and 18 isolates(11.1%) was resistant to clarithromycin. Serotype T12 was found to be the most resistant serotype to erythromycin and/or clarithromycin. Conclusion : High rate of erythromycin-resistant streptococci which surveyed in 1998 were reduced to 14.2% in this study. We should have to further evaluate the reason of decreased resistant strains and consider the resistant strains of streptococci in choosing the antibiotics. There was no serological characteristics according to the types of disease entities. Between the serologic distributions in Seoul and the Southern part of peninsula area are same, we could presume that the serological typing of strains obtained over the country may be not different.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2009

Purpose : We undertook this study to improve our understanding of the epidemiologic and clinical features of nonpolioenterovirus (NPEV) infections, especially enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections, in Korean children. Methods : Between April and June 2000, NPEVs were detected by RT-PCR and cultures of specimens obtained from patients with aseptic meningitis, acute respiratory disease, and acute gastroenteritis which were associated with enteroviral exanthem and vesicular pharyngeal enanthem, such as herpangina, and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). EV71 was identified by sequencing the VP1 gene. The clinical and epidemiologic data were analyzed retrospectively after all 87 NPEV-positive patients were divided into 4 groups, according to the clinical manifestations. Sixteen patients who mainly had symptoms of acute gastroenteritis were in group A, 21 patients with symptoms and signs of lower respiratory tract infections were in group B, 42 patients with a HFMD rash only were in group C with or without fever, and 8 patients with aseptic meningitis or paralysis were in group D. For the 11 EV71-positive patients, 1 was in group A, 2 were group B, 7 were in group C, and 1 was in group D. Results : There were 87 NPEV infections, including 11 EV71 infections. The mean age of the patients was 2 years and 11 months, ranging from 1 day to 15 years. There were no fatal cases among a total of 87 NPEV infections and no significant differences in clinical severity between the EV71 and other NPEV infections. Conclusion : NPEV infections in children were common during the 3 months in the spring of 2000. Unlike in southeast Asia, where fatal EV71 infection outbreaks have occurred since 1997, the clinical features of EV71 infection in Korean children are mild.