• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2006

Background : Even though two-month rifampicin (RMP, R) and pyrazinamide (PZA, P) treatment has some advantages over isoniazid (INH, H) treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), it was withdrawn from the list of treatment regimens for LTBI because of reported cases of severe hepatotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency of hepatotoxicity of RMP and PZA treatment excluding INH in a Korean population. Method : TIn order to recruit patients who were prescribed RMP and PZA excluding INH, 256 INH-resistant tuberculosis patients were investigated through retrospective medical record analysis. A standard four-drug regimen was changed to a RMP/PZA-containing regimen excluding INH in 64 patients (RZ+ group). In the same study period, 146 patients who were prescribed an INH/RMP/PZA-containing standard regimen were randomly selected as a control (HRZ+ group). Clinical characteristics including liver diseases and the frequency of drug-induced hepatitis were compared between the RZ+ and HRZ+ groups. Result : The mean age of patients in the RZ+ group was 50.2 (${\pm}16.2$) and the male-to-female ratio was 36:28. The frequency of underlying liver diseases was 10.9% (7/64), which was not significantly different from that of the HRZ+ group (4.1%, 6/146). Even though the treatment duration of RZ+ ($5.5{\pm}4.8months$) was longer that than that of HRZ+ ($2.7{\pm}2.3months$), the frequency of toxic hepatitis was not significantly different between RZ+ and HRZ+ groups, 3.5% (2/57) and 7.1% (10/140), respectively. Conclusion : Hepatotoxicity was mild and occurred in a minor proportion of patients in a Korean population prescribed an RMP/PZA-containing regimen. A future prospective study including more patients is needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.91-103
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• 2003

Background : Histamine is widely distributed in the lung. It increases capillary permeability and the P-selectin expression on vascular endothelial cell surfaces. We studied the role of endogenous histamine on the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. Methods: We instilled either normal saline (control group) or lipopolysaccharide (3 mg/Kg, LPS group) to tracheas of Sprague-Dawley rats. H1-receptor blocker (mepyramine, 10 mg/Kg, H1RB group), H2-receptor blocker (ranitidine, 10 mg/Kg, H2RB group), and H3-receptor blocker (thioperamide, 2 mg/Kg, H3RB group) were administered through vein or peritoneum along with intratracheal LPS administration. Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05. Results : LPS increases the histamine level in BAL fluid significantly at 2 h after the treatment compared with control group. LPS significantly increases protein concentration, PMN cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lung tissue at 6 h compared to control group. PMN cell count in BAL fluid and MPO activity in lung tissue were significantly lower in H2RB-group compared to LPS-group. However, protein concentration in BAL fluid showed no significant differences between the LPS alone and LPS with histamine receptor blockade. Conclusions : Endogenous histamine might be involved in the recruitment of PMNs in LPS-induced ALI via H2 receptor. However, its role in ALI would not be significant in this model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2008

Background: Respiratory failure is a common condition that requires intensive care, and has a high mortality rate despite the recent improvements in respiratory care. Previous reports of patients with respiratory failure focused on the specific disease or included a large proportion of surgical patients. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics, outcomes and prognostic factors of adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on 479 adult patients, who received mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours in the medical ICU of one tertiary referral hospital. Results: The mean age of the patients was $60.3{\pm}15.6$ years and 34.0% were female. The initial mean APACHE III score was $72.3{\pm}25$. The cause of MV included acute respiratory failure (71.8%), acute exacerbation of chronic pulmonary disease (20.9%), coma (5.6%), and neuromuscular disorders (1.7%). Pressure controlled ventilation was used as the initial ventilator mode in 67.8% of patients, and pressure support ventilation was used as the initial weaning mode in 83.6% of the patients. The overall mortality rate in the ICU and hospital was 49.3% and 55.4%, respectively. The main cause of death in hospital was septic shock (32.5%), respiratory failure (11.7%), and multiorgan failure (10.2%). Males, an APACHE III score >70, the cause of respiratory failure (interstitial lung disease, coma, aspiration, pneumonia, sepsis and hemoptysis), the total ventilation time, and length of stay in hospital were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: The cause of respiratory failure, severity of the patients, and gender appears to be significantly associated with the outcome of mechanical ventilatory support in patients with respiratory failure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.457-461
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• 2010

Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HOKPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by reversible flaccid paralysis and intermittent hypokalemia. Although it has been reported that decreased activity in the $K_{ATP}$ channels of the skeletal muscle cell membrane plays a role in the pathogenesis of HOKPP, a clear mechanism has not yet been established. This study aimed to investigate the molecular biological mechanism underlying the decreased activity of $K_{ATP}$ channels in the skeletal muscles of familial HOKPP patients by studying the levels of the $K_{ATP}$ channel subunit Kir6.2. We found that when cells obtained from healthy individuals (normal cells) and HOKPP patients (patient cells) were treated with 4 mM potassium buffer, there was no quantitative change in the KCNJ11 mRNA levels and no difference in the Kir6.2 protein expression in the cytosol and cell membrane. On the other hand, when 1 mM potassium buffer was used, normal cells showed decreased expression of KCNJ11 mRNA as well as decreased expression of Kir6.2 protein in the cell membrane. However, patient cells treated with the same buffer showed no quantitative change in the levels of KCNJ11 mRNA or in the levels of Kir6.2 protein in the cytosol and cell membrane. Thus, in HOKPP patients, the Kir6.2 protein cannot be transported from the cell membrane to the cytosol, leading to closure of the $K_{ATP}$ channels, induction of depolarization, and subsequently, to the paralytic symptoms observed in the patient. Our findings thus provide new insights into the pathogenesis of HOKPP.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 2002

Purpose : Rett syndrome(RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 per 10,000-15,000 female births worldwide. It was initially described by Andreas Rett in 1966. RTT involves developmental regression characterized stereotypic hand movements, tremors, gait apraxia, seizures, deceleration of head growth after the age of 6-18 months. The disease-causing gene was identified as MECP2 on chromosome Xq28. We carried out mutational analysis of MECP2 genes in RTT patients. Methods : Whole blood(5 cc) of 34 sporadic RTT patients was collected in EDTA-anticoagulated tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the E.Z.N.A. blood DNA kit. Four exons of the MECP2 gene were amplified by PCR in 34 Korean with RTT. We carried out PCR divided the exon three into two parts and the exon four into five parts. Primer sequences designed by Amir et al. in 1999 were almost used(AF030876). Sequencing primers used were the same as PCR. DNA sequencing reactions were performed using an ABI 377 DNA sequencer and ABI PRISM dye terminator cycle sequencing reaction kit(Perkin-elmer). The results were compared with the normal DNA sequence(X99686). To confirm the change of sequence on novel mutations, RFLP analysis was performed. Results : The MECP2 mutations were detected in 23(67.6%) of the 34 patients. The mutations consisted of 12 different types including nine missense and three nonsense mutations. Of these, three (L100V, G161E and T311M) mutations were newly identified. Most of the mutations discovered are located within MBD(39.1%) and TRD(39.1%). In this study, three(T158M, R270X, R306C) mutations were identified high frequency. Conclusion : MECP2 gene was also an important cause of Korean RTT patients. MECP2 gene study is an important tool for diagnosis of Korean RTT patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.373-379
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical features of 13 respiratory viruses in children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs). Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates were prospectively obtained from 325 children aged 15 years or less from May 2008 to April 2009 and were tested for the presence of 13 respiratory viruses by multiplex real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results : Viruses were identified in 270 children (83.1%). Co-infections with ${\geq}2$ viruses were observed in 71 patients (26.3 %). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common virus detected (33.2%), followed by human rhinovirus (hRV) (19.1%), influenza virus (Flu A) (16.9%), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (15.4%), parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) (8.3%), human bocavirus (hBoV) (8.0%), adenovirus (ADV) (5.8%), and human coronavirus (hCoV) (2.2%). Clinical diagnoses of viral ALRIs were bronchiolitis (37.5%), pneumonia (34.5%), asthma exacerbation (20.9%), and croup (7.1%). Clinical diagnoses of viral bronchiolitis and pneumonia were frequently demonstrated in patients who tested positive for RSV, hRV, hMPV, or Flu A. Flu A and hRV were most commonly identified in children older than 3 years and were the 2 leading causes of asthma exacerbation. hRV C was detected in 14 (4.3%) children, who were significantly older than those infected with hRV A ($mean{\pm}SD$, $4.1{\pm}3.5$ years vs. $1.7{\pm}2.3$ years; P =0.009). hBoV was usually detected in young children ($2.3{\pm}3.4$ years) with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Conclusion : This study described the features of ALRI associated with 13 respiratory viruses in Korean children. Additional investigations are required to define the roles of newly identified viruses in children with ALRIs.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.55-69
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• 2001

To study the possibility of agricultural utilization of seafood processing wastewater sludges, the changes of temperature and humus, the form of organic matter and nitrogen and the germination ratio of plant during the composting were investigated. The results were summarized as follows. Temperature was rapidly increased at early stage of composting, reached to $67{\sim}76^{\circ}C$ in highest temperature at 3~5 days, and then decreased gradually fallen to $40{\sim}50^{\circ}C$ at 19 days after composting, at the point was upset firstly. The third upset was conducted at 60days after composting, and then the temperature was little changed. The contents of total organic matters in the compost for composting were down 4.5~8.0%. Ether extractable materials, resins and hemicellulose contents of the organic matters for composting were decreased with 35~77%, 32~69% and 19~30%, respectively. And cellulose, lignins and unknown materials contents in the organic matters for composting were increased a little, but water soluble polysaccharides of organic matters were little changed. Total nitrogen, amino sugar and amino acid nitrogen contents in the compost for composting were decreased with 20~42%, 11~49% and 23~65%, respectively. The contents of humic acid in the compost for composting were little changed, but contents of fulvic acid in the compost for composting were decreased gradually. Germination ratio of radish, chinese cabbage and cucumber were over 90%, when the compost produced at 30 days after composting was tested on plant germination.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.305-310
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• 1998

The usage or agricultural chemicals is on the increasing tendency. Methyl bromide and organophosphate are the most widely used toxic agricultural chemicals in Korea. We try to set up the methods to detect the accumulation of these chemicals in Korean farmers. Blood samples were collected for 121 farmers of slack's season in February 1998. And survey about arable acreage and usage of the gloves and masks was also performed. Serum cholinesterase activities and bromide concentrations were measured with gold chloride method and colorimetric method. The reference ranges of serum cholinesterase activity and bromide concentration were 1.6~15.9 U/mL and below $72.9{\mu}g/mL$. Serum bromide concentrations of farmers and normal controls showed no differences. Serum cholinesterase activities of farmers were significantly higher than those of normal controls. According to the arable acreages and usage of the gloves and masks, serum bromide concentrations and cholinesterase activities showed no differences. In conclusion, serum cholinesterase activities and bromide concentrations showed no differences between farmers of slack's season and normal controls.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.4 s.63
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• pp.549-557
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the attrition pattern in Angle Class III malocclusion with facial asymmetry. The sample consisted of three groups, the 20 subjects of normal occlusion group(Group I), the 12 subjects of class III malocclusion without facial asymmetry group(Group II) and 17 subjects of Class III malocclusion with facial asymmetry group(Group III). Attrition areas from canine to second molar on both sides in upper and lower arch, totally twenty, was marked by pencil and mesured by computer system(INTERGRAPH CO. USA) 2 times and the average value was used for date processing. Attrition areas from canine to second molar on both sides in upper and lower arch, totally twenty, was marked by pencil and mesured by computer system(INTERGRAPH CO. USA) 2 times and the average value was used for date Processing. All attrition areas were measured 2 times and the average value was used for data processing The data were statistically analyzed by SAS program. The results of this study were as follows. 1. Total attrition area in Group I was larger than in Group II and III. 2. There was no significant difference in attrition area between right and left side in each group, but attrition area in Group III was larger than in Group I and II. 3. In Group I, Maxillary attrition area was larger than mandibular attrition area, but in Group ll and III, there was no significant difference in attrition area between maxilla and mandible. 4. In Group III, the attrition area of deviated side was target than undeviated side 5. There was no significant difference in attrition area between chewing side and non-chewing side in each group. 6. The total attrition area was unaffected by gender.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.422-433
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• 2006

Objective: Several ions and components are released from self-etching primers in the oral cavity. This may cause injury to the periodontal tissues throughout orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the cytotoxicity of self-etching primers to HGF-1, HaCaT, and RHEK cells. Method: Transbond XT Primer (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA), and self-etching primers, Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray, Osaka, Japan), Transbond Plus SEP (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA), and Adper Prompt L-Pop (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA), were evaluated by MTT assay, and cellular changes were also observed. Results: In all cells after 72 hours with all primers, severe morphological changes such as atrophy and necrosis were observed. In the MTT assay using HGF-1, Clearfil SE Bond, Transbond XT Primer, Transbond Plus SEP, and Adper Prompt L-Pop were lined up in order of ascending cytotoxicity When using HaCaT, Clearfil SE Bond, Adper Prompt L-Pop, Transbond Plus SEP, and Transbond XT Primer were lined up in order of ascending cytotoxicity. When using RHEK, Clearfil SE Bond, Transbond XT Primer, Adper Prompt L-Pop, and Transbond Plus SEP were lined up in order of ascending cytotoxicity. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that care is needed because self-etching primers show cytotoxic properties similar to conventional primers.