• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.201-208
• /
• 2008

Purpose: We aimed to assess the role of positron emission tomography using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in the diagnosis of recurrence or the assessment of therapeutic response in cervical and ovarian cancer patients through making a comparison between FDG-PET, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and serum tumor marker. Materials and methods: We included 103 cases (67 patients) performed FDG-PET and abdominal CT. There were 42 cervical cancers and 61 ovarian cancers. We retrospectively reviewed the interpretations of PET and CT images as well as the level of tumor marker. We calculated their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for these three modalities. And then we analyzed the differences between these three modalities. Results: Tumor recurrences were diagnosed in 37 cases (11 cervical cancers and 26 ovarian cancers). For PET, CT and tumor marker, in cervical cancer group, sensitivity was 100% (11/11), 54.5% (6/11) and 81.1% (9/11), respectively. And specificity was 93.6% (29/31), 93.6% (29/31) and 100% (31/31). In ovarian cancer group, sensitivity was 96.2% (25/26), 84.6% (22/26) and 80.8% (21/26), and specificity was 94.3% (33/35), 94.3% (33/35), 94.3% (33/35), PET was highly sensitive to detect the intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal metastasis with the help of the CT images to localize the lesions. However, CT had limitations in differentiation of the recurrent tumor from benign fibrotic tissue, identification of viable tumors at the interface of tissues, and detecting extraperitoneal lesions. Conclusion: FDG-PET can be an essential modality to detect the recurrent or residual tumors in gynecologic cancer patients because of its great field of the application and high sensitivity.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.108-113
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify clinical availability of serum procalcitonin (PCT) compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) in prediction of bacterial infection in children. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted with children who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with bacterial and viral infection between April 2008 and March 2009 and children who were admitted with Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) between August 2007 and July 2009. Serum PCT levels were measured using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. Results : The study population included 10 patients with bacterial infection (group I), 69 with viral infection (group II), and 35 with JRA (group III). Mean PCT levels were significantly higher in group I than in group II or group III (P<0.05). Mean CRP levels were significantly higher in group I than in group II (P<0.05); however, mean CRP levels were not significantly higher in group I than in group III (P>0.05). Using a cutoff of 0.5 ng/mL for PCT and 8 mg/L for CRP, sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between group I and the other groups were 60.0% and 92.3% for PCT and 60.0% and 40.1% for CRP, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 42.9% and 96.0% for PCT and 10.0% and 92.6% for CRP, respectively. Conclusion : Measurement of PCT concentrations appears to be more useful than CRP for distinguishing between bacterial infection and non-bacterial diseases in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.11
• /
• pp.1165-1171
• /
• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to identify the true extent of non-responsiveness in full-term infants born from HBsAg-negative or HBsAg-positive mothers and vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) at 0, 1, and 6 months of age and to evaluate the effect of revaccination among non-responders. Methods : The study included 716 full-term infants born in 2004-2007. Of 716, 662 infants (A group) were born to HBsAg-negative mothers and 54 infants (B group: 50, except HBsAg-positive infants) were born to HBsAg-positive mothers. All infants were administered DNA recombinant vaccines at 0, 1, and 6 months of age. B group infants received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth. Anti-HBs titers were tested at 7-12 and 9-15 months in A and B groups, respectively. Three revaccination doses were administered to non-responders whose anti-HBs titers were under 10 mIU/ml; revaccinated infants were retested at 1-3 months after last vaccination. The association between HBeAg seropositivity of mother and the failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was evaluated. Results : The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were higher in A group (94.1%) than in B group (78%, P<0.001). The seroconversion rates were high in revaccinated infants (A group non-responders: 96.9%, B group non-responders: 87.5%). The failure of HBV immunoprophylaxis was significantly associated with maternal HBeAg seropositivity (P<0.001). Conclusion : The seroconversion rates after primary hepatitis B vaccination were low in B group infants. Revaccination of non-responders in B group was very effective. Therefore, anti-HBs testing and revaccination of B group is very important. Revaccination of non-responders in A group was also very effective. Thus, testing the immune status of infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers even after primary hepatitis B vaccination should be considered. However, to realize this, further studies on the cost-effectiveness of anti-HBs testing in healthy full-term infants are necessary.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.164-169
• /
• 2008

Purpose : There have been some reports on the prevalence of positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA) in Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP), but the results were conflicting. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical significance of ANCA(c-ANCA and p-ANCA) in Korean children with HSP. Methods : The medical records of 30 patients(13 boys and 17 girls) aged 6.0$\pm$1.9(5-12) years with a clinical diagnosis of HSP based on the EULAR/PReS criteria were reviewed retrospectively. From the years 2007 to 2008, the sera from children with acute HSP were tested for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies(ANCA). The target antigens of these autoantibodies are proteinase 3(c-ANCA) or myeloperoxidase(p-ANCA). Results : Palpable purpura was seen in all 30 patients(100%), abdominal pain in 20(67%), arthralgia in 17(57%), and renal involvement in 11(37%). Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis in 4 patients(13%), thrombocytosis 18 in(60%), and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 18(60%). Anti-streptolysin O titers were elevated in 7% of the patients and no patient showed elevation of serum IgA level. The sera from 29 patients were negative for c-ANCA and p-ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence, but only one patient had weakly positive results, which became negative at follow-up. Conclusions : We conclude that c-ANCA or p-ANCA is not an important serologic marker in children with HSP, because it was neither diagnostically nor immunologically specific in children with HSP. These results suggest that ANCA are not involved in the pathogenesis of HSP in children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.344-352
• /
• 2003

Background : The prevalence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), resistant to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RFP), was 5.3% worldwide in 1995 and its increment has raised important public health problems. Resistance to RFP, one of the key drugs in the treatment of tuberculosis, results in grim clinical outcome. Recently rapid detection of RFP-resistant mutations in rpoB gene based on PCR method has become available. This study evaluated the prevalence of RFP resistance in first diagnosed, treatment failure, and recurred patients using INNO-LiPA test, and compared the results of INNO-LiPA with those of conventional mycobacterial drug susceptibility test. Methods : Forty-six patients, who were diagnosed of pulmonary tuberculosis and had revealed positive sputum AFB smear, were enrolled in this study from 1998 to 2002. The cases were classified as one three groups; first diagnosed, treatment failure, or recurred. RFP resistance was studied using an INNO-LiPA Rif. TB kit and compared with that obtained from drug susceptibility based on M. tuberculosis culture study. Results : Twenty-one out of 46 patients were enrolled under first diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, 17 under treatment failure with first line drugs, and 8 under recurrence. The positive and negative predictive values of INNO-LiPA test in diagnosis in RFP resistant tuberculosis compared with conventional mycobacterial drug susceptibility test were 85.7% and 76.0%, respectively. INNO-LiPA result revealed rpoB gene mutation in 20 (80.0%) out of 25 patients who were diagnosed as treatment failure or recurrence, but in only 4 (19.0%) out of 21 patients who were first diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion : This study showed that RFP resistance could be diagnosed rapidly and accurately using INNO-LiPA test and that this test might be helpful for choosing second line anti-mycobacterial drugs. It might be of great help in clinical diagnosis and decision when used in complimentarily with drug susceptibility test based on M. tuberculosis culture.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.256-262
• /
• 2017

Essential oil from herb is known to exert pharmacological effects on the human body. In this study we investigated the antibacterial activity of 4 essential oils (teetree, rosemary, melisa, and lavender), as well as the blended mixture oil of teetree, rosemary, and melisa (TRM) on three bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibacterial analysis was performed using the standard disk diffusion method, and minimum inhibition concentration was determined by the broth microdilution method with different concentrations of essential oils (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mg/mL). After incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 h, the antibacterial activity was assessed by measuring the zone of growth inhibition surrounding the disks. Herb oil with the inhibition zones showed varied values ranging from6 to 25 mm. However, the components of herb oil of TRM are as highly active as the teetree oil against pathogens, generating large inhibition zones for both gram negative and positive bacteria (13~22 mm and 8 mm inhibition zones). In the analysis for MIC, TRM showed growth-inhibitory effects at 0.0625% for S. aureus and E. coli, and 1.25% for P. aeruginosa. This result demonstrated that the anti-microbial activity of TRM was greater than a single herb oil, including oxacillin, rosemary, and teetrea. As a single herb oil, both rosemary and teetrea also had an anti-microbial effect by itself, and we can expect that the blended oil mixture may exert a synergistic effect against multidrug resistant bacteria, suggesting its future application in natural preservative agents for health food and cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.32-40
• /
• 2005

Objectives : This study looked at the symptoms of alexithymia in schizophrenia and their association with clinical variables and schizophrenic symptomatology. Methods Consecutive fifty eight inpatients with DSM-IV diagnoses of schizophrenia completed 26item version of Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised(SCL-90-R), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). Results : Authors did not find any correlation between scores of PANSS and TAS. However, all the subscale scores of SCL-90-R were significantly correlated with total score of TAS. Also, 'difficulty identifying and deistinguishing between feelings and bodily sensations' and 'difficulty describing feelings' significantly correlated with SCL-90-R subscale scores. 'Reduced daydreaming' had mixed findings and 'externally oriented thinking' did not correlate. Multiple regression model included Global Severity Index of SCL-90-R accounting 28.2% of variance for TAS scores. Conclusion : These findings together with discrepancy in results between objective and subjective tests suggest that alexithymia in schizophrenia may have two constructs, 'difficulty to describe and communicate feelings(state)' and 'externally oriented thinking(trait)' Authors suggest further study needs to confirm construct validity of TAS in this population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.43-47
• /
• 2012

Background and Objectives : Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) originates from regurgitation of gastric contents to the laryngopharynx, and it is relatively common disease in otolaryngology. Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medication is frequently using treatment method in present time, but controversies exist regarding treatment for it. High-resolution manometry (HRM) system is a newly developed device that using 36 channels and pressure topography plotting program, checking the function and status of esophagus. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical usefulness of HRM in LPRD patients who do not response to PPI medication. Materials and Method : From July 2009 to July 2010, a total of 99 patients who were suspected LPRD according to symptoms (Reflux Symptom Index >13) and laryngoscopic findings (Reflux Finding Score >7) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were consisted of 31 men and 68 women, the mean age was 51.8 years, the mean BMI was 22.46. Patients have taken PPI medication for 2 months, after medication, they performed HRM. Comparative analysis was performed with results of the difference in symptoms. Results : In 99 patients, 37 patients (37.4%) show not improvement of LPRD symptoms after PPI medication. Among them, 18 patients (48.6%) showed abnormal findings that were classified as Peristaltic dysfunction (38.9%), Diffuse esophageal spasm (11.1%), Relaxation impairment of LES (11.1%), Achalasia (5.6%), Hypotensive LES (11.1%), Relaxation impairment of UES (11.1%), Nutcracker esophagus (5.6%), Decreased resting pressure (5.6%). Other 62 patients (62.6%) show improvement of LPRD symptoms, 23 patients (37.1%) showed abnormal findings. Most common finding was Peristaltic dysfunction (43.4%) More prevalent abnormal findings of HRM were found in patients who revealed no response to PPI medication (48.6% vs. 37.1%), but it does not reach the statistical significance. Conclusion : Although statistical significances is not showed, the difference observed in the frequency of HRM abnormal finding between response and no response for PPI medication. It has been estimated that HRM may be used to determine differential diagnosis in patients with LPRD. Further studies in lager population containing normal controls will be needed to prove clinical usefulness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.151-155
• /
• 2011

Background and Objectives : Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) originates from regurgitation of gastric contents to the laryngopharynx, and it is relatively common disease in otolaryngology. Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medication is frequently using treatment method in present time, but controversies exist regarding treatment for it. High-resolution manometry (HRM) system is a newly developed device that using 36 channels and pressure topography plotting program, checking the function and status of esophagus. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical usefulness of HRM in LPRD patients who do not response to PPI medication. Subjects and Method : From July 2009 to July 2010, a total of 99 patients who were suspected LPRD according to symptoms (Reflux Symptom Index >13) and laryngoscopic findings (Reflux Finding Score >7) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were consisted of 31 men and 68 women, the mean age was 51.8 years, the mean BMI was 22.46. Patients have taken PPI medication for 2 months, after medication, they performed HRM. Comparative analysis was performed with results of the difference in symptoms. Results : In 99 patients, 37 patients (37.4%) show not improvement of LPRD symptoms after PPI medication. Among them, 18 patients (48.6%) showed abnormal findings that were classified as Peristaltic dysfunction (38.9%), Diffuse esophageal spasm (11.1%), Relaxation impairment of LES (11.1%), Achalasia (5.6%), Hypotensive LES (11.1%), Relaxation impairment of UES (11.1%), Nutcracker esophagus (5.6%), Decreased resting pressure (5.6%). Other 62 patients (62.6%) show improvement of LPRD symptoms, 23 patients (37.1%) showed abnormal findings. Most common finding was Peristaltic dysfunction (43.4%) More prevalent abnormal findings of HRM were found in patients who revealed no response to PPI medication (48.6% vs. 37.1%), but it does not reach the statistical significance. Conclusion : Although statistical significances is not showed, the difference observed in the frequency of HRM abnormal finding between response and no response for PPI medication. It has been estimated that HRM may be used to determine differential diagnosis in patients with LPRD. Further studies in lager population containing normal controls will be needed to prove clinical usefulness.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.3149-3155
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to know the characteristics of DDK performance between CV(e.g. 'pa') and VV(e.g., 'ai') syllables in typically developing children aged 4 to 6 years old. 12 TD children performed DDK with CV structure(/pʰə/, /tʰə/, /kʰə/, /pʰətʰə/, /tʰəkʰə?/, /pʰətʰəkʰə/) and with VV structure(/ai/, /ɔi/, /ɑɔi/). Spoken syllables were counted in one second, and all spoken DDK were measured by PC-quirer. The results showed that all spoken DDK became faster as the age of children were increased. This trend was also appeared in both CV and VV syllables repetition. In addition, there was no differences in DDK rate with CV and VV syllables. The frequency of articulatory error during DDK performance was very high in the age of 3, and there was no pattern in the frequency of articulatory error according to the developmental age.