• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.208-218
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• 1999

Background: Lung cancer-associated hypercalcemia is one of the most disabling and life-threatening paraneoplastic disorders. Humoral hypercalcemia is responsible for most lung cancer-associated hypercalcemia. Patients with hypercalcemia are usually in the advanced stage with obvious bulky tumor and carry a poor prognosis. Materials and Methods: Total 29 patients satisfied the following criteria: histologically proven primary lung cancer, corrected calcium level ${\geq}$ 10.5 mg/dL, and symptoms which could possibly be attributed to hypercalcemia. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the various clinical aspects of hypercalcemia, in relation to cancer stage, histologic cell type, mass size, bone metastasis, performance status, and other possible characteristics. Results: Total 29 lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia were studied, and most of them had squamous cell carcinoma in their histologic finding. The incidence of hypercalcemia was significantly higher between 50 and 69 years of age, and in the advancement of cancer stage. Although serum calcium level showed positive correlation with mass size, performance status, and bone metastasis, it was not significant statistically. Altered consciousness was significantly more frequent in the patients with higher serum calcium level. There were no differences in effectiveness among therapeutic regimens. Hypercalcemia was more frequently in the later stage of disease than during the initial diagnosis of lung cancer. Most of the patients died within 1 month after development of hypercalcemia. Conclusion: We concluded that hypercalcemia in lung cancer is related to extremely poor prognosis, and may be one of the causes of death and should be treated aggressively to prevent sudden deterioration or death.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.342-346
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• 1999

Background: Delays in breast cancer diagnosis may occur in young women due to a low index of suspicion. The purpose of this study was to compare mammography and breast sonography in detection of breast cancer and to suggest a reasonable guideline for breast cancer screening examination. Materials and Methods: Among 820 patients, 102 patients were under 35 years and 122 patients were above 60 years of age. We reviewed medical records, mammograms and/or ultrasonography of 49 patients under 35 years and 48 patients above 60 years of age with pathologically-proven breast cancer. Pathological reports were as follows Invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) was present 61.2% of patients in the young age group and ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) in 16.3%. IDC was present in 66.6% of the patients in the old age group, and DCIS in 8.33%. We analyzed mammography and ultrasonography to evaluate their usefulness in detecting breast cancer in patients under 35 years and over 60 years of age. Results: The mammographic results are as follows : 1) detection rate of lesion: 83.8%(under 35yrs), 100%(over 60yrs) 2) sensitivity of cancer: 67.6%(under 35yrs), 91.2%(over 60yrs) The ultrasonographic results are as follows : 1) detection rate of lesion: 100% 2) sensitivity of cancer: 87.2%(under 35yrs), 96.7%(over 60yrs) The breast cancer detection rate in women under 35 years old was comparable to that of women above 60 years old in our study. Conclusion: A striking histologic finding in the two groups was a higher incidence of nuclear Grade II and III tumors. This finding correlates with the reported increased incidence of high grade tumors in young women and may correlate with the poorer prognosis of breast cancer in young patients. We conclude that early screening examination is helpful for early detection of breast cancer in women under age 35.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.298-305
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• 1993

In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness of maternal serum C-reactive protein measurement in early detection of infectious morbidity at term laboring women, serum C-reactive protein levels were measured in 521 healthy pregnant women ; 64 who were not in labor before term, 55 who were in labor before term, 71 who were not in labor at term and 331 who were in labor at term. The frequencies of elevated serum C-reactive protein level were compared in relation to the gestational weeks, the presence or absence of labor, the status of amniotic membranes and the degree of cervical dilation. The obtained results were as follows. 1. The frequencies of women with elevated serum C-reactive protein, 0.8mg/dl or higher and 2.0mg/dl or higher, in 521 health pregnant women were 12% and 4%, respectively. 2. C-reactive pretein levels of 0.8mg/dl or higher were more frequent in the group of women in labor than those not in labor(5.93%, vs. 13.73%, p<0.05), but the frequencies of C-reactive protein level of 2.0mg/dl or higher were not statistically different between both groups. The frequencies of C-reactive protein level of 0.8mg/dl or higher and 2.0mg/dl or higher were not statistically different between the groups before term and at term, intact and ruptured membranes, latent phase and active phase of labor, respectively. 3. Before term, C-reactive protein levels of 0.8mg/dl or higher and 2.0mg/dl or higher were more frequent in the group of women in labor than those not in labor(23.64 vs. 4.69, p<0.001 and 12.73% vs. 3.13%, p<0.05, respectively), but those statistical differences were not seen between both group at term. Above results and review of literature suggest that serum C-reactive protein level of 2.0mg/dl or higher may be reliable in early detection of infectious morbidity at term laboring women as well as laboring women before term, and the presence of subclinical infection should be suspected in the laboring women before term with serum C-reactive protein level of 0.8mg/dl or higher.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2000

Background: Hepatocellular carcinomal(HCC) has been considered to be relatively radioresistant. The role of radiotherapy(RT) in the treatment of HCC is controversial. But RT has a role in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma as a single or combination modalities. The effect of radiotherapy on HCC was evaluated. Patients and Methods: From January 1984 through January 2000, a total of 18 patients with unresectable HCC underwent radiotherapy alone or in conjunction with transarterial embolization(TAE). We reviewed the medical ecords of patients treated with RT and measured the tumor size using measured the tumor size using planimetry method. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate. Results: The RT patients were 15 men and 3 women. The mean age was 51 years. four(22.2%) of them were accompanied with ascites. Eleven(61.1%) of them were accompanied with liver cirrhosis and their functions were 6, 3, 2 in each Child-Pugh A, B, C, respectively. A partial response(PR) was observed in 2 patients(11.1%), minimal response(MR) in 4 patients (22.2%) and no change(NC), in 11 patients(61.1%), whereas progressive disease(PD) was seen in 1 patients(6%), respectively. Conclusions: Although the radiotherapy in HCC did not improve the survival rate. it decreased the tmor size. Radiotherapy strengthens the therapeutic efficacy when combined with TAE, but more studies are needed.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.16.2-16
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• 1982

The palatine tonsils which are located in entrance of digestive and upper respiratory tracts are the most important organ in anatomical and functional structures of the pharyngeal lymphatic tissues. As for function of the tonsil, there have been many suspected theories that were included hematopoietic, hormonal, digestive function and production of vitamin, entry of bacteria with other antigenous materials and defence mechanism of which has taken charge by Virchow in 1860 in past. But among these theories, in recently, defence mechanism of the tonsil was strongly accepted immunologically. For the purpose of elucidating immune response of the tonsil, the author observed serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral total lymphocyte counts and populations of T, B and Null lymphocytes before and after tonsillectomy in 30 cases of patients with chronic tonsillitis and 29 cases of healthy controls. The results obtained were as follows; 1) Serum Ig M level was significantly higher in patient group than in control group but was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 2) Population of T-lymphocyte more significantly decreased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 3) Population of B-lymphocyte more significiantly increased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. On the basis of these results, it may be suggested that tonsil play partially a role in the immune response of human.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2002

Purpose : Corticosteroid has been used as the mainstay therapy of childhood NS. But SIO is one of the serious complications of long-term steroid therapy, especially in growing children. Recently calcium, calcitonin, PTH, vitamin D and bisphosphonate has been used to treat or prevent SIO in adult, which is rare in children with NS. We studied the effect of $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate on SIO using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients and methods : We studied thirty patients who admitted in the Dept. of Pediatrics of Kyung Hee Medical Hospital with NS. All patients was received longterm steroid therapy. There was no history of bone, liver, or endocrine disease. The samples, serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and BMD were obtained before and the six months after the dose of $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate, respectively Results : The mean age was $6.9{\pm}3.3\;and\;6.5{\pm}2.5$ years old. The mean duration of steroid therapy was $28.8{\pm}1.8\;and\;27.6{\pm}1.0$ months. The changes of serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus level between pre-treatment and post-treatment did not show statistical significance in both $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate treatment group. However, BMD was increased in both from $0.472{\pm}0.12\;and\;0.457{\pm}0.10\;g/cm^2\;to\;0.533{\pm}0.12$ and $0.529{\pm}0.09\;g/cm^2$ after treatment. (P<0.05) Conclusion : Both $1{\alpha}-(OH)D_3$ and Pamidronate appears to be effective in treating and preventing SIO in children with nephrotic syndrome requiring long-term steroid therapy.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2007

Purpose : Childhood primary VUR is generally diagnosed after urinary tract infection, is more prevalent among girls and has a low spontaneous resolution rate in cases of severe VUR. The aim of the present study is to examine the age and gender-related characteristics and the spontaneous resolution rate of infantile primary VUR. Methods : The medical records of 96 infants with primary VUR, diagnosed after their first UTI, were retrospectively reviewed(1995-2004). The clinical characteristics including gender, the degree of VUR and presence of renal scars were evaluated. The spontaneous resolution rate and contributing factors were also analyzed Results : Infantile primary VUR was more prevalent in males than females. The percentage of atrophic scarred kidney was significantly higher in males than females(17.2% vs 3.4%) (P<0.05). The cumulative spontaneous resolution rate in 3 years was very high(89.1%), and was not significantly different between gender and among VUR grades. But in the first year, the spontaneous resolution rate of severe refluxing ureters was significantly higher in males than in females(46.2% vs 7.1%)(P<0.05) and the spontaneous resolution rate of refluxing ureters with no scarred kidneys was significantly higher than those associated with atrophic scarred kidneys(76.6% vs 20%)(P<0.05). Conclusion : Infantile Primary VUR was more prevalent among males and tends to be associated with atrophic scarred kidneys In male infants. The cumulative spontaneous resolution rate in 3 years was very high, even in high-grade VUR and associated atrophic scarred kidneys. In infantile primary VUR, surgery should be withheld even in infants with high-grade VUR with atrophic scarred kidneys.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2007

Purpose : Edema is one of the cardinal features of nephrotic syndrome. Although the pathogenesis of edema is not entirely understood, it is caused by hypovolemia or hypervolemia by different mechanisms. Accordingly it is important to evaluate the volume status of patients in order to treat the edema, but it is difficult to evaluate the patient's volume status only by clinical parameters. The quotient of urine sodium and potassium excretion $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ is introduced as a more useful way to evaluate volume status. In this study we will propose the usefulness of $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ in evaluating the volume status of children with nephrotic syndrome. Methods : Primary nephrotic syndrome patients at Yeungnam University Hospital since January 1995 to June 2005, were included in the study. We analyzed clinical parameters such as tachycardia, cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, blood chemistry and urinalysis prospectively. We defined hypovolemia when $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ exceeded 60%. Intravenous albumin and diuretics were administered to hypovolemic edematous patients. On the other hand, hypervolemic edematous patients were treated only with diuretics. Results : There were 50 cases of primary nephrotic syndrome patients(hypervolemia: 29 vs hypovolemia: 21). There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings except for FeNa While $F_eNa$ and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ had a significant negative correlation, BUN and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ had a significant positive correlation. Urine output after edema treatment was effective and there were no treatment-related side effects in both groups. Conclusion : FeNa, BUN and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ are a useful parameters for evaluating volume status of edematous nephrotic syndrome patients. We could suggest a therapeutic option for using albumin and/or diuretics according to volemic status by means of measured $U_K/(U_{Na}+UK)$.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.245-257
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• 1998

Purpose : Although hepatitis B vaccine has been available to general population in Korea since 1983, it was difficult to compare various types of hepatitis B virus(HBV) vaccines primarily due to the differences in vaccination schedule, dosage, test methods and seropositive antibody level. In this study we reviewed the results of previous studies published in Korea, which include antibody positive rates and antibody titers of various vaccines, and examined the immunogenicity of these HBV vaccines. Methods : Studies published in medical journals, university journals concerning antibody positive rates following hepatitis B vaccination were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were those studies in which seroprotective antibody rate of 10mIU/mL or the sample ratio unit of 10 RU were used as the cut-off value and in which the test methods were RIA or ELISA. Exclusion criteria were; 1) unclear or inconsistent vaccine dosage, 2) no record of antibody titers or seroconversion rate, 3) no defined antibody rate or ratio for positive rating and 4) the vaccination schedule other than 0-1-2 months or 0-1-6 months. Results : 23 out of 52 studies were subjected for the review for seroconversion rates. 1) As for the immunogenicity in each age group, the seroconversion rates of Hepaccine(Cheil Jedang) were 85.1% in infants, 83.3% in children and 62.7% in adults, indicating higher rates in infants and children compared to adults(P<0.01). The seroconversion rates of Hepavax(Korea Green Cross) were 84.7%, 81.1% and 90.8%, indicating higher rates in infants and adults compared to children(P<0.01). 2) The seroconversion rate of Hepavax was 85.6% with 0-1-6 mo. schedule, 78.5% with 0-1-2 mo. schedule with a statistically significant difference(P<0.01). 4) There was no difference of seroconversion rates between the two doses of Hepavax, $5{\mu}g$ and $10{\mu}g$ in infants and children. 5) In adults the seroconversion rates were 62.7% with Hepaccine, 90.8% with Hepavax, and 94.8% with Engerix-B(SmithKline Beecham). Conclusion : In Korea, the incidence of chronic hepatitis B is high and changing the schedule in vaccination cannot contribute to the increase of the serocoversion rate. And in order to maximize immunogenicity, more effective vaccines as well as more proper vaccination methods should be used.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 1999

Purpose : Enterobiasis is probably one of the most common parasitic infection world-wide. Human is the only known host of Enterobius vermicularis. Children are more commonly infected with Enterobius vermicularis than adults and infections are commonly recurred. In Korea, there is a high prevalence. So, we performed this study to evaluate the present status of Enterobius vermicularis infection among children in the Masan, Changwon areas and to determine the efficacy of flubendazole against this parasitic nematode. Methods : From November to December, 1997, urban and rural elementary school children and urban preschool children were examined for the presence of Enterobius vermicularis egg. All the children were examined once by an adhesive cellotape anal swab technique in the early morning at home by their parents guided by specific instructions for the technique. Results : 1) A total of 644 adhesive cellotape anal swab specimens was collected from 205 urban elementary school children, 290 rural elementary school children and 145 urban preschool children. Among them, 114(17.7%) were positive for Enterobius vermicularis eggs. There was no significant differences in the rate with regard to sex. 2) In the preschool children, the egg detection rate was 42(29.0%) out of 145 children. This rate was significantly higher compared with 72(14.4%) of 499 school children. 3) The egg detection rates in the rural and urban school children were 15.2, 13.7% respectively. There was no significant difference in both groups. In the 3rd grade and below in elementary school children, there was a higher rate compared with above 4th grade group. 4) In day care center where egg detection rate was high as 41%, the children were given two doses of 100mg flubendazole every 3 weeks, including staffs and family members. After treatment, egg detection rate fatted as 6%. Conclusion : Our data demonstrated that there was high prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection. In the light of these results, it is necessary to examine and treat children as soon as possible.