• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.898-902
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• 2003

Purpose : To determine the clinical association of diagnostic criteria and the prevalence of autoantibodies in newly diagnosed children with juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM). Methods : Thirty-two children with JDM were identified at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from March 1985 to March 1999 by retrospective review. The diagnosis of JDM was based on the criteria proposed by Bohan and Peter. We investigated for the presence of several autoantibodies: antinuclear(ANA), double-stranded DNA, anti-Sm, anti-ribonucleoprotein(RNP), anti-SSA/ SSB, anti-Jo1, anti-Scl-70 antibodies and rheumatoid factor(RF). Results : Sex ratio and age at diagnosis were similar to data published in other studies. All the newly diagnosed children with JDM had a typical rash(100%) and proximal muscle weakness(100%); 17(53%) had muscle pain or tenderness; 10(31%) calcinosis; eight(25%) dysphagia; eight(25%) arthritis, and seven(22%) fever. Muscle enzymes were elevated in 90% of the patients. Of the 27 patients who had an electromyogram, 20(70%) had diagnostic results. Sixteen(70%) of biopsied patients had appropriated results for JDM. Patients were negative for all autoantibodies except ANA and RF. ANA and RF were detected in 47% and 7% of the patients respectively. Conclusion : Although the sensitivity of the criteria proposed by Bohan and Peter is superior, each of these criteria has possible confounding factors. Additional criteria may be needed for early diagnosis of JDM. Based on our findings of autoantibodies in JDM, we do not recommend routine testing for autoantibodies in children with typical JDM.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.967-972
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• 2002

Purpose : A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of low risk criteria for identifying febrile infants younger than three months unlikely to have serious bacterial infection. Methods : We conducted a retrospective study of 527 infants younger than three month with a axillary temperature ${\geq}37.4^{\circ}C$. If they met the following all four criteria, appear well, WBC $5,000-20,000/mm^3$, urine stick WBC(-) and nitrite(-), CSF WBC < $10/mm^3$, they were considered at low risk for serious bacterial infection(SBI). SBI was defined as a positive culture of urine, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of the low risk criteria were calculated. Results : Of 527 febrile infants, 110(21.0%) had serious bacterial infections. The 2.7% who met the low risk criteria had SBI and negative predictive value was 97.3%. SBI was diagnosed in 103 infants(38.6%) who didn't meet the low risk criteria including urinary tract infection(78.6%), most commonly, bacteremia(16.5%), bacterial meningitis(8.7%), Salmonella gastroenteritis(1%), osteomyelitis( 1%), septic arthritis of hip joint(1%). There were no differences in the sensitivity and negative predictive value according to the monthly-age-group. Conclusion : This low risk criteria to identify infants unlikely to have SBI early is available, however low risk infants must be carefully observed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was to analyze serious bacterial infections in infants younger than three months of age and to review the direction of treatments for these patients. Methods : 378 febrile infants with a rectal temperature ${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$ visited from Jan. 2001 through Dec. 2002 were retrospectively studied. Infants with the following criteria belonged to the low risk group. WBC $5,000{\sim}15,000/mm^3$, WBC negative in urine stick test and negative for nitirite test, CSF WBC < $10/mm^3$ and negative in CSF gram stain, negative chest X-ray, stool WBC <5/HFP(high power field), and focal infection. If any of the above criteria were not met, they belonged to the high risk group. SBI was defined as a positive culture of urine, blood or CSF. SI was defined as aseptic meningitis or pneumonia including above laboratory tests of SBI. SBI patients were separately compared with two groups, high risk and low risk. Results : Of the 378 infants that were tested 216(57.1%) were in the high risk group and 162(42.9%) in the low risk group. Among 105 SBI(27.8%) and 172 SI(45.5%), there were 98 urinary tract infection(25.2%), 10 bacteremia(2.6%), 2 bacterial meningitis(0.6%), and 77 aseptic meningitis(22.8%). There were 76 SBI(35.2%) from the high risk group and 29 SBI(17.9%) from the low risk group identified. The results of the sensitivity(72.4%), the specificity(48.7%), the negative predictive value(82.1%) and the positive predictive value (35.2%) were calculated. Conclusion : Even though the probability of SBI in the low risk group is insignificant, it should still be considered in febrile infants younger than 3 months of age. I believe the CSF study is necessary because of the moderate high incidence of abnormal finding in our study.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 1977

The specificity of the N- and C-terminal antigenic determinant($P_{17}$: sequence $Lys^1-{cys-}^6-Asn^{27},\;{Trp^{12}}_2-Cys^{127}-Leu^{129}$) of hen egg-white lysozyme(HL) was studied in more detail. In a Scatchard plot of the binding of $^{14}C$-acetyl HL with guinea pig purified anti-$P_{17}$ antibody experimental values bent sharply aear r=1. This suggests of two antibody populations with different affinities for HL or possible steric hindrance in the binding of a second HL molecule to the second binding site of the antibody molecule. The antigenic activities of various peptides were tested by measuring their inhibition of the binding of $^{14}C-acetyl-P_{17}$ with the antibody, Only $P_{17}$ and $P_{17}t$(sequence $Lys^1-cys^6-Homoser^{12},\;Trp^{123}-Cys^{127}-Leu^{128})$) were inhibitory, with $K_1$ values of $2.0{\times}10^4$ and $8.1{\times}10^3$, respectively. These results indicate that the direct binding site of $P_{17}$ to anti-$P_{17}$ antibody may be located in the terminal portion of $P_{17}$ (sequence $Lys^1-Cys^6-Homoser^{12},\;Trp^{123}-Cys^{127}-Leu^{129})$) while the rest of $P_{17}$ may be important in maintaining the conformation of this determinant. The single disulphide bond involved in this determinant is essential for manifestation of immunological activity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.528-534
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• 2004

Background : Microscopic examination of sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) is the most important and rapid diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the AFB observed on the smear may represent either M. tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). This study examined the clinical usefulness of a polymerase chain reaction test for M. tuberculosis (TB-PCR) for the differentiation of pulmonary tuberculosis and NTM lung disease in patients with smear-positive sputums in a tertiary hospital in Korea. Material and Methods : From January, 2003 to December, 2003, 826 AFB smear-positive and culture-positive sputum specimens were collected from 299 patients. Results : NTM were recovered from 26.6% (220/826) of the smear-positive sputum specimens and 23.4% (70/299) of the patients with smear-positive sputum. All the patients with isolated NTM had clinically significant NTM lung disease; 38 patients (54.3%) had M. avium and 26 patients (37.1%). had M. abscessus. In the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 78.7% of the patients (74/94) showed TB-PCR positivity, and all the patients with NTM lung disease showed negative results on the TB-PCR test (p<0.001). A positive result of the TB-PCR test on the sputum or bronchial washing fluid specimens was able to predict pulmonary tuberculosis with 88.4% sensitivity, 100% specificity, a 100% positive predictive value and a 79.7% negative predictive value for the patients with smear-positive sputum. Conclusion : The TB-PCR test for sputum specimens or bronchial washing fluid specimens could be useful for differentiating pulmonary tuberculosis and NTM lung disease for the patients with smear-positive sputum in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 1983

Karyotype analysis of somatic chromosome was attempted to find out the relationship among the 3 species of Abies growing in Korea, and A firma introduced from Japan The results were summarized as follows: 1) The number of somatic chromosome was equal for all species, 2n=24. 2) When somatic chromosome was arranged by descending order of the short arm length, the long arm of number 9 chromosome of A. holophylla was much larger than that of the other species. A. koreana and A. nephrolepis had a similarity in b/a value and A. holophylla and A. firma were also similar. 3) When it was arranged by descending order of the short arm length, eight chromosomes of A. koreana and A. nephrolepis showed a similar in b/a value, and two chromosomes of A. holophylla and A. firma did in its value. 4) When it was arranged by descending order of total length, chromosome numbers 7 and 8 in A. koreana were particularly similar to those in A. nephrolepis. 5) When it was arranged by descending order of total length, six somatic chromosomes of A. koreana and A. nephrolepis were similar in b/a value, and two somatic chromosomes of A. holophylla and A. firma similar in its value. 6) When it was arranged by descending order of long arm length, in the of b/a value of chromosome number one in A. koreana and A. nephrolepis was much larger, and that in A. holophylla and A. firma was much smaller than that in the others.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 1991

There are some rather conflicting reports correlating ECS-induced changes of brain acetylcholine, and recently, Zawia and Bondy(1990) proposed the biological role of polyamine system in the long-term adaptive responses of brain to electrical stimulation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of a single or repeated ECS(10mA, 100cps, 1sec; 5 ECS spread out over 9 days) on the brain acetylcholine(ACh) and polyamine contents of male mice. The ACh contents of temporal cortex(TCx) and decorticated cerebrum(dc-CB) were markedly increased by 79.9% and 49.4%, respectively, 10 and 30 min after ECS, and the increases were significantly attenuated with repeated 5 ECS, particularly in dc-CB. The putrescine concentrations of both TCx and dc-CB were little different and not affected by 1 ECS or 5 ECS. But the spermidine(Sd) concentration was higher in dc-CB and spermine(Sm) higher in TCx. While they were moderately decreased after 1 ECS, and their decreases were accentuated after 5 ECS, particularly in dc-CB.Sm(30mg/kg, i.p. inject. 30min before ECS) did not affect the ECS-induced increase of ACh content. Thease results suggest that both of brain ACh and polyamine may be implicated with the long-term adaptive responses to electrical stimulation

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2007

This study was carried out to develop a water quality simulation model for the evaluation of an ungauged watershed. For this purpose, the WASP5 model was selected and modified. The model consists of three sub-models, LOAD-M, DYN-M, and EUT-M. LOAD-M, an empirical model, estimates runoff loadings using point and non-point source data of villages. The Geum River Estuary watershed was selected to calibrate and verify the Modified-WASP5. The LOAD-M model was established using field data of water quality and quantity at the gauging stations of the watershed and was applied to the ungauged watersheds, taking the watershed properties into consideration. The result of water quality simulation using Modified-WASP5 shows that the observed average BOD data from Gongju and Ganggyeong were 2.6 mg/L and 2.8 mg/L, and the simulated data were 2.5 mg/L and 2.4 mg/L, respectively. Generally, simulation results were in good agreement with the observed data. This study focused on formulating an integrated model for evaluating ungauged watersheds. Even though simulation results varied slightly due to limited availability of data, the model developed in this study would be a useful tool for the assessment and management of ungauged watersheds.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was done to compare the vitamin A levels between hospitalized patients of measles symptoms and of the other infectious diseases common in childhood (bronchiolitis, penumonia, gastroenteritis and etc.). Methods : We have set up a population of 133 hospitalized patients of measles symptoms in the pediatric department of Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital between Nov. 2000~Apr. 2001 and compared them to a group of 30 hospitalized patients of other infectious diseases between Dec. 2001~Feb. 2002. The whole patients were divided into three groups by diagnosing measles-specific IgM antibody positive as measles group(n=104), negative as measles-susepcted group(n=29) and other infectious disease group. And we compared the vitamin A levels, clinical symptoms, and general hematological and biochemical results. Results : Among the 104 measles patients, the concentrated age groups were 10 12 months(n=24, 23.1%), 13~15 months(n=16, 15.3%) and 16 months~4 years of age(n=24, 23.1%). The mean levels of vitamin A of measles and measles-susepcted groups were $69.6{\pm}28.6{\mu}g/dL$ and $75.2{\pm}34.4{\mu}g/dL$, respectively, and that of other infectious disease group was $28.1{\pm}17.5{\mu}g/dL$. Conclusion : The mean levels of vitamin A of both measles and measles-suspected groups were significantly higher than that of other infectious disease group(P<0.05) and showed no significant correlations with clinical symptoms and hospitalization duration.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 1998

Purpose : The relationship between environmental PH on the radiation induced-apoptosis in SCK mammary adenocarcinoma cells and cell cycle dependence was investigated. Material and Methods : Mammary adenocarcinoma cells of A/J mice(SCK cells) in exponential growth phase were irradiated with a $l37^Cs$ irradiator at room temperature. The cells were irradiated 1 hour after the media was replaced with fresh media at a different pHs. After incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 0-48 h, the extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The progression of cells through the cell cycle after irradiation in different pHs was also determined with flow cytometry. Bssults : The induction of apoptosis by irradiation in pH 6.6 medium was markedly less than that in pH 7.5 medium. When the cells were irradiated and maintained in pH 7.5 medium, the percentage of cells in $G_2/M$ phase rapidly increased to about $70\%$ at 12 h after an exposure to 120y and returned to control level by 36 h. The percentage of cells in G1 phase decreased as the percentage of cells in $G_2/M$ increased. On the other hand, in pH 6.6 medium the percentage of cells in G2/M phases gradually increased to about $45\%$ at 24 h after 12Gy irradiation and then slowly recessed and consequently, as much as $30-35\%$ of the cells were still in the Ga/M phase 48 h after irradiation. The percentage of cells in G1 phase then increased as the Ga/M arrest began to recede. The radiation-induced Ga/M arrest in PH 0.0 medium lasted markedly longer than that in pH 7.5 medium. Conclusion : Radiation-induced apoptosis in SCK tumor cells are reversely suppressed in an acidic environment. Radiation-induced Ga/M arrest is prolonged in an acidic environment indicating that the suppression of radiation-induced apoptosis and prolongation of radiation-induced Ga/M arrest in an acidic environment are related.