• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.437-449
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• 2001

Background : In the severe community-acquired pneumonia, it has been known that the immune status is occasionally suppressed. This study was performed to identify the immunologic markers related with the prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia. Methods : 23 patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia were involved in this study, and divided into survivor (16) and nonsurvivor (7) groups. In this study, the medical history, laboratory tests(complete blood counts, routine chemistry profile, immunoglobulins, complements, lymphocyte subsets, cytokines, sputum and blood culture, urine analysis), and chest radiographs were scrutinized. Results : 1) Both groups had lymphopenia(total lymphocyte count $995.6{\pm}505.7/mm^3$ in the survivor and $624.0{\pm}287.6/mm^3$ in the nonsurvivor group). 2) The T-lymphocyte count of the nonsurvivor group($295.9{\pm}203.0/mm^3$) was lower than the survivor group($723.6{\pm}406.5/mm^3$) (p<0.05). 3) The total serum protein(albumin) was $6.0{\pm}1.0(2.7{\pm}0.7)\;g/d{\ell}$ in the survivor and $5.2{\pm}1.5(2.3{\pm}0.8)g/d{\ell}$ in the nonsurvivor group. The BUN of the nonsurvivor group($41.7{\pm}30.0mg/d{\ell}$) was higher than that of the survivor group($18.9{\pm}9.8mg/d{\ell}$)(p<0.05). The creatinine concentration was higher in the nonsurvivor group($1.8{\pm}1.0mg/d{\ell}$) than that in the survivor group($1.0{\pm}0.3mg/d{\ell}$)(p<0.05). 4) The immunoglobulin G level was higher in the survivor group($1433.0{\pm}729.5mg/d{\ell}$) than in the nonsurvivor group($849.1{\pm}373.1mg/d{\ell}$) (p<0.05). 5) The complement $C_3$ level was $108.0{\pm}37.9mg/d{\ell}$ in the survivor group and $88.0{\pm}32.1mg/d{\ell}$ in the nonsurvivor group. 6) A cytokine study showed an insignificant difference in both groups. 7) Chronic liver disease, DM, and COPD were major underlying diseases in both groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that decreased a T-lymphocyte count and immunoglobulin G level, and an increased BUN and creatinine level may be associated with the poor prognosis of severe community-acquired pneumonia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.600-610
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• 2004

Background : The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration increases with the degree of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic role of BNP in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Method : We selected 67 patients who were admitted our hospital because of an acute exacerbation of COPD. Their BNP levels were checked on admission at the Emergency Department. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to their in-hospital mortality. The patients' medical history, comobidity, exacerbation type, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function, APACHE II severity score and plasma BNP level were compared. Results : Multiple logistic regression analysis identified three independent predictors of mortality: $FEV_1$, APACHE II score and plasma BNP level. The decedents group showed a lower $FEV_1$($28{\pm}7$ vs. $37{\pm}15%$, p=0.005), a higher APACHE II score($22.4{\pm}6.1$ vs. $15.8{\pm}4.7$, p=0.000) and a higher BNP level ($201{\pm}116$ vs. $77{\pm}80pg/mL$, p=0.000) than the sSurvivors group. When the BNP cut-off level was set to 88pg/mL using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 75% in differentiating between the survivors and decedents. On Fisher's exact test, the odds ratio for mortality was 21.2 (95% CI 2.49 to 180.4) in the patients with a BNP level > 88pg/mL. Conclusion : The plasma BNP level might be a predictor of mortality in an acute exacerbation of COPD as well as the $FEV_1$ and APACHE II score.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2001

Purpose : Acute leukemia with hyperleukocytosis (more than $10^5/mm^3$) is at high risk of early sudden death, usually from intracerebral hemorrhage. Emergency cranial irradiation is a relatively simple approach to solve this the problem. We summarized our experience of cranial irradiation in 24 leukemic children who presented with hyperleukocytosis. Methods and Materials : Between 1990 and 1998, 40 children with acute leukemia presenting with hyperleukocytosis were referred for emergency cranial irradiation. Among these patients, 24 children were evaluable. There were 16 boys and eight girls, their ages ranged from 2 to 13 years (median 9.5 years). The initial leukocyte counts ranged $109,910/mm^3\;to\;501,000/mm^3$. Peripheral blood smear was peformed in all patients and noted the morphology of the blast. Introduction of emergency cranial irradiation was determined by the leukocyte counts (more than 100,000/mm) and the existence of the blast in peripheral blood smear. All patients were treated with intravenous hydration with alkaline fluid and oral allopurinol. Cranial irradiation started on the day of diagnosis. With 2 Gy in one fraction in 4 patients, 4 Gy in two fractions in 20 patients. Results : The WBC count had fallen in 19 patients (83%) and no intracerebral hemorrhage occurred after irradiation. There were five cases of early deaths. Four patients died of metabolic complications, and one patient with intracerebral hemorrhage. He died 5 hours after cranial irradiation. No patient had any immediate side effect from cranial irradiation. Conclusion : Our data suggest, that emergency cranial irradiation can be safely chosen and effective in childhood leukemic patients presenting with high leukocyte counts.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.213-217
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• 2007

LPS induces the synthesis of several inflammatory cytokine, chemokine, NO and inflammation in the liver of rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of Rubus coreanum Miquel (RCM) In lipid metabolism. RCM of 100 mg/kg concentration was intraperitoneally administered into rats at dose of 1.5ml/kg for 20 days. On the day 21, 1.5ml/kg of LPS was injected 4 hours before anesthetization. We examined the lipid-related functions by measuring the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total lipid (TL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum and malondialdehyde(MDA) in liver tissue. The results showed that LPS treatment increased the values of TG, TC, TL and MDA, decreasing that of HDL-C. But RCM pretreatment decreased the high values of TG, TC, TL and MDA to the low values and increased the low value of HDL-C to the high value. These results suggested that RCM could be used as the potential candidate for the lipid metabolism natural supplement.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.295-303
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• 2007

A preliminary diet experiment utilizing Jerusalem artichoke's inulin, lotus leaf powder, nettle powder and eucalyptus powder extract indicated that combining all four elements gave the most effective result. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of combined diet for weight loss. In this study, Sprague-Dawley, male white rats about 200 g in weight was fed with high fat diet for 8 weeks in order to induce obesity followed by 4 week administration of combined diet to look into the effect of the diet. After a total of 12 weeks of feeding, factors relevant to weight, blood, and lipid metabolism by liver in the body were researched and histologic change was examined with optical microscope. In terms of weight change, both high fat diet group and regular diet group gained weight from high fat diet for 8 weeks compared to normal group. Then, for another 4 weeks, while normal group and high fat diet group kept gaining weight, combined diet group which was provided with high fat diet for 8 weeks, lost weight to the normal group level after 3 week administration of diet. However, after the 4th week of administration, the group weighted significantly less than the normal group and the efficiency of diet also significantly dropped. In the biochemical analysis of blood, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, GOT, GPT, ${\gamma}-GTP$ and creatine showed significant increase in high fat diet group and there was no significant difference between diet group and normal group except for GPT, ${\gamma}-GTP$ and creatine. In the biochemical analysis of liver, there was significant increase in LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride of high fat diet group compared to normal group, while there was no significant difference in term of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Compared to normal group, diet group had higher HDL-cholesterol, while total cholesterol dropped significantly. There was no significant difference in terms of LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride. Besides, in high fat diet group, observation of histologic change in liver and change in ultrastructure showed volume increase of hepatic cell and severe fatty degeneration in hepatic cell around hepatic vein. However in diet group, like normal group, no pathological change was observed in terms of cytoplasm, nucleus and capillary in hepatocyte and the alignment of hepatocyte had regularity thanks to the administration of combined diet. Therefore, combined diet utilizing Jerusalem artichoke's inulin, lotus leaf powder, nettle powder and eucalyptus powder was proven to be an effective measure to prevent and improve obesity as a result of abnormal adipose deposition.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2002

Background : The paradoxical response refers to an enlargement of old lesions or unexpected new ones during apparently adequate antituberculous therapy. This response has been reported in cases of intracranial tuberculoma, tuberculous lymphadenopathy, tuberculous pleurisy and pulmonary tuberculosis. However, there are few reports on its frequency and clinical characteristics. Materials and Methods : This study enrolled 205 patients who were treated with first line antituberculous agents for more than 6 months. We retrospectively studied 155 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 57 patients with pleural tuberculosis (7 patients had both) from July 1998 to March 2000. The patients were divided into the paradoxical response group and the non-paradoxical group. The clinical characteristics of the paradoxical response group and the non-paradoxical group. The clinical characteristics of the paradoxical group were investigated. Statistical analysis was done with an independent sample T-test and Chi-squared test. Results : 29 of the 205 patients(14.1%) had paradoxical response. Among the 29 patients, there were 19 pulmonary tuberculosis, 8 tuberculous pleurisy(2 patients had both). Paradoxical response appeared 32 days (mean 35 days in pulmonary tuberculosis, mean 25 days in tuberculous pleurisy) after the beginning of chemotherapy. The duration to regress less than half of initial chest lesion was 114 days in pulmonary tuberculosis and 124 days in tuberculous pleurisy, respectively. Most common clinical manifestation of paradoxical response patients was coughing in both pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy. Male sex, high blood WBC count and high level of pleural fluid LDH were related with paradoxical response. Conclusion : These findings suggest that presponse usually appears 1 month and disappears within 4 months after the beginning of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Paradoxical response was relatively correlated with male sex, high blood WBC count and high level of pleural fluid LDH.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was perfonned to elucidate the clinical pictures of acute focal bacterial nephritis(nephronia) in children. Methods: We reviewed 9 children with nephronia diagnosed by ultrasonography or computed tomography of kidneys from September 1994 to August 2004. Results: The overall male to female ratio was 2:1, and the age distribution ranged from 0.1 to 6 years(mean $2.8{\pm}2.2$). The cardinal symptoms were fever, chills, abdominal pain and dysuria/frequency. The initial leukocyte count was $21,000{\pm}5,600/uL$, ESR $60{\pm}23mm/hr$, CRP $17{\pm}10\;mg/dl$. Pyuria was noted in every patient and persisted for $10.5{\pm}7.8$ days after antimicrobial treatment. Abdominal sonography demonstrated focal lesion of ill-defined margin and low echogenicity in 5 of 9 patients(55.6%), while computed tomography revealed nonenhancing low density area in all patients(100%). Three of 9 patients(33.3%) had vesicoureteral reflux, greater than grade III. The initial $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan showed one or multiple cortical defects in every patient, and improvements were noted in 2(33.3%) of 6 patients who received follow up scan after 4 months. Intravenous antibiotics was given in every patient under admission. Total febrile period was $11.8{\pm}6.3$ days(pre-admission, $4.0{\pm}3.0;$ post-admission, $7.8{\pm}5.5$ days) and the patients needed hospitalization for $17.2{\pm}8.1$ days. Conclusion: For the early diagnosis of 'acute focal bacterial nephritis' we should perform renal computed tomography first rather than ultrasonography, when the child has toxic symptoms and severe inflammatory responses in blood and urine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1790-1799
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• 2010

A controlled and double blinded trial was performed to evaluate the effects of OPE supplementation on blood circulation in healthy male smokers. The study population consisted of 92 healthy male smokers aged $44.4{\pm}7.8$ years. The supplement group (n=49) received OPE containing 100 mg quercetin/day for 10 weeks, while the control group (n=43) received placebo powders. The prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time increased significantly after OPE consumption, indicating the attenuated blood clot formation by OPE. In conclusion, these results indicate that the daily consumption of OPE (containing 100 mg quercetin) for 10 weeks exerts significant health benefits through the modulation of physiological functions including the blood circulation in male smokers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.930-937
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• 2009

Purpose : We evaluated the effectiveness of treatment and cardiac complications of replacing a high dose of aspirin with a high dose of ibuprofen for children in acute phase of Kawasaki disease. We also analyzed the possibility of replacing a high dose of aspirin with a high dose of ibuprofen to prevent complications such as Reye󰡑s syndrome caused by aspirin. Methods : One hundred eight children with Kawasaki disease were admitted in the pediatrics department from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008. Echocardiography and laboratory tests were performed during diagnosis, and the children were followed-up at 6-8 weeks after the diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed their characteristics and clinical results. Results : The children were assigned to receive either a high dose of aspirin with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (aspirin group) or a high dose of ibuprofen with IVIG (ibuprofen group). A total of 55 and 53 children were included in the aspirin and ibuprofen groups, respectively. The mean defervescence period was 6.5${\pm}$2.1 days in the aspirin group, and $6.9{\pm}1.9$ days in the ibuprofen group (P=0.309). The number of failed treatments, during and after treatment, was 8 in the aspirin group and 10 in the ibuprofen group (P=0.547). There were 11 initial cardiac complications in the aspirin group, and 14 in the ibuprofen group, but children who showed improvement at follow-up was 7 and 13 in the aspirin and ibuprofen groups, respectively (P=0.133). Laboratory findings were also improved in both groups. Conclusion : We can be considered whether we will replace high dose of aspirin by high dose of ibuprofen in acute phase of Kawasaki disease. Therefore, we can prevent the severe complications of aspirin use, such as Reye's syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.619-623
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• 2005

Purpose : Bacteremia in immunocompromised pediatric cancer patients can lead to high morbidity and mortality, if not treated early and properly. The incidence and antibiotic sensitivities to common pathogens of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients are liable to change, according to region and time. We investigated the causative organisms and antibiotic sensitivities of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients to assess the adequacy of empiric antimicrobial therapy. Methods : From September 1995 to August 2003, we retrospectively evaluated 58 episodes in 39 pediatric cancer patients with bacteremia treated at the Pediatric Department of Yeungnam University Hospital. We investigated and analyzed the causative organisms and the antibiotic sensitivity test results by reviewing the records of the microbiologically proven positive blood culture results. Results : The incidence of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients in this study was 5.7 percent (58 episodes out of 1,022 occasions of blood cultures). Gram-positive organisms were isolated more often than gram-negative organisms (63.8 percent vs 36.2 percent) in the following order : Staphylococcus epidermidis (37.9 percent), Staphylococcus aureus (17.3 percent), Escherichia coli (12 percent), Streptococcus (8.6 percent), Enterobacter (6.9 percent), Klesiella (6.9 percent), Serratia (3.5 percent), Acinetobacter (3.5 percent), Proteus (1.7 percent) and Morganella morganii (1.7 percent). In antibiotic sensitivity tests, only six of 37 isolates (16 percent) of gram positive bacteria were sensitive to penicillin and 15 of 37 isolates (40 percent) were sensitive to oxacillin. All except one Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to vancomycin and all except one Staphylococcus epidermidis were sensitive to teicoplanin among 37 isolates of gram positive bacteria. In the case of gram negative bacteria, two of 21 isolates (10 percent) and four of 21 isolates (19 percent) were sensitive to cefotaxime and ceftazidime, respectively. Only six of 21 isolates (29 percent) were sensitive to aminoglycoside, but all 21 isolates (100 percent) were sensitive to imipenem. All seven isolates tested after the year 2000 were sensitive to meropenem. Conclusion : In conclusion, we should choose the proper antimicrobials in treating pediatric cancer patients with suspected bacteremia, reflecting the increasing episodes of gram positive bacteremia and polymicrobial resistance of gram positive and negative organisms.