• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria isolated from endodontic lesions by cell culture and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of them against 8 antibiotics. The necrotic pulpal tissues were collected from 27 infected root canals, which were diagnosed as endodontic infection. Samples were collected aseptically from the infected pulpal tissue of the infected root canals using a barbed broach and a paper point. The cut barbed broaches and paper points were transferred to an eppendorf tube containing $500{\mu}l\;of\;1{\times}PBS$. The sample solution was briefly mixed and plated onto a BHI-agar plate containing 5% sheep blood. The agar plates were incubated in a $37^{\circ}C$ anaerobic chamber for 2 to 5 days. The bacteria grown on the agar plates were identified by comparison of 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequencing method at the species level. To test the sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from the infected root canals against 8 antibiotics, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using broth dilution assay. The data showed that 101 bacterial strains were isolated and were identified. Streptococcus spp. (29.7%) and Actinomyces spp. (21.8%) were predominantly isolated. The 9 strains were excluded in antimicrobial susceptibility test because they were lost during the experiment or were not grown in broth culture. The percentage of bacteria susceptible for each antibiotic in this study was clindamycin, 87.0% (80 of 92); tetracycline, 75.0% (69 of 92); cefuroxime axetil, 75.0% (69 of 92); amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (5:1), 71.7% (66 of 92); penicillin G, 66.3% (61 of 92); erythromycin, 66.3% (61 of 92); amoxicillin, 44.6% (41 of 92); and ciprofloxacin, 31.5% (29 of 92). The susceptibility pattern of 8 antibiotics was dependent on the host of the bacteria strains rather than the kinds of bacterial species. These results indicate that antibiotic susceptibility test should be performed when antibiotics are needed for the treatment of infected root canals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2017

Purpose: Obesogenic environments in children, in particular excessive intake of sodium, generate hypertension, which is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Methods: In all, 725 children, 379 boys and 373 girls, aged 8~9 years were recruited from seven elementary schools in Kuro-ku, Seoul. To evaluate whether or not obesity risk was modulated by salt-sensitive genes, Solute Carrier Familiy 12 member 3 (SLC12A3) was used as the target. After children were assigned into obese (BMI > 85 percentile) or non-obese groups, anthropometry, blood biochemistry, and dietary intakes were measured according to the genotypes GG (wild) or GA+AA (hetero+mutant). Results: Without gender differences, high TG and low HDLc were detected in the obese group compared to the non-obese group. Regardless of obesity, weight gain and blood pressure (BP) increased in the SLC12A3 GA+AA genotype rather than in the GG type. HDLc was associated with obesity risk without genotype difference. Odd ratios for risk of obesity were 15.57 (95% CI 2.192~110.654), 22.84 (95% CI 1.565~333.469), and 9.32 (95%CI 1.262~68.817) in boys and girls with GA+AA genotypes as sodium intake increased above 4,000 mg/day. Dietary calcium, sodium, folate, and vit C were associated with obesity risk according to gender or genotype differences. Since high folate intake reduced obesity risk in only boys with GG type. Risk for overweight and obesity increased in boys with GA+AA genotypes and dietary habits with high sodium and cholesterol and low folate. Conclusion: The A allele of SLC12A3 rs11643718 was sensitive to development of obesity in children as sodium intake increased.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2011

Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in young children and to provide information for an effective guideline for palivizumab administration in Korea. Methods : We reviewed medical charts of 167 patients under 3 years of age who were hospitalized in Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital for lower respiratory tract infection between January 2007 and February 2011. Diagnosis of the virus was made based on the multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction. Results : There were 113 patients who were infected by respiratory syncytial virus. 90 patients were term infants and 23 patients were preterm infants. No difference was shown between term and preterm infants except the days of admission which was 9.0${\pm}$6.0 days and 12.6${\pm}$21.0 days respectively. In the preterm group their mean age at the time of admission was 5.21${\pm}$4.9 months and the mean gestational age was 33.1${\pm}$4.3 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2,152${\pm}$950 g. Only 4 patients were born under 28 weeks gestational age and were candidates for palivizumab administration. Conclusion : Most of the patients with severe RSV lower respiratory tract infection were term or near term infants who were not candidates for palivizumab prophylaxis. A nationwide study is needed to make a new risk stratified guideline for RSV prophylaxis for our country.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.206-216
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• 2019

Purpose: Management of the metabolic risk factors in diabetes patients is essential for preventing or delaying diabetic complications. This study compared the levels of the metabolic risk factors in diabetes patients according to the income levels, and examined the secular trends in recent decades. Methods: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998 ~ 2014 were used. The diabetes patients were divided into three groups based on their household income levels. General information was obtained through self-administered questionnaires, and the blood biomarkers and blood pressure data were obtained from a health examination. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare the metabolic biomarker levels according to the household income levels, adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results: The fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and blood lipid (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride) levels were similar in the three groups. During the survey period of 16 years, the blood pressure showed a significant decreasing trend with time in all groups (p < 0.001). In contrast, the fasting blood glucose (p = 0.004), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and LDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.007) decreased significantly, and the HDL-cholesterol level (p < 0.001) increased significantly in the highest-income groups. In the lowest-income group, the fasting blood glucose (p = 0.02), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and triglyceride (p = 0.003) levels showed a significant decreasing trend over time. On the other hand, the middle-income group showed no significant change in any of the metabolic risk factors except for blood pressure. Conclusion: The level of management of metabolic risk factors according to the income level of Korean diabetes patients was similar. On the other hand, the highest- and lowest-income groups showed positive trends of management of these factors during 16 years of observation, whereas the middle-income group did not show any improvement.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.97-100
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• 2018

Purpose The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test is an important indicator of glomerular filtration and has been used to test renal function and the extent of its function. The GFR test is performed by intravenous injection of radioactive medicines made of $^{51}Cr$-EDTA, and blood concentration is measured by taking blood according to the elapsed time. also, PET-CT, bone scan, transfusion and so on will affect the outcome. Therefore, we will improve the quality of the test by providing guidelines for the GFR test for more accurate testing. Materials and Methods 5 mL of physiological saline solution and 2 mL of $^{51}Cr$-EDTA solution are used to make 5 mL of the radiopharmaceutical solution to be injected into the patient. First, the syringe weight is measured before the injection, and then the radioactive medicine is injected into the patient's vein and the syringe weight is measured after the injection. Blood sampling is performed twice in total. In adults, blood is collected 3 hours / 5 hours after injection and in children 2 hours / 5 hours after injection. The blood sample is centrifuged at 3300 rpm for 5 minutes. Standard solution is prepared by filling diluent water up to the scale indicated in the 200-mL volumetric flask, discarding $500{\mu}L$, injecting $500{\mu}L$ of GFR reagent and mixing well. $500{\mu}L$ each of the standard solution is dispensed into two test tubes, and $500{\mu}L$ of each of the plasma samples collected in time is dispensed into two test tubes and measured with a Cobra Counter. Results At present, the reference range applied in this study is $119.5{\pm}30.3ml/min/1.73m2$ for males and $125.2{\pm}28.2ml/min/1.73m^2$ for females. Conclusion The GFR test is conducted using radioactive medical products. GFR testing is performed as a scheduled test, but PET-CT, dialysis and transfusion, which may affect GFR testing, may be scheduled during GFR testing. Therefore, we could get accurate GFR test results by notifying the ward and department beforehand when booking.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.603-608
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• 2021

The purpose of this perspective research is to discuss the potential role of exercise-interventions in COVID-19, terms of prevention and prognosis in the periods of the COVID-19 vaccine. SARCO-CoV-2. COVID-19 was detected as a new virus causing severe cardiovascular and respiratory complications. It emerged as a global public health emergency and national pandemic. It caused more than 1 million deaths in the first 6 months of the pandemic and resulted in huge social and economic fluctuations internationally. Unprecedented stressful situations, such as COVID-19 blue and COVID-19 red impact on many health problems. In healthy individuals, COVID-19 infection may induced no symptoms (i.e., asymptomatic), whereas others may experience flu-like symptoms, such as ARDS, pneumonia, and death. Poor health status, such as obesity and cardiovascular and respiratory complications, are high risk factors for COVID-19 prevention, occurrence, and prognosis. Several COVID-19 vaccines are currently in human trials. However, the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, including potential side effects, such as anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and rare blood clots, still need to be investigated. On the basis of direct and indirect evidence, it seems that regular and moderate physical exercise can be recommended as a nonpharmacological, efficient, and safe way to cope with COVID-19. Physical inactivity and metabolic abnormalities are directly associated with reduced immune responses, including reduced innate, CMI, and AMI responses. Due to prolonged viral shedding, quarantine in inactive, obese and disease people should likely be longer than physical active people. Multicomponent and systemic exercise should be considered for the obese, disease, and elderly people. More mechanism research is needed in this area.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2020

Purpose: Brown tumor is a tumor-like disease that can occur as a linked disease of hyperparathyroidism which can causes osteoporosis, osteitis fibrosa cystica, pathologic fractures. Brown tumor has been reported as a case report, but there is no comprehensive report on the exact diagnosis and principle of management for osseous lesion. The purpose of this study is to report the treatment and results of osseous lesions through 5 cases. Materials and Methods: From February 2004 to May 2015, five cases of Brown tumor were diagnosed in Chosun University Hospital and Chonnam National University Hospital orthopedic department. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. Parathyroid tumors were surgically removed, and surgical treatment and observation were performed for orthopedic osseous lesions. Results: The mean length of the long axis of the symptomatic osseous lesion was 6.2 cm (4.5-9.0 cm). An average of 7.6 (range, 3 to 14) of high uptake osseous lesion showed in whole body bone scan. The absolute value, T-score and Z-score of the vertebrae and proximal femur were adequate for diagnosis of osteoporosis using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry bone mineral density at diagnosis and recovered to normal at the last follow-up. In laboratory tests, serum concentrations of total calcium, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone were helpful to diagnosis and normalized upon successful removal of parathyroid adenoma or cancer. Conclusion: For accurate diagnosis of Brown tumor, it should be accompanied by systemic examination as well as clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and radiologic examination for osseous lesions. And a good prognosis can be expected if the hyperparathyroidism is treated together with the comprehensive treatment of osseous lesions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.236-247
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• 2024

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, which is part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a vital role in immune responses by differentiating between itself and foreign cells and antigens. The significant diversity of alleles affects disease susceptibility and immune responses within different populations. Specifically, the HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles are associated with various immune-related diseases, and understanding the frequency and haplotype associations of these alleles is vital for genetic and immunological research. To investigate the distribution of these characteristics in Koreans, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from blood samples donated by volunteers at the Seoul Central Blood Bank and performed HLA typing on 790 samples. Our study found that the HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles are widely distributed within the Korean population, with HLA-A^*24:02 (21.7%) and HLA-DRB1*09:01 (9.9%) being the most frequent. Significant haplotype associations between specific HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified using the Chi-square test, suggesting that certain genetic combinations may influence disease onset. This insight could contribute to the development of predictive and preventative strategies for various diseases. The unique genetic characteristics of the Korean population highlight the importance of studying the HLA allele and the haplotype distributions in this group as key indicators for understanding disease susceptibility.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.441-445
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• 2009

Purpose : Some patients develop side effects from theophylline even at low serum concentrations. We designed a prospective study to evaluate the side effects of theophylline. Methods : A Prospective, controlled trial study was conducted. The low-dose group received an intravenous continuous aminophylline dose of 5 mg/kg/day on the first day and subsequently 10 mg/kg/day on the following two days. The usual-dose group received 10 mg/kg/day for three days and the control group received normal saline for three days. Heart rate, respiratory rate, serum concentration of theophylline, and four adverse events (irritability, sleep disturbance, jitter, and vomiting) were checked at the time of admission and at 2, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after the start of aminophylline infusions. Results : Nine patients out of 37 in the low-dose group and six of 21 in the usual-dose group dropped out because of uncontrolled irritability. The serum concentrations of theophylline in dropouts ($3.68{\pm}1.93$ ig/mL) and participants ($4.47{\pm}2.45$ ig/mL) were not significantly different. Irritability was a more frequent side effect in the usual-dose group at 12 h, but there was no difference between the low-dose and usual-dose groups in terms of vomiting, sleep disturbance, and jitter. Most of the severe adverse effects were observed in children below two years of age. Conclusion : Some patients dropped out regardless of the initiating aminophylline dose, especially patients under the age of two years.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2017

Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by the deficiency of glucocerebrosidase. In pediatric patients with GD, especially Type I GD, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) can reduce the hepatosplenomegaly and improve the hematologic finding and growth velocity. Herein, we report a 2-year-old girl with Type I GD presented with hepatosplenomegaly, bone pain and growth retardation. A 2 year-old-girl was referred to our hospital due to severe hepatosplenomegaly and growth retardation. She suffered from both leg pain and chronic fatigue. Simple x-ray showed widened distal long bones like that of an 'Erlenmeyer flask' which is associated with GD. The laboratory test showed anemia and thrombocytopenia. The enzyme activity was markedly reduced and the direct sequencing of the GBA gene showed the compound heterozygous mutations, p.G46E and p.L444P. As the G46E have been considered as the protective gene against neuronopathic genotype, we could assess the Type I GD in this patient. After one year of ERT, the growth velocity became 11 cm per year. Bone pain and fatigue disappeared. The volume of liver and spleen was reduced from $683cm^3$ and $703cm^3$ to $590cm^3$ and $235cm^3$, respectively. Although GD is an extremely rare disease in Korea, growth retardation and bone pain in children are the important signs which lead to early detection of GD and a simple radiologic finding is helpful to assess the GD at outpatient clinic. We highlight that the early diagnosis and early ERT is important for good growth and outcome for pediatric patients with GD.