• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.624-633
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• 2005

Purpose : This study analyzed the expression of HLA-DR and DQ genotypes and anti-thyroid autoantibodies[anti-thyroid peroxidase(TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin(TG) antibodies] in Korean patients with type 1 diabetes(T1DM) to investigate the susceptible HLA alleles to T1DM in Korea and the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and their significance for the development of thyroid disorders. Methods : A total of 59 Korean patients with type 1 diabetes[26 males, median age 13.7 years(range 5.7-29.9 years), diabetes duration 7.6 years(-1.7-22.5 years)] were enrolled in this study, and 200 healthy Koreans without a family history of diabetes were selected as a normal control for the comparison of HLA genotypes. Seventeen patients with anti-TPO or anti-TG were followed [median duration 3.96 years(1 day-10.7 years)] with measurement of anti-TPO, anti-TG, $T_3$, $T_4$ or free $T_4$, TSH levels and physical examinations. HLA-DR and DQ genotyping were done by PCR-SSO, PCR-SSCP, PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP methods. Results : HLA analysis showed higher frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0301, *090102 and DQB1*0201, *030302 alleles, DRB1*0301/*090102, *090102/*090102 and DQB1 *0201/*030302, *030302/*030302, *0201/ *0302 genotypes in T1DM patients compared to controls(Pc<0.05). Fifteen(25.4 percent) had anti-TPO antibody, 12(20.3 percent) had anti-TG, 17(28.8 percent) had either autoantibody and 10(16.9 percent) had both autoantibodies. No clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism developed during follow-up after the first detection of anti-thyroid autoantibody. There was no significant correlation between thyroid autoimmunity and gender, onset age of T1DM, and diabetes duration, respectively(P>0.05). Conclusion : We thought this unique HLA-DR, DQ allele distribution might be an important factor for the low incidence of T1DM in Korea. And a high prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in these populations suggests examinations of thyroid antibodies should be performed regularly. Optimal age for the initial screening and the frequency of re-screening for associated thyroid autoimmune diseases in T1DM remains to be determined through prospective follow-up.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.1015-1020
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• 2009

Purpose:The aim of this study is to explore the effect of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that respond to antigen to Th2 immune deviation in allergic patients. Methods:Subjects consisted of 19 allergic patients and 17 healthy volunteers. Skin prick tests and nasal provocation tests were performed for the two groups. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from subjects and analyzed for the Lineage Cocktail (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD56) (-), HLA-DR (+), and CD123 (+) using flow cytometry. In addition, we analyzed TLR9 mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The level of $interferon-{\alpha}$ ($IFN-{\alpha}$) of the PBMCs following stimulation with the TLR9 ligand CpG-ODN 2216 was also evaluated. Results:Analyses of CD123 (+) revealed a nearly similar distribution for the classical pDC markers in the allergic group ($0.1%{\pm}0.04%$) and in the controls ($0.25%{\pm}0.23%$). The mRNA levels of TLR9 on PBMCs were not different between the allergic group and the controls ($1.29{\pm}0.41$ vs. $1.25{\pm}0.23$, respectively). Additionally, the level of $IFN-{\alpha}$ in PBMCs exposed to stimuli of the TLR9 ligand CpG-ODN 2216 was not significantly different between the two groups ($911{\pm}829$ vs. $1,095{\pm}888pg/mL$, respectively). Conclusion:We found no evidence that TLR9-dependent immune responses in human pDCs are associated with allergic status.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. Methods : A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. Results : A total of 285 students(M : F=141 : 144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. Conclusion : Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1217-1223
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was conducted to assess clinical practices related to the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute gastrointestinal infection(AGI) in infants and children. This survey also evaluated the current opinion regarding the use of rotavirus vaccine. Methods : This survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire provided to 82 pediatricians in private clinics of Jeonbuk province. From April to June, 2002, 63 of 82 pediatricians(76.8 %) responded to the survey. Results : The annual proportion of patients with AGI was 13%. The highest proportion of patients with diarrhea were reported for the months of October through December. For the treatment of diarrhea, pediatricians preferred to prescribe lactobacillus products, oral rehydration solution, enzyme products, anti-emetics, anti-diarrheal formula, nothing by mouth(NPO) and bowel movement inhibitors in descending order of frequency. Most pediatricians(79.4%) prescribed antibiotics in less than 20% of patients with AGI. Amoxicillin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotics followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole(TMP/SMX) and amoxicillin/clavulanate. Clinical manifestations that pediatricians considered as important factors in prescribing antibiotics were bloody diarrhea, mucoid diarrhea, high fever, persisting disease and abdominal pain. Diagnostic procedures that pediatricians preferred for AGI patients were stool examination(rotavirus antigen, RBC, WBC), abdominal X-ray, and serum electrolytes. Pediatricians had a strong interest in rotavirus vaccine(71.4%). Conclusion : Acute gastrointestinal illness remains a common problem, especially during the winter months in Korea. AGI manifesting as watery diarrhea is appropriately treated with commonly available agents but pediatricians appear ready to consider additional approaches to decrease the sizable disease burden of AGI among children in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.372-376
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• 2008

Purpose : To identify clinical characteristics of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in neonatal period and early infancy and provide information in clinical practice. Methods : Twelve neonates and young infants (<6 months) who were infected by respiratory syncytial virus and required mechanical ventilation between March 2005 and July 2007 were enrolled. Diagnosis of RSV infection was made based on the positive results by rapid antigen immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction. Results : There were four premature infants, of whom three were near-term. Birth weight of subject patients was $2.8{\pm}0.6kg$, gestational age was $37{\pm}2weeks$ and the age at the time of admission was $35{\pm}15days$. Nine of them showed apnea and in five patients, apnea itself was an indication for mechanical ventilation. In seven of the apneic patients, apnea was the first manifestation of RSV infection. In three of these seven apneic patients, apnea preceded definite respiratory distress signs or typical stethoscopic findings by 1-3 days. Mean duration of mechanical ventilation was $3{\pm}2days$, and mean duration of stay in intensive care unit was $6{\pm}2days$. Conclusion : RSV is a major cause of severe respiratory tract infection in term or near-term infant younger than 2 months. For apnea could be the first manifestation of the RSV infection, high level of suspicion is required in practice of neonates or young infants who show any upper respiratory infection symptoms during RSV season.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1215-1221
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• 2000

Objective : The clinical prognosis and biological behavior of atypical and especially malignant meningiomas are well known to be worse than benign meningioma, but the degree of biological aggressiveness in each classical subtypes of benign meningioma is controversy. This study was performed to see whether there is a difference in the proliferative activity between each different histological subtypes of benign meningioma as well as atypical meningioma. Methods : Paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of 27 meningiomas, including two recurrent tumors, were studied to evaluate proliferative activity by immunohistochemical method with monoclonal antibodies to proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and MIB-1. The specimens consisted of 8 cases of meningothelial, 9 cases of transitional, 5 cases of fibroblastic subtypes and 5 cases of atypical meningiomas. Results : Mean PCNA labeling indices of meningothelial, transitional and fibroblastic meningiomas were $4.82{\pm}5.10%$, $9.01{\pm}4.25%$ and $5.66{\pm}5.32%$, but that of atypical meningiomas was $27.62{\pm}19.67%$, noting a higher value compared to all three subtypes of benign meningiomas. Mean Ki-67 labeling indices of the above 3 subtypes were $0.43{\pm}0.85%$, $0.44{\pm}1.08%$ and $0.24{\pm}0.18%$, and that of atypical meningiomas was also revealed to be of higher value ($0.84{\pm}0.59%$). PCNA and Ki-67 labeling indices were not statistically different between histological subtypes of benign meningioma(p>0.05), but the differences of both immunolabeling between benign and atypical meningiomas were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion : Immunolabeling of PCNA and Ki-67 in intracranial meningiomas reveals no prognostic difference between meningothelial, transitional and fibroblastic subtypes in classical benign meningiomas by measuring expression of PCNA and Ki-67, but it seems to be helpful in differentiating benign and atypical meningioma, later showing more proliferative activity and biological aggressiveness.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.229-239
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• 2005

Objectives : Allergic rhinitis is a prevalent disease. Nasal obstruction is one of the main symptom in allergic rhinitis. It induces sleep disturbances, depression, attention deficit, memory impairments. Acupuncture treatment for rhinitis was mentioned in literature, but there is not enough report that provide evidence by well designed clinical study. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment for nasal obstruction of allergic rhinitis. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with minimal acupuncture for the treatment of nasal obstruction owing to persistent allergic rhinitis. Acupoints used in active acupuncture group were I120($Y{\hat{o}}nghyang$), GV23($Sangs{\hat{o}}ng$), IL4(Hapkok). Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Total nasal volume(NV) and total nasal minimum cross-sectional area(MCA) were measured by acoustic rhinometry before and after treatments(0min, 7.5min, 15min). Results : 101 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, severity of persistent allergic rhinitis, number of positive antigen. After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p=0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(15min) total NV of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.2560), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0871). After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(Omin) total MCA were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p<0.000l) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0005). After treatment(15min) total MCA of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.6082), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0929). Conclusion : Acupuncture treatment reduced nasal obstruction in persistent allergic rhinitis. Further study in the form of long term is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.217-223
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• 2013

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and the outcomes for patients are still poor. It is important to determine the original type of synchronous multinodular HCC for preoperative assessment and the choice of treatment therapy as well as for the prediction of prognosis after treatment. Aims: To analyze clinicopathologic characteristics and prognoses in patients with multicentric occurrence (MO) and intrahepatic metastasis (IM) of synchronous multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The study group comprised 42 multinodular HCC patients with a total of 112 nodules. The control group comprised 20 HCC patients with 16 single nodular HCC cases and 4 HCC cases with a portal vein tumor emboli. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region was sequenced, and the patients of the study group were categorized as MO or IM based on the sequence variations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the important clinicopathologic characteristics in the two groups. Results: In the study group, 20 cases were categorized as MO, and 22 as IM, whereas all 20 cases in the control group were characterized as IM. Several factors significantly differed between the IM and MO patients, including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), cumulative tumor size, tumor nodule location, cirrhosis, portal vein and/or microvascular tumor embolus and the histological grade of the primary nodule. Multivariate analysis further demonstrated that cirrhosis and portal vein and/or microvascular tumor thrombus were independent factors differentiating between IM and MO patients. The tumor-free survival time of the MO subjects was significantly longer than that of the IM subjects ($25.7{\pm}4.8$ months vs. $8.9{\pm}3.1$ months, p=0.017). Similarly, the overall survival time of the MO subjects was longer ($31.6{\pm}5.3$ months vs. $15.4{\pm}3.4$ months, p=0.024). The multivariate analysis further demonstrated that the original type (p=0.035) and Child-Pugh grade (p<0.001) were independent predictors of tumor-free survival time. Cirrhosis (p=0.011), original type (p=0.034) and Child-Pugh grade (p<0.001) were independent predictors of overall survival time. Conclusions: HBeAg, cumulative tumor size, tumor nodule location, cirrhosis, portal vein and/or microvascular tumor embolus and histological grade of the primary nodule are important factors for differentiating IM and MO. MO HCC patients might have a favorable outcome compared with IM patients.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2005

In South America, natural products with unknown drug effects are used as folk remedies and for preventive medicine. Among South American natural products, we directed our attention to Propolis, which have been known as medicinal plants, and examined the mechanisms by which these substances affect antioxidant activity, anti-tumor activity and immunoresponse. When the antioxidant activities of Propolis were examined by the DPPH and Rhoudan iron methods, since Propolis contains high levels of flavonoids, it is thought that flavonoids may be responsible for the antioxidant activity in this study. In the examination of immunoenhancement activity, we measured lymphocyte versus polymorphonuclear leukocyte ratios (L/P activity). The number of lymphocytes was significantly increased in groups treated with Proplolis. Specifically, slightly high levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ were measured in mice bearing the S-180 carcinoma, after administration of Propolis. This strongly suggests that cellular immunity is especially activated by treatment with Propolis, because production of $IFN-{\alpha}$ is limited to the T cells and NK cells stimulated by mitogen and sensitized antigen. $TNF-{\alpha}$ shows a different extent and mechanism of action depending on the target cells. When $TNF-{\alpha}$ was measured in mice bearing the S-180 carcinoma, mice treated with Propolis showed slightly higher $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels as compared to the control group. This suggests that activated macrophages produce $TNF-{\alpha}$ in mice treated with Prapolis, since activated macrophages and lymphocytes are the source of most $TNF-{\alpha}$. When anti-tumor action was examined using two kinds of sarcoma (Ehrlich solid carcinoma and Sarcoma-180 carcinoma), tumor-suppressive ratios after treatment with Propolis was 29.1%. When Sarcoma-180 solid carcinoma was used, tumor-suppressive ratios were 62%. Thus, Propolis showed strong anti-tumor activity against two kinds of solid carcinoma. Taken altogether, this strongly suggests that Propolis enhances original functions of macrophages and NK cells, and as a result, secondarily enhances the immune reaction and suppresses tumor growth.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 1998

This study was performed in order to apply to effective breeding of Korean native cattle on the molecular genetic level obtained from PCR and nucleotide sequencing analysis of BoLA DRB3 exon2 that has important roles in host immune defence. Genomic DNA used in this study was prepared from the blood of Korean native cattle in Korean Native Cattle Improvement Center of National Livestock Cooperation. The results obtained from this study are summarized as follows: 1. Genomic DNA extracted from the blood of Korean native cattle was subjected to electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel. Major band was bigger than 12.2kb, indicating that genomic DNA was well prepared for PCR. Amplified products of 284bp fragments was obtained the amplification of BoLA DRB3 exon2 gene by PCR. 2. Cloning of BoLA DRB3 exon2 of Korean native cattle with pCR2.1 vector was conformed by 300bp fragment from recombinent plasmid that restricted with enzyme digestion of EcoRI. 3. Homology of BoLA DRB3 exon2 alleles of parent was 82.0% between sire's alleles and 90.1% between dam's alleles. 4. In pedigree analysis using BoLA DRB3 exon2 gene, sequencing result of BoLA DRB3 exon2 genes showed inheritance by Mendelian mode through the parents to their offspring. 5. Taking together those experimental results, pedigree was confirmed on the basis of sequencing for the alleles of parents and offspring. This knowledge by the molecular biological approach could be served for the improvement of Korean native cattle.