• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify useful predictors for diagnosing bacterial meningitis and performing CSF studies in febrile infants three months or younger. Methods : Six hundred and fifty two febrile infants with a rectal temperature ${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$ presented from January 2003 to April 2008 and were retrospectively studied. The total white blood cell count (WBC), band count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood cultures were performed on admission. The clinical variables associated with bacterial meningitis were analyzed. Results : In patients with bacterial meningitis, the clinical variables including CRP (P=0.036), band count (P=0.037), ANC (P=0.036) and age (P=0.001) were significantly different. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.969 for CRP, 0.946 for the band count, 0.765 for the ANC and 0.235 for age. A CRP cutoff point of 8 mg/dL was determined to maximize both the sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity 83%, specificity 95%, likelihood ratio 16.6). A CRP concentration of <7 mg/dL "ruled-out" bacterial meningitis, with a likelihood ratio of 0.17, a posttest probability of <0.1% and negative predictive value 91%. A CRP concentration greater than 9 mg/dL had a much higher likelihood ratio (20.1) than the band count (16.6) and ANC (2.2). Conclusion : The CRP concentration was a useful laboratory test for the differential diagnosis of bacterial meningitis among febrile infants three months of age or younger. A CRP concentration of <7 mg/dL effectively ruled out bacterial meningitis; a value ${\geq}9mg/dL$ increased the clinical suspicion of bacterial meningitis and the need for CSF evaluation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 2009

Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were produced from aqueous solution of various sugars with defatted hydrolyzed soybean protein (DFHSP) with different temperatures and pressures. Physicochemical properties of MRPs were investigated; also, DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and sensory properties were evaluated. MRPs from ribose and DFHSP had the highest reactivity with larger pH reduce, higher browning index increase and higher antioxidant activity than other MRPs from other sugars. The antioxidant activities were increased with increasing temperatures and pressures of reaction. The highest antioxidant activity and sensory preference were obtained from MRPs with ribose at $140^{\circ}C$ with 2.8 kg/$cm^2$ for 30 mins.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2022

Procalcitonin (PCT) can provide an experimental rationale and a diagnostic lead to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. This study sought to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with high PCT levels, to improve clinical diagnosis, and to determine whether PCT levels were associated with the subsequent development of sepsis in the general population. This was a retrospective observational study conducted on outpatients (N=127) over a year. The general data and laboratory parameters studied were PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and complete blood count (CBC). The positive rates of CRP and white blood cells (WBCs) in the elevated PCT group were higher than those of the normal group (P<0.05); the specificity and sensitivity of the PCT levels were obviously higher than those of the CRP and WBC levels at diagnosis (P<0.05). The mean PCT levels in the low group were significantly higher than those in the high or moderate group (P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation with CRP, total WBCs, and neutrophils (P<.001). The main finding of this study was the significant association between an elevated PCT level and CRP and WBC levels, signifying a high diagnostic value. This has important implications for the diagnosis of bacterial infections and therapeutic implications for the use of antibiotic treatment in specific patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2008

Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated and an increase of CRP is more exaggerated in the acute exacerbation form of COPD (AECOPD) than in stable COPD. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common complication of COPD. An increased level of CRP is known to be associated with the risk of systemic cardio-vascular disorders. However, few findings are available on the potential role of CRP in pulmonary arterial hypertension due to COPD. Methods: This study was performed prospectively and the study population was composed of 72 patients that were hospitalized due to AECOPD. After receiving acute management for AECOPD, serum CRP levels were evaluated, arterial oxygen pressure ($PaO_2$), was measured, and the existence of pulmonary arterial hypertension under room air inhalation was determined in the patients. Results: The number of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension was 47 (65.3%)., There was an increased prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and an increase of serum CRP levels in patients with the higher stages of COPD (e.g., patients with stage 3 and stage 4 disease; P<0.05). The mean serum CRP levels of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension were $37.6{\pm}7.4mg/L$ and $19.9{\pm}6.6mg/L$, respectively (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of the mean values of $PaO_2$ between patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension statistically ($77.8{\pm}3.6mmHg$ versus $87.2{\pm}6.0mmHg). Conclusion: We conclude that higher serum levels of CRP can be a sign for pulmonary arterial hypertension in AECOPD patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 1991

인체감염이 다발하는 폐흡충증의 혈청학적 진단에서 항원으로 사용하는 성충추출액은 여러단계의 질환 이행과정을 진단하는 항원으로서 문제가 있다. 이를 해결하려면 먼저 추출액내의 성분단백질의 성상을 파악할 필요가 있다. 이 연구에서는 폐흡충 성충 추출액으로 면역시킨 BALB/c mice의 비장세포와 SP2/0 형질세포종 세포를 세포융합하여 제작한 단세포군항체를 이용하여 친화성크로마토그래피로 폐흡충 성충의 구성단백질의 일부를 순수분리하고 성상을 관찰하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 세포융합으로 PFCK-21, PFCK-44, PFCK-136, PFCK-189 등 4종류의 단세포군 항체를 얻었다. 그중 PFCK-21과 PFCK44는 17k Da, PFCK-136은 23, 46, 92 kDa 단백질에 반응하였고 PFCK-189는 여러종류의 단백질에 반응하였다. 2. PFCK-44 단세포군항체를 고리로 친화성 크로마토그래피를 실시하여 분리한 성분 단백질은 disc-PAGE상 4번째에 위치하고 분자량이 17 kDa로 알려진 단밸질이었다. 이 단밸질은 17 kDa의 monomer로 판단하였다. 면역조직화학염색을 실시한 결과 이 단밸질은 장관 상피세포에 반응하고 있었다. 3. PFCK-136 단세포군항체로 순수분리한 단밸질은 disc-PAGE상 1번 단밸질(440 kDa)이었으며 환원성 SDS-PAGE에서는 23 kDa 단밸질이었다. 면역조직화학염색으로 이 단세포군항체는 충란내 세포에 강하게 반응하고 있었다.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.339-345
• /
• 1992

In order to enhance the processing quality and utility of alaska-pollack meat, the optimum conditions for the preparation of pronase hydrolysate and the synthesis of plastein were investigated. The optimum temperature and pH for the hydrolysis of alaska-pollack by pronase were $40^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0. The reaction time and enzyme concentration were 4 hr and 1,000 units per g of substrate. Under the above optimum conditions alaska-pollack was hydrolyzed by pronase yielding a hydrolytic degree of about 89%. Pronase hydrolysate was employed as substrate for plastein synthesis. The 30% pronase hydrolysates were adjusted to pH 7 for fruit-bromelain and pH 5 for stem-bromelain, and then plastein were synthesized by 1% bromelain at $40^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. The plasteins synthesized by fruit- and stem-bromelain were consisted of peptides having average peptide length of 22.6 and 20.8 under the optimum synthetic conditions. The plastein synthesis reaction reduced considerably the bitterness of pronase hydrolysate.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.772-778
• /
• 2015

Hydrolysis of isolate soybean protein (ISP) using subcritical water (SCW) was conducted to study the feasibility for producing protein hydrolyzate. SCW hydrolysis of SPI suspension (5-15%) was conducted in an electrically heated batch reactor (2 L). The effects of temperature (230 to $270^{\circ}C$) and holding time (10 to 50 min) on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and the production of amino acids were studied by surface response method. The DH was determined by derivatizing the hydrolyzates with ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) solution. It was confirmed that reaction temperature and holding time affected the hydrothermolysis of soybean protein. However, the holding time was less effective on amino acid yield when the temperature was higher than $230^{\circ}C$. In order to achieve optimal yields of amino acids exceeding 43%, the temperature should be within the range between 256 and $268^{\circ}C$ with holding time from 29 to 41 min, respectively. A maximum estimated amino acid yield of 43.5% was obtained at $268^{\circ}C$ for 35 min.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.579-590
• /
• 2006

1. 연구배경 교원질 분해작용을 하는 호중구의 세포질 효소인 기질금속단백분해효소-8은 치주질환, 류마티스 관절염, 그리고 궤양결장염과 같은 염증성 질환에서 농도가 증가한다고 알려져 있다. 최근에는 A. actinomycetemcomitans의 leukotoxin이 사람호중구에서 기질금속단백분해효소-8의 분비를 유도하는 것이 보고되었다. 이 연구의 목적은 선천면역 체계에서 세포표면 항원무리14, Toll-like 수용기, 그리고 $NF-{\kappa}$ B경로를 통하여 A. actinomycetemcomitans의 지질다당질로 유도된 기질금속단백분해효소-8의 분비 여부와 세포기전을 알아보고자 하였다. 2. 연구재료 및 방법 건강한 개인 제공자(남자 13명, 여자 3명)로부터 얻은 개개인의 20ml 말초혈액을 제조사의 지침에 따라 호중구를 추출한 후 항세포표면 항원무리14와 함께 $4^{\circ}C$에서 30분간 전배양 한 후, $37^{\circ}C$에서 9시간 동안 배양시켰다. 추출한 호중구에 Toll-like 수용기 억제제 또는 $NF-{\kappa}$ B억제제인 TPCK를 첨가한 후 $37^{\circ}C$에서 1시간 동안 전배양하고 $37^{\circ}C$에서 9시간 동안 배양시켰다. 호중구에 세포뼈대 억제제인 cholchicine, nocodazole, demecolcine, 그리고 cytochalasin B를 A. actinomycetemcomitans의 지질다당질과 함께 $37^{\circ}C$에서 9시간 동안 배양시켰다. 기질금속단백분해효소-8 분비량은 효소면역측정법을 통해 결정하였다. 통계처리는 일원배치 분산분석법을 이용하였다(p<0.05). 3. 결과 A. actinomycetemcomitans 지질다당질은 기질금속단백분해효소-8의 분비를 증가시켰다. 기질금속단백분해효소-8의 분비는 항세포표면 항원무리14에 의해서 억제되었지만, 항 Toll-like 수용기2, 항 Toll-like 수용기4 항체는 억제시키지 못했다. $NF-{\kappa}$ B 억제제는 A. actinomycetemcomitans의 지질다당질로 유도된 $NF-{\kappa}$ B 결합 활성도와 기질금속단백분해효소-8 분비를 억제하였다. 미세섬유 중합반응 억제제는 A. actinomycetemcomitans의 지질다당질로 유도된 기질금속단백분해효소-8의 분비를 억제시켰으나, 미세관 중합반응억제제는 억제시키지 못했다. 4. 결론 위의 연구결과를 종합하여 볼 때, 기질금속단백분해효소-8은 A. actinomycetemcomitans의 지질다당질로 유도되며, 세포표면 항원무리-$NF-{\kappa}$ B 경로를 통하여 분비되고, 이 분비 과정은 미세섬유 계통이 관여하는 것으로 보인다.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.321-326
• /
• 2016

This study aimed to analyze the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measured in acute infection within four weeks post artificial joint surgery to predict potential infection in early stages, provide rapid treatment, and prevent the abuse of antibiotics. This study included 50 patients with acute infection and 50 patients without any symptoms of infection, among patients who received artificial joint replacement surgery on the lower limbs in a four-week period. CRP was the highest two-to-three days after surgery. with $5.77{\pm}3.69$ and $5.17{\pm}3.48$, respectively, in those with infection and without infection. Thereafter, the value rapidly reduced in those without infection. However, it increased again to $3.16{\pm}2.87$ in the group with infection according to the bimodal curve (p<0.001). ESR was the highest two-to-three days after surgery, with $58.8{\pm}24.63$ and $44.08{\pm}21.48$, respectively. Thereafter, the value slowly reduced in those without infection. However, it was increased again to $47.62{\pm}26.26$ in those with infection according to the bimodal curve p<0.001). As this study shows, if there is an increasing trend for CRP and ESR after artificial joint replacement surgery, it may be possible to question whether patients are acutely infected post surgery. In particular, this result is expected and regarded as a useful factor for diagnosing infection due to the high level of sensitivity and uniqueness for CRP.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.538-543
• /
• 2004

To improve the levels of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in germinated brown rice, chitosan and glutamic acid were treated during the brown rice germination. The GABA contents in germinated brown rices were 425.7 nmole/g and 637.0 nmole/g at germination temperature of $25^{\circ}C$ and germination time of 72 hrs. Response surface methodology(RSM) was used to monitor characteristics of germination from brown rices. As glutamic acid and chitosan concentration were increased, the GABA content was also increased. The ranges of optimum conditions were $105{\sim}160\;ppm$ in chitosan concentration and $200{\sim}290\;ppm$ in glutamic acid concentration. Predicted values at the optimized conditions were acceptable in comparison with experimental values.