• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.630-639
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• 2000

The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) establishes long-term chronic infection that can lead to atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer. H. pylori, which express cytotoxic genes is now recohnized as a cause of peptic ulcer and is also a major risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. We performed this study 1) to assess the detection rate of H. pylori according to direct investigation of bacteria of gastric biopsy specimen and two serologic tests of GAP test and Helico blot 2.0 system in the symptomatic and non-symptomatic group 2) to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two serologic tests of GAP test and Helico blot 2.0 system for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Forty-nine patients were positive for H pylori infection based on direct investigation of bacteria by histology. The detection rates of H. pylori infection based on direct investigation of bacteria by histology. The detection rates of H. phlori were significantly lower in gastric cancer than in other gastroduodenal disease(p<0.05). The concordance of two serologic tests of GAP test and Helico blot 2.0 system is poor. There was no statistically significant difference between the expression rate of CagA and VacA in the symptomatic and non-symptomatic group. Although Helico blot 2.0 system may not displace GAP test, it was a very sensitive serologic test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and it was used to detect IgG antibodies to H. pylori-specific antigens, including CagA, VacA and the various urease subunit. Our data suggest that further investigation is needed to determine whether or not the serologic expression of cytotoxic gene may be clinical usefulness of diagnostic methods in the gastroduodenal disease.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-56
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological outcomes following the use of 30% minocycline-loaded polycaprolacton film and 2% minocycline-loaded gel that was applied locally into pockets combined with scaling and root planing. 25 human subjects who were non-pregnant, non-lactating, aged 20-50 and diagnosed as moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were enrolled. Subjects were excluded if they had a history of severe acute or chronic systemic disease, if they required antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment for any reason, or if they reported a history suggestive of hypersensitivity reactions to minocycline or tetracycline. 4quadrants that had several teeth with a 5-8mm probing pocket depth and radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss for each patient were selected and divided into test sites and control sites according to the split-mouth design. Scaling and root planing was done for each site at baseline(0week). Test sites received the minocycline gel and strip and control sites had saline irrigation. The patients received both treatments simyltaneously. Subgingival irrigation of sterile saline was applied to the control sites for approximately 30 seconds. Minocycline strip and gel was applied into the periodontal pocket at 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks each after scaling and root planing in the test sites. The clinical and microbiological measurements were made at baseline and at the follow-up visits 6, 10, 14, 20 weeks. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The sulcular bleeding index, probing pocket depth and Periocheck test was significantly reduced and the relative proportions of spirochetes and motile rods were significantly reduced and the proportion of cocci was correspondingly increased, in locally delivered minocycline strip group compared to saline irrigation group. 2. In locally delivered minocycline gel group, The effect was the same with minocycline strip group as compared with saline irrigation therapy. 3. There was no significant differences between minocycline strip group and minocycline gelgroup. In conclusion, minocycline HCl local drug delivery combined with scaling and root planing may provide added improvement of clinical and microbiological responses by inhibiting bacterial recolonization of treated sites. It is suggested that the local administration of minocycline-HCl in the periodontal pocket is effective when combined with subgingival mechanical debridement.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

Objectives : To gather information about the factors which influence the interest and intention of admission into charging nursing hones for the elderly(CNH), as these homes represent an important method for resolving the problems related to the rapid population aging occurring in Korea. Methods : A face-to-face interview survey was carried out with 320(men 159, women 165) patients over 60 years old who were admitted at 2 university hospitals and 5 general hospitals in the Busan area between December 1998 and March 1999. Data were analyzed through t-test, ANOVA, correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results : The mean age and years of education of the study population was 67.0 and 7.7 years, and the types of chronic degenerative disease included musculoskeletal disorders(20.1%), cerebrovascular disease(17.1%), and diabetes(14.3%). The major forms of household living arrangement prior to admission were elderly alone(22.6%), and elderly couple(33.5%), while about half of them(55.5%) didn't want to live with their children id the future. Almost half were paying medication fees by themselves(46.6%). The level of actual intention of admission$(3.07{\pm}1.39)$ into a CNH was lower than that of interest$(3.22{\pm}1.33)$(p<0.01). Multiple analysis revealed that the intention of admission increased with decreasing number of future supportive persons$(\beta=-0.107)$, lower level of activity in daily life$(\beta=-0.447)$, and longer years of education$(\beta=-0.447)$ with 32.7% of $R^2$. As for the factors which determined the admission into a CNH, the fee and facilities were considered to be most important, and professional nursing and physician's care were the most desired services. In nomenclature, they preferred 'elderly hospital' or 'elderly health center' to CNH. Conclusions : Interest in CNH is increasing recently, but existing studies about patient experiences in CHN are still limited. This study may form a basis for future examinations of the needs and uses for CNH. Active financial support and public information are considered by the authors to be important factors for the induction of welfare services for the elderly, though CNH.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2020

Asthma is a chronic disease and occurs in airway in the lung. The cause of the disease has not been identified, it is assumed that both genetic and environmental risk factors play an important role in the development of asthma. Interleukin (IL)-12 is a cytokine regulating T-cell and NK cell. In this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of IL-12 receptor genes (IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2) in asthma patients and normal individuals in a Korean population. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 using the genotype data of 193 asthma cases and 3,228 healthy controls from the Korea Association REsource for their correlation with asthma case. IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 genes showed statistically significant polymorphism association with asthma case. As a results, 16 SNPs from IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 genes showed statistically significant association with asthma. Among them, rs375947 SNP in IL-12Rβ1 showed the greatest statistical correlation with asthma (P-value = 0.028, Odds Ratio = 1.27, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.03~1.57). The groups with minor allele of IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 showed increased risk of asthma. The genotype-based mRNA expression analysis showed that the group of minor allele of IL-12Rβ1 showed decreased mRNA expression. Decreased IL-12Rβ1 expression causes decreased IL-12 signaling, and this affects developing asthma. In conclusion, the SNPs in IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2 may contribute to development of asthma in a Korean population.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1063-1071
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• 1997

Backgroung : The efficacy of oral corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic asthma is undisputed, but their long-term use is associated with adverse side-effects, including supression of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis function, osteoporosis, weight gain, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroids in the early 1970's represented a significant therapeutic advance in the management of asthma, since these compounds combined high topical potency with low systemic activity. Fluticasone propionate is a new topically active synthetic glucocorticosteroid that combinds a high degree of efficacy with negligible systemic bioavailability. This study was perfomed to determine the effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate on the adreocortical supression in patients with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Method : The adrenocortical function was assessed by measurement of plasma cortisol concentration at 8 o'clock in morning and free cortisol in 24 hour urine collection at interval. Absolutely, no steroid was taken during pretreatment period of 10days. There after each subject inhaled fluticasone aerosol, in daily doses of 500 or 1000micrograms for 12days. The dose was delivered by metered dose inhaler(MDI). Results : The serum cortisol and 24hour urinary free cortisol were not decreased during the treatment period in patients with inhaled fluticasone propionate in daily doses of 500 micrograms. In contrast, serum cortisol was significantly decreased on 9th and 12th day(p less than 0.05). And, 24hour urinary free cortisol was also significantly decreased on 3rd and 12th day of treatement period(p less than 0.05) in patients with inhaled fluticasone in daily doses of 1000 micrograms. Conclusion : These results suggested that endogenous cortisol secretion was not supressed after short-term inhalation of fluticasone in daily dose of 500 micrograms, but in daily dose of 1000 micrograms, the endogenous cortisol secretion was supressed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.432-440
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• 2000

Background : The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly is increasing in Korea and in the developed countries due to the increased elderly population and their predispositions to chronic disease, poverty and decreased immunity. To define the characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly, we evaluated the clinical spectrum of pulmonary tuberculosis. Method : We analyzed 92 patients retrospectively that were diagnosed as active pulmonary tuberculosis over the age of 65. The analysis involved patient's profiles, clinical manifestations, coexisting diseases, diagnostic methods, anti-TB medications and their side effects, and treatment outcomes. Results : The results were as follows : - 1) The ratio of male to female was 2.1:1(62:30 cases) 2) Chief complaints were a cough (47.8%), dyspnea (40.2%), sputum (38.0%), chest pain (12.0%), anorexia (10.9%), and fever (9.8%). 3) 38 (41.3%) of cases had a past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. 4) The coexisting diseases were : -COPD, 25 cases (27.2%); pneumonia, 17 cases (18.5%); DM. 13 cases (14.1%); and malignancy, 10 cases (10.9%). 5) The positivity of Mantoux test (5 TU, PPD-S) was 82.7%. 6) Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed using the following methods : sputum AFB (Acid Fast Bacillus) smear 42.4%, sputum TB (M. Tuberculosis) culture 15.2%, sputum TB PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) 10.9%, bronchial washing AFB smear 2.1%, chest radiology only 25.0%. 7) Locations of radiologic lesions were RULF, 50 cases; RLLF, 50 cases, mostly, then LLLF ; 26 cases were leastly involved. 8) The coexisting tuberculosis were endobronchial TB(8.7%), TB pleurisy(7.6%) miliary TB(5.4%), intestinal TB(2.2%), renal TB(1.1%) 9) The proportion of treatment regimen with 1st line drug and 2nd line drug were 92.3% and 7.6%, respectively. 10) The outcome of treatment were as follows : cured 31.5%, expired 13.0%, no return 47.8%, follow-up now 7.6%. Conclusion : The pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly has atypical patterns with chronic coexisting diseases. Therefore, the possibility of pulmonary tuberculosis should be considered in elderly patients with pulmonary symptoms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.500-511
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• 1999

Background: Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) using facial or nasal mask have been widely used for several years in stable patients with chronic neuromuscular disease or central alveolar hypoventilation, and recently have been tried in patients with acute respiratory failure. In a few studies, NPPV was also used to rescue the patients with post-extubation respiratory failure. However, yet it has not been adopted as a weaning method in patients on long-term mechanical ventilation. So we performed this prospective clinical study to evaluate the usefulness of NPPV as a weaning method after removing endotracheal tube intentionally in patients on long-term mechanical ventilation. Method: Twelve patients who had been on invasive mechanical ventilation over 10 days were enrolled and 14 trials of NPPV were done. All had failed at least one weaning trial and showed ventilator dependence(pressure support requirement between 8-15cm $H_2O$, and PEEP requirement between 5-10cm $H_2O$), so tracheostomy was being considered. After removing the endotracheal tube, NPPV was applied using facial mask. Respiratory rate, arterial blood gas, pressure support level, and PEEP level were monitored just before intended extubation, at 30 minutes, 1 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 24 hours, 2nd day, and 3rd day following initiation of NPPV, and just before weaning from NPPV. The successful weaning was defined as spontaneous breathing off the ventilator for 48 hours or longer without respiratory distress. Results: The weaning through NPPV after intended extubation was successful in 7(50%) of 14 trials, and tracheostomy could be avoided in them. There were no differences in age, sex, APACHE III score, duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, baseline respiratory rate, $PaCO_2$ $PaO_2/FiO_2$, and ventilatory requirement(PS and PEEP) between the success and failure groups. In the success group, respiratory rate, pH, $PaCO_2$, and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ were not different between invasive MV and NPPV period. But in the failure group, pH decreased after 30 minutes of NPPV initiation compared with that of invasive MV($7.40\pm0.08$ vs. $7.34\pm0.06$, p<0.05). The causes of failure were worsening of ABG(n=3), retained tracheal secretion(n=2), mask intolerance(n=1), and flail chest(n=1). Conclusion: NPPV may be worth trying as a bridge method in weaning patients on long-term invasive mechanical ventilation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The clinical characteristics and associated anomalies in children with solitary kidney (SK) were analyzed retrospectively. Methods : Total 38 children diagnosed to have SK at our hospital between December 1989 and December 2009 were recruited, and the clinical records including imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. SK was defined as unilateral renal agenesis by imaging studies only, and patients with regression of unilateral dysplastic kidney were excluded. Results : Among total 38 patients, 12 were male. The median age at the diagnosis of SK was 6.5 months (at birth-13 years). SK was detected by prenatal ultrasonography in 14 patients and during work-up for renal or urinary tract diseases in 13 (including urinary tract infection in 7). In 10 patients, SK was detected incidentally. Anomalies in the SK were noted in 17 patients including vesicoureteral reflux in 11. Other anomalies in the genitourinary tract were present in 16 patients, and multi-organ-involving syndromes or chromosomal anomalies were detected in 9. The mean duration of follow-up was 9 years (9 months-20 years). Two patients developed chronic renal failure during follow-up, and the median serum creatinine concentration of the remaining 36 at their last follow-up was 0.6 mg/dL. Conclusion : SK may be isolated and clinically asymptomatic; it is frequently accompanied by other anomalies in genitourinary tract and other organs, some of which can induce progressive renal dysfunction. Early recognition of associated anomalies with SK and regular follow-up is recommended to reduce long-term risk.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 2007

Purpose : Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease with complex clinical manifestations. It probably involves genetic, environmental and immunologic factors. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and prognosis of pediatric SLE to aid clinical care of pediatric SLE. Methods : The data of 45 patients who were diagnosed as pediatric SLE in Severance Children's Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2005 were analysed retrospectively. Results : The mean age at diagnosis was 10.8 (0-15) years old. And the ratio of male to female patients was 1:4. The initial manifestations were facial edema (51.1 percent), malar rash (44.4 percent), and fever (28.9 percent). The ANA (97.8 percent), anti-ds DNA antibody (82.2 percent), lupus nephritis (71.1 percent), malar rash (71.1 percent), and cytopenia (66.7 percent) were the most common findings among the classification criteria by ACR (American College of Rhematology, 1997). Conclusion : Clinical manifestations and prognosis are various in pediatric SLE. Intensive studies of SLE in children should be continued for more effective treatment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.642-647
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• 2010

Background: It is very important to obtain vascular access that resists repeated punctures and maintains an adequate blood flow for performing hemodialysis in patients with ESRD. This study was designed to identify the risk factors that may influence the patency rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) using perforating vein on antecubital fossa. Material and Method: We analyzed 205 cases of AVF in 195 patients who underwent hemodialysis access surgery on antecubital fossa in our hospital from May 2006 to December 2009. Result: The patency rate of AVF from 6 months after surgery using perforating vein was 75.91%. The risk factors that influence the patency rate was age. There was no statistic difference between used vessels. Conclusion: The patency of the AVF using perforating vein on antecubital fossa was comparable. The condition of sex and location and presence or absence of diabetes and hypertension and other cardio-neurovascular disease did not make statistically significant effect on the AVF patency rate. The age was an independent risk factor for patency rate.