• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.654-661
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• 1999

Background : The upper respiratory tract is the primary target organ of various airborne pollutants and is easily accessible part of the respiratory tract, and also is the predominant structure where chronic cough originates. The nasal peak inspiratory flow(PIFn), which is the peak inspiratory flow via nose with nasal mask and spirometry, could be a reliable parameter of nasal obstruction. The validity of PIFn has been evaluated in several studies by assessing the correlation between PIFn measurements and other parameters of nasal air flow. This study was designed to show the reproducibility of PIFn, the difference of PIFn between patients with chronic cough and normal subjects, and the usefulness of PIFn in the evaluation of nasal obstruction in patients with chronic cough. Methods : PIFn was measured by spirometry with nasal mask, twice a day for 3 consecutive days in 7 young normal subjects to evaluate validity of the test. In 32 patients with chronic cough and 25 age-matched normal subjects, PIFn and pulmonary function test($FEV_1$, $FEV_1%$ pred, FVC, and FVC% pred) were measured at first visiting. Results : Values of PIFn, $FEV_1$, and FVC were nearly constant in 7 young normal adults. Patients with chronic cough were 32 (14 males and 18 females) and the mean age was $41.4{\pm}15.9$ years. Normal subjects were 32(22 males and 10 females) and the mean age was $39.8{\pm}18.6$ years. There was no significant difference of age and pulmonary function test between patients with chronic cough and normal subjects(p<0.05). The PIFn values in patients with chronic cough was significantly lower than those of normal subjects($2.25{\pm}0.68\;L/sec$ vs. $2.75{\pm}1.00\;L/sec$ ; p=0.02). The postnasal drip syndrome(PNDS) comprised the majority of patients with chronic cough(27). The PIFn in patients with PNDS was significantly lower than that of normal subjects (mean$\pm$SD ; $2.18{\pm}0.66$ vs. $2.75{\pm}1.00\;L/sec$, p=0.006). Conclusion : There was a significant difference of PIFn between patients with chronic cough and normal subjects. Among the patients with chronic cough, patients with PNDS showed the most significant difference with normal subjects in PIFn. The PIFn could be a useful parameter of nasal obstruction in patients with chronic cough, especially in patients with PNDS.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2008

Purpose : Phenylketonuria(PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism and a genetic disorder resulting from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase(PAH) and decreased activity of tetrahydrobiopterin(BH4).In this study the correlation between the DNA mutation and clinical manifestations was investigated and PAH DNA mutations were compared bewteen Asian and Caucasian populations. Methods : DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes. The PAH gene was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) and the sequence was analyzed with Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification(MLPA). Results : We characterized the PAH gene of 102 independent Korean patients with PKU. PAH nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 44 different mutations, including 10 novel mutations comprising 9 missense mutations(N207D, K95del, A447P, G344D, P69S, S391I, A202T, G103S, and I306L) and 1 novel splice-site variant mutation(IVS10-3C>G). R243Q was the most prevalent mutation in this study. A259T has not previously been reported in Asian populations, but we found that this mutation had a frequency of 10.1% in our study. Furthermore, the genotypes of $BH_4$ responsive patients were analyzed and were divided into two groups: $BH_4$ medication-only group and $BH_4$ medication with diet therapy group. In the $BH_4$ medication-only group and $BH_4$ medication with diet therapy group, R241C was the most common mutation. Conclusion : Novel mutations in the PAH gene of PKU patients are still being discovered. Additional information as to the frequency of mutations in the tetrahydrobiopterine responsive gene is also accumulating. We anticipate that knowledge of these PKU gene mutations will assist the diagnosis, genetic counseling, and therapeutic treatment of PKU patients in future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.889-894
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• 2006

Purpose : Asthma is characterized by the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) and inflammation. The extensive eosinophil infiltration into the lung is the hallmark of asthma and contributes to the damage of respiratory epithelium during late phase airway responses. Eotaxin is the major eosinophil chemoattractant found in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid of allergic inflammation. IL-13 has been known to induce the expression of exotaxin and eosinophilia. IL-13 also induces airway inflammation, mucus production and leads to marked fibrosis, airway remodeling and AHR. We investigated whether serum IL-13 levels can reflect the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness in children with asthma, and the relationship between serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels. Methods : Using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels were measured in 13 atopic asthmatics, 5 atopic non-asthmatics and 12 control subjects. Metacholine challenge tests were performed in all subjects. Airway hyperresponsiveness to metacholine was expressed as provocative concentration of metacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1[$PC_{20}mg/mL$]. $PC_{20}$ value of 25 mg/mL was used as a cut-off for defining a AHR. Results : Serum IL-13 levels showed positive correlation with eotaxin levels. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels showed no differences among atopic asthmatics, atopic non-asthmatics and control subjects. And there were no differences serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels in children with and without AHR and atopy. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels did not correlate with $logPC_{20}$ levels. Conclusion : IL-13 is closely related to the eotaxin release. But serum IL-13 and eotaxin per se can't predict the severity of airway hyperresponsiveness. IL-13 and eotaxin may have local effect on respiratory epithelium or there can be some factors to induce airway hyperresponsiveness other than serum IL-13 in asthmatic airways.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.944-949
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• 2008

Purpose : As modern society has became more open, interest in healthy internal and external growth has increased, including that pertaining to penile length in children. A micropenis is defined as one where penile length is more than 2 SD (standard deviation) below the mean, and it can be traced back to chromosome and endocrine disorders. The authors executed this study to suggest guidelines for the study of the micropenis and standard information for penile length in Korean newborns. Methods : The subjects of this study were 168 male infants between 37 and 42 weeks of gestational age, none of whom had any complications during pregnancy or birth; each had been born in Daegu Fatima Hospital between February and June 2007. Penile length was measured using conventional stretched penile length measurement (CPLM) and syringe methods. Results : Penile length was $3.02{\pm}0.25cm$ (F=36.467, $R^2=0.180$, P<0.001) when measured with CPLM, and $3.29{\pm}0.26cm$ (F=9.149, $R^2=0.052$, P<0.001) with the syringe method. There was no statistically significant difference in the penile length of newborn infants as a result of taking measurements with the two methods, and both methods showed significance at 0.631 in terms of Pearson's correlation coefficient, at the level of P=0.01. Conclusion : In this study, penile length tended to be longer when gestational age was longer, and a micropenis can be assumed to be one less than 2.5 cm using CPLM and less than 2.8 cm using the syringe method. In the case of a concealed penis, the syringe method is helpful. When a micropenis is assumed, close observation by outpatient department personnel, and additional endocrine and chromosome studies should be undertaken after sufficiently consulting the parents.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2009

Purpose: We assessed the absorbed dose to the tumor ($Dose_{tumor}$) by using pretreatment FDG-PET and whole-body (WB) planar images in repeated radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with $^{131}I$ rituximab for NHL. Materials and Methods: Patients with NHL (n=4) were administered a therapeutic dose of $^{131}I$ rituximab. Serial WB planar images alter RIT were acquired and overlaid to the coronal maximum intensity projection (MIP) PET image before RIT. On registered MIP PET and WB planar images, 2D-ROls were drawn on the region of tumor (n=7) and left medial thigh as background, and $Dose_{tumor}$ was calculated. The correlation between $Dose_{tumor}$ and the CT-based tumor volume change alter RIT was analyzed. The differences of $Dose_{tumor}$ and the tumor volume change according to the number of RIT were also assessed. Results: The values of absorbed dose were $397.7{\pm}646.2cGy$ ($53.0{\sim}2853.0cGy$). The values of CT-based tumor volume were $11.3{\pm}9.1\;cc$ ($2.9{\sim}34.2cc$), and the % changes of tumor volume before and alter RIT were $-29.8{\pm}44.3%$ ($-100.0%{\sim}+42.5%$), respectively. $Dose_{tumor}$ and the tumor volume change did not show the linear relationship (p>0.05). $Dose_{tumor}$ and the tumor volume change did not correlate with the number of repeated administration (p>0.05). Conclusion: We could determine the position and contour of viable tumor by MIP PET image. And, registration of PET and gamma camera images was possible to estimate the quantitative values of absorbed dose to tumor.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 1999

Objectives: The aims of this study are 1) to determine if GAST is a better indicator in predicting ovarian response to COH compared with patient's age or basal FSH level and 2) to evaluate its role in detecting abnormal ovarian response. Design: Prospective study in 118 patients undergoing IVF-ET using GnRH-a short protocol during May-September 1995. Materials and Methods: After blood sampling for basal FSH and estradiol $(E_2)$ on cycle day two, 0.5ml (0.525mg) GnRH agonist ($Suprefact^{(r)}$, Hoechst) was injected subcutaneously. Serum $E_2$ was measured 24 hours later. Initial $E_2$ difference $({\Delta}E_2)$ was defined as the change in $E_2$ on day 3 over the baseline day 2 value. Sixteen patients with ovarian cyst or single ovary or incorrect blood collection time were excluded from the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups by ${\Delta}E_2$; group A (n=30):${\Delta}E_2$<40 pg/ml, group B (n=52): 40 pg/ml${\leq}{\Delta}E_2$<100 pg/ml, group C (n=20): ${\Delta}E_2{\leq}100$ pg/ml. COH was done by GnRH agonist/HMG/hCG and IVF-ET was followed. Ratio of $E_2$ on day of hCG injection over the number of ampules of gonadotropins used ($E_2hCGday$/Amp) was regarded as ovarian responsiveness. Poor ovarian response and overstimulation were defined as $E_2$ hCGday less than 600 pg/ml and greater than 5000 pg/ml, respectively. Results: Mean age $({\pm}SEM)$ in group A, B and C were $33.7{\pm}0.8^*,\;31.5{\pm}0.6\;and\;30.6{\pm}0.5^*$, respectively ($^*$: p<0.05). Mean basal FSH level of group $A(11.1{\pm}1.1mlU/ml)$ was significantly higher than those of $B(7.4{\pm}0.2mIU/ml)$ and C $(6.8{\pm}0.4mIU/ml)$ (p<0.001). Mean $E_2hCGday$ of group A was significantly lower than those of group B or C, i.e., $1402.1{\pm}187.7pg/ml,\;3153.2{\pm}240.0pg/ml,\;4078.8{\pm}306.4pg/ml$ respectively (p<0.0001). The number of ampules of gonadotropins used in group A was significantly greater than those in group B or C: $38.6{\pm}2.3,\;24.2{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.5{\pm}1.0$ (p<0.0001). The number of oocytes retrieved in group A was significantly smaller than those in group B or C: $6.4{\pm}1.1,\;15.5{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.6{\pm}1.6$, respectively (p<0.0001). By stepwise multiple regression, only ${\Delta}E_2$ showed a significant correlation (r=0.68, p<0.0001) with $E_2HCGday$/Amp, while age or basal FSH level were not significant. Likewise, only ${\Delta}E_2$ correlated significantly with the number of oocytes retrieved (r=0.57, p<0.001). All four patients whose COH was canceled due to poor ovarian response belonged to group A only (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Whereas none of 30 patients in group A (0%) had overstimulation, 14 patients among 72 patients (19.4%) in group B and C had overstimulation (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Conclusions: These data suggest that initial $E_2$ difference after GAST may be a better prognostic indicator of ovarian response to COH than age or basal FSH level. Since initial $E_2$ difference demonstrates significant association with abnormal ovarian response such as poor ovarian response necessitating cycle cancellation or overstimulation, GAST may be helpful in monitoring and consultation of patients during COH in IVF-ET cycle.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.64-75
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• 1999

Objective：The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid disorders and associated symptoms in pervasive developmental disorder(PDD) and to examine the correlation between associated symptoms and developmental characteristics in PDD children. Method：The sample consisted of 209 cases of PDD and 143 cases of developmental language disorder(DLD)(control group) who were treated at the Seoul National Mental Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Mar. 1999. The diagnostic work based on DSM-IV criteria was performed by one or two child psychiatrists, while the clinical feature was evaluated by doctors’s notes, occupational/speech therapy reports, and results of social maturity scale(SMS), childhood autism rating scale(CARS), and psycho-educational profile(PEP). Two groups were compared on a wide range of measures including comorbid disorders, associated symptoms, treatment drugs, and PEP. The relation between associated symptom & PEP was investigated in total(106 cases) and in each dignostic group. Sixty-four cases of PDD were divided into three groups by CARS and then compared on associated symptoms. Result：The prevalence of comorbid disorder was 19.6% in PDD, 41.2% in DLD. The rate of manifestation of 13 associated symptoms was 31.47% in PDD, 22.13% in DLD on the average. Associated symptoms significantly high in PDD were preoccupation, obsession, self-mutilation, stereotypy, sleep problems, and odd response. In total patient group, associated symptoms that significantly influenced PEP were preoccupation, self-stimulation, stereotypy, inappropriate affect, sleep problems, and odd response. But, in each diagnostic group, no associated symptom influenced PEP. Associated symptoms significantly different between the 3 groups of CARS were stereotypy, anxiety, and sleep problems. Conclusion：These preliminary results suggest that developmental characteristics may influence associated symptoms in PDD children and a realistic approach considering minute diagnosis by associated symptoms and comorbid disorders is required.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.17.1-17
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• 1982

In 1965, Rosenberg reported that platinum compounds not only inhibit growth and cell division of E. coli but also has anti-tumor activity. Since then, through animal and clinical experiments by Welsch(1971), Speer(1972), Rossof(1972), Hill(1974), and Wittes(1975), it was proved that Cis-platinum has excellent supressive effects on malignant tumor, especially on head and neck cancer. Accordingly, Cis-platinum is now widely used, sometimes without any other durg, or sometimes with Bleomycin and Methotrexate etc. Inspite of the strong anticancer effect, the use of Cis-platinum is quite often discouraged because of the reports that Cis-platinum causes auditory impairment at high frequencies above the speech range due to inner ear damage and irreversible change in the renal tubules. Since Kohonen et al(1965), Standnicki et al(1974) reported that Cisplatinum has toxic effects at the basal turn of the cochlea using guinea pig, many studies on ototoxicity after infusion of Cis-platinum have been carried out using animals. But the studies on ototoxicity in human beings can hardly be found except in reports by Piel et al(1974) and Hong et al (1979). So the authors did a study which tried to clarify the ototoxic effect by comparing the hearing level after infusion of Cis-plastinum with the hearing level before infusion of Cis-plastinum in 30 patients who was treated with Cis-platinum and admitted to the dept. of otolaryngology of Yonsei University Hospital during 2 years and a half from July. 1979 to March. 1982 and the following results were obtained. 1) The results of auditory evaluation, using the pure tone average, hearing loss of 4kHz and 8kHz, Speech Reception Threshold, PB score, SISI showed that the difference of dosage does not change the hearing level after infusion of Cis-platinum and before infusion of Cis-platinum. 2) Cis-platinum had no effect on the hearing level of patients with conductive hearing loss, or with sensorineural hearing loss, as well as with normal hearing level. 3) The infusion of Cis-platinum did not cause any change in creatinine clearance, creatinine, uric acid, but only one case showed that Cis-platinum caused severe nephrotoxicity. 4) The infusion of Cis-plastinum did not cause any change in hemoglobin, leukocyte count, platelet count and there was no correlation with the amount of infusion. 5) To see the side effect of hydration practiced with the infusion of Cis-platinum, the electrolytes, particularly the K level in the serum was measured. But the results did not show any change. 6) Judging from the results of this study mentioned above, ototoxicity caused by infusion of Cis-platinum can be prevented by sufficient hydration. Also the results might say that the appropriate method of infusion of Cis-platinum might be effective in the patients with head and neck cancer who had sensorineural hearing loss for whom the infusion of Cis-platinum has been absolutely cotraindicated.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 1997

After the first description of IgA nephropathy by Berger in 1968, the prognosis of this disease was considered favourable. However recent studies have revealed that IgA nephropathy result in end stage renal desease in 25-30% by 20 years. Heavy proteinuria, hypertension, histological high class are regarded as poor prognostic factors. In 1996, Yagame et al reported the new histopathologic grading with a strong correlation between the grading, heavy proteinuria, high s-Cr level and renal survival. The aims of this study are to determine whether the pathological grading and other clinical parameters could contribute to predicting the outcome of this disease eventhough pediatric patients. Seventy nine patients (59 males, 20 females) with IgA nephropathy were examined. Patients were 2.08-15.17 years of age ($9.85{\pm}2.83$). The mean follow-up duration were $27{\pm}28$ months. Six of seventy nine patients progressed to chronic renal failure during the follow-up periods. High 24h urinary protein excretion at diagnosis were significantly higher in chronic renal failure patients (p<0.05). Hypertension at diagnosis were the significant associated factors in progression of chronic renal failure (p<0.05). Histological changes of IgA nephropathy in light microscopy were classified into five classes by WHO classification, four grades in Yagame's gradings. Among the seventy nine patients, 24 were as class 1, 30 as class 2, 23 as class 3; 4 as class 4, 0 as class 5 by WHO classification. 23 were classified grade 1, 31 as grade 2, 24 as grade 3, 1 as grade 4 by Yagame's grading. Among six patients who progressed to chronic renal failure, 1 clssified as class 1, 1 as class 2, 3 as class 3, 1 as class 4, 0 as class 5 by WHO Classification. 1 patients were classified as grade 1, 1 as grade 2, 3 as grade 3, 1 as grade 4 by Yagame's grading. (p>0.05) In conclusion, hypertension and heavy proteinuria at initial presentation were significantly associated with progression of chronic renal failure. The classification of WHO & Yagame's grading has no significant association with the progression of chronic renal failure in pediatric patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2006

Background: The "health-related quality of life" (HRQL) for patients with chronic respiratory disease has been emphasized, because chronic respiratory disease (CRD) is chronic and progressive, and it finally causes disability. HRQL instruments may be useful for monitoring patients' progress or for determining the most appropriate choice of treatment. We describe the adapting St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), which is a self-administered questionnaire developed by Jones et al. (1991), into the Korean version for covering three domains of health for the patients suffering with airways disease. Method: We obtained the original SGRQ from the author after gaining permission. For adaptation, we created an expert panel and translated the original questionnaire into Korean language. The translated questionnaire was then back-translated by bilingual experts and we compared it with the original questionnaire. After correction and feasibility testing, 74 patients with chronic respiratory disease (COPD, asthma, destroyed lung) completed the Korean version of the SGRQ. The clinical status of each patients was evaluated concurrently with measurement of their health status. Result: The Korean version of the SGRQ was acceptable and easy to understand. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.92 for the overall scale and 0.63 for the "Symptoms", subscale, 0.87 for the "Activity", subscale, and 0.89 for the "Impacts" subscales. The correlation coefficients between the overall score and the Borg scale score, oxygen saturation, and forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) were 0.52, -0.32 and -0.26, respectively. These results support that the Korean SGRQ was correlated with other measurements. Conclusion: The Korean SGRQ was reliable and valid for patients with chronic respiratory disease, such as COPD, asthma, and destroyed lung. The SGRQ score was well correlated with other respiratory measurements as well. Although further studies should complete the adaptation work, our results suggest that the SGRQ may be used in Korea and also for international studies involving Korean CRD patients.