• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2022

In December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and spread rapidly around the world, infecting millions of people. Cases of COVID-19 infection were observed to lead to viral pneumonia. Thirty-five patients admitted to the Gyeonggi Medical Center, South Korea, between November 2020 to January 2021, were found to have been infected with the influenza virus A and B, which cause symptoms similar to COVID-19. The records of these patients and those of COVID-19 patients who visited the hospital for medical examination were compared. The study patients included thirty patients with COVID-19 and/or influenza, five of those with influenza alone. A group of 121 patients without infection was used as control. Patients with COVID-19 and influenza had significantly higher lactate dehydrogenase levels than the patients with COVID-19 alone. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher in patients with COVID-19 alone than in other groups. Significant clinical outliers were observed in the COVID-19 and influenza infection group compared with the COVID-19 alone group. These results are expected to play an important role in the analysis of the hematological data of infected patients and the comparison of simultaneous and single infection data to determine clinical symptoms and other signs. These results may also assist in the development of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to observe the epidemiological pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during the period from 1993 to 2002 and also to see some clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during recent five years. Methods : We had performed a retrospective analysis of epidemiological pattern of occurrence in 682 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Department of Pediatrics of Han-il General Hospital from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Results : The annual ratio of M. pneumoniae pneumonia was compared with the total numbers of respiratory tract infection patients. The ratios were 19.1% in 1993, 13.0% in 1994, 5.6% in 1995, 12.8% in 1996, 18.6% in 1997, 22.6% in 1998, 1.1% in 1999, 13.3% in 2000, 9.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 19.9% in 2003. The epidemics have occurred in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003 years showing 3~4 year intervals. The peak incidence of age was four to six years old(286 cases; 41.9%) and male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Monthly distribution showed a high frequency from August to December and the major outbreak occurred in November(119 cases; 17.4%), in October(106 cases; 15.5%), and in December(96 cases; 14.1%) in order of frequency. The most common symptoms were cough (660 cases; 96.8%), fever(569 cases; 83.4%), and sputum(522 cases; 76.5%) in that order. Leukocytosis was observed in 31.2% of patients based on a normal range according to the adjusted age. Increased ESR(${\geq}20mm/hr$) was noted in 42.5% of cases and CRP was positive in 37.8% of cases. On the chest X-ray examination, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 557 cases(81.7%), and the patterns of pneumonic infiltration were bronchopneumonia(78.0%), lobar(35.5%), lobular(19.2%), and interstitial pneumonia(28.7%). Complications were paranasal sinusitis(41 cases), acute otitis media(23 cases), pleural effusion(19 cases). cervical lymphadenitis(18 cases), and glomerulonephritis(1 case). Conclusion : The pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia from 1997 to 2003 noted 3~4 year interval with peak monthly distribution of October and November compared with 3 year interval and peak incidence of summer period before 1996.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

Purpose : A wide, epidemic outbreak of M. pneumoniae pneumonia occurred throughout Korea in late 2003. Compared with previous years, the 2003 outbreak resulted in more severe cases and in an increased incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms and/or complications. We compared the clinical characteristics for M. pneumoniae pneumonia of 2003 to those of the past years. Methods : One hundred six children diagnosed with M. pneumoniae pneumonia by serologic tests at Bundang Cha General Hospital between Aug 2003 to April 2004 were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, for clinical, laboratory and radiological aspect as well as complications. The pleural effusions of 3 patients who underwent thoracentesis were also analyzed. Results : The duration of fever, cough, rhinorrhea, and sore throat was $8.2{\pm}4.7$, $22.1{\pm}4.8$, $8.4{\pm}2.1$, $4.3{\pm}1.2$ days, respectively. The incidence (percentage) and duration of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, arthralgia was $5.1{\pm}2.5$ (21.9%), $3.4{\pm}2.1$ (17.1%), $4.3{\pm}1.8$ (16.2%), $3.5{\pm}2.1$ (14.4%), $5.5{\pm}0.7$ (5.9%) and $4.6{\pm}1.3$ days (4.9%), respectively. The mean duration of admission and treatment were $7.4{\pm}4.3$ days and $21.6{\pm}11.1$ days. Higher values of CRP and ESR on admission were positively correlated with the duration of fever and length of admission. The findings of pleural effusion were similar to those seen in TB pleurisy. Complications, including myocarditis (2 cases), arthritis (3 cases), vasculitis (5 cases), asthma (3 cases), ARDS (1 case), and DIC (2 cases) were observed in 14.1% of patients. Conclusion : We found a number of characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia among cases from late 2003 that were different from those of previous years. This outbreak resulted in more severe cases and in an increased incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms and/or complications. A multicenter study is needed to verify the changes in clinical characteristics observed during the 2003 outbreak from previous ones.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 1992

We compared the efficacy of each modality of treatment group in reducing the frequency of coronary artery abnormalities and changes of clinical courses in children with kawasaki disease in the children of 81 cases who were admitted in pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital from September 1985 to August 1990, Group A(37 cases)-aspirin alone, Group B(44 cases)-intravenous gammaglobulin(400mmg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days, plus aspirin. We studied the frequency of echocardiographic abnormalities, the duration of fever, and changes in the total white blood cell counts, platelet counts, ESR and CRP value at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of the illness and compared the results between the two groups. The results were as follows, 1) There as no significant intergroup difference in age and sex ratio. 2) The duration of the febrile period after the initiation of the therapy was significant shorter in group B($2.5{\pm}1.2$ days) than in group A:($5.2{\pm}3.5$ days)(p<0.01). 3) No significant difference was noticed in the WBC and platelet counts in two groups as measured at admission day, 1 and 2 weeks of the illness. However, at 3weeks of illness significant difference was noted. 4) The CRP values measured at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after treatment were significantly lower in group B($2.42{\pm}1.8$, $2.00{\pm}1.2$, $1.16{\pm}1.0$) than in group A($7.22{\pm}5.3$, $5.25{\pm}3.9$, $1.85{\pm}1.2$) respectively(p<0.01). 5) In 2D- Echocardiogram, coronary artery dilataton was more frequent in Group A than in Group B at 6month of illness(p<0.01). In conclusion, intravenous gammaglobulin therapy was effective in the shortening of the duration of fever and in the antiinflammatory action and somewhat effective in prevention of coronary artery aneurysm.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.244-249
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• 2001

The transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) is a multifunctional cytokine modulating the onset and course of autoimmune disease as shown in experimental models. In synovial inflammation, there is a potential role for $TGF-{\beta}$ in repairment, the inhibition of cartilage and bone destruction, and the down-regulation of immune response. The biologic effects of $TGF-{\beta}$ depend on the cell type, the isoform and the availability of active $TGF-{\beta}$. We investigated $TGF-{\beta}$ expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compared to those of osteoarthritis (OA). And we determined a correlation between $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$, and also the relationships between each $TGF-{\beta}$ isoform and the parameters for disease activity of RA. Methods: The study population consisted of 20 patients with RA and 20 patients with OA. The commercial ELISA kit was used to study $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluids (SF). Results: 1) While PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ level was of no difference between RA and OA patient groups, SF $TGF-{\beta}1$ level was higher in RA group than OA group. Similarly, PB $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels of RA and OA groups was not different, but SF $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels was higher in RA group than OA group. 2) In patients with RA, the $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels were higher than $TGF-{\beta}2$ in both the PB and SF, while in patients with OA, there showed higher readings for $TGF-{\beta}1$ than $TGF-{\beta}2$ in SF but no difference between $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels in PB. 3) In patients with RA, there were no correlations between PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ and PB $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels, nor between SF $TGF-{\beta}1$ and SF $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels. At the same way, there was no correlation between PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ and SF $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels, nor between each levels of $TGF-{\beta}2$ in patients with RA. 4) There was also no correlation between each $TGF-{\beta}$ isoform and the parameters for disease activity such as ESR, CRP, tender joint count, swollen joint count, rheumatoid factor, and the duration of morning stiffness except between in PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ and disease duration of RA (r=0.637, p<0.01). Conclusion: Each $TGF-{\beta}$ isoforms were higher in synovial fluid of patients with RA than that of patients with OA. The data from the RA patients demonstrated different patterns of expressions of the isoforms depending on which compartment (PB or SF) was investigated. The quantification of different $TGF-{\beta}$ isoform is thought to be important when $TGF-{\beta}$ is measured under disease conditions of RA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2009

Purpose : Clinical and laboratory findings predict a severe outcome for mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with hyponatremia and to determine the factors associated with its development. Methods : Retrospective studies were performed on 114 KD patients who received an initial high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, single 2 g/kg/dose) within 10 days of fever onset from January 2006 to February 2008. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 (26.3%) patients with hyponatremia, and group 2 consisted of 84 (73.6%) patients without hyponatremia. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings were compared between the groups. Results : Group 1 patients were more likely to have a coronary artery lesion (53.3% versus 20.2%, P=0.005) and suffered from diarrhea (41.3% versus 14.1%, P=0.007). There was a higher incidence of cardiovascular involvement in group 1 patients, including coronary dilatation (46.6%), valvular regurgitation (13.3%), pericardial effusion (6.7%) and medium-sized aneurysm (6.7%). There were no coronary aneurysms in group 2 patients. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in patients with hyponatremia ($12.2{\pm}7.79$ mg/dL versus $7.3{\pm}4.7$ mg/dL, P=0.003) and IVIG-resistant patients were more common in group 1 (13.3% versus 3.6%). Conclusion : These results indicate that hyponatremia in KD occurs in patients exhibiting severe inflammation and was significantly associated with the development of coronary disease. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathogenic mechanisms of hyponatremia in KD patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.267-275
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• 1998

Purpose : We have studied the changes of cardiac troponin I(cTnI) level and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) before and after treatment of IVGG to evaluate the efficacy of single high dose of intravenous gammaglobulin(IVGG)(2.0gm/kg) therapy for improving cardiac function and clinical symptoms and signs in patients with clinically suspected acute myocarditis. Methods : The patients consisted of 18 cases who admitted increased cTnI with clinically suspected acute myocarditis caused by viral infection, Kawasaki disease and fever unknown origin(FUO) from Jan. 1995 to Jun. 1998. The control group consisted of 20 cases suffered from hand-foot-mouth disease, herpangina and high fever with rash. The level of cTnI was measured by Chemiluminiscent immunoassay method(normal<0.1ng/ml) and cardiac function was evaluated by left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(normal 64~83%) by echocardiogram. Results : The level of cTnI increased to $0.306{\pm}0.209ng/ml$ and LVEF decreased to $60.1{\pm}1.6%$ before treatment of IVGG significantly as compared with control group(P<0.05). All cases were returned to normal range of LVEF($71.4{\pm}3.7%$) and decreased cTnI significantly($0.089{\pm}0.082ng/ml$) after treated with IVGG within 1 week in patients group(P<0.05). Conclusion : The single high dose of IVGG(2.0gm/kg) therapy was rapid and effective improvement of cardiac function and clinical symptoms and signs of acute myocarditis, and the measurement of serum cTnI and LVEF may help to diagnose and evaluate efficacy of IVGG on it.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.135-146
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• 2002

Background and Purpose : This study shows the clinical effects on treatment with Rheumatoid arthritis using Aqua-acupuncture such as Ursi Fel Bovis Calculus and Cathami Flos that are known for which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Objective and Methods : This study has been carried out Aqua-acupuncture treatment such as Cathami Flos and Ursi Fel Bovis Calculus twice or three times a week with patients diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis on 7 criteria of US Rheumatism Academy. Results : 1. If you see the sexual distribution, it shows the rates of male and female 1: 1.83. Age distribution shows as age ascend it shows high. 2. If you see the duration distribution, it shows chronic tendency in order of more than 6 months(63.3%), 2 to 5 months, and I month. 3. If you see the invaded distribution, it shows chronic tendency in order of hand(37 cases), wrist joint(34 cases), knee joint(32 cases), ankle joint(21 cases), elbow joint(16 cases), shoulder joint(14 cases), feet(14 cases), hip joint(9 cases), low back(6 cases), neck(4 cases). 4. Seeing the mean post-therapeutic index among groups on RA factor level distinction, it shows that 0-18(normal range) scored 89.0, 19-50 scored 94.8, 51-80 scored 101.2, 81-100 scored 97.3, 101-140 scored 102.4, above 141 scored 97.5. 5. Seeing the mean post-therapeutic index among groups on CRP level distinction, it shows that 0-0.4(normal range) scored 100, 0.5-1.0 scored 48.6, 1.1-2.0 scored 34.9, 2.1-3.0 scored 35.7, 3.1-4.0 scored 37.1, 4.1-5.0 scored 53.8, above 5.0 scored 70.4. 6. Seeing the mean post-therapeutic index among groups on ESR level distinction, it shows that 0-20(normal range) scored 48.6, 21-40 scored 57.5, 41-60 scored 59.2, 61-80 scored 59.2, above 81 scored 66.0. 7. If you see the satisfactory assesment after Aqua-acupuncture treatment such as Cathami Flos and Ursi Fel Bovis Calculus, Excellent is 11 cases, Good is 14 cases, and Moderate 5 cases. Conclusion : It will be better effects, if herbal medicine, moxibustion, and acupuncture are used together with Cathami Flos and Ursi Fel Bovis Calculus on rheumatoid arthritis as chronic inflammatory disease.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was done to define clinical characteristics of fever without localizing signs (FWLS) in infants younger than 100 days of age with a goal of providing baseline data to establish a new diagnostic paradigm in the future. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 183 patients who admitted to Daegu Catholic University Medical Center for FWLS younger than 100 days of age from January 2013 to September 2015 retrospectively. Demographic, clinical features and laboratory findings were analyzed. Patients were divided into serious bacterial infection (SBI) and non-SBI groups, and then were compared between two groups to find risk factors for SBI. Results: Among 183 patients, lumbar puncture was performed in 98.9% and CSF pleocytosis was present in 35.9%. Sterile CSF pleocytosis was found in 43% of urinary tract infection (UTI) patients. None had concomitant bacterial meningitis in patients with UTI. As final diagnosis, febrile syndrome without source (25.7%) was most common. Among SBI, UTI was most common (99%). Birth weight, ESR, and CRP were significantly higher in SBI group compared to non-SBI group. Male sex (OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.60-15.24) and pyuria (OR 18.88, 95% CI 6.76-52.76) were identified as risk factors for SBI. Presence of sibling (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.83) was significantly lower in SBI group. Conclusions: Our results showed UTI was the most common SBI in young infants with FWLS. Though aseptic meningitis can be coexisting with UTI, lumbar puncture may not be necessary in all patients having UTI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1525-1531
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• 2011

Antioxidant activity and protective effects of extracts from Helianthus tuberosus L. leaves (HTL) on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in human liver Chang cells were investigated. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content of the water and ethanolic extracts from HTL were 89.6${\pm}$1.96, 94${\pm}$2.03 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, and 65.1${\pm}$2.84, 54.6${\pm}$1.87 mg catechin equivalent/g extract, respectively. In addition, $IC_{50}$ values for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrydrazyl (DPPH), alkyl, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the water extracts were 0.010${\pm}$0.003 mg/mL, 0.014${\pm}$0.002 mg/mL, and 0.989${\pm}$0.003 mg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were also determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and reducing power. The HTL extracts showed a strongly inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation by measuring ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. In an MTT assay on the Chang cells, the extracts showed a protective effect by increasing cell viability and decreasing ROS on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in Chang cells. These results indicate that the HTL extracts possess an antioxidant activity.