• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2004

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is an uncommon, but potentially fatal and mutilsystemic disorder that occurs after exposure to the arene oxide-producing anticonvulsants-carbamzepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin. The multisystemic reactions include fever, skin eruptions, lymphadenopathy, hematologic abnormality and hepatitis. The diagnosis of AHS is made by history of drug exposure and clinical course. No specific treatments are proved as benefit except discontinuing the offending drug and trying the steroids in some severe cases. We report a case of carbamazepine induced anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome characterized by skin rash, eosinophilia, subcarinal lymphadenopathy and eosinophilic pneumonia. The patient was resolved completely after only discontinuing carbamazepine.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.362-370
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• 2023

Objective: To report the clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with underlying B-cell lymphoma and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) showing migratory airspace opacities on serial chest computed tomography (CT) with persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Materials and Methods: From January 2020 to June 2022, of the 56 patients with underlying hematologic malignancy who had undergone chest CT more than once at our hospital after acquiring COVID-19, seven adult patients (5 female; age range, 37-71 years; median age, 45 years) who showed migratory airspace opacities on chest CT were selected for the analysis of clinical and CT features. Results: All patients had been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma (three diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and four follicular lymphoma) and had received B-cell depleting chemotherapy, including rituximab, within three months prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. The patients underwent a median of 3 CT scans during the follow-up period (median 124 days). All patients showed multifocal patchy peripheral ground glass opacities (GGOs) with basal predominance in the baseline CTs. In all patients, follow-up CTs demonstrated clearing of previous airspace opacities with the development of new peripheral and peribronchial GGO and consolidation in different locations. Throughout the follow-up period, all patients demonstrated prolonged COVID-19 symptoms accompanied by positive polymerase chain reaction results from nasopharyngeal swabs, with cycle threshold values of less than 25. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with B-cell lymphoma who had received B-cell depleting therapy and are experiencing prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistent symptoms may demonstrate migratory airspace opacities on serial CT, which could be interpreted as ongoing COVID-19 pneumonia.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2011

Purpose : Norovirus infection, a common cause of community-acquired gastroenteritis, can also lead to severe illness in immunocompromised patients. We investigated clinical manifestations of norovirus infection in pediatric cancer patients. Methods : Stool specimens were collected from pediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms between November 2008 and September 2009 at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Norovirus infection was identified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A retrospective chart review was performed in pediatric cancer patients who were diagnosed with norovirus infection. Results : Ten patients were diagnosed with norovirus infection by RT-PCR in stool samples. The median age was 0.83 years (range 0.25-5.5 years) and the male to female ratio was 1.5:1 (6 males and 4 females). Underlying diseases were hematologic malignancies (4/10, 40%), neuroblastoma (4/10, 40%), and brain tumors (2/10, 20%). Three patients were infected before hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and four patients after HCT. All patients had diarrhea (10/10, 100%), with a median frequency of diarrhea of 8.5 times/day (range 4-22 times/day). Median virus shedding duration was 72.5 days (range 19-299 days). Four patients with pneumatosis intestinalis were conservatively treated with bowel rest and total parenteral nutrition. One patient with severe diarrhea and bloody stool had concomitant chronic gut graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Norovirus infection-related mortality was not observed. Conclusion : Norovirus infection can cause significant clinical manifestations with prolonged viral shedding in immunocompromised patients. Norovirus should be considered in pediatric cancer patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2015

Purpose: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious threat in critically ill pediatric patients. Data regarding Stenotrophomonas maltophilia VAP in pediatric population is limited. We evaluated the clinical data of S. maltophilia associated VAP in critically ill pediatric patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in pediatric patients 18 years old or younger who developed S. maltophilia associated VAP at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul Korea from January 2008 to December 2012. Results: A total of 31 patients were identified S. maltophilia associated VAP. Median age was 8 months (range, 0.5 month to 16.6 years) and 13 patients were male (40.6%). Underlying illnesses were cardiologic diseases (n=11, 34.4%), hematologic oncologic malignancies (n=7, 25%), neurologic diseases (n=4, 12.5%), pulmonary diseases (n=3, 9.4%), and others (n=4, 12.5%). The median duration of ventilator use before S. maltophilia VAP diagnosis was 14 days (range, 4-256 days). Overall mortality at 30 days was 12.5% (4/32). Conclusions: S. maltophilia should be also considered as a possible pathogen for VAP in critically ill pediatric patients. Empiric antibiotic choice should include agents that are active against S. maltophilia in patients who are deteriorating on broad spectrum beta-lactam antimicrobial agents.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.98-106
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• 2003

Background : To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods : Forty patients (21 men, 19 women ; age range, 37 to 73 years; median, 63 years) with unresectable stage IIIB to IV NSCLC were evaluated. Patients received cisplatin $60mg/m^2$ (Day 1), gemcitabine $1200mg/m^2$ (Day 1 and 8) every 21 days. Eighteen patients had stage IIIB disease and 22 had stage IV. There were 28 patients of adenocarcinoma (70.0%), 11 of squamous cell carcinoma (27.5%), and one of large cell carcinoma (2.5%). Results : Of 40 patients, no patients showed complete response while 15(37.5%) showed partial response, 7(17.5%) had stable diseases, 18(45%) had progressive diseases. During a total of 195 courses of chemotherapy, grade 3 or more granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia occured in 12.5% and 2.5% of patients respectively. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild and easily controlled. There was one case of treatment-related death by pneumomia. The median survival was 55 weeks (95% CI, 34~75weeks), and the time to progression was 19 weeks (95% CI, 16~23weeks). One year survival rate was 55% and 2 year survival rate was 10%. Conclusion : The efficacy of cisplatin and gemcitabine combination chemotherapy was acceptable in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.343-349
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• 1995

Background : For biological dosimetry of radiation exposure, both observing hematologic change and calculating Ydr by chromosomal analysis as biological indicators are widely used. However, due to the lack of studies on biological dosimetry of radiation dose absorbed in the body such as in the cases of radioactive iodine therapy, the maximal and safe dose is not well known, nor is the extent to which the body can safely endure radiation exposure. Purpose : To investegate the practical applicability of hematologic changes and Ydr as an indicator for estimating radiation exposure, to patients with thyroid diseases after doses of radioactive iodine. Material and Methods : 5 patients with hyperthyroidism and 35 patients who have had thyroid cancer operation were under treatment with radioactive iodine, changes in number of lymphocytes were tracked and Ydr was calculated for more than 2 months by chromosomal analysis in peripheral lymphocytes. Results ; 1) The number of lymphocytes began to decrease 2 weeks after doses of radioactive iodine, and reached the nadir after 6 and 8 weeks, then gradually recovered. 2) The nadir count of lymphocytes was reversely correlated with the administered dosage of radioactive iodine. 3) Ydr was generally stable between 2 and 8 weeks. 4) The maximal value of Ydr was correlated with the administered dosage of radioactive iodine. 5) Ydr value at the 2nd week increased with augmented dosage of radioactive iodine. 6) Ydr value at the 2nd week was correlated with fall of lymphocyte count. Conclusion : Patients must be closely observed, because temporary bone marrow suppression and slight chromosomal aberration can be produced by even generally used dosages of radioactive iodine for diagnosis and therapy. Maximal percent fall of lymphocyte count, Ydr at the 2 week interval and maximal Ydr can be used as the biological predictor of administered dosage of radioactive iodine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.195-208
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• 1999

Background: Pulmonary infiltrate in immunocompromised hosts has many infectious and non-infectios etiologies. To evaluate the diagnostic yield and therapeutic implication of two invasive diagnostic methods, such as bronchoscopy and surgical lung biopsy, we performed retrospective analysis of these patients. Methods: All immunocompromised patients admitted to Samsung Medical Center from October 1995 to August 1998 who underwent bronchoscopy and/or surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates were included in this study. Confirmative diagnostic yield, the rate of changed therapeutic plan and patients' survival were investigated. Results: Seventy-five episodes of pulmonary infiltrates developed in 70 patients(M : F=46 : 24, median age 51). Underlying diseases of patients were hematologic malignancy(n=30), organ transplantation(n=11), solid tumor(n= 12), connective tissue disease(n=6) and others. Confirmative diagnosis was made in total 53 cases (70.7%), of which 70.2% had infectious etiology. Diagnostic yields of bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL), transbronchiallung biopsy(TBLB) and surgical lung biopsy were 35.0%(21/60), 31.4%(16/51), 25.0%(9/36) and 80.0%(20/25). Therapeutic plan was changed in 40%(24/60) of patients after bronchoscopy and in 36%(9/25) of patients after surgical lung biopsy. More patients survived (84.4% vs 60.5%, p=0.024) when therapeutic plan was changed after invasive diagnostic study. Conclusion: Bronchoscopy and surgical lung biopsy are helpful for the therapeutic implication of pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised hosts. Large-scale prospective case-control study may further clarify their limitation and usefulness.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2002

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy using ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Materials and methods: Thirty-three patients with inoperable NSCLC(stage IIIb+IV) who had measurable diseases, and had not been treated with chemotherapeutic drugs, were enrolled in this study(from March 1995 to December 1996). The patients received ifosfamide($1500mg/m^2/day$, a full drop with Mesna on days 1-5), Cisplatin ($80mg/m^2/day$ infusion with a hydration on day 2), and Etoposide ($100mg/m^2/day$ infusion for 2 hours on days 1-3). The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. Results: Ten patients showed a partial responses (30.3%). The overall survival time of the responders was longer than that of the non-responders (median 55 vs 22 weeks, p=0.01). The toxicities of this treatment were tolerable. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia was observed in 21%. There was 1 death related to febrile neutropenia. The non-hematologic toxicity was mild. The relative dose intensity given to the patients was 0.86 ifosfamide, 0.87 cisplatin, and 0.89 etoposide, showing an average dose intensity of 0.87. Conclusions: A combination regimen of ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide is effective and tolerable for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 1989

To compare the health status of rural and urban aged persons(over 65 years old) by an abnormality of a hematologic and some biochemical values as well as urinalysis and chest X-ray, following examinations were done on 8,756(male : 4,339: female 4,417) by hemoglobin, total cholesteol, GOT, and glucose, on 9,207(male: 4,467; female : 4.740) by urinalysis and on 9,148(male : 4,426: female : 4,722) by chest X-ray. The results are as follows: 1) The proportion of outlier of normal range of the GOT(over 40 unit) showed higher in rural aged persons(5.3%) than in urban aged(2.8%). There was no significant difference in both of urban and rual female, but the rural male(7.4 showed significantly higher than the urban male(3.9% ). 2) The proportion of abnormality of the total cholesterol value(over 260 mg/dl) was 7,0% in urban and 1.7% in rural aged persons. In the male, there was no significant difference in both urban(2.2%) and rural(1.4%), however the urban female(10.5%) showed significantly higher than the rural female(2.2%). 3) In the blood glucose level, the proportion of abnormality(over 120 mg/dl) showed 17.1% in urban and 19.3% in rural aged persons. The rural aged persons in both sexes(male : 18.1% : female : 20.7%) were relatively higher abnormality rates than those of the urban aged(male : 15. 3%: female : 18.4% ) respectively. 4) The proportion of abnormality of hemoglobin level(less than 12.0 g/dl in male: less than 11.0 g/dl in female) showed 7.1% in urban and 2.6%J in rural aged persons. The urban aged persons in both sexes(male : 8.3%: female 6.3%) were relatively higher abnormality rates than those of the rural aged(male : 3.0%: female : 2.2%) 5) In the urinalysis by urine stix(Korea Green Cross Co.), the positive rates of urine protein were 1.0% in urban and 0.5% in rural aged per-sons, and there was no any significant differences in both areas by sex. 6) The positive rates of urine glucose in urban aged persons(5.8'% : male : 7.3% : female : 4.7%). showed relatively higher than those of rural aged (3.4% : male : 3.9%: female : 2.8%). 7) The positive findings of pulmonary tuberculosis by indirect X-ray examination were observed in 7.7% of aged persons in both rural and urban areas respectively. However, the positive rates of male in both areas(urban : 12.8% ; rural : 10.0%) showed higher than those of female (urban 4.2% ; rural 5.0%).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 2018

Taurine has been reported to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve liver function, diabetes, and platelet function. However, there are few studies on the effects of taurine in Koreans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of basal doses of taurine on blood glucose, liver disease, and lipid diseases among Korean college students. The study included a taurine intake group and a control group; each group consisted of 15 students. Taurine was administered at a standard dose of 1,000 mg for 2 weeks postprandial. All subjects were excluded from medication or other food besides meals provided by the dormitory. The liver test gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the taurine group decreased to $23.53{\pm}25.73IU/L$ before intake and to $15.15{\pm}4.91IU/L$ after intake (P=0.186). Lipid metabolite triglyceride (TG) was $100.42{\pm}28.33mg/dL$ before intake and $80.22{\pm}17.08mg/dL$ after intake (P<0.05). Total cholesterol (T-Cho), low density cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Consequently, taurine improved liver function and lipid metabolism. Hematologic tests showed a decrease in segmented neutrophil percentage and an increase in lymphocyte percentage. Thus, taurine also seems to be related to immunological function.