• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.430-438
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• 2020

Purpose: We investigated the clinical features and factors affecting the choice of treatment modality and the course of pediatric gallstone (GS) disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 65 patients diagnosed with GS using imaging studies between January 2009 and December 2017 were included. Results: This study included 65 patients (33 boys and 32 girls; mean age, 8.5±5.3 years; range, 0.2-18 years) who primarily presented with abdominal pain (34%), jaundice (18%), and vomiting (8%). Idiopathic GS occurred in 36 patients (55.4%). The risk factors for GS included antibiotic use, obesity, hemolytic disease, and chemotherapy in 8 (12.3%), 7 (10.8%), 6 (9.2%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. We observed multiple stones (including sandy stones) in 31 patients (47.7%), a single stone in 17 (26.2%), and several stones in 17 (26.2%). GS with a diameter of <5 mm occurred in 45 patients (69.2%). Comorbidities included hepatitis, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, and acute pancreatitis in 20 (30.8%), 11 (16.9%), 11 (16.9%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was administered to 54 patients (83.1%), leading to stone dissolution in 22 patients (33.8%) within 6 months. Cholecystectomy was performed in 18 patients (27.7%) (mean age, 11.9±5.1 years). Most patients treated surgically had multiple stones (83%) and stones measuring <5 mm in size (89%), and 66.7% of patients had cholesterol stones. Conclusion: Cholecystectomy is feasible in patients with small-sized or large numbers of GS and those with persistent abdominal pain and/or jaundice. UDCA administration with close follow-up is recommended in patients with uncomplicated GS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1449-1456
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• 2017

The prevalence and toxin characteristics of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from 39 organic vegetables were investigated. B. thuringiensis was detected in 30 out of the 39 organic vegetables (76.9%) with a mean value of 2.60 log CFU/g. Twenty-five out of the 30 B. thuringiensis isolates (83.3%) showed insecticidal toxicity against Spodoptera exigua. The hblCDA, nheABC, and entFM genes were found to be the major toxin genes, but the ces gene was not detected in any of the tested B. thuringiensis isolates. The hemolysin BL enterotoxin was detected in all 30 B. thuringiensis isolates (100%). The non-hemolytic enterotoxin complex was found in 27 out of 30 B. thuringiensis isolates (90.0%). The B. thuringiensis tested in this study had similar toxin gene characteristics to B. cereus, which possessed more than one toxin gene. B. thuringiensis could have the potential risk of foodborne illness based on the toxin genes and toxin-producing ability.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2001

Necrotizing fasciitis is defined as infectious disease showing extensive necrosis of the superficial fascia with widespread involvement of the surrounding tissues and concurrent systemic toxicity. It is found commonly in the extremities, the trunk and the perineum, but shows extremely rare occurrence in the well vascularized area such as head and neck area. Occurred in the head and neck area, it is called "cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis" (CFNF). It is a fatal disease which carries a mortality rate up to 60%. Early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement of necrotic tissues and massive antibiotics therapy are essential for achieving a favorable outcome. We present a case of cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis in 35-year-old male patient with literature review.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 1973

Listeria monocytogenes human infection is a relatively rare disease which usually is meningitis in newborn babies. The organism was isolated from blood cultures of a 52 year old female patient with meningitis. It was considered that the underlying disease, i.e. S.L.E., and the steroid therapy which the patient had been receiving played some role for the Listeria infection. The isolate was showing characteristics of L. monocytogenes, i.e. diphtheroid like morphology, motility with four peritrichous flagella, hemolytic small colonies on blood agar, growth in the presence of 7.5% salt and at 4 C, and inducing monocytosis in an experimentally infected rabbit. Serologically the organism was identified as L. monocytogenes 4b. The isolate was showing susceptibility to many antibiotics tested including ampicillin, penicillin and tetracycline which were the recommended drugs of choice for the treatment of Listeriosis. It is the general opinion that Listeriosis is not so rare as literatures are showing. It is considered that some of the isolate of the organism from clinical specimens are mistakenly discarded due to the fact that the organism shows diphtheroid like morphology and that not many laboratories are able to recognize the organism. Literatures are seen which emphasize more careful examination of gram positive bacilli with diphtheroid like morphology especially when they are isolated from blood or from spinal fluid of patient.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2023

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a significant but neglected tropical public health issue in Latin America due to the diversity of its genotypes and pathogenic profiles. This complexity is compounded by the adverse effects of current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapeutic options that employ medicinal plant extracts without negative side effects. Our research aimed to evaluate the trypanocidal activity of Bidens pilosa fractions against epimastigote and trypomastigote stages of T. cruzi, specifically targeting the Brener and Nuevo León strains-the latter isolated from Triatoma gerstaeckeri in General Terán, Nuevo León, México. We processed the plant's aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) to obtain a methanolic extract (Bp-mOH) and fractions with varying solvent polarities. These preparations inhibited more than 90% of growth at concentrations as low as 800 ㎍/ml for both parasite stages. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for the Bp-mOH extract and its fractions were below 500 ㎍/ml. Tests for cytotoxicity using Artemia salina and Vero cells and hemolytic activity assays for the extract and its fractions yielded negative results. The methanol fraction (BPFC3MOH1) exhibited superior inhibitory activity. Its functional groups, identified as phenols, enols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and proteins, include compounds such as 2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (50.9%), pentadecyl prop-2-enoate (22.1%), and linalool (15.4%). Eight compounds were identified, with a match confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-MS) software through mass spectrometry analysis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.181-184
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• 2009

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia(IMHA) is one of the most common causes of anemia in small animals and immune-mediate thrombocytopenia(IMT) is also an immune mediated disease that affects small animals. The initial treatment for IMHA and IMT is medical suppression of the immune system with glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive drugs. However, even with appropriate treatments, some animals are not responsive to the treatment and may need further immunosuppressive therapies or some alternative medicines. An eight-year-old spayed female Siamese cat with IMHA and an eight-year-old castrated male King Charles Spaniel dog with IMT were referred to the traditional medical service of the veterinary medical center. Both animals were unresponsive to steroids or other immunosuppressive treatments. Gui-Pi-Tang, one of the traditional herbal medicines, was administered to the animals. After 1-month of Gui-Pi-Tang administration, the packed cell volume(PCV) of the cat and platelets count of the dog had showed remarkable improvement. After four months of follow up in the cat, and 18 months of follow up in the dog, the improved PCV and platelet counts of the animals were maintained normally. Therefore, Gui-Pi-Tang might be considered as an alternative treatment in small animals with immune-mediated blood disorders.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 1997

Purpose : Hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS), known as a most common cause of childhood renal failure in western countries, has been a relatively rare disease in Korea. Although the reported cases were not related to any specific cause in Korea, there was an outbreak of HUS with bloody diarrhea in Japan last year. We report here that we experienced the several typical HUS last year. Patients : From Jan.1996 to Dec. 1996, five patients were diagnosed as HUS at Samsung Seoul Medical Center, Dept. Pediatrics. Results : 1) The age of onset was below 3 years in 3 cases and above 9 years in 2 cases. 2) All the cases happened between summer and autumn. Three patients had domestic travel and 4 patients drank well or spring water before the symptoms. 3) The clinical manifestation was generalized edema, oliguria, anuria and hematuria. The bloody diarrhea were present in 5 cases and 1 patient had operation with the impression of appendicitis. 4) There was no bacteria which was isolated from the blood or stool samples. 5) Renal biopsies were performed in 2 cases, because of protracted clinical course. One showed microthrombotic angiopathy and the other cortical necrosis with necrotizing glomeruli. 6) Complete recovery was the outcome in 4 cases and one case progressed to chronic renal failure. Conclusion : In conclusion, typical HUS associated with bloody diarrhea, epidemic and good prognosis can be found in Korea and careful surveillance of the pre-clinical cases will be necessary.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 1982

Among the environmental pollutants, cadmium and lead compounds may impair human health. These compounds may inhibit the biological metabolic function of human body and may furthermore cause the disease directly or indirectly. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the immune response by intoxication of cadmium chloride and lead acetate. Cadmium chloride (8.8mg/kg, in saline 10ml) and lead acetate (15mg/kg, in saline 10ml) were administered by intraperitoneal injection. After 3 weeks, the rats were intoxicated with the above chemicals and immunized with sheep RBC. After 4 weeks, the immune response of rat spleen cells was measured by the Jerne's technique. The results were obtained as follows; 1. There was no change in leukocyte counts by the intoxication of cadmium chloride or lead acetate. 2. Cadmium chloride or lead acetate reduced hemoglobin contents for most intoxicated and immunized groups. 3. Hematocrits were decreased by the intoxication of cadmium chloride or lead acetate significantly. 4. It was determined that total protein, A/G (Albumin/Globulin), ${\alpha}-,\;{\beta}-\;and\;{\gamma}$-globulins in rat serum were not changed. 5. Intoxication by cadmium chloride or lead acetate reduced the number of hemolytic plaque to the sheep RBC in rat spleen cells. Therefore, antibody producing of rat spleen cells was suppressed by the intoxication of cadmium chloride and lead acetate.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.275-281
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• 2005

Parvovirus B19(PV B19) is a nonenveloped single-stranded DNA virus that causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from benign childhood infection such as slapped-cheek rash(fifth disease) to life threatening diseases such as hydrous fetalis in fetuses or aplastic anemic crises in patients with hemolytic anemia. In immunocompromised hosts including organ transplant recipients, this infection can cause chronic anemia. Recently, the reports of cases of PV B19 infection have been increasing in transplant recipients and most reported cases of PV B19 infection-associated anemia in renal transplant recipients were successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. We experienced two cases of aplastic anemia caused by PV B19 infection in pediatric renal transplant recipients. The patients were an 8 year-old boy and 12-year-old boy who received allograft kidneys from their mothers. Anemia developed 2 weeks after transplantation and their serum was positive for PV B19 PCR. They were treated with 400 mg/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) for 5 consecutive days. In one of the case, anemia was corrected promptly after the first 5-day course of IVIG therapy but in the other, anemia persisted but responded to the second course of IVIG therapy. One year later, the patients have normal hematocrit levels and stable renal function These are the first cases of PV B19 infection treated successfully with IVIG in pediatric renal transplant recipients in Korea. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:275-281)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.120-122
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• 2002

A 9-year-old boy of B blood group with end-stage renal disease due to IgA nephropathy received group O kidney transplantation from his father On day 9, he developed intravascular hemolysis, and anti-B autoantibody formation was confirmed. We diagnosed as immune hemolytic anemia due to passenger lymphocyte from donor, and cyclosporine withdrawl was done. Anemia resolved spontaneously, but on day 18, graft dysfunction developed, and graft biopsy revealed acute allograft rejection. Although hemolysis due to autoantibody is very rare and often mild, and the role of hemoglobinuria on acute rejection in this case is not certain, we recommend consideration of aggressive management on severe hemolysis after minor mismatched kidney transplantation. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2002 ; 6 : 120-2)