• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.271-277
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• 2020

Toxicities to many organs caused by humidifier disinfectants have been reported. Recently, humidifier disinfectants have been reported to cause cardiovascular, embryonic, and hepatic toxicities. This study was designed to investigate the toxic mechanism of humidifier disinfectants and compare toxicity in a cellular model and a zebrafish animal model. Because brain toxicity and skin toxicity have been less studied than other organs, we evaluated toxicity in a human dermal cell line and zebrafish under various concentrations of humidifier disinfectants that included polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate (PHMG), oligo-[2-(2-ethoxy)-ethoxyethyl-guanidinium-chloride] (PGH) and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT). A human dermal fibroblast cell line was treated with disinfectants (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 16 mg L^-1) to compare their cytotoxicity. The fewest PHMG-treated cells survived (up to 33%), while 49% and 40% of the PGH- and CMIT/MIT-treated cells, respectively, survived. The quantification of oxidized species in the media revealed that the PHMG-treated cells had the highest MDA content of around 28 nM, while the PGH- and CMIT/MIT-treated cells had 13 and 21 nM MDA, respectively. As for brain toxicity, treatment of the zebrafish tank water with CMIT/MIT (final 40 mg L^-1) for 30 min resulted in a 17-fold higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than in the control. Treatment with PGH or PHMG (final 40 mg L^-1) resulted in 15- and 11-fold higher production, respectively. The humidifier disinfectants (PHMG, PGH, and CMIT/MIT) showed severe dermal cell toxicity and brain toxicity. These toxicities may be relevant factors in understanding why some children have language disorders, motor delays, and developmental delays from exposure to humidifier disinfectants.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.143-169
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• 2017

The Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Child Abuse Crimes intends to encourage reporting and punishment of child abuse by using the concept of 'crime' in child abuse cases. Article 10 of the Act imposes duty to report child abuse on a number of different professions, including medical professionals. Currently, more than 80% of child abuse cases occur among family members and the detection rate of child abuse is as low as 0.5% in Korea. On the other hand, medical professionals can identify child abuse relatively clearly with specific medical opinions. Therefore, it is necessary that medical professions are informed of this duty and does not bear disincentive from reporting. This paper makes policy suggestions in this regard. First, it is necessary that medical students and medical professionals receive regular education about the obligation to report child abuse. Education should include details of the reporting duty, as well as the fact that there is legal obligation to report even if the child abuse is "suspicious", not certain. Second, it is imperative to establish and implement protective programs for medical professionals who report child abuse. The current law provides a rough framework for protection of people who report child abuse, but it is necessary to produce detailed guidelines that are applicable in the context of medical setting. Education for medical students and medical professionals should include the contents of these guidelines, so that they do not hesitate reporting because they fear the aftermath of reporting. Third, it is highly recommended that physicians use the national Baby/Infant Health Checkup Program as an opportunity to detect child abuse. In Korea, the Baby/Infant Health Checkup Program provides physicians to periodically monitor health condition of all babies and children until the age of 71 months. In order to utilize this program for early detection of child abuse, it is imperative that the bBaby/Infant Health Checkup Program is modified to involve child abuse experts and medical professionals who participate in the program are educated about child abuse.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify mutations associated with macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and to establish a cultural method to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were collected from 62 children diagnosed with MP pneumonia by a serologic method or polymerase chain reaction. The 23S rRNA and L4 ribosomal protein genes of MP were amplified and sequenced. To identify mutations in these 2 genes, their nucleotide sequences were compared to those of the reference strain M129. MP cultivation was carried out for 32 (28 frozen and 5 refrigerated) NPAs and M129 strain using Chanock's glucose broth and agar plate in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator at $37^{\circ}C$ and examined at 2-3 day intervals for 6 weeks. Results : Among the 62 specimens, 17 had M144V mutations in ribosomal protein L4. The A2064G mutation was observed in 1 specimen; its 23S rRNA gene was successfully sequenced. Culture for MP was successful from the M129 strain and 2 of the 5 NPAs that were refrigerated for no longer than 3 days. However, MP did not grow from the 28 NPAs that were kept frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$ since 2003. Conclusion : We found the M144V mutation of L4 protein to be common and that of domain V of 23S rRNA gene was relatively rare among MP. Studies on the prevalence of macrolide-resistant MP and the relationship between the mutations of 23S rRNA gene and ribosomal protein L4 will aid in understanding the mechanism of macrolide resistance in MP.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2000

Purpose: To evaluate the availability of magnetic resonance (MRI voiding cystography for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and to compare the sensitivity of MR voiding cystography (MRVC) with that of radiographic voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in the detection of VUR. Material and Methods : MRVC was performed upon 20 children referred for investigation of VUR. Either coronal T1-weighted spin-echo or spoiled gradient-echo images were obtained before and after transurethral administration of a mixture of normal saline and gadopentetate dimeglumine, and immediately after voiding. The findings of MRVC were compared with those of VCUG performed within 6 months of MRVC. Results 1 VUR was detected in 23 ureterorenal units f16 VUR's by both methods, five VUR's by VCUG, and two VUR's by MRVC). The sensitivity of VCUG and MRVC in detecting VUR was 91.3% (21/23) and 78.3% (18/23), respectively. MRVC detected renal scarring in 15 out of 17 kidneys with scintigraphically detected renal scarring. Conclusion : Although MRVC is slightly less sensitive than VCUG in the detection of VUR, it can be used for the diagnosis of VUR and renal scarring simultaneouslyl and thus will reduce the radiation hazard.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.569-577
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• 2007

The purpose of the present study was to propose some amendments on nutrient standard regulations of infant formula in Korea. For this purpose, we compared and analyzed the nutrient regulations of Korea, CODEX, U.S.A, Japan, EU, Australia and New Zealand. Some developing aspects of Korea's nutrient standard regulations for infant formula need to be examined as follows: firstly, both milk-based formula and soy-based formula standards would be unified into an infant formula, and the user of infant formula would be categorized for babies less than 6 month old. Secondly, nitrogen conversion factor of milk protein in the infant formula would be 6.38, which is the same as that of CODEX Revised Standard. Protein quantities could be differentiated by protein sources, and essential amino acids in human milk would be standardized according to protein contents. Thirdly, $\alpha$-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as essential fatty acids and trans fatty acid would be standardized in terms of the contents. Fourthly, it is recommended that the unit of vitamins and minerals would be changed from g/100 g to g/100 kcal, and individual vitamins and mineral would have their maximum values. Finally, 5 nucleotides (cytidine, uridine, adenosine, guanosine, inosine 5'-monophosphate) and fluoride would be required for the strengthening the immunity and the development of teeth, respectively. In conclusion, the scientific studies on amendment scheme of nutrient standard regulations of infant formula is very important to fortify nutritional completeness for Korean infants and young children.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2012

Purpose: To compare the results on myopia correction with reverse geometry lenses, effects of wearing reverse geometry lenses were evaluated for the children with low-level and high-level myopia. Methods: The research investigated the corrective effects of having worn reverse geometry lenses for one week, one month, three months and six months on a total of thirty-six persons (sixty-two eyes) between the ages of seven and fifteen, divided into three groups by the degree of their myopia; nineteen eyes(Group One) with myopia of -2.00 D and under, twenty-eight eyes(Group Two) with myopia between -2.25 D and -4 D, and fifteen eyes(Group Three) with myopia of -4.25 D and above; as shown by changes in uncorrected vision and the degree of refraction in the corneal topography, and tested for statistical similarity among the pursued results. Results: After wearing reverse geometry lenses, Group One showed an improvement in vision of 0.5, from 0.45 to 0.95, after one week, and improvements to 0.91 after one month and 1.02 after three months but, after six months, the group's vision regressed to 0.95. Group Two showed an improvement in vision of 0.43, from 0.34 to 0.77, after one week of wearing and to 0.91 after one month, to 0.97 after three months and this was statistically maintained through the remainder of six months. Group Three showed an improvement in vision of 0.55, from 0.15 to 0.7, after wearing for one week, to 0.87 after one month and to 0.91 after three months but saw a regression to 0.86 after six months. The average Sim K (simulated keratometry reading) value for Group One started from $42.84{\pm}1.17D$ and decreased to $41.48{\pm}0.98D$ after one week of wearing and continued declining through three months before increasing during the remainder of six months. Group Two began from $42.91{\pm}1.57D$ and recorded $41.78{\pm}1.58 D$ after one week, continuing the decline through three months before increasing during the remainder of six months. Group Three began at $42.64{\pm}1.64D$ and showed its Sim K value decrease to $40.77{\pm}1.20D$ after one week of wearing, increase after one month and decrease after three months and continue the decline through the remainder of six months. Conclusions: From the results of this study, wearing reverse geometry lenses had myopia-correcting effects after one week of wearing. Although there were variations in the time for such effect to take place but myopia-correcting effects were evident in all test groups.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2009

Purpose: Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in young children. Although intussusceptions are easily treated, some intussusceptions with or without a pathologic lead point (PLP) often recur. In this study, we analyzed the clinical characteristics and prognosis of recurrent intussusceptions (RI), the frequency of the PLP, and correlation between RI with PLP. Methods: The medical records of 144 patients, among 590 patients with intussusceptions who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery of Dankook University Hospital between May 1994 and June 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The overall recurrence rate of intussusceptions in this study was 9.2%. The mean interval between the initial occurrence and the first recurrent attack was 130${\pm}$175 days (range, 12 hours to 3 years). There was no statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate among patients who underwent air, barium, and manual reduction (p=0.131). Eighty-seven cases (92.6%) of RI had a successful reduction by the use of non-operative techniques. A PLP was present in 18 patients (3.0%). The most common PLP was intestinal lymphoid hyperplasia, followed by Meckel's diverticulum, duplication cyst, intestinal polyp, and adenomyoma. The mean number of intussusceptions was 4.7${\pm}$1.9 in 7 patients with PLP, which was significantly higher than (2.4${\pm}$0.9) patients without a PLP (p=0.023). The mean duration of recurrences was 17.4${\pm}$19.8 months (range, 2 days to 72 months). Conclusion: A careful search for a PLP should be performed to prevent recurrence of intussusception, especially when intussusception has recurred more than three times.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.144-150
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• 1997

Purpose : The kidney is one of the most common sites of cyst formation. Cystic diseases of the kidney are a diverse group of clinicopathologic entities and variable prognosis. They span a wide range of both age of presentation and severity of the renal disease. And many of them are systemic disorders, sharing similar process of cyst formation in other organs. Recently, development of imaging studies has been contributing widely to the diagnosis of the diseases. Treatment, however, is not established satisfactorily. We performed this study to evaluate the occurrence and treatment of cystic diseases of the kidney. Methods : We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 44 patients with cystic diseases of the kidney in the Department of Pediatrics, during last 11 years. Results : In the 44 patients with cystic diseases of the kidney, 31 patients(71%) had multicystic dysplastic kidney and 11(35%) of them received nephrectomy due to differentiation from neoplasms or severe abdominal distension. Seven patients(16%) had polycystic kidney disease, and all of them were infantile type. Five patients(11%) were diagnosed as having a simple renal cysts. Progression to renal failure was noted in none of the cases. In 14(32%) out of total 44 patients, the diagnosis was made in neonatal or infantile pelted. Conclusion : The incidence of cystic diseases of the kidney appeared very low, but further investigation on their pathogenesis, classification, and indication of treatment is needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to review clinical manifestations of hyperphenylalaninemia patients in Korean. Methods: 178 cases of hyperphenyalaninemia were diagnosed at department of pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Hospital from January, 1983 to August. We reviewed DNA analysis, MR imaging, EEG, radiography of the left hand and wrist, bone densitometry (BMD), IQ test of hyperphenyalaninemia patients. Results: Out of 178 cases, 161 cases were diagnosed classic phenylketonuria and 17 cases were diagnosed BH4 deficiency. 122 cases performed DNA analysis. R243Q (10.3%), Y204C (9.9%), and IVS4-1G>A (8.1%) mutations were predominant. 22 cases underwent MR imaging. Varying degrees of symmetrical high signal intensity were noted on T2-weighted sequences in the periventricular deep white matter of 15 cases. 23 cases were performed EEG. 12 cases (52.3%) showed abnormal pattern. EEG abnormalities showed in 11 cases. On lumbar BMD four of 11 cases (36%) showed reduced bone density of more than 1 S.D. in four of 11 cases, bone age was less than chronological age by at least one year. 18 cases were performed IQ test. Mean IQ scores was $84{\pm}21.6$. Among older than 15 years (9 cases), Mean IQ scores was $72{\pm}21.2$. PTPS deficiency was 14 cases, DHPR deficiency was 2 cases, and GTPCH deficiency was 1 case. Conclusion: We confirmed there were varieties of DNA mutations. And MR imaging and EEG were nonspecific in PKU patients. Older children showed lower IQ score. Low phenylalanine diet prevents brain damage in PKU patient. Not only first few years of life but also lifetime, Keeping low phenylalanine diet is important.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate present status of use about antimicrobial agent (triclosan, ethanol) and preservatives (sodium benzoate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate) in dentifrice. 75 samples including 16 mouthwashes were analyzed in this study. Contents of triclosan and preservatives were analyzed using by HPLC and ethanol was analyzed by headspace-GC. Preservatives were detected from total 37 samples, which are suitable for the legal limits in Korea. Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate was detected from 26 samples (0.003~0.19%), propyl p-hydroxybenzoate was detected from 11 samples (0.002~0.02%) and sodium benzoate was detected from 14 samples (0.1~0.3%), respectively. Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate was detected from 6 samples (0.03~0.19%), propyl p-hydroxybenzoate was detected from 1 samples (0.01%) and sodium benzoate was detected form 5 samples (0.1~0.2%) in 20 dentifrice for children. Triclosan was not detected from 75 samples. Ethanol was detected from 16 samples (4.9~21.9%) in 19 samples; among them three samples showed the higher contents (20.5~21.9%) but ethanol contents was not labeled in these samples.