• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2011

Purpose: We previously reported that concurrent reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in children with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis. However, the incidence of concurrent reactivation was not accurate because the detection of EBV reactivation was based on serologic methods. Therefore, we studied the effects of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-proven EBV reactivation, thus a more precise concurrence, on acute HAV infection in children. Methods: PCR were conducted in 34 patients, who had enrolled previous study and diagnosed with acute HAV infection between January 2008 and June 2010. Their medical records were reviewed. Results: Among 34 patients with acute HAV infection, 12 patients (35.3%) had EBV reactivation which was proven using serologic and molecular biologic techniques. There were significant differences in the peak levels of AST and ALT between the reactivated and non-reactivated groups (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The duration of full recovery from hepatitis was more prolonged in the reactivated group (p<0.001). Clinical parameters, such as serum protein (p<0.001) and albumin concentrations (p<0.001), atypical lymphocyte count (p=0.001), prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR, p<0.001), and splenomegaly (p<0.001), showed significant differences. The clinical features in the reactivated sub-group >10 years of age revealed more liver dysfunction compared to the non-reactivated sub-group. A comparison with a previous study was performed. Conclusion: PCR-proven reactivation of latent EBV in children with HAV infection is common and EBV reactivation with HAV infection adversely affects the clinical features of hepatitis, especially in older children.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2004

Cysteine-silver complexes were prepared and investigated the antimicrobial activity on rubber mat manufactured with waste rubber. We are exposed to harmful bacteria and fungi all the time. We manufactured antimicrobial mat to be imposed to mats that it can prevent generation of bacteria and microorganisms, and restrict their reproduction. Infection of medical devices causes significant morbidity and mortality. For aim of this study, we measured the antimicrobial mat manufactured with cysteine-Ag complex by CCD, FT-IR and NMR. The effect of mole ratio of cysteine-Ag complex on antimicrobial activity to bacteria and fungi is investigated. Reduction rate is evaluated using the Quinn method. Antimicrobial activity of complex on mole ratio 1:4 was effectively inhibited. The complexes had a better antibacterial activity than antifungal activity on rubber mat.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2001

Purpose: We measured anti-H. pylori IgG in Korean elementary school children living in Shinchon area of Seoul, Korea to evaluate the influence of environmental living standards on H. pylori infection. Methods: IgG antibodies to H. pylori were measured in plasma using a commercial ELISA kit (GAP IgG Helicobacter pylori, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA). Information on environmental status such as place of birth, parental income, type of housing, number of persons in the household, parents' occupation, family history of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer was obtained. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square and logistic regression test using SPSS $7.0^{TM}$ for Windows. Results: Study subjects consisted of 571 children, and the age distribution ranged from 6.0 to 13.6 years with a mean of $9.6{\pm}1.8$ years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.1:1. The seropositive rates of H. pylori infection ranged from 10.4% in children aged 6 years to 30.9% in 12 year-old group, overall 16.8%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection progressively increased with age, but there was no significant difference in seropositive rates among children in different age groups (p=0.06). Seropositive rates of anti-H. pylori IgG on the basis of gender, place of birth, parental income, type of housing, parents' occupation, family history of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer showed no statistically significant difference. Interestingly, however, seropositive rate of anti-H. pylori IgG showed statistical significance in relation to number of persons in the household (p=0.003; Odds ratio 1.50 by logistic regression test). Conclusion: These results suggest that number of persons in the household is the most important factor among environmental living standards, and that risk of H. pylori infection increases by increment of 1.5 times as the number of persons in the household increases by one.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.501-507
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• 2018

We described here the morphological characteristics for the species identification and fish hosts of Isoparorchis sp. (Digenea: Isoparorchiidae) in the Republic of Korea (Korea). Total 1,371 freshwater fishes collected in Yangcheon (Stream) in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do were examined by the artificial digestion methods to survey the infection status of digenetic trematode metacercariae for 4 years (2013-2016). Adult and larval worms of Isoparorchis sp. were detected in 38 (8.4%) out of 451 fish in 4 species, i.e., Pungtungia herzi, Acheilognathus koreensis, Squalidus japonicus coreanus and Odontobutis platycephala, examined. The infection density was 1.1 worm per fish infected. They were mainly found in the subcutaneous tissues and abdominal cavities. Nodules with worms in the subcutaneous tissues were revealed as the blue ink-colored bulges. Adults leaf-like, $21.6{\times}9.84mm$ in average size. The ratio of body length to body width was 2.20: 1. Oral sucker subterminal, $1.03{\times}1.22mm$. Pharynx muscular, $0.55{\times}0.54mm$. Esophagus very short. Ceca convoluted, terminated near the posterior end. Ventral sucker anterior 1/3.75, $1.99{\times}2.10mm$. The ratio of ventral sucker to oral sucker was 1.74: 1. Testes round to elliptical, both sides of ventral sucker, $1.43{\times}1.33mm$. Vitellaria highly dendritic, posterior 1/3 level. Eggs operculated, embryonated, $52{\times}32{\mu}m$ in size. By the present study, 4 fish species aforementioned are to be listed as the fish hosts of Isoparorchis sp. in Korea and additionally the morphological characteristics are to be described for the species identification.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.84-91
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• 2021

Purpose: We aimed to study the association of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) and leukocyte differential count in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: Medical records of 154 children aged 1 month to 13 years with febrile UTI who were hospitalized were retrospectively reviewed. Associations between pNGAL levels and blood leukocyte differential count at admission and after 48 hours of treatment were investigated in children with or without acute pyelonephritis (APN). Results: The APN group (n=82) showed higher pNGAL levels, neutrophil count, monocyte count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), compared to the non-APN group (n=72) (all P<0.05). After adjustment for age and sex, pNGAL showed positive correlations with neutrophil count and NLR in both groups (all P<0.05). Additionally, it was correlated with the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) only in the APN group (P<0.05). Before and after treatment, pNGAL was positively correlated with neutrophil count, NLR, and MLR in patients with APN while it was related with neutrophil count and NLR in those without APN (all P<0.05). Areas under the receiver operating curve of pNGAL, neutrophil count, NLR, and MLR for predicting APN were 0.804, 0.760, 0.730, and 0.636, respectively (all P<0.05). Only pNGAL was independently associated with the presence of APN in a multivariable logistic regression analysis (P<0.05). Conclusion: In children with febrile UTIs, pNGAL might be associated with leukocyte differential count and the presence of APN.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.275-280
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• 2023

Currently, the cumulative number of confirmed cases from the coronavirus in Korea is 30.17 million, and the cumulative number of deaths also reaches 33,444 (as of January 31, 2023). Therefore, this study aims to conduct an empirical analysis on the establishment of quarantine systems in major domestic cities as it is necessary to analyze the influencing factors of COVID-19 and discuss policy directions necessary to establish an effective quarantine system in the future. Among them, 16 cities in Korea with a relatively weak quarantine infrastructure were compared with the interrelationship between "number of upper-level hospitals", "number of urban populations", "number of infected", and "number of deaths", and ultimately the results of quarantine for each local government. In conclusion, the average population of 16 cities is 0.792 million, and the average number of infected people is 0.458 million, and the average cumulative infection rate is 57.8%. Seven cities exceed the average cumulative infection rate: Suwon (61.6%), Yongin (59.1%), Seongnam (61.8%), Hwaseong (65.6%), Anyang (60.7%), Cheonan (62.9%), and Jeonju (62.9%). In addition, despite the establishment of excellent treatment facilities in the city (ave=0.0129), the ratio of "accumulated deaths" (ave=0.11%) was high in Changwon (0.12%/0.0193), Ansan (0.12%/0.0138), Cheongju (0.11%/0.0174), and the ratio of "accumulative deaths" was low (0.09%) despite the construction of relatively poor treatment facilities. Through the results of this study, we expect a paradigm shift in the infectious disease management system in major cities in Korea after post-COVID-19.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.193-197
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• 2009

Background: Though it is clear that many types of viruses can infect the oral mucosa, its condition for infection is unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the conditions for viral infection of normal oral mucosa and explore the possibility of topical gene therapy to oral mucosa using a viral vector. Methods: Freshly taken fragments of the palate and the tongue of mice were used for organ culture. The specimens were exposed to green fluorescent protein (GFP)-adenoviral vector for 1 hour except for the control. Initial viral titer was $6.3{\times}10^{11}\;pfu/ml$ and the virus was diluted to working concentrations. The dilution ratio was 1:1,000 ($6.3{\times}10^8\;pfu/ml$), 1:10,000 ($6.3{\times}10^7\;pfu/ml$), and 1:100,000 ($6.3{\times}10^6\;pfu/ml$). They were then cultured on a stainless steel wire mesh in an organ culture dish. The specimens were stereoscopically examined every 24 hours for 6 days, after which they were fixed and analyzed through immunohistochemical methods Results: There was no visible expression in the control, $6.3{\times}10^6\;pfu/ml$, and $6.3{\times}10^7\;pfu/ml$ groups. Initial expression was observed at 24 hours after infection in both the palate and the tongue in $6.3{\times}10^8\;pfu/ml$ and the expression significantly increased until 3 days in the palate and 2 days in the tongue after infection (P<0.05). In both groups, the expression was mostly observed at the resection margin. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the epithelial cells were positive to GFP. Conclusion: The present study showed that topically applied adenovirus containing specific genetic information of GFP could successfully transduce GFP in normal oral epithelial cells at the resection margin in organ culture in terms of dose and exposure time.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.231-238
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• 1993

Effects of Paragonims westermai infection were observed in mice on the change of serum IgE level, the number of peripheral eosinophils and the distribution of Thy $1.2^{+}{\;}(CD3),{\;}L3T4^{+}{\;}(CD4),{\;}and{\;}Lyt-2^{+}$ (CD8) splenic T Iymphocytes without mitogen serum IgE increased at 3 weeks after the infection and reached a peak on week 4 and maintained high levels of IgE until the 23r6 week. Peripheral eosinophil numbers Increased at the second week and attained peak level on week 9. The frequency of $L3T4^{+}$(CD4) and $Lyt-2^{+}$ (CD8) T Iymphocytes decreased slightly until 4 weeks after the infection, but not significantly. Absolute number of $L3T4^{+}{\;}and{\;}Lyt-2^{+}$ T Iymphocytes, and the ratio of L3T4/Lyt-2 were not markedly changed over the period of observation. The frequency of Thy $1.2^{+}$ (CD3) T lymphocytes in the infected group slightly decreased until 4 weeks after the infection and showed significant reductions at the 2nd and 4th week of the infection (p < 0.05).

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.265-269
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• 2011

Inhibitory effect of useful components from Cheongmoknosang mulberry leaves extracts against Helicobacter pylori were investigated to develope them to a health functional food. It was confirmed that H. pylori bacterial infection occurred after 6 weeks over in C57BL/6 mouse which was caused the infection, and the average number of pathogens was $8{\times}10^5$ CFU/mL. Effects of the prevention and cure against H. pylori were tested by the mouth administration with Cheongmoknosang mulberry leaves extracts include the active ingredient, and number of H. pylori colony in stomach of drug groups were decreased more than control group. The result of testing immuno-glogulin isotype from the separated serum from a mouse, IgG1, IgA produced more in administered group, and it is expected to inhibit the H. pylori infection because of increasing antibody production in the mixture. These results suggest that caffeic acid, rosemarinic acid and chlorogenic acid in Cheongmoknosang mulberry leaves extracts are very effective to prevent or cure against H. pylori infection. So the ratio of infection is increasing and it is regarded to be able to prevent and cure the disease like gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric cancer which are caused by H. pylori.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.14 no.2 s.23
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• pp.71-76
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• 1975

The study has been carried to find a proper site for seed potato production in Jeon Bug Province, Korea. Two fields, one at the alpine area (700-800 m sea level) in Muju county and the other at the plain area in Jeoniu, were chose for this study. Seed potatoes for the experiment were obtained from Alpine Experiment Station and from the traditional sources in Muju area. During the growing season the virus infection (Potato virus X,S,Y, and M) was detected by serolgical method. The average percent of virus infection on the original seed potatoes, which have been used as a seed source in Korea, was $50.5\%$, and the ratio of the infection for each of potato virus, Y, M and X was 34..87, 40.33, 41.00 and $87.10\%$, respectively. Infection percentage of virus at first year in Muju area was $11.7\%$ and those in Jeonju area was $18.95\%$. In case of potato virus Y, the most prevalent virus in Korea, lower Infection percentage $(6.45\%)$ was found in Muju area than in tile Jeonju area $(26.0\%)$ when the seed from Alpine Experiment Station was planted in both areas. The percentage of infected seed potato, Alpine Experiment Station$(41.75\%)$ was almost the same as those from the traditional sources in Muju $(42.17\%)$. The production of seed potato, however, was much better by the seeds from Alpine Experiment Station.