• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1348-1353
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• 2006

Purpose : The reticuloendothelial system is composed of sinusoidal capillaries, through which even large protein molecules are freely movable between plasma and interstitial space, including the lymphatic system. Therefore, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) would cause a redistribution of proteins between two compartments. To investigate this hypothesis, we measured plasma protein and lipid levels in patients with Kawasaki disease before and after high-dose IVIG treatment. Methods : Thirty four children with Kawasaki disease who had complete responses to high-dose IVIG treatment (1 g/kg/day for two consecutive days), were analyzed. Before and after the administration of IVIG, serum analyses were performed for such parameters as total protein, albumin, ${\gamma}$-globulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), ${\alpha}1-$, ${\alpha}2-$, and ${\beta}-$ globulin fractions, and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride). Results : The levels of ${\gamma}$-globulins including IgG, IgM, IgA were significantly increased, and IgG was increased by $1,779{\pm}304mg/dL$ after two-dose of IVIG infusion. The levels of albumin, ${\alpha}1-$, ${\alpha}2-$, and ${\beta}$ globulin fractions were significantly decreased by 18 percent, 24 percent, 19 percent and 12 percent, respectively. HDL-cholesterol level was significantly decreased by 20 percent, while LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly increased by 21 percent and 50 percent, respectively. The total cholesterol level was not changed. Conclusion : High-dose IVIG treatment decreased the levels of a variety of proteins except immunoglobulins, and the increase of IgG after IVIG treatment was lower than expected. Our results suggest that a part of infused IVIG and plasma proteins, including etiologic proteins for Kawasaki disease, may be distributed to the extravascular compartments. The rapid improvement of symptoms induced by IVIG in Kawasaki disease might be explained by this mode of action of IVIG.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the low power Helium Neon-Infra Red(HeNe-IR) laser and the special electromagnetic therapeutic apparatus stimulation, which is usually designated as TDP by using the initial of Tending Diancibo Pu which is the Chinese inscribed with English, on wound healing in rat. The seventy-five Sprague-Dawley adult female and male rats were assigned to the experimental and control groups. Each rat was anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, and three full-thickness incisions with 12mm length wert made on the back of the half cf the rats and three deep second degree burns were made on the back of the remainder of the rats. From 34 hours after being injured, the rats of the experimental laser group were irradiated with the 157mW electric power HeNe-IR laser for 2 minutes every day and the rats of the experimental TDP group were stimulated with TDP irradiation with the 4km spot distance for 20 minutes every day during the 17 days. The rats were sacrificed and the wound parts of its were incised on the first day, 4th day, 7th day, 10th day and 17th day respectively after the beginning of wound treatment with laser and TDP irradiation. The incised wound parts were processed appropriately for the light microscopic and electron microscopic examination. The length of incised wound was measured with microcaliper before the wound part was incised. There was a significant decrease in the length of the incised wound of the experimental laser and TDP group, compared with that of control group at 4th day, 7th day and 10th day(p<0.01) after surgery. Through the histological examination of the wound site, the more rapid epithelialization and collagen formation in experimental groups were showed, compared with control group. The histological results were analyzed and summarized as the follows; The epidermis begins to be regenerated and the granulation tissue begins to be changed to the mature pattern in the H-E stained incised skin of the laser and TDP treatment group on the 4th day. The epidermis shows the complete regeneration and the granulation tissue in the dermis in mostly to be matured in the laser and TDP treatment group on the 7th day, compared with control group. The chronic inflammatory cells are oberved and the necrosis of the collagen fibers are partially observed in control group on the 10th day. The dermis of the laser and TOP treatment group reveals relatively compactly arranged collgen bundles with the mature collagen fibers on the 10th day. The epidermis and dennis of the laser and TDP group are repaired normally and the hair follicles are well regenerated on the 17th day. The mild edema and the granulation tissue is observed in the dermis of the control groups and the delayed treatment process is observed on the 17th day. The Most of proliferated collagen fibrils are found to be compact and regular in electron micrograph of burn skin of the laser treatment group on the 10th day hut the interstitial eadema and some inflammatory cells are found in the control group. The above results suggest that through the visual and histological examination the epithelized epithelium and the proliferation of the collagen liters in the dermis occur very effectively with the low power laser treatment and the TDP treatment in the incised wound healing and the burn wound healing.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 1997

Purpose : To investigate ultrastructural changes of the mouse lung induced by whole lung gamma irradiation and to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of steroid against acute lung injury. Materials and Methods :. One hundred and twenty ICR mice were used and whole lung was irradiated with telecobalt machine. Whole lung doses were 8 and 12Gy, and 10mg of methyl prednisolone was administrated intraperitoneally for two and four weeks. At the end of the observation period, mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The lungs were removed and fixed inflated. Histopathological examination of acute radiation injuries were Performed by light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic examination. Results : Control group with BGy is characterized by damage to the type I Pneumocyte and the endothelial cell of the capillary. edema of alveolar wall and interstitium. and fibroblast proliferation. Control group with 120y is characterized by more severe degree of type 1 pneumocyte damage and more prominant inflammatory cell infiltration. Destructed cell debris within the alveolar space were also noted After steroid administration, 8Gy experimental group showed decreased degree of inflammatory reactions but fibroblast proliferation and basal lamina damages were unchanged. Experimental group with 12Gy showed lesser degree of inflammatory reactions similar to changes of 8Gy experimental group. Conclusion : These studies suggest that the degree of interstitial edema and inflammatory changes were related to radiation dose but Proliferation of the fibroblast and structural changes of basal lamina were not related to radialion dose. Experimental administration of steroid for 2 to 4 weeks after whole lung irradiation suggest that steroid can suppress alveolar and endothelial damages induced by whole lung irradiation but Proliferation of the fibroblast and structural changes of basal lamina were not related to administration of steroid.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2010

Tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disrupting chemical, has been reported to decrease testicular function by causing apoptosis in the testis, but this mechanism is not fully understood. Thus, in this study we examined whether TBT induces adipogenesis of the Leydig cells to find out the correlation between adipogenesis and apoptosis in the testis. Three week old SD male rats were orally administrated with sesame oil, 1 mg/kg of TBT, or 10 mg/kg of TBT daily for 1 week and weighed after administration. The testes obtained on day 8 were weighed and stained with BODIPY and TUNEL kit. Using total RNA extracted from the isolated Leydig cells, adipogenesis and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by real-time PCR. The testicular weights of the rats treated with 10 mg/kg TBT were significantly decreased compared to those in the control rats treated with sesame oil. As a result of BODIPY staining, the number of Leydig cells stained with BODIPY was increased in the rats treated with 10 mg/kg TBT compared with the control rats. Similar to BODIPY staining results, the TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis of Leydig cells was increased in TBT treated rats. The results of the gene expression analysis in the Leydig cells showed that the expression of adipogenesis-related genes (PPAR${\gamma}$, aP2, Perilipin, CD36) and apoptosis-related genes (TNFRSF1A, TNFSF10) was increased after TBT administration. The present study demonstrates that TBT induces the expression of adipogenesis-related and apoptosis-related genes in the Leydig cells leading to adipogenesis and apoptosis in the testes. These results suggest that the dysfunction of Leydig cells by TBT exposure may cause a loss in testicular function.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2008

Purpose : The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic response to cyclosporine, time to remission and side effects in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Methods : This study included 22 children with idiopathic SRNS who were treated with cyclosporine between June 1989 and August 2006. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of patients at diagnosis was $5.2{\pm}3.3\;years$. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Pre-treatment renal biopsies showed minimal change (MCD) in 12 (54.5%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 8 (36.4%), membranous nephropathy (MGN) in one (4.5%) and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in one (4.5%). 15 (68.2%) patients responded to cyclosporine, of whom 11 (91.6%) patients were MCD, 3 (37.5%) patients FSGS, and 1 patient MGN (MCD vs FSGS, P<0.05). The time to remission in patients who responded to cyclosporine was $31.5{\pm}15.2\;days$. Four of the 15 cyclosporine responders maintained complete remission even after cessation of the medication Seven still received cyclosporine, 2 were intermittently treated with steroids after discontinuation of cyclosporine, and two were treated with cyclosporine and steroids. The mean duration of cyclosporine therapy was $546.5{\pm}346.2$, $1,392.9{\pm}439.7$, $439.5{\pm}84.1$, and $433.5{\pm}74.2$ days, respectively. We performed post-treatment biopsies in 8 patients and partial interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were found in two. Conclusion : The thrapeutic response of cyclosporine is good in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, especially in minimal change. But, there is a problem of long term cyclosporine dependency.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2002

Purpose : It is not clear that the development of glomerular injury and aggravation by tumor necrosis factor alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$) is related to intrarenal or serum concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$. So, we studied the relationship between the concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and aggravation of glomerular damage in the Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ nephritis(HSN) and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome(INS). Methods : We collected the sera and urines of 21 patients with Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP) and 22 patients with INS visited Chungbuk National University hospital from March 1998 to March 2001. The concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the sera and urines were measured by sandwich ELISA. Results : Serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the HSP patients with renal involvement were significantly higher than those without renal involvement(P=0.009). But urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels have no correlation with renal involvement(P=0.088). In the HSN patients, proteinuria have a significant correlation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.004) but less correlation with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.053). Otherwise, proteinuria have no correlation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.763) but have a significant correlation with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.007) in INS. Conclusion : These result suggest that the serum concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ would be important to glomerular involvement in HSP. And, it is interesting that proteinuria shows a significant relation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the HSN, but with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the INS. This means the major production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ may be originated by extrarenal inflammation in the HSN and by intrarenal tubulo-interstitial damage due to proteinuria in the INS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1230-1234
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• 2003

Purpose : The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of lung biopsies for the management of children with lung disease. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 19 lung biopsies done at Asan Medical Center, Seoul between 1993 and 2001. Data gathered included demographic information, underlying conditions, diagnosis before biopsy, final diagnosis, change in therapy, morbidity and mortality. Results : Nineteen patients underwent lung biopsy. Among them, 13 patients were male and six patients were female; the median age was 3.6 years(0.8 to 8.6 years). Twelve patients underwent open lung biopsies and seven patients had thoracoscopic biopsies. The overall diagnosis rate was 95 %. The most common diagnosis was interstitial lung disease(12 patients, 64%) and infection was detected in four patients(21%). The biopsy-proven bronchiolitis obliterance was confirmed in two of seven patients suspected by CT findings. Specific treatment was changed after biopsy in 16 patients (85%). The morbidity & overall mortality rates of the patients were 5%(one patient) and 21%(four patients) respectively. Only one complication was seen : empyema. The causes of death were acute respiratory distress syndrome(one patient), respiratory failure(two patients), and septicemia(one patient). Conclusion : The lung biopsy is a safe procedure and it contributes to more accurate diagnosis and proper management of pediatric lung diseases. We recommend lung biopsies should be considered more positively in the diagnosis of pediatric lung diseases.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Fine-grained peridotite xenoliths are rarely trapped in the basaltic rocks from the southeastern part of Jeju Island. Based on textural characteristics of the constituent phases showing uniform-sized, fine-grained tabular to mosaic grains with rare porphyroclastic relics, the studied samples can be defined as fine-grained, foliated porphyroclastic peridotites (FPP). Almost no significant difference among the FPPs in textures and major element compositions implies that the FPPs were derived from a structural domain, experiencing similar deformation events and deformation patterns. Moreover, the bimodal distribution with kink-banded porphyroclasts ($2{\sim}3mm$) and stain-free neoblasts ($200{\sim}300{\mu}m$), straight to gently curved grain boundaries with triple junctions, interstitial melt pockets, and microstructures for migrating grain boundary suggest that the studied samples went through dynamic recrystallization (${\pm}$ static recrystallization) in the presence of melt/fluid movement along foliation planes. No notable difference between the FPP and common protogranular xenoliths in major element compositions and geochemical evolution also implies that the FPP and protogranular xenoliths were from a similar horizon. Thus, the textural and geochemical characteristics of the FPPs reflects deformation events occurred at a localized and narrow zone within the lithospheric mantle beneath the Jeju Island. Although further detailed studies are necessary to define deformation events, the most possible process which could trigger deformation in the FPP in the rigid upper mantle was the ascending basaltic magma forming high-stress deformation zones. The suggested high-stress deformation zones in the lithosphere beneath the Jeju Island may be produced by paleo-faulting events related to the ascent of basalt magma before Jeju Island was formed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1556-1562
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• 2010

This study examined the histopathologic and electron microscopic findings of aborted fetuses from pregnant dairy cows naturally infected with Neospora caninum (N. caninum) at four farms in Gongju city and Yeonki gun of Choongnam province. Systemic subcutaneous edema was observed in the aborted fetuses. The necropsy revealed considerable serosanguinous fluid in the body cavity of the aborted fetuses. Light microscopy showed the infiltration of many inflammatory cells consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes and mononuclear cells, accompanied by congestion, hemorrhage and necrosis of myocardiac cells and hepatocytes in the liver and heart of the aborted fetuses. In the liver, clusters of tachyzoites were formed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and the interstitial tissue. In the brain, many tissue cysts of various sizes were observed in the nerve cells and their adjacent areas. Tissue cysts had a round shape and contained a large amount of bradyzoite. In addition, there was diffuse gliosis accompanied by congestion and hemorrhage and focal necrosis in the brain. Infiltration of microglial cells were observed at the periphery of the focal necrosis and perivascular area in the brain. Electron microscopy showed that the tissue cyst wall had a thickness of approximately 1 ${\mu}m$ with an irregular shape. On the interior side, more than 100 bradyzoites with lengths of 2-5 ${\mu}m$ and widths of 1-2 ${\mu}m$ were observed. The nucleus of in the bradyzoites was located approximately 1-1.5 ${\mu}m$ anterior to the posterior tip of the zoite. In the cytoplasm between the nucleus and the posterior tip, there were many amylopectin granules, electron-dense small-sized and electron-thin large-sized round granules, homogeneously electron-dense rhoptries and micronemes oriented perpendicularly to the zoite pellicle. To summarize, tissue cysts were identified on electron microscopy from the aborted fetus from N. caninum seropositive pregnant cow by the ELISA. This led to the confirmed presence of N. caninum.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2005

Background : According to the 2002 consensus report of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was classified as biopsy proven or probable IPF. Probable IPF is defined as those with distinctive features that allow for a confident diagnosis of IPF/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) within an appropriate clinical setting. The determination of the clinical course of probable IPF, as diagnosed by the ATS/ERS criteria, was studied. Methods : Between March 1995 and August 2002, 36 patients with probable IPF, from two tertiary referral hospitals, were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment efficacy of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Results : The mean age of the subjects was $65{\pm}6$ years. The one and 3 year survival rates were 82.4 and 50.3%, respectively, and a median survival period of 42.0 months. The total cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage was higher in the death than the survival group (p<0.05). No survival benefits were found in the cytoxan and steroid treatment groups compared with other treatment groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that the clinical course of probable IPF may be similar to that of biopsy-proven UIP. However, atypical patients must undergo an open lung biopsy for confirmation of the diagnosis.