• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 1998

Present study was conducted to determine the frequency, clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of children with idiopathic hypercalciuria. Study patients consisted of 150 children with isolated hematuria (recurrent gross or persistent microscopic), and hypercalciuria was defined as urinary calcium excretion over 4 mg/kg/day. During follow-up period up to $6{\sim}8$ years, serial check-up of renal sonogram for stone formation and Dipstick examination for hematuria were done. Forty-four (29%) out of 150 cases were diagnosed as idiopathic hypercalciuria, and in hypercalciuric children compared to normocalciuric children boys were more common than girls (9:35) and gross hematuria was more common than microscopic hematuria (37:7) (P<0.05). Oral calcium loading test showed renal type in 29 cases, absorptive type in 8 cases and in 7 cases type could not be definable. Among 3 types no differences could be found in 24 hour urinary calcium excretion and in clinical or laboratory data. Urolithiasis developed in 4 out of 44 cases (2 at the time of initial diagnosis and 2 within $1{\sim}2$ years of follow-up periods) and these children showed lower chronologic age ($3.7{\pm}2.7\;vs\;7.2{\pm}2.9\;yr$) and more girl than boys (3:1 vs 6:34) (P<0.05) compared to the rest of the hypercalciuric children. Follow-up urinalysis showed disappearance of hematuria in 56, 50, 66 and 75% of children at $1{\sim}2,\;2{\sim}4,\;4{\sim}6$ and $6{\sim}8$ years after initial diagnosis respectively. In conclusion, present study demonstrates that idiopathic hypercalciuria is a major cause of isolated hematuria in children so that in these children 24 hour urinary calcium excretion test seems to be an essential test to be performed. And serial renal sonography should be done to detect development of nephrolithiasis. However, clinical significance of dividing hypercalciuric children into two pathophysiologically distinct subtypes by oral calcium loading test seems to be in doubt and further study is needed to solve this problem.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 1998

Purpose : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been involved in several forms of immune-related glomerulopathy but the pathogenic role of HBV infection is not clear. To evaluate the clinicopathological features of HBV-associated glomerulopathy, a clinicopathological analysis and immunohistochemical stain for HBs Ag and HBe Ag were done. Methods : Clinicopathological features of HBV-associated glomerulopathy were analyzed with renal biopsies in 28 HBsAg seropositive patients from April 1990 to February 1997 at Pusan Paik Hospital, and immunohistochemical evaluation for HBsAg and HBeAg was done in renal tissues. Light microscopic, immunofluorescent and electron microscopic examination and immunohistochemical staining for HBsAg (DAKO) and HBeAg (BIONIKE) of renal tissue were performed. Result ; 1. The age distribution was 6 to 73 years old, and eight were children and 20 were adults. Male : female ratio was 3:1. Nineteen (67.9%) and 21 (75.0%) of 28 cases showed hematuria and proteinuria, respectively at the time of biopsy. Sixteen (57.2%) of them had nephrotic syndrome. 2. Liver function test was performed in 11 patients and seven (63.6%) of them showed increased AST and ALT levels. Liver biopsy was done in three patients and revealed findings of chronic active hepatitis. 3. HBV-associated glomerulopathy was membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 10 (35.7%), mesangiopathy in 8 (28.6%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in 7 (25.0%) and minimal change disease in 3 (10.7%) out of 28 cases. 4. Ultrastructurally HBV-associated MGN showed conspicuous subepithelial deposits with intramembranous, mesangial and subendothelial deposits and proliferation of mesangial cells and matrix, which were suggestive of MPGN. In HBV-associated MPGN, intramembranous and subepithelial deposits were scattered. 5. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no expression for HBsAg, but positive reaction for HBeAg along capillary wall in 8 cases (28.6%), of which 3 cases were checked for serum HBeAg, all showed positivity. Conclusion : HBV-associated glomerulopathy showed a wide morphologic spectrum and overlapping ultrastructural features in MGN and MPGN, and the activity of hepatitis B virus may be related to the development of HBV-associated glomerulopathy but further studies are recommended to confirm this relationship.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.509-518
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• 2016

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a medical plant that has long been used to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory disease and brain disease in northeast Asian countries. Although several studies have been conducted on the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of A. cochinchinensis, the correlation between these effects and nerve growth factor (NGF) has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (AEAC) on the secretion and action mechanism of NGF in neuronal cells. The concentration of the NGF protein in the supernatant collected from cultured cells increased significantly in B35 cells treated with AEAC in comparison with the vehicle-treated group without any specific cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of NGF showed a very similar pattern to its protein concentration. To examine the bioactivity of NGF secreted from B35 cells, undifferentiated PC12 cells were cultured in an AEAC-conditioned medium and neuritic outgrowth was observed. The dendrite length of PC12 cells in the AEAC-treated group was significantly higher than that in the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, the level of the downstream effectors p-TrkA and p-ERK of the high-affinity NGF receptor was significantly higher in the AEAC-treated group, while the expression of the downstream effectors of the low-affinity NGF receptor was significantly lower in the same group. These results suggest that AEAC may contribute to the regulation of NGF expression and secretion in neuronal cells; it is therefore an excellent candidate for further investigation as a therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1151-1156
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• 2014

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat many diseases, such as inflammation, infections, and even cancer. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a Chinese elm species, is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The stem bark is widely employed in Korean traditional medicine to treat dermatitis, mastitis, and edema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water extract of U. macrocarpa Hance bark (Ulmus cortex) has a immune-modulating function in a mouse model. Three different concentrations (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of Ulmus cortex water extract (UCWE) were orally administered to mice for 14 days, and their immune responses were analyzed. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$, increased in the blood of UCWE-fed groups when compared with a control group. In contrast, the IL-4 level did not change in any of the UCWE-fed groups Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also assayed using lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK). LAK showed greater cytotoxicity in the UCWE-fed groups than LAK in the control group. Internal organ indices, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus, were similar in all the groups, including the control group, indicating that UCWE may have been nontoxic in the experimental animals. These data suggest that UCWE has an immune-modulating function in a mouse model.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2001

Purpose : This study was undertaken to investigate clinical aspects of nutcracker syndrome in children including sexual distribution, age of onset, the ratio of peak flow velocity between the narrowed and dilated portions in the left renal vein and prevalence of hematuria or proteinuria. Materials and Method : The subjects included 30 patients diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome using Doppler sonography from September 1999 to January 2001 in Severance Hospital, Department of Pediatric Nephrology. The diagnostic criteria for nutcracker syndrome was a peak flow velocity of ratio is more than 5.0. Results : Patients consisted of 14 males and 16 females. The mean age was 9.19${\pm}$2.31 years old and the ratio of peak flow velocity was 8.52${\pm}$2.24. Age of onset us higher in males 9.68${\pm}$2.82 year old than in females, 8.76${\pm}$1.72 year old respectively(P<0.05). But there was no difference in the ratio of peak flow velocities ; 8.45${\pm}$2.31 in the male group , 8.58${\pm}$2.25 in the female group(P>0.05). There was no difference in the age of onset and the ratio of peak flow velocity between patients with hematuria and without hematuria. Among patients with nutcracker syndrome, 24 cases of hematuria, 3 cases of proteinuria only, and 3 cases of hematuria with proteinuria. Conclusion : In children of school age, early diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome and consistent follow up is worthy of consideration, especially ill the prevention of sequelae. (J. Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 5 : 9-14, 2001)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2001

Purpose : Vesicoureteral reflux is the most commonly inherited disease detected in children with urinary tract infection. The incidence of vesicoureteral reflux among siblings of children with known vesicoureteral reflux is 8$\%$ to 45$\%$ according to different authors. Family screening of a patient with vesicoureteral reflux is important in order to prevent reflux nephropathy. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of vesicoureteral reflux in asymptomatic family of children with vesicoureteral reflux and the factors which influence the family history. Methods : The study group consisted of 27 families of patients with vesicoureteral reflux. The total number in the group were 79 persons. BUN, Cr, urineanalysis, voidingcystourethrography(VCUG) and 99mTc -dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) renal scan were performed oil tile siblings. As for tile parents the same tests were performed except the VCUG. Results : The abnormality was detected in 7 of 27 families(25.9$\%$). Vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 5 of 20 siblings and renal scar ns detected in 3 of 32 parents. In children with vesicoureteral reflux, renal scar was detected in 24 of 32 children. Between the group with the abnormality in its family(Group A) and the group without the abnormality in its family(Group B), There was no difference of creatinine clearance between two groups. More renal scars were detected in group A according to the DMSA(A:100$\%$, B:75$\%$. t-test P<0.05). There was no difference of grade of VCUG between two groups. There was no difference between one site and both sites in two groups. In tile case of tile siblings with vesicoureteral reflux, there was high incidence of renal scar in a patient with vesicoureteral reflux according to the DMSA. Conclusion : It is important to screen vesicoureteral reflux and renal scar in case of urinary tract infection to prevent reflux nephropathy. This study implies that it is necessary to screen the family of a patient with vesicoureteral reflux especially with renal scar. (J, Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 5 : 36- 42, 2001)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2001

Purpose : The urinary tract infection associated with vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in children may result in serious complications such as renal scarring, hypertension, proteinuria and end stage renal disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting renal scar such as age, gender, grade of VUR, and ACE gene polymorphism, and body growth in the patients with and those without renal scar associated with VUR Methods : During the period from January 1994 to July 2000, We had 93 children with urinary tract infection associated with VUR who were admitted to the Department of pediatrics of Chonbuk National University Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to follow up 99mTc-DMSA renal scan; patients with renal scar group and those with non-scar group. We analyzed and compared the factors associated with renal scarring between the two groups. Results : There were no significant difference in gender, causative organism, ACE gene polymorphism, height and weight at diagnosis between renal scar group and non-scar group. Fifty four patients were in renal scar group and forty seven of them had VUR. The age at diagnosis was significantly higher in renal scar group (2.48${\pm}$2.64yr) than in non renal scar group (1.26${\pm}$1.83yr). Especially, the infants who were less than 1 year of age with VUR developed relatively more renal scar compared with infants older than 1 tear of age. The incidence of renal scarring showed a direct correlation with the severity of VUR. Conclusion : The factors affecting renal scar formation were age at diagnosis, presence and grade of VUR, but the other factors such as gender, causative organism, ACE gene polymorphism were not associated with renal scarring. Therefore, further evaluation about uropathogenic E coli and foflow up study about body growth associated with severity of renal scar would be necessary. (J. Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 5 : 43- 50, 2001)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was perfonned to elucidate the clinical pictures of acute focal bacterial nephritis(nephronia) in children. Methods: We reviewed 9 children with nephronia diagnosed by ultrasonography or computed tomography of kidneys from September 1994 to August 2004. Results: The overall male to female ratio was 2:1, and the age distribution ranged from 0.1 to 6 years(mean $2.8{\pm}2.2$). The cardinal symptoms were fever, chills, abdominal pain and dysuria/frequency. The initial leukocyte count was $21,000{\pm}5,600/uL$, ESR $60{\pm}23mm/hr$, CRP $17{\pm}10\;mg/dl$. Pyuria was noted in every patient and persisted for $10.5{\pm}7.8$ days after antimicrobial treatment. Abdominal sonography demonstrated focal lesion of ill-defined margin and low echogenicity in 5 of 9 patients(55.6%), while computed tomography revealed nonenhancing low density area in all patients(100%). Three of 9 patients(33.3%) had vesicoureteral reflux, greater than grade III. The initial $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan showed one or multiple cortical defects in every patient, and improvements were noted in 2(33.3%) of 6 patients who received follow up scan after 4 months. Intravenous antibiotics was given in every patient under admission. Total febrile period was $11.8{\pm}6.3$ days(pre-admission, $4.0{\pm}3.0;$ post-admission, $7.8{\pm}5.5$ days) and the patients needed hospitalization for $17.2{\pm}8.1$ days. Conclusion: For the early diagnosis of 'acute focal bacterial nephritis' we should perform renal computed tomography first rather than ultrasonography, when the child has toxic symptoms and severe inflammatory responses in blood and urine.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 1999

Purpose : We studied the correlation between urinalysis and radiologic findings in infants and children with urinary tract infection. Method : Urine Dipstick test and unstained urine microscopic examination were carried out in 56 infants and children who were hospitallized with the diagnosis of urinary infection by pocitive urine culture at Seoul Adventist from September 1996 through August 1998. Urine was collected by midsream, catheter, urine bag after cleansing or bladder puncture. Renal sonography and $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan or voiding cystoureterography were studied. Results : 1)In dipstick analysis, leukocyte esterase(LE) were positive in 30 cases of 56 patients(54%) and Nitrite were positive in 20 cases of 56 patients(36%) and LE or Nitrite were positive in 38 cases of 56 children with UTI(68%). 2)In microscopic analysis, WBC were positive in 38 cases of patients(68%) and bacteria were positive in 23 cases of 56 patients(41%) and WBC or bacteria were positive in 41 cases of 56 children with UTI(71%). 3)Ten cases of 56 UTI patients(18%) showed negative finding in Dipstick and microscopic analysis. 4)There was no significant difference in positive rate of dipstick(71% vs 66%) and microscopia analysis(83% vs 66%) between two group with or without renal scar on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan (P=0.117). 5)There was no significnt difference in positive rate of dipstick(100% vs 91%) and microscopic analysis(100% vs 100%) between two groups with or without vesicoureteral reflux on VCUG. Conclusion : There was no specific relationships between the abnormal urinalysis and the abnormal findings on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan or VCUG.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1999

Purpose : Present study was undertaken to find out significance of clinical presentation, initial laboratory data and renal biopsy findings on subsequent clinical course of IgA nephropathy in children. Methods : Clinical and laboratory data were analysed retrospectively from 60 children who have been admitted to the Pediatric Department of Kyungpook National University Hospital for the past 11 years and diagnosed as IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsy findings were graded according to the pathologic subclass proposed by Haas. Results : Pathologic grading according to Haas subclassification showed 10 cases in subclass I, 36 in II, 12 in IV and 2 in V and none in subclass II. Sex distribution showed male predominance (male to female ratio = 3 : 1) and mean age at onset of disease was $10.4{\pm}2.8$ years. Episodes of gross hematuria was seen in 71.7% and IgA level increased in 28.3% of children and these were not associated with pathologic grading nor clinical outcomes. With increasing subclass grading, serum protein and albumin decreased and 24 hours urinary protein excretion increased. Normalization of urinalysis (disappearance of hematuria) was seen in 14% at 1-2 years and 37.1% at 3-4 years of follow up period. In 3 cases, renal function deteriorated progressively and they belonged one each to the Haas subclass III, IV and V. Conclusion : In children with IgA nephropathy, progression to chronic renal failure appears to be quite high and pathologic grading according to Haas' subclassification seems to predict patient's outcome faily well. However, firm conclusion cannot be drawn from present study due to the small numbers of patients and short follow-up period. Therefore further multicenter study involving larger numbers of patients and longer periods of follow-up over 10 years was to be undertaken.