• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.242-247
• /
• 2007

Purpose: We assumed that an obese patient has a high rate of postoperative wounds, but there is no objective data showing the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the rate of postoperative wounds in Korea. We describe the relationship of BMI and rates of postoperative wound complications. Materials and Methods: From September 2005 to February 2006, 772 patients undergoing elective gastrectomy surgery due to gastric cancer were enrolled in a retrospective study to measure postoperative wound complications. A preoperative history, physical examination and daily progress notes were reviewed retrospectively from the medical records. Postoperative wound complications were detected from the elective medical record and from a doctor in charge statement. Results: The total number of patients was 772, the mean age of the patients was $57{\pm}11.2$ years and the sex ratio (male/female) was 1.82:1. Postoperative wound complication rates were different among the BMI groups (BMI < $20\;kg/m^2$ vs $20{\leq}BMI{\leq}25\;kg/m^2$ vs >$25\;kg/m^2$), and patients with a BMI>$25\;kg/m^2$ that underwent gastrectomy had a significantly higher wound complication rate (4.6%) than underweight and normal weight patients (0.9% and 1.6%, respectively) (P=0.038). Conclusion: Overall, there was a statistical correlation between BMI and the postoperative wound complication rate. Overweight (BMI>$25\;kg/m^2$) patients that underwent gastrectomy had a higher wound complication rate than normal body weight ($BMI{\leq}25\;kg/m^2$) patients. Further studies will be required with a larger population and prospectively designed study considering other factors that affect the wound complication rate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.135-146
• /
• 2001

Background : One of the important mechanisms responsible for a tumor escaping the immune response is an absence of the tumor associated antigen (TAA) on the cancer cell surface. To overcome this, combination gene therapy using a herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSTK) gene, prototype of drug sensitizing gene, was conducted to enhance T AA release by cell destruction, as well as the cytokine genes for immune cell attraction. Methods : We investigated whether or not transduction with the adenovirus-HSTK (Ad-HSTK) enhanced the sensitivity of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) to ganciclovir (GCV) and induced a bystander effect. A Tumor vaccine trial was performed using LLC with ad-HSTK$\pm$ad-GM-CSF$\pm$ad-IL-2 to determine if they exhibit some antitumor effect on established lung cancer xenografts. Results : LLC with ad-HSTK revealed a much higher sensitivity to ganciclovir (GCV). LLC transduced with ad-HSTK and/or ad-IL-2, ad-GM-CSF showed a lower in vivo tumorigenicity. In the treatment experiment, vaccination with LLC transduced with ad-HSTK, ad-IL-2, or ad-GM-CSF alone modestly suppressed the growth of an established tumor. Combined transduction with HSTK and GM-CSF induced stronger growth suppression of a established lung cancer, while HSTK and IL-2 combination transduction did not have any antitumor effect on individual transduction. Vaccination with LLC-HSTK-GM-CSF increased the infiltration of dendritic cells in the spleen. Conclusion : It was concluded that a tumor vaccine transduced with HSTK and GM-CSF induces strong antitumor immunity by activating the dendritic cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.279-285
• /
• 2005

Background : Ambient particles during Asian dust events are usually less than $10{\mu}m$ in size, and known to be associated with the adverse effects on the general population. There is little evidence linking Asian dust to adverse effects on the airways. In 2002, the authors found that particulate matter during Asian dust events had an effect on the symptoms and pulmonary function of patients with bronchial asthma. An aggravating factor might be that of a viral infection, but this remains unclear. Conversely, it has been speculated that African dust may carry the virus responsible for foot and mouth disease. Asian dust events are also likely to be responsible for transporting viruses, some of which are pathogenic, and common in many environments. Therefore, in this study, air samples were screened for the presence of viruses. Methods : Air samples were collected 20 times each during Asian dust events and under non-dust conditions, for at least 6 hours per sample, using a high volume air sampler (Sibata Model HV500F), with an airflow rate of 500L/min, between April and August 2003, and between April and August 2004. The samples were then screened for the presence of targeted viruses (Influenza A, B, Hog cholera virus, and Aphthovirus) using a polymerase chain reaction method. Results : One Asian dust event occurred between April and August 2003, and 3 between April and August 2004, with a 24 hour average PM10 level of $148.0{\mu}g/m^3$. The 24 hour average PM10 level was $57{\mu}g/m^3$. There was a significant difference in the PM10 concentration between dusty and clear days. No viruses (Influenza virus, Aphthovirus, and Hog cholera virus) were identified in the air samples obtained during the dusty days. Conclusions : Although no virus was detected in this study, further studies will be needed to identify suspected viruses carried during Asian dust events, employing more appropriate virus detection conditions.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.65-74
• /
• 2017

There have been questions how entrepreneurs think, act and why individuals become entrepreneurs. The trait-based explanation of entrepreneurial activities has been main stream. However, the trait-based theory has been criticized because it assumes that entrepreneurial traits are inherited, stable and enduring over time. This research accepts the cognitive theory to see how entrepreneurs learn or accept others' values, how entrepreneurial perceptions of opportunity impact entrepreneurial actions and how individuals acquire the social legitimation of the formation of entrepreneurial activities. In order to capture the attitudes, activities and motivations of people who are involved in entrepreneurial activities, the author uses the GEM Korea 2016 data. The data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor(GEM) has been well known for the data to capture individuals early-stage entrepreneurial activities. This paper used the sample from the APS(Adult Population Survey) of the GEM which was completed by a representative sample of two thousand adults in Korea by the qualified survey vendor, with strict procedures and oversight by the GEM central data team. The hypotheses are tested with logit regression analysis to estimate the probability of the influence of perceptual variables such as individual perception in social learning, the opportunity recognition in the environment, and social legitimation in the entrepreneurial activities. Based on the results, individuals tend to have high entrepreneurial activities if individuals have high self-efficacy. Also, the existence of role models around the entrepreneurs encourages the individuals involve in entrepreneurial activities more however the perception of opportunity in the environment is not strongly associated with entrepreneurial activities. The media exposure of successful entrepreneurs is more important than others' perception of entrepreneurs on the desirable career option or respect from communities. This paper can contribute to the cognitive processes, particular perception about oneself, as well as perception which is impacted by a community or a society.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.217-222
• /
• 2015

This study was conducted to obtain a growth correlation of basal information from the development of disease resistant Flammulina velutipes cultivars through back-crossing between the strains of wild-type brown monokaryon 4019-20 and the derivative of commercial quality white monokaryons 3. The two strains were selected to back-cross for further enhancing their latent attributes and growth characteristics. The parents of 4019-$20{\times}M3$ back-crossed to reproduce $F_1$, M3-Sn. Using $F_1$, M3-Sn procured and isolated into 94 monokaryon strains. Further examination of growth characteristics carried out by back-crossing between M3 and $BC_1F_1$ from M3-n dikaryon. Monokaryon exhibited an irregular growth pattern and demonstrated to be sluggish development in the sawdust medium. However $BC_1F_1$(M3-n) dikaryon strains confirmed mostly regular growth pattern and demonstrated ordinary growth in the sawdust medium. The fruitbody of $BC_1F_1$ confirmed as light-brown colour to be the dominant gene. The colour distributions of fruitbody, $BC_1F_1$, resulted as follows; 7% of dark brown, 25% of brown, 27% of light brown, 16% of ivory and 25% of white. The ratio of the other color to white showed 3 to 1 which suggested two major genes were related to fruitbody color.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.312-316
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Growth hormone(GH) has been recognized as an effective treatment for short children born small for their gestational ages(SGA), and nowadays it has been widely used for the treatment of short children born SGA. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of GH treatment for the children born SGA. Methods : The study population was made of 40 short children born SGA with GH-treated(n=26) and untreated control group(n=14). In order to evaluate the effect of GH treatment, the changes in standard deviation scores(SDS) of the GH-treated group were compared to the changes in SDS before and after treatment from the control group in the same period. Results : There were no differences between the GH-treated group and the control group in gestational age, birth weight, chronological age, target height and the period of follow-up observation; however, the GH-treated group had lower height SDS($-3.3{\pm}0.9$) than the control group($-2.4{\pm}0.4$) before treatment(P<0.05). The GH-treated group had gained $1.2{\pm}1.0$ height SDS during GH treatment while the control group had gained $0.5{\pm}0.6$ height SDS. In the GH treatment group, HDL-cholesterol increased from $48.5{\pm}9.9mg/dL$ to $56.1{\pm}8.7mg/dL$(P<0.05) and LDL-cholesterol decreased from $88.1{\pm}23.3mg/dL$ to $76.4{\pm}19.4mg/dL$(P<0.05) after treatment. There were no changes in total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid and fasting blood sugar. IGF-I increased from $224.9{\pm}191.3{\mu}g/L$ to $443.2{\pm}152.5{\mu}g/L$(P<0.05) and IGFBP-3 also increased from $3.7{\pm}1.3mg/L$ to $5.6{\pm}1.2mg/L$(P<0.05). Conclusion : We conclude that growth hormone treatment is effective in the treatment of short children born SGA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.8
• /
• pp.980-986
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Although the number of patients with measles have dramatically decreased since the introduction of measles vaccines in 1965, measles outbreaks have occurred periodically every 4-6 years during the 1990s(1989-1990 and 1993-1994). During 2000-2001, measles prevailed all over the country again. A characteristic of current epidemics is that the majority of affected population was infants and school-aged children. This study was designed to analyze the epidemic and clinical features of measles prevalence during 2000-2001 and to find ways to overcome vaccination failure. Methods : We reviewed the records of 59 patients with mealses admitted in the Pediatric Department of Pusan National University Hospital from January 2000 to October 2001 for patient's age, month of admission, history of vaccination, clinical features and complications. Antibody titers of measles-specific IgM and IgG were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Results : The epidemic show two peaks in the age distribution. Forty three patients(72.9%) were under 2-years of age and 14 patients(23.7%) were over 5-years of age. Outbreaks had high incidence in July to August, 2000 and March to April, 2001, then faded away after July, 2001. Vaccinated group comprised 30.5% and unvaccinated group comprised 69.5% and their mean age was $9.25{\pm}4.27$ years old and $0.95{\pm}0.30$ years old respectively. Positive rate of IgM was 86.7% in vaccinated group and 90.3% in unvaccinated group. This means there was primary vaccine failure; 13 cases of 15 vaccinated patients were positive in IgM antibody. During the prevalence, two patients died with mealses complication. One of them was immunocompromised. Conclusion : To prevent another prevalence of measles in the future, we must enhance revaccination at ages 4-6 and check vaccination status when children enter elementary school. These will produce over 95% of herd immunity, with catch-up MMR vaccination which has been completed already.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.11
• /
• pp.1118-1123
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP) is a systemic vasculitis, characterized by cutaneous purpura, abdominal pain, arthralgia and renal involvement. The clinical features of HSP have been reasonably well documented but there are still many gaps in our understanding of HSP. The aim of this study was to present the clinical features of 125 children with HSP and compare them with previous reports, placing particular emphasis on clinical information. Methods : We collected the clinical data of 125 patients with acute HSP who visited Chungbuk National University Hospital from March 1992 to April 2002. Data were expressed as the mean or $mean{\pm}SD$ and statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square approximation. P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results : The patient population consisted of 87 boys and 38 girls ranging in age from one to 14 years. HSP occurs throughout the year, but this study shows seasonal skewing, with most patients presenting from fall through spring and a paucity of cases in summer. All patients had non-thrombocytopenic purpura concentrated on the buttocks and lower extremities. Purpuric lesions were also scattered on the arms and occaisionally on the face and ears, but the trunk was largely spared. A recurrence of purpura was defined as the reappearance of a rash or other symptoms following resolution of disease for at least two weeks. The mean number of recurrences was 0.51. Eighty eight patients(70.4%), 18 patients(14.4%) and 67 patients(53.6%) complained of abdomianl pain, gastrointestinal bleeding and arthralgia, respectively. Nephritis occurred in 48(38.4%) patients. Fifteen boys (17.2%) developed epididymitis. Neurologic features occurred in 13(10.4%) and two(15%) of these were seizures. Conclusion : HSP all showing purpura as defined is characterized by various clinical features, including abdominal pain, arthralgia, epididymitis and nephritis which could occur before the appearance of purpura. Therefore, we suggest that the possibility of HSP should be considered in children before invasive procedures, even if the above symptoms and signs present without purpura.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.9
• /
• pp.971-976
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Surveillance for detecting and managing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a key component of tuberculosis control. The classic surveillance tool, the tuberculin skin test (TST), may have some limitations when used in the Bacillus Calmette-$Gu{\acute{e}}rin$ (BCG)-vaccinated population. The object was to perform a blood test $QuantiFERON^{(R)}$-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-G IT) based on the detection of interferon-$\gamma$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) released by T cells in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens, and to compare the efficacy of this new diagnostic tool for LTBI with that of TST. Methods : For six months, between October 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007, data were collected from 111 patients under 15 years of age at Severance Children's Hospital. TST and QFT-G IT tests were performed with children with or without contact histories of tuberculosis. In addition to these tests, we examined comparative data from 29 adults who had tuberculosis, to detect false negative rates in the QFT-G IT method. Results : Thirty-three children had household contact histories. In this group, 15% and 42% of cases were found to be positive using the QFT-G IT assay and TST, respectively. Agreement was low between these two tests (${\kappa}=0.39$). In the adult active tuberculosis group, the QFT-G IT false negative rate defined as a positive culture and a negative QFT-G IT result was 12.5%. Conclusion : In diagnosing LTBI in children, the usefulness of a whole-blood $IFN-{\gamma}$ assay employing TB-specific antigens will be revealed only by examining additional longitudinal clinical data; this study serves as a starting point in that process.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.179-184
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Obesity has recently emerged as a significant health problem in the pediatric population, and the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasing in tandem with a significant rise in childhood obesity. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify the risk factors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in obese children. Methods: We enrolled 84 obese children who visited the pediatric obesity clinic at Yeung-Nam university hospital. The patients were divided into two groups based on their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (separated at 40 IU/L), and the mean of ages, total cholesterol levels, HDL-cholesterol levels, LDL-cholesterol levels, triglyceride (TG) levels, as well as the mean obesity index, and body fat percentage of the two groups were then compared. Results: When the mean of ages ($10.5{\pm}1.6$ vs. $10.7{\pm}2.0$ years), total cholesterol levels ($183.0{\pm}29.1$ vs. $183.7{\pm}31.3$ mg/dL), HDL-cholesterol levels ($53.0{\pm}10.2$ vs. $55.7{\pm}13.0$ mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol levels ($113.4{\pm}30.2$ vs. $113.0{\pm}30.0$ mg/dL), triglyceride levels ($99.4{\pm}62.9$ vs. $114.2{\pm}47.3$ mg/dL), obesity indexes ($44.7{\pm}12.2$ vs. $47.9{\pm}15.1%$), and body fat percentages ($32.7{\pm}5.0$ vs. $34.0{\pm}4.8%$) of group 1 (ALT${\leq}$40 IU/L) were compared with those of group 2 (ALT${\geq}$41 IU/L), no significant differences were observed (p>0.05). However, hypertriglyceridemia (TG${\geq}$110 mg/dL) was more frequent in group 2 than in group 1 (p=0.023). Conclusion: TG may be an important risk factor in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and further study regarding the risk factors in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is required.