• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2012

Purpose: The option of selecting isotonic rather than hypotonic fluids for maintenance fluid in children has been advocated by some authors. Pneumonia and CNS infections are frequent clinical settings for acute hyponatremia because of nonosmotic anti-diuretic hormone stimuli in children. We conducted the present study to identify the incidence of hyponatremia in pneumonia and CNS infection of children and to determine the importance of maintenance intravenous fluid therapy regimen and other related factors. Methods: The study included 1,992 patients admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Children's Hospital between November 2008 and August 2011, who were diagnosed with pneumonia or CNS infections and checked for serum sodium concentration. Their clinical data including laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively. Results: During the study period, 218 patients were identified to have acute hyponatremia among 1,992 patients. The overall incidence of hyponatremia was 10.9%. The incidence of hyponatremia in encephalitis (37.3%) was highest and the incidence in bacterial meningitis (27.4%), viral meningitis (20.0%), bacterial pneumonia (11.1%), mycoplasma pneumonia (9.2%), and viral pneumonia (6.8%) were in descending order. The mean age was higher in hyponatremic patients than in isonatremic patients. The incidence of hyponatremia was higher in who had 0.18% NaCl in 5% dextrose (D5 0.18% NS) than 0.45% NaCl in 5% dextrose infusion (D5 1/2NS) (9.0% vs. 2.2%). SIADH was identified in 20.5% among hospital acquired hyponatremic patients after adequate evaluation for SIADH. Conclusion: We recommend D5 1/2NS rather than D5 0.18% NS as the maintenance fluid given to children with pneumonia or infectious CNS diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.343-357
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• 1992

Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF), a polypeptide hormone secreted primarily by activated macrophages, was originally identified on the basis of its ability to cause hemorrhagic necrosis and tumor regression in vivo. Subsequently, TNF has been shown to be an important component of the host responses to infection and cancer and may mediate the wasting syndrome known as cachexia. These systemic actions of TNF are reflected in its diverse effects on target cells in vitro. TNF initiates its diverse cellular actions by binding to specific cell surface receptors. Although TNF receptors have been identified on most of animal cells, regulation of these receptors and the mechanisms which transduce TNF receptor binding into cellular responses are not well understood. Therefore, in the present study, the mechanisms how TNF receptors are being regulated and how TNF receptor binding is being transduced into cellular responses were investigated in rat liver plasma membranes (PM) and ME-180 human cervical carcinoma cell lines. $^{125}I$-TNF bound to high ($K_d=1.51{\pm}0.35nM$)affinity receptors in rat liver PM. Solubilization of PM with 1% Triton X-100 increased both high affinity (from $0.33{\pm}0.04\;to\;1.67{\pm}0.05$ pmoles/mg protein) and low affinity (from $1.92{\pm}0.16\;to\;7.57{\pm}0.50$ pmoles/mg protein) TNF binding without affecting the affinities for TNF, suggesting the presence of a large latent pool of TNF receptors. Affinity labeling of receptors whether from PM or solubilized PM resulted in cross-linking of $^{125}I$-TNF into $M_r$ 130 kDa, 90 kDa and 66kDa complexes. Thus, the properties of the latent TNF receptors were similar to those initially accessible to TNF. To determine if exposure of latent receptors is regulated by TNF, $^{125}I$-TNF binding to control and TNF-pretreated membranes were assayed. Specific binding was increased by pretreatment with TNF (P<0.05), demonstrating that hepatic PM contains latent TNF receptors whose exposure is promoted by TNF. Homologous up-regulation of TNF receptors may, in part, be responsible for sustained hepatic responsiveness during chronic exposure to TNF. As a next step, the post-receptor events induced by TNF were examined. Although the signal transduction pathways for TNF have not been delineated clearly, the actions of many other hormones are mediated by the reversible phosphorylation of specific enzymes or target proteins. The present study demonstrated that TNF induces phosphorylation of 28 kDa protein (p28). Two dimensional soidum dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) resolved the 28kDa phosphoprotein into two isoforms having pIs of 6.2 and 6.1. The pIs and relative molecular weight of p28 were consistent with those of a previously characterized mRNA cap binding protein. mRNA cap binding proteins are a class of translation initiation factors that recognize the 7-methylguanosine cap structure found on the 5' end of eukaryotic mRNAs. In vitro, these proteins are defined by their specific elution from affinity columns composed of 7-methylguanosine 5'-triphosphate($m^7$GTP)-Sepharose. Affinity purification of mRNA cap binding proteins from control and TNF treated ME-180 cells proved that TNF rapidly stimulates phosphorylation of an mRNA cap binding protein. Phosphorylation occurred in several cell types that are important in vitro models of TNF action. The mRNA cap binding protein phosphorylated in response to TNF treatment was purifice, sequenced, and identified as the proto-oncogene product eukaryotic initiation factor-4E(eIF-4E). These data show that phosphorylation of a key component of the cellular translational machinery is a common early event in the diverse cellular actions of TNF.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 1995

Many clinical and laboratory tests have been employed to evaluate disease activity in rheumatioid arthritis. $^{99m}Tc$-labelled polyclonal IgG(HIG) has been demonstrated to accumulate in focal sites of infection or inflammation in both animals and human subjects. The purpose of this study was to distinguish arthritis with active inflammation from those without active inflammation and to correlate relative intensities of $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG uptake of the rheumatoid arthritis with clinical and MR indices of the joint inflammation. This study included twelve patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, two with ankylosing spondylitis and one with degenerative osteoarthritis without active inflammation. A Whole-body and spot images were obtained 4 hours after intravenous injection of 20mCi of $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG. Scintigrams were assessed visually by 3 experienced radiologists, and graded as normal or mildly and markedly increased uptake within the joints, and the degree of uptake was compared with clinical and radiologic severity of synovial inflammation. MRI studies were done on the involved joints consisted of wrist(n = 11), knee(n = 2) and hip joint(n= 2). Active synovitis was defined when marked elevation of ESR and gadolinium enhancement of synovium on MRI were demonstrated. Markedly increased radiotracer uptake was seen in 10 of 11 rheumatoid arthritic patients with active synovitis whereas normal or mildly increased uptakes were noted in others, including rheumatoid arthritic patient(n=1) and non-rheumatoid patients(n = 3) without active synovitis. This study showed that the localization of involved joints in rheumatoid arthritis could be detected with $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG and that the degree of uptake correlated well with the degree and activity of inflammation. In conclusion, $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG scan is a useful method in the evaluation of active inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the pathogens of central venous catheter-related blood stream infections and search for the association among the insertion site, the duration and the underlying conditions with the prevalence of central venous catheter-related blood stream infections under 15 years old. Methods : A retrospective study was performed from Jan, 2003 to Dec, 2003 in Severance Hospital on 112 patients who undertook central venous catheter insertions. Results : We examined 112 patients who undertook central venous catheter insertion. The mean age of patients was $4.77{\pm}4.12$ years old. Coagulase negative Staphylococci was the most common organism of central venous catheter-related blood stream infections accounting for 33.9 percent, followed by Eenterococcus faecium(9.3 percent), and Staphylococcus aureus(7.5 percent), The most common insertion site was the right femoral vein, followed by the right jugular vein and the left femoral vein. The mean insertion period was $14.17{\pm}12.00$ days. Conclusion : Central venous catheter-related blood stream infections were not only related to the underlying conditions, but also to the insertion site. We need to study the clinical importance of coagulase negative Staphylococci as it is part of the normal flora of the skin. In future, more studies are needed to take preventive measures and improve treatment methods.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.442-454
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• 2017

Biological weapon is manipulated and produced from microorganisms such as bacteria, virus, rickettsia, fungi etc. It is classified as one of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) along with chemical weapon and radiological weapon. Biological weapon has a number of operational advantages over the other WMDs including ease of development and production, low cost and possibility of covert dissemination. In this study we analyze the history of biological weapon's development and the existing biological threats. Then, we predict the social impact of biological attack based on the physical properties of biological agent and infection mechanisms. By analyzing the recognition, dispersion pattern of agents, characteristics of the diseases in the biological weapon related historical events such as Sverdlovsk anthrax accident, 2001 anthrax attack, we found out some of the facts that biological attack would not likely to be recognized rapidly, produce large number of the exposed, increase number of paients who suffed from severe respiratory illness. It would lead the public health and medical service providers to be struggled with hugh burden. Base on the facts that we found from this case study, we suggested the main capabilities of public health required to respond to bioterrorism event efficiently. Syndromic surveillance and other reporting system need to be operated effeciently so that any suspicious event should be detected promptly. the pathogen which suspected to be used should be identified through laboratory diagnostic system. It is critical for the public health agency to define potentially exposed population under close cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Lastly, massive prophylaxis should be provided rapidly to the people at need by operating human and material resources effeciently. If those capacities of public health are consistantly fortified we would be able to deal with threat of bioterrorism successfully.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.777-783
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• 2006

Purpose : Urinary tract infection(UTI) is one of the most frequent infections in children. E. coli is the most frequent etiological micropathogen in pediatric community UTI, and E. coli has developed resistance to many antibiotics, highlighting the need for regular surveys of this organism resistant patterns in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the oral antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E. coli, isolated from pediatric patients with uncomplicated community acquired UTI. Methods : E. coli isolates, obtained from pediatric patients with uncomplicated community acquired UTI between October in 2004 to September in 2005. And minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of oral aminopenicillins and beta-lactamase inhibnitors(ampicillin, amoxacillin, ampicillin-sulbactam), oral cephalosporins(cefaclor, cefixime) and sulfa drug(trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole) were performed according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS) guide line. Results : Total 211 organisms were isolated from pediatric out-patients with community UTI. E. coli was the most common organism(89 percent), followed by E. fecalis, Proteus species, S. aureus, M. morganii, and P. aeruginosa. The resistant rates of aminopenicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors, cefaclor and sulfa drug to E. coli were very high. But, the resistant rate of cefixime was markedly low, and ESBL strains were isolated with small rates. Conclusion : Our study results suggest that aminopenicillins, cefaclor and sulfa drug may not be useful as first line empirical antibiotics to treat pediatric patients with community UTI in Korea. But, 3rd generation cephalosporin such as cefixime can be used as effective second line antibiotics after primary treatment failure, also may be useful as an empirical first line antibiotic. Finally, we conclude that a continuous surveillance study to monitor susceptibility patterns of E. coli in community UTI will be needed for the standard guide lines of empirical oral antibiotic treatment.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2002

Purpose : About 41% of obtained group A streptococci in the 1998 was reported as erythromycin-resistant streptococci in Seoul, Korea. The most common T serotype was T12, followed by T4 and T28. We'd like to monitor the serological changes and antibiotic sensitivity test of Streptococcus pyogenes obtained from the patients with pharyngotonsillitis and invasive diseases from 1999 through 2001. Also, it could be proposed to choose the proper antibiotic selection in the area where the rate of erythromycin-resistant streptococci is high. Methods : From Jan. 1999 to Oct. 2001, 208 isolates of group A streptococci were collected from inpatients and outpatients with pharyngotonsillitis, scarlet fever, and invasive infections in Seoul and Southern part of peninsula. All isolates were serotyped by T-agglutination, minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) which were determined by agar dilution methods, according to the guidelines of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Results : The most common T serotype was T12(29.8%), followed by T1(23.1%), T4 (14.9%). T1 was prominent serotype compared with previous year. T serotyping, among 25 isolates obtained from the patients with scarlet fever in Southern part of peninsula mostly, was T12, T1, and T4 in order of frequency. All the isolates tested were susceptible to penicillin, cefprozil, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol. However, 23 isolates(14.2%) was resistant to erythromycin and 18 isolates(11.1%) was resistant to clarithromycin. Serotype T12 was found to be the most resistant serotype to erythromycin and/or clarithromycin. Conclusion : High rate of erythromycin-resistant streptococci which surveyed in 1998 were reduced to 14.2% in this study. We should have to further evaluate the reason of decreased resistant strains and consider the resistant strains of streptococci in choosing the antibiotics. There was no serological characteristics according to the types of disease entities. Between the serologic distributions in Seoul and the Southern part of peninsula area are same, we could presume that the serological typing of strains obtained over the country may be not different.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify useful predictors for diagnosing bacterial meningitis and performing CSF studies in febrile infants three months or younger. Methods : Six hundred and fifty two febrile infants with a rectal temperature ${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$ presented from January 2003 to April 2008 and were retrospectively studied. The total white blood cell count (WBC), band count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood cultures were performed on admission. The clinical variables associated with bacterial meningitis were analyzed. Results : In patients with bacterial meningitis, the clinical variables including CRP (P=0.036), band count (P=0.037), ANC (P=0.036) and age (P=0.001) were significantly different. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.969 for CRP, 0.946 for the band count, 0.765 for the ANC and 0.235 for age. A CRP cutoff point of 8 mg/dL was determined to maximize both the sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity 83%, specificity 95%, likelihood ratio 16.6). A CRP concentration of <7 mg/dL "ruled-out" bacterial meningitis, with a likelihood ratio of 0.17, a posttest probability of <0.1% and negative predictive value 91%. A CRP concentration greater than 9 mg/dL had a much higher likelihood ratio (20.1) than the band count (16.6) and ANC (2.2). Conclusion : The CRP concentration was a useful laboratory test for the differential diagnosis of bacterial meningitis among febrile infants three months of age or younger. A CRP concentration of <7 mg/dL effectively ruled out bacterial meningitis; a value ${\geq}9mg/dL$ increased the clinical suspicion of bacterial meningitis and the need for CSF evaluation.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2009

Purpose : Neisseria meningitides is one of the most common causative pathogens of bacteremia and meningitis. Recently protein-conjugated vaccines have been developed and included in the routine vaccination schedule in a few countries. In Korea, carriage rates of N. meningitides among healthy adults have been reported. However, systematic data for childhood carriage rates are not available. This study was performed to evaluate the carriage rates of N. meningitides and the serotype distribution among healthy children attending day care centers. Methods : During the period of January through May 2005, nasopharyngeal swabs and culture were obtained from 904 children attending 13 different day care centers located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The Vitek NHI card was used to identify N. meningitides and the crgA gene was detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotype determination was performed by agglutination test using N. meningitides antisera to serotypes A, B, C, D, 29E, W135, X, Y, and Z. PCR for detection of the org2 and saiD gene confirmed serotypes A, B, C, W135, and Y. Results : The mean age among 904 children was 4.5 years; 6.5% (59/904) were children <2 years old, 53.8% (486/904) were 2-5 years old, and 39.7% (359/904) were >5 years old; 52.0% (468/904) were male. N. meningitides was isolated from only 7 children attending 5 different day care centers and the overall carriage rate of N. meningitides was 0.8%. The detected serotypes of N. meningitides were serotype A (n=2), C (n=2), and Y (n=3). Conclusion : The carriage rate of N. meningitides among healthy children attending day care centers was very low in Korea and the detected serotypes were A, C, and Y.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.99-106
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• 2018

Mucolipidosis type III (pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy) is a mucolipids degrading disorder caused by a mutation in the GNPTAB gene and is inherited by autosomal recessive. It is diagnosed by examining highly concentrated mucolipids in blood and the diagnosis can be confirmed by genetic testing. Mucolipidosis type III is a rare and progressive metabolic disorder. Its initial signs and symptoms usually occur around 3 years of age. Clinical manifestations of the disease include slow growth, joint stiffness, arthralgia, skeletal abnormalities, heart valve abnormalities, recurrent respiratory infection, distinctive facial features, and mild intellectual disability. Here, we are presenting two siblings of mucolipidosis type III, a 4-year-old female and a 2 years and 7 months old male with features of delayed growth and coarse face. The diagnosis was confirmed by [c.2715+1G>A(p.Glu906Leufs*4), c.2544del(p.Glu849Lysfs*22)] mutation in targeted gene panel sequencing. In this case, c.2544del is a heterozygote newly identified mutation in mucolipidosis type III and was not found in the control group including the genome aggregation database. And it is interpreted as a pathogenic variant considering the association with phenotype. Here, we report a Korean mucolipidosis type III patients with novel mutations in GNPTAB gene who have been treated since early childhood. Owing to recent development of molecular genetic techniques, it was possible to make early diagnosis and treatment with pamidronate was initiated appropriately in case 1. In addition to these supportive therapies, efforts must be made to develop fundamental treatment for patients with early diagnosis of mucolipidosis.