• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.545-554
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• 2016

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important macromolecule in medical and pharmaceutical fields. HA is a natural and linear polymer composed of repeating disaccharide units of β-1, 3-N-acetyl glucosamine and β-1, 4-glucuronic acid. This work aimed to confirm the structural characteristics and anti-inflammatory activities of HA and its chemically sulfated-HA. HA was produced from a fed-batch fermentation process using Streptococcus dysgalactiae in a 5 l bioreactor. HA was isolated water-soluble form (HA-WS) and water-insoluble form (HA-WI) from culture medium, and was obtained chemically sulfated-derivative (S-HA) that resulted in a 90% yield from HA-WI. The structural features of the sulfated- HA (S-HA) were investigated by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The FT-IR and NMR patterns revealed the similarity in both the FTIR spectrum as well as NMR spectrum of both reference standard and purified HA from S. dysgalactiae. The anti-inflammatory activities of HA and S-HA were examined on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. S-HA was significantly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and PGE₂ and the gene levels of iNOS and COX-2, which are responsible for the production of NO and PGE₂, respectively. Furthermore, S-HA also suppressed the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (<80 pg/ml) and IL-6 (<100 pg/ml) compared to that of HA-WI. The present study clearly demonstrates that HA-S exhibits anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-25
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• 1998

The HLA genes located in the short arm of chromosome 6 specify heterodimeric glycoproteins involved in the regulation of the immune response. Recently, in the elucidation of HLA polymorphism, serological and cellular typing methods have been replaced by DNA typing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The purpose of this study was to establish the HLA DNA typing methods and determine gene frequencies of HLA molecules in Koreans. PCR-SSP (sequence specific primers) and PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) techniques were used for the analysis of HLA-A, -B, -C, DRBl genes and HLA-DQAl, DQBl, DPBl genes, respectively. The results of B-lymphoblastoid cells used for control experiment were consistent with the previous data identified in the 11th International Histocompatibility Workshop. Seventeen, 23, 16, 8, 16, 13 and 37 types of HLA-A, B, C, DQAl, DQBl, DPBl and DRBl alleles were found, respectively, in a total of unrelated 120 Korean individuals. The most frequent HLA alleles were $A^*$02 (27.0%), B$^*$40 (17.6%), Cw$^*$01 (19.2%), DQAl$^*$0301 (32.1%), DQBl$^*$0303 (12.9%), DPBl$^*$0501 (31.3%) and DRBl$^*$1501 (9.2%) among Koreans. This study shows that DNA typing method using PCR technique is a relatively simple, fast and practical tool for the determination of the HLA-class I and II genes. Moreover, the data of HLA gene frequencies could be useful for the Korean database before clinical applications, including organ and unrelated bone marrow transplantation, anthropological study, disease association and individual identification.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2007

목적: 1990년대 초반부터 시작된 우리나라의 산업 보건에 대한 사회적 관심의 증대와 시장의 요구에 따라 산업위생기관의 양적인 팽창이 이루어지긴 하였으나 실험실 관련 안전보건규정이 미비한 상태에서 추진되어 산업위생 실험실에서 다양한 유해 위험성 인자를 취급함에도 불구하고 사용되는 량이 소규모로 인해 안전보건과 관련된 사항은 대부분 간과하고 있으며, 산업위생 실험실의 안전보건관리 실태는 선진외국에 비해 상당히 낙후되어 있는 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구는 우리나라 산업위생 실험실과 관련한 안전보건관리 실태를 평가함으로써 향후 실험실의 안전보건관리 수준을 향상 시키는데 효과적인 자료로 활용하는데 기여하고자 한다. 방법: 산업위생실험실의 안전보건 실태를 파악하기 위해 설문조사를 수행하였으며, 설문은 실험실의 전반적인 안전보건, 화학물질 저장 및 용기, 가연성 및 인화성 화학물질, 가스 실린더, 의사전달, 응급처치 및 비상사태 장비, 정리정돈, 소방안전, 전기안전, 개인보호구, 흄후드 및 환기, 및 이황화탄소 취급 사례로서 12개 영역으로 구성되었다. 연구대상은 2001년 한국산업안전공단 정도관리프로그램에 참여한 기관으로서 총 대상은 119개 기관이었다. 연구기간은 2002년 7월 01일부터 8월 30일까지 약 60일 이었다. 설문은 반송봉투에 넣어 설문완성 후 연구자에게 보낼 수 있도록 배려하였으며, 1차 설문을 보낸 후 2주 후에 설문 참여를 독려하기 위해 엽서를 발송하였고, 다시 2주 후에 각 산업위생기관에 개별 전화 연락을 취하였다. 그 결과 63% (75개 기관)의 완성된 설문을 얻을 수 있었다. 설문의 총 조사항목은 79문항으로 구성되어 있으며, 산업위생실험실의 안전보건 수준을 정량적으로 평가하기 위해 안전보건 매뉴얼, 교육훈련프로그램 및 한국산업안전공단 실험실 지침서를 보유한 기관과 그렇지 않은 기관간의 차이는 선별된 67문항에 대해 각 문항에 합당하거나 적절할 경우 1점을 부여하는 방식으로 점수화하였다. 이들의 관련성을 파악하기 위하여 Microsoft-Excel 2000 프로그램을 이용하여 two-tailed t-test 분석을 실시하였다. 결과 1. 산업위생실험실 운영과 관련한 67개 항목(항목별로 각 1점 부여)에 대한 안전보건 성과지수화 (100점으로 점수 환산) 결과 안전보건 매뉴얼을 보유한 기관은 $42.98{\pm}13.36$(p<0.001)점, 교육훈련프로그램을 보유한 기관은 $50.75{\pm}14.12$(p<0.01)점, 한국산업안전공단 실험실 지침서를 보유한 기관은 $43.58{\pm}11.92$(p<0.01)점으로 그렇지 않은 기관에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높은 점수분포를 보였다. 2. 화학물질 보관 캐비닛이 있는 기관 중 64.8%의 기관은 화학물질을 알파벳 순으로, 27.8%는 분류 기준에 따라, 그리고 7.4%는 무작위로 보관하고 있었다. 3. 단지 8.0% (6개)의 기관만이 실험실내에 눈세정 분수(2 개), 샤워기(3개) 및 눈세정물병(3개, 2개 중복 응답 기관)과 같은 응급처치 장치 및 물품을 갖추고 있었다. 4. 89.0%의 기관이 흄후드내에 화학물질을 보관하고 있었다. 5. 물질안전보건자료, 흄후드 기록지, 비상사태 절차서 및 한국산업안전공단 실험실 지침서와 같은 문서관리는 부적절하게 관리 및 기록되고 있었다. 6. 대부분의 산업위생 실험실은 응급처치 장비, 화학물질 또는 가스용기 보관실과 같은 실험실 안전설비가 부족할 뿐만 아니라 정리정돈, 화학물질 저장 캐비닛, 안전보호구 및 흄후드와 같은 관리가 미비하였다. 결론: 이상의 결과에 근거하여 기관장은 실험실의 안전보건관리를 위하여 문서관리체계를 제공하고, 모든 실험실 종사자가 적절한 개인보호구를 착용할 수 있도록 하며, 비상 장비를 설치하고, 실험실과 관련한 적절한 규정을 제정하며, 교육훈련 프로그램을 제공하여야 한다. 또한 실험실 종사자는 실험 중 적절한 개인보호구의 착용하고, 비상장비 이용에 대한 교육훈련에 참여하며, 적절한 실험실 운영관리에 대한 책임감을 가져야 한다. 위의 권고사항 이행을 위해서 KOSHA는 KQCP 프로그램에 실험실 안전보건관리 항목을 삽입하여 주기적인 평가를 수행할 필요가 있다. 우리나라 실험실의 특성을 고려할 때 본 연구결과는 일반 실험실에도 적용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2004

Purpose : Nocternal enuresis is a common disorder. Tricyclic antidepressant and desmopressin have been accepted pharmacological treatment for this disorder We conducted a cooperative study to investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of imipramine, desmopressin and combination treatment in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis(PMNE). Methods: Data from a large multicenter study were analysed. In the period of 8 months in 2002, the study comprised of 168 children(78 boys and 90 girls, 5 to 15 years old) with PMNE for imipramine, desmopressin or combination treatment. Before treatment a history, physical examination and laboratory tests were performed and the children were observed for 2 weeks. Response rate, adverse reactions and enuresis episodes after stopping drug administration were evaluated after 12-weeks of imipramine, desmopressin or combination of both. Results: After 4 weeks, the frequency of bed wetting in all treated patients decreased during treatment significantly Even though a 30-50%, reduction in the number of wet nights were 68.6%, 74.4% and 86.1% during 12 weeks treatment by imipramine, desmopressin and both of them respectively, there was no significant difference between them. The most common adverse reaction was decreased appetite from imipramine administration. But no serious drug-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Efficacy of the combination therapy of imipramine and desmopressin in PMNE appears not to be better than either drug alone. It is necessary to pay attention on account of adverse reactions during imipramine treatment even though imipramine and desmopressin were generally well tolerated.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2005

Purpose : Children occupy a large proportion of burn victims. So we want to aid to pediatric burn care through the understanding of the bacterial distribution in burn wounds and antibiotic susceptibility against isolated microorganisms from burn wounds. Methods : We analysed the medical records of 213 pediatric burn patients(0~15 years), 406 samples that grew bacteria in burn wound sites. Results : Of the total 213 patients, male were 59.6% and female were 40.4%. Scalding burn was the most common(78.4%), flame burn was the second(16.4%). Pathogens were isolated in 406 samples. The most common was Pseudomonas aeruginosa(58.1%). Next were Enterococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus species, Acinetobacter species. P. aeruginosa was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 100%, cephalothin in 98.1%, ampicillin-sulbactam in 96.2%, ampicillin in 95.3%, ceftriaxone in 95.2%, tobramycin in 93.7%, cefoperazone in 68.9%, ceftazidime in 67.7%. Enterococcus species were resistant to tetracycline in 63.9%, streptomycin in 45.5%, gentamicin in 36.1%, penicillin G in 13.7%. S. aureus was resistant to gentamicin in 89.7%, tetracycline in 86.2%, ciprofloxacin in 86.2%, penicillin G in 84.3%, oxacillin in 78.4%, erythromycin in 76.5%. Acinetobacter species were resistant to ampicillin-sulbactam in 100%, gentamicin in 85.7%, ampicillin in 83.3%, piperacillin in 61.5%. Conclusion : P. aeruginosa was highly resistant to drugs like cefoperazone in 68.9%, ceftazidime 67.7%. S. aureus was highly resistant to penicillin G in 84.3%, oxacillin in 25.9 %, but none to vancomycin in 0%, teicoplanin in 2.2%. According to the study, Acinetobacter species turned out to be multi-resistant strains, so careful attention must be paid to the choice of antibiotics.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

Purpose : A wide, epidemic outbreak of M. pneumoniae pneumonia occurred throughout Korea in late 2003. Compared with previous years, the 2003 outbreak resulted in more severe cases and in an increased incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms and/or complications. We compared the clinical characteristics for M. pneumoniae pneumonia of 2003 to those of the past years. Methods : One hundred six children diagnosed with M. pneumoniae pneumonia by serologic tests at Bundang Cha General Hospital between Aug 2003 to April 2004 were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, for clinical, laboratory and radiological aspect as well as complications. The pleural effusions of 3 patients who underwent thoracentesis were also analyzed. Results : The duration of fever, cough, rhinorrhea, and sore throat was $8.2{\pm}4.7$, $22.1{\pm}4.8$, $8.4{\pm}2.1$, $4.3{\pm}1.2$ days, respectively. The incidence (percentage) and duration of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, arthralgia was $5.1{\pm}2.5$ (21.9%), $3.4{\pm}2.1$ (17.1%), $4.3{\pm}1.8$ (16.2%), $3.5{\pm}2.1$ (14.4%), $5.5{\pm}0.7$ (5.9%) and $4.6{\pm}1.3$ days (4.9%), respectively. The mean duration of admission and treatment were $7.4{\pm}4.3$ days and $21.6{\pm}11.1$ days. Higher values of CRP and ESR on admission were positively correlated with the duration of fever and length of admission. The findings of pleural effusion were similar to those seen in TB pleurisy. Complications, including myocarditis (2 cases), arthritis (3 cases), vasculitis (5 cases), asthma (3 cases), ARDS (1 case), and DIC (2 cases) were observed in 14.1% of patients. Conclusion : We found a number of characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia among cases from late 2003 that were different from those of previous years. This outbreak resulted in more severe cases and in an increased incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms and/or complications. A multicenter study is needed to verify the changes in clinical characteristics observed during the 2003 outbreak from previous ones.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.254-262
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate and prospect for current research trend and developmental perspectives via analyzing recent biomaterial coated-implants study. Materials and methods: To investigate each subject respectively, several biomaterials that are using for implant surface coating were set as 'keywords'. By these keywords, major research groups in each subject were chosen, and research trend of them was analyzed. Trend of In vivo studies that examined selected biomaterials were analyzed to evaluate commercial potential. Results: The collagen research accounted for 40% of total implant study, which was the highest, and fibronectin, BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins) and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides followed, which were ranked in descending order. Furthermore, figures of all four research subjects were also increased with time, especially a sharp increase in RGD research. According to the results of major research group, collagen that was combined with other organic and inorganic biomaterials was mostly examined, rather than using collagen only. Major research groups investigating BMPs mostly focused on rhBMP-2. In animal studies, collagen was used as resorbable membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) or drug carrier, while BMPs were used with bone graft materials or coating material for titanium implant surface. Conclusion: There is not consistency of results even in identical subjects research field. Many studies are ongoing to optimize combination between mechanical surface treatment and biomaterials such as extracellular matrix component and growth factors.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2010

Purpose: Recent studies have reported an increase in the incidence of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CA-CDAD) among children. There is an overall lack of information on CA-CDAD in the pediatric population. The aim of our study was to compare the epidemiologic and clinical features between CA-CDAD and hospital-acquired C. difficile-associated disease (HA-CDAD) in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who were diagnosed with C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) at Gil Hospital between April 2008 and March 2009. The diagnosis of CDAD was made when patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had positive results for C. difficile toxins A and B assay or stool culture. Results: Sixty-one (male, 32 and female, 29) patients were included. The mean age was 3.79${\pm}$4.54 years. Of the 61 patients, 22 (36.1%) were <1 year of age. Twenty-three patients (37.7%) had a history of antibiotic exposure in the previous 3 months. Forty-one patients (67.2%) were diagnosed with CA-CDAD. There were no significant differences in age, gender, symptoms, laboratory findings, recovery period, complications, and recurrence between the CA-CDAD and HA-CDAD groups. On the other hand, exposure to antibiotics was significantly more frequent among patients in the HA-CDAD group (p=0.005). Conclusion: This study suggests that the occurrence of CA-CDAD is increasing in the pediatric population, especially in younger children with no history of exposure to antibiotics and in outpatients. Awareness of the increasing incidence of CA-CDAD and prompt investigation of C. difficile in susceptible patients is needed to avoid misdiagnosis and for appropriate therapy.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.102-113
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• 2003

Purpose : Acute respiratory tract infections are the most common illnesses in children. The great majority of these infections involving lower respiratory tracts infections(LRTI) are caused by respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus(INF), adenovirus(ADV), etc. Our purpose of this study was to examine the seasonal occurrence, clinical and laboratory features of each viral infections. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates(NPA) were collected from 913 hospitalized children on the first day of admission. They were all admitted to Hangang Sacred Heart hospital and diagnosed as LRTIs. The study period was from September 1998 to August 2002. Specimens were inoculated onto HEp-2 cell, LLC-MK2 cell and MDCK cell. Viruses were detected by immunofluorescent method performed at day 10 postinoculation. Respiratory viruses were detected in 251(27%) cases. Medical records of 208 cases diagnosed as acute LRTIs were all taken reviewed and analyzed. Results : The identified pathogens were RSV 122 cases(58%), PIV 30 cases(14%), INFA 20 cases(10%), INFB 21 cases(11%) and ADV 15 cases(7%) during the study period. Outbreaks of RSV infections occurred every year but mostly on December, 1998 and November, 1999. LRTIs by PIV and ADV occurred during all seasons of the year. INFA was isolated moslty on March, 1999 and January, 2000. INFB infections occurred largely on April, 2002. The clinical diagnoses were bronchiolitis 88 cases(43%), pneumonia 87 cases(42%), croup 19 cases(9%) and tracheobronchitis 14 cases(6%). Common symptoms and signs were cough, rhinorrhea, sputum and fever. WBC counts in peripheral blood showed normal findings in 123 cases(59%). Each viral infections also showed some differences in auscultatory findings and chest X-ray findings. Conclusion : We learned that viruses are one of the major and important etiologic agents of acute LRTIs of children in Korea. However, we still need to find out more about its characteristic clinical features and continue studying on their seasonal occurrence to focus on their management and also prevention.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2005

Purpose : To determine the histological findings and treatment outcome in cases of child hood nephrotic syndrome which required renal biopsy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, pathologic findings and therapeutic outcomes of 159 nephrotic children who received a renal biopsy at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee Medical University Hospital, Seoul from 1984 to 2004 over a period of 21 years. The renal biopsy was performed in nephrotic children who showed atypical features at presentation, or needed cytotoxic therapy because of frequent-relapsing, steroid-dependent, or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS). Results : Minimal change disease(MCD) was found in 52.1$\%$ of the patients, followed by diffuse mesangial proliferation(33.1$\%$), focal segmental gomerulosclerosis(5.3$\%$), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(2.4$\%$), membranous nephropathy(2.4$\%$), and IgA nephropathy(1.8$\%$). In MCD children, 14.8$\%$ had hematuria, 22.7$\%$ had hypertension, 5.7$\%$ showed decreased renal function, and no patient was found to have an abnormal complement level. Among patients diagnosed with diseases other than MCD, 43.2$\%$ had hematuria, 21.0$\%$ was found to be hypertensive, 7.4$\%$ of children showed decreased renal function and only 3(3.7$\%$) had decreased complement level; the rates of hematuria and SRNS were found to be significantly higher than MCD patients. Among 37 SRNS patients, 30(81.0$\%$) showed a final remission state with long-term steroid therapy, including methylprednisolone pulse therapy, over 4 months, with or without cytotoxic therapy. Conclusion : Almost half of the cases of childhood nephrotic syndrome requiring renal biopsy were not diagnosed with MCD. Among atypical features, hematuria and steroid-resistance would be the most probable indicators for a diagnosis other than MCD. Even in patients with SRNS, long-term methylprednisolone pulse therapy may result in a good remission rate. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:149-158)