• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2009

Purpose : This study has been conducted to analyze whether the biochemical nutrition indexes might be useful and effective for evaluating the nutrition states of children. Methods : We evaluated 269 children, aged 3-9 years old, who had visited Gangneung Asan Hospital for elective surgery from January 2006 to December 2007, and examined their anthropometric and preoperative laboratory data with retrospective analysis. The children were classified into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese groups according to body mass index (BMI). The biochemical nutrition indexes (total lymphocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, cholesterol, et al) of each group were then analyzed statistically. Results : None of the groups showed statistically significant differences in TLC. Serum albumin decreased significantly in the underweight group. Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum total cholesterol in the obese group were higher than in the normal weight group. None of the groups showed statistically significant increase in mean corpuscular volume or mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and it seems that the increase of hemoglobin and RBC count in the overweight and obese groups is due to the enhancement of erythropoiesis rather than iron metabolism. However, in females, almost all nutrition indexes except albumin were statistically significantly poor. Conclusion : Serum albumin, total cholesterol, RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were useful as nutrition indexes. However, except for albumin, these indexes were significantly poor for females. More control studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of biochemical indexes for evaluating the nutritional state of children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.6
• /
• pp.445-450
• /
• 2008

Background: As the number of older-aged people increases, the number of elderly patients who receive critical care services is expected to increase substantially. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients who receive mechanical ventilation for more than 30 days in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a university hospital. Methods: We retrospectively examined forty-one elderly patients (${\geq}65$ years old) who were receiving mechanical ventilation, from April 2004 to March 2007, for periods exceeding 30 days at the MICU at Eulji University Hospital. Results: The MICU and hospitalmortality rate were 60.9% and 65.9%, respectively. The mean length of the ICU stay was 57.5 days and the mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 49.3 days. The most common reason for MICU admission was acute respiratory failure (73.2%), followed by sepsis (12.2%), neurological problems (9.8%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (4.9%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher for the nonsurvivors than for the survivors (28.0 vs. 25.0, respectively, p=0.03). The nonsurvivors received more red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during their ICU stay than did the survivors (84.0% vs. 43.8%, respectively p=0.007). The factors associated with hospital death were the APACHE II score and if the patient had received a RBC transfusion. Conclusion: The APACHE II score and a RBC transfusion were predictors of increased hospital mortality for the elderly patients who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation. These predictors may assist physicians to make clinical decisions for this patient population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.342-350
• /
• 2005

In the present work antidotal effect of dietary garlic was studied on lead-intoxicated rat. One of 5 groups of young Wistar sp. male rat, aged 4 weeks for control were fed only normal diet. Lead (25 ㎎/㎏.bw/week) was administered to other four groups for plumbism model over 4 weeks, of which three groups were supplemented with one of the following raw garlic juice: 1.10 (1% diet), 2.21 (2%) and 3.31 (3%) ㎎/㎏.bw/day respectively. Body weight gain rates in all garlic group significantly increased, especially in 2% garlic group that showed 9.8% net gain, as compared with only-lead treated group but lower values than control. The fecal and urinary lead excretion in all garlic groups significantly increased in a dose dependent fashion with highest value of 9.59% net gain in 3% garlic group as compared to lead treated control group. In comparison with lead treated control group, all garlic groups showed significantly increased hemoglobin contents, hematocrit values (Hct), red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and δ-amino levulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activities. The values of 2% and 3% garlic groups remarkably increased while no significant difference between the values of 2% and 3% garlic groups was observed. The ALT activities, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CR) in all garlic groups significantly decreased as compared with lead-treated control group. The values of 2% garlic group were the lowest and significantly different from the values of 1% and 3% garlic groups. The results showed that 2%-3% garlic juice in diet had obviously antidotal effects in lead-poisoned rats by promoting lead excretion. However, mega dose garlic such as in 3% garlic group might have some adverse effects on hepatic and renal functions in rats. In conclusion, the dietary habit to take ordinary garlic sauce in appropriate amount, may be helpful for preventing lead or other heavy metal intoxication.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) has various clinical manifestations, and diagnosis or selectection of proper diagnostic tools is not easy. This study was conducted in order to assess the clinical differences of MD diagnosed by scintigraphic and non-scintigraphic methods and to find the proper diagnostic tools. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review ofthe clinical, surgical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of 34 children with symptomatic MD, who were admitted to Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Inha University Hospital, and The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital between January 2000 and December 2012. The patients were evaluated according to scintigraphic (12 cases; group 1) and non-scintigraphic (22 cases; group 2) diagnosis. Results: The male to female ratio was 7.5: 1. The most frequent chief complaint was lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in group 1 and nonspecific abdominal pain in group 2, respectively. The most frequent pre-operative diagnosis was MD in both groups. Red blood cell (RBC) index was significantly lower in group 1. MD was located at 7 cm to 85 cm from the ileocecal valve. Four patients in group 1 had ectopic gastric tissues causing lower GI bleeding. The most frequent treatment modality was diverticulectomy in group 1 and ileal resection in group 2, respectively. Conclusion: To diagnose MD might be delayed unless proper diagnostic tools are considered. It is important to understand indications of scintigraphic and non-scintigraphic methods according to clinical and hematologic features of MD. Scintigraphy would be weighed in patients with anemia as well as GI symptoms.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens in community-acquired diseases, and it contains several factors that promote its pathogenesis, including pneumolysin (PLY). PLY is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family, which attacks cholesterol-containing membranes, thereby forming ring-shaped pores. Thus, it is a major key target for vaccines against pneumococcal disease. We cloned the PLY gene from S. pneumoniae D39 and inserted it into the pQE-30 vector. Recombinant PLY (rPLY) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli M15 and purified by $Ni^{2+}$ affinity chromatography. Similarly, a PLY-EGFP fusion gene was produced by inserting the EGFP gene at the 3' end of the PLY gene in the same vector, and the recombinant protein was purified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that both recombinant proteins were purified. rPLY exhibited significant hemolytic activity against 1% human red blood cells (RBCs). Complete hemolysis was obtained at 500 ng/ml, and 50% hemolysis was found with a 240 ng/ml concentration. In contrast, rPLY-EGFP did not show hemolytic activity. However, rPLY-EGFP did bind the RBC membrane, indicating that rPLY-EGFP lost hemolytic activity via EGFP fusion, while retaining its membrane-binding ability. These data suggest that PLY's C terminus is important for its hemolytic activity. Therefore, these two recombinant proteins can be extremely useful for investigating the toxin mechanism of PLY and cell damage during pneumonia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.1634-1640
• /
• 2004

This study was designed to compare the nutritional intake and iron nutritional status between urban and rural middle school girls. Along with a questionnaire, blood samples were obtained from 311 middle school girls (urban 129 girls, rural 182 girls). Nutrient intakes were measured with a convenient method, and clinical symptoms relating anemia was investigated by 4-point Likert scale. For the nutrient intake, the total energy intake was 1722.2 kcal (82.0% of RDA) for the urban group and 1649.5 kcal (78.6% of RDA) for rural group. The rural group showed significantly lower level than the urban group in all nutrients except fat, carbohydrate and total energy intake. Regarding the food frequency, students from the rural group marked significantly lower intake of milk (p<0.00l), kimchi (p<0.05), fruit (p<0.05), tofu, bean (p<0.00l) than the urban group. For every clinical finding regarding anemia, the rural group marked higher value than the urban group but the difference was not significant. The hemoglobin concentration of urban group was 13.28 g/dL, and rural group showed 12.51 g/dL which was significantly lower than urban group (p<0.00l). The hematocrit rate was 37.82% for the urban group and 38.13% for the rural group and there was no significant difference between two groups. The red blood cell (RBC) count of the rural group was significantly lower than the urban group (p<0.00l). Evaluating with the iron deficiency standard which is less than 12 g/dL, the urban group was 6.2% and the rural group was 34.6% thus the deficiency rate was significantly higher in the rural group. This study showed that nutrient and iron status of the girls of rural group is not as good as the urban group. As middle school girls require high level of iron absorption due to blood loss which occurs during abrupt physical growth and menstruation, dietary counselling is required to enhance the iron status. When iron deficiency is serious, they need to take more positive action such as iron supplement in addition to food-iron fortification.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.12
• /
• pp.1225-1230
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Multiple transfusions in patients with chronic anemia can result in excessive iron deposition in tissues and organs. Effective iron chelation therapy in chronically transfused patients can only be achieved when iron chelators remove sufficient amounts of iron equivalent to those accumulated in the body from transfusions, thus leading to maintain body iron load at a non-toxic level. This study was retrospectively carried out to investigate the effect of intravenous iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine in patients who have received multiple transfusions. Methods : From March 2005 to January 2007, 15 patients who have received multiple transfusions were included in this study. Transfusion dependent patients were defined as those receiving >1 packed red blood cell (RBC) units/month for at least 6 months. They received intravenous deferoxamine for 7 days (10-30 mg/kg/day, 24 hour continuous infusions). Before and after deferoxamine infusions and 3 months later, we compared serum iron, TIBC, and ferritin in transfusion dependent patients and transfusion independent patients. Results : There were 6 males and 9 females and their age range was 5.6-21.3 (median 8.3) years. Transfusion dependent patients were 7 and 8 were transfusion independent states after stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy. There was no significant change in ferritin level after deferoxamine treatment for the transfusion dependent patients but significant falling of ferritin level was observed for the transfusion independent patients 3 months later compared with baseline ferritin level (P=0.046). Some adverse events were observed but symptoms were mild and tolerable. Conclusion : Seven days of intravenous deferoxamine was safe and effective in transfusion independent patients. In transfusion dependent patients, chelation therapy should be maintained, in order to minimize or prevent iron accumulation and storage in the tissues.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.41 no.8
• /
• pp.701-710
• /
• 2008

The wild simulated ginseng (WSG) has been effectively used in folk medicine as a remedy against hepatic disease, hypertension and arthritic disease. However, there is still lack of scientific proof about its antioxidant capability. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the protective role of the WSG ethanol extract in the CCl4-induced oxidative stress and resultant hepatic disfunction in ICR mice. The electron donating abilities and IC50 of WSG etnanol extract were 76.86 ${\pm}$ 1.06% and 33.3 ${\mu}g$/mL (that of ascobic acid was 16.5 ${\mu}g$/mL), respectively. Total antioxidant status of WSG extract was 2.13 ${\pm}$ 0.06 mmoL/mg, while the values of ascorbic acid and BHT were 3.63 ${\pm}$ 0.06 and 3.12 ${\pm}$ 0.02, respectively. ICR mice (aged 3weeks) were fed for 4 weeks on AIN-93M diet and had free access to food and water. The animals were divided into three groups: normal group (intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with PBS at 100 ${\mu}L$/mouse), group C; CCl4-induced and without any treatment. (i.p injected only PBS, 100 ${\mu}L$ /mice), group G; CCl4-induced and treated with WSG (i.p injected with 5 mg WSG extract per mouse, suspended in 100 ${\mu}L$ phosphate buffer). After the i.p. injection of WSG or PBS (5 times for 7weeks), all mice were administered CCl4 in olive oil at the last day of the experiment, except for normal group. The normal group was administered only olive oil. Determination of plasma triglyceride, total cholersterol, fasting glucose and GPT activity was performed using automatic blood analyzer. To evaluate the protective effect against the oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation and TBARS were determined in blood leucocytes and RBC and hepatocyte, respectively. Body and organs weights and food intake did not show significant differences among the groups. Blood total cholesterol of group G was similar to that of normal group, which was the lowest in group C. The fasting blood glucose level was the highest in normal group (205.20 ${\pm}$ 135.24), which were decreased in group C (134.2 ${\pm}$ 79.31) and group G (126.48 ${\pm}$ 77.05). TBARS values in a red blood cell and hepatic tisuue homogenate were lower in group G comparing to the group C. DNA% in tail, tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM) of blood leucoocytes showed the highest values in group C (20.11 ${\pm}$ 2.47, 17.36 ${\pm}$ 2.58, 94.11 ${\pm}$ 12.29) and they were significantly diminished in group G (9.63 ${\pm}$ 1.19, 7.04 ${\pm}$ 1.50, 38.64 ${\pm}$ 7.60). In conclusion, wild simulated ginseng might be a protective agent against the oxidative stress.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.222-228
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to compare the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) from gated cardiac blood pool scan (GCBP) for analysis auto-drawing region of interest mode (AROI) and manual-drawing region of interest mode (MROI), respectively. To evaluation the relationships between values produced by both ROI modes. Materials and Methods: Gated cardiac blood pool scan using in vivo method Tc-99m Red Blood Cell were performed for 33 patients (mean age: $53.2{\pm}13.2\;y$) with objective of chemotherapy using single head gamma camera (ADAC Laboratories, Milpitas, CA). Left ventricular ejection fraction was automatically and manually measured, respectively. Results: There was significant difference statistically between AROI and MROI ($LVEF^{AROI}$: $71.4{\pm}12.4%$ vs. $LVEF^{MROI}$: $65.8{\pm}5.9%$, p=0.003). Intra-observer agreements in AROI was higher than MROI ($\gamma^{AROI}=0.964$, Cronbach's $\alpha^{AROI}=0.986$ vs. $\gamma^{MROI}=0.793$, Cronbach's $\alpha^{MROI}=0.911$), either. Additionally, there was no significant difference statistically at best septal view (${\Delta}LVEF^{BSV}=0.7{\pm}2.3%$, p=0.233), however statistically significant difference was found at badly separated septal view (${\Delta}LVEF=10.9{\pm}11.4%$, p=0.001). Moreover, Intra-observer agreements in best septal view was higher than badly separated septal view ($\gamma^{BSV}=0.939$, Cronbach's $\alpha^{BSV}=0.978$; $\gamma=0.948$, Cronbach's $\alpha=0.981$ at AROI, $\gamma^{BSV}=0.836$, Cronbach's $\alpha^{BSV}=0.936$; $\gamma=0.748$, Cronbach's $\alpha=0.888$ at MROI). Conclusion: When best septal view was acquired, LVEF by AROI and MROI indicated not different. Comparing Intra-observer agreements with AROI and MROI, the AROI tended to show higher. Therefore, it is considered that the AROI than MROI is valuable in reproducibility and objective when ROI analysis by acquire left ventricular of best septal view.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.463-468
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Kluyveromyces fragilis, Candida utilis and brewer's yeast as an additive in formulated diets containing different fish meal levels ($55{\%} and 45{\%}$) on growth and body composition of juvenile Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Juvenile rockfish (average weight, 2.6 g) were distributed into 24 tanks with 3 replication groups and fed eight isoproteic ($41{\%}$) and isolipidic ($11{\%}$) diets containing each level ($3{\%}$) of K. frayilis, C. utilis and brewer's yeast as an additive. Survival rate of fish was not affected by dietary fish meal level and yeast kind (P > 0.05). Weight gain of fish fed the control and diets containing C. utilis and brewer's yeast was not influenced by fish meal level (P > 0.05), Weight gain of fish fed the $55{\%}$ fish meal diet containing C. utilis and $45{\%}$ fish meal diets containing K. fragilis and C. utilis was lower than that of fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the control and diet containing brewer's yeast were not affected by fish meal level, but these value of fish fed the diets containing K, fragilis and C. utilis were lower in $45{\%}$ fish meal diets than in $55{\%}$ fish meal diets. Hepatosomatic index and liver lipid content of fish fed the diet containing C. utilis were decreased regardless of fish meal level (P < 0.05), Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell, plasma total protein and plasma total glucose were not affected by dietary fish meal levels and yeast supplements (P > 0.05). From the above results, it can be concluded that yeast supplement in this formulated diet for growth of juvenile rockfish is not necessary.