• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 1997

Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death among patients with chronic renal failure. Many reports have been described that homocysteine is one of the independent risk factor to the occulsive vascular disease. In this study, HPLC/FLD (high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector) technique was used to measure homocysteine level in patients with chronic renal failure and normal control group. The detection limit and recovery of total plasma homocysteine using HPLC/FLD were 98.6$\pm$5.8% and 0.2 nmol/ml, respectively. The linearity of this method was established in concentration range of 2~50 nmol/ml (correlation coefficient=0.9997). The concentrations of total plasma homocysteine were 6.81$\pm$1.54 nmol/ml and 27.28$\pm$14.94 nmol/ml in normal control (n=20) and patient group (n=90), respectively (p<0.05). In this study, the HPLC/FLD method showed high sensitivity and reproducibility for a routine clinical laboratory testing. Moreover determination of homocysteine level in plasma might be useful for a biochemical marker for predicting the cardiovascular diseases and for monitoring of therapeutic effect of lowering homocysteine in patients with chronic renal failure.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2008

Microscopic polyangiitis(MPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that involves many organ systems including the skin, joint, kidneys, and lungs. In spite of early diagnosis and intensive care, the five-year actuarial patient and kidney survival rates are 65% and 55%. We experienced a case in 7-year-old girl of microscopic polyangiitis presenting with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis which was confirmed by renal biopsy and positive serum perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies(p-ANCA). The diagnosis of patients first renal biopsy was MPA, p-ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis. The patients second renal biopsy was done 5 years 6 months later since first renal biopsy, and pathologic diagnosis was chronic sclerosing glomerulonephritis, advanced, due to MPA. We began methylprednisolone pulse therapy, combined with a low dose of cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis therapy. ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker, and cyclophosphamide were used until now and the patients current age is 14 years old. On admission, the patients laboratory findings showed BUN 117 mg/dL and Cr 2.3 mg/dL, while on the hospital day BUN and Cr values fell to 20.8 mg/dL and 1.6 mg/dL. But renal function was progressed to chronic failure with latest laboratory data BUN 51.7 mg/dL and Cr 3.2 mg/dL. ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker and small dose of immunosuppressant with close observation is the key to maintain the patient survival.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2012

Fibrosis in kidney by internal and external factors causes progressive loss of renal function. Renal fibrosis is the inevitable consequence of an excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix. TGF-${\beta}$ plays an important role in the process of renal fibrosis and stimulates the synthesis of profibrotic factors, including collagens, fibronectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). We examined the effect of Moringa oleifera Lam (moringa) extracts in a rat kidney fibrosis model. We found that moringa root extract suppresses protein expression/mRNA levels of Type I collagen, fibronectin, and PAI-1 induced by TGF-${\beta}$ in renal fibroblasts. Moringa root extract selectively inhibited phosphorylation of TGF-${\beta}$-induced $T{\beta}RII$ and the downstream signaling pathway (e.g., Smad4), and phospho-ERK, but not JNK, p38, or PI3K/AKT. These results suggest that moringa root extract can act against TGF-${\beta}$-induced renal fibrosis in rat kidney fibroblast cells by a mechanism related to its antifibrotic activity, which regulates expression of fibronectin, Type I collagen, and PAI-1 through $T{\beta}RII$-Smad2/3-Smad4 and ERK. Therefore, moringa root extract is an effective substance for fibrosis therapy and provides a new therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with elevated profibrotic factor synthesis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2010

Purpose : Hydronephrosis is found about 30% of children with urinary tract infection (UTI). It can be caused by various conditions, although most childhood hydronephrosis is congenital. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between febrile UTI and hydronephrosis. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 183 patients diagnosed as UTI between January 2007 and May 2009 at Korea University Guro Hospital. Inclusion criteria were as followings; 1) fever more than $37.5^{\circ}C$ measured in the axilla, 2) positive urine culture, 3) no history of urinary tract anomaly on antenatal sonography and urinary tract infection. We classified the enrolled children into two groups of patients with hydronephrosis (HN) and those without hydronephrosis (NHN). Results : The 80 patients were HN and 103 patients NHN. Hydronephrosis was found in 58 patients with left kidney, 8 right and 14 both kidneys. Most of hydronephrosis were of low grade. Compared with NHN group, initial renal cortical defects on DMSA scan significantly increased in HN group (HN 37.5%, NHN 16.5%, P<0.05). The incidence of VUR was not different between the two groups (HN 22%, NHN 12.1%). White blood cell counts and C-reactive protein were not different between the two groups. Follow-up DMSA scan (about 6 months later after UTI) showed no difference of renal scarring in both two groups. Conclusion : Our data suggests that hydronephrosis in febrile UTI patients is clinically useful for detecting renal cortical defects, but is not associated with follow-up renal scar.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1260-1266
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• 2009

Purpose : Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) can be clinically classified as steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant. The detailed mechanism of glucocorticoid action in NS is currently unknown. Methods : In this study, we investigated 3 known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ER22/23EK, N363S, and BclI) of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (the NR3C1 gene) in 190 children with NS using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and analyzed the correlation between the genotypes and clinicopathologic features of the patients. Results : Eighty patients (42.1%) were initial steroid nonresponders, of which 31 (16.3% of the total) developed end-stage renal disease during follow-up. Renal biopsy findings of 133 patients were available, of which 36 (31.9%) showed minimal changes in NS and 77 (68.1%) had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The distribution of the BclI genotypes was comparable between the patient and control groups, and the G allele frequencies in both the groups were almost the same. The ER22/23EK and N363S genotypes were homogenous as ER/ER and NN, respectively, in all the patients and in 100 control subjects. The BclI genotype showed no correlation with the NS onset age, initial steroid responsiveness, renal pathologic findings, or progression to end-stage renal disease. Conclusion : These data suggested that the ER22/23EK, N363S, and BclI SNPs in the NR3C1 gene do not affect the development of NS, initial steroid responsiveness, renal pathologic lesion, and progression to end-stage renal disease in Korean children with NS.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2014

Purpose: Gallbladder (GB) wall thickening can be found in various conditions unrelated to intrinsic GB disease. We investigated the predisposing etiologies and the outcome of acalculous GB wall thickening in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 67 children with acalculous GB wall thickening who had visited our institute from June 2010 to June 2013. GB wall thickening was defined as a GB wall diameter > 3.5 mm on abdominal ultrasound examination or computed tomography. Underlying diseases associated with GB wall thickening, treatment, and outcomes were studied. Results: There were 36 boys and 31 girls (mean age, $8.5{\pm}4.8years$ [range, 7 months-16 years]). Systemic infection in 24 patients (35.8%), acute hepatitis in 18 (26.9%), systemic disease in 11 (16.4%), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in 4 (6.0%), acute pancreatitis in 3 (4.5%), and specific liver disease in 3 (4.5%) predisposed patients to GB wall thickening. Systemic infections were caused by bacteria in 10 patients (41.7%), viruses in 5 patients (20.8%), and fungi in 2 patients (8.3%). Systemic diseases observed were systemic lupus erythematosus in 2, drug-induced hypersensitivity in 2, congestive heart failure in 2, renal disorder in 2. Sixty-one patients (91.0%) received symptomatic treatments or treatment for underlying diseases. Five patients (7.5%) died from underlying diseases. Cholecystectomy was performed in 3 patients during treatment of the underlying disease. Conclusion: A wide range of extracholecystic conditions cause diffuse GB wall thickening that resolves spontaneously or with treatment of underlying diseases. Surgical treatments should be avoided if there are no definite clinical manifestations of cholecystitis.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 1997

Multiple species of muridae and arvicolidae rodents serve as the natural reserviors of hantaviruses. Hantaviruses are distributed in rodent populations world-widely even in geographical areas where hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) has not been reported. Serologic diagnosis of infection, using hantaviral antigen, indicates that hantaviruses are widey distributed in wild rodents. This study was designed to intended the hantavirus infection among wild rodents captured in Kyebang mountain, Kangwon-do in Korea. A total of 216 wild rodents in 3 species were trapped in July and September in 1995. Serological evidence for hantaviruses infection were tested against five hantavirus antigens by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA). Among 100 Eothenomys regulus, 78 Apodemus peninsulae and 38 Apodemus agrarius; 12 C. regulus, 15 A. peninsulae and 6 A. agrarius were IF antibody positive against hantaviruses. This data suggest that Eothenomys regulus and Apodemus peninsulae would be a natural reservoir of hantaviruses.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.248-257
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationships of types of dental insurance coverage in Korea with sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of systemic and oral diseases, as well as to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of Korean dental insurance policies. Methods: Sample cohort data from 2006 to 2015 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The exposed group comprised patients who received insurance benefits for complete dentures, removable partial dentures, and implant care, while the control group comprised patients who did not receive these benefits. The type of insurance coverage and the prevalence of systemic and oral diseases were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Patients who received benefits in the form of complete dentures, removable partial dentures, and implants had similar sociodemographic characteristics in terms of sex, age, income quintile, and type of insurance coverage to the control group. The prevalence of hypertension, anemia, renal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, and cerebral infarction was higher in the exposed group than in the control group (P<0.05). The prevalence of periodontal diseases and dental caries was also higher in the exposed group. Conclusions: Korean dental health insurance policy has been beneficial for the medical expenses of low-income and elderly people suffering from a cost burden due to systemic diseases. However, since there is a tendency to avoid invasive interventions in older patients due to the high risk of systemic diseases, insurance coverage of dentures may be more helpful from a socioeconomic perspective than coverage of dental implant treatments.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.78.1-78.13
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• 2022

Background: Florfenicol might be ineffective for treating Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants (SCVs) mastitis. Objectives: In this study, florfenicol-loaded chitosan (CS)-sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) composite nanogels were prepared to allow targeted delivery to SCV infected sites. Methods: The formulation screening, the characteristics, in vitro release, antibacterial activity, therapeutic efficacy, and biosafety of the florfenicol composite nanogels were studied. Results: The optimized formulation was obtained when the CS and TPP were 10 and 5 mg/mL, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the optimized florfenicol composite nanogels were 87.3% ± 2.7%, 5.8% ± 1.4%, 280.3 ± 1.5 nm, 0.15 ± 0.03, and 36.3 ± 1.4 mv, respectively. Optical and scanning electron microscopy showed that spherical particles with a relatively uniform distribution and drugs might be incorporated in cross-linked polymeric networks. The in vitro release study showed that the florfenicol composite nanogels exhibited a biphasic pattern with the sustained release of 72.2% ± 1.8% at 48 h in pH 5.5 phosphate-buffered saline. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of commercial florfenicol solution and florfenicol composite nanogels against SCVs were 1 and 0.25 ㎍/mL, respectively. The time-killing curves and live-dead bacterial staining showed that the florfenicol composite nanogels were concentration-dependent. Furthermore, the florfenicol composite nanogels displayed good therapeutic efficacy against SCVs mastitis. Biological safety studies showed that the florfenicol composite nanogels might be a biocompatible preparation because of their non-toxic effects on the renal tissue and liver. Conclusions: Florfenicol composite nanogels might improve the treatment of SCV infections.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2000

Purpose: Renal involvement is the most important prognostic factor of HSP. Therefore, the pathogenesis and prognostic factors in renal involvement have been studied by many researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical risk factors and the role of TNF-$\alpha$ in renal involvement of HS purpura. Methods: The subjects of this study were 12 patients of HS purpura, 7 patients of HS nephritis, and 5 age-matched controls. We have analysed the rist factors for renal involvement in clinical symptoms and collected the sera and urines of all subjects in acute and convalescent stage. The concentration of TNF-$\alpha$ in the collected sera and urines were measured by sandwich ELISA and compared with that of age-matched controls. Results: Statistical analysis showed that persistent purpura increased the risk of developing renal involvement (P=0.0018). and serum TNF-$\alpha$ levels in the acute stage of patients with renal involvement($11.45{\pm}7.01$ pg/ml) were significantly higher than those of without renal involvement($6.32{\pm}1.31$pg/m1) and of age-matched controls($5.99{\pm}1.34$pg/m1)(P=0.012, 0.027, respectively). However, urine TNF-$\alpha$ levels have no correlation with renal involvement. On investigation of serum TNF-$\alpha$ levels in acute stage of HS purpura, persistent purpura had a significantly higher increase(P=0.038). Conclusion: Serum concentration of TNF-$\alpha$ is a risk factor and has a predictable value along with clinical risk factors, such as, persistent purpura for renal involvement in HS purpura. Also, the effectiveness of the specific treatment fur antagonizing TNF-$\alpha$ in HS nephritis may need further study.