• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.124-132
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• 2007

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been investigated intensively for some decades. These cells regulate the immune system, prevent overactivated immune responses and can be used therapeutically. For rheumatoid arthritis (RA), understanding the functions and status of Tregs is an important step for understanding immune regulation in this autoimmune disease. Methods: We investigated the percentages, phenotypes and suppressive functions of $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tregs in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with RA. Results: The percentages were higher in the patients (n=12) than in healthy controls (n=10), and the cells expressed the $CD45RB^{low}$, CTLA-4 and CCR7 phenotypes. We also investigated the expression of Foxp3 and secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 induced $CD4^+CD25^+$ Tcells by anti-CD3 antibody treatment. A suppressive function of the patients' cells was shown through coculture with $CD4^+CD25^-$ T cells in vitro. Conclusion: We suggest that, despite their increased numbers and suppressive function, they manage the ongoing inflammation ineffectively. It might be possible to apply IL-10 to induce the proliferation of IL-10-producing Tregs as therapy for RA.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.208-211
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• 2004

The patient with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection and articular disease who does not fulfill the modified Jones criteria for a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever(ARF) have been classified as poststreptococcal reactive arthritis/arthralgia. A 10-year-old girl had presented with fever and arthralgia. She had pain in her left knee for 7 days but no swelling. A throat culture showed no growth but antistreptolysin O titer and C-reactive protein were elevated. A clinical follow up one month later showed neither arthralia nor sequelae as acute rheumatic fever. Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis/arthralgia seems to be part of the disease spectrum of ARF and to prevent subsequent development of ARF and carditis in these patient, it is recommended that antistreptococcal prophylaxis should be administered for 1 year and then could be discontinued if there is no evidence of cardiac involvement.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2022

Pediatric rheumatologic diseases are rare systemic diseases that can involve various organs, including the kidneys. Each rheumatologic disease can exhibit characteristic renal involvement, which requires proper treatment and diagnosis. In this review, we discuss renal involvement in classic rheumatologic diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and juvenile dermatomyositis. Reviews addressing lupus nephritis and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated renal disease are complex and tend to cover a wide array of topics, and thus were excluded from this review.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.14-20
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• 2001

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most typical rheumatic diseases, and is characterized by chronic inflammation, cartilage destruction and joint deformity ［1,2］. During this process, profound hypertrophic changes of the synovium with infiltration of immune cells, increased vascularity, and hyperplasia result in the formation of a synovial pannus that invades cartilage and bone ［3］. In early stages of RA, the synovial membrane begins to invade the cartilage. In established RA, the synovial membrane becomes transformed into inflammatory tissue, the pannus (Fig. 1). The cell types that occupy cartilage-pannus junctions include synovial macrophages, fibroblasts, mast cells, polymorphonuclear lymphocytes (PMNs), and displaced, probably differentiated condrocytes ［4-6］. Recent studies of rheumatoid synovial tissue have demonstrated localized accumulations of mast cells and evidence of their activation/degranulation［7］.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.9 s.266
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• pp.681-691
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• 2006

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the mid-term outcomes of our modifications to the maze procedure using cryoablation for treating atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease. Material and Method: Between March 2000 and February 2004, 177 consecutive patients underwent the modified maze procedure with the use of cryoablation concomitant with mitral valve surgery for atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease, and were divided into three groups: (1) modified Cox-maze III (CM group, n=88): (2) modified Kosakai-maze (KM group, n=63): and (3) left atrial maze procedure (LA group, n=26). The postoperative and follow-up results were analyzed and compared between the groups. Result: There were three hospital deaths (1.7%) and no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications between the three groups. The operative time, such as the cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp time, were significantly longer in the CM group than in the KM and LA groups, respectively (p<0.0001). The mean follow-up was $22.4{\pm}15.1$ months ($1\sim52.6$ months) for all patients. One late death developed in the CM group (0.0%). At last follow-up, 139 patients exhibited sinus rhythm (79.9%), which was also regained in 67 patients (77.9%) in the CM group, 50 (80.7%) in the KM group and 22 (84.6%) in the LA group (p=0.743). The actuarial freedom from stroke at 4 years was $84.5{\pm}9.4%$ in the CM group, $95.0{\pm}4.9%$ in the KM group, and $92.9{\pm}6.9%$ in the LA group (p=0.916). Conclusion: The modified maze procedure using cryoablation is safe and effective in treating chronic atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.246-253
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• 2015

Background & Object: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes ankylosis and deformation of axial joints. Since current medicine cannot cure the disease yet, alleviating pain and preventing deformation with medications are the main therapy for patients with AS. The key medications for these purposes include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) inhibitors. This study aims to analyze prescribing patterns of AS patients in South Korea. Method: National Patients Sample data compiled by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2013 was analyzed. Patients with AS were identified with Korean Standard Classification of Diseases code-6, which was M45. The rates of prescription, discontinuation, and switching ingredients were calculated for each medication during 2013. Results: Total number of patients was 655, and most of them were male (n = 514, 78.5%). Of all age groups, the proportion of 30-40 year old patients was the greatest (35.1%). The most utilized drug class was NSAIDs (82.4%). Less than half of patients were prescribed $TNF-{\alpha}$ inhibitors (n = 212, 32.4%). Meloxicam, aceclofenac, and celecoxib were the most frequently prescribed NSAIDs. In case of $TNF-{\alpha}$ inhibitors, adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab were the top three most prescribed drugs. Although not recommended by the current practice guideline, significant proportions of patients were identified using disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Conclusion: Considering the current practice guideline and previous studies about the efficacy, the use of DMARDs should be reduced and medical insurance term in South Korea should be re-examined.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.38-66
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• 1986

Based on the statistical data of FKMIS during five years from 1981 to 1985, the major findings of studying on the treatments of employee's modical insurance covered people were made as follows. 1. During five years, the total number of trratment case was increased 25.14% annually, and so doubled. The consultation rate was increased from 2.086 to 2.856, showng annual increase of 8.17% and total increase of 36.91%. In the cafe, of in-patient, the rate was from 0.056 to 0.602, . showing annual increase of 2.58%. And in out-patient, the rate was from, 2.030 to 2.794, showing annual increase of 8.31%. The male: female ratio of treatment case was changed from 1 : 1.1 to 1 : 1.2. 2. Case of chronic disease was on the increase .every year. The ratio of medical expenditure of that disease to the total medical expenditure was increased from 22.99% in 1984 to 25.0% in 1985. 3. As a whole, the consultation rate of circulatory disease was increased from 26.10 in 1981 to 46.53 in 1985, showing an nual increase of 15.55 %. The rate of in-patient was increased from 2.06 to 2.94, showing annual increase of 9.30%. The rate of out-patient wag from. 24.04 to 43.59, showing annual increase of 16.04%. 4. The duration (days) of circulatory disease in 1985 by types is as follows. In the case of in-patient, rheumatic fever rheumatic heart disease, (22. 67), ischaemic disease (17.39), cerebrovascular disease (17.18), disease of pulmonary circulation and other from of heart disease (15.82), hypertensive disease (13.18), other disease of circulatory disease(11.55). In the case of out-patient, visiting day (11.57 day) and medical expenditure per case (7,853 won) is lower than that of other diseases (4.39 day, 4,361 won). 5. Cases of circulatory chronic disease were two times as many as those of non-chronic disease. Incidence of the out-patient was shown higher than that of in-patient. In the case of duration per case, the chronic disease(12.92 days) was longer that of non-chronic disease (9.8 day). 6. The male: female ratio of chronic rheumatic heart disease is 34.56 : 65.44 (in-patient) and 34. 67 : 65.33 (out-patient). The consultation rate(case per 1,000 persons) was increased from 1.11 in 1983 to 1.30 in 1985, showing annual increase of 8.22 %. The duration, visiting day, was decreased slightly, but medication day wasincreased from 13.93 in 1983 to 16.72 in 1985, showing annual increase of 9.56%. 7. The male: female ratio of hypertensive disease (case) was 39.36 : 60.64(in-patient) and 40.67 : 59.33 (out-patient). The consultation rate was increased from 19.59 in 1983 to 25.36 in 1985, showing annual increase of 13.78%. Duration, visting day was decreased slightly, but medication day was increased from 11.82 in 1983 to 12.77 in 1985, showing annual increase of 3.94%. 8. The male： female ratio of chronic pulmonary-ischaemic heart disease (case) was 48.90 : 51.10 (in-patient) and 43.66 : 56.34 (out-patient). The consultation rate of chronic pulmonary-ischaemic heart disease was increase from 0.69 in 1983 to 1. 12 in 1985, showing annual increase of 27.40％. Duration, visiting day, was decreased from 2.67 in 1983 to 2.36 in 1985, and medication day was decreased from 0.69 in 1983 to 1.12 in 1985, showing annual decrease of 2.09%. 9. The male: female ratio of cerebrovascular disease (case) was 47.90 : 52.10 (in-patient) and 52.28 : 47.72 (out: patient). The consulatation rate was increased from 2.12 in 1983 to 2.89 in 1985, showing annual increase of 16.76%, Duration, visiting day, was decreased slightly, but medication day was increased from 12. 67 in 1983 to 13.85 in 1985, showing annual increase of 4.55%. 10. In case of artery and capillary disease, the male: female ratio of case was 61.80 : 38.20 (in-patient) and 51.77 : 48.23 (out-patient). But durntion, visiting day, was increased from 3.45 in 1983 to 3.60 in 1985, showing annual increase of 2.15 % and the medication day was increased from 10. 06 to 10.18, showing annual increase of 0.59%.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2001

This study was performed to assess the nutritional status, frequency of visiting and necessity of nutrition programs for 157 elderly(male:49, female:108) visiting public health centers in Puchon. The purpose of the study was to provide the basic data for developing a nutrition service model. The subject were investigated by interviews with a questionnaire to obtain dietary data and other information related to public health center. Blood tests for analyzing biochemical status were also carried out. The elderly showed low income status. Ninety two percent of them showed their monthly income was less than 400,000 won and 72.6% was observed as having 30,000 won/month as their pocket money. The most frequent disease reported as having or being treated were hypertension(32.6%), rheumatic arthritis(28.5%), diabetes(10.2%), and stomach disease(8.2%) for males and hypertension(33.1%), diabetes(19.4%), rheumatic arthritis(16.7%), anemia(11.1%) for females. The nutrients whose daily intakes were less than 2/3 of RDA were calcium(37.5% RDA),vitamin A(49.9% RDA), iron(60.0% of RDA) and protein(62.0% RDA) for males and vitamin A(27.7% RDA), vitamin B$_2$(33.3% RDA), calcium(44.1% RDA), iron(53.3% RDA), and niacin(60.0% RDA) for females, respectively. Prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemogloben using WHO definition, were 4.1% for males and 18.5% for females. The percentage of males with hypercholesterolemia( 220 mg/dl) was 2.1% and 19.4% fir females, Two percent of males and 12.0% of females were observed as having a LDL-C higher than 165 mg/dl. The mean fasting blood glucose(FBG) level of males and female was 84.2 mg/dl and 101.7 mg/dl respectively. Two percent of males and 8.3% of females were found with a FBG higher than 140 mg/dl. Seventy one percent of elderly reported they were visiting public health centers at least once per week or more frequently. They were satisfied most with the low medical bills but showed the lowest satisfaction for the facilities of the public health centers. What the nutrition service programs wanted most was nutrition counseling and guidance.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.153-156
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• 2001

A key aspect of genomic research in the “post-genome era”is to associate sequence variations with heritable phenotypes. The most common variations in the human genome are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that occur approximately once in every 500 to 1,000 bases. Although analyzing the phenotypic outcome of these SNPs is crucial to facilitate large-scale association studies of genetic diseases, detection of SNPs from an extended number of human DNA samples is often difficult, labor-intensive and time-consuming. Recent development in SNP detection methods using DNA microarrays and mass spectrophotometry has allowed automated high throughput analyses, but such equipments are not accessible to many scientists. In this study, we demonstrate that a simple PCR-based method using primers with a mismatched base at the 3'-end provides a fast and easy tool to identify known SNPs from human genomic DNA in a regular molecular biology laboratory. Results from this PCR amplification of specific alleles (PASA) analysis efficiently and accurately typed the Q576R polymorphism of human IL4 receptor from the genomic DNAs of 29 Koreans, including 9 samples whose genotype could not be discerned by the conventiona1 PCR-SSCP (single strand conformation polymorphism) method. Given the increasing attention to disease-associated polymorphisms in genomic research, this alternative technique will be very useful to identify SNPs in large-scale population studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.443-451
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• 2022

In this case, non-rheumatic GLA was observed and it was intended to report a case of ultrasound examination. The case patient, a 60-year-old male, visited the emergency room for dyspnea and palpitations. For radiology examination, chest X-ray examination and CT examination were performed, and a giant left atrium was confirmed. Echocardiography was performed to find the cause of the giant left atrium. Echocardiography The size and volume of the left atrium were evaluated by Simpson's method, and the giant left atrium with LVEDVI 6 times larger than that of the general giant left atrium could be evaluated. Also, a giant left atrium in a patient without rheumatic heart disease is evaluated as a very rare case. Since non-rheumatic giant left atrium could be caused by functional mitral regurgitation, diastolic dysfunction. It was confirmed that ultrasonography, which allowed both morphological and hemodynamic examinations, could be a useful case.