• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 1999

Background : Osteoporosis has been reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but this association is not well established. This study was undertaken to determine whether the prevalence of osteoporosis was increased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and we examined the relationship of corticosteroid administration with osteoporosis. Method: Subjects were 23 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 20 control patients. We reviewed hospital records and measured bone mineral density using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry(Lunar. USA). Results: Mean bone mineral density(BMD) of spine in COPD group was $0.683{\pm}0.154 g/cm^2$ and $0.971{\pm}0.212g/cm^2$ in controls(p<0.01). But there was no significant difference in femoral neck BMD. There were seventeen cases of osteoporosis and six cases of osteopenia in COPD group and three patients of osteoporosis and one case of osteopenia in controls. But, there was no significant correlation between disease duration of COPD and spinal T score(r=-0.395, p>0.05). Ten patients were received corticosteroid in COPD group. Spinal T score in steroid receiving patients were $-3.82{\pm}0.94(SD)$ and $-2.82{\pm}0.97(SD)$ in not having steroid patients(p<0.01). Cumulative dose of corticosteroid was associated with spinal T score(r=-0.424, p<0.05) and duration of corticosteroid administration also associated with spinal T score(r=-0.457. p<0.05). Spinal BMD of patients not having corticosteroid in COPD group(n=13) were significantly lower than that of controls($0.71{\pm}0.13 g/cm^2$ and $0.97{\pm}0.21 g/cm^2$, p<0.01). Conclusion : Prevalence of osteoporosis is increased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Especially patients who are receiving corticosteroid have high risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia and need for preventive management.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.475-481
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• 2006

Purpose : As the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus have become problems. High homocysteine levels and low vitamin $B_{12}$ supplementation are acknowledged to have a role in coronary artery disease, but there are few studies on homocysteine, insulin and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels in obese children. We aimed to study whether homocysteine, insulin, vitamin $B_{12}$, folic acid levels could have any difference and relation in obese children. Methods : The disease group consisted of 27 children from 8 to 11 years old, whose obesity index was over 130. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children of the same age group. Obesity index and body mass index were calculated by height and body weight of the children, and their systolic and diastolic blood pressures at resting state were checked. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, homocysteine, insulin, vitamin $B_{12}$, folic acid levels were studied after 10 hours of fasting. Intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, protein, mineral, muscle mass, lean body fat, fat mass and fat percentages were checked by bioelectrical impedance. Results : Homocysteine levels were higher in obese children($8.1{\pm}2.1{\mu}mol/mL$ vs. $4.9{\pm}1.0{\mu}mol/mL$). Insulin levels were also higher in obese children($26.8{\pm}11.2{\mu}IU/mL$ vs. $12.5{\pm}5.24{\mu}IUl/mL$). Vitamin $B_{12}$ was lower in obese children($798.6{\pm}174.3pg/mL$ vs. $967.8{\pm}405.0pg/mL$). But there was not a difference in the folic acid levels between the two groups. In obese children, systolic blood pressure (r=0.535), triglyceride(r=0.517), total cholesterol(r=0.408), folic acid(r=0.408), vitamin $B_{12}$(r=0.338) and abdomoanl fat %(r=0.306) had a positive correlation. Conclusion : We found definite differences of insulin, homocysteine, and vitamin $B_{12}$ plasma levels in obese children, but we need more study to use those parameters as risk factors of metabolic syndrome in pediatric obese patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2005

Purpose : There is growing use of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) for pediatric patients, but reports about the use and outcome of CRRT in children is rare in Korea. We report our experiences of CRRT in critically ill pediatric patients. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 23 pediatric patients who underwent CRRT at Asan Medical Center between May 2001 and May 2004. We evaluated underlying diseases, clinical features, treatment courses, CRRT modalities and outcomes. Results : Ages ranged from three days to 16 years with a median of five years. Patients weighed 2.4 to 63.9 kg(median 23.0 kg; 10 patients ${\leq}20kg$). The underlying diseases were malignancy(nine cases), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(five cases), hyperammonemia(four cases), acute renal failure associated with liver failure(three cases), dilated cardiomyopathy(one case) and congenital nephrotic syndrome(one case). Pediatric Risk of Mortality(PRISM) III score was $17.6{\pm}7.6$ and the mean number of failing organs was $3.0{\pm}1.7$. Duration of CRRT was one to 27 days(median : nine days). Eleven patients(47.8%) survived. Chronic renal failure developed in two cases, intracranial hemorrhage in one case, and chylothorax in one case among the survivors. PRISM III score and the number of vasopressor before the start of CRRT was significantly lower in the survivors($12.7{\pm}4.2$ and $0.9{\pm}1.1$) compared with nonsurvivors($22.1{\pm}7.8$ and $2.4{\pm}1.4$)(P<0.05). Conclusion : CRRT driven in venovenous mode is an effective and safe method of renal support for critically-ill infants and children to control fluid balance and metabolic derangement. Survival is affected by PRISM III score and the number of vasopressors at the initiation of CRRT.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.617-622
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• 2006

Purpose : High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) has been recognized as a very useful and sensitive predictor of the future risk of myocardial infarction. But the clinical significance of hs-CRP in children remains uncertain. To confirm the existence of obesity-induced vascular inflammation and the association between metabolic syndromes and elevation of CRP in children, we investigated the relationship among CRP, obesity, blood pressure(BP), and serum lipids in schoolboys. Methods : Twenty-eight obese(BMI $29.61{\pm}3.29kg/m^2$) and 93 non-obese(BMI $18.99{\pm}2.21kg/m^2$) boys aged 14 years were examined. Serum CRP levels was measured by the high sensitive latex turbidimetric immunoassay and subjects with CRP levels below 0.3 mg/dL were adopted to avoid the influence of acute infection. Results : Obese children had significantly higher hs-CRP levels than their non-obese group($0.104{\pm}0.075$ vs. $0.054{\pm}0.005mg/dL$). In the obese group, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, atherogenic index, and triglyceride were significantly higher than in nonobese. The BMI, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein E, atherognic index, and triglyceride showed positive correlation with log CRP by simple regression. Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. Conclusion : This study revealed that obese children tended to have higher levels of serum hsCRP, BP elevation and dyslipidemia than the control group and that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. These results indicate that obesity related metabolic syndrome can be developed in children.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Purpose: Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (VZIG) is available in Korea for post-exposure prophylaxis of the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in high-risk patients. In July 2013, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) recommended extending the time for administration of VariZIG$^{(R)}$ from within 96 hours up to 10 days after VZV exposure. This study was performed to analyze the effectiveness of VZIG prophylaxis between the two groups of patients who received VZIG within 96 hours and more than 96 hours of exposure to varicella. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in pediatric patients who received VZIG at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea from January 2001 to December 2012. Results: A total of 91 patients were identified. Fifty-seven patients were male (62.6%) and the median age was 5.91 years. Thirty-nine patients (42.9%) were exposed to VZV in the hospital. Underlying diseases were solid tumors (41.8%), hematologic malignancies (40.7%), and others (17.5%). Forty-five patients (49.5%) were hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Seventy-four patients (81.3%) received VZIG within 96 hours after VZV exposure. There was no significant difference in the development of chickenpox between the two groups (2.7% vs. 5.9%, P=0.4664). In 22 seronegative patients, we also observed no significant difference between the groups in terms of the development of chickenpox (6.6% vs. 0%, P=0.667). Conclusions: This study showed that the effectiveness of VZIG for the prevention of chickenpox was comparable between patients who received VZIG within 96 hours and those who received VZIG more than 96 hours after exposure to VZV.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.131-137
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• 2000

The release of hazardous waste materials into the environment poses serious risks in humans and ecosystems. The risk assessment of environmental pollutants including hazardous chemicals requires a comprehensive measurement of hazard and exposure of the chemicals that can be achieved by toxicity evaluation using a biological system such as biomarkers. In this report we have tried to develop a biomarker used to elucidate a molecular basis of, and to monitor abnormal behaviors caused by diazinon in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model organism. First, an attempt was made to clone tyrosine hydroxylase gene from Japanese medaka that would be a candidate for a biomarker for neuronal modulations and behaviors. For monitoring experiments at behavioral and molecular biological levels, the fish were treated under different sublethal conditions of diazinon and their behavioral responses were observed . In this study we have successfully cloned a partial TH gene from the medaka fish through PCR screening of an ovary cDNA library. DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the amplified fragment was 327 bp encoding 109 amino acids. Comparing the DNA sequence of medaka TH with other species, TH gene revealed the DNA sequence was completely identical to that of rat TH. In the RT-PCR, 330 Up of mRNA was consistently amplified in all the treated samples including control There were no significant differences in the TH expression level regardless of treating concentrations (1∼5,000 ppb) and time (0∼48 hr) The reason appeared to be that RT-PCR was not performed using through a quantitative analysis normalized against an actin gene expression. Organ or tissue - specific detection of TH activity and mRNA as biomarkers will be a useful monitoring tool for neurobehavioral changes in fish influenced by toxic chemicals. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of locomotive patterns and its correlation with the neurochemical and molecular data would be highly useful in measuring toxicity and hazard ofvarious environmental pollutants.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.319-332
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• 2016

Alien turtles belonging to Genus Trachemys have been designated as Invasive Alien Species since 2001 and their import has been banned in Korea. However, current status of import and distribution of the other alien turtles have not been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the taxa of alien turtles introduced into Korea, to assess their potential risks to the natural ecosystems and to suggest the future management directions of them in Korea. We identified 73 species of alien turtles belonging to 9 families. Since 2008, more than 6,000 kg of turtles have been imported annually and widely distributed through the pet shops, traditional markets and individual transactions. From the survey of natural habitats, we found that 8 species belonging to 3 families including Chrysemys picta, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, P. peninsularis, P. rubriventris, Mauremys sinensis, Macrochelys temminckii and Trachemys scripta have inhabited in 12 study sites. Out of 73 alien turtles, the potential adverse impacts of 13 species to ecosystems are serious when we considered status of designation of invasive alien species in other countries. For the management of alien turtles, it is required to register alien turtles in the import list and share general information such as import purpose, distribution and management condition among relevant authorities. The breeders and distributors must be obliged to identify turtles and to record management. The government must check transfer and migration of turtles periodically to prevent their introduction and spread into natural environments. The change of alien turtle populations in natural habitats should be monitored and their management plan should be developed to control the alien turtles in areas where the impacts are significant.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the fruit quality characteristics and incidence of flesh browning in response to air storage at $0{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ a fter controlled atmosphere s torage (CA condition: $O_2$ $2.5{\pm}0.5$%, $CO_2$ $1.5{\pm}0.5$%) at $0{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ in 'Fuji' apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). The storage system was performed as followed: air storage for one month, CA storage 4 months + air storage 3 months ( CA 4M + A ir 3M), CA storage 5 m onths + air storage 2 months ( CA 5M + Air 2M) a nd C A storage 6 m onths + air storage 1months (CA 6M + Air 1M), while the control fruits were stored at CA storage for 8 months right after harvest. The incidence of flesh browning ranged from 17.1% to 30.2% during CA storage but not detected under the treatments of CA 4M + Air 3M and CA 5M + Air 2M. The respiration rate was not affected by storage treatments for 6M while the respiration rate was lower in the treatments of CA 4M + Air 3M and CA 5M + Air 2M than the other storage treatments after 7 months. Ethylene production and internal ethylene concentration were lowest in rapid CA storage and increased with a decreasing CA storage duration. Therefore, the results indicate that CA 5M + Air 2M storage treatment should be recommended to maintain the fruit quality and reduce the risk development of flesh browning rather than typical CA storage in 'Fuji' apples.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2001

This study was attempted to investigate the discriminant validity of Korean version of Eating Attitude Test-26(KEAT-26) and to provide the sensitivity, specificity and efficiency according to cutting score, which may be useful to determine the optimal cutoff point on various purposes. The KEAT-26 was administered to 108 female patients with eating disorders, 179 female participants in body slimming center, 120 female athletic college students, 227 female college students, and 183 healthy normal women. Validity was tested by ANOVA and ROC curve analysis. The results revealed that the total score of the KEAT-26 showed a statistically significance between groups and that the score of the KEAT-26 of eating disorders group was significantly higher than that of the other groups in post hoc test. In comparison of the 4 subfactor score of the KEAT-26 between groups, significant differences in main effect within groups were found in all subfactors except factor IV. ROC curve analysis showed 80% of efficiency to discriminate eating disorders group from normal control group using cutoff score on maximum discriminant efficiency and 69% of efficiency to discriminate eating disorders group from high risk groups for eating disorders. Each cutoff score on maximum in efficiency was as follows ; 25 between eating disorders group and participants in body slimming center, 19 between eating disorders group and healthy normal woman, 23 between eating disorders group and athletic college students, 21 between eating disorders group and college students. Using 22(T score 65) of the KEAT-26 as the cutoff score, sensitivity was 54%, specificity was 84%, and overall efficiency was 80%. These results indicate that the KEAT-26 has a good discriminant validity in Korean population and also suggest that the KEAT-26 may be useful assessment tool to screen the disordered eating problems on clinical and epidemiological purposes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia who had presented similar clinical patterns from March to June, 2006 and to describe our experience of treatment and to identify risk factors associated with prognosis. Methods : The clinical characteristics, radiologic and histopathologic findings and response to steroids of 15 patients (non-survival group [n=7] and survival group [control, n=8]) with acute interstitial pneumonia were investigated through the review of medical records. Results : The mean age of the patients was 26 (range: 3-48) months. Cough, cyanosis and fever were frequent symptoms. The most frequent radiologic findings on admission were pneumomediastium and extensive ground glass opacity. Surgical lung biopsy was performed on 8/15 (53.3%) patients and diffuse alveolar damage was found. Mechanical ventilation was applied for 9/15 (60.0%) patients for 40 (range: 1-99) days. Five patients in survival group received steroid treatment and 7 patients in non-survivial group (P=0.20). One patient in survival group received steroid pulse treatment and 4 patients in non-survival group (P=0.12). Seven patients died all of respiratory failure. The survival rate was 53.4%. Conclusion : The patients with acute interstitial pneumonia which occurred on spring 2006 showed high mortality because of rapidly and extensively progressing pulmonary fibrosis and air leakage. Therefore, we should consider surgical lung biopsy and steroid application earlier. We should recognize this acute interstitial pneumonia occurring on spring in domestics and need to investigate the cause and treatment in large scale.