• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2008

Purpose: The most concerning issue in children with urinary tract infection(UTI) is the probability of underlying genitourinary anomalies and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is frequently associated with renal scarring and eventually end-stage renal disease. Therefore, voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is usually recommended at the earliest convenient time for children with UTI. However, VCUG is an invasive procedure that requires catheterization and exposure to X-ray. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictability of clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters for VUR in children with UTI. Methods: Data of children with bacteriologically proven UTI who underwent VCUG were evaluated retrospectively for clinical(age, gender, fever), laboratory(leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine) and imaging(renal ultrasound and DMSA renal scan) findings. First, children with UTI were divided into two groups according to the presence of VUR as non-VUR group and with VUR group, and clinical, laboratory variables were compared between these groups. Second, patients who had VUR were reclassified as low-grade VUR(grade I-II) group and high-grade(grade III-V) VUR group according to grading of VUR, and clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were compared between these groups. Results: Among 410 children with UTI, 137 had VUR and 78 high-grade VUR. Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP, pyuria were associated with VUR. In addition, abnormal findings of ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan were closely related to VUR. However, these clinical and laboratory variable in patients with high grade VUR were not different significantly, compared to those with low-grade VUR group. Conclusion: Fever, leukocytosis, ESR, CRP seems to be potentially useful predictors of VUR in pediatric patients with UTI. In addition, renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan findings supported the presence of VUR. Further study of these findings could limit unnecessary VCUG in patients with UTI.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2008

This study was performed to identify association between nutritional status and health risks of the elderly. This was a cross-sectional study involving low income elderly women in Gwangju, Korea (${\geq}$65y, n = 92). Socio-demographics, life style characteristics, health conditions, dietary intakes based on 24h-recall method, anthropometric measures, and clinical biochemistry parameters were examined. Anthropometric and clinical parameters included wt, ht, waist, hip, body protein, body fat, abdominal fat, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fasting blood glucose, ferritin, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, CRP, TAS, TBARS, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The subjects were divided into three groups based on age (65-74y, 75-84y, 85y${\leq}$) and were divided into two groups according to the sum of the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist score (adequate nutritional status, NSI score ${\leq}$3; at risk of malnutrition, NSI score >3). Mean and frequency of variables were estimated. Analysis of Variance, Tukey test, Chi-square test, and Multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Mean BMI and body fat were 25.1 $kg/m^2$ and 40.0%, respectively. However, for over 80% of subjects, the intakes of energy, fiber, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, Ca, K, and Zn were less than the Korean DRI (EAR or AI). The subjects who had lower NSI score tended to have better health status, eat meals frequently, have less depression, and exercise regularly. The subjects who had higher NSI score tended to have tooth problems, to eat alone most of time, and to be physically unable to cook or feed. Serum IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were significantly related with nutritional status which suggested higher tendency of inflammatory response. Serum IL-2, TAS, and glucose were significantly correlated with body fat (%) or abdominal fat (%). These results suggest that improving the nutritional status, increasing regular exercise, maintaining normal weight are beneficial to health care of low income elderly women.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.101-119
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• 2004

Objectives: In order to estimate risk factors affecting the health of vinylhouse workers and harmful environments in vinylhouse working. Methods: The investigator performed questionnaires and laboratory examinations on 102 vinylhouse workers and 69 farmers in 7 myoens (Korean subcounties). one eup (a Korean town), Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do between April 8 and 18, 2004 (for 11 days), and measured the heavy metal in the air and the soil, temperature, humidity, air current, harmful gases in vinylhouses. Results: Even in cloudy days, the temperature in vinylhouses in daylight was $33.4^{\circ}$ and the temperature difference between inside and outside vinylhouses was around $16^{\circ}$. Oxygen concentration was similar inside and outside vinylhouses, while carbon dioxide concentration was lower inside than outside vinylhouses. Carbon monoxide was not detected. In the air inside vinylhouses, cadmium was not detected. Lean concentration in the soil was lower inside vinylhouses than outside vinylhouses at surface, while cadmium concentration was similar inside and outside vinylhouses in the soil except some areas. Out of male vinylhouse workers. 16.4---- were positive farmer's syndrome and 49.2---- were suspicious, while out of females, 41.5---- were positive and 46.3---- were suspicious. Out of male farmers, 30.4---- were positive farmer's syndrome, while out of female farmers, 60.0---- were positive and 28.3---- were suspicious. There was no difference between vinylhouse workers and farmers in the distribution of hypertension and abnormal liver function, while diabetes mellitus was more common in farmers than in vinylhouse workers. Vinylhouse working, sex, and hours of farming per day were selected as significant variables affecting farmer's syndrome in this study, and the rate of positive farmer's syndrome was rather lower in vinylhouse workers than in farmers. Females were higher than males in the rate, and those who farmed at least 10 hours per day were higher in the rate than those who farmed less than 10 hours per day. Out of the vinylhouse workers, no differences were found between the distribution of farmer's syndrome and farming-related variables such as the total period of farming, the size of farm land, the mean farming hours per day, the number of family members who farm together, the frequency of scattering agricultural chemicals. In addition, there were no differences between the distribution and the wearing masks and protectors and personal sanitation among those who scattered agricultural chemicals by themselves. There were no differences found in blood lean concentration, urinary cadmium concentration, serum cholinesterase, and hemoglobin according to the distribution of farmer's syndrome. In the vinylhouse workers, females were higher than males in the rate of farmer's syndrome, and those who farmed at least 10 hours per day were higher in the rate than those who farmed less than 10 hours per day. Meanwhile, the rate was lower in those who slept at least 8 hours a day than in those who slept less than 8 hours. Conclusions: In conclusion, the physical environments inside vinylhouses were harmful, but no significant difference was found in harmfulness of the chemical environments. The chronic diseases such as farmer's syndrome. hypertension, diabetes, and dyshepatia were not common in the vinylhouse workers than in the farmers. Meanwhile, farmer's syndrome was more common in the vinylhouse workers who worked longer and slept less.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2008

Background: Residual pleural thickening (RPT) is the most frequent complication of tuberculous pleurisy (TP), and this can happen despite of administering adequate anti-tuberculous (TB) therapy. Yet there was no definite relation between RPT and other variables. The aim of this study was to examine matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and to identify the factors that can predict the occurrence of RPT. Methods: The patients with newly-detected pleural effusions were prospectively enrolled in this study from January 2004 to June 2005. The levels of MMP-1, -2, -8 and -9, and TIMP-1 and -2 were determined in the serum and pleural fluid by ELISA. The residual pleural thickness was measured at the completion of treatment and at the point of the final follow-up with the chest X-ray films. Results: The study included 39 patients with pleural fluid (PF). Twenty-three had tuberculous effusion, 7 had parapneumonic effusion, 7 had malignant effusion and 2 had transudates. For the 17 patients who completed the anti-TB treatment among the 23 patients with TP, 7 (41%) had RPT and 10 (59%) did not. The level of PF TIMP-1 in the patients with RPT ($41,405.9{\pm}9,737.3ng/mL$) was significantly higher than that of those patients without RPT ($29,134.9{\pm}8,801.8$) at the completion of treatment (p=0.032). In 13 patients who were followed-up until a mean of $8{\pm}5$ months after treatment, 2 (15%) had RPT and 11 (85%) did not. The level of PF TIMP-2 in the patients with RPT ($34.4{\pm}6.5ng/mL$) was lower than that of those patients without RPT ($44.4{\pm}15.5$) at the point of the final follow-up (p=0.038). Conclusion: The residual pleural thickening in TP might be related to the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels in the pleural fluid.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.93-106
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• 1997

By the increase of the rate of existence of the hemodialyzing patients, they were required the long run treatment. Regardless of medical insurance expansion, hemodialyzing cost much expenses so that hospital has been considering the reuse of hemodialyzer and flowing euqipments along with the diverse study and progress of the ways of hemodialyzing and medical instruments. This study was aimed to provide the basic materials regarding the reuse of hemodialyzer which is used for the patients of chronic renal disease. The reusing program in the artificial kidney center of K hospital has been used for this study from 50 patients aften one year result from Sep. 1995 through Aug. 1996. Automatic equipment of DRS-4 made by Seratronic Co., was used as the equipment and it was retreated with the function test simultaneously. Compliaction and confirmation of the infection were by the records of the hemodialysis of the patients. SPSS was used for the analysis of the materials by computerization. The character of the patients and the rate of removal was by mistake and percentage, function test and rate of complication by Ftest(ANOVA) and the rate of complication per items by ${\chi}^2$ and Ftest. As the post test the Duncan's test was used for the statistically significant different variables in the standard of p<.05 after Ftest. The followings are the summary of the result : 1) In the function test of the new hemodialyzer and the reused one, and in all of CA110 and CF15.11, the dialyzer ultrafiltration coeffient(KUf) was appeared to have been higher in the reusing groups than the first use ones. This has been the normal limit showing no troubles with them. 2) In the function test of the new and reused hemodialyzer, in all of CA110 and CF15.11, the total blood volume was appeared to have been the less value in the reuse groups than the new ones. This was the price within 80% of the first price that both showed possible for use. 3) The result of reuse hemodialyzer of CA110 was $29.48{\pm}7.83$ in average in the test of leak test while $17.3{\pm}7.96$ in reuse of CF15.11. The normal limit of <60 was the leak test result. So both of the hemodialyzer was normal for reuse. 4) The rate of removal of Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN) was 72.25% in CA110 hemodialyzer by reusing 16-20 times as the highest rate showing the better result in the reuse hemodialyzer, while in CF15.11 hemodialyzer showed 71.16% by highest rate in the first use by the highest rate with no difference from the reuse. 5) The rate of removal of serum creatinine of CA110 was 64.08% by highest rate in reuse of 1-5 times by showing better result in reuse hemodialyzer. While in CF15.11 66.47% the highest by reuse of 16-20 times showing no difference from each other. 6) No patients were admitted or precribed by antibiotics in relation with reuse dialyzer and no reports were shown about hepatitis $B{\cdot}C$. AIDS in fection. 7) Of the total 248 episods of complication due to the hemodialyzing, 86 by first use, 73 by 1-5 times, 35 by 6-10 times, 35 by 11-15 times and 19 by 16-20 times have been shown which have had no significant difference between the groups. 8) In the comparison of the expense for the hemodialyzer, there was the effect of saving 11,597.6 Won between the first and reuse hemodialyzer. And by decreasing the extracted materials, they did the great role of disposing the waste matters.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2008

Purpose : This study determined the prenatal and postnatal factors associated with complications and prognosis in premature infants with leukemoid reaction. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of premature infants with gestational ages <37 weeks and low birth weights (<2,500 g) who were admitted immediately after birth to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital between June 2005 and July 2006. A leukemoid reaction was defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >30,000/$mm^3$. The infants who had leukemoid reaction comprised the study group, while the remainder of infants made up the control group. The relationships between maternal and neonatal variables and ANC were studied. Results : Leukemoid reaction was detected in 3.1% of the study infants (8 of 252). Factors more frequently associated with infants with leukemoid reaction were as follows: maternal chorioamnionitis, high levels of maternal and infant C-reactive protein, gestational age <37 weeks, birth weight <2,500 g, low Apgar score, prolonged ventilator support, and a high incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, there were no significant differences with respect to the antenatal usage of steroids, the incidences of patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusion : Leukemoid reaction in premature infants was associated with chorioamnionitis and high levels of serum C-reactive protein in mothers and infants, and BPD in infants. These findings suggest that leukemoid reaction is secondary to inflammation caused by infection.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.131-145
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• 2003

This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the degree of cigarette smoking and drinking among working men, and then to investigate the effects on blood pressure, various hematological indices and blood chemistry. The sample consisted of 2,287 male workers who had undertaken a general health check-up during the two-year period from January, 2000 to December, 2001. Such factors as blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profiles, and liver function tests were determined and then analyzed with respect to the subjects smoking and/or drinking status. The major findings from this study are: 1. The drinking and smoking status have shown that 52.7% of participants were in the habit of both drinking and smoking while 11.6% were not associated with either. On the other hand 25.4% were involved only in drinking and 10.2% only in smoking. In the group smoking over 21 cigarettes per day over 30, the age group occupied the largest proportion at 20.1%. 2. Regarding the relationship between smoking and/or drinking status, and blood pressure, hematology and blood chemistry, the smoking and/or drinking group had significantly higher levels of blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, Hb & Hct, TG, LDL-C, SGOT, and ${\gamma}$-GTP, than the non-smoking and/or non-drinking group. But HDL-C was significantly lower in the smoking group and significantly higher in the drinking group than the non-smoking/non-drinking group. 3. Regarding amount smoked, a larger number of cigarettes per day was significantly associated with the higher levels of blood pressure, systolic and diatolic, TG, TC, LDL-C, Hb, Hct, and ${\gamma}$-GTP. As for the amount druck, an increasing amount of alcohol intake was associated with rising levels of blood pressure, systolic and diatolic, TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Hb, SGOT, and ${\gamma}$-GTP. 4. Regarding the correlation among all the variables stated above, the smoking and drinking amount was shown to be in the positive correlation with blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, TG, TC, Hb, and ${\gamma}$-GTP. On the contrary, LDL-C and HDL-C was in a positive correlation only with the amount drunk amount, and Hct only with the amount smoked. 5. As with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the odds ratio of the smoking group was 2.35 and 2.58 compared to the non-smoking/drinking group. whereas it was 1.47 and 1.75 in the smoking/drinking group. Concerning serum lipids, the smoking/drinking group had 1.97 times the levels of TG in the non-smoking/non-drinking group, though the smoking group had 1.55 times the levels of HDL-C in the non-smoking/non-drinking group. As with liver function test results, the drinking group had 2.50 times and the smoking/drinking group had 4.41 times the levels of ${\gamma}$-GTP in the non-smoking/drinking group. respectively. The above results revealed that smoking and alcohol intake were effected the results of blood pressure and laboratory tests. Specifically, not only the smoking/drinking group but also those only smoking or only drinking were not as desirable as the non-smoking and non-drinking group to the results of blood pressure and laboratory tests.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.1436-1447
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• 2020

Purpose To investigate the clinical and CT features at admission to predict the progression to necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) in patients initially diagnosed with interstitial edematous pancreatitis (IEP). Materials and Methods Patients with IEP who underwent contrast-enhanced CT at admission and follow-up CT (< 14 days) were included (n = 178). Two radiologists performed a consensus review of follow-up CT scans and diagnosed the type of acute pancreatitis as IEP or NP. Laboratory findings at admission were recorded. Clinical, CT, and laboratory findings were compared between the IEP-IEP group and IEP-NP group using the chi-square test and the t-test. Multivariate analysis was also performed. Results There were 112 and 66 patients in the IEP-IEP and the IEP-NP groups, respectively. The proportion of patients with alcohol etiology was significantly larger in the IEP-NP group. Among the CT findings, the presence of peripancreatic fluid and heterogeneous parenchymal enhancement were more frequently observed in the IEP-NP group. Among the laboratory variables, serum C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts were significantly higher in the IEP-NP group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of peripancreatic fluid and heterogeneous parenchymal enhancement were significant findings distinguishing the two groups. Conclusion CT findings, such as the presence of peripancreatic fluid and heterogeneous pancreatic parenchymal enhancement, may be helpful in predicting the progression to NP in patients initially diagnosed with IEP.