• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 2018

Objectives: Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is a specific biomarker that rises after bacterial infection, and levels of PCT are known to correlate with the severity and mortality of patients with pneumonia and sepsis. However, the usefulness of PCT levels in acute pyelonephritis is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using the PCT level as a predictive test for bacteremia in acute pyelonephritis. Methods: Between January 2012 and June 2013, 140 patients diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis were admitted to Haeundae Paik Hospital. Serum PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) levels at pre- and post- treatment were measured. Blood and urine cultures were obtained from all patients. The levels of PCT, CRP, and WBCs were each compared between the blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative groups to assess their effectiveness in predicting bacteremia. Results: Pre-treatment PCT level was 0.77 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.42-1.60 ng/mL) in the blood culture-negative group and 4.89 ng/mL (95% CI: 2.88-9.04 ng/mL) in the blood culture-positive group, and the increase between the two groups was statistically significant. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PCT level for prediction of bacteremia was 0.728. A cut-off value of 1.23 ng/mL indicated a sensitivity of 79.0 % and specificity of 60.0 % for PCT level. Conclusions: Serum PCT level is a useful predictive test for bacteremia in acute pyelonephritis. Through the early detection of bacteremia, serum PCT level can help estimate the prognosis and predict complications such as sepsis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1107-1115
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• 2005

Purpose : An outbreak of ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei enteritis was unprecedented not only in Korea but throughout the world in the past. We intended to devise a management guideline for ESBL-producing shigellosis based on analysis of clinical manifestations and response to therapy. Methods : We analyzed 103 patients who were admitted to the hospital with acute GI symptoms and were shown positive result for S. sonnei on stool culture. We performed sensitivity test to the antibiotics and DNA sequencing of ESBL gene in the isolated S. sonnei colonies. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed their clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and clinical and microbiological responses to the antibiotics. Results : Among the clinical manifestations, fever was the most frequent(96.1%), followed by diarrhea(93.2%), abdominal pain(76.7%), headache(71.8%), vomiting(65.0%), and nausea(41.7%). The fever was sustained for average of 2.0 days and diarrhea for 3.9 days. Watery diarrhea was the most common(69%) followed by mucoid(26%), and bloody stool(5%). On peripheral blood smear, leukocytosis was noted in 53.4% of patients, and 78.6% of patients tested positive for serum CRP response. On stool direct smear, 11.7% of patients showed more than 50 WBCs/HPF, and 9.7% of patients between 5 to 20 WBCs/HPF. Stool occult blood was positive in 71% of patients. Production of CTX-M-14 type ESBL was reported for all S. sonnei strains isolated from this outbreak. Microbiological eradication rates to various antibiotics were as follows : 100%(9/9) to ciprofloxacin, 100% 5/5) to azithromycin, 6.9%(5/72) to cefdinir, 0%(0/8) to ceftriaxone, 12.5%(1/8) to ceftizoxime, 0%(0/ 8) to TMP/SMX, 42.9%(3/7) to ampicillin/sulbactam, 20%(1/5) to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and 68.8 %(11/16) to imipenem/cilastatin. Conclusion : It is presumed that azithromycin can be an attractive option for the treatment of ESBL-producing S. sonnei enteritis in pediatric population, given its cost-effectiveness and safety. Although ciprofloxacin is another cost-effective agent, its use in pediatric population may be a bit too premature.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

Whole body counters (WBCs) are used to monitor radiation workers for internal contamination of radionuclides at domestic nuclear power plants (NPPs). A WBC is a scintillation detector using sodium iodide (NaI) and provides the identification of inhaled radionuclide and the measurement of its internal radioactivity in a short time. However, it is often possible to estimate external contamination as internal contamination due to radionuclides attached to the skin of radiation workers and this leads to an excessively conservative estimation of radioactive contamination. In this study, several experiments using a WBC and the Korean humanoid phantom were performed to suggest the more systematic method of discrimination between external and internal contamination. Furthermore, a WBC geometry experiment was conducted to suggest the optimal WBC geometry in consideration of deposited areas inside the body for dominant radionuclides at NPPs. The procedure of measurement and estimation of internal radioactivity for radiation workers at NPPs was improved on the basis of experimental results. Thus, it is expected to prevent from estimating internal exposure dose conservatively owing to the application of accurate whole body counting program to NPPs.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.579-584
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• 2013

The stable fueling and water supply should be prerequisites to guarantee the operational sustainment of military command post. Meanwhile, in terms of the operational sustainment, it is verified that the current wave-guided below cutoff (WBC) system cannot satisfy the requirement of control associated with water supply and fueling within the command post. In this study, as the dielectric substance can block electromagnetic pulse (EMP), it was tried to identify the shielding effectiveness of the multi WBCs filled with water and diesel for attenuating the EMP effect using experiment based on the MIL STD 188-125-1. According to the experimental results, used water in the experiment show the shielding effectiveness from around 640 MHz frequency because of minerals contained in the water. Furthermore, it was noted that EMP attenuating strength of the WBC filled with diesel was enlarged from around 1,680 MHz frequency. Resultingly, it could be concluded that it is enough to supply stable water and diesel through the multi WBC to block EMP within the military command post for guaranteeing the military operations sustainment.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.908-918
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• 2007

To prepare ready-to-use rice flour as de novo material for processed rice foods, glutinous(W) and normal rice grains (N) were soaked for 1, 8, and 12 hours prior to processing. One half (DG) was air-dried and milled, and the other (WG) was milled and air-dried. General, morphological and pasting properties of the flours (NDG, NWG, WDG, WWG) were compared to those of a control (raw milled rice without soaking). The general compositions of the rice flours varied with soaking. Crude ash was considerably decreased at the beginning of soaking (1 hour). With the soaking, the rice flour, having polygonal shaped particles and a layered surface, acquired particles with smooth edges, which were then uniformly distributed. Additionally, the WG flour was lighter and had a lower ${\Delta}E$ value than the DG flour, due to a higher L and less +b as a result of soaking. Compared to the control, the WBC of the normal rice flour was decreased significantly with soaking, and the WG flour had significantly lower WBCs than the DG flour. Stirring number (SN), an indicator of ${\alpha}-amylase$ activity, was highly and significantly correlated with WBC (r=-0.85, p=0.0001) in the normal rice flour. At $80^{\circ}C$, the SP and solubility of all the soaked rice flours were much higher than those of the control. Positive (r=+0.85, p=0.0001) and negative (r=-0.61, p=0.02) correlations between the SP and solubility of the normal and glutinous rice flours were found, respectively. Using RVA, the pasting temperature of NDG was lower than that of NWG (p<0.0001). The peak viscosities of all the soaked flours were significantly decreased with soaking (p<0.0l), with the highest viscosity in the normal rice flour soaked for 8 hrs. Total setback, indicative of retrogradation, was lower in NDG than in NWG, with the lowest setback at 8 hrs of' soaking. Based on these finding, the NDG flour with 8 hrs of soaking was less damaged, and had a lower total setback and lower pasting temperature, which would make it an appropriate rice flour for commercial mass production.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5057-5061
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• 2012

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is one of the most important causes of anemia in cancer patients. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence and characteristics of CIA in solid cancer patients in the Chinese population, and to explore the relationship of white blood cell (WBC) or platelet decrease with CIA. Methods: Data on age, gender, tumor diagnosis, anti-cancer treatment and blood cell analyses were available from 220 untreated non-anemic cancer patients who received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy, and the data were analyzed to assess their relationship with CIA or its severity. Results: 139 patients (63.2%) presented anemia, most being Grade 1 or 2. Esophageal and lung cancers were associated with a high prevalence. G3/4 leucopenia and decrease of platelets were identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of CIA. Moreover, G3/4 leucopenia, decrease of platelet and G3/4 thrombocytopenia were found to be also associated with the severity of CIA. Cisplatin-containing regimens were a main potential factor in causing CIA, although significant association was only found on univariate analysis. Conclusion: Anemia or decrease in hematoglobin are common in Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Cisplatin-containing regimens might be an important factor influencing the occurrence of CIA. Our analysis firstly described some risk factors, such as decrease of platelets or WBCs, severity of leucopenia or thrombocytopenia, associated with the occurrence and severity of CIA.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 1997

Bed rest is recommended to prevent postlumbar puncture headaches(PLPHA), but the period of bed rest varies in the literature from 6 hours to 24 hours. In clinical practice the period of bed rest varies but nursing methods for adults and children have little difference. In Seoul National University Hospital, children have been given at least 6 hours bed rest after a lumbar puncture. Pediatric oncology patients require a lumbar puncture for an initial diagnosis, follow up treatment or administration of chemotherapeutic agent. But it is difficult for young children to lie supine or to refrain from their usual activities in any way, and unpleasant problems related to a shortage of beds often occurs during discharge or in an outpatient setting. The purpose of this study is to substantiate the preventive effect of PLPHA by the period of bed rest, to identify the other factors that influence PLPHA, and to use the nursing methods proper to children. The subjects were 65 children, ages 1-17, undergoing treatment in the children's cancer center at SNUCH during the period June 1, 1995, to Aug. 31, 1995. The team nurses asked questions about PLPHA of the parents and children in order to fill out a questionnaire. The data were evaluated by percent, t-test, Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Result; 1. There was no significant difference relating the bed rest time spent to the occurrence of postspinal headaches (t-test). 2. There was a significant risk of PLPHA in the children who were irritable before procedure and/or had experienced previous PLPHA(p<0.05, ${x^2}-test$). 3. The following factors were not found to be associated with increased risk of PLPHA: previous puncture experience, giving analgesics, the choice of puncturist, inpatient/outpatient status, gauge of needle, purpose, the amount of CSF removed, gender, diagnosis, the number of peripheral WBCs, previous lumbago experience after LP, position after bed rest, age, the number of aural puncture at the time. A longer period of bed rest is unlikely to be more effective to prevent PLPHA and seems impractical. A shorter period will save time and effort. Perhaps it will also allay some of the fears which surround LP. So 1 hour bed rest after LP is suggested and nursing methods for emotional support should be investigated to reduce PLPH.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

BVDV causes significant infections in ruminants, resulting in reproductive disorders, diarrhea, reduced milk production and enormous damage to farms. In particular, identification and culling of persistent infectious calf is an important task to eliminate infectious nidus in cattle households. However, studies on physiological characteristics of PI bull are still insufficient to understand reproductive effects of BVDV. In this study, one PI bull was confirmed in herd and complete blood analysis was performed. The lymphocyte count of PI at age 4 was below the normal range and the number of WBCs was also in the lower level of normal range in blood. The sperm number produced by PI male becomes lower and the viability of fresh sperm comes to poor with ages (P<0.05). The sperm abnormality was also increased, especially in nuclear vacuoles of head and droplets of midpeace (P<0.05). The PI male becomes infertile due to poor semen quality at age 4. With these results, we concluded that BVDV in PI bull cause decreased sperm cell and abnormality in semen so causes infertility. However, it appears that BVDV could not be transmitted by indirect contact of PI bull, because there was no evidence of BVDV infection in the herd, when regular vaccination program was applied.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2004

The radioprotective effects of Melatonin and Ge-132 on acute hematopoietic injury was investigated in mice exposed to an acute whole-body radiation dose of 8 Gy. Melatonin was administered intraperitoneally 1 hour before irradiation at a dose of 200 mg/kg, and Ge-132 was administered orally from days 5 to 20 after irradiation at a dose 130 - 150 mg/kg/d. The radioprotective effects were evaluated for spleen using TUNEL assay, and in peripheral blood by counting lymphocyte & WBC. The 4 experimental groups (irradiation-only, melatonin pretreatment, Ge-132 posttreatment, and melatonin pretreatment plus Ge-132 posttreatment) were observed for survival analysis up to 30 days following irradiation. The apoptotic index (47.8% vs 45.9%, p=0.385), and the number of lymphocytes ($97/{\mu}{\ell}\;vs\;101/{\mu}{\ell}$, p=0.898) were not significantly different between the irradiation-only and the melatonin pretreatment group, But the number of WBCs ($147/{\mu}{\ell}\;vs\;306/{\mu}{\ell}$, p=0.010) was higher in the melatonin pretreatment group. The irradiation-only, melatonin, Ge-132, and melatonin plus Ge-132 treatments resulted in survival rate at 30 days of 21.4%, 100%, 35.7%, and 85.7%, respectively. The melatonin pretreatment group in survival analysis between groups was showed significantly higher survival than the irradiation-only(p=0.000), or Ge-132 posttreatment group(p=0.0003). These results indicate that the melatonin may have a potential as an effective radioprotector on acute hematopoietic syndrome following radiation exposure.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.75-79
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• 2018

Background: Urine culture is one of the most frequently requested tests in microbiology. Automated urine analyzers yield much infection-related information. The Sysmex UF-5000 analyzer (Sysmex, Japan) is a new flow cytometry urine analyzer capable of quantifying urinary particles, including bacteria, WBCs, and yeast-like cells (YLCs) and can provide a Gram stainability flag. In this work, we evaluated how many unnecessary urine cultures could be screened out using the UF-5000. Methods: We compared the culture results of 126 urine samples among 453 requested urine cultures (from sources other than the Urology and Nephrology departments) with urinalysis results. Urine cultures were considered positive if bacterial or YLC growth was ${\geq}10^4CFUs/mL$. Results: We used urinalysis cut-off values of $50/{\mu}L$ and $100/{\mu}L$ for bacteria and YLC, respectively. Forty eight of the 126 (38.1%, or 10.6% of 453 requested) cultures were below these cut-off values and did not contain any culture-positive samples. Conclusion: Bacteria and YLC counts generated using the UF-5000 analyzer could be used to screen out negative cultures and reduce urine culture volume by ~10% without sacrificing detection of positive cultures.