• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.111-125
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• 2001

An estuary is semi-inclosed inlets, located between terrestrial and marine environment. Since many estuaries along south-western coasts of Korean peninsula were affected by human settlements and activities, significant changes in sedimentation environments have been observed. The research area is divided into three distinct morpho-stratigraphic units: fluvial dominated area(Area1), mixed area(Area 2), tide-dominated area(Area3). The landform of this area has been changed by reclamation and river channel change. Temporal variations affected by dam construction, periodic freshet was iterrupted. Sediments began to continuously accmulate on estuary banks by tide. Meanwhile, because of the continuous but reduced discharge of fresh water, the salinity of estuarine sediments was declined. That processes made vegetated area( Phregmites lonivalvis and Suaeda japonica) to be expanded. It indicates that the magnitude and frequency of geomorphic processes has been significantly changed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1611-1618
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eriobotrya japonica and Saurus chinensis extracts and their fermented extracts on immune parameters in BALB/c mice treated with 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The groups were Eriobotrya japonica extract (BI), Saurus chinensis extract (SA), mixture with E. japonica extract and S. chinensis extract (FB) and fermented mixture with E. japonica extract and S. chinensis extract (FA) and distilled water treated control. The level of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E was decreased in FA compared to control group, but significant difference was not observed (p<0.05). The histamine and contents in FA and control group were $1.47{\pm}0.20$ ng/mL and $1.90{\pm}0.04$ ng/mL, respectively (p<0.05). Ceramide contents were significantly increased in FA compared to BI, SA, FB and control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that FA supplementation in the DNCB treated BALB/c mice affect anti-allergic activities positively, and may be used as functional material for suppression of atopy dermatitis in food industry.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.930-937
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• 2009

Purpose : We evaluated the effectiveness of treatment and cardiac complications of replacing a high dose of aspirin with a high dose of ibuprofen for children in acute phase of Kawasaki disease. We also analyzed the possibility of replacing a high dose of aspirin with a high dose of ibuprofen to prevent complications such as Reye󰡑s syndrome caused by aspirin. Methods : One hundred eight children with Kawasaki disease were admitted in the pediatrics department from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008. Echocardiography and laboratory tests were performed during diagnosis, and the children were followed-up at 6-8 weeks after the diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed their characteristics and clinical results. Results : The children were assigned to receive either a high dose of aspirin with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (aspirin group) or a high dose of ibuprofen with IVIG (ibuprofen group). A total of 55 and 53 children were included in the aspirin and ibuprofen groups, respectively. The mean defervescence period was 6.5${\pm}$2.1 days in the aspirin group, and $6.9{\pm}1.9$ days in the ibuprofen group (P=0.309). The number of failed treatments, during and after treatment, was 8 in the aspirin group and 10 in the ibuprofen group (P=0.547). There were 11 initial cardiac complications in the aspirin group, and 14 in the ibuprofen group, but children who showed improvement at follow-up was 7 and 13 in the aspirin and ibuprofen groups, respectively (P=0.133). Laboratory findings were also improved in both groups. Conclusion : We can be considered whether we will replace high dose of aspirin by high dose of ibuprofen in acute phase of Kawasaki disease. Therefore, we can prevent the severe complications of aspirin use, such as Reye's syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.818-823
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• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of minor clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korean children to aid the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Methods : From April 2007 to December 2007, we enrolled 106 children (aged 1 month [infants] to 15 years) diagnosed with AD at the Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center in Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Clinical manifestations were examined and laboratory findings (total and specific immunoglobulin E [IgE] levels and peripheral blood eosinophil count) were analyzed and compared. Results : Minor symptoms, in order of frequency, included xerosis (78.3%), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (43.4%), lichenification (35.8%), orbital darkening (34.0%), periauricular eczema (33.0%), and cutaneous infection (31.1%). Older children (${\geq}2$ years) showed more orbital darkening (P=0.01), horizontal crease (P=0.01), and lichenification (P=0.001) than infants. Patients with severe AD (scoring atopic dermatitis [SCORAD] score, ${\geq}40$) showed higher frequencies of xerosis (P= 0.04), cutaneous infection (P=0.03), ichthyosis (P=0.18), keratosis pilaris (P=0.02), pityriasis alba (P=0.07), recurrent conjunctivitis (P=0.02), orbital darkening (P=0.001), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (P=0.05), facial eczema (P=0.001), lichenification (P=0.001), and hand/foot eczema (P=0.04) than those with mild-to-moderate AD. Children with atopic eczema showed more facial eczema (P=0.01) and lichenification (P=0.04) than those with non-atopic eczema. Conclusion : The clinical manifestations of AD were similar to those established by Hanifin and Rajka. However, we need to develop our own diagnostic criteria for AD, because the frequencies shown by our subjects differed from those observed in other countries.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.938-943
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• 2009

Purpose : We performed this study in order to investigate the effect of direct renin inhibition on an experimental animal model with nephrotoxic serum nephritis and tried to give useful information for clinical research and renin inhibitor treatment. Methods : Thirty BALB/c 6-week-old male mice were divided into 4 groups: control group (CO, n=5), control-treatment group with aliskiren (CT, n=5), disease group (DO, n=10), and disease treatment group with aliskiren (DT, n=10). Nephritis was induced by an intravenous injection of 0.25 mg/g weight of rabbit anti-GBM immunoglobulin G. Model 2002 Alzet mini-osmotic pumps (Durect Corp.) for aliskiren infusion were implanted into CT and DT. Each group strain was sacrificed serially one at a time on day 14. We estimated the protein-creatinine ratio in 12-hour-collected urine (UP/Cr) and measured the mesangial matrix score in the PAS-stained kidney of each strain. Results : One strain at CT and DT died on day 6 and 7, respectively. Each group strain was sacrificed serially at a time on day 10 because DO were seriously ill. The UP/Cr of each group is as follows: CO, $31.24{\pm}6.54mg/mg$, CT, $23.38{\pm}13.60mg/mg$, DO, $112.72{\pm}10.97mg/mg$, DT $114.07{\pm}32.30mg/mg$. There was no significant difference between DO and DT. The mesangial matrix score of each group was CO, $0.23{\pm}0.10$; CT, $0.13{\pm}0.03$; DO, $1.90{\pm}0.48$; and DT, $1.28{\pm}0.41$, respectively, and there was a significant difference between DO and DT in the extent of mesangial matrix expansion (P=0.008). Conclusion : We found that renin inhibition was able to suppress the mesangial matrix expansion in experimental mice with acute nephritis, although there were no significant differences in UP/Cr.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2013

Purpose: The cross-protection of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) against vaccine-related serotypes has been controversial. We investigated the serological properties of cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A induced in young children aged 12-23 months after booster immunization of PCV7. Methods: IgG and IgM antibody concentrations and opsonic index (OI) against vaccine serotypes 6B and 19F and vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A were measured by ELISA and opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA) in 4 selected immunesera. The serological properties and antigenic specificity of protective antibodies were determined by IgM depletion of immunesera, OPA, and competitive OPA against serogroup 6 and 19 pneumococci. Results: Compared to pre-IgM depleted immunesera, OI of IgM-depleted immunesera against 6B and 19F decreased and OI against 6A, 6C, and 19A decreased, too. In competition OPA, free 6B and 19F polysaccharide completely inhibited the immune protection against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A as well as vaccine types 6B and 19F. Conclusions: The booster immunization of PCV7 certainly induced cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A with both IgG and IgM isotypes. Furthermore, IgM antibodies are more highly contributed to opsonophagocytic activity against vaccine-related serotypes as well as most of vaccine types than do IgG antibodies. Further studies are needed for the more immunized sera in the children as well as adults.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2005

Purpose : Hypogammaglobulinemia has been observed in nephrotic syndrome, but its pathophysiology remains unknown. We evaluated serum immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses, and vaccine-induced viral antibodies(anti-hepatitis B surface IgG and anti-measles IgG) in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). Methods : Using the stored sera, the levels of immunoglobulin(IgC, IgM, IgA, and IgC) and IgG subclasses(IgG 1, 2, ,3, and 4), anti-HBs Ab and anti-measles IgG of 21 children with MCNS were analyzed and compared to those of 25 age-matched healthy children. Results : The mean values of IgG and IgG1 were $390{\pm}187\;mg/dL$ and $287{\pm}120\;mg/dL$ in nephrotic children, and $1,025{\pm}284\;mg/dL$ and $785{\pm}19\;mg/dL$ in control children, respectively. The values of the total IgG and the 4 IgG subclasses in nephrotic children were all significantly depressed(P<0.001), but the IgM($251{\pm}183\;mg/dL\;vs. 153{\pm}55\;mg/dL$, P=0.02) and IgE values(P=0.01) were elevated, and the IgA values were not changed. The seropositivity of anti-HBs IgG was 42.9$\%$(9 of 21 cases) in the MCNS group and 52$\%$(13/25) in the control group, and that of anti-measles IgG was 75$\%$(16/21) and 92$\%$(23/25), respectively, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion : IgG and IgG subclass levels in MCNS children are all depressed without significant seronegativity of the vaccine-induced viral antibodies. Further studies are needed to resolve the cause of hypogammaglobulinemia in MCNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:143-148)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.772-778
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• 2005

Purpose : Kawasaki disease(KD) is a systemic panvasculitis that causes coronary artery lesions. KD is accompanied by immunoregulatory abnormalities. Nitric oxide(NO) can induce relaxation of blood vessels by activating guanylate cyclase in smooth muscle cells and high levels of NO may result in coronary artery lesions. We investigated tumor necrosis factor$(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and NO production before and after intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) therapy to study the roles of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in KD with coronary artery lesions. Methods : Serum levels of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured in 24 patients with KD(group I, eight patients with normal coronary artery; group II, 16 patients with coronary artery lesions) and 23 controls(group III, 13 afebrile controls; group IV, 10 febrile controls). Blood samples from each subject were drawn before and after IVIG therapy and in the convalescent stage. Serum concentrations of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay. Results : The NO levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group II than in group I, group III and group IV. After IVIG therapy the levels of NO were significantly higher in group I and group II than in group III. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group I and group II than in group III. The serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO levels were higher before IVIG therapy and decreased through the convalescent stage in KD patients. In the acute stage of KD patients with coronary artery lesions, serum NO levels significantly correlated with white blood cells (r=0.43, P<0.05). Conclusion : The serum concentration levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO were abnormally high in KD patients and NO concentrations were statistically higher in the KD patients with coronary artery abnormalities than those without coronary abnormality during the early stage of the KD. These results suggest NO may be involved in the development of coronary artery lesions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.783-789
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics and incidence of coronary artery sequele of children with KD according to treatment. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 506 medical records of children with KD, who were admitted at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 2000. Results : The mean annual incidence was $36.1{\pm}11.1$ cases per year. There was a slightly higher occurrence in summer with no significant difference in monthly incidence. The mean age was $2.4{\pm}1.7$ years and 450 children(88.9%) were below four years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.7 : 1. When the 345 cases between 1987 and 1994 were divided into three groups according to treatment, incidences of the coronary abnormality(above grade II) of aspirin-treated(54 cases; 15.6%), divided-intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treated($400-500mg/day{\times}4-5days$, 224 cases; 64.9%), and one-dose IVIG treated(2.0 g/day, 67 cases; 19.5%) groups were 8.3%, 6.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. Between 1995 and 2000, 143 cases were treated with only one-dose IVIG and 21 cases(14.7%) showed coronary artery abnormalities(grade I, 15 cases; grade II, two cases; and grade III, four cases). Among the 143 cases, 22 cases(15.1%) were retreated with IVIG and/or steroid pulse therapy. The incidence of coronary artery abnormality in this group was 50.0%. Incidences of cases in recurrence and among siblings were 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. There was no fatal case. Conclusion : In Daejeon, Korea, the epidemiologic feature of KD showed slight annual variations without monthly differences. The incidence of coronary abnormality with one-dose IVIG therapy was 14.7%. The nonresponse of this therapy was 15.1% with a coronary abnormality of 50.0%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.1021-1028
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• 2009

Purpose:Medical therapy is the initial treatment for children with Graves disease to avoid complications of other treatments. However, optimal treatment for childhood Graves disease is controversial because most patients require relatively long periods of medical therapy and relapse is common after medication discontinuation. Therefore, this study aimed to search clinical or biochemical characteristics that could be used as remission predictors in Graves disease. Methods:We retrospectively studied children diagnosed with Graves disease, treated with anti-thyroid agents, and observed for at least 3 years. Patients were categorized into remission and non-remission groups, and the groups were compared to determine the variables that were predictive of achieving remission. Results:Sixty-four patients were enrolled, of which 37 (57.8%) achieved remission and 27 (42.2%) could not achieve remission until the last visit. Normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) after treatment was faster in the remission group than in the non-remission group (remission group, $15.5{\pm}12.07$ vs. non-remission group, $41.69{\pm}35.70$ months). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests were performed in 28 patients. Only 2 (8.3%) of 26 patients who showed normal or hyper-response in TRH stimulation test relapsed. Binary logistic regression analysis identified rapid achievement of TBII normalization after treatment as a significant predictor of remission. Six percent of patients achieved remission within 3 years and 55.8% achieved it within 6 years. Conclusion:Rapid achievement of TBII normalization can be a predictor of remission in childhood Graves disease. The TRH stimulation test can be a predictor of maintenance of remission.