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Cell Death Study in Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Neurons and Its Applications (배아줄기세포 유래 신경계세포에서의 세포사멸 연구와 그 응용)

  • Lee, Chul-Sang
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2008
  • Specific protocols to increase the differentiation of neuronal cells from embryonic stem (ES) cells have been well established, such as retinoic acid induction and lineage selection of neuronal cells. For the neuropathological studies, ES-derived neurons (ES neurons) must show normal physiological characteristics related to cell death and survival and should be maintained in vitro for a sufficient time to show insults-specific cell death without spontaneous death. When mouse ES cells were plated onto astrocytes monolayer after retinoic acid induction, most ES cells differentiated into neuronal cells, which were confirmed by the presence of specific neuronal markers, and the cultures were viable for at least four weeks. When these cultures were examined for vulnerability to glutamate excitotoxicity, ES neurons were vulnerable to excitotoxic insults mediated by agonist-specific receptors. The vulnerability to excitotoxic death increased with developmental age of ES neurons in vitro. Specific receptors for Neurotrophin and GDNF family ligands were present in ES neurons. GDNF and NT-3 could modulate the survival and excitotoxic vulnerability of ES neurons. The vulnerability and resistance to toxic insults, which are essential requirements of model culture systems for neuropathological studies, make ES neurons to a useful model culture system. Especially ES cell are highly amenable to genetic modification unlikely to primary neuronal cells, which will give us a chance to answer more complicated neurophysiological questions. Recently there was an outstanding attempt to explore the cellular toxicity using human ES cells (Schrattenholz & Klemm, 2007) and it suggested that ES cells could be a new model system for neurophysiological studies soon and go further a large-scale screening system for pharmacological compounds in the future.

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Characteristics of Premenstrual Changes in Patients with Affective Disorder (정서장애 환자의 월경전기변화 특성)

  • Ko, Young-Hoon;Joe, Sook-Haeng;Suh, Kwang-Yun
    • Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.103-115
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    • 1999
  • Objectives : A large of studies have found an association between premenstrual syndrome and affective disorder, in particular, depression. Some studies have reported that women with depressive disorders may experience menstrual cycle-associated changes in the severity of their symptoms. This study was designed to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes between control group and affective patient group, and to assess possible risk factors for premenstrual changes in patients. Methods : Eighty normal controls and eighty outpatients given maintenance therapy with fixed dose for at least more than four weeks were asked to complete questionnaires on menstrual history, obstetric-gynecological history, and functional impairment. In addition, to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes, 16 items based on DSM-IV criteria A for premenstrual dysphoric disorder were rated on the following scale : 0(no change), 1(mild), 2(moderate), 3(severe). Moderate or severe change in each item was considered as premenstrual change and the subjects who reported more than one premenstrual change were defined as premenstrual change group. Results : The results were as follows : 1) The percentage of premenstrual change group was 32.6% in patient group and 50% in control group. 2) Frequently reported premenstrual changes were as follows in control group : breast tenderness; anger ; affective liability ; lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; abdominal pain or discomfort. In patients, the mood or behavioral changes were frequently reported. The changes were as follows : lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; change in appetite; affective liability ; sense of difficulty in concentrating : hypersomnia or insomnia. 3) In the premenstrual change group, the patients with only mood or behavioral changes were significantly more than those with only physical changes or both changes. 4) The severity of functional impairment was significantly correlated with the frequency of mood or behavioral changes in patients. 5) There were no significant differences in menstrual characteristics between patients with premenstrual changes and patients without them except the severity of dysmenorrhea. And the severity of dysmenorrhea was correlated with the frequency of premenstrual change. Conclusion : The proportion of patients with affective disorder, who reported moderate-to-severe premenstrual changes, experiencing mood or behavioral changes larger than those experiencing physical changes during premenstrual period. It is possible that some patients with affective disorder, who reported premenstrual mood or behavioral changes, suffer from coexisting premenstrual syndrome with affective disorder or premenstrual exacerbation of affective disorder. Since the more premenstrual changes, the severer functional impairment, the patients reporting mood or behavioral disturbance in premenstrual period should be carefully evaluated, and appropriate therapeutic stategies might be considered.

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Beak Trimming Methods - Review -

  • Glatz, P.C.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.13 no.11
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    • pp.1619-1637
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    • 2000
  • A review was undertaken to obtain information on the range of beak-trimming methods available or under development. Beak-trimming of commercial layer replacement pullets is a common yet critical management tool that can affect the performance for the life of the flock. The most obvious advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in cannibalism although the extent of the reduction in cannibalism depends on the strain, season, and type of housing, flock health and other factors. Beak-trimming also improves feed conversion by reducing food wastage. A further advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in the chronic stress associated with dominance interactions in the flock. Beak-trimming of birds at 7-10 days is favoured by Industry but research over last 10 years has shown that beak-trimming at day-old causes the least stress on birds and efforts are needed to encourage Industry to adopt the practice of beak-trimming birds at day-old. Proper beak-trimming can result in greatly improved layer performance but improper beak-trimming can ruin an other wise good flock of hens. Re-trimming is practiced in most flocks, although there are some flocks that only need one trimming. Given the continuing welfare scrutiny of using a hot blade to cut the beak, attempts have been made to develop more welfare friendly methods of beak-trimming. Despite the developments in design of hot blade beak-trimmers the process has remained largely unchanged. That is, a red-hot blade cuts and cauterises the beak. The variables in the process are blade temperature, cauterisation time, operator ability, severity of trimming, age of trimming, strain of bird and beak length. This method of beak-trimming is still overwhelmingly favoured in Industry and there appears to be no other alternative procedures that are more effective. Sharp secateurs have been used trim the upper beak of both layers and turkeys. Bleeding from the upper mandible ceases shortly after the operation, and despite the regrowth of the beak a reduction of cannibalism has been reported. Very few differences have been noted between behaviour and production of the hot blade and cold blade cut chickens. This method has not been used on a large scale in Industry. There are anecdotal reports of cannibalism outbreaks in birds with regrown beaks. A robotic beak-trimming machine was developed in France, which permitted simultaneous, automated beak-trimming and vaccination of day-old chicks of up to 4,500 chickens per hour. Use of the machine was not successful because if the chicks were not loaded correctly they could drop off the line, receive excessive beak-trimming or very light trimming. Robotic beak-trimming was not effective if there was a variation in the weight or size of chickens. Capsaicin can cause degeneration of sensory nerves in mammals and decreases the rate of beak regrowth by its action on the sensory nerves. Capsaicin is a cheap, non-toxic substance that can be readily applied at the time of less severe beak-trimming. It suffers the disadvantage of causing an extreme burning sensation in operators who come in contact with the substance during its application to the bird. Methods of applying the substance to minimise the risk to operators of coming in contact with capsaicin need to be explored. A method was reported which cuts the beaks with a laser beam in day-old chickens. No details were provided on the type of laser used, or the severity of beak-trimming, but by 16 weeks the beaks of laser trimmed birds resembled the untrimmed beaks, but without the bill tip. Feather pecking and cannibalism during the laying period were highest among the laser trimmed hens. Currently laser machines are available that are transportable and research to investigate the effectiveness of beak-trimming using ablasive and coagulative lasers used in human medicine should be explored. Liquid nitrogen was used to declaw emu toes but was not effective. There was regrowth of the claws and the time and cost involved in the procedure limit the potential of using this process to beak-trim birds.

A Study on the Purpose-in-Life Level in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (외상성 뇌 손상 환자의 삶의 목적 수준에 관한 연구)

  • Rho, Seung-Ho;Kim, Sung-Woo
    • Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.184-195
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    • 1999
  • Objectives : As traumatic brain injury(TBI) leaves chronic sequelae in mind and body, the injured patients should rectify the meaning and object that they have pursued in their lives and set up a new purpose in life that they may make the rest of their lives meaningful. This study was designed to investigate the purpose and quality of life levels and the influence of demographic and clinical variables on the levels in the patients with TBI, and to be of some help to their rehabilitation. Methods : In order to assess the purpose in life(PIL) and the quality of life(QOL) levels, Purpose-in-Life Test, Sickness Impact Profile, Quality of Life Index, Head Injury Symptom Ckecklist, and Neurobehavioral Rating Scale were administered to the subjects. The subjects were thirty-two patients with TBI and the same numbered normal controls. The TBI group was composed of 16 to 65 year-aged patients who had received mild or severe TBI at least 12 months before, and the controls were siblings or friends of the patients whose age, sex, and educational level were similar to them. Results : 1) The PIL and QOL levels of the patients with TBI remained significantly lower than that of control group after their symptoms of injury were stabilized(p<.01, p<.01). 2) The mean PIL score of TBI group was $58.8{\pm}23.2$, which was to be regarded as the level of existential vacuum. 3) The PIL level of TBI group was significantly correlated with the QOL level(p <.01). 4) The subgroup with lower PIL level in patients with TBI has significantly higher rate of female than that with higher PIL(p<.05), the PIL level of female patients was significantly lower than that of male patients(p <.05). 5) The significant differences in PIL levels were not found, in which comparison was performed between each pair of subgroups of patients with TBI divided by severity of injury(mild vs severe), marital status(married vs unmarried), and occupational status prior to injury(employed vs unemployed). Conclusion : The PIL of patients with TBI still remained the level of existential vacuum after symptoms of sequelae had been stabilized, The QOL level was also extremely low, and as the PIL level was low the QOL was also low. The demographic and clinical variables except sex did not have influence on the PIL level in brain-injured patients. It is suggested that every patient should admit their mental and physical limitations caused by brain injury and revise their purpose in life for successful rehabilitation.

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Igneous Activity and Geological Structure of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Zone in the Kyemyeongsan area, Chungju, Korea (충주 계명산지역 옥천변성대의 화성활동과 지질구조)

  • 강지훈;류충렬
    • The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.151-165
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    • 1997
  • The Kyemyeongsan area of Chungju in the NE part of the Ogcheon metamorphic zone, Koera, consists mainly of the Ogcheon Supergroup(Taehyangsan Quartzite, Hyangsanri Dolomite and Kyemyeogsan Formation) and the MeSozoic Chungju granite. The Kyemyeongsan Formation is composed mainly of metamorphic rocks of various grades derived from conglomeratic, basic, acidic, pelitic and psammitic rocks. The basic and acidic rocks show alternated or interfingered appearence, indicating that they were derived form bimodal type of magmatism in rift environment. Conglomeratic rocks overlie acidic volcanic rocks in geneal, but are underlain by both acidic plutonic and volcanic rocks. This indicaties that the acidic magmatism before the formation of conglomeratic rocks was different from that during or after the formation of conglomeratic rocks in its occurrence mode. The geological structure of the Ogcheon metamorphic zone in the Kyemyeongsan area, Chungju was formed at least by three phases of deormation. The first phase deformation(D1) formed a regional-scale sheath-type fold(F1) closed into the east. Its axial phane(S1) strikes NNW to NW and dips WSW to SW. The stetching lineation(L1), related to the sheath-type fold, plunges westward. The second phase deformation (D2) formed asymmetric fold(F2) of ESE-to SE-vergence with NNE to NE striking axial plane(S2) and $20~45^{\circ}/210~230^{\circ}$ plunging axis(L2). The F2 fold reoriented the original westward plunging L1 into northwestward plunging L1 in its lower limb(overturned limb). The third phase of deformation(D3) was recognized as chevron-type fold(F3) with $45^{\circ}/265$^{\circ}$ plunging axis. The F3 fold was formed by the compression of N-S direction, resulting in the reorientation of the original $20-45^{\circ}/210~230^{\circ}$ plunging L2 into mainly $35~45^{\circ}/260~280^{\circ}$ and subsidiarily $30~45^{\circ}/135~165^{\circ}$ plunging L2. After this deformation, open fold with NS striking and steeply E or W dipping axial plane is formed by the compression of E-W direction.

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The Study of Formation for Dokdo Seamounts at the Northeastern Part of the Ulleung Basin Using Gravity and Magnetic Data (중력 및 자력자료 분석에 의한 울릉분지 북동부 독도 및 주변 해산들의 형성 연구)

  • Kim, Chang-Hwan;Park, Chan-Hong;Ko, Young-Tak;Jung, Eui-Young;Kwak, Jun-Young;Yoo, Sang-Hoon;Min, Kyung-Duck
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.40 no.2 s.183
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    • pp.153-170
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    • 2007
  • Loading time and loading environment of the Dokdo seamounts were studied from flexure model and VGP(Virtual Geomagnetic Pole) determined by gravity and magnetic data. In spite of their similarity in size. a large difference about 50 mGal between gravity anomaly peaks of Dokdo and the Isabu Tablemount suggests different compensation degrees. Flexural modeling results show that the flexural rigidity(effective elastic thickness) of lithosphere for Dokdo is stronger(thicker) than that for the Isabu Tablemount. Also, it implies that the age of lithosphere at the time of loading of the Isabu Tablemount may be younger than that of Dokdo. Magnetic anomalies occur complicated over the Dokdo seamounts. Paleomagnetism was studied from VGP estimated by the least square and the seminorm magnetization methods with 1500 m upward continued magnetic anomalies. Age dating of Dokdo from previous study, flexural modeling, VGP, and geomagnetic polarity time scale suggest that after the cease of spreading in the Ulleung Basin, the Isabu Tablemount was formed first in normal polarity interval and followed by Dokdo. Also, they indicate that the fist large eruption of Dokdo was in normal polarity interval and the second large eruption in reversed polarity interval. The Simheungtaek Tablemount was formed in normal polarity interval between the formations of the Isabu Tablemount and Dokdo. These loading times for the Dokdo seamounts show a good coherence with the compressive stress period after the end of the opening of the East Sea. The Dokdo seamounts probably was caused by volcanism associated with the compressive stress.

Development and Application of an Evaluation Model for Biotope Appraisal as Related to Nature Experiences and Recreation (비오톱의 자연체험 및 휴양가치 평가모형 개발과 적용)

  • Cho, Hyun-Ju;Lee, Hyun-Taek;SaGong, Jung-Hee;Ra, Jung-Hwa
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.38 no.4
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    • pp.11-24
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    • 2010
  • The main focus of this research is the establishment of a systemic evaluation model based on objective evaluation indices, which are drawn to assess the experiencing of nature and recreational value at the level of the district unit. First of all, as a result of a literature review, a total of 10 indices can be drawn including vegetation structure, pavement rate, and hemeroby to evaluate an assessment of natural experiences and recreational value. Also, as a result of expert survey analysis, all evaluation index items were above 4.4, which is a high importance average. Hemeroby and unique landscape factor items in particular were above 5.8, which is very high. In addition, as a result of implementing a factor analysis to classify evaluation indices according to characteristics, three factors arise: 'landscape structure and quality of natural experience', 'typical availability', and 'quality of aesthetic and visual sense.' Based on the above survey analysis results, the 'quality of aesthetic and visual sense' was the highest, at 3.510. The classification 'landscape structure and quality of natural experience' was the lowest, at 3.035. A systemic value evaluation model was established by comprehensively analyzing these results. To verify the validity of the evaluation model drawn, real sites are selected and applied. First of all, as a result of a biotope types classification of sites, biotope type groups are classified into a total of 13 including the stream biotope while its subordinate biotope types are classified into a total of 61 groups. Lastly, as a result of biotope value evaluation, which was a previously established evaluation model, there are a total of 16 types including vegetation-abundant natural rivers and small-scale woodlands near forests in grade I. There are 9 types in grade II, 8 in grade III, 8 in grade IV, 19 in the least-valuable grade V.

Locational and Constructional Characteristics of Imrijeong & Palgwae-jeong in Nonsan - Focused on the Relation with Jukrim-Seowon - (논산 임리정(臨履亭)과 팔괘정(八卦亭)의 입지 및 조영 특성 - 죽림서원(竹林書院)과의 관계를 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Hyun-Woo;Rho, Jae-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.70-81
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    • 2013
  • In this study, the locational and constructional characteristics of Jukrimseowon, pavilion Imrijeong, and Palgwaejeong located in Nonsan, Ganggyung-eup were reviewed and the interrelation of these three places were studied through references including records of those days; Sagyeyonbo(沙溪年譜), Jukrimseowon dorok(竹林書院都錄), Imrijeonggi(臨履亭記), Jukrimseowon Myojeongbi(竹林書院廟庭碑), Namyurok(南遊錄). The result is as follows. Jukrimseowon enshrining Yukhyeon(六賢) is arranged as 'Hongsalmoon-Woisalmoon-Dongjae(憲章堂; Heonjangdang)' and 'LIbrary-Naesammoon(神門; shin moon)-Sau(竹林祠: Jukimsa)', excluding a lecture hall. In case of Sagye Jangsang Kim's Imrijeong(沙溪金長生) and Uam Shiyoel Song(尤庵宋時烈)'s Palgwaejeong respectively constructed 50 meters and 10 meters each away from Jurimseowon, detail designs such as scale, roofs, surface, windows, doors, and tablets as well as its prospect are nearly identified. Especially Taking Imrijeong and Palgwaejeong's locational conditions composed of rocks centered on Jukrimseowon, those are maintain the bilateral symmetry as much as possible and surround the shrine. It appeared that the Jukrimseowon's shrine enshrining Yulgok(栗谷) and Ugye(牛溪) was rebuilt during the reconstruction of auditoriums because of political conditions after the renovation of Kiing Injo and it was called as 'Hwangsanseowon(黃山書院)' with Imrijeong which was a lecture hall. It was an inevitable consequence to keep the bilateral symmetry which is a basic order of auditorium structure by maintaining and using Imrijeong and Palgwaejeong as a lecture hall of the auditorium after the reconstruction at least. Consequently, the desperate attempt to adjust the arrangement and visual imbalance of Imrijeong built with periodical differences and Hwangsanseowon resulted from the construction of shrine was Palgwaejeong built under Monggoibyuk of Hwansan Taken these circumstances together, Jukrimseowon is a 'shrine-centered auditorium' with characteristics of auditorium, constructed by integrating Imrijeong which was used as a lecture hall after the construction of shrine and Palgwaejeong repaired through the reconstruction. The construction of Palgwaejeong and the formative conformity with Imrijeong are assumed as an consequence intended for the compensation of Jukrimseowon's function and role as an auditorium. This study will provide an opportunity to focus on the auditorium and pavilion's complementary function as well as the Confucian and constructional functions by revealing the fact that pavilions were established as a complementary facility for the lecture hall of auditorium.

Assessment of Dietitian's Nutritional Quality Management for School Food Service (학교급식 영양사의 영양적 품질관리 수행도 평가)

  • Ryu, Kyung;Woo, Chang-Nam;Kim, Woon-Ju
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.35 no.2
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    • pp.238-247
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    • 2006
  • The purpose of this study was to evaluate school dieticians' performance of nutritional quality control, and further to establish effective and objective standards of nutritional quality control. Data for this study came from 200 school dieticians' responses in the Chungbuk area. The total quality management (TQM)-based questionnaire was structured. The questionnaire consisted of the following four fields (1) performance of nutritional quality control, (2) performance of stepwise food production to maximize nutrient preservation rate, (3) management of documents and records related to nutritional quality control, and (4) other relating matters. The items of the questionnaire were measured on a five-point Likert scale which ranged from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'. First, the analysis indicated that school dieticians performed 'least' on human resource management', 'mediocre' on nutritional quality control, and best on 'leadership'. Second, the analysis on performance of stepwise food production to maximize nutrient preservation rate showed that dieticians considerably endeavored to maximize nutrients of cooked food, but it was found out that the most of nutrient destruction can be caused by heating during cooking. Third, the result showed that the systematic use of documents and records for nutritional quality control was not sufficiently accomplished, especially in the production phase of food. In addition, the measure by the Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that there was a significant relationship between performance of nutritional quality control and performance of stepwise food production to maximize nutrient preservation rate, and between performance of nutritional quality control and management of documents and records related to nutritional quality control. Finally, the findings of this study suggest that more effort should be exerted to carefully establish TQM-based standards for the improvement of nutritionary quality.

Prevalence and clinical significance of the positive antinuclear antibody in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (소아 특발혈소판감소 자색반병 환자에서 항핵항체 검사의 양성률 및 임상적 의의)

  • Jun, So Eun;Park, Seong Sik;Lim, Young Tak
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.51 no.11
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    • pp.1217-1221
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    • 2008
  • Purpose : An association between idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been recognized for decades because thrombocytopenia is the first manifestation in some patients with SLE. However, the risk of later development of SLE in childhood ITP is currently unknown. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence and clinical significance of the positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) in children with acute ITP. Methods : This study was retrospectively performed to review the clinical and laboratory characteristics in 77 children diagnosed to have acute ITP and admitted to the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2003 and December 2006. Patients tested positive for ANA were regularly followed-up for at least 12 months for symptoms indicative of SLE. Results : Seventy-seven children were included in the study; 38 males (49.4%) and 39 females (50.5%), the mean age was 4.5 years. Sixteen (20.8%) ITP patients had a positive ANA, with a median titer of 1:320. The mean age of the patients with positive ANA was 9.3 years, which is much older than 3.3 years for patients with negative ANA (P<0.05). The positive ANA group was predominantly female (81.3%) compared to the negative ANA group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in mean platelet counts between both groups. No statistically significant difference was found in ANA positivity and progression to chronic ITP or SLE. After the median follow-up of 32 months, SLE was diagnosed only in one ITP patient with positive ANA. Conclusion : Our data demonstrated that ANA positivity is often found in children with acute ITP. Large-scale studies should be considered to determine the significance of ANA positivity in childhood ITP for the later development of SLE.