• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1120-1125
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• 2012

To assess fertilizer value of an quasi-aerobically fermented liquid clipped-grass fertilizer, aerobic incubation experiment using two texturally contrasting loam (L) and sandy loam (SL) soils was conducted for 60 days to investigate temporal variations in N mineralization pattern of the liquid fertilizer applied. To do so, the quasi-aerobically fermented liquid clipped-grass fertilizer was prepared, applied to each soil at a rate of 200 kg-N $ha^{-1}$ and aerobically $25^{\circ}C$ in the dark. During incubation, soil water content was adjusted to field moisture capacity (-33 kPa of soil matric potential) by adding distilled water as necessary to maintain their initial weights. At desired time of incubation (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 days after incubation), soil was sampled and analyzed for inorganic nitrogen ($NH_4{^+}$-N and $NO_3{^-}$-N) concentrations, pH, EC, total carbon contents and total nitrogen contents. Concentrations of $NH_4{^+}$-N began to decrease right after incubation for L soils, and 10 days after incubation for SL soils, while those of $NO_3{^-}$-N began to increase onset of $NH_4{^+}$-N disappearance. The results of this study showed that quasi-aerobically fermented liquid clipped-grass fertilizer could serve as an alternative to chemical N fertilizer.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2011

Some phytoestrogens in soy and red wine, for example, might have beneficiary rather than adverse effects. In particular, dietary soy intake seems to be highly correlated with protection of breast cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders. However, questions persist on the potential adverse effects of the main soy constituent genistein (GS) on female reproductive physiology. Previously we found that prepubertal exposure to GS could activate the reproductive system of immature female rats leading to precocious puberty onset, and intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected GS could directly activate hypothalamic kisspeptin-GnRH neuronal circuits in adult female rats. The present study was performed to examine the hypothalamus-specific GS effects in prepubertal female rats and which subtype of estrogen receptor is mediated in this GS effect. Prepubertal female rats (PND 30) were anaesthetized, treated with single dose of GS (3.4 ${\mu}g$/animal), and sacrificed at 2 hrs post-injection. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ICV infusion of GS significantly lowered the transcriptional activities of mTOR (1:$0.361{\pm}0.058$ AU, p<0.001) but increased that of GAD67 (1:$1.285{\pm}0.099$ AU, p<0.05), which are known to act as an upstream modulator of kisspeptin and GnRH neuronal activities in the hypothalamus, respectively. GS administration enhanced significantly the mRNA levels of KiSS-1(1:$1.458{\pm}0.078$ AU, p<0.001), and exerted no effect on the mRNA level of kisspeptin receptor GPR-54 (1:$1.29{\pm}0.08$ AU). GnRH gene expression was significantly decreased in GS-treated group compared to control group (1:$0.379{\pm}0.196$ AU, p<0.05). There was no difference in the mRNA level of $ER{\alpha}$ in the GS-treated group compare to control group (1:$1.180{\pm}0.390$ AU, Fig. 3A). However, icv infusion of GS significantly increased the transcriptional activities of $ER{\beta}$ (1:$4.209{\pm}0.796$ AU, p<0.01, Fig. 3B). Taken together, the present study indicated that the acute exposure to GS could directly alter the hypothalamic GnRH modulating system in prepubertal female rats. Our study strongly suggested the involvement of $ER{\beta}$ pathway in GS's hypothalamus-specific action, and this idea is consistent with the GS's well-known $ER{\beta}$-mediated protective action in breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 1999

Objective : The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the premenstrual changes and stress perception in women with premenstrual changes($PMC^+$)(n=32) and those without premenstrual changes($PMC^-$)(n=62) by using prospective method. Method : The women who were older than 30 years of age and healthy were asked to complete a daily rating form based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for one menstrual cycle to assess the changes of psychological and physical symptoms across the menstrual cycle. They also completed 5-point likert scale to assess the perception of stress. Percent changes method was used to assess changes between follicular phase and luteal phase. Results : 1) No significant differences were found in demographic factors(age, education, marriage, employment) and risk factors(onset ages of menarche, regularities of premenstrual changes, duration of menstruation, cycle length, amount of menstruation, dysmenorrhea) between women with and without premenstrual changes. 2) There was a significant difference in mean luteal phase stress score between women with($1.92\pm0.63$) and without premenstrual changes($1.51\pm0.42$)(p<0.05). However no difference was found in mean follicular phase stress score between two groups($PMC^+$ : $1.67\pm0.43$, $PMC^-$ : $1.33\pm0.39$). 3) We divided women having premenstrual changes into two groups, higher stress group(stress score > 1.75(median)) and the lower stress group(stress score <1.75(median)). The higher stress group reported more luteal psychological symptoms than did the lower stress group(df=1, F=13.362, p<0.001). However, the groups did not differ in physical symptoms. Conclusion : In women with premenstrual changes, luteal stress score was higher than follicular stress score and this result suggested tha the perception of stress was related to psychological symptoms but not physical symptoms. These findings suggested that premenstrual change is associated with the stress level, and that it is important to manage the stress which is focused on the management of psychological symptom in the treamtment of prementrual syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.886-893
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• 2005

Purpose : Kawasaki disease is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in children less than 5 years of age. Recent immunohistochemistry findings suggest that many vascular growth factors play a role in the formation of the coronary artery lesions. Active remodeling of the coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease continues in the form of intimal proliferation and neoangiogenesis for several years after the onset of the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and corticosteroid have been used in the treatment of Kawasaki disease but the exact mechanism is not clear. We have investigated that IVIG and corticosteroid inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro on Matrigel assay. Methods : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were cultured and seeded on Matrigel coated 24 well plates in medium with or without the following agents : VEGF, VEGF plus IVIG, VEGF plus VEGF antibody, VEGF plus methylprednisolone, VEGF, IVIG plus methylprednisolone for 18 hours. The total length of tube structures in each photograph was quantified. Results : IVIG significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs. The inhibitory effect of IVIG was also reversible. In the meantime, VEGF induced the differentiation of HUVECs into capillary like structures on Matrigel, which was inhibited by VEGF antibody in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, IVIG and methylprednisolone inhibited VEGF-induced tube formation of HUVECs. IVIG was more effective in inhibition than methylprednisolone alone. Conclusion : We revealed that VEGF induced the differentiation of HUVECs and this effect was inhibited by IVIG and methylprednisolone.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.753-759
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was performed to characterize clinical features of benign convulsions with gastroenteritis(CwG) in infants. Methods : We reviewed clinical features of 67 episodes in 64 patients with afebrile seizure accompanied gastroenteritis admitted to Dept. of Pediatrics Bundang CHA hospital from January 2001 to June 2004. Patients with meningitis, encephalitis/encephalopathy or apparent history of epilepsy were excluded. Results : There were 32 boys and 35 girls. The age of onset ranged from 1 to 42 months($18.5{\pm}6.1$ months). The number of children admitted to the hospital with acute gastroenteritis was 2,887 in the same period. The percentage of patients with CwG was 2.3. Seizure type was exclusively generalized tonic or tonic-clonic seizure. The average number of seizures during a single episode was 3.1 (range, 1-13). Two or more seizures occurred in 53(79.1%) of the 67 episodes. Antiepileptic drugs were administered for 42 episodes. Seizure did not cease after the administration of one kind of antiepileptic drug in 23 episodes(54.7%). The seizures were rather refractory to initial antiepileptic treatment. There were no abnormalities in serum biochemistry test including glucose and electrolytes. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal in all 54 episodes. Stool cultures were negative in 49 episodes. Rotavirus was positive in stools in 51(82.3%) of 62 episodes. Norovirus was positive in stools in 2 episodes and astrovirus in 1 of 18 episodes. CT and/or MRI were performed in 15 cases and demonstrated no neuroradiologic abnormalities. Of 73 Interictal EEG, initial 24 cases showed occasional spike or sharp wave discharges from the mid-line area during stage I-II sleep, which were apparently differentiated from vertex sharp transient or K-complexes. The mean follow-up period was 5.7 months(1-36 months). Three patients experienced a recurrence of CwG, but all patients exhibited normal psychomotor development at the last follow-up. Conclusion : Afebrile infantile convulsions with gastroenteritis are brief generalized seizure in cluster with normal laboratory findings and good prognosis. Therefore CwG is likely to be categorized as situation-related seizure of special syndrome. Recognition of this entity should lead to assurance of the parents and long-term anticonvulsant therapy is not usually warranted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.624-633
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• 2005

Purpose : This study analyzed the expression of HLA-DR and DQ genotypes and anti-thyroid autoantibodies[anti-thyroid peroxidase(TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin(TG) antibodies] in Korean patients with type 1 diabetes(T1DM) to investigate the susceptible HLA alleles to T1DM in Korea and the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and their significance for the development of thyroid disorders. Methods : A total of 59 Korean patients with type 1 diabetes[26 males, median age 13.7 years(range 5.7-29.9 years), diabetes duration 7.6 years(-1.7-22.5 years)] were enrolled in this study, and 200 healthy Koreans without a family history of diabetes were selected as a normal control for the comparison of HLA genotypes. Seventeen patients with anti-TPO or anti-TG were followed [median duration 3.96 years(1 day-10.7 years)] with measurement of anti-TPO, anti-TG, $T_3$, $T_4$ or free $T_4$, TSH levels and physical examinations. HLA-DR and DQ genotyping were done by PCR-SSO, PCR-SSCP, PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP methods. Results : HLA analysis showed higher frequencies of HLA-DRB1*0301, *090102 and DQB1*0201, *030302 alleles, DRB1*0301/*090102, *090102/*090102 and DQB1 *0201/*030302, *030302/*030302, *0201/ *0302 genotypes in T1DM patients compared to controls(Pc<0.05). Fifteen(25.4 percent) had anti-TPO antibody, 12(20.3 percent) had anti-TG, 17(28.8 percent) had either autoantibody and 10(16.9 percent) had both autoantibodies. No clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism developed during follow-up after the first detection of anti-thyroid autoantibody. There was no significant correlation between thyroid autoimmunity and gender, onset age of T1DM, and diabetes duration, respectively(P>0.05). Conclusion : We thought this unique HLA-DR, DQ allele distribution might be an important factor for the low incidence of T1DM in Korea. And a high prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in these populations suggests examinations of thyroid antibodies should be performed regularly. Optimal age for the initial screening and the frequency of re-screening for associated thyroid autoimmune diseases in T1DM remains to be determined through prospective follow-up.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.969-975
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• 2005

Purpose : We performed a study of clinical findings of Mycoplasma Pneumonia in children, to know differences between recent clinical manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumonia and previous studies. Methods : The subjects of this study were 393 children who were diagnosed as Mycoplasma pneumonia with high titers of Mycoplasma antibody(${\geq}1$ : 160) or fourfold rises of Mycoplasma antibody at Chung Ang University Hospital from January 1998 to December 2003. We practiced a retrospective study on the clinical manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumonia based on their medical records. Results : Male to female ratio was 1.06 to 1 and mean age was $4.32{\pm}2.94years$. The highest incidence was in the age of 2 to 3 years(18.6 percent). Most frequent months were October, and November in 2000, April in 2002, and October and, December in 2003. Twenty six point seven percent showed allergic diseases. Second degree relatives of 10.7 percent patients had allergic diseases. Forty three point three percent were admitted before this admission for pneumonia. Allergic tests were positive in 65.7 percent. Cough, and sputum were the most common symptoms and abdominal pain, and vomiting were the most frequent extrapulmonary symptoms. Atelectasis and pleural effusion were seen in 2.5 percent and 1.8 percent. Infiltrations were more common on the right side. Titers of each simultaneous test for cold agglutinin and mycoplasma antibody were not in proportion to each other (P=0.163). Conclusion : The onset age of mycoplasma pneumonia was found to be lower than it used to be. More patients had a past medical history or a family history of allergic disease, and more wheezing was heard and associated with recurrent pneumonia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.803-810
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the final adult height and total height gain in idiopathic and organic growth hormone deficient(GHD) children after growth hormone(GH) treatment. Methods : Thirteen patients with idiopathic GHD and 22 patients with organic GHD who had been treated with GH and attained adult final height were included in this study. Factors which could affect the final adult height(FAH) and total height gain, were evaluated. Results : Height SDS(standard deviation score) at initial GH treatment in idiopathic GHD was significantly shorter than that in organic GHD($-4.13{\pm}1.28$ vs $-1.66{\pm}1.06$, P<0.001). Growth velocity during the first year of GH treatment was $9.69{\pm}3.19cm$(idiopathic GHD) and $7.87{\pm}3.65cm$(organic GHD). Height(SDS) at puberty in organic GHD was significantly greater than in idiopathic GHD ($-0.55{\pm}1.25$ vs $-2.28{\pm}0.95$, P<0.001). Final adult height(SDS) was significantly greater in organic GHD than in idiopathic GHD($0.22{\pm}1.06$ vs $-1.44{\pm}0.84$, P<0.001). In idiopathic GHD, total height gain (SDS) was most significantly correlated with midparental height minus initial height(MPH-IH)(SDS) (r=0.886, P<0.001). Total height gain(SDS) was more significantly correlated with MPH-IH(SDS) and prepubertal height gain(SDS) in idiopathic GHD(r=0.640, P=0.01, r=0.801, P<0.001). Conclusion : Final adult height was greater in organic GHD than in idiopathic GHD patients. While total height gain(SDS) was more pronounced in children with lower initial height compared to MPH, absolute final adult height was influenced by height at puberty. To improve the final adult height in children with GHD, height at onset of puberty must be increased by early diagnosis and continuous treatment with optimal doses of GH. There results should be evaluated with more patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2008

Purpose : Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but fatal disorder characterized by fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow and other tissues. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors in patients with HLH. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the data from 29 patients who were diagnosed whit HLH in the Severance Children's Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Feb. 2007. Results : The median age at diagnosis was 3.8 years (range 0.1-12.2). The ratio of male to female patients was 1.1:1. The 5-year overall survival rate was 55.2% with a median follow-up duration of 32 months. In a multivariate analysis, the duration of fever before admission (survival vs. non-survival, 6.5 days vs. 14 days, P=0.010), the interval from the day of fever onset to the day of initiation of etoposide (survival vs. non-survival, 10 days vs. 35 days, P=0.002) and the presence of neurologic symptoms (survival vs. non-survival, 1 case vs. 7 cases, P=0.010) were independent, poor prognostic factors of HLH. EBV infection, gender, and the level of serum ferritin had no relations to the poor prognosis of the disease. Conclusion : This study showed that the presence of neurologic symptoms and a longer duration of fever were related to a poor prognosis. Therefore, if a patient develops neurologic symptoms and the duration of fever is prolonged, a prompt diagnostic approach and aggressive treatment for HLH are necessary.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.199-210
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• 1996

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis(IHPS), which occurs three of 1,000 live births, is a major cause of nonbilious vomiting of early infancy but its etiology and pathogenesis are still obscure. The operation of pyloromyotomy as described by Ramstedt in 1912 remains the standard of care for the treatment of IHPS. From January 1993 to October 1996, 35 infants with IHPS were surgically treated and the following results were obtained. 1. Thirty-five patients comprised 32 males and 3 females, and the ratio of male to female was 10.7:1. 2. The most prevalent age group was between 2 weeks and 8 weeks. 3. Of 35 infants, first born babies were 23 cases(65.7%). 4. Breast feeding was in 23 cases(65.7%). 5. The body weight percentile at admission was lower than 50 percentile in all 35 cases. 6. Onset of symptoms was predominantly between 1week and 2 weeks in 11 cases(31.4%). 7. All had a history of nonbilious vomting, generally projectile in nature. 8. In the measured serum electrolytes, hypokalemia was noted in 9 cases(25.7%), hypochloremia was observed in 14 cases(40.0%). 9. In the preoperative ultrasonography, the average muscle thickness, diameter, and length of the pylorus were 6.2mm, 12.1mm, and 17.9mm, respectively. 10. Among 35 cases, significant sonographic criteria of IHPS, muscle thickness of 5mm or more, were noted in 26 cases(83.9%). 11. A total of seven associated anomalies were noted in six patients. 12. All 35 cases were treated with Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy. 13. There were postoperative complications of wound infection in 2 cases. Intermittent nonprojectile vomiting was presented in 8 cases(22.9%) after operation, but one of them was relieved in 13 days and the rest were relieved within one week by adjustment of oral intake.