• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.140-149
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• 2009

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori infection is probably acquired in childhood and persists as an asymptomatic infection for decades in most individuals. It is unclear why only a minority of those infected develop a clinical manifestation, even in childhood, such as peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori infection activates local immune responses and causes lymphocyte infiltration in the gastric mucosa. We have previously reported that both T and B cells in the lamina propria play important roles in the local immune response of H. pylori-infected children. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between H. pylori genotypes and gastric mucosal lymphocytes. Methods: Twenty-five H. pylori-infected children (10 with peptic ulcer disease and 15 with gastritis) were enrolled in this study. We investigated the genotypes (cagA, cagE, vacA, and babA2) and evaluated the association with clinical manifestations, histopathology, and gastric mucosal lymphocytes. Results: The prevalence of cagA, cagE, vacA s1m1, and babA2 was 80%, 60%, 84%, and 88%, respectively. The most prevalent (68%) combination of cagA, vacA, and babA2 genotypes was cagA+/vacA s1m1+/babA2+. H. pylori genotypes were not associated with clinical manifestations, histopathology, or gastric mucosal lymphocytes. Conclusion: There was no association between the cagA, cagE, vacA, or babA2 status and gastric mucosal lymphocytes. The role of the host immune response in relation to H. pylori genotypes and disease potential in children needs further studies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2009

Purpose: To analyze the clinical spectrum of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after liver transplantation in children. Methods: From January 1988 to June 2009, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 8 PTLD cases among 148 pediatric patients underwent liver transplantation. The age at transplantation, time of presentation after transplantation, clinical manifestations, histologic diagnosis, results of EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) assessments, managements and outcomes of PTLD were investigated. Results: The prevalence of PTLD in liver transplant pediatric recipients was 5.4% (8 of 148). The mean age of patients was 25.4${\pm}$21.3 months (range 10 to 67 months). Seven of 8 patients (87.5%) underwent liver transplantation before 1 year of age. The common clinical presentations were persistent fever (8 of 8, 100%) and bloody diarrhea (6 of 8, 75%). PTLD was diagnosed with gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies in five patients and surgical biopsies in three. Histologic findings showed early lesion in three patients, polymorphic in two, and monomorphic in three. Burkitt lymphoma and lymphoblastic lymphoma were found in two of 3 monomorphic patients. Seven of 8 patients were found with EBV-positive. Eight patients were treated with dose reduction of immunosuppressants and infusion of ganciclovir. Rituximab was added to four patients. PTLD were successfully managed in all patients except one who died of sepsis during chemotherapy. Conclusion: Major risk factor of PTLD was to undergo liver transplantation before 1 year of age. Continuous monitoring for EBV viral load and gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsy may be useful to early detection of PTLD.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2001

Purpose : Enterovirus is a common cause of aseptic meningitis and nonspecific febrile illness in young children. During the summer and fall months, enterovirus-infected young children are frequently admitted and evaluated to rule out bacterial sepsis and/or meningitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nonpolio enterovirus infection and febrile illness in infants under 3 months of age during the summer, fall months by using a stool culture to identify the presence of enterovirus. Methods : Patients included febrile infants under 3 months of age admitted to Masan Fatima Hospital for sepsis evaluation from May 1999 to September 1999. Cultures were performed from stool and Cerebrospinal fluid samples and then were tested for enterovirus infection. Viral isolation and serotype identification were performed by cell culture and immunofluorescent testing. Enteroviruses not typed by immunofluorescent testing were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results : A total of 44 febrile infants were enrolled; of those, 20(45%) were positive for enterovirus. Two enterovirus culture-positive infants had concomitant urinary tract infection and one had Kawasaki disease. All infants infected with an enterovirus recovered without complications. Serotype of 20 enteroviruses were isolated from stool, 3 of echovirus type 9, 1 of echovirus type 11, 1 Coxsachievirus type B4, 15 of untyped enteroviruses. One untyped enterovirus was isolated in the CSF. Conclusion : Nonpolio enterovirus infections are associated with nonspecific febrile illnesses in infants under 3 months of age.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 1998

Purpose : Enteroviruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. The epidemics of aseptic meningitis in 1993 and 1996 were mostly caused by echovirus type 9. Identification of the causative virus of aseptic meningitis in epidemics, is very important not only for diagnosis but also for epidemiologic purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the causative virus and investigate the relationship between aseptic meningitis, prevailed in Masan and surrounding areas in Kyoungsangnamdo in 1997, and its clinical manifestations. Methods : One hundred twenty eight cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and 239 stool specimens were obtained from 239 patients(213 children and 26 adult patients) with aseptic meningitis were admitted to Masan Fatima Hospitals from March to October 1997. Viral isolation and serotype identification was performed by cell culture and immunofluorescent test. Enteroviruses not typed by immunofluorescent test was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results : 1) The peak incidence was noted in June. 2) The age of 239 patients(pediatrics-213 cases, internal medicine-26 cases) that were diagnosed ranged from neonate to 35 years, the age of the patients of pediatrics ranged from neonate to 15years(mean 4.9 years), the age of the patients of internal medicine (above 16 years) ranged from 16 years to 35 years(mean 24.2 years). 3) Fifty-three(41.4%) of 128 CSF specimens were positive for enteroviruses, and 163(68.2%) of 239 stool specimens were positive for enteroviruses respectively. 4) Serotypes of 53 enteroviruses isolated from CSF were 16(30.2%) of echovirus type 30, 6(11.3%) of echovirus type 6, 1 of echovirus type 4, 4 of untyped echovirus, 1 of coxsackievirus type B5, and 24 isolates of untyped enteroviruses. Of 163 enterovirus isolated from stool were 72(44.2%) of echovirus type 30, 21(12.9%) of echovirus type 6, 1 of echovirus type 4, 17(10.4%) of undetermined subtyped echovirus, 1 of coxsackievirus type B5, 2 of A24, 3 of undetermined subtyped coxsackievirus type B, and 46 isolates of untyped enterovirus. Conclusion : There were epidemics of aseptic meningitis in the central areas of Kyoungsangnamdo from March to October 1997. The main causative organism was thought to be the echovirus type 30, and echovirus type 4, 6, coxsackievirus B5 and A24 were also thought to contribute to the epidemics.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2000

Purpose : This study was designed and performed for evaluations of clinical manifestation and course of the children under 2 year of age with respiratory tract infection and positive respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) antigen. Methods : The selection criteria of the patients were children under 24 month-of-age, Clinical manifestation of respiratory tract infection, and positive RSV antigen that was detected by Vitek ImmunoDiagnostic Assay System(VIDAS) from nasal cavity. The additional laboratory and simple chest X-ray findings were reviewed from the chart of children who were admitted Wonkwang university hospital from October 1999 to March 2000. Results : Total number of patients enrolled on this study was 102. The 48(47%) children were RSV antigen positive by VIDAS method. Abnormal chest X-ray findings were noticed in 38 cases. The male to female sex ratio of 48 RSV antigen positive cases was 1.2 : 1. The mean and range of age was $10.2{\pm}5.9$ and 1.0~24 months. The peak outbreak of cases was noticed on November, 1999. All of the cases shows coughing but rale was audible in 30 cases(60%). Dyspnea, wheezing, and intercostal retraction were noticed 11(23%), 15(31%), and 10(21%) cases respectively. The most common chest X-ray finding was scattered patch infiltration that was noticed in 30 cases(63%). The mean total white blood cell counts in peripheral blood was $12,608{\pm}4,686/mm^3$. The mean blood level of IgA and IgE were $50.8{\pm}20.9$ and $72.1{\pm}98.3mg/dL$ respectively. The C-reactive protein was $16.0{\pm}18.5mg/L$. Total 5 cases need a mechanical respiraton. The duration of admission was under 7 days in 36 cases(75%). Conclusion : The RSV antigen was detected commonly in late fall and winter season. The severity of children under 2 years old with RSV respiratory tract infection take in some degree a gave courses.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 1997

Purpose : To evaluate the prevalence and clinical manifestations of various glomerulonephritis(GN) in children with asymptomatic urinary abnormalities, a clinicopathological analysis of 134 biopsied cases which were subdivided into 3 groups of proteinuria with hematuria, isolated hematuria and isolated proteinuria was done. Methods : We conducted retrospective study with review of histopathologic findings and clinical manifestations of the 134 cases with asymptomatic urinary abnormalities diagnosed by percutaneous renal biopsy which were done between January 1986 and December 1996 at department of pediatrics, Pusan Paik hospital. Results : 1) The proportion of children with asymptomatic urinary abnormalities was 43.2% of all biosied cases. 2) Among these, primary GN were 95 cases and secondary GN were 39 cases, it's ratio was 2.44:1. As a whole, the most common pathologic diagnosis was IgA nephropathy(IgAN, 26.9%), which was followed by $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura nephritis(HSPN, 17.9%), minimal change lesion(MC, 17.2%), thin GBM disease(12.7%), Hepatitis B associated glomerulonephritis(HBGN, 6.0%), poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(PSAGN, 3.0%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis(MesPGN, 2.2%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN, 2.2%), Alport syndrome (1.5%) and Fibrillary nephritis(0.7%). 3) In proteinuria with hematuria, the most common pathologic diagnosis was IgAN(34.6%), which was followed by HSPN(19%), MC(17.7%), thin GBM disease(8.9%), HBGN(6.3%), PSAGN(3.6%), MesPGN(1.2%), MPGN(1.2%) and Alport syndrome(1.2%). 4) Major causes of isolated hematuria were thin GBM disease(19.6%), IgAN(17.6%), HSPN(17.6%), MC(11.8%). 5) Isolated proteinuria was due to of 3 cases of MC and 1 case of HBGN. Conclusion : The prevalence of glomerulonephritis with asymptomatic urinary abnormalities in children were 43.2% of all biopsed cases. When these children were subdivided into 3 groups, proteinuria with hematuria was accounted 58.9%(79 cases) and then isolated hematuria was 38.1%(51 cases), isolated proteinuria was only 3%(4 cases) respectively. The most common pathologic diagnosis was IgA nephropathy in patient with proteinuria and hematuria, and thin GBM disease in patient with isolated hematuria.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2000

Purpose: Cyclosporine(CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant but the use of CsA is associated with various side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. In tile kidney, salt depletion activates tile renin-angiotensin-aldosteron(RAS) system and accentuates chronic CsA nephropathy. We postulate that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEI) can prevent chronic CsA nephropathy, since ACEI may inhibit this cascades. This study was aimed to assess the effect of ACEI on chronic cyclosporin nephropathy in salt depleted rats. Methods: 36 Fischer-344 rats were divided into 6 goups. Group I received normal salt diet(NSD). Group II received a low salt diet(LSD). Group III received CsA with a NSD. Group IV received CsA with a LSD. Group V received NSD+CsA with ACEI. Group VI received LSD+CsA with ACEI. Rats were sacrificed after six weeks and the glomerular filtration rate(GFR), serum sodium, potassium and whole blood cyclosporine levels were measured. Renal tissues me sampled for the observation of histological changes. Results: No differences in blood CsA level & serum sodium were found between groups during the course of this experiment. Serum potassium in group VI was significantly increased compared with group IV and V (P<0.05). In groups treated with CsA only and in those where CsA was combined with ACEI, GFR was found to be significantly more decreased in LSD than NSD, and GFR in group V was significantly decreased in comparison with group III (P<0.05). Renal histologic lesions associated with CsA which consisted of cortical interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy and hyalinization of arterioles were more severe in tile LSD group. But, no differences were observed between tile groups treated with CsA and ACEI, and the groups treated with only CsA. Conclusion: Salt depletion associated with the activation of the RAS system accentuated chronic CsA nephrotoxicity, but, ACEI could not reduce the functional and morphological changes of salt depleted kidneys, in which nephropathy can be exacerbated in spite of the blocking of the angiotensin II pathway. further studies are required to elucidate whether Am ameliorated the effect of salt-depleted CsA nephrotoxicity upon the effective renal blood flow.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.178-184
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• 2007

Purpose : Since the first report by Mendoza in 1990, there have been several studies reporting that long-term intravenous methylprednisolone(MP) pulse therapy combined with cyclosporin A(CsA) or cyclophosphamide might be beneficial for the treatment of steroid resistant focal segmental glometulosclerosis(FSGS). We investigated the therapeutic effect of long-term MP pulse therapy without CsA or cyclophosphamide on steroid resistant FSGS. Methods : The medical records of the 10 steroid resistant FSGS patients who were treated with MP pulse therapy by the Mendoza protocol without CsA or cyclophosphamide in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The median age at onset was 2.6 years(range 1.1-10.6 years) and the median age at the initiation of therapy was 5.7 years(range 1.8-20 years). The median duration of follow-up was 35 months(range 4-132 months). At the end of therapy, 5 patients achieved complete remission(50%) and 2 partial remission(20%), one of whom relapsed after the therapy. Three patients did not respond to the therapy, two of whom progressed to end-stage renal failure during the therapy eventually requiring kidney transplantation. Conclusion : Intravenous long-term MP pulse therapy without CsA or cyclophosphamide by the Mendoza protocol may be effective in a subset of patients with steroid-resistant FSGS.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2006

This study was carried out to know pathogenicity of the pathogen isolated in several location of Korea and penetration mechanism of the Pseudocercospora vitis ($(L\acute{e}v)$.) Speg. Inoculation tests at room temperature were performed on both sides of leaves with different isolates of the fungus. The typical symptoms appeared on the abaxial leaf surface, but no symptom was observed on the adaxial leaf surface with all isolates. The average incubation period was nine days, since all symptoms appeared from 8 to 10 days after inoculation. In order to know the mechanism of invasion of P. vitis to grapevine, the behavior of penetration hyphae through stomata were compared in two cultivars having different level of resistance. In order to know the mechanism of resistance of grape vine to P.vitis, two cultivars having different level of resistance were compared by counting the numbers and measuring size of the stomata per leaf. In a susceptible cultivar Campbell Early, the number of stomata was more than that of a resistance cultivar 'Kyoho'. In a susceptible cultivar 'Campbell Early', the fungus entered readily into stomata after inoculation. However, in a resistant cultivar 'Kyoho', the fungus seemed to pass over or surrounded only the guard cells. In comparison of height of guard cells of stomata between the two cultivars, significant differences were observed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The height of guard cells of 'Campbell Early' showed a little higher than those of 'Kyoho' known to be resistant to the fungus.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2006

This study has been conducted to investigate the responses of various isolates of four Colletotrichum species such as C. gloeosporioides, C acutatum, C. coccodes, and C. dematium isolated from infected tissues of several crops to fungicides such as carbendazim, carbendazim+diethofencarb, four protective fungicides, and three ergosterol biosynthesis-inhibiting (EBI) fungicides. All the isolates of C. acutatum showed $EC_{50}$ values in a range of 0.001-3.040 ${\mu}g/ml$ against carbandazim, a benzimidazole fungicide. As for the response to carbendazim, the isolates of C. gloeosporioides obtained from pepper, apple, and strawberry were clearly divided into two groups, resistant or sensitive isolates. All the resistant isolates showed $EC_{50}$ values above 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$, whereas the sensitive isolates had lower $EC_{50}$ values than 0.550 ${\mu}g/ml$. The isolates of C. gloeosporioides exhibited a negative cross resistance between carbendazim and diethofencarb (a N-phenylcarbamate fungicide), but isolates of C. acutatum did not. Toward carbendazim, C. coccodes and C. dematium isolates showed a similar response to C. acutatum isolates and the sensitive isolates of C. gioeosporioides, respectively. As for response of Protective fungicides, all the isolates of C. acutatum showed a more resistant reaction than all the isolates of C. gloeosporioides. However, there was no difference among 4 species of Colletotrichum against EBI fungicides.