• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.129-135
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• 2000

Purpose : We previously reported the short-term immunogenecity and safety of 47 passaged Oka strain live attenuated varicella vaccine in healthy children in 1997. Now, we conducted this two-year follow-up study to confirm the maintenance of immunity, the occurrence of natural varicella infection and the activation of vaccine induced latent infection on the same vaccine. Methods : 99 children who had been immunized by 47 passaged Oka strain live attenuated varicella vaccine in 1997 were followed up by questionnaire, and 46 children out of study group were followed up serologically. They were asked to report any instance of varicella or herpes zoster since they had been immunized. If there was any evidence of varicella or herpes zoster, they should be clinically or serologically confirmed by doctor. Also, those patients' parents were asked to report any instance of varicella or herpes zoster in their family, playmate, kindergarten, school, or other settings. The immunity to VZV was confirmed by EIA and FAMA test. Results : 6 recipients developed breakthrough varicella after exposure to VZV in family, kindergarten and school during follow-up period. However, clinical features of those patients were very mild and self limited without therapy. And none of the recipients developed herpes zoster during this observation period. The results of EIA test showed that study subjects were all seropositive except one, and the antibody titers and GMT of FAMA test were seropositively maintained in all subjects. Statistically, the antibody titers of EIA and FAMA test confirmed two years after vaccination were higher than those results confirmed one month after vaccination. Conclusion : Our study results suggest that the immunity of 47 passaged Oka strain live attenuated varicella is well maintained until 2 years later after vaccination, and mild natural infection after exposure to VZV can be occurred with low rate. There were not developing zoster in study vaccine after vaccination for two-years.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

Purpose: To estimate the long-term therapeutic efficacy and safety of adefovir dipivoxil in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis B who have developed lamivudine resistance. Methods: Sixteen patients (12 boys and 4 girls; ages 4.3~20.9 years; mean age 14.2 years) with chronic hepatitis B infection resistant to lamivudine therapy received adefovir (0.3 mg/kg/day, maximal dose 10 mg) orally for at least 9 months between March 2004 and April 2008. Each patient was followed up for a mean period of 27 months (range 9~49 months) until April 2008 at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea. Therapeutic responses to adefovir were evaluated at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months from the initiation of therapy using the Kaplan-Meier method. Response measurements included ALT normalization, HBV DNA negativization, 2 $log_{10}$ IU/mL decrement of HBeAg titer, HBeAg loss, and HBeAg/Ab seroconversion rate. Results: Three (18.8%) of the 16 patients treated with adefovir showed HBeAg/Ab seroconversion. Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative ALT normalization were 12.5% (12 months), 43.8% (24 months), 63.5% (36 months), and 92.7% (48 months), respectively. Cumulative HBV DNA negativization was 6.7%, 30.0%, 45.6%, and 78.2% at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Cumulative 2 $log_{10}$ copies/mL decrement of HBeAg titer was 12.5%, 43.8%, 56.3%, and 86.9% at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Cumulative HBeAg loss and HBeAg/Ab seroconversion were 6.7% (12 months) and 22.2% (24 months), respectively. Conclusion: The long-term therapeutic efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil was favorable in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis B who had developed lamivudine resistance. The long-term use of adefovir should be safe in children.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.284-295
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• 2020

In December 2019, the first coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) patient was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since then, the number of patients who suffered severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV) has increased dramatically in Korea. This new variant virus induces pulmonary diseases, including cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, dyspnea, and pneumonia. Because SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19. As the Korea Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC) and Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) approved emergency use authorization, clinical specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and even healthy people have been clinically diagnosed by laboratory medicine. Based on a literature search, this paper reviews the epidemiology, symptoms, molecular diagnostics approved by KCDC, a current diagnosis of COVID-19 in the laboratories, the difference between molecular and serological diagnosis, and guidelines for clinical specimens. In addition, the Korean guidelines of biosafety for clinical laboratory scientists are evaluated to prevent healthcare-associated infection. The author's experience and lessons as clinical laboratory scientists will provide valuable insights to protect the domestic and international health community in this COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the e지ent and frequency of the inter- and intra-treatment isocenter deviations of the whole pelvis radiation field in using small bowel displacement system (SBDS). Methods and Materials : Using electronic portal imaging device (EPID), 302 postero-anterior 232 lateral portal images were prospectively collected from 11 patients who received pelvic radiation therapy (7 with cervix cancer and 4 with rectal cancer). All patients were treated in prone position with SBDS under the lower abdomen. Five metallic fiducial markers were placed on the image detection unit for the recognition of the isocenter and magnification. After aligning the bony landmarks of the EPID images on those of the reference image, the deviations of the isocenter were measured in right-left (RL), cranio-caudal (CC), and PA directions. Results : The mean inter-treatment deviation of the isocenter in each RL, CC, and PA direction was 1.2 mm ($\pm$ 1.6 mm), 1.0 mm ($\pm$3.0 mm), and 0.9 mm ($\pm$4.4 mm), respectively. Inter-treatment isocenter deviations over 5 mm and 10 mm in RL, CC, and PA direction were 2, 12, 24$\%$, and 0, 0, 5$\%$, respectively. Maximal deviation was detected in PA direction, and was 11.5 mm. The mean intratreatment deviation of the isocenter in RL, CC, and PA direction was 0 mm ($\pm$0.9 mm), 0.1 mm ($\pm$ 1.9mm), and 0 mm ($\pm$1.6 mm), respectively. All intra-treatment isocenter deviations over 5 mm in each direction were 0, 1, 1$\pm$, respectively. Conclusions : As the greatest and the most frequent inter-treatment deviation of the isocenter was along the PA direction, it is recommended to put more generous safety margin toward the PA direction on the lateral fields if clinically acceptable in pelvic radiotherapy with SBDD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1383-1391
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• 2016

Anti-estrogen drugs such as tamoxifen have been used for treating patients with ER-positive, early breast cancer. However, resistance to anti-estrogen treatment is inevitable in most patients. Breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance-3 (BCAR3) has been identified as the protein responsible for the induction of tamoxifen resistance in estrogen-dependent human breast cancer. We have previously reported that BCAR3 regulates the cell cycle progression and the signaling pathway of EGF and insulin leading to DNA synthesis. In this study, we investigated the functional role of BCAR3 in regulating c-Jun transcription in non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial MCF-12A cells. A transient transfection of BCAR3 increased both the mRNA and protein of c-Jun expression, and stable expression of BCAR3 increased c-Jun protein expression. The overexpression of BCAR3 directly activated the promoter of c-jun, AP-1, and SRE but not that of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Furthermore, single-cell microinjection of BCAR3 expression plasmid in the cell cycle-arrested MCF-12A cells induced c-Jun protein expression, and co-injection of dominant negative mutants of Ras, Rac, and Rho suppressed the transcriptional activity of c-Jun in the presence of BCAR3. Furthermore, stable expression of BCAR3 increased the proliferation of MCF-12A cells. The microinjection of inhibitory materials such as anti-BCAR3 antibody and siRNA BCAR3 inhibited EGF-induced c-Jun expression but did not affect IGF-1 induced upregulation of c-Jun. Taken together, we propose that BCAR3 plays a crucial role in c-Jun protein expression and cell proliferation and that small GTPases (e.g., Ras, Rac, and Rho) are required for the BCAR3-mediated activation of c-Jun expression.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.243-252
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• 2005

Purpose: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the radiation treatment center which is generally located underground is important to the health of hospital workers and patients treated over a long period of time. this study was conducted to measure and analyze the factors related to IAQ and subjective symptoms of sick building syndrome, and to establish the causes influencing IAQ and find a solution to the problems. Methods and Materials : Self administrated questionnaire was conducted to check the workers' symptoms and understanding of the work environment. Based on a preliminary investigation, the factors related to IAQ such as temperature, humidity, fine particulate. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and radon gas were selected and measured for a certain period of time in specific sites where hospital workers stay long in a day. And we also evaluated the surrounding environment and the efficiency of the ventilating system simultaneously, and measured the same factors at the first floor (outdoor) to compare with outdoor all quality, All collected data were assessed by the recommended standard for IAQ of the domestic and international environmental organizations. Results: Hospital workers were discontented with foul odors, humidity and particulate. They complained symptoms related to musculo-skeletal system, neurologic system, and mucosal-irritatation. Most of the factors were not greater than the recommended standard, but the level of TVOC was third or fourth times as much as the measuring level of some offices in the United States. The frequency and the amount of the ventilating system were adequate, however, the problem arising in the position of outdoor-air inlets and indoor-air outlets involved a risk of the indraft of contaminated air. A careful attention was a requirement in handling and keeping chemical substances including a developing solution which has a risk of TVOC emissions, and repositioning the ventilating system was needed to solve the contaminated-air circulation immediately Conclusion We verified that some IAQ-related factors and inadequate ventilating system could cause subjective symptoms in hospital workers. The evaluation of IAQ was surely needed to improve the underground working environments for hospital workers and patients. On the basis of these data, from now on, we should actively engage in designs of the department of radiation oncology or improvement in environments of the existing facilities.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 1997

Purpose : Before we report the results of curative radiotherapy in cervix cancer patients, we review the significance and safety of our dose specification methods in the brachytherapy system to have the insight of the potential Predictive value of doses at specified points. Matersials and Methods : We analyze the 리5 cases of cervix cancer patients treated with intracavitary brachytherapy in the lateral simulation film we draw the isodose curve and observe the absorbed dose rate of point A, the reference point of bladder(SBD) and rectum(SRD). In the sagittal view of Pelvic MRI film we demarcate the tumor volume(TV) and determine whether the prescription dose curve of point A covers the tumor volume adequately by drawing the isodose curve as correctly as possible. Also we estimate the maximum Point dose of bladder(MBD) and rectum(MRD) and calculate the inclusion area where the absorbed dose rate is higher than that of point A in the bladder(HBV) and rectum(HRV), respectively. Results : Of forty-five cases, the isodose curve of point A seems to cover tumor volume optimally in only 24(53%). The optimal tumor coverage seems to be associated not with the stage of the disease but with the tumor volume. There is no statistically significant association between SBD/SRD and MBD/MRD, respectively. SRD has statistically marginally significant association with HRV, while TV has statistically significant association with HBV and HRV. Conclusion : Our current treatment calculation methods seem to have the defect in the aspects of the nonoptimal coverage of the bulky tumor and the inappropriate estimation of bladder dose. We therefore need to modify the applicator geometry to optimize the dose distribution at the position of lower tandem source. Also it appears that the position of the bladder in relation to the applicators needs to be defined individually to define 'hot spots'.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2008

Purpose: Laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer was introduced in the past decade because it was considered less invasive than open surgery, and this results in less postoperative pain, faster recovery and an improved quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this procedure. We examined the outcome of performing laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer over the last two year. Materials and Methods: From April 2004 to December 2006, 329 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma underwent a laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection. The data was retrospectively reviewed in terms of the clinicopathologic findings, the perioperative outcomes and the complications. Results: The total patient group was comprised 196 men (59.6%) and 133 women (40.4%). The mean BMI was 23.6 and the mean tumor size was 2.7 cm. The mean number of harvested lymph node was 22.7, and this was 18.6 before 30 cases and 23.1 after 30 cases, and the difference was significant (P=0.02). The mean operation time was 180.9 min, and this was than 287.9 min before 30 cases and 170.2 min after 30 cases. After 30 cases, there was a significant improvement of the operation time (P<0.01). The mean incision length after 30 cases was shorter than that before 30 cases (P<0.01). Postoperative complications occurred in 24 (7.3%) of 329 patients and there was no conversion to open surgery. Conclusion: Even though the LADG was accompanied by a difficult learning curve, we successfully performed 329 LADG procedures over the past 2 years and we believe that LADG is a safe, feasible operation for treating most early gastric cancers (EGC).

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2023

This study was conducted to analyze factors affecting the length of stay in children with injuries by determining relationships between length of stay and characteristics of children(aged 0 to 12) with injuries. 7,804 patients aged 0 to 12 who participated in the Korea Nation Hospital Discharge In-Depth Injury Surveys, got a diagnosis of sequelae of injuries and of other consequences of external causes(S00-T98), and were discharged between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020 were investigated. A frequency analysis, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA were performed. Also, to identify factors affecting the length of stay, a regression analysis was performed. The average length of stay for the patients investigated in this study was 5.5 days. The length of stay for school-age children(aged 7 to 12) and children who had either public or private coverage was higher than that for preschoolers(aged 0 to 6) and children who didn't have public or private coverage, respectively. The length of stay for children admitted to a hospital in a rural area(Jeolla-do or Gyeongsang-do) was higher than that for children admitted to a hospital in a metropolitan area and the length of stay for children admitted to a hospital that had 100-299 hospital beds was relatively long. However, children who first visited a hospital for outpatient care stayed relatively short in hospital and children who had been burned or injured in traffic crashes stayed relatively long in hospital. Children who got a secondary diagnosis and had a principal procedure or who died after being discharged were in hospital for a long time. The findings of this study shall be useful, as they identified characteristics related to the length of stay for Korean children with injuries and factors that determine the length of stay for those children by analyzing the national dataset, or more specifically, the data from the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-Depth Injury Surveys. The risk of child injuries can be easily reduced by taking actions to prevent them and providing safety education programs. The present study has provided essential baseline data for the provision of aggressive care for child injuries and the establishment of a range of policies for child injury prevention.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.4 s.48
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• pp.533-541
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• 2004

Atopic dermatitis, also called congenital fever, is a allergic eczema of chronic itching disease. It is a recurrent and familial disease and appears on a wide age group from infant to adult. It is very common, and the ratio of occurrence is about $9{\~}l2\%$ of a child. However. it is showing trend of continuous increase by social and natural environment, food culture, and life style, recently. The human skin plays a barrier role against a physical and chemical stimulus from external environment. According to the latest study, the decreased amount of ceramide in horny layer impairs the bier function and moisture-maintaining function of skin in atopic dematitis patient. Ceramide is a kind of the sphingolipid in which a fatty acid is connected to sphingosin. Ceramide constitutes about $40\%$ of total lipid between keratinocytes and has the function of defense wall and building regular structure to suppress moisture vaporization in horny layer. In horny layer of skin a comified cell is composed of multi-layer structure of a brick shape, and, as for this cornified cell, it is strongly connected by ceramide, cholesterol, and free fatty acid. Here, we described the effects of a cream containing ceramide on the recovery of skin harrier function of atopic dermatitis patient. The safety and efficacy of latex and liquid formula were evaluated as cosmetics for atopic dermatitis. The latex products was composed of intercellular lipid components-ceramide, cholesterol, and free fatty acid-to restore skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis patients. The liquid one contained beta-glucan, magnolia extracts, and licolice extracts, which have skin immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also confirmed that their possibility on new cosmetic market of atopic dermatitis.