• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 2000

Background : In chronic airway disease, mucus secretion is increased, but extraction of mucin, which is the main component of mucus secretion, is a very complicated and limited in clinical use. Recently, monoclonal antibody for mucin was developed for possible clinical use. In this study, cellular analysis and quantification of respiratory mucin in sputum of patients with chronic airway diseases were performed. Method : Sputum was collected from patients with asthma(n=33), bronchiectasis(n=8) or chronic bronchitis (n=13) by spontaneous expectoration or by hypertonic saline induction. Collected sputums was treated by 0.1% dithiotreitol to dissociate the disulfide bond of the mucus and filtered through a nylon gauze. Total cell count, viability and differential count were measured. For detection of mucin, collected samples were treated with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and then with monoclonal antibody(HMO2), as the primary antibody, and PAS stain. The amount of mucin was measured with ELISA by HMO2. Correlation with clinical information, cellular analysis, and amount of measured mucin were analyzed. Results : Total cell counts of sputum were significantly increased in patients with bronchiectasis but viability remained the same. Eosinophils were significantly increased in patients with asthma, neutrophils in bronchiectasis chronic bronchitis, respectively (p<0.05). The results of Western blotting and PAS staining confirmed the presence of glycoproteins and matched? with mucin. The amounts of mucin measured by ELISA were not significantly different among the disease groups. Significant correlation was identified between the amount of mucin and viability(r=-0.482, p<0.05). Conclusion : Inflammatory cells in the sputum of those with chronic airway disease were different for each disease type. Measurement of mucin by ELISA via monoclonal antibodies may be a simple method for the evaluation of chronic airway disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2006

Background : Pulmonary tuberculosis is frequently accompanied with complications such as bronchiectasis, cavities, fibrosis and a deterioration of the lung function. However, there is little information available on the pathogenesis of these complications in pulmonary tuberculosis. Among the many factors involving in tissue remodeling, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$) is a potent stimulus of the extracellular matrix fomation and a mediator of potential relevance for airway wall remodeling. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between the radiological changes and the $TGF-{\beta}1$ level in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected from total of 35 patients before treating them for active pulmonary tuberculosis, and the $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The BALF levels were recalculated as the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) levels using the albumin method. pulmonary function test (PFT) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were performed before and after treatment. Results : There was a strong correlation between the serum $TGF-{\beta}1$ level and the presence of cavities (r=0.404, p=0.006), even though the BAL $TGF-{\beta}1$ level showed a weak correlation with complications. In addition, there was no correlation between the $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels before treatment and the changes in the PFT and HRCT during treatment. Conclusion : There is a correlation between the serum $TGF-{\beta}1$ level and cavity formation in pulmonary tuberculosis before treatment. However, further study will be needed to confirm this.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.358-364
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• 2009

Background: The appropriate empirical antimicrobial choice in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) should be advocated by community-based information on the etiologic pathogens, their susceptibility to antimicrobials, clinical characteristics and outcomes. Jeju is a geographically isolated and identical region in Korea. However, there is no regional reference on adult CAP available. This study investigated the etiologic agents and clinical outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with CAP in Jeju, Korea, to help guide the empirical antimicrobial choice. Methods: A prospective observational study for one year in a referral hospital in Jeju, Korea. Patients diagnosed with CAP were enrolled with their clinical characteristics. Microbiological evaluations to identify the etiologic agents in the adult patients with CAP were performed with blood culture, expectorated sputum smear and culture, antibody tests for mycoplasma, chlamydophila, and antigen tests for legionella and pneumococcus. The clinical outcomes of the initial empirical treatment were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and three patients with mean age of 64 and 79 females were enrolled. Ten microbials from 90 cases (44.3%) were isolated and multiple isolates were confirmed in 30. Among the microbial isolates, S. pneumoniae (36.3%) was the most common, followed by M. pneumoniae (23.0%), C. pneumoniae (17.0%), S. aureus (9.6%) and P. aeruginosa (5.9%). The initial treatment failure (23.8%) was related to the isolation of polymicrobial pathogens, elevated inflammatory markers, and the presence of pleural effusion. Among the 30 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 16 (53.3%) were not susceptible to penicillin, and 19 isolates (63.3%) to erythromycin and clarithromycin. However, 29 isolates (96.7%) were susceptible to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: S. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa are frequent etiologic agents of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance should be considered when determining the initial empirical antimicrobial choice. Respiratory quinolone or ceftriaxone is recommended as an empirical antimicrobiotic in the treatment of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2009

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a thrombolytic agent important in fibirn clot lysis. T-PA causes fibirn-specific plasminogen activation. Six binary vectors harboring t-PA and its derivative genes were cloned and expressed in transgenic alfalfa plants. The insertion of the t-PA and its derivative genes in genomic DNA of alfalfa plants was confirmed by PCR. The presence of the t-PA and its derivative transcripts in total RNAs of the transgenic alfalfa leaves was verified by RT-PCR. ELISA experiments demonstrated that the highest level of recombinant t-PA expression was $75.1{\mu}g$/ total soluble protein (mg) in alfalfa plants. The amount of recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins in transgenic plants was estimated to range from 9.7 to $39.5{\mu}g$/ total soluble proteins (mg). Western blot analysis of the transformed alfalfa leaves revealed bands of approximately 68-kDa recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins. The fibrinolysis of recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins was confirmed by a fibrin plate assay (range from 3.2 to 8.1 cm). The results presented provide information for the development of an additional production of recombinant human proteins having pharmaceutical applications using transgenic plants.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2013

Objective: Cytopenia is a common hematologic complication of viral infections. However, information regarding hematologic effects of common respiratory virus infections is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate hematologic complications and the clinical course of patients infected with common respiratory viruses. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 496 patients with respiratory tract infections admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Wonkwang University Hospital from November 2011 to March 2012 using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence of respiratory viruses and hematologic abnormalities. Results: Respiratory viruses were identified in 379 patients. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was most frequently detected (55.7%), followed by influenza A (Flu-A, 23.0%). Further, cytopenia was observed in 35.5% of RSV-infected patients, 25.0% of Flu-A-infected patients, and 34% of patients infected by other viruses. Each virus caused a decrease in 3 blood cell component values, which corresponded with cytopenia frequency. Of the 379 infected patients, 83 had anemia ($9.71{\pm}1.09g/dL$); 46 had neutropenia ($803.70{\pm}263.09cells/mm^3$); and 23 had transient thrombocytopenia ($142,434.78{\pm}86,835.18cells/mm^3$). However, no patient required treatment. A comparison of clinical characteristics between RSV- and Flu-A-positive patients with anemia revealed that RSV-infected patients had significantly longer duration of hospitalization. RSV was detected more commonly in young neutropenic patients, who had a shorter duration of fever. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that infections, particularly RSV and Flu-A, result in varying degrees of cytopenia, which usually improves without treatment and does not affect the clinical course of the infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.180-187
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• 2016

Purpose: This study described the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and secondary varicella infection in children inadvertently exposed to varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the hospital. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with VZV infection who were initially not properly isolated, as well as children exposed to VZV at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015. The PEP measures were determined by the presence of immunity to VZV and immunocompromising conditions. Patient clinical information was reviewed via medical records. Results: Among 147 children hospitalized between 2010 and 2015, 13 inadvertent exposures were notified due to VZV infection. Five index children had a history of VZV vaccination. Eighty-six children were exposed in multi-occupancy rooms and 62.8% (54/86) were immune to VZV. The PEP measures administered to 27 exposed patients included varicella zoster immunoglobulin and VZV vaccination. Four children developed secondary varicella, which was linked to a single index patient, including one child who did not receive PEP and three of the 27 children who received PEP. The rates of secondary varicella and prophylaxis failure were 4.7% (4/85) and 11.1% (3/27), respectively. The secondary varicella rates were 1.9% (1/54) and 9.7% (3/31) among immunocompetent and immunocompromised children, respectively. Conclusions: Delayed diagnosis of VZV infection can lead to unexpected exposure and place susceptible children and immunocompromised patients at risk for developing varicella. The appropriateness of the current PEP strategy based on VZV immunity may require re-evaluation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2014

Purpose : In-vivo conductivity reconstruction using transmit field ($B_1{^+}$) information of MRI was proposed. We assessed the accuracy of conductivity reconstruction in the presence of statistical noise in complex $B_1{^+}$ map and provided a parametric model of the conductivity-to-noise ratio value. Materials and Methods: The $B_1{^+}$ distribution was simulated for a cylindrical phantom model. By adding complex Gaussian noise to the simulated $B_1{^+}$ map, quantitative conductivity estimation error was evaluated. The quantitative evaluation process was repeated over several different parameters such as Larmor frequency, object radius and SNR of $B_1{^+}$ map. A parametric model for the conductivity-to-noise ratio was developed according to these various parameters. Results: According to the simulation results, conductivity estimation is more sensitive to statistical noise in $B_1{^+}$ phase than to noise in $B_1{^+}$ magnitude. The conductivity estimate of the object of interest does not depend on the external object surrounding it. The conductivity-to-noise ratio is proportional to the signal-to-noise ratio of the $B_1{^+}$ map, Larmor frequency, the conductivity value itself and the number of averaged pixels. To estimate accurate conductivity value of the targeted tissue, SNR of $B_1{^+}$ map and adequate filtering size have to be taken into account for conductivity reconstruction process. In addition, the simulation result was verified at 3T conventional MRI scanner. Conclusion: Through all these relationships, quantitative conductivity estimation error due to statistical noise in $B_1{^+}$ map is modeled. By using this model, further issues regarding filtering and reconstruction algorithms can be investigated for MREPT.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.505-512
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life according to the level of subjective perception as well as to analyze the influencing factors and improve the subjective perception to improve the quality of life. The results of the survey for adult patients in hospitals and neighborhood clinics in the region of Busan for nine months from December 2015 were as follows. Regarding the total symptoms, the women had a score of 1.41, and the younger respondents felt they suffered from no symptoms. An analysis of the quality of life by the general characteristics showed that the respondents who were better educated and had no systemic diseases had a higher score of 54.71 on the OHIP-14. The respondents who were better educated and had no systemic diseases had a higher score of 6.48 when a single item was used to determine their happiness index, and the respondents who were better educated and had no systemic diseases had a higher score of 3.82 when five items were used to rate their happiness index. The factor with the greatest influence on their scores on the OHIP-14 was the total symptoms, followed in order by the happiness index and self-rated oral health status. The variable that exerted the largest influence on the happiness index was the OHIP-14, followed by the self-rated health status, high-school or lower education, and the presence or absence of one or more chronic disease. Therefore, an improvement in the subjective awareness level is required to boost the quality of life, and a variety of health education programs should be prepared to raise the awareness level. In addition, there should be a chance to convey accurate information.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Background: Circulating levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) provide prognostic information for patients with heart failure. The aim of our study was to investigate whether preoperative and postoperative BNP levels could predict postoperative complications and outcomes in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Material and Method: Data was collected prospectively on 30 patients (M/F=19/11, age $60.0{\pm}9.6$ years) undergoing conventional CABG during a 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2005. Patients underwent off-pump CABG, and combined surgery was excluded. The BNP assay was performed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively at the intensive care unit (ICU), and 1, 3, 5, and 7days postoperatively. Result: Preoperative BNP levels significantly correlated with preoperative echocardiographic ejection fraction and an ICU stay of 5 days or more (r=-0.4, p=0.028; r=0.39, p=0.031, respectively). A preoperative BNP cut-off value above 263 pg/mL demonstrated high specificity (90.5%) for predicting postoperative complications using the receiver operating characteristics curves. Preoperative and postoperative (7 days) BNP levels were different depending on the abscence (mean BNP=$99{\pm}23\;pg/mL$ vs. $296{\pm}74\;pg/mL$, p<0.05) and presence (mean BNP=$212{\pm}29\;pg/mL$ vs. $408{\pm}23\;pg/mL$, p<0.01). Conclusion: Preoperative BNP levels >263 pg/mL predict postoperative complications in patients receiving CABG.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.400-407
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• 2014

Urban farming supplies emotional stability and fresh vegetables to participating persons, however, no information regarding the biosafety of agricultural products from urban farming is available. Here, we collected 260 samples of Chinese cabbages and lettuce from 4 urban community gardens and 6 roof gardens in Seoul from September through October 2012, and monitored the microbiological and parasitological contamination quantitatively and/or qualitatively. The mean counts of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms were $6.1{\pm}0.8\;log\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$ ( range, $5.4{\pm}0.6{\sim}7.1{\pm}0.8\;log\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$) and $4.0{\pm}0.7\;log\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$ (range, $2.3{\pm}0.6{\sim}6.1{\pm}0.9\;log\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$), respectively. Coliforms were detected on 59.6% among 260 vegetable samples. There were no significant differences in the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms between the Chinese cabbages and lettuce, whereas both levels of vegetables from urban community gardens were higher than those of roof gardens (p > 0.05). Escherichia coli was isolated at 3.1% among whole vegetables, and contamination level was $1.5{\pm}0.2\;log\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$. Among foodborne pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 1.5%, however, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 were not detected on any of the vegetable samples. We also found undefined parasite eggs from two samples of Chinese cabbages (0.8% of total vegetables we tested). From these study, we found the presence of microbial contamination of agricultural products from urban farming, thus we need further concern to improve the biosafety during production of agricultural products.