• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.127-136
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• 1985

To evaluate change of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ concentration$(s\beta_2-MG)$ and the usefulness of $s\beta_2-MG$ and $s\beta_2-MG/serum$ creatinine concentration(sCr) ratio in various renal diseases, $s\beta_2-MG$ and sCr were measured in 25 normal controls and 90 patients of various renal diseases(16 cases of glomerulonephritis, 12 cases of acute renal failure, 8 cases of chronic renal failure, 24 cases of nephrotic syndrome, 15 cases of tubulointerstitial diseases and 15 cases of lupus nephritis) using $Phadebas^\circledR$ $Beta_2-Micro$ Test kits. The results were as follows; 1) In normal control, the mean value of $s\beta_2-MG$ was $1.65{\pm}0.41mg/l$ and the mean value of $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio was $0.14{\pm}0.05$. 2) In various renal diseases, the mean value of $s\beta_2-MG$ was $6.74{\pm}5.47mg/l$. The mean value of $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio was $0.24{\pm}0.11$ and significantly elevated than that of normal control. (p<0.05) 3) The correlation between $s\beta_2-MG$ and sCr in glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease was log $s\beta_2-MG-0.90$ log sCr-0.48 and its correlation coefficient was 0.78(p<0.05). 4) In glomerular disease, the correlation between $s\beta_2-MG$ and sCr was log $s\beta_2-MG-0.89$ log sCr-0.46(r - 0.76) and in tubulointerstitial disease, it was log, $s\beta2-MG-0.95$ log sCr-0.59 (r-0.87). There was no significant difference between the two groups(p<0.05). 5) Among 32 cases of glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease patients, whose sCr was within normal range, 17 cases showed elevated $s\beta_2-MG$. The mean values of $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio in these patients was $0.30{\pm}0.14$ and significantly elevated than that of normal control(p<0.05). 6) In 15 cases of lupus nephritis, 12 cases showed elevated $s\beta_2-MG$ with normal sCr and 12 cases showed elevated $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio. With above results, it was found that the $s\beta_2MG$ can be used as an index of glomerular filtration rate as in the case of sCr and that $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio can be used as a tool in early detection of slightly decreased glomerular filtration rate and in detection of the renal disease of increased $\beta_2-MG$ production.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 1985

To evaluate the significance of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ in patients with various liver diseases, serum $\beta_2m$ levels were measured in 44 cases of normal controls, 32 cases of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 134 patients with various liver diseases, by radioimmunoassay using Phadebas $Beta_2-micro$ test kits. The following results were obtained: 1) The mean level of serum $\beta_2m$ was $1.39{\pm}0.25mg/l(Mean{\pm}S.D.)$ in normal controls ($1.39{\pm}0.23mg/l$ in 24 males, $1.38{\pm}0.27mg/l$ in 20 females). 2) The serum levels of $\beta_2m$ in patients with various liver diseases and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were as follows; $1.40{\pm}0.27mg/l$ in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, $2.42{\pm}0.37mg/l$ in 45 patients with acute viral hepatitis, $2.10{\pm}0.26mg/l$ in 46 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, $2.60{\pm}0.34mg/l$ in 23 patients with chronic active hepatitis, and $2.60{\pm}0.49mg/l$ in 20 patients with liver cirrhosis. Serum $\beta_2m$ levels of each disease group were significantly higher than that of normal controls(p<0.001). 3) There was significant correlation between the levels of serum $\beta_2m$ and the degrees of lymphocytic infiltration in patients with chronic active hepatitis(p<0.001). 4) Significant correlations were observed between the levels of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ and serum alanine aminotransferase(r=0.68, p<0.05) and bilirubin(r=0.63, p<0.05) in 15 patients with acute viral hepatitis. In conclusion, the serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ levels were increased in patients with various liver diseases, and it may serve as a new index of liver disease activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.960-965
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• 2009

${\beta}2$-Microglobulin (${\beta}2m$) is known to be a major factor for dialysis-related amyloidosis. We have studied ${\beta}2m$ removal through an aggregation process, which was initiated by a ligand that could catch the ${\beta}2m$ monomer and promote its aggregation into fibril. As a ligand, we have prepared ${\beta}2m$ fibril fragments and used them as a seed. The seed was coupled to PEGylated-PS beads to remove the monomeric ${\beta}2m$ from solution. The ${\beta}2m$ seed-conjugated resin effectively adsorbed the ${\beta}2m$ monomers with a capacity of 3.6 mg/ml via promoting their aggregation into fibrils on the resin at pH 7.4.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify renal inflammation following Kawasaki disease (KD) using single photon emission computed tomography along with Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA renal SPECT). Methods: From March 2011 to October 2011, 15 patients diagnosed with KD at the National Health Insurance System Ilsan Hospital were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent DMSA renal SPECT to evaluate renal involvement during the acute phase of KD. Urine ${\beta}2$-microglobulin (${\beta}2$-MG), a marker of renal proximal tubular dysfunction, was also measured to assess renal damage. Results: All 15 patients had normal renal function test results. However, microscopic hematuria and pyuria were observed in 13% and 33% of the patients, respectively. Moreover, urine ${\beta}2$-MG was elevated in 46% of the patients. In addition, patients were divided into two groups based on ${\beta}2$-MG level: those with an increased ${\beta}2$-MG level, and those with a normal ${\beta}2$-MG level. No significant differences were found between these two groups in clinical characteristics, laboratory, sonography, and echocardiography findings. All patients' DMSA renal SPECT scans were normal. Conclusion: Our study showed that mild abnormalities in the urinalysis and elevated urine ${\beta}2$-MG were the only findings of renal involvement in KD. However, no aggressive renal manifestations were detected on DMSA renal SPECT.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 1999

Renal scarring associated with vesico-ureteral reflux(VUR) is one of the major causes of end stage renal failure and renal hypertension in children. Urinary ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin(MG) has been suggested as a potential marker for presence of renal tubular damage. This study was designed to evaluate the significance of random urine ${\beta}_2$-MG as a predictor of presence of vesico-ureteral reflux in children with urinary tract infection(UTI). 57 children with urinary tract infection were studied. Patients were devided into two groups; 35($78.9\%$) children have UTI without VUR and 12($21.1\%$) children have UTI and VUR. Beta2-MG and creatinine in random urine sample was measured to decide the excretion ratio(${\beta}_2$-MG/creatinine). Among the 57 children with UTI, 44 children were confirmed by urine culture study and 13 children suspected by compatible clinical feature. Random urine ${\beta}_2$-MG of VUR group ($2.2{\pm}5.91$ mg/L) were significantly higher than that of simple UTI group($0.19{\pm}0.16mg/L$)(P=0.03). The ${\beta}_2$-MG/creatinine ratio of VUR group($32.41{\pm}25.7$) were significantly higher than that of simple UTI group($3.93{\pm}3.44$)(P=0.007). In conclusion, random urine ${\beta}_2$-MG and excretion ratio deserved early predictor of presence of VUR in children with UTI. And this method was more simple and inexpensive than the method of measuring ${\beta}_2$-MG with 24 hour urine collection, so might be a useful screening test for VUR in children with UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of measurement of ${\beta}_2$ microglobulin (${\beta}_2$ MG), N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) of spot urine samples as indices of renal tubular damage and microalbumin of spot urine samples as a parameter of glomerular damage in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) or renal defects. Methods : We studied 91 children with previous UTI. The children were classified as 62 children without VUR and renal defects (group I), 10 children with VUR, without renal defects (group II), and 19 children with VUR and renal defects (group III). Patients having VUR were separated according to the degree of VUR (mild VUR: VUR grade I-III, severe VUR: VUR grade IV-V). Urinary excretion of ${\beta}_$ microglobulin (${\beta}_2$ MG), microalbumin, N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), creatinine were measured in samples of morning urine specimens. Children with VUR or renal defects detected by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and DMSA renal scan were investigated. Results : Microalbumin/Cr ratio of spot urine was significantly increased in group III compared group I ($42.3{\pm}27.2\;mg/gCr$ vs $25.2{\pm}10.9\;mg/gCr$, P<0.05). NAG/Cr ratio of spot urine was significantly increased in group II compared group I ($3.70{\pm}23.4\;mg/gCr$ vs $18.7{\pm}12.7\;mg/gCr$, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of ${\beta}_2$ MG/Cr ratio among three groups. Conclusion : Urinary microalbumin excretion of morning urine sample may be a simple and reliable clinical indicators for early identification of renal damage in children with VUR and renal defects. Urinary microalbumin excretion may be useful marker to predict the the severity of VUR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 1989

Nowadays, in spite of the remarkable development of the results of open heart surgery, the incidence of postoperative acute renal failure [ARF] has been increased due to the expansion of the candidates and prolonged operation time for complicated cases. It is also well known that ARF after open heart surgery, if once occurred, is a critical complication, therefore early diagnosis and treatment about it are very important for prognosis. Recently a low molecular weight [2 * microglobulin [[2* MG]has been used as a indicator of renal function. Because of the properties of [2 * MG, serum concentration of it is increased in glomerular dysfunction and urine excretion of it is increased in tubular dysfunction. Author studied about the perioperative changes of serum [2* MG and BUN concentration in 25 children and 30 adults for evaluation of significances of [2* MG as a parameter of postoperative renal function in open heart surgery, and the results were obtained as follows. l. In open heart surgery, the serum [2* MG concentration was elevated postoperatively in the all cases from the first postoperative day. 2. There were a significant correlation between the preoperative BUN and [2* MG concentration [P< 0.01]. The correlation factor[r] in child group was 0.8512, and in adults 0.8636. 3. The maximum level of serum [2* MG in the both child and adult groups were noticed in 4th postoperative day as 2.61*0.80mg/ 1 in child group and 3.39*1.47 mg/ 4 in adult group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups statistically[P < 0.05]. 4. The pattern of changes of serum concentration of [2* MG with time was very similar with the changes of BUN, but in a case of ARF [expired with it] the changes of [2* MG was more remarkable. 5. There was a significant differences in the maximum level of [2* MG between the 2 group according to the ECC time [groups of below and above 60 minutes] [P< 0.01].

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2016

Background: Neutropenic fever is one of the most common and potentially severe complications of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients, while urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in these patients. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate features of UTI with neutropenic fever in pediatric oncology patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records, laboratory results and image findings of cases of neutropenic fever in the Department of Pediatrics of Yeungnam University Medical Center, South Korea between November 2013 and May 2015. Episodes were divided into two groups, UTI vs. non-UTI group according to the results of urine culture. The results were then compared between groups. The analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 23.0. A p-value <0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference between groups. Results: Overall, 112 episodes of neutropenic fever were analyzed, among which 22 episodes (19.6%) showed organisms on urine culture and were classified as UTI. The remaining 90 episodes were classified as non-UTI. Only four episodes (18.2%) of the UTI group showed pyuria on urine analysis. In the UTI group, 76.5% were sensitive to the first line antibiotics and showed higher clinical response than the non-UTI group. Among hematologic malignancy patients, the UTI group revealed higher serum ${\beta}2$-microglobulin levels than the non-UTI group ($1.56{\pm}0.43mg/L$ vs. $1.2{\pm}0.43mg/L$, p<0.028). Conclusion: UTI in pediatric neutropenic fever responds well to antibiotics. Hematologic malignancy cases with UTI reveal increased serum ${\beta}2$-microglobulin level. These results will be helpful to early phase diagnosis of UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 1998

Purpose : To investigate renal toxicity of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) in children with Kawasaki disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Methods : 23 children with Kawasaki disease and 7 children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who were treated with high-dose IVIG(2 g/kg) were evaluated for the change of urine output, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine(Scr), creatinine clearance(Ccr), tubular reabsorption of phosphorus(TRP), fractional excretion of sodium(FENa), 24hour urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin/creatinine(${\beta}_{2}MG/cr$) ratio and urine microalbumin/creatinine(MA/cr) ratio at post-IVIG 1 and 3 day. Results : There was no significant change of urine output, BUN, Scr, Ccr, TRP, 24hour urine ${\beta}_{2}MG/cr$ and MA/cr ratio after high-dose IVIG treatment. Transient increase of FENa at post-IVIG 1 day was the only significant change. Conclusion : There was no significant renal toxicity of high-dose IVIG in children with Kawasaki disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who had normal renal function.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.977-982
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• 2003

Purpose : This study aimed to examine the excretion of various urinary proteins in children with a history of urinary tract infection(UTI), with or without vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) or reflux nephropathy, and to identify means of predicting the severity of VUR or the presence of reflux nephropathy as indicated by these markers, and to know how these markers are changed after resolution of VUR. Methods : We studied 30 children with previous UTI, without VUR and renal scarring(group I), 12 children with VUR, without evidence of renal scarring(group II), and 34 children with VUR and renal scarring(group III). 24-hour or 12-hour urine ${\beta}_2$ microglobulin(${\beta}_2$ MG), microalbumin and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase(NAG) were measured in each child. Urinary protein excretions were analyzed according to the degree of VUR(mild VUR : a grade reflux I-III, severe VUR : a grade reflux IV-V). Cases of bilateral VUR were graded by the higher grade of reflux detected. A total of 46 children with primary VUR were followed. Among these patients, VUR was completely resolved in 16 children. Voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) and DMSA scan were performed every year. Values for urinary markers were estimated every year. Results : 24 or 12 hour urine microalbumin and NAG excretions were significantly increased in group III compared to group I(microalbumin : $27.7{\pm}26.0mg/gCr$ vs $15.0{\pm}10.7mg/gCr$, P<0.05, NAG : $15.2{\pm}18.7U/gCr$ vs $3.4{\pm}2.2U/gCr$, P<0.05). Urinary ${\beta}_2$ MG excretions were not significantly different between groups. Urinary NAG excretions were elevated in the group of children with severe VUR compared to mild VUR($26.8{\pm}27.1U/gCr$ vs $7.6{\pm}3.8U/gCr$, P<0.05). After resolution of VUR, urinary microalbumin and NAG excretions were decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion : Urinary microalbumin and NAG may be useful clinical indicators to predict the presence of reflux nephropathy and the resolution of VUR. Especially, urinary NAG excretions may be used as a possible method to predict the severity of VUR.