• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2002

Purpose: It is known that lactoferrin serves as a source of iron for H. pylori in gastric mucosa. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between lactoferrin and H. pylori infection coexistent with iron-deficiency anemia by determining the lactoferrin levels in gastric biopsy specimens, and by locating the major sites of lactoferrin expression, according to the presence or absence of iron-deficiency anemia. Methods: Fifty-five adolescents that underwent gastroduodenoscopy were divided into three groups: NL (n=19) for normal controls, HP (n=15) for patients with H. pylori, and IDA (n=21) for patients with H. pylori gastritis and coexisting iron-deficiency anemia. Histopathologic features were graded from to marked on the basis of the Updated Sydney System. The gastric mucosal levels of lactoferrin were measured by immunoassay. Immunohistochemical technique was used to allow identification of the location and quantification of the lactoferrin expression. Results: Lactoferrin levels in the antrum increased significantly, in proportion to, H. pylori density, polymorphonuclear cell infiltration, and chronic inflammation in the histologic specimens. Patients in the HP and IDA groups showed significantly increased mucosal levels of lactoferrin compared with that observed in the normal group (p=0.0001). The lactoferrin level in IDA group tended to be higher than that in the HP group (p=0.2614). The major sites of lactoferrin expression by immunohistochemistry were in glands and neutrophils within epithelium. Lactoferrin was stained weakly in NL, and strongly in HP and IDA. Conclusion: The lactoferrin sequestration in the gastric mucosa of IDA was remarkable, and this finding seems to give a clue that leads to the clarification of the mechanism by which H. pylori infection contributes to iron-deficiency anemia.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2002

Purpose: We designed this retrospective study to establish the incidence of diagnosic delay in children diagnosed with acute appendicitis and to identify associated factors with delayed diagnosis and its impact on the clinical course. Methods: All cases of children under 15 years of age who underwent appendectomy from 1996 to 2001 at Gangneung Asan Hospital were reviewed. We reviewed signs and symptoms, type of health professional first contacted, the advice given by the health professional and a history of appendicitis in first degree relatives. Diagnostic period is the time elapsed between first complaints and definitive diagnosis. Delay was defined as diagnostic period exceeded the 48 hours. Postoperative course and complications were also reviewed. Results: Incidence of diagnostic delay differed by whether diarrhea and fecalith on X-ray were present. Also children whose parents were advised to observe them at home were more likely to have a diagnostic delay. In almost half of the cases in delayed group, initial diagnosis was not acute appendicitis but gastroenteritis. The perforation rate in non-delayed group was 22%, whereas 87% in delayed group. The delayed group showed a higher number of postoperative complication and a longer hospitalization period. Conclusions: Diarrhea with abdominal pain and fever in children should not be dismissed as gastroenteritis, respiratory infections or other common disorders. Our study suggests that physicians have a responsibility to prevent diagnostic delay and resultant perforation of acute appendicitis in children by having a high index of suspicion about acute appendicitis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2011

Purpose : Hospital associated infection (HAI) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms has been recognized as an important issue in the world, especially in critically ill patients such as the patients admitted in the intensive care unit. There are fewer papers about MDR-HAI in pediatric patients compared to adult patients. In this study, we investigated the incidence and associated factors of MDR-HAI in children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated 135 children who were admitted in ICU for at least 3 days between January 2009 and December 2010. HAI cases were divided into MDR-HAI group and non-MDR-HAI group. Clinical characteristics and various associated factors were compared between those groups. Results : In 39 patients, 45 cases of ICU-related HAI were developed. ICU-related HAI incidence was 47.7 per 1000 patientdays. Thirty-six cases (80.0%) were MDR-HAI. Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated more commonly in MDR-HAI group. And the followings were found more frequently in MDR-HAI group than non-MDR-HAI group: medical condition as an indication for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheterization and previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Among the risk factors, previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was the independent risk factor for MDR-HAI. Conclusion : ICU-related HAI incidence was higher than previously reported. Previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was the independent risk factor for MDR-HAI. To investigate the characteristics of MDR-HAI in children admitted in ICU, further studies with a larger sample size over a longer period of time are warranted.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2011

Purpose : We have tried to search all concerning data on the policies of hepatitis B vaccination or surveillance of medical equipments that can transmit blood mediated diseases, including disposable syringe, in Republic of Korea, to propose references to other medical professionals. Methods : Data from domestic journals, government websites, computerized newspapers, etc. were reviewed. The data were arranged into four categories (governmental policies on hepatitis B control, hepatitis B mass immunization program in school, using process of hepatitis B vaccine, and policies on medical equipments surveillance, including disposable syringes, which is considered as source of blood mediated infection), and the periodic changes on each subjects in policies were reviewed. Results : Due to growing social concerns on hepatitis B in early 1980s, swift introduction and production of hepatitis B vaccine was made. After establishment of "5 year project for eradication of hepatitis B" in late 1983, number of vaccinated population jumped up to 6 million within 2 years (1984-85). However, since the immunization targets were mainly adult, not infant, this project was annulled in late 1985. Following this project, hepatitis B mass immunization program in school was carried out. In year 1995, hepatitis B vaccine was included in national immunization program. The use of disposable syringe was recommended from year 1980 but legislated in year 1985, finally. Conclusion : The mainstay in controlling hepatitis B in Republic of Korea was coordination of prompt introduction of vaccine, mass immunization, high vaccination coverage rate, or use of disposable syringes. However, since there is lack of official data available, it is urgent to arrange and computerize all government data related to infectious diseases.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the therapeutic effect of plasmapheresis in various pediatric diseases. Methods : Therapeutic plasmapheresis was performed by COBE Spectra centrifugation. Nine cases were included in this study. The number an[;. method of plasmapheresis, together with the progress and prognosis of each case were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The patients' ages ranged from 26 mont]Is to 16 years of age, and the mean age was 9.9 years. There were S males and 4 females. The underlying diseases requiring plasmapheresis included 2 cases of hemolytic uremic svndrome(HUS), 1 case of lupus nephritis, 2 cases of rapidly Progressive glomerulonephritis(RPGN), 1 case of focal segmental glomorulosclerosis(FSGS), 1 case of systemic vasculitis after pulmonary hemorrhage, 1 case of acute renal failure associated with pulmonary hemoIThage, and 1 case of acute rejection after renal transplantation. The average number of plasmapheresis performed was 6.2 times with a range of 3 to 13 times. The patients with HUS, lupus nephritis, ANCA positive systemic vasculitis induced by pulmonary hemorrhage and ARF-associated pulmonary hemorrhage showed a good response to therapeutic plasmapheresis, but the patients with RPGN, refractory FSGS, and acute rejection after renal transplantation were not responsive to treatment. The most common side effect was hypocalcemia which was rarely symptomatic. Vital signs were not compromised. Conclusion : Although it is presumptuous to generalize the therapeutic effects of plasma pheresis in different diseases due to the small number of study subjects, this study shows that plasmapheresis may be an effective therapeutic modality in various pediatrics diseases and should be considered as a therapeutic option.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The clinical characteristics and associated anomalies in children with solitary kidney (SK) were analyzed retrospectively. Methods : Total 38 children diagnosed to have SK at our hospital between December 1989 and December 2009 were recruited, and the clinical records including imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. SK was defined as unilateral renal agenesis by imaging studies only, and patients with regression of unilateral dysplastic kidney were excluded. Results : Among total 38 patients, 12 were male. The median age at the diagnosis of SK was 6.5 months (at birth-13 years). SK was detected by prenatal ultrasonography in 14 patients and during work-up for renal or urinary tract diseases in 13 (including urinary tract infection in 7). In 10 patients, SK was detected incidentally. Anomalies in the SK were noted in 17 patients including vesicoureteral reflux in 11. Other anomalies in the genitourinary tract were present in 16 patients, and multi-organ-involving syndromes or chromosomal anomalies were detected in 9. The mean duration of follow-up was 9 years (9 months-20 years). Two patients developed chronic renal failure during follow-up, and the median serum creatinine concentration of the remaining 36 at their last follow-up was 0.6 mg/dL. Conclusion : SK may be isolated and clinically asymptomatic; it is frequently accompanied by other anomalies in genitourinary tract and other organs, some of which can induce progressive renal dysfunction. Early recognition of associated anomalies with SK and regular follow-up is recommended to reduce long-term risk.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2012

Establishment of the LFQC (Liquid Fertilizer Quality Certification) system is very urgent issue for recycling livestock manure as renewable resources in Korea faced with environmental problem of manure application to land due to intensive livestock farming. In this study, we investigated relevant laws and regulations on livestock manure fertilizer, certifications of eco-friendly agricultural products, government policies on livestock manure management to establish reasonable direction of Korean LFQC (Liquid Fertilizer Quality Certification) system. As a result from this study, the liquid fertilizers in 'LFQC' system could be classified as three levels according to the usage patterns in field; 1st. Individual Farm Level (IFL), 2nd. Joint Farm Level (JFL), and 3rd. Commercial Level (CML). And finally, we found some characteristics in 'Main Level-Grading Factors' of liquid fertilizer such as fertilizing value, harmfulness, stability, uniformity, economic effect, storage potential, commercial value, functionality. Those items were considered to be the key factors for the establishment of 'LFQC' system. More research on 'Evaluation Standards' for concrete guideline and on the 'Main Level-Grading Factors' be needed to complete Korean LFQC system.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2010

This study was conducted to develop an measuring system and method for fermentation degree of liquid swine manure by visible ray. The constituent changes of liquid swine manure were examined. pH gradually increased with time, but EC gradually decreased. Malodor strength decreased gradually with aeration treatment with time. Control needed more time to decrease malodor strength than aeration treatment. In aeration treatment, there was no germination of seeds (radish, chinese cabbage) up to 6 weeks and germination rate at 15th week was over 50%. However, in control, there was no germination up to end of experiment. Circular chromatography method showed that there was change after 10th week in aeration treatment but there was no change up to end of experiment in control. As a result, the fermentation degree of liquid swine manure would have relations among pH, EC, germination rate, malodor concentration, and reaction of circular chromatography. The simple analytical instrument for liquid swine manure consisted of a tungsten halogen and deuterium lamp for light source, a sample holder, a quartz cell, spectrometer for spectrum analyzer, a malodour measuring device, a software, etc. Results showed that the simple analytical instrument that was developed can approximately predict the fermentation degree of liquid swine manure by visible ray. Generally, the experiment proved that the simple analytical instrument was reliable, feasible and practical for analyzing the fermentation degree of liquid swine manure.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.54-66
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• 2004

In this article, we are to suggest the hazard-assessing method for the underground pipelines, and find out the pipeline-maintenance schemes of high efficiency in cost. Three kinds of methods are applied in order to refer to the approaching methods of listing the hazards for the underground pipelines: the first is RBI(Risk Based Inspection), which firstly assess the effect of the neighboring population, the dimension, thickness of pipe, and working time. It enables us to estimate quantitatively the risk exposure. The second is the scoring system which is based on the environmental factors of the buried pipelines. Last we quantify the frequency of the releases using the present THOMAS' theory. In this work, as a result of assessing the hazard of it using SPC scheme, the hazard score related to how the gas pipelines erodes indicate the numbers from 30 to 70, which means that the assessing criteria define well the relative hazards of actual pipelines. Therefore. even if one pipeline region is relatively low score, it can have the high frequency of leakage due to its longer length. The acceptable limit of the release frequency of pipeline shows 2.50E-2 to 1.00E-l/yr, from which we must take the appropriate actions to have the consequence to be less than the acceptable region. The prediction of total frequency using regression analysis shows the limit operating time of pipeline is the range of 11 to 13 years, which is well consistent with that of the actual pipeline. Concludingly, the hazard-listing scheme suggested in this research will be very effectively applied to maintaining the underground pipelines.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 1992

Dietary intakes of 57 college women were measured by 7-day weight food records(7WR) Nutrient intakes of 7WR were compared with results of using 1-day weighted food records(1WR) and 2-day weighed food records(2WR), 7WR were recorded for 7 consecutive days by subjects and its first two days were chosen to provide 1WR and 2WR Mean nutrient intakes of the group were not significantly different between 1WR or 2WRand 7WR. Within-person variations were found to be greater than between-person variations. The ratio of within- and between-person variability was lowest for the vitamin A and highest for the calcium. Data on 7WR were analyzed to estimate the number of recording days needed to ensure r$\geq$0.9 between observed and turn mean intakes. The 11 to 13 days needed for energy sugar protein and vitamin A and 20 days for calcium The results indicated that the number of days needed varied substantially among individuals for the same nutrient and within individuals for different nutrients.