• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.383-386
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• 2008

An elevated serum CA19-9 level is an indication of pancreatic and biliary tract cancer. However, it has recently become known that nonmalignant gastrointestinal diseases and a variety of nonmalignant respiratory diseases, such as idiopathic interstial pneumonia, collagen vascular disease associated lung diseases, diffuse panbronchiolitis and bronchiectasis, can also show an elevated serum CA19-9 level. We recently encountered a case of bronchiectasis with persistently elevated serum CA19-9, but without any evidence of malignant disease in endoscopic retrograde pancreatocholangiography, abdominal computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. After serial follow-up of 3 years and 10 months, there was still no evidence of cancer. It is believed that the elevated serum CA19-9 level was due to bronchiectasis. An elevated serum CA19-9 level should be interpreted carefully with the patients' clinical condition.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 1993

Background: Massive hemoptysis that may induce acute asphyxia can be a fatal problem. Bronchial arteries and other nonbronchial systemic arteries of lungs must be searched by angiography, because they are main source of hemoptysis. Arterial embolization is a well-accepted and widely used for management of massive hemoptysis. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this method. Method: Prospective analysis was done in 23 cases, that underwent arterial embolization from June 1990 to July 1992. Hemorrhaged arteries were embolized with Gelfoam particles. In cases with severe broad hemorrhagic findings, Coils were added to Gelfoam particles. And they were observed for 6 months at least. Results: Immediate cessation of hemoptysis was achieved in all cases. Recurrent hemoptysis was observed in 7 cases (30%). The patients with nonbronchial artery hemoptysis had increased tendency of recurrence (6/13) than only bronchial artery hemotysis (1/10). The 7 cases treated with Coils had not any recurrence. Conclusion: Arterial embolization in massive hemoptysis is a useful and safe procedure for immediate control. But, the patients with this procedure had a potentiality of recurrence. So diagnostic and therapeutic efforts for underlying causes should be performed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2004

Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the present community health practitioners(CHPs)'s operating activities with their activity in 1989. Methods: Data were obtained two hundred seventy eight CHPs by self-administered questionnaire regarding duty traits, job satisfaction, and others. Results: The number of CHPs was 255 in 1989 and 224 in 2000. Age of CHPs in 2000 was much higher than that in 1989, and married women was 64.9% in 1989 and 95.9% in 2000. Both the primary duty of CHPs in 1989 and that in 2000 was medical service, and others(maternal health, infant health, family planning, and tuberculosis management, etc) are decreased in 2000, and community health service was added to duty of CHPs in 2000. 55% of CHPs in 1989 satisfied with their job, whereas about 80% of CHPs in 2000 satisfied with their job. The CHPs perceived that their primary necessary duty among requisite duty are medical practice(57.7%), health education(31.4%), and community health service(10.9%), in contrast, unnecessary duty are family planning(68.8%), tuberculosis management(11.1%), infant health(6.3%) maternal health(5.6%). Conclusions: These results suggest that there are such alteration of job satisfaction, needs and obstacles in duty traits of CHFs. These trend of duty traits are major issues to be caught for the health service in primary health post.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2011

Background: Although the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis has progressively decreased all over the world, drug-resistant tuberculosis is major obstacle in treating tuberculosis. This study was performed to examine the current prevalence and risk factors of drug resistant tuberculosis in a single tertiary hospital in Busan, Korea. Methods: We enrolled 367 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis on a retrospective basis who had undergone mycobacterium culture and drug sensitivity tests between January 2005 and December 2009. We analyzed all clinical and radiographic parameters to find predictors related to drug resistant tuberculosis. Results: At least one incident of drug resistance was found in 75 (20.4%) patients. Isoniazid (18.8%) was the most frequent resistant drug, followed by rifampin (10.9%), ethambutol (7.1%), streptomycin (4.9%), and fluoroquinolone (2.7%). Resistance to second-line drugs was found in 37 (10.1%) patients. Multidrug resistance and extensively drug resistance was evident in 39 (10.6%) and 4 (1.1%) patients, respectively. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, history of previous treatment including relapse (odd ratio [OR], 11.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.92~26.08; p<0.01), treatment failure (OR, 24.1; 95% CI, 5.65~102.79; p<0.01) and an age of below 46 years-old (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.62~8.65; p<0.01) were found to be independent predictors of multidrug resistant tuberculosis. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis was considerably high. A careful consideration for possible drug resistant tuberculosis is warranted in patients with a history of previous treatment or for younger patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2008

Background: A diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion is clinically important, as the prognosis of lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion is poor. The diagnosis will be difficult if a cytological test is negative. This study was performed to investigate whether the detection of hypermethylation of the p16 (CDKN2A) and retinoic acid receptor b2 (RARB2) genes in pleural fluid is useful for a diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. Methods: Pleural effusion was collected from 43 patients and was investigated for the aberrant promoter methylation of the RARB2 and CDKN2A genes by use of methylation-specific PCR. Results were compared with findings from a pleural biopsy and from pleural fluid cytology. Results: Of 43 cases, 17 cases of pleural effusion were due to benign diseases, and 26 cases were from lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion. Hypermethylation of the RARB2 and CDKN2A genes was not detected in the case of benign diseases, independent of whether or not the patients had ever smoked. In 26 cases of malignant pleural effusion, hypermethylation of RARB2, CDKN2A or either of these genes was detected in 14, 5 and 15 cases, respectively. The sensitivities of a pleural biopsy, pleural fluid cytology, hypermethylation of RARB2, hypermethylation of CDKN2A, or hypermethylation of either of the genes were 73.1%, 53.8%, 53.8%, 19.2%, and 57.7%, respectively; negative predictive values were 70.8%, 58.6%, 58.6%, 44.7%, and 60.7%, respectively. If both genes are considered together, the sensitivity and negative predictive value was lower than that for a pleural biopsy, but higher than that for pleural fluid cytology. The sensitivity of hypermethylation of the RARB2 gene for malignant pleural effusion was lower in small cell lung cancers than in non-small cell lung cancers. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that detection of hypermethylation of the RARB2 and CDKN2A genes showed a high specificity, and sensitivity was higher than for pleural fluid cytology. With a better understanding of the pathogenesis of lung cancer according to histological types at the molecular level, and if appropriate genes are selected for hypermethylation testing, more precise results may be obtained.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.529-538
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• 2002

Background : Many clinicians are reluctant to prescribe systemic corticosteroids to manage an asthmatic attack because of many complications such as osteoporosis, cushing's syndrome, diabetes, hypertension and bleeding tendency. The use of nebulized budesonide may be of value in some infants, old men, and in particular adult asthmatic patients who complain of severe dyspnea. A clinical validation and steroid-sparing effect of nebulized budesonide in asthmatic adults and COPD were evaluated, and the short-term effects of budesonide use on the HPA axis were assessed. Materials and Methods : Study A was prospectively done with 41 patients diagnosed with pure asthma and 30 patients diagnosed with COPD (including asthmatic component) in Soonchunhyang Hospital, Chunan from June. 2000 to Sep. 2001. They were treated with nebulized budesonide including systemic steroids (Group 1), a budesonide tubuhaler including a systemic steroid (Group 2), or only the systemic steroid(Group 3). The peak flow rate, arterial blood gas in room air, pulmonary function test, symptom scoring, steroid amount and hospital stay were analyzed. Study B was conducted with 19 patients to evaluate the short-term effects on the HPA axis of treatment with nebulized budesonide 1mg twice daily and a budesonide turbuhaler 5 puffs twice daily. The adrenal function was assessed prior to budesonide inhalation and after 7 days of budesonide inhalation. Results : In the pure asthmatic patients, the mean value of the symptoms (dyspnea, wheezing, cough, night asthma) or the arterial BGAs, total amounts of steroid or hospital stay and the difference in the results of the pulmonary function tests or peak expiratory flow rate were similar in the three groups. In COPD with an asthmatic component, there were no significant differences among the three groups. Although nebulized budesonide suppressed HPA function,(p=0.006) the HPA responses from the nebulized budesonide and turbuhaler budesonide were similar (p=0.288) Conclusion : This result suggests that systemic steroid should only be made available for acute asthmatic patients irrespective of the inhaled budesonides. Nebulized budesonide at the therapeutic dose has similar effects on the HPA axis compared to that of turbuhaler budesonide.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.322-331
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• 1995

Introduction: This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of simultaneous determination of 3 tumor markers {serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) and neuron specific enolase(NSE)} in lung cancer patients. Method: In 113 patients with primary lung cancer(70 with squamous cell carcinoma, 30 with adenocarcinoma, 13 with small cell carcinoma) and 103 patients with benign lung diseases, serum CEA and NSE were measured by enzyme immunoassay, and SCC Ag was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Results: 1) The mean serum levels of 3 tumor markers were significantly higher in lung cancer groups than benign lung disease groups respectively(p=0.001). 2) In squamous cell carcinoma, the SCC Ag was elevated in 67%, in adenocarcinoma CEA was elevated in 77% and in small cell carcinoma NSE was elevated in 77%, but there were no significant differences according to the stage of each cancer cell types. 3) CEA was the most sensitive marker, but nonspecific to cancer types. SCC Ag was less sensitive than other markers, but more specific toward squamous cell carcinoma, and NSE was more specific to primary lung cancer. 4) As the number of positive tumor markers was increased, the relative possibility of lung cancer was also increased. If two markers were positive, it increased to 77%, and if three markers were positive it increased to 90%. Conclusion: The simultaneous measurement of serum CEA, SCC Ag and NSE would provide additional information for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.356-365
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• 2006

Background: Corticosteroids are known to be significant prognostic parameters in sepsis. Recently, an absolute and relative insufficiency of the corticosteroids system has often been reported to often develop particularly in severe sepsis. Degree of such an adrenal insufficiency not only has prognostic implications but also can be used to guide corticosteroids replacement therapy. The 24-hour urinary cortisol levels as well as serum cortisol concentrations were measured to assess the clinical significance and their relationship with the other parameters of sepsis, and also evaluated the clinical implications of the relative adrenal insufficiency. Methods: 26 consecutive patients with sepsis were enrolled. The basal random serum cortisol, ACTH, ADH, lactate levels and 24-hour urinary free cortisol amount were measured. The rapid ACTH ($250{\mu}g$) stimulation test was also performed. Results: Basal serum cortisol levels were higher in the non-survivors than in the survivors. The 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were higher in the patients with severe sepsis than in those without. The serum cortisol levels strongly correlated with the serum ADH and lactate levels. The 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels strongly correlated with the serum cortisol and lactate levels. The fractional changes in the cortisol levels after the rapid ACTH stimulation tests correlated with the serum cortisol, ADH, and lactate levels. Conclusion: Both the serum cortisol and 24-hour urinary cortisol were found to be significant prognostic factors in sepsis, and showed a strong correlation with the other parameters. The relative adrenal insufficiency might also be an important clinical parameter.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 1999

Background: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). it is well known that hypoxemia increases the frequency of VPB, which is associated with the poor prognosis such as sudden death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of short and long-term low flow oxygen therapy on the development of VPBs in patients with COPD by correcting the hypoxemia. Method: In 19 patients with COPD, oxygen saturation and VPB's were monitored by pulse oxymeter and 24-hour Holter EKG, with room air and oxygen saturation and VPB's were monitored on the 1st and on the 8th day during oxygen therapy with nasal prong (2L/min). Results : The arterial oxygen saturation was significantly higher on the 1st day of oxygen therapy compared with breathing room air, and was also higher on the 8th day of oxygen therapy than on the 1st day. We found that there was significant correlation between the lowest value of the arterial oxygen saturation and the mean value of the arterial oxygen saturation. The number of VPB's per hour was significantly lower on the 1st day of oxygen therapy compared with breathing room air, and also lower on the 8th day of oxygen therapy than on the 1st day. Our results showed positive correlation between the decrease in the frequency of VPB's and the increase in the lowest arterial oxygen saturation, even though correlation was not significant(p=0.056). Conclusion: With oxygen therapy, the arterial oxygen saturation was increased and the number of VPB's was decreased. Long-term oxygen therapy more than 7days, would be helpful to decrease the number of VPB' s in patients with COPD.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 1974

It was planned to evaluate the influence of Panax Ginseng upon hepatic DNA synthesis in mice by observing incorporation of $[^3H]$ thymidine into the tissue cells. Thirty male mice$(body\;weight:\;18{\sim}20\;g)$ were divided equally into the ginseng and the saline groups. Each animal of the ginseng and the saline groups received every day (subcutaneously) 0.05 m1/10 g body weight of ginseng extract (4mg of ginseng alcohol extract in 1 ml of saline) and the same amount of saline, respectively, for 5 days. On the 5th experimental day, all animals received $1\;{\mu}Ci/g$ body weight of $[^3H]$ thymidine intraperitoneally 2 hours after the last medication. Five animals, at a lime, of each group were sacrificed 1, 10, and 24 hours after thymidine administration, and their hepatic radioactivity was measured autoradiographically in terms of the % number of radioactive cells in 1,000 cell counts (Radioactive Index, R.I.). Following results were obtained: 1. The hepatic radioactive indices obtained from the saline group 1, 10, and 24 hour after $[^3H]$ thymidine administration were $3.23{\pm}0.23,\;5.20{\pm}0.21,\;and\;6.00{\pm}0.30\;(mean{\pm}S.D.)$, respectively. 2. The corresponding values obtained from the ginseng group $(4.22{\pm}0.33,\;6.32{\pm}0.32,\;and\;7.42{\pm}0.35)$ were significant higher than the values of the saline group. The inference from the above results was that the ginseng facilitated hepatic DNA synthesis.