• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.284-291
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Theophylline has recently been reported to have concurrent anti-inflammatory effects at low therapeutic plasma concentrations which are below the doses at which significants, clinically useful bronchodilatation is evident. Sustained-release formulation in capsule and dry syrup forms were developed to reduce its adverse effects and improve its clinical effects. We compared the therapeutic effects of theophylline dry syrup and capsules in children with mild asthma. Methods : Ninety children with mild asthma were randomized to receive either theophylline dry syrup (n=44) or theophylline capsules (n=46); 4 mg per kilogram of body weight, twice a day, for 12 weeks. Baseline and serial measurements of daytime and nighttime asthma symptom score were performed. Compliance scores, drug swallowing scores, and drug usability scores were measured every 4 weeks. Each scoring was rated on a scale of 0-4. Serum theophylline concentration were measured at 4 and at 12 weeks. To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of theophylline on asthma, Serum eosinophilic cationic protein as a marker of airway inflammation caused by eosinophil was measured 12 weeks pre- and post-administration. Results : The daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores of the two groups after 4 weeks significantly improved over the baseline score. Daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores in the dry syrup group were statistically lower at all time points except for the nighttime symptom scores at 4 weeks. Compliance scores, drug swallowing scores, and drug usability scores in the dry syrup group were significantly higher at the end time point. Only in the dry syrup group was the serum ECP at the end time point statistically lower than baseline. Conclusion : Low-dose sustained-release theophylline may be safe and effective in bronchial asthma and this effect may be mediated by its anti-inflammatory action mechanisms. Especially, when used in children with asthma, dry syrup formulation is recommended because of its higher compliance than capsule formulation.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.218-224
• /
• 2000

Purpose : In Korea, vivax malaria has been reemerged since 1993 after being abscent for more than 10 years. There are several possibilities of casuality of recent epidemic, although it is still unclear. The epidemiologic studies including case analysis and entomological reseach have been undertaken for a successful control measure. But, unfortunately those studies have been rarely dealt with cases of children. Therefore, this study was designed to figure out the characteristics of epidemiolgic and clinical features in children with indigenous vivax malaria. Methods : The study 21 cases below 15 years of age, who were diagnosed as vivax malaria and resided in kyounggi-do province area during 1998. 9~1999. 8. We retrospectively analyzed epidemiologic data concernig with occurrence of vivax, and clinical manifestations, abnormal laboratory findings and outcomes including therapeutic responses. Results : All cases were inhabitants of the endemic areas for vivax malaria in northwestern part of Kyonggi-do or western Kangwon-do, and Paju-gun was the most prevalent. Indigenous malaria cases of this study were more prevalent in children above 10 years old age, and in male. Seasonally, vivax malaria in children occurred throughout the year except January, March and November, and the incidence was the highest in July. Clinical manifestations revealed that 48 hour cyclic fever pattern was the major fever pattern, and other symptoms such as headache, vomiting, poor appetites, chilling, abdominal pain and diarrhea were concomitantly developed. And splenomegaly revealed the main abnormal findings on physical examination, and anemia was the most frequent abnormal finding in laboratory examinations. Young trophozoite was frequently observed on peripheral blood smears. The therapeutic responses of chlorquine were very good in all cases, and no recurrence developed in follow up cases. Conclusion : Geographical and seasonal occurrence distributions of indigenous vivax malaria cases in children were very similar to those of adults as followings; Inhabitants of the endemic region, more prevalent in male, and more common during the summer season. Clinically, 48 hour cyclic fever pattern, splenomegaly and anemia were most frequent and important manifestations in children cases, and clinical courses were not serious. On blood smears, young trophozoite was most dominantly examined in children. Generally, the therapeutic outcomes were excellent, and recurrences were not observed.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.404-413
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to assess the dietary habits and behaviors of college students in the Northern Gyeonggi-do Region(Republic of Korea). To accomplish this, a survey was conducted to investigate the preference, intake frequency and menus of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks by male and female students. Most male and female students had irregular breakfasts with the main reasons for skipping a meal 'not enough time' (47.3, 45.5%) and 'irritating' (19.0, 21.9%), respectively. The principal breakfast menu for both was 'rice and side dishes'. The lunch time for male and female students was regular, and the lunch cost made up most of their spending money. The snack time of male and female students was mostly 'between lunch and dinner'. The snack menus of male and female students were 'cookies' (25.8, 19.0%), 'drinks' (18.0, 14.4%), and 'breads' (16.9, 13.2%), respectively. For male students, the reasons of snack intake were 'hunger' (46.1%), 'boredom' (15.7%), and 'habitual' (9.0%). For female students, the reasons were 'hunger' (28.2%), 'habitual' (22.4%), 'boredom' (15.5%). Half of the college students had regular delivery foods for reasons of 'hygiene', 'taste', and 'nutrition' in the order and in consideration of being the elderly. The facility foodservice was also used half of the college students for the reasons of being 'economic' (30.9, 22.6%), and 'liberated from preparing meals' (21.4, 23.8%), respectively. Both male and female students were found to have less knowledge of the facility foodservice in the elderly. Based on these results, greater efforts should be made to provide meaningful information regarding the dietary habits and behaviors of college students, especially, when elderly.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12 week weight control program, which included nutrition education and regular physical fitness, on body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and lowering of blood lipids in 16 obese male elementary school students. Changes in waist and hip circumferences and their ratios were measured at the conclusion of the 12 week program conducted from September 9 to November 25, 2005. Body weight after 12 weeks on the program slightly reduced from 55.4${\pm}$10.9 kg to 54.4${\pm}$9.7 kg. Degree of obesity and BMI decreased from 121.3${\pm}$8.1%, and 25.9${\pm}$3.3 to 120.0${\pm}$8.2% and, 25.6${\pm}$2.7, respectively. Body fat percentage decreased slightly from 38.3${\pm}$4.7% to 37.9${\pm}$5.2%. Waist to hip ratio did not change after 12 weeks. There were slight changes in weight of body fat and lean body mass from 22.12${\pm}$6.53 kg and 34.56${\pm}$4.75 kg to 21.68${\pm}$6.05 kg and 34.70${\pm}$4.54 kg, respectively. Also, after 12 weeks on the weight control program, body, waist, and hip circumferences decreased. However, there were no significant differences among the blood lipid components, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Finally, body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and body fat showed more significant correlations to waist, hip circumference and their ratio than to blood lipid levels.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 1997

Purpose: The incidence of hepatitis A virus(HAV) infection has markedly decreased in the last 20 years due to industrialization and improvements in the standard of living and hygiene in Korea. The reduction in seroprevalence rates indicates infection potential for young adult population, and a need for vaccinations in high-risk adults and children groups has been suggested. In this study we evaluated the seroprevalence rates and natural infection rates of hepatitis A in children and adolescent to obtain the basic data for vaccination of hepatitis A. Methods: A total of 334 children and adolescent subjects below 20 years old in Kyonggi-do province were examined for HAV antibody and seroprevalence rates in each age group was investigated. In 584 elementary school students residing in Kyonggi-do province, serum samples collected in 1993 and 1996 from the same subjects for investigation of natural seroconversion rates. Method of testing antibody was enzyme immunoassay. Results: 1) The seropositive rate of HAV in 334 subjects aged below 20 years old was 5.4%. According to age, the seropositive rates were 27.3% in infant group, 0.0% in 1~4 year-old group, 0.0% in 5~9 year-old group, 2.9% in 10~14 year-old group and 15.0% in 15~19 year-old group. 2) In the study of 584 elementary school children, only one subject showed seropositive in 1993, and in 1996 three different subjects showed seropositive results(0.5%); the natural seroconversion rate during 3 years was 0.5%. 3) The seroprevalence rates of below 20 year-old subjects reported in previous studies were 63.8% in 1979 and 47.3% in 1989 while the present study showed the rate at 5.4%. Conclusion: Since natural antibody formation is rarely occurring, there is a high risk for apparent hepatitis A infection in adults. Therefore vaccination in high risk groups is essential at present, and in order to reduce the chance for hepatitis A infection in adults, vaccination in children may be needed.

• Laboratory Medicine and Quality Assurance
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.51-69
• /
• 2018

As part of the immunoserology program of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service, we organized two trials on the external quality assessment of hepatitis viral markers in 2016 and 2017. The hepatitis viral antigens and antibodies program consisted of 10 test items. We delivered two and three types of pooled sera specimens to 965 and 965 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2016, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 915 (94.8%) and 913 (95.0%) in the first and second trials in 2016, respectively. We also delivered three kinds of pooled sera specimens to 936 and 1,015 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2017, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 920 (98.3%) and 996 (98.1%) in the first and second trials in 2017, respectively. The most commonly tested items were hepatitis B surface antigen, followed by the antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B envelope antigen, antibodies to hepatitis B envelope antigen, anti-hepatitis A virus and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. The most frequently used methods for detecting viral markers were the chemiluminescence immunoassay and the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, but they yielded a few-false positive results due to the matrix effect. The immunochromatographic assay yielded false-negative results for anti-hepatitis A virus due to low sensitivity. Continuous improvement in the quality of viral hepatitis testing through participation in the survey seems necessary.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.15 no.3 s.45
• /
• pp.154-166
• /
• 2006

Though there are more than 600 active and non-active dimension stone quarries in Korea, most quarries are small-scaled and non-active. Main dimension stone belt in Korea is distributed in the Wonju-jecheon-Mungyeong-Geochang-Jinan-Nanwon-Geogumdo area with NNE direction, which occupies about 50% of domestic dimension stone quarries. The other dimension stone belts occur in the Gangyeong-Iksan-Gimje area, the Pocheon-Ujeongbu area and the Boryeong area. The dimension stones in Korea have been produced from at least fifteen rock types: granite, diorite, syenite, gabbro, homblendite, basalt andesite, rhyolite, tuff felsite, sandstone, marble, gneiss, schist and slate. However, seven or eight rock types such as granite, diorite and marble are currently produced. The dimension stones are quarried out 87% from plutonic rocks (mainly granite and diorite), 6% from sedimentary rocks (mainly sandstone), and 3% from metamorphic rocks (mainly marble). Main rock types of the dimension stones are variable with respect to their production locality. In the Jeollanam-do area, most dimension stones are produced from diorite. Marble is mainly produced from the Gangwon-do and Chungcheongbuk-do areas. Black sandstone is exclusively quarried out from the Chungcheongnam-do area. Granite is most abundant dimension stone in Korea. Above 50% of the domestic dimension stones are medium-grained to coarse-grained granitic rocks, but fine-grained granite dimension stones have 10% of distribution. The color of the dimension stone varies with rock types. Most granite dimension stones have dominant colors of whitish gray and gray, which are produced from the Wonju, Gapyeong, Iksan, Namwon and Geochang areas. Pink-colored granites are rarely produced from the Mungyeong area.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the general process from the symptom onset to the psychiatric treatment in Korean panic patients and the effect of improved public awareness on it. Methods : This study has a retrospective design. The subjects were the new patients with panic disorder who visited the psychiatric outpatient clinic in twelve university-affiliated hospitals all across Korea. The medical chart was reviewed retrospectively and the data were collected including chief complaints of symptoms, recent stressors, the time to visit the psychiatric outpatient clinic, and visit of other departments and diagnostic approaches for their symptoms. Results : A total of 814 participants were included in the study. The most common department other than psychiatry the panic patients visited were cardiology (28.3%), general internal medicine (16.0%) and neurology (11.4%). The most frequently used diagnostic tests were a echocardiography (17.9%), 24-hour Holter monitoring (11.2%), and brain MRI (8.2%). Only 37.3% of participants visited psychiatric clinic directly. About 80% of participants visited psychiatric department within 1 year after their first panic symptoms and it took $13.8{\pm}13.7weeks$ on average. Comparing before and after 2012, the number of participants increased who visit directly the psychiatric clinic without visiting other departments (p=0.002) and without visiting emergency room (p<0.001). Conclusions : Our results suggest that a substantial number of patients visit departments other than psychiatry when they experience first panic symptoms. However, most patients begin psychiatric treatment within 1 year after their first symptoms and the number of patient are increasing who visit psychiatric department directly without visiting other departments.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.105-112
• /
• 2017

Background: The expression of miRNAs in response to Helicobacter pylori infection has not been well explored. The aims of this study were to evaluate the H. pylori associated miRNAs in the gastric epithelial cells. Methods: We investigated gastric epithelial cell-line (HS3C) exposed H. pylori over 3 months and AGS cell-line (AGS) exposed H. pylori for 6 hour. After the extraction of miRNA from these cell-lines, microarray and real time PCR were performed to confirm the alteration of expression. Results: All 12 miRNAs chosen for real-time PCR are based on the result of microarray and their potential functions related to H. pylori infection. miR-21, miR-221, miR-222 were upregulated in the H. pylori infected AGS cell for 6 hours and HS3C cells. miR-99b, miR-200b, miR-203b and miR-373 were downregulated in the H. pylori infected AGS cell for 6 hours and HS3C cells. miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-125b, miR-141 and miR-155 were upregulated in HS3C cell line but not in H. pylori infected AGS cell for 6 hours. Conclusion: miR-21, miR-99b, miR-125b, miR-200b, miR-203b, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-373 are supposed to be related with oncogenesis of H. pylori infection. Further studies are needed for the evaluation of the function of these confirmed miRNAs.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.64-72
• /
• 1997

Purpose : The incidence of tuberculous meningitis in Korean children has been markedly decreased after 1980s, but this disease has still occurred with low rate. Therefore, it may be suspected that delayed diagnosis and treatment will be happened because of lacking of clinical experiences and indistinguishable other meningitis, so it is important to make early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous meningitis concerning with the prognosis. In this aspect, we conducted study to concern and investigate sustainly about the diagnostic criteria, clinical characteristics, radiological findings, complications, and prognosis of typical or atypical tuberculous meningitis in children. Methods : Forty four children who were hospitalized and treated due to tuberculous meningitis in pediatric wards of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, St. Holy Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital and Uijungbu St. Mary Hospital from January 1985 to June 1996 were included in this study. We reviewed medical records of these patients retrospectively. Results : 1) The tuberculous meningitis has occured continuosly since mid-1980s. The highest 2) The diagnosis was made by contact history of active tuberculous patients, positive tuberculin test, responses of antituberculous antibiotics and discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from CSF or other specimens. Among patients, 7 children(16%) were not vaccinated with BCG, and only 18 children(40%) were positive in tuberculin test. 3) The symptoms and signs of our patients on initial examinations were fever, vomiting, headache, lethargy, poor feeding, weight loss, neck stiffness, convulsion, abdominal pain and motor deficits. 4) The findings of initial CSF samples revealed leukocyte $239.5/mm^3$(mean) with lymphocyte predominant, elevated protein levels(mean;259.5mg%) and low sugar level(mean;40.7mg%). And the ratio of CSF/blood sugar was 0.407. But, atypical CSF findings were seen in 31.8% patients. 5) On brain imaging study, 34 out of 39 children had findings of hydrocephalus, basilar meningeal enhancement, infarction and subarachnoidal inflammations etc. On chest X-ray, the findings of miliary tuberculosis(34.1%), normal finding(29.5%), parenchymal infiltrations (11.4%) and calcifications(9.1%) were showed. 6) In neurological clinical stage, there were twenty-six children(59%) in stage 1, fourteen children(32%) in stage 2 and four children(9%) in stage 3. The late sequeles were encountered by 29.5% with mild and 4.6% with severe neurological injury. The most common neurological injury was quadriplegia and the mortality rate was 6.8%. 7) The SIADH was developed in 20 children(45.5%) after the 4th hospital day. Half of all SIADH patients were symptomatic. Conclusion : Tuberculosis meningitis is still an important extrapulmonary disease with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis with clinical contact history of active tuberculosis and radiological imaging examinations and early treatments are essential in order to prevent and decrase the rate of late sequeles and death.