• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2004

Purpose: Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory liver disease with unknown cause that is characterized by liver histology, circulating autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. Only sporadic reports are available on autoimmune hepatitis in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and histological features, and the long-term outcome of autoimmune hepatitis in Korean children. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 14 children diagnosed as having autoimmune hepatitis at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2004, and analyzed clinical, biochemical, and histological features, and clinical outcomes. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 9 years and 11 of the 14 children were female. Six children presented with acute hepatitis-like manifestations. Jaundice and fatigue were the most common symptoms. Other autoimmune diseases accompanied in 6 children. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in 13 patients and anti-smooth muscle antibody was positive in 8. All 14 patients were type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. The main histologic findings were interface hepatitis, rosette formation, and cirrhosis. Clinical and biochemical features were improved in six patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Eight patients were treated with corticosteroid alone or in combination with azathioprine and five of them are in biochemical remission. Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease, which has a favorable long-term outcome if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. Therefore, autoimmune hepatitis should be suspected in children with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology, especially in female patients who show hypergammaglobulinemia or some clinical features of autoimmune disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1528-1533
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• 2002

Purpose : Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium(INVM) is one of the unclassified cardiomyopathies that is characterized by numerous, excessively prominent trabeculations, and deep intertrabecular recesses. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical features of INVM in children. Methods : The medical records of 10 patients with INVM were reviewed. We analyzed the clinical manifestations, hemodynamics, pattern of inheritance, and long-term prognosis of INVM in children. Results : Age at diagnosis was $45{\pm}53months$(1 day-14 years) with follow-up lasting as long as 78 months. Most INVM was asymptomatic on diagnosis. Associated cardiac anomalies were noted in six patients(ventricualr or atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus with mitral valve prolapse, or mitral valve cleft). Depressed or flat changes of T wave in lead II, III and aVF were observed on electrocardiography. Various arrhythmia including WPW syndrome with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, third-degree atrioventricular block, and familial sick sinus node dysfuction were observed. The degree of trabeculation in INVM was significantly prominent from level of mitral valve to apex compared to age-matched control. Familial recurrences were noted in two patients. The systolic function of the left ventricle was decreased in 20% of patients during the follow-up period, but systemic embolism or ventricular tachycardia was not observed. Conclusion : INVM is not a rare disorder. The cardiac function may be deteriorated in children as well as adults during long-term follow up. Thus early diagnosis and long-term follow-up must be done. So, the nation-wide multicenter clinical study would be mandatory to evaluate the incidence, long-term prognosis, and establishment of objective diagnostic criteria of INVM.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 1984

This study was undertaken to investigate the current meal management situation and nutritional knowledge of the housewives living in Yong-dong area during the period February 10 th to 25th in 1984. Among the housewives who responded, 83.5% of them said that they didn't develop a budget for the meal planning, nor a menu plan. 31.7% of the housewives purchased foodstuffs once for 2 days, whereas the remainder did daily purchasing between meal when they needed foodstuffs. They gave higher score to the taste than to nutrition when they prepared meals. Most of the housewives concerned about good snacks, and they responded that it was hard to correct the unbalanced diet. 36.4% of the housewives earned the knowledge and information on dietary life through the media of radio, television, newspapers, or magazines. 57.9% of them learned how to cook in a cooking class, and sometimes they experimented it (how to cook) on their everyday life. Most of them concerned about nutritional status of their family members. This study showed that the degree of knowledge about nutrition was generally low. They said that they knew well about infant and child nutrition, the harm of the unbalanced diet and fatness, nutrition of the pregnancy and lactation. They thought they had enough knowledge about the foodstuffs for the growth of the children, the relationship between food and nutrition, constituents in milk, nutrition of old men. In general, thr nutrition knowledge of the housewives was correspondingly higher to their higher education levels.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.548-554
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• 1999

Background : Asthma is the most common respiratory crisis encountered in clinical practice, occurring in up to 4% of all pregnancies. Pregnancy often appears to alter the course of asthma. But the mechanisms responsible for variable changes in the asthma course during pregnancy remain unknown. Poor control and exacerbations of asthma during pregnancy may result in serious maternal and fetal complications. To investigate the course of asthma during pregnancy in korean women, we did a retrograde study of 27 pregnant women who had been admitted to Korea University Hospital for asthma worsened. Method: Twenty seven pregnant women who had been visited to Korea University Hospital for asthma worsened were enrolled in our retrospective study. We reviewed medical recordings and interviewed patients with asthma. Results: Twenty seven pregnant women with asthma were evaluated, and 25 patients were enrolled to our study. Two patients experienced abortions at 6 weeks and 25 weeks gestation, respectively. The period of asthma worsened was commonly during weeks 20 to 28 of gestation. And all patients wosened were improved during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Twenty(80%) of 25 women whose asthma worsened during pregnancy reverted toward their prepregnancy status after delivery(p<0.002). The causes of asthma worsened during pregnancy are reduction or even complete cessaton of medication due to fears about its safety(40%), worsening after upper respiratory infection (28%), and unknown(32%). There were no adverse perinatal outcomes in 25 pregnant asthma subjects. Conclusions: A major problem of therapy for asthma during pregnancy is reduction or even complete cessation of medication due to fears of fetal effects. Therefore, maternal education and optimal clinical and pharmacologic management is necessary to mitigate maternal and fetal complications.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.543-557
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• 2022

Purpose: Conditions that limit activity constitute one of the important factors that threaten the health of the elderly. This study sought to analyze the dietary habits and nutritional intake status of the Korean elderly who were faced with activity limitations. Methods: Utilizing data from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we classified 1,383 elderly people aged 65 and over into 2 groups: those with activity limitations (n = 222, LG) and those without (n = 1,161, NG). We conducted a comparative analysis of the general characteristics, dietary habits, intake of major food groups, energy, and major nutrients. The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), index of nutritional quality (INQ), and healthy eating practices were also analyzed. Complex sampling analysis was utilized for all the analyses with energy intake and socio-demographic variables adjusted. Results: The average age (73.8 years) of members of the LG was higher than those of the NG (72.6 years; p = 0.010). A higher percentage of participants in the LG lived alone (28.1%) compared to those in NG (17.2%; p = 0.004). The LG participants tended to regard their health status as "bad" or "very bad" (62.7%) more often than those in the NG (19.3%; p < 0.001). The LG subjects ate breakfast less frequently (p = 0.054) and ate out significantly less often than the NG subjects (p < 0.001). The LG subjects ate more grain (p = 0.001), fewer seeds (p = 0.014) and vegetables (p = 0.039). Carbohydrate made up a large percentage of their energy intake (p = 0.026). The LG subjects had significantly lower NARs of energy (p = 0.021), protein (p = 0.031), and riboflavin (p = 0.037). The LG participants also had a significantly lower rate of healthy eating practices (22.7%) compared to those in the NG (37.8%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Activity-limited elderly, despite their need for appropriate dietary management, were poorly nourished. They were likely to live alone, thereby making it hard to provide them with social support. Hence, there is a need to provide nutrition education and policy support for the elderly bearing the burden of limited activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1315-1323
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and indomethacin in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants and to determine whether ibuprofen can be an alternative drug. Methods : A total of 32 preterm infants with symptomatic PDA were enrolled in the study. Twelve infants received intravenous ibuprofen 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg after 24 and 48 hours. As a comparative group, twenty premature infants received three doses of indomethacin 0.1-0.2 mg/kg every 12 hours. Results : PDA was closed in 11 of 12 infants of the ibuprofen group (92 percent) and in 18 of 20 infants of the indomethacin group (90 percent). Serum sodium concentration decreased along with time significantly (P<0.0001) and to its lowest level at 48 hours after administration of the third dose (P=0.0011) in both groups, but showed no significant difference between two groups. Serum BUN and creatinine concentrations were not changed significantly before or after treatment in each group and showed no difference between thetwo groups. The amount of urine output did not change along with time significantly in both groups (P=0.0725), and showed no significant difference between two groups. Conclusion : Ibuprofen has similar effects to indomethacin in the rate of PDA closure and complication when compared. It has similar changes in serum sodium level and complications when compared to indomethacin for the treatment of PDA in preterm infants. Therefore, intravenous ibuprofen may be used as an alternative agent in the treatment of symptomatic PDA in preterm infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.798-803
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• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to examine the effectiveness of the head-up tilt test (HUT) for the diagnosis of syncope or presyncope in children and adolescents. Methods : HUT results and clinical features of 160 children and adolescents with syncope or presyncope were studied from May 2003 through March 2008 at the Chonbuk National University Hospital. The children and adolescents were subjected to $70^{\circ}$ HUT for 45 minutes. The testees were divided into 2 groups: group I (children) comprising 39 children in the age range 7-12 years (mean, $10.59{\pm}1.60$ years) and group II (adolescents) comprising 121 adolescents in the age range 13-20 years (mean, $15.93{\pm}2.28$ years). Positive result rates of the HUT and types of hemodynamic response to the test in the 2 groups were compared. Results : Of the 160 testees, 92 (57.5%) showed positive HUT results; they showed 3 patterns of response to tilting. Twelve patients showed a predominantly vasodepressor response; 10 patients showed a cardioinhibitory response; and 70 patients showed a mixed response. The positive result rates were 43.6% (17/39) and 62.0% (75/121) in groups I and II, respectively. Mixed response was the predominant positive hemodynamic response in both the groups. Conclusion : The HUT is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating the condition of pediatric patients, including adolescents, with syncope. Further, it may be considered as the first step for evaluating the condition of such patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.6080-6088
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• 2015

The purpose of study is to find difference in the quality of life and related factors according to the employment status. Using data from the fifth National Health and Nutrition Survey, economically active population of 20-69 years old 3,429 participants who said to questions of 'economic activity status' were finally used as analysis subjects in Korea. According to economic activity status, individuals were divided by the six different employment status and their quality of life was inspected using the EQ-5D dimensions and index score as well as analyzing the factors affecting the quality of life. As a result, unemployed compared to full-time workers, had significantly higher needs of four dimensions and Unpaid family workers had in the dimensions of Mobility, Self-care and Usual activities and temporary job had in the dimensions of Self-care and Usual activities. After figuring out life quality factors according to employment status, it was found that compared to full-time workers greater age(${\beta}=-0.089$, p<0.001), more stress(${\beta}=-0.143$, p<0.0001), hyperlipidemia(${\beta}=-0.064$, p<0.0001), stroke, arthritis(${\beta}=-0.160$, p<0.0001), respiratory diseases(${\beta}=-0.055$, p<0.001) and chronic health conditions were more influential to low quality of life for temporary job(${\beta}=-0.034$, p<0.05), day workers(${\beta}=-0.078$, p<0.0001) and unemplyed(${\beta}=-0.052$, p<0.01). The study is reported that it is to find difference in the quality of life and related factors according to the employment status and it is considered to provide basis for health evaluation of utilization in the same field of study.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.359-375
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• 2022

Purpose: Adult Korean men belonging to the main economically active population are known to have long sedentary hours. This study was undertaken to determine the difference and relevance of sedentary hours on the nutrition, diet, and health status of adult men, and to suggest how to prevent health risk factors. Methods: Subjects (n = 1,068) were classified into 4 groups based on their sedentary hours, ranging from the first quartile (Q1) having the least hours spent sitting, to the fourth quartile (Q4) spending the longest hours. Results: Subjects belonging to Q4 had the lowest average age, the largest waist circumference, and the highest level of education. Among those engaged in economic activities, the ratio of white-collar workers was significantly higher in Q4. Accordingly, the rate of not doing high-intensity or moderate-intensity physical activity while working was also the highest in Q4. A significant difference was obtained in the drinking frequency between groups, but this was found to be associated with the average working hours rather than sedentary hours. The proportion of not doing aerobic exercise was higher with longer sitting hours. The highest diagnosis of diabetes (8.8%) was obtained in the Q4 group. Among the factors related to cardiovascular disease, only low density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a significant difference, with Q4 being significantly higher than Q1. Considering energy and nutrient intake, vitamin B₁ and calcium intake were the lowest in the group with the longest sitting hours, as well as the least consumption of vitamin C than the recommended estimated average requirement. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the health and nutritional status of Korean adult men are affected by sedentary hours. This should be recognized as a health risk factor and guidelines need to be developed for sedentary lifestyle management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.372-385
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• 1999

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the causes and pathologic process of chronic non-productive cough as an isolated symptom with a normal spirometry and chest radiograph by investigating clinicopathologic findings. Method: We studied 25 adults with chronic non-productive cough over a 3-week period with a normal chest radiograph and pulmonary function tests without any other symptoms. Clinical assessment, cough score, chest and sinus radiograph, pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge, allergic skin prick test, and bronchoscopy for bronchial biopsies were performed. Subjects were then treated with prednesolone 20 to 30 mg/day for 1 to 2 weeks. Results: The experimental group was divided into two subgroups-those infiltrated with eosinophils, and those infiltrated with lymphocytes depending on eosinophil and lymphocyte counts, both of which were respectively higher than those of the control group. Eosinophils infiltrated group had mean numbers of eosinophil of 89.8 $cells/mm^3$ while control group's mean was 0.4 $cells/mm^2$(p=0.005). Lymphocyte infiltrated group was 4 patients whose mean was 84.3 $cells/mm^2$ with 28.4 $cells/mm^2$ of control group(P=0.026). In addition, the mean thickness of the basement membrane of experimental group was $14.20{\pm}5.20{\mu}m$ in contrast of control group whose mean was $3.50{\pm}1.37{\mu}m$(P=0.001). With the methacholine challenge test, 7 of the 21 eosinophil infiltrated subjects were diagnosed with cough variant asthma ; the other 14 with eosinophilic bronchitis. Three subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis were atopic positive (21.4%) with the skin prick test In the lymphocyte dominant group, all four subjects were diagnosed with lymphocytic bronchitis. Cough score was improved after steroid treatment in 22 of 25 subjects in the experimental group (88.0%). Conclusion: These results suggest chronic non-productive cough as an isolated symptom with a normal spirometry and chest radiograph was associated with airway inflammation by eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration. The causes for chronic non-productive cough were eosinophilic bronchitis, cough variant asthma, and lymphocytic bronchitis(written in frequency). They further suggest that therapeutic treatment with steroids can provide effective symptomatic relief.