• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.140-149
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• 1997

Purpose : Kawasaki Disease(KD) is a febrile disease with acute multisystemic vasculitis which is seen commonly in early childhood. The cause and etiologic agents are still unknown to identify using ordinary bacterial and viral culture, but the clinical labaratory studies suggest that KD is one of autoimmune disorder caused by infectious agents, but that is not proved yet. The study was performed to investigate the IgG subclasses in acute stage of KB before treatment of IVIG(Intravenous immunoglobulin). Method : The 35 cases in acute stage of KD before treatment of IVIG who were hospitalized from jan. 1995 to dec. 1996. The obtained sera were measured level of total IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and IgG subclasses IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 by using EIA and SRID method. Results : 1) The sex ratio is male to female is 1.5: 1.0, and male is prone to infected. 2) Total IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE level is normal range with age adjusted, but few cases are shown slight high level of total IgG compare to normal range of age adjusted. 3) acute phage reactants such as CRP, C3, ESR are all increased in acute stage of cases. 4) IgG subclasses IgGl, IgG2, IgG3 are shown normal range of age adjusted, but remarkably low level of IgG4 in all of cases. Conclusions : The low level of IgG4 is able to increasing the incidence of KD, and may use early diagnostic tools combine with other clinical symptoms and signs. But the resulsts of reported studies are different to each other, so it needs more times and cases to get final evaluation of changes of serum immnunoglobulin levels correlate to increase the incidence of high risk group of KD patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.121-130
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical features and causative organisms in febrile infants younger than three months, to help identification of high risk patients for serious bacterial infection (SBI). Methods : A total of 313 febrile infants younger than three months, who had visited Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010 were included. Clinical features, laboratory findings, causative organisms, and risk factors of SBI were analyzed by retrospective chart review. Causative bacterial or viral pathogens were identified by gram stain and cultures, rapid antigen tests, or the polymerase chain reaction from clinically reliable sources. Results : Among 313 infants, etiologic organisms were identified in 127 cases (40.6%). Among 39 cases of bacterial infections, Escherichia coli (66.7%) and Streptococcus agalactiae (12.8%) were common. Enterovirus (33.7%), respiratory syncytial virus (19.8%), and rhinovirus (18.8%) were frequently detected in 88 cases of viral infection. Patients with SBI (39 cases) showed significantly higher values of the white blood cell count ($14,473{\pm}6,824/mm^3$ vs. $11,254{\pm}5,775/mm^3$, P=0.002) and the C-reactive protein ($6.32{\pm}8.51mg/L$ vs. $1.28{\pm}2.35mg/L$, P<0.001) than those without SBI (274 cases). The clinical risk factors for SBI were the male (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-8.9), the presence of neurologic symptoms (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.4-16.8), and the absence of family members with respiratory symptoms (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-11.3). Conclusion : This study identified common pathogens and risk factors for SBI in febrile infants younger than three months. These findings may be useful to guide management of febrile young infants.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the epidemiological trend of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (RV-AGE) in children. Methods: A retrospective review was performed in patients (1 month to 18 years of age) with acute gastroenteritis at KEPCO Medical Center from September 2004 to August 2013. Comparative analyses were performed based on periods: pre-vaccine (2004-2006) and post-vaccine (2008-2012) in all patients; 2004-2006 (period A), 2007-2009 (period B) and 2010-2012 (period C) in patients under 5 years of age. Results: Proportion of RV-AGE decreased from 25.0% (337/1,346) in pre-vaccine period to 20.8% (459/2,210) in post-vaccine period (rate ratio (RR), 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73-0.93]; P=0.0029). The median age of patients with RV-AGE in post-vaccine period (2.6 years) was significantly (P<0.0001) higher than that in pre-vaccine period (1.6 years). In patients hospitalized with AGE, proportion of RV-AGE was significantly reduced in patients 6 to 23 months old (RR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.51-0.75]; P<0.0001). Significant decline in proportion of RV-AGE was observed in patients under 5 years of age: period A, 26.9% (308/1,144); period B, 22.7% (295/1,299); period C, 20.6% (186/902) (P =0.0007). After the introduction of rotavirus vaccine, a significant decreasing trend of RV-AGE proportion was observed in patients 6 to 11 months old (P =0.0018) and 12 to 23 months old (P =0.0152). Conclusion: Decrease in RV-AGE proportion and increase in age of patients with RV-AGE were observed after the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in this single center study. Continued and systematic surveillance is needed to assess the impact of rotavirus vaccine.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.51-59
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• 2001

Column and box tests were performed to investigate the removal efficiency of NAPL using the surfactant enhanced flushing In heterogeneous medium. Homogeneous Ottawa sand and heterogeneous soil were used to verify the increase of remediation efficiency for the surfactant enhanced flushing in column test. Box tests with two different heterogeneous sub-structure were performed to quantify the capability of the surfactant enhanced flushing as a remediation method to remove NAPL from the heterogeneous medium. Two different grain size sand layers were repeated in the box to simulate the heterogeneous layer formation and the modified fault structure was built to simulate the fault system in the box. O-xylene as a LNAPL and PCE as a DNAPL were used and oleamide as a non-ionic surfactant. The maximum NAPL effluent concentration with 1% oleamide flushing in the homogeneous column test increased about 460 times compared to that with only water flushing and about 250 times increased in the real soil column test. In heterogeneous medium, the maximum effluent concentration increased about 150 times in 1% oleamide flushing and most of NAPL were removed from the box within 8 pore volume flushing, suggesting that the removal efficiency increased very much compared to in only water flushing. Results investigated the capability of the surfactant enhanced remediation method to remove NAPL even in heterogeneous medium.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.304-311
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• 1999

This experiment was conducted to find out the optimum condition of aeration rates for removal of malodor and to improve the compost quality. The aspect of ammonia emission and amounts of volatilization were investigated in the enclosed composting reactor of 242 liters piled with mixed materials of dairy manure and rice straw, which adjusted to 65% of initial moisture content and controlled by four different aeration rates. Mature temperature increased suddenly in initial composting time and decreased with Increasing aeration rates. The treatment of $1.79l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$ results in overcooling and rapid drying of composting materials because of too much aeration. The average concentration of ammonia emitted from composting for 24 days was the range of 25.3 to $239.8mg\;l^{-1}$ and was highest in the treatment of $0.09l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$, followed by 0.90. 0.18 and $1.79l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$. The range of maximum concentration by different aeration rates was $335{\sim}2279mg\;l^{-1}$ and it wan highest in the treatment of $0.09l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$, followed by 0.18, 0.09 and $1.79l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$. Relationship between the ammonia concentration emitted and temperature matured under different aeration rates showed an exponential positive correlation with 1% significance and had a trend of clear increase in ammonia concentration with increasing temperature over $50^{\circ}C$. Most of ammonia volatilized within plays after composting. The volatilization rate of ammonia ranged from 0.056 to 0.453 per dry solids of materials and it was highest in the treatment of $0.09l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$, followed by 0.18, 0.09 and $1.79l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$. Amounts of ammonia volatilized under composting condition of this experiment was estimated to be highest in the aeration range of 0.9 to $1.0l\;min^{-1}kg\;dry-solids^{-1}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1776-1782
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• 2010

This research was done to verify the effect of Ecklonia cava water extracts (ECWE) on inhibition of allergic reactions using ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized food allergy mouse model. For in vitro test, $10\sim100{\mu}g$/mL of ECWE and OVA were added to splenocytes obtained from OVA-immunized mice. The significant reduction of IgE antibody level in culture supernatants of splenocytes was shown in ECWE adding group at all tested concentrations. In addition, ECWE decreased IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$ levels in supernatants of splenocytes. To confirm the effect of ECWE in in vivo test, ECWE was injected to peritoneal cavity of OVA-immunized mice. Subsequently, IgE level was measured in serum and cultured supernatants of splenocytes. As a result, the injection of ECWE (5 and 10 mg/kg BW) significantly attenuated the secretion of IgE antibody in both serum and splenocytes. In conclusion, the present study indicates that ECWE could suppress in a food allergy mouse model through the inhibition of IgE secretion.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.17-45
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• 1987

This study contributes to understanding women's labor market behavior by focusing on a particular set of labor force transitions - labor force withdrawal and entry during the period surrounding the first birth of a child. In particular, this study provides a dynamic analyses, using longitudinal data and event history analysis, to conceptualize labor force behaviors in a straightforward way. The main research question addresses which factors increase or decrease the hazard rates of leaving and entering the labor market. This study used piecewise Gompertz model, following the guide of the non-parametric analysis on the hazard rates, which allowed relatively detailed description on the distribution of timing of leave and entry to the labor market as parameters of interest. The results show that preferences and structural variables, as well as economic considerations, are very important factors to explain the labor market behavior of women in the period surrounding childbirth.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.630-634
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was conducted to assess the current(2003-2005) prevalence of anti-HBs and immunologic memory for Hepatitis B vaccine in children from the central area of Korea. Methods : Subjects were chosen from children and adolescents who received tests for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) and anti-HBs at Dankook University Hospital from March 2003 to May 2005. Among these, antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen(IgG anti-HBc) were checked. A single booster vaccination was performed on children whose anti-HBs titers were under 10 mIU/mL. One month after booster vaccination we rechecked the anti-HBs titer. Results : A total of 3,277 subjects were tested for HBsAg/anti-HBs, and 1,913(58.4 percent) of them were positive for anti-HBs. Of these, 29 subjects(0.9 percent) were positive for HBsAg. Positive results for anti-HBs by age were 78.6 percent for 6-12 months of age, 62.7 percent for 1-3 years of age, 51.9 percent for 4-6 years of age, 49.5 percent for 7-12 years of age, 63.4 percent for 13-15 years of age and 72.2 percent for 16-18 years of age. The 80 subjects who were tested negative for HBsAg/anti-HBs received a single booster vaccine, 71 subjects were tested positive for antibodies. IgG anti-HBc titer was checked for 169 of the subjects, 5 subjects were positive. Conclusion : In our study, a significant anamnestic response was observed in 88.8 percent of children. This is believed to be a result of the relatively long immunologic memory effect of the hepatitis B vaccination in children from the central area of Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.818-823
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• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of minor clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korean children to aid the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Methods : From April 2007 to December 2007, we enrolled 106 children (aged 1 month [infants] to 15 years) diagnosed with AD at the Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center in Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Clinical manifestations were examined and laboratory findings (total and specific immunoglobulin E [IgE] levels and peripheral blood eosinophil count) were analyzed and compared. Results : Minor symptoms, in order of frequency, included xerosis (78.3%), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (43.4%), lichenification (35.8%), orbital darkening (34.0%), periauricular eczema (33.0%), and cutaneous infection (31.1%). Older children (${\geq}2$ years) showed more orbital darkening (P=0.01), horizontal crease (P=0.01), and lichenification (P=0.001) than infants. Patients with severe AD (scoring atopic dermatitis [SCORAD] score, ${\geq}40$) showed higher frequencies of xerosis (P= 0.04), cutaneous infection (P=0.03), ichthyosis (P=0.18), keratosis pilaris (P=0.02), pityriasis alba (P=0.07), recurrent conjunctivitis (P=0.02), orbital darkening (P=0.001), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (P=0.05), facial eczema (P=0.001), lichenification (P=0.001), and hand/foot eczema (P=0.04) than those with mild-to-moderate AD. Children with atopic eczema showed more facial eczema (P=0.01) and lichenification (P=0.04) than those with non-atopic eczema. Conclusion : The clinical manifestations of AD were similar to those established by Hanifin and Rajka. However, we need to develop our own diagnostic criteria for AD, because the frequencies shown by our subjects differed from those observed in other countries.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.729-735
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• 2008

Purpose : Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and is also a cause of pneumonia in infants. Respiratory infections by respiratory viruses are also common for infants. The objectives of this study were to identify the clinical manifestations and to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis respiratory infections and coinfections by respiratory viruses in infants younger than 6 months of age. Methods : For this study, we enrolled 6 months or younger infants who were admitted to the Dankook University Hospital between January 2002 and July 2007, with respiratory symptoms. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or throat swabs were collected within s d of hospitalization and C. trachomatis was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients who tested positive underwent multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses. Results : A total of 690 patients underwent chlamydial PCR testing and 36 (5.2%) had positive results. Of the 36, 28 (78%) were male; 30 were vaginally delivered. From the 36 patients positive for C. trachomatis, 26 underwent multiplex respiratory viral PCR; 12 were coinfected with viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequent pathogen that was detected in 6 patients. Increased C-reactive protein and fever were significant in patients coinfected with respiratory viruses. Conclusion : C. trachomatis can infected in infants delivered by cesarean section as well as in 6 months old or younger infants. Infant with C. trachomatis respiratory infections can also be coinfected with respiratory infection also coinfected with respiratory viruses. Further studies are needed to better understand the prevalence rates of the this infection and its coinfection rate with respiratory viruses.