• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.235-251
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• 2016

After carrying out on-the-spot observation targeting each farmhouse of large-scale environment-friendly agricultural district (LEAD), Suncheon, Sancheong, Jangheung, Yeongam, Hamyang, Okcheon, and Jeongseon in 2015, only one LEAD, a farmhouse in Jangheung had used sustainable compost coming out under their own non-antibiotic livestock. The soil pH and EC at a depth of 0-20 cm in the seven LEADs were ranged between 5.3-6.6 and $0.4-1.2dS\;m^{-1}$, respectively, with 0.03- 0.27% for T-N concentration, $22-322mg\;kg^{-1}$ for P, and $0.05-0.29mg\;kg^{-1}$, which were, in particular, low a farmhouse in Jeongseon. When intensively surveying on each farmhouse of Suncheon, Jangheung, and Okcheon for a growing period, seasonal soil pH was maintained above 6.0 and high in a farmhouse in Okcheon, with similar soil EC observed among the three LEADs. Seasonal soil T-N was 0.1% higher on the farmhouse in Suncheon than other two LEADs, with higher seasonal soil P observed on the farmhouse in Okcheon and higher soil K in the Jangheung. T-N concentration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) crops was the highest in Jangheung, and concentrations of T-N, P, and K decreased in a season. Plant height and number of tillers per hill were the highest on the farmhouse in Okcheon, where was similar or low plant diameter and SPAD levels compared to other two LEADs. Dry weight (DW) before harvest was ranged between 52-63 g, and DW, rough rice yield (kg), brown rice/rough rice (%), brown rice yield (kg), head rice (%), and broken rice (%) were not significantly different among the three LEADs. Total annual gross production ha-1 was the highest on the farmhouse in Okcheon (16,230,000 won) planting with high class of variety, 'Milky queen' at early maturation, which was expected to be increased on an agricultural income. However, high amount of fertilizer was applied for growing the following crops on the farmhouse in Okcheon, affecting the highest balance of T-N, P, and K more than $200kg\;ha^{-1}$.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2003

Purpose : Streptococcus pneumoniae is part of the normal flora but is also responsible for causing many invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis in addition to noninvasive diseases such as otitis in children. Multi-drug resistant strains has raised a lot of concern worldwide and thus the importance of prevention has been emphasized. We have analyzed the current serotypes and antibiotic sensitivity of each serotype as a baseline study to estimate the efficacy of the pneumococcal vaccine in Korean children. Methods : One hundred sixteen cases of pneumococcus cultured at Yonsei Medical Center from September 2001 to January 2003 were analyzed. The serotyping was done with the Quellung reaction and penicillin resistance was tested using the oxacillin disc diffusion method. Results : Pneumococcus were cultured from the sputum in 76 cases(65.5%), from the blood in 13 cases(11.2%), from the ear discharge in 12 cases(10.3%), from the throat in 7 cases(6.0%), from the nasal cavity in 2 cases(1.7%), and one case(0.9%) each from the cerebrospinal fluid, eye discharge, peritoneal fluid, post-operational wound, brain abscess, and catheter tip. Serotyping was possible with 98 cases and the following serotypes were found; 15 cases of type 19F(15.3%), 11 cases of 19A(11.2%), 8 cases of 11A(8.2%), 7 cases each of 6A, 14 and 3(7.1%), 6 cases each of 35, 6B and 23F(6.1%). Eighty two cases(70.7%) out of 116 cases were penicillin resistant and serotypes 19F, 19A, 11A, 23F, 6A, 9V constituted the majority, 48 cases(59.8%). These serotypes showed resistance to cotrimoxazole (74.4%), tetracycline(69.5%), and erythromycin(90.3%) as well. In the 22 cases cultured from children, 19A and 19F were found in 25.0%, 6A, 6B, and 23F in 10.0%, 11A, 14, 19, and 29 in 5.0%. Fifty percent(10/20) of the clinical isolates were represented in the current 7-valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine, and 85%(17/20) when the cross-reacting serotypes were included. Penicillin resistance was found in 86.4%(19/22). Conclusion : The percentage of serotypes included in the 7 valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine found in our study was 40.8% which was less than other prior studies. In anticipation of a change of pneumococcal serotypes, a nationwide multicenter study is needed before the initiation of pneumococcal vaccines in Korea.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2014

Purpose: Streptococcus pyogenes is an important cause of invasive diseases in children. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of invasive infections due to S. pyogenes in children in Korea. Methods: A retrospective study of children under 18 years of age with invasive infections due to S. pyogenes at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between March 1992 and December 2012, and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between March 2003 and December 2012 was conducted. Demographic factors, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment, mortality and morbidity of all patients were reviewed. Results: A total of 30 among 36 cases identified as invasive disease due to S. pyogenes were available for review. There was a predominance for male subjects (male:female=2.75:1). The median age was 50 months (range 12 days to 15 years) and 53.3% were under 5 years of age. Skin and soft tissue infections (9/30, 30.0%), bacteremia without identified focus (4/30, 13.3%) and bone and joint infections (6/30, 20.0%) were the most frequent clinical presentations. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (3/30, 10.0%) pulmonary, abdomen and central nervous system infections (2/30, 6.7%) were also seen. There was a peak in number of patients in year 2012 (9/30, 30.0%). There were no cases of mortality. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance rates were low by 3.8% and 7.5%, respectively. Conclusion: We studied the clinical presentations of invasive infections due to S. pyogenes during the past 20 years in Korean children. The findings of this study help us understand the characteristics of the disease, enhancing early recognition and prompting adequate antibiotic therapy which is important in reducing morbidity and mortality.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2008

Purpose : Better understanding of the epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae affects preventive and therapeutic strategies for children with otitis media. This study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of pneumococcal serotypes causing otitis media in children. Methods : Pneumococcal isolates obtained from the ear discharge of children with otitis media between January 2001 and December 2006 were characterized by serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Results : There were 54 pneumococcal isolates from 54 children with otitis media. The median age of patients was 13 months, and the proportion of children <5 years old was 81%. The predominant serotypes, in order of decreasing frequency, were 19A (44%), 19F(28%), 6B (7%), 6A (4%), 9V (4%), and 1 (4%); 23 isolates (43%) belonged to types included in the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). The proportion of serotype 19A and 19F accounted for 72% of overall pneumococcal isolates, which accounted for 84% of pneumococcal isolates from otorrhea of children <5 years old (vs 20% in children ${\geq}5$ years old, P<0.001). All serotypes isolated from 3 vaccinees of PCV7 were 19A. There was no significant diminution in otitis media caused by pneumococcal vaccine serotypes after the introduction of PCV7. The frequency of nonsusceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was higher in serotype 19A than in other non-vaccine serotypes, respectively. The frequency of multiple drug resistance was 96% in serotype 19A, compared with 29% in other non-vaccine serotypes (P=0.001). Conclusion : 19A was the most common pneumococcal serotype causing otitis media and represented a large proportion of strains with multiple drug resistance in children younger than 5 years of age.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.148-160
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak at a newborn nursery and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: During the outbreak, from August to September 2017, MRSA isolates collected from neonates and medical staff underwent genotyping and screened for virulence factors. Antibiotic susceptibilities were tested. Results: During the study period, 41 neonates were admitted at the nursery (n=27) and NICU (n=14). Of these, 7 had MRSA infections (skin infection [n=6] and sepsis [n=1]) and 4 were colonized with MRSA. Associated medical staff (n=32) were screened; three were nasal MRSA carriers. Staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type II, sequence type (ST) 89, spa type t375 was found to be the skin infection outbreak causing strain, with multi-drug resistance including low-level mupirocin resistance. SCCmec type IVa, ST 72, and a novel spa type designated t17879, was the cause of MRSA sepsis. Many different types of MRSA were colonized on the neonates; however, SCCmec type IVa, ST 72, spa type t664 was colonized in both neonates and a NICU nurse. All MRSA isolates from colonized infants were positive for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin gene. Conclusions: The strain causing an outbreak of skin infections had multi-drug resistance. Also, MRSA colonized in the neonates were found to carry the PVL toxin gene. Because different strains are present during an outbreak, molecular epidemiologic studies are important to identify the outbreak strain and colonized strains which aid in effective control and prevention of future MRSA outbreaks.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2010

Background: Thoracic empyema remains a serious problem despite the availability of modern diagnostic methods and appropriate antibiotics. The condition presents in many different forms and stages that require different therapeutic options. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become increasingly popular for use in the treatment of empyema. Material and Method: From January 2005 to May 2009, VATS was performed in 36 patients with pleural empyema and for whom chest-tube drainage and antibiotic therapy had failed or the CT scan showed multiseptate disease. The perioperative clinical factors were analyzed for all the study patients. Result: All the patients underwent VATS, but it was necessary to convert to thoracotomy in one patient. The mean operation time was $90{\pm}38.5\;min$. For the operative evaluation, 11 patients were compatible with ATS stage III. The duration of chesttube insertion was $11.9{\pm}5.8$ (3~24) days. One patient did not improve and therefore this patient underwent additional open drainage. At discharge, costophrenic angle blunting was observed in 22 patients, pleural thickening was noted in 20 patients, both were noted in 17 patients and neither was noted in 11 patients. However, at follow-up, each of these changes was observed in 9, 7, 4 and 24 patients, respectively. All except one patient showed radiographic improvement. Conclusion: VATS is suitable for the treatment of early and fibrinopurulent thoracic empyema, and even in selected patients with stage III disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.300-308
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• 2009

Background: The quality of care for patients with community acquired pneumonia needs to be improved; the factors affecting this care need to be analyzed. The objectives of this study were used to measure the performance of care processes of for patients with pneumonia and to determine those patient and hospital characteristics are associated with quality care. Methods: The analysis was performed using data from 21 hospitals that had over 500 beds for 1,001 patients, who were sampled randomly. All patients were born before 31 December 1989, and discharged between the two months' August 2006 and October 2006. Performance process indicators were measured by respective hospital, and multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate associations between patients and hospital characteristics using 4 process indicators. Results: Performance rates in timely assessment of oxygenation assessments and blood cultures, correct administration of antibiotic medications, and blood culture performed prior to initial antibiotics were 69.4%, 79.1%, 82.5% and 60.5%, respectively. Age had a positive affect on oxygenation assessment within 24 hours. Bed number, number of nurses per bed, annual number of emergency department visits, average percentage of beds filled, location and arrival time, and site were factors associated with process indicators. Conclusion: It is necessary to make up for the weak points in the process of care for patients with community acquired pneumonia, by enforcing quality assurance. To reduce performance rate variation among hospitals, improvement in care protocols is required for hospitals that have poor quality of care levels.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 1997

Considering many problems caused by the abuse of antibiotics recently, the appearance of antibiotic resistance bacteria is believed to help the cure of patients greatly. From Jan. 1st, 1996 to Dec. 31, 1996, 6135 strains were examined after being asked of and seperated from the clinical pathology departments of general hospitals, and the isolation frequency of identified bacteria and the susceptibility of antibiotics showed the following result. 1. The isolation frequency of strains was Escherichia coli, 1134 strains (18.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 856 strains (13.9%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus, 793 strains (12.89%), Staphylococcus aureus, 555 strains (9.02%), B. cepacia, 421 strains (6.84%), Enterobacter cloacae, 366 strains (5.95%), Enterobacter faecalis (4.86%), and Klebsiella pneumonia, 220 strains (3.85%). 2. The isolation rate of specimen was urine, 1, 969 strains, wound 1, 104 strains, sputum 701 strains, blood 643 strains, vaginal swab, 342 strains, and eye discharge, 192 strains, 40% of urine strains were E. coli 18％ of wound strains were B. cepacia, 43.7％ of sputum were P. aeruginosa, and in blood strains there were Enterobacter cloacae (25.8%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus (19.6%), and P. aeruginosa (8.7%). 3. The result of antibiotics susceptibility showed that, among gram negative bacilli, P. aeruginoas had resistance in almost all antibiotics except ceftazidme imipenem. But B. cepacia, the same glucose non-fermentation gram negative bacilli had more than 90％ of sensitivity in aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciproflxacin, piperacillin, trimethoprim/sulfa and had resistance in the others. Enterococcus faecalis showed more than 85% of sensitivity in penicillin-G, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin. 4. In the case of specimen antibiotics susceptibility, Enterobacter cloacae was lower in specimen isolated from blood than in those isolated from others and p. aeruginosa was low in specimen isolated from urine, which showed that there was difference in specimen antibiotics susceptibility. The result of this study shows that there happen many resisitances in antibiotics used frequently and some countermeasure is necessary because many bacteria began to show new resistance. Also it is desirable that the choice of antibiotics for infection diagnosis and its cure should be made after the inspection of antibiotics.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2007

Purpose : It has been reported that deep neck abscesses are recently increasing again. We analyzed pediatric cases with deep neck abscesses during the last several years to contribute to the treatment of the disease. Methods : The clinical data of 30 children under 16 years of age with deep neck abscess from February 2001 to July 2006 were analysed retrospectively. Results : The mean age was 9 years (2-16 years), and the male/female ratio was 19/11. Abscesses in the peritonsillar space were most common (57%), followed by the retropharyngeal (30%) and parapharyngeal (13%) spaces. Upper respiratory infection in 10 cases (33%), dental infection in four case (14%), cervical lymphadenitis in three case (10%) and sinusitis in two case (6%) contributed to the development of deep neck infections. The frequent symptoms were fever in 16 case (53%), sore throat in 15 case (50%), poor oral intake in 10 (33%), odynophagia in eight (27%), and neck pain in eight (27%). Unilateral tonsillar hypertrophy and displacement in 15 case (50%) were most common. Neck mass in 13 patients (43%), neck stiffness in three (10%) and trismus in three (10%) were also found. Bacteria were isolated in 8 among 10 pus cultures; Streptococcus species 7 and Micrococcus luteus 1. All of those bacteria except Micrococcus luteus were sensitive to penicillin G. Surgical intervention was applied to 12 cases (40%), and the remaining 18 patients (60%) were treated with antibiotics only. There were no differences between the two groups in the duration of admission and antibiotic treatment. No complicated cases were observed. Conclusion : Peritonsillar abscesses were most frequent. Upper respiratory infection was the most common predisposing factor, followed by dental infection and sinusitis. Symptoms of respiratory tract obstruction were not found. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus species. Deep neck abscesses in children, if diagnosed at the early stage, possibly can be treated by antibiotics only, without surgical intervention.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplement of Alisma canaliculatum and Viscum album on the growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens. One hundred and forty Ross broiler chicks (1 day old) were assigned to 4 treatments in 5 replications with 7 birds per replication. The dietary treatments were NC group (without antibiotics), PC group (basal + 50 ppm Oxytetracycline), AC group (basal + Alisma canaliculatum 0.5%), and VA group (basal + Viscum album 0.5%). The results revealed that body weight gain and feed intake were not significantly different among the treatments. Addition of AC to the diet showed significantly higher feed conversion ratios than the VA addition diet and other treatments (p<0.05). The concentration of linolenic acid, ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid in the AC and VA treatment were relatively higher than that in the antibiotic treatment, while there was no difference in the concentration of SFA, USFA, and USFA/SFA. The serum IgG concentration in chickens tended to increase in the AC and VA treatment groups compared to NC group. The IL2 concentration in AC and VA groups was significantly higher than in other group (p<0.05). IL6 was not detected, however. GOT, GPT, and T-billirubin in the VA group were significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). Thus, the VA additives can result in the damage of liver and kidney. In conclusion, the dietary supplement of a 0.5% of AC and VA showed a similar growth performance and increased immunity response comparable to supplementing a 50 ppm Oxytetracycline. Therefore, it can be said that the AC and VA are possible alternates of antibiotics.