• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the pathophysiologic role of serum E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced cell adhesion mollecule in Kawasaki disease(KD) and to look for the evidence of direct relationship between the plasma levels of soluble E-selectin and the incidence of coronary artery lesion(CAL). Methods : Changes in plasma levels of sE-selectin(n=98) over time were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 23 patients with acute KD and 25 age-matched febrile children. Results : Compared with control values, the peak levels of plasma sE-selectin were significantly elevated($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $22.89{\pm}12.53ng/mL$ vs $10.65{\pm}3.42ng/mL$, P=0.01) in KD. 5 patients with CAL, plasma sE-selectin levels before treatment were higher than in 18 patients without CAL($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $39.43{\pm}15.08ng/mL$ and $19.00{\pm}8.32ng/mL$, respectively; P=0.01). Plasma sE-selectin declined rapidly in the majority of KD patients regardless of the presence of CAL. Plasma sE-selectin levels after treatment and convalesent period were similar in KD patients with and without CAL. The plasma levels sE-selectin were correlated with those of white blood cell count(r=0.299, P<0.05), CRP(r=0.430, P<0.05), serum albumin(r=-0.483, P<0.05), serum protein(r=-0.502, P<0.05) and hemoglobin(r=-0.372, P<0.05) not with those of ESR, platelet, or duration of fever. There were significant differences in the initial level of serum sE-selectin between KD with and without CAL($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $39.44{\pm}15.08ng/mL$ vs. $19.00{\pm}17.18ng/mL$) in multivariated linear tests. Conclusion : Plasma sE-selectin levels were significantly higher in KD than in other febrile illness. Higher plamsa levels of sE-selectin may have potential as a predictor of CAL in patients with KD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. Methods : A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. Results : A total of 285 students(M : F=141 : 144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. Conclusion : Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.362-369
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• 2002

Background : Anemia is still the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide, especially in adolescence because of an insufficient supply of iron, an increased iron requirement due to accelerated physical growth and blood loss due to menstruation in girls. This study was designed to assess the anemia and serum iron status of middle school girls. Methods : Hematologic examinations, physical examinations and questionnaires were performed for middle school girls in 1990, 1997, 1999 and 2000. Anemia was defined as a serum hemoglobin level of less than 11.5 g/dL. Iron deficiency was defined as a serum ferritin level of less than 10 ng/mL. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as anemia plus one of the following; MCV less than 78 fL, Ferritin level less than 10 ng/mL or Transferrin saturation rate less than 10%. Results : There was no significant difference in mean Hb between urban and rural areas and decreases in mean Hb as with age. The prevalence of anemia decreased by year; 13.5% in 1990, 6.9 % in 1997, 6.0% in 1999, and 5.7% in 2000. It was high in high school girls(10.1% in 1997 and 12.6% in 2000). The prevalence of iron deficiency decreased by year; 36.1% in 1990, 13.9% in 1997, 13.3% in 1999, and 23.2% in 2000. It was 21.3% in 1997 high school girls and 37.8% in 2000. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia(IDA) decreased by year; 10.0% in 1990, 4.6% in 1997, 8.3% in 1999, and 6.1% in 2000. It was 11.6% in 1997 high school girls and 18.6% in 2000. Conclusion : Although the prevalence of iron deficiency decreased during this period, the prevalence of anemia in the elder adolescence girls was high. Two things are recommended; first, it is necessary to screen for anemia in middle school girls and high risk groups, second, it is important to evaluate the knowledge of nutrition and to enforce effective nutritional education, leading to subjects receiving adequate nutrition.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 2003

Purpose : This study is designed to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and its relationship to risk factors in adolescents with diabetes mellitus(DM). Methods : Ninety-two diabetic patients(80 with type 1 DM and 12 with type 2 DM), ranging from eight to 26 years of age, were studied for cardiovascular autonomic function, and the relationship to age, duration of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c), urinary albumin excretion, and the presence of diabetic retinopathy and abnormal nerve conduction velocities(NCV) were analysed. Autonomic function was assessed by measuring heart rate variation during valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing and standing from a lying position(30 : 15 ratio), and postural hypotension. Results : Among patients with type 1 DM, 22.5% had early, 8.7% had definite, and 1.3% had severe autonomic dysfunction, and among patients with type 2 DM, 16.7% had early, 8.3% had definite, and 8.3% had severe autonomic dysfunction. On logistic regression analysis including both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients, the age of the patient(OR=1.133(1.003-1.279), P<0.05) and duration of diabetes(OR=1.148(1.009-1.307), P<0.05) significantly predicted cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction while HbA1c, blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion, and presence of diabetic retinopathy and abnormal NCV did not. The valsalva ratio was borderline or abnormal in 31.5% of patients, the heart rate variation on deep breathing in 41.3%, the 30 : 15 ratio in 14.1%, and postural hypotension in 9.8% of patients. The valsalva ratio and the heart rate variation on deep breathing significantly predicted cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, but the 30 : 15 ratio and postural hypotension did not. Conclusion : Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction was found in 32.6% of diabetic patients and 10.8 % of patients had definite or severe involvement. The risk of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction increased with the patient's age and the duration of DM. This study suggests that the valsalva ratio and the heart rate variation on deep breathing are the most useful tests in evaluating the cardiovascular autonomic function in children and adolescents with DM.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of human milk fortifier (HMF) on growth and nutritional status in growing rats fed infant formula supplemented with HMF. Three week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups and fed regular formula (RF), premature formula (PF) and regular formula fortified with HMF (RF+HMF) diets for 3 weeks. There was no significant difference in weight gain among groups. However, a significant increase of food intake was observed in PF and RF+HMF groups compared with RF group. With increasing food intake, the intakes of carbohydrate and protein were significantly increased in PF and RF+HMF groups. The weight of perirenal fat was significantly increased in rats fed RF+HMF; however, the weights of liver, kidney and spleen were not significantly different among groups. Although total lipids, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol concentrations of serum were not significantly different among groups, triglyceride was significantly increased in PF group. The triglyceride and total-cholesterol of liver were significantly increased in rats fed regular formula fortified with HMF and PF compared with RF group. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), creatinine (Cre) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum showed no significant difference among groups. The concentration of growth hormone was significantly increased in PF group compared with other groups. The concentration of hemoglobin was significantly increased in rats fed PF and RF+HMF. These results suggest that the supplementation of human milk fortifier in growing rats may promote growth as increasing food intake and lipid contents in tissues and prevent the anemia of infants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.587-594
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• 2013

The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects from Wa-song (Orostachys japonicus) extracts with mixtures of medicinal herbs (such as Baekbokyung, Changchul and Sa-in) were evaluated in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups; normal, diabetic control (D-control), a group fed a medicinal herbs mixture (D-MH), and a group fed composites of O. japonicus with mixtures of medicinal herbs (1:1, D-MHOA and 3:1, D-MHOB). All were fed on their diet for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the body weight of all experimental groups increased compared to the diabetic control group, with the D-MHOB group having a significantly higher increase. Fasting glucose levels in all experimental groups (compared to the D-control group) significantly decreased after 2 weeks, but between 2~3 weeks, the levels in the D-MH group were similar to the D-MHOA group. After 4 weeks, the fasting glucose level of the D-MHOB group was the lowest compared to the other groups. In a test of oral glucose tolerance, blood glucose levels were highest 60 minutes after feeding glucose; however this level improved significantly in the groups fed an experimental diet compared to the D-control group. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were 1.9 times higher in the D-control group than the normal (3.9%), but levels in the experimental groups were significantly decreased in D-MHOA and D-MHOB groups compared to the D-MH group. In the high amounts of O. japonicus to medicinal herbs mixture, total lipids and cholesterol significantly decreased in the serum, while HDL-C levels increased. GPT activity was significantly lower in the D-MHOB group compared to the other groups. Lipid peroxide levels decreased in the D-MHOA and D-MHOB groups compared to the D-MH group. Antioxidant activity was higher depending on the dose of O. japonicus. Overall, O. japonicus exhibited effective hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic actions enhanced by a combination of medicinal herbs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of red-yeast-rice supplementation on cholesterol-lowering and glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We conducted a doubleblind, placebo-controlled study with 3 groups; placebo, low dose group (red yeast rice 210.0mg/capsule, 2.52g/day) and high dose group (red yeast rice 420.0mg/capsule, 5.04g/day), which were randomly assigned to subjects with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. We measured fasting serum concentrations of total-, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA) and 2 h oral glucose tolerence test (OGTT) before and after the supplementation. Both low dose and high dose groups had significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) compared with placebo group (p<0.05). Additionally, total and HDL cholesterol improved significantly in high dose group compared with placebo group (p<0.05). Fasting serum glucose decreased in test groups and increased in placebo group after intervention. However, it was not significant differences. In subjects which fasting blood glucose is more than 110mg/dL, fasting glucose had a tendency to decrease in high dose group (p<0.1) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) had significant decrease in low dose group (p<0.05), while insulin and HOMA-IR had a tendency to increase in placebo group after intervention. Mean changes of glucose related parameters (fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) compared with placebo group did not show significant differences. In conclusion, subjects with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance were significantly improved in serum lipid profile by red yeast rice supplementation without serious side effects. These are more effective in the case of a high dose. The effects of red yeast rice supplementation on glucose control were insignificant.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4425-4433
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore the relation of BMI, smoking and drinking with biomedical parameters in 20s and 30s men. This was a retrospective exploratory study and the subjects were 603 men who participated in health check-up for clinical trial at a tertiary hospital between October 2006 and June 2011. RBC, hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct), triglyceride(TG), uric acid(UA), ALT in obese group were significantly higher than those of normal weight group. WBC and Hb in smokers were significantly higher than those of nonsmokers, protein in smokers was significantly lower than that of nonsmokers. Platelet in moderate smokers who smoke 10~19 cigarettes a day was significantly higher than that of nonsmokers and light smokers who smoke below 10 cigarettes a day, albumin in moderate smokers was significantly lower than that of nonsmokers and light smokers. TG in moderate smokers was significantly higher than that of nonsmokers, and blood glucose(BG) in moderate smokers was significantly lower than that of nonsmokers. AST and ALT in drinkers who drink over 10g a day were significantly higher than those of nondrinkers. In regression, BMI was significant factors of increasing RBC, Hb, Hct, total cholesterol(TC), TG, BG, UA, AST and ALT. Smoking amount was significant factors of increasing WBC, Hb, Hct and TG, and was significant factors of decreasing BG and Ca. Smoking amount was significant factors of increasing TC, AST and ALT, and was significant factors of decreasing WBC. In conclusion, there was significant relations of BMI, smoking, and drinking with biomedical parameters such as Hb, TC, TG, and ALT in young-aged men. Therefore, practice of healthy lifestyle activities to include preventing obesity and heavy drinking, and quitting smoking needs to the 20s and 30s men for preventing lifestyle disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.995-1004
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• 2007

Purpose : Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis, leading cause of pediatric acquired heart disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has functions as vascular permeability factor, plays an important role in coronary artery lesion (CAL). We studied the clinical significance of serum VEGF in Kawasaki disease. Methods : Kawasaki group was 49 patients, and control group was 15 patients. Diagnosis followed AHA (American Heart Association) diagnostic criteria, with blood sampling in acute, subacute, and convalescent phase. Echocardiographic abnormalities were defined and the definition of intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG)-responsive and IVGG-resistant was determined. Results : Serum VEGF of Kawasaki group was significantly higher than of control group. Comparison of serum VEGF between CAL and non-CAL group, between carditis group and non-carditis group showed no significant differences. Subacute serum VEGF was statistically higher in IVGG-resistant group than in IVGG-responsive group, and serum VEGF of IVGG-resistant group in subacute phase was statistically higher than in the other phases. Serum VEGF of convalescent CAL and non-CAL group in acute and subacute phase had meaningful differences. Total fever duration and subacute serum VEGF had positive correlation. Acute serum VEGF had positive correlation with ESR and CRP, all phases serum VEGF had also positive correlation with WBC. Acute and subacute serum VEGF had negative correlations with hemoglobin and albumin. Conclusion : Serum VEGF can help to determine the severity of Kawasaki disease, especially subacute serum VEGF seems to be used as a prognostic factor of coronary complication. Afterward, further studies needed with more strict diagnostic criteria and more study groups.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 1991

To study the age dependent change of Na, K-ATPase in the erythrocyte of hypertensive rat, 1-kidey 1-clip hypertensive rat was made by the removal of right kidney and partial ligation of left renal artery. After 4 weeks, aged erythrocyte fraction was separated by density gradient centrifugation, and Na, K-ATPase activity and $^3H-ouabain$ binding with ghost cell membrane and ouabain sensitive Rb-uptake with whole cell were measured. 1) In the hypertensive rats, blood pressure was significantly increased to 165.5/119.0 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). Mean corpuscular volume and membrane protein(mg) per $10^9RBC$ were decreased and hemoglobin content was increased in the aged erythrocyte. 2) Na, K-ATPase activity in the solution containing 110 mM NaCl and 10 mM KCI, was decreased in hypertensive rat, and decreased in aged erythrocyte of both group. 3) Ouabain sensitive Rb-uptake by low RbCl concentration(4 mM) was slightly decreased in aged erythrocyte compared to that in young erythrocyte of each group, but slightly increased in young erythrocyte in hypertensive rat compared to that in normotensive rat. 4) Ouabain sensitive Rb-uptake by high RbCl concentration(16 mM) was decreased about 30% to 50 % in aged erythrocyte in both group. And in hypertensive rat, especially in young erythrocyte it was significantly decreased compared to that in normotensive rats. 5) $^3H-ouabain$ binding at 0.13 or $1{\times}10^-6M$ ouabain concentration was slightly decreased in aged erythrocyte of normotensive rat, and significantly decreased in aged erythrocyte of hypertensive rats. 6) $^3H-ouabain$ binding at 6 or $64{\times}10^-6M$ ouabain concentration is slightly decreased in aged erythrocyte of both group, but significantly decreased in young and aged erythrocyte of hypertensive rats compared to that of normotensive rats. The present results suggest that (1) in the young erythrocyte of hypertensive rat, the alterations of Na-pump activity that slightly increased in weak stimulation and inhibited in strong stimulation, may be related to increased molecular activity and the decrease in the number of low affinity site without change in high affinity site, (2) in the aged erythrocyte of normotensive rat, inhibited Na-pump may be related to the change in molecular activity of pump. (3) And in the aged erythrocyte of hypertensive rat, it may be related to the decrease in the number of high and low affinity site as well as the change in molecular activity