• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a possible association between the anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) titer and stage of duodenal mucosal damage and assess a possible cut-off value of anti-tTG at which celiac disease (CD) may be diagnosed in children in conjunction with clinical judgment. Methods: This observational study was conducted at a gastroenterology clinic in a tertiary hospital from April 2012 to May 2013. Seventy children between 6-months and 18-years-old with suspected CD underwent celiac serology and duodenal biopsy. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 16. Diagnostic test values were determined for comparing the anti-tTG titer with duodenal biopsy. An analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer tests were performed for comparing the means between groups. A receiver operating characteristics curve was plotted to determine various cut-off values of anti-tTG. Results: The mean antibody titer increased with severity of Marsh staging (p<0.001). An immunoglobulin (Ig) A-tTG value at 115 AU/mL had 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 17% negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosis of CD (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1). Conclusion: There is an association between the anti-tTG titer and stage of duodenal mucosal injury in children with CD. An anti-tTG value of 115 AU/mL (6.4 times the upper normal limit) had 76% sensitivity, 100% specificity, with a 100% PPV, and 17% NPV for diagnosing CD (95% CI, 0.75-1). This cut-off may be used in combination with clinical judgment to diagnose CD.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2021

Objectives : Pulse diagnosis is one of the main diagnostic methods of Korean Medicine that understands the patient's condition and illness by reading changes in the patient's pulse, which is described in terms of pulse condition While they are described in detail in medical texts, it is difficult to grasp their true nature, as the written descriptions fail to do justice to the experience of pulse taking it tries to convey. As a way to approach pulse condition the effect of the body's tension on the radial vein was measured using an ultrasonic device, after which the measured changes and how they could be reflected in pulse condition were studied. In other words, changes in the radial vein following induced tension were analyzed. Methods : 1) The thickness of the subject's radial vein was measured using a linear probe of an ultrasonic device[LOGIQ 5 Basic, GE, USA]. 2) Fatigue level was increased through artificial stimulation using the Gripmeter[ks-301, Lavisen, Korea]. 3) Thickness of the radial vein post tension induction was measured. 4) The results were analyzed with the Tukey test or paired t-test as post hoc tests. Results : Thickness of the radial vein of the subject pre- and post- Gripmeter stimulation decreased with significance. Conclusions : Constriction of the radial vein that happened after tension induction could be linked to the Tight Pulse[緊脈] that is related to patterns of contraction and pulling.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.86-95
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• 2020

Objectives Meal and nutrition are important lifestyle factors that affect maintenance and promotion of health status and are also associated with chronic diseases. In Sasang constitutional medicine, dietary behavior according to the characteristics of Sasang constitution (SC) types is a key component in health management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and quality of meals according to the SC. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 1,947 subjects surveyed in a community-based cohort called the Korean Medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort study. Data were collected including demographic characteristics, Korea Sasang Constitutional Diagnostic Questionnaire, and nutrition quotient (NQ) for adults. We analyzed the differences in NQ grade and scores among three SC types: Taeeumin (TE), Soeumin (SE), and Soyangin (SY), by conducting chi-square and ANCOVA tests. Results The distribution of SC into TE, SE, and SY types was 43.1%, 25.2%, and 31.8%, respectively. The mean NQ score of all subjects was 53.4±8.6. There was a significant difference in the distribution of NQ grades and mean of NQ scores among SC types, including total and four sub-factors: balance, diversity, moderation, and dietary behavior. The TE type had the lowest score for the moderation factors in the crude model. The SE type showed lower NQ scores than the TE and SY types in all domains except moderation after adjusting for variables. Conclusions We found that dietary behaviors had to be distinct according to the SC types. These results elucidate why it is important to develop a customized dietary habit management program considering the SC types.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2021

We find out the clusters with high toxoplasmosis risk to discuss the geographical pattern in Gyodong-myeon and Samsan-myeon of Ganghwa-gun, Cheorwon-gun, and Goseong-gun, Korea. Seroepidemiological data of toxoplasmosis surveyed using rapid diagnostic tests for the residents in the areas in 2019 were analyzed to detect clusters of the infection. The cluster was investigated using the SaTScan program which is based on Kulldorff's scan statistic. The clusters were found with P-values in each region analyzed in the program, and the risk and patient incidence of specific areas can be examined by the values such as relative risk and log likelihood ratio. Jiseok-ri and Insa-ri were found to be a cluster in Gyodong-myeon and Seokmo-ri was the cluster in Samsan-myeon. Yangji-ri and Igil-ri were found to be a cluster in Cheorwon-gun and Madal-ri and Baebong-ri were the cluster in Goseong-gun. This findings can be used to monitor and prevent toxoplasmosis infections occurring in vulnerable areas.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.91-105
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• 2021

Objectives A case report is a detailed medical description of previously unreported observations or complications of medical conditions, unique use cases of tests, or new side effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of case reports published in the Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine for Spine & Nerves (JKCMSN). Methods Case reports published in the JKCMSN from January 2013 to December 2020 were selected using the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). The quality of the reports was assessed based on the Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development (CARE) guidelines. Results Sixty case reports that met the inclusion criteria were included in the assessment. Our analysis revealed that 71.42% of the case reports included all the necessary information and their level of reporting was good. However, their scores in the qualitative subdivisions of the reporting level parameters showed that the quality level was uneven. More than 65% of the papers did not report in the following categories: "Keywords," "Patient information," "Timeline," "Diagnostic assessment," "Therapeutic interventions," "Follow-up and outcomes," "Patient perspective," and "Informed consent." Conclusions Our analysis shows that CARE guidelines need to be followed more rigorously to improve the quality of reporting in the JKCMSN. Further efforts are necessary to develop reporting guidelines and evaluation tools relevant to the Korean clinical context.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.342-344
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• 2020

Bacterial osteomyelitis-or bacterial infection of the bone-is common in reptiles. Unfortunately, its treatment is challenging despite advances in diagnostic and medical technologies. Herein, we present the case of a sexually mature female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with left forelimb elbow joint stiffness. We diagnosed the reptile with a eft elbow joint traumatic structural abnormality based on gross examination and evaluation of radiographs. Treatment with clindamycin and cephalexin for bacterial infection failed and the reptile died. Necropsy revealed the causative bacteria as Morganella morganii. Treatment of osteomyelitis is typically focused against Staphylococcus aureus as it the most common cause of traumatic bone infection. However, M. morganii, the causative bacterium in this case, has a natural resistance to clindamycin and cephalexin. Recently, these bacteria have begun to appear in clinical reports, more commonly as the causative organisms of bone infections. M. morganii should be considered as a potential cause of infection. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment in such cases should be based on bacterial culture and susceptibility tests.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2021

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool in a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device on the diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in teeth with different root filling materials. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted human premolars were classified into three subgroups; 1) no filling; 2) gutta-percha; and 3) metallic post. CBCT images were acquired using an Orthopantomograph 300 unit with and without a MAR tool. Subsequently, the same teeth were fractured, and new CBCT scans were obtained with and without MAR. Two oral radiologists evaluated the images regarding the presence or absence of VRF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic tests were performed. Results: The overall area under the curve values were 0.695 for CBCT with MAR and 0.789 for CBCT without MAR. The MAR tool negatively influenced the overall diagnosis of VRFs in all tested subgroups, with lower accuracy (0.45-0.72), sensitivity (0.6-0.67), and specificity (0.23-0.8) than were found for the images without MAR. In the latter group, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0.68-0.77, 0.67-083, and 0.53-087, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between images with and without MAR for the no filling and gutta-percha subgroups (P>0.05). In the metallic post subgroup, CBCT showed a significant difference according to MAR use (P<0.05). Conclusion: The OP 300 MAR tool negatively influenced the detection of VRFs in teeth with no root canal filling, gutta-percha, or metallic posts. Teeth with metallic posts suffered the most from the negative impact of MAR.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2021

Culture tests are very important in choosing the appropriate antibiotics for bacterial infections. In some cases, bacteria that could not be identified in standard culture bottles could be detected using blood culture bottles. A previously healthy 13-year-old boy visited our emergency room. He experienced pain, redness, and hardness of periumbilical skin and a fever for five days. There was no history of abdominal surgery and penetrating trauma. Computed tomography showed abscess with cellulitis at the periumbilical soft tissue with no congenital anomaly. Ultrasonography-guided aspiration was performed, and about 8.5 mL of the purulent abscess was aspirated. The abscess was cultured using blood culture bottle. The pus grew Actinomyces radingae and Clostridium ramosum. When performing the pus culture, using blood culture bottles can be more effective and rapid than the standard culture method for the detection of bacterial pathogens.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.169-173
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• 2021

A 10-year-old castrated male Shih-tzu dog presented with a history of generalized demodicosis, refractory to conventional therapy with ivermectin and amitraz for a year. The patient was also diagnosed with concurrent deep pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis, and otitis externa. Treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate, antifungal drugs (itraconazole, miconazole), and milbemycin oxime resulted in a good response for 90 days. Approximately 4 months later, the first relapse of demodicosis occurred and the miticidal therapy was changed to ivermectin. Additional diagnostic tests were performed to investigate an underlying cause for the recurrence of demodicosis, and endocrinopathies and allergic dermatitis were excluded based on the results. Although ivermectin therapy was sustained for 440 days, a second relapse occurred and amitraz baths were added to the therapy. Despite this therapy, the demodicosis persisted, and the miticidal therapy was changed to oral fluralaner, which led to rapid resolution. Demodicosis did not recur again before death approximately 920 days after administration of oral fluralaner. This case report describes the complete resolution of refractory demodicosis using oral fluralaner in a dog.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2022

Tetanus is a potentially fatal public health illness resulted from the neurotoxins generated by Clostridium tetani. C. tetani is not easily culturable and culturing the relevant bacteria from infected wounds has rarely been useful in diagnosis; PCR-based assays can only be conducted at highly sophisticated laboratories. Therefore, a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assay (Exo-RPA) was constructed to identify the fragments of the neurotoxin gene of C. tetani. Primers and the exo probe targeting the conserved region were designed, and the resulting amplicons could be detected in less than 20 min, with a detection limit of 20 copies/reaction. The RPA assay displayed good selectivity, and there were no cross-reactions with other infectious bacteria common in penetrating wounds. Tests of target-spiked serum and pus extract revealed that RPA is robust to interfering factors and has great potential for further development for biological sample analysis. This method has been confirmed to be reliable for discriminating between toxic and nontoxic C. tetani strains. The RPA assay dramatically improves the diagnostic efficacy with simplified device architecture and is a promising alternative to real-time PCR for tetanus detection.