• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2011

Purpose: Some hormonal and electrolyte abnormalities have been reported in pediatric patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the imbalance of electrolytes and the severity of infection and associated urologic anomalies in children with febrile UTI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 267 patients with febrile UTI who were admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital during the period from January, 2007 until February, 2010. According to the presence of hyponatremia or hyperkalemia, clinical parameters and associated renal anomalies, such as hydronephrosis, cortical defects and vesicoureteral reflux, were compared. Results: 42.7% of all patients had decreased concentration of serum sodium. In patients with decreased concentration of serum sodium, cortical defects were significantly increased compared to normal patients (40.4% vs. 14.4%, P <0.05). White blood cell (WBC) counts ($15,721{\pm}6,553/uL$ vs. $12,885{\pm}5,367/uL$, P <0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) ($61.8{\pm}56.1$ mg/L, vs. $29.9{\pm}39.8$ mg/L, P <0.05), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ($43.9{\pm}34.3$ mm/hr vs. $27.4{\pm}26.8$ mm/hr, P <0.05) in peripheral blood showed significant increases in the group with decreased concentration of serum sodium. Duration of fever, presence of gastrointestinal symptom, the incidence of hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux did not differ between the two groups. None of the patients had significant hyperkalemia. Conclusion : We suggest that decreased concentration of serum sodium in febrile UTI might be a helpful marker for leukocytosis and increased CRP and ESR in peripheral blood, and acute pyelonephritis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1212-1216
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• 2003

Purpose : Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children around the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the fat content in stools of patients with rotaviral enteritis compared to the stools of children who had no gastroenteritis. Methods : Seventy two patients who were admitted to Konkuk University Hospital, College of Medicine from Jun 2001 to May 2002 due to rotaviral enteritis and seventy five patients who were admitted at the same time with other diseases with no gastrointestinal problems as control, were enrolled in this study. The age of patients was from one month to five years. The average age of children with rotaviral enteritis was $17{\pm}11months$ and the average age of control patients was $14{\pm}15months$. Fat content of stools was investigated by acid steatocrit tests in both patients with rotaviral enteritis and control. Results : Acid steatocrit value of patients with rotaviral enteritis was higher than that of control patients. There was no difference in acid steatocrit value of children with rotaviral enteritis among the age groups. In one month- to six month-old infants, there was no difference in acid steatocrit values between the children with rotaviral enteritis and control patients. But, over the age of seven months, the acid steatocrit value of children with rotaviral enteritis was higher than that of control patients. Conclusion : We are of the opinion that fat malabsorption in patients with rotaviral enteritis and steatorrhea in rotaviral enteritis may result from decreased fat absorption in the small intestine.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2008

Purpose : According to the 2008 WHO report, incidence, prevalence, and mortality of tuberculosis are decreasing globally. The 7th National Tuberculosis Survey of 1995 in Korea showed that the prevalence of tuberculosis was also decreasing. This study was performed to review the hospitalized childhood tuberculosis in a children's hospital over a 20 year period. Methods : Medical records of children <16 years of age hospitalized with the diagnosis of tuberculosis at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1988 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Changes in number of patients and involved sites were also analyzed by four 5-year periods. Results : Out of the 186 hospitalized patients, 59.1% were male. Median age at diagnosis was 5.5 years old (range, 10 days-15 years). The main involved sites included the lung (n=54, 29%) or pleura (n=12, 6.5%), central nervous system (n=49, 26.3%), lymph node (n=15, 8.1 %), bone and joint (n=9, 4.8%), gastrointestinal tract (n=5, 2.7%) or peritoneum (n=5, 2.7%), pericardium (n=2, 1.1%) and others (n=3, 1.6%). Total 32 patients (17.2%) showed miliary pattern. The proportion of hospitalization with newly diagnosed tuberculosis among all cause hospitalization decreased from 0.61% to 0.09%, comparing the period of 1988-1992 and 2003-2007 (P<0.001) and the incidence of hospitalized tuberculosis of any involved organs also decreased with a statistical significance. Conclusion : The data from a single children's hospital suggest that the number of hospitalized childhood patients with tuberculosis has decreased over a 20 year period in Korea.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2000

Purpose : Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP) is a common pediatric discase presenting most frequently with skin, gastrointestinal, joint and renal manifestations. The prognosis of HSP is mainly determined by the involvement of the kidney, but prognostic markers have not been established. We evaluated the patients who have HSP nephritis with nephrotic syndrome. Method : Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were observed and analyzed in 34 cases with HSP which were manifested by nephrotic syndrome hospitalized at Kyung Hee university Hospital during the period from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 1998. Results : 1) Male to female ratio was 1.3:1, and mean age at onset was 8.3 year. 2) Mean duration from symptom onset to renal biopsy was 10.5 weeks. 3) Proportion of patients presenting with acute nephritis was 32.4$\%$, gross hematuria 17.6$\%$, microscopic hematuria 50$\%$. 4) The findings of renal biopsy were 20 cases of grade II, 11 cases of grade III, 2 cases of grade I, 1 case of grade IV according to classification by ISKDC. 5) Patients with grade I were recovered with no residual defect, but patients with grade IV shows active renal disease(states C). Conclusion : Among the 디le patients with Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura accompanying nephrotic syndrome, more aggressive treatment might be needed in patients showing crescents formation on renal biopsy. A prospective study will be needed to explore the progression of this disease.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.555-564
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• 1999

The objective of this study was to investigate the preference of root vegetables and the inhibitory effect of the vegetables on harmful enzymes of intestinal bacteria. Two hundred fifty respondents in Seoul area surveyed to obtain information from Sep. 30 to Oct. 30, 1998. Respondents preferred Inpuomoea batatas (sweet potato, 4.05), Solanum tuberosum(potato, 3.97), Allium cepa(onion, 3.68), Codonopsis lanceolata(3.64) and Raponus sativus(redish, 3.60). The growth of B. breve K-110 was effectively increased by adding 0.5% extract of Solanum tuberosum(139%), Codonopsis lamceolate(145%), Dioscorea japonica(164%), Colocisia antiquorum(144%) extract to the medium. B. breve K-100 for beneficial bacteria, and E. coli HGU-3 or Bacteroides JY-6 for harmful bacteria were used to determine the inhibitory effect of root vegetables on harmful intestinal enzymes after co-culturing harmful and beneficial bacteria. The extract of Solanum tuberosum, Codonopsis lanceolata, Dioscorea japonica (yam) and Colocisia antiquorum (taroes) showed inhibitory effect on ${\beta}$-glucuronidase and tryptophanase of intestinal bacteria. The macromolecules were isolated from Solanum tuberosum, Codonopsis lanceolata, Dioscorea japonica and Colocisia antiquorum by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. By adding these isolated marcromolecules to the medium, the growth of B. breve K-100 were also increased and high inhibitory effects on the ${\beta}$-glucuronidase and tryptophanase were measured. These results suggested that the harmful enzymes of intestinal bacteria were inhibited by consuming Solanum tuberosum, Codonopsis lanceolata, Dioscorea japonica and Colocisia antiquorum. Therefore, they could prevent gastrointestinal diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2009

Halitosis is a generally accepted marker of diseases in the oral cavity and of systemic and gastrointestinal disorders. Based on these authors' previous findings (that (1) there is a close association between H. pylori infection and halitosis; (2) Korea red ginseng may suppress the colonization of H. pylori, fight H. pylori-induced cytotoxicity, and impose significant anti-inflammatory actions in patients with chronic gastritis; and (3) H. pylori infection is linked with the generation of significant levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), and the levels of VSCs correlate significantly with H. pylori-associated mucosal damages), in the current study, the authors documented the molecular mechanisms of Korea red ginseng's efficacy in ameliorating halitosis. When the RAW 264.7 cells were treated with the $H_2S$ releasing compound NaHS, the mRNA expression of cystathionine ${\gamma}$-lyase (CSE), IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS were more significantly induced compared with the vehicle-treated group. The cytoskeletal components of ezrin's and moesin's mRNA expressions were elevated by NaHS treatment accompanied by the activation of MAPK, p38, and ERK. Korea red ginseng pretreatment reduced both the NaHS-induced CSE expression and the proinflammatory genes (e.g., IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS) in a concentration-dependent manner. The ERM expression and the phosphorylation of p38 were also significantly reduced by Korea-red-ginseng pretreatment. Overall, Korea red ginseng pretreatment imposed significant anti-inflammatory effects through the downregulation of the NaHS-triggered proinflammatory gene expression, CSE, and ERM mRNA expression. Korea red ginseng could thus be said to be a key remedy of halitosis and to be effective in relieving gastric inflammation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2005

Purpose: With the recent boom in 'eating healthy', many adults are interested in dieting to prevent future diseases. However only well trained experts can distinguish between what are edible vegetables and herbs from their poisonous look-alikes. In cases where a patient unknowingly ingests a poisonous herb, is caught off guard by the poisonous side effects that occur because of their lack of knowledge of what they have ingested. This paper will focus on the need to educate the public about the risks involved with ingesting wild vegetables and herbs and study the emergency diagnosis and treatment of poisoned patients that enter the emergency room. Method: This study was done in the spring of 2004 (from March to May) in the Kangwon Young-Seo districts of Korea. 15 subjects used in this study, entered the emergency room showing signs of toxic symptoms. Data was collected by examining subject's records. Additional data was collected by collaborating with physicians in the hospital that diagnosed and treated the subjects. Identifying the poisonous vegetable or herb is the first step to proper diagnosis and treatment. Subjects admitted to the emergency room, underwent a battery of tests: laboratory examination, ECG, radiological exam and etc. Results: The demographics of the study encompassed subjects with the average age of $50{\pm}19$ years old. There were 10 men and 5 women. Common symptoms of this study included; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and so on. In the case of Caltha palustris ingestion, additional symptoms were present; bradycardia and hypotension which lasted for a long time. While cases that ingested Scopolia parviflora had little effect on vital signs but manic episodes lasted for about three days. Veratrum patulum ingestion showed signs of bradycardia and hypotension but contrary to Caltha palustris recovery was shorten by treating with dopamine. However, dizziness, headache and paresthesia of the extremities continued for a long time. Finally Sium ninsi ingestion showed visual disturbance, paresthesia of the extremities, dizziness as their initial symptoms. Conclusion: The risks involved with ingesting wild plants without the proper knowledge can lead to serious side effects and steps need to be taken to educate the public. In addition, all emergency physicians need to have a working knowledge of the symptoms and signs associated with ingesting toxic wild plants and need to treat accordingly.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.296-301
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• 2014

Rotavirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children in developed and developing countries. The use of probiotics for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is both safe and easily accessible. In this study, we evaluated the anti-rotaviral activities of probiotic mixtures in a Sprague-Dawley rat. 24 litters with their dams were randomly assigned to four groups; placebo, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and two probiotic mixture (PRO-1 and PRO-2) groups. All rats were inoculated with rotavirus at dose of 8 log plaque forming units per rat at 5 days old. Animals in the PRO-1 and PRO-2 groups were orally administered probiotic mixtures 1 or 2, respectively, at a dose of 8 log colony forming units daily during 4 days. For control purposes, placebo and PBS groups were orally administered the same amount of placebo (containing maltose and polydextrose) or PBS once daily for 4 days, respectively. Antiviral analysis was performed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and observing intestinal villi. As a result, weights of small intestines were greater in the PRO-1, PRO-2 groups than in control groups. Villi were short and villous epithelial necrosis was exhibited in control groups, but these morphological changes were not observed in PRO-1, PRO-2 treated rats. RT-qPCR analysis showed that VP7 gene level of rotavirus in fecal samples and small intestinal epithelial cells were lower in the PRO-1 and PRO-2 groups. These findings suggest that probiotic mixtures may be useful probiotics for the treatment of or as alternative therapies for rotaviral gastroenteritis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2015

There are approximately 1,500 broiler farms in Korea, each raising 55,000 birds. Ninety-five percent of the farms are contracted with Integration Company. According to the Korean broiler performance index, broilers in Korea are marketed at 32 days with 1.52 kg of body weight. In contrast, the market age and body weight of broilers are 47 days/2.8 kg in the United States and 42 days/2.5 kg in Europe. Because of the younger market age of the Korean broiler, the pre-starter feed is important. Chicks exhibit poor absorption of dietary nutrients up to 7 days after hatching due to an immature digestive system and low enzyme secretion rate and activity. At the beginning of hatching, chicks obtain their nutrients from the egg yolk sac. It is highly recommended that chicks, after consuming the nutrients in the egg yolk sac, are given supplemented pre-starter feed to increase early growth rates and improve the performance of broiler production. Pre-starter nutrient requirements are not expressed in NRC, so Korean feeding standards for poultry and commercial breeding companies determine the nutrient requirements of pre-starter broiler chickens. Three approaches are followed to formulate specially designed pre-starter feeds for broiler chicks: (i) selective use of raw materials, (ii) proper standards of nutrient supply, and (iii) application of feed additives such as exogenous enzymes. In the selection of raw materials, those with high digestibility can be used. The absorption rate of carbohydrates in grains can be increased through feed processing at high temperature and high pressure. Soy proteins and fish meal can also be added as protein sources. As an energy source, vegetable oils are preferred over animal fats because of the former's high digestibility. It is suggested that the levels of proteins and amino acids are higher in pre-starter feed than in starter feed. With regard to energy, the sources of energy are more important than the levels of energy in feed. Feed additives such as exogenous enzymes can be used to improve nutrient digestibility. In addition, organic acids and plant extracts can be used as alternatives to animal growth promoters to stimulate immunity and prevent diseases. The growth performance of broilers is affected by various factors, such as management and disease control, in addition to the nutritional strategy; however, nutritional strategies play an important role in improving the productivity of broilers. Therefore, nutritional strategies, along with management and disease control, are required for improving the productivity of broilers in Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.559-568
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence of food allergies and allergenic factors in a selected sample of children living in Seoul, Korea, along with their dietary habits, environmental factors, and diseases as risk factors for food allergy. The results of this study will provide basic data for addressing food allergies. Methods: We selected 3,004 pre-school and school-age children, aged 0 ~ 12, in the 25 districts of Seoul as the study sample. Structured self-report questionnaires were administered over a two-month period in July-August 2018, and the children's parents recorded the answers on their children's behalf. The research tools in this study included the Korean version of the questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Results: The physician-diagnosed prevalence rate of food allergies was 14.2%, while 20.4% of the children experienced allergic symptoms at least once and 17.4% reported symptoms within the previous 12 months. The children's symptoms included skin problems (88.1%), gastrointestinal issues (19.2%), oral issues (16.7%), respiratory issues (12.7%), and systemic issues (1.3%). The causes of allergies included eggs, peaches, milk, peanuts, and shrimps. The factors influencing the experience of food allergies were the consumption of cereal (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09 ~ 2.10; p = 0.013), potatoes (aOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.33 ~ 2.65; p < 0.001), and fast food (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.10 ~ 2.72; p = 0.017). Having food allergy symptoms was associated with a higher risk of experiencing asthma (aOR, 4.22 95% CI, 3.10 ~ 5.76; p < 0.001), allergic rhinitis (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.03 ~ 3.15; p < 0.001), and atopic dermatitis symptoms (aOR, 3.56; 95% CI, 2.88 ~ 4.40; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Episodes of food allergies warrant examining regular food consumption and placing dietary restrictions through early diagnosis as these episodes may imply the presence of other allergies. Our findings offer basic insights into the patterns, prevalence and symptoms of children's food allergies in Seoul, and our findings will contribute to identifying effective interventions for food allergies.