• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권7호
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• pp.859-868
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the value of initial CT quantitative analysis of ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, and total lesion volume and its relationship with clinical features for assessing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: A total of 84 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed from January 23, 2020 to February 19, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: severe group (n = 23) and non-severe group (n = 61). Clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and CT findings on admission were analyzed. CT quantitative parameters, including GGO, consolidation, total lesion score, percentage GGO, and percentage consolidation (both relative to total lesion volume) were calculated. Relationships between the CT findings and laboratory data were estimated. Finally, a discrimination model was established to assess the severity of COVID-19. Results: Patients in the severe group had higher baseline neutrophil percentage, increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and lower baseline lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage (p < 0.001). The severe group also had higher GGO score (p < 0.001), consolidation score (p < 0.001), total lesion score (p < 0.001), and percentage consolidation (p = 0.002), but had a lower percentage GGO (p = 0.008). These CT quantitative parameters were significantly correlated with laboratory inflammatory marker levels, including neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, hs-CRP level, and procalcitonin level (p < 0.05). The total lesion score demonstrated the best performance when the data cut-off was 8.2%. Furthermore, the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 93.8% (confidence interval [CI]: 86.8-100%), 91.3% (CI: 69.6-100%), and 91.8% (CI: 23.0-98.4%), respectively. Conclusion: CT quantitative parameters showed strong correlations with laboratory inflammatory markers, suggesting that CT quantitative analysis might be an effective and important method for assessing the severity of COVID-19, and may provide additional guidance for planning clinical treatment strategies.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

목적: 상기도 감염인 소아에게 항생제를 처방하는 것은 아직도 많은 진료실에서 이루어지고 있다. 이 연구는 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응 검사로 호흡기 바이러스가 확인된 이후에도 항생제를 사용한 소아 환자들의 임상적 특징을 조사하고자 하였다. 방법: 2013년 1월부터 2014년 11월에 고신대학교 복음병원 소아청소년과에 상기도 감염으로 입원한 환자 중 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응을 시행한 환자들을 대상으로 후향적 의무기록 분석을 통해 평가하였다. 결과: 상기도 감염으로 진단받은 393명 중 전체 환자 연령의 중앙값은 23개월이었다. 입원 당시 항생제를 처방받은 환자(79명, 20.1%)와 항생제를 처방받지 않은 환자들의 임상적 요인을 비교할 때, 중이염 또는 부비동염의 동반, 높은 고감도 C-반응단백질의 수치가 항생제 처방과 의미 있게 관련 있었다(P<0.001). 입원하여 항생제를 사용하던 중 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응 방법으로 호흡기 바이러스가 확인되었지만, 항생제를 계속 사용한 환자는 44명 중 28명(63.6%)이었다. 항생제를 계속 사용한 환자는 항생제를 중단한 환자와 비교할 때 중이염 동반 비율이 유의하게 높았다(75% vs. 25%, P=0.002). 결론: 본 연구에서 상기도 감염의 원인이 바이러스임을 확인된 소아 환자에게서도 항생제를 지속한 주된 이유는 중이염이 동반되었기 때문이었다. 중이염을 정확하게 진단하고 그 중 항생제가 꼭 필요한 경우를 가려낸다면 소아 상기도 감염에서 불필요한 항생제 사용을 줄이는 데 도움이 될 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.309-316
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• 2021

패혈증은 감염원에 의한 생리학적 반응으로 장기의 기능을 손상시켜 조기에 치료하지 않으면 사망에 이르게 하는 기전을 유발한다. 이에 높은 감도, 특이도, 신속 정확도를 가진 바이오마커는 병원균의 미생물학적 검증에 필요한 제한성과 경과 시간을 감안할 때 패혈증을 비감염성 전신성 염증 반응 증후군(SIRS)과 구별하는 것이 획기적일 것으로 판단된다. 또한 항생제를 사용하기 전에 정확한 감염 진단이 중요하고 임상적으로 요구된다. 해당하는 후보물질인 프로칼시토닌, 젖산, C-반응성 단백질, 사이토카인, 프로아드레노매듈린(ProADM)이 진단에 활용된다. 급성 호흡기 감염 환자에서 프로칼시토닌으로 유도되는 항생제 치료는 항생제 노출과 항생제 부작용을 효과적으로 감소시키면서 사망률을 개선한다. 입원환자에 있어서 패혈증 선별검사에 대한 근거 마련은 제한적이다. 임상의사, 연구원 및 건강검진 의사의 전문가 집단은 일반 입원 환자의 패혈증 인식에 대한 스크리닝 도구, 향후 연구 또는 정책을 시행할 때 새로운 바이오마커의 발견과 한계점을 고려해야 한다. 바이오마커 사용은 항상 임상 평가와 상관관계가 있어야 하지만 소아 패혈증에서도 특히 바이오마커의 사용은 기대된다. 따라서 바이오마커의 활용에 있어서 특정된 전염증성 사이토카인 및 단백질 수준이 상승하는 것에 대해 패혈증의 초기 단계에서 사망률을 예측하는 것에 대해 향상된 진단법을 제공할 수 있다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.115-120
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum ferritin and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,444 adults over age 40 and under age 70 that lived in a rural area and participated in a survey conducted as part of the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort Study (KRGCS). The MS was defined as the presence of at least three of the followings : elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated serum triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose, or abdominal obesity. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), odds ratios (ORs) for the prevalence of the MS by sex were calculated for quartiles of serum ferritin using logistic regression analysis. Results : The MS was more common in those persons , with the highest levels of serum ferritin, compared to persons with the lowest levels, in men (37.1% vs. 22.4%, p=0.006) and women (58.8% vs. 34.8, p<0.001). In both sexes, the greater the number of MS components presents, the greater the serum ferritin levels. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, and menopausal status, the OR for metabolic syndrome, comparing the fourth quartile of ferritin with the first quartile, was 2.21 (95% confidence interval; CI=1.26-3.87; p-trend=0.024) in men and 2.10 (95% CI=1.40-3.17; p-trend=0.001) in women. However, after further adjustment for BMI, hs-CRP, and ALT, the ORs were statistically attenuated in both sexes. Conclusions : Moderately elevated serum ferritin levels were not independently associated with the prevalence of the MS after adjusting for other risk factors. Further studies are needed to obtain evidence concerning the association between serum ferritin levels and the MS.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.87-93
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• 2024

Objectives: Obesity is a globally prevalent public health issue. Hence, there is a need for the development of safer and more effective anti-obesity drugs. Lythrum salicaria, a traditional medicinal herb used for centuries, has been reported to improve lipid metabolism and fat accumulation. It also has a low toxicity profile. Therefore, its potential as a functional ingredient in health functional foods needs to be evaluated. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 90 participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Each subject will orally receive L. salicaria extract (1,350 mg/day) (500 mg L. salicaria+850 mg lactose as vehicle) or lactose (1,350 mg/day) as a hard capsule formula for 84 days (12 weeks). The primary outcome will be body fat mass (kg), which will be assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (performed only at visits 2 and 4). Secondary outcomes include body mass index, body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage (%) measured using DXA, lean body mass (kg) measured using DXA (assessed only at visits 2 and 4), lipids (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), free fatty acid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and leptin. Conclusions: This protocol will be implemented after approval of Institutional Review Board of Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital (approval number: PNUKHIRB-2022-08-002) and registration with the Korean National Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) (CRIS-KCT0008060). The results of this trial will provide potential of L. salicaria as a new anti-obesity functional food with fat-reducing effects and low toxicity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권10호
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• pp.1374-1381
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• 2009

본 연구는 남성 음주자의 나이대별 생리학적 변수들에 어떠한 차이가 있는지를 연구하였다. 30대 남성들은 waist-hip ratio, 좌 우 심장-발목 혈관지수, 좌 우 발목-상완지수, 아밀라제, hs-CRP, CPK가 가장 낮았고 체중, IL-6, 좌 우 안와혈압, 혈색소, 적혈구수, 적혈구 분포도, ALT, 총 콜레스테롤, 중성지방, 페르틴 농도는 높게 나타났다. hs-CRP, CPK는 40대 음주남성에서 높았지만 페리틴 농도는 반대였다. 50대 음주남성에서는 WHR이 높았으며 이완기 혈압, 좌 우 안와혈압, 호산구와 아밀라제 농도는 높게 나타냈다. 60대 음주남성에서는 좌 우 심장-발목 혈관지수, 평균 혈색소 농도, $\gamma$-GTP, RF, AFP, PSA의 농도는 높았으며, 체중, 이완기 혈압, 좌 우 안와혈압, 혈색소, 혈소판, 백혈구, 적혈구 분포지수, 호산구, 단구, 아밀라제 중성지방, CPK 농도 변화에서는 높게 나타났다. 이러한 결과를 볼 때 음주는 남성들에 있어 나이대별로 다양한 생리학적 변화를 유도 할 것으로 사료된다. 향후 음주가 성별, 즉 남녀 간에 미치는 생리학적 영향의 차이에 대한 연구 역시 더 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.48-57
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• 2017

Background: Hepatic steatosis measured with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using transient elastography predicts metabolic syndrome in the general population. We investigated whether CAP predicted metabolic syndrome in chronic kidney disease patients. Methods: CAP was measured with transient elastography in 465 predialysis chronic kidney disease patients (mean age, 57.5 years). Results: The median CAP value was 239 (202-274) dB/m. In 195 (41.9%) patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus was more prevalent (105 [53.8%] vs. 71 [26.3%], P < 0.001), with significantly increased urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (184 [38-706] vs. 56 [16-408] mg/g Cr, P = 0.003), high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (5.4 [1.4-28.2] vs. 1.7 [0.6-9.9] mg/L, P < 0.001), and CAP (248 [210-302] vs. 226 [196-259] dB/m, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, CAP was independently related to body mass index (${\beta}=0.742$, P < 0.001), triglyceride levels (${\beta}=2.034$, P < 0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (${\beta}=0.316$, P = 0.001), serum albumin (${\beta}=1.386$, P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (${\beta}=0.064$, P = 0.029), and total bilirubin (${\beta}=-0.881$, P = 0.009). In multiple logistic regression analysis, increased CAP was independently associated with increased metabolic syndrome risk (per 10 dB/m increase; odds ratio, 1.093; 95% confidence interval, 1.009-1.183; P = 0.029) even after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. Conclusion: Increased CAP measured with transient elastography significantly correlated with and could predict increased metabolic syndrome risk in chronic kidney disease patients.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.199-217
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• 2023

People with higher genetic predisposition to obesity are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and healthy plant-based foods may be associated with reduced risks of obesity and other metabolic markers. We investigated whether healthy plant-foods-rich dietary patterns might have inverse associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in participants at genetically elevated risk of obesity. For this cross-sectional study, 377 obese and overweight women were chosen from health centers in Tehran, Iran. We calculated a healthy plant-based diet index (h-PDI) in which healthy plant foods received positive scores, and unhealthy plant and animal foods received reversed scores. A genetic risk score (GRS) was developed based on 3 polymorphisms. The interaction between GRS and h-PDI on cardiometabolic traits was analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM). We found significant interactions between GRS and h-PDI on body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.02), body fat mass (p = 0.04), and waist circumference (p = 0.056). There were significant gene-diet interactions for healthful plant-derived diets and BMI-GRS on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.03), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.04), alanine transaminase (p = 0.05), insulin (p = 0.04), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (p = 0.002). Adherence to h-PDI was more strongly related to decreased levels of the aforementioned markers among participants in the second or top tertile of GRS than those with low GRS. These results highlight that following a plant-based dietary pattern considering genetics appears to be a protective factor against the risks of cardiometabolic abnormalities.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.488-500
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Roxadustat, an oral medication for treating renal anemia, is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor used for regulating iron metabolism and promoting erythropoiesis. To investigate the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. Methods: Single-center, retrospective study, 81 PD patients (with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness) were divided into the roxadustat group (n = 61) and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) group (n = 20). Hemoglobin (Hb), total cholesterol, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), related indicators of cardiac function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were collected. Additionally, adverse events were also recorded. The follow-up period was 16 weeks. Results: The two groups exhibited similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. At baseline, the roxadustat group had a mean Hb level of 89.8 ± 18.9 g/L, while the ESAs group had a mean Hb level of 95.2 ± 16.0 g/L. By week 16, the Hb levels had increased to 118 ± 19.8 g/L (p < 0.05) in the roxadustat group and 101 ± 19.3 g/L (p > 0.05) in the ESAs group. The efficacy of roxadustat in improving anemia was not influenced by baseline levels of hs-CRP and iPTH. Cholesterol was decreased in the roxadustat group without statin use. An increase in left ventricular ejection fraction and stabilization of BNP were observed in the roxadustat group. Conclusions: For PD patients with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness, roxadustat can significantly improve renal anemia. The efficacy of roxadustat in improving renal anemia was not affected by baseline levels of hs-CRP0 and iPTH.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.178-185
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• 2008

목 적 : 최근 I, II 등급 방광 요관 역류의 임상적 중요성이 적어지면서 요로감염 영아 모두에게 침습적인 VCUG를 시행하여야 하는지에 대한 의문이 제기되어 있다. 요로감염이 있는 3개월 미만의 영아를 대상으로 III 등급 이상의 중증 방광 요관 역류에 대한 예측인자를 알아보고 VCUG의 시행 여부에 대한 임상적인 근거를 제시하고자 하였다. 방 법: 2004년 1월부터 2007년 9월까지 가천의과대학교 병원에 입원해서 요로감염으로 치료받은 3개월 미만의 환아 중 초음파 검사와 VCUG를 시행받은 환아를 대상으로 하였다. 후향적인 의무기록의 검토를 통하여 I 군(III-V 등급의 방광 요관 역류)과 II 군 (정상 혹은 I, II 등급의 방광 요관 역류) 간의 임상적 지표와 영상 검사 결과를 비교 검토하였다. 초음파의 민감도와 특이도 및 양성예측도와 음성예측도, 그리고 위험도와 우도비를 구하여 중증 방광 요관 역류에 대한 진단적 가치를 알아보았다. 결 과: 총 54명(남아 41명, 여아 13명) 의 대상아 중에서 I군이 14명, II군이 40명이였다. I 군에서 CRP가 높았고(6.11$\pm$5.18와 3.27$\pm$3.45, P=0.025) 비정상적인 초음파 소견이 많았지만(71.4%와 22.5%, P=0.002) 관련 인자를 보정한 후에는 초음파만이 통계적인 유의성이 있었다(P=0.002). 원인균, 균혈증 및 DMSA 이상소견은 두 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 중증 방광 요관 역류에 대한 초음파의 민감도는 71.4%(41.9-91.4), 특이도는 77.5%(61.5-89.1), 위험도는 6.9(1.58-30.41)이었고 음성예측도는 88.6%(73.2-96.7), 음성우도비는 0.37(0.16-0.86)을 나타내었으나($\alpha$=0.05, 검정력 94%) III 등급의 방광 요관 역류4명은(28.6%)은 정상적인 초음파 소견을 보였다. 결 론 : 3개월 미만의 요로감염이 있는 영아에서 중증 방광 요관 역류 에 대해 VCUG를 대체할만한 예측인자를 규명하지 못했다. 따라서 모든 요로감염 영아(3개월 미만)에서 VCUG의 시행이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.