• Title/Summary/Keyword: Laboratory Test

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The Current Status of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Korea (국내 다제내성 결핵의 실태)

  • Kim, Byoung-Ju;Lee, In-Hee;Lee, Duk-Hyung;Bai, Gill-Han;Kong, Suk-Jun;Lee, Sun-Hwa;Moon, Hae-Ran;Lee, Kyoung-Ryul;Lee, Jun-Young;Park, Seung-Kyu
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.60 no.4
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    • pp.404-411
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    • 2006
  • Purpose : Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an emerging threat to human beings. However, there is little data on the current status of MDR-TB in Korea. This study investigated the current status of MDR-TB in Korea using a survey of all the data from drug susceptibility tests (DST) performed across the country over the last three years. Method : The DST results between Jan. 2000 and Dec. 2002 from 7 laboratories, which were in charge of all antituberculous DSTs across the country as of March 2002, were collected and analyzed to determine the actual number of drug-resistant or MDR-TB patients, annual trend, degree and pattern of resistance against anti-TB drugs, etc. Results : Six laboratories used the absolute concentration method for DST and one used the proportional method. 59, 940 tests had been performed over the 3 year study period. The number of DST performed annually was 18,071, 19,950, and 21,919 in 2000-2002, respectively. The number of resistant tuberculosis patients (resistant against at least one anti-TB drug) had increased by 16.9% from 6,338 in 2000 to 7,409 in 2002. The rate of resistant tuberculosis among all DST results was 35.1% in 2000, 34.5% in 2001, and 33.8% in 2002. The number of MDR-TB patients (resistant against at least both isoniazid and rifampin) showed an increasing trend (14.5%) from 3,708 in 2000 to 4,245 in 2002. Conclusion : Approximately 4,000 MDR-TB cases are newly identified by DST annually and the number is showing an increasing trend. This study suggests that in order to cope with the current MDR-TB situation, the DST methods will need to be standardized and more aggressive measures will be required.

The characteristics of neurocardiogenic syncope in children (소아 신경-심인성 실신의 특징)

  • Lee, Kyung Yeon;Lee, Jin Young;Kim, Myoung Hyun;Lee, Jeong Eun;Kim, Yong Dae;Lee, Eun Ju;Lim, Young Su;Kim, Won Seop
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.51 no.5
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    • pp.512-517
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    • 2008
  • Purpose : Syncope is relatively common in children and adolescents. Among the etiologies of syncope, neurocardiogenical syncope is the most common, but it is often confounded with seizure. We investigated the clinical features of patients under the age of 15 with neurocardiogenical syncope, compared to patients with neurologic disorders including epilepsy. Methods : Among the children who visited the Department of Pediatrics at Cheongju St. Mary's Hospital and Chungbuk National University Hospital from March 2005 to February 2007, we retrospectively analyzed 69 patients whose chief complaint was syncope. We classified the patients by syncope etiology and made comparisons between the neurocardiogenical syncope (NCS) group and the neurological disorders (ND) group regarding to age; location; time and season in which syncope occurred; associated symptoms, including seizures, provocation factors; prodromes; duration of syncope; frequency of previous syncope; birth history; associated disease; past medical history; family history; neurological exam; physical exam; laboratory findings; electrocardiography; electroencephalography (EEG); head-up tilt test; brain CT; and MRI. Results : Among 69 syncope patients, 53 (76.8%) were in the NCS group and 11 (15.9%) were in the ND group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two study groups except for the presence of prodromes and EEG abnormalities. The presence of prodromes in the NCS group was more common than in the ND group [46.9% (23/49) vs. 9.1% (1/11), (P=0.038)]. The EEG abnormality in the ND group was more common than in the NCS group [90% (9/10) vs. 5.8% (3/52), (P<0.01)]. Conclusion : Our study suggests that detailed history-taking, including that concerning prodromes, is important for the accurate diagnosis of neurocardiogenical syncope, and EEG should be obtained if neurological disorders are suggested.

Analysis of the Change in Seropositive Rate of the Epstein-Barr Virus in Koreans: A Single-Center Study (한국인의 Epstein-Barr Virus 항체 양성률 변화양상에 대한 분석: 단일기관 연구)

  • Kim, Su Kyung;Choi, Joon-Sik;Kim, Dongsub;Kang, Cheol-In;Chung, Doo Ryeon;Peck, Kyong Ran;Kang, Eun-Suk;Kim, Yae-Jean
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.117-126
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is related to infectious mononucleosis or nasopharyngeal cancer, and its epidemiology may change according to the socioeconomic development of communities. This study aimed to evaluate the recent epidemiology of EBV seropositive rate in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed EBV serology test results obtained from a part of clinical care at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea, from January 2000 to December 2017. Results: The EBV seropositive rate in 26,527 subjects during the study period was 81.0% (21,485/26,527): 44.4% (2,716/6,122) in subjects aged 0-9 years, 75.8% (2,077/2,739) in those aged 10-19 years, and 94.5% (16,692/17,666) in those aged ≥20 years. The EBV seropositive rate decreased from 89.4% (8,592/9,616) in 2000-2008 to 76.2% (12,893/16,911) in 2009-2017 (P<0.001). Especially, the EBV seropositive rate in subjects aged 0-19 years significantly decreased from 2000-2008 to 2009-2017 (0-9 years, 62.8% [1,172/1,866] in 2000-2008 and 36.3% [1,544/4,256] in 2009-2017; 10-19 years, 83.8% [745/858] in 2000-2008 and 70.8% (1,332/1,881) in 2009-2017) (P<0.001). Conclusions: The EBV seropositive rate in children has decreased in the last 20 years. As the age of patients with primary EBV infection increased, there is a need for interest in clinical manifestation, such as infectious mononucleosis, in adolescents and young adults.

Biodistribution and Metabolism of I-123 Labelled Fatty Acid(I) : [I-123]15-(p-iodophenyl)pentadecanoic acid(IPPA) (I-123 표지 지방산의 체내 분포 및 대사(I) : [I-123]15-(p-iodophenyl)pentadecanoic acid(IPPA))

  • Chang, Young Soo;Lee, Dong Soo;Jeong, Jae Min;Suh, Yong-Sup;Chung, June-Key;Lee, Myung Chul;Koh, Chang-Soon
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.50-60
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    • 1998
  • I-123 labelled fatty acids are suitable for investigation of regional myocardial metabolism, so they are on the clinical trial. However, the precise properties of these materials are not characterized yet. We have synthesized phenylpentadecanoic acid and labeled this compound with I-123. The purpose of this study was to examine the stability, biodistribution, metabolism and SPECT imaging of [I-123]15-(p-iodophenyl)pentadecanoic acid(I-123-IPPA) that we made. The stability test of I-123-IPPA in serum of rat, mouse and human showed no free I-123 after 1 hour. In biodistribution study in mice for various time intervals after injection(5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes), uptake in myocardium was 14.5%ID/g(5 min), and 1.9%ID/heart(5 min), while uptake in muscles was 2.6%ID/g(5 min). Myocardium to blood ratio and myocardium to lung ratio increased for 5 min after injection and then decreased rapidly. Chromatographic data of rat blood and urine showed that little PPA was found in blood and urine at 15-20 min after injection. The myocardial I-123-IPPA SPECT images of a dog with myocardial infarction showed defects similar to those of Tc-99m-MIBI and F-18-FDG. These data suggest that I-123-IPPA is quite stable in vitro and shows favorable biodistribution in mice. SPECT imaging with I-123-IPPA demonstrated infarct zone as photon defect in dog model of myocardial infarction. I-123-IPPA may be used for the evaluation of fatty acid metabolism in clinical trials in Korea.

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Effect of Di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP) on the Onset of Puberty in Female Rat (암컷 흰쥐의 사춘기 개시에 미치는 di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP)의 효과)

  • Lee, Kyeung-Yeup;Lee, Sung-Ho
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.147-154
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    • 2006
  • Phthalates such as di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP) are industrial chemicals with wide-ranging human exposures because of their use in plastics and other common consumer products. Consequently, their adverse effects as endocrine disruptor in the reproductive physiology of both laboratory rodents and human have been studied extensively. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to DEHP affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. DEHP(100mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 25(PND 25) through the day when the first vaginal opening(VO) was observed, and the animals were sacrificed on the next day. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the DEHP's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. Specific radioimmunoassay was carried out to measure serum LH levels. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed VO was shown in the DEHP group(PND $37.3{\pm}0.7$) compared to the control group(PND $35.3{\pm}0.7$; p<0.05). DEHP treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.05). Interestingly, elevation of serum LH levels was shown in the DEHP group(p<0.05). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals. Numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from DEHP-treated animals. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the DEHP-treated group. These effects were probably due to the inhibitory effects of DEHP on the synthesis and secretion of estrogen from granulosa cells. In the semiquantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of PR in both ovary(p<0.05) and uterus(p<0.01) from DEHP-treated animals were significantly lower than those from the control animals. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to DEHP during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

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A Study on Geology of Clay Mineral Deposits of Pohang-Ulsan Area and their Physico-Chemical Properties (포항-울산간의 점토자원의 지질과 그 물리화학적 특성에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Ok Joon;Lee, Ha Young;Kim, Suh Woon;Kim, Soo Jin
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.4 no.4
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    • pp.167-215
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    • 1971
  • I. Purpose and Importance of the Study The purpose of the present study is to clarify to geological, mineralogical, and physico-chemical properties of the clay minerals deposits imbedded in the Tertiary sediments in the areas between. Pohang and Ulsan along southeastern coastal region of Korea. These clays are being mined and utilized for filter and insecticide after activation or simple pulverizing, nontheless activated clays are short coming as chemical industry in Korea has been rapidly grown in recent years. In spite of such increase in clay demand, no goological investigation on clay deposits nor physico-chemical properties of the clays have been carried out up to date. Consequently activated clays produced in Korea is not only of low grade but also of shortage in supply, so that Korea has to import activated clays of better grade. The importance of the present study lies, therefore, on that guiding principle could be laid down by knowing stratigraphical horizons, of clay deposits and fundamental data of improving grade of activated clays might be derived from the results of physico-chemical examinations. II. Contents and Scope of the study The contents of the study are pinpointed down in the following two subjects: 1) General geological investigation of Tertiary formations distributed in the areas between Pohang and UIsan, and detail geological study of the bentonitic clay deposits imbedded in them. 2) To clarifty physico-chemical characteristics of the clays by means of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and electron microscope. The scope of the study involves the following there points: i) Regional geological investigation-This investigation has been carried out in order to find out the distribution of Tertiary sediments and exact location of clay mineral deposits in the areas between Pohang and UIsan. ii) Detail geological investigation-This has been concentrated in and around the clay deposits which. had been found out by the regional investigation. iii) Laboratory researchs include i) age determination and correlation of Tertiary sediments by paleontological study, and ii) Chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopic studies on clays, samples taken from various clay deposits. III. Research Results and Suggestions 1) The geology of the area investigated is composed mainly of Janggi and Beomgokri groups of Miocene age in ascending order rested on the upper Silla system, Balkuksa granite and volcanic rocks of upper Cretaceous age as base. 2) Janggi group is composed in ascending order of Janggi conglomerate, Nultaeri rhyolitic tuff, Keumkwangdong shale, two beds of lignite-bearing formations which consist of alternation of conglomerate, sandstone and mudstone, and andesitic, rhyolitic, and basaltic tuff beds. 3) Beomgokri group is mainly composed of andesitic to rhyolitic tuff interlayered by conglomerate and tuffaceous sandstone. In the areas around boundary between North-and South Kyeongsang-do is distributed Haseori farmation which is composed of conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone and andesitic to rhyolitic tuff, and which is correlated to Eoilri formation of Janggi group. 4) Clay deposits of the area are interbedded in Eoilri, Haseori, Nultaeri tuff, Keumkwangdong shale, upper and lower horizon of the lower lignite-bearing seam, and Keumori rhyolitic tuff formations of Janggi group; and are genetically classi.fied into four categories, that is, i) those derived from volcanic ash beds(Haseori and Daeanri deposits), ii) those of secondary residual type from rhyolitic tuff beds(Seokupri deposits), iii) Clay beds above and beneath the lignite seams, (Janggi and Keumkwangdong deposits), and iv) those derived from rhyolitic tuff beds(Sangjeong and Tonghae deposits). 5) Mineral constituents of clay deposits are, according to X-ray diffraction, montmorillonite accompanied in different degree by cristobalite, plagioclase, quartz, stilbite, and halloysite in rare occasion. The clays are grouped according to mineral composition into four types; i) those consist mostly of montmorillonite, ii) those composed of montmorillonite and cristobalite, iii) those composed of montmorillonite and plagioclase, and iv) those composed of montmorillonite, plagioclase and quartz. 6) Clays interbedded in Haseori formation and vicinity of lignite seams belong to the first type, are of good quality and derived either from volcanic ash bed, or primary clay beds near lignite seams. Clays belonged to other types are derived from weathering of rhyolitic tuff formations and their quality varies depending upon original composition and degree of weathering. Few clays in secondary residual type contain small amount of halloysite. 7) Judging from analytical data, content of silica($SiO_2$) varies proportionally with content of cristobalite, and alumina($Al_2O_3$) content does not vary with that of plagioclase, but increases in the sedimentary bedded type of deposits. 8) It is unknown whether or not these days could be upgraded by beneficiation since no grain size of these impurities nor beneficiation test had been studied. 9) Clay beds derived from valcanic ash layers or sedimentary layers at the vicinity of lignite seams are thin in thickness and of small, discontinueous lenticular shape, although they are of good quality; and those derived from rhyolitic tuff formations or residual type from tuff are irregular in both occurrence and quality. It is, therefore, not only very difficult but also meaningless to calculate its reserve, and reserve estimation, even if done, will greatly be deviated from practically minable one. Consequently, way of discovery and exploitation of clay deposits in the area under consideration is to check the geologically favorable areas whenever needed.

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Clinical Usefulness of the Line Probe Assay for Rapid Detection of Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis (Line probe assay를 이용한 신속한 rifampicin내성결핵 진단법의 임상적 유용성)

  • Hong, Sang-Bum;Lim, Chae-Man;Lee, Sang-Do;Koh, Youn-Suck;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong;Shim, Tae-Sun
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.50 no.3
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    • pp.334-342
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    • 2001
  • Background : RpoB gene mutations have been found in about 96-98% of rifampicin (RMP)-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Recent reports confirm that the in laboratory settings a rpoB gene mutation can be used as a surrogate marker for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. However, its usefulness in clinical applications has not been evaluated. This study was performed to confirm whether mutation analysis of the rpoB gene of M. tuberculosis is useful in clinical settings. Methods : The medical records of 33 patients in whom rpoB gene analysis was conducted using an INNOLiPA Rif. TB assay (LiPA) from June, 1998, to July, 2000, at the Asan Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed in 33 patients. The clinical characteristics in addition to the drug susceptibility and LiPA results were analyzed. The drug susceptibility test was considered as a gold standard method for M. tuberculosis susceptibility and these results were compared with those of the rpoB gene study and sequencing analysis. Sequencing analysis of the rpoB gene was done in cases where there was a discrepancy between the results of the drug susceptibility an d rpoB gene study. Results : The mean age and sex ratio was $42{\pm}18$, and 24:9 (M:F), respectively. There were 19 RMP susceptible (58%) and 14 RMP-resistant cases (42%) according to the rpoB gene study. The mean time from the request to reporting the results of the rpoB gene study was $5.2{\pm}2.6$ days. The mean gap from reporting the rpoB gene study to reporting the susceptibility was $56{\pm}35$ days. Twenty-eight cases (85%) showed identical results compared with the drug susceptibility results, whereas five cases (15%) showed contradictory results. When compared with the sequencing analysis, of the five cases that showed contradictory results, two had LiP A analysis errors and the remaining three were identical to the sequencing results. The rpoB gene study was of assistance in choosing the appropriate drugs in 28 cases (85%). Conclusions : An rpoB gene study using an LiP A assay was useful in rapidly diagnosing RMP-resistant tuberculosis, which enabled a proper choice of the appropriate drugs in clinical practices. However, an LiPA assay always should be performed in conjunction with microscopy, culture, and susceptibility tests.

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Regeneration of Seedlings under Different Vegetation Types and Effects of Allelopathy on Seedling Establishment of Abies koreana in the Banyabong Peak, Mt. Chiri (지리산(智異山) 구상나무림(林)에서 타감작용(他感作用)이 치수형성(稚樹形成)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Kim, Goon Bo;Lee, Kyung Joon;Hyun, Jung Oh
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.87 no.2
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    • pp.230-238
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    • 1998
  • This study was conducted to compare the regeneration of the seedlings under different vegetation types and to identify the presence of allelopathy in Abies koreana(Ak) natural forest in Banyabong Peak(elevation, 1715m), of Mt. Chiri. Twenty quadrats($10m{\times}10m$) were placed in May, 1996 to classify vegetation structure using TWINSPAN. Water-soluble extracts from leaves and soil humus of different vegetation types were collected to test their effects on both seed germination of Ak and mycelial growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Phenolic compounds from soil humus were quantified using HPLC. Among the four vegetation types, Sasa borealis(Sb) was found in both Ak-Quercus mongolica(Qm) and Ak-Rhododendron schlippenbachii(Rs) communities. Natural seeding of Ak was $230,000{\pm}90,000seeds/ha$ in 1995 and their germination rate was 25% in an ideal laboratory condition. Density of Ak seedlings less than 5cm in height was 52,000/ha in 1996, while that of seedlings taller than 5cm in height was only 4,000/ha. In the case of Ak-Qm community, density of Ak seedlings with Sb understory was only 7% of the density of seedlings with Rs understary, suggesting the inhibitory effect of Sb. The germination rate of Ak seeds was significantly reduced by leaf extracts of Sb, and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum(Rm) and Ak. Soil humus extract of Ak-Qm-Sb subcommunity reduced germination of Ak seeds by 81% and also reduced by 19% the respiration of mycelia of ectomycorrhizal fumgus, Lactarius sp. Among the seven phenolic compounds identified from the soil humus, extract, Ak-Qm-Sb subcommunity contained significantly high content of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid. Particularly, p-hydroxybenzoic acid was present at 4.2ppm in the Sb roots and at 16.5ppm in the Sb humus, suggesting that it could be the primary allelopathic compound in Abies koreana forests with Sasa borealis understory.

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Development of $^1H-^{31}P$ Animal RF Coil for pH Measurement Using a Clinical MR Scanner (임상용 MR에서 pH 측정을 위한 동물 실험용 $^1H-^{31}P$ RF 코일 개발)

  • Kim, Eun Ju;Kim, Daehong;Lee, Sangwoo;Heo, Dan;Lee, Young Han;Suh, Jin-Suck
    • Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.52-58
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    • 2014
  • Purpose : To establish a pH measurement system for a mouse tumor study using a clinical scanner, to develop the $^1H$ and 31P radio frequency (RF) coil system and to test pH accuracy with phantoms. Materials and Methods: The $^1H$ and the $^{31}P$ surface coils were designed to acquire signals from mouse tumors. Two coils were positioned orthogonally for geometric decoupling. The pH values of various pH phantoms were calculated using the $^1H$ decoupled $^{31}P$ MR spectrum with the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The calculated pH value was compared to that of a pH meter. Results: The mutual coil coupling was shown in a standard $S_{12}$. Coil coupling ($S_{12}$) were -73.0 and -62.3 dB respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained from the homogeneous phantom $^1H$ image was greater than 300. The high resolution in vivo mice images were acquired using a $^{31}P$-decoupled $^1H$ coil. The pH values calculated from the $^1H$-decoupled $^{31}P$ spectrum correlated well with the values measured by pH meter ($R^2$=0.97). Conclusion: Accurate pH values can be acquired using a $^1H$-decoupled $^{31}P$ RF coil with a clinical scanner. This two-surface coil system could be applied to other nuclear MRS or MRI.

Clinical Significance of Coagulation Screening Tests and Platelet Counts in Children Undergoing Endoscopy (소아에서 내시경 검사의 출혈 위험 예측 인자로서 혈액 응고 검사 및 혈소판 검사의 의의)

  • Lee, Eun-Hye;Yang, Hye-Ran;Ko, Jae-Sung;Seo, Jeong-Kee
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.23-29
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the benefits of routine pre-endoscopy coagulation screening tests and platelet counts in Korean children. Methods: Between March 2004 and December 2009, children who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy for the evaluation of various gastrointestinal symptoms were included. All of the subjects included in the study also underwent routine coagulation screening and platelet count determinations prior to endoscopy and biopsy. The clinical records and laboratory tests were retrospectively reviewed in all patients. Results: One hundred sixty-two of 1,476 (11%) patients who underwent endoscopy had abnormal results on pre-screening coagulation tests. Fourteen patients underwent coagulation factor assays due to abnormal clotting results in consecutive tests or due to clinical evidence of a bleeding tendency. Seven patients were diagnosed with factor XII deficiency, one patient was diagnosed with von Willebrand disease, one patient had von Willebrand disease and factor XII deficiency, and one patient was presumed to have mild hemophilia. The remaining 4 patients had normal results with the factor assays. The results of platelet counts were normal with the exception of 1 patient. No patient had significant bleeding during the endoscopic procedures, despite abnormal pre-endoscopic coagulation tests. Conclusion: Routine coagulation screening tests and platelet counts revealed abnormal results in some patients. Most of the patients with abnormal clotting were shown to have a factor XII deficiency, which had no significant associated bleeding tendencies; the other patients were diagnosed with hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. Therefore, although abnormal pre-endoscopic coagulation is not always related to significant bleeding complications, pre-endoscopic coagulation screening may be useful in some children in predicting the risk of bleeding tendency during endoscopic procedures.