• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.302-309
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• 2010

The present study proposed a method of measuring uroflow and urophonography at the same time for more accurate diagnosis in case uroflow looks normal due to compensatory function hypertrophy in the expression of early obstruction. In case of early obstruction, there happens turbulent uroflow by the obstruction even if the uroflow looks normal and thus obstruction can be detected by measuring and analyzing signal caused by turbulent flow. We implemented a system that can measure both uroflow and urophonography, and evaluated its performance. In the experiment, we observed changes in uroflow and urophonography according to artificial pressure and the degree of obstruction, and confirmed that it is possible to determine the effect of compensatory function hypertrophy by analyzing urophonographyic parameter under the same uroflow. The results of our experiment show that the effect of compensatory function hypertrophy in the early-stage obstruction of lower urinary tract, which is not detectible with uroflowmetry alone, can be assessed through urophonographic analysis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.573-581
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among quality of sleep, depression, late-life function and disability in community-dwelling older women with urinary incontinence. Methods: A stratified random sampling method was conducted to recruit participants from May 10 to August 17, 2007. Data were collected by questionnaires, which were constructed to include lower urinary tract symptoms, quality of sleep, depression, and late-life function and disability in 128 community-dwelling older women. Results: The major findings of this study were as follow: 1) 56.3% of participants belonged to urinary incontinence group. 2) There were significant relationships between depression and sleep latency, sleep duration, daytime dysfunction, quality of sleep, function component, frequency dimension, and limitation dimension. 3) Depression was significantly associated with frequency dimension, limitation dimension in capability which explained 44% of variance in depression. Conclusion: These results may contribute to a better understanding of sleep quality, depression, late-life function and disability in the community-dwelling older women with urinary incontinence. Therefore, health programs for prompting older women's health should be planned based on results of the study.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2016

Purpose: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a serious bacterial infection that can cause renal scarring in children. Early identification of APN is critical to improve treatment outcomes. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic marker of many diseases, but it has not yet been established in urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to determine whether NLR is a useful marker to predict APN or vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 298 pediatric patients ($age{\leq}36months$) with febrile UTI from January 2010 to December 2014. Conventional infection markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP]), and NLR were measured. Results: WBC, CRP, ESR, and NLR were higher in APN than in lower UTI (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that NLR was a predictive factor for positive dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) defects (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was high for NLR (P<0.001) as well as CRP (P<0.001) for prediction of DMSA defects. NLR showed the highest area under the ROC curve for diagnosis of VUR (P<0.001). Conclusion: NLR can be used as a diagnostic marker of APN with DMSA defect, showing better results than those of conventional markers for VUR prediction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.221-226
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• 2017

Purpose: Escherichia coli sequence type (ST) 131, a multidrug-resistant clone causing extraintestinal infections, has rapidly become prevalent worldwide. However, the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric infections are poorly understood. We aimed to explore the characteristics of ST131 Escherichia coli isolated from Korean children with urinary tract infections. Methods: We examined 114 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates from children hospitalized at Chung-Ang University Hospital between 2011 and 2014. Bacterial strains were classified into STs by partial sequencing of seven housekeeping genes (adk, fumC, gyrB, icd, mdh, purA, and recA). Clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility were compared between ST131 and non-ST131 UPEC isolates. Results: Sixteen UPEC isolates (14.0%) were extended-spectrum ${\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL)-producers; 50.0% of ESBL-producers were ST131 isolates. Of all the isolates tested, 13.2% (15 of 114) were classified as ST131. There were no statistically significant associations between ST131 and age, sex, or clinical characteristics, including fever, white blood cell counts in urine and serum, C-reactive protein, radiologic abnormalities, and clinical outcome. However, ST131 isolates showed significantly lower rates of susceptibility to cefazolin (26.7%), cefotaxime (40.0%), cefepime (40.0%), and ciprofloxacin (53.3%) than non-ST131 isolates (65.7%, 91.9%, 92.9%, and 87.9%, respectively; P<0.001 for all). ESBL was more frequently produced in ST131 (53.3%) than in non-ST131 (8.1%) isolates (P<0.01). Conclusion: ST131 E. coli isolates were prevalent uropathogens in children at a single medical center in Korea between 2011 and 2014. Although ST131 isolates showed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance, clinical presentation and outcomes of patients were similar to those of patients infected with non-ST131 isolates.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.341-346
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the practical applications of the diagnosis algorithms recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics urinary tract infection (UTI) guideline. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of febrile UTI patients aged between 2 and 24 months. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group I (patients with positive urine culture and urinalysis findings), group II (those with positive urine culture but negative urinalysis findings), and group III (those with negative urine culture but positive urinalysis findings). Clinical, laboratory, and imaging results were analyzed and compared between the groups. Results: A total of 300 children were enrolled. The serum C-reactive protein level was lower in children in group II than in those in groups I and III (P<0.05). Children in group I showed a higher frequency of hydronephrosis than those in groups II and III (P<0.05). However, the frequencies of acute pyelonephritis (APN), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), renal scar, and UTI recurrence were not different between the groups. In group I, recurrence of UTI and presence of APN were associated with the incidence of VUR (recurrence vs. no recurrence: 40% vs.11.4%; APN vs. no APN: 23.3% vs. 9.2%; P<0.05). The incidence of VUR and APN was not related to the presence of hydronephrosis. Conclusion: UTI in febrile children cannot be ruled out solely on the basis of positive urinalysis or urine culture findings. Recurrence of UTI and presence of APN may be reasonable indicators of the presence of VUR.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2021

Background: We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) in predicting postoperative febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Methods: From January 2013 to May 2018, 332 patients underwent URS and RIRS. The rate of postoperative fUTI and risk factors for postoperative fUTI were analyzed using logistic regression. Patients were divided into postoperative fUTI and non-postoperative fUTI (non-fUTI) groups. AGR with other demographic and perioperative data were compared between the two groups to predict the development of fUTI after URS. Results: Of the 332 patients, postoperative fUTI occurred in 41 (12.3%). Preoperative pyuria, microscopic hematuria, diabetes mellitus, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia were more prevalent in the fUTI group. Patients in the fUTI group had larger stone size, lower preoperative AGR, longer operation time, and longer preoperative antibiotic coverage period. In a multivariable logistic analysis, preoperative pyuria, AGR, and stone size were independently correlated with postoperative fUTI (p<0.001, p=0.008, and p=0.041, respectively). Receiver operating curve analysis showed that the cutoff value of AGR that could predict a high risk of fUTI after URS was 1.437 (sensitivity, 77.3%; specificity, 76.9%), while the cutoff value of stone size was 8.5 mm (sensitivity, 55.3%; specificity, 44.7%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that preoperative pyuria, AGR, and stone size can serve as prognostic factors for predicting fUTI after URS.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2022

Purpose: To determine predictive factors for detecting renal parenchymal damages (RPDs) in infants with recurrent febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). Methods: From January 2015 to December 2021, 102 infants with recurrent fUTI and who underwent ^99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in our hospital were included in this study. Controls included infants with normal DMSA results performed 3 months apart from the 2nd episode of fUTI. DMSA-positive group included infants with positive DMSA results performed 3 months apart from the 2nd episode of fUTI or at the 3rd episode of fUTI. The recurrence rate, causative bacteria, renal size discrepancy of both kidneys, and laboratory findings including C-reactive protein (CRP) and spot urine sodium-to-potassium ratio (uNa/K) were compared between both groups. Results: Only 3.8% of 79 infants with a 2nd episode of fUTI showed positive DMSA results. fUTI recurred more frequently within 12 months of follow-up in the DMSA-positive group than in the control group (69% vs. 13%, P<0.001). CRP values were significantly higher in the DMSA-positive group than in the control group (7.3 mg/dL vs. 3.7 mg/dL, P<0.001). Spot uNa/K were significantly lower in the DMSA-positive group than in the control group (0.6 vs. 1.1, P<0.001). Conclusions: Congenital renal scar and RPDs on the DMSA scan were more frequently found in infants with recurrent fUTI than those in the control group. High CRP values and low spot uNa/K in acute infections were helpful in predicting the presence of RPD in infants with recurrent fUTI.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.199-203
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• 1993

Inferior mesenteric plexus block(IMPB) is a nerve block for lower abdominal pain originating from GI tract of distal transverse colon to sigmoid colon and other polvic organ where the inferior mesenteric plexus contains visceral afferent fibers of that organ. We performed IMPB on two patients with lower abdominal pain. Case I: 61 year old female diagnosed with cancer of stomach and uterine cervix and carcinomatosis, experienced complete relief from pain for a period of 7 months after IMPB. Case II: male, 28 years old, who had contracted cancer of the descending colon with obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis had complained of pain in the whole of the abdominal area. IMPB was performed for lower abdominal pain. Seven days after, a celiac plexus block was also performed for upper abdominal pain. The patient complained of recurring pain in the left & upper lower abdomen 30 days after the IMPB. The intensity of the pain was visual analogue scale 4 and it was managed by continuous epidural block. Conclusion: It is our recommendation that IMPB is a reliable method for treatment of lower abdominal pain originating from malignant condition of GI tract from distal transverse colon to sigmoid colon and urinary bladder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.123-135
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study was to rivew systemically literature and clinical trials in the treatment of urinary incontinence or lower urinary tract syndrome(LUTS). Methods : Computerized literature searches were carried out on two electronic database, and computerized searching on some korea oriental medicine journals in library of Kyung-Hee Medical center. Results : 1. Three reports of review study, six reports of experimental study and fourteen reports of clinical trials were collected and reviewed. Three reports of review study were all printed in the korea oriental medicine journal. From 2000, researches and studies have been increased in quantity and improved in quality. 2. Urinary disturbance include variable symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence, in theaspect of Oriental medicine these symptoms are anurin, dysuria, urinary incontinence, nochumal enuresis, uracratia and so on. 3. Roughly physiological procedure of Acupuncture in Treatment of Urianry Disturbance may be that effect of acupuncture stimulation for parasympathetic nerve, sleep-arousal system in cerebrum, pontine/spinal urination center and pudendal/pelvic nerve affect bladder in expansion of bladder capacity, inhibition of urinary contraction and affection in periurethral muscle by continuous excitement of spinal annular circuit and synapse of neuron. 4. Clinical result for acupuncture treatment in urinary disturbance is summarized that acupuncture treatment in urianation disturbance of Neurogenic Bladder, Incontinence, Cycitis, Nocturnal Enuresis, Prostatitis/Pelvic Pain Syndrom and so on is significant clinical trials and technique. Conclusion : Hereafter, in the old age society these variable urinary disturbance patients are increased and desire of treatment may be also increased. So study of various and formal treatment and tecnnique is needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 2020

This study aimed to explore the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), produced by engineered immortalized mesenchymal stem cells (imMSC), on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a rat model with neurogenic bladder (NB). Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following groups: Sham control, LUTS, LUTS+imMSC (treated with immortalized MSC), and LUTS+BDNF-eMSC (treated with BDNF-expressing MSC) groups. LUTS was induced by a crush injury to the major pelvic ganglion (MPG). Bladder function was tested under anesthesia, and bladder tissue strips were collected thereafter for contractility test and western blot analysis. Western blot results showed that the expression of both Angiopoietin 1 (Ang 1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) increased with MSC injection. The effect of treatment with BDNF-eMSC on LUTS was also evaluated, and the results were found to be better than those with imMSC (P<0.05). BDNF-eMSC prevented fibrosis in the bladder tissue and significantly reduced caspase-3 levels. In conclusion, high expression of BDNF in vivo resulted in recovery of bladder function and contractility, along with the inhibition of apoptosis in a rat model.