• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1042-1046
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• 2008

The fluoroquinolones are an important group of antibiotics widely used in the treatment of various infectious diseases in adults, as a result of an excellent spectrum of activity, good tissue penetration and convenient ways of administration. In recent decades, there has been extensive development, clinical investigation, licensure and use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. However, the use of fluoroquinolones in children has been limited because of their potential to induce arthropathy in juvenile animals. Despite class label warnings against use in children, prescriptions for quinolone antibiotics to treat infections in children have become increasingly prevalent. The main use of fluoroquinolones in pediatrics should be, understandably, in serious life-threatening infections for which other antibiotics therapies are not effective or available. While most of the published studies failed to detect an increased rate of articular adverse effects in children treated with fluoroquinolones, an increase in the use of these compounds, particularly in community-acquired lower respiratory infections, could accelerate the emergence of multidrug-resistant (including fluoroquinolone) pneumococcal strains. This review will discus the main issues related to the use of fluoroquinolones in children, the major problems of resistance developing among these compounds, with special emphasis on the potential side effects and skilled use of these alternative potent drugs in pediatric infection.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2015

Streptococcus pneumoniae associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (SpHUS) is one of the causes of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and increasingly reported. They are more severe and leave more long-term sequelae than more prevalent, typical hemolytic uremic syndrome. But it is not so easy to diagnose SpHUS for several reasons (below), and there was no diagnostic criteria of consensus. A 18 month-old-girl with sudden onset of oliguria and generalized edema was admitted through the emergency room. She had pneumonia with pleural effusion and laboratory findings of HUS, DIC, and positive direct Coombs' test. As DIC or SpHUS was suspected, we started to treat her with broad spectrum antibiotics, transfusion of washed RBC and replacement of antithrombin III. On the $3^{rd}$ day, due to severe hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was started. She showed gradual improvement in 4 days on CRRT and discharged in 16 days of hospital care. At the follow up to one year, she has maintained normal renal function without proteinuria and hypertension. We report this case with review of articles including recently suggested diagnostic criteria of SpHUS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.387-391
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• 2011

Background: The relationship between the degree of expression of matrix metalloproteinases or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and venous reflux remains to be investigated. Materials and Methods: Primary varicose vein tissues were obtained from 23 patients, 18 females and 5 males, aged from 19 to 73. Cephalic or basilic veins were obtained for the control group from 10 patients who underwent vascular access for maintenance hemodialysis. Two operative techniques (high ligation with stripping or endovenous laser coagulation) were used. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 in the varicose vein group and control group was assessed semi-quantitatively by immunohistochemical slides stained with primary antibodies. Results: Twenty (87%) of the varicose vein group patients had greater or lesser saphenous vein diseases with reflux. The focal weak (+) stain for matrix metalloproteinases-2, and 13, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-4 was dominant in the varicose vein group; the focal or diffuse strong stain (++ or +++) was prevalent in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (p<0.01). The degree of reflux and the duration of symptoms were not significantly related to the expression of MMP-13 (p=0.317 and p=0.654, respectively). Conclusion: Further study should be performed to investigate the relationship between the clinical characteristics related to venous hypertension or reflux and expression of MMPs and TIMP in varicose veins.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate factors related to cardio-cerebrovascular disease and groups disadvantaged by it in Korean middle-aged women, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: The present study was conducted with 1,627 middle-aged women, aged 40 to 64 years, who participated in the 7th (2016) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: Cardio-cerebrovascular disease among middle-aged women was associated with quality of life, menopause, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and family history of hypertension. The incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease in middle-aged women was found to be the most prevalent in women who have entered menopause, have a family history of hypertension, and have a body mass index greater than $30.0kg/m^2$. Conclusion: This study classifies the subjects according to the risk level of each disadvantaged group for cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management in middle-aged women. The results provide evidence to support a tailored cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management program based on the related factors of disadvantaged groups and to establish strategies in educational and practical aspects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.385-392
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• 2013

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent, primarily due to limited sun exposure, which may be observed in urban areas, or as a result of modern lifestyles. Common myths about vitamin D persist, including that it is mostly obtained from the diet and is only essential for bone and mineral homeostasis. Nonetheless, advances in biomedical science suggest that vitamin D is a hormone that is integral to numerous physiologic functions in most cells and tissues. Therefore, abnormal vitamin D levels may contribute to health disturbances. A number of recent reports on potential associations between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease have highlighted its role in this system. A focus over the previous decade has been to better understand the mechanisms behind vitamin D regulation and the pathophysiology associated with suboptimal vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is highly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, even when considering other well-known risk factors. In this process, the renin-angiotensin system is disrupted, and hypertension and endothelial dysfunction contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Likewise, clinical outcomes upon the normalization of vitamin D levels have been investigated in different patient populations. It makes sense that vitamin D supplementation to improve vitamin D status among vitamin D-deficient individuals could be useful without requiring a sudden lifestyle change. This manuscript provides a brief overview of vitamin D metabolism and the vitamin D receptor. It also summarizes the current clinical research relating to vitamin D supplementation and its effects on hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular medicine.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.31-31
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• 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is the most common disorder in elderly men, involves androgenic hormone imbalance with chronic inflammation that causes imbalance between cell apoptosis and cell proliferation. As the root cause of the BPH remains unclear and synthetic drugs for treatment of BPH have undesirable side effects, the development of effective alternative medicines has been considered. Chinese Skullcap has been considered natural remedy to treat pyrexia, micturition disorder and inflammation. Although skullcap has effective properties on various diseases, the effects and molecular mechanism of Skullcap on BPH are not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Chinese Skullcap root extract (SRE) in testosterone-induced BPH rats. Compared with the untreated group, the SRE treatment group suppressed pathological alterations, such as prostate growth and increase in serum dihydrotestosterone and $5{\alpha}$-reductase levels. Furthermore, SRE significantly decreased the expression of androgen receptor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. SRE also restored Bax/Bcl-2 balance. These effect of SRE was more prevalent than commercial $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitor, finasteride. Taken together, we propose that SRE suppresses abnormal androgen events in prostate tissue and inhibits the development of BPH by targeting inflammation- and apoptosis-related markers. These finding strengthens that SRE could be used as plant-based $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitory alternative.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.534-541
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to examine the actual state of influenza vaccination among pregnant women and factors affecting vaccination rate. Methods: Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Participants were pregnant women who participated in a prenatal education program at an acute care hospital in 2013. Data collected from 218 pregnant women were analyzed using the SPSS 18.0 Program. Results: Only 48.6% of the pregnant women had received vaccination when the influenza was prevalent. Statistically significant factors affecting the influenza vaccination rate among pregnant women were vaccination experience in the previous year, knowledge and attitude about vaccination, and gestation period. Conclusion: Results indicate that the influenza vaccination rate among pregnant women is lower than that of elders, healthcare workers, and patients with chronic diseases, who have been considered to be the mandatory vaccination recipients. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs and policies which provide information including safety of vaccines for pregnant women and to induce positive attitudes towards vaccination for these women, in order to ultimately improve the vaccination rate.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.sup1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2008

Enterobiasis and head lice infestations, contact-borne parasitic diseases, are the most prevalent parasitic infections of children in Korea, and they are transmitted by close contact with infected persons. They are not of major concern in public health, therefore their importance in children's health care are overlooked in Korea. Egg positive rates of Enterobius vermicularis have been reported to be 10~20% among children in kindergartens and primary schools. Enterobiasis is diagnosed by scotch tape anal swab, but repeated examination is necessary for accurate diagnosis. Albendazole or mebendazole are extremely effective for treatment, however, reinfections usually occur if treatment is not repeated at least three times at a 3-week-interval, targeting the whole family members including the patients. Environmental sanitation and health education are also necessary to guarantee the successful treatment of enterobiasis. Head lice infestation is still an indication of public health status. Children of 3 to 12 years old and their families have infestations more frequently, and girls have more than boys. Diagnosis can be made by identification of live lice or nits on the head. Pediculicides are effective treatment of infestations, however they do not kill nits completely, requiring second treatment. Recently wet combing is preferred as an alternative by parents in England because of possible toxicity of drugs and resistance of lice. It is impossible to completely prevent enterobiasis and/or head lice infestations. Therefore, mass screening and prevention are required, and, in local clinics, a thorough evaluation of the symptoms and past history, and appropriate laboratory tests are necessary.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.436-440
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• 2007

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant diseases worldwide and a leading cause for death in Asia, where the major risk factors are chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. Because most HCC patients die within 3 to 6 months from the time of diagnosis, searching for a new treatment has become more urgent for HCC than other cancers because there is no existing effective systematic therapy. In Korea and Asia, traditional herbal medicine is frequently administered to patients with advanced HCC. We present a HCC case where complete regression was observed after taking herbal medicine. Since the specific mechanism is unknown, we cannot determine whether the herbal preparation had a direct effect on the regression of HCC. Nevertheless, this case provides us a reason and hope for further research.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.129-143
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• 1999

Plasmodium vivax malaria, which was highly prevalent in the Republic of Korea, disappeared rapidly since 1970s. However, malaria re-emerged with the first occurrence of a patient in 1993 near the demilitarizd zone (DMZ), the border between South Korea and North Korea. Thereafter, the number of cases increased exponentially year after year, totaling 6,142 cases (6,249 if United States Army personnels were included) by the end of 1998. Interestingly enough, the majority of cases (3,743; 61%) was soldiers aged 20-25, camping around the northern parts of Kyonggi-do or Gangwon-do (Province) just facing the DMZ. Among 2.399 civilian cases, 1,144(47.%) were those who Provinces. The re-emerging malaria characteristically revealed a combination type of short and long incubation periods with predominance of the long type. The course of illness was relatively mild, and the treatment was successful in most patients. Vector mosquitoes are Anopheles sinensis and possibly A. yatsushiroensis. Wide-scale preventive and control measures should be operated to eradicate this re-emerging disease. It has been suggested by many authors that the initial source of the re-emerging malaria was infected mosquitoes which had flown from the northern part of the DMZ.