• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1358-1363
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• 2009

Purpose:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriages in children using a multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) assay kit. Methods:We obtained nasopharyngeal swabs from 33 children without any underlying disease from July 25 to July 28, 2008. The children were free from the signs of respiratory tract infections at the time of sampling. DNA was extracted from the swabs and subjected to multiplex RT-PCR using a primer set for the detection of pneumococci ($Seeplex^{(R)}$ PneumoBacter ACE Detection Seegene, Seoul, Korea). The amplified PCR products were separated on 2% agarose gels and stained with either ethidium bromide or screen tape system (Lab901 Scotland, UK). Results:A total of 33 children (male, 15 female, 18) aged between 3.2 and 16.3 (median, 8.2) years were included in this study. The mRT-PCR detected colonized bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) in 30 children (90.9%). Of these, 13 children (39.4%) showed more than 2 bacteria: 12 children were positive for 2 bacteria (S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae) and 1 child was positive for 3 bacteria (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and C. pneumoniae). Conclusion:mRT-PCR was found to be a sensitive tool for the detection of asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriages. Clinical significances of the bacteria detected by mRT-PCR will have to be evaluated in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.165-181
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• 2008

Objectives: This study was conducted to help clinical studies for treating the common cold with Oriental medicine. We inspected tendencies of clinical studies of the common cold in western medicine and analyzed the assessing instruments for it by scrutinizing PubMed publications for the last five years. Materials and Methods: We inspected 32 theses and scrutinized their objectives, periods, participants, materials and methods, the instrument of assessment for the studies, and validity, reliability, criteria and symptom score for questionnaires, results and JADAD score. Results: 1. The median for total period of study was 7 months, the median for days of treatment was 7.5, and most studies were carried out during the winter/spring period, because of the enhanced risk of cold infections. 2. The studies focused on unorthodox medicines or new drug products, such as antipyretic analgesics (e.g. paracetamol), decongestant and bronchodilator (e.g. ephedrine), echinacea, antioxidants (e.g. zinc), probiotic bacteria and so on. 3. All theses except one had subjectscomposed of cold patients who were infected naturally. The median number of subjects for final analysis was 187. 4. 27 studies used survey as the instrument of assessment. Among these, only one thesis was verified for validity. 5. The mean of JADAD score was 4.41, suggesting most of theses of worth. 7 studies were assessed as ineffective. Conclusion: Recent studies of the common cold are focused on unorthodox medicines or new drug products, and it is necessary to provide an objective instrument for assessing common cold treatments.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2002

Cephradine is a first generation cephalosporin and has broad spectrum antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, through inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cephradine is useful for treatment of infections of the urinary and respiratory tract, skin and soft tissues. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two cephradine capsules, Cefradine Yuhan (YuHan Corporation) and Broadcef (Ilsung Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The cephradine release from the two cephradine capsules in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method with various different kinds of dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty normal male volunteers, $23.10{\pm}2.90$ years in age and $67.69{\pm}8.04\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one capsule containing 500 mg as cephradine was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of cephradine in serum were determined using HPLC method with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of two cephradine capsules were very similar at all dissolution media. Besides, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AVC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AVC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AVC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two capsules based on the Cefradine Yuhan were -2.87%, -0.96% and -4.85%, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two capsules in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of 1og(0.8) to log(1.25) $(e.g.,\;log(0.93){\sim}log(1.02)\;and\;log(0.88){\sim}log(1.13)\;for \;AVC_t\;and\;C_{max},\;respectively)$. The 90% confidence interval using untransformed data was within ${\pm}20%$ $(e.g., \;-17.54{\sim}7.78\;for\;T_{max})$. All parameters met the criteria of KFDA guideline for bioequivalence, indicating that Broadcef capsule is bioequivalent to Cefradine Yuhan capsule.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2002

Cefadroxil is a semi-synthetic cephalosporin active against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The drug has been used for the treatment of the urinary and respiratory tract infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganism. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two cefadroxil capsules, Duricef (Bo Ryung Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.) and Hanacef (Korean Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The cefadroxil release from the two cefadroxil capsules in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method with various different kinds of dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty four normal male volunteers, $21.58{\pm}2.43$ years in age and $70.74{\pm}10.29$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one capsule containing 500 mg as cefadroxil was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of cefadroxil in serum were determined using HPLC with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of two cefadroxil capsules were very similar at all dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two capsules based on the Duricef were 0.05%, -5.29% and 4.53%. There were no sequence effects between two capsules in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log(0.8) to log(1.25) $(e.g.,\;log(0.95){\sim}log(1.05)\;and\;log(0.87){\sim}log(1.02)$ for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). The 90% confidence interval using untransformed data was within ${pm}20%$ $(e.g.,\;-6.75{\sim}15.74\;for\;T_{max})$. All parameters met the criteria of KFDA guideline for bioequivalence, indicating that Hanacef capsule is bioequivalent to Duricef capsule.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1928-1936
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• 2018

Recently, human infections caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), which can lead to fatality, have dramatically increased in East Asia. With the unavailability of vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent and/or treat SFTSV infection, early rapid diagnosis is critical for prevention and control of the disease. Here, we report the development of a simple, rapid and sensitive portable detection method for SFTSV infection applying reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) combined with one-pot colorimetric visualization and electro-free reaction platform. This method utilizes a pocket warmer to facilitate diagnosis in a resource-limited setting. Specific primers were designed to target the highly-conserved region of L gene of SFTSV. The detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was approximately $10^0$ viral genome copies from three different SFTSV strains. This assay exhibited comparable sensitivity to qRT-PCR and 10-fold more sensitivity than conventional RT-PCR, with a rapid detection time of 30 to 60 minutes. The RT-LAMP assay using SFTSV clinical specimens has demonstrated a similar detection rate to qRT-PCR and a higher detection rate compared to conventional RT-PCR. Moreover, there was no observed cross-reactive amplification of other human infectious viruses including Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Dengue, Enterovirus, Zika, Influenza and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This highly sensitive, electro- and equipment-free rapid colorimetric visualization method is feasible for resource-limited SFTSV field diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.10
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• pp.105-114
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the convergent awareness of emergency medical technicians serving as paramedics on the standard operating procedure(SOP) and their performance of it. The subjects in this study were 400 selected emergency medical technicians who were working as paramedics, and SPSS 20.0 was employed to make an analysis. The findings of the study were as follows: As for the convergent awareness of the subjects, they were best aware of the prevention of respiratory infections, and they were least aware of hand hygiene. Concerning performance, they performed best in handling treatment equipment and ensuring staff safety, and they performed least well in terms of hand hygiene. Overall, they were rated higher in awareness than in performance. Second, regarding the influence of general characteristics, there were statistically significant differences in awareness according to age, gender and injury experience, and significant differences were found in performance according to career only. The convergent awareness of the emergency medical workers was positively correlated with their performance. Given the findings of the study, it's required to improve both the Standard Operating Procedure awareness and performance of emergency medical workers who serve as paramedics, and it's expected to make it possible to boost their performance when repeated education is provided with the kind of programs that aim at improving awareness.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.185-200
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• 1998

It has been contributed to public health that the hospital has multiplied in the aspect of number and has been a large size with development of modern medical science, meanwhile the problem of hospital infection is coming out seriously. Respiratory hospital infection among hospital infections develops, very commonly from patients having taken the operation of intubation or tracheostomy, which results from a big factor that the infection developed from medical appliances used for respiration aids, contamination of solution and infection of medical staff. This study is separated into four steps-the time to use normal saline and distillation water for storaging catheter which are the cause of the infection of solution to store distillation water and catheter, not to say the catheter used when the patient who should get tracheostomy operation takes suction. The purpose of this study is to offer the basic data which are needed to check contamination degree as time goes by and nurse intervention and grope for a new nursing intervention. The target of this study is hospitalized 1D an intensive care unit having 700 sickbeds which is located in IKSAN city and it targeted patients before 7 days passed after an operaion of a tracheostormy. Materials collected were analyzed by SPSS PC+ figures program. The result of this study were as follows ; 1. The gradual contamination levels of the normal saline used In suction are showing that colony increase in proportion to the length of time. 2. while colony increases in normal saline with the lapse of time. distillation water mixed with 5cc of potadine did not show any sign of the formation of colony from its preparation until it was used for 8 hours. 3. Such variables as the period of intubation insertion. the length of hospitalization in I.C.U. the age and the level of contamination of normal saline have no inter-relationship. Therefore. as the length of normal saline used In suction. the contamination level increases with the excelleration of the contamination speed. 4. Regarding the number of suction and the contamination level of the normal saline. We can observe correlation contamination level in the 3 step of suction(mean value:13.4) and the saline which was used for one hours(r=0.702. P=0.00l). four hours(r=0.694. P=0.00l). eight hours(r=0.488. P=0.029). Further we can observe contamination in the 4 step of suction (mean value: 17 .8) well as saline used for eight hours; [for one hours (r=0.64l. P=0.002). four hours (r=0.670. P=0.00l). eight hours (r=0.57 4. P=0.008)]. Thesedays clinics use normal saline by changing it. three times a day. however. the timing of saline change and the current suction methoed should be changed given the one hour used normal saline contamination number 79.850. Regarding the number of suction and the contamination lend of the normal saline.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2006

Purpose : The prevalence of Reye syndrome has decreased since late 1980's. But we report that recently there were concentrative attacks of Reye syndrome after acute enteritis during the neonatal period. Methods : Clinical symptoms and laboratory results(quantitative organic acid analysis, routine chemistry, arterial blood gas analysis, serum ammonia) of seven patients admitted at the Samsung Medical Center, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Wonju Christian Hospital and Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, referred from Jan. 2005 to Apr. 2005, were analysed retrospectively. The major clinical symptoms were derived from the patients' clinical records sended with urine samples and quantification of organic acids were done with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results : The mean age of seven cases is 18 days and the major preceding symptoms were gastrointestinal symptoms(vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to feeding). The major clinical symptoms were clouded conciousness, repiratory difficulty, vomiting, seizures, and diarrhea. One patient died; that patient's serum ammonia was twenty times higher than normal. Conclusion : The seven patients were neonates. Reye syndrome has been known to be closely related with upper respiratory infections as a preceding disease and to internal use of aspirin, but in our study, the major preceding disease of the seven cases was gastrointestinal infection and none of these used aspirin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.731-741
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromeCoronavirus 2). To date, seven coronaviruses that can infect humans were reported. Among them, infections with four coronavirus strains (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1) resulted in mild symptoms such as common cold, whereas SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV caused severe symptoms and epidemics in 2002 and 2012, respectively. In the most recent, SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and became a notorious cause of the ongoing global pandemics. To diagnose, treat, and prevent COVID-19, the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools, specific therapeutic drugs, and safe vaccines essentially are required. In order to develop these powerful tools, it is prerequisite to understand a phenotype, a genotype, and life cycle of SARS-CoV-2. Diagnostic techniques have been developing rapidly around world and many countries take the fast track system to accelerate approval. Approved diagnostic devices are rapidly growing facing to urgent demand to identify carriers. Currently developed commercial diagnostic devices are divided into mainly two categories: molecular assay and serological & immunological assay. Molecular assays begins the reverse transcription step following polymerase chain reaction or isothermal amplification. Immunological assay targets SARS-CoV-2 antigen or anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody of samples. In this review, we summarize the phenotype, genome structure and gene expression of SARS-CoV-2 and provide the knowledge on various diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.206-211
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• 2008

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of acute otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia, and the invasive bacterial infections in children. Rarely, S. pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). We report a 33 month-old girl who presented with pneumonia, and subsequently developed HUS. Her pulmonary infection was complicated by necrotizing pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Cultures from blood and pleural fluid grew S. pneumoniae, serotype 19A. She was treated with antibiotics, dialysis and mechanical ventilatory support. She was discharged with normal renal function after 2 months of management. She remained healthy without renal complications at the 5 year follow-up visit.