• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2014

Purpose: We compared the clinical manifestations of patients with tsutsugamushi disease between children and adults. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2012, 768 patients diagnosed with tsutsugamushi disease were retrospectively reviewed, and the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and complications were compared between children and adults. Results: No patterns of annual increases in the number of patients were noted in both children and adults. The higher incidences occurred in October and November respectively. By gender, male outnumbered female in children, but the opposite trend was seen in adults. By residential area, the urban distribution of children was higher than that of adults. Rashes (P =0.001) and eschar (P =0.004) were more common in children, while myalgia was more common in adults. Children had a high prevalence of anemia (P =0.041), and low incidence rates of thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver and renal function. Children yielded better results in the duration of their hospital stay and the incidence of complications (P <0.001). A comparison of the therapeutic effects of doxycycline and macrolide antibiotics, which was performed only on the children, did not reveal any significant differences. Conclusion: Compared to adults, children had higher incidence rates of male patients and more often suffered from rashes and eschar. Children yielded better results in the laboratory findings and duration of the hospital stay and complications. Therefore, when children are suspected to have tsutsugamushi disease, especially during its peak occurrence period, detailed physical examination and serological test should be performed to ensure a prompt diagnosis, and the use of macrolide antibiotics, which have fewer side effects, is expected to yield the same therapeutic effects.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 1991

Serodiagnosis of Clonorchis sinensis infections will probably be a first choice tool for screening of clonorchiasis in a future because of increasing difficulties in collection and examination of stools. The sensitive test such as ELISA can he used effectively. However there are some limitations in serological diagnosis for the detection of serum antibody. One of the major problems is the non-specificity of the antigens which produce cross reaction with other helminthic infection sera. To solve this problem. many investigators have tried to purify the antigens used. In this study, we determined the antigenic profile of the crude saline extract antigen of C. sinensis at early developmental stage based on SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting techniques for the purpose of understanding the nature of C. sinensis worm antigen The following results were obtained : 1) The SDS-PAGE showed many protein hands ranging from 10Kd to 91Kd relative molecular weight. Among them, 66, 46, 40, 33, 27, 24, 16, 14 and 10Kd bands were observed as a principle bands. The protein components of C. sinensis changed chronologically during their early developmental period. 44Kd band was stained unclearly in antigen of 2 weeks worm, but changed to concentrated state in antigen of 5 weeks worm. 35Kd band was found in antigen of 2 weeks worm, however this band was disappeared in antigen of 5 weeks worm. 22Kd band also lost its staining property gradually. 2) In spite of differences in antigenic profile, there was no differences in the data obtained by microplate ELISA using each antigen preparation. Absorbance value began to rise in between 2 to 3 weeks after infection. 3) By EITB. serum antibody recognized major protein bands with molecular weight of 91, 85, 63, 46, 40, 33, 24, 14 and 10Kd hand respectively. Among them 66, 33, 17 and 14Kd bands were observed as non-specific band because they reacted even in normal control sera. Generally, gradual increase of positive reactions were observed as the infection period of C. sinensis was prolonged. In other hand, the reaction of 10Kd hand did not occurred when 26th week sera was tested. 4) The positive reactions using antigens of 2 weeks worm, especially on 40 and 24Kd bands, were most strong and sharply demarcated compared to those of 3~5 weeks worm antigen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.9005-9008
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• 2014

Background: Gastric cancer is the second leading course of cancer death worldwide and H. pylori infection is an important risk factor for gastric cancer development. This study was design to evaluate the clinical, pathological features, survival rate and prevalence of H. pylori infection in gastric cancer in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Clinical information, histological features, endoscopic findings and H. pylori status were collected from gastric cancer patients from Thammasat university hospital during June 1996-December 2011. H. pylori infection was assessed by histological evaluation, rapid urease test and serological test. Clinical information, endoscopic findings and histopathology of all patients were recorded and compared between patients with active or non-active H. pylori infection. Results: A total of 100 gastric cancer patients (55 men and 45 women with mean age of $55{\pm}16.8years$) were enrolled in this study. Common presenting symptoms were dyspepsia (74%), weight loss (66%), anemia (63%) and anorexia (38%). Mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 98 days. Overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 83% and active H. pylori infection was 40%. 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 43% and 0%. There was no significant difference between active H. pylori infection in different locations (proximal vs non-proximal: 47.1% vs 48.5%; P-value = 0.9, OR=0.9; 95%CI=0.3-3.1) and histology of gastric cancer (diffuse type vs intestinal type: 47.4% vs 50%; P-value = 0.8, OR=0.9, 95%CI=0.3-2.7). However, linitis plastica was significantly more common in non-active than active H. pylori infection (27.9% vs 0%; P-value<0.0001, OR=13.3, 95%CI=3.2-64.5). Moreover, gastric cancer stage 4 was higher in non-active than active H. pylori infection (93% vs 50%, P-value<0.001). Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori infection in Thai gastric cancer patients was high but active infection was low. Most gastric cancer patients presented in advance stage and had a grave prognosis. Screening for gastric cancer in high risk individuals might be an appropriate tool for early detection and improve the treatment outcome for this particular disease in Thailand.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 1997

Currently, the laboratory diagnosis for lyme disease have been performed with the detection of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. However there might be some difficulties in the interpretation of obtained results due to the usage of foreign isolates as an antigen in the test. Therefore the optimization of serological tests with Korean isolates of B. burgdorferi as an antigen would be needed to establish the standardized diagnostic method for the detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi infection. In this study, the optimization of ELISA was investigated with experimentally challenged rabbit sera and sonicated B. burgdorferi antigens of Korean isolates. Of 217 human patient's sera with unknown fever, the mean seropositivities in ELISA, done under the optimized conditions obtained in this study, were found to be about 8％ against B. burgdorferi sensu late, showing the highest seropositivity of 14.3％ against B. afzelii. In immunoblotting assay with ELISA-positive human sera, the major reactive bands were 41kDa (flagellin) which might be the indication of early infection, and 27kDa, 31kDa (OspA), 34kDa (OspB) which are the characteristics of late infection. Obtained results in this study might strongly indicate the possibility of B. burgdorferi infections in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1801-1810
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• 2016

Recent discovery showing the presence of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the circulation sparked interest in their use as potential biomarkers. Our previous studies showed the diagnostic potential of miR-451 as a serological marker for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), miR-337-5p and miR-30b for non-inflammatory breast cancer (non-IBC). The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic values of circulating miRNAs by comparing the amounts of 12 circulating miRNAs in the serum of IBC and non-IBC from Tunisian breast cancer patients, and by determinating whether correlated pairs of miRNAs could provide useful information in the diagnosis of IBC and non-IBC patients. TaqMan qPCR was performed to detect circulating expression of miRNAs in serum of 20 IBC, 20 non-IBC and 20 healthy controls. Nonparametric rank Spearman rho correlation coefficient was used to examine the prognostic value of miRNAs and to assess the correlation profile between miRNAs expression. Further, a large number of miRNAs were highly correlated (rho>0.5) in both patients groups and controls. Also, the correlations profiles were different between IBC, non-IBC and healthy controls indicating important changes in molecular pathways in cancer cells. Our results showed that miR-335 was significantly overexpressed in premenopausal non-IBC patients; miR-24 was significantly overexpressed in non-IBC postmenopausal patients. Patients with previous parity had higher serum of miR-342-5p levels than those without. Furthermore, patients with HER2+ IBC present lower serum levels of miR-15a than patients with HER2-disease. Together, these results underline the potential of miRNAs to function as diagnostic and prognostic markers for IBC and non-IBC, with links to the menopausal state, Her2 status and parity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.567-575
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• 2009

Purpose : Epilepsy affects more than 0.5% of the world's population. It has a large genetic component and is caused by electrical hyperexcitability in the central nervous system. Despite its prevalence, the disease lacks definitive diagnostic serological biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers for epilepsy by a convenient method, we analyzed the expression of serum proteins, reflecting alterations in the patient's proteomes. Methods : We compared two-dimensional electrophoretic band patterns of human sera from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with those of eight control subjects. The differentially expressed bands were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. esults : Twelve proteins were differentially expressed in the TLE group, of which 6 were identified. Expression of haptoglobin Hp2, PRO2675, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, an unnamed protein, and three unidentified proteins were upregulated in serum from the patients with TLE, whereas those of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, plasma retinol-binding protein precursor, and three unidentified proteins were downregulated in these patients. After resection of the epileptogenic zone, the expressions of MHC class I antigen, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, two of the downregulated unidentified proteins, and one of the upregulated unidentified proteins returned to the normal range. Conclusion : The 12 serum proteins in this study are potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of TLE.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.878-887
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• 1995

Background: It is reported that frequency of pulmonary involvement in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis reaches 10 to 50% and pulmonary involvement is a principal cause of death. As immunology and radiology has developed, interest for the early diagnosis of pulmonary involvement is increasing. Method: Among the patients at Hanyang University Hospital from March, 1990 to July, 1995, we compared the 29 patients having pulmonary involvement with the 18 patients controls in clinical and chest high resolution computed tomography(HRCT) findings by immunological markers and findings of pulmonary function test. We sought useful markers for early diagnosis of pulmonary involvement with noninvasive investigations. Results: The ratio of males to females was 14 : 15 in the group of pulmonary involvement, and all of the 18 patients were females in the control group. Smoking history was 31%(9/29) in the former group and none in the latter group. Rheumatoid factor(RF) was positive in 95.5%(28/29) of the pulmonary involvement group and in 100%(18/18) of the control group(p=0.12). Antiperinuclear factor(APF) showed a significant difference: 86.9%(20/23, average value: 2.0) was positive in the pulmonary involvement group and 50%(8/16, average value: 1.1) in the control group(p=0.04). Antinuclear antibody(ANA) was positive in 60.7%(17/28) of the pulmonary involvement group and in 72.2%(13/18) of the control group(p=0.33). Cryoglobulin also showed a significant difference: 72%(18/25) in the pulmonary involvement group was positive and 56.2%(9/16) in the control group was positive(p=0.02). Bony erosion was positive in 61.5%(16/26) of the pulmonary involvement group and in 77.7%(14/18) of the control group(p=0.8). On the pulmonary function test, the average value of alveolar volume corrected diffusion capacity and residual volume in the pulmonary involvement group and in the control group were 1.07mmol/rnin/KPa(predicted value: 64.2%), 1.32L(predicted value: 70%) and 1.44mmol/min/KPa, 3.75L(predicted value: 86.6%), respectively(p=0.003, p=0.004), showing a significant difference. Conclusion: APF or cryoglobulin on the serological test, the measurement of residual volume and alveolar volume corrected diffusion capacity may be used as effective markers in the diagnosis of pulmonary involvement of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2019

Purpose Hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B virus, HBV) infection is a worldwide major public health problem and it is known as a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. And serologic tests of hepatitis B virus is essential for diagnosing and treating these diseases. In addition, with the development of molecular diagnostics, the detection of HBV DNA in serum diagnoses HBV infection and is recognized as an important indicator for the antiviral agent treatment response assessment. We performed HBeAg assay using Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) in hepatitis B patients treated with antiviral agents. The detection rate of HBV DNA in serum was measured and compared by RT-PCR (Real Time - Polymerase Chain Reaction) method Materials and Methods HBeAg serum examination and HBV DNA quantification test were conducted on 270 hepatitis B patients undergoing anti-virus treatment after diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection. Two serologic tests (IRMA, CMIA) with different detection principles were applied for the HBeAg serum test. Serum HBV DNA was quantitatively measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the Abbott m2000 System. Results The detection rate of HBeAg was 24.1% (65/270) for IRMA and 82.2% (222/270) for CMIA. Detection rate of serum HBV DNA by real-time RT-PCR is 29.3% (79/270). The measured amount of serum HBV DNA concentration is $4.8{\times}10^7{\pm}1.9{\times}10^8IU/mL$($mean{\pm}SD$). The minimum value is 16IU/mL, the maximum value is $1.0{\times}10^9IU/mL$, and the reference value for quantitative detection limit is 15IU/mL. The detection rates and concentrations of HBV DNA by group according to the results of HBeAg serological (IRMA, CMIA)tests were as follows. 1) Group I (IRMA negative, CMIA positive, N = 169), HBV DNA detection rate of 17.7% (30/169), $6.8{\times}10^5{\pm}1.9{\times}10^6IU/mL$ 2) Group II (IRMA positive, CMIA positive, N = 53), HBV DNA detection rate 62.3% (33/53), $1.1{\times}10^8{\pm}2.8{\times}10^8IU/mL$ 3) Group III (IRMA negative, CMIA negative, N = 36), HBV DNA detection rate 36.1% (13/36), $3.0{\times}10^5{\pm}1.1{\times}10^6IU/mL$ 4) Group IV(IRMA positive, CMIA negative, N = 12), HBV DNA detection rate 25% (3/12), $1.3{\times}10^3{\pm}1.1{\times}10^3IU/mL$ Conclusion HBeAg detection rate according to the serological test showed a large difference. This difference is considered for a number of reasons such as characteristics of the Ab used for assay kit and epitope, HBV of genotype. Detection rate and the concentration of the group-specific HBV DNA classified serologic results confirmed the high detection rate and the concentration in Group II (IRMA-positive, CMIA positive, N = 53).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 2000

Purpose : The accuracy of bacteriologic diagnosis of beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis depends on the degree of carrier rate in that area where the throat swabs are obtained and the evaluation of serological T typing as an epidemiologic marker is important to understand epidemiology of streptococcal infection. The purpose of this study is to know the carrier rates of group A streptococcus in normal children form four different areas and to find out the epidemiologic characteristic in distribution of the serotypes for 3 years. Method : Throat swabs were obtained from the tonsillar fossa of normal school children in four different areas(Uljin, Seoul, Osan, Kunsan) from March to May 1996, in Uljin in April 1997, and in Uljin in April 1998. The samples were plated on a 5% sheep blood agar plate and incubated overnight at $37^{\circ}C$ before examination for the presence of beta-hemolytic colonies. All isolated beta-hemolytic streptococcus were grouped and serotyped by T agglutination. Results : The carrier rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci and group A streptococci in 1996 were 27.6%, 18.6% at Uljin; 16.4%, 2.7% at Seoul; 33.0%, 26.0% at Osan; 20.0%, 12.3% at Kunsan, respectively. Among 1,192 normal school children from 4 different areas, we obtained 179 strains of group A streptococci. Fifty two percent of the strains were typable by T agglutination in 1996. Common T-type in 1996 were NT, T1, T3, T2 at Uljin; T12, T25 at Seoul; NT, T6, T28 at Osan; T25, T4, NT, T5 at Kunsan, in decreasing order, respectively. At Uljin, T1, T3, T25 accounted for 69% of strains in 1996, T1, T12, T25 accounted for 70% in 1997, and T12, T4 accounted for 88% in 1998. Conclusion : Higher carrier rates were found in Uljin and Osan, where there are a lower population density with scanty of medical facilities compared with another areas. We supposed that low carrier rates is likely to be related to antibiotic abuse or some epidemiologic factor. The periodic and seasonal serotyping analysis is important in monitoring and understanding the epidemiologic patterns of group A streptococci.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1988

Anti-Clonorchis IgG antibody levels in serum were observed by ELISA in 129 egg positive cases and in 25 controls. The antibody levels were 0.063 to 1.216 (0.325±0.202) in clonorchiasis cases and 0.078 to 0.670 (0.255±0.133) in controls. The difference was statistically significant. However, serological diagnosis of clonorchiasis was not satisfactory in lightly infected cases because of low levels of specific lgG antibody. The antibody levels were well correlated with EPG. Changes of the IgG antibody levels were not signiscant 12∼14 days, 4 weeks and 8∼9 weeks after praziquantel treatment. Seven and 13 months after treatment, the IgG antibody levels were lowered significantly. The period for serologically negative conversion after prasiquantel treatment was between 9 weeks and 7 months in human clonorchiasls.