• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated trends in antibiotic pressure and the antibiotic susceptibility of gram negative bacteria isolated from Korean children over 10 consecutive years. Methods: From January 2004 to December 2013, the antibiotic susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii blood isolates obtained from children <18 years of age was determined according to the 2009 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Antibiotic consumption data were also analyzed. Results: The prevalence of K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii bacteremia was 4.6, 3.5, 3.4, and 2.2 cases/1,000 blood cultures/year, respectively. In K. pneumoniae, resistance to the third and fourth cephalosporin did not increase significantly. However, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae first appeared in 2010, and the resistance rate increased to 9% between 2012 and 2013. Resistance to 3rd and 4th cephalosporin increased from 10% to 50% in E. coli, and resistance to carbapenem rose abruptly from 11% to 71% in A. baumannii (P for trend <0.01). However, such an increase of resistance was not observed in P. aeruginosa. There is a positive correlation between the resistance rate of cefepime in E. coli and the consumption of cefepime (r=0.900, P=0.037). Conclusion: The significant burden of antibiotic consumption and the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance to gram negative pathogen isolated from bacteremic children were observed. Empirical antibiotics should be wisely selected, and continued efforts to decrease the overall antibiotic pressure are mandatory, especially in highly resistant situations.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2004

This study was designed to establish working range for reoportable range in own laboratory in order to cover the upper and lower limits of the range in test method. We experimented ten times during 10 days for setting of reportable range with between run for method evaluation. It is generally assumed that the analytical method produces a linear response and that the test results between those upper and lower limits are then reportable. CLIA recommends that laboratories verify the reportable range of all moderate and high complexity tests. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments(CLIA) and Laboratory Accreditation Program of the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine states reportable range is only required for "modified" moderately complex tests. Linearity requirements have been eliminated from the CLIA regulations and from others accreditation agencies, many inspectors continue to feel that linearity studies are a part of good lab practice and should be encouraged. It is important to assess the useful reportable range of a laboratory method, i.e., the lowest and highest test results that are reliable and can be reported. Manufacturers make claims for the reportable range of their methods by stating the upper and lower limits of the range. Instrument manufacturers state an operating range and a reportable range. The commercial linearity material can be used to verify this range, if it adequately covers the stated linear interval. CLIA requirements for quality control, must demonstrate that, prior to reporting patient test results, it can obtain the performance specifications for accuracy, precision, and reportable range of patient test results, comparable to those established by the manufacturer. If applicable, the laboratory must also verify the reportable range of patient test results. The reportable range of patient test results is the range of test result values over which the laboratory can establish or verify the accuracy of the instrument, kit or test system measurement response. We need to define the usable reportable range of the method so that the experiments can be properly planned and valid data can be collected. The reportable range is usually defined as the range where the analytical response of the method is linear with respect to the concentration of the analyte being measured. In conclusion, experimental results on reportable range using concentrated control sample and zero calibrators covering from highest to lowest range were salicylate $8.8{\mu}g/dL$, phenytoin $0.67{\mu}g/dL$, phenobarbital $1.53{\mu}g/dL$, primidone $0.16{\mu}g/dL$, theophylline $0.2{\mu}g/dL$, vancomycine $1.3{\mu}g/dL$, valproic acid $3.2{\mu}g/dL$, digitoxin 0.17ng/dL, carbamazepine $0.36{\mu}g/dL$ and acetaminophen $0.7{\mu}g/dL$ at minimum level and salicylate $969.9{\mu}g/dL$, phenytoin $38.1{\mu}g/dL$, phenobarbital $60.4{\mu}g/dL$, primidone $24.57{\mu}g/dL$, theophylline $39.2{\mu}g/dL$, vancomycine $83.65{\mu}g/dL$, valproic acid $147.96{\mu}g/dL$, digitoxin 5.04ng/dL, carbamazepine $19.76{\mu}g/dL$, acetaminophen $300.92{\mu}g/dL$ at maximum level.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2001

Purpose: There was little evidence that Tc-99m labeled ciprofloxacin (Infecton) located inside of bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of Infecton could be an indirect evidence of its location. We compared in vitro antimicrobial activities of Infecton and ciprofloxacin. Materials and methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Infecton and ciprofloxacin against three standard strains of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 were measured using modified broth macrodilution techniques and pour plate methods, respectively. Data were expressed as mean${\pm}$SE (range). Results: MICs of Infecton and ciprofloxacin were $1.12{\pm}0.20\;(0.8{\sim}1.6){\mu}g/ml\;and\;0.35{\pm}0.04\;(0.2{\sim}0.4){\mu}g/ml$ for S. aureus, $0.03{\pm}0.005\;(0.025{\sim}0.05){\mu}g/ml\;and\;0.011{\pm}0.001\;(0.006{\sim}0.012){\mu}g/ml$ for E. coil, and $0.96{\pm}0.16\;(0.8{\sim}1.6){\mu}g/ml)\;and\;0.56{\pm}0.098\;(0.4{\sim}0.8){\mu}g/ml$ for P. aeruginosa, respectively. MBCs of Infecton and ciprofloxacin were $2.56{\pm}0.39\;(1.6{\sim}3.2){\mu}g/ml\;and\;0.88{\pm}0.2\;(0.4{\sim}1.6){\mu}g/ml$ for S. aureus, $0.04{\pm}0.05\;(0.025{\pm}0.05){\mu}g/ml\;and\;0.02{\pm}0.01\;(0.025{\sim}0.05)\;{\sim}g/ml$ for E coli, and $2.24{\pm}0.39\;(1.6{\sim}3.2){\mu}g/ml\;and\;1.44{\pm}0.16\;(0.8{\sim}1.6){\mu}g/ml$ for P. aeruginosa, respectively. Conclusion: Although both MICs and UBCs of Infecton were higher than those of ciprofloxacin, all three standard bacterial strains were sensitive to Infecton. It could be an indirect evidence that Tc-99m Infecton be a specific imaging agent for bacterial infection.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2009

This study was conducted to develop a model for describing the effect of storage temperature (4, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and $35^{\circ}C$) on the growth of Escherichia coli O157 : H7 in ready-to-eat (RTE) lettuce treated with or without (control) alkaline electrolyzed water (AIEW). The growth curves were well fitted with the Gompertz equation, which was used to determine the specific growth rate (SGR) and lag time (LT) of E. coli O157 : H7 ($R^2$ = 0.994). Results showed that the obtained SGR and LT were dependent on the storage temperature. The growth rate increased with increasing temperature from 4 to $35^{\circ}C$. The square root models were used to evaluate the effect of storage temperature on the growth of E. coli O157 : H7 in lettuce samples treated without or with AIEW. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$), adjusted determination coefficient ($R^2_{Adj}$), and mean square error (MSE) were employed to validate the established models. It showed that $R^2$ and $R^_{Adj}$ were close to 1 (> 0.93), and MSE calculated from models of untreated and treated lettuce were 0.031 and 0.025, respectively. The results demonstrated that the overall predictions of the growth of E. coli O157: H7 agreed with the observed data.

• Near Infrared Analysis
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2001

Nowadays, medical diagnostics is efficiently supported by clinical chemistry and near infrared spectroscopy is becoming a new dimension, which has shown high potential to provide valuable information for diagnosis. The investigation was carried out to study the influence of mammary gland inflammation, called mastitis, on cow´s milk spectra and milk composition measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Milk somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk were used as a measure of mammary gland inflammation. Naturally occurred variations with milk composition within lactation and in the process of milking were included in the experimental design of this study. Time series of unhomogenized, raw milk spectral data were collected from 3 cow along morning and evening milking, for 5 consecutive months, within their second lactation. In the time of the trial, the investigated cows had periods with mammary gland inflammation. Transmittance spectra of 258 milk samples were obtained by NIRSystem 6500 spectrophotometer in 1100-2400 nm region. Calibration equations for the examined milk components were developed by PLS regression using 3 different sets of samples: samples with low somatic cell count (SCC), samples with high SCC and combined data set. The NIR calibration and prediction of individual cow´s milk fat, protein, and lactose were highly influenced by the presence of mil samples from animals with mammary gland inflammation in the data set. The best accuracy of prediction (i.e. the lower SEP and the higher correlation coefficient) for fat, protein and lactose was obtained for equations, developed when using only “healthy” samples, with low SCC. The standard error of prediction increased and correlation coefficient decreased significantly when equations for low SCC milk were used to predict examined components in “mastitis” samples with high SCC, and vice versa. Combined data set that included samples from healthy and mastitis animals could be used to build up regression models for screening. Further use of separate model for healthy samples improved milk composition measurement. Regression vectors for NIR mild protein measurement obtained for “healthy” and “mastitic” group were compared and revealed differences in 1390-1450 nm, 1500-1740 nm and 1900-2200 nm regions and thus illustrated post-secretory breakdown of milk proteins by hydrolytic enzymes that occurred with mastitis. For the first time it has been found that monitoring the spectral differences in water bands at 1440 nm and 1912 nm could provide valuable information for inflammation diagnosis.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1996 no.05
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• pp.315-319
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• 1996

We have developed a prototype patient monitoring system including module-based bedside units, interbed network, and central stations. A bedside unit consists of a color monitor and a main CPU unit with peripherals including a module controller. It can also include up to 3 module cases and 21 different modules. In addition to the 3-channel recorder module, six different physiological parameters of ECG, respiration, invasive blood pressure, noninvasive blood pressure, body temperature, and arterial pulse oximetry with plethysmogaph are provided as parameter modules. Modules and a module controller communicate with up to 1Mbps data rate through an intrabed network based on RS-485 and HDLC protocol. Bedside units can display up to 12 channels of waveforms with any related numeric informations simultaneously. At the same time, it communicates with other bedside units and central stations through interbed network based on 10Mbps Ethernet and TCP/IP protocol. Software far bedside units and central stations fully utilizes gaphical user interface techniques and all functions are controlled by a rotate/push button on bedside unit and a mouse on central station. The entire system satisfies the requirements of AAMI and ANSI standards in terms of electrical safety and performances. In order to accommodate more advanced data management capabilities such as 24-hour full disclosure, we are developing a relational database server dedicated to the patient monitoring system. We are also developing a clinical workstation with which physicians can review and examine the data from patients through various kinds of computer networks far diagnosis and report generation. Portable bedside units with LCD display and wired or wireless data communication capability will be developed in the near future. New parameter modules including cardiac output, capnograph, and other gas analysis functions will be added.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.107-145
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• 2023

The first edition of 'A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer' was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.203-215
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• 2023

Background: Surgical resection is the standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer. Since postoperative lung function is related to mortality, predicted postoperative lung function is used to determine the treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive performance of linear regression and machine learning models. Methods: We extracted data from the Clinical Data Warehouse and developed three sets: set I, the linear regression model; set II, machine learning models omitting the missing data: and set III, machine learning models imputing the missing data. Six machine learning models, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), Ridge regression, ElasticNet, Random Forest, eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) were implemented. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second measured 6 months after surgery was defined as the outcome. Five-fold cross-validation was performed for hyperparameter tuning of the machine learning models. The dataset was split into training and test datasets at a 70:30 ratio. Implementation was done after dataset splitting in set III. Predictive performance was evaluated by R² and mean squared error (MSE) in the three sets. Results: A total of 1,487 patients were included in sets I and III and 896 patients were included in set II. In set I, the R² value was 0.27 and in set II, LightGBM was the best model with the highest R² value of 0.5 and the lowest MSE of 154.95. In set III, LightGBM was the best model with the highest R² value of 0.56 and the lowest MSE of 174.07. Conclusion: The LightGBM model showed the best performance in predicting postoperative lung function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.554-561
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• 2006

Background: In AIDS patients, the respiratory tract is one of the most frequently involved site of by an opportunistic infection, and an even common, casual pulmonary infection manifests in a peculiar ways in AIDS patients. In Korea, because of the low prevalence of AIDS, there is insufficient data compared with other Southeast Asian counties. However, considering the sexual behavior of the younger generation, it is expected that it will not be long before AIDS becomes a major public health issue in Korea. This study examined the clinical manifestation of HIV positive people and AIDS patients. The pulmonary manifestion of HIV-positive was evaluated. This study focused on the differences in the clinical manifestation between AIDS patients with pulmonary disease and simple HIV positive people. The characteristics of common pulmonary infections in AIDS patients were also analyzed. Method: The medical records of 28 HIV positive patients who visited the hospital of ChungAng University Hospital from January, 2001 to February, 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Result: Twenty-seven patients out of 28 HIV positive patients were male and the average age was 40.6(23-65). Patients in their thirties were most commonly affected. Elven patients had pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis (4 cases) and pneumocystis pneumonia (4 cases) were the most common respiratory infection. One patient showed a peculiar type of systemic cryptococcus. which was accompanied by lung and pleural dissemination. The CD4+lymphocyte count of patients with a pulmonary infection was significantly lower in patients with a pulmonary manifestation than those with only a HIV infection ($79.5/mm^3$ vs $400/mm^3$, respectively)(p<.05). Patients with pulmonary disease were in a more severe immunosuppressive state. There were 4 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 4 with pneumocystis pneumonia, 4 with secondary syphilis, 2 with primary syphilis, and 2 with HZV infection. The average CD4 lymphocyte counts was $56/mm^3$ in those with pulmonary tuberculosis, $42/mm^3$ in those with pneumocystis pneumonia, and $455/mm^3$ in those with secondary syphilis. Conclusion: This study examined the clinical manifestation of HIV positive patients, particularly AIDS patients with pulmonary disease, A more severe immunosuppressive status was observed in HIV-related pulmonary compared with those with HIV-related extrapulmonary disease, and the frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in pulmonary disease was higher than expected. Respiratory infection in AIDS manifest in uncommon ways e.g. disseminated cryptococcosis involving the lung and pleura. Evidently, AIDS patients with a respiratory infection have a more severe form of immunosuppression than those with a simple HIV infection. As expected, patients with a pulmonary infection were in a more severe immunosuppressed state than those with a simple HIV infection. Opportunistic infections can show peculiar clinical presentations in AIDS patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.156-164
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• 2018

Purpose: We aimed to identify the epidemiology and the clinical characteristics of human parainfluenza virus type 4 (HPIV-4) infection compared to HPIVs 1-3 infections in Korean children. Methods: We reviewed medical records of children with HPIV infection who visited Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Detection of respiratory viruses was performed using real time-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR), which could differentiate HPIVs 1-4. Diagnosis was classified as a febrile illness, upper respiratory tract infection (URI), croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. The epidemiology, demographic features, and clinical characteristics among HPIV types were compared. The clinical data were analyzed only for the previously healthy children. Results: Of the 472 children diagnosed with HPIV infection, 108 (22.9%) were previously healthy: 24 (22.2%), 19 (17.6%), 39 (36.1%), and 26 (24.1%) in HPIV types 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The median age of children with HPIV-4 infection was 11 (0-195) months: the proportion of children aged < 2 years and 2 to < 5 years were 65.4% and 19.2%, respectively. Clinical diagnoses of HPIV-4 infection were bronchiolitis (38.5%), pneumonia (30.8%), and URI (30.8%). Croup was the most prevalent in HPIV-2 (21.1%) and none in HPIV-4 infection (P=0.026). Hospital admission rates among HPIV types were not significantly different (P>0.05). Conclusions: We observed seasonal peak of HPIV-4 infection in 2015 and 2017. HPIV-4 was a common respiratory pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children.