• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2019

Purpose: Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a leading cause of periodic fever in children. This study describes the clinical characteristics of PFAPA syndrome in patients from a single center. Methods: Thirteen children diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome at Seoul National University Children's Hospital were included in this study. Retrospective medical chart reviews were performed. Results: Among the 13 patients, 8 (61.5%) were male. The median follow-up duration was 3.3 years (range, 10 months-8.3 years). The median age of periodic fever onset was 3 years (range, 1-6 years). All patients had at least 5 episodes of periodic fever and pharyngitis, managed with oral antibiotics, before diagnosis. The median occurrence of fever was every 3.9 weeks and lasted for 4.2 days. All patients had pharyngitis and 12 (92.3%) had cervical lymphadenitis. Blood tests were performed for 12 patients, and no patients had neutropenia. Both the C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated at medians of 4.5 mg/dL (range, 0.4-13.2 mg/dL) and 29 mm/hr (range, 16-49 mm/hr), respectively. Throat swab cultures and rapid streptococcal antigen tests were negative. Nine (69.2%) patients received oral prednisolone at a median dose of 0.8 mg/kg, and in 6 (66.7%) patients, fever resolved within a few hours. Three (23.1%) patients received tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Conclusions: PFAPA syndrome should be considered when a child presents with periodic fever along with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, or cervical lymphadenitis. Glucocorticoid administration is effective for fever resolution and can reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.2 s.34
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• pp.195-210
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• 1991

Fatty liver is caused by derangement of fat metabolism and can be reversed by removal of contributing factors. The contributing factors of fatty liver is known to be overweight, chronic alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, and drug abuse such as tetracycline. This study was carried out on 1335 persons who visited 'Soon Chun Hyang Human Dock Center' from March to June 1990. In analysis of the data, prevalence of fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonogram by age and sex, laboratory finding between fatty liver group and normal group, and odds ratio of known contributing factors, were compared. The results obtained are as following ; 1) The prevalence rate of fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonogram is 29.6% in male and 11.5% in female. 2) Age groups with high prevalences are $40{\sim}50's$ in male (32.0%) and 50's in female (24.5%). 3) The fatty liver shows significant association with style (p<0.05), whereas not with hepatitis B-virus surface antigen (p>0.05). 4) All laboratory values except alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin are elevated significantly in accordance with the degree of fatty liver (p<0.01). 5) Fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonogram showed so strong associations with body index, triglycerides and gamma-glutamyl transferase for males, and body index and fasting blood sugar for females that these factors may be used as supplementary data in establishing diagnosis of fatty liver. 6) Odds ratio of contributing factors are as follows ; If the odds ratio of below 29 year of age is 1.0 then that of $30{\sim}39$ is 1.74 (p=0.33), $40{\sim}49$ is 2.47 (p=0.10), $50{\sim}59$ is 2.86 (p=0.0570), over 60 is 1.81 (p=0.34). If the odds ratio of female is 1.0 then that of male is 5.67 (p<0.01). If the odds ratio of body index below zero is 1.0 then that of $0{\sim}9$ is 5.08 (p<0.01), $10{\sim}19$ is 12.37 (p<0.01), $20{\sim}29$ is 29.19 (p<0.01), 30 above is 154.02 (p<0.01). If the odds ratio of below 99 mg/dl FBS is 1.0 then that of $100{\sim}120$ is 106 (p=0.76), over 120 is 1.91 (p=0.02). If the odds ratio of below $29{\mu}/1{\gamma}-GT$ is 1.0 then that of $30{\sim}s59$ is 2.11 (p<0.01), $60{\sim}90$ is 1.87 (p<0.05), 90 above is 1.69 (p=0.15). If the odds ratio of below 149 mg/dl TG is 1.0 then $150{\sim}199$ is 1.49 (p=0.05), $200{\sim}250$ is 1.09 (P=0.77), 250 above is 2.53 (p<0.01). In summary, early diagnosis of fatty liver could be made by ultrasonogram supplemented with body index and nm triglyceride. The fatty liver could be preventive by avoiding contributing factors such as obesity, alcohol intake, high blood sugar appropriately.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.35-44
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• 2009

Naphthalene and TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) are defined by U.S. EPA as possible carcinogenic compounds known to have detrimental effects on the aquatic ecosystem and human body. There are, however, few researches on methods of analyzing micro-levels of naphthalene and TNT dissolved in groundwater. This study introduces and evaluates the newly developed analytical methods of measuring naphthalene and TNT in groundwater by using HPLC-FLD (Fluorescence detector) and MSD (Mass detector). The MDL, LOQ and salt effect of these methods, respectively, are compared with those of conventional methods which use HPLC-UV. For the analysis of naphthalene, HPLC-FLD was set in the maxima wavelength (Ex: 270 nM, Em: 330 nM) obtained from 3D-Fluorescence to be compared with HPLC-UV in 266 nM wavelength. The MDL ($0.3\;{\mu}g/L$) and LOQ ($2.0\;{\mu}g/L$) of naphthalene by using HPLC-FLD were approximately 80 times lower than those analyzed by HPLC-UV (MDL: $23.3\;{\mu}g/L$, LOQ: $163.1\;{\mu}g/L$). HPLC-MSD were used in comparison with HPLC-UV in 230 and 254 nM wavelength for the analysis of TNT. The MDL ($0.13\;{\mu}g/L$) and LOQ ($0.88\;{\mu}g/L$) of TNT analyzed by using HPLC-MSD were approximately 130 times lower than those obtained by using HPLC-UV in 230 nM (MDL: $16.8\;{\mu}g/L$, LOQ: $117.5\;{\mu}g/L$). The chromatogram of TNT analyzed by using HPLC-UV in 230 nM displayed elevated baseline as the concentration of ${NO_3}^-$ increases beyond 21 mg/L, while the analysis using HPLC-MSD did not demonstrate any change in baseline in presence of ${NO_3}^-$ of 63.7 mg/L which is 3.5 times higher than average concentration in groundwater. In conclusion, HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MSD may be used as suitable methods for the analysis of naphthalene and TNT in groundwater and drinking water. These methods can be applied to the monitoring of naphthalene and TNT concentration in groundwater or drinking water.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.482-489
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• 2010

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether hand-measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was a reliable and simple tool that could be used to evaluate the severity of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with normal high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). Material and Method: We examined left carotid IMTs in 688 patients with stable CAD and excluded 121 patients with abnormally elevated hs-CRP ($\geq$0.5 mg/dL). We sought to determine the association between risk factors and the severity of stable CAD and carotid IMT in 567 patients who were divided into lower and higher groups based on the median value. Patients underwent a coronary artery angiogram and had at least significant stenosis (>50% of the original luminal diameter involving one or more major coronary artery). Result: Of the 567 patients, 300 (52.9%) were in the lower IMT group and 267 (47.1%) were in the higher IMT group; the median value was 0.76 mm. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following groups were different: older age (~49 vs. 70~ years, respectively; OR=6.552), high FBS (~99 vs. 120~ mg/dL; OR=1.713) and severity of CAD (1 vessel vs. 2 vessel disease; OR=1.711, 1 vessel vs. 3 vessel disease; OR=1.714). Conclusion: We conclude that there are correlations between increased carotid IMT and severity of CAD in stable angina patients with normal CRP levels.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2010

Background: Our objective was to review the long-term prognosis of patients with preoperative mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Material and Method: We prospectively followed 1,000 consecutive and systematic off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting patients who were operated on between September 1996 and March 2004; follow-up was achieved for 97%. Sixty-seven patients (6.7%) had mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation at the time of surgery. Operative mortality, actuarial survival and major adverse cardiac event free survival were compared to assess the effect of ischemic mitral regurgitation. Result: Average follow-up was $66{\pm}22$ months. Patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation were older (p<0.001), had lower ejection fractions (p<0.001) and more comorbidities. Significantly more female patients presented with ischemic mitral regurgitation (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in operative mortality and perioperative myocardial infarction in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients (p=0.25). Eight-year survival was decreased in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients ($39.6{\pm}11.8%$ vs $76.7{\pm}2.2$, p<0.001). However, after correcting for risk factors, mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation was not found to be a significant independent risk factor for long-term mortality (p=0.42). Major adverse cardiac event free survival at 8 years was significantly lower in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients ($53.12{\pm}12%$ vs $77{\pm}2%$, p<0.001). After correction for risk factors, ischemic mitral regurgitation remained a significant independent cause of major adverse cardiac events (HR: 2.31), especially congestive heart failure and recurrent myocardial infarction. Conclusion: In our series, patients with preoperative mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation had a higher prevalence of preoperative risk factors than patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation. They had comparable perioperative mortality and morbidity, but, in the long term, were found to be at elevated risk for recurrent cardiac events.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2009

Background: CXCL10 and CXCL11, which are family of CXCR3 ligands, are expressed by lymphocytes and even by bronchial epithelial cells if the cellular immunity is activated. This study evaluated the potential utility of CXCL10 and CXCL11 in the serum for active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with lung cancer, which activates the cellular immunity, and benign lung diseases. Methods: Patients who newly visited Pusan National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2007 and were suspected of having lung cancer or tuberculosis were enrolled prospectively. The patients were classified pathologically and clinically into three groups, 47 with lung cancer, 18 with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 control patients with benign pulmonary disease. ELISA was used to determine the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were determined in the serum. Results: The level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were significantly higher in the active pulmonary tuberculosis group than in the lung cancer and benign lung disease groups (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). The level of CXCL11 was significantly higher in the lung cancer group than in the benign pulmonary disease group, but there was no significant difference in level of CXCL10 between the three groups (p<0.001, p=0.655, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). The level of CXCL10 in patients with stage III+IV lung cancer was significantly higher than those with stage I+II, but there was no significant difference in the level of CXCL11 between the groups (p<0.001, p=0.07, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). There was no significant difference in the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 between those with the presence and absence of lung cancer metastasis. There was a significant correlation between the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 (r=0.223, p<0.001). Conclusion: CXCL10 and CXCL11 may be a potential useful markers for active pulmonary tuberculosis if used alongside other diagnostic methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.210-218
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl.) powder on cholesterol-lowering and anti-obesity effects in rats fed a high fat-high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to induce hyperlipidemic and obese rat model. Weight-matched male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups according to dietary fat, cholesterol levels and Yacon powder levels. Experimental groups were normal diet group (N), high fat-high cholesterol diet group (HFC), high fat-high cholesterol diet with 5% Yacon powder group (HFC-PSL) and high fat-high cholesterol diet with 10% Yacon powder group (HFC-PSH). The body weight gain and FER were increased by a high fat-high cholesterol diet, but gradually decreased in the Yacon powder fed groups compared with the HFC group. Food intake was lower in HFC groups compared with N group. The liver and adipose tissue weights of HFC group were heavier than those of N group, whereas those of groups administered Yacon powder were gradually decreased. The serum ALT, AST, ALP and LDH activities elevated by a high fat-high cholesterol diet were significantly decreased by Yacon powder administration. Levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor showed a decreasing tendency in the Yacon powder fed groups compared with HFC group. The serum HDL-cholesterol level decreased in the HFC group and markedly increased in the Yacon powder fed groups. Levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in liver and adipose tissues were lower in Yacon powder administered groups than those in HFC group. These results suggest that Yacon powder may improve lipid metabolism of serum, liver, and adipose tissue and potentially reduce lipid storage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.459-470
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• 2014

This study investigated the correlation between eating behavior patterns, including eating-habits, food preferences, snack intake levels, and eating-out frequency and stress levels in high school students (males 174 and females 122) in Seoul. Analysis of eating-habits showed that eating-irregularity and eating-speed increased with elevated stress levels in both males and females under stress. The size of meals decreased in males, whereas it increased in females under getting stress (P<0.01). Preferences for sugar, hamburgers, and pizza also increased in both males and females under stress. Eating-out frequency decreased in males with a high stress level (P<0.01), whereas it increased in females. As for eating-out partners, males did not show any changes, whereas females preferred friends to family when under stress. Eating-out expenses also increased in both males and females, particularly in females with a high stress level (P<0.05). Males under increased stress showed effective stress reduction by increasing food intake, whereas females under increased stress showed less effective results. Consequently, high school students under high stress, particularly females, showed negative changes in eating behavior patterns, including irregular eating-habits, increased instant food and snack intakes, and increased frequency of eating-out. Therefore, development of appropriate programs for reducing stress and persistent nutrition education to promote good dietary behaviors are required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.650-655
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• 2014

Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood, and it is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease due to the effects of cholesterol. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel (uRC) extract on lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic mice fed a high cholesterol diet (HC). uRC 50 (unripe R. coreanus 5% ethanol extract 50 mg/kg/day), uRC 100 (unripe R. coreanus 5% ethanol extract 100 mg/kg/day), uRC 300 (unripe R. coreanus 5% ethanol extract 300 mg/kg/day), and BO (borage seed oil containing minimum of 20% ${\gamma}$-linolenic acid 30 mg/kg/day) were orally administered for 60 days after HC. Oral administration of uRC 50, uRC 100, uRC 300, and BO significantly reduced serum total-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, atherogenic index, and cardiac risk factor levels. Similarly, uRC treatment elevated serum HDL-cholesterol levels. These results suggest that unripe R. coreanus extract could be established as a functional food for the improvement of lipid metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.577-586
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• 2013

This study investigated black garlic and mugwort extracts have anti-stress activity. The antioxidant activities of extracts from black garlic (BEP), mugwort (MEP), and three mixtures (MPA, 95:5; MPB, 90:10; MPC, 85:15, w/w% for BEP and MEP, respectively) were tested in vitro. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities for the mixtures (MPA, MPB and MPC) were significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by the amount of mugwort extract. A restraint stress was imposed on six groups of Sprague-Dawley rats supplemented with an AIN-93 diet (RSC) or one of five kinds of hot water extract drinks containing (black garlic, RS1; mugwort, RS2; and mixtures of black garlic : mugwort at 95:5, RS3; 90:10, RS4, and a mixture of black garlic : mugwort : apple extract : xylitol=90.25:4.75:2:3, RS5; v/v%) for 4 weeks. The normal group was fed with the AIN-93 diet and not exposed to restraint stress. Food intake was higher in the group fed with garlic extract (RS1), while the body weight gain and food efficiency ratio did not significantly change. The total serum cholesterol content in the RS1 and RS2 groups was significantly lower than the RSC group (control), and the RS5 group was not significantly different compared to the RS3 group. The serum triglyceride content was significantly higher RS3~RS5 groups than RS1 and RS2 groups. In terms of HDL-C and LDL-C contents, AI and CRF in the serum were not significantly different between RS3 and RS5 groups. AST and ALP activities of RS1~RS5 groups were significantly lower than the RSC group. The liver total lipid and cholesterol contents of RS1~RS5 groups were significantly lower than RSC group, and triglyceride content was significantly lower in the RS1 group. Glycogen in the liver tissue was significantly higher in the RS2 and RS3 group compared to the RSC group. These results show that the intake of a mixture of black garlic and mugwort extracts may be effective in the alleviation of hyperlipidemia caused by restraint stress.