• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2016

Background: Clinical differences in Mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) in children and adolescent patients according to abnormal infiltrate patterns on the chest X-ray were compared. Methods: From 2012 to 2015, patients (n=336) diagnosed with MP at Yeungnam University Medical Center have been classified as eiher lobar pneumonia or bronchopneumonia based on the infilterate patterns observed on chest X-ray. Cases were analyzed retrospectively for gender, age, seasonal incidence rate, main symptoms (fever duration, extrapulmonary symptoms), and laboratory results, including white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelets, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as well as concurrent respiratory virus infection. Results: The following results were observed. First, lobar pneumonia affected 22.0% of all MP patients and was the most common in preschool children, with a high incidence rate in November and December. Second, lobar pneumonia had a longer fever duration than bronchopneumonia (p<0.001), and also showed significantly higher platelets (336.8 vs. $299.1k/{\mu}L$, p=0.026), ESR (46.3 vs. 26.0 mm/hr, p<0.001) and CRP (4.86 vs. 2.18 mg/dL, p=0.001). Third, viral co-infection was more common in bronchopneumonia (p=0.017), affecting 66.7% of infants and toddlers (p=0.034). Finaly, lobar consolidation was most common in both lower lobes. Conclusion: MP in children has increased in younger age groups, and the rate of lobar pneumonia with severe clinical symptoms is higher in older children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6069-6075
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• 2013

Background: At present, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) requires a colorectal biopsy which is an invasive procedure. We undertook this pilot study to develop an alternative method and potential new biomarkers for diagnosis, and validated a set of well-integrated tools called ClinProt to investigate the serum peptidome in CRC patients. Methods: Fasting blood samples from 67 patients diagnosed with CRC by histological diagnosis, 55 patients diagnosed with colorectal adenoma by biopsy, and 65 healthy volunteers were collected. Division was into a model construction group and an external validation group randomly. The present work focused on serum proteomic analysis of model construction group by ClinProt Kit combined with mass spectrometry. This approach allowed construction of a peptide pattern able to differentiate the studied populations. An external validation group was used to verify the diagnostic capability of the peptidome pattern blindly. An immunoassay method was used to determine serum CEA of CRC and controls. Results: The results showed 59 differential peptide peaks in CRC, colorectal adenoma and health volunteers. A genetic algorithm was used to set up the classification models. Four of the identified peaks at m/z 797, 810, 4078 and 5343 were used to construct peptidome patterns, achieving an accuracy of 100% (> CEA, P<0.05). Furthermore, the peptidome patterns could differentiate the validation group with high accuracy close to 100%. Conclusions: Our results showed that proteomic analysis of serum with MALDI-TOF MS is a fast and reproducible approach, which may provide a novel approach to screening for CRC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.40-54
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• 2006

Objective: This study aimed to identify the different effects of GMCSBHT water-extract and ethanol-extract on Th1/Th2 differentiation by monitoring Th1/Th2 specific cytokine secretion patterns and the transcriptional activities of T-bet, GATA-3, c-maf, $INF{\gamma}$ and IL-4. Materials and Methods: Spleen cells from eight week-old BALB/c mice were cultured in GMCSBHT extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and mRNA expression levels of $INF{\gamma}$, IL-4, T-bet, GATA-3, c-maf by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4 by ELISA were analyzed. Results: GMCSBHT extracts didn't have mitogenic effects on the unstimulated CD4+ T cells. In Th1 skewed condition, GMCSBAHT water extract had no significant effects on mRNA expression levels of $IFN{\gamma}$, T-bet and c-maf, but inhibited mRNA expression levels of IL-4, GATA-3. It showed significantly increased secretion cytokine levels of $IFN{\gamma}$, but had no significant effect on secretion cytokine levels of IL-4. In Th2 skewed condition, GMCSBHT ethanol extract inhibited mRNA expression levels of $INF{\gamma}$, IL-4, GATA-3 and c-maf significantly, but had no significant effects on mRNA expression levels of T-bet. It had no significant effects on secretion cytokine levels of $INF{\gamma}$, but showed remarkable inhibitory effects on secretion cytokine levels of IL-4. Conclusion: Results suggest that on Th1/Th2 deviation, GMCSBHT water extract has both amplifying effects on Th1 differentiation and inhibitory effects on Th2, but GMCSBHT ethanol extract has stronger inhibitory effects on Th2 differentiation than on Th1.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.614-627
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• 2018

Purpose: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease that responds to medications to varying degrees. Cluster analyses have identified several phenotypes and variables related to fixed airway obstruction; however, few longitudinal studies of lung function have been performed on adult asthmatics. We investigated clinical, demographic, and inflammatory factors related to persistent airflow limitation based on lung function trajectories over 1 year. Methods: Serial post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume (FEV) 1% values were obtained from 1,679 asthmatics who were followed up every 3 months for 1 year. First, a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using Ward's method to generate a dendrogram for the optimum number of clusters using the complete post-FEV1 sets from 448 subjects. Then, a trajectory cluster analysis of serial post-FEV1 sets was performed using the k-means clustering for the longitudinal data trajectory method. Next, trajectory clustering for the serial post-FEV1 sets of a total of 1,679 asthmatics was performed after imputation of missing post-FEV1 values using regression methods. Results: Trajectories 1 and 2 were associated with normal lung function during the study period, and trajectory 3 was associated with a reversal to normal of the moderately decreased baseline FEV1 within 3 months. Trajectories 4 and 5 were associated with severe asthma with a marked reduction in baseline FEV1. However, the FEV1 associated with trajectory 4 was increased at 3 months, whereas the FEV1 associated with trajectory 5 was persistently disturbed over 1 year. Compared with trajectory 4, trajectory 5 was associated with older asthmatics with less atopy, a lower immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, sputum neutrophilia and higher dosages of oral steroids. In contrast, trajectory 4 was associated with higher sputum and blood eosinophil counts and more frequent exacerbations. Conclusions: Trajectory clustering analysis of FEV1 identified 5 distinct types, representing well-preserved to severely decreased FEV1. Persistent airflow obstruction may be related to non-atopy, a low IgE level, and older age accompanied by neutrophilic inflammation and low baseline FEV1 levels.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with underlying diseases, is associated with high infection and mortality rates, which may result in acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type II is a progressive metabolic disorder that stems from cellular accumulation of the glycosaminoglycans, heparan, and dermatan sulfate. Upper and lower airway obstruction and restrictive pulmonary diseases are common complaints of patients with MPS, and respiratory infections of bacterial or viral origin could result in fatal outcomes. We report a case of COVID-19 in a 16-year-old adolescent with MPS type II, who had been treated with idursulfase since 5 years of age. Prior to infection, the patient's clinical history included developmental delays, abdominal distension, snoring, and facial dysmorphism. His primary complaints at the time of admission included rhinorrhea, cough, and sputum without fever or increased oxygen demand. His heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were within the normal biological reference intervals, and chest radiography revealed no signs of pneumonia. Consequently, supportive therapy and quarantine were recommended. The patient experienced an uneventful course of COVID-19 despite underlying MPS type II, which may be the result of an unfavorable host cell environment and changes in expression patterns of proteins involved in interactions with viral proteins. Moreover, elevated serum heparan sulfate in patients with MPS may compete with cell surface heparan sulfate, which is essential for successful interaction between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and the host cell surface, thereby protecting against intracellular penetration by SARS-CoV-2.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.468-479
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the use of the respiratory rate oxygenation (ROX) index, ROX-heart rate (ROX-HR) index, and saturation of percutaneous oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SF ratio) to predict weaning from high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in patients with respiratory distress in a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: A total of 107 children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit were enrolled in the study between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021. Data on clinical and personal information, ROX index, ROX-HR index, and SF ratio were collected from nursing records. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test, χ² test, Mann-Whitney U test, and area under the curve (AUC). Results: Seventy-five (70.1%) patients were successfully weaned from HFNC, while 32 (29.9%) failed. Considering specificity and sensitivity, the optimal cut off points for predicting treatment success and failure of HFNC oxygen therapy were 6.88 and 10.16 (ROX index), 5.23 and 8.61 (ROX-HR index), and 198.75 and 353.15 (SF ratio), respectively. The measurement of time showed that the most significant AUC was 1 hour before HFNC interruption. Conclusion: The ROX index, ROX-HR index, and SF ratio appear to be promising tools for the early prediction of treatment success or failure in patients initiated on HFNC for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Nurses caring for critically ill pediatric patients should closely observe and periodically check their breathing patterns. It is important to continuously monitor three indexes to ensure that ventilation assistance therapy is started at the right time.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2006

Background : A spirometric reference equation was recently developed for the general population in Korea. The applicability of the new Korean equation to clinical practice was examined by comparing it with the Morris equation, which is one of the most popular reference equations used for interpreting the spirometric patterns and for grading the disease severity in Korea. Methods : Spirometry was performed on 926 men and 694 women, aged 20 years or older, in November 2004 at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The subjects' age, gender, height, weight, and spirometric values ($FEV_1$ [forced expiratory volume in one second], FVC [forced vital capacity], and $FEV_1/FVC$) were obtained. The spirometric patterns and disease severity were evaluated using both equations, and the results of the Korean equation were compared with the Morris equation. The spirometric patterns were defined as normal, restrictive, obstructive, and undetermined according to the level of $FEV_1/FVC$ and FVC. The disease severity was defined according to the level of $FEV_1$ level for subjects with an airflow limitation, and according to the FVC level for those subjects without an airflow limitation. Results : Spirometric patterns were differently interpreted in 22.5% (208/926) of the men and 24.8% (172/694) of the women after the application of the Korean equation compared with the Morris equation. Of the subjects with airflow limitation, disease severity was differently graded in 30.2% (114/378) of the men and 39.4% (37/94) of the women after the application of the Korean equation. Of the subjects without airflow limitation, disease severity was differently graded in 27.9% (153/548) of the men and 30.2% (181/600) of the women after the application of the Korean equation. Conclusion : Achange in the reference equation for spirometry could have an effect on the interpretation of spirometric patterns and on the grading of disease severity.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.26-30
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• 1992

A stargazer fish, Uranoscopus tosae of family Uranoscopidae was collected for the first time in Kunsan, Korea. The U. tosae was similar to U. oligolepis in exomorphological features but had sharply distinguishable from U. oligolepis in the several characteristics, U. tosae had the embedded cycloid scales on the nape between both lateral lines. 4 preopercular spines, anterior tubular and posterior slit of nostril pores, and narrower and longer respiratory valve than orbit. No other patterns were presented on the surface of head and body.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.21-28
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematic adaptation of head and trunk to ascend stairs and a ramp. Subjects were healthy young adults. Three-dimensional kinematic patterns of head and trunk movements were examined during stair climbing and steeper ramp climbing. Methods: Fourteen young subjects with no history of chronic or acute musculoskeletal, cardiovascular or respiratory disorders took part in this experiment. Kinematic data were collected using a 6 camera Vicon system (Oxford Metrix, Oxford, England). Repeated measures ANOVA analyses were used to investigate the effect of gait mode on kinematics of the head and trunk. Results: The angle of the trunk while ascending stairs or a ramp was modified in three human planes (p<0.05). The angle of head and neck during the ascending of stairs or a ramp was not changed in the sagittal plane but was changed in the frontal and transverse planes (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study describes and discusses some basic kinematic mechanisms underlying the pattern of head and trunk changes during stair and ramp climbing and showed that postural adaptation of the head and trunk is necessary to maintain balance.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.518-522
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• 2008

An approximately 8-month-old, 2.61 kg, male Siamese kitten was referred with primary complaints of a 1-week history of respiratory distress, exercise intolerance and dyspnea. Diagnostic studies identified III/VI systolic murmur in the cardiac auscultation, right ventricular enlargement patterns in the electrocardiogram, pleural effusion and right-sided cardiomegaly in the thoracic radiography, and right marked ventricular dilatation, right atrial enlargement, atrial septal defect and abnormal left atrium divided by fibromuscular membrane. Based on these findings, the case was diagnosed as cor triatriatum sinistrum complicated with an ostium primum atrial septal defect. The cat was rescued with furosemide, nitroglycerine, oxygen supplement and fluid removal from pleural cavity.