Obesity is associated with an impairment of the growth hormone secretion elicited by all stimuli known to date, but the basic mechanism of the alteration is unknown to date, but the basic mechanism of this alteration is unknown. To determine whether obesity is associated with a chronic state of tonic somatostatin secretion, several tests with growth hormone stimuli such as GHRH(1 microgram/kg), clonidine(150 microgram/m(2))and Regular insulin (0.1U/kg, subcutaneously), to obese subjects and normal control with or without pyridostigmine were undertaken, and the Somatomedin-c levels were measured in both obese subjects and matched controls. 1) The peak GH levels and AUC-GH after administration of GHRH, Clonidine or Regular insulin in obese group is less than those in control group. 2) Pretreatment with pyridostigmine increased the peak GH levels and AUC-GH significantly in obese group but the absolute values are less than those of normal group. 3) The Somatomedin-c levels are significantly higher in obese group than control. Our results lend support to the view that chronically high level of somatostatin decreases the responsiveness to GHRH and secretion itself.
Child* ; Clonidine ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Obesity* ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Somatostatin

Background: There is growing interest in adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because many ADHD children have symptoms that last through adulthood, and adult ADHD has a high risk of comorbid mental disorders. This study examined the prevalence and comorbidities of adult ADHD, with a focus on depression and pathological internet use among Korean college students. Methods: This study included 1358 college students, who were asked to complete self-reporting questionnaires on their characteristics, ADHD symptoms, and related clinical factors. The study analyzed associations between ADHD and depression, anxiety, pathological internet use, and problematic alcohol use. Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD among college students was 5.7%. A significant association was determined between ADHD symptoms and school satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and pathological internet use. Multivariate analysis showed that ADHD symptoms in college students were significantly associated with depression and pathological internet use. Conclusion The prevalence of ADHD among college students was similar to that of children and adolescents. Moreover, the risk of depression and pathological internet use was high in the ADHD group. Early screening and intervention for ADHD and comorbidities will be required to prevent the negative consequences of the condition and help students adapt in the future.

Dengue fever is an important health problem for international travelers to all endemic areas. The steadily increasing numbers of tourists visiting endemic areas raise the risk of exposure, and imported dengue cases are increasingly observed in nonendemic area. Dengue has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, often with unpredictable clinical evolution and outcome. While most patients recover following a self-limiting, non-severe clinical course, a small proportion progress to severe disease such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, it is important to suspect dengue fever in every febrile patient returning from the tropics. Whenever it is suspected, a quick diagnosis and adequate managements are essential to avoid complications. We report two cases of imported dengue fever in Korean children presenting with fever, headache, nausea, and rash.
Child ; Dengue ; Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Nausea ; Philippines

No abstract available.
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial*

BACKGROUND: Fibronectins(FN) are large, dimeric glycoproteins present in the plasma, loose connective tissues, and some basal lamina in vivo and synthesized by a number of cells in vitro, including lung fibroblasts, and alveolar macrophages. FN can affect the migration, proliferation, differention, and even apoptosis of various cell types, all considered necessary for organogenesis. This study was undertaken to detect the changes of localization and activity of FN, a glycoprotein molecule, in stages of lung differentiation in rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The experimental animals(Sprague-Dawley strain) were divided into 8 groups, a control group(adult male rats), and experimental groups of 17th day fetus, 20th day fetus, first day newborn, second day newborn, 3rd day newborn, 5th day new born, 7th day newborn. We used the immunohistological stain method with gold particle to obtain the data for distribution of FN in the alveoli, blood vessels, terminal bronchioles, alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes. This study revealed the FN reactions at the light and electron microscopic levels. RESULT: At 17th day fetal stage, FN reactions in fetal lung were strong on the blood vessels and moderate on the stroma. At 20th day fetal stage, FN reactions were strong on the blood vessels. After birth, FN reactions in alveolar basement membrane were maximum in the 5th and 7th day newborns. FN reactions in the blood vessels were observed to be moderate in first and second day newborns, but decreased in third day newborns. FN reactions in alveolar macrophages increased after birth. FN reactions in terminal bronchioles gradually increased after birth. 6. In type II pneumocytes, FN reactions were observed to be moderate in 1st and 3rd day newborns. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical analysis of rat lungs at various developmental stages revealed increased deposition of FN during the pseudoglandular stage of lung development, coinciding with the period of branching morphogenesis. Also, FN is released from type II pneumocytes. This observation, together with the strategic location of FN, suggests a role in airway formation.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Basement Membrane ; Blood Vessels ; Bronchioles ; Connective Tissue ; Fetus ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins* ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung* ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Male ; Morphogenesis ; Organogenesis ; Parturition ; Plasma ; Pneumocytes ; Rats*

OBJECTIVES: Early intensive interventions are very important for children with autism spectrum disorder. We examined the actual conditions of hospital-based early intensive interventions for autism spectrum disorder in Seoul, in order to help develop and implement an evidence-based early intensive intervention model for use in Korea. METHODS: Nine hospital-based institutes running an early intensive intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorder responded to a questionnaire in September 2014. They provided a brief introduction to their program, explained its theoretical bases, and reported the number of children, their age, intervention time, duration and so on. RESULTS: In the majority of the institutions, the intervention was provided for over 20 hours every week, and the theoretical bases included various applied behavioral analysis (ABA) methods and other therapies (language and occupational therapy). The therapist-child ratio ranged from 1:1 to 5:3. Various types of therapists were involved, including behavioral analysts, special education teachers and (or) language pathologists. There was only one clinic where the behavioral analyst was the main therapist. Usually, the intervention was terminated just before the child entered elementary school. The main merit of the hospital-based intervention in our survey was the effectiveness of the multi-disciplinary intervention plan and its other merits were the accuracy of the diagnosis, its ability to be combined with medicine, and so on. CONCLUSION: The current hospital-based early intensive intervention programs provide interventions for over 20 hours per week and employ multidisciplinary approaches. However, there are very few institutes for children with autism and very few intervention specialists and specialist education courses in the country. We need more educational programs for intervention therapists and have to try to develop policies which encourage the implementation of an evidence-based early intensive intervention program nationwide.
Academies and Institutes ; Autism Spectrum Disorder* ; Autistic Disorder* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Education, Special ; Humans ; Korea* ; Running ; Seoul ; Specialization

Baclofen, a derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is used for the treatment of muscle spasm, intractable hiccups and multiple sclerosis. It is mostly excreted by glomerular filtration with a clearance that is proportional to creatinine clearance. Early hemodialysis is a treatment of the choice for baclofen-induced neurologic complication in renal failure patients. We experienced a 57-year-old hemodialysis patient with right arm muscle spasm who developed baclofen-associated encephalopathy by a single dose of oral baclofen (10 mg). He admitted to the hospital with the symptom of stuporous mental status with no specific focal neurologic signs. Brain CT imaging and blood biochemistry showed no specific abnormality. EEG revealed the typical metabolic encephalopathy findings, such as triphasic wave and frontal lobe syndrome with delta wave. After daily hemodialysis for 3 days, there was a complete recovery of an altered mentality. After one month later, the follow-up EEG showed normal finding with the resolution of abnormal waves. We report this case with a review of relevant literature. Baclofen should be used carefully, and rather recommended not to be administered in patients with renal failure.
Arm ; Baclofen ; Biochemistry ; Brain ; Brain Diseases, Metabolic ; Creatinine ; Electroencephalography ; Filtration ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Lobe ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency ; Spasm ; Stupor

Baclofen, a derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is used for the treatment of muscle spasm, intractable hiccups and multiple sclerosis. It is mostly excreted by glomerular filtration with a clearance that is proportional to creatinine clearance. Early hemodialysis is a treatment of the choice for baclofen-induced neurologic complication in renal failure patients. We experienced a 57-year-old hemodialysis patient with right arm muscle spasm who developed baclofen-associated encephalopathy by a single dose of oral baclofen (10 mg). He admitted to the hospital with the symptom of stuporous mental status with no specific focal neurologic signs. Brain CT imaging and blood biochemistry showed no specific abnormality. EEG revealed the typical metabolic encephalopathy findings, such as triphasic wave and frontal lobe syndrome with delta wave. After daily hemodialysis for 3 days, there was a complete recovery of an altered mentality. After one month later, the follow-up EEG showed normal finding with the resolution of abnormal waves. We report this case with a review of relevant literature. Baclofen should be used carefully, and rather recommended not to be administered in patients with renal failure.
Arm ; Baclofen ; Biochemistry ; Brain ; Brain Diseases, Metabolic ; Creatinine ; Electroencephalography ; Filtration ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Lobe ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency ; Spasm ; Stupor

OBJECTIVES: 'Taegyo,' prenatal education, is steeped into Korean culture. Although there has been a traditional focus on providing education and care for the fetus in Korea, there is a lack of medical evidence for its effectiveness. METHODS: The authors assessed the scientific basis for 'Taegyo' by reviewing the evidences. RESULTS: 'Taegyo' in Korea began with the spread of Buddhist culture from China, and transmitted by word-of-mouth. The first 'Taegyo' book, the Tae-gyo-shin-gi, was published on 1803. Modern prenatal education is very diverse. However, only a few studies on its effect have been conducted. Development of medicine, especially obstetrics, fetology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and etc., has learned that many factors, including bad environmental conditions and maternal stress, influenced against the fetus and mother. As for the paternal side, occupation, smoking, and stress were also revealed to have consequences for the development of the fetus. On the contrary, adequate maternal nutrition, exercise, and music stimulation positively impact the fetal development and healthy birth. CONCLUSION: Traditional contents of 'Taegyo' were proved to have effectiveness from evidence-based medicine and animal experiments. We need further studies to explore the impact of prenatal education for the fetal development and maternal health.
Animal Experimentation ; China ; Education ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Fetus ; Humans ; Korea ; Maternal Health ; Mothers ; Music ; Obstetrics ; Occupations ; Parturition ; Pediatrics ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Care ; Prenatal Education* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stress, Psychological

PURPOSE: The water exchange rate between bulk water and bound water is an important parameter in deciding the efficiency of paramagnetic contrast agents. In this study, we evaluated the water exchange rates of various Gd-chelates using oxygen-17 NMR technique. MATERIAL AND MEHTODS: The samples (Gd-DTPA, Gd-DTPA-BMA, Gd-DOTA, Gd-EOB-DTPA) were prepared by mixing 5% (17)O-enriched water (Isotech, USA). The pH of the samples was adjusted to physiological value (pH=7.0) by buffer solution. The variable temperature (17)O-NMR measurements were performed using Bruker-600 (14.1 T, 81.3 MHz) spectrometer. Bruker VT-1000 temperature control units were used to stabilize the temperature. The (17)O spin-spin relaxation times (T2) were measured using Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence with 24 echo trains. The variable temperature T2 relaxation data were then fitted into Solomon-Bloembergen equations using least square fit algorithm to estimate the water exchange times. RESULTS: From the measured (17)O-NMR relaxation rates, the determined water exchange rates at 300K are : 0.42 microsecond for Gd-DTPA, 1.99 microsecond for Gd-DTPA-BMA, 0.27 microsecond for Gd-DOTA, and 0.11 microsecond for Gd-EOB-DTPA. The Gd-DTPA-BMA showed slowest exchange whereas Gd-EOB-DTPA had fastest water exchange rate. In addition, it was found that the water exchange rates of all samples had exponential temperature dependence with different decay constant. CONCLUSION: (17)O-NMR relaxation rate measurements, when combined with variable temperature technique, provide a solid tool for studying water exchange rate, which is very important in investigating the detailed mechanism of relaxation enhancement effect of the paramagnetic contrast agents.
Contrast Media* ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Relaxation