1.Effectiveness of High-Volume Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Korean Pediatric Patients
Hyeji LIM ; Yunkoo KANG ; Sowon PARK ; Hong KOH
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition 2022;25(6):481-488
Purpose:
Liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative treatment for acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). In high-volume therapeutic plasma exchange (HV-TPE), extracorporeal liver support filters accumulate toxins and improve the coagulation factor by replacing them. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HV-TPE in pediatric patients with ALF and ACLF.
Methods:
We reviewed the records of children waiting for LT at Severance Hospital who underwent HV-TPE between 2017 and 2021. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total and direct bilirubin (TB and DB), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), ammonia, and coagulation parameter-international normalized ratio (INR) were all measured before and after HV-TPE to analyze the liver function. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA).
Results:
Nine patients underwent HV-TPE with standard medical therapy while waiting for LT. One had neonatal hemochromatosis, four had biliary atresia, and the other four had ALF of unknown etiology. Significant decreases in AST, ALT, TB, DB, GGT, and INR were noted after performing HV-TPE (930.38–331.75 IU/L, 282.62–63.00 IU/L, 11.75–5.59 mg/dL, 8.10– 3.66 mg/dL, 205.62–51.75 IU/L, and 3.57–1.50, respectively, p<0.05). All patients underwent LT, and two expired due to acute complications.
Conclusion
HV-TPE could remove accumulated toxins and improve coagulation. Therefore, we conclude that HV-TPE can be regarded as a representative bridging therapy before LT.
2.Significance of Follow-Up Ultrasonography 24 Hours Post-Reduction in Detecting Intussusception Recurrence
Sujin KIM ; HyeJi LIM ; Sowon PARK ; Hong KOH
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition 2022;25(1):21-29
Purpose:
The objective of this study was to identify the significance of 24-hour postreduction ultrasonography (US) in pediatric patients with intussusception.
Methods:
A total of 229 patients with intussusception who were treated with saline reduction at Severance Children’s Hospital between January 2014 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The 229 patients with successful saline reduction were divided into two groups: a recurrence at 24 hours group (R, n=41) and a non-recurrence group (NR, n=188). The full patient sample was divided into two groups: follow-up US (FU) or no followup US (NFU); the recurrence group was divided into follow-up (R-FU) and non-follow-up (R-NFU) subgroups, and stratified analyses were performed.
Results:
There were no significant differences in age, sex, laboratory findings, symptoms, and sonographic findings between the NR and R groups. In the R group, 24 patients underwent follow-up US, and 17 patients did not. Specific sonographic findings were statistically significant in the R-FU group compared to the R-NFU group (p=0.002). The R-FU group had fewer admissions (p=0.012) and longer mean hospitalization times (p<0.001) than the R-NFU group. The NFU group had a 12.2% recurrence rate, while the R-FU group recurrence rate was 25.8% (p=0.0099), suggesting that the omission of some recurrent events and follow-up US was a significant variable in the recurrence of intussusception. The median time to recurrence was 21 hours which supports the 24-hour follow-up protocol.
Conclusion
Twenty-four-hour follow-up US was shown to be valuable for detecting early recurrence of intussusception.
3.Anti-Bacterial Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Cell-Free Supernatant Possessing Lysozyme Activity Against Pathogenic Bacteria
Jiyeon LEE ; Hyeji LIM ; Misook KIM
Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association 2018;24(4):330-343
Recently, there has been a growing demand for natural preservatives because of increased consumer interest in health. In this study, we produced Lactobacillus rhamnosus cell-free supernatant (LCFS) and evaluated and compared its antimicrobial activity with existing natural preservatives against pathogenic microorganisms and in chicken breast meat contaminated with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Lactobacillus rhamnosus cell-free supernatant possessed 30 units of lysozyme activity and contained 18,835 mg/L of lactic acid, 2,051 mg/L of citric acid and 5,060 mg/L of acetic acid. Additionally, LCFS inhibited the growth of fourteen pathogenic bacteria, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria innocua, S. epidermidis, L. ivanovii, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei, Shi. flexneri, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The antibacterial activity of LCFS was stronger than that of egg white lysozyme (EWL), Durafresh (DF) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE). Additionally, LCFS maintained its antimicrobial activity after heat treatment at 50℃~95℃ and at pH values of 3~9. Moreover, LCFS inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus in chicken breast meat. In conclusion, it is expected that LCFS, which contains both lysozyme and three organic acids, will be useful as a good natural preservative in the food industry.
Acetic Acid
;
Bacillus cereus
;
Bacteria
;
Breast
;
Chickens
;
Citric Acid
;
Citrus paradisi
;
Egg White
;
Escherichia coli
;
Food Industry
;
Hot Temperature
;
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
;
Klebsiella pneumoniae
;
Lactic Acid
;
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
;
Lactobacillus
;
Listeria
;
Listeria monocytogenes
;
Meat
;
Muramidase
;
Proteus vulgaris
;
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
;
Pseudomonas fluorescens
;
Shigella sonnei
;
Staphylococcus aureus
;
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
4.Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed through Evaluation of Underlying Diseases in a Pyoderma Gangrenosum Adolescent without Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Il Joo KWON ; Jung Won PARK ; Sowon PARK ; Hyeji LIM ; Jaeeun YU ; Sang Ho OH
Annals of Dermatology 2023;35(Suppl2):S292-S295
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, non-infectious, neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by painful ulcers with indistinct borders and peripheral erythema. The diagnosis of PG requires the exclusion of other causes of similar appearing skin manifestations, including vasculitis and infections. The pathogenesis of PG is not clear; however, dysregulation of the immune system has been suggested in previous studies. More than half of the PG patients have underlying diseases; the most common being inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The progression of PG in IBD patients is seen after the onset of IBD, usually during its exacerbation. On the other hand, PG may follow a course independent of the intestinal disease. We present a case of an 18-year-old young male with PG that presented before being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as an associated condition. He had a painful ulcerative lesion on his right shin with no previous gastrointestinal symptoms. This case suggests that investigating for underlying disorders is essential in PG patients despite the lack of symptoms other than the skin lesions.
5.Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for the Evaluation of Crohn’s Disease in Pediatric Patients
Haesung YOON ; Jisoo KIM ; Hyun Ji LIM ; Mi-Jung LEE ; Hyeji LIM ; Jihye NOH ; Sowon PARK
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2023;38(29):e219-
Background:
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of the bowel wall has been suggested as an alternative imaging modality for the follow-up of children with Crohn’s disease. To demonstrate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of CEUS in the estimation of Crohn’s disease activity in children with endoscopy as the reference standard.Method: In this prospective study, 30 pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease (24 males and 6 females; median age 14 years) underwent CEUS from December 2020 to August 2021.The simple endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease, pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index, serologic inflammatory markers, fecal calprotectin and CEUS perfusion parameters were assessed and compared between the inactive and active group based on endoscopic findings.
Results:
CEUS was performed successfully in all 30 patients. Two patients showed mild adverse side effects such as temporary dysosmia. The active Crohn’s disease group showed higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/hr) (13.0 vs. 2.0, P = 0.003), C-reactive protein (mg/dL) (4.7 vs. 0.55, P = 0.018) and fecal calprotectin (mcg/g) (1,503 vs. 237.5, P = 0.005). Among the quantitative parameters for CEUS, the mean gradient to the peak value was higher in the active group (1.18 vs. 0.93, P = 0.034). The sensitivity and specificity of the mean gradient to the peak value for predicting active Crohn’s disease was 55.6% and 83.3%, respectively, with a cut-off of 1.09 (P = 0.015).
Conclusion
CEUS can be a safe and specific diagnostic modality for Crohn’s disease activity in children. Among quantitative CEUS parameters, the mean gradient to the peak value could be used to differentiate active and inactive Crohn’s disease.
6.Achievements, Problems, and Future Direction of the Quality Control Program for Special Periodic Health Examination Agencies in Republic of Korea
Yong Lim WON ; Kyung Sun KO ; Jae Oh PARK ; Yoon jung CHOI ; Hyeji LEE ; Jung min SUNG ; Mi young LEE
Safety and Health at Work 2019;10(1):125-129
The ultimate goal of the quality control program for special periodic health examination agencies is to diagnose the health condition of a worker correctly, based on accurate examination and analysis skills, leading to protect the worker’s health. The quality control program on three areas, chemical analysis for biological monitoring since 1995, and pneumoconiosis, audiometric testing since 1996, has contributed to improve the reliability of occupational health screenings by improving the issues including standardization of testing methods, tools, diagnostic opinions, and reliability of analysis for biological monitoring. It has contributed to improving the reliability of occupational health monitoring by rectifying the following issues associated with previous monitoring: absence of standardized testing methods, testing tools that are not upgraded, mismatching diagnostic opinions, and unreliable results of biological specimen analysis. Nevertheless, there are issues in need of further improvement such as lack of expertise or the use of inappropriate method for health examination, and passive and unwilling participation in the quality control. We suggested solutions to these problems for each area of quality control program. Above all, it is essential to provide active support for health examiners to develop their expertise, while encouraging all the health screening agencies, employers, and workers to develop the desire to improve the system and to maintain the relevance.
Environmental Monitoring
;
Mass Screening
;
Methods
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Occupational Health
;
Pneumoconiosis
;
Quality Control
;
Republic of Korea
7.Anti-adipogenic effect of Artemisia annua in diet-induced-obesity mice model.
Hye Kyung BAEK ; Hyeji SHIM ; Hyunmook LIM ; Minju SHIM ; Chul Kyu KIM ; Sang Kyu PARK ; Yong Seok LEE ; Ki Duk SONG ; Sung Jo KIM ; Sun Shin YI
Journal of Veterinary Science 2015;16(4):389-396
Obesity has increased continuously in western countries during the last several decades and recently become a problem in developing countries. Currently, anti-obesity drugs originating from natural products are being investigated for their potential to overcome adverse effects associated with chemical drugs. Artemisinic acid, which was isolated from the well-known anti-malaria herb Artemisia annua (AA) L., was recently shown to possess anti-adipogenic effects in vitro. However, the anti-adipogenic effects of AA in animal models have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we conducted daily oral administration with AA water extract in a diet-induced obesity animal model and treated 3T3-L1 cells with AA to confirm the anti-adipogenic effects in the related protein expressions. We then evaluated the physiology, adipose tissue histology and mRNA expressions of many related genes. Inhibition of adipogenesis by the AA water extract was observed in vitro. In the animal model, weight gain was significantly lower in the AA treated group, but there were no changes in food intake volume or calories. Reductions in lipid droplet size and mRNA expression associated with adipogenesis were also observed in animal epididymal fat. This study is the first to report that AA has an anti-obese effects in vivo.
3T3-L1 Cells
;
Adipogenesis
;
Adipose Tissue
;
Administration, Oral
;
Animals
;
Anti-Obesity Agents
;
Artemisia annua*
;
Artemisia*
;
Biological Products
;
Developing Countries
;
Eating
;
Mice*
;
Models, Animal
;
Obesity
;
Physiology
;
RNA, Messenger
;
Water
;
Weight Gain
8.Organizing an in-class hackathon to correct PDF-to-text conversion errors of Genomics & Informatics 1.0
Sunho KIM ; Royoung KIM ; Ryeo-Gyeong KIM ; Enjin KO ; Han-Su KIM ; Jihye SHIN ; Daeun CHO ; Yurhee JIN ; Soyeon BAE ; Ye Won JO ; San Ah JEONG ; Yena KIM ; Seoyeon AHN ; Bomi JANG ; Jiheyon SEONG ; Yujin LEE ; Si Eun SEO ; Yujin KIM ; Ha-Jeong KIM ; Hyeji KIM ; Hye-Lynn SUNG ; Hyoyoung LHO ; Jaywon KOO ; Jion CHU ; Juwon LIM ; Youngju KIM ; Kyungyeon LEE ; Yuri LIM ; Meongeun KIM ; Seonjeong HWANG ; Shinhye HAN ; Sohyeun BAE ; Sua KIM ; Suhyeon YOO ; Yeonjeong SEO ; Yerim SHIN ; Yonsoo KIM ; You-Jung KO ; Jihee BAEK ; Hyejin HYUN ; Hyemin CHOI ; Ji-Hye OH ; Da-Young KIM ; Hee-Jo NAM ; Hyun-Seok PARK
Genomics & Informatics 2020;18(3):e33-
This paper describes a community effort to improve earlier versions of the full-text corpus of Genomics & Informatics by semi-automatically detecting and correcting PDF-to-text conversion errors and optical character recognition errors during the first hackathon of Genomics & Informatics Annotation Hackathon (GIAH) event. Extracting text from multi-column biomedical documents such as Genomics & Informatics is known to be notoriously difficult. The hackathon was piloted as part of a coding competition of the ELTEC College of Engineering at Ewha Womans University in order to enable researchers and students to create or annotate their own versions of the Genomics & Informatics corpus, to gain and create knowledge about corpus linguistics, and simultaneously to acquire tangible and transferable skills. The proposed projects during the hackathon harness an internal database containing different versions of the corpus and annotations.
9.Organizing an in-class hackathon to correct PDF-to-text conversion errors of Genomics & Informatics 1.0
Sunho KIM ; Royoung KIM ; Ryeo-Gyeong KIM ; Enjin KO ; Han-Su KIM ; Jihye SHIN ; Daeun CHO ; Yurhee JIN ; Soyeon BAE ; Ye Won JO ; San Ah JEONG ; Yena KIM ; Seoyeon AHN ; Bomi JANG ; Jiheyon SEONG ; Yujin LEE ; Si Eun SEO ; Yujin KIM ; Ha-Jeong KIM ; Hyeji KIM ; Hye-Lynn SUNG ; Hyoyoung LHO ; Jaywon KOO ; Jion CHU ; Juwon LIM ; Youngju KIM ; Kyungyeon LEE ; Yuri LIM ; Meongeun KIM ; Seonjeong HWANG ; Shinhye HAN ; Sohyeun BAE ; Sua KIM ; Suhyeon YOO ; Yeonjeong SEO ; Yerim SHIN ; Yonsoo KIM ; You-Jung KO ; Jihee BAEK ; Hyejin HYUN ; Hyemin CHOI ; Ji-Hye OH ; Da-Young KIM ; Hee-Jo NAM ; Hyun-Seok PARK
Genomics & Informatics 2020;18(3):e33-
This paper describes a community effort to improve earlier versions of the full-text corpus of Genomics & Informatics by semi-automatically detecting and correcting PDF-to-text conversion errors and optical character recognition errors during the first hackathon of Genomics & Informatics Annotation Hackathon (GIAH) event. Extracting text from multi-column biomedical documents such as Genomics & Informatics is known to be notoriously difficult. The hackathon was piloted as part of a coding competition of the ELTEC College of Engineering at Ewha Womans University in order to enable researchers and students to create or annotate their own versions of the Genomics & Informatics corpus, to gain and create knowledge about corpus linguistics, and simultaneously to acquire tangible and transferable skills. The proposed projects during the hackathon harness an internal database containing different versions of the corpus and annotations.