No abstract available.
Hypopituitarism* ; Hypothyroidism*

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the parenting experience of parents of children with chronic illness in Korea. METHODS: A conventional contents analysis was used for the study. Twelve mothers of chronically ill children participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Morse and Field method. RESULTS: Four categories, 10 subcategories and 42 codes emerged from the data on the parenting experience of parents of children with chronic illness. The four categories were 'Sacrifice and full-engagement within self-mortification', 'Renormalization of collapsed daily life', 'Paving a new way for independence' and 'Growing together of myself and the family'. CONCLUSION: Parents of children with chronic illness experienced not only negative aspects such as a confusion but also re-normalization and growing together. Based on the results, health professionals need to develop effective nursing interventions toward positive parenting for these parents and their children with chronic illnesses.
Child* ; Chronic Disease* ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Korea ; Mothers ; Nursing ; Parenting* ; Parents* ; Qualitative Research

The mechanisms of estrogen and progesterone in human cutaneous pigmentation are largely unknown. The molecular identification of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the human melanocytes is of great importance to understand the mechanisms. We performed immunocytochemistry analysis and demonstrated that ER and PR were expressed in the cytoplasms and nuclei of human melanocytes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequence analysis confirmed the expression of ER and PR at the transcriptional level. Despite of the presence of ER and PR, the physiological and pregnant levels of estrogen and progesterone showed inconsistent effects on the proliferation and tyrosinase activity of cultured human melanocytes. These results suggest that human melanocytes express ER and PR, which have a donor-specific action in human pigmentation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the induction mechanism and functions of these receptors, and the role of estrogen and progesterone in melanocytes.
Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Estrogens/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Melanocytes/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; Mitogens/pharmacology ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Progesterone/*pharmacology ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics/*metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics/*metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin/drug effects ; Skin Pigmentation/drug effects ; Tissue Donors

Despite the various responses of human skin to female sex hormones, cellular and subcellular targets and the mechanisms of action of estrogen and progesterone in human skin are not well understood. The detection of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the skin is of great importance to understand the effect of estrogen and progesterone. In primary cultures of human keratinocytes, expression of ER and PR was monitored by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Paraffin embedded skin tissues were stained with monoclonal antibodies to human ER and PR by immunohistochemistry. Cultured human keratinocytes expressed cytoplasmic PR protein and PR mRNA transcripts. By contrast, ER was detected only at the mRNA level. Suprabasal keratinocytes from samples of pruritic urticarial papules, plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) and psoriasis were stained positively only for PR, while those from samples of erythema nodosum were negative for both ER and PR. Lesional epidermis of PUPPP showed positive PR immunoreactivity, while nonlesional epidermis did not. No other cells in the normal human skin were stained with ER and PR. The present study suggests that by expressing PR human keratinocytes act as targets for progesterone action.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Human ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Infant ; Keratinocytes/metabolism* ; Keratinocytes/cytology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen/biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics* ; Receptors, Progesterone/biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; Skin/pathology ; Skin/metabolism ; Skin Diseases/metabolism

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the optimal initial vancomycin dose to achieve appropriate trough levels in pediatric patients. METHODS: We analyzed clinical data for 309 children treated with intravenous vancomycin between 2004 and 2009 at 2 different hospitals in South Korea. The patients were 1-16 years old and exhibited normal renal function. Patient data, including reason for treatment and initial dosing regimen, were reviewed. Two subgroups were identified and compared according to initial vancomycin dose: 40 (35-45) mg/kg/day and 60 (55-65) mg/kg/day. Trough levels were obtained at steady state after at least 4 doses of vancomycin. RESULTS: Patients who received vancomycin had post-operation or wound-related infections (37.2%), localized infection (12.9%), catheter-related infections (9.4%), meningitis (8.7%), or endocarditis (6.8%). Pathogens were confirmed in 79 cases: 28 cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (35.4%) and 25 of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (31.6%). Out of the 309 patients, 201 (65%) received vancomycin at 40 mg/kg/day and 108 (35%) at 60 mg/kg/day. Average trough concentrations were significantly different between the groups (P<0.001). Trough levels over 10 mg/L were less likely to be achieved in the 40 mg/kg/day group (14%) than in the 60 mg/kg/day group (49%) (P<0.001). There were no differences in renal function deterioration between the groups. CONCLUSION: A common vancomycin dosing regimen, 40 mg/kg/day, was not high enough to achieve trough levels of over 10 mg/L in pediatric patients. Careful drug monitoring must be performed, and increasing initial dose of vancomycin should be considered in pediatric patients.
Catheter-Related Infections ; Child ; Drug Monitoring ; Endocarditis ; Humans ; Meningitis ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Republic of Korea ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Vancomycin

BACKGROUND: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is known as a sensitive and specific method for the detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Nested PCR is reliably used than conventional PCR to increase the sensitivity and specificity, especially in cases of small sized tissue samples. METHODS: We detected VZV infection in tissues from 111 patients using conventional PCR and nested PCR. Ninety-one cases of fresh tissues and twenty cases of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues were evaluated. The column method or home made lysis buffer method was used for the DNA extraction of fresh tissues and FFPE tissues. RESULTS: Among total 111 cases, VZV were detected in 62 (55.9%) cases by conventional PCR and 79 (71.2%) cases by nested PCR. The detection rate of nested PCR was higher than conventional PCR (1.27 folds). In 91 cases of fresh tissues, 56 (61.5%) were positive by conventional PCR and 68 (74.7%) by nested PCR. In 20 cases of FFPE tissues, 6 (30%) were positive by conventional PCR and 11 (55%) by nested PCR. The detection rate of VZV was increased by nested PCR both in fresh tissues (1.21 folds) and FFPE tissues (1.83 folds). CONCLUSIONS: Nested PCR is the more sensitive method than conventional PCR for the detection of VZV infection in tissues regardless of DNA extraction methods, especially for the small sized FFPE tissues.
DNA ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: Excluding RSV, the relationship between bronchiolitis caused by viruses and the development of wheezing and atopy in childhood has not been well studied. We studied this relationship in children who had bronchiolitis caused by human bocavirus before 2 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 2,430 throat swab obstained between January 2005 and December 2007 from pediatric in-patients with acute respiratory tract disease at the Kwangju Christian Hospital. Human bocavirus was detected in 112 patients. A total of 61 patients less than 2 years of age were finally enrolled in this study. Patients were followed up between April and June of 2008. We measured the frequency of wheezing and atopic status using (allergy skin-prick tests, CAP tests and MAST tests). RESULTS: Of the 61 patients, 16 (26.2%) had recurrent wheezing. Of these 16 patients, 8 (13.1%) had Infrequent wheezing (1-2 wheezing episodes) and 8 (13.1%) had frequent wheezing (3 and over wheezing episodes). Of the total 61 patients, 18 (29.5%) completed allergy tests. Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.6%) were sensitized to at least 1 allergen. Recurrent wheezing was significantly associated with the severity of bronchiolitis (mild vs. moderate vs. severe; 9.1% vs. 22.2% vs. 66.7%). CONCLUSION: Human bocavirus-induced bronchiolitis in childhood are an independent risk factor for development of wheezing in childhood and may be associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization. The most important risk factor for recurrent wheezing is the severity of lower respiratory tract illnesses.
Bronchiolitis ; Child ; Human bocavirus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Pharynx ; Respiratory Sounds ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical features and culture-positive rates according to the involved lung in adolescent pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of adolescents who ranged in age from 10 to 20 years and who had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of TB at Kwangju Christian Hospital from 2000 to 2008. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were identified with pulmonary TB: median age 16.82 years; 48.5% males. Among them, 90.9% of patients were between 15 and 20 years of age. Most patients presented with multiple symptoms, and the most common included cough (74.2%), sputum (60.6%), fever (39.5%), and night sweating (18.2%). Sputum samples were smear-positive in 28 (42.4%), culture-positive in 40 (60.6%), and PCR-positive in 46 (69.7%). The most common radiological patterns included cavitation in 18 (27.3%), pleural effusion in 18 (27.3%), lymphadenopathy in 10 (15.2%), and tuberculoma in 5 (7.6%). The prevalence of smear, culture, and PCR positive rates increased as the number of involved lobes increased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.05). The median treatment duration was 7 months. Twelve patients (18.2%) had lower lung field TB (Group A) and forty-four patients (66.7%) had other areas involving TB, except for Group A (Group B), and ten patients (15.1%) had only TB pleurisy (Group C). The difference of clinical characteristics and culture rates between group A and group B was not significant. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary TB toward late adolescence is increasing. We need to pay more attention to lower lung field TB, which is difficult to detect with specific radiographic findings.
Adolescent ; Cough ; Fever ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Medical Records ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Although local anesthetics can cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs), most ADRs to local anesthetics are from vasovagal, toxic, or anxiety reactions, while immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated anaphylaxis is extremely rare. We report a case of IgE-mediated anaphylactic reaction to lidocaine. A 27-year-old male patient who had two episodes of anaphylactic reactions after local injection of lidocaine was referred to our clinic for the safe use of local anesthetics for the subsequent dental procedure. Skin prick and intradermal tests were performed with amide local anesthetics; lidocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, and ropivacaine. Lidocaine and mepivacaine showed positive response in prick test, and lidocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine showed positive reactions in intradermal test. Only ropivacaine showed negative response both in prick and in intradermal test, and the patient was successfully treated with it. To detect serum-specific IgE, we prepared lidocaine-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay result showed high level of specific IgE to lidocaine-HSA conjugate in serum of the patient. This case suggests that local anesthetics can elicit specific IgE-mediated allergic reactions, and both skin prick and intradermal test should be performed in case of suspected IgE-mediated allergic response to local anesthetics.
Amides ; Anaphylaxis ; Anesthetics, Local ; Anxiety ; Bupivacaine ; Drug Toxicity ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Intradermal Tests ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Mepivacaine ; Serum Albumin ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Migraine can cause suffering and reduce functioning and productivity. Migraine is usually suboptimally treated, with many migraineurs not being satisfied with the applied acute treatment. Migraine-ACT is a four-item assessment tool used by clinicians to identify patients who require a change in their acute treatment. The objective of this study was to determine validity and reliability of the Korean Migraine-ACT. METHODS: Participants who visited Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital neurology clinic for headache were recruited. The survey employed SF-36, HIT-6, and Migraine-ACT. Headache diagnosis was assigned on ICHD-II after completing a semistructured diagnostic interview. RESULTS: A total of 52 migraine patients aged 38.7+/-14.7 years (mean+/-SD) were recruited. There was a positive correlation between general summary scores on SF-36 and Migraine-ACT (Spearman's correlation coefficient=0.39, p<0.05) and a negative correlation between HIT-6 scores and Migraine-ACT scores (Spearman's correlation coefficient=.0.52, p<0.05). Cronbach's alpha of Migraine-ACT was 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Korean Migraine-ACT is a valid and reliable instrument to identify migraine patients who require a change in their acute treatment.
Aged ; Efficiency ; Headache ; Heart ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; Neurology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Stress, Psychological