Although many studies have focused on dietary habits and behaviors among children, few have looked at individual dietary behaviors and food preferences and their relationships with personality traits. This study examined the relationships between children's dietary behaviors, food preferences and personality traits using a random sample of 236 sixth graders in Chuncheon. Results showed a high prevalence of undesirable dietary behaviors among children: 42.8% of the children had skipped breakfast at least twice a week, 53% had overeaten, 45.8% had eaten irregularly, and 66.5% had eaten an unbalanced meal. These undesirable dietary behaviors were negatively associated with such personality traits as sociability, responsibility, emotional stability, activity, and superiority. When asked about food preference, fruits were most popular while vegetables were least desirable. Total food preference scores were positively correlated with emotional stability (r = .204), activeness (r = .247), sociability (r = .156), responsibility (r = .249), and superiority (r = .133). Preference for meats had negative correlations with responsibility (r = -.133), sociability (r = -.146), and superiority (r = -.132), while preference for vegetables was positively correlated with these personality traits (r = .292, .244, and .230, respectively). In conclusion, the more desirable dietary behaviors and the higher total food preference scores, the more positive the child's personality traits. In addition, preference for vegetables was associated with positive personality traits. The findings suggest the need for continuous attention and guidance on desirable dietary habits for school children both at home and at school.
Breakfast ; Child ; Food Habits ; Food Preferences* ; Fruit ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Meals ; Meat ; Prevalence ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The classic immunotherapy has the inconvenience and the risk of anaphylaxis. Recent reports revealed that immunostimulatory DNA sequences (CpG motif, ISS-ODN) have been shown to act as strong Th1 response-inducing adjuvants and DNA based vaccination might be an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of allergic disease. In our study, we investigated whether ISS-ODN have anti-allergic effect in the mouse rhinitis model of Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), the most common allergen in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHOD: C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with crude extract of Der f extract. After injection of ISS-ODN, several parameters of allergic response were evaluated. RESULTS: Injection with ISS-ODN suppressed itching symptom, eosinophilic infiltration into nasal mucosa and the splenic T cell proliferation after Der f allergen challenge in the murine model of allergic rhinitis. However, injection with ISS-ODN did not show a detectable Der f-specific IgE suppression. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested ISS-ODN have an anti-allergic effect in the allergic rhinitis model of Der f allergen. House dust mite allergy can be reduced by the injection with ISS-ODN.
Anaphylaxis ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cell Proliferation ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; DNA ; Eosinophils ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunotherapy ; Korea ; Mice ; Nasal Mucosa ; Pruritus ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Due to widespread use of computerized tomography (CT) scan to examine patients with variable disease or complaints, detection of incidental or unsuspected gastrointestinal abnormalities are not uncommon. Clinical significance of incidentally detected bowel wall thickening (BWT) on abdominal CT scan is uncertain at present. Despite the necessity for the clinical guidelines describing the evaluation of incidental bowel wall thickening on CT scan, there have been few studies concerning these radiological abnormalities. Our objective was to determine whether endoscopic evaluation is necessary for the evaluation of these abnormal findings. METHODS: This study evaluated one hundred and forty patients with incidentally detected BWT on abdominal CT scan in Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital from 2001 to 2003. 102 patients of those were proceeded by endoscopic evaluation. Forty-eight patients had received upper endoscopy, 26 patients had colonoscopy, while 28 patients had sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Endoscopic work up revealed significant abnormalities in 83% of patients with incidental findings of the distal esophagus, 73% of patients with thickening of the stomach, 35% of patients with thickening of the right colon, and 71% of patients with thickening of the sigmoid colon and rectum. CONCLUSIONS: Although significant pathologic findings are less common in thickening of the right colon than other bowel wall thickening, all of these incidental findings on CT scan warrant further endoscopic evaluation.
Esophagus/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Intestines/pathology/*radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Radiography, Abdominal ; Stomach/radiography ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Phase-partitioning with Triton X-114 (TX114) was applied to the TSP antigen, which may be preferentially associated with the cell wall of M. tuberculosis. The hydrophilic protein components of the TSP antigen were successfully separated from integral hydrophobic macromolecules. To further characterize and examine the cellular immune response of the aqueous fraction of the TSP antigen (TSPa), the in vitro properties of the antigen were measured by lymphoproliferation; surface expression of IL-2 Ra on T lymphocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry; and the cytokine mRNA expression pattern was determined by RT-PCR. Significant lymphoproliferative responses to the TSPa antigen were observed in healthy tuberculin reactive donors after a 5 day in vitro stimulation. TSPa treatment of PBMCs from healthy tuberculin positive subjects for 5 days resulted in progressive augmentation of IFN-r, II 2, and IL-2Ra mRNA expression, as measured by RT-PCR, but considerably reduced IL-4 mRNA expression. In addition, the TSPa antigen stimulated more IL-12 p40 mRNA production than did the PPD antigen, and graduaBy suppressed IL- 10 mRNA expression. Moreover, the CD3' T cells of tuberculin positive subjects displayed a profound increase in their expression of the II 2Ru protein (39.0%) in response to the TSPa antigen. Proliferation was correlated with IL-2 and IL-2Ra mRNAs, but not correlated with distinct IFN-r or IL-12 p40 mRNA production. These findings strongly suggest that the TSPa antigen preferentially evokes the generation of a Thl-like immune response in healthy tuberculin reactors.
Cell Wall ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Neptune ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tissue Donors ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease entity to undergo thoracic surgery. We experienced a 49-year-old man with pulmonary actinomycosis who was admitted due to recurrent hemoptysis. Prior to admission, he was diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis on the basis of his clinical manifestations and chest radiological findings. The plain chest x-ray and chest computed tomography(CT) showed a cavitary lesion in left upper lobe and was given anti-tuberculous medication, but the x-ray revealed no imprcovement. He underwent left upper lobe lobectomy with segmentectomy of lower lobe and the surgical specimen showed no evidence of mycobacterial infection, but revealed sulfur granules which is a typical pathological finding of actinomycosis. He was discharged uneventfully and is scheduled to receive 6 months of antibiotic treatment.
Actinomycosis* ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Rare Diseases ; Sulfur ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

In order to investigate the relationship among physical status, eating habits and life style, this survey was carried out by questionnaire in 1996. College students(413 cases) who resided in Chuncheon answered. The results are as follows: 1) The means of height and weight were 173.9+/-5.0 cm, 64.5+/-8.3 kg in male students and 160.9+/-4.5 cm, 51.1+/-5.8 kg in female students. 2) Under 20 of BMI(Body Mass Index) were 23.0% of male students and 58.3% of female students. 6.7% of males and 3.0% of females were over 25 of BMI. 3) There was a significant relationship between the type of favorite snacks and gender. There was a significant difference of BMI according to the level of the frequency and the amount of drinking alcoholic beverages. 72.6% of subjects took exercise regularly. But the BMI of subjects taking regular exercise and watching the weight tended to be higher than that of subjects not doing so. 4) Most students(78.5%) skipped breakfast, which was higher in the self-boarding students in than any other. It was because of the lack of time that they skipped their meals. This study suggests that a comprehensive nutrition education program is needed for college students in self-boarding houses and dormitories to improve their eating habits about skipping meals, and especially for female students to prevent inappropriate weight control.
Alcoholic Beverages ; Breakfast ; Drinking ; Eating ; Education ; Female ; Food Habits* ; Gangwon-do* ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Meals ; Snacks ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Ginexin (Ginkgo biloba extract) on rat retinal ganglion cell in the optic nerve crush injury model. METHODS: From 1 week before the optic nerve injury, Ginexin 100 mg/kg/day (100 mg group), 200 mg/kg/day (200 mg group) or carboxymethylcellulose as a control group (CMC group) was administrated orally 4 weeks in Spraque-Dawley rats. At 3 weeks after the optic nerve injury, the RGCs were counted and the concentration of intravitreal glutamate was measured. RESULTS: The RGC density of CMC group (103+/-22 cells/mm2) was significantly lower than that of 100 mg group (182+/-39 cells/mm2) and 200 mg group (201+/-63 cells/mm2). There was no difference between the 100 mg group and 200 mg group. The concentration of invtravitreal glutamate did not significantly differ among normal, CMC group, 100 mg group and 200 mg group. CONCLUSIONS: Ginexin increased the survival of the retinal ganglion cell in rat optic nerve crush injury model, but, did not influence on the concentration of intravitreal glutamate.
Animals ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium ; Glutamic Acid ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; Optic Nerve* ; Rats* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells* ; Retinaldehyde*

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome was initially described by Ramsay Hunt in 1907 as herpes zoster of the geniculate ganglion. The frequency of RHS in patients with herpes zoster has been calculated to be about 1%. RHS affects mostly adults; however a small number of children with herpes zoster oticus have been reported. We describe a case of RHS in a healthy 39/12-year-old boy. A complete peripheral facial palsy on the left side was noted as well as vesicles of herpes zoster type on the pinna of the same side. The analysis of sera confirmed the clinical diagnosis of RHS with a positive IgG-ELISA antibody titier. Treatment of acyclovir was tried for 7 days, starting 2 days after facial palsy was objerved. In addition, oral prednisolon, divided into two doses per day, was administered for 5 days and then tapered to zero over the following 10 days. Complete recovery observed after 1 month.
Acyclovir ; Adult ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Facial Paralysis ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Herpes Zoster ; Herpes Zoster Oticus ; Humans ; Male

Tumor-draining lymph node mononuclear (TDLMN) cells are specifically sensitized to the growing tumor but such cells are deficient for mediating an antitumor response. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using mycobacterial 30 kDa or Triton X-100 solubilized protein (TSP) antigen to stimulate mononuclear cells of colon cancer-draining lymph node for the generation of cell mediated immune effector cells. The proliferative response of TDLMN cells stimulated with mycobacterial 30 kDa or TSP antigen was determined by H-thymidine incorporation assay. The proliferation of TDLMN cells to mycobacterial 30 kDa or TSP antigen was significantly increased in PPD (+) patients, but a poor response to the 30 kDa or TSP antigen was observed in PPD (-). The expression on ro T cells to mycobacterial 30 kDa or TSP antigen was assessed by flow cytometry. The ro T cells from PPD (+) patient responded only to 30 kDa antigen but to TSP antigen. An investigation of cytokine mRNA expression was undertaken using reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to follow TDLMN cells stimulated with the 30 kDa or TSP antigens for 5 days. The IFN-r and TNF-a mRNA expression was only induced in TDLMN cells of PPD (+) patient in response to the 30 kDa or TSP antigen. The IL-2 mRNA expression was induced in both PPD (+) and PPD (-) in response to the 30 kDa or TSP antigen. But the IL-4 mRNA expression was not induced in response to the 30 kDa or TSP antigen. These results suggest that the 30 kDa and TSP antigens may serve as biologic response modifier for the generation of cell mediated immune effector cells.
Colon* ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymph Nodes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Negotiating ; Neptune* ; Octoxynol* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes

The chromosome band 11q23 is a common target region of chromosomal translocation in different types of leukemia, including infantile leukemia and therapy-related leukemia. The target gene at 11q23, MLL, is disrupted by the translocation and becomes fused to various translocation partners. We report a case of AML with a rare 3-way translocation involving chromosomes 1, 9, and 11: t(1;9;11)(p34.2;p22;q23). A 3-yr-old Korean girl presented with a 5-day history of fever. A diagnosis of AML was made on the basis of the morphological evaluation and immunophenotyping of bone marrow specimens. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping showed blasts positive for myeloid lineage markers and aberrant CD19 expression. Karyotypic analysis showed 46,XX,t(1;9;11)(p34.2;p22;q23) in 19 of the 20 cells analyzed. This abnormality was involved in MLL/MLLT3 rearrangement, which was confirmed by qualitative multiplex reverse transcription-PCR and interphase FISH. She achieved morphological and cytogenetic remission after 1 month of chemotherapy and remained event-free for 6 months. Four cases of t(1;9;11)(v;p22;q23) have been reported previously in a series that included cases with other 11q23 abnormalities, making it difficult to determine the distinctive clinical features associated with this abnormality. To our knowledge, this is the first description of t(1;9;11) with clinical and laboratory data, including the data for the involved genes, MLL/MLLT3.
Antigens, CD19/metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells/pathology ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/*diagnosis/genetics/immunology ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/*genetics ; Nuclear Proteins/*genetics ; *Translocation, Genetic