PURPOSE: The aim of this study is that the prevalence of rotavirus infection was evaluated by each group and clinical features of group A, B and C rotaviruses infections were described respectively to compare one with another. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2010, we enrolled a group of children below 10 years of age admitted for management of acute diarrhea at the Catholic University of Korea Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital. A total of 310 stool samples documented to be free of common bacterial pathogens were collected from children with diarrhea. The presence of group A, B or C rotavirus is indicated by amplification of DNA segments of the expected lengths after the first and second PCRs. RESULTS: In a total of 310 stool specimens, 40 (12.9%) specimens were positive for rotaviruses. These included 23 (7.4%) positive for group A, 5 (1.6%) for group B and 12 (3.9%) for group C rotaviruses. Group B rotavirus infected patients had significantly less diarrheas per day (group A: P=0.01, group C: P=0.01) and shorter duration of vomiting days (group A: P=0.03, group C: P=0.03) than those with group A and C rotaviruses infection respectively. All the group B rotaviruses had been isolated in March and October. Group C rotavirus infections were prevalent during late summer and early winter and peaked in October. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that group B and C rotaviruses are notable causes or the contributing causes of diarrhea among infants and children in Korea.
Child* ; Diarrhea ; DNA ; Gastroenteritis* ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Rotavirus ; Rotavirus Infections ; Vomiting

Epstein's syndrome is a rare disease whish is characterized by the association of thrombocytopenia, macrothrombocytopathia, nephritis and deafness. We experienced a case of Epstein's syndrome in a 12 years old male patient who was presented with a life long history of bleeding, usually as epistaxis, bilateral sensorineural deafness and hematuria with proteinuria starting in late childhood. Hematologic studies showed thrombocytopenia with giant platelets and anemia. A bone marrow aspirate revealed the megakaryocytes to be adequate in number and many giant size platelets. Platelet do not respond to addition of A and epinephrine; collagen and ristocetin induced agglutination response is decreased. It is difficult to be certain the association of thrombocytopenia with giant platelets, nephritis and deafness constitutes a new hereditary disease with a distinct pathogenesis or if it is an expansion of the well recognized Alport's syndrome of hereditary nephritis deafness. We report a case of Epstein's syndrome syndrome with brief review of related literatures.
Agglutination ; Anemia ; Blood Platelets ; Bone Marrow ; Child ; Collagen ; Deafness ; Epinephrine ; Epistaxis ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Megakaryocytes ; Nephritis ; Nephritis, Hereditary ; Proteinuria ; Rare Diseases ; Ristocetin ; Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by widespread bodily pain, tenderness at multiple sites, and fatigue. It has a major impact on the quality of life. However, there has been no report regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Korean patients with FM. The objective of this study was to assess the HRQOL and the correlation among each measurement and to identify the predictors for HRQOL in Korean patients with FM. METHODS: The HRQOL and clinical parameters were assessed by Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), time trade off (TTO), standard gamble (SG), Centers for Epidemiologic StudiesDepression (CES-D), social support, self-efficacy scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and tender points, respectively, from 104 outpatients with FM. RESULTS: Of the 104 subjects, 99 (95.2 %) were women with mean (+/-SD) age of 49.2 years (+/-11.1). The mean (+/-SD) years of disease onset was 8.06 (+/-7.38). The mean (+/-SD) scores of SF-36 global, mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) were 41.6 (+/-19.8), 47.4 (+/-25.0), and 43.5 (+/-23.7), respectively. The SF-36 GH, PCS, MCS scores of FM patients were lower than that of healthy controls (p<0.001). The mean (+/-SD) EQ-5D utility and visual analog scale (VAS) were 0.52 (+/-0.32) and 55.6 (+/-19.4). The mean (+/-SD) scores of the TTO and SG were 0.49 (+/-0.44) and 0.47 (+/-0.42). The mean (+/-SD) scores of CES-D, self-efficacy scale, social support and social network were 16.0 (+/-10.2), 55.9 (+/-19.4), 2.37 (+/-0.27), and 2.07 (+/-0.58), respectively. The mean (+/-SD) scores of FIQ was 46.4 (+/-17.7). The FIQ total score was negatively correlated with the scores of SF-36 GH, MCS, PCS, EQ-5D utility and VAS, TTO, SG, social support, social network, and self-efficacy scale (r=-0.63, r=-0.60, r=-0.48, r=-0.59, r=-0.56, r=-0.32, r=-0.27, r=-0.25, r=-0.31, r=-0.54, respectively. all p's<0.001), and positively correlated with the CES-D (r=0.67, p<0.001). In multivariate models, the predicting variables of SF-36 GH and PCS were age, FIQ, and self-efficacy and the predicting variables of SF-36 MCS were income, FIQ, and social support. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the HRQOL in Korean patients with FM is lower than healthy subjects. In a simple correlation analysis, FIQ, CES-D, social support, and self-efficacy were meaningful variables correlated with HRQOL. In multivariate model, age, FIQ, and self-efficacy were independent variables correlated with HRQOL. Therefore, the efforts to improve HRQOL in Korean patients with FM should be designed to improve the self-efficacy and depression in addition to conventional approach.
Depression ; Fatigue ; Female ; Fibromyalgia* ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visual Analog Scale

A 29 kDa cysteine protease of Taenia solium metacestodes was purified by Mono Q anion-exchanger and Superose 6 HR gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme was effectively inhibited by cysteine protease inhibitors, such as iodoacetic acid (IAA) and trans-epoxy-succinyl-L-leucyl-amido (4-guanidino) butane (E-64) while inhibitors acting on serine- or metallo-proteases did not affect the enzyme activity. The purified enzyme degraded human immunoglobulin G (IgG), collagen and bovine serum albumin (BSA), but human IgG was more susceptible for proteolysis by the enzyme. To define the precise biological roles of the enzyme, more detailed biochemical and functional studies would be required.
Taenia solium/*enzymology ; Serum Albumin, Bovine/metabolism ; Leucine/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Iodoacetic Acid/pharmacology ; Immunoglobulin G/metabolism ; Humans ; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Cysteine Endopeptidases/chemistry/*isolation & purification/metabolism ; Collagen/metabolism ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Chromatography, Gel ; Animals

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine prerequisite-program performance of the hospital foodservice operation and develop measures for improvement of prerequisite-program performance. METHODS: Data were collected through surveys administered to 168 hospital dieticians in the Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Daegu, and North Gyeongsang areas. Out of total questionnaires, 65 questionnaires were usable and the response rate was 38.7%. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS program (ver 20.0) for chi2-test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: According to the result of the prerequisite-program evaluation, the percentage of 'appropriate', 'needs to be improved', and 'inappropriate' was 44.6%, 47.7%, and 7.7%, respectively. The score for the 'inappropriate' group was significantly lower than that of the 'appropriate' group or 'needs to be improved' group on the food safety management (p < 0.001), preparation facility management (p < 0.001), water management (p < 0.001), and storage.transportation management (p < 0.05) parts. Holding rate of foodservice facility and equipments in the 'appropriate' group were significantly higher than in the others on convection oven (p < 0.01), air conditioner (p < 0.01), three-compartment sink (p < 0.01), hot-holding equipment (p < 0.01), cold-holding equipment (p < 0.05), exclusive thawing refrigerator (p < 0.05), and sterilizer for sanitary shoes (p < 0.05) items. CONCLUSION: To improve the quality of hospital foodservice, foodservice managers and HACCP specialists should develop and implement a prerequisite-program and a HACCP plan considering the characteristics of the hospital foodservice operation.
Convection ; Daegu ; Food Safety ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points* ; Hospitals, General* ; Incheon ; Nutritionists ; Seoul ; Shoes ; Specialization ; Water

The purpose of this study was to investigate utilization and storage management practice of the frozen and refrigerated foods in school foodservice. 222 dietitians employed in school foodservice were surveyed. In school foodservice, the refrigerated stock farm products and seafoods (78.3%) were more used rather than frozen products (47.5%). According to school foodservice characteristics, the refrigerated meats including dairy products were more frequently used in elementary and middle schools than high school foodservice. On the other hand, the foodservice in high school used more frozen seafoods and processed foods than elementary school did. The data also showed a tendency for the contracted foodservice using more frozen meats and seafoods rather than refrigerated products when comparing with the self-operated foodservice. In terms of receiving conditions, storage methods and storage time, the result indicated that frozen or refrigerated products were often delivered at inappropriate temperature. Especially some products which were needed to be shipped and stored at refrigerated temperature such as mollusks, were delivered and kept at room temperature. The most frequently used thawing method were running water (56.9%), however, the frozen products were often sitted at room temperature for the purpose of thawing. According to the results, several inappropriate handling processes for frozen and refrigerated products were found in school foodservice. In order to improve handling process for frozen and refrigerated products, recognition of food handlers' weakness about storage and distribution, development of radical standards for receiving conditions, storage and thawing methods should be debated.
Dairy Products ; Hand ; Humans ; Meat* ; Mollusca ; Nutritionists ; Running ; Seafood* ; Ships ; Water

In this study, Artemisia capillaries, which has been used as a folk remedy, was investigated for its antimicrobial activity. First, the Aremisia capillaris was extracted with methanol at room temperature, and fractionation of the methanol extracts from Artemisia capillaris was carried out using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Second, the antimicrobial activity of the Artemisia capillaris extracts was determined using a paper disc method and minimum inhibitory concentration of ethyl acetate extracts from Artemisia capillaris against food-borne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria was measured. Finally, the growth inhibition curve was determined using ethyl acetate extracts of Artemisia capillaris against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium. The ethyl acetate extract of Artemisia capillaris showed strong antimicrobial activity against S. typhimurium at a concentration of 1,000 ppm. The 3,000 ppm of ethyl acetate extract from Artemisia capillaris retarded the growth of S. aureus and S. typhimurium for up to 6 hours.
Artemisia* ; Bacteria ; Capillaries ; Chloroform ; Ether ; Medicine, Traditional ; Methanol ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Petroleum ; Salmonella typhimurium ; Staphylococcus aureus

This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial effect of the Pulsatilla koreana extracts against food-borne pathogens. First, the Pulsatilla koreana was extracted with methanol at room temperatures, and fractionation of the methanol extracts from Pulsatilla koreana was carried out by using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and methanol respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the Pulsatilla koreana extracts was determined using a paper disc method against food-borne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. The ethyl acetate extracts of Pulsatilla koreana showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis and Shigella dysenteriae. The Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae were inhibited by petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Pulsatilla koreana as well as ethyl acetate extracts of Pulsatilla koreana. The synergistic effect has been found in combined extracts of Pulsatilla koreana and Portulaca oleracea as compared to each extracts alone. Finally, the growth inhibition curve was determined using ethyl acetate extracts of Pulsatilla koreana against Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. The ethyl acetate extract of Pulsatilla koreana showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at the concentration of 2,000 ppm. The 2,000 ppm of ethyl acetate extract from Pulsatilla koreana retarded the growth of S. aureus more than 12 hours and Shigella dysenteriae up to 9 hours.
Bacteria ; Chloroform ; Ether ; Methanol ; Petroleum ; Portulaca ; Pulsatilla* ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Shigella dysenteriae ; Staphylococcus aureus

This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial effect of the Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. extracts against food-borne pathogens. First, the Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. was extracted with methanol at room temperatures, and fractionation of the methanol extracts from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. was carried out by using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and methanol respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. extracts was determined using a paper disc method against food-borne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. The petroleum ether extracts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The synergistic effect has been found in combined extracts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. and Perillae folium as compared to each extracts alone. Finally, the growth inhibition curve was determined using ethyl acetate extracts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. against Bacillus Cereus and Salmonella Enteritidis. The petroleum ether extract of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. showed strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus Cereus at the concentration of 4,000 ppm. The 4,000 ppm of petroleum ether extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. retarded the growth of Bacillus Cereus more than 24 hours and Salmonella Enteritidis up to 36 hours. The petroleum ether extracts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. has been shown the antimicrobial effect against Bacillus Cereus and Salmonella Enteritidis.
Agrimonia* ; Bacillus cereus ; Bacteria ; Chloroform ; Ether ; Methanol ; Perilla ; Petroleum ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Salmonella enteritidis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the biochemical characteristics and dietary intake of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years according to the frequency of milk consumption. Methods: Data from the 2010~2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used for the study. The study examined adolescents’ (12~18 years) demographic characteristics (house income level, residence region, skipping or not-skipping of breakfast/lunch/dinner, eatingout frequency), anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, weight status), biochemical characteristics (fasting plasma glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatine, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, hemoglobin, hematocrit) and nutrient intakes through quantitative and qualitative evaluation using the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes (KDRI), index of nutrition quality (INQ), nutrition adequacy ratio (NAR) of 3 groups (< 1/week, 1~6/week, 1/day) according to the frequency of milk consumption. Results: There were significant differences in gender and income levels among the 3 groups.There were no differences in height, weight, and weight status among groups. There were differences in biochemical characteristics and nutrient intake. In boys, there were differences in the mean of BUN and HDL-cholesterol, in quantitative intakes of riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium by KDRI levels, in qualitative intakes of riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus by INQ and riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus by NAR among 3 groups. In girls, there were differences in the mean of blood urea nitrogen, creatine, HDL-cholesterol, in quantitative intakes of protein, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus by KDRI levels, in qualitative intakes of riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus by INQ and riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus by NAR among the 3 groups. Conclusions In Korean adolescents, boys had a higher frequency of milk consumption than girls, and higher the income level, higher the frequency of milk consumption. Consumption of milk appeared to have a positive association with triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and indices related to muscle mass. Regular consumption of milk is an important factor in enhancing the intake of riboflavin, calcium, and phosphorus, which adolescents lack. The results of the study indicate a need to prepare an environment and education program to increase milk consumption in adolescents at home and school.