OBJECTIVES: the effect of different sterilization methods on the surface morphology of PPDO-hybrid-PLGA nanofiber scaffold and attachments of PC12 cell were investigated. METHODS: Poly (p-dioxone)-hybrid-Poly (lactide-glycolide) (PPDO-hybrid-PLGA) nanofiber scaffold, fabricated in a tube form with 1.5 mm internal diameter, 0.2 mm thickness and 5 mm length, was prepared using electrospinning method. To study the surface morphology using SEM, The study group and control group in respective were; Control:Non-sterilized scaffold, Group I:scaffold sterilized with 70% Alcohol, Group II: scaffold sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 65 degrees C, and Group III: scaffold sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 37 degrees C. To investigate viability of the PC12 cell on the scaffold, The study group and control group in respective were; Control: sterilized with 70% Alcohol, Group I: sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 65 degrees C, and Group II: sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 37 degrees C. RESULTS: 1. The surface morphology was slightly changed in Group I, II and GroupIII, compared with control. 2. The attachment of PC12 cells in Group I, II was not higher than in control DISCUSSION: The attachment of PC12 cell is not influenced by different sterilization methods.
Animals ; Ethylene Oxide ; Ethylenes ; Nanofibers ; PC12 Cells ; Sterilization

Background: Despite the considerable disease burden due to trauma injury, sufficient effort has not been made for the assessment of nationwide trauma care status in Korea. We explored the feasibility of a diagnosis code-based injury severity measuring method in light of its realworld usage. Methods: We used datasets from the National Emergency Department Information System to calculate the survival risk ratios (SRRs) and the Korean Trauma Data Bank to predict models, respectively. The target cohort was split into training and validation datasets using stratified random sampling in an 8:2 ratio. We established six major mortality prediction models depending on the included parameters: 1) the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) (age, sex, original Revised Trauma Score [RTS], Injury Severity Score [ISS]), 2) extended International Classification of Diseases-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS) 1 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using international SRRs), 3) extended ICISS 2 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 4) extended ICISS 3 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes), 5) extended ICISS 4 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 6) extended ICISS 5 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes). We estimated the model using training datasets and fitted it to the validation datasets. We measured the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminative ability. Overall performance was also evaluated using the Brier score. Results: We observed the feasibility of the extended ICISS models, though their performance was slightly lower than the TRISS model (training cohort, AUC 0.936–0.938 vs. 0.949).Regarding SRR calculation methods, we did not find statistically significant differences.The alternative use of the Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive Scale instead of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the RTS calculation did not degrade model performance. Conclusion The availability of the practical ICISS model was observed based on the model performance. We expect our ICISS model to contribute to strengthening the Korean Trauma Care System by utilizing mortality prediction and severity classification.

Background: Despite the considerable disease burden due to trauma injury, sufficient effort has not been made for the assessment of nationwide trauma care status in Korea. We explored the feasibility of a diagnosis code-based injury severity measuring method in light of its realworld usage. Methods: We used datasets from the National Emergency Department Information System to calculate the survival risk ratios (SRRs) and the Korean Trauma Data Bank to predict models, respectively. The target cohort was split into training and validation datasets using stratified random sampling in an 8:2 ratio. We established six major mortality prediction models depending on the included parameters: 1) the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) (age, sex, original Revised Trauma Score [RTS], Injury Severity Score [ISS]), 2) extended International Classification of Diseases-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS) 1 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using international SRRs), 3) extended ICISS 2 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 4) extended ICISS 3 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes), 5) extended ICISS 4 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 6) extended ICISS 5 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes). We estimated the model using training datasets and fitted it to the validation datasets. We measured the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminative ability. Overall performance was also evaluated using the Brier score. Results: We observed the feasibility of the extended ICISS models, though their performance was slightly lower than the TRISS model (training cohort, AUC 0.936–0.938 vs. 0.949).Regarding SRR calculation methods, we did not find statistically significant differences.The alternative use of the Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive Scale instead of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the RTS calculation did not degrade model performance. Conclusion The availability of the practical ICISS model was observed based on the model performance. We expect our ICISS model to contribute to strengthening the Korean Trauma Care System by utilizing mortality prediction and severity classification.

Background: Despite the considerable disease burden due to trauma injury, sufficient effort has not been made for the assessment of nationwide trauma care status in Korea. We explored the feasibility of a diagnosis code-based injury severity measuring method in light of its realworld usage. Methods: We used datasets from the National Emergency Department Information System to calculate the survival risk ratios (SRRs) and the Korean Trauma Data Bank to predict models, respectively. The target cohort was split into training and validation datasets using stratified random sampling in an 8:2 ratio. We established six major mortality prediction models depending on the included parameters: 1) the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) (age, sex, original Revised Trauma Score [RTS], Injury Severity Score [ISS]), 2) extended International Classification of Diseases-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS) 1 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using international SRRs), 3) extended ICISS 2 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 4) extended ICISS 3 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes), 5) extended ICISS 4 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 6) extended ICISS 5 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes). We estimated the model using training datasets and fitted it to the validation datasets. We measured the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminative ability. Overall performance was also evaluated using the Brier score. Results: We observed the feasibility of the extended ICISS models, though their performance was slightly lower than the TRISS model (training cohort, AUC 0.936–0.938 vs. 0.949).Regarding SRR calculation methods, we did not find statistically significant differences.The alternative use of the Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive Scale instead of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the RTS calculation did not degrade model performance. Conclusion The availability of the practical ICISS model was observed based on the model performance. We expect our ICISS model to contribute to strengthening the Korean Trauma Care System by utilizing mortality prediction and severity classification.

Background: Despite the considerable disease burden due to trauma injury, sufficient effort has not been made for the assessment of nationwide trauma care status in Korea. We explored the feasibility of a diagnosis code-based injury severity measuring method in light of its realworld usage. Methods: We used datasets from the National Emergency Department Information System to calculate the survival risk ratios (SRRs) and the Korean Trauma Data Bank to predict models, respectively. The target cohort was split into training and validation datasets using stratified random sampling in an 8:2 ratio. We established six major mortality prediction models depending on the included parameters: 1) the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) (age, sex, original Revised Trauma Score [RTS], Injury Severity Score [ISS]), 2) extended International Classification of Diseases-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS) 1 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using international SRRs), 3) extended ICISS 2 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 4) extended ICISS 3 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes), 5) extended ICISS 4 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 6) extended ICISS 5 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes). We estimated the model using training datasets and fitted it to the validation datasets. We measured the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminative ability. Overall performance was also evaluated using the Brier score. Results: We observed the feasibility of the extended ICISS models, though their performance was slightly lower than the TRISS model (training cohort, AUC 0.936–0.938 vs. 0.949).Regarding SRR calculation methods, we did not find statistically significant differences.The alternative use of the Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive Scale instead of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the RTS calculation did not degrade model performance. Conclusion The availability of the practical ICISS model was observed based on the model performance. We expect our ICISS model to contribute to strengthening the Korean Trauma Care System by utilizing mortality prediction and severity classification.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pamidronate therapy in children and adolescents with secondary osteoporosis. METHODS: Nine patients (7 males, 2 females, 13.2 +/- 2.5 years, 10.1-17.4 years) with secondary osteoporosis who had a history of severe bone pain and/or fracture were enrolled. Intravenous pamidronate 1.5 mg/kg (0.5 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days) was given every 6 to 8 weeks for 0.86 +/- 0.15 years (6 or 8 cycles). Bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar spine and femoral neck and their Z-scores were measured before treatment, after the fourth and last cycle (sixth or eighth cycle). RESULTS: Underlying diseases were as follows; neurofibromatosis type 1 (n = 2), epilepsy with/without cerebral palsy (N=2), autoimmune disease treated with steroid (n = 2), hematologic malignancy (n = 3). Bone pain was relieved in most of the patients after the first cycle of treatment, and no more fracture occurred thereafter. There was a significant increase in BMD Z-score of the lumbar spine and femoral neck after the last cycle of therapy, compared to baseline values (from -3.91 +/- 1.79 to 1.86 +/- 1.18, in L1-4 and -3.71 +/- 1.83 to -2.53 +/- 1.77 for femoral neck; P = 0.008 and 0.011, respectively). However, there was no significant change in BMD Z-scores between the fourth cycle and the last cycle. Fever developed in 7 out of 9 patients (77.8%), which was relieved by antipyretics. Total serum levels of calcium and phosphorus were significantly decreased (calcium, P = 0.008; phosphorus, P = 0.015) after pamidronate therapy, and three of them experienced symptomatic hypocalcemia during the first cycle. The growth velocity was normal during follow-up periods (mean, 4.47 +/- 1.69 years; range, 1.05 to 6.77 years). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pamidronate can be administered to the patients with secondary osteoporosis, relieving the symptoms and signs effectively and safely. However, its side effects should be monitored during treatment.
Adolescent ; Antipyretics ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Diphosphonates ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Male ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Osteoporosis ; Phosphorus ; Spine

PURPOSE:Enhanced immunosuppression for preventing acute rejection, But infection is an inevitable complication. This study was performed to evaluate the risk factors of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection which are frequent and serious complication of renal transplant recipients. METHOD:We evaluated the incidence and risk factors for post-transplant HSV and VZV infection in three hundred and twenty three adult renal transplant recipients. RESULTS:The averaged period of infection was 37.8 months and 42% of infection occurred within six month after transplantation. Prevalence of HSV and VZV infection in diabetes patients are higher than that of non-diabetes patients (p=0.01). The other factors such as age, sex, acute rejection and immunosuppressive regimens, antibody induction didnt affect HSV and VZV infections in renal transplant recipients. CONCLUSION:As diabetic condition suggested more susceptibility to HSV and VZV infections, it is necessary to evaluate the possible occurrence of HSV and VZV infections carefully in transplant recipients with diabetes.
Adult ; Chickenpox ; Herpes Simplex ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Methylmethacrylates ; Polystyrenes ; Prevalence ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Risk Factors ; Simplexvirus ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Young infants with suspected sepsis routinely undergo laboratory evaluation. In particular, when an infant is a newborn baby, evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been frequently included, because the prognosis is poor, irrespectively of the etiology of meningitis. We aimed to examine the clinical predictors of CSF pleocytosis among the newborns. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all infants, aged 30 days or younger, requiring lumbar puncture. Electronic data sources provided the demographic data of the newborns, the clinical manifestations, and all laboratory values. After a univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed to predict newborns at increased risk for CSF pleocytosis. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen newborns were studied; 20 of whom (17.7%) had CSF pleocytosis. Fever was significantly associated with CSF pleocytosis (P=0.008, OR=5.08, 95% CI, 1.39-18.54). The infants with lethargic appearance also had an increased risk for CSF pleocytosis. Blood urea nitrogen level was higher in patients with pleocytosis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that other clinical features and laboratory data were not significant, except for fever and lethargy. A total of 45% of the infants with CSF pleocytosis were diagnosed with serious bacterial infection, as opposed to 19.4% of those without CSF pleocytosis. CONCLUSION: In case of neonates, it would be better to perform lumbar puncture, when the infant has fever or lethargic appearance, although, the results of routine laboratory tests were nonspecific.
Aged ; Bacterial Infections ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lethargy ; Leukocytosis ; Logistic Models ; Meningitis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Spinal Puncture

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if timing of enterostomy repair described in terms of postmenstrual age (PMA) could influence postoperative course, complications, and growth. METHODS: Under the Institutional Review Board approval, records of preterm infants who underwent enterostomy and subsequent repair from 2007 to 2013 at Seoul national university children's hospital were reviewed. Records of infants with congenital anomalies were excluded. Data collected included baseline characteristics, PMA, weight at enterostomy and enterostomy repair, postoperative course, enterostomy repair-related complications, and follow-up growth after repair. For analysis, patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 with enterostomy repaired before PMA 40 weeks; and group 2 with enterostomy repaired since PMA 40 weeks. RESULTS: There were 54 infants: 16 in group 1 and 38 in group 2. The median weight at the time of enterostomy repair was greater in group 2 compared to those of group 1. Group 1 infants had more complications and had to be ventilated longer after enterostomy repair. They required longer periods of total parenteral nutrition and took longer to reach full enteral feeding. Group 1 infants also needed longer hospital stay after enterostomy repair. No statistical difference was observed in growth after discharge. CONCLUSION: The timing of enterostomy repair influences postoperative course and complications significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that enterostomy repair should be withheld until PMA 40 weeks. For predicting long term prognosis, more studies will be required.
Enteral Nutrition ; Enterostomy* ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Length of Stay ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Prognosis ; Seoul

ABSTRACT To assess the quality of nutrient intake by area of Korean adults, a dietary survey with the 3-day record method was obtained from 324 subjects aged 40 years and older but younger than 70 (52.4 +/- 8.7) living in a rural area (Ansung) and suburban area of a middle-sized city (Ansan). The quality of nutrient intake was assessed by analyzing Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR), Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) and Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). The average daily mean energy intakes were 1,832 kcal for Ansung and 1,842 kcal for Ansan, respectively. Daily intakes of fat for Ansung and Ansan subjects were 40.9 and 40.3 g, and those for protein were 75.1 and 73.1 g, respectively. The overall calorie: protein: fat ratio (CPF) of energy intake was 63 : 17 : 20. Daily mean intakes of protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, carotene, sodium, thiamin, and niacin were significantly higher in Ansung residents than in Ansan subjects (p< .05). The average intakes of energy, calcium, vitamin A were lower than Recommend Dietary Allowance (RDA) in both areas. Note, over 30% of the study subjects had less than 75% of RDA of calcium, vitamin A and riboflavin. The MAR was higher in Ansung than Ansan residents (0.86 and 0.85, respectively; p< .05). INQs were over 1 for most nutrients except calcium (0.87), and that of calcium and phosphorus was each significantly higher in Ansung than Ansan subjects. Based on these results, nutrient intake quality of subjects aged 40 to 69 years living in the surveyed rural area is comparable to that of semi-industrialized suburban area in Korea. Dietary deficiency in all of calcium, vitamin A, and riboflavin, however, was a common problem for both rural and suburban residents.
Adult* ; Calcium ; Carotenoids ; Energy Intake ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea ; Niacin ; Nutritive Value ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Vitamin A