Norovirus (NV) has caused large outbreaks of gastroenteritis in schools. Studies of NV epidemiology in schools related to NV outbreaks have been frequently reported. However, reports of that in schools without outbreaks are not found. Presently, NV molecular epidemiology surveillance was carried out in asymptomatic food handlers working at nonoutbreak elementary schools in Incheon, Korea, in March, April and December, 2009. NV prevalence was examined by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and the positive products were re-evaluated by conventional RT-PCR for sequencing. Fecal samples (n = 776) were collected from 776 food handlers in 60 schools. NV was detected in 26 of them (3.4%). Of these, 17 (65%) were positive for NV GII and 10 (38%) were positive for NV GI. Of the 26 samples, 19 were positive by conventional RT-PCR. Sequencing of these 19 strains revealed GII/4 (n = 5), GI/6 (n = 3), GI/14 (n = 2), GII/8 (n = 2), GI/2 (n = 2), GI/10 (n = 1), GII/1 (n = 1), GII/3 (n = 1), GII/7 (n = 1), and GII/16 (n = 1). In this survey, the food handler population unrelated to NV outbreaks was found to normally contain asymptomatic carriers of NV. The excretion of NV from asymptomatic food handlers should be an infection source of NV outbreaks.
Adult ; Caliciviridae Infections/*epidemiology/genetics ; Feces/virology ; Female ; Food Handling ; Gastroenteritis/*epidemiology/genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Norovirus/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral/analysis ; Republic of Korea ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Schools ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the predictive factors for detecting grade III-V vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in young infants less than 3 months with urinary tract infections (UTI). METHODS: Data of infants who underwent ultrasonography and VCUG between January 2004 and September 2007 were reviewed. Age, gender, incidence of bacteremia, C-reactive protein(CRP) and imaging studies were compared between group I(grade III-V VUR) and group II (normal or grade I and II VUR) retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, odds ratio, and likelihood ratio of ultrasonography for high grade VUR were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 54 enrolled infants(41 males, 13 females), 14 infants were group I and 40 infants were group II. In the group I, CRP level was significantly higher(6.11+/-5.18 vs. 3.27+/-3.45, P=0.025), and there were more ultrasonographic abnormal findings(71.4%, vs. 22.5%, P=0.002) compared with group II. However, ultrasonography was the only significant factor after adjusting with logistic regression(P=0.002). Incidence of bacteremia and abnormal DMSA findings were not significantly different in two groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio of ultrasonography was 71.4%, 77.5%, 6.9 respectively. Negative predictive value was 88.6% and negative likelihood ratio was 0.37. Ultrasonography had significant negative likelihood ratio for grade III-V VUR, but missed 4 infants with grade III VUR. CONCLUSION: We could not find any alternative predictive factors to reduce VCUG in detecting high grade VUR. Therefore, VCUG must be considered in young infants less than 3 months with UTI.
Bacteremia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Prednisolone ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of fluid on the acid-base and electrolytes status and renal function after kidney transplantation (KT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 103 patients who underwent KT. Analyses were performed separately according to the donor type (living, 52; deceased, 51). In the living donor KT group, 28 patients received normal saline solution (NS) and 24 patients received Hartmann's solution (HS). In the deceased donor KT group, 27 patients received NS, and 24 received HS. The acid-base and electrolyte status, urine volume, and renal function between patients receiving NS and patients receiving HS were compared in each group. RESULTS: Regardless of donor type, there were no differences in potassium, pH, base excess, PCO2 and HCO3 between HS and NS on immediate postoperative and postoperative day 1. However, changes to neutral acid-base balance in terms of pH, HCO3, and base excess were significantly higher in HS than in NS. In living donor KT, NS increased serum potassium and chloride significantly during fluid therapy. On postoperative day 7, renal function showed no difference between two groups but urine volume was significantly larger in NS than in HS. CONCLUSIONS: HS does not increase the incidence of hyperkalemia after KT. The use of HS resulted in less metabolic acidosis than the use of NS. Renal function was similar but polyuria was more severe in patients who received NS than in those who received HS.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Acidosis ; Electrolytes* ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyperkalemia ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Living Donors ; Polyuria ; Potassium ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium Chloride* ; Tissue Donors

OBJECTIVES: Self perceived body image among women is drawing a lot of attention in Korea due to their unhealthy weight control behaviors. To determine the relationship between self-perceived body image and dietary behaviors among Korean women, the discrepancy between actual body size and body image perception, weight control behaviors were assessed based on age groups using the 2010 KNHANES data. METHODS: A total of 1,747 subjects were selected after eliminating those of likely changing their diet recently using the 2010 KNHANES data. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, self-underweight, self-normal, and self-obese according to their perception of body image. The BMI and weight control behaviors were assessed based on age groups according to the body image perception. RESULTS: The younger, the higher ratio of underweight, women perceived their body size as normal or overweight. Exercise and reduced food intakes were dominant among various weight control methods but unhealthy methods were dominant among self perceived overweight group. CONCLUSIONS: Incorrect body image perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors can cause nutritional problems. Nutritional education should emphasize the importance of healthy weight and proper body image perception for Korean women.
Body Image* ; Body Size ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Overweight ; Thinness ; Weight Perception

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) imaging findings and clinical symptoms of patients who complained of neurosensory disturbances after mandibular implant surgery, and to investigate the relationships of these parameters with the prognosis for recovery. METHODS: CT scans were reviewed in 56 patients with nerve disturbance after mandibular implant surgery. Two oral radiologists classified the imaging findings into intrusion, contact, close, and separate groups according to the distance from the inferior border of the implant to the roof of the mandibular canal (MC). The symptoms of 56 patients were classified into 8 groups and the frequency of each group was investigated. Patients were categorized according to symptom improvement into no recovery and recovery groups, and the relationships of recovery with the CT classification and specific symptom groups were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of the 56 nerve disturbance cases showed improvement. The close and separate groups in the CT classification had a strong tendency for recovery (90.9% and 81.8%, respectively) (P<0.05). Although the lowest recovery rate was found in the intrusion group, it was non-negligible, at 50%. The 6 patients with a worm crawling feeling all improved, while the 8 cases with a tightening sensation showed the lowest recovery rate, at 12.5%, and the symptom of a tightening sensation occurred only in the intrusion and contact groups. CONCLUSIONS: The closer the implant fixture was to the MC on CT images, the less likely the patient was to recover. Regarding paresthesia symptoms, while a worm crawling feeling is thought to be a predictor of recovery, a tightening sensation appeared to be associated with a lower recovery rate.
Classification ; Humans ; Mandibular Nerve ; Paresthesia ; Prognosis ; Sensation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Neurofibromatosis type I is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene. Although it is characterized by a number of distinct clinical features, including cafe au lait macules, freckling in the axillary or inguinal regions, neurofibromas, and Lisch nodules (iris harmartomas), it can affect all physiological systems in the body [1]. Neurofibromatosis-related pulmonary hypertension has also been reported, and some patients showed a poor prognosis despite having received proper medical treatment [2-4]. We herein describe a case of pulmonary hypertension in a patient with neurofibromatosis type I who had no identified risk factors of pulmonary hypertension. To our knowledge, this is the first such report in Korea.
Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Korea ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1* ; Neurofibromin 1 ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors

Neurofibromatosis type I is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene. Although it is characterized by a number of distinct clinical features, including cafe au lait macules, freckling in the axillary or inguinal regions, neurofibromas, and Lisch nodules (iris harmartomas), it can affect all physiological systems in the body [1]. Neurofibromatosis-related pulmonary hypertension has also been reported, and some patients showed a poor prognosis despite having received proper medical treatment [2-4]. We herein describe a case of pulmonary hypertension in a patient with neurofibromatosis type I who had no identified risk factors of pulmonary hypertension. To our knowledge, this is the first such report in Korea.
Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Korea ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1* ; Neurofibromin 1 ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to analyze themes, concepts, research methods and results of previous domestic research on the nursing of hematologic patients conducted through the last 10 yr, to find trends in the research, and to provide basic materials for setting the direction of future research on the nursing of hematologic patients. METHODS: This study analyzed a total of 72 nursing theses related to hematology sampled from domestic theses for a master's or doctoral degree and papers published in six nursing journals registered in Korea Research Foundation from January 2000 to July 2009. RESULTS: Of the 72 theses, 51 were for a master's degree, 7 for a doctoral degree, and 14 not for an academic degree. The concept covered most frequently in correlation research was 'quality of life' and concepts found in comparative research were stress and quality of life. In experimental research, the most common nursing intervention was oral care. The scale used most frequently was Spielberger's Anxiety Scale. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to expand experimental research applying nursing interventions, and to use objective physiological indexes for more effective assessment in experimental research. Furthermore, interdisciplinary research is required for enhancing the quality of clinical nursing research.
Anxiety ; Clinical Nursing Research ; Hematology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing Research ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA; Morquio A syndrome) is rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) deficiency. Only a few MPS IVA cases have been reported in the Korean literature; there is a paucity of research about clinical or radiologic findings for this disorder. Therefore, we studied clinical findings, radiological features, and genetic data of Korean MPS IVA patients for determining factors that may allow early diagnosis and that may thus improve the patients' quality of life. METHODS: MPS IVA was confirmed via assay for enzymatic activity of leukocytes in 10 patients. The GALNS gene was analyzed. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed for obtaining clinical features and evaluated for radiological skeletal surveys, echocardiography, pulmonary function test, and ophthalmologic test results. RESULTS: Nine patients had severe clinical phenotype, and 1 had an intermediate phenotype, on the basis of clinical phenotype criteria. Radiologic findings indicated skeletal abnormalities in all patients, especially in the hips and extremities. Eight patients had an odontoid hypoplasia, and 1 showed mild atlantoaxial subluxation and cord myelopathy. Genetic analysis indicated 10 different GALNS mutations. Two mutations, c.451C>A and c.1000C>T, account for 37.5% (6/16) and 25% (4/16) of all mutations in this samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: An understanding of the clinical and radiological features involved in MPS IVA may allow early diagnosis of MPS IVA. Adequate evaluations and therapy in the early stages may improve the quality of life of patients suffering from skeletal abnormalities and may reduce life-threatening effects of atlantoaxial subluxation.
Early Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Extremities ; Hip ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Mucopolysaccharidoses ; Mucopolysaccharidosis IV ; Phenotype ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Stress, Psychological

This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of sn-2 palmitic acid-fortified vegetable oil (Sn2PA) on calcium absorption and to confirm the synergistic effects of fructooligosaccharide on calcium absorption. Male SD rats were fed 6 kinds of casein based diets containing vegetable oil (control), sn-2 palmitic acid-fortified vegetable oil (Sn2PA) and Sn2PA with fructooligosaccharide(Sn2PAFO) in two levels of calcium (normal 0.5% and high 1.0%) for 3 weeks. Total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and calcium in blood were measured. Feces were collected using cages for 4 days. Serum concentrations of total lipids and calcium were not significantly different among groups. However, serum triglyceride was significantly decreased by fructooligosaccharide supplementation regardless of dietary calcium level. The lipid absorption was not significantly different among experimental groups. Calcium absorption was significantly higher in Sn2PAFO group than other groups. Calcium solubility of intestine was increased by sn-2 palmitic acid supplementation. These results suggest that sn-2 palmitic acid and fructooligosaccharide supplementation could be beneficial for baby foods including infant formula, with regard to increasing absorption of calcium by more soluble calcium in the small intestinal content.
Absorption ; Animals ; Calcium ; Calcium, Dietary ; Caseins ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Feces ; Gastrointestinal Contents ; Humans ; Infant Formula ; Intestines ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Oligosaccharides ; Palmitic Acid ; Rats ; Solubility ; Vegetables