No abstract available.
Animals ; Horns* ; Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn*

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to analyze the level of serum amino acids according to the sex, birth weight, gestational age in neonates. METHODS: Amino acid was measured by tandem mass spectrometry from the dried blood spots. We measured serum alanine, citrulline, glycine, methionine, ornitine, tyrosine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine levels in 172 neonates admitted to the NICU at Chungnam National University hospital from March 2003 to September 2003 and the data was analyzed according to the sex, birth weight, gestational age. RESULTS: There were no differences of serum amino acid level between term and preterm neonates according to the sex. However, there were significant statistical differences in serum amino acid level according to the birth weight (> or =2,500 g vs. <2,500 g) and gestational age (> or =37 weeks vs. <37 weeks). The level of alanine, citrulline, glycine, methionine, ornitine, tyrosine, valine, leucine was low in under 2,500 g (P<0.05), and in preterm neonates (P<0.05). Especially, preterm neonates under 1,800 g had low levels of valine and leucine (P<0.05). The serum levels of methionine, ornitine, valine, leucine were low in neonates with gestational age of less than 34 weeks (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Awareness of low serum amino acid levels in preterm neonates is essential to improve nutritional supplements and catch-up growth.
Alanine ; Amino Acids ; Birth Weight ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Citrulline ; Gestational Age ; Glycine ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Leucine ; Methionine ; Phenylalanine ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tyrosine ; Valine

PURPOSE: The nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by the favorable response to glucocorticoid therapy and the development of NS may be associated with dysfunctional immune systems. In order to investigate the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and cytokines activity in pediatric NS, the total of 32 steroid responsive NS patients and 5 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were divided into two groups according to the initial serum IgE levels, such as normal and high IgE group, and their clinical characteristics were evaluated. In addition, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta were compared and correlated with serum albumin, proteinuria by means of disease severity, and cytokines. RESULTS: In the high IgE group, the higher comorbidity of allergic diseases and relapsing rate, the longer duration of steroid therapy before initial remission, and the higher serum IL-4 and IL-5 levels were found. In all patients, initially higher serum levels of IL-4 and IL-5 declined to normal levels after steroid therapy, whereas the serum IL-10 levels showed no significant difference between nephrotic phase (heavy proteinuria) and remission phase (no proteinuria) of NS. The serum TGF-beta levels of the nephrotic phase were significantly lower than those of remission phase or control group, and returned to normal control levels after steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that initial IgE level is associated with steroid responsiveness and disease severity, and cytokine activities may also be related to the pathogenesis of pediatric steroid responsive NS.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/blood ; Immunoglobulin E/*blood ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Immunoglobulin M/blood ; Infant ; Interleukin-4/blood ; Interleukin-5/blood ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome/*blood/*drug therapy ; Steroids/*therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/blood

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), the smallest self-replicating biological system, is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, leading to a wide range of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. MP pneumonia has been reported in 10 to 40% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and shows an even higher proportion during epidemics. MP infection is endemic in larger communities of the world with cyclic epidemics every 3 to 7 years. In Korea, 3 to 4-year cycles have been observed from the mid-1980s to present. Although a variety of serologic assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are available for the diagnosis of MP infections, early diagnosis of MP pneumonia is limited by the lack of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies and variable PCR results in the early stages of the infection. Thus, short-term paired IgM serologic tests may be mandatory for an early and definitive diagnosis. MP infection is usually a mild and self-limiting disease without specific treatment, and if needed, macrolides are generally used as a first-choice drug for children. Recently, macrolide-resistant MP strains have been reported worldwide. However, there are few reports of apparent treatment failure, such as progression of pneumonia to acute respiratory distress syndrome despite macrolide treatment. The immunopathogenesis of MP pneumonia is believed to be a hyperimmune reaction of the host to the insults from MP infection, including cytokine overproduction and immune cell activation (T cells). In this context, immunomodulatory treatment (corticosteroids or/and intravenous Ig), in addition to antibiotic treatment, might be considered for patients with severe infection.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Antibodies ; Child ; Drug Resistance ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Macrolides ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Serologic Tests ; Treatment Failure

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), the smallest self-replicating biological system, is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, leading to a wide range of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. MP pneumonia has been reported in 10 to 40% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and shows an even higher proportion during epidemics. MP infection is endemic in larger communities of the world with cyclic epidemics every 3 to 7 years. In Korea, 3 to 4-year cycles have been observed from the mid-1980s to present. Although a variety of serologic assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are available for the diagnosis of MP infections, early diagnosis of MP pneumonia is limited by the lack of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies and variable PCR results in the early stages of the infection. Thus, short-term paired IgM serologic tests may be mandatory for an early and definitive diagnosis. MP infection is usually a mild and self-limiting disease without specific treatment, and if needed, macrolides are generally used as a first-choice drug for children. Recently, macrolide-resistant MP strains have been reported worldwide. However, there are few reports of apparent treatment failure, such as progression of pneumonia to acute respiratory distress syndrome despite macrolide treatment. The immunopathogenesis of MP pneumonia is believed to be a hyperimmune reaction of the host to the insults from MP infection, including cytokine overproduction and immune cell activation (T cells). In this context, immunomodulatory treatment (corticosteroids or/and intravenous Ig), in addition to antibiotic treatment, might be considered for patients with severe infection.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Antibodies ; Child ; Drug Resistance ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Macrolides ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Serologic Tests ; Treatment Failure

The objective of this study was to compare early child care center teachers' attitudes for meal and snack guidance between Sweden and Korea. Participants were 251 early child care center teachers (Sweden: 134, Korea: 117) working in Goetebory, Sweden, and Seoul, Korea. The survey was conducted from December in 2003 to February in 2004. SPSS programme was used for statistical analysis. Sixty five point eight percent of the Korean early child care center teachers provided a certain amount of foods for children. But 20.9% of Swedish provided a certain amount of foods for children, 79.1% of them provided the amount a child wanted. Sixty one point seven percent of Korean teachers allowed a child leave foods on the plate, but 95.5% of Swedish teachers asked a child eat all food on the plate. When a child didn't want to eat, 61.1% of the Korean teachers fed him/her, but 11.0% of the Swedish teachers did. Only 42.4% of the Swedish teachers allowed a children eat sweets, but 92.9% of Korean did. The Swedish teachers' perception for food guidance were eating by child himself/herself > washing hands before eating > having appropriate table manner > eating as talking with friends > not playing during the meal time, while the Korean teachers' was taking various food > having appropriate table manner > eating by child himself/herself, not playing during the meal time > washing hands before eating. The Swedish teachers thought 'eating as talking with friends' and 'eating by child himself/herself' is important, where as the Korean's did 'eating without making noise', 'not playing during the mealtime' in the eating behavior. For 'brushing teeth after meal' the Swedish teachers' score (1.5) was lower than the Korean (4.2). The results is necessary to improve meal and snack guidance for Korean early child care center teachers' education.
Child ; Child Care* ; Child* ; Eating ; Education ; Feeding Behavior ; Friends ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea* ; Meals* ; Seoul ; Snacks* ; Sweden* ; Tooth

PURPOSE: The introduction of the mumps vaccine has dramatically reduced the number of mumps cases, but outbreaks have recently occurred among highly vaccinated populations in developed countries. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with mumps admitted between 1989 and 2012 in a single hospital in Korea are described in the present study. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated inpatients with mumps between 1989 and 2012 and outpatients and inpatients with mumps in 2011-2012. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients with mumps were admitted between 1989 and 2012, and 163 patients were recorded in 2011-2012. The highest number of admitted cases occurred in 1998 and 2012 (35 and 34 cases, respectively). Among the patients admitted in 2011-2012, the highest frequency was observed among people aged 15-19 years, and low frequency was observed in those aged <4 years and >20 years, compatible to the city data and national data. In patients admitted to our department in 1998 (35 cases) and in 2010-2012 (27 cases), there were significant differences in the mean age and the rate of secondary measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, but had similar clinical features, including complications, except aseptic meningitis. Antimumps immunoglobulin (Ig) G was positive in 83% and 100%, and IgM was positive in 67% and 41%, respectively, in the two periods. CONCLUSION: In Korea, recent mumps outbreaks have occurred mainly among secondary school students who received two doses of the MMR vaccine. The vaccinees might have a modified immune reaction to viral insults, manifesting modified epidemiological and clinical features.
Antibodies ; Developed Countries ; Disease Outbreaks* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Mumps Vaccine ; Mumps* ; Observational Study* ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review studies that have examined the quality of life of women with urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review was conducted that used the databases PubMED, Proquest, CINAHL, and Sciencedirect. Articles were included that were published in English between 2005 and 2010 the key words use were urinary incontinence, women, and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were identified, and the prevalence of urinary incontinence varied depending on the definition of incontinence used and the age of the population studied. The Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QoL), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-short form (IIQ-7), and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) were the most commonly used instruments. Demographic, medical, physical, psychological, health, and intervention factors were reported as influencing factors on the quality of life of women with incontinence. Age, severity of urinary incontinence, type of urinary incontinence, number of urinary incontinence episodes, body weight, stress, and help-seeking behavior were statistically significant variables influencing quality of life. CONCLUSION: Future studies are needed to identify factors related to quality of life among women with incontinence and to use validated instruments according to specific subjects.
Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the positive rate of 3 serologic methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the changes of IgG and IgG subclasses in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP). METHODS: Fifty children with pneumonia admitted to Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, Korea, during MP outbreaks were evaluated for the diagnostic antibody status using 3 serologic methods: indirect micro-particle agglutinin assay (MAA, Serodia-Myco II, Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan), cold agglutinins and enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA, Platelia M. pneumoniae IgM & IgG BIO-RAD, Marnes-la-Coquette, France) and PCR. The levels of antibody for MP in each method were measured 2 times during hospitalization: at presentation and at discharge (mean interval, 6.5 days). The levels of IgG and IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) were also analyzed 2 times (at presentation and at discharge) using stored sera. RESULTS: At presentation, the positive rates of the diagnostic methods were 52%, 38%, 30% and 12% for MAA, cold agglutinins, EIA and PCR assay, respectively. Following analysis of the repetitive measurement of the antibody, the positive rates of the diagnostic methods were 76%, 60% and 56% for MAA, cold agglutinins and EIA, respectively. The mean IgG level of MP patients increased during hospitalization (973+/-184 vs. 1,040+/-205 mg/dL; P=0.008). Among the IgG subclasses, the levels of IgG1 and IgG3 showed a significant increase during hospitalization (553+/-129 vs. 611+/-151 mg/dL, P=0.003 for IgG1; 43+/-27 vs. 47+/-30 mg/dL, P=0.005 for IgG3). CONCLUSION: For the accurate and relatively rapid diagnosis of MP, a paired sample examination is mandatory, especially within a short-time period. The sensitivity of serologic tests for the diagnosis of MP may differ among commercially available kits. IgG1 and IgG3 appear to be the main IgG subclasses that show an increase after MP infection.
Agglutinins ; Child ; Cold Temperature ; Cryoglobulins ; Disease Outbreaks ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serologic Tests ; Tokyo

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (KVE) is a viral infection with disseminated skin involvement, superimposed on a pre-existing dermatosis. A monomorphic eruption of dome-shaped blisters and pustules in the eczematous lesions, along with severe systemic illness, leads to clinical diagnosis. However, there is no data on the clinicopathologic study of KVE in Koreans. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinicopathologic features of KVE. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records and biopsy slides of 21 patients who had previously been diagnosed as having KVE at the National Medical Center between 1990 and 2004. RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: 1. The most common pre-existing disease was atopic dermatitis, followed by seborrheic dermatitis and Darier's disease. 2.Men were more commonly affected than women, and the mean age at diagnosis of eczema herpeticum was 30.8 years. 3.Face involvement was seen in 4 patients, and systemic involvement in 6 patients. 4. Histopathologically, common findings included ballooning degeneration (76.1%), reticular degeneration (47.6%), multinucleated giant cell (57.1%), and inclusion body (28.6%), and leukocytoclastic vasculitis (47.6%). CONCLUSION: KVE is a secondary viral infection that can affect patients who suffer from a primary dermatologic condition. In many instances, the history and clinical findings may be sufficient for diagnosis of KVE. However, the clinicopathologic features can help also diagnose KVE and pre-existing dermatosis.
Biopsy ; Blister ; Darier Disease ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption* ; Medical Records ; Preexisting Condition Coverage ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Vasculitis