Evaluating cell metabolism is crucial during pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming as it affects cell fate. As cultured stem cells are heterogeneous, a comparative analysis of relative metabolism using existing metabolic analysis methods is difficult, resulting in inaccuracies. In this study, we measured human PSC basal metabolic levels using a Seahorse analyzer. We used fibroblasts, human induced PSCs, and human embryonic stem cells to monitor changes in basal metabolic levels according to cell number and determine the number of cells suitable for analysis. We evaluated normalization methods using glucose and selected the most suitable for the metabolic analysis of heterogeneous PSCs during the reprogramming stage. The response of fibroblasts to glucose increased with starvation time, with oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate responding most effectively to glucose 4 hours after starvation and declining after 5 hours of starvation. Fibroblasts and PSCs achieved appropriate responses to glucose without damaging their metabolism 2∼4 and 2∼3 hours after starvation, respectively. We developed a novel method for comparing basal metabolic rates of fibroblasts and PSCs, focusing on quantitative analysis of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation using glucose without enzyme inhibitors. This protocol enables efficient comparison of energy metabolism among cell types, including undifferentiated PSCs, differentiated cells, and cells undergoing cellular reprogramming, and addresses critical issues, such as differences in basal metabolic levels and sensitivity to normalization, providing valuable insights into cellular energetics.

PURPOSE: Bell palsy is an idiopathic peripheral facial nerve paralysis of sudden onset. Though the incidence in children is relatively lower than adult population, it is not uncommon. Because of its' relative rarity and good prognosis, there have been few studies about clinical features and courses of Bell palsy in pediatric population. The aim of our study was to report the clinical characteristics and practices of Bell palsy in children and adolescent in a single center. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 70 patients diagnosed as Bell palsy in Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from September 2006 to June 2017 retrospectively. We included only first episode. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients, 35 was male, 35 was females. Median age was 102 months. There was no seasonal difference. Median duration of palsy was 3 days. The first symptoms were auricular pain (14%), facial palsy (83%), eye pain (1%), and dysguesia (1%). Preceding viral infection was present in 49% of patients. 26% of patients were treated with steroid alone, and 74% of cases were treated with steroid plus acyclovir. Oriental medicine was accompanied in 14% of patients. Among 49 patients who were followed over 4 weeks, 44(90%) had complete recovery. The recovery rates were 68% (4 weeks), 91% (3months), and 100% (10 months). Recurrent rate was 4%. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of Bell palsy in pediatric population was good, and recovery rates were 68% within 4 weeks, and 100% by 10 months after palsy onset.
Academic Medical Centers ; Acyclovir ; Adolescent* ; Adult ; Bell Palsy* ; Child* ; Daegu ; Eye Pain ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Medical Records ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Paralysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

On December 3, 2014, a type O foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak began in Korea. Although vaccinations were administered, FMD cases increased steadily for five months, and reached 185 cases by April 2015. Most of the affected animals were pigs, which are vulnerable to vaccination. The FMD virus belonged to the South-East Asia (SEA) topotype that had been observed three times in Korea between April 2010 and July 2014. However, the FMD virus isolated in December 2014 had a unique feature; that is, partial deletion of the 5′ non-coding region, a deletion not seen in previous SEA topotype isolates identified in Korea. We conclude that this outbreak included the introduction of a new FMD strain to Korea, and that Korea was now affected by genetically similar FMD virus strains that are related to those from neighboring countries.
Animals ; Asia ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Korea ; Swine ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common serious bacterial infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Lumbar puncture is routinely performed to evaluate febrile young infants for sepsis. However, there is no clear consensus on the use of routine lumbar puncture to diagnose concomitant meningitis in infants with UTI. We evaluated the prevalence of coexisting bacterial meningitis and sterile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis in young infants with UTI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 85 infants with UTI, aged from 29 to 99 days, who were admitted to Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from January 2013 to May 2016. We included 80 patients who had undergone lumbar puncture. Demographic features, clinical features, and laboratory findings were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of sterile CSF pleocytosis and we compared these groups and assessed the differences between them. RESULTS: Of the 80 UTI patients enrolled, 34 (43%) had sterile CSF pleocytosis. None had bacterial meningitis, and CSF polymerase chain reaction for enterovirus was positive in two patients without CSF pleocytosis. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to age, body temperature, peripheral white blood cell count, urinalysis, and duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Though sterile CSF pleocytosis is common in young UTI patients, coexisting bacterial or viral meningitis is very rare. Indications for lumbar puncture in these patients depend on clinical condition.
Academic Medical Centers ; Bacterial Infections ; Body Temperature ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Consensus ; Daegu ; Enterovirus ; Humans ; Infant* ; Length of Stay ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytosis ; Medical Records ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Meningitis, Viral ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Spinal Puncture* ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is characterized by ascending symmetric paralysis, paresthesia, and autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunctions develop in two-thirds of the patients, and urinary retention and paralytic ileus usually develop in severe and advanced cases. There has been no pediatric case with paralytic ileus as a presenting symptom of GBS. Reported herein is a case of GBS presenting vomiting as an initial symptom. A 28-month-old girl was brought to the emergency room due to a 2-day history of vomiting. She vomited multiple times 1 day before the visit, and had only single voiding on admission day. Her abdomen was distended, with decreased bowel sound. Intravenous fluid was given under the diagnosis with acute gastroenteritis with dehydration. The abdominal computed tomography revealed severe paralytic ileus and urinary bladder distention. After having two seizures, she developed respiratory failure necessitating ventilator care. On day 8 after admission, motor weakness with areflexia was noticed. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated proteins (80 mg/dL) with no white blood cells (0/mm³). The nerve conduction study showed axonal-type peripheral polyneuropathy. GBS was diagnosed. During the follow-up, the patient was found to have motor weakness in the lower extremities. Paralytic ileus with protracted vomiting can be an initial presentation of GBS in children. Autonomic dysfunction with GBS can be considered in a differential diagnosis in vomiting patients with unclear etiologies.
Abdomen ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Dehydration ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroenteritis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Ileus ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Leukocytes ; Lower Extremity ; Neural Conduction ; Paralysis ; Paresthesia ; Polyneuropathies ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Seizures ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Retention ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vomiting

Pseudoparalysis is defined as immobility of the extremity due to painful limb infection. However, such conditions may be misdiagnosed as nerve palsy when abnormal neurologic findings are present. We report herein a case with femoral osteomyelitis that was misdiagnosed as lumbosacral plexitis. A 7-month-old male infant was brought by his parents to the clinic who noticed that he did not move his left leg since 4 days prior to admission. Four days prior to admission, the parents noticed that he was not moving his left leg. There were no signs of inflammation in the involved limb. The left leg showed a motor weakness with grade 4/5, and it was hypotonic with decreased deep tendon reflexes. No abnormal findings were shown in studies which included lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), abdominal computed tomography (CT), and nerve conduction studies. Lumbosacral plexitis was diagnosed presumptively and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was given. The patient's symptom did not improve with the IVIG. After the orthopedic consultation, a hip MRI was performed and it showed acute osteomyelitis involving the proximal metaphysis of the left femur. Surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics were administered. The patient's symptoms improved with treatment and he was fully recovered by the time of discharge. During the 4-year follow-up, the patient is doing well without any complication in the bone growth. During infancy, limb infection may present with nerve palsy that is characterized by hypotonic weakness with hyporeflexia. Pseudoparalysis may be the sole sign of osteomyelitis. In a unilateral limb weakness, musculoskeletal infection should be an initial diagnosis of exclusion with a thorough evaluation.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bone Development ; Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Infant* ; Inflammation ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neural Conduction ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Orthopedics ; Osteomyelitis* ; Paralysis ; Parents ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Reflex, Stretch ; Spine

Pseudoparalysis is defined as immobility of the extremity due to painful limb infection. However, such conditions may be misdiagnosed as nerve palsy when abnormal neurologic findings are present. We report herein a case with femoral osteomyelitis that was misdiagnosed as lumbosacral plexitis. A 7-month-old male infant was brought by his parents to the clinic who noticed that he did not move his left leg since 4 days prior to admission. Four days prior to admission, the parents noticed that he was not moving his left leg. There were no signs of inflammation in the involved limb. The left leg showed a motor weakness with grade 4/5, and it was hypotonic with decreased deep tendon reflexes. No abnormal findings were shown in studies which included lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), abdominal computed tomography (CT), and nerve conduction studies. Lumbosacral plexitis was diagnosed presumptively and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was given. The patient's symptom did not improve with the IVIG. After the orthopedic consultation, a hip MRI was performed and it showed acute osteomyelitis involving the proximal metaphysis of the left femur. Surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics were administered. The patient's symptoms improved with treatment and he was fully recovered by the time of discharge. During the 4-year follow-up, the patient is doing well without any complication in the bone growth. During infancy, limb infection may present with nerve palsy that is characterized by hypotonic weakness with hyporeflexia. Pseudoparalysis may be the sole sign of osteomyelitis. In a unilateral limb weakness, musculoskeletal infection should be an initial diagnosis of exclusion with a thorough evaluation.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bone Development ; Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Infant* ; Inflammation ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neural Conduction ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Orthopedics ; Osteomyelitis* ; Paralysis ; Parents ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Reflex, Stretch ; Spine

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to induce Th2 immune response with increased IgE production. We investigated serum IgE levels in RSV bronchiolitis/pneumonia (RSV-LRI) in relation to disease severity. METHODS: One hundred seven children admitted with RSV-LRI were enrolled. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to serum IgE levels: the high IgE (n=39, more than 2 standard deviations from the mean levels for age-matched controls) and low IgE groups (n=68). We investigated if there were any differences in clinical and laboratory findings, and recurrence of wheezing between the 2 groups. The difference in IgE levels between severe (severity score≥3) and nonsevere groups was also studied. RESULTS: More frequent and prolonged fever was observed in the high IgE group than in the low IgE group (P<0.05). Patients showing severe symptoms or respiratory difficulties were more frequently seen in the high IgE group (P=0.01). There was no difference in parental allergy and atopic sensitization. The nearly same findings were observed in reanalysis of data from patients with the first RSV-LRI, but recurrence of wheezing was significantly higher in the high IgE group than in the low IgE group (P=0.04). Patients with high IgE levels were more frequently seen in severe patients than in nonsevere patients (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that children who presented with high serum IgE levels during RSV infections had more severe symptoms compared to those with low IgE levels. It suggests that measurement of total serum IgE levels might be helpful in evaluating disease severity and recurrent wheezing in children admitted with RSV-LRI.
Bronchiolitis ; Child* ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Parents ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; Respiratory Tract Infections*

PURPOSE: This study was done to define clinical characteristics of fever without localizing signs (FWLS) in infants younger than 100 days of age with a goal of providing baseline data to establish a new diagnostic paradigm in the future. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 183 patients who admitted to Daegu Catholic University Medical Center for FWLS younger than 100 days of age from January 2013 to September 2015 retrospectively. Demographic, clinical features and laboratory findings were analyzed. Patients were divided into serious bacterial infection (SBI) and non-SBI groups, and then were compared between two groups to find risk factors for SBI. RESULTS: Among 183 patients, lumbar puncture was performed in 98.9% and CSF pleocytosis was present in 35.9%. Sterile CSF pleocytosis was found in 43% of urinary tract infection (UTI) patients. None had concomitant bacterial meningitis in patients with UTI. As final diagnosis, febrile syndrome without source (25.7%) was most common. Among SBI, UTI was most common (99%). Birth weight, ESR, and CRP were significantly higher in SBI group compared to non-SBI group. Male sex (OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.60-15.24) and pyuria (OR 18.88, 95% CI 6.76-52.76) were identified as risk factors for SBI. Presence of sibling (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.83) was significantly lower in SBI group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed UTI was the most common SBI in young infants with FWLS. Though aseptic meningitis can be coexisting with UTI, lumbar puncture may not be necessary in all patients having UTI.
Academic Medical Centers ; Bacterial Infections ; Birth Weight ; Daegu ; Diagnosis ; Fever* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Medical Records ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Pyuria ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Siblings ; Spinal Puncture ; Urinary Tract Infections