Anti-obesity effect of EGCG and glucosamine-6-phosphate through decreased expression of genes related to adipogenesis and cell cycle arrest in 3T3-L1 adipocytes / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Several studies have proven that EGCG, the primary green tea catechin, and glucosamine-6-phosphate (PGlc) reduce triglyceride contents in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combination effect of EGCG and PGlc on decline of accumulated fat in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS: EGCG and PGlc were administered for 6 day for differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cell viability was measured using the CCK assay kit. In addition, TG accumulation in culture 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated by Oil Red O staining. We examined the expression level of several genes and proteins associated with adipogenesis and lipolysis using real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. A flow cytometer Calibar was used to assess the effect of EGCG and PGluco on cell-cycle progression of differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. RESULTS: Intracelluar lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by combination treatment with EGCG 60 microM and PGlc 200 microg/m compared with control and EGCG treatment alone. In addition, use of combination treatment resulted in directly decreased expression of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, and SREBP1. In addition, it inhibited adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through downstream regulation of adipogenic target genes such as FAS, ACSL1, and LPL, and the inhibitory action of EGCG and PGlc was found to inhibit the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) process as evidenced by impaired cell cycle entry into S phase and the S to G2/M phase transition of confluent cells and levels of cell cycle regulating proteins such as cyclin A and CDK2. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment of EGCG and PGlc inhibit-ed adipocyte differentiation through decreased expression of genes related to adipogenesis and adipogenic and cell cycle arrest in early stage of adipocyte differentiation.

Health status of children in low socioeconomic conditions / 소아과

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. METHODS: A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. RESULTS: A total of 285 students(M:F=141:144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media and Otitis Media With Effusion / 소아과

The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians developed the clinical practice guideline on the management of acute otitis media. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery developed the clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and management of otitis media with effusion. These two guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations.

Local Rifampicin Instillation Therapy for Suppurative Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Lymphadenitis

PURPOSE: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) lymphadenitis is one of the most common complications of BCG vaccination. The involved lymph nodes usually subside spontaneously, but they may become enlarged and form an abscess. Treatment of these infants is controversial. The Pan American Health Organization recommends local isoniazid or rifampicin instillation for patients with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. METHODS: The study group comprised 37 patients who presented with BCG lymphadenitis over the last three years. BCG lymphadenitis was diagnosed if the affected patient developed an ipsilateral axillary or supraclavicular lymphadenitis, with no other identifiable cause for the lymphadenitis. We used rifampicin instillation therapy for patients with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. RESULTS: Lymphadenitis regressed spontaneously in three patients. Thirty four patients showed a progression to abscess formation. Among 34 patients with suppurative lymphadenitis, drainage developed spontaneously during the follow-up period in nine patients before therapy. Twenty five patients received needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation therapy. Reaspiration was performed in seven patients. One of these patients still has large lymph nodes after the second attempt. CONCLUSION: Needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation therapy into the node is a safe and effective form of treatment for suppurative BCG lymphadenitis.

Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy: Analysis of 34 Cases Including 13 Autopsies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of sudden unexpected death in infancy and to evaluate the importance of postmortem autopsy. METHODS: We reviewed, retrospectively, medical records of 34 infants admitted to Kangnam General Hospital from January 1987 to December 2001 because of sudden unexpected death. We investigated the cause of death through medical history, death scene examination, autopsy findings, acylcarnitine and organic acid analysis. RESULTS: Among the total 34 infants, 18 were male(52.9%) and 16 were female(47.1%). Thirty infants(88%) were below the six months of age. Winter was the most affected season(38.2%). Eighteen infants(52.9%) died between 6 and 12AM. The prone sleeping position was observed more frequently than the supine position at death; nine cases in the prone position, six cases in the supine position. The cause of death of 23 cases could not be found by only history and death scene examination. Autopsy was done in 13 cases. Seven cases of them were thought to be SIDS. In six cases, we explained the cause of death with autosy findings. They were an endocardial fibroelastosis, a nesidioblastosis, a subdural hematoma, a bronchopneumonia and two fatty changes of liver. Metabolic screening tests performed in three cases to rule out metabolic disorder since 2000 were all normal. CONCLUSION: We concluded that autopsy and metabolic screening test should be performed to find out the cause of death in sudden unexpected death in infancy.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis Developed in Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative disease caused by actinomyces species, which are normal flora in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, and characterized by formation of sulfur granule. Actinomyces can affect cervicofacial, pulmonary, abdominal and pelvic area. However, abdominal and pelvic inflammations are less frequently observed. Most of abdominal actinomycosis develop after abdominal operation, trauma, inflammatory bowel disease or use of intrauterine devices. The definitive diagnosis was made after histopathological study of the tissues. Treatment is long-term antibiotic therapy. Herein, we report a case of a 69-year-old woman with an unusual form of abdominal actinomycosis after total gastrectomy.

Clinical Manifestations of Group A beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal Pharyngits and Usefulness of Rapid Antigen Test

PURPOSE: Accurate diagnosis of group A streptococcal(GAS) pharyngitis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are important, particularly to prevent nonsuppurative sequelae and to reduce the improper use of antibiotics. Because the clinical presentation of pharyngitis does not reliably predict the etiologic agent, when GAS infection is suspected, diagnosis should be based on the result of a throat swab culture or antigen-detection test with culture back-up. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of children diagnosed as GAS pharyngitis by throat swab culture from Jan. 1995 to Jul. 2000. Since Nov. 1998, specimens were also tested with the Abbott's Testpack+plus Strep A Kit. RESULTS: 121 patients were confirmed as GAS pharyngitis by throat culture. GAS pharyngitis predominantly occurred from 3 to 7 years of age with the peak incidence at 4 and 5 years of age. The disease was more frequent in late fall, winter and spring. Clinical manifestations were as follows; fever(89.9%), abnormal pharynx(94.3%), of which exudate in 33.6%, sore throat(85.3%), headache(78.1%), cervical lymphadenopathy(67.5%), abdominal pain(64.3%), and nausea or vomiting (55.0%). The sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen test compared to throat culture were 96.4% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSION: GAS pharyngitis occurred every year, and more frequently in late fall, winter and spring. It occurred with the greatest frequency in preschool children. The rapid antigen test can be a basis for clinicians to decide how to treat their patients before the culture results are proven, and can be helpful to judicious use of antibiotics as well.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Children

PURPOSE: Initial drug resistance of children with tuberculosis is a useful performance indicator of tuberculosis control programme in the concerned country because it represented infection transmitted from adult patients with either primary or acquired drug resistance. But there have been a few studies available. The present study was made to know the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in hopes of selecting effective treatment regimens for the treatment of childhood tuberculosis. METHODS: Tuberculosis patients were selected from those whose cultures had been submitted to drug susceptibility testing in the Korean National Tuberculosis Association from Jan. 1987 to Jun. 1995. We have investigated the drug resistance and reviewed retrospectively the medical records of children. A total of 48 strains were tested for drug susceptibility. Of these cases medical records were available in one half and 22 patients did not have a history of previous antituberculosis therapy. RESULTS: 1) Of the 48 strains, 18 (37.5%) were resistant to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The 14 (29.2%) and 8 (16.7%) strains were resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, respectively. The 7 (14.6%) strains were resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin. 2) Of the 22 strains isolated from patients without previous therapy, 4 (18.2%) were resistant to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The 2 (9.1%) strains were resistant to isoniazid. There were no resistant strains to rifampin and to both isoniazid and rifampin. CONCLUSIONS: Primary resistance rate for isoniazid was 9.1%. These limited data suggested that four-drug regimens is indicated in childhood tuberculosis patients.

A Case of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Presented with Apnea

Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is currently implicated as the most common and otentially serious viral respiratory pathogen of young infants. Apnea in association with RSV infection occurred in about 18% of the infants. Premature birth and a young postnatal age were risk factors for development of apnea with RSV disease. We experienced a case of RSV infection in a 37 day-old premature girl. The presenting complaint was apnea, with respiratory signs and symptoms developing later. She required mechanical ventilation.

A Case of Newborn Scpsis Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae

No abstract available.

A Case of Prader-Willi Syndrome with Diabetes Mellitus

Prader-Willi syndrome is characterized by infantile hypotonia, mental retardation, hyperhagia, hypogonadism and obesity. Approximately 60% of all PLW syndrome show an interstitial deletion of chromosome 15, 37% have apparently normal chromosome, and 3.6% have a variety of other abnormalities involving chromosome 15. Diabetes mellitus has been considered a component of PLW syndrome and the incidence is about 7%. We experienced a 17-year-old female who revealed mental retardation, hypogonadism, obesity, and non-insulin dependent type DM, compatible with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Radiological features of lower respiratory infection by respiratory syncytial virus in infants and young children

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection (bronchiolitis and pneumonia) of infancy and early childhood. We analyzed clinical and radiological features of 76 patients with lower respiratory infections by respiratory syncytial virus, which were diagnosed by indirect immunofluorescent test or culture of nasal aspirate in Hep-2 cell monolayer, during the period of January-December, 1991. There were peaks of incidences in March-May and November-December, accounting for 87% of eases. Sixty-two cases (82%) were under 1 year of age. Fifty cases(66%) had underlying diseases. Major radiographical findings were overaeration (83%), parahilar peribronchial infiltrates(67%), segmental or subsegmental atelectasis(32%), and segmental or lobar consolidation(16%). In 15 cases(20%), overaeration was the only radiological findings. There was no evidence of pleural effusion or hilar lymph node enlargement in all cases. By considerig clinical features(symptoms, age. Underlying diseases, epidemic seasons) in addition to the radiological findings, radiologists would be familiar with lower respiratory infection by respiratory syncytial virus. Air space consolidation, which is generally though to represent bacterial pneumonia, is also observed not infrequently in respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Clinical and epidemiologic features of respiratory sybcytial virus infection

No abstract available.

Observation on neurocysticercosis in childhood

No abstract available.