ABSTRACT
Background: The serum levels of total insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 reflect endogenous growth hormone (GH) secretion in healthy children. Free form of IGF-I which is suggested to have more potent biological action than complex form of IGF-I. The aim of this study is to investigate the serum levels of free IGF-I and its clinical value in healthy children. METHODS: Serum levels of total IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined in 494 healthy children (248 boys and 246 girls) by RIA and IRMA. Serum level of free IGF-I was determined in 206 healthy children (103 boys and 103 girls) by IRMA. RESULTS: The free IGF-I level increased with age in both sex. The free IGF-I level increased continuously between 7 and 15 years of age in boys, but decrement was noted after 14 years of age in girls. Serum total IGF-I level also increased with age in similar pattern of that of free IGF-I. There were no significant differences of mean values of the ratio of free IGF-I/total IGF-I in relation to age in both sex. And there were significant correlations between the level of free IGF-I and total IGF-I and the ratio of total IGF-I/IGFBP-3, respectively. CONCLUSION: In healthy children, serum free IGF-I increased with age in both sex and high free IGF-I level may play an important role in pubertal growth spurt. Our results suggest that the increased serum free IGF-I level in puberty may reflect changes in total IGF-I rather than IGFBP-3. But free IGF-I does not have more clinical value than total IGF-I because of no significant differences of mean values of the ratio of free IGF-I/total IGF-I in relation to age.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Carrier Proteins , Growth Hormone , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I , PubertyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in children are mostly caused by viruses. This study aimed to define the causative viruses, and clinical manifestations during 4 years (2002-2006) and to determine seasonal occurrence of viral ALRI in Korean children by using our cumulative 10 year data (1996-2006). METHODS: A total of 3,854 hospitalized patients due to viral ALRI at Samsung Medical Center, from October 2002 to July 2006, were analyzed. Nasopharyngeal aspirate was obtained for virus cultures. Respiratory viruses were identified using indirect immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: Viral agents were isolated in 9.8% (378 cases). The common identified pathogens were parainfluenza virus type 3 (32.3%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (29.6%) and adenovirus (14.0%). The clinical patterns of viral ALRI were pneumonia (73.0%), bronchiolitis (20.9%), croup (3.7%) and tracheobronchitis (2.4%). The occurrence of viral ALRI was highest under 2 years of age. Pneumonia developed mostly by parainfluenza virus type 3 and RSV. The most frequent cause of bronchiolitis was RSV. Croup was frequently caused by parainfluenza virus. During the past 10 years, infections with parainfluenza virus type 3 and RSV epidemically occurred, whereas adenovirus was isolated throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: We could look through the etiological aspect of ALRI among pediatric inpatients during 10 years in Seoul by adding this 4 year data to the former 6 years data in our hospital. Our results may contribute to prevention and control of viral respiratory tract infections.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Adenoviridae , Bronchiolitis , Child, Hospitalized , Croup , Epidemiologic Studies , Inpatients , Korea , Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human , Paramyxoviridae Infections , Pneumonia , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses , Respiratory System , Respiratory Tract Infections , Seasons , VirusesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the allergenicity of soybean by fermentation. METHODS: Non-fermented soybean, fermented soybean by Bacillus subtilis KFCC 11293 and 3-step fermented soybean by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IFO 12007 and Aspergillus oryzae and B. subtilis KFCC 11293 were extracted with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In order to detect soybean-specific IgE, we performed SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblot analysis by using 3 kinds of soybean extracts and sera from 9 patients with atopic dermatitis. All patients were sensitive to soybean, which were confirmed by CAP-FEIA. RESULTS: SDS-PAGE of non-fermented soybeans showed many bands, whereas only peptides of less than 15 kDa were found in fermented soybeans. IgE immunoblot analysis of fermented soybeans failed to detect specific IgE which were seen in non-fermented soybeans. CONCLUSION: Fermentation could reduce the allergenicity of soybeans by efficiently degrading antigenic proteins in soybeans. However, there was no significant difference between fermentation by B. subtilis and 3-step fermentation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Aspergillus oryzae , Bacillus subtilis , Dermatitis, Atopic , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Fermentation , Immunoglobulin E , Lactococcus lactis , Peptides , Proteins , Glycine maxABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The prevalence of renal anomalies in Turner syndrome (TS) has been reported varies from 33% to 60%. In order to clarify the true incidence of renal malformations in Korean TS, and the incidence of renal anomalies according to the karyotype, we have a plan to study this subject. METHODS: We evaluated 51 patients with TS diagnosed by karyotype in Inje University Busan Paik Hospital and Youngnam University from January 1995 to March 2005. The study population was divided into two groups according to the cytogenetic results as classic group (45,X karyotype) and variant group (mosaicism and structural aberration). RESULTS: Of the 51 patients, the karyotype showed 45,X in 26 (51.0%) patients, mosaicism in 17 (33.3 %) patients and structural aberration in 8 (15.7%) patients. Of the 26 patients with 45,X karotype, 12 (46.2%) had renal anomalies, while these were found in 7 (28.0%) of the 25 patients with mosaicism/ structural aberration. The renal anomalies included 9 cases of horseshoe kidney, 7 cases of abnormal renal collecting system, 2 cases of single kidney and 1 case of malrotation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of renal anomalies in Korean TS was 37.3%. The incidence of renal anomalies of the patients with 45,X karotype was higher than that of the patients with mosaicism/structural aberration, but the difference was not statistically significant. We recommend that renal ultrasonography or IVP for investigation of renal anomalies should be done as a screening procedure for the better quality of life in patients with TS.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Cytogenetics , Incidence , Karyotype , Kidney , Mass Screening , Mosaicism , Prevalence , Quality of Life , Turner Syndrome , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The renin-angiotensin system(RAS) plays an important role in renal growth and development. We have studied the prevalence of renal anomalies and documented the association between karyotype and renal anomalies using IVP and ultrasonography. Furthermore, to investigate the impact of RAS gene polymorphism on renal anomaly in Turner syndrome, we examined the ACE I/D genotype, angiotensinogen(AGT) gene M235T, angiotensin receptor type 1(ATR) gene A1166C. METHODS: Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 33 Turner syndrome patients on peripheral blood lymphocytes. Ultrasonography(US) of the kidneys and collecting system and intravenous pyelography(IVP) were perfomed in all patients. Nuclear scintigraphy{Tc 99m dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan} was also performed for the definite renal diagnosis if indicated. And, ACE I/D genotype, angiotensinogen(AGT) gene M235T, angiotensin receptor type 1(ATR) gene A1166C were examined by PCR amplification of genomic DNA samples. RESULTS: The prevalence of renal anolmalies in Turner syndrome was 36.4%(12/33). The Karyotype 45, X was observed in 18 of the 33 girls(54.5%), of whom 8(44.4%) had renal anomalies. Mosaic karyotypes were observed in 11(33.3%) and four(12.2%) had a non-mosaic structural aberration of the X chromosome. In this group 4(26.7%) had renal anomalies. More renal anomalies were associated with the 45, X karyotype than those with mosaic/structural abnormalities of X chromosome, but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). And, there was no significant differences in the RAS gene polymorphism and allele frequencies between renal anomaly group and normal group in Turner syndrome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of renal anolmalies in Turner syndrome was 36.4%. There is no significant differences in the RAS gene polymorphism and allele frequencies between the renal anomaly group and the normal group in Turner syndrome.