Genetic Variation in the NSP4 Gene of Human Rotavirus Isolated in Seoul

The nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) of rotavirus encoded by gene 10, plays an important role in rotavirus pathogenicity. In this study, NSP4 gene sequences of human rotaviruses circulating in Seoul, Korea between March 2004 and April 2005 were determined. The nucleotide sequence data indicated that the NSP4 genes of human rotavirus Korean isolates were 750 or 751 bases in length and encoded one open reading frame of 175 amino acids with two glycosylation sites. The NSP4 of Korean isolates exhibited amino acid sequence homologies between 59.4% and 98.9%. The NSP4 of CAU4 and CAU15 showed a high degree of amino acid sequence homologies with NSP4 genotype A viruses, but the NSP4 of CAU5, CAU6, CAU11, CAU14, CAU16 and CAU22 exhibited a high degree of amino acid sequence homologies with NSP4 genotype B viruses. Interestingly, CAU3 and CAU7 showed low degree of amino acid sequence homology with those of currently described NSP4 genotypes A to D and belonged a distinct lineage on the phylogenetic tree. These findings suggests that distinct NSP4 type was circulating among human rotavirus strains in the local community of Seoul and raising intriguing questions regarding possible explanations for new genotype.

The Relation between Obesity and Glomerular Filtration Rate in Children and Adolescents / 소아과

PURPOSE: The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has been rising rapidly in Korea because of changes of diet and lifestyle. As with adults, obesity in children and adolescents can cause diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases and renal diseases. The aim of the present study is to examine the relation of obesity, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum cystatin C concentration in children and adolescents. METHODS: Data of 115 children and adolescents aged between 6 years and 20 years without clinical evidence of renal diseases were included in the study. From May 2004 to December 2004, blood samples were collected from children and adolescents who were seen at the Department of Pediatrics at Chungang University Yongsan Hospital. Obesity degrees and body mass indices (BMI) were measured, and GFRs were estimated from Schwartz's formula. Serum cystatin C was measured by particle enhanced nephelometric immunoassay using Behring Nephelometer II. RESULTS: GFRs were significantly different between the obese group (BMI > 95 percentile, 145.79+/-23.10 mL/min) and the non-obese group (BMI 120 percent, 144.29+/-23.08 mL/min) and the non-obese group (obesity degree 150 percent, 155.55+/-20.40 mL/min) and the non-obese group (P=0.004). GFRs were correlated positively with BMI (r2=0.037, P=0.039), but were not correlated significantly with obesity degree (r2=0.030, P=0.066). Serum cystatin C concentrations were not significantly different between the obese group and the non-obese group, divided by BMI as well as by obesity degree (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Obesity may lead to an alteration of renal hemodynamics such as hyperfiltration, appropriate control and management for obesity is necessary.