PURPOSE: Indoor risk factors for allergic diseases in low-income households in Korea have been characterized only partially. We evaluated the prevalences of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis in Seoul, Korea, to identify key housing and behavioral risk factors of low-income households. METHODS: Statistical analysis of the prevalence of these diseases and various risk factors was conducted using data from a 2010 Ministry of Environment household survey. Logistic regression models were generated using data from 511 low-income household apartments in districts of Seoul. RESULTS: In general, housing factors such as renovation history (P<0.1) and crowding status (P<0.01) were associated with allergic rhinitis, whereas behavioral factors such as frequency of indoor ventilation (P<0.05) and cleaning (P<0.1) were inversely correlated with atopic dermatitis. Indoor smoking was a major trigger of asthma and atopic dermatitis in low-income households (P<0.05). The presence of mold and water leakage in houses were the most important risk factors for all three diseases (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Various risk factors play a role in triggering allergic diseases among low-income households in Seoul, and health or environmental programs mitigating allergic diseases should be tailored to address appropriate housing or behavioral factors in target populations.
Asthma ; Crowding ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Family Characteristics* ; Fungi ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Housing ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Poverty ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors* ; Seoul ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Ventilation ; Water

Background: This study was performed to identify acute tinnitus and evaluate the efficacy of steroids for noise-induced acute tinnitus by measuring the gap-prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) value in an animal model. Methods: Nineteen rats (the noise group [n = 7] and the noise + dexamethasone [DEX] group [n = 12]) were exposed to narrow-band noise centered at 16 kHz from a sound generator for 4 hours. The noise + DEX group received intraperitoneal steroid administration daily for 5 days (1.5 mg/kg/day) after completing noise exposure. Auditory brainstem response and GPIAS value were measured just prior to, and 1 day after noise exposure and on days 1 and 10 days after completing steroid administration. The changes in cochlear structure were evaluated by histological analysis. Results: The threshold shift was checked 1 and 10 days after intraperitoneal steroid injection, and no differences in threshold shift were observed between the two groups in each frequency except for 32 kHz 1 day after steroid injection. The mean GPIAS value in the noise + DEX group (36.4% ± 14.1%) was significantly higher than that in the noise group (16.4% ± 18.8%) 10 days after intraperitoneal steroid administration (P = 0.017). There were no pathological changes associated with noise trauma in the two groups as determined on hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining. Conclusion An acute tinnitus model with minimal structural changes by noise exposure was set up, and used to verify tinnitus objectively by measuring the GPIAS value. Steroid therapy for control of tinnitus was validated in this animal model.

Protein Kinase C which is a Ca++ -activated, phospholipid - dependent enzyme phosphorylates numerous protein substrates and participates in intracellular signaling processes. Protein kinase C is associated with a wide range of biological effects including stimulus-secretion coupling, induction of cellular proliferation and differentiation, activation of nuclear transcription factors and cell surface receptors and tumor promotion. Programmed cell death, referred to apoptosis is an active, energy-dependent process in which the cell participates in its own destruction during apoptosis. There is condensation and fragmentation of nuclear chromatin, accompanied by a marked decline in total cell volume, dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum and general compacting of cellular organelles. Thereafter, there is fragmentation of both nucleus and cytoplasm to give rise to small membrane-bound vesicles known as apoptotic bodies. Protein kinase C may have the regulatory role in apoptosis. Staurosporine is a potent protein kinase C inhibitor. Staurosporine inhibited the growth of human invasive bladder tumor cells, T24 in MTT test. The survival fractions of human invasive bladder tumor cells T24 were 100.0%, 76.0%, 62.5% and 18.1% with staurosporine concentration 0nM, 10nM, 100nM and 1000nM, respectively. From the results we identified that staurosporine inhibited the growth of T24 cells markedly in a dose dependent manner(P<0.05). 12-hour exposure of T24 cells to staurosporine failed to induce DNA fragmentation at the concentrations of 0nM, 10nM and 100nM but promoted fragmentation at the concentration of 1000nM, showing typical ladder pattern on agarose gel electrophoresis. On the examination of cellular morphology, T24 cells showed the features of apoptosis such as cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation and formation of bleb and apoptotic bodies after exposure to staurosporine of 10nM, 100nM and 1000nM concentrations. These results suggest that staurosporine have remarkable cytotoxic effect against human invasive bladder tumor cells T 24 and the mechanism of cytotoxicity may be apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Blister ; Cell Death ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Size ; Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Humans* ; Organelles ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Staurosporine ; Transcription Factors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.
Transplants

Recently, epidemiologic studies have shown that the lack of serum vitamin D levels may be associated with high asthma prevalence, but its effect is still controversial, depending on season, area, and food consumption. We aimed to examine the association of serum vitamin D levels with the prevalence of pediatric asthma in Korea. A total of 80 children (50 asthmatic children and 30 healthy controls) aged 6-14 years were participated in this study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the relationship of serum vitamin D levels with results of pulmonary function test and environmental factors (lifestyle habits and residential factors) collected by a questionnaire survey were examined in asthmatic patients. Serum vitamin D levels in asthmatic children (16.63±4.20 ng/mL) were significantly lower than that in healthy controls (24.24±6.76 ng/mL) (p<0.05). Also, we found that the prevalence of asthma increase to 0.79-fold (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.88; p<0.001) as serum vitamin D level is 1 ng/mL decreases. The increased time spent in outdoor could affect the increases of serum vitamin D levels significantly. However, no associations of serum vitamin D with pulmonary function and residential environmental factors (i.e., housing type, living floor, and indoor activity time) were observed. Our findings suggest that serum vitamin D levels were also associated with pediatric asthma in Korea. Moreover, management of serum vitamin D level in asthmatic children would be a promising approach for preventing exaggeration of their severity.
Asthma* ; Child* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Housing ; Humans ; Korea* ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Seasons ; Sunlight ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: Nebulizers are commonly used to treat children with asthma. Some pulmonary infections associated with contaminated nebulizer units have been reported. The aims of this study were to determine whether home nebulizers are repositories of bacteria and to ascertain how asthmatic patients use and maintain their nebulizers at home. METHODS: Fifty-five children with asthma aged 2 to 6 years were enrolled in this study. The parents were asked to bring their child's nebulizer units to regular follow-up visits. Bacterial samples which were obtained from the masks(or mouthpieces), nebulizer chambers and throat swabs were inoculated to blood agar, chocolate agar, and McConkey agar. Cultures were incubated at 5 percent CO2 incubator and observed after 24 hours. Parents completed a questionnaire regarding nebulizer usage and care in their child. RESULTS: Bacterial contamination was found in samples from 27(49.1%) of the 55 masks(or mouthpieces) and 24(43.6%) of the 55 chambers. The predominant microorganisms isolated were Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The questionnaire revealed that 40 parents cleaned the nebulizer units with tap water(and soap) and dried then, as they had received cleaning and drying instructions from a medical staff member. Seven organisms from nebulizer units were indistinguishable from the patient's throat isolates. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that home nebulizers in these asthmatic children were frequently contaminated with aerobic bacteria. Aerosolization might transmit these bacteria to their upper respiratory tracts. The education and training of home caregivers should include the principles of cleaning and maintenance of their child's nebulizer units.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Agar ; Asthma ; Bacillus subtilis ; Bacteria ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; Cacao ; Candida albicans ; Caregivers ; Child* ; Education ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incubators ; Inhalation ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Medical Staff ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers* ; Parents ; Pharynx ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Respiratory System ; Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Leukocytes have been shown to be an undesirable contaminants in platelet transfusions because these contaminants may develop various adverse consequences. Current platelet products by plateletpheresis are heavily contaminated with leukocytes. Recently, new platelet apheresis system (COBE Spectra LRSTM) was designed to make it possible to collect platelets with very low leukocytes contamination. We evaluated the COBE Spectra LRSTM by comparing it with COBE Spectra. METHODS: Plateletpheresis procedures were performed on 75 normal donors; 45 procedures for COBE Spectra LRSTM and 30 procedures for COBE Spectra. We evaluated platelet yields, processing times, efficiency, and leukocytes content on two apheresis machines. RESULTS: Comparative results of COBE Spectra LRSTM with COBE Spectra were as follows: the mean processing time per unit was 97 min and 91 min, the efficiency per unit was 38.4 +/- 11.5% and 46.9 +/- 12.1%, the mean leukocytes contamination per unit was 6.1x104 and 2.1x106 respectively (p<0.01). The platelet yields per unit were 2.79 +/- 1.04x1011 with COBE Spectra LRSTM and 3.13 +/- 0.91x1011 with COBE Spectra (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Platelet collections with COBE Spectra LRSTM demonstrated comparable platelet yields and strikingly low WBC contamination. This study indicate that the COBE Spectra LRSTM is an efficient and reliable system for the collection of platelets with very low residual WBC levels. It seems that leukocyte reduction filter for platelet products by COBE Spectra LRSTM is not necessary for further removal of leukocytes to prevent alloimmunization, non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, certain viral and bacterial infections.
Bacterial Infections ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Platelet Transfusion ; Plateletpheresis ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and associated factors for AD in a total of 2,077 children from 5 elementary schools in Gyeonggi-do province. METHODS: AD was defined when parents answered "Yes" to a question in the on International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire "Has your child ever has itchy rashes with xax and wane pattern for at least 6 months?" in October 2012. SCORing Atopic Dermatitis index, skin prick testing and blood testing, were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of AD was 25.9% among 2,077 elementary school children in Gyeonggi-do province. Proportions of obesity (8.0% vs. 4.5%, P=0.004) and breast-feeding over 6 months (46.6% vs. 41.3%, P=0.035) were significantly higher in children with AD than those without. No significant differences were found in terms of sex, age, body mass index, history of breast-feeding ever and mode of delivery beween AD and non-AD children. obesity (adjusted odds ration [aOR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–2.75; P=0.006) and breast-feeding over 6 months (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03–1.77; P=0.029) were found as significant associated factors for AD. When stratified by sex, obesity in boys (aOR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.53–4.66; P=0.001) and breast-feeding history in girls (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.03–2.11; P=0.034) were independently considered significant associated factors for AD. We found more boys (66.7%, P=0.028) than girls among the severe AD cases. Male sex was considered an associated factor of having severe AD (aOR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.01–4.73; P=0.048). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AD was 25.9% in elementary school children in Gyeonggi-do. province obesity and breast-feeding over 6 months were found as associated factors of having AD. Male sex was considered an associated factor for severe AD.
Asthma ; Body Mass Index ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Exanthema ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Male ; Obesity ; Parents ; Prevalence* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: In order to facilitate public participation in platelet donation, it is important to encourage current donors to give future donations and to recommend others to donate. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the attitudes of plateletpheresis donors' toward their willingness to give further donations and to recommend others to donate. Understanding the factors influencing the donors' behavioral patterns toward donation would help determine a plan for how to increase the recruitment of donors and manage platelet resources effectively. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out on a total of 198 plateletpheresis donors recruited from university hospitals and blood centers of the Korea National Red Cross. The questionnaire contained 29 items, which consisted of 10 items related to the perception of donation, 7 items to their level of satisfaction in donating, 2 items related to their willingness to give future donations and recommend others to donate, 6 items on how to improve the quality of donation services, and 4 items related to the donor's general characteristics. Multiple-regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The plateletpheresis donors with higher perception and satisfaction scores were found to be more willing to give future donations and to recommend others to donate. The number of voluntary donors was higher than that of non-voluntary donors both in the university hospital and in blood centers. The scores of perception and satisfaction, along with the willingness to make future donations, were much higher in the blood centers than in the hospitals. The misperception about blood donation was found to be the major cause of the low donation rate. CONCLUSION: Since the behavioral patterns of plateletpheresis donors are influenced by their attitudes toward donation, more efforts and administrative supports will be needed to improve the quality of plateletpheresis services and the public perception of donation.
Blood Donors ; Blood Platelets ; Consumer Participation ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea ; Plateletpheresis* ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The role of PM10 in the development of allergic diseases remains controversial among epidemiological studies, partly due to the inability to control for spatial variations in large-scale risk factors. This study aims to investigate spatial correspondence between the level of PM10 and allergic diseases at the sub-district level in Seoul, Korea, in order to evaluate whether the impact of PM10 is observable and spatially varies across the subdistricts. METHODS: PM10 measurements at 25 monitoring stations in the city were interpolated to 424 sub-districts where annual inpatient and outpatient count data for 3 types of allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis) were collected. We estimated multiple ordinary least square regression models to examine the association of the PM10 level with each of the allergic diseases, controlling for various sub-district level covariates. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) models were conducted to evaluate how the impact of PM10 varies across the sub-districts. RESULTS: PM10 was found to be a significant predictor of atopic dermatitis patient count (P<0.01), with greater association when spatially interpolated at the sub-district level. No significant effect of PM10 was observed on allergic rhinitis and asthma when socioeconomic factors were controlled for. GWR models revealed spatial variation of PM10 effects on atopic dermatitis across the sub-districts in Seoul. The relationship of PM10 levels to atopic dermatitis patient counts is found to be significant only in the Gangbuk region (P<0.01), along with other covariates including average land value, poverty rate, level of education and apartment rate (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that PM10 effects on allergic diseases might not be consistent throughout Seoul. GIS-based spatial modeling techniques could play a role in evaluating spatial variation of air pollution impacts on allergic diseases at the sub-district level, which could provide valuable guidelines for environmental and public health policymakers.
Air Pollution ; Asthma ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Education ; Environmental Policy* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Particulate Matter ; Poverty ; Public Health ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors ; Seoul* ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Spatial Analysis