Purpose: To describe pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases after the reopening of schools in the Republic of Korea and their transmission routes. Methods: All case report forms and epidemiologic investigation forms for children aged 3–18 years reported as COVID-19 cases to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System from May 1 to July 12, 2020, were reviewed. Results: After the schools were reopened in May 2020, a total of 127 pediatric COVID-19 cases were confirmed until July 12. Of these, 59 children (46%) were exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 through family and relatives, followed by 18 children (14%) through cram schools or private lessons, 8 children (6%) through multi-use facilities, and 3 children (2%) through school. Conclusions The present data do not suggest an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission in the context of stringent school-based infection prevention measures introduced across the country.

Purpose: To describe pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases after the reopening of schools in the Republic of Korea and their transmission routes. Methods: All case report forms and epidemiologic investigation forms for children aged 3–18 years reported as COVID-19 cases to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System from May 1 to July 12, 2020, were reviewed. Results: After the schools were reopened in May 2020, a total of 127 pediatric COVID-19 cases were confirmed until July 12. Of these, 59 children (46%) were exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 through family and relatives, followed by 18 children (14%) through cram schools or private lessons, 8 children (6%) through multi-use facilities, and 3 children (2%) through school. Conclusions The present data do not suggest an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission in the context of stringent school-based infection prevention measures introduced across the country.

No abstract available.
Receptors, Nicotinic*

BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. METHODS: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. CONCLUSION: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Quinazolines ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride

BACKGROUND: Intubation of the trachea frequently results in a rise in respiratory system resistance (Rrs) that is reversed by inhaled bronchodilators. In asthmatics, this reflex may occasionally result in profound bronchoconstriction, and anesthesiologists often try to avoid tracheal intubation if possible in asthmatics. The hypothesis of this study was that insertion of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) would be less likely to result in reversible bronchoconstriction than would insertion of an endotracheal tube (ETT). METHODS: A total of 52 (45 male, 7 female) patients were randomized to placement of a 7.5 mm (females) or 8.0 mm (males) endotracheal tube or a #4 (females) or #5 LMA (males). Anesthesia was induced with 2 microgram/kg fentanyl and 5 mg/kg thiopental and airway placement facilitated with 1 mg/kg succinylcholine. After ensuring that a seal to greater than 20 cmH2O existed, Rrs was measured immediately following airway placement using the isovolumic method during positive pressure ventilation with oxygen. Correction was made for the resistance of the ETT but not for the resistance of the LMA, which was insignificant at the flows used. Inhalation anesthesia was then begun with isoflurane (ISF) to achieve an end-tidal concentration of 1.0% for ten minutes. Rrs was then measured again under identical conditions. In the LMA patients, fiberoptic laryngoscopy was then performed to ensure that the scope could be passed to the level of the cords without epiglottic obstruction. RESULTS: Among LMA patients, the initial Rrs was significantly lower than among ETT patients (9.2 0.7 vs 13.4 1.9 cmH2O/L/s, P <0.05). After 10 minutes of ISF, the resistance declined to 8.6 0.7 in the ETT group but remained unchanged at 9.1 0.7 cmH2O/L/s in the LMA group. The decline in Rrs in the ETT group of 4.7 1.4 cmH2O/L/s was highly significant compared to the lack of change in the LMA group (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the inclusion of the resistance of the LMA and the laryngeal resistance, Rrs in LMA patients was still clearly lower than in ETT patients. Furthermore, resistance dropped rapidly only in ETT patients after ISF, a potent bronchodilator, suggesting that reversible bronchoconstriction was present in ETT patients but not LMA patients. We conclude that an LMA is a better choice of airway to minimize airway reaction.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Bronchoconstriction* ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Isoflurane ; Laryngeal Masks* ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Oxygen ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Reflex ; Respiratory System ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Trachea

BACKGROUND: Intubation of the trachea frequently results in a rise in respiratory system resistance (Rrs) that is reversed by inhaled bronchodilators. In asthmatics, this reflex may occasionally result in profound bronchoconstriction, and anesthesiologists often try to avoid tracheal intubation if possible in asthmatics. The hypothesis of this study was that insertion of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) would be less likely to result in reversible bronchoconstriction than would insertion of an endotracheal tube (ETT). METHODS: A total of 52 (45 male, 7 female) patients were randomized to placement of a 7.5 mm (females) or 8.0 mm (males) endotracheal tube or a #4 (females) or #5 LMA (males). Anesthesia was induced with 2 microgram/kg fentanyl and 5 mg/kg thiopental and airway placement facilitated with 1 mg/kg succinylcholine. After ensuring that a seal to greater than 20 cmH2O existed, Rrs was measured immediately following airway placement using the isovolumic method during positive pressure ventilation with oxygen. Correction was made for the resistance of the ETT but not for the resistance of the LMA, which was insignificant at the flows used. Inhalation anesthesia was then begun with isoflurane (ISF) to achieve an end-tidal concentration of 1.0% for ten minutes. Rrs was then measured again under identical conditions. In the LMA patients, fiberoptic laryngoscopy was then performed to ensure that the scope could be passed to the level of the cords without epiglottic obstruction. RESULTS: Among LMA patients, the initial Rrs was significantly lower than among ETT patients (9.2 0.7 vs 13.4 1.9 cmH2O/L/s, P <0.05). After 10 minutes of ISF, the resistance declined to 8.6 0.7 in the ETT group but remained unchanged at 9.1 0.7 cmH2O/L/s in the LMA group. The decline in Rrs in the ETT group of 4.7 1.4 cmH2O/L/s was highly significant compared to the lack of change in the LMA group (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the inclusion of the resistance of the LMA and the laryngeal resistance, Rrs in LMA patients was still clearly lower than in ETT patients. Furthermore, resistance dropped rapidly only in ETT patients after ISF, a potent bronchodilator, suggesting that reversible bronchoconstriction was present in ETT patients but not LMA patients. We conclude that an LMA is a better choice of airway to minimize airway reaction.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Bronchoconstriction* ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Isoflurane ; Laryngeal Masks* ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Oxygen ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Reflex ; Respiratory System ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Trachea

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of neovascularization. Hypoxia inducible nitric oxide (NO) enhanced the expression of VEGF and thymosin beta-4 (Tbeta4), actin sequestering protein. Here, we investigated whether NO-mediated VEGF expression could be regulated by Tbeta4 expression in HeLa cervical cancer cells. Hypoxia inducible NO production and VEGF expression were reduced by small interference (si) RNA of Tbeta4. Hypoxia response element (HRE)-luciferase activity and VEGF expression were increased by the treatment with N-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)-N2-acetyl-S-nitroso-D, L-penicillaminamide (SNAP-1), to generate NO, which was inhibited by the inhibition of Tbeta4 expression with Tbeta4-siRNA. In hypoxic condition, HRE-luciferase activity and VEGF expression were inhibited by the treatment with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an inhibitor to nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is accompanied with a decrease in Tbeta4 expression. VEGF expression inhibited by L-NMMA treatment was restored by the transfection with pCMV-Tbeta4 plasmids for Tbeta4 overexpression. Taken together, these results suggest that Tbeta4 could be a regulator for the expression of VEGF via the maintenance of NOS activity.
Actins ; Anoxia ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; omega-N-Methylarginine ; Plasmids ; Response Elements ; RNA ; Thymosin* ; Transfection ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in children needs to be elucidated in terms of clinical characteristics, natural history, the most effective treatment and prognostic factors, as the disease is very rare and its definition and classification has not reached a consensus by many physician. This study was aimed to describe the characteristics and the disease courses of Korean children with MDS, and to analyze the usefulness of prognostic scoring systems in the prediction of transformation to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and overall survival among subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen children with MDS seen at Chonnam University Hospital and additional 59 patients identified by the review of Korean literature were evaluated to define clinical characteristics and disease courses. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) probability of leukemic transformation and overall survival were plotted. FAB subtypes, subgroups by Boumemouth Scoring System (BSS), and International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk groups were compared to predict transformation to AML and overall survival. RESULTS: The median age of 14 patients was 36.5 months. The sex ratio was 3.7:1 (M: F). The frequency of FAB subtypes in Korea was similar to that of other countries except for higher proportion of RA (37%). K-M 3-yr probability of AML transformation and survival for Korean patients were 54.7%, and 49.8%, respectively. Although FAB system, BMS and IPSS were all capable of discriminating subgroups in the prediction of AML transformation and survival, they did not reach the significant level possibly due to small number of patients assigned to each subgroup. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of Korean children with MDS were not different from those of other countries. This study showed the high rate of AML transformation and poor survival in children with MDS.
Child ; Classification ; Consensus ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes* ; Natural History ; Prognosis ; Sex Ratio

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among the levels of total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure, body mass index, and lifestyle. METHOD: This study was designed as a descriptive correlation study. Subjects were 972 adults participated voluntarily living in GyeongNam. The height, weight, blood pressure and fasting serum cholesterol were measured. Body mass index was caculated. Information on general characteristics (age, gender, education, job, family history) and life style(cigarette, alchol, sleeping time, regular exercise, meal pattern, peppery, salty, sweetness, vegetable diet, meat diet) were collected using a questionnaire by interviewing method. RESULT: The mean value of total serum cholesterol was 197+/-36.4mg/dl(mean; 189.4+/-36.7, women; 202.1 +/-35.1). By simple analysis, the serum total cholesterol according to general characteristics features was statistically significant in age(F= 6.765, p=000) and gender (t=5.372, p=.000). Total serum cholesterol levels increased significantly with increasing BMI. The serum total cholesterol according to life style features was statistically significant in cigarette(chi2 =12.12, p=.016), exercise(chi2=6.335, p=.042), salty taste(chi2=18.801, p=016), vegetable diet(chi2=19.488, p=012). The most affecting factor which total serum cholesterol factor was BMI(beta=.151, p=.000). CONCLUSION: The significant risk factors relating to serum total cholesterol were age, gender, BMI, smoking, and exercise. Therefore, for the reduction of serum total cholesterol level, it is recommended that nursing intervention for the prevention of obesity, change of life style should be implemented.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Body Mass Index* ; Cholesterol* ; Climacteric ; Diet ; Education ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Meals ; Meat ; Nursing ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Statistics as Topic ; Vegetables

Macrophages play a role in innate immune responses to various foreign antigens. Many products from primary tumors influence the activation and transmigration of macrophages. Here, we investigated a migration of macrophages stimulated with cancer cell culture-conditioned medium (CM). Macrophage activation by treatment with CM of B16F10 cells were judged by the increase in protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). The location where macrophages were at 4 h-incubation with control medium or CM was different from where they were at 5 h-incubation in culture dish. Percentage of superimposed macrophages at every 1 h interval was gradually increased by CM treatment as compared to control. Total coverage of migrated track expressed in coordinates was smaller and total distance of migration was shorter in CM-treated macrophages than that in control. Rac1 activity in CM-treated macrophages was also decreased as compared to that in control. When macrophages were treated with CM in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex), an increase in COX2 protein levels, and a decrease in Rac1 activity and total coverage of migration were reversed. In the meanwhile, biphasic changes were detected by Dex treatment in section distance of migration at each time interval, which was more decreased at early time and then increased at later time. Taken together, data demonstrate that macrophage motility could be reduced in accordance with activation in response to cancer cell products. It suggests that macrophage motility could be a novel marker to monitor cancer-associated inflammatory diseases and the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Cell Movement* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dexamethasone ; Immunity, Innate ; Macrophage Activation ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Track and Field