PURPOSE: Data are lacking on the association between the allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype and sensitization to specific allergens or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in children. We here investigated risk factors and comorbidities, including sensitization to specific allergens and BHR, for the AR phenotype by AR and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification in a general population-based birth cohort study. METHODS: We enrolled 606 children aged 7 years from the Panel Study of Korean Children. The AR phenotype was assigned in accordance with the ARIA classification in children. Skin prick tests and Provocholine provocation test were performed. Risk factors and comorbidities for AR phenotypes were then analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of mild and moderate to severe AR in our study cohort was 37.2% and 8.8%, respectively. Recent use of analgesics or antipyretics and current cat ownership were associated with the risk of mild persistent AR. Sensitizations to Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (Der p), Japanese hop and cat were associated with moderate to severe persistent AR. Children with moderate to severe AR had a higher risk of current asthma and BHR compared to mild AR cases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–15.62). Moderate to severe AR with allergic sensitization was associated with the highest risk of BHR (aOR, 11.77; 95% CI, 3.40–40.74). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe-persistent AR is more closely related to respiratory comorbidities and sensitizations than mild AR. Stratifying the AR phenotype by ARIA classification may assist in disease management.
Allergens ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Antipyretics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Cats ; Child ; Classification ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Disease Management ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Skin

PURPOSE: It is controversial whether indoor pet exposure is either a risk or protective factor developing sensitization to pet allergens or asthma. Therefore, we investigated whether indoor pet ownership entails a risk for the development of asthma and sensitization in childhood. METHODS: The Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC) is a general-population-based birth cohort study that recruited 2,078 mother-baby dyads in Korea between April and July of 2008. Among 1,577 children who were followed up in 2015, 559 underwent skin prick tests, spirometry and bronchial provocation tests using Provocholine. Having a cat or a dog and the prevalence of asthma were evaluated by using self-reported questionnaires and physicians’ medical records. RESULTS: During infancy, the rate of dog ownership was 4.5% (71 of 1,574) and that of cat ownership was 0.5% (8 of 1,574). Of the subjects, 7.9% (n=109) currently had at least 1 dog and 2.5% (n=34) had at least 1 cat. Pet ownership during infancy was associated with sensitization to cats or dogs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–13.98), wheezing within 12 months (aOR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.65–18.75) and current asthma (wheezing episode in the last 12 months+diagnosed asthma by physicians) (aOR, 6.36; 95% CI, 1.54–26.28). In contrast, pet ownership during the last 12 months was not associated with sensitization to cats or dogs or current asthma. CONCLUSION: Indoor pet exposure during infancy can be critical for developing sensitization to cats or dogs and asthma in childhood. Avoidance of pet exposure in early life may reduce sensitization to cats or dogs and development of asthma.
Allergens ; Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Cats ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Dogs ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Pets ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Respiratory Sounds ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Spirometry

BACKGROUND: A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug methacholine chloride (Provocholine®) was recently introduced to Korea where it is now widely used in clinical practice. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and cutoff value of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to Provocholine in 7-year-old children. METHODS: Six hundred and thirty-three children from the Panel Study on Korean Children who visited 16 regional hospitals were evaluated. Skin prick tests, spirometry and bronchial provocation tests for Provocholine as well as a detailed history and physical examinations were performed. The bronchial provocation test was reliably performed on 559 of these children. RESULTS: The prevalence of ever-diagnosed asthma via medical records was 7.7%, and that of current asthma (wheezy episode in the last 12 months + diagnosed asthma by physicians) was 3.2%. The prevalence of BHR to Provocholine was 17.2% and 25.8%, respectively, for a PC20 < 8 and < 16 mg/mL. The risk factors for BHR (PC20 < 16 mg/mL) were atopic dermatitis diagnosis and current dog ownership, whereas those for current asthma were allergy rhinitis diagnosis, a history of bronchiolitis before the age of 3, recent use of analgesics/antipyretics and maternal history of asthma. The BHR prevalence trend showed an increase along with the increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) quartile. The cutoff value of PC20 for the diagnosis of current asthma in children at age 7 was 5.8 mg/mL (sensitivity: 47.1%, specificity: 87.4%). CONCLUSIONS: BHR to Provocholine (PC20 < 8 mg/mL) was observed in 17.2% of 7-year-olds children from the general population and the cutoff value of PC20 for the diagnosis of current asthma was 5.8 mg/mL in this age group. The risk factors for BHR and current asthma showed discrepancies suggesting different underlying mechanisms. Bronchial provocation testing with Provocholine will be a useful clinical tool in the future.
Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Bronchiolitis ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis ; Dogs ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Methacholine Chloride* ; Ownership ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Spirometry ; United States Food and Drug Administration

BACKGROUND: The leukocyte common antigen (CD45) is a transmembrane-type protein tyrosine phosphatase that has five isoforms. METHODS: We generated seven murine mAbs against human CD45 by injecting cells from different origins, such as human thymocytes, PBMCs, and leukemic cell lines. By using various immunological methods including flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation, we evaluated the reactivity of those mAbs to CD45 of thymus as well as tonsil lysates. Furthermore, we transiently transfected COS-7 cells with each of gene constructs that express five human CD45 isoforms respectively, and examined the specificities of the mAbs against the transfected isoforms. RESULTS: In case of thymocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes, all the seven mAbs demonstrated positive reactivities whereas none was reactive to erythrocytes and platelets. The majority of immune cells in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded thymus and tonsil tissues displayed strong membranous immunoreactivity, and the main antigen was detected near 220 kDa in all cases. Among the mAbs, four mAbs (AP4, DN11, SHL-1, and P6) recognized a region commonly present in all the five isoforms. One mAb, YG27, recognized four isoforms (ABC, AB, BC, and O). Two mAbs, P1 and P14, recognized the isoforms that contain exon A encoded regions (ABC and AB). CONCLUSION: In this study, we confirmed that AP4, DN11, SHL-1, YG27 and P6, are mAbs reactive with the CD45 antigen whereas P1 and P14 are reactive with the CD45RA antigen.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antigens, CD45 ; Blood Platelets ; Cell Line ; COS Cells ; Erythrocytes ; Exons ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunoprecipitation ; Leukocytes ; Lymphocytes ; Monocytes ; Palatine Tonsil ; Protein Isoforms ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; Thymocytes ; Thymus Gland

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies suggest that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Korea. However, studies on risk factors for GERD have yielded inconsistent results. The aims of this study were to compare clinical features between symptomatic syndromes without esophageal injury (=non-erosive disease [NED]) and syndromes with esophageal injury (=erosive disease [ED]), and to determine risk factors associated ED. METHODS: A total of 450 subjects who visited gastroenterology clinics of six training hospitals in Daegu from March 2008 to April 2010 were consecutively enrolled. The subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire which inquired about gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The questionnaire also included questions about smoking, alcohol drinking, consumption of coffee, use of drugs, exercise, and other medical history. The subjects were subdivided into NED and ED groups. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects in each NED and ED group was 172 (38.2%) and 278 (61.8%). Male gender, smoking, alcohol drinking, consumption of coffee, large waist circumference, infrequent medication of antacids, aspirin and NSAIDs, infrequent and mild GERD symptoms were all significantly associated with ED on univariate analysis. Age, hiatal hernia, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, change in weight during 1 year, and number of typical GERD symptoms were not independent risk factors for ED. However, the association between ED and alcohol drinking, infrequent medication of antacids, mild typical GERD symptoms remained as strong risk factors after adjustments on multivariate logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Independent risk factors associated with ED were alcohol drinking, infrequent medication of antacids and mild typical GERD symptoms.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Antacids/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use ; Aspirin/therapeutic use ; Barrett Esophagus/complications/diagnosis ; Body Mass Index ; Coffee ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophagitis, Peptic/complications/*diagnosis ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors ; Waist Circumference

Sunitinib, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Many adverse effects associated with sunitinib, including hypertension, proteinuria, and thrombotic microangiopathy, have been reported; however, the other forms of glomerulonephritis are very rare. We report a case of biopsy-confirmed immune complex glomerulonephritis in a patient with a gastrointestinal tumor who received sunitinib treatment. The proteinuria subsided partially after sunitinib was discontinued, but when the drug was reintroduced, it recurred.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Indoles ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Proteinuria ; Pyrroles ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been gaining popularity with the advances in the technique and the accumulating experience. The objectives of this study are to assess the current situation of endoscopic resection (ER) in primary clinics and community-based hospitals and to suggest an affordable training program. METHODS: A questionnaire about the indications to perform ER for gastric or colonic lesions was sent to the doctors working in the non-tertiary hospitals by mail. RESULTS: The responders who were performing EMR or polypectomy for gastric lesions accounted for 43% (31/72) and 44.8% (47/101), respectively, of the total responders. The percentage of responders who had experience with performing EMR or polypectomy for colonic lesions accounted for 56.6% (30/53) and 87.3% (62/71), respectively, of the total responders. The indication for ER for treating gastric and colonic lesions was restricted to the size of 1~2 cm irrespective of the type or location of lesion. Most of the responders assumed that ER should be performed in their clinics and they wanted to have a chance to improve these techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The infrastructure for therapeutic endoscopy, such as ER, should be progressively expanded. Therefore, well designed schematic training programs are currently needed to advance using ER more commonly in clinical practice.
Colon ; Endoscopy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Ten percent of all myxomas are the familial form. Familial myxomas appear to have autosomal dominant transmission. We experienced two siblings with familial myxomas. A left atrial myxoma was surgically removed in a 21-year-old woman. Six years later, other myxomas were found in the right atrium and the left atrium and these were also surgically removed. Right ventricular and right atrial myxomas were surgically excised in her brother. The two siblings were found to have frame-shift mutations in the PRKAR1A gene (c.537delA; p.Gly180GlufsX26), which is the causative gene for Carney complex. Obtaining the genetic diagnosis makes it possible to prepare more effective therapeutic strategies for these patients and the gene carriers. Complete excision, ruling out multicentricity and proper postoperative follow up are all necessary to avoid recurrence of myxoma.
Carney Complex ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Myxoma ; Recurrence ; Siblings ; Young Adult

An anomalous origin of the coronary artery with subsequent coursing between the great vessels is a rare congenital heart defect that may cause myocardial ischemia and sudden death. Several surgical techniques have been described to address this defect. An extended unroofing procedure to create an alternative ostium for the right coronary artery was successfully carried out in a patient having an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery. The newly constructed orifice was widely patent 3 months later, without any episodes of myocardial ischemia or aortic regurgitation.
Coronary Vessels ; Death, Sudden ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia

Goldenhar's syndrome is a rare form of a hemifacial microsomia in which the facial and vertebral anomalies are frequently associated with cardiac, pulmonary and renal defects. Infants with Goldenhar's syndrome commonly have an airway that is difficulty to manage. A difficult tracheal intubation may be due to a combination of mandibular hypoplasia, macrognathia, palatal defects and vertebral anomalies. We report the successful anesthetic management of a 10-month-old girl with Goldenhar's syndrome for the excision of conjunctival lipodermoid. The use of remifentanil followed with an anesthetic induction dose of propofol provides adequate conditions for tracheal intubation without the use of neuromuscluar blocking agents in a patient with Goldenhar's syndrome.
Airway Management* ; Female ; Goldenhar Syndrome ; Humans ; Infant ; Intubation ; Propofol