PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory relapsing skin disorder. Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in the development of AD, and interleukin (IL) 31 is known to be related to pruritus in AD. The aim of our study was to determine whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are related to IL-31 levels or to the severity of AD. METHODS: We enrolled 91 children with AD and 32 control subjects without history or symptoms of allergic diseases. Blood was drawn to evaluate complete blood cell count, total eosinophil count (TEC), and total IgE, specific IgE to common allergens, 25(OH)D, and IL-31 levels. Serum 25(OH)D and IL-31 levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index was used to evaluate the severity of AD. RESULTS: The mean 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the AD group than in the control group; 25(OH)D decreased greatly in the moderate and severe AD groups compared with the mild AD group. Children with atopic sensitization showed significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than nonatopic children. However, serum IL-31 levels were not related to AD group, SCORAD index, or 25(OH)D levels. The SCORAD index was inversely correlated with serum 25(OH)D level and positively correlated with TECs and total IgE levels. Children with moderate and severe AD had significantly higher TECs than children with mild AD. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D is related to the severity of AD independently of IL-31.
Allergens ; Blood Cell Count ; Child* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukins ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Vitamin D

Gout is characterized by hyperuricemia and recurrent attacks of acute arthritis. Gout is a clinical syndrome resulting from the deposition of urate (monosodium urate monohydrate) crystals. Urate deposition occurs in articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial membrane, joint capsule and periarticular tissues, with articular cartilage being especially susceptible. The first metatarsophalangeal joint is commonly involved at presentation and other commonly affected joints are the ankle, knee and tarsal area. Gouty tophus located on the tibial tuberosity has never been reported in korea. We report a case of gouty tophus on the tibial tuberosity with (chemical) cellulitis occurred at the upper tibial area in a 46- year-old man.
Ankle ; Arthritis ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cellulitis* ; Gout ; Hyperuricemia ; Joint Capsule ; Joints ; Knee ; Korea ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Synovial Membrane ; Tibia* ; Uric Acid

PURPOSE: A nationwide outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) refractory to macrolide antibiotics occurred in Korea during 2011. Steroid therapy has been reported to be both efficacious and well tolerated in pediatric patients with refractory MP. We compared clinical features and laboratory characteristics between children with refractory MP requiring steroid treatment and those with macrolide-responsive MP and evaluated the risk factors associated with refractory MP. METHODS: We investigated 203 children who were admitted to our institution with MP from June to November 2011. Refractory MP was defined by persistent fever over 38.3degrees C with progressive pulmonary consolidation or pleural effusion despite administration of appropriate macrolide antibiotics for 5 days or longer after admission. Steroid therapy was initiated on the fifth day after admission for refractory cases. RESULTS: There were 26 patients with refractory MP requiring steroid therapy. The mean duration of steroid therapy was 5.4 days and most of the patients were afebrile within 24 hours after initiation of steroid therapy. The prevalence of refractory MP was higher in patients with pleural effusion, lobar pneumonia affecting more than 2 lobes, higher levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase, increased oxygen requirements, and longer duration of hospitalization. Atopic sensitization and history of asthma were also associated with refractory MP after adjusting for age and gender. CONCLUSION: Children with refractory MP had more severe pneumonia. Atopic sensitization and history of asthma may be risk factors for refractory MP requiring steroid therapy in Korean children.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Asthma* ; Child* ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Oxygen ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of calcium and vitamin D to the titanium implant osseointegration in the osteoporosis-induced animal model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-two rats, 10 weeks of age, were divided into two groups: experimental group was ingested additional calcium and vitamin D, and a control group was not. Titanium screw implant(diameter, 2.0 mm; length, 3.5 mm; pitch-height 0.4 mm) were placed into tibia of 32 rats, 16 in the control group and 16 in the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after implantation for histopathologic examination, histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry with fibronectin and collagen type I antibody. RESULT: In histopathological findings, newly formed bone was seen at 2 weeks and became lamellar bone at 4 weeks, and mature trabecullar bone was seen at 8 weeks in experimental group. In control group, thickness of regenerated bone increased till 4 weeks gradually and trabecullar bone was seen at 8 weeks. In histomorphometric analysis, marrow bone density increased significantly in experimental group compared to control group. Fibronectin immunoreactivity was strong at 2 weeks in experimental group and reduced after 4 weeks gradually. But it was maintained continuously from 2 to 8 weeks in control group. Collagen type I immunoreactivity was very strong from 2 to 4 week in experimental group. And the amount of Collagen type I expression was more abundant in experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that calcium and vitamin D supplementation promote bone healing around titanium implants in osteoporosis induced animals.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium ; Collagen Type I ; Fibronectins ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Animal ; Osseointegration ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Rats ; Tibia ; Titanium ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

Pulmonary hemorrhage as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been rarely reported in children. We present the case of a 10-year-old girl who was admitted to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital with hemoptysis. She had a 5-day history of cough with dyspnea. On physical exam, breath sound was significantly decreased combined with rales on both lung fields. Blood tests revealed pancytopenia, decreased complement levels (C3, 21.28 mg/dL; C4, 3.10 mg/dL), positive antinuclear antibody (>1:640) and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (262.5 IU/mL). Chest computed tomography revealed patchy ground glass opacity on both lung fields. She had proteinuria and diffuse lupus nephritis (International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society class IV-G(A)) confirmed by renal biopsy. High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy (30 mg/kg/day) was given for 3 days and then switched to a maintenance dose (1 mg/kg/day). Initially hemoptysis resolved after administration of methylprednisolone, but recurred on the 14th day of treatment. She was then treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and hemoptysis subsided without recurrence. She was discharged on the 31st day of admission. She continued to receive monthly cyclophosphamide pulse therapy until the occurrence of leukopenia and then her regimen was switched to mycophenolate and hydroxychloroquine. SLE continues to be well controlled after 18 months of treatment. Recognition of pulmonary hemorrhage as a possible initial manifestation of SLE is crucial for early diagnosis. SLE was successfully treated with good outcome.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Biopsy ; Child ; Complement System Proteins ; Cough ; Cyclophosphamide ; DNA ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Glass ; Hematologic Tests ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Leukopenia ; Lung ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lupus Nephritis ; Methylprednisolone ; Pancytopenia ; Pathology ; Pediatrics ; Proteinuria ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Thorax

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of calcium and vitamin D to the titanium implant osseointegration in animal model. 32 rats, 10 weeks of age, were divided into two group: additional calcium and vitamin D supplementation group and a control group. Titanium screw implant(diameter, 2.0mm; length, 3.5mm; pitch-height 0.4 mm) were placed into tibia of 32 rats, 16 in the control group and 16 in the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed at different time interval(1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation) for histopathologic observation, histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry with osteocalcin and osteopontin antibody. Histopathologically findings, newly formed bone was seen at 1 weeks and became lamellar bone at 2 weeks, and mature trabecullar bone was seen at 4 weeks experimental group. In control group, thickness of regenerated bone increased till 4 weeks gradually and trabecullar bone was seen at 8 weeks. By histomorphometric analysis, bone marrow density was increased significantly at 1 and 2 weeks in experimental group compared to control group. Osteocalcin immunoreactivity was strong at 1 week experimental group and reduced after 4 weeks gradually. But it was continuously weakly from 1 to 4 weeks in control group. Osteopontin immunoreactivity was very strong in newly formed bone from 2 to 8 weeks experimental group. And the amount of osteopontin expression was more abundant in experimental group. The results of this study suggest that calcium and vitamin D supplementation promotes bone healing around dental implants.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium* ; Dental Implants ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Animal ; Osseointegration ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteopontin ; Rats ; Tibia ; Titanium* ; Vitamin D*

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of beverages on tooth corrosion by selecting drinks that are enjoyed by modern people. Drinks were selected for carbonated beverages (Coca Cola), energy drinks (Red Bull), orange juice, beer (Hite) and water (Evian). Bovine tooth was immersed for 1 hour, 24 hours and 48 hours. The root mean square (RMS) values were obtained by scanning the bovine tooth at pre-immersion and immersion time after impression making. Two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey-test were used to compare differences between groups (α=0.05). The RMS value tended to increase with longer immersion times in all beverages, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between before immersion-1hr and before immersion-48 hr. The mean of RMS according to the type of beverage was significantly different and there was a significant difference according to the change of immersion time (p < 0.05). In order to prevent tooth corrosion, it is necessary to change the method of ingestion or to reduce the time of ingestion.
Beer ; Beverages ; Carbonated Beverages ; Citrus sinensis ; Corrosion ; Eating ; Energy Drinks ; Immersion ; Methods ; Tooth ; Water

A large outbreak of Shigella sonnei gastrointestinal infections occurred at Cheju Island in Korea from May to August 2000. We selected 54 strains which were isolated from the primary treatment failure cases in the outbreak, and characterized the resistance-determining region of the R-plasmid. The 54 strains showed same antimicrobial resistance patterns; resistance against ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline were mediated by a conjugable plasmid of about 80 kb size, but the trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole resistance was not transferred by this plasmid. The R-determining region of the plasmid was cloned and characterized. The 8,384 bp sequences contained resistance genes in the following order:strA, strB, tetR, tetA, and sul1. Fifty four isolates harbored the same sized plasmid and showed same ribotyping patterns, which suggested the clonal spread of S. sonnei in the outbreak.
Ampicillin ; Clone Cells ; Jeju-do* ; Korea ; Plasmids* ; Ribotyping ; Shigella sonnei* ; Shigella* ; Streptomycin ; Sulfamethoxazole ; Tetracycline ; Treatment Failure ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

A large outbreak of Shigella sonnei gastrointestinal infections occurred at Cheju Island in Korea from May to August 2000. We selected 54 strains which were isolated from the primary treatment failure cases in the outbreak, and characterized the resistance-determining region of the R-plasmid. The 54 strains showed same antimicrobial resistance patterns; resistance against ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline were mediated by a conjugable plasmid of about 80 kb size, but the trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole resistance was not transferred by this plasmid. The R-determining region of the plasmid was cloned and characterized. The 8,384 bp sequences contained resistance genes in the following order:strA, strB, tetR, tetA, and sul1. Fifty four isolates harbored the same sized plasmid and showed same ribotyping patterns, which suggested the clonal spread of S. sonnei in the outbreak.
Ampicillin ; Clone Cells ; Jeju-do* ; Korea ; Plasmids* ; Ribotyping ; Shigella sonnei* ; Shigella* ; Streptomycin ; Sulfamethoxazole ; Tetracycline ; Treatment Failure ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the frequency of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive individuals and the effects of occult HBV infection on the severity of liver disease. METHODS: Seventy-one hepatitis B virus surface-antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients were divided according to their HBV serological status into groups A (anti-HBc positive, anti-HBs negative; n=18), B (anti-HBc positive, anti-HBs positive; n=34), and C (anti-HBc negative, anti-HBs positive/negative; n=19), and by anti-HCV positivity (anti-HCV positive; n=32 vs. anti-HCV negative; n=39). Liver biopsy samples were taken, and HBV DNA was quantified by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Intrahepatic HBV DNA was detected in 32.4% (23/71) of the entire cohort, and HBV DNA levels were invariably low in the different groups. Occult HBV infection was detected more frequently in the anti-HBc-positive patients. Intrahepatic HBV DNA was detected in 28.1% (9/32) of the anti-HCV-positive and 35.9% (14/39) of the anti-HCV-negative subjects. The HCV genotype did not affect the detection rate of intrahepatic HBV DNA. In anti-HCV-positive cases, occult HBV infection did not affect liver disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of intrahepatic HBV DNA were detected frequently in both HBsAg-negative and anti-HCV-positive cases. However, the frequency of occult HBV infection was not affected by the presence of hepatitis C, and occult HBV infection did not have a significant effect on the disease severity of hepatitis C.
Adult ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B/*complications/*diagnosis ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens/blood/immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood/immunology ; Hepatitis B virus/*genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*complications/genetics/*pathology ; Humans ; Liver/virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Severity of Illness Index