The Acknowledgements was published incorrectly.

PURPOSE: Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is characterized by prolonged fever and radiological progression despite macrolide treatment. Few studies have examined serum procalcitonin (PCT) level in children with MPP. We aimed to investigate the association of acute inflammation markers including PCT with clinical parameters in children with MPP. METHODS: A total of 147 children were recruited. The diagnosis of MPP relied on serial measurement of IgM antibody against mycoplasma and/or polymerase chain reaction. We evaluated the relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP), PCT, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts, and clinical severity of the disease. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratio for prolonged fever (>3 days after admission) and hospital stay (> 6 days), comparing quintiles 2–5 of the PCT levels with the lowest quintile. RESULTS: The serum PCT and CRP levels were higher in children with fever and hospital stay than in those with fever lasting ≤ 3 days after admission and hospital stay ≤ 6 days. CRP level was higher in segmental/lobar pneumonia than in bronchopneumonia. The LDH level and WBC counts were higher in children with fever lasting for >3 days before compared to those with fever lasting for ≤ 3 days. The highest quintile of PCT levels was associated with a significantly higher risk of prolonged fever and/or hospital stay than the lowest quintile. CONCLUSION: Serum PCT and CRP levels on admission day were associated with persistent fever and longer hospitalization in children with MPP.
Bronchopneumonia ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Resistance ; Fever* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Inflammation ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Length of Stay ; Leukocytes ; Logistic Models ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Mycoplasma* ; Odds Ratio ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors*

Purpose: Climate and lifestyle changes increase an individual’s susceptibility to various allergens and also the incidence of allergic diseases. We aimed to examine the changes in sensitization rate for aeroallergens over a 10-year period in Korean children. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 4493 children who visited the allergy clinic at a tertiary hospital in Korea for allergic rhinitis or asthma from January 2009 to December 2018. The serum specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured to confirm the sensitization against Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae), Alternaria, weed and tree pollen mixtures, as well as cat and dog dander through ImmunoCAP test. Results: D. farinae was the most common sensitizing aeroallergen (45.9%) during the 10-year span. The sensitization rate for tree pollen mixture (p for trend <0.001), weed pollen mixtures (p for trend <0.001), dog dander (p for trend=0.025), and cat dander (p for trend=0.003) showed ascending trends during the 10-year study period. Furthermore, the sensitization rate for multiple allergens (≥2) in 2018 increased significantly compared to that in 2009 (p for trend=0.013).Compared with children without sensitization to D. farinae, those with sensitization to D. farinae showed higher sensitization rates to other aeroallergens (p for interaction <0.001). Conclusion Children’s sensitization rate to cat and dog dander and weed and tree pollen mixtures significantly increased during the 10-year period in Korea. Children with sensitization to D. farinae are likely to be sensitized to other aeroallergens as well.

Abdominal pregnancy that is a life threatening variant of ectopic pregnancy, has been a rare event with high maternal mortality. It is very difficult to diagnose a abdominal pregnancy clinically. We have experienced a case of early abdominal pregnancy diagnosed at emergency laparotomy and this case was presented with a brief review of the literatures.
Emergencies ; Female ; Laparotomy ; Maternal Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Abdominal* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic

PURPOSE: The renal histological and hemodynamic changes and the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated according to the differential renal function (DRF) during total ureteral obstruction (TUO) in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In forty-nine control (5) and 16 experimental rabbits (16 in TUO 3 days, 13 in TUO 7 days and 15 in TUO 14 days), the renal blood flow (RBF) and 99mTc-DTPA renal scan were measured both before and after TUO. The cut-off of the DRF group was 40%. The histological changes and expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were evaluated using H&E and immunohistochemical stain, respectively. RESULTS: The entire control group demonstrated more than 40% DRF. Contrary to the control group, the DRF was less than 40% in 4 (25%), 7 (53%) and 6 rabbits (40%) in TUO 3, 7 and 14 day groups, respectively. The postobstructive compared to preobstructive RBF was decreased in each group. The RBF was more decreased in the lower than the higher DRF group (more than 40%) in all of the experimental groups. Abnormal histological changes were more prominent in the experimental groups, and increased with the obstruction time. However, there was no difference in relation to the DRF. The expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were more prominent in the experimental and lower DRF groups. CONCLUSIONS: During acute TUO, the decreased RBF and hypoxia may play a role in preservation of the DRF.
Anoxia* ; Hemodynamics ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Rabbits ; Renal Circulation ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in setting times based on the methods for dental root canal sealers and calcium silicate cement used in root-end filling. Five kinds of dental root canal sealers and four kinds of calcium silicate cement for root-end filling were selected for the experiments. All materials were mixed according to the manufacturers’ instructions and stored at 37 ℃ with a relative humidity of 95%. Setting time was measured using a 1/4 pound Gillmore needle and a 1 pound Gillmore needle to determine the time until indentation was no longer visible or the time until 2 mm penetration was no longer possible. The determination of indentation was based on the absence of visible impressions on the material surface when Gillmore needle was placed vertically. When comparing indentation time and penetration time using same type of Gillmore needle, only ProRoot MTA using 1 pound Gillmore needle showed significant difference between measuring methods (P<0.05) while there are no differences in measuring methods in other materials (P>0.05). By this study, we could expect to measure a setting time relatively similar to real clinical conditions through indentation method.

As a high-performance polymer, Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) has good biocompatibility and excellent physical properties and is used in several areas, including dentistry. Many successful cases of implant-supported fixed prostheses with a PEKK framework have been reported; however, a long-term observation of the reported cases and discussion of complications are not available. In this case report, we present three cases of implant-supported fixed prostheses with a PEKK framework veneered with composite resin, lithium disilicate crown, and high-impact polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and discuss their 6-year follow-up results.

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

PURPOSE: Viral infection is the most common aggravating factor for childhood asthma. Asthma may be a risk factor for severe respiratory symptoms in children with lower respiratory tract infections of viral etiology. Influenza A infection enhances Th2-polarization to house dust mites during the acute phase and leads to lung dysfunction in a mouse model. However, there are no data on the relationship between atopic sensitization and H1N1 (Influenza A) infection in humans. To investigate whether atopic sensitization is associated with the severity of H1N1 pneumonia, we compared clinical features and the atopic sensitization rate between children with and without H1N1 infection. METHODS: Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, we investigated H1N1 virus infection in 214 children who were hospitalized with high fever and respiratory symptoms from September 2009 to February 2010. We also performed immunoassays for total and specific IgEs to six common aeroallergens. Atopy was defined as positivity for more than one specific IgE. The clinical severity of pneumonia was evaluated based on intensive care unit admission, oxygen therapy, steroid therapy, and atelectasis. RESULTS: There were 70 H1N1-positive children, 42.9% of whom had pneumonia. Children with H1N1 infection were older and had a higher prevalence of atopic sensitization and pneumonia compared with H1N1-negative children. The rate of atelectasis was higher in children with H1N1 pneumonia than in children with non-H1N1 pneumonia. Among children with H1N1 viral infection, those with atopic sensitization had a higher prevalence of intensive care unit admission and oxygen therapy, and a longer duration of hospitalization than non-atopic children. There were no differences between atopic and non-atopic children without H1N1 viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H1N1-induced severe lower respiratory tract diseases is higher in children with atopic sensitization.
Animals ; Asthma ; Child ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin E ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung ; Mice ; Oxygen ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pyroglyphidae ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25[OH] D) and interleukin-31 (IL-31) are related to atopic dermatitis, but their relationship with allergic rhinitis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of serum IL-31 and 25 (OH) D between the allergic rhinitis (AR), nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), and control groups and to investigate the relationship between IL-31 and 25 (OH) D. METHODS: We recruited 59 children with only rhinitis and 33 controls without any allergic diseases. Serum IL-31 and 25(OH) D levels were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The patients were considered to have atopic sensitization if the levels of serum specific IgE to inhalant allergens as assessed using immunoCAP were ≥0.35 IU/mL or if they tested positive for one or more allergens by the skin prick test. RESULTS: Of children with rhinitis, 25 had nonatopy (NAR), and 34 children had atopy (AR). Serum 25(OH) D levels were significantly lower in the rhinitis group than in the control group, while there was no significant difference serum 25(OH) D levels between the AR and NAR groups. Children with rhinitis demonstrated higher serum IL-31 levels than controls; however, there was no difference in serum IL-31 levels between the AR and NAR groups. Serum 25(OH) D levels were inversely correlated with serum IL-31 levels and blood eosinophil counts. On the other hand, serum 25(OH) D levels were not correlated with total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH) D and IL-31 may play a role in the pathogenesis of rhinitis via mechanisms other than IgE-related pathway.
Allergens ; Child ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Skin ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins