Passive smoking is an important risk factor for lung cancer and its impact might be more significant than generally appreciated in Korea. We reviewed the literatures that support the biologic plausibility of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) causing lung cancer and summarized epidemiological evidences. Because ETS exposure is a preventable risk factor, more social efforts should be directed to reduce ETS exposure.
Korea ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

Recent advances in bronchoscopy have led to changes in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics in pulmonary medicine. In diagnostic bronchoscopy, there have also been new developments in endobronchial ultrasound technology which may be incorporated into clinical practice in the near future. Functional bronchoscopy, which evaluates information such as airway pressure, airflow, or gas exchange, suggests promising clinical advances in the near future. In therapeutic bronchoscopy, bronchoscopic volume reduction is a novel approach for the treatment of severe emphysema. In this review, seven recently published articles representing current advances in bronchoscopy are summarized and discussed.
Bronchoscopy ; Emphysema ; Pulmonary Medicine ; Pulmonary Surgical Procedures

No abstract available.
Clonorchiasis* ; Clonorchis sinensis

Persistent aura without infarction is defined as an aura persisting for 1 week or more without evidence of infarction on neuroimaging. It is difficult to differentiate persistent visual aura without infarction from occipital lobe epilepsy. We report a Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy patient with prosopometamorphopsia and visual field defect improved by valproic acid. We also review ambiguity between visual aura in migraine and occipital lobe epilepsy.
CADASIL ; Epilepsies, Partial ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Infarction ; Migraine Disorders ; Neuroimaging ; Valproic Acid ; Visual Fields

This study analyzes the role of the Sorting Hat in structuring the identity of the characters in the Harry Potter series written by J. K. Rowling. In the different stages of adolescence, one explores and re-establishes one's identity. One's sense of identity is determined by the commitments made regarding personal and social traits. However, it is difficult to establish a concrete identity formation process theory that is communicable to adolescents. In Harry Potter, the characters' identities are reflected upon the Sorting Hat and are continuously molded throughout the book. The Sorting Hat provides nurturing experiences based on temperament. Based primarily on their temperament, it sorts the students into four houses, each with their own distinct characteristics. Once sorted, the houses become the living and learning communities in which the students share the same dormitory and classes until their graduation. Within the community, the students seek connections, supportive relationships, and understanding within the group. The taking on of the group identity is an explanatory variable in the formation of individual identity. The Sorting Hat provides the students with stability and a safe boundary. After being sorted based on their temperament, the inexperienced and immature adolescents can explore different options under the guidance of the Hat before making a definite commitment. By presenting them with an appropriate environment (such as a mentor, friend, or family member), the Hat further shapes their identity and integrates the identity elements ascribed in the beginning. By providing experiences and interactions based on their unique temperament and environment, the Sorting Hat plays a crucial role in establishing the students' identities. The Sorting Hat can be an ideal model for finding one's identity during adolescence.
Adolescent* ; Friends ; Fungi ; Humans ; Learning ; Mentors ; Sociological Factors ; Temperament

Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis is a rare condition characterized by the occurrence of an erythematous, well-circumscribed, and depressed macule or patch on the palms or soles. Histopathologically, it is characterized by sharp, stair-like abrupt thinning of the horny layer between the affected and unaffected skin. The pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear. Recently, the human papilloma virus has been implicated as a possible etiological contributor. Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis usually shows a benign course. Previous reports have not described malignant changes in these lesions. However, its association with actinic keratosis has been reported in a previous case. We report a case of circumscribed palmar hypokeratosis showing bowenoid epidermal change with expression of the human papilloma virus types 6 and 16 in a patient who was successfully treated with ingenol mebutate gel and cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy ; Humans* ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Papillomaviridae* ; Skin

Purpose: The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP). Gonadorelin (Relefact) is used for the test but is not always readily available; triptorelin is used as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the triptorelin test compared with the GnRH test in the diagnosis of CPP in girls. Methods: This retrospective study included 100 girls with premature thelarche (PT) who underwent a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis evaluation. In the overall group, 50 girls were tested with intravenous gonadorelin (Relefact) and 50 girls were tested with subcutaneous triptorelin acetate (Decapeptyl). Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured at baseline and 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after gonadorelin injection or 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after triptorelin injection. Results: Clinical characteristics of age, height, weight, body mass index, and bone age were similar between the 2 groups. The highest LH level was reached 60 minutes after stimulation in both groups. Approximately 20% of the gonadorelin group and 24% of the triptorelin group were diagnosed with CPP (P=0.52). Among those diagnosed with CPP, the mean peak LH concentrations were 8.15 mIU/mL and 9.73 mIU/mL in the gonadorelin and triptorelin groups, respectively. Conclusion The triptorelin test showed similar trends of LH elevation and diagnostic rate compared with the traditional GnRH test for diagnosing CPP. This suggests that the triptorelin test may be a valid alternative to the GnRH test for differentiating CPP from self-limiting PT. Our study also demonstrated that a triptorelin stimulation test for up to 120 minutes was sufficient to diagnose CPP.

Purpose: The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP). Gonadorelin (Relefact) is used for the test but is not always readily available; triptorelin is used as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the triptorelin test compared with the GnRH test in the diagnosis of CPP in girls. Methods: This retrospective study included 100 girls with premature thelarche (PT) who underwent a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis evaluation. In the overall group, 50 girls were tested with intravenous gonadorelin (Relefact) and 50 girls were tested with subcutaneous triptorelin acetate (Decapeptyl). Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured at baseline and 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after gonadorelin injection or 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after triptorelin injection. Results: Clinical characteristics of age, height, weight, body mass index, and bone age were similar between the 2 groups. The highest LH level was reached 60 minutes after stimulation in both groups. Approximately 20% of the gonadorelin group and 24% of the triptorelin group were diagnosed with CPP (P=0.52). Among those diagnosed with CPP, the mean peak LH concentrations were 8.15 mIU/mL and 9.73 mIU/mL in the gonadorelin and triptorelin groups, respectively. Conclusion The triptorelin test showed similar trends of LH elevation and diagnostic rate compared with the traditional GnRH test for diagnosing CPP. This suggests that the triptorelin test may be a valid alternative to the GnRH test for differentiating CPP from self-limiting PT. Our study also demonstrated that a triptorelin stimulation test for up to 120 minutes was sufficient to diagnose CPP.

Purpose: The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP). Gonadorelin (Relefact) is used for the test but is not always readily available; triptorelin is used as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the triptorelin test compared with the GnRH test in the diagnosis of CPP in girls. Methods: This retrospective study included 100 girls with premature thelarche (PT) who underwent a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis evaluation. In the overall group, 50 girls were tested with intravenous gonadorelin (Relefact) and 50 girls were tested with subcutaneous triptorelin acetate (Decapeptyl). Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured at baseline and 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after gonadorelin injection or 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after triptorelin injection. Results: Clinical characteristics of age, height, weight, body mass index, and bone age were similar between the 2 groups. The highest LH level was reached 60 minutes after stimulation in both groups. Approximately 20% of the gonadorelin group and 24% of the triptorelin group were diagnosed with CPP (P=0.52). Among those diagnosed with CPP, the mean peak LH concentrations were 8.15 mIU/mL and 9.73 mIU/mL in the gonadorelin and triptorelin groups, respectively. Conclusion The triptorelin test showed similar trends of LH elevation and diagnostic rate compared with the traditional GnRH test for diagnosing CPP. This suggests that the triptorelin test may be a valid alternative to the GnRH test for differentiating CPP from self-limiting PT. Our study also demonstrated that a triptorelin stimulation test for up to 120 minutes was sufficient to diagnose CPP.