BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has increased in frequency to rates as high as 20% for children in developed countries. AD is one of the most common childhood diseases and has a complex etiology involving genetic and environmental factors. Thus, a broad understanding of genetic background is needed for early diagnosis of AD. OBJECTIVE: Identification of candidate functional genetic variants associated with early-onset AD in Koreans. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in three families. Sanger sequencing was used to validate detected variants in 112 AD patients and 61 controls. RESULTS: Functional variants were filtered by WES, and then variants related to allergic immune diseases were selected through a literature search. Two candidate non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms of CDKAL1 (rs77152992) and ERBB2 (rs1058808) were identified, c.1226C>T, p.Pro409Leu, c.3463C>G, and p. Pro1170Ala respectively. A case-control study was performed to determine whether rs77152992 and rs1058808 are candidate risk factors for early-onset AD. rs77152992 was significantly associated with early-onset AD (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21~0.83; p=0.0133) in allele frequencies. The CC genotype of CDKAL1 had significantly increased risk of AD (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.0~4.6; p=0.0475). rs1058808 had no correlation with AD. Total eosinophil count was significantly increased in AD patients with the CC genotype of CDKAL1 (rs77152992). CONCLUSION: CDKAL1 (rs77152992) and ERBB2 (rs1058808) were deemed functionally interesting based on WES. Our case-control study suggests that the CC genotype of rs77152992 may be associated with increased eosinophil counts. It may enhance the risk of early-onset AD.
Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Developed Countries ; Early Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Background ; Genotype ; Humans ; Immune System Diseases ; Risk Factors

The original version of the article contained a mistake. The authors have attached a corrected version of Table 3.

OBJECTIVES: Isoflavone is a plant-derived compound, abundant in soy food, and its character is mixed estrogenic and antiestrogenic action, so it is highlighted as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study is to establish a foundation for isoflavone study in the future, by estimating isoflavone intake in postmenopausal women and by recommending proper isoflavone intake. METHODS: Isoflavone intake was estimated in a total of 189 Korean postmenopausal women over 50 years old, by using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data were statistically analyzed by t-test, and one-way ANOVA with Turkey's test. RESULTS: The daily average isoflavone intake level was 21.94 +/- 19.96 mg. There is no significant difference in isoflavone intake according to age. About 60 percentile of postmenopausal women intake isoflavone under 20 mg a day, and 2 percentile of postmenopausal women intake about 80 mg isoflavone. CONCLUSION: There was no definite precise amount of isoflavone for reliving postmenopausal symptom and health. But through this study, most postmenopausal women did not intake enough isoflavone, so they have to intake more isoflavone.
Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Estrogens ; Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Phytoestrogens ; Postmenopause ; Soy Foods ; Surveys and Questionnaires

One of the latest concepts in bonding are "total etch", in which both enamel and dentin are etched with an acid to remove the smear layers, and "wet dentin" in which the dentin is not dry but left moist before application of the bonding primer. Ideally, the application of a bonding agent to tooth structure should be insensitive to minor contamination from oral fluids. Clinically, contaminations such as saliva, gingival fluid, blood and handpiece lubricant are often encountered by dentists during cavity preparation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of contamination by hemostatic agents on shear bond strength of compomer restorations. One hundred and ten extracted human maxillary and mandibular molar teeth were collected. The teeth were removed soft tissue remnant and debris and stored in physiologic solution until they were used. Small flat area on dentin of the buccal surface were wet ground serially with 400, 800 and 1200 abrasive papers on automatic polishing machine. The teeth were randomly divided into 11 groups. Each group was conditioned as follows: Group 1: Dentin surface was not etched and not contaminated by hemostatic agents. Group 2: Dentin surface was not etched but was contaminated by Astringedent(R)(Ultradent product Inc., Utah, U.S.A.). Group 3: Dentin surface was not etched but was contaminated by Bosmin(R)(Jeil Pharm, Korea.). Group 4: Dentin surface was not etched but was contaminated by Epri-dent(R)(Epr Industries, NJ, U.S.A.). Group 5: Dentin surface was etched and not contaminated by hemostatic agents. Group 6: Dentin surface was etched and contaminated by Astringedent(R). Group 7: Dentin surface was etched and contaminated by Bosmin(R). Group 8: Dentin surface was etched and contaminated by Epri-dent(R). Group 9: Dentin surface was contaminated by Astringedent(R). The contaminated surface was rinsed by water and dried by compressed air. Group 10: Dentin surface was contaminated by Bosmin(R). The contaminated surface was rinsed by water and dried by compressed air. Group 11: Dentin surface was contaminated by Epri-dent(R). The contaminated surface was rinsed by water and dried by compressed air. After surface conditioning, F2000(R) was applicated on the conditoned dentin surface. The teeth were thermocycled in distilled water at 5degrees C and 55degrees C for 1,000 cycles. The samples were placed on the binder with the bonded compomer-dentin interface parallel to the knife-edge shearing rod of the Universal Testing Machine(Zwick Z020, Zwick Co., Germany) running at a cross head speed of 1.0 mm/min. Group 2 showed significant decrease in shear bond strength compared with group 1 and group 6 showed significant decrease in shear bond strength compared with group 5. There were no significant differences in shear bond strength between group 5 and group 9, 10 and 11.
Collodion ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Dentists ; Head ; Humans ; Molar ; Running ; Saliva ; Tooth ; Utah ; Water

Lack of mullerian development (Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome) is characterized by absence of apparent vagina and/or uterus, normal secondary sexual characteristics, normal reproductive hormonal profile, and a relatively common cause of primary amenorrhea about 1 in 4,000 female births and also cause of primary infertility. Management for these women comprise of construction of neovagina for sexual life. In 1985, the first report of a successful pregnancy through the uterine surrogacy was made. It is being possible for these women to have new opportunity of getting her own genetic offspring. Since ovarian activity is completely preserved in patients, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is similar to any other IVF case that is with urinary or recombinant gonadotropins following GnRH agonist down regulation. Genetic offspring can be achieved by cellection of oocytes from the genetic mather, in-vitro-fertilization by the genetic father, and placement into a surrogate carrier. We have experienced a case of successful surrogate pregnancy in a patient with congenital absence of vagina and uterus.
Amenorrhea ; Down-Regulation ; Fathers ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Infertility ; Oocytes ; Parturition ; Pregnancy* ; Uterus ; Vagina

BACKGROUND: Atopic march (AM) is the progression from atopic dermatitis (AD) to allergic rhinitis and asthma. The development of AD is as high as 20% in children worldwide and continues to increase. AD seems to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, polymorphisms of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene associated with allergic disorders were reported in ethnic groups from various countries. OBJECTIVE: Identification of TSLP polymorphisms in Koreans with AD or AM. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 20 AD and 20 AM patients. RESULTS: Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TSLP were detected (rs191607411, rs3806933, rs2289276, rs2289277, rs2289278, rs139817258, rs11466749, rs11466750, rs10073816). These SNPs have been correlated with susceptibility to allergic diseases in ethnic groups from China, Japan, Turkey, and Costa Rica in previous studies. Remarkably, one of 20 patients in the AD group lacked all SNPs, compared to six of 20 patients in the AM group. Odds ratios showed that Korean patients without the nine TSLP variants had an 8.14 times higher risk of moving from AD to AM. Two haplotype blocks were validated in 60 AD and 59 AM patients using Sanger sequencing. The haplotype blocks (rs3806933 and rs2289276) and (rs11466749 and rs11466750) were in high linkage disequilibrium, respectively (D′=0.97, D′=1). CONCLUSION: The increase of major allele frequency of respective nine TSLP variants may enhance the risk of AM. These data will contribute to improved genetic surveillance system in the early diagnosis technology of allergic disease.
Asthma ; Child ; China ; Costa Rica ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Early Diagnosis ; Ethnic Groups ; Gene Frequency ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Japan ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Turkey

This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of nonpersistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human milk through a literature review and to affirm the association between EDCs and lifestyle factors based on the reviewed literature. We analyzed studies reporting EDC concentrations in breast milk from literature published on Google Scholar and PubMed between 2000 and 2022. In Korea, most EDC concentrations in breast milk were comparable to or lower than those in other countries. However, the concentrations of PFAS in breast milk, especially perfluorooctanoic acid, have shown an increasing trend compared to the past in Korea. Considering the potential risks of EDCs, breastfeeding mothers should take measures to minimize their exposure to these chemicals.

Background: Early-onset and severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients increase the probability of the development of allergic rhinitis or asthma. Treatment and prevention strategies in infants and young children with AD are targeted toward treating the symptoms, restoring skin barrier functions, and reducing the absorption of environmental allergens in an attempt to attenuate or block the onset of asthma and food allergy. Objective: Given that the initiating events in AD remain poorly understood, identifying those at risk and implementing strategies to prevent AD is necessary. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in a 43 control group and a disease group with 20 AD patients without atopic march (AM) and 20 with AM. Sanger sequencing was carried out to validate found variants in cohorts. Results: DOCK8, IL17RA, and KLK12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified by WES as missense mutations: c.1289C＞ A, p.P97T (rs529208); c.1685C＞A, p.P562G (rs12484684); and c.457+27＞C, rs3745540, respectively. A case-control study show that total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was significantly increased in the AA genotype of DOCK8 compared to the CA genotype in allergic patients. The rs12484684 of IL17RA increased risk of adult-onset AD (odds ratio: 1.63) compared to the control for (A) allele frequency. AD and AM Patients with the IL17RA CA genotype also had elevated IgE levels. rs3745540 of KLK12 was associated with AD in dominant model (odds ratio: 2.86). Conclusion DOCK8 (rs529208), IL17RA (rs12484684), and KLK12 (rs3745540), were identified using a new WES filtering method. the result suggests that polymorphism of DOCK8 and IL17RA might be related to increase the total IgE level.

This study was conducted to compare the severity of cannulation pain in hemodialysis patients after topical application of EMLA cream and local injection of lidocaine and evaluated side effects and problems accompanied by the former. Twenty patients, who were on hemodialysis from September 1 to October 15, 1994 at the Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College, were divided into two groups of ten. To conduct a cross over study, two groups were placed on four repeated methods with lidocaine followed by four repeated methods with EMLA cream and vice versa, respectively, while the severity of cannulation pain was being measured according to a Visual Analogue Scale with each methods. The results are follows : 1) The scale of pain was recorded as 4.56+/-1.38 and 2.05+/-1.36 points for methods with lidocaine and EMLA cream, respectively, indicating the less severe pain with EMLA cream. 2) Local side effects such as itching(4 cases, 5.0%) and pallor(5 cases, 6.3%) were observed with methods with EMLA cream but disappeared before the completion of hemodialysis. 3) Problems associated with local lidocaine were pain at the injection of anesthetic (27 cases, 16.9%) and fear for needle insertion (6 cases, 3.8%). The most frequent problems with EMLS cream application were an inconvenience in use (11 cases, 6.9%) and tedious long pretreatment time (11 cases, 6.9%), those associated with inconvenience in cream applying procedures. 4) Twelve out of twenty patients(60.0%) responded with yes to a continued use of EMLA cream in spite of problems with cream application and economical difficulties in purchasing. These results indicate that 5% EMLA cream used as a local anesthetic in hemodialysis significantly reduces cannulation pain and lacks side effects, thus serving as a suitable method for the alleviation of cannulation pain and inconvenience in hemodialysis and the relief of psychological stress of nurses.
Catheterization ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Needles ; Renal Dialysis* ; Stress, Psychological