Background: Th17 cytokines such as interleukin-17 and interleukin-22 are expressed in atopic dermatitis lesions. Previous studies have reported increased levels of interleukin-17A, -17E, and -17F in patients with atopic dermatitis.As interleukin-17A, -17E and -17F act through a common receptor composed of interleukin-17RA, it is speculated that interleukin-17RA gene (IL17RA) mutation could affect the clinical characteristics of atopic dermatitis. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the clinical features of atopic dermatitis according to the presence of an IL17RA mutation in patients with atopic dermatitis. Methods: We performed reverse blot hybridization assay to detect IL17RA mutations in Korean patients with atopic dermatitis. The clinical features of atopic dermatitis were compared between atopic dermatitis patients with and without IL17RA mutation. Results: Of 332 patients with atopic dermatitis, 27 (8.1%) were found to have IL17RA mutation compared to 8 of 245 controls without atopic diseases (3.27%), which was statistically significant. Furthermore, 272 of atopic dermatitis patients (81.9%) had extrinsic type atopic dermatitis and 60 (18.1%) had intrinsic type. All patients with IL17RA mutations had extrinsic type. In addition, atopic dermatitis with IL17RA mutation was associated with longer disease duration, more frequent keratosis pilaris, higher blood eosinophil count, higher serum total immunoglobulin E level, higher house dust mite allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels, and more need for systemic treatment than that in patients without IL17RA mutation. Conclusion IL17RA mutation is associated with the more severe extrinsic type atopic dermatitis. So, it may predict the progress to severe atopic dermatitis.

Background: Th17 cytokines such as interleukin-17 and interleukin-22 are expressed in atopic dermatitis lesions. Previous studies have reported increased levels of interleukin-17A, -17E, and -17F in patients with atopic dermatitis.As interleukin-17A, -17E and -17F act through a common receptor composed of interleukin-17RA, it is speculated that interleukin-17RA gene (IL17RA) mutation could affect the clinical characteristics of atopic dermatitis. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the clinical features of atopic dermatitis according to the presence of an IL17RA mutation in patients with atopic dermatitis. Methods: We performed reverse blot hybridization assay to detect IL17RA mutations in Korean patients with atopic dermatitis. The clinical features of atopic dermatitis were compared between atopic dermatitis patients with and without IL17RA mutation. Results: Of 332 patients with atopic dermatitis, 27 (8.1%) were found to have IL17RA mutation compared to 8 of 245 controls without atopic diseases (3.27%), which was statistically significant. Furthermore, 272 of atopic dermatitis patients (81.9%) had extrinsic type atopic dermatitis and 60 (18.1%) had intrinsic type. All patients with IL17RA mutations had extrinsic type. In addition, atopic dermatitis with IL17RA mutation was associated with longer disease duration, more frequent keratosis pilaris, higher blood eosinophil count, higher serum total immunoglobulin E level, higher house dust mite allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels, and more need for systemic treatment than that in patients without IL17RA mutation. Conclusion IL17RA mutation is associated with the more severe extrinsic type atopic dermatitis. So, it may predict the progress to severe atopic dermatitis.

A rare case of carpal tunnel syndrome caused by a thrombosed persistent median artery is presented here. The diagnosis was delayed due to the overlapping cervical radiculopathy. Acute severe pain and nocturnal paresthesia were chief complaints. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography angiography revealed that the median nerve was compressed by the occluded median artery. Instead of surgery, conservative therapy was tried. It worked well for six months. The importance of using modalities for decision making of diagnosis and treatment is emphasized in this report.

BACKGROUND: Early identification and appropriate management of mild chronic renal failure has been increasingly recognized as an important opportunity to delay the progression of renal disease. Many physicians rely on serum creatinine (Scr) as a screening test for renal impairment; however, Scr levels can remain within the normal range even when renal function is significantly impaired in certain group of patients. METHODS: The subjects were 20, 245 persons who were enrolled a regular health check up program, Jan. 1997 to Jun. 2001, at Ajou University Hospital, Korea. We identified GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 as abnormal and found the percentage of patients with Scr value from 1.1 mg/dL to 1.4 mg/dL and their sex and age distribution, using GFRs calculated by Cockroft-Gault Equation, MDRD Equation, and Kang's Equation. RESULTS: Average Scr was 1.07+-0.13 mg/dL in male and 0.82+-0.11 mg/dL in female. Among 34 University hospital in metro Seoul area, 11 hospital used 1.4 mg/dL as normal upper limit of Scr and 7 hospital used 1.3 mg/dL. Taking normal Scr upper limit as 1.3 or 1.4 mg/dL, the frequency of GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 3.9-50% in males and 75-100% in females, although some differences existed according to the equation used. CONCLUSION: Currently used normal Scr upper limit 1.3, 1.4 mL/dL was found to be much too high and we concluded a downward adjustment is needed and one-time test is not adequate to conclude renal impairment but several regular tests are required.
Age Distribution ; Creatinine* ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Reference Values* ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration (WBV) confers a continuous vibration stimuli to the body. While some reports have described the effects of WBV on bone mineral density, muscle mass, muscle power, study of WBV effects on body composition in postmenopausal women is rare. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of WBV on the changes of body weight and body composition in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Fifteen postmenopausal healthy and obese women who were on staff of one university hospital staff located in Suwon, Korea were voluntarily recruited. Inclusion criteria were age over 50 years, and body mass index (BMI) > or =25 kg/m2. WBV group training was performed in 10 minute sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Before and after training, anthropometric measurements and body composition analysis were performed. RESULTS: Weight (-1.18 +/- 1.61 kg), BMI (-0.49 +/- 0.66 kg/m2), waist circumference (-2.34 +/- 2.48 cm) and muscle mass (-0.54 +/- 0.59 kg) decreased significantly the 8 week intervention. Decrease of muscle mass was correlated with weight (r = 0.621, P = 0.013), BMI (r = 0.596, P = 0.019) and percent body fat (r = -0.518, P = 0.048). Linear regression analysis revealed that the changes of muscle mass had negative relationship with percent body fat change and a positive relationship with body weight changes. CONCLUSION: WBV might display a weak but positive effect on body weight and waist circumference reduction in healthy postmenopausal obese women. However, attention must be given to avoid a decrease of muscle mass.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Muscles ; Pilot Projects ; Postmenopause ; Vibration ; Waist Circumference

We aimed to review whether pretreatment inflammatory markers reflect the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colon cancer, rectal cancer, colon and rectal cancers, and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We found that pretreatment complete blood count and blood chemistry tests reflect short-term and long-term oncological outcomes in patients with CRC. Specifically, in patients with colon cancer, hypoalbuminemia was associated with worse postoperative morbidity, mortality, and inferior survival. In patients with rectal cancer, elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and thrombocytosis were associated with postoperative complications, poor overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). A high C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with poor OS and DFS. In patients with metastatic CRC, increased NLR and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were associated with poor OS, DFS, and progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, high CAR and a low albumin/globulin ratio on blood chemistry tests were associated with poor OS and PFS. Although universal cut-off values were not available, various types of pretreatment laboratory markers could be utilized as adjuncts to predict prognosis in patients with CRC.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of longstanding gallstone disease which resulting in obstructive Jaundice. It is benign stricture of common hepatic duct because of stone impacted with in the cystic duct or Hartmann pouch of the gallbladder. The aim of this study is to evaluate our experience of Mirizzi syndrome and consider its surgical treatment. METHODS: During the years 1994 to 2001 at Asan medical center, 23 cases of Mirizzi syndrome were diagnosed on the basis of preoperative and postoperative findings and they were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were 12 patients with Csendes type I, 6 patients with type II, and 5 patients with Type III. Average age was 61 years (range: 31 to 83 years) For preoperative evaluation Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Ultrasonography were performed in all cases. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was tried in 7 type I cases. 5 were successfully treated and 2 conversions were reported, all because of unclear anatomy. In 6 type II cases open cholecystrctomy, CHD repair and T tube insertion were performed. 5 patients with type III were required hepaticojejunostomy. CONCLUSIONS: High index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome and laparoscopic approach is permissible in specialized center especially in the case of suspected Mirizzi type I, under the recognition of biliary anatomy through preoperative imaging studies. If there is fistula or unclear anatomy, we recommend open operative techniques for the safety and the efficiency.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cystic Duct ; Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Mirizzi Syndrome* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate antibacterial activity and osteoblast-like cell viability according to the ratio of titanium nitride and zirconium nitride coating on commercially pure titanium using an arc ion plating system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polished titanium surfaces were used as controls. Surface topography was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and surface roughness was measured using a two-dimensional contact stylus profilometer. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis with the colony-forming unit assay. Cell compatibility, mRNA expression, and morphology related to human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) on the coated specimens were determined by the XTT assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The number of S. mutans colonies on the TiN, ZrN and (Ti(1-x)Zr(x))N coated surface decreased significantly compared to those on the non-coated titanium surface (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The number of P. gingivalis colonies on all surfaces showed no significant differences. TiN, ZrN and (Ti(1-x)Zr(x))N coated titanium showed antibacterial activity against S. mutans related to initial biofilm formation but not P. gingivalis associated with advanced periimplantitis, and did not influence osteoblast-like cell viability.
Biofilms ; Cell Survival* ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Peri-Implantitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; RNA, Messenger ; Stem Cells ; Streptococcus mutans ; Tin* ; Titanium* ; Zirconium

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate antibacterial activity and osteoblast-like cell viability according to the ratio of titanium nitride and zirconium nitride coating on commercially pure titanium using an arc ion plating system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polished titanium surfaces were used as controls. Surface topography was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and surface roughness was measured using a two-dimensional contact stylus profilometer. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis with the colony-forming unit assay. Cell compatibility, mRNA expression, and morphology related to human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) on the coated specimens were determined by the XTT assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The number of S. mutans colonies on the TiN, ZrN and (Ti(1-x)Zr(x))N coated surface decreased significantly compared to those on the non-coated titanium surface (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The number of P. gingivalis colonies on all surfaces showed no significant differences. TiN, ZrN and (Ti(1-x)Zr(x))N coated titanium showed antibacterial activity against S. mutans related to initial biofilm formation but not P. gingivalis associated with advanced periimplantitis, and did not influence osteoblast-like cell viability.
Biofilms ; Cell Survival* ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Peri-Implantitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; RNA, Messenger ; Stem Cells ; Streptococcus mutans ; Tin* ; Titanium* ; Zirconium

Purpose: By utilizing both protein and mRNA expression patterns, we can identify more detailed and diverse immune cells, providing insights into understanding the complex immune landscape in cancer ecosystems. Materials and Methods: This study was performed by obtaining publicly available Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by Sequencing (CITE-seq) data of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A total of 94674 total cells were analyzed, of which 32412 were T cells. There were 228 protein features and 16262 mRNA features in the data.The Seurat package was used for quality control and preprocessing, principal component analysis was performed, and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection was used to visualize the clusters. Protein and mRNA levels in the CITE-seq were analyzed. Results: We observed that a subset of T cells in the clusters generated at the protein level divided better. By identifying mRNA markers that were highly correlated with the CD4 and CD8 proteins and cross-validating CD26 and CD99 markers using flow cytometry, we found that CD4 + and CD8+ T cells were better discriminated in PBMCs. Weighted Nearest Neighbor clustering results identified a previously unobserved T cell subset. Conclusion In this study, we used CITE-seq data to confirm that protein expression patterns could be used to identify cells more precisely. These findings will improve our understanding of the heterogeneity of immune cells in the future and provide valuable insights into the complexity of the immune response in health and disease.