BACKGROUND: In order to study hair biology, a hair organ culture system is necessary. However satisfactory hair culture systems have not been established. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of growth factors and to establish a hair organ culture system for studying hair biology and to evaluate the effectiveness of growth factors. METHOD: After the healthy human anagen hair follicles were collected without any visible damage, they were cultured in William E medium with several combinations of growth factors including insulin, hydrocortisone, sodium selenite, human transfemn, fetal calf serum and epidermal growth factor at 37C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2/air incubation. The culture medium was changed every 3 days. The results were evaluated by measuring hair growth and hair follicle morphology. RESULTS: The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1) In the medium composed of insulin, hydrocortisone,sodium selenite and human transferrin, the human hair follicles continued to grow at an in vivo rate of 0.3mm in a day over 10 days without change of gross and microscopic morphology. 2) In the medium containing insulin and/or hydrocortisone the growing rate of the human hair follicles was similar to that in vivo, but the follicles revealed premature entry into catagen at 2-6 days in the culture macroscopically and microscopically. 3) Adding fetal calf serum to the above medium made the hair follicles retain the freshly isolated hair follicles morphology for 10 days in culture, even though they grew somewhat slower than the in vivo rate from 6 days in culture. 4) The effectiveness of EGF mimics the in vivo depilation of EGF in sheep. CONCLUSION: To supplement insulin, hydrocortisone, sodium selenite, transferrin as growth factors, William E medium was necessary for maintenance of an in vivo growth rate and the morphology the anagen hair follicles. This culture system is not enough, but it might be useful for investigation of the physiology, biology of hair follicles as well as pharmacology and toxicology in hair.
Atmosphere ; Biology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Hair Follicle* ; Hair Removal ; Hair* ; Humans* ; Hydrocortisone ; Insulin ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins* ; Organ Culture Techniques* ; Pharmacology ; Physiology ; Selenious Acid ; Sheep ; Sodium Selenite ; Toxicology ; Transferrin

PURPOSE: The results of the bronchial provocation test were different by the method of inhalation, but there was no data in children. We performed the provocation test by 2 different methods such as two-minute tidal breathing versus five vital capacity breathing and compared the datas. METHODS: Methacholine inhalation test was performed for the In 17 patients with suspected bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Pocheon university Bundang Cha hospital, under identical conditions, except for the method of inhalation. All the patients were performed two-minute tidal breathing (2 min-TB) in one test and five vital capacity breathing (5VCB) with interval 1 to 7 days. Baseline and postsaline FEV1 were also measured to compare effects by two inhalation methods. Methacholine PC20 was calculated by linear interpolation between the last two data parts on the dose-response curve, and the cut off value of bronchial asthma was 8 mg/mL. RESULTS: The rate of positive brochial provaction test in 5VCB was 88.24% which was not significantly lower than 70.59% in 2 min-TB. In 12 patients with positive bronchial provocation test in both inhalation methods, the mean PC20 in 5VCB (5VC-PC20) was 4.40 mg/mL, being significantly higher than 1.02 mg/mL in 2 min-TB (2 min-PC20) (P< 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between 5VC-PC20 and 2 min-PC20 (R=0.76, P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude from this study that the results of bronchial provocation test in children are different according to methods of inhalation in using the same nebulizer. Therefore, when we analyze the result of bronchial provocation test, we need attention to factors which are nebulizer output and method of inhalation to influence the response to the test.
Asthma ; Bronchial Provocation Tests* ; Child* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Methacholine Chloride ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Respiration* ; Vital Capacity*

PURPOSE: It is very important to compare the particle size and total output from inhalation devices for standardization of bronchial provocation test. METHODS: Total output (mass output, salt output) from 4 nebulizer/compressor combination (LC plus/Pari-boy, Long life/Pari-boy, Pulmoaid/Pulmoaid, DeVilbiss/DeVilbiss) which were charged with 2 mL of 0.9% normal saline was measured. Aerosol particle size was measured directly using laser diffraction by Marvern Master Sizer and by evaluating Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD). RESULTS: The LC plus nebulizer had the highest output rate and delivered the largest particles. The Maximal output rates of the 3 nebulizer/compressor combination was half that LC plus /Pari-boy combination. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that it might be different in mass output and particle size by inhalation devices. These differences can influence to the results of bronchial provocation test such as FEV1. We emphasizes that it is necessary to standardize the total output and particle size from each inhalation devices to perform and interpretate the results of bronchial provocation test.
Bronchial Provocation Tests* ; Inhalation* ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers* ; Particle Size*

Background: and Purpose Despite the growing demands and challenges faced by patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in accessing healthcare services, our understanding of this access remains poor. This study aimed to investigate the healthcare utilization patterns and timing of nutritional and respiration support in patients with ALS in South Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with ALS at a single tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2019 and followed up for 2 years. We evaluated patient characteristics, healthcare utilization (hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and emergency department [ED] visits), and the timing of nutritional and respiration support (noninvasive positive pressure ventilation [NIPPV], tracheostomy, gastrostomy, and nasogastric tube) at 6-month intervals from the first outpatient visit. Results: Among the 143 included patients, 73.4% were admitted at least once, 18.9% experienced unplanned admissions, and 30.1% visited the ED at least once during the study period.The most-common reason for ED visits was neurological symptoms during the first 6 months (59.1%), followed by respiratory symptoms. One fifth of patients who visited the ED underwent tracheostomy (20.9%) or NIPPV (20.9%). Two years after the first visit, 32.2% used a ventilator, and 13.3%, 26.6%, and 6.3% had undergone tracheostomy, gastrostomy, and nasogastric tube insertion, respectively. Conclusions During the 2 years following their first outpatient visit, 20% of patients with ALS experienced unplanned admissions and 30% visited the ED. An active and prompt supportivecare program should be implemented to ensure timely functional support in order to reduce these risks of unplanned admissions.

BACKGROUND: Because there has been a recent increase in refugee applications in Korea, the mental health of these refugees merits greater study. METHODS: We surveyed 129 refugees (including those in process of refugee application) and 121 migrant workers living in urban communities, using: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depressive symptoms, the Impact Event Scale-Revised for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and the health questionnaires used in 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The majority of refugee subjects were from sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East. We compared the prevalence of possible depression and possible PTSD between refugees and migrant workers and refugees and age-gender matched samples from the KNHANES 2016. RESULTS: Frequency of suicidal planning during the last year was higher in the refugee group than Korean nationals, but frequency of suicidal attempt was not. High risk drinking was found in 0.8% of refugees, 6.6% of migrant workers and 27.2% of Korean nationals. Possible depression was present in 42.9% of refugee subjects, 33.3% of migrant workers, and 4.2% of Korean controls. Possible PTSD was present in 38.9% of refugees compared to 12.5% of migrant workers. Only major risk factor for depression among refugees was a traumatic event before entering Korea. CONCLUSION: Possible depression and PTSD are significantly more prevalent in refugees, compared to both migrant workers and Korean nationals. Prevalence rates are commensurate with refugee studies worldwide. Appropriate early screening and intervention schemes need to be developed for refugees entering Korea.
Adult ; Africa South of the Sahara ; Depression ; Drinking ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Mental Health ; Middle East ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Refugees ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Transients and Migrants