BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, has multiple functions in cellular responses including apoptosis, survival, and differentiation. It also participates in the regulation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress. MicroRNA-Let-7A (miR-Let7A), known as a tumor suppressor miRNA, was recently reported to play a crucial role in both inflammation and apoptosis. Therefore, we examined involvement of miR-Let7A in the modulation of inflammation and cell survival/apoptosis regulated by resveratrol. MATERIALS/METHODS: mRNA expression of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and protein expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), p-ASK1, and caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were measured, and cell viability and Hoechst/PI staining for apoptosis were observed in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human THP-1 macrophages with the treatment of resveratrol and/or miR-Let7A overexpression. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with resveratrol (25-200 µM) resulted in significant recovery of the reduced cell viabilities under LPS-induced inflammatory condition and in markedly increased expression of miR-Let7A in non-stimulated or LPS-stimulated cells. Increased mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-6 induced by LPS were significantly attenuated, and decreased levels of IL-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were significantly restored by resveratrol and miR-Let7A overexpression, respectively, or in combination. Decreased expression of IL-4 mRNA by LPS stimulation was also significantly increased by miR-Let7A overexpression co-treated with resveratrol. In addition, decreased SIRT1 mRNA levels, and increased p-ASK1 levels and PI-positive cells by LPS stimulation were significantly restored by resveratrol and miR-Let7A overexpression, respectively, or in combination. CONCLUSIONS: miR-Let7A may be involved in the inflammatory response and cell survival/apoptosis modulated by resveratrol in human THP-1 macrophages.
Apoptosis ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Survival ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukins ; Macrophages* ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 ; MicroRNAs ; Necrosis ; Oxidative Stress ; RNA, Messenger ; Sirtuin 1

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is one of the most common tumors in infants. IH occurs more commonly in premature and low birth weight infants, but only a few studies have analyzed the risk factors for IH in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Korea. Objective: We investigated the risk factors for IH in patients admitted to the NICU at a single institution. Methods: A single-center retrospective case-control study was conducted in 37 patients with hemangioma and 185 matched-control babies who were admitted to the NICU between 2013 and 2020. Odds ratios (ORs) and multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between IH and the potential risk factors. Results: Of the 1,206 neonates admitted to the NICU, 37 had IH, and the prevalence was 3.1%. IH was most commonly found on the trunk (33.3%), followed by the head and neck (29.4%). After adjustment, the risk factors found to be significantly associated with IH were female sex (OR=3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.4∼6.8), extreme preterm (OR=6.9, 95% CI=1.3∼38.0), very low birth weight (OR=11.9, 95% CI=2.9∼49.3), low 1-minute Apgar scores of ＜7 (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1∼4.9), and multiple gestation (OR=5.0, 95% CI=1.7∼14.9). Conclusion This matched case–control study revealed that risk factors such as female sex, extremely preterm birth, very low birth weight, low 1-minute Apgar score, and multiple gestations may affect the occurrence of IH. Therefore, if these risk factors are present, they need to be actively managed at an early stage through close physical examination to prevent complications.

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is one of the most common tumors in infants. IH occurs more commonly in premature and low birth weight infants, but only a few studies have analyzed the risk factors for IH in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Korea. Objective: We investigated the risk factors for IH in patients admitted to the NICU at a single institution. Methods: A single-center retrospective case-control study was conducted in 37 patients with hemangioma and 185 matched-control babies who were admitted to the NICU between 2013 and 2020. Odds ratios (ORs) and multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between IH and the potential risk factors. Results: Of the 1,206 neonates admitted to the NICU, 37 had IH, and the prevalence was 3.1%. IH was most commonly found on the trunk (33.3%), followed by the head and neck (29.4%). After adjustment, the risk factors found to be significantly associated with IH were female sex (OR=3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.4∼6.8), extreme preterm (OR=6.9, 95% CI=1.3∼38.0), very low birth weight (OR=11.9, 95% CI=2.9∼49.3), low 1-minute Apgar scores of ＜7 (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1∼4.9), and multiple gestation (OR=5.0, 95% CI=1.7∼14.9). Conclusion This matched case–control study revealed that risk factors such as female sex, extremely preterm birth, very low birth weight, low 1-minute Apgar score, and multiple gestations may affect the occurrence of IH. Therefore, if these risk factors are present, they need to be actively managed at an early stage through close physical examination to prevent complications.

No Abstract available.
Fetus* ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Pre-Eclampsia*

PURPOSE: Overcrowding in urban emergency departments (EDs) while a decline in rural EDs due to mismatch of supply and demand of emergency medical resources are still issues to date. Therefore, this study analyzed the current characteristics and reality of bed utilization in the EDs of Korea. METHODS: Real-time availability of bed information was obtained from the emergency medical resource information system. The data were extracted for 4 weeks every 3 months, from April 2014 to January 2015. We analyzed the emergency department utilization (EDU) rate of emergency medical centers and hospitals based in 16 provinces in Korea. RESULTS: A total of 14,889,750 data were included. The total EDU rate was 20.0% (9.1-43.9%). The EDU rate was 66.7% (40.0-95.0%) for regional emergency medical centers (REMC), 33.3% (15.0-63.3%) for local emergency medical centers (LEMC), 11.1% (0.0-30.0%) for local emergency medical agencies (LEMA). The EDU rate was 71.4.0% (50.0.0-96.7.0%) for tertiary general hospitals (TGH), 20.0% (10.0-36.8%) for general hospitals (GH), and 10.0% (0-20.0%) for hospital & medical centers (HMC). The REMC EDU rate was high in Seoul and Jeonbuk, and low in Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk. The LEMC utilization rate was high in Daegu and Jeonbuk. The LEMA utilization rate was high in Daegu and Ulsan. Moreover, despite the same ED type, the EDU rate of high degree hospitals was higher. CONCLUSION: The EDU rate differed by region, emergency medical center, and hospital type. We should consider investing in appropriate personnel and emergency medical resources in places with suboptimal EDU rate.
Daegu ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Resources ; Hospitals, General ; Information Systems ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Seoul ; Ulsan

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the inflow and outflow patterns of emergency department patients with si-gun-gu in the Gwangju, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam areas. METHODS: Data from the Gwangju, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam were extracted from the National Emergency Department Information System in 2016. The extracted data (on 42 areas in Gwangju, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam) using the variables of the patient's address (zip code) and the emergency medical institution code (emergency medical institution address) were used to calculate the relevance index and commitment index. The calculated indices were classified into the regional types by applying NbClust and cluster analysis (K-means) of the R package. RESULTS: The relevance indices ranged from 12.5% to 90.4%, and the commitment indices ranged from 9.2% to 90.3%. The results of cluster analysis with the relevance indices and commitment indices revealed three types for 39 areas. In cluster 1, the relevance indices ranged from 43.5% to 61.6%, and the commitment indices ranged from 9.2% to 49.5%. Three out of the thirty-nine areas were classified as the inflow type. In cluster 2, the relevance indices ranged from 12.5% to 56.0% and the commitment indices ranged from 62.5% to 90.3%; 12 areas were classified as the outflow type. The areas in cluster 3 were classified as the self-sufficient type, with relevance indices ranging from 60.1% to 90.4% and commitment indices ranging from 59.0% to 89.7% for 24 areas. CONCLUSION: Three area types and 11 out of 12 areas classified as outflow types were found to be emergency medical vulnerable areas. The results of this study can be used to establish local emergency medical policies.
Cluster Analysis ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by typical cutaneous manifestation and inflammation of the skeletal muscles. However, this progressive symmetric proximal muscle weakness may be minimal or absent in clinically amyopathic DM (CADM). Importantly, DM has been associated with malignancy, which is related to poor prognosis. Therefore, every newly diagnosed patient with DM should undergo thorough screening investigations for hidden internal malignancy. We report a case of CADM, with severe intractable itching, which was finally diagnosed as paraneoplastic dermatomyositis associated with gastric cancer in a 77-year-old woman. The patient had typical cutaneous features of DM and mild elevation of muscle enzymes without muscle weakness.
Aged ; Dermatomyositis ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mass Screening ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myositis ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Prognosis ; Pruritus ; Stomach Neoplasms

Valuable natural compounds produced by a variety of microorganisms can be used as lead molecules for development of new agrochemicals. Furthermore, high-throughput in vitro screening systems with specific modes of action can increase the probability of discovery of new fungicides. In the current study, a rapid assay tested with various microbes was developed to determine the degree of respiratory inhibition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in two different liquid media, YG (containing a fermentable carbon source) and NFYG (containing a non-fermentable carbon source). Based on this system, we screened 100 fungal isolates that were classified into basidiomycetes, to find microbial secondary metabolites that act as respiratory inhibitors. Consequently, of the 100 fungal species tested, the culture broth of an IUM04881 isolate inhibited growth of S. cerevisiae in NFYG medium, but not in YG medium. The result is comparable to that from treatment with kresoxim-methyl used as a control, suggesting that the culture broth of IUM04881 isolate might contain active compounds showing the inhibition activity for respiratory chain. Based on the assay developed in this study and spectroscopic analysis, we isolated and identified an antifungal compound (-)-oudemansin A from culture broth of IUM04881 that is identified as Oudemansiella venosolamellata. This is the first report that (-)-oudemansin A is identified from O. venosolamellata in Korea. Taken together, the development of this assay will accelerate efforts to find and identify natural respiratory inhibitors from various microbes.

Purpose: To assess the reliability and accuracy of an automated Cobb angle measurement (ACAM) using a convolutional neural network (CNN) for scoliosis evaluation and to compare measurement times. Materials and Methods: ACAM was applied to spine radiographs in 411 patients suspected of scoliosis. Observer 1 (consensus of two musculoskeletal radiologists) and observer 2 (a radiology resident) measured Cobb angle (CA). CA measurements were categorized using observer 1’s measurements as the reference standard. Inter-observer reliability and correlation were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, respectively. Accuracy and measurement time of ACAM and observers were evaluated. Results: ACAM demonstrated excellent reliability and very high correlation with observer 1 (ICC = 0.976, Spearman’s rank correlation = 0.948), with a mean CA difference of 1.1. Overall accuracy was high (88.2%), particularly in mild (92.2%) and moderate (96%) scoliosis. Accuracy was lower in spinal asymmetry (77.1%) and higher in severe scoliosis (95%), although the CA was lower compared to the observers. ACAM significantly reduced measurement time by nearly half compared to the observers (p < 0.001). Conclusion ACAM using CNN enhances CA measurement for assessing mild or moderate scoliosis, despite limitations in spinal asymmetry or severe scoliosis. Nonetheless, it substantially decreases measurement time.

Purpose: To assess the reliability and accuracy of an automated Cobb angle measurement (ACAM) using a convolutional neural network (CNN) for scoliosis evaluation and to compare measurement times. Materials and Methods: ACAM was applied to spine radiographs in 411 patients suspected of scoliosis. Observer 1 (consensus of two musculoskeletal radiologists) and observer 2 (a radiology resident) measured Cobb angle (CA). CA measurements were categorized using observer 1’s measurements as the reference standard. Inter-observer reliability and correlation were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, respectively. Accuracy and measurement time of ACAM and observers were evaluated. Results: ACAM demonstrated excellent reliability and very high correlation with observer 1 (ICC = 0.976, Spearman’s rank correlation = 0.948), with a mean CA difference of 1.1. Overall accuracy was high (88.2%), particularly in mild (92.2%) and moderate (96%) scoliosis. Accuracy was lower in spinal asymmetry (77.1%) and higher in severe scoliosis (95%), although the CA was lower compared to the observers. ACAM significantly reduced measurement time by nearly half compared to the observers (p < 0.001). Conclusion ACAM using CNN enhances CA measurement for assessing mild or moderate scoliosis, despite limitations in spinal asymmetry or severe scoliosis. Nonetheless, it substantially decreases measurement time.