No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Hair* ; Humans ; Ulcer*

Aim To avoid the limitation of the use of cationic polyethlenimine (PEI)-complexed plasmid DNA use for in vitro or in vivo gene delivery due to its cytotoxicity and lower efficiency in the presence of serum. Methods A polyplex with decreased positive charge on the complex surface was designed. The PEI/DNA (PD) complexes coated with an anionic biodegradable polymer, alginate were prepared and their gene delivery behavior with PD was compared. Results The alginate-coated PD polyplex, where alginate: PEI: DNA [alginate: DNA, 0. 15 (w/w); PEI: DNA, N: P = 10] showed about 10 -30 fold-increased transfection efficiency compared to corresponding non-coated complexes to C3 cells in the presence of 50% serum. The surface charge of the alginate-coated complex was approximately half of that of the alginate-lacking complex. The size of alginate-coated complex was slightly smaller than that of the corresponding complex without alginate. The former complex also showed a reduced erythrocyte aggregation activity and decreased cytotoxicities to C3 cells in comparison with PD complex. Conclusion The alginate-coated PD polyplexes as a new gene delivery system can improve transfection efficiency in high serum concentration with low cytotoxicity to C3 cells.

This paper reviews the global effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China. We reviewed research on deteriorated mental health, including increased suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Various studies have shown that students’ mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of students who committed suicide has significantly increased in the U.S. and Japan. Factors such as prior mental health status, change in daily routine, reduced physical activity, excessive screen time, overuse of electronic devices, and reduced social support have been reported to have a significant effect. The chain of deteriorating mental health among the youth began at the onset of COVID-19, social distancing, and school closure. As youths began to stay at home instead of going to school, they lost opportunities to connect with their friends or teachers, who could provide support outside of their homes. Young people spent less time on physical activity and more time online, which damaged their sleeping schedule and daily routine. In preparing for the post-pandemic phase, we should thoroughly analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on youth mental health, while simultaneously tackling current imminent issues.

Perforating disorders are a group of skin disorders that present the characteristic clinical finding of transepidermal elimination. Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis is an uncommon condition characterized by umbilicated hyperkeratotic papules, and in almost all cases, it coexists with other disease conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and malignancies. The pathologic mechanism of this disease remains largely unknown. Here, we describe the case of a 42-year-old man who developed acquired reactive perforating collagenosis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Adult ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency ; Skin ; Transplants

Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection of humans and other animals caused by a number of phaeoid fungi. It is characterized by the development of dark-colored hyphae and other types of fungal elements in invaded tissues. Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala species is an unusual infection, but it has been reported with increasing frequency as laboratory methods for diagnosis have improved. A 68-year-old woman presented with yellowish round crusted plaque which is similar to actinic keratosis or keratoacanthoma on her right cheek. Histopathologic examination showed mononuclear cell infiltrate and dark-brown hyphae. The nucleotide sequence of internal transcribed spacer-2 was identical to that of Exophiala species. We report a case of phaeohyphomycosis mimicking skin cancer.
Aged ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; Exophiala* ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Keratoacanthoma ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Phaeohyphomycosis* ; Skin Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Some species of soil keratinophilic fungi (KPF) are known to be pathogens that may lead to cutaneous infection. People exposed to these species through direct contact with soil on beaches can contract KPF infection. However, there is little literature regarding pathogenic KPF isolated from beaches during summer time. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the distribution of soil KPF isolated from beaches in Korea during summer. METHODS: One hundred eighty soil samples from six beaches in the southern coastline of Korea under three different climatic conditions were collected. The KPF species were isolated using the hair-baiting technique. Then, molecular identification was performed by sequencing the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region to investigate the exact species of the isolated fungi. RESULTS: Among the one hundred eighty soil samples, twenty-nine strains (16.1%) of KPF were recovered. The isolation rate of KPF among the beaches varied from 0 to 34.5%. KPF was most frequently isolated in shaded dry areas (30%), followed by sunny dry areas (18.3%), and sunny wet areas (0%). Molecular identification of the fungi using rRNA ITS analysis helped in their classification. Microsporum gypseum/Arthroderma incurvatum (69.0%), Microsporum gypseum/Arthroderma gypseum (3.4%), Trichophyton ajelloi/Arthroderma uncinatum (13.8%), Microsporum cookei/Arthroderma cajetani (10.3%), and Chrysosporium indicum/Aphanoascus terreus (3.4%) were identified. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was observed at position 180 of the rRNA ITS2 in the 20 strains of Microsporum gypseum/Arthroderma incurvatum, and the species was divided into Types 1 (14 strains) and 2 (6 strains) depending on the base present at the SNP position. The geographic distribution of these two types differed. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the beach is a possible source of keratinophilic fungal infection in humans. People should be aware of pathogenic fungi on the soil of beaches during summer and take measures to prevent possible superficial fungal infections.
Chrysosporium ; Classification ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Korea ; Microsporum ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA, Ribosomal ; Soil* ; Trichophyton

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to establish anatomical dimension of the nose and nostril shape in Korean twenties. METHODS: Authors measured anthropometry of nose in Korean youths 1,000 individuals(male 363, female 637) and analyzed stastically them. RESULTS: The mean measurements are as follows. 1. The shape of nostrils was classified into 7 types by the angle between both long axis of nostril(male/ female). Type I(<40degrees)1.7%/1.72%, Type II(41-70degrees) 26.17%/29.35%, Type III(71-100degrees) 39.94%/ 38.77%, Type IV(unclassified) 3.85% /5.80%, Type V(101- 130degrees) 20.93%/17.89%, Type VI(131-180degrees) 7.43%/ 5.96%, Type VII(>180degrees) 0%/0.47%. 2. Lengths(male/female). Width of nasal root: 25.29+/-2.25mm/24.72+/-2.40mm, Width of nose: 37.63+/-2.46mm/34.77+/-2.11mm, Width of columella: 7.18+/-0.92mm/6.92+/-0.86mm, Width of alar: 4.99+/-1.00mm/4.74+/-0.91mm, Width of nostril floor: 10.98+/-1.40mm/10.13+/-1.73mm, Protrusion of nasal tip: 17.12+/-1.95mm/16.88+/-1.84mm, Length of alar: 27.10+/-2.21mm/24.66+/-2.18mm, Length of nasal root: 17.37+/-2.51mm/16.08+/-2.90mm, Depth of nasal root: 7.83+/-1.63mm/6.82+/-1.36mm, Length of columella: 8.13+/-1.40mm/7.30+/-1.46mm, Height of nose: 60.50+/-8.90mm/59.14+/-9.22mm, Height of nasal bridge: 52.68+/-7.49mm/50.57+/-7.71mm. 3.Angles. Nasofacial angle: 30.19+/-3.43degrees/29.13+/-6.31degrees, Nasofrontal angle: 134.88+/-7.25degrees/139.94+/-6.33degrees, Nasolabial angle: 95.08+/-8.95degrees/95.80+/-8.93degrees. 4.Nasal index: 72.60+/-9.57%/68.21+/-7.03%, Nasal tip protrusion-nasal height index: 45.64+/-5.21% /47.09+/- 5.21%, Nasal tip protrusion-nasal width index: 32.61+/-6.83% /31.63+/-6.71% CONCLUSION: These data could be useful reference for anthropometry of nose in Korean twenties.
Adolescent ; Anthropometry ; Axis ; Female ; Humans ; Nose

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of Acutrak screw fixation for ulnar olecranon fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 15 cases of ulnar olecranon fractures which were treated with Acutrak screws from February 2003 to September 2007. Follow-up period is from 12 months to 42 months. We used Mayo classification. Radiologic results were analyzed according to step-off, gap, reduction loss, and functional results were analyzed according to pain and ROM. We analyzed union time, operation time, incision size and complications. RESULTS: In functional results, there were 3 good cases out of 3 Mayo type IA, 8 good cases and 2 fair cases out of 10 type IIA, 1 fair case and 1 poor case out of 2 type IIB. In radiologic results, there was 1 case of reduction loss. Average union time was 9.4 weeks, average operation time was 24 minutes and average incision size was 1.8 cm. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Acutrak screw fixation can be a treatment option for olecranon fracture of Mayo type IA and IIA.
Follow-Up Studies ; Olecranon Process ; Ulna

A high intake of licorice can cause hypermineralocorticoidism with sodium retention and potassium loss, edema, increased blood pressure and depression of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Glycyrrhizic acid, a component of licorice, produces hypermineralocorticoidism through the inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. We report a 55-year-old woman with severe muscle weakness with hypokalemia(Serum K+ : 1.7 mEq/ L) due to raw licorice tea. She boiled the licorice 50 g in water and drunk intermittently for 4 months due to her foreign body sensation on her throat. In Korea there is a traditional recipe that licorice works out for the above symptom. Her serum renin activity and aldosterone level were far beyond normal range which was typical to licorice ingestion. She also had metabolic alkalosis with pH 7.55 and hypertension. After quitting the licorice, hypokalemia and muscle weakness gradually improved and her blood pressure returned to normal.
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ; Aldosterone ; Alkalosis ; Blood Pressure ; Depression ; Eating ; Edema ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Glycyrrhiza* ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia* ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Weakness ; Pharynx ; Potassium ; Reference Values ; Renin ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Sensation ; Sodium ; Tea ; Water

BACKGROUND: Fungal culture is a conventional method for diagnosing fungal infections and is important for determining etiologic agents of the fungal infections. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and validity of fungus culture in various clinical departments. METHODS: A retrospective study of 4373 fungal culture cases at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from January 2010 to December 2014 was made to investigate the prevalence of fungus culture depending on age, clinical departments, specimens and to evaluate the positive rate along with the distribution factor. RESULTS: The number of fungal culture increased with age. Fungal culture was more commonly performed in departments such as pulmonology (26.7%), ophthalmology (11.7%), dermatology (8.6%), emergency medicine (7.4%), neurology (7.3%). Among the cultured specimens, 43.6% were respiratory specimens, followed by CSF (17.2%), ophthalmic specimens (13.2%), skin (8.7%), and abscess (4.0%). Of the 4,373 specimens cultured, 222 (5.1%) were positive. The most commonly identified fungus was Trichophyton. Fungal culture was routinely performed with bronchoscopy and lumbar puncture. Prophylactic fungal evaluation was carried out for patients who had liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that fungal culture has been excessively conducted, even to a level where some departments take the test on their regular routine basis. The unfettered use of this low-yield diagnostic tool can give a false sense accomplishment and is often cost-ineffective and difficult in altering subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic plans. Clinicians should appropriately assess medical indications of fungal culture counting in the risk of infection, mortality, and cost as well.
Abscess ; Academic Medical Centers ; Bronchoscopy ; Daegu* ; Dermatology ; Emergency Medicine ; Fungi ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Mortality ; Neurology ; Ophthalmology ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Medicine ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spinal Puncture ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Trichophyton