No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: Kaempferol (3,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities. The 3-OH group in flavonoids has been reported to determine antioxidant activities. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether kaempferol can affect the expression of integrins and the stem cell fate of interfollicular epidermal stem cells. METHODS: Skin equivalent (SE) models were constructed, and the expression levels of stem cell markers and basement membrane-related antigens were tested. The immunohistochemical staining patterns of integrins, p63, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were compared between kaempferol- and apigenin-treated SE models. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of integrins. RESULTS: Kaempferol increased the thickness of the epidermis when added to prepare SEs. In addition, the basal cells of kaempferol- treated SEs appeared more columnar. In the immunohistological study, the expression of integrins α6 and β1 and the numbers of p63- and PCNA-positive cells were markedly higher in the kaempferol-treated model. However, apigenin showed no effects on the formation of three-dimensional skin models. RT-PCR analysis also confirmed that kaempferol increased the expression of integrin α6 and integrin β1. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that kaempferol can increase the proliferative potential of basal epidermal cells by modulating the basement membrane. In other words, kaempferol can affect the fate of interfollicular epidermal stem cells by increasing the expression of both integrins α6 and β1. These effects, in particular, might be ascribed to the 3-OH group of kaempferol.
Apigenin ; Basement Membrane ; Epidermis ; Extracellular Matrix ; Flavonoids ; Integrins ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Stem Cells*

We report two cases of giant cell tumor arising from the rib and their F-18 FDG PET/CT findings. The two patients complained of chest wall pain, and large lobulated soft tissue masses with intense FDG uptake were seen on F-18 FDG PET/CT. A malignant tumor such as osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma was suspected due to the large size of the mass, bony destruction, and intense FDG uptake. En bloc resection was performed and final pathologic results revealed giant cell tumor of the rib. Giant cell tumor of the rib is very rare, and larger lesions with high FDG uptake can be misdiagnosed as an intrathoracic malignancy arising from the rib, pleura, or chest wall.
Chondrosarcoma ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; Pleura ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Ribs ; Thoracic Wall

BACKGROUND: Throat culture is the golden standard for diagnosis of group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. However, because it is a time-consuming procedure, antibiotics are often empirically administrated. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can detect bacterial infections within 15 minutes, thus helping to reduce unnecessary administration of antibiotics. METHODS: In total, 108 patients, between 3 and 17 yr of age, who visited our hospital from August 2011 to July 2012, were tested for suspected acute pharyngitis with two RATs––SD Bioline Strep A (SD, Korea) and BinaxNOW Strep A (Binax, Inc., USA)––as well as throat culture. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and consistency of the two RATs and assessed the clinical manifestations of GAS pharyngitis. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 15 were confirmed to have GAS pharyngitis by throat culture. The SD test showed a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 97.8%; the positive and negative predictive values were 87.5% and 98.9%, respectively. The Binax test showed a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 100%; the positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 97.9%, respectively. The Kappa values for conformity degree were high, 0.887 and 0.918 in the SD and the Binax tests, respectively (P=0.00). Clinical manifestation assessment of GAS pharyngitis indicated that scarlatiniform rash and strawberry tongue were significantly associated signs (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GAS pharyngitis diagnosis based on clinical manifestations alone has practical limitations. The two RATs are useful as substitutes for throat culture and their frequent use in clinical settings is advisable.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Fragaria ; Humans ; Pharyngitis* ; Pharynx ; Rats ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Tongue

PURPOSE: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in children. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 330 patients from the age of 6 to 12, who visited the endocrinology clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Hospital, from September, 2013 to May, 2014. According to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, the patients were grouped into either the deficiency group (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL), or the sufficiency group (25(OH)D≥20 ng/mL). The differences between the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: There were 195 patients (59.1%) who had vitamin D deficiency. Their mean serum 25(OH)D level was 14.86±3.20 ng/mL. The differences in sex, age, and pubertal status between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. Weight standard deviation score (SDS), and body mass index SDS, were significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (P=0.002 for each), compared to the sufficiency group. Compared with Autumn, both Spring (odds ratio [OR], 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3–22.0), and Winter (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 3.5–10.0), were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only seasonal differences have been confirmed to have an effect on vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6 to 12 years is very common. Spring and Winter are the most important risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. We suggest that it is necessary to supplement the guideline for the vitamin D intake according to our situation.
Body Mass Index ; Busan* ; Child* ; Endocrinology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Pediatrics ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in children. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 330 patients from the age of 6 to 12, who visited the endocrinology clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Hospital, from September, 2013 to May, 2014. According to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, the patients were grouped into either the deficiency group (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL), or the sufficiency group (25(OH)D≥20 ng/mL). The differences between the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: There were 195 patients (59.1%) who had vitamin D deficiency. Their mean serum 25(OH)D level was 14.86±3.20 ng/mL. The differences in sex, age, and pubertal status between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. Weight standard deviation score (SDS), and body mass index SDS, were significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (P=0.002 for each), compared to the sufficiency group. Compared with Autumn, both Spring (odds ratio [OR], 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3–22.0), and Winter (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 3.5–10.0), were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only seasonal differences have been confirmed to have an effect on vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6 to 12 years is very common. Spring and Winter are the most important risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. We suggest that it is necessary to supplement the guideline for the vitamin D intake according to our situation.
Body Mass Index ; Busan* ; Child* ; Endocrinology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Pediatrics ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentation disorder that predominantly affects the face. It frequently occurs in women with darker skin types and severely impacts quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinicoepidemiological features and triggering or aggravating factors of melasma in Korean patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the dermatology clinics of five university hospitals in Korea. Between January 2011 and August 2012, 411 patients with melasma completed a questionnaire about the clinical and aggravating factors associated with their melasma. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 400 women and 11 men aged 22~73 years (mean age, 42.8±9.92 years). Triggering or aggravating factors were sun exposure (68.4%), pregnancy (27.0%), and emotional stress (24.8%). Interestingly, 61.1% of patients complained of sensitive/inflammatory features such as erythema, itching, and a stinging sensation. Dryness was the most common aggravating factor, followed by erythema/redness and itching/stinging. Concomitant pigmentary disorders included post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 15.1% of patients, followed by pigmented contact dermatitis, and acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules. CONCLUSION: It is well known that sun exposure and hormonal changes are the most common triggers of melasma; however, sensitive/inflammatory features may aggravate melasma in East Asian patients. Therefore, these individual and racial differences should be considered in the prevention and treatment of melasma.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bites and Stings ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Erythema ; Female ; Hospitals, University* ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Korea ; Male ; Melanosis* ; Nevus ; Pregnancy ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life ; Sensation ; Skin ; Solar System ; Stress, Psychological

The Ael subgroup expresses the least amount of A antigens and could only be detected by performing the adsorption-elution test. The frequency of the Ael subgroup is about 0.001% in Koreans, and the Ael02 allele, which originates from A102, is the most frequently identified allele in the Korean population. We report a Korean family with the Ael03 allele identified by molecular genetic analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such report in Korea to date.
ABO Blood-Group System/*genetics ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: There is no standard second-line regimen for malignant melanoma patients with disease progression after first-line chemotherapy, and platinum-alkylating agents combined with paclitaxel have shown modest efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a phase II, open-label, single-arm study to test the efficacy of docetaxel combined with carboplatin for malignant melanoma patients who failed previous treatment with dacarbazine. Intravenous docetaxel (35 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of each cycle) and carboplatin (area under the curve 3 on days 1 and 8 of each cycle) was administered every 21 days. Primary end point was objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled in the study, and the median follow-up duration was 19.8 months. Among 25 per-protocol patients, there were three responders (1 with complete response and 2 with partial response) and 17 stable disease patients (ORR, 12.0%). Among the per-protocol population, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 9.6 months. Uveal melanoma patients (n=9) showed the best prognosis compared to other subtypes (median PFS, 7.6 months; OS, 9.9 months). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event was neutropenia (n=15, 50.0%). CONCLUSION: Docetaxel combined with carboplatin showed association with an acceptable safety profile and overall efficacy for patients with malignant melanoma who had progressed on chemotherapy containing dacarbazine.
Carboplatin* ; Dacarbazine* ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Neutropenia ; Paclitaxel ; Prognosis