The worldwide incidence of precocious puberty, which is associated with negative health outcomes, is increasing. Several studies have suggested that environmental factors contribute to the development of precocious puberty alongside genetic factors. Some epidemiological studies have provided limited evidence suggesting an association between exposure to air pollution and changes in pubertal development. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence on the association between air pollution exposure and precocious puberty. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) until August 2023. The included studies assessed the association between air pollutant exposure and the risk of precocious puberty, early menarche, or pubertal development. Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. A meta-analysis and analysis of the risk of bias were infeasible due to the limited number of studies and the heterogeneity among them. The literature search resulted in 184 studies, from which we included six studies with sample sizes ranging from 437 to 4,074 participants. The studies reported heterogeneous outcomes. Four studies found that increased exposure to air pollution was related to earlier pubertal onset. One study was inconclusive, and another suggested that air pollutant exposure may delay the onset of thelarche. Most studies suggest that exposure to air pollutants accelerates pubertal development; however, the results from the available studies are inconsistent. More extensive and well-designed longitudinal studies are required for a comprehensive understanding of the association between air pollution and precocious puberty.

Purpose: To analyze the association of systemic and ophthalmic disease in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 207 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and 201 age-matched controls without pseudoexfoliation syndrome seen from January 2016 to January 2021. Age, sex, systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, and ocular disease including retinal vascular occlusion, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract surgery rate, complications related to cataract surgery, and ocular characteristics were compared. Factors associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The frequencies of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, AMD, glaucoma, a history of cataract surgery, and complications related to cataract surgery were significantly higher in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (all Ps ≤ 0.049). The pseudoexfoliation syndrome group had a significantly thinner global retinal nerve fiber layer, worse mean deviation and pattern standard deviation, and smaller dilated pupil size than the controls (all Ps < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, the presence of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 1.613, p = 0.041), AMD (OR = 3.071, p = 0.001), and glaucoma (OR = 17.800, p < 0.001) were associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Conclusions Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, AMD, and glaucoma were more frequent in pseudoexfoliation syndrome patients. Since pseudoexfoliation syndrome is closely related to AMD and glaucoma, this requires clinical consideration.

Lung cancer is one of the most common causative cancers worldwide. Particularly, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. NSCLC is a serious form of lung cancer that requires prompt diagnosis, and the 5-year survival rate for patients with this disease is only 24%. Gibbosic acid H (GaH), a natural lanostanoid obtained from the Ganoderma species (Ganodermataceae), has antiproliferative activities against colon and lung cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of GaH in NSCLC cells and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.GaH was found to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and autophagy by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in A549 and H1299 cells. The induction of this cell cycle arrest was associated with the downregulation of cyclin E1 and CDK2.Additionally, the induction of autophagy by GaH was correlated with the upregulation of LC3B, beclin-1, and p53 expression. GaH also induced apoptosis by upregulating cleaved caspase-3 and Bax in the lung cancer cells. These findings suggest that GaH has a potential in the growth inhibition of human lung cancer cells.

Background: Chondroblastomas, which account for approximately 1% of all bone tumors, typically occur in long bones, such as the femur, humerus, and tibia. However, in extremely rare cases, they may also occur in the craniofacial region where the tumor is often found in the squamous portion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and in the temporal bone.Case presentation: This case report describes a large chondroblastoma (diameter, approximately 37 mm) that occurred in the TMJ. The tumor was sufficiently aggressive to destroy the TMJ, mandibular condyle neck, external auditory canal (EAC), mandibular fossa of the temporal bone, and facial nerve. The tumor was completely excised using a pre-auricular approach. The EAC and surgical defect were successfully reconstructed using a temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) and an inguinal free fat graft. There was no local tumor recurrence at the 18-month follow-up visits. However, the patient developed sensory neural hearing loss, and his eyebrow paralysis worsened, eventually requiring plastic surgery. Conclusion Large, invasive chondroblastomas of the TMJ can be completely removed through a pre-auricular approach, and the resulting surgical defect can be reconstructed using TPFF and free fat grafts. However, preoperative evaluation of the facial nerve and auditory function is necessary. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is essential.

Background: The pedicled buccal fat pad has been used for a long time to reconstruct oral defects due to its ease of flap formation and few complications. Many cases related to reconstruction of defects in the maxilla, such as closing the oroantral fistula, have been reported, but cases related to the reconstruction of defects in the mandible are limited. Under adequate anterior traction, pedicled buccal fat pad can be a reliable and effective method for reconstruction of surgical defects in the posterior mandible.Case presentation: This study describes two cases of reconstruction of surgical oral defects in the posterior mandible, all of which were covered by a pedicled buccal fat pad. The size of the flap was sufficient to perfectly close the defect without any tension. Photographic and radiologic imaging showed successful closure of the defects and no problems were noted in the treated area. Conclusion In conclusion, the pedicled buccal fat pad graft is a convenient and reliable method for the reconstruction of surgical defects on the posterior mandible.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the nursing needs and workload of nurses according to nursing dependency for effective placement of nursing staff in the emergency department (ED). Methods: In June 2020, 256 adult patients who visited the ED were classified as two groups, suspected COVID-19 patients and general patients. The participants’electronic medical records were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, x 2 -test, and Fisher's exact test using the SPSS. Results: The patient dependence score showed a significant difference between the two groups, with an average of 13.99±1.85 for the suspected COVID-19 patient group and 10.58±2.10 for the general patient group (t=12.42, p<.001). There were statistically significant differences in communication (t=3.28, p=.001), mobility (t=3.29, p=.001), nutrition, elimination, and personal care (t=7.34, p<.001) among the six domains of nursing dependency. In the domains of environment, safety, health, and social needs, the dependency score was 3 for all suspected COVID-19 patients and 1 for all general patients. Conclusion The results of this study confirmed that infection control activities of emergency patients who need isolation affect the patients’ nursing dependency on nursing care.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the nursing needs and workload of nurses according to nursing dependency for effective placement of nursing staff in the emergency department (ED). Methods: In June 2020, 256 adult patients who visited the ED were classified as two groups, suspected COVID-19 patients and general patients. The participants’electronic medical records were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, x 2 -test, and Fisher's exact test using the SPSS. Results: The patient dependence score showed a significant difference between the two groups, with an average of 13.99±1.85 for the suspected COVID-19 patient group and 10.58±2.10 for the general patient group (t=12.42, p<.001). There were statistically significant differences in communication (t=3.28, p=.001), mobility (t=3.29, p=.001), nutrition, elimination, and personal care (t=7.34, p<.001) among the six domains of nursing dependency. In the domains of environment, safety, health, and social needs, the dependency score was 3 for all suspected COVID-19 patients and 1 for all general patients. Conclusion The results of this study confirmed that infection control activities of emergency patients who need isolation affect the patients’ nursing dependency on nursing care.

PURPOSE: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) to antiepileptic drug (AED), are rare, but result in significant morbidity and mortality. We investigated the major culprit drugs, clinical characteristics, and clinical course and outcomes of AED-induced SCARs using a nationwide registry in Korea. METHODS: A total of 161 patients with AED-induced SCARs from 28 referral hospitals were analyzed. The causative AEDs, clinical characteristics, organ involvements, details of treatment, and outcomes were evaluated. We compared the clinical and laboratory parameters between SJS/TEN and DRESS according to the leading causative drugs. We further determined risk factors for prolonged hospitalization in AED-induced SCARs. RESULTS: Carbamazepine and lamotrigine were the most common culprit drugs causing SCARs. Valproic acid and levetiracetam also emerged as the major causative agents. The disease duration and hospital stay in carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN were shorter than those in other AEDs (P< 0.05, respectively). In younger patients, lamotrigine caused higher incidences of DRESS than other drugs (P= 0.045). Carbamazepine, the most common culprit drug for SCARs, was associated with a favorable outcome related with prolonged hospitalization in SJS (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.63, P= 0.12), and thrombocytopenia was found to be a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization in DRESS. CONCLUSION: This was the first large-scale epidemiological study of AED-induced SCARs in Korea. Valproic acid and levetiracetam were the significant emerging AEDs causing SCARs in addition to the well-known offending AEDs such as carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Carbamazepine was associated with reduced hospitalization, but thrombocytopenia was a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization. Our results suggest that the clinical characteristics and clinical courses of AED-induced SCARs might vary according to the individual AEDs.
Anticonvulsants ; Carbamazepine ; Cicatrix ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Referral and Consultation ; Risk Factors ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; Thrombocytopenia ; Valproic Acid

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) mediates various biological processes in humans. The goal of this study was to investigate whether VDBP gene polymorphisms could predispose Korean women to endometriosis. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled women with endometriosis (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 16). Total serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured using an Elecsys vitamin D total kit. Levels of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using a vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. DNA was extracted using a DNeasy blood & tissue kit. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs4588 and rs7041) in GC, the gene that codes for VDBP, were analyzed using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay kit. The functional variant of VDBP was determined based on the results of the two SNPs. RESULTS: Gravidity and parity were significantly lower in the endometriosis patients than in the control group, but serum CA-125 levels and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher. Total serum 25(OH)D levels in the endometriosis patients were significantly lower than in the control group. However, serum bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, and VDBP levels did not differ significantly between the endometriosis and control groups. The genotypes and allele frequencies of GC were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Korean women with endometriosis had lower total serum 25(OH)D concentrations than controls. Neither serum VDBP concentrations nor polymorphisms in the gene coding for VDBP were associated with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiology and clinical implications of 25(OH)D and VDBP in endometriosis.
Biological Processes ; Blood Sedimentation ; Clinical Coding ; DNA ; Endometriosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Gravidity ; Humans ; Parity ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prospective Studies ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: There are limited population-based data regarding herpes zoster in children. Thus we conducted a multi-institutional epidemiological analysis of herpes zoster in children and comparative analysis according to their immune status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 126 children under the age of 18 years who were hospitalized for herpes zoster at 8 hospitals in South Korea, between July 2009 and June 2015. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to their immune status, and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 61 cases (48.4%) in the immunocompetent group and 65 cases (51.6%) in the immunocompromised group. Median age was older in immunocompromised group (11.4 vs. 8.6) (p<0.001). The mean duration of hospitalization was longer in immunocompromised group (11.0 vs. 6.6) (p<0.001). Patients were treated with oral or intravenous antiviral agents. A total of 12 in immunocompetent group were cured only by oral acyclovir. No treatment failure was found in both groups. Six immunocompromised patients had postherpetic neuralgia and 1 case was in immunocompetent group. In immunocompetent children, herpes zoster was likely caused by early varicella infection. There was no increase in progression of severity in both groups due to appropriate treatment. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of therapy is necessary for those in immunocompromised conditions. And inactivated herpes zoster vaccination may be considered in immunocompromised adolescents in the future.
Acyclovir ; Adolescent ; Antiviral Agents ; Chickenpox ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Herpes Zoster ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Treatment Failure ; Vaccination