PURPOSE: Data are lacking on the association between the allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype and sensitization to specific allergens or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in children. We here investigated risk factors and comorbidities, including sensitization to specific allergens and BHR, for the AR phenotype by AR and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification in a general population-based birth cohort study. METHODS: We enrolled 606 children aged 7 years from the Panel Study of Korean Children. The AR phenotype was assigned in accordance with the ARIA classification in children. Skin prick tests and Provocholine provocation test were performed. Risk factors and comorbidities for AR phenotypes were then analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of mild and moderate to severe AR in our study cohort was 37.2% and 8.8%, respectively. Recent use of analgesics or antipyretics and current cat ownership were associated with the risk of mild persistent AR. Sensitizations to Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (Der p), Japanese hop and cat were associated with moderate to severe persistent AR. Children with moderate to severe AR had a higher risk of current asthma and BHR compared to mild AR cases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–15.62). Moderate to severe AR with allergic sensitization was associated with the highest risk of BHR (aOR, 11.77; 95% CI, 3.40–40.74). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe-persistent AR is more closely related to respiratory comorbidities and sensitizations than mild AR. Stratifying the AR phenotype by ARIA classification may assist in disease management.
Allergens ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Antipyretics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Cats ; Child ; Classification ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Disease Management ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Skin

PURPOSE: With the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, profiling a wide range of genomic alterations has become a possibility resulting in improved implementation of targeted cancer therapy. In Asian populations, the prevalence and spectrum of clinically actionable genetic alterations has not yet been determined because of a lack of studies examining high-throughput cancer genomic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To address this issue, 1,071 tumor samples were collected from five major cancer institutes in Korea and analyzed using targeted NGS at a centralized laboratory. Samples were either fresh frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) and the quality and yield of extracted genomic DNA was assessed. In order to estimate the effect of sample condition on the quality of sequencing results, tissue preparation method, specimen type (resected or biopsied) and tissue storage time were compared. RESULTS: We detected 7,360 non-synonymous point mutations, 1,164 small insertions and deletions, 3,173 copy number alterations, and 462 structural variants. Fifty-four percent of tumors had one or more clinically relevant genetic mutation. The distribution of actionable variants was variable among different genes. Fresh frozen tissues, surgically resected specimens, and recently obtained specimens generated superior sequencing results over FFPE tissues, biopsied specimens, and tissues with long storage duration. CONCLUSION: In order to overcome, challenges involved in bringing NGS testing into routine clinical use, a centralized laboratory model was designed that could improve the NGS workflows, provide appropriate turnaround times and control costs with goal of enabling precision medicine.
Academies and Institutes ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; DNA ; Humans ; Korea ; Methods ; Paraffin ; Point Mutation ; Precision Medicine ; Prevalence

The diagnosis and management of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have evolved significantly in recent years. There are several diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and controversies regarding the management of these lesions. In this review, we focus on the recent significant changes and controversial issues regarding the diagnosis and management of NENs and discuss the role of imaging in the multidisciplinary team approach.
Diagnosis ; Global Health* ; Joints* ; Neoplasm Staging* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreas ; World Health Organization*

PURPOSE: It is controversial whether indoor pet exposure is either a risk or protective factor developing sensitization to pet allergens or asthma. Therefore, we investigated whether indoor pet ownership entails a risk for the development of asthma and sensitization in childhood. METHODS: The Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC) is a general-population-based birth cohort study that recruited 2,078 mother-baby dyads in Korea between April and July of 2008. Among 1,577 children who were followed up in 2015, 559 underwent skin prick tests, spirometry and bronchial provocation tests using Provocholine. Having a cat or a dog and the prevalence of asthma were evaluated by using self-reported questionnaires and physicians’ medical records. RESULTS: During infancy, the rate of dog ownership was 4.5% (71 of 1,574) and that of cat ownership was 0.5% (8 of 1,574). Of the subjects, 7.9% (n=109) currently had at least 1 dog and 2.5% (n=34) had at least 1 cat. Pet ownership during infancy was associated with sensitization to cats or dogs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–13.98), wheezing within 12 months (aOR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.65–18.75) and current asthma (wheezing episode in the last 12 months+diagnosed asthma by physicians) (aOR, 6.36; 95% CI, 1.54–26.28). In contrast, pet ownership during the last 12 months was not associated with sensitization to cats or dogs or current asthma. CONCLUSION: Indoor pet exposure during infancy can be critical for developing sensitization to cats or dogs and asthma in childhood. Avoidance of pet exposure in early life may reduce sensitization to cats or dogs and development of asthma.
Allergens ; Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Cats ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Dogs ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Pets ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Respiratory Sounds ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Spirometry

PURPOSE: In intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), genetic characteristics on ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG)-PET scans are not yet clarified. If specific genetic characteristics were found to be related to FDG uptake in iCCA, we can predict molecular features based on the FDG uptake patterns and to distinguish different types of treatments. In this purpose, we analyzed RNA sequencing in iCCA patients to evaluate gene expression signatures associated with FDG uptake patterns. METHODS: We performed RNA sequencing of 22 cases iCCA who underwent preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG-PET, and analyzed the clinical and molecular features according to the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax). Genes and biological pathway which are associated with SUVmax were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with SUVmax higher than 9.0 (n = 9) had poorer disease-free survival than those with lower SUVmax (n = 13, P = 0.035). Genes related to glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, phosphorylation and cell cycle were significantly correlated with SUVmax (r ≥ 0.5). RRM2, which is related to the toxicity of Gemcitabine was positively correlated with SUVmax, and SLC27A2 which is associated with Cisplastin response was negatively correlated with SUVmax. According to the pathway analysis, cell cycle, cell division, hypoxia, inflammatory, and metabolism-related pathways were enriched in high SUVmax patients. CONCLUSION: The genomic features of gene expression and pathways can be predicted by FDG uptake features in iCCA. Patients with high FDG uptake have enriched cell cycle, metabolism and hypoxic pathways, which may lead to a more rational targeted treatment approach.
Anoxia ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Gene Expression ; Gluconeogenesis ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVE: To assess positive culture rate and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Mycoplasma hominis (MH) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) in symptomatic general population and pregnant women admitted with preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who have undergone culture test and antimicrobial susceptibilities at our center from January 2017 to April 2018. Patients with positive culture for MH, UU, or both were included in this study. RESULTS: There were 200 patients who were eligible for enrollment. Of these patients, 34 (17%) were pregnant women and 166 (83%) were non-pregnant women. Of these 200 patients, positive culture results were as follows: MH only, n=10 (5%); UU only, n=58 (29%); and both MH and UU, n=36 (18%). Susceptibilities of MH only to doxycycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin were 100%, 10%, 40%, and 0%, respectively. Susceptibilities of UU only to doxycycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin were 94.8%, 87.9%, 5.2%, and 81%, respectively. Susceptibilities of both MH and UU to doxycycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin were 97.2%, 5.6%, 11.1%, and 11.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: UU only was the leading causative pathogen for genitourinary infection in our study. MH only accounted for about one sixth of UU only infections. Doxycycline was still the best antibiotics as most patients with MH only, UU only, or both MH and UU positive culture showed susceptibility. For ciprofloxacin, less than 12% of those with UU only and both MH and UU culture positive results showed susceptibility.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Azithromycin ; Ciprofloxacin ; Doxycycline ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Membranes ; Mycoplasma hominis ; Mycoplasma ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; Ureaplasma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the latent class, according to the risk factors, of the patients hospitalized due to intentional self-harm by lethal means. METHODS: The risk factors were derived by categorizing the intentional self-harming measures by lethal (hanging, pesticide poisoning, jumping, and drowning) and non-lethal (drug poisoning and stab) measures and comparing the demographics, diseased state, and suicide-related characteristics. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the type of intentional self-harm. RESULTS: Male (sex), elderly (age), rural (residing location), and comorbid diseases were found to be the risk factors for fatal injuries. For this, four latent classes were modeled. Factors, such as the age group between 20 to 40 years, women, and family conflict were included in the first class. The second class included the age group between 30 to 50 years, men, and financial problems. The third class covered the age group between 60 to 70 years and comorbidity. The fourth class contained the age group of 10 to 50 years, women, and mental problems. The rate of suicide and choice of fatal suicide was ranked in the order of 3 (62.7%, 21.5%), 2 (59.8%, 13.9%), 4 (36.8%, 5.7%), and 1 (29.5%, 5.9%). CONCLUSION: A lethal mean access control policy needs to be established for the high-risk group of self-harm. Moreover, establishing an emergency room-community link prevention policy could help reduce the re-suicide attempt among suffering patients.
Aged ; Cluster Analysis ; Comorbidity ; Demography ; Emergencies ; Family Conflict ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Methods ; Poisoning ; Risk Factors ; Self-Injurious Behavior ; Suicide

Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular (CV) disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of thirty-three authors—primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers CV mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Cause of Death ; Consultants ; Coronary Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Life Style ; Methods ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nutritionists ; Physical Therapists ; Preventive Medicine ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation ; Secondary Prevention ; Specialization ; Sports Medicine ; Surgeons

BACKGROUND: High doses of methotrexate (MTX) are often used in various chemotherapy protocols to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in children, but its delayed elimination increases the occurrence of adverse events, such as bone marrow suppression. The aim of this study was to investigate the elimination of MTX at 24 and 48 hours. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records of ALL or NHL pediatric patients who received 5 g/m² MTX infusion over 24 hours (between June, 2012 and July, 2018) at the Yonsei University Health System, Korea. The delayed elimination of MTX concentrations was assessed with 100 or 150 µM MTX at 24 hours, and 2 or 5 µM at 48 hours. RESULTS: Among the 85 MTX cycles administered, 23 cycles were classified in delayed elimination group, and 62 cycles showed normal elimination. At 24 hours, the delayed elimination group with MTX concentration > 100 µM showed higher percentage than group with MTX concentration < 100 µM (45.8% vs. 19.7%, p = 0.015). However, no differences were observed at 150 µM MTX (p = 0.66). At 48 hours, the delayed elimination was higher than the normal elimination at both concentration baselines (p < 0.001 at 2 µM, p = 0.024 at 5 µM). CONCLUSIONS: MTX concentrations greater than 100 µM show high probability of delayed elimination at 24 hours. When MTX levels are above normal, leucovorin and hydration regimens should be continued to prevent delayed elimination.
Bone Marrow ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Korea ; Leucovorin ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Methotrexate ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Nose ; Pemphigus