Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kombucha on the surface of composite resins and to examine thedegradation-inhibiting effect of adding calcium to kombucha. Methods: Six experimental groups were established, with three types of liquid kombucha: one with 3% added calcium,carbonated water as a positive control, and mineral water as a negative control. The pH and titratable acidity values of the experimental groups were measured. The samples were filled with condensed composite resin and placed in the experimental drinks for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The Vickers microhardness of the surface was measured before and after immersion, and the changes were compared. Results: The pH values of the experimental group were I’m alive (2.87±0.02), Hollys (2.95±0.01), Ediya (2.99±0.01), I’m alive +3% Ca (4.09±0.01), carbonated water (4.66±0.01), and mineral water (7.67±0.02). I’m alive (–12.35) showed the largest reduction in surface hardness, followed by Hollys (–9.78), carbonated water (–7.97), I’m alive +3% Ca (–7.82), Ediya (–7.60), and mineral water (–1.56). In the Vickers microhardness measurements, all experimental groups, except for the mineral water group, showed significant differences (p＜0.05). The scanning electron microscope results showed that the experimental group and positive control had rough surfaces and micropores. Conclusion The surface hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups except for water. In particular, in the caseof kombucha with low pH, the reduction rate increased, weakening the physical properties of the material. In addition, the reduction rate of surface hardness was lower in kombucha with added calcium, and it is believed that drinking kombucha containing calcium can minimize the erosion of dental materials.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kombucha on the surface of composite resins and to examine thedegradation-inhibiting effect of adding calcium to kombucha. Methods: Six experimental groups were established, with three types of liquid kombucha: one with 3% added calcium,carbonated water as a positive control, and mineral water as a negative control. The pH and titratable acidity values of the experimental groups were measured. The samples were filled with condensed composite resin and placed in the experimental drinks for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The Vickers microhardness of the surface was measured before and after immersion, and the changes were compared. Results: The pH values of the experimental group were I’m alive (2.87±0.02), Hollys (2.95±0.01), Ediya (2.99±0.01), I’m alive +3% Ca (4.09±0.01), carbonated water (4.66±0.01), and mineral water (7.67±0.02). I’m alive (–12.35) showed the largest reduction in surface hardness, followed by Hollys (–9.78), carbonated water (–7.97), I’m alive +3% Ca (–7.82), Ediya (–7.60), and mineral water (–1.56). In the Vickers microhardness measurements, all experimental groups, except for the mineral water group, showed significant differences (p＜0.05). The scanning electron microscope results showed that the experimental group and positive control had rough surfaces and micropores. Conclusion The surface hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups except for water. In particular, in the caseof kombucha with low pH, the reduction rate increased, weakening the physical properties of the material. In addition, the reduction rate of surface hardness was lower in kombucha with added calcium, and it is believed that drinking kombucha containing calcium can minimize the erosion of dental materials.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kombucha on the surface of composite resins and to examine thedegradation-inhibiting effect of adding calcium to kombucha. Methods: Six experimental groups were established, with three types of liquid kombucha: one with 3% added calcium,carbonated water as a positive control, and mineral water as a negative control. The pH and titratable acidity values of the experimental groups were measured. The samples were filled with condensed composite resin and placed in the experimental drinks for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The Vickers microhardness of the surface was measured before and after immersion, and the changes were compared. Results: The pH values of the experimental group were I’m alive (2.87±0.02), Hollys (2.95±0.01), Ediya (2.99±0.01), I’m alive +3% Ca (4.09±0.01), carbonated water (4.66±0.01), and mineral water (7.67±0.02). I’m alive (–12.35) showed the largest reduction in surface hardness, followed by Hollys (–9.78), carbonated water (–7.97), I’m alive +3% Ca (–7.82), Ediya (–7.60), and mineral water (–1.56). In the Vickers microhardness measurements, all experimental groups, except for the mineral water group, showed significant differences (p＜0.05). The scanning electron microscope results showed that the experimental group and positive control had rough surfaces and micropores. Conclusion The surface hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups except for water. In particular, in the caseof kombucha with low pH, the reduction rate increased, weakening the physical properties of the material. In addition, the reduction rate of surface hardness was lower in kombucha with added calcium, and it is believed that drinking kombucha containing calcium can minimize the erosion of dental materials.

Purpose: Renal tumors account for approximately 7% of all childhood cancers. These include Wilms tumor (WT), clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) and other rare tumors. We investigated the epidemiology of pediatric renal tumors in Korea. Materials and Methods: From January 2001 to December 2015, data of pediatric patients (0–18 years) newly-diagnosed with renal tumors at 26 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among 439 patients (male, 240), the most common tumor was WT (n=342, 77.9%), followed by RCC (n=36, 8.2%), CCSK (n=24, 5.5%), MRTK (n=16, 3.6%), CMN (n=12, 2.7%), and others (n=9, 2.1%). Median age at diagnosis was 27.1 months (range 0-225.5) and median follow-up duration was 88.5 months (range 0-211.6). Overall, 32 patients died, of whom 17, 11, 1, and 3 died of relapse, progressive disease, second malignant neoplasm, and treatment-related mortality. Five-year overall survival and event free survival were 97.2% and 84.8% in WT, 90.6% and 82.1% in RCC, 81.1% and 63.6% in CCSK, 60.3% and 56.2% in MRTK, and 100% and 91.7% in CMN, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion The pediatric renal tumor types in Korea are similar to those previously reported in other countries. WT accounted for a large proportion and survival was excellent. Non-Wilms renal tumors included a variety of tumors and showed inferior outcome, especially MRTK. Further efforts are necessary to optimize the treatment and analyze the genetic characteristics of pediatric renal tumors in Korea.

Purpose: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a rare disease in children and there are some different characteristics between children and adult. We aimed to evaluate incidence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of pediatric APL in Korea. Materials and Methods: Seventy-nine pediatric APL patients diagnosed from January 2009 to December 2016 in 16 tertiary medical centers in Korea were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Of 801 acute myeloid leukemia children, 79 (9.9%) were diagnosed with APL. The median age at diagnosis was 10.6 years (range, 1.3 to 18.0). Male and female ratio was 1:0.93. Thirty patients (38.0%) had white blood cell (WBC) count greater than 10×109/L at diagnosis. All patients received induction therapy consisting of all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy. Five patients (6.6%) died during induction chemotherapy and 66 patients (86.8%) achieved complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy. The causes of death were three intracranial hemorrhage, one cerebral infarction, and one sepsis. Five patients (7.1%) suffered a relapse during or after maintenance chemotherapy. The estimated 4-year event-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were 82.1%±4.4%, 89.7%±5.1%, respectively. The 4-year OS was significantly higher in patients with initial WBC < 10×109/L than in those with initial WBC ≥ 10×109/L (p=0.020). Conclusion This study showed that the CR rates and survival outcomes in Korean pediatric APL patients were relatively good. The initial WBC count was the most important prognostic factor and most causes of death were related to serious bleeding in the early stage of treatment.

Background and Objectives: Iodine is known to be an important factor in the occurrence of goiter, and South Korea is a region with sufficient iodine supplementation. In this regard, we checked the size change of thyroid nodules found by health check-up in Koreans and examined which risk factors influence the size change. Materials and Methods: A total 7753 subjects who underwent thyroid sonography two or more times were included. We defined that there was a change in the size of the nodule when the difference in diameter identified in the last ultrasound was more than 3 mm. Results: Thyroid nodules were decreased in 895 subjects (11.5%) and increased in 1041 subjects (13.5%). The rate of increased nodule was on an increasing trend according to the duration (annual percent change 2.6%, p＜0.001). In contrast, the rate of decreased nodule was unchanged. Predictive factors related to decrease of the nodule size were young age, male sex, larger initial nodule size and thyroiditis. Similarly, young age, larger initial nodule size and diffuse parenchymal abnormality were significant predictive factors for increased nodules. However, diffuse parenchymal abnormality was not a predictive factor when we analyzed only thyroid nodules larger than 1 cm. Conclusion In our study, 11.5-13.5% of benign thyroid nodules were increased or decreased during median 27 months of follow-up in iodine sufficient condition. Young age, larger initial size and diffuse parenchymal abnormality were common predictive factor affecting both the increase and decrease of thyroid nodules.

Background: Hereditary hemolytic anemia (HHA) is a rare disease characterized by premature red blood cell (RBC) destruction due to intrinsic RBC defects. The RBC Disorder Working Party of the Korean Society of Hematology established and updated the standard operating procedure for making an accurate diagnosis of HHA since 2007. The aim of this study was to investigate a nationwide epidemiology of Korean HHA. Methods: We collected the data of a newly diagnosed pediatric HHA cohort (2007–2016) and compared this cohort's characteristics with those of a previously surveyed pediatric HHA cohort (1997–2006) in Korea. Each participant's information was retrospectively collected by a questionnaire survey. Results: A total of 369 children with HHA from 38 hospitals distributed in 16 of 17 districts of Korea were investigated. RBC membranopathies, hemoglobinopathies, RBC enzymopathies, and unknown etiologies accounted for 263 (71.3%), 59 (16.0%), 23 (6.2%), and 24 (6.5%) of the cases, respectively. Compared to the cohort from the previous decade, the proportions of hemoglobinopathies and RBC enzymopathies significantly increased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). Twenty-three of the 59 hemoglobinopathy patients had immigrant mothers, mostly from South-East Asia. Conclusion In Korea, thalassemia traits have increased over the past 10 years, reflecting both increased awareness of this disease and increased international marriages. The enhanced recognition of RBC enzymopathies is due to advances in diagnostic technique; however, 6.5% of HHA patients still do not have a clear diagnosis. It is necessary to improve accessibility of diagnosing HHA.

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) constitutes 10%–20% of all malignant lymphomas and has a high cure rate (5-year survival, around 90%). Recently, interest has increased concerning preventing secondary complications (secondary cancer, endocrine disorders) in long-term survivors. We aimed to study the epidemiologic features and therapeutic outcomes of HL in children, adolescents, and young adults in Korea. Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of 224 patients aged < 25 years diagnosed with HL at 22 participating institutes in Korea from January 2007 to August 2016. Results: A higher percentage of males was diagnosed at a younger age. Nodular sclerosis histopathological HL subtype was most common, followed by mixed cellularity subtype.Eighty-one (36.2%), 101 (45.1%), and 42 (18.8%) patients were classified into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups, respectively. Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine was the most common protocol (n = 102, 45.5%). Event-free survival rate was 86.0% ± 2.4%, while five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 96.1% ± 1.4%: 98.7% ± 1.3%, 97.7% ± 1.6%, and 86.5% ± 5.6% in the low, intermediate, and high-risk groups, respectively (P = 0.021). Five-year OS was worse in patients with B-symptoms, stage IV disease, highrisk, splenic involvement, extra-nodal lymphoma, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase level.In multivariate analysis, B-symptoms and extra-nodal involvement were prognostic factors for poor OS. Late complications of endocrine disorders and secondary malignancy were observed in 17 and 6 patients, respectively. Conclusion This is the first study on the epidemiology and treatment outcomes of HL in children, adolescents, and young adults in Korea. Future prospective studies are indicated to develop therapies that minimize treatment toxicity while maximizing cure rates in children, adolescents, and young adults with HL.

PURPOSE: Adherence is a major component of successful medical treatment. However, non-adherence remains a barrier to effective delivery of healthcare worldwide. METHODS: Twenty healthcare facilities (secondary or tertiary hospitals) belonging to the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases (KAPARD) participated. Questionnaires were given to patients currently receiving treatment in the form of inhalant useor oral intake or transdermal patch for mild to moderate asthma. RESULTS: A total of 1,838 patients responded to the questionnaire. Mean age was 5.98 ± 3.79 years (range: 0-18 years). With help from their caregivers, the percentage of patients that answered “taking as prescribed” was 38.04% for inhalant users, 50.09% for oral medication users and 67.42% for transdermal users. Transdermal patch users had significantly greater adherence compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.001). The 34.15% of inhalant users, 70.33% of oral medication users and 93.00% of transdermal patch users felt that their medication delivery system was “Easy” or “Very easy” to use (P < 0.001). “Method of administration” was deemed to be the most difficult part of the treatment regimen to follow, and 76.7% of patients preferred once-daily administration (i.e., “Frequency of administration”). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma medication adherence in young children was found to be better in the transdermal patch group. This may be due to requiring fewer doses and easy to follow instructions. From an adherence point of view, the transdermal patch seems more useful for long-term asthma control in children compared to oral or inhaled medicine.
Asthma ; Caregivers ; Child ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Medication Adherence ; Transdermal Patch