Background/Aims: The protective effects of vitamin D and calcium on colorectal neoplasms are known. Bone mineral density (BMD) may be a reliable biomarker that reflects the long-term anticancer effect of vitamin D and calcium. This study aimed to evaluate the association between BMD and colorectal adenomas including high-risk adenoma. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted among participants with average risk of colorectal cancer who underwent BMD and screening colonoscopy between 2015 and 2019. The main outcome was the detection of colorectal neoplasms. The variable under consideration was low BMD (osteopenia/osteoporosis). The logistic regression model included baseline demographics, components of metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease status, and aspirin and multivitamin use. Results: A total of 2,109 subjects were enrolled. The mean age was 52.1±10.8 years and 42.6% were male. The adenoma detection rate was 43%. Colorectal adenoma and high-risk adenoma were both more prevalent in subjects with low BMD than those with normal BMD (48.2% vs 38.8% and 12.1% vs 9.1%). In the univariate analysis, old age, male sex, smoking, metabolic components, fatty liver, and osteoporosis were significantly associated with the risk of adenoma and high-risk adenoma. In the multivariate analysis, osteoporosis was independently associated with risk of colorectal adenoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 2.46; p=0.014) and high-risk adenoma (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.29; p=0.014). Conclusions Osteoporosis is an independent risk factor of colorectal adenoma and high-risk adenoma

Background: Asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) is a condition characterized by the overlapping clinical features of asthma and COPD. To evaluate the appropriateness of different sets of ACO definition, we compared the clinical characteristics of the previously defined diagnostic criteria and the specialist opinion in this study. Methods: Patients enrolled in the KOrea COpd Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) were evaluated. Based on the questionnaire data, the patients were categorized into the ACO and non-ACO COPD groups according to the four sets of the diagnostic criteria. Results: In total 1,475 patients evaluated: 202 of 1,475 (13.6%), 32 of 1,475 (2.2%), 178 of 1,113 (16.0%), and 305 of 1,250 (24.4%) were categorized as ACO according to the modified Spanish Society of Pneumonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), American Thoracic Society (ATS) Roundtable, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)/Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, and the specialists diagnosis, respectively. The ACO group defined according to the GINA/GOLD criteria showed significantly higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and COPD Assessment Test scores than the non-ACO COPD group. When the modified SEPAR definition was applied, the ACO group showed a significantly larger decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, %). The ACO group defined by the ATS Roundtable showed significantly larger decrease in the forced vital capacity values compared to the non-ACO COPD group (–18.9% vs. –2.2%, p=0.007 and –412 mL vs. –17 mL, p=0.036). The ACO group diagnosed by the specialists showed a significantly larger decrease in the FEV1 (%) compared to the non-ACO group (–5.4% vs. –0.2%, p=0.003). Conclusion In this study, the prevalence and clinical characteristics of ACO varied depending on the diagnostic criteria applied. With the criteria which are relatively easy to use, defining ACO by the specialists diagnosis may be more practical in clinical applications.

Background: Asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) is a condition characterized by the overlapping clinical features of asthma and COPD. To evaluate the appropriateness of different sets of ACO definition, we compared the clinical characteristics of the previously defined diagnostic criteria and the specialist opinion in this study. Methods: Patients enrolled in the KOrea COpd Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) were evaluated. Based on the questionnaire data, the patients were categorized into the ACO and non-ACO COPD groups according to the four sets of the diagnostic criteria. Results: In total 1,475 patients evaluated: 202 of 1,475 (13.6%), 32 of 1,475 (2.2%), 178 of 1,113 (16.0%), and 305 of 1,250 (24.4%) were categorized as ACO according to the modified Spanish Society of Pneumonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), American Thoracic Society (ATS) Roundtable, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)/Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, and the specialists diagnosis, respectively. The ACO group defined according to the GINA/GOLD criteria showed significantly higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and COPD Assessment Test scores than the non-ACO COPD group. When the modified SEPAR definition was applied, the ACO group showed a significantly larger decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, %). The ACO group defined by the ATS Roundtable showed significantly larger decrease in the forced vital capacity values compared to the non-ACO COPD group (–18.9% vs. –2.2%, p=0.007 and –412 mL vs. –17 mL, p=0.036). The ACO group diagnosed by the specialists showed a significantly larger decrease in the FEV1 (%) compared to the non-ACO group (–5.4% vs. –0.2%, p=0.003). Conclusion In this study, the prevalence and clinical characteristics of ACO varied depending on the diagnostic criteria applied. With the criteria which are relatively easy to use, defining ACO by the specialists diagnosis may be more practical in clinical applications.

PURPOSE: Caffeine shows wide interindividual pharmacokinetic (PK) variation, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may be needed. The PK profile of caffeine in Korean preterm neonates was investigated, and factors influencing the clearance of caffeine were analyzed. METHODS: Fifty-nine preterm neonates receiving caffeine for apnea of prematurity were enrolled in the study (gestational age, 29.5±2.2 weeks and birth weight [BW], 1,318±358 g). Caffeine (20 mg/kg) was intravenously administered to each neonate as a loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose of 5-10 mg/kg/d. A total of 190 serum concentrations were measured for population PK analysis and modeling using nonlinear mixed-effects model (NONMEM®) software. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of caffeine was 15.4±4.5 mg/L (range 7.8-33.0 mg/L). High serum concentrations (>20 mg/L) were noted in 36 samples (29%). At the first measurement of serum caffeine, the mean postmenstrual age was 33.9±2.3 weeks, mean BW was 1,802±471 g, mean duration of treatment was 7.4±9.4 days, and mean sampling time after the last dose was 21.8±2.1 hours. In the population PK analysis, the clearance was 0.033 L/h and volume of distribution was 0.371 L. Typical clearance was calculated as 0.0293×(BW/70)1.33. Among the subjects receiving 5 mg/kg/d caffeine, the most significant risk factor associated with high serum concentrations (>20 mg/L) was low BW (P=0.024). CONCLUSION: BW was the only covariate that influenced caffeine clearance in preterm neonates. Preterm neonates with low BW should be carefully monitored for apnea and adverse reactions in addition to undergoing TDM.
Apnea* ; Birth Weight ; Caffeine* ; Drug Monitoring ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Pharmacokinetics* ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)-loaded synthetic bone substitute on implants that were simultaneously placed with sinus augmentation in rabbits. METHODS: In this study, a circular access window was prepared in the maxillary sinus of rabbits (n=5) for a bone graft around an implant (Ø 3×6 mm) that was simultaneously placed anterior to the window. Synthetic bone substitute loaded with rhBMP-2 was placed on one side of the sinus to form the experimental group, and saline-soaked synthetic bone substitute was placed on the other side of the sinus to form the control group. After 4 weeks, sections were obtained for analysis by micro-computed tomography and histology. RESULTS: Volumetric analysis showed that the median amount of newly formed bone was significantly greater in the BMP group than in the control group (51.6 mm3 and 46.6 mm3, respectively; P=0.019). In the histometric analysis, the osseointegration height was also significantly greater in the BMP group at the medial surface of the implant (5.2 mm and 4.3 mm, respectively; P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, an implant simultaneously placed with sinus augmentation using rhBMP-2-loaded synthetic bone substitute can be successfully osseointegrated, even when only a limited bone height is available during the early stage of healing.
Bone Substitutes* ; Collagen ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Osseointegration ; Rabbits* ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Transplants

Protein C (PROC) deficiency is caused by mutations in the PROC gene on chromosome 2q14.3. Patients with PROC deficiency typically present distinguished purpura, intracerebral and intravascular coagulopathy, and ophthalmologic complications. Here, we report a rare severe form of PROC deficiency resulting from a compound heterozygosity in PROC. The patient was a 5-day-old female neonate born at 39 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 2,960 g. She was transferred to our hospital with running a fever at 38.5℃ and with dark red patches on her feet. At admission, a complete blood count showed no specific findings, but levels of PROC and protein S were abnormally low (1% and 68%, respectively). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intracerebral hemorrhaging and parenchymal damage with dysplasia of the brain. Ophthalmologic examination revealed vitreous hemorrhaging with retinal detachment. Genetic testing revealed a missense mutation (Arg211Trp) and a frameshift mutation (Gly239Serfs*8) in PROC, inherited from the father and mother, respectively. The patient recovered from purpura after undergoing ventriculoperitoneal shunting and treatment with fresh frozen plasma, warfarin sodium, and PROC concentrate. This is the first report of severe neonatal PROC deficiency with purpura fulminans, vitreous hemorrhage, and intracerebral hemorrhage confirmed via PROC genetic testing, which identified a rare compound heterozygosity of PROC.
Birth Weight ; Blood Cell Count ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Diagnosis* ; Fathers ; Female ; Fever ; Foot ; Frameshift Mutation ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mothers ; Mutation, Missense ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Protein C Deficiency* ; Protein C* ; Protein S ; Purpura ; Purpura Fulminans ; Retinal Detachment ; Running ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; Warfarin

According to the author's request, in this paper, the eighth author's (Bong-Seong Kim) affiliation should be corrected.

PURPOSE: There are a number of reports suggesting that widespread propagation of weeds and high concentration of weed pollen have been contributed to climate change. We investigated the interrelationship between allergenic pollen concentration, allergic symptom and meteorological factor. METHODS: We collected data of pollen concentration and meteorological factors in 7 stations nationwide during between 1998 and 2012. We recruited total 297 allergic patients sensitized to weed pollens from each station, conducted a survey about allergic symptom, and calculated symptom index. We surveyed the vegetation area of ragweed and Japanese hop. Based on these data, we performed the long-term trend analysis (X11-ARIMA, autoregressive integrated moving average) on regional pollen concentration, and correlation analysis to investigate the interrelation between weed pollen concentration, allery symptom index and meteorological factor. We have also done regression analysis on vegetation area and maximal pollen concentration. RESULTS: Long-term trend analysis showed the increasing trend of pllen concentration in Seoul. Weed pollen concentration, allergy symptom index and each meteorological factor were not correlated significantly. Regression analysis revealed that increase of weed vegetation area results in increase of weed pollen concentration. Through this regression equation, we estimated the vegetation area that can product pollen concentration triggering allergenic risk. CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors, pollen concentration and allergic symptoms should be consistently assessed and the relationship between each factor should be analyzed, considering climate change. It is necessary to verify the equation for pollen estimation by vegetation area and set up a policy for vegetation control focused on the reduction of allergenic pollen.
Ambrosia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Climate Change ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Meteorological Concepts ; Plant Weeds ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Seoul

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a substantially under-diagnosed disorder, and the diagnosis is usually delayed until the disease is advanced. However, the benefit of early diagnosis is not yet clear, and there are no guidelines in Korea for doing early diagnosis. This review highlights several issues regarding early diagnosis of COPD. On the basis of several lines of evidence, early diagnosis seems quite necessary and beneficial to patients. Early diagnosis can be approached by several methods, but it should be confirmed by quality-controlled spirometry. Compared with its potential benefit, the adverse effects of spirometry or pharmacotherapy appear relatively small. Although it is difficult to evaluate the benefit of early diagnosis by well-designed trials, several lines of evidence suggest that we should try to diagnose and manage patients with COPD at early stages of the disease.
Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Spirometry