Effect of Mycoplasma pneumoniae on IL-8 Gene Expression in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of lower respiratory disease. Several studies have suggested that M. pneumoniae respiratory infection is associated with reactive airway disease and asthma. It has been suggested that Interleukin-8 (IL-8) has a role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation of bronchial asthma and is well known to be expressed in bronchial epithelial cells. METHODS: In this study, we examined the effect of M. pneumoniae extract and the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) on IL-8 expression in human lung epithelial cells. IL-8 levels were determined by an enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was assessed by western blotting. RESULTS: In A549 cells, M. pneumoniae extract induced IL-8 release in a time- or dose- dependent manner. Pretreatment with PD98059, which blocks the activation of MAPK/ERK kinase 1, before M. pneumoniae extract stimulation inhibited the increase in the production of IL-8 by 64.4% at 25 M. Stimulation of A549 cells by extract caused an increase in the activity of ERK, compared with the non-stimulated cells. The extract stimulation had no effect on the activities of p38. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that activation of ERK by M. pneumoniae extract may be one of the mechanisms that result in the increase of the production of IL-8.

Cross-reactivity between Hen's Egg from Goose, Duck and Domestic Birds in Children with Egg Allergy / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Birds' eggs have been a major source of food for mankind since the time unknown. Among them, chicken eggs have been the most important food source. We examined the allergenic properties of eggs from varying birds on patients with known allergy to chicken eggs, to find out whether they can replace the chicken eggs for the source of nutrient. METHODS: Samples were selected from patients who visited the allergy clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Yonsei University Medical Center. The serum specific IgE for eggs were measured and allergy skin tests were performed. The serum of the patients with proven egg allergy was then tested for reactivity with eggs from wild and domestic ducks, geese, seagulls, quails, yellow-shelled and white-shelled eggs employing SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting. RESULTS: All the egg protein showed similar molecular sizes ranging from 24-100 kDa. Their expressions, however, were different, with white eggs, yellow eggs, and quail eggs showing strong reaction, while ducks, geese, and mallard eggs presented with weak reaction. Immunoblotting exhibited reactivity in 35-50 kDa and 25-35 kDa groups. Quail eggs and shells from chicken eggs showed a protein banding of 75-80 kDa. Geese, wild and domestic ducks, quail did not exhibit any cross-reactivity with chicken eggs. CONCLUSION: Among patients with egg allergy, cross-reactivity between different chicken eggs was present, but no cross-reactivity was apparent between chicken eggs and other birds' eggs. Therefore, we suggest theses eggs as alternative source of food in patients with egg allergy. However further study with larger patient population is still required.

Influence of Prognostic Factors on Survival Rate of Medulloblastoma Patient with Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: Brain tumors are the second most common tumor in childhood, and medulloblastomas comprise 15-25% of brain tumors. The well known prognostic factors are age at diagnosis, stage of disease, and extent of surgical excision. In this study, we analysed the prognostic factors in patients who received chemotherapy after excision. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 61 patients who received chemotherapy among the 94 patients who were diagnosed and treated between Jan 1985 and Sep 2001 in the Department of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital. RESULTS: Among the total survival rate of patients who underwent chemotherapy, the 3-yr progression-free survival rate was 66.5+/-6.3% and the 15-yr progression-free survival rate was 60.3+/-6.7%. The progression-free survival rate for patients with age at diagnosis over 3 yrs old and under 3 yrs old, was 64.5+/-7.7% and 48.2+/-12.9% respectively and there was no statistically significant difference. The survival rate of the high vs low risk group by staging was 72.7+/-10.5% and 54.6+/-8.3% respectively, and there was no significant difference. The survival rate of patients with total removal vs subtotal removal was 65.8+/-11.8% and 56.8+/-8.2% respectively, showing no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: The reason there is no difference in survival rate according to the traditional prognostic factors is that chemotherapy has improved not only the total survival rate but also the survival rate in patients with poor traditional prognostic factors. So, sufficient removal of tumor followed by proper chemotherapy and radiotherapy is an important factor which influences the survival rate of medulloblastoma patients.

Nationwide Study for Epidemiological Change of Atopic Dermatitis in School Aged Children between 1995 and 2000 and Kindergarten Aged Children in 2003 in Korea / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

OBJECTIVE: Atopic dermatitis is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease. However, little is known about the prevalence of atopic dermatitis outside of North America and Europe. We evaluated the nationwide prevalence of atopic dermatitis with the comparison of prevalence between 1995 and 2000, and between Seoul and provincial cities in Korea. We also evaluated the risk factors for atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A cross-sectional ISAAC based questionnaire survey was conducted on random samples of schoolchildren (6 to 15 year olds) in 1995 and 2000. And kindergarten children (5 year olds) were surveyed in 2003, throughout South Korea. RESULTS: The lifetime and last twelve months prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korean school-aged children was increased from 1995 to 2000. The twelve-month prevalence of atopic dermatitis was higher in Seoul than in other provincial cities in 1995, but the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Seoul and Provincial Centers became similar in 2000. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korean school-aged children was increased from 1995 to 2000. The further evaluations that include objective examination are necessary to confirm these outcomes because the environmental and risk factors may be different among the countries according to their life styles.

Results of Treatment for Children with Primary Brain Tumors: Long-Term Follow Up Results of a Single Institute

PURPOSE: Brain tumors are the most common solid tumor in children. We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of pediatric brain tumors, such as age, sex, tumor site and survival, as seen in a single institution over the last 15 years. We tried to evaluate the role of chemotherapy on the survival of some brain tumors. METHODS: Three hundred fifty four children with primary brain tumor who were treated at Severance Hospital from Jan. 1985 to Sep. 2001 were enrolled. RESULTS: Pediatric brain tumors were found most frequently in 10-15 years of age group(35.3%) and the ratio of male to female was 1.3 : 1. Supratentorial tumors(52%) were more frequent than infratentorial tumors(48%). Medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor(PNET) was the most common type(24.6%), followed by cerebellar astrocytoma(14.1%). Ten year survival rate of medulloblastoma, cerebellar astrocytoma and cerebral astrocytoma were 59.4%, 79.3% and 71%, respectively. The prognosis for brain stem glioma and glioblastoma multiforme were still grim with a 10 year survival rate of 12.7% and 13.3%, respectively. The addition of chemotherapy for high grade medulloblastoma led to an improved 10 year survival rate of 54.5%, compared with 40% without chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The combined use of chemotherapy and radiation and surgery improved survival rate of pediatric brain tumors in our study. Chemotherapy for high grade medulloblastoma improved the 10 year survival rate. Further data analysis of the treatment modalities will lead to better comparisons.

McCune-Albright Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Ovarian Granulosa-Theca Cell Tumor / 대한소아내분비학회지

McCune-Albright syndrome, which consists of cafe-au lait spots, multiple fibrous dysplasia, sexual precocity and endocrinal dysfunction such as pituitary, thyroid and adrenal aberrations, has been increasingly recognized recently. The etiology is now suggested that activating mutations on the gene that encodes the alpha subunit of stimulatory G protein cause McCune-Albright syndrome. The child presented with sexual precocity and elevated estrogen level was still persisted after left oophorectomy and right partial oophorectomy due to misdiagnosed as ovarian granulosa-theca cell tumor. Whole body bone scan revealed abnormal radiotracer uptake on left facial bone and left proximal femur. Facial bone MRI showed marked thickening of facial bone from fibrous dysplasia. And the patient had cafe-au-lait pigmentations on neck and buttock area. Other endocrine function was normal. Pathologic finding of ovary was finally confirmed with cystic follicles. Skull biopsy revealed fibrous dysplasia. And she was finally diagnosed McCune-Albright syndrome.