The effects of socioeconomic status on major adverse cardiovascular events: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Although multiple factors influence the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), the effects of socioeconomic status on MACE in the presence and absence of renal dysfunction (RD) have not been comprehensively explored in Korea. Methods: We examined the effects of socioeconomic status on MACE in individuals with and without RD. The data of 44,473 Koreans from 2008 to 2017 were obtained from the Health Care Big Data Platform of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea. Their socioeconomic status was assessed using a socioeconomic score (SES) based on marital status, education, household income, and occupation. The incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death was compared according to SES level (0–4). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for outcomes based on participant SES. Results: MI risk was only affected by education level. The participants’ income, education, and SES affected their stroke risk, whereas death was associated with all four socioeconomic factors. The incidence of stroke and death increased as SES worsened (from 0 to 4). SES was positively related to risk of stroke and death in participants without RD. SES did not affect MI, stroke, or death in participants with RD. Conclusion: A low socioeconomic status is associated with risk of stroke and death, especially in individuals without RD.

Low waist circumference prior to percutaneous coronary intervention predict the risk for end-stage renal disease: a nationwide Korean population based-cohort study

Background/Aims@#The obesity paradox has been known in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the effect of body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the development of ESRD is not clear. @*Methods@#Using nationally representative data from the Korean National Health Insurance System, we enrolled 140,164 subjects without ESRD at enrolment who underwent PCI between 2010 and 2015, and were followed-up until 2017. Patients were stratified into five levels based on their baseline BMI and six levels based on their WC with 5-cm increments. BMI and WC were measured at least 2 years prior to PCI. The primary outcome was the development of ESRD. @*Results@#During a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 2,082 (1.49%) participants developed ESRD. The underweight group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.331; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.955 to 1.856) and low WC (< 80/< 75) (HR, 1.589; 95% CI, 1.379 to 1.831) showed the highest ESRD risk and the BMI 25 to 30 group showed the lowest ESRD risk (HR, 0.604; 95% CI, 0542 to 0.673) in all participants after adjusting for all covariates. In the subgroup analysis for diabetes mellitus (DM) duration, WC < 85/80 cm (men/women) increased ESRD risk in only the DM group (DM < 5 years and DM ≥ 5 years) compared to the reference group (85–90/80–85 of WC), but not the normal or impaired fasting glucose group. @*Conclusions@#Low WC prior to PCI showed an increased ESRD risk in patients with DM undergoing PCI as compared to those without DM.

Characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and the associated risk factors for acute kidney injury: a retrospective multicenter study in Korea

Background@#The clinical features of pediatric rhabdomyolysis differ from those of the adults with rhabdomyolysis; however, multicenter studies are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and reveal the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in such cases. @*Methods@#This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis at 23 hospitals in South Korea between January 2007 and December 2016. @*Results@#Among 880 patients, those aged 3 to 5 years old composed the largest subgroup (19.4%), and all age subgroups were predominantly male. The incidence of AKI was 11.3%. Neurological disorders (53%) and infection (44%) were the most common underlying disorder and cause of rhabdomyolysis, respectively. The median age at diagnosis in the AKI subgroup was older than that in the non-AKI subgroup (12.2 years vs. 8.0 years). There were no significant differences in body mass index, myalgia, dark-colored urine, or the number of causal factors between the two AKI-status subgroups. The multivariate logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were independently associated with AKI: multiorgan failure, presence of an underlying disorder, strong positive urine occult blood, increased aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid levels, and reduced calcium levels. @*Conclusions@#Our study revealed characteristic clinical and laboratory features of rhabdomyolysis in a Korean pediatric population and highlighted the risk factors for AKI in these cases. Our findings will contribute to a greater understanding of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and may enable early intervention against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.

Efficacy and adverse events related to the initial dose of methimazole in children and adolescents with Graves’ disease

Purpose@#The first-line antithyroid drug for children and adolescents with Graves’ disease (GD) is methimazole (MMI). This study evaluated the relationship between the initial MMI dose and the clinical course of GD after treatment. @*Methods@#We studied the efficacy of the initial MMI dose and the relationship between the initial MMI dose and adverse events (AEs). We retrospectively enrolled 22 males and 77 females and divided those subjects into 3 groups according to the initial dose of MMI: 0.7 mg/kg/day (group C; n=28). @*Results@#The mean time to the normalization of free thyroxine (fT4) levels upon initial treatment was 5.64, 8.61, and 7.98 weeks in groups A, B, and C, respectively (P=0.116). The incidence of liver dysfunction, neutropenia, and skin rash was 12.5%, 20.5%, and 42.9% in groups A, B, and C, respectively (P=0.018). Neutropenia, as a severe AE, was absent in group A, but its prevalence was 7.7% in group B and 21.4% in group C (P=0.015). When comparing only groups B and C, the incidences of liver dysfunction and neutropenia were higher in group C (P=0.04 and P=0.021, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The mean time to the normalization of fT4 levels did not differ among the 3 groups, but the incidence of AEs was higher in the groups that received high MMI doses. High doses of MMI (>0.7 mg/kg/day) should be reconsidered as an initial treatment for children and adolescents with GD.

Efficacy and adverse events related to the initial dose of methimazole in children and adolescents with Graves’ disease

Purpose@#The first-line antithyroid drug for children and adolescents with Graves’ disease (GD) is methimazole (MMI). This study evaluated the relationship between the initial MMI dose and the clinical course of GD after treatment. @*Methods@#We studied the efficacy of the initial MMI dose and the relationship between the initial MMI dose and adverse events (AEs). We retrospectively enrolled 22 males and 77 females and divided those subjects into 3 groups according to the initial dose of MMI: 0.7 mg/kg/day (group C; n=28). @*Results@#The mean time to the normalization of free thyroxine (fT4) levels upon initial treatment was 5.64, 8.61, and 7.98 weeks in groups A, B, and C, respectively (P=0.116). The incidence of liver dysfunction, neutropenia, and skin rash was 12.5%, 20.5%, and 42.9% in groups A, B, and C, respectively (P=0.018). Neutropenia, as a severe AE, was absent in group A, but its prevalence was 7.7% in group B and 21.4% in group C (P=0.015). When comparing only groups B and C, the incidences of liver dysfunction and neutropenia were higher in group C (P=0.04 and P=0.021, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The mean time to the normalization of fT4 levels did not differ among the 3 groups, but the incidence of AEs was higher in the groups that received high MMI doses. High doses of MMI (>0.7 mg/kg/day) should be reconsidered as an initial treatment for children and adolescents with GD.

Coexistence of Central Diabetes Insipidus andProlonged Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome after BrainTumor Surgery: A Case Report

Disturbances in water and salt balances are relatively common in children afterbrain tumor surgery. However, the coexistence of different diseases of water andsodium homeostasis is challenging to diagnose and treat. The coexistence ofcombined central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and cerebral salt wasting syndrome(CSWS) is rare and may impede accurate diagnosis. Herein, we report the case ofan 18-year-old girl who underwent surgery for a germinoma and who presentedprolonged coexistence of CDI and CSWS. The patient was diagnosed with panhypopituitarismwith CDI at presentation and was treated with hydrocortisone, levothyroxine,and desmopressin. Postoperatively, she developed polyuria of morethan 3L/day, with a maximum daily urine output of 7.2 L/day. Her serum sodiumlevel decreased from 148 to 131 mEq/L. Polyuria was treated with desmopressin atincremental doses, and hyponatremia was managed with fluid replacement. At 2months after surgery, she presented with hyponatremia-induced seizure. Polyuriaand hyponatremia combined with natriuresis indicated CSWS. Treatment with fludrocortisonewere initiated; then, her electrolyte level gradually normalized. CSWSis self-limiting and generally resolves within 2 weeks. However, the patient in thisstudy still required treatment with vasopressin and fludrocortisone at 16-monthsafter surgery.Hyponatremia in a patient with CDI may be erroneously interpretedas inadequateCDI control or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormonesecretion, leading to inappropriate treatment. The identification of the potentialcombination of CDI and CSWS is important for early diagnosis and treatment.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism Type 1 with a NovelMutation in the NR3C2 Gene: A Case Report

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) is a rare salt-wasting disorder caused byresistance to mineralocorticoid action. PHA1 is of two types with different levelsof disease severity and phenotype as follows: systemic type with an autosomalrecessiveinheritance (caused by mutations of the epithelial sodium channel)and renal type with an autosomal dominant inheritance (caused by mutations inthe mineralocorticoid receptor). The clinical manifestations of PHA1 vary widely;however,PHA1 commonly involves hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, metabolicacidosis and elevated levels of renin and aldosterone. The earliest signs of bothtype of PAH1 also comprise insufficiency weight gain due to chronic dehydrationand failure to thrive during infancy. Here, we report a case of renal PAH1 in a28-day-old male infant harboring a novel heterozygous mutation in NR3C2 gene(c.1341_1345dupAAACC in exon 2), showing only failure to thrive without thecharacteristic of dehydration.

Association Between Epithelial Cytokines and Clinical Phenotypes of Elderly Asthma

PURPOSE: Asthma in the elderly has different clinical features including more severe phenotypes with higher comorbidities. Epithelial cells are known to initiate innate/adaptive immune responses in asthmatic airways. We investigated clinical features and epithelial derived cytokine levels in elderly asthmatics compared to non-elderly asthmatics in a cross-sectional cohort of adult asthmatics in order to further understand its pathogenic mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 1,452 adult asthmatics were enrolled from a single tertiary hospital and were classified into 2 groups: 234 elderly (≥ 60 years at initial diagnosis) and 1,218 non-elderly (< 60 years at initial diagnosis) asthmatics. Asthma-related clinical parameters were compared between the 2 groups. Serum levels of epithelial cell-derived cytokines including interleukin (IL)-31, IL-33, IL-8, eotaxin-2, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and periostin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Significantly higher prevalence rates of late-onset asthma (onset age ≥ 40 years) and severe asthma, as well as the lower rate of atopy, blood/sputum eosinophil counts, total immunoglobulin E and eosinophil cationic protein levels were noted in elderly asthmatics compared to non-elderly asthmatics (P < 0.05, respectively). The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, % predicted) level tended to be lower in elderly asthmatics (P = 0.07). In addition, serum IL-33 and IL-31 levels were significantly lower in elderly asthmatics, while no differences were found in the serum level of IL-8, eotaxin-2, TGF-β1 or periostin. Among elderly asthmatics, subjects with severe asthma had lower FEV1 (% predicted) value, but showed significantly higher serum levels of eotaxin-2 and TGF-β1, than those with non-severe asthma (P < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that age-related changes of epithelial cell-derived cytokines may affect clinical phenotypes and severity of elderly asthma: decreased levels of IL-33 and IL-31 may contribute to less Th2 phenotype, while increased levels of eotaxin-2 and TGF-β1 may contribute to severity.

Vitamin D Dependent Rickets Type 1A Caused by CYP27B1 Mutation

Vitamin D dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR1A) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in CYP27B1 . Clinical findings are growth retardation, hypotonia, muscle weakness, hypocalcemic seizures, and radiological features of rickets. We aimed to present the VDDR1A case with a genetic study of CYP27B1 . The 14-month-old boy was admitted to the hospital due to a seizure. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin D, and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D values were 5.1 mg/dL, 3.7 mg/dL, 705 IU/L, 429 pg/mL, 24.9 ng/mL, and 8.8 pg/mL, respectively. Radiological study showed cupping and fraying of the distal ulna and radius. The molecular genetic study revealed that the patient had a compound heterozygous mutation, Phe443Profs*24 and c.589+1G>A, in CYP27B1 . Genetic analysis of the family members presented that the mother was heterozygous for the mutation c.589+1G>A, and that the father was heterozygous for Phe443Profs*24. The patient was treated with calcium lactate and calcitriol. Until now, six Korean patients with VDDR1A have been studied. Including this case, Korean patients with VDDR1A were found to have only three different mutations in 14 alleles, indicating that the mutation in the CYP27B1 gene is homogeneous in the Korean population.

Dimerized, Not Monomeric, Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein Induces Basophil Activation and Mast Cell Degranulation in Chronic Urticaria

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is also known as histamine releasing factor as it has the ability to activate mast cells. To investigate the role of TCTP in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), we evaluated serum level of TCTP and effect of TCTP on basophil and mast cell degranulation. TCTP levels in the sera from 116 CSU patients and 70 normal healthy controls (NCs) were measured by ELISA. CD203c expression on basophils from CSU patients and β-hexosaminidase release from Laboratory of Allergic Disease 2 mast cells were measured upon stimulation monomeric and dimeric TCTP. Non-reducing Western blot analysis was used for detecting dimeric TCTP. No difference was observed in serum TCTP levels between CSU patients and NCs (p=0.676). However, dimeric TCTP intensity on Western blot was stronger in CSU patients than in NCs. TCTP levels were higher in patients with severe CSU (p=0.049) and with IgG positivity to FcɛRIα (p=0.038). A significant positive correlation was observed between TCTP and eosinophil cationic protein levels (Spearman's rho=0.341; p=0.001). Both basophil and mast cell degranulation were significantly increased after stimulation with dimeric TCTP, but not with monomic TCTP. The ability of TCTP to activate basophil and mast cells is dependent on dimerization, suggesting that the inhibition of TCTP dimerization can be a therapeutic option for CSU. Association between TCTP levels and the presence of IgG to high affinity Fc epsilon receptor I alpha subunit in CSU patients indicates that autoimmune mechanisms may be involved in the dimerization of TCTP.

Pathogenesis of Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome: A Review of the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is the most common glomerular disorder in childhood, and a vast majority of cases are idiopathic. The precise cause of this common childhood disease is not fully elucidated despite significant advancements in our understanding of podocyte biology. Idiopathic NS has been considered “a disorder of T-cell function” mediated by a circulating factor that alters podocyte function resulting in massive proteinuria since the last four decades. Several circulatory factors released from T-cells are considered to be involved in pathophysiology of NS; however, a single presumptive factor has not been defined yet. Extended evidence obtained by advances in the pathobiology of podocytes has implicated podocytes as critical regulator of glomerular protein filtration and podocytopathy. The candidate molecules as pathological mediators of steroid-dependent NS are CD80 (also known as B7-1), hemopexin, and angiopoietin-like 4. The “two-hit” hypothesis proposes that the expression of CD80 on podocytes and ineffective inhibition of podocyte CD80 due to regulatory T-cell dysfunction or impaired autoregulation by podocytes results in NS. Recent studies suggest that not only T cells but also other immune cells and podocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of MCNS.

Serum Levels of Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin: A Biomarker for Asthma Severity in Adult Asthmatics

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic inflammation is a key component of severe asthma (SA). However, there has been no reliable serum biomarker for the eosinophilic inflammation of SA. We hypothesized that serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) could predict the eosinophilic inflammation of SA in adult asthmatics. METHODS: Severe asthmatics (n = 235), nonsevere asthmatics (n = 898), and healthy controls (n = 125) were enrolled from Ajou University Hospital, South Korea. The serum levels of EDN and periostin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between severe and nonsevere asthmatics. Their associations with total eosinophil count (TEC) and clinical parameters were evaluated; clinical validation of the K-EDN kit for the measurement of serum EDN was evaluated. RESULTS: Severe asthmatics were older and had longer disease duration with significantly lower levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and methacholine PC20 than nonsevere asthmatics. Significant differences were found in TEC or sputum eosinophil count (%) between the groups. The serum levels of EDN and periostin were significantly higher in severe asthmatics than in nonsevere asthmatics and in healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Although significant correlations were found between serum EDN levels measured by the 2 kits (ρ = 0.545, P < 0.0001), higher correlation coefficients between serum EDN levels measured by the K-EDN kit and TEC were higher (ρ = 0.358, P < 0.0001) than those between serum EDN levels measured by the MBL kit and TEC (ρ = 0.319, P < 0.0001) or serum periostin level (ρ = 0.222, P < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that serum EDN levels measured by the K-EDN kit predicted the phenotype of SA (P = 0.003), while 2 other biomarkers did not. CONCLUSIONS: The serum EDN level may be a useful biomarker for assessing asthma severity in adult asthmatics.

Serum Periostin Levels: A Potential Serologic Marker for Toluene Diisocyanate-Induced Occupational Asthma

PURPOSE: Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a leading cause of occupational asthma (OA). Periostin is a matricellular protein implicated in type 2 immunity-driven asthma. Its pathogenic role in TDI-OA has not been completely elucidated. The present study was performed to investigate the role of periostin in TDI-OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum periostin levels were measured in subjects with TDI-OA, asymptomatic TDI-exposure controls (AECs), non-occupational asthmatics (NAs), and unexposed normal controls (NCs). To understand the mechanism by which TDI induces periostin production, primary small airway epithelial cells (SAECs) were cultured under stimulation of TDI and neutrophils from asthmatic patients. RESULTS: Fifty-three subjects with TDI-OA, 71 AECs, 67 NAs, and 83 NCs were enrolled. Serum periostin levels were significantly higher in TDI-OA subjects than in AECs (p=0.001), NAs (p < 0.001), and NCs (p < 0.001). In TDI-exposed subjects (TDI-OA and AEC), the PC20 methacholine levels were significantly lower in subjects with a higher periostin level than in those with a lower periostin level. TDI exposure did not increase periostin production directly by SAECs; however, periostin production increased significantly after co-culture with TDI and neutrophils, which was suppressed by an antioxidant. In addition, increased release of TGF-β1 was noted from SAECs when exposed to TDI and neutrophils, which was also suppressed by an antioxidant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that an increased periostin level may contribute to the progression of airway inflammation to remodeling in TDI-exposed workers. A high serum periostin level is a potential serologic marker of the phenotype of TDI-OA.

Efficacy and Safety of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Elderly Rhinitis Patients Sensitized to House Dust Mites

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of house dust mite (HDM)-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly patients with AR. METHODS: A total of 45 patients aged ≥ 60 years with HDM-induced AR who had ≥ 3 A/H ratio on skin prick test and/or ≥ 0.35 IU/L to both Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by ImmunoCAP were enrolled in 4 university hospitals. To evaluate additional effects of HDM-SLIT, they were randomized to the SLIT-treated group (n = 30) or control group (n = 15). Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS), rhinoscopy score, Korean rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, rhinitis control assessment test, asthma control test scores, and adverse reactions, were assessed at the first visit (V1) and after 1 year of treatment (V5); for immunological evaluation, serum levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulin A/IgE/IgG1/IgG4 antibodies and basophil response to HDMs were compared between V1 and V5 in both groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographics, RTSS, skin reactivity to HDMs, or serum total/specific IgE levels to HDMs (P < 0.05, respectively) between the 2 groups. Nasal symptom score and RTSS decreased significantly at year 1 in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in percent decrease in nasal symptom score and RTSS at year 1 between the 2 groups (P < 0.05); however, rhinoscopic nasal symptom score decreased significantly in the SLIT-treated group (P < 0.05). Immunological studies showed that serum specific IgA levels (not specific IgE/IgG) and CD203c expression on basophils decreased significantly at V5 in the SLIT-treated group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively), not in the control group. The control group required more medications compared to the treatment group, but there were no differences in adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that HDM-SLIT for 1 year could induce symptom improvement and may induce immunomodulation in elderly rhinitis patients.

Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin as a Predictor of Renal Parenchymal Involvement in Infants With Febrile Urinary Tract Infection: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in infants. Renal parenchymal involvement is an important prognostic factor; however, early detection of parenchymal involvement in UTI may be difficult during infancy. This study aimed to assess whether a recently established biomarker of UTI, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), can serve as a useful marker for the detection of cortical defects (CD) and to determine the appropriate diagnostic cut-off value of NGAL in infants with febrile UTI. METHODS: Infants hospitalized for febrile UTI were divided into two groups according to the presence of cortical defects on dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. Among 64 enrolled infants, 43 (67%) had CD (UTI-CD) and 21 (33%) had no CD (UTI-ND). The white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and plasma NGAL (pNGAL) levels were determined before antibiotic therapy and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: pNGAL level was significantly higher in the UTI-CD group than in the UTI-ND group (340 µg/L vs 214 µg/L, P=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that pNGAL level was the only independent predictor of CD (odds ratio 2.759, P=0.039). In the ROC curve analysis, pNGAL showed the highest area under the curve (0.745; 95% confidence interval, 0.561–0.821; P=0.014). The appropriate cut-off value of pNGAL was 267 µg/L (sensitivity, 72.1%; specificity, 71.4%). CONCLUSIONS: pNGAL was found to be a useful marker for early prediction of renal parenchymal involvement in infants with febrile UTI.

Cutaneous Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Healthy Infant

No abstract available.

Measurement of Fluid Status Using Bioimpedance Methods in Korean Pediatric Patients on Hemodialysis

Adequate fluid management is an important therapeutic goal of dialysis. Recently, bioelectrical impedance methods have been used to determine body fluid status, but pediatric reports are rare. To determine the accuracy of bioelectrical impedance methods in the assessment of body fluid statusof children undergoing hemodialysis (HD), 12 children on HD were studied. A multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis device (Inbody S10) and bioimpedance spectroscopy device (BCM) were used to evaluate fluid status. Fluid removal during a HD session (assessed as body-weight change, ΔBWt) was compared with the difference in total body water determined by each device (measured fluid difference, ΔMF), which showed strong correlation using either method (Pearson's coefficient, r = 0.772 with Inbody S10 vs. 0.799 with BCM). Bioimpedance measurement indicated fluid overload (FO; ΔHS greater than 7%) in 34.8% with Inbody S10 and 56.5% with BCM, and only about 60% of children with FO by bioimpedance methods showed clinical symptoms such as hypertension and edema. In some patients with larger weight gain Inbody S10-assessed overhydration (OH) was much smaller than BCM-assessed OH, suggesting that BCM is more relevant in estimating fluid accumulation amount than Inbody S10. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of body composition monitors to assess fluid status in Korean children receiving HD.

An Ofloxacin-Induced Anaphylaxis through an IgG4-Mediated but Not IgE-Mediated Basophil Activation Mechanism / 대한구급학회지

No abstract available.

Evaluation of the allergenic relationship between Humulus japonicus and Humulus lupulus pollen allergens

PURPOSE: Humulus japonicus pollen (Hop J) is a major cause of inhalant allergy in autumn of the Far East countries, and its allergenic potency has been increasing with climate changes. Allergen immunotherapy has been considered in Hop J-sensitized allergic patients; however, Hop J allergen extracts for immunotherapy are not commercially available. We speculate that Humulus lupulus pollen (Hop L) belonged to the same genus may share cross-reacting allergens with Hop J and evaluated allergenic relationships between these 2 pollens. METHODS: Thirteen patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma sensitive to Hop J pollens were enrolled in Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea. Hop J pollens were collected locally and lyophilized extracts were prepared, while lyophilized Hop L extracts were provided by Lofarma S.p.A. IgE-ELISA/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition tests, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and IgE-immunoblot/immunoblot inhibition analysis using sera from the enrolled subjects were performed. RESULTS: All patients had high serum specific IgE to both Hop J and Hop L extracts by ELISA, but no significant correlation was found between these 2 extracts. ELISA inhibition tests showed significant dose-dependent inhibitions on IgE-bindings to Hop L with serial additions of Hop J extracts in a dose-dependent manner, while minimal inhibitions of IgE binding to Hop J were noted with additions of Hop L. IgE-immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the major allergenic component of Hop J at 12 kDa was inhibited by Hop J, while no inhibitions were noted by Hop L extracts on IgE-immunoblot inhibition analysis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there may not be a significant cross-allergenicity between Hop J and Hop L.

An Ofloxacin-Induced Anaphylaxis through an IgG4-Mediated but Not IgE-Mediated Basophil Activation Mechanism / 대한중환자의학회지

No abstract available.