Decrease of Muscle Mass in Young Patients With Neuromuscular Disease:Assessment of Sarcopenia

Background@#Sarcopenia can be associated with the disease etiologies other than degenerative processes, such as neurologic disease including cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, even in children. Although the relationship between neurologic disease and scoliosis or ambulatory function is known, the mediators affecting scoliosis or gait function in these patients are unclear, an example might be sarcopenia. This study aimed to assess the degree of sarcopenia in young patients with neurologic diseases using computed tomography (CT), and analyze the correlation between sarcopenia and scoliosis or ambulatory function. @*Methods@#Pediatric and young adult patients (≤ 25 years old) who underwent whole-spine or lower-extremity CT were retrospectively included. From bilateral psoas muscle areas (PMAs) at the L3 level, the psoas muscle z-score (PMz) and psoas muscle index [PMI = PMA/(L3 height) 2 ] were calculated. The t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression analyses were performed. @*Results@#A total of 121 patients (56 men, mean age 12.2 ± 3.7 years) were included with 79 neurologic and 42 non-neurologic diseases. Patients with neurologic diseases had lower PMz (P = 0.013) and PMI (P = 0.026) than patients without. In neurologic disease patients, severe scoliosis patients showed lower PMz (P < 0.001) and PMI (P = 0.001). Non-ambulatory patients (n = 42) showed lower BMI (β = 0.727, P < 0.001) and PMz (β = 0.547, P = 0.025). In non-ambulatory patients, patients with severe scoliosis also showed lower PMz (P < 0.001) and PMI (P = 0.004). @*Conclusion@#Patients with neurologic diseases could have sarcopenia even in young age.Psoas muscle volume was also associated with ambulatory function in these patients.Sarcopenia was more severe in severe scoliosis patients in the non-ambulatory subgroup.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for the Evaluation of Crohn’s Disease in Pediatric Patients

Background@#Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of the bowel wall has been suggested as an alternative imaging modality for the follow-up of children with Crohn’s disease. To demonstrate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of CEUS in the estimation of Crohn’s disease activity in children with endoscopy as the reference standard.Method: In this prospective study, 30 pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease (24 males and 6 females; median age 14 years) underwent CEUS from December 2020 to August 2021.The simple endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease, pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index, serologic inflammatory markers, fecal calprotectin and CEUS perfusion parameters were assessed and compared between the inactive and active group based on endoscopic findings. @*Results@#CEUS was performed successfully in all 30 patients. Two patients showed mild adverse side effects such as temporary dysosmia. The active Crohn’s disease group showed higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/hr) (13.0 vs. 2.0, P = 0.003), C-reactive protein (mg/dL) (4.7 vs. 0.55, P = 0.018) and fecal calprotectin (mcg/g) (1,503 vs. 237.5, P = 0.005). Among the quantitative parameters for CEUS, the mean gradient to the peak value was higher in the active group (1.18 vs. 0.93, P = 0.034). The sensitivity and specificity of the mean gradient to the peak value for predicting active Crohn’s disease was 55.6% and 83.3%, respectively, with a cut-off of 1.09 (P = 0.015). @*Conclusion@#CEUS can be a safe and specific diagnostic modality for Crohn’s disease activity in children. Among quantitative CEUS parameters, the mean gradient to the peak value could be used to differentiate active and inactive Crohn’s disease.

Initial Abdominal CT and Laboratory Findings Prior to Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease in Children

Purpose@#To identify initial abdominal computed tomography (CT) and laboratory findings prior to a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) in children. @*Materials and Methods@#In this retrospective study, patients (≤18 year-old) who were diagnosed with CD from 2004 to 2019 and had abdominal CT just prior to being diagnosed with CD were included in the CD group. Patients (≤18 years old) who were diagnosed with infectious enterocolitis from 2018 to 2019 and had undergone CT prior to being diagnosed with enterocolitis were included as a control group. We assessed the diagnostic performances of initial CT and laboratory findings for the diagnosis of CD using logistic regression and the area under the curve (AUC). @*Results@#In total, 107 patients (50 CD patients, 57 control patients) were included, without an age difference between groups (median 13 years old vs. 11 years old, p=0.119). On univariate logistic regression analysis, multisegmental bowel involvement, mesenteric vessel engorgement, higher portal vein/aorta diameter ratio, longer liver longitudinal diameter, lower hemoglobin (≤12.5 g/ dL), lower albumin (≤4 g/dL), and higher platelet (>320×103 /μL) levels were significant factors for CD. On multivariate analysis, multisegmental bowel involvement [odds ratio (OR) 111.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.778–2605.925] and lower albumin levels (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.891–0.993) were significant factors. When these two features were combined, the AUC value was 0.985 with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 100% for differentiating CD. @*Conclusion@#Multisegmental bowel involvement on CT and decreased albumin levels can help differentiate CD from infectious enterocolitis in children prior to a definite diagnosis of CD.

Quantitative MRI Assessment of Pancreatic Steatosis Using Proton Density Fat Fraction in Pediatric Obesity

Objective@#To assess the feasibility of quantitatively assessing pancreatic steatosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its correlation with obesity and metabolic risk factors in pediatric patients. @*Materials and Methods@#Pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent liver fat quantification MRI between January 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively included and divided into the obesity and control groups. Pancreatic proton density fat fraction (P-PDFF) was measured as the average value for three circular regions of interest (ROIs) drawn in the pancreatic head, body, and tail. Age, weight, laboratory results, and mean liver MRI values including liver PDFF (L-PDFF), stiffness on MR elastography, and T2* values were assessed for their correlation with P-PDFF using linear regression analysis. The associations between P-PDFF and metabolic risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia, were assessed using logistic regression analysis. @*Results@#A total of 172 patients (male:female = 125:47; mean ± standard deviation [SD], 13.2 ± 3.1 years) were included. The mean P-PDFF was significantly higher in the obesity group than in the control group (mean ± SD, 4.2 ± 2.5% vs. 3.4 ± 2.4%; p = 0.037). L-PDFF and liver stiffness values showed no significant correlation with P-PDFF (p = 0.235 and p = 0.567, respectively). P-PDFF was significantly associated with obesity (odds ratio 1.146, 95% confidence interval 1.006–1.307, p = 0.041), but there was no significant association with hypertension, DM, and dyslipidemia. @*Conclusion@#MRI can be used to quantitatively measure pancreatic steatosis in children. P-PDFF is significantly associated with obesity in pediatric patients.

Single-cell transcriptomics: a novel precision medicine technique in nephrology

Due to the complex structure and function of the kidneys, the mechanism of kidney disease is unclear. In particular, transcriptomics approaches at the bulk level are unable to differentiate primary autonomous responses, which lead to disease development, from secondary cell non-autonomous responses. Single-cell analysis techniques can overcome the limitations inherent in the measurement of heterogeneous cell populations and clarify the central issues in kidney biology and disease pathogenesis. Single-cell sequencing helps in identifying disease-related biomarkers and pathways, stratifying patients, and deciding on appropriate treatment methods. Here we review a variety of single-cell analysis techniques and single-cell transcriptomics studies performed in the field of nephrology. Moreover, we discuss the future prospects of single-cell analysis-based precision medicine in nephrology.

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging for Differentiation of Biliary Atresia and Grading of Hepatic Fibrosis in Infants with Cholestasis

Objective@#To determine whether the values of hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can differentiate biliary atresia (BA) from non-BA or be correlated with the grade of hepatic fibrosis in infants with cholestasis. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included infants who received liver MRI examinations to evaluate cholestasis from July 2009 to October 2017. Liver ADC, ADC ratio of liver/spleen, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and spleen size were compared between the BA and non-BA groups. The diagnostic performances of all parameters for significant fibrosis (F3–4) were obtained by receiver-operating characteristics (ROCs) curve analysis. @*Results@#Altogether, 227 infants (98 males and 129 females, mean age = 57.2 ± 36.3 days) including 125 BA patients were analyzed. The absolute ADC difference between two reviewers was 0.10 mm2 /s for both liver and spleen. Liver ADC value was specific (80.4%) and ADC ratio was sensitive (88.0%) for the diagnosis of BA with comparable performance. There were 33 patients with F0, 15 with F1, 71 with F2, 35 with F3, and 11 with F4. All four parameters of APRI (τ = 0.296), spleen size (τ = 0.312), liver ADC (τ = -0.206), and ADC ratio (τ = -0.288) showed significant correlation with fibrosis grade (all, p < 0.001).The cutoff values for significant fibrosis (F3–4) were 0.783 for APRI (area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.721), 5.9 cm for spleen size (AUC, 0.719), 1.044 x 10-3 mm2 /s for liver ADC (AUC, 0.673), and 1.22 for ADC ratio (AUC, 0.651). @*Conclusion@#Liver ADC values and ADC ratio of liver/spleen showed limited additional diagnostic performance for differentiating BA from non-BA and predicting significant hepatic fibrosis in infants with cholestasis.

Single-cell transcriptomics: a novel precision medicine technique in nephrology

Due to the complex structure and function of the kidneys, the mechanism of kidney disease is unclear. In particular, transcriptomics approaches at the bulk level are unable to differentiate primary autonomous responses, which lead to disease development, from secondary cell non-autonomous responses. Single-cell analysis techniques can overcome the limitations inherent in the measurement of heterogeneous cell populations and clarify the central issues in kidney biology and disease pathogenesis. Single-cell sequencing helps in identifying disease-related biomarkers and pathways, stratifying patients, and deciding on appropriate treatment methods. Here we review a variety of single-cell analysis techniques and single-cell transcriptomics studies performed in the field of nephrology. Moreover, we discuss the future prospects of single-cell analysis-based precision medicine in nephrology.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of acomplex mixture of Lactobacillus paracasei HP7 including the extract of Perilla frutescens var. acuta and Glycyrrhiza glabra / 한국실험동물학회지

The effect of standard therapeutic strategies on Helicobacter pylori infection is diminished over time owing to the emergence of drug resistant strains. In this study, we would like to confirm the enhanced effect of L. paracasei HP7, which has been reported to exert antibacterial and gastric mucosal protective effects, in combination with Perilla frutescens var. acuta (P. frutescens) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) extracts. P. frutescens extract and G. glabra extract were found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in a concentrationdependent manner, and the combination of L. paracasei HP7 and P. frutescens extract and G. glabra extract effectively inhibited H. pylori from attaching to AGS a gastric epithelial cells. Moreover, L. paracasei HP7 complex mixture containing P. frutescens and G. glabra extracts has been shown to inhibit H. pylori virulence genes such as AlpA, CagA, FlaA and UreA. When H. pylori -infected mice were administered a complex mixture of L. paracasei HP7 containing P. frutescens and G. glabra extract, the infection rate of H. pylori was significantly reduced. In addition, the L. paracasei HP7 complex mixture significantly reduced serum IL-8 levels and stomach inflammation in H. pylori infected mice.These results suggest that a complex mixture of L. paracasei HP7 containing P. frutescens and G. glabra extracts may be an alternative to treating diseases caused by H. pylori infection.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of acomplex mixture of Lactobacillus paracasei HP7 including the extract of Perilla frutescens var. acuta and Glycyrrhiza glabra / 한국실험동물학회지

The effect of standard therapeutic strategies on Helicobacter pylori infection is diminished over time owing to the emergence of drug resistant strains. In this study, we would like to confirm the enhanced effect of L. paracasei HP7, which has been reported to exert antibacterial and gastric mucosal protective effects, in combination with Perilla frutescens var. acuta (P. frutescens) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) extracts. P. frutescens extract and G. glabra extract were found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in a concentrationdependent manner, and the combination of L. paracasei HP7 and P. frutescens extract and G. glabra extract effectively inhibited H. pylori from attaching to AGS a gastric epithelial cells. Moreover, L. paracasei HP7 complex mixture containing P. frutescens and G. glabra extracts has been shown to inhibit H. pylori virulence genes such as AlpA, CagA, FlaA and UreA. When H. pylori -infected mice were administered a complex mixture of L. paracasei HP7 containing P. frutescens and G. glabra extract, the infection rate of H. pylori was significantly reduced. In addition, the L. paracasei HP7 complex mixture significantly reduced serum IL-8 levels and stomach inflammation in H. pylori infected mice.These results suggest that a complex mixture of L. paracasei HP7 containing P. frutescens and G. glabra extracts may be an alternative to treating diseases caused by H. pylori infection.

Clinical Characteristics and Epidemiology of Enteroviral Meningitis Compared to Non-Enteroviral Meningitis in Infants under 3 Months of Age / 이화의대지

OBJECTIVES: To compare the epidemiology, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, seasonality and hospital course of enteroviral meningitis (EM) and non-enteroviral meningitis (NEM) cases in infants under 3 months of age. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of infants under 3 months of age or less with viral meningitis admitted to Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital between January 2010 and December 2016. RESULTS: EM patients were more likely to have siblings compared with NEM. Most of EM was diagnosed during the summer season. Almost 80% of EM was diagnosed between July and September. Fever lasted longer in EM patients compared to NEM. White blood cell count (WBC) from the cerebrospinal fluid was higher in EM patients compared with NEM patients. WBC in blood were lower in EM patients compared with NEM patients. C-reactive protein was lower in EM patients compared with NEM patients. Most of the patients were initially started on antibiotics therapy to rule out bacterial meningitis. EM patients received shorter duration of antibiotic treatment compared with NEM patients. CONCLUSION: This study was conducted to augment the understanding of the incidence, epidemiology, transmission in infants, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, seasonality and hospital courses of enteroviral meningitis compared to NEM. Early recognition, rapid diagnosis and proper clinical management can reduce duration of antibiotic treatment.

Factors Affecting Emergency Room Nurse Job in Small and Medium Sized Hospitals / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the job of emergency room (ER) nurses working in small and medium sized hospitals and to explore factors affecting their job. METHODS: The survey data were collected between January 2014 and May 2014 and participants were 159 nurses working in Seoul, Kyunggi, Incheon, and Chungnam in hospitals of less than 500 beds. RESULTS: The score for nurses job was 2.12/4.0, and emergency treatment (1.87/4.0) followed basic nursing (3.51/4.0) and counseling (2.32/4.0). The nursing job was significantly different depending on the age, education level, position, resident doctor(emergency medicine specialty or other) and grade of ER (regional ER or local ER). In the multiple regression, education level (beta=.18), position (beta=.24), hospital size (beta=.20), and grade of ER (beta=.21) explained 17.0% of variance in ER nurses' job in small and medium sized hospitals. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that ER nurses in vulnerable areas do more nursing practice including emergency treatment as well as the usual independent nursing practice. Accordingly, a systematic assignment of nursing professionals is needed to reduce loading of ER nurses in small and medium sized hospitals.

The Impact of Emotional Labor on Burnout for Caregivers of Stroke Patients / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of emotional labor on burnout in stroke patients' caregivers. METHODS: Data were collected from 141 paid caregivers working at 3 hospital across Gyeonggi province from January to April 2014. RESULTS: The caregivers' level of emotional labor showed 2.9/5.0 points and burnout, 2.5/5.0. A significant correlation was found among attentiveness to required display rules (p=.007), emotional dissonance (p=.001) and burnout. In a multiple regression, age (beta=.279, p=.001) and emotional dissonance (beta=.193, p=.046) were associated with burnout in caregivers. These factors attributed to 16.9% of variance in the burnout of caregivers. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that burnout in stroke patients' caregivers can be influenced by emotional dissonance as well as physical condition such as age. Accordingly, it is necessary to be develop support program to deal with mental labor to improve their mental health and lighten their workload for caregivers.

Factors Affecting Asthma and Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Children: A Population-based Cross-sectional Survey

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting childhood asthma and atopic dermatitis. METHODS: For this study, data for 1,170 children (1-11 years) from the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-2, 2011) were analyzed. First correlation matrices were computed to test the normality of every data set and then to be in accordance with the real demographic composition, data were added weight before being analyzed. RESULTS: The child with asthma of a three generation family (OR=3.91, 95% CI [1.33, 11.45], p=.013) compared with a two generation family showed higher asthma development, and maternal asthma (OR=9.71, 95% CI [2.66, 35.40], p=.001) showed higher asthma development in child. The only factor affecting atopic dermatitis was parental perceptions of child health: poor (OR=3.40, 95% CI [1.29, 8.98], p=.014). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that childhood asthma and atopic dermatitis are both affected by parental perceptions of child health. Accordingly, management and support programs for children who have asthma and/or atopic dermatitis and their families should be comprehensive and also give attention to any other health problems because health perception represents quality of life.

Associated Factors in Pediatric Nurse Parent Partnership

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate pediatric nurse parent partnership and factors associated with this partnership. METHODS: A survey was conducted with 158 nurses working in pediatric practice at one of 7 hospitals in Seoul, Incheon, and Chungcheongbuk Province. Data were collected from September to December 2013, and analyzed with SPSS Windows 21.0. RESULTS: In hierarchial multiple regression analysis, self-efficacy (beta=.19, p=.016), clinical decision making (beta=.15, p=.046), and empowerment (beta=.29, p=.001) were associated with pediatric nurse parent partnership, after adjusting for marital status, children, education, position and satisfaction with work unit. These factors accounted for 44.0% of the variance in the pediatric nurse parent relationship. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that pediatric nurse parent partnership could be influenced by the predictors. Ultimately, intervention programs focusing on these factors should be effective in helping pediatric nurses improve partnership with parents.

Factors affecting Dysmenorrhea in Undergraduate Students / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate dysmenorrhea in undergraduate students and its affecting factors. METHOD: The survey was conducted with 453 students at 4 nursing school in Seoul, Incheon, Chungcheongbuk and Jeollabuk Province. Data were collected from September to December 2013, and analyzed with SPSS Windows 21.0. RESULTS: In a final model of hierarchial multiple regression, menarcheal age (beta=-0.13, p=.003), menstrual amount (beta=0.17, p=.001), stress (beta=0.18, p=.010) habit of sitting by crossing one's legs (beta=0.14, p=.003) were associated with dysmenorrhea in undergraduate students. These factors attributed to 12.0% of variance in the dysmenorrhea of undergraduate students. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dysmenorrhea in undergraduate student could be influenced by habit of sitting by crossing one's legs as well as menstrual history and stress. Ultimately, intervention program including correct of cross-legged sitting postures can be effective for undergraduate students to alleviate dysmenorrhea.

Epitec system: an indirect osseointegration for the ear prosthesis anchorage

Osseointegrated alloplastic ear reconstruction has revolutionized ear prosthetic retention. In this report, we evaluate the results of indirect osseointegration using the Epitec system and discuss the degree of the most serious side effect of this system, the adverse skin reactions close to osseointegrated implant post. During a three year period, Osseointegrated prosthetic ear reconstruction was performed to twenty eight patients with microtia(n = 25) and traumatic ear loss(n = 3), 22 males and 6 females aged from 6 to 43 years(mean 18.2 years). The patients, including 12 children, were treated with 58 titanium implant posts of Epitec system. These were inserted into a 3-dimensional carrier-plate which were fixed to the mastoid process with 7 to 12(mean 9.2) screws. Each patient was operated in a one-stage procedure. Two months of osseointegration of the screws was followed by fabrication of the ear prostheses. All implants were stable after follow-up at 20 to 31 months(mean 24.6 months). Fifty four of the 58 implants showed no sign of skin reactions (93.1 percent: 83.3 percent for children; 100 percent for adult). Hypertrophy of soft tissue surrounding the implants were observed only in children(2 out of 12 treated children) and did not recur after subcutaneous reduction and compressive dressing.In adults, the results of the Epitec system are very satisfactory. Use of the Epitec system in children is also promising because hypertrophy of soft tissue surrounding the implants are successfully managed. In addition, the 3-dimensional carrier-plate is well osseointegrated with bone screws and stability of the carrier-plate is reinforced by osseous covering of the thin bars of the carrier-plate by appositional bone growth of the skull.