Stratification of clinical and inflammatory phenotypes according to the urinary leukotriene E4 level in adult asthmatics

Purpose@#Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) have been recognized as key mediators associated with type 2 inflammation in the airways of asthmatic patients. CysLTs are associated with airway constriction, eosinophil recruitment/activation, and airway remodeling. The study aimed to understand the role of CysLTs in adult asthmatics in a real-world clinical setting. @*Methods@#One hundred five adult asthmatics who had maintained antiasthmatic medications were enrolled. Asthmatic subjects were classified into 2 groups according to urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) levels, and their clinical parameters and inflammatory mediators, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) %, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), blood eosinophil count, serum periostin (sPON), and urinary eosinophil derived neurotoxin (uEDN) were compared between the high-uLTE4 and low-uLTE4 groups. @*Results@#The prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), severe asthma, and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) were significantly higher in the high-uLTE4 group than in the low-uLTE4 group. The high-uLTE4 group had lower FEV1% and maximal midexpiratory flow %, but higher FeNO levels than the low-uLTE4 group. In addition, blood eosinophil count, sPON, and uEDN levels were significantly higher in the high-uLTE4 group than in the low-uLTE4 group. The presence of AERD and levels of FeNO, sPON, and uEDN were significantly associated with higher uLTE4 levels in asthmatics. @*Conclusion@#CysLTs are associated with type 2 inflammation in the airways of asthmatic patients, contributing to the development of AERD, CRS, and asthma severity. The stratification of clinical phenotypes according to the uLTE4 level could support optimizing anti-inflammatory therapy for better control of asthma.

Recent update on the management of anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening systemic allergic reaction presenting various clinical manifestations. Its prevalence has increased in almost all age groups and both sexes. Food, venom, and drugs are major causes in both children and adults; a higher prevalence of food-induced anaphylaxis is noted in children, while a higher prevalence of drug-induced anaphylaxis is noted in adults. The pathogenic mechanism is mediated by immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms, where mast cells and basophils are key cells that release mediators. A diagnosis of anaphylaxis is mainly based on clinical symptoms and physical findings; however, an increased serum tryptase level is a useful biomarker. Epinephrine is the first-line drug to treat acute symptoms, and an epinephrine auto-injector should be prescribed for each patient. Antihistamines and systemic corticosteroids are used to relieve symptoms. This review updates current issues in the management of anaphylaxis as well as the new guidelines for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Recent update on the management of anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening systemic allergic reaction presenting various clinical manifestations. Its prevalence has increased in almost all age groups and both sexes. Food, venom, and drugs are major causes in both children and adults; a higher prevalence of food-induced anaphylaxis is noted in children, while a higher prevalence of drug-induced anaphylaxis is noted in adults. The pathogenic mechanism is mediated by immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms, where mast cells and basophils are key cells that release mediators. A diagnosis of anaphylaxis is mainly based on clinical symptoms and physical findings; however, an increased serum tryptase level is a useful biomarker. Epinephrine is the first-line drug to treat acute symptoms, and an epinephrine auto-injector should be prescribed for each patient. Antihistamines and systemic corticosteroids are used to relieve symptoms. This review updates current issues in the management of anaphylaxis as well as the new guidelines for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Management of allergic patients during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic

A novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 in China. The mutated coronavirus spread worldwide, and some patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) manifested with upper respiratory infection, pneumonia, or respiratory distress. Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was declared with surging confirmed cases and mortality of COVID-19 worldwide, it has reshaped our way of living and how to manage patients with allergic diseases. The medical staff, including allergy specialists, has been at the forefront of fighting against the SARSCoV-2 pandemic and is struggling to guarantee safety to themselves and their patients. Thanks to vigorous research into the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and allergic diseases, we have become able to treat allergic patients with the best of evidence to date. The clinician should make a careful decision on each clinical situation with regard to patient characteristics, local and national circumstances as well as the knowledge we have, since it is still limited. We hope further efforts to identify the nature of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 clearer and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccination will soon remove the grim picture of the worldwide pandemic and bring us back to normal.

Kearns-sayre Syndrome Treated with Permanent Pacemaker Insertion for Complete Atrioventricular Block / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a rare multisystem mitochondrial disorder associated with progressive external ophthalmoplegia, atypical pigmentary degeneration of the retina, and complete heart block. KSS can lead to a risk of sudden death because of the potential progression of conduction abnormalities such as right or left bundle branch block or complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Here we describe the case of a KSS patient with type I diabetes who experienced syncope in the presence of complete AV block, confirmed by muscular biopsy.

Clinical Course of Three Cases of Pneumatosis Intestinalis / 대한소화기학회지

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by multiple gas-filled cysts of varying size in the wall of gastrointestinal tract. PCI may idiopathic or secondary to various disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis of PCI are unclear. Treatment is usually conservative, and includes oxygen and antibiotics therapy. Surgery is reserved for cases of suspected inconvertible intestinal obstruction or perforation. Eleven patients who were diagnosed with PI between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. We report three cases of PCI and describe causes and complications. The most important point in the treatment of PCI is to determine whether the patient needs surgery. Conservative care should be considered first if the patient is stable. If any complication is observed, such as ischemia in the intestine, surgery is needed. It is important to choose the best treatment based on prognostic factors and CT findings.

Penidioxolanes A and B, 1,3-Dioxolane Containing Azaphilone Derivatives from Marine-derived Penicillium sp. KCB12C078

Two new azaphilone derivatives containing 1,3-dioxolane moiety, penidioxolanes A (1) and B (2), were isolated from marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KCB12C078, together with four known compounds (3-6) by chemical investigation. Compounds 1 - 6 were isolated by combination of silica gel, ODS column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS techniques. The isolates were evaluated against cancer cell growth inhibition effects and antimicrobial activity.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Polyps / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is an uncommon pathology in the pediatric population and a challenging problem to otolaryngologists. In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical characteristics and postoperative results of children who underwent sinus surgery due to nasal polyps. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 45 pediatric patients who had sinus surgery from 2009 to 2012. We studied the relationship between clinical parameters and postoperative results. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (18 women and 27 men with an age range of 8 to 17 years) were treated surgically in our hospital. We found statistically significant correlation between the preoperative CT scores (p=0.043), the nasal obstruction symptom scores (p=0.032) and postoperative recurrence, but not between other parameters. CONCLUSION: In this study, prognostic factors affecting the postoperative outcome were preoperative CT score and nasal obstruction symptom score.

A case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of pelvic cavity / 대한산부인과학회지

A 75-year-old female presented with a 1-month history of low abd pain. A 15 x 13 cm solid mass was noted in pelvic cavity by imaging study. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection and omentectomy. Immunohistochemistry aided in the final diagnosis of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The patient had several poor prognosis factor and relapsed into tumor and died 5 month after surgery. An extremely rare case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of pelvic cavity is reported with a brief review of the literature.

In Vitro Bone Formation by Osteoblasts in Calcium Metaphosphate and Highly Purified Bovine Xenograft (Lubboc(R)) / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare osteogenic capacity according to the scaffold, i.e., calcium metaphosphate on purified bovine collagen (Lubboc(R)). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Calcium metaphosphate and Lubboc blocks were immersed within a bone marrow cell suspension from New Zealand white male rabbit anterior superior iliac spine to produce cell-biomaterial complexes. These were cultured for 5 weeks in osteogenic media and differences with bone densitometry, light microscopic examination, electron microscopic examination, concentration of osteocalcin from osteoblasts were then evaluated. RESULTS: In light microscopic examination, more organized tissue was observed in the Lubboc(R) group. By electron microscopy osteoblasts and the matrix were densely overlapped on the surface of the Lubboc(R) group, whereas cells were scattered on the calcium metaphosphate. Immunohistologic examination for osteocalcin was definitely positive in the Lubboc(R) group, but the reaction on the calcium metaphosphate was unclear, and densitometry revealed that Lubboc(R) (0.028 gms/cm2) showed a statistically significant higher density than calcium metaphosphate (0.026 gms/cm2). CONCLUSION: Highly purified bovine collagen was more effective than calcium metaphosphate in osteogenesis in vitro.

Treatment of Developmental Dislocation of the Hip in Walking Age / 영남의대학술지

The patients of developmental dislocation of the hip(DDH) are almost found after walking age because of early diagnosis of DDH in younger children is not easy. A controversy still exists as to the relative value of closed and operative management in the treatment of a child who has reached walking age. This study is a report of the results of 16 patients(17 cases) in developmental dislocation of the hip who have visited our hospital at the age of 9 months to 3 years old, and have been followed more than 12 months (12-112 months) on review of plain radiographs and arthrograms. The results were as follows 1. The age at diagnosis was 16.4 months(9-31 months) in average. The methods of treatment were conservative for 8 cases, and operation for 4 cases and secondary operation for 5 cases who were failed with conservative therapy. 2. By Severin's radiologic grade, the result was good in 4 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 1 case in conservative treatment. In operative treatment, fair was in 2 cases and poor in 2 cases. In secondary operative -patients who were failed with conservative therapy, good was in 2 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. 3. Avascular necrosis of femoral head was developed in 3 cases. 4. In the good reduction as determined by arthrogram according to Race and Herring, we can get a favorable result in conservative treatment, and in the poor reduction as determined by arthrogram, the better

Histological Observation of Bone Reaction with Relation to Surface Treatment of Titanium / 영남의대학술지

The biocompatibility of the titanium has been estabilished through various experimental studies such as cell culture toxicity test, pyrogen test, mutagen test and others. In order to confirm biocompatibility after fabrication of titanium and to clarify the difference between the bone reaction after insertion of the lathed titanium rods and the bone reaction after insertion of the finished and polished rods, both rods were implanted into the proximal femur of a rabbit. Histologic reactions in the bone were observed according to the ASTM standards at the intervals of 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 26 weeks after implantation. The result were as follows In 6 weeks after implantation of lathed titanium rods, inflammatory reactions, such as minimal degree infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes were observed in all cases. This was thought to be caused by surgical trauma. However, inflammatory cell infiltration was not seen after implantation of polished and finished rods in all cases. The cellular infiltration and the histologic reaction of the bone after implantation of lathed group were significantly more pronounced than those after implantation of the finished group. In 12 weekt after implantation of lathed rods, two of four cases revealed a minimal degree of cellular infiliration and histologic reaction seemed to be more pronounced in the lathed group, but they were not significant statistically.