Heritabilities of Facial Measurements and Their Latent Factors in Korean Families

Genetic studies on facial morphology targeting healthy populations are fundamental in understanding the specific genetic influences involved; yet, most studies to date, if not all, have been focused on congenital diseases accompanied by facial anomalies. To study the specific genetic cues determining facial morphology, we estimated familial correlations and heritabilities of 14 facial measurements and 3 latent factors inferred from a factor analysis in a subset of the Korean population. The study included a total of 229 individuals from 38 families. We evaluated a total of 14 facial measurements using 2D digital photographs. We performed factor analysis to infer common latent variables. The heritabilities of 13 facial measurements were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and ranged from 0.25 to 0.61. Of these, the heritability of intercanthal width in the orbital region was found to be the highest (h2 = 0.61, SE = 0.14). Three factors (lower face portion, orbital region, and vertical length) were obtained through factor analysis, where the heritability values ranged from 0.45 to 0.55. The heritability values for each factor were higher than the mean heritability value of individual original measurements. We have confirmed the genetic influence on facial anthropometric traits and suggest a potential way to categorize and analyze the facial portions into different groups.

ERRATUM: Author's Affiliation Correction. Heritabilities of Facial Measurements and Their Latent Factors in Korean Families

This erratum is being published to correct the author's affiliation.

Experience with a Simulation Drill for Novel Influenza A (H1N1) / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: It is important that hospitals conduct disaster drills to ensure prompt response in case of a pandemic and thereby prevent a biological disaster. METHODS: In a university hospital of Seoul, a drill was arranged by the members of the drill preparation team who were a part of the response team for infection control of novel influenza A (H1N1). The drill preparation team designed the scenario for the drill, made plans to resolve the potential problems that could occur during that scenario, and organized a survey team and a survey methodology. The scenario consisted of 2 modules: (1) for an intensive care unit and (2) for an emergency care center. The surveyors and field participants were evaluated after the drill exercise. RESULTS: This drill was conducted to improve the response to outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The drill event showed that the communication among the members responsible for the infection control was effective. However, the drill revealed certain drawbacks in the process; this drawbacks involved availability of adequate quarantine space, education on using personal protective equipments, assignment of medical and nonmedical staff, management of visitors, and installment of air-conditioners, heaters, and ventilation units in the areas with H1N1 outbreak. CONCLUSION: This drill helped to improve the process of infection control and overcome the drawbacks in the current process, and thereby helped in achieving positive outcome during the actual pandemic situation when the number of hospital visits and admissions because of H1N1 pandemic had rapidly increased. Although disaster plans and drills are not actively performed, the drill for infection control is essential because the risk for an outbreak of a new infectious disease is increasing.

Investigation of Genetic Evidence for Sasang Constitution Types in South Korea

In Sasang constitutional medicine, both disease susceptibility and drug response are considered to be related to the characteristics of an individual's physiology and psychology: a theory which is central to traditional Korean medicine. Based on such observable characteristics, Sasang constitutional medicine classifies people into four constitutional types. Genetic studies of Sasang constitution would help reveal the inheritance patterns and models of the typological traits and, moreover, help with traditional medical diagnosis and treatment. To investigate the heritable aspect of Sasang constitution, we collected various pedigrees from South Korea. The study population has 101 pedigrees composed of 593 individuals. The determination of the Sasang constitution type of each individual was performed by doctors who diagnose the Sasang constitutional type of individuals as part of their professional practice. We calculated estimates of familial correlation and heritability. Parent-Offspring pairs showed the strongest familial correlation of Sasang constitutional type, with the correlation values of 0.21 and 0.28, followed by sibling pairs with the value ranging between 0.14 and 0.25. From the heritability analysis conducted with the Variance-Component method, the heritability of TE (Tae-Eum) type, SY (So-Yang) type, and SE (So-Eum) type were 55%, 41%, and 47%, respectively. This pattern of heritability was consistent with different set of analyses, which suggest the robustness of our result. Our result clearly shows that the Sasang constitution type is heritable, and further genetic analysis based on our result will shed light on the biological mechanism of Sasang constitution.