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This article examines the incidence of healthcare utilization for allergic and respiratory infectious diseases in children with asthma before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from the Korean Childhood Asthma Study (KAS) cohort and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from March 2016 to March 2021. The findings showed significant decreases in hospital visits for allergic and respiratory diseases during the pandemic, with sustained reductions observed for one year. The decline in healthcare utilization may be attributed to factors such as reduced exposure to triggers and apprehension about accessing healthcare services. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the pandemic on healthcare utilization. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Objective: Preterm birth or fetal growth has been associated with reduced lung function and asthma during childhood in the general population. We aimed to elucidate whether prematurity or fetal growth has a significant influence on lung function or symptoms in children with stable asthma. Methods: We included children with stable asthma who participated in the Korean childhood Asthma Study cohort. Asthma symptoms were determined by asthma control test (ACT). Percent predicted values of pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator (BD) lung function including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow at 25%–75% of FVC (FEF25%–75%) were measured. Lung function and symptoms were compared according to the history of preterm birth and birth weight (BW) for gestational age (GA). Results: The study population consisted of 566 children (age range: 5–18 years). There were no significant differences in lung function and ACT between preterm and term subjects. We observed no significant difference in ACT but significant differences were observed in pre‐ and post‐BD FEV1, pre‐ and post‐BD FVC, and post‐BD FEF25%–75% according to BW for GA in total subjects. Two‐way ANOVA revealed that BW for GA rather than prematurity was a significant determining factor for pre‐ and post‐BD lung function. After regression analysis, BW for GA was still a significant determining factor of pre‐ and post‐BD FEV1 and pre‐ and post‐BD FEF25%–75%. Conclusion: Fetal growth rather than prematurity appears to have a significant effect on lung function in children with stable asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study regarding hepatitis B immunogenicity after a primary vaccination course associated with childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergen sensitization. It mentions vaccination course against hepatitis B to assess the relationship of hepatitis B immunogenicity with the prevalence of different allergic diseases. It also mentions immunogenicity of 12-year- old Korean children to the hepatitis B vaccine after the primary vaccination course with childhood asthma.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a major environmental factor affecting photoageing, which is characterized by skin wrinkle formation and hyperpigmentation. Although many factors are involved in the photoageing process, UV irradiation is thought to play a major role in melanogenesis. Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in melanin synthesis; therefore, many whitening agents target tyrosinase through various mechanisms, such as direct interference of tyrosinase catalytic activity or inhibition of tyrosinase mRNA expression. Furthermore, the highly selective calcium channel ORAI1 has been shown to be associated with UV-induced melanogenesis. Thus, ORAI1 antagonists may have applications in the prevention of melanogenesis. Here, we aimed to identify the antimelanogenesis agents from methanolic extract of guava leaves ( Psidium guajava) that can inhibit tyrosinase and ORAI1 channel. The n-butanol (47.47%±7.503% inhibition at 10 μg/mL) and hexane (57.88%±7.09% inhibition at 10 μg/mL) fractions were found to inhibit ORAI1 channel activity. In addition, both fractions showed effective tyrosinase inhibitory activity (68.3%±0.50% and 56.9%±1.53% inhibition, respectively). We also confirmed that the hexane fraction decreased the melanin content induced by UVB irradiation and the ET-1-induced melanogenesis in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. These results suggest that the leaves of P. guajava can be used to protect against direct and indirect UV-induced melanogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current studies of Panax ginseng (or Korean ginseng) have demonstrated that it has various biological effects, including angiogenesis, immunostimulation, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we hypothesised that P. ginseng may also play an important role in wound healing. However, few studies have been conducted on the wound-healing effects of P. ginseng. Thus, the purpose of this in vitro pilot study was to determine the effects of P. ginseng on the activities of fibroblasts, which are key wound-healing cells. Cultured human dermal fibroblasts were treated with one of six concentrations of P. ginseng: 0, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml and 1 and 10 µg/ml. Cell proliferation was determined 3 days post-treatment using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, and collagen synthesis was evaluated by the collagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide method. Cell proliferation levels and collagen synthesis were compared among the groups. The 10 ng/ml to 1 µg/ml P. ginseng treatments significantly increased cell proliferation, and the 1 ng/ml to 1 µg/ml concentrations significantly increased collagen synthesis. The maximum effects for both parameters were observed at 10 ng/ml. P. ginseng stimulated human dermal fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis at an optimal concentration of 10 ng/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulcers are the main cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for major amputation in diabetic foot patients. Eight hundred and sixty diabetic patients were admitted to the diabetic wound centre of the Korea University Guro Hospital for foot ulcers between January 2010 and December 2013. Among them, 837 patients were successfully monitored until complete healing. Ulcers in 809 patients (96·7%) healed without major amputation and those in 28 patients (3·3%) healed with major amputation. Data of 88 potential risk factors including demographics, ulcer condition, vascularity, bioburden, neurology and serology were collected from patients in the two groups and compared. Among the 88 potential risk factors, statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed in 26 risk factors. In the univariate analysis, which was carried out for these 26 risk factors, statistically significant differences were observed in 22 risk factors. In a stepwise multiple logistic analysis, six of the 22 risk factors remained statistically significant. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios were 11·673 for ulcers penetrating into the bone, 8·683 for dialysis, 6·740 for gastrointestinal ( GI) disorders, 6·158 for hind foot ulcers, 0·641 for haemoglobin levels and 1·007 for fasting blood sugar levels. The risk factors for major amputation in diabetic foot patients were bony invasions, dialysis, GI disorders, hind foot locations, low levels of haemoglobin and elevated fasting blood sugar levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Oral ulcers are very common and can compromise the quality of life of patients with pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate mucosal healing with curcumin in an animal oral ulcer model.Study Design: Experimental study.Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were used. Round filter paper 6 mm in diameter was soaked with 15 μl 50% acetic acid and applied over the upper labial gingiva, creating a uniform circular ulcer. After creation of an oral ulcer, curcumin, the active substance in tumeric, was applied twice over the ulcer in the experimental group but not in the control group. The ulcer area was calculated by maximal (D) and minimal (d) diameter : π × D × d/4. All animals were weighed, and the area was measured on days 0, 7, and 14. On days 7 and 14, half of the animals were sacrificed and gingival specimens were acquired.Results: Curcumin treatment exhibited accelerated healing such that the gross appearance of the ulcer demonstrated a recognizable difference in wound healing between the curcumin-treated and control groups with time. Weight loss was observed after the creation of oral ulcer in the control group. However, the curcumin-treated group gained weight with time, resulting in a significant weight difference. On day 14, epithelial regeneration was completed in the treated group but incomplete in the control group.Conclusion: Topical application of curcumin enhanced the wound-healing process of oral ulcer in the animal model, which implicate that curcumin can be used as an effective and safe medical tool in the treatment of oral ulcer.Level Of Evidence: NA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a multifunctional cytokine found in a variety of pathologic conditions, which leads to excessive collagen deposition. Current studies demonstrate that OSM is also a mitogen for fibroblasts and has an anti-inflammatory action. It was therefore hypothesised that OSM may play an important role in healing of chronic wounds that usually involve decreased fibroblast function and persist in the inflammatory stage for a long time. In a previous in vitro study, the authors showed that OSM increased wound healing activities of diabetic dermal fibroblasts. However, wound healing in vivo is a complex process involving multiple factors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of OSM on diabetic wound healing in vivo. Five diabetic mice were used in this study. Four full-thickness round wounds were created on the back of each mouse (total 20 wounds). OSM was applied on the two left-side wounds ( n = 10) and phosphate-buffered saline was applied on the two right-side wounds ( n = 10). After 10 days, unhealed wound areas of the OSM and control groups were compared using the stereoimage optical topometer system. Also, epithelialisation, wound contraction and reduction in wound volume in each group were compared. The OSM-treated group showed superior results in all of the tested parameters. In particular, the unhealed wound area and the reduction in wound volume demonstrated statistically significant differences ( P < 0·05). The results of this study indicate that topical application of OSM may have the potential to accelerate healing of diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of silver-based dressings are commonly used in the management of chronic wounds that are at risk of infection, including diabetic foot ulcers. However, there are still controversies regarding the toxicity of silver dressings on wound healing. The purpose of this study was to objectively test the cytotoxicity of silver dressings on human diabetic fibroblasts. Human diabetic fibroblasts were obtained from the foot skin of four diabetic foot ulcer patients and cultured. The effect of five silver-containing dressing products (Aquacel Ag, Acticoat*Absorbent, Medifoam Ag, Biatain Ag and PolyMem Ag) and their comparable silver-free dressing products on morphology, proliferation and collagen synthesis of the cultured human diabetic fibroblasts were compared in vitro. In addition, extracts of each dressing were tested in order to examine the effect of other chemical components found in the dressings on cytotoxicity. The diabetic fibroblasts cultured with each silver-free dressing adopted the typical dendritic and fusiform shape. On the other hand, the diabetic fibroblasts did not adopt this typical morphology when treated with the different silver dressings. All silver dressings tested in the study reduced the viability of the diabetic fibroblasts and collagen synthesis by 54-70 and 48-68%, respectively, when compared to silver-free dressings. Silver dressings significantly changed the cell morphology and decreased cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts. Therefore, silver dressings should be used with caution when treating diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been performed as an alternative to bypass surgery for improving tissue oxygenation in ischemic diabetic feet because the former is less invasive than the latter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PTA on tissue oxygenation in ischemic diabetic feet. This study included 29 ischemic diabetic feet, as determined by a transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO)<30 mmHg. The PTA was carried out in 29 limbs. The PTA procedure was considered successful, acceptable, and failed when residual stenosis was<30%, between 30 and 50%, and>50%, respectively. For evaluation of tissue oxygenation, the foot TcPO was measured before PTA and weekly for 6 weeks after PTA. Immediately after PTA, 26 feet were evaluated as being successful and the remaining three as acceptable. Before PTA, the average foot TcPO was 12.7±8.9 mmHg. The TcPO values were increased to 43.6±24.1, 51.0±22.6, 58.3±23.0, 61.3±24.2, 59.0±22.2, and 53.8±21.0 mmHg 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after PTA, respectively ( p<0.01). The PTA procedure significantly increases tissue oxygenation in ischemic diabetic feet. The maximal level of tissue oxygenation was measured on the fourth week following PTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells are relatively easy to obtain in large quantities without cell culture. The purpose of this study was to present the possibility of using uncultured PLA cell autografts for the treatment of diabetic ulcers. An in vitro study was designed initially to determine the effect of PLA cell autografts on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts ( n=4). In a subsequent clinical study, 26 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were treated using PLA cell autografts. Control treatment was also performed in 26 patients. Eight weeks after treatment, the percentages of complete healing and mean healing times were compared. Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in the PLA cell treatment group were 28 and 44% higher than that in the control group in vitro, respectively. Our clinical study showed that 100% of the PLA cell-treated group and 62% of the control group achieved complete healing. The PLA cell treatment was also superior to the conventional method in terms of the healing time. No adverse events related to the study treatment occurred. Uncultured PLA cell autografts stimulate the activity of diabetic fibroblasts and may offer a simple and effective treatment for diabetic ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ketamine can enhance anesthetic and analgesic actions of a local anesthetic via a peripheral mechanism. The authors' goal was to determine whether or not ketamine added to ropivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus blockade prolongs postoperative analgesia. In addition, we wanted to determine the incidence of adverse-effects in patients undergoing hand surgery.Methods: Sixty adults scheduled for forearm or hand surgery under the interscalene brachial plexus block were prospectively randomized to receive one of the solutions of the study. Group P received 0.5% ropivacaine 30 ml, group K received 0.5% ropivacaine 30 ml with 30 mg ketamine, and group C received 0.5% ropivacaine with 30 mg ketamine i.v. Loss of shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, wrist flexion and loss of pinprick in the C4-7 sensory dermatomes were assessed at 1-min intervals. Adverse-effects were assessed every 5 min. The duration of the sensory and motor blocks was assessed after operation. Adverse-effects were also recorded.Results: The onset time of sensory or motor blockade and the duration of sensory or motor blockade were similar in all groups. Adverse-effects occurred in 44% of patients in group K and 94% of group C.Conclusion: This study suggests that 30 mg ketamine added to ropivacaine in the brachial plexus block does not improve the onset or duration of sensory block, but it does cause a relatively high incidence of adverse-effects. These two findings do not encourage the use of ketamine with local anesthetics for brachial plexus blockade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]