Search

The prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBP), Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. in wild small animals, namely wild rodents, is now widely investigated. This study is to present the prevalence and distribution of O. tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. in wild small animals and ticks collected from Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2014. A total of 131 wild small animals, rodents and shrews, and 2,954 ticks were collected from Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces from May to November 2014. The wild small animals (KR1-9) and ticks (K1-17) were grouped in accordance with capture dates and locations. Among the wild small animals, a total of 393 tissues and blood samples were extracted from six selected small animal series (KR1-3, KR6-8). Also, each date and location-grouped ticks were identified for its species and pooled according to the stage of development. Molecular identification for Rickettsia, Orientia, and Borrelia species was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To detect TBPs among wild small animals and ticks, primer sets targeting the 56 kDa protein encoding gene of Orientia spp., outer membrane protein B gene (OmpB) of Rickettsia spp., and 5S-23S intergenic spacer region (IGS) gene of Borrelia spp. were used. Of the 393 wild small animals' blood and tissue samples, 199 (50.6%) were positive for Orientia spp., 158 (40.2%) were positive for Borrelia spp., and 55 (14.0%) were positive for Rickettsia spp. Moreover, a total of 14 tick pools (n = 377) was positive for Rickettsia spp. (n=128, 34.0%) and Borrelia spp. (n=33, 8.8%). High prevalence of Orientia spp. and Rickettsia spp. in rodents and shrews were observed. This study presents significant insights by presenting data collected in 2014 that the prevalence of TBP was already high in mid 2010s. This study highlights the sustainable routine surveillance model for TBP.

Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common cancers in the world, but the risk of internal malignancy in patients with NMSC has not been well investigated., Objectives: We aimed to assess the risk of internal malignancy in patients with NMSC compared with controls without NMSC in Korean population., Methods: This nationwide cohort study, compared 27 259 NMSC patients with 54 518 matched controls without NMSC, 40 years or older using the data from Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2007 to 2016. The first 2 years were washout period, and we followed the patients for 8 years to observe the development of any internal malignancies after a diagnosis of NMSC. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the hazard ratios (HRs) for developing internal malignancies., Results: The overall risk of internal malignancies at all sites was 2727.7 and 1392.4 per 100 000 person-years for the patients with NMSC and controls, respectively. The risk was significantly higher in the patients with NMSC (HR 1.866, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.768-1.970). Bone cancer showed the highest risk (HR 12.745, 95% CI 6.288-25.834), followed by nasal cavity and larynx (HR 10.279, 95% CI 6.178-7.103), oral cavity and pharynx (HR 10.211, 95% CI 7.375-14.137), anus and anal canal (HR 8.147, 95% CI 3.893-17.051) and cervical (HR 5.900, 95% CI 3.694-9.423) cancers with risks greater than fivefold higher in NMSC patients compared with the controls. The risks of cancers of the thorax, oesophagus, breast, lung, stomach, thyroid gland and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were also statistically higher in the patients with NMSC. In contrast, the risks of cancers of the colon and rectum were found to be significantly decreased in the patients with NMSC (HR 0.765, 95% CI 0.657-0.890)., Conclusion: Patients with NMSC require careful screening and follow-up for internal malignancy., (© 2019 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Background: Sarcopenia may worsen disease progression and lead to poor outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of BMI on the development of COPD and mortality., Methods: We enrolled 437 584 participants registered in the physical health check-up cohort database of the Korean National Health Interview Survey from 2002 to 2003, and we defined COPD diagnosis based on the ICD-10 code and prescribed medication. BMI (kg m -2 ) classified them to five groups (low BMI < 18.5, normal BMI 18.5-23, overweight 23-25, obesity 25-30, severe obesity ≥30) at baseline., Results: Participants in the low BMI group had a significantly higher rate of COPD development for 13 years (7.6%) than those in other groups (3.4-4.1%, P < 0.0001). Amongst never or light smokers, COPD development in the low BMI group (5.6-6.7%) was significantly higher than that in other groups (2.8-4.7%). Similarly, amongst participants with a smoking history of ≥30 years, COPD development in the low BMI group (20.1%) was higher than those in other groups (8.4-12.4%). On multivariable analysis, normal or higher than normal body weight was significantly protective against the development of COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.609-0.739,) compared to low BMI. COPD-free-survival (HR, 0.491-0.622) and overall survival (HR, 0.440-0.585) were also better in them compared to those with low BMI (all P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Low BMI is an important risk factor for COPD development and mortality. Maintaining adequate body weight may reduce the risk for COPD development and mortality., (© 2019 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicine.)

Setting: Tertiary referral centre, Samsung Medical Center, South Korea., Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters and toxicities of once-daily amikacin (AMK) dosing for lung disease due to Mycobacterium abscessus., Design: A retrospective review of 48 patients with M. abscessus lung disease who received once-daily AMK for 4 weeks between January 2012 and June 2015., Results: With a starting dose of 15 mg/kg/day and adjustment of AMK dose according to the peak serum level (Cmax), the Cmax target of 55-65 μg/ml was achieved in 31.3% (15/48) of patients in the first week, 68.8% (33/48) in week 2, 91.7% (44/48) in week 3 and 95.8% (46/48) in week 4. Transient nephrotoxicity developed in 6.3% (3/48) of patients and ototoxicity in 25.0% (6/24), which was determined by audiogram as hearing loss, asymptomatic in five patients and tinnitus in one. Multivariate analysis revealed that the highest drug concentration 12 h after administration was significantly associated with the development of toxicities (adjusted odds ratio 1.862, P = 0.047)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that once-daily AMK for 4 weeks with a target Cmax of 55-65 μg/ml can be used in patients with M. abscessus lung disease, with careful monitoring of toxicity.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common disease, which causes hair loss in humans. AA has a genetically complex inheritance. This study investigated the possible correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha) (CXCL1) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) genes and the development of AA in the Korean population. Two hundred and thirty-five AA patients and 240 control subjects were recruited. The specific SNPs occurring in the promoter regions of the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes (rs3117604, -429C/T and rs3806792, -264T/C, respectively) were genotyped. All data obtained was evaluated using the SNPStats, SPSS 18.0, and the Haploview v.4.2 software platforms. The Odd's ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and P values were calculated using multiple logistic regression models. Analyses of the genetic sequences obtained revealed a significant correlation between the two SNPs and the development of AA (rs3117604, P = 0.0009 in co-dominant model 1, P = 0.01 in co-dominant model 2, P = 0.004 in the dominant model, P = 0.005 in the log-additive model, P = 0.012 in allele distribution; rs3806792, P = 0.036 in co-dominant model 2, P = 0.0046 in the log-additive model). The TT and CC haplotypes were also observed to show a significant association with increased risk of AA (TT haplotype, P = 0.0018; CC haplotype, P = 0.0349). Our data suggests that the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes may be associated with AA susceptibility.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical utility of the meniscal width to transverse diameter ratio (L/M ratio) of the lateral meniscus in the diagnosis of incomplete discoid lateral meniscus (IDLM) as compared with the arthroscopic diagnosis, meniscal width to tibial diameter ratio (L/T ratio) and conventional lateral meniscus width criteria., Materials and Methods: This retrospective study sample included 41 patients with IDLM who underwent knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy, as well as 50 controls with normal lateral menisci. MRI examinations were interpreted independently by two radiologists, both of whom were blinded to clinical information and radiological reports. Assessment of meniscal width (L), maximal transverse diameter of the lateral meniscus (M), and transverse diameter of the tibia (T) was carried out on central coronal sections that were observed to pass through the medial collateral ligament. L/M and L/T ratios were calculated. These results were correlated with arthroscopic findings and analysed statistically using categorical regression analysis and non-parametric correlation analysis. Using arthroscopic findings as the standard of reference, sensitivity and specificity were calculated for: (1) 12, 13, 14, and 15 mm meniscal width thresholds; (2) 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% L/M ratio thresholds; and (3) 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25% L/T ratio thresholds., Results: The mean L/M ratio of the IDLM was approximately 67% and was statistically significantly higher than the control (44%). The best diagnostic discrimination was achieved using a threshold of 50%. The mean L/T ratio of the IDLM was approximately 23% and was statistically significant. The best diagnostic discrimination was achieved using a threshold of 18%. The threshold of 13 mm of meniscal width also showed high sensitivity and high specificity., Conclusion: The use of the L/M ratio or L/T ratio in combination with meniscal width criteria may be a useful method for evaluating IDLM., (Copyright © 2013 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This is a pilot study analysing association of chemokine gene polymorphisms (CXCL1, rs3117604; CXCL2, rs3806792; CCL2, rs2857656 and rs3760396; CCL5, rs2107538) in Korean patients with ischemic stroke (IS) (n = 120) and age-matched controls (n = 267). The CXCL1 gene and particularly T allele of rs3117604 was associated with IS., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) is an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma with primary involvement of the skin. Epidemiological data on PCLs according to the World Health Organization/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer classification (WHO-EORTC) has not been investigated in Korea to date., Aim: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical and histological features, and survival data of patients with PCL according to the WHO-EORTC classification., Methods: In total, 93 patients with PCL were retrospectively identified from an extensive review of medical records over a 16-year period., Results: The tumours found included primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders, extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We found that 81.6% of the patients had primary cutaneous T-cell and natural killer-cell lymphoma, and 16.2% had primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, with 2.2% having precursor haematological neoplasms. The median age was 52 years (range 3-95) and the male : female ratio was 1: 1.16. The 5-year survival rate was 92.5%., Conclusions: The incidence rates of many PCL subtypes in Koreans differ from those of other countries., (© 2013 British Association of Dermatologists.)

This study compared the prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) diagnosed by the PE diagnostic tool (PEDT) score, self-reporting and stopwatch-recorded intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). It examined the characteristics of males diagnosed with PE by each criterion. A questionnaire survey enrolled 2081 subjects from March to October, 2010. Stopwatch-recorded IELT was measured in 1035 of the 2081 subjects. We aimed to determine whether PE has an influence on the frequency and satisfaction of sexual intercourse, the degree of libido/erectile function and the satisfaction. These factors were evaluated according to different definitions of PE to assess whether the definition used yielded differences in the data. The prevalence of PE, based on a PEDT score of ≥11, self-reporting and stopwatch-recorded IELT of ≤1 min was 11.3%, 19.5% and 3%, respectively. The prevalence of PE diagnoses based on PEDT score and self-reporting increased with age, but stopwatch-recorded IELT-based diagnoses did not. Males experiencing PE showed lower levels of libido, erectile function and frequency and satisfaction of sexual intercourse compared with non-PE males. PE males felt that they did not satisfy their partners in terms of the partners' sexual satisfaction and frequency of orgasm, in comparison with non-PE males. PE is a highly prevalent sexual dysfunction in males. Regardless of whether the PE diagnosis was made on the basis of self-reporting, PEDT score or stopwatch-recorded IELT, subjective symptoms were similar among PE males.

Background: Giant congenital melanocytic naevi (GCMN) are known risk factors for the development of melanoma. However, melanoma risk among Asians is rarely evaluated., Objectives: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk of melanoma development from GCMN in Koreans, we performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Korea. GCMN were defined as those comprising ≥5% body surface area in children or measuring ≥20cm in adults., Methods: In total, 131 patients with GCMN were enrolled, with a mean age of 10·3years (range: birth-70years)., Results: The posterior trunk was the most common site (67, 51·1%), followed by lateral trunk, anterior trunk, legs, both anterior and posterior trunk, buttocks, and arms. Satellite naevi were present in 69 cases (52·7%), and axial areas were more commonly involved in patients with satellite naevi than in those without satellite lesions. Atypical features such as rete ridge elongation and bridges were seen, and, among these, pagetoid spread and ballooning cell changes were more common in patients <4years old. Proliferative nodules were found in three cases. Melanomas had developed in three of 131 patients (2·3%; a 6-year-old girl, a 14-year-old girl and a 70-year-old man), and the incidence rate was 990 per 100000 person-years. Melanomas in these three patients consisted of two cutaneous melanomas and one extracutaneous meningeal melanoma., Conclusions: We should be aware of melanoma development from GCMN, and lifelong follow-up is required due to the risk of melanoma arising in GCMN., (© 2011 The Authors. BJD © 2011 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Background: The 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists are known to be effective for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but not widely used yet. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ramosetron, a 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, and mebeverine in male patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)., Methods: This study was performed in a multicenter, randomized, open-label design. Data of 343 male patients with IBS-D who were randomized to either a 4-week treatment of ramosetron 5μg once daily or a 4-week treatment of mebeverine 135 mg three times daily were analyzed by the intent-to-treat analysis. The primary efficacy parameter was the proportion of patients with adequate relief of IBS symptoms at the last week of treatment. The secondary endpoints were changes in each symptom score and the safety profiles., Key Results: The responder rates for global IBS symptoms, abdominal pain/discomfort and abnormal bowel habits in the ramosetron and mebeverine groups significantly increased during the treatment period. The severity scores of abdominal pain/discomfort and urgency, the stool form score, and the stool frequency in both treatment arms were significantly reduced, compared with the baselines. There were no significant differences in the responder rates (37%vs 38% on ITT analysis) and adverse event profiles between the ramosetron and mebeverine groups. Neither severe constipation nor ischemic colitis was reported by ramosetron-treated patients., Conclusions & Inferences: Ramosetron 5μg once daily is as effective as mebeverine three times daily in male patients with IBS-D., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are innate immune mediators that stimulate nuclear factor kappa B and the inflammatory cytokines. TLR1 is expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells when the kidney is injured, but the role of TLR1 gene in glomerulonephritis has not been clearly elucidated. We aimed to investigate the association of TLR1 polymorphisms with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in children. One hundred and ninety pediatric patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and 283 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of TLR1 gene [rs4833095 (missense, Asn248Ser) and rs5743557 (promoter, -414C/T)] were selected and genotyped by direct sequencing. For rs4833095, the C/T genotype in the codominant model (vs. the T/T genotype) [odds ratio (OR) = 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-3.69, P = 0.009] and the genotype containing C allele (C/T and C/C) in the dominant model (vs. the T/T genotype) (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.16-3.34, P = 0.012) were associated with an increased risk of IgAN. For rs5743557, the T/T genotype in the codominant model (vs. the C/C genotype) (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.02-2.96, P = 0.041) appeared to be associated with IgAN risk. In haplotype analysis, the CT haplotype revealed an association with IgAN (codominant model, OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.06-1.80, P = 0.017; dominant model, OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.16-2.67, P = 0.008). After Bonferroni correction, the association of the genotypes of rs4833095 and the CT haplotype with IgAN risk remained significant. These findings suggest that TLR1 gene polymorphisms may affect IgAN susceptibility in Korean children., (© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method as an alternative to a gas chromatography-thermal energy analyser (GC-TEA) method recommended by the European Committee on Standardization (CEN) was validated for the simultaneous determination of eight N-nitrosamines released into artificial saliva from rubber or elastomer teats and soothers. N-nitroso-dipropylamine-d₁₄ (NDPA-d₁₄) was used as internal standard for accurate quantification. The method was validated with relatively good analytical results, including sufficiently low limits of detection (0.1-2 µg kg⁻¹) of sample) and good linearity (r²> 0.99) throughout the studied concentration ranges. Intra- and inter-day precisions expressed with the relative standard deviation (RSD, %) were 3.4-8.0% and 4.4-11.3%, which were below the performance criteria based on one-half of the value derived from the Horwitz value. It was also found that the LC-MS/MS method is sufficiently rugged and successfully applicable to its routine analysis for the compliance test of Commission Directive 93/11/EEC.