Phase Stability and Slag-Induced Destabilization in MnO2 and CeO2-Doped Calcia-Stabilized Zirconia.

MnO2 and CeO2 were doped to improve the corrosion resistance of CSZ (calcia-stabilized zirconia), and we studied the phase formation, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance by molten mold flux. The volume fraction of the monoclinic phase gradually decreased as the amount of MnO2 doping increased. The splitting phenomenon of the t(101) peak was observed in 2Mn_CSZ, and in 4Mn_CSZ, it was completely split, forming a cubic phase. The relative density increased and the monoclinic phase decreased as the doping amount increased, leading to an increase in Vickers hardness and flexural strength. However, in 3Mn_CSZ and 4Mn_CSZ, where cubic phase formation occurred, the tetragonal phase decreased, leading to a reduction in these properties. MnO2-doped CSZ exhibited a larger fraction of the monoclinic phase compared to the original CSZ after the corrosion test, indicating worsened corrosion resistance. These results are attributed to the predominant presence of Mn3+ and Mn2+ forms, rather than the Mn4+ form, which has a smaller basicity difference with SiO2, and due to the low melting point. The monoclinic phase fraction decreased as the doping amount of CeO2 increased in CeO2-doped CSZ, but the rate of decrease was lower compared to MnO2-doped CSZ. The monoclinic phase decreased as the doping amount increased, but the Vickers hardness and flexural strength showed a decreasing trend due to the low relative density. The destabilization behavior of Ca in SEM-EDS images before and after corrosion was difficult to identify due to the presence of Ca in the slag, and the destabilization behavior of Ce due to slag after corrosion was not observed. In the XRD data of the specimen surface after the corrosion test, the fraction of the monoclinic phase increased compared to before the test but showed a lower monoclinic phase fraction compared to CSZ. It is believed that CeO2 has superior corrosion resistance compared to CaO because Ce predominantly exists in the form of Ce4+, which has a smaller difference in basicity within the zirconia lattice.

Amylose-Lipid Complex as a Fat Replacement in the Preparation of Low-Fat White Pan Bread.

Amylose-lipid complex (ALC) was prepared with corn starch and stearic acid and used as a shortening replacement in white pan bread preparation. ALCs were prepared using various concentrations of stearic acid to corn starch (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) under different temperatures (55, 65, and 75 °C) and for different durations of time (30, 60, and 120 min); then, their complexing properties were assessed using iodine reagent and X-ray diffraction. The complexing reaction at 75 °C for 60 min showed the highest complexing index of the tested conditions; the in vitro digestibility of ALC was lower than that of corn starch. White pan bread was prepared with ALCs and their characteristics, including appearance, loaf volume, and starch retrogradation during storage at room temperature for four days, were compared with those of control bread. With increasing ALC replacement concentrations, loaf volume and shape were significantly affected; however, starch retrogradation was significantly retarded and energy value decreased by ALC replacement. Overall, 50% replacement of shortening by ALC appeared to be a reasonable level for retaining the basic characteristics of the bread while retarding the staling process. These results indicate that ALCs may be potentially useful in the bakery industry for preparing low calorie and low-fat products.

Sputum pentraxin 3 as a candidate to assess airway inflammation and remodeling in childhood asthma.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor and an acute-phase protein. It has gained attention as a new biomarker reflecting tissue inflammation and damage in a variety of diseases. Aim of this study is to investigate the role of PTX3 in childhood asthma.In total, 260 children (140 patients with asthma and 120 controls) were enrolled. PTX3 levels were measured in sputum supernatants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. We performed spirometry and methacholine challenge tests and measured the total eosinophil count and the serum levels of total IgE and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in all subjects.Sputum PTX3 concentration was significantly higher in children with asthma than in control subjects (P < 0.001). Furthermore, sputum PTX3 levels correlated with atopic status and disease severity among patients with asthma. A positive significant correlation was found between sputum PTX3 and the bronchodilator response (r = 0.25, P = 0.013). Sputum PTX3 levels were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (r = -0.30, P = 0.001), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = -0.27, P = 0.002), and FEF25-75 (r = -0.392, P < 0.001), which are indicators of airway obstruction and inflammation. In addition, the PTX3 concentration in sputum showed negative correlations with post-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1 (r = -0.25, P < 0.001) and post-BD FEV1/FVC (r = -0.25, P < 0.001), which are parameters of persistent airflow limitation reflecting airway remodeling.Sputum PTX3 levels increased in children with asthma, suggesting that PTX3 in sputum could be a candidate molecule to evaluate airway inflammation and remodeling in childhood asthma.

Effect of breastfeeding on lung function in asthmatic children.

Effect of breastfeeding on the protective effect on asthma has been studied extensively but remains controversial. Studies regarding the effect of breastfeeding on lung function have also been conflicting. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of breastfeeding on lung function in asthmatic children. We included 555 patients who visited Severance Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic with asthma. Pulmonary function, its bronchodilator response (BDR), fractional nitric oxide, and sputum eosinophils were measured. Parents completed questionnaires with information on feeding practices, family history of allergic disease, exposure to tobacco smoke, and presence of pets. Breastfeeding duration was categorized as not breastfed, breastfed <6 months, and breastfed ≥6 months. Within the asthma group, we stratified by atopic sensitization. We also investigated whether exclusivity of breastfeeding had any modifying effect on lung function. In the asthma group, ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) significantly increased according to breastfeeding duration: 86.6 ± 8.7 for not breastfed group, 87.2 ± 8.6 for <6 months group, and 88.8 ± 7.7 for ≥6 months group. Within asthma group, only the nonatopic subjects showed a significant increase of FEV1/FVC, maximal midexpiratory flow, and decrease of maximal response to BD according to breastfeeding duration. Increase in FEV1/FVC was seen in the exclusive breastfeeding for ≥6 months group compared with those partially breastfed but FVC was significantly lower in those exclusively breastfed <6 months group compared with those partially breastfed. BDR decreased with breastfeeding duration in the nonatopic asthma group. In conclusion, longer duration of breastfeeding appears to have a favorable effect on lung function in asthmatic children, especially in nonatopic subjects.

A case of eosinophilic fasciitis presenting as pitting edema of the lower extremities.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare disease characterized by diffuse fasciitis with peripheral eosinophilia and progressive induration and thickening of the skin and soft tissues. We report a 19-year-old female who presented with pitting edema in both lower extremities. She had a history of excessive physical activity before her symptoms developed. Physical examination revealed 2+ pitting edema in both lower legs. She complained of mild pain in both knee joints and feet, with no tenderness or heating sensations. Laboratory results were unremarkable except for severe eosinophilia. Parasite infection, venous thrombosis, and cardiac and renal problems were excluded. A magnetic resonance imaging study of both lower extremities revealed increased signal intensity in the subcutaneous lesions, consistent with superficial inflammation of the fascia. Mixed perivenular lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltration in the subcutaneous lesion were observed on biopsy. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, resulting in remarkable improvement in both edema and eosinophilia.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide and impulse oscillometry in children with allergic rhinitis.

PURPOSE: Airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), and bronchodilator response (BDR) are representative characteristics of asthma. Because allergic rhinitis (AR) is a risk factor for asthma development, we evaluated these 3 characteristics in AR using measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a methacholine challenge test (MCT), and impulse oscillometry (IOS). METHODS: This study included 112 children with asthma (asthma group), 196 children with AR (AR group), and 32 control subjects (control group). We compared pulmonary function parameters and FeNO levels among the 3 groups. The AR group was subdivided into 2 categories: the AR group with BHR and the AR group without, and again pulmonary function and FeNO levels were compared between the 2 subgroups. RESULTS: FeNO levels were more increased in the AR and asthma groups than in the control group; within the AR group, FeNO was higher in the AR group with BHR than in the AR group without. The BDR was more increased in the AR group than in the control group when percent changes in reactance at 5 Hz (Δ X5) and reactance area (Δ AX) were compared. In the AR group, however, there was no difference in Δ X5 and Δ AX between the AR group with BHR and the AR group without. CONCLUSIONS: Reversible airway obstruction on IOS and elevated FeNO levels were observed in children with AR. Because elevated FeNO levels can indicate airway inflammation and because chronic inflammation may lead to BHR, FeNO levels may be associated with BHR in AR. IOS can be a useful tool for detecting lower airway involvement of AR independent of BHR assessed in the MCT.

Association of genetic variation in chitotriosidase with atopy in Korean children.

BACKGROUND: The atopic diseases, which are the most common chronic diseases of childhood, are complex genetic diseases that involve the contribution of multiple genetic factors to disease pathophysiology. Chitotriosidase is involved in innate immunity, but the association of chitotriosidase with allergic diseases remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the contribution of genetic variation of the chitotriosidase-encoding gene CHIT1 to atopic phenotypes in a Korean cohort of children. METHODS: We identified CHIT1 variations in a Korean population and conducted association analyses using 295 atopic and 242 nonatopic children. An independent replication study was performed using DNA samples from 148 atopic and 243 nonatopic children. All children were unrelated. We performed Western blot analysis in each genotype in vitro to see whether the CHIT1 A442G variation affects the final protein expression levels. RESULTS: In the case-control association analysis, atopy was significantly associated with a single A442G (rs1065761) polymorphism in CHIT1 (odds ratio = 1.32, P = .01). Children with the c.442G risk allele had significantly higher blood eosinophils (P = .001), total serum IgE (P = .007), and eosinophil cationic protein (P = .02) levels. The results of the replication stage analysis confirmed a significant association between the A442G polymorphism and childhood atopy. The joint analysis of the exploratory and replication studies displayed a stronger significant association. The relative protein expression levels of chitotriosidase were significantly higher in both cell lysate and media with the G transfection compared with the wild type. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the nonsynonymous A442G polymorphism in CHIT1 is associated with risk of atopy.

Prognostic usefulness of eosinopenia in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Eosinopenia, a biomarker for infection, has recently been shown to be a predictor of adult mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Our study assessed the usefulness of eosinopenia as a mortality and an infection biomarker in the pediatric ICU (PICU). We compared the PICU mortality scores, eosinophil count and percentage at ICU admission between children who survived and those who did not survive and between children with infection and those without infection. A total of 150 patients were evaluated. The initial eosinophil count and percentage were significantly lower in the group that did not survive when compared to those that did survive (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the eosinophil count and percentage seen in patients with and without infection. Eosinopenia, defined as an eosinophil count < 15 cells/µL and an eosinophil percentage < 0.25%, (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.96; P = 0.008) along with a Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 2 (HR: 1.03; P = 0.004) were both determined to be independent predictors of mortality in the PICU. The presence of eosinopenia at the ICU admission can be a useful biomarker for mortality in children, but is not useful as a biomarker for infection.

Involvement of human histamine N-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to atopic dermatitis in korean children.

PURPOSE: Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) catalyzes one of two major histamine metabolic pathways. Histamine is a mediator of pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between HNMT polymorphisms and AD in children. METHODS: We genotyped 763 Korean children for allelic determinants at four polymorphic sites in the HNMT gene: -465T>C, -413C>T, 314C>T, and 939A>G. Genotyping was performed using a TaqMan fluorogenic 5' nuclease assay. The functional effect of the 939A>G polymorphism was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 763 children, 520 had eczema and 542 had atopy. Distributions of the genotype and allele frequencies of the HNMT 314C>T polymorphism were significantly associated with non-atopic eczema (P=0.004), and those of HNMT 939A>G were significantly associated with eczema in the atopy groups (P=0.048). Frequency distributions of HNMT -465T>C and -413C>T were not associated with eczema. Subjects who were AA homozygous or AG heterozygous for 939A>G showed significantly higher immunoglobulin E levels than subjects who were GG homozygous (P=0.009). In U937 cells, the variant genotype reporter construct had significantly higher mRNA stability (P<0.001) and HNMT enzyme activity (P<0.001) than the common genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in HNMT appear to confer susceptibility to AD in Korean children.

Use of low-dose sulodexide in IgA nephropathy patients on renin-angiotensin system blockades.

BACKGROUND: Despite using renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockades, some of the patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy often had persistent proteinuria of more than 500 mg/d. They need to be managed further by alternative methods to halt the progression of the disease; these methods could also be applied safely over a long period of time. In this context, sulodexide has been studied for the management of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out involving 20 patients with IgA nephropathy who had been taking sulodexide (50 mg daily) as an add-on therapy together with an optimal dose of RAS blockades during 2008-2009. We evaluated the proteinuria reduction rates and renal function changes. RESULTS: During 11.1±72.7 months of follow-up duration, urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) decreased for 1.57±0.6 to 1.17±0.7 g/g (P=0.032). Twenty-five percent of the patients showed a greater than 50% reduction of UPCR, and 40% had a UPCR of less than 1.0 g/g at their final observations. The analysis of the factors contributing to the effect found that a higher pretreatment UPCR showed a significant correlation with the UPCR decrease (r=0.45, P=0.047). Neither the adverse effects nor the renal function impairments were documented during the management. CONCLUSION: Low-dose sulodexide has an additional modest antiproteinuric effect on IgA nephropathy undergoing RAS blockade therapy.