Evaluation of Sleep Disturbance in Alopecia Areata through Questionnaire: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as a Reasonable Tool

Background@#Alopecia areata (AA) is common non-scarring hair loss disease. Sleep distrubance has been regarded as a triggering or aggravating factor for AA. However, objective evaluation of sleep disturbance and its clinical effect on AA has not been clearly demonstrated. @*Objective@#This study investigated objective sleep evaluation tool for AA patients and their clinical correlation. @*Methods@#Patients presenting with new-onset AA or recurrences of pre-existing AA were included, and those who reported sleep disturbance in the preliminary survey were designated as the sleep disturbance group (SD group). Sleep quality was investigated for them using three self-administered questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS). Demographic information and clinical features of AA were analyzed according to sleep quality. @*Results@#A total of 400 participants were enrolled, and 53 were categorized into the SD group. The incidence of stressful events was significantly higher in the SD group (54.7%) than in the non-SD group (25.1%) (p<0.001). Based on the PSQI, 77.3% of participants were objective poor sleepers (score of 5 or more), and they showed a significantly higher incidence of stressful events compared to good sleepers (p=0.019). The proportion of poor sleepers was significantly lower in patients with mild AA (S1) than in those with moderate to severe AA (S2~S5) (p=0.045). @*Conclusion@#This study demonstrated a positive correlation among stress, SD, and AA. The degree of SD was objectively represented by the PSQI score, showing different scores according to AA severity.

Immune enhancement effect of an herb complex extract through the activation of natural killer cells and the regulation of cytokine levels in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model

Objective: To investigate the effects of a herb complex extract (HCE) prepared from Cornus officinalis Sieb. Et Zucc., Eriobotrya japonica Lindley, and olive leaves on immune response of mouse spleen NK cells in vitro and in vivo analysis. Methods: The activity of natural killer (NK) cells was measured in splenocytes and YAC-1 cells. Mice were immunosuppressed using cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg body weight). Three different doses of HCE (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight) and red ginseng extract (800 mg/kg body weight) which was used as standard immunomodulatory herb were administered orally for 4 weeks. The body weight, dietary, water intake, organs (liver, thymus, and spleen) weight, completed blood count, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukin-2) production was measured. Results: At the maximum concentration of HCE, the activity of NK cells was increased by 48.5%. HCE increased liver, spleen, and thymus weights without altering numbers of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model. However, HCE recovered the inhibited cytokine expression; HCE (800 mg/kg) increased cytokines levels. The results indicate the immune enhancement potential of this HCE. Conclusion: The HCE enhances immunity by increasing NK cell activity, regulating cytokine levels, and maintaining spleen weight. Therefore, it may be used as a potential immunity enhancer.

Biological activities and acute oral toxicity of citronella and lemongrass oil / 대한수의학회지

This study was performed to investigate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and termite repellent effects of citronella oil (CiO) and lemongrass oil (LO). When the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus (S.) aureus with various levels of antibacterial resistance were tested, a 0.05% concentration of CiO and LO completely inhibited the growth of all tested S. aureus strains. Evaluation of the antioxidant effect demonstrated that the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of CiO was 2~3 times greater than that of LO. Among trial products made with various combinations of CiO and LO, a CiO : LO ratio of 6 : 4 had the most potent termite repellent effects. Assessment of acute toxicity of the trial product showed that the LD50 was more than 2,000 mg/kg. Based on the above results, CiO and LO have antibacterial, antioxidant, and termite repellent activities. Therefore, both compounds could be potential termites repellent reagents.

Cancer Mortality and Incidence in Cement Industry Workers in Korea

OBJECTIVES: Cement contains hexavalent chromium, which is a human carcinogen. However, its effect on cancer seems inconclusive in epidemiologic studies. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to elucidate the association between dust exposure in the cement industry and cancer occurrence. METHODS: The cohorts consisted of male workers in 6 Portland cement factories in Korea. Study subjects were classified into five groups by job: quarry, production, maintenance, laboratory, and office work. Cancer mortality and incidence in workers were observed from 1992 to 2007 and 1997-2005, respectively. Standardized mortality ratios and standardized incidence ratios were calculated according to the five job classifications. RESULTS: There was an increased standardized incidence ratio for stomach cancer of 1.56 (27/17.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.26) in production workers. The standardized mortality ratio for lung cancer increased in production workers. However, was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our result suggests a potential association between cement exposure and stomach cancer. Hexavalent chromium contained in cement might be a causative carcinogen.

Association between Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders and Psychosocial Factors at Work: A Review on the Job DCS Model's Perspective

Over years it has been increasingly concerned with how upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) are attributed to psychosocial job stressors. A review study was conducted to examine associations between UEMSDs and psychosocial work factors, and to recommend what to consider for the associations. For studies in which the job demand-control-support (DCS) model or its variables were specifically employed, published papers were selected and reviewed. A number of studies have reported relationships between UEMSDs symptoms and psychosocial exposure variables. For example, the findings are: higher numbness in the upper extremity was significantly attributed to by less decision latitude at work; work demands were significantly associated with neck and shoulder symptoms while control over time was associated with neck symptoms; and the combination of high psychosocial demands and low decision latitude was a significant predictor for shoulder and neck pain in a female working population. Sources of bias, such as interaction or study design, were discussed. UEMSDs were shown to be associated with psychosocial work factors in various studies where the job DCS model was addressed. Nonetheless, this review suggests that further studies should be conducted to much more clarify the association between UEMSDs and psychosocial factors.

Association between Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders and Psychosocial Factors at Work: A Review on the Job DCS Model's Perspective

Over years it has been increasingly concerned with how upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) are attributed to psychosocial job stressors. A review study was conducted to examine associations between UEMSDs and psychosocial work factors, and to recommend what to consider for the associations. For studies in which the job demand-control-support (DCS) model or its variables were specifically employed, published papers were selected and reviewed. A number of studies have reported relationships between UEMSDs symptoms and psychosocial exposure variables. For example, the findings are: higher numbness in the upper extremity was significantly attributed to by less decision latitude at work; work demands were significantly associated with neck and shoulder symptoms while control over time was associated with neck symptoms; and the combination of high psychosocial demands and low decision latitude was a significant predictor for shoulder and neck pain in a female working population. Sources of bias, such as interaction or study design, were discussed. UEMSDs were shown to be associated with psychosocial work factors in various studies where the job DCS model was addressed. Nonetheless, this review suggests that further studies should be conducted to much more clarify the association between UEMSDs and psychosocial factors.

Changes of Body Weight and Lipid Profiles According to Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism in Children with Antiepileptics

PURPOSE: Weight changes, especially weight gain, is a side effect of antiepileptics(especially valproate and carbamazepine). This may be sufficiently severe to cause noncompliance or to require the withdrawal of effective treatment. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism of weight change is not illustrated. Several reports and our experiment suggested that weight gain highly correlated with a familial tendency of obesity. The genetic makeup is a possible factor among those of the factors that influence the impact of obesity on lipid metabolism. The purpose of this prospective, random trial clinical study was to evaluate the coherence between the changes of weight and lipid profiles and apolipoprotein E polymorphism in children with antiepileptics. METHODS: We studied 60 epileptic children treated with antiepileptics. We measured the body mass index and lipid profiles:total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Changes of appetite and family histories of obesity were examined. The apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms of the patients were analyzed by the amplification refractory mutation system method. RESULTS: The body mass indexes of patient were significantly increased in all patient groups. The epileptic children who had E4 genotype showed higher frequencies of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and decreased level of HDL-cholesterol than other types. There was no significant difference between Apo E subtype with family histories of obesity and body mass index. CONCLUSION: An association with Apo E4 genotype and changes of serum lipid were demonstrated significantly in children on antiepileptics. But there was no significant difference between Apo E subtype and body mass index.