In Vivo Observation of Endothelial Cell-Assisted Vascularization in Pancreatic Cancer Xenograft Engineering

In this study, for better understanding of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) generation, angiogenic characteristics during PDX cancerous tissue generation was investigated with different initial cell seeding conditions in the hydrogel. We monitored the angiogenic changes during the formation of in vivo cancer cell line xenografts induced by endothelial cells. Our in vivo cancer tissue formation system was designed with the assistance of tissue engineering technology to mimic patient-derived xenograft formation. Endothelial cells and MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic carcinoma cells were encapsulated in fibrin gel at different mixing configurations and subcutaneously implanted into nude mice. To investigate the effect of the initial cancerous cell distribution in the fibrin gel, MIA PaCa-2 cells were encapsulated as a homogeneous cell distribution or as a cell aggregate, with endothelial cells homogeneously distributed in the fibrin gel. Histological observation of the explanted tissues after different implantation periods revealed three different stages: isolated vascular tubes, leaky blood vessels, and mature cancerous tissue formation. The in vivo engineered cancerous tissues had leaky blood vessels with low expression of the vascular tight junction marker CD31. Under our experimental conditions, complex cancer-like tissue formation was most successful when tumorous cells and endothelial cells were homogeneously mixed in the fibrin gel. The present study implies that tumorous xenograft tissue formation can be achieved with a low number of initial cells and that effective vascularization conditions can be attained with a limited volume of patient-derived cancer tissue. Endothelial cell-assisted vascularization can be a potent choice for the effective development of vascularized cancerous tissues for studying patient-derived xenografts, cancer angiogenesis, cancer metastasis, and anticancer drugs.

Multilayered Engineered Tissue Sheets for Vascularized Tissue Regeneration

A major hurdle in engineering thick and laminated tissues such as skin is how to vascularize the tissue. This study introduces a promising strategy for generatingmulti-layering engineered tissue sheets consisting of fibroblasts and endothelial cells co-seeded on highly micro-fibrous, biodegradable polycaprolactone membrane. Analysis of the conditions for induction of the vessels in vivo showed that addition of endothelial cell sheets into the laminated structure increases the number of incorporated cells and promotes primitive endothelial vessel growth. In vivo analysis of 11-layered constructs showed that seeding a high number of endothelial cells resulted in better cell survival and vascularization 4 weeks after implantation.Within one week after implantation in vivo, red blood cells were detected in the middle section of three-layered engineered tissue sheets composed of polycaprolactone/ collagen membranes. Our engineered tissue sheets have several advantages, such as easy handling for cell seeding, manipulation by stacking each layer, a flexible number of cells for next-step applications and versatile tissue regeneration, and automated thick tissue generation with proper vascularization.

The effects of a newsletter on bedding control on house dust mite allergen concentrations in childcare centers in Korea

OBJECTIVES: Bedding in childcare centers (CCCs) can hold house dust mite (HDM) allergens. This study examined whether HDM allergen levels can be reduced through the distribution of an educational newsletter on bedding control to parents of CCC children in Korea. METHODS: All 38 CCCs were measured for Der 1 (sum of Der f 1 and Der p 1) concentrations on classroom floors and bedding before the intervention. Educational newsletters on children’s bedding control were sent to 21 CCCs by mail, and teachers were asked to distribute the newsletters to the parents of the children (intervention group). The remaining 17 CCCs were not sent newsletters (control group). The measurement of Der 1 concentrations in 38 CCCs was repeated after the intervention. Dust samples were collected with a vacuum cleaner and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: The Der 1 concentrations on the bedding were significantly higher than those on the floors in 38 CCCs at baseline (p<0.05). Although changes of the Der 1 concentrations for the control group (n=17) were not significant, Der 1 concentrations for the intervention group (n=21) decreased significantly from 2077.9 ng/g dust to 963.5 ng/g dust on the floors and from 3683.9 ng/g dust to 610.4 ng/g dust on bedding (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of educational newsletters on bedding control to parents may be an effective means of controlling HDMs in CCCs.

The effects of a newsletter on bedding control on house dust mite allergen concentrations in childcare centers in Korea

OBJECTIVES: Bedding in childcare centers (CCCs) can hold house dust mite (HDM) allergens. This study examined whether HDM allergen levels can be reduced through the distribution of an educational newsletter on bedding control to parents of CCC children in Korea. METHODS: All 38 CCCs were measured for Der 1 (sum of Der f 1 and Der p 1) concentrations on classroom floors and bedding before the intervention. Educational newsletters on children’s bedding control were sent to 21 CCCs by mail, and teachers were asked to distribute the newsletters to the parents of the children (intervention group). The remaining 17 CCCs were not sent newsletters (control group). The measurement of Der 1 concentrations in 38 CCCs was repeated after the intervention. Dust samples were collected with a vacuum cleaner and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: The Der 1 concentrations on the bedding were significantly higher than those on the floors in 38 CCCs at baseline (p<0.05). Although changes of the Der 1 concentrations for the control group (n=17) were not significant, Der 1 concentrations for the intervention group (n=21) decreased significantly from 2077.9 ng/g dust to 963.5 ng/g dust on the floors and from 3683.9 ng/g dust to 610.4 ng/g dust on bedding (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of educational newsletters on bedding control to parents may be an effective means of controlling HDMs in CCCs.

Low consumption of fruits and dairy foods is associated with metabolic syndrome in Korean adults from outpatient clinics in and near Seoul

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine differences in nutrient intake and food consumption by the presence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Study subjects in this cross-sectional study were recruited from four outpatient clinics in and near the Seoul metropolitan area of South Korea between 2006 and 2012. A total of 668 subjects (413 men and 255 women) aged > or = 30 y were included in the final data analyses. For each subject, daily nutrient intake and food consumption were calculated using three days of dietary intake data obtained from a combination of 24-hour recalls and dietary records. To evaluate food consumption, mean number of servings consumed per day and percentages of recommended number of servings for six food groups were calculated. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The general linear model was performed to examine differences in nutrient intake and food consumption by sex and the presence of metabolic syndrome after adjustment for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Nutrient intake did not differ by the presence of metabolic syndrome in both men and women. Men with metabolic syndrome had lower consumption and percentage of the recommendation for fruits compared with those without metabolic syndrome (1.6 vs. 1.1 servings/day, P-value = 0.001; 63.5 vs. 49.5%, P-value = 0.013). Women with metabolic syndrome showed lower consumption and percentage of the recommendation for dairy foods than those without metabolic syndrome (0.8 vs. 0.5 servings/day, P-value = 0.001; 78.6 vs. 48.9%, P-value = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low intakes of fruits and dairy foods might be associated with the risk of having metabolic syndrome among Korean adults. Dietary advice on increasing consumption of these foods is needed to prevent and attenuate the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Association between exposure to antimicrobial household products and allergic symptoms

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial chemicals are used in a variety of household and personal care products. Exposure to antimicrobial household products has been hypothesized to lead to allergic diseases in children. METHODS: We investigated antimicrobial household product exposure and allergic symptoms in Korean children. An antimicrobial exposure (AE) score was derived. To examine the symptoms of allergic diseases (current wheeze, current rhinitis, and current eczema) in the past 12 months, we used a questionnaire based on the core module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. Complete data for the analysis were available for 25,805 of the 35,590 (72.5%) children. RESULTS: The prevalence of current allergic diseases was as follows: wheeze, 5.6%; allergic rhinitis, 32.6%; and eczema, 17.7%. The mean (standard deviation) AE score was 14.3 (9.3) (range: 0-40). Compared with subjects with a low AE score (reference), subjects with a high AE score (fourth quartile) were more likely to have symptoms of wheezing and allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for wheezing 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.45, p for trend=0.24; aOR for allergic rhinitis 1.30, 95% CI, 1.20-1.40, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that frequent use of antimicrobial household products was associated with current wheeze and current allergic rhinitis.

Correlation Between Serum Vitamin D Level and the Severity of Atopic Dermatitis Associated With Food Sensitization

PURPOSE: A growing body of literature has linked vitamin D deficiency with allergic diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we investigated the association between serum vitamin D status and the clinical manifestation of AD. We also developed an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). METHODS: This study included 157 patients (79 males and 78 females) with AD, aged 4 months to 56 years. We evaluated disease severity using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Serum levels of 25(OH)D3 were determined by LC coupled with MS/MS. Total IgE and specific IgE levels were assayed using the immunoCAP system. ANOVA was used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: We found mild, moderate, and severe AD in 30 (11.1%), 87 (55.4%), and 40 (25.5%) patients, respectively. There was no significant correlation between serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and AD severity. However, among the 36 patients with food sensitization, the mean+/-SD serum levels of 25(OH)D3 were significantly higher (P<0.05) in patients with mild disease (21.2+/-5.18 ng/mL) compared with the levels in patients with moderate (17.9+/-4.02 ng/mL) or severe AD (13.3+/-5.11 ng/mL) disease. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that vitamin D deficiency is related to the severity of AD associated with food sensitization. Thus, these data suggest a role for vitamin D in a select group of AD patients.

Association between Household Income and Asthma Symptoms among Elementary School Children in Seoul

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between socioeconomic factors and asthma symptoms. METHODS: A total of 6,919 elementary school children in Seoul were enrolled in the study. Data were obtained from a web-based questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood core module. The prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months and severe asthma symptoms were obtained. The potential risk factors for asthma symptoms included household income and the number of siblings. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk factors of asthma symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of current wheeze (wheeze in the past 12 months) was 5.2%. Household income and asthma symptoms were inversely associated after adjusting for other potential risk factors (p for trend=0.03). This association was modified by the number of siblings. With two or more siblings, the effect of household income on asthma symptoms was not significant. However, low household income was still a significant variable for patients with fewer than two siblings (OR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.09-1.81). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that childhood asthma disparity is dependent on household income. Therefore, policies to improve childhood health inequities should be emphasized.

The Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis, Asthma, and Allergic Rhinitis and the Comorbidity of Allergic Diseases in Children

OBJECTIVES: Childhood allergic diseases are a major concern because they lead to a heavy economic burden and poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of childhood atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and the comorbidity of allergic diseases in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between May and October 2010 to evaluate the prevalence of childhood allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, using a questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood group. Each questionnaire was completed by the parent or guardian of a child. RESULTS: In the 31,201 children studied, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis symptoms in the past 12 months was 19.3% in children 0 to 3 years of age, 19.7% in children 4 to 6 years of age, 16.7% in children 7 to 9 years of age, and 14.5% in children 10 to 13 years of age (p for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of asthma in these age groups was 16.5%, 9.8%, 6.5%, and 5.4%, respectively (p for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in these age groups was 28.5%, 38.0%, 38.5%, and 35.9%, respectively (p for trend = 0.043). The percentage of subjects with both atopic dermatitis and asthma, both asthma and allergic rhinitis, or both atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis was 2.5%, 4.7%, and 8.7%, respectively. The prevalence of comorbid allergic diseases decreased with age (p for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that the prevalence of some allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and asthma, was relatively high in very young children and that all of the principal allergic diseases in children often co-exist.

Effectiveness of the Atopy Camp for Primary School Students in Seoul / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: In this study, we attempted to analyze the effectiveness of the atopic dermatitis camp for primary school students in the Seoul area. METHODS: Seoul city's atopy camp 2010 was conducted 10 times from May 22nd to October 24th for primary school students at an atopy friendly school and their parents. A total of 374 atopic dermatitis patients participated in the camp and questionnaires for 363 were analyzed, except 11 participants who had left several questions unanswered. In a 3-month follow-up survey, 167 participants out of 374 responded to the mailing questionnaire to evaluate the efficiency of the camp. The response rate was 44.7%. RESULTS: Satisfaction with the educational program of the camp was higher for lower grade students than for higher grade students.(P<0.001) Before camp, higher grade students (P<0.001) or students with severe symptoms were more knowledgeable of atopic dermatitis.(P<0.01) After the camp, the higher the grade, the more the knowledge the student had about atopic dermatitis.(P<0.001) Three months after the camp, there was positive change in the lifestyle of atopic dermatitis patients.(P<0.001) CONCLUSION: Knowledge on atopic dermatitis increased and the lifestyle of atopic dermatitis patients was improved due to the camp. Consequently, Seoul city's atopy camp can be utilized as a method to improve the quality of life of atopic dermatitis patients and their family. And Seoul city's atopy camp is expected to be a model for atopy camps in other local communities.

Dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome risk factors among adolescents / 소아과

PURPOSE: Unbalanced diets and decreased physical activity have contributed to increased prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in adolescents. We have performed a systematic review and data analysis to examine the association between dietary pattern and metabolic syndrome risk factors in adolescents. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and BioMedLib databases for appropriate articles published during the past 10 years and selected 6 articles. The studies reviewed applied factor analysis or cluster analysis to extract dietary patterns. For data analysis, we examined the association between dietary patterns and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors using data of 3,168 adolescents (13 to 18 years) obtained from 4 consecutive Korean Nutrition Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1998, 2001, 2005, and 2007 to 2009). RESULTS: Our systematic review confirmed that western dietary patterns are positively associated with metabolic syndrome risk factors such as obesity and elevated triglycerides, while traditional dietary patterns were negatively associated. Data analysis found that the number of adolescents aged 16 to 18 years who had "Rice & Kimchi" dietary pattern decreased, while the number having western dietary patterns increased during the 1998 to 2009 time frame. There were no changes in the dietary patterns in adolescents aged 13 to 15 years. The risk of elevated serum triglycerides and reduced serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol was high in the "Rice & Kimchi" dietary pattern compared to the other dietary pattern groups. CONCLUSION: Because adolescents' dietary patterns are changing continuously and have long-term effects, further studies on the dietary patterns of adolescents and their health effects into adulthood are necessary.

Nutritional Status According to Sensitized Food Allergens in Children With Atopic Dermatitis

PURPOSE: Food allergies can affect the growth and nutritional status of children with atopic dermatitis (AD). This study was conducted to determine the association between the number of sensitized food allergens and the growth and nutritional status of infants and young children with AD. METHODS: We studied 165 children with AD, aged 5 to 47 months, and who visited the Atopy Clinic of the Seoul Medical Center. We recorded the birth weight, time at which food weaning began, scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, eosinophil counts in peripheral blood, and total serum IgE and specific IgE to six major allergens (egg white, cow's milk, soybean, peanut, wheat, and fish). The height and weight for age and weight for height were converted to z-scores to evaluate their effects on growth and nutritional status. Specific IgE levels > or =0.7 kUA/L, measured via the CAP assay, were considered positive. RESULTS: As the number of sensitized food allergens increased, the mean z-scores of weight and height for age decreased (P=0.006 and 0.018, respectively). The number directly correlated with the SCORAD index (r=0.308), time at which food weaning began (r=0.332), eosinophil counts in peripheral blood (r=0.266), and total serum IgE (r=0.394). Inverse correlations were observed with the z-scores of weight for age (r=-0.358), height for age (r=-0.278), and weight for height (r=-0.224). CONCLUSIONS: A higher number of sensitized food allergens was associated with negative effects on the growth and nutritional status of infants and young children with AD. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of both growth and nutritional status, combined with adequate patient management, is crucial in pediatric AD patients presenting with numerous sensitized food allergies.

Climate Change and Allergic Disease / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Recent research has reported that there are many effects of climate change on allergic disease in humans. The aim of this study was to clarify evidence of the effects of climate change on the prevalence of allergic disease. We reviewed the available evidence of the relation between climate factors and allergic disease. And a systematic online and manual literature search to the theme "allergies and climate change" was made for model-derived keywords.

Effect of corn gluten and its hydrolysate consumptions on weight reduction in rats fed a high-fat diet

This study examined the effects of corn gluten (CG) and its hydrolysate consumptions on weight reduction in rats fed a high-fat diet. Eight-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were fed a high-fat diet (40% calorie as fat) for 4 weeks. They were then randomly divided into four groups and fed the isocaloric diets with different protein sources for 8 weeks. The protein sources were casein (control group), intact CG (CG group), CG hydrolysate A (CGHA group, 30% of protein as peptides and 70% as free amino acids) and CG hydrolysate P (CGHP group, 93% of protein as peptides and 7% as free amino acids). Body weight gain, adipose tissue weights, nitrogen balance, absorptions of energy, protein and fat, lipid profiles in plasma, liver and feces and hepatic activities of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT), fatty acid synthase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were assessed. The CGHA diet had the highest amount of BCAAs, especially leucine, and most of them existed as free amino acid forms. The CGHA group showed significant weight reduction and negative nitrogen balance. Protein absorption and apparent protein digestibility in the CGHA group were significantly lower than those in other groups. Adipose tissue weights were the lowest in the CGHA group. Activity of CPT tended to be higher in the CGHA group than in other groups and those of FAS, ME and G6PDH were significantly lower in the CGHA group than in other groups. In conclusion, the CGHA diet which had relatively high amounts of free amino acids and BCAAs, especially leucine, had a weight reduction effect by lowering adipose tissue weight and the activities of FAS, ME and G6PDH in experimental animals, but it seemed to be a negative result induced by lowering protein absorption, increasing urinary nitrogen excretion and protein catabolism.

Effect of Lecithin Intake on Lipid Metabolism and Antioxidative Capacity in Rats Fed High Fat Diet

This study was performed to investigate the effect of lecithin on lipid metabolism and antixidative capacity in 9-weekold rats. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 249.8 g were blocked into three groups according to their body weight and raised for 8 weeks with experimental diets containing 1% (LM) or 5% lecithin (LH) and control (C) diet. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride, total cholesterol and plasma HDL-cholesterol concenterations, and fecal total lipids, triglyceride, total cholesterol and bile acid excretions were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma, liver, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in red blood cell and liver, xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in plasma and liver, and total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma were also measured. Effect of lecithin intake on antioxidative capacity was not significantly different among all the groups. Plasma total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were lower in lecithin groups compared to control group, and these three lipid levels of lecithin groups were lowered dose-dependently as dietary lecithin level increased. But liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were not different among all the groups. Also fecal total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol excretions were highest in high lecithin groups compared to two other groups. Thus it is plausible that lecithin intake decreases plasma lipid levels through increasing fecal lipid excretions, and may be beneficial for treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia, but has no effect on antioxidative capacity.