A longitudinal histologic evaluation of vitamin D receptor expression in the skeletal muscles of patients with a distal radius fracture.

We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the expression of muscle vitamin D receptor (VDR) and cross-sectional area (CSA) in patients with a distal radius fracture (DRF). Significant increases in VDR expression and CSA were observed, especially in vitamin D-deficient patients. PURPOSE: Vitamin D supplementation is known to enhance muscle mass and function, but whether the VDR is essential in this process remains unknown. We evaluated the change in VDR expression and CSA in the forearm muscles following vitamin D supplementation in patients with a DRF. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 18 women with a median age of 63.5 years who have a DRF. We obtained two biopsies of the forearm muscle, first at the time of fracture repair and then during hardware removal. We supplemented 1000 IU of vitamin D per day during a median interval of 8 months. We examined the changes in VDR expression and CSA by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] increased from 14.3 to 32.1 ng/mL (P = 0.001). The median VDR expression increased from 0.72 to 0.78 (P = 0.002), and the median CSA increased from 1290.0 to 1685.8 µm2 (P = 0.022). Significant increases in VDR expression and CSA were observed in vitamin D-deficient patients [25(OH)D] < 20 ng/mL, but not in vitamin D-non-deficient patients. The changes in VDR expression and CSA were in the same direction in 13 patients, but in the opposite direction in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation may increase muscle VDR expression and CSA in patients with a DRF, especially in vitamin D-deficient patients. The increase in CSA without an increase in VDR expression in some patients indicates that the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle mass could be mediated by indirect effect of serum vitamin D restoration and by VDR.

Early Bactericidal Activity Trial of Nitazoxanide for Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

This study was conducted in treatment-naive adults with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to assess the safety, bactericidal activity, and pharmacokinetics of nitazoxanide (NTZ). This was a prospective phase II clinical trial in 30 adults with pulmonary tuberculosis. Twenty participants received 1 g of NTZ orally twice daily for 14 days. A control group of 10 participants received standard therapy over 14 days. The primary outcome was the change in time to culture positivity (TTP) in an automated liquid culture system. The most common adverse events seen in the NTZ group were gastrointestinal complaints and headache. The mean change in TTP in sputum over 14 days in the NTZ group was 3.2 h ± 22.6 h and was not statistically significant (P = 0.56). The mean change in TTP in the standard therapy group was significantly increased, at 134 h ± 45.2 h (P < 0.0001). The mean NTZ MIC for Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates was 12.3 µg/ml; the mean NTZ maximum concentration (Cmax) in plasma was 10.2 µg/ml. Negligible NTZ levels were measured in sputum. At the doses used, NTZ did not show bactericidal activity against M. tuberculosis Plasma concentrations of NTZ were below the MIC, and its negligible accumulation in pulmonary sites may explain the lack of bactericidal activity. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02684240.).

Study protocol: An investigation of mother-infant signalling during breastfeeding using a randomised trial to test the effectiveness of breastfeeding relaxation therapy on maternal psychological state, breast milk production and infant behaviour and growth.

BACKGROUND: The physiological and psychological signalling between mother and infant during lactation is one of the prominent mother-infant factors that may influence breastfeeding outcomes. The infant can 'signal' his needs through vocalisation, and the mother can respond by allowing or restricting nipple access, which might alter the breast milk composition or volume. This may lead to parent-offspring conflict during the lactation period. Challenging infant behaviour has also been associated with maternal psychological distress, which might affect breastfeeding performance. Most attempts to improve breastfeeding rates focus on providing additional support, yet many aspects of the breastfeeding process are poorly understood. Thus, our objective is to investigate mother-infant signalling during breastfeeding by manipulating maternal psychological state using a relaxation therapy intervention. The study will test the hypothesis that mothers who listen to the therapy will be more relaxed/less stressed and this will favourably alter breast milk composition and/or affect milk volume and hence influence infant outcomes. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in first-time breastfeeding mothers and their new-born infants. Pregnant mothers will be recruited at antenatal clinics in Selangor, Malaysia, and four home visits will be carried out at 2, 6, 12 and 14 weeks postnatally. Participants will be randomised into a control and an intervention group in the early post-partum period. Mothers from the intervention group will be asked to listen daily to an audio recording with relaxation therapy during breastfeeding. Maternal psychological state, breastfeeding practices and infant behaviour will be assessed using validated questionnaires. Milk volume will be measured using stable isotopes. Breast milk samples will be collected to measure macronutrient content and hormone levels. Anthropometric measurements (weight, length and head circumference) will be performed during all home visits, including body composition at week 14. DISCUSSION: The main outcomes will be the effect of the intervention on maternal psychological state, milk production, cortisol levels, and infant behaviour and growth. Secondary outcomes will be associations between breast milk composition and infant appetite and growth. This study aims to provide a greater understanding of maternal-infant factors which influence breastfeeding outcomes and which may be useful targets for future interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01971216.

Malva verticillata seed extracts upregulate the Wnt pathway in human dermal papilla cells.

OBJECTIVE: Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions are important in controlling hair growth and the hair cycle. The ß-catenin pathway of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) plays a pivotal role in morphogenesis and normal regeneration of hair follicles. Deletion of ß-catenin in the dermal papilla reduces proliferation of the hair follicle progenitor cells that generate the hair shaft and induces an early onset of the catagen phase. In this study, a modulator of the Wnt/ß-catenin activity was studied in oriental herb extracts on cultured human DPCs. METHODS: The effect of Malva verticillata (M. verticillata) seeds on human DPCs was investigated by a Wnt/ß-catenin reporter activity assay system (ß-catenin-TCF/LEF reporter gene) and cell proliferation analysis. The synthesis of the factors related to hair growth and cycling was measured at both the mRNA and the protein level by semi-quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: An extract from M. verticillata seeds increased Wnt reporter activity in a concentration-dependent manner and also led to increased ß-catenin levels in cultured human DPCs. Myristoleic acid, identified as an effective compound of M. verticillata seeds, stimulated the proliferation of DPCs in a dose-dependent manner and increased transcription levels of the downstream targets: IGF-1, KGF, VEGF and HGF. Myristoleic acid also enhanced the phosphorylation of MAPKs (Akt and p38). CONCLUSION: Overall, the data suggest that this extract of M. verticillata seeds could be a good candidate for treating hair loss by modulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in DPCs.

Venous flow dynamics during spinal block in normotensive and hypertensive elderly patients: a duplex ultrasonographic study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal block induces hyperkinetic change in lower extremity blood flow. We compared the venous flow dynamic responses to spinal block in normotensive and hypertensive elderly patients. METHODS: Following spinal block using 10 mg 0.5% (w/v) bupivacaine, we measured changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and venous flow dynamics of the popliteal vein by duplex ultrasonography in 20 normotensive (NBP group) and 18 hypertensive (HIBP group) patients. RESULTS: Spinal block caused significant decreases in blood pressure in both groups; similar rates of hypotension were observed. At baseline, peak velocity, time-averaged maximum velocity, and time-averaged mean velocity were higher in the HIBP than in the NBP group. During spinal block, peak velocity increased in both groups, and the between-group differences were no longer significant. At baseline, volume flow in the two groups was similar and increased by 141.5% in the NBP and 131.7% in the HIBP group during spinal block. CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure and flow dynamics in the popliteal vein showed similar changes during spinal anaesthesia in elderly patients taking antihypertensive medication and normotensive patients, despite differences in baseline values.

Yin Yang 1 positively regulates BRCA1 and inhibits mammary cancer formation.

Expression of the breast cancer-associated gene 1 (BRCA1) in sporadic breast cancers is usually reduced, yet the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. To identify factors that are responsible for reduced BRCA1 expression, we screened 92 known transcription factors for their ability to regulate expression of BRCA1. Among several potential regulators, the Gli-Krueppel-related transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) showed the most dramatic transactivation of the BRCA1 promoter. YY1 binds to the promoter of BRCA1, and its overexpression resulted in increased expression of BRCA1 and a number of BRCA1 downstream genes. We further showed that overexpression of YY1 in cancer cells inhibited cell proliferation, foci formation and tumor growth in nude mice. To assess the clinical relevance between YY1 and BRCA1, we studied expression of YY1 and BRCA1 from human breast cancer samples and tissue arrays, and detected a significant positive correlation between the level of YY1 and BRCA1 expression in these cancers. Taken together, these findings suggest that YY1 is a key regulator of BRCA1 expression and may be causally linked to the molecular etiology of human breast cancer.

Two cases of factitial panniculitis induced by electroacupuncture.

Factitial panniculitis can be produced by mechanical, physical, or chemical means. It often causes an unusual clinical and histological feature that defies diagnosis until self-inoculation or mechanical trauma is suspected and proved. Acupuncture has been used in East Asia for centuries as a method of treatment for various conditions, especially for pain relief, and is known to be a relatively safe system. The needles are often manipulated by hand once they are placed at the acupuncture points. Electroacupuncture, the application of pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation, and produces continuous and stronger stimulation; however, although this may provide more effective treatment, it may also provoke more mechanical trauma. We report two cases of factitial panniculitis in two young women, who presented with multiple subcutaneous nodules along the electroacupuncture sites.

Study of an alpha track analysis and a fission track analysis for determining the hot particles contaminated with Pu and U isotopes.

A fission track analysis and alpha track analysis were developed to detect fissile particles such as uranium and plutonium isotopes as well as to identify particle-bound plutonium in contaminated soil or sediment. To record a reference point, a locator SEM grid electroplated with boron was used to obtain a recorded grid image on the Lexan or CR-39 detector. With the fission track technique, the track images of the grid coated with boron and the fissile nuclides on the CR-39 detector were clearly recorded so that the location of the fissile particles could be easily identified in the radio-contaminated soil matrix. With the alpha track technique, many of the hot particles in the BOMARC soil turned out to be contaminated with plutonium isotopes rather than uranium isotopes.

Anticariogenic activity of macelignan isolated from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) against Streptococcus mutans.

The occurrence of dental caries is mainly associated with oral pathogens, especially cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. Preliminary antibacterial screening revealed that the extract of Myristica fragrans, widely cultivated for the spice and flavor of foods, possessed strong inhibitory activity against S. mutans. The anticariogenic compound was successfully isolated from the methanol extract of M. fragrans by repeated silica gel chromatography, and its structure was identified as macelignan by instrumental analysis using 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and EI-MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of macelignan against S. mutans was 3.9 microg/ml, which was much lower than those of other natural anticariogenic agents such as 15.6 microg/ml of sanguinarine, 250 microg/ml of eucalyptol, 500 microg/ml of menthol and thymol, and 1000 microg/ml of methyl salicylate. Macelignan also possessed preferential activity against other oral microorganisms such as Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei in the MIC range of 2-31.3 microg/ml. In particular, the bactericidal test showed that macelignan, at a concentration of 20 microg/ml, completely inactivated S. mutans in 1 min. The specific activity and fast-effectiveness of macelignan against oral bacteria strongly suggest that it could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent in functional foods or oral care products.

Mesenchymal progenitor cells in the human umbilical cord.

Mesenchymal progenitor or stem cells (MPCs) isolated from fetal blood, liver, and bone marrow are a population of multipotential cells that can proliferate and differentiate into multiple mesodermal tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, ligament, tendon, fat, and stroma. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize MPCs in the human umbilical cord. The suspensions of endothelial and subendothelial cells in cord vein were collected and cultured in M199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Of 50 umbilical cord samples, 3 had numerous fibroblastoid cells morphologically distinguishable from endothelial cells. Fibroblastic cells displayed lack of expression of vWF, Flk-1, and PECAM-1, indicating the endothelial cell-specific marker. To investigate the differentiation potentials, the cells were cultured in adipogenic or osteogenic medium for 2 weeks. Fibroblast-like cells treated with adipogenic supplementation showed Oil red O-positive staining and expressed adipsin, FABP4, LPL, and PPARgamma2 genes by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In osteogenic differentiation, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium accumulation were detected. RT-PCR studies determined that Cx43, osteopontin, and Runx2 genes were expressed in the osteogenic cultures. Among three cell lines cultured continuously for passage 10, two had normal karyotypes; however, one retained a karyotype of mos 46,XY[19]/47,XY,+mar[3]. These observations suggest that MPCs are present in human umbilical cord and possess several typical traits of MPCs.

Effect and putative mechanism of action of ginseng on the formation of glycated hemoglobin in vitro.

As a non-enzymatic, covalent binding between glucose and protein, glycation is a well-known cause of various forms of diabetic complications. This study was undertaken to determine the effect and mechanism of action of ginseng on the formation of glycated protein. A solution containing hemoglobin and glucose was incubated for 5 days by adding ginseng extract or glutathione. The quantitative measurement of glycated hemoglobin was determined using the ion capture component set. The anti-oxidative effect of ginseng and quercetin was determined through the TBA method. The amount of glycated hemoglobin (%GHb) significantly increased with the addition of glucose (27.8 mM) compared to the non-addition group. Nonetheless, this significantly decreased when ginseng extract (2 g/dl) was added and further dropped when glutathione (50 mM) was added. The amount of hemoglobin A1c (%HbA1c), a sub-fraction of glycated hemoglobin, was lower than that of glycated hemoglobin, but it showed a similar tendency. Compared to a non-addition group, the optical density of the organic layer that was separated through the addition of chloroform in oxidized linoleic acid significantly and dose-dependently decreased when ginseng extract or quercetin was added. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of ginseng on the formation of glycated hemoglobin could be attributed to the anti-oxidative activity of ginseng.

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) by Chinese herbal medicines.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of biogenic amines accompaned by the release of H2O2. Two subtypes, MAO-A and MAO-B, exist on the basis of their specificities to substrates and inhibitors. The regulation of MAO-B activity is important in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Twenty-seven species of plants used in traditional Chinese medicines, selected from an enthnobotanical survey, were used in an investigation of their inhibitory effect on MAO-B in rat brain homogenates. The 50% aqueous methanol extracts of four active extracts, Arisaema amurense, Lilium brownii var. colchesteri, Lycium chinense, and Uncaria rhynchophylla, exhibited the best activity and selectivity towards MAO-B with IC50 values of 0.44, 0.29, 0.40, and 0.03 mg/ml, respectively. A kinetic study of MAO-B inhibition by the four extracts using the Lineweaver-Burk plot for each active extract revealed the IC50 concentrations, and results show that: Ki = 0.59 mg/ml for A. amurense for the mixed-type mode, Ki = 0.58 mg/ml for L. brownii var. colchesteri for the mixed-type mode, Ki = 5.01 mg/ml for L. chinense for the uncompetitive mode, and Ki = 0.02 mg/ml for U. rhynchophylla for the uncompetitive mode. These may therefore be candidates for use in delaying the progressive degeneration caused by neurological diseases.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: We report the results of postoperative chemoradiotherapy after curative resection in gastric cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with gastric cancer staged IB to IV(M0) were treated with chemoradiotherapy after curative resection with extensive (D2) lymph node dissection. Nodal metastases were observed in 261 (90%) patients. The chemotherapy consisted of fluorouracil 400 mg/m(2) plus leucovorin 20 mg/m(2) for 5 days, followed by 4500 cGy of radiotherapy for 5 weeks with fluorouracil and leucovorin on the first 4 days and the last 3 days of radiotherapy. Two 5-day cycles of chemotherapy were given 4 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of 290 patients accrued, 229 (79%) patients completed chemoradiotherapy as planned. With a median follow-up of 49 months, 114 (34%) patients have relapsed: 33 (29%) locoregional relapses, 76 (67%) peritoneal relapses and 41 (36%) distant metastases. The 5-year overall and relapse-free survivals were 60% and 57%, respectively. Tolerance was acceptable, the main toxicity being neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: This postoperative chemoradiotherapy after curative resection of gastric cancer was feasible, with acceptable toxicities. Whether this adjuvant therapy in gastric cancer patients that have undergone a D2 lymph node dissection impacts on survival or reduces the incidence of relapses remains to be studied.

Free radical-scavenging activity of Taiwanese native plants.

The 70% aqueous acetone extracts of ten Taiwanese native plants were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (.OH) radicals, and reducing power assay. In the present study, extracts of Acer buerferianum var. formosanum, Cleyera japonica var. morii, Cyclobalanopsis stenophylla var. stenophylloides, and Machilus zuihoensis exhibited stronger activity against DPPH radicals, and their IC50 values ranged from 5.4 to 8.3 microg/ml. The ten selected extracts effectively inhibited the formation of .OH generated in the Fenton reaction system. Among the extracts whose reducing power activities were determined, A. buerferianum var. formosanum, C. japonica var. morii, C. stenophylla var. stenophylloides, Eriobotrya deflex, and M. zuihoensis showed high activity. The results indicate the 70% aqueous acetone extracts of A. buerferianum var. formosanum, C. japonica var. morii, C. stenophylla var. stenophylloides, and M. zuihoensis with great potency in these assay systems and may be candidates for the development of natural antioxidants.

Statistical evaluation of geochemical parameter distribution in a ground water system contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.

A shallow-depth ground water area was investigated to identify the dominant processes governing the distribution of hydrocarbon contaminants and hydrogeochemical parameters. The ground water in the study site has been highly contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. A preliminary pump-and-treatment remediation technology was applied for 4 yr at the site. Multivariate analyses were applied to hydrogeochemical data obtained before and after the rainy season. The pump-and-treatment application, indigenous biodegradation, and mixing by precipitation recharge are the major factors or events involved in the distribution of geochemical parameters of the ground water in the study area. Site-specific artificial pavement also played an important role in the evolution of the ground water chemistry. A conventional graphical analysis method (Piper plot) of major ions did not effectively reveal these effects. In this study, we demonstrate the usefulness of multivariate analysis (factor and cluster analyses) using biodegradation indicator parameters, as well as major cations and anions, for the study of the ground water system in the hydrocarbon-contaminated site.

Concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the groundwater of the Okchun Belt in Korea.

Groundwater samples obtained from the Okchun Belt in Korea were separated into particulate and filtered fraction using a 0.45 microm membrane filter and concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the fractions were determined by chemical separation and alpha-spectrometric measurements. Most of the uranium isotopes in the groundwater were found in the filtered water. Only less than 1% of the total uranium was detected in the particulate fraction. The concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the groundwater measured in this study were variable, depending upon sampling site. Owing to a rapid material exchange between the subterranean hot waters and the rock strata, the concentrations of 238U in the groundwater in the hot spring area were found to be about four times higher than those elsewhere. Because of the alpha-particle recoil effect, the activity ratios of 234U/238U in the groundwater taken at "cold" spring sites were variable within the range 1.20 to 3.58, depending on the residence time of the groundwater. In the hot spring area, the activity ratios of 234U/238U were close to the equilibrium value (1.10 +/- 0.07) due to rapid erosion of the rock strata by the hot spring water.

Optical mapping of ventricular defibrillation in isolated swine right ventricles: demonstration of a postshock isoelectric window after near-threshold defibrillation shocks.

BACKGROUND: Investigators who studied ventricular defibrillation by use of optical mapping techniques failed to observe an initial defibrillation event (isoelectric window or quiescent period) shown by electrode mapping studies. This discrepancy has important implications for the mechanisms of defibrillation. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate an optical equivalent of an isoelectric window after a near-threshold defibrillation shock. Methods and Results-- We studied 10 isolated, perfused swine right ventricles. Upper limit of vulnerability was determined by shocks on T waves. A 50% probability of successful defibrillation (DFT50) was determined with an up-down algorithm. Immediately after unsuccessful defibrillation shock, new wavefronts were generated. When the shock strength was low, immediate reinitiation of reentry and ventricular fibrillation might occur without a postshock isoelectric window. However, if the shock strength was within 50 V of DFT50 (near-threshold), a synchronized activation occurred, followed by organized repolarization that ended 64+/-18 ms after shock. After a period of quiescence (18+/-24 ms), activation recurred 83+/-33 ms after shock and reinitiated ventricular fibrillation. Similar patterns of activation, including a quiescent period, were observed after shock was applied on the T wave of the paced beat that induced ventricular fibrillation. Upper limit of vulnerability correlated well with DFT50. CONCLUSIONS: In isolated swine right ventricles, an optical equivalent of an isoelectric window exists after near-threshold defibrillation shocks. These findings support the idea that a near-threshold defibrillation shock terminates all activation wavefronts but fails to halt ventricular fibrillation because the same shock reinitiates ventricular fibrillation after an isoelectric window.

Factors affecting the distribution of hydrocarbon contaminants and hydrogeochemical parameters in a shallow sand aquifer.

The distributions of hydrocarbon contaminants and hydrogeochemical parameters were investigated in a shallow sand aquifer highly contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons leaked from solvent storage tanks. For these purposes, a variety of field investigations and studies were performed, which included installation of over 100 groundwater monitoring wells and piezometers at various depths, soil logging and analyses during well and piezometer installation, chemical analysis of groundwater, pump tests, and slug tests. Continuous water level monitoring at three selected wells using automatic data-logger and manual measuring at other wells were also conducted. Based on analyses of the various investigations and tests, a number of factors were identified to explain the distribution of the hydrocarbon contaminants and hydrogeochemical parameters. These factors include indigenous biodegradation, hydrostratigraphy, preliminary pump-and-treat remedy, recharge by rainfall, and subsequent water level fluctuation. The permeable sandy layer, in which the mean water table elevation is maintained, provided a dominant pathway for contaminant transport. The preliminary pump-and-treat action accelerated the movement of the hydrocarbon contaminants and affected the redox evolution pattern. Seasonal recharge by rain, together with indigenous biodegradation, played an important role in the natural attenuation of the petroleum hydrocarbons via mixing/dilution and biodegradation. The water level fluctuations redistributed the hydrocarbon contaminants by partitioning them into the soil and groundwater. The identified factors are not independent but closely inter-correlated.

Differences in sensitization rates to outdoor aeroallergens, especially citrus red mite (Panonychus citri), between urban and rural children.

BACKGROUND: A recent investigation has suggested that citrus red mite (Panonychus citri, CRM) is the most important allergen in citrus-cultivating farmers with asthma and allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional survey was performed to evaluate the prevalence of asthma and chronic rhinitis symptoms and sensitization to common indoor and outdoor aeroallergens, including CRM and Japanese cedar pollen, in rural and urban Korean children. METHODS: A total of 2,055 children (1,055 subjects living in rural areas with citrus farms and 1,000 controls in urban areas without citrus farms) were enrolled. They were evaluated by a questionnaire, and by skin prick tests with 13 common indoor and outdoor aeroallergens, including CRM and Japanese cedar pollen. RESULTS: The prevalence of wheezing and chronic rhinitis symptoms during the last 12 months was 8.3% and 35.7% in the rural children and 10.5% and 22.4% in the control group. The most common sensitizing allergens in order of decreasing frequency were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (26.6%), Dermatoplagoides farinae (22.7%), CRM (14.2%), cockroach (11.3%), and Japanese cedar pollen (9.7%) among the rural children, but the sensitization rates to CRM and Japanese cedar pollen were 1.3% and 0.2% among the control children, respectively. The prevalence of wheeze during the last 12 months was not different between rural children with sensitization to CRM or Japanese cedar pollen and those without sensitization (5.4% vs 6.1%; 6.9% vs 5.9%). However, the prevalence of chronic rhinitis during the last 12 months was higher among those with sensitization to CRM or to Japanese cedar pollen than among those without sensitization (40.8% vs 34.4%; 51.5% vs 33.5%). CONCLUSIONS: CRM is a common sensitizing allergen in rural children, and the sensitization rates to outdoor aeroallergens, especially CRM and Japanese cedar pollen, are very different between children from rural and urban areas in Korea.