Associations of particulate matter with atopic dermatitis and chronic inflammatory skin diseases in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in air, which originates from industrial plants or vehicle emissions. Although the skin is the primary body area of contact with air pollutants, the associations between PM and chronic inflammatory skin diseases has not been well established. AIM: To investigate associations between PM and atopic dermatitis (AD) and between PM and other chronic inflammatory dermatoses, using data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. METHODS: Monthly disease statistics from the seven largest cities in South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan) and from Jeju Island (in total, a population of 23 288 000 for all eight areas) were included. Based on daily air pollution level and weather forecast from 2015 to 2019, multivariate negative binomial regression analysis was conducted to estimate monthly visits of AD with respect to outdoor air pollutants: coarse PM with a diameter of ≤ 10 µm (PM10) and fine PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) ozone (O3 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO2 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). RESULTS: Increases in the levels of PM2.5, PM10, SO2 and CO were associated with significant increases in monthly patient visits for AD. Every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10 resulted in patient visit increases of 2.71% (95% CI 0.76-4.71; P < 0.01) and 2.01% (95% CI 0.92-3.11, P < 0.001), respectively, while every 1 part per billion (ppb) increase in SO2 and every 100 ppb increase in CO resulted in visit increases of 2.26% (95% CI 1.35-3.17; P < 0.001) and 2.86% (95% CI 1.35-4.40; P < 0.001), respectively. O3 and NO2 were not associated with increased patient visits for AD. Increases in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were also significantly associated with increases in patient visits for psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and rosacea. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that PM is associated with AD and other chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Association between time to treatment and functional outcomes according to the Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score in endovascular stroke therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The rate at which the chance of a good outcome of endovascular stroke therapy (EVT) decays with time when eligible patients are selected by baseline diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) and whether ischaemic core size affects this rate remain to be investigated. METHODS: This study analyses a prospective multicentre registry of stroke patients treated with EVT based on pretreatment DWI-MRI that was categorized into three groups: small [Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (DWI-ASPECTS)] (8-10), moderate (5-7) and large (<5) cores. The main outcome was a good outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale 0-2). The interaction between onset-to-groin puncture time (OTP) and DWI-ASPECTS categories regarding functional outcomes was investigated. RESULTS: Ultimately, 985 patients (age 69 ± 11 years; male 55%) were analysed. Potential interaction effects between the DWI-ASPECTS categories and OTP on a good outcome at 90 days were observed (Pinteraction  = 0.06). Every 60-min delay in OTP was associated with a 16% reduced likelihood of a good outcome at 90 days amongst patients with large cores, although no associations were observed amongst patients with small to moderate cores. Interestingly, the adjusted rates of a good outcome at 90 days steeply declined between 65 and 213 min of OTP and then remained smooth throughout 24 h of OTP (Pnonlinearity  = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the probability of a good outcome after EVT nonlinearly decreased, with a steeper decline at earlier OTP than at later OTP. Discrepant effects of OTP on functional outcomes by baseline DWI-ASPECTS categories were observed. Thus, different strategies for EVT based on time and ischaemic core size are warranted.

The cutoff value of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) for early diagnosis of myelopathy using somatosensory evoked potential in cervical OPLL patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to find out whether ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) characteristics, including size, shape and subtype, can be used to diagnose myelopathy using somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in cervical OPLL patients. SETTING: Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 153 cervical OPLL patients who underwent SEP study. OPLL anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, area and involved longitudinal vertebral level were measured. OPLL was classified into subtypes according to longitudinal continuity and shape. Correlation analysis and receiver operating curve were used. RESULTS: Tibial SEP latency was significantly correlated with OPLL AP diameter (P=0.001), diameter occupying ratio (P=0.019), area (P=0.007), area occupying ratio (P=0.008), involved longitudinal vertebral level (P=0.028) and space available for the spinal cord (P=0.019). The cutoff values that were diagnostic for SEP prolongation suggesting myelopathy were 4.91 mm for OPLL AP diameter, 6.02 mm for space available for the spinal cord, 44.5% for diameter occupying ratio, 63.4 mm2 for area, 36.1% for area occupying ratio and level 2 for the involved longitudinal vertebral level. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that tibial SEP latency was significantly correlated with OPLL size and suggested cutoff values of OPLL diameter (4.91 mm, 44.5%) and area (63.4 mm2, 36.1%) for early diagnosis of myelopathy. These results can help to establish treatment plans.

Enhanced bactericidal action of acidified sodium chlorite caused by the saturation of reactants.

AIMS: Factors affecting the antibacterial action of acidified sodium chlorite (ASC), a widely used disinfectant, have not been determined. This study investigated the significant factors suggesting efficient production method to maximize bactericidal action of ASC. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of (i) preparation procedures (total three methods); (ii) initial concentrations of reactants: sodium chlorite (SC) and citric acid (CTA) (up to maximum solubility of each reactant) and (iii) final pH values (3·0 and 2·5) to the bactericidal action of ASC were investigated with a fixed final concentration of SC (10 ppm) using various foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus). The antimicrobial compounds produced and the bactericidal effects depended on the preparation procedure and the initial concentrations of the reactants. The ASC prepared by premixing highly concentrated reactants (in particular > 40%) followed by dilution (dilution after reaction, DAR) was more effective in inactivating foodborne pathogens, and it produced higher antimicrobial compound (Cl(2) and ClO(2)) yields than the other procedures. A 5-min treatment with ASC, produced using the other procedures, resulted in a reduction of < 3·5 log CFU ml(-1) (Gram positive = 0·18-0·78; Gram negative = 0·03-3·49 log CFU ml(-1)), whereas ASC produced with the DAR procedure using the saturated reactants completely inactivated all of the test pathogens within 5 min without recovery (initial concentration = 6·94-7·08 log CFU ml(-1)). CONCLUSION: The ASC production with the DAR procedure using the saturated reactants maximizes both the antimicrobial compound yields and bactericidal effects of the ASC solutions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study will contribute to increase the efficiency of ASC treatments for disinfections reducing the effective SC concentrations for industrial use.

Raman Staircase in Charge Transfer SERS at the Junction of Fusing Nanospheres.

We present a theoretical analysis of Raman intensities for a molecule that bridges a current carrying junction. Experimental data is used to estimate parameters for the theoretical model. The recently reported staircase of Raman intensities observed during the fusion of nanodumbbell is reproduced.

Assessment of post-stroke extrapersonal neglect using a three-dimensional immersive virtual street crossing program.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential of our newly developed three-dimensional immersive virtual reality (VR) program modeled on a real street crossing as an assessment tool for extrapersonal neglect in stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with right-hemispheric stroke (neglect group, 16; non-neglect group, 16) were enrolled. The deviation angle, reaction time, left-to-right reaction time ratio, visual and auditory cue rates, and failure rate were evaluated during missions to keep a virtual avatar safe from a traffic accident in the VR program. The line bisection test and letter cancellation test were also evaluated. RESULTS: The deviation angle, left-to-right reaction time ratio, left visual and auditory cue rates and left failure rate in the VR program showed significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). Depending on the direction of approach of the virtual car, the left parameters were significantly higher than the right parameters in the neglect group (P < 0.05). In the neglect group, the line bisection test correlated significantly with the deviation angle (P < 0.05). None of the other virtual reality parameters significantly correlated with the paper and pencil tests. CONCLUSION: Post-stroke neglect in the extrapersonal space can be easily and safely detected and measured using our three-dimensional immersive virtual street crossing program.

Terahertz transmission properties of an individual slit in a thin metallic plate.

We report on the terahertz transmission properties through a single slit in a thin metallic film. The properties are studied by comparing the transmissions of TE- and TM-polarized electromagnetic waves over a broad spectral range from the geometrical regime to the subwavelength limit. In the geometrical regime, the remarkable terahertz transmission due to guided modes is observed even without the contribution of surface waves. Whereas in the subwavelength limit, the surface charge oscillations associated with the TM-polarized guided mode give rise to strong transmission enhancement. The nature of the mechanisms for the terahertz transmission is elucidated using theoretical simulations of the near-field distributions and electromagnetic energy flow.

Complementary limiting factors of astaxanthin synthesis during photoautotrophic induction of Haematococcus pluvialis: C/N ratio and light intensity.

We investigated the effect of carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio on astaxanthin synthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis during photoautotrophic induction by continuous input of both CO(2)-air mixture and intense light. When H. pluvialis was induced by constant irradiance induction at 200 micromol photon m(-2) s(-1), there was a positive correlation with astaxanthin content and C/N ratio, which was similar to the case for heterotrophic induction. Lower C/N ratios did not retard Haematococcus encystment, but did increase culture biomass, resulting in a decrease in astaxanthin production because of light limitation. However, induction using variable irradiance showed that reduction of astaxanthin production at low C/N ratios was successfully overcome by simply increasing the light intensity from 200 to 300 micromol photon m(-2) s(-1) to overcome the light limitation. This resulted in a greatly enhanced astaxanthin synthesis in proportion to cell density in cultures with low C/N ratios. Our results indicate that light intensity is more critical than C/N ratio in astaxanthin production by H. pluvialis during photoautotrophic induction.

Pioglitazone, a synthetic ligand for PPARgamma, induces apoptosis in RB-deficient human colorectal cancer cells.

No published data are available about the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and the role of PPARgamma in retinoblastoma protein (RB)-deficient human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (SNU-C4 and SNU-C2A). Our aim was to investigate whether PPARgamma is expressed in SNU-C4 and SNU-C2A cells and to elucidate possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of pioglitazone, a synthetic ligand for PPARgamma, on cell growth in these cell lines. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that both human CRC cell lines expressed PPARgamma mRNA and protein. Pioglitazone inhibited the cell growth of both cell lines through G2/M phase block and apoptosis. In addition, pioglitazone caused a down-regulation of the X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), Bcl-2, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) under conditions leading to PPARgamma down-regulation. These results suggest that pioglitazone may have therapeutic relevance or significance in the treatment of human CRC, and the down-regulation of XIAP, Bcl-2, and COX-2 may contribute to pioglitazone-induced apoptosis in these and other RB-deficient cell lines and tumors.

Characterization and high-resolution mapping of a late blight resistance locus similar to R2 in potato.

Identification of resistance (R) genes to Phytophthora infestans is an essential step in molecular breeding of potato. We identified three specific R genes segregating in a diploid mapping population. One of the R genes is located on chromosome 4 and proved phenotypically indistinguishable from the Solanum demissum-derived R2, although S. demissum is not directly involved in the pedigree of the population. By bulked segregant analysis combined with a resistance assay, a genetic linkage map of the R2-like locus was constructed with 30 coupling and 23 repulsion phase AFLP markers. Two markers flanking the R2-like locus were applied to screen an extended population of 1,586 offspring. About 103 recombinants were selected, and an accurate high-resolution map was constructed. The R2-like resistance was localized in a 0.4 cM interval and was found co-segregating with four AFLP markers, which can be used to isolate the R2-like gene by map-based gene cloning. By analyzing race-specificity and R gene-specific molecular markers, we also found that an R1-like gene and an additional unknown R gene are segregating in the population.

Cytokine production and modulation: comparison of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and normal controls.

We studied cytokine production in 15 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 23 controls. CFS patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin. Enzymatic immunoassay indicated cytokine concentration in culture supernatants. CFS patients showed significantly lower mRNA levels and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) production. Cytokine dysregulation affects CFS pathogenesis. TGF-beta1 may aid treatment because it affects CFS inflammatory characteristics.

An easily integrative and efficient micromixer and its application to the spectroscopic detection of glucose-catalyst reactions.

The focus of this paper is on the fabrication of a PDMS-based passive efficient micromixer to be easily integrated into the other on-chip microfluidic system. The mixing is achieved by "strong stretching and folding," which employs a three-dimensional microchannel structure. By the simultaneously vertical and transversal dispersion of fluids, strong advection is developed. Owing to this powerful mixing performance (more than 70% of the mixing is accomplished within 2.3 mm over a wide range of Reynold number (Re)), the smaller integrative mixer can be realized. The feasibility and the potential usefulness of an integrative micromixer were evaluated by incorporating two mixers into the microchannel for the spectroscopic detection of a glucose-catalyst reaction. The results demonstrate a promising performance for diverse applications in the assay or synthesis of biological or chemical materials.

Comparison of heterotrophic and photoautotrophic induction on astaxanthin production by Haematococcus pluvialis.

During light induction for astaxanthin formation in Haematococcus pluvialis, we substituted photoautotrophic induction for heterotrophic induction using acetate, both to prevent contamination by heterotrophs due to addition of organic carbon and to enhance carbon assimilation in the induced cells. Strong photoautotrophic induction was performed by N-deprivation of photoautotrophically grown Haematococcus cells followed by supplementation with bicarbonate (HCO(3)(-)) or CO(2). Bicarbonate-induced cells contained more astaxanthin than acetate-induced cells, and even further enhancement of astaxanthin accumulation was achieved by continuous CO(2) supply. The maximum astaxanthin content (77.2 mg g(-1) biomass, 3.4-fold higher than with heterotrophic induction) was obtained under conditions of 5% CO(2), yielding astaxanthin concentration and productivity of 175.7 mg l(-1) and 6.25 mg l(-1) day(-1), respectively. The results indicate that photoautotrophic induction is more effective than heterotrophic induction for astaxanthin synthesis in H. pluvialis.

Incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b and other invasive diseases in South Korean children.

To determine incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in a defined population of Jeonbuk Province, Korea, children <5 years were evaluated in prospective, population-based surveillance of invasive bacterial diseases using standardized methods for patient referral, clinical evaluation and laboratory testing (optimized culture, latex agglutination, polymerase chain reaction). Vaccine utilization was assessed with vaccination histories of patients in surveillance, monthly data on Hib vaccine distribution and a coverage survey of clinic patients in study population. From September 1999 to December 2001, 2176 children were evaluated for possible meningitis, 1541 had no cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings of meningitis, 605 had CSF abnormalities (suspected bacterial meningitis) but no pathogen identified; six patients had probable Hib meningitis and eight had confirmed Hib meningitis. The annual suspected bacterial meningitis incidence was 258.4/100,000 <5 years and the probable/confirmed Hib meningitis incidence was 6.0/100,000 <5 years. Pneumococcal meningitis incidence was 2.1/100,000 <5 years and Group B streptococcal meningitis incidence was 0.17/1000 live births. A total of 69,589 Hib vaccine doses were distributed during the study. Hib vaccine coverage was negligible initially but increased to 16% (complete Hib immunization) and 27% (partial immunization) in final months of study. Suspected bacterial meningitis incidence was high but proven invasive Hib meningitis incidence was low. Hib was leading cause of bacterial meningitis yet bacterial pathogens were identified in only 4% of abnormal CSF. These findings may reflect truly low incidence, presumptive antibiotic treatment, partial Hib immunization, or incomplete clinical evaluations. Given the apparent Hib meningitis burden in Jeonbuk Province, additional studies to describe other invasive Hib syndromes, Hib-associated mortality and disability, and economic impact of Hib disease will be useful to guide public health decisions regarding routine Hib vaccine introduction.

Isolation and characterization of an apoptosis-inhibiting component from the hemolymph of Bombyx mori.

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) hemolymph showed an apoptosis-inhibiting activity in insect cells (Sf 9) infected with baculovirus (AcNPV). The addition of silkworm hemolymph into the culture medium increased the host cell longevity due to its apoptosis-inhibition activity. Components with an apoptosis-inhibiting effect were purified from the silkworm hemolymph by heat treatment, gel-filtration chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. The component with highest activity was characterized by periodic acid-Schiff staining, isoelectric focusing, MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry, and N-terminal sequencing and was found to be a nonglycosylated monomeric protein with a molecular weight of ca. 28,000 Da.

Swimming characteristics of magnetic bacterium, Magnetospirillum sp. AMB-1, and implications as toxicity measurement.

To develop a novel toxicity measurement system using the persistent swimming property of magnetic bacteria along an externally applied magnetic field, certain characteristics of Magnetospirillum sp. AMB-1 cells were examined, including their growth pattern, motility, magnetosensitivity, swimming speed, and cell length distribution. In addition, the effect of toxic compounds on the swimming speed was assessed relative to application as a toxicity sensor. With an inoculum of 1.0 x 10(8) cells/mL, the cells reached the stationary phase with a concentration of about 5 x 10(8) cells/mL after 20 h, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The distribution of the cell length did not vary significantly during the growth period, and both aerobically and anaerobically growing cells showed a similar cell length distribution. Although the cells showed similar growth patterns under both conditions, the anaerobically grown cells exhibited higher motility and magnetosensitivity. Actively growing cells under anaerobic conditions had an average swimming speed of 49 microm/s with a standard deviation of 20 microm/s. When the anaerobically growing cells were exposed to various concentrations of toxic compounds, such as 1-propanol and acetone, the swimming speed decreased with an increased concentration of the toxic compound. Accordingly, the relationship between swimming speed and toxicity can be used as an effective quantitative toxicity measurement; furthermore, the relative sensitivity of the proposed system was comparable to Microtox, which is commercially available.

Recurrent self-limited fungemia caused by Yarrowia lipolytica in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia.

Yarrowia lipolytica is a weakly pathogenic yeast that is rarely isolated from the blood. We observed transient recurrent catheter-related fungemia attributable to this organism in a leukemic patient. The fungemia and accompanying fever subsided spontaneously. The data suggest that it might be possible to withhold specific treatment for Y. lipolytica fungemia even in an immunocompromised patient.

Silkworm hemolymph inhibits baculovirus-induced insect cell apoptosis.

The effect of silkworm hemolymph on baculovirus-induced insect cell apoptosis was investigated. The addition of silkworm hemolymph into the culture medium either before or during the baculovirus infection increased the host cell longevity; however, its addition after the infection was less effective. This can be explained by the higher transfer rate of silkworm hemolymph which is caused by endocytosis during the virus internalization step. The delayed cell death due to silkworm hemolymph was not caused by an inhibition of the virus attachment and internalization steps. The apoptosis was analyzed using DNA fragmentation and TUNEL assays, and the resulting data confirm that silkworm hemolymph inhibits baculovirus-induced insect cell apoptosis.

Differential effects of mu and kappa opioid antagonists on Fos-like immunoreactivity in extended amygdala.

It was previously reported that systemic administration of the nonselective opioid antagonist, naltrexone, induces Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) within the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (lateral-dorsal division; BSTLD), nucleus accumbens shell (NACshell) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of free-feeding rats. These findings suggest that cellular activity in these brain regions is subject to opioid-mediated inhibitory control under basal conditions. Considering the involvement of mesoaccumbens dopamine neurons and components of the 'extended amygdala' in motivated behavior and reward, it was hypothesized that the induction of c-Fos by naltrexone accounts for the motivational-affective consequences of opioid antagonism. In Experiment 1, naltrexone was administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.; 100 microg) to determine whether results obtained in the prior immunohistochemical studies could be attributed to blockade of opioid receptors in brain as opposed to peripheral tissues that convey visceral sensory inputs to the CeA and BSTLD. Naltrexone produced a marked increase in FLI within the CeA and BSTLD, and a moderate increase in NACshell. In Experiment 2, the kappa opioid antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (Nor-BNI; 20.0 microg, i.c.v.) reproduced the effect of naltrexone in BSTLD and CeA, suggesting that the induction of c-Fos in these two structures is a consequence of kappa receptor blockade. The selective mu antagonist, CTAP (2.0 microg, i.c.v.), reproduced the effect of naltrexone in NACshell, suggesting that the induction of c-Fos in this structure is a consequence of mu receptor blockade. The functional implications of these results are discussed in terms of the known functions of these brain regions and opioid receptor types, and the prior observation that chronic food restriction eliminates the FLI induced by naltrexone in CeA and BSTLD. It is suggested that tonic mu opioid-mediated inhibition in NACshell has a predisposing effect on goal-approach behavior in general while kappa opioid-mediated inhibition in CeA and BSTLD has a predisposing effect on palatability-driven feeding in particular. Finally, a possible relationship between food restriction-induced suppression of the kappa opioid mechanism in CeA/BSTLD, local CRH function, and sensitization of the neural substrate for incentive-motivating effects of abused drugs is discussed.