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Lee JY, Choi YH, Choi HI, Moon KW. Association between environmental mercury exposure and allergic disorders in Korean children: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycles 3-4 (2015-2020). Sci Rep 2024; 14:1472. [PMID: 38233475 PMCID: PMC10794242 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51811-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Although previous studies have suggested potential adverse effects of mercury on a child's immune system, the associations have been inconsistent. We aimed to determine the association between urinary mercury levels and allergic diseases in Korean children with high mercury exposure. Data from 853 and 710 children aged 6-11 years in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3 (2015-2017) and cycle 4 (2018-2020) were analyzed. We examined the association between mercury exposure and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and allergic multimorbidity. After adjusting for all covariates, the urinary mercury level was positively associated with AD in the 2015-2017 study (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.79) and AR in 2018-2020 study (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.10). Pooled effects showed OR of 1.34 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.79) for AD and 1.47 (95% CI = 1.01, 2.12) for allergic multimorbidity. The association with allergic multimorbidity was greater in boys (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.49) than in girls (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.73, 2.14). These results suggest that environmental mercury exposure may exacerbate symptoms of atopic dermatitis and allergic multimorbidity in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Youn Lee
- School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University, Anam-ro 145, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University, Anam-ro 145, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Il Choi
- Department of Infection Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Munhwa-ro 266, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 35015, South Korea.
| | - Kyong Whan Moon
- School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University, Anam-ro 145, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
- BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health System, Korea University, Anam-ro 145, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
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Yang DM, Choi HI, Kim HC, Kim SW, Moon SK, Lim JW. Small testes: clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings. Ultrasonography 2020; 40:455-463. [PMID: 33455146 PMCID: PMC8217805 DOI: 10.14366/usg.20133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of patients with small testes due to a wide range of causes. We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of various causes of small testes. We present various causes of small testes on ultrasonography including Klinefelter syndrome, testicular torsion, mumps orchitis, inguinal hernia, cryptorchidism, varicocele, and trauma. On ultrasonography, small testes in patients with testicular torsion, mumps orchitis, and trauma usually showed heterogeneous echogenicity. Atrophic testes were homogeneously hypoechoic in patients with cryptorchidism and inguinal hernia and were isoechoic to the normal testis in patients with varicocele. Klinefelter syndrome patients had small hyperechoic or hypoechoic nodules, but the echogenicity of the remnant portion of the testes was homogeneous. Ultrasonography is helpful for detecting small testes and for the differential diagnosis of the various possible causes of small testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dal Mo Yang
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Cheol Kim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Won Kim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Kyung Moon
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Won Lim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Choi HI, Ryu CW, Kim S, Rhee HY, Jahng GH. Changes in Microvascular Morphology in Subcortical Vascular Dementia: A Study of Vessel Size Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Neurol 2020; 11:545450. [PMID: 33192974 PMCID: PMC7658467 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.545450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cerebral small vessel disease is the most common cause of subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD). Unfortunately, conventional imaging techniques do not always demonstrate the microvascular pathology that is associated with small vessel disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the microvascular structure of SVaD and to identify how the microvascular changes in vessel size, detected with imaging, affect the gray matter. Methods: Ten SVaD patients and 12 healthy controls underwent vessel size imaging with gradient-echo and spin-echo sequences before and after contrast agent injection. Four microvessel index maps, including total blood volume fraction (BVf), mean vessel density (Q), mean vessel diameter (mVD), and vessel size index (VSI) were calculated. ROI value of each microvessel parameter was compared between SVaD patients and controls. Voxel-wise comparison of microvessel parameters was also performed to assess the regional difference. The relationship between the microvessel parameters in white matter and total gray matter volume (TGV) were assessed. Results: Both mVD and VSI were significantly different between the SVaD and controls in the ROI-based comparisons (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05). mVD and VSI were significantly increased in the SVaD group at the subcortical, periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, and thalami compared with the controls (FDR corrected, p < 0.05). VSI in the white matter areas were significantly negatively correlated with TGV (r = −0.446, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The increase of mVD and VSI in SVaD patients reflects the damage of the microvessels in the white matter, and these changes may lead to the damage of the gray matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon-Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang-Woo Ryu
- Department of Radiology, Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea.,College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Songvin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hak Young Rhee
- Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Geon-Ho Jahng
- Department of Radiology, Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea
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Choi HI, Yang DM, Kim HC, Kim SW, Jeong HS, Moon SK, Lim JW. Testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis: ultrasonographic findings. Ultrasonography 2020; 39:266-271. [PMID: 32299198 PMCID: PMC7315290 DOI: 10.14366/usg.19097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic findings of testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the case files of eight patients (14 to 24 years old; mean, 17 years) with mumps orchitis and testicular atrophy who were treated between January 2011 and September 2017. On gray-scale and color Doppler, the ultrasonographic features of volume, shape, echogenicity, and degree of blood flow in the testes were analyzed as part of both initial and follow-up ultrasonography. The duration between the initial diagnosis of mumps orchitis and the ultrasonographic diagnosis of testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis ranged from 25 to 230 days (mean, 95.9 days). RESULTS Of the eight patients with testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis, the testes were affected unilaterally in seven patients (6 right-sided and 1 left-sided) and bilaterally in one patient. The affected testes (n=9) were 23%-55% (mean, 44.7%) smaller in volume (mean, 6.3±2.0 mL) than the contralateral normal testes (n=7) (mean, 10.8±2.3 mL) on follow-up ultrasonography (P=0.001). The shape of the atrophic testes was oblong in seven cases and elliptical in two cases. The atrophic testes were either heterogeneously hypoechoic with multiple hyperechoic islands (n=7) or heterogeneously hyperechoic (n=2). On follow-up color Doppler ultrasonography, the degree of vascularity of the atrophic testis was either similar to (n=3) or lower than (n=6) that of the contralateral testis. CONCLUSION On ultrasonography, atrophic testes after mumps orchitis tended to exhibit an oblong shape, heterogeneous low echogenicity with multiple hyperechoic islands, and decreased vascularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon-Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dal Mo Yang
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Cheol Kim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Won Kim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Seok Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Kyung Moon
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Won Lim
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Choi HI, Choi GI, Kim EK, Choi YJ, Sohn KC, Lee Y, Kim CD, Yoon TJ, Sohn HJ, Han SH, Kim S, Lee JH, Lee YH. Hair greying is associated with active hair growth. Br J Dermatol 2012; 165:1183-9. [PMID: 21916889 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10625.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hair greying is an obvious sign of ageing in humans. White (nonpigmented) hair is thicker than black (pigmented) hair. The growth rate of white hair is also significantly higher than that of black hair. However, the mechanism underlying this is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES To examine the association between hair greying and hair growth patterns by evaluating expression of the genes or proteins related to hair growth in white and black hairs. METHODS Morphological characteristics were observed in eyebrow and scalp hairs. The differential expression of genes was analysed in black and white hairs from human scalp by a microarray analysis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry for genes and proteins related to hair growth were performed in black and white hairs. RESULTS Keratin and keratin-associated protein (KRTAP) genes in white hair were upregulated at least two-fold in comparison with black hair in a microarray analysis. Upregulation of selected keratin genes and KRTAP4 isoform genes in white hair was validated by RT-PCR. Immunoreactivity for KRT6, KRT14/16 and KRT25 was increased in the hair follicle of white hair compared with black hair. Gene expression of fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) was downregulated in white hair compared with black hair. However, gene expression of FGF7 was upregulated in white hair compared with black hair. CONCLUSIONS Expression of genes and proteins associated with active hair growth is upregulated in white (nonpigmented) hair compared with black (pigmented) hair. These results suggest that hair greying is associated with active hair growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Choi
- Department of Anatomy, Chungnam National University, 55, Munhwa-ro, Daejeon 301-747, Korea
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Kim SH, Kim S, Choi HI, Choi YJ, Lee YS, Sohn KC, Lee Y, Kim CD, Yoon TJ, Lee JH, Lee YH. Callus formation is associated with hyperproliferation and incomplete differentiation of keratinocytes, and increased expression of adhesion molecules. Br J Dermatol 2010; 163:495-501. [PMID: 20456341 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09842.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A callus is a local thickening of skin, characterized by accelerated keratinization and a reduced rate of desquamation. However, the mechanism of callus formation is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the expression patterns, in callused skin, of genes that are implicated in keratinization and adhesion/desquamation. METHODS Samples of skin from the dorsum of the foot (DF), centre of the plantar arch (CP) and anterior aspect of the heel (AH) were obtained from fresh cadavers, and protein and gene expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS The stratum corneum in the DF showed a splitting phenotype by conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining, while the stratum corneum was normal in the AH. Cells of the stratum corneum in the AH were nonsquamous. Expression of cornification-related molecules including involucrin, filaggrin, caspase 14 and calcium-sensing receptor was higher in the AH. Similarly, expression of adhesive proteins such as corneodesmosin, desmoglein 1 and desmocollin 1 was increased in the AH. However, protease-activated receptor 2 expression was reduced in the stratum granulosum in the AH. The number of proliferating cells in the stratum basale was significantly increased in the AH, compared with the DF and CP. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that calluses form as a result of hyperproliferation and incomplete differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, and increased expression of adhesion molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, 55 Munhwa-ro, Daejeon 301-747, Korea
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Choi HI, Lim HR, Song YS, Kim MJ, Choi SH, Song YS, Bae SC, Ryu KH. The complete genome sequence of freesia mosaic virus and its relationship to other potyviruses. Arch Virol 2010; 155:1183-5. [PMID: 20401501 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-010-0669-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We have completed the genomic sequence of a potyvirus, freesia mosaic virus (FreMV), and compared it to those of other known potyviruses. The full-length genome sequence of FreMV consists of 9,489 nucleotides. The large protein contains 3,077 amino acids, with an AUG start codon and UAA stop codon, containing one open reading frame typical of a potyvirus polyprotein. The polyprotein of FreMV-Kr gives rise to eleven proteins (P1, HC-pro, P3, PIPO, 6K1, CI, 6K2, VPg, NIa, NIb and CP), and putative cleavage sites of each protein were identified by sequence comparison to those of other known potyviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the polyprotein revealed that FreMV-Kr was most closely related to PeMoV and was related to BtMV, BaRMV and PeLMV, which belong to the BCMV subgroup. This is the first information on the complete genome structure of FreMV, and the sequence information clearly supports the status of FreMV as a member of a distinct species in the genus Potyvirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Choi
- Plant Virus GenBank, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Seoul Women's University, Seoul 139-774, Korea
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Chae HJ, Byun JO, Chae SW, Kim HM, Choi HI, Pae HO, Chung HT, Kim HR. p38 MAPK and NF-κB on IL-6 Release in Human Gingival Fibroblasts. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2008; 27:631-46. [PMID: 16435581 DOI: 10.1080/08923970500418851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) using a proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1beta) was studied in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in relation to p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB transcription factor. When added to HGFs, IL-1beta had a stimulatory effect on the production of IL-6, and this effect was significantly reduced by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, the stimulation of IL-6 release also was reduced by the addition of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or NF-kappaB SN50, which has been reported as potent NF-kappaB inhibitor. Both the NF-kappaB inhibitors in the presence of SB203580 had more inhibitory effect on IL-6 release. IL-13 stimulated NF-kappaB binding affinity as well as p38 MAP kinase activation, leading to the release of IL-6. However, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, had no effect on the NF-kappaB activation, and both the NF-kappaB inhibitors failed to reduce the p38 MAPK activation in the IL-1beta-stimulated HGFs. These results strongly suggest that both p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB are required in IL-1beta-induced IL-6 synthesis and that these two IL-1beta-activated pathways can be primarily dissociated.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Chae
- Department of Pharmacology and Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, South Korea
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Chae HJ, Choi KH, Chae SW, Kim HM, Shin TK, Lee GY, Jeong GS, Park HR, Choi HI, Kim SB, Yoo SK, Kim HR. Placenta hominis protects osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2006; 28:165-73. [PMID: 16684675 DOI: 10.1080/08923970600626197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In China, Japan, and Korea, placenta hominis extracts (PHEs) are used clinically for the treatment of osteoporosis. The anti-osteoporotic effect of PHEs was studied. The trabecular bone area and thickness in OVX rats decreased by 50% from those in sham-operated rats; these decreases were completely inhibited by administration of PHEs for 7 weeks. Osteoclast numbers and the osteoblast surface were enhanced in OVX rats, but PHEs had no effect on these phenomena. Serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in OVX rats increased compared to those in sham-operated rats, but the increases were not affected by the administration of PHEs. Thyroxine (T4) level was stimulated in OVX rats. The extracts inhibited the T4 level in the OVX rats. These results strongly suggest that PHEs be effective in preventing the development of bone loss induced by OVX in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology and Wonkwang Biomaterial Implant Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Iksan, Chonbuk, South Korea
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ahn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Taejon 305-701, Korea
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Abstract
A novel extracellular pullulanase (PUL-E, pullulan 6-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.41) has been purified from the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. S-1. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of about 140 kDa on denaturated and natural conditions. The pI was 5.5. The pullulanase, when resolved by SDS-PAGE, was negative for Schiff staining, suggesting that the enzyme is not a glycoprotein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was Phe-Leu-Asn-Met-Ser-(Trp-Phe). The enzyme displayed a temperature optimum of around 60 degrees C and a pH optimum of around pH 9.0. The enzyme was stable to incubation from pH 4.0 to pH 11.0 at 4 degrees C for 24 h. The presence of pullulan protected the enzyme from heat inactivation, the extent depending upon the substrate concentration. The activity of the enzyme was stimulated by Mn2+ ions. Ca2+ ions and EDTA did not inhibit the enzyme activity. The enzyme hydrolyzed the alpha-1,6-linkages of amylopectin, glycogens, alpha,beta-limited dextrin, and pullulan. The enzyme had an apparent Km of 7.92 mg/ml for pullulan, a Km of 1.63 mg/ml for amylopectin, and a Km of 3.1 mg/ml for alpha,beta-limited dextrin, when measured at pH 9.0 and 50 degrees C. The enzyme caused the complete hydrolysis of pullulan to maltotriose. The activity was not inhibited by alpha, beta, or gamma-cyclodextrins. The western blotting analysis with mouse anti-serum against PUL-E showed that PUL-E is produced as a single enzyme form during bacterial cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, KIST, Taejon, Korea
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