Journal of Korean medical science
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2022
Personal Exposure to Total VOC Is Associated With Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis in Schoolchildren.
The urinary levels of volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites provide individual exposure levels compared to data obtained by measuring these compounds in ambient air. We aimed to investigate the association between personal urinary concentrations of VOC metabolites and symptoms of atopic dermatitis in schoolchildren. ⋯ Personal exposure to VOCs, as indicated by urinary levels of VOC metabolites, was associated with presence of atopic dermatitis and the SCORAD index value.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2022
Determinants of Exercise Capacity in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Reduced exercise capacity reflects symptom severity and clinical outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The present study aimed to identify factors that may affect exercise capacity in patients with HCM. ⋯ Decreased exercise capacity was associated with age, female sex, increased NT-proBNP level, and E/e' ratio on echocardiography. Hemodynamic changes and increased filling pressure on echocardiography should be monitored in this population for improved outcomes.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2022
Relationships Between Pulmonary Function and Composite Indices of Femoral Neck Strength in Korean Men (KNHANES IV).
Despite the close relationship between osteoporosis and chronic pulmonary diseases, few studies have evaluated relationships between pulmonary functions and bone quality. We investigated associations between pulmonary function test results and femoral neck strength indices (SIs) in Korean men. ⋯ Reduced pulmonary function was correlated with reduced femoral neck strength, even after adjusting for smoking history in Korean men. Femoral neck SIs might be useful tools for evaluating bone health in men with reduced pulmonary function.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2022
Kinetics of Neutralizing Antibody Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Patients Infected at the Beginning of the Pandemic.
We investigated the kinetics of the neutralizing antibody responses to the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 delta variant over the course of 1 year in 16 patients infected at the beginning of the pandemic. In patients with severe disease, neutralizing responses to the delta variant were detectable, albeit at lower levels than responses to the wild type. Neutralizing responses to the delta variant were undetectable, however, in asymptomatic persons. This finding implies that the vaccination strategy for persons with past natural infection should depend on the severity of the previous infection.
-
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2) are key proteins mediating viral entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although gene expressions of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 have been analyzed in various organs and diseases, their soluble forms have been less studied, particularly in asthma. Therefore, we aimed to measure circulating ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the serum of asthmatics and examine their relationship with clinical characteristics. ⋯ The levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were differently expressed according to age, ICS use, and several inflammatory markers. These findings suggest variable susceptibility and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asthmatic patients.