Phase Stability and Slag-Induced Destabilization in MnO and CeO-Doped Calcia-Stabilized Zirconia.

MnO and CeO were doped to improve the corrosion resistance of CSZ (calcia-stabilized zirconia), and we studied the phase formation, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance by molten mold flux. The volume fraction of the monoclinic phase gradually decreased as the amount of MnO doping increased. The splitting phenomenon of the t(101) peak was observed in 2Mn_CSZ, and in 4Mn_CSZ, it was completely split, forming a cubic phase.

Amylose-Lipid Complex as a Fat Replacement in the Preparation of Low-Fat White Pan Bread.

Amylose-lipid complex (ALC) was prepared with corn starch and stearic acid and used as a shortening replacement in white pan bread preparation. ALCs were prepared using various concentrations of stearic acid to corn starch (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) under different temperatures (55, 65, and 75 °C) and for different durations of time (30, 60, and 120 min); then, their complexing properties were assessed using iodine reagent and X-ray diffraction. The complexing reaction at 75 °C for 60 min showed the highest complexing index of the tested conditions; the in vitro digestibility of ALC was lower than that of corn starch.

Sputum pentraxin 3 as a candidate to assess airway inflammation and remodeling in childhood asthma.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor and an acute-phase protein. It has gained attention as a new biomarker reflecting tissue inflammation and damage in a variety of diseases. Aim of this study is to investigate the role of PTX3 in childhood asthma.

Effect of breastfeeding on lung function in asthmatic children.

Effect of breastfeeding on the protective effect on asthma has been studied extensively but remains controversial. Studies regarding the effect of breastfeeding on lung function have also been conflicting. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of breastfeeding on lung function in asthmatic children.

A case of eosinophilic fasciitis presenting as pitting edema of the lower extremities.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare disease characterized by diffuse fasciitis with peripheral eosinophilia and progressive induration and thickening of the skin and soft tissues. We report a 19-year-old female who presented with pitting edema in both lower extremities. She had a history of excessive physical activity before her symptoms developed.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide and impulse oscillometry in children with allergic rhinitis.

Purpose: Airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), and bronchodilator response (BDR) are representative characteristics of asthma. Because allergic rhinitis (AR) is a risk factor for asthma development, we evaluated these 3 characteristics in AR using measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a methacholine challenge test (MCT), and impulse oscillometry (IOS).

Methods: This study included 112 children with asthma (asthma group), 196 children with AR (AR group), and 32 control subjects (control group).

Association of genetic variation in chitotriosidase with atopy in Korean children.

Background: The atopic diseases, which are the most common chronic diseases of childhood, are complex genetic diseases that involve the contribution of multiple genetic factors to disease pathophysiology. Chitotriosidase is involved in innate immunity, but the association of chitotriosidase with allergic diseases remains unclear.

Objective: To examine the contribution of genetic variation of the chitotriosidase-encoding gene CHIT1 to atopic phenotypes in a Korean cohort of children.

Prognostic usefulness of eosinopenia in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Eosinopenia, a biomarker for infection, has recently been shown to be a predictor of adult mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Our study assessed the usefulness of eosinopenia as a mortality and an infection biomarker in the pediatric ICU (PICU). We compared the PICU mortality scores, eosinophil count and percentage at ICU admission between children who survived and those who did not survive and between children with infection and those without infection.

Use of low-dose sulodexide in IgA nephropathy patients on renin-angiotensin system blockades.

Background: Despite using renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockades, some of the patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy often had persistent proteinuria of more than 500 mg/d. They need to be managed further by alternative methods to halt the progression of the disease; these methods could also be applied safely over a long period of time. In this context, sulodexide has been studied for the management of diabetic nephropathy.

Involvement of human histamine N-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to atopic dermatitis in korean children.

Purpose: Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) catalyzes one of two major histamine metabolic pathways. Histamine is a mediator of pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between HNMT polymorphisms and AD in children.