Humidifier disinfectant lung injury, how do we approach the issues?

Jihyun Emma Choi,Sang-Bum Hong,Kyung-Hyun Do,Hwa Jung Kim,Seockhoon Chung,Eun Lee,Jihyun Choi,Soo-Jong Hong 환경독성보건학회 2016 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.31 No.-

A large portion of the Korean population has been exposed to toxic humidifier disinfectants (HDs), and considering that the majority of the victims are infants, the magnitude of the damage is expected to be considerably larger than what has currently been revealed. The current victims are voicing problems caused by various diseases, including but not limited to lung, upper respiratory tract, cardiovascular, kidney, musculoskeletal, eye, and skin diseases, etc. However, there has been difficulty in gaining validation for these health problems and identifying causal relationships due to lack of evidence proving that toxic HD is the specific causes of extrapulmonary diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, the victims and bereaved families of the HD case have not received any support for psychological distress such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, feelings of injustice, and anger caused by the trauma. In addition, because the underlying mechanisms of the toxic materials within the HDs such as polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate, poly(oxyalkylene guanidine) hydrochloride, chloromethylisothiazolinone /methylisothiazolinone have yet to be determined, the demand for information regarding the HD issue is growing. The victims of the HD cases require support that goes beyond financial aid for medical costs and living expenses. There is a desperate need for government-led integrated support centers that provide individualized support through health screenings; in other words, we need an integrated facility that provides the appropriate social support to allow the victims to recover their physical and mental health, so as to well prepare them to return to a normal life. The implementation of such a plan requires not only the close cooperation between those departments already directly involved such as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, but also active support on a national scale from pan-governmental consultative bodies.

Humidifier disinfectant lung injury, how do we approach the issues?

Choi, Jihyun Emma,Hong, Sang-Bum,Do, Kyung-Hyun,Kim, Hwa Jung,Chung, Seockhoon,Lee, Eun,Choi, Jihyun,Hong, Soo-Jong The Korean Society of Environmental Toxicology 2016 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.31 No.-

A large portion of the Korean population has been exposed to toxic humidifier disinfectants (HDs), and considering that the majority of the victims are infants, the magnitude of the damage is expected to be considerably larger than what has currently been revealed. The current victims are voicing problems caused by various diseases, including but not limited to lung, upper respiratory tract, cardiovascular, kidney, musculoskeletal, eye, and skin diseases, etc. However, there has been difficulty in gaining validation for these health problems and identifying causal relationships due to lack of evidence proving that toxic HD is the specific causes of extrapulmonary diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, the victims and bereaved families of the HD case have not received any support for psychological distress such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, feelings of injustice, and anger caused by the trauma. In addition, because the underlying mechanisms of the toxic materials within the HDs such as polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate, poly(oxyalkylene guanidine) hydrochloride, chloromethylisothiazolinone /methylisothiazolinone have yet to be determined, the demand for information regarding the HD issue is growing. The victims of the HD cases require support that goes beyond financial aid for medical costs and living expenses. There is a desperate need for government-led integrated support centers that provide individualized support through health screenings; in other words, we need an integrated facility that provides the appropriate social support to allow the victims to recover their physical and mental health, so as to well prepare them to return to a normal life. The implementation of such a plan requires not only the close cooperation between those departments already directly involved such as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, but also active support on a national scale from pan-governmental consultative bodies.

The Story and Implications of the Korean Health Care Facility Counseling Project on People Living with HIV

Choi Jae-Phil,Lee Jung-Hui,An Jong Mi,Kim Jihyun,Won Nari,Choi Young Hwa 대한감염학회 2023 Infection and Chemotherapy Vol.55 No.2

In 2005, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) launched “Health Care Facility Counseling Project on People Living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)” funded by the private-subsidy project for the prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted diseases to provide people living with HIV (PLWH) psychological support and counsel them about the disease and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Currently, 38 counseling nurse specialists work at 28 healthcare facilities for patient care. Of all PLWH in Korea, 71.9% received benefits from the Counseling Project. Adherence to ART medication (>95.0%), level of depression or anxiety, counseling coverage, and viral load status were monitored as common project indicators. Various specialized programs have been implemented in diverse facilities. This project has played a pivotal role in HIV care continuum and viral suppression policies, resulting in 95.9% of PLWH maintaining undetectable status (<40 copies/ml) in 2021. In this review, we present the chronology and fulfillment of this project, which will be an essential step for future planning in the context of aging and the chronic comorbid nature of HIV/AIDS.

Structural information of nanosized iron oxide clusters serendipitously poses the solution of long-standing problems on nanomaterials: Intra/inter surfactant and core–surfactant interaction

Jihyun Choi,윤성호 대한화학회 2022 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.43 No.2

Detailed information on the surface structure of surfactant-protected metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) is limited due to the difficulties in preparing samples suitable for single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis. Herein, we report the synthesis and x-ray structural analysis of 4-biphenylcarboxylic acid-protected nanosized iron oxide, comprising 11 Fe(III) ions, 6 O atoms, 6 (OH) ions, and 15 biphenylcarboxylates. The carboxylate bridges the adjacent Fe(III) ions in the core and the core form a slightly twisted pentacapped trigonal prism. In addition, widespread intercalation between the phenyl groups on the surface of the nanoparticles is observed.

The effect of cesarean section on ovarian reserve: a prospective cohort study

( Jihyun Choi ),( Min Jung Lee ),( Bo Young Choi ),( Hyeon Ji Kim ),( Jee Yoon Park ),( Kyung Joon Oh ) 대한산부인과학회 2023 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.109 No.-

Surgical Resection as an Alternative to Local Ablation in Patients with Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinomas within the Milan Criteria: Can It Be Justified?

( Jihyun An ),( Ju Hyun Shim ),( Ha Il Kim ),( Seheon Chang ),( Sangyoung Yi ),( Jonggi Choi ),( Gwang Hyeon Choi ),( Danbi Lee ),( Kang Mo Kim ),( Young-suk Lim ),( Han Chu Lee ),( Young-hwa Chung ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: Evidence-based guidelines recommend radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a non-transplant option in treating patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) meeting the Milan criteria. Previous comparative studies have reported that local recurrence rate is higher in patients experiencing RFA than surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of RFA versus surgical resection in patients with operable HCCs within the Milan criteria. Methods: Between 2007 and 2011, 650 asymptomatic patients with HCC fulfilling the Milan criteria were initially treated with RFA or surgery at our hospital. Among these, 129 patients with Child-Pugh A liver function who had more than one tumor were included in this study: RFA and resection were performed in 48 (37.2%) and 81 (62.8%), respectively. The patient median age was 56 years, 79.1% were males, and 83.7% were HBV-positive. Overall and recurrence- free survivals were compared between the two treatment groups. Clinical variables affecting survival or recurrence were also identified. Results: The mean size of the largest tumor was 1.8±0.5 and 2.1±0.5 cm, respectively in the RFA and resection groups (P<0.05). Signs of portal hypertension were noted in 24 (50%) and 18 (22.2%) patients, respectively in the corresponding groups (P<0.05). During a median observation of 6.5 years, 34 (70.8%) and 50 (61.7%) recurrences; and 15 (31.3%) and 16 (19.8%) deaths occurred in the RFA and resection groups, respectively. The 5-year cumulative rates of recurrence-free- and overall survivals were 31.6% versus 32.7%; and 72.9% versus 85.2%, respectively in the corresponding groups (Ps=NS). Multivariate Cox analysis adjusted for significant confounders showed that no significant difference in the risk of recurrence or death was observed according to treatment method (Ps=NS). Conclusions: Our data indicate that surgical resection may be not preferred over RFA in patients with multifocal HCCs at BCLC A stage, as recommended by current guidelines.

ize Limit for a Single Nodule in the Criteria for Early Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Is It Really Necessary?

( Jihyun An ),( Ju Hyun Shim ),( Ha Il Kim ),( Seheon Chang ),( Sangyoung Yi ),( Jonggi Choi ),( Gwang Hyeon Choi ),( Danbi Lee ),( Kang Mo Kim ),( Young-suk Lim ),( Han Chu Lee ),( Young-hwa Chung ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: A cut-off point of 5 cm for classifying a single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as BCLC stage A is no longer used in the updated BCLC guidelines. However, there is a continuing debate about the need for size criteria for a single A stage tumor. We aimed to assess whether such size limit was necessary based on survival outcomes of patients receiving treatment recommended by the guidelines. Methods: This study included 301 patients with solitary BCLC-A HCC >5 cm and normal portal hypertension who initially underwent resection (n=238; standard A group) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (n=63; non-standard A group); and 385 with BCLC-B HCC undergoing TACE (standard B group). All patients had Child-Pugh A liver function. Overall survival was compared between the standard and non-standard treatment groups at different stages. We also examined an independent effect of each treatment modality on survival. Results: The mean size of tumor was similar between the standard and non-standard A groups (8.8±3.2 vs. 8.9±3.4cm; P=NS). During the median follow-up of 5.5 years, the 5-year survival rate was 69.7% in the standard A group; and 34.9% in the non-standard A group (P<0.05). Compared with TACE, surgical resection had a multivariate hazard ratio (HR) of 0.34 for survival (95% CI, 0.24-0.50; P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the standard A group than in the standard B group (69.7% vs. 32.6%; P<0.05). This trend persisted after adjustment for confounding covariates with an adjusted HR of 0.27 in the standard A group (95% CI, 0.20-0.35; P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the 5-year survival outcome between the non-standard A and standard B groups (34.9% vs. 32.2%; P=NS). Conclusions: Our between-group comparison data on survival support that defining all single HCCs of any size as stage A is a reasonable classification in the BCLC staging system ultimately guiding treatment decisions.

Simplicial Neural Networks on Link Prediction

Jihyun Choi(최지현),Sung-Ho Bae(배성호) 한국정보과학회 2023 한국정보과학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2023 No.6

Taxifolin Glycoside Blocks Human ether-a-go-go Related Gene K<SUP>+</SUP> Channels

Jihyun Yun,Hyemi Bae,Sun Eun Choi,Jung-Ha Kim,Young Wook Choi,Inja Lim,Chung Soo Lee,Min Won Lee,Jae-Hong Ko,Seong Jun Seo,Hyoweon Bang 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.17 No.1

Taxifolin glycoside is a new drug candidate for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Many drugs cause side effects such as long QT syndrome by blocking the human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) K⁺ channels. To determine whether taxifolin glycoside would block hERG K⁺ channels, we recorded hERG K⁺ currents using a whole-cell patch clamp technique. We found that taxifolin glycoside directly blocked hERG K⁺ current in a concentration-dependent manner (EC₅₀=9.6±0.7ՌM). The activation curve of hERG K⁺ channels was negatively shifted by taxifolin glycoside. In addition, taxifolin glycoside accelerated the activation time constant and reduced the onset of the inactivation time constant. These results suggest that taxifolin glycoside blocks hERG K⁺ channels that function by facilitating activation and inactivation process.

Surgery or Chemoembolization for Rescuing Patients Who Had Non-Ablatable and Non-Transplantable Multiple Hepatocellular Carcinomas at BCLC A Stage

( Jihyun An ),( Ju Hyun Shim ),( Ha Il Kim ),( Seheon Chang ),( Sangyoung Yi ),( Jonggi Choi ),( Gwang Hyeon Choi ),( Danbi Lee ),( Kang Mo Kim ),( Young-suk Lim ),( Han Chu Lee ),( Young-hwa Chung ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is usually considered as second-line therapy for patients with non-ablatable and non-transplantable multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) who meet the Milan criteria. However, there are data suggesting that patients with multiple tumors may be suitable for resection in spite of the higher risk of postoperative recurrence. Given the non-curability of TACE, the aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic performance of surgery compared with TACE in such cases. Methods: A total of 300 Milan-in subclinical patients who had more than one HCC nodule and ≤3cm in diameter and Child-Pugh A liver function were included. Patients were treated with surgical resection (n=81) or TACE (n=219) as initial treatment. The median age of patients was 57 years; 80.7% was male; and 79.3% was infected by hepatitis B virus. Results: Patients having three nodules or clinical signs of portal hypertension was more frequently observed in the TACE group than in the surgery group (32.4% vs. 6.2%; and 47.0% vs. 22.2%, respectively; Ps<0.05). During the median observation period of 5.6 years, overall and cancer-specific deaths occurred more frequently in the TACE group (57.5% vs. 19.8%; and 37.4% vs. 12.3%, respectively; Ps<0.05). The median overall survival time in the TACE group was 5.2 years with 5-year overall survival rates of 52.5%, which was lower than 6.6 years with 85.2% in the surgery group (P<0.05). Similar trends were observed for cancer-specific mortality data (P<0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that surgical resection provided better outcomes regarding overall and cancer-specific survivals independently of other clinical predictors including tumor factors (HRs [95% CI], 0.28 [0.16-0.48] and 0.24 [0.12-0.48], respectively; Ps<0.05). Conclusions: Taking our findings and non-curability of TACE into account, surgical resectability should be assessed before TACE rescue in patients with multifocal HCCs meeting Milan who are not eligible for local ablation or liver transplantation.