The internal structure and microphysical properties of a rainband of Typhoon Kong-Rey (TY), which occurred in 2018, and of the rainfall system indirectly affected by the typhoon (IA) that passed ...through the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in October 2018, were analyzed by operational S-band weather radars and particle size and velocity (PARSIVEL) disdrometers.
The height of maximum intensity (Hc in km) of the IA was located at an elevation of ~ 7.5 km; moreover, in the TY regime, the column maximum (Cmax in dBZ) continuously increased up to 45 dBZ at all observation sites, while Hc decreased to 5 km. The IA showed hardly any increase in temperature during precipitation, differently from the TY.
In the TY, the maximum fall velocity (Vmax) of raindrops with maximum diameters (Dmax) comprised between 2 and 3 mm was about 1 m s−1 lower than that of drops during precipitation derived from the typhoon's indirect impact. Convective precipitation in the IA presented the following raindrop size distribution (DSD) characteristics within an interval of 18 h (from 21:00 local standard time (LST) on 4 October to 15:00 LST on 5 October): the mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) and the logarithmic normalized intercept parameter (logNw) were comprised between 1.3 and 1.5 mm and 3.8–4.3, respectively. However, TY showed large temporal variation within an interval of 15 h: Dm and logNw ranged between 1.2 and 2.9 mm and 2.9–4.6, respectively. Additionally, at rainfall rates (R) of 5–15 mm h−1, the shape parameter (μ) of the IA varied between 4 and 7, while that of the TY between 2 and 10.
•This study focused on the precipitation indirectly affected by Typhoon (IA).•IA can be classified by DSD and radar analysis.•IA differs from stratiform precipitation in terms of microphysics.•Classification methods of IA will help against human and property damage.
Background Recent evidence suggests that prenatal maternal distress increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring. However, the effect of prenatal maternal depression and anxiety on atopic ...dermatitis (AD) risk remains poorly understood. Objective We investigated whether prenatal maternal distress is associated with AD risk in offspring and whether the mechanism is mediated by reactive oxygen species. Methods Two general population-based birth cohorts formed the study. One cohort (Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases COCOA) consisted of 973 mother-baby dyads, and the other (Panel Study on Korean Children PSKC) consisted of 1531 mother-baby dyads. The association between prenatal distress and AD was assessed by using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models. In COCOA placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and glutathione levels and serum IgE levels in 1-year-old children were measured. Results In COCOA and PSKC AD occurred in 30.6% (lifetime prevalence) and 11.6% (1 year prevalence) of offspring, respectively. Prenatal maternal distress increased the risk of AD in offspring, both in COCOA (hazard ratio for depression, 1.31 95% CI, 1.02-1.69; hazard ratio for anxiety, 1.41 95% CI, 1.06-1.89) and PSKC (odds ratio for distress, 1.85 95% CI, 1.06-3.25). In COCOA both prenatal maternal depression and anxiety scores were positively related to the predicted probability of AD ( P < .001 in both). Prenatal distress decreased placental glutathione to glutathione disulfide ratios ( P = .037) and, especially in those who later had AD, decreased placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 levels ( P = .010) and increased IgE levels at 1 year of age ( P = .005). Conclusion Prenatal maternal depression and anxiety promote risk of AD in offspring. Maternal distress increases the predicted probability of AD. The mechanism might involve chronic stress, abnormal steroid levels, and reactive oxygen species.
To analyze the difference in the microphysical development characteristics of orographic rainfall, several Parsivel disdrometers were installed along the windward and leeward slope of a mountain. ...There were differences in the raindrop size distribution according to the difference in height and distance from the center of the mountain. In low-altitude coastal areas and adjacent areas, the number concentration of raindrops smaller than 1 mm was relatively lower than in mountainous areas, and the rain rate increased with the growth in the size of the raindrops. On the other hand, a higher rain rate was observed as the number concentration of raindrops smaller than 1 mm increased in the hillside area. The increase in the number concentration of small raindrops was evident at the LCL (lifting condensation level) altitude. The main factors affecting the increase in the rain rate on the windward and leeward slopes were the concentration of raindrops and the growth of raindrops, which showed regional differences. As a result of a PCA (principal component analysis), it was found that raindrop development by vapor deposition and weak convection were the main rainfall development characteristics on the windward and leeward slopes, respectively. The difference in regional precipitation development characteristics in mountainous areas affects the parameters of the rainfall estimation relational expression. This means that the rainfall relation calculated through the disdrometer observation data observed in a specific mountainous area can cause spatial and quantitative errors.
The precipitation systems that pass over mountains develop rapidly due to the forcible ascent caused by the topography, and spatial rainfall distribution differences occur due to the local ...development of the system because of the topography. In order to reduce the damage caused by orographic rainfall, it is essential to provide rainfall field data with high spatial rainfall accuracy. In this study, the rainfall estimation relationship was calculated using drop size distribution data obtained from 10 Parsivel disdrometers that were installed along the long axis of Mt. Halla (oriented west–east; height: 1950 m; width: 78 km; length: 35 km) on Jeju Island, South Korea. An ensemble rainfall estimation relationship was obtained using the HSA (harmony search algorithm). Through the linear combination of the rainfall estimation relationships determined by the HSA, the weight values of each relationship for each rainfall intensity were optimized. The relationships considering KDP, such as R(KDP) and R(ZDR, KDP), had higher weight values at rain rates that were more than 10 mm h−1. Otherwise, the R(ZH) and R(ZH, ZDR) weights, not considering KDP, were predominant at rain rates weaker than 5 mm h−1. The ensemble rainfall estimation method was more accurate than the rainfall that was estimated through an independent relationship. To generate the rain field that reflected the differences in the rainfall distribution according to terrain altitude and location, the spatial correction value was calculated by comparing the rainfall obtained from the dual-polarization radar and AWS observations. The distribution of Mt. Halla’s rainfall correction values showed a sharp difference according to the changes in the topographical elevation. As a result, it was possible to calculate the optimal rain field for the orographic rainfall through the ensemble of rainfall relationships and the spatial rainfall correction process. Using the proposed methodology, it is possible to create a rain field that reflects the regional developmental characteristics of precipitation.
To describe the radiological features of Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) as evaluated using plain radiography and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography (DCMRL) imaging techniques.
...Clinical and conventional imaging data were retrospectively reviewed for 15 patients with GSD between January 2001 and December 2020. After December 2018, DCMRL examinations were performed for lymphatic vessel evaluation in patients with GSD and reviewed in four patients.
The median age at diagnosis was 9 years (range: 2 months-53 years). The clinical manifestations were dyspnea in seven patients (46.7%), sepsis in 12 (80.0%), orthopedic problems in seven (46.7%), and bloody chylothorax in seven (46.7%). The common sites of osseous involvement were the spine (73.3%) and pelvic bone (60.0%). Among the non-osseous involvements, peri-osseous infiltrative soft-tissue abnormalities adjacent to the area of bone involvement were the most common (86.7%), followed by splenic cysts (26.7%) and interstitial thickening (26.7%). DCMRL demonstrated weak central conducting lymphatic flow in two patients with abnormal giant tortuous thoracic ducts and no flow in one patient. All patients who underwent DCMRL in this study presented with altered anatomical lymphatics and functional flow with collateralization.
DCMRL imaging and plain radiography are very useful for determining the extent of GSD. DCMRL is a novel imaging tool for the visualization of abnormal lymphatics in patients with GSD, which helps in further treatment. Therefore, in patients with GSD, it might be necessary to obtain not only plain radiographs but also MR and DCMRL images.
This study aimed to elucidate the change in progressive swallowing dysfunction from birth up to 2 years of age to provide clinical insights into the management of swallowing difficulty in patients ...with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I.
Data of 11 patients with SMA type I were retrospectively reviewed. The Neuromuscular Disease Swallowing Status Scale (NdSSS) scores and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were used.
Swallowing function deteriorated in patients with SMA type I at an approximate age of 6 months. Tube feeding was initiated at the median age of 6 months (interquartile range, 3–7 months). The transition period for switching the feeding route from totally oral to tube feeding varied widely among patients (5–12 months). In four patients, aspiration was observed in VFSS, even when nutrition was provided orally. In two patients, the evidence of laryngeal aspiration was obtained via the VFSS during the very early stages of the disease at 3 and 4 months. Conversely, in one patient, total oral feeding was maintained for up to 12 months, and evidence of aspiration was not observed in the VFSS.
An individualized approach is essential, as the timeline of deterioration of swallowing function varies widely in patients with SMA type I.
Previous studies suggest an association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and exposure to microorganisms and antibiotics. However, these studies have limitations, and the sole influence on the ...development of AD was elusive. We performed a nationwide population-based case-control study in a Korean population to investigate the association between AD and early-life infection or antibiotic exposure. A total of 244 805 children with AD from the 2 283 601 children born between January 2010 and December 2014 and an equal number of sex- and age-matched healthy children were enrolled. A conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the episode of infection and antibiotic exposure were associated with an increased risk of AD (odds ratio OR, 1.60; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.58-1.63 for infection; and OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09-1.13 for antibiotic exposure). A dose-dependent relationship was observed between risk for AD, the number of infection episodes and antibiotic cycles and the duration of antibiotic exposure. On further analysis using a conditional logistic model, the risk of AD was less when the antibiotics were used during the infection episode than that without the use of antibiotics, especially if the duration of the infection was short. Although our study could not consider the effect of cause or severity of infection, class of antibiotics and genetic or environmental factors of enrolled subjects, our results suggested that infection and antibiotic exposure were associated with an increased risk of AD. In addition, the results also implied that the use of antibiotics during an infection episode can decrease the risk of AD induced by the infection and that appropriate management of infections can minimize the risk of AD induced by infection or antibiotics.
The roles of gut microbiota on the natural course of atopic dermatitis (AD) are not yet fully understood. We investigated whether the composition and function of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty ...acids (SCFAs) at 6 months of age could affect the natural course of AD up to 24 months in early childhood.
Fecal samples from 132 infants were analyzed using pyrosequencing, including 84 healthy controls, 22 transient AD and 26 persistent AD subjects from the Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) birth cohort. The functional profile of the gut microbiome was analyzed by whole-metagenome sequencing. SCFAs were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Low levels of
and high amounts of
were evident in transient AD cases, and low
,
and high
were found in children with persistent AD. The relative abundance of
positively correlated with scoring of AD (SCORAD) score, whereas that of
negatively correlated with SCORAD score. The persistent AD group showed decreased gut microbial functional genes related to oxidative phosphorylation compared with healthy controls. Butyrate and valerate levels were lower in transient AD infants compared with healthy and persistent AD infants.
Compositions, functions and metabolites of the early gut microbiome are related to natural courses of AD in infants.
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