• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2000

Background: Exercise is a very common precipitant of asthma. Bronche-constriction associated with exercise can occur in 75~90% of individuals with asthma The estimated prevalence(30~85%) of gastroesophageal reflux(GER) in patients with asthma is significantly higher than in general population. We performed pH monitoring during the exercise in order to evaluate whether exercise induced asthma(EIA) could be related to GER and acid reflux-induced esophagobronchial reflex-mediated bronchospasm might be a factor for EIA. Method: Following an overnight fast, 18 patients with a suspected EIA(6 men, 12 women) were studied. Monitoring of intraesophageal pH, ECG and spirometry was done for 1 hour before treadmill exercise. After baseline monitoring, subjects underwent symptom-limited treadmill exercise with Bruce protocol and continuous monitoring for 60 min after exercise. Spirometry was done at baseline prior to exercise, and repeated every 10 min after full exercise for 60 min. Results: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was noted in 15 patients, who performed MBPT and 12 patients confirmed for bronchial asthma and 3 patients were diagnosed exercise-induced astham. Five of 15 EIA patients demonstrated a pathologic degree of GER. Conclusion: We suggest that GER may be one of pathophysiologic factors of EIA and evoke further concentration on the GER in the EIA patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.239-247
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• 1992

A clinical analysis was done on 134 cases with bronchial asthma who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics Yeungnam University from May 1987 to October 1991. The results were as followings; 1) The peak age of bronchial asthma was under 2 years. The sex ratio of male to female was 2.9 : 1. 2) The out-break of bronchial asthma was most common in fall, especially in September. 3) The past history of other allergic diseases were present in 22.4% of patients(30/134 cases), and the previous bronchiolitis in infancy were experienced in 12.7% of patients(17/134 cases). 4) According to the skin test for allergens done by RAST, the most common allergens were Mites and House dust. 5) Eosinophilia(T.E.C>250/min) was found in 29.1% of patients, and elevated IgE level(>200 $IU/m{\ell}$) was found in 63.2% of patients. 6) No significant differences in the serum IgE level were found between male and female patients. No significant differences in the serum IgE level were found between asthma patients with and without other allergic diseases. 7) The serum IgE level of school aged patients was significant higher than that of preschool aged(p<0.01).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1336-1341
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• 2008

Inflammation through the respiratory tract is a crucial event in immune disorders, including asthma, and atopic rhinitis. To investigate whether an aqueous extract of Angelica archangelica L. (AaL) has a beneficial influence in terms of anti-asthmatic activity, its effects on an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic model were examined. Mice sensitized to ovalbumin were orally administered the AaL extract, and their lungs examined by Haematoxylin-Eosin staining to determine IL-4/13 cytokine expression. The AaL extract exerted strong anti-asthmatic effects by regulating each level in the $CD4^+$ cell number, IL-4/13, and other target markers in the lungs. Together, these results collectively indicate that the aqueous AaL extract ameliorates asthmatic symptoms effectively in a mouse ovalbumin-challenge model.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.587-590
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• 2009

천식환자의 폐활량 측정 및 관리는 정기적으로 검사되어 관리될 필요가 있는 매우 중요한 관리 항목이다. 본 연구는 천식환자의 폐활량을 정기적으로 관리할 수 있도록 PC-기반 폐활량기를 이용한 천식환자의 폐활량 측정 및 관리 시스템의 설계 및 구현에 관한 연구이다. 폐활량 검사는 크게 3종류 구성되며, 본 연구는 노력성 폐활량 검사(Forced Vital Capacity Test)를 1차적으로 설계 및 구현 방법을 제안하였다. FVC 검사의 목적은 폐질환의 진단, 중증도 그리고 치료효과 판정, 기관지 천식의 진단 및 관리, 수술시 마취방식의 결정 등으로 무엇보다 정확한 검사와 정기적인 검사를 필요로 하는 중요한 검사이다. FVC 검사는 검사과정에서 천식환자에게 많은 노력을 필요로 하는 힘든 검사로서 검사자의 도움이 필수적이므로 폐활량 검사 프로그램 개발에 있어 고려되어 알고리즘이 효율적으로 개발되어야 한다. 본 시스템은 휴대형 폐활량기(Spirometer)를 PC에 연결하고, 폐활량을 측정할 수 있도록 구성되었고, 검사 내용은 PC의 DB에 저장하고, 추후에 정기적으로 서버의 DB로 전송함으로서 보다 더 폭넓은 관리를 가능하도록 하며 천식환자는 서버가 제공하는 웹 사이트를 이용함으로서 자신의 건강관리를 가능하도록 구성된다. FVC 검사 프로그램은 정확한 검사와 편리한 사용자 인터페이스를 제공하도록 설계 및 구현하였고 따라서 자체 개발된 폐활량기를 PC-기반 프로그램으로 제어 가능함으로서 추후 다양한 임상실험의 데이터 확보, 기능의 확장과 성능의 개선을 할 수 있고, 좀 더 편리하고, 정확한 폐활량측정이 가능 할 것이다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1090-1096
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated the clinical manifestations, bronchoscopic findings and therapeutic effects of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in atelectasis of children. Methods : Sixty six children who received bronchoscopy due to persistent atelectasis, acute severe atelectasis and incidental atelectasis on plain chest radiography were studied retrospectively. Results : The most common causative underlying disease was pneumonia(60.4%). Other underlying conditions were pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic lung disease, postoperative state, bronchial asthma and chest trauma. The most common abnormal findings were inflammatory changes such as bronchial stenosis(n=15), mucosal edema and large amount of secretion(n=14), granulation tissue( n=3) and mucus plug(n=3) although 39.4% showed normal airways. Other findings were congenital airway anomalies, endobronchial tuberculosis, extrinsic compression and obstruction by blood clot. In 32 children with pneumonia-associated atelectasis, 43.7% revealed normal airways, and the most common abnormal findings were also inflammatory changes. Eighteen out of 39 patients who received therapeutic intervention such as suctioning of secretion, bronchial washing and intrabronchial administration of N-acetylcysteine($Mucomyst^{(R)}$) had complete or partial resolution of their atelectasis. In 32 patients with pneumonia-associated atelectasis, 56.5% showed improvement by therapeutic intervention. Conclusion : In this study, atelectasis was mainly associated with inflammatory airway diseases such as pneumonia. The most common abnormal bronchoscopic findings were inflammatory changes such as mucosal edema and large amounts of secretion and bronchial stenosis, although about 40% revealed normal airway. Flexible bronchoscopy is helpful for either diagnosis or treatment, especially in pneumonia-associated atelectasis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.192-197
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• 2006

Purpose : Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is a key cytokine for controlling vascular permeability and angiogenesis, which is one of the major findings in airway remodeling. However, it is not well known if it is associated with acute lower respiratory tract disease such as lobar pneumonia. The aim of this study is to compare serum VEGF levels in patients with asthma according to its severity and duration of cough, and to compare its levels with children with lobar pneumonia. Methods : Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum VEGF levels were measured in 16 mild asthmatics, 14 moderate to severe asthmatics, six children with lobar pneumonia, and 22 control subjects. The asthmatics were also classified into three groups according to the duration of cough. Serum VEGF levels were compared in each group. Results : Serum VEGF levels were significantly increased in the children with moderate to severe asthma and lobar pneumonia compared to the children with mild asthma and control subjects. Serum VEGF levels were higher in children with chronic coughs of more than two weeks than in children with coughs lasting less than two weeks. Serum levels of VEGF showed positive correlations with blood platelet and white blood cell counts. Conclusion : VEGF increased according to the severity of asthma and duration of cough in children with asthma. It may play an important role not only in chronic airway inflammation, but also in the acute inflammation in children with lower respiratory tract disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1126-1131
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• 2005

Purpose : Bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) is considered a hallmark of asthma. Increased levels of eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) have been identified in serum of asthma patients. Several studies have examined the relationship between serum ECP and bronchial responsiveness, expressed as methacholine $PC_{20}$ in asthmatic patients, with conflicting results. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between serum ECP and ${\Delta}FVC$, another index of bronchial responsiveness, which reflects increased maximal airway response. Methods : Six to 8-year-old children with asthma(n=109) underwent methacholine bronchoprovocation testing. The $PC_{20}$ dose of methacholine and ${\Delta}FVC$ were calculated for each individual from the methacholine dose response curves. Serum ECP levels and blood total eosinophil counts were also measured. Results : Serum ECP correlated with ${\Delta}FVC$(r=0.217, P=0.023), as well as $PC_{20}$(r=-0.208, P=0.030). However, blood eosinophil counts failed to show any correlations with ${\Delta}FVC$(r=0.085, P=0.378) or $PC_{20}$(r=-0.148, P=0.125). ${\Delta}FVC$ did not correlate with $PC_{20}$(r=-0.079, P=0.417). Conclusion : Blood eosinophil activation is associated with both components of BHR including increased sensitivity and increased maximal response in 6-8 year old children with asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.471-477
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• 2000

Background : Coughing is the most common complaint for which patients seek medical service. When caughing continues over 3 weeks in non-smokers who do not take cough-provoking drugs, they are classified as patients with chronic cough. Three well known main causes of chronic caugh are postnasal drip syndrome, bronchial asthma and gastroesophaseal reflux disease. Among them, postnasal drip syndrome is reported to be the most common cause of all in chronic cough diseases, and allergic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postnasal drip syndrome. CD23 and CD25 which are low affinity receptor for IgE and IL-2 receptor alpha, respectively, are closely related to allergic inflammation and their roles were evaluated in chronic cough patients. Methods : We evaluated 105 patients with chronic cough and selected 56 patients for measurement of serum CD23 & CD25 levels. We selected 10 normal, medical students for comparison of serum CD23 & CD25 levels. Result : The postnasal drip syndrome was found to be the most common cause of chronic cough. Serum CD23 and CD25 did not increase in chronic cough patient compared to normal controls. However in bronchial asthma patient, serum CD23 level was increased relative to normal control (p<0.05). Conclusion : In bronchial asthma presented as chronic cough, lymphocyte mediated allergic inflammation may related with the pathogenesis of the disease.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2009

A 44 year-old nonsmoker female presented to our hospital with persistent cough with sputum for three months. She had been diagnosed as pneumonia and treated with antibiotics in a local hospital but was transferred to our hospital because of no symptomatic improvement. We performed flexible bronchoscopy and found an ovoid and smooth surfaced mass obstructing the bronchus of right middle lobe. The biopsy specimen revealed a benign tumor composed of spindle cells without dysplasia consistent with leiomyoma. There was no evidence of leiomyoma in uterus. The right middle lobectomy and bronchoplasty were performed and the patient was healthy twelve months later. Primary endobronchial leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor of the lung. Herein we report a case of primary endobronchial leiomyoma diagnosed during treatment of pneumonia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1028-1034
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• 1996

The leiomyoma of the bronchus is a very rare benign tumor in the lower respiratory tract. Though classical treatment of the bronchial leiomyoma is surgical resection, bronchoscopic tumor resection has been recently applied to selected cases. We experienced two cases of bronchial leiomyomas which were successfully resected under flexible bronchoscopy using Nd-YAG laser and bronchial snare. We speculated that bronchoscopic resection of the bronchial leiomyoma would be an effective and safe way of treatment, and more technical developments should follow.