• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate therapeutic effects fo NR on allergic asthma in terms of measurement of cytokine profiles, distribution of BAL and expression levels of asthma induced by OVA. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was divided into normal, NRI, control, and NRII, and Notopterygii Rhizoma Extract was orally administered to the C57BL/6 mice in the normal group and the normal mouse in NRI group while it was orally administered to the control group after inducing asthma by OVA and NRII. The study measured them by means of ELISA after dividing BALF of each group, and analyzed RT-PCR by using lung tissues. Results : In our results, lung weight and the number of total cells in the lung and of Leukocyte and Eosinophils in BALF were significantly decreased. In addition, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IgE in BALF were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that NR Extract be a desirable altemative therapy for allergic asthma by inhibiting the expressin of immune cells, the activation of inflammatory mediator.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1972.03a
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• pp.16.3-17
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• 1972

We experienced a case of Achalasia, who had been impressed as a bronchial asthma and treated at a local clinic. Fluoroscopic findings revealed narrowed vestibular portion with markedly dilated body of the esophagus. Hypertrophied mucosal folds on lower portion of the esophagus were noticed by the esophagoscopy but no ulcerative lesion, nor mass were found. The symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, cough and retrosternal discomfortness were markedly relieved by means of daily mercury bougienage for a month duration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.383-388
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• 1999

Background: Tracheal hamartoma is a very rare cause of upper airway obstruction. Its clinical features can mimic medical conditions, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and so on. Case; This report presents the case of a 65 year old man whose major symptom was dyspnea. We found a tumor in his distal tracheal lumen, and the tumor was removed with success using rigid bronchoscope. The tumor was histologically proven to be a hamartoma, and his symptoms were much improved. Conclusion: It is important to distinguish it from other conditions because medical management is often not helpful. Surgical correction-with or without thoracotomy-is inevitable.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1051-1062
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• 1997

Background : In asthma, airway obstruction is usually reversible, either spontaneously or with treatment. However, the responses to treatment are variable and some patients show an irreversible component of airflow obstruction. This may be associated with structural changes in the airway. To assess the relationship between the difference in airway reversibility and structural changes, we evaluated the HRCT findings and pulmonary function test. Methods : We studied 40 asthmatic subjects who had had acute exacerbation of symptoms and had showed normal chest X-ray findings. They had monitered PEFR daily, and had performed PFT and HRCT within three days after initiation of treatment. According to serial PEFR, they were grouped into 3 categories (Group 0 ; initial PEFR was within normal limit, Group 1 ; revealed increment of 30% in PEFR within 3 days after initiation of treatment, Group 2 ; revealed within 2 weeks) and then grouped again into 4 (Group 0, Group 3 ; reached to normal value of PEFR within 3 days after initiation of treatment, Group 4 ; within 2 weeks, Group 5 ; not within 2 weeks). Results : (1) Age in Group 0 was significantly lower than other groups(p<0.05), but there was no significance in other groups. (2) Duration of asthma in Group 2 was significantly longer than Group 0, 1(p<0.05). (3) FVC(%) and FEV1(%) were significantly decreased with delayed response to the treatment (p<0.05). (4) $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 1, 2 were significantly lower than Group 0(p<0.05). $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 5 was significantly lower than Group 0,3,4 (p<0.05). (5) Air trapping was increased significantly with delayed response to the treatment (p<0.05). (6) Mucus impaction in Group 0 was significantly larger than Group 1,2 (p<0.05). $FEV_1$/FVC(%) in Group 0,4,5 were significantly larger than Group 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion : Difference in reversibility of airway obstruction was associated with age, duration of asthma and severity of initial airflow obstruction There was no definite difference in HRCT findings in asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.929-934
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• 2005

Purpose : This study describes how often complementary and alternative medical(CAM) therapies, what patterns of CAM therapies utilization, what types of CAM therapies and why CAM therapies are used in children and adolescent with chronic disease. Methods : We interviewed and filled out questionnaires with parents of patients suffering from asthma, atopic dermatitis, congenital myopathy, epilepsy and so on from Mar 2004 to Aug 2004. Results : Two hundred fifty two parents answered questionnaires; 160 cases(63.5 percent) had used CAM therapies. Utilization of CAM therapies according to each chronic disease was as follows : congenital myopathy(100 percent), atopic dermatitis(91.1 percent), asthma(72.5 percent), chronic diarrhea (50.0 percent), epilepsy(17.1 percent) etc. Types of CAM therapy were as follows : dietary supplement (31.1 percent), herb medicine(23.4 percent), massage(14.2 percent), acupuncture(4.6 percent) etc. Sixty four(40.0 percent) case underwent more than two types of CAM therapies simultaneously. One hundred thirty three(83.1 percent) case were asked through non-medical prescription. Ninety nine(61.9 percent) case were recognized positive effect of CAM therapies. Parents' and childrens' ages were influential factors in CAM therapies utilization : the older the parents and the younger the children, the higher the utilization. Conclusion : Although patients receive treatment with western medicine, many of them not only undergo CAM therapies, especially more than two types, but also recognize the positive effects of CAM therapies. As a result, we suggest that it is easy to use of CAM therapies, and the positive effects of CAM therapies are prominent, domestically. Therefore, medical approach and study about the effectiveness and side effects of CAM therapies is necessary to avoid the imprudent use of such therapies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.638-643
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• 2005

Background : Several studies have shown considerable disagreement when using the $FEV_1$ and PEFR to assess the severity of an airflow obstruction. A differential classification of the severity of asthma would lead to serious differences in the evaluation and management of asthma. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the $FEV_1$ and PEFR in asthma patients with mild symptoms. Methods : In this study, the PEFR and $FEV_1$ were obtained from 92 adult asthma patients with mild symptoms attending an outpatient pulmonary clinic. The mean differences and the limits of agreement in the paired measurements of the $FEV_1$ and PEFR were calculated. Results : There was a considerable correlation between the $FEV_1$ and PEFR measurements when expressed as a % of the predicted values (r=0.686, p<0.01). The 95% limit of agreement (mean difference ${\pm}1.96SD$) between the $FEV_1$ % and PEFR % were acceptable(-27.4%~33.8%). In addition, the weighted ${\kappa}$(kappa) coefficient for the agreement between the $FEV_1$ % and PEFR % was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.63-0.81), indicating excellent agreement between the two measurements. Conclusion : The spirometer ($FEV_1$) and the Mini-Wright peak flow meter (PEFR) can be used interchangeably in adult asthma patients with mild symptom.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of chest high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) in patients with chronic coughs or persistent wheezing with normal chest X-ray finding. Methods : We reviewed the charts, chest X-rays, and HRCT findings of patients with chronic coughs or persistent wheezing of less than 2 years of age. The records were sourced from the Department of Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital covering the period from July, 1999 to June, 2000. Chronic cough was defined as a cough which was prolonged for more than 3 weeks. Results : The sample consisted of 24 patients(male 15 and female 9, mean age $4.7{\pm}3.8$ months old). Among them, 16 patients showed normal findings(66.7%) and 8 patients showed abnormal (33.3%) in simple chest X-rays. Among 16 patients who had the normal chest X-rays, 13 patients showed abnormal chest HRCT findings(81.3%) such as air space consolidation of the dependent portion(62.5%), bronchiolitis obliterans(12.5%), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(6.3%). Conclusion : We suggest that the chest HRCT is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with chronic cough or persistent wheezing with normal chest X-ray, especially below 2 years of age.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 1994

Background : Diffuse panbronchiolitis(DPB) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease of unknown etiology which has characteristic clinical, radiological and pathological features, and is distinguished from bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, bronchiectasis, or alveolitis. Clinically, patients with DPB have chronic cough, purulent sputum, exertional dyspnea, and finally respiratory failure. Until a few years ago, the prognosis of DPB had been thought to be very grave, because there had been no effective treatment for the disease. But recent1y, low-dose long-term erythromycin was found to be very effective on DPB. Even though DPB is prevalent in Japan, and is known to be rare outside of Japan, we have a1ready reported the clinical features of 16 DPB cases in Korea. We tried low-dose long-term erythromycin on DPB patients and analyzed the clinical effect of erythromycin. Methods : We analyzed the changes of subjective symptoms, physical signs, pulmonary function tests and chest X-rays on 14 DPB patients with more than 6 months erythromycin treatment during the period from September 1989 to August 1992 in Seoul National University Hospital. Results : 1) Subjective symptoms improved in all patients within 2-3 months, and 54.5% of the patients showed no symptom after one year of treatment. 2) Crackles and wheezing decreased in 92.9% of the patients after 3 months and completely disapppeared in 63.5% of the patients after one year of treatment. 3) FVC and FEV1 increased remarkably during the first 3 months, and slowly increased thereafter, reaching normal level after one year of treatment. 4) Small nodular lesions on chest X-ray decreased in all patients, and chest PA was normal in 36.4% of the patients after one year of treatment. 5) There was side effect in one patient, stopping medication because of dyspepsia. One patient stopped medication because of no symptom after 16 months of treatment, but her symptom recurring after one month, improving again after retreatment. Conclusion: Low-dose long-term erythromycin showed ramarkable effectiveness on DPB. Further studies are needed on the mechanism of the drug and the duration of the treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.879-885
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• 2008

Purpose : The human lung fibroblast may act as an immunomodulatory cell by providing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which are important in airway remodeling. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces mucosal edema and angiogenesis. Thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) induces selective migration of T helper 2 cells. We investigated whether human lung fibroblasts produced VEGF and TARC, and the effects were augmented with the co-culture of fibroblasts and human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMC), and whether dexamethasone can inhibit the proliferation and the release of VEGF in lung fibroblasts. Methods : Human lung fibroblasts were cultured with and without HBSMC, growth-arrested in serum-deprived medium, and pretreated with dexamethasone for 16 hours. After 24-hour stimulation with platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and/or transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$), culture supernatant was harvested for assays of VEGF and TARC. Cell proliferation was assayed using BrdU cell proliferation ELISA kit. Results : 1) The release of VEGF was significantly increased after stimulation with TGF-${\beta}$, and its release was augmented when co-stimulated with PDGF and TGF-${\beta}$. 2) VEGF release induced by PDGF or TGF-${\beta}$ was inhibited by dexamethasone. 3) There was no synergistic effect on the release of VEGF when human lung fibroblasts were co-cultured with HBSMC. 4) Dexamethasone did not suppress human lung fibroblasts proliferations. 5) Neither TGF-${\beta}$ nor PDGF induced TARC release from lung fibroblasts. Conclusion : Human lung fibroblasts may modulate airway remodeling by release of VEGF, but they have no synergistic effects when co-cultured with HBSMC. Dexamethasone suppresses VEGF release, not proliferation of lung fibroblast.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.881-885
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• 2005

Purpose : Airway dehydration and subsequent hyperosmolarity of periciliary fluid are considered critical events in exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. The aim of this study was to establish if a hyperosmolar challenge could induce activation of eosinophils. Methods : Human eosinophilic leukaemic cell lines, EoL-1 cells were incubated with hyperosmolar solutions for 15 minutes. Activation of EoL-1 cells was monitored by degranulation and superoxide anion production. In addition, we examined surface expression of CD69 and ICAM-1. Results : Hyperosmolar stimuli didn't induce superoxide anion production and degranulation. In addition, EoL-1 cells cultured with hyperosmolar medium at 930 mOsm/kg $H_2O$ resulted in no significant increment in fluorescent intensity of CD69 and ICAM-1 expression compared with results for cells incubated with isomolar medium. Conclusion : We found that hyperosmolar stimuli don't cause activation of EoL-1 cells, but further studies are required to determine the role of eosinophil in the mechanism of exercise-induced asthma.