• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.49-51
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• 2012

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.261-268
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• 1998

The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of cysteine proteinase of Trichomonas vaginalis in escaping from host defense mechanism. A cysteine proteinase of T. vaginalis was purified by affinity chromatography and gel filtration. Optimum pH for the purified proteinase activity was 6.0. The proteinase was inhibited by cysteine and serine proteinase inhibitors such as E-64, NEM, IAA, leupeptin. TPCK and TLCK, and also by $Hg^{2+}$, but not affected by serine-, metallo-, and aspartic proteinase inhibitors such as PMSF, EDTA and pepstatin A. However, it was activated by the cysteine proteinase activator, DTT. The molecular weight of a purified proteinase was 62 kDa on gel filtration and 60 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Interestingly, the purified proteinase was able to degrade serum IgA, secretory IgA, and serum IgG in time- and dose-dependent manners. In addition, the enzyme also degraded hemoglobin in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the acidic cysteine proteinase of T. vaginalis may play a dual role for parasite survival in conferring escape from host humoral defense by degradation of immunoglobulins, and in supplying nutrients to parasites by degradation of hemoglobin.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1365-1372
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• 2019

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Lycii radicis CORTEX extract on rheumatoid related factors in CIA-induced Rheumatoid Arthritis model of DBA/1 mice. Lycii radicis CORTEX extract was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks after direct injection of CIA into the mice' right paw. We evaluated the treatment effects based on serum biomarkers, morphological and histopathological analyses of the paw. Compared with those in control mice, the Lycii radicis CORTEX extract treatments significantly reduced the serum concentration of cytokine, kemokine and immunoglobulin levels. In addition, the Lycii radicis CORTEX extract treatments effectively preserved the paw bone joint, that in the H&E staining and masson-trichrome staining showed that there were histopathological improvements in Lycii radicis CORTEX extract treated group compared to those of control group. The results indicate that Lycii radicis CORTEX extract alleviated rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Thus, Lycii radicis CORTEX extract may be a novel therapeutic option for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.3
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• pp.145-148
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• 2024

Food allergy is an adverse reaction that occurs after ingesting food and is caused by an aberrant immune response. Taking a detailed medical history is the most important part of diagnosing food allergies. When an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy is suspected, food-specific IgE testing can confirm the diagnosis. Allergen skin-prick tests or serum tests for specific IgE should be considered as the first line of testing, and depending on the offending food, a further prick-to-prick test with fresh food or a component-resolved diagnostic test may be helpful. Interpretation of the results should be based on the patient's medical history.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the pathophysiologic role of serum E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced cell adhesion mollecule in Kawasaki disease(KD) and to look for the evidence of direct relationship between the plasma levels of soluble E-selectin and the incidence of coronary artery lesion(CAL). Methods : Changes in plasma levels of sE-selectin(n=98) over time were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 23 patients with acute KD and 25 age-matched febrile children. Results : Compared with control values, the peak levels of plasma sE-selectin were significantly elevated($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $22.89{\pm}12.53ng/mL$ vs $10.65{\pm}3.42ng/mL$, P=0.01) in KD. 5 patients with CAL, plasma sE-selectin levels before treatment were higher than in 18 patients without CAL($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $39.43{\pm}15.08ng/mL$ and $19.00{\pm}8.32ng/mL$, respectively; P=0.01). Plasma sE-selectin declined rapidly in the majority of KD patients regardless of the presence of CAL. Plasma sE-selectin levels after treatment and convalesent period were similar in KD patients with and without CAL. The plasma levels sE-selectin were correlated with those of white blood cell count(r=0.299, P<0.05), CRP(r=0.430, P<0.05), serum albumin(r=-0.483, P<0.05), serum protein(r=-0.502, P<0.05) and hemoglobin(r=-0.372, P<0.05) not with those of ESR, platelet, or duration of fever. There were significant differences in the initial level of serum sE-selectin between KD with and without CAL($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $39.44{\pm}15.08ng/mL$ vs. $19.00{\pm}17.18ng/mL$) in multivariated linear tests. Conclusion : Plasma sE-selectin levels were significantly higher in KD than in other febrile illness. Higher plamsa levels of sE-selectin may have potential as a predictor of CAL in patients with KD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aging process on the immunity in human subjects. In this investigation, nineteen families of three generations (daughters on college age, their mothers, and grandmothers) participated to avoid genetic variation among individuals. Dietary food records, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessments of serum nutrients were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune parameters of subjects were assessed by the total and differential WBC count. Total B and T lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flowcytometer. Serum immunoglobulin G, A, M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. The result of this study can be summarized as follows: 1. Along with the aging process, body fat was found to be increased whereas lean body mass and total body water were diminished. Since there were no significant difference in serum vitamin E levels in all age groups, serum retinal concentrations tended to decrease as one gets old. 2. Although total number of T lymphocytes seemed to be unchanged, B lymphocytes and NK cell numbers were increased by aging. The Percentage of CD8 + lymphocytes was lower in the elderly subjects compared with the younger, resulting in higher ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + lymphocytes in the elderly. Serum Ig G and Ig A levels remained unchanged, but IgM levels were significantly decreased as the age processes continue. Taking all together, it could be suggested that the alteration of immune cell population by aging is selective and possibly nonage factors such as nutrition may be attributable to the change of immunity in the elderly. The nutritional status and aging process may selectively affect both the cell-mediated (CD8 +, CD4 + CD8 + ratio, NK cell) and humoral (B lymphocyte, Immunoglobulin M, G) immune parameters in human subjects.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.127-131
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• 2003

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome(HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by severe recurrent soft-tissue infections, pneumonias, pruritic dermatitis and markedly elevated serum IgE levels. Pneumatocele and empyema develop as result of recurrent pneumonias. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, with variable expressivity. We experienced the case of a 10 month old girl with hyper IgE syndrome. Patient was admitted for local ulceration and muscle soreness at the site of BCG inoculation. The diagnosis of hyper IgE syndrome was made because she had a coarse facial appearance, pruritic dermatitis, pneumatocele and markedly elevated serum IgE level with a past history of frequent skin abscess and pneumonia.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2023

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, systemic inflammatory disorder that often targets coronary arteries. Being the common cause of acquired heart disease in children, timely diagnosis and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment are crucial. However, it is challenging for physicians to diagnose KD if it presents with atypical manifestations. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy who initially presented with appendicitis; after an appendectomy, he had a prolonged fever. He was finally diagnosed with atypical KD and successfully recovered after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Through a literature review, we found 21 cases of appendicitis associated with KD. In most cases, the patients were male with a mean age of 5.3 years. Most had higher proportions of incomplete KD and coronary artery complications than expected for typical KD. In conclusion, appendicitis could be a rare complication of KD; therefore, multidisciplinary cooperation and early recognition of atypical KD are essential for timely diagnosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2008

Objectives : Socheongryong-Tang(小靑龍湯, SCRT), a herbal remedy, has been widely used to treat respiratory disease such as cough and asthma in Oriental countries. Recent years SCRT was known as anti-allergic agent. However, its therapeutic mechanisms including immunoglobuline such as IgE, IgG1, IgG2a productions are unclear. Methods : We investigated the effects of SCRT on levels of antigen specific total antibody, IgE, IgG1, IgG2a using ELISA method in serum from allergen-induced asthma mice. Results : SCRT decreased level of antigen specific IgE significantly. And SCRT treated mice showed downward tendency of IgG1, a Th1 relative antibody, level. But, SCRT did not affect levels of antigen specific total antibody and IgG2a, a Th1 relative antibody. Conclusions : we demonstrated the strong possibility of SCRT as a complementary or alternative drug to western drug also demonstrated that regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance may be one of mechanism contributed to treatment for respiratory disease by SCRT.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.58-76
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• 1990

This study was designed to elucidate the distribution of the immunoglobulins in the experimentally induced rat periapical lesions. The pulp exposure was performed in 80 molars from 40 rats and the animals were sacrificed at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after the operation and examined and radiographed. Of the 80 samples, 56 samples were routinely sectioned ($4-6{\mu}$ in thickness) and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin for the light microscopic examination and 50 samples were stained with toluidin blue for mast cells and 50 samples were stained using the Avidin-Biotin horseradish peroxidase for detecting the presence of Ig A, Ig E, Ig M and Ig G containing cells. The following results were obtained : 1. The periapical lesions could be observed in all of 80 teeth by radiogragh (100%) and the periapical lesions were detected in 50 samples of 51 samples by light microscopy (98%). The size of lesions increased with time lapse both by radiograph and by light microscopy(p<0.05). 2. Of the 50 samples, 19 samples were diagnosed as periapical abscesses, 18 as periapical granulomas, 10 as fibrous scar tissues and 3 cysts. 3. After pulp exposure, periapical granulomas were developed mostly in the 15 day group, with time lapse periapical abscesses and fibrous scar tissues increased. 4. In the 50 periapical lesions, the numbers of Ig G containing cell (57.2%) were prominent and the percentage of Ig A, Ig E and Ig M containing cells were 16.4%, 14.7% and 11.8% respectively. The numbers of all classes of immunoglobulin containing cell were highest in the periapical granulomas and lowest in the cysts(p<0.05). 5. The number of the mast cell and immunoglobulin containing cells decreased generally with time lapse after the pulp exposure and Ig A, Ig E, Ig M and Ig G containing cells and mast cells had the high correlation one another(>0.6).