• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제27권
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2012

Objectives: Childhood allergic diseases are a major concern because they lead to a heavy economic burden and poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of childhood atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and the comorbidity of allergic diseases in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between May and October 2010 to evaluate the prevalence of childhood allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, using a questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood group. Each questionnaire was completed by the parent or guardian of a child. Results: In the 31,201 children studied, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis symptoms in the past 12 months was 19.3% in children 0 to 3 years of age, 19.7% in children 4 to 6 years of age, 16.7% in children 7 to 9 years of age, and 14.5% in children 10 to 13 years of age (p for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of asthma in these age groups was 16.5%, 9.8%, 6.5%, and 5.4%, respectively (p for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in these age groups was 28.5%, 38.0%, 38.5%, and 35.9%, respectively (p for trend = 0.043). The percentage of subjects with both atopic dermatitis and asthma, both asthma and allergic rhinitis, or both atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis was 2.5%, 4.7%, and 8.7%, respectively. The prevalence of comorbid allergic diseases decreased with age (p for trend < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that the prevalence of some allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and asthma, was relatively high in very young children and that all of the principal allergic diseases in children often co-exist.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.335-339
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• 2007

The link between upper airway disease (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) and lower airway disease (asthma) has long been of interest to physicians. Many epidemiological and pharmacological studies have provided a better understanding of pathophysiologic interrelationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma. The vast majority of patients with asthma have allergic rhinitis, and rhinitis is a major independent risk factor for asthma in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. The association between sinusitis and asthma has long been appreciated. Through the recent evidences, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma may not be considered as different diseases but rather as the expression in different parts of the respiratory tract of same pathological process in nature. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the relationship between asthma and upper airway diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely discovered. The implications for the one-airway hypothesis are important not only academically but also clinically for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.451-459
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• 2024

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is an upstream signaling molecule in oxidative stress-induced responses. Because oxidative stress is involved in asthma pathogenesis, ASK1 gene deficiency was investigated in animal models of allergic asthma. However, there is no study to investigate whether ASK1 inhibitors could be applied for asthma to date. Selonsertib, a potent and selective ASK1 inhibitor, was applied to BALB/c mice of an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma model. Selonsertib suppressed antigen-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The administration of selonsertib both before OVA sensitization and OVA challenge significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, and suppressed eosinophil numbers and inflammatory cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histopathologic examination elucidated less inflammatory responses and reduced mucin-producing cells around the peribronchial regions of the lungs. Selonsertib also suppressed the IgE levels in serum and the protein levels of IL-13 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These results suggest that selonsertib may ameliorate allergic asthma by suppressing immune responses and be applicable to allergic asthma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.466-471
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• 2011

Allergic asthma is complex inflammatory airway disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. Sulfamethoxazole, a sulfonamide, is the cause of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome. Parasites infection also related with eosinophilia and allergic diseases. In the present study, we investigated the modulating effects of parasitic derivative and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on allergic airway inflammation in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. Histopathological changes, cytokine secretion, and total and allergen-specific IgE were investigated. BALB/c mice were treated with Ascaris suum extract or SMX for 4 weeks before sensitized and challenged to ovalbumin. Pre-treatment of Ascaris suum extract decreased allergic inflammation in lung tissue and IL-4, total IgE, and OVA-specific IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. However, pre-treatment of SMX did not show any effects on allergic airway inflammation. These results indicate that parasitic infection has protective effects on allergic asthma, but the sulfamamides may not relate with allergic asthma.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.108-117
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between allergic diseases, general anxiety disorder, and depressive symptoms among Korean adolescents. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on the findings of the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2022). The study included 51,850 adolescents and analyzed the relationships among allergic diseases, general anxiety disorder, and depressive symptoms using complex samples logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the Korean adolescents, 12.7% experienced general anxiety disorder, while 28.7% experienced depressive symptoms. The prevalence of allergic diseases was 5.7% for asthma, 36.3% for allergic rhinitis, and 22.2% for atopic dermatitis. General anxiety disorder was associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis but not atopic dermatitis. Depressive symptoms were associated asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Examining the correlation among allergic diseases, general anxiety disorder, and depressive symptoms in adolescents underscores the need for implementing suitable strategies. Moreover, when addressing general anxiety disorder and depressive symptoms in adolescents, it becomes crucial to consider the presence of allergic diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2005

Atopy is a highly prevalent and serious health problem. The prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic diseases have increased over recent decades, particularly in industrialized nations. Early life infections may protect against the development of atopy and allergic diseases like asthma. The inverse relationship between the incidence of atopy and childhood infections has led to the 'hygiene hypothesis', which suggests that diminished exposure to childhood infections in modern society has led to decreased Th1-type responses. Th1 and Th2 responses are counter-regulatory. Reduced Th1 may lead to enhanced Th2-type inflammation, which is important in promoting asthma and allergic disease via up-regulation of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. It is now widely accepted that altered regulation of Th2 responses(and possibly the balance between Th1 and Th2 responses) is an important factor in the development of atopy. CpG DNA represent a novel class of drugs with substantial immunomodulatory properties. CpG DNA contain unmethylated motifs centered on the CpG dinucleotides, like bacterial DNA. These CpG DNA promote Th1 and regulatory type immune responses and suppress Th2 responses. In murine studies, CpG DNA are effective in prevention and treatment of asthma and allergic diseases. CpG DNA are just beginning to be tested in human asthma. While its precise mechanisms continue to be fully studied, CpG DNA offers considerable promise as a novel treatment for atopic inflammation. It may prove to be an important disease modifying therapy, or even curative therapeutic agent for asthma and allergic diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.171-181
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• 2014

Asthma is a common pulmonary disease with several different forms. The most studied form of asthma is the allergic form, which is mainly related to the function of Th2 cells and their production of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) in association with allergen sensitization and adaptive immunity. Recently, there have been many advances in understanding non-allergic asthma, which seems to be related to environmental factors such as air pollution, infection, or even obesity. Cells of the innate immune system, including macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer T cells as well as the newly described innate lymphoid cells, are effective producers of a variety of cytokines and seem to play important roles in the development of non-allergic asthma. In this review, we focus on recent findings regarding innate lymphoid cells and their roles in asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권8호
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• pp.338-342
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• 2013

Purpose: Allergic disease and its comorbidities significantly influence the quality of life. Although the comorbidities of allergic diseases are well described in adult populations, little is known about them in preschool children. In the present study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in Korean preschool children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 615 Korean children (age, 3 to 6 years). Symptoms of allergic diseases were assessed using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire that was modified for preschool children. Comorbidities of allergic diseases were assessed by 'In the last 12 months, has your child had symptoms?'. Results: The prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis as recorded using the ISAAC questionnaire, within the last 12 months was 13.8%, 40.7%, and 20.8%, respectively. The symptom rates of allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy, and drug allergy were 14.8%, 10.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children with asthma was 64.3% and that of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis was 21.6%. The prevalence of rhinitis in children with conjunctivitis was 64.8% and that of conjunctivitis in children with rhinitis was 23.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of current rhinitis in our preschool children is shown to be higher than that previously reported. Allergic conjunctivitis is closely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, further studies are warranted to determine the prevalence and effects of these comorbidities on health outcomes in preschool children.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.230-237
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in elementary school students according to the body mass index. Methods: This study was conducted as cross-sectional descriptive research using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected from 6,398 students at 15 elementary schools located in Y City in Korea. The cross-sectional survey used the Korean version of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratios of body mass index. Results: The symptom prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in the last 12 months was 12.4%, 49.5%, and 24.5%, respectively. The symptom prevalence of asthma was significantly higher in the obesity group. The number of those without any asthma symptom in lifetime was significantly smaller in the overweight (OR=0.70, p=.004) and obesity (OR=0.57, p=.005) groups than in the healthy weight group. Conclusion: These results suggest that asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis prevention programs for elementary school students should include weight control intervention.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.427-433
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• 2021

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2, also known as GPR43), a G-protein-coupled receptor, has been known to recognize short-chain fatty acids and regulate inflammatory responses. FFA2 gene deficiency exacerbated disease states in several models of inflammatory conditions including asthma. However, in vivo efficacy of FFA2 agonists has not been tested in allergic asthma. Thus, we investigated effect of 4-chloro-α-(1-methylethyl)-N-2-thiazoylylbenzeneacetanilide (4-CMTB), a FFA2 agonist, on antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells and ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma in BALB/c mice. Treatment of 4-CMTB inhibited the antigen-induced degranulation concentration-dependently. Administration of 4-CMTB decreased the immune cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and suppressed the expression of inflammatory Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) in the lung tissues. Histological studies revealed that 4-CMTB suppressed mucin production and inflammation in the lungs. Thus, results proved that FFA2 functions to suppress allergic asthma, suggesting 4-CMTB activation of FFA2 as a therapeutic tool for allergic asthma.