• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 1992

Background: Acute and chronic airway inflammation are important in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Corticosteroids have proved to be very effective in the management of asthma. Although the mechanism by which they produce this effect is still debated, suppression of the inflammatory response is thought to be the most likely. Although inhaled steroids are known to be safe and have less side effects than oral steroids, the extent which inhaled steroids have beneficial and the detrimental effects in the treatment of asthma has remained open to question. Budesonide is a recently developed corticosteroid for inhalation treatment with a strong local effect combined with rapid inactivation in the systemic circulation. We set out to look in more detail at the time course of change in bronchial reactivity, clinical symptoms and the effects on the adrenal function during 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide (800 ug per day). Methods: Clinical symptoms, pulmonary function test, histamine $PC_{20}$, serum ACTH and cortisol (8 AM and 4 PM) were measured in 23 allergic asthmatic patients before and after 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide. Results: 1) Pulmonary function test; PEFR, FEV1 and FVC after 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide were higher than those before treatment. 2) Clinical symptoms; Clinical symptoms were significantly improved after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide. 3) Histamine provocation; Histamine $PC_{20}$ after 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide was significantly higher than that before treatment. 4) Adrenal function; 6 weeks of budesonide therapy did not significantly affect the level of serum ACTH and cortisol. Conclusion: From these results, it is concluded that budesonide therapy improved the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function and bronchial hyperreactivity after 3 weeks of treatment and the improvement after 6 weeks of treatment was higher than that after 3 weeks of treatment. During 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide, the inhibitory effect on the adrenal function was not obvious.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.826-835
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• 1999

Background : The $\beta_2$ adrenergic receptor ($\beta_2$ AR) polymorphisms occurring at amino acid position 16 (Arg to Gly), 27 (Gln to Glu), 34 (Val to Met), and 164 (Thr to Ile) are known to be functionally relevant and also disease-modifying in subjects with asthma. However the contribution of these polymorphisms to the development of the asthmatic phenotype or other markers for allergic disease remains to be established. Methods : 109 patients with bronchial asthma and 42 healthy person were included. Serum total IgE, allergen specific IgE, and skin prick test were performed to all of the subjects. $\beta_2$ AR polymorphisms were checked by mutated allele specific amplification (MASA) method. Results : The results were as follows. The frequencies of $\beta_2$ AR polymorphisms in asthmatic patients and healthy person were not statistically different(p>0.05). There was no association between $\beta_2$ AR polymorphisms of amino acid position 16, 27, 34 and the existence of atopy among asthmatic patients(p>0.05). Between asthmatic patients with or without elevated IgE level and $\beta_2$ AR polymorphisms of amino acid position 16, 27, 34, there was no statistically significant association(p>0.05). Conclusion : There was no difference in frequency of the $\beta_2$ AR polymorphism between asthmatic patients and healthy person. In the bronchial asthma, association of $\beta_2$ AR polymorphism and atopy/serum total IgE was not found.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.406-417
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to bioaerosols in the indoor environment could be associated with a variety adverse health effects, including allergic disease such atopy. The objectives of this study were to assess children's exposure to bioaerosol in home indoor environments and to evaluate the association between atopy and bioaerosol, environmental, and social factors in Ulsan, Korea. Methods: Samples of viable airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by impaction onto agar plates using a Quick Take TM 30 and were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). Bioaerosols were identified using standard microbial techniques by differential stains and/or microscopy. The environmental factors and possible causes of atopy based on ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) were collected by questionnaire. Results: The bioaerosol concentrations in indoor environments showed log-normal distribution (p < 0.01). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of airborne bacteria and fungi in homes were 189.0 (2.5), 346.1(2.0) CFU/$m^3$, respectively. Indoor fungal levels were significantly higher than those of bacteria (p < 0.001). The concentration of airborne bacteria exceeded the limit recommended by the Korean Ministry of Environment, 800 CFU/$m^3$, in three out of 92 samples (3.3%) from 52 homes. The means of indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O) for airborne bacteria and fungi were 8.15 and 1.13, respectively. The source of airborne bacteria was not outdoors but indoors. GM of airborne bacteria and fungi were 217.6, 291.8 CFU/$m^3$ in the case's home and 162.0, 415.2 CFU/$m^3$ in the control's home respectively. The difference in fungal distributions between case and control were significant (p = 0.004) and the odds ratio was 0.996 (p = 0.027). Atopy was significantly associated with type of house (odds ratio = 1.723, p = 0.047) and income (odds ratio = 1.891, p = 0.041). Some of the potential allergic fungal genera isolated in homes were Cladosporium spp., Botrytis spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Alternatia spp. Conclusions: These results suggest that there this should be either 'was little' meaning 'basically no significant association was found' or 'was a small negative' mean that an association was found but it was minor. It's a very improtant distinction. Association between airborne fungal concentrations and atopy and certain socioeconomic factors may affect the prevalence of childhood atopy.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-131
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• 1998

1. In oriental medicine, the case of sinusitis can be explained, not only external invasion such as PUNG HAN(wind-cold), PUNG YUL(wind-hot), SHUP YUL(damp-heat), but also functional disorder of internal organ such as spleen(脾), lung(肺), kidney(腎) The western medicine classified the cause of sinusitis as two factors. That is bacterial infection factor-Haemophilus influenza, streptococcus pyogeues, streptococcus pneumonia- and viral infection factor-Rhinovirus, parainfluenza, Echo28, Coxsacki21, Sinusitis is complicated to allergic rhinitis, chronic otitis media purulent, chronic tonsilitis, sinubronchitis. On the condition of nasal septum deformity, turbinates deformity, nasal septum deviation, sinusitis can be developed. the predisposing factors of sinusitis is swimming, air pollution, malnutrition, shortage of immunity.2. According to survey, sinusitis occurred that children from 4 to 12 years old and from 5 to 7 years old occupied 70% 3. From the past history data, they experienced chronic tonsillar hypertropy(20%), otitis media, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, chronic sore throat, urticaria, milk allergy in sequence. 4. the symptoms of sinusitis is nasal obstruction, postnasal dripping, purulunt(yellow)or white discharge, cough, nose bleeding in sequence. nasal obstruction take the portion of 95%, postnasal dripping 65%, night time or early morning cough 60%. 5. The suffering period of sinusitis is 6 month minimum, 4 years maximum, most cases are included in a year. The suffering period of children was shorter than adult. 6. Diagnosis depend on inspection of nasal cavity, postnasal dripping, X-ray finding. 75% of patient(15case) showed both maxillary sinusitis, 25%(5cases) showed left or right maxillary sinusitis. 7. Treatment of oriental medicine, consist of Herb-medicine, acupuncture and exposing of Lazer beam. Kamihyunggyeyungyotang(加味荊芥蓮翹湯) is administered mainly as the medical therapy, Kamigwaghyangjeungkisan(加味藿香正氣散) Kimizwakwieum(加味左歸飮), Kamihyangsosan(加味香蘇散) is administered for a additional symptoms which occurred by influenza recurrence. Kamijeonxibackchulsan(加味錢氏白朮散) is administered to treat gastro-intestine trouble patients who have sinusitis. 8. The period of treatment is varied with patient conditions and X-ray finding. The minimal period is 35days, maximal period is 202days. So it took about 86days in average and about 50% of patient(10cases) is recovered in one or two month.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.398-406
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• 2012

Objectives: In order to investigate the relation between environmental pollution and its effect on human health in large-scale industrial complex regions, monitoring studies have been conducted since 2003. The main purpose of this Gangneung study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions such as Ulsan, Sihwa, Banwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang and Cheongju Daesan industrial complexes. Methods: In this Gangneung study, 1,007 local residents were recruited and the framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level but long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. A survey was performed based on personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergy skin prick tests for twelve common allergens. The authors reviewed the prevalence rate of skin allergens in Gangneung compared with in large-scale industrial areas. The results are summarized as follows. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma were lower than in industrial complex regions, but allergic rhinitis was higher. The allergy skin test prevalence was 26.0% and the most common allergens were dust mites (D. pteronysinus 16.7% and D. farinae 16.3%). Conclusions: The positive findings of the skin prick test were similar with large-scale industrial complex regions in Korea. Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.286-290
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• 2014

Fungi are the known sources of irritation associated with atopic diseases (e.g., asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema). To quantitatively estimate their presence in the indoor environment of atopic dermatitis-inflicted child patient's houses (ADCPHs), the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters installed inside the air cleaners of three different ADCPHs were investigated for the presence of mold. The air cleaner HEPA filters obtained from the three different ADCPHs were coded as HEPA-A, -B, and -C, respectively, and tested for the presence of mold. The colony forming units (CFUs) corresponding to the HEPA-A, -B, and -C filters were estimated to be $6.51{\times}10^2{\pm}1.50{\times}10^2CFU/cm^2$, $8.72{\times}10^2{\pm}1.69{\times}10^2CFU/cm^2$, and $9.71{\times}10^2{\pm}1.35{\times}10^2CFU/cm^2$, respectively. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Trichoderma, and other fungal groups were detected in the 2,494 isolates. The distribution of these fungal groups differed among the three filters. Cladosporium was the major fungal group in filters HEPA-A and -C, whereas Penicillium was the major fungal group in the filter HEPA-B. Nine fungal species, including some of the known allergenic species, were identified in these isolates. Cladosporium cladosporioides was the most common mold among all the three filters. This is the first report on the presence of fungi in the air cleaner HEPA filters from ADCPHs in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2006

Objectives: In spite of the recent increased concern for Asian dust storms, there are few studies concerning how dangerous the general public recognizes these dust storms to be. This study examined the public's perceptions of the risk of the Asian dust storms and also the source of the information concerning the risk. Methods: A telephone interview survey using a standardized questionnaire was done for the adults living in Seoul and its metropolitan area from May 15th, 2003 to May 16th, 2003. The contents of the questionnaire were the sociodemographic characteristics, the perceptions of risk to the Asian dust storms, and the coping strategy of the study participants. Results: The study participants get their information on Asian dust storms mainly from TV newscasts and they have a good knowledge of them. They regard it as one of the most dangerous health risks, along with dioxin. They think that it is associated with allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma, etc. Of the 500 study participants, 201 (40.2%) persons suffered bodily discomforts during the Asian dust storm period. Conclusions: Although there are uncertainties about the health risks of Asian dust storms, the public thinks these dust storms are very dangerous to health in many ways This negative perception will not disappear easily. To fill the gap of the public's perceptions of the risk and the objective evidence of its health effects, more studies about its health effects and the methods to reduce exposure are required.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2020

Chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, are associated with excessive mucus production. Hence, the regulation of mucus production is important for the treatment of upper and lower airway diseases. Eupatilin is a pharmacologically active ingredient obtained from Artemisia asiatica Nakai (Asteraceae) and exerts potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of eupatilin on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. We found that eupatilin treatment significantly inhibited PMA-induced mucus secretion in PAS staining. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that eupatilin dose-dependently decreased the mRNA expression of MUC5AC in human airway epithelial cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay also showed that PMA-induced protein expression of MUC5AC was inhibited by eupatilin treatment. Finally, we investigated MAPKs activity after stimulation with PMA using western blot analysis in human airway epithelial cells. The results showed that eupatilin downregulated the levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK. In summary, the anti-inflammatory activities of eupatilin, characterized as the suppression of MUC5AC expression and secretion in human airway epithelial cells, were found to be associated with the inhibition of p38/ERK/JNK MAPKs signaling pathway of MUC5AC secretion.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2005

Atopic dermatitis(AD) is a chronic disease that affects the skin. "Atopic" refers to a group of diseases where there is often an inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. In AD, symptoms vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Although AD may occur at any age, it most often begins in infancy and childhood. The cause of AD is not known, but the disease seems to result from a combination of hereditary and environmental factors along with malfunction of the body's immune system. In contrast to that, the results from literatual study in oriental medicine are as follows; 1. The causes of AD are considered to be Mosusigisadok(母受時氣毒), Waegampoongsubyeol(外感風濕熱), Guasiksinlayeolmul(過食辛辣熱物), Ohbokonje(誤服溫劑). 2. The symptoms are fever, flushed face, red eyes, oliguria, constipation and itching. 3. Chungyeolhaedok(淸熱解毒) would be the basic method of treatment, and it divides into two categories; Subhyung(濕型) and Gunhyung(乾型). In Subhyung(濕型), AD is treated by Josub(燥濕), Chungyeol(淸熱) and Jiyang(止痒) whereas Chungyeol(淸熱), Jiyang(止痒), Jesub(除濕) in Gunhyung(乾型). 4. To prevent further damage and enhance quality of life, it is necessary to keep the temperature and humidity favorable, and healing the skin and keeping it healthy are important. Developing and sticking with a daily skin care routine is critical to preventing flares. Changing the diet and psychological stability may also be helpful to relieve symptoms of AD.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.220-228
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate prevalence related characteristics and management status in children with atopic dermatitis(AD) for developing health promotion strategies led by community. Methods: Data were collected from 6,562 children with AD in preschool and elementary schools in a district of Ulsan city. Results: The majority of children(44.4%) were onset in less than 2 years after the birth. Seventy six point seven percent of subjects had skin rash and the pathologic lesion of them were flexion of upper extremities and extension of lower extremities. The prevalence rate of the respondents was 30.3%. In bathing, the children in AD group had used soap more frequently than children in normal group. The most preference type of complementary therapy in frequency order were aloe, aroma oil and Pasture. Conclusion: More effective management strategy for alleviating symptom and preventing advanced disease such as asthma and allergic rhinitis should be developed. And also scientific evidence for using complementary therapy is necessary to be provided.