• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.5
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• pp.317-321
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• 2011

Occupational lung disease (OLD) is a group of lung diseases caused and/or aggravated by organic and inorganic inhaled dust, fumes, and mist. OLD can develop under various occupational situations. Therefore, occupational history should be considered when evaluating respiratory symptoms. Once OLD is developed, it may not be treated and may even progress after exposure to the causative agents has stopped. The best ways to treat OLD are prevention and early detection by controlling the working environment and conducting regular surveillance of workers. Common OLDs in Korea are coal worker's pneumoconiosis, asbestos-related diseases, and occupational asthma. Recent aspects of these common OLDs in Korea will be described based on recently published studies.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.94-97
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• 2008

A 19-month-old boy suffered from stridor and dysphagia. He was taking asthma medication for a few months, but symptoms did not improve. After admission, a chest CT showed a posterior mediastinal mass, which compressed the trachea and esophagus. The removed mass via open thoracotomy was a bronchogenic cyst on histopathology. Postoperatively, stridor and dysphagia disappeared. In case of persistent and refractory stridor or dysphagia in children, congenital lesions including bronchogenic cyst need to be ruled out.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.2 s.95
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• pp.83-91
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• 2007

This study investigated the health effects of offensive odor in residents living near the petrochemical industry complex area(PICA) and the thermoelectric power plant(TPP) by using questionnaire. Residents who felt the offensive odor were 58.3% at PICA, 50.9% at TPP and 24.4% at classical fishing and agrarian villages (CFAV)(p=0.000). People who answered that the offensive odor was sever at CFAV were 95.2% only on summer, but at PICA and TPP, were 44.1% and 57.3% on Spring, 62.4% and 68.8% on Summer, 22.0% and 31.7% on Autumn, and 21.7% and 25.7% on Winter, respectively. Average days that the odor occurred were 4.4 days/month at CFAV, but 12.0 and 9.5 days/month at PICA and TPP, respectively. People who experienced the sleep disturbance were 28.0% and 27.1% at PICA and TPP, respectively. The most frequently subjective symptoms were headache(0.953), frequently sneezing(0.825), itchy eyes(0.766), and stimulating eyes(0.709) at PICA, and headache(1.082), itchy eyes(0.931), itchy skin(0.826), and frequent sneezing(0.674) at TPP, respectively. At PICA and TPP, the occurrence rates of diseases in respondents' families were 15.4% and 15.6% for asthma, 12.4% and 9.2% for respiratory diseases, 27.8% and 31.2% for skin diseases, and 9.1% and 6.9% for nervous diseases, respectively. In conclusion, many residents who living near the PICA and TPP experienced the offensive odor during four seasons, especially high on summer, the most frequently subjective symptoms such as headache, itchy and stimulating eyes, frequently sneezing, and some diseases among their families such as asthma, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, and nervous diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-59
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• 2009

To beef up natural immunity, we have used Bojoongikgitang which has been known to treat enervation in the oriental medicine. This study is analyzed out structure material and the chief virtue of a prescription through Literature Study on Bojoongikgitang and Clinical Application. And this study is investigated to make sure of the necessity and additional symptoms in using Bojoongikgitang. The results are as follows : 1. It is regarded that the structure materials of Bojoongikgitang consist of Astragali Radix one jeon(錢) five poon(分), Ginseng Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix one jeon for each, Citri Pericarpium, Angelicae Gigantis Radix five poon for each, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Bupleuri Radix three poon for each. 2. The necessity symptoms in using Bojoongikgitang are a pale complexion, drowsy eyes(目無精光), vigorless, lethargy, sluggish talk. 3. The fittest prescriptions prior to the necessity symptoms in using Bojoongikgitang are Bojoongikgitang added Paeoniae Radix Alba, Scutellariae Radix in fever, exterior heat, mild fever, Bojoongikgitang added Ephedrae Radix, Tritici Fructus Levis, Aconiti Iateralis Preparata Radix in spontaneous sweating, spontaneous sweating by yang deficiency, Bojoongikgitang added Paeoniae Radix Alba, Scutellariae Radix in feeling the pulse like a flood, largeness and weakness, scatter and largeness, flood and largeness for diagnosis respectively. Bojoongikgitang Entering the heart channel by culturing the blood prescription in vexation, vexation and anxiety, Soongihwajoongtang in headache, DossiBojoongikgitang in rigor, Bojoongikgitang annexed Saengmaecsan in thirst, Daninsamtang or Jojoongikgitang in asthma, asthma by congestion of the upwardness, Eeegongsan in light eating, eschewing food, losing one's appetite, Ikweeseungyangtang in deficiency failing to control blood and blood collapsey. 4. To treat a functional disease is superior to organic one in using Bojoongikgitang.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.199-210
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• 2007

Objective & Methods : The case report is to observe 27 case of venesection with negative pressure therapy(buhang) operated at CV17 (Danjuong) on sudden palpitation. We carried out to analyze the distribution and Martin's evaluation and weighted scale by sex & age, patient conditional grade, accompanied symptoms, duration, number of treatments as well. Results : 1. Forties is significantly distributed on sudden palpitation. 2. Depression instance out of many accompanied symptoms is significantly distributed. 3. Mean of operant frequency is significantly resulted on 10 or 11 times. 4. The improvement on the weighted scale is over one grade. 5. Younger is high on the assessment of treatment on Martin's evaluation and weighted scale by age, while older is low. 6. Lesser one year and more three years is some significantly resulted on the assessment of treatment on Martin's evaluation and weighted scale by duration. 7. Pleurodynia, insomnia, distress in the stomach are effective more 90%, and depression, asthma are more 80% on the assessment of treatment on Martin's evaluation by accompanied symptoms, while asthma and pleurodynia are very significantly resulted on the assessment of treatment on weighted scale. 8. The assessment of treatment on Martin's evaluation and weighted scale have no connection with operant frequency. Conclusion : These results suggest that venesection with negative pressure therapy(buhang) operated at CV17 (Danjuong) has a therapeutic effect on on sudden palpitation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.143-146
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• 2022

This study aims to report a case of facial dermatitis herpetiformis with allergy diseases improved by administration of Mahaengeuigam-tang (Maxingyigan-tang). Multiple blisters appeared on the patient's face, Erythema, papules, and scales were also observed on the neck, back, and knee areas of the patient. The patient has had cough, sputum, and dyspnea symptoms since she was 5-6 months old. After diagnosing the patient's condition as dermatitis herpetiformis, atopic dermatitis, and bronchial asthma through history taking and symptom observation, Mahaengeuigam-tang (Maxingyigan-tang) was prescribed for about 30 days. As a result of evaluation through our own criteria, dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms improved from 18 to 2 points. Atopic dermatitis and asthma symptoms also decreased from 12 to 0 and 20 to 3 points, respectively. Since this study has proven the efficacy of Mahaengeuigam-tang (Maxingyigan-tang) for dermatitis herpetiformis patient, this prescription may be fully utilized as the treatment for other inflammatory skin diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.766-771
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• 2005

Purpose : Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma; therefore interruption of cysteinyl leukotrienes by leukotriene receptor antagonists improves clinical symptoms in the management of patients with mild to moderate asthma. We evaluated whether clinical response to montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in childhood asthma was predicted by genotypes of leukotriene $C_4$ synthase($LTC_4S$) promoter gene polymorphism. Methods : An 8-week prospective, open trial of montelukast was carried out in 161 children with mild to moderate asthma. Genotyping of $LTC_4S$ gene polymorphism was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results : The distribution of the $LTC_4S$ genotypes AA, AC, and CC was 70.8 percent, 23.6 percent, and 5.6 percent, respectively in asthma group and 74.0 percent, 22.6 percent, and 3.4 percent, respectively in control group. A statistically significant difference in the distribution of $LTC_4S$ genotype was not observed between the asthma and the control groups, and there was no significant difference between the $LTC_4S$ genotype and asthma severity. The responders to montelukast were significantly prevalent in the mild asthma group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the responders compared to non-responders within genotype in the total asthma group or the moderate asthma group. However, the responsiveness for montelukast was significant difference within genotype for both AA and AC/CC in the mild asthma group : The AA genotype was more included in the responder group(P<0.05). Conclusion : In the mild persistent asthma group, the A allele of $LTC_4S$ polymorphism may be regarded as a predictable factor for clinical response to montelukast. However, LTC4S polymorphism was not significantly associated with the clinical response to montelukast in asthmatic children.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.388-394
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• 2009

The cytokines which is produced by allergen-specific T helper (Th) cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Asthma is caused by exaggerated T-helper 2 (Th2)-based immune responses. It is suggested that controlling such Th2-based response is necessary for asthma therapy. The current therapies for asthma focus primarily on control of symptoms and suppression of inflammation, without affecting the underlying cause. So, we examined that anti-asthmatic drugs might have play a certain role in Th2/Th1 balance. Splenocytes isolated from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice cultured with anti-asthmatic drugs. It is well known that Th2 and Th1 immune responses can balance one another, as Th2 mediators suppress Th1 responses and Th1 mediators similarly inhibit Th2 responses. But salmeterol inhibits both of Th1 and Th2 mediators, which salmeterol is a suppressor of immune responses not only a suppressor of Th2-based immune responses. Aminophylline is a weak suppressor of immune responses. But ipratropium and cromoglycate don't have any suppressor effect to Th2-driven responses. They only have suppressor effect to Th1 immune responses. Salmeterol, ipratropium, aminophylline, and cromoglycate augmented mRNA levels of CRTH2, EP2, and IP2 receptors in OVA-sensitized splenocytes. It is well known that the up-regulation of CRTH2 - $PGD_2$ receptor - results in restraint of eosinophil recruitment and that the increment of IP and EP2 - $PGI_2$ and $PGE_2$ receptor, respectively - may induce the accumulation of cAMP that decrease the effector function of T cells. Moreover salmeterol and cromoglycate increase the mRNA expression of $PGD_2$ synthase. These findings indicate that anti-asthma agents may alleviate the immunological responses that cause the asthmatic diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.519-530
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to develop outcome indicators in clinical trials of herbal drugs effective for asthma. cough and sputum. To accomplish the objective, this study collected outcome indicators developed and used according to conventional medical concepts. Methods : Our research group reviewed SCI papers concerned with developing outcome indicators to evaluate amelioration of asthma, cough and sputum. We also reviewed clinical trials of herbal drugs effective for them. Results : To evaluate asthma, objective as well as subjective methods were chosen according to the purpose of each trial. Objective methods were PEF, FEVl, serum IgE, peripheral eosinophil counts, and so on. Subjective methods were symptom scores, symptom diaries, quality of life measures, etc. To evaluate cough and sputum, objective and subjective methods were also chosen. Objective methods were tussigenic challenges, sputum induction and computerized methodology, and subjective methods were similar to the methodology evaluating asthmatic symptoms. Conclusions : It is desirable for a clinical trial evaluating herbal drugs for asthma, cough and sputum to use objective and subjective outcome indicators together. However, biological outcome indicators, a kind of objective methods, can not be chosen as the purpose of trial. Valid and reliable subjective outcome indicators are needed to develop good clinical trials of herbal drugs effective for asthma, cough and sputum.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.5 s.92
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• pp.412-417
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• 2006

A self-administrated non-malignant respiratory symptoms questionnaire was sent to 1,099 citizens who take subway running in Seoul city. Symptom prevalence rate was high: 70.6% of subjects reported 'chest tightness', 43.4%, 'dysphnea'; 76.2%, 'dry cough'; 49.5%, 'runny nose'; 94.4%, 'drowsiness' when they take subway. The groups responding significant higher respiratory and drowsiness symptoms were 'young passengers' (vs elderly passengers), 'the female' (vs male), 'using subway everyday' (vs often), 'using subway for rush-hour time' (vs other than rush-hour), 'using transfer subway' (no transfer), 'using underground track' (vs ground track). Logistic. regression model was employed to find personal and subway characteristics affecting non-malignant respiratory symptoms. This study concluded that respiratory diseases history such as asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis significantly affect 'dry cough' and 'runny nose'. Thus, passengers with respiratory diseases history shows 2.8 times greater 'dry cough' than and 3.4 times greater 'runny nose' than those passengers without respiratory diseases history felt. This results indicated that several measures have to take to protect sensitive groups such as passengers with respiratory diseases, children and elderly people. Also passenger who use to transfer shows 1.7 times higher runny nose symptoms than that passenger who do not transfer felt.