• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.108-108
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• 2018

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to establish relationship between allergic diseases and functional gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents using objective criteria and questionnaires. Methods This study surveyed 237 children and adolescents who visited the department of Pediatrics of ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ Korean Medicine Hospital from September 23rd, 2013 to December 26th, 2013. The Korean version of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and the Korean-translated Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III (QPGS-Rome III) were used. We analyzed the data by using PASW Statistics 18.0 with Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Linear by linear association. Results There was no significant difference between prevalence of allergic diseases and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Also, there was no strong relationship between the number of allergic diseases and the functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, some parts showed significant relationships - such as asthma symptoms ever and belch; asthma symptoms last 12 months and belch; allergic rhinitis diagnosis ever and belly aches and abdominal pain around and below the belly button; allergic rhinitis treatment last 12 months and belly aches and abdominal pain around and below the belly button; and atopic dermatitis diagnosis ever and irritable bowel syndrome (respectively; p=0.046, p=0.008, p=0.004, p=0.029, p=0.035). And as the number of allergic diseases increases, the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders are 19.4%, 31.3%, 41.7%, 31.0% respectively. Conclusions Although there was no significant relationship between allergic diseases and functional gastrointestinal disorders, some gastrointestinal symptoms were related to allergic diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with atopic dermatitis in Korean adults. Methods: The data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey on 2008. Subjects of this study were 7,280 adults aged older than 18 years. The data were analyzed for demographic characteristics, health status, alcohol drinking, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation between atopy group and non-atopy group. Results: Among 7,280 subjects, 2.9% of Korean adults had a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis from doctor. Multiple logistic regression identified that the presence of atopic dermatitis was associated with marital status (OR=2.66, CI 1.84~3.86, p<.001), rhinitis (OR=1.52, CI 1.04~2.22, p = .030), and depression (OR=1.89, CI 1.04~3.41, p = .036). Conclusion: Based on these results, marital status, rhinitis, and depression should be considered in addressing individuals with atopic dermatitis. And the other factors contributing to atopic dermatitis need to be specifically identified.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.409-415
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• 2007

Allergy skin prick test and intradermal test represent one of the major tools in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated diseases like as atopic asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food and drug allergy, and insect bite when properly performed. Skin tests are of particular importance in fields such as allergen standardization, pharmacology, and epidemiology. Even if skin tests seem easy to perform, adequate and proper interpretation requires well-trained physicians who can recognize the numerous factors that may modify the results of skin tests.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.133-148
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• 2002

Objective : This study was to investigate more effective oriental medical treatment for Pediatric Bronchial Asthma Method : Aroma therapy and Herbal medicine was given to 28 pediatric bronchial asthma patients(19 males and 9 females) for about 5months from the First, August 1999 The Fifth, January 2002. Results: 1. Demographic factor : The sample consisted of 28 persons among whom 19 were male, 9 were female. The age ranges from 1 year old to 6 year old. Less than 2 year old were 4 and 2-6 year old were 20. 2.Residence : Apartment and villar dwellers were 19(67.9%), Residential street divellers were 9(32.1%). 3.Age distribution at on set : 6(21.4%) fell ill befor 1 year old and 22(78.6%) fell ill after 1 year old 4. The period of illness : 9(32.2%) suffered during 1-3 year and 6(21.4%) suffered during 6 mouth-1year and 6(21.4%) suffered during more than 3 year. 5. Frequency of the symptoms : The symptoms appeared 2-3 times a year in the case of 16(57.2%), one time a year in the case of 1, 4 times a year in the case of 6(21.4%). 6. Concomitance symptoms : All experienced coughing sign, wheezing, 23(82.1%) experienced epistaxis, nose dripping, 13(46.4%) got fever, anorexia. 7. Past history of illness : 16(57.1%) got brochiolitis, brochitis, 12(42.9%) suffered pneumonia, 9(32.1%) had allergic rhinitis. 2 had allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, 3 got atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma and 7 had allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, 8. Family disease : In the case of family disease, 21(75%) had allergic dermatitis, 9(42.9%) had bronchial asthma, 8(38.1%) had allergic dermatitis. 9. The symptoms became very severe in the change of season in the case of 13(46.4%) and in the case of 11(39.3%), the change of season made no difference 10. Associated caused of induction symtoms : 28(100%) got sick by common cold, infectional disease, 8(28.6%) got sick by cold food, cold air 11.The kind of therapy : 15(53.6%) got oriental therapy after occidental therapy, 11(39.3%) took only oriental therapy. 12. Improvement degree of each symptoms : In the case of cough and wheeze that are the main symptoms of bronchial asthma, 78.6% and 64.3% of the patients replied < improvement > and in the case of dyspnea, tachypnea 41.7% of the patients replied . In other symptoms, all replied 13. Degree of satisfaction : 19(67.9%) replied , 2(7.1%) replied . Conclusion : Herbal medicine and aroma therapy proved to be a very effective oriental medical treatment for pediatric bronchial asthma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.279-291
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the association between air pollutant levels and medical usage rates for environmental disease in a general residential area during the period 2015-2017. Methods: Air pollutant (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃) data were collected from Air-Korea. Medical usage data on environmental disease (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis) for the period 2015-2017 in a general residential area in Gyeongsangnam-do Province were provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to investigate the association between air pollutant levels and medical usage rates (SAS 9.4). In the multiple regression analysis, environmental disease was set as the dependent variable and air pollutants were set as independent variables and analyzed using the General Linear Model. Results: Except for PM_2.5, the average concentration of air pollutants in the surveyed area was below than the air environment standards of Korea. NO₂ was higher than Korea's national average, but CO was similar. The others were lower than the Korea's national average. The daily medical usage rates for environmental disease were 1.38‰ for asthma, 9.90‰ for allergic rhinitis, and 0.32‰ for atopic dermatitis. As a result of correlation analysis, PM₁₀ and SO₂, NO₂ and CO were significantly correlated with asthma, PM₁₀ and NO₂ and CO were correlated with allergic rhinitis, and PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂ and CO were correlated with atopic dermatitis. As a result of multiple regression analysis, PM₁₀ and SO₂ were found to have a higher effect on asthma, PM₁₀ and NO₂ on allergic rhinitis, and SO₂ and NO₂ on atopic dermatitis, compared to other air pollutants. Conclusion: According to these results, air pollutants such as PM₁₀ and SO₂ and NO₂ were associated with the medical usage rates of environmental disease even in relatively low concentrations. Therefore, continuous monitoring will be required for general residential areas.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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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.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.537-541
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• 2020

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptors have been implicated in atopic dermatitis. S1P₂ was found to function as a proallergic receptor, while its antagonist JTE-013 was found to suppress allergic asthma in mice. Topical application of JTE-013 has not been investigated in an in vivo model of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of JTE-013 topical application was evaluated by the use of a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model. DNCB-induced inflammation and mast cell accumulation in skin tissues were significantly suppressed by topical JTE-013 treatment in BALB/c mice. DNCB-induced increase of lymph nodes sizes and elevated inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, IL-17, and IFN-γ) in lymph nodes were also significantly reduced by the JTE-013 treatment. Elevated serum levels of IgE were significantly suppressed by the topical treatment of JTE-013. In summary, the topical treatment of JTE-013 S1P₂ antagonist suppressed DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis symptoms and immune responses. These results suggested JTE-013 as a potential therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.1216-1222
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• 2006

Purpose : Though atopic and nonatopic asthma have different clinical manifestations, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and airway inflammations are common characteristics of them. We investigated BHR to both methacholine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), and their relationships with blood eosinophil markers in nonatopic asthma as well as atopic asthma. Methods : We studied 116 children (82 atopics; 34 nonatopics) with mild to moderate asthma. Methacholine and AMP challenge tests were performed and bronchial responsiveness was expressed as $PC_{20}$ (provocative concentration causing a 20 percent fall in $FEV_1$); blood eosinopil counts (ETCs) and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were gauged. Results : In atopics, 95.1 percent and 90.2 percent showed hyperreactivity to methacholine ($PC_{20}$<16 mg/mL) and AMP ($PC_{20}$<200 mg/mL), respectively. Meanwhile, in nonatopics, 94.1 percent and 52.9 percent displayed hyperreactivity to methacholine and AMP, respectively. The geometric mean of AMP $PC_{20}$ was lower in atopics (31.6 mg/mL) than in nonatopics (125.9 mg/mL); that of methacholine $PC_{20}$ was similar in the two groups. AMP $PC_{20}$ correlated with blood ETCs in both atopics(r=-0.30, P<0.01) and nonatopics (r=-0.57, P<0.01), and correlated with serum ECP levels (r=-0.23, P<0.01) in atopics, but not in nonatopics. Apart from AMP, methacholine $PC_{20}$ was not associated with blood eosinophil markers in either group. Conclusion : Atopics more frequently displayed BHR to AMP than nonatopics. Furthermore, BHR to AMP was associated with not only blood ETCs, but serum ECP levels in atopics but was correlated with only blood ETCs in nonatopics. Those results suggest that BHR to AMP reflects airway inflammation in asthma and is more related to atopy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2009

The myosin light chain kinase (MYLK) gene encodes both smooth muscle and nonmuscle cell isoforms. Recently, polymorphisms in MYLK have been reported to be associated with several diseases. To examine the genetic effects of polymorphisms on the risk of asthma and related phenotypes, we scrutinized MYLK by re-sequencing/genotyping and statistical analysis in Korean population (n = 1,015). Seventeen common polymorphisms located in or near exons, having pairwise $r^2$ values less than 0.25, were genotyped. Our statistical analysis did not replicate the associations with the risk of asthma and log-transformed total IgE levels observed among African descendant populations. However, two SNPs in intron 16 (+89872C> G and +92263T> C), which were in tight LD (|D'| = 0.99), revealed significant association with log-transformed blood eosinophil level even after correction multiple testing ($P=0.002/P^{corr}=0.01$ and $P=0.002/P^{corr}=0.01$, respectively). The log-transformed blood eosinophil levels were higher in individuals bearing the minor alleles for +89872C> G and +92263T> C than in those bearing other allele. In additional subgroup analysis, the genetic effects of both SNPs were much more apparent among asthmatic patients and atopic asthma patients. Among atopic asthma patients, the log-transformed blood eosinophil levels were proportionally increased by gene-dose dependent manner of in both +89872C> G and +92263T> C(P = 0.0002 and P = 0.00007, respectively). These findings suggest that MYLK polymorphisms might be among the genetic factors underlying differential increases of blood eosinophil levels among asthmatic patients. Further biological and/or functional studies are needed to confirm our results.