• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2011

Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease and is characterized by the releases of inflammatory mediators including chemokines. They are mainly associated with the recruitment, activation and dysregulation of specific inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils in neutrophilic asthma. CC chemokines bind to CC chemokine receptors (CCRs) in the surface of their target cells. The aims of this study are to examine the CCR expression in neutrophils of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic patients and to determine the alternation of migration and apoptosis of neutrophils by the BALF. We demonstrate that CCR3 strongly expresses in BALF neutrophils of asthmatic patients as compared to other CCRs and increases during apoptosis of the BALF neutrophils. The migration of asthmatic blood neutrophils increases in response to asthmatic BALF as compared to BALF of normal volunteer. In addition, asthmatic BALF includes the higher levels of IL-8 protein than normal BALF and it has no effect on apoptosis of asthmatic blood neutrophils. Taken together, our results indicate that CCR3 expression may be associated with unknown function of asthmatic BALF neutrophils and BALF may be involved in the recruitment of neutrophils into the airway, but not in the neutrophils apoptosis.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2008

In order to investigate the effects of JHG on immune cells in BALF, clinically prescribed JHG was tested using OVA induced asthma animal model. The results are shown below: 1. JHG significantly reduced the total number of cells in BALF compared to that of the control at 400 mg/kg doses. 2. JHG significantly reduced the number of CD3+/CD69+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 3. JHG significantly reduced the number of CCR3+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 4. JHG significantly reduced the number of B220+/CD22+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 5. JHG significantly reduced the number of B220+/IgE+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 6. JHG significantly reduced the number of B220+/CD45+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. From the results above, anti-asthmatic efficacy of JHG through anti-oxidative activity as well as immune control activity has been experimentally proven. In depth study of JHG on various pathological factors and individual drug contents of JHG should follow.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

Background : Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder under immunological influence. Gamichunggumgangwha-tang (CG, Jiaweiqingjinjianghuo-tang) and Gamiyukmigiwhang-tang (YM, Jiaweiliuweidihuang-tang) are herbal tonics for asthma from traditional herbal medicine. Objective : To evaluate the effect of CG and YM on immune cell & serum OA-specific IgE in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in a rat asthma model. Materials and Methods : Rats were sensitized with OA; at day I sensitized group and CG and YM groups were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of Al(OH)3 in a total volume of 2ml. At the same time, 1 ml of 0.9% saline containing $6{\times}10^9$ B. pertussis bacilli was injected by Lp. 14 days after the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2% (wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BALF was collected from the rats. Rats were orally administered with each of CG and YM extract for 14 days since the day after local immunization. Lymphocyte, CD4＋ T cell and CD8＋ T cell counts, CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio in BALF, change of serum OA-specific IgE level, CD4＋ T cell and CD8＋ T cell percentages in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results : CG and YM showed an alleviating effect on asthmatic responses of rats. CG decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4＋ T cells in BALF, and serum OA-specific IgE level as compared with the control group. YM decreased lymphocytes as compared with the control group. CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio in BALF from the CG and YM groups and serum OA-specific IgE level from the YM group didn't show any significant variation from the control group. Conclusion : CG alleviated asthmatic hyperreactivity of the immune system through CD4＋ T cells and serum IgE. Further the study of this immune system modulating mechanism is expected.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.200-201
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• 2010

블록 기반의 적응적 루프 필터(BALF : Block Adaptive Loop Filter)는 압축 성능에 있어서 상당히 높은 효율을 보이는 기술 중 하나이다. BALF는 복원된 영상을 원본 영상에 최대한 유사하게 만드는 Weiner 필터계수와 해당 필터가 적용될 영역에 대한 정보를 복원된 영상에 적용함으로써 화질을 높일 수 있다. 그러나 BALF는 단위블록 전체에 대해 하나의 필터를 생성하여 적용하는 방법으로, 블록 내부에서 구분되는 신호적 특성을 따로 분류하지 않는다. 그러므로 BALF는 높은 부호화 성능을 보이는 반면, 높은 복호화 복잡도를 요구한다는 단점이 있다. 본 논문에서는 필터가 적용될 블록을 내부와 경계 영역으로 나누어 경계 영역을 위한 필터를 구분하여 생성하는 루프필터를 제안한다. 제안하는 알고리즘은 기존의 BALF에 비해 부호화 성능이 저하되지만, 필터를 적용할 영역을 선택 가능하게 함으로써 복호화 복잡도를 조절할 수 있도록 하였다. 제안한 방법의 실험결과, 기존의 방법인 BALF에 대하여 블록의 경계 영역 필터를 사용할 경우, 약 3.77%의 부호화 성능 저하에 대하여 약 33.76%의 필터링 속도 향상을 보였다.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2005

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of airways that is induced by Th2 cytokines and inhibited by Th1 cytokines. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of SCT and BJT on eosinophilla and cytokines of BALF in a mouse model established airway inflammmation. Asthma was induced to male c57/bl6 mice. Allergen-specific antibody responses, cytokine$(IL-4,\;IL-5,\;INF-{\gamma})$, and eosinophil inflammation of the airways were investigated on the BALF and splenocyte. SCT and BJT effectively induced $INF-{\gamma}$ and inhibited IL-4, IL-5 as well as eosinophilic inflammation when SCT and BJT were administered. Total Ig E level in the BALF decreased. SCT was more effectiveness than BJT. It is considered that SCT and BJT have faborable effect on the asthma because the asthma specific series of abnormalities in respiratory system were decreased.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.169-180
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• 2003

Background : Allergic asthma is thought to be mediated by $CD4^{+}$ T lymphocytes producing the Th2-associated cytokines. According to investigations of lung biopsies and respiratory secretions from patients, $CD4^{+}$ T cells and eosinophils are the main features of the inflammatory process. Object : This study aimed to find an inhibition effect on allergens induced by JCT (Jungchun-tang) and JCTG (Jungchuntanggagambang) through the change of $CD4^{+}$ T cells and $CD8^{+}$ T cells in BALF of rat, and to see the change of IgE m serum. Materials and Methods : Laboratory rats were primary sensitized with OA (ovalbumin); on day 1, rats of a control group and a sample group (SBP group) were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of A1(OH)3 in a total volume of 2 ml saline. The rats of the sample group were orally administered with an SBP water extract for 14 days after primary immunization. On day 14 after the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2%(wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid and serum were collected from the rats. Total cells, lymphocytes, $CD4^{+}$ T cells, $CD8^{+}$ T cells, and $CD4^{+}$/$CD8^{+}$ ratio in the BALF, and IgE level in serum were measured and evaluated. Results : L Total cell in BALF of rat : JCT was observed to be significantly reduced but JCTG had no significant difference in comparison with the control group. 2. Lymphocytes in BALF of rat : JCT and JCTG were observed to be significantly reduced in comparison with the control group. 3. $CD4^{+}$T cells in BALF of rat : JCT was observed to be more significantly reducing than JCTG in comparison with the control group. 4. $CD8^{+}$T cells in BALF of rat : JCT and JCTG were observed not to be significantly different than in the control group. 5. $CD4^{+}/CD8^{+}$ ratio in BALF of rat : JCT and JCTG were observed not to be significantly different than in the control group. 6. The IgE level in serum : JCT and JCTG were observed to be significantly reduced in comparison with the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that JCT inhibits allergen-induced specially select $CD4^{+}$T cell channel in BALF of rat.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.111-116
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• 2014

Human neutrophils play an essential role in the innate immune response and are involved in the pathogenesis of the severe and corticosteroid-resistant asthma. Asthma is characterized by an infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lung and by a cytokine release. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) on the chemotaxis and apoptosis of neutrophils which were isolated from healthy subjects. The BALF of subjects with asthma induces the blood neutrophil chemotaxis in the opposite of that in normal subjects. The IL-8, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in BALF were higher in subjects with asthma than in normal subjects. The BALF of normal and asthmatic subjects has no effect on neutrophil apoptosis of BALF. MCP-1 delays the constitutive apoptosis of normal blood neutrophils, but has no effect in normal BALF neutrophils. These results may indicate that inflammatory factors secreted by the lung tissue of patients with asthma trigger the neutrophil chemotaxis and also induce the neutrophil dysregulation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2002

Objectives: Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang are herbal decoctions which have been used as traditional therapeutic agents for asthma. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang on immune Cell & serum OA-specific 19B in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rat asthma model. Methods: Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA); at day I the sensitized group and Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang groups were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of $Al(OH)_3$ in a total volume of 2ml. At the same time, 1ml of 0.9% saline containing $6{\times}10^9$ B. pertussis bacilli was injected by i.p. for 14 days. After systemic immunization, the rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2% (wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid was collected from the rats. A day after local immunization, rats were orally administered with each of Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang extract for 14 days. Lymphocyte, CD4+T-cell CD8+ T-cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, change of serum OA-specific IgE level, and CD4+T-cell CD8+T-cell percentage in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results: Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang showed a suppressive effect on the rat asthma model. Maekmoondong-tang decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+T-cell, CD8+T-cell in BALF, and serum OA specific 19B level as compared with the control group, whereas Maekmoondong-tang decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF with statistical nonsignificance as compared with the control group. 1 decreased total cell, CD4+T-cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, and serum OA specific IgE level, whereas Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang decreased ymphocyte, and CD8+T-cell in BALF with statistical nonsignificance as compared with the control group. CD4+T-cell and CD8+ T-cell percentage in peripheral blood were not changed significantly in all the experimental groups. Conclusions: This study shows that Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang have a suppressive effect on asthma. Maekmooruiong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang would be useful asthma treatment agents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.38-54
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• 2008

Objective : This study was designed to investigated effects of Pinelliae Rizoma (PR) on asthma Methods : Detecting antigen specific antibody isotypes, cytokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, the present author also investigated changes in weight of spleen and proliferation rates of splenocytes. Finally, histopathological observation of the lung tissue was also investigated. Results : Oral administration of PR lowered OVA specific IgE levels in serum, IgG1 levels in serum and BALF. PR also decreased production levels of IL-4 in BALF. In addition, total cells in BALF were decreased by oral administration of PR effectively. In histapathological observation, PR group showed downward tendency of inflammatory cell infiltration around small vessels. Conclusion : PR is useful to treat patients with asthma and the mechanisms are related in suppression of Th2 skewing reactions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2443-2446
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• 2013

Published data have shown that the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) in plasma and pleural effusion might be usefulness for lung cancer diagnosis. Here, we performed a prospective study to investigate the utility of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for differential diagnosis of primary lung cancer. A total of 56 patients with solitary pulmonary massed by chest radiograph or CT screening were enrolled in this study. BALF and plasma samples were obtained from all patients and analyzed for VEGF and sVEGFR-1 using a commercially available sandwich ELISA kit. The results showed that the levels of VEGF in BALF were significantly higher in patients with a malignant pulmonary mass compared with patients with a benign mass (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference of sVEGFR-1 in BALF was found between malignant and non-malignant groups (P = 0.43). With a cut-off value of 214 pg/ml, VEGF showed a sensitivity and specificity of 81.8% and 84.2%, respectively, in predicting the malignant nature of a solitary pulmonary mass. Our study suggests that VEGF is significantly increased in BALF among patients with lung cancer than in benign diseases. Measurement of VEGF in BALF might be helpful for differential diagnosis of primary lung cancer.