• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

A high level of particulate matter (PM) in air is correlated with the onset and development of chronic respiratory diseases. We conducted a systematic literature review, searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for studies of biomarkers of the effect of PM exposure on chronic respiratory diseases and the progression thereof. Thirty-eight articles on biomarkers of the progression of chronic respiratory diseases after exposure to PM were identified, four of which were eligible for review. Serum, sputum, urine, and exhaled breath condensate biomarkers of the effect of PM exposure on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma had a variety of underlying mechanisms. We summarized the functions of biomarkers linked to COPD and asthma and their biological plausibility. We identified few biomarkers of PM exposure-related progression of chronic respiratory diseases. The included studies were restricted to those on biomarkers of the relationship of PM exposure with the progression of chronic respiratory diseases. The predictive power of biomarkers of the effect of PM exposure on chronic respiratory diseases varies according to the functions of the biomarkers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.250-258
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• 2020

Emphysema, a major component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a leading cause of human death worldwide. The progressive deterioration of lung function that occurs in the disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the airway and destruction of the lung parenchyma. Despite the main impact of inflammation on the pathogenesis of emphysema, current therapeutic regimens mainly offer symptomatic relief and preservation of lung function with little therapeutic impact. In the present study, we aimed to discover novel therapeutics that suppress the pathogenesis of emphysema. Here, we show that LJ-2698, a novel and highly selective antagonist of the adenosine A₃ receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor involved in various inflammatory diseases, significantly reversed the elastase-induced destructive changes in murine lungs. We found that LJ-2698 significantly prevented elastase-induced airspace enlargement, resulting in restoration of pulmonary function without causing any obvious changes in body weight in mice. LJ-2698 was found to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity and pulmonary cell apoptosis in the murine lung. LJ-2698 treatment induced increases in anti-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages at doses that displayed no significant cytotoxicity in normal cell lines derived from various organs. Treatment with LJ-2698 significantly increased the number of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in the lungs. These results implicate the adenosine A₃ receptor in the pathogenesis of emphysema. Our findings also demonstrate the potential of LJ-2698 as a novel therapeutic/preventive agent in suppressing disease development with limited toxicity.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and test an explanatory model of dyspnea in patients with chronic lung disease (CLD). Methods: Participants were 181 patients with CLD, recruited from the outpatient pulmonary clinic of one university hospital in Korea. Data were collected using questionnaires, as well as measurement of 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$), FEV1% predicted, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: The results indicated a good fit between the proposed dyspnea model and the collected data [$x^2$=91.27, p= .13, $x^2$/d.f.=1.17, Normal Fit Index= .934]. Oxygenation ($SpO_2$, = -.530), self-efficacy (= -.429), anxiety (= .253), depression (= .224), exercise endurance (6MWD, = -.211), and pulmonary function (FEV1% predicted, = -.178) had a direct effect on dyspnea (all p< .05) and these variables explained 74% of variance in dyspnea. BMI, smoking history, and social support had an indirect effect on dyspnea. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that comprehensive nursing interventions should focus on recovery of respiratory health and improvement of emotions, exercise ability, and nutritional status. From this perspective, pulmonary rehabilitation would be an effective strategy for managing dyspnea in patients with CLD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.2
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• pp.173-176
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• 2012

We report a rare case of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium terrae in a previously healthy woman. A 45-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a chronic cough with sputum. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed bronchiolitis in conjuction with bronchiectasis in both lungs. Nontuberculous mycobacteria were identified and isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from each lung. All isolates were identified as M. terrae by various molecular methods that characterized the rpoB and hsp65 gene sequences. Antibiotic therapy using clarithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol improved the patient's condition and successfully resulted in sputum conversion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.847-850
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• 1999

Tracheobronchomegaly or Mounier-Kuhn syndrome a is rare disease characterized by marked dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi. It is thought to be due to a congenital anomaly, but is uncertain. It has variable clinical manifestations from causing chronic respiratory infections and bronchiectasis to being asymptomatic for the lifetime. Recently, we experienced a case of Mounier-Kuhn syndrome patient with tracheal diverticulum, who had lung cancer. Our case is reported with literature reviews.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1102-1105
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• 1998

Chronic granulomatous disease in childhood is a rare inheritable disorder of phagocytic cells in which defective production of the reactive intermediates of oxygen predisposes the patient to severe recuring pyogenic infections. The lung is the most common site of infection and pulmonary disease is the primary cause of death for greater than 50% of children with chronic granulomatous disease. Although the role of surgery in management of this disease remains undefined, rapid diagnosis of the underlying pulmonary problem is crucial to determine the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy and surgical techniques such as lobectomy of involved areas lead to more rapid recovery and thus allow the antibiotics to be more efficacious in these cases. We have treated a one month old male baby who had the chronic granulomatous disease with pulmonary infection. Wide surgical resection of the affected lobe and use of antibiotics and antifungals were carried out with good clinical results. He was well after the operation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.228-232
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• 2018

Background: Chronic bronchitis (CB) is an important phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate different pattern of COPD assessment test (CAT) score between CB and non-CB patients. Methods: Patients were recruited from 45 centers in Korea, as part of the Korean COPD Subgroup Study cohort. CB was defined when sputum continued for at least 3 months. Results: Total 958 patients with COPD were eligible for analysis. Among enrolled patients, 328 (34.2%) were compatible with CB. The CAT score was significantly higher in patients with CB than non-CB, and each component of CAT score showed a similar result. CB was significantly associated with CAT score when adjusted with age, sex, modified Medical Research Council, and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Each component of CAT score between patients with CB and non-CB showed different pattern according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease grade. Conclusion: CAT score is significantly higher in patients with CB than non-CB. Each component of CAT score was significantly different between two groups.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.583-591
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• 1997

The functional derangement of skeletal muscles which may be attributed to chronic hypoxia has been accepted as a possible mechanism of exercise impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The metabolic changes in skeletal muscle in patients with COPD are characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation, early activation of anaerobic glycolysis and excessive lactate and hydrogen ion production with exercise. But the cause of exercise limitation in patients with chronic lung disease without hypoxia has not been known. In order to evaluate the change in the skeletal muscle metabolism as a possible cause of the exercise limitation in chronic lung disease patients without hypoxia, we compared the muscular metabolic data of seven male patients which had been derived from noninvasive $^{31}P$ magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS) with those of five age-matched normal male control persons. $^{31}P$ MRS was studied during the sustained isometric contraction of the dominant forearm flexor muscles up to the exhaustion state and the recovery period. Maximal voluntary contraction(MVC) force of the muscle was measured before the isometric exercise, and the 30% of MVC force was constantly loaded to each patient during the isometric exercise. There were no differences of intracellular pH (pHi) and inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine(Pi/PCr) at baseline, exhaustion state and recovery period between two groups. But pHi during the exercise was lower in patients group than the control group (p < 0.05). Pi/PCr during the exercise did not show significant difference between two groups. These results suggest that the exercise limitation in chronic lung disease patients without hypoxia also could be attributed to the abnormalities in the skeletal muscle metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the differences in physical function, self-efficacy (SE), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) categorized by disease severity in community-dwelling patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 182 patients with COPD selected from the pulmonology outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. Disease severity was measured using forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Physical function, SE, and HRQoL were measured with the six-minute walking distance, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Adapted Index of Self-Efficacy (PRAISE), and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Disease duration, FEV1, and 12-month history of exacerbations were obtained from medical records. Patients were categorized by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) category. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, and one-way ANOVA. Results: Most of the participants were male and nonsmokers. The disease duration was 10.76 ± 10.03 years, the mean FEV1% was 62.13 ± 22.80, and 70.3% of the participants were in GOLD category 2 (moderate) or milder. Half of the participants reported modified Medical Research Council scores ≥ 2. Patients in GOLD categories 1 and 3 (mild and severe) exhibited significantly higher PRAISE scores than those in the other groups (F = 8.23, p < .001). The total SGRQ scores were highest in GOLD 4 (very severe), indicating the lowest HRQoL. Significant differences were identified among GOLD 1, GOLD 2 and 3, and GOLD 4 (F = 9.92, p < .001). Conclusion: We identified potentially useful variables to comprehensively assess disease severity and tailor management strategies, including airflow limitation, and to determine the consequences of COPD from patients' perspectives.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.732-745
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• 2009

Objectives : This study analyzed the contents of research papers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) concerning chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) published in PubMed during the last 5 years. This study was conducted to help clinical studies for treating COPD with Oriental medicine. Materials and Methods : We inspected 31 theses and scrutinized their objectives, periods, participants, materials and methods, methods of assessment, results and Jadad score. Results : The treatments in the studies were supplements, physical training, acupuncture, acu-TENS, Bojungikgi-tang (Buzhongyiqi-tang), counseling, breathing training, osteopathic manipulative treatment, reflexology, and distractive auditory stimuli. The aims of treatment were improvement of exercise capacity, lung function, quality of life, oxidative status, nutrient status, systemic inflammation, and cessation of smoking. The median for treatment period of study was 8 weeks, the median number of participants was 35 and the differences between mean $FEV_1$ from groups were less than 10% in 22 studies. The methods of assessment were lung function test, exercise capacity test, muscle strength test, questionnaire of QoL, laboratory studies, and measurement of nutrient state. The mean of Jadad score was $2.4\;{\pm}\;1.03$, and 24 treatment were assessed as effective. Conclusion : Recent CAM studies of COPD have focused on various topics in alternative and complementary medicine, and it is necessary to provide objective studies for treatment of this disease with Oriental medicines.