• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.171-182
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• 2024

All cells are equipped with intricate signaling networks to meet the energy demands and respond to the nutrient availability in the body. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is among the most potent regulators of cellular energy balance. Under ATP -deprived conditions, AMPK phosphorylates substrates and affects various biological processes, such as lipid/glucose metabolism and protein synthesis. These actions further affect the cell growth, death, and functions, altering the cellular outcomes in energy-restricted environments. AMPK plays vital roles in maintaining good health. AMPK dysfunction is observed in various chronic diseases, making it a promising target for preventing and alleviating such diseases. Herein, we highlight the different AMPK functions, especially in allergy, aging, and cancer, to facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches in the future.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제78권3호
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• pp.258-261
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• 2015

Eosinophilic lung diseases are heterogeneous disorders characterized by varying degrees of pulmonary parenchyma or blood eosinophilia. Causes of eosinophilic lung diseases range from drug ingestion to parasitic or fungal infection as well as idiopathic. The exact pathogenesis of eosinophilic lung disease remains unknown. Urushiol chicken can frequently cause allergic reactions. Contact dermatitis (both local and systemic) represents the most-common side effect of urushiol chicken ingestion. However, there has been no previous report of lung involvement following urushiol chicken ingestion until now. A 66-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with exertional dyspnea. Serial chest X-ray revealed multiple migrating infiltrations in both lung fields, with eosinophilic infiltration revealed by lung biopsy. The patient had ingested urushiol chicken on two occasions within the 2 weeks immediately prior to disease onset. His symptoms and migrating lung lesions were resolved following administration of oral corticosteroids.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제72권4호
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• pp.360-366
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• 2012

Background: Carbapenem-resistance is rapidly evolving among the pathogenic microbes in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to determine annual trend of carbapenem-resistance in the ICU for 4 years, since the opening of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. Methods: From 2005 to 2008, microbial samples from consecutive 6,772 patients were screened in the ICU. Three hundred and ninety-seven patients (5.9%) and their first isolates of carbapenem-resistant pathogens were analyzed. Results: The percentage of patients infected with carbapenem-resistant organisms increased constantly during the initial three years (2.3% in 2005, 6.2% in 2006, 7.8% in 2007), then it declined to 6.5% in 2008. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score at admission was $58.0{\pm}23.5$, the median length of the ICU stay was 37 days, and the mortality rate was 37.5%. The sampling sites were endotracheal suction (67%), catheterized urine (17%), wound (6%) and others (10%). Bacteria with carbapenem-resistance were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (247 isolates, 62%), Acinetobacter baumannii (117 isolates, 30%), Enterobacteriaceae (12 isolates, 3%), and others (21, 5%). Of note, peak isolation of carbapenem-resistant microorganisms in medical ICU was followed by the same epidemic at surgical ICU. Conclusion: Taken together, carbapenem-resistant pathogens are of growing concern in the ICU.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.321-327
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• 2015

A 50-year-old male visited the outpatient clinic and complained of fever, poor oral intake, and weight loss. A chest X-ray demonstrated streaky and fibrotic lesions in both lungs, and chest CT revealed multifocal peribronchial patchy ground-glass opacities with septated cystic lesions in both lungs. Cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lymphocyte-dominant leukocytosis, and further analysis of lymphocyte subsets showed a predominance of cytotoxic T cells and few T helper cells. Video-assisted wedge resection of the left upper lobe was performed, and the histologic examination was indicative of a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was orally administered for 3 weeks; however, the patient complained of cough, and the pneumonia was aggravated in the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT. Molecular studies demonstrated mutations at codons 55 and 57 of the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene, which is associated with the resistance to TMP-SMX. Clindamycin-primaquine was subsequently administered for 3 weeks replacing the TMP-SMX. A follow-up chest X-ray showed that the pneumonia was resolving, and the cough was also alleviated. A positive result of HIV immunoassay and elevated titer of HCV RNA indicated HIV infection as an underlying condition. This case highlights the importance of careful monitoring of patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) during the course of treatment, and the molecular study of DHPS mutations. Additionally, altering the anti-PCP drug utilized as treatment must be considered when infection with drug-resistant P. jirovecii is suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of TMP-SMX-resistant PCP described in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제54권7호
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• pp.304-309
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• 2011

Purpose: There are very few reports of adverse drug reactions (ADR) and almost no study of drug provocation test (DPT) in Korean children. We aimed to assess the role of DPT in children with unpredictable ADRs, and compare the causative drugs and clinical characteristics between detailed history of ADRs and result of DPTs. Methods: We included 16 children who were experienced ADRs referred to pediatric allergy clinic at Ajou University Hospital (January 2006 to December 2009). With various suspected drugs, 71 DPTs were done in 16 patients using our own protocol, and skin tests to antibiotics were combined in ADRs to antibiotics in medical history. Results: There were 17 (23.9%) positive DPTs results out of 71 individual DPTs, and 11 patients (68.8%) from 16 patients were positive to at least one drug. Drugs causing positive reactions were acetaminophen in 5 (31%), Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 4 (25%), penicillin in 3 (19%), cephalosporin in 2 (13%), and cotrimoxazole, macrolide and lactose in 1 each. Conclusion: DPT seems a safe and useful procedure to confirm causative drug and identify safely administering alternative drugs in children with ADR.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.125-130
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• 2009

Tacrolimus is a widely used T cell targeted immunosuppressive drug, known as a calcineurin inhibitor. However, the exact pharmacological effects of tacrolimus on $CD4^+$ T cells have yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the effects of tacrolimus on $CD4^+$ T cell subsets. Mouse or human $CD4^+$ T cells were cultured with immobilized anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies in the presence of tacrolimus. The cell division of $CD4^+$ T cells was analyzed using a flow cytometer according to the expression of Foxp3. The gene expression patterns of tacrolimus-exposed T cells were examined by quantitative PCR. In the case of conventional $CD4^+$ T cells (Tconv cells), tacrolimus inhibited T cell receptor stimulation-induced cell division. In contrast, the cell division of regulatory $CD4^+$ T cells (Treg cells) was even promoted in the presence of tacrolimus, especially in humans. Tacrolimus did not promote conversion of Tconv to Treg cells in mice. Furthermore, tacrolimus modified the expression levels of Foxp3-regulated T cell receptor signal related-genes, PTPN22 and Itk, in human Treg cells. Immunosuppressive effect of tacrolimus may be attributed to the relatively enhanced proliferation of Treg cells in association with altered gene expression levels of TCR signaling molecules.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.268-273
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• 2012

The definition of anaphylaxis is 'a serious, life-threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction' and is considered as the life threatening adverse drug reaction. We experienced a case of cefotetan induced anaphylaxis with negative pre-skin test, used for surgical prophylaxis. A 82-year-old female was scheduled for total knee replacement therapy. She had no previous history of allergy and her skin test results were also negative. On her right knee surgery, she underwent cefotetan therapy as a surgical prophylaxis for a week with no problems identified. Next left knee surgery, she also received the prophylaxis of intravenous cefotetan. However, a few minutes later, anaphylactic reaction developed with vomiting, severe hypotension, bronchospasm, and dyspnea. After immediate intensive care treatment, she recovered without significant complications. Though commonly used laboratory data in case reports, such as the specific IgE, tryptase, histamine, or allergic skin prick test were limited, we successfully confirmed anaphylaxis based on clinical criteria for diagnosing anaphylaxis based on WAO 2011 guideline with through concurrent patient°Øs medical history review and the process of identifying the causes.

• 한국학교보건학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.133-150
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• 2021

Purpose: The epidemiologic understanding of allergic diseases, including prevalence and risk factors, is needed for allergy management. This study identified the prevalence of and coping patterns for various types of allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), food allergy (FA), and drug allergy (DA), in Nam-gu, Ulsan, one of the most industrialized districts in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report multiple choice questionnaire. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and other measures were reviewed to develop the questionnaire. Data was collected from May 9th to November 30th of 2018. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed to apprehend the prevalence of symptoms, diagnostic rates, diagnosis dates, treatment history, and others. Results: By randomized sampling, 9,102 children from 25 nurseries, 25 kindergartens, and 15 elementary schools participated in the study. The prevalence of asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 11.1%, 48.7%, 15.5%, 17.6%, 15.1%, and 2.0%, respectively. The respective rate of ever being diagnosed with asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 4.2%, 38.4%, 25.5%, 23.3%, 9.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Last year's allergy related school absenteeism rates were 10.8%, 4.1%, and 1.3% for asthma, AR, and AD, respectively. Lastly, 59.2% of the participants considered air pollution as the most challenging factor in allergy management. Conclusion: This study comprehensively investigated the current state of various allergic diseases in Nam-gu, Ulsan. The study's findings are expected to be applied to strategies for decreasing the socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제76권1호
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• pp.8-14
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• 2014

Non-small cell lung cancer harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitizing mutations has a distinct disease entity. Patients with this cancer have better prognosis, and frequently achieve long-term survival. EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is the drug of choice for this cancer; but the disease inevitably progresses, after durable response. The tumor is a mixture of EGFR-TKI sensitive clones and resistant clones, regardless of their molecular mechanisms. EGFR-TKI sensitive clones are very susceptible to this drug, but rarely eradicated; so, withdrawal of the drug permits rapid regrowth of drug sensitive clones, possibly causing "disease flare." Re-administration or continuation of EGFR-TKI can effectively suppress the expansion of drug sensitive clones, even when the total tumor volume continuously increases. Chemotherapy can definitely prolong the survival of patients experiencing EGFR-TKI failure. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to compare efficacies of chemotherapeutic agents. A few retrospective studies suggested that a taxanebased regimen may be superior to others. Here, we reviewed therapeutic options and clinical evidence about this unique disease entity.

• 대한치과마취과학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.177-182
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• 2011

There are five principal causes for excessive bleeding in the immediate postextraction phase ; (1) Vascular wall alteration (wound infection, scurvy, chemicals, allergy) (2) Disorders of platelet function (genetic defect, drug-aspirin, autoimmune disease) (3) Thrombocytopenic purpuras (radiation, leukemia), (4) Inherited disorders of coagulation (hemophilia, Christmas disease, vitamin deficiency, anticoagulation drug-heparin, coumarin, aspirin, plavix). If the hemorrhage from postextraction wound is unusually aggressive, and then dehydration and airway problem are occurred, the socket must be packed with gelatine sponge(Gelfoam) that was moistened with thrombin and wound closure & pressure dressing are applied. The thrombin clots fibrinogen to produce rapid hemostasis. Gelatine sponges moistened with thrombin provide effective coagulation of hemorrhage from small veins and capillaries. But, in dental alveoli, gelatine sponges may absorb oral microorganisms and cause alveolar osteitis (infection). This is a case report of bleeding and infection control by the circumferential suture and iodoform gauze drainage on infected active bleeding extraction socket under sedation and local anesthesia in a 71-years-old male patient with anticoagulation drug.