• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제69권5호
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• pp.375-380
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• 2010

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare benign lymphoproliferative interstitial lung disease. LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders, HIV, viral infections, and so on. Once underlying systemic diseases have been excluded, a diagnosis of idiopathic LIP can be made. Although 6 cases of pathologically confirmed LIP have occurred in Korea, thus far none has been associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome. A 44-year-old man was admitted to hospital due to a dry cough and dypsnea on exertion that had been ongoing for 2 months. A chest radiography showed multiple and variable-sized cystic lesions, on both lungs and both interstitial infiltration and consolidation in both lower lung fields. Tests for autoantibody showed positive results of anti-nuclear antibody and anti-Ro/La antibody. The patient underwent a video assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy and pathologically confirmed LIP. We report the first known case of LIP-associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.439-444
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• 2002

종격동 결핵은 발생빈도는 낮으나 최근에는 그 발생빈도가 높아지고 있다. 특히 결핵은 유방, intra sella, intramedullary, 종격동등 어떤 위치에서도 종괴나 낭종형태로 나타날 수 있으므로, 결핵이 호발하는 지역이나 고령자 혹은 HIV 감염환자에서는 종격동 낭종의 감별진단에 있어서 반드시 종격동 결핵도 염두에 두어야 할 것이다. 저자들은 국내에는 아직까지 보고된 바 없는, 종격동 결핵이 거대 낭성 변화를 보이며 이와 함계 심낭과 교통을 보인 1례를 겸험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.317-325
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• 2016

Increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made the management of drug toxicities an increasingly crucial component of HIV. This study investigated the effects of adjuvant use of coconut oil and HAART on testicular morphology and seminal parameters in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 153~169 g were distributed into four groups (A-D) and treated as follows: A served as control (distilled water); B (HAART cocktail-Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine); C (HAART + Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg) and D (Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg). After 56 days of treatment, animals were killed and laparotomy to exercise the epididymis for seminal fluid analyses done whilst testicular tissues were processed for histo-morphometric studies. Result showed a significant decline in sperm motility (P < 0.05) and count (P < 0.0001) in HAART-treated animals while there was insignificant changes in other parameters in groups C and D except count that was reduced (P < 0.0001) when compared with controls. Histomorphological studies showed HAART caused disorders in seminiferous tubular architecture with significant (P < 0.01) decline in epithelial height closely mirrored by extensive reticulin framework and positive PAS cells. Adjuvant Virgin coconut oil + HAART resulted in significant decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter (P < 0.05), but other morphometric and histological parameters were similar to control or Virgin coconut oil alone (which showed normal histoarchitecture levels). While derangements in testicular and seminal fluid parameters occurred following HAART, adjuvant treatment with Virgin coconut oil restored the distortions emanating thereof.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.242-254
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• 2018

Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that participate in the innate immunity of hosts. Humans constitutively and/or inducibly express ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-defensins, which are known for their antiviral and antibacterial activities. This review describes the application of human defensins. We discuss the extant experimental results, limited though they are, to consider the potential applicability of human defensins as antiviral agents. Given their antiviral effects, we propose that basic research be conducted on human defensins that focuses on RNA viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and dengue virus (DENV), which are considered serious human pathogens but have posed huge challenges for vaccine development for different reasons. Concerning the prophylactic and therapeutic applications of defensins, we then discuss the applicability of human defensins as antivirals that has been demonstrated in reports using animal models. Finally, we discuss the potential adjuvant-like activity of human defensins and propose an exploration of the 'defensin vaccine' concept to prime the body with a controlled supply of human defensins. In sum, we suggest a conceptual framework to achieve the practical application of human defensins to combat viral infections.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.156-163
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• 2012

Objectives: It is necessary to examine groups carrying out sexually risky behavior because the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is high among them. In this study, the prevalence of STDs among homosexuals and sexbuying men in South Korea was investigated, along with their sexual risk factors. Methods: Men who have sex with men (MSMs, n=108) were recruited in Seoul and Busan by applying the time location sampling method, while sex-buying men (n=118) were recruited from a john school in Gyeonggi province, the suburbs of Seoul. Dependent variables included past or present infection with syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and human immunodeficiency virus. Independent variables included health behavior, social support, sexual behavior, and safe sex. Results: It was found that when the MSMs were non-drunk while having sexual intercourse (odds ratio [OR], 0.132), they showed a higher STD infection rate when they had a higher number of anal sex partners (OR, 5.872), rarely used condoms (OR, 1.980), had lower self-efficacy (OR, 0.229), and were more anxious about becoming infected with an STD (OR, 3.723). However, the men who paid for sex showed high STD infections when they had more sex partners (OR, 2.286) and lower education levels (OR, 3.028). Conclusions: STD infections among the two groups were high when they were engaged with many sex partners and not having protected sex. In other words, there was a gap in risky sex behavior within such groups, which was significantly related to the possibility of developing an STD. Therefore, the preventive intervention against STDs for these groups needs to be expanded to include management of sex behaviors.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.102-105
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• 2012

Collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) has become an important cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). First delineated from other proteinuric glomerular lesions in the 1980s, CG is now recognized as a common, distinct pattern of proliferative parenchymal injury that portends a rapid loss of renal function and poor responses to empirical therapy. The first cases in the literature trace back to human-immunodeficiency-virus(HIV)-negative patients who underwent biopsy in 1979. A 45-year-old male patient complained of hematuria and proteinuria eight years ago. He showed an abrupt serum creatinine increase from 1.75 to 2.65 mg/dL in the last preceding months. Afterwards, his serum creatinine progressively increased up to 6.82 mg/dL. Moreover, his 24 h urine protein level was determined to have reached 6,171 mg/day, as opposed to 670 mg/day a year earlier. Consequently, renal biopsy was performed, and its result showed collapsing glomerulopathy, compatible with the diagnosis. He has undergone continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis as renal replacement therapy. Thus, it is reported herein that a patient clinically diagnosed with chronic kidney disease eight years ago showed a sudden renal-function decrease and was clinicopathologically diagnosed with collapsing glomerulopathy based on the results of his renal biopsy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6457-6461
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• 2015

MicroRNAs directly and indirectly influence many biological processes such as apoptosis, cell maintenance, and immune responses, impacting on tumor genesis and metastasis. They modulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and are associated with progression of liver disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer which mostly occurs in males. There are many factors affect HCC development, for example, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), co-infection, environmental factors including alcohol, aflatoxin consumption and host-related factors such as age, gender immune response, microRNA and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus is the major factor leading to HCC progression since it causes the liver injury. At present, there are many reports regarding the association of SNPs on miRNAs and the HCC progression. In this research, we investigated the role of miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-101-1 (rs7536540) with HCC progression in Thai population. The study included 289 Thai subjects including 104 HCC patients, 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) and 95 healthy control subjects. The allele and genotype of rs2292832 and rs7536540 polymorphisms were determined by TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Our results revealed no significant association between miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-101-1 (rs7536540) and the risk of HCC in our Thai population. However, this research is the first study of miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-101-1 (rs7536540) in HCC in Thai populations and the results need to be confirmed with a larger population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권18호
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• pp.7769-7773
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• 2014

Background: Some tumor types are related to HIV, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The morbidity and mortality of NHL has remained high, even after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was introduced. We collected cases of AIDS with NHL, and evaluated the imaging features and strategies for diagnosis. Materials and Methods: There were 27 patients with AIDS and tumors confirmed by pathology. There were 9 patients with Burkitt lymphoma, 16 with diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs), and 2 with primary central nervous system (PCNS) lymphomas. All of the patients underwent a series of imaging studies. Three radiologists analyzed the images, and any disagreement was discussed until consensus was reached. Results: The radiologic manifestations of AIDS with NHL were mainly masses and lymphadenopathy, 3 patients having one mass and 12 two or more masses. 7 patients had lymphadenopathy in one site and 3patients had lymphadenopathy in two or more sites. Coarse mucosal folds, thickening of the gastrointestinal wall, and lumen narrowing were typical manifestations of NHL within the gastrointestinal tract. There were 4 patients with masses and 5 with lymphadenopathy inthe 9 with Burkitt lymphoma, and 11 patients with masses 5 with lymphadenopathy in the 16 with DLBCLs. Conclusion: NHL is a malignancy that usually occurs in patients with AIDS. Imaging is an important method by which to evaluate lesions, masses, and lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspiration biopsy and stereotaxis biopsy are useful methods by which to diagnose NHL.

• 한국학교ㆍ지역보건교육학회지
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• 제5권
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• pp.1-9
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the adolescents' perceptions of AIDS by reviewing the research findings on adolescents' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS, and to provide basic data for the development of AIDS prevention education program. Literature for the analysis was searched by using the terms 'AIDS', 'HIV', 'Adolescent', 'Student'. Finally, 17 articles from Korea and 3 from abroad were analysed. Major conclusions were as follows: 1. For the knowledge level of AIDS, most of the adolescents knew the definition, high risk group, and infection rout of AIDS. On the contrary, the knowledge level of the treatment of AIDS was low. 2. For the attitudes toward AIDS, the level of perceived severity was high. But the level of perceived susceptibility found to be low. Middle and high school students showed more positive attitudes toward AIDS patients than college students. Attitudes toward AIDS prevention education program were positive, but taking the blood test for the detection of AIDS was negative. 3. The experience rates of AIDS Education were ranged from 13.6% to 60%. Major channel for getting AIDS information were TV, newspaper and radio. The experience rates of sexual intercourse were ranged from 4% to 48.3%. The intention of using condom was 66.7%, but the rate of condom use was 38.4%. AIDS infection rates have been increasing rapidly among teens in recent years. Therefore, It is urgent to identify the determinants affecting AIDS related perception and preventive behavior, and to develop the prevention program for AIDS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권13호
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• pp.5493-5498
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• 2015

Due to the lack of nationwide population-based cancer registration, the total cancer prevalence in Iran is unknown. Our previous work in which we used a basic network scale-up (NSU) method, failed to provide plausible estimates of total cancer prevalence in Kerman. The aim of the present study was to estimate total and partial prevalence of cancer in southeastern Iran using an adapted version of the generalized network scale-up method. A survey was conducted in 2014 using multi-stage cluster sampling. A total of 1995 face-to-face gender-matched interviews were performed based on an adapted version of the NSU questionnaire. Interviewees were asked about their family cancer history. Total and partial prevalence were estimated using a generalized NSU estimator. The Monte Carlo method was adopted for the estimation of upper/lower bounds of the uncertainty range of point estimates. One-yr, 2-3 yr, and 4-5 yr prevalence (per 100,000 people) was respectively estimated at 78 (95%CI, 66, 90), 128 (95%CI, 118, 147), and 59 (95%CI, 49, 70) for women, and 48 (95%CI, 38, 58), 78 (95%CI, 66, 91), and 42 (95%CI, 32, 52) for men. The 5-yr prevalence of all cancers was estimated at 0.18 percent for men, and 0.27 percent for women. This study showed that the generalized familial network scale-up method is capable of estimating cancer prevalence, with acceptable precision.