• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.437-441
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• 2010

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) are rare, life-threatening mucocutaneous -diseases, usually attributable to drugs and infections. Corticosteroids have been used in the management of TEN for the last 30 years. This remains controversial and is still much debated. TEN can occur despite administration of high doses of systemic corticosteroids. The psychiatric side effects of corticosteroids can include headache, insomnia, depression, and mood disorders with or without psychotic episodes. Steroid-induced psychosis is dealt with by tapering or discontinuing the steroid; antipsychotics are also sometimes used. We report a case of an 11-year-old boy who was admitted with TEN. He had also been diagnosed as having nephrotic syndrome in the past. Remission was achieved through induction therapy and by maintaining the use of steroids. After a full-dose intravenous dexamethasone for TEN, he showed psychotic symptoms. We diagnosed him as having steroid-induced psychosis. We tapered the steroid use and initiated an atypical antipsychotic medication, olazapine and intravenous immunoglobulin (IV-IG). His symptoms dramatically improved and he was discharged.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.248-252
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• 2011

Soy protein based formula (SPF) has been developed for infants who are at a high risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) and cow's milk protein allergy (CMA). We performed this study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of SPF compared to conventional hydrolyzed cow's milk formula (hCMF) in the feeding of infants with AD and CMA. 38 infants (12 to 24 months of age) diagnosed with CMA and AD were randomized to receive either SPF or hCMF for 12 weeks. Follow-up was conducted at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Growth parameters of the infants were evaluated during each visit. Clinical evaluations, including AD severity scores, pruritus, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) (cow's milk protein and soy protein) levels of peripheral blood, were made at enrollment and week 12. Analysis was performed on the 32 infants (SPF: n=16, hCMF: n=16) who completed the 12-week intervention. Eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores, a measure of the severity of AD, and pruritus were significantly reduced after 12 weeks compared to enrollment in the both groups; however, the median changes for EASI scores and pruritus were not statistically different between the two groups. The growth parameters did not differ significantly between both groups at any assessed time point. This study suggests that SPF could be useful in decreasing the severity of AD without affecting infant growth status. Therefore SPF could provide an adequate and safe alternative to hCMF in treating infants with AD and CMA during the first 12 to 24 months of their life.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1282-1291
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• 2009

A combined prescription of GGB and CHS (G&C prescription group) was used to investigate its effects on immune related factors and histological changes in atopic dermatitis(AD) induced mice. Significant decrease of atopic dermatitis clinical index in G&C prescription group. In DLN, G&C prescription group significantly modulated the immune cells. G&C prescription group also showed significant effect on the immune cells of the dorsal skin as well as DLN. The group indicated significant decrease of the biosynthesis of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, cytokines in serum. On the other hand, the biosynthesis of TNF-$\alpha$ was decreased. G&C prescription group significantly decreased the immunoglobulin IgE levels in serum. The results suggest that G&C prescription significantly improves atopic dermatitis through regulation of immune cells and cytokines. Comparative studies with Protopic ointment also showed that G&C prescription showed significant effect in AD patients, and active application of the prescription in clinicals is anticipated. However, the reason for the results that oppose to those of previous studies should be investigated. Also, therapeutic effects of both internal and external applications should be studied individually as well as for any synergistic effects. Safety, toxicity, as well as stability studies should follow to develop G&C prescription into long-term external clinical product.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.298-305
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic benefits of Aronia melanocarpa (AM) and Moringa oleifera seed extract (MO) on experimental atopic dermatitis. We examined the effects of AM or MO and their combination on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice as well as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}-stimulated$ HaCaT keratinocytes. Mice were orally treated with extract during repeated application of DNCB to shaved dorsal skin. Our results show that treatment with AM and MO in combination reduced histological manifestations such as epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, it significantly decreased skin thickness and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level compared to the AM or MO alone treated group. Combined extract of AM and MO suppressed expression of $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}-induced$ T helper 2 (Th2) chemokines such as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and macrophage-derived chemokine. To sum up, combination of AM and MO suppressed the inflammatory response and serum IgE as an indicator of several allergic diseases in DNCB-induced experimental atopic dermatitis and Th2 chemokine expression in HaCaT cells. This result suggests that combination of AM and MO could be a valuable strategy to improve atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.423-435
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• 2013

The Codonopsis pilosula is traditional oriental herb associated with immune-modulatory functions and has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidative activity. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Codonopsis pilosula extract powder (CEP) on the immunity and productivity in sows and piglets. A total of 20 pregnant sows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, which was given a corn-soybean meal diet with 0% and 0.5% CEP from 40 days prepartum to weaning (25 days postpartum). The immune system of piglets was expected to build up, because the feeding of CEP might increase the colostrum contents in sows. We also predicted that the growth performance of piglets also could be increased by some compensation effects due to the increased immunity of piglets. In results, immunities of sows and piglets as well as growth performance of piglets were not affected by the supplementation of CEP. The correlation between the colostrum and the serum on the IgG contents tended to have a positive correlation, although there was no significant (coefficient, 0.435; P=0.102). This result suggests that the supplementation of CEP may increase IgG contents in sows and piglets and contribute to improve immunity of piglets. In conclusion, it is thought that the physiologically active substances of CEP did not influence to the immune synergic effects in vivo of sows. Thus, the metabolic and action mechanism of the physiologically active substances of CEP should be explored to evaluate the availability of CEP as a feed additive for the immunomodulator.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 1999

Background: Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammatory airway disease associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Bronchial inflammation in asthma may depend in part on the activation of T helper lymphocytes that elaborate proinflammatory cytokines. T helper (Th) lymphocytes can be divided into two categories; Th1 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$, and Th2 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10. Th2 lymphocytes appear to induce allergic responses, whereas Th1 lymphocytes induce delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Some infections, such as tuberculosis, cultivate a Th1 immunological environment and inhibit Th2 lymphocytes function. The presence of such infections might inhibit Th2 immune responses and thus protect development of atopic diseases. Method: 15 patients with allergic bronchial asthma, 10 patients with intrinsic bronchial asthma, and 10 healthy volunteers were studied. The serum concentrations of IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA method and tuberculin skin test was estimated in different groups. Results: The positive response rates of tuberculin test were 46.7% in patients with allergic asthma, 100% in patients with intrinsic asthma and 60% in normal controls. The positive response rates were significantly lower in patients with allergic asthma than those of in patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). Degree of responses to tuberculin test were $12.0{\pm}9.6mm$ in patients with allergic asthma, $18.4{\pm}4.5mm$ in patients with intrinsic asthma and $10.9{\pm}8.8mm$ in normal controls. The degree of responses were significantly reduced in patients with allergic asthma than those of patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). The serum levels of IL-5 in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than in patients with intrinsic asthma and normal controls (p<0.05), although it was insignificant. the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma were higher than that of intrinsic asthma and normal controls. The serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$ in patients with allergic asthma and intrinsic asthma were significantly lower than those in normal controls(p<0.05). The serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and peripheral blood eosinophile counts in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than those in normal controls. Peripheral blood esinophil counts had a significant correlation with the serum levels of total IgE, IL-5 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results have showed that Th1 lymphocyte functions were lowered and Th2 lymphocyte functions were elevated in patients with allergic asthma than those in normal controls. Suppression of Th1 lymphocyte functions by activation of Th2 lymphocyte might be one of the important aspects of pathogenesis in allergic bronchial asthma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1611-1618
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eriobotrya japonica and Saurus chinensis extracts and their fermented extracts on immune parameters in BALB/c mice treated with 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The groups were Eriobotrya japonica extract (BI), Saurus chinensis extract (SA), mixture with E. japonica extract and S. chinensis extract (FB) and fermented mixture with E. japonica extract and S. chinensis extract (FA) and distilled water treated control. The level of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E was decreased in FA compared to control group, but significant difference was not observed (p<0.05). The histamine and contents in FA and control group were $1.47{\pm}0.20$ ng/mL and $1.90{\pm}0.04$ ng/mL, respectively (p<0.05). Ceramide contents were significantly increased in FA compared to BI, SA, FB and control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that FA supplementation in the DNCB treated BALB/c mice affect anti-allergic activities positively, and may be used as functional material for suppression of atopy dermatitis in food industry.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 1989

Detection of antibody against pathogenic fungi in serum specimens of the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or other lung diseases has been carried out(male) using the indirect fluorescence antibody technique and immunodiffusion tests. Immunodiffusion tests revealed that 104(36.5%) out of 285 patients examined showed a positive precipitin reaction against one or more of fungal antigens. The majority of ID positive patients 64(61.5%) reacted with Aspergillus fumigatus antigen and 49(47.1%) patients reacted with Candida albicans antigen ID positive reaction to A. fumigatus was found little more frequently among male patients, while Candida albicans reactors were found more frequently among female patients. Age distribution of ID positive reactors was high(49.1-43.3%) in age group of 40-59 years, but least or none in age group of less than 30 years. Age of fungal mycelium used as antigen did not effect sensitivity of the indirect flubrescence (IF) technique in detecting antibody to A. fumigatus. Antibody class against A. fumigatus that showed highest titer was IgG and thus FITC labeled anti-IgG immunoglobulin shoul be preferable. As relatively large amount of cell wall components of Aspergilli shared antigenically, a considerable cross-reaction was observed among A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger, but not much with C. albicans. While (IF) has much better sensitivity when compared with ID, relative specificity of the latter procedure cannot to be overried, so that they could be batter used together in order to obtain quantitative measurement of antibody with relative specificity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.474-479
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• 2010

The content levels of taurine, DHA, and EPA of dried cuttlefish powder were $11.67{\pm}6.62\;g/kg$, $3001.11{\pm}11.42\;mg/100\;g$ and $688.13{\pm}10.51\;mg/100\;g$, respectively, which were 10~20% higher than those of the salt processed cuttlefish. After feeding dried and salt processed cuttlefish for 4 weeks, total cholesterol concentrations in mice blood were 81.3 mg/dL and 88.1 mg/dL, respectively, which was higher than 78.9 mg/dL of the control. It was also found that dried cuttlefish increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations to 71.6 mg/dL, compared to 63.1 mg/dL of salt processed cuttlefish. The triglyceride contents of dried sample was higher than that of processed sample. Blood glucose concentrations in mice fed dried or salt processed cuttlefish were 77.7 mg/dL and 90.3 mg/dL, respectively. IgG levels increased to 48.1 ng/mL by feeding the processed cuttlefish, compared to 40.3 ng/mL of the dried cuttlefish. Therefore, by analysis of serum lipid, it can be suggested that processed cuttlefish can improve immune activities through adding taurine and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.396-403
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• 2009

Male broiler chicks were fed graded levels of organic zinc (zinc-methionine) supplementation to investigate the effects of partial or complete substitution of the organic zinc source for inorganic ones on the development of lymphoid organs and immunological responses. A total of 450 day-old male broilers were distributed into groups of 10 chicks and randomly assigned to nine experimental diets during a 42-day feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of two basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg added zinc as feed-grade Zn sulfate or Zn oxide in which, Zn was replaced with that provided from zinc-methionine (ZnMet) complex at the levels of 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Two randomly-selected birds from each pen replicate were bled and then slaughtered by cervical cutting on the final day of the trial to measure leukocyte subpopulations and relative weights of lymphoid organs. Among lymphoid organs, only thymus weight was affected (p<0.05) by dietary treatments. The sulfate-supplemented birds were heavier (p<0.01) in relative weight of thymus than oxide-supplemented birds. The 10 days of age-assessed cutaneous hypersensivity reaction was stronger in chicks fed ZnMet-containing diets. Dietary ZnMet supplementation caused (p<0.05) an increase in proportion of lymphocytes and consequently a decrease in heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. Diet fortification by zinc-methionine complex increased (p<0.01) Newcastle antibody titer at 19 days of age. Also, a similar response was observed in antibody titers at 6 and 12 d after infectious bronchitis vaccine administration. There was no significant effect of replacement of dietary zinc on antibody titer against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) at the 6th d post-vaccine inoculation; however, at d 12 after vaccination, ZnMet-fortified diets improved antibody titer against IBDV. Although dietary inclusion of ZnMet had no marked effect on primary antibody titer against sheep erythrocytes, effective responses were observed during secondary reaction from the viewpoint of both total antibody and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) titers. From the present findings, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with organic zinc improves both cellular and humoral immune responses. It is necessary to replace 75% of supplemental inorganic zinc with organic ZnMet complex to achieve the optimum immunological responses in broiler chicks.