• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.61-63
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• 1994

A follow-up stool examination was done to know the status of intestinal parasitic infections in Army soldiers who were stationing in Whachon-gun, Kangwon-do, Korea in 1993. Of 233 examined soldiers, Infections with Clonorchis sinensis (0.4%), Metagonimus spp. (0.9%), Echinostomc honene (0.4%), Neoniplostomum seodenis (0.4) and Ginrdin lomblic (3/233) were found. S. honene and N. seouLensis infections were each 75th, and 27th cases in Korea. Regular control program of intestinal parasitic Infections might be able to contribute to diminish the prevalence rate in young Army soldiers in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2010

An understanding of the nature of the immune response to asexual erythrocytic stages of malaria parasites will facilitate vaccine development by identifying which responses the vaccine should preferentially induce. The present study examined and compared the immune responses of NIH mice in either single or mixed infections with avirulent (DK) or virulent (DS) strains of Plasmodium chabaudi adami using the ELISA test for detecting and measurement of cytokines and antibody production. In both single and mixed infections, the study showed that both cell- and antibody-mediated responses were activated. In all experiments, an early relatively high level of IFN-$\gamma$ and IgG2a during the acute phase of the infection, and later elevation of IL-4 and IgG1, suggested that there was a sequential Th1/Th2 response. However, in the avirulent DK strain infection a stronger Th1 response was observed compared to the virulent DS strain-infection or in mixed infections. In the virulent DS infection, there was a stronger Th2 response compared to that in the DK and mixed infections. The faster proliferation rate of the virulent DS strain compared to the DK strain was also evident.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 2017

Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcus, is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). CAP is an important infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality, and it is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many genetic factors of the host and various environmental factors surrounding it have been studied as important determinants of the pathophysiology and outcomes of pneumococcal infections. Various cytokines, including transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, are involved in different stages of the progression of pneumococcal infection. $TGF-{\beta}1$ is a cytokine that regulates a wide range of cellular and physiological functions, including immune and inflammatory responses. This cytokine has long been known as an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is critical to preventing the progression of an acute infection to a chronic condition. On the other hand, recent studies have unveiled the diverse roles of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on different stages of pneumococcal infections other than mitigating inflammation. This review summarizes the recent findings of the role of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on the pathophysiology of pneumococcal infections, which is fundamental to developing novel therapeutic strategies for such infections in immune-compromised patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.113-126
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to review randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of korean medicine for chronic urinary tract infections. Methods: We analyzed the randomized controlled trials that intervented korean medicine treatment on chronic urinary tract infections retrieved using seven databases. Literature search was conducted on August 10, 2020. Results: Of the 188 studies searched, 8 studies were finally selected. In all studies, the treatment group was treated with korean medicine and the control group was treated with western medicine. Although the evaluation index was different for each study, all the indexes in the treatment group were significantly improved compared to the control group. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment for chronic urinary tract infections had a significant effect compared to the western medicine treatment. Further high quality randomized controlled trials should be carried out to verify the strong evidence and safety of herbal medicine treatment.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice level of infection managements in child guardians with respiratory infections after H1N1 diffusion of 2009. Methods: The data were collected during February and March 2010 using a self-report questionnaire. The participants were 228 child guardians. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, means, SD, t-test, F-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's alpha with the SPSS 17.0 program. Results: Mean age of the guardians and children were 37.8 years, 4.1 years respectively. For knowledge level of respiratory infections, hand washing method had the highest score and snuffles prevention method, the lowest. For practice level for respiratory infections, environmental hygiene management had the highest score and symptom management, the lowest. Infection management knowledge and practice level had a positively significant correlation in every area. Conclusion: The results indicate the necessity of continual education on infection management, and that the most efficient timing for the education appears be for participants during their first pregnancy or after the woman has delivered her child.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.194-204
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• 2020

The detrimental impact of air pollution as a result of frequent exposure to fine particles posed a global public health risk mainly to the pulmonary disorders in pediatric and geriatric population. Here, we reviewed the current literature regarding the role of ginseng and/or its components as antimicrobials, especially against pathogens that cause respiratory infections in animal and in vitro models. Some of the possible mechanisms for ginseng-mediated viral inhibition suggested are improvements in systemic and mucosa-specific antibody responses, serum hemagglutinin inhibition, lymphocyte proliferation, cell survival rate, and viral clearance in the lungs. In addition, ginseng reduces the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8) and chemokines produced by airway epithelial cells and macrophages, thus preventing weight loss. In case of bacterial infections, ginseng acts by alleviating inflammatory cytokine production, increasing survival rates, and activating phagocytes and natural killer cells. In addition, ginseng inhibits biofilm formation and induces the dispersion and dissolution of mature biofilms. Most clinical trials revealed that ginseng, at various dosages, is a safe and effective method of seasonal prophylaxis, relieving the symptoms and reducing the risk and duration of colds and flu. Taken together, these findings support the efficacy of ginseng as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for respiratory infections.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1126-1134
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• 2006

Human fungal infections are uncommon in normally healthy persons, being confined to conditions such as candidiasis (thrush) and dermatophyte skin infections such as athlete's foot. However, in the immunocompromised host, a variety of normally mild or nonpathogenic fungi can cause potentially fatal infections. Furthermore, the relativeease with which people can now visit 'exotic' countries provides the means for unusual fungal infections to be imported into this country. Mycoses appear in many different forms and areas. Fungal infections or mycoses are classified depending on the degree of tissue involvement and mode of entry into the host. These are Cutaneous, Subcutaneous, Systemic, and Opportunistic. Cutaneous mycoses specially appears symptoms on the skin. They are treated by amphotericinB, nystatin, grycelfulvin, micronazole and ketaconazole, etc, but these medicines are been careful about using, because most of them have serious side effects and toxicities. So, on the purpose of finding safe novel medicines, we have researched oriental medicines and search them to treat mycoses. In oriental medicines treating mycoses, we pay attention to orient applications that directly have an effect on disorder lesions. Oriental applications consists of various herbs and have a lot of forms, so we try to classify them as herbs and forms

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.323-337
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• 2018

Infectious complications have been considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation, especially in the Asian population. Therefore, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of such infections are crucial in kidney transplant recipients. Among all infectious complications, viruses are considered to be the most common agents because of their abundance, infectivity, and latency ability. Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus, BK polyomavirus, and adenovirus are well-known etiologic agents of viral infections in kidney transplant patients worldwide because of their wide range of distribution. As DNA viruses, they are able to reactivate after affected patients receive immunosuppressive agents. These DNA viruses can cause systemic diseases or allograft dysfunction, especially in the first six months after transplantation. Pretransplant evaluation and immunization as well as appropriate prophylaxis and preemptive approaches after transplant have been established in the guidelines and are used effectively to reduce the incidence of these viral infections. This review will describe the etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infections that commonly affect kidney transplant recipients.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and clinical manifestations of rotaviral infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We also investigated whether neonates referred from other hospitals cause outbreaks of rotaviral infections in the NICU. Methods: Neonates diagnosed wit rotaviral infections in the NICU at Korea University Ansan Hospital between January 2002 and December 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of 1,501 neonates admitted to the NICU, the number of rotaviral infections was 94 (6.3%) and the prevalence was 4.9 cases per 1,000-hospital days. Of 223 neonates referred from other hospitals to our NICU, 24 (10.8%) were confirmed to have rotaviral infections at the time of referral. Common symptoms of rotaviral infections were jaundice diarrhea or loose stools, vomiting, fever, apnea, irritability, seizures, and moaning sounds. Necrotizing enterocolitis of stage II or more was diagnosed in 3 premature neonates, accounting for 3.2% of total infected neonates and 6.8% of premature infected patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of symptoms between term and preterm neonates, except for jaundice that is more frequent in premature infants. In time series analysis, the admission of neonates who were born at other hospitals and diagnosed with rotaviral infections were associated 1 month later by increased cases of neonates with rotaviral infections who were born at our hospital, whereas new cases of rotaviral infections among inborn neonates were decreased 2 and 4 months later (P<0.05). Conclusion: Rotaviral infections in NICU were not rare and showed vague symptoms. Three cases (3.2%) were diagnosed with stage II or more necrotizing enterocolitis. The referred neonates with rotaviral infections may induce outbreaks in the NICU, therefore awareness and strict surveillance for rotaviral infections should be performed at the time of referral.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.248-252
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• 2018

Puerperal sepsis is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Postpartum pelvic infections can cause various complications, including wound infections and necrotizing fasciitis. Several microorganisms are known to cause such infections; however, no study has reported on Staphylococcus caprae, a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that is isolated frequently from animals and infrequently from human specimens, as a causative agent. Here, we report a rare case of septic shock complicated by necrotizing fasciitis after a cesarean section. This is the first report of a human isolate of S. caprae in association with puerperal sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis.