• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1999

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is known to act as a signal transducer that connects TNFR2 to its downstream effector functions such as proliferation of thymocytes, regulation of gene expression, and cell death. TRAF2 consists of largely two domains, the N-terminal half that contains a signal-emanating region and the C-terminal half that is responsible for binding to the intracellular region of TNFR2. In this study, we examined the possible roles of TRAF2 in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene expression and cell death. A truncated mutant of TRAF2 ( 2-263) that contains only a C-terminal half was generated, and transiently transfected to the A549 cell, a human lung cancer cell line, and L929 cell, a murine TNF-sensitive cell line. GM-CSF mRNA was induced in untransfected A540 cells both in dose- and time-dependent manner upon the exposure of TNF. However, neither the full length TRAF2 nor the mutant altered GM-CSF mRNA production regardless of the presence or absence of TNF. Furthermore, neither TRAF2 versions significantly changed the cytotoxic effect of TNF on L929 cells. These data suggest that TRAF2 may not be involved in the signal transduction pathway for GM-CSF gene induction and cell death mediated by TNF.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.401-412
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of Ryodoraku and association of Ryodoraku with gastric dysmotility in functional dyspepsia(FD). Methods : Subjects were 154 patients with FD and 18 patients with asthma. We calculated the average Ryodoraku score(RS, ${\mu}A$) and each variation from physiologic range of 12 Ryodoraku points, and investigated the incidence when left and right points were simultaneously below(bilateral deficiency) or above(bilateral excess) physiologic range. Postprandial regularity of normal slow waves, power ratio, and postprandial % of bowel sound were obtained by electrogastrography and enterotachography, and were used as gastric dysmotility index. Results : 1. Bilateral excess of H4, H5, F1, and F4 and bilateral deficiency of H4, H5, and H6 were characteristic in FD compared with asthma patients. 2. Incidence of gastric dysmotility in bilateral deficiency of H4, H5, and H6 was 100%, and was higher than in total FD patients(88.3%). 3. There was a positive correlation between the variation of H6 and % postprandial bowel sound. 4. Deficient tendency of H4, H5, and H6 was more evident when RS was above $40{\mu}A$ in FD. Conclusions : These findings suggest that gastric dysmotility in FD can be diagnosed when a pattern of H4, H5, H6 bilateral deficiency and F1, F4 bilateral excess is shown at the same time. We think this phenomenon is related to low activity of the vagus nerve rather than meridian pathway with result based on positive correlation between variation of H6 and postprandial % of bowel sound.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

Economic animal husbandry workers exposed to organic dust can be suffered from immunologic disorders. Our study was to determine immunological parameters related with occurrence of respiratory allergic diseases to animal husbandry workers in Korea for the first time. Peripheral blood were obtained from twenty-five pig barn workers, forty-nine chicken farming workers and fifty-one non-agricultural control workers. Significantly upregulated plasma IgE level was observed with pig-barn workers than that of chicken farming workers or healthy community control subjects. Furthermore, level of histamine, a hallmark of allergy induction, was upregulated in the pig and chicken farming workers in comparison with that of the control subjects. Downregulation of $IFN_\gamma$ and $TNF_{\alpha}$ production from T cells was apparent in the animal husbandry workers compared with the control subjects. Meanwhile, T cells collected from the pig barn workers demonstrated significantly higher production of IL-4 and IL-10 than the other groups. There were also alterations in IgG subclass distribution. In conclusion, immunological modulation probably leading to occupational allergic diseases can be occurred in the economic animal husbandry workers and the pig barn workers could be the most risky group to the work-related allergic disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 2016

Oroxylum indicum has long been used in Asian traditional medicine to prevent and treat respiratory diseases, diabetes, diarrhea and other conditions. Oroxylin A is a flavone that is present in Oroxylum indicum and in Scutellaria baicalensis. Because the root extracts of both plants have been shown to have anti-allergic effects, the authors investigated whether oroxylin A is likely to have beneficial effects on allergic asthma using female Balb/c mice and rat RBL-2H3 mast cells. Antigen-induced degranulation was measured in vitro by measuring b-hexosaminidase activity. A murine ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma model was used to test the in vivo efficacy of oroxylin A. Sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin induced allergic asthma responses, the accumulations of eosinophils and Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues. Oroxylin A administration decreased numbers of inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and reduced the expression and secretion of Th2 cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-13, in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histologic studies showed oroxylin A reduced inflammatory signs and mucin production in lungs. These findings provide evidence that oroxylin A has potential use as an anti-allergic therapeutic.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.711-717
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• 2010

Purpose: Orphan lung diseases are defined as lung diseases with a prevalence of 1 or less in 2,000 individuals. Despite an increase in the numbers of patients with such diseases, few studies on Korean children have appeared. To obtain epidemiologic and demographic data on these diseases, we systematically reviewed reports on pediatric orphan lung diseases in Korea over the last 50 years. Methods: We reviewed 223 articles that have appeared since 1958 on orphan lung diseases in Korean children. These articles described a total of 519 patients aged between 0 and 18 years. We classified patients by year of publication, diagnosis, geographic region, and journal. Results: Of 519 patients, 401 had congenital cystic lung diseases and 66 had bronchiolitis obliterans. About 80% of patients were described in reports published in three journals, Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease (Korea), the Korean Journal of Pediatrics, and the Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, in which papers on 157 (30.2%), 138 (26.6%), and 111 (21.4%) patients appeared, respectively. The frequency of publication of case reports has increased since 1990. Of the 519 patients, 401 (77.3%) were from Seoul/Gyeonggi-do and 72 (13.9%) from Busan/Gyeongsangnam-do. Conclusion: The prevalence of pediatric orphan lung disease has increased since 1990, and some provinces of Korea have a higher incidence of these diseases than do others. Studies exploring the incidence of pediatric orphan lung diseases in Korea are needed for effective disease management.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.327-334
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• 2017

Epidemiologic interest in particulate matter (PM) is growing particularly because of its impact of respiratory health. It has been elucidated that PM evoked inflammatory signal in pulmonary epithelia. However, it has not been established $Ca^{2+}$ signaling mechanisms involved in acute PM-derived signaling in pulmonary fibroblasts. In the present study, we explored dust particles PM modulated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and sought to provide a therapeutic strategy by antagonizing PM-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in human lung fibroblasts MRC5 cells. We demonstrated that PM10, less than $10{\mu}m$, induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling, which was mediated by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. The PM10-mediated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling was attenuated by antioxidants, phospholipase blockers, polyADPR polymerase 1 inhibitor, and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) inhibitors. In addition, PM-mediated increases in reactive oxygen species were attenuated by TRPM2 blockers, clotrimazole (CLZ) and N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (ACA). Our results showed that PM10 enhanced reactive oxygen species signal by measuring DCF fluorescence and the DCF signal attenuated by both TRPM2 blockers CLZ and ACA. Here, we suggest functional inhibition of TRPM2 channels as a potential therapeutic strategy for modulation of dust particle-mediated signaling and oxidative stress accompanying lung diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-84
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• 1994

The study has been carried out to investigate of the Allergic Rhinitis by referring to 87 literatures. The results were as follows; 1. In oriental medical science, Allergic Rhinitis is belong to the category of the 'BiGu'(鼻구) 'GuChe'(구체). The 'Gu'(구) of the BiGu means watery rhinorrhea, the 'Che'(체) of the GuChe means sneezing. 2. The cause of a disease summarize the weak of Lung, Spleen and Kidney, and invasion into the nasal cavity of PoongHan etc a wrong air. Sometimes the pathologial change appear PoongHan changeHwa(風寒化火), HwaYeol is hidden in the inside(火熱內伏). The contributing factors are found a season(spring, winter), an abnormal weather(運氣 : 少陰 少陽 陽明 司天, 歲金不及), an emotional stress, an external wound of the harmful air, a food allergens and fatigue, a contact of substances, a sunlight etc. 3. Predominant symptoms are watery rhinorrhea, sneezing and nasal obstruction. Sometimes accompanic symptoms are nasal bleeding, mucopurulent rhinorrhea, olfactory disturbance, nasal polyp, rhinolalia clausa, respiratory disfunction etc. 4. The treatment-methodes is as follows, OnBoPaeJang GeoPoongSanHan(溫補肺臟 祛風散寒), GeonBilkGi(健脾益氣), BoSinNabGi (補腎納氣). The treatmentherbs is as follows, OnBoJiLuDan GaGam(溫補止流丹 加減), OkByeongPoongSan plus ChangIJaSan GaGam(玉屛風散合 蒼耳子散 加減), BoJungIkGiTang GaGam plus SoCheongLyongTang(補中益氣湯加減 配合 小靑龍湯), SinGiHwan GaGam(腎氣丸加減), GaeJiTang(桂枝湯) etc. 5. The external treatment is as follows, JeokBi(滴鼻), ChuiBi(吹鼻), SaekBi(塞鼻), stick and herbs-injection on the acupuncture-point, pressure ear acupuncture-point, herbs-pillow etc. 6. The acupuncture-moxa treatment is as follows, the methodes of cure apply TongJoGyeongGi(通調經氣), SanTongBiGui(宣通鼻竅) etc. Predominent acupuncture-points are YoungHyang(迎香), InDang(印堂), BiTong(鼻通), SangSeong(上星), HabGok(合谷) and so on. As mentioned above, from now on, it's need to the oriental medical scientific study of the Immunity and Allergy and to the external treatment's application for the ascent of the treatment-effect of the allergic disease.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.61-80
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• 2013

Quantification of viable forms of microbial community (bacteria and fungi) using culture-dependent methods was done in order to characterize the indoor air quality (IAQ). Role of those factors, which may influence the concentration of viable counts of bacteria and fungi, like ventilation, occupancy, outdoor concentration and environmental parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were also determined. Volumetric-infiltration sampling technique was employed to collect air samples both inside and outside the schools. As regard of measurements of airborne viable culturable microflora of schools during one academic year, the level of TVMCs in school buildings was ranged between 803-5368 cfu/$m^3$. Viable counts of bacteria (VBCs) were constituted 63.7% of the mean total viable microbial counts where as viable counts of fungi (VFCs) formed 36.3% of the total. Mean a total viable microbial count (TVMCs) in three schools was 2491 cfu/$m^3$. Outdoor level of TVMCs was varied from 736-5855 cfu/$m^3$. Maximum and minimum VBCs were 3678-286 cfu/m3 respectively. Culturable fungal counts were ranged from 268-2089 cfu/$m^3$ in three schools. Significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was indicated that indoor concentration of viable community reliant upon outdoor concentration. Temperature seemed to have a large effect (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) on the concentration of viable culturable microbial community rather than relative humidity. Consistent with the analysis and findings, the concentration of viable cultural counts of bacteria and fungi found indoors, were of several orders of magnitude, depending upon the potential of local, spatial and temporal factors, IO ratio appeared as a crucial indicator to identify the source of microbial contaminants.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.151-164
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• 2006

Objective : The objective of this study is to analyze an increasing rate, difference of attack rate in age, relationship between atopic dermatitis and breast-feeding, the relationship between atopic dermatitis and the Sasang constitution, and various treatments of atopic dermatitis. Methods : This clinical study was carried out with 22 theses which are related with diagnosis, treatments, prognosis and control of atopic dermatitis. The 22 theses are carried on J Korean Oriental Pediatrics, J Korean Oriental Ophthalmology, J Korean Oriental Med, J Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease, J Korean Acad Fam Med and Korean J Food & Nutr. Results : The prevalence rate, attack rate and diagnosis rate of atopic dermatitis are increased in the year of 2000, compared with those of 1995. Comparing age of patient between the year of 1992 and 2002, the attack rate of atopic dermatitis is increased quickly over 7 years old. Specific immunoglobulin E(IgE) antibodies detected in patients under 1 year old was exclusively caused by food. But for the age over 7 years old, food and inhalant allergen are detected in the year of 2002 in compare with that of 1992. Because of breast-feeding, intemperate diet adjustment during the period of maternity of family history of atopic dermatitis, the attack rate of atopic dermatitis is increased in infant. The types of patients are categorized according to Sasang constitution and Soeumin group was largest. The Oriental medicine treatments of atopic dermatitis are bath & skin hydration, avoidance from antigen, dietetic treatment, external treatment, medication and phototherapy. Conclusion : The atopic dermatitis is associated with breast-feeding, Sasang constitution types. More active approach for the treatment and prevention of Atopic dermatitis in children are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.399-407
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• 2007

Angioedema is a localized transient swelling of sudden onset that can occur in the face, lips, tongue, hand, feet, respiratory system and gastrointestinal system. Angioedema is classified as allergy, hereditary, idiopathic or induced by medication as like aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, opiates, antibiotics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are widely prescribed for hypertension and heart failure. This drug is commonly associated with angioedema which may be potentially life threatening. We experienced a case of angioedema induced by ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) in a 74-year-old patient who took ACE inhibitor to control hypertension during hospitalization. We thought the angioedema in the face had relation to myenzhong (面腫, mienjong) in oriental medicine. Weiling-tang (Wiryung-tang) was effective for angioedema in the face. As a result the symptoms disappeared rapidly. After 6 days, the patient's symptoms had notably improved.