• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2010

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is an inflammatory disorder that's characterized by daily, spiking high fever, arthritis and an evanescent, salmon-pink rash. AOSD is diagnosed purely on the basis of the typical clinical features of the illness. The symptoms commonly include swelling of the lymph nodes, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and a sore throat. AOSD is difficult to differentiate from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to the similar clinical manifestations. We report here on a case of a 16-year-old female patient with autism and epilepsy and who complained of daily spiking fever for 20 days. The patient had maculopapular skin rashes on the face and whole body and lymphadenopathy. The liver function tests were elevated mildly. The initial rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests were negative. We diagnosed her as having adult-onset Still's disease according to the criteria of Yamaguchi. We successfully treated her with oral prednisolone. But her antinuclear antibody test was changed to positive after discharge. So we finally diagnosed her as having SLE.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.467-484
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• 1999

The main objectives of this study were to investigate the concept of family function from the perspective of the contemporary Korean family, and to construct model of change of family function with chronic illness. The hybrid model approach was applied in which three phases(theoretical phase, empirical phase, and analytic phase) of concept development were explored for family functioning. The study was conducted from 1997 to 1998. In empirical phase, two groups of purposive samples were drawn : normal family group composed of six families without ill family member, and ill family group composed of seven families of which wives have rheumatoid arthritis. Only families with child(or children) in primary or secondary schools were included in the study. The results were as follows : In theoretical phase, six dimensions of family concept were emerged : affective, structural, control, cognitive, financial, and reproductive dimension. In order to analyse the Korean normal family function in middle class with middle-aged women, financial and reproductive dimension were not included. In empirical phase, five dimensions(affective, structural, control, cognitive, and external relationship) were found from the normal family data. External relationship dimension is very important factor as a resource of the support, especially when their parents or siblings had no help or support to them. In the affective dimension, Korean family emphasized harmony and balance rather than affective expression between couples and between parents and children. They also showed common goals of the families to solve their problems to control the family members. The priority of the goals was getting into the higher education of their children or helping their unhealthy parents or family members. Six dimensions (affective, structural, control, cognitive, external relationship, and financial) of family functions were emerged from the ill family data. From the analysis of ill family data, types of restructuring house chore after wives illness were developed : (a) negociated, (b) accomodated, and (c) isolated, enduring types. Although the dimensions of family functioning identified in this study are similar to the conceptualizations that exist in the western literature, there were distinct differences in the nature of major themes and subconcepts under these family function dimensions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2011

Bone remodeling is a dynamic process involving a constant balance between osteoclast-induced bone resorption and osteoblast-induced bone formation. Osteoclasts play a crucial homeostatic role in skeletal modeling and remodeling, and destroy bone in many pathological conditions. Previously, we reported that the hexane soluble fraction of Ficus carica inhibited osteoclast differentiation. Poly unsaturated fatty acids, such as ethyl docosahexaenoate (E-DHA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid (EDA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), were identified from the hexane soluble fraction of Ficus carica. Among them, E-DHA most potently inhibited osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells. E-DHA reduced the activities of JNK and NF-$\kappa}B$. E-DHA suppressed the expression of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1). Interestingly, DHA increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase and expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) more than E-DHA in MC3T3-E1 cells, suggesting that DHA may induce osteoblast differentiation. The data suggests that a combination of E-DHA and DHA has potential use in the treatment of diseases involving abnormal bone lysis, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal bone erosion.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1225-1232
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• 2005

Based on traditional medicine theories, GC, an extract from 5 herbs, has been formulated and prescribed for the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis(hRA) for many years. The present studies was done to investigate whether GC has inhibitory effects on activation of fibroblast-like sinoviocytes isolated from a RA patient. In tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha}$)/ interleukin-IL-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$) treated human sinoviocytes, the mRNA expression of molecular indicators related to pathologic changes of the sinoviocytes were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. The treatment of GC($10{\mu}g/ml$) significantly suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8 compared with the control, but not $IL-1{\beta}$, The mRNA level of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) which is known to increase in the activated sinoviocytes of RA patients, was slightly decreased by GC. The expression of NOS-II was considerably reduced, which was accompanied by a decrease in the production of nitric oxide(NO). Furthermore, GC dramatically raised the mRNA levels of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), while those of matrix metalloproteinase-3 were significantly lowered. Taken together, these data suggested that GC might suppress the activation of sinoviocytes in hRA.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.786-791
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• 1996

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown origin charicterized by degenerative fibrotic and inflammatory changes in the skin, vessels, joints, muscles, and visceral organs. Involvement of the lung in systemic sclerosis is common, but pleural effusion is rare. Although vasculitis commonly accompanies many connective tissue disorders, it has been rarely reported in systemic sclerosis. A 43-year-old woman, with a 10-year history of Raynaud's phenomenon, was admitted due to right chest pain. Her hands showed diffuse thickening and swelling of skin. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusions and esophageal manometry showed hypotonic peristalsis and low lower esophageal sphincter tone compatible with scleroderma esophagus. Antinuclear antibodies were present (titer>1 : 160) with a speckled pattern. She was positive for rheumatoid factor, anti scl-70 and RNP antibodies, but negative for anti-Ro, La, and Sm antibodies. Histology of the pleura revealed the presence of leukocytoclastic vasculiti. After adminisrration of prednisolone 30 mg/day, her chest symptom was improved. We report a case of systemic sclerosis with pleural effusions due to leukocytoclastic vasculitis with review of the literatures.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2010

Objectives : Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (ABR) has been used for treating of many symptoms especially osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we determined the effects of water extract of ABR in RANKL (Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor $\kappa$ B Ligand)-induced osteoclast differentiation culture system. Methods : We assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP, OSCAR, $FcR{\gamma}$, DAP12 and GAPDH in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) treated with ABR. The protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, MAPKs and $\beta$-actin in cell lysates treated with ABR were analysed by Western blotting. In addition we determined the effects of water extract of ABR on LPS-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : Water extract of ABR showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. ABR down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. ABR suppressed phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and I-${\kappa}B$. ABR rescued bone erosion by LPS induction in vivo study. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that ABR may be a useful remedy for curing of bone-loss disease such as osteoporosis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 1996

The authors diagnosed a 33 years old female as benign lymphoepithelial lesion after undergoing clinical, radiological and histopathological examinations and the characteristics were as follows : 1. Clinically, the patient complained of painless bilateral swelling of the parotid glands and dryness of the palate. Rheumatoid factor was detected in her serum. 2. Sialograms showed punctate or globular collections of contrast media distributed evenly throughout the parotid glands in so-called 'cherry blossom' or 'leafless fruit-laden tree' appearance. 3. A salivary gland scan showed no uptake of radioisotopes by the parotid glands. 4. At Tl-weighted imaging of PNS MRI, the lesions had the same signal intensity as the rest of the gland. At TI-weighted imaging, the lesions could be seen as high signal intensity 1.3 cm and 2.1 cm in diameter in the left and the right parotid gland respectively. 5. Ultrasonogram showed sonolucent lesions 20×15mm and 17×14mm in size in the lower part of the left parotid gland and another 18×11mm in size in the lower part of the parotid gland as well as many other small sonolucent lesions. 6. Histopathologically, lymphocytic infiltration replacing the normal acini and lymphoid follicles containing germinal centers could be seen. Epimyoepithelial islands were scattered throughout the lesion and benign lymphoepithelial cysts were also observed.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.5
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• pp.79-95
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• 1996

When we see normal gait, gait cycle is seperated as stance phase and swing phase. It needs 6 determinant of gait of pelvic rotation, pelvic tilt, knee joint of stance phase, ankle and foot motion, ankle and knee motion, and pelvic movement to be accomplished. In addition, a joint and muscle action is accomplished biomechanically at the same time with its gait cycle. In oriental medicine, the relationships between chang-fu physiology and meridian physiology are summaried as follows ; ${\bullet}$ chang-fu physiology : Spleen manages the extremities. Liver manages soft tissues. Liver stores blood. Kidney stores essences. Kidney manages bones. ${\bullet}$ meridian physiology : The Leg Greater Yang Meridian and meridian soft tissues The Leg Yang-Myeong Meridian and meridian soft tissues The Leg Lesser Yang Meridian and meridian soft tissues The Leg Greater Yin Meridian and meridian soft tissues The Leg Lesser Yin Meridian and meridian soft tissues The Leg Absolute Yin Meridian and meridian soft tissues Especially, we can find out relations between in a "blood supplied feet can walk well" that explains "blood regulations and by liver nourishing effects"that is the closest concept of muscle. Abnormal gaits are due to three causes as following; first, physical defect secoud, pain third, nervous system or instability of muscle. In oriental medicine, we can know relationship in "atrophy, numbness, stroke, convulsion, muscular dystrophy of knee, rheumatoid arthritis, five causes of infantile growing defects, five causes of softening, sprain". Especially, atrophy is the most important symptom. Gait evaluation should be emphasized where a point can walk 8 feet to 10 feet considering stride width, stride length, the body weight center, stride number, flexion, extension, rotation of a joint as a standard factor. The point is we should find out something strange in a patient's side, front and back view. After that we should find out its cause as an index that we can observe abnormal findings in a joint and muscle.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.181-187
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• 2006

Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is a mixture of protopanaxadiol type saponins with a dammarane skeleton, from Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer; Araliaceae). Korean ginseng is well-known herb to treat almost all kinds of diseases in Oriental medicine. This herb was particularly prescribed for treatment various inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and diabetes mellitus, for centuries. To understand the efficacy of ginseng against inflammatory diseases, we aimed to show anti-inflammatory activities of the PPD in murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 cells using nitric oxide (NO) production assay and the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). We found that PPD saponin significantly blocked LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$)-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, PPD abrogated the expressions of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-$1{\beta}$ and MCP-1. Moreover, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, a critical enzyme to produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), was significantly inhibited by PPD in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, these results suggested that anti-inflammatory efficacy of Korean red ginseng on inflammatory diseases is, at least, due to the NO inhibitory activity and the inhibition of the expressional level of inflammatory cytokines and/or mediators.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.454-457
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• 2009

Infliximab, a TNF-${\alpha}$ antagonist, has been used to treat refractory rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease and Behcet's disease. Tuberculosis (TB) is a well-known opportunistic infection in patients receiving infliximab. Therefore, patients should be screened and treated for latent or active TB infection before being administered infliximab. Recently, we encountered a case of military TB during infliximab therapy in a patient suffering from Behcet's disease and uveitis. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.