• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.27-42
• /
• 2016

Forest accounts for almost 64 percents of total land cover in South Korea. For inventorying, monitoring, and managing such large area of forest, application of remote sensing and geographic information system (RS/GIS) technology is essential. On the basis of spectral characteristics of satellite imagery, forest cover and tree species can be classified, and forest cover map can be prepared. Using three dimensional data of LiDAR(Light Detection and Ranging), tree location and tree height can be measured, and biomass and carbon stocks can be also estimated. In addition, many indices can be extracted using reflection characteristics of land cover. For example, the level of vegetation vitality and forest degradation can be analyzed with VI (vegetation Index) and TGSI (Top Grain Soil Index), respectively. Also, pine wilt disease and o ak w ilt d isease c an b e e arly detected and controled through understanding of change in vegetation indices. RS and GIS take an important role in assessing carbon storage in climate change related projects such as A/R CDM, REDD+ as well. In the field of climate change adaptation, impact and vulnerability can be spatio-temporally assessed for national and local level with the help of spatio-temporal data of GIS. Forest growth, tree mortality, land slide, forest fire can be spatio-temporally estimated using the models in which spatio-temporal data of GIS are added as influence variables.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.36 no.5_1
• /
• pp.653-666
• /
• 2020

Understanding the vegetation structure is important to manage forest resources for sustainable forest development. With the recent development of technology, it is possible to apply new technologies such as drones and deep learning to forests and use it to estimate the vegetation structure. In this study, the vegetation structure of Gongju, Samchuk, and Seoguipo area was identified by fusion of drone-optical images and LiDAR data using Artificial Neural Networks(ANNs) with the accuracy of 92.62% (Kappa value: 0.59), 91.57% (Kappa value: 0.53), and 86.00% (Kappa value: 0.63), respectively. The vegetation structure analysis technology using deep learning is expected to increase the performance of the model as the amount of information in the optical and LiDAR increases. In the future, if the model is developed with a high-complexity that can reflect various characteristics of vegetation and sufficient sampling, it would be a material that can be used as a reference data to Korea's policies and regulations by constructing a country-level vegetation structure map.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2016

Objectives Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san) is a herbal prescription frequently used to treat pain or swelling caused by contusion. To determine the expiration period through scientific methodology, stability of Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san) water extract, a herbal medicine, was examined under various storage conditions and periods. Methods Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san) was stored either at room temperature ($23{\pm}2^{\circ}C$), under a refrigerating condition ($4^{\circ}C$) or under a freezing condition ($-18{\pm}2^{\circ}C$) for 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks and then freeze-dried. Total phenol and total flavonoid amounts were investigated; contents of amygdalin (Prunus persica), paeoniflorin (Paeonia lactiflora), and glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) - the marker compounds of Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san) - were also analyzed through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results No significant change in total phenol and total flavonoid amounts was observed under the indicated storage conditions. Moreover, the contents of marker compounds, i.e. amygdalin, paeoniflorin, and glycyrrhizin, did not alter significantly under the indicated conditions, as well. Conclusions Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san) was found to be stable up until 4 weeks under the indicated conditions. Further studies on efficacy and long-term stability are warranted to establish the expiration period of Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.10
• /
• pp.1467-1476
• /
• 2014

Recent studies have shown that insufficient or deficient vitamin D status may be linked to increased risk of depressive conditions or depression. The aim of this study was to review all available evidence on vitamin D, depression, and any association between them. Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies have reported contradictory results. Some have reported that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with higher risk of depression or depressive symptoms while others reported that vitamin D status may not be related to depression. Recent clinical trials examining the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression have also showed discrepant results. However, meta-analysis study results are consistent regarding the beneficial effects of vitamin D. Several mechanisms that account for these beneficial effects of vitamin D on depression have been reported but remain largely speculative. Vitamin D deficiency is very common, and prevalence of depression is increasing in the Asian population, especially females. However, limited literature is available on this population. Considering research results of a potential inverse association between vitamin D level and prevalence of depression, it is important to advance our understanding of the role of vitamin D in depression and conduct well-designed prospective trials in the Asian population.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2001

Background : Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, the evolution of drug-resistant microorganisms has become a serious problem in CAP management. Specific antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of CAP management. However, obtaining an accurate etiologic diagnosis clinically is not easy and empirical antimicrobial treatment is usually administered prior to the correct microbiologic diagnosis. In this study, the clinical usefulness of empirical CAP treatment was investigated. Methods : A total 35 cases were studied prospectively over a 16-month period in Mokpo Catholic Hospital from Dec. 1995 to Mar. 1997. The microbiologic diagnosis was made by sputum, blood culture, a specific serum antibody test and an immunologic study. Results : The causative organisms were isolated in 10 (30%) out of 33 cases: 8 cases and 1 case on the sputum culture and blood culture respectively, and 1 case by an indirect hemagglutinin test. 12 cases had underlying diseases: pulmonary tuberculosis 4, alcoholism 4, diabetes mellitus 3, and liver cirrhosis 1. Antimicrobial treatment was given empirically and all cases recovered. Conclusion : A definite microbiologic diagnosis before commencing the appropriate treatment in CAP is not straightforward. Empirical therapy according to a clinical assessment is important and helpful. However, every effort to make the correct etiologic diagnosis should be taken.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.89-100
• /
• 2009

SLE 등의 자가면역질환 병인론에 있어서 $CD4^+$ T 조력 림프구 (T helper cell)의 기능과 항상성 조절의 이상이 중요하다는 것은 알려진 사실이지만 $CD4^+$ T 조력 림프구 (T helper cell)의 발달과 기능에 대한 성호르몬의 정확한 역할에 대하여는 아직 확립되어 있지 않은 실정이다. 에스트로겐의 $CD4^+$ T 림프구에 대한 여러 방면의 작용에 대한 결과는 에스트로겐 매개 신호가 전달되는 정황에 매우 의존적이라고 할 수 있으며, 또한 에스트로겐이 B 림프구와 항원발현세포들 같이 T 림프구 기능을 변화시킬 수 있는 다른 분획 세포들의 기능에 대해서도 영향을 미칠 수 있다는 사실을 고려한다면, 에스트로겐이 $CD4^+$ T 림프구매개반응에 미치는 작용은 매우 복잡하다고 할 수 있다. 현재로선 이런 과정들과 관련된 에스트로겐의 정확한 기전에 대한 연구 성과는 현재로선 아직걸음마 단계에 지나지 않는다고 볼 수 있다. 일부 분자학적 표적들의 발견에도 불구하고 ER-$\alpha$와 ER-$\beta$, 또는 이런 표적들의 조절에 대한 유전자적 또는 비유전자적 경로의 상대적 역할에 대해서는 현재로선 알려진 바가 많지 않은 것 또한 사실이며, T 림프구 자체의 미세 환경과 ER 매개 전사반응에 영향을 미칠 수 있는 방법 역시 아직까진 알려진 바가 없다. 따라서 에스트로겐의 $CD4^+$ T 림프구에 대한 다각적 영향을 규명하는 데 있어 이런 경로들에 대한 보다 체계적이고 상세한 연구가 반드시 필요하다. 최근 골다공증의 병인에 있어 에스트로겐에 의한 TNF 및 RANK-RANKL계 억제에 대해 연구가 심도 있게 진행됨으로써 결과적으로 다른 시토카인과 면역세포들에 대한 영향이 간접적으로 규명되고 있는 점은 매우 고무적인 현상이라고 여겨진다. 이러한 연구들은 추후 에스트로겐의 면역 및 염증체계에 대한 특징적 작용을 규명하는데 있어서 밑거름이 될 수 있을 것이다. 나아가 호르몬 자체, 또는 SERM 같은 준호르몬제제들이 면역계에 미치는 영향을 분자학적으로 규명함으로써 향후 이러한 지식들이 또한 류마티스성 자가면역질환이나 만성염증성질환, 또는 전신성 감염질환에 있어 면역글로불린이나 기타 다른 기존 치료 약제들을 대체 보완할 수 있는 호르몬 치료로 이어질 수 있는 결정적인 단서를 제공할 수 있을 것이라 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.464-476
• /
• 1999

This study was conducted between October 1, 1998, and December 31, 1998, in order to provide basic data to develop better self-management educational programs for systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) patients. In the study, the extent of each patients knowledge on the disease and their learning needs about it were examined for 100 lupus inpatients and outpatients at the Kangnam St. Marys Hospital. Data were collected by using questionnaires to those patients. Frequencies, percentage, average, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and Duncans multiple range test were examined through the SAS program. The result of study follows : 1) The average score of patients knowledge on the disease was 15.7 (range, 7-20; standard deviation, 2.74). Subjects scored higher as far as the extent of their knowledge in the following categories : management of daily life, diet, characteristics of the disease, risk factors, and medication. Two categories shared the highest percentage of correct answers : 99% of subjects correctly identified that fatigue and stress aggravate symptoms of lupus and symptoms of lupus vary among individuals in range and type. However, when subjects were asked if patients should get a regular examination by an ophthalmologist every 4-6 months while they are on medication to treat rashes, lupus can be completely cured, and contraceptives that include a female hormone (estrogen) are good as contraceptive methods, the percentages of correct answers were low (32%, 31%, and 20%, respectively). In terms of subjects knowledge about the disease by their general characteristics, single subjects had more knowledge about the disease than married subjects did (t=2.14, p=0.0353). The extent of knowledge also varied by monthly income (F=4.96. p=0.0097). Those with more formal education had more knowledge about lupus than those who had less formation education did (t=2.95, 0.0039). Additionally, those who were satisfied with their education about the disease had better knowledge about it than those who were dissatisfied with their education did (t=2.71, p=0.0090). 2) The extent to which lupus patients wanted to be educated about the disease was, on average, 64.5 (range, 46-75; standard deviation, 7.91). Areas for which patients requested education are listed here in order : risk factors, sexual lives and patients associations. Patients who had been hospitalized demonstrated wanting more education than those who had not been did(t=3.73, p=0.0003). The extent to which they wanted the information was different by the number of educational sessions they had (F=3.98, p=0.0249). In conclusion, the results above would be considered when the education programme is planned for SLE patients.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2014

Objective : To report a case of cervical block vertebra with neck pain successfully treated with conservative Korean Traditional Medicine treatment with Thoracic Chuna Manipulation. Methods : A patient diagnosed with block vertebra was treated with Thoracic Chuna manipulation, acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, and herbal medicine. Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) and Neck Disability Index(NDI) scores were collected before and after treatment for comparison. Results : There was a significant decrease in NRS and NDI scores. The mean NRS score decreased from 8 to 1, and NDI from 50 to 8. Conclusion : Conservative Korean Traditional Medicine treatment appears to be effective for treatment of cervical block vertebra.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.622-626
• /
• 2009

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was initially described as a self-limiting histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis in Japan in 1972, and is predominantly observed in women under the age of 30 year and in Asian populations. The pathogenesis is still poorly understood but is thought to include infections, and autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. The most common clinical manifestations are fever and painless cervical lymphadenitis. Diagnosis is based on the histopathological findings, characterized by focal necrosis in the paracortical region with abundant karyorrhexis, aggregates of atypical mononuclear cells around the zone of necrosis, absence of neutrophils and plasma cells, and usually intact lymph node capsule. There is no specific therapy for the condition, and aseptic meningitis can occur as one of the complications. Here, we report the case of a patient with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease accompanied with aseptic meningitis, which may be confused as a case of tuberculous meningitis and lymphadenitis.