• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was aimed to find significant prognostic factor of inpatients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who treated in a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) hospital. Methods : A retrospective review of medical records of 39 patients with severe AD who hospitalized for more than 7days was performed. All patients were treated with acupuncture, herbal decoction and herbal wet wrap dressing. Therapeutic effect was assessed by difference of objective SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index (${\Delta}OSI$) at admission and at discharge. Patients were divided into two groups: improvement group (${\Delta}OSI{\leq}5$) and no-improvement group (${\Delta}OSI>5$), and clinical characteristics, severity, infectious complication, serum total IgE, eosinophil counts, adherence and concomitant treatment were investigated. Results : There were 7 cases in no-improvement group. There was no significant difference in OSI or infectious complication between the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in total serum IgE and eosinophil counts, which are known to be related to severity of AD. However, the proportion of adherence group was significantly lower in no-improvement group than improvement group. Conclusions : This study suggest that treatment adherence is a significant prognostic factor for treatment outcome in inpatients with severe atopic dermatitis. If the adherence to treatment is improved, the therapeutic effect of hospitalization would increase in spite of severe AD or infectious complication.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2004

Objective: This study was designed to investigate clinical features of chronic urticaria and assess Korean traditional medical therapy on that. Methods: The ratio of male and female, duration of symptoms, personal history and family history of allergic diseases, serum IgE level, and suspected causes and provocation factors were investigated in 41 patients with chronic urticaria. And frequency of wheals, duration of wheals, number of wheals, itch severity, and antihistamine counts of 6-point(0-5) score was assessed in 26 patients. The change of total scores between baseline and follow up were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test(p〈0.05). Results: 1. The ratio of male and female was 1:1.28 and the mean duration of symptoms was 26.0 months. 2. The frequency of personal history and family history of allergic diseases was each 53.7$\%$ and 48.8$\%$ and 30.6$\%$ had over 200 IU／mL serum IgE level. 3. The suspected causes were none(43.9$\%$), foods(29.3$\%$), drugs(9.8$\%$) and stress(7.3$\%$). 4. The suspected provocation factors were foods(39.0$\%$), none(19.5$\%$), fatigue(17.0$\%$), heat and sweating(l4.6$\%$), pressure(12.2$\%$) and stress(9.8). 5. The total scores between baseline and follow up of 26 patients was lowered from 14.85${\pm}$3.80 to 7.65${\pm}$4.31 and it was significant statistically. Conclusions: Korean traditional medical therapy was proved to be effective on the chronic urticaria and we need to consider foods as important factor in both treatment and patient education of urticaria.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1699-1705
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• 2006

Recent studies have suggested that oral bacteriotherapy with probiotics might be useful for preventing and managing childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral treatment with probiotics for adolescent and adult AD patients as well as for childhood AD patients. Sixty-four patients with mild to moderate AD were recruited for treatment with a mixture of four probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Biftdobacterium lactis) twice daily for 8 weeks. The degree of pruritus was determined by a 10-point visual analog scale every other week, and the patients' global assessments of their clinical responses (i.e., better, unchanged, or worse) was done at the end of intervention. The clinical severity of the eczema was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) score every other week. As laboratory markers, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the serum, and cytokine production [interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured at the beginning and at the end of intervention. Of the 64 enrolled AD patients, only 50 patients finally completed the 8-week study. After 8-week treatment with probiotics, the EASI score was significantly improved (p<0.0001), 50% of the patients experienced improvement of their eczema, and significant improvement of the pruritus was also observed (p=0.0002). The effect was more pronounced for the patients with very high IgE levels (>1,000 ku/l) or for the patients with moderate disease severity. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effects between the childhood AD and adolescent and adult AD patients. There were no significant changes of cytokines, as well as the total IgE and ECP levels, in the patients' serum. Treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains was generally well tolerated. Our results suggest that the treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains is beneficial for the management of the adolescent and adult AD patients, as well as for the childhood AD patients.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1 s.37
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• pp.75-83
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• 1999

To investigate the effects of negative therapy at back meridian points on blood gas components and immune functions in male college students, this study was conducted on treatment types(abdomen group and back group) at three sampling times (before, post-2 wks and post-4 wks) by using $2{\times}3$ factoral design. Blood gas $components(pH,\;PCO_2,\;PO_2,\;HCO_3^-,\;O_2SAT,\;BE)$, red blood cell, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cell and subsets(neutrophil, basophil, eosinophil. lymphocyte, monocyte), total T cells, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, Th/Ts ratio, total B cells, serum immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE), Cytokines(Interlukin$-1{\beta}$, -2, -4, 2 receptor, -6 and ${\gamma}$-interferon), NK cells were measured. Collected with data were analyzed statistically by repealed measured ANOVA. The pattern of change between two groups for hematocrit, hemoglobin, suppressor T cells, interleukin-6, ${\gamma}-interferon$, NK cells at post-2 weeks and BE, lymphocyte, basophil at post-4 weeks was significantly different(p<0.05) And also the pattern of change over time for ${HCO_3}^-$(2 wks vs 4 wks), WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte(0 wks vs 2 wks and 2 wks vs 4 wks) was significantly different(p<0.05). In summary, these data suggest that negative therapy at back meridian points had an effect on blood gas components and immune functions in male college students because practicing negative therapy at back meridian points was not associated with changes of all blood gas components and immune factors but associated with changes of BE, hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC. neutrophil, lymphocyte, interleukin-6. ${\gamma}-interferon$, NK cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Schizonepeta Spica water extract (SS) on the OVA-induced BLAB/c mice allergic rhinitis model.Methods : Thirty two BALB/c mice were equally assigned to 4 groups; the sham group, the control group, the cetirizine hydrochloride (Cet) treatment group, and the SS treatment group. Sham group was sensitized and challenged with saline, and the other groups were sensitized and challenged with OVA. The dosage of SS was 7.6 mg /kg·day, and Cet was 10 mg/kg·day. Nasal rubbing and sneezing were measured by the behavior observation. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α and MIP-2 in the sera of allergic rhinitis model were measured by mouse cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead panel kits. Total IgE and OVA-specific IgE were measured by ELISA method. Epithelial thickness and eosinophil infiltration of nasal septum was investigated by histological examination.Results : The clinical symptoms that increased in control group were significantly reduced in SS-treated group. Serum total IgE and OVA-specific IgE in the SS-treated group were significantly reduced compared to the control group. The concentration of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α and MIP-2 in SS-treated group showed a significant reduction compared to the control group. The infiltration of eosinophil into nasal tissues of SS-treated group decreased markedly compared to control group, and thickness of nasal septum in nasal mucosa showed a significant reduction compared to control group.Conclusions : According to the above result, it is suggested that SS may inhibit the early and late phase of allergic rhinitis reaction.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2003

Numerous physiological effects are attributed to conjugated linoleic acid(CLA). The purpose of this study is to consider these effects with respect to the cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer. Both isomers are natural products. The c9,t11-CLA isomer is the principal dietary form of CLA, but the concentrations of this isomer and the t10,c12-CLA Isomer in dairy products or beef vary depending on the diet fed to cows or steers, respectively. The influence of dietary CLA isomers on the immune response was examined, body weight and weight ratio of organ to body of Balb/C mice. Mice were divided into four groups of 8 mice. Balb/C mice were fed the experimental diets supplemented with 1% CLA (c9,t11-CLA isomer : t10,c12-CLA isomer = 2:3) (Group 1), 1% CLA (c9,t11-CLA isomer t10,c12-CLA isomer : 1:1) (Group 2), 1% safflower oil (Group 3) or nothing (Control) for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, serum, gut lumen lavage, fat, liver, spleen and thymus were taken. Measurement of total immunoglobulin were executed using sandwich ELISA. Serum levels of IgA and IgM showed that group fed with t10,c12-CLA isomer significantly were higher than group fed with c9,tl1-CLA isomer. In addition serum level of IgG showed that group fed with t10,c9-CLA isomer significantly were lower than group fed with c9,tl1-CLA isomer. However, no significantly differences were observed in the serum IgE and secretory IgA. Weight ratio of spleen to body showed no significant differences. In weight ratio of liver and thymus to body, tl0,c9-CLA isomer significantly were respectively higher than group fed with c9,t11-CLA isomer. In weight ratio of fat to body, tl0,c9-CLA isomer significantly were respectively lower than group fed with c9,tl1-CLA isomer. In conclusion, t10,c12-CLA isomer produced a situation favorable for immunopotentiative effect and body composition. But it should be protected against hepatomegaly induced lipid accumulation in liver.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2005

Purpose : Hypogammaglobulinemia has been observed in nephrotic syndrome, but its pathophysiology remains unknown. We evaluated serum immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses, and vaccine-induced viral antibodies(anti-hepatitis B surface IgG and anti-measles IgG) in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). Methods : Using the stored sera, the levels of immunoglobulin(IgC, IgM, IgA, and IgC) and IgG subclasses(IgG 1, 2, ,3, and 4), anti-HBs Ab and anti-measles IgG of 21 children with MCNS were analyzed and compared to those of 25 age-matched healthy children. Results : The mean values of IgG and IgG1 were $390{\pm}187\;mg/dL$ and $287{\pm}120\;mg/dL$ in nephrotic children, and $1,025{\pm}284\;mg/dL$ and $785{\pm}19\;mg/dL$ in control children, respectively. The values of the total IgG and the 4 IgG subclasses in nephrotic children were all significantly depressed(P<0.001), but the IgM($251{\pm}183\;mg/dL\;vs. 153{\pm}55\;mg/dL$, P=0.02) and IgE values(P=0.01) were elevated, and the IgA values were not changed. The seropositivity of anti-HBs IgG was 42.9$\%$(9 of 21 cases) in the MCNS group and 52$\%$(13/25) in the control group, and that of anti-measles IgG was 75$\%$(16/21) and 92$\%$(23/25), respectively, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion : IgG and IgG subclass levels in MCNS children are all depressed without significant seronegativity of the vaccine-induced viral antibodies. Further studies are needed to resolve the cause of hypogammaglobulinemia in MCNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:143-148)

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2018

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disorder characterized by specific pathological findings and elevated serum IgG4 level. IgG4-RD in the stomach is rare, and occasionally diagnosed as gastric subepithelial tumor (SET) by endoscopy or computed tomography scan. Two female patients in the age group of 40-50 years were diagnosed with 4 cm sized gastric SET. One underwent laparoscopic gastric wedge resection. Another one had a history of subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with oral steroids administration. She underwent a completion total gastrectomy with splenectomy for the gastric SET and ITP. The pathology showed storiform fibrosis, and IgG4 was positive in immunohistochemistry (IHC) stain. IgG4-RD is known as a medical disease that could be treated with oral steroids. The difficulty in preoperative diagnosis of the disease occasionally causes unnecessary gastric resection. Thus, preoperative diagnostic methods for IgG4-RD such as deep biopsy with IHC stain or magnetic resonance imaging are needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.277-283
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• 2017

Activated T helper 2 (Th2) immune function is hallmark of various allergic diseases. We investigated the anti-allergic effect of Jagamcho-tang extract(JE) on ovalbumin(OVA)-induced atopic dermatitis mice model and OVA-stimulated splenocytes isolated from the mice. Mice were intraperitoneally injected OVA/alum solution 2 times at interval of 14 days, followed by oral administration of JE for 7 days. After administration, mice were subcutaneously injected with OVA in ear. JE treatment reduced ear swelling and infiltration of inflammatory cells in ear. Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and immunoglobulins, such as total-IgE and OVA-specific IgE, were decreased in JE treated group. Furthermore, JE treatment decreased OVA-induced Th2-associated cytokines like IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA levels in splenocytes. In conclusion, JE reduced allergic immune response via IgE production and Th2 response in OVA-sensitized mice, suggesting that JE could be useful prescription for allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis.