• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제29권
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• pp.17.1-17.6
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• 2014

Objectives Antimicrobial chemicals are used in a variety of household and personal care products. Exposure to antimicrobial household products has been hypothesized to lead to allergic diseases in children. Methods We investigated antimicrobial household product exposure and allergic symptoms in Korean children. An antimicrobial exposure (AE) score was derived. To examine the symptoms of allergic diseases (current wheeze, current rhinitis, and current eczema) in the past 12 months, we used a questionnaire based on the core module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. Complete data for the analysis were available for 25,805 of the 35,590 (72.5%) children. Results The prevalence of current allergic diseases was as follows: wheeze, 5.6%; allergic rhinitis, 32.6%; and eczema, 17.7%. The mean (standard deviation) AE score was 14.3 (9.3) (range: 0-40). Compared with subjects with a low AE score (reference), subjects with a high AE score (fourth quartile) were more likely to have symptoms of wheezing and allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for wheezing 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.45, p for trend=0.24; aOR for allergic rhinitis 1.30, 95% CI, 1.20-1.40, p <0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that frequent use of antimicrobial household products was associated with current wheeze and current allergic rhinitis.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.365-370
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• 2016

아토피피부염은 가려움증을 보이는 만성의, 재발성의 염증성 피부상태를 말하며 천식, 식품 알레르기, 알레르기 비염 등과 같은 다른 알레르기 질환보다 먼저 발생하고 다양한 면역학적 이상과 이로 인한 다양한 속발 증상도 갖고 있는 만성 재발성의 습관성 질환이다. 본 연구는 TNF-${\alpha}$와 IFN-${\gamma}$로 유도된 HaCaT 세포주를 이용하여 농도별로 PwM 천연물을 처리하였을 때 세포생존율이 우수한 것을 확인하였으며 아토피피부염과 관련된 염증성 사이토카인 즉, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, MCP-1을 측정하였다. 그 결과 IL-6, IL-13, MCP-1의 생산량은 PwM 천연물에 의해 감소하였고 IL-8은 유의한 변화가 없었다. 앞으로의 연구는 해외생물소재를 활용한 아토피피부염 및 염증에 효과적인 치료제 후보물질을 개발하는 것이며 단백질 분석과 기전 연구를 통해 보다 객관적인 검증이 더 필요하다고 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권8호
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• pp.338-342
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• 2013

Purpose: Allergic disease and its comorbidities significantly influence the quality of life. Although the comorbidities of allergic diseases are well described in adult populations, little is known about them in preschool children. In the present study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in Korean preschool children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 615 Korean children (age, 3 to 6 years). Symptoms of allergic diseases were assessed using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire that was modified for preschool children. Comorbidities of allergic diseases were assessed by 'In the last 12 months, has your child had symptoms?'. Results: The prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis as recorded using the ISAAC questionnaire, within the last 12 months was 13.8%, 40.7%, and 20.8%, respectively. The symptom rates of allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy, and drug allergy were 14.8%, 10.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children with asthma was 64.3% and that of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis was 21.6%. The prevalence of rhinitis in children with conjunctivitis was 64.8% and that of conjunctivitis in children with rhinitis was 23.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of current rhinitis in our preschool children is shown to be higher than that previously reported. Allergic conjunctivitis is closely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, further studies are warranted to determine the prevalence and effects of these comorbidities on health outcomes in preschool children.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.157-165
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate allergic diseases related to allergy caused by the exposure to indoor and outdoor sources of air pollution in primary schools. The symptoms questionnaire of allergic diseases based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was completed by the participants. The past and present status of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and allergic conjunctivitis were investigated by providing a questionnaire to all the participating children. Questionnaires were sent to a total of 61,350 children from 438 primary schools. A total of 40,522 children responded to the questionnaire, which represents a 66.1% return rate. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), $\underline{A}$ldehydes, and Particulate Matter ($PM_{10}$) were measured and analyzed from October to December of 2006, in 82 primary schools. The final study population comprised 35,168 children with complete data which excluded incomplete questionnaire responded by 5,354 children. Based on the survey, the level of indoor air contamination did not appear to be high, but 27.2% of the schools evaluated had exceeded the $PM_{10}$ level specified by the school health guidelines ($100\;{\mu}g/m^3$). The overall mean concentration of formaldehyde was $22.07\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and 1.0% of schools (1 school) exceeded the $100\;{\mu}g/m^3$. Statistically significant relationships have been observed between indoor air quality and prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis of primary schools in Korea.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.217-222
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• 2007

To develop cleansing tissue composed of silicone multiple emulsions which could easily remove make-up residues and confer skin protecting effect without damaging skin, we formulated various silicone multiple emulsions and evaluated the physicochemical properties including viscosity, cleansing effect, and safety effect. Also, cleansing tissue incorporated with silicone multiple (W/Si/W) emulsion was stored for 6 months, and judged its stability through microscopes under accelerated and long-term condition. Cleansing effect was evaluated by chromameter. Skin hydration effect was determined by corneometer and incorporation effect into non-woven fabric cotton was evaluated by volunteer survey. Low viscosity ranged from 400 centipoise (cP) to 1,000 cP was obtained from a stabilized W/Si/W emulsion containing more than 10% volatile silicone. Mean diameter of fresh W/Si/W emulsion was $20{\mu}m$, but after storage for 3 months at $45^{\circ}C$, the particle size of the W/Si/W emulsion increased up to $50{\mu}m$. Both W/Si/W emulsion-incorporated cleansing tissue and commercial product showed equally good cleansing effect. In addition, skin allergies such as erythema, edema, scaling itching, stinging, burning, tightness and prickling were not observed through macroscopic examination. From the transepidermal water loss results, the cleansing tissue consisting of W/Si/W emulsion showed superior hydration effect to commercial product. In conclusion, this study suggests cleansing tissue using W/Si/W emulsion could be used for an excellent efficacy compared with commercialized cleansing tissue.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권10호
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• pp.1687-1696
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• 2015

Supplementation with probiotics can protect against the development of food allergies by modulating the host immune response; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the allergy-reducing effects of regulatory dendritic cells (regDCs) induced by Lactobacillus paracasei L9 (L9) in β-lactoglobulin (BLG)-sensitized mice. The L9 supplement suppressed the aberrant balance of Th1/Th2 responses to BLG in mice, via upregulation of the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell responses. The amount of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in mesenteric lymph nodes increased by 51.85%. Furthermore, administration of L9 significantly induced the expression of CD103 and reduced the maturation status of DCs in mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and spleen. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) were activated by L9 in vitro, with an approximate 1.31-fold and 19.57-fold increase in expression of CD103 in CD11c+DCs and the level of IL-10 production, respectively, while the expression of CD86 did not change significantly. These data demonstrate that L9 reduced the BLG allergic sensitization, likely through regDCs mediated active suppression.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.355-361
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• 2008

Pollen is very important causing factor for allergy such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, and pollen allergy has a remarkable clinical impact all over Korea. The main pollination period covers about half the year, from spring to autumn, and the distribution of airborne pollen taxa of allergological interest is related to pollen season dynamics. Korean academy of pediatric allergy and respiratory diseases (KAPARD) has evaluated the pollen characteristics and nationwide pollen count for over 10 years since 1997. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from nationwide 8 stations (Seoul, Guri, Cheongju, Daegu, Kwangju, Busan, Kangneung, and Jeju) by using 7 days-Burkard sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, Hertfordshire, UK) in South Korea (July 1, 1997-June 30, 2007). They were counted and recorded along with the meteorological factors daily. Tree pollen is a major airborne allergen in spring, grass is most common in summer, and weed pollen is major pollen in autumn in Korea. There has two peak seasons for pollen allergy, as summer and autumn. There is some evidence suggesting that the prevalence of allergic diseases in Korea has been on the increase in the past decade. However, recent findings of the phase I and II studies of the international Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) study showed the absence of increases or little changes in prevalence of asthma symptoms and diagnosis rates in Korea, whereas the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were increased. We reported the evidence that sensitization rate to weed pollen has been increased yearly since 1997 in childhood. Climate change and air pollution must be the major causing factors for the increase of pollen counts and sensitization rate to pollen. Climate change makes the plants earlier pollination and persisting pollination longer. In conclusion, data on pollen count and structure in the last few years, the pathogenetic role of pollen and the interaction between pollen and air pollutants with climate change gave new insights into the mechanism of respiratory allergic diseases in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.145-150
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• 2017

Purpose: The gut microbiota can influence several diseases through immune modulation; however, the exact role of microbes such as Clostridium difficile and the relationship between microbiota colonization and allergic diseases are not well known. This study aimed to determine the relationship between C. difficile colonization and/or infection (CDCI) during infancy and allergic diseases during early childhood. Methods: Infants 1-12 months of age presenting changes in bowel habits for more than 2 weeks were enrolled in this study. After dividing them into 2 groups according to the presence and absence of C. difficile, the risk of allergic disease development during childhood was identified and compared. Results: Sixty-five patients were included in this study; 22 (33.8%) were diagnosed with CDCI. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the C. difficile-positive and-negative groups except for antibiotic exposure (22.7% vs. 60.5%, P=0.004). Compared to the C. difficile-negative group, the risk of developing at least one allergic disease was higher in the C. difficile-positive group after adjusting other variables (adjusted odds ratios, 5.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-20.74; P=0.007). Furthermore, food allergies were more prevalent in the C. difficile-positive group (P=0.03). Conclusion: CDCI during infancy were associated with a higher risk of developing allergic diseases during early childhood. These results suggest that CDCI during infancy might reflect the reduced diversity of the intestinal microbiota, which is associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization. To identify the underlying mechanism, further investigation and a larger cohort study will be needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권5호
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• pp.347-351
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• 2013

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIAn) is induced by different types and various intensities of physical activity, and is distinct from food allergies. It has been shown that consumption of allergenic food followed by exercise causes FDEIAn symptoms. Intake of allergenic food or medication before exercise is a major predisposing factor for FDEIAn. Urticaria and severe allergic reactions are general symptoms of FDEIAn. Dermatological tests and serum IgE assays are the typical prescreening methods, and have been used for several decades. However, these screening tests are not sufficient for detecting or preventing FDEIAn. It has been found that exercise may stimulate the release of mediators from IgE-dependent mast cells that can result in FDEIAn when a certain threshold level has been exceeded. Mast cell degradation might be a major factor to induce FDEIAn but this has not been determined. A number of foods have been reported to be involved in the onset of FDEIAn including wheat, eggs, chicken, shrimp, shellfish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. It is also known that aspirin increases the occurrence of type I allergy symptoms when combined with specific foods. Moreover, high intensity and frequent exercise are more likely to provoke an attack than low intensity and less frequent exercise. In this paper, we present the current views of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FDEIAn within the context of exercise immunology. We also present a detailed FDEIAn definition along with etiologic factors and medical treatment for cholinergic urticaria (UC) and exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.82-87
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• 2018

Objective: Concerns about the safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) have been raised, as some studies have shown elevated incidence rates of childhood cancer, asthma, allergies, and other diseases in ART-conceived babies. Findings regarding the health of ART-conceived babies are controversial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in in vitro fertilization (IVF)-conceived mice in comparison to naturally conceived offspring. Methods: Mice (6-8 weeks) were divided into two groups (IVF-conceived and naturally conceived) matched by sex, age, weight, and litter size. A 1-mL blood sample was taken and the sera were separated. The oxidant-antioxidant balance was evaluated using a fast and reliable PAB assay. The results were expressed as $mean{\pm}standard$ deviation. Results: The mean PAB values (HK units) in the IVF-conceived and naturally conceived groups were $59.70{\pm}22.30$ and $54.70{\pm}18.22$, respectively (p= 0.82). Conclusion: Since free radicals contribute to several pathological conditions and antioxidants play an important protective role against oxidative stress, evaluating the oxidant-antioxidant balance is very important. Although the results of this study showed that the quality of the defense mechanism against free radicals was not significantly different between the IVF-conceived and naturally conceived mice, other parameters of metabolic dysfunction need to be measured.