• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.613-618
• /
• 2007

Pollens are known to be an allergen. They penetrate human respiratory system, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy (hey fever). The purpose of this study is to test two field-flow fractionation (FFF) techniques, gravitational FFF (GrFFF) and sedimentation FFF (SdFFF), for their applicability to sizecharacterization of micron-sized pollens. Both GrFFF and SdFFF are elution techniques, providing sequential elution of particles based on size. They allow the size distribution as well as the mean size of the sample to be determined from the elution time. In this study, GrFFF and SdFFF were used to determine the size distribution of Paper Mulberry and Bermuda Grass pollens. For the Paper Mulberry pollen, the mean size obtained by GrFFF is 12.7 μm, and agrees rather well with the OM data with the relative error of 8.0%. For the Bermuda Grass pollen, the mean size obtained by GrFFF is 32.6 μm with the relative error of 12.3%. The mean sizes determined by SdFFF are 12.4 (relative error = 10.1%) and 27.1 μm (relative error = 5.2%) for the Paper Mulberry and the Bermuda Grass pollen, respectively. Although SdFFF tends to yield more accurate size distribution due to lower band broadening under the field strength higher than 1 G, the sizes determined by GrFFF were not significantly different from those by SdFFF.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 1988

The purpose of this study is to investigate ways to control the wind dispersal of contton-wrapped seeds of such poplars and willows as Poplus alba, P. tomentiglandulosa, P. euramericana, P. deltoides, and Salix pseudo-lasiogyne. These trees are hated by many people because of their seeds blowing all over the place during May. These cottony seeds can be nuisance to various types of outdoor activities, pose safely threat to drivers, become fire hazards during prolonged spring dry spells, and cause many types of health hazards of allergy such as sneezing. rhinitis, asthma, and skin rashes. Four control methods can be used to resolve the problem. First, pruning can be a solution, but it is unsatisfactory in terms of costs and outcome. Second, planting of male trees only can be a solution, but it is hard to identify sexes of saplings. Third, female trees can he replaced with other species. But it requires high costs and takes at least ten years to functionally replace the removed ones. As an alternative to such unsatisfactory control methods, the possibility of applying plant growth regulators has been investigated since 1983. During the pre-test, various concentrations and mixtures of them were either sprayed or injected, but failed to achieve any promising results. But the injection of a mixture made up of 0.75g of 2-chloroethane phosphonic acid with 0.2 mg of GA in 300cc water in the end of March produced premature falling of almost all aments and capsules of treated poplars and willows. It was found that the effect of the injection lasts two years. The results of the main experiment of 1987 can be summarized as follows ; First, the injection of the mixture of 2-chloroethane phosphonic acid and GA increases the premature abscisin of aments and capsules, thus reducing the wind dispersal of the cottony seeds of S. pseudolasiogyne, P. tomentiglandulosa, and P. euramericana 1644.09, 1200.61, and 1485.11 times, respectively, than that of the naural abscisin, It is estimated that the average number of wind-blown seeds reduced are approximatively 6,185,100, 4062,900, and 2,830,670 per tree, respectively. Second, the treatment causes no observable side effects on the growth of the samples tested.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.57-68
• /
• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the current trends of various herbal medicine research on allergic disease with dysbiosis. Methods : Electronic searches were performed using Pubmed, Research Information Sharing Service(RISS), Korean studies Information Service System(KISS), Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS). Results : We analyzed ten studies on the effect of herbal medicine on allergic disease with dysbiosis. Eight studies were animal experimental studies, and two were randomized clinical trial(RCT) study and one-group pretest-posttest research, respectively. Among the studies, three studies were on atopic dermatitis, two on allergic rhinitis, and five on asthma. All different herbal medicines were used in the studies. Changes in gut microbiota composition were observed in nine studies except for 1 RCT study. In eight animal experimental studies, there was significant reduction in allergy-related inflammatory markers. Six studies evaluated the change of metabolites related to gut microbiota and three of them showed significant increase in short-chain fatty acids(SCFA). Conclusion : This study provides current trends of studies on herbal medicine research on allergic disease with dysbiosis. Most research is conducted using animal experiments, and this is a relatively recent trend. These studies offer basic knowledge on the correlation between herbal medicine, gut microbiota, and anti-inflammatory effects in allergic disease.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.187-195
• /
• 1995

Hwamunsok(mat with flower design) is a special product of Kanghwa, which is made up of cyperus exaltatus. According to Allergy, cyperus exaltatus is one of the inhalant allergens and provokes respiratory symptoms and signs. There have been few reports about respiratory allergic disease or contact dermatitis occurring in farmers who cultivate the cyperus exaltatus or manufacture Hwamunsok with it. We studied the relationship between allergic symptoms and exposure to cyperus exaltatus. First, we questioned 141 voluntaries living in Kangwha on the symptoms of contact dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Secondly, open tests with cyperus exaltatus were done to permitted 73 voluntaries. Patch tests with the European standard series(23 antigens) were only done to exposure 49 subjects to cyperus exaltatus. The results were as follows : 1. As the manifestation rate of allergic symptoms by age, its of 60 years old over in male showed 333 per 1,000 persons. Its of 50 years old in female showed 412 per 1,000 persons. Those age groups in both genders exhibited the highest manifestation of allergic symptoms than all other age groups. Also, if age and sex were adjusted with the rural population of Kanghwagun('93 base population), the manifestation rate of allergic symptoms in male showed 283 per 1,000 persons. Its in female and totals of study populations showed which is each 206 and 234 per 1,000 persons. Specially, it showed that statistics significantly(p=0.002), exposured subjects by cultivation of cyperus exaltatus & manufacture of Hwamunsok have experienced symptoms of contact dermatitis more frequently than unexposured subjects. Secondly, it tested statistics significantly that the risk factor as manifestation of allergic symptoms was the exposure of cyperus exaltatus's allergen(p=0.024). The manifestation risk of allergic symptoms in exposure groups was 3.73 times higher than unexposured subjects. Thirdly, positive reactions in open tests with cyperus exaltatus were higher in exposured subjects than non-exposured subjects. After 72 and 96 hours, positive reactions in open tests were all 10 subjects(20.4%). Also, after 1 week, positive reactions were 8 subjects(16.4%). In conclusion there is a close relationship between contact dermatitis and exposure to cyperus exaltatus while cultivating it and manufacturing Hwamunsok. Therefore, various studies should be continued and a health education program undertaken on contact dermatitis with those who were be engaging in Hwamunsok's manufacture.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2008

The objective of the study which utilised population based data was to determine the respiratory condition of elementary school children in Gangneung. From October 9th to December 14th, 2006, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratoy Volume in I Second $(FEV_1)$ were conducted on the target group of children using a spirometer. The prevalence of asthmatic symptoms was 29.8% among boys and 39.6% among girls. By using logistic regression, we found that family history of allergic rhinitis (OR=3.90, CI=1.05-14.51), experience of allergic conjunctivitis (OR=4.67, CI=1.54-14.16) and atopic dermatitis (OR=2.86, CI=1.17-7.05) significantly increased the asthmatic symptoms. Also, a family history of asthma and food allergy were associated with asthmatic symptoms. In relation to housing and environmental risk factors, residences under the ground (OR=3.59, CI=1.35-9.51) and big-size dolls (OR=2.71, CI=0.86-8.53) significantly increased the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms. For PFT, above four families, exposure of passive smoking and pets significantly reduced FVC in both groups (p<0.05). In girls, a big-size doll was significantly associated with decreased lung function (FVC and $FEV_1$). In boys, using bed significantly reduced $FEV_1$. Also, the risk of asthmatic symptoms was found to increase when the house has been built for 5 years or more, the house is close to a road $({\leq}100m)$, a gas/Kerosene heater or carpet is utilized within the house. However, their differences were not significant. It is concluded that genetic factor such as a family history of respiratory disease, allergic symptoms and housing risk factor are related to asthmatic symptoms. These results were worth noting because the findings will help address risk factors related respiratory symptoms especially in relation to housing and environment.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.42-54
• /
• 2018

Background: Allergic diseases like such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis have recently increased both domestically and globally. The present study was undertaken to select candidates with anti-allergic activity from plant resources. Methods and Results: Fifty-six plant extracts at $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ were screened against ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase production and interleukin (IL)-4 release in degranulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. The anti-allergy activity of three plant extracts selected from the preliminary screening experiment, Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche (root), Pyrus pytifolia var. culta (Makino) Nakai (leaf), and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud (root) were measured at concentrations of $2-250{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in three cell lines as RBL-2H3, HaCaT and Jurkcat T cells. The assay showed the root extract of R. glutinosa to have an inhibitory activity of 4.2% - 28.6% on ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase production from IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Each extract of P. sibiricum and R. glutinosa reduced IL-4 release in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells, respectively. The leaf extract of P. pyrifolia var. culta showed a significantly potent suppressive effect of 10.2% - 74.7% on the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ in HaCaT cells sensitized with TNF-a and INF-g, and showed inhibitory effect of -8.6% - 90.9% on the mRNA expression of IL-2 in Jurkat T cells sensitized with PMA and A23187. Conclusions: The results showed that the root of R. glutinosa and leaf of P. pyrifolia var. culta could be useful candidates as antiallergy materials.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.141-152
• /
• 2016

The demand to develop more safe and efficient methods for treating allergic patient is now continuously growing due to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. Probiotics are endogenous microbial flora that gives health benefits within hosts. Probiotics are now considered as one of solutions to treat allergic patients since recent evidence shows that some of probiotics have immunomodulatory function. Also, the treatment of probiotics to patients is relatively safer than other anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we summarized on immunomodulatory function of some probiotics which show preventive or therapeutic effects on major allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, or food allergy. Based on previous literature, the treatment of probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of allergic diseases via balancing $Th_1/Th_2$ response or increasing the number of regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cells.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.253-260
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical features and outcome of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) in children. Methods: Our study enrolled 24 children who were diagnosed with EGE from 1993 to 2014 at the Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital. The patients' clinical manifestations, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed from the medical records. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 5.3 years. Most patients had gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea (54.2%) and abdominal pain (45.8%). Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 91.7% of the patients. Thirteen patients (54.2%) showed anemia, and 15 patients (62.5%) had hypoalbuminemia. EGE was classified as mucosal, subserosal, or muscular in 75.0%, 20.8%, and 4.2% of cases, respectively. Three patients showed gastroduodenal ulcers upon endoscopic analysis. A history of allergy was reported in 13 patients, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Five patients (20.8%) improved with food restrictions. Among the 19 patients treated with steroids, 11 (57.9%) discontinued steroid treatment without subsequent relapse, 4 (21.1%) relapsed after ceasing steroid treatment, and 4 (21.1%) showed no response to steroids. Two patients who were resistant to steroids underwent therapeutic surgery. The presence of gastroduodenal ulcers was significantly associated with relapse and steroid resistance. Conclusion: A high suspicion of EGE is warranted when children have nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and peripheral eosinophilia. Most patients improved with food restrictions or steroid treatment, although one-third of patients showed a relapse or steroid resistance.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.104-112
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general features of allergic patients in northwestern Chungcheongnamdo who visited Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital. The subjects in this study were 1692 suspected allergic patients. After their allergic symptoms were checked and a MAST-CLA test was conducted, the following results were obtained: 1. The mean age of the subjects was 23.1 years old. The male patients represented 56.2% and the female patients accounted for 43.8%. 1387 (82.0%) patients of those investigated suffered from allergic disease. 2. Among the 1387 patients, 1022 (73.7%) patients showed an increased total IgE level. The positive rate of those who were in their 40s (87.0%) was the highest, but their age made no difference to their positive rate of total IgE. 3. Concerning the positive rate for allergen specific antibody by age, those who were in their teens (73.5%) topped the list and similar in all age group except in their 40s. By gender, the positive rate of the male and female were 56.3% and 43.9% respectively. Regarding the positive rates by allergic disease, those who suffered from allergic rhinitis (60.4%) were most vulnerable, followed by the patients with allergic dermatitis (47.4%), with bronchial asthma (47.2%) and with urticaria (39.4%). 4. As for seasonal positive rates, they were most susceptible in April (77.2%) and May (71.1%). We discovered a significant difference according to seasons; Spring (60.1%), Winter (45.4%) and Summer (39.2%). 5. In case of Korean inhalent panel, the most dominant allergen-specific antibodies were "Cockroach mix" (31.1%), followed by "D. pteronyssius" (23.8%) and "Dog" (14.3%). In the event of food panel, the most popular allergen-specific antibodies were "D. farinae" (25.0%), followed by "D. pteronyssinus" (19.8%) and "Hose dust" (12.0%). 6. The residential type made no difference to the positive rates of "House dust", "Cockroach mix" and "Dog" as major antigen but compared with others, positive rates for "Tick" were somewhat higher in apartment buildings.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.638-645
• /
• 2019

Objectives: For the risk management of airborne fungal diseases, our aim was to evaluate airborne fungi and study the toxicity associated with fungal allergic diseases using fungal species native to Korea. Methods: Fungi were isolated from outdoor air samples collected from Seoul, Incheon, Cheonan, Gwangju, Ulsan, Busan, and Jeju and tested for their cytotoxicity potential and their ability to induce proliferation and secretion of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in human mast cells (HMC-1). Results: More than 18 species of fungi were collected from outdoor air in Korea over one year, and the strains were identified and systematically analyzed. The results showed that the Cladosporium (59%) and Alternaria (22%) strains are the most common in outdoor air. Three of the collected strains (Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Penicillium) showed mild toxicity in cells involved in allergic inflammation, and twelve induced cell proliferation in HMC-1 cells. More importantly, many strains (Edgeworthia, Trametes, Emmia, Irpex, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Periconia, Epicocum, Bipolaris) induced the MDC protein in activated HMC-1 cells. Conclusion: Nineteen percent of the tested strains caused cytotoxicity in mast cell lines, whereas, most of the non-toxic strains contributed to cell activity. Among the tested strains, more than 80% increased the expression of MDC protein, which contributes to the severity of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. It is, in fact, one of the markers for these conditions. Therefore, airborne fungus could be considered as an important marker for environmental risk management for allergic diseases in Korea.