• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2009

Background: The methacholine bronchial provocation test is a useful tool for evaluating asthma in patients with normal or near normal baseline lung function. However, the sensitivity of this test is 82~92% at most. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of $FEF_{25-75%}$ in identification of airway hyperresponsiveness in patients with suspected asthmatic symptoms. Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients who experienced cough and wheezing within one week prior to their visiting the clinic were enrolled. Results: Sixty-four subjects showed no significant reduction of $FEV_{1}$ or $FEF_{25-75%}$ on the methacholine bronchial provocation test (Group I). In 24 patients, $FEF_{25-75%}$ fell more than 20% from baseline without a 20% fall of $FEV_{1}$ during methacholine challenge (Group II). All patients who had more than 20% fall of $FEV_{1}$ (n=37) also showed more than 20% of reduction in $FEF_{25-75%}$ (Group III). Baseline $FEV_{1}$/FVC (%) and $FEF_{25-75%}$ (L) were higher in group II than group III (81.51${\pm}$1.56% vs. 75.02${\pm}$1.60%, p<0.001, 3.25${\pm}$0.21 L vs. 2.45${\pm}$0.21 L, p=0.013, respectively). Group II had greater reductions of both $FEV_{1}$ and $FEF_{25-75%}$ than group I at 25 mg/mL of methacholine (p<0.001). The provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in $FEF_{25-75%}$ in group II was about three-fold higher than that in group III. Conclusion: A 20% fall of $FEF_{25-75%}$ by methacholine provocation can be more sensitive indicator for detecting a milder form of airway hyperresponsiveness than $FEV_{1}$ criteria.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.484-494
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• 2016

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the treatment effects of Chungsangboha-tang through retrospective chart reviews.Methods: Fifty-one outpatients who had visited the Allergy, Immune & Respiratory System Division at the Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital and who had taken Chungsangboha-tang from February 1, 2006, to February 1, 2016, had their basic medical records and examinationsretrospectively reviewed with respect to IgE, eosinophil, AST, and ALT. The PFT results of 11 patients were also investigated with respect to FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC.Results: The percentage of males and females was 49.02% and 50.98%, respectively. The past histories of patients included asthma (66.67%), unspecified cough (21.57%), COPD (9.80%), allergic rhinitis (7.84%), and others. The subjective symptoms included cough (82.35%), sputum (39.22%), dyspnea (37.25%), and others. The most numerous pattern identification was wheezing dyspnea. IgE was significantly reduced, and eosinophil had a reduced tendency after 116.76±160.40 days of taking Chungsangboha-tang. PFT results also significantly increased after 213.09±266.62 days, while AST and ALT results showed a reduced tendency. In the asthmatic group, IgE also showed a reduced tendency. In particular, IgE was significantly reduced in patient groups taking medicine for more than 12 weeks.Conclusions: The conditions of patients with chronic pulmonary disease such as asthma and COPD significantly improved with Chungsangboha-tang after more than 12 weeks.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2021

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the clinical features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who attended a Korean medicine hospital and the treatment effects through retrospective chart reviews. Methods: The medical records of 82 outpatients who had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and visited the Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department of Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital from 8 January 2015 to 8 January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. To assess the treatment outcomes, we used the FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), DLCO (Diffusing capacity of the Lung for CO), 6-minute walk test, and HRCT (High Resolution Computed Tomography). Results: The study group consisted of 28 females and 54 males. The median age of the patients was 67.98±11.44 years. The chief complaints were cough (n=51) and dyspnea (n=49). Other frequent symptoms were general weakness (n=8), weight loss (n=4), and a fever (n=2). A total of 77 (93.90%) patients were prescribed Korean herbal medicine, and 52 (63.41%) patients were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, ICT, or pharmacopuncture. After treatments, FVC, DLCO, the 6-minute walk test, and HRCT were maintained or worsened slightly. Conclusions: This study presented the characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients treated by Korean medical therapies, and further studies of Korean medical treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients would be valuable.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.492-499
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• 2021

Purpose: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten proteins and is often characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms. Food allergy (FA) is an adverse immune sensitivity to ingested food proteins leading to inflammation in various organs including the gastrointestinal tract. The relationship between CD and FA remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food sensitization in children with CD. Methods: Fifty-nine children diagnosed with CD were reviewed for clinical symptoms and evidence of IgE-sensitization to food and airborne allergens using the PolyCheck method. Results: IgE-mediated sensitization has been diagnosed in 20.3% of children with CD (CD/A). In the CD/A group, 58.3% of children were sensitized to food and 66.7% to airborne allergens. Further, 41.7% of patients with CD and allergy reported gastrointestinal tract symptoms associated with the ingestion of sensitizing foods. Analysis of the clinical status revealed that the incidence of other allergic disorders in the CD/A group was as follows: atopic dermatitis (33.3%), asthma (25.0%), and allergic rhinitis (16.7%). The percentage of eosinophils was significantly higher in the CD/A group than in the CD group (0.33±0.25 vs. 0.11±0.09; p=0.006). Conclusion: The diagnosis of CD does not exclude FA. The gastrointestinal symptoms in children with CD may be the result of both CD and FA; therefore, children with CD should be evaluated for the presence of FA regardless of age.

• Journal of odor and indoor environment
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.277-286
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• 2017

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of $PM_{10}$ and $O_3$ concentration on the symptoms of allergic diseases. The questionnaire was used to determine whether or not symptoms of allergic diseases were present from September to October 2012. The air pollution concentration data used was the corresponding point CEM (continuous emission monitoring) data. The average concentration of $PM_{10}$ was $56.09{\mu}g/m^3$ in the control area, and the concentration in the exposed area was $40.44{\mu}g/m^3$. In the two areas, concentration of $O_3$ was 28.73 ppb and 28.74 ppb, respectively. The total average concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $O_3$ were $45.66{\mu}g/m^3$ and 28.73 ppb in the Gwangyang area. The rate of asthma diagnosis was higher in the control area (9.6%) than in the exposed area (4.1%), but the rate of allergy eye disease was higher in the exposed area (23.9%) than in the control area (16.5%). There was a significant difference in the symptoms of some allergic diseases when the relative concentration of $PM_{10}$ and $O_3$ were high and low.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Scombroid fish poisoning (SFP) is a form of histamine food poisoning caused by the ingestion of improperly stored fish. The term "scombroid" derives from the family name of the fish family first implicated, such as tuna and mackerel. On the other hand, non-scombroid fish species, such as sardine and herring, can also cause histamine poisoning. The histamine is converted from histidine by a bacterial enzyme in the causative fish. Because the symptoms of SFP can easily be confused with food allergies, it is believed to have been significantly under-reported. In 2016, an outbreak of SFP occurred among primary school students who had eaten yellowtail steak in Korea. The most common findings consisted of a rapid onset of flushing of the face and trunk, erythematous and urticarial rash, diarrhea, and headache occurring soon after consuming the spoiled fish. Usually, the course is self-limiting and antihistamines can be used successfully to relieve symptoms, but several life-threatening SFP cases have been reported. Clinical toxicologists should be familiar with SFP and have competency to make a differential diagnosis between fish allergy and histamine poisoning. SFP is a histamine-induced reaction caused by the ingestion of histamine-contaminated fish, whereas a fish allergy is an IgE-mediated reaction. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures of SFP.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.795-808
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report two cases of prostate cancer patients whose side effects after surgery were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Methods: Two prostate cancer patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, and both patients were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Subjective discomfort symptoms were evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale. Adverse events were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Daily life vitality was evaluated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Results: After treatment with traditional Korean medicine, discomfort symptoms that occurred after surgery, such as frequent urination, nocturia, insomnia, and depression, all gradually improved, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores also improved from two points to one point. Additionally, there were no hematologic side effects from the traditional Korean medicine treatment. Conclusions: This case study suggests that traditional Korean medicine may contribute to the improvement of side effects caused by robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, quality of life, and immunity.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2010

Objectives : Quality of life(QoL) in patients with lung cancer usually goes down after pneumoectomy, and the pain is the most common cause. Uncontrolled postoperative pain can restrict the movements of shoulders resulting in frozen shoulder. This case report is to report the effect of herb medicine, Ohjuksan on a 49-year-old female lung cancer patient with shoulder pain after lobectomy. Methods : The patient was treated with Ohjuksan for 10 days. The patient's symptoms were assessed by range of motion(ROM) of shoulder, Visual analogue scale(VAS) of shoulder pain and abdominal diagnosis. Results & Conclusions : The patient showed improvement of ROM, VAS and abdominal diagnosis. As the shoulder pain is relieved from VAS6 to VAS3, ROM of abduction, adduction and internal rotation were increased. Also discomfort of abdomen was disapeared to a certain degree. This suggests that herb medicine, Ohjuksan is effective for treating postoperative pain of shoulder for a Lung cancer patient.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.123-135
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• 2015

In order to examine allergic disease experience rates of students at atopy and asthma friendly elementary schools located in Chungcheongnam-do and investigate their dietary behaviors, a survey on 250 parents of first to third grade students at four rural-type atopy and asthma friendly elementary schools was conducted. The number of students who had experienced allergic symptoms (allergic group) was 102 (40.8%). their breastfeeding duration was shorter than that of the non-allergic group (p<.001) and the former's weaning foods-feeding had started earlier than the latter's (p<.01). Regarding the eating habits, the non-allergic group was found to have breakfast and dinner better than the allergic group (p<.001). The number of students eating fruits as snacks was largest in the allergic group at 73 (71.6%), and as for the non-allergic group, their rate of eating fruits, milk and dairy products, and cookies and fries was at 25.7%, 22.3%, and 20.3%, respectively. A high percentage of the allergic group ate three times or less per month the animal food groups and dairy products (p<.001). Accordingly, for improvement in dietary behaviors of students who have allergy against food, nutrition education on regular eating, balanced intake of food, adequate intake of snacks and meals for proper growth and development and precise diagnosis of allergy-triggering food are necessary. In particular, as education on food allergy, implementation of practical education such as appropriate nutrition counseling by nutrition teachers is urgent beyond the one-way educational method of school newsletters.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.521-531
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• 2016

This study was conducted to measure the prevalence of food allergies among kindergarten and elementary school children and their parents' perceptions of the Food Allergen Labeling System in school food service (FALSSFS). The surveys were conducted by the parents of children in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. According to the results, the prevalence of food allergies among the children was 21.9% (current group 8.1% and experienced group 13.8%). The features of the food allergy of the children were as follows : The onset time of allergy was at 1-2 years for 59 children (40.7%), at 3-4 years for 41 children (28.3%), and the main symptoms of allergy were 'rash and skin hives' (47.1%) and 'itching' (30.2%). In terms of the family history, the prevalence of allergies among the mothers was the highest with a value of 31.9%. The allergenic foods were egg (14.7%), pork (11.6%), and milk (8.9%) in the order. Most of the parents had a low perception of the FALSSFS. 26.2% of the parents requested preventive education related to food allergies at school, making this the most requested item, followed by "helping students understand students with food allergies" with a value of 20.2%. The benefit of the FALSSFS was to increase the safety of school food and promote the emotional health of children with allergies.