• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2006

Background: Although there have been several studies regarding the clinical value of an automated TB-PCR study using sputum, bronchial washing, and other body fluid samples for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis, there are only a few reports on the use of fresh tissue samples. Materials and methods: The acid-fast bacilli stain(AFB), tuberculosis culture, automated TB-PCR study, and histopathology examination were performed in 42 fresh tissue samples. Results: Among the 42 cases, 18 cases were diagnosed with tuberculosis based on the clinical findings. Sixteen of the 18 cases were TB-PCR positive and of these 16 cases, only 2 cases were positive in the AFB stain or culture study. However, all 18 cases showed the histopathology findings of chronic granulomatous inflammation that was compatible with tuberculosis. Based on the clinical findings, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictability, and negative predictability of the automated TB-PCR study were 88.9%, 100%, 100%, and 92.3% respectively. Conclusion: An automated TB-PCR assay is an important diagnostic tool for diagnosing tuberculosis in fresh tissue samples.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.977-982
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• 2006

Purpose : There has been an increasing amount of literature concerning the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and asthma pathogenesis. Interleukin(IL)-6 stimulates the differentiation of monocytes, and can promote Th2 differentiation and simultaneously inhibit Th1 polarization. IL-8 is a potent chemoattractant and, it has been suggested, has a role in asthma pathogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by airway epithelium may be important in the regulation of airway inflammation and reactivity. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) has been reported to be a mediator of airway remodeling in asthma. We investigated the effects of M. pneumoniae on IL-6, IL-8, NO and VEGF production in human respiratory epithelial cells. Methods : A549 cells were cultured and inoculated with M. pneumoniae at a dose of 20 cfu/cell. After infection, the presence of M. pneumoniae in epithelial cell cultures was monitored by immunofluorescence and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) detection. IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. NO was measured using the standard Griess reaction. Results : In A549 cells, M. pneumoniaeinduced IL-6, IL-8, NO and VEGF release in time-dependent manners. It also induced mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF in similar manners. Conclusion : These observations suggest that M. pneumoniae might have a role in the pathogenesis of the allergic inflammation of bronchial asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2008

Purpose : Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness result from airway inflammation. Fraction of nitric oxide in expired air (FeNO) has recently been investigated as a noninvasive measure of airway inflammation. FeNO has been reported to correlate with induced sputum eosinophilia and methacholine challenge test that it is represent severity of asthma. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of FeNO with pulmonary function tests in patients with intermittent asthma. Methods : Eighty children included in this study were diagnosed as asthma from April through August, 2005 in Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyunghee University. They aged from 4 to 15 years who were able to conduct spirometry and FeNO monitoring. They did not have upper respiratory tract infection and did not use an asthma controller which contain corticosteroids within 4 weeks. Pulmonary function test was done and FeNO was measured with online tidal breathing method using a chemiluminescence NO analyzer (CLD 88 sp, Eco Medics, Duernten, Switzerland). The correlations between pulmonary function test and FeNO were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient method. Results : The mean of FeNO of subject was 16.88 parts per billion (ppb). The mean of forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$) was $0.890{\pm}0.455L$ and forced vital capacity (FVC) was $1.071{\pm}0.630L$. The mean of predicted $FEV_1%$ ($FEV_1%pred$) was $98.39{\pm}34.27%$ and $FEV_1/FVC$ was $88.53{\pm}19.49$. FeNO was significantly correlate with $FEV_1$ (r=0.345, P<0.01) and FVC (r=0.244, P<0.05). FeNO did not correlate with $FEV_1%pred$ or $FEV_1/FVC$. Conclusion : The measurement of FeNO could be a useful marker in the management of childhood asthma and it is evolving to provide a complementary role alongside existing pulmonary function test. We propose that measuring technique and establishment of normal reference range are important area for future research.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2002

Background : Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is characterized by chronic inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. The clara cell 10 kD protein (CC10, also designated CC16) is synthesized by the bronchial epithelium and has been suggested to have a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, CC-10 might be a candidate for controlling the inflammatory events in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine if the degrees of pulmonary fibrosis in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is associated with CC-10 in the BAL fluid. Materials and Methods : The BAL fluid was collected from 29 patients and 10 controls. Densitometric analysis of the western blot assay for the CC-10 was subsequently performed. The RI (relative intensity) of each band was compared according to the diagnosis, the radiological degrees of pulmonary fibrosis and the relative proportion of inflammatory cells in the BAL fluid. Results : There were no differences in the CC-10 expression levels in the BAL fluid between the patients (RI $77.5{\pm}75.8%$) and the controls ($70.7{\pm}39.8%$) (p>0.05). In addition, the degrees of pulmonary fibrosis and airway inflammation in patients with usual interstitial pneumonia were not associated with CC-10 expression in the BAL fluid (p>0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that CC-10 expression is not associated with the degrees of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with usual interstitial pneumonia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.638-645
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• 2004

Background : Uteroglobin is a protein produced by the normal bronchial epithelium and its expression level is lower in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and cell lines. It mainly functions as an anti-inflammatory, and when it is overexpressed in cancer cells, the neoplastic phenotype is antagonized. cPLA2 and COX-2, which are also associated with inflammation, were reported to be related to cancer. The relationship between cPLA2, COX-2 and uteroglobin is unclear. The relationship between uteroglobin and ERK, which is related to cell growth, is also not unclear. This study investigated the changes in the cPLA2 and COX-2 expression levels and the ERK activities after the overexpression of uteroglobin in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Methods : The A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines were infected by adenovirus-null and adenovirusuteroglobin. The cChange in the cPLA2, COX-2 expression level and ERK activity after uteroglobin overexpression was measured by Western blot. The change in MMP activity was measured by zymography. Results : Western blot revealed decreased expression levels of cPLA2, and COX-2, and increased pERK levels in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells after uteroglobin overexpression. Zymography revealed no changes in the MMP-2 activity and lower MMP-9 activity. U0126, which is a specific inhibitor of ERK-activating kinase MEK-1/-2, prevented the decrease in the MMP-9 activity Conclusions : A decrease in cPLA2 expression, COX-2 expression, MMP-9 activity and a increase in ERK activity may be related to the anticancer effects of uteroglobin in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2001

Background : Approximately 10-13% of patients with interstitial lung disease(ILD) die of lung cancer, and patients with ILD have been reported to have a 7 fold higher incidence of lung cancer compared to the normal population. Recently, overexpression of the p53 and p21 proteins were observed in the epithelial cells from pathologic specimens of ILD. Overexpression of these proteins may result from chronic or recurrent DNA damage by unknown causes of inflammation. However, these proteins may also contribute to oncogenesis if other genetic alterations such as K-ras are superimposed. Methods : Immunohistochemical stains for p53 and K-ras proteins were performed with pathologic specimens from 38 cases with ILD(M/F : 27/11, mean agea : $54{\pm}10$ years) and from 10 control subjects. Results : The p53 protein was expressed in 21.1% (8/38 ILD cases) and K-ras protein expression was observed in 65.8% (25/38 ILD cases). However, neither p53 nor the K-ras protein staining was observed in the control subjects. Conclusion : A significant proportion of cases with ILD expressed the p53 and K-ras proteins in their bronchial epithelial cells. These proteins may be potentially oncogenic with the addition of further genetic alterations. However, to clarify the significance of these findings, further studies looking for correlations with the incidence of lung cancer and other genetic changes are needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 1992

Background: As well as fiberoptic bronchoscopy, chest computerized tomographic scan can now differentiate the benign from malignant causes and the obstructive from non-obstructive causes of lung collapse. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of chest CT scan and fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of middle lobe syndrome. Method: We reviewed the clinical features, roentgenographic changes, pathologic findings and bronchoscopic findings in 16 patients with middle lobe syndrome who were admitted to Severance Hospital during period of January, 1987 through January, 1992. Results: The male to female ratio was 1:1. The most common symptoms were cough and sputums. Crackle was the most common physical finding. Underlying disease was lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and endobronchial tuberculosis in 3 each other, benign stenosis in 2, lung abscess, broncholithiasis, bronchial chondroma, pneumonia and nonspecific inflammation in 1 each other. Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of chest computerized tomogram and fiberoptic bronchoscopy was most desirable for the diagnosis of middle lobe syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.284-291
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• 2007

Purpose : Theophylline has recently been reported to have concurrent anti-inflammatory effects at low therapeutic plasma concentrations which are below the doses at which significants, clinically useful bronchodilatation is evident. Sustained-release formulation in capsule and dry syrup forms were developed to reduce its adverse effects and improve its clinical effects. We compared the therapeutic effects of theophylline dry syrup and capsules in children with mild asthma. Methods : Ninety children with mild asthma were randomized to receive either theophylline dry syrup (n=44) or theophylline capsules (n=46); 4 mg per kilogram of body weight, twice a day, for 12 weeks. Baseline and serial measurements of daytime and nighttime asthma symptom score were performed. Compliance scores, drug swallowing scores, and drug usability scores were measured every 4 weeks. Each scoring was rated on a scale of 0-4. Serum theophylline concentration were measured at 4 and at 12 weeks. To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of theophylline on asthma, Serum eosinophilic cationic protein as a marker of airway inflammation caused by eosinophil was measured 12 weeks pre- and post-administration. Results : The daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores of the two groups after 4 weeks significantly improved over the baseline score. Daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores in the dry syrup group were statistically lower at all time points except for the nighttime symptom scores at 4 weeks. Compliance scores, drug swallowing scores, and drug usability scores in the dry syrup group were significantly higher at the end time point. Only in the dry syrup group was the serum ECP at the end time point statistically lower than baseline. Conclusion : Low-dose sustained-release theophylline may be safe and effective in bronchial asthma and this effect may be mediated by its anti-inflammatory action mechanisms. Especially, when used in children with asthma, dry syrup formulation is recommended because of its higher compliance than capsule formulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.7 s.252
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• pp.461-467
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• 2005

Pleura, diaphragm, pericardial fat pad, intercostal muscles and omentum can be used to protect and revascularize the bronchial suture line of tracheal transplantation, lung transplantation and pulmonary resection. The purpose of the present study is to compare the influence of the pleura, diaphragm and omentum in survival of isolated tracheal segments in the experimental animals. Material and Method: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250- 350g were used. The animals were divided in three groups; the pleura, omentum and diaphragm. Following intraperitoneal anesthesia, endotracheal intubation was performed. Then the trachea was exposed. A three-ring sec- tion of cervical trachea was excised. The resected trachea was implanted at each sites. After 2 weeks, rats were sacrificed. Histopathological examination of the tracheal segments was performed. For comparison of each groups, histopathological viability of resected tracheal segment was scored by three tissue layers; epithelium, submucosa, and cartilage. The results were presented as average score. Result: In histopathological examination, submucosa and cartilage using tracheal segment necrosis scoring system. The pleural group showed well preserved tissue. There was minimal necrosis and inflammation compared with other groups. In the pleural group, tracheal necrosis scores were $2.17\pm0.983$at epithelium, $1.67\pm0.516$ at submucosa and $2.17\pm0.753$ at cartilage. At the omental group, scores were $1.00\pm0.00,\;1.60\pm0.548\;and\;1.80\m0.447$. In the diaphragmatic group, scores were $1.40:\pm0.894,\;2.40\pm0.547\;and\;2.20\pm0.447$. Total necrosis score were $6.00\pm1.789$ in the pleural group, $4.40\pm0.894$ in the omental group and $6.00\pm1.414$ in the diaphragmatic group. Conclusion: There were no significant viability differences in terms of total necrosis score for the viability of resected tracheal segment. But the best result was achieved in the omental group. Therefore, omental wrapping on tracheal graft site will be beneficial for the prevention of graft necrosis.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 2005

Fruiting bodies of Cordyceps have been regarded as popular folk and effective medicines to treat human diseases such as asthma, bronchial and lung inflammation, and kidney disease. Cordyceps pruinosa (Clavicipitaceae; Hypocreales; Ascomycotina) has received special attention for medicinal purpose due to its various physiological activites. The nucleoside derivative N6-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine (HEA) isolated from it showed a $Ca^{2+}$ antagonistic effect and negative inotropic response. The artificial production of fruiting body of C. pruinosa has not been tried successfully yet by using living silkworm substrate. To develop techniques for the production of C. pruinosa stromata on a large scale, the infection of Bombyx mori with C. pruinosa and the growth characteristics of stroma of C. pruinosa were investigated. Also, studied about biological activities of fruiting body formed on silkworm. Infection rate of the silkworm pupae with C. pruinosa was the highest in injection inoculation. The formation of the fruiting body of C. pruinosa was quite good in the room controlled at $21{\sim}25^{\circ}C$, over 91% of relative humidity and over 1500 lx. Glucose concentration was high in the fruiting bodies of the silkworm pupae infected with C. pruinosa on a dry weight basis. The most abundant amino acid in the fruiting bodies was arginine and phenylalanine. The fruiting bodies of silkworm pupae infected with C. pruinosa was rich in oleic acid. The high amount of citric acid was found in the fruiting bodies of silkworm pupae infected with C. pruinosa.