• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.170-178
• /
• 2024

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are capable of differentiation into multiple lineages of cells, which has attracted attention for clinical therapy. However, ADSCs have poor proliferation capacity and a short life span in culture, which is an impediment in the application to clinical use. Previously, to overcome growth disadvantages, we had established an immortalized ADSC line (ADSC-T) by introducing the SV40 T antigen coding gene into primary human ADSC. In the present study, we evaluated the differentiation potential of this cell line and assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of its conditioned medium (CM). ADSC-T appeared to maintain the differentiation potential into adipocyte and chondrocyte. The CM of ADSC-T suppressed the NF-κB activity and its target gene expression of COX-2 and iNOS. Furthermore, the phosphorylations of MAPKs, including ERK, JNK and p38, were suppressed by the ADSC-T CM. The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-13 were also suppressed by the CM of ADSC-T. In the Nc/Nga atopic model mice, the CM showed therapeutic effect on DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis. These results indicate that the immortalized ADSC-T maintains the beneficial properties of primary ADSC and could be a versatile cell source for not only research into ADSC but also for production of CM suitable for clinical application.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.95-107
• /
• 2015

Objective : To use and its affecting factors of patients' outpatient treatment that have single and multiple chronic illnesses Method : We used the 2011 study by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, "Report on Usage and Consumption of Korean Medicine." This report was conducted on outpatients and inpatients that visited Korean traditional medicine, from August 25th, 2011, to September 30th, 2011. Our research was based on 1729 patients with chronic diseases aged 30 and over who received outpatient treatment during the last three months. Results : There were 1365 patients with non-complex chronic diseases, while there were 364 patients with complex chronis diseases. Patients had 1 - 8 chronic diseases, and the average number (standard deviation) was 1.26 (0.59). There were statistically significant differences by sex(P<0.0001), age(p=0.0045), marriage (p=0.0060), education level(p<0.0001), income level(P=0.0063), and types of health insurance(p=0.0023). The diseases most common among patients with non-complex chronic diseases were: low back pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorder, frozen shoulder, side effects from motor accidents, high blood pressure, fracture, stroke, diabetes, cancer, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. The diseases most common among patients with non-complex chronic diseases were: arthritis+low back pain, low back pain+gastrointestinal disorder, low back pain+side effects from motor accidents, low back pain+frozen shoulder, arthritis+gastrointestinal disease, gastrointestinal disease+frozen shoulder, arthritis+low back pain+gastrointestinal disease, high blood pressure+arthritis, arthritis+low back pain+frozen shoulder, arthritis+fracture, and arthritis+side effects from motor accidents. There were statistically significant differences among the usage of medical clinics by: frequently used clinic (p<0.0001), number of treatment (p<0.0001), the cost of outpatient treatment (p=0.0073), the satisfaction rate (p=0.0171), whether the clinic is the preferred clinic (p=0.0040). In model 1, men than women, people who had local benefits instead of type 1 medical aid, and patients with complex chronic diseases were more likely to use Korean medical clinics. In model 2, men than women, people who had local benefits than people with types 1 and 2 medical aids, people who went to pharmacies and Korean medicine pharmacies than people who went to hospitals, people who went to get treatment 1-10 times than people who visited 11-20 times and more than 41 times, and people who spent less than ten thousand Korean won than people who spent 1 to 2 million Korean won, and people without complex chronic diseases were more likely to use Korean medical treatment. Conclusion : There were differences in sociodemographic characteristics and the usage of medical clinics between patients with non-complex chronic diseases and patients with complex chronic diseases. Among patients with complex chronic diseases, women, patients with types 1 and 2 medical aid, patients who used Korean medical clinics, patients who were treated 11-20 times and more than 41 times, and patients who spent 1 million to 2 million Korean won on outpatient treatment used less treatment than patients with non-complex chronic diseases. However, patients with complex chronic diseases used pharmacies and Korean medicine pharmacies more.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (4S) is a well known disease defined by clinical, microbiological and histological criteria caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This disease is uncommon but has been increasingly recognized. We investigated the clinical features of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Methods : We reviewed retrospectively medical records of 53 patients diagnosis of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome who were admitted to Changwon Fatima hospital from February 2002 to December 2005. These patients were divided into 3 clinical types; generalized type, intermediate type, abortive type. Age, sex ratio, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, response to therapy and prognosis were investigated. Result : 1)The mean age of patients was 2.8 years, ranging from 20 days to 7 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1. 2) By clinical types, 6 patients were in the generalized type (11%), 29 patients in the intermediate type (55%), 18 patients in the abortive type (34%). The coexisting diseases were variable, including conjunctivitis (25 cases), atopic dermatitis (11 cases), otitis media (1 case). On laboratory findings, most of patients didn't have leukocytosis or increased C-reactive protein. 4) A total of fifteen Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcal Aureus (MRSA) strains were isolated from September 2003 through December 2005. Fourteen strains were positive for exfoliative toxin B gene by PCR and negative for enterotoxin, toxic shock syndrome toxin and Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes. 5) The mean duration of admission was 7.3 days. Patients were treated with vancomycin or amoxacillin/clavulanate or ampicillin/sulbactam or cefuroxime without significant sequelaes. Conclusion : Recently, Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome caused by exfoliative toxin B produced by MRSA in the Changwon area has been increasing.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.208-217
• /
• 2016

Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. (P. densiflora) contains several phenolic compounds that exhibit biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antihypertensive effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of P. densiflora on skin has rarely been reported. Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) is a commensal microbe that induces skin inflammation and is associated with several chronic disorders, such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, papillomatosis, and sepsis. The aim of our study was to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of P. densiflora needle extracts on skin health subjected to M. furfur-induced inflammation. The methanolic extract of the pine needles was partitioned into n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and water layers. We measured the anti-inflammatory effects (in macrophages) as well as the antioxidant, antifungal, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of each of these layers. The antioxidant activity of the individual layers was in the order EtOAc layer > n-BuOH layer > water layer. Only the n-BuOH, EtOAc, and n-hexane layers showed antifungal activity. Additionally, all the layers possessed tyrosinase inhibition activity similar to that of ascorbic acid, which is used as a commercial control. The EtOAc layer was not cytotoxic toward the RAW 264.7 cell line. Interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression levels in M. furfur-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with the EtOAc layer were decreased markedly compared to those in cells treated with the other layers. Taken together, we believe that the needle extracts of P. densiflora have potential application as alternative anti-inflammatory agents or cosmetic material for skin health improvement.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.143-154
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this research is to suggest basic materials for the practical infection precaution program to protect health care workers from hospital infection by grasping their compliance level of Universal Precautions and examining the factors affecting them. The number of the health care workers we studied were 486, including the doctors, the nurses, and the lab technicians who were working in a university hospital. The period of this research was from Aug. 18th, 1997 to Aug. 30th, 1997. The method of the study was to measure the compliance level of Universal Precautions with the item of "Universal Precautions" established by CDC in 1987, and examine the questionnaire of 52 questions dividing related factors into socio-populational, individual, socio-psychological and organizational management ones. The data was analyzed by t-test. ANOVA, and chi-square test. The results were as follows : 1. An the compliance level of Universal Precautions, hand washing had the highest score(85.4%), and doctors(18.9%), nurses(44.0%), and lab technicians(7.6%), had a low compliance level in the safe handling of an injection syringe, and item not to handle patients and their samples when the subject suffered from dermatitis or injury had the lowest score of 17.1%. 23.3% of them said that they wear protection gown, goggles and mask. 2. Female's Compliance level of Universal Precautions Was higher than male. 3. The health care workers who had high recognition on Universal Precautions got significantly higher compliance level of Universal Precautions than those have low recognition on Universal Precautions(P<0.001). 4. The health care workers experienced a needle stick injury had a significantly higher compliance level of Universal Precautions than those who had not(P<0.000). 5. The health care workers who had infection protection education got a significantly higher compliance level of Universal Precautions than those who didn't(P<0.000). 6. The health care workers who had a firm belief in the effect of Universal Precautions got a higher compliance level of Universal Precautions than those who didn't. 7. The health care workers who had less conflicts between treating patient arid protecting them-selves got a higher compliance level of Universal Precautions than others with many conflicts. 8. The health care workers who had a high score in organizational management factors got a significantly higher compliance level of Universal Precautions than those with a low score(P<0.000). 9. Only 16.9 percent of the all respondents(82 in number) answered that they knew well or a little about the Universal Precautions, which is very low rate of recognition. 10. The variables which affected the score in organizational management factors were age, sex, education period, work experience, the kind of work, recognition on Universal Precautions, the experience of needle stick injury, revealing dangerous circumstance related to infection, and training on precaution again infection. According to the result above, compliance level of Universal Precautions showed high correlation with sex, the recognition on Universal Precautions, the experience of needle stick injury, training on precaution against infection, the belief in the effect of Universal Precautions, the recognition degree of conflicts and organizatinal management factors. These results could be used as the basic materials for the developing infection protection programs. Also, There should have a systematic training course to elevate a effective compliance level of Universal Precautions as well as the manageeent of infection protection programs.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.10
• /
• pp.1151-1156
• /
• 2014

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat many diseases, such as inflammation, infections, and even cancer. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a Chinese elm species, is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The stem bark is widely employed in Korean traditional medicine to treat dermatitis, mastitis, and edema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water extract of U. macrocarpa Hance bark (Ulmus cortex) has a immune-modulating function in a mouse model. Three different concentrations (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of Ulmus cortex water extract (UCWE) were orally administered to mice for 14 days, and their immune responses were analyzed. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$, increased in the blood of UCWE-fed groups when compared with a control group. In contrast, the IL-4 level did not change in any of the UCWE-fed groups Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also assayed using lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK). LAK showed greater cytotoxicity in the UCWE-fed groups than LAK in the control group. Internal organ indices, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus, were similar in all the groups, including the control group, indicating that UCWE may have been nontoxic in the experimental animals. These data suggest that UCWE has an immune-modulating function in a mouse model.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.262-277
• /
• 2000

In order to find out the sex- and age-related prevalence rate of allergic diseases in the community. as well as the causes of those diseases. questionnaires were given to 2.415 subjects (1.206 males and 1.209 females) from May to June. 1998. As a second stage. skin tests were given to 452 of the original subjects between July and August. 1998. Finally. from March to November 1999. the results of the tests were compared with those of other countries to make a comparative analysis of epidemiological research on allergic diseases. The results of this study were as follows: The frequency of allergic symptoms by sex was 50.1% in males and 56.7% in females. respectively, which displayed significant difference between males and females(p<.01). By age, the frequency of allergic symptoms in males was highest for those under the age of 9 at 60.6%, whereas in females the highest frequency was between the ages of 30 to 39 at 75.1 %. The relationship between economic level of the subjects and their frequency of allergic diseases showed significant difference (P<.05). There was a high degree of correlation between family history and the frequency of allergic diseases(P<.01). In allergic symptoms, the highest prevalence in both males and females occurred with urticaria, itch and skin rash (33.6% with males and 38.0% with females). Rhinitis, nasal blocking and sneezing had the second highest frequency in both sexes (11.8% of males and 14.0% of females). With regard to the causes of allergic symptoms among the people with allergies, the rate in males was 30.1% in food. 25.0% in pollen, and among females the rate was 30.7% in food, 26.6% in pollen. The frequency of food allergies by sex was 25.6% in males and 25.8% in females, with little difference between males and females, and by age, males of the ages between 40 to 49 and females of the ages between 30 and 39 showed the highest frequency, 31.8% and 32.6% respectively. Among 585 people with food allergies, the sympoms occurring with the allergy in males were 81.5% with urticaria, itch and skin rash. 5.9% with diarrhea and stomachache, and 5.2% with rhinitis, nasal blocking and sneezing. Among females with food allergies, the symptoms were 82.6% with urticaria, itch, skin rash, 9.1% with diarrhea and stomachache, and 4.7% with rhinitis, nasal blocking and sneezing. The type of food most often causing allergy in males was mackerel (6.6%) and females peaches (7.4%). In respect to a positive rate in the skin test by sex, of the 379 males taking the skin test, 21.4% were positive for allergies, whereas 14.7% of the 346 females tested were positive. Among food items found to cause positive allergic reactions, hops had the highest frequency in males (58.9%) and whole eggs had the greatest effect on females (36.4%). The estimated prevalence of food allergies in terms of skin tests was 5.0% of 1.206 males and 3.6% of 1.209 females. In the estimated frequency of food allergy by age group, males of the ages between 40 and 49 and females of the ages from 30 to 39 had the highest rate (6.5% with males and 4.5% with females). In a comparative analysis of epidemiological research on allergic diseases by country group, allergic diseases occurred in 18-50% of each population studied, and the occurrence of allergic diseases when categorized according to symptoms displayed the following as such: allergic rhinitis (3.8-52%), allergic asthma (1.6-17%), and atopy dermatitis (0.33-20.4%). The prevalence of food-related allergies was 6.6-64.9% and the foods causing allergies frequently included milk, eggs, eggs, peanuts, fish, etc.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2018

Chamaecyparis obtusa (CO) has recently been attracting attention because of its beneficial effects on skin allergies, atopic dermatitis, and skin diseases, such as acne and eczema. In the present study, the extract from CO leaf grown in Jangseong gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea was evaluated for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects in vitro. The total polyphenol content of the CO leaf extract was $25.89{\pm}0.31mg$ gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g. Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of six compounds in the CO leaf extract: ${\alpha}-terpinene$ (3.03 mg/g), ${\alpha}-terpineol$ (9.48 mg/g), limonene (5.96 mg/g), borneol (59.78 mg/g), myrcene (4.85 mg/g), and sabinene (11.31 mg/g). The $RC_{50}$ values of the CO leaf extract for $H_2O_2$ and ABTS radical were $5.47{\pm}0.13mg/mL$ and $4.00{\pm}0.01mg/mL$, respectively. In addition, the CO leaf extract showed significant inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells and IgE-induced release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ (degranulation) in mast-cell like RBL-2H3 cells. The cell viability assay showed that the CO leaf extract ($100{\sim}800{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the viability of human normal skin fibroblast CCD-986sk cells significantly. Overall, these results suggest that the CO leaf extract is a potential functional cosmetic ingredient that can exert anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.24-28
• /
• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. Methods : A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. Results : A total of 285 students(M : F=141 : 144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. Conclusion : Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.

• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.245-257
• /
• 2001

This study analyzed the services as operated by the Child Health Telephone Service Center. The Center is a toll free service operated as part of the community services of the Korean Academic Society of Child Health Nursing. The aim of the study was to describe the concerns of child caregivers regarding child health care as discussed during telephone counseling. Specific objectives were as follows: 1. To analyze the activities of the Center. 2. To describe the characteristics of caregivers who made phone calls for counseling services and also the characteristics of their children. 3. To analyze the content of the counseling sessions. 4. To analyze counseling content according to the characteristics of the caregivers and their children. Data used for the study were obtained from the counseling records for the period from Sept. to Dec. 1999, as kept by the three counselors at the Center. The total number of calls was 8,261 and that consisted of 15,150 questions. The total questions were merged into 13,236 by eliminating those questions which overlapped or were of similar content. The final 13,236 questions were used for the final analyses. Almost of the callers (98.4％) were mothers. Among them 89.6％ were between 25 and 35 years of age. Geographical distribution of the callers covered the whole nation. The largest numbers who made the calls were from the Seoul metropolitan area (36％), followed by 28％ from Kyung Gi Province, and 20％ were from the Kyung Sang area. Among 8,261 callers, 72.8％ were first users. Sex of the babies and children in question for counseling was about even for males and females and ages ranged from one month to six years. The largest group (62.5％) was the less than six month age group. The finalized 13,236 questions/problems were categorized into 11 problem areas. They were in order of frequency, physical problems, feedings and nutrient concerns, information on child rearing, growth and development, guidance on utilization of child care facilities, elimination problems, sleeping concerns, immunization related concerns, behavior problems, injury and accidents, and safety measures. The most frequent problems for counseling were physical signs and symptoms (27.3％), followed by feeding and nutrients, information on child rearing, and growth and development. Of physical problems, abnormal gastrointestinal signs and symptoms were the most frequent concern and skin problems were next at 25％ and 23.3％ respectively. Loose bowels, vomiting and constipation were the most frequent gastrointestinal problems. Atopic dermatitis had the highest frequency at 53.3％ with diaper rash being the second highest among the skin problems. About 80％ of the growth and developmental category were physical development concerns related to physiological, body growth, and motor and sensory development. This study constitutes the activity report for the first year of the Center. The findings correspond with literature reports on child health problems and parents educational needs. One recommendation from this study is that since the services of the Center are carried out only by telephone, the psychology of the counselees and the counselor relationship must be considered for better services.