• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.385-390
• /
• 2012

In order to know the effect of pre-existing Trichinella spiralis infection on experimentally induced intestinal inflammation and immune responses, we induced colitis in T. spiralis-infected mice and observed the severity of colitis and the levels of Th1, Th2, and regulatory cytokines and recruitment of $CD4^+CD25^+Foxp3^+$ T (regulatory T; $T_{reg}$) cells. Female C57BL/6 mice were infected with 250 muscle larvae; after 4 weeks, induction of experimental colitis was performed using 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). During the induction period, we observed severity of colitis, including weight loss and status of stool, and evaluated the disease activity index (DAI). A significantly low DAI and degree of weight loss were observed in infected mice, compared with uninfected mice. In addition, colon length in infected mice was not contracted, compared with uninfected mice. We also observed a significant increase in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$, in spleen lymphocytes treated with DSS; however, such an increase was not observed in infected mice treated with DSS. Of particular interest, production of regulatory cytokines, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$, in spleen lymphocytes showed a significant increase in mice infected with T. spiralis. A similar result was observed in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Subsets of the population of $T_{reg}$ cells in MLN and spleen showed significant increases in mice infected with T. spiralis. In conclusion, T. spiralis infection can inhibit the DSS-induced colitis in mice by enhancing the regulatory cytokine and $T_{reg}$ cells recruitment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.140-150
• /
• 2002

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis is chronic eczematous dermatosis which is related strongly to a family history of atopic disease and hereditary disposition. Its threshold of itching is low so that severe itching occurs and causes secondary eczema. Adult atopic dermatitis has mostly severe symptoms and progresses to chronic relapsing. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficacy of oriental medical treatment and management on chronic adult atopic dermatitis. Subject: We studied 3 patients who visited Dongguk University Gangnam Oriental Hospital Dept. of Dermatol. with chronic adult atopic dermatitis from August 2001 to April 2002 and were observed for over 4 months. Methods: We treated them with herb-medication, acupuncture, negative therapy, aroma therapy, full spectrum visible ray therapy(by carbon arc) and external application(Jaun-go). We used the SCORAD index to assess the severity of atopic dermatitis. Results: There were 3 patients with chronic adult atopic dermatitis we could check for over 4 months by clinical scoring using the SCORAD system. 1. The grades of the severity of atopic dermatitis were lower only by the oriental medical treatments and management. 2. Intensities of relapse cases were lower then before the oriental medical treatments. 3. The secondary treatment term for relapse cases was shorter then the first treatment term after oriental remedies were used. Conclusion: Considering the above results, more study is needed on the chronic relapse cases with adult atopic dermatitis, the factors of increasing seventy of adult atopic dermatitis, the prognostic factors of adult atopic dermatitis, and the clinical interchange of chronic adult atopic dermatitis between oriental medicine and western medicine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.81 no.4
• /
• pp.281-288
• /
• 2018

Background: There are limited number of studies that investigate clinical variables instead of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) management according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2017 classification. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there was a difference between GOLD 2017 classification and spirometric stage in clinical variables in patients with COPD. The data of 427 male patients with stable COPD were investigated retrospectively. Methods: Patients were allocated into combined assessment of GOLD 2017 and spirometric stage. Age, amount of smoking, pulmonary function, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), body mass index (BMI), and fat free mass index (FFMI) were recorded. Results: Seventy-three (17%) patients were in group A, 103 (24%) constituted group B, 38 (9%) were included in group C, and 213 (50%) comprised group D according to the combined assessment of GOLD 2017. Twenty-three patients (5%) were in stage 1, 95 (22%) were in stage 2, 149 (35%) were in stage 3, and 160 (38%) were in stage 4 according to spirometric stage. According to GOLD 2017, age, amount of smoking, mMRC, BMI, FFMI, SGRQ, HADS, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$), and ISWT were significantly different between groups. Ages, amount of smoking, FFMI, BMI, HADS of group A were different from B and D. Smiliar values of $FEV_1$ were found in A-C and B-D. A and C had smiliar ISWT. According to spirometric stage, BMI, FFMI of stage 4 were statistically different. mMRC, ISWT, and SGRQ of stages 3 and 4 were different from other stages, amongst themselves. $FEV_1$ was correlated with mMRC, SGRQ, anxiety scores, BMI, FFMI, and ISWT. Conclusion: This study showed that the GOLD ABCD classification might not represent the severity of COPD sufficiently well in terms of lung function or exercise capacity. The combination of both spirometric stage and combined assessment of GOLD 2017 is important, especially for estimating clinical variables.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 1997

This study was designed to determine whether cognitive impairment was evident in patients with SLE. Also, it aimed to examine the association of cognitive impairment with other clinical variables. The subjects consisted of 20 patients with mildly active SLE and 20 healthy controls. Methods : A total of 20 SLE patients and 20 normal controls completed a computerized neuropsychological test battery using Vienna Test System. These included Cognitrone test, Continuous attention test, Corsi block tapping test, Standard progressive matrices. Also, neuro-behavioral cognitive status examination was done. The symptom severity of depression was measured with Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and current medications were documented. Disease activity was rated using the SLE diasease activity index (SLEDAI). Results : SLE patients had poorer performance than normal controls on the tests of Cognitrone, attention, nonverbal IQ and memory, independent of age, education, disease activity, steroid use and depression status. Conclusion : Cognitive dysfunction was not uncommon in ambulatory SLE patients as measured by standardized neuropsychological tests. It seemed to occur independently of various clinical variables. These findings would suggest that cognitive dysfunction in SLE may be explained by reflecting subclinical central nervous system(CNS) involvement, rather than coexisting psychological distress due to chronic illness or side effect of medication.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.72 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2012

Background: Although airway obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is due to pathologic processes in both the airways and the lung parenchyma, the contribution of these processes, as well as other factors, have not yet been evaluated quantitatively. We therefore quantitatively evaluated the factors contributing to airflow limitation in patients with COPD. Methods: The 213 COPD patients were aged >45 years, had smoked >10 pack-years of cigarettes, and had a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.7. All patients were evaluated by medical interviews, physical examination, spirometry, bronchodilator reversibility tests, lung volume, and 6-minute walk tests. In addition, volumetric computed tomography (CT) was performed to evaluate airway wall thickness, emphysema severity, and mean lung density ratio at full expiration and inspiration. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the variables independently associated with $FEV_1$ - the index of the severity of airflow limitation. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that CT measurements of mean lung density ratio (standardized coefficient ${\beta}$=-0.46; p<0.001), emphysema severity (volume fraction of the lung less than -950 HU at full inspiration; ${\beta}$=-0.24; p<0.001), and airway wall thickness (mean wall area %; ${\beta}$=-0.19, p=0.001), as well as current smoking status (${\beta}$=-0.14; p=0.009) were independent contributors to $FEV_1$. Conclusion: Mean lung density ratio, emphysema severity, and airway wall thickness evaluated by volumetric CT and smoking status could independently contribute to the severity of airflow limitation in patients with COPD.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2024

This study investigated the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JSA22-fermented rice drinks on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned; No colitis (Con), colitis with tap water (DSS-only), colitis with unfermented rice (DSS-UFR), and colitis with fermented rice (DSS-FR). After inducing colitis with 2% DSS for 5 days, they were given Tap water, UFR drink, or FR drink for an additional 6 days. The DSS-FR group had significantly lower Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores compared to the DSS-only group, but no significant difference with the DSS-UFR group. Colon length was reduced in the DSS-only group. The DSS-only group had significantly higher IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the Con group, while the DSS-FR groups showed significantly lower IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the DSS-only group. These results suggest that rice drinks fermented with Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum JSA22 ameliorate the severity of DSS-colitis, by potentially reducing proinflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and factors on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms in university students. Methods: This study was descriptive survey research. The subjects were 187 university students from one university. The exclusion criteria were 1) had GI surgery 2) had severe physiologic or psychologic problems 3) had liver, bile duct, pancreatic, and intestinal disease that required treatment. The ROME III was used to diagnose IBS. Sociodemographic characteristics, general health state by SF-36, psychological health by SCL-90-R, stress by perceived stress scale, sleep disturbance by Korean sleep scale, and diet habits were measured. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 17.0. Results: Seventeen students (9.1%) had IBS by ROME III criteria, but 46% had some GI problems at that time. Abdominal pain or discomfort continued for last six months or more in 14.3%. Fiber intake, obsessive-compulsiveness, hostility, psychoticism, global severity index, positive symptom distress, role physical, bodily pain, social functioning, and mental health were significantly different between IBS group and Non IBS group. Conclusion: Over nine percent of the students were diagnosed by Rome III criteria, and almost half of them had some GI problems. Diet, personality, general health state, and psychological health were factors of IBS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1966-1969
• /
• 2015

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a ubiquitous, chronic inflammatory skin disorder prevalent in dogs, which results in production of abnormal levels of IgE antibodies in reciprocation to an allergen challenge. In this study, administration of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus sakei probio-65 for 2 months significantly reduced the disease severity index in experimental dogs diagnosed with CAD. In addition, one month pre-medication of L. sakei probio-65 revealed significant difference in the PVAS score in experimental dogs for both probio-65 and placebo groups. However, post 2 months treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the CASESI score values in the probio-65-treated group (p < .0.06).

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2005

Objective : The objective of this study is to assess the clinical effect of Naesowhajungtang Gamibang on atopic dermatitis. Method : A total of 30 patients with atopic dermatitis were evaluated for the symptoms and signs according to SCORAD index and measured for peripheral eosinophil counts and serum total IgE before and after treatment. Results : 1. Among 30 patients diagnosed as Atopic Dermatitis, 11, were male(37%) and 19 were female(63%). the ratio of male and female patients were 1:1.7. 2. Among 30 patients diagnosed as Atopic Dermatitis, 25 Have family history of allergic disease(83%) and 20 have past history of allergic discase. 3. There was statistically significant relationship between serum total IgE and SCORAD score(p=0.019). 4. There was statistically significant relationship between peripheral eosinophil count and SCORAD score(p=0.001). 5. We could find no statistically significant change of serum total IgE and peripheral eosinphil count before and after treatment. 6. There was statistically significant change of SCORAD score and subjective symptom before and after treatment.(p<0.05). Conclusion : Naesowhajungtanggamibang is effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. And peripheral eosinophil counts and serum total IgE were good serum maker reflection the severity of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.228-235
• /
• 2003

Objective : Psoriasis is a common skin disease and the difficulty of its medical management is well known. This study was designed to investigate the effect of bee venom aqua-acupuncture on psoriasis. Methods : Bee venom aqua-acupuncture was performed two times a week. The following points were selected: LI-11(曲池), LI-15, K-9(築賓) on both sides of body. For herbal medicine, YanHyulJiHwangTang-gami was given. We checked involvement in plaque, erythematous popules and invasiveness according to psoriasis area severity index(PASI). Results :After 9 weeks of treatment, the patient showed that itching symptoms was disappeared and score of PASI changed from 26.2 to 0. Conclusions : These results suggest that bee venom aqua-acupuncture and herbal medicine has good effect on psoriasis. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of bee venom aqua-acupuncture for treating psoriasis.