• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.178-182
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• 2016

Purpose: Medium-dose (1 g/kg) intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in the majority of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) but some patients who do not respond to medium-dose IVIG are at high risk for the development of coronary artery lesions (CALs). The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical predictors associated with unresponsiveness to medium-dose IVIG and the development of CALs. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 91 children with KD who were treated with mediumdose IVIG at our institution from January 2004 to December 2013. We classified the patients into responders (group 1; n=68) and nonresponders (group 2; n=23). We compared demographic, laboratory, and echocardiographic data between the 2 groups. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified 6 variables as predictors for resistance to medium-dose IVIG. We generated a predictive scoring system assigning 1 point each for percentage of neutrophils ${\geq}65%$, C-reactive protein ${\geq}100mg/L$, aspartate aminotransferase ${\geq}100IU/L$, and alanine aminotransferase ${\geq}100IU/L$, as well as 2 points for less than 5 days of illness, and serum sodium level ${\leq}136mmol/L$. Using a cutoff point of ${\geq}4$ with this scoring system, we could predict nonresponsiveness to medium-dose IVIG with 74% sensitivity and 71% specificity. Conclusion: If a patient has a low-risk score in this system, medium-dose IVIG can be recommended as the initial treatment. Through this process, we can minimize the adverse effects of high-dose IVIG and incidence of CALs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.175-184
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• 2020

Quantitative sputum cytometry facilitates in assessing the nature of bronchitis associated with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is not assessed in most clinical trials that evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to prevent or to treat exacerbations. While up to a quarter of exacerbations may be associated with raised eosinophil numbers, the vast majority of exacerbations are associated with neutrophilic bronchitis that may indicate airway infections. While eosinophilia may be a predictor of response to corticosteroids (oral and inhaled), the limited efficacy of anti-interleukin 5 therapies would suggest that eosinophils may not directly contribute to those exacerbations. However, they may contribute to airspace enlargement in patients with COPD through various mechanisms involving the interleukin 13 and matrix metalloprotease pathways. The absence of eosinophils may facilitate in limiting the unnecessary use of corticosteroids. The presence of neutrophiia could prompt an investigation for the specific pathogens in the airway. Additionally, sputum measurements may also provide insight into the mechanisms of susceptibility to airway infections. Iron within sputum macrophages, identified by hemosiderin staining (and by more direct quantification) may impair macrophage functions while the low levels of immunoglobulins in sputum may also contribute to airway infections. The assessment of sputum at the time of exacerbations thus would facilitate in customizing treatment and treat current exacerbations and reduce future risk of exacerbations.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.277-283
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• 2017

Activated T helper 2 (Th2) immune function is hallmark of various allergic diseases. We investigated the anti-allergic effect of Jagamcho-tang extract(JE) on ovalbumin(OVA)-induced atopic dermatitis mice model and OVA-stimulated splenocytes isolated from the mice. Mice were intraperitoneally injected OVA/alum solution 2 times at interval of 14 days, followed by oral administration of JE for 7 days. After administration, mice were subcutaneously injected with OVA in ear. JE treatment reduced ear swelling and infiltration of inflammatory cells in ear. Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and immunoglobulins, such as total-IgE and OVA-specific IgE, were decreased in JE treated group. Furthermore, JE treatment decreased OVA-induced Th2-associated cytokines like IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA levels in splenocytes. In conclusion, JE reduced allergic immune response via IgE production and Th2 response in OVA-sensitized mice, suggesting that JE could be useful prescription for allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1991

In order to observe the antigenic localization in the tissues of the young adult Paragenimus westermani, immunogold labeling method was applied using serum immunoglobulins (IgG) of the dog which infected with isolated metacercariae from Cambaroides similis. The sectioned worm tissue was embedded in Lowicryl HM 20 medium and stained with infected serum IgG and protein A gold complex(particle size; 12 nm) It was observed by electron microscopy at each tissues of the worm. The gold particles were not observed on the basal lamina of the tegument, interstitial matrix of the parenchyma, the muscle tissue and mitochondria of the tegument. The gold particles were specifically labeled in the secretory granules in the vitelline cells. They were predominantly labeling on the epithelial lamela and lumen of caecum. The above finding showed that antigenic materials in young adult worm tissue were specifically concentrated on the tegumental syncytium as well as cytoplasm of tegumental cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.2 s.138
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• pp.101-116
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• 2006

Vaginal trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common sexually transmitted disease. More than 170 million people worldwide are annually infected by this protozoan. In the Republic of Korea, 10.4% of women complaining of vaginal symptoms and signs were found to be infected with T. vagina/is. However, despite its high prevalence, the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis infection has not been clearly characterized although neutrophil infiltration is considered to be primarily responsible for the cytologic changes associated with this infection. We hypothesized that trichomonads in the vagina sometime after an acute infection secrete proteins like excretory-secretory product that have a chemotactic effect on neutrophils, and that these neutrophils are further stimulated by T. vaginalis to produce chemokines like IL-8 and $GRO-\alpha$, which further promote neutrophil recruitment and chemotaxis. Thus, neutrophil accumulation is believed to maintain or aggravate inflammation. However, enhanced neutrophil apoptosis induced by live T. vaginalis could contribute to resolution of inflammation. Macrophages may constitute an important component of host defense against T. vaginalis infection. For example, mouse macrophages alone and those activated by lymphokines or nitric oxide are known to be involved in the extracellular killing of T. vaginalis. In the host, T. vaginalis uses a capping phenomenon to cleave host immunoglobulins with proteinases and thus escape from host immune responses. Recently, we developed a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using primers based on a repetitive sequence cloned from T. vaginalis (TV-E650), and found that the method enables the detection of T. vaginalis at concentrations as low as 1 cell per PCR mixture.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.998-1007
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• 2021

Brine mineral water (BMW) is groundwater near the deep sea, and the mineral component of the BMW is different from the water of the deep sea because the components of BMW are derived from the unique geographical features surrounding it. Recently, BMW has attracted attention due to the unique health-related minerals it possesses; however, the influence of BMW on physiological function has not yet been determined in domestic animals. Therefore, this experiment investigated the influence of BMW on the growth performance, water intake, blood properties, and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels of serum in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 64 pig barrows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average initial weight of 40.56 ± 0.17 kg were used in the experiment, and 0%, 2%, 3%, and 5% samples of BMW diluted with freshwater were provided to experimental animals during the 56 days. We found that the gain/feed ratio in the 3% BMW group was significantly higher than that in the 5% BMW group of growing-finishing pigs (p < 0.05). The water intake was significantly increased in the 5% BMW group compared with the other groups (p < 0.05) of growing-finishing pigs. Additionally, the concentrations of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT) were significantly higher in the 3% BMW group than in the control group. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher in the 3% BMW group than in the 5% BMW group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, IgG and IgM levels in the serum were significantly higher in the 2% and 3% BMW groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that a dilution of 3% BMW in the intake water could improve the levels of RBCs and serum Igs in growing-finishing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1117-1131
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• 2022

Previous studies reported that Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HY8002 (HY8002) improved intestinal integrity and had immunomodulatory effects. Lactobacillus plantarum HY7717 (HY7717) was screened in vitro from among 21 other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production. The aims of this study were to investigate the individual and combined ex vivo and in vivo effects of LAB strains HY8002 and HY7717 at immunostimulating mice that have been challenged with an immunosuppressant drug. The combination of HY8002 and HY7717 increased the secretion of cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in splenocytes. In a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression model, administration of the foregoing LAB combination improved the splenic and hematological indices, activated natural killer (NK) cells, and up-regulated plasma immunoglobulins and cytokines. Moreover, this combination treatment increased Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression. The ability of the combination treatment to upregulate IFN-γ and TNF-α in the splenocytes was inhibited by anti-TLR2 antibody. Hence, the immune responses stimulated by the combination of HY8002 and HY7717 are associated with TLR2 activation. The preceding findings suggest that the combination of the HY8002 and HY7717 LAB strains could prove to be a beneficial and efficacious immunostimulant probiotic supplement. The combination of the two probiotic strains will be applied on the dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.206-217
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The immunomodulatory effect of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been reported, but studies on its mechanism are still lacking. This study was undertaken to confirm whether the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) obtained by adding hydrolysis and fermentation to the extraction process has an immune-enhancing effect in the in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NOR), control group (CON), 150 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day HFPGE-treated group (T150), and 300 mg/kg BW/day HFPGE-treated group (T300). The mice were administered HFPGE for 4 weeks and intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (CPA, 80 mg/kg BW/day) on day 6, 7, and 8, respectively, to induce immunosuppression. The levels of immunoglobulins (Igs) and cytokines were measured in the serum. In splenocytes, proliferation and cytokine levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum IgA, IgG, and IgM levels were observed to decrease after CPA treatment, which was recovered by HFPGE administration. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were also decreased after exposure to CPA but increased after HFPGE administration. Decreased splenocyte proliferation was seen in CPA-treated mice, but was observed to increase in the T150 and T300 groups as compared to the NOR group. Compared to the CON group, splenocyte proliferation stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the HFPGE-treated groups was significantly increased. The cytokines secreted by ConA-stimulated splenocytes (IL-2, IL-12, interferon-γ, TNF-α) were increased in the T150 and T300 groups, and cytokines secreted by LPS-stimulated splenocytes (IL-4, IL-8, TGF-β) were also increased by HFPGE administration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HFPGE stimulates the immunity in immunosuppressed conditions, thereby enhancing the immune response. Therefore, it is expected that HFPGE has the potential to be used as functional food and medicine for immune recovery in various immunocompromised situations.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1606-1615
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• 2022

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of dietary supplemented propolis in two growing rabbit breeds on growth performance, immune response, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, and cecal microflora composition. Methods: A total of 90 growing rabbits aged 6 weeks from two breeds (V-line and Jabali) were randomly allocated to 3 dietary propolis experimental treatments. The experimental treatments consisted of a 2×3 factorial arrangement with two rabbit breeds and three levels of dietary propolis supplementation (0, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg). Each sub-treatment has 15 rabbits. The experimental period lasted six weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in growth performance and carcass characteristics due to propolis administration. Propolis supplementation at a high level significantly increased (linear; p<0.05) cellular-mediated immunity compared with the unsupplemented group. Furthermore, the rabbits receiving propolis exhibited a significant increase (linear and quadratic; p<0.03) in IgM immunoglobulins compared to the control. The current study provides further evidence that the dietary inclusion of propolis can significantly reduce pathogenic bacterial colonization in growing rabbits. The total count of microflora, E. coli, and Salmonella spp. was significantly lower (linear; p<0.01) in supplemented rabbit groups compared to the control group according to the microbiological analysis of cecal digesta. Based on breed effect, the results indicated that Jabali rabbits (local) performed better than V-line rabbits (foreign) in the majority of the studied traits. Conclusion: Dietary propolis is promising for further investigation into improving intestinal health and enhancing immunity in growing rabbits.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1655-1665
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three feeding systems, i.e., indoor feeding (CON), indoor feeding with 4-h daily access to grazing artificial pasture (ITGP), and indoor feeding with 8-h daily access to grazing artificial pasture (IEGP), on the plasma antioxidant and immunological capacity, slaughter characteristics, meat quality and economic efficiency of Huang-huai lambs. Methods: Thirty-three healthy Huang-huai rams with similar body weight (approximately 5 mo of age, 28.96±1.01 kg) were assigned equally to three experimental groups. When finished fattening, six lambs from each group were collect blood samples for plasma analyses and then slaughtered to determine slaughter characteristics and obtain biceps brachii muscle for further analysis of meat quality and fatty acid profile. Results: Compared to CON group, animals submitted to ITGP and IEGP groups resulted in greater contents of serum glutathione peroxidase, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n-6 PUFA, and PUFA/saturated fatty acid (FA) ratio and lower palmitic /oleic acid ratio (p<0.05). Moreover, animals in ITGP group exhibited a higher (p<0.05) loin eye area, content of meat crude protein (CP), and eicosetrienoic acid compared to CON group, while slaughter performance was superior (p<0.05) to that of the IEGP group. The economic efficiency of ITGP group was 70.12% higher than that of CON group, while the IEGP group exhibited a decrease of 92.54% in economic efficiency compared to the CON group. Conclusion: Restricted grazing time combined with indoor feeding was more effective in conferring superior body health, carcass traits and economic efficiency in Huang-huai lambs, as well as higher CP content and healthier FA composition in the resulting meat.