• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.292-300
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• 2021

Macrophages residing in various tissue types are unique in terms of their anatomical locations, ontogenies, developmental pathways, gene expression patterns, and immunological functions. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) reside in the alveolar lumen of the lungs and serve as the first line of defense for the respiratory tract. The immunological functions of AMs are implicated in the pathogenesis of various pulmonary diseases such as allergic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), viral infection, and bacterial infection. Thus, the molecular mechanisms driving the development and function of AMs have been extensively investigated. In this review article, we discuss the roles of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in AM development, and provide an overview of the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory functions of AMs in various contexts. Notably, we examine the relationships between the metabolic status of AMs and their development processes and functions. We hope that this review will provide new information and insight into AM development and function.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.109-115
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• 1984

In order to estimate the recent patterns of intestinal helminth infections among the residents in Taegu City, Korea, a survey based on discovery of helminth eggs by formalin-ether sedimentation and modified Graham's scotchtape anal swab techniques, were performed during the period from March to September in 1983. A total of 1, 697 fecal specimens were collected from 854 male and 843 female residents from 5 village (Dong), each of whom were selected randomly to represent 1, 000 persons referred to the census in 1982. Among the specimens examined, one or more species of helminth parasites were found in 473, revealing the overall positive rate of 27.9 per cent. Of them, Trichuris trichiura was found most frequently, in 13.2 percent, followed by Enterobius vermicularis in 7.0 per cen t. Hookworm was the least prevalent. The sex-specific rate of overall helminth infections was a little higher in females than in males, while in cases of Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai and Taenia species, the infection rates in males was higher than in females. T. trichiura was most prevalent in the 20~29 age group and showed about the same prevalence in males and females of all age groups. C. sinensis infection rate increased with age while those of Ascaris lumbricoides decreased. Single infections were 82.5 per cent of all positive cases. Of these, T. trichiura revealed the highest prevalence in 31.7 per cent, followed by E. vermiculasis in 20.1 per cent and A. lumbricoides in 14.8 per cent. Of the double infections, the percentage of T. trichiura in combination with other intestinal helminths was higher than that of A. lumbricoides. It was concluded that although the infection rates of intestinal helminths among the residents in Taegu City, Korea is still high, eradication of these parasitic diseases seems to be possible with twice-a-year administration of specific anthelmintics, in combination with extensive public health education and improvement of the dietary life.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1167-1175
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• 2013

Paratuberculosis (PTB) or Johne's disease is one of the most serious chronic debilitating diseases of ruminants worldwide that is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). MAP is a slow-growing bacterium that has very long latent periods, resulting in difficulties in diagnosing and controlling the disease, especially regarding the diagnosis of fecal shedders of MAP without any clinical signs. Based on this situation, attempts were made to identify biomarkers that show early responses to MAP infection in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. In response to the infection with the bacterium, a lot of genes were turned on and/or off in the cells. Of the altered genes, three different categories were identified based on the time-dependent gene expression patterns. Those genes were considered as possible candidates for biomarkers of MAP infection after confirmation by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt at discovering the host transcriptomic biomarkers of PTB, although further investigation will be required to determine whether these biomarker candidates are associated within the natural host.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.77-82
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• 2008

Innate immune response is initiated by the recognition of unique microbial molecular patterns through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The purpose of this study is to dissect the expression of various PRRs in gingival epithelial cells of differentiated versus undifferentiated states. Differentiation of immortalized human gingival epithelial HOK-16B cells was induced by culture in the presence of high $Ca^{2+}$ at increased cell density. The expression levels of various PRRs in HOK-16B cells were examined by realtime reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and flow cytometry. In addition, the expression of human beta defensins (HBDs) was examined by real time RT-PCR and the amounts of secreted cytokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In undifferentiated HOK-16B cells, NACHT-LRR-PYDcontaining protein (NALP) 2 was expressed most abundantly, and toll like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) 1, and NOD2 were expressed in substantial levels. However, TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, ICE protease-activating factor (IPAF), and NALP6 were hardly expressed. In differentiated cells, the levels of NOD2, NALP2, and TLR4 were different from those in undifferentiated cells at RNA but not at protein levels. Interestingly, differentiated cells expressed the increased levels of HBD-1 and -3 but secreted reduced amount of IL-8. In conclusion, the repertoire of PRRs expressed by gingival epithelial cells is limited, and undifferentiated and differentiated cells express similar levels of PRRs.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2000

Members of the genus Acinetobacter are recognized as newer pathogens of the nosocomial infection with an increasing frequency in recent years. Strains that belonged to A. calcoaceticus A. baumannii complex (genomic species 1, 2, 3, and 13TU) were major groups associated with nosocomial infection. Phenotypic identification was unreliable and laborious method to classify Acinetobacter strains into 19 genomic species. Rapid and reliable identification of clinical isolates is essential to diagnosis and epidemiology of Acinetobacter. We investigated the suitability of amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) to identify genomic species of 131 Acinetobacter isolates. The 16S rRNA genes (ribosomal DNA) were enzymatically amplified and the amplified PCR products were restricted independently with the enzymes, AluI, CfoI, and MboI. Genomic species of Acinetobacter was classified by the combinations of restriction patterns. The analysis was showed that restriction profiles were characteristic for each genomic species. One hundred fourteen isolates were identified as A. baumannii, twelve were identified as genomic species 13TU, and one was identified as genomic species 3. Four isolates were found to be unknown organisms. All of the isolates which were identified to A. baumannii by phenotypic tests were completely discriminated into A. baumannii and genomic species 13TU by ARDRA. This study demonstrates that ARDRA is a rapid and simple techniques for the identification of Acinetobacter species according to the genomic species.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.79-91
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to identify the meaningful nursing diagnosis in maternity unit and to suggest formally the basal data to the nursing service with scientific approach. The subject for this paper were 64 patients who admitted to Chung Ang University Hospital, Located in Seoul, from Mar. 10, to July 21, 1993. The results were as follows: 1. The number of nursing diagnosis from 64 patients were 892 and average number of nursing diagnosis per patient was 13.9. 2. Applying the division of nursing diagnosis to Roy's Adaptation Model, determined nursing diagnosis from the 64 patients were 621 (69.6%) in physiological adaptation mode and (Comfort, altered r/t), (Injury, potential for r/t), (Infection, potential for r/t), (Bowel elimination, altered patterns r/t), (Breathing pattern, ineffective r/t), (Nutrition, altered r/t less than body requirement) in order, and 139 (15.6%) in role function mode, (Self care deficit r/t), (Knowledge deficit r/t), (Mobility, impaired physical r/t) in order, 122 (13.7%) in interdependence adaptation mode, (Anxiety r/t), (Family Process, altered r/t) in order, 10(1.1%) in self concept adaptation mode, (Powerlessness r/t), (Grieving, dysfunctional r/t) in order. 3. Nursing diagnosis in maternity unit by the medical diagnosis, the average hospital dates were 3.8 days in normal delivery and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/t) 64.6%, (Self care deficit r/t) 13.6% in order, and the average hospital dates were 9.6 days in cesarean section delivery and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/t) 51.6%, (Self care deficit r/t) 15.2%, (Infection, potential for r/t) 9.9%, (Injury, potential "for r/t) 8.1%, (Anxiety r/t) 5.0%, (Mobility, impaired physical r/t) 3.3% in order, and the average hospital dates were 15.8days in preterm labor and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/ t), (Anxiety r/t), (Injury, potential for r/t) in order, and the average short-term hospital dates were 2.5days, long-term hospital dates were 11.5days in gynecologic diseases and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/t). (Self care deficit r/t), (Injury, potential for r/t), (Infection, potential for r/t) in order.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2014

Human taeniases had been not uncommon in the Republic of Korea (=Korea) until the 1980s. The prevalence decreased and a national survey in 2004 revealed no Taenia egg positive cases. However, a subsequent national survey in 2012 showed 0.04% (10 cases) prevalence of Taenia spp. eggs suggesting its resurgence in Korea. We recently encountered 4 cases of Taenia saginata infection who had symptoms of taeniasis that included discharge of proglottids. We obtained several proglottids from each case. Because the morphological features of T. saginata are almost indistinguishable from those of Taenia asiatica, molecular analyses using the PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) were performed to identify the species. The PCR-RFLP patterns of all of the 4 specimens were consistent with T. saginata, and the cox1 gene sequence showed 99.8-100% identity with that of T. saginata reported previously from Korea, Japan, China, and Cambodia. All of the 4 patients had the history of travel abroad but its relation with contracting taeniasis was unclear. Our findings may suggest resurgence of T. saginata infection among people in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify individual and institutional factors associated with the prescription of systemic steroids in patients with acute respiratory infections and to investigate the role of a policy measure aimed to reduce inappropriate prescriptions. Methods: We used data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2006 to 2015 and focused on episodes of acute respiratory infection. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify individual-level and institution-level factors associated with the prescription of systemic steroids. In addition, steroid prescription rates were compared with antibiotic prescription rates to assess their serial trends in relation to Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation policy. Results: Among a total of 9 460 552 episodes of respiratory infection, the steroid prescription rate was 6.8%. Defined daily doses/1000 persons/d of steroid increased gradually until 2009, but rose sharply since 2010. The steroid prescription rate was higher among ear, nose and throat specialties (13.0%) than other specialties, and in hospitals (8.0%) than in tertiary hospitals (3.0%) and other types of institutions. Following a prolonged reduction in the steroid prescription rate, this rate increased since the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation dropped steroids from its list of evaluation items in 2009. Such a trend reversal was not observed for the prescription rate of antibiotics, which continue to be on the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation list. Conclusions: Specialty and type of institution are important correlates of steroid prescriptions in cases of acute respiratory infection. Steroid prescriptions can also be influenced by policy measures, such as the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation policy.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.327-335
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• 2006

An epidemiological survey of human enterobacterial infections was conducted to determine the prevalence of enteropathogens in the Republic of Korea during one year, 2003. We tested for infectious diseases in 26,992 stool samples obtained from people who visited clinics located in six big cities and six rural provinces. From these samples, we isolated 1,291 cases of enteritis bacterial infection (4.8%). In the urban areas, 821 cases of bacterial infection (6.4%) were identified and, in the rural areas, 479 bacterial strains (3.3%) were isolated. Seasonal patterns were seen for diarrhea associated with S. aureus, S. coli and V. parahaemolyticus, while Salmonella and Shigella infections showed slight seasonal variation. We found that S. aureus and Salmonella were more frequently isolated from children and the elderly; however, the prevalence of E. coli, V. parahaemolyticus, and Shigella were similar in different age groups. Routine monitoring of these infections is considered a worthwhile means by which to elucidate their epidemiology and modes of transmission and ultimately to control them more effectively. Continuous laboratory-based surveillance for findings of enteritis bacterial infection should be emphasized in the prevention of these infections.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.72-83
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to classify, from collected home health care records data, nursing diagnoses according to the NANDA system and nursing interventions according to the NIC system, and to link nursing interventions to nursing diagnoses. For this study, 101 home health care records of clients seen between September, 1994 and November, 1996 at Yonsei Medical Center, Seoul, were analyzed. The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. The most frequent nursing diagnoses were ‘Risk for infection’ and ‘Altered nutrition : Less than body requirements’, then ‘Impaired skin intergrity’ and ‘Ineffective airway clearance’ in the Exchange pattern of NANDA nine human response patterns. 2. The most frequent nursing interventions were the interventions in the Physiological : Complex domain, there were 690(50.7%) interventions among a total 1347 interventions. This results corresponds to Yom, Young Hee(1995)’s research, both Korean and U.S. nurses used the interventions in the Physiological : Complex do main most often on a daily basis. And respiratory nursing interventions were most frequent because 32.7% of the subjects were respiratory patients. 3. The next step was to link the nursing interventions to nursing diagnoses. The most frequent nursing diagnosis was ‘Risk for infection’ and 19 interventions for ‘Risk for infection’ were used 267 times. Then 14 interventions for ‘Impaired skin integrity’ were used 258 times, 12 interventions for ‘Ineffrective airway clearance’ were used 193 times, 12 interventions for ‘Altered nutrition : Less than body requirements’ were used 122 times, 10 interventions for ‘Activity intolerance’ were used 75 times, and 11 interventions for ‘Knowledge deficit’ were used 52 times. 4. The use of standardized classification in the areas of nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions facilitates clinical decision making and prompt nursing activity, and so enhances the effectiveness of nursing care.