• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.467-473
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• 2003

Purpose : The Epstein-Barr virus(EBV), gamma herpesvirus, is an important pathogen that is widespread around the world. The EBV causes various diseases depending on the geographic location, and on the immunity or the premorbid condition of the person exposed to EBV. To evaluate EBV typing may be the most important step to figure out the pathogenesis of EBV associated diseases, and we need to re-evaluate the pathologic role of human leukocyte antigen(HLA) in developing Epstein- Barr virus associated acute infectious mononucleosis by using newly developed methods. Methods : This study included 24 children(age range : 6 to 13 years), serologically confirmed with acute infectious mononucleosis. The control group for the HLA type consisted of 200 age-matched healthy children. To classify HLA I, modified ARMs-PCR was used, while modified PCR-SSOP was utilized in typing of HLA II. Also, we performed EBV typing in study patients by using a one-step PCR. Results : The results of HLA types : In HLA class I, HLA-A24 was positive in 69 of 200 healthy children and positive in 14 of 24 patients in the study group(relative risk : 3.5724, chi-square; 5.26, P<0.05). In HLA class II, HLA-DRB1*07 was detected in 18 of 200 healthy children, and eight of 24 patients in the study group(relative risk; 506173, chi-square; 9.73, P<0.01). The results of EBV types : In the research group, 20(83.8%) of 24 patients were shedding type A virus, while 4(16.7%) were type B. Conclusion : We conclude that development of infectious mononucleosis may be associated with HLA types, and these results suggest that acute infectious mononucleosis could have hereditary traits. And we confirm that type A EBV is highly prevalent in patients with acute infectious mononucleosis in Korea. Also, our results suggest that further large scale studies, including adult groups, regarding the association between pathogenesis of EBV with HLA-DP or HLA-DQ will be warranted.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1214-1222
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• 1998

Background : The intrapleural hypofibrinolysis is caused by mainly excessive concentration of pleural plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen(PAI-1 Ag), which binds tissue type plasminogen activator. In pleural inflammation induced by sclerosing agents for pleurodesis, levels of pleural PAI-1 antigen increase in relation to decreasing D-dimer levels. It has been known that the pleural mesothelial cells have the capability of secreting PAI-1 Ag in response to inflammation in vivo. Therefore, we estimated whether pleural inflammation changes the balance between fibrinolytic and coagulative properties in exudative pleural effusions. Method : The thirty cases was included in our study. We determined the pleural levels of glucose, lactic dehydrogenase(LDH), pH and the counts of white blood cell(WBC), polymorpho leukocyte(PMN), lymphocyte as the parameters of pleural inflammation and cellular components of pleural fluid. The plasma level of fibrinogen in fluid and the neutrophil count in blood were determined. The levels of D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and thrombinantithrombin III complex(TAT) were determined by ELISA(Behring, Marburg, Germany). Result : The causes of pleural effusion were as following : tuberculous in 14 cases, malignant in 10 cases and parapneumonic in 6 cases. The levels of pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and TAT was significantly higher than that of plasma(p<0..001). The severity of pleural inflammation did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and their plasma levels. But the level of pleural TAT correlated with pleural WBC and lymphocyte count. Conclusion : We found that the severity of pleural inflammations did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and the possibility of local production of PAI-1 antigen is present.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2013

Pruritus is a unpleasant symptom in the skin that provokes the act of or desire to scratch. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions such as pruritus and inflammation. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the synergic anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix (SB) plus Flos Loncerae (FL) extracts in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), pruritogen-induced scratching mice and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic mice. We investigated the effect of SB, FL and SB plus FL extracts on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and histamine in RPMCs, on the scratching behavior in ICR mice, and skin clinical serverity and inflammatory mediators in DNFB-induced allergic hairless mice. RPMCs stimulated with PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine levels increased by PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 treatment were significantly inhibited by SB, FL in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, SB plus FL pretreatment had a synergic inhibitory effects on stimulator-induced cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$) and histamine production. Moreover, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin, substance P) in ICR mice. Furthermore, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on skin damage, inflammatory mediators, leukocyte and mast cell infiltration induced by DNFB in hairless mice. These results suggest that SB plus FL administration has a potential use as a medicinal plant for treatment against itching and inflammation-related skin disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.93-99
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• 2012

Purpose: This study compared outcomes in children with acute leukemia who underwent transplantations with umbilical cord blood (UCB), bone marrow, or peripheral blood stem cells from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donor (MRD) or an unrelated donor (URD). Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive acute leukemia patients who underwent their first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at Samsung Medical Center between 2005 and 2010. Patients received stem cells from MRD (n=33), URD (n=46), or UCB (n=41). Results: Neutrophil and platelet recovery were significantly longer after HSCT with UCB than with MRD or URD ($p$ <0.01 for both). In multivariate analysis using the MRD group as a reference, the URD group had a significantly higher risk of grade III to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; relative risk [RR], 15.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 186.2; $p$=0.03) and extensive chronic GVHD (RR, 6.9; 95% CI, 1.9 to 25.2; $p$ <0.01). For all 3 donor types, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival were similar. Extensive chronic GVHD was associated with fewer relapses (RR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.6; $p$ <0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that lower EFS was associated with advanced disease at transplantation (RR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.8; $p$ <0.01) and total body irradiation (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0 to 4.3; $p$=0.04). Conclusion: Survival after UCB transplantation was similar to survival after MRD and URD transplantation. For patients lacking an HLA matched donor, the use of UCB is a suitable alternative.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.8 s.88
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• pp.1166-1171
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• 2007

Exercise is the strongest stress to which the body is ever exposed. The body responds to this stress through a set of physiological changes in its metabolic, hormonal, and immunological systems. In this study, responses of the immune system to the long-term aerobic and anaerobic exercises have been investigated. Regular moderate exercise is associated with a reduced incidence of infection compared with a sedentary groups. Aerobic training increases the heart rate and enhances the body's intake of oxygen long enough to benefit the condition of the body. In recent years, the importance of exercise in everyday life has been rapidly increasing. Moderate exercise appears to stimulate the immune system. And also, Exercise elicits an increase in the numbers of circulating lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets (including NK cells) which is followed by a decrease in the numbers of cells during recovery from exercise. However, prolonged bouts of strenuous exercise cause a temporary depression of various aspects of immune functions (e.g. lymphocyte proliferation, monocyte antigen presentation, open window periods, exercise induced asthma, exercise induced anaphylaxis) that usually lasts 2-24 hr after exercise depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise bout. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was defined as a decrease of at least 15% in pre exercise forced expiratory volume in one second at any time point after exercise. This includes elevation of cortisol and cathecholamines in plasma. On the other hand, highly trained athletes exhibit a chronic mild hypercortisolism at baseline that maybe an adaptive change to chronic exercise. And, Consuming carbohydrate during prolonged strenuous exercise attenuates rises in stress hormones and appears to limit the degree of exercise-induced immune depression. Recent evidence suggests that antioxidant vitamin supplementation may also reduce exercise stress and impairment of leukocyte functions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1374-1381
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the differences of physiological variables by age group in alcohol-consuming men. The thirty year old-age group had the lowest waist-hip ratio (WHR), right and left cardio-ankle vascular index (R-CAVI and L-CAVI), right and left ankle-brachial index (R-ABI and L-ABI), amylase, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, and the highest body weight (BW), interleukin-6 (IL-6), right and left intraocular pressure (R-IP and L-IP), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte, red blood cells distribution width (RDW), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG), and ferritin levels. The forty year old-age group was the highest in hs CRp and CPK levels, but the lowest in ferritin level. The fifty year old-age group possessed the highest WHR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), R- and L-ABI, eosinophil, and amylase levels. The sixty year old-age group had the highest R- and L-CAVI, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), ALP, $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase ($\gamma$-GTP), rheumatoid factor (RF), $\alpha$-fetoprotein (AFP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and the lowest BW, DBP, R-IP, L-IP, Hct, Hb, leukocyte, platelet, RDW, eosinophil, monocyte, ALT, amylase, TG, and CPK levels. These findings indicate that there may be differences of physiological variables depending on age group in alcohol-consuming men. Further studies should be focused on the physiological differences between alcohol-consuming men and women.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.490-495
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• 2013

Purpose: The use of cyclosporine and mini-dose methotrexate (MTX) is a common strategy for graftversus- host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in allogeneic transplants. We investigated whether patients who receive fewer than the planned MTX doses are at increased risk for GVHD. Methods: The study cohort included 103 patients who received allogeneic transplants at the Department of Pediatrics of The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, from January 2010 to December 2011. MTX was administered on days 1, 3, 6, and 11 after transplant at a dose of 5 $mg/m^2$ each. Within the cohort, 76 patients (74%) received all 4 doses of MTX [MTX(4) group], while 27 patients (26%) received 0-3 doses [MTX(0-3) group]. Results: Although there was no difference in neutrophil engraftment between the 2 groups, platelet engraftment was significantly faster in the MTX(4) group (median, 15 days), compared to the MTX(0- 3) group (median, 25 days; P =0.034). The incidence of grades II-IV acute GVHD was not different between the MTX(4) and MTX(0-3) groups (P =0.417). In the multivariate study, human leukocyte antigen mismatch was the most significant factor causing grades II-IV acute GVHD (P =0.002), followed by female donor to male recipient transplant (P =0.034). No difference was found between the MTX(4) and MTX (0-3) groups regarding grades III-IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, and disease-free survival. Conclusion: Our results indicate that deviations from the full dose schedule of MTX for GVHD prophylaxis do not lead to increased incidence of either acute or chronic GVHD.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 1996

The incidence of Adenovirus(AV) pneumonia in children is estimated at 8%. Long-term complications reported with type 7 include hyperleucent lung syndrome, bronchiolitis obliterans and may require several months to recover. We reviewed 8 case of AV pnemonia confirmed by AV culture and sero-diagnosis among selected 19 AV pneumonia suspicious cases who were admitted to the Sanggye Paik Hospital of Inje University due to clinical pneumonia from May to July 1996. From 19 children, nasal aspirates or trachial aspirates were collected: viral agents were detected by virus isolation and virus antigen was detected by indirect immunofluorescent staining. Serologic diagnosis for type-specific AV antibody was done by neutralisation test. The results are as follows: 1) Age of the patients ranged from 6 months to 47 months with a mean of $24{\pm}9$ months. 6 were male and 2 were female(M:F= 3:1). 2) Monthly distribution showed 4 cases on June, 2 cases on May and July, respectively. 3) The mean duration of admission was 20.4 days and mean duration of fever was 11.3 days 4) Peripheral leukocyte counts were elevated in 4 cases(50%) and findings of shift to left were showed in 4 cases(50%) and serum aminotransferase activities were elevated in 6 case(75%). 5) Radiologic findings include linear and streaky infiltration(1/8 cases), patchy and lobar consolidation (7/8 cases), pleural effusion(2/8 cases) and hyperleucency was seen in 3/8 cases at time of admission and increased to 6/8 cases on hospital discharge. 6) The AV serotypes were type 7, type 3, and type 1. 7) Oxygen supply was done in 4 cases(50%) and all 8 patients include 2 cases of type 7 treated with artificial ventilator were survived. In conclusion, the serotypes of AV pneumonia outbreaks in early summer of 1996 were type 7, 3, 1 and, as showed severe clinical course, continued follow up surveillance is necessary to the long term pulmonary complications.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.354-360
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• 1999

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disorder with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. DA-6034,$ 7-carboxymethyloxy-3^{l}, 4^{l},$ 5-trimethoxy flavone, is a synthetic flavonoid known to possess anti-inflammatory activity. This study was performed to evaluate the oral therapeutic effect of DA-6034 in three experimental animal models of IBD : two chemical-induced IBD models of rats and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 transgenic rat model known to develop spontaneous colitis without the use of exogenous agents. Acute chemical colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 1.2 ml of 4% acetic acid solution. Prednisolone (1 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) and DA-6034 (0.3~3 mg/kg) were orally administered twice daily for 6 days in these rats. In addition, chronic chemical colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) 30 mg in 50% ethanol and agents were orally administered for 6 or 20 days. In chemical-induced IBD models, all of these agents reduced the severity of colitis and specially, DA-6034 (3 mg/kg) showed more potent effect than other drugs in macroscopic lesion score. In HLA-B27 transgenic rats, DA-6034 (3 mg/kg) and prednisolone (0.5 gm/kg) were treated orally twice daily for 6 weeks. The HLA-B27 transgenic rats showed only mild colitis, compared with the chemical-induced colitis models. DA-6034 ameliorated the loose stool and decreased microscopic damage, which is the important indicator of this model. In conclusion, oral therapy of DA-6034 attenuated the macroscopic and histologic damages of the colon in all three experimental models of IBD, which suggest that DA-6034 could be a promising drug in the treatment of IBD.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2015

Purpose: Metabolic liver disease (MLD) often progresses to life-threatening conditions. This study intends to describe the outcomes of liver transplantation (LTx) for MLD at a living donor-dominant transplantation center where potentially heterozygous carrier grafts are employed. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 54 patients with MLD who underwent LTx between November 1995 and February 2012 at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. The cumulative graft and patient survival rates were analyzed according to patient age, and living or deceased donor LTx. Recurrence of the original disease was also investigated. Results: The post-transplant cumulative patient survival rates at one, five, and 10 years were 90.7%, 87.5% and 87.5%, and the graft survival rates were 88.8%, 85.5%, and 85.5%, respectively. There were no differences in the patient survival rates according to the recipient age, human leukocyte antigen matching, and living or deceased donor LTx. There were also no differences in the patient survival rates between the MLD and the non-MLD groups for children. Recurrence of the original metabolic disease was not observed in any patient during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the living donor-dominant transplantation program is well-tolerated in MLD without recurrence of the original MLD using all types of transplantation.