• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3009-3013
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• 2012

Background: The clinical course of individual chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly variable and clinical staging systems do not help us to predict if and at what rate there will be disease progression in an individual patient diagnosed with early stage disease. Recently, several important observations related to other prognostic factors including lymphocyte doubling time (LDT), ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin (${\beta}_2$-MG), and percent of smudge cell in peripheral blood smears, cytogenetic and molecular analysis have been made. The aim of this study was to evaluate a range of prognostic factors in our CLL patients. Design and methods: Seventy patients with CLL were enrolled. Prognostic factors of disease including Binet staging, LDT, ${\beta}_2$-MG, ESR, LDH, percent of smudge cell in peripheral blood smear, absolute lymphocyte count, and conventional cytogenetic (CC) analysis were evaluated at diagnosis, and the patients were followed up to determine their outcome. We compared factors with each other and with Binet staging and prognosis. Results: Enrolled patients aged 37-85 years at diagnosis or during follow up. There was no relationship between serum LDH level (P=0.3), ESR (P=0.11), percent of smudge cells in peripheral blood smear (P=0.94), and absolute lymphocyte count (P=0.18) with the stage of disease and prognosis, but the ${\beta}_2$ macroglobulin level (p<0.0001), LDT (p<0.001) had direct and significant relation with staging and outcome. In 19% of patients cytogenetic alteration were seen. Conclusion: The detection of cytogenetic alteration only using the CC method is not sufficient and we need to use FISH, but because FISH study is an expensive method not available in all areas, instead we believe that ${\beta}_2$ MG can be applied in its place as a good prognostic factor for CLL at diagnosis and during follow up. We suggest to add it to Binet staging for prognostic subgrouping of CLL.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1399-1405
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• 2013

The present study focused on establishing the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) on interleukin-18 (IL-18) expression patterns and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant rats. Pregnant rats at the post-implantation stage were randomized into control, low IFN-${\gamma}$ (L-IFN-${\gamma}$) and high IFN-${\gamma}$ groups (H-IFN-${\gamma}$) that received normal saline, 100 IU/g of IFN-${\gamma}$ and 500 IU/g of IFN-${\gamma}$ vaginal muscular injection, respectively. The effects of IFN-${\gamma}$ on IL-18 expression and pregnancy outcomes were assessed systematically using several methods, including immunohistochemistry streptavidin-perosidase (SP), image pattern analysis, enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA), whole blood count (WBC) count, microscopy and visual observation. IL-18 was detected in the uteri of all pregnant rats, and mainly distributed in the endometrium, decidual cells, vascular endothelium and myometrium. Immunohistochemistry and image pattern analyses revealed significantly lower IL-18 expression in the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group compared to the L-IFN-${\gamma}$ and control groups (p<0.01), indicating that high doses of IFN-${\gamma}$ induce downregulation of IL-18 in the uterus of pregnant rats. ELISA results disclosed that IL-18 expression in peripheral blood of the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group was lower than that of the L-IFN-${\gamma}$ group (p<0.05), and significantly reduced compared to the control group (p<0.01). Moreover, the number of peripheral leukocytes in the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group was significantly higher than those in the control and L-IFN-${\gamma}$ groups (p<0.01). Morphology analysis showed no evident differences between the L-IFN-${\gamma}$ and control groups. However, for the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group, uterine mucosa bleeding, necrosis and excoriation were observed using microscopy. Visual observation revealed marroon, swelling, crassitude and no embryo in the uterus, which are obvious indicators of abortion. These results indicate that IFN-${\gamma}$ plays a regulatory role in IL-18 expression in the uterus and peripheral blood of pregnant rats at the post-implantation stage. Moreover, high levels (500 IU/g) of IFN-${\gamma}$ influence normal pregnancy at the early stages in rats by downregulating IL-18 expression in the uterus and peripheral blood and increasing the number of peripheral leukocytes, consequently triggering termination of pregnancy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.237-241
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• 2004

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that is characterized by cytopenia, splenomegaly, and mononuclear cells displaying cytoplasmic projections. We experienced a case of hairy cell leukemia that developed in a 38-year-old man. He showed marked splenomegaly without palpable lymphoadenopathy. A complete blood cell count revealed leukopenia ($3300/{\mu}{\ell}$ with 63% of lymphocyte) and the peripheral blood smear showed abnormal lymphoid cells with cytoplasmic projections. The bone marrow smear revealed abnormal lymphocytes and severe myelofibrosis. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase reactivity was strongly positive in the hairy cells. The immunophenotyping results of lymphoid cells were CD5(-), CD10(-), CD19(+), CD25(+), CD103(+), CD20(+), lambda(+). The patient was treated with 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine at a daily dose of 0.1mg/Kg by a continuous intravenous infusion for 7 days. The patient achieved complete remission.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4671-4673
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• 2013

Objectives: To study variation in T lymphocyte subgoups and its clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, NK and Treg cells in peripheral blood of NSCLC cases and healthy adults were determined by flow cytometry. Results: CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio and NK cells in NSCLCs were decreased significantly in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01), and decreased with increase in the clinical stage of NSCLC, while CD8+ cells demonstrated no significant change (P > 0.05). Treg cells were significantly more frequent than in the control group (P < 0.01), and increased with the clinical stage of NSCLC. Conclusion: The cellular immune function of the NSCLC patients is lowered. It is important to detect change of T lymphocyte subgroups by flow cytometry for the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment of NSCLC patients.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.312-315
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• 2014

So as to evaluate its use an immune stimulator in humans, the toxicity and action against immune cells by an anti-yeast substance (AYS), a bacterial proteoglycan, were investigated. The AYS did not possess hemolytic activity with human red blood cells (hRBC). Nor did it exhibit cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC). In addition, the AYS did not induce hPBMC proliferation, but it did agglutinate hPBMCs in vitro. Moreover, hPBMC induced inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-5, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ with the AYS during culture. Compared with alum, the AYS as an adjuvant has an increased antibody production rate against bovine serum albumin (BSA) in mice.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2012

Aim : Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that lyse certain tumor- and virus-infected cells without any prior stimulation or immunization. This article aims to review the significance of evaluating peripheral blood NK cells to predict anti-tumor immune function and prognosis in cancer patients. Methods : PubMed was used to create a database for this review. Search words of cancer, natural killer cell, prognosis were used to retrieve related articles. References of the collected articles were also reviewed. Results : Current evidence indicates that decreased or absent NK cell count or activity is mostly associated with the development or progression of cancer. In patients with various types of cancer, NK cell activity was mostly associated with the cancer prognosis and survival despite some conflicting results. Conclusion : The data shows the evaluation of anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients through natural killer cell measurement still remains a controversial matter. However, it is clear that the NK cell activity plays an important role in cancer and is associated with prevention of both early stage and metastatic cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4455-4458
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• 2014

Breast cancer is a serious and potentially lethal multi-factor disease among 40-50 aged women in both developed and developing countries. Also, various studies have pointed to roles of neurotransmitters like serotonin in development of cancers, through action on various types of receptors. This study was conducted to evaluate serotonin receptor (5HT2AR and 5HT3AR) genes expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of breast cancer patients in comparison with the healthy people and in the MCF7 cell line. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 30 patients and 30 healthy individuals. Total RNA was extracted from PBMCs and MCF-7 cells. and 5HT2AR and 5HT3AR were detected by RT-PCR techniques. Finally, serotonin receptor gene expression variation in breast cancer patients and MCF-7 cells were determined by real time-PCR. This latter indicated significant promotion in expression of 5HT3AR and 5HT2AR in PBMCs in breast cancer patients but expression of 5HT2AR in the MCF-7 cell line was significantly decreased. In conclusion, after performing complimentary tests, determine of gene expression changes in serotonin receptors (5HT2AR and 5HT3AR) may be useful as a new approach in treatment of breast cancer based on use of antagonists.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2005

This study was done to investigate effects of antioxidant supplementation on phytohemagglutinin (PHA) -stimulated interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in elderly women. This study was designed as a placebo-controlled, single-blinded, randomized intervention trial. Twenty four elderly women aged over 60 years, visitings social welfare center in Seoul were divided into 3 groups, placebo (n = 8), vitamin C supplemented (n = 8) , and vitamin E supplemented (n = 8) groups. Experimental groups were given either 1000mg of L-ascorbic acid or 400 ill of d- $\alpha$-tocopherol for 4 weeks. There was no significant difference in antioxidant vitamins intakes and their plasma levels among pre-intervention groups. Plasma vitamin C or E levels was significantly increased after vitamin C or E sup-plementations. The increases of plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels in the placebo group were significantly higher than those of the supplemented 2 groups. There were no significant differences in the changes of plasma IL-2 level between pre- and post-intervention among the 3 groups. However there was a significant increase in PHA­stimulated IL-2 production by PBMCs after 4-week vitamin E or vitamin C supplementation. Particularly, vitamin E supplemented group showed a higher PHA-stimulated IL-2 production than vitamin C supplemented group. These results indicate that vitamin E or vitamin C supplementation might enhance mitogen-stimulated cytokine production by immune cells, which could be one of the factors to improve health status in the elderly.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2021

Background: Although neuropathic pain is a severe and common pain, its pathophysiology has not been elucidated yet. Studies in recent years have focused on the immune system's role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of immunological mechanisms in neuropathic pain and the effect of pregabalin by measuring immunological marker levels in peripheral blood before and after pregabalin treatment in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients with neuropathic pain. Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with PHN were included in the study. CD4, T follicular cells (Tfh: CD4⁺CXCR5⁺PD1⁺), Th17 (CD4⁺CCR6⁺ and CD4⁺IL17A⁺), regulatory T cells (Treg: CD4⁺ CD25⁺foxp3⁺), Th1 (CD4⁺ CXCR3⁺ and CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺) and Th2 (CD4⁺ IL-4⁺) cell ratios were measured in peripheral blood samples before treatment and after 3 months of treatment. Results: When immunological marker and inflammation parameter levels were compared before and after treatment, the helper T cell ratio (CD3⁺, CD4⁺) was 30.28 ± 12.27% before treatment and 34.93 ± 11.70% after treatment, so there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.028). Th17 was 4.75 ± 5.02% before treatment and 5.80 ± 3.13% after treatment, and there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.036). Conclusions: Immunological mechanisms play an essential role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, immunologically based treatment approach will be the critical point of treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.129-153
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• 2001

Background: SMG (升麻葛根湯加味方) is an herbal medicine which has been used in oriental medicine as a traditional therapeutic agent of pruritus and skin disease. Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of SMG on the anti-hypersensitivity and immune response in the murine of type I hypersensitivity induced by the experiment. Materials and Methods: Laboratory rats were primary sensitized with OA (ovalbumin); on day 1, rats of a Control group and Sample group (SMG group) were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of Al(OH)3 in a total volume of 2ml saline. The rats of the sample group were orally administered with an SMG water extract for 14 days after primary immunization. On day 14 after the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling $0.9\%$ saline aerosol containing $2\%$(wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid and peripheral blood were collected from the rats. Total cell, lymphocyte, $CD4^+\;T\;cell,\;CD8^+\;T\;cell,\;CD4^+/CD8^+$ ratio in the BALF, and IgE, $CD4^+\;T\;cell,\;CD8^+$ T cell in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results: SMG showed a suppressive effect on the immune response in the rats. 1. Total Cells in the BALF decreased in the SMG treated group in comparison group, but statistic differences were not observed. 2. Total lymphocytes in the BALF were statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 3. CD4+ T cells in the BALF were statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 4. CD8+ T cells in the BALF were decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group, but statistic differences were not observed. 5. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the BALF was statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 6. The IgE level in serum was statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 7. The ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ in peripheral blood showed undetectable differences between each group of rats. From the experiment cited above, this study shows that SMG has both anti-hypersensitivity effects and immunoregulatory effects when administered to rats. Based on this experiment, it is suggested that SMG could be a useful immunomodulator and anti-allergy agent.