• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.76 no.5
• /
• pp.226-232
• /
• 2014

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation and results from environmental factors and genetic factors. Although cigarette smoking is a major risk factor, other environmental exposures can influence COPD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of COPD according to the history of environmental exposure. Methods: The study population comprised of 347 subjects with COPD who were recruited from the pulmonary clinics of 14 hospitals within the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease Study Group. We classified environmental exposures according to history of living near factory, and direct exposure history to firewood or briquette. According to living environmental exposures, we compared the frequency of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, quality of life, exercise capacity, and computed tomography phenotypes. Results: Thirty-one subjects (8.9%) had history of living near factory, 271 (78.3%) had exposure history to briquette, and 184 (53.3%) had exposure history to firewood. Patients with history of living near a factory had a significantly longer duration of sputum, while patients with exposure to firewood tended to have lower forced expiratory volume in one second, and patients with exposure to briquette tended to have lower six minute walk distance. Conclusion: COPD subjects with the history of living near factory had more frequent respiratory symptoms such as sputum. Our data suggest that environmental exposure may influence clinical phenotype of COPD.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2017

Purpose : Forward head posture is typical neck disorders occur in all people. And this attitude causes a shortening and weakening of the muscles in the body. It also causes excessive extension acts as a reward. This attitude has to change if the pain occurs around the neck and shoulders, and are subjected to unusual stress. Patients with chronic neck pain associated with forward head posture was found to be the more severe the fall of the respiratory, forward head posture poor quality of much breath. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of changes in forward head posture and neutral head posture on respiratory. Method : Forty volunteers were participated in study and divided into two groups [forward head posture group (n=20) and neutral head posture group (n=20)]. We measured cervical alignment with global postural system to find out a forward head posture. Respiratory function was measured with a SPIROVIT SP-1 equipment and we found out a forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC. A pared t-test was used to determine a statistical significance for the pulmonary function variation and a independent t-test was used to determine a statistical significance in the two groups. Results : In the experimental group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the artificial neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. In the control group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/ FVC were significantly higher in the neutral head posture of control group than the artificial neutral head posture of experimental group and higher in the artificial forward head posture of control group than the forward head posture of experimental group. Conclusion : In conclusion, neutral head posture is considered to be an important factor in correct posture and improvement of lung function and continuous study of posture correction program for posture imbalance will be needed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.141-146
• /
• 2016

In South Korea, many cases of humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) have been reported among people who used humidifier products containing humidifier disinfectant (HD). The objectives of this study are to estimate both airborne HD concentration in the room where HD was used and the amount of humidifier disinfectant absorbed into the respiratory system. Information and data on the HDs were collected using a structured questionnaire and home environmental investigations include the volume of HD (ml) and hours used per day, concentration of disinfectants contained in the HD brand (${\mu}g/ml$), volume of the room ($m^3$), assumed ventilation rate ($m^3/hr$) and breathing rate assumed ($m^3/hr$). We used children aged under five years old as a sample and estimated both airborne HD concentrations and amount of HD absorbed into the respiratory system. The estimated airborne concentration of HD in the room ranged from 68 to $369{\mu}g/m^3$ for PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate) and from 16 to $239{\mu}g/m^3$ for PGH (oligo (2-(2-ethoxy) ethoxyethyl guanidine). The amount of HD absorbed in the respiratory system per day was estimated to range from 227 to $1,225{\mu}g$ for PHMG and from 53 to $794{\mu}g$ for PGH. In conclusion, a great amount of HD was likely absorbed into respiratory system, likely beyond the level of the capacity of the immune system to remove the HD absorbed.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.126-133
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted with a randomized control group pretest-posttest study design to investigate the effects of a combined arts education program combining choral and respiratory training on the respiratory function, stress, and quality of life of university students. Twenty-five university students were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=13) who participated in the combined arts education program and the control group (n=12) who participated in the general arts education program. As a result, there was a significant difference in the lung capacity, respiratory strength, stress and quality of life scale before and after the experiment in the experimental group (p<0.05). In addition, the results of the rest of the tests showed significant differences (p<0.05), except for the result FEV1. Through the results of this study, the combined art education program that combines chorus and breathing training will be beneficial as a program to improve stress reduction, breathing function and quality of life of university students.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.386-393
• /
• 1999

Objective : Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with heart and lung problems is used to assess functional capacity, evaluate responses to medical treatment, plan for exercise therapy, assess progression of disease process, and determine prognosis. Particularly in the patients with lung cancer, the exercise pulmonary function test gives significant physiologic assessment of the lung resection candidate. Common exercise modalities are running and cycling. Until now, the comparison of two tests mainly has been done in normal person and patients with cardiac diseases. This study is designed to compare the treadmill and bicycle exercise pulmonary function test in patients with respiratory diseases. Methods : Twenty one patients underwent a progressively incremental exercise test to the symptom-limited stage with the treadmill (Vmax29 Sensor Medics, USA) and the bicycle(model No. 2,900 Sensor Medics, USA) with 7 days apart between the two tests. Measurements were made of the metabolic, cardiorespiratory parameters, blood gases, and symptoms. Results : The results of the treadmill exercise showed significant elevation in the $VO_2$max, VEmax, and anaerobic threshold compared to those of bicycle exercise. In contrast, the results of the breathing and heart rate reserve showed the reverse. Conclusion : These results suggest that the type of exercise should be taken into consideration when interpreting exercise test in patients with respiratory diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.80 no.4
• /
• pp.385-391
• /
• 2017

Background: Men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have reduced endogenous testosterone levels, but the relationship between pulmonary function and endogenous testosterone levels, is inconsistent. Testicular volume is a known indicator of endogenous testosterone levels, male fertility, and male potency. In the present study, the authors investigated the relationship, between testicular volume and lung function. Methods: One hundred and eighty-one South Korean men age 40-70, hospitalized for urological surgery, were retrospectively enrolled, irrespective of the presence of respiratory disease. Study subjects underwent pulmonary function testing, prior to procedures, and testicular volumes were measured by orchidometry. Testosterone levels of patients in blood samples collected between $7{\small{AM}}$ and $11{\small{AM}}$, were measured by a direct chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The 181 study subjects were divided into two groups, by testicular volume (${\geq}35mL$ vs. <35 mL), the larger testes group, had better lung functions (forced vital capacity [FVC]: $3.87{\pm}0.65L$ vs. $3.66{\pm}0.65L$, p=0.037; forced expiratory volume in 1 second [$FEV_1$]: $2.92{\pm}0.57L$ vs. $2.65{\pm}0.61L$, p=0.002; FVC % predicted: $98.2{\pm}15.2%$ vs. $93.8{\pm}13.1%$, p=0.040; $FEV_1$ % predicted: $105.4{\pm}19.5%$ vs. $95.9{\pm}21.2%$, p=0.002). In addition, the proportion of patients with a $FEV_1/FVC$ of <70%, was lower in the larger testes group. Univariate analysis conducted using linear regression models, revealed that testicular volume was correlated with FVC (r=0.162, p=0.029), $FEV_1$ (r=0.218, p=0.003), $FEV_1/FVC$ (r=0.149, p=0.046), and $FEV_1$ % predicted (r=0.178, p=0.017), and multivariate analysis using linear regression models, revealed that testicular volume was a significant predictive factor for $FEV_1$ % predicted (${\beta}=0.159$, p=0.041). Conclusion: Larger testicular volume was independently associated, with favorable indices of lung function. These results suggest that androgens, may contribute to better lung function.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.367-372
• /
• 2015

This study was aimed at determining the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of solvent extracts from Asparagus cochinchinensis. The Asparagus cochinchinensis was extracted with water, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and ether. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was determined by modified well diffusion methods against 4 species of respiratory disease bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). In addition, the amount of total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. Ethyl acetate extract of A. cochinchinensis exhibited higher antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms than water, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ether extracts. For antioxidant activity, the ethyl acetate extract of A. cochinchinensis exhibited a notable effect on the scavenging of superoxide against DPPH ($IC_{50}=3.81mg/ml$). Finally, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were $14{\pm}0.7mg/g$, and $0.50{\pm}0.13mg/g$, respectively. These results can be regarded as basic research into A. cochinchinensis for the prevention of respiratory diseases. The results indicate that A. cochinchinensis may be utilized as a nutraceutical for respiratory diseases when the physiologically active substances of A. cochinchinensis are increased by further study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.87 no.1
• /
• pp.65-79
• /
• 2024

Background: Exhaled condensates contain inflammatory biomarkers; however, their roles in the clinical field have been under-investigated. Methods: We prospectively enrolled subjects admitted to pulmonology clinics. We collected exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and analysed the levels of six and 12 biomarkers using conventional and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Among the 123 subjects, healthy controls constituted the largest group (81 participants; 65.9%), followed by the preserved ratio impaired spirometry group (21 patients; 17.1%) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (21 patients; 17.1%). In COPD patients, platelet derived growth factor-AA exhibited strong positive correlations with COPD assessment test (ρ=0.5926, p=0.0423) and COPD-specific version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) score (total, ρ=0.6725, p=0.0166; activity, ρ=0.7176, p=0.0086; and impacts, ρ=0.6151, p=0.0333). Granzyme B showed strong positive correlations with SGRQ-C score (symptoms, ρ=0.6078, p=0.0360; and impacts, ρ=0.6007, p=0.0389). Interleukin 6 exhibited a strong positive correlation with SGRQ-C score (activity, ρ=0.4671, p=0.0378). The absolute serum eosinophil and basophil counts showed positive correlations with pro-collagen I alpha 1 (ρ=0.6735, p=0.0164 and ρ=0.6295, p=0.0283, respectively). In healthy subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity demonstrated significant correlation with CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (ρ=0.3897 and p=0.0068). FEV₁ exhibited significant correlation with CCL11/eotaxin (ρ=0.4445 and p=0.0017). Conclusion: Inflammatory biomarkers in EBC might be useful to predict quality of life concerning respiratory symptoms and serologic markers. Further studies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.181-186
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of home-based exercise intensity on the aerobic capacity and 1 year re-hospitalization rate in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: Forty seven patients with CHF (males 33, females 14, age $61.3{\pm}9.8years$) participated in this study. The patients were allocated randomly to 3 groups in accordance with home-based exercise intensity: no home based exercise (NHE, 40%, n=19), moderate intensity home-based exercise (MIHE, 43%, n=20), and high intensity home based exercise (HIHE, 17%, n=8). All patients completed the symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) test safely at the cardiac rehabilitation hospital. Results: The NHE group significantly showed lower peak $VO_2$ and a higher $VE/VCO_2$ slope than the MIHE (p<0.05) and HIHE (p<0.01) groups. On the other hand, the NHE group did not show significant differences in the other hemodynamic responses, such as heart rate (HR) max, HR reserve, maximal systolic blood pressure (SBP), and SBP reserve. Nine out of 19 NHE patients (47%) were re-hospitalized related to heart disease and two out of 20 MIHE (10%) patients were re-hospitalized, but nobody in the HIHE group were re-hospitalized within 1 year from the CPX test. Conclusion: In patients with CHF, home-based self-exercise is one of the important factors for reducing the re-hospitalization rate. In addition, improved aerobic capacity is strongly associated with a lower re-hospitalization rate. In particular, re-hospitalized CHF patients showed significant differences in respiratory parameters and hemodynamic parameters compared to the non-re-hospitalized patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.558-570
• /
• 1996

Background : The detection of Collapsible airways has important therapeutic implications in chronic airway disease and bronchial asthma. The distinction of a purely collapsible airways disease from that of asthma is important because the treatment of the dormer may include the use of pursed lip breathing or nasal positive pressure ventilation whereas in the latter, pharmacologic approaches are used. One form of irreversible airflow limitation is collapsible airways, which has been shown to be a Component of asthma or to emphysema, it can be assessed by the volume difference between what exits the lung as determined by a spirometer and the volume compressed as measured by the plethysmography. Method : To investigate whether volume difference between slow and forced vital Capacity(SVC-FVC) by spirometry may be used as a surrogate index of airway collapse, we examined pulmonary function parameters before and after bronchodilator agent inhalation by spirometry and body plethysmography in 20 cases of patients with evidence of airflow limitation(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 12 cases, stable bronchial asthma 7 cases, combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with asthma 1 case) and 20 cases of normal subjects without evidence of airflow limitation referred to the Pusan National University Hospital pulmonary function laboratory from January 1995 to July 1995 prospectively. Results : 1) Average and standard deviation of age, height, weight of patients with airflow limitation was $58.3{\pm}7.24$(yr), $166{\pm}8.0$(cm), $59.0{\pm}9.9$(kg) and those of normal subjects was $56.3{\pm}12.47$(yr), $165.9{\pm}6.9$(cm), $64.4{\pm}10.4$(kg), respectively. The differences of physical characteristics of both group were not significant statistically and male to female ratio was 14:6 in both groups. 2) The difference between slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity was $395{\pm}317ml$ in patients group and $154{\pm}176ml$ in normal group and there was statistically significance between two groups(p<0.05). Sensitivity and specificity were most higher when the cut-off value was 208ml. 3) After bronchodilator inhalation, reversible airway obstructions were shown in 16 cases of patients group, 7 cases of control group(p<0.05) by spirometry or body plethysmography d the differences of slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity in bronchodilator response group and nonresponse group were $300.4{\pm}306ml$, $144.7{\pm}180ml$ and this difference was statistically significant. 4) The difference between slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity before bronchodilator inhalation was correlated with airway resistance before bronchodilator(r=0.307 p=0.05), and the difference between slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity after bronchodilator was correlated with difference between slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity(r=0.559 p=0.0002), thoracic gas volume(r=0.488 p=0.002) before bronchodilator and airway resistance(r=0.583 p=0.0001), thoracic gas volume(r=0.375 p=0.0170) after bronchodilator, respectively. 5) The difference between slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity in smokers and nonsmokers was $257.5{\pm}303ml$, $277.5{\pm}276ml$, respectively and this difference did not reach statistical significance(p>0.05). Conclusion : The difference between slow vital capacity and forced vital capacity by spirometry may be useful for the detection of collapsible airway and may help decision making of therapeutic plans.