• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.425-431
• /
• 2021

The use of big data may facilitate the recognition and interpretation of causal relationships between disease occurrence and climatic variables. Considering the immense contribution of rhinoviruses in causing respiratory infections, in this study, we examined the effects of various climatic variables on the seasonal epidemiology of rhinovirus infections in the temperate climate of Cheonan, Korea. Trends in rhinovirus detection were analyzed based on 9,010 tests performed between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018, at Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. Seasonal patterns of rhinovirus detection frequency were compared with the local climatic variables for the same period. Rhinovirus infection was the highest in children under 10 years of age, and climatic variables influenced the infection rate. Temperature, wind chill temperature, humidity, and particulate matter significantly affected rhinovirus detection. Temperature and wind chill temperature were higher on days on which rhinovirus infection was detected than on which it was not. Conversely, particulate matter was lower on days on which rhinovirus was detected. Atmospheric pressure and particulate matter showed a negative relationship with rhinovirus detection, whereas temperature, wind chill temperature, and humidity showed a positive relationship. Rhinovirus infection was significantly related to climatic factors such as temperature, wind chill temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and particulate matter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to find a relationship between daily temperatures/wind chill temperatures and rhinovirus infection over an extended period.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause clinical manifestations of multiple organ damage, including various neurological syndromes. There are currently two oral antiviral drugs-Paxlovid and molnupiravir-that are recognized to treat COVID-19, but there are still no drugs that can specifically fight the challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimolecular complex that can sense heterogeneous pathogen-associated molecular patterns associated with neurological disorders. The NLRP3 activation stimulates the production of caspase-1-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and other cytokines in immune cells. Panax (P.) ginseng is a medicinal plant that has traditionally been widely used to boost immunity and treat various pathological conditions in the nervous system due to its safety and anti-inflammatory/oxidant/viral activities. Several recent reports have indicated that P. ginseng and its active ingredients may regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the nervous system. Therefore, this review article discusses the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of neurological disorders related to COVID-19 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the possibility of using P. ginseng in a strategy targeting this pathway to treat neurological disorders.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.274-281
• /
• 2010

The objectives of this study are (a) to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of biological agents in sawmill industries and (b) to compare sampling methods of biological agents. The representative processes of 5 sawmills were selected to measure total airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin as well as dust. Airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with one stage impactor, six stage impactor and gelatin filteration methods. Endotoxin was collected with polycarbonate filters and analysed by kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate method. Geometric mean levels of airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and dust were 1,864 CFU/$m^3$, 2,252 CFU/$m^3$, 31.5 EU/$m^3$ and 2.4 mg/$m^3$. The ratios of indoor/outdoor concentrations were 3.7 for bacteria, 4.1 for fungi, 3.3 for endotoxin and 9.7 for dust. The respiratory fractions of bacteria were 68.0, 50.9, 49.2 and 45.1% in band-saw, table-saw, rip-saw process and outdoor air. The respiratory fractions of fungi were 78.7, 90.8, 87.5 and 84.8% in band-saw, table-saw, rip-saw process and outdoor air, respectively. There was no significant differences in bacterial concentrations among single stage, six stage impaction and filteration methods. But, fungal concentrations measured with filtration methods were significantly higher than those with impaction methods. Geometric mean levels of airborne bacteria and fungi were higher than the OSHA guideline values of 1,000 CFU/$m^3$. The respiratory fractions of fungi were above 75%. The concentrations of biological agents were significantly different among culture-based sampling methods. In the exposure assessments of biological agents, further studies are needed for the comparisons of diverse sampling methods and the investigations of environmental factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.2705-2710
• /
• 2016

Recent evidence haas indicated that meningioma-associate protein (MAC30) exhibits different expression patterns in various tumors. However, little is known about the value of MAC30 in human squamous cell carcinoma of lung (SQCLC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression of MAC30 and to explore its clinical significance in SQCLC patients. A total of 156 Chinese patients diagnosed with SQCLC were selected for this study. The expression of MAC30 in all tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to analyze MAC30 mRNA expression in 32 cases of SQCLC patients with corresponding non-tumor lung tissues. We observed enhanced mRNA expression of MAC30 in SQCLC as compared to control samples. Further, elevated MAC30 protein expression was strongly associated with poor tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. In addition, we observed that patients with increased MAC30 expression demonstrated poor overall survival. Multivariate analysis explicated that increased MAC30 expression was a valuable independent predictable factor for poor tumor differentiation and short survival in SQCLC patients. Our present study suggests that MAC30 may serve as a biomarker for poor tumor differentiation and outcomes of patients with SQCLC.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 1994.02a
• /
• pp.585-595
• /
• 1994

The region of the respiratory tract where inhaled particles deposit can have important implications for the causation of local or systemic toxic effects. For most aerosols of occupational importance, respiratory tract deposition can be predicted from the aerodynamic diameter of the particles. With the advent of cascade impactors, particularly those of personal sampler size, the determination of the aerodynamic diameters of aerosols has become more common. Some limitations of cascade impactor use are well recognized (e.g., particle bounce and substrate overloading) and are generally correctable. However, two important limitations of the instruments may not be receiving adequate attention: relative humidity effects on potentially hygroscopic aerosols and the collection characteristics of fibrous aerosols as compared to their actual deposition site potential. The results of this study, when compared to results of previous controlled laboratory trials, suggest that, while potentially hygroscopic lead aerosols from lead acid battery plant operations do not appear to be affected by changes in plant environmental humidity levels, the potential - exists for significant size changes upon inhalation. Secondly, fibers were detected in aerodynamic size ranges that would be associated with deep lung deposition; however, upon microscopic examination, these same fibers would actually be predicted to deposit in the upper airways. This study suggests that the physicalchemical properties and morphological features of an aerosol should be carefully considered by industrial hygienists before cascade impactors are used in attempts to predict the effects of inhaled aerosols.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.sup1
• /
• pp.64-67
• /
• 2016

Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease that is associated with high mortality. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent, may be transmitted from the infected mother to the fetus by the transplacental route or by aspiration of infected amniotic fluid. Clinical symptoms and signs are not specific. Miliary patterns are the most common findings in the chest X-rays of many infants with congenital TB. In this case, an 18-day-old boy had jaundice on the fifth day of birth, and fever and respiratory distress appeared on the 18th day. Chest X-ray showed diffuse fine bilateral infiltration. Clinically, pneumonia or sepsis was suspected. Respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray findings worsened despite empirical antibiotic therapy. The lungs showed miliary infiltration suggestive of TB. Gastric aspirates were positive for M. tuberculosis. Respiratory distress and fever were gradually improved after anti-TB medication. Congenital TB is difficult to detect because of minimal or no symptoms during pregnancy and nonspecific symptoms in neonates. Hence, clinicians should suspect the possibility of TB infection even if neonates have non-specific symptoms. Early diagnosis and meticulous treatment are required for the survival of neonates with TB.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.69-74
• /
• 2008

This study carried out to investigate the antimicrobial resistance and biochemical characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from reproductive and respiratory tract in Thoroughbred horse. The specimens were collected from equine vaginal mucosa and upper respiratory tract from March to December 2006 using a culture swab in Korea. S. aureus suspected colonies on blood agar plates were selected and identified as standard biochemical tests and PCR (Applied Biosystems, USA). Antimicrobial resistance test of S. aureus isolates was performed with 30 antimicrobial agents (BBL, USA) by using the agar disk diffusion method. S. aureus isolates were isolated 58 (39.2%) strains of 148 samples: wound 64.7% (11/17), genital discharge 37.0% (37/100) and nasal discharge 32.2% (10/31). Almost isolates showed high resistance to spectinomycin, sulfonamides, erythromycin, tetracyelin, ciprofloxacin and penicillin. These results may provide the basic information to establish strategies for treatment and prevention of reproductive and respiratory disease in Thoroughbred horses in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.109-113
• /
• 2005

Miliary tuberculosis is the most serious form of tuberculous disease, but is rarely complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). When a patient with miliary tuberculosis initially presents with ARDS, the mortality is much higher. Therefore, the early detection of miliary tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS is very important for the prognosis and survival of the patient. The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis may be easy if the patient presents typical clinical manifestations associated with the characteristic pattern of miliary nodules on chest radiology. However, the diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis when complicated with ARDS can be difficult due to the nonspecific radiologic patterns, such as diffuse bilateral consolidation and ground glass opacity, without miliary nodular infiltration. However, these nonspecific patterns are known as less likely findings of miliary tuberculosis. We experienced a pregnant woman with miliary tuberculosis, mimicking ARDS due to bilateral severe pneumonia. She was admitted, via the emergency room, with sudden onset of fever, chill, cough and dyspnea. The initial chest PA and HRCT showed diffuse bilateral consolidation and ground glass opacity, without miliary nodular infiltration. All bacteriological studies, including blood and sputum cultures, tuberculosis-PCR and serologic study for infectious disease were negative. However, the definite diagnosis of unusual miliary tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS was confirmed from the radiological finding and transbronchial fiberoptic lung biopsy. We report this case, with a review of the literature.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.105-119
• /
• 1993

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the program for the control of acute respiratory infections(ARI) in children in a Korean rural area(Yonchon county). Evaluating the program, we focused on the pattern of prescription and appropriateness of antibiotics prescribed by the health personnel who had participated in the ARI Control Program. It was implemented at the primary health care setting in rural area, such as district hospital, health subcenters, and health posts. During six-months programme monitoring period, medical records were reviewed and collected data were analysed by the pediatrician, research coordinator of this study. The baseline data were collected from medical records of the same period(six months) of one year before the implementation of the ARI programme. The study results were as follow : 1. Common cold was the most prevalent disease(78.7%. 594 cases) among the all ARI cases (755 cases). The less frequent cases were bronchitis(11.9%), acute pharyngitis(5.2%), and pneumonia(1.8%). 2. Significant reduction in the use of antibiotics was observed after the programme implementation. Ninety three(15.7%) of 594 common cold cases were received antibiotics compared with 282(35.2%) of 802 in the baseline period. In the cases of bronchitis and acute pharyngitis, the reduction rates were 15.1% and 23.2% respectively compared to the baseline period. 3. Mean duration of antibiotics prescription was 1.81-1.75 days, similar to the baseline data. 4. The appropriateness rate of antibiotics prescriptions were 84.3%(common cold), 35.6% (bronchitis) and 28.2%(acute pharyngitis). In the case of pneumonia, the antibiotics prescription was compatible to the criteria developed. 5. Pediatrician prescribed antibiotics more appropriately for all cases than general practitioners in health sub-center, and nurse practitioners in health posts. 6. Antibiotics therapy was shown to be of no effect in the treatment of the all ARI cases. At the 5 and 10 days check-up of common cold cases after visits, proportion of improved patients were 58.3% in the antibiotics-used group and 51.4% in the control group. In the other cases of ARI, the patterns of response were similar to common cold. None of the differences in outcome between the antibiotics-used and control group was statistically significant. This ARI programme may have substantial a substantial impact on antibiotics use at the public health institutions(district hospital, health subcenters, health posts) which are of major domain for primary health care in Korean rural areas.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.219-233
• /
• 1999

Purpose : Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. This study was performed to analyze antigenic and genetic variation of G protein of subgroup A RSV. Methods : One hundred seventy-nine strains isolated at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital over 8 years-period from 1990 through 1998 were analysed for antigenic and genetic variability. Analysis was made by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies raised against RSV, and by restriction mapping and, for selected strains, nucleotide sequencing following amplification of full sequence of G gene by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results : Restriction fragment analysis of the amplified G protein gene revealed 23 restriction patterns, 12 of which included more than 2 isolate, and the most frequent genetic type comprised 30% of the strains. Indirect immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies revealed 6 antigenic types with one predominant pattern accounting for 91% of the total strains. The most frequent antigenic type had 21 restriction patterns, and some viruses with same restiction pattern had different monoclonal antibody reaction pattern. Nucleotide sequence homology of subgroup A was 91~93% between reference(A2, Long) and Korean isolates, 93~99% among Korean isolates. Maximum-parsimony analysis demonstrated that Korean isolates were distinct from reference strains and subgroup A strains were clustered in 4 groups. Conclusion : The restriction analysis pattern of G protein gene identified greater diversity within subgroup A than was seen with the monoclonal analysis and a variety of antigenic and genetic types of RSV are circulating in Korea which are different from reference strains or strains isolated from other countries.