• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.251-259
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• 2005

Atopy is a highly prevalent and serious health problem. The prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic diseases have increased over recent decades, particularly in industrialized nations. Early life infections may protect against the development of atopy and allergic diseases like asthma. The inverse relationship between the incidence of atopy and childhood infections has led to the 'hygiene hypothesis', which suggests that diminished exposure to childhood infections in modern society has led to decreased Th1-type responses. Th1 and Th2 responses are counter-regulatory. Reduced Th1 may lead to enhanced Th2-type inflammation, which is important in promoting asthma and allergic disease via up-regulation of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. It is now widely accepted that altered regulation of Th2 responses(and possibly the balance between Th1 and Th2 responses) is an important factor in the development of atopy. CpG DNA represent a novel class of drugs with substantial immunomodulatory properties. CpG DNA contain unmethylated motifs centered on the CpG dinucleotides, like bacterial DNA. These CpG DNA promote Th1 and regulatory type immune responses and suppress Th2 responses. In murine studies, CpG DNA are effective in prevention and treatment of asthma and allergic diseases. CpG DNA are just beginning to be tested in human asthma. While its precise mechanisms continue to be fully studied, CpG DNA offers considerable promise as a novel treatment for atopic inflammation. It may prove to be an important disease modifying therapy, or even curative therapeutic agent for asthma and allergic diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.2031-2035
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• 2015

Intra-tumoral hypoxia is an environment that promotes tumor cell migration, angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition that accounts for a major mechanism of metastasis. Chloroquine potentially offers a new therapeutic approach with an 'old' drug for effective and safe cancer therapies, as it exerts anti-metastatic activity. We investigated the inhibitory effect of chloroquine on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell migration under cobalt chloride ($CoCl_2$)-stimulated hypoxia. We showed that chloroquine suppressed CCA cell migration under hypoxic-mimicking conditions on exposure to $100{\mu}M$ $CoCl_2$. Moreover, chloroquine stabilized the protein level of prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins (PHD-2) but reduced the levels of hypoxic responsive proteins such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It also suppressed epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) by increasing the ratio of E-cadherin to N-cadherin under hypoxic conditions. In conclusion, chloroquine can inhibit hypoxia-stimulated metastasis via HIF-$1{\alpha}$/VEGF/EMT which may serve as a useful additional strategy for CCA therapy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2005

We have demonstrated previously on a replication incompetent recombinant adenoviral vector, AdLPCD, in which the expression of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene is driven by the tumor-specific L-plastin promoter. The object of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of AdLPCD together with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) in suppression of the growth of established human tumor cells of ovary, Consistent with the knowledge that infection of OVCAR-3 cells with AdLPCD resulted in expression of a functional intracellular CD enzyme capable of converting 5-FC to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (Chung and Deisseroth, 2004), statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity were observed when AdLPCD infected cells were also exposed to 5-FC for 6 days (p=0.05), 9 days (p<0.0005) and 12 days (p<0.005), compared to 5-FC exposure alone, These results indicate that the CD gene delivered by adenoviral vector could efficiently sensitize OVCAR-3, otherwise non-toxic 5-FC. On the other hand, SKOV-3 cells, an ovarian carcinoma cell line, were more resistant to the CD/5-FC strategy compared with OVCAR-3 cells under the same condition. The results of present study suggest that the replacement of 5-FU with CD/5-FC in combination chemotherapy would be less toxic and much greater cytotoxicity than the conventional combination chemotherapy in some patients.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2018

Cone beam Computed Tomography(CBCT) is an increasing trend in clinical applications due to its ability to increase the accuracy of radiation therapy. However, this leaded to an increase in exposure dose. In this study, the simulation using Monte Carlo method is performed and the absorbed dose of CBCT is analyzed and standardized data is presented. First, after simulating the CBCT, the photon spectrum was analyzed to secure the reliability and the absorbed dose of the tissue in the human body was evaluated using the MIRD phantom. Compared with SRS-78, the photon spectrum of CBCT showed similar tendency, and the average absorbed dose of MIRD phantom was 8.12 ~ 25.88 mGy depending on the body site. This is about 1% of prescription dose, but dose management will be needed to minimize patient side effects and normal tissue damage.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.462-467
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• 2009

Exposure of formaldehyde (FA), one of the major compounds in pesticides and in the onset of sick house syndrome, has been implicated in the development of diverse diseases. Liver is a very important organ to body metabolism and drug detoxification. Apotosis of hepatocytes is associated with the onset of liver diseases such as hepatitis. However, the apoptotic effect of FA in hepatocytes is not clear. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of FA on the apoptosis in HepG2 cells, a human hepatocyte cell line. As a result, FA (> $500\;{\mu}M$) decreased cell viability and increased lactate dehydrogenase activity in HepG2 cells, which was blocked by the treatment of vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). In addition, FA decreased glutathione (GSH) contents and Bcl-2 levels, while increasing lipid peroxide formation and Bax levels. It also cleaved caspase-3 form, which was blocked by the treatment of vitamin E and NAC. It is insisted that FA induced apoptosis via oxidative stress in human hepatocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2013

Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (IAEP), characterized by acute febrile respiratory failure associated with diffuse radiographic infiltrates and pulmonary eosinophilia, is rarely reported in children. Diagnosis is based on an association of characteristic features including acute respiratory failure with fever, bilateral infiltrates on the chest X-ray, severe hypoxemia and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid >25% eosinophils or a predominant eosinophilic infiltrate in lung biopsies in the absence of any identifiable etiology. We present a 14-month-old girl who was admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit because of acute respiratory distress. She had a fever, dry cough, and progressive dyspnea for 1 day. Chest X-ray showed multifocal consolidations, increased interstitial markings, parenchymal emphysema and pneumothorax. IAEP was confirmed by marked pulmonary infiltrates of eosinophils in the lung biopsy specimen. Most known causes of acute eosinophilic pneumonia, such as exposure to causative drugs, toxins, second-hand smoking and infections were excluded. Her symptoms were resolved quickly after corticosteroid therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1059-1064
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• 2014

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, implicated in both community and hospital acquired infections. The therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is becoming more difficult because of multidrug resistance and strong biofilm-forming properties. Schiff bases have attracted attention as promising antibacterial agents. In this study, we investigated the in vitro activity of taurine-5-bromosalicylaldehyde Schiff base (TBSSB) against MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using a microtiter broth dilution method. TBSSB effectively inhibited planktonic MRSA, with an MIC of $32{\mu}g/ml$. The time-kill curve confirmed that TBSSB exhibited bactericidal activity against MRSA. TBSSB was also found to significantly inhibit MRSA biofilm formation at 24 h, especially at $1{\times}MIC$ and sub-MIC levels. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed remarkable morphological and ultrastructural changes on the MRSA cell surface, due to exposure to TBSSB. This study indicated that TBSSB may be an effective bactericidal agent against MRSA.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to study on radiologic technologist's license system and primary pathway education curriculum in the United States American (USA), focused on one case of college in Texas. We were collected and analyzed through class participation at a community college in Tarrant, interviews with professors of radiologic science and clinical radiographers, field trips, an internet search, and literature reviews. As a result, first, the American radiologic technologists license system is composed of fifteen chapters, and the professional education courses for each field are being carried out through three courses of a primary pathway, a post primary pathway and a physician extender. Second, the primary pathway courses consisted the radiography, the radiation therapy, the nuclear medicine, the magnetic resonance imaging, the sonography. Third, the USA had about 30 times more clinical practice time than Korea. In clinical practice, students had done actually examination through X-ray exposure on patients. Last radiographers in the USA was able to perform intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agents on patient, so that he could perform rapid examination and efficient manpower operation. This study could be used as basic data for the globalization of radiologic technologists license system in Korea.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.103-115
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• 2014

To summarize current knowledge regarding mechanisms of radiation-induced normal tissue injury and medical countermeasures available to reduce its severity. Advances in radiation delivery using megavoltage and intensity-modulated radiation therapy have permitted delivery of higher doses of radiation to well-defined tumor target tissues. Injury to critical normal tissues and organs, however, poses substantial risks in the curative treatment of cancers, especially when radiation is administered in combination with chemotherapy. The principal pathogenesis is initiated by depletion of tissue stem cells and progenitor cells and damage to vascular endothelial microvessels. Emerging concepts of radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity suggest that the recovery and repopulation of stromal stem cells remain chronically impaired by long-lived free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines resulting in progressive damage after radiation exposure. Better understanding the mechanisms mediating interactions among excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activated macrophages, and role of bone marrow-derived progenitor and stem cells may provide novel insight on the pathogenesis of radiation-induced injury of tissues. Further understanding the molecular signaling pathways of cytokines and chemokines would reveal novel targets for protecting or mitigating radiation injury of tissues and organs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2006

Purpose: It is not easy to detect carbon monoxide (CO) leakage, and CO-intoxicated patients do not show a specific set of symptoms. The aims of this study are to clinically evaluate patients with CO gas intoxication from a CO leak at an underground shopping center, and to discuss the establishment of a disaster prevention plan. Methods: A total of 51 patients intoxicated by CO gas exposure in a gas disaster at a underground shopping center in Seoul on September 8, 2006 were enrolled in this study, and the patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The mean patient age was $29.4{\pm}6.3$. The initial mean COHb level was $14.98{\pm}6.97%$. The number of patients with COHb greater than 25% was three, and six patients experienced a syncopal attack. Only one patient-was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, none of the patients complained of severe neurologic or cardiovascular symptoms. Conclusion: The symptoms of CO intoxication are non-specific and difficult to define, and the detection of CO leak-age is difficult. Thus, workplaces should be equipped with leakage sensors and automatic alarm systems and should have develop disaster prevention plans.