• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1995

Several studies showed that the immunological factors such as CD4+ cell number, CD4%, CD8+ cell number and CD4/CD8 ratio and the serological factors such as, ${\beta}^2$-microglobulin(${\beta}^2$-MG), neopterin, soluble CD4, and soluble CD8 are related to the risk of development of AIDS. Especially, the CD4+ cell counts have been used to monitor progresson of HIV disease, to stratify, and to follow patients in clinical trials. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCP) in USA has made the CD4+ cell count as a part of the classification of HIV disease. It is composed of 3 categories such as 1, 2, and 3 which asr $\geq$ 500/$mm^3$, 200/$mm^{3} $\geq$ and < 500/$mm^3$, and < 200/$mm^3$, respectively. In this study, to estimate the differences of immunological factors between HIV-infected and normal human groups in Korea, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio were measured in 185 HIV-infected subjects and 140 healthy adult subjects. The lymphocyte subsets such as CD4+ T and CD8+ T were analysed by flow cytometer(FACStar) with two-color immunofluorescent stain using monoclonal antibodies such as anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies. The absolute numbers and percentages of CD4+ T and CD8+ T and the CD4/CD8 ratio of HIV infected persons were $462\pm{277}/mm^3$, $18.2\pm7.7%$, $1,170\pm{534}/mm^3$, $47.0\pm10.6%$ and $0,43\pm0.26 whereas those of uninfected persons were $886\pm{299}mm^3$, $32.9\pm{7.0%}, 730{\pm}259/mm^3$, $26.8\pm6.4%$ and $1.31\pm0.46$(P<0.01). In addition, estimating the reference values of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets of Korean, the absolute numbers and percentages of CD4+ T and CD8+ T and the CD4/CD8 ratio of 140 healthy adults persons were measured and compared with those of foreigners. The reference ranges of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4％, CD8%, and the CD4/CD8 ratio and 1.31$\pm$0.46, respectively. The significant differences were not observed when compared with those of foreigners. However a little difference was observed in the percentages of CD4+ T and the absolute numbers of CD8+ T between the normal values of Korean and those of foreigners were $43.6\pm8.9%$, $560\pm{230}/mm^3$. This result can also be useful as a basic data for the treatment and surveillance of HIV-infected patients in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.6
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• pp.328-333
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• 2010

Background: There are several active tuberculosis (TB) cases in Korean high schools each school year. The risk of transmission in schools is extremely high due to the considerable time spent in closed classrooms. We evaluated the control of latent tuberculosis infection in Korean high schools. Methods: When a student was identified with active TB, tuberculin skin testing was performed on their classmates and on students in their same school grade. When a student had a positive tuberculin skin tests (TST), they underwent follow-up testing with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT). The manufacturer recommended a cut-off of 0.35 IU/mL to determine QFT positivity was applied. Results: A total of 131 pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients were included based on the criteria for screening TB contacts in the National Tuberculosis Control Program. Seventy-five (57.2%) students tested smear positive. TST were performed on 7,109 students who were classmates of, or in the same grade as, a TB patient. Of the contacts, 1,231 students (17.3%) were TST positive and they were screened with QFT. Six hundred-sixty-six (55.0%) of the tested students returned a positive QFT result and the rate of positivity was significantly associated with the increasing size of TST indurations (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The use of QFT resulted in approximately 45% of TST positive students not being given chemoprophylaxis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.394-405
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• 2016

Objectives: The survival outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs have not been systematically evaluated at the state level in India. This retrospective study assessed the survival rates and factors associated with survival among adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: The present study used data from 139 679 HIV patients aged ${\geq}15$ years on ART who were registered from 2007 to 2011 and were followed up through December 2013. The primary end point was death of the patient. Mortality densities (per 1000 person-years) were calculated. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression models were used to estimate survival and explore the factors associated with survival. Results: The overall median follow-up time was 16.0 months (2.0 months for the deceased and 14.0 months for those lost to follow-up). Approximately 13.2% of those newly initiated on ART died during follow-up. Of those deaths, 56% occurred in the first three months. The crude mortality rate was 80.9 per 1000 person-years at risk. The CD4 count (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR],4.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36 to 5.46 for < $100cells/mm^3$ vs. > $350cells/mm^3$), functional status (aHR, 3.05; 95% CI, 2.82 to 3.30 for bedridden vs. normal), and body weight (aHR, 3.69; 95% CI, 3.42 to 3.97 for <45 kg vs. >60 kg) were strongly associated with the survival of HIV patients. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that high mortality was observed within the first three months of ART initiation. Patients with poor baseline clinical characteristics had a higher risk of mortality. Expanded testing and counseling should be encouraged, with the goal of ensuring early enrollment into the program followed by the initiation of ART in HIV-infected patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.63-83
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• 2008

Objectives: This study was to examine HIV/AIDS knowledge of transmission, attitudes toward homosexuals on stigma of HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes towards person with HIV/AIDS (PWHAs) by middle and high school students in Seoul, Korea. Methods: The population of this study is middle and high school students in Seoul, Korea. Eight junior high schools and eight senior high schools were selected randomly. Three thousand and one hundred thirty-one students (1704 males and 1397 males) from 16 schools participated in the survey, and 2.977 cases were analyzed. A self-administered questionnaire measuring socio-demographic variables, HIV/AIDS knowledge of transmission, sigma of HIV/AIDS (3 items, 5-point Likert-type scale) and discriminatory attitudes PWHAs (5 items, 5-point Likert-type scale) was utilized. The Structural Equation Modeling was employed to investigate the research Model. Results: The empirical study shows that a number of statistical hypotheses are significant. The stigma and discriminatory attitudes PWHAs were significantly different by middle and high school students. The attitudes toward homosexuals and HIV/AIDS knowledge of transmission were important factors on stigma and discriminatory attitudes PWHAs. Socio-demographical variables such as sex was related to the stigma and discriminatory attitudes PWHAs. Conclusion: Therefore, it is important to design HIV prevention strategies that increase in positive attitudes towards PWHAs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2011

Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) appear to play an important role in the control and prevention of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The pp65 antigen is a structural protein, which has been defined as a potential target for effective immunity against HCMV infection. Incorporation of an 11 amino acid region of the HIV TAT protein transduction domain (Tat) into protein facilitates rapid, efficient entry into cells. Methods: To establish a strategy for the generation of HCMV-specific CTLs in vitro, recombinant truncated N- and C-terminal pp65 protein (pp65 N&C) and N- and C-terminal pp65 protein fused with Tat (Tat/pp65 N&C) was produced in E.coli system. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with pp65 N&C or Tat/pp65 N&C protein and immune responses induced was examined using IFN-${\gamma}$ ELISPOT assay, cytotoxicity assay and tetramer staining. Results: DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65N&C protein could induce higher T-cell responses in vitro compared with pp65N&C. Moreover, the DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C could stimulate both of $CD8^+$ and $CD4^+$ T-cell responses. The T cells induced by DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C showed higher cytotoxicity than that of pp65-pulsed DCs against autologous lymphoblastoid B-cell line (LCL) expressing the HCMV-pp65 antigen. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C protein effectively induced pp65-specific CTL in vitro. Tat fusion recombinant protein may be useful for the development of adoptive T-cell immunotherapy and DC-based vaccines.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.515-523
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• 2007

Purpose: The purposes of the study were to determine the effects of AIDS education which includes discussion on knowledge, prejudice, social interaction, and intention for AIDS prevention in college students. Method: A convenience sampling method was used to collect data, and 136 university students participated in the study. One group pretest-post test design was used and questionnaire for measuring knowledge about AIDS and attitude to AIDS were administered before and after 100 minutes of AIDS education, The education program consisted of a 50-minute lecture with video aids and 50 minutes of small group discussion. Means, SD, and paired t-test with the SPSS program were used to analyze the data. Results: There were significant increases in knowledge(p= .000) and social interaction(p= .002) after the education, but no significant changes in prejudice(p= .832) nor in intention for AIDS prevention(p= .074). Conclusion: AIDS education including discussion was found to be an effective method for improving knowledge and social interaction of college students. The results suggest that education which includes discussion sessions should be used with college students to improve social interaction with people who are HIV positive and enhance knowledge about AIDS.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.549-555
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• 1997

Usage of the rubber dam has been advocated by countless number of dentists. The advantages of the rubber dam such as the following are well-known 1. Moisture control. 2. Improved field of vision. 3. Ease of approach. 4. Soft tissue retraction and Injury prevention. 5. Prevention of aspiration of materials or instruments. 6. Shortened chair time. 7. Induction of nasal breathing during administration of $N_2O-O_2$ sedation. Recent reports indicate the rubber dam can protect the dental staffs from the infection when treating HBV or HIV positive patients. Also, improved moisture control and freeing of both hands allowed by the rubber dam makes it very useful when bonding orthodontic brackets. This case study presents the various clinical application of the rubber dam on patients visiting SNUDH dept. of pediatric dentistry to emphasize the importance of its use in pediatric dentistry.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1123-1127
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• 2016

Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for advanced and recurrent cervical cancer. To evaluate the survival outcomes of chemotherapy and the prognostic factors in this setting, we conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of advanced and recurrent cervical cancer patients treated with systemic chemotherapy at our institute between January, 2008 and December, 2014. One hundred and seventy-three patients met the criteria with a mean age of 50.9 years. 4.1% of them were HIV positive. The most common initial stage was stage IVB (30.1%) and the most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (68.6%). Ninety-two (53.2%) patients were previously treated with concurrent chemoradiation with 53% developing combined sites of recurrence. The median recurrence free interval was 16.7 months. Cisplatin + 5 fluorouracil (5FU) (53.2%) was the most frequent first line chemotherapy followed by carboplatin + paclitaxel (20.2%) with an objective response of 39.3%. Seventy-two patients received subsequent chemotherapy. The median overall survival of all studied patients was 13.2 months. Only a recurrence free interval of less than 12 months was an independent prognostic factor for survival outcome. In conclusion, chemotherapy treatment for advanced and recurrent cervical cancer patients showed modest efficacy with a shorter recurrence free survival less than 12 months as a significant poor prognosis factor.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 1998

Cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of life-threatening viral infection in HIV-infected patients. This study was done prospectively to investigate the incidence of CMV infection according to the decrease of CD4+ T cell count (CD4+) in Korean AIDS patients. Thirty-nine HIV-infected patients diagnosed before 1994 were followed for regular immunological monitoring. We have used urine shell vial method for the CMV detection from 1994 and have also checked clinical findings. Positive urine culture rate definitely depended on the CD4+ as follows; 45%, 22%, 17%, 11% and 0%, CD4+ <50, 50-100, 100-200, 200-500 and >500, respectively. Except culture positive 2 patients with CD4+ of $200{\sim}300/{\mu}l$, all eight culture positive patients with CD4+ less than $200/{\mu}l$ showed CMV related diseases on or before urine culture. But, we could not get a positive culture for a late AIDS patient with vision loss. With ganciclovir therapy, all culture results were at least negative just after or on late of first 14 days-ganciclovir infusion-course. These data suggest that the incidence of CMV disease in Korean AIDS patients is very high, and early diagnosis and treatment for CMV diseases is required for the prevention of life threatening results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.338-344
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to explore perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes about AIDS, and to analyze factors associated with social distance for people living with AIDS. Data was analyzed for 645 university students majoring in social work and nursing. The results show that AIDS was most frequently associated with the word sex. Secondly, participant knowledge about AIDS revealed common errors in the prevention and process of infection. Third, correlation between prejudice toward people living with AIDS and social minorities was statistically significant. Finally using hierarchical regression analysis, among factors affecting the social distance for people living with AIDS, only the prejudice toward people living with AIDS remained statistically significant. R Square of the entire model was adjusted to 0.390. In conclusion, the results of this study are expected to influence college education and program development.