• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.45-49
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate anti-inflammatory activity using various extracts of rice straw (DaoCao) extract (RS).Methods : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of RS, we examined the effect of RS on cytokines production on THP-1 cell. Cells were cultured in incubator (37℃, CO₂5%, 0.5% FBS-RPMI, 1X10⁶cells/ml). One hour after,Dermatophagoides pteronissinus(Dp., 10 ug/ml) was treated into cell and at 6 hour after, each different concentrations(0.1, 1 and 10 ug/ml) of RS were treated. The cells were incubated for 16 hours and harvest the supernatant. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-αwere determined using a commercially available ELISA kit.Results : We investigated whether RS has the inhibition of inflammatory response in Jurkat cells and THP-1 cells. RS suppressed secretion of IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-αinduced by house dust mites in Jurkat cells. It showed significant effects for all concentrations. RS suppressed the increased expression of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 after treatment with mite in THP-1 cells. These results suggest that RS may be used as a valuable agent for treating allergic diseases such as atopy due to its anti-inflammatory property.Conclusions : RS showed significant biological activities with anti-inflammatory in the human T cells. These results suggest that RS may be used as a valuable agent for treating allergic diseases such as atopy due to its anti-inflammatory property. In terms of Korean traditional medicine, we expect the results to contribute to building of EBM (Evidence-Based Medicine).

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.202-209
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• 2023

Lophomonas blattarum is an anaerobic protozoan living in the intestine of cockroaches and house dust mites, with ultramicroscopic characteristics such as the presence of a parabasal body, axial filament, and absence of mitochondria. More than 200 cases of Lophomonas infection of the respiratory tract have been reported worldwide. However, the current diagnosis of such infection depends only on light microscopic morphological findings from respiratory secretions. In this study, we attempted to provide more robust evidence of protozoal infection in an immunocompromised patient with atypical pneumonia, positive for Lophomonas-like protozoal cell forms. A direct search of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and metagenomic next-generation sequencing did not prove the presence of protozoal infection. PCR results were not validated with sufficient rigor, while de novo assembly and taxonomic classification results did not confirm the presence of an unidentified pathogen. The TEM results implied that such protozoal forms in light microscopy are actually non-detached ciliated epithelial cells. After ruling out infectious causes, the patient's final diagnosis was drug-induced pneumonitis. These findings underscore the lack of validation in the previously utilized diagnostic methods, and more evidence in the presence of L. blattarum is required to further prove its pathogenicity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.291-301
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• 2024

Background: Based on rapid industrial development, environmental pollution has emerged as a social problem and exposure to environmental diseases is increasing. The number of patients suffering environmental diseases in Daejeon Metropolitan City is also steadily increasing, and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis there is the highest in the country. Objectives: In order to minimize exposure to harmful factors for the prevention and management of environmental diseases, an environmental disease management system suitable for the environmental characteristics of each region is needed. Basic preliminary research should be conducted to identify environmental hazards in Daejeon Metropolitan City and establish a management system. Methods: Among the households (about 50 people) participating in the 2022 Indoor Environment Remote Measurement (IoT) program, households (children aged 5 or older and adults) with insufficient results for indoor air quality measurement and symptoms related to environmental diseases were selected. The subjects were tested for living conditions, blood tests, biomarker analysis (immunoglobulin E, Eosinophil count, histamine) and multiple allergy antigen tests (MAST, 93 types). Results: Participants were 53.7% female and 46.3% male, and the average age showed an even age distribution. IgE and eosinophil count were positively correlated, and significant results were found for atopic dermatitis and IgE (p<0.05). Typical risk factors observed in the survey was the amount of indoor ventilation, chemical exposure, heredity, house dust mites, fungi, and food. Conclusions: The purpose of this study was to help establish a regional management system for environmental diseases, research and diagnosis of environmental diseases. This study is meaningful in that it is a study with customized consulting suitable for the environment of Daejeon Metropolitan City. If the limitations are addressed and continuous research is conducted, it will be helpful for the management, diagnosis, and research of environmental diseases.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.659-667
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Sensitization to staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) could contribute to asthma severity. However, its relevance with eosinophilic phenotype has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate associations between serum specific IgE levels to SAg and eosinophilic airway inflammation in adult asthmatics. Methods: The serum specific IgE levels to 3 SAgs, including staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and B (SEB), and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were measured by ImmunoCAP in 230 adult asthmatic patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters, including serum total/free IgE, and 2 eosinophil-activation markers, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), were analyzed according to blood eosinophil counts (BEC; 150 cells/µL) and serum specific IgE levels to 3 SAgs (0.35 kU/L). Results: Asthmatic patients showed higher serum specific IgE levels to 3 SAgs than HCs (p < 0.05 for all). The serum total/free IgE levels were significantly higher in asthmatics with positive IgE responses to 3 SAgs than those without (p < 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in clinical parameters including age, asthma severity, comorbidities, or smoking according to IgE responses to 3 SAgs. Patients with positive IgE responses to SEB (not to SEA/TSST-1) had higher serum specific IgE levels to house dust mites and ECP/EDN as well as higher BEC with positive correlations between serum SEB-specific IgE levels and BEC/ECP/EDN (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: These findings suggest that serum SEB-specific IgE levels could contribute to eosinophil activation as well as IgE production in adult asthma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1666-1671
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• 2008

The mite-control activities of materials obtained from Pelargonium graveolens oil against Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus were examined using an impregnated fabric disk bioassay and were compared with those shown by commercial benzyl benzoate and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Purification of the biologically active constituents from P. graveolens oil was done by silica gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the active components were analyzed by EI/MS, $^{1}H$-NMR, $^{13}C$-NMR, $^{1}H-^{13}C$ COSY-NMR, and DEPT-NMR spectra, and were identified as geraniol ($C_{10}H_{18}O$, MW 154.25, trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-l-ol) and $\beta$-citronellol ($C_{10}H_{20}O$, MW 156.27, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-l-o1). Based on the $LD_{50}$ values, the most toxic compound was geraniol (0.26${\mu}g/cm^{2}$), followed by $\beta$-citronellol (0.28${\mu}g/cm^{2}$), benzyl benzoate (10.03${\mu}g/cm^{2}$), and DEET (37.12${\mu}g/cm^{2}$) against D. farillae. In the case of D. pteronyssinus, geraniol (0.28${\mu}g/cm^{2}$) was the most toxic, followed by $\beta$-citronellol (0.29${\mu}g/cm^{2}$), benzyl benzoate (9.58${\mu}g/cm^{2}$), and DEET (18.23${\mu}g/cm^{2}$). These results suggest that D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus may be controlled more effectively by the application of geraniol and $\beta$-citronellol than benzyl benzoate and DEET. Furthermore, geraniol and $\beta$-citronellol isolated from P. graveolens could be useful for managing populations of D. farinae and D. pterollyssinus.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.230-236
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• 2015

Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP) is one of the house dust mites (HDM) associated with allergic diseases. The cysteine protease Der p 1 from DP is a powerful allergen. The pathogenic mechanism of allergy is involved in cytokine secretion of lymphocytes and spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils. In this study, we investigated whether Der p 1 induces cytokine secretion of lymphocytes and if the release of cytokines is associated with regulation of neutrophil apoptosis. In normal and allergic subjects, Der p 1 increased IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and GM-CSF release in a time-dependent course. Supernatants collected from normal and allergic neutrophils after Der p 1 stimulation suppressed the apoptosis of normal and allergic neutrophils, although Der p 1 alone has no effect on neutrophils. Der p 1 suppressed neutrophil apoptosis in coculture of normal neutrophils with normal lymphocytes. Der p 1 more strongly suppressed apoptosis of allergic neutrophils cocultured with allergic lymphocytes than normal neutrophils cocultured with normal lymphocytes. In summary, Der p 1 increases the secretion of cytokines, which has anti-apoptotic effects on neutrophils of normal and allergic subjects. These results will contribute to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.239-247
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• 1992

A clinical analysis was done on 134 cases with bronchial asthma who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics Yeungnam University from May 1987 to October 1991. The results were as followings; 1) The peak age of bronchial asthma was under 2 years. The sex ratio of male to female was 2.9 : 1. 2) The out-break of bronchial asthma was most common in fall, especially in September. 3) The past history of other allergic diseases were present in 22.4% of patients(30/134 cases), and the previous bronchiolitis in infancy were experienced in 12.7% of patients(17/134 cases). 4) According to the skin test for allergens done by RAST, the most common allergens were Mites and House dust. 5) Eosinophilia(T.E.C>250/min) was found in 29.1% of patients, and elevated IgE level(>200 $IU/m{\ell}$) was found in 63.2% of patients. 6) No significant differences in the serum IgE level were found between male and female patients. No significant differences in the serum IgE level were found between asthma patients with and without other allergic diseases. 7) The serum IgE level of school aged patients was significant higher than that of preschool aged(p<0.01).