• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.31 no.7
• /
• pp.1174-1182
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status and the immunocompetence of elderly women residing in urban and rural areas. Dietary food records and anthropometric measurements were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune function of subjects was assessed by total and differential white blood cell(WBC) counts. Total B and T Lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flow-cytometer. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. Elderly women in rural area showed a relatively lower dietary intake of total energy, protein, and iron than did urban elderly women. Total WBC, neutrophil counts, eosinophil counts, and the percentage of neutrophils among total leukocytes were significantly higher in urban elderly women than in rural women. Although the numbers of lymphocytes were not significantly different, the percentage of Lymphocytes among total leukocytes as greater in rural elderly women than in urban. Both groups did not show any significant differences in numbers of T cell subsets and NK cells. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M levels were not significantly different between the two groups, but the numbers of subjects placed under the deficient range of immunoglobulins were greater in rural than in urban elderly women. from the present study, it could be suggested that poor nutritional intake may selectively affect the number of immune cells, thereby influencing the immunocompetence of elderly women. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) 1174-1182, 1998)

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
• /
• 2000.06a
• /
• pp.109-109
• /
• 2000

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.38-52
• /
• 2003

Seaweeds are large algae that grow in a saltwater or marine environment. There are over 400 species of seaweeds in the bay of Korea. Most seaweeds are divided into three groups according to their color : the green seaweeds(division Chlorophyta), the brown(Phanphyta) and the red(Rhodophyta), Seaweeds have been harvested for use as food, fertilizer, animal feed and medicines for thousands years. In the past decade, there has been increasing interest in using seaweeds for animal feedstuffs and feed supplements as their health qualities are becoming better known. In this review some perspectives on nutritional values and the role of functionality ingredients of various seaweeds will be also discussed. Ecklonia cava kjellman(EC), a perennial seaweed, is one of the main components of the marine forests along the East and South coasts of Korea. We conducted three experiments to evaluate the nutritional values of EC and the crude lectin extracted residues from EC(LEEC) and to investigate their dietary effects on productivity and immunocompetence in poultry. The crude protein content of EC was relatively low(about 10 ％) and its amino acids were poorly available. But, the results of our study suggested that EC can be used into broiler feed up to 3 ％ without any adverse effect, if its nutritional values are well evaluated prior to use. Similar results of dietary LECC up to 1.0 ％ level on egg production and egg quality have been obtained in layers. The concentrations of serum TNF-${\alpha}$ after Salmonella challenge were rapidly increased in accordance with the level of LEEC. These results indicated that LEEC can be used as a feed additives for enhancing of immunocompetence in poultry.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
• /
• 2004.05a
• /
• pp.176-176
• /
• 2004

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.779-788
• /
• 2013

This study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet on macrophage immunocompetence in C57BL/6 mice. C57BL/6 male mice (4 weeks aged, n=16) were divided into two groups. HD groups fed high-fat diet (45% of fat) and ND groups fed chow diet (10% of fat). Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from each mouse intra-peritoneal by sterile lavage method. Macrophage were stimulated with $1{\mu}g/ml$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hr. Body weight was significantly increased by high-fat diet. Macrophage phagocytosis of HD was significantly lower than that of ND. After 24 hr of LPS stimulation, NO, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ production of HD were significantly lower than those of ND. There were no significant differences in the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12 between HD and ND. These findings suggest that high fat diet-induced obesity is associated with decreased Immunocompetence and antigen-stimulated sensitivity of peritoneal macrophage, and lower production of NO, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ may contribute to these changes.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.54-58
• /
• 2020

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a gram-negative bacterium that can oxidize xylose. It is commonly found in contaminated soil and water but does not normally infect immunocompetent humans. We report a case of a cavitary lung lesion associated with community-acquired A. xylosoxidans infection, which mimicked pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer in an immunocompetent man. The patient was hospitalized due to hemoptysis, and chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a cavitary lesion in the superior segment of the left lower lobe. We performed bronchoscopy and bronchial washing, and subsequent bacterial cultures excluded pulmonary tuberculosis and identified A. xylosoxidans. We performed antibiotic sensitivity testing and treated the patient with a 6-week course of amoxicillin/clavulanate. After 2 months, follow-up chest CT revealed complete resolution of the cavitary lesion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.422-424
• /
• 2022

Pulmonary malakoplakia is a rare lung lesion more frequently found in immunocompromised patients than in immunocompetent individuals. In this study, we report the challenging case of a young immunocompetent patient with an irregular pulmonary nodule with peripheral cysts who, after undergoing surgery, was diagnosed with malakoplakia. Due to the rarity of the disease and the similarity of this condition to malignant neoplasms, cytopathological or histopathological examinations are necessary for the correct diagnosis. A description of pulmonary malakoplakia with peripheral cysts has not been previously published in the literature.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.75-79
• /
• 2017

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, which is rare in an immunocompetent patient, was encountered in a 67-year-old man who was admitted due to persistent diarrhea. The first diagnostic tool was colonoscopy, which showed multiple ulcers from cecum to rectum. The secondary tool was CMV polymerase chain reaction, and CMV colitis was diagnosed. Intravenous ganciclovir therapy was administered, which resulted in improvement of diarrhea and ulcers throughout the colon were healed. Asymptomatic colon perforation was detected during diagnostic testing, which improved over the conventional treatment. CMV colitis is rare in immunocompetent patients, but it is essential for the differential diagnosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.71 no.4
• /
• pp.291-295
• /
• 2011

Varicella, more commonly known as chickenpox, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is a common benign childhood illness. In adults, Varicella is uncommon but is more severely associated with complications including pneumonia, hepatitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, encephalitis and myocarditis. A serious and life-threatening complication is the development of varicella-zoster virus pneumonia (VZVP). Although VZVP is well described in immunocompromised hosts, it is rarely seen in immunocompetent adults. The VZVP in healthy adults is more prevalent in cigarette smokers and during pregnancy. However, reports of VZVP in healthy adults are scarce in Korea. The authors report here a case of VZVP in an immunocompetent adult and present a literature review.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.5
• /
• pp.400-404
• /
• 2008

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis (ATB), a variant of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, is characterized by extensive tracheobronchitis and pseudomembrane formation. ATB usually occurs in immunocompromised patients with a high fatality rate. We report a case of ATB in a previously healthy patient who responded well to antifungal therapy.