• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.272-281
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• 2020

Environmental agents, including viral and bacterial infectious agents, are involved in the alteration of physicochemical and biological parameters in the nasal epithelium. Hyaluronan (HA) has an important role in the regulation of tissue healing properties. High molecular weight HA (HMW-HA) shows greater anti-inflammatory responses than medium molecular weight HA (MMW-HA) and low molecular weight HA (LMW-HA). We investigated the effect of HMW-HA, MMW-HA and LMW-HA on the regulation of physicochemical and biological parameters in an "in vitro" model that might mimic viral infections of the nasal epithelium. Human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI2650 was stimulated with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) Poly(I:C) for 5 days in air-liquid-interface (ALI) culture (3D model of airway tissue). dsRNA Poly(I:C) treatment significantly decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in the stratified nasal epithelium of RPMI2650 and increased pH values, rheological parameters (elastic G' and viscous G''), and Muc5AC and Muc5B production in the apical wash of ALI culture of RPMI2650 in comparison to untreated cells. RPMI2650 treated with dsRNA Poly(I:C) in the presence of HMW-HA showed lower pH values, Muc5AC and Muc5B production, and rheological parameters, as well as increased TEER values in ALI culture, compared to cells treated with Poly(I:C) alone or pretreated with LMW-HA and MMW-HA. Our 3D "in vitro" model of epithelium suggests that HMW-HA might be a coadjuvant in the pharmacological treatment of viral infections, allowing for the control of some physicochemical and biological properties affecting the epithelial barrier of the nose during infection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.231-233
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• 2001

Atrophic rhinitis is characterized by mucosal atrophy, bony absorption, persistent fetid odor and resistance to medical and surgical treatment. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) can be used as a therapeutic modality by improving the regional blood flow through sympathetic blockade. We present a case of a 57 year-old male patient who had been treated unsuccessully for atrophic rhinitis for several years by surgical and conservative measures. The patient presented at our pain clinic with shoulder pain and received stellate ganglion block once or twice a week. He received more than 75 SGBs in addition to the routine conservative treatment for atrophic rhinitis. As the number of blocks performed increased, the patient demonstrated subjective symptom relief. We measured regional mucosal blood flow using a laser doppler flowmeter after the 28th, 63rd and 75th blocks. Nasal mucosal blood flow was improved by 4.9%, 28.8% and 36.3% respectively. We also were able to observe the recovery of mucosal atrophy to an almost normal level by nasal endoscopy. The patient is currently free of symptoms and is being followed up on an outpatient bases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.872-879
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• 2010

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children is a frequent disease for which optimal diagnostic methods are still being defined. Treatment of OSA in children should include providing space, improving craniofacial growth, resolving all symptoms, and preventing the development of the disease in the adult years. Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) has been the treatment of choice and thought to solve young patient's OSA problem, which is not the case for most adults. Recent reports showed success rates that vary from 27.2% to 82.9%. Children snoring regularly generally have a narrow maxilla compared to children who do not snore. The impairment of nasal breathing with increased nasal resistance has a well-documented negative impact on early childhood maxilla-mandibular development, making the upper airway smaller and might lead to adult OSA. Surgery in young children should be performed as early as possible to prevent the resulting morphologic changes and neurobehavioral, cardiovascular, endocrine, and metabolic complications. Close postoperative follow-up to monitor for residual disease is equally important. As the proportion of obese children has been increasing recently, parents should be informed about the weight gain after T&A. Multidisciplinary evaluation of the anatomic abnormalities in children with OSA leads to better overall treatment outcome.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.474-476
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• 2018

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Z0117SE0041 was isolated from nasal mucosa of human who raised companion dog. The complete genome of strain Z0117SE0041 consists of a 2.5 Mb chromosome and three circular plasmids with about 47, 36, and 11 kb in size, respectively. Since strain Z0117SE0041 raises concerns due to its potential to cause a disease and disseminate antibiotic resistance, further genome analysis is required in detail.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.13
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• 2021

Background: Klebsiella spp. is an important conditional pathogen in humans and animals. However, due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, the incidence of antimicrobial resistance has increased. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate antimicrobial resistance in strains of Klebsiella strains and the phylogenetic relatedness of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistance among Klebsiella strains isolated from clinically ill companion animals. Methods: A total of 336 clinical specimens were collected from animal hospitals. Identification of Klebsiella species, determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations, detection of ESC resistance genes, polymerase chain reaction-based replicon typing of plasmids by conjugation, and multilocus sequence typing were performed. Results: Forty-three Klebsiella strains were isolated and, subsequently, 28 were identified as K. pneumoniae, 11 as K. oxytoca, and 4 as K. aerogenes. Eleven strains were isolated from feces, followed by 10 from ear, 7 from the nasal cavity, 6 from urine, 5 from genitals, and 4 from skin. Klebsiella isolates showed more than 40% resistance to penicillin, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone, and aminoglycoside. ESCresistance genes, CTX-M groups (CTX-M-3, CTX-M-15, and CTX-M-65), and AmpC (CMY-2 and DHA-1) were most common in the K. pneumoniae strains. Some K. pneumoniae carrying CTX-M or AmpC were transferred via IncFII plasmids. Two sequence types, ST709 and ST307, from K. pneumoniae were most common. Conclusions: In conclusion, this is the first report on the prevalence, ESCresistance genotypes, and sequence types of Klebsiella strains isolated from clinically ill companion animals. The combination of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance by Klebsiella in companion animals suggest that, in clinical veterinary, antibiotic selection should be made carefully and in conjunction with the disease diagnosis.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.63-66
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• 2011

It has been controversial whether upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a distinct syndrome or not since it was reported in 1993. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders classified UARS under obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in 2005. UARS can be diagnosed when the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is fewer than 5 events per hour, the simultaneously calculated respiratory disturbance index (RDI) is more than 5 events per hour due to abnormal non-apneic non-hypopneic respiratory events accompanying respiratory effort related arousals (RERAs), and oxygen saturation is greater than 92% at termination of an abnormal breathing event. Although esophageal pressure measurement remains the gold standard for detecting subtle breathing abnormality other than hypopnea and apnea, nasal pressure transducer has been most commonly used. RERAs include phase A2 of cyclical alternating patterns (CAPs) associated with EEG changes. Symptoms of OSAS can overlap with UARS, but chronic insomnia tends to be more common in UARS than in OSAS and clinical symptoms similar with functional somatic syndrome are also more common in UARS. In this journal, diagnostic and clinical differences between UARS and OSAS are reviewed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2020

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and causes skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). The present study examined the antimicrobial resistance patterns and molecular epidemiological characteristics of MRSA isolated from nasal swabs in clinical patients. SCCmec type of MRSA isolates from clinical patients were analyzed: 24 cases were SCCmec type-II; two cases were type-II/IVa; one case was type-II/V; one case was type-IVa; 11 cases were not-typeable. The mec complex type of MRSA isolates from clinical patients were analyzed: 29 cases were mec complex type A, and 10 cases were not-typeable, but type B was not found in the present study. In conclusion, SCCmec type-II and mec complex type A were the most dominant MRSA subtypes among the MRSA isolates from a nasal swab of patients, and the results were similar to other studies on hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA). These results can not only provide basic data for hospital infection management but also be a good guideline for MRSA infections in the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 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
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2008

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common organism associated with nosocomial infections. MRSA infections are becoming increasing important because they have emerged no only as healthcare-associated (HA) infections but also as community-associated (CA) ones. This study examined the moleculo-epidemiology of MRSA, which was isolated from nasal swabs in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Konyang University Hospital. MRSA are classified into HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA. Methods: From June to September 2006, 353 patients who were admitted to the ICU in Konyang University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Single nasal swabs were obtained for culture in the ICU on the 1st day. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and the antimicrobial resistant patterns were analyzed between HA- and CA-MRSA. An antimicrobial sensitivity test was also performed. Results: Forty two strains of MRSA were isolated from 353 patients (11.9%). Among the 42 isolates, HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA were found in 33 (78.6%), and 9 (21.4%), respectively. Eleven different PFGE types (type A to K) were identified. Types A (n=9) and B (n=7) were the most common for HA-MRSA, and types A (n=2) and B (n=2) were identified in CA-MRSA. The proportion of types A and B in CA-MRSA (44.4%) was similar to that in HA-MRSA (48.5%). The rates of resistance rates to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were higher in HA-MRSA than in CA-MRSA. Conclusion: The rate of isolation of MRSA in an ICU setting was 11.9%. HA-MRSA was isolated more frequently than CA-MRSA. The rate of resistance of HA-MRSA to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin was higher than that of CA-MRSA. Despite the small number of subjects, the main isolates (type A and B) of CA-MRSA were similar to those of HA-MRSA.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.97-110
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• 2011

Rhinitis, inflammation of the nasal cavity caused by the disease in our country that a recent trend is the rapidly increasing number of patients. It causes multiple complications and interfere with daily life and social life in case of being viewed as a mild cold. The rhinitis treatment for symptomatic therapy in modern medicine is staying because the situation is exposing the limitations. so traditional medicine is trying to find a solution but that is not easy. In modern medicine, rhinitis is defined as a set of histological lesions and clinical symptoms, but traditional medicine has developed in dealing with each symptoms in disease. The treatment that doesn't distinguish any treatment in growing numbers of patients does not seem to validate, because doctors treat without considering the difference of recognition. Looking at the symptoms for each, I found that each symptoms and causes are varied according to doctors and era. In spite of considering all of that in treatment, it was ignored or underestimated in modern medicine. Furthermore, in traditional medicine, they just conjugated certain period theory and only had limited treatment by a lack of integrated awareness about definition and mechanism. In addition, in case of mentioning about the causes of prescription in each medical books, there were not enough explain about pathological states. Therefore, these causes should be made to further the research about the validity, pathogenesis and treatment. We can see that theory could be established and modified by the accumulation of clinical experience, observations through classification by each of the causes, prescription and treatment. In traditional medicine simply does not pay attention only to nasal inflammation, such as the impact of Meridian and organs considered to have focused on the fundamental treatment. This increased immune resistance to the modern rhinitis patients may offer new therapeutic approaches. I hope this paper would be helpful to find the treatment with uncovered theory in modern medicine.