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

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 2023

Fine dust has emerged as seriously hazardrous particles, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, we have developed a natural complex extract consisted of Codonopsis lanceolata (Siebold & Zucc.) Trautv., Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer in the ratio of 3 : 5 : 2, which have a beneficial effect on respiratory system. In this study, simultaneous quantitative analysis of marker compounds, lobetyolin, platycodin D, and glycyrrhizic acid in the natural complex extract was developed and validated with high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector. The marker compounds were shown in a large linearity with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 1.000. The limit of detection (LOD) of lobetyolin, platycodin D and glycyrrhizic acid were 5.40 ㎍/mL, 3.94 ㎍/mL and 5.86 ㎍/mL, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of lobetyolin, platycodin D and glycyrrhizic acid were 16.36 ㎍/mL, 11.94 ㎍/mL and 17.75 ㎍/mL, respectively. The content analysis revealed that the amounts of lobetyolin, platycodin D, and glycyrrhizic acid were 0.039±0.013 mg/g, 0.337±0.048 mg/g, and 1.171±0.003 mg/g, respectively, in the natural complex extract. Therefore, these results could be used as basic data for the standardization and quality control of the natural complex extract.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.85 no.2
• /
• pp.185-194
• /
• 2022

Background: The Korea Interstitial Lung Disease Study Group has made a new nationwide idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) registry because the routine clinical practice has changed due to new guidelines and newly developed antifibrotic agents in the recent decade. The aim of this study was to describe recent clinical characteristics of Korean IPF patients. Methods: Both newly diagnosed and following IPF patients diagnosed after the previous registry in 2008 were enrolled. Survival analysis was only conducted for patients diagnosed with IPF after 2016 because antifibrotic agents started to be covered by medical insurance of Korea in October 2015. Results: A total of 2,139 patients were analyzed. Their mean age at diagnosis was 67.4±9.3 years. Of these patients, 76.1% were males, 71.0% were ever-smokers, 14.4% were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and 56.9% were at gender-age-physiology stage I. Occupational toxic material exposure was reported in 534 patients. The mean forced vital capacity was 74.6% and the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was 63.6%. Treatment with pirfenidone was increased over time: 62.4% of IPF patients were treated with pirfenidone initially. And 79.2% of patients were treated with antifiboritics for more than three months during the course of the disease since 2016. Old age, acute exacerbation, treatment without antifibrotics, and exposure to wood and stone dust were associated with higher mortality. Conclusion: In the recent Korean IPF registry, the percentage of IPF patients treated with antifibrotics was increased compared to that in the previous IPF registry. Old age, acute exacerbation, treatment without antifibrotics, and exposure to wood and stone dust were associated with higher mortality.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.145-149
• /
• 2022

Airborne fine dust (FD) particles smaller than 10 ㎛ in diameter (PM10) are one of the major causes of air pollution in East Asia, including Korea, and have become a major contributor to respiratory and skin problems. FD inordinately promotes the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response in macrophages, leading to cell damage and death. Rosa rugosa, a deciduous shrub of the Rosa genus, has been used in traditional East Asian herbal medicine to treat various illnesses. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of R. rugosa organ extracts on PM10-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Compared to non-treated RAW264.7 cells, treatment with 100 ㎍.ml^-1 PM10 resulted in increased nitric oxide (NO) production, similar to lipopolysaccharide treatment. Additionally, 100 ㎍/ml stem extract reduced NO production by more than 45% compared to mock treatment. Furthermore, PM10-induced expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, inducible NO synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 was significantly reduced by stem extract treatment, indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of the stem extract is mediated by the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators in PM10-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that the R. rugosa stem could be considered a natural remedy with a protective effect against inflammatory responses induced by harmful airborne dust.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.615-628
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Increasing levels of domestic fine dust (DFD) have emerged as a serious problem that threatens public health by causing chronic respiratory diseases and skin aging. The present study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Gryllus bimaculatus (the two-spotted cricket), which has recently attracted attention as an edible insect in South Korea, on DFD-induced aging and inflammation. Methods: To verify that DFD causes skin aging and investigate the anti-aging effect of an aqueous ethanolic-Gryllus bimaculatus extract (AE-GBE), human diploid fibroblasts (HDF) were treated with 100 ㎍/mL of European reference material (ERM)-CZ100 dust for 24 hrs in the presence or absence of 100 ㎍/ml AE-GBE. Aging and cellular toxicities were assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, DNA fragmentation, and β-galactosidase activity. The protein levels of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and collagen were measured by western blot, and the mRNA expressions of inflammation-related genes were assayed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Treatment with ERM-CZ100 induced an aged phenotype in HDF cells, as evidenced by increased ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, but cotreatment with AE-GBE significantly reduced these inductions. The mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, induced by ERM-CZ100 were also reduced by AE-GBE cotreatment, which also reduced COX2 expression. Moreover, ERM-CZ100-induced MMP-1 expression and reduced collagen type I expression were recovered by AE-GBE treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that AE-GBE is a potential treatment for domestic fine dust-induced skin inflammation and inflammaging.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2016.02a
• /
• pp.175.1-175.1
• /
• 2016

In recent, tract infections such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and a respiratory disease are increasing, giving rise to the atmospheric pollution, inflow of micro-size dust and side effect of humidifier disinfectant. In this context, the environment-friendly technology is required to eliminate airborne pathogens. We propose solution of the previous problems, making use of Radical Mist Generator (RMG). Existing technologies of air purification using a gas discharge produce harmful substances such as ozone, NOx, etc. However, the RMG uses a pure water as a plasma forming material. The RMG sprays the water mist, which contains reactive radicals to sterilize microorganisms. RMG is comprised of a power supply, plasma electrodes and a nozzle. In order to analyze the electrical characteristic and concentrations of reactive radicals, we employ an oscilloscope and a titration method. To test the sterilization effect of RMG, we used E.coli. We confirmed that E.coli was killed over 90%. Eventually, we expect that RMG can be promising tool for a purified system.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
• /
• v.11 no.1_2
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2006

Asthma and allergic rhinitis due to outdoor spider mites are major health problems worldwide. The sensitization route to spider mites has not yet been well elucidated. We examined the microstructure of faecal pellets and silk of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Black and white pellets of the two-spotted spider mites faeces contain a large amount of plant pigment waste products. Black faecal pellets are strawberry-shaped. White faecal pellets are silken threads. These pellets are likely to be the source of allergens of relevant mites because desiccated faeces particles probably disintegrate and become incorporated into dust particles more readily than whole bodies or encased internal organs. We conclude that the importance of spider mites in respiratory allergy needs emphasis.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.265-269
• /
• 2020

Korea has failed to respond to the Middle East respiratory syndrome of 2015 and the early phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of 2020. This is due to the structural problems of the Ministry of Health and Welfare that has been more increased manpower and budgets of the welfare part relative to those of the health part, and the ministers were appointed welfare experts, not health experts. In 21 (56.8%) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, the Ministry of Health operates independently, and these countries have been relatively well coping with COVID-19. The importance of the Korean health sector is increasing even further. Korea faces on the emerging infectious diseases, chronic infectious diseases such as tuberculosis that has been being a huge burden, and rapidly increasing non-communicable diseases, suicide and mental disorders, and some diseases due to fine dust and climate change. In addition, the rapid advancement of the aging society, the entry of an era of ultra-low fertility and low-economic growth, and the unification of the Korean peninsula are calling for a health policy reform. Therefore, the Ministry of Health should be established and systematically responsible for health policy, disease policy, medical policy, and medical security policy. Ministry of Health will be the control tower for K-Disease Control, K-Bio, and K-Health.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study is to analyze the safety issues with regard to architectural elements in housing. Causes of accidents and threats to health are reviewed for 'safety' aspects. Threats to health tend to draw more attention due to recent increase of SHS and its public perceptions. The majority of victims by accidents in residential houses are on juveniles aged under 14 in bathrooms and living rooms. Non-slip finish materials are recommended to floors for access and circulation and protective pads to furniture edges. Colored glass may increase the safety of the windows in the living room. Handles and non-slip mats will be a good addition for the safety. Human scale design of the kitchen system is mandatory and appropriate size of storages for hazardous equipment are to be provided. Passive air ventilation for better air quality by dwellers in residence is occasionally used whereas large-scale apartments provide mechanical ventilation to supplement the volume of fresh air. Since the internal air quality is proved one of the major causes of atopic and respiratory diseases, steady effort to achive better air quality utilizing appropriate materials, plants and equipment is mandatory. Frequent cleaning and the use of anti-fungus materials are necessary because House Dust Mites are believed to be one of main causes of such diseases.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.409-419
• /
• 2019

Although the rare earth elements (REEs) recycling industry is expected to increase worldwide in hightech industry, regulations for worker safety have yet to be established. This study was conducted to understand the potential hazard/risk of REE recycling and to support the establishment of regulations or standards. We review the extensive literature on the toxicology, occupational safety, and health issues, and epidemiological surveys related to the REEs, and propose suitable management measures. REE recycling has four key steps such as collection, dismantling, separation, and processing. In these processes, hazardous substances, such as REEs-containing dust, metals, and chemicals, were used or occurred, including the risk of ignition and explosion, and the workers can be easily exposed to them. In addition, skin irritation and toxicities for respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with the liver toxicity were reported; however, more supplementary data are needed, owing to incompleteness. Therefore, monitoring systems concerning health, environmental impacts, and safety need to be established, based on additional research studies. It is also necessary to develop innovative and environment-friendly recycling technologies, analytical methods, and biomarkers with government support. Through these efforts, the occupational safety and health status will be improved, along with the establishment of advanced REE recycling industry.