• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.18-27
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• 2016

Background: It is not clear whether ginseng affects cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced desirable immunosuppressive action. In this study, we evaluated the immunological influence of combined treatment of ginseng with CsA. Methods: Using CD4+ T cells from mouse spleens stimulated with the T cell receptor (TCR) or allogeneic antigen-presenting cells (APCs), we examined the differentiation of naïve T cells into T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and their cytokine production during treatment by Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) and/or CsA. The influence of KRGE on the allogeneic T cell response was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). We also evaluated whether signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT5 are implicated in this regulation. Results: Under TCR stimulation, KRGE treatment did not affect the population of CD4+interferon gamma ($IFN{\gamma}$)+ and CD4+interleukin (IL)-4+ cells and their cytokine production compared with CsA alone. Under the Th17-polarizing condition, KRGE significantly reduced the number of CD4+IL-17+ cells and CD4+/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3)+ cells, but increased the number of CD4+CD25+forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ cells and CD4+/p-STAT5+ cells compared with CsA alone. In allogeneic APCs-stimulated CD4+ T cells, KRGE significantly decreased total allogeneic T cell proliferation. Consistent with the effects of TCR stimulation, KRGE reduced the number of CD4+IL-17+ cells and increased the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells under the Th17-polarizing condition. Conclusion: KRGE has immunological benefits through the reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells during CsA-induced immunosuppression.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제75권1호
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• pp.28-31
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• 2013

Methotrexate (MTX) has been established as a standard disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. If adequate disease control is achieved for a reasonable period of time, tapering the MTX dosage is recommended because the chronic use of MTX can result in opportunistic infection. We present here a case of a woman with rheumatoid arthritis taking MTX, and the woman developed actively caseating endobronchial Mycobacterium intracellulare disease with pulmonary infiltrations. After discontinuing the MTX, the patient was able to tolerate 18 months of antimycobacterial treatment without flare ups of rheumatoid arthritis, and she completely recovered from nontuberculous mycobacterial respiratory disease.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.229-239
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• 2006

Sj$\"{o}$gren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the salivary glands, leading to xerostomia, and the lacrimal glands, resulting in xerophthalmia. Secondary SS is associated with other autoimmune disorders such as systemic rheumatic diseases and systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), which can affect multiple organs, including the epidermis. Recent studies have demonstrated that green tea polyphenols (GTPs) possess both anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in normal human cells. Epidemiological evidence has indicated that, in comparison to the United States, the incidence of SS, clinical xerostomia and lupus is considerably lower in China and Japan, the two leading green tea-consuming countries. Thus, GTPs might be responsible, in part, for geographical differences in the incidence of xerostomia by reducing the initiation or severity of SS and lupus. Consistent with this, molecular, cellular and animal studies indicate that GTPs could provide protective effects against autoimmune reactions in salivary glands and skin. Therefore, salivary tissues and epidermal keratinocytes could be primary targets for novel therapies using GTPs. This review article evaluates the currently available research data on GTPs, focusing on their potential application in the treatment of the oral manifestations of SS and skin manifestations of SLE.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.89-96
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to assess the pain-relieving effect of iontophoretically applied prednisolone on the patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. 30 TMJ pain patients participated in this study. Inclusion criteria for subject selection were 1) tenderness of TMJ on palpation and 2) visual analog scales (VAS) of above 20 mm. The patients with polyarthralgia, rheumatic arthralgia, and systemic diseases were excluded for this experiment. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups; (1) Group 1 for administration of 2% prednisolone, (2) Group 2 for administration of 1% prednisolone, and (3) Group 3 for administration of saline. Phoresor PM600(Motion Control Utah, U.S.A) was used for administration of drugs by iontophoresis. Baseline and post-medication pain levels were recorded by VAS, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and palpation index (PI). Post-medication data were compared with baseline data for each group. The results were as follows : 1. All the groups showed significant decrease of VAS scores after treatment. 2. PPT was significantly increase only in Group 1 and 2 not in Group 3. 3. PI was significantly decreased only in Group 1 and 2 not in group 3.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.180-185
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• 1995

1. Purpose The accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of group A streptococcus should be emphasized concerning about possible development of late sequelae, such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. We would like to know the recover rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci by throat swab culture at the in-patient 2. Methods The throat swab cultures and filled up flow-sheets were undertaken on 619 children who had admitted to hospital, KyungHee university hospital from may 1994 to april 1995 prospectively. At the same time on admission, throat culture was performed. 3. Results The highest recover rate of BHS(Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci)and GAS(Group A Streptococci) were seen in above 10 years old, as 9.1% and 1.9%. BHS were obtained in 39 cases(6.3%) among 619 children while GAS was obtained in 3 cases (0.4%). Among 39 specimens of BHS, 33 specimens were classified as non-grouping streptococcus. 4. Conclusion The poor recovery rate of GAS inpatient compared with normal carrier rate is likely due to possible antibiotic abuse, errors in processing samples, and epidemiologic factors such as seasons and geographic areas. It is necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of non-A,B,C,G streptococcal infections and carriers.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.55-59
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• 1999

Nitric oxide synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been implicated as a mediator of inflammation in rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. The effects of higenamine, a tetrahydroisoquinoline compound, on induction of NOS by bacterial lipopolysaccaride (LPS) were examined in murine peritoneal macrophages. LPS-induced nitrite/nitrate production was markedly inhibited by higenamine which at 0.01 mM, decreased nitrite/nitrate levels by $48.7{\pm}4.4%$This was comparable to the inhibition of LPS-induced nitrite/nitrate production by tetrandrin ($49.51{\pm}2.02%$). at the same concentration. Northern and Western blot analysis of iNOS expression demonstrated that iNOS expression was significantly attenuated following co-incubation of peritoneal macrophages with LPS (10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/m;; 18hrs) and higenamine (0.001, 0.,01 mM; 18hrs). These results suggest that higenamine can inhibit LPS-induced expression of iNOS mRNA in murine peritoneal macrophages. The clinical implications of these findings remain to be established.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.107-107
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• 2022

Scrophularia koraiensis Nakai is widely used to remedy fever, edema, and neuritis. S. koraiensis has harpagoside and angoroside C, these compounds have been reported to alleviate inflammation, rheumatic diseases, and analgesic stimulation. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of S. koraiensis (SKE) in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced macrophages. At cellular levels, SKE decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO), the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cytokines (IL-1b, TNF-a, and IL-6) under the LPS stimulation. SKE inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and its inhibitor (IκB-α). In addition, SKE suppressed the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In conclusion, SKE could be considered a potential resource for attenuating inflammation response and it may be utilized in the material for cosmetics, food additives, and tea.

• Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.192-202
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• 2017

Objective. Rebampide is a gastroprotective agent used to treat gastritis. It possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effects, but the mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. The objective of this study was to explore mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of rebamipide in inflammatory arthritis. Methods. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in DBA/1J mice. DBA/1J mice were immunized with chicken type II collagen, then treated intraperitoneally with rebamipide (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) or vehicle (10% carboxymethylcellulose solution) alone. Seven weeks later, plasma samples were collected. Plasma metabolic profiles were analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabolomics study and metabolite biomarkers were identified through multivariate data analysis. Results. Low dose rebamipide treatment reduced the clinical arthritis score compared with vehicle treatment, whereas high dose rebamipide in CIA aggravated arthritis severity. Based on multivariate analysis, 17 metabolites were identified. The plasma levels of metabolites associated with fatty acids and phospholipid metabolism were significantly lower with rebamipide treatment than with vehicle. The levels of $15-deoxy-^{{\Delta}12,14}$ prostaglandin J2 and thromboxane B3 decreased only in high dose-treated groups. Certain peptide molecules, including enterostatin (VPDPR) enterostatin and bradykinin dramatically increased in rebamipide-treated groups at both doses. Additionally, corticosterone increased in the low dose-treated group and decreased in the high dose-treated group. Conclusion. Metabolomics analysis revealed the anti-inflammatory effects of rebamipide and suggested the potential of the drug repositioning in metabolism- and lipid-associated diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.139-146
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• 1983

Between 1974 and 1982, 31 patients from 7 to 15 years of age have undergone valve replacement for their acuqired cardiac valvular diseases at Seoul National University Hospital. Furteen patients (45.2%) had a definite history of rheumatic fever and only 4 patients (12.9%) had atrial fibrillation on their preoperative electrocardiograms. Characteristically, the valvular lesions were ones of insufficiency with or without associated stenosis in all patients except only one whose mitral valve was tightly stenotic. Thrity-seven valves were replaced in 31 patietns including a case of successful replacement of his failed xenogragt mitral valve : 4 mechanical valves were used in 3 patients and 33 xenograft valves were used in the remaining 28 patients. The size of the valves were not the major problem at the time of opertion because most of the patients had a dilated heart from disease. There were 3 diaths within 30 days of surgery (9.7% operative mortality rate) and 3 late deaths (9.7% late mortality rate) with an overall mortality rate of 19.4%. Twenty-eight early survivors were followed up for a total of 488 patient-months. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 5 patients with 2 deaths: cmbolic rate of 17.9% or the actuarial embolic incidence of 12.29%/patients-year. four xenograft tissue valves in 4 patients had failed during the period from 19 to 41 months of surgery with an overall valve failure rate of xenograft of 14.3% or the actuarial incidence of 9.84% failure/patient-year. One of these 4 patients had required replacement of his failed mitral xenograft valve which had severe calcification and tissue disruption with primary tissue failure rate of 3.6% or the actuarial incidence of 3.13% failure/patient-year. The actuarial survial including the operative morality was 50.0% at 5 years of surgery. /the actuarial incidence free from thromboembolism in bioprosthetic group was 85.4% at 42 months, while it was 33.4% in mechanicial group at 60 months after operation. The actuarial incidence free from overall valve failur of 100.0% until 18 months after surgery was followed by a rapid decrease during the next 2-year period, and it was only 17.8% at the follow-up end of 42 months after surgery. It was suggested that the major advantage of low thrombogenecity with xenograft valve should be balanced against the high incidence of accelerated valve failure when it is used in children whose age is younger than 15 years old. The possible role of recurrent rheumatic attacks to the early failure of xenograft tissue valve was also discussed.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.38-66
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• 1986

Based on the statistical data of FKMIS during five years from 1981 to 1985, the major findings of studying on the treatments of employee's modical insurance covered people were made as follows. 1. During five years, the total number of trratment case was increased 25.14% annually, and so doubled. The consultation rate was increased from 2.086 to 2.856, showng annual increase of 8.17% and total increase of 36.91%. In the cafe, of in-patient, the rate was from 0.056 to 0.602, . showing annual increase of 2.58%. And in out-patient, the rate was from, 2.030 to 2.794, showing annual increase of 8.31%. The male: female ratio of treatment case was changed from 1 : 1.1 to 1 : 1.2. 2. Case of chronic disease was on the increase .every year. The ratio of medical expenditure of that disease to the total medical expenditure was increased from 22.99% in 1984 to 25.0% in 1985. 3. As a whole, the consultation rate of circulatory disease was increased from 26.10 in 1981 to 46.53 in 1985, showing an nual increase of 15.55 %. The rate of in-patient was increased from 2.06 to 2.94, showing annual increase of 9.30%. The rate of out-patient wag from. 24.04 to 43.59, showing annual increase of 16.04%. 4. The duration (days) of circulatory disease in 1985 by types is as follows. In the case of in-patient, rheumatic fever rheumatic heart disease, (22. 67), ischaemic disease (17.39), cerebrovascular disease (17.18), disease of pulmonary circulation and other from of heart disease (15.82), hypertensive disease (13.18), other disease of circulatory disease(11.55). In the case of out-patient, visiting day (11.57 day) and medical expenditure per case (7,853 won) is lower than that of other diseases (4.39 day, 4,361 won). 5. Cases of circulatory chronic disease were two times as many as those of non-chronic disease. Incidence of the out-patient was shown higher than that of in-patient. In the case of duration per case, the chronic disease(12.92 days) was longer that of non-chronic disease (9.8 day). 6. The male: female ratio of chronic rheumatic heart disease is 34.56 : 65.44 (in-patient) and 34. 67 : 65.33 (out-patient). The consultation rate(case per 1,000 persons) was increased from 1.11 in 1983 to 1.30 in 1985, showing annual increase of 8.22 %. The duration, visiting day, was decreased slightly, but medication day wasincreased from 13.93 in 1983 to 16.72 in 1985, showing annual increase of 9.56%. 7. The male: female ratio of hypertensive disease (case) was 39.36 : 60.64(in-patient) and 40.67 : 59.33 (out-patient). The consultation rate was increased from 19.59 in 1983 to 25.36 in 1985, showing annual increase of 13.78%. Duration, visting day was decreased slightly, but medication day was increased from 11.82 in 1983 to 12.77 in 1985, showing annual increase of 3.94%. 8. The male： female ratio of chronic pulmonary-ischaemic heart disease (case) was 48.90 : 51.10 (in-patient) and 43.66 : 56.34 (out-patient). The consultation rate of chronic pulmonary-ischaemic heart disease was increase from 0.69 in 1983 to 1. 12 in 1985, showing annual increase of 27.40％. Duration, visiting day, was decreased from 2.67 in 1983 to 2.36 in 1985, and medication day was decreased from 0.69 in 1983 to 1.12 in 1985, showing annual decrease of 2.09%. 9. The male: female ratio of cerebrovascular disease (case) was 47.90 : 52.10 (in-patient) and 52.28 : 47.72 (out: patient). The consulatation rate was increased from 2.12 in 1983 to 2.89 in 1985, showing annual increase of 16.76%, Duration, visiting day, was decreased slightly, but medication day was increased from 12. 67 in 1983 to 13.85 in 1985, showing annual increase of 4.55%. 10. In case of artery and capillary disease, the male: female ratio of case was 61.80 : 38.20 (in-patient) and 51.77 : 48.23 (out-patient). But durntion, visiting day, was increased from 3.45 in 1983 to 3.60 in 1985, showing annual increase of 2.15 % and the medication day was increased from 10. 06 to 10.18, showing annual increase of 0.59%.