• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1210-1223
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• 2018

Background/Aims: The co-occurrence of obesity aggravates asthma symptoms. Diet-induced obesity increases helper T cell (TH) 17 cell differentiation in adipose tissue and the spleen. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor pravastatin can potentially be used to treat asthma in obese patients by inhibiting interleukin 17 (IL-17) expression. This study investigated the combined effects of pravastatin and anti-IL-17 antibody treatment on allergic inflammation in a mouse model of obesity-related asthma. Methods: High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity was induced in C57BL/6 mice with or without ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge. Mice were administered the anti-IL-17 antibody, pravastatin, or both, and pathophysiological and immunological responses were analyzed. Results: HFD exacerbated allergic airway inflammation in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of HFD-OVA mice as compared to OVA mice. Blockading of the IL-17 in the HFD-OVA mice decreased airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation compared to the HFD-OVA mice. Moreover, the administration of the anti-IL-17 antibody decreased the leptin/adiponectin ratio in the HFD-OVA but not the OVA mice. Co-administration of pravastatin and anti-IL-17 inhibited airway inflammation and AHR, decreased goblet cell numbers, and increased adipokine levels in obese asthmatic mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that the IL-17-leptin/adiponectin axis plays a key role in airway inflammation in obesity-related asthma. Our findings suggest a potential new treatment for IL-17 as a target that may benefit obesity-related asthma patients who respond poorly to typical asthma medications.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.631-640
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respiratory system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles. MATERIALS/METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce airway hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVA-specific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Airway responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee effectively attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects than caffeine.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.159-170
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• 2020

Purpose: Immunization with Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein 60 (PgHSP60) may have an immunoregulatory effect on atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether nasal immunization with a PgHSP60 peptide could reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice. Methods: Seven-week-old male ApoE KO mice were assigned to receive a normal diet, a Western diet, a Western diet and challenge with PgHSP60-derived peptide 14 (Pep14) or peptide 19 (Pep19), or a Western diet and immunization with Pep14 or Pep19 before challenge with Pep14 or Pep19. Results: Atherosclerotic plaques were significantly smaller in mice that received a Western diet with Pep14 nasal immunization than in mice that received a Western diet and no Pep14 immunization with or without Pep14 challenge. An immunoblot profile failed to detect serum reactivity to Pep14 in any of the study groups. Stimulation by either Pep14 or Pep19 strongly promoted the induction of CD4⁺CD25⁺ forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)⁺ human regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro. However, the expression of mouse splenic CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs was lower in the Pep14-immunized mice than in the Pep14-challenged or Pep19-immunized mice. Levels of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta were higher and levels of interleukin (IL) 10 were lower in the Pep14-immunized mice than in the other groups. Induction of CD25^- IL-17⁺ T helper 17 (Th17) cells was attenuated in the Pep14-immunized mice. Conclusions: Nasal immunization with Pep14 may be a mechanism for attenuating atherogenesis by promoting the secretion of IFN-γ and/or suppressing Th17-mediated immunity.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2002

A helper T(Th)1-mediated response is known to enhance cell -mediated immunity, while a Th2-mediated response is associated with the humoral immunity that if elevated IgE levels and eosinophilia. Prostaglandin (PG)E$_2$results in the decreased capability of Iymphocytes to produce Thl cytokines, with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been reported to impair the blastogenesis and response of T Iymphocytes. CPF also induces delayed febrile effects, which results from the activation of COX -PGE$_2$pathway. The purpose of this study is to determine the effort of CPF on the in vitro production of Th cytokines and the role of PGE$_2$on the CPF-induced production of Th cytokines. Splenocytes obtained from male BALB/c mice were pretreated with CPF(0.1, 1, 10 and 100$\mu$M) in the presence of absence of indomethacin or PGE$_2$for 12 h and then were incubated with concanavalin (Con) A for 48 h. These results showed that CPF remarkedly reduced the production of splenic interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ in a dose-dependent manner. CPF significantly increased the splenic IL-4 production at low doses (0.1 and 1$\mu$M) but did not affect at high doses (10 and 100 $\mu$M). Indomethacin reduced the CPF-decreased production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in a dose -dependent manner and significantly attenuated the production of IL-4 increased by CPF 0.1 $\mu$M. High dose of CPF significantly reduced the PGE$_2$-decreased production of IL-2 and IFN-γ, while the PGE$_2$- induced production of IL-4 was significantly enhanced by CPF 1 $\mu$M. These findings suggest that CPF nay down-regulate the immune response of Th 1 type by the suppressed production of IL-2 and IFN-γ, with a shift toward a Th2 cytokine response. The CPF-decreased production of Thl cytokines may not be mediated by endogenous PGE$_2$. Also, CPF may attenuate the exogenous PGE$_2$-decreased Th 1 immune response in a dose--dependent manner but may affect dose-independently the PGE$_2$-induced Th2 immune response.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.76.1-76
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• 2003

The coat protein (CP) of Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) is organized into 3 distinct domains, R domain (RNA-binding) connected by an arm, 5 domain and P domain. We have previously shown that the CP of TCV strongly suppresses RNA silencing, and have mapped N-terminal R domain of which is also the elicitor of resistance response in the Arabidopsis ecotype Di-17 carrying the HRT resistance gene. In order to map the region in the TCV CP that is responsible for silencing suppression, a series of CP mutants were constructed, transformed into Agrobacterium, coinfiltrated either with HC-Pro (the helper component proteinase of tobacco etch potyvirus) known as a suppressor of PTGS or GFP constructs into leaves of Nicotiana benthmiana expressing GFP transgenically. In the presence of HC-Pro, all CP mutants were well protected, accumulating mutant CP mRNAs and their proteins even 5 days post-infiltration (DPI). In the presence of GFP, some mutant constructs which showed the accumulation of CP mutants and GFP mRNAs at early stage but eventually degraded at 5 DPI. Only a mutant which carrying 4 amino acid deletion of R domain was tolerable to maintain suppressing activity, suggesting that the suppressing activity is not directly related with the eliciting activity. A transient assay also revealed that the mutants synthesized their proteins, suggesting that a full length of CP sequences and its intact structure are required to stabilize CP, which suppresses the RNA silencing.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.161-167
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• 2015

These commensal intestinal bacteria can enhance the immune system and aid in nutrient absorption but can also act as opportunistic pathogens. Among these intestinal bacteria, the anaerobic Bacteroides fragilis are divided into enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF) which secrete the B. fragilis toxin (BFT) and non-enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (NTBF) which do not secrete BFT. ETBF can cause diarrhea and colitis in both humans and livestock but can also be found in asymptomatic individuals. ETBF is predominantly found in patients with inflammatory diarrheal diseases and traveller's diarrhea. Several clinical studies have also reported an increased prevalence of ETBF in human patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colitis and colorectal cancer. In small animal models (C57BL/6 wild-type mice, germ-free mice, multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice, rabbits and Mongolian gerbils), ETBF have been found to initiate and/or aggravate IBD, colitis and colorectal cancer. BFT induces E-cadherin cleavage in intestinal epithelial cells resulting in loss of epithelial cell integrity. Subsequent activation of the ${\beta}$-catenin pathway leads to increased cellular proliferation. In addition, ETBF causes acute and chronic colitis in wild-type mice as well as enhances tumorigenesis in Min mice via activation of the Stat3/Th17 pathway. Currently, ETBF can be detected using a BFT toxin bioassay and by PCR. Advances in molecular biological techniques such as real-time PCR have allowed both researchers as well as clinicians to rapidly detect ETBF in clinical samples. The emergence of more sensitive techniques will likely advance molecular insight into the role of ETBF in colitis and cancer.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.2
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• pp.19-34
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to analysis level on family caregiver's burden for the elderly with chronic disease in a rural area and to choose priority care group, thereby facilitating the development of interventions to reduce the caregiver's burden. For this purpose, data were collected by questionaire from June 10 to October 8, 1994. The instruments for data collection were Caregiver Burden Inventory by Novak(1989) and Zarit et al(1982), severity of dementia by Hughes Scales(1982), ADL by Lawton(1971), patients' family caregiving activity by pre-survey and reference review(Lee, 1993 ; Jang, 1990 ; Yoo, 1982). The subjects were 213 family caregiver of elderly with chronic disease in a rural area. The data was analysed by the use of t-test, ANOVA, correlation and multiple regression. The results were as follows ; 1. Total burden was evaluated below average, the mean of family burden was 46.98. By the diagnostic classification, Hypertension was 27.37, DM 32.46, CVA 62.96, Dementia 61.24. 2. Significant variables which were correlated to the family caregiver's burden were the patient's disease diagnosis (F=33.82, p<0.001), severity of dementia(F=30.52, p<0.001), the status of disease management(F=11.53, p<0.001), ADL(F=10.54, p<0.001), PADL(F=7.50, p<0.001), income(F=7.17, p<0.001), caregiver's health status(F=24.53, p<0.001), a view of patient's prognosis (F=22.17, p<0.001), relationship with the patient(F=33.82, p<0.001), the number of hours per day spent on caregiving(F=77.52, p<0.001), level of intimacy of caregiver and patients(F=8.75, p<0.001), level of helping(F=4.90, p<0.01), the frequency of caregiving activity(F=3.80, p<0.01), the number of admission(F=5.54, p<0.01), the length of caregiving(F=4.43, p<0.01), other chronic patient in family(t=2.81, p<0.01), caregiver's job(F=3.11, p<0.01), the duration of illness(F=2.98, p<0.05), caregiver's religion(F=2.93, p<0.05), medical security(F=3.89, p<0.05), caregiving's helper(t=2.42, p<0.05). 3. PADL was the most important predictor to family caregiver burden(R2=0.6611). In addition to this, IADL, caregiver's health status, the length of caregiving. level of intimacy of caregiver and patients, patient's age, the patient's disease diagnosis and patient's job accounted for 76% of family caregiver burden. 4. The criteria of priority care group were as follows ; the mean of family caregiver burden was above 58, above of moderate ADL, the number of hours per day spent on caregiving above of 8 hours, above of moderate dementia. By the diagnostic classification, number of priority care group, Hypertension was 4 (8.0%), DM 4(8.0%), CVA 34(64.1%), Dementia 45(75.0%).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 1996

Background: Abnormalities of the peripheral blood are frequent and varied in patients with miliary tuberculosis. Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, monocytosis, basophilia, eosinophilia and leukemoid reactions have been reported. These abnormalities are more frequent in patients with positive bone marrow study. In this report, we evaluated clinical, hematological and immunological features in patients with miliary tuberculosis in order to know whether difference is existed between "bone marrow biopsy positive group(pathologically proven to miliary tuberculosis)" and "negative group". Method: Clinical evaluation, serum ADA, sIL-2R, and T-lymphocyte subsets were measured in 40 patients with miliary tuberculosis who received bone marrow biopsy. Results: 1) The average age of patients was 39 year-old. There were 23 male and 17 female patients. Associated extrapulmonary tuberculosis are 9 CNS tuberculosis, 6 joint tuberculosis, and 2 tuberculous pleurisy. 2) Sixteen of the 40 patients were positive bone marrow biopsy(60%). 3) Sixteen of the 40 patients(60%) had anemia(11 positive patients: 13 negative patients). Leukopenia occurred in 12 per cent(4:1). Thrombocytopenia was noted in 10%(3:1). 4) The mean value of serum ADA was 83 U/L(90 U/L: 70.6 U/L, p=0.23). 5) The mean activity of Soluble IL-2 receptor was 4,643 pmol/L($6840{\pm}7446\;pmol/L$: $1,897{\pm}1,663\;pmol/L$, p=0.06). 6) In the T lymphocyte subsets, the percent of T-lymphocytes was 64%(62%:73%, p=0.2). In some patients(9), $T_4$ and $T_8$ ratio in BAL fluid($1.97{\pm}1.2$) was higher than that in the peripheral blood($1.16{\pm}0.5$). Conclusion: Bone marrow examination are diagnostic in 60% of cases of miliary tuberculosis. Percents of the total T lymphocyte and helper T cell in BAL are more elevated than in peripheral blood. There was no significant difference in peripheral blood abnormalities and marker of T lymphocyte activation between the bone marrow biopsy positive and negative group.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.61-77
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• 2016

목적: 본 연구에서는 TJ 열수추출물이 아토피 피부염에 미치는 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 방법: 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzen (DNCB)으로 BALB/c 마우스에 1차 감작 후 3주간 2차 감작을 시행하여 아토피 유사 피부병변을 나타내는 접촉성 피부염을 유발한 뒤 동결건조 처리된 TJ 분말을 (PBS/EtOH/Cremophor=6:1:3)에 용해시켜 쥐의 등 피부에 10, 50 mg/ml 농도로 3주간 도포하였다. 결과: TJ 열수추출물은 아토피 피부 병변의 염증세포 침윤을 억제하였고 (10, 50 mg/ml ) 표피와 진피 두께를 회복시켰으며 (10, 50 mg/ml ), 혈청에서 히스타민 방출을 억제하였다 (00 mg/ml ). 또한 Th2 세포와 관련된 cytokine인 interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13과 thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)의 mRNA 발현 양을 감소시켰고 (10, 50 mg/ml ), Th2 chemokine인 thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC or CCL17)의 mRNA의 발현 양을 감소시켰다 (10, 50 mg/ml ). 결론: TJ 열수추출물을 BALB/c 마우스에 외용하였을 때 항아토피 효과가 있음을 확인하였으며 따라서 TJ가 아토피 피부염 치료의 외용제로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.6 s.122
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• pp.375-381
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• 2004

We investigate the biological treatment of processed-leachate from SUDOKWON landfill site in Korea by the reed (Phragmites australis)-bed with a continuous flow system. The reed individuals showing superior growth in processed-leachate experiment were selected among the reeds of thirteen natural habitats by means of the comparisons between the removal rates of nutrient salts, eco-physiological responses and growth. The reed-beds (combination of the reed individuals showing superior growth with helper microorganisms) were continuously supplied with processed-leachate. We monitored the effluents that passing through the reed-beds during the experiment period. After five weeks, analysis results of effluent from each reed-bed were as follows; chromaticity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solid and salinity decreased $29.5{\sim}36.9\%,\;49.4{\sim}67.2\%,\;42.1{\sim}94.6\%,\;74.5{\sim}88.8\%,\;15.6{\sim}20.8\%,\;17.5{\sim}35.4\%\;and\;15.3{\sim}34.7\%$, respectively. These results represented the substantial improvement of water-quality after passing through reed-bed in a continuous flow system.