• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.126-130
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• 2004

T helper-type 2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13, may play a central role in allergic diseases. The protein known as signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (STAT6) is a key transcription factor involved in both IL-4- and -13-mediated biological responses. Two polymorphisms of the STAT 6 gene (exon 1 and G2964A variant) have been found. We investigated whether these STAT6 gene polymorph isms were associated with allergic rhinitis. Blood samples for genetic analysis were obtained from 285 individuals with allergic rhinitis and from 271 healthy subjects without atopic disease. The G2964A variant of the STAT6 gene was genotyped using PCR-RFLP analysis. The GT repeat polymorphism in exon 1 of the STAT6 gene was genotyped by fragment analysis. There was no association between the 2964A variant and GT repeat polymorphism in exon 1 of the STAT6 and allergic rhinitis in a Korean population (both p > 0.05). Our results suggest that a combination of STAT6 gene polymorphisms is not a useful marker for predicting allergic rhinitis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.289-292
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• 2005

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.183-210
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• 1998

Cheonggisan(CGS) is well known for its effect on such allergic disease as urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Gagamcheonggisan(GCGS) was formulated by subtracting several herbs from CGS and adding several herbs to CGS. Even though it is being used frequently in the clinicai medicine for the treatment of above hypersensitivity diseases, basic study to make sure the mechanism of its action is rare. In this study the author tried to know the effect of CGS and GCGS on the vascular permeability, contact dermatitis, granular secretion from mast cells and function of macrophages. The results obtained in this study are as follows : 1. Administration of CGS and GCGS decreased the vascular permeability induced by serotonin and histamine. The decrease by serotonin is more typical and dose-dependent. 2. Administration of CGS and GCGS inhibited foot-pad and ear swelling responses induced by sheep red blood cells and picryl chloride respectively, the inhibition of foot-pad swelling responses is bigger than that of ear swelling responses and both of them are not dependent on the dose3. Treatment of peritoneal mast cells with CGS and GCGS water extract decreased the histamine release triggered by compound 48／80 in a dose dependent fashion 4. Administration of CGS and GCGS increased the phagocvtic activity of peritoneal macrophages and treatment of peritoneal macrophages with CGS activated phagocytic function in a dose dependent fashion. 5. Administration of CGS and GCGS enhanced such reactive oxygen intermediates(ROIs) as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production from peritoneal macrophages. 6. Treatment of CGS and GCGS activated peritoneal macrophages for the production of ROIs. The above results show that CGS and GCGS decreased the hypersensitivity reactions by inhibiting non-specific inflammatory mediator release and vascular permeability without affecting general immune responsiveness.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Probiotic bacteria have been administered to neonates to serve as maturational stimuli for the developing gut and intestinal immune system, establish and develop the intestinal microbiota, and mediate host-microbe interactions; further, these bacteria have shown beneficial effects In the treatment and reduction of the risk of infectious diseases, necrotizing enterocolitis, and atopic disease. An LAB isolation project to identify effective lactic acid bacteria for Korean people is in progress. The average total counts of lactic acid bacteria, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and coliforms in the fecal samples from 2 provinces were estimated as 8.31, 5.98, 8.13, and 3.01 CFU/g. Additional samples from other provinces will be analyzed to examine the changes in the lactic bacterial counts according to the area, sex of the neonate, mode of delivery, and type of feeding. A database containing the 16S rDNA sequences and the ribosomal protein profile of all the lactic acid bacteria isolated from fecal samples will be constructed. For the effective use of probiotics, a number of clinical studies are needed to formulate guidelines for strain, subject, purpose, and dose.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.648-663
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• 2017

To verify the association between GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases in Asian population. 18 published reports cited in EMBASE, Google, KISS, MEDLINE and PubMed up to December 2015 were collected for a meta-analysis. The GSTM1/GSTT1 polymorphism for null and present type were analysed separately. The significant association was found between the GST polymorphism and autoimmune diseases in an overall population (GSTM1, OR=1.334, 95% CI=1.137-1.567, p=0.000; GSTT1, OR=1.212, 95% CI=1.012-1.452, p=0.037). Asian population showed the significant association of GSTM1 in the autoimmune diseases, especially vitiligo and atopic dermatitis but non-significant association of GSTT1 in RA and SLE. The GSTM1 null and the GSTT1 present type showed the association with autoimmune diseases in Asian population. The null type frequency of the combination of GSTM1-GSTT1 polymorphism in autoimmune diseases in Asian population was higher than that of the control group. This result indicated that null type of GSTM1-GSTT1 combination can be a risk factor of autoimmune diseases in Asian population.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.338-342
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• 2013

Purpose: Allergic disease and its comorbidities significantly influence the quality of life. Although the comorbidities of allergic diseases are well described in adult populations, little is known about them in preschool children. In the present study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in Korean preschool children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 615 Korean children (age, 3 to 6 years). Symptoms of allergic diseases were assessed using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire that was modified for preschool children. Comorbidities of allergic diseases were assessed by 'In the last 12 months, has your child had symptoms?'. Results: The prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis as recorded using the ISAAC questionnaire, within the last 12 months was 13.8%, 40.7%, and 20.8%, respectively. The symptom rates of allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy, and drug allergy were 14.8%, 10.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children with asthma was 64.3% and that of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis was 21.6%. The prevalence of rhinitis in children with conjunctivitis was 64.8% and that of conjunctivitis in children with rhinitis was 23.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of current rhinitis in our preschool children is shown to be higher than that previously reported. Allergic conjunctivitis is closely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, further studies are warranted to determine the prevalence and effects of these comorbidities on health outcomes in preschool children.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2005

Background: Millions of people in the world are suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD), which is a chronic inflammatory skin disease triggered by Th2 immune responses. The NC/Nga mouse is the most extensively studied animal model of AD. Like human AD, NC/Nga mice demonstrate increased levels of IgE, a hallmark of Th2 immune responses. Adaptive immunity cannot be generated without help of innate immunity. Especially natural killer T (NKT) cells and marginal zone B (MZB) cells have been known to play important roles in linking innate immunity to adaptive immunity. Methods: Through flow cytometric analysis and ELISA assay, we investigated whether these lymphocytes might be altered in number in NC/Nga mice. Results: Our data demonstrated that the number of NKT cells was reduced in NC/Nga mice and IFN${\gamma}$ production by NKT cells upon ${\alpha}-GalCer$ stimulation decreased to the levels of CD1d KO mice lacking in NKT cells. However, reduction of NKT cells in NC/Nga mice was not due to CD1d expression, which was normal in the thymus. Interestingly, there was a significant increase of $CD1d^{high}B220^+$ cells in the spleen of NC/Nga mice. Further, we confirmed that $CD1d^{high}B220^+$ cells are B cells, not dendritic cells. These $CD1d^{high}B220^+$ B cells show $IgM^{high}CD21^{high}CD23^{low}$, a characteristic phenotype of MZB cells. Conclusion: We provide the evidence that there are decreased activities of NKT cells and increased number of MZB cells in the NC/Nga mice. Our findings may thus explain why NC/Nga mice are susceptible to AD.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2013

The worldwide prevalence and severity of allergic diseases including atopic and contact dermatitis has increased dramatically over the past decade, especially in developed countries. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the anti-allergic and anti-pruritic effects of Diospyros lotus leaf extract (DLE). DLE was prepared by extracting with distilled water. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DLE on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$) and histamine in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), and on the skin lesion, leukocyte infiltration and scratching behavior in mice. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production increased by PMA plus A23187 treatment were significantly inhibited by DLE in a dose-dependent manner. DLE also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Moreover, DLE administration had an inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine) in ICR mice. Furthermore, DLE inhibited the skin lesions, inflammatory and mast cells in hairless mice sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). DLE administration reduced the IL-4 and IgE production induced by DNFB sensitization in hairless mice. These results suggest that DLE has a potential use as a herb medicine for treatment against allergy and pruritus-related disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.110-123
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was performed to examine the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of Jacho (Lithospermum erythrorhizon). Methods : Macrophage 264.7 cells were pretreatment, macrophage were incubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) 100ng/ml for 12h ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6) or 24h ($IL-1\beta$, IL-10) and media collectred and $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-10 concentrations in supernatants were each measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations of Jacho used were 50, 100, 250, 500, and $1000{\mu}g/ml$, and hydrocortisones used were 10-8, 10-7, 10-6, 10-5, and 10-4M. Results : Jacho showed inhibitory effect on $TNF-{\alpha}$ LPS-stimulated macrophage 264.7. The inhibitory effect was most significant in $250{\mu}g/ml$, and was not in a dose-dependent manner as in the hydrocortisone group Jacho also showed inhibitory effect on IL-6 by LPS-stimulated macrophage 264.7. The inhibitory effect was most significant in $1000{\mu}g/mL$, and increased in a roughly dose-dependent manner. Jacho and hydrocortisone showed contrary effect on $IL-1\beta$. Jacho obviously increased the expression of $IL-1\beta$, in alt five concentrations, End at the fewest concentration $(50{\mu}g/ml)$ the level of $IL-1\beta$, was highest. On the other hand, hydrocortisone was observed to have inhibitory effect on $IL-1\beta$, in all five concentrations. IL-10 was obviously inhibited by Jacho and hydrocortisone respectively in a roughly dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : By the findings of this experiment. Jacho was observed to have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6, and might be one of the effective therapeutic regimens for allergic diseases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-120
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• 2000

Clinical studies were done treated with aroma-therapy in 17cases of patients for suffering sinusitis, who were treated at Dept. of Pediatrics in the Hospital of Daejon from March 2000 to November 2000. The results were as follows. 1. In distribution of sex & age, 70.6% was men and 29.4% women. 47.1% was between 5 and 7 years old, 35.3% within 5 years old. 2. In distribution of the period of the clinical history, 35.3% was over 6 momths, 29.4% of them between 6 and 12 months. 3. In the living environment the apartment was 58.5% and the residental zone is 29.4%. 4. The incurrence of season is winter, 47.0% next is change of season, 29.4%. 5. At night the symptom is the most common, 52.9%. In the morning is the next, 35.3%. 6. In the past history. tinnitus was the best at 38.4%. The otitis media. atopic dermatitis, convulsion disease is next at 15.4%. 7. In the family history. the allergic rhinitis or sinusitis is the most rich at 38.4% and tinnitus is next at 23.0%. 8. In distribution of the chief complain companied with sinusitis, 23.3% was nasal obstruction, each 18.4% of them nasal discharge, cough. 9. In distribution of the duration of therapy, 29.4% was over 6 months, 23.5% between 5-6 months. In distribution of the therapeutic method, 47.1% was treated with western and oriental medicine and 42.1% only oriental medical care. 10. In distribution of the period of improvement of symptom(by X-ray reading), 35.2% was between 2-3 momths, 29.4% between 1-2 months. 11. In emotional change, after aroma-therapy, 82.4% of them felt good. 12. After treatment, 70.6% was excellent, 17.6% was good.