• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.425-431
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• 2021

The use of big data may facilitate the recognition and interpretation of causal relationships between disease occurrence and climatic variables. Considering the immense contribution of rhinoviruses in causing respiratory infections, in this study, we examined the effects of various climatic variables on the seasonal epidemiology of rhinovirus infections in the temperate climate of Cheonan, Korea. Trends in rhinovirus detection were analyzed based on 9,010 tests performed between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018, at Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. Seasonal patterns of rhinovirus detection frequency were compared with the local climatic variables for the same period. Rhinovirus infection was the highest in children under 10 years of age, and climatic variables influenced the infection rate. Temperature, wind chill temperature, humidity, and particulate matter significantly affected rhinovirus detection. Temperature and wind chill temperature were higher on days on which rhinovirus infection was detected than on which it was not. Conversely, particulate matter was lower on days on which rhinovirus was detected. Atmospheric pressure and particulate matter showed a negative relationship with rhinovirus detection, whereas temperature, wind chill temperature, and humidity showed a positive relationship. Rhinovirus infection was significantly related to climatic factors such as temperature, wind chill temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and particulate matter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to find a relationship between daily temperatures/wind chill temperatures and rhinovirus infection over an extended period.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.23-32
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• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause clinical manifestations of multiple organ damage, including various neurological syndromes. There are currently two oral antiviral drugs-Paxlovid and molnupiravir-that are recognized to treat COVID-19, but there are still no drugs that can specifically fight the challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimolecular complex that can sense heterogeneous pathogen-associated molecular patterns associated with neurological disorders. The NLRP3 activation stimulates the production of caspase-1-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and other cytokines in immune cells. Panax (P.) ginseng is a medicinal plant that has traditionally been widely used to boost immunity and treat various pathological conditions in the nervous system due to its safety and anti-inflammatory/oxidant/viral activities. Several recent reports have indicated that P. ginseng and its active ingredients may regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the nervous system. Therefore, this review article discusses the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of neurological disorders related to COVID-19 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the possibility of using P. ginseng in a strategy targeting this pathway to treat neurological disorders.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.274-281
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• 2010

The objectives of this study are (a) to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of biological agents in sawmill industries and (b) to compare sampling methods of biological agents. The representative processes of 5 sawmills were selected to measure total airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin as well as dust. Airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with one stage impactor, six stage impactor and gelatin filteration methods. Endotoxin was collected with polycarbonate filters and analysed by kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate method. Geometric mean levels of airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and dust were 1,864 CFU/$m^3$, 2,252 CFU/$m^3$, 31.5 EU/$m^3$ and 2.4 mg/$m^3$. The ratios of indoor/outdoor concentrations were 3.7 for bacteria, 4.1 for fungi, 3.3 for endotoxin and 9.7 for dust. The respiratory fractions of bacteria were 68.0, 50.9, 49.2 and 45.1% in band-saw, table-saw, rip-saw process and outdoor air. The respiratory fractions of fungi were 78.7, 90.8, 87.5 and 84.8% in band-saw, table-saw, rip-saw process and outdoor air, respectively. There was no significant differences in bacterial concentrations among single stage, six stage impaction and filteration methods. But, fungal concentrations measured with filtration methods were significantly higher than those with impaction methods. Geometric mean levels of airborne bacteria and fungi were higher than the OSHA guideline values of 1,000 CFU/$m^3$. The respiratory fractions of fungi were above 75%. The concentrations of biological agents were significantly different among culture-based sampling methods. In the exposure assessments of biological agents, further studies are needed for the comparisons of diverse sampling methods and the investigations of environmental factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.2705-2710
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• 2016

Recent evidence haas indicated that meningioma-associate protein (MAC30) exhibits different expression patterns in various tumors. However, little is known about the value of MAC30 in human squamous cell carcinoma of lung (SQCLC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression of MAC30 and to explore its clinical significance in SQCLC patients. A total of 156 Chinese patients diagnosed with SQCLC were selected for this study. The expression of MAC30 in all tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to analyze MAC30 mRNA expression in 32 cases of SQCLC patients with corresponding non-tumor lung tissues. We observed enhanced mRNA expression of MAC30 in SQCLC as compared to control samples. Further, elevated MAC30 protein expression was strongly associated with poor tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. In addition, we observed that patients with increased MAC30 expression demonstrated poor overall survival. Multivariate analysis explicated that increased MAC30 expression was a valuable independent predictable factor for poor tumor differentiation and short survival in SQCLC patients. Our present study suggests that MAC30 may serve as a biomarker for poor tumor differentiation and outcomes of patients with SQCLC.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 1994년도 교수 연수회(환경)
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• pp.585-595
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• 1994

The region of the respiratory tract where inhaled particles deposit can have important implications for the causation of local or systemic toxic effects. For most aerosols of occupational importance, respiratory tract deposition can be predicted from the aerodynamic diameter of the particles. With the advent of cascade impactors, particularly those of personal sampler size, the determination of the aerodynamic diameters of aerosols has become more common. Some limitations of cascade impactor use are well recognized (e.g., particle bounce and substrate overloading) and are generally correctable. However, two important limitations of the instruments may not be receiving adequate attention: relative humidity effects on potentially hygroscopic aerosols and the collection characteristics of fibrous aerosols as compared to their actual deposition site potential. The results of this study, when compared to results of previous controlled laboratory trials, suggest that, while potentially hygroscopic lead aerosols from lead acid battery plant operations do not appear to be affected by changes in plant environmental humidity levels, the potential - exists for significant size changes upon inhalation. Secondly, fibers were detected in aerodynamic size ranges that would be associated with deep lung deposition; however, upon microscopic examination, these same fibers would actually be predicted to deposit in the upper airways. This study suggests that the physicalchemical properties and morphological features of an aerosol should be carefully considered by industrial hygienists before cascade impactors are used in attempts to predict the effects of inhaled aerosols.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권sup1호
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• pp.64-67
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• 2016

Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease that is associated with high mortality. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent, may be transmitted from the infected mother to the fetus by the transplacental route or by aspiration of infected amniotic fluid. Clinical symptoms and signs are not specific. Miliary patterns are the most common findings in the chest X-rays of many infants with congenital TB. In this case, an 18-day-old boy had jaundice on the fifth day of birth, and fever and respiratory distress appeared on the 18th day. Chest X-ray showed diffuse fine bilateral infiltration. Clinically, pneumonia or sepsis was suspected. Respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray findings worsened despite empirical antibiotic therapy. The lungs showed miliary infiltration suggestive of TB. Gastric aspirates were positive for M. tuberculosis. Respiratory distress and fever were gradually improved after anti-TB medication. Congenital TB is difficult to detect because of minimal or no symptoms during pregnancy and nonspecific symptoms in neonates. Hence, clinicians should suspect the possibility of TB infection even if neonates have non-specific symptoms. Early diagnosis and meticulous treatment are required for the survival of neonates with TB.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.69-74
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• 2008

국내에서 사육중인 말에서 채취한 시료로부터 Stapylococcus aureus를 분리 동정한 결과 39.2%(58/148)의 분리율을 나타내었다. S. aureus의 혈장응고효소 생산능 시험에서는 98.3%가 양성반응을 나타내었고 신선 혈장의 희석농도는 1:2에서 가장 높은 양성반응을 나타내었다. 본 연구에서 최종 동정된 S. aureus의 기본적인 생화학 성상은 일반적으로 알려져 있는 S. aureus의 특성과 유사한 결과를 얻을 수 있었으나, urease test의 경우 전체 균주의 73% 만이 양성 결과를 나타내어 균주별로 다양한 반응 양상을 관찰 할 수 있었다. 또한 34종의 substrate에 대한 분해 양상에 대한 검사 결과 fructose, maltose, ${\alpha}$-hydroxy butyric acid, thymidine-5'-mono phosphate, uridine-5'-mono phosphate 등의 substrate에 대해서는 모든 균주가 이용능력을 가지고 있었지만 ribose, sorbitol, xylose, xylitol 등의 substrate에 대해서는 모든 균주가 기질 이용능력을 가지고 있지 않는 것으로 확인되었다. 그리고 PCR에 의한 S. aureus를 동정한 결과 108bp 크기의 band를 확인하였다. 국내 말에서 분리한 58주의 S. aureus에 대한 약제 내성 양상을 조사한 결과 spectinomycin, sulfonamides, erythromycin, tetracyclin, ciprofloxacin, neomycin, enofloxacin, penicillin 등의 약제에 높은 저항성을 나타내었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제59권1호
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• pp.109-113
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• 2005

저자들은 중증 폐렴으로 인한 ARDS양상으로 내원한 임신 3개월의 속립성 결핵 환자를 경기관지 폐생검과 방사선 소견 및 임상양상을 종합적으로 고려하여 속립성 결핵에 의한 ARDS로 확진할 수 있었던 1예를 경험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.105-119
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the program for the control of acute respiratory infections(ARI) in children in a Korean rural area(Yonchon county). Evaluating the program, we focused on the pattern of prescription and appropriateness of antibiotics prescribed by the health personnel who had participated in the ARI Control Program. It was implemented at the primary health care setting in rural area, such as district hospital, health subcenters, and health posts. During six-months programme monitoring period, medical records were reviewed and collected data were analysed by the pediatrician, research coordinator of this study. The baseline data were collected from medical records of the same period(six months) of one year before the implementation of the ARI programme. The study results were as follow : 1. Common cold was the most prevalent disease(78.7%. 594 cases) among the all ARI cases (755 cases). The less frequent cases were bronchitis(11.9%), acute pharyngitis(5.2%), and pneumonia(1.8%). 2. Significant reduction in the use of antibiotics was observed after the programme implementation. Ninety three(15.7%) of 594 common cold cases were received antibiotics compared with 282(35.2%) of 802 in the baseline period. In the cases of bronchitis and acute pharyngitis, the reduction rates were 15.1% and 23.2% respectively compared to the baseline period. 3. Mean duration of antibiotics prescription was 1.81-1.75 days, similar to the baseline data. 4. The appropriateness rate of antibiotics prescriptions were 84.3%(common cold), 35.6% (bronchitis) and 28.2%(acute pharyngitis). In the case of pneumonia, the antibiotics prescription was compatible to the criteria developed. 5. Pediatrician prescribed antibiotics more appropriately for all cases than general practitioners in health sub-center, and nurse practitioners in health posts. 6. Antibiotics therapy was shown to be of no effect in the treatment of the all ARI cases. At the 5 and 10 days check-up of common cold cases after visits, proportion of improved patients were 58.3% in the antibiotics-used group and 51.4% in the control group. In the other cases of ARI, the patterns of response were similar to common cold. None of the differences in outcome between the antibiotics-used and control group was statistically significant. This ARI programme may have substantial a substantial impact on antibiotics use at the public health institutions(district hospital, health subcenters, health posts) which are of major domain for primary health care in Korean rural areas.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.219-233
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• 1999

목 적 : Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)는 소아 하기도 감염증의 중요한 원인의 하나이다. 연구자들은 8년간 분리된 RSV A 아군의 항원상의 다양성과 G 단백 유전자의 변이를 관찰하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 서울대학교 어린이병원에서 1990년부터 1998년까지 8년 동안 분리된 RSV A 아군 179주들을 대상으로 하였다. G 단백 유전자를 역전사 중합효소 연쇄 반응으로 증폭한 후 이 증폭 산물을 AluI, HineII, MboI, PstI, RsaI 및 TagI 등의 제한효소로 처리하여 이들의 절단 양상에 따른 유전자형들의 다양성을 파악하였다. 또, RSV에 대한 단클론 항체와의 반응 여부에 따른 항원형과 유전자형의 연관성을 검정하였다. 또한, 각 유전자형의 선택된 일부 주들의 염기 서열을 결정하여 이미 보고된 표준주 및 외국의 임상 분리주들과 비교하여 계통수 분석을 시행하였다. 결 과 : 8회의 RSV 유행기 중 A 아군은 7회에서 유행하였다. A 아군 179주의 G 단백 유전자의 역전사 중합효소 연쇄 반응 증폭 산물의 제한효소에 의한 절단 양상에 따른 유전자형은 23가지였으며 이 중 12가지는 2개 이상의 바이러스주에서 나타났다. 단클론 항체와의 반응 양상에 따른 항원형은 6가지로 분류되었으며 그 중 한가지 형이 91%를 차지하였다. 항원헝과 유전형간의 상관관계는 적었다. 우리나라에서 분리된 A 아군의 G 단백의 염기 서열은 표준주틀과 91~93%의 동질성을 보였으며, 아미노산 서열은 표준주들과 85~90%의 동질성을 보였다. G 단백 염기 서열을 토대로 한 계통수에서 우리나라에서 분리된 RSV는 각기 표준주와는 다른 부위에 속하였고 A 아군은 4개의 군을 형성하면서 1988년부터 1993년까지 영국과 스페인에서 분리된 주들과 부분적으로 연관 관계를 나타냈다. 결 론 : 결론적으로 RSV A 아군의 유전자형은 항원형보다 더욱 다양한 양상을 보이며, 우리나라에서는 표준주 및 외국의 임상 분리주와는 차이가 있는 다양한 유전자형의 RSV가 유행하고 있다. 향후 RSV의 연구에는 이러한 점이 고려되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.