PURPOSE: The occurrence of pollen allergy is subject to exposure to pollen, which shows regional and temporal variations. We evaluated the changes in pollen counts and skin positivity rates for 6 years, and explored the correlation between their annual rates of change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the number of pollen grains collected in Seoul, and retrospectively reviewed the results of 4442 skin-prick tests conducted at the Severance Hospital Allergy-Asthma Clinic from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013. RESULTS: For 6 years, the mean monthly total pollen count showed two peaks, one in May and the other in September. Pollen count for grasses also showed the same trend. The pollen counts for trees, grasses, and weeds changed annually, but the changes were not significant. The annual skin positivity rates in response to pollen from grasses and weeds increased significantly over the 6 years. Among trees, the skin positivity rates in response to pollen from walnut, popular, elm, and alder significantly increased over the 6 years. Further, there was a significant correlation between the annual rate of change in pollen count and the rate of change in skin positivity rate for oak and hop Japanese. CONCLUSION: The pollen counts and skin positivity rates should be monitored, as they have changed annually. Oak and hop Japanese, which showed a significant correlation with the annual rate of change in pollen count and the rate of change in skin positivity rate over the 6 years may be considered the major allergens in Korea.
Allergens/*immunology ; Asthma/epidemiology/immunology ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology ; Pollen/*immunology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; *Skin Tests

The steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified, constitutes only 0.1% of ovarian malignancies and was asymptomatic in 3.3-25% In Korea, three reported cases of steroid cell tumors were endocrinologically symptomatic and were managed with laparotomy. However, there was no reports of such case without any endocrinologically symptoms. We present a 17 years old patient with huge pelvic mass that were managed with combined ultrasonographically guided drainage and laparoscopically excision and proven to be an asymptomatic steroid cell tumor of ovary, with brief review of literature.
Adolescent ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Ovary

The thymus is a central lymphoid organ for T cell development. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) constitute a major component of the thymic stroma, which provides a specialized microenvironment for survival, proliferation, and differentiation of immature T cells. In this study, subsets of TECs were examined immunohistochemically to investigate their cytokeratin (CK) expression patterns during thymus regeneration following thymic involution induced by cyclophosphamide treatment. The results demonstrated that both normal and regenerating mouse thymuses showed a similar CK expression pattern. The major medullary TECs (mTEC) subset, which is stellate in appearance, exhibited CK5 and CK14 staining, and the minor mTEC subset, which is globular in appearance, exhibited CK8 staining, whereas the vast majority of cortical TECs (cTECs) expressed CK8 during thymus regeneration. Remarkably, the levels of CK5 and CK14 expression were enhanced in mTECs, and CK8 expression was upregulated in cTECs during mouse thymus regeneration after cyclophosphamide-induced acute thymic involution. Of special interest, a relatively high number of CK5+CK8+ TEC progenitors occurred in the thymic cortex during thymus regeneration. Taken together, these findings shed more light on the role of CK5, CK8, and CK14 in the physiology of TECs during mouse thymus regeneration, and on the characterization of TEC progenitors for restoration of the epithelial network and for concomitant regeneration of the adult thymus.
Adult ; Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Keratins ; Light ; Mice ; Regeneration ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymus Gland

Primary adrenal insufficiency is a rare disease which can lead to fatal outcomes when complicated in pregnancy. The vague symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and abdominal pain may interfere with its diagnosis. But once the diagnosis is made after a simple ACTH stimulation test, a successful pregnancy and delivery can be accomplished by replacement of steroids. It is to be noted that proper management in crises such as labor, delivery, operation and postpartum is very important. We report a case of successful delivery of a woman with primary adrenal insufficiency with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Addison Disease* ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Diagnosis ; Fatal Outcome ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Nausea ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Rare Diseases ; Steroids

Ribes fasciculatum var. chinense MAX. (R. fasciculatum) has traditionally been used in Korea to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the exact mechanism that accounts for the anti-inflammatory effect of R. fasciculatum is not completely understood. We aimed to ascertain the pharmacological effects of R. fasciculatum on both compound 48/80- or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. Additionally, to find a possible explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of R. fasciculatum, we evaluated the effects of R. fasciculatum on the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Treatment of R. fasciculatum significantly reduced compound 48/80- or histamine-induced the pruritus in mice. R. fasciculatum attenuated the AD symptoms such as eczematous, erythema and dryness and serum IgE levels in AD model. Additionally, R. fasciculatum inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The maximal rates of TNF-alpha and IL-6 inhibition by R. fasciculatum (1 mg/ml) were approximately 32.12% and 46.24%, respectively. We also showed that R. fasciculatum inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of R. fasciculatum as a potential molecule for use in the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Erythema ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-6 ; Korea ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Pruritus ; Ribes* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVE: Many countries including U.S. have established their own Antenatal Screening Guideline suitable for their actual state to help Obstetricians detect pregnancy-related problems in clinical conditions. However, even investigations on the actual condition of Antenatal Screening in clinical conditions are not thoroughgoing enough in Korea. Therefore, this study was to survey the actual condition of Antenatal Screening in Obstetric Clinics in Korea. METHODS: Among 868 Obstetric Clinics, in which 100 or more cases of delivery were performed per annum according to an aggregate summary of the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2001, 848 clinics representing their correct address were selected to carry out a cross-sectional descriptive survey and understand the actual state of Antenatal Screening with literature review. RESULTS: Antenatal Screening Tests have been carried out in a diverse forms in Obstetric Clinics; some items (CBC, Urine analysis, VDRL test, ABO and Rh typing, HBs Ag and HBs Ab test, Triple test, Ultrasound, Rubella Ig M and Ig G test, Oral Glucose Tolerance test) of the test were performed as a basic test in 80% or higher of Obstetric Clinics; some items (Chlamydia test, PAPP-A, Chest X-ray, BUN, Creatinine, EKG, Cervix culture for Gonococcus) of the test were performed routinely in 10% or less of Obstetric Clinics or selectively in high-risk pregnant women; and some items (PAP smear, Blood chemistry, Nuchal translucency) of the test were performed on the basis of physician's experience or given conditions. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, the role of Antenatal Tests as a screening test in clinical conditions is not evaluated properly under the current state. Thus, clinical assessment should be performed for each item of Antenatal Tests with respect to a screening test and systematic and efficient Antenatal Screening Guideline suitable for Korean conditions should be established in future studies.
Cervix Uteri ; Chemistry ; Creatinine ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; National Health Programs ; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Rubella ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The pollen calendar is the simplest forecasting method for pollen concentrations. As pollen concentrations are liable to seasonal variations due to alterations in climate and land-use, it is necessary to update the pollen calendar using recent data. To attenuate the impact of considerable temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations on the pollen calendar, it is essential to employ a new methodology for its creation.METHODS: A pollen calendar was produced in Korea using data from recent observations, and a new method for creating the calendar was proposed, considering both risk levels and temporal resolution of pollen concentrations. A probability distribution was used for smoothing concentrations and determining risk levels. Airborne pollen grains were collected between 2007 and 2017 at 8 stations; 13 allergenic pollens, including those of alder, Japanese cedar, birch, hazelnut, oak, elm, pine, ginkgo, chestnut, grasses, ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop, were identified from the collected grains.RESULTS: The concentrations of each pollen depend on locations and seasons due to large variability in species distribution and their environmental condition. In the descending order of concentration, pine, oak and Japanese hop pollens were found to be the most common in Korea. The pollen concentrations were high in spring and autumn, and those of oak and Japanese hop were probably the most common cause of allergy symptoms in spring and autumn, respectively. High Japanese cedar pollen counts were observed in Jeju, while moderate concentrations were in Jeonju, Gwangju and Busan.CONCLUSIONS: A new methodology for the creation of a pollen calendar was developed to attenuate the impact of large temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations. This revised calendar should be available to the public and allergic patients to prevent aggravation of pollen allergy.
Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Busan ; Climate ; Corylus ; Cryptomeria ; Forecasting ; Ginkgo biloba ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Methods ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Seasons

According to the author's request, in this paper, the eighth author's (Bong-Seong Kim) affiliation should be corrected.

The old calendar of pollens did not reflect current pollen distribution and concentrations that can be influenced by changes of weather and environment of each region in South Korea. A new pollen calendar of allergenic pollens was made based on the data on pollen concentrations obtained in eight regions nationwide between 1997 and 2009. The distribution of pollen was assessed every day at 8 areas (Seoul, Guri, Busan, Daegu, Jeonju, Kwangju, Kangneung, and Jeju) for 12 years between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2009. Pollens were collected by using Burkard 7-day sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, UK). Pollens which were stained with Calberla's fuchsin staining solution were identified and counted. Pine became the highest pollen in May, and the pollen concentrations of oak and birch also became high. Ragweed appeared in the middle of August and showed the highest pollen concentration in the middles of September. Japanese hop showed a high concentration between the middle of August and the end of September, and mugwort appeared in the middles of August and its concentration increased up until early September. In Kangneung, birch appeared earlier, pine showed a higher pollen concentration than in the other areas. In Daegu, Oriental thuja and alder produced a large concentration of pollens. Pine produced a large concentration of pollens between the middle of April and the end of May. Weeds showed higher concentrations in September and mugwort appeared earlier than ragweed. In Busan the time of flowering is relatively early, and alder and Oriental thuja appeared earliest among all areas. In Kwangju, Oriental thuja and hazelnut appeared in early February. Japanese cedar showed the highest pollen concentration in March in Jeju. In conclusion, update information on pollen calendar in South Korea should be provided for allergic patients through the website to manage and prevent the pollinosis.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Corylus ; Cryptomeria ; Flowers ; Humans ; Humulus ; Pollen ; Republic of Korea ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Thuja ; Weather

PURPOSE: There are a number of reports suggesting that widespread propagation of weeds and high concentration of weed pollen have been contributed to climate change. We investigated the interrelationship between allergenic pollen concentration, allergic symptom and meteorological factor. METHODS: We collected data of pollen concentration and meteorological factors in 7 stations nationwide during between 1998 and 2012. We recruited total 297 allergic patients sensitized to weed pollens from each station, conducted a survey about allergic symptom, and calculated symptom index. We surveyed the vegetation area of ragweed and Japanese hop. Based on these data, we performed the long-term trend analysis (X11-ARIMA, autoregressive integrated moving average) on regional pollen concentration, and correlation analysis to investigate the interrelation between weed pollen concentration, allery symptom index and meteorological factor. We have also done regression analysis on vegetation area and maximal pollen concentration. RESULTS: Long-term trend analysis showed the increasing trend of pllen concentration in Seoul. Weed pollen concentration, allergy symptom index and each meteorological factor were not correlated significantly. Regression analysis revealed that increase of weed vegetation area results in increase of weed pollen concentration. Through this regression equation, we estimated the vegetation area that can product pollen concentration triggering allergenic risk. CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors, pollen concentration and allergic symptoms should be consistently assessed and the relationship between each factor should be analyzed, considering climate change. It is necessary to verify the equation for pollen estimation by vegetation area and set up a policy for vegetation control focused on the reduction of allergenic pollen.
Ambrosia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Climate Change ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Meteorological Concepts ; Plant Weeds ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Seoul