1.Aerobiological Study for Airborne Pollen and Mold in Pusan.
Ming Jung KIM ; Kyoung Whoon CHEON ; Sung Won KIM
Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease 2000;10(2):119-130
PURPOSE: Airborne pollen and mold spores are common causative agents of allergic disease. Atmospheric pollen and spores in one area of Pusan were collected to investigate species, particle amount, seasonal distribution, and of its association with reactivity to skin prick test in children. METHODS: Rotorod sampler was installed on the rooftop of St. Benedict Hospital in Pusan. 24 hour sampling of airborne allergens over a two year period was conducted 6 days/week from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1999. Those samples were stained with Calberla's fuchsin and were identified, counted under the light microscope (400xfor pollen, 1000xfor mold). The data were compared with the daily weather report and allergy skin test. RESULTS: Major pollens collected were Pinus, Alnus, Juniperus, Betula, Quercus, Artemisia, Ambrosia, and Chenospodium-Amaranthus. The pollen season is relatively short and the pollen dispersed mainly during the period from March to May in case of tree pollen and from August to October in case of grass pollen. Total pollen count ranged from 0 to 1000 grains/m3/day (May 14, 99). The peak pollen season was seen during Spring and Autumn, especially in March and September. Major mold spores counted were Cladosporium, Leptospheria and Alternaria. Mold spore count ranged from 0 to 2,360 spores/m3/day (Oct. 8, 98). Cladosporium was dispersed year-round, but mainly in the October and November, while Leptospheria was dispersed mainly in the period from July to September and Alternaria counts tended to be higher around July. The concentration of mold is roughly correlated with the amount of rainfall, having high spore count in July and August, especially in case of Leptospheria. In terms of positive reaction to skin prick test in children, Alnus and Artemisia were found to be allergen source in early spring and late summer season, respectively. CONCLUSION: Analysis of pollens and mold spores sampled in the atmosphere of Pusan, Korea, for a 2 year period identified 19 species of pollens and 22 species of mold spores with seasonal variation of some clinically important pollen/mold load. Cladosporium, Leptospheria and Alternaria are found to be three major molds, especially from June to October.
Allergens
;
Alnus
;
Alternaria
;
Ambrosia
;
Artemisia
;
Atmosphere
;
Betula
;
Busan*
;
Child
;
Cladosporium
;
Colony Count, Microbial
;
Fungi*
;
Humans
;
Hypersensitivity
;
Juniperus
;
Korea
;
Pinus
;
Poaceae
;
Pollen*
;
Quercus
;
Rosaniline Dyes
;
Seasons
;
Skin
;
Skin Tests
;
Spores
;
Weather
2.Comparison of Radiation Adaptive Responses in Peripheral Lymphocytes of Patients Undergoing Tc-99m MDP and Tc-99m DTPA Scintigraphies.
Hee Seung ROM ; Ming Hao LI ; Jung Jun MIN ; An Sung KWON ; Ji Yeul KIM
Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2000;34(3):252-259
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the radiation adaptive response (RAR) in peripheral lymphocytes (PL) of patients induced by Tc.-99m MDP and Tc-99m DTPA scintigraphies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes from 45 patients (25 males, 20 females, mean age 44+/-18 years) were collected before and after scintigraphies using 740 MBq Tc-99m MDP (n=22) or Tc-99m L)TPA (n=23). Lympho-cytes from 20 controls (12 males, 8 females, mean age 43+/-7 years) were also callected. They were exposed to challenge dose of 2 Gy gamma-rays using a Cs-137 cell irradiator, Number of ring-form (R) and dicentric (D) chromosomes was counted under the light microscope. From them a representative score, Ydr, was calculated as Ydr=(D+R)/cells. Adaptation index (AI) was defined as difference of Ydr between unconditioned and conditioned lymphocytes. Ydr was also measured after an administration of cyclohexi-mide (CHM), a protein synthesis inhibitor, before challenge dose. RESULTS: RAR was induced in both groups of patients. CHM abolished the adaptive response in both groups. AI of Tc-99m MDP group was significantly higher than that of Tc-99m DTPA group. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m MDP induced RAR was more prominent than those induced by Tc-99m DTPA.
Chromosome Aberrations
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Lymphocytes*
;
Male
;
Pentetic Acid*
;
Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*
4.Predictive Factors for Non-Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Ming JIN ; Ji Young KIM ; Ji Hyun SUNG ; Tae Hee KIM ; Doo Kyung KANG ; Se Hwan HAN ; Yong Sik JUNG
Journal of Breast Disease 2020;8(1):43-50
Purpose:
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) can effectively downstage locally advanced breast cancer; however, in some cases the cancer remains clinically stable and in others, there is disease progression. Although factors predictive of the response to NAC have been established, those for a non-response remain unknown. This study investigated factors predicting a stable or progressive disease course, and the extent of the response, after NAC based on anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC), with or without taxane.
Methods:
Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing medical records of patients who received NAC for breast cancer using AC, with or without taxane between January 2013 and December 2017. Patients with clinically stable or progressive disease after NAC were compared statistically with those who achieved a partial or complete response.
Results:
In total, 297 patients received NAC with AC and 196 patients received AC followed by taxane. Of these, 45 (15.2%) and 64 (32.6%) patients respectively, showed no response (i.e., stable or progressive disease). Factors related to non-response after AC included large pretreatment tumor size, clinical T3 status, and high histologic grade. Factors related to non-response after taxane included clinical T3 status and estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor positivity.
Conclusion
Clinical T3 stage, grade III histological grade, and estrogen or progesterone receptor positivity were predictors of no response to NAC for breast cancer.
5.Radioresistance of Dendritic Cells.
Eun Sil KIM ; Chong Soon KIM ; Ming Hao LI ; Hee Seung BOM ; Jung Joon MIN ; Hwan Jeong JEONG ; Seong Min KIM ; Ho Chun SONG ; Je Joong LEE
Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2003;37(3):190-198
PURPOSE: To evaluate radiation sensitivity of dendritic cells in comparison with lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T lymphocytes captured from peripheral blood were irradiated by 0 Gy, 10 Gy, 30 Gy. Apoptosis was measured by flowcytometry for staining of Annexin V 4 hours after irradiation. Immature and mature dendritic cells processed from blood hematopoietic stem cell were irradiated by 0 Gy, 10 Gy, 30 Gy, 100 Gy respectively and apoptosis was measured by flowcytometry with time difference as 4h, 24h and 48h after irradiation. Morphometric analysis by percent nucleus was measured in three cell groups, also. RESULTS: Lymphocytes showed radiation sensitivity by increasing apoptotic fraction according to radiation dose. However, both mature and immature dendritic cells showed consistent fraction of apoptosis in spite of increasing radiation dose. Percent nucleus ratio is significantly higher in lymphocytes than that of mature or immature dendritic cells. Stimulation of T-cell by dendritic cells was not changed after irradiation. CONCLUSION: Dendritic cells showed radioresistance which was associated with small size of nucleus in comparison with lymphocytes and this result would be used as a basal data of radio-labelling for the cellular trafficking studies in nuclear medicine fields.
Annexin A5
;
Apoptosis
;
Dendritic Cells*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells
;
Lymphocytes
;
Nuclear Medicine
;
Radiation Tolerance
;
T-Lymphocytes
6.Enhanced Tendon-to-Bone Healing of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tears by Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in a Rabbit Model.
Xiao Ning LIU ; Cheol Jung YANG ; Ji Eui KIM ; Zhen Wu DU ; Ming REN ; Wei ZHANG ; Hong Yu ZHAO ; Kyung Ok KIM ; Kyu Cheol NOH
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2018;10(1):99-110
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) on tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit rotator cuff model and to characterize the composition of growth factors in BMAC. METHODS: In this in vivo study, 40 rabbits were allocated into five groups: control (C), repair + saline (RS), repair + platelet-rich plasma (PRP; RP), repair + BMAC (RB) and repair + PRP + BMAC (RPB). A tear model was created by supraspinatus tendon transection at the footprint. Six weeks after transection, the torn tendon was repaired along with BMAC or PRP administration. Six weeks after repair, shoulder samples were harvested for biomechanical and histological testing. Ten rabbits were used for processing PRP and BMAC, followed by analysis of blood cell composition and the levels of growth factors in vitro. RESULTS: The ultimate load-to-failure was significantly higher in RPB group compared to RS group (p = 0.025). BMAC-treated groups showed higher values of biomechanical properties than RS group. The histology of BMAC-treated samples showed better collagen fiber continuity and orientation than RS group. BMAC contained significantly higher levels of the several growth factors than PRP. CONCLUSIONS: Locally administered BMAC enhanced tendon-to-bone healing and has potential for clinical applications.
Blood Cells
;
Bone Marrow*
;
Collagen
;
In Vitro Techniques
;
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
;
Platelet-Rich Plasma
;
Rabbits
;
Rotator Cuff*
;
Shoulder
;
Tears*
;
Tendons
7.ERK Regulates NeuroD1-mediated Neurite Outgrowth via Proteasomal Degradation
Tae-young LEE ; In-Su CHO ; Narayan BASHYAL ; Francisco J NAYA ; Ming-Jer TSAI ; Jeong Seon YOON ; Jung-Mi CHOI ; Chang-Hwan PARK ; Sung-Soo KIM ; Haeyoung SUH-KIM
Experimental Neurobiology 2020;29(3):189-206
Neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1) is a class B basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor and regulates differentiation and survival of neuronal and endocrine cells by means of several protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). However, the effect of phosphorylation on the functions of NeuroD1 by ERK has sparked controversy based on context-dependent differences across diverse species and cell types. Here, we evidenced that ERK-dependent phosphorylation controlled the stability of NeuroD1 and consequently, regulated proneural activity in neuronal cells. A null mutation at the ERK-dependent phosphorylation site, S274A, increased the half-life of NeuroD1 by blocking its ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. The S274A mutation did not interfere with either the nuclear translocation of NeuroD1 or its heterodimerization with E47, its ubiquitous partner and class A bHLH transcription factor. However, the S274A mutant increased transactivation of the E-box-mediated gene and neurite outgrowth in F11 neuroblastoma cells, compared to the wild-type NeuroD1. Transcriptome and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses indicated that genes involved in axonogenesis and dendrite development were downregulated in NeuroD1 knockout (KO) mice. Overexpression of the S274A mutant salvaged neurite outgrowth in NeuroD1-deficient mice, whereas neurite outgrowth was minimal with S274D, a phosphomimicking mutant. Our data indicated that a longer protein half-life enhanced the overall activity of NeuroD1 in stimulating downstream genes and neuronal differentiation. We propose that blocking ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation may serve as a strategy to promote neuronal activity by stimulating the expression of neuron-specific genes in differentiating neurons.
8.Development and Assessment Individual Maximum Permissible Dose Method of I-131 Therapy in High Risk Patients with Differentiated Papillary Thyroid Cancer.
Jeong Chul KIM ; Jung Han YOON ; Hee Seung BOM ; Young Jong JAEGAL ; Ho Chun SONG ; Jung Joon MIN ; Hwan Jeong JEONG ; Seong Min KIM ; Young Jun HEO ; Ming Hao LI ; Young Kyu PARK ; June Key CHUNG
Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2003;37(2):110-119
PURPOSE: Radioiodine (I-131) therapy is an effective modality to reduce both recurrence and mortality rates in differentiated thyroid cancer. Whether higher doses shows higher therapeutic responses was still debatable. The purpose of this study was to validate curve-fitting (CF) method measuring maximum permissible dose (MPD) by a biological dosimetry using metaphase analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therapeutic effects of MPD was evaluated in 58 patients (49 females and 9 males, mean age 50+/-11 years) of papillary thyroid cancer. Among them 43 patients were treated with < or =7.4 GBq, while 15 patients with > or =9.25 GBq. The former was defined as low-dose group, and the latter high-dose group. Therapeutic response was defined as complete response when complete disappearance of lesions on follow-up I-131 scan and undetectable serum thyroglobulin levels were found. Statistical comparison between groups were done using chi-square test. P value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: MPD measured by CF method using tracer and therapeutic doses were 13.3+/-1.9 and 13.8+/-2.1 GBq, respectively (p=0.20). They showed a significant correlation (r=0.8, p< 0.0001). Exposed doses to blood measured by CF and biological methods were 1.54+/-0.03 and 1.78+/-0.03 Gy (p=0.01). They also showed a significant correlation (r=0.86, p=0.01). High-dose group showed a significantly higher rate of complete response (12/15, 80%) as compared to the low-dose group (22/43, 51.2%) (p=0.05). While occurrence of side effects was not different between two groups (40% vs. 30.2%, p=0.46). CONCLUSION: Measurement of MPD using CF method is reliable, and the high-dose I-131 therapy using MPD gains significantly higher therapeutic effects as compared with low-dose therapy.
Female
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Humans
;
Lymphocytes
;
Male
;
Metaphase
;
Mortality
;
Recurrence
;
Thyroglobulin
;
Thyroid Gland*
;
Thyroid Neoplasms*
9.A Case Report on Cryptococcal Lymphadenitis in an Immunocompetent Adult Patient.
Jong Jin HYUN ; Jong Hwan CHOI ; Sanghoon PARK ; Hye Won JEONG ; Sung Joo JUNG ; Sae Yoon KEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Jung Woo CHOI ; Joo Han LEE ; Na Ri LEE ; Soung Ming JEON
Infection and Chemotherapy 2005;37(6):350-354
Cryptococcus neoformans is an organism that mainly causes opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. It can also cause various infections in immunocompetent patients, but cryptococcal lymphadenitis is rare. We have experienced a case of cryptococcal lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent adult patient who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever that did not subside for 3 weeks. Neck and chest CT scan showed multiple lymph node enlargements with central low density and peripheral enhancement on both hilar, mediastinal, and right supraclavicular areas. Cryptococcus lymphadenitis was diagnosed by tissue biopsy, PAS and GMS stain, and culture. This case emphasizes that when an immunocompetent patient presents with lymphadenopathy, cryptococcal lymphadenitis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Adult*
;
Biopsy
;
Cryptococcus
;
Cryptococcus neoformans
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Fever
;
Humans
;
Immunocompromised Host
;
Lymph Nodes
;
Lymphadenitis*
;
Lymphatic Diseases
;
Neck
;
Opportunistic Infections
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
10.A Case Report on Cryptococcal Lymphadenitis in an Immunocompetent Adult Patient.
Jong Jin HYUN ; Jong Hwan CHOI ; Sanghoon PARK ; Hye Won JEONG ; Sung Joo JUNG ; Sae Yoon KEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Jung Woo CHOI ; Joo Han LEE ; Na Ri LEE ; Soung Ming JEON
Infection and Chemotherapy 2005;37(6):350-354
Cryptococcus neoformans is an organism that mainly causes opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. It can also cause various infections in immunocompetent patients, but cryptococcal lymphadenitis is rare. We have experienced a case of cryptococcal lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent adult patient who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever that did not subside for 3 weeks. Neck and chest CT scan showed multiple lymph node enlargements with central low density and peripheral enhancement on both hilar, mediastinal, and right supraclavicular areas. Cryptococcus lymphadenitis was diagnosed by tissue biopsy, PAS and GMS stain, and culture. This case emphasizes that when an immunocompetent patient presents with lymphadenopathy, cryptococcal lymphadenitis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Adult*
;
Biopsy
;
Cryptococcus
;
Cryptococcus neoformans
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Fever
;
Humans
;
Immunocompromised Host
;
Lymph Nodes
;
Lymphadenitis*
;
Lymphatic Diseases
;
Neck
;
Opportunistic Infections
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed