BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.
Allergens* ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Cats ; Demography ; Fagus ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mites ; Pollen ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Secale ; Seoul ; Skin* ; Taraxacum

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disorder with the pathogenesis of abnormal gastrointestinal motility, low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, communication in the gut-brain axis, and so on. Traditionally, IBS has been treated with dietary and lifestyle modification, fiber supplementation, pharmacological and psychological therapy. Carbohydrates have a range of foods regularly consumed including grains such as rye and wheat, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Short-chain carbohydrates poorly absorbed exert osmotic effects in the intestinal lumen increasing its water volume, and are rapidly fermented by bacteria with consequent gas production. These effects may be the basis of the beginning of gastrointestinal symptoms. This made the use of lactose-free diets in those with lactose intolerance and of fructose-reduced diets for fructose malabsorption. All dietary poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates have similar and additive effects in the intestine, so a concept has been developed to regard them collectively as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) and to evaluate a dietary approach that restricts them all. Based on observational and comparative studies and on randomized-controlled trials, FODMAPs trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS. Food choice via the low FODMAP and potentially other dietary strategies is now a realistic and efficacious therapeutic approach for symptoms of IBS. In Korea, the strategy of Korean diet for Korean patients with IBS needs apposite to the Korean cases.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Bacteria ; Carbohydrates ; Edible Grain ; Diet* ; Disaccharides ; Fabaceae ; Fructose ; Fruit ; Gastrointestinal Diseases* ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Intestines ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome* ; Korea ; Lactose Intolerance ; Life Style ; Monosaccharides ; Oligosaccharides ; Secale ; Triticum ; Vegetables ; Water

Grain-induced asthma is a frequent occupational allergic disease mainly caused by inhalation of cereal flour or powder. The main professions affected are bakers, confectioners, pastry factory workers, millers, farmers, and cereal handlers. This disorder is usually due to an IgE-mediated allergic response to inhalation of cereal flour proteins. The major causative allergens of grain-related asthma are proteins derived from wheat, rye and barley flour, although baking additives, such as fungal alpha-amylase are also important. This review deals with the current diagnosis and treatment of grain-induced asthma, emphasizing the role of cereal allergens as molecular tools to enhance diagnosis and management of this disorder. Asthma-like symptoms caused by endotoxin exposure among grain workers are beyond the scope of this review. Progress is being made in the characterization of grain and bakery allergens, particularly cereal-derived allergens, as well as in the standardization of allergy tests. Salt-soluble proteins (albumins plus globulins), particularly members of the alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family, thioredoxins, peroxidase, lipid transfer protein and other soluble enzymes show the strongest IgE reactivities in wheat flour. In addition, prolamins (not extractable by salt solutions) have also been claimed as potential allergens. However, the large variability of IgE-binding patterns of cereal proteins among patients with grain-induced asthma, together with the great differences in the concentrations of potential allergens observed in commercial cereal extracts used for diagnosis, highlight the necessity to standardize and improve the diagnostic tools. Removal from exposure to the offending agents is the cornerstone of the management of grain-induced asthma. The availability of purified allergens should be very helpful for a more refined diagnosis, and new immunomodulatory treatments, including allergen immunotherapy and biological drugs, should aid in the management of patients with this disorder.
Allergens ; alpha-Amylases ; Asthma ; Candy ; Carrier Proteins ; Cereals ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Flour ; Hordeum ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inhalation ; Peroxidase ; Prolamins ; Proteins ; Secale cereale ; Thioredoxins ; Triticum

Grain-induced asthma is a frequent occupational allergic disease mainly caused by inhalation of cereal flour or powder. The main professions affected are bakers, confectioners, pastry factory workers, millers, farmers, and cereal handlers. This disorder is usually due to an IgE-mediated allergic response to inhalation of cereal flour proteins. The major causative allergens of grain-related asthma are proteins derived from wheat, rye and barley flour, although baking additives, such as fungal alpha-amylase are also important. This review deals with the current diagnosis and treatment of grain-induced asthma, emphasizing the role of cereal allergens as molecular tools to enhance diagnosis and management of this disorder. Asthma-like symptoms caused by endotoxin exposure among grain workers are beyond the scope of this review. Progress is being made in the characterization of grain and bakery allergens, particularly cereal-derived allergens, as well as in the standardization of allergy tests. Salt-soluble proteins (albumins plus globulins), particularly members of the alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family, thioredoxins, peroxidase, lipid transfer protein and other soluble enzymes show the strongest IgE reactivities in wheat flour. In addition, prolamins (not extractable by salt solutions) have also been claimed as potential allergens. However, the large variability of IgE-binding patterns of cereal proteins among patients with grain-induced asthma, together with the great differences in the concentrations of potential allergens observed in commercial cereal extracts used for diagnosis, highlight the necessity to standardize and improve the diagnostic tools. Removal from exposure to the offending agents is the cornerstone of the management of grain-induced asthma. The availability of purified allergens should be very helpful for a more refined diagnosis, and new immunomodulatory treatments, including allergen immunotherapy and biological drugs, should aid in the management of patients with this disorder.
Allergens ; alpha-Amylases ; Asthma ; Candy ; Carrier Proteins ; Cereals ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Flour ; Hordeum ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inhalation ; Peroxidase ; Prolamins ; Proteins ; Secale cereale ; Thioredoxins ; Triticum

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of different doses of cernilton in preventing the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSA total of 240 BPH patients with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >7 were equally allocated to an experimental and a control group and treated with oral cernilton (Prostate), the former at the dose of 750 mg, the latter at 375 mg, both twice a day for 4 years. Changes, of IPSS, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine, maximum flow rate (Qmax), prostate specific antigen (PSA), the incidence of urine retention and the rate of surgery were compared between the two groups after the treatment.

RESULTSIn the experimental group, the IPSS, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine and Qmax were 10.5 +/- 5.6, (29.2 +/- 9.5) ml, (15.2 +/- 3.1) ml and (16.2 +/- 4.5) ml/s after the treatment, as compared with 20.1 +/- 4.1, (37.8 +/- 12.5) ml, (42.5 +/- 6.6) ml and (10.0 +/- 3.5) mVs before the treatment, while in the control group, the four indexes were 14.9 +/- 4.3 vs 19.2 +/- 3.8, (34.7 +/- 9.8) ml vs (37.1 +/- 11.9) ml, (25.6 +/- 4.6) ml vs (41.8 +/- 6.1) ml and (13.5 +/- 4.1) ml/s vs (10.2 +/- 3.8) ml/s, with a more obvious improvement in the experimental group than in the control after the 4-year treatment (P < 0.0001). Compared with pre-treatment, the IPSS and Qmax were improved 3 months (16.7 +/- 3.9, P < 0. 000 1) and 6 months ([13.2 +/- 4.1] ml/s, P < 0. 0001) respectively after the treatment in the experimental group, compared with 6 months (17.6 +/- 3.3, P = 0.0010) and 9 months ([12.0 +/- 3.7] ml/s, P = 0.0005) in the control; the prostate volume was improved 1 year after the treatment in the former ( [ 15.6 +/- 3.2 ] ml,P = 0.0487) but not at 4 years in the latter ([25.6 +/- 4.6] ml,P = 0.1040). The postvoid residual urine was improved at 3 months in both the experimental ([38.7 +/- 6.1] ml, P < 0.000 1) and the control group ([40.2 +/- 5.5] ml, P = 0.0422). The incidence of urine retention was lower in the former than in the latter (5 vs 16 person-times, P = 0.0147), and so was the rate of surgery (2 vs 8 person-times, P = 0.046 2). There were no significant differences in PSA between the pre-and post-treatment either in the experimental (P = 0.349 6) or in the control group (P = 0.3805). No toxical and adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONLong-term administration of cernilton at the dose of 750 mg may achieve faster and more obvious efficacy than at 375 mg in improving symptomatic BPH and preventing the clinical progression of BPH, with no adverse events.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Prostate ; drug effects ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Secale ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of the efficacy and different therapeutic drugs on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in order to ensure the optimal indication for different BPH patients.

METHODSA randomized, parallel-controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted. From September 2002 to December 2003 906 BPH patients were enrolled into 7 therapeutic groups, including selective-adrenoceptor antagonist (terazosin, doxazosin tamsulosin and naftopidil), 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride and epristeride) and natural product (cernilton). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QOL), uroflowmetry, total prostatic volume (TPV) and transitional zone volume and residual urine were used as efficacy criteria.

RESULTSAccording to the baseline, the IPSS and Qmax were significantly correlated to the prostatic volume and transitional zone volume (P < 0.01). At average follow-up of 6 months, significant improvements in IPSS, QOL, Qmax and residual urine volume were observed in each therapeutic group, and no difference in IPSS improvement was found among the groups. Prostatic volume and transitional zone volume were significant decreased in 5alpha-reductase inhibitor groups (P < 0.05). In patients with baseline TPV greater than 35.5 cm3, the improvement of Qmax was more significant than that in patients with TPV less than 35.5 cm3 in finasteride group (P < 0.01) (5.7 ml/s and 2.2 ml/s respectively), and more significant symptomatic improvements were also found in cernilton, doxazosin and naftopidil group. In each group, the improvement of symptom were more significant in patients with IPSS higher than 20 points (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEach drug observed in this study can improve the subjective and objective symptoms significantly for BPH patients, especially for patients with higher IPSS baseline. When using 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, prostatic volume can be decreased significantly and more obviously subjective and objective improvement can be found in the patients with TPV greater than 35.5 cm3.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androstadienes ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Doxazosin ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Finasteride ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Naphthalenes ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Prazosin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Prostate ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life ; Secale ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Low glycemic index (GI) foods have been reported to be very important in the control of blood glucose levels in diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, which are becoming more prevalent in Korea. Bread consumption at breakfast and as a snack is also on the rise. To provide low GI alternatives, breads supplemented with dietary fibersfructooligosaccharide (FOS), ground whole rye, and 2 types of resistance starch (RS2 and RS4)-were developed. The GIs for these breads were evaluated with 13 healthy college students (M6, F7) and sensory tests were done. Four kinds of breads were made through the modification of a basic recipe for white bread (the control, B) as follows: for Bf, the entire amount of sugar was replaced with FOS. For Ryef, 50% of the white wheat flower was replaced with roughly ground wholerye (20 mesh: 12-20 mesh = 1 : 3) in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. For RS2f and RS4f, 20% of the white wheat flower was replaced with RS2 or RS4, in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. The overall preference score of Bf was similar to that of B, while those of Ryef, RS2f and RS4f were lower than that of B, but showed the acceptable degree of the overall preference. The glycemic indices of Ryef and RS2f were 46.1 and 45.9 respectively, which were significantly lower than the GI of B, 67.8. The GIs of Bf and RS4f were, however, 66.7 and 80.5 respectively, showing no significant difference compared to B. The glycemic loads for a 30 g serving were 9.5, 5.9, 6.2, 11.0 and 9.0 for B, Bf, Ryef, RS2f and RS4f, respectively. In conclusion, addition of RS2 or roughly ground whole rye to the dough formula significantly lowered the GI. Since the preferences shown for those two breads were acceptable, they may be recommended as a substitute for white bread for persons who need blood glucose management. More studies on the bread making process are required to improve preference and acceptance. Although GI lowering effects for F and RS4 were not found in this study, further studies are needed to verify their effects.
Blood Glucose ; Bread* ; Breakfast ; Edible Grain* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Flowers ; Glycemic Index* ; Humans ; Korea ; Obesity ; Secale* ; Snacks ; Starch* ; Triticum

OBJECTIVESTo study the mechanism of Yanlieping Formula in treating chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

METHODSThirty-two C57BL/6 mice were divided into Chinese Traditional Medicine group(Yanlieping group, 10 mice), treatment control group(Cernilton group, 10 mice), model group(6 mice) and normal group(6 mice). The animal model was created by using immunologic adjuvant, and Yanlieping (0.84 g per mouse), Cernilton (7.5 mg per mouse), distilled water(1.05 ml per mouse) and distilled water (0.5 ml per mouse) were respectively administered to the four groups every day for one month. The prostate weight, pathological changes, TNF-alpha and IL-2 in serum were observed.

RESULTSThe prostate weight in Yanlieping group and Cernilton group became significantly lower than in the model group(P < 0.05). Pathologic sign of chronic inflammation became better significantly(Yanlieping group showed more significant improvement). The expression of IL-2 in Yanlieping group and Cernilton group were downregulated significantly. And the expression of TNF-alpha in Yianlieping group was higher than that of the model group and the normal group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe mechanism of Yanlieping Formula in treating chronic prostatitis may lie in the max urethral close pressure reduction, anti-inflammation, local blood circulation improvement.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Secale ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of allergic rhinitis and the kinds of offending allergens in our environment are varying as the way of life changes with urbanization and industrialization. Therefore, knowledge of the relationship between allergic rhinitis and the offending allergen is crucial for therapeutic judgment. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence and distribution of offending allergens and investigate the prevalence of multiple sensitization on patients with allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Allergic skin test and multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) was performed for 1, 705 allergic rhinitis patients from Jan. 1998 to Dec. 2001 at the allergy clinic, Kyung Hee university Hospital. and a retrospective study was done by reviewing the result. RESULTS: Common offending allergens were Dermatopgagoides farinae (D. farinae), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus), various pollens, dog hair, cockroach, and cat hair. Common offending seasonal allergens were ragweed, mugwort, rye, timothy grass, and Bermuda grass. The most common combination of allergens was mites with animal danders. Nineteen point three percent of the patients were sensitized to both perennial and seasonal type of allergens. Thirty point eight percent of patients with PAR (perennial allergic rhinitis) and 66.7% of patients with SAR (seasonal allergic rhinitis) were sensitized to multiple allergen. The prevalence of mixed sensitization to both perennial and seasonal allergen is 19.3% in allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of multiple sensitization in allergic rhinitis is 52.7%.
Allergens* ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Cats ; Climacteric ; Cockroaches ; Cynodon ; Dander ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Judgment ; Luminescent Measurements ; Mites ; Phleum ; Pollen ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis* ; Seasons ; Secale cereale ; Skin Tests ; Statistics as Topic* ; Urbanization ; Industrial Development

BACKGROUND: Baker's asthma is a common occupational respiratory disease and its prevalence rate varies from 15% to 30% of the workers in foreign countries. It has been reported mainly in bakers and millers due to sensitization to wheat, rye, storage mites, and several enzymes etc. But, the main allergen of baker's asthma is wheat. As there is an increase of consumption of food made of wheat due to westernized life style, it is expected that the prevalence of baker's asthma is increasing or already increased. But, there has been no study to investigate the prevalence of baker's asthma in this country. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization in baking factory workers. METHOD: A total of 147 bakers (age 32.6+/-8.2 years, male 63%) were enrolled in this study. They responded to a modified ISSAC questionnaire and underwent methacholine bronchial challenge test, and skin prick test with common inhalant allergens and work-related allergens including commercial wheat antigen, bread flour, and cake flour antigen prepared in our laboratory. And specific bronchial challenge test with wheat extract was performed to volunteers. RESULTS: The atopic prevalence based on skin prick test was 43% (63/147), and wheat sensitization rate (including commercial wheat, bread flour and cake flour antigen) was 15% (22/147). The risk factors for wheat sensitization were atopy, long duration occupied in baking process, and current or past work history in mixing and/or measuring part where wheat flour exposure was relatively high (p<0.05). Wheat sensitization was highly associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, work related symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis (p<0.05) respectively. The prevalence of current asthma based on questionnaire and methacholine bronchial challenge test was 8% (11/147 bakers). Of these, 8 bakers were sensitized to wheat antigen, and all of them except one baker complained of work-related symptoms. These seven bakers were highly suspected of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization. Two of these seven bakers showed early asthmatic response on specific broncho-provocation test. CONCLUSION: Wheat sensitization rate was 15%, The prevalence of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization was 5% in baking factory workers and it's risk factors were atopy, long duration occupied in baking process, and current or past work history in mixing and/or measuring part of baking process.
Acaridae ; Allergens ; Asthma* ; Bread ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Conjunctivitis ; Dermatitis ; Flour ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Methacholine Chloride ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors ; Secale ; Skin ; Triticum* ; Volunteers ; Surveys and Questionnaires