In vitro and in vivo inhibition of Helicobacter pylori by Lactobacilllus paracasei HP7 / 한국실험동물학회지

The efficacy of standard therapeutic strategies for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is decreasing over time due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. As an alternative, the present study investigated the capacity of Lactobacilllus paracasei (L. paracasei) HP7, isolated from kimchi, to inhibit H. pylori growth. The effects of L. paracasei HP7 on H. pylori adhesion and H. pylori-induced inflammation were examined in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells and a mouse model of H. pylori SS1 infection. L. paracasei HP7 reduced H. pylori adhesion to AGS cells and suppressed the inflammatory response in infected cells by downregulating interleukin-8. H. pylori colonization in the stomach of C57BL/6 mice was demonstrated by rapid urease test, and results showed significant decrease in mice post-treated with L. paracasei HP7. Additionally, L. paracasei HP7 decreased gastric inflammation and epithelial lesions in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that L. paracasei HP7 treatment can inhibit H. pylori growth and is thus a promising treatment for patients with gastric symptoms such as gastritis that are caused by H. pylori infection.

Plasma LTE₄/PGF₂α Ratio and Blood Eosinophil Count Are Increased in Elderly Asthmatics With Previous Asthma Exacerbation

The tools for asthma control assessment recommended by the current guideline are cognitive function- and effort-dependent, which is substantially impaired in the elderly. The aim of this study is to investigate objective assessment tools of asthma control status and previous asthma exacerbation (AE) in elderly subjects. Asthmatics aged >60 years who were treated with step 2 or 3 by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline were enrolled. During the 12-week study period, the subjects used either 400 µg of budesonide plus 10 mg of montelukast or 800 µg of inhaled budesonide. The occurrence of AE during the 4-week run-in and 12-week treatment period was monitored. After 12-week of treatment, sputum eosinophil count, peripheral eosinophil count, the plasma leukotriene E₄ (LTE₄), and prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) metabolite levels were measured using the UHPLC/Q-ToF MS system. The study subjects were divided into group 1 (asthmatics who experienced AE during the study period) and group 2 (those who did not). A total of 101 patients aged 60-85 years were enrolled. Twenty-three patients (22.8%) had experienced AE. The plasma LTE₄ level, LTE₄/PGF₂α ratio, and peripheral eosinophil count were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P=0.023, P=0.010, P=0.033, respectively). The plasma LTE₄/PGF₂α ratio and peripheral eosinophil count at week 12 were significantly associated with previous AE (odds ratio [OR]=1.748, P=0.013; OR=1.256, P=0.027). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to discriminate the subjects with previous AE, including these 2 parameters, showed that the area under the curve was 0.700 (P=0.004), with 73.9% sensitivity and 47.9% specificity. In conclusion, a combination of plasma LTE₄/PGF₂α ratio and peripheral eosinophil count can be an objective assessment tool which is significantly associated with asthma control status in elderly asthmatics.

Awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in current smokers: a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies of the attitudes toward COPD of smokers, the group at risk of developing this condition, have been conducted. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness of and attitudes toward COPD of current smokers. METHODS: The sample consisted of 502 individuals aged 45 and older from throughout Korea who smoked at least 10 packs of cigarettes per year. Telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted with respondents. RESULTS: First, we evaluated the health status of subjects, finding that 45.4% considered themselves to be in good health. We also asked about COPD-related symptoms, and 60.6% of subjects reported such symptoms. However, only 1.2% of subjects had been diagnosed with or treated for COPD, only 0.4% spontaneously mentioned COPD as a respiratory disease, and only 26.5% recognized COPD as a respiratory disease after seeing a list of such diseases. Television ranked as the top source of information about COPD. The willingness of 45.0% of subjects to stop smoking increased after being informed about COPD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having COPD-related symptoms, most smokers did not know that COPD is a respiratory disease. The attitudes of smokers toward COPD and smoking cessation varied according to socioeconomic status. In summary, a continuous effort to increase the awareness of COPD among smokers is needed. Additionally, strategies tailored according to different socioeconomic groups will also be necessary.

Awareness of COPD in a High Risk Korean Population

PURPOSE: Increased awareness and understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important aspect of disease management. The aim of this study was to explore COPD awareness among smokers participating in a smoking cessation program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 289 subjects in three smoking cessation clinics, using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 68.2% of subjects had COPD-related symptoms, and 19.7% were in poor health. Only 1.0% of the subjects knew that COPD was a respiratory disease. A total of 2.4% of subjects had been diagnosed with COPD and received treatment. Television was the most common source of information about COPD, with 57.1% of the subjects receiving information in this way. After being informed about COPD, smoking-cessation willingness increased in 84.1% of the study group. It increased in 86.3% of the subjects without awareness of COPD and in 81.2% of subjects with COPD-related symptoms. CONCLUSION: We found that awareness of COPD is very poor among current smokers in Korea. Many smokers perceived their health status as good, despite the presence of COPD-related symptoms. As the level of smoking-cessation willingness was different between those with and without awareness of COPD or COPD-related symptoms, a personalized education program with various educational tools may be needed to enhance awareness of the disease and to motivate smokers to quit.

A Case of Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone Following Chemotherapy in a Patient with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of the antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a well recognized paraneoplastic phenomenon related to impaired water excretion, and can result in dilutional hyponatremia as well as central nervous system symptoms. It is characterized by a decrease in plasma osmolarity with inappropriately concentrated urine. The causes of SIADH are associated with pulmonary and endocrine disorders, central nervous system diseases, and malignancies, including lung cancer. The other causes of SIADH include some drugs, particularly chemotherapy agents. Anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide are well known causes of SIADH but the mechanisms are unclear. Recently, we encountered a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who suffered from general weakness and altered mentality after an intravenous carboplatin and gemcitabine combination.

SVC Syndrome Caused by Leiomyosarcoma of SVC: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Among the causes of SVC syndrome,intraluminal tumor,especially the leiomyosarcoma is very rare.We report a 39 year old female patient who had been suffering from headache and facial edema for 6 weeks before admission.On physical examination,facial edema and venous engorgement on upper extermities and upper chast wall were showed.The chest CT scan and SVC cavogram showed a long intraluminal mass lesion resulting in a near total obstruction of the SVC.Surgery was performed through median sternotomy.For complete resection of the tumor and thrombus,we used partial and total CPB.The follow up SVC cavogram revealed no abnormality 14 months after the operation.

Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy with Cisplatin and Oral Etoposide for Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Prognosis of locally advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiation therapy alone has been disappointing. In recent years, concurrent chemoradiation therapy has potential of improving both local and metastatic disease-free survival. This phase II study was undertaken to determine the feasibility, toxicity, response rate, local control rate, and survival duration of locally advanced NSCL patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation using cisplatin and oral etoposide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled and forty-one patients were evaluable. Chemotheray consisted of cisplatin 50 mg/m2/IV on days 1 and 8 and oral etoposide 100 mg/day on days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12 which was repeated, every 4 weeks for two cycles during radiation therapy. Radiation therapy was administered to a total dose of 6300 cGY. RESULTS: Among 41 evaluable patients, six patients achieved complete response, and twenty had partial response, for an overall response rate of 63.4% (95% confidence interval; 48.4% to 75.4%). Stable disease was reported in 10 patients (24.4%) and another 5 (12.2%) showed disease pro gression. Overall survival rate was 76% at 1 year, 34% at 2 years. Median survival duration was 17 months (range; 3 to 41 ). Eighty-three percents of patients had radiation pneumonitis but only one patients needed medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy with cisplatin and oral etoposide at this level is a well tolerated and feasible.

A Case of Sarecoid Dactylitis / 대한피부과학회지

We report a case of sarcoid dactylitis in which there have been significant bone changes. A 46 year-old female presented with digital erythematous clubbing-like changes and sausage-like swellings of middle phalanges of both hands for 3 months. She had also several freely movable nontender subcutaneous nodules on her trunk and extremities for 3 years. There was a mild leukopenia and decreased cell-mediated immunity. The chest X-ray revealed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy with increased interstitial lung markings. The X-ray of the hands and feet revealed paraarticular osteolytic lesions and altered trabecular patterns. Histopathologically there were several well-circumscribed granulomas without any caseating necrosis. We treated her with oral prednisone and hydroxychloroquine with some improvement.

A Study of Endothelium-dependent Pulmonary Arterial Relaxation and the Role of Nitric oxide on Acute Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in Rats / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Since the demonstration of the fact that vascular relaxation by acetylcholine(Ach) results from the release of relaxing factor from the endothelium, the identity and physiology of this endothelium-derived relaxing factor(EDRF) has been the target for many researches. EDRF has been identified as nitric oxide(NO). With the recent evidences that EDRF is an important mediator of vascular tone, there have been increasing interests in defining the role of the EDRF as a potential mediator of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. But the role of EDRF in modulating the pulmonary circulation is not compeletely clarified. To investigate the endotbelium-dependent pulmonary vasodilation and the role of EDRF during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, we studied the effects of N(G)-monornethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA) and L-arginine on the precontracted pulmonary arterial rings of the rat in normoxia and hypoxia. METHODS: The pulmonary arteries of male Sprague Dawley(300~350g) were dissected free of surrounding tissue, and cut into rings. Rings were mounted over fine rigid wires, in organ chambers filled with 20ml of Krebs solution bubbled with 95 percent oxygen and 5 percent carbon dioxide and maintained at 37℃. Changes in isometric tension were recorded with a force transducer(FT. 03 Grass, Quincy, USA). RESULTS: 1) Precontraction of rat pulmonry artery with intact endothelium by phenylephrine(PE, 10(-6)M) was relaxed completely by acetylcholine(Ach, 10(-9) -10(-5)M) and sodium nitroprusside (SN, 10(-9) -10(-5)M), but relaxing response by Ach in rat pulmonary artery with denuded endothelium was significantly decreased. 2) L-NMMA(10-4M) pretreatment inhibited Ach(10(-9) -10(-5)M)-induced relaxation, but L-NMMA(10-4M) had no effect on relaxation induced by SN(10(-9) -10(-5)M). 3) Pretreatment of the L-arginine(10(-4)M) significantly reversed the inhibition of the Ach(10(-9) -10(-5)M)-induced relaxation caused by L-NMMA(10(-4)M). 4) Pulmonary arterial contraction by PE(10(-6)M) was stronger in hypoxia than normoxia but relaxing response by Ach(10(-9) -10(-5)M) was decreased. 5) With pretreatment of L-arginine(10(-4)M), pulmonary arterial relaxation by Ach(10(-9) -10(-5)M) in hypoxia was reversed to the level of relaxation in normoxia. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that rat pulmonary arterial relaxation by Ach is dependent on the intact endothelium and is largely mediated by NO. Acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is related to the suppression on NO formation in the vascular endothelium.

A case of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis / 결핵

No abstract available.