Comparison of Overall Immunity Levels among Workers at Grape Orchard, Rose Greenhouse, and Open-Field Onion Farm

Background@#Occupational hazards in crop farms vary diversely based on different field operations as soil management, harvesting processes, pesticide, or fertilizer application. We aimed at evaluating the immunological status of crop farmers, as limited systematic investigations on immune alteration involved with crop farming have been reported yet. @*Methods@#Immunological parameters including plasma immunoglobulin level, major peripheral immune cells distribution, and level of cytokine production from activated T cell were conducted. Nineteen grape orchard, 48 onion open-field, and 21 rose greenhouse farmers were participated. @*Results@#Significantly low proportion of natural killer (NK) cell, a core cell for innate immunity, was revealed in the grape farmers (19.8 ± 3.3%) in comparison to the onion farmers (26.4 ± 3.1%) and the rose farmers (26.9 ± 2.5%), whereas cytotoxic T lymphocyte proportion was lower in the grape and the onion farmers than the rose farmers. The proportion of NKT cell, an immune cell implicated with allergic response, was significantly higher in the grape (2.3 ± 0.3%) and the onion (1.6 ± 0.8%) farmers compared with the rose farmers (1.0 ± 0.4%). A significantly decreased interferon-gamma:interleukin-13 ratio was observed from ex vivo stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of grape farmers compared with the other two groups. The grape farmers revealed the lowest levels of plasma IgG1 and IgG4, and their plasma IgE level was not significantly different from that of the onion or the rose farmers. @*Conclusion@#Our finding suggests the high vulnerability of workplace-mediated allergic immunity in grape orchard farmers followed by open-field onion farmers and then the rose greenhouse farmers.

Evaluation of Short-Term Exposure Levels on Ammonia and Hydrogen Sulfide During Manure-Handling Processes at Livestock Farms

Background@#Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are harmful gases generated during aerobic/anaerobic bacterial decomposition of livestock manure. We evaluated ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations generated from workplaces at livestock farms and determined environmental factors influencing the gas concentrations. @*Methods@#Five commercial swine farms and five poultry farms were selected for monitoring. Real-time monitors were used to measure the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and environmental conditions during the manure-handling processes. Monitoring was conducted in the manure storage facility and composting facility. Information on the farm conditions was also collected through interview and walk-through survey. @*Results@#The ammonia concentrations were significantly higher at the swine composting facilities (9.5–43.2 ppm) than at other manure-handling facilities at the swine and poultry farms, and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were identified during the manure agitation and mixing process at the swine manure storage facilities (6.9–19.5 ppm). At the poultry manure-handling facilities, the ammonia concentration was higher during the manure-handling processes (2.6–57.9 ppm), and very low hydrogen sulfide concentrations (0–3.4 ppm) were detected. The air temperature and relative humidity, volume of the facility, duration of manure storage, and the number of animals influenced the gas concentrations. @*Conclusion@#A high level of hazardous gases was generated during manure handling, and some levels increased up to risk levels that can threaten workers' health and safety. Some of the farm operational factors were also found to influence the gas levels. By controlling and improving these factors, it would be possible to protect workers' safety and health from occupational risks.

Selective Temporary Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Intracranial Wide-Necked Small Aneurysms Using Solitaire AB Retrievable Stent

OBJECTIVE: Stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial wide-necked aneurysm requires long-term postoperative antiplatelet therapy to prevent in-stent thrombosis. This study aimed to demonstrate results of temporary stent placement for coiling wide necked small intracranial aneurysms, which eliminated need for antiplatelet agents, and to discuss its feasibility and safety. METHODS: Data of 156 patients who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen cases of temporary stent-assisted coil embolization were included, and their clinical and radiological results were evaluated. RESULTS: The aneurysms treated were all unruptured except one case. All of them had wide neck with mean dome-to-neck ratio of 0.96 and were small-sized aneurysms with mean maximal diameter of 4.2 mm. There was no technical failure in retrieval of stent after completion of embolization of the target aneurysm. Immediate angiography revealed 11 complete and two partial embolization (one residual neck and one residual aneurysm). Two cases encountered thrombosis complication, and they were managed without neurological sequelae. The mean follow-up period was 43 months, angiographic follow-up revealed two cases with minor recurrence, and clinical outcome was good with modified Rankin scale score of 0. CONCLUSION: Temporary stent-assisted coil embolization of small wide-necked intracranial aneurysm using fully retrievable stent appears safe and effective. Further application and evaluation of this technique in more cases with larger size aneurysm is warranted.

Selective Temporary Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Intracranial Wide-Necked Small Aneurysms Using Solitaire AB Retrievable Stent

OBJECTIVE: Stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial wide-necked aneurysm requires long-term postoperative antiplatelet therapy to prevent in-stent thrombosis. This study aimed to demonstrate results of temporary stent placement for coiling wide necked small intracranial aneurysms, which eliminated need for antiplatelet agents, and to discuss its feasibility and safety.METHODS: Data of 156 patients who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen cases of temporary stent-assisted coil embolization were included, and their clinical and radiological results were evaluated.RESULTS: The aneurysms treated were all unruptured except one case. All of them had wide neck with mean dome-to-neck ratio of 0.96 and were small-sized aneurysms with mean maximal diameter of 4.2 mm. There was no technical failure in retrieval of stent after completion of embolization of the target aneurysm. Immediate angiography revealed 11 complete and two partial embolization (one residual neck and one residual aneurysm). Two cases encountered thrombosis complication, and they were managed without neurological sequelae. The mean follow-up period was 43 months, angiographic follow-up revealed two cases with minor recurrence, and clinical outcome was good with modified Rankin scale score of 0.CONCLUSION: Temporary stent-assisted coil embolization of small wide-necked intracranial aneurysm using fully retrievable stent appears safe and effective. Further application and evaluation of this technique in more cases with larger size aneurysm is warranted.

Association between endotoxin levels in dust from indoor swine housing environments and the immune responses of pigs

Indoor animal husbandry environments are inevitably contaminated with endotoxins. Endotoxin exposure is associated with various inflammatory illnesses in animals. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between the degree of endotoxin exposure and the cellular and humoral immune profiles of fattening pigs. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 47 pigs from ten pig farms in Korea. Whole blood cell counts and plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) classes were determined. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A for 48 h, and cytokines released into culture supernatants were measured. The barns in which the pigs lived were assessed for endotoxin levels in the total and respirable dust by using the limulus amebocyte lysate kinetic QCL method. Low and high endotoxin exposures were defined as ≤ 30 and > 30 EU/m³, respectively. Compared to pigs with low endotoxin exposure (n = 19), highly exposed pigs (n = 28) had higher circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte (particularly B cells) counts, IgG and IgE levels, interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin (IL)-4 productions, and lower IgA levels and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) production. The IL-4, IFNγ, and TNFα levels significantly correlated with endotoxin level and/or pig age. Constant exposure of pigs to high levels of airborne endotoxins can lead to aberrant immune profiles.

Effect of fermented soybean products intake on the overall immune safety and function in mice

Various functional activities have been reported for the fermented soybean products doenjang (DJ) and cheonggukjang (CGJ), although no systemic investigations of their immune functions have been conducted to date. We examined the effects of an experimental diet of DJ, CGJ, or a mixture of unfermented raw material for 4 weeks on overall immunity and immune safety in mice. No significant alterations were observed in peripheral or splenic immune cells among groups. Enhanced splenic natural killer cell activity was observed in the DJ and CGJ groups compared with the plain diet group. T helper type-1 (Th1)-mediated immune responses were enhanced in the DJ and CGJ groups with an upregulated production ratio of IFN-γ vs. IL-4 and IgG2a vs. IgG1 in stimulated splenic T and B cells, respectively. Resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection was observed in the DJ and CGJ groups. Overall, the results of this study suggest that DJ and CGJ intake consolidates humoral and cellular immunity to Th1 responses.

Epizootiological characteristics of viable bacteria and fungi in indoor air from porcine, chicken, or bovine husbandry confinement buildings

Microorganisms found in bioaerosols from animal confinement buildings not only foster the risk of spreading diseases among livestock buildings, but also pose health hazards to farm workers and nearby residents. This study identified the various microorganisms present in the air of swine, chicken, and cattle farms with different kinds of ventilation conditions in Korea. Microbial air samples were collected onto Petri dishes with bacterial or fungal growth media using a cascade impactor. Endotoxin levels in total dust were determined by the limulus amebocyte lysate kinetic QCL method. Prevalent Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus (S.) lentus, S. chromogenes, Bacillus (B.) cereus, B. licheniformis, and Enterococcus faecalis, while the dominant fungi and Gram-negative bacteria were Candida albicans and Sphingomonas paucimobilis, respectively. Considering no significant relationship between the indoor dust endotoxin levels and the isolation of Gram-negative bacteria from the indoor air, monitoring the indoor airborne endotoxin level was found to be also critical for risk assessment on health for animals or workers. The present study confirms the importance of microbiological monitoring and control on animal husbandry indoor air to ensure animal and worker welfare.

Relationship between chicken cellular immunity and endotoxin levels in dust from chicken housing environments

Hazardous biochemical agents in animal husbandry indoor environments are known to promote the occurrence of various illnesses among workers and animals. The relationship between endotoxin levels in dust collected from chicken farms and various immunological markers was investigated. Peripheral blood was obtained from 20 broiler chickens and 20 laying hens from four different chicken farms in Korea. Concentrations of total or respirable dust in the inside the chicken farm buildings were measured using a polyvinyl chloride membrane filter and mini volume sampler. Endotoxin levels in the dust were determined by the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic method. Interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with concanavalin A was significantly lower in broilers or layers from the farms with higher endotoxin concentrations than the chickens from the farms with lower endotoxin levels. An opposite pattern was observed for plasma cortisol concentrations with higher cortisol levels found in chickens from the farms with higher endotoxin levels. When peripheral lymphocytes were examined, the percentage of CD3-Ia+ B cells was lower in layers from farms with higher endotoxin levels than those from locations with lower endotoxin levels. Overall, these results suggest a probable negative association between dust endotoxin levels and cell-mediated immunity in chickens.

Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice

Historically, German chamomile (GC) oil has been used for treatment of skin disorders. BALB/c mice were sensitized twice a week with 100 microL of 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and challenged twice the following week with 100 microliter of 0.2% DNCB for atopic dermatitis induction. Thereafter, 3% GC oil was applied daily (70 microliter, 6 times week) on the dorsal skin for 4 weeks. Saline or jojoba oil was used for the control mice. Blood was collected after second DNCB challenge, and at 2 and 4 weeks after initiating oil application. Serum IgE levels were significantly lowered in the GC oil application group at the end of the 4-week application period. The GC oil application for 4 weeks resulted in reduction in serum IgG1 level compared with that after 2-week application. The GC oil application group showed a significantly lower serum histamine level than the control group 2 weeks after oil application. Scratching frequency of the GC oil application group was significantly lower than either control groups. This study is to demonstrate GC oil's immunoregulatory potential for alleviating atopic dermatitis through influencing of Th2 cell activation.

Efficacy of Polymerase Chain Reaction in Early Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Keratitis in Rabbit Model

We evaluated the efficacy of polymerase chain reaction(PCR)in early diagnosis of herpes simplex keratitis(HSK)in rabbit model and compared the sensitivity and specificity of PCR in two kinds of primers. Only one eye of 8 rabbits was inoculated with HSV Type 1(F strain, ATCC VR-73)to induce HSK, and the other eye was used as control. Rabbit cornea was examined under slit lamp examination and PCR test of tear and corneal scraping specimens were performed at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10th post-inoculation day. The sensitivity of PCR with POL primer was 100%in tear and corneal scraping specimens. The sensitivity of PCR with POL primer and LAT primer were 80%and 100%respectively. PCR test is very useful diagnotic tool for the early diagnosis of HSK in rabbit model. In addition, PCR test with corneal scraping specimens provided better yield compared with tears.

Causes of the Lower Uncorrected Visual Acuity than 20/40 after LASIK

PURPOSE: To evaluate the causes of low uncorrected visual acuity below 20/40 after LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis). METHODS: 289 eyes (more -6.0 D myopia) that had LASIK between July 1997 and December 1999 by one surgeon were observed for at least 6 months. We evaluated their uncorrected visual acuity and ocular state. RESULTS: 51 eyes (17.64%) of 289 eyes have lower uncorrected visual acuity than 20/40 after LASIK. The causes were myopic regression (22/51), decentering (10/51), undercorrection of myopia (5/51), corneal ectasia (5/51), undercorrection of astigmatism (4/51), central island (2/51), free flap (1/51), postoperative flap displacement (1/51) and incomplete keratome pass (1/51). CONCLUSION: Although LASIK is a safe and effective procedure, many patients had lower uncorrected visual acuity less than 20/40 after LASIK. We must be able to manage correctable factors among the causes above.

Effect of Diabetes on the Developmental Duration of after-cataract in Pseudophakic Eyes with PMMA or Silicone IOL

PURPOSE: We studied the effect of the duration of diabetes or the severity of diabetic retinopathy on the development posterior capsular opacity in patients with PMMA or silicone intraocular lens (IOL) implan-tation following continuos capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification. METHODS: 41 eyes of diabetic patients (DM group) and 74 eyes of non-diabetic patients (control group) who had undergone Nd-YAG capsulotomy from January 1997 to May 2000 were included. RESULTS: The average interval from cataract surgery to Nd-YAG capsulotomy was 36.3+/-14.1 months with PMMA IOL and 25.3+/-11.8 months with silicone IOL in DM group (p<0.05). In control group, it was 38.0+/-15.1 months with PMMA IOL and 23.4+/-11.8 months with silicone IOL (p<0.05). There was no difference between DM and control groups. The severity of DM retinopathy did not influence the duration from cataract operation to posterior capsulotomy in DM group. Among the patients with diabeters for 10 years or longer, the mean interval from cataract operation to capsulotomy was longer in PMMA IOL group compared with silicone IOL group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Diabetics with PMMA IOL may maintain good vision for longer duration without posterior capsulotomy than those with silicone IOL. The silicone IOL group of more than 10-year DM duration needed posterior capsulotomy earlier than PMMA IOL group or the silicone IOL group of less than 10-year DM duration.

The Early Diagnosis of Herpetic Ke ratitis by Polymerase Chain Reaction

We evaluated the efficacy of polymerase chain reaction(PCR)in the early diagnosis of Herpes simplex virus keratitis(HSK). Among 47 patients(47 eyes), 25 patients were clinically herpetic keratitis and the others were other kinds of keratitis clinically. Tear film specimens were taken from 32 eyes and corneal scrapings from 21 eyes with suspicious herpetic keratitis and clinically incongrous with HSK. PCR for tear and corneal scraping was performed with using DNA primer. 67% of corneal scrapings and 19%tear samples of suspicious herpetic keratitis showed PCR positive. Tear samples from keratitis clinically incongruous with HSK were all PCR negative but 40%of corneal scrapings from these patients represented PCR positive. From these results, PCR is a rapid and effective tool for the early diagnosis of herpetic keratitis and especially useful in cases of nonspecific corneal lesion. However, for the accurate diagnosis of HSK, not only PCR results but also patient's history and corneal findings should be well evaluated.

Measurement and Analysis of Neurosensory Retinal Detachment in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Using Heidelberg Retina Tomograph

No Abstract Available.

Clinical Results of AMO ARRAY Multifocal Intraocular Lens

Various kinds of multifocal intraocular lenses(IOLs) have been developed for the improvement of near and far visual acuity after cataract operation. This prospective study was performed to compare a function of AMO ARRAY multifocal IOL(Array group) with conventional monofocal IOL(Mono group). Each type of IOL was implanted into 25 eyes and uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) at near, intermediate and far distance were evaluated before and 2 months after operation in both groups. Contrast sensitivity, photophobia and glare were also evaluated as subjective symptoms in both groups. Mean UCVA at distant and near distance before operation was 0.23+/-0.15 and 0.25+/-0.20 in mono group, and 0.13+/-0.11 and 0.14+/-0.11 in Array group. Mean UCVA/BCVA at distant and near distance 2 month after operation was improved to 0.79+/-0.28/0.87+/-0.27 and 0.34+/-0.15/0.82+/-0.26 in mono group and 0.83+/-0.19/0.86+/-0.19 and 0.50+/-0.15/0.79+/-0.15 in Array group. The difference of UCVA at near distance was statistically significant(P<0.05), while that of BCVA at near and far distance was not statistically significant between two groups(P<0.05). Array group had less contrast sensitivity at all spatial frequencies(1.5, 3, 6, 12, 18 cycles/degree) and more glare than the mono group after operation. AMO ARRAY multifocal IOL induces a good result of visual rehabilitation in both near and far distance, but it may cause more glare and less contrast sensitivity than the monofocal IOL.

Clinical trial of leptospires vaccine on its immunogenicity and safety / 예방의학회지

Since the reservior of leptospires organism is consisted of a broad spectrum of animals, the best method of prevention is vaccination. The clinical trial of leptospires vaccine conducted on human volunteer for its immunogenicity and safety. Summarized results are as follows: 1. The Oral temperature among vaccinated group ranged from 36.7 +/- 0.34 degrees C, while in placebo injected group it ranged from 36.4 +/- 0.46 degrees C to 36.7 +/- 0.53 degrees C. There wan no association between vaccination and fever (p<0.05). 2. Mild local reactions revealed in vacciness were swelling (50-75%), Redness(75-90%), and induration(25-40%). Placebo injected group revealed only redness in 12.5% in the 1st injection and 37.5% in the second injection. The duration local reactions on injection site for both vaccinees and placebo groups disappeared within 48 hours. 3. Generalized Symptoms complained by the vaccinees were myalgia (25%), back pain(15%), headache(15%), pruritus(15%), and abdominal pain(10%), whereas placebo group complained of headache(25%), myalgia(12.5%), back pain(12.5%), pain in eyes(12.5%), abdominal pain(12.5%) prutitus(12.5%) and nausea(12.5%). 4. The serological test(MAT) of vaccinees showed geometric mean antibody titer as follows: a. L. icterohemorrhagiae lai, 1 week after 1st vaccination: 22.45, 1 week after 2nd vaccination: 111.23, 3 week after 2nd vaccination: 266.64, b. L. canicola canicola, 1 week after 1st vaccination: 24.62, 1 week after 2nd vaccination: 123.92, 3 week after 2nd vaccination: 276.55, c. L. icterohemorrhagiae copenhageni, 1 week after 1st vaccination: 28.28, 1 week after 2nd vaccination: 128.55, 3 week after 2nd vaccinaton: 247.88, Whereas all of the placebo injected group, showed below 1 : 20 titers. The sero-conversion rate of vaccinees were 100 percent.