Myeonghyun Son

Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) was developed as a tool to measure lung function, and as it only requires passive cooperation, it has been successfully used in younger children. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of IOS compared to conventional spirometry for lung function measures in asthmatic Korean children aged 3 to 6 yrs. Total serum IgE levels, total eosinophil counts, and specific IgE levels were measured in 77 children with asthma and 55 control subjects. IOS and spirometry were

Although the prevalences of asthma and obesity are increasing substantially in recent decades, very little is known about the possible association between them. We evaluated the roles of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin, which are adipokines produced by adipose tissue, on childhood asthma, and their association with pulmonary function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We studied 149 atopic asthmatic children, 37 non-atopic asthmatic children, and 54 healthy children. Body mass index was calcul

RATIONALE: Prolonged exposure to 100% O(2) causes hyperoxic acute lung injury (HALI), characterized by alveolar epithelial cell injury and death. We previously demonstrated that the murine chitinase-like protein, breast regression protein (BRP)-39 and its human homolog, YKL-40, inhibit cellular apoptosis. However, the regulation and roles of these molecules in hyperoxia have not been addressed. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that BRP-39 and YKL-40 (also called chitinase-3-like 1) play important rol

RATIONALE: Atopy or atopic syndrome is an allergic hypersensitivity subject to hereditary influences. Aberrant expression of chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), also known as YKL-40 or HC gp-39, is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and allergic diseases. OBJECTIVES: The genetic contribution of CHI3L1 gene to atopic susceptibility was investigated using an integrated population genetic and molecular analysis. METHODS: Genetic variations in CHI3L1 were identified and genotyped in 295 unrelated

The cockroach represents one of the most common sources of indoor allergens worldwide, and 40%-60% of patients with asthma in urban and inner-city areas possess IgE antibodies to cockroach allergens. In Korean homes, four cockroach species have been found, of which the most commonly encountered is the German cockroach. The pathogenic mechanism underlying the association between cockroach allergens and allergic diseases has not been fully elucidated. Allergenicity is associated with the cockroach

Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by defective skin barrier and Th2 immune responses. Chitinase 3‐like 1 (CHI3L1), also known as breast regression protein 39 (BRP‐39) in mice and human homologue YKL‐40, plays important roles in Th2 inflammation and allergen sensitization. CHI3L1 has been implicated in a variety of diseases including asthma characterized by inflammation, apoptosis and tissue remodelling, but its role in AD remains elu

BACKGROUND: We aimed to systematically review observational studies investigating the relationship between vitamin D levels and allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Studies were selected if they evaluated the relationship between vitamin D levels and AR, and included studies that evaluated other allergic conditions if those studies also contained data on AR. We assessed the incidence and prevalence of AR according to vitamin D levels and compared vitamin D levels in patients with AR to levels in con

AIM: In certain patients, such as young children or individuals with cerebral palsy or severe mental retardation, it is difficult to perform forced expiratory manoeuvres to measure expiratory flow volume. In such cases, we could evaluate obstructive lung disease through the measurement of airway resistance instead of expiratory flow volume. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the correlation of Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) parameters with spirometry values and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) mea

OBJECTIVES: During the acute phase, patients with Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute systemic vasculitis, demonstrate a drastic increase in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), which parallels the duration of the fever. Recently, IL-17 has been reported to induce IL-6 production. The aim of this study was to elucidate the involvement of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of KD. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from patients with KD (n=30) and normal controls (n=20), and the concentrations of IL-17 and IL-6 measu

BACKGROUND: Cockroaches have been known as a cause of respiratory allergies such as asthma. IL-8 plays an integral role in the coordination and persistence of the inflammatory process in the chronic inflammation of the airways in asthma. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the mechanism by which German cockroach extract (GCE) triggers IL-8 release from human airway epithelial cells. METHODS: Chemical inhibitors were pretreated before addition of GCE for promoter activity and protein synthesis of IL-8. Th