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To evaluate the clinical significance of chestnut as a food allergen in Korea, skin prick test and ELISA were done in 1,738 patients with respiratory allergies. To identify the IgE binding components, IgE-immunoblotting, 2D IgE-immunoblotting and MALDI-TOF were performed. To observe the effects of digestive enzymes and a boiling treatment, simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluids (SIF) were incubated with chestnut extracts, and IgE-immunoblotting were then repeated. Skin prick test revealed that 56 (3.2%) patients showed more than 2+ of allergen to histamine ratio to chestnut. Among the 21 IgE binding components, 9 bands were found in more than 50% of the sera tested and the 24 kDa protein had the highest binding intensity. The amino acid sequence of the 24 kDa protein (pI 6.3) had homology with legume protein of oak tree. SGF, SIF and boiling treatment were able to suppress the IgE binding components. In conclusion, chestnut ingestion was shown to induce IgE mediated responses with a 3.2% sensitization rate. Twenty one IgE binding components and one new allergen (the 24 kDa protein) were identified. Digestive enzymes and boiling treatment were able to decrease the allergenic potency.

The success of target reconstruction in the SAR(Synthetic Aperture Radar) imaging system is greatly dependent on coherent detection. Incoherent detection appears as a multiplicative phase error to echoed signal, which consequently causes fatal degradations such as fading or dislocation of target image. In this paper, we propose a motion error correction scheme using an in-scene target to compensate for relative distance error between the radar and the target. We start by modeling from a wave equation for one point target, and then derive the complex motion error from extended overall echoed data. The proposed algorithm is also good for the correction of relatively large motion error because it can be applied repeatedly, and it is converged after each iteration. We use the spatial Doppler characteristics of the strong in-scene target to retrieve motion error, thus, we only used the partial spectral echo data corresponding to the strong in-scene target. By doing this, we can reduce computational loads and the number of iterations for the large motion error. We verify the performance of the proposed algorithm by applying it to the simulated spotlight-mode SAR data.

A recent study has demonstrated the possible involvement of a leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene polymorphism in ASA-intolerant asthma (AIA) in a Polish population, whereas no significant association was noted in other populations. To investigate the role of genetic polymorphism in AIA development, we screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the key enzymes involved in arachidonate metabolism, and the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CYSLTR1) in a large Korean population with AIA: 93 AIA and 181 ASA-tolerant asthma (ATA) patients, and 123 normal controls. The single-base extension method was used to genotype SNPs in 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5, -1708G--A, 21C--T, 270G--A, 1728G--A), ALOX5-activating protein (ALOX5AP, 218A--G), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, COX2, -162C--G, 10T--G, R228H, V511A), LTC4S (-444A--C), and CYSLTR1 (927T--C). Haplotype analyses were undertaken for the SNPs in ALOX5. No significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of single SNPs were observed between the patient groups ( P0.05). However, the frequency of the ALOX5-ht1[G-C-G-A] haplotype in the AIA group was significantly higher than its frequency in the ATA group with a probability ( P) of 0.01, odds ratio (OR) of 5.0, and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.54-17.9, and in the normal controls ( P=0.03, OR=4.5, 95%CI=1.1-18.4), by using a dominant model. These results suggest a lack of association between the ALOX5AP, PTGS2, LTC4S, and CYSLTR1 gene polymorphisms and the AIA phenotype in the Korean population. However, the possible involvement of ALOX5-ht1[G-C-G-A] in AIA development is suggested.

Although silicon has higher reversible capacity than graphite as a lithium storage material, its large volume change during lithium insertion and extraction causes poor capacity retention. To address this technical issue, melt-spun Si based alloy materials have been suggested as promising materials for lithium ion batteries because of their high capacity and relatively low production cost. However, their long-term cycle performance should be further improved for the commercial success. In this study, it is demonstrated that mechanical deformation can improve the electrochemical performances of melt-spun Si alloy material. By applying the high-energy mechanical milling to melt-spun Si/TiFeSi2, Si/TiFeSi2 nanocomposite is successfully modified with a size of few nanometer, and that is clearly observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). As s result, the microstructurally tuned Si/TiFeSi2 showed a reversible capacity of more than 1000 mAh g-1 with stable capacity retention up to 100 cycles. More detailed studies on the reasons for better cycle performance of milled Si/TiFeSi2 will be discussed in this presentation.

This review updates the status of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) in the contexts of epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment.Recent studies have shown that prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) deficiency induces an AERD phenotype in PGE₂ synthase-1 knock-out mice and also PGE₂ resistance in granulocytes of AERD patients. The numbers of platelet-adherent leukocytes increase in AERD patients, enhancing production of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) via transcellular metabolism of arachidonate. INF-γ released from eosinophils of the sinus tissue of AERD patients promotes eosinophil maturation, increases leukotriene-associated gene expression, and releases CysLTs. The serum periostin level has been suggested to be a useful biomarker predicting the AERD/CRSwNP phenotype. Aspirin desensitization was reported to decrease the levels of CD4⁺ T cell-derived cytokines, including INF-γ and IL-10, in line with the newly defined role of INF-γ in AERD.Recent findings further support the notion that arachidonic acid metabolism is dysregulated in AERD patients. This is reflected by resistance to PGE₂, overproduction of CysLTs by enhanced numbers of platelet-adherent leukocytes, and cellular stimulation by INF-γ released from eosinophils. Aspirin desensitization may be a useful treatment option in AERD patients exhibiting recalcitrant CRSwNP.

p53 mutations and the Ki-67 protein are frequently observed in various types of human cancer; the abnormal expression of p53 and Ki-67 in the tumor is associated with poor survival of lung cancer patients. We aimed to assess the prognostic role of immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of p53 and Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue.Tumor samples from 136 patients who had undergone surgical resection for lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively evaluated for p53 and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemistry. Associations of clinical and pathologic variables with p53 and Ki-67 were determined using the χ(2) test. After excluding two patients (follow-up loss), 134 cases were evaluated for associations between p53, Ki-67, clinical and pathologic variables, and survival by using the Cox proportional hazards regression model and Kaplan-Meier method.In the 136 patients, p53 was positive in 71.0% (93/131), and Ki-67 showed high in 49.2% (61/124). Unlike p53, Ki-67 was associated with male sex, smoking, and poor tumor differentiation (P=0.004, P=0.001 and P=0.006). Of these, poor tumor differentiation strongly was correlated with high level of Ki-67 expression (P=0.008). Neither p53 nor Ki-67 was associated with increased risk of death (P=0.318, P=0.053); however, age ≥60 years and lymph node involvement were significant predictors of death (P=0.039 and P=0.042). The log-rank test revealed a significant association between Ki-67 and lower survival in all patients (χ(2)=5637; P=0.018); however, the risk was limited to stage III cases (χ(2)=5.939; P=0.015). Unlike p53, patients with high level of Ki-67 expression showed lower 3-year actuarial survival than those without (log-rank test, χ(2)=4.936; P=0.026).IHC expression of Ki-67 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue shows stronger association with poor tumor differentiation, and negatively affects patients' survival in advanced-stage lung cancer; however, the role of p53 on patient outcome needs further study.

Fire smoke contains toxic gases and numerous chemical compounds produced by incomplete combustion, and may cause injury to the airways. Increased airway reactivity, as well as a decrease in lung function, has been reported as a sequela of smoke inhalation injury. This study was undertaken to assess lung functions in the early phase of patients with smoke inhalation damage from fires.A total of 15 patients with fire smoke inhalation (fire smoke group) and 15 subjects with chronic cough but no previous history of lung disease (chronic cough group) were enrolled. For diagnosis of inhalation injury, we performed bronchoscopy, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), as well as arterial carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) at admission. Clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and mannitol bronchial provocation tests (BPTs) were analyzed and compared between the two groups.In fire smoke group, initial COHb levels and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio were (14.8±18.49)% and 425.7±123.68, respectively. Of seven patients performing HRCT, 4 (57.1%) showed the CT findings compatible with lung involvement of inhalation injury. Post bronchodilator value of the percent of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were (76.0±24.27)% and (79.8±27.82)%, respectively. Pre-and post- bronchodilator forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC (FEF25-75) and the percent predicted FEF25-75 were 2.41±1.47 vs. 2.65±1.45 L (P=0.045), and (68.7±37.29)% vs. (76.4±36.70)% (P=0.031), respectively. Two patients (13.3%) had positive bronchodilator response (BDR). In fire smoke and chronic cough group, all the subjects showed mannitol BPTs within normal limits.Fire smoke inhalation leads to mild obstructive small airway disease pattern of pulmonary function in the early phase of patients with fire smoke damage. Further studies, however, need to be followed to identify the relationship between airway narrowing to inhaled mannitol and smoke inhalation injury.

The key features of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory diseases (AERDs) include chronic, severe asthma and a high prevalence (60-80%) of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, all of which are exacerbated by exposure to aspirin and other NSAIDs. Although the pathogenic mechanisms of AERD are not completely understood, repeated instances have shown intense eosinophilic infiltrations of upper and lower airway mucosa, and dysregulation of arachidonate metabolisms. Here, recent updates on the pathogenic mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory diseases are summarized.Intense eosinophilic infiltration is closely related to the elevated production of cytokines and chemokines such as IL-5 and eotaxin. The response of local immunoglobulin E to staphylococcal enterotoxins contributes to eosinophilic inflammation in nasal polyp tissue. Other characteristics include the overproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes and increased expression of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1, reduced production of prostaglandin E2, and the down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 and E-prostanoid receptor subtype-2. A recent gene expression profiling study has also suggested that periostin is the most up-regulated gene in the nasal polyp tissue of AERD patients.Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a major comorbid condition of AERD patients that is closely associated with severe asthmatic symptoms. Significant pathologic findings in nasal polyp tissues include intense eosinophilic inflammation, which is caused by elevated production of eosinophil-related cytokines and chemokines, specific immunoglobulin E responses to staphylococcal enterotoxins, and altered arachidonic acid metabolism. This could affect the current treatments and methodologies that are used to control asthma, leading to a more severe and intractable AERD phenotype.

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment can significantly increase glucosinolate (GS) concentrations in Brassica vegetables and potentially enhance anticancer bioactivity. Although MeJA treatment may promote ethylene biosynthesis, which can be detrimental to postharvest quality, there are no previous reports of its effect on cauliflower postharvest quality. To address this, cauliflower curds in field plots were sprayed with either 0.1 % Triton X-100 (control) or 500 μM MeJA solutions four days prior to harvest, then stored at 4 °C. Tissue subsamples were collected after 0, 10, 20, and 30 days of postharvest storage and assayed for visual color change, ethylene production, GS concentrations, and extract quinone reductase inductive activity. MeJA treatment increased curd GS concentrations of glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, and neoglucobrassicin by 1.5, 2.4, and 4.6-fold over controls, respectively. MeJA treated cauliflower showed significantly higher quinone reductase activity, a biomarker for anticancer bioactivity, without reducing visual color and postharvest quality for 10 days at 4 °C storage.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic allergic respiratory diseases worldwide. Various practical guidelines for AR have been developed and updated to improve the care of AR patients; however, up to 40% patients remain symptomatic. The unmet need for AR care is one of the greatest public health problems in the world. The gaps between guideline and real-world practice, and differences according to the region, culture, and medical environments may be the causes of unmet needs for AR care. Because there is no evidence-based AR practical guideline reflecting the Korean particularity, various needs are increasing. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether existing guidelines are sufficient for AR patient management in real practice and whether development of regional guidelines to reflect regional differences is needed in Korea. A total of 99 primary physicians comprising internists, pediatricians, and otolaryngologists (n=33 for each) were surveyed by a questionnaire relating to unmet needs for AR care between June 2 and June 16 of 2014. Among 39 question items, participants strongly agreed on 15 items that existing guidelines were highly insufficient and needed new guidelines. However, there was some disagreement according to specialties for another 24 items. In conclusion, the survey results demonstrated that many physicians did not agree with the current AR guideline, and a new guideline reflecting Korean particularity was needed.

Effect of pre-harvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and post-harvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments on broccoli floret glucosinolate (GS) concentrations and quinone reductase (QR, an in vitro anti-cancer biomarker) inducing activity were evaluated two days prior to harvest, at harvest and at 10, 20, and 30 days of post-harvest storage at 4 °C. MeJA treatments four days prior to harvest of broccoli heads was observed to significantly increase floret ethylene biosynthesis resulting in chlorophyll catabolism during post-harvest storage and reduced product quality. Post-harvest treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), which competitively binds to protein ethylene receptors, maintained post-harvest floret chlorophyll concentrations and product visual quality in both control and MeJA-treated broccoli. Transcript abundance of BoPPH, a gene which is responsible for the synthesis of pheophytinase, the primary enzyme associated with chlorophyll catabolism in broccoli, was reduced by 1-MCP treatment and showed a significant, negative correlation with floret chlorophyll concentrations. The GS, glucobrassicin, neoglucobrassicin, and gluconasturtiin were significantly increased by MeJA treatments. The products of some of the GS from endogenous myrosinase hydrolysis [sulforaphane (SF), neoascorbigen (NeoASG), N-methoxyindole-3-carbinol (NI3C), and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)] were also quantified and found to be significantly correlated with QR. Sulforaphane, the isothiocyanate hydrolysis product of the GS glucoraphanin, was found to be the most potent QR induction agent. Increased sulforaphane formation from the hydrolysis of glucoraphanin was associated with up-regulated gene expression of myrosinase (BoMyo) and the myrosinase enzyme co-factor gene, epithiospecifier modifier1 (BoESM1). This study demonstrates the combined treatment of MeJA and 1-MCP increased QR activity without post-harvest quality loss.

Recently, significant attention has been paid to conventional lithium ion battery (LIBs) with large-scale energy storage and longer cycle properties because new applications, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESSs), are gradually emerging onto the market. Moreover, large-scale battery systems are needed to reduce the system costs of these new applications. Safety issues are of even greater concern for such batteries than for existing smaller batteries. As a promising solution to these issues, the use of a solid electrolyte (SE, based on a polymer and a ceramic) has been suggested [1-2]. In contrast to organic-based liquid electrolytes, all-solid-state lithium ion batteries with a solid electrolyte are considered safe because of their non-flammability. Various solid electrolytes based on high molecular weight dielectric polymer hosts have been tested, and in particular dry electrolyte membranes based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) have been widely studied. PEO-based membranes can be used in all-solid battery designs in a free standing form without modifying current battery fabrication processes[3]. However, the ionic conductivities of PEO-based membranes are very low (10- 6-10- 8 S/cm) at the room temperature because of their low effective carrier mobilities. The carrier mobility can be enhanced by stabilizing the highly conductive amorphous matrix with an inorganic filler (nano-sized SiO2, Al2O3, etc.) [4-5]. However, high ionic conductivities (>10- 4S/cm) can only be obtained in these composites when they have very high filler contents (e.g. >30 wt.%), which result in poor process ability and mechanical properties [6]. In this study, we propose the new concept of a free-standing composite membrane with high ionic conductivity and good process ability, and report our implementation of this concept through the incorporation of garnet-type LLZO solid electrolyte powder into a PEO polymer matrix. Further, we discuss whether the ion conductivity of the composite membrane is improved by adding a small amount of Ionic liquids (ILs) with LLZO solid electrolyte powder because of synergetic effects, and whether the mechanical flexibility of the composite membrane is maintained. Finally, we assess the feasibility of all-solid electrode designs that use oxide solid electrolyte powders. Li7La3Zr2O12 powders were purchased from Nikkiso Co. Ltd. and used as received. The LiClO4/PEO molar ratio was fixed at 1:6, and the amount of LLZO was varied from 37.5 to 47.5 wt.% with respect to the total PEO+LLZO weight of the composite membrane. PEO, LiClO4, and LLZO were simply mixed in acetonitrile (ACN), and the ACN component of the slurry was slowly evaporated at room temperature in a dry-room, resulting in composite solid electrolyte membranes with various LLZO contents in a PEO matrix. Also, optimum condition of the composite membrane with a small amount of ILs was prepared. The ionic conductivity of the electrolytes was determined through complex impedance method using an AC impedance analyzer. The cathode electrode with the optimum composition was prepared as follows. LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2/PEO/ LLZO/LiClO4/carbon black (60:15:17.5:2.5:5 wt%) were mixed to create the cathode slurry. A coin cell (2032 type) was fabricated in a dry-room using a composite cathode electrode, solid electrolyte membranes and Li foil anode. The charge-discharge measurements were carried out within 2.5-4.3V. Fig.1a shows the variations of the ionic conductivity of the composite membranes with LLZO content. Increasing the LLZO content from 37.5% to 47.5% enhances the ionic conductivity slightly, but further increases in the LLZO content result in decreases in the ionic conductivity. The composite membrane with the maximum ionic conductivity was prepared under optimum conditions with 42.5% LLZO and 52.5% PEO-LiX. Thus the incorporation of the inorganic phase (LLZO) into the organic matrix (PEO-LiClO4) has a synergetic effect on the Li ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of the as-synthesized composite membrane was found to be significantly enhanced with respect to those of PEO-only and LLZO-only membranes, and the optimum composition was determined. Fig.1b shows the variations of the ionic conductivity of the composite membranes with ILs amount. In our approach to enhancing ionic conductivity while retaining a free standing design, we combined the organic matrix (PEO-LiX) and an inorganic solid electrolyte (LLZO) with small amount of ILs to form a composite membrane. The ionic conductivity is increased with adding ILs because the composite membrane of ILs to assist in the formation of ionic contacts. References R. Kanno et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. 148 (2001) A742-A746. A. Hayashi et al., Electrochem. Commun. 5 (2003) 111-114. J. MacCallum, C. Vincent, Polymer Electrolytes Reviews I, Elsevier, London, 1987. B. Scrosati et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. 147 (2000) 1718-1721. L. Persi et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. 149 (2002) A212-A216. X.-W. Zhang et al., J. Power Sources 112 (2002) 209-215. Figure 1

Dermatomyositis in pregnancy is rare. Pregnancy may be a precipitating factor at the onset or may develop during the course of dermatomyositis, which would exacerbate disease activity. In this study, we report a 22-year-old female patient who developed generalized skin rash and progressive muscle weakness in the twelfth week of pregnancy. She was diagnosed with dermatomyositis and underwent therapeutic abortion, due to the high fetal mortality rate of the disease when developed in the first trimester. Her symptoms improved with treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin and a high dose of corticosteroids.

Background Early detection of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important for the control and prevention of disease transmission. However, conventional drug susceptibility tests for drug-resistant M tuberculosis take at least 3 to 8 weeks. Here, we report the clinical efficacy of direct DNA sequencing analysis for detecting drug-resistant TB on sputum specimens in a clinical setting. Methods A total of 113 sputum specimens from 111 patients, who were suspected of having drug-resistant TB by clinicians, were used for DNA sequencing of katG, rpoB, embB , and pncA genes for isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB), and pyrazinamide (PZA) resistance, respectively, and the results were compared with drug susceptibility tests. The optimization of antituberculosis drugs according to the results of DNA sequencing and the treatment outcomes of the patients were also analyzed. Results Turnaround time of the direct DNA sequencing analysis was 3.8 ± 1.8 days. We found mutations related to drug resistance in 30 clinical specimens for katG , 39 for rpoB , 13 for embB , and 24 for pncA . The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 63.6% and 94.6% for INH, 96.2 and 93.9% for RIF, 69.2% and 97.5% for EMB, and 100% and 92.6% for PZA, respectively. Of the patients with RIF resistance, including multidrug-resistant TB by the assay, 92.5% of the patients with initial first-line antituberculosis drugs were changed to second-line antituberculosis drugs, and treatment was successful in 61.9% of these cases. Conclusion Direct DNA sequencing analysis of clinical sputum specimens is a rapid and useful method for the detection and treatment of drug-resistant TB.

The nitrate concentration of surface has become a serious concern in agricultural industry through out the world. In the present study, nitrate was removed in the soil by employing electro-bioremediation, a hybrid technology of bioremediation and electrokinetics. The abundance of Bacillus spp. as nitrate reducing bacteria were isolated and identified from the soil sample collected from a greenhouse at Jinju City of Gyengsangnamdo, South Korea. The nitrate reducing bacterial species were identified by 16 s RNA sequencing technique. The efficiency of bacterial isolates on nitrate removal in broth was tested. The experiment was conducted in an electrokinetic (EK) cell by applying 20 V across the electrodes. The nitrate reducing bacteria (Bacillus spp.) were inoculated in the soil for nitrate removal process by the addition of necessary nutrient. The influence of nitrate reducers on electrokinetic process was also studied. The concentration of nitrate at anodic area of soil was higher when compared to cathode in electrokinetic system, while adding bacteria in EK (EK + bio) system, the nitrate concentration was almost nil in all the area of soil. The bacteria supplies electron from organic degradation (humic substances) and enhances NO3− reduction (denitrification). Experimental results showed that the electro-bio kinetic process viz. electroosmosis and physiological activity of bacteria reduced nitrate in soil environment effectively. Involvement of Bacillus spp. on nitrification was controlled by electrokinetics at cathode area by reduction of ammonium ions to nitrogen gas. The excellence of the combined electro-bio kinetics technology on nitrate removal is discussed.

Background: Although the pathogenesis of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced occupational asthma (TDI-OA) is incompletely understood, several studies have suggested immunologic mechanisms, including specific IgE responses. A few studies have suggested human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations with TDI-induced asthma in Western countries, but this is the first investigation of associations between HLA class I and II alleles and TDI-induced asthma patients in Asia, using high-resolution analysis. Methods: Patients with TDI-OA (n = 84), asymptomatic exposed controls (AECs, n = 47) and unexposed normal controls (NCs, n = 127) were enrolled. HLA class I and II genotyping was performed by the direct DNA sequencing analysis. Specific serum IgE antibodies to the vapor type TDI-albumin conjugate were measured by ELISA. Results: There was no significant association between the allele frequencies and the phenotype of TDI-OA. However, the frequency of the HLA DRB1*1501-DQB1*0602-DPB1*0501 haplotype was significantly higher in TDI-OA patients (19%) than in AEC (2.1%, p = 0.007, OR 4.429, CI 1.497–13.103) or NC (3.1%, p < 0.001, OR 7.235, CI 2.236–22.510) subjects, with statistical significance persisting after correction for multiple comparisons. DQB1*0402 was significantly associated with the presence of specific IgE to TDI-albumin conjugates in serum (p = 0.006, OR 4.552, CI 1.540–13.449). This p value remained significant after correction for multiple comparison. Conclusion: The HLA DRB1*1501-DQB1*0602-DPB1*0501 haplotype may be a genetic marker for the development of TDI-induced asthma in Koreans. Several HLA alleles that enhance specific IgE sensitization in exposed subjects are indicated.

Leukotriene overproduction is the major characteristic of aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). Most studies examining the molecular genetic mechanisms of AIA have focused on leukotriene-related genes, including ALOX5, LTC4S, TXA2R and prostanoid-receptor genes. One study suggested that the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele DPB1*0301 may be a genetic marker for the AIA phenotype in European and Asian populations, and HLA-DPB1*0301 has been suggested as a useful genetic marker for predicting more favorable responders to leukotriene-receptor antagonists for long-term management of AIA. Although several reports have indicated possible associations between genetic polymorphisms and variable responses to leukotriene modifiers in nonaspirin sensitive asthmatic patients, few have suggested relationships between such genetic polymorphisms and variable responses to asthma drugs in AIA patients.

Several studies have suggested the involvement of an autoimmune mechanism in aspirin (ASA)-intolerant asthma. To test this hypothesis, we measured the levels of circulating autoantibodies, such as IgG and IgA to tissue transglutaminase (TGase), IgG to cytokeratins (CKs) 8, 18, and 19, Clq-binding immune complex (CIC), and antinuclear antibody (ANA), in the sera of 79 patients with ASA-intolerant asthma (Group I) and those of two control groups, consisting of 61 patients with ASA-tolerant asthma (Group II) and 88 healthy control subjects (Group III) by means of ELISA. Significantly higher prevalences of IgG antibodies to CK18 (13.9%) and CK19 (17.7%) were noted in Group I, as compared with Group III (p

Aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA) is a distinct clinical syndrome that refers to the development of bronchoconstriction in asthmatic individuals following the ingestion of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is widely recognized that increased cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT) biosynthesis is associated with the development and progression of AIA. Leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) is the terminal enzyme in cysLT production and is a strong candidate gene in the pathogenesis of aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). In this paper, we report a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the LTC4S promoter, -1702G>A, in AIA patients and evaluate its genetic role in the association with the LTC4S-444 A>C polymorphism. We enrolled 110 AIA patients, 125 aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) patients, and 125 normal controls. SNP genotyping of the LTC4S-1702G>A and -444A>C polymorphisms was performed using SNP-IT™ assays. Haplotype analyses were performed using Haploview version 2.05, which is based on an estimation-maximization (EM) algorithm. There were no significant differences in the allele or genotype frequencies of the LTC4S-1702G>A and -444A>C polymorphisms among the three groups (p > 0.05), with no significant differences in the observed haplotype frequencies (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant associations were found between the genotype of each SNP in AIA patients with the clinical characteristics, including a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) %, a provocation concentration of methacholine to induce more than 20% decrease of FEV1 (PC20) to methacholine, and serum total IgE levels (p > 0.05). These results indicate that there is no association between these two promoter polymorphisms of LTC4S and the phenotype of AIA in a Korean population.

Serum rheumatoid factor (RF) is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of RA according to the presence of RF in Korean patients. A retrospective analysis was performed on the records of 109 patients who were followed for at least 2 years, among 230 RA patients who visited at the rheumatology clinic in Ajou University Hospital and who fulfilled the 1987 revised American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA. Sixty-four patients were RF positive (58.7%) and 91 patients were female (83.5%). There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics, joint involvements, or percentage of morning stiffness between seropositive and seronegative groups. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected more frequently in the seropositive group (p

Background β-Lactam antibiotics, such as cefaclor, may cause IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions. However, the clinically available serologic test has not been widely accepted, and the antigenic determinants of these drugs are unclear. Objective To describe 4 cases of anaphylaxis caused by cefaclor in which a specific IgE response to cefaclor was demonstrated. Methods Four patients with anaphylaxis to cefaclor and 35 nonatopic controls never exposed to cefaclor were studied. Skin tests and oral challenges with this drug were performed. The specific IgE response to the antigenic determinant of cefaclor-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate was compared in each patient. The serum specific IgE to cefaclor-HSA conjugate was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, ELISA inhibition studies using various concentrations of cefaclor-HSA, HSA alone, and free cefaclor were performed, as were hapten inhibition studies using cefaclor, cephalexin, cefadroxil, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime. Results Three patients showed high levels of serum specific IgE to cefaclor-HSA and marked inhibition patterns to free cefaclor and cefaclor-HSA conjugate on ELISA inhibition testing. Hapten inhibition testing in 3 individual serum samples showed 2 different patterns. In patient 3, significant dose-dependent inhibitions (up to 92%) were noted with additions of free cefaclor and cefaclor-HSA conjugate, and lesser inhibitions (up to 74%) were noted with cephalexin, which shares the aminobenzyl side chain. In patients 1 and 2, marked dose-dependent inhibitions were noted only with additions of cefaclor-HSA conjugate and free cefaclor, whereas minimal inhibitions were noted with the other 5 compounds. Conclusions The specific IgE response to cefaclor-HSA conjugate in patients with cefaclor anaphylaxis occurs against the hapten, in which heterogeneity of the antigenic determinant was noted to depend on the individual.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multi-functional cytokine involved in inflammation, repair and angiogenesis in asthmatic airway. This study aimed to evaluate the role of VEGF in immediate bronchoconstriction induced by TDI inhalation, and in chronic TDI-asthma patients. 11 newly diagnosed TDI-asthma patients (group I), 12 chronic TDI-asthma patients with persistent asthma symptoms followed for >4 yr and 15 unexposed healthy controls were enrolled. In group I, induced sputum and serum were collected before and 7 hr after placebo- and TDI-bronchoprovocation test (BPT). In group II, induced sputum and serum were collected every 2 yr. VEGF levels were measured by ELISA. There were no significant differences in sputum and serum VEGF levels between patients and controls. Before and after placebo- and TDI-BPT, no significant changes were noted in sputum and serum VEGF levels of group I. In group II patients, sputum VEGF showed variable changes at 1-yr, then decreased significantly at 2-yr (p

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by fever, arthritis, and rash. Although the pathogenesis is not known, immunologically mediated inflammation occurs in active AOSD. To evaluate the pathogenesis and disease activity of AOSD, we measured serial serum concentrations of several cytokines in patients with active and inactive disease.Seventeen patients diagnosed as having AOSD were enrolled. We analyzed clinical and laboratory findings retrospectively. Serial serum samples were obtained from 14 patients with active and inactive AOSD. Interleukin 18 (IL-18), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IL-6, interferon-g (IFN-g), and IL-8 were determined by ELISA.Serum levels of IL-18, IFN-g, and IL-8 were significantly higher in patients with AOSD than in healthy controls (p0.01), but there were no significant differences between patients with active and inactive AOSD. Serum sIL-2R levels tended to be higher in the active state than in healthy controls, but there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Serum sIL-2R levels decreased significantly with antiinflammatory therapy (p0.05). Serum IL-18 and sIL-2R levels correlated significantly with serum ferritin levels in the active AOSD group (p0.05).Overproduction of IL-18 may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism of AOSD, and serum sIL-2R levels may be used as a marker for monitoring disease activity in AOSD.

Spontaneous synaptic currents of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons were studied using whole cell recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (20 microM), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine (1 microM). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were 4.3 +/- 0.9 Hz, 18.1 +/- 2.0 pA and 8.9 +/- 0.4 ms, respectively. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 (50 microM) completely blocked the non-NMDA-mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs), indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA-mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency (1.5 +/- 0.4 Hz), small amplitude (13.9 +/- 1.9 pA) and rapid decay kinetics (2.8 +/- 0.2 ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) associated with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is very rare. In this report a 28-year-old woman was admitted with fever, skin rash, jaundice and anemia. She was diagnosed as having AOSD with PRCA by bone marrow examination. Treatment with high-dose prednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin resulted in remission of the PRCA and a good response of the AOSD.

The Eotaxin gene family (Eotaxin1, Eotaxin2 and Eotaxin3) recruits and activates CCR3-bearing cells such as eosinophils, mast cells and Th2 lymphocytes that play a major role in allergic disorders. To date, the effect of polymorphisms of Eotaxin genes on asthma phenotypes has not been thoroughly examined. In our research, we sequenced whole regions of the Eotaxin gene family to identify polymorphisms, which may be involved in the development of asthma and total serum IgE. We have identified 37 SNPs in the Exotaxin gene family (Exotaxin1, 2 and 3), and 17 common polymorphic sites were selected for genotyping in our asthma cohort (n ¼ 721). Statistical analysis revealed that the EOT2þ1265A> GG * allele showed significantly lower frequency in asthmatics than in normal healthy controls (0.14 versus 0.23, P ¼ 0.002), and that distribution of the EOT2þ1265A> GG * allele-containing genotypes was also much lower in asthmatics (26.3 versus 40.8%, P ¼ 0.003). In addition, a non-synonymous SNP in Eotaxin1, EOT1þ123Ala>Thr showed significant association with total serum IgE levels (P ¼ 0.002–0.02). The effect of EOT1þ123Ala>Thr on total serum IgE appeared in a gene-dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that the development of asthma may be associated with EOT2þ1265A>G polymorphisms, and the susceptibility to high IgE production may be attributed to the EOT1þ123Ala>Thr polymorphism. Eotaxin variation/haplotype information identified in this study might provide valuable insights into strategies for the control of asthma.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined by the presence of urticaria that has been continuously or intermittently for a period of 6 weeks or longer. The prevalence of CU in the general population has been estimated to range from 0.5% to 5%. Correct diagnosis and proper management for CU is essential to improve the quality of care. To date, several practical guidelines have been available for practitioners. In this article, we reviewed and summarized the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management based on case reports and studies of CU from Korea and the other part of world, and recently published guidelines. Although there are many controversies, this report for CU would provide a clinical guidance for healthcare professionals in Korea.

Bee pollen is pollen granules packed by honey bees and is widely consumed as natural healthy supplements. Bee pollen-induced anaphylaxis has rarely been reported, and its allergenic components have never been studied. A 40-year-old male came to the emergency room with generalized urticaria, facial edema, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea 1 hour after ingesting one tablespoon of bee pollen. Oxygen saturation was 91%. His symptoms resolved after injection of epinephrine, chlorpheniramine, and dexamethasone. He had seasonal allergic rhinitis in autumn. Microscopic examination of the bee pollen revealed Japanese hop, chrysanthemum, ragweed, and dandelion pollens. Skin-prick with bee pollen extracts showed positive reactions at 0.1 mg/mL (A/H ratio > 3+). Serum specific IgE to ragweed was 25.2, chrysanthemum 20.6, and dandelion 11.4 kU/L; however, Japanese hop, honey-bee venom and yellow-jacket venom were negative (UniCAP®, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed serum specific IgE to bee-pollen extracts, and an ELISA inhibition assay for evaluation of cross-allergenicity of bee pollen and other weed pollens showed more than 90% of inhibition with chrysanthemum and dandelion and ~40% inhibition with ragweed at a concentration of 1 µg/mL. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and IgE-immunoblot analysis revealed 9 protein bands (11, 14, 17, 28, 34, 45, 52, 72, and 90 kDa) and strong IgE binding at 28-34 kDa, 45 and 52 kDa. In conclusion, healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risk of severe allergic reactions upon ingestion of bee pollen, especially in patients with pollen allergy.

In this paper, we introduce a LMS (least mean square) algorithm with a modified step size for adaptive filtering. An adaptive feedback constant step size in the LMS algorithm controls the convergence rate of the filter coefficients but also determines the final mean-square error. Since the convergence time is inversely proportional to step size, a large step size is often selected for fast convergence. This selection, however, results in an increased mean square error. The proposed detector uses the LMS algorithm with three different step size to obtain low mean square error and fast convergence. In this structure, errors which are obtained from each group are compared, and a minimum error is chosen to the selection block. In several step size LMS algorithms, filter coefficients for each group are upgraded using the output information of the selection block respectively. The advantages of this detector are that convergence time is fast, and that mean square error is low. However this detector has a defect that hardware complexity is increased.

An effective code acquisition method using the periodicity property of PN codes and the probability of AWGN is proposed for the DS/SS system. The method of utilizing this periodic property of the spreading signal in a pilot channel is investigated and a simple averaging filter suitable for the AWGN channel is derived. In addition, we describe the method of composing the proposed averaging filter to the conventional acquisition system and the capability of using sequential estimation in a CDMA system with asynchronous mode. The simulation results show that the mean acquisition time is reduced with the proposed acquisition system, especially in the low SNR region.

Lithium-ion batteries have rapidly become the dominant power sources for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, due to their high energy density and long cycle life [1,2].However, safety issues still prevent full utilization of these batteries owing to the use of flammable liquid electrolytes, and safety problems have become a significant concern especially in large capacity applications such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems. In this respect, fabrication of all solid-state lithium batteries by using solid electrolytes may give a fundamental solution for the safety issue of lithium batteries [3,4]. Glass ceramic electrolytes present potential advantages, such as absence of electrolyte leakage, large electrochemical stability window, absence of problems relating to vaporization of organic solvents and high thermal stability. However, sheet manufacturing, especially using thin-film technologies for making large-scale batteries, is considered to be difficult because of hard and brittle ceramic materials. In this work, solvent-free hybrid solid electrolytes composed of lithium aluminum germanium phosphate and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were prepared in the form of flexible film, and their electrochemical characteristics were investigated. Their morphological properties were examined using SEM, EDS and XRD. The ionic conductivities and electrochemical stability of hybrid solid electrolytes were much higher than those of PEO-based polymer electrolyte. The optimized hybrid solid electrolyte was applied to the solid-state Li/LiFePO4 cell, and its electrochemical performance was evaluated. References 1. J.M.Tarascon, M.Armand, Nature, 414, 359 (2001). 2. P.G.Bruce, B.Scrosati, J.M.Tarascon, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed, 47, 2930 (2008). 3. N.Kamaya, K.Homma, Y.Yamakawa, M.Hirayama, R.Kanno, M.Yonemura, T.Kamiyama, Y.Kato, S.Hama, K.Kawamoto, A.Mitsui, Nat. Mater, 10, 682 (2011). 4. Y.Li, J.B.Goodenough, Electrochem. Commun., 13, 1289 (2011).

Lithium-ion batteries have rapidly become the dominant power sources for portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and energy storage systems, due to their high energy density and long cycle life [1,2]. However, safety issues still prevent full utilization of these batteries. One of the most efficient methods to enhance the battery safety is to use solid electrolyte [3-5]. Solid inorganic electrolytes present potential advantages, such as a wide electrochemical stability window, enhanced thermal stability, absence of solvent leakage and high resistance to shocks, which are important safety assets. However, sheet manufacturing, especially using thin-film technologies for making large-scale batteries, is considered to be difficult because of brittle characteristics of ceramic materials. In this work, the hybrid solid electrolytes composed of lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (LAGP) and poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) were prepared in the form of flexible thin film, and their electrochemical properties were investigated. Their morphological properties studied using SEM, EDS and XRD. The ionic conductivities and electrochemical stability of hybrid solid electrolytes were much higher than those of PEO-based polymer electrolyte. All solid-state lithium batteries assembled with hybrid solid electrolyte exhibited high discharge capacity and excellent capacity retention with a coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.5% at 55 oC. References [1] J. M. Tarascon, M. Armand, Nature 414 (2001) 359. [2] P. G. Bruce, B. Scrosati, J. M. Tarascon, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 47 (2008) 2930. [3] N. Kamaya, K. Homma, Y. Yamakawa, M. Hirayama, R. Kanno, M. Yonemura, T. Kimiyama, Y. Kato, S. Hama, K, Kawamoto and A. Mitsui, Nat. Mater. 10 (2013) 682. [4] H. S. Jadhav, M.S Cho, R. S. Kalubrame, J. S. Lee, K. N. Jung, K. H. Shin, C. J. Park, J. Power Sources 241 (2013) 502. [5] Y. Li, C. A. Wang, H. Xie, J. Cheng, J. B. Goodenough, Electrochem. Commun. 13 (2011) 1289.