Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Effects of Ammonium Chloride on Ozone-induced Airway Inflammation: the Role of Slc26a4 in the Lungs of Mice.
Exposure to ozone (O₃) induces neutrophilic inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in humans and experimental animals. Because the solute carrier family 26-member 4 (Slc26a4; pendrin) gene induces mucin production and intraluminal acidification in the airways, it was hypothesized to be a key molecule in O₃-induced airway injury. Thus, we evaluated the role of Slc26a4 and the protective effects of ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) in O₃-induced airway injury in mice. ⋯ Slc26a4 may be involved in O₃-induced inflammatory and epithelial changes in the airways via activation of the inflammasome and the induction of IL-17 and IFN-γ. NH₄Cl shows a potential as a therapeutic agent for controlling O₃-induced airway inflammation and epithelial damage by modulating Slc26a4 expression.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Performance of a Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Control Program in Korea: Patients 65 Years of Age or Older.
In Korea, the Korean Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control Program (KCNPC) was implemented in 2012 for the management of patients with chronic diseases. Nineteen primary care clinics, public health centers, and education and consulting centers (ECCs) participated in the implementation of this program. This study assessed the effectiveness of this chronic disease control model by comparing mortality rate and the incidence of complications between patients participating in the KCNPC program and a control group. ⋯ The KCNPC model for prevention and control of chronic disease in Korea was found to be effective for hypertension and diabetes patients. Therefore, the KCNPC will be necessary to strengthen the capabilities of local communities, primary medical institutions, and individuals for prevention and control of chronic disease. Expanding the efficient prevention and control policies of the KCNPC to a nationwide scale may be effective as has been demonstrated through limited implementation in some regions.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Outbreak at Fitness Centers in Cheonan, Korea.
In February 2020, a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported in fitness centers in Cheonan, Korea. ⋯ The results suggest that the COVID-19 outbreak was effectively contained with rigorous contact tracing, isolating, and testing in combination with social distancing without a lock-down.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
The Presence of Urinary Ketones according to Metabolic Status and Obesity.
Recently, new concepts about obesity and normal weight subtypes with metabolic conditions are rising and ketone bodies are emerging as a significant indicator of metabolic health. This study aimed to find a relationship between ketonuria and those subtypes. ⋯ Compared to the MHNW group, the MUO group showed lower presence of ketonuria in men, and tendency to have less ketonuria in women.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Aug 2020
Predicting Imaging Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Case-control Ultrasound Study.
To elucidate the achievement rates of imaging remission and to examine the characteristics associated with imaging remission status among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have attained clinical remission. ⋯ Only 51.5% of the patients with RA who had attained clinical remission were also in imaging remission. Patients who had attained imaging remission had lower EGA scores and higher RF levels than patients who had attained only clinical remission.