Tae Wan Kim

Bio: Tae Wan Kim is an academic researcher from New Generation University College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Visual acuity & Asthma. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 74 publications receiving 1384 citations. Previous affiliations of Tae Wan Kim include Seoul National University & Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Epidemiologic and clinical features of anaphylaxis in Korea

Abstract: Background Little is known about the characteristics of anaphylaxis in Korea or even in Asia. Objective To evaluate the incidence of anaphylaxis and the clinical features of patients with anaphylaxis in a Korean tertiary care hospital. Methods We performed a retrospective review from January 1, 2000, through July 31, 2006, of 138 patients with anaphylaxis, including inpatients, outpatients, and emergency department visitors, in the Seoul National University Hospital. Results Among 978,146 patients, 138 (0.014%) had anaphylaxis. Two cardiopulmonary resuscitations were performed and 1 death occurred. The total mortality rate of anaphylactic patients was 0.0001%. The causes of anaphylaxes were drug (35.3%), food (21.3%), food-dependent exercise-induced (13.2%), idiopathic (13.2%), insect stings (11.8%), exercise induced (2.9%), blood products (1.5%), and latex (0.7%). Radiocontrast media and buckwheat were the leading causes of drug and food anaphylaxis, respectively. The organs most frequently involved in the anaphylaxis were cutaneous (95.7%), cardiovascular (76.8%), and respiratory (74.6%). The most common manifestations were dyspnea (71.3%), urticaria (81.9%), and angioedema (69.4%). Three of 138 patients (2.2%) had biphasic reactions. Conclusions The incidence, mortality rate, and clinical features of Korean patients with anaphylaxis were similar to rates for patients from other countries, despite some differences in causative agents.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and visual hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease

Abstract: Defective visual information processing from both central and peripheral pathways is one of the suggested mechanisms of visual hallucination in Parkinson's disease (PD) To investigate the role of retinal thinning for visual hallucination in PD, we conducted a case-control study using spectral domain optical coherence tomography We examined a representative sample of 61 patients with PD and 30 healthy controls who had no history of ophthalmic diseases General ophthalmologic examinations and optical coherence tomography scans were performed in each participant Total macular thickness and the thickness of each retinal layer on horizontal scans through the fovea were compared between the groups In a comparison between patients with PD and healthy controls, there was significant parafoveal inner nuclear layer thinning, whereas other retinal layers, including the retinal nerve fiber layer, as well as total macular thicknesses were not different In terms of visual hallucinations among the PD subgroups, only retinal nerve fiber layer thickness differed significantly, whereas total macular thickness and the thickness of other retinal layers did not differ The retinal nerve fiber layer was thinnest in the group that had hallucinations without dementia, followed by the group that had hallucinations with dementia, and the group that had no hallucinations and no dementia General ophthalmologic examinations did not reveal any significant correlation with hallucinations There were no significant correlations between retinal thicknesses and duration or severity of PD and medication dosages The results indicate that retinal nerve fiber layer thinning may be related to visual hallucination in nondemented patients with PD Replication studies as well as further studies to elucidate the mechanism of thinning are warranted

The role of high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) in the pathogenesis of asthma

Abstract: Background High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) belonging to endogenous danger signals prolongs eosinophil survival and acts as a chemoattractant. Objective The authors evaluated the role of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of asthma characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation. Methods Firstly, HMGB1 expressions in induced sputum obtained from human asthmatics were determined. This was followed by an evaluation of the role of HMGB1 in a murine model of asthma using anti-HMGB1 antibodies. Then the effect of HMGB1 on the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) expressions on CD11b-CD11c(+) cells isolated from a murine model of asthma were measured to elucidate the mechanisms involved. Results Sputum HMGB1 expressions were markedly higher in asthmatics than in normal controls, and were positively correlated with sputum eosinophilia and sputum TNF-α, IL-5 and IL-13 expressions. In a murine model of asthma, HMGB1 expressions in lung tissue and HMGB1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly elevated and eosinophilic airway inflammation, non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness, and pathological changes were attenuated by blocking HMGB1 activity. Furthermore, we found that enhanced RAGE expressions on CD11b-CD11c(+) also significantly decreased when HMGB1 activity was blocked. Conclusion and clinical relevance Our findings suggest that HMGB1 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of clinical and experimental asthma characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation.

Sarcoidosis

Abstract: 结节病易误诊,据王洪武等~([1])收集国内18篇关于此病误诊的文献,误诊率高达63.2%,当然有误诊就会有误治,如孙永昌等~([2])报道26例结节病在影像学检查诊断的第一印象中拟诊结核5例,其中就有2例完成规范的抗结核治疗,为此应引起临床对本病诊治的重视。

Cohort Profile: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) Consortium

Abstract: Worldwide globalization and Westernization in social and economic aspects have led to drastic changes in South Korea during the past several decades. These changes include individual health behaviours, which were reflected as increased prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These NCDs are known to be caused by both environmental risk factors and predisposing genetic factors. Population decline is another issue in South Korea; the recorded fertility rate was 1.3 births per woman, and 10% of the population were elderly individuals aged 65 years according to the Population and Housing Census results of 2005-2010. We have also been observing an increased influx and efflux of the population due to globalization. In particular, there has been a rising tendency in the marriage-based inflow of South Asian women during the last decade. To attempt to solve public health issues resulting from these population trends and prepare for personalized and preventive health care in the future, the Korean government (National Research Institute of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea) initiated a large prospective cohort study with government funding, named the Korean genome and epidemiology study (KoGES). The study is a consortium project consisting of six prospective cohort studies that would be categorized into population-based and geneenvironment model studies (Figure 1). The aim of the KoGES was to establish a genome epidemiological study platform for the research community with a health database and biobank, to investigate the genetic and environmental aetiology of common complex diseases in Koreans (i.e. T2DM, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, CVD,and cancer) and causes of death with longterm follow-up. The ultimate goal of the KoGES was to develop comprehensive and applicable health care guidelines for common complex diseases in Koreans, reduce the burden of chronic diseases and improve the quality of life.