Theory of self-oscillation and mode locking in a longitudinal photoacoustic resonator.

The wave equation for pressure that governs generation of the photoacoustic effect possesses a forcing term proportional to the time derivative of the energy delivered to the gas per unit volume and time. A positive pressure fluctuation, with its accompanying density increase, thus increases the optical absorption and provides a positive feedback mechanism for sound generation. A theory for self-oscillation in a one-dimensional resonator is given.

Diagnostic value of the serum-specific IgE ratio of ω-5 gliadin to wheat in adult patients with wheat-induced anaphylaxis.

Background: Wheat is an important food allergen associated with severe allergic reactions, including wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) and wheat-induced anaphylaxis (WIA). To diagnose WDEIA, an exercise challenge test following wheat ingestion is performed, which is time-consuming and unsafe. The compound ω-5 gliadin has been identified as a major allergen for WDEIA and WIA.

Association of β₂-adrenergic receptor polymorphism with work-related symptoms in workers exposed to wheat flour.

Purpose: Our previous study indicated that the presence of wheat-specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies was associated with work-related symptoms in workers exposed to wheat flour. We performed this study to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of β₂-adrenergic receptors and wheat-specific antibodies in association with the clinical parameters of baker's asthma.

Materials And Methods: In total, 379 subjects working in a single industrial bakery were enrolled in this study.

Effects of exothermic chemical reaction on the photoacoustic effect from particulate suspensions.

Irradiation of chemically reactive particulate suspensions by high power, pulsed laser radiation initiates reactions at the sites of the particles so that besides the absorbed optical energy, chemical energy is liberated. In addition to the release of chemical energy, chemical reaction can result in gas production both of which result in enhancement in the amplitude of the photoacoustic effect. Here we report photoacoustic and transient grating experiments with colloidal C in mixtures of H(2)O(2) with H(2)O.

Comparison of ultrasonic distillation to sparging of liquid mixtures.

The application of intense ultrasound to a liquid-gas interface results in the formation of an ultrasonic fountain and generates both mist and vapor from the liquid. Here, the composition of the vapor and aerosol above an ultrasonic fountain is determined as a function of irradiation time and compared with the results of sparging for five different solutions. The experimental apparatus for determining the efficiency of separation consists of a glass vessel containing a piezoelectric transducer driven at either 1.

Immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency is the major phenotype of primary immunodeficiency in a Korean adult cohort.

Primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) is a rare disorder in adults. Most often, serious forms are detected during infancy or childhood. However, mild forms of PID may not be diagnosed until later in life, and some types of humoral immunodeficiency may occur in adulthood.

Clinical and radiographic features of adult-onset ankylosing spondylitis in Korean patients: comparisons between males and females.

The objective of this study was to investigate clinical and radiographic features and gender differences in Korean patients with adult-onset ankylosing spondylitis. Multicenter cross-sectional studies were conducted in the rheumatology clinics of 13 Korean tertiary referral hospitals. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis according to the modified New York criteria.

An antinuclear antibody-negative patient with lupus nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typical autoimmune disease that's characterized by various autoantibodies to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in serum is generally considered a decisive diagnostic sign of SLE. However, a small subset of SLE patients who had the typical clinical features of SLE was reported to show persistently negative ANA tests.

Serum ferritin and transferrin levels as serologic markers of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma.

Background: Although methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) may induce occupational asthma in the workplace, the pathogenic mechanisms are unclear.

Objectives: By using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, we sought to identify proteins that were differentially expressed between subjects with MDI-induced occupational asthma (MDI-OA) and asymptomatic exposed controls (AECs).

Methods: To find proteins that were differentially expressed between the MDI-OA and AEC groups, 2-dimensional electrophoresis was performed by using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from subjects after MDI-specific inhalation challenge.

Association of specific IgE to staphylococcal superantigens with the phenotype of chronic urticaria.

It has been well established that bacterial superantigens lead to the induction and aggravation of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. We investigated the clinical significance of serum specific immunoglobulin E (lgE) to the staphylococcal superantigens staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), and toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST)-1 in patients with chronic urticaria (CU), focusing on the differences in these prevalences between aspirin-intolerant CU (AICU) and aspirin-tolerant CU (ATCU) patients. Aspirin sensitivity was confirmed by oral aspirin provocation test.

Histamine release and inflammatory cell infiltration in airway Mucosa in methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)-induced occupational asthma.

Introduction: Although methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is widely used in industries, there have been few studies of the pathogenic mechanisms of MDI-induced occupational asthma (MDI-OA).

Methods: We performed immunohistochemical analyses, measured inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and quantified histamine release (HR) from peripheral basophils in MDI-OA patients. Thirteen MDI-exposed workers (five MDI-OA, two MDI-induced esoinophilic bronchitis, and six asymptomatic exposed controls, AEC) were enrolled.

Identification of Dioscorea batatas (sanyak) allergen as an inhalant and oral allergen.

Dioscorea batatas is widely used in Asia as a herbal medicine or food product with potential health benefits. There have been several reports of occupational asthma caused by inhalation of D. batatas dust.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis with a combination of allergen-specific immunotherapy and a histamine-immunoglobulin complex.

Background: Allergic responses to common environmental agents are believed to be involved in the development of atopic dermatitis, but clinical usefulness of allergen-specific immunotherapy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis is controversial. We performed a pilot study to evaluate the clinical usefulness of combined treatment with allergen-specific immunotherapy and a histamine-immunoglobulin complex in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Methods: Twenty patients with atopic dermatitis and hypersensitivity to house dust mites whose clinical conditions had not been effectively controlled by current standard medical therapies were treated with a combination of allergen-specific immunotherapy using house dust mite extract and a histamine-immunoglobulin complex for 12 months.

Prevalence of work-related symptoms and serum-specific antibodies to wheat flour in exposed workers in the bakery industry.

Background: Although baker's asthma (BA) is a common occupational asthma, there have been few reports on this disease in Korean subjects.

Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence of serum-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 antibodies in relation to work-related respiratory symptoms in a single industrial bakery.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-two bakery workers were administered and taken a questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms.

Differential contribution of the CysLTR1 gene in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity.

In this study, we compared the roles of CysLT receptor type 1 (CysLTR1) and leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene polymorphisms in two major aspirin-related allergic diseases, aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA) and aspirin-induced chronic urticaria/angioedema (AICU). CysLTR1-634C>T and LTC4S-444A>C polymorphisms were genotyped and its functional effect on the promoter activity was compared. As in vivo functional study, changes of peripheral mRNA level of CysLTR1 were measured by real-time PCR before and after aspirin challenge.

Clinical characteristics of lupus myocarditis in Korea.

Clinically important myocarditis is an unusual feature in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of five SLE patients who developed severe left ventricular dysfunction. Four patients were female with mean age of 36.

Excited-state tautomerization dynamics of 7-hydroxyquinoline in beta-cyclodextrin.

The excited-state tautomerization dynamics of 7-hydroxyquinoline encapsulated in beta-cyclodextrin is compared with that in pure water by measuring isotope-dependent fluorescence kinetics as well as absorption and emission spectra. The normal species tautomerizes stepwise via forming anionic intermediate species in both systems. However, the enol-deprotonation time (40 ps in water) becomes as large as 170 ps whereas the imine-protonation time of the anionic intermediate (160 ps in water) becomes as short as 85 ps in beta-cyclodextrin.

Successful treatment of pediatric systemic polyarteritis nodosa with cholestatic hepatitis.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare vasculitis in children. We report a case of 5-year-old boy with systemic PAN and cholestatic hepatitis. He had fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal bleeding.