• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2016

Longitudinal data often occur in prospective follow-up studies. Joint model for longitudinal data and failure time has been applied on several works. In this paper, we extend it to the case where longitudinal data involve informative observation time process as well as competing risks survival times. We use a likelihood approach and derive an EM algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimate of parameters. A suggested joint model allows us to make inferences for three components: longitudinal outcome, observation time process and competing risk failure time. In addition, we can test the association among these components. In this paper, liver cirrhosis patients' data is analyzed. The relationship between prothrombin times measured at irregular visiting times and drop outs is investigated with a joint model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.117-121
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• 2001

Pleural effusion due to hepatic cirrhosis with ascites is well known, although hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites is a rare condition, the pathogenesis of which is still unknown. We report a case of hepatic hydrothorax without ascites confirmed by the intraperitoneal injection of Tc-99m mecroaggregated serum albumin (Tc-99m MAA) that demonstrated the passage of Tc-99m MAA into the right pleural cavity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.515-522
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to describe whether Saenggangunbi-tang supports clinical management of a patient with decompensated liver cirrhosis without unfavorable side effects. Methods: A 78-year-old woman diagnosed with unspecified liver cirrhosis in 2014, who had undergone abdominal paracentesis twice until 2014 and variceal ligation twice until 2017, took Saenggangunbi-tang from July 25, 2019 to March 23, 2020. We observed clinical changes, such as fatigue, leg edema, and gingival bleeding, as well as laboratory findings. Results: After taking Saenggangunbi-tang for about eight months, the patient's symptoms and serum levels of liver enzymes were improved in comparison to her symptoms and serum levels at the first visit. Moreover, there was no occurrence of any complications, such as ascites and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding by portal hypertension. Conclusions: This study suggests that Saenggangunbi-tang might be effective in the treatment of decompensated liver cirrhosis.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rather unique. Most of HCC patients have underlying chronic liver diseases with or without cirrhosis and the prognosis of HCC depends on the liver function, as well as the tumor extent. Non-invasive diagnosis of HCC can be made with certain risk factors and specific imaging findings (e.g. hypervascularity). Patients with HCC can receive surgical resection, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy as other solid malignancies. HCC has more treatment options such as liver transplantation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A variety of practice guidelines for HCC has been published by many academic societies. Different healthcare systems and availability of resources also affect the practice guidelines; therefore, practice guidelines have similarities and dissimilarities. Herein, we review the current status of practice guidelines for HCC and future perspectives for the improvement of guidelines are also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1057-1065
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• 2023

Non-invasive liver fibrosis diagnosis is crucial for patients with chronic liver diseases. Many patients cannot undergo liver tissue biopsy, so predicting the degree of liver fibrosis early through meaningful methods can reduce complications related to chronic liver diseases, such as liver cell carcinoma and cirrhosis. This study compared and analyzed the quantitative measurement of liver fibrosis using shear wave elastography in conjunction with liver ultrasound findings and their associations with serum biomarkers (p<0.05). The results showed that the shear wave elastography measurement in the normal group was 4.55 ± 0.69 kPa, while the abnormal contrast group with echogenic patterns had a measurement of 8.27 ± 1.83 kPa. The hepatitis B carrier group exhibited higher shear wave elastography measurements, and among serum biomarkers, AST, ALT, GGT, and PT showed statistically significant positive correlations with fibrosis severity according to SWE categories (p<0.05), while ALP and TB did not demonstrate statistically significant differences (p=0.163, p=0.567). Conversely, Albumin and PLT showed significant negative correlations (p<0.05). Clinically, utilizing shear wave elastography measurements through liver ultrasound in the tracking and repeat testing of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients without cirrhosis can assist in achieving more objective diagnoses among healthcare providers.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.19 no.1 s.32
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• pp.207-210
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• 2006

${\ulcorner}$상한잡병론(傷寒雜病論)${\lrcorner}$에 나오는 양허증의 병인병리(病因病理)에 대한 내용을 종합하여 검토하고, 그 처방의 구성 약물과 용약 규율에 대하여 살펴본 결과, 양허증을 치료하는 상용약물로는 부자 계지 건강 오수유 생강 등이 쓰였음을 알 수 있었다. 임상에서 약을 사용할 때에는 장부의 생리적 특징에 근거하여 약물을 배합하여야 좋은 효과를 얻을 수 있다. 예를 들어 심양허(心陽虛)에는 계지감초(桂枝甘草)에 복령(茯笭)을 배합하고, 신양허(腎陽虛)에는 진무탕(眞武湯) 신기환 등(等)에 복령(茯笭), 택사(澤瀉), 백출(白朮) 등의 약물을 배합하여, 비양허(脾陽虛)로 인한 담음(痰飮)에는 계지감초(桂枝甘草)의 신감(辛甘)한 약성으로 화양(化陽)하고, 복령(茯笭), 백출(白朮)로 건비리습(健脾利濕)하는 영계출감탕을 사용하며, 심하(心下)에 수(水)가 정체된 경우에는 윗 처방에 사인 백두구 등의 온건비위(溫健脾胃)하고 성비소식(醒脾消食)하는 약물을 가하여 사용한다. 폐양허(肺陽虛)하여 폐위가 된 경우에는 감초(甘草) 건강(乾姜) 등을 사용하여 온폐복기하는데, 이는 ‘배토생금(培土生金)’의 의미이다. 간양허(肝陽虛)가 나타나는 경우는 매우 드문데, 위기가 허한(虛寒)하여 간(肝)이 소설(疏泄)작용을 못할 때에는, 오수유(吳茱萸)로 온위산한(溫胃散寒)하고, 인삼(人參) 대조(大棗)로 보중익기하며, 오수유(吳茱萸) 생강(生姜)의 신산(辛散)작용으로 간기를 다스리는 오수유탕(吳茱萸湯)을 사용하여 강역지구(降逆止嘔)하며, 혼(魂)을 수렴하지 못하여 생긴 실안(失眼)에는 산조인탕(酸棗仁湯)으로 보간(補肝)하여 치료하며, 간경(肝經)에 한사(寒邪)가 침입하여 근맥이 연급(攣急)하게 된 경우에는 지주산(蜘蛛散)을 사용하여 온경산한(溫經散寒)한다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.190-196
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• 1993

The prognosis of chronic hepatitis C is very variable. In some, the disease is progressive and cirrhosis can develop from chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus(HCV) may act as a trigger towards hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. Interferon has been used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in abroad, 16 patients with chronic C liver disease were treated with ${\alpha}$-interferon (alfa-2b; "Intron A" Schering Corp. Kenilworth. NJ). All patients were given ${\alpha}$-interferon in subcutaneous doses of 3 million units three times weekly for 1 to 9 months. During therapy, CBC and ALT levels were checked weakly to monthly. After therapy, patients were followed for 1 to 8 months. Among 16 patients treated with ${\alpha}$-interferon, progressive decrease of ALT levels was observed in 14(87.5%). In 11 patients(68.8%), ALT levels fell into the normal range during therapy, and in 9 of 11, within one month after therapy, 6 months after the completion of therapy in 4 of 9 patients(44.4%) whose ALT levels were in the normal range, ${\alpha}$-interferon seems to have effect in controlling disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. But the changes in the usage of ${\alpha}$-interferon, dose and duration, long term follow up and more convenient and simple tests for HCV detection are recommended for the better effect and the exact evaluation on the effect of ${\alpha}$-interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.272-278
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• 1996

Four subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen are useful in the epidemiologic studies of the route of virus transmission and clinical significance of simultaneous occurance of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in the same serum as well as useful marker for population migration. The sera were obtained from 214 HBs Ag positive patients who are diagnosed as chronic liver disease and following up in the Yeungnam university hospital. The subtypes were determined by solid-phase sandwich EIA using monoclonal antibodies. Among 214 specimens, the subtype adr was 93.9%, adw was 2.8%, ayr was 0.9%, ar was 0.9%, adwr was 1.4% and ayw was not detected. There were no correlation between subtype pattern and disease. In summary, the subtype adr was prominent in our study and the difference of subtype pattern by severity of disease was not significant. However, to determine the prognostic value of HBs Ag subtype and relationship between subtype and disease progression, long-term follow up will be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.25-41
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• 1985

간흡충증은 한국 및 동남아세아에 널리 분포되어 있는 중요한 풍토병의 하나로서 진단은 전통적으로 분변검사에 의존하여 오고 있다. 최근 들어 담관내 간흡충 및 이의 합병증의 진단을 위해 ERCP 및 contrast cholangiogram등이 시도되었으나 실제에 이용하기에는 많은 제약이 있다 하겠다. 저자는 간흡충증에 있어서 최근 소개된 $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigraphy의 진단적 의의를 규명하고자 1982년부터 1983년까지 고신의대 부속 복음병원에서 검진한 간흡충증 환자 90명을 대상으로 하여 $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigraphy와 formalin-ether 원침법에 의한 분변검사를 시행하였다. $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ scintigram소견은 간내 담관 bile flow 및 총수담관 bile flow defect, 그리고 간세포기능의 정도에 따라 자료를 분석하였고 그외 합병증의 진단은 병록 기록, 수술 소견, ERCP 등에 의존하여 결론을 얻었다. $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ scintigraphy는 특이한 양상의 bile flow dynamics를 나타내었으며 간내 주담관의 intermittent irregular focal bile flow defect 및 tile flow stasis를 나타내고 말초담관의 bile flow defect는 경미하고 60분 내에 담관 bile flow activity의 완전한 배설을 나타내는 경우를 mild pattern, 간내 담관의 심한 irregular bile flow dynamics 및 간내담관의 심한 irregularity (담관내벽의 심한 불규칙성), 총수담관, 간내 주담관 및 말초 담관까지 심하게 irregular bile flow stasis를 나타내며 bile flow activity의 완전 베설이 $60\sim90$분사이 혹은 90분이상까지 인지된 경우를 moderate-severe pattern으로 분류하였다. 1) 분변검사상 간흡충증은 95검사중 70검사(환자 86명중 67명)에서 양성을 보여 분변 충난검사의 양성율은 73.7%였고 음성율은 26.3%였다. 2) $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigraphy는 90명중 70명에서 특이한 Cs-bile flow양성을 보였으며 양성율은 77.8%였으며 음성율은 22.2%였다. 3) $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigram양성율을 나타낸 환자 70명중 11명은 mild pattern, 59명은 moderate-severe pattern을 나타냈으며 그중 21명은 여러가지 간세포 기능 및 담관에 영향을 미치는 질환과 합병했지만 특이한 Cs-bile flow pattern을 dominent하게 나타내었으며 합병된 여러 질환들도 bile flow pattern상 인지 할 수 있었다. 4) $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigram 음성율을 나타낸 환자 20명중 8명은 만성간염, 5명은 간경변증, 3명은 재발성 농양성담관염(recurrent pyogenic cholangitis)과 간내담도의 stricture 및 담관담석증이 합병되었으며 scintigram상 합병증의 pattern을 나타냈고 4명에서는 low CBD obstruction을 나타내었으며 후에 CBD stone, CBD carcinoma, gall bladder Ca.의 porta hepatis 전이 및 clonorchis worms의 cluster에 의한 obstruction이 operation 및 ERCP로서 진단 되었다. 5) $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigraphy pattern은 현재의 자각증상과 관계된 dominent disease를 나타내었으며, 공간 점유병소도 multiple project images를 시행하므로서 쉽게 발견할 수 있었다. 이와 같이 간흡충증에 있어서 $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigram은 환자의 자각증상과 관계된 질환을 규명하는 데 필요한 정보를 얻었을 수 있었으며 간내담관의 damage정도를 규명하는데 필요한 procedure임이 판명되었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2000

Since its first description in 1951 by Mantz and Craig, pulmonary hypertension associated with portal hypertension has been observed more frequently. In a recent prospective study Hadengue et al. reported 2 % incidence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with portal hypertension. Thus this simultaneous occurrence can no longer be considered to be coincidental. The etiology remains unclear. It is most likely that vasoactive substances, normally metabolized by the liver, may have gained access to pulmonary circulation through portosystemic collaterals in portal hypertension. In genetically susceptible individuals, these substances could lead to pulmonary hypertension by inducing vasoconstriction or direct toxic damage to the wall of the small pulmonary arteries. A recent case of pulmonary hypertension in a 49-year-old woman with portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis is reported as well as a review of the literature.