• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.344-347
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• 2021

In this study, the hepatotoxic mechanism of chaparral (Larrea tridentata) was investigated through in vitro experiments that measured cell death, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and intracellular fat accumulation by treating HepG2 hepatocytes with a 70% ethanol extract of chaparral at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 100 ㎍/mL. Cell death was observed after treatment with chaparral extract at concentrations of 1-100 ㎍/mL (p<0.05). The secretion of the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 and macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and fat accumulation were significantly increased even at a concentration of 0.1 ㎍/mL, which was 10 times lower than the observed concentration resulting in cell death (p<0.05). Hepatitis caused by inflammatory cytokine secretion and fat accumulation was shown to be a form of hepatotoxicity induced by chaparral extract. Hepatitis was expressed at a concentration lower than that causing serious toxicity such as cell death, suggesting that hepatotoxicity, including hepatitis, may be caused by ingestion of low concentrations of chaparral.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the vaccination coverage for hepatitis B among aged 19 or older, and at the same time to determine the reasons for vaccination or non-vaccination. Methods: The survey was conducted through a Mixed-Mode Random Digit Dialing Survey (RDD) method. The survey included hepatitis B vaccination status, reasons of vaccination and non-vaccination, sources of information on vaccination, and other related factors. Results: The vaccination coverage for hepatitis B among adults 19 years of age and older were 38.0%, 32.5%, and 26.9% for the first, second, and third doses. A related factors with high rate of hepatitis B vaccination was women, younger than 65 years of age, rural residents, having a job, highly educated, health insurance subscribers, living with spouse, family members living together. In addition, the vaccination rate was higher in those who was aware of the states recommended adult vaccination, were explained by a doctor about the need for adult vaccination, kept their vaccination records, and recognized that it helped prevent infectious diseases, and had seen promotional materials. Conclusions: In the future, it is necessary to check the antibody retention rate along with the hepatitis B vaccination coverage of adults on a regular basis. In addition, in order to accurately and quickly identify the hepatitis B vaccination coverage, it is necessary to prepare a plan to improve the computerized registration rate to manage adult vaccination records.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.106-115
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• 1997

Objective : To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety afforded by the HG-II$^{(R)}$ recombinant hepatitis B vaccine given to healthy neonates and children and to find the influence of preceding BCG vaccination on immunogenicity. Methods : Three doses of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine with a dose of $10{\mu}g$ were given at birth, 1 and 6 months of age. This study was conducted in three hospitals (Gyeongsang National University Hospital(Group A), Kangnam General Hospital(Group B) and Younsei University Hospital(Group C)) from April, 1995 to June, 1996. Group A and Group B received 2nd dose of hepatitis B vaccine at 1 week after and before BCG vaccine, respectively. Antibidy levels, at 1 month after the 3rd dose of hepatitis B vaccine were determined by a radioimmunoassay. Results : 1) One hundred four infants and ten children were enrolled : 55 infants and 43 infants received 2nd dose of hepatitis B vaccine at 1 week after( After BCG Group) and before BCG vaccine(Before BCG Group), respectively. 2) The seropositive rate was 99.1%, and geometric mean anti-HBs titer was 131.2mIU/ml. 3) The geometric mean titers were 105.5mIU/ml and 162.8mIU/ml in After BCG and Before BCG Group, respectively(p<0.025). 4) Among 359 episodes of vaccination, the occurrence of systemic and local side reaction were reported in 7.8% and 1.4%, respectively. Conclusion : Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine(HG-II$^{(R)}$))was highly immunogenic and safe. The significantly lower geometric mean antibody titer in the BCG preceding group was observed. Well-designed controlled study with the large number of sample size will be required to show the influence of preceding BCG vaccination.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2006

This study obtained the following conclusions by making a comparative study on fatty liver diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and clinical laboratory findings. I surveyed the value of abdominal ultrasound in 400 patients without clinical symptoms at C Health Clinic Center, Seoul. 1. Compare with blood pressure was high(systolic/diastolic) in 7.5%/4.5% on persons who were diagnosed fatty liver. 2. At the time of the diagnosis, Total cholesterol level was increased in fatty liver patients, HDL-cholesterol level was high in fatty liver patients. And Trigryceride level was increased in fatty liver persons, LDL-cholesterol was high in fatty liver persons. 3. SGOT level was increased in 5.5% on patients who were diagnosed fatty liver, 0% on persons who were normal and SGPT level was high in 29.5% on people who were diagnosed fatty liver, 0% on patients who were diagnosed normal.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.25
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• pp.103-118
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• 2006

근래에 한국의 생명보험 시장에는 주요 질병의 보장을 위한 상품들이 연일 쏟아져 나오고 있다. 그러나 이와 함께 증가될 수 있는 리스크에 대한 대비는 상대적으로 부족한 실정이다. 특히 간질환에 의한 급부발생이 타질환에 비하여 현격하게 높은 국내 실정에 맞게 언더라이팅 초점이 맞추어져야 할 필요가 있다. 간질환 유발인자로 대표적인 것은 B형 간염이지만, 과다한 알코올 섭취에 의한 간질환 역시 매해 빠른 속도로 증가하는 추세이다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 알코올에 의한 질환의 종류와 이와 관련된 보험금 청구 통계, 그리고 음주로 인한 교통사고의 폐해에 대해 살펴보고, 알코올 남용자를 사전에 판별할 방법을 찾아보고자 한다. 일반적으로 알려져 있는 알코올 관련 질환으로는 지방간, 알코올성 간염, 알코올성 간경변이 있으며, 이로 인한 급부발생율은 급격히 증가하고 있다. 음주로 인한 폐해는 단순히 간질환에 그치지 않고 있으며, 교통사고의 상당수가 음주와 관련이 되어있다. 이러한 리스크에 대해 국내의 상당수 보험사들은 혈액검사를 통하여 간기능에 대한 기준을 설정하여 언더라이팅을 하고 있다. 현재 주로 시행되고 있는 간기능 검사들에 대한 정확도에 대해서는 논란이 있을 수 있다. 따라서 보다 정밀한 검사법들에 대한 연구가 필요할 것이다. 외국의 경우, 보험을 가입하고자 하는 보험 대상자들은 직업이나 흡연, 위험 취미뿐만 아니라 알코올과 관련된 일정한 양식의 질문표에 대하여 성실하게 고지하도록 하고 있다. 국내에도 알코올과 관련된 자세한 고지항목을 첨부하여, 일정 기준에 미치지 못하는 가입자에 대하여 표준미달체로 분류하여 보다 정밀한 검진을 통해 세밀한 언더라이팅이 이루어져야 하겠다. 이와 아울러, 알코올로 인한 사회적 폐해의 심각성에 대한 인식 확대를 위한 각 보험사 및 유관기관의 노력이 전개된다면, 음주에 대한 진사 절차가 수월해질 것으로 기대된다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2005

Purpose: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is characterized by persistent high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias, hypertriglyceridemia, and/or hypofibrinogenemia. Hepatic manifestations including overt hepatic failure and fulminant hepatitis are common in HPS. Liver transplantation (LT) should be considered in a case of fulminant hepatitis by other than HPS, but LT is contraindicated and complete cure is possible by chemotherapy in HPS. Therefore, we conducted this study to define the characteristics of HPS presenting as severe acute hepatitis. Methods: Among the total of 23 patients diagnosed as HPS by bone marrow examination between 1994 and 2005 in Asan Medical Center, 11 cases presented as severe acute hepatitis were enrolled in this study. We analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings and outcome retrospectively. Results: Seven (64%) of the 11 children with HPS and hepatitis were referred to pediatric gastroenterologist at first. The mean age of onset was 50 months. There was no case with family history of primary HPS. Epstein-Barr virus was positive in 4, and herpes Simplex virus was positive simultaneously in 1 case. As the presenting symptoms and signs, fever was present in 10, hepatosplenomagaly was noted in all and jaundice in 10. Anemia was observed in 10, thrombocytopenia in 10, leukopenia in 8, hypertriglyceridemia in 9, hypofibrinogenemia in 8 and hyperferritinemia in 7 cases, respectively. Nine children received chemotherapy including etopside. The overall mortality rate was 72% (8/11). Conclusion: HPS, which needs chemotherapy, should be considered as a cause of severe acute hepatitis especially when accompanied with prolonged high fever and cytopenias.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the physical and biochemical parameters related with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in obese children. Methods: One hundred forty-two obese or overweight children who visited the out-patient clinics of Chungnam National University Hospital between January 2006 and August 2008 were enrolled. Physical measures and biochemical tests were performed in all patients. Liver sonography was performed in 43 patients. They were divided into the following 2 groups based on ALT levels: group I, normal ALT levels (n=65); and group II, elevated ALT levels (n=77). We compared the physical measures, biochemical results, and ultrasonographic findings of the livers in both groups. Other causes of elevated serum ALT levels were ruled out. Results: The male-to-female ratios were 1.6:1 in group I and 7.6:1 in group II. Among physical parameters, the waist circumference-to-height ratio and hip circumference-to-height ratio were significantly higher in group II (p=0.001 and 0.046, respectively). Among biochemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT), and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in group II (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The AST/ALT ratio was <1 (mean, 0.55) and statistically lower in group II. There was a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and ${\gamma}$-GT (p<0.001, r=0.750), and a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and the waist circumference-to-height ratio in group II (p<0.001, r=0.401). Conclusion: The results suggest that the waist circumference-to-height ratio and ${\gamma}$-GT may be associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase activity in obese children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2010

Purpose: It has been reported that children with hypopituitarism have features of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and liver histology of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with hypopituitarism. Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of 11 children diagnosed with NAFLD among patients with hypopituitarism. Results: The mean age at the time of diagnosis of hypopituitarism was 10.4${\pm}$3.2 years, and the mean age at the time of diagnosis of NAFLD was 13.1${\pm}$2.7 years. A craniopharyngioma was the most common cause of pituitary dysfunction. At the time of diagnosis of NAFLD, 9 patients (82%) had a body mass index greater than the 85th percentile, 5 patients (45%) had elevated fasting blood glucose levels, and 9 patients (82%) had hypertriglyceridemia. The mean height SD score was significantly lower at the time of diagnosis of NAFLD than at the time of diagnosis of hypopituitarism. Of the six patients who were biopsied, one had cirrhosis, two had non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with bridging fibrosis, two had NASH with mild portal fibrosis, and one had simple steatosis. Conclusion: Children with hypopituitarism are at risk of short stature, obesity, dyslipidemia, and NAFLD. The early diagnosis of NAFLD is important in children with hypopituitarism because advanced fibrosis is common.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.999-1006
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• 2018

Obesity is epidemic worldwide and has reportedly been linked to the progression of several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The natural products are decreasing the side effects of medicines used for obesity and also have health benefits dut to their numerous bioactive compounds. In this context, Artemisia scoparia is a widespread plant that has been suggested as possessing various types of bioactivity. In this study, the crude extract from A. scoparia (ASE) was tested for its ability to suppress adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The molecular pathway by which ASE affects differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was also investigated. The introduction of ASE to differentiating 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes resulted in suppressed adipogenesis, as confirmed by decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. The differentiating cells treated with 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of ASE showed 21.9 and 29.0% less lipid accumulation, respectively, than untreated adipocytes. In addition, the results indicated that ASE treatment lowered the expression of the adipogenesis-related factors $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP-1c. Furthermore, treating with ASE notably decreased levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that ASE exhibits significant anti-adipogenesis activity by downregulating the MAPK and $PPAR{\gamma}$ pathways during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Therefore, A. scoparia may be a potential source of natural products against obesity.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2017

There is a need for aggressive diagnosis and treatment in middle-aged and high-risk individuals who are more likely to progress from nonalcoholic fatty liver to hepatitis. In this study, nonalcoholic fatty liver was divided into severe, moderate, and severe, and classified by quantitative method using computer analysis of GLCM algorithm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of ultrasound images in the local fat avoidance region. Normal, mild, moderate, severe fatty liver, and focal fat sparing area, 80 cases, respectively. Among the parameters of the GLCM algorithm, the values of the Autocorrelation, Square of the deviation, Sum of averages and Sum of variances with high recognition rate of the liver ultrasound image were calculated. The average recognition rate of the GLCM algorithm was 97.5%. The result of local fat avoidance image analysis showed the most similar value to the normal parenchyma. Ultrasonography can be easily accessed by primary screening, but there may be differences in the accuracy of the test method or the correspondence of results depending on proficiency. GLCM algorithm was applied to quantitatively classify the degree of fatty liver. Local fat avoidance region was similar to normal parenchyma, so it could be predicted to be homogeneous liver parenchyma without fat deposition. We believe that GLCM computer image analysis will provide important information for differentiating not only fatty liver but also other lesions.