• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1014-1026
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• 2006

Liver cirrhosis is a liverdisease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Liver cirrhosis is regarded as a serious health problem with high prevalence in the world as well as in Korea. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible disease. However, in cases of liver cirrhosis induced by chronic hepatitis B, we should treat the chronic hepatitis B, because it frequently progresses to cirrhosis and hepatoma. We observedimprovements of symptoms and laboratory tests with herb medicine Injinchunggan-tang (茵蔯淸肝湯) in five cases ofliver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. The serum aminotransferase was preserved within normal value levels for a long time, 3 years to 7 years. However, further study is necessary to determine the effect of herb medicine on liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2020

Chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection remains a major health threat, especially in high-prevalence areas. Most infants infected by mother-to-infant HBV transmission become chronic carriers. In Taiwan, many important preventive interventions have been implemented to block the perinatal transmission of HBV in the past 35 years. The first nationwide universal HBV vaccination program was launched in Taiwan in July 1984. The three-dose HBV vaccine completion rate reached 98.1% in 2018. The prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) decreased from 9.8% in pre-vaccinated period in 1984 to 0.5% in the vaccinated cohort in 2014. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in children aged 6-9 years significantly declined from 0.52 to 0.13 per 100,000 children born before and after 1984, respectively. Furthermore, we have performed a maternal HBV screening program during pregnancy since 1984, with the screening rate peaked at 93% in 2012. The HBsAg- and HBeAg-seropositive rate in pregnant women declined from 13.4% and 6.4% in 1984-1985 to 5.9% and 1.0% in 2016, respectively. To closely control perinatal HBV infection, we have administered hepatitis B immunoglobulin immediately after birth and checked the serum level of HBsAg and anti-HBs in high-risk babies born to HBsAg-seropositive mothers, irrespective of their HBeAg status, since July 2019. We have also adopted short-term antiviral treatments such as tenofovir 300 mg daily in the third trimester for highly viremic mothers and reduced the perinatal infection rates from 10.7 to 1.5%. Through all these efforts, we expect to meet the global goal of eliminating HBV infection by 2030.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.107-115
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for related researches on knowledge, attitude, and health belief related to hepatitis B and development of a preventive education program for the rise of its vaccination on college students of dental hygienics and dental laboratory technology majors. The questionnaires were distributed to a total of 252 students from April 26 to 30, 2018. The mean knowledge score of hepatitis B was 11.60 out of 20.0. The mean scores for their attitude and health belief on hepatitis B were 3.51 and 3.10 out of 4.0, respectively. Only 38.9% of the subjects were vaccinated and 53.6% of them were not educated. The factors affecting the vaccination were clinical training experience and prevention education. It is essential to provide healthcare education on knowledge, attitude, and health belief related to hepatitis B and to develop a convergent education program because the students may be manpower for healthcare institutions in the future.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1385-1389
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• 2005

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a pathogen related to the development of liver diseases including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the efficient methods to suppress HBV replication have not been developed yet. Therefore, we have used RNA interference (RNAi) as a potential tool for the suppression of HBV replication. Here, we designed a 21 nt small intefering dsRNA (siRNA) against hepatitis B virus X (HBx) RNA with 3' overhanging ends derived from T7 promoter. It has been reported that HBV X protein plays an important role in HBV gene expression and viral replication. The suppression of HBx gene expression by the 21 nt siRNA was investigated by Northern blot analysis and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) assay. The level of HBx mRNA was decreased by siRNA in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that the 21 nt siRNA inhibited the HBV replication in hepatocellular carcinoma cell.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2011

Purpose : We have tried to search all concerning data on the policies of hepatitis B vaccination or surveillance of medical equipments that can transmit blood mediated diseases, including disposable syringe, in Republic of Korea, to propose references to other medical professionals. Methods : Data from domestic journals, government websites, computerized newspapers, etc. were reviewed. The data were arranged into four categories (governmental policies on hepatitis B control, hepatitis B mass immunization program in school, using process of hepatitis B vaccine, and policies on medical equipments surveillance, including disposable syringes, which is considered as source of blood mediated infection), and the periodic changes on each subjects in policies were reviewed. Results : Due to growing social concerns on hepatitis B in early 1980s, swift introduction and production of hepatitis B vaccine was made. After establishment of "5 year project for eradication of hepatitis B" in late 1983, number of vaccinated population jumped up to 6 million within 2 years (1984-85). However, since the immunization targets were mainly adult, not infant, this project was annulled in late 1985. Following this project, hepatitis B mass immunization program in school was carried out. In year 1995, hepatitis B vaccine was included in national immunization program. The use of disposable syringe was recommended from year 1980 but legislated in year 1985, finally. Conclusion : The mainstay in controlling hepatitis B in Republic of Korea was coordination of prompt introduction of vaccine, mass immunization, high vaccination coverage rate, or use of disposable syringes. However, since there is lack of official data available, it is urgent to arrange and computerize all government data related to infectious diseases.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.219-233
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• 2005

This study was conducted on 185 workers at 73 dental clinics and university hospitals in Daegu to investigate the actual prevention of infection and vaccination against B-type hepatitis among dental workers. 1. According to the result of medical examination, only 35 out of 144 (24%) dental clinic workers had periodic health examination while 7 out of 9 (78%) university hospital workers did. 2. In a survey on vaccination against B-type hepatitis, 52 workers aged 29 or younger (96.3%), 38 dental hygienists (51.9%) and 44 dental workers at dental clinics (81.5%) have not had any vaccination against B-type hepatitis. The rest appeared to have had vaccination or be aware that they had antibody against B-type hepatitis without having to have any vaccination. 3. According to the result of a survey on the existence of antibody by job, 42 (56%) of dental hygienists, 15 (20%) of assistant nurses, 12 (16%) of medical assistants and 6 (8%) of dental technicians did not know whether or not they had antibody. This suggests that all types of dental workers except dental hygienists have low awareness of whether or not they have antibody. 4. In a survey on the relation between general characteristics of subjects and the sterilization of dental equipment, alcohol disinfection of high speed handpiece and low speed handpiece was most common among dental workers aged 29 or younger, and all of those aged over 40 used autoclave. By position, alcohol disinfection was used most commonly for high-speed handpiece. antiseptic solution deposition for disposable suction lips, and autoclaving for impression. By workplace, dental workers at university hospitals used autoc1aving most frequently for high/low speed handpiece while those at dental hospitals and dental clinics used alcohol disinfection most frequently and even some respondents replied that they did not disinfect. For metal cups, workers at dental clinics and dental hospitals did not use any sterilizing method while those at university hospitals used autoclaving. For disposable suction tips, workers at dental clinics used antiseptic solution deposition and those at dental hospitals used alcohol disinfection but some respondents replied that they did not disinfect. For metal suctions and impression trays, autoclaving was most common in all workplaces but some dental clinics replied that they did not disinfect impression trays. According to work experience, alcohol disinfection was most common for high/low speed handpiece. For disposable suction tips, dental workers with 3 years' or shorter work experience, those with 3~6 years' experience and those with 9~12 years' experience used antiseptic solution deposition most commonly, and many of those with 6~9 years replied that they did not disinfect. The results of this study stated above suggest that systematic education is necessary for all dental workers for enhancing th eir awareness of B-type hepatitis and the prevention of infection. Moreover, dental workers are required to make efforts to prevent infection with B-type hepatitis voluntarily and actively.

• 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.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.203-207
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• 2014

Hepatitis is a common and serious disease for the Korean population. It is caused by a virus, the A and B types of which are plentiful in Koreans. In this study, we tried to find genetic factors for hepatitis through genome-wide association studies. We took 368 cases and 1,500 controls from Anseong and Ansan cohort data. About 300,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 20 epidemiological variables were analyzed. We did not find any meaningful significant single nucleotide polymorphisms, but we confirmed the influence of major epidemiological variables on hepatitis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3175-3176
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• 2013

Patient records from the Guam Cancer Registry were compared with patients listed in a health department viral hepatitis case registry and the numbers of liver cancer and viral hepatitis cases were compared by ethnicity. Hepatitis C was the form of viral hepatitis most common among liver cancer cases on Guam (63.3% of viral hepatitis-associated liver cancer cases). Since viral hepatitis is an important cause of liver cancer, studies such as the present one may provide the information necessary to establish programs (screening of populations at risk and infant vaccination in the case of hepatitis B, for example) that may lessen the impact of liver cancer in the future.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.138-143
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• 2003

Of many viral causes of human cancer, few are of greater global importance than the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Over 250 million people worldwide are persistently infected with HBV. A significant minority of these develop severe pathologic consequences, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Earlier epidemiological evidence suggested a link between chronic HBV infection and HCC. Further, the existence of related animal viruses that induce acute and chronic infections of the liver, and eventually HCC, confirms the concept that HBV belongs to one of the few human oncogenic viruses. Although it is clear that chronic HBV infections are major risk factors, relatively little is understood about how the viral factors contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. This review will introduce molecular aspects of the viral infection, and highlight recent findings on the viral contribution to hepatocarcinogenesis.