• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.121-124
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• 2014

Omega (${\omega}$)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to be effective in preventing and treating parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, and several mechanisms were proposed for this observation. An 8-week-old male infant with cholestasis and acholic stool was diagnosed non-syndromic intrahepatic interlobular bile duct paucity by open-wedge liver biopsy. Initially he was treated with usual supportive medical therapy, including ursodeoxycholic acid. However, the clinical status and laboratory tests did not improve. Omega (${\omega}$)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (initially intravenous administration and oral administration later), were started and his liver function, including aminotransferase level and bilirubin levels normalized, and the ivory stool color turned green. We report the possible effectiveness of ${\omega}$-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a potent choleretic agent for non-syndromic intrahepatic interlobular bile duct paucity, a very rare structural pediatric hepatic disease.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.87-89
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• 2014

An aberrant left hepatic artery is one of the most common variants of hepatic arteries, and its prevalence has been reported 6.5-30%. During D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer, an aberrant left hepatic artery arising from left gastric artery is ligated which may lead to hepatic damage. In this case report, a 66-year-old male patient underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection during which the aberrant left hepatic artery was ligated. Post-operative liver function tests revealed elevated liver enzymes, and ischemic changes in the left lateral hepatic section was seen on the CT scan. On retrospective review of preoperative CT images, a replaced left hepatic artery from left gastric artery could have been identified. The information on the presence of aberrant LHA and its supplying area is clinically important when planning curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer, because extended lymph node dissection requires division of the left gastric artery and this may lead to severe liver damage. By using preoperative CT scan, detection of aberrant left hepatic artery could be done.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 2023

Ascaris lumbricoides causes one of the most common soil-transmitted helminthiases globally. The worms mostly infect the human small intestine and elicit negligible or nonspecific symptoms, but there are reports of extraintestinal ectopic ascariasis. We describe a rare case of biliary ascariasis mistaken for biliary stent in a 72-year-old female patient with a history of liver resection. She visited our outpatient clinic complaining of right upper quadrant pain and fever for the past week. She had previously undergone left lateral sectionectomy for recurrent biliary and intrahepatic duct stones 2 years ago. Besides mildly elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, her liver function tests were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a linear filling defect closely resembling an internal stent from the common bile duct to the right intrahepatic bile duct. A live female A. lumbricoides adult worm was removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Despite a significant decrease of the ascariasis prevalence in Korea, cases of biliary ascariasis are still occasionally reported. In this study, a additional case of biliary ascariasis, which was radiologically misdiagnosed as the biliary stent, was described in a hepatic resection patient by the worm recovery with ERCP in Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2008

Purpose: Fatty liver is one of the most commonly found disease by abdominal ultrasonography. The status of fatty liver is classified into mild, moderate and severe degrees. The study was conducted to investigate the clinical significance of fatty liver using ultrasonography. Materials and method: Test set consisted of 2,185 patients who visited D healthcare center in Daejeon to receive an abdominal ultrasonic test from January to December 2007. Out of the 2185 patients, 524 patients was diagnosed as fatty liver (290 male and 234 female patients). They were divided into three groups, group I for mild degree. II for moderate degree, and III for severe degree, depending on the echo of liver parenchyma, the sound attenuation, and the visibility of intrahepatic blood vessels and diaphragm. Then the correlation of obesity indices, liver function tests and metabolic syndrome was analyzed for males and females separately. Results : As for the degree of fatty liver, 350 cases (66.8%) were classified as group I, 153 cases (29.2%) as group II, and 21 cases (4.1%) as group III. In addition, severe degree of fatty liver was more frequently found in males than in females. The mean ages of three groups for males were 46.1, 44.5, and 39.1, and those for females were 48.8, 50.2, 52.4, respectively. Males with lower mean ages have severely of fatty liver for both males and females. Conclusion: The results in this study show that the classification into three degrees of fatty liver in ultrasonography practice is helpful to treat and observe the progress of fatty liver. In addition, careful examination is required to measure the severity of fatty liver as well as detection of it. A standardized method to classify the degree of fatty liver is also needed for more objective measurement.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 2018

Taurine has been reported to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve liver function, diabetes, and platelet function. However, there are few studies on the effects of taurine in Koreans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of basal doses of taurine on blood glucose, liver disease, and lipid diseases among Korean college students. The study included a taurine intake group and a control group; each group consisted of 15 students. Taurine was administered at a standard dose of 1,000 mg for 2 weeks postprandial. All subjects were excluded from medication or other food besides meals provided by the dormitory. The liver test gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the taurine group decreased to $23.53{\pm}25.73IU/L$ before intake and to $15.15{\pm}4.91IU/L$ after intake (P=0.186). Lipid metabolite triglyceride (TG) was $100.42{\pm}28.33mg/dL$ before intake and $80.22{\pm}17.08mg/dL$ after intake (P<0.05). Total cholesterol (T-Cho), low density cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Consequently, taurine improved liver function and lipid metabolism. Hematologic tests showed a decrease in segmented neutrophil percentage and an increase in lymphocyte percentage. Thus, taurine also seems to be related to immunological function.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.101-110
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• 2023

Objectives This study was written to report Korean medicine treatment for obese children. Methods This study included obese children who visited the Department of Korean Pediatrics at the Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from September 18, 2020 to March 30, 2023. Height and weight at the first visit and on the day of the last herbal medicine termination were measured, and changes before and after treatment were observed. Liver function tests were performed before and after the treatment. Results Of the nine obese children who received Korean medicine treatment, five were male (55.6%) and four, female (44.4%). In term of age, there were five 8-year-olds (55.6%), two 6-year-olds, and two 10-year-olds (22.2%); the patients' mean age was 8.00 ± 1.414 years. The treatment period was more than three months, and the average treatment period was 177.11 ± 106.013 days. After treatment with Korean medicine, the patients' heights increased, and the body mass index (BMI) percentile and obesity decreased. Liver levels were maintained within the normal range without abnormal liver function after herbal medicine treatment, and no adverse reactions were observed during Korean medicine treatment. As a result of the pattern identification analysis, gastrointestinal damp-heat type and yin deficiency with internal heat were reported at a high frequency. Conclusions Korean medical treatment can reduce the degree of obesity without hindering the growth of childhood obesity.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.518-527
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• 2021

Purpose: The incidence of hepatic steatosis among children has been increasing; however, data distinguishing simple steatosis from a more complex disorder are lacking. Methods: This study identified the etiologies resulting in hepatic steatosis through a retrospective review of pediatric liver biopsies performed in the last 10 years. A total of 158 patients with hepatic steatosis proven by histopathological evaluation were enrolled in the study, and baseline demographic features, anthropometric measurements, physical examination findings, laboratory data, ultrasonographic findings, and liver histopathologies were noted. Results: The two most common diagnoses were inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) (52.5%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) (29.7%). The three most common diseases in the IEM group were glycogen storage disorders, Wilson's disease, and mitochondrial disease. The rates of consanguineous marriage (75.6%; odds ratio [OR], 26.040) and positive family history (26.5%; OR, 8.115) were significantly higher (p=0.002, p<0.001, respectively) in the IEM group than those in the NAFLD/NASH group. Younger age (p=0.001), normal anthropometric measurements (p=0.03), increased aspartate aminotransferase levels (p<0.001), triglyceride levels (p=0.001), and cholestatic biochemical parameters with disrupted liver function tests, as well as severe liver destruction of hepatic architecture, cholestasis, fibrosis, and nodule formation, were also common in the IEM group. Conclusion: Parents with consanguinity and positive family history, together with clinical and biochemical findings, may provide a high index of suspicion for IEM to distinguish primary steatosis from the consequence of a more complex disorder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.127-131
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report a case of Rhabdomyolysis that occurred after shock related to overworking, presenting myalgia(especially in the neck), muscular weakness, and dark urine. Methods : A patient diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis received Korean medical treatment from November $17_{th}$ to $24_{th}$. Clinical improvement was evaluated using a numerical rating scale(NRS), neck disability index(NDI), and laboratory tests which included complete blood count, kidney function, liver function, serum eletrolytes and Creatinine kinase(CK). Results : After treatment, myalgia, muscular weakness and dark urine each improved. Laboratory results, including CK, had decreased to within normal range. Conclusions : Korean medical treatment could be effective for Rhabdomyolysis patients. Further extensive studies should be carried out.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.285-289
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• 2005

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed the efficacy and safety of beef tallow extract (BTE) including Cis-9-cetylmyristoleate in patients with arthritis. Between May and December 2003, we selected 80 patients (n=80) who showed/manifested arthritic symptoms and whose radiological findings were suggestive of arthritis, and randomly assigned them to placebo-controlled (n=40) and treatment group (n=40). The placebo (corn starch 350 mg) and BTE (208 mg) were orally administered to placebo-controlled and treatment group three times a day, respectively. We assessed the efficacy and safety based on the visual analogue scale (V AS) and modified knee society knee scores (MKSKS) at baseline and endpoint, respectively. To assess the safety, we monitored the adverse effects noted in liver, kidney, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system for 3 weeks. Then, we performed not only a questionnaire study but also laboratory tests (e.g., liver function test, kidney function test, urinalysis, electrocardiography [EKG], complete blood cell counts [CBC] and chest X-ray). For statistical analysis, Student (-test and paired (-test were done using SPSS■ Version 11.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The scores between V AS and MKSKS showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) with an improvement of $69.2\%$ (27/39) and $3.8\%$ (21/39) of treatment-group patients, respectively. Abnormal laboratory findings were noted in neither placebo-controlled nor treatment group. In conclusion, our results indicate that the administration of BTE was a safe and effective treatment regimen for patients with arthritis. In addition, the efficacy of BTE was more remarkable in alleviating the symptoms rather than improving the function.