• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 1983

By radioimmunoassay, serologic markers of Hepatitis B Virus were studied in 44 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 10 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 44 patients with liver cirrhosis and 25 patients with primary hepato cellular carcinoma. The results were follows: 1) HBsAg was present in 77.2% of AVH, 40% of CPH, 80% of CAH, 55.1% of LC and 68 % of PHC. In this HBsAg positive groups, all but one in liver cirrhosis had Anti-HBc. 2) Anti-HBs was most commonly detected in CPR and accompanied by Anti-HBc except one case in AVH. 3) Anti-HBc was the only marker detected in 11.4% of AVH, 20% of CPH, 20% of CAH, 16.3% of LC and 8% of PHC. 4) HBeAg was most commonly found in HBsAg-positive CPH but Anti-HBe was most frequently detected in PHC. 5) The absence of HBV markers was noted in 2.3% of AVH, 10% of CPH, 8% of PHC except CAH and LC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.615-623
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• 2001

Background : Pneumoconiosis is a parenchymal lung disease that results from the accumulation of coal dust in the lungs and the consequent tissue reaction. To evaluate the role of various personal factors in pneumoconiosis and the significance of some serologic markers for assessing the disease activity related to pneumoconiosis, the Rheumatoid Factor(RF), ${\alpha}_1$-AT, C-Reactive Protein(CRP), ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen levels were measured. Method : All the patients were males, 45-76 years old, and the mean duration of coal dust exposure was 23.2 years. 51 patients were classified as having Simple Pneumoconiosis (SP), 59 had Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF). Fifty eight men with ages ranging from 26-70 years were used as normal controls. The serum RF and CRP were titrated using an Autochemistry analyzer (HITACHI 7150 : Japan) and the ${\alpha}_1$-AT and ceruloplasmin levels were measured using a Nephelometer (Behring Nephelometer : Germany) and the fibrinogen levels were estimated by using an Autoanalyzer for hematologic coagulation. Result : There was a higher RF level in the SP, and PMF groups than in the control groups but there was no statistical difference. The CRP, ${\alpha}_1$-AT, and ceruloplasmin levels were also higher in the SP, and PMF groups. However, the fibrinogen concentration was within the normal ranges in both the SP and PMF groups. Conclusion : The CWP (Ed note : Define CWP) patients had significantly higher CRP, ${\alpha}_1$-AT, and ceruloplasmin levels compared to the control group. It is believed that these serologic changes could be used as a marker of the disease activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2002

This study is aimed at offering basic data about prevention of Hepatitis B virus and infection control to dental hygiene students who will work mostly at dental offices which are characteristically exposed to a high risk of HBV infection. For this study, surveyed were 188 sophomores and juniors of the dental hygiene department who volunteered to undergo the tests of HBsAg and HBsAb. The examination of the blood collected from the samples and analysis of their perception about hygiene resulted in following conclusion: Positive HBsAg Four was found in 4 testees(2.1%) while 118(62.8%) revealed positive HBsAb. Juniors showed higher positive rate in HBsAg whereas sophomores had higher positive rate in HBsAb. But such difference has statistically no significance. Generally, students seemed to pay little attention to HBV, judging from the survey of their perception about the present state of HBsAg and HBsAb(p>0.05), conduct of infection(p<0.05), completion of 3 requested vaccinations(p>0.05), and formation of antibody(p>0.05). With regard to the infection routes of HBV, most students(92.4%) replied "through blood", which is statistically insignificant, though. Next ratio goes to the reply "through contaminated injectors". This reply came more from sophomores than from juniors, a difference which is statistically significant(p<0.05). The lowest rate of possible infection(29.2%) was thought to be "through breast-feeding of a positive mother"(p<0.05). In general, it turned out that sophomores had more knowledge about the infection routes of HBV than juniors. In terms of clinical history among family members, 6(3.1%) reported that some of their family members are currently suffering from a liver complaint, 3(1.6%) replied their family members were once afflicted, and 4(2.1%) said their members died of hepatitis. Except 10(4.7%), all the surveyees replied that their states of health are better than normal. Generally, sophomores are healthier than juniors except for the very health case, a difference which is statistically of no value.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4215-4221
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• 2013

Purposes: Lung cancer is prevalent worldwide and improvements in timely and effective diagnosis are need. Pentraxin-3 as a novel serum marker for lung cancer (LC) has not been validated in large cohort studies. The aim of the study was to assess its clinical value in diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: We analyzed serum PTX-3 levels in a total of 1,605 patients with LC, benign lung diseases and healthy controls, as well as 493 non-lung cancer patients including 12 different types of cancers. Preoperative and postoperative data were further assessed in patients undergoing LC resection. The diagnostic performance of PTX-3 for LC and early-stage LC was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) by comparing with serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1). Results: Levels of PTX-3 in serum were significantly higher in patients with LC than all controls. ROC curves showed the optimum diagnostic cutoff was 8.03ng/mL (AUC 0.823, [95%CI 0.789-0.856], sensitivity 72.8%, and specificity 77.3% in the test cohort; 0.802, [95%CI 0.762-0.843], sensitivity 69.7%, and specificity 76.4% in the validate cohort). Similar diagnostic performance of PTX-3 was observed for early-stage LC. PTX-3 decreased following surgical resection of LC and increased with tumor recurrence. Significantly elevated PTX-3 levels were also seen in patients with non-lung cancers. Conclusions: The present data revealed that PTX-3 was significantly increased in both tissue and serum samples in LC patients. PTX-3 is a valuable biomarker for LC and improved identification of patients with LC and early-stage LC from those with non-malignant lung diseases.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-30
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• 2012

A 48-year-old male visited the emergency room of the authors' hospital due to nausea, vomiting, and myalgia for four days. Acute hepatitis A was identified from the serologic marker of the hepatitis A virus. Mild elevation of the serum creatinine and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) suggested rhabomyolysis, which was confirmed with the serum aldolase, myoglobin, and urine myoglobin. With supportive care, both the liver and renal functions were recovered gradually and fully. This case shows that rhabdomyolysis can be one of the mechanisms of renal complication in cases of acute symptomatic hepatitis A.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2015

Purpose: Measurement of serum ceruloplasmin level is the first step in screening for Wilson's disease (WD). Despite the rarity of WD in the general population, ceruloplasmin levels are routinely measured through hepatitis screening in both adults and children. Herein, we evaluated the diagnostic value of ceruloplasmin for the diagnosis of WD among children with hepatitis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on serum ceruloplasmin levels measured as a serologic marker for patients with hepatitis at Asan Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) between from January 2004 to November 2013. The diagnosis of WD was confirmed by the identification of pathogenic variants in the ATP7B gene. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ceruloplasmin, receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed and the area under curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: Measurements of serum ceruloplasmin were performed in 2,834 children who had hepatitis. Among these, 181 (6.4%) children were diagnosed with WD. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a ceruloplasmin level of <20 mg/dL in the discrimination of WD were 93.4%, 84.2%, and 84.8%, respectively. In this study, 418 (14.7%) false-positive cases and 12 (0.4%) false-negative cases were noted. Using a ROC curve, a ceruloplasmin level of ${\leq}16.6mg/dL$ showed the highest AUC value (0.956) with a sensitivity of 91.2%, a specificity of 94.9%, and an accuracy of 94.7%. Conclusion: The measurement of serum ceruloplasmin was frequently used for the screening of WD in children, despite a low positive rate. The diagnostic value of ceruloplasmin may be strengthened by adopting a new lower cut-off level.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.637-642
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• 2014

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to habitual betel quid (BQ) chewing is unclear. Risk of HCCis increased with adverse hepatic fibrosis. This study aimed to assess the impact of chronic viral hepatitis on adverse hepatic fibrosis in HCC related to BQ chewing. This hospital-based case-control study enrolled 200 pairs of age- and gender-matched patients with HCC and unrelated healthy controls. Serologic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein (AFP), and surrogate markers for significant hepatic fibrosis were measured. Information on substance-use habits was obtained with a questionnaire. By analysis of surrogate markers for hepatic fibrosis, the prevalence of significant hepatic fibrosis in patients chewing BQ was between 45.8% and 91.7%, whereas that for patients without BQ chewing was between 18.4% and 57.9%. The difference was significant (P <0.05 for each surrogate marker). Multivariate analysis indicated that cirrhosis with Child-Pugh C (odds ratio (OR) = 3.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29-8.37), thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.92, 95% CI, 1.77-8.68), AFP >400 mg/L (OR = 2.21, 95% CI, 1.05-4.66) and male gender (OR = 4.06, 95% CI, 1.29-12.77) were independent factors associated with habitual BQ chewing. In conclusion, adverse hepatic fibrosis and severe liver damage play important roles in the pathogenesis of BQ-related HCC, which could be aggravated by chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. BQ-cessation programs and prevention of chronic HBV/HCV infection are needed to prevent HCC related to BQ chewing.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2018

Objectives. The current study aims to determine the correlation between nutritional status upon presentation and disease severity, as well as treatment and survival outcomes. Methods. Patients who were diagnosed with deep neck infection, underwent at least one surgical drainage/debridement, and had more than 1 week of hospitalization at a tertiary medical center from 2007 to 2015 were retrospectively included. Thereafter, initial serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and body mass index (BMI) were reviewed. Results. A total of 135 patients were included in the final analysis. Accordingly, the proportion of patients with simultaneous mediastinitis (21.0%), necrotizing fasciitis (12.9%), disease extent >1 cervical level (72.6%), mean CRP (22.4 mg/dL), mean length of hospitalization (25.0 days), and mean 1-week follow-up CRP (7.2 mg/dL) was significantly higher in the hypoalbuminemia group (initial serum albumin <3.0 g/dL) than in the normoalbuminemia group (all P<0.05). No significant correlations had been observed according to BMI status. After adjusting for age and Charlson comorbidity index, odds ratios for the following outcomes were calculated in patients initially presenting with hypoalbuminemia: simultaneous mediastinitis (3.07), necrotizing fasciitis (7.89), disease extent >1 cervical level (2.12), initial serum CRP over 20 mg/dL (3.79), hospitalization of more than 14 days (4.10), 1-week follow-up CRP over 5 mg/dL (3.78), and increased duration for an over 50% decrease in initial CRP (2.70) (all P<0.05). Although intravascular albumin replenishment decreased the proportion of patients with hypoalbuminemia after 2 weeks (P<0.05), it did not significantly predict better treatment outcomes. Conclusion. Among the markers reflecting an individual's nutritional state, an initial serum albumin of less than 3.0 g/dL was an independent serologic marker predicting increased disease severity and complications in patients with deep neck infection.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 2008

Purpose : There have been some reports on the prevalence of positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA) in Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP), but the results were conflicting. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical significance of ANCA(c-ANCA and p-ANCA) in Korean children with HSP. Methods : The medical records of 30 patients(13 boys and 17 girls) aged 6.0$\pm$1.9(5-12) years with a clinical diagnosis of HSP based on the EULAR/PReS criteria were reviewed retrospectively. From the years 2007 to 2008, the sera from children with acute HSP were tested for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies(ANCA). The target antigens of these autoantibodies are proteinase 3(c-ANCA) or myeloperoxidase(p-ANCA). Results : Palpable purpura was seen in all 30 patients(100%), abdominal pain in 20(67%), arthralgia in 17(57%), and renal involvement in 11(37%). Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis in 4 patients(13%), thrombocytosis 18 in(60%), and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 18(60%). Anti-streptolysin O titers were elevated in 7% of the patients and no patient showed elevation of serum IgA level. The sera from 29 patients were negative for c-ANCA and p-ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence, but only one patient had weakly positive results, which became negative at follow-up. Conclusions : We conclude that c-ANCA or p-ANCA is not an important serologic marker in children with HSP, because it was neither diagnostically nor immunologically specific in children with HSP. These results suggest that ANCA are not involved in the pathogenesis of HSP in children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.562-569
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• 2005

Background : The severity scoring system is useful for predicting the outcome of critically ill patients. However, the system is quite complicated and cost-ineffective. Simple serologic markers have been proposed to predict the outcome, which include troponin-I, lactate and C-reactive protein(CRP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic values of troponin-I, lactate and CRP in critically ill non-cardiac patients. Methods : From September 2003 to June 2004, 139 patients(Age: $63.3{\pm}14.7$, M:F = 88:51), who were admitted to the MICU with non-cardiac critical illness at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, were enrolled in this study. This study evaluated the severity of the illness and the multi-organ failure score (Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health EvaluationII, Simplified Acute Physiologic ScoreII and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) and measured the troponin-I, lactate and CRP within 24 hours after admission in the MICU. Each value in the survivors and non-survivors was compared at the 10th and 30th day after ICU admission. The mortality rate was compared at 10th and 30th day in normal and abnormal group. In addition, the correlations between each value and the severity score were assessed. Results : There were significantly higher troponin-I and CRP levels, not lactate, in the non-survivors than in the survivors at 10th day($1.018{\pm}2.58ng/ml$, $98.48{\pm}69.24mg/L$ vs. $4.208{\pm}10.23ng/ml$, $137.69{\pm}70.18mg/L$) (p<0.05). There were significantly higher troponin-I, lactate and CRP levels in the non-survivors than in the survivors on the 30th day ($0.99{\pm}2.66ng/ml$, $8.02{\pm}9.54ng/dl$, $96.87{\pm}68.83mg/L$ vs. $3.36{\pm}8.74ng/ml$, $15.42{\pm}20.57ng/dl$, $131.28{\pm}71.23mg/L$) (p<0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the abnormal group of troponin-I, lactate and CRP than in the normal group of troponin-I, lactate and CRP at 10th day(28.1%, 31.6%, 18.9% vs. 11.0%, 15.8 %, 0%) and 30th day(38.6%, 47.4%, 25.8% vs. 15.9%, 21.7%, 14.3%) (p<0.05). Troponin-I and lactate were significantly correlated with the SAPS II score($r^2=0.254$, 0.365, p<0.05). Conclusion : Measuring the troponin-I, lactate and CRP levels upon admission may be useful for predicting the outcome of critically ill non-cardiac patients.