• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.21 no.1 s.23
• /
• pp.31-46
• /
• 1988

In order to designate a present status necessary for establishment of preventive measures and guidelines of health education against hepatitis B in the course of secondary school education, knowledge and practice toward hepatitis B virus infection was surveyed by a questionnare method on total of 4,855 college entrants in the academic year of 1987 and analyzed the data collected using IBM PC(Trigem 88-II) with SAS package program. About two per cent of college entrants had past history of HBV infections not showing any difference between both sexes and geographical regions. About one third(33.7%) of total students had tested hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), only 4% had tested hepatitis B surface antibody(HBsAb) and vaccination rate amounted to 24.6%, one fourth of total subjects. Both serological tests and vaccination were most commonly performed during adolescence, showing higher rates in female students than in male students. The rates also seemed to be higher in those from urban cities than those from rural cities. Students who had acquired correct knowledge that hepatitis B was infected by virus were amounted to 78.5% of college entrants, and remaining 21.5% had misunderstood that rickettsia, bacteria, fungi or parasites were causal agents. Female students were better aware of the causal agents than male students but there was no difference between places of growth. As for mode of transmission of HBV, 51.5% of male students and 47.7% of female students had correct knowledge. A very few student had known that fact that HBV was transmitted by body fluids such as tear(6.9%), nasal discharge(10.1%) and semen or vaginal secretion(19.2%) and majority(75%) of students had misunderstood that hepatitis B virus would be transmitted per os through food ingestion. Approximately one half(48.9%) of college entrants had knew correctly whom to be vaccinated. Approximately one half of the students knew that hepatr;ma(57.8%) and liver cirrhosis(57.4%) might complicate with hepatitis B virus infection, whereas 12.0% of the students responded that bronchitis was one of the complications of hepatitis B infection. In summary of the above results, we highly recommend that health education program for eradication of hepatitis B virus infection should be introduced in curricula of secondary school education in this country.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.323-333
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Chronic HBsAg carriers are the principal source of infection for other susceptible people, and are themselves at high risk of developing serious liver diseases. In Korea, it has been estimated that 65-75% of the HBsAg positives remained as persistent carriers. Additionally, familial clustering of MBV infection has frequently been observed among carriers. Some would become progressive, chronic hepatitis patients, and others would not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between various factors, such as the duration of infection, type of virus, mutation of precore/core region in HBV, major histocompatibility class-I, and developing chronic liver diseases among familial HBV carriers. Methods : Chronic carrier status was identified by repeated serological tests for HBsAg at intervals of six months or more. A familial chronic carrier was defined when the disease was observed in a family member over two generations. Two families were recruited, among which a total of 20 chronic HBsAg carriers(11 carriers in No.1, and 9 in No.2 family) were identified. Data on the general characteristics and liver disease status were collected. Identification of the HBV-DNA was successful only for 13 subjects among the 20 carriers. Analysis of viral DNA in terms of subtype, pre-core and core region mutations was carried out. The type of major histocompatibility class-1 for the 13 subjects was also analysed. Results & Conclusions : Seven of 10 chronic HBV carriers of the 1st generation and one of 10 of the 2nd generation were clinical patients with chronic hepatitis, the others, three of the 1 st and nine of the 2nd generation, were asymptomatic carriers. This data indicates that the duration of HBV carriage is one of the major factors for disease severity. The subtype of HBsAg analysed using MBV-DNA identified in 13 carriers were adr, and the pattern of precore nonsense mutation in HBV-DNA was identical among family members, which meads that the same virus strains were transmitted between the family members. The association between the precore or core mutations in HBV-DNA and the disease severity was not observed. While it was suggested that a specific type of MHC class-I may be related to disease progression.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.251-257
• /
• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the growth rate, hematological and serological changes of the rats when they were fed with the high(at diets supplemented with or without chitosan for five weeks. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats($235.7{\pm}10.7g$ of body weight) were randomly divided into three groups control group(C) and two treatment groups. Rats in the control group were fed with the high-fat diet containing 10% lard, 1% cholesterol and 0.5% sodium cholate(w/w) which was modified from the formula of the American Institute of Nutrition-76(AIN-76) diet. Rats in treatment groups were red with above diet supplemented with 2.5% of chitosan(CS-2.5) or 5.0% chitosan(CS-5) on the weight to weight basis, respectively. The supplementation of chitosan did not induce any significant difference on the final body weight, gain of body weight and amount of feed intake of rats in between control and treatment groups but the feed efficiency of rats in CS-5 was lower than that of rats in C(p<0.05). The hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values showed no significant differences among groups. In addition the values of glucose concentration, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin(A/G) ratio showed no significant differences among groups. The values of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) in sera of rats in CS-5 were lower than those in both C and CS-2.5(p<0.01). The values of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in sera of rats in CS-5 were higher than in both in C and CS-2.5(p<0.05). The values of atherogenic index(AI) of rats in CS-5 were the lowest among groups(p<0.01). AI of CS-2.5 were lower than that or C(p<0.05). The values of triglyceride in sera of rats showed no significant differences among groups. The values of AST in sera of rats in CS-2.5 were lower than those in both C and CS-5(p<0.05). However ALT values showed no significant differences among groups. Therefore the supplementation of chitosan to high fat diet reduced effectively the serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides which were regarded as to cause the cardiovascular diseases moreover it elevated effectively HDL-C value which was regarded protect cardiovascular diseases.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2008

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is the most economically important viral infectious disease in pig populations worldwide. This study was conducted to better understand the epidemic and dynamics of PRRS virus (PRRSV) on each farm and to evaluate the risk of PRRSV infection in Korea. Interviews with pig farmers were carried out to obtain PRRS vaccination programmes in 60 pig farms throughout Korea. Blood samples were also collected from the 59 pig farms to investigate outbreak patterns of each farm. Vaccination against PRRS was performed in 16.7% farms for breeding pigs and 8.3% of farms for nursery pigs. According to the seroepidemiological analysis, 56 (94.9%) out of 59 farms were considered to be affected by PRRSV infection. The results revealed that 68.9% of sows tested were seroconverted and interestingly, gilt herds had the highest seropositive rate (73%), suggesting that gilts may play a key role in PRRSV transmission in sow herds. Among the PRRS-affected piglet herds, 33 (55.9%), 14 (23.7%) and 6 (10.2%) farms were initially infected with PRRSV during the weaning, suckling and nursery period, respectively. It seems likely, therefore, that PRRSV infection predominantly occurs around the weaning period in piglet herds. Based on antibody seroprevalence levels in both sow and piglet groups, we were able to classify patterns of PRRSV infection per farm unit into 4 categories; category 1 (stable sow groups and non-infected piglet groups), category 2 (unstable sow groups and non-infected piglet groups), category 3 (stable sow groups and infected piglet groups), and category 4 (unstable sow groups and infected piglet groups). Our data suggested that 43 (72.9%) farms were analysed to belong to category 4, which is considered to be at high-risk for PRRS outbreak. Taken together, our information from this study will provide insight into the establishment of an effective control strategy for PRRS on the field.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.26-31
• /
• 1992

Flacherie virus (FV) and Densonucleosis virus (DNV) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, which give the most severest damage to the silk production in korea, were fed on the mulberry wild silkworm, Bombyx mori mandarina, the mulberry pyralid, Gryphodes phyloalis, and the American fall webworm, Hypantria cunea, to investigate cross infectivity by serological and histopathological at observation. By the Ouchterlony's double difusion test the mulberry wild silkworm was infected with both FV and DNV type 1 (DNV-1) and the mulberry pyralid with DNV-1, so those were confirmed the cross infection. But the American fall webworm was not recognized the cross infection by the same method. The infection and multiplication of the FV in the mulberry wild silkworm was observed in the cytoplasm of the goblet cell with the appearance of the virus-specific vesicle. In DNV-1 infection to the mulberry wild silkworm and the mulberry pyralid, the nuclei of columnar cell in the midgut of both insects was hypertrophied and the nuclei of midgut cell of the mulberry pyralid positively stained with the feulgen stain. Multiplication of DNV-1 in the midgut cell of the mulberry wild silkworm was replicated in two different patterens as linear arrays and large masses, while that of DNV-1 in the muberry pyralid was multiplied as virus masses in several portion of the nuclei of the midgut cell.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.123-139
• /
• 2014

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Cheongshimyeonja-tang water extracts(CSYJ) on high fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6J mice. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into four groups; normal diet-fed control(ND), high fat diet-fed control(HFD), HFD+CSYJ 150 mg/kg(CSYJ 150), and HFD+CSYJ 300 mg/kg(CSYJ 300). Obesity with hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high fat diet(40%), and CSYJ was administrated orally into mice every day for 5 weeks. The effect of CSYJ on the serological parameters for Obesity with hyperlipidemia was evaluated. Results : CSYJ-treated groups revealed significantly reduced body weight and feed intake, as well as feed efficiency ratio, compared to HFD-fed group in dose-dependent manner. CSYJ reduced significantly the serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol elevated by intake of high fat diet feed, while the increased serum levels of HDL-cholesterol attenuated levels of atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. It also reduced the blood levels of insulin and leptin in HFD group, and inhibited lipid accumulation in organs such as liver and abdomal adipose tissue. Moreover oral administration of CSYJ decreased significantly the blood level of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), and lipid peroxide(LPO), compared to HFD-fed group in dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results indicate that CSYJ could reduce high fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia, suggesting its clinical usefulness for declining body fat and hyperlipidemia.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.683-689
• /
• 2005

Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) is the important serological marker of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Conventionally, the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) obtained from the plasma of HBV carriers is used as the diagnostic antigen for detection of HBsAb. This blood-origin antigen has some disadvantages involved in high cost, over-elaborate preparation, risk of infection, et al. In an attempt to explore the suitable recombinant HBsAg for the diagnostic purpose, the HBV S gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris and the product was applied for detection of HBsAb. Hepatitis B virus S gene was inserted into the yeast vector and the expressed product was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrolamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblot, electronic microscope and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The preparations of synthesized S protein were applied to detect HBsAb by sandwich ELISA. The S gene encoding the 226 amino acid of HBsAg carrying ahexa-histidine tag at C terminus was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. The His-Tagged S protein in this strain was expressed at a level of about 14.5% of total cell protein. Immunoblot showed the recombinant HBsAg recognized by monoclonal HBsAb and there was no cross reaction between all proteins from the host and normal sera. HBsAb detection indicated that the sensitivity reached 10 mIu (micro international unit)/ml and the specificity was 100% with HBsAb standard of National Center for Clinical Laboratories. A total of 293 random sera were assayed using recombinant S protein and a commercial HBsAb ELISA kit (produced by blood-origin HBsAg), 35 HBsAb positive sera and 258 HBsAb negative sera were examined. The same results were obtained with two different reagents and there was no significant difference in the value of S/CO between the two reagents. The recombinant HBV S protein with good immunoreactivity and specificity was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. The reagent for HBsAb detection prepared by Pichia pastoris-derived S protein showed high sensitivity and specificity for detection of HBsAb standard. And a good correlation was obtained between the reagent produced by recombinant S protein and commercial kit produced by blood-origin HBsAg in random samples.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.487-493
• /
• 2011

Alpha fetoprotein(AFP), which is serological marker for hepatocellular carcinoma, was quantitatively measured by its normal concentration, 10 ng/ml, with a label-free piezoelectric microcantilever mass sensor. The principle of detection is based on changes in the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric microcantilever before and after target molecules are attached to it, and its resonant frequency is measured electrically using a conductance spectrum. The resonant frequency of the developed sensor is approximately 1.34 MHz and the mass sensitivity is approximately 175 Hz/pg. The sensor has high reliability as mass sensor by reducing the effect of surface stress on resonant frequency due to attached proteins. 'Dip and dry' technique was used to react the sensor with reagents for immobilizing AFP antibody on the sensor and detecting AFP antigen. The measured mass of the detected AFP antigen was 6.02 pg at the concentration of 10 ng/ml, and 10.67 pg at 50 ng/ml when the immunoreaction time was 10 min.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 1978

Laboratory and pot experiment were carried out to find the symbiotic nitrogen fixing activities and the yield of dry matter on the several selected wild soybean plant. 1. Very high acetylene reducing(nitrogen fixing)activities were observed in isolated strains of Rhinchosis volubilies Lour. (924 nmole), Desmodium oldhami Oliver (844 nmole) and Glycine soja s. et z. (271 nmole/test tube/hr) while Rhizobium japonicum was only 0.6 nmole/test tube/hr. 2. On the serological reaction, eight isolated Rhizobium strains were sufficiently different to distinguish from the Rhizobium japonicum. 3. On the pot experiment with Glycine soja s. et z., A. Number of total nodules were higher in NPK+rice straw+Ca+Mo than in NoPK. However, little differences were observed in mumber of effective nodules. B. Yield of dry matter was increased with increasing of nitrogen content in plants. C. Estimated amount of fixed nitrogen in plant by an individual nodule was higher in NoPK than in NPK+rice straw+Ca+Mo.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.561-571
• /
• 2017

Prospecting of local grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) germplasm revealed that Tunisia possesses a rich patrimony which presents diversified organoleptic characteristics. However, viral diseases seriously affect all local grapevine cultivars which risk a complete extinction. Sanitation programs need to be established to preserve and exploit, as a gene pool, the Tunisian vineyards areas. The presence of the Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3), Grapevine stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) and Grapevine virus A (GVA), were confirmed in a Tunisian grapevine cultivar using serological and molecular analyses. The association between GRSPaV and GVA viruses induces more rugose wood symptoms and damages. For this reason the cleansing of the infected cultivar is highly advisable. Direct and recurrent somatic embryos of cv. 'Hencha' were successfully induced from filament, when cultured on $Ch{\acute{e}}e$and Pool (1987). based-medium, enriched with $2mg1^{-1}$ of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and $2.5mg1^{-1}$ of Thidiazuron, after 36 weeks of culture. After six months of acclimatization, RT-PCR carried on 50 somaplants confirmed the absence of GVA, GRSPaV as well as GLRaV-3 viruses in all somaplants. Ampelographic analysis, based on eight OIV descriptors, was carried out on two years acclimated somaplants, compared to the mother plant. Results demonstrated that the shape and contours of 46 somaclones leaves are identical to mother plant leaves and four phenotypically off-type plants were observed. The healthy state of 100% 'Hencha' somaclones and the high percentage of phenotypically true-to-type plants demonstrate that somatic embryogenesis is a promising technique to adopt for grapevine viruses elimination.