• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.38-44
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• 2005

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major health problem worldwide. Although a tremendous amount has been known about HBV, there have been obstacles in the study of HBV due to the narrow host range of HBV limited to humans and primates. In the present study, we investigated the susceptibility to HBV infection of mouse hepatoma cell line, Hepa-1c1c7. In addition, based on that human hepatocytes infected by HBV increase the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a, the inducibility of TNF-a expression by HBV in the cells was determined. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion was measured by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay and steady state mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative competitive RT-PCR. Transient transfection of Hepa-1c1c7 cells with HBV expression vector resulted in a dose-dependent induction of TNF-a expression. Infection of Hepa-1c1c7 cells with the serum of HBV carrier also increased TNF-a mRNA expression. Both in the transfected and infected cells, HBV mRNA was expressed and significant HBsAg secretion was detected. There was no significant variation in $\beta-actin$ mRNA expression by HBV. These results demonstrate that HBV is infectious to Hepa-lc1c7 in vitro and the viral infection induces TNF-a expression, which suggests that Hepa-lc1c7, a mouse hepatoma cell line, may be a possible model system for analysis of various molecular aspects of HBV infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2004

Purpose : The serial clinical findings, biochemical results, and serological hepatitis B virus(HBV) markers in Korean children with chronic HBV infection were analyzed to determine the relationships among these factors. Methods : Ninety children have been chosen from those who have visited to the Department of Pediatrics at St. Vincent's Hospital in The Catholic University of Korea from July 1st, 1995 to June 30th, 2000. The sample patients were followed up for over six months. HBV markers and liver function tests were all performed. Results : All children were asymptomatic at presentation. Eighty-three percent of the children had a history of chronic HBV infection in their families. Eighty-one percent were HBeAg positive, 16% were anti-HBe positive, while 3% were all HBeAg and anti-HBe negative. The prevalence of HBeAg among three age groups : 0~5; 6~10; and 11~15 year-old was 90%, 96% and 61% respectively. The prevalence of HBeAg in less than 10 year-old group was significantly higher than 11~15 year-old group(P=0.001). Serum ALT levels were within 40 IU/L in 64% children, 41~80 IU/L in 17%, 81~200 IU/L in 10%, and beyond 201 IU/L in 9%. The percentage of abnormality of ALT levels in HBeAg positive patients was significantly higher than that of HBeAg negative(P=0.036). Eleven of the 73 HBeAg positive children lost their HBeAg and seroconverted to anti-HBe. In these cases, all had transient elevations in ALT levels before HBeAg seroconversions. The annual rates of spontaneous seroconversion of HBeAg and HBsAg were 9.7% and 0.6%, respectively. Conclusion : Recognition of the dynamics of these changes in viral markers and biochemical findings is needed in the selection and evaluation of therapeutic regimens, establishment of treatment, and calling for controlled trials with adequate follow-up. The hepatitis B carrier state may be asymptomatic in children however, continued surveillance of carriers is important to determine the individual adverse prognostic factors of chronic HBV infections.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.199-213
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• 1967

Circulatory and respiratory activities were observed in men exposed to the environment of engine room of a cruising Republic of Korea Navy ship and compared to the control values obtained in an ordinary laboratory room on land. The environment of an engine room of cruising navy ship was presumed to be a multiple stress acting on men. The environment of the engine room included high temperature $(35-42^{\circ}C)$, low relative humidity (20-38% saturation), vibration (about 7 cycles per second), rolling and pitching of ship and noises. Sixteen men were divided into two groups consisted of each 8 subjects. Subjects of sea duty group had experience of continuous on board duty averaging 3.5 years. Men of land duty group had no experience of on board activity. On land observations were made on one day prior to the boarding and leaving the port and four days after landing. In between observations in the engine room were made on the first, 5 th, 9 th, 12 th, and 14 th day of on board activity. The whole experimental period lasted for 20 days. Measurements on circulatory and respiratory parameters were at standing resting state (after 30 minutes standing in the case of on land study and 15 minutes in engine room study) and within one minute after cessation of on the spot running of which rhythm was 30/min. and lasted for 5 minutes. Oxygen consumption and pulmonary function test were done in the period of two minutes from the 3rd to 5th minutes of running. The following results were obtained. 1. Body temperature showed no change regardless of group difference or on land or on board measurements. 2. Pulse rate increased markedly after boarding the ship id both groups. Pulse rate increased from the first day on board at rest and after exercise as compared to the on land control value. This increase in pulse rate was more marked after exercise. Sea duty group showed less increase in pulse rate at rest than the land duty group. Standing and resting pulse rate of sea duty group on lam was 81 and increased to 87 at the 5th day on board and remained smaller than the land duty group throughout the period on board. Control standing and resting pulse rate of land duty group on land was 76 and reached 89 at the 9th day on board and thereafter decreased a little. Pulse rate of land duty group at rest on board remained greater than that of sea duty group throughout the period on board. 3. Systolic blood pressure of sea duty group increased after boarding the ship and remained higher than the control value on land. In the land duty group, however, systolic blood pressure decreased during the period on board the ship. Diastolic blood pressure decreased in both groups. 4. Resting breathing rate of land duty group increased and remained higher than the control value on land. In sea duty group, however, resting breathing rate showed a transient increase on the 1st day on board and decreased thereafter to the control value on land and kept the same level throughout the period of cruise. Absolute value of breathing rate in the sea duty group was greater than the land duty group both at rest and after exercise. 5. There was a lowering of breathing efficiency in both groups. Thus, increases in tidal volume and minute ventilation volume and decreases in maximum breathing capacity, vital capacity, capacity ratio and air velocity Index were observed after boarding the ship. An increase in ventilation equivalent was also observed in both groups. The lowering of breathing efficiency was more marked in the land duty group than the sea duty group. 6. Energy expediture increased in both groups during their stay on the ship and was more marked in the sea duty group. 7, Lactate concentration in venous blood at rest and after exercise increased after boarding the ship and no group difference was observed.