• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 1985

In this paper, the depth and attenuation coefficient are estimated from the mutilayered liver tissue which contained a inhomogeneous one using reflected ultrasonic signals and the abnormal one is detected quantitatively. Regarding a liver tissue as several reflectors, we analyzed each one by the frequency spectral difference method and discussed its attenuation characteristics. For the verification of this method, the liver pantom and acryle are used. And also we proved the usefulness through the experiment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.4 s.48
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• pp.747-761
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• 1994

Workers' periodic health examination is the main tools used to manage the health problems of most workers in Korea. The most common health problem found in workers' periodic health examination is liver disorder. Liver disorder is also one of the most common health problems in general population and one of the leading causes of mortality in adult population. Regulation proposed by government (No. 207, Ministry of Labor, 1992) defines the criteria for selection of workers with the liver dysfunction for further evaluative examination and the examination items used for diagnosis of the workers with liver dysfunction. This study was designed to evaluate the proficiency of each examination items presently defined in Regulation and propose the optimal examination items for detection of the liver disorders found by workers' periodic health examination. Study subjects are 186 workers with abnormal liver function tests in screening examination of workers' periodic health examination. Questionnaire survey including past history of liver disorder, drinking history, height and weight was done. Physical examination by physician, routine test items defined by Regulation (SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma$-GTP, protein, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, $\alpha$-feto protein, HBsAg and anti-HBs), anti-HCV antibody test and liver ultrasonography were done. Results are as follows; 1. Result of evaluative examination utilizing only the items defined in Regulation was; There were 75 workers with suspected live. disorder(40.3%), 63 with no liver dysfunction (33.9%), 13 with suspected hepatitis B(7.0%), 10 workers with hepatitis B(5.4%), 10 workers with hepatitis B carrier state(5.4%), 10 with alcoholic liver disorders(5.4%), 5 with fatty liver(2.7%). When alternative diagnostic criteria applying additional examination items (drinking history, body mass index, anti-HCV antibody and ultrasonography) diagnosability of liver disorder was increased. When all four items were included, final results were; 23 workers (17.8%) with hepatitis B (10 carriers, 13 suspects and 10 hepatitis B), 10 (5.4%) with hepatitis C(4 carriers, 5 suspects and 1 hepatitis C), 13(7.0%) with alcoholic liver disorder, 45(24.2%) with fatty liver (40 suspects, 5 fatty liver), 410%) with suspected liver disorders and 44 (23.7%) with normal liver. 2. Of examination items defined by Regulation, only SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma$-GTP and HBsAg were significantly different in abnormal rate and mean value, and all other laboratory findings did not showed significant difference between two groups. Drinking history, body mass index and anti-HCV antibody test which are the items that authors included in this study, also showed significant difference between two groups. Utilization of body mass index (BMI) for abnormal liver function group in diagnosis of fatty liver had high specificity (97.6%) but sensitivity (22.3%) was low. Therefore we suggest that SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma$-GTP, HBsAg, alcohol drinking history, BMI and anti-HCV Ab were useful for diagnosis of liver disorders among worker's periodic health examination.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2010

Herbal hepatotoxicity is a one of the most often encountered controversial issues in medical society. Some believe herbs are totally safe while others regard treatment with herbs as a very common cause of hepatotoxicity. But there are no comparative clinical hepatotoxicity studies between herbal and conventional medicines. We investigated incidence of patients with abnormal liver function who were treated with herbal or conventional medicine at Dongguk University International Hospital. Each group consisted of 300 patients, who were admitted for longer than 30 days during the year 2008. We compared albumin, total bilirubin, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels, and excludes patients who had abnormal liver function test or liver-related disease when admitted. As a result, incidence of total bilirubin, AST, and ALT elevation in the CT (conventional treatment) group was more frequent than in the TKM (traditional Korean medicine) group (p<0.05) during admission. Albumin level also decreased more frequently in the CT group than in the TKM group (p<0.05). According to these results, herbal medicine is not more hepatotoxic than conventional medicine, and not a main cause of liver injury in inpatients.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.334-342
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• 2013

Purpose: This study attempted to compare the metabolic syndrome components, liver function and heathy living habits according to abdominal obesity in male and female workers. Methods: The subjects of this study are 1,078 adult workers who visited N hospital in Incheon for health examination. The data were analyzed using t-test or $x^2$-test with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome are 22.2% in male workers, and 5.2% in female workers. There were significant differences in 4 metabolic syndrome components (high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterolemia), abnormal liver function, and living habits (alcohol drinking) according to abdominal obesity in male workers. There were significant differences in 1 metabolic syndrome component (low HDL cholesterolemia), and abnormal liver function in female workers. Conclusion: It is important to manage all metabolic syndrome components and alcohol drinking in the case of male workers with abdominal obesity, and low HDL cholesterolemia in the case of female workers. Also, occupational nurses should include the relevance between abdominal obesity and liver function index when training health for workers in workplace.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.19-23
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate safety of Rhus Verniciflua STOKES as a combination therapy of Oriental and conventional cancer treatment. So, We investigated liver function test(especially total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP) levels in outpatients at an oriental medical clinic, to know whether Rhus Verniciflua STOKES decotion (Chijongtang) was hepatotoxic. The outpatients were treated with Rhus Verniciflua STOKES decotion(Chijongtang) during intravenous or oral chemotherapy. Methods : We surveyed whether Chijongtang caused liver injury in patients, who visited and took Chijongtang at Hana oriental medical clinic, from March, 2008 to November 2011. We looked over all the liver function tests of those patients, done during medication. Patients who had no records of liver function tests or with basal liver disease were excluded. And patients were classified into normal and abnormal liver function groups. Results and Conclusions : 48 patients were enrolled, and their mean dosage was 300ml/day, and the mean medication period was 9.3 (2-42) months. During and after medication, there were no abnormal liver function test results at all, in the normal liver function group. and 10 out of 11 patients in the abnormal liver function group showed normal liver function test levels. Roughly speaking, according to the above results, it seems that taking Chijongtang did not cause hepatotoxicity. And it seems Chijongtang has hepatoprotective effect. But we still need more laboratory and clinical research to reach a more definitive conclusion.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2013

Children with abnormal liver function can often be seen in outpatient clinics or inpatients wards. Most of them have respiratory disease, or gastroenteritis by virus infection, accompanying fever. Occasionally, hepatitis by the viruses causing systemic infection may occur, and screening tests are required. In patients with jaundice, the tests for differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important. In the case of a child with hepatitis B virus infection vertically from a hepatitis B surface antigen positive mother, the importance of the recognition of immune clearance can't be overstressed, for the decision of time to begin treatment. Early diagnosis changes the fate of a child with Wilson disease. So, screening test for the disease should not be omitted. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is mainly discovered in obese children, is a new strong candidate triggering abnormal liver function. Muscular dystrophy is a representative disease mimicking liver dysfunction. Although muscular dystrophy is a progressive disorder, and early diagnosis can't change the fate of patients, it will be better to avoid parent's blame for delayed diagnosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.629-635
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• 1995

Obese children have increaed in Korean in recent years as socieconomic status have got more higher than past years. Obese children have many health problems and some kinds of complications. Obese patients who have fatty liver with abnormal liver function should be managed with weight control. This study was intended to investigate the effect of weight control on hepatic abnormalities of obese children with fatty liver. We managed 6 obese children who had fatty liver with abnormal liver finction for weight control containing behavior modification, diet and exercise during 3 months. After 3 months, we compared body weight, liver function test, dietary intake and exercise. Body mass index(BMI) showed significant decrease from 28.1$\pm$2.3kg/$m^2$ to 26.2$\pm$1.7kg/$m^2$ (p<0.01). Aspartate aminotransferase(AST) showed significant improvement from 56$\pm$15IU/l(p<0.01). Alanine aminotransferase(ALT) also showed significant improvement from 108$\pm$38IU/l to 33$\pm$9IU/l(p<0.01). Therefore if we can rule out the other causes of hepatic abnormalities in obese children with fatty liver, these patients showed benefit by weight control as it can improve both obesity and liver functions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.113-117
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• 2010

Objectives : in recent years, there have been some case reports about liver injuries suspected to be caused by Heshouwu, the root of Polygonum multiflorum. So, I investigated liver function tests of patients who had taken Heshouwu, to know whether Heshouwu was hepatotoxic. Methods : I surveyed whether Heshouwu caused liver injury in patients, who had been admitted and taken Heshouwu at Dongguk University International Hospital, from May 2005 to July 2008. I looked over all the liver function tests of those patients, done during medication and 30 days after. Results : Among 1,449 inpatients, there were 124 patients who had taken Heshouwu. Among those 124 patients, 14 cases whose liver function tests were abnormal before medication were excluded. 69 cases who did not take liver function test 30 days after were also excluded. As a result, 41 patients were enrolled, and their mean dosage was 14.04(8-24) g/day, and the mean medication period was 13.8 (1-89) days. During and after medication, there were no abnormal liver function test results at all, in the enrolled cases. Conclusions : Roughly speaking, according to the above results, it seems that taking Heshouwu for about two weeks as per the commonly taken dosage did not cause hepatotoxicity, though we needs more laboratory and clinical research to reach a more definitive conclusion.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.256-268
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• 1986

We'd experienced 172 cases of fatty liver among 3,713 cases, that was examined by ultrasonography at medical department, Dae Han Kyoyuk Ins. company for recent one year from november, 1984 to November, 1985. The conclusions are as follows; 1. The possessing rate of fatty liver is 4.63% in total caees 138/2234 male(6.18%), 34/2234 female(2.3%) and that in male is 2.7 times than female. 2. In the distribution of fatty liver for age, the group of $21{\sim}30$ years are 9/564 cases(1.6%), the group of $31{\sim}40$ years are 74/1777, the group of $41{\sim}50$ years are 59/976(6.05%),the group of $51{\sim}60$ years are 29/240(12.08%) with age, the possessing rate of fatty liver was increased. 3. For sex, age, the possessing rate of fatty liver, in male $21{\sim}30$ years 8/329 cases(2.43%), $31{\sim}40$ years 64/118(5.72%) $41{\sim}50$ years 43/618(6.96%), $51{\sim}60$ years 22/134(16.42%) and in female, $21{\sim}30$ years 1/335(0.3%), $31{\sim}40$ years 10/659(1.52%) $41{\sim}50$ years 16/358(4.47%), $51{\sim}60$ years 7/106(6.6%) and then in total sex, with age, the incidence was increased. 4. 172 cases in fatty liver, we could find 109 cases of obesity(63.37%), in female the rate was more. 5. The abnormal was 13.95% for the level of Fasting blood sugar of fatty liver 172 cases, the average level of blood sugar was high markedly in female, on the contrary the number of abnormal blood sugar level was high in male. 6. In liver function test of 172 cases of fatty liver, the abnormal of sGOT value was 18.6%, sGOT value 20.93%, average of abnormal group in sGOT value was 52.62 units, sGPT value 56.99 units.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.sup1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2008

The causes of liver disease in children and abnormal liver function test are more diverse than those in adult. Therefore, the first step to evaluate the liver disease is the understanding the liver disease and interpreting the appropriate liver function test in children. The characteristics of each test and various conditions which we encounter in outpatients settings will be discussed in this article, especially focused on elevation of aminotransferase level without identifiable causes.