• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.170-174
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• 2014

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection leads to acute liver failure and death through the intake of contaminated food. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to detect HAV in food samples. HAV detection takes a long time, however, due to the virus concentration step required before PCR assay. In this study, a rapid method of detecting the HAVs present in lettuce using immunomagnetic separation combined with quantum dots (IMS-QDs) assay was developed. The detection limit of IMS-QDs for HAV was 10 $TCID_{50}/mL$, similar to the result that was obtained using RT-PCR combined with PEG or IMS. The application of IMS-QDs assay completed the viral detection within one hour, but this was not possible using PEG combined with RT-PCR. In conclusion, IMS-QDs assay is a rapid and efficient method for detecting HAV at a low concentration in agricultural products.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.393-397
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• 1998

A 25-year-old man with viral cardiomyopathy and chronic active hepatitis successfully underwent dynamic cardiomyoplasty for the first time in Korea on July 30, 1996. The patient had been intermittently dyspneic for 5 years and was admitted to our center twice because of heart failure. For the past 2 years, he was NYHA functional class III status with a left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) of around 30%. The patient was born with scoliosis and showed a short stature. The liver function showed elevated liver enzymes, and hepatitis B antigen was positive. The liver biopsy revealed chronic active hepatitis. The preoperative echocardiogram showed decreased left ventricular function with grade II mitral and grade II tricuspid regurgitation with dilated left and right atrium. Recently his symptoms worsened and we decided to perform a dynamic cardiomyoplasty. The left latissmus dorsi muscle(LDM) was mobilized and tested with lead placement on his right lateral decubitus position. The patient was positioned into supine and, after median sternotomy, the heart was wrapped with the mobilized muscle. The Russian made cardiomyostimulator(EKS-445) and leads (Myocardial PEMB for heart and PEMP-1 for LDM) were used. The total operation time was 8 hours and there were no perioperative episodes. Postoperatively the LDM had been trained for a 10 week period and currently the stimulation ratio is maintained at 1:4. The postoperative LVEF did not increase with the value of 30-35%. However, the patient feels better postoperatively with slightly increased activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play an important role in impairing the function of T cells. We characterized MDSCs in two chronic hepatitis C (CHC) cohorts: a cross-sectional group that included 61 treatment-naive patients with CHC, 14 rapid virologic response (RVR) cases and 22 early virologic response (EVR) cases; and a longitudinal group of 13 cases of RVR and 10 cases of EVR after pegylated-interferon-${\alpha}$/ribavirin treatment for genotype 1b HCV infection. Liver samples from 32 CHC patients and six healthy controls were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. MDSCs frequency in treatment-naive CHC was significantly higher than in RVR, EVR, or healthy subjects and was positively correlated with HCV RNA. Patients infected with HCV genotype 2a had a significantly higher frequency of MDSCs than those infected with genotype 1b. Decreased T cell receptor (TCR) ${\zeta}$ expression on $CD8^+$ T cells was significantly associated with an increased frequency of MDSCs in treatment-naive CHC patients and was restored by L-arginine treatment in vitro. Increased numbers of liver arginase-$1^+$ cells were closely associated with the histological activity index in CHC. The TCR ${\zeta}$ chain was significantly downregulated on hepatic $CD8^+$ T cells in CHC. During antiviral follow up, MDSCs frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was directly correlated with the HCV RNA load in the plasma and inversely correlated with TCR ${\zeta}$ chain expression in $CD8^+$ T cells in both RVR and EVR cases. Notably, the RVR group had a higher frequency of MDSCs at baseline than the EVR group. Collectively, this study provides evidence that MDSCs might be associated with HCV persistence and downregulation of CD8 ${\zeta}$ chain expression.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2018

Objectives : Liver disease is an inflammatory reaction caused by oxidative stress, viral, alcohol, and drug properties. Inflammatory reaction causes hepatitis and chronic hepatitis is persistent, it progresses to liver fibrogenesis and liver cancer. The aim of this study was to confirm the hepatoprotective effect of Tongyuhwalhyeol-tang(Tongqiaohuoxue Decoction) (TH) and Gamtongyuhawlhyeol-tang(GTH) in TAA-induced liver injury animal model. Methods : The antioxidant activities were evaluated through in vitro experiments, such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, total polyphenol and total flavonoid content measurement. To confirm the liver protective effect, induced by Thioacetamide (TAA) for 3 days injection at 200 mg/kg rats. TH and GTH were treated 3 days at 200 mg/kg/day. The changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), alanine aminotransferanse (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were analyzed after experiment. Also, expression of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : TH was inhibited the antioxidant activities. In the TAA-induced rat, TH decreased ROS, $ONOO^-$, ALT, AST level in serum. Inflammation related protein expressions increased in TAA-induced rat compared to normal rat. However, TH group inhibited the down expression of these proteins. Also, anti-oxidant related protein expressions increased in TH group compared TAA-induced rat. Conclusion : Therefor, these results suggested that TH provided hepatoprotective effects on the hepatic injury leading to the reduction of inflammatory response. In addition, the effect of TH was superior to that of GTH.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 1999

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of interferon alpha therapy with or without prednisolone in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Twenty-eight children (22 boys, 6 girls, mean age 130 months) had seropositive results for HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA; 11 had chronic persistent hepatitis and 17 had chronic active hepatitis. The patients were divided into two groups depending upon their inflammatory activity on liver biopsy, pretreatment serum ALT levels and HBV DNA levels. Fourteen children (group 1: chronic active hepatitis, ALT ${\geq}$ 100 IU/L and HBV DNA ${\leq}$ 100 pg/$300\;{\mu}L$) received interferon alpha 2a 5 $MU/m^2$ of body surface three times weekly for 6 months. Fourteen children (group 2: chronic persistent hepatitis or chronic active hepatitis with ALT < 100 IU/L or HBV DNA > 100 pg/$300\;{\mu}L$) received prednisolone in decreasing daily doses of 60 mg/$m^2$, 40 mg/$m^2$, and 20 mg/$m^2$, each for 2 weeks, followed after 2 weeks by interferon alpha 2a on the same schedule. At the end of therapy, 3 end points were analyzed: HBeAg seroconversion, serum ALT normalization rate and clearance of serum HBV DNA. Results: At the end of treatment, HBe antigen-to antibody seroconversion was higher but not more significant in group 1 than group 2 (71.4% vs. 50.0%). Only one patient in group 2 who lost HBeAg, also cleared HBsAg. ALT normalization was similar in both groups (64.3% in group 1 vs. 55.6% in group 2). Clearance of serum HBV DNA was observed in 78.6% of patients in group 1 and 64.3% in group 2, but no significant differences. Complete response was similarly achieved in both groups (57.1% in group 1 vs. 50.0% in group 2). Interferon alpha therapy with prednisolone priming was well tolerated and all children finished therapy. Conclusion: The combined therapy with prednisolone followed by interferon alpha may be safe and effective in inducing a serological and biochemical remission of the disease in approximately 50% of children with chronic hepatitis B and with a high level of viral replication and less active disease. However, a controlled study should be performed to confirm these results.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigation of the serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in healthy adults. A total of 2,160 (male 1,415, female 745) health checkup adults were examined for AFP levels by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method, during the period from September, 2007 to August, 2008. The mean serum AFP level was 2.168 (0.605~20.35) ng/mL, and it was 2.309 (0.605~20.35) ng/mL in male, 1.906 (0.605~10.36) ng/mL in female, respectively. 1,816 (male 1,109, female 709) healthy adults were screened for the absence of viral hepatitis and normal alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels. The mean serum AFP level of healthy adult was 2.041 (0.605~7.83) ng/mL, and it was 2.181 (0.605~7.83) ng/mL in male, 1.822 (0.605~6.55) ng/mL in female, respectively. Serum AFP increased with age group, there was a higher level in male compared to female. These results suggests that the use of reference value of AFP in healthy adults in the Jeonbuk. With the reference value now defined, it becomes possible to compare levels in different populations.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 1997

The gastrointestinal disorders (GI disorders) is one of the most common diseases in Korea. The community pharmacists are often faced with the complaints of symptoms due to the GI disorders. However the drugs used to treat the GI disorders are frequently abused by the patients themselves because these drugs are easily available and have high placebo effects. Therefore, we have reviewed the digestive diseases statistics of 1996 to find out the frequencies of the GI disorders in the outpatients of Samsung Medical Center. Using these statistic data, we figured out the frequently diagnosed GI disorders and analysed commonly used prescriptions from February 1st to 28th of 1997. In addition, we also evaluated the commonly used drugs in these prescriptions. About twenty thousands of patients visited the hopital because of their GI symptoms in 1996. It was found that dyspepsia, viral hepatitis, and gastric and duodenal ulcer disease are frequently diagnosed in these patients. In a point of view on other GI disorders, gastritis and duodenitis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation and diarrhea were commonly detected. And a number of drugs were prescribed to treat the GI disorders, which included the prokinetics, Histamine-2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitor, antacids, tranquillizers, antidepressants, antispasmodics, laxatives and so on. Interestingly, there were many prescriptions composing of the antibiotic regimens to eradicate H. pylori which has been proven to cause peptic ulcers.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2000

The hepadnaviruses replicate their nucleic acid through a reverse transcription step. The MBP-fused HBV polymerase was expressed in E. coli and purified by using amylase affinity column chromatography. The purified protein represented DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. In this report, the MBP-HBV polymerase was shown to lack 3'$\rightarrow$5' exonuclease activity, like other retroviral RTs. The ratio of the insertion efficiency for the wrong versus right vase pairs indicates the misinsertion frequency (f). The nucleotide insertion fidelity (1/f), observed with the MBP-HBV polymerase and HIV-1 RT, was between 60 and 54,000, and between 50 and 73,000, respectively, showing that they are in close range. A relatively efficient nucleotide incorporation by the MBP-HBV polymerase was observed with a specificity of three groups: (1) A : T, T : A>C : G, G : C (matched pairs), (2) A : C, C : A>G: T, T : G (purine-pyrimidine and pyrimidine-purine mispairs), and (3) C : C, A : A, G : G, T : T>T : C, C : T>A : G, G : A (purine-purine or pyrimidine-pyrimidine mispairs), and their order is (1)>(2)>(3). The data from the nucleotide insertion fidelity by the MBP-HBV polymerase suggest that the HBV polymerase may be as error-prone as HIV-1 RT.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.109-113
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• 2017

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is an RNA structure located in the 5'-UTR of the HCV RNA genome. The HCV IRES consists of four domains I, II, III, and IV, where domains II - IV are recognized by 40S ribosomal subunit and the domain III is bound to eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) for translation initiation. Here, we have characterized the tertiary interaction between an L-/K- rich peptide and the HCV IRES domain IV. To probe the peptide binding interface in RNA, we synthesized $^{13}C$- and $^{15}N$-double labeled RNA and the binding site was identified by using the chemical shift perturbation (CSP) NMR methods. Our results showed that the peptide binds to the upper stem of the IRES domain IV, indicating that the tertiary interaction between the IRES domain IV and the peptide would disrupt the initiation of translation of HCV mRNA by blocking the start codon exposure. This study will provide an insight into the new peptide-based anti-viral drug design targeting HCV IRES RNA.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.520-539
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• 1996

Based upon Shennong's Ancient Chinese Medical Textbook and Tsorngji Mingyi Byelu. Ginseng has been widely used for over 2,000 years in oriental countries. Scientific basic medical study or clinical study on ginseng was seal·toed 1910's in Eastern countries and from the 1950's in Western countries To obtain kotvledge of clinical studies on Korean ginseng. I investigated the following items 1) Oriental pharmacological documents. 2) the start and corrent state of ginseng research. 3) Clinical studies, 4) epidemiological studies. 5) non-medical human studies. 6) Foreign evaluation in published papers, and 7) future perspectives of clinical study. Although wide and profound research has been carried on the effect of ginseng (diabetes cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, liver diseases. gastrointestinal disorders soress, bram function. aging, antiradiation effect. anemia. hemopoiesis. immuomodulating effect. and tonic effect). Systemic clinical study to determine the therapeutic effects of speciblc disease have hardly been done even in other countries Clinical study or researches with human as the target. on ginseng has been performed in the field of body tenperazure. Pulse, clinical symptoms and hematological findings . fatigue, porformances. anemia. essential hypertension. blood sugar. serum cholesterol. lipid and prolactin. adrenocortical function. impotence. hypospermia. male sterility, climacteric disorder. anticancer effects. cancer preventive effects. and viral hepatitis. adverse effects. and prefered type of ginseng. At the same time as trying preventives or therapeutics from dietary oi natural products scientific research to support that ginseng is not a mystery. should be porformad to prove the effectiveness of Korean ginseng in the treatment of certain diseases using scientific methods or epidemiological approach.