• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1983

This study was attempted to define epidemiologically the possibility and the magnitude of sexual transmission of HBV in Korea. Two groups of prostitutes; one group (309) deals with Koreans, the other group (126) deals with American soldiers stationing in Korea, were tested for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs. The prevalence rate of HBsAg or anti-HBs was significantly higher in prostitutes who deal with Koreans (41.7%) than in prostitutes who deal with American soldiers (30.2%) (p<0.025). Among the prostitutes who deal with American soldiers, there was no appreciable difference in the prevalence rate of HBsAg or anti-HBs by the duration of prostitution. However, among the prostitutes who deal with Koreans, the prevalence rate was increased with the duration of prostitution, although it did not reach the statistically significant level (p=0.12). There was no remarkable association between the prevalence rate of HBsAg or anti-HBs and educational level, history of operation or history of transfusion. The data support the possibility of sexual transmission of viral hepatitis B but it seems seems sexual transmission does not contribute significantly to the prevalence rate of HBsAg or andi-HBs in Korea.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2013

Objectives This study aimed to examine differences in the hepatic function disorders and prevalence rates of liver diseases in accordance with the Sasang constitutional type, and to analyze whether Sasang constitution is a significant risk factor for fatty liver. Methods A total of 1211 patients who underwent health check-up at the Ilsan Hospital of Dongguk University and had their physical constitutions diagnosed by a specialist in Sasang constitutional medicine from October 31, 2011 to September 28, 2012 were used as the subjects of this study. Presence of hepatobiliary diseases was analyzed from the results of the hepatic function test, lipid test and viral hepatitis infection marker test in the biochemistry tests, and abdominal ultrasonography. Results & Conclusion Subjects of the study were composed of 691 males and 520 females and, in terms of Sasang constitution distribution, 550 Taeeumin, 343 Soeumin and 318 Soyangin. As the results of analysis of prevalence rates in accordance with Sasang constitutions, significant differences were observed in the prevalence rates of abnormal groups in the cases of AST, ALT, GGT, Triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and all of their prevalence rates were in the descending order of Taeeumin, Soyangin and Soeumin. Soeumin displayed significantly higher positive rate for HBs Ab in comparison to Taeeumin and Soyangin. In the results of abdominal ultrasonography, the prevalence rates of fatty liver displayed significant differences and were in the descending order of Taeeumin, Soyangin and Soeumin. And as the result of logistic regression analysis in order to find the risk factors of fatty liver, the Sasang constitution was found to be a significant risk factor for fatty liver. The odds ratio of Taeeumin in fatty liver was found to be 1.634 higher than Soeumin and 1.773 higher than Soyangin

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2024

Crocin is a major carotenoid of the Gardenia jasminoides fruit and Crocus sativus stigma (saffron), which are used in various cuisines as flavoring and coloring agents, as well as in phytomedicine for the treatment of several disorders, including headache, fever, edema, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, respiratory disease, menstruation disorders, insomnia, and hypertension. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄) is a chemical diester composed of the dicarboxylic acid crocetin and disaccharide gentiobiose. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted about the biological and pharmacological function and toxicity of crocin. Crocin has been revealed to have no genotoxicity and pathological manifestation. Crocin acts as an antioxidant, anti-cancer, memory enhancer, anxiolytic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotector, and hepatoprotector. Here, an inclusive review of crocin is introduced based on previously explored studies referred to in the literature. Different studies have confirmed the protective role of crocin in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, gastritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It is surmised that crocin suppresses inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic processes through multiple mechanisms. Crocin is considered a safe and effective therapeutic choice for patients with inflammatory conditions, although more research investigating its mechanisms and results acquired in clinical trials are needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.215-223
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• 2024

Purpose: Patients who receive frequent blood transfusions are at an elevated risk of developing hepatic fibrosis due to iron overload in the liver. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of transient elastography (TE) (FibroScan^®) for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with pediatric cancer. Methods: We enrolled 106 consecutive cases of acute leukemia in individuals under 21 years of age. The participants were followed for 2 years. Based on their serum ferritin (SF) levels, the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (SF≥300 ng/mL) and group 2 (SF<300 ng/mL). A liver FibroScan^® was performed, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the various parameters in the liver function test (LFT), alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in a subgroup of patients aged 5-8 years in group 2 compared to those in group 1. The indices of liver fibrosis determined by TE, including the FibroScan score, controlled attenuation parameter score, steatosis percentage, and meta-analysis of histological data in viral hepatitis score, as well as indirect serum markers of liver fibrosis such as the aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, Fibrosis 4 score, and AST to platelet ratio index, did not differ significantly between the two groups. The association between the TE results and LFT parameters was only significant for ALT. Conclusion: Transfusion-associated iron overload does not have a significant correlation with severe liver fibrosis. FibroScan^® is not a sensitive tool for detecting early stages of fibrosis in survivors of pediatric leukemia.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2010

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM), produced by decellularization from human cadaveric skin, has been used for various biomedical applications. A manufacturing process for ADM ($SureDerm^{TM}$) using tri-n-butyl phospahate (TnBP) and deoxycholic acids as the decellularization solution has been developed. The manufacturing process for $SureDerm^{TM}$ has 70% ethanol treatment and ethylene oxide gas sterilization for inactivating infectious microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the 70% ethanol treatment, decellularization process using 0.1% TnBP and 2% deoxycholic acids, and EO gas sterilization process in the inactivation of viruses. A variety of experimental model viruses for human pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), bovine herpes virus (BHV), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), and porcine parvovirus (PPV) were all selected for this study. Enveloped viruses such as HIV-1, BHV, and BVDV were effectively inactivated to undetectable levels by 70% ethanol treatment. However HAV and PPV showed high resistance to 70% ethanol treatment with the log reduction factors of 1.85 and 1.15, respectively. HIV-1, BHV, and BVDV were effectively inactivated to undetectable levels by decellularization process. All the viruses tested were completely inactivated to undetectable levels by EO gas treatment. The cumulative log reduction factors of HIV-1, BHV, BVDV, HAV, and PPV were $\geq12.71$, $\geq18.08$, $\geq14.92$, $\geq6.57$, and $\geq7.18$, respectively. These results indicate that the production process for $SureDerm^{TM}$ has a sufficient virus-reducing capacity to achieve a high margin of the virus safety.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.175-192
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• 1989

A total of 9, 012 cases was submitted for diagnosis of chicken diseases to Veterinary Research Institute, Rural Development Administration from domestic chicken farms during 18 years from 1971 to 1988. Of them, 6, 181 cases diagnosed as the infectious disease were investigated for the detection rate of infections on basis of you, season , and chicken age. The results obtained were summarized as followings：1. Detection rate or the infections was lowest as 49.3% in the year 1973, and highest as 78.6% in 1985 (average 68.6%). 2. Of infections detected, bacterial diseases were most frequent (32.6%), and followed in order by viral (26.3%), parasitic (7.7%), and fungal diseases (2.1%) in geneal. 3. The most frequently detected bacterial diseases in order of prevalence were mycoplasmosis (8.8%), colibacillosis (8.5%), and staphylococcosis (5.8%), and followed by salmonellosis pullorum disease , yolk sac disease, and salpingitis (0.8-1.5%). 4. In viral diseases, 7.5% of infections detected was lymphoid leukosis and 7.2%-Marek's disease, 4.4%-Newcastle disease, 2.0%-infectious laryngotracheitis, 1.7%-infectious bursal disease, and 1.0%-avian encephalomyelitis, while detection rate of infectious bronchitis, egg drop syndrome '76, and inclusion body hepatitis was less than 1.0%, respectively. 5. The most prevalent parasitic disease was coccidiosis (4.5%), followed by ascariasis (1.4%). The detection rate of other parasitic diseases including leucocytozoonosis, black head , heterakiasis, and ectoparasitosis was very as 0.2-0.7%, respectively： In fungal diseases, 2.0% of infections was detected as aspergillosis, and followed by candidiasis (0.1%). 6. Detection rate of the infections on basis of season was somewhat higher in summer. (27.7%), and autumn (27.7%) than in winter (23.5%), and spring (21.5%) in general. In bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases, there were the similar tendencies of detection rate as in infections, while parasitic diseases were much highly detected in summer (34.3%), and autumn (39.5%) than in any other season. 7. Among bacterial diseases colibacillosis was most frequently detected in summer, and staphylococcosis in autumn. In detection rate of viral diseases, Marek's disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, and infectious bursal disease was highest in summer, lymphold leukosis, fowl pox and egg drop syndrome '76 in autumn, and infectious trachitis in winter, repectively. The majority of important parasitic diseases including coccidiosis were highly detected in summer and autumn. 8. On basis of chicken age, detection rate of infections were highest in chicken of growing period between 30 and 150 days of age (41.4%), and followed by 35.3% in laying chicken over 150 days of age, and 17.3% in chicken of brooding age under 30 days of age. Bacterial, and parasitic diseases were most frequently detected in chicken of growing period, viral diseases in chicken of growing, and laying period as nearly equal rate of detection, and fungal diseases in chicken of brooding age.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.919-928
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• 2022

As seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, unexpected emergence of new viruses presents serious concern on public health. Especially, the absence of effective vaccines or antiviral drugs against emerging viruses significantly increases the severity of disease and duration of viral circulation among population. Natural products have served as a major source for safe and effective antiviral drugs. In this study, we examined the virucidal activity of medical herb extracts with a view to discover novel antiviral agents with desired levels of safety and antiviral efficacy. Ethanol extracts of ten selected medical herbs were tested for antioxidant activity and in-vitro cytotoxicity in various animal cell lines. Of note, the herbal extracts showed broad and potent virucidal activities against rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza A virus. The extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis showed strong virucidal activities against influenza A virus. We also examined whether the extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis can be used as inactivating agents to prepare an inactivated viral vaccine. In a mouse model, influenza A virus inactivated by the extracts elicited high levels of neutralizing antibodies, and the vaccination provided complete protection against lethal challenge. These results suggest that herb-derived natural products can be developed to antiviral drugs as well as inactivating agents for preparation of inactivated viral vaccines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1789-1794
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• 2015

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver problem in diabetes, is a risk factor for liver cancer. Diabetes, high body mass index (BMI) and old age can all contribute to NAFLD progression. Transient elastography (TE) is used for non-invasive fibrosis assessment. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis in diabetic patients and to assess associated factors. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-one diabetic and 60 normal subjects were screened. Fatty liver was diagnosed when increased hepatic echogenicity and vascular blunting were detected by ultrasonography. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) representing hepatic fibrosis was assessed by TE. LSM ${\geq}7$ kPa was used to define significant hepatic fibrosis. Results: Four cases were excluded due to positive hepatitis B viral markers and failed TE. Diabetic patients had higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and fasting glucose levels than normal subjects. Fatty liver was diagnosed in 82 (60.7%) diabetic patients but in none of the normal group. BMI (OR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.02-1.69; p=0.038) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.05-1.23; p=0.002) were associated with NAFLD. Diabetic patients with NAFLD had higher LSM than those without [5.99 (2.4) vs 4.76 (2.7) kPa, p=0.005)]. Significant hepatic fibrosis was more common in diabetic patients than in normal subjects [22 (16.1%) vs 1 (1.7%), p=0.002]. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(OR: 1.24; 95%CI: 1.07-1.42; p=0.003) was associated with significant hepatic fibrosis. Conclusions: Sixty and sixteen percent of diabetic patients were found to have NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis. High BMI and ALT levels are the predictors of NAFLD, and elevated AST level is associated with significant hepatic fibrosis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2570-2578
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• 2012

We investigated whether coffee and green tea consumption reduced the risk of elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Participants were 5,283 adults, aged 19-79 years, in the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with excessive alcohol consumption, overweight, viral hepatitis, metabolic syndrome. Increased coffee and green tea consumption was not associated with decreased serum ALT. However, amount of coffee consumption had negative correlation with serum AST activity. Moreover, coffee consumption reduced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p for trend <0.001). Hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia was involved as subgroup of metabolic syndrome. Comparing persons who drank more than 2 cups per day with less than 1 cup per day, the prevalence of all subgroups was declined significantly. In this large, national, population-based study, consumption of coffee was associated with lower the risk of metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.1 s.19
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• pp.45-55
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• 1986

It is well known that Korea is one of the endemic area for type B viral hepatitis. A screening test for HBsAg by RPHA method was performed to evaluate the prevalence of HBsAg among urban, rural and coastal area population during the period between Jan. 1985 and Aug. 1985. The results obtained are as follows; 1) The HBsAg was detected in 242 among 2,849 with positive rate of 8.49%. The positive rate by sex showed higher rate in males(9.07%) than females(6.79%) for HBsAg. But these differences by sen were not statistically significant. 2) By living area, the positivity of HBsAg was 8.67% in urban, 7.43% in rural and 8.37% in coastal area. But the differences were not statistically significant. 3) The positivity differences of HBsAg were significantly observed between male(9.26%) and female(6.44%) in urban area. But there was not in rural and coastal area. 4) The positivity was the highest in 4th decade in urban area. But 6th decade in rural and 4th and 5th decade in coastal area. Generally the positivity of HBsAg was more prevalent in young age and decreasing by the age increasing in the male. But in the female it was most common in 6th decade. 5) Elevated SGOT(>40 Unit) was significantly higher in HBsAg positive group(13.6%) than in HBsAg negative group(3.4%).