• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.140-151
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• 2003

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the long term efficacy and positive predictive factors of interferon-alpha treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: The study population included 113 children who received interferon therapy between May 1982 and July 2002 (20 years) for chronic hepatitis B in Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1 and the mean age at diagnosis was $11.1{\pm}4.1$ years old. Response to treatment was defined as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), disappearance of HBeAg and HBV-DNA Eighty two children responded while 32 did not. Interferon-alpha was given intramuscularly for 6 months at a dosage of $3{\times}10^6$ unit, 3 times weekly. In relapsed cases, lamivudine or interferon retreatment was done. Results: Seroconversion rate was 77.0% in terms of HBeAg, 74.3% in terms of HBV-DNA, and 80.5% in terms of ALT normalization after treatment. Seroconversion rate of both HBeAg and HBV-DNA was 72.6%. Analyzed by life table method, the effect of the treatment had been maintained over 10 years after cessation of therapy. Pre-treatment ALT level was the only significant positive predictive factor of response. Eleven cases (13.4%) relapsed, and 2 out of 3 showed response when treated with lamivudine and 1 out of 3 with interferon retreatment. Conclusion: Interferon-alpha showed significant efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in our study. Further studies about the effect of interferon therapy on complications of hepatitis such as hepatocarcinoma, cirrhosis are warranted.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2016

Hepatitis B virus infection can cause hepatic fibrosis leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that Hepatitis B virus X-protein (HBx) increases vimentin, fibronectin, slug, snail and NOX4 expression. Because NOX4-mediated reactive oxygen species can increase slug and snail, which can induce fibrosis, HBx may be a key regulator of hepatic fibrosis development via NOX4 induction.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2019

Since the implementation of conjugate Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine, the rate of infections caused by Hib has dramatically decreased, and the proportion of infections caused by non-type b H. influenzae has increased. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is rare; however, it should be considered as a potential complication of bacterial meningitis. Herein, we report about a child who developed CVST after being diagnosed with H. influenzae serotype f meningitis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2012

In comparison of the body color of Zacco platypys from Korea, it was found that there were significant differences among geographical populations in the color of upper eye, snout tip and anterior margin of pectoral fin. In individuals with red upper eye the snout tip was red but in those with black upper eye red color did not appeared on the snout tip. There was no difference between male and female in this characteristic and it was expressed uniformly within the same population. So we divided Z. platypus into two types by the color of upper eye; R type with red upper eye and B type with black upper eye. Red band on anterior margin of pectoral fins appeared in all males of both R and B type populations but in females it appeared only in B type individuals. The two types shown different distribution pattern in Korean Peninsula. R type distributed in almost whole area but B type distributed only in southeastern part of the peninsula: Nakdong, Hyeongsan, Taehwa, Suyeong and Jinjeon River. In analysis of external morphology among two types of Z. platypus from Korea and Z. platypus from Japan, there were no significant differences. But they were relatively well separated in discriminant function analysis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2000

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and histologic changes of interferon-alfa therapy on chronic hepatitis B virus infection in children. Patients and Methods: Thirty five children aged 3~16 years who were seropositive for HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg were enrolled. Interferon-alfa 2a ($3.4\;MU/m^2$) were given for 6 months. Serologic markers of viral replication was evaluated 1 year after therapy. Post treatment liver biopsy was performed in 18 patients who showed serologic response. Results: Serum HBeAg and viral DNA became negative in 22 (63%) of treated children at 12 months after therapy. Serum aminotransferase levels normalized in all of the responders and HBsAg became negative in one responder. Horizontal transmission, serum aminotransferase levels more than twice normal, and active inflammation on liver biopsy were predictive factors for response to interferon therapy. Periportal piecemeal necrosis, lobular activity, portal inflammation, fibrosis, and total histologic activity index were reduced in responders. Conclusion: In children with chronic hepatitis B, interferon alfa promotes loss of viral replication and improves aminotransferase. Serologic response is associated with improvement in hepatic histology.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of influenza A and B infections and analyze the effect of oseltamivir in hospitalized children. Methods: We investigated children under the age of 15, who were diagnosed with influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, or B from January to April 2014. The subjects were admitted to the Changwon Fatima Hospital and diagnosed using a rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swabs. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 302 pediatric patients with influenza were enrolled. Influenza B infection was the most common type (n=187, 61.9%), followed by A/H3N2 (n=100, 33.1%) and A/H1N1 (n=15, 5.0%). Compared to patients diagnosed with influenza A, patients diagnosed with influenza B were older (P=0.005), and the duration of fever was significantly longer (P=0.001). A total of 161 patients (53.3%) had been vaccinated against influenza during the season, before admission. Among the patients infected with A/H3N2 and B, the duration of fever was shorter in oseltamivir recipients compared to oseltamivir non-recipients (P=0.026 and P=0.004, respectively). Conclusions: There were significant differences between influenza A and B groups in terms of age, demographics, and clinical course. Although the effectiveness of oseltamivir on influenza differs according to the type of influenza, our data provides evidence that oseltamivir is beneficial for both A and B infections.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2010

Soybean seed injury was analyzed in the experiments in which the bean bug, Riptortus pedestris(Hemiptera: Alydidae), was released into screen-caged pots containing full seed stage(R6) of soybean. When the different stages of insects, from the 3rd instar nymphs to adults, were released into pots during 8 days in soybean R6 stage, soybean seeds with injury marks (B-type seeds) increased. The weight reduction ratio in B-type seeds was highest in the injury by the 5th instar nymphs, while the daily-produced number ratio of B-type seeds was small in the treatment. In the injury by the different number of adult released into pots, 4, 8, 16 adults caused a significant increase of B-type seeds, while 16 adults caused the significant increase of the deformed (C-type) seeds. In the injury by the different release period of adults, the total number of pods was not significantly different among treatments, while the total seed number harvested was significantly small in the release for 48 days. The release for 8 and 16 days caused a significant increase of B-type seeds, while the release for 48 days caused the increase of C-type seeds. The results indicated that injury of soybean R6 stage by the bean bug produced soybean seeds with distinct injury marks at relatively low density and during short term attack period, while it produced deformed seeds at high density and during long attack period.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.106-124
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• 1999

In the Cheongju-Minwon area which occupies the middle part of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt, three metamorphic events(M1, M2, M3) had occurred. Intermediate P/T type M2 regional metamorphism formed prevailing mineral assemblages in the study area. Low PIT type M3 contact metamorphism occurred due to the intrusion of granites after M2 metamorphism. M1 metamorphism is recognized by inclusions within garnet. During M2 metamorphism, the metamorphic grade increased from the biotite zone in the southeastern part to the garnet zone in the northwestern part of the study area. This result is similar to the metamorphic evolution of the southwestern part of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt. Garnets in the garnet zone are classified into two types; Type A garnet has inclusions whose trail is connected to the foliation in the matrix and Type B garnet has inclusion rich core and inclusion poor rim. Type A garnet formed in the mica rich part with crenulation cleavage whereas Type B garnet formed in the quartz rich part with weak crenulation cleavage. In some outcrops, two types garnets are found together. Compared to the rim of Type A garnet, the rim of Type B garnet is lower in grossular and spessartine contents but higher in almandine and pyrope contents. In some Type B garnets, the inclusion poor part is rimmed by muddy colored or protuberant new overgrowth. In the inclusion poor part and new overgrowth, a rapid increase in grossular and decrease in spessartine is observed. However, the compositional patterns of Type A and B are similar; Ca increases and Mn decreases from core to rim. Two types garnets formed mainly due to the difference of bulk chemistry instead of metamorphic and deformational differences. The metamorphic P-T conditions estimated from Type A garnets are 595-690 OC15.7-8.8 kb, which indicates M2 metamorphism is intermediate P/T type metamorphism. On the other hand, a wide range of P-T conditions is calculated from Type B garnets. The P-T conditions from most Type B garnet rims are 617-690 OC16.2-8.9 kb which also indicates an intermediate P/T type metamorphism. However, at the rim part with flat end or weak overgrowth, grossular content is low and 573-624OC14.7-5.8 kb are estimated. The P-T conditions calculated from plagioclase and biotite inclusions in garnet are 460-500 0C/1.9-3.0 kb. The P-T conditions from rim part with weak overgrowth and inclusions within garnet, indicate that low P/T type M1 regional metamorphism might have occurred before intermediate P/T type M2 regional metamorphism. The P-T conditions estimated from samples which had undergone low PIT type M3 metamorphism strongly, are 547-610 0C/2.1-5.0 kb.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of infection control education on dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors. Materials and methods: Study participants were chosen by random selection among dental hygienists working in Seoul, Korea. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out for the survey from April 2013 to May 2013, of which 140-excluding incomplete responses-were used for the study. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used (SPSS 19.0), and post-hoc analysis was performed as well. The maximum significance level was 0.05. Results: Average 1.53 times infection control education was taken, but dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors did not show statistical differences whether the education was done or not. Practices to prevent infection showed differences depending on categories, especially disinfection and sterilization were well performed by educated group. The most common reasons for not taking the education and noncompliance with infection prevention guidelines are lack of time and opportunity due to busy schedule. Conclusion: 1. The more highly educated, the greater number of patients per day, and the greater size of hospitals, the better infection control education was conducted. 2. Although hepatitis B is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in Korea, no significant correlation between perceptions of hepatitis B and infection control education was found. 3. Dental hygienists who received infection control education performed more efficient practices for protection against infections than those who did not.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2009

Purpose: To provide the primary data for reaching a consensus on the adequate duration of treatment of lamivudine in children with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Seven of 83 children/adolescents with chronic hepatitis B were diagnosed with HBeAg-negative and HBV DNA-positive chronic hepatitis B and treated with lamivudine. Six children/adolescents were enrolled among 7 patients, who had been treated with lamivudine over 2 years. The primary goal of treatment was HBV DNA clearance and normalization of the serum ALT level; the final goal of treatment was the durability of the complete response after discontinuation of lamivudine. It was planned to continue lamivudine for more than two additional years after HBV DNA negativity and normalization of ALT. Results: The mean duration of lamivudine treatment was 32.2 months (range, 26~40 months) and the mean duration of follow-up was 59.5 months (range, 26~110 months). HBV DNA levels became undetectable (<0.5 pg/mL) in 6 patients within 3 months of treatment. ALT levels were normalized in 3.5 months (range, 2~7 months) in all 6 patients. Biochemical breakthrough developed in 1 patient 18 months after the initiation of lamivudine treatment. No evidence of relapse could be found in 4 patients with a mean follow-up of 23.8 months (range, 4~75 months) after cessation of lamivudine treatment. Conclusion: Suppression of HBV replication and normalization of serum ALT levels were effectively achieved with long-term lamivudine treatment in children/adolescents with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Two additional years of lamivudine may be needed after HBV DNA clearance and ALT normalization in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in order to decrease the relapse rate.