• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Background/Aims : Entecavir is a synthetic nucleoside analogue, cyclopentyl guanine nucleoside, which has a potent antiviral effect and the least viral breakthrough in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Entecavir has been available in Korea since 2007 but there are few reports on its effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the virological response (VR) and biochemical response (BR) to entecavir in HBV patients at 3, 6 and 9 months after treatment with entecavir. Materials and Methods : Thirty-three chronic hepatitis B patients who took entecavir for at least 9 months were enrolled. We investigated VR and BR by retrospectively reviewing medical records. Patients who satisfied the following criteria were chosen: 1) initial alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels = 1.5upper limit of normal (ULN) and 2) initial HBV DNA levels = $5\;log_{10}\;copies/ml$. We measured ALT levels every 3 months until month 9. HBV DNA was measured every 2 or 3 months by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results : Most patients taking entecavir showed good BR (ALT < 40 IU/L). The BR rates were 61%, 73% and 67% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. VR (HBV DNA < $5\;log_{10}\;copies/ml$ or 2 log lower than initial HBV DNA) rates were 82%, 91% and 91% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Undetectable HBV DNA (HBV DNA < 4 log10 copies/ml) rates were 49%, 73% and 85% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Two patients presented with virological breakthrough without adverse effects until month 9. Conclusions : Entecavir showed good BR and VR from month 3 and these effects continued through the 9-month observation period. This suggests that entecavir is also a good choice for the first line treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Further studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy and drug resistance of entecavir in Korean CHB patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4953-4960
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• 2013

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common cancers at the global level, accounting for half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries. This disease tends to occur in livers damaged through alcohol abuse, or chronic infection with hepatitis B and C, on a background of cirrhosis. Various cancer-causing substances are associated with primary liver cancer, including certain pesticides and such chemicals as vinyl chloride and arsenic. The strong association between HBV infection and liver cancer is well documented in epidemiological studies. It is generally acknowledged that the virus is involved through long term chronic infection, frequently associated with cirrhosis, suggesting a nonspecific mechanism triggered by the immune response. Chronic inflammation of liver, continuous cell death, abnormal cell growth, would increase the occurrence rate of genetic alterations and risk of disease. However, the statistics indicated that only about one fifth of HBV carries would develop HCC in lifetime, suggesting that individual variation in genome would also influence the susceptibility of HCC. The goal of this review is to highlight present level of knowledge on the role of viral infection and genetic variation in the development of liver cancer.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 1994

Alcohol is a major risk factor for several diseases and excessive, long-term alcohol consumption are caues physical alteration-fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, breaking down, Wernicke-karsakoff's syndrome, weight loss, and poor immunity-in virtually all organ and tissue. This study was observed that liver, kidney, and stomach were altered in mouse by the effect of chronic alcohol administration. The mouse were sacrificed to obtain the tissue after mouse were orally injected with 25 % ethanol $18m{\ell}/kg/day$ for 120days. The tissue were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and then observed by light microscope. The results of this study were as follows : 1. The congestion was appeared in liver after 120days alcohol admistration. 2. The destruction of glomerulus were increased and the parietal cell of Bowman's capsule were swelled such as cuboidal cell after 120days alcohol administration. The congestion was appeared in alcohol administrated group. 3. The mucosa and gastric pit were destructed and the ulceration was appeared in stomach after 120days administration. The parietal cells and chief cells were damaged. Above results were shown that the tissue were damaged by chronic alcohol administration.

• 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.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2002

Objective : The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBsAg-positives in the late 1990's among Korean adults. In addition, we evaluated the association of age, a residential area, a vaccination rate, a family history of chronic liver diseases and a past history of acute liver disease with the seropositivity of HBsAg, and estimated the prevalence of chronic HBV infection by follow-up for 6 month or more. Methods : A total of 10 areas, six metropolitan and four small cities, were selected. In each cities, one health screening center was selected for recruitment of study subjects. The study subjects were enrolled from a general health examination program that is provided by medical insurance companies. Questionnaires on various risk factors were administered to the study subjects. Sera was drawn and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBeAg and ALT were also tested for those of HBsAg positive. The HBsAg positives was retest for HBsAg 6 months later Results : Among the study subjects (n= 1816), the seroprevalence of HBsAg was 5.5% (95% CI=4.5%-6.6%), 7.4% in men (95% CI=5.8-9.4) and 3.6% in women (95% CI=2.5-5.0). A past history of acute liver disease and a family history of chronic liver diseases was shown to be risk factors for HBsAg positivity. Among the 31 HBsAg-positives, negative seroconversion rate was estimated to be 3.2%, Thus, prevalence of chronic HBV infection was estimated to be 5.3% (95% CI=3.7-6.6). Conclusion : In this study, the HBsAg seroprevalence rate was lower than that of the other studies in 1980's, particularly in young adult and women. Considering the public health importance of liver cancer and chronic liver diseases, the further effort is needed to prevent and reduce the HBV infection.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2000

Hominis Placenta has been used as a medicinal stuff for a long time in Oriental Medicine. And further, aqua-acupuncture solution of Hominis Placenta has produced in South Korea recently. Bibliographical study was carried on to investigate the nature of Hominis Placenta and possible indications by aqua-acupuncture as well. The nature of Hominis Placenta is warm and its taste sweet-salty. It is non-poisonous. It has correspondence to the meridians of lung, liver and kidney. Hominis Placenta is mainly effective on recuperation of infirmity and the disease related to infirmity. Aqua-acupuncture solution of Hominis Placenta can be applied to the disease as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, sterility, insufficient lactation, degenerative change, neurasthenia and cerebrovascular disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.379-383
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• 2004

Biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) has been used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and drug-induced hepatitis through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and c ovalent binding of drug metabolites to lipids of microsomes. The bioequivalence of two DDB products was evaluated according to the guidelines of KFDA. The test product was Hepaphil soft capsule(R) made by KMS Pharm. Co. Containing 3 mg DDB and the reference product was Nissel tablet(R) made by Taerim Pharm. Co. Containing 25 mg DDB. Twenty healthy male subjects, 25.4(22~30) years old and 66.7(54~77)kg, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After two tablets or two capsules were orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentration of DDB in plasma was determined using a validated HPLC method with UV detector. Two pharmacokinetic parameters, $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, were calculated and analyzed statistically for the evaluation of bioequivalence of the two products. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed parameter values. The 90% confidence intervals of $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ were log 0.91~log1.00 and log 1.05~log 1.15, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of log 0.8 to log 1.25. Thus, the criteria of the KFDA guidelines for the bioequivalence was satisfied, indicating that Hepaphil soft capsule is bioequivalent to Nissel tablet.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.126-134
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• 2010

Background: $CD8^+$ T cells contribute to the clearance of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and an insufficient $CD8^+$ T cell response may be one of the major factors leading to chronic HBV infection. Since the HBx antigen of HBV can up-regulate cellular expression of several immunomodulatory molecules, we hypothesized that HBx expression in hepatocytes might affect $CD8^+$ T cell activity. Methods: We analyzed the activation and apoptosis of $CD8^+$ T cells co-cultured with primary hepatocytes rendered capable of expressing HBx by recombinant baculovirus infection. Results: Expression of HBx in hepatocytes induced low production of $interferon-{\gamma}$ and apoptosis of CD8+ T cells, with no effect on CD8 T cell proliferation. However, transcriptional levels of H-2K, ICAM-1 and PD-1 ligand did not correlate with HBx expression in hepatocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that HBx may inhibit $CD8^+$ T cell response by regulation of $interferon-{\gamma}$ production and apoptosis.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.436-440
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• 2007

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant diseases worldwide and a leading cause for death in Asia, where the major risk factors are chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. Because most HCC patients die within 3 to 6 months from the time of diagnosis, searching for a new treatment has become more urgent for HCC than other cancers because there is no existing effective systematic therapy. In Korea and Asia, traditional herbal medicine is frequently administered to patients with advanced HCC. We present a HCC case where complete regression was observed after taking herbal medicine. Since the specific mechanism is unknown, we cannot determine whether the herbal preparation had a direct effect on the regression of HCC. Nevertheless, this case provides us a reason and hope for further research.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 1990

We evaluated 85 cases with atrophy of left lobe among 11,133 cases performed liver scan using $^{99m}Tc-phytate$ from January 1984 to January 1990 at Kyungpook National University Hospital in association with underlying causes and related conditions. Seventeen cases seemed to be due to biliary tract diseases, eg, cholelithiasis, cholangiocarcinoma, clonorchiasis and postcholecystectomy state. Fifteen cases were patients with primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies. One case had a history of hepatic irradiation. Thirty cases comprised acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and fatty liver. However no causative abnormalities could be detected in 22 cases despite of meticulous diagnostic work-up.