• 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.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 2012

In this study, we investigated the virological characteristics, HBV DNA levels and presence of mutations of "a" determinant in the HBsAg S gene in chronic hepatitis B patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs. The 18 patients who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B were both positive for HBsAg and anti-HBs. HBV Among them, 15 patients were DNA positive. The median of HBV DNA levels in serum was $2.18{\times}10^7$ copies/mL with the HBsAg+/anti-HBsAb+ patients. Also, 4 of 8 HBeAg negative patients had HBV DNA levels higher than $10^4$ copies/mL and the median of HBV DNA levels was $2.03{\times}10^6$ copies/mL, which were significantly high. These results showed that viral replication still existed in most of the patients of the concomitant HBsAg and anti-HBs, and even in the some HBeAg negative patients. Furthermore, mutation within the "a" determinant of HBV were found in 7 of 15 patients. The most frequent changes were located at positions aa126. In addition, one mutation observed for HBsAg only positive.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.130-136
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• 2009

The present study was conducted to determine the protective ability of the ethanol extracts of Hypericum scabroides Robson & Poulter (HS) and Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra (HT) against the protein oxidation and DNA damage induced by Fenton system. The ability of HS and HT to prevent oxidative damage to bovine serum albumin (BSA) induced by $Fe^{3+}/H_2O_2$ and ascorbic acid was investigated. The ethanol extracts of HS and HT at different concentrations ($50-1,000{\mu}g/mL$) efficiently prevented protein oxidation induced by hydroxy radical as assayed by protein oxidation markers including protein carbonyl formation (PCO) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The effect of ethanol extracts of HS and HT on DNA cleavage induced by UV-photholysis of $H_2O_2$ using pBluescript M13+ plasmid DNA were investigated. These extracts significantly inhibited DNA damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, HS and HT extracts may be useful in the food industry as effective synthetic antioxidants.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2015

Purpose: Noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma marks a significant advancement in prenatal screening, minimizing the need for invasive testing of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. Here, we report the initial clinical performance of NIPT in Korean pregnant women. Materials and Methods: MPS-based NIPT was performed on 910 cases; 5 mL blood samples were collected and sequenced in the Shenzhen BGI Genomic Laboratory to identify aneuploidies. The risk of fetal aneuploidy was determined by L-score and t-score, and classified as high or low. The NIPT results were validated by karyotyping for the high-risk cases and neonatal follow-up for low-risk cases. Results: NIPT was mainly requested for two clinical indications: abnormal biochemical serum-screening result (54.3%) and advanced maternal age (31.4%). Among 494 cases with abnormal biochemical serum-screening results, NIPT detected only 9 (1.8%) high-risk cases. Sixteen cases (1.8%) of 910 had a high risk for aneuploidy: 8 for trisomy 21, 2 for trisomy 18, 1 for trisomy 13, and 5 for sex chromosome abnormalities. Amniocentesis was performed for 7 of these cases (43.8%). In the karyotyping and neonatal data, no false positive or negative results were observed in our study. Conclusion: MPS-based NIPT detects fetal chromosomal aneuploidies with high accuracy. Introduction of NIPT as into clinical settings could prevent about 98% of unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1595-1599
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• 2012

Cell cycle activation and progression in vascular proliferative disease represent potent therapeutic targets. Luteolin, which occurs as glycosylated forms in celery, green pepper, perilla leaf, and camomile tea, has demonstrated antimutagenic, antitumorigenic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of luteolin on the proliferation of primary cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells induced by 5% fetal bovine serum. Luteolin at concentrations of 5, 20, and $50{\mu}M$ significantly inhibited this proliferation by 29.6, 50.8, and 83.1%, respectively. The incorporation of $[^3H]$-thymidine into DNA was also inhibited by 25.8, 57.6, and 81.0%, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis of DNA content revealed that FBS-inducible cell cycle progression was blocked by luteolin. Luteolin showed no cytotoxicity in VSMCs in this experimental condition according to WST-1 assays. Luteolin may represent a potential anti-proliferative agent for treatment of angioplasty restenosis and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 1973

Some effects of dietary conditions on the metabolism of nucleic acid and protein in organs of the Albino Rats have been studied. The young rats to be examined were fed on the control diet and the diets deprived of one component among protein, carbohydrate, and lipid, such as protein free diet (PF: 432 kcal/100g) carbohydrate free diet (CF: 432kcal/100g), and lipid free diet (LF: 392kcal/100g) for three, seven, and fifteen days, respectively. The contents of DNA and RNA in the liver and the brain, and also those of protein-nitrogen(PN) and nonprotein-nitrogen (NPN) in the live, the brain, and the serum have been measured. The results are as followe: 1. The contents of DNA per gram of liver were increased by feeding on protein free diet. It is concluded that the critical factor for the result is not the increase in the rates of DNA syntheses, but the decrease in the turnover rates of DNA. 2. The metabolism of DNA in the liver showed the normal status by feeding on carbohydrate free diet. On the other hand, the rates of DNA syntheses were increased by feeding on lipid free diet. 3. The rates of DNA syntheses in the brain were decreased by feeding on the unbalanced diet, such as protein free, carbohydrete free, and lipid free diet. 4. In the liver and the brain, the rates of DNA syntheses were decreased by feeding on protein free diet. But the rates showed the normal status by feeding on the carbohydrate free diet, and also showed the similar metabolism to that in the case of the control group by feeding on lipid free diet. 5. In the liver, the rates of protein syntheses were decreased, whereas the contents of nonprotein-nitrogen were increased by feeding on protein free diet. 6. In the liver and the brain, the protein syntheses showed the more increasing rates than the rates in the case of the control diet by feeding on lipid free diet. 7. In the serum, the contents of protein did not change in a short period, also the insufficient feeling on protein was examined. It is clear that in the liver the rates of protein syntheses are decreased and the rates of protein catabolism are increased, since the rates of nucleic acid syntheses are decreased by feeding on the protein free diet. On the other hand, it is considered that in the brain the turnover rates of protein does not have correlation with the rates of nucleic acid syntheses, also these are decreased by feeding on protein free diet. And also it is believed that the phenomena of homeostasis for carrying the normal metabolism of nucleic acid and protein in the liver and the brain are operated in a short period as possible, by feeding on carbohydrate free and lipid free diets.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1998

Purpose: Though many antiviral or immunomodulatory agents have been used in patients with chronic HBV hepatitis, interferon is considered to be the only effective therapeutic agent so far. Among immunomodulatory agents, thymodulin, the oral form of thymosin, is currently in clinical trial. We compared the efficacy of alfa-interferon therapy alone with a combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin in children with chronic active hepatitis B. Method: Twenty three children aged 4.4~13.7 years who were known to be positive for HBsAg and HBeAg in serum for at least 6 months and who had biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis were given either combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin or alfa-interferon alone, and all children were HBV DNA positive in their serum at the beginning. Follow-ups have been done for at least 1 year after a 6 month course of therapy and clearance of viral replication markers has been evaluated. Results: 1) During follow up period, 11 (48%) children were seroconverted to anti-HBe and were cleared of HBV DNA from their serum. However, 2 of them relapsed after discontinuance of interferon therapy. 2) Seroconversion occurred more frequently among those who had not been vertically transmitted, had elevated serum ALT levels and low HBV DNA levels before interferon therapy. 3) There was no significant advantage of the combined therapy with thymodulin compared to interferon therapy alone. Conclusion: Combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin failed to demonstrate synergistic effect. We think that combination therapies of alfa-interferon with other antiviral or immunomodulatory agents need to be studied in order to achieve better therapeutic responses.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2003

Background: The usefulness of DNA vaccine at priming step of heterologous prime-boost vaccination led to DNA vaccine closer to practical reality. DNA vaccine priming followed by recombinant viral vector boosting via systemic route induces optimal systemic immunity but no mucosal immunity. Mucosal vaccination of the reversed protocol (recombinant viral vector priming-DNA vaccine boosting), however, can induce both maximal mucosal and systemic immunity. Here, we tried to address the reason why the mucosal protocol of prime-boost vaccination differs from that of systemic vaccination. Methods: To address the importance of primary immunity induced at priming step, mice were primed with different doses of DNA vaccine or coadministration of DNA vaccine plus mucosal adjuvant, and immunity including serum IgG and mucosal IgA was then determined following boosting with recombinant viral vector. Next, to assess influence of humoral pre-existing immunity on boosting $CD8^+$ T cell-mediated immunity, $CD8^+$ T cell-mediated immunity in B cell-deficient (${\mu}K/O$) mice immunized with prime-boost regimens was evaluated by CTL assay and $IFN-{\gamma}$-producing cells. Results: Immunity primed with recombinant viral vector was effectively boosted with DNA vaccine even 60 days later. In particular, animals primed by increasing doses of DNA vaccine or incorporating an adjuvant at priming step and boosted by recombinant viral vector elicited comparable responses to recombinant viral vector primed-DNA vaccine boosted group. Humoral pre-existing immunity was also unlikely to interfere the boosting effect of $CD8^+$ T cell-mediated immunity by recombinant viral vector. Conclusion: This report provides the important point that optimally primed responses should be considered in mucosal immunization of heterologous prime-boost regimens for inducing the effective boosting at both mucosal and systemic sites.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2013

To control coccidiosis without using prophylactic medications, a DNA vaccine targeting the gametophyte antigen Gam56 from Eimeria maxima in chickens was constructed, and the immunogenicity and protective effects were evaluated. The ORF of Gam56 gene was cloned into an eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(zeo)+. Expression of Gam56 protein in COS-7 cells transfected with recombinant plasmid pcDNA-Gam56 was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The DNA vaccine was injected intramuscularly to yellow feathered broilers of 1-week old at 3 dosages (25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/chick$). Injection was repeated once 1 week later. One week after the second injection, birds were challenged orally with $5{\times}10^4$ sporulated oocysts of E. maxima, then weighed and killed at day 8 post challenge. Blood samples were collected and examined for specific peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation activity and serum antibody levels. Compared with control groups, the administration of pcDNA-Gam56 vaccine markedly increased the lymphocyte proliferation activity (P<0.05) at day 7 and 14 after the first immunization. The level of lymphocyte proliferation started to decrease on day 21 after the first immunization. A similar trend was seen in specific antibody levels. Among the 3 pcDNA-Gam56 immunized groups, the median dosage group displayed the highest lymphocyte proliferation and antibody levels (P<0.05). The median dosage group had the greatest relative body weight gain (89.7%), and the greatest oocyst shedding reduction (53.7%). These results indicate that median dosage of DNA vaccine had good immunogenicity and immune protection effects, and may be used in field applications for coccidiosis control.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.744-745
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• 2005