• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.220-226
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• 1994

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical applicability of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ) kit of HCV-RNA using biotinylated and radioiodinated primers. Study subjects were 118 patients with positive anti-HCV. HCV-RNA in patient's serum was extracted by guanidium thiocyanate method. After first amplification, the product was reamplified by primers labelled with biotin and I-125. The final amplification product was defected by counting the radioactivity after incubation in avidin coated tubes. In 51 samples, the test was repeated for evaluation of reproducibility. This new method was also compared with conventional RT-PCR methods in 34 samples from patients with chronic liver disease. The results were as follows ; 1) HCV-RNA was positive in 85(97%)of 88 patients with chronic liver disease, and in 23 (73%) of 30 patients with normal liver function. 2) In comparison with conventional method, HCV-RNA was detected in 32(94%) of 34 patients with new method, whereas in 27(79%) of the same group with conventional method. 3) Repeated test with new method in 52 samples demonstrated 82% of concordant result. In conclusion, new method with biotinylated and radioiodinated primers was more sensitive than conventional method. However, great care must be taken for quality control because there were considerable interassay variation and possiblity of false positivity and false negativity.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of ultrasound examination of children performed by a pediatrician. Methods: One thousand children who presented with symptoms of a gastrointestinal disorder and underwent abdominal ultrasound evaluation in the Department of Pediatrics, between January 2003 and June 2006, were included in this study. We analyzed the patient's medical records and ultrasound results retrospectively. Results: Among the 1,000 patients, 58.4% were male and 41.6% were female. The mean age of the patients was $4.7{\pm}4.0$ years. The main reasons for ultrasound were abdominal pain (43.9%), vomiting (17.3%), elevated liver enzymes (11.8%), and jaundice (9.8%). Abnormal ultrasound findings were present in 57.9% of cases. The major abnormal findings were mesenteric lymphadenitis (29.2%), fatty liver (12.1%), hepatitis (6.4%), hepatosplenomegaly (6.2%), and acute appendicitis (4.8%). The time interval between the initial medical evaluation and the ultrasound evaluation was within 24 hours in most cases (78.5%). The main findings in children with abdominal pain were mesenteric lymphadenitis (32.6%), fatty liver (5.9%), intussusception (2.7%), and acute appendicitis (2.7%). The main findings in children with vomiting were mesenteric lymphadenitis (12.7%), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (10.4%), and acute appendicitis (3.5%). The major ultrasound findings in children with urinary tract diseases were hydronephrosis (45.4%), urolithiasis (21.5%) and cystic renal disease (18.1%). Conclusion: Ultrasound examination played an important role as a non-invasive and prompt screening examination for detection of abdominal diseases. Ultrasound was an important tool for pediatricians to determine timely information for patient management.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.348-365
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• 2010

Artemisia capillaries THUNB is a perennial herb that belongs to the family compositae spp. and the most common plant among the various herbal folk remedies used in treatment of abdominal pain, hepatitis, chronic liver disease, jaundice and coughing in Korea. The object of this study is to observe the dosage-dependent anti-obestic effects of an aqueous extracts of dried aqueous extracts of stems of Artemisia capillaris Thunberg. [Artemisiae capillaris Herba, In-Jin in Korean, INJ] on 45%/Kcal high fat diet (HFD) supplied mice. 45%/Kcal rodent HFD are supplied to ICR mice from 1 week before initiation of INJ administration throughout the 12 weeks, and after the end of 12 weeks of 62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg/day of INJ administration, the efficacy was divided into five categories 1) hypoglycemic, 2) hepato-protective, 3) nephroprotective, 4) hypolipemic, and 5) anti- obesity effects. The effects were compared to those of simvastatin (for hypolipemic activity), silymarin (for hepatoprotective and free radical scavenger effects) and metformin (for hypoglycemic and related anti-obesity effects). 7 animals per group (8 groups; total 56adapted mice on HFD were selected base on the body weight at 6 days after initiation of HFD supply) were used in this experiment. INJ and all three different reference drugs were directly suspended or dissolved in distilled water, and administered at a volume of 10 mL/kg, once a day for 84 days from 1 week after HFD supply. As results of 91 days of continuous HFD supply, mice showed marked obese states, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, liver damages and kidney damages. These mean the obesity, diabetes, diabetic hepatopathies, nephropathies and hyperlipemia were induced by HFD supply. After end of 84 days of continuous treatment of three different dosages of INJ, all diabetes related complications were inhibited; relatively favorable anti-obesity, hypolipemic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and nephroprotective effects. These favorable effects showed relatively good dose-relations between all three different dosages of INJ treated, and INJ 250 mg/kg showed enough favorable effects on diabetes and related four complications tested as compared with one of each three different references. Otherwise, the efficacy of 62.5 and 125 mg/kg of INJ was somewhat slighter than those of all three reference drugs. Therefore, the suitable effective dosage of INJ is considered as 250 mg/kg/day in the present study. The overall anti-obesity effects of INJ 250 mg/kg-treated group was similar or more favorable than those of metformin 250 mg/kg-treated group, and INJ 250 mg/kg showed slighter hypoglycemic effects with silymarin 100 mg/kg and metformin 250 mg/kg, similar hypolipemic effects with simvastatin 10 mg/kg, and similar hepatoprotective effects with silymarin 100 mg/kg, and similar nephroprotective effects with that of silymarin 100 mg/kg and metformin 250 mg/kg, respectively. Obese, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, steatohepatitis and related nephropathies induced by HFD supply were dramatically inhibited by 84 days of continuous treatment of all three different dosages of INJ. It is, therefore expected that INJ extracts will be a favorable alternative agent for diet-related diabetes and complications.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate antioxidative, antimicrobial activity and the effect on hepatotoxicity in various extracts of Artemisia iwayomogi. The herb has been used widely for jaundice, hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in chinese medicine. Solid yield by various extraction solvents, 18.1%, was the highest in water extract. To find antioxidative activity in Artemisia iwayomogi was estimated radical scavenging effect by DPPH method in various extracts and change of the POV(peroxide value) of various extracts added in soybean oil during 20 days at $60^{\circ}C$. Radical scavenging effect by DPPH method was the most effective in methanol extract. Added 1,000ppm water extract and methanol extract in soybean oil, the POV of them, 46.8(meq/kg) and 50.8(meq/kg) were lower than that of control, 79.1(meq/kg), during 20 days storage. After antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Artemisia iwayomogi on bacteria was carried out by paper disc method, it found that the ethanol extract was the strongest activity on Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In vivo experiment was to investigate the effect of Artemisia iwayomogi water extract(AIWE) on hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride$(CCl_4)$ in rats. The experiment groups were divided into five groups for recovery(for 3 days) and three groups for protection(for 10 days) in rat liver. The weights and morphological changes of liver and the body weight were examined in each groups. Compared with $CCl_4$ treatment groups$(CCl_4\;only)$, liver and liver/body(%) weights of AIWE pretreatment groups for 3 days and AIWE posttreatment groups for 10 days were declined. In macrography, fibrious exudates and swelling of liver were decreased in AIWE treatment groups. Accumulation of lipid droplets and necrosis of hepatocytes were also decreased in AIWE treatment groups in microscopically. In these results, AIWE seems to enhance hepato-protective and recoverable effect on $CCl_4$ induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effective role of living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) on posttransplant linear growth in children. Methods: Thirty six children were enrolled who received LRLT at Asan Medical Center from December, 1994 to February, 1999 and showed more than one-year postoperative survival. Mean height standard deviation score (zH) was analyzed according to medical records including heights during pretransplant and posttransplant follow-up periods. Results: zH of total children showed significant linear growth after LRLT from -1.58 to 0.33 at 24 posttransplant month (p<0.05). zH in children under 6 years of age, to exclude the effect of adolescent linear growth spurt, showed increment in height (p<0.05). Linear growth of children with liver cirrhosis improved and that with fulminant hepatitis was matained same. While stunted children (mean zH=-2.30) achieved good catch-up growth after transplantation, children with normal growth remained same. Children with significant hepatic dysfunction after LRLT such as chronic rejection or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder showed retarded posttrasplant linear growth. There was no statistical difference according to the type of immunosuppressants. Conclusion: LRLT resulted in adequate or catch-up linear growth in children with acute, chronic and metabolic liver disease. Successful LRLT suggested to be a promising option not only in long term survival but also in normal linear growth.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1060-1065
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• 2006

Non-invasive evaluation of liver function in animal models remains a challenge. Hepatoscintigraphy provides information about changes in liver size and shape, and enables to understand general liver function. Futhermore it is readily used to diagnosis complications of liver transplantation like hepatitis, rejections and biliary complications. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of evaluating the liver function in miniature pigs with $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid and $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ which are the most commonly used radiopharmaceuticals in human medicine. In result, $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid was uptaked in lung, liver, gastric wall and kidney in miniature pigs. And $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ showed continuous uptake images of heart, lung, liver, gallbladder and duodenum, and it was similar to human's. Therefore we could conclude $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid would not be suitable for evaluating hepatic function because of it's nonspecific affinity, however $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ scintigraphy would be an effective method for detecting hepatobiliary function in miniature pigs.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Liver transplantation is definitive treatment for the patients suffering from hepatitis, severe liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In these patients, systemic infections under immunosuppression may occur easily. Therefore, primary object of dental treatments before liver transplantation is absolute removal of oral infection source. In addition, comprehensive dental management plan is essential for success of liver transplantation. The present study has been performed to investigate decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth index(DMFT index), degree of oral hygiene, past medical history, need of dental treatment, completion of dental treatment need and time interval between dental visit and operation date of liver transplantation in liver transplant candidates. Obtained results were as follows; 1. Decayed teeth of the patients were 2.68, missing teeth were 4.02 and filled teeth were 3.42. DMFT index was 10.12. 2. Twenty percents of patients showed moderate to severe food impactions, 42.2% of patients had moderate to heavy calculus and 37.8% of patients displayed gingival inflammation with swelling. 3. Patients needed periodontal treatments more than any other dental treatments. Periodontal treatments were needed for 88.9% of patients, operative & endodontic treatments were 46.7% of patients and 33.3% of patients needed for oral & maxillofacial surgical treatments. 4. Among 90 patients, time interval between scheduled operation date of liver transplantation and dental visit was within 2 weeks for 32.2% of patients, within 1 week for 20.0% of patients. In conclusion, most liver transplant candidates needed dental treatments for removal of potential infection sources. However because of insufficient interval between dental visit and operation date, they had taken liver transplantation procedures without comprehensive dental management. Development of preventive and comprehensive dental management program is mandatory for these patients. Cooperative interdisciplinary management will play a positive role for successful liver transplantation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1234-1240
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was carried out to obtain the vaccination rate and age appropriateness of vaccination in children under five years of age in Jeonbuk province. Methods : Eight hundred and fifty infants and children were enrolled in this study. Vaccination rate(Number of vaccinees/Number of subjects), places of vaccination, age appropriateness of vacination were examined by either vaccine record review or interview with parents or guardians. Results : The salient features of the findings were as follows : All subjects were aged under five and mostly under two years of age(68.8%). Places of vaccination were health centers or subcenters( 50.4%), private clinics(44.3%), and general hospitals(5.3%). Routine vaccinations such as BCG, hepatitis B vaccine(HBV), diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis(DTaP) and Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine(TOPV), measles, mumps, rubella(MMR), and Japaneses B encephalitis(JBE) were vaccinated mostly in health centers or subcenters, while chickenpox(CHP) and haemophilus influenzae vaccines(Hib), which are not routine in Korea, were vaccinated in private clinics. The vaccination rates of BCG(99.2%), HBV(93.5%) and DTaP(96.1%) were very high. But those of MMR(83.7%), CHP(72.5%), JBE(50.2%), and Hib(15.8%) were lower than expected. Considering the age appropriateness of vaccination, some infants and children were not appropriately vaccinated(vaccination rate/age appropriateness of vaccine; HBV, 93.5%/88.4% : DTaP, 94.6%/73.1% : JBE, 50.2%/ 18.5%). Conclusion : The vaccination rate of BCG, HBV, DTaP and TOPV was very high, but MMR, CHP, JBE, and Hib vaccination rate was not high enough to be able to protect against epidemic. We should pay more attention to vaccinating children, and there is a need for a program that will enhance coverage for vaccines.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2011

The aims of this study were to survey, evaluate the accuracy of personal immunization record of vaccination card, and to establish the applicability of personal immunization record for presuming population based immunization rate and evaluation method. In 2005, a population-based survey of 12-35 months old children was carried out in Nonsan, Korea. We conducted household survey and provider check using questionnaire and checklist to obtain data on immunization status for children. Total 11 vaccinations were checked in vaccination card such as BCG, hepatitis b, polio, chickenpox vaccine. For estimating accuracy of immunization status and dates of immunization, we estimated correspondence rate between data from personal vaccination card and data from medical records and immunization registry data. Accuracy of the child's vaccination card by type of National Immunization Program vaccine in whole medical institutions were from 41.8% to 83.2%. Accuracy for the date of vaccination of vaccination card in National Immunization Programme vaccine were from 55.3% to 89.7%. In spite of this study limitations, this study verified the validity of vaccination record of vaccination card substantially, but suggests more efforts to reassure the validity of vaccination card.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.465-473
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• 1995

Background: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis has decreased progressively after the control of the tuberculosis began as national control. But as diabetes, malignancy, immunodeficiency disease recently tend to be increased, the tuberculosis become to the important national health problem. So, this study was designed to observe the state and the change of the prevalence and the clinical status of pulmonary tuberculosis for recent 10 years at one women's university. Method: We retrospectively investigated the epidemiology and the clinical status of 612 patients who were registered at the Ewha Womans University Health Center by analyzing records from 1983 to 1992. Results: 1) The prevalence rate had been steadily decreased from 0.63% in 1983 to 0.11 % in 1992. The prevalence of freshman and the incidence rate according to the entrance year while in the university significantly decreased since 1989. 2) In classifying by registered source, 45.6% of students were detected by annual periodical health examination, 34.5% by entrance physical examination, 12.0% by hospital, 5.4% by health center clinic, 2.5% by reentrance physical examination, sequentially. 3) The students with past history of tuberculosis were 70(11.4%) and 61(10%) suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. The patients with family history of tuberculosis were 142(23.3%). 4) There were 530(86.6%) with minimal disease, 79(12.9%) with moderate and only 3(0.5%) with far advanced, when classified by the severity of disease. 5) The initial symptoms were mild breathing difficulty in 30.1%, sweating in 14.9%, fatigue in 14.3%, febrile sense in 11.7%, hemoptysis in 8.2%, sequentially. 6) The duration of treatment was $10.6{\pm}3.6$ months in mild group, $14.9{\pm}5.2$ months in the moderate group(P<0.05). 7) The side reactions of the drug were GI trouble in 7.2%, hepatitis in 1.8%, skin rash in 0.8% and streptomycin side in used patients in 9.1%. Conclusion: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the students in one women's university was significantly lower than that of university students and 20-24 year-old age group announced in tuberculosis survey on a national scale, and significantly decreased since 1989. The treatment effect was desirable in student's group managed by university health center.