• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2014

Purpose: The spontaneous seroconversion rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection in children is lower than that in adults. However, few studies have investigated the rate of transition from the immune-tolerant to the early immune-clearance phase in children. Methods: From February 2000 to August 2011, we enrolled 133 children aged <18 years who had visited the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital. All subjects were in the immune-tolerant phase of HBeAg-positive CHB virus infection. The estimated transition rate into the early immune-clearance phase was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Among the 133 enrolled pediatric CHB virus infection patients in the HBeAg-positive immune-tolerant phase, only 21 children (15.8%) had converted to the early immune-clearance phase. The average age at entry into active hepatitis was $10.6{\pm}4.8$ years. The incidence of transition from the immune-tolerant to the early immune-clearance phase in these children was 1.7 episodes/100 patient-years. When analyzed by age, the estimated transition rate was 4.6%, 7.1%, and 28.0% for patients aged <6, 6-12, >12 years, respectively. Conclusion: In children with CHB virus infection, the estimated rate of entry into the early immune-clearance phase was 28.0% for patients aged 12-18 years, which was significantly higher than that observed for children aged <12 years (11.7%; p=0.001).

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.164-171
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this case report is to describe the efficacy of Saenggan-tang-gagam treatment in a patient with immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B who converted to the immune active phase during hospitalization for Intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: A 61-year-old male patient with chronic hepatitis B was hospitalized from July 21, 2016 to October 24, 2016. On September 5, the patient showed fatigue and dyspepsia, and his urine was dark. These symptoms were accompanied by a dramatic elevation of aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels. Saenggan-tang-gagam was administered three times a day until the patient was discharged from the hospital. Results: After the Saenggan-tang-gagam treatment, AST and ALP levels decreased significantly, below the upper limit level. In addition, the levels of ALT and GG were significantly decreased. In addition, the fatigue, dyspepsia, and dark urine induced by hepatitis improved after the Saenggan-tang-gagam treatment. Conclusion: This case report suggests that traditional Korean medicine has a beneficial effect on the immune active phase of chronic hepatitis B.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

Comprehensive understanding of the natural course of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is mandatory for the management and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, of which the natural course consists of immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier state, and reactivation phase. Evidence based medical approach is essential for the management of HBV carriers and treatment of active hepatitis to decrease risks of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma as well as to increase survival. In addition, education of patients or their parents are required to achieve a better therapeutic outcome and to prevent unconfirmed alternative medicine and anecdotal approaches.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.63-73
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• 2012

Development of antiviral resistance to lamivudine is the most important factor for the treatment failure. It is necessary to establish proper guidelines to overcome drug resistance for children with chronic hepatitis B. Primary treatment with lamivudine should be considered if patients are in immune-clearance phase and have persistently elevated ALT levels more than twice the upper limit of normal value. Before initiating the therapy, careful consideration of the patient's status is required to exclude abnormal liver function tests due to other causes. The treatment option should be carefully decided to suppress the viral replication effectively. To obtain good compliance, clinicians should educate patients and their parents. Appropriate monitoring for virologic breakthrough and genotypic resistance is important in deciding to change the treatment plan. Sequential monotherapy should be avoided and a combination of drugs in other categories is recommended. New antiviral agents, such as entecavir and tenofovir, which have high potency and high genetic barrier, are soon expected to be available for use with children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권7호
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• pp.696-703
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• 2008

Korea is now classified as an area of intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV), due to the implementation of universal HBV vaccination and national preventive programs for HBV infection. A national program of HBV vaccination was launched in Korea in 1988 for school-going children and was listed on a vaccination guideline in 1991. In 1995, universal vaccination for newborn infants was started for the prevention of perinatal HBV transmission. The prevalence of HBsAg among Korean middle school students has shown marked decreased from 3.2% in the late 1990s to 0.44% in 2007. HBsAg positivity in preschool children was 0.9% in 1995, decreased to 0.2% in 2007 by national prevention program of hepatitis B vertical transmission, launched in 2002. Vaccine failure rate of HBV immunoprophylaxis is 4.2% by this program. The infected children should be monitored per 6-12 months interval. Lamivudine and interferon are approved therapies for children with chronic hepatitis B in immune-clearance phase in Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.190-201
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• 2024

Background: Deposition of immune complexes drives podocyte injury acting in the initial phase of lupus nephritis (LN), a process mediated by B cell involvement. Accordingly, targeting B cell subsets represents a potential therapeutic approach for LN. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a bioavailable component of ginseng, possesses nephritis benefits in lupus-prone mice; however, the underlying mechanisms involving B cell subpopulations remain elusive. Methods: Female MRL/lpr mice were administered CK (40 mg/kg) intragastrically for 10 weeks, followed by measurements of anti-dsDNA antibodies, inflammatory chemokines, and metabolite profiles on renal samples. Podocyte function and ultrastructure were detected. Publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data and flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate B cell subpopulations. Metabolomics analysis was adopted. SIRT1 and AMPK expression were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Results: CK reduced proteinuria and protected podocyte ultrastructure in MRL/lpr mice by suppressing circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies and mitigating systemic inflammation. It activated B cell-specific SIRT1 and AMPK with Rhamnose accumulation, hindering the conversion of renal B cells into plasma cells. This cascade facilitated the resolution of local renal inflammation. CK facilitated the clearance of deposited immune complexes, thus reinstating podocyte morphology and mobility by normalizing the expression of nephrin and SYNPO. Conclusions: Our study reveals the synergistic interplay between SIRT1 and AMPK, orchestrating the restoration of renal B cell subsets. This process effectively mitigates immune complex deposition and preserves podocyte function. Accordingly, CK emerges as a promising therapeutic agent, potentially alleviating the hyperactivity of renal B cell subsets during LN.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.197-207
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• 2004

목적: 소아 만성 B형 간염 환아들에게 라미부딘으로 치료 시작 후 그 치료 효과를 평가하고 소아에서 라미부딘 장기 치료의 지속성과 안정성에 대해 검증하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1999년 3월부터 경북대학교병원 소아과에서 만성 B형 간염으로 라미부딘 치료를 시작한 후 2004년 9월 현재까지 최소 6개월 이상 치료한 48명(남 31, 여 17명, 1~18세, 평균 8세)을 대상으로 29개월(8~66개월) 추적 관찰하면서 연구를 시행하였다. 치료에 대한 효과는 치료 시작 후 혈청 ALT 치의 정상화와 HBV DNA의 음전 및 HBeAg/anti-HBe로의 혈청전환을 모두 만족할 때 치료반응이 있다고 정의하였다. Kaplan-Meier법을 이용한 누적 HBeAg 혈청전환율을 치료 시작 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3년에서 구하였다. 결과: 라미부딘으로 치료 시작 후 0.5년이 경과한 48명 중 치료 반응은 29명(60%)에서 보였고 9명(19%)에서는 HBsAg의 소실도 일어났다. 치료 시작 1년째 ALT치가 정상화된 환아는 94%, HBV DNA치가 음전된 환아는 94%, HBeAg 혈청전환까지 되어 치료 반응이 있던 환아는 34%였다. Kaplan-Meier법에 의한 누적 HBeAg 혈청전환율은 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3년째에 각각 13, 34, 50, 68, 79, 90%로 계산되었다. 특히 7세 미만의 소아 22명 중에서는 HBsAg의 소실이 8명(36%)에서 일어나 7세 이상에서 치료를 시작하는 것에 비하여 탁월한 성적을 보여주었다(p=0.002). 결론: 한국의 소아 만성 B형 간염 환아에서 라미부딘의 장기 치료는 HBeAg 혈청전환을 가속화 시키며 3년 동안 추적 관찰 결과 장기적으로 치료 반응이 지속되었다. 소아 만성 간염의 경과 관찰 중 면역제거기에 들어서면 라미부딘으로 장기간 적극적인 치료를 시도하는 것이 좋을 것으로 생각한다.