• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2004

Objectives : To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections and determine the associated risk factors among young adults in Busan, Korea, which is known to have a high incidence of liver cancer. Methods : The study population consisted of volunteer participants in a health survey during 2002, which included 1,350 students (515 males and 835 females) aged between 16 and 24 years, from three different schools in Busan. The participating students were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire which included lifestyle habits and risk factors of hepatitis. Sera obtained from the participants were studied for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and Anti-HCV by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method and for liver function tests. Results : Among the study subjects (N=1,350), the seropositivities of HBsAg 7.9%(95% CI=7.8-8.0), 7.6%(95% CI=7.6-7.7) in male and 8.1%(95% CI=8.0-8.2) in female. And the seropositivity of Anti-HBs was 69.7%(95% CI=69.0-70.4), 70.5%(95% CI=69.8-71.2) in male and 69.2%(95% CI=68.5-69.9) in female. The seropositivity of Anti-HCV was 0.4%, 0.2% in male and 0.5% in female. The seropositivity for HBsAg in the subjects not having a hepatitis B vaccination history was twice(95% CI=1.0-4.4) that of those that did. Also, the seropositivity for HBsAg in subjects having experienced sexual intercourse was 1.7 times (95% CI=0.9-3.0) that of the subjects who had not. Conclusions : The present study confirmed the high prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity and sexual transmission of HBV among adolescents and young adults may occur. Further studies to evaluate the relationship between HBV vaccination and sexual transmission are required for the young population in Korea.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2016

Purpose: During laparoscopic gastrectomy, an aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) arising from the left gastric artery (LGA) is occasionally encountered. The aim of this study was to define when an ALHA should be preserved during laparoscopic gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: From August 2009 to December 2014, 1,340 patients with early gastric cancer underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. One hundred fifty patients presented with an ALHA; of the ALHA was ligated in 116 patients and preserved in 34 patients. Patient characteristics, postoperative outcomes and perioperative liver function tests were reviewed retrospectively. Correlations between the diameter of the LGA measured on preoperative abdominal computed tomography and postoperative liver enzyme levels were analyzed. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the diameter of the LGA and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels on postoperative day 1 in the ALHA-ligated group (P=0.039, P=0.026, respectively). Linear regression analysis estimated the diameter of the LGA to be 5.1 mm and 4.9 mm when AST and ALT levels were twice the normal limit on postoperative day 1. Conclusions: We suggest preserving the ALHA arising from a large LGA, having diameter greater than 5 mm, during laparoscopic gastrectomy to prevent immediate postoperative hepatic dysfunction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.737-744
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• 2006

Purpose : To assess the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ scanning in the early evaluation of neonatal cholestasis and to verify the diagnostic value of this test in the differential diagnosis of biliary atresia. Methods : DISIDA scannings were performed and analyzed in 87 children(58 males and 29 females; age, 18-139 days, mean, 59.1 days) with neonatal cholestasis. Five groups according to the final diagnosis and the results of DISIDA scanning were analyzed by scatter plots using the parameters of age and the level of liver function tests(direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DISIDA scanning in the diagnosis of biliary atresia were compared between a higher bilirubin group and a lower bilirubin group(direct bilirubin level >5 mg/dL vs. <5 mg/dL) decided by the pattern of scatter plots. Results : DISIDA scannings in the diagnosis of biliary atresia were analyzed by high sensitivity(100 percent, 16/16) but lower specificity(70.4 percent, 50/71) and accuracy(75.9 percent, 66/87). False positivity(29.6 percent, 21/71) was higher in patients with a higher direct bilirubin level(42.5 percent for >5 mg/dL vs. 9.7 percent for <5 mg/dL, P<0.01). The age and the level of liver function tests(AST, ALT, ALP, GGT) analyzed by scatter plots revealed neither diagnostic value in predicting final diagnosis nor estimated the accuracy rate of DISIDA scanning in the evaluation of neonatal cholestasis. Conclusion : We suggest that DISIDA scannings should not be routinely used in evaluating neonatal cholestasis with elevated direct bilirubin level(>5 mg/dL), especially if it delays early diagnosis and surgical intervention.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.253-265
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• 1986

Among 230 species of herbal drugs screened, thirty one show the anthelmintic activities in vitro against Clonorchis sinensis, the chinese liver fluke. The active substances have been isolated and their structures identified. Some of the active substances and their derivatives have been synthesized, followed by anthelmintic activity tests. The extracts from the active drugs cause damages in organs of the adult worm in the hepatic duct of rabbit. Some fresh water fish, which function as bad hosts for the fluke, excrete defense substances against the cercaria of the fluke. The defense substances have been isolated from Cyprinus carpio and Cyprinus carpio nudus, followed by structural identification. The results are summarized as follows: l) The bark of Machilus thunbergii as well as the seed of Schizandra chinensis contain meso-dihydro-guaiaretic acid as the anthelmintic component. Among derivatives synthesized, 4-phenyl-1-((3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-, 4-phenyl-1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy phenyl)-and 4-phenyl-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl)-2, 3-dimethyl butanes show considerable activities. Administration of the bark extract mainly damages the bladder of the adult worm. 2) The active substance from the roasted fruit of Prunus mume is 2-hydroxymethylfurfural. This substance is produced during the roasting process. Administration of the fruitextract causes a damage of the bladder of the adult worm. 3) The active substance from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis is 5.2'-dihydroxy-6, 7, 8, 6'-tetramethoxyflavone. 4) Beside alantolactone, a very strong anthelmintic component is contained in the root of Inula helenium. Administration of the root extract causes irreversible damage on the worm, affecting mainly the reproductive organs. 5) The cercaricidal substances from the epidermis of C. carpio and C. carpio nudus are ethyl linoleate and linoleic acid, respertively. 6) The cercaricidal substances from various kinds of fresh water fish have different $R_f$ values, implying that the defense substances are species-specific. Unexpectedly, the fish with good host function, for example Pseudorasbora parva, excrete the defense substances, too. The defense substances are possibly organ-specific in individual species; the organs essenstial for the existence of the species excrete the defense substances, allowing other parts to be invaded by the cercaria. 7) The cercaricidal fraction of Carassius carassius is detected only in the fish which have been collected during the summer time from May to September, Its secretion is not dependent on water temperature. Thus, it seems to be possible that the secretion of the defense substance would be stimulated through a contact between the fish and cercaria.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.883-897
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• 1997

Present study was undertaken in order to find out the most significant laboratory test for the early diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning in dogs. Seven dogs weighing from 5.0kg to 19.3kg were administered orally 6ml or l0ml of ethylene glycol per kilogram of body weight. In addition to clinical observations, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein on 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours or until death after the adminisration and examined for the hematological, blood chemical, venous blood gas and electrolyte changes. Urine samples were simultaneously taken and examined for pH, protein, glucose and calcium oxalate crystals in the sediments. The results were as follows : 1. All dogs showed marked hypothermia in addition to the characteristic signs of ethylene glycol poisoning until death. 2. No significant hematological changes were observable after the administration of ethylene glycol except the secondary dehydration and stress leukogram. 3. Chemical values related to the liver function(serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum total bilirubin) showed no significant changes during the experimental period in all dogs. 4. Chemical values related to the renal function(BUN and creatinine) showed significant(p<0.0l, p<0.001) increase from 24 hours to death in all dogs. 5. All dogs showed significant(p<0.01, p<0.001) decrease in blood pH from 3 hours to death after the ethylene glycol administration. 6. All dogs showed significant(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) increaes in anion gap from 1 hour to death after the ethylene glycol administration. 7. All dogs showed significant(p<0.05, p<0.01) decrease in urine pH from 1 hour to 6 hours after the administration of ethylene glycol. 8. Characteristic envelope form of calcium oxalate crystals were found in the urinary sediment from 6 hours after the administration of ethylene glycol in all dogs. 9. Histologically calcium oxalate crystals were found in the renal rubles in all dogs. 10. From these results, it may be concluded that the examinations of urinary sediments for the calcium oxalate crystals, blood or urinary pH and blood anion gap are most reliable tests for the early diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning in dogs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of tongue color and the correlation of the tongue colors with clinical laboratory parameters. Methods : Statistical analysis on the frequency of each tongue color and the results of the clinical laboratory parameters in each tongue color group. Results : Tongue colors that appeared most frequently were 702c, 695c, 493c, 694c, 701c, 500c, 7432c, 7431c, 7634c, 7419c in that order. Following them, 494c and 507c were rarer colors, and 501c, 673c, 687c, 693c, 696c, 703c, 7418c were equally rarest colors. Among each tongue color group, a significant difference was found in the result of complete blood cell count (CBC). The level of red blood cell (RBC) of 7432c group was significantly higher than that of the other groups except 694c group. The level of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) of 7432c group were significantly higher than those of all the other groups. The level of RBC of 7431c group was lowest and significantly different from 694c, 7432c group. In results of the other tests were not significantly different. However the level of total cholesterol was higher in 695c, 694c, 500c group, and the level of triglyceride was higher in 500c, 7431c, 694c group. Those four colors have a low chroma and 7431c, 695c take blue violet color. Conclusions : The tongue color is distributed throughout following colors by order of frequency: 702c, 695c, 493c, 694c, 701c, 500c, 7432c, 7431c, 7634c, 7419c, 708c, 494c, 507c, 501c, 673c, 687c, 693c, 696c, 703c, 7418c. Some parameters of CBC has a significant correlation with some tongue colors. Other results including lipid profile, renal function test, and liver function test had no significant difference according to tongue color. However, the colors which have low chroma or take blue violet color tented to be higher in the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.363-374
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect and safety of herbal extracts in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We investigated 19 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were administered Banhasasim-tang (BST), Gumiganghwal-tang (GGT), or Pyeongwee-san (PWS) at Kyung Hee University Korean Medical Hospital for at least three days between January 2012 and December 2021. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory tests were reviewed retrospectively. The glucose-lowering effect of the herbal extracts was assessed by comparing blood glucose levels, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), two-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels, and glycated hemoglobin levels. To evaluate the safety of the herbal extract, liver function test and kidney function test results were compared, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr). Results: After taking herbal extracts, PP2 and HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 205.82 mg/dL to 171.41 mg/dL and 7.58% to 6.62%, respectively. The safety profile reported no significant difference after taking herbal extracts. Conclusions: BST, GGT, and PWS may have hypoglycemic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus taking hypoglycemic medication.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.4 s.28
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• pp.555-577
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• 1989

This study was conducted to compare the delivery management including laboratory tests, medication and surgical procedures for the delivery in various medical facilities. Two university hospitals, two general hospitals, three hospitals, two private obstetric clinics, and two midwifery clinics in a large city were selected as they permitted the investigators to abstract the required data from the medical and accounting records. The total number of deliveries occurred at these 11 facilities between 15 January and 15 February, 1989 was 789 among which 606(76.8%) were vaginal deliveries and 183 (23.3%) were C-sections. For the normal vaginal deliveries, CBC, Hb/Hct level, blood typing, VDRL, hepatitis B antigen and antibody, and urinalysis were routinely done except the private clinics and midwifery clinics which did not test for hepatitis B and Hb/Hct level at all. In one university hospital ultrasonography was performed in 71.4% of the mothers and in one general hospital liver function test was done in 76.7% of the mothers. For the C-section, chest X-ray, bleeding/clotting time and liver function test were routinely done in addition to the routine tests for the normal vaginal deliveries. Episiotomy was performed in 97.2% of the vaginal deliveries. The type and duration of fluid infused and antibiotics administered showed a wide variation among the medical facilities. In one university hospital antibiotics was not administered after C-section at all while in the general hospitals and hospitals one or two antibiotics were administered for one week on the average. In one private clinic one pint of whole blood was transfused routinely. A wide variation was observed among the medical facilities in the use of vitamin, hemostatics, oxytocics, antipyreptics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents. sedatives. digestives. stool softeners. antihistamines. and diuretics. Mean hospital day for the normal vaginal deliveries of primipara was 2.6 days with little variation except one hospital with 3.5 days. Mean hospital day for the C-section of primipara was 7.5 days and that of multipara was 7.6 days and it ranged between 6.5 days and 9.4 days. Average hospital fee for a normal vaginal delivery without the medical insurance coverage was 182,100 Won for the primipara and 167,300 Won for the multipara. In case of the primipara covered by the medical insurance a mother paid 82,400 Won and a multiparous mother paid 75,600 Won. Average hospital fee for a C-section without the medical insurance was 946,500 Won for the primipara and 753,800 Won for the multipara. In case of the primipara covered by the medical insurance a mother paid 256,200 Won and a multiparous mother paid 253,700 Won. Average hospital fee for a normal vaginal delivery in the university hospitals showed a remarkable difference, 268,000 Won vs 350,000 Won, as well as for the C-section. A wide variation in the laboratory tests performed for a normal vaginal delivery and a C-section as well as in the medication and hospital days brought about a big difference in the hospital fee and some hospitals were practicing the case payment system. Thus, standardization of the medical care to a certain level is warranted for the provision of adequate medical care for delivery.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2009

Purpose: Childhood obesity can be complicated by hypertension, hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and metabolic complications of children and adolescents based on the degree of obesity. Methods: We analyzed the records of 8,880 students who received student health examinations between May 2006 and October 2008 at the Eulji General Hospital. The prevalence of obesity was evaluated by the body mass index and obesity index. A total of 1,076 obese students had blood tests. We analyzed aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and blood pressure according to the degree of obesity. Results: According to the body mass index, the overall prevalence of obesity was 7.2% (7.8% of male and 6.5% of female students). Based on the obesity index, 12.3% of students (mild: 6.3%, moderate: 5.0%, and severe: 1.0%) were obese. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, ALT elevation, and hypertension were increased as a function of the degree of obesity (p<0.05), but hyperglycemia showed no significant differences (p=0.298). The overall prevalence of ALT elevation was 17.7% (mild obese group, 10.4%; moderate obese group, 20.5%; and severe obese group, 46.8%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly higher in the elevated ALT group (24.7%, 42.6%, and 5.2%, respectively) compared to the normal ALT group (11.1%, 29.8%, and 2.0%, respectively; p<0.05). Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia, liver function test abnormalities, and hypertension were associated with the degree of obesity. We should focus our attention on managing obese children and adolescents to prevent metabolic complications.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 2017

The effect of Artemisia argyi H. under liquid-state fermentation by Monascus purpureus (AAFM) on cognitive impairments has been studied in a mice model of diabetes-associated cognitive decline induced by streptozotocin (STZ). C57BL/6 mice (9 weeks of age, male) were separated into four groups: a normal control, STZ-induced diabetic mouse group (STZ group), Artemisia argyi H. (AA) 10 group (diabetic mouse+AA 10 mg/kg/day), AAFM 10 group (diabetic mouse+AAFM 10 mg/kg/day). Administration of AA and AAFM significantly improved glucose tolerance, as shown by the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), and ameliorated cognitive deficit, as shown by the behavioral tests including passive avoidance, Morris water maze, and Y-maze tests. After behavioral tests, the cholinergic system was examined by assessment of the acetylcholine (ACh) level and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, and the antioxidant system was also assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the brain and liver.