• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to provide a reference range for plasma homocysteine and to explore the relation between plasma homocysteine and nutritional indexes in a Korean college women. Thirty women were selected from college students in Seoul area With mean age of 22.4y. Dietary intakes of Vitamins B$_{6}$, B$_{12}$, folate were estimated from a 3 day food diary method and plasma homocysteine concentration was mearsured as well as the levels of blood vitamins. The results obtained are as follows. Mean daily intake of energy, vitamin B$_{6}$, B$_{12}$, and folate were 1731.9kcal, 0.9mg, 2.2mg and 139.8$\mu\textrm{g}$ respectively. Mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 12.4$\mu$mol/l with a range between 6.7 and 17.8$\mu$mol/l and the mean concentrations of plasma vitamin B$_{6}$(PLP), serum vitamin $_{12}$, Serum folate and RBC folate were 77.5nmol/l, 267.4pmol/l, 17.1 nmol/l and 736.5nmol/l arid 736.5nmol/l respectively. we found a negative correlation between plasma homocysteine concentration and dietary vitamins, and blood levels of vitamin although it was not significant.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2017

Objectives : Cognitive complaints are reported frequently after breast cancer treatments. The causes of cognitive decline are multifactorial, a result of the effect of cancer itself, chemotherapy, and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety. However, cognitive decline does not always correlate with neuropsychological test performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of subjective cognitive decline with objective measurement and to explore associated factors of cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. Methods : We included 29 breast cancer survivors who complain cognitive decline at least 6 months after treatment and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Neuropsychological tests were performed in all participants. Multivariable regression analysis evaluated associations between neuropsychological test scores and psychological distress including depression and anxiety, also considering age, education, and comorbidity. Results : There were no statistically significant differences in neuropsychological test performances. However, the breast cancer survivors showed a significantly higher depression(p=0.002) and anxiety(p<0.001) than the healthy controls did. Among the cancer survivors, poorer executive function was strongly associated with higher depression(${\beta}=-0.336$, p=0.001) and anxiety(${\beta}=-0.273$, p=0.009), after controlling for age, education, and comorbidity. In addition, poorer attention was also significantly related with depression(${\beta}=-0.375$, p=0.023) and anxiety (${\beta}=-0.404$, p=0.013). Conclusions : The results of this study showed the discrepancies between subjective complaints and objective measures of cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. It suggests that subjective cognitive decline could be indicators of psychological distress such as depression and anxiety.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1093-1099
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• 2006

Purpose : Homocysteine is a strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The deleterious effects of homocysteine included endothelial dysfunction, arterial intimal-medial thickening, wall stiffness and procoagulant activity. However, the precise mechanism responsible for homocysteine release in children with coronary artery disease is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum homocysteine and tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels and identify whether these levels had any association with the development of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods : Serum homocysteine and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels were measured in 24 KD patients(group 1, eight patients with normal coronary artery; group 2, 16 patients with coronary artery lesions) and 21 controls(group 3, 10 afebrile controls; group 4, 11 febrile controls). Blood samples were drawn from each study group before and after intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) therapy and in the convalescent stage. Results : The homocysteine levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 3, and in group 2 than in group 3 and 4. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group 2 than group 3 and 4. Serum homocysteine and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels were highest in group 2 before IVIG therapy. In the acute KD patients, serum homocysteine levels correlated significantly with $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels. Conclusion : The increased serum homocysteine levels in the acute stage increase the susceptibility to coronary arterial lesions in KD. $TNF-{\alpha}$ may also play an important role in the formation of coronary arterial lesions in KD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1411-1421
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of apo E polymorphisms and dietary counseling on the levels of plasma lipids in hyperlipidemic patients. The changes of serum lipids were assessed f3r 34 hyperlipidemic out-patients who changed their basal diet containing 20.1% fat(236.0mg cholesterol/day), 15.7% protein, and 64.2% carbohydrate to a diet containing 18.3% fat(109.8mg cholesterol/day), 15.7% protein, and 66.0% carbohydrate for 12 weeks. At the beginning of this study, the levels of plasma LDL-cholesterol were high according to apo E genotypes in the following order : E2/3

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.9
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• pp.99-131
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• 2005

Terrorism which became today's common phenomena over the world is one of the most serious threats the world confront. Although International society make and operate outstanding anti-terrorism system, terror would never end without solving fundamental problems. The main body of terrorism converts from nation to organization and from organization to cell, which makes it difficult for us to recognize the main body. Since the target of today's new terrorism is many and unspecified persons, terrorists will never hesitate to use mass destruction weapons such as nuclear, biological, chemical weapons, and also use cyber-technique or cyber-terrorism. So, effective counter-terrorism measures should be performed as follows. First, it must be better for international society should make long-time plan of solving fundamental problems of terrorism other than to operate directly on terror organization and its means. Second, preventive method should be made. The most effective method of eradicating terrorism is prevention. For this, it is necessary to remove environmental elements of terrorism and terrorist bases, and to stop inflow of money and mass destruction weapons to terrorists. Third, integrated anti-terror organization should be organized and operated for continuous counter-terrorism operations. Also international alliance for anti-terrorism should be maintained to share informations and measures. Fourth, concerned department in the government should prepare counter-terrorism plans in their own parts as follows and make efforts to integrate the plans. - Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs : conventional terror - Ministry of Health and Welfare : bio-terror - Ministry of Science and Technology : nuclear-terror Especially, they should convert their policy and operation from post-terror actions to pre-terror actions, designate terror as national disaster and organize integrated emergency response organization including civil, government, and military elements. In conclusion, pre-terror activities and remedy of fundamental causes is the best way to prevent terror. Also, strengthening of intelligence activities, international cooperations, and preventive and comprehensive counter-measures must not ignored.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.232-241
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• 1997

The psychological problems following the experiences of school-violence could be more important than the physical problems. Victims could suffer from fear, depression, anger, lowered self-esteem, suicidal thought, and personality changes. To study the risk factors for school violence and the psychiatric problems after the experiences to school-violence provide us important informations to prevent and solve the problems of school violence. We examined clinical characteristics and psychosocial backgrounds of 13 adolescents who visited the psychiatric clinic after exposures to school violence from September, 1996 to May, 1997. The clinical data included intensity, motivations, durations, and methods of violence, psychiatric symptoms following exposure, findings of psychological test, and treatment course. The socioeconomic data included developmental characteristics of subjects, family characteristics, school life, and peer relationships. Of the 13 adolescents who experienced exposure to violence, 8 have experienced chronic psychiatric disturbances, 5 experienced transient psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, suicidal attempt who eventually returned to home and school life. Of the 8 adolescents who experienced chronic psychiatric disturbances, 4 experienced PTSD and depression lasting 3-6 months more, otherwise 4 showed converted features, such as aggressive behavioral disorder or perpetrator by strong compensatory effects after psychological shock. The subjects who have experienced chronic psychiatric disturbance have clinical characteristics such as physical or emotional abuse, physical illness or handicap, defects of ego functionings, and lack of family support. In summary, victims by school-violence manifested serious psychiatric disturbances, and they had clinically significant risk factors and some of them became perpetrators of school-violence.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2008

Purpose : This study examined the occurrence of oxygen desaturation events during nutritive sucking in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and its effects on feeding and growth outcomes until 4 months of corrected age (CA). Methods : Thirty-four premature infants with BPD free from major cardiac, gastrointestinal, respiratory anomalies were included. By reviewing medical records, clinical characteristics, feeding conditions at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA), we focused on oxygen desaturation, and short-term outcomes in 14 infants with no or mild desaturation (group A) and in 20 infants with moderate or severe desaturation (group B). Results : Group B had lower birth weight and shorter gestational age at birth, longer duration of hospitalization, was discharged at higher weeks of PMA, and needed ventilatory assist and oxygen supplementation longer than group A (P<0.05). Group B started nutritive sucking later, with a greater decrease in $SpO_2$ during sucking, being more indicative of feeding problems at 40 weeks of PMA, but not at 4 months of CA. Percent of infant needing oxygen supplementation and percent of infants with growth failure were not different between groups at 40 weeks of PMA and 4 months of CA. Body weight and growth velocity differences noted at 40 weeks of PMA became insignificant at 4 months of CA. Conclusion : The severity of desaturation during nutritive sucking in premature infants with BPD influenced the infant's feeding and growth at 40 weeks of PMA. However, it disappeared at 4 months of CA.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2015

In Korea, modern art therapy was developed in the 1960s and 1970s in the form of supplementary activities for patients in psychiatry. Along with the foundation of the Korean Association for Clinical Art in 1982 by psychiatric doctors, the therapy involved more various arts forms such as music, art, dance, poetry therapy, and psychodrama. More organizations with specific expertise opened such as the Korean Art Therapy Association, Korean Art Therapy Association, etc. in the 1990s and the Korea Arts Therapy Institute in 2001. As of April 2015, the members of the Korean Art Therapy Association total 15,000, including 6,200 regular members. The arts in integrative arts therapy (IAT) is an individual's creative activity which is related to his inner world, and the forms of IAT include music, drawing, dance and poetry therapy. From the aspect of phenomenology, IAT is psychophysical therapy involving the arts that helps patients recognize and perceive their experiences with an aim of at a recovery of the body and creativity from the phenomenological aspect. It is also a therapeutic activity that targets growth and development of the body and mind. Meta-analysis of the effects of art therapy with a focus on that involving music, drawing, dance movement and IAT in recent years in Korea, significant effects were observed in all factors but physical function. The biggest effect was mentality adaptation followed by activity adaptation and physiology. In the run up to the implementation of the daily flat-rate system for the health insurance reimbursement for palliative care in July 2015, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is reviewing the coverage of music therapy, drawing therapy and flower therapy, which are currently practiced by 56 hospice institutes in Korea. This is a meaningful step because the coverage of hospice and palliative care came after that of art therapy for psychiatric patients was approved in 1977. Still, there is a need clarify the therapeutic mechanism by exploring causality among the treatment media, mediation type and treatment effects. To address the issue of indiscriminately issued licenses, more efforts are needed to ensure expertise and identity of the licensed therapists through education, training and supervision.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.492-498
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• 2007

Background: Several lines of evidence suggest that a host's genetic factors influence the outcome of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphism in NRAMP1 (natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1) gene is associated with the susceptibility or resistance to tuberculosis infection for patients with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis (DS-TB) and multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Methods: Eight genetic polymorphisms of the NRAMP1 gene were investigated in patients suffering with DS-TB (n=100) or MDR-TB (n=102), and in healthy normal controls (NC, n=96). The genetic polymorphisms of NRAMP1 were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequency of D543N A/G heterogygotes was significantly higher in the DS-TB subjects than the NCs (OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.00 to 4.41, p=0.049). The frequency of 823C/T T/C heterozygotes was significantly higher in the DS-TB subjects (OR=2.79, 95% CI: 1.11 to 7.04, p=0.029) and the MDR-TB subject (OR=3.30, 95% CI 1.33 to 8.18, p=0.010) than in the NCs. However, the frequency of these genotypes was not different between the DS-TB and MDR-TB subjects. Conclusion: A significant association was found between NRAMP1 823 C/T polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis. This result suggests that NRAMP1 polymorphism may be involved in the development of pulmonary tuberculosis in Koreans.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2000

Background: Systemic embolism, especially, cerebral infarction is one of the most important complications in patients with mitral stenosis. The authors analyzed the some factors that could predict the development of cerebral infarction in cases of mitral stenosis and propose preventive therapeutic measures. Methods: Retrospective study of 127 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis was performed by analyzing their medical records for transthoracic(TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) over a 12 months period. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (Group I: n=26, age: $55.0{\pm}13$ years) or absence (Group II: n=101, age: $48.5{\pm}13$ years) of cerebral infarction. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to sex and functional class. Results: Patients in group I were older ($55.0{\pm}13$ vs $48.5{\pm}13$;p<0.05). had more dilated left atrial size($5.10{\pm}0.48$ vs $4.81{\pm}0.70$;p<0.05) and smaller mitral surface area($1.01{\pm}0.39$ vs $1.21{\pm}0.45$;p<0.05). In Group 1. the incidence of atrial fibrillation(22 out of 26 vs 57 out of 101;p<0.05) and spontaneous left intra-atrial contrast phenomenon(22 out of 26 vs 44 out of 101;p<0.05) was more frequently observed. On multivariate analysis. atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy were the independent predictive factors. Conclusion: Age, left atrial dilatation, the severity of mitral stenosis, the presence of spontaneous contrast, and especially the presence of atrial fibrillation are the main predictive factors of the development of cerebral infarction in mitral stenosis. Patients presenting one or several of these factors may benefit from prophylactic anticoagulant treatment.