• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.115-128
• /
• 2023

This study examines the effects of a new app-based intervention program for conversational skills of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants in this study comprised 26 children diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Participants were randomly assigned into a treatment group or a control group according to their ages, IQ, SCQ, and ASSQ scores. The treatment group met with teachers once a week for a single non-face-to-face class for nine weeks, along with conversation training at home using an app. The control group did not participate in any specific programs for conversational skills. Conversation data of all participants were collected before and after the intervention to compare the two groups based on changes in the conversational turn-taking and topic manipulation skills. When analyzed with respect to a Group X Period analysis of variance (ANOVA), the data indicated maintenance on the rate of appropriate listener's verbal responses in the treatment group, whereas the rate of inappropriate listener's verbal response significantly declined in the control group. In addition, the rate of conversation initiation and maintenance and the rate of appropriate initiation improved in the treatment group, whereas the rate of inappropriate initiation declined in this group. Overall, the study demonstrates promising effects of the novel App-based digital intervention on verbal conversational skills in children with high function ASD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.85 no.1
• /
• pp.3-23
• /
• 2024

Intervertebral disc herniation is frequently encountered in radiological practice. Sequestered disc herniation occurs when the disc material undergoes degeneration and completely loses continuity with the parent nucleus pulposus. Sequestered discs can reside within and outside the spinal canal, exerting a mass effect on adjacent structures, compressing nerve pathways, and eliciting a range of clinical symptoms. In particular, sequestered discs within the dura cannot be identified without durotomy. Therefore, precise preoperative localization is crucial for surgical planning. On MRI, the signal intensity of the sequestered disc may vary due to independent degeneration processes. Additionally, most sequestered disc fragments show varying degrees of peripheral enhancement depending on the degree of angiogenesis and granulation around the isolated tissue. In this article, we review various imaging findings and the location of the sequestered disc to provide patients with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment direction.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.219-228
• /
• 2024

Pepper anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., leads to a decrease in the quantity of pepper fruit production. Molecular diagnosis is crucial for rapid identification of pathogens and determination of fungicide resistance. However, the traditional process of isolating the pathogen, extracting genomic DNA, and analyzing the gene sequence is time-consuming, which delays rapid diagnosis. In this study, we introduced a method using conidia of Colletotrichum spp. instead of genomic DNA, eliminating the need for DNA extraction or special processing for diagnosis. To elucidate this method, sensitivity was assessed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) tests using internal transcribed spacer-based primer pairs. Both PCR and qPCR tests showed that detection is feasible with just one conidia, with over 1,000 conidia yielding results comparable to approximately 1 pg of genomic DNA. For amplifying the cytochrome b gene for quinone-outside inhibitor fungicide susceptibility testing, detection from a single conidium is achievable, but a stable PCR product is obtained by increasing the number of cycles to 35. Additionally, the addition of 10% grinding fresh chili pepper paste to V8-Juicea gar medium, which is known for inducing conidia rapidly from the isolates, resulted in 3.2 to 6.0 times more conidia compared to the commonly used potato dextrose agar medium, enhancing the potential for swift testing. Taken together, this study presents a direct utilization of pepper anthracnose conidia through PCR or qPCR, offering a valuable technique for amplifying target genes, such as the minimum conidial amount and barcode genes, for molecular identification of anthracnose disease in pepper through PCR and qPCR analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.85 no.5
• /
• pp.954-959
• /
• 2024

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated condition characterized by mass-forming inflammation with a sclerosing pattern that can affect nearly any organ. However, involvement of the diaphragm in IgG4-RD is exceptionally rare. We present the case of a 62-year-old male patient with chest radiographic abnormalities. Further investigation with CT revealed an infiltrative mass in the right hemidiaphragm. This mass, composed of engorged feeding vessels, an atypical manifestation of IgG4-RD, was also associated with lymphadenopathy. Surgical excision confirmed the presence of IgG4-positive cell infiltration, solidifying the diagnosis of IgG4-RD. Notably, the patient remained asymptomatic and did not require any treatment postoperatively. This case highlights the uncommon presentation of IgG4-RD as an infiltrative diaphragmatic mass.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (4S) is a well known disease defined by clinical, microbiological and histological criteria caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This disease is uncommon but has been increasingly recognized. We investigated the clinical features of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Methods : We reviewed retrospectively medical records of 53 patients diagnosis of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome who were admitted to Changwon Fatima hospital from February 2002 to December 2005. These patients were divided into 3 clinical types; generalized type, intermediate type, abortive type. Age, sex ratio, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, response to therapy and prognosis were investigated. Result : 1)The mean age of patients was 2.8 years, ranging from 20 days to 7 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1. 2) By clinical types, 6 patients were in the generalized type (11%), 29 patients in the intermediate type (55%), 18 patients in the abortive type (34%). The coexisting diseases were variable, including conjunctivitis (25 cases), atopic dermatitis (11 cases), otitis media (1 case). On laboratory findings, most of patients didn't have leukocytosis or increased C-reactive protein. 4) A total of fifteen Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcal Aureus (MRSA) strains were isolated from September 2003 through December 2005. Fourteen strains were positive for exfoliative toxin B gene by PCR and negative for enterotoxin, toxic shock syndrome toxin and Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes. 5) The mean duration of admission was 7.3 days. Patients were treated with vancomycin or amoxacillin/clavulanate or ampicillin/sulbactam or cefuroxime without significant sequelaes. Conclusion : Recently, Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome caused by exfoliative toxin B produced by MRSA in the Changwon area has been increasing.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.716-720
• /
• 2010

Background: Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis. The American Thoracic Society recommends 6 months of isoniazid, ritampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for treatment of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenifls, but even with this recommended treatment, frequent relapse occurs in actual clinical situations. Material and Method: The medical records of 38 patients diagnosed and treated for cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis between February 1997 and February 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Result: The study included 14 males (36.8%) and 24 females (63.2%), with a mean age of $36.9{\pm}16.3$ years. The most frequent symptom was palpable neck mass in 24 patients (63.2%); 10 patients (26.3%) complained of fever or chills. Only nine patients (23.7%) had radiologic abnormalities. All patients received anti-tuberculous medications for at least 7 months, with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for the first 2 months, and then isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol given for more than 5 months. Relapse occurred in 7 patients (21.2%). Conclusion: Since many patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis have no symptoms and show no radiologic abnormalities, diagnosis and treatment tend to be delayed. Considering the high relapse rate, the anti-tuberculous medication period should be longer than 6 months and this is recommended by the American Thoracic Society.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2014

Purpose: To analyze the clinical features and treatment outcome of Langerhans' cell histocytosis. Materials and Methods: From August 1996 to June 2013, 28 patients who histologically proven with LCH were analyzed of medical records, radiography, pathologic character retrospectively. Results: A total of 28 cases of LCH including 22 child has been reported. Onset age was 0.6 to 51 years old, occurred in the average age was 14.8 years. Follow-up period was 6 months to 134 months average was 44.6 months. The M:F ratio was 2.5:1. The initial symptoms was pain in 18 cases, 5 cases of pathologic fracture, 3 case of palpable mass, 1 case of discovered by accident in radiography, 1 case of torticollis. In radiological examination osteolysis was seen all cases, 7 cases showed a periosteal reaction, 1 case showed soft tissue extension. Clinical type of all cases were eosinophilic granuloma. 25 cases were classified as unifocal disease and 3 cases were multifocal single systemic diseases. In all cases, incisional biopsy was performed. After histologic confirmed, 14 cases was treated with curettage or surgical excision of the lesion and the other 14 cases were followed up without treatment. There is no death during follow up period. 11 cases has no radiological improvement after 3-6 months observation, intralesional steroid injection was performed. Conclusion: Patients with LCH who has rapid systemic onset is very rare, so if you meet the young children who suspected LCH, you shoulder avoid the examination which cause excessive radiation exposure to the young patient. In order to confirm the diagnosis of disease, biopsy is needed. Close observation after confirmed by histological method will bring the satisfactory results. But the patients who had pathologic fracture or wide bone destruction already may need curettage and bone grafting to lesion or internal fixation. The lesion which has no radiological improvement after 3-6 months observation or appear with pain interferes daily life may need local steroid injection as a good treatment.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2000

Purpose: MCDK is regarded as a common cause of abdominal masses in children. And the presentation of the MCDK is usually a unilateral flank mass in the a newborn. Bialteral disease results in either fetal demise or necessity fer renal replacement therapy at birth. This study is designed to assess the clinical features and natural history of the unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. Patients and Methods: From January 1987 to January 2000 data were obtained retrospectively on 57 patients (28 boys and 29 girls, age ranged 1day-11years) who had a diagnosis of multicystic dysplastic kidney. The diagnosis of multicystic dysplastic kidney was confirmed by a combination of ultrasonography and radionuclide scan. Voiding cystourethrogram study in 31 patients were done to determine the condition of the contalateral kidney. Restllts: $84\%$ of the patients were diagnosed before birth by antenatal ultrasonography Clinical manifestations of children with postnatal diagnoses were palpable abdominal mass($3.5\%$), abdominal distension($17\%$), and incidental($10.5\%$). The abnormalities in contralateral kidney were hydronephrosis($21\%$), compensatory hypertrophy($12\%$), simple cyst($2\%$), bifid pelvis($2\%$). Surgical management was performed in 20 patients($35\%$) due to recurrent infection, for diagnostic purpose to differentiate from malignancy and abdominal distention. Follow-up in the remaining 37 patients continued (mean 18 months) and results of sonogram findings were involution change in 23 patients($40\%$) and no interval changes in 13 patient($23\%$). Conclusions : The apparent tendency to regression of the dysplastic kidney and no difference in the number of complications justify a conservative management rather than operative intervention except in associated severe complications such as urinary tract infection or rupture of cysts.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.17-45
• /
• 1987

This study contributes to understanding women's labor market behavior by focusing on a particular set of labor force transitions - labor force withdrawal and entry during the period surrounding the first birth of a child. In particular, this study provides a dynamic analyses, using longitudinal data and event history analysis, to conceptualize labor force behaviors in a straightforward way. The main research question addresses which factors increase or decrease the hazard rates of leaving and entering the labor market. This study used piecewise Gompertz model, following the guide of the non-parametric analysis on the hazard rates, which allowed relatively detailed description on the distribution of timing of leave and entry to the labor market as parameters of interest. The results show that preferences and structural variables, as well as economic considerations, are very important factors to explain the labor market behavior of women in the period surrounding childbirth.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.8
• /
• pp.904-909
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The differential diagnosis for a pulmonary nodule is intriguing in cancer patients. Metastasis might be a preferential diagnosis, and yet possibilities of other medical conditions still exist. Pulmonary tuberculosis should be enlisted in the differential diagnosis for a pulmonary nodule in cancer patients in Korea. This study was aimed at analyzing the incidence and clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis that were misdiagnosed as pulmonary metastasis during radiologic follow-up in pediatric cancer patients. Methods : We retrospectively studied 422 cancer patients less than 18 years old in the Korea Cancer Center Hospital from January 2001 to June 2007. We collected episodes of lung metastasis of primary tumor and tuberculosis during treatment or follow-up, and analyzed medical records. Results : There were 5 cases of tuberculosis confirmed after surgery which were initially regarded as cancer. Two patients had respiratory symptoms such as cough and sputum but the other 3 patients did not. One patient had a family history of tuberculosis. Acid-fast M. tuberculosis was found in one case upon tissue specimen analysis. Two cases were Mantoux positive and the sputum examination was negative in all cases. The polymerase chain reaction for tuberculosis on a pathologic specimen was used to differentiate M. tuberculosis from non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM). It was positive in one case. Lung lesions in one case showed a concurrence of tuberculosis along with lung metastasis. One of these patients died after cancer recurrence. Conclusion : It is necessary to consider the possibility of tuberculosis when a lung mass is newly detected during treatment or follow-up in patients with childhood cancer.