• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2015

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the use of Korean medicine in patients with dizziness or vertigo, since such study has not been performed previously. Methods: In the current study, we included 3 diagnoses i.e., Disorders of vestibular function (H81), Vertiginous syndromes in diseases classified elsewhere (H82), and Dizziness and giddiness (R42) from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS) database for 4 years. We analyzed the database and compared treatment with Korean vs. Western medicine. Results: 1. Korean medical visits and cost have been increasing for 4 years, except 2011. Western medical visits are 11.9 times higher than Korean medical visits. 2. The number of women who received Korean medicine was 2.6 times higher than that of men. 3. Among all ages, the 70~79 years group were the most frequent users of Korean medicine. The older age was correlated with more patients' visits. 4. The comparative number of visits by patient care type for 4 years indicated that outpatients had more visits than hospitalization. Furthermore, outpatient visits have been increasing for 4 years. 5. The comparative number of visits by hospital type for 4 years indicated that visits to the Korean medical clinic were the highest. In primary care, patients used more Korean medicine than Western medicine. In tertiary care, patients used more Western medicine than Korean medicine. 6. Korean medical cost per patient by patient care type for 4 years was a total 89,000 won, hospitalization 449,000 won and outpatient 83,000 won. Costs of all patient care types have been increasing. 7. Korean medical cost per patient by hospital type for 4 years was 156,000 won for Korean medical hospital, 83,000 won for local clinic and 127,000 won for miscellaneous facilities. Costs of all types have been increasing. Conclusions: This study provided objective information about epidemiologic characteristics of Korean medicine in patients with dizziness or vertigo. Furthermore, it provides an understanding of the recent status and forms the basis for further expansion of demand for Korean medicine among patients with dizziness or vertigo.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2013

Purpose: Myotonic dystrophy 1 (DM1, OMIM 160900) is an autosomal-dominant muscular disorder caused by an expansion of CTG repeats in the 3' UTR of the DMPK gene. Variable expansions of CTG repeats preclude the accurate determination of repeat size. We tried to show the clinical and analytical validity of the application of Southern blotting after long-range PCR was demonstrated in Korean DM1 patients. Materials and Methods: The Southern blotting of long-range PCR was applied to 1,231 cases with clinical suspicion of DM1, between 2000 and 2011. PCR was performed using genomic DNA with forward 5'-CAGTTCACAACCGCTCCGAGC-3' and reverse 5'-CGTGGAGGATGGAACACGGAC-3' primers. Subsequently, the PCR fragments were subjected to gel electrophoresis, capillary transfer to a nylon membrane, hybridization with a labeled (CAG)10 probe. The correlation between clinical manifestations and the CTG repeat expansions were analyzed. Results: Among a total of 1,231 tested cases, 642 individuals were diagnosed with DM1 and the range of the detected expansion was 50 to 2,500 repeats; fourteen cases with mild DM1 ($75{\pm}14$ repeats), 602 cases with classical DM1 ($314{\pm}143$ repeats), and 26 cases with congenital DM1 ($1,219{\pm}402$ repeats). The positive and negative predictive values were 100%. The age at test requested and the CTG repeat numbers were inversely correlated (R=-0.444, P<0.01). Conclusion: This study indicates that Southern blotting after long-range PCR is a reliable diagnostic method DM1.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.331-336
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• 2009

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between lifestyle-implementation and metabolic syndrome in an electronics research and development company, and to provide a foundation for health providers of health management programs for setting priorities. Methods : From July 1 to July 16, 2008 we carried out a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Consecutive workers of one R & D company in Seoul, Korea (N=2,079) were enrolled in study. A checklist for lifestyle (from the National Health Insurance Corporation) consisted of questions regarding diet, drinking, smoking and exercise. After the survey, researchers obtained data from health profiles for metabolic syndrome(waist-circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar level). Lifestyle was recorded as good or not good. Statistical analysis of metabolic syndrome and the lifestyle of subjects was done using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our study gropu was 13.3% (N=277). After adjustment for age, the adjusted odds ratios (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals) for metabolic syndrome increased in proportion to the number of bad habits: two (1.72, 1.23-2.44), three (2.47, 1.73-3.56), and four (3.63, 2.03-6.34). Relative to subjects eating both vegetables and meat', the OR for 'meat' eaters was 1.66 (1.18-2.31). Compared with 'nonsmokers and ever-smoker', the OR for 'current-smoker' was 1.62 (1.25-2.10). Compared with 'Healthy drinker', the OR for 'unhealthy drinker' was 1.38 (1.05-1.83). Conclusions : Poor lifestyle was associated with an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that lifestyle-based occupational health interventions for young employees should include a specific diet, smoking cessation, and healthy-drinking programs.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.637-648
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• 2013

The relationship between the cerebral cortex and human intelligence has been studied using various methods, and related brain areas involved in intellectual manifestation have been discovered individually. Such studies have also shown the cerebellum is closely involved in various cognitive functions such as language, memory, and information processing. However, studies showing an activity difference between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum when performing specific tasks are hard to find. This study searched and analyzed the active regions of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum seen while performing the inference of geometrical figures. A WAIS intelligence test was conducted using 81 healthy boys (16.3 years of age on average), and five categories were classified. While performing the inference of shapes, their brain images were taken using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). As a result, the activity in 12 brain regions was observed, including in the cerebral cortex, the bilateral inferior parietal, the visual cortex, bilateral superior parietal, frontal-Inf-Tri-R, and bilateral caudate, while activities in 5 discrete areas were seen in the cerebellum. In particular, the higher the intelligence (IQ) of the subject, the stronger their activity. Among those with the most superior intelligence, subjects with an IQ of 140-147 showed significantly higher activity compared to the other groups. Such results seem to represent a very high utilization of intelligence in a highly gifted group, and we can expect to use this to determine the super gifted.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.360-368
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• 2000

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that a lipase-based enzyme preparation would increase the AME content of full-fat rice bran (FFRB) by increasing fat digestibility when fed to broiler chickens. Experiment 1 used FFRB from Australia and lasted for 35 days, while Experiment 2 used FFRB from Thailand and lasted for 14 days. Rice bran was substituted in a maize-soybean diet at levels of 90 g/kg (Experiment 1) and at 90 and 180 g/kg in Experiment 2. Total collections of excreta were used for determination of AME content and fat digestibility. In Experiment 1, the enzyme increased the AME content of FFRB between days 4-7, 18-21 and 32-35 by 6.1-16.1% (p>0.05), however this was not associated with improved fat digestibility. In Experiment 2, the enzyme enhanced the AME content of FFRB between days 4-7 (10.42 vs. 9.06, p=0.107) and 11-14 (11.94 vs. 9.93, p=0.041), but again, this was not caused by increased fat digestibility. Inclusion of 180 g/kg depressed the AME content of FFRB by 7.4-11.5% (p>0.10) in conjunction with decreased (p<0.05) fat digestibility between 0-14 days of age. Improvements in bird growth with the enzyme were seen in Experiment 2 but not in Experiment 1. Increases in AME content of FFRB per se were not caused by enhanced fat digestibility, suggesting that the side activities associated with the preparation must have acted singularly or in combination to improve AME content and bird performance. These data show that the response of FFRB to the lipase-based enzyme preparation was dependent upon the geographical origin of the rice bran and the level of FFRB substituted in the basal diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1422-1428
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• 2006

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of niacin supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, their balance and blood biochemical profile, 15 male buffalo calves (9-10 months of age, $88.4{\pm}4.37kg$ average body weight) were divided into 3 equal groups each of 5 calves, following a completely randomized design, and fed individually for 120 days with wheat straw and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements. In addition calves were supplemented with 0 ppm (control, group I), 100 ppm (group II) and 200 ppm (group III) niacin. After 90 days of experimental feeding a metabolism trial was conducted to estimate the digestibility of nutrients and their balance. Fortnightly body weights were recorded to assess their growth rate and blood was collected from the jugular vein at day 0 and subsequently at 30-day intervals from all the experimental buffalo calves to study blood biochemical parameters. Results showed that intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and hemicelluloses were statistically similar in the 3 groups. Buffalo calves in all three groups were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance, without showing any significant effect of the treatments. Dry matter, crude protein, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient intake ($g/d/kgW^{0.75}$) were similar in the control and niacin supplemented groups. Digestible crude protein (%) and total digestible nutrients (%) in the ration of the 3 groups were 8.07, 7.99, 7.92 and 56.70, 56.63, 56.74, respectively, and were comparable among the groups. The average daily gain (g) in-group II (567.50) was not significantly (p>0.05) higher than group I (500.0) and group III (510.0). Blood biochemical constituents (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea-N, insulin) showed no significant effect of niacin supplementation. However, serum cholesterol (mg/100 ml) was significantly (p<0.01) lower in the 200 ppm niacin-supplemented group than in the control and 100 ppm niacin-supplemented groups. It can be concluded that supplementation of niacin at 100 and 200 ppm in the diet of buffalo calves had no significant beneficial effect on their growth and nutrient utilization.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.238-246
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• 2003

Objectives：Mental health problems have been found to be more common among juvenile delinquents. This report assessed the reliability, and validity of the MAYSI-2K(Massachusettes Youth Screening Instrument-2 Korean) in Korean delinquents to examine the utility as a screening measure. Methods：The study consisted of 119 male juvenile youths(mean age 16) who admitted in the probation & detention office. They completed an assessment battery including MAYSI-2K and K-YSR(Korean-Youth Self Report) upon entry. Factor analysis, reliability test, and validity test were conducted. Results：The results of factor analysis represented 14 factors which showed more factor structures in comparison with published factor loadings of 7 in the MAYSI. In factor analysis according to the each subscale of the MAYSI, the internal coefficients of 7 subscales ranged from .142 to .756. Test-retest reliability revealed significant correlations(r= .84). There were significant correlations among subscales of MAYSI-2K and K-YSR. Conclusion：Our findings suggested that MAYSI-2K might be a useful screening measure. But further studies with extended number of subjects and culturally appropriate items are required for clinical utility of the MAYSI-2K in Korean delinquents.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.102-109
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• 1993

Backgrounds Diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated atherosc lerosis and predispose to specific microvascular problems. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of red ginseng as adjunctive therapeutic agent of NIDDM especially in preventing chronic diabetic complications. Materials and Methods We treated 50 patients with NIDDM for 5 month with 2 regimens: 1)oralhypoglycemic drug therapy only(the control group), 2)oral hypoglycemic group). The patients were recruited at Korea university hospital from June, 1992 to October, 1992 and the following inclusion criteria were used: l)age above 35 years 2)initial body weight within or above ideal body weight 3)fasting blood glucose level greater than 140mg/dl 4)no previous history of diabetes mellitus or no history of blood glucose control for recent 3 months of more. The patients were seen every 2 weeks for remaining 3 months. At every visit FBS and PP2hr blood glucose were measured with blood pressure and body weight. Lipid profiles were checked every 4 weeks and platelet function test was perfomed with aggregometer after administration of ADP, epineprine and collagen every 4 weeks. Free fatty acid were also analyzed every 8 weeks and glycosylated hemoglobin was measured every 12 weeks. Results The results were as follows: 1. The mean values for fasting and PP2hr blood glucose decreased significantly in the control group than in the ginseng group. 2. The weight gain was less in the ginseng group than in the control group. The levels of systolic blood pressure decreased' significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. 3. There was no significant differences of lipid profiles in both groups. 4. The platelet hyperaggregation was improved more significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. Conclusions In patients with NIDDM who were recieving oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, the addition of red ginseng improved platelet function and blood pressure, but induced less weight gain. The data suggests that red ginseng may be useful as a therapeutic adjunct especially in preventing chronic complications of NIDDM.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2004

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate for prognostic significance of VEGF expression and tumor angiogenesis in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid. Materials and Methods: The materials were 79 cases of papillary thyroid carcinomas, and age, sex, tumor size, multiplicity of tumor, capsular invasion, lymph node metastasis, recurrence, TNM stage, DeGroot stage and AMES scale were evaluated. An immunohistochemical stains for CD 34 to estimate microvessel density (MVD), and VEGF were done. MVD was defined as an average count of vessels per ${\times}400$ power field in the most vascularized area. VEGF expression was interpreted as 1+ and 2+ according to staining intensity and percentages of positive cells. Results: Mean score of MVD was $39.7{\pm}16.9.$ MVD were significantly higher in cases with capsular invasion (p=0.0001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.0001), TNM stage III (p=0.0022), DeGroot stage III (p=0.0163) and high risk group by AMES scale (p=0.0001). VEGF 2+ expression rate was significantly increased in cases with capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (p=0.0006, p=0.0013), and in cases with TNM stage III, DeGroot stage III and high risk group by AMES scale (p=0.0236, p=0.0003, p=0.0293). In VEGF 2 + expression group, MVD was significantly higher than in VEGF 1 + group (p=0.0008), and MVD showed positive relation to VEGF 2 + expression (r=0.4616). Conclusion: VEGF expression and high MVD were significantly correlated to capsular invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage III, DeGroot stage III and high risk group by AMES scale. The expression of VEGF and high MVD could be considered to be one of prognostic factor in papillary thyroid carcinomas.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.771-775
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• 2015

In order to determine the status of Enterobius vermicularis infection among schoolchildren in suburban areas of Myanmar, 761 primary schoolchildren in 3 different townships around Yangon City were subjected to a survey using cello-tape anal swabs. The subjected schoolchildren were 383 boys and 378 girls who were 5-7 years of age. Only 1 anal swab was obtained from each child. The overall egg positive rate of E. vermicularis was 47.2% (359 positives), and sex difference was not remarkable (48.6% in boys and 45.8% in girls). However, the positive rate was the highest in South Dagon (54.6%) followed by Hlaing Thayar (43.8%) and North Dagon (34.8%). This difference was highly correlated with the living standards of the people in each township. Nucleotide sequence of the 5S rDNA from the eggs on the cello-tape (2 children) revealed 99.7% identity with that of E. vermicularis reported in GenBank. The results indicated that E. vermicularis infection is highly prevalent among primary schoolchildren around Yangon, Myanmar.