• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.50-61
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• 2002

Objectives:High nailfold plexus visibility can reflect central nervous system defects as an etiologic factor of schizophrenia indirectly. Previous studies suggest that this visibility is particularly related to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and frontal lobe deficiency. In this study, we examined the relationships between nailfold plexus visibility, and various clinical variables and neuropsychological functions in schizo-phrenic patients. Methods:Forty patients(21males, 19 females) satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and thirty eight normal controls(20 males, 18 females) were measured for Plexus Visualization Score(PVS) by using the capillary microscopic examination. For the assessment of psychopathology, process-reactivity, premorbid adjustment, and neuropsychological functions, we used Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), Ullmann-Giovannoni Process-Reactive Questionnaire(PRQ), Phillips Premorbid Adjustment Scale(PAS), Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale(KWIS), Continuous Performance Test(CPT), Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST), and Word Fluency Test. We also collected data about clinical variables. Results:PVS was correlated with PANSS positive symptom score and composite score negatively. There were no correlations between PVS and PRQ score, PAS score and neuropsychological variables respectively. Conclusions:This study showed that nailfold plexus visibility was a characteristic feature in some schizophrenic patients, and that higher plexus visibility was associated with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. There was no association between plexus visibility and neuropsychological functions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.147-155
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• 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise about 2.5% of the Australian population. Cancer registry data indicate that their breast cancer survivals are lower than for other women but the completeness and accuracy of Indigenous descriptors on registries are uncertain. We followed women receiving mammography screening in BreastScreen to determine differences in screening experiences and survivals from breast cancer by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, as recorded by BreastScreen. This status is self-reported and used in BreastScreen accreditation, and is considered to be more accurate. The study included breast cancers diagnosed during the period of screening and after leaving the screening program. Design: Least square regression models were used to compare screening experiences and outcomes adjusted for age, geographic remoteness, socio-economic disadvantage, screening period and round during 1996-2005. Survival of breast cancer patients from all causes and from breast cancer specifically was compared for the 1991-2006 diagnostic period using linked cancer-registry data. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for socio-demographic differences, screening period, and where available, tumour size, nodal status and proximity of diagnosis to time of screen. Results: After adjustment for socio-demographic differences and screening period, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women participated less frequently than other women in screening and re-screening although this difference appeared to be diminishing; were less likely to attend post-screening assessment within the recommended 28 days if recalled for assessment; had an elevated ductal carcinoma in situ but not invasive cancer detection rate; had larger breast cancers; and were more likely than other women to be treated by mastectomy than complete local excision. Linked cancer registry data indicated that five-year year survivals of breast cancer cases from all causes of death were 81% for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, compared with 90% for other women, and that the former had larger breast cancers that were more likely to have nodal spread at diagnosis. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, tumour size, nodal spread and time from last screen to diagnosis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women had approximately twice the risk of death from breast cancer as other women. Conclusions: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have less favourable screening experiences and those diagnosed with breast cancer (either during the screening period or after leaving the screening program) have lower survivals that persist after adjustment for socio-demographic differences, tumour size and nodal status.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2010

Loss of posterior support may cause overloading and excessive wear of remaining teeth. Moreover, the extrusion of antagonistic teeth leads to the destruction of the occlusal plane. The loss of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) also emerges clinically, which may bring the loss of esthetic appearance and function. These patients who suffer from the loss of posterior support, often require vigorous periodontal treatments (osteotomy, crown lengthening) and extensive oral rehabilitation. Sixty three years old female patient visited for the prosthetic treatment of the posterior edentulous area. She had no other systematic disease and parafuctional habits for prosthetic treatment. Intraoral and radiographic examinations were done. The evaluation of VDO and vertical dimension of rest position were evaluated for proper prosthetic procedures and diagnostic wax up was done. As a result of diagnosis, VDO was increased by 2 mm considering the loss of VDO and space for the prosthetic treatment. After the pretreatments, initial preparation of teeth and provisionalization were carried out. Six weeks later of provisionalizaion, final preparation and impression was performed. Using the duralay resin copings, jaw relation was registered. The master cast was mounted and definitive restoration was fabricated. After the evaluation of esthetic and function, pick up impression for clinical remounting was done. Lucia jig was made for new jaw relation and occlusal adjustment on the articulator. Definitive restoration was delivered and the patient was periodically recalled for additional occlusal adjustment. From this case, the satisfactory functional and esthetic results through full mouth rehabilitation with increase vertical dimension were achieved.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1992

Present study investigated the relationship between children's psychiatric disorders and their mothers' psychological problems. Ninety-one psychiatric outpatients from a children's hospital were classified into three diagnostic groups - internalizing symptom group(n=35), externalizing symptom group(n=35), and developmental disorder group(n=21) - based on their psychiatric problems. A normal control group was formed by matching on the age and education of mothers. Mothers' MMPI profiles which were classified into five types - normal, depression, anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, and personality disorder - were examined in relation with children's diagnoses. The profiles of the mothers in the normal control group were mostly normal, while depressive profiles were dominant among those of the clinical groups regardless of the children's diagnoses. Therefore, the data implied association between children's psychiatric problems and their mothers' psychological problems. A possibility of negative reciprocal interactions between children and their mothers was discussed. It was also suggested that further research need to examine the specific effects of children's psychiatric problems on the psychological adjustment of their mothers, as well as the effects of parental psychiatric problems on the adjustment of their offsprings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2006

Objectives: We examined whether the neighborhood socioeconomic position predicts the smoking rates after adjusting for individual socioeconomic position indicators. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2001 Seoul Health Indicators Survey. The neighborhood socioeconomic position was the residential distribution of the high class (power elites), as measured by the location quotients (LQ) for each administrative dong (district). A high LQ denotes a high neighborhood socioeconomic status. The individual socioeconomic position included education, occupation and income. Age-adjusted smoking rates according to the LQ level were computed with the direct method. The total number of subjects in this study (26,022 men and 28,007 women) was the reference. A multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted with the individuals at the first level and the neighborhoods at the second level to estimate the odds ratios of smoking with 95% confidence intervals. Results: For men, the age-adjusted smoking rates increased with a decrease in the LQ. For women, the relationship between the age-adjusted smoking rate and the LQ was not clear. The odds of smoking for both genders were greater among those subjects with lower incomes and lower education. The manual occupational class had greater odds of smoking than the non-manual class for the males, while the odds ratio of smoking among females with a manual occupation tended to be lower than those females with a non-manual occupation. For the males, the LQ levels independently predicted smoking after adjustment for individual income. However, this relation between the LQ and smoking in males was explained by full adjustment for the individual socioeconomic position indicators (education, occupation and income). Conclusions: A low level of neighborhood socioeconomic position was associated with higher smoking rates among the men residing in Seoul. This association between the neighborhood socioeconomic position and smoking in men was explained by the individual socioeconomic position. Anti-smoking efforts to reduce geographical inequality in smoking should be directed at reducing the smoking rates between the individuals with different socioeconomic backgrounds in the metropolitan city of Seoul, South Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Objectives: We studied for the adjustment of the patterns of 'The Diagnostic Tool for Climacteric and Postmenopausal Syndrome Pattern Identification (hereinafter CaPSPI)' (studyI) and the correlation between CaPSPI and Korean medicine doctors' diagnosis which was carried out without knowing the results of CaPSPI (studyII). Methods: The studyI followed the previous study method in 2018 (2018-3). The studyII was conducted from June 1, 2019 to July 10, 2020 with ◯◯ University Korean Medicine Hospital IRB's approval (2019-4). Doctors' diagnosis was conducted face-to-face with the subjects. Doctors' diagnosis was carried out based on the Kupperman's questionnaire, 'Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine (hereinafter DSOM)' and four examinations (四診) records. The diagnosis was marked with 0 for 'no', 1 for 'somewhat', 2 for 'yes' and 3 for 'very yes'. The correlation between CaPSPI and the mean of doctors diagnostic scores were investigated statistically. Results: The studyI showed that heart-heat (心火) pattern was added. The Factor loading coefficient for heart-heat was 0.551 to 0.789, and the Cronbach's coefficient was 0.896. The studyII showed that the diagnosis (Kappa statistic) of two doctors showed statistically significant concordance (all eight patterns), with correlation of them were 0.3 or higher. And the correlation between the CaPSPI score and the mean of doctors' diagnostic score showed a statistically significant correlation, with liver qi depression (肝鬱) being the highest at 0.552 and dual deficiency of the heart-spleen (心脾兩虛) being the lowest at 0.301. Conclusions: Since the diagnosis results of CaPSPI showed a significant correlation with the diagnosis of Korean traditional medicine experts, it was believed that the CaPSPI results can be trusted and used for clinical purposes.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.681-689
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• 2023

Objective: Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D-RA) is increasingly used for the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms (IAs); however, radiation exposure to the lens is a concern. We investigated the effect of head off-centering by adjusting table height on the lens dose during 3D-RA and its feasibility in patient examination. Materials and Methods: The effect of head off-centering during 3D-RA on the lens radiation dose at various table heights was investigated using a RANDO head phantom (Alderson Research Labs). We prospectively enrolled 20 patients (58.0 ± 9.4 years) with IAs who were scheduled to undergo bilateral 3D-RA. In all patients' 3D-RA, the lens dose-reduction protocol involving elevation of the examination table was applied to one internal carotid artery, and the conventional protocol was applied to the other. The lens dose was measured using photoluminescent glass dosimeters (GD-352M, AGC Techno Glass Co., LTD), and radiation dose metrics were compared between the two protocols. Image quality was quantitatively analyzed using source images for image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. Additionally, three reviewers qualitatively assessed the image quality using a five-point Likert scale. Results: The phantom study showed that the lens dose was reduced by an average of 38% per 1 cm increase in table height. In the patient study, the dose-reduction protocol (elevating the table height by an average of 2.3 cm) led to an 83% reduction in the median dose from 4.65 mGy to 0.79 mGy (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between dose-reduction and conventional protocols in the kerma area product (7.34 vs. 7.40 Gy·cm², P = 0.892), air kerma (75.7 vs. 75.1 mGy, P = 0.872), and image quality. Conclusion: The lens radiation dose was significantly affected by table height adjustment during 3D-RA. Intentional head off-centering by elevation of the table is a simple and effective way to reduce the lens dose in clinical practice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.239-249
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• 1999

The role of amino acids in culture media for IVF-ET was examined in a total of 76 cycles. Patients received clomiphene citrate (CC) followed by hMG or GnRH-a combined with gonadotropins (FSH/hMG) for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Severe male (<$4{\times}10^6$ motile sperm) or age factor (>39 y) patients were excluded in this study. Pregnancy was classified as clinical if a gestational sac or fetal cardiac activity was seen on ultrasound. No significant differences were found in age, duration of infertility, follicle size, the level of $E_2$ on the day of hCG injection, the mean number of oocytes retrieved, total motile sperm count, fertilization rate and the mean number of embryos transferred between bHTF (without amino acids) and mHTF (with amino acids) groups. However, total ampules of gonadotropins were higher (p<0.01) in mHTF group than bHTF group. Significantly (p<0.05) more clinical pregnancies were recorded in mHTF group (13/30) compared with bHTF group (9/46). The multiple pregnancy rates were 11.1% in bHTF group and 7.7% in mHTF group. There were one ectopic pregnancy in mHTF group and one heterotopic pregnancy in bHTF group. Abortion rates were 22.2% in bHTF group and 7.7% in mHTF, respectively. The ongoing pregnancy or livebirth rate was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mHTF group (12/30) than bHTF group (7/46). These results suggest that the addition of amino acids in culture media is essential for culture of zygotes in vitro and adjustment of energy substrates in phosphate-free culture media appears to be beneficial for human IVF-ET procedure.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.385-395
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• 2012

This clinical report presents the case using overlay dentures to treat a patient with cleft lip and palate and malocclusion. This patient requires vigorous treatment such as orthodontic treatment and combined orthodontic/oral surgery procedures. Overlay denture can be used as an alternative treatment option. Intraoral and radiographic examinations were done. The vertical dimension of occlusion was evaluated for proper prosthetic procedures and the surveying in the diagnostic cast was done. Considering the tissue and teeth undercut, the alterations of teeth shape were done. Final preparation and impression was performed. After the evaluation of vertical dimension and occlusion with wax-denture, the dentures were polymerized. Clinical remounting and occlusal adjustment were done on the articulator. Overlay dentures were delivered and the patient was recalled for relining. The overlay dentures satisfied patient's esthetic and functional requirements and provided a stable occlusion. Overlay dentures in this case were a reversible and relatively inexpensive treatment for this patient, however the potential possibilities of caries and periodontal disease as a result of poor oral hygiene should be prevented with periodic recall.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2019

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised patients, such as lung transplant recipients. Voriconazole, the first-line therapy for IA, shows a non-linear pharmacokinetic profile and has a narrow therapeutic range. Careful and appropriate administration is necessary, primarily because it is used for critically ill patients; however, the clinical usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has not been sufficiently verified. Therefore, in this study, we validated the safety and efficacy of voriconazole TDM in lung transplant recipients receiving only voriconazole for IA treatment. Methods: The electronic medical records of lung transplant recipients (${\geq}19$ years of age) administered only voriconazole for > 7 days for treatment of IA from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among the 54 patients, 27 each were allocated to TDM and non-TDM groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups except for ICU-hospitalization status. Of the TDM group patients, 81.5% needed adjustment of voriconazole dosage because the levels were out of target range. Comparison of two groups showed that treatment response was higher throughout treatment and switching rates of second-line agents were significantly lower in the TDM group, but it was insufficient to confirm safety improvements through voriconazole TDM. Conclusions: Considering that the treatment response tended to be higher and the rates of switching to second-line antifungal agents were lower in the TDM group, voriconazole TDM may increase the therapeutic effect on IA in lung transplant patients.