• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.395-398
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• 2011

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a disorder characterized by sinus node dysfunction. Although the condition is most common in the elderly, it can occur in children including neonates and its recognition and treatment are important. The diagnosis of SSS is based on the presence of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest or exit block, combinations of sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal conduction disturbances, and atrial tachyarrhythmias documented in the Holter recordings. In most children with SSS, previous history of congenital heart malformation or cardiac surgery is noted. SSS is also seen in the children including neonates without heart disease or other contributing factors, however SSS is most often idiopathic. The treatment of SSS depends on the basic rhythm problem, but generally involves the placement of a cardiac pacemaker. We report a case of SSS in extremely low birth weight infant without congenital heart disease and suggest that the treatment system is necessary for preterm infants with SSS.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1758-1763
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• 2010

Osteoporosis is a complex systemic skeletal disease and a major public health concern worldwide. It is a heritable disorder characterized mainly by low bone density and/or low trauma osteoporotic fractures, both of which have strong genetic determination. However, the specific genetic variants determining risk for low bone density are still largely unknown. Here, we performed association analysis to elucidate the possible relationship between genetic polymorphisms in the SQSTM1 gene and low bone density. By examining a total of 7225 (men: 3622, women: 3603) subjects from the Korean population in the Korean Association REsource (KARE) study, we discovered that SQSTM1 gene polymorphisms were associated with bone density. The results of the BD-RT (bone density estimated by T-score at distal radius) showed that three SNPs (rs513235, rs3734007, and rs11249661) within the SQSTM1 gene were significantly associated with bone density. The results of the BD-TT (bone density estimated by T-score at midshaft tibia) showed that four SNPs (rs513235, rs3734007, rs2241349, and rs11249661) were significantly associated with bone density. The three SNPs (rs513235, rs3734007, and rs11249661) had common significance in both BD-RT and BD-TT. In summary, we found statistically significant SNPs in the SQSTM1 gene that are associated with bone density traits. Therefore, our findings suggest SQSTM1 gene could be related to pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.253-262
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• 2006

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although many studies showed that the aggregation of $\alpha$-synuclein might be involved in the pathogenesis of PD, its protective properties against oxidative stress remain to be elucidated. In this study, human wild type and mutant $\alpha$-synuclein genes were fused with a gene fragment encoding the nine amino acid trans activator of transcription (Tat) protein transduction domain of HIV-l in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein (wild type) and mutant Tat-a-synucleins (mutants; A30P and A53T), respectively, and we investigated the protective effects of wild type and mutant Tat-$\alpha$-synucleins in vitro and in vivo. WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein rapidly transduced into an astrocyte cells and protected the cells against paraquat induced cell death. However, mutant Tat-$\alpha$-synucleins did not protect at all. In the mice models exposed to the herbicide paraquat, the WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein completely protected against dopaminergic neuronal cell death, whereas mutants failed in protecting against oxidative stress. We found that these protective effects were characterized by increasing the expression level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the neuronal cells and this expression level was dependent on the concentration of transduced WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein. These results suggest that transduced Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein might protect cell death from oxidative stress by increasing the expression level of HSP70 in vitro and in vivo and this may be of potential therapeutic benefit in the pathogenesis of PD.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 2007

If there are problems for us to sleep, we are faced with fatigue and dizziness in the day. Snoring and OSAS (obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) during sleeping are the main cause of sleep disorder. Treatments through surgical method and sleep splint can be performed to treat snoring and OSAS. Relapse of snoring and OSAS is common after treatment by surgical method. But, Recently sleep splint is frequently applied to treat snoring and OSAS with surgical treatment, because it is convenient and conservative. Sleep splint treat snoring and OSAS by ensuring airway through nose. As first step of fabrication occlusal bite is gained at a point that patient get feeling of increased nasal breathing in supined position, and next, the bite is transfered to sleep splint. This study surveyed the effect of sleep splint by questionnaire to the out-patients (the Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital) weared sleep splint and their partners, secondarily measured airflow through nose by aerophone II after wearing sleep splint and finally evaluated the effect of treatment of snoring and OSAS by sleep splint. The obtained result were as follows; 1. Though 'sleep splint' couldn't eliminate fundamental problems of snoring, it could improve the symptoms when patients were selected could using the 'Nakagawa's respiration method'. 2. Patients who used the sleep splint could breathe stably when patients are sleeping stably. Wearing a 'sleep splint' improved airflow by expanding the upper airway. 3. Even though sleep splint can be made with variable materials, the patients expressed the most satisfaction on the splint with '0.75mm hard shell'. 4. The 'Herbst' may allows the mandible to move the TMJ to relax. Nevertheless, some patients experienced a discomfort or irritation. 5. In Snoring and OSAS cases, it is recommended that patients should first explore non-surgical options prior to choosing a surgical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2010

Anterior knee pain syndrome would best be defined as a painful condition that arises in or around the patellofemoral joint and is insidious in onset and bilateral, with an enigmatic entity with multiple causes. Although its etiology is uncertain, the cause is often considered to be abnormal lower limb biomechanics, pathology of extensor mechanism, disorder of patellofemoral joint, malalignment or lateral tracking of the patella, soft tissue tightness, muscle weakness. The measurement of patellar alignment has come to be accepted as an integral part of the examination of anterior knee pain syndrome. Various measurement techniques exist, both clinical and radiological, and these have been frequently used in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.?Treatment depends on the underlying cause of anterior knee pain and should be directed to the cause rather than to the results. Most often, this involves non-surgical measures, such as anti-inflammatory medications, quadriceps exercises, and hamstring stretching. Shin splint, or medial tibial stress syndrome refers a syndrome of pain running along the inner distal 2/3 of tibia shaft. Shin splint is a common problem for athletes whose sport involves a repeated, jarring impact to the leg. A major factor determining the efficacy of the treatment is that correct diagnosis be made of the problem. The varied etiology has led to the development of several theories as to the cause, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of shin splint. The management is rest, ice massages, pain relief by medication, and muscle strengthening exercise. Proper rehabilitation and preventative measures can ensure that there is no further recurrence.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.877-880
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• 2005

Purpose : Glycogen storage disease type Ia(GSD Ia) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase(G6Pase). The aim of the study was to investigate the spectrum of G6Pase gene mutations and relationship between genotype and clinical findings in Korean patients with GSD Ia. Methods : Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of 20 patients with GSD Ia. The five exons of G6Pase gene were amplified and PCR products were directly sequenced. The frequency of short stature, hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis and hepatic adenoma was compared between 727G>T homozygotes and 727G>T compound heterozygotes. Results : A total of 5 different mutations were identified. The most common mutation was the 727G>T with an allele frequency of 80%. All patients were either homozygous(12/20) or heterozygous(8/20) for the 727G>T mutation. G122D was found in 3 patients, P178A in 1, G222R in 2, and S339R in 2. There was no difference in the frequency of short stature, hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, nephrocalcinosis, and hepatic adenoma between 727G>T homozygotes and heterozygotes. Conclusion : Diagnosis of GSD Ia can be based on clinical and biochemical abnormalities combined with mutation analysis instead of enzymatic diagnosis that requires liver biopsy. Homozygosity for the 727G>T does not seem to alter the disease phenotype as compared with the heterozygous state.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of abnormal ovarian cycles after superovulation treatment of Holstein Donor Cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two head of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. The cows were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if followed by regular ovarian cycles. Seventy two point seven percentage of the cows(16/22) had normal resumption of ovarian cyclicity(resumption within 40 days after superovulation), and 27.3%(6/22) had delayed resumption(resumption did not occur until>40 days after superovulation). Delayed resumption Type II(first ovulation did not occur until ${\geq}40$ days after superovulation, i.e. delayed first ovulation 13.6%) were the most common types of delayed resumptions. The mean numbers of total ova from < 10 and $10{\leq}$ of corpora lutea(CL) was $7.8{\pm}1.8$ and $12.7{\pm}2.7$, respectively. The number of transferable embryos differed between < 10 and $10{\leq}$ CL was $5.4{\pm}1.3$ and $8.1{\pm}3.4$, respectively. Four point five percentage of the cows(1/22) did not resumption their ovarian cyclicity until 60 days after superovulation treatment. Diverse researches on the superovulation treatment method that is suitable for high-producing Holstein donor cows would contribute to preventing ovarian cyclicity disorder, as well as to the early multiplication of cows with superior genes by increasing the utilization value of donor cows.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.111-132
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• 2001

Depression in the medically ill is a common clinical problem that primary physicians and psychiatric consultants encounter. Treatment of such patients begins with a careful evaluation of the patient's medical and psychiatric conditions. The assessment of depression in the medical patients requires a multidimensional approach. Psychological instruments are also used as a method of assessment in these patients. First of all, what the therapists have to do is to find and remove organic causes. Psychosoical treatment includes dealing with the patient's resistance and despondency relevant to physical diseases. For biological treatment, it is important to select appropriate antidepressants. Therapists should be familiar with the side effects of the antidepressants as well as the patient's primary depressive symptoms, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the available agents. In addition, special attention should be paid to the potential for drug-illness and drug-drug interactions. Tricyclic antidepressants can be still effectively used for patients with pain disorder, although a variety of new antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), bupropion and venlafaxine could have more benefits in depression of the medically ill. However, electroconvulsive therapy can be recommended for refractory cases of depression in patients with medical illness.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.40-49
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• 2014

Objectives: The gastric ulcer is a common disorder of the stomach and duodenum. The basic physiopathology of a gastric ulcer results from an imbalance between some endogenous aggressive and cytoprotective factors. This study examined whether Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopuncture (GLP) would provide protection against acute gastric ulcers in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 groups of 8 rats each: normal, control, normal saline (NP) and GLP groups. The experimental acute gastric ulcer was induced by using an EtOH/HCl solution and the normal group received the same amount of normal saline instead of ethanol. The NP and the GLP groups were treated once with injections of saline and GLP, respectively. Two local acupoints were used: CV12 (中脘) which is the alarm point of the Stomach Meridian, and ST36 (足三里), which is the sea point of the Stomach Meridian. The stomachs from the rats in each group were collected and analyzed for gross appearance and histology. Also, immunohistochemistry staining for BAX, Bcl-2 and TGF-${\beta}1$ was performed. Results: Histological observations of the gastric lesions in the control group showed comparatively extensive damage of the gastric mucosa and necrotic lesions had penetrated deeply into the mucosa. The lesions were long, hemorrhagic, and confined to the glandular portions. The lesions were measured microscopically by using the clear depth of penetration into the gastric mucosal surface. The length and the width of the ulcer were measured and the inhibition percentage was calculated. Wound healing of the acute gastric ulcer was promoted by using GLP, and significant alterations of indices in gastric mucosa were observed. Such protection was shown by gross appearance, histology and immunohistochemistry staining for BAX, Bcl-2 and TGF-${\beta}1$. Conclusion: These results suggest that GLP administered at CV12 and ST36 can provide significant protection to the gastric mucosa against an ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.270-281
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• 2010

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is necessary to neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for survival and growth because of impossible of enteral feeding. Long-term TPN can be associated with a broad spectrum of hepatobiliary disorder, ranging from mild hepatic dysfunction to severe end-stage liver disease. Cholestasis developed most commonly in neonate, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is widely used in adult with cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver diseases but there have been limited data on the effects in neonate with PNAC. This study was performed retrospectively to review all medical histories of the total 30 neonates with was administrated UDCA for treatment to parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis (PNAC) at Chungbuk National University Hospital NICU from April 2002 to December 2008. UDCA was administrated at bilirubin is over 2 mg/dl. The criterias for drug evaluation were included hepatic biochemical marker such as direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP and GGT, TPN therapy period, cholestasis development period, UDCA treatment period, UDCA dosage and adverse effect. In the results, Post-UDCA treatment significant was decreased direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, AST and ALP (p<0.05), and was decreased GGT (p>0.05) and slightly was increased ALT (p>0.05). Reffective timect biDCA was appear at mean $10.5{\pm}1.3$ days, iDCA administration period was mean $64.4{\pm}5.9$ days, cholestasis period was mean $71.9{\pm}6.4$ days and UDCA dosage was mean $22.9{\pm}0.9$ mg/kg/day. Common adverse effects is diarrhea, 5 patients arised mild diarrhea but it possible also related with increased enteral feeding. In conclusion, iDCA can decrease direct bilirubin that major parameter t bcholestasis and oher hepatic biochemical makers. UDCA is effective on PNAC without any serious side effect and cost-effective. Although no greatly shortening cholestasis period, but can protect to develop into severe liver disease and other complication or death. Based on these result, UDCA is recommended for treatment of cholestasis at direct bilirubin is over 2 mg/dl.