• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2007

Objectives : The objective of the present study was to investigate alexithymia in major depressive disorder(MDD) and subclinical depression(SCD). Methods : Three hundred eighty-six community-dwelling adults(238 females and 148 males, age 19-79; mean age $43.0{\pm}13.9$) were recruited. Structured clinical Interview for DSM-IV(SCID) was conducted for the diagnosis of MDD or other Axis I psychiatric disorders. The Center for Epidemiological Studies for Depression Scale(CES-D) and the Totonto Alexithymia Scale(TAS) were administered to assess depressive symptom and alexithymia, respectively. Among subjects without MDD, those who had minor depressive disorder on the SCID or high scores(i.e. over 16) on the CES-D were defined as subjects with SCD. TAS total score and factor I, II, III scores of TAS in MDD, SCD, and non-depressive controls were compared. Results : Among 386 subjects, 38 subjects(9.8%) were diagnosed as MDD by DSM-IV criteria, while 57 subjects(14.8%) were classified into SCD group. There were significant differences between 3 groups(MDD, SCD and non-depressive controls) in total score($F_{2,383}=14.0$, p<0.01), factor I(difficulty in identifying feeling)($F_{2,383}=23.4$, p<0.01) and factor II(difficulty in describing feeling)($F_{2,383}=7.8$, p<0.01), but not factor III(external oriented thinking)($F_{2,383}=1.8$, p=0.16) of TAS. In post-hoc analysis, both MDD subjects and SCD subjects had higher scores in TAS total, factor I and factor II, compared to non-depressive controls(all p<0.01). In contrast, there were no significant differences between MDD subjects and SCD subjects in any TAS factor. Conclusion : In this study, both MDD subjects and SCD subjects were more alexithymic than non-depressive control subjects. These findings suggest that SCD, as well as MDD, is also related to alexithymia.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

PDiabetic neuropathy is one of the most common diabetes related complications including diabetic nephropathy and retinopahty. In clinical practices, nerve conduction velocity (NCV) has been used as a standard method for diagnosing diabetic neuropathy. However, it applies maximum current of 100mA to nerves causing stress and pain to patients. In this study, as a non-invasive method, $TcpO_2$ was utilized to investigate the difference and relationship between $TcpO_2$ and $SpO_2$ of normal and diabetic neuropathy subjects. In addition, a new method of diagnosing diabetic neuropathy using $TcpO_2$ is suggested. 50 normal subjects and 50 diabetic patients with neuropathy diagnosed by NCV participated in this study. Parameters used in this study were $TcpO_2$, $TcpCO_2$, and $SpO_2$. As a result of the $TcpO_2$ measurements, statistical significances were found from $TcpO_2$ of hands and feet from normal and patients group(p<0.01). $SpO_2$ measured from index finger of normal and patient groups showed no statistical significance(p>0.05). On the other hand, $SpO_2$ measured from great toes of normal and patient groups showed statistical significance(p<0.01). Correlation coefficient between $SpO_2$ of finger and $TcpO_2$ of hand was 0.400 (p<0.01) and $SpO_2$ of toe and $TcpO_2$ of foot was 0.471(p<0.01). Both correlation values were statistically significant. Sensitivities and specificities of the $TcpO_2$ method were found to be 66 % and 92 %, respectively. If the suggested $TcpO_2$ method is used periodically, prevention and early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy would be possible.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.86-95
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective symptoms and clinical signs through the TMD-questionnaire, clinical examination and radiography against the many instrumental performers and to investigate the association between playing instruments and TMDs. Materials and Methods: A total of 803 instrumental performers received TMD-related questionnaire and evaluations of prevalence and disease distribution were performed. Among those who reported at least one symptom of TMD, 70 volunteers visited in clinic then received clinical examination and radiography for diagnosis and evaluations of prevalence and disease distribution were performed. 70 subjects were divided into three groups as woodwind, brass wind, string. Comparative analysis of disease distribution was performed. Results: Among 803 instrumental performers, 610 people (75.97%) were reported to one or more symptoms of TMD. The most frequent symptom was click (29.68%).70 subjects underwent a clinical examination and radiography survey results, the most frequent symptom was a click (29.75%). Most commonly diagnosed disease was a myofacial pain (30.53%).Comparison of the three groups, a significant difference was not observed in the clinical sign. But among subject symptom, muscle pains howed significant differences in accordance with the Group (P = 0.024). During the 70 people who underwent clinical examination, 66 people (94.3%) showed moderate to severe attrition, mild to severe tongue ridging, mild to severe cheek ridging assigns of parafunction. Conclusion: Instrumental performers showed a high prevalence of TMD and the most of the musicians with temporomandibular disorder had bruxism or clenching habits.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2006

Purpose: Acute gastroenteritis in children is one of the frequently encountered diseases with relatively high admission rate. The aim of this study is to determine the isolation trends of common and emerging pathogens in acute gastroenteritis in children over a 12-month period in a community hospital. Methods: The study group included the children who were hospitalized to Seoul National University Boramae Hospital from April, 2003 to March, 2004 or visited outpatient clinic from April, 2003 to July, 2003 with presenting features of acute gastroenteritis. Stool specimens were obtained within 2 days after the visit and examined for the following pathogens: rotavirus, adenovirus, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, pathogenic Escherichia coli (E.coli), Campylobacter and Yersinia species. Viral study was done with commercial kits for antigen detection. Identification of the bacterial pathogens was done by culture using selective media. For pathogenic E.coli, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done with the target genes related to the pathogenecity of enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC). Results: The 130 hospitalized children and 28 outpatients were included in this study. The majority of children (>93%) were less than 6 years. Pathogens were isolated in 47% of inpatients and 43% of outpatients, respectively. Rotavirus was the most frequently identified pathogen, accounting for 42.3% of inpatients and 29.6% of outpatients. Nontyphoidal salmonella is the most commonly isolated bacterial pathogen (3.9%) in hospitalized children. Pathogenic E.coli (EPEC, ETEC) was detected in 2.1% (2/97) of inpatients and 25% (3/12) of outpatients. EHEC, adenovirus, Campylobacter, Yersinia and Shigella species were not detected in this study. Conclusion: Rotavirus is the most common enteropathogen in children with acute gastroenteritis. Nontyphoidal salmonella and pathogenic E.coli are important bacterial pathogens. Campylobacter species may not be commonly detected organism in hospitalized children with acute diarrhea.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.25-28
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• 2021

Purpose CA 72-4 is a tumor marker that uses two monoclonal antibodies, CC49 and B72.3, to measure tumor-related glycoprotein(TAG72) in the serum. CA 72-4 is used to diagnose stomach, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, and is known to perform high specificity for stomach cancer. The purpose of this study is to re-evaluate the reference value provided by the manufacturer through revalidation of the reference value in CA 72-4. Furthermore this study was conducted to provide useful help when making a clinical diagnosis at gastric cancer center. Materials and Methods We selected 271 patients who had been to health care center in national cancer center for the month of November 2020. The gender of the subjects was 140 males and 131 females, and the age group was from 30s to 60s. The reagent used in the study was a CA 72-4 IRMA KIT (ISOTOPES, Hungary) and the results were measured using a Dream Gamma-10 gamma counter (Shinjin medics, Korea). Results Statistical analysis of the results of this study used Hoffmann's method and Bayesian's method, which are primarily used in setting reference value. As a result of measuring CA 72-4 of 271 patients, the mean value was 4.54 U/mL and the median value was 3.30 U/mL. 24 people who deviated from 3SD were excluded from the measured value, the mean calculated after that was 3.53 U/mL, median was 3.00 U/mL and SD was 1.89. The reference value calculated based on this results was set to 7.31 U/mL. Conclusion The reference value provided by the manufacturer is less than 4 U/mL. It is slightly different from the value calculated in this study, 7.31 U/mL, so it seems necessary to reset the reference value according to the laboratory environment. Currently, we are receiving inquiries about the reference value from the center for gastric cancer at National Cancer Center. If additional research is carried out along with this study, it will be possible to set more accurate reference value.

• Journal of Sasang Constitution and Immune Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-150
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• 1999

In spite of recent remarkable recent development in both western and oriental medical sciences, there is still only a shallow understanding of individual differences for various prognoses of incurable diseases and immunopathy diseases. Nevertheless, the care, cure and prevention methods of Sasang Constitutional Medicine are broadly used as an effective treatment of incurable diseases like immunopathy diseases and stress-related diseases and diseases due to aging. In this sense, the establishment of classification norms is urgent and essential for the worldwide application of Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM). This study began with the confirmation process of whether Sasang Constitutional types exist in Americans. To accomodate for cultural differences, the distinguishing tool was readjusted so that Sasang Constitutional Types in Americans could be determined. Hence, the selected tool is the new QSCCII+, which is a newly revised English version of the QSCCII. QSCCII was made and standardized by Dept. of SCM in Kyung Hee Medical Center and Dr. Kim7). The evaluation methods of the old version were improved in the new QSCCII+ through necessary statistical manipulation. The original QSCCII was officially authorized by the Korean Society of Sasang Constitutional Medicine as the only computerized version of Sasang diagnostics. This study is the first attempt to design a new diagnostic tool for the classification of Sasang Constitutional types in North Americans with the revision of QSCCII. The subjects of this study were selected from the cooperative people among the students and staffs of the University of Bridgeport and the patients who visited the Clinic in the Health Science Center. This study takes for about 1 year from 1998. 8 to 1999. 8 The conclusions of the study can be summarized as follows: 1. Sasang constitutional types also exist in Americans. It can also naturally be inferred that Sasang Constitutional types exist in all human beings, for there are many different human races in America. 2. There are more So-Yang In's than any other types in American white people. This result confirms the hypothesis that there also exist Sasang Constitutional types in westerners. 3. The result of repetitive tests suggests that the new QSCCII+ is an effective diagnostic tool for westerners when we consider the constant diagnostic results of the QSCCII+. 4. Sasang Constitutional types exit in the sample group regardless of racial difference. 5. The question items that were not often checked by Americans need to be modified into more understandable expressions. 6. The standardization of diagnosis for Americans should be established by use of the QSCCII+ 7. It can be guessed that there are many Tae-yang In's among the 71 persons who could not be clearly classified by the QSCCII+. Due to the scarcity of Tae-yang-In in general, it is important to improve upon the discernability of the QSCC II+. 8. The results of the Sasang Constitutional distribution in North Americans are as follows: The percentage of So-yang In distribution in the sample group is 36.25%(87persons), that of Tae-eum In is 13.75%(33persons), and that of So-eum In is 20.41%(49persons).