• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2020

Purpose: A CT angiography spot sign (CTA-spot) is a significant predictor of the early expansion of an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH-Ex). Dynamic-susceptibility-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI) can track the real-time leaking of contrast agents. It may be able to indicate active bleeding, like a CTA-spot. Materials and Methods: From September 2014 to February 2017, we did non-contrast CT, CTA, and DSC-MRI examinations of seven patients with acute ICH. We investigated the time from symptom onset to the first contrast-enhanced imaging. We evaluated the time course of the contrast leak within the ICH at the source image of the DSC-MRI and the volume change of ICH between non-contrast CT and DSC-MRI. We compared the number of slices showing CTA-spots and DSC-MRI leaks. Results: The CTA-spot and DSC-MRI leak-sign were present in four patients, and two patients among those showed ICH-Ex. The time from the symptom onset to CTA or DSC-MRI was shorter for those with a DSC-MRI leak or CTA-spot than for three patients without either (70-130 minutes vs. 135-270 minutes). The leak-sign began earlier, lasted longer, and spread to more slices in the patients with ICH-Ex than in those without ICH-Ex. The number of slices of the DSC-MRI leak and the number of the CTA-spot were well correlated. Conclusion: DSC-MRI can demonstrate the leakage of GBCA within hyperacute ICH, showing the good contrast between hematoma and contrast. The DSC-MRI leakage sign could be related to the hematoma expansion in patients with ICH.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.226-231
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• 2020

Background: Probiotics and prebiotics have strain-specific effects on the host. Synbiotics, a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics, are proposed to have more beneficial effects on the host than either agent has alone. Purpose: We performed a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium together with oligosaccharides and lactoferrin on the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or sepsis in very low birth weight neonates. Methods: Neonates with a gestational age ≤32 weeks and birth weight ≤1,500 g were enrolled. The study group received a combination of synbiotics and lactoferrin, whereas the control group received 1 mL of distilled water as placebo starting with the first feed until discharge. The outcome measures were the incidence of NEC stage ≥2 or late-onset cultureproven sepsis and NEC stage ≥2 or death. Results: Mean birth weight and gestational age of the study (n=104) and the control (n=104) groups were 1,197±235 g vs. 1,151±269 g and 29±1.9 vs. 28±2.2 weeks, respectively (P>0.05). Neither the incidence of NEC stage ≥2 or death, nor the incidence of NEC stage ≥2 or late-onset culture-proven sepsis differed between the study and control groups (5.8% vs. 5.9%, P=1; 26% vs. 21.2%, P=0.51). The only significant difference was the incidence of all stages of NEC (1.9% vs. 10.6%, P=0.019). Conclusion: The combination of synbiotics and lactoferrin did not reduce NEC severity, sepsis, or mortality.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.704-709
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• 2011

Depolymerization of fucoidan induced by contact glow discharge electrolysis(CGDE) was investigated. To utilize fucoidan as a functional food material after CGDE, organic acids were used as a electrolyte in CGDE process. Experimental results showed that CGDE using organic acid reduced the molecular weight of fucoidan effectively. As electrolyte concentration increased, onset voltage of glow discharge decreased and onset current of glow discharge increased. From the variation of molecular weight of fucoidan with the reaction time, it was demonstrated that the degradation of fucoidan followed a first-order rate law. Molecular weight of fucoidan treated with CGDE using organic acid was about 77 times lower compared to initial fucoidan with little free sulfate.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2014

Purpose: Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a genetically heterogeneous disease for which more than 30 subtypes have been identified. However, 5 subtypes, SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, and SCA7, account for more than 60% of cases. In this study, we report the distribution of these 5 subtypes in Korean patients. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and thirty-eight unrelated patients with a presumptive diagnosis of SCA were included in this study. Trinucleotide (CAG) repeat number (TNR) repeat number was determined using fluorescently labeled primers and fragment analysis. Results: A total of 128 unrelated patients (20.1% of all individuals tested) tested positive for SCA subtypes, including SCA1 (5 patients, 3.9% of those testing positive), SCA2 (38 patients, 29.7%), SCA3 (30 patients, 23.4%), SCA6 (39 patients, 30.5%), and SCA7 (16 patients, 12.5%). The mean copy number of pathogenic TNR alleles was $45{\pm}8.5$ for SCA1, $42{\pm}3.1$ for SCA2, $72{\pm}5.4$ for SCA3, $23{\pm}1.5$ for SCA6, and $50{\pm}11.4$ for SCA7. TNR copy number was inversely correlated with onset age in SCA2, SCA6, and SCA7. Conclusion: SCA2, SCA3, and SCA6 are common SCA subtypes in Korean patients and could be screened as a first-line test. Expanded pathogenic allele size was associated with early onset age.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1989

A clinico-statistical analysis was performed on 1373 cases who complained of hoarseness at the Dept. of Otolaryngology of Ewha Womans University hopital during the past 10 years from fan 1975 to Dec 1984 and the following results were obtained. 1) Among total of 44,912 who visited the Dept. of Otolaryngology. the patients with hoarseness were 1373 cases(3.1%). 2) Among total of 1373 cases, male were 586 and female were 787, the ratio being 1:1.3. 3) The underlying diseases causing hoarseness in order of frequency were acute laryngitis 374 cases(27.2%), chronic laryngitis 325 cases(23.7%), vocal nodule 248 cases(18.1%), vocal polyp 130 cases(9.5%), vocal cord paralysis 101 cases(7.4%), laryngeal cancer 24 cases(1.7%). 4) The highest incidence of age causing hoarseness in order of frequency were 3rd decade 368 cases(26.8%) 2nd decade 312 cases(22.7%) 4th decade 297 cases(21.6%), 5) The highest incidence of age for underlying diseases in order of frequency were as that follows: acute laryngitis in 2nd decade 114 cases(30.5%), chronic laryngitis in 3rd decade 92 cases(28.3%), vocal nodule in 3rd decade 81 cases(32.7%), vocal polyp in 4th decade 38 cases(29.2%), vocal cord paralysis in 5th decade 19 cases(18.8%), laryngeal cancer in 5th decade 13 cases(54.2%). 6) Number of the patients who came the hospital within 10 days after the onset of hoarseness were 272 cases(19.8%), 15 cases(1.1%) had medical attention for first time 10 years after hoarseness. 7) The highest incidence of the duration from the onset to consultation for the underlying diseases were as that follows: acute larynsitis within 10 days 205 cases(54.8%), chronic laryngitis 3M-6M 76 cases(23.4%), vocal nodule 3M-6M 55 cases(22.2%) vocal polyp 6M-lYr 32 cases(24.6%), vocal cord paralysis 3M-6M 20 cases(19.8%)

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing dysmenorrhea in middle school girls and to analyze the differences in dysmenorrhea according to personal factors of the subjects. Methods: This study was conducted from March 22 to April 2, 2010. The subjects of the study were 572 girls who attended three middle schools in Seoul and experienced dysmenorrheal. All were surveyed using the same questionnaire. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program and included descriptive statistics, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Results: 1) The mean age of the subjects was 13.53 years, and the mean age of first menstruation (menarche) was 11.94 years. The number of days between the onset of menstrual cycles was 30.01 days. Most of the respondents had irregular menstrual cycles and menstrual periods lasting 3 to 7 days long. 2) Chief menstrual pains were lower abdominal and back pain. Subjects reported experiencing severe lower abdominal and/or back pain, most commonly on the second day of menstruation. The average score of menstrual discomfort was over 60 points (63%). The average score per 6 points of dysmenorrhea was as follows: fatigue (3.48), sensitivity (3.27), disability of movement (3.27), napping or lying down (2.98), mood swings (2.95), interference with studies (2.87). 3) Individual subject characteristics influencing the onset of dysmenorrhea were as follows: high stress levels, being in poor health, having an irregular diet, being younger and having longer menstrual periods than most other subjects. Conclusion: During puberty, girls with earlier menarche complained of physical and emotional discomfort, and irregular menstrual periods. Therefore, we need to explain overall menstrual characteristics and individual differences in the occurrence of dysmenorrhea, in health education programs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2018

Background: Long-term levodopa therapy relieves the motor dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), but has various effects on non-motor symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, hallucinations, and affective disorders, and can exacerbate certain aspects of dementia-like cognitive dysfunction. Here, we investigated the relationship between levodopa treatment and development of dementia in patients with PD. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 76 consecutive patients with PD who had taken levodopa between 2011 and 2015. The participants were initially free of dementia and had initial daily levodopa doses of below 600 mg. Patients who did and did not develop comorbid dementia were compared in terms of potential predictor variables, including PD onset age, sex, levodopa doses, and non-dementia comorbidities. Results: Of the 76 patients, 21 (27.6%) developed dementia, which was followed by hallucinations and insomnia. The independent predictors of incident dementia were PD onset age and second-year and third-year average levodopa doses that were higher than the first-year average levodopa dose. Patients who developed dementia had significantly higher average daily levodopa doses and levodopa dose increases over the 6-year treatment period than those who did not develop dementia. In addition, patients with higher levodopa doses were more likely to experience hallucinations. Conclusion: These results suggest that increases in levodopa doses may be associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment in patients with PD. Therefore, motor and cognitive functions and levodopa dose increases should be evaluated regularly during long-term levodopa therapy in patients with PD.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.154-163
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eccentric contraction training (ECT) and concentric contraction training (CCT) on the muscle thickness (MT), muscle strength (MS) and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) of the lower extremities in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty persons with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the ECT or the CCT group. The ECT was performed in a specially designed system of eccentric contraction of both legs and, the CCT was performed using a traditional stepper system for concentric contraction of both legs. The training was performed for 30 min/times, 3 times/wk for 6 weeks. Rehabilitation ultrasound imaging was used to measure MT of the vastus medialis/lateralis (VL), and soleus (SOL), a digital muscle tester was used to measure MS, and a visual analog scale was used to assess DOMS. Results: In the ECT group, MT was significantly improved except for SOL resting (p<0.01). In the CCT group, the MT was significantly improved except for VL contraction (p<0.05). The MS was significantly improved in both groups, especially in the ECT group (p<0.01). In the ECT group, muscle soreness was highest in the first week after training but gradually decreased, and in the CCT group, it was highest in the second week of training but gradually decreased (p<0.01). Conclusions: ECT can improve lower limb MT, MS, and DOMS of chronic stroke survivors. Therefore, it is recommended that ECT be used in the rehabilitation of persons with chronic stroke.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.332-338
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• 2022

Background Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is allegedly associated with a higher risk of complications of combined nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy and subpectoral direct-to-implant immediate breast reconstruction ([N]SSM/SDTI-IBR). For this reason, this combination is usually advised against or, even, refused in women who need to undergo PMRT. Because this advice has never been justified, we assessed the short-term complications that may potentially be associated with PMRT after [N]SSM/SDTI-IBR. Methods We compared the complications requiring reintervention and implant loss occurring after 273 [N]SSM/SDTI-IBR that were exposed to PMRT within the first 16 postoperative weeks (interventional group) to those occurring in 739 similarly operated breasts that were not (control group). Additionally, we compared the fraction of complications requiring reintervention occurring after the onset of radiotherapy in the interventional group to that occurring after a comparable postoperative period in the control group. Results The fraction of breasts requiring unscheduled surgical reinterventions for complications and the loss of implants did not differ significantly between both groups but significantly more reinterventions were needed among the controls (p = 0.00). The fraction of events after the onset of radiotherapy in the interventional group was higher than the fraction of events after 6.2 weeks in the control group, but not significantly so. Conclusion We found no prove for the alleged increase of short-term complications of adjuvant radiotherapy. Therefore, we advise that these should not be considered valid arguments to advice against [N]SSM/SDTI-IBR.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.257-266
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of psychological and other risk factors on the recurrence of nonspecific neck pain. To achieve this, a nationwide cohort provided by the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea, with a three-year follow-up, was used. Methods: The study included patients who did not experience neck pain for the first year but were diagnosed with nonspecific neck pain (ICD-10 code: M54.2) in the second year. The progress of their neck pain recurrence was followed up for the next two years. Medical records, including age, gender, health insurance premium quintile, regional health vulnerability index score, initial onset duration, total hospitalization duration, and secondary diagnosis at onset, were extracted for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the recurrence rate and risk factors for nonspecific neck pain recurrence. Results: Among a total of 591,215 patients, 29.2% experienced recurrence within two years. Patients with psychological disorders had a higher recurrence rate (30.6-33.8%) than those without psychological disorders (29.2%). Specifically, mood disorders (OR = 1.16) and stress-related disorders (OR = 1.06) were identified as risk factors for the recurrence of nonspecific neck pain. Older age (OR = 1.16-1.43), being female (OR = 1.17), being employed (OR = 1.23), and using medial aids (OR = 1.41) were also identified as risk factors. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for a high recurrence rate of nonspecific neck pain and highlights the need to consider psychological factors as well as personal factors in comprehensive interventions to prevent recurrent nonspecific neck pain.