• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10631-10636
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• 2015

Background: We aimed to investigate anxiety, depression and sexual satisfaction levels and the effects of depression and anxiety upon the sexual satisfaction of Turkish breast cancer patients and their partners. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from one hundred breast cancer patients and their partners, using three forms: one covering information about socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). Results: The frequencies, avoidance and touch subscores were statistically significantly high in the patients. Among those with high anxiety scores, the frequency, communication, satisfaction, touch, and anorgasmic subscale scores of GRISS were found to be significantly high. Among the partners whose anxiety scores were high, only the premature ejaculation subscale was statistically significant. It was determined that for partners with higher depression scores, the communication, satisfaction, avoidance, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction subscores of GRISS were statistically higher compared to partners with lower depression scores. Conclusions: Patients' quality of life may be increased by taking precautions to reduce their and their partners' psychosocial and psychosexual concerns.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.331-343
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• 2001

Advances in medical procedures and utilization of medication have resulted in expanding aged population, which leads to increased aged patients with salivary hypofunction and its associated symptoms in dental clinic. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics of patients with dry mouth and its correlation with their salivary flow rate. Forty dry mouth patients (7 males, 33 females, mean age 42.0 years) whose flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva was less than 0.15 ml/min were included and their gender- and age-matched controls (7 males, 33 females, mean age 42.9 years) who did not report any complaints, suggestive of salivary gland dysfunction and had the flow rate of greater than 0.20 ml/min were included for comparison. The salivary flow rate was measured in both unstimulated and stimulated conditions. Dry mouth-related clinical information including history, dry mouth associated symptoms, exacerbating and relieving factors, drugs, systemic diseases, and family history was investigated using questionnaires. The differences in distribution of patients and control subjects to each question and their relation to the salivary flow rate were analyzed and we came to following conclusions. 1. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of patients and controls to the following questions: the period and frequency of suffering from dry mouth; severity of dry feeling during a meal; severity of discomfort during swallowing; necessity of sipping liquids during swallowing dry foods, severity of discomfort in usual life due to dry feeling; self-assessment of residual salivary volume; taking medications. 2. The patients had more stress-related medical histories including indigestion, insomnia, and gastritis compared with controls. The patients took many kinds of medications to control their systemic diseases. 3. There were statistically significant differences in the salivary flow rate between different groups of patients to following questions: severity of dry feeling during a meal; severity of discomfort during swallowing; necessity of sipping liquids during swallowing dry foods. The difference was more significant in the case of stimulated salivary flow rate rather than unstimulated one. 4. The salivary flow rate of patients taking medications was significantly less than that of patients who did not take medications. The difference was more significant in the case of stimulated salivary flow rate rather than unstimulated one.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.238-244
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• 2019

In this study, we compared and analyzed the performance of each Convolution Neural Network (CNN) by implementing the CNN that reflected the characteristics of the cerebral structure, in order to analyze the CNN that was used for the prediction of cybersickness, and provided the performance varying depending on characteristics of the brain. Dizziness has many causes, but the most severe symptoms are considered attributable to vestibular dysfunction associated with the brain. Brain waves serve as indicators showing the state of brain activities, and tend to exhibit differences depending on external stimulation and cerebral activities. Changes in brain waves being caused by external stimuli and cerebral activities have been proved by many studies and experiments, including the thesis of Martijn E. Wokke, Tony Ro, published in 2019. Based on such correlation, we analyzed brain wave data collected from dizziness-inducing environments and implemented the dizziness predictive artificial neural network reflecting characteristics of the cerebral structure. The results of this study are expected to provide a basis for achieving optimal performance of the CNN used in the prediction of dizziness, and for predicting and preventing the occurrence of dizziness under various virtual reality (VR) environments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.60-69
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• 2013

Objective : This case series study was designed to assess the effect of Gamisungmagalguntang for chronic urticaria identified as "Wind-Heat" pattern by retrospective methods. Methods : We treated 19 patients for chronic urticaria with Gamisungmagalguntang(加味升麻葛根湯), who visited to care chronic urticaria at the department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine at Kyunghee University Korean Medical Center from 1st January 2013 to 31st August 2013. We analyzed information and body conditions of 19 patients. And by using Urticaria Activicy Score(UAS), frequency and number of wheals, itch severity and total score on a 4-point(0-3) scale were assessed in 19 patients. The change of each criterion and total scores between baseline and follow up were analyzed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon test(p<0.05). Results : 1. UAS improvement was statistically significant(p<0.001). Effects of symptom improvement were excellent(31.58%) that means symptom remission and good(42.10%) that means symptom improved over 50%. 2. Heat sensitivity as suspected provocation factor could be a marker for the Wind-Heat pattern urticaria. 3. Among the Wind-Heat pattern urticaria patients, normal digestion(52.63%) and no thirst(78.95%) were higher than abnormal conditions. Whereas about sweat item, abnormal conditions(57.89%) were higher than normal. That means abnormal sweat conditions could be a marker for a defense qi(衛氣) dysfunction of the Wind-Heat pattern urticaria. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that Gamisungmagalguntang could be effective on the Wind-Heat pattern urticaria.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.27-33
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• 2018

Purpose: Many researchers have established a connection between sleep disturbances and the symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in adults, but there are a few studies targeted at adolescents with TMD. The aim of this study was to analyze the sleep pattern of adolescents with TMD and to determine the effect of poor sleep quality on their clinical symptoms. Methods: The subjects were composed of 47 adolescents with TMD. The sleep pattern and preliminary information of patients were measured by self-reported questionnaires; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Questionnaire for TMD analysis. TMD pain was scored using the Numerical Rating Scale. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: The poor sleeping group had statistically more females (25.00% males, 75.00% females) than the good sleeping group. As compared with that of good sleepers, sleep quality of poor sleepers was significantly worse in the items of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction and global PSQI score. The sleep time of adolescents was much longer during vacation ($7.20{\pm}1.38hours$) than during school days ($6.10{\pm}1.26hours$). Poor sleep of patients was associated with the pain in the ear or in front of the ear, in the face, jaw, throat or temple and in neck or back. Adolescents with pain in those areas had significantly higher proportion of poor sleepers than adolescents with no pain in those areas. Conclusions: The high ratio of girls in poor sleeping group could reflect the greater prevalence of TMD in women than in men. Pain in peri-temporomandibular joint areas, neck or back could negatively influence sleep quality of adolescents with TMD.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.195-199
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• 2020

This study examined the effect of the nervous-system-stimulating caffeine on the nerve conduction velocity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of caffeine that stimulates the nervous system on nerve conduction test. Although both measurement intervals did not show statistically significant differences when comparing the pre- and post-NCV values within the control and individual experimental groups, it was found that the nerve conductivity in the Axilla-Above Elbow section increased significantly after caffeine intake for the experimental group. Caffeine intake, which has increased the nerve conduction velocity (NCV), was determined to play roles in improving motor skills, muscle strength and nerve performance by temporarily increasing the nerve conduction velocity. Through this study, we learned that caffeine has an influence on the peripheral nervous system as it helps to improve the nerve conduction velocity. upon an appropriate amount of caffeine intake. We hope that these results will help develop treatment and diagnostic methods for patients with nerve dysfunction and myofunctional disorders.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

Purpose: There is uncertainty if the vergence facility would provide clinically significant supplementary information to the fusional vergence measurements. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between vergence facility and fusional vergence in a group of symptomatic subjects. Methods: A total of 114 symptomatic subjects aged 9 to 13 years, who passed the vision screening test, participated in this study. Vergence facility was measured with 8$\Delta$ BI/8$\Delta$ BO flipper lenses and a suppression control target, the 20/30 letter line on Vectogram 9 (Bernell, USA). Near fusional vergence was measured with a single 20/30 vertical line target by Von Graefe technique. In order to avoid excessive convergence stimulation, negative fusional vergence (NFV) range (blur, break and recovery) was measured followed by positive fusional vergence (PFV) ranges (blur, break and recovery). Results: Pearson correlations were calculated and showed no correlations between vergence facility and any of fusional vergence measurements (p>0.05). Also, there were no significant differences of vergence facility measurements on the compensating vergence that passed or failed Sheard and Morgan's criterion for comfortable vision (p>0.05). Conclusions: There was no correlation between vergence facility and fusional vergence among symptomatic subjects. Hence, both vergence facility and fusional vergence should be assessed for those with binocular dysfunction in order to make an accurate diagnosis and management plan.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.111-122
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• 2021

Recently, interleukin 34 (IL-34) was identified as the second functional ligand for macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFR). IL-34 functions similarly to M-CSF through its binding to the M-CSFR. There is still insufficient information on IL-34 in chickens, which has until now been reported only through predicted sequences and not through experimental research. Thus, to confirm its expression and to determine its potent biological activity, several chicken lines and cell lines were used. Cloning of recombinant chicken IL-34 and M-CSF genes was performed to investigate their modulatory effects on proinflammatory cytokine expression in vitro. The expression levels of IL-34, M-CSF, and M-CSFR genes were upregulated in broiler chickens with leg dysfunction (cause unknown). However, IL-34 was downregulated in most pathogen-stimulated tissues. M-CSFR expression was enhanced by recombinant IL-34 and M-CSF proteins in vitro. IFN-γ expression was enhanced by recombinant IL-34, but not by M-CSF. However, IL-12 expression was not regulated in any of the treated cells, and IL-1β was decreased in all tissues. These results indicate that IL-34 and M-CSF have roles in both the classical and alternative macrophage activation pathways. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the expression of IL-34 in chickens for pathogenic trials, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that the IL-34 protein plays a role in both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in macrophages. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the cytokines or chemokines that can be induced by IL-34 and to further elucidate the functions of IL-34 in the inflammatory pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.550-566
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• 2022

Stroke is among the leading causes of death and long-term physical and cognitive disabilities worldwide, affecting an estimated 15 million people annually. The pathophysiological process of stroke is complicated by multiple and coordinated events. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in people with stroke can significantly contribute to the development of ischemic brain injury. Therefore, BBB disruption is recognized as a hallmark of stroke; thus, it is important to develop novel therapeutic strategies that can protect against BBB dysfunction in ischemic stroke. Traditional medicines are composed of natural products, which represent a promising source of new ingredients for the development of conventional medicines. Indeed, several studies have shown the effectiveness of Korean medicine on stroke, highlighting the value of Korean medicinal treatment for ischemic stroke. This review summarizes the current information and underlying mechanisms regarding the ameliorating effects of the formula, decoction, herbs, and active components of traditional Korean medicine on cerebral ischemia-induced BBB disruption. These traditional medicines were shown to have protective effects on the BBB in many cellular and animal ischemia models of stroke, and experiments in various animal species, such as mice and rats. In addition, they showed brain-protective effects by protecting the BBB through the regulation of tight junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinase-9, reducing edema, neuroinflammation, and neuronal cell death. We hope that this review will help promote further investigation into the neuroprotective effects of traditional Korean medicines and stimulate the performance of clinical trials on Korean herbal medicine-derived drugs in patients with stroke.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2003

Background : Previous studies have suggested that a B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) test can provide important information on diagnosis, as well as predicting the severity and prognosis of heart failure. Myocardial dysfunction is often observed in critically ill noncardiac patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and the prognosis of the myocardial dysfunction needs to be determined. This study evaluated the predictability of BNP on the prognosis of critically ill noncardiac patients. Methods : 32 ICU patients, who were hospitalized from June to October 2002 and in whom the BNP test was evaluated, were enrolled in this study. The exclusion criteria included the conditions that could increase the BNP levels irrespective of the severity, such as congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and renal insufficiencies. A triage B-Type Natriuretic Peptide test with a RIA-kit was used for the fluorescence immunoassay of BNP test. In addition, the acute physiology and the chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and mortality were recorded. Results : There were 16 males and 16 females enrolled in this study. The mean age was 59 years old. The mean BNP levels between the ICU patients and control were significantly different ($186.7{\pm}274.1$ pg/mL vs. $19.9{\pm}21.3$ pg/mL, p=0.033). Among the ICU patients, there were 14(44----) patients with BNP levels above 100 pg/mL. The APACHE II score was $16.5{\pm}7.6$. In addition, there were 11 mortalities reported. The correlation between the BNP and APACHE II score, between the BNP and mortality were significant (r=0.443, p=0.011 & r=0.530, p=0.002). The mean BNP levels between the dead and alive groups were significantly different ($384.1{\pm}401.7$ pg/mL vs. $83.2{\pm}55.8$ pg/mL p=0.033). However, the $PaO_2/FiO_2$ did not significantly correlate with the BNP level. Conclusion : This study evaluated the BNP level was elevated in critically ill, noncardiac patients. The BNP level could be a useful, noninvasive tool for predicting the prognosis of the critically ill, noncardiac patients.