• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2009

Purpose: The study was to assess I-123-N-(3-iodopropen-2-yl)-2[beta]-carbomethoxy-3[beta]-(4-cholorophenyl) tropane(IPT) SPECT in differential diagnosis among early stage of Parkinson's disease(PD) and essential tremor(ET) and normal control(NL) groups quantitatively. Materials and Methods: I-123 IPT brain SPECT of 50 NL, 20 early PD, 30 advanced PD, and 20 ET were performed at 20 minutes and 2 hours. Specific/nonspecific binding of striatum was calculated by using right and left striatal specific to occipital non-specific uptake ratio(striatum-OCC/OCC). Results: Mean value of specific/nonspecific binding ratio was significantly different between advanced PD group and NL group. However, significant overlap of striatal specific/nonspecific binding ratio was observed between PD group and ET group. Bilateral striatal specific/nonspecific binding ratios were decreased in advanced PD. Lateralized differences in the striatal uptake of I-123 IPT correlated with asymmetry in clinical findings in PD group. Conclusion: I-123 IPT SPECT may be a useful method for the diagnosis of PD and objective evaluation of progress of clinical stages. Care should be made in the differential diagnosis of early stage of PD and other motor disturbances mimicking PD such as ET in view of significant overlap in striatal I-123 specific/nonspecific binding ratio.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2003

Purpose : Nosocomial infection with Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin resistant S. aureus, has become a serious concern in the neonatal intensive care unit. The aim of this study is to investigate the virulence factors, and the relationship between the antibiotic resistance and the associated genes of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nasal cavity of neonates. Methods : Fifty one isolates of S. aureus were obtained from nasal swab taken in 28 neonates in the NICU and nursery of Pusan National University Hospital between February and May, 2001. They were tested in regard to antibiotic susceptibility, coagulase test and typing, plasmid DNA profile, as well as reactivity to enterotoxin A-E(sea, seb, sec, sed, see) genes and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1(tst) gene by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Associated genes such as mecA, mecR1, mecI, and femA were also determined by PCR. The origin of MRSA strains was assessed using DNA fingerprinting by arbitrarily-primed polymerase chain reaction(AP-PCR). Results : Twenty three(45.1%) and six(11.8%) isolates were resistant to oxacillin and vancomycin respectively. Multidrug resistance to three or more of the antibiotics tested was observed in 51.0% of the isolates. Forty two isolates were coagulase positive and twenty two isolates had mecA gene. Sixteen isolates had both mecA and femA genes and had type I-III plasmids. 64.7% of isolates carried sec gene, and 80.4% carried tst gene. DNA fingerprinting by AP-PCR for 12 MRSA strains showed 10 distinct patterns, suggesting different origins. Conclusion : We confirmed that the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus and the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant S. aureus, especially vancomycin resistance, is very high in neonates who were admitted in NICU and nursery. It is possible that these pathogens are responsible for serious nosocomial infections in neonates. The need for improved surveillance and continuous control of pathogens is emphasized.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.381-387
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• 2006

Purpose : Neonatal lupus is characterized by congenital complete heart block(CCHB), cutaneous rash, and laboratory abnormalities in infants born to mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). This study aims to examine the incidence of CCHB and clinical outcome in neonates born to mothers with SLE. Methods : The study group consisted of 49 neonates, born from 57 pregnancies of 55 women with SLE, diagnosed at Hanyang University Hospital for the period between January 1997 and January 2005. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively identified from medical record. Results : There were 5(8.8 percent) spontaneous abortions and one(1.8 percent) still births among 57 pregnancies of 55 mothers. Of 49 live births, 15(26.3 percent) were premature and eight(12.3 percent) were small for their gestational age. There was one(1.8 percent) CCHB suspected during pregnancy on fetal echocardiograpy in a fetus of mother with systemic lupus erythematosus and the fetus was not born by artificial abortion because of mother. There was no CCHB among EKG findings of 49 newborns. Laboratory testing showed hematologic abnormalities among 25.6 percent(10/39) of the babies. 5.1 percent(2/39) and 7.7 percent(3/39) of them were diagnosed as neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia was seen respectively. Anti-SSA(Ro) and antiphospholipid antibodies were predictive factors for prematurity(P=0.003, P=0.049). Anticardiolipin antibodies were predictive factors for ventilatory care(P=0.018). Conclusion : The incidence of CCHB among neonates born to mothers with SLE, which was measured in this study, was lower than that in earlier studies. A high incidence of hematologic abnormalities was found in our study. It is suggested that careful examination should be made of skin for the diagnosis of neonatal lupus.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2000

Background :The authors have developed a Digital image chart(DIC) and digital Radiotherapy Record System (DRRS). We have evaluated the DIC and DRRS for reliability, usefulness, ease of use, and efficiency. Materials and Methods :The basic design of the DIC and DRRS was to build an digital image database of radiation therapy Patient records for a more efficient and timely flow of critical image information throughout the department. This system is a submit of comprehensive radiation oncology management system (C-ROMS) and composed of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a radiotherapy information database, and a radiotherapy imaging database. The DIC and DRRS were programmed using Delphi under a Windows 95 environment and is capable of displaying the digital images of patients identification photos, simulation films, radiotherapy setup, diagnostic radiology images, gross lesion Photos, and radiotherapy Planning isodose charts with beam arrangements. Twenty-three clients in the department are connected by Ethernet (10 Mbps) to the central image server (Sun Ultra-sparc 1 workstation). Results :From the introduction of this system in February 1998 through December 1999, we have accumulated a total of 15,732 individual images for 2,556 patients. We can organize radiation therapy in a 'paperless' environment in 120 patients with breast cancer. Using this system, we have succeeded in the prompt, accurate, and simultaneous access to patient care information from multiple locations throughout the department. This coordination has resulted in improved operational efficiency within the department. Conclusion :The authors believe that the DIC and DRRS has contributed to the improvement of radiation oncology department efficacy as well as to time and resource savings by providing necessary visual information throughout the department conveniently and simultaneously. As a result, we can also achieve the 'paperless' and 'filmless' practice of radiation oncology with this system.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2003

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate 1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms, 2) the severity of depressive symptoms, 3) the correlation of depressive symptoms with clinical variables, and 4) factors that contribute to depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients with Parkinson's disease referred from the Parkinson's Disease Clinic of Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Korea, completed a self-administered questionnaire package, which included basic demographic data, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), and the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In addition, a structured interview and a complete neurological examination, including the Hoehn and Yahr stage, the motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(some selected scales of UPDRS part III), the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale(ADL), and the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination were performed. Results: 1) Based on BDI score, subjects were divided into four groups:severely(40.7%), moderately(13.6%) and mildly(12.7%) depressive and non-depressive(33.1%). 2) The severity of depressive symptom in Parkinson's disease was positively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr(H & Y) stage(r=0.34, p<0.0001), the severity of motor symptom(r=0.35, p<0.0001), and trait anxiety inventory(r=0.33, p<0.001). On the other hand, the severity of depressive symptom was negatively correlated with educational level(r=-0.34, p<0.001), ADL(r=-0.37, p<0.0001) and Parkinson's disease quality of life (PDQL)(r=-0.69, p<0.0001). Among several clinical variables, the PDQL was the most influential factor predicting whether the depressive symptom was present or not. Conclusion: This study suggests that depressive symptom is very prevalent among patients with Parkinson's disease. Data from this study indicate that medical staffs who take care of patients with Parkinson's disease should pay attention to finding and treating depressive symptom among their patients. With appropriate psychiatric intervention, patient's depressive symptom can be minimized or alleviated and thus, the quality of life in these patients is likely enhanced.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2017

Microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic properties of fresh-cut vegetables (FVs), carrots, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and paprika after X-ray irradiation were evaluated to verify food quality suitable for the immune-depressed patients. Total concentrations of aerobic bacteria in non-irradiated samples, except for cherry tomatoes, were 1.63-3.34 log CFU/g. Irradiation dose exceed 0.4 kGy was used for carrots and green peppers whereas the sterilization dose of 0.2 kGy was used for both cherry tomatoes and paprika. A dose of 0.4 kGy was tentatively determined as the minimum allowable dose for sterilization of the FVs, based on $D_{10}$-values of X-ray irradiation (0.11-0.32 kGy) for Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium inoculated on the samples. With respect to the physiological properties, only hardness was significantly decreased as the absorbed dose increased; however, there were no significant differences in hardness of the sterilized samples using X-rays at 0.4 kGy compared with those of non-irradiated samples (p<0.05). Moreover, overall acceptance scores of the sterilized FVs were higher than 5.0 points on a 7-point scale, indicating a good organoleptic quality. In a survey on preference of hospitalized patients with cancer (n=50), the average scores for the sterilized FVs, except for carrots, were higher than 4.0 points. In conclusion, it is considered that the FVs, except for carrots, sterilized using X-rays at 0.4 kGy could be served to immune-depressed patients as hygienically safe foods with acceptable organoleptic properties.