• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1998

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the etiological factors of the PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) by examining the relationship between severity of physical trauma and subsequent the severity of PTSD symptom in traffic accident related PTSD patients. Method: Subjects were 21 psychiatric inpatients with history of traffic accident related PTSD(DSM-IV criteria), the purpose of evaluation of mental disability and no evidence of organic brain leisons. The severity of physical trauma was assessed by McBride number of nonpsychiatric department and the presence / absence of loss of conciousness. The severity of PTSD symptom was assessed by Hovens' self rating inventory for PTSD. And then we evaluated the correlation between these two factors. And we also evaluated relationship between severity of PTSD symtom and clinical variables. Results : There were no significant relationship between McBride number of nonpsychiatric department severity and symptomatic severity(r= 0.17, p<0.05), the presence / absence of loss of conciousness and symptomatic severity(p>0.05). And significant relationship between symptomatic severity and clinical varibles such as sex, education level, marital status(p<0.05). Conclusions : These data did not support data of previous studies that traumatic severity was correlated with symptom severity but, suggested that other variables affecting the severity of PTSD symptom is more important indirectly. And that the 'trauma' in PTSD is psychological meaning rather than physical meaning is also suggested.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-136
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• 2019

Objective : To investigate the effect of sihogayonggolmoryeotang (SY) on Single Prolonged Stress(SPS)-induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). Method : To confirm the effects of SY on SPS-induced PTSD, Changes in body weight, sucrose intake open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST)were observed. After behavioral tests, the plasma corticosterone(CORT) from the abdominal aorta, serotonin(5-HT) from prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and striatum, norepinephrine(NE) and dopamine(DA) from hippocampus was measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) in hippocampus was measured by RT-PCR. Result : Weight change and sucrose intakes of rats in 14th day after the administration of SY were significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group compared to the SPS group (p<0.05). Numbers of crossing in the central zone in the OFT were significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group (p<0.05) compared with the SPS group. The immobility time of FST was significantly decreased in SPS + SY450 group compared with SPS group (p<0.05). The change of plasma CORT concentration was significantly decreased in SPS + SY450 group compared with that in SPS group (p<0.05). The change of 5-HT concentration was significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group at hippocampus and amygdala compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). The concentration of DA was significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). The expression of BDNF and CREB were significantly increased in SPS + SY450 group compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). Conclusion : SY administration lowered the increase of CORT caused by PTSD and increases the 5-HT concentration and reversed the decreased expression of NE and DA and BDNF and CREB by PTSD. It is postulated that SY is effective in treating PTSD by restoring cognitive function, memory impairment, unstable emotional disturbances.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.376-384
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• 2023

Purpose: The Armed Forces Trauma Center of Korea was established in April 2022. This study was conducted to report our 1-year experience of treating soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity. Methods: In this case series, we reviewed the medical records of 51 Korean soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity between April 2022 and March 2023 at a trauma center. We analyzed patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and III fractures and reported the duration of transportation, injury mechanisms, injured sites, and associated injuries. We also presented laboratory findings, surgery types, intensive care unit stays, hospital stays, rehabilitation results, and reasons for psychiatric consultation. Additionally, we described patients' mode of transport. Results: This study enrolled nine male patients who were between 21 and 26 years old. Six patients had type II and three had type III fractures. Transport from the accident scene to the emergency room ranged from 75 to 455 minutes, and from the emergency room to the operating room ranged from 35 to 200 minutes. Injury mechanisms included gunshot wounds, landmine explosions, grenade explosions, and entrapment by ship mooring ropes. One case had serious associated injuries (inhalation burn, open facial bone fractures, and hemopneumothorax). No cases with serious blood loss or coagulopathies were found, but most cases had a significant elevation of creatinine kinase. Two patients underwent vascular reconstruction, whereas four patients received flap surgery. After rehabilitation, six patients could walk, one patient could move their joints actively, and two patients performed active assistive movement. Eight patients were referred to the psychiatry department due to suicidal attempts and posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: This study provides insights into how to improve treatment for patients with military trauma, as well as medical services such as the transport system, by revising treatment protocols and systematizing treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid conditions in patients exposed to ionizing radiation and those who were involved in the Soviet-Afghan war. Methods: This study analyzed the frequency and spectrum of morbidity and comorbidity in patients over a long-term period (30-35 years) following exposure to ionizing radiation at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site or the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and among participants of the Soviet-Afghan war. A cohort study, both prospective and retrospective, was conducted on 675 patients who underwent comprehensive examinations. Results: Numerical data were analyzed using the Statistica 6 program. The results are presented as the mean±standard deviation, median, and interquartile range (25-75th percentiles). The statistical significance of between-group differences was assessed using the Student t-test and Pearson chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We found a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension (55.0%) and cardiac ischemia (32.9%); these rates exceeded the average for this age group in the general population. Conclusions: The cumulative impact of causal occupational, environmental, and ultra-high stress factors in the combat zone in participants of the Soviet-Afghan war, along with common conventional factors, contributed to the formation of a specific comorbidity structure. This necessitates a rational approach to identifying early predictors of cardiovascular events and central nervous system disorders, as well as pathognomonic clinical symptoms in this patient cohort. It also underscores the importance of selecting suitable methods and strategies for implementing treatment and prevention measures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.17-29
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• 2010

The main objective of this study is to consider the necessity of introducing owner expenses in estimating the cost of traffic accidents, as is done in some advanced countries. It is known as "owner cost" in the U.S, "enterprise project price" in Japan, and "human cost" in the U.K. To achieve this, the seriousness and present state of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of traffic accident offenders, which is generally not observed when traffic accidents occur, are evaluated; countermeasures reflecting personal characteristics are prepared according to degree of affliction. The results could be summarized as follows. First, the present condition and seriousness of PTSD from traffic accidents that has been estimated only within the accidents offenders are evaluated through a survey. Second, a distinction analysis model is developed. 'Insomnia caused by accidents' and 'mental daunting in accident situations or similar ones during driving' are chosen as the variables of the discriminant. Third, as a result of the construction of an Ordered Probit Model to comprehend the seriousness of PTSD, the variables turns out in the order of 'seriousness of the most damaged victim, 'nightmare about the accident', 'insomnia experience', 'mental daunting during driving', 'gender', and 'major driving area'. Finally, the cures reflecting characteristics of gender and region are suggested, which are preferred for degree of seriousness of PTSD. The analysis shows that the method to minimize the damage, such as decline of work efficiency, by moving ahead the rehabilitation of the offenders would be suggested and this could minimize the direct and indirect damages that could happen to business owners for whom the drivers work.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.63-70
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• 2022

This study is a study that collects and analyzes data through An autoethnographyon as one of method of qualitative research, through which researcher have experienced firsthand in the process of developmenting and counseling there a new concept professional mental health mobile service platform as a mental health social welfare expert. The results of this study are as follows.First, there are people in Korea who are directly exposed to mental health issues and need to receive professional medical services, but there are also quite a few members of the public who have a desire for general mental health services, although the level of therapeutic intervention is not required. Second, considering the characteristics of modern society and especially in the pandemic situation of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, more and more people are preferring various mental health service platforms using mobile devices. Third, all generations complain of mental health issues such as family problems, stress, interpersonal relationships, and occupations, and other mental health problems such as self-harm and suicide accidents are frequently mentioned in connection with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety disorder, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fourth, youngth s were exposed to various mental health-related issues, and above all, they were complaining of serious mental health problems such as self-harm and suicide accidents. Fifth, in delivering professional mental health services, mental health experts with the ability also to provide professional services online through mobile devices are needed as well offline. Finally, based on the results of this study, policy and practical suggestions related to the provision of mental health services in the future, and directions for follow-up studies were suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.676-687
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• 2020

Purpose To analyze the altered brain regions and intrinsic brain activity patterns in trauma-exposed firefighters without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Materials and Methods Resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) was performed for all subjects. Thirty-one firefighters over 40 years of age without PTSD (31 men; mean age, 49.8 ± 4.7 years) were included. Twenty-six non-traumatized healthy controls (HCs) (26 men; mean age, 65.3 ± 7.84 years) were also included. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to investigate focal differences in the brain anatomy. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis was performed to investigate differences in spontaneous brain characteristics. Results The mean z-scores of the Seoul Verbal Learning Test for immediate and delayed recall, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) score for animals, and COWAT phonemic fluency were significantly lower in the firefighter group than in the HCs, indicating decreased neurocognitive function. Compared to HCs, firefighters showed reduced gray matter volume in the left superior parietal gyrus and left inferior temporal gyrus. Further, in contrast to HCs, firefighters showed alterations in rsfMRI values in multiple regions, including the fusiform gyrus and cerebellum. Conclusion Structural and resting-state functional abnormalities in the brain may be useful imaging biomarkers for identifying alterations in trauma-exposed firefighters without PTSD.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.197-207
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• 2006

Cajanus indicus is a herb with medicinal properties and is traditionally used to treat various forms of liver disorders. Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 43 kD protein isolated from the leaves of this herb against chloroform induced hepatotoxicity. Male albino mice were intraperitoneally treated with 2mg/kg body weight of the protein for 5 days followed by oral application of chloroform (0.75ml/kg body weight) for 2 days. Different biochemical parameters related to physiology and pathophysiology of liver, such as, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were determined in the murine sera under various experimental conditions. Direct antioxidant role of the protein was also determined from its reaction with Diphenyl picryl hydraxyl radical, superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide. To find out the mode of action of this protein against chloroform induced liver damage, levels of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase were measured from liver homogenates. Peroxidation of membrane lipids both in vivo and in vitro were also measured as malonaldialdehyde. Finally, histopathological analyses were done from liver sections of control, toxin treated and protein pre- and post-treated (along with the toxin) mice. Levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, which showed an elevation in chloroform induced hepatic damage, were brought down near to the normal levels with the protein pretreatment. On the contrary, the levels of anti-oxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase that had gone down in mice orally fed with chloroform were significantly elevated in protein pretreated ones. Besides, chloroform induced lipid peroxidation was effectively reduced by protein treatment both in vivo and in vitro. In cell free system the protein effectively quenched diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radical and superoxide radical, though it could not catalyse the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Post treatment with the protein for 3 days after 2 days of chloroform administration showed similar results. Histopathological studies indicated that chloroform induced extensive tissue damage was less severe in the mice livers treated with the 43 kD protein prior and post to the toxin administration. Results from all these data suggest that the protein possesses both preventive and curative role against chloroform induced hepatotoxicity and probably acts by an anti-oxidative defense mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2010

Background : Meditation is one of the healing therapies used to prevent and cure ailments and to improve health through regular practice. Although Meditation is within the paradigm of modern Western medical science, effects on the human body could be possible. Objectives : This study performed a systematic review of the literature published in Korea focused on mindfulness meditation (MM), which is being applied as mind-body therapy around the USA lately. Method : Three hundred sixty six articles were found after searching with keyword, 'mindfulness meditation (MM)' in 6 journals and web databases. Ninety papers related MM were analyzed trend, Seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 38 controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were researched by systematic review. Result : Most of them were studies about relationship between MM and syndrome such as stress, depression, anxiety and MM was also applied to some disease like hypertension, temporomandibular joint disorder in some cases. In 55 studies, It was shown that MM has positive effects on various symptoms and sometimes the effect of MM showed at post and follow-up study although there was no significant difference between control group and experimental group in some cases according to outcome measurement. Interestingly, there was no study reported about side effects of MM after the application. Conclusions : MM is being clinically applied at both western and oriental hospital in Korea, but more clinical trials with the high quality are needed to support its scientific basis.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2009

Objective : This study examined psychiatric characteristics of wounded persons of Daegu subway fire accident occurring in February 2003 after six years. Methods : 103 wounded persons completed psychometric measures at 2 months and 6 years after the accident. Changes of psychiatric symptoms were compared and factors affecting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) seriousness were examined. Results : In Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the scores of Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Masculinity/ Femininity (Mf), Social Introversion (Si) scales were significantly changed over time. The scores of Symptoms Checklist-90-Revision subscales were mostly decreased over time, however, paranoid ideation (PAR) subsclae scores were not significantly changed over time. In all of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-State, Beck Depression Inventory, Impact of Event Scale, and PTSD Checklist-Civilian, mean scores at 6 years after the accident were significantly lower than those at 2 months after the accident. However, STAI-Trait score was not significantly changed over time. Total seriousness of PTSD was found to be affected by quality of sleep. Conclusions : Psychiatric symptoms of subjects were largely improved over time, but distrust and doubt of others were continued. In addition, the wounded persons suffered from sleep problems. Therefore, early and continuous interventions of public institutions and public health specialists are needed for the wounded persons with chronic psychiatric disorders.