• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.102-110
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• 1999

Objectives : The alcohol dependence in elderly people has been prevalent because of increase in geriatric population. However, it is difficult to find out alcohol dependence in the aged, because they have less specific clinical features as compared with adult alcoholics. The aims of this study were to screen alcohol dependence among elderly Koreans and to know the clinical characteristics of Korean delerly alcoholics. Methods : The questionnaires translated into Korean such as Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test(MAST-K), the Brief MAST and the MAST-Geriatirc Version (MAST-KG) were used to screen alcohol dependence in the elderly alcoholic inpatients aged over 60(N=43), adult alcoholic inpatients within 20-59 Yrs of age(N=60), which were compared with age matched normal healthy aged(N=18) or adult controls(N=45). The demographic data such as sex, age, education, occupation, socioeconomic status, marital status, numbers of children, dwelling and religion as well as alcohol history such as duration of alcohol drinking, onset age, family history, impulsivity, somatic illness and motivation were also obtained to identify characteristic features of Korean aged alcoholics by structured interviews. Results : 1) The aged alcoholics had the charateristic features of more in males, lower age, low education levels, more in blue-collar workers, lower socioeconomic class, more in single, few babies, more living alone, having no religion without statistical significance. 2) The onset age of alcohol dependence was significantly higher in the aged alcoholics($45.3{\pm}13.6Yrs$) than in the adult alcoholics($27.7{\pm}8.7Yrs$)(p<0.0001). The duration of problematic alcohol drinking was significantly longer in the aged alcoholics($22.0{\pm}15.1Yrs$) than in adult alcoholics($14.2{\pm}8.4Yrs$)(p<0.01). Otherwise, there were no significant difference between aged and adult alcoholics in the family history, imulsivity, somatic illness and motivation. 3) The mean score of the MAST-K was significantly higher in the aged alcoholics($20.6{\pm}5.4$) than in the normal aged($6.7{\pm}4.4$)(p<0.0001), which was significantly lower than in the adult alcoholics($26.2{\pm}8.0$) and in normal adult controls($9.5{\pm}3.2$)(p<0.05). The mean score of the Brief MAST was significantly lower in the aged alcoholics($9.3{\pm}3.5$) than in the adult alcoholics($14.5{\pm}6.6$)(p<0.0001). The mean score of the MAST-KG was significantly higher in the aged alcoholics($10.6{\pm}3.5$) than in the normal aged($4.8{\pm}4.3$)(p<0.0001). The former was significantly lower than in the adult alcoholics($12.9{\pm}4.3$)(p<0.005), and the mean score was $4.5{\pm}2.8$ in normal adult controls. 4) The items which showed statistically significant differences between aged alcoholics and normal aged controls could be found in 10 items of the MAST-K(items 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 14, 17, 21, 22 and 23), 2 items of the Brief MAST(items 2 and 9), and 7 items of the MAST-KG(items 6, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24)(p<0.01). Conclusions : The scores of the MAST-K, the Brief MAST and the MAST-KG were significantly lower in the aged alcoholics than those in the adult alcoholics (p<0.05). The statistically significant differences between aged alcoholics and normal aged controls could be found in 10 items of the MAST-K, 2 items of the Brief MAST and 7 items of the MAST-KG. Therefore, a briefer rating scales around 10 items are needed to screen alcohol dependence among Korean elderly people.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of victims of bullying and the demographic characteristics of victims, and their related psychopathology, in a Korean nationwide sample of youths in middle and high school over a one month period. Methods : During the autumn of 2009, students in the 7th to 12th grades at 23 secondary schools participated in a nationwide, cross-sectional study. The study subjects completed the Adolescent Mental Health and Problem Behavior Screening Questionnaire-II (AMPQ-II) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R). Based on the data acquired, descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Results : Among the 3364 participants, 2272 (67.54%) completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of victimization was 28.9%. Male gender was positively associated with victimization, and grade level was negatively related to victimization. The AMPQ-II bullying score (Factor 4) was significantly (p<.001) and positively correlated to the AMPQ-II student total score (r= 0.50), Worry and thought (Factor 1 ; r=0.38), Mood and suicide (Factor 2 ; r=0.31), Academic and Internet-related problems (Factor 3 ; r=0.24), Rule violations (Factor 5 ; r=0.23), and AMPQ-II teacher total score (r=0.11). Somatization (r=0.23), Obsessive-compulsive behavior (r=0.24), Interpersonal sensitivity (r=0.30), Depression (r=0.33), Anxiety (r=0.26), Hostility (r=0.30), Phobic anxiety (r=0.22), Paranoid ideation (r=0.36), and Psychoticism (r=0.31) results from the SCL-90-R were also found to be positively related to the AMPQ-II bullying score, and remained significant after adjusting for age and gender. A total of 26% of the victims reported suicidal ideations as compared to 9% of non-victims over the month prior to the evaluation ($x^2$=119.595, df=1, p<.001). The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the AMPQ-II bullying score significantly increased the risk of suicidal ideation [Exp(b)=1.55, df=1, p<.001] after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion : School bullying was highly prevalent among Korean middle and high school students. This study provided strong evidence that suicidal ideation and psychopathology were serious problems among the victims of bullying.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2014

Purpose: There has been little research regarding the effectiveness of oseltamivir for influenza B infections. We sought to identify the different clinical manifestations between patients treated with and without oseltamivir. Methods: We retrospectively studied the medical records of 72 inpatients or outpatients from two medical centers diagnosed with influenza B infections by either a rapid antigen test or multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR between January 2012 and July 2012. We compared gender, age, past medical history, admission period, total fever duration, fever duration after hospitalization, post-oseltamivir medication peak temperature, laboratory test, chest X-ray, antibiotic medication, and the presence of concomitant viral or bacterial infections. Results: The number of subjects in our study was 72 who were diagnosed with influenza B pneumonia, acute bronchitis, acute bronchiolitis, croup, and mean age was $3.6{\pm}2.8$ year old. The demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of oseltamivir and the non-oseltamivir groups, including hospitalization period ($4.18{\pm}2.10$ vs $4.79{\pm}1.49$ days, P=.17) and total fever duration ($5.32{\pm}2.07$ vs $6.41{\pm}3.25$ days, P =.09), demonstrated no significant differences. Notably, the oseltamivir group did have significantly reduced usage of antibiotic treatment than the non-oseltamivir group (P=.04). When we limited our patient group to patients under the age of three, similar results were seen. The group prescribed oseltamivir within 48 hours of fever onset had less antibiotic usage, in addition to a shorter fever duration. Conclusion: Oseltamivir appeared to have no benefit in improving the clinical course. However, if it is prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptoms, it may be more effective.

• Proceedings of the KSPS conference
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• 2000.07a
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• pp.235-240
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• 2000

In the age of global communication, more human exchange is extended at the grass-roots level. In the old days, language policy and language planning was based on one nation-state with one language. But high waves of globalizaiton have allowed extended human flow of exchange beyond one's national border on a daily basis. Under such circumstances, homogeneity in Japan may not allow Japanese to speak and communicate only in Japanese and only with Japanese people. In Japan, an advisory report was made to the Ministry of Education in June 1996 about what education should be like in the 21st century. In this report, an introduction of English at public elementary schools was for the first time made. A basic policy of English instruction at the elementary school level was revealed. With this concept, English instruction is not required at the elementary school level but each school has their own choice of introducing English as their curriculum starting April 2002. As Baker, Colin (1996) indicates the age of three as being the threshold diving a child becoming bilingual naturally or by formal instruction. Threre is a movement towards making second language acquisition more naturalistic in an educational setting, developing communicative competence in a more or less formal way. From the lesson of the Canadian immersion success, Genesee (1987) stresses the importance of early language instruction. It is clear that from a psycho-linguistic perspective, most children acquire basic communication skills in their first language apparently effortlessly and without systematic and formal instruction during the first six or seven years of life. This innate capacity diminishes with age, thereby making language learning increasingly difficult. The author, being a returnee, experienced considerable difficulty acquiring L2, and especially achieving native-like competence. There will be many hurdles to conquer until Japanese students are able to reach at least a communicative level in English. It has been mentioned that English is not taught to clear the college entrance examination, but to communicate. However, Japanese college entrance examination still makes students focus more on the grammar-translation method. This is expected to shift to a more communication stressed approach. Japan does not have to aim at becoming an official bilingual country, but at least communicative English should be taught at every level in school Mito College is a small two-year co-ed college in Japan. Students at Mito College are basically notgood at English. It has only one department for business and economics, and English is required for all freshmen. It is necessary for me to make my classes enjoyable and attractive so that students can at least get motivated to learn English. My major target is communicative English so that students may be prepared to use English in various business settings. As an experiment to introduce more communicative English, the author has made the following syllabus design. This program aims at training students speak and enjoy English. 90-minute class (only 190-minute session per week is most common in Japanese colleges) is divided into two: The first half is to train students orally using Graded Direct Method. The latter half uses different materials each time so that students can learn and enjoy English culture and language simultaneously. There are no quizes or examinations in my one-academic year program. However, all students are required to make an original English poem by the end of the spring semester. 2-6 students work together in a group on one poem. Students coming to Mito College, Japan have one of the lowest English levels in all of Japan. However, an attached example of one poem made by a group shows that students can improve their creativity as long as they are kept encouraged. At the end of the fall semester, all students are then required individually to make a 3-minute original English speech. An example of that speech contest will be presented at the Convention in Seoul.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.247-254
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• 2001

There is a growing tendency for injury and it is essential to know about the epidemiology of the injured teeth for proper and timely treatment. Through empirical data analysis of 120 children who came to pediatric dentistry of Kangnung National University Dental Hospital, this study purposes to give an understanding about the injury and analyzes the frequency by children's sex and age, the number of injured teeth according to the area in the mouth, the types of injury, causes and places of injury, the frequency occurred by month and hour, the position of injured teeth, and the elapse of time. The main findings of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The frequency analysis by sex shows that the rate of boys is more likely to be higher than girls(1.6:1). 2. The frequency analysis by age shows that the ratio of children between aged 2~4 and 8~10 are high. 3. The number of injured teeth is generally one(51.7%). 4. Periodontal tissue injury is the main cause for the primary teeth. In case of permanent teeth, the ratio of hard tissue injury which is much increased than the case of the primary teeth, is similar to that of periodontal tissue injury. 5. The main cause of injury is fall for both dentition; In case of permanent dentition, the ratio of injury by sports is increased. 6. The place of injury for primary teeth is mainly home(38.8%); Street and school for permanent teeth(42.5% and 35%, respectively). 7. The frequency by month shows that the injury is most frequently occurred in July. 8. The frequency analysis by hour shows that injury for primary teeth mostly happens in the morning; in the afternoon for permanent teeth. 9. The position of injured teeth according to the area in the mouth is mainly maxilla anterior in both case of primary and permanent teeth and especially the ratio of central incisors is high, 10. More than half(59.2%) of patients came to the hospital within one day and the seriously injured were likely to come within one day than the slightly injured.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.742-746
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• 2008

Purpose : The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects and adverse side-effects of growth hormone (GH) therapy in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Methods : Forty-one patients who had been treated with GH for more than two years (24 boys and 17 girls, mean age $7.3{\pm}3.3$ years during treatment initiation) were enrolled for this study. Results : After 2 years of GH therapy, the height and weight standard deviation scores (SDS) increased significantly ($-1.19{\pm}1.37$ vs. $-0.02{\pm}1.45$, and $1.02{\pm}2.42$ vs. $1.63{\pm}2.22$, P<0.002); however the percentage body fat decreased ($44.6{\pm}9.9%$ vs. $38.1{\pm}10.5%$, P<0.001). Further, no change was observed in the thyroid and serum glucose levels, but the total cholesterol level decreased. GH therapy did not impact glucose control in the patients with diabetes. The most common adverse effects of GH therapy were the progression of scoliosis and adenoid hypertrophy. Conclusion : GH therapy improved the height SDS and body composition in patients with PWS. However, GH should be used with caution in patients with scoliosis and adenoid hypertrophy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.723-730
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was performed to characterize the etiology and clinical features of acute viral lower-respiratory tract infections(LRI). Methods : Etiologic agents and clinical features of acute viral LRI were studied from October. 2003 through March. 2004 in hospitalized children with LRI(253 cases) at Samsung Cheil Hospital. The viruses were identified by indirect immunofluorescent method. Medical records of patients with proven viral LRI were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Ninety two cases(36.4%) were confirmed as viral infections. The identified pathogens were respiratory syncytial virus(RSV, 76.0%), adenovirus(ADV, 12.0%), influenza virus type A(INFA, 9.8 %), influenza virus type B(INFB, 1.1%) and parainfluenza virus(PIV, 1.1%). Eight four point eight% of patients were younger than 2 years of age. Clinical diagnosis of LRI were pneumonia(56.5%), bronchiolitis(35.9%), tracheobronchitis(4.3%) and croup(3.3%). The clinical symptoms and signs were cough(98.8%), rhinorrhea(82.6%), fever(70.7%), rale(67.4%), wheezing(29.3%), chest retraction(28.3%) and cyanosis(4.3%). The severe respiratory symptoms and signs were more common in RSV-infected patients, even cyanosis could be observed. Seventeen point four percent of patient had fever of $38.5^{\circ}C$ or higher and their most common etiologic agent was INFA(66.7%). Twenty three point nine percent had fever more than 5 days and common etiologic agent was INFA(77.8%). The elevated WBC count($>14{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$) was in 14.1%, and common etiologic agents were INFA(22.2%) and ADV(18.2%). C-reactive protein(CRP >4.0 mg/dL) was increased in 13.0%, and common in ADV(63.6 %). Increased aspartate aminotransferase(AST)/alanine aminotransferase(ALT) was detected in 10.9%, and the most common etiologic agent was RSV(12.9%). Conclusion : The common agents of acute viral LRI were RSV, ADV and INF, respectively. Because the etiologic agents present variable clinical features, it may be helpful to treat and to evaluate acute viral LRI that we should understand their etiologic variability.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1132-1138
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• 2005

Purpose : The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a heterogeneous group of lysosomal storage disorders. They are caused by a deficiency of the enzymes involved in the degradation of glycosaminoglycans. Early recognition is important because recombinant enzyme replacement therapy is now available for MPS. We studied the clinical characteristics of 80 MPS children with the object of determining the epidemiological, clinical and radiological features in Korean MPS children. Methods : Diagnosis of MPS was confirmed by skin fibroblast enzyme analysis in 80 patients between February 1995 and December 2004. Charts were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and radiological findings, as well as for intelligence and speech evaluations. Results : Hunter syndrome (MPS type II) was the most prevalent type, appearing in 51/80 cases (64 %), followed by Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III-18%), Hurler syndrome (MPS I-15%), and Morquio syndrome (MPS IV-4%). The average age at diagnosis was 5.5 years (range 1 to 20), and the male-to-female ratio was 4.7 : 1. Typical radiographic changes were observed in 45/54 cases (83%). Mitral regurgitation was the most common cardiac defect. Moderate to profound mental retardation and hearing loss were present in 14/35 cases (56%) and 33/38 cases (82%), respectively. Four MPS II patients had bone marrow transplantation, with mixed outcomes. Five MPS I patients are currently on enzyme replacement therapy. Conclusion : Our study showed a high proportion of MPS II cases (64%), which may represent population variability. By studying the clinical features of these patients, we hope to alert pediatricians of the warning signs of MPS.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in children with IgA nephropathy and Henoch- Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein Purpura (HSP) nephritis combined with proteinuria. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 21 patients who were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis based on percutaneous renal biopsy. Of the 21 patients, 15 were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and 6 were diagnosed with HSP nephritis. They had mild to severe proteinuria at the time of diagnosis or during follow-up. Group 1 (n=7) received methylprednisolone pulse therapy three times every couple of months, and Group 2 (n=14) received oral steroid therapy. The follow-up periods for Group 1 and 2 were 14.0 (9-54) months and 26.5 (14-34) months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the follow-up duration between the two groups. Results: The average age at diagnosis and biopsy was lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2, but it was not significantly different. At admission, all patients in both groups had hematuria and 5 patients (71.4%) of Group 1 and 14 patients (100 %) of Group 2 had proteinuria. Before treatment, there was no significant difference of spot urine protein/creatinine ratio between the two groups. During followup, 7 patients of Group 1 (100%) and 10 patients of Group 2 (71.4%) showed complete improvement of proteinuria and the spot urine protein/creatinine ratio in Group 1 was significantly lower than Group 2. Conclusion: In patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis with proteinuria, methylprednisolone pulse therapy was more effective than oral steroid therapy in the reduction of proteinuria. To investigate the effects on long-term prognosis, large-scale prospective studies are needed.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.194-199
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• 2017

This study investigated the prognosis of luxation injuries in primary teeth treated with splinting. This study retrospectively analyzed 92 children with luxation injuries to their primary teeth who were treated with splints between 2010 and 2015. Prognoses were analyzed in patients who had been followed for more than 6 months. The prognoses with splinting were based on clinical and radiographic evaluations performed during the follow-up examinations. The mean patient age was 42.1 months, and 67.4% were male. The most common cause of luxation injury was falling, and the mean splint duration was 2.4 weeks. The success rate of splinting was 58.9%. The highest rate of success was achieved following subluxation, while repositioning and splinting of lateral luxation had the lowest rate of success. Pulp necrosis was the most common unfavorable prognosis in the luxation injuries. Depending upon the type of luxation, splint therapy had acceptable prognoses and might be a feasible treatment option.