• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2000

Objectives : This study aimed to examine a correlation between the somatic complaints, emotion, vocabulary and alexithymia as a component of personality in normal persons. Methods : 204 subjects were collected by age-based systematic sampling from the 662 persons without confirmed medical illness. We used the Korean version of 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20K) to measure alexithymia. The somatic complaints were checked by the list of somatic symptoms on the diagnostic criteria of somatization disorder and major depressive episode in DSM-IV. The vocabulary was evaluated by the total number of associating-words from the spontaneous association of word and the secondary association to given words. The anxiety and depression were evaluated using 5-point self-report scale. Results : 1) The degree of alexithymia was significantly correlated with the somatic complaints, anxiety, depression. 2) The somatic complaints were significantly correlated with the anxiety and depression. 3) The number of associating-words showed negative correlation with the age. 4) The degree of alexithymia was not correlated with the number of associating-words. Conclusion : The more degree of alexithymia increased, the more somatic complaints appeared. There was a significant correlation between the degree of alexithymia, anxiety and depression. But the degree of alexithymia was not correlated with the amount of vocabulary.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of clinical image quality of panoramic radiographs and to analyze the parameters that influence the overall image quality. Materials and Methods: Korean dental clinics were asked to provide three randomly selected panoramic radiographs. An oral and maxillofacial radiology specialist evaluated those images using our self-developed Clinical Image Quality Evaluation Chart. Three evaluators classified the overall image quality of the panoramic radiographs and evaluated the causes of imaging errors. Results: A total of 297 panoramic radiographs were collected from 99 dental hospitals and clinics. The mean of the scores according to the Clinical Image Quality Evaluation Chart was 79.9. In the classification of the overall image quality, 17 images were deemed 'optimal for obtaining diagnostic information,' 153 were 'adequate for diagnosis,' 109 were 'poor but diagnosable,' and nine were 'unrecognizable and too poor for diagnosis'. The results of the analysis of the causes of the errors in all the images are as follows: 139 errors in the positioning, 135 in the processing, 50 from the radiographic unit, and 13 due to anatomic abnormality. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographs taken at local dental clinics generally have a normal or higher-level image quality. Principal factors affecting image quality were positioning of the patient and image density, sharpness, and contrast. Therefore, when images are taken, the patient position should be adjusted with great care. Also, standardizing objective criteria of image density, sharpness, and contrast is required to evaluate image quality effectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.165-170
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• 2003

The clinical efficacies of Korean Red Ginseng for improving sexual function has been reported only by self-reporting questionnaires.AVS-Penogram is a method evaluating natural penile blood flow changes by Gamma-camera after intravenous injection of Techmetium 99$\^$m/-RBC and also stimulating by erotic video tape. To more objectively evaluate the efficacies of Korean Red Ginseng for erectile function, we applied AVS-Penogram as a objective diagnostic tool. AVS-Penogram studies were done in 28 patients with erectile dysfunction after administration of Red Ginseng(19) or placebo(9) group. The pattern of AVS-Penogram before medication were normal type in 4, impossible in 2, unstable in 20, delayed in 1, and mixed in 1. The unstable type were the most prevalent observed in 71.4% of all patients. The patterns of AVS-penogram were 2.2. 13.1 in Red Ginseng group, while in placebo group normal 2, unstable 7. After 4 weeks in Red Ginseng group, there were 3 cases of improved penogram findings, while only 1 in placebo group. There were no statistical significancies in the type of penogram changes on both group. But the maximum radioactivity were improved in 11 patients(57.9%) in Red Ginseng group, while 2(22.2%) in placebo group. There were statistical significancies in comparing the maximal radioactivity of penogram on both group. These AVS-Penogram findings shows, encouraging results of by increased penile blood flow Korean Red Ginseng our medication. Further study is more needed to reconfirm these results by more concentrated active formulations of sapanonin St other active ginsenosides. These promising results will lead to develop a new remedy for erectile dysfunction by Korean Red Ginseng

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.147-157
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• 1992

The fragile X syndrome, which is considered to be synonymous with the Martin-Bell syndrome, is a relatively common form of X-linked mental retardation. The syndrome seems to occure in many different ethnic groups and its prevalence among mentally retarded males has been estimated to be in the order of 2 to 6%. The karyotypic hallmark of the syndrome is made up with a pronounced constriction near each tip of the long arm of the X chromosome(fragile site), shown in vitro only under conditions in which thymidylate production is blocked(lowered folate levels). Special culture media are needed to demonstrate this constriction site. Major clinical features associated with the syndrome include macroorchidism, large or prominent ears, significant emotional and behavioral dysfunctions such as hyperactivity, self-injury, lack of eye contact and social interaction, schizophrenia, autism, etc., and speech and language dysfunctions ranging from nonverbal to verbal speech with moderate to severe expressive language delays. Some have minor clinical features in common such as an increase in birth weight high forehead, prognathism, increased head circumference in infancy and childhood which did not persist into adult life. The recent research findings have shown that the fragile X syndrome is associated with infantile autism. Many patients with the fragile X syndrome fulfill the diagnostic criteria for infantile autism. Therefore it is recommendable that any patient with developmental delays and autism or autistic manifestations should have a chromosomal analysis, including fragile X examination. In the present review, historical aspects, incidence, and clinical features are presented. Recent anecdotal reports of the association with autism and the clinical improvement following high dose folic acid treatment will be discussed.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 1995

Forty patients meeting DSM-III-H criteria for panic disorder and 51 normal controls were assessed with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised(PDQ-R), a self-rating scale designed to assess Axis II personality disorders and traits. Results replicated previous findings of a preponderance of dependent, avoidant, and histrionic features. But our result showed other features such as paranoid, schizotypal, borderline, and antisocial traits also. Patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of their personality traits(high or low). These groups were compared in various panic symptomatology and SCL-90-R. None of the specific symptom dimensions in panic disorder, i.e. panic, anxiety, agoraphobia, social impairment, or chronicity was different between groups. Rather, high personality trait groups were found to have significantly more symptomatology in SCR-90-R than low personality groups. Result indicated that patients exhibiting a greater number of personality traits were also significantly more symptomatic. The results suggested a possible link beteween panic disorder and personality disorder. And, general factors such as depression, social or interpersonal sensitivity might provide a much better explanation of personality disorders in panic patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2010

Objectives：Assessment of sleep disturbance is an essential part of the diagnostic criteria used for several psychiatric disorders. Change in sleep patterns over time may indicate response to treatment. In clinical practice, sleep is usually evaluated subjectively by patient self-report. This study was aimed to compare subjective sleep assessment with objective sleep measurement by actigraphy in psychiatric inpatients. Methods：A total of 32 psychiatric inpatients were studied. Patients were asked to wear a wrist actigraphy for three consecutive days and nights and to fill out a sleep log each morning. The severity of depression and anxiety was evaluated according to Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory on the first day of the study. The subjective level of satisfaction with quality of sleep was also evaluated according to visual analog scale. Nurses assessed sleep at one hour interval between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM for three consecutive nights. Results：There was statistically significant difference of sleep latency between patient's sleep log and acti-graphic measurement. Nursing reports were more consistent with actigraphic measurement than sleep log. Interestingly, subjectively poor sleepers show no significant difference in sleep parameters compared with those of good sleepers. Subjectively poor sleepers report longer sleep latency than that of actigraphic assessment. The discrepancy between subjective and objective assessment of sleep latency was significantly correlated with scores of Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Conclusion：These results show that there are discrepancies between subjective and objective assessment of sleep. The discrepancy of sleep assessment could be influenced by severe depression and anxiety. Especially objective sleep measurement is needed to assess sleep in psychiatric inpatients with severe depression or anxiety and the subjectively poor sleepers for more reliable measurements.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2006

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the medical underutilization for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among Korean elderly men and we wanted to determine their associated factors. Methods : This study was conducted on 239 men with LUTS and 116 men with BPH who were compatible with the diagnostic criteria from a total of 641 participants. These participants were over 50 years old and they were randomly chosen in a community-based study for estimating the prevalence of BPH. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we surveyed the sociodemographics, health status, quality of life, lower urinary tract symptoms, medical utilization and reasons for not seeking treatment. Results : Only 27.6% of the men with LUTS and 31.0% of the men with BPH reported having visited a doctor for urinary symptoms. The reasons for not visiting a doctor were, in order of responses from the group with LUTS: 'considered the symptoms as a part of the normal ageing process', 'not enough time to visit a doctor', 'financial difficulty' and 'the symptoms were not severe or bothersome'. Regarding BPH, the responses were the same as those of the group with LUTS however, 'financial difficulty' placed second. Among the men with experience of visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms, 33.3% of those with LUTS and 28.1% of those with BPH were not treated. The most common reason in both groups was 'the symptoms were not severe to be treated'. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, the larger size household (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.40-6.54) and an unsatisfactory quality of life related with urinary symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI=1.23-7.21) were associated with medical utilization in the group of LUTS. For BPH, the current employment status was related with the medical utilization (OR 2.80, 95% CI=1.10-7.11), in addition to the larger size household (OR 3.24, 95% CI=1.14-9.21). Conclusions : Many men with urinary symptoms do not visit a doctor. This medical underutilization for people with LUTS and BPH may be associated with economic status in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2965-2972
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• 2016

Background: China carries a heavy burden of cervical cancer (CC) and substantial disparities exist across regions within the country. In order to reduce regional disparities in CC, the government of China launched the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural Areas (NCCSPRA) in 2009. Critical to the success of the program are the health care workers who play a pivotal role in preventing and managing CC by encouraging and motivating women to use screening services and by providing identification and treatment services. This study aimed to assess cervical cancer knowledge among these health care workers at the county level in maternal and child health (MCH) hospitals across different socio-economic regions of China. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and self-administered questionnaires were sent to all health care workers (a total of 66) providing cervical cancer screening services in 6 county level MCH hospitals in Liaoning, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces, representing eastern, central and western regions of China; 64 (97.0%, 64/66) of the workers responded. ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to compare the knowledge rate and scores in subgroups. Results: The knowledge level of the respondents was generally low. The overall combined knowledge rate was 46.9%. The knowledge rates for risk factors, prevention, clinical symptoms, screening and diagnostic tests and understanding of positive results were 31.3%, 37.5%, 18.1%, 56.3% and 84.4%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in scores or rates of CC knowledge were seen across the different regions. The total and sectional scores in the less developed regions were statistically significantly lower than in the other regions. Conclusions: The majority of the health care workers who provide CC screening service in NCCSPRA at county level MCH hospitals do not have adequately equipped with knowledge about CC. Given the importance of knowledge to the program's success in reducing CC burden in rural women in China, efforts are needed to improve the knowledge of health care workers, especially in less developed regions.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2021

This study analyzed the non-cognitive domains (self-management competency, interpersonal relations competency) and cognitive domains (physical communication competency, comprehensive reasoning ability) among K-CESA for college students in the Division of Architecture at 𐩒𐩒 University and construction company workers, after which a training program for college students was designed. A K-CESA diagnostic evaluation was conducted on 25 construction company workers and 36 students in the senior and junior years of the division of Architecture. To identify the discrepancies among the two groups, "One-way ANOVA", a mean difference test, was performed and the Scheffe verification system was conducted as an after-measure. The empirical analysis of this study was verified at the significance level p <.05, and statistical processing was analyzed utilizing the SPSS WIN. 23.0 program. The major findings are as follows: first, the significant point of difference between the college students and construction company workers were located in five skills (goal-oriented planning and execution skills, cooperative skills, intervention skills, leadership skills, speaking skills, analytical reasoning skills); second, the education program was developed to improve the goal-oriented planning, execution ability and analytical reasoning ability through the expert-required analysis and study research. Through follow-up studies, I suggested that there is a need to develop courses that compare the competencies of various majors and workers in public institutions, corporations and other organizations.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.362-369
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• 2019

This descriptive study investigated depression among 4,904 elderly people aged 60 to 90 years using the Korean Retirement and Income Study. The depressive group and non-depressive group were classified by the depression self-diagnostic scale, CES-D. The effects of general characteristics, disability, disability type, IADL, and social support on depression were examined. A t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors affecting depression. The average age of the depressive group was 75.10 years, which was higher than the average age of the non-depressive group (73.44 years), indicating that depression increased with age. Elderly who were female, elderly with no spouse, elderly with lower educational attainment and with a lower household income were in the depressed group. The score to perform IADL of disabled persons was higher than that of non-disabled persons, and the social support was lower. Logistic regression analysis performed to determine the risk factors affecting depression revealed that it was affected by disability and type of disability. Although this study has some limitations, the results presented herein can be used as a basis for understanding elderly with disabilities and developing future healthcare programs for them.