• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.128-133
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• 2012

Objectives : Located on chromosome 10q22-q23, the human neuregulin 3 (NRG3) is suggested as a strong positional and functional candidate gene involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Several case-control studies examining the association between polymorphisms on NRG3 gene with schizophrenia and/or its traits (such as delusion) have been reported recently in cohorts of Han Chinese, Ashkenazi Jews, Australians, white Americans of Western European ancestry and Koreans. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association of one SNP in exon 9 (rs2295933) of NRG3 gene with the risk of schizophrenia in a Korean population. Methods : Using TaqMan assay, rs2295933 in the exon 9 of NRG3 was genotyped in 435 patients with schizophrenia as cases and 393 unrelated healthy individuals as controls. Differences in frequency distributions were analyzed using logistic regression models following various modes of genetic inheritance and controlling for age and sex as covariates. Results : Subsequent analysis revealed that the frequency distribution of rs2295933 of NRG3 was not different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls of Korean ethnicity. Conclusions : This study does not support the role of NRG3 in schizophrenia in a Korean population.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2001

Purpose: Ingested foreign bodies present a common clinical problem. It is well known that most of them pass uninterrupted through the gastrointestinal tract. We evaluated the role of endoscopy and Foley catheter for removal of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: We investigated retrospectively 60 cases with foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. They had been treated at Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University of Korea, from January, 1996 through December, 1999. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 7 months to 13 years. Patients under 5 years were 57 cases (97%) and there was no significant difference in sex (M : F=1.07 : 1). 45 cases of the patients had no symptom. The most common foreign bodies were coins (43 cases). The most common location was esophagus (31 cases). The number of foreign body removal using flexible endoscopy and Foley catheter was 22 (36.7%) and 18 (30.0%) cases, respectively. In 18 cases (30.0%), foreign bodies passed spontaneously. Only 1 case (1.7%), curtain pin impaction at ileocecal region, required surgery. Conclusion: Early foreign body removal from esophagus and stomach is recommended to lessen the morbidity and complication. Fluoroscopic foley catheter technique and flexible endoscopy for removal of esophageal foreign bodies in children is safe and effective.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8069-8073
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide, with a high mortality. Most patients present with late stage disease, when the treatment options are limited to systemic chemotherapy. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the significance of p53 and EGFR expression in HCC, and to determine whether these two markers correlate with conventional parameters of prognosis. Materials and Methods: Our study included a total of 45 patients, diagnosed histopathologically with HCC. Clinicopathological data including sex, age, tumor necrosis, tumor size, histologic grading, tumor stage, the presence of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, were recorded from the Institute database. Three independent microscopic fields were selected for each sample and all the tumor cells within each microscopic field were counted, and then the positive percent of p53 cells were calculated. Three staining patterns were recognized: diffuse, heterogenous and focal. The intensity of EGFR staining was scored on a scale of 0-3+: 0 no staining; 1+ when a weak membrane staining was observed; 2+ when membrane staining is more intense than in 1+, but less than 3+, and 3+ when intense dark brown staining delineated the membrane. To determine the relationship between EGFR expression and p53, we performed double staining in the same HCC specimens. Results: By immunohistochemical staining, p53 protein was detected in tumor cell nuclei in 20 HCCs (44%). We found a significant correlation between the intensity of p53 expression and the histological grade (p=0.008). EGFR expression was detected in 17 (38%) cases, linked to histological grade (p=0.039). Moreover, the intensity of p53 expression was significantly correlated with EGFR intensity (p=0.014). Conclusions: Our results suggest that overexpression of p53 and EGFR plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis and contributes to more advanced disease. These markers are not only valuable predictors of prognosis in HCC, but they are also rational targets for new anti-tumor strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2001

Purpose : To identify occult intra-articular pathologies in the acute ankle fracture using arthroscopy and to investigate the factors to predict its possibility of occult injuries that could be occurred. Materials and Methods : This prospective study included fifty patients who got operation for the ankle fractures. Ankle arthroscopy was performed to document the type and anatomical location of occult lesion. We investigated the correlation between incidence of occult injuries and specific fracture type. Results : Of fifty ankles, 37 ankles had occult lesion. Twenty five loose bodies including displaced fragments were found and various cartilage lesions were found in 31 ankles. Tibial avulsion fragment by anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament was occurred in 6 cases. There was no correlation between the incidence of occult lesion and various factors including age, sex, injury mechanism and fracture type(p>0.05). Conclusion : The ankle arthroscopy had an effective role for the detection and treatment of occult injuries and it was difficult to predict the occurrence or associated accurately in all of th ankle fractures.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2020

In this paper we propose a for high school students who are attending a nationwide city with experience in Internet pornography, we would like to find out the impact of Internet pornography experience and self-regulation on sex crime harmful behavior. For this study, an Internet panel survey was conducted using a purposeful method of significant allocation inference. During the period, 246 copies of the questionnaire were distributed for about a month from May to June 2018 and 210 parts were analyzed except for 36 parts with no experience of pornographic material, and further analysis was conducted on 85 respondents with experience in harmful behavior of sexual violence. To this end, analysis tools used the SPS WIN 20.0 program version. The research results are as follows. First, we could find that Internet pornography has a negative effect on teenagers. This shows the probability of developing sexual violence into behavior as people can experience pornographic material regardless of their will due to the high Internet access. Second, the self-regulation of sexual violence behavior is found to have no direct impact. This is not just the adolescent's will to do so, but it is affected by the external environment. Third, self-regulation has proven its role as a modulator to mitigate negative perceptions of Internet pornography. Based on this, the proposal for limiting current prices was discussed.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2015

Purpose: Predicting life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients is very important. In many studies, ferritin is detected at higher levels in the sera of cancer patients, and higher ferritin level correlates with aggressiveness of disease and poor outcomes of patients. This study evaluated a prognostic role of serum ferritin levels in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: This study enrolled 65 terminally ill cancer patients from March through June 2012. We assessed routine laboratory findings including serum ferritin levels as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. To examine the association between serum ferritin levels and patient's characteristics, we used Spearman's correlation analysis, Wilcoxon's rank sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriately. For multivariate analysis, Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate significance of serum ferritin levels as a prognostic factor. Results: A negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and survival time was found. After adjusting for sex, age, performance status, creatinine levels and white blood cell counts, serum ferritin levels were significantly associated with survival time. Conclusion: Even at the very end of life of terminal cancer patients, serum ferritin levels were an independent prognostic factor for survival.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-85
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• 1980

The purpose of this study was to investigate the compliance behavior of hypertensive patients in light of their health belief model that explains an individual's compliance with health maintenance or getting well. Although there are many effective regimens and treatments for hypertension nowadays. the most important point to be taken to consideration in their behavioral aspect is their compliance with regard to the control of body weight. eating habits as to salt and cholesterol intake. stresses. activity patterns and smoking as related to their life style. The important reasons for the failure in the control of hypertensive patients are the complexity of regimens to be complied to. irregular medication and the life long restrictions in their own life style. The compliance of patients to medical regimens and rocommendations or failure to do so is an essential factor. Accordingly. the degree of the patient's compliance is an important determinant as to the success or failure of hypertension control. The subjects for this study were 187 hypertensive patients selected from admitted and out patients of the medical department at seven University Hospitals in Seoul. Data was collected from Dec. 1, 1979 to Feb. 15, 1980 using the questionaire method and was analysed by the use of means. standard deviations, coefficient of correlations, analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. The results obtained are as follows A. Of the seven independent variables in light of health belief model. benefit. barrier and severity are closely related to patient's compliance behavior. Therefore these variables could be used as determinants to predict and modify the hypertensive behavior. 1. Benefit is the most important and significant of the variables for explaining the dependent variables. It accounts for the highest variance of patient's compliance. (23.62%) 2. Then taking the former together with barrier. the variance of compliance showed on increase. (26.59%) 3. And with the addition of severity to the first two. the variance of compliance was also increased. (28.l2 %) B. Except for susceptibility all the independent variables such as severity. benefit, knowledge. motivation and barrier are correlated to dependent variable compliance. C. Sex. marital status and religion appeared to have significant influence on the dependent variables. Therefore one could conclude that the more the patients are aware that hypertension is a threat to health. the more they understand the benefit of taking actions to prevent such a threat. and the less they perceive any barrier when taking action. the more compliant they become in following medical regimens and recommendations. Age. marital status and religion played a significant influence to their compliance. Accordingly. the selected structural variables and demographic variables which have influenced sick role behavior of the hypertensive patient must be integrated to teaching and counselling programs for better hypertension control.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.345-350
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• 2005

Objectives : Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are risk factors for lung cancer, have been reported to induce oxidative DNA damage. The paraoxonase (PON) plays a significant role in the detoxification of a variety of organophosphorous compounds, with paraoxonase-1 (PON1) being one of the endogenous free-radical scavenging systems in the human body. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the effects of PAH exposure, oxidative stress and the Q192R polymorphism of PON1 genes, and their interactions in the carcinogenesis of lung cancer. Methods : One hundred and seventy seven lung cancer patients and 177 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Each subject was asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their smoking habits and environmental exposure to PAHs. The Q192R genotypes of the PON1 gene was examined, and the concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), 2-naphthol and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) measured. Results : Cigarette smoking was found to be a significant risk factor for lung cancer. The urinary 8-OH-dG level was higher in the patients, whereas the urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol levels were higher in the controls. There was a significant correlation between the urinary levels of 8-OHdG and 1-OHP in both the cases and controls. The PON1 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Individuals carrying the Q/Q genotype of the PON1 gene were found to be at higher risk of developing lung cancer. There was a significant correlation between the urinary levels of 8-OH-dG and 1-OHP in those with the PON1 Q/Q genotype. Conclusions : These results lead to the conclusion that PAHs would induce oxidative DNA damage, especially in individuals with the PON1 Q/Q genotype. Therefore, people with the PON1 Q/Q genotype would be more susceptible to lung cancer than those with the R/R or Q/R genotypes of the PON1 gene.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.400-414
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• 1999

Objectives: This is a descriptive study which was carried out to identify characteristics of the chronic mentally ill and their families in a rural area and the influencing factors on family burden. Methods : Data was collected for seven months beginning April 1, 1998 by questionnaire from chronic mentally ill patients and their families in two towns and seven townships of the rural areas of Kyonggi Province. In additional to the mental diagnosis of the mentally ill patients, family burden was measured by interviewing the other family members using the questionnaire developed by Pai & Kapur (1981). Of those interviewed, 103 patients were selected for final analysis. Results : Of 103 mentally ill patients, 36.1% of the subjects were not under treatment. In particular, of 29 patients with schizophrenia, 48.3% of the subjects had stopped taking medication and 6.9% of the subjects had never been treated. According to the results of a specialized examination by a psychologist, 81% of patients were in need of Hospitalization. Most primary caregivers were parents. Of the 101 primary caregivers in the study, 39.6% were over 65 years old. In case of death of the primary caregiver, 50.5% of these 101 mentally ill patients would not have anyone to care for them. Of the various kinds of family burden, primary caregivers most often reported psychological stress. Overall, the families of dementia and schizophrenia patients complained of the most family burden. Through univariative analysis, the variables of sex, education and current treatment type of the patients, the relationship with the patient and marital status of the primary caregiver and the number of people living together in the household showed significant correlation with the family burden of schizophrenia patients. Univariative analysis also showed that there were a number of variables which were correlated to the family burden in mentally retarded patients. Concerning the need for mental health services, the most common requests were for entitlement to disability benefits and housing programs. Conclusions: Community mental health services in rural areas must be developed, planned and executed in consideration of the local situation. In particular, the development of various family support programs is needed in order to mitigate emotional, mental and economic burdens and carry out a positive role to care for and rehabilitate patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2013

Background: Malnutrition of inpatients has been associated with higher morbidity, mortality, cost, and longer hospital stay. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy plays an important role in decreasing morbidity and mortality among critical inpatients in hospitals, and has been commonly used to improve clinical outcomes. However, only a few studies were conducted regarding patients' nutritional improvement by TPN. Method: This study therefore evaluated the changes in nutritional parameters by TPN therapy for early malnourished inpatients. Data from early malnourished inpatients who were treated with TPN therapy between January 2012 and June 2013 at the ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ university Hospital were studied retrospectively. Information regarding sex, age, underlying diseases, division, TPN (peripheral and central), and changes in nutritional parameters were collected by reviewing electronic medical records. The criteria for evaluation of the changes in nutritional parameters were included physical marker, body mass index (BMI), and biochemical markers, including albumin (Alb), total lymphocyte count (TLC), and cholesterol. Nutritional parameters were collected three times: pre-TPN, mid-TPN and end-TPN. A total of 149 patients (peripheral, 97; central, 52) was evaluated. Results: In all patients, the malnutrition number was significantly decreased following the complete TPN therapy (peripheral patients, pre-TPN: $3.33{\pm}0.12$, mid-TPN : $3.06{\pm}0.17$, and end-TPN: $2.85{\pm}0.21$ (p < 0.05); central patients, pre-TPN: $3.38{\pm}0.11$, mid-TPN: $3.06{\pm}0.13$, and end-TPN: $2.75{\pm}0.21$ (p < 0.05). The malnutrition number means number of nutrition parameters below normal range of malnutrition. In addition, all of the four nutritional parameters (BMI, Alb, TLC and cholesterol) were increased with duration of TPN periods for all patients, and the changes in the early stage were larger than in the late stage (p < 0.05). The nutritional parameters of non-cancer patients were increased to a greater extent compared to cancer patients with longer TPN therapy, but it was not significant. The nutritional parameters of younger patients (50-60 years) were also increased more than of older patients (70-80 years), but it was not significant. Conclusion: In conclusion, the TPN therapy decreases malnutritional status and improves nutritional parameters in malnourished patients, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality. The combined evaluation of all four nutritional parameters is more accurate for nutritional assessment than a single one.