• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.113-133
• /
• 2007

The present study was conducted to measure health-related utility for post-menopausal symptoms among Korean woman. A survey questionnaire was developed to measure utility based on visual analogue scale(VAS) and time trade-off method (TTO). From January 29 to February 3, 2007, a face-to-face interview was conducted with 274 women aged 45 to 60 to ask about their subjective utility for hypothetical health status of mild or severe post-menopausal symptoms. Among the participants, 160 were recruited from outpatient departments of 3 hospitals and 114 from 2 sports centers located in Seoul. For mild symptom, the average utility score of the respondents was $0.63{\pm}0.14$ based on VAS and $0.61{\pm}0.26$ based on ITO. For severe symptoms, the average utility was $0.39{\pm}0.16$(VAS) and $0.44{\pm}0.27$ (TTO). For severe symptom, a higher utility score was observed for TTO than for VAS, which is consistent with earlier studies and thus supports the validity of the utility measurement in this study. Overall, the severity of post-menopausal symptoms of the respondents themselves was not significantly associated with the utility score that the respondents answered for hypothetical health status. Multiple regression analysis results showed that the utility score was significantly higher among respondents with older age, higher education, higher family income, and from hospitals. It is expected that the utility score measured in this study will enhance the understanding of the quality of life of women after menopause and will be used to conduct cost-utility analysis of health care interventions to treat post-menopausal symptoms.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2016

Objective : This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships between selective attention bias for fear stimuli and hallucination in patients with schizophrenia Method : A total of 66 patients with schizophrenia admitted to psychiatry clinics were included in the study. Selective attention bias was measured by the dot-probe task. Patient symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS), Korean version of the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale. Results : Selective attention bias was correlated with the hallucination subscale of PSYTATS (r=0.268, p=0.029). No correlation was found between selective attention bias and other clinical measures. There was no significant difference, but a statistical trend was found (p=0.092) in hallucination severities between the biased and non-biased groups. Conclusion : The results suggest that selective attention bias for fear stimuli is associated with auditory hallucination. This preliminary study suggests the possibility of correlation between auditory hallucination in the psychotic domain and anxiety of the affective component.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 1997

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) leads to a cause of poor crop productivity and quality. To solve this problem, we attempted to develop a virus-resistance tobacco plants by using viral coat protein (CP) gene. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing CMV CP gene were analysed by the resistance upon CMV infection. The virus-resistance was measured in $\textrm{T}_{1}$, generation by the inhibition of plant growth and the expression of the mosaic symptoms infected with CMV. The transgenic lines were divided into four groups: highly resistant, resistant, moderate and susceptible based on their growth and symptom severity. Out of 39 transgenic lines, 16 lines showed significant virus-resistance. And of resistant lines, 2 lines were designated highly resistant based on the facts that they achieved similar plant height to that of non-infected tobacco plants and showed lower disease symptom than that of other lines. The steady state level of CP RNA and coat protein level were measured by northern blot and immunoblot analysis. The CP RNA was highly accumulated in most resistant and moderate lines but barely detected in susceptible lines. The coat protein was detected in most lines regardless of their resistance to CMV. from this result, virus-resistance appeared to correlate more with CP RNA level than the level of coat protein. However, in two highly resistant lines, CP RNA level was unexpectedly low. This unexpected phenomenon need to be further investigated.

• Mood & Emotion
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.140-151
• /
• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine effects of adjunctive aripiprazole versus bupropion, on depressive symptoms of female depression. Methods : Sixty six female patients with major depressive disorders were enrolled from a six-week, randomized prospective open-label multi-center study. Participants were randomized to receive aripiprazole (2.5-10 mg/day) or bupropion (150-300 mg/day). Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D17), Iowa Fatigue Scale, Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale, Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire scores, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) were obtained at baseline and after one, two, four, and six weeks. Changes on individual items of HAM-D17 were assessed as well as on composite scales (anxiety, insomnia and drive), and on four core subscales that capture core depression symptoms. Results : Overall, both treatments improved depressive symptoms, without causing serious adverse events. There were significant differences in the HAM-D17 total score (p=0.046) and CGI-S (p=0.004), between aripiprazole and bupropion augmentation, favoring aripiprazole over bupropion. Aripiprazole revealed significantly greater effect size in depressed mood (p=0.006), retardation (p=0.005), anxiety psychic (p=0.032), and general somatic symptom (p=0.01). Conclusion : While both treatments were effective, results of this study suggested that aripiprazole may be preferable, in treating general and core symptoms of female depression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.514-522
• /
• 2023

Background This is a prospective study on 118 patients who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) due to secondary lower limb lymphedema between January 2018 and October 2020 to evaluate patients' quality of life (QOL) using the Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema (LYMQoL) questionnaire. Methods The outcome measurement included the LYMQoL leg scoring system tool evaluating the function, appearance, symptom, mood, and overall outcome. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for three factors: based on International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stages, disease duration, and amount of volume reduction. Results The LYMQoL tool overall satisfaction score significantly increased at all intervals from 4.4 ± 0.2 preoperative to 6.5 ± 0.3 postoperative at 12 months (p < 0.001). Significant findings were seen for each domain scores compared preoperatively and at 12 months: function score (18.6 ± 0.5 to 15.4 ± 0.6), appearance score (17.8 ± 0.5 to 16.0 ± 0.6), symptom score (11.8 ± 0.3 to 8.9 ± 0.4), and mood score (14.5 ± 0.4 to 11.4 ± 0.5; p < 0.05). The correlation analysis between improvement of the overall score and the ISL stage (p = 0.610, correlation coefficient [r] = -0.047), disease duration (p = 0.659, r = -0.041), and amount of limb volume reduction (p = 0.454, r = -0.070) showed no statistical significance. Conclusion The QOL of secondary lower limb lymphedema patients was significantly improved after LVA regardless of the severity of disease, duration of disease, and amount of volume reduction after LVA. Understanding the patient-reported outcome measurement will help the surgeons to manage and guide the expectations of the patients.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.315-331
• /
• 2024

Objectives: To report the effectiveness of a comprehensive Korean medical approach, incorporating acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy, in the management of a patient with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder. Methods: A 45-year-old female patient diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder received a comprehensive Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy such as Giungoroen therapy, IiGyeungByunQi therapy, M&L therapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). The efficacy was assessed through both subjective symptom reports and a range of psychological assessment tools, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Korean Symptom Checklist-95 (KSCL-95), Korean Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory XYZ form (STAI-XYZ), Korean version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-K), Padua Inventory-Washington State University Revision (PI-WSUR), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Korean Version of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-K). Results: Throughout treatment, the patient experienced marked improvements in physical symptoms, notably dizziness, and gait instability. Psychological evaluations demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The overall quality of life was enhanced, with sustained benefits observed during follow-up assessments. Conclusions: This case suggests that a comprehensive Korean medicine approach that integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, and traditional Korean psychotherapy may be effective in alleviating both physical and psychological symptoms associated with cerebellar ataxia and major depressive disorder.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.8
• /
• pp.1121-1127
• /
• 2015

This study investigated the effects of Myagropsis myagroides ethanol extract (MMEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. The effects of MMEE on DNCB-induced BALB/c mice were evaluated by examining skin symptom severity, levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 in serum, and levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and $interferon-{\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) in splenocytes. MMEE significantly reduced the total clinical severity score, total IgE levels, as well as $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4 production in an AD mouse model but increased IL-10 production. Production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in splenocytes was reduced by MMEE, whereas $IFN-{\gamma}$ production increased. These results suggest that MMEE can inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice by modulating the immune response and may be an effective potential therapeutic agent for AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.134-145
• /
• 2001

Introduction: Noises in the ear, whether real or imagined, are called tinnitus. Subjective causes of tinnitus(which is heard only by the patient) are extremely common and the majority of them are treated conservatively. For certain individuals their tinnitus is a major handicap; for others a trivial concern. The most common from of subjective tinnitus is a rushing, hissing or buzzing noise; it is frequently associated with sensorineural heanng loss. The patient may be unaware of the hearing loss, especially if it is a high frequency deficit of moderate severity. The character of the tinnitus may give a clue to the etiology. But the patient often has difficulty in explaining his/her tinnitus in absolute terms, as they have no other tinnitus with which to compare it but their own Tinnitus, like pain, is a subjective state and trying to objectively assess the severity is problematic. Audiological techniques to match subjective loudness to machine-produced noise may offer some help, in that sound intensity matches can bear little correspondence to subjective complaint. In spite of many studies, most patients presently seen complaining of tinnitus are told by their doctors that there is no treatment and that they will have to learn to live with this symptom. Objectives: To perform a clinical analysis of tinnitus and estimate the efficacy of Oriental Medical treatment according to the Byeonjeung(辨證). Subject: We studied 34 patients with complaints of tinnitus who had visited Pundang Cha Oriental Medicine Hospital Department of Otorhinolaryngology from March 1998 to February 2000. All of them had been treated 2 or 3 times a week with acupuncture treatment and had taken herbs according to the Byeonjeung(辨證) method. It was therefore possible for me to know whether their symptoms improved or not. Parameters Observed and Method: We treated them with acupuncture & herb-medication. Sometimes we gave them moxibustion or negative therapy with bloodletting at the acupuncture points(耳門, 聽宮, 聽會). Parameters Observed 1) Distribution of age & sex 2) Chief complaints 3) The sites of tinnitus 4) The quality of tinnitu 5) The duration of disease 6) The problem induced tinnitus 7) Factors increasing disease severity 8) The classification of the Byeonjeung(辨證) 9) The efficacy of treatments Results: 1. Age and sex distribution: The most common occurrence was found in males in their twenties: 6 males($17.7\%$), and in females in their thirties and over sixty: 8 females($23.5\%$). Total patient numbers for men and women were 20 men($58.8\%$), 14 women ($41.2\%$). 2. The most frequent major complaints were hearing disturbances related to tinnitus; and dizziness with tinnitus; each comprising 10 cases($29.4\%$). There were also 7 patients($20.6\%$) with only tinnitus. 3. Tinnitus sites: 13($38.2\%$) said that they felt tinnitus in both ears, equally. In the right ear, 9($26.5\%$), in the left, 6($17.7\%$). 4. The most frequent descriptive symptoms of tinnitus were: humming, hissing, buzzing etc. 5. The duration of disease. 14cases($41.2\%$) had a duration of less than 1 year. 6. 15cases($44.1\%$) complained that it was hard to watch TV or make a phone call because of tinnitus. 10 cases($29.4\%$) complained about depression. 7. Factors increasing severity of tinnitus: ⅰ) fatigue: 18cases($52.9\%$) ⅱ) stress/ tension: 10 cases($29.4\%$) ⅲ) alcohol and tobacco: 5cases($l4.7\%$) 8. Classification through Byeonjeung : ⅰ) 19 cases($55.9\%$) were classified as showing Deficiency syndrome. ⅱ) 15 cases($44.l\%$) were classified as showing Excess syndrome. The deficiency of Qi was 7($20.6\%$), deficiency of Xue, 8($23.5\%$) and insufficiency of the Kidney Yin & Yang, 4($11.8\%$). The flare of Liver fire was 8($23.5\%$) and phlegm-fire, 7($20.6\%$), 9. The efficacy of treatments showed: an improvement in 17cases($50.0\%$); no real improvement or changes in 13 cases($38.2\%$); and some worsening in 4 cases($11.8\%$). In the group with deficiency in Qi, 4($57.1\%$) improved, 1($14.3\%$) showed no change and 2($28.6\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of deficiency in Xue, 6($75.0\%$) improved, 2($25.0\%$) showed no change. In the cases of insufficiency of Kidney Yin & Yang, 3($75.0\%$) showed no change and 1($25.0\%$) were aggravated. In the group of flare of Liver fire, 4($50.0\%$) improved, 3($37.5\%$) no change and 1($12.5\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of phlegm-fire, 3($42.9\%$) improved, 4($57.1\%$) showed no change. Conclusion: We would recommend that any further studies of tinnitus utilize trial treatments of longer than 2 months duration, as any positive effects observed in our study showed that improvement occurred fairly slowly. And we suggest that this study could be utilized as a reference for clinical Oriental Medical treatment of tinnitus. If we try to apply music or sound therapy treatment properly combined with ours, we expect it to provide psycological stability in addition to inducing masking effects, even though it may not directly decrease or completely remove tinnitus.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1359-1367
• /
• 2008

DSOM(Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine) was made as a computerized assistant program for oriental medicine doctors to be able to diagnose with statistical basis. Then DSOM uses questionnaires filled out by subjects without enough explanatory guide. If the subject misunderstand the meaning of the passages, we might not rely on that result. So I designed this study to investigate the diagnostic correspondent rates between DSOM and practitioners. First, let the respondents answer to DSOM(DSOM-Ⅰ for the rest). After that, three doctors diagnosed the respondents and marked how much they had symptoms about 16 pathogenic factors in the score range 0${\sim}$5('0' means they didn't have that symptom, '1' means they had that symptom but mild, '3' means they had that symptom moderately, '5' means they had that symptom severely. And let the respondents answer to DSOM(DSOM-Ⅱ for the rest) again. Finally, we investigated the correspondent rates of diagnosis between DSOM-Ⅰ,Ⅱ and doctors'. We obtained conclusions as following. In the comparison of output frequency rate of the pathogenic factors, the difference between DSOM-Ⅰ and Ⅱ was 1%. In the correspondent rates of diagnosis between DSOM-Ⅰ,Ⅱ and doctors', In DSOM-Ⅰ and Ⅱ answered by subjects two times respectively, the correspondent rate was highest in insufficiency of Yang(陽虛) and liver(肝) as 93.2%, lowest in damp(濕) as 69.5% and showed 81.9% in all 16 pathogenic factors mean. In DSOM-Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and Doctors' diagnose, they showed the complete correspondent rates of 15.3${\sim}$61.0%, 15.3${\sim}$59.3% in individual pathogenic factor, 36.5%, 37.3% in all 16 pathogenic factors mean each, and within ${\pm}$1 errorrange, they showed the correspondent rates of 32.2${\sim}$93.2%, 35.6${\sim}$89.8% in individual pathogenic factor, 67.6%, 67.3% in all 16 pathogenic factors mean each, and within ${\pm}$2 error range, they showed the correspondent rates of 62.7${\sim}$98.3%, 71.2${\sim}$100% in individual pathogenic factor, 85.1 87.6%% in all 16 pathogenic factors mean each. In the correspondent rates of the severe case, In the cases that the Doctors' diagnostic score mean was over 3(the severity of disease is middle), there were deficiency of qi(氣虛), stagnation of qi(氣滯), blood stasis(血瘀), damp(濕), liver(肝), heart(心), spleen(脾) and they all showed the correspondent rates of over 60 except blood stasis(血瘀). In the cases that the weighed pathogenic factor was above 9, the correspondent rates were 50${\sim}$100%. deficiency of qi(氣虛), blood-deficiency(血虛), stagnation of qi(氣滯), blood stasis(血瘀), insufficiency of Yin(陽虛), insufficiency of Yang(陽虛), coldness(寒), heat (熱), damp(濕), dryness(燥), liver(肝), heart(心), spleen(脾), kidney(腎), phlegm(痰).

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.255-259
• /
• 2006

The pathogenicity to pear trees and other experimental hosts of the Apple stem grooving virus Korean isolate (ASGV-K) carried by a fungal vector, Talaromyces flavus was examined. ASGV-harboring T. flavus induced mild symptoms on virus-free pears. Symptom severity was intermediate between pears showing typical PBNLS and virus-free pears. Ten cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris showed 35%-90% infectivity by direct infiltration into leaves and roots by ASGV-harboring T. flavus. Application of fungal cultures to soils showed 0%-70% infectivity depending on the P. vulgaris cultivar. Sap extracted from ASGV-infected Chenopodium quinoa induced similar symptoms on P. vulgaris at 25 days after inoculation. Similar symptoms were also detected on P. vulgaris which were inoculated with ASGV-harboring T.flavus. When healthy P. vulgaris leaves were challenged with sap extracted from P. vulgaris leaves infected with ASGV-harboring T. flavus, typical symptoms were observed. These data suggest that T. flavus mediates the transfer of ASGV to host plants.