• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.77-95
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the value of children in South and North Korea and to identify the similarities and differences in value orientations related to children and curriculum in child-care and education. The secondary data including 2013 research report on the South Korean consciousness and values, the Familial Law Act and the Child Welfare Act of South Korea, the Familial Law Act and the Law of Nursing and Upbringing of Children in North Korea, and a series of Choson-yeosung magazines in North Korea were analyzed. Results showed that first, it was common that both of social and psychological values of children were found, but the psychological values were more prevalent in the South and the social values were more dominant in the North. Second, parents in both cultures publically agreed that parenting should promote the development of the whole child. However, parents in the South were inclined to support happiness and personal achievement of children, whilst parents in the North were likely to reinforce ideology education producing a pillar for socialism. Third, it was common that both parents of the South and the North were primarily responsible for child-rearing, but the role of government in child-rearing was more emphasized in the North. Lastly, supporting daily routine activities, communication skills, and art activities were included in child-care and education programs in both cultures. However, communication skills and social relationship were emphasized in programs of the South, whilst ideology education was the most important components in program of the North. The strategies for understanding differences in the value of children between the South and the North after unification were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2003

Objective:Under the hypothesis that 5-HTTLPR polymorphism plays some role in the susceptibility or vulnerability of some subgroup of alcohol dependence, associations of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism with alcohol dependence were examined. Method:This association analysis included 109 Korean alcohol dependent and 113 Korean control subjects. DNA of all subjects were genotyped for the biallelic functional polymorphism in the 5-HTTLPR. Considering the likelihood of heterogeneity in the alcohol dependence phenotype, alcohol dependent subjects were subgrouped by onset age, family history of alcohol dependence and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Results:There were no significant differences in the frequencies of either the 5-HTTLPR genotype or the short vs. long allele in alcohol dependent and control subjects. The frequency of the S allele and S-carrier (LS or SS genotype) was significantly increased in the early onset alcohol dependent subjects and the familial alcohol dependent subjects compared with that in the control subjects. Conclusion:The results suggest that the 5-HTT 'S' promoter polymorphism is associated with an increased susceptibility or vulnerability to develop early onset alcohol dependence and familial alcohol dependence, which characterize Cloninger's type 2 alcohol dependence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.188-195
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• 2000

Objective : Essential tremor(ET) is the most common movement disorder, however, there has been little agreement in the neurologic literature regarding diagnostic criteria for ET. Familial ET is an autosomal dominant disorder presenting as an isolated postural tremor. The main feature of ET is postural tremor of the arms with later involvement of the head, voice, or legs. In previous studies, it was reported that ET susceptibility was inherited in an autosomal dominant inheritance. As previous results, it would suggest that ET might be associated with defect of mitochondrial or nuclear DNA. Recent studies are focusing on molecular genetic detection of movement disorders, such as essential tremor and restless legs syndrome. Moreover, authors have analysed mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) from the blood cell of positive control(PC) and ET patients via long and accurate polymerase chain reaction(LA PCR). Materials & Methods : Blood samples were collected from PC and 9 ET patients. Total DNA was extracted twice with phenol followed by chloroform : isoamylalcohol. For the analysis of mtDNA, LA PCR was performed by mitochondrial specific primers. Results : With this technique, deletions of large quantities were detected within several regions of mtDNA in ET patients except for D-loop and CO I regions. Conclusion : The authors believe that ET is a genentic disorder with deficiency of mitochondrial DNA multicomplexes and mitochondiral dysfunction could be one of major causative factors of ET. Mitochondrial dysfunction may play an important role in the pathogenesis and possibility of disease progression among familial group with ET patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2347-2350
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• 2015

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the most common hematologic malignancies, accounting for one fourth of all childhood cancer cases. Exposure to environmental factors around the time of conception or pregnancy can increase the risk of ALL in the offspring.This study aimed to evaluted the role of prenatal and postnatal exposure to high voltage power lines on the incidence of childhood ALL.This cross-sectional case control study was carried out on 22 cases and 100 controls who were born and lived in low socioeconomic families in Isfahan and hospitalized for therapeutic purposes in different hospitals from 2013-2014.With regard to the underlying risk factors, familial history and parental factors were noted but in this age, socioeonomic and zonal matched case control study, prenatal and childhood exposure to high voltage power lines was considered as the most important environmental risk factors of ALL (p=0.006, OR=3.651, CI 95%, 1.692-7.878). As the population was of low socioeconomic background, use of mobiles, computers and microwave was negligible. Moreover prenatal and postnatal exposure to indoor electrically charged objects was not determined to be a significant environmental factor. Thus, pre and post natal exposure to high voltage power lines and living in pollutant regions as well as familial influence could be described as risk factors of ALL for the first time in a low socioeconomic status Iranian population.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.991-1002
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• 1996

The objectives of this study were to obtain normative data for 45 mother-daughter pairs on spine, femur(neck, ward's triangle, trochanter) and total body BMD (bone mineral density) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometric measurement, body composition, biochemical markers, nutrient intakes and energy expenditure, to determin the interrelations of these factors within each group, to measure familial resemblance for each variable. We observed significantly positive correlations between height, weight, head, hip and calf circumferences, tricep, femur and calf skinfold thickness, total lean body mass(=weight-total fat body mass-bone mineral content), protein and fat intakes, Ca index, serum total protein and albumin of monter-daughter pairs(p<.05-p<.001). Among mothers, age, osteocalcin, higher, weight, Ca and energy intakes were predictors of BMDs. Among daughters, weight and energy intake were predictors of BMDs. The BMD in lumbar spine(r=.48, p<.01), femoral neck(r=.38, p<.05), ward's triangle(r=.36, p<.05) of the mothers were significantly correlated with those of the daughters, after adjustment for mother's age, hight, weight, osteocalcin, Ca and energy intakes and daughter's weight, energy intake. In regression analyses, mother's BMD also were positively associated with daughter's BMD in lumbar spine, femoral neck, ward's triangle. Our findings support that mothers with low BMD tended to have daughters with low BMD. In the age groups studied, as well genetic factors as environmental factors may have an important role in determining BMD. This study suggests that women may successfully enhance their genetically determined BMD through adequate nutrient intakes and weight bearing exercise.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.651-658
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• 2013

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are extremely common neoplasms in women of reproductive age, and are associated with a variety of characteristic choromosomal aberrations (CAs). The p53 gene has been reported to play a crucial role in suppressing the growth of a variety of cancer cells. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of CAs and the p53 gene on ULs. We performed cytogenetic analysis by G-banding in 10 cases undergoing myomectomy or hysterectomy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a p53 gene probe was also used on interphase nuclei to screen for deletions. In patients, CAs were found in 23.4% of 500 cells analysed, significantly more frequent than in the control group (p<0.001). In the patients, 76% of the abnormalities were structural aberrations (deletions, translocations and breaks), and only 24% were numerical. Deletions were the most common structural aberration observed in CAs. Among these CAs, specific changes in five loci 1q11, 1q42, 2p23, 5q31 and Xp22 have been found in our patients and these changes were not reported previously in UL. The chromosome breaks were more frequent in cases, from high to low, 1, 2, 6, 9, 3, 5, 10 and 12. Chromosome 22, X, 3, 17 and 18 aneuploidy was observed to be the most frequent among all numerical aberrations. We observed a low frequency of p53 losses (2-11%) in our cases. The increased incidence of autosomal deletions, translocations, chromatid breaks and aneuploidy, could contribute to the progression of the disease along with other chromosomal alterations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.619-624
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• 2013

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) exists in a more common sporadic form and less common hereditary forms, associated with the Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and other rare syndromes. Sporadic CRC is believed to arise as a result of close interaction between environmental factors, including dietary and lifestyle habits, and genetic predisposition factors. In contrast, hereditary forms such as those related to the Lynch syndrome result from inheritance of germline mutations of mismatch repair (MMR) genes. However, in certain cases, the influence of low penetrance alleles in familial colorectal cancer susceptibility is also undeniable. Aim: To investigate the genotype frequencies of MLH1 promoter polymorphism -93G>A and to determine whether it could play any role in modulating familial and sporadic CRC susceptibility risk. Methods: A case-control study comprising of 104 histopathologically confirmed CRC patients as cases (52 sporadic CRC and 52 Lynch syndrome patients) and 104 normal healthy individuals as controls was undertaken. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and the polymorphism was genotyped employing PCR-RFLP methods. The genotypes were categorized into homozygous wild type, heterozygous and homozygous variants. The risk association between these polymorphisms and CRC susceptibility risk was calculated using binary logistic regression analysis and deriving odds ratios (ORs). Results: When risk association was investigated for all CRC patients as a single group, the heterozygous (G/A) genotype showed a significantly higher risk for CRC susceptibility with an OR of 2.273, (95%CI: 1.133-4.558 and p-value=0.021). When analyzed specifically for the 2 types of CRC, the heterozygous (G/A) genotype showed significantly higher risk for sporadic CRC susceptibility with and OR of 3.714, (95%CI: 1.416-9.740 and p-value=0.008). Despite high OR value was observed for Lynch syndrome (OR: 1.600, 95%CI: 0.715-3.581), the risk was not statistically significant (P=0.253). Conclusion: Our results suggest an influence of MLH1 promoter polymorphism -93G>A in modulating susceptibility risk in Malaysian CRC patients, especially those with sporadic disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1145-1151
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• 1988

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are readily characterized and understood, but the surgical procedures for their correction are complex and not easily mastered. Conversely, ventricular tachyarrhythmias are frequently difficult to characterize and localize electrophysiologically and their basic mechanisms are poorly understood. The role of the surgeon in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia has changed dramatically during the past decade. This report is a case of 26 years old male with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. The result of endocardial electrophysiologic study demonstrated accessory pathway connecting left atrium to left ventricle which located at left atrial free wall about 4 cm apart from the coronary sinus orifice. The accessory bundle interruption has been successfully accomplished utilizing the internal open heart technique. The operation consisted of dissection of the atrioventricular fat pad and division of all the superficial fibers going from the ventricle to the annulus. Following this, cryoablation made with cryoprobe at - 60` for 90 seconds. The accessory pathway was successfully ablated without specific problems.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.101-107
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• 2018

Recent advances in genetics have determined that a number of epilepsy syndromes that occur in the first year of life are associated with genetic etiologies. These syndromes range from benign familial epilepsy syndromes to early-onset epileptic encephalopathies that lead to poor prognoses and severe psychomotor retardation. An early genetic diagnosis can save time and overall cost by reducing the amount of time and resources expended to reach a diagnosis. Furthermore, a genetic diagnosis can provide accurate prognostic information and, in certain cases, enable targeted therapy. Here, several early infantile epilepsy syndromes with strong genetic associations are briefly reviewed, and their genotype-phenotype correlations are summarized. Because the clinical presentations of these disorders frequently overlap and have heterogeneous genetic causes, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based gene panel testing represents a more powerful diagnostic tool than single gene testing. As genetic information accumulates, genetic testing will likely play an increasingly important role in diagnosing pediatric epilepsy. However, the efforts of clinicians to classify phenotypes in nondiagnosed patients and improve their ability to interpret genetic variants remain important in the NGS era.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2010

This article analyzes two leading Korean cases which led to opposite conclusions: the Boramae Hospital Case (Korean Supreme Court 2002 Do 995) and the Shinchon Severance Hospital Case (Korean Supreme Court 2009 Da 17471). In doing so, it pays particular attention to the acceptance, modification, and rejection of paternalism, specifically 'physician paternalism' and 'familial paternalism', both of which have long and strongly influenced the Korean medical environment. In Boramae Hospital, the Court emphasized the obligation of the physician in terms of the life of the patient (eg: protecting and preserving the life and welfare of the patient). Its position seemed to be based on the traditional physician paternalism which presupposes the ability of physicians to identify right and wrong choices according to natural laws. However, the Court saw itself as the final arbiter of who identifies and determines the real world content and consequences of that natural law. In short, the Court elevated itself to the supreme guardian of the patient, and held that its decision cannot be overruled by that of the patient's family. So without specifically referring to the importance of the family and the role of familial decisions, both long-observed traditions in medical decision-making in Korea, the Court shifted away from familial paternalism. In Shinchon Severance Hospital, the Court explained the meaning of the patient's powers of self-rulemore concretely, explaining its scope and substance in greater detail. The Court held that one can exercise the right of self-rule, even over issues such as death, in the form of 'previous medical directions'. However, this case does not represent a wholesale acceptance of medical autonomy (ie: it does not accept self-rule unconditionally). Rather, the Court accepted the importance of the opinions and decision of physicians and of the Hospital Ethics Commission, and the Court still retained to itself the authority to review and make alterations to 'material' decision. The Court did not overlook the importance of the decision of the patient's family, but it also did not relinquish its status as supreme guardian, emphasizing the 'objective' nature of a decision from the court.