• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.137-146
• /
• 1996

There has been no general agreement about optimal time for nerve surgery in the closed brachial plexus injury(BPI). From our early experiences, we knew by chance that spontaneous recovery in BPI patients may begin even later than 8 months after injury. Authors' strategy, which was based on our early experiences, for the treatment of closed fresh injury was 'wait and see' unlit 8 months after injury. From 1985 to 1994, we observed 103 patients with BPI. All of them did not have any operation until 8 months after injury. There were 95 men and 8 women with a mean age of 29 years. Motorcycle injury(31%) and vehicle accident(28%) were main causes of injury. Whole plexus types were observed in 56 patients(54%), upper plexus types in 29(28%), lower plexus types in 3(3%), and infraclavicular types in 15(15%). Electromyography was performed in all patients. This was repeated every three months to detect the recovery. Results were evaluated by authors' criteria, in which AMA system of brachial plexus impairment was modified. Duration of follow up was average 25 months. 47 patients(46%) showed spontaneous improvement, which was initially detected at average 7.8 months(range,3 months-16 months) after trauma by electromyography. The average score of these 47 patients improved from 14.8 points to 39.8 points.31 patients(30%) had nerve surgery such as nerve graft, neurotization or neurolysis. Average duration from injury to nerve surgery, was 10 months. Among 31 patients who had nerve surgery, 16 patients improved from preoperative 21.5 points to postoperative 36.3 points in average. Because spontaneous recovery began in average 7.8 months after injury, we think that it would be better to 'wait and see' for at least one year in patients with closed BPI expecting spontaneous recovery.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2012

Air-borne pollen, biogenically created aerosol particle, influences Earth's radiative balance, visibility impairment, and human health. The importance of pollens has resulted in numerous experimental studies aimed at characterizing their dispersion and transport, as well as health effects. There is, however, limited scientific information concerning the optical properties of airborne pollen particles contributing to total ambient aerosols. In this study, for the first time, optical characteristics of pollen such as aerosol backscattering coefficient, aerosol extinction coefficient, and depolarization ratio at 532 nm and their effect to the atmospheric aerosol were studied by lidar remotes sensing technique. Dual-Lidar observations were carried out at the Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST) located in Gwagnju, Korea ($35.15^{\circ}E$, $126.53^{\circ}N$) for a spring pollen event from 5 to 7 May 2009. The pollen concentration was measured at the rooftop of Gwangju Bohoon hospital where the building is located 1.0 km apart from lidar site by using Burkard trap sampler. During intensive observation period, high pollen concentration was detected as 1360, 2696, and $1952m^{-3}$ in 5, 6, and 7 May, and increased lidar return signal below 1.5km altitude. Pollen optical depth retrieved from depolarization ratio was 0.036, 0.021, and 0.019 in 5, 6, and 7 May, respectively. Pollen particles mainly detected in daytime resulting increased aerosol optical depth and decrease of Angstrom exponent.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.335-345
• /
• 1996

A critical role of oxygen-derived free radicals has been implicated in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced brain damage. In this study, we have produced experimental I/R to the brains of Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) by a transient occlusion and release of the common carotid arteries. We have attempted to determine whether the oxidative stress is generated upon I/R and whether this oxidative stress is linked to the cell damage. Since hippocampus has been suggested as one of the most vulnerable regions of the brain to the oxidative stress, we analyzed samples from hippocampus in comparison with those from cortex. In addition, we have examined the expression of heat shock protein 70kD species (HSP70) in these regions in order to evaluate a possible role of this protein in I/R-induced brain damage. To determine whether the oxidative stress is produced upon I/R, we measured the glutathione oxidation, GSSG/ (GSH + 2xGSSG), as an index of oxidative stress. We found an increase of the glutathione oxidation primarily in hippocampus upon I/R. To determine whether this oxidative stress is linked to the cell damage, we measured the degree of lipid peroxidation upon I/R. We found an increase of lipid peroxidation in both regions. However, the magnitude of increases was greater in hippocampus than in cortex. In addition, we found that changes in both the magnitude and the temporal patterns of glutathione oxidation closely correlated with those of lipid peroxidation. Our study provides biochemical evidences that the oxidative stress is generated upon I/R and this oxidative stress is linked to the oxidative cell damage. Our study also provides evidences that the degree of oxidative stress as well as oxidative cell damage is greater in hippocampus than in cortex. We could not find difference in the basal level of HSP70 expression between hippocampus and cortex, indicating that the intrinsic vulnerability of hippocampus cannot be explained by the lower level of HSP70 expression. We did find, however, that the induction of HSP70 expression upon I/R was impaired in the hippocampus. This impairment appeared to be at the transcriptional level. These results suggest that the measurement of HSP70 induction may be employed as a useful predictor of differential cellular susceptibilities to the I/R-induced brain damage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.649-658
• /
• 2017

The potential of the ethyl acetate fraction from Pteridium aquilinum (EFPA) to improve the cognitive function in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice was investigated. EFPA-treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the spatial, learning, and memory abilities compared to the HFD group in behavioral tests, including the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze. The diabetic symptoms of the EFPA-treated groups, such as fasting glucose and glucose tolerance, were alleviated. The administration of EFPA reduced the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice brains, but increased the acetylcholine (ACh) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Finally, kaempferol-3-o-glucoside, a major physiological component of EFPA, was identified by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (QTRAP LC-MS/MS).

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.213-229
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The Nutrient intake during the growth period is a critical factor for the development of the vision. In this study, we have analyzed the nutrient that has a correlation with the decrease of induced visual impairment. In addition, we investigated visual acuity and correlation of the nutrient in the higher-income youth and low-income youth. Methods: We used the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 document. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey didn't show the clear standard of carbohydrates and fats, so we used the data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety standards with each 330 g, 51 g. In order to compare the correlation of nutrients and refraction, Nutrients has been classified macronutrients(energy, dietary fiber, protein, carbohydrate, fat), fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A), water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin), trace minerals (iron), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium) and water. Results: We investigated the correlation between refraction and nutrients on average about 328 subjects belonging to the high-income group. The fat intake was $54.21{\pm}32.60$ g, and it was about 2~10 times less than the recommended daily intake (112-540 g). Refractive power and fat intake showed a statistically significant correlation (O.D:p=0.033, O.S:p=0.029). We investigated the correlation between refraction and nutrients on average about 309 subjects belonging to the lowincome group. The phosphorus showed higher ingested by the $1118.75{\pm}501.98$ mg, and the sodium showed intake more than three times recommended intake by the $3705.24{\pm}2089.42$ mg. In addition, unlike other macro mineral it showed that was a correlation on the refraction by the 0.031. Conclusions: A broad variety of taking nutrition and good eating habits at the time of growth seems to have an effects to the good growth and vision and the senescence inhibition of vision.ave an effect to the good growth, the good vision and the senescence inhibition of vision.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.7
• /
• pp.706-710
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss through the neonatal hearing screening test minimizes language defect. This research intends to identify frequency of congenital hearing loss in infants through neonatal hearing screening test with the aim of communicating the importance of hearing test for infants. Methods : From May 20, 2003 to May 19, 2004, infants were subjected to Automated Auditory Brainstem Response test during one month of birth to conduct the test with 35 dB sound. Infants who passed the 1st round of hearing test, were classified into 'pass' group whereas those who did not were classified into 'refer' group. Infants who did not 'pass' in the hearing test conducted within one month of birth were subjected to re-test one month later, and if classified as 'refer' during the re-test, they were subjected to the diagnosis for validation of hearing loss by requesting test to the hearing loss clinic. Results : There was no difference among the 'pass' and 'refer' group in terms of form of childbirth, weight at birth and gestational age. In the 1st test, total of 45 infants were classified into 'refer' group. Six among 35 who were subjected to re-test(17%) did not pass the re-test, and all were diagnosed with congenital hearing loss. This corresponds to 0.35%(3.5 per 1,000) among total number of 1,718 subjects. Conclusion : In our study the congenital hearing loss tends to be considerably more frequently than congenital metabolic disorder. Accordingly, newly born infants are strongly recommended to undergo neonatal hearing screening test.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.44-54
• /
• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of premenstrual syndrome(PMS)/premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD) in high school students, and determine the correlates of PMS/PMDD in association with comorbid depression and anxiety. Methods : A total of 1688 students were recruited from 5 high schools in Seoul, Korea. Subjects completed the questionnaire composed of scales to measure premenstrual symptoms, depression, and anxiety, as well as sociodemographic and reproductive variables. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups by using the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool(PSST) to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of PMS/PMDD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of PMS/PMDD. Results : The frequency of moderate to severe PMS and PMDD was 20.1% and 6.4%, respectively. Irritability(78.8%), fatigue(76.4%), and emotional sensitivity(69.8%) were common premenstrual symptoms, and functional impairment in academic performance(67.1%) was dominant. Dysmenorrhea[odd ratio(OR)=3.68, 95% confidence interval(CI) 2.45-5.55], family history of PMS(OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.35-2.71), and use of oral contraceptive (OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.16-2.94) were associated with the increased risk of PMS/PMDD after adjustment for depression and anxiety. Negative attitude to menses(OR=15.60, 95% CI 3.61-67.42) was associated with the increased risk of PMS/PMDD, particularly in subjects without depression and anxiety. Conclusions : PMS was common, as the frequency of PMS more than moderate severity including PMDD exceeded 25%, and disrupted daily functioning in adolescents. PMS is associated with various sociodemographic and menstrual characteristics, and these associations are affected by comorbid depression and anxiety.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.24-28
• /
• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional condition of children living in a low-income community through anthropometric, laboratory evaluation. Methods : A community-based survey identified children below 15 years living in a low-income community. Their weight, height, visual acuity, hearing level and dental status were measured. Blood sample were obtained on June and July, 2004. Hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, Hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AST and ALT were measured. Results : A total of 285 students(M : F=141 : 144) aged 6 to 14 years were included in this study. The heights and weights in some grades were smaller than controls. The prevalence of obesity was 10.6 percent in males and 10.7 percent in females. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairments and dental carries were 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent and 69.4 percent. The prevalence of anemia was 10.1 percent. Serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 7 percent. They complained of abdominal pain(22.1 percent) and headache(17.1 percent). Hyperthyroidism, cataract, neurofibromatosis, severe atopic dermatitis, ventricular septal defect, strabismus and inguinal hernia were newly diagnosed. Conclusion : Mean heights and weights of children in the low-income community were smaller than controls. The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity, hearing impairment and dental carries were higher than in the 2003 national health survey. Additional research is needed to evaluate the health status of the low-income community.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Growth hormone (GH) replacement after retesting is necessary because impairment of body composition and cardiovascular health has been more severe in adult patients with persistent GH deficiency (GHD) from childhood to adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the factors for persistent GHD and define a highly probable group of persistent GHD in young adults with childhood-onset GHD. Methods : GHD was reassessed by insulin tolerance test (ITT) in 55 adult patients (39 males, 16 females) with childhood-onset GHD. Twelve patients presented with idiopathic GHD and 43 patients presented with organic GHD caused by tumors involving the hypothalamus-pituitary (H-P) region (n=33), other brain tumors (n=3), meningitis (n=3), leukemia (n=2) and others (n=2). Results : Forty-nine (89.1%) of 55 patients had persistent GHD. IGF-I was positively correlated with log of peak GH (r=0.57, P<0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of persistent GHD between idiopathic and organic GHD. The percentage of patients with persistent GHD was 40%, 80%, and 95.6% for patients with zero, one, two or more additional pituitary hormone deficiencies (PHDs), respectively (P=0.002). The probability of persistent GHD was higher in patients with diseases involving the H-P region (P=0.003). GHD persisted in 15 of 18 patients treated with cranial irradiation. Conclusion : We suggest that the probability of persistent GHD in adulthood was high in patients with 2 or more additional PHDs, and diseases involving the H-P region.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.225-234
• /
• 2011

Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor of systemic health and also impairs oral health, which is related to development of oral cancers, periodontitis, delayed wound healing, tooth loss, failure of implant, etc. Aside from smoking, many other risk factors can be related to oral health and long-term effects of smoking on salivary flow and taste threshold are still in controversy. Authors considered dental students to be an appropriate group with good oral hygiene for a long-term study to reveal effects of smoking on oral health. This study was performed to compare smoking patterns and current oral health conditions between smokers and nonsmokers in dental students prior to long-term evaluation. 192 volunteers (85.7%) of 224 male dental students in Dankook University were evaluated through questionnaires and clinical examination in 2010. Questionnaires included smoking pattern, alcohol use, nicotine dependence, preventive care, psychological profile and clinical examinations comprised assessment of teeth or periodontal status, nicotine pigmentation, salivary flow, electrical taste thresholds and halitosis. From the study, (current) smokers were older, and drank more frequently with more alcohol intake compared to former smokers and nonsmokers(p<0.05). There was no significant difference among them in salivary flow rate, halitosis and electrical taste threshold. However, there was significant difference in DMFT rate, periodontal treatment need, nicotinic pigmentation between smokers and nonsmokers(p<0.05), irrespective of their levels of preventive care. The smokers in this study, who are young dental students with relatively shorter duration of smoking, less use of cigarettes and low level of nicotine dependence, did not reveal significant impairment of oral health. However, their oral health was found to be relatively impaired compared to nonsmokers', which suggests negative effect of smoking on the oral health and a need of smoking cessation.