• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2016

Background: Formaldehyde is used to preserve cadaver in medical schools, and students are exposed to formaldehyde during cadaver dissection classes. When humans are exposed to formaldehyde, it induces mucosal inflammation, skin inflammation, and declining of neurobehavioral function including attention and memory executive functions. The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of formaldehyde exposure on student's neurobehavioral performance during cadaver dissection classes. Methods: The level of formaldehyde was measured in a cadaver dissection class. A total of 16 students were randomly divided into two groups. One group wore respiratory protection masks, while the other group did not. Among many subtests in Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral test, backward digit span was tested on all subjects before and after the class. Results: The length of memorized digit span between the two groups was not significant; however there was a greater decrease in neurobehavioral function after formaldehyde exposure in the non-mask group than the mask group. Conclusion: Formaldehyde exposure during cadaver dissection may likely decrease neurobehavioral performance of students. Therefore, proper ventilation system and respiratory protective equipment are necessary to protect medical school students from adverse effects of formaldehyde exposure.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.170-181
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• 1996

Objective : This study was tried to investigate the specific relationships among cognitve function, neurbehavioral symptoms, and daily living functions, as well as provide the guidline of more proper clinical approches for patients with subcortical cerebrovascular disease. Objects and Methods Subjects were 85 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed by brain CT or MRI and controls were 195 normal persons matched by educational level with the subjects. The cognitive functions were evaluated by BNA(Benton neuropsychiatric assessment), subjective neurobehavioral symptoms by SCL-90-R(Sympton Check List-90-Revised), objective neurobehavioral symptoms by NRS(Neurobehavioral Rating Scale), and daily living function symptoms by NRS(Neurobehavioral Rating Scale), and daily living function by GERRI(Geriatric Evaluation by Relative's Rating Instrument) and IADL(Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale). Results: 1) Subjects showed significantly lower cognitive functions than controls in all tests of BNA except Lt-Rt Orientation Test(p=0.09) and facial Recognition Test(p=0.186). 2) In subjective neurobehavioral symptoms, subjects showed significantly lower scores in all symptoms except anxiety(p=0.059), hostility(p=0.159), and phobic anxiety(p=0.849). But in objects neurobehavioral symptoms, subjects showed significantly higher in scores in psychoticism (p=0.000) and neuroticism(p=0.025) of NRS. 3) The score of social functioning of GERRI(p=0.000) and that of IADL(p=0.000) were significantly higher in subjects than in controls. 4) for correlation between cognitive and daily living functions, there were significant correlations between the scores of all items on BNA and the score of cognitive or social function of GERRI and the socre of MDL in corntrols, whereas in subjects, there were significant correlations only between the scores of BNA and the score of IADL. 5) for correlation between neuroehavioral symptoms and daily living functions, there were significant correlatons between the socre of subjective neurobehavioral symptoms and the scores of all subscales of GERRI and the score of MDL in controls. On the contrary, in subjects, there were significant correlations between the score of social function of GERRI and the score of objective neurobehavioral symptoms such as psychoticism, agitiation-hostility, and decrease d motivation-emotional withdrawl. Conclusion : Above results suggest that disturbances in specific function of brain may play a role as a predictor of impairments with specific daily living functions and also suggest that specific correlations among various functions may be useful as clinical parameters for setting of the treatment goal and for assessing the ongoing process in the treatment and rehavilitation of the patients with subcortical cerebrovascular disease.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.156-167
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• 2010

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in retired lead workers, 131 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 56 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. The mean levels of blood and bone lead of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group and there were significant correlation among other lead biomarkers. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposured subjects had worse performance on 10 tests out of 12 neurobehavioral tests, but only two tests(Purdue pegboard nondominant and both hand) showed statistical significance of differences. In multiple linear regression analysis of neurobehavioral tests with lead biomarkers and demographic and lifestyle variables, age was associated negatively with 11 neurobehavioral tests, whereas log-transformed ZPP was associated with Purdue pegboard(both hand) and Santa Ana manual dexterity(non-dominant hand). On the other hand, tibia lead was associated Pursuit aiming test(correct) and Purdue pegboard(dominant hand) and calcaneal lead was associated with Purdue pegboard(dominant hand). This study confirmed that among all relevant variables age was most significantly associated with the poor performance of neurobehavioral tests. The blood lead did not have any significant association with neurobehavioral tests, but tibia and calcaneal bone lead and blood ZPP showed significant association with a few tests even after more than mean 9 years from their retirements.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.140-147
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the cognitive training program on cognitive function, stress and depression in geriatric hospitals. Methods: The subjects of the experimental group were 17 elderly patients who attended the cognitive training program in Geriatric Hospitals and the subjects of the control group were 15 elderly patients who attended in geriatric hospitals. The persons in training group must take cognitive training program for 4 weeks by 3 times a week. The Mini-mental State Examination Korea version (MMSE-K), Geriatric depression Scaleshort form-Korea version (GDS-K) and Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test (KCNT) were utilized to determine cognitive function, stress and depression. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA using SPSS/PC 12.0 program. Results: Cognitive function (t=-7.625, p=.000) in the elderly after receiving the cognitive training program was significantly more improved than before intervention. Also, Stress and depression (t=2.73, p=.004) was significantly more reduced than before the intervention. Conclusion: This cognitive training program was partially effective in improving cognitive function, neurobehavioral performance and reduce stress and depression. Therefore, it is recommended that this program be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention in geriatric hospitals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.577-584
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• 1997

이 연구는 최근 개발된 컴퓨터를 이용한 정신운동 기능 검사법인 Neurobehavioral Tests fur Occupational Screening(NTOS)의 타당도 평가를 위해 시도되었다. 일개 종합병원 신경과에 등록된 파킨슨병 환자 12명과 신경독성물질에 폭로된 적이 없는 근로자 21명을 대상으로 NTOS의 단순반응시간 검사, 2가지 선택반응시간 검사, 양 손의 수지타진검사를 실시하였다. 평균 단순반응시간은 근로자군은 245 msec, 환자군은 378 msec였으며, 2가지 선택반응시간은 근로자군은 444 msec, 환자군은 671 msec 로 나타나 T 검정에서 유의한 차이를 보였다. 주로 쓰는 손의 수지타진검사는 68.6회를 나타내었고, 파킨슨병 환자군은 51.6회, 주로 쓰지 않는 손은 각각 60.9회, 43.1회로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 환자군과 근로자군의 연령과 학력차이를 통계적으로 보정하고 두군에서 차이가 나는지를 알아보기 위해 공분산분석을 실시한 결과, 단순반응시간, 선택반응시간, 수지타진이 유의한 결과를 보였다. 이상으로 볼 때, NTOS는 정신운동기능의 장애를 발견할 수 있는 도구라고 생각된다. 그러나 선택반응 시간 검사의 실수 횟수 같이 상대적으로 민감하지 못한 지표에 대한 고려가 필요하며, 혼란변수를 연구 설계에서 조정할 수 있는 큰 규모의 연구와 정신운동기능의 잠재적 장애를 보이는 집단에 대한 연구들이 추후에 있어야 할 것이다.

• 한국환경교육학회지:환경교육
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.18-25
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde of newly-built school classroom indoor air on the neurobehavioral functions of students. The elementary schools that were opened in September 2008(as of September 2008) was selected for newly-built school and the elementary school that were opened in March 2006 was selected for control group schools. The concentration of formaldehyde(HCHO), a hazardous organic compound that exists in the air of classrooms, exceeded the standard value of $108.2{\mu}g/m^3$ in newly-built schools while it was $60.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in control group schools, which is around 60% of the standard concentration. However, the concentration of the total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) was $788.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $756.1{\mu}g/m^3$ in newly-built schools and control group schools respectively, which are approximately two times higher than the standard concentration. In newly-built schools, the mean reaction time of additions and symbol digit, respectively 3,020ms and 2,398ms in pre-exposure were increased to 3,167ms and 2,514ms respectively in post-exposure. The difference of mean reaction time between pre and post exposure was 146.8 ms, or 4.6%, and 116.7ms, or 4.8%, respectively, showing statistically-significant increase of reaction time(p<0.05). On the contrary, the difference of reaction time of both tests were not statistically significant in the control group schools. These results showed that the neurobehavioral performance of newly-built schools students were affected by volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde of classroom indoor air.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제28권
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• pp.15.1-15.8
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• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the association between low-level mercury exposure and neurobehavioral functions in adults living in coastal regions of Korea. Methods We selected 172 adults aged 20-65 years living in a city in the coastal region of Korea. A sociodemographic survey was conducted, mercury levels in the blood, urine, and hair were measured, and the associations according to computerized neurobehavioral tests were determined using univariate analysis. After adjustment for associated variables, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. Results The geometric mean mercury levels in the blood, urine, and hair were $5.41{\mu}g/L$ (range, $0.00-15.84{\mu}g/L$), $1.17{\mu}g/g$-creatinine (range, $0.00-32.86{\mu}g/g$-creatinine), and 1.37 mg/kg (range, 0.42-6.56 mg/kg), respectively. Variables that were associated with simple reaction time according to the neurobehavioral test results were age and urine mercury level. Variables associated with choice reaction time were the recent use of Korean traditional medicine and urine mercury level. Variables associated with the right-hand finger tapping speed test were age, gender, smoking behavior, education level, monthly household income, and urine mercury level. Variables associated with the left-hand finger tapping speed test were age, gender, education level, and urine mercury level. After adjustment for associated variables, there was no significant association between urine mercury level and simple reaction time (${\beta}=25.96$; p =0.47), choice reaction time (${\beta}=50.37$; p =0.32), or the number of left-hand finger taps (${\beta}=-1.54$; p =0.21). However, urine mercury level was significantly associated with the number of right-hand finger taps (${\beta}=-3.86$; p =0.01). Conclusions We found no evidence that low-level mercury exposure in adults is associated with deficits in neurobehavioral functions. A longer follow-up study is required to confirm this conclusion.

• 수면정신생리
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.56-67
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• 1996

Objectives : This study was designed to find clinical factors that could be differentiated by the lateralization of lesion and also find clinical factors to predict the lateralization of lesion. Methods : The subjects were 65 cooperative inpatients and outpatients with non-traumatic subcortical cerebrovascular disease without neurologic and psychiatric history from January 1995 to September 1995 ; 48 patients in Kyung Hee University, Oriental Medicine Hospital, 35 patients in Anam Hospital, Korea University were examined as subjects, but authors excluded 20 patients whose data were incomplete or who had uncertain lesions on brain CT or MRI. The 65 patients were divided into three groups-group with left hemispheric lesion, group with right hemispheric lesion, group with both hemispheric lesion-according to the finding of brain imaging study. Their cognitive functions were evaluated by the Benton Neuropsychological Assessment(BNA), their subjective neurobehavioral symptoms by Symptom Check List-90-R(SCL-90-R), their objective neurobehavioral symptoms by Neurobehavioral Rating Scale, and their daily living functions by Geriatric Evaluation by Relative's Rating Instrument(GERRl) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale(IADLs). Results : The results were as follows : 1) The results of cognitive function test indicated that the group with right hemispheric lesion showed low functions in Tactile Form Perception(left), the group with left hemispheric lesion showed low functions in Finger localization(right), the group with right hemispheric lesion showed low functions in Finger Localization(left). 2) Though, there were little significant differences in subjective neurobehavioral symptoms, the group with right hemispheric lesion showed higher scores in all symptoms except hostility. 3) Though, there were little significant differences in objective neurobehavioral symptoms, the group with both hemispheric lesion showed higher scores in cognition, guilty/disinhibition, the group with left hemispheric lesion showed higher scores in lability of mood, the group with right hemispheric lesion showed highest scores in psychotism, neurotism, agitation-hostility and decreased motivation/emotional withdrawal. 4) There were little significant differences among three groups in Daily Living Functions, but the group with right hemispheric lesion showed the lowest functions in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. 5) As a result of discriminant analysis on each factor's contribution to the prediction of lesion, Finger Localization(left), Phoneme Discrimination and Tactile Form Perception(right) showed that they had the potentiality to predict lesion. Conclusion : The results suggest that there are little significant differences among the groups of three non-traumatic subcortical cerebrovascular disease in cognitive functions, but the group with right hemispheric lesion showed more serious and various changes in subjective and objective neurobehavioral symptoms, and showed low functions in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. This results suggest the possibility that the decline of the daily living function in the group with right hemispheric lesion were due to various symptoms, not due to cognitive dysfunction. The confirmation of the possibility should be worked out through the follow-up study of some groups containing cortical lesion. Apart from these findings, Finger Localization, Tactile Form Perception(right) and Phoneme Discrimination suggest that they can be used as clinically valuable cognitive parameters that predict the lateralization of lesion in non-traumatic cerebrovascular disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.33-44
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate and analyze effects of environmental enrichment(EE) and nerve stimulation that follows in application times with change of functional recovery(1, 3, 7 and 14 days). Methods: Focal ischemic brain injury was produced in 100 Sprauge-Dawley rats through middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). Neurobehavioral assessment were selected, such as tilting plane testing, horizontal wire testing, vestibulomotor function testing and complex neuromotor function test, then they were randomly divided into five groups; Group I : Sham group, Group II: MCAO group, Group III: MCAO and ES group, Group IV: MCAO and EE group, Group V: MCAO and EE and ES group. Results: In neurobehavioral assessment, group V were significantly difference from other groups on between-subject effects. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in focal ishemic brain injury, combined environmental enrichment and peripheral nerve electrical stimulation is more improved that the improvement of exercise function recovery than non treatment group.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.557-567
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• 1994

This study was conducted to examine the effect of chronic low dose organic solvent exposures in the industries towards then neurobehavioral functions of workers. Subjective symptoms on neurobehavioral function as well as a visual reaction time test (Flicker test) were administered to 94 exposed and 162 unexposed workers in a oil refinery and some other auto-repair shops. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Symptom complaints were higher and Flicker test values were lower in exposed workers than in unexposed workers. 2. Flicker valus were Inversely correlated with urinary Hippuric acid concentration in exposed workers(r=-0.26, p<0.05). 3. Flicker valus were inversely co..elated with Subjective symptom score(r=-0.15, p<0.05). Low Flicker value were also related with some subjetive symptoms such as 'Dimmed vision', 'Nightmare', 'Weakness on extrimity' in workers as a whole. While symptoms of 'Dimmed vision ', 'Nightmare' only observed among exposed workers.