• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2013

Objectives : Type D personality was originally introduced to study the role of personality in predicting outcomes of heart disease. However, researches showed that other medical conditions are also affected by this personality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between type D personality and somatic symptom complaints in depressive patients. Methods : Eighty-two individuals diagnosed with depressive disorder were included. Type D personality was measured with DS14. Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ) 9 and 15 were used to measure depression severity and somatization tendencies. For alexithymia, TAS-20 was used. Student T-test and linear regression analysis were performed. The best regression model was determined by stepwise variable selection. Results : More than half of the subjects(56%) complained at least medium degree somatic symptoms according to PHQ-15 criteria. Two-thirds of the subjects were classified as Type D personality(63.4%). The mean PHQ-15 score of the Type D individuals was significantly higher than the remaining subjects(PHQ-15 mean=12.7, $p=8.2{\times}10^{-7}$). The best regression model included age, PHQ-9 score and NA subscale score as predictor variables. Among these, only the coefficients of age($p=1.5{\times}10^{-3}$) and NA score($p=1.5{\times}10^{-7}$) were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions : The result showed that Type D personality was one of the strong predictors of somatic complaints among depressive individuals. The finding that negative affectivity rather than social inhibition was more closely associated with somatization tendencies does not fully agree with the traditional explanation that inability to express negative emotion predispose the individuals to somatic symptoms. The finding that alexithymia was not shown to be a significant predictors also substantiated this discrepancy. However, it might be possible that the high correlation between NA and SI subscore(r=0.65) and between NA and TAS-20 score(r=0.44) hid the additional effects of social inhibition and alexithymia. Further research with a larger sample would be needed to investigate the effects of the latter two components over and above the effect of negative affectivity on the somatic complaints in depressive patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2017

Objectives : Cognitive complaints are reported frequently after breast cancer treatments. The causes of cognitive decline are multifactorial, a result of the effect of cancer itself, chemotherapy, and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety. However, cognitive decline does not always correlate with neuropsychological test performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of subjective cognitive decline with objective measurement and to explore associated factors of cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. Methods : We included 29 breast cancer survivors who complain cognitive decline at least 6 months after treatment and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Neuropsychological tests were performed in all participants. Multivariable regression analysis evaluated associations between neuropsychological test scores and psychological distress including depression and anxiety, also considering age, education, and comorbidity. Results : There were no statistically significant differences in neuropsychological test performances. However, the breast cancer survivors showed a significantly higher depression(p=0.002) and anxiety(p<0.001) than the healthy controls did. Among the cancer survivors, poorer executive function was strongly associated with higher depression(${\beta}=-0.336$, p=0.001) and anxiety(${\beta}=-0.273$, p=0.009), after controlling for age, education, and comorbidity. In addition, poorer attention was also significantly related with depression(${\beta}=-0.375$, p=0.023) and anxiety (${\beta}=-0.404$, p=0.013). Conclusions : The results of this study showed the discrepancies between subjective complaints and objective measures of cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. It suggests that subjective cognitive decline could be indicators of psychological distress such as depression and anxiety.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.40
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• pp.521-549
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• 2015

We recognize all objects by seeing. However, we are not sure that the things we see through our eyes are their essence. Here comes my question: What does it mean that humans see and recognize things? The things we see are images and so I consider recognizing an object as semiosis via our visual sensation and brain. That is because objects are defined not by their essence but as symbols we recognize. In the era of post-modernism art is a voluntary creative activity that creates a kind of spiritual value and plays an important role for appreciators who realize the fact to enjoy the life value. This paper focused on the art putting aesthetic value on humans' recognition and explored works of art in a visually perceptible way through semiosis. That is because art, an act of creating things, is symbolic and closely linked to semiotic system. Furthermore, derivative visual signs can be considered to be in line with the viewers' visual perception. If we interpreted by recognizing the works of art along with symbol, we can enjoy the works in depth through recognizing their color or shape. Therefore, I intended to discourse on color perception focusing on colors in order to analyze the relationship between art and symbol in the process of recognizing works of art. This paper looked into background of color recognition, status of colors and ways of expression for impressionist who painted with various colors and examined colors as a sensory language. In the process of interpreting art works by communication between the artist and viewers, the role of color is considered as visual symbol through the artist's experience, consciousness, emotions, and their senses. It can be interpreted the visual language through signification of the symbols when the colors are formed in works of art as a recognizable space. Therefore we expect to study in the Visual arts to be the colors symbolic analysis is extended to more effective communication tool.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.40
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• pp.211-242
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• 2015

Recently, the shrunk influence of printed cartoon has been superseded by the influence of Webtoon in the comic industry. Webtoon has gained popularity and interest by being served on internet quickly and easily. Their novel material and sympathetic topic have made it possible for many Webtoons to be reproduced into tv dramas and movies, so, the influence of them has been increased as the copyright industry of culture contents industry. The increasing interest for Webtoon has induced academic studies for the subject. Among the various studies in need on Webtoon, the most important study topics in need are 'Story' and 'Quality' which are criterion for readers to choose Webtoons to read. To create the Webtoon that are great at 'Story' and 'Quality', the study on plots should be preceded, which recast episodes organically through a logical causal relationship. Therefore, in this study, the plots of Webtoons have been analyzed through Rescue plot in and the Riddle plot in selected from the Kang Full's Webtoon series, 'mystery psychology horror season', which are evaluated as the great work at 'Story' and 'Quality.' The analysis was implemented based on Tobias' theory which suggests 'the characteristics of plot' and '8 principles for good plot.' First, Kang Full's webtoons were analyzed through 'the characteristics of plot' and '6 principles for good plot' which is modified from '8 principles of good plot' based on Tobias' theory. Applicability was checked if Tobias' theory could be applied to Kang Full's Webtoon checking through the scenes and contents of the Webtoon. (1) Tobias' 'the characteristics of plot' could be applied to both Rescue plot in and the Riddle plot in . (2) Among '6 principles for good plot', 5 principles are shown in The Lighting Store and all of the 6 principles in Neighbor. The result shows that Tobias theory could be applied to the plot of Webtoon. The fact that Kang Full's Webtoons are composed in a formulaic form could be identified through 'the characteristics of plot' and '6 principles for good plot' shown in Rescue plot in and the Riddle plot in .

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2006

This research has been performed to clarify the relationship between hydrogeochemistry and bacterial community structure in groundwater contaminated with landfill leachate. We collected and analyzed samples from 5 sites such as leachate (KSG1-12), treated leachate (KSG1-16), two contaminated groundwaters (KSG1-07 and KSG1-08) and non-contaminated groundwater (KSG1-13). pH was 8.83, 8.04, 6.87, 6.87 and 6.53 in order; redox potential (Eh) 108, 202, 47, 200 and 154 mV; electric conductivity (EC) 3710, 894, 1223, 559 and 169.9 $\mu$S/cm; suspended solids (SS) 86.45, 13.74, 4.18, 0.24 and 11.91 mg/L. In KSG01-12, the ion concentrations were higher especially in $Cl^-$ and $HCO_3^-$ than other sites. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and $SO_4^{2-}$ were higher In KSG1-07 than in KSG1-08, and vise versa in $NO_3^{2-}$. In the comparison of DGGE fingerprint patterns, the similarity was highest between KSG1-13 and KSG1-16 (57.2%), probably due to common properties like low or none contaminant concentrations. Otherwise KSG1-08 showed lowest similarities with KSG1-13 (25.8%) and KSG1-12 (27.6%), maybe because of the degree of contamination. The most dominant bacterial species in each site were involved in $\alpha$-Proteobacteria (55.6%) in KSG1-12, $\gamma$-Proteobacteria (50.0%) in KSG1-16, $\beta$-Proteobacteria (66.7%) in KSG1-07, $\gamma$-Proteobacteria (54.5%) in KSG1-08 and $\beta$-Proteobacteria (36.4%) in KSG1-13. These results indicate that the microbial community structure might be changed according to the flow of leachate in grounderwater, implying changes in concentrations of pollutants, available electron accepters and/or other environmental conditions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1082-1089
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• 2005

Purpose : Abdominal obesity is encountered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the anthropometric cut-off value to estimate the cardiovascular risk, has not been suggested. This study was designed to find the relationship between the abdominal fat and various parameters of obesity to find the cardiovascular risk factors related to abdominal obesity and to establish practical methods to measure them. Methods : Twenty seven obese Korean adolescents of moderate to severe degree and 22 healthy adolescents were enrolled. The body mass index(BMI), arm circumference and skinfold thickness were measured. Furthermore, blood lipid, sugar, insulin and four different cytokines' levels were checked and the distribution of body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness by abdominal ultrasonography(US) and the total and intra-abdominal fat area by abdominal computerized tomography(CT) were measured in the obese group. Results : The most accurate method to measure abdominal fat in children is abdominal CT and the fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance was strongly correlated with it(r=0.954). It was also correlated with arm circumference, fat thickness measured by abdominal US, BMI, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and triglyceride level. Conclusion : Abdominal CT is the most accurate method to measure intra-abdominal fat, and it can be replaced by abdominal US for cost effectiveness. The screening methods that can be used at school or in outpatient basis include bioelectrical impedance, waist/hip ratio, and arm circumference. The cardiovascular risk factors include leptin, triglyceride and insulin level.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2006

Purpose : The aim of this study was to analyze the results and contributing factors of catch-up growth in very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) at the corrected age of 2 years. In addition, we looked for a relationship between the catch-up growth and the development by the bayley scales of infant development II(BSID II). Methods : A retrospective analysis by evaluating medical records was done for the 76 VLBWI whose follow-up was possible up to a corrected age of 2 years, out of the 114 who had been treated in the neonatal intensive care unit during the January of 2000 to December of 2001 at Samsung Cheil Hospital. Based on the Standard Korean Infant's Growth Curve, the catch-up growth group was defined over the 10th percentile of weight at 2 years as the corrected age and the failed catch-up growth group was defined under the 10th percentile. We investigated the clinical factors and courses of each group and compared the scores of the BSID II. Results : The catch-up growth group of the VLBWI was 51 infants and the failed catch-up growth group was 25 infants. In comparison with maternal clinical factors, use of antenatal steroids was significantly higher in the catch-up growth group. In comparisn with clinical factors and courses of VLBWI, two clinical factors were significantly different between the two groups : birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR). Numbers of delayed development were increased in the failed catch-up growth group but statistically significant differences could not be observed. Conclusion : The catch-up growth of the VLBWI was affected by the use of antenatal steroids, birth weight and IUGR. No significant differences regarding neurodevelopmental outcome were observed between the catch-up and failed catch-up growth groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2002

Purpose : It is not clear that the development of glomerular injury and aggravation by tumor necrosis factor alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$) is related to intrarenal or serum concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$. So, we studied the relationship between the concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and aggravation of glomerular damage in the Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ nephritis(HSN) and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome(INS). Methods : We collected the sera and urines of 21 patients with Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP) and 22 patients with INS visited Chungbuk National University hospital from March 1998 to March 2001. The concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the sera and urines were measured by sandwich ELISA. Results : Serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the HSP patients with renal involvement were significantly higher than those without renal involvement(P=0.009). But urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels have no correlation with renal involvement(P=0.088). In the HSN patients, proteinuria have a significant correlation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.004) but less correlation with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.053). Otherwise, proteinuria have no correlation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.763) but have a significant correlation with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.007) in INS. Conclusion : These result suggest that the serum concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ would be important to glomerular involvement in HSP. And, it is interesting that proteinuria shows a significant relation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the HSN, but with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the INS. This means the major production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ may be originated by extrarenal inflammation in the HSN and by intrarenal tubulo-interstitial damage due to proteinuria in the INS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.259-264
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• 2003

Purpose : We have performed an analysis on patients who received Rastelli operation in our institute and reviewed their progress postoperatively. Various factors with suspected relationship to the outcome have been considered to help in future treatment and follow-up. Methods : We analyzed retrospectively 43 patients who either received Rastelli operation in Yonsei University Cardiovascular Center from March 1995 to April 1997 or who received post-procedural cardiac catheterization and follow-up echocardiography in the out-patient department after the procedure. Results : No statistically valid relationships were found between the age of the patient, their body weight, preoperative pulmonary arterial index and pressure, presence of pulmonary branchial stenosis and postoperative results. Cases with atrioventricular concordance showed lower age and body weight, and discordant cases exhibited lower ejection fraction 3 days postoperatively. Upon follow up, lower NYHA score was seen in patients with severe residual stenosis. In the group that received cardiac catheterization after the procedure, residual stenosis and right ventricular pressure measurement in echocardiography showed good correlation with the catheterization data. Conclusion : In cases where conduit insertions of the right ventricular outflow tract are required to achieve total correction in complex cardiac deformity, early operation does not seem to provide a clear risk to the patient. In patients with atrioventricular discordance, careful postoperative observation of the ventricular function seems to be needed. Also, echocardiography appears to be a sound method in follow-up of patients after the correctional procedure.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1161-1166
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• 2009

Purpose : Kawasaki disease—the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children—incidence is increasing yearly. Therefore, we evaluated the predictive indicators of coronary complications of Kawasaki disease based on clinical and laboratory data. Methods : Between January 2005 and March 2008, of the 201 children with Kawasaki disease treated at the Gil Hospital of Gachon University of Medicine and Science, 51 had coronary artery lesions (Group II) and 150 had no lesions (Group I). The reasons for coronary artery lesions were deduced from the clinical and laboratory data. Results : Analysis of the 2 groups revealed that fever duration and days of fever after and before initial intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) treatment were significantly longer in Group 2 than in Group I. IVIG infusions were statistically higher in Group II than in Group I. As per the laboratory data, C-reactive protein (CRP) value was significantly higher in Group II. Collectively, >10 days of fever duration, >48 h of fever duration after, and >10 days of fever before IVIG treatment increased the risk of coronary artery lesions 6-, 5-, and 3.5-fold, respectively. Furthermore, additional IVIG courses and higher CRP level increased the risk of coronary artery lesions 4-fold and 2-3-fold, respectively. Conclusion : The following 3 factors were responsible for increased risk of coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease: fever duration and days of fever after and before IVIG treatment. To identifythe predictive indicators of coronary complications, it is necessary to further elucidate the relationship between well-known forecasting factors.