• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.148-157
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• 2023

Background and Purpose: Episodic memory is a system that receives and stores information about temporally dated episodes and their interrelations. Our study aimed to investigate the relevance of episodic memory to time perception, with a specific focus on simultaneity/order judgment. Methods: Experiment 1 employed the simultaneity judgment task to discern differences in time perception between patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and age-matched normals. A mathematical analysis capable of estimating subjects' time processing was utilized to identify the sensory and decisional components of temporal order and simultaneity judgment. Experiment 2 examined how differences in temporal perception relate to performance in temporal order memory, in which time delays play a critical role. Results: The temporal decision windows for both temporal order and simultaneity judgments exhibited marginal differences between patients with episodic memory impairment, and their healthy counterparts (p = 0.15, t(22) = 1.34). These temporal decision windows may be linked to the temporal separation of events in episodic memory (Pearson's ρ = -0.53, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Based on our findings, the frequency of visual events accumulated and encoded in the working memory system in the patients' and normal group appears to be approximately (5.7 and 11.2) Hz, respectively. According to the internal clock model, a lower frequency of event pulses tends to result in underestimation of event duration, which phenomenon might be linked to the observed time distortions in patients with dementia.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate correlation between degree of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and neurocognitive function along with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods : Participants were 115 elderly subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment in this retrospective study. WMH in brain MRI were rated with standardized visual rating scales (Fazekas scales) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to Fazekas scale. Cognitive function was evaluated with Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K), and BPSD was evaluated with Korean neuropsychiatric inventory (K-NPI). Independent t-test was performed to analyze the relationship between the degree of WMH and neurocognitive functions & BPSD. Results : Especially, the group with high severity of WMH showed significantly lower language fluency (p<0.05). In addition, the group with high severity of WMH showed significantly higher score in K-NPI. Conclusions : There was a significant association between WMH and neurocognitive test related with executive function. Moreover, WMH seems to affect BPSD severity. Evaluation of WMH would provide useful information in clinical settings.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate treatment outcome and long term complication after surgery and radiotherapy (RT) for pituitary adenoma. Materials and Methods: From 1990 to 2009, 73 patients with surgery and RT for pituitary adenoma were analyzed in this study. Median age was 51 years (range, 25 to 71 years). Median tumor size was 3 cm (range, 1 to 5 cm) with suprasellar (n = 21), cavernous sinus extension (n = 14) or both (n = 5). Hormone secreting tumor was diagnosed in 29 patients; 16 patients with prolactin, 12 patients with growth hormone, and 1 patient with adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Impairment of visual acuity or visual field was presented in 33 patients at first diagnosis. Most patients (n = 64) received RT as postoperative adjuvant setting. Median RT dose was 45 Gy (range, 45 to 59.4 Gy). Results: Median follow-up duration was 8 years (range, 3 to 22 years). In secreting tumors, hormone normalization rate was 55% (16 of 29 patients). For 25 patients with evaluable visual field and visual acuity test, 21 patients (84%) showed improvement of visual disturbance after treatment. The 10-year tumor control rate for non-secreting and secreting adenoma was 100% and 58%, respectively (p < 0.001). Progression free survival rate at 10 years was 98%. Only 1 patient experienced endocrinological recurrence. Following surgery, 60% (n = 44) suffered from pituitary function deficit. Late complication associated with RT was only 1 patient, who developed cataract. Conclusion: Surgery and RT are very effective and safe in hormonal and tumor growth control for secreting and non-secreting pituitary adenoma.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.319-328
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• 2019

This study investigated the needs assessment of health education for adults with lately visual impairments. Focus group interview was conducted two times with 10 participants(4~6 participants/each). Most subjects addressed to have interest in social support group; health promotion behavior including exercise and having a positive mind; taking the medicine/supplements. Preferred contents of health education for adults with lately visual impairments were overcoming the depression, various exercise, maintaining of the healthy vascular, overcoming the insomnia, joint health, and diet which was different according to subject's health status. Also, care giver education was needed to help the subject to be independent on the activity daily living. These findings will be used to develop the design of health education programs for adults with visual impairments.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2001

Objectives : To compare the multiple outcomes of patients with cataract surgery at perioperative time,3-4 months and 12 months after surgery and to assess patient outcomes associated with visual improvement(visual acuity of operated eye, visual function-14(VF-14), symptom score). Methods : For this assessment, a prospective study was conducted with 389 patients who had undergone cataract surgery for either one eye or both eyes. The surgery was peformed by 20 ophthalmologists who were practicing at university hospitals and general hospitals. Patients were interviewed and clinical data were obtained. Doctors were questioned with self-reported questionnaire forms. Medical records were examined in order to measure variables related to the surgical process such as surgical methods and ocular comorbidity. The survey was 'conducted at 4 stages' : preoperative time(389 cases), perioperative time(344 cases, 88.4%), postoperative 3-4 months (343 cases, 88.2%), and postoperative 12 months (281 cases, 72.2%). After excluding cases with incomplete data, 198 cases were enrolled in the study. Patient outcomes was measured for any improvement in the functional outcomes(visual acuity of operated eye, visual function, symptom score) at postoperative 3-4 months. Results : The visual acuity(operated, weighted average), symptom score, VF-14 score, satisfaction with vision, and subjective health status were shown to be improved at the perioperative time, postoperative 3-4 months and 12 mouths. An improvement in the Snellen visual acuity score was observed in 190 patients(96.0%), whereas improvements of the VF-14 score and cataract symptom sure were observed in 151 patients(76.3%) and 179 patients(90.4%), respectively. All three outcome measures demonstrated improvement in 137 patients(09.2%). The improvement of the three functional outcomes at 3-4 months after receiving surgery was associated with a lower level of visual function and a higher level of cataract symptom score at perioperative time, as well as a greater experience level of the surgeon. Conclusions : In this study, the estimates of the proportion of patients benefiting from cataract surgery varied with the outcome measure of benefit. Preoperative VF-14 score, a measure of functional impairment related to vision, and symptom score may be better measures of the benefit derived from cataract surgery than the change in visual acuity.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2000

This review on ocular toxicology concentrates on the effects on ocular health and contact lens wear induced by systemically used drugs, including alcohol. Many systemically administered drugs produce ocular adverse effects. Fortunately, relatively few are capable of causing significant, irreversible visual impairment. The visual symptoms of acute intoxication are as follows : Drop in vision/visual acuity, diplopia, poor dark adaptation, increase in time for glare recovery, early cataract, decreased depth perception, blue-yellow or red-green colour defect and visual hallucinations. Blinking pattern, tear production, and discoloration of contact lenses can be affected by some systemic or local ocular medications. The cornea, conjunctiva, or eyelids may react to some systemic medications and to some preservatives used in contact lens solutions. The hydrogel contact lens act as a drug reservoir that emits the drug over time. I discuss management of contact lens-induced infectious and inflammatory conditions.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2008

Posterior cortical atrophy(PCA) is a presenile dementia that presents primarily with signs and symptoms of cortical visual dysfunction, while memory is relatively preserved until the late stage of the disease. We report a patient with PCA, confirmed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and $F^{18}$-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography(FDG PET). A 58-year-old right-handed woman presented initially with visual dimness and difficulty finding things around her. She had partial Balint's syndrome, partial Gerstmann syndrome, and idiomotor apraxia. She also had a mild memory disturbance, but preserved insight of her disease. Neuropsychological evaluation showed decreased parietal and left temporal functions bilaterally. Brain MRI and $F^{18}$-FDG PET revealed typical bilateral occipitoparietal atrophy and hypometabolism, which were slightly worse on the right side. Cholinesterase inhibitor administration for 6 months improved the memory impairment slightly, but not the cortical visual dysfunction. This is a typical case of PCA, confirmed by neurologic signs and imaging findings.

• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.361-374
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• 2022

The National Institute of Special Education developed and distributed software textbooks for disabled students according to the necessity of practical course in elementary school and information in middle school in the 2015 revised curriculum. It is a textbook provided from the perspective of education opportunity equity but the content of programming education for visually impaired students was insufficient. Therefore this study was conducted for the purpose of confirming the effectiveness of programming education for visual impaired students and providing the direction of future programming education. In order to achieve the purpose, programming classes were conducted for blind students in the 6th grade of elementary school. As a result of a study using "Blocks4All", a block-based programming tool with robots, students participated in classes actively and efficacy, intrest, and usefulness of programming are high. This study is meaningful in that it confirmed the possibility of programming education for visually impaired students.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.255-259
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• 2018

Sudden headache onset may rarely be caused by spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Other associated symptoms in patients with SIH are nausea, vomiting, vertigo, hearing alteration, and visual disturbance. This case report describes a 43-year-old female diagnosed with SIH who developed diplopia after resolution of an abrupt-onset headache, which was managed with conservative treatments, including bed rest and hydration. She was also diagnosed with secondary right sixth cranial nerve palsy. Although conservative management relieved her headache, the diplopia was not fully relieved. Application of an autologous epidural blood patch successfully relieved her diplopia, even after 14 days from the onset of visual impairment.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the cognitive function in the elderly and to identify the influencing factors. Methods: The design of this study was descriptive research design. A total of 139 elderly people (aged 65 years and over) visiting the electroencephalogram (EEG) center in Seoul, Korea were evaluated. Data were assessed by self-administered questionnaires and CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS). Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 23.0 for Windows. Results: There were significant differences in the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), executive functions and reasoning according to education level. K-MMSE, visual memory and executive functions were different depending on the jobs. Age was highly correlated with cognitive function. In addition, stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the factor significantly associated with reaction time and visual memory was depression. Depression and Trait-Anxiety had significant impacts on executive functions and K-MMSE. Conclusion: CNSVS enabled the accurate and objective measurement of cognitive function. Therefore, this study provides useful data to improve cognitive function of the community-dwelling elderly. The results suggested that there is need for comprehensive interventional programs that manage cognitive impairment.