• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.50-63
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• 1999

Introduction：Test anxiety is a pervasive problem among high school students in Korea. While anxiety in test situations may actually facilitate the performance of some students, more often it is disruptive and leads to performance decrements. Over the past years, many child psychiatrists have become concerned with understanding the nature of test anxiety, but it is not clearly understood yet. In order to understand the nature of test anxiety, the relationship between test anxiety and depression, state anxiety, trait anxiety, temperament and family environment were examined. Methods：The Test Anxiety Inventory, Chidlren's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Temperamnet and Family Environment Scale Scale were administered to 576 high school students in Seoul. The relationships between test anxiety and other measures were tested using Pearson correlation coefficients and to test the causal relationship among the variables, regression analysis was performed. Results：The correlation coefficients between test anxiety and depression, state anxiety, trait anxiety, temperament and family environment scale were 0.42(p<0.01), 0.34(p<0.05), 0.38(p<0.05), 0.36(p<0.05) and -0.23(p<0.01), respectively. Regression analysis showed that only state and trait anxiety had direct causal relationship with test anxiety. Depression, temperament and family environment were indirecly related with test anxiety. Conclusions：This study indicates that the level of state and trait anxiety are directly related with test anxiety, and other variables such as temperament, family environment and depression are indirectly related with test anxiety. Thus, in order to develop the effective methods for treatment, these psychopathological characteristics should be kept in mind and the most important factors are the levels of state and trait anxiety.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2016

Adult-onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2) is characterized by episodes of neurologic symptoms associated with hyperammonemia leading to disorientation, irritability, seizures, and coma. CTLN2 is distinct from classical citrullinemia, which is caused by a mutation of the argininosuccinic acid synthetase (ASS) gene. The serum citrulline level is elevated, while the activity of ASS in liver tissue is decreased. CTLN2 is known to have a poor prognosis if the proper treatment is not taken. We reported a female aged 37 years who developed recurrent attacks of altered consciousness, aberrant behavior, and vomiting. We initially suspected the patient had CTLN2 because of the signs of hyperammonemic encephalopathy, such as altered mentality, memory disturbance, and aberrant behaviors provoked by exercise-induced stress and excessive intravenous amino acid administration. Through her peculiar diet preferences and laboratory findings that included hyperammonemia and citrullinemia, we diagnosed the patient as CTLN2, and SLC25A13 sequencing revealed known compound heterozygous mutations (IVS11+1G>A, c.674C> A). Her parents were heterozygous carriers, and we identified that her older sister had the same mutations. The older sister had not experienced any episodes of hyperammonemia, but she had peculiar diet preferences. The patient and her sister have been well with conservative management. When considering the clinical course of CTLN2, it was meaningful that the older sister could be diagnosed early in an asymptomatic period and that preemptive treatment was employed. Through this case, CTLN2 should be considered in adults who present symptoms of hyperammonemic encephalopathy without a definite etiology. Because of its rare incidence and similar clinical features, CTLN2 is frequently misdiagnosed as hepatic encephalopathy, and it shows a poor prognosis due to the lack of early diagnosis and proper treatment. A high-carbohydrate diet, which is usually used to treat other urea cycle defects, can also exaggerate the clinical course of CTLN2, so proper metabolic screening tests and genetic studies should be performed.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 1998

Purpose : Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which can result in renal failure in children, is expected to resolve spontaneously in mild cases, but severe cases require surgical correction, posing dilemma in deciding the right measures in some cases. Therefore, to delineate the factors affecting spontaneous resolution of VUR and to apply them in assessing the prognosis, we reviewed the patients with VUR who had been treated medically. Patients and Methods : 32 children (49 renal units) with reflux who had been admitted during the 5-year period from Jan '92 to Dec '96 were classified into 4 groups (Resolved, Improved, Unchanged, and Worsened) and analyzed. Results : 1) 25 were boys and 7 girls. The age at diagnosis ranged from 13 days to 9 years (mean $24.6{\pm}11.4$ mo) 2) Among 49 refluxing ureters, 4 were below 1 me of age,21 between 1 me to 1 yr, 16 between 1 yr to 6 yr, 8 beyond 6 yr. Two belonged to Grade I, 16 to Crade II, 17 to Grade III, 12 to Grade IV, and 2 to Grade V. 3) Spontaneous resolution rates of reflux were 100, 81, 47, 8, 0$\%$ for each Grade, respectively. Resolution plus improvement rates in Grade III and IV were 71 and $50\%$, each. 4) Resolution rates in relation to the age at diagnosis were $100\%$ for below 1 mo, $48\%$ between 1 mo to 1 yr, $56\%$ between 1 to 6 yr, and $13\%$ beyond 6 yr. 5) Of 15 unilateral refluxing ureters, 14 ($93\%$) resulted in resolution. Of 34 bilateral refluxing ureters, 11 ($32\%$) resolved spontaneously 6) Resolution occurred within 1 year in 20 units of 24 renal units in regular follow-up. Conclusion: The lower the initial grade and the younger the patient, the sooner the reflux resolved. Resolution was better when VUR was unilateral than bilateral. Long-term regular follow-up is essential because even the cases falling in Grades III and IV have high rates of spontaneous resolution and improvement with medical treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.138-142
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• 2010

Purpose: PTH (parathyroid hormone) level is a useful index for prediction of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy. The fast results are required for an early diagnosis of hypocalcemia. In this study, we evaluated the PTH change according to incubation time, and investigated the usefulness of hypocalcemia diagnosis of PTH results in early incubation time. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 131 patients who had taken the PTH test from July to August in 2009. All experiments were used IRMA method. PTH value were evaluated with the correlation between precision (10 times repeat) and recovery rate and at 0.5, 3, 6 and $18{\pm}2$ (below overnight) hours following incubation time. Data analysis was investigated with relationship of the sensitivity, specificity, PPV (positive predictive value) and accuracy. Results: The correlation was time-dependent with levels reaching $R^2$=0.987 at 0.5 hours, $R^2$=0.993 at 3 hours and $R^2$=0.996 at 6 hours compare to overnight levels. The precision (%CV${\pm}$SD) were $15.92{\pm}15.54$ at 0.5 hours, $6.91{\pm}7.38$ at 3 hours, $4.30{\pm}4.69$ at 6 hours and $4.59{\pm}2.59$ at overnight. The recovery rate (%Mean${\pm}$SD) were $96.8{\pm}5.44$ at 0.5 hours, $102.6{\pm}4.35$ at 3 hours, $100.7{\pm}2.56$ at 6 hours and $102.2{\pm}5.98$ at overnight. When 15 pg/ml of overnight density was set up as criteria, we measured the sensitivity, specificity and PPV, accuracy at 0.5, 3, 6 hours. The sensitivity was shown to 97.5% at all times. The specificity was 96.0% at 0.5 hours, 100% at 3 hours and 92.3% at 6 hours for control, respectively. The PPV was 86.6% at 0.5 hours, 100% at 3 hours and 92.8% at 6 hours. The accuracy was shown to 84.7% at 0.5 hours, 97.5% at 3 hours and 90.6% at 6 hours. These data were accompanied by a corresponding PTH value of overnight incubation time, which significantly correlated with early time results. Conclusion: The values of PTH at 3 hours has favorable the rate of concordance of 94.1% and may be useful for prediction of hypocalcemia, and it responses to overnight incubation PTH values. Therefore, This method may be an attractive alternative to proper treatment to stop symptom revelation by giving a calcium agent to the patient.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2004

만성적이거나 반복적인 스트레스는 우울중이나 심신병 등의 발병 기전과 밀접한 관련이 있다. 전기적 자극(electric foot shock), 한랭 자극, 속박(immobilization), 투쟁(fighting), 에테르 노출 등과 같은 심한 스트레스 자극이 뇌 조직의 시상 및 시상하부, 편도체 등에서의 노르아드레날린(noradrenalin) 방출을 유의 하게 감소시키는 동시에 혈청 corticosterone을 증가시키는 것으로 알려져 있다. 한의학에서는 스트레스 인자에 대한 신체반응을 기(氣)의 변화로 인식하고 있고, 이러한 자극요인들은 신체에 대하여 병적 요인을 제공하여 제반 질환을 야기한다. 또한 질병 발생에 대한 근거로 정기(正氣)와 사기(邪氣)의 상호 관계 위주로 인식하는데, 내부의 기(氣)의 변조(變調)는 질병의 발생을 야기하는 기초가 된다. 실험에 사용된 연근(蓮根)은 연꽃과에 속한 수생초본인 연꽃의 뿌리부분으로 우(藕) 또는 우절(藕節)이라는 명칭으로 불리기도 한다. 성미(性味)는 감(甘) 삽(澁) 평(平) 무독(無毒)하고 폐(肺) 위(胃) 간경(肝經)으로 들어가며 수렴지혈(收斂止血) 화어(化瘀)의 효능이 있어 토혈(吐血) 객혈(喀血) 뇨혈(尿血) 편혈(便血) 등의 각종 출혈 증상에 사용되어져 왔다. 최근 연꽃의 부위별 추출물이 흰쥐의 지질 과산화 생성을 효과적으로 억제하는 것으로 보고되고 있어 연근(蓮根)에 대한 다양한 약리 효능의 검색이 필요할 것으로 생각되며 연꽃의 씨앗인 연자육(蓮子肉)이 양심안신(養心安神)의 효능이 있어 스트레스성 질환에 많이 응용되고 있는 것에 착안하여 본 연구를 착수하였다. 실험 동물은 ICR계 마우스를 이용하였으며, 사회 심리적 스트레스는 옆쪽 cage에서 다른 마우스의 신체에 가해지는 전기 충격을 하루 1시간 동안 지켜보게 하는 것으로 유발하였으며 이 상태에서 약물을 투여한 그룹을 실험군, 그렇지 않은 그룹을 대조군으로 하였다. 정상군은 아무런 자극 없이 하루 1시간 동안 일정 공간에 가두어 두는 것으로 하였다. 실험 결과 사회 심리적 스트레스를 받은 경우에 아무런 처치를 하지 않은 대조군에 비해 연근 추출물을 100mg/kg/day 용량으로 5 일간 투여한 실험군에서 혈청 중 corticosterone 함량이 유의하게 감소하였으므로 매우 효과적으로 스트레스를 해소하였음을 알 수 있다. 뇌세포 중에서 신경전달물질로 분비되는 노르아드레날린의 분비량은 전반적으로 증가되는 경향을 나타내었으나 유의성은 없었다. 신체적 또는 사회 심리적 스트레스가 간 조직 내 지질의 과산화를 유발하는 것으로 나타났으며 연근 추출물이 이 결과에는 영향을 주지 못하였다. 사회 심리적 스트레스로 인하여 간 조직 내 지질과산화 정도가 증가하였으므로 혈청 내 ALT 함량도 따라 증가할 것으로 추정되었으며 이에 대한 연근 추출물 경구 투여가 간 조직을 보호할 수 있는지를 확인하기 위해 분리한 혈청으로부터 ALT 함량을 측정한 결과 대조군에 비하여 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 또한 연근 추출물이 혈청 내 지질 과산화물의 생성을 억제할 수 있다면 질병의 예방과 치료에 효과적일 것으로 추정할 수 있으므로 그 생성량을 측정하여 보았으나 대조군과의 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 이상의 결과들을 종합하여 보면 스트레스가 부하된 5일 동안 연근(蓮根) 추출물을 함께 투여한 결과 혈청 corticosterone 함량을 유의하게 감소시켰고 뇌 조직내 noradrenaline 함량을 증가시키는 경향을 나타내어 스트레스 해소에 도움이 될 수 있음을 시사하였다. 또한 혈청 내 ALT 함량을 유의하게 감소시켜 스트레스로 인해 발생하는 간 기능의 손상도 어느 정도 억제시키는 것을 확인할 수 있었는데 앞으로 연근(蓮根)의 이러한 작용에 대한 보다 자세한 연구들이 필요한 것으로 생각된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 1986

A total of 69 patients of confirmed neurocysticercosis was followed serologically by ELISA up to 22 months after praziquantel treatment. The intervals and numbers of follow-up were variable by patient. Serially collected samples of serum and CSF were examined simultaneously for their specific IgG antibody levels by ELISA, using cystic fluid, saline extracts of bladder wall and scolex as antigen. Within 4 months after praziquantel treatment, the antibody levels were elevated temporarily in both serum and CSF in most patients. In some cases antibody levels exhibited steady declining tendency after the treatment. Concomitant administration of dexamethasone appeared to suppress the elevation of antibody levels. The rate of mean absorbance of antibody changed more in serum than in CSF. The rate of elevation was greater in antibodies to parenchymal antigens than that to cystic fluid, but absolute difference of antibody levels was greater in antibody to cystic fluid. Previously negative samples for IgG antibody may become positive after the praziquantel treatment, which could be used as a complementary tool (provocation test) in serodiagnosis. One month was considered to be sufficient interval for the follow-up test for that purpose. In the follow-up of up to 22 months, only few cases of chronic neurocysticercosis showed declining tendency of IgG antibody levels below negative range. During acute encephalitic attacks in chronic patients, IgG antibody to parenchymal antigen were elevated in CSF temporarily. These results indicated that serologic follow-up of every year was recommendable to differentiate the cured patients from chronic patients with slowly calcifying lesions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 1999

Background: The atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral valvular heart disease is frequently converted to sinus rhythm after the mitral valve surgery. This sinus restoration implies an important meaning in that it not only helps postoperative convalescence in patients with unstable hemodynamics but also reduces the rate of postoperative thromboembolism. Material and Method: We retrospectively analyzed 184 patients who received mitral valve surgery from June 1986 to December 1996 to investigate the trend of rhythm change following mitral valve surgery and thus to clarify the predisposing factors of postoperative sinus rhythm conversion and its maintenance. Result: The sinus rhythm was restored after the operation in 54 out of 139 patients with atrial fibrillation preoperatively(38.8%). However, the atrial fibrillation recurred in 41 patients at the time of discharge showing a recurrence rate of 75.9 percent. The mean duration of sinus rhythm in patients with eventual atrial fibrillation recurrence was 8.2${\pm}$5.9 days. Only 15 patients were in sinus rhythm at the time of late follow-up with the mean follow-up period of 84.4${\pm}$34.7 months. While the age, duration of symptoms, duration of atrial fibrillation, left atral size, and pulmonary artery pressure were thought to be the predisposing factors for sinus conversion after the operation, only the duration of atrial fibrillation and ejection fraction were considered risk factors for the recurrence of the atrial fibrillation following sinus conversion. Conclusion: This study suggests that the early operation is mandatory for the satisfactory result regarding postoperative rhythm. Moreover, additional operative measure in adjunct to the intervention of mitral valve should be considered for the maintenance of restored sinus rhythm as reflected by high postoperative recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2001

Background : Sustained-release theophylline, which is generally prescribed as a twice-daily equal-dose regimen, is one of the more common asthma treatments. The development of a sustained-release drug delivery technology that enables improved control of the theophylline blood levels represents a significant advancement in both the efficacy and safety of dosing. Method : A crossover study was conducted with 25 adult chronic asthmatic patients requiring daily bronchodilator therapy. The study group included thirteen males and twelve females with ages ranging from 19 to 71 years. The overall approach was to place the patients first on the twice-daily preparation($Etheophyl^{(R)}$) for 28 days at 8 AM and 8 PM, and measure the pulmonary function and theophylline level on the 28th day. The patients were subsequently switched to the once-daily preparation($Uniphyl^{(R)}$) in the same daily dose at 8 PM on the 29th day and the same parameters were measured on the 56th day. Results : The mean serum levels of theophylline were $8.18{\pm}1.66\;{\mu}g/ml$ in the $Etheophyl^{(R)}$-treated period and $8.00{\pm}1.75\;{\mu}g/ml$ in the $Uniphyl^{(R)}$-treated period. ln addition, the $FEV_1$ showed $71.40{\pm}7.48$ percent in the $Etheophyl^{(R)}$-treated and $69.18{\pm}9.00$ percent in the $Uniphyl^{(R)}$-treated period. Thus there were no significant differences between the once-daily and twice-daily preparation. Conclusion : The results indicated little clinical differences between the two medications. The two drugs are equally effective in controlling asthma over the four weeks of treatment.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2005

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess cognitive functions and their relationship with sleep symptoms in young narcoleptic patients. Methods: Eighteen young narcolepsy patients and 18 normal controls (age: 17-35 years old) were recruited. All narcolepsy patients had HLA $DQB_1$ *0602 allele and cataplexy. Several important areas of cognition were assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of 13 tests: executive functions (e.g. cognitive set shifting, inhibition, and selective attention) through Wisconsin card sorting test, Trail Making A/B, Stroop test, Ruff test, Digit Symbol, Controlled Oral Word Association and Boston Naming Test; alertness and sustained attention through paced auditory serial addition test; verbal/nonverbal short-term memory and working memory through Digit Span and Spatial Span; visuospatial memory through Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test; verbal learning and memory through California verbal learning test; and fine motor activity through grooved pegboard test. Sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients were assessed with Epworth sleepiness scale, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale, multiple sleep latency test, and nocturnal polysomnography. Relationship between cognitive functions and sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients was also explored. Results: Compared with normal controls, narcolepsy patients showed poor performance in paced auditory serial addition (2.0 s and 2.4 s), digit symbol tests, and spatial span (forward)(t=3.86, p<0.01; t=-2.47, p=0.02; t=-3.95, p<0.01; t=-2.22, p=0.03, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in other neuropsychological tests. In addition, results of neuropsychological test in narcolepsy patients were not correlated with Epworth sleepiness scale score, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale score and sleep variables in multiple sleep latency test or nocturnal polysomnography. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that young narcolepsy patients have impaired attention. In addition, impairment of attention in narcolepsy might not be solely due to sleep symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.657-665
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• 2019

In this study, we conducted a study on the transcranial magnetic electrode, a method for the study of dementia and muscle pain, a neurodegenerative disease caused by an aging society, which is becoming a problem worldwide. In particular, transcranial magnetic electrodes have been studied to improve their ability to be deteriorated by dementia symptoms such as speech, cognitive ability, and memory by outputting magnetism deep into the brain using coils on the head epidermis. In this study, simulation was performed using Maxwell 3D program for the design of coil, the core of transcranial magnetic electrode. As a result of the simulation comparison between the coil designed by the previous research and the coil through the research and development, the output was found to be superior to the conventional designed coil. The graphs of the coil outputs of B-Field and H-Field are found to be symmetrical, but the symmetry between each coil is pseudo-symmetrical and not accurate. Based on these results, an experiment was conducted to confirm whether the output of the head epidermis through both coils is possible. In the magnitude field of the reverse-coil 2-coil analysis, the maximum output was 3.3920e + 004 H [A_per_meter], and the vector field showed the strongest magnetic field around 35 to 165 degrees. It was confirmed that the magnetic output canceled due to the magnetic output. In the case of the forward 2-coil, a maximum of 3.2348e + 004H [A_per_meter] similar to the reverse coil was observed, but in the case of the vector field, the magnetic output regarding the forward output and the head skin output was confirmed. However, when the height change in the output coil, the magnetic output was reduced.