• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2004

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2002

Purpose : To clarify the clinical benefit derived from the combined modality therapy (CMT) consisting of chemotherapy (CT) and involved field radiotherapy (RT) for stage I and II angiocentric lymphomas of the head and neck. Materials and Methods : Of 143 patients with angiocentric lymphoma of the head and neck treated at our hospital between 1976 and 1995, 104 patients (RT group) received involved field RT alone with a median dose of 50.4 Gy (range : 20~70 Gy), while 39 patients (CMT group) received a median 3 cycles (range : 1~6 cycles) of CT before involved field RT. The response rate, patterns of failure, complications, and survival data of the RT group were compared with those of the CMT group. Results : Despite a higher response rate, local failure was the most common pattern of failure in patients of both groups. The patterns of failure, including the systemic relapse rate were not influenced by the addition of combination CT. Although both modalities were well tolerated by the majority of patients, aberrant immunologic disorders or medical illnesses, such as a hemophagocytic syndrome, sepsis, intractable hemorrhage, or the evolution of second primary malignancies were more frequently observed in patients of the CMT group. The prognosis of patients in the RT group was relatively poor, with a 5-year overall actuarial survival rate of 38% and disease-free survival rate of 32%, respectively. However, their clinical outcome was not altered by the addition of systemic CT. Achieving complete remission was the most important prognostic factor by univariate and multivariate analyses, but treatment modality was not found to be a prognostic variable influencing survival. Conclusions : Involved field RT alone for angiocentric lymphoma of the head and neck was insufficient to achieve an improved survival rate, but the addition of CT to involved field RT failed to demonstrate any therapeutic advantage over involved field RT alone.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2004

Cortex of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica N. and Hemipteleae davidii P. have been used without classification according to countries as oriental medicine for treatment of various disorders. This study was conducted to elucidate the difference in antioxidant activity and total phenol content of these medicinal materials. Root cortex and trunk cortex of two medicinal plants were extracted with 80% ethanol $(at\;85^{\circ}C)$ and water (at room temperature), respectively. All of the extracts at $200{\sim}5\;{\mu}g/ml$, showed more effective scavenging activity on superoxide radical than ascorbic acid, and 80% ethanol and water extracts of Ulmus root cortex (URC) was more effective. Scavenging activities on DPPH radical of 80% ethanol extracts from URC and Ulmus trunk cortex (UTC) at 10 ${\mu}g/ml$, (41.4, 35.6%) were higher than those of the other six extracts and ${\alpha}-tocopherol\;(2.3{\sim}24.0%)$. Inhibitory activities on human low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation of 80% ethanol extracts from UTC and URC (84.3, 81.7%) at $10\;{\mu}g/ml\;(31.3{\sim}78.2%)$ were higher than those of the other six extracts and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$. However, antioxidant activities on linoleic acid peroxidation of all of the extracts were relatively lower than that ${\alpha}-tocopherol$. Total phenol content of 80% ethanol extract from URC was the highest value as 50.8% and that of water extract from HRC was the lowest as 5.6% among the extracts. From these results, it is suggested that Ulmus root cortex was the most effective in antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2003

Objectives: Many researches have been done to compare psychopathology of functional gastrointestinal disorder and inflammatory bowel disease which involves structural change. Recently, many studies focused on the topic of alexithymia. The results from these studies were questionable for lack of valid measures of alexithymia and valid diagnostic criteria of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, we tried to overcome these two problems and to assess alexithymia, personality characteristics, and other psychopathology. Methods: The subjects consisted of ulcerative colitis group(N=28) who were diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy, irritable bowel syndrome group(N=27) who were diagnosed by Rome II criteria and normal control group(N=22). All patients were diagnosed at outpatient department of Kyungpook National University Hospital. All these groups completed three psychological tests, including MMPI, Rorschach test, and well validated TAS-20K(The Korean Version of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale). Results: Twenty-five percent of the ulcerative colitis group and 22% of the irritable bowel syndrome group scored in the alexithymia range, compared with 0% of the normal group. In Rorschach test, irritable bowel syndrome group showed high levels of weighted Sum C and EA. Most of clinical scales of MMPI were higher in two gastrointestinal groups than the normal control group. And two gastrointestinal groups showed low ego strength level, but there was no statistical significant difference between them. Conclusion: Two gastrointestinal groups showed high rate of alexithymia, other psychopathological profiles, and low ego strength but there was no significant difference between two groups.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.435-454
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• 1999

The caregiving experiences of 100 family menbers of outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders were investigated for the presence of positive(positive family-patient relationship. patient' contribution to the family) and negative caregiving experience(objective and subjective burden) and their predictors. This study attempts to make the analysis of caregiving experience more useful by expanding the focus to incoporate these positive aspects of the experience of family caregiver. Objective burden consists of two elements: 'disruption of family life', 'care'(amount of caregiving related to activity of daily living). Subjective burden is defined as emotional reactions to the care giving and it comprised of 6 emotional subdimensions such as 'stigma', 'grief'. 'worry', 'pity', 'fear', 'despair'. Also we investigate the severity of patients' disturbing behaviors into two categories, positive and negative disturbing behaviors and patient' contribution to the family as a predictors of positive and negative caregiving experiences. This study use Pearson's correlation coefficient, Hierardhical regressions in the SAS Program. The results are as follows: 1. Respondents reported moderate level of objective burden 'disruption of family life' (mean = 2.48, range = 1-4), and 'care' (mean=2.54, range = 1-4), and slightly high level of total subjective burden(mean = 2.19, range = 1-4). Mean scores for the measure of the severity of behavioral disturbance indicated that the caregiver experienced negative disturbing behaviors around almost 'somtimes'(mean=2.28, range = 1-4), and positive disturbing behaviors 'almost not frequent'(mean=2.78. range=1-4). So they reported that they perceived patient's negative disturbing behaviors more than positive disturbing behaviors. Mean scores for the measure of the patient' contributions (mean = 1.99. range = 1-4) indicated that caregivers experienced these contributions a little. It means that there should be a positive aspect of possibilities of patient' family roles that can be developed in the daily life. Mean scores for the measure of the positive family-patient relationship indicated that caregivers experienced moderate level of positive family-patient relationship(mean=2.52, range = 1-4). 2. Hierardhical regression analysis 1) Hierardhical regression of 'disruption of family life' showed that the interaction between positive disturbing behaviors and patient' contributions (B = .20. p = .022) and caregiver's educational level(B=.06. p=.000) were 'significant and Hierardhical regression of 'care' showed that 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B= .35. p= .007). 'patient' contributions'(B= .28, p= .019). 'family income'(B=-.l1. p=.096) were significant. 2) Hierardhical regression of 'total subjective burden', 'stigma', 'grief', 'worry', 'pity'. 'fear', 'dispair' showed that 'positive disturbing behaviors'(B=.51. p=.000). 'negative disturbing behaviors' (B = .17, p = .026), 'caregiver's educational level'(B = .03. p=.036), 'family income'(B=.08. p=.041) were significant predictors of 'total subjective burden': 'positive disturbing behaviors'(B=.32. p=.066). 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B=.24, p=.096) 'durations of illness'(B= .03. p= .079) were significant predictors of 'stigma' 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B=.28. p=.005). 'patient sex'(B=-.32. p=.022). 'positive disturbing behaviors'(B=.28. p=.020), 'patient age'(B=.02. p=.010), 'caregiver age'(B=-01, p= .002) were significant predictors of 'grief' 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B= .28, p= .005). 'patient sex'(B= -.32. p=.039), 'caregiver age'(B=-.02, p= .023). 'caregiver's educational level'(B= .04, p = .044) were significant predictors of 'worry' 'patient sex'(B=-.46. p=.005). 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B= .28. p=.018), 'caregiver age'(B=-.01, p=.037) were significant predictors of 'pity' 'positive disturbing behaviors'(B=.83. p=.000). 'patient' contributions' (B = .22, p =.017). 'family income'(B=.09. p=.65) were significant predictors of 'fear' 'positive disturbing behaviors'(B=.49, p=.001). 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B= .24. p=.057) 'patient sex'(B=-.4l, p=.017), 'family income'(B=.14, p=.047) were significant predictors of 'dispair'. 3) Hierardhical regression of 'positive relationship' showed that 'patient contributions'(B=.32, p=.000). 'negative disturbing behaviors'(B= .24, p= .005), 'patient sex'(B=-.23, p=.036).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1172-1178
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• 2005

Purpose : Childhood Obesity is increasing throughout the world, and it is known to incur many diseases especially in later life such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) and know if these factors are useful in predicting cardiovascular diseases. Methods : The study group consisted of 64 moderate and severe obese adolescents and the controls were normal adolescents of the same age. body mass index(BMI) was calculated by height and weight; systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured at resting state. After 10-hour fasting period, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured. Results : Insulin was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $15.6{\pm}7.0{\mu}IU/mL$, P<0.01). IGF-I was also significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $498.1{\pm}122.2ng/mL$, P<0.05). In addition, IGFBP-3 was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $3,777{\pm}4,721ng/mL$, P<0.05). Insulin showed significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.3944) and obesity index(r=0.34). IGFBP-3 were significantly correlated with obesity index(r=0.419), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.264) and BMI(r=0.247). Insulin resistance index significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.595), blood triglycerid level(r=0.515) and obesity index(r=0.469). Conclusion : Serum insulin, insulin resistance index, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels may be useful to predict cardiovascular diseases in adolescent obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1377-1382
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• 2009

Purpose:The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test results of girls with precocious puberty were analyzed to determine whether this test can efficiently and clearly differentiate between central precocious puberty (CPP) and other disorders. Methods:Clinical and laboratory data of 54 girls with precocious pubertal signs were reviewed. Intravenous GnRH test was performed with blood samples obtained at 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes. A peak luteinizing hormone (LH) level of ${\geq}5.0IU/L$ was indicative of CPP. Results:Of the 40 girls with CPP, 36 (90.0%), 3 (7.5%), and 1 (2.5%) showed peak LH levels at 30, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively. A percentage of girls whose peak LH ${\geq}5.0IU/L$ up to 30, 60, and 90 minutes was 92.5%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The peak LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio of girls with CPP was 0.89${\pm}$0.49 and was <1 in 16 of the 40 girls (40.0%). Girls with peak LH/FSH ratio of >1.0 showed higher chronological age (CA) ($8.3{\pm}0.6$ vs. $7.7{\pm}1.0$ years, P=0.033), bone age (BA) ($10.9{\pm}0.8$ vs. $9.7{\pm}1.1$ years, P=0.001), and BA-CA difference ($2.6{\pm}0.7$ vs. $2.0{\pm}0.7$ years, P=0.009) than those of girls with peak LH/FSH ratio of ${\leq}1.0$. Higher percentage of girls with peak LH/FSH ratio of >1.0 showed advanced breast development (${\geq}TannerIII$) (93.7% vs. 41.7%, P=0.001). Conclusion:LH levels after 30 and 60 minutes of intravenous GnRH administration are the most useful for diagnosing CPP in girls.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.922-929
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim was to investigate the clinical characteristics and responses to growth hormone (GH) therapy in children with attenuated growth who showed normal GH responses to GH stimulation tests (GHST). Methods : The study included 39 patients with height velocity (HV) of less than 4 cm/yr and normal GHST results. Clinical characteristics of patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results : Eleven were born as small for gestational age (SGA) and 28 as appropriate for age (AGA). In the SGA group, the standard deviation score (SDS) of age and height measured at their first visit was significantly low. Sixteen patients were treated with GH and six of 23 without GH therapy were followed for 1 year after GHST. The mean (range) of HV was 7.7 (4.9 to 11.1) cm/yr in patients with GH therapy and 3.7 (2.7 to 4.5) cm/yr in those without GH therapy, which was statistically significant (P<0.001). In the GH-treated group, HV and difference in height SDS during the treatment increased significantly (P<0.001; P< 0.001, respectively). HV increased after 1 year of GH therapy in the SGA and AGA groups (SGA, P=0.043; AGA, P=0.003). The level of Insulin-like growth factor-I was significantly lower in GH-treated patients with height SDS <-3 than those with ${\geq}3$ (P=0.023). Conclusion : In children with growth failure and normal GHST, HV increases significantly by short-term GH therapy. The assessment of long-term effects of GH therapy is necessary. Moreover, further studies should be considered to evaluate the GH-IGF-I axis due to the possibility of GH insensitivity syndrome.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.177-187
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• 2012

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) techniques are widely used in diagnosis of vascular disorders such as hemadostenosis and aneurism. Especially, phase contrast (PC) MRA technique, which is a typical non contrast-enhanced MRA technique, provides not only the anatomy of blood vessels but also flow velocity. In this study, we developed the 2- and 3-dimensional PC MRA pulse sequences for a low magnetic field MRI system. Vessel images were acquired using 2D and 3D PC MRA and the velocities of the blood flow were measured in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and the confluence of the two. The 2D PC MRA provided the good quality of vascular images for large vessels but the poor quality for small ones. Although 3D PC MRA gave more improved visualization of small vessels than 2D PC MRA, the image quality was not enough to be used for diagnosis of the small vessels due to the low SNR and field homogeneity of the low field MRI system. The measured blood velocities were $25.46{\pm}0.73cm/sec$, $24.02{\pm}0.34cm/sec$ and $26.15{\pm}1.50cm/sec$ in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and the confluence of the two, respectively, which showed good agreement with the previous experimental values. Thus, the developed PC MRA technique for low field MRI system is expected to provide the useful velocity information to diagnose the large brain vessels.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.298-305
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• 2002

Purpose: Bone marrow scintigraphy has been used to evaluate the status of bone marrow in various hematologic disorders. We have analyzed the peripheral distribution pattern and central uptake ratio of bone marrow using anti-NCA-95 monoclonal antibody and the their correlation in patients with various hematologic malignancy. Materials and Methods: Bone marrow immunoscintigraphy was performed using Tc-99m anti-granulocyte monoclonal mouse antibody BW 250/183. Fifty patients were classified into four groups; 11 with acute myelogenous leukemia, 12 with acute lymphocytic leukemia, 15 with lymphoma and 12 with myelodysplastic syndrome. The extension of peripheral bone marrow was categorized into four grades: I, II, III and IV. The activity of central bene marrow was expressed as sacroiliac uptake ratio. Results: The patient's number was 4 in grade I, 27 in grade II, 15 in grade III and 4 in grade IV according to extension of peripheral bone marrow. The extension of peripheral bone marrow was marked (58% in grade III and IV) in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute lymphocytic leukemia and mild (93% in grade I and II) in lymphoma. Sacroiliac uptake ratio was highest ($8.5{\pm}4.0$) in myelodysplastic syndrome and lowest ($5.9{\pm}3.6$) in acute myelogenous leukemia, but not significantly different among four patient groups (p>0.05). Sacroiliac uptake ratio of whole patients was significantly different among four grades (p=0.003), but there was not correlated between grade of peripheral bone marrow and sacroiliac uptake ratio (r=0.05). Conclusion: The pattern of peripheral bone marrow extension and activity of central hemopoietic marrow were not specific to the disease entities. Response of hemopoietic bone marrow may be evaluated on both peripheral and central bone marrow in patients with hematologic malignancy.