• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 2018

Objectives : Clozapine is a widely prescribed antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia and is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease due to its metabolic side effects. However, little is known about the effect of clozapine on the platelet activation, another important factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we tried to investigate the effect of clozapine on platelet activity in patients with schizophrenia by comparing the mean platelet component (MPC) values before and after the clozapine administration. Methods : A retrospective review of medical records of patients with schizophrenia, who newly started clozapine treatment from September 1st, 2003 to April 30th, 2007 at the Department of Psychiatry, Konyang University Hospital in Republic of Korea was performed. The final statistical analysis included 14 participants. Bayer ADVIA $120^{(R)}$ system was used to measure MPC. Results : Among the 14 participants, five subjects were males (28.60%), and ten subjects were females (71.40%). The mean age of participants was $37.50{\pm}11.64years$. Average of duration of illness was $91.00{\pm}93.96months$, with the mean dosage of clozapine taken by participants at the time of the last blood test was $337.50{\pm}109.52mg$. The mean MPC measurement before and after receiving clozapine was $26.12{\pm}2.22g/dL$ and $25.14{\pm}2.08g/dL$ respectively. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in MPC levels after clozapine administration (V=16, p=0.024). Conclusions : Decreased MPC levels after clozapine administration implies that clozapine may increase platelet activation which could have an adverse effect on the occurrence of thromboembolic disease. Our findings also suggest that careful monitoring of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as platelets activity, is necessary when administering clozapine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.385-392
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• 2023

Caroli's disease is a fibrocystic liver disease. Autosomal recessive disorder is characterized by congenital multiple dilatation of the bile duct. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, cholangiography and ultrasound are among the methods for diagnosing caroli disease. Computerized tomography is essential for detecting and distinguishing fibroplastic liver disease and is useful for determining intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. However, awareness of the possible side effects of using contrast mediums is necessary. A typical method of magnetic resonance cholangiography is used for magnetic resonance imaging. A non-invasive examination can reduce the pain of the patient, and the anatomical structure of the bile pancreatic duct and the presence or absence of lesions can be easily and quickly observed. Biliary contrast is an effective diagnostic method that can directly visualize various cystic dilatations throughout the enlarged bile duct. However, since this procedure is also an invasive procedure, it is recommended not for diagnosis but for treatment purposes. Ultrasonography can confirm similar findings to computerized tomography. The hepatic artery root is difficult to prove with conventional grayscale ultrasound. However, it is of clinical value in that it can not only describe dilated bile ducts with vascular roots in the tube but also easily identify color Doppler signals in the tube. With the development of video diagnostics, early diagnosis has become possible through computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, cholangiography, and ultrasound. In order to further contribute to the development of video diagnostics so that long-term prognosis can be improved after treatment through early diagnosis, we examined what aspects of each test's caroli disease appear.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.30
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• pp.33-60
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• 2012

False alarm of Electronic security causes various serious side effects such as decrease of electronic security guard's morale caused by unnecessary mobilization, increase of fatigue caused by workload increase, increase of electronic security company owner's management burden and decrease of electronic security service utilization rate caused by customer's distrust. Therefore, the study considered the Korean regulation related with false alarm of electronic security and proposed actual status of false alarm and measure for it. The study proposed systematic resolution assignments and political assignments in relation with the measure for false alarm. Systematic resolution assignments are as follows. First, electronic security company should construct electronic security system accurately from the initial step of security consulting and security planning related with target facility. Second, it is necessary to encourage installation and operation of video monitoring system. Third, sensor wiring should be separated. Fourth, the measures for false alarm depending on main system causes should be prepared. It is necessary to encourage the installation of 'arming disarming alarm sound' generator. In addition, the measures for false arm depending on the characteristics of sensor should be prepared and standardized. Fifth, system maintenance should be reinforced. Political assignments related with the measures for false alarm are as follows. First, it is necessary to reinforce education & training. Individual nurturing & education process should be run by electronic security company or the education focusing on the measure for false alarm should be performed in job training defined in "Security Industry Act". Second, it is necessary to establish and reinforce legal regulation and establish device. If police authority standardizes the documents related with false alarm, provides their forms and requires them for periodical reports or documents, it is expected that good measures for false alarm will be prepared on the basis of actual data in the future. Third, cooperation organization to discuss the measures for false alarm like 'Conference for False Alarm of Electronic Security' should be organized and operated. Fourth, interest and role of electronic security company and electronic security supervisor should be enlarged.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8607-8612
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer patients experience a variety of altered appearance - such as loss or disfigurement of breasts, discolored skin, and hair loss - which result in psychological distress that affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status on the altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life among Korean breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at advocacy events held at 16 different hospitals in Korea. Subjects were eligible to participate if they were 18 years of age or older, had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, and had no psychological problems at the time of the survey. Employment status, marital status, education, and income were assessed for patient socioeconomic status. Altered appearance distress was measured using the NCI's cancer treatment side effects scale; body image and quality of life were measured by the EORTC QLC-C30 and BR23. Means and standard deviations of each outcome were compared by socioeconomic status and multivariate linear regression models for evaluating the association between socioeconomic status and altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life. Results: A total of 126 breast cancer patients participated in the study; the mean age of participants was 47.7 (SD=8.4). Of the total, 83.2% were married, 85.6% received more than high school education, 35.2% were employed, and 41% had more than $3000 in monthly household income. About 46% had mastectomy, and over 30% were receiving either chemotherapy or radiation therapy at the time of the survey. With fully adjusted models, the employed patients had significantly higher altered appearance distress (1.80 vs 1.48; p<0.05) and poorer body image (36.63 vs 51.69; p<0.05) compared to the patients who were unemployed. Higher education (10.58, standard error (SE)=7.63) and family income (12.88, SE=5.08) was positively associated with better body image after adjusting for age, disease stage at diagnosis, current treatment status, and breast surgery type. Similarly, patients who were married and who had higher education had better quality of life were statistically significant in the multivariate models. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status is significantly associated with altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life in Korean women with breast cancer. Patients who suffer from altered appearance distress or lower body image are much more likely to experience psychosocial, physical, and functional problems than women who do not, therefore health care providers should be aware of the changes and distresses that these breast cancer patients go through and provide specific information and psychosocial support to socioeconomically more vulnerable patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.515-521
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• 1999

Scintillator crystal is an important part and detcrmines performance characteristics of the gamma camera. We investigated the offects of scintillation crystal surface treatment on gamma camera imaging. Nal(TI) and Csl(Tl) scintillators. 20 mm diameter and 10 mm thickness, applied with two different surface treatments, white and black reflcetors, were applied to Nal(Tl) and Csl(Ti). The optical properties of generated scintillation light were evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation method and by actual measurement using a position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT). We measured sensitivity, energy resolution and spatial resolution of gamma camera with the various scintillators coupled to a PSPMT. In the simulation. Nal(Tl)-white prosented the best sensitivity. In the measurements, the sensitivities and the intrinsic spatial resolutions of Nal(Tl)-white, Nal(Tl)-black. CsI(Tl)-white, CsI(Tl)-black were 2920, 2322, 1754, 1401 cps/$\mu$ci and 5.2, 4.5, 7.0, 6.3 mm FWHM. respectively. Their intrinsic energy resolutions were mesured 12.5, 23.5, 20.5, 33.3% FWHM at 140 keV Tc-99m. In this study, we investigated the offects of a side surface treatment of the scintillator on the gamma camera imaging. Simulation and measurement prescnted similat trends. Based on the results, we concluded that the surface of th NaI(Tl)seintillator must be treated by absorptive materials in order to develop the gamma camera having good spatial resolution.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.225-232
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• 2000

Purpose : The use antimicrobial agents is one of the important strategies for the treatment and prophylaxis of microbial infections. But injudicious abuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents is problem to add an extra weight on medical fee, increase of resistant bacteria and side effects according to the antibiotic use. This study was performed to establish the pertinent use of antimicrobial agent in Chonbuk National University Hospital(CNUH). Characteristics of antibiotics use was analysis by reviewing the medical records of patients admitted to CNUH during the period of May 1998. Methods : One thousand eight hundred and thirty three patients were enrolled in this study(medical division 1,014 cases, surgical division 819 cases). Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to classify the rate of antibiotics use, name of antibiotics used, appropriateness of antibiotics use. Results : The overall rate of antibiotic usage in CNUH was 67.2%(1,231/1,833), showing higher rate in surgical division(89.6%) compare to that of medical division(49.0%). Among 1,231 patients to whom antimicrobial agents were given, only 125(10.2%) were treated with single antimicrobial agents. 311(25.3%) were treated with two antimicrobial agents, and 795(64.5%) patients received 3 or more antibiotics. ${\beta}$-lactams(56.4%) were most frequently used followed by aminoglycosides(35.3%), the others(4.9%) and quinolons(3.4%). Amoxicillin-clavulanate was the mostly commonly used antibiotics followed by amoxicillin and unasyn. Prophylactic use of antibiotics was carried in seven hundred six patients(57.4%), mostly in surgical division, which can be considered somewhat inappropriate in the initiation time and duration of antibiotic use. Conclusion : Importance of monotherapy and appropriate prophylactic antibiotic use should be emphasized. Strategies of antibiotics use, such as restriction of drug use, continuous monitoring system, flow sheet system should be considered to reduce antibiotics use and establish the appropriate use of antibiotics as well as inhibiting the occurrence of resistant strains.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.222-228
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• 2008

Purpose: Various treatment techniques have been attempted for the radiotherapy of anal cancer because of acute side effects such as perineal skin reactions. This study was performed to investigate an optimal radiotherapy technique in anal cancer. Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 35 patients who underwent definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer in Yonsei Cancer Center between 1990 and 2007. The patients' clinical data, including irradiation technique, were reviewed retrospectively. The primary lesion, regional lymph nodes, and both inguinal lymph nodes were irradiated by $41.4{\sim}45\;Gy$ with a conventional schedule, followed by a boost does to the primary lesion or metastatic lymph nodes. The radiotherapy technique was classified into four categories according to the irradiation field and number of portals. In turn, acute skin reactions associated with the treatment interruption period were investigated according to each of the four techniques. Results: 28 patients (80.0%) had grade 2 radiation dermatitis or greater, whereas 10 patients (28.6%) had grade 3 radiation dermatitis or greater during radiotherapy. Radiation dermatitis and the treatment interruption period were relatively lower in patients belonging to the posterior-right-left 3 x-ray field with inguinal electron boost and in patients belonging to electron thunderbird techniques. The interruption periods were $8.2{\pm}10.2$ and $5.7{\pm}7.7$ for the two technique groups, respectively. Twenty-seven patients (77.1%) went into complete remission at 1 month after radiotherapy and the overall 5 year survival rates were 67.7%. Conclusion: Field size and beam arrangement can affect patients' compliance in anal cancer radiotherapy, whereas a small x-ray field for the perineum seems to be helpful by decreasing severe radiation dermatitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to find the most effective and safest way to overcome Lumbago due to blood stasis and sprain involved in a few Meridian Tendino-musculatures by evaluating the effect of two kinds of Dong-gi(Dong-qi) Acupuncture(DGA) and by reporting their side effects. Material : 97 patients of out and admission patients were selected, who were diagnosed with lumbar sprain caused by repetitive bending, heavy weight lifting, unsuitable posture, concussion and falling down and whose Lumbago due to blood stasis and sprain in the concept of oriental medicine. Methods : 97 patients were divided into three groups. One is exclusive DGA group to which DGA and the method retaining needles on the acupoints for about 20 minutes were applied, the other is DGA combined active exercise group in which patients stretched their Meridian Tendino-muscuIatures with their hips moving up and downward repeatedly during DGA, the third is DGA combined passive exercise group in which patients were made to flex or extend their bodies on the auto flexion-distraction table in a prone position, from 10 to 20 degree, during DGA. In each group, bed rest, physical therapy and herbal medicine were used according to symptoms, in addition to DGA. In DGA method, "Su(Shu)" points of the meridian related to the involved Meridian Tendino-musculature were mainly chosen, that is, Sokkol(Shugu, B65), Hugye(Houxi, SI3), ChungJo(Zhongzhu, TE3) were used, for most LBP belonged to Bladder and Gallbladder Meridian Tendino-musculature disorders. Pyong-Bo-Pyong-Sa(Ping-Bu-Ping-Xie) such as Dong-Gi and Yeom-Jeon(Nian-Zhuan) was applied as Bo-Sa method. For evaluation of effectiveness, new score system was devised by severity of pain and range of movement. the score was given twice at patients' first and last visit and the difference between first and last score was regarded as a evaluation scale, the effectiveness was classified into four grade by evaluation scale.(scale : 12-15; excellent, 8-11; good, 4-7; fair, 0-3; bad) Results : 1. Exclusive DGA, DGA combined active exercise and DGA combined passive exercise group showed 97, 87 and 89% in effectiveness. 2. Exclusive DGA, DGA combined active exercise and DGA combined passive exercise group showed no aggravation of pain, range of movement. 3. In blood test of 34 patients, only one patient showed abnormal rise of sGOT, sGPT and $\gamma$-GTP at his first visit and the others didn't show any detrimental change. DGA had no bad influence upon BUN and creatinine of patients. Conclusion : For complex theraphy combining DGA, exercise, physical therapy and Herbal medicine proved to be highly effective on treating lumbago due to blood stasis and sprain, this is expected to be available for clinical use.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.241-245
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• 1983

PraziquantEI ($Distocide^{\circledR}$), the KcrEan product, was tEstEd for its safety and Efficacy in treatmEnt of Clonorchis sinensiJ infccticn during the period from April to SeptembEr, 1983 in Korea. A total of 55 egg positive cases were selected and treated with the regimen of 25 mg/kg t.i.d. for 1 day (total 75 mg/kg). The follow-up stool examination was done in 47 cases by cellophane thir;k smear and Stoll's egg counting techniques. The 8 uncured cases were treated again with the same regimen. The laboratory tests for blood picture and liver function were done in 27 cases and compared before and after the treatment. The results obtainEd are as follows: 1. After single course treatment, the cure and egg reduction rates were 83.0 and 99.1% respectively. With the second treatment, excellent results of 100% in both rates were obtained. 2. Several kinds of side effects such as dizziness, headache, etc. were complained by 29 cases (61.7 %), however, those were so mild and transient that no special treatment was necessary. 3. No significant change in laboratory findings was recognizable before and after the treatment. From the above results, it is concluded that $Distocide^{\circledR}$ is as effective and safe as $Biltricide^{\circledR}$ and highly recommendable in treatment of C. sinensis infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2005

Purpose : We compared the therapeutic efficacy of lamivudine and alpha-interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B two years after the initiation of treatment, so that we could verify the safety and long term efficacy of lamivudine in children. Methods : We prospectively studied 44 children(32 male and 12 female; age, 1-18 years, mean, 9 years) treated for chronic hepatitis B from September 1996 to June 2004 in Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea. Twenty three children were treated with interferon, and 21 with lamivudine. Treatment efficacy was defined as the normalization of ALT and hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA levels, loss of HBsAg and HBeAg seroconversion at two years after the initiation of treatment. Results : Among the 23 children treated with interferon, the ALT level normalized in 10 children(43 %) and HBV DNA was undetectable in 12 children(52%). HBsAg was undetectable in one child (4 %) and HBeAg seroconversion occurred in nine children(39%) two years after the initiation of treatment. In comparison, among the 21 children treated with lamivudine, ALT normalized in 20 children (95%), HBV DNA in 19(90%), HBsAg in 5(24%), and HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 13(62%). Above all, in the lamivudine treated group under the age of seven, HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion occurred in six(75%) and five(63%) out of the eight children respectively, which showed superior HBsAg seroconversion rate if treated in preschool aged children. Conclusion : We believe that the therapeutic efficacy of lamivudine in children with chronic hepatitis B could be better than interferon with fewer side effects, especially in preschool aged children.