• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 1996

Objectives : This study was designed to find clinical factors that could be differentiated by the lateralization of lesion and also find clinical factors to predict the lateralization of lesion. Methods : The subjects were 65 cooperative inpatients and outpatients with non-traumatic subcortical cerebrovascular disease without neurologic and psychiatric history from January 1995 to September 1995 ; 48 patients in Kyung Hee University, Oriental Medicine Hospital, 35 patients in Anam Hospital, Korea University were examined as subjects, but authors excluded 20 patients whose data were incomplete or who had uncertain lesions on brain CT or MRI. The 65 patients were divided into three groups-group with left hemispheric lesion, group with right hemispheric lesion, group with both hemispheric lesion-according to the finding of brain imaging study. Their cognitive functions were evaluated by the Benton Neuropsychological Assessment(BNA), their subjective neurobehavioral symptoms by Symptom Check List-90-R(SCL-90-R), their objective neurobehavioral symptoms by Neurobehavioral Rating Scale, and their daily living functions by Geriatric Evaluation by Relative's Rating Instrument(GERRl) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale(IADLs). Results : The results were as follows : 1) The results of cognitive function test indicated that the group with right hemispheric lesion showed low functions in Tactile Form Perception(left), the group with left hemispheric lesion showed low functions in Finger localization(right), the group with right hemispheric lesion showed low functions in Finger Localization(left). 2) Though, there were little significant differences in subjective neurobehavioral symptoms, the group with right hemispheric lesion showed higher scores in all symptoms except hostility. 3) Though, there were little significant differences in objective neurobehavioral symptoms, the group with both hemispheric lesion showed higher scores in cognition, guilty/disinhibition, the group with left hemispheric lesion showed higher scores in lability of mood, the group with right hemispheric lesion showed highest scores in psychotism, neurotism, agitation-hostility and decreased motivation/emotional withdrawal. 4) There were little significant differences among three groups in Daily Living Functions, but the group with right hemispheric lesion showed the lowest functions in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. 5) As a result of discriminant analysis on each factor's contribution to the prediction of lesion, Finger Localization(left), Phoneme Discrimination and Tactile Form Perception(right) showed that they had the potentiality to predict lesion. Conclusion : The results suggest that there are little significant differences among the groups of three non-traumatic subcortical cerebrovascular disease in cognitive functions, but the group with right hemispheric lesion showed more serious and various changes in subjective and objective neurobehavioral symptoms, and showed low functions in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. This results suggest the possibility that the decline of the daily living function in the group with right hemispheric lesion were due to various symptoms, not due to cognitive dysfunction. The confirmation of the possibility should be worked out through the follow-up study of some groups containing cortical lesion. Apart from these findings, Finger Localization, Tactile Form Perception(right) and Phoneme Discrimination suggest that they can be used as clinically valuable cognitive parameters that predict the lateralization of lesion in non-traumatic cerebrovascular disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.331-338
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• 2000

Background : While the incidence of lung cancer is gradually leveling off in developed countries, it is continuing to rise in Korea. With the rapid increase in the prevalence of smoking among women and the young, the incidence of lung cancer is also expected to increase within the next three and four decades. The aims of the present study are to analyze the smoking habits in patients with lung cancer and to evaluate of the relative risk of lung cancer according to patients' smoking habits. Method : This investigation was a hospital-based, case control study, which included data of 93 case subjects with lung cancer and 1132 controls with disease unrelated to smoking, obtained through a smoking history questionnaire by a direct personal interview. Result : Compared with non-smokers, those who smoked for more than 50 years had an odds ratio for lung cancer of 8.8(1.8-20.7). The odds ratios was 8.5(3.5-20.7) for those who smoke more than a total of 40 cigarettes per day and 5.5(2.3-13.3) for men who started habitual smoking under the age of 20. The risk increased for men with more than of cigarette smoking(OR : 5.5, 95% CIa : 2.6-11.9). Odds ratios associated with cigarette smoking were 2.5(1.1-5.8) and 5.1(2.6-10.4) for ex-smokers and current smokers, respectively and 2.2(0.0-4.6) for non-filter smokers of more than 16 years. Conclusion : There was a clear dose-response relationship between the risk of lung cancer and smoking. It can be concluded that dose is an important risk factor for lung cancer, as well as smoking habits.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2002

Background : Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have usually been considered to be contaminants of colonizers when isolated from respiratory specimens in Korea, where there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis and a low rate of HIV infections. Therefore, there has been few studies on the clinical significance of NTM species in immunocompetent patients were investigated. Methods : Thirty-five NTM isolates, for which species identification was requested by the treating physicians during 1999 at the Asan Medical Center, were retrospectively analyzed. They were identified to the species level by mycolic acid analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography. The medical records of the patients with the NTM isolates were reviewed to identify those patients who met the American Thoracic Society (ATS)'s criteria for mycobacterial pulmonary infection. Their antimicrobial susceptibility data were compared with the clinical outcomes. Results : The NTM were identified as M. intracellulare (6 isolates), M. avium (5), M. abscessus (5), M. gordonae (5), M. terrae complex (4), M. szulgai (2), M. kansasii (2), M. fortuitum (2), M. peregrinum (1), M. mucogenicum (1), M. celatum (1), and M. chelonae (1). All 35 patients showed clinical symptoms and signs of chronic lung disease, but none had a HIV infections; 16 (45.7%) patients were found to be compatible with a NTM pulmonary infection according to the ATS criteria, 5 and 4 cases were affected with M. intracellulare and M. abscessus, respectively; 8 patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. 13 patients received antimycobacterial therapy for an average of 21 months and 9 patients were treated with second-line drugs. Only 4 patients had improved radiologically. Conclusion : A NTM should be considered a potential pathogen of pulmonary infections in immunocompetent patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. Most NTM infections were left untreated for a prolonged period and showed a poor outcome as a result, M. intracellulare and M. abscessus were the two most frequent causes of NTM pulmonary infections in this study. Species identification and antimycobacterial susceptibility tests based on the species are needed for the optimum management of a NTM pulmonary infection in patients.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.474-484
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• 2015

This study aims at providing exercisable basic data for the management of protection areas in China by investigating into their legal system such as current laws, regulations, other relevant laws and international treaties and the management system such as history, classification, organization, personnel, funds and main management work.. In People's Republic of China (1954), several laws have been enacted in succession, such as Environment Law (1989), Regulations of Natural Reserves (1994) and Land Management Methods of Natural Reserves (1995). The development process of China's natural reserves is divided into the following five phases. In the initial phase (1956-1965), about 20 natural reserves were established; in the lag phase (1966-1978), a part of the natural reserves was destroyed under the influence of the Great Cultural Revolution; in the development phase (1979-1998), a normative legal system began to appear after the reform and opening up; in the leap phase (1999-2006), the number of natural reserves increased dramatically; in the stable phase ( 2007-present), the protection and restoration of the ecological environment have been implemented, and the supervision and management have been strengthened. China has established natural reserves of national, provincial, municipal and county levels according to the relevant laws. According to the resource categories, natural reserves can be divided into natural ecosystem reserves, wildlife reserves and natural relic reserves. The Ministry of Forestry is in charge of 1,958 natural reserves which account for 74.2 % of the total natural reserves in China. In China, there are 1,384 natural reserves (52.4 %) for which management institutions have been set up. 1,702 natural reserves (64.47 %) are equipped with management staff, showing a higher ratio than the natural reserves which have set up management institutions. China has established natural reserves of national level, provincial level, municipal level and county level according to law. According to the resource categories, natural reserves can be divided into natural ecosystem reserves, wildlife reserves, and natural relic reserves. The Ministry of Forestry is in charge of 1,958 natural reserves which accounts for 74.2 % of the total natural reserves in China. In China, there are 1,384 natural reserves (52.4 %) which have set up management institutions. 1,702 natural reserves (64.47 %) are equipped with management staff with a higher ratio than the natural reserves which have set up management institutions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.746-752
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• 2007

Purpose : Total hydroperoxide (TH), free radical-mediated oxidation product can be used as a measure of free radical injury. The aim of the present study was to see if preterm newborns are at increased risk for oxidative stress compared with term newborns, and to determine whether oxidative stress during postnatal first 1 week is associated with clinical outcomes in preterm infants. Methods : Serum TH levels of preterm infants (n=39) were compared with those of term infants (n=24) on the postnatal day 1. Among the preterm infants, serum TH levels of uncomplicated group (n=23) were also compared with those of complicated group (n=16) who developed oxygen radical related diseases on the postnatal day 1 and 7. Retrospective analysis was performed to find out risk factors for oxygen radical injuries based on birth history, laboratory data, neuroimaging findings and clinical progress in two preterm groups. Results : Serum TH levels on postnatal day 1 were higher in the preterm infant group than the term infant group. Serum TH levels on postnatal day 1 in the complicated preterm infant group were significantly higher compared with uncomplicated group, but there was no significant difference in serum TH levels on postnatal day 7. Also, there was no significant difference in serum TH levels between uncomplicated preterm infants and term infants. Serum TH level on postnatal day 1 was independently associated with higher morbidity after adjusting for gestational age, Apgar score (5 min), arterial blood gas analysis. Conclusion : Complicated preterm newborns are at increased risk for oxidative stress compared with uncomplicated newborns and term newborns. Oxidative injury during the prenatal or postnatal day 1 is associated with adverse outcomes in preterm infants. Elevated TH levels on postnatal day 1 may have a value to predict clinical outcomes in preterm infants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.256-262
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• 2003

In order to design and develop a product that can treat the fatty liver, natural complex food with all natural ingredients was developed and supplemented to rats with high fat diet to induce fatty liver. As a result, when the amount of natural complex food was increased in diet of subjects, the activities of the blood serum AST, ALT, ALP, 3-GT and LDH were decreased. The total protein concentration levels of the 30% and the 50% natural complex food groups did not show changes in respect to the control group, but the 100% natural complex food groups showed significant decrease (p<0.05). Likewise, the amount of blood serum albumin in the 30% and the 50% natural complex food groups did not show improvement, but the 100% natural complex food did showed significant changes (p<0.05). The amount of blood serum triglyceride decreased as the amount of natural complex food was increased. In order to investigate the appearances of the accumulated fat in the liver, the animals were dissected. Livers of the control group (no natural complex food) were appeared as a white color, which means serious fat accumulation. However, all the natural complex food groups (30,50 and 100% natural complex food) showed noticeable decrease of fat content. Even the histology showed that livers of the control group had expansion of the fat, but a11 the natural complex food groups had e decreased as the contents and continued to show destroyed fatty cells. By observing the biological numeric data, the physical appearance and the history of the fatty liver, it is highly expected that natural complex food is very effective in treating the liver damaged -by the to fat and the cholesterol.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 1998

This study was conducted to find out the factors which have an effect on the rural aged's natural history by disability in Activities of Daily Living(ADL) and ADL decline with 475 old people which were chosen except the dead 90 and unconfirmable 56 old people by performing follow-up survey for 4 years since 1993 on the basis of presurveyed data about 621 home old people over 60 years residing in 13 villages at Kangdong-myon, Kyongju-city, Kyongsangbuk-do Province, Korea. Such activities of daily living as bathing, dressing, going to toilet, transfer, feeding and continence were examined. 1. In the follow-up survey for 4 years, the ADL distribution of the dead was remarkably lower than the subject group. 2. It was also shown in the 4-year follow-up survey that 82.1% of high ADL group maintained high ADL while 77.8% of low ADL group died within 4 years. 3. The occurrence percentage of disabilities of each group by ADL item for 4 years appeared high in such an order as bathing, continence, dressing, going to toilet, transfer and feeding. 6.7%(8.1% for female and 4.6% for male) of the old people who were the high ADL group at the time of the first survey had disabilities that occurred after 4 years. 4. In the change of ADL according to general characteristics used to analyse the factors which have an effect on ADL decline, there was a significant difference in age and job, that is, the jobless old people had the higher degree of ADL decline. In the change of ADL according to behavioral pattern, for the male old people there was a significant difference in support of living expenses and subjective health condition. In this case, the degree of ADL decline was higher if they depended on their sons & daughters or spouses and felt that they were not healthy.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2009

There is tremendous variability in the ways patients present with taste problems. Because of complex and multifactorial etiological background, it is not simple to evaluate patients with taste disorders. Accurate assessment of patients' status by prudent, thorough history taking and symptom analysis is the most essential for exact diagnosis of taste disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with taste problems as a primary complaint. Consecutive series of 50 patients (12 males and 38 females, mean age $53.6\;{\pm}\;14.7$ years) were included for the present study. All subjects were requested to complete a comprehensive questionnaire. Clinical evaluation procedures included oral examination, interview, questionnaire analysis, panoramic radiography, blood test and measurement of salivary flow rate. The obtained results were as follows: 1. Among the patients, 36 patients (72%) complained of oral mucosal pain or burning sensation. Of these patients, 18 patients (36%) were diagnosed as burning mouth syndrome. 2. Nineteen patients (38%) complained of subjective oral dryness. The flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva was less than 0.1 mL/min in 14 patients (28%) and 17 (34%) had a stimulated whole salivary flow rate of less than 0.5 mL/min. 3. Among the types of taste disorders, hypogeusia, the most frequently reported, was found in 25 patients (50%), dysgeusia in 18 patients (36%), phantogeusia in 15 patients (30%), hypergeusia in 10 patients (20%), and ageusia in 5 patients (10%). Nineteen patients (38%) reported more than one type of taste disorder and the most frequent combination was dysgeusia + hypogeusia (n=6, 12%). 4. Based on data from the medical and dental histories and examinations, the patients were assigned to 12 probable causal categories. Taste disorders due to oral mucosal diseases and idiopathic taste disorder were the most frequent (n=9; 18%, each), followed by psychogenic taste disorder (n=8; 16%), drug-induced taste disorder (n=7; 14%), and taste disorder due to dry mouth (n=6; 12%). These 5 categories of taste disorder accounted for 78% of all cases in this study.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2001

Introduction: Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, is known to be closely associated with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*0602. Several studies have suggested that HLA-DQB1*0602 is strongly linked with narcolepsy-cataplexy. However, no studies have yet been made on whether HLA DQB1*0602 is associated with Korean patients with narcolepsy. This study was designed to investigate the frequency of HLA-DQB1*0602 of Korean patients with narcolepsy. Methods: Twenty patients were selected (mean age: $28.2{\pm}3.0$, 11 men and 9 women). The patients were confirmed to have narcolepsy by the overnight polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) in addition to their clinical history and symptoms at St. Vincent's Hospital and Korea University Hospital Sleep Disorders Clinic. Any subjects co-morbid with other hypersomnic sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or periodic limb movements during sleep were excluded. Clinical data was collected through a semi-structured interview for narcoleptic patients. All patients and 21 control did HLA typing for the presence of DQB1*0602. Results Obtained were as Follows: 1) Mean sleep latency was 2.4 (${\pm}2.0$ minutes) and mean frequency of sleep-onset REM period was 3.0 (${\pm}1.6$) by MSLT. 2) Characteristic symptoms of narcolepsy investigated were as follows: excessive daytime sleepiness (100%), cataplexy (100%), sleep paralysis (60%), hypnagogic hallucination (70%) and disrupted nocturnal sleep (75%). 3) Strong emotional expression such as laughing (80%) and joking (70%) triggered cataplexy which affects the knee and leg region (80%) and jaw region (30%). 4) HLA-DR2 was found in 90% of patients and 35% in controls. The frequency of HLA-DQB1*0602 in patients and controls was 90%, and 24%, respectively. Conclusions: These results, which exhibit high HLA-DQB1*0602 expression in Korean patients with narcolepsy, suggest that HLADQB1*0602 could be a strong genetic marker in narcolepsy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1188-1198
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• 1998

Background : The purpose of the present study was to determine the protective effect of antiasthmatic activity of inhaled heparin, cromolyn sodium, budesonide, furosemide in exercise-induced asthma(EIA). The other important considerable point of this study was the mechanism of bronchoconstriction on EIA. Methods : Eight subjects with a history of EIA were studied on 5 different experiment days. After obtaining baseline $FEV_1$ and FVC, subjects performed a standardized exercise challenge. EIA was assessed by measurement of $FEV_1$ before and after exercise. On experiment day 4, the exercise challenge was performed after the subjects inhaled either heparin (1,000 units/kg/day for 5 days), furosemide (1mg/kg for 5 days), cromolyn (4mg/day for 5 days), or budesonide ($400{\mu}g/day$ for 5 days). On experiment day 5, the methacholine bronchial provocation test was performed. On experiment day 3, activated partial thromboplastine time(aPTI) was checked. Results : Maximum decrements of $FEV_1$ (mean${\pm}$SE) among 0 to 120 minutes after exercise were as follows : heparin was $83.1{\pm}4.81%$ (p=0.010), furosemide was $80.5{\pm}6.87%$ (p=0.071), cromolyn was $86.8{\pm}6.53%$ (p=0.340), and budesonide was $79.4{\pm}7.31%$ (p=0.095). Above medications were compared to the control value ($72.5{\pm}18.2%$) by paired t-test. No medications had effect on $PD_{20}$ of methacholine bronchial provocation test The results were control $1.58{\pm}0.49{\mu}mol$), heparin ($4.17{\pm}1.96{\mu}mol$), furosemide ($1.85{\pm}0.86{\mu}mol$), cromolyn ($2.19{\pm}0.89{\mu}mol$), and budesonide ($3.38{\pm}1.77{\mu}mol$), respectively(p>0.05). The inhaled heparin had no effect of anticoagulation. Conclusion : These data demonstrate that inhaled heparin has a protective effect on EIA. The effect of inhaled cromolyn was statistically absent with manufacture's recommended dosage on EIA. So, the dosage of cromolyn should be carefully evaluated in future. Although inhalation of budesonide and furosemide have no statistical significance compared to control, these drugs also have some protective effects on EIA.