• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2014

Objectives : Mild cognitive impairment(MCI) and dementia of Alzheimer's type(AD) are characterized by progressive decline of cognitive abilities and a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression. Among various diagnostic tools of AD, many studies showed that elevated levels of serum total homocysteine are associated with increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We investigated whether elevated homocysteine concentrations are associated with depressive symptoms in MCI and AD. Methods : A total of 86 patients diagnosed with MCI or AD participated. Total serum homocysteine levels in fasting blood samples were measured. We examined cognitive symptoms by MMSE-KC, Global Deterioration Scale(GDS), Clinical dementia rating(CDR) and depressive symptoms by Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale(K-GDS). Results : The total serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in MCI with depression than in MCI without depression. There was no significant difference in the mean homocysteine levels between AD patients with depression and AD patients without depression. The total homocysteine levels showed a negative correlation with MMSE-KC and a positive correlation with CDR, GDS. Conclusions : These findings suggest that elevated homocysteine level is a risk factor for the decline of cognitive function and depression. We found a significant relationship between elevated serum homocysteine level and depressive symptoms in MCI. But our study had several limitations, thus more research is needed to confirm this finding.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2014

Objective : Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a group of diseases that are observed in patients who had experienced a serious trauma or accident. However, some experienced it even after only a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and they are easily ignored due to the relatively favorable course of mild TBI. Herein, the authors investigated the incidence of PTSD in mild TBI using brief neuropsychological screening test (PTSD checklist, PCL). Methods : This study was conducted on patients with mild TBI (Glasgow coma scale ${\geq}13$) who were admitted from January 2012 to December 2012. As for PCL, it was done on patients who showed no difficulties in communication upon admission and agreed to participate in this study. By using sum of PCL, the patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. PTSD was diagnosed as the three major symptoms of PTSD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth-edifion. Results : A total of 314 TBI patients were admitted and 71 of them met the criteria and were included in this study. The mean age was 52.9 years-old (range : 15--94). The mean PCL score was 28.8 (range : 17--68), and 10 patients were classified as high-risk group. During follow-up, 2 patients (2.7%) of high risk group, were confirmed as PTSD and there was no patient who was suspected of PTSD in the low-risk group (p=0.017). Conclusion : PTSD is observed 2.8% in mild TBI. Although PTSD after mild TBI is rare, PCL could be considered as a useful tool for screening of PTSD after mild TBI.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.71-80
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the non-pharmacological intervention on depressive symptoms in the older adults with mild cognitive impairment. A total of 1,147 studies were retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Science direct, KISS, RISS, and DBPia. Twenty-one studies which met the criteria were selected and the quality assessment was conducted independently by two investigators. The effect size of non-pharmacological intervention was estimated using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0. The overall effect size turned out to be the medium effect size (Hedges' g=-0.68, 95% CI=-1.01~-0.36). As a result of the subgroup analysis, the intervention type was statistically significant. The effect size of cognitive intervention (Hedges' g=-1.03, 95% CI=-1.43~-0.61) and multi component intervention (Hedges' g=-0.97, 95% CI=-1.63~-0.33) was greater than excise intervention (Hedges' g=-0.53, 95% CI=-1.16~0.03). This study shows that non-pharmacological intervention was also effective in reducing depressive symptoms in the older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Based on the research results, it is expected that various non-pharmacological intervention studies will be attempted to improve cognitive function and depressive symptoms of the older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.252-257
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• 2005

In single infection of Tobacco mosaic virus-U1 (TMV­U1) or Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), mosaic symptoms were produced on the chili pepper cultivars of 'Cheongyang' and 'Wangshilgun'. However, in cultivars of 'Manitta' and 'Bugang', no symptoms were occurred. In single infection of Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV), symptoms of mottle and malformation were produced on the tested cultivars of 'Manitta', 'Bugang', 'Cheongyang', and 'Wangshilgun'. In the cultivars of 'Cheongyang' and 'Wangshilgun', synergistic symptoms of stunt and lethal death were induced by mixed infections in the two combinations of TMV-U1 + PepMoV and PMMoV+PepMoV. However, in cultivars of 'Manitta' and 'Bugang', synergistic symptoms were not noted, but mottling which was milder than that of single infection was produced. Cells infected singly with TMV-U1 and PMMoV in the cultivars of 'Cheongyang' and 'Wangshilgun', respectively, had the typical ultra-structures of tobamovirus as the stacked-band structure and multiple spiral aggregate (SA). In the cells and tissues infected with PepMoV on the cultivars of 'Cheongyang', 'Wangshilgun', 'Manitta' and 'Bugang', the potyvirus inclusions of pinwheels, scrolls, lamminated aggregates and amorphous inclusion were observed. In the cells infected mixedly with combinations of TMV­U1+PepMoV and PMMoV+PepMoV, the virus particles and inclusions of the two different viruses were found simultaneously in the same cytoplasm. The amounts of virus particles in mixed infections were more abundant than in single infection. The angled-layer aggregates (ALA) were observed only in the cells infected with both TMV-U1 and PepMoV.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2020

Purpose: Proximal gastrectomy (PG) is a function-preserving surgery in cases of proximally located early-stage gastric cancer. Because gastroesophageal reflux is a major pitfall of this operation, we devised a modified esophagogastrostomy (EG) anastomosis to fix the distal part of the posterior esophageal wall to the proximal part of the anterior stomach wall to produce an anti-reflux mechanism; we named this the SPADE operation. This study aimed to show demonstrate the clinical outcomes of the SPADE operation and compare them to those of previous PG cases. Materials and Methods: Case details of 56 patients who underwent PG between January 2012 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed: 30 underwent conventional esophagogastrostomy (CEG) anastomosis using a circular stapler, while 26 underwent the SPADE operation. Early postoperative clinical outcome-related reflux symptoms, endoscopic findings, and postoperative complications were compared in this case-control study. Results: Follow-up endoscopy showed more frequent reflux esophagitis cases in the CEG group than in the SPADE group (30% vs. 15.3%, P=0.19). Similarly, bile reflux (26.7% vs. 7.7%, P=0.08) and residual food (P=0.01) cases occurred more frequently in the CEG group than in the SPADE group. In the CEG group, 13 patients (43.3%) had mild reflux symptoms, while 3 patients (10%) had severe reflux symptoms. In the SPADE group, 3 patients (11.5%) had mild reflux symptoms, while 1 had severe reflux symptoms (absolute difference, 31.8%; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-29.64; P=0.01). Conclusions: A novel modified EG, the SPADE operation, has the potential to decrease gastroesophageal reflux following a PG.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.52-60
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• 2001

Purpose: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in mild to moderate myopia patients to evaluate the benefit of taking a nutrient supplement containing anthocyanoside oligomers for improving nocturnal visiual function and/or clinical symptoms. Methods: The subjects included have refractive error between -lD(Diopters) $\~$-8D in both eyes, symptoms of decreased night vision and asthenopia based on the scoring result of a pre-structured questionnaire, and abnormal results of mesopic contrast sensitivity(MCS) screening test showing abnormal curve of contrast sensitivity in the middle and high frequency level, between 6.0 and 30.0 CPD(Cycles per degree) at mesopic condition(-2$\~$0 log cd/$m^2$). Total 60 people who qualified the criteria above were enrolled and the subjects were instructed to take the investigational product (anthocyanoside or placebo) twice daily for a 4 week period. The enrolled subjects were investigated for nocturnal vision performance by MCS and clinical symptoms at their first visit and re-evaluated at post-intervention (4 weeks later). MCS was measured and improvement of contrast threshold level according to each CPD was calculated by subtracting initial values from final values. Age, refractive error, and MCS were compared between the placebo and anthocyanoside. Results: After 4 weeks of drug administration 22 of the anthocyanoside group showed symptom improvement compared to 1 of the placebo group (p=0.000). Contrast sensitivity levels according to each CPD before and after drug treatment showed significant improvement in the anthocyanoside group but not in the placebo group. Mean MCS change of anthocyanoside group is 2.41$\pm$1.91 which showed significant improvement compared to -0.40$\pm$2.47 of the placebo group(p=0.000). MCS changes of anthocyanoside group showed significant improvement compared to placebo group in all levels of CPD(p<0.05). During our investigation none of the subjects complained of specific side effects related to anthocyanoside use. Conclusion: Our results show that under careful selection of people with significant symptoms and definite MCS abnormalities, anthocyanoside oligomers may improve the subjective symptoms and objective MCS results.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.473-484
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• 2022

Objectives: To report a case of a patient with a mild depressive episode accompanied by physical symptoms such as hyposmia visiting a Korean medicine hospital who was treated with oriental psychotherapy in parallel with existentialism-based psychotherapy showing improvement. Methods: For this patient, Korean medicine Psychotherapy was mainly used for treatment. In parallel, existential Psychotherapy, acupuncture treatment, and self-relaxation training were implemented. For estimating this treatment, changes in results of Beck Depression Index (BDI), Beck Anxiety Index (BAI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Korean Version of Sniffin' Sticks Test (KVSS), Butanol Threshold Test (BTT), Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), and somatic symptoms that the patient subjectively expressed were determined. Results: After the comprehensive treatment, it was confirmed that changes in BDI, BAI, KVSS, BTT, CC-SIT, NRS, and subjective somatic symptoms expressed by the patient all showed improvements. Conclusions: We propose that a comprehensive treatment using Korean medicines Psychotherapy in parallel with existential psychotherapy can be used for patients who complain of physical symptoms accompanied by depression and hyposmia.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2013

Black necrotic spots were observed from the fruits of paprika that were cultivating in a vinylhouse. The casual agents of the symptom were identified as several isolates of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) by responses of indicator plants, electron microscopy, and RT-PCR analysis. Symptoms of the viral disease were mild mottle in the young leaves, necrotic spots on the fruits and the fruit apex of paprika, but the symptoms were not shown on the mature leaves. All of the PMMoV isolates were determined as $P_{1.2.3}$ pathotypes from the biological responses on the chilli pepper lines used for discrimination of tobamovirus pathotypes. Pathogenicity of the PMMoV isolates was also confirmed using mechanical inoculation method to paprika seedlings. The coat protein (CP) genes of the PMMoV isolates were compared at the nucleotide and amino acid levels with the previously published PMMoV isolate. The isolates share 96 to 99% CP nucleotide identity among the isolates. The CP of $P_{1.2}$-pathotype PMMoV-P2 presented Met at position 139, But the CPs of $P_{1.2.3}$-pathotype PMMoVs from paprika showed Met to Asn substitution at the same position. This is the first report of identification of $P_{1.2.3}$-pathotype PMMoV isolates from paprika in Korea.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2003

Object:We investigated the relationship between prolactin response to antipsychotics and clinical courses of psychotic symptoms and DAT gene polymorphisms. Method:Twenty-four acute psychotic inpatients completed the 12-week trial of risperidone. Serum prolactin, BPRS, ESRS and hyperprolactinemia-related symptoms were measured at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after medication. The DAT gene polymorphisms were analyzed. Results:The serum prolactin was significantly increased over time. According to the prolactin level at 2-week, the subjects were divided into the severe group(serum prolactin>60ng/mL, N=15) and the mild group (serum prolactin<60ng/mL, N=9). The prolactin levels of the mild group didn't increase beyond 60ng/mL throughout 12 weeks. Severe group had slower decrement of BPRS scores than those of mild group. Six females in severe group complained of irregular menstruations, but no female in mild group. Most patients had 10 allele of DAT gene. Conclusion:This study suggests that the magnitude of prolactin elevation at the 2-week of risperidone medication is correlated with severity of hyperprolactinemia throughout treatments. Our results did not show the relationship between prolactin responses and DAT gene polymorphisms.