• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.243-256
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• 2015

This study aimed at investigating the effects of sub-variables of elderly people's lifestyle health and leisure oriented pursuits, outdoor and challenge pursuits, security and material pursuits, family oriented pursuits, and peer oriented pursuits on what they perceive to be successful later years. The background of this study was that there has been few study on the older population in Korea with focus on their cultural and traditional norms. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of elderly people's lifestyle on what they perceive to be successful later years, thereby identifying practical implications for better social welfare associated with successful later years. Analysis was carried out of self reported questionnaires and self-interviews with elderly people aged over 65 frequenting a welfare center for elders and a community center in a city in Korea. In order to examine the effects, a reliability test, a descriptive analysis, a correlation analysis, and a multi-regression analysis were performed. The results of the analysis for sub-variables of lifestyle showed that health and leisure oriented pursuits, outdoor and challenge pursuits, security and material pursuits, family oriented pursuits, and peer oriented pursuits had significant positive impact on successful later years. The two most influential were peer oriented and family oriented pursuits. Drawing on the results, this study suggests that what is needed for dejected and lonely elderly members in the society is to provide them with opportunities for developing and keeping good relationships with friends and family members and there is a need for a system where old people, as consumers of cultural capital, can have easy access to a variety of cultural resources and activities at a local and regional level.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2004

Background and purpose: Opposing-needling technique involves selecting acupoints at unaffected limb. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LI4-LI11 electrical acupuncture at unaffected limb on the cerebral blood flow in ischemic stroke patients using SPECT Methods: We selected 9 ischemic stroke patients. Baseline brain SPECT was done with triple head gamma camera(MultiSPECT3, Siemens, USA) after intravenous administration of 925 MBq of Tc-99m ECD). Fifteen-minute electro-acupuncture at Hapgok(LI 4) and Gokji(LI 11) were applied on unaffected upper limb of subjects. The same dose of Tc-99m ECD was injected during the electro-acupuncture, and the second SPECT images were obtained. Using the computer software(ICON 7.1, Siemens, USA), 3 SPECT slices(upper, middle, lower) surrounding the brain lesion were selected and each slice was divided by 10-16 brain regions. Asymmetry indexes were analyzed in each brain region. We regarded$\geq$10% changes of asymmetry index between before and after electro-acupuncture as significance. Results: Seven Patients(77.8%) had significantly increased perfusion and 2(22.2%) didn't show increased perfusion in post-acupuncture scans compared to pre-acupuncture scans(baseline). The regions of CBF improvement were mostly frontal lobes and anterior temporal lobes. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that LI4-LI11 electro-acupuncture at unaffected limb increased regional cerebral blood perfusion to the corresponding brain areas in ischemic stroke patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2707-2712
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• 2015

Background: The human homologue of the mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) gene is a negative regulator of Tp53. MDM2-309T>G a functional promoter polymorphism was found to be associated with overexpression thereby attenuation of Tp53 stress response and increased cancer susceptibility. We have planned to evaluate the possible role of MDM2-309T>G polymorphism with risk and response to chemotherapy in AML. Materials and Methods: A total of 223 de novo AML cases and 304 age and sex matched healthy controls were genotyped for the MDM2-309T>G polymorphism through the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR method. In order to assess the functional relationship of -309T>G SNP with MDM2 expression level, we quantified MDM2 mRNA in 30 primary AML blood samples through quantitative RT-PCR. Both the (-309T>G) genotypes and the MDM2 expression were correlated with disease free survival (DFS) rates among patients who have achieved complete remission (CR) after first induction chemotherapy. Results: MDM2-309T>G polymorphism was significantly associated with AML development (p<0.0001). The presence of either GG genotype or G allele at MDM2-309 confered 1.79 (95% CI: 1.12-2.86; p<0.001) and 1.46 fold (95%CI: 1.14-1.86; p= 0.003) increased AML risk. Survival analysis revealed that CR+ve cases with GG genotype had significantly increased DFS rates (16months, p=0.05) compared to CR+ve TT (11 months) and TG (9 months) genotype groups. Further, MDM2 expression was also found to be significantly elevated in GG genotype patients (p=0.0039) and among CR+ve cases (p=0.0036). Conclusions: The MDM2-309T>G polymorphism might be involved in AML development and also serve as a good prognostic indicator.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.619-624
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• 2005

Background : The drug resistance rate in tuberculosis patients with history of chemotherapy is an important indicator of for evaluation of appropriateness of treatment regimens and compliance of patients. This study examined the long-term changes in the drug resistance rates among TB patients failed in treatment or reactivated. Methods : The results of drug susceptibility testing data from patients registered in health centers from 1981 to 2004 were analyzed. Results : The rate of resistance to isoniazid decreased from 90% to 20%, and the resistance to ethambutol decreased from 45% to 6%. The rate of resistance to rifampicin varied from 13% to 28% and the resistance to pyrazinamide was 5% to 10%. Multidrug resistance was about 2-3% lower than any rifampicin resistance rates. The second-line drug resistance was ranged from 1% to 3%. There was no difference between patients' genders. Patient numbers per 100,000 population increased with age. The regional distribution was even at 4-6 patients per 100,000 population, and drug resistance rates were significantly lower in big city areas than in small towns and rural areas. Conclusion : The rates of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from TB patients with history of chemotherapy to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and isoniazid plus rifampin were significantly decreased during over two decades.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.480-490
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• 2001

The soil-air exchange processes of Hg were investigated from the Hari area of Kang Hwa Island during the late March 2001. In the course of our study, we determined the concentration gradients of Hg and combined these gradient data with micrometeorological components to derive its fluxes. Results of our study indicate that the concentration levels of Hg in the study area are notably lower than those typically found in urbanized areas of Korea. However, the computed fluxes were seen to be significantly larger for relatively remote areas, reaching over 200 ng/m$^2$/hr. Comparison of environmental conditions shows that the concentrations of most pollutant species including NO$_X$ and PM were significantly higher during emission, while meteorological conditions were characterized by high temperature and low humidity. Results of correlation analysis also indicate that such pollutants as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and PM generally exhibit strong positive correlations with Hg-related parameters during emission events, while such relationships were reversed during dry deposition events. The results of our present study suggest the possibility that the concentrations and fluxes of total gaseous Hg observed during deposition events can be influenced by the processes that are also important for the fine, rather than coarse, size fraction of particles.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : This study is an observational study of nonequivalent control group based on time lag design in order to determine the effectiveness of gargling Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HRHDT) on stomatitis caused by chemotherapy. Methods : The study period is from July 1st, 2010 to September 30th, 2010. The subjects are 13 patients who fit the profile of the study and who are admitted in the tumor department of the regional cancer center of C University Hospital which is located in Chung-Joo City. When stomatitis occurs after chemotherapy, the level of stomatitis is assessed using oral assessment guide score and oral discomfort score. Then mix 5 g of powered HRHDT and 60 ml of distilled water, and 15 ml of the solution is given to patients 4 times per day to gargle for 1 minute. For the control group, 60 ml of Chlorohexidin gargling solution is used; everyday for one week, 4 times per day, 15 ml per gargle and gargled for 1 minute. Oral Assessment Guide score and Oral Discomfort Score are assessed at same hour everyday. Crosstabulation analysis $X^2$(${\rho}$) was used to examine the demographic characteristics and difference of the two groups by using SPSS/WIN 12.0. For mean and standard deviation, descriptive statistical analysis was used. T-test was used to determine the difference of the oral discomfort scores. Result : The study has shown that the Oral Assessment Guide score of the experimental group has decreased more with more regularity. On the third day, the score of the control group is 20.16 and the score of the experimental group was 18.75, which showed a statistically significant difference with the level of significance of p<0.05. Oral Discomfort Score of the control group's score was 13.60 on the first day and 6.80 on the seventh day and the experimental group's score was 13.00 on the first day and 2.25 on the seventh day. The experimental group's score 2.25 is statistically significantly lower than the control group's score of 6.80 with the level of significance of p<0.05. Conclusions : The HRHDT gargling solution showed more regular effectiveness compared to Chlorohexidin solution on chemotherapy-caused stomatitis. Therefore this study has shown that HRHDT gargling solution can be used as an alternative medicine.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.12
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• pp.444-449
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• 2019

Background: Sixty percent of infants with severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy die, while most survivors have permanent disabilities. Treatment for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is limited to therapeutic hypothermia, but it does not offer complete protection. Here, we investigated whether hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) promotes cell survival and suggested neuroprotective strategies. Purpose: HIF-1α deficient mice have increased brain injury after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI), and the role of HIF-2α in HI is not well characterized. Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD)1 overexpression is not beneficial in neonatal HI. The expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α was measured in SOD1 overexpressing mice and compared to wild-type littermates to see if alteration in expression explains this lack of benefit. Methods: On postnatal day 9, C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to HI, and protein expression was measured by western blotting in the ipsilateral cortex of wild-type and SOD1 overexpressing mice to quantify HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Spectrin expression was also measured to characterize the mechanism of cell death. Results: HIF-1α protein expression did not significantly change after HI injury in the SOD1 overexpressing or wild-type mouse cortex. However, HIF-2α protein expression increased 30 minutes after HI injury in the wild-type and SOD1 overexpressing mouse cortex and decreased to baseline value at 24 hours after HI injury. Spectrin 145/150 expression did not significantly change after HI injury in the SOD1 overexpressing or wild-type mouse cortex. However, spectrin 120 expression increased in both wild-type and SOD1 overexpressing mouse at 4 hours after HI, which decreased by 24 hours, indicating a greater role of apoptotic cell death. Conclusion: HIF-1α and HIF-2α may promote cell survival in neonatal HI in a cell-specific and regional fashion. Our findings suggest that early HIF-2α upregulation precedes apoptotic cell death and limits necrotic cell death. However, the influence of SOD was not clarified; it remains an intriguing factor in neonatal HI.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2009

Objective: PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorder affecting reproductive age women. It shows wide range of reproductive and metabolic manifestations. This study was to determine the differences of clinical and laboratory characteristics between adolescent and adult Korean Daegu Kyungpook PCOS patients. We also compared clinical and laboratory values of Korean PCOS patients to Turkish and American PCOS patients. Methods: 88 cases were diagnosed and enrolled as PCOS patients, based on 2003 Rotterdam criteria, who visited KNUH Reproductive Endocrinology division between Jan. 2000 and Apr. 2008. We retrospectively reviewed clinical characteristics, serum hormone levels, ultrasono-graphic findings. And we divided into 2 groups, adolescent and adult. We analyzed them with Chi-square test and Student's t-test statistically. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between adult and adolescent Korean PCOS patients. The prevalence of hyperandrogenism such as facial acne or hirsutism, obesity, and insulin resistance of Korean PCOS women was significantly lower than Turkish and American PCOS women. Conclusion: From the results of this study, we can suggest that it is sure that there are differences of clinical and laboratory characteristics of PCOS patients between races. Genetic background, dietary habits and life style affect the expression of clinical symptoms of PCOS. But we could not find out the difference between adolescent and adult PCOS patients of same race. It might be due to the limitation of small patient number and narrow range of age distribution. So, there must be large scale and multi-center and multi-regional study.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.277-282
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• 1999

Background: For effective and systematic management of patients in the emergency department(ED), the data on patient arrival and status in ED of Yeungnam University Hospital were evaluated. Materials and Methods: During the seven days from Apr. 1 to Apr. 7, 1998, the general patient information such as onset time and place, factors associated with transportation, causes of admission, cared department and patient disposition were recorded. Results: Total of 464 patients visited the ED during the seven days, and the mean number of patients per day was 66.3. Male to female ratio was 1:0.71. Daily staying patients were 17.3, and 83.6 patients were cared totally each day. The methods of transportation and distribution of patients according to region and event were as follows: visit by walk(57.3%). transportation by car(58.0%), place of event in residence(85.3%), regional distribution in Taegu(81.5%), and direct visit(97.4%). Cause of admission due to diseases was 74.6%. The percentages of departments which cared the patients were internal medicine 26.6%, pediatrics 16.8%, orthopedics 8.6%, neurology 8.2%, neurosurgery 7.8% and other department including emergency medicine 8.2%, respectively. Patient dispositions were admission 38.4%, discharge 61.0% and death on arrival(DOA) 0.6%, but referred patient-to-another-hospital was zero. Conclusion: Improvements in several aspects of ED's caring system such as "fast tracking" system and reinforcement of disease and trauma caring system, would be helpful for effective management of emergency patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6779-6782
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• 2015

Background: Chemoradiotherapy is an important treatment modality for lung cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in, as well as the interrelationship between, lung function and quality of life of patients receiving chemoradiotherapy due to locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) limited to the thorax. Materials and Methods: The study included patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy for lung carcinoma. The respiratory function of the patients was assessed by measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 s per unit (FEV1) and forced expiratory volume in 1s per unit of vital capacity (FEV1/VC) before, in the middle of and after treatment. During the study, EORTC QLQ C30 and LC13 questionnaires developed by the Committee of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) were employed to evaluate the quality of life on the same day as respiratory function tests (RFT). Findings: The study included 23 patients in total: 19 (82.6%) diagnosed with NSCLC and 4 (17.4%) with SCLC. The average percentage FEV1 was $55.6{\pm}21.8%$ in the pre-treatment period, $56.2{\pm}19.2%$ in the middle of treatment and $60.4{\pm}22%$ at the end of treatment. The improvement in functional scores, symptom scores and general health scores during treatment was not statistically significant (P= 0.568, P= 0.734, P= 0.680, P=0.757 respectively). Conclusions: Although this study showed an improvement in respiratory function and quality of life of patients during treatment with thoracic chemoradiotherapy, no statistically significant results were obtained. While evaluating the effectiveness of treatments for lung carcinoma, the effects of treatment on respiratory function and quality of life should be considered.