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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a therapeutic laughter program and the number of program sessions on anxiety, depression, and stress in breast cancer patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 31 patients who received four sessions of therapeutic laughter program comprised and 29 who were assigned to the no-program control group. Scores for anxiety, depression, and stress were measured using an 11-point numerical rating scale. While no change was detected in the control group, the program group reported reductions of 1.94, 1.84, and 2.06 points for anxiety, depression, and stress, respectively (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01). Scores decreased significantly after the first therapeutic laughter session (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01). As the therapeutic laughter program was effective after only a single session in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress in breast cancer patients, it could be recommended as a first-line complementary/alternative therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Saemangeum reclaimed land located on the western coast of Korea is one of the world's largest reclamation projects, developing 40,100 ha of land area. After construction of sea dikes in 2006, the exposed land area has been increasing in relation to the water level height. Dust from the exposed land, containing high amounts of salt, disperses to nearby areas. The dust is harmful to human and animal health as well as to plant growth. Therefore, an estimation of fugitive dust dispersion is necessary for the development of plans to manage the problem. Field experiments are ideal for understanding aerodynamic phenomena. However, finding a correlation between weather conditions and dust dispersion is a difficult task due to limited measuring points. Moreover, weather conditions are unstable, unpredictable, and cannot be artificially controlled. Field experiments also involve high labor and time expenses. To overcome these limitations, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been developed to analyze dust dispersion phenomena, both quantitatively and qualitatively, according to the topography of the area, under various weather conditions. Effort was devoted to improving the accuracy of the CFD model by taking into account topographical design, mesh structure, turbulence models, particle generation, and other factors influencing the final solution. Computed results of the 3-D developed CFD model were compared against experimental data. Results showed an average error of -6.8%, which is within the acceptable range. CFD-computed vertical log-profiles of dust dispersion were similar to the vertical profiles presented by an earlier study. CFD results showed that dispersion of fugitive dust was mainly affected by particle size, wind speed, wind direction, and topography of the area. The estimated dispersion distance, measured at a height of 3 m for the 10 μm particles and a wind speed of 1.7 m s-1, was 3100 m. A dispersion distance of 6300 m was obtained when wind speed was 3.9 m s-1 for the 10 μm particles. This study showed that a CFD model can be effectively used to supplement field experiments when analyzing dispersion of fugitive dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although almost all primary colorectal lymphomas are of B-cell lineage in Western countries, primary colorectal T-cell lymphomas are not uncommon in the East. The aim of this study was to review the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of primary colorectal lymphomas, with special emphasis on the differences between T-cell and B-cell lymphomas. Ninety-five cases of primary colorectal lymphomas that satisfied Dawson's criteria were identified from the clinical databases of 13 university hospitals in Korea. The mean age at the time of presentation was 51.1 years and the male:female ratio was 64:31. The clinical information, including endoscopic and histological characteristics, was retrospectively analyzed. Of the primary colorectal lymphomas, 78 cases (82.1%) were of B-lineage and 17 cases (17.9%) were of T-cell lineage. Patients with T-cell lymphomas presented at a younger age than patients with B-cell lymphomas (42.8 vs 52.9 years, respectively; P = 0.016). The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (87.1%) for B-cell lymphomas, whereas hematochezia or night fever was more common for T-cell lymphomas (52.9% and 35.3%, respectively). The most common endoscopic type was fungating mass (54.0%) for B-cell lymphomas and ulcerative/ulcero-infiltrative lesions (80.0%) for T-cell lymphomas. Intussusception was more common in B-cell lymphomas than in T-cell lymphomas (30.8% vs 5.9%, respectively; P = 0.035), but perforation was more common in T-cell lymphomas than in B-cell lymphomas (23.5% vs 3.8%, respectively; P = 0.005). The prognosis was significantly worse for T-cell lymphomas than for B-cell lymphomas (P = 0.002). Primary colorectal T-cell lymphomas are characterized by multifocal ulcerative lesions in relatively young patients, a high rate of hematochezia, fever, or perforation, and a poor prognosis even for cases of localized disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the characteristics of the daily maximum urban heat island (UHI) intensity in the six largest cities of South Korea (Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Busan) during the period 1973-2001. The annually-averaged daily maximum UHI intensity in all cities tends to increase with time, but the rate of increase differs. It is found that the average annual daily maximum UHI intensity tends to be smaller in coastal cities (Incheon and Busan) than in inland cities (Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju), even if a coastal city is larger than an inland city.A spectral analysis shows a prominent diurnal cycle in the UHI intensity in all cities and a prominent annual cycle in coastal cities. A multiple linear regression analysis is undertaken in order to relate the daily maximum UHI intensity to the maximum UHI intensity on the previous day (PER), wind speed (WS), cloudiness (CL), and relative humidity (RH). In all cities, the PER variable is positively correlated with the daily maximum UHI intensity, while WS, CL, and RH variables are negatively correlated with it. The most important variable in all cities is PER, but the relative importance of the other three variables differs depending on city. The total variance explained by the multiple linear regression equation ranges from 29.9% in Daejeon to 44.7% in Seoul. A multidimensional scaling analysis performed with a correlation matrix obtained using the daily maximum UHI intensity data appears to distinguish three city groups. These groupings are closely connected with distances between cities. A multidimensional scaling analysis undertaken using the normalized regression coefficients obtained from the multiple linear regression analysis distinguishes three city groups. Notably, Incheon and Busan form one group, whose points in the two-dimensional space are very close. The results of a cluster analysis performed using the multivariate data of PER, WS, RH, and CL are consistent with those of the multidimensional scaling analysis. The analysis results in this study indicate that the characteristics of the UHI intensity in a coastal city are in several aspects different from those in an inland city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study on detection of water pollutant at a river near a textile industrial complex in Korea. It states that detection of unregulated chemicals in the public waterways is a prime concern of environmental scientists and government authorities charged with preventing unexpected impact on human health and ecosystem by emerging chemical contaminants in the environment. Recent field surveys conducted in Kumho River, a tributary river of Nakdong River, by the laboratory of the authors showed consistent and apparently positive signals in the Ames mutagenicity test.

A new human leukocyte antigen DRB1*0908 differs from GTC to AGC in DRB1*090102 at codon 57 with a coding change, valine to serine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the first record of leaf rust on a poplar hybrid, Populus alba x glandulosa, which was caused by Melampsora species in Korea. It states that the Korean Institute of Forest Genetics developed the poplar hybrid in 1965 for both urban landscaping use, and hillside afforestation. In September 2006, leaf rust was discovered in a poplar plantation at Anyang, Korea. The disease dispersed from tree to tree and the infected ones defoliated early. The leaves of the trees were observed having the initial symptoms of orange pustule appearance in its undersides. An overview of the conducted tests that confirms the presence of the Melampsora populnea species on the poplar hybrid is depicted.

The article discusses the first investigation on the presence of leaf blight of Lindera obtusiloba (Japanese spicebush) brought by Pestalotiopsis microspora in Korea. It highlights the risk of the disease with its ability to cause outbreaks to Japanese spicebush in Korea. Symptoms of the disease include the occurrence of gray or dark brown lesions in the leaves with yellowish patches leading to irregular discoloration until the leaf becomes blighted. The cultural and morphological characteristics of the pathogen resemble with that of Pestalotiopsis microspora. Genetic sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region strengthened the occurrence of the fungus.

Abstract: Polydorid species (Polychaeta: Spionidae) are widely known for their boring activities in mollusk shells and they often become harmful invaders. A total of seven species of the genera Polydora, Dipolydora, and Boccardiella were collected and described from wild and cultured mollusk shells from the intertidal to subtidal for the first time in Korean waters. The most common species observed to bore shells were Polydora haswelli and Polydora aura. Polydora haswelli is recorded for the first time in Asian waters. Wild and cultured abalone Haliotis discus discus, wild Atrina pectinata, and cultured oyster Crassostrea gigas were heavily infested by P. haswelli and P. aura. Polydora uncinata was very abundant only from the cultured oyster C. gigas from southeastern Korea, indicating that this species may have been transported with a different oyster population introduced to the area. Polydora limicola inhabited mud deposits in crevices of wild Chlamys farreri shells and caused severe damage to them. Small sized Dipolydora giardi and Dipolydora alborectalis were extracted only from wild shells. Boccardiella hamata was common associated with wild C. gigas in mud flats. We discuss the polydorid species from the viewpoint of aquaculture and unintentional transportation of alien species which have been introduced with commercially important host shells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary The frequency of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) -2518 G-type polymorphism in Koreans is significantly higher than the frequencies reported for Caucasians and Afro-Americans. The G- vs. A-allele profile in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases is similar to that in healthy Koreans, and does not appear to contribute to elevated MCP-1 production in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) have increased in Western countries. However, there are limited data regarding the epidemiology of CDI in Eastern countries. This nationwide study was conducted in 17 hospitals to determine temporal trends in CDI incidence (from 2004 to 2008) in South Korea. The total incidence of CDI in Korea was 1·7 cases/1000 adult admissions in 2004, and 2·7/1000 cases in 2008 (P = 0·028). When analysing the clinical features of 1367 CDI patients diagnosed in 2008, oral metronidazole was effective as a first-line treatment for CDI (61·9%). Relapse rate was 8·9% and complicated CDI was only observed in 3·6%. The incidence of CDI increased significantly in Korea from 2004 to 2008. Although the clinical features were milder than in Western countries, the increasing burden of CDI needs ongoing surveillance systems.

Background and Objective: Lymphocyte-oriented kinase deficiency encoded by the serine/threonine kinase 10 (STK10) gene correlates with the intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)/lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) complex in aspirin hypersensitivity. This study investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of STK10 and aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA)., Methods: A total of 54 SNPs were genotyped in 163 AIA patients and 429 aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) controls., Results: Logistic regression revealed that a synonymous variant (rs2306961G>A) had the most significant association with AIA (P = .008 under the codominant model; P = .004 under the dominant model), suggesting that tissue-specific codon usage between Lys&#95;TTT and Lys&#95;CTT could play a role in regulating expression of STK10 in airway epithelium. Haplotype analysis revealed that 4 haplotypes, including STK10&#95;BL4-ht1, which is unique to rs2306961G>A, were significantly associated with aspirin hypersensitivity in asthmatics (P < .05)., Conclusions: Although replications in independent cohorts and further functional evaluations are needed, our preliminary findings suggest that STK10 polymorphisms might be susceptible genetic markers of AIA and that gene expression could be mediated by tissue-specific codon usage.

C hepatica, an important zoonotic parasite, and C fasciolaris are common parasites in rodents. In rodent livers, C hepatica causes sequential morphologic changes that are designated as early, intermediate, or late phase, and C fasciolaris forms cysts surrounded by fibroplasia and granulomatous inflammation. The present study describes the prevalence of these parasites and associated liver and lung lesions in wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) living around pig farms in South Korea. Selected parenchymal organs, including liver and lung, of 89 wild rats were examined. Of 89 rats, 28 (31.5%) were infected with either C hepatica or C fasciolaris or with both parasites. Severe medial hypertrophy of small arterioles was observed in the lungs of 11 of the 28 parasite-infected rats (P < .01). The pulmonary arteriolar hypertrophy in the rats infected with C hepatica was strongly associated with early and/or intermediate phases (88.8%) of morphologic change in the livers (P < .01). As such, this report is the first to suggest a significant association between parasite-induced hepatitis and pulmonary arteriolar hypertrophy in rodents. Further studies are warranted for the use of C hepatica-infected rats as an animal model to explore the underlying mechanisms of portopulmonary hypertension in humans.

Background: Although endoscopy is recommended for patients with iron deficiency anaemia, there is, currently, no consensus on the role of endoscopy for iron-deficient patients without anaemia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of serious gastrointestinal (GI) lesions, identified by endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency and anaemia compared with patients with iron deficiency without anaemia., Methods: One thousand five hundred and eighteen patients with a ferritin value of or=300 mg/dL were retrospectively investigated using oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy between January 2005 and September 2006. The lesions identified were classified as clinically important according to standard predetermined criteria., Results: Among the 1518 cases, 749 patients had anaemia and 769 had normal haemoglobin levels. Clinically important lesions were identified in 24.6% of the patients with anaemia and in 22.8% of the patients without anaemia (P > 0.05). The frequency of lower GI tract lesions (13.6 vs 11.4%, P > 0.05) and upper GI tract lesions (11.9 vs 12.5%, P > 0.05) was similar in the comparisons between the two groups. However, the frequency of malignant GI lesions was higher in the patients with anaemia (5.1 vs 0.7%, P < 0.01). In addition, the patients without anaemia were significantly more likely to have early-stage neoplasia (adenoma, early gastric cancer and Dukes' A and B colon cancer) than were the patients with anaemia (98.4 vs 52.5%, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients with iron deficiency should undergo endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract, irrespective of whether they have anaemia. The endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract in patients with iron deficiency without anaemia could provide an opportunity for the detection of early-stage neoplasia at a curable stage.

Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is caused by mutations in the NR0B1 gene on chromosome Xp21.3-p21.2. It manifests as X-linked primary adrenal failure in early infancy or childhood and as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG) at puberty. Although studies of AHC patients and mutations in the NR0B1 gene have been reported throughout the world, there has previously been only one other case report from Korea. We encountered a 23-year old Korean male with delayed-onset AHC/HHG who had been previously diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency of unknown aetiology at age 13 years. Delayed puberty and incomplete HHG were observed. Direct sequencing of the NR0B1 gene revealed the patient to have a novel insertion mutation (c.959&#95;960insT; Leu321ProfsX68). Although AHC is believed to be rare, it should be considered in a differential diagnosis of patients showing late-onset primary adrenal insufficiency.

Background and Study Aims: The factors that more accurately predict the detection of colorectal cancers and adenomas at colonoscopy are different. We conducted a prospective multicenter study to evaluate which indications were most closely associated with advanced colorectal neoplasm (CRN), including colorectal cancer, in a group of patients undergoing colonoscopy., Patients and Methods: The 17 468 patients were enrolled in this study between July 2003 and March 2004, from 11 tertiary medical centers in Korea. They were recruited according to 11 itemized colonoscopic indications. The term "advanced adenoma" refers here to tubular adenomas of diameter of 11 mm or more, or to tubulovillous, villous, or severely dysplastic adenomas, irrespective of their size. Cancer was defined as the invasion of malignant cells beyond the muscularis mucosa. Advanced CRN was defined as advanced adenoma or invasive cancer., Results: Advanced CRN was found in 1227/17 307 patients (1176 advanced adenomas plus 51 carcinomas, 7.1 %). According to univariate and multivariate analysis, the factors associated with advanced CRN included age >60 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.8 - 2.4, P < 0.0001), male gender (OR 2.1, 95 %CI 1.7 - 2.7, P < 0.0001), referral for colonoscopy from primary care physician (OR 3.1, 95 %CI 2.5 - 3.7, P < 0.0001), and several other indications (OR 1.8, 95 %CI 1.5 - 2.3, P < 0.001). The yield of colonoscopy for advanced CRN was lower (2.2 %) than expected in patients with iron-deficiency anemia (OR 0.5, 95 %CI 0.2 - 0.9, P = 0.03)., Conclusions: Age, gender, and referral for colonoscopy from primary care physician constituted important independent predictors of advanced CRN in patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Some reports showed that urinary incontinence (UI) or female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) affect life quality and sexual activity. In clinical practice, it is commonly found that not only the symptoms of UI but also overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome affect daily lifestyle and sexual activity, especially in women in the most active era in their social and personal life. However, there is lack of data proving the effect of OAB syndrome on sexual activity or sexual life quality in sexually active age group. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of OAB syndrome and UI on the sexual activity and on the sexual quality of life (QoL) of Korean women age from 20s to 40s. We investigated 3372 women aged between 20 and 49 y, enrolled via a multicenter internet survey. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about their LUTS and sexual activities. The prevalence of OAB syndrome and UI in 3372 women was 12.7 and 21.0%, respectively. Mean subject age was 26.4+/-4.8 y and 79.5% of subjects were 20-29 y old. Having OAB syndrome or UI were found to be significant predictors of sexual life problems (OAB syndrome: OR=5.08, 95% CI=3.68-7.01; UI: OR=4.16, 95% CI=3.06-5.67). Sexual activity was significantly reduced in OAB syndrome and UI versus the asymptomatic group (OAB syndrome: OR=4.8, 95% CI=3.14-6.83; UI: OR=3.9, 95% CI=2.81-5.27). This study is the first internet-based study concerning the sexual QoL in UI and OAB syndrome. In this study, OAB syndrome was found to cause a greater deterioration in the sexual QoL than UI. These results suggest that these symptoms have a significant impact upon women's personal and social lives and markedly affect the QoL.

Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) using an accessory pathway is the most common supraventricular tachycardia observed in infancy and childhood. There is a general agreement to treat children older than 5 years who are on a potentially long-term antiarrhythmic agent with radiofrequency catheter ablation. Atenolol, a relatively long-acting and cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker, has been used to control the various types of supraventricular tachycardia in children and adults. There are few reports on the use of atenolol in children <5 years old with AVRT. This retrospective study reports our experience in 22 children <5 years old (median age, 20 months) who received atenolol monotherapy between 1995 and 2001 for treatment of AVRT. AVRT was confirmed in 17 patients by transvenous or transesophageal electrophysiologic study and in 5 patients by documented preexcitation on electrocardiograms. In nine patients atenolol was the first antiarrhythmic drug given. In 15 of the 22 patients (68%) therapy with atenolol was considered successful. The average effective dose of atenolol in these 15 patients was 1.2 +/- 0.3 mg/kg/day. During a median follow-up of 41 months (8-74 months), atenolol had been discontinued in 10 patients and no further attacks of tachycardia occurred except in 1 patient. In no case did the drug have to be withdrawn for adverse effects. In conclusion, this retrospective study shows that atenolol as a monotherapy is efficient and relatively safe in the long-term treatment of AVRT in young children. Atenolol can be recommended as a first-line treatment option for the management of AVRT in infants and young children.

In this study, we investigated the relation between insulin resistance and hematological parameters in elderly Koreans. This study included 1314 non-diabetic subjects over the age of 60, selected from a cross-sectional study, which was conducted in 1999 in Seoul, Korea. We measured fasting and post-load 2 h plasma glucose, insulin levels, lipid profiles, anthropometric measures, and hematological parameters. The degree of insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). We found a correlation between insulin resistance and hemoglobin concentrations in non-smoking men (r=0.20, P=0.0186). In non-smoking women, insulin resistance correlated with hemoglobin (r=0.10, P=0.0017) and with white blood cell (WBC) count (r=0.15, P=0.001). Hemoglobin concentrations and WBC counts were also associated with other components of the insulin resistance syndrome such as body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profiles and fasting plasma insulin levels (surrogate for insulin resistance). Furthermore, the group in the upper quartile for insulin resistance showed higher hemoglobin concentrations and WBC counts than the lower quartile, independent of smoking status and serum iron concentrations. Using HOMA-IR as a dependent variable in a multiple regression analysis, age, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, WBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum TIBC were significant. Our results provide support for a relation between insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and hematological parameters such as hemoglobin concentrations and WBC counts in elderly Koreans. This suggests that increased erythropoiesis and subclinical inflammation could be part of the metabolic syndrome in elderly Koreans.

The CYP2D6 gene codes for human cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme, which is responsible for the metabolism of many psychiatric drugs. In schizophrenic patients treated with neuroleptics, decreased or loss of function CYP2D6 alleles may contribute to the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder that frequently occurs with chronic neuroleptic treatment. The goal of this study was to determine whether the occurrence of TD is associated with CYP2D6 genotype in a cohort of Korean schizophrenics by employing a CYP450 GeneChip((R)) oligonucleotide microarray and PCR assays to screen for 19 CYP2D6 alleles. Our results revealed that males with at least one decreased or loss of function allele have a moderately greater chance of developing TD than males with only wild-type alleles. Female schizophrenics did not have a significantly greater chance of developing TD. Our results demonstrate the utility of CYP2D6 microarrays to assess genotype status in this Korean cohort.

Purpose: To explore the negative health behaviors of Korean adolescents, reveal factors affecting their negative health behavior, and present a substantial correlation model between the negative health behaviors and psychological factors., Methods: A total of 2124 adolescents randomly selected from junior high and high schools in Seoul were surveyed. Four Korean-version instruments were used to identify the negative health behavior and psychological construct of adolescents: Adolescent Health Survey, Health Locus of Control scale, Self-Esteem scale, and Self-Efficacy scale., Results: Korean adolescents showed high prevalence of smoking, drinking alcohol, bad eating habits, and viewing pornography; and very low prevalence, however, of sexual intercourse and illegal drug use. In addition to this, the findings revealed that the subdomains in adolescents' negative health behavior were statistically correlated with the subdimensions of a psychological factor. A correlation model was an adequate fit to identify a possible relationship between the negative health behaviors and the psychological factors., Conclusions: This study provides significant and new information about the relatively unstudied Korean adolescents and has the potential to influence the development of better health education and health psychology.

In the search for novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (anti-HIV-1) agents from natural sources, 49 MeOH extracts of Korean plants were screened for their inhibitory effects against RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RT) and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and HIV-1 protease, and anti-HIV-1 activity. Regarding the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, Agrimonia pilosa (whole plant), Cornus kousa (stem and leaf), Limonium tetragonum (root) and Mallotus japonicus (stem) showed significant inhibitory activity on RT activity with 50% inhibitory activity (IC(50)) of 8.9, 6.3, 7.5 and 11.9 microg/mL, respectively, whereas Agrimonia pilosa was also active against RNase H activity (IC(50) = 98.4 microg/mL). Four plants, namely Agrimonia pilosa (whole plant), Atractylodes japonica (root), Clematis heracleifolia (whole plant) and Syneilesis palmata (whole plant), were appreciably active (<35%) against recombinant HIV-1 protease at a concentration of 100 microg/mL. Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum (root) showed significant anti-HIV-1 activity (ED(50) = 12.5 microg/mL) with a favourable SI value of 16., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Purpose: Cancer is a leading cause of death among Korean Americans (KAs), one of the most rapidly growing ethnic minority communities in the United States. An understanding about cancer screening practices among Koreans (Ks) living in Korea can be useful in designing culturally sensitive health promotion programs in the United States. The purpose of this study was to describe the cancer screening knowledge and behaviors of a sample of KAs in Los Angeles, California, compared with a similar sample of Ks in Korea., Description of Study: This descriptive survey used a convenience sample of 140 KAs age 40 and older, living in Los Angeles, California, in 1998. A random sample of 149 Ks from Pusan, Korea, in 1995 to 1996 was used as a comparison group. KAs had lived in the United States for an average of 15 years. A Korean and English language 58-item self-administered questionnaire assessed knowledge of cancer screening tests and personal cancer screening practices., Results: The findings demonstrate that both KAs and Ks had low participation in cancer screening. Breast cancer screening was significantly more likely among KA women than among Ks; screening rates for cervical cancer and gastrointestinal malignancies were not significantly different between the two groups., Clinical Implications: These data can be used to assist healthcare professionals in the development of educational tools and strategies for promoting cancer screening programs for KAs. The unique contribution of this study was the opportunity to compare findings from an immigrant Korean population with a similar population in the country of origin.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Crataegus pinnatifida (Rosaceae) gave two cytotoxic ursane-type triterpenes which were identified as uvaol (1) and ursolic acid (2) by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. 3-Oxo-ursolic acid (3) was synthesized from ursolic acid (2) by Jones method. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were tested against murine L1210 and human cancer cell lines (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, XF498, and HCT15) in vitro. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate cytotoxicities against L1210, whereas they showed weak activities against human cancer cell lines. However, compound 3 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities both in murine and in human cancer cell lines.

From the stem-bark of Juglans mandshurica, two new naphthalenyl glucopyranosides, 1,4,8-trihydroxynaphthalene 1-O-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (1) and 1,4,8-trihydroxynaphthalene 1-O-beta-D-[6'-O-(3",5"-dihydroxy-4"-methoxybenzoyl)]glucopyranosi de (4), and two new alpha-tetralonyl glucopyranosides, 4 alpha,5,8-trihydroxy-alpha-tetralone 5-O-beta-D-[6'-O-(3",5"-dihydroxy-4"-methoxybenzoyl)]glucopyranosi de (7) and 4 alpha,5,8-trihydroxy-alpha-tetralone 5-O-beta-D-[6'-O-(3",4",5"-trihydroxybenzoyl)]glucopyranoside (8), were isolated together with three known naphthalenyl glucopyranosides (2, 3 and 5), one alpha-tetralonyl glucopyranoside (6), four flavonoids (9-12), and two galloyl glucopyranosides (13, 14). Amongst the isolated compounds, 1,2,6-trigalloylglucopyranose (13) and 1,2,3,6-tertagalloylglucopyranose (14) exhibited the most potent inhibition of reverse transcriptase (RT) activity with IC50 values of 0.067 and 0.040 microM, respectively, while the latter compound also inhibited ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity with an IC50 of 39 microM, comparable in potency to illimaquinone used as a positive control. 1,4,8-Trihydroxy-naphthalene 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 1,4,8-trihydroxynaphthalene 1-O-beta-D-[6'-O-(4"-hydroxy-3",5"-dimethoxybenzoyl)]glucopyranoside (3) and 8 showed moderate inhibition against both enzyme activities, and inhibitory potency of 2 against RNase H activity (IC50 = 156 microM) was slightly greater than that against the RT activity (IC50 = 290 microM). The inhibitory potencies of 4 alpha,5,8-trihydroxy-alpha-tetralone 5-O-beta-D-[6'-O-(4"-hydroxy-3",5"-dimethoxybenzoyl)] glucopyranoside (6), 7 and 8 against RT activity increased accompanied by an increase in the number of free hydroxyls on the galloyl residues, as represented by the IC50 values of > 500, 330 and 5.8 microM, respectively.

With the aim of finding novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus agents from natural products, 93 MeOH extracts of Korean plants were screened for their inhibitory activities against HIV-1 protease. The most potent inhibition was shown by the root of Rodiola rosea with 70.4% inhibition at a concentration of 100 microg/mL., (Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

To evaluate the role of gastric hypersensitivity and the relationship between gastric hypersensitivity and delayed gastric emptying in Korean functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, the authors performed gastric barostat and gastric emptying scintigraphy in 64 FD patients and compared these results with those of control subjects. Basal tones and gastric compliance were similar in control subjects and patients. However, threshold of abdominal discomfort was lower in FD patients than in control subjects (8.9 +/- 3.6 mmHg and 14.5 +/- 3.7 mmHg respectively; p < 0.05). Twenty-four of 64 patients (37.5%) experienced abdominal discomfort at a pressure less than 7 mmHg above minimal distending pressure (corresponding to the 95th percentile of normal values). Half time of solid-phase gastric emptying in patients and control subjects was not significantly different. Twenty-three of 64 patients (35.9%) had delayed gastric emptying compared with control subjects (normal ranges were mean +/- two standard deviations in control subjects). Thresholds of abdominal discomfort were not significantly different in patients with and without delayed gastric emptying (9.3 +/- 4.0 mL/mmHg vs. 8.6 +/- 3.3 mL/mmHg). There were also no significant differences in the proportion of patients with delayed gastric emptying between patients with and without gastric hypersensitivity. In conclusion, gastric hypersensitivity plays an important role in FD, and the presence of gastric hypersensitivity was not related to the presence of delayed gastric emptying.

This paper gives a brief introduction to the geography and demography of the Republic of South Korea. Since 1988 South Korea has been actively legislating and implementing welfare policy for the disabled of the Republic. An overview of these policy changes is presented. The extent to which the policy has been implemented using community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is illustrated using an example from the North Wanju Project. Finally, there is a discussion of the future of CBR in South Korea and the means whereby there can be more social integration of the disabled.

Infection of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV), a lentivirus, is thought to sporadically occur throughout the world, but seroepidemiological surveys concerning the incidence of BIV are limited and have not been undertaken in Korea. A total of 266 sera from different twenty dairy (Holstein) and twenty-six Korean native beef (Hanwoo) farms of the south-western part of Korea was analyzed for the presence of anti-BIV antibodies by Western blotting. Thirty five percent and 33% of dairy and beef cattle, respectively, were BIV-seropositive. By nested polymerase chain reaction, it was confirmed that these seropositive cows had provirus in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. To demonstrate the correlation with BIV and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection, these sera were also analyzed for anti-BLV antibodies by immunodiffusion test, resulting in high prevalence of BLV infection but relatively a few dual infections. We report herein the first serological detection of antibodies to BIV in Korea.

Abnormalities in the ret proto-oncogene are found in several disorders such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2, sporadic medullary thyroid cancer, congenital megacolon and papillary thyroid cancer. In MEN 2A or 2B, early genetic diagnosis before the development of clinical tumors is crucial for the cure of the disease. We studied mutations of ret proto-oncogene in 3 Korean families with MEN 2A and searched for new restriction sites that could be used for genetic diagnosis. By direct sequencing of exon 10 and 11 harboring 'hot' spots, heterozygous point mutation was detected at positions translating cysteine codon in all 3 families. In 2 families, mutations at codon 634 in exon 11 were found (from TGC to CGC or TAC), yielding a new CfoI or RsaI restriction site. In one family, a mutation was located at codon 618 in exon 10 (from TGC to CGC), generating a new CfoI restriction site. These new restriction sites were used in detecting 2 undiagnosed family members without clinical symptoms or signs. In one of them, thyroidectomy was performed to disclose a small medullary thyroid cancer. These results indicate that Korean MEN 2A patients have germ-line mutations in the ret protooncogene at the cysteine residues like patients of other races, and the strategy employing direct sequencing to find mutations at 'hot spot' and search for ensuing new restriction sites could be a useful approach for the molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases accompanied by mutations in restricted areas of disease genes such as MEN 2.

The immunopharmacological characteristics of angelan, a polysaccharide purified from Angelica gigas Nakai, were investigated in relation to the specificity to immune cells. The treatment of angelan increased the expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-gamma. The expression of IL-6 and IFN-gamma was rapidly augmented but that of IL-2 responded later. In the case of IL-4, angelan stimulated at early time after exposure but down-regulated thereafter. These results suggested that macrophages and natural killer cells involved in nonspecific immunity were primarily activated and helper T cells were secondarily affected by angelan. Angelan also had lympho-proliferative potential to B cells, specifically. The specificity of angelan was also elucidated in a cell fractionation experiment. The activated B cells by angelan also increased antibody production. The direct activation of B cells, macrophages, and accessory cells and the indirect activation of helper T cells coordinately increased immune functions such as in vitro and in vivo T-dependent immunization and antibody production. The experiment of host resistance to syngeneic tumors also showed that angelan potentiated the immune functions. In conclusion, angelan, a purified polysaccharide from an oriental herbal drug, showed characteristic immunostimulation, which was different from clinically used polysaccharides such as lentinan and PSK.

A new triterpenoid saponin, patrinia saponin H3 (3), was isolated from the aerial parts of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch. and determined to be 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester on the basis of NMR and FAB MS experiments and acid hydrolysis.

Because of the belief that post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is rare in Asian patients, thromboprophylaxis is not usually prescribed for surgical patients. This study reports an open multi-centre controlled study of the use of a low molecular weight heparin, nadroparin calcium (Fraxoparine Sanofi France), as opposed to no prophylaxis in 100 patients undergoing uncemented total hip replacement. The patients had bilateral venography performed preoperatively and 10 days after operation. Eight patients (16%) developed DVT in the control group of 50 patients and 1 (2%) in the treatment group, also of 50 patients. Pulmonary embolus occurred in 1 patient in the treatment group and in 3 in the control group. Intraoperative and postoperative blood loss did not differ significantly between the two groups. Our study suggests that the incidence of DVT in Asian patients, though somewhat less than in their Western counterparts, is still considerable. It confirms the safety and efficacy of nadroparin calcium in preventing post-operative DVT in patients undergoing elective total hip replacement.

This study examines how the decision-making process evolved in Korea during the initial phases of introduction and implementation of National Health Insurance. This study analyses the official documents and interviews views made with government officials and related personnel. We used the method of network analysis and multidimensional scaling in order to demonstrate how the major participants in the decision-making process developed and changed under the contemporary political situations. In the pre-implementation stage around 1976, major concerns were concentrated around the issues of financial support for social insurance, the fee schedule and who ought to be covered first. The total number of participants of the health or health-related organization was 61, which included the President, the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, representatives of special interest groups, etc. In the actual implementation period of 1982, different issues were brought up by the major participants. The number of participants in this period declined to 44 with the deletion of 19 and with the addition of two newly formed health insurance organizations. By 1988, as the implementation reached its final decision period, disagreements were centered on progressive premium rating and the administration of National Health Insurance. The number of participants increased to 60 after the addition of 16 participants. The analysis of this paper may provide some insight for other countries which wish to establish National Health Insurance; as reference to the policy-making process, it may provide some suggestions for when to initiate and how to formulate National Health Insurance policies.

This research is based on the communication system theory which considers the family as a communication system or a communication network and which understand interpersonal relations among family members through a communication. This research is intended to define the difference of Parent-Adolescent Child communication between the model student family and the delinquent adolescent family, and also found the factors affecting parent-adolescent child communication. This aims to clarify wether a delinquent behavior is associated with family members' relations caused by dysfunctional communication between parents and their child, moreover explorate their problem to find the method of nursing intervention for prevention and treatment for delinquency. Subjects are 190 families (570 persons: father, mother, adolescent child) of model high school students and 87 families (261 persons) of delinquent adolescents. The employed tool is Olson et al's Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PAC, 20 items). The followings are the results derived through hypotheses verification. First, Comparison of two groups showed a significant difference in Parent-Adolescent Communication (t = 2.77, p less than 0.1). In the communication of delinquent group showed lower response than the model group. And also communication of the model group was more opened and positive (t = 2.41, p less than .05), and showed fewer problems (t = 2.06, p less than .05), the delinquent group had more problems. 2ndary, the delinquent group showed significantly more disagreement in response to variable of PAC than the model group. As analyzing of factors affects the Parents-Adolescent Communication, the best method to protect juvenile from delinquency are consistent open-hearted, congruent communication with mutual concern and warm mind between parents and child. And even though the all family don't hardly send together their time for their job, parents have to arrange many times to hold communication with children and to listen attentively to and respond to them, and so to increase their satisfaction for their parents. In conclusion, it seems that delinquent behavior is the outcome caused by dysfunctional communication between the parents and the child because of severe generation gap at adolescence period when the child needs communication with their parents. Therefore, it seems that the delinquent adolescent is the scape-goat of the family. Finally, it seems that more effective method to solve juvenile delinquents increasing day by day, is the family therapy that all family members participate than the individual therapy.

A solvent fractionation method was introduced to screen for mutagenicity in 10 medicinal herbs being consumed in Korea. The Ames mutagenicity test result of Scutellariae and Rhei was significantly increased by eliminating growth-inhibiting substances through solvent fractionation of the crude extract. It is suggested that a physicochemical pretreatment should reduce the false-negative results which are caused by the presence of growth-inhibiting substances in complex mixtures.

This experimental study was undertaken to gauge the possibility of application and extension of a program for hypertension care to be operated by Community Health Practitioners. Four community health posts were selected. Two places were experimental groups and the other two control groups. The study was carried out from April 1987 to March 1988. In this study the hypertensives were screened from a group of adults who were over 20 years old. The rate of prevalence was 10.7% in the experimental group, and 11.1% in the control group. The hypertension care program was composed of three parts: regular care by CHPs, reinforcement of education and family support for the changing of health beliefs. The data for this analysis is based on 109 the hypertensives, with 78 from the experimental group and 31 from the control group. After the program was completed, the results obtained were as follows: 1) Sick role behavior compliance in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group. 2) Blood pressures were decreased in both systolic and diastolic in the experimental group. Diastolic pressure was strikingly decreased from those of the control group and showed statistical significance (p less than 0.05). 3) In the experimental group, benefits, perceived family support and family support behavior were high, out benefits was significantly higher than those of the control group (p = 0.000). Sensitivity, seriousness and barriers were high in the control group, but not statistically significant. 4) In conclusion, it is revealed that hypertension care program developed in this study has an effect of decreasing blood pressure and promoting sick role behavior compliance.

The clinical findings of 29 patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Seoul virus were evaluated and compared with the previously reported clinical findings of classic Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF). The diagnoses of these patients were made by hemagglutination inhibition test. The results were as follows: 1) The disease occurred predominantly in males with a high incidence in the third and fourth decades of life. 2) The highest incidence of the disease occurred in October-December. 3) Major symptoms were fever, abdominal or flank pain, vomiting and myalgia. 4) Major signs were petechia, CVA tenderness, pharyngeal injection, and conjunctival infection, but these signs were much less common than in patients with classic KHF. 5) The treatments were mainly conservative and there was no fatal case in the study subjects. These findings suggest that the clinical course of Seoul virus infection may be much milder than that of classic KHF and the outcome may be more favorable.

This study was conducted to measure the effects of clinical application of a Nursing Diagnosis Protocol. The dependent variables were the degree of patient's satisfaction and the degree of nurse's satisfaction with the nursing activity. Analysis of the effect of the use of the nursing diagnosis protocol was based on the nursing record. The subjects for this study were 61 nurses (experimental group 31, control group 30) and 155 patients (experimental group 55, control group 100) on four internal medicine wards in K University Hospital in Seoul.

Unlabelled: I examined the sphericity and the congruity of the femoral head and the acetabulum in 172 Korean fetuses and in 655 Korean adults. I found that Korean fetal acetabuli and femoral heads are spherical and that the proportion of the head contained in the acetabulum remains constant and congruous throughout the fetal life. Adult actabuli and femoral heads are also spherical in both gender and are there are no visible changes in the shape of the acetabuli and the femoral heads with respect to age. No evidence was found that the congruity of the hip joint is a cause of osteoarthritis of the hip joint., Clinical Relevance: Stable hip joints at the time of birth provide an explantation for the low incidence of congenital dislocation of the hip joint in Koreans. The spherical femoral head and acetabulum (congruous hip joint) seem to be a contributing factor to the low incidence of primary osteoarthritis of the hip in Koreans.

Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) were examined in the peripheral lymphocytes of 52 Korean women living in the vicinity of an industrial complex. They were generally non-smokers ranging from 22 to 56 years of age. The mean SCE score of the volunteers was 6.01 +/- 0.15 (SE). Only coffee intake produced a significant increase of SCE by comparison with the mean SCE for those that did not take coffee. Other parameters, including alcohol intake, working in industry and the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), did not produce an increase in SCE. There was no effect on SCE due to age.