Methods: Three hundred and sixty-nine students in art high school completed a battery of measures, including the Korean version of the KMPAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-Korean version (FMPS-K). The construct validity of the Korean version of KMPAI was examined by performing explorative factor analysis. The reliability was assessed by the internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Explorative factor analysis for the construct validity showed that the Korean version of KMPAI was composed of seven factors (factor 1: Worry/dread and Negative cognitions; factor 2: Proximal somatic anxiety and Worry about performance; factor 3: Depression/hopelessness; factor 4: Parental empathy–Memory–Controllability; factor 5: Generational transmission of anxiety;factor 6: Trust; factor 7: Rumination), explaining 61% of the total variance. The T Concurrent validity with the other scales (STAI, LASA, CES-D, and FMPS-K) was statistically significant. The Cronbach’s alpha value for the internal consistency of the Korean version of KMPAI was excellent (r=0.961). Conclusion The Korean version of the KMPAI is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring music performance anxiety in Korea.

PURPOSE: In order to assess the usefulness of serum ferritin as a marker of disease activity and prognostic factor in pediatric malignancy, serum ferritin levels were measured. METHODS: Peripheral blood samplings for ferritin level were made at presentation, in remission following therapy, and in relapse in 95 children with malignancy admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January, 1986 and August, 1995. The patients were comprised of 35 acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL), 17 acute myelogenous leukemia(AML), 20 non- Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) and 23 neuroblastoma(NB). RESULTS: The mean values of serum ferritin at presentation were 465.3+/-53.9 ng/mL in ALL, 468.9+/-69.4 ng/mL in AML, 274.1+/-69.2 ng/mL in NHL and 337.3+/-64.4 ng/mL in NB. Those values were increased significantly compared to the mean of 20 control children(69.5+/-12.9 ng/mL). The mean values of serum ferritin concentration in remission stage(first, second, and third remission) tend to be lower compared to those in the active stage(at presentation, first relapse and second relapse). But these differences reached a statistical significance only in patients with ALL when the mean values of the active stage were compared to those checked in the remission stage over 12 months(P= 0.0002). Comparison of overall survival according to initial serum ferritin levels(below and above 200 ng/mL) did not show any significant difference in ALL, AML and NHL. However, there was a borderline relationship in NB(relative risk 3.12, P=0.06). CONCLUSION: The study showed that normalization of serum ferritin levels were found in ALL who had continuous, complete remission for more than 12 months. And patients with lower serum ferritin levels were not associated with better survival except in patients with NB in which the lower ferritin group showed borderline significance.
Child ; Ferritins* ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Neuroblastoma ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

Objectives: The clinical trajectories of adolescent-onset psychosis and bipolar disorder are worse than that of adult-onset cases. Although psychosis and bipolar disorder are more prevalent among those with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder compared with the general population, the incidence during adolescence has not yet been explored. Methods: Out of 3,730 patients who visited the Department of Pediatric Psychiatry at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between November 2008 and May 2021, patients with neurodevelopmental disorders who did not meet the criteria for psychosis or bipolar disorder and had at least one year of the follow-up period were selected. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to examine the cumulative incidence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. Results: The sample included 591 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (mean age 12.6 years, range 10-18 years). The 9-years cumulative incidences of psychosis and bipolar disorder are 1.3% (95% CI=0.2%-2.4%), 11.6% (95% CI=7.4%-15.6%), respectively. Conclusion Patients with neurodevelopmental disorders showed a high incidence of psychosis and bipolar disorder during adolescence. This suggests that patients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders should be continuously evaluated and monitored of the occurrence of comorbidities during adolescence.

Background: Folic acid is involved in inflammatory reactions; however, the association between folic acid and allergic diseases, particularly asthma, remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between serum folic acid levels and asthma in Koreans. Methods: This study analyzed the serum folic acid levels of 6,615 individuals included in the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence of asthma was determined using a questionnaire that identified cases of physician-diagnosed asthma. The relationship between serum folic acid levels and asthma was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a 1 ng/mL increase in serum folic acid level significantly reduced the risk of asthma after adjusting for confounding factors including sex, age, household income, current smoking, current alcohol use, and body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 0.930; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.876– 0.987; P=0.017). The relationship between the adjusted odds of asthma and serum folic acid levels were consistently inverse (OR, 2.266; 95% CI, 1.126–4.420; P for trend=0.038). Conclusion Serum folic acid levels are inversely associated with physician-diagnosed asthma in the Korean population.

BACKGROUND: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a prototype compound of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, produces diverse biologic effects. Although nephrotoxicity of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a]pyrene(BP) is well known, little is known about the effects of TCDD on renal function. Thus, the present study examined the effects of TCDD on cell viability, proliferation, and extracellular matrix(ECM) synthesis by glomerular mesangial cells, LLC-PK1 cells representing proximal tubular epithelial cells, and MDCK cells representing distal epithelial cells and compared with the effects of BP. METHODS: Quiescent cells were incubated with serum free media containing different concentrations of TCDD(1-100 nM) and BP(3 and 30 micro M) for 24- 96 hours. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release and [3H]-thymidine incorporation, respectively. Secreted fibronectin was measured by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: When cells were continuously exposed to TCDD, LDH release significantly increased in MMC, LLC-PK1, and MDCK in a dose- and a time- dependent manner. [3H]-Thymidine incorporation was increased in MMC and LLC-PK1 but decreased in MDCK by TCDD. Contrary to TCDD, 30 micro BP significantly inhibited [3H]-thymidine incorporation in MMC and MDCK but not in LLC-PK1. Both TCDD and BP increased fibronectin secretion by MMC, LLC-PK1, and MDCK cells, suggesting that TCDD and BP may cause renal fibrosis leading to loss of renal function. CONCLUSION: These data provide experimental evidence that TCDD can alter cell viability and proliferation and increase ECM synthesis by renal cells which may lead to renal injury.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fibronectins ; Fibrosis ; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Lactic Acid ; LLC-PK1 Cells ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Mesangial Cells ; Swine ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin

It has been proposed that the pro-inflammatory catalytic activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a key role in the aging process. However, it remains unclear whether the COX-2 activity is a causal factor for aging and whether COX-2 inhibitors could prevent aging. We here examined the effect of COX-2 inhibitors on aging in the intrinsic skin aging model of hairless mice. We observed that among two selective COX-2 inhibitors and one non-selective COX inhibitor studied, only NS-398 inhibited skin aging, while celecoxib and aspirin accelerated skin aging. In addition, NS-398 reduced the expression of p53 and p16, whereas celecoxib and aspirin enhanced their expression. We also found that the aging-modulating effect of the inhibitors is closely associated with the expression of type I procollagen and caveolin-1. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory catalytic activity of COX-2 is not a causal factor for aging at least in skin and that COX-2 inhibitors might modulate skin aging by regulating the expression of type I procollagen and caveolin-1.
Animals ; Aspirin/administration & dosage ; Catalysis ; Caveolin 1/genetics/metabolism ; Collagen Type I/genetics/metabolism ; *Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism/physiology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Mice ; Nitrobenzenes/*administration & dosage ; Pyrazoles/administration & dosage ; Skin Aging/*drug effects/physiology ; Sulfonamides/*administration & dosage ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/metabolism

OBJECTIVES: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been identified as a positional and functional candidate gene of schizophrenia. Although specific mechanism of increasing schizophrenia susceptibility by this gene has not been well described yet, recent studies suggest that the valine allele of COMT Val158Met polymorphism may contribute to cognitive decline in schizophrenia. The present study investigated the association between this polymorphism of COMT gene and cognitive markers related to schizophrenia in both schizophrenia patients and normal controls. METHODS: The subjects were 78 patients with schizophrenia diagnosed by DSM-IV and 97 normal controls. Comprehensive neurocognitive tests for which performance deficits have been reported in schizophrenia were administered. Genotyping for COMT Val158Met polymorphism was done with SNapShot method. Association analyses between genotype and cognitive functions were performed using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. RESULTS: In the comparison of allele frequencies between patient and control groups, no significant association between the polymorphism and schizophrenia was observed. Significant differences of cognitive performance among genotype groups were not identified in control group. This trend was also observed in the patient group. In the combined analysis of both patient and control groups, there was no significant genotype or genotype-by group effect on any cognitive function measure. CONCLUSION: These findings do not support a major role of COMT gene in the regulation of the cognitive processes of schizophrenia.
Alleles ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; Cognition ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Schizophrenia ; Valine

OBJECTIVE: Pain is very common in the elderly, so there is a high prevalence of analgesic use among this population. The purpose of this study was to assess patterns of analgesic use and evaluate factors associated with analgesic use in elderly patients. METHOD: The subjects of this study were patients over 65 years old hospitalized in a teaching hospital located in Chuncheon-si, Korea between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014. Data collection regarding analgesic prescriptions and baseline characteristics was conducted using computerized hospital database by medical information team. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to analgesic use. RESULTS: A total of 2,394 patients were finally included. Among these patients, 700 (29.2%) took analgesics; 521 (74.4%) out of these 700 patients were received opioid analgesics and 179 (25.6%) were received only non-opioid analgesics. The most frequently prescribed opioid analgesic was pethidine (45.7%), and the most frequently prescribed non-opioid analgesic was acetaminophen (44.1%). Fracture was associated with increased odds of opioid analgesic prescriptions (OR = 2.766, 95% CI = 2.019-3.790, p < 0.001) and any analgesic prescriptions (OR = 2.394, 95% CI = 1.766-3.244, p < 0.001). Stroke or cerebral infarction was associated with decreased odds of opioid analgesic prescriptions (OR = 0.636, 95% CI = 0.471-0.858, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of hospitalized elderly patients use analgesics. Health care professionals should consider factors associated with analgesic use in this population to improve pain management.
Acetaminophen ; Aged* ; Analgesics ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Cerebral Infarction ; Data Collection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Gangwon-do ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Meperidine ; Pain Management ; Prescriptions ; Prevalence ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate communication function using classification systems and its association with other functional profiles, including gross motor function, manual ability, intellectual functioning, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics in children with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study recruited 117 individuals with CP aged from 4 to 16 years. The Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Viking Speech Scale (VSS), Speech Language Profile Groups (SLPG), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and intellectual functioning were assessed in the children along with brain MRI categorization. RESULTS: Very strong relationships were noted among the VSS, CFCS, and SLPG, although these three communication systems provide complementary information, especially for children with mid-range communication impairment. These three communication classification systems were strongly related with the MACS, but moderately related with the GMFCS. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that manual ability and intellectual functioning were significantly related with VSS and CFCS function, whereas only intellectual functioning was significantly related with SLPG functioning in children with CP. Communication function in children with a periventricular white matter lesion (PVWL) varied widely. In the cases with a PVWL, poor functioning was more common on the SLPG, compared to the VSS and CFCS. CONCLUSION: Very strong relationships were noted among three communication classification systems that are closely related with intellectual ability. Compared to gross motor function, manual ability seemed more closely related with communication function in these children.
Brain ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Child* ; Classification ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; White Matter