OBJECTIVE: Several psychological characteristics of medical students were investigated, the relationhip between these characteristics and academic achievement was identified, and futhermore some significant predictors of their academic achievement were explored. METHOD: Subjects were a total of 489 medical students, 1st, 2nd, 3rd year in Chosun university as of in 1998. We administered self-report questionnaires including age, sex, grade failure, and transfer experience. And Beck Depression Inventory, Achievement Self-Discrepancy Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(state) Test Anxiety Scale, and the Inventory of Performance Anxiety were handed out to them on April 1998. After the semester, we examined the academic achievement according to grade point average. Pearson's correlations were calculated to explore the relationships between grade failure and other psychological variables, as well as the relationships between academic achievement and other psychological variables. The amount that academic achievement was explained by the psychological variables was obtained using multiple regression analysis. RESULT: 1)In 489 students, grade failure was 168(34.3%) non-failure was 321(65.7%) and transfer was 33(6.7%) 2)While G.P.A., performance anxiety, and self-efficacy, respectively, were negatively correlated with the failure, test anxiety was positively correlated with the grade failure. There were no statistically significant correlations between grade failure and depression, self-discrepancy, or state anxiety. 3)Academic achievement was positively correlated with both gender and self-efficacy, whereas it was negatively correlated with depression, self-discrepancy, test anxiety, and state anxiety, respectively. Female students were better than males in academic achievement. 4)The amount that age, gender, grade failure, transfer, depression, self-discrepancy, test anxiety, state anxiety, performance anxiety, and self-efficacy accounted for academic achievement was 10.86% totally. CONCLUSION: Gender, grade failure, and depression in medical students affected their academic achievement significantly.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Performance Anxiety ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Medical* ; Test Anxiety Scale

BACKGROUND: Anemia is still the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide, especially in adolescence because of an insufficient supply of iron, an increased iron requirement due to accelerated physical growth and blood loss due to menstruation in girls. This study was designed to assess the anemia and serum iron status of middle school girls. METHODS: Hematologic examinations, physical examinations and questionnaires were performed for middle school girls in 1990, 1997, 1999 and 2000. Anemia was defined as a serum hemoglobin level of less than 11.5 g/dL. Iron deficiency was defined as a serum ferritin level of less than 10 ng/mL. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as anemia plus one of the following; MCV less than 78 fL, Ferritin level less than 10 ng/mL or Transferrin saturation rate less than 10%. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean Hb between urban and rural areas and decreases in mean Hb as with age. The prevalence of anemia decreased by year; 13.5% in 1990, 6.9 % in 1997, 6.0% in 1999, and 5.7% in 2000. It was high in high school girls(10.1% in 1997 and 12.6% in 2000). The prevalence of iron deficiency decreased by year; 36.1% in 1990, 13.9% in 1997, 13.3% in 1999, and 23.2% in 2000. It was 21.3% in 1997 high school girls and 37.8% in 2000. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia(IDA) decreased by year; 10.0% in 1990, 4.6% in 1997, 8.3% in 1999, and 6.1% in 2000. It was 11.6% in 1997 high school girls and 18.6% in 2000. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of iron deficiency decreased during this period, the prevalence of anemia in the elder adolescence girls was high. Two things are recommended; first, it is necessary to screen for anemia in middle school girls and high risk groups, second, it is important to evaluate the knowledge of nutrition and to enforce effective nutritional education, leading to subjects receiving adequate nutrition.
Adolescent* ; Anemia* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Education ; Female* ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron* ; Menstruation ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transferrin

A false aneurysms of the head and neck are rare lesions. Their histologic characteristic is quite different from that of true aneurism in that their wall consists of false endothelial lining only. Until recently their treatment was by a variety of surgical approaches or angiographic embolization. But, because of their aggressive behavior and possible complications, more consevative approach like a sono-guided compression has been sucessfully reported by some authors. The advantages of this method is that it is safe, less aggressive and not complicated procedure. We report a case of false aneurysm of facial artery after BSSRO, which was successfully treated by sono-guided compression.
Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries ; Head ; Neck

We report the case of a 4 year-old boy with Menetrier's disease, who was presented with edema and hypoalbuminemia. Gastroduodenal endoscopy showed the characteristic features of giant hypertrophy of the gastric rugae and large quantities of adherent gelatinous material. Histologic findings revealed foveolar hyperplasia. The presence of CMV infection was identified by serology. His symptoms resolved spontaneously, and he has fared well.
Child, Preschool ; Cytomegalovirus Infections* ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Edema ; Endoscopy ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic* ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertrophy ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Male

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of monaural headset to the hearing threshold shifts of the female communication workers. METHODS: Hearing threshold shifts of total 642 subjects, selected after excluding workers with history of ear disease, of ototoxic drug administration, and of neuropsychiatric disease, were determined by pure tone audiometric tests. Each worker's personal and work history was taken by the self-administrative questionnaire. In addition, occupational noise exposure levels in the workplace were assessed by noise dosimetry and each worker's noise exposure from the headset was measured by placing the microphone of a noise dosimeter to the external portion of the headset which was coupled by a silicon tube. The hearing threshold shifts were compared between groups of the alternate and the fixed headset user. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1> The noise levels in the workplace ranged from 62.1 dBA to 63.9 dBA. The mean equivalent sound levels (LEQ) by the headset volume (minimum, middle, and maximum) were 90.8 dBA, 94.6 dBA, and 97.8 dBA, respectively. The maximum sound level (Lmax) of the headset was from 109.1 to 128.6 dBA. 2> The degree of hearing difference of the one side users was higher than that of the alternate users. Comparing the hearing loss of two groups of subjects, hearing loss was statistically significantly higher in the left-ear fixed and in the alternate headset users with more than 15 years than those with less than 15 years of headset taking duration. 3> Based on the hearing loss evaluation criteria by the Korean Ministry of Labor, 25 required follow-up cases (3.89%) and 16 suspected cases (2.49%) out of the 642 subjects were screened. Although statistically not significant, the required follow-up cases were higher among fixed users (4.3%) than those of alternate users (3.7%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study ascertained the possibility of hearing loss due to monaural-headsets among female workers. Thus, it is recommended that an effective hearing conservation program should be provided for the headset-wearing communication workers.
Ear Diseases ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Noise ; Noise, Occupational ; Silicones ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on both kinematic and temporospatial gait patterns in patients with hemiplegia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen hemiplegic patients diagnosed with either cerebral palsy or stroke participated in this study. All participants underwent the 4-week gait training with RAS. The treatment was performed for 30 minutes per each session, three sessions per week. RAS was provided with rhythmic beats using a chord progression on a keyboard. Kinematic and temporospatial data were collected and analyzed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. RESULTS: Gait training with RAS significantly improved both proximal and distal joint kinematic patterns in hip adduction, knee flexion, and ankle plantar flexion, enhancing the gait deviation index (GDI) as well as ameliorating temporal asymmetry of the stance and swing phases in patients with hemiplegia. Stroke patients with previous walking experience demonstrated significant kinematic improvement in knee flexion in mid-swing and ankle dorsiflexion in terminal stance. Among stroke patients, subacute patients showed a significantly increased GDI score compared with chronic patients. In addition, household ambulators showed a significant effect on reducing anterior tilt of the pelvis with an enhanced GDI score, while community ambulators significantly increased knee flexion in mid-swing phase and ankle dorsiflexion in terminal stance phase. CONCLUSION: Gait training with RAS has beneficial effects on both kinematic and temporospatial patterns in patients with hemiplegia, providing not only clinical implications of locomotor rehabilitation with goal-oriented external feedback using RAS but also differential effects according to ambulatory function.
Acoustic Stimulation/*methods ; Aged ; Ankle Joint/physiopathology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cerebral Palsy/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Female ; Foot Joints/physiopathology ; *Gait ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic/etiology/physiopathology/*rehabilitation ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Knee/physiopathology ; Knee Joint/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke/*diagnosis/physiopathology

We conducted the screening of sexually transmitted infections to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and status of sexual risk behavior among homeless adolescents (10-19 yr old) in Korea. Adolescents who ran away from home and are under the care of youth shelters in ten cities in Korea served as the study population. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire related to sexuality. First-void urine was analyzed for chlamydial and gonococcal infection by strand displacement amplification (BDProbTec(TM)ET, BD Diagnostic Systems, MD, U.S.A.). A total of 175 adolescents from 15 youth shelters took part in the study. Their median age was 16 yr, and 54.9% of them reported having sexual intercourse at least once. The prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae among homeless adolescents was 12.6% and 15.4%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with the infections were number of sexual partners during the past year and lifetime. This is the first community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening among adolescent in Korea. Screening programs targeting sexually active adolescents are important for detection of STIs. They should be considered an alternative population-based surveillance system in order to control STIs nationally.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; Adult ; Child ; Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Chlamydia trachomatis/*genetics ; Female ; Gonorrhea/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; *Homeless Youth ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening/*methods ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae/*genetics ; Population Surveillance/methods ; Questionnaires ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior

Ectropion is a drooping or eversion of the lower eyelid as a result of lower lid laxity, canthal tendon laxity, or cicatrix formation from scarring. Ectropion can also be congenital or develop with aging. This complication can arise from primary trauma to the lower lid apparatus or as a result of unfavorable healing and scar contracture. To prevent development of ectropion, a careful attention in case of operation for orbital frature repair or blepharoplasty is necessary. Especially, excessive dissection or retraction of skin and orbicularis muscle should be avoided, and formation of edema and hematoma should be prevented by complete hemostasis. It might be helpful to massage on the eyelid frequently. In spite of endeavors mentioned above, lareral canthoplasty or skin graft must be performed when postoperative ectropion is occurred. With literature review the authors present a case report that good clinical result is achieved by lateral tarsal strip procedure on cicatricial ectropion caused by a complication of reconstruction of blow-out fracture.
Aging ; Blepharoplasty ; Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Ectropion* ; Edema ; Eyelids ; Hematoma ; Hemostasis ; Massage ; Orbit ; Orbital Fractures* ; Skin ; Tendons ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is initiated when alloreactive donor T cells are primed by host APCs to undergo clonal expansion and maturation. Since there is a controversy regarding the role of nonhematopoietic cells in GVHD, we wanted to investigate the influence of MHC disparity on nonhematopoietic cells on the pathogenesis of GVHD in the MHC-haplomismatched C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) or DBA/2 (H-2(d))-->unirradiated (C57BL/6xDBA/2) F(1)(BDF(1); H-2(b/d)) murine model of acute GVHD (aGVHD) or chronic GVHD (cGVHD). METHODS: We generated (BDF(1)-->C57BL/6), (BDF(1)-->DBA/2), and (BDF(1)-->BDF(1)) chimeras and examined GVHD-related parameters and donor cell engraftment in those chimeras. RESULTS: Using this experimental system, we found that 1) severe aGVHD across MHC Ag barrier depends on the expression of nonhematopoietically rather than hematopoietically derived alloAgs for maximal GVHD manifestations; 2) host APCs were sufficient to break B cell tolerance to self molecules in cGVHD, whereas host APCs were insufficient to induce autoimmunity in aGVHD; 3) donor cell engraftment was greatly enhanced in the host with MHC-matched nonhematopoietic cells. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results provide an insight into how MHC disparity on GVHD target organs contribute to the pathogenesis of GVHD.
Autoimmunity ; Chimera ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Recent studies and case reports have shown that recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) treatment is effective for reversing coagulopathy and reducing blood transfusion requirements in trauma patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of rFVIIa treatment on clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness in trauma patients. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2010, we reviewed the medical records of patients who were treated with rFVIIa (N=18) or without rFVIIa (N=36) for life-threatening hemorrhage due to multiple traumas at the Emergency Department of Pusan National University Hospital in Busan, Korea. We reviewed patient demographics, baseline characteristics, initial vital signs, laboratory test results, and number of units transfused, and then analyzed clinical outcomes and 24-hr and 30-day mortality rates. Thromboembolic events were monitored in all patients. Transfusion costs and hospital stay costs were also calculated. RESULTS: In the rFVIIa-treated group, laboratory test results and clinical outcomes improved, and the 24-hr mortality rate decreased compared to that in the untreated group; however, 30-day mortality rate did not differ between the groups. Thromboembolic events did not occur in both groups. Transfusion and hospital stay costs in the rFVIIa-treated group were cost effective; however, total treatment costs, including the cost of rFVIIa, were not cost effective. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, rFVIIa treatment was shown to be helpful as a supplementary drug to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the 24-hr mortality rate, transfusion and hospital stay costs, and transfusion requirements in trauma patients with life-threatening hemorrhage.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Factor VIIa/*therapeutic use ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Hemorrhage/complications/*drug therapy/mortality ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Trauma/*complications ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time ; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome