Objective: There are reports that cognitive training improves cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. However, the research on the effects of cognitive training in the community-dwelling elderly is insufficient. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of cognitive training in the community-dwelling elderly. Methods: The participants were community-dwelling elderly aged 60 years or over. We collected demographic data and assessed Korean Version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), The Short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean (SGDS-K), and Geriatric Quality of Life-Dementia (GQOL-D). Cognitive training consisted of performing tasks for multi-cognitive domains. It was a paper- and group-based program, conducted 15 sessions each 60 minute. After the intervention, clinical characteristics were reassessed. Paired t-test, pearson correlation, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed using R version 3.6.1. Results: There were 206 participants. 162 participants completed the intervention, and were eligible for analyses. After the cognitive intervention, MoCA-K was improved 2.10±0.61 which was statistically significant (p<0.001). SGDS-K was decreased 0.57± 0.46 (p=0.003). GQOL-D was increased 1.65±1.64 (p=0.048). ANCOVA showed that the score change in MoCA-K was not in-fluenced by baseline SGDS-K or baseline GQOL-D score. Conclusion Group-and paper-based cognitive training could improve MoCA-K, SGDS-K, and GQOL-D for the communitydwelling elderly. Baseline SGDS-K and GQOL-D scores were not associated with cognitive training effects in the community-dwelling elderly.

Objective: There are reports that cognitive training improves cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. However, the research on the effects of cognitive training in the community-dwelling elderly is insufficient. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of cognitive training in the community-dwelling elderly. Methods: The participants were community-dwelling elderly aged 60 years or over. We collected demographic data and assessed Korean Version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), The Short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean (SGDS-K), and Geriatric Quality of Life-Dementia (GQOL-D). Cognitive training consisted of performing tasks for multi-cognitive domains. It was a paper- and group-based program, conducted 15 sessions each 60 minute. After the intervention, clinical characteristics were reassessed. Paired t-test, pearson correlation, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed using R version 3.6.1. Results: There were 206 participants. 162 participants completed the intervention, and were eligible for analyses. After the cognitive intervention, MoCA-K was improved 2.10±0.61 which was statistically significant (p<0.001). SGDS-K was decreased 0.57± 0.46 (p=0.003). GQOL-D was increased 1.65±1.64 (p=0.048). ANCOVA showed that the score change in MoCA-K was not in-fluenced by baseline SGDS-K or baseline GQOL-D score. Conclusion Group-and paper-based cognitive training could improve MoCA-K, SGDS-K, and GQOL-D for the communitydwelling elderly. Baseline SGDS-K and GQOL-D scores were not associated with cognitive training effects in the community-dwelling elderly.

PURPOSE: To analyze the recent citation trend and to find a way to improve impact factor (IF) of the Journal of Korean Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (JKSTRO) by analysis of Korean Medical Citation Index (KoMCI) citation data of JKSTRO and comparison with that of mean citation data of all journals enlisted on KoMCI (KoMCI journals) during 2000-2005. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All citation data of entire journals enlisted on KoMCI and JKSTRO from 2000 to 2005 were obtained from KoMCI. The trend of total and annual number of published articles and reference citations, total citations and self-citations per paper, IF and impact factor excluding self-citations (ZIF) were described and compared on both KoMCI journals and JKSTRO. RESULTS: Annual number of published articles was decreased for 6 years on both KoMCI journals and JKSTRO (32% and 38% reduction rate). The number of Korean journal references per article is 1.6 papers on JKSTRO comparing to 2.0 papers on KoMCI journals. The percentage of Korean references/total references increased from 5.0% in 2000 to 7.7% in 2005 on JKSTRO and from 8.5% in 2000 to 10.1% on KoMCI journals. The number of total citations received/paper on JKSTRO (average 1.333) is smaller than that of KoMCI journals (average 1.694), there was an increased rate of 67% in 2005 comparing to 2000. The percentage of self-citations/total citations (average 72%) on JKSTRO is slightly higher than that of KoMCI journals (average 61%). IF of JKSTRO was gradually improved and 0.144, 0.125, 0.088, 0.107, 0.187, and 0.203 in 2000-2005 respectively. However, ZIF of JKSTRO is steadily decreased from 0.038 in 2000 to 0.013 in 2005 except 0.044 in 2004. CONCLUSION: IF of JKSTRO was slightly improved but had some innate problem of smaller number of citations received. To make JKSTRO as a highly cited journal, the awareness of academic status of JKSTRO and active participation of every member of JKSTRO including encouraging self-citations of papers published recent 2 years and submission of English written papers, and active academic cooperation with related academic societies.
Radiation Oncology*

Objectives: This study examined the level of depression and anxiety and the related factors, especially the knowledge and attitudes towards dementia, of people caring for a family member with dementia. Methods: Data on the demographics, care burdens, and clinical characteristics of dementia patients and their family caregivers were collected. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Korean Screening Tool for Anxiety disorders (K-ANX), Dementia Knowledge Scale (DKS), and Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) were performed. This study investigated whether depression and anxiety of caregivers differed according to the caregivers, patients, and the burden of caregivers. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential factors that may influence the psychological symptoms in family caregivers. Results: There were 135 respondents. The scores of CES-D and K-ANX were 19.18±12.05 (probable depression) and 11.48±8.88 (mild anxiety), respectively. There was a significant difference in the degree of depression according to the level of education (F=4.14, p<0.05), the severity of dementia (F=3.63, p<0.05), and cohabitation with patients with dementia (t=2.07, p<0.05). On the other hand, the difference in the degree of anxiety was not significant depending on the stratified potential factors. The degree of depression in caregivers was positively associated with severe dementia (β=0.252, p<0.01) and negatively associated with the DAS score (β= -0.392, p<0.001). Anxiety was only inversely affected by the DAS score (β=-0.369, p<0.001). Conclusion This study shows that family caregivers of people with dementia experience high levels of depression and anxiety, which are influenced by the patient’s severity of dementia and the caregiver’s attitude toward dementia.

BACKGROUND: Systemic hypertension produces varying degree of LVH which is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidiity. Previous studies have documented regression of LVH with various antihypertensives including calcium channel blockers, except diuretics and vasodilators. Recently echocadiographic assessment of the change of left ventricular mass(LVM) after antihyertensive therapy have been reported to offer prognostic cardiovascular information. The aim of this echocardiographic study is determining the influence of nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, on the change of LVM in patients with essential hypertenison. METHODS: Left ventricular mass(LVM) and left ventricular mass index(LVMI) were measured by M-mode echocardiography in 15 patients with essential hypertension. Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, was administered for 6 months and two echocardiographies were done before and after administering, respectively. RESULTS: In the 15 patients treated for 6 months, systolic and diastolic pressure remained very significantly decreased compared with pressure before before therapy(135+/-15mmHg vs 168+/-26mmHg, and 86+/-7mmHg vs 105+/-16mmHg, both p<0.01). Concomitantly both LVM and LVMI decreased significantly(209+/-49g vs 235+/-71g, and 116+/-6g/m2 vs 131+/-38g/m2,both p<0.05). And no change was noted in left ventricular cavity size, demonstration that LVM reduction was due to regression of hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: This study showed that nicardipine produced a significant decrease in blood pressure, LVM, and LVMI over the 6 months period. And large and longterm controlled studies are needed for the clarification of the association between nicardipine and regression of LVH in hypertensive patients.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Nicardipine* ; Vasodilator Agents

Social discrimination against people with epilepsy is a common phenomenon all over the world, in spite of different cultural backgrounds. To know the public attitude toward epilepsy in Chonnam rural area, questionnaire survey was performed. Total 802 people answered to the questionnaire which consisted of 39 parts on several aspects of attitude and knowledge for epilepsy. The results were as follows; 1) In Chonnam rural area, epilepsy was a well known illness. 2) The incantatory, supernatal thinking was markedly prevalent, compared with other societies. 3) The social attitude for the jobs of epileptic people was negative even in the well controlled cases. 4) The prejudice was more serious in the lower educated people, and in the female group 5) The most important factor leading to the inadequate social attitude toward epilepsy was the knowledge, "epilepsy could not be treated." Public education and campaign for epilepsy should be considered to improve the quality of life of epileptic patients in rural areas.
Education ; Epilepsy* ; Female ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do* ; Prejudice ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Discrimination ; Thinking

Background: While accumulating evidence indicates chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the association between normal or mildly decreased kidney function and COVID-19 is unaddressed. Here, we have examined the association of an increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes among patients within normal to mildly decreased kidney function. Methods: The patients who participated in both health screenings from period I (2017–2018) to II (2019–2020) were enrolled to our study. All participants were categorized into four groups according to the changes in eGFR stage from period I to II: 1) persistently stage G1, 2) from stage G2 to G1, 3) from stage G1 to G2, 4) persistently stage G2. In addition, the changes in eGFR value were defined by subtracting its value of period I from II. Patients were followed up for SARS-CoV-2 infection from January 1, 2021 to any diagnosis of COVID-19 or December 31, 2021, whichever happened first. In addition, those with SARS-CoV-2 infection were followed-up for one month after diagnosis to analyze severe COVID-19. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was calculated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. Results: We identified 159,427 patients with and 1,804,798 patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased when eGFR stage changed from G2 to G1 (aOR, 0.957; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.938–0.977) and persistently maintained at G1 (aOR, 0.966; 95% CI, 0.943–0.990), compared with the persistently stage G2 group.In addition, the risk showed an inverse relationship with changes in eGFR value, which was depicted by restricted cubic spline curves. For the overall risk of severe COVID-19, the persistently stage G1 showed the lowest risk (aOR, 0.897; 95% CI, 0.827–0.972), followed by those from stage G1 to G2 (aOR, 0.900; 95% CI, 0.828–0.978) and those from stage G2 to G1 (aOR, 0.931; 95% CI, 0.871–0.995), compared with the persistently stage G2 group. Conclusion An increase in eGFR was negatively associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 among normal or mildly decreased kidney function. For severe COVID-19, maintaining higher baseline eGFR may act as a protective factor against its risk.

OBJECTIVE: The high-dose vitamin C is useful in the cancer. Consequently its use should have become how many help even from gynecological cancer patient who is in chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was performed prospective on 57 patients who is diagnosed initially the gynecological cancer during chemotherapy at Gospel Hospital of Kosin University between January 2005 and October 2006. The study was divided to its use 29 (cervix cancer: 17, ovarian cancer 12) and no high-dose vitamin C use 28 (cervix cancer: 11, ovarian cancer 17). The cervix cancer was treated by FP chemotherapy for all stage and the ovarian cancer was treated by CC chemotherapy for stage 1, CT or PT chemotherapy for advanced stage for 6 times respectively regarding a treatment in tumor marker change aspect and the side effect researched GOG classifications. RESULTS: It evaluated the nausea and vomiting significantly in ovarian cancer (p<0.05). It evaluated for liver enzyme, Hb, WBC, platelet serum creatinine, sensory, motor nervous system and tumor marker with the high-dose vitamin C group does not have the difference from the control group statistically. CONCLUSION: The high-dose vitamin C is a possibility of reducing nausea and vomiting in the ovarian cancer chemotherapy without other side effect. The regarding a tumor marker change it was not significantly but when it analyzed a recurrence a survival rate with more patient and follow up in long period, its use of should have become how many help in gynecological cancer treatment.
Ascorbic Acid* ; Blood Platelets ; Classification ; Creatinine ; Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Nausea ; Nervous System ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vitamins* ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporotic compression fractures in radiographic spinal osteoarthritis (OA) patients. METHODS: Subjects were 382 female patients (ages 45 to 85) from outpatient clinic for osteoporosis and rheumatic diseases. BMD was measured at lumbar spine and hip by dual X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 2000). The standard anteroposterior and lateral plain radiographs of thoracic and lumbar spine were taken to define spinal OA and vertebral compression fractures. Radiographic spinal OA was defined by grade of disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration. Frequency of vertebral fractures was compared between spinal OA and control patients in relation to their BMD, age, weight, body mass index (BMI) and years post menopause. RESULTS: Higher proportion of fracture cases were observed in spinal OA patients than non-spinal OA patients (34.1%, 44/129 vs. 18.2%, 46/253, p<0.001) despite comparable mean BMD (0.836+/-0.152 vs. 0.834+/-0.185, p=0.89) and older mean age (65.8+/-8.5 vs. 57.8+/-10.3, p<0.001). In subjects of ages from 65 to 74, spinal OA patients showed significantly higher BMD than non-spinal OA patients (0.784+/-0.125 vs. 0.719+/-0.119, p=0.007), but the frequency of fractures seems to be higher than that of non-spinal OA patients (44.9%, 22/50 patients vs. 34%,19/55 patients, p=0.58). When all study subjects were stratified according to their spine BMD (normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis), significantly higher proportion of vertebral compression fractures was noted in spinal OA than non-spinal OA patients in osteopenia group (38.5% vs. 13.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher BMD does not seem to be translated directly into decreased risk of osteoporotic compression fractures in spinal OA patients. Careful assessment of risk factors for osteoporotic fractures and newer methods for assessing bone strength in this group of patients are needed.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Body Weight ; Bone Density* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Female ; Fractures, Compression* ; Hip ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Osteoarthritis, Spine* ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Postmenopause ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Zygapophyseal Joint

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of perihepatic tuberculous abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT scans of 11 patients (6 females and 5 males) with 14 pathologically proven perihepatic tuberculous abscess were retrospectively evaluated in terms of the morphological characteristics of the abscesses and changes in other abdominal organs and at other sites. RESULTS: A total of 14 absceses were noted in 11 patients. Six (43%) were in the right subphrenic space, three(21%) in the right perihepatic space, three (21 %) in the left subphrenic space, and two (14%) in the left perihepatic space. The right side was predominant. The abscesses ranged in size from 1 to 10 (mean, 5) cm in diameter, with a wall thickness of 2 - 7 (mean, 3) mm. Of the 14 abscesses, 13 were oval, and one spherical. CT findings were as follows: a smooth abscess margin with even wall thickness in seven of the eleven patients (64%); calcification of the wall in two (18%) ; internal septa in seven (64 %) ; localized fluid collection in nine (82%) ; lymphadenopathy in five (45 %) ; and peritoneal enhancement in seven (64%). Lesions suggesting tuberculous infection coexisted at other sites in eight patients. These included the lung in six patients (55%) , the neck in three (27 %), an axilla in two (18 %), the liver in two (18 %), the spleen in one (9 %), and the gastroin-testinal tract in one (9%). CONCLUSION: CT scanning is useful for establishing the diagnosis of perihepatic tuberculous abscesses by evaluating the morphological characteristics of the mass and by observing changes in other abdominal organs and at other sites.
Abscess* ; Axilla ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal