1.Factors Influencing the Specialty Selection of Medical Students.
Hyungjoon KIM ; Seojin PARK ; Jeongeun KIM ; Euncheol PARK ; Hooyeon LEE
Korean Journal of Medical Education 2003;15(2):151-161
PURPOSE: We wanted to further analyze the qualities that influence Korean medical students on their decision to choose each of the specialized areas of medicine. METHODS: We were able to obtain questionnaires from 394 students of Y University, School of Medicine. The students rated the various influential factors for specialty selection by using a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The factors found to influence the selection of popular specialties were gender, grades/scores, lifestyle attributes, and residency issues. Patient contact, lifestyle attributes, prospects, income prospects, and health care policies were significantly rated factors for choosing clinical-oriented specialties. For the selection of Medical specialties, gender, income, social responsibilities, income prospects, and malpractice insurance costs were the influential factors. Gender, 3rd year students, social responsibilities, prospects, income prospects, and society's views on medical profession affected the students' decisions to choose the major specialties. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our study, we can conclude that gender and income prospects are some of the most significant factors affecting a student's selection of a specialty. These results suggest reform and improvement for a more stable health care policy and management strategies.
Delivery of Health Care
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Humans
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Insurance
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Internship and Residency
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Life Style
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Malpractice
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Social Responsibility
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Students, Medical*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
2.Serum S100B Protein in Medication-Free Schizophrenic Patients.
Seong Nam JIN ; Doo Byung PARK ; Hye Ryun KIM ; Hyung Tae BAEK
Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry 2007;14(3):177-183
OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested that S100B protein play an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of schizophrenia. In the present study, we evaluate the serum levels of S100B in the patients with schizophrenia, and compare them with those of healthy controls. METHOD: The serum S100B levels were measured by lectrochemiluminescence immunoassay in 21 schizophrenic patients(8 males, 13 females) and 27 normal controls(11 males, 16 females). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) was used to evaluate the symptoms of the patients with schizophrenia, and the correlation between PANSS subscale scores and serum S100B levels was examined. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the serum S100B levels of the schizophrenic patients(0.074+/-0.039ng/ml) and those of the normal controls(0.072+/-0.030ng/ml)(p=0.925). Correlationships between the high serum S100B level with high negative symptom scores(p=0.065) or with the low positive symptom scores(p=0.080) did not exist. CONCLUSION: The relation between serum S100B level and schizophrenia was not found in the present study. However, to confirm this result, further studies, such as measurement of S100 protein level in CSF, postmortem study, long-term follow-up study, and studies with other neurotrophic proteins are needed.
Humans
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Immunoassay
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Male
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Nerve Growth Factors
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Schizophrenia
3.Inhibition of voltage-dependent K+ channels by antimuscarinic drug fesoterodine in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells
Seojin PARK ; Minji KANG ; Ryeon HEO ; Seo-Yeong MUN ; Minju PARK ; Eun-Taek HAN ; Jin-Hee HAN ; Wanjoo CHUN ; Hongzoo PARK ; Won Sun PARK
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2022;26(5):397-404
Fesoterodine, an antimuscarinic drug, is widely used to treat overactive bladder syndrome. However, there is little information about its effects on vascular K+ channels. In this study, voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channel inhibition by fesoterodine was investigated using the patch-clamp technique in rabbit coronary artery. In whole-cell patches, the addition of fesoterodine to the bath inhibited the Kv currents in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 3.19 ± 0.91 μM and a Hill coefficient of 0.56 ± 0.03. Although the drug did not alter the voltage-dependence of steady-state activation, it shifted the steady-state inactivation curve to a more negative potential, suggesting that fesoterodine affects the voltage-sensor of the Kv channel. Inhibition by fesoterodine was significantly enhanced by repetitive train pulses (1 or 2 Hz). Furthermore, it significantly increased the recovery time constant from inactivation, suggesting that the Kv channel inhibition by fesoterodine is use (state)-dependent. Its inhibitory effect disappeared by pretreatment with a Kv 1.5 inhibitor. However, pretreatment with Kv2.1 or Kv7 inhibitors did not affect the inhibitory effects on Kv channels. Based on these results, we conclude that fesoterodine inhibits vascular Kv channels (mainly the Kv1.5 subtype) in a concentration- and use (state)-dependent manner, independent of muscarinic receptor antagonism.
4.The thickness of alveolar bone at the maxillary canine and premolar teeth in normal occlusion.
Seong Ho JIN ; Jun Beom PARK ; Namryang KIM ; Seojin PARK ; Kyung Jae KIM ; Yoonji KIM ; Yoon Ah KOOK ; Youngkyung KO
Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science 2012;42(5):173-178
PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to investigate bone thickness on the buccal and palatal aspects of the maxillary canine and premolars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The differences between left- and right-side measurements and between males and females were also analyzed. METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 subjects (9 males and 11 females; mean age, 21.9+/-3.0) selected from the normal occlusion sample data in the Department of Orthodontics, The Catholic University of Korea. The thickness of the buccal and palatal bone walls, perpendicular to the long axis of the root were evaluated at 3 mm and 5 mm apical to cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and at root apex. RESULTS: At the canines and first premolars regions, mean buccal bone thickness of at 3 mm and 5 mm apical to CEJ were less than 2 mm. In contrast, at the second premolar region, mean buccal bone thickness at 3 mm and 5 mm apical from CEJ were greater than 2 mm. Frequency of thick bone wall (> or =2 mm) increased from the canine to the second premolar. CONCLUSIONS: This result should be considered before tooth extraction and planning of rehabilitation in the canine and premolar area of maxilla. Careful preoperative analysis with CBCT may be beneficial to assess local risk factors and to achieve high predictability of success in implant therapy.
Alveolar Bone Loss
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Axis, Cervical Vertebra
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Bicuspid
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Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
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Cuspid
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Dental Implants
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Female
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Humans
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Korea
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Male
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Maxilla
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Orthodontics
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Risk Factors
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Tooth
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Tooth Cervix
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Tooth Extraction
5.EGFR Gene Amplification and Protein Expression in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast.
Won HWANGBO ; Jeong Hyeon LEE ; Sangjeong AHN ; Seojin KIM ; Kyong Hwa PARK ; Chul Hwan KIM ; Insun KIM
Korean Journal of Pathology 2013;47(2):107-115
BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a surrogate marker for basal-like breast cancer. A recent study suggested that EGFR may be used as a target for breast cancer treatment. METHODS: A total of 706 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast were immunophenotyped, and 82 cases with EGFR protein expression were studied for EGFR gene amplification. RESULTS: EGFR protein was expressed in 121 of 706 IDCs (17.1%); 5.9% were of luminal type, 25.3% of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) type, and 79.3% of basal-like tumors. EGFR gene amplification and high polysomy (fluorescent in situ hybridization [FISH]-positive) were found in 18 of 82 cases (22.0%); 41.2% of the HER-2+, EGFR+, cytokeratin 5/6- (CK5/6-) group, 11.2% of the HER-2-, EGFR+, CK5/6- group, and 19.1% of the HER-2-, EGFR+, CK5/6+ group. FISH-positive cases were detected in 8.3% of the EGFR protein 1+ expression cases, 15.9% of 2+ expression cases, and 38.5% of 3+ expression cases. In group 2, the tumors had a high Ki-67 labeling (>60%), but the patients showed better disease-free survival than those with tumors that co-expressed HER-2 or CK5/6. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR-directed therapy can be considered in breast cancer patients with EGFR protein overexpression and gene amplification, and its therapeutic implication should be determined in HER-2 type breast cancer patients.
Biomarkers
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Breast
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Breast Neoplasms
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Carcinoma, Ductal
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Disease-Free Survival
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Gene Amplification
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Genes, erbB-1
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Humans
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In Situ Hybridization
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Keratins
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Phenobarbital
;
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
6.Diagnostic Cutoff Value for Ultrasonography of the Common Fibular Neuropathy at the Fibular Head.
Ji Yeon KIM ; Seojin SONG ; Hye Jung PARK ; Won Ihl RHEE ; Sun Jae WON
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2016;40(6):1057-1063
OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic cutoff value of ultrasonographic measurement for common fibular neuropathy (CFN) at the fibular head (FH). METHODS: Twenty patients with electrodiagnostically diagnosed CFN at the FH and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of sciatic nerve at mid-thigh level, common fibular nerve at popliteal fossa (PF), and common fibular (CF) nerve at FH were measured. Additionally, the difference of CF nerve CSA at the FH between symptomatic side and asymptomatic side (ΔSx–Asx), the ratio of CF nerve CSA at FH to at PF (FH/PF), and the ratio of CF nerve CSA at the FH symptomatic side to asymptomatic side (Ratio Sx–Asx) were calculated. RESULTS: CSA at the FH, FH/PF, ΔSx–Asx, and Ratio Sx–Asx showed significant differences between the patient and control groups. The cutoff value for diagnosing CFN at the FH was 11.7 mm² for the CSA at the FH (sensitivity 85.0%, specificity 90.0%), 1.70 mm² for the ΔSx–Asx (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 97.0%), 1.11 for the FH/PF (sensitivity 47.1%, specificity 93.3%), and 1.24 for the Ratio Sx–Asx (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 96.7%). CONCLUSION: The ultrasonographic measurement and cutoff value could be a valuable reference in diagnosing CFN at the FH and improving diagnostic reliability and efficacy.
Head*
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Humans
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Peroneal Nerve
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Peroneal Neuropathies*
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Sciatic Nerve
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Ultrasonography*
7.Investigation of the Diagnostic Value of Ultrasonography for Radial Neuropathy Located at the Spiral Groove.
Seojin SONG ; Yeonji YOO ; Sun Jae WON ; Hye Jung PARK ; Won Ihl RHEE
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2018;42(4):601-608
OBJECTIVE: To determine a diagnostic cut-off value for the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the radial nerve using ultrasonography for radial neuropathy located at the spiral groove (SG). METHODS: Seventeen patients with electrodiagnostic evidence of radial neuropathy at the SG and 30 healthy controls underwent ultrasonography of the radial nerve at the SG . The CSAs at the SG were compared in the patient and control groups. The CSA at the SG between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides (ΔSx–Asx and Sx/Asx, respectively) were analyzed to obtain the optimal cut-off value. The relationship between the electrophysiological severity of radial neuropathy and CSA was also evaluated. RESULTS: Among the variables examined, there were statistically significant differences in the CSA between the patient and control groups, ΔSx–Asx, and Sx/Asx at the SG. In a receiver operating characteristics analysis, the cut-off CSA was 5.75 mm² at the SG (sensitivity 52.9%, specificity 90%), 1.75 mm² for ΔSx–Asx (sensitivity 58.8%, specificity 100%), and 1.22 mm² for Sx/Asx (sensitivity 70.6%, specificity 93.3%) in diagnosing radial neuropathy at the SG. There was no significant correlation between CSA and electrophysiological severity score for either patient group. CONCLUSION: The reference value obtained for CSA of the radial nerve at the SG may facilitate investigation of radial nerve pathologies at the SG.
Diagnostic Imaging
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Humans
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Pathology
;
Radial Nerve
;
Radial Neuropathy*
;
Reference Values
;
ROC Curve
;
Sensitivity and Specificity
;
Ultrasonography*
8.Inhibitory effects of the atypical antipsychotic, clozapine, on voltage-dependent K+ channels in rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells
Minji KANG ; Ryeon HEO ; Seojin PARK ; Seo-Yeong MUN ; Minju PARK ; Eun-Taek HAN ; Jin-Hee HAN ; Wanjoo CHUN ; Kwon-Soo HA ; Hongzoo PARK ; Won-Kyo JUNG ; Il-Whan CHOI ; Won Sun PARK
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2022;26(4):277-285
To investigate the adverse effects of clozapine on cardiovascular ion channels, we examined the inhibitory effect of clozapine on voltage-dependent K+(Kv) channels in rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells. Clozapine-induced inhibition of Kv channels occurred in a concentration-dependent manner with an halfinhibitory concentration value of 7.84 ± 4.86 µM and a Hill coefficient of 0.47 ± 0.06.Clozapine did not shift the steady-state activation or inactivation curves, suggesting that it inhibited Kv channels regardless of gating properties. Application of train pulses (1 and 2 Hz) progressively augmented the clozapine-induced inhibition of Kv channels in the presence of the drug. Furthermore, the recovery time constant from inactivation was increased in the presence of clozapine, suggesting that clozapineinduced inhibition of Kv channels is use (state)-dependent. Pretreatment of a Kv1.5 subtype inhibitor decreased the Kv current amplitudes, but additional application of clozapine did not further inhibit the Kv current. Pretreatment with Kv2.1 or Kv7 subtype inhibitors partially blocked the inhibitory effect of clozapine. Based on these results, we conclude that clozapine inhibits arterial Kv channels in a concentrationand use (state)-dependent manner. Kv1.5 is the major subtype involved in clozapineinduced inhibition of Kv channels, and Kv2.1 and Kv7 subtypes are partially involved.