OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the differences in the profiles of cognitive control deficits among schizophrenic patients and endophenotypes. METHODS: The study examined three groups: remitted patients with schizophrenia (n=54), unaffected first-degree relatives of the probands with schizophrenia (n=36), and a healthy control group (n=51), which were all matched for age, sex, and years of education. The AX version of the continuous performance test was used to examine cognitive control. The error rate, correct response times of each subset (AX, BX, AY, BY), and d′ as an indication of the accuracy sensitivity index were calculated. The psychopathology, intelligence, and psychomotor speed were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia showed significantly poorer error rates and d′ in the AX and BX subsets than the others. They showed more delayed correct response times than the healthy control group in all subsets. The first-degree relatives also showed more delayed correct response times in the BX and AY subsets than the healthy control group, but were similar to the patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that cognitive control is impaired in schizophrenia and endophynotypes possibly share this delayed information processing from the higher loading states of cognitive control.
Automatic Data Processing ; Education ; Endophenotypes ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Psychopathology ; Reaction Time ; Schizophrenia*

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of permanent first molar taurodontism and identify the correlation between primary molars and permanent first molar taurodontism. Methods: Among the 10,113 children who underwent panoramic radiography at a dental hospital from January 2010 to December 2019, 685 children (404 boys, 281 girls) were included in this study. Results: Six children (0.8%) and 98 children (14.1%) showed taurodontism of the primary molars and permanent first molar, respectively. All of the children with taurodontism in the primary molars had at least one taurodontism in the permanent first molars. Conclusions Early diagnosis of taurodontism in primary molars might allow dentists to make treatment plans in accordance with tooth development.

OBJECTIVES: This study intended to identify the deficits of cognitive control among patients with bipolar I disorder and their first-degree relatives, and identify the possibility of cognitive control as an endophenotype of bipolar disorder. METHODS: The study included three groups: euthymic states patients with bipolar I disorder (n = 55), unaffected first-degree relatives of probands with bipolar I disorder (n = 30), and a healthy control group (n = 51), that was matched on age, sex, and years of education. The AX version of the continuous performance test (CPT) was used to examine cognitive control. Error rate, correct response times of each subsets (AX, BX, AY, BY), and d' as an indication of accuracy sensitivity index were calculated. Psychopathology, intelligence, and psychomotor speed were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients with bipolar I disorder showed significantly worse error rates in the AX (p = 0.01) and BX (p = 0.02) subsets and d' (p = 0.05) than the others. They also showed more delayed correct response times than the healthy control group and first-degree relatives in all subsets (p < 0.01). But first-degree relatives showed neither high error rates nor delayed correct response times than healthy control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cognitive control is impaired in bipolar I disorder but less likely to be an endophynotype of bipolar I disorder.
Bipolar Disorder ; Education ; Endophenotypes ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Psychopathology ; Reaction Time

PURPOSE: People with a family history of mood disorder are more likely to have depression. This study compared the characteristics of non-psychotic major depression disorder according to family history of depression. METHOD: Subjects were total of 817 persons recruited for the CRESCEND-K multicenter trial. Characteristics of depression and suicide history of patients with and without a family history of depression were assessed. Family history was determined through self-report. RESULTS: Of 817 participants, 12.4% had a positive family history of depression. Those with family history of depression reported an earlier age at onset of MDD, and more psychiatric comorbidity. Severity of depression and anxiety were not different according to family history of depression. There were no difference in attempted suicide history, number of attempted suicide and age at onset of 1st attempted suicide according to such a family history. CONCLUSION: Patients with family history of depression reported earlier onset of MDD and more history of psychiatric comorbidity.
Anxiety ; Comorbidity ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Humans ; Mood Disorders ; Suicide ; Suicide, Attempted

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of HBsAg and the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from 1998 to 2005. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data of 1998, 2001 and 2005 were analyzed. METHOD: Study population was consisted of 24,093, aged 10 year or over who performed NHANES self reported surveys and blood tests. Statistical analysis was performed by age, sex, and the year of survey. Also the prevalence of HBsAg was compared by self reported family history of liver disease. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of HBsAg was reduced from 4.5% in 1998 to 3.7% in 2005. Also age-specific prevalence rate of HBsAg was significantly decreased in persons born after introduction of the hepatitis B virus vaccination. HBsAg seropositivity was slightly higher in male than in female. Among the people with the family history of liver diseases, the risk of HBsAg seropositive was much higher than those without. Study subjects with mother's liver disease history showed much higher HBsAg serepositive rate. Although after the implementation of hepatitis B virus vaccination program prevalence of HBsAg decreased, but persons with history of liver disease showed still higher rate Of HBsAg seropositive rate. CONCLUSION: Although the introduction of the HBV vaccination program has resulted in a decline of HBV infection, the family history of liver diseases was still an important factor for transmission of HBV in Korea. In addition to the mother-to-child transmission prevention program from 2002, it might be advisable to introduce a screening program for persons with family history of liver diseases for further reduction of HBV infection.
Aged ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Self Report ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: The suicide rate in Korea has been the highest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries since 2003. However, there is a lack of in-depth data regarding the characteristics of suicide attempters. Understanding the intent of suicide attempters will help improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention strategies. Therefore, to provide a resource for developing the necessary interventions, this study aimed to examine the differences in suicide-related and clinical variables according to the strength of suicidal intent. METHODS: The subjects were 328 suicide attempters admitted to emergency departments at 5 university hospitals in Daegu-Gyeongbuk province between 2011 and 2014. We used various scales to examine suicide-related and clinical variables and a structured questionnaire to explore psychosocial characteristics. We evaluated suicidal intent using the Pierce Suicide Intent Scale and a clinician-rated scale that measured suicidal authenticity. RESULTS: Individuals with high suicidal intent were significantly older, had higher Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores, higher rates of premeditation, and sustained suicidal ideation. Furthermore, suicide methods, timing, and psychiatric treatment histories differed by the strength of subjects' suicidal intent. Moreover, multiple logistic regression showed that depressed mood as a reason for attempting suicide, premeditation, and higher HDRS scores were significantly associated with higher suicidal intent. CONCLUSION: Depression, premeditation, older age, and sustained suicidal ideation were characteristics of individuals with high suicidal intent, and it is necessary to evaluate and monitor these factors to prevent repeated suicide attempts.
Depression ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Hospitals, University ; Intention ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide* ; Suicide, Attempted ; Weights and Measures

Objective: To investigate the correlation between videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and radionuclide salivagram findings in chronic brain-injured patients with dysphagia. Methods: Medical records of chronic brain-injured patients who underwent radionuclide salivagram and VFSS were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to salivagram findings. Differences in patient characteristics and clinical factors, including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC), feeding method, tracheostomy state, and VFSS findings between the two groups were investigated. Results: A total of 124 patients were included in this study. There were no significant differences in MMSE, MBI, FAC, feeding method, and presence of tracheostomy between the two groups. However, the incidence of aspiration pneumonia history was significantly higher in the positive salivagram group. The Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) was significantly associated with positive salivagram findings, especially in the pharyngeal phase. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure was statistically significant FDS parameter in predicting salivary aspiration on a salivagram (odds ratio=1.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.017–1.190; p=0.018). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of FDS in the pharyngeal phase showed that an optimum sensitivity and specificity of 55.1% and 65.4%, respectively, when the cut-off value was 39. Conclusion In chronic brain-injured patients, inappropriate laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure is predictive variable for salivary aspiration. Therefore, performing a radionuclide salivagram in patients with FDS of 39 or less in the pharyngeal phase for prevents aspiration pneumonia from salivary aspiration.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and radionuclide salivagram findings in chronic brain-injured patients with dysphagia. Methods: Medical records of chronic brain-injured patients who underwent radionuclide salivagram and VFSS were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to salivagram findings. Differences in patient characteristics and clinical factors, including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC), feeding method, tracheostomy state, and VFSS findings between the two groups were investigated. Results: A total of 124 patients were included in this study. There were no significant differences in MMSE, MBI, FAC, feeding method, and presence of tracheostomy between the two groups. However, the incidence of aspiration pneumonia history was significantly higher in the positive salivagram group. The Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) was significantly associated with positive salivagram findings, especially in the pharyngeal phase. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure was statistically significant FDS parameter in predicting salivary aspiration on a salivagram (odds ratio=1.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.017–1.190; p=0.018). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of FDS in the pharyngeal phase showed that an optimum sensitivity and specificity of 55.1% and 65.4%, respectively, when the cut-off value was 39. Conclusion In chronic brain-injured patients, inappropriate laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure is predictive variable for salivary aspiration. Therefore, performing a radionuclide salivagram in patients with FDS of 39 or less in the pharyngeal phase for prevents aspiration pneumonia from salivary aspiration.

Objective: Several previous studies have reported the negative psychological impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on medical students worldwide. This study investigated the sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19–related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk among medical students in Daegu, a region that experienced a high concentration of infections. Methods: A total of 270 students completed the self-reported questionnaires including COVID-19 exposure, psychological measurement, and sociodemographic factors. We evaluated the COVID-19–related PTSD risk group using the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the odds ratio for the COVID-19–related PTSD risk group in sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Results: The prevalence of the COVID-19–related PTSD risk group was 10.4% in medical students. Among sociodemographic factors, lower grades (specially, first-year medical students) and current smokers were associated with the COVID-19–related PTSD risk. Indirect exposure to COVID-19 was also associated with this risk. Meanwhile, having higher resilience, self-esteem, and social support were less likely to be associated with COVID-19–related PTSD risk. Conclusion This study suggested that it is necessary to develop a system for the screening and managing of COVID-19–related PTSD risk group among medical students, especially high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.