BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Deficits of the aging auditory system negatively affect older listeners in terms of speech communication, resulting in limitations to their social lives. To improve their perceptual skills, the goal of this study was to investigate the effects of time alteration, selective word stress, and varying sentence lengths on the speech perception of older listeners. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventeen older people with normal hearing were tested for seven conditions of different time-altered sentences (i.e., +/-60%, +/-40%, +/-20%, 0%), two conditions of selective word stress (i.e., no-stress and stress), and three different lengths of sentences (i.e., short, medium, and long) at the most comfortable level for individuals in quiet circumstances. RESULTS: As time compression increased, sentence perception scores decreased statistically. Compared to a natural (or no stress) condition, the selectively stressed words significantly improved the perceptual scores of these older listeners. Long sentences yielded the worst scores under all time-altered conditions. Interestingly, there was a noticeable positive effect for the selective word stress at the 20% time compression. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of results suggests that a combination of time compression and selective word stress is more effective for understanding speech in older listeners than using the time-expanded condition only.
Aging ; Auditory Perception ; Hearing ; Speech Perception*

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested an association between CACNA1C and susceptibility of bipolar disorder. In this study, we examined the association of CACNA1C variants with bipolar disorder in the Korean population. METHODS: We selected 2 CACNA1C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely, rs723672 and rs1051375, based on their functions and minor allele frequencies described in previous studies. Genotypes of these 2 SNPs were analyzed by extracting DNA from blood samples collected from 287 patients with bipolar disorder and 340 healthy controls. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies of both rs723672 and rs1051375 SNPs were significantly different in patients and controls (p=0.0462 and 1.732E-14, respectively). Dominant, recessive, and allele models showed significant differences between patients and controls with respect to the rs1051375 SNP (p=1.72E-11, 4.17E-10, 4.95E-16, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that CACNA1C SNPs rs723672 and rs1051375 were associated with bipolar disorder in the Korean population. In addition, our results highlighted the importance of CACNA1C in determining susceptibility to bipolar disorder.
Alleles ; Bipolar Disorder* ; DNA ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging (ZTE-MRI), as an alternative imaging modality, and conventional computed tomography (CT) have similar diagnostic qualities for assessing pediatric osseous pathologies. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six sets of pediatric musculoskeletal CT and MRI scans (15 boys and 11 girls; mean age, 12 ± 4 years; range, 5–23 years) acquired at Seoul National University Children’s Hospital (January 2021 to November 2023) were retrospectively evaluated. CT-like images from ZTE-MRI were generated using grayscale inversion. Two radiologists independently assessed ZTE-MRI image quality (S anat) on a 5-point scale (1 = nondiagnostic, 5 = excellent) and a comparative scale (–2 = CT greater, 0 = same, 2 = ZTE-MRI greater) for lesion delineation (Scomp). The confidence interval of proportions and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess inter-rater agreement, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann–Whitney U test, or paired t-test was used to compare image quality or cortical thickness between the modalities. Results: ZTE-MRI demonstrated diagnostic quality (S anat ≥ 3) in 85%–96% of the cases, 89%–96% for cortical delineation, 92%–100% for intramedullary cavity (IMC) delineation, and 92% for lesion delineation. Compared with conventional CT, ZTE-MRI showed comparable diagnostic power (Scomp ≥ –1) in 92%–96% of the cases, with Scomp scores indicating no significant difference in lesion delineation (p = 0.53 in reader 1 and p = 0.25 in reader 2). There was a preference for CT over ZTE-MRI in terms of overall image quality and delineation of the cortex and IMC (p < 0.001). Cortical thickness was not significantly different (p = 0.11) between ZTE-MRI and CT. Conclusion ZTE-MRI demonstrated diagnostic quality comparable to that of CT, particularly in lesion delineation. In addition to the unique information that conventional MRI can provide, ZTE-MRI can provide additional information about osseous structures similar to that provided by CT, which we believe will be valuable in the future.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging (ZTE-MRI), as an alternative imaging modality, and conventional computed tomography (CT) have similar diagnostic qualities for assessing pediatric osseous pathologies. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six sets of pediatric musculoskeletal CT and MRI scans (15 boys and 11 girls; mean age, 12 ± 4 years; range, 5–23 years) acquired at Seoul National University Children’s Hospital (January 2021 to November 2023) were retrospectively evaluated. CT-like images from ZTE-MRI were generated using grayscale inversion. Two radiologists independently assessed ZTE-MRI image quality (S anat) on a 5-point scale (1 = nondiagnostic, 5 = excellent) and a comparative scale (–2 = CT greater, 0 = same, 2 = ZTE-MRI greater) for lesion delineation (Scomp). The confidence interval of proportions and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess inter-rater agreement, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann–Whitney U test, or paired t-test was used to compare image quality or cortical thickness between the modalities. Results: ZTE-MRI demonstrated diagnostic quality (S anat ≥ 3) in 85%–96% of the cases, 89%–96% for cortical delineation, 92%–100% for intramedullary cavity (IMC) delineation, and 92% for lesion delineation. Compared with conventional CT, ZTE-MRI showed comparable diagnostic power (Scomp ≥ –1) in 92%–96% of the cases, with Scomp scores indicating no significant difference in lesion delineation (p = 0.53 in reader 1 and p = 0.25 in reader 2). There was a preference for CT over ZTE-MRI in terms of overall image quality and delineation of the cortex and IMC (p < 0.001). Cortical thickness was not significantly different (p = 0.11) between ZTE-MRI and CT. Conclusion ZTE-MRI demonstrated diagnostic quality comparable to that of CT, particularly in lesion delineation. In addition to the unique information that conventional MRI can provide, ZTE-MRI can provide additional information about osseous structures similar to that provided by CT, which we believe will be valuable in the future.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging (ZTE-MRI), as an alternative imaging modality, and conventional computed tomography (CT) have similar diagnostic qualities for assessing pediatric osseous pathologies. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six sets of pediatric musculoskeletal CT and MRI scans (15 boys and 11 girls; mean age, 12 ± 4 years; range, 5–23 years) acquired at Seoul National University Children’s Hospital (January 2021 to November 2023) were retrospectively evaluated. CT-like images from ZTE-MRI were generated using grayscale inversion. Two radiologists independently assessed ZTE-MRI image quality (S anat) on a 5-point scale (1 = nondiagnostic, 5 = excellent) and a comparative scale (–2 = CT greater, 0 = same, 2 = ZTE-MRI greater) for lesion delineation (Scomp). The confidence interval of proportions and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess inter-rater agreement, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann–Whitney U test, or paired t-test was used to compare image quality or cortical thickness between the modalities. Results: ZTE-MRI demonstrated diagnostic quality (S anat ≥ 3) in 85%–96% of the cases, 89%–96% for cortical delineation, 92%–100% for intramedullary cavity (IMC) delineation, and 92% for lesion delineation. Compared with conventional CT, ZTE-MRI showed comparable diagnostic power (Scomp ≥ –1) in 92%–96% of the cases, with Scomp scores indicating no significant difference in lesion delineation (p = 0.53 in reader 1 and p = 0.25 in reader 2). There was a preference for CT over ZTE-MRI in terms of overall image quality and delineation of the cortex and IMC (p < 0.001). Cortical thickness was not significantly different (p = 0.11) between ZTE-MRI and CT. Conclusion ZTE-MRI demonstrated diagnostic quality comparable to that of CT, particularly in lesion delineation. In addition to the unique information that conventional MRI can provide, ZTE-MRI can provide additional information about osseous structures similar to that provided by CT, which we believe will be valuable in the future.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem, and accurate and rapid diagnosis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended drug-resistant (XDR) TB is important for appropriate treatment. In this study, performances of solid and liquid culture methods were compared with respect to MDR- and XDR-TB isolate recovery and drug susceptibility testing. METHODS: Sputum specimens from 304 patients were stained with Ziehl-Neelsen method. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates were tested for recovery on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium and the BacT Alert 3D system. For drug susceptibility testing of Mtb, isolates were evaluated on M-KIT plates and the BacT Alert 3D system. RESULTS: The recovery rates were 94.9% (206/217) and 98.2% (213/217) for LJ medium and the BacT Alert 3D system, respectively (kappa coefficient, 0.884). The rate of drug resistance was 13.4% for at least one or more drugs, 6.0% for MDR-TB and 2.3% for XDR-TB. M-KIT plate and BacT 3D Alert 3D system were comparable in drug susceptibility testing for isoniazid (97.7%; kappa coefficient, 0.905) and rifampin (98.6%; kappa coefficient, 0.907). Antibiotic resistance was observed using M-KIT plates for 24 of the total 29 Mtb isolates (82.8%). CONCLUSION: The liquid culture system showed greater reduction in the culture period, as compared with LJ medium; however, drug susceptibility testing using M-KIT plates was advantageous for simultaneous testing against multiple drug targets.
Diagnosis ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Korea* ; Methods ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Rifampin ; Sputum ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: In spite that several lines of evidence suggest that gastric MALT lymphoma arises from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated acquired MALT(mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue), the exact underlying pathogenic mechanism has not yet been clearly exploited. The high expression of B cell attracting chemokine-1 (BCA-1) and modulation of cell death by apoptosis have been suggested as possible pathogenic determinants for whether the cases with H. pylori infection will develop MALToma or not. METHODS: We have studied the expression of BCA-1 and its receptor CXCR5 in gastric tissue samples obtained from patients suffering with H. pylori-positive gastritis, H. pylori-negative gastritis and H. pylori-positive low grade MALT lymphoma, respectively. TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick End Labeling) staining for detecting apoptotic cells was also included. Furthermore, the changes of the BCA-1 and CXCR5 expressions before and after the complete remission of MALToma were compared. The in vitro influencing effect of H. pylori infection on the BCA-1 and CXCR5 expression was observed. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of BCA-1 and its receptor CXCR5 expression were observed in H. pylori-positive MALToma specimens as compared with either the H. pylori-positive gastritis or H. pylori-negative gastritis specimens; its levels were significantly reduced after the remission of MALToma. In contrast to the increased apoptotic activity after H. pylori infection, a significant reduction of epithelial apoptosis was observed in the H. pylori-positive MALToma specimens. H. pylori infection directly induced the expression of BCA-1 in the cultured gastric epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: The up-regulated BCA-1 expression and the decreased apoptosis in H. pylori infected gastric epithelial cells might contribute to the development of MALT lymphoma.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Epithelial Cells ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone*

Malignant melanoma arising in the uterine endometrium is extremely rare. Only 12 cases of malignant melanoma of the uterine endometrium have been previously reported to date. All of them were metastatic cases. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding. We report a case of primary malignant melanoma arising from the uterine endometrium. A 63-year-old multigravid woman presented with uterine bleeding. The pathologic review of an endometrial curettage specimen suggested an undifferentiated malignant tumor. A total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed. Final pathologic examination revealed malignant melanoma. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated reactivity of tumor cells for HMB-45 and S-100 protein. She had no previous history of malignancy. Whole body PET scan was performed in an effort to find the primary site of malignant melanoma and showed no demonstrable abnormal FDG uptake suggesting malignancy elsewhere. This case is the first report of primary malignant melanoma involving uterine endometrium in Korea.
Curettage ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Endometrium* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision ; Melanoma* ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; S100 Proteins ; Uterine Hemorrhage