No abstract available.
Epidermal Cyst* ; Herpes Zoster*

We reported two cases of amantadine treatment in traumatic brain injury patients and reviewed the literature of amantadine treatment of those patients. Problems with short-term memory, attention, planning, problem solving, impulsivity, disinhibition, poor motivation, and other behavioral and cognitive dificit could occur following traumatic brain injury or other types of acquired brain injury. this report described results of amantadine using in two patients with this type of symptom profile. Patients received neuropsychiatric examination as well as BPRS and Barthel index. These patients were improved, respectively from 57 point to 82 point(case 1), from 85 to 94(case 2) in Barthel index, and from 66 point to 35 point(case 1), from 55 to 32 point(case 2) in BPRS. These two patients did not reveal any other adverse effect. The rationale for using amantadine were discussed.
Amantadine* ; Brain Injuries* ; Dopamine Agonists ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Memory, Short-Term ; Motivation ; Problem Solving

PURPOSE: Peripheral neuropathy is common among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who undergo oxaliplatin-based (OXL) chemotherapy. A pharmacogenetic approach can be used to identify patients at high-risk of developing severe neuropathy. This type of approach can also help clinicians determine the best treatment option and prevent severe neurotoxicity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the evidence of pharmacogenetic markers for OXL-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXIPN) in patients with CRC. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the following databases up to December 2017: Pubmed, EMBASE, and CINAHL. We reviewed the genetic risk factors for OXIPN in observational studies and randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). All processes were performed independently by two reviewers. RESULTS: Sixteen studies published in English between 2006 and 2017 were included in this review. A genome-wide association approach was used in one study and various candidate genes were tested, based on their functions (e.g., DNA damage or repair, ion channels, anti-oxidants, and nerve growth etc.). The genes associated with incidence or severity of OXIPN were ABCG2, GSTP1, XRCC1, TAC1, and ERCC1. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the need and the importance of conducting pharmacogenetic studies to generate evidence of personalized OXIPN symptoms management. Additional studies are warranted to accelerate the tailored interventions used for OXIPN in patients with CRC (NRF-2014R1A1A3054386).
Colorectal Neoplasms ; DNA Damage ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ion Channels ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Pharmacogenetics ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: Since the report of the first confirmed case in Daegu on February 18, 2020, local transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea has continued. In this study, we aimed to identify the pattern of local transmission of COVID-19 using mathematical modeling and predict the epidemic size and the timing of the end of the spread. METHODS: We modeled the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea by applying a mathematical model of transmission that factors in behavioral changes. We used the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data of daily confirmed cases in the country to estimate the nationwide and Daegu/Gyeongbuk area-specific transmission rates as well as behavioral change parameters using a least-squares method. RESULTS: The number of transmissions per infected patient was estimated to be about 10 times higher in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area than the average of nationwide. Using these estimated parameters, our models predicts that about 13,800 cases will occur nationwide and 11,400 cases in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area until mid-June. CONCLUSIONS We mathematically demonstrate that the relatively high per-capita rate of transmission and the low rate of changes in behavior have caused a large-scale transmission of COVID-19 in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area in Korea. Since the outbreak is expected to continue until May, non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be sustained over the long term are required.

OBJECTIVES: Since the report of the first confirmed case in Daegu on February 18, 2020, local transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea has continued. In this study, we aimed to identify the pattern of local transmission of COVID-19 using mathematical modeling and predict the epidemic size and the timing of the end of the spread. METHODS: We modeled the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea by applying a mathematical model of transmission that factors in behavioral changes. We used the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data of daily confirmed cases in the country to estimate the nationwide and Daegu/Gyeongbuk area-specific transmission rates as well as behavioral change parameters using a least-squares method. RESULTS: The number of transmissions per infected patient was estimated to be about 10 times higher in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area than the average of nationwide. Using these estimated parameters, our models predicts that about 13,800 cases will occur nationwide and 11,400 cases in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area until mid-June. CONCLUSIONS We mathematically demonstrate that the relatively high per-capita rate of transmission and the low rate of changes in behavior have caused a large-scale transmission of COVID-19 in the Daegu/Gyeongbuk area in Korea. Since the outbreak is expected to continue until May, non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be sustained over the long term are required.

Background: Nonpharmaceutical intervention strategy is significantly important to mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread. One of the interventions implemented by the government is a school closure. The Ministry of Education decided to postpone the school opening from March 2 to April 6 to minimize epidemic size. We aimed to quantify the school closure effect on the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The potential effects of school opening were measured using a mathematical model considering two age groups: children (aged 19 years and younger) and adults (aged over 19). Based on susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered model, isolation and behavior-changed susceptible individuals are additionally considered. The transmission parameters were estimated from the laboratory confirmed data reported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from February 16 to March 22. The model was extended with estimated parameters and estimated the expected number of confirmed cases as the transmission rate increased after school opening. Results: Assuming the transmission rate between children group would be increasing 10 fold after the schools open, approximately additional 60 cases are expected to occur from March 2 to March 9, and approximately additional 100 children cases are expected from March 9 to March 23. After March 23, the number of expected cases for children is 28.4 for 7 days and 33.6 for 14 days. Conclusion The simulation results show that the government could reduce at least 200 cases, with two announcements by the Ministry of education. After March 23, although the possibility of massive transmission in the children's age group is lower, group transmission is possible to occur.

Incontinentia pigmenti(IP), so called Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome is a rare hereditary neurocutaneous syndrome and was described first by Bardach in l925. This disorder is known as a systemic disease caused by a defect at the developmental stage of organs originated from ectoderm or mesoderm. Incontinentia pigmenti is presented by characteristic linear hyperpigmented skin lesions, often associated with central nervous system involvement, dysplasia in the dental system, and ocular abnormalities. This disorder occurs almost in female infants, usually lethal in males, inherited as X-linked dominantly. Thirty percent of the patients suffer from central nervous system complications such as mental retardation, encephalopathy, delayed development, seizure, spastic paralysis and microcephaly. We report a case of a 12 month-old female with incontinentia pigmenti who was hospitalized with linear hyperpigmented skin lesions and delayed development.
Central Nervous System ; Ectoderm ; Female ; Humans ; Incontinentia Pigmenti ; Infant ; Intellectual Disability ; Male ; Mesoderm ; Microcephaly ; Muscle Spasticity ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Paralysis ; Seizures ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: Antipsychotic drugs are known to be effective in reducing psychotic symptoms and behavioral disruptions, and are mainly used during the first few days of acute manic phases of bipolar disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use patterns of antipsychotics in the treatment of acute bipolar manic patients in a university hospital in Korea during the last decade. METHODS: To track the use of antipsychotics from 1990 through 2000, a retrospective chart review was conducted by reviewing the medical records of bipolar disorder inpatients at the department of psychiatry, Soonchunhyang Medical Center in Seoul and Chunan. The following data were collected;1) demographic data, 2) history of bipolar disorder, 3) length of hospital stay, and 4) drug titration records of all prescribed antipsychotic medications. RESULTS: Of the 139 total subjects, 98.5% had been treated with more than one antipsychotics combined with a mood stabilizer for at least one week. Chlorpromazine was found to be the preferred antipsychotic between 1990 and 1995. However, preference of high-potency anti-psychotics, such as haloperidol, to low-potency antipsychotics for bipolar disorder patients was observed between 1995 and 2000. The prescription percentage of atypical antipsychotics increased to 16.3% in 2000. The overall mean prescribed daily chlorpromazine equivalents was 669.9 mg/day (SD=514.3). CONCLUSION: In spite of unfavorable side effects and an established guideline for the usage of antipsychotics for bipolar disorder, most bipolar manic inpatients have been prescribed adjunctive antipsychotics at relatively high dosages. The results imply a need to reduce the discrepancy between daily clinical practice and recommended guidelines in the treatment of bipolar patients.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Bipolar Disorder* ; Chlorpromazine ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Drug Therapy ; Haloperidol ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Prescriptions ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

OBJECTIVE: Antipsychotic drugs are known to be effective in reducing psychotic symptoms and behavioral disruptions, and are mainly used during the first few days of acute manic phases of bipolar disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use patterns of antipsychotics in the treatment of acute bipolar manic patients in a university hospital in Korea during the last decade. METHODS: To track the use of antipsychotics from 1990 through 2000, a retrospective chart review was conducted by reviewing the medical records of bipolar disorder inpatients at the department of psychiatry, Soonchunhyang Medical Center in Seoul and Chunan. The following data were collected;1) demographic data, 2) history of bipolar disorder, 3) length of hospital stay, and 4) drug titration records of all prescribed antipsychotic medications. RESULTS: Of the 139 total subjects, 98.5% had been treated with more than one antipsychotics combined with a mood stabilizer for at least one week. Chlorpromazine was found to be the preferred antipsychotic between 1990 and 1995. However, preference of high-potency anti-psychotics, such as haloperidol, to low-potency antipsychotics for bipolar disorder patients was observed between 1995 and 2000. The prescription percentage of atypical antipsychotics increased to 16.3% in 2000. The overall mean prescribed daily chlorpromazine equivalents was 669.9 mg/day (SD=514.3). CONCLUSION: In spite of unfavorable side effects and an established guideline for the usage of antipsychotics for bipolar disorder, most bipolar manic inpatients have been prescribed adjunctive antipsychotics at relatively high dosages. The results imply a need to reduce the discrepancy between daily clinical practice and recommended guidelines in the treatment of bipolar patients.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Bipolar Disorder* ; Chlorpromazine ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Drug Therapy ; Haloperidol ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Prescriptions ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

Debates relevant to the etiology of weight gain or obesity, i.e., the dichotomous understandings about whether obesity arises from the genetic predisposition or from the environmental influences, has long existed. This is an important issue because it is related to the therapists's prejudice when treating patients with obesity. In this review, the authors first discuss the environmental and the genetic factors that cause the obesity, and in the latter part, the interactions between genetic and environmental factors will be discussed. This issue is considered and described especially in a conceptual aspect for the therapists ultimately to understand how the genetic and the environmental factors interact to arise obesity. Conclusively, obesity is best understood as a complex, multifactorial, and chronic disabled state, which cause an individual with genetic predispostion to obesity under the environmental influences. In future, in favor of the accumulated knowledge about the genetic and environmental impacts and their interactions in detail, we will be able to provide a client-specific management or prevention of obesity.
Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Obesity* ; Prejudice ; Weight Gain