Development of Novel Musical Stimuli to Investigate the Perception of Musical Emotions in Individuals With Hearing Loss

Background@#Many studies have examined the perception of musical emotion using excerpts from familiar music that includes highly expressed emotions to classify emotional choices.However, using familiar music to study musical emotions in people with acquired hearing loss could produce ambiguous results as to whether the emotional perception is due to previous experiences or listening to the current musical stimuli. To overcome this limitation, we developed new musical stimuli to study emotional perception without the effects of episodic memory. @*Methods@#A musician was instructed to compose five melodies with evenly distributed pitches around 1 kHz. The melodies were created to express the emotions of happy, sad, angry, tender, and neutral. To evaluate whether these melodies expressed the intended emotions, two methods were applied. First, we classified the expressed emotions of melodies with selected musical features from 60 features using genetic algorithm-based k-nearest neighbors.Second, forty-four people with normal hearing participated in an online survey regarding the emotional perception of music based on dimensional and discrete approaches to evaluate the musical stimuli set. @*Results@#Twenty-four selected musical features produced classification for intended emotions with an accuracy of 76%. The results of the online survey in the normal hearing (NH) group showed that the intended emotions were selected significantly more often than the others. K-means clustering analysis revealed that melodies with arousal and valence ratings corresponded to representative quadrants of interest. Additionally, the applicability of the stimuli was tested in 4 individuals with high-frequency hearing loss. @*Conclusion@#By applying the individuals with NH, the musical stimuli were shown to classify emotions with high accuracy, as expressed. These results confirm that the set of musical stimuli can be used to study the perceived emotion in music, demonstrating the validity of the musical stimuli, independent of innate musical bias such as due to episodic memory.Furthermore, musical stimuli could be helpful for further studying perceived musical emotion in people with hearing loss because of the controlled pitch for each emotion.

Feasibility of Virtual Reality-Based Auditory Localization Training With Binaurally Recorded Auditory Stimuli for Patients With Single-Sided Deafness

Objectives@#. To train participants to localize sound using virtual reality (VR) technology, appropriate auditory stimuli that contain accurate spatial cues are essential. The generic head-related transfer function that grounds the programmed spatial audio in VR does not reflect individual variation in monaural spatial cues, which is critical for auditory spatial perception in patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). As binaural difference cues are unavailable, auditory spatial perception is a typical problem in the SSD population and warrants intervention. This study assessed the applicability of binaurally recorded auditory stimuli in VR-based training for sound localization in SSD patients. @*Methods@#. Sixteen subjects with SSD and 38 normal-hearing (NH) controls underwent VR-based training for sound localization and were assessed 3 weeks after completing training. The VR program incorporated prerecorded auditory stimuli created individually in the SSD group and over an anthropometric model in the NH group. @*Results@#. Sound localization performance revealed significant improvements in both groups after training, with retained benefits lasting for an additional 3 weeks. Subjective improvements in spatial hearing were confirmed in the SSD group. @*Conclusion@#. By examining individuals with SSD and NH, VR-based training for sound localization that used binaurally recorded stimuli, measured individually, was found to be effective and beneficial. Furthermore, VR-based training does not require sophisticated instruments or setups. These results suggest that this technique represents a new therapeutic treatment for impaired sound localization.

Development of a Smartphone-Based Digits-in-Noise Test in Korean: a Hearing Screening Tool for Speech Perception in Noise

Background@#The digits-in-noise (DiN) test is a speech-in-noise test to measure speech recognition threshold in noise adaptively. Herein, we aimed to develop the Korean version of the DiN test to provide a useful hearing screening tool for clinical as well as research purposes.Method: Spoken monosyllabic digits from 0 to 9 were recorded by a female speaker. The test list was constructed such that each digit was placed in three different positions. An optimization procedure was conducted to equate the audibility of each digit. After the optimization, the smartphone application for the Korean DiN (K-DiN) test was developed. For the adaptive measurement procedure, 180 new DiN triplets separated into six lists of 30 were created. Mean speech recognition threshold values for each list and session were measured to examine the test-retest and training effects of the test materials. In addition, speech recognition threshold values measured by different devices were compared to determine whether the speech recognition threshold levels differed. @*Results@#Optimization results showed that the mean speech recognition threshold and slope were −11.55 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 10.21%/dB, respectively, which are comparable to levels shown in different-language versions of the DiN test. The results of the test-retest and training effects revealed no significant differences among the test sessions and lists. Additionally, the mean speech recognition threshold values measured by four different devices were not different, indicating the reliability of the test materials. @*Conclusion@#We believe this study is the first to attempt to develop a K-DiN test. Our results indicate that this test can be used as a potentially reliable hearing screening tool.

Noise-Induced Change of Cortical Temporal Processing in Cochlear Implant Users

Objectives@#. Cochlear implant (CI) users typically report impaired ability to understand speech in noise. Speech understanding in CI users decreases with noise due to reduced temporal processing ability, and speech perceptual errors involve stop consonants distinguished by voice onset time (VOT). The current study examined the effects of noise on various speech perception tests while at the same time used cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) to quantify the change of neural processing of speech sounds caused by noise. We hypothesized that the noise effects on VOT processing can be reflected in N1/P2 measures, the neural changes relate to behavioral speech perception performances. @*Methods@#. Ten adult CI users and 15 normal-hearing (NH) people participated in this study. CAEPs were recorded from 64 scalp electrodes in both quiet and noise (signal-to-noise ratio +5 dB) and in passive and active (requiring consonant discrimination) listening. Speech stimulus was synthesized consonant-vowels with VOTs of 0 and 50 ms. N1-P2 amplitudes and latencies were analyzed as a function of listening condition. For the active condition, the P3b also was analyzed. Behavioral measures included a variety of speech perception tasks. @*Results@#. For good performing CI users, performance in most speech test was lower in the presence of noise masking. N1 and P2 latencies became prolonged with noise masking. The P3b amplitudes were smaller in CI groups compared to NH. The degree of P2 latency change (0 vs. 50 ms VOT) was correlated with consonant perception in noise. @*Conclusion@#. The effects of noise masking on temporal processing can be reflected in cortical responses in CI users. N1/P2 latencies were more sensitive to noise masking than amplitude measures. Additionally, P2 responses appear to have a better relationship to speech perception in CI users compared to N1.

Auditory Cortical Temporal Processing and Hemispheric Asymmetry Revealed by N1 Dipole Source Activity in Adult Cochlear Implant Users / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Cochlear implant (CI) changes the way that sound inputs are processed in the brain, possibly causing brain reorganization. Given that the pattern and degree of reorganization are known to be related to speech perception skill, information regarding hemispheric asymmetry can be used to predict behavioral performances in CI users. The current study investigated the hemispheric asymmetry of N1 dipole cortical activity in response to the temporally varied speech sounds and its relationship to speech perception abilities in adult CI users.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The cortical activity was recorded from 64 scalp electrodes in 10 CI users and 11 normal-hearing controls. Speech stimuli were synthesized consonant-vowels, the /ba/-/pa/ continuum that ranged from 0 to 50 ms with a 6-step voice onset time (VOT). N1 dipole amplitudes, latencies, and locations were analyzed as a function of VOT and the direction of implantation. Also investigated was the relationship between N1 dipole lateralization and speech perception.@*RESULTS@#For the N1 dipole location, significant location differences between CI and normal hearing groups were seen at 40 ms VOT in the anterior-posterior direction. For hemispheric asymmetry, the N1 dipole activity in good CI performers was higher in the auditory cortex contralateral to the stimulated ear, while poor CI performers showed greater ipsilateral activity. In addition, a lateralization index at 20 ms VOT showed significant correlation with the /ba/-/pa/ consonant perception scores in noise.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggest that the hemispheric asymmetry of N1 dipole activity in response to stimuli of temporally varied speech has a substantial clinical value, and that this can be used to estimate CI speech perception.

Auditory Cortical Temporal Processing and Hemispheric Asymmetry Revealed by N1 Dipole Source Activity in Adult Cochlear Implant Users / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cochlear implant (CI) changes the way that sound inputs are processed in the brain, possibly causing brain reorganization. Given that the pattern and degree of reorganization are known to be related to speech perception skill, information regarding hemispheric asymmetry can be used to predict behavioral performances in CI users. The current study investigated the hemispheric asymmetry of N1 dipole cortical activity in response to the temporally varied speech sounds and its relationship to speech perception abilities in adult CI users. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The cortical activity was recorded from 64 scalp electrodes in 10 CI users and 11 normal-hearing controls. Speech stimuli were synthesized consonant-vowels, the /ba/-/pa/ continuum that ranged from 0 to 50 ms with a 6-step voice onset time (VOT). N1 dipole amplitudes, latencies, and locations were analyzed as a function of VOT and the direction of implantation. Also investigated was the relationship between N1 dipole lateralization and speech perception. RESULTS: For the N1 dipole location, significant location differences between CI and normal hearing groups were seen at 40 ms VOT in the anterior-posterior direction. For hemispheric asymmetry, the N1 dipole activity in good CI performers was higher in the auditory cortex contralateral to the stimulated ear, while poor CI performers showed greater ipsilateral activity. In addition, a lateralization index at 20 ms VOT showed significant correlation with the /ba/-/pa/ consonant perception scores in noise. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the hemispheric asymmetry of N1 dipole activity in response to stimuli of temporally varied speech has a substantial clinical value, and that this can be used to estimate CI speech perception.

Behavioral Perception and Neural Correlates of Categorical Perception in Cochlear Implant Users / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Although many cochlear implant (CI) recipients receive significant benefits from using the implants, speech perception ability is still known to vary among CI users, and the variability is closely related to the ability of users to process temporal information. As one of the important temporal cues for speech perception in CI users, voice onset time (VOT) can be used to examine behavioral perception and neural correlates of temporal processing. In this study, we measured categorical perception and N1-P2 cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) using a /ba/-/pa/ VOT continuum in CI users as well as in normal-hearing (NH) listeners.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ten CI subjects and 11 NH controls participated in syllable identification tasks and in electroencephalography recording. CI subjects were divided into two groups, which were ‘good’ and ‘poor’ performers based on their speech perception scores. The stimuli used in both experiments were a synthetic /ba/-/pa/ VOT continuum. The identification boundary and N1-P2 peak-to-peak amplitude were measured for each subject group.@*RESULTS@#Behavioral results revealed that poor CI performers had a delayed identification boundary compared to NH listeners and good CI performers. However, N1-P2 peak-to-peak amplitudes in both good and poor CI performers were significantly smaller than those in NH group.@*CONCLUSION@#N1-P2 amplitudes reflected decreased auditory cortical activity of temporal cues in CI users. The categorical perception of good CI performers was similar to that of NH listeners, whereas their cortical responses were decreased to the level similar to that of poor CI performers. This finding indicates that CAEPs would be more sensitive to altered temporal processing of CI users than to behavioral measures.

Behavioral Perception and Neural Correlates of Categorical Perception in Cochlear Implant Users / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many cochlear implant (CI) recipients receive significant benefits from using the implants, speech perception ability is still known to vary among CI users, and the variability is closely related to the ability of users to process temporal information. As one of the important temporal cues for speech perception in CI users, voice onset time (VOT) can be used to examine behavioral perception and neural correlates of temporal processing. In this study, we measured categorical perception and N1-P2 cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) using a /ba/-/pa/ VOT continuum in CI users as well as in normal-hearing (NH) listeners. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ten CI subjects and 11 NH controls participated in syllable identification tasks and in electroencephalography recording. CI subjects were divided into two groups, which were ‘good’ and ‘poor’ performers based on their speech perception scores. The stimuli used in both experiments were a synthetic /ba/-/pa/ VOT continuum. The identification boundary and N1-P2 peak-to-peak amplitude were measured for each subject group. RESULTS: Behavioral results revealed that poor CI performers had a delayed identification boundary compared to NH listeners and good CI performers. However, N1-P2 peak-to-peak amplitudes in both good and poor CI performers were significantly smaller than those in NH group. CONCLUSION: N1-P2 amplitudes reflected decreased auditory cortical activity of temporal cues in CI users. The categorical perception of good CI performers was similar to that of NH listeners, whereas their cortical responses were decreased to the level similar to that of poor CI performers. This finding indicates that CAEPs would be more sensitive to altered temporal processing of CI users than to behavioral measures.

Invasive Aspergillosis of the Abdominal Aorta with Multiple Peripheral Embolic Lesions

No abstract available.

Multiple transcripts of anoctamin genes expressed in the mouse submandibular salivary gland

PURPOSE: Salivary fluid formation is primarily driven by Ca2+-activated, apical efflux of chloride into the lumen of the salivary acinus. The anoctamin1 protein is an anion channel with properties resembling the endogenous calcium-activated chloride channels. In order to better understand the role of anoctamin proteins in salivary exocrine secretion, the expression of the ten members of the anoctamin gene family in the mouse submandibular gland was studied. METHODS: Total RNA extracted from mouse submandibular salivary glands was reverse transcribed using primer pairs to amplify the full-length coding regions of each anoctamin gene and was subcloned into plasmid vectors for DNA sequencing. Alternative splice variants were also screened by polymerase chain reaction using primer pairs that amplified six overlapping regions of the complementary DNA of each anoctamin gene, spanning multiple exons. RESULTS: Multiple anoctamin transcripts were found in the mouse submandibular salivary gland, including full-length transcripts of anoctamin1, anoctamin3, anoctamin4, anoctamin5, anoctamin6, anoctamin9, and anoctamin10. Exon-skipping splicing in the N-terminal exons of the anoctamins1, anoctamin5, and anoctamin6 genes resulted in multiple alternative splice variants. No expression of anoctamin2, anoctamin7, or anoctamin8 was found. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant anoctamin transcript expressed in the mouse submandibular gland is anoctamin1ac. The chloride channel protein produced by anoctamin1ac is likely responsible for the Ca2+-activated chloride efflux, which is the rate-limiting step in salivary exocrine secretion.

hMLH1 promoter methylation and BRAF mutations in high-frequency microsatellite instability colorectal cancers not fulfilling the revised Bethesda guidelines

PURPOSE: Sporadic colorectal cancers with high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) are related to hypermethylation of mismatch repair (MMR) genes and a higher frequency of BRAF mutations than Lynch syndrome. We estimated the feasibility of hereditary colorectal cancer based on hMLH1 methylation and BRAF mutations. METHODS: Between May 2005 and June 2011, we enrolled all 33 analyzed patients with MSI-H cancer (male:female, 23:10; mean age, 65.5 +/- 9.4 years) from a prospectively maintained database that didn't match Bethesda guidelines and who had results of hMLH1 methylation and BRAF mutations. RESULTS: Among the 33 patients, hMLH1 promoter methylation was observed in 36.4% (n = 12), and was not significantly related with clinicopathologic variables, including MLH1 expression. BRAF mutations were observed in 33.3% of the patients (n = 11). Four of 11 and five of 22 patients with MSI-H colon cancers were BRAF mutation (+)/hMLH1 promoter methylation (-) or BRAF mutation (-)/hMLH1 promoter methylation (+). Of the 33 patients, 21.2% were BRAF mutation (+)/hMLH1 promoter methylation (+), indicating sporadic cancers. Seventeen patients (51.5%) were BRAF mutation (-)/hMLH1 promoter methylation (-), and suggested Lynch syndrome. CONCLUSION: Patients with MSI-H colorectal cancers not fulfilling the Bethesda guidelines possibly have hereditary colorectal cancers. Adding tests of hMLH1 promoter methylation and BRAF mutations can be useful to distinguish them from sporadic colorectal cancers.

Prevalence of vitamin, mineral supplement use and its related factors among Korean adolescents / 한국영양학회지

This study is conducted in order to investigate the prevalence of vitamin, mineral (VM) supplement use and its related factors among Korean adolescents. Using a cross-sectional study design, information was obtained by questionnaires from adolescents selected by stratified sampling in large, small and middle-size cities, as well as rural areas of the whole country, followed by convenience sampling. The total number of participants in this study was 1,407 adolescents (15.2 +/- 1.6 years) attending middle or high schools, chosen from various cities and rural areas in Korea. The prevalence of VM supplement use was 65.5%, and there was no significant difference between the genders. City dwellers took VM supplements more frequently than those adolescents from rural areas (p < 0.01). The VM supplement users tended to have higher family income, parents' academic background, and socioeconomic status, respectively (p < 0.001). The greater part of VM supplement users replied that they acquired their nutritional information from their parents, relatives and friends, while many nonusers replied that they did it from school classes (p < 0.05). Compared to nonusers, VM supplement users had greater 'self concern about health' (p < 0.05), 'parents' concern about child's health, growth, and nutritional intake' (p < 0.001), and 'parents' concern about child's grade point' (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between users and nonusers when it came to 'self perception of body shape' or 'BMI'. In addition, users significantly had greater nutritional beliefs concerning VM supplements than nonusers (p < 0.001). These results showed that VM supplement use has been common among adolescents in Korea, and supplement use of subjects has been related with various factors. Among them, it was shown that especially parents great influence the use of VM supplements by adolescents. Thus, not only education for adolescents, but also that for parents is needed to help adolescents take VM supplements properly.

Dietary maximum exposure assessment of vitamins and minerals from various sources in Korean adolescents / 한국영양학회지

Dietary supplement use is prevalent and represents an important source of nutrition. This study was conducted in order to assess the dietary maximum exposure of vitamins and minerals from various sources including regular diet, vitamin.mineral supplements for non-prescription drug (VMS-NPD), vitamin.mineral supplements for health functional foods (VMS-HFF), and fortified foods (FF). A total of 1,407 adolescent boys and girls attending middle or high schools were chosen from various cities and rural communities in Korea. Users of vitamin and mineral supplements (n = 60, 15-18 years of age) were chosen from the above 1,407 students. Intake of vitamins and minerals from a regular diet and FF was assessed by both food record method and direct interview for three days of two weekdays and one weekend, and those from VMS-NPD and VMS-HFF were assessed by both questionnaire and direct interview, and compared with the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) and the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for Korean adolescents. Daily average exposure range of vitamins and minerals from a regular diet was 0.3 to 4.4 times of the RNI. Some subjects had an excessive exposure to the UL in the following areas: from regular diets, vitamin A (1.7%) and niacin (5.0%); from only VMS-NPD, vitamin C (9.1%) and iron (5.6%); and from only VMS-HFF, niacin (8.6%) > vitamin B6 (7.5%) > folic acid (2.9%) > vitamin C (2.3%). Nutrients of daily total intake from regular diet, VMS-NPD, VMS-HFF, and FF higher than the UL included nicotinic acid for 33.3% of subjects, and, then, in order, vitamin C (26.6%) > vitamin A (13.3%), iron (13.3%) > zinc (11.7%) > calcium (5.0%) > vitamin E (1.7%), vitamin B6 (1.7%). Thus, findings of this study showed that subjects may potentially be at risk due to overuse of supplements, even though most of them took enough vitamins and minerals from their regular diet. Therefore, we should encourage adolescents to have sound health care habits through systematic and educational aspects.

Consumption of Health Functional Foods by Elementary Schoolchildren in Korea

We surveyed 837 students attending elementary schoolchildren in Korea for health functional foods (HFF) consumption and significant variables for their HFF consumption including demographic characteristics, parental health concern on offsprings, food eating frequency of subjects and beliefs on potential efficacy of HFF by subjects. The consumption prevalence of HFF was 45.9%, and among all types of HFF, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by apricot extract-fermented products > lactic acid bacteria containing products > EPA/DHA containing products > red ginseng products. HFF consumption was higher in subjects had parents of high education level (p < .05) and those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .01) in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents (p < .001) and consumption ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF (p < .01), and consumers had a more positive view concerning the potential efficacy of HFF than did nonconsumers (p < .001). Most consumers of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (42.5%), and they did not feel special effects through HFF consumption (47.7%). Most consumers of HFF got the information on HFF from family and relatives (24.8%), and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (53.9%). HFF consumers preferred multi-vitamins and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin . mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread consumption of HFF by elementary schoolchildren, the reasonable consumption of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being should be emphasized through nutrition education for them and their family.

Clinical efficacy and safety of lamotrigine monotherapy in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with epilepsy / 소아과

PURPOSE: To verify the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine (LTG) monotherapy in newly diagnosed children with epilepsy. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 148 children who had undergone LTG monotherapy at our institution between September 2002 and June 2009. Twenty-nine patients were excluded: 19 due to incomplete data and 10 were lost to follow up. The data of the remaining 119 patients was analyzed. RESULTS: We enrolled 119 pediatric epilepsy patients (aged 2.8-19.3 years; 66 males and 53 females) in this study. Out of 119 patients, 29 (25.2%) had generalized epilepsy and 90 (74.8%) had partial epilepsy. The responses of seizure reduction were as follows: Seizure freedom (no seizure attack for at least 6 months) in 87/111 (78.4%, n=111) patients; partial response (reduced seizure frequency compared to baseline) in 13 (11.7%) patients; and persistent seizure in 11 (9.9%) patients. The seizure freedom rate was in 81.6% in patients with partial seizure (75.9% for complex partial seizure and 90.9% for benign rolandic epilepsy) and 44.8% in patients with generalized epilepsy (30.0% for absence seizure, 35.7% for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients, and 100.0% for idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients). Adverse reactions were reported in 17 (14.3%) patients, and 8 patients (6.7%) discontinued LTG because of rash and tic. No patient experienced severe adverse reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. CONCLUSION: LTG showed excellent therapeutic response and had few significant adverse effects. Our findings report may contribute in promoting the use of LTG monotherapy in epileptic children.

Health Functional Food Use and Related Variables Among the Middle-Aged in Korea

Various types of health functional foods (HFF) are popularly used among middle-aged. We surveyed 946 middle-aged in Korea for HFF use and significant variables for their HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of HFF was 58.9%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were taken most frequently, followed by nutritional supplements, ginseng products > mushroom products. HFF was taken more frequently in subjects from high monthly family income (p < .001), and in those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .001) in comparison to each corresponding group. Mean age of users was higher than nonusers (p < .001). Self concern about health (p < .001) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) were higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. Total dietary assessment score was not different in two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of HFF than nonusers (p < .001). Most users of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (52.8%) and experienced a little effect through the HFF use (51.2%). Most users of HFF obtained the information on HFF through family and relatives (30.5%) and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (44.5%). HFF users preferred multivitamin and Ca-supplements most among the vitamind mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread use of HFF and inappropriate usage of HFF among subjects, the proper use of these products for the contribution to their optimal nutrition and overall health is a subject that should be formed through practical nutrition education considering the various variables affecting their HFF use.

Changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis / 소아과

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics and determine the changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis. METHODS: Serological examinations of 15 pediatric patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis were performed prospectively. Peripheral blood from the patients was used to compare the composition of T cell subsets, cytokines, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes with those in 10 healthy children. RESULTS: Mean age of the patient group was 5.7+/-3.4 (range, 3-9) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. Fever, sore throat, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and cervical lymph node enlargement were the most common symptoms and signs. The proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ suppressor cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.01). The IL-2, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-gamma levels were higher in the early symptomatic period (P<0.01). Mean amount of EBV DNA in the patients was 10(2.38) copies/microg, and the amount was the highest at the beginning of the symptomatic period and normalized during the convalescent phase. Bcl-2 expression increased during the initial phase, while Bax expression increased during the convalescent phase. Further, FasL expression increased 1 week after symptom presentation and decreased during the convalescent phase. There was no significant change in Fas expression. CONCLUSION: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and changes in the expression ofcytokines and apoptosis-related genes in the patients with infectious mononucleosis.

Accuracy of frozen section diagnosis for ovarian tumors according to histologic type and malignant potential / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this was to evaluate accuracy of frozen section diagnosis for ovarian tumors according to histologic type and malignant potential. METHODS: We compared the frozen section and final diagnosis of patients with ovarian tumors from April 2001 to April 2006. Of these 1138 cases, 628 cases (55.2%) were epithelial ovarian tumors. Benign, borderline, and malignant epithelial tumors were 380 (60.5%), 87 (13.9%), and 161 (25.6%) cases. The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was analyzed according to histologic type and malignancy potential. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was 93.9%. The accuracy for benign, borderline, and malignant tumors were 93%, 92%, and 98%, respectively. The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was significantly low in mucinous tumors and borderline malignant tumors. However the borderline malignancy was the only independent factor associated with the inaccuracy of frozen section diagnosis (OR: 12.2, 95% CI: 6.5-23.1). The sensitivity for immature teratoma was as low as 63.6%. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that the accuracy is low in mucinous tumors, borderline tumors, and immature teratomas and the borderline malignancy is independent factor associated with inaccuracy of frozen section diagnosis.

Use of Functional Foods for Health by 14-18 Year Old Students Attending General Junior or Senior High Schools in Korea

Various types of functional foods for health (FFH) are popularly used among adolescents. We surveyed 858 students, 15.0 +/- 1.6 (14 - 18)years of age, attending general junior or senior high schools in Korea for FFH use and significant variables for their FFH use including demographic characteristics, food consumption frequency and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of FFH was 47.8%, and among all types of FFH, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by red ginseng products > enzyme containing products > plant extract-fermented products. FFH use was higher in older aged-group, subjects lived in small or middle city, and those from families with a high socioeconomic status in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents and usage ratio of FFH by family was higher in users than in nonusers of FFH. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in users than in nonusers of FFH, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of FFH than did nonusers. Most users of FFH took FFH when they were healthy (50.7%), and they did not feel special effects through the FFH use (57.1%). Most users of FFH got the information on FFH through family and relatives (61.5%), and most of them purchased FFH at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (55.1%). FFH users preferred vitamin C-and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin.mineral supplements belonged to FFH. Given the widespread use of FFH by adolescents, the reasonable use of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being is a subject that is emphasized in nutrition education for them.