• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of chest high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) in patients with chronic coughs or persistent wheezing with normal chest X-ray finding. Methods : We reviewed the charts, chest X-rays, and HRCT findings of patients with chronic coughs or persistent wheezing of less than 2 years of age. The records were sourced from the Department of Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital covering the period from July, 1999 to June, 2000. Chronic cough was defined as a cough which was prolonged for more than 3 weeks. Results : The sample consisted of 24 patients(male 15 and female 9, mean age $4.7{\pm}3.8$ months old). Among them, 16 patients showed normal findings(66.7%) and 8 patients showed abnormal (33.3%) in simple chest X-rays. Among 16 patients who had the normal chest X-rays, 13 patients showed abnormal chest HRCT findings(81.3%) such as air space consolidation of the dependent portion(62.5%), bronchiolitis obliterans(12.5%), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(6.3%). Conclusion : We suggest that the chest HRCT is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with chronic cough or persistent wheezing with normal chest X-ray, especially below 2 years of age.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the vasodilatation effect of kirenol isolated from Sigesbeckia pubescens on the rabbit basilar artery. In this study, to determine the vasodilatation effect of kirenol on the rabbit basilar artery, arterial rings with intact or damaged endothelium were used for the experiment. And used an organ bath and force transducer were contracted by endothelin. Kirenol, major active constituents of S. pubescens, showed a moderate vasodilatation effect on the basilar arteries of rabbits. Therefore, treatment with kirenol may selectively accelerate cerebral blood flow through dilatation of the basilar artery. This result suggests a potential role of kirenol isolated from S. pubescens as a source of vasodilatation agent.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.214-219
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• 2017

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized as chronic inflammation of the lung in miners exposed to coal mine dust. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as the inflammatory indices between subjects with CWP and those with CWP and COPD (CWP+COPD), among a total of 97 subjects (27 control, 40 CWP, and 30 CWP+COPD patients). The mean levels of serum LD (165.7 vs 184.6 U/L, p=0.016) and CRP (0.08 vs 0.15 mg/dL, p=0.002) in subjects with CWP were higher than those of in subjects without CWP. The mean level of serum CRP (0.10 vs 0.19 mg/dL, p=0.008) in subjects with COPD was higher than that in subjects without COPD. In an analysis of covariance adjusted by age, the mean level of serum CRP showed statistical significance among the study groups, control, CWP, and CWP+COPD (0.07 vs 0.13 vs 0.19 mg/dL, p=0.005); the mean level of serum CRP in the CWP+COPD group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.001). The results suggest that a high level of CRP in the serum may be associated with CWP and COPD in retired coal miners.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2005

Background : Chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by smoke-related, gradually progressive, fixed airflow obstructions. However, some studies suggested that a reversible bronchial obstruction is common in chronic obstructive lung disease. Such reversibility persists despite the continued treatment with aerosolized bronchodilators and it appears to be related to the diminution in symptoms. The isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is defined as a remarkable increase in the FVC in response to the administration of a bronchodilator whereas the $FEV_1$ remains unchanged. This has been suggested in patients with severe emphysema. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the response to a bronchodilator and the severity of an airflow obstruction in COPD patients using the GOLD classification. Methods : This study examined 124 patients with an airway obstruction. The patients underwent spirometry, and the severity of the airflow obstruction was classified by GOLD. The response groups were categorized by an improvement in the FVC or $FEV_1$ > 12%, and each group was analyzed. Results : Most subjects were men with a mean age of $65.9{\pm}8.5$ years. The mean smoking history was $41.26{\pm}20.1$ pack years. The isolated volume response group had relatively low $FEV_1$ and FVC values compared with the other groups. (p<0.001) Conclusion : In this study, an isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is a characteristic of a severe airway obstruction, which is observed in patient with a relatively poorer baseline lung function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.432-440
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• 2000

Background : The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the elderly is increasing in Korea and in the developed countries due to the increased elderly population and their predispositions to chronic disease, poverty and decreased immunity. To define the characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly, we evaluated the clinical spectrum of pulmonary tuberculosis. Method : We analyzed 92 patients retrospectively that were diagnosed as active pulmonary tuberculosis over the age of 65. The analysis involved patient's profiles, clinical manifestations, coexisting diseases, diagnostic methods, anti-TB medications and their side effects, and treatment outcomes. Results : The results were as follows : - 1) The ratio of male to female was 2.1:1(62:30 cases) 2) Chief complaints were a cough (47.8%), dyspnea (40.2%), sputum (38.0%), chest pain (12.0%), anorexia (10.9%), and fever (9.8%). 3) 38 (41.3%) of cases had a past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. 4) The coexisting diseases were : -COPD, 25 cases (27.2%); pneumonia, 17 cases (18.5%); DM. 13 cases (14.1%); and malignancy, 10 cases (10.9%). 5) The positivity of Mantoux test (5 TU, PPD-S) was 82.7%. 6) Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed using the following methods : sputum AFB (Acid Fast Bacillus) smear 42.4%, sputum TB (M. Tuberculosis) culture 15.2%, sputum TB PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) 10.9%, bronchial washing AFB smear 2.1%, chest radiology only 25.0%. 7) Locations of radiologic lesions were RULF, 50 cases; RLLF, 50 cases, mostly, then LLLF ; 26 cases were leastly involved. 8) The coexisting tuberculosis were endobronchial TB(8.7%), TB pleurisy(7.6%) miliary TB(5.4%), intestinal TB(2.2%), renal TB(1.1%) 9) The proportion of treatment regimen with 1st line drug and 2nd line drug were 92.3% and 7.6%, respectively. 10) The outcome of treatment were as follows : cured 31.5%, expired 13.0%, no return 47.8%, follow-up now 7.6%. Conclusion : The pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly has atypical patterns with chronic coexisting diseases. Therefore, the possibility of pulmonary tuberculosis should be considered in elderly patients with pulmonary symptoms.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.194-201
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• 2019

This cohort study aimed to identify the effects of daily PM10 exposure on the hospital admission of patients with respiratory diseases, during the nine-year period (2002-2010), in Seoul, Korea. The research subjects were 13,974 patients who had been hospitalized with respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. During the follow-up period, an increase of 10 ug/m3 in PM10 under the threshold of 50 ug/m3 of PM10 led to hospital admission in 1.38% of the age group younger than 15 years, 1.62% in those 65 years or older, 2.87% in patients 75 years or older and in 1.50% of pneumonia patients, 1.51% of COPD patients, and 1.55% of pneumonia and asthma patients. Under the threshold of 80 ug/m3 of PM10, there was a 3.71% increase in new patients admitted in the age group 65 years or older and 4.25% in those at least 75 years old. Our study found that high PM10 was associated with increased risk of admission of respiratory patients, especially in the elderly. People who already have a respiratory disease should refrain from exposure to particulate matter when there is a high concentration of PM10, especially older patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.765-769
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• 2007

Background: The curative treatment of choice for empyema is decortication of the pleura. The risks of this treatment however are increased for the patient with reduced pulmonary function, complicated calcification or septic shock. In the past, open window thoracostomy was a final stage treatment for chronic empyema. Relatively safe treatment of empyema could be achieved in difficult cases with a closure of the open window after open drainage and use of a myocutaneous flap (one stage or staged). Material and Method: A retrospective study of the cause, progression and final outcome of empyema patients who received open window thoracostomy was performed. 21 patients were followed from 1995 to 2004 in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in the College of Medicine, Pusan National University. Result: The average age of the patients was $57.5{\pm}15.5$ years (range $25{\sim}78$ years), of whom 16 (76.2%) were men and five (23.8%) were women. Pulmonary function test results showed an average FEV1 of $1.58{\pm}0.49 L$. The type of empyema was tuberculous empyema in 13 cases (61.9%), aspergillosis in three cases (14.3%), parapneumonic empyema in three cases (14.3%) and post-resectional empyema in two cases (10%). Bronchopulmonary fistula was seen in 14 cases. Eight cases were complicated by severe calcification of the pleura. For the four cases of bronchopulmonary fistula, the patients' serratus anterior muscle was covered in their first operation. The average number of ribs resected was $4{\pm}1$. Closure of the open window thoracostomy was performed in 12 cases. The average time to closure after open drainage was $10.22{\pm}3.11$ months and the average defect of the empyemal cavity before the final operation was $330{\pm}110 cc$. Among the 12 cases, there were two cases of spontaneous closure. In two cases closure was only achieved by using the reserved skin fold during the first surgery. Of the remaining eight cases, in seven we used the myocutaneous flap (four cases of lattisimus dorsi muscle and three cases of pectoralis major muscle), and in one case we used soft tissue. As regards complications of the closure, tissue necrosis occurred in one case, which led to failed closure, and there was one case of abdominal hernia in the rectus abdominis muscle flap. One patient died within 30 days of the surgery and one patient died of metastatic cancer. Conclusion: A staged operation with a final closure using open window thoracostomy, which consists of open drainage, transposition of the muscle and a myocutaneous flap, can be a safe and effective option for the chronic empyema patient who is difficult to cure with traditional surgical methods.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2005

Background : An insertion-deletion polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been shown to be associated with enzyme activity levels of ACE. Reported results that have been mutually contradictory about asthmatic hypersensitiveness and occurrence according to ACE gene insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism. Also, the involvement of the ACE genes as the genetic basis of bronchial asthma is currently controversy. We investigated whether there was any association between polymorphisms of the ACE genes and airway hyper-responsiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods : A total of 100 patients with COPD were enrolled in this study. The ACE genotypes were determined in all subjects by polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary function test including bronchodilator response (BDR), methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT) were done in those patients. Airway hyper-responsiveness include any findings of positive BDR or MBPT. Results : In COPD patients, the ACE genotype distribution did not differ significantly among groups of patients with severities of COPD, and with or without airway hyper-responsiveness. Conclusions : These results suggest that polymorphisms of the ACE gene may not be associated with airway hyper-responsiveness, development and severity of COPD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.669-680
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• 1999

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism(PTE) is a life threatening disease that needs early diagnosis. Spiral CT angiography depict thromboemboli in the central pulmonary vessels with greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity, which approaches the results of pulmonary angiography in the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis(PIOPED) study. This study was performed to evaluate the findings and the diagnostic value(clinical utility) of the spiral CT angiography with 2D image(multiplanar reformation) and 3D images(Shaded surface display, Minimal intensity projection) in the pulmonary thromboembolism. Methods: We retrospectively analysed spiral CT angiography and pulmonary angiography, lung scan and clinical recordings of 20 patients who had PTE diagnosed by spiral CT angiography(n=19 cases) or pulmonary angiography(n=l case) from September 1997 to August 1998. Among 20 patients who had underwent spiral CT angiography, 14 patients could be performed lung perfusion scan at the same time. We analyzed the vascular and parenchymal change in spiral CT angiogram. Results: Anatomical distribution of PTE was as follows: 1) left lung(n= 103)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.387-391
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• 2002

Background: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung are relatively high. We tried to identify the prognostic factors affecting postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung through a retrospective study. Material and method: The retrospective study was undertaken in 112 patients who had undergone pneumonectomy or pleuropneumonectomy for destroyed lung at Severance Hospital from 1970 to 2000. We analyzed the correlation between postoperative morbidity and mortality and etiology, duration of disease, preoperative FEV1, presence or absence of peroperative empyema, operation timing, the side of operation, duration of operation, and operation type. Result: There were 55 men and 57 women, aged 20 to 81 years (mean 44 years). Etiologic diseases were tuberculosis in 86 patients(76.8%) including tuberculos empyema in 20 and tuberculous bronchiectasis in 4, pyogenic empyema in 12(10,7%), bronchiectasis in 12(10.7%), and lung abscess in 2(1.8%). Postoperative morbidity were 25%(n=28) and postoperative mortality was 6%(n=7). The presence of preoperative empyema(p=0.016), pleuropneumonectomy(p=0.037) and preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.75 L(P=0.048) significantly increased the postoperative morbidity, If operation time was less than 300min, postoperative morbidity(p=0.002) and mortality(p=0.03) were significantly low. Conclusion: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung were acceptable. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly low when operation time was less than 300 min. Preoperative existence of empyema, pleuropneumonectomy and preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.75 L significantly increased postoperative morbidity.