• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1360-1365
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• 1996

From September 1992 to May 1996, 38 patients ranging in age from 23 to 78, were operated for aortic dissection at Asan medical center There were 21 men and 17 women. The underlying aortic pathology were acute aortic dissection in 23, chronic aortic dissection in 15. Eight patients had Martian syndrome. In 34 cases of DeBakey type I, II patients, femoral artery and vein and/or right atrial auricle were used as cannulation site. With deep hypothermic c rculatory arrest (esophageal temperature 12 $\pm$ 2.5$^{\circ}C$) and retrograde cerebral perfusion of cold oxygenated blood through SVC, we replaced the ascending aorta and the part of arch if necessary. The mean duration of the total circulatory arrest time was 25 $\pm$ 1.7 mintstuts. In 4 cases of DeBakey type III patients, we replaced descending thoracic aorta or thoracoabdomlnal aorta without shunt or bypass under normothermia with an average 30: 1.5 minutesaortic cross clamp time. One death(2.6%) occurred on the twenty-second postoperative day owing to asphyxia related to ulcer bleeding. Postoperative complications were myocardial infarction with transient left peroneal palsy in 1 case, transient lower extremity weakness in 1 case and prolonged ventilatory support in 1 case. Two patients required reoperation due to retrograde extended dissection and aortic insufuciency. There was no late death with an average 25 months follow-up period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.407-419
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• 2002

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall characterized by progressive accumulation of lipids, cells, and extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPS) contribute to vascular matrix remodeling in atherosclerosis, and some cytokines may play role in the synthesis or activation of MMPs or TIMPs. Material and Method： We produced experimental atherosclerotic plaques in 9 rabbits by atherogenic hypercholesterol diet for 12 weeks, and 10 other rabbits were used as control group with standard laboratory chow, At that time, 19 rabbits were sacrificed and aorta, coronary arteries and blood specimens were prepared. The expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-2 and interleukin(IL)-18, and the bioactivity of IL-6 were investigated with H&E stain, immunohistochemical stain, immunoblotting(Western blot analysis), and bioassay. Result： Serum cholesterol in the experimental group increased up to 1258$\pm$262 mg/dL(control group： 41$\pm$7 mg/dL). All experimental group showed well-developed atherosclerotic plaques in aorta and coronary artery. The expression of MMP-9 in aorta and coronary artery of the experimental group showed significant increase than that of the control group by immunohistochemistry. Among the experimental group, complicated lesions with intimal rupture or complete luminal occlusion, demonstrated stronger expression of MMP-9. Interestingly, there was no difference in expression of TIMP-2 between the experimental and the control group. These findings were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The bioassay revealed significant up-regulation of serum bioactivity of IL-6 in the experimental group(4819.60$\pm$2021.25 IU/$m\ell$) compared to that of IL-6 in the control group(27.20 $\pm$ 12.19 IU/$m\ell$). IL-18 was expressed in all atherosclerotic plaques, whereas little or no expression was detected in the control group. Conclusion： The increased MMP-9 expression along with the unchanged TIMP-2 expression seem to be contributory factors in extracellular matrix degradation in atherosclerosis. Focal overexpression of MMP-9 may promote plaque destabilization and cause complications of atherosclerotic plaques such as thrombosis with/without acute coronary syndrome. Elevation of IL-6 and IL-18 may be more than just markers of atherosclerosis but actual participants in lesion development. Identification of critical regulatory pathway is important to improve the understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of atherosclerosis and may open the way for novel therapeutic strategies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 1998

Arrhythmias are common after cardiac surgery and are multifactorial. Intravenous magnesium administration reduces the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias in patient with symptomatic heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. This study was designed to evaluate the role of magnesium in preventing PVCs(premature ventricular contractions) occurred frequently after coronary artery bypass graft(CABG). 50 consecutive patients were prospectively entered into a randomized trial to determine the efficacy of postoperative magnesium therapy on the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias after elective coronary artery bypass graft. The patients underwent coronary angiography, echocardiography, electrocardiography and clinical laboratory study preoperatively. Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring was done and magnesium level was checked 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours postoperatively. Study group of 25 patients were given 4g of magnesium continuously over the first 24 hours and then 2g/24hours from 25 to 72 hours. The clinical characteristics of both groups were similar(p<0.05). The preoperative mean serum magnesium concentration was similar in both study group, 1.59mg/dl and control group, 1.71mg/dl. The mean postoperative serum magnesium concentration in study group elevated significantly over postoperative 12hours through 36hours(p<0.05). The postoperative mean serum magnesium concentration in control group declined and remained significantly depressed over immediate postoperation through 72hours. The mean serum magnesium concentration was significantly greater in the study group compared with the control group over postoperative 3hours through 72hours(p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in the incidence of arrhythmias such as PVCs(p<0.01) which might jeopardize hemodynamics. There were no recognized adverse effects of magnesium Administration. In conclusion, prophylactic magnesium administration seems to lessen the incidence and severity of rrhythmias after coponary artery bypass graft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.1 s.270
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• pp.8-16
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• 2007

Background: We performed a prospective clinical study to evaluate the ultrastructural integrity of the myocardium after using Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in comparison with blood cardioplegic solution during congenital heart surgery. Material and Method: Twenty two patients with acyanotic heart disease, who were scheduled for elective open heart surgery, were randomized into two groups. The HTK Group (n=11) received HTK cardioplegic solution; the blood group (n=11) received conventional blood cardioplegic solution during surgery. The preoperative diagnoses included ventricular septal defect (n=9) and atrial septal defect (n=2) in each group. A small biopsy specimen was taken from the right ventricle's myocardium, and this was processed for ultrastructural examination at the end of 30 minutes of reperfusion. Semiquantitative electron microscopy was carried out 'blindly' in 4 areas per specimen and in 5 test fields per area by 'random systematic sampling' and 'point and intersection counting'. The morphology of the mitochondrial membrane and cristae were then scored. The interstitial edema of the myocardium was also graded. Result: The semiquantitative score of the mitochondrial morphology was $19.65{\pm}4.75$ in the blood group and $25.25{\pm}5.85$ in the HTK group (p=0.03). 6 patients (54.5%) in the blood group and 3 patients (27.3%) in the HTK group were grade 3 or more for the interstitial edema of the myocardium. Conclusion: The ultrastructural integrity was preserved even better with HTK solution than with conventional blood cardioplegic solution.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.2 s.271
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• pp.103-108
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• 2007

Background: Surgical resection is an important modality in the treatment of pulmonary metastases from various solid tumors. We analyzed 37 patients who underwent surgical treatments of pulmonary metastases in our hospital from 1996 to 2005. Material and Method: Age, sex, disease free interval, operative procedure, the number of pulmonary metastases, and lymphatic metastasis were investigated with admission and operative records, and pathologic reports. Actuarial survival and comparisons between each survival rate were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, respectively, Result: Complete resections were carried out in 34 of 37 patients. The primary tumor was carcinoma in 25 cases, sarcoma in 10, and others in 2. The number of pulmonary metastases was 1 in 25 cases and 2 or more in 12 cases. 3-year and 5-year survival rates after complete resection were 50.5% and 35.9%, respectively. 3-year and 5-year survival rates for carcinoma were 64.5% and 45.0%, respectively, and 3-year survival rate for sarcoma was 17.5%. Otherwise, none of the operative procedures, the number of pulmonary metastases, lymphatic metastasis, adjunctive therapy and the disease free interval in the case of carcinoma significantly affected the survival rates. Conclusion: Complete resection of pulmonary metastasis in well selected patients allows high long term survival rate with low mortality and morbidity. Long-term follow up and randomized prospective studies were necessary to determine the prognostic factors of pulmonary metastases after surgical resection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.2 s.271
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• pp.114-121
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• 2007

Background: Apoptosis plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, as well as in development and tissue homeostasis. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase mediated neck end labelling (TUNEL) and in situ nick end labelling (ISEL) have been used to investigate the apoptosis in tissues. Since the introduction of the M30 monoclonal antibody to overcome drawbacks of TUNEL and ISEL, the apoptosis in various tumors, with the exception of pulmonary carcinomas, has been studied. In this study, attempts were made to examine the correlation of apoptosis in non-small cell carcinomas, using both M30 and the expression of p53 protein, with the clinicopathological factors. Material and Method: Forty five patients with surgically resected non-small cell carcinomas were included. Immunohistochemical staining with M30 and p53 monoclonal antibody were peformed, and their expressions compared with the clinicopathological features. The overall survival time and recurrence-free survival time were calculated, and the factors influencing the survival time analyzed using a univariate analysis. The effects of the expression stati of M30 and p53 on the risks of cancer related to both death and recurrence were evaluated using a multivariate analysis. Result: The p53 positive group had many more M30 positive cells than the p53 negative group (p53 positive group; $61.7{\pm}26.8$ cells vs. p53 negative group; $45.6{\pm}29.6$ cells, p=0.005) and significantly more p53 positive patients showing at least 10 positive cells (apoptotic index, $Al{\ge}1$) on M30 staining (p53 positive group; 52.4% (11/21) vs. p53 negative group 16,7% (4/24), p=0.025). In the univariate analysis, the survival times in relation to smoking (pack-year), performance status (PS) and Al showed significant differences. The multivariate analysis demonstrated the relative risk (R.R) of cancer death increased almost 7.5-fold (R.R 7.482; 95% Cl $1.886{\sim}29.678$; p=0.004) and the risk of recurrence almost 3,8-fold (R.R 3.795; 95% Cl: $1.184{\sim}12.158$; p=0.025) in the high Al (${\ge}1$) compared to the low Al (<1) group. There was no prognostic effect of p53 expression on the survival time or risk of cancer death and recurrence. Conclusion: In non-small cell lung carcinomas, M30 immunohistochemistry was an excellent method for analyzing apoptosis; the high apoptotic index could be an adverse prognostic predictive factor.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.435-440
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• 2007

Background: Primary malignant lymphoma of the lung is a very rare neoplasm. Although the prognosis of lymphoma is favorable, the clinical features, prognostic factors and management have not been clearly defined. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 8 patients we managed between 1994 and 2000. They all had malignant lymphoma on the pathologic examination of the lung wit no evidence of mediastinal adenopathy and extrathoracic disease, and no past history of lymphoma. Result: The study group consisted of 3 males and 5 female patients with a mean age of 53.9 years. Three patients were asymtomatic and 5 patients were seer with pulmonary or systemic symptoms. The diagnostic methods were 3 CT needle aspiration biopsies, 1 bronchoscopic biopsy and 4 surgical methods (wedge resection, lobectomy). There were 3 patients with MALT lymphoma, two with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, two with small lymphocytic lymphom, and one with follicular lymphoma. The 8 patients were treated with a variety of modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and combination therapy. The 8 patients have survived for a median follow-up of 38 months. Conclusiian: Although this entity of lymphoma appears to have a good prognosis, further clinical experience and long-term follow-up are needed to identify its clinical features, prognostic factors and management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.725-731
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• 2009

Background: Lobectomy and more extended anatomic resection are regarded as standard treatment for stage Ia non-small cell lung cancer, but approximately 15~40% of patients suffer from treatment failures such as cancer recurrence or death. The authors analyzed types and causes of treatment failures in surgically treated cases of stage Ia non small cell lung cancer. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 156 patients who had undergone complete resection for stage Ia NSCLC between Jan 1992 and Aug 2005. Patients were divided into two different treatment failure groups: cancer-related deaths and non-cancer-related deaths. Risk factors were analyzed in each group by the Kaplan-Meyer survival method and the Cox proportional hazard model. Result: Among the 156 patients, 93 were males; the mean age was 61. The median follow-up period was 33.8 months. The 5 year survival rate was 87.6%. Microscopic lympho-vascular permeation was reported in 10 patients. Recurrence was reported in 19 patients and 12 patients died due to recurrent lung cancer. Noncancer related deaths occurred in 16 patients. Risk factors for cancer recurrence and cancer related death were microscopic lympho-vascular permeation (HR=6.81, p=0.007, HR=7.81, p<0.001); for non-cancer related death, risk factors were pneumonectomy (HR=25.92, p=0.001) and postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (HR=29.67, p=0.002). Conclusion: After complete resection of stage Ia non small cell lung cancer patients, mortality includes not only cancer related deaths but also cancer unrelated deaths. Adjuvant chemotherapy is advised for patients who show microscopic lympho-vascular permeation, which is a risk factor for recurrence and for cancer related death. Patients who had pneumonectomy or who suffered from cardiac or respiratory complications need meticulous care in order to reduce comorbidity-induced death.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.303-310
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• 1991

Nineteen patients with previously untreated invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated by irradiation alone at the Keimyung University Hospital from January, 1990 to July, 1991. The serial samplings of the tissue taken before and during radiation of the uterine cervix were studied by light and electron microscopic examination. Radiation-induced cellular changes, particularly nuclear degeneration was pronounced. The tumor invasion pattern remained unchanged but the number of mitosis and tumor cells decreased, The number of infiltrating inflammatory cells, multinucleated giant cells and karyolytic cells were increased with radiation. Fibrosis was also increased. Electron microscopically, the amount of tonofilament in the tissue samplings was increased in the postirradiated state, but the desmosomes were decreased in numbers. Fibroblasts began to appear after an irradiation dose of 2700 cGy. After an irradiation dose of 3000 cGy or more, tumor cells were nearly completely degenerated and displaced with mature fibrotic tissue. There was an increase of activated fibroblasts and collagen fibers but a decrease of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue. Swelling of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, loss of intercellular bridges and an increased number of secondary lysosomes were also found with radiation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.285-291
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• 1991

One hundred and twenty six patients with early uterine cervical cancer who had been treated at Departmen of Radiation Oncology of Korea University Hospital from Jan.1981 to Dec.1988 were analysed retrospectively by the treatment result and pattern of of failures. All patients had stage Ia to IIa disease and were grouped whether they had combination of operation and postop irradiation or radiation therapy alone. 1) Sixty six patients belonged to the combination treatment group and 60 patients to the radiation alone group. 2) Combination group consisted of $18.1\%$(12/66) stage Ia, $71.2\%$(47/66) stage Ib and $10.6\%$ (7/66) stage IIa patients. There were no stage Ia, 18.8$\%$(l1/60) stage Ib and 81.6$\%$(49/60) stage IIa patients for RT alone gronp. 3) There were total 23$\%$(29/126) treatment failures,13 patients in combination group and 16 patients in RT alone group. In 66 patients of combination group, they were found to have 5 locoregional failures, 7 distant failures and 1 at both sites. In 60 patients of RT alone group, 9 locoreginal failure and 7 distant failures occured. Eighty six percent (25/29) of total failures appeared within 18 month after completion of treatment. About 60$\%$ of the patients with regional recurrences which were located at pelvic side wall or pelvic lymph nodes paesented their recurrent disease after 1 year of completion of treatment, whereas same percent of distant failures appeared within 6 month. 5) In RT alone group, the first sites of distant failure were mostly para-aortic lymph node and/or left supraclavicular lymph node (71.4$\%$,5/7). In combination group, various sites such as inguinal lymph node, mediastinal lymph node, liver, lung and bone appeared first or at the same time with para-aortic and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. 6) Logistic regression analysis was done for multivariate analysis of the factors contributing to locoregional and distant failures. In combination group, adequacy of the resection margin and the presence of positive pelvic node were found to be the most significant factors (p=0.0423 & 0.0060 respectively). In RT alone group, less than complete regression of the tumor at the end of treatment was the only significant contributing factor for the treatment failures (p=0.0013) with good liklihood ratio.