• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1063-1069
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• 1998

Background: Multi-loculated empyema makes treatment difficult, and more so when thoracentesis or chest tube drainage fails. Materials and methods: From December 1991 to December 1997, we performed closed rib resectional drainage for 18 cases of loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase. Results: Surgery was performed on patients with loculated empyema complaining of persistent symptoms due to failure of treatment by thoracentesis(8 cases) or chest tube drainage(10 cases). Predisposing factors of empyema were pneumonia in 13 cases, clotted hemothorax in 3 cases, cholecystectomy, and tuberculous pleurisy in 1 case. Causal organisms were cultured in 8 cases(42.1%), and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus was found in 3 cases, pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2 cases, and enterococcus aerogens, α-hemolytic streptococcus, and acinetobacter baumannii were found in 1 case. Size of loculations was various, and computed chest tomogram showed multiple loculations of empyema numbering 1∼4(mean 1.78±1.00). Operating time was relatively short, about 55∼140 mins(mean 102.8±30.8). All toxic symptoms including fever disappeared postopratively and general conditions improved very quickly in all patients. Length of chest tube indwelling time and hospital stay after surgery were 3∼42 days(mean 11.4±11.5) and 6∼36 days(mean 12.9±8.1), respectively. Complications of prolonged drainage occurred in 2 cases and no death occurred. There were no recurrences and chest x-rays taken 3∼6 months after surgery showed normal findings in 14 cases and slight pleural thickening in 4 cases. Conclusions: Closed rib resectional drainage requires very simple techniques and has excellent outcomes and little complications, therefore, we think that it is the choice of operation for patients with loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1244-1251
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• 2005

Purpose : $Henoch-Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP) is the most common and benign systemic vasculitis in children. Few reports have focused on worse outcomes of HSP in adults. The age of onset is suggested as a main risk factor. We assessed the characteristics of adolescent-onset HSP. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 205 cases presented from Aug. 1993 to Oct. 2003. Patients were classified as children(<10 years of age), adolescents(10-20 years of age), and adults(>20 years of age). Results : The mean age was $5.7{\pm}1.8years$ in 149 children, $13.5{\pm}2.4years$ in 38 adolescents, and $44.9{\pm}14.5years$ in 18 adults. The male to female ratio was 1.2 : 1 in children and adolescents, and 2 : 1 in adults. Previous upper respiratory infections were found in 53.4 percent of children, 32.4 percent of adolescents, and 33.3 percent of adults. Positivity of stool occult blood was more frequent in adults(50.5 percent) than in children(23.0 percent)(P<0.05). Renal involvement was found in 46 cases (30.9 percent) of children, 23 cases(60.5 percent) of adolescents, and 15 cases(83.3 percent) of adults. Recurrences occurred in 23 cases(15.4 percent) of children, nine cases(23.7 percent) of adolescents, and three cases(16.7 percent) of adults. Among the cases with renal involvement, 97.8 percent of children and 87.0 percent of adolescents improved to normal or asymptomatic urinary abnormalities. 60.0 percent of adults persisted with severe nephropathy and 13.3 percent progressed to renal insufficiency. Conclusion : Although the outcome of adolescent HSP was as good as children, the clinical manifestations were similar to those of adults. Adolescents had the highest rate of recurrences. Thus long term observations may be needed in adolescent onset HSP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.966-972
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• 1997

Between June 1994 to August 1996, 13 patients underwent emergency coronary artery bypass operations. There were 3 males and 10 females and ages ranged from 56 to 80 years with the mean of 65.5 years. The indications for emergency operations were cardiogenic shock in 12 cases and intractable polymorphic VT(ve'ntricular tachycardia) in 1 case. The causes of cardiogenic shock were acute evolving infarction in 6 cases, PTCA failure in 4 cases, acute myocardial infarction in 1 case, and post-AMI VSR(ventricular septal rupture) in 1 case. Pive out of 13 patients could go to operating room within 2 hours. However, the operations were delayed from 3 to 10 hours in 8 patients due to non-medical causes. In 12 patients, 37 distal anastomoses were constructed with only 3 LITA's(left internal thoracic arteries) and 34 saphenous veins. In a patient with post-AMI VSR, VSR repair was added. In a patient with intractable VT and critical sten sis limited to left main coronary artery, left main coronary angioplasty was performed. Pive patients died after operation with the operative mortality of 38.5%. Three patients died in the operating room due to LV pump failure, one patient died due to intractable ventricular tachycardia on postoperative second day, and one patient died on postoperative 7th day due to multi-organ failure with complications of mediastinal bleeding, low cardiac output syndrome, ARF, and lower extremity ischemia due to IABP. In 8 survived patients, 3 major complications (mediastinitis, PMI, UGI bleeding) developed but eventually recovered. We think that the aggressive approach to critically ill patients will salvage some of such patients and the most important factor for patient salvage is early surgical intervention before irreversible damage occurs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.617-622
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• 1998

A cryotherapy system using cold air was developed. The developed system had superior low-temperature characteristics with various flow rates and nozzle sizes, and used R-404A, as a coolant, which has no destructive effects of Ozone layers. Flow rates and the treatment time can be easily altered during the operation. In addition, and alarm system was designed for the overload, overheat, and over-charge of the machine. For clinical applications, skin temperatures, intra-articular temperatures of the knee joint and intra-muscluar temperatures of the gluteal muscles were measured during and after the cryotherapy. After a 5-minute therapy, skin and intra-articular temperatures decreased by $23.3{\pm}4.7 and 4.1 {\pm}1.0^{circ}C$, respectively. A 5-minute cryotherapy was good enough to maintain low intra-articular temperatures for 2-3 hours. Resting intra-muscular temperatures in 2, 4, and 6cm deep in the gluteal muscle were $36.5{\pm}1.2, 36.9{\pm}0.2, 37.1{\pm}0.2^{circ}C$, respectively (p<0.05). Lowest temperatures in 2, 4, and 6cm depth were $35.1{\pm}0.7, 36.2{\pm}0.4, 36.9{\pm}0.3^{circ}C$, respectively (p<0.05). Temperatures after a 2-hour cold air application on the skin and in the muscle in dept도 of 2, 4, and 6cm were $32.2{\pm}1.1, 36.2{\pm}0.5, 36.6{\pm}0.3, 36.9{\pm}0.3^{circ}C$respectively (p<0.05). Temperatures on the skin and in the muscle significantly decreased after 2 hours, compared with before cold air application (p<0.05). The intra-muscular temperature was changed more slowly than the skin temperature, and the deeper the muscle, the lesser temperature changes. The effect of a 5-minute cold air application lasts up to 2 hours, and it seems that the rebound-rise of the temperature dut to the reactive vasodilatation does not occur in the gluteal muscle.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.763-768
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the pulmonary cellular profiles and IL-8 levels in patients with post-measles wheezing. Methods : Twelve previously healthy infants with a minimum of three episodes of wheezing after measles pneumonia(Measles wheezing, median age, 1.3 years) were recruited by a retrospective examination of hospital records. They underwent bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) with flexible bronchoscopy, and high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) with a mean six(1-15) months interval. Comparisons were made with seven normal controls(Control, median age : 7.4 years). BAL cell counts and differentials were determined. IL-8 levels also were measured by ELISA. Results : The BAL cellular profiles were characterized by a significantly increased percentage of neutrophils in the Measles wheezing group(median 16.0%) compared to the control group(median 3.8 %)(P<0.01). IL-8 levels were markedly increased in the Measles wheezing group($mean{\pm}SD$, $512.7{\pm}324.0pg/mL$) compared to the control group($41.7{\pm}67.7pg/mL$)(P<0.01). Furthermore, IL-8 levels correlated significantly(r=0.816, P=0.001) with neutrophil percentages in BAL fluids in the Measles wheezing group. Abnormal HRCT findings were mosaic perfusion, bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and decreased vascularity. Conclusion : These results suggest that pulmonary neutrophils and IL-8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the post-measles wheezing.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.576-584
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• 2003

Purpose : For the early diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP) presenting with acute abdominal pain preceding skin rash. Methods : The clinical, endoscopic and radiological records of 23 cases of HSP, presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms preceding skin rash were reviewed. Results : The intervals from the onset of abdominal pain to the development of the skin rash were one day to 30 days(median five days), most of them were within two weeks. The presenting abdominal symptoms were abdominal pain(23 cases), vomiting(16 cases), hematochezia or melena(eight cases) and hematemesis(three cases). The abnormal endoscopic findings include coalescing erythematous lesions, areas of submucosal hemorrhage and superficial erosions and ulcers. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed the abnormalities in 21 of 23 cases, which were observed in the duodenum( 21 cases), the stomach(12 cases) and the esophagus(one case). Duodenitis with hemorrhage and/or erosions in the descending duodenum was the sole endoscopic abnormality in two cases and was the most marked finding in three cases. Sigmoidoscopy showed the abnormalities in six of eight cases. The abdominal ultrasonogram showed abnormalities in 12 of 17 cases, which included small bowel wall thickening(eight cases) and intramural hemorrhage(three cases). Recurrences after three months of symptom free intervals developed in four cases; three of them had persistent nephritis beyond one year. Conclusion : The erosive hemorrhagic duodenitis in the descending duodenum in the upper endoscopy and the small bowel wall thickening in the abdominal ultrasonogram can be useful findings in the diagnosis of HSP presenting with acute abdomen.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2009

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) involves use of an initial priming volume which can cause side effects such as hemodilution, transfusion, inflammatory reaction and edema. Hence, there have been efforts made tore-duce the initial priming volume. We compared this traditional method to a CPB method that uses a minimized priming volume (MPV). Material and Method: For 97 patients who underwent congenital cardiac surgery between July 2007 to June 2008, we discussed each case and decided which method to use. We reviewed the medical records and cardiopulmonary bypass sheets of the patients. Result: We used a MPV method for 46 patients, and a traditional method for the other 51. There were no significant differences in preoperative and intraoperative characteristics between the two groups, such as body weight, age, cardiopulmonary bypass time, lowest body temperature, etc. However, the priming volume was much smaller in the MPV group than the traditional group (p<0.001). The volume of initially mixed packed RBC was also much smaller in the MPV group (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in postoperative mortality and neurologic complications. Conclusion: We could significantly reduce the initial priming volume and initially mixed pRBC volume with the revised CPB method. We suggest that this method be used more widely for congenital cardiac surgery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 1999

Purpose : The human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a multisystem disease characterized by extreme radiosensitivity. The recent identification of the gene mutated in AT, ATM, and the demonstration that it encodes a homologous domain of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), the catalytic subunit of an enzyme involved in transmitting signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, provide support for a role of this gene in signal transduction. Although ionizing radiation was known to induce c-fos transcription, nothing is known about how ATM or PKCI mediated signal transduction pathway modulates the c-fos gene transcription and gene expression. Here we have studied the effect of PKCI on radiation sensitivity and c-fos transcription in normal and AT cells. Materials and Methods: Normal (LM217) and AT (AT5BIVA) cells were transfected with PKCI expression plasmid and the overexpression and integration of PKCI was evaluated by northern blotting and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 5 Gy of radiation was exposed to LM and AT cells transfected with PKCI expression plasmid and cells were harvested 48 hours after radiation and investigated apoptosis with TUNEL method. The c-fos transcription activity was studied by performing CAT assay of reporter gene after transfection of c-fos CAT plasmid into AT and LM cells. Results: Our results demonstrate for the first time a role of PKCI on the radiation sensitivity and c-fos expression in LM and AT cells. PKCI increased radiation induced apoptosis in LM cells but reduced apoptosis in AT cells. The basal c-fos transcription activity is 70 times lower in AT cells than that in LM cells. The c-fos transcription activity was repressed by overexpression of PKCI in LM cells but not in AT cells. After induction of c-fos by Ras protein, overexpression of PKCI repressed c-fos transcription in LM cells but not in AT cells Conclusion: Overexpression of PKCI increased radiation sensitivity and repressed c-fos transcription in LM cells but not in AT cells. The results may be a. reason of increased radiation sensitivity of AT cells. PKCI may be involved in an ionizing radiation induced signal transduction pathway responsible for radiation sensitivity and c-fos transcription. The data also provided evidence for novel transcriptional difference between LM and AT cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1556-1562
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• 2010

This study examined the histopathologic and electron microscopic findings of aborted fetuses from pregnant dairy cows naturally infected with Neospora caninum (N. caninum) at four farms in Gongju city and Yeonki gun of Choongnam province. Systemic subcutaneous edema was observed in the aborted fetuses. The necropsy revealed considerable serosanguinous fluid in the body cavity of the aborted fetuses. Light microscopy showed the infiltration of many inflammatory cells consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes and mononuclear cells, accompanied by congestion, hemorrhage and necrosis of myocardiac cells and hepatocytes in the liver and heart of the aborted fetuses. In the liver, clusters of tachyzoites were formed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and the interstitial tissue. In the brain, many tissue cysts of various sizes were observed in the nerve cells and their adjacent areas. Tissue cysts had a round shape and contained a large amount of bradyzoite. In addition, there was diffuse gliosis accompanied by congestion and hemorrhage and focal necrosis in the brain. Infiltration of microglial cells were observed at the periphery of the focal necrosis and perivascular area in the brain. Electron microscopy showed that the tissue cyst wall had a thickness of approximately 1 ${\mu}m$ with an irregular shape. On the interior side, more than 100 bradyzoites with lengths of 2-5 ${\mu}m$ and widths of 1-2 ${\mu}m$ were observed. The nucleus of in the bradyzoites was located approximately 1-1.5 ${\mu}m$ anterior to the posterior tip of the zoite. In the cytoplasm between the nucleus and the posterior tip, there were many amylopectin granules, electron-dense small-sized and electron-thin large-sized round granules, homogeneously electron-dense rhoptries and micronemes oriented perpendicularly to the zoite pellicle. To summarize, tissue cysts were identified on electron microscopy from the aborted fetus from N. caninum seropositive pregnant cow by the ELISA. This led to the confirmed presence of N. caninum.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.42-54
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• 1992

Background:It has been suggested that the cyclooxygenase metabolites play an important role in changes of early hemodynamic parameters in the endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. But there have been many debates about their role in the late increase of alveolar-capillary permeability, and it is not known whether they act directly or indirectly through oxygen free radicals which have been known to be produced during the metabolic process of cyclooxygenase pathway. So we performed this study to identify the pathogenetic role of cyclooxygenase metabolites in the endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in domestic pigs. Method: We infused endotoxin into 8 domestic pigs; endotoxin only (n=3), and pretreatment with indomethacin (n=5). We observed the sequential changes in hemodynamic parameters, the concentration of plasma oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in pulmonary arterial and venous blood, and albumin content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Results: 1) While cardiac output decreased, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference increased over phase 1 (0-2hr) and phase 2 (2-4.5hr) by endotoxin, indomethacin attenuated the decrease in cardiac output during phase 1 and increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference during both phases. 2) The increase in plasma GSSG content during phase 2 was not attenuated by indomethacin. 3) The content of BALF albumin was significantly lower in indomethacin groups than that of endotoxin group. Conclusion: These results suggest that it is likely that cyclooxygenase metabolites have an effect on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury during both phases probably through direct action.