• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2024

Background Increasing concerns regarding the safety of textured surface implants have resulted in surgeons transitioning from textured tissue expanders (TEs) to smooth TEs. Given this change has only recently occurred, this study evaluated outcomes between smooth and textured TEs. Methods Women who underwent two-stage breast reconstruction using TEs from 2013 to 2022 were included. TE-specific variables, perioperative information, pain scores, and complications were collected. Chi-squared, t-test, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results A total of 320 patients received a total of 384 textured and 152 smooth TEs. Note that 216 patients received bilateral reconstruction. TEs were removed in 9 cases. No significant differences existed between groups regarding comorbidities. Smooth TEs had a higher proportion of prepectoral placement (p < 0.001). Smooth TEs had less fills (3±1 vs. 4±2, p < 0.001), shorter expansion periods (60±44 vs. 90±77 days, p < 0.001), smaller expander fill volumes (390±168 vs. 478±177 mL, p < 0.001), and shorter time to exchange (80±43 vs. 104±39 days, p < 0.001). Complication rates between textured and smooth TEs were comparable. Smooth TE had a greater proportion of TE replacements (p = 0.030). On regression analysis, pain scores were more closely associated with age (p = 0.018) and TE texture (p = 0.046). Additional procedures at time of TE exchange (p < 0.001) and textured TE (p = 0.017) led to longer operative times. Conclusion As many surgeons have transitioned away from textured implants, our study shows that smooth TEs have similar outcomes to the textured alternatives.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.35.1-35.16
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• 2022

Tobacco smoking (TS) has been known as one of the most potent risk factors for airway inflammatory diseases. However, there has been a paucity of information regarding the immunologic alteration mediated by TS in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). To identify the effect of TS, we harvested human tissue samples (never smoker: n=41, current smoker: n=22, quitter: n=23) and analyzed the expression of epithelial-derived cytokines (EDCs) such as IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. The expressions of Th2 cytokines and total serum IgE showed a type-2 inflammatory alteration by TS. In addition, the epithelial marker E-cadherin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers (N-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin) were evaluated. Histological analysis showed that EDC expressions were upregulated in the current smoker group and downregulated in the quitter group. These expression patterns were consistent with mRNA and protein expression levels. We also found that the local Th2 cytokine expression and IgE class switching, as well as serum IgE levels, were elevated in the current smoker group and showed normal levels in the quitter group. Furthermore, the expressions of E-cadherin decreased while those of N-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin increased in the current smoker group compared those in the never smoker group. Taken together, these results indicate that TS contributes to the deterioration of pathogenesis by releasing local EDCs and Th2 cytokines, resulting in EMT in patients with CRSwNP. We verified that alterations of immunological response by TS in sinonasal epithelium can play a vital role in leading to CRSwNP.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.228-240
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• 2023

Growing complexity in ecosystem structure and functions, under impacts of climate and land-use changes, requires interdisciplinary understandings of processes and the whole-system, and accurate estimates of the changing functions. In the last three decades, observation networks for biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem functions under climate change, have been developed by interested scientists, research institutions and universities. In this paper we will review (1) the development and on-going activities of those observation networks, (2) some outcomes from forest carbon cycle studies at our super-site "Takayama site" in Japan, and (3) a few ideas how we connect in-situ and satellite observations as well as fill observation gaps in the Asia-Oceania region. There have been many intensive research and networking efforts to promote investigations for ecosystem change and functions (e.g., Long-Term Ecological Research Network), measurements of greenhouse gas, heat, and water fluxes (flux network), and biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem level (Biodiversity Observation Network). Combining those in-situ field research data with modeling analysis and satellite remote sensing allows the research communities to up-scale spatially from local to global, and temporally from the past to future. These observation networks oftern use different methodologies and target different scientific disciplines. However growing needs for comprehensive observations to understand the response of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to climate and societal changes at local, national, regional, and global scales are providing opportunities and expectations to network these networks. Among the challenges to produce and share integrated knowledge on climate, ecosystem functions and biodiversity, filling scale-gaps in space and time among the phenomena is crucial. To showcase such efforts, interdisciplinary research at 'Takayama super-site' was reviewed by focusing on studies on forest carbon cycle and phenology. A key approach to respond to multidisciplinary questions is to integrate in-situ field research, ecosystem modeling, and satellite remote sensing by developing cross-scale methodologies at long-term observation field sites called "super-sites". The research approach at 'Takayama site' in Japan showcases this response to the needs of multidisciplinary questions and further development of terrestrial ecosystem research to address environmental change issues from local to national, regional and global scales.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2024

Objectives: Interventions promoting physical exercise and healthy habits in workplaces have been shown to be effective in reducing risk factors for metabolic syndrome. This study was conducted to examine the effects of an individualized conditioning exercise program of IT company office workers with or at higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 444 IT company office workers with or at higher risk of metabolic syndrome participated in a 3-month conditioning exercise program. Body composition data using bioelectrical impedance analysis and cardiopulmonary data using cardiopulmonary exercise testing from 53 individuals (mean age: 34.8 ± 7.1 years, sex : 21% female, height : 170.4 ± 6.8 cm, weight : 75.2±12.2 kg, body mass index : 25.8±3.3 kg/m²) who have successfully completed pre-test, intervention, and post-test were analyzed. The 12 weeks intervention encompassed: (1) health counseling (2) supervised exercise(endurance-based, aerobic exercise, or circuit training once a week for 50 minutes at heart rate reserve(HRR) of 77-95%) (3) self-directed exercise and biweekly health screening checks. Results: The results indicated a significant decrease in body weight, body fat mass and body mass index, respectively. Moreover, VO₂peak, AT VO₂ and AT Time significantly improved, respectively. Resting blood pressure(SBP/DBP) showed positive changes but were not statistically significant. We observed the correlation between characteristics of participants and rate of changes in cardiopulmonary outcomes of participants, there are no significant correlation. These results indicate positive changes in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters following individualized conditioning exercise program. Conclusions: Individualized workplace exercise program for preventing metabolic syndrome can lead to improvements in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 2014

Environmental problems and the shortage of natural resources are currently gathering more attention in Korea and international countries. With these problems, it is reported that most current domestic buildings are emitting approximately 138 million tons of greenhouse gas. According to a recent report from the investigation of Korean housing population, the total number of households is approximately 12.9 millions, and the apartments that were built more than 15 years ago amounted to 3.1 millions. This shows that the rates of old apartment housings are increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the deteriorated facilities and environmental improvement. Also, the construction industry is benefited by improving these housings which may need either remodeling or reconstruction. Environmental friendly buildings are a rising consideration for remodeling and reconstruction projects; it helps to determine many business matters in construction. The main purpose of this research is to improve environmental condition in apartments with comparison analysis between remodeling and reconstruction alternatives. This research is focused on characteristics of remodeling and reconstruction and it sets up the same condition with each level in order to evaluate the value of environmental friendliness and analyze its definition. The result of this research provides a unique emitting rate at a novel framework and this will cause the reduction of $CO_2$. It is analyzed that the remodeling construction can reduce the great amount of $CO_2$. Therefore, it will be a good decision guideline in selecting the most eco-friendly alternative to improve environment for building construction. Although reconstruction is a popular alternative nowadays in Korea, this research can provide a reason why decision makers should put more emphasis on remodeling as an environment-friendly alternative.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.145-148
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• 2006

This study aimed at preventing women from suffering from health problems and stress due to excessive lookism and encouraging them to participate in sports activities to form desirable body image and eventually to live a healthy and sound life. To achieve this goal, this study formed a population with members of sports centers located in Seoul and Daejeon areas as of 2006 and made a sample of 450 participants in physical exercise at a sports center through stratified cluster random sampling and that of 450 non-participants through a survey with mothers and sisters of those students from elementary and secondary schools within the areas for sampling the participants' group, thereby analyzing the data on a total of 900 persons. A questionnaire was used as a tool to collect data; a reliability test presented weight-, health-, and figure-related factors as a=.807, a=.819, and a=.784, respectively. This study used such statistical analysis methods as t-test, One-way ANOVA, and the Analysis of Covariance to analyze data. This study produced the following conclusions through these research methods and procedure. Pticipation in physical exercise has a positive effect on body image. Pticipation in physical exercise at a sports center show higher satisfaction with body image than non-participats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.35-81
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• 1998

Distinct Element Method(DEM) has a great advantage to model the discontinuous behaviour of jointed rock masses such as rotation, sliding, and separation of rock blocks. Geometrical data of joints by a field monitoring is not enough to model the jointed rock mass though the results of DE analysis for the jointed rock mass is most sensitive to the distributional properties of joints. Also, it is important to use a properly joint law in evaluating the stability of a jointed rock mass because the joint is considered as the contact between blocks in DEM. In this study, a stochastic modelling technique is developed and the dilatant rock joint is numerically modelled in order to consider th geometrical and mechanical properties of joints in DE analysis. The stochastic modelling technique provides a assemblage of rock blocks by reproducing the joint distribution from insufficient joint data. Numerical Modelling of joint dilatancy in a edge-edge contact of DEM enable to consider not only mechanical properties but also various boundary conditions of joint. Preprocess Procedure for a stochastic DE model is composed of a statistical process of raw data of joints, a joint generation, and a block boundary generation. This stochastic DE model is used to analyze the effect of deviations of geometrical joint parameters on .the behaviour of jointed rock masses. This modelling method may be one tool for the consistency of DE analysis because it keeps the objectivity of the numerical model. In the joint constitutive law with a dilatancy, the normal and shear behaviour of a joint are fully coupled due to dilatation. It is easy to quantify the input Parameters used in the joint law from laboratory tests. The boundary effect on the behaviour of a joint is verified from shear tests under CNL and CNS using the numerical model of a single joint. The numerical model developed is applied to jointed rock masses to evaluate the effect of joint dilation on tunnel stability.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2010

To assess population structure and genetic diversity among the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), we investigated mtDNA COI gene sequences of 7 populations. Samples were obtained from Sokcho, Wolsung, Geojedo, Yeosu, Geomundo and Westsouth in 2008 and 2009 (n=28). The sequence analysis of 28 individual samples showed 8 haplotypes, ranging in sequence divergence by pairwise comparisons from 0.2 to 2.2% (1 bp-11 bp). The Gal haplotype was found in Wolsung, Geojedo, Yeosu, Geomundo and Westsouth, and was regarded as the main haplotype of Korean Pacific cod. Ga2, Ga3, Ga6 and Ga7 haplotypes were found only in Sokcho. In the PHYLIP analysis, 8 haplotypes formed two independent groups: cladeA consisted of Ga2, Ga3, Ga6 and Ga7 haplotypes, whereas cladeB contained Gal, Ga4, Ga5 and Ga8 haplotypes. The genetic relationship between the two groups was weakly supported by bootstrap analysis(<50%). In pairwise comparisons between 6 populations other than that from Sokcho, a very high per generation migration ratio ($N_m$=infinite) and a very low level of geographic distance ($F_{sr}=-0.0123-(-0.0423)$) were observed. The estimates of genetic distance between Sokcho and the other localities were all statistically significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001), indicating a limited mtDNA-based gene flow between Sokcho and other regions. The finding of the lowest genetic diversity in the Sokcho population (nucleotide diversity=0.00589) may be a result of relatively small population size and interrupted gene flow to other localities. Consequently, the overall considerable migration of Pacific cod population in Korea caused a genetically homogeneous structure to form, although a distinct population was found in this study.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.377-398
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• 1999

Calcium fluoride, created by topical fluoride application, is the reservoir for fluoride ion regulated by pH in the oral environment. Therefore, the amount and the maintenance of calcium fluoride have an important role in preventing dental caries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the generation of calcium fluoride and the acid resistance of tooth enamel. The bovine anterior permanent teeth were prepared (n=276), and divided into following groups : no treatment (control) fluoride application alone, laser irradiation alone, laser irradiation after fluoride application, and fluoride application after laser irradiation. And each group was subdivided based on the application time of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) (5 min and 30 min) and the irradiation energy of Nd:YAG laser ($20J/cm^2\;and\;40J/cm^2$). In case of fluoride application, each group was divided according to KOH treatment. Twenty three treatment conditions were made for this experiment and twelve specimens were assigned to each treatment condition. In each treatment condition, ten specimens were used for chemical analysis and two specimens were observed under SEM. In groups without treating KOH, fluoride content and the depth of enamel dissolved were measured using enamel biopsy technique. In groups with treating KOH, the amount of calcium fluoride was measured by the treatment with 1 M KOH for 24 hours and enamel biopsy was performed after KOH treatment. The results were analyzed by the fluoride content and the depth of enamel dissolved by enamel biopsy, amount and thickness of calcium fluoride, and the surface structures of enamel. The results are as follows: 1. In groups without treating KOH, the fluoride content of removed enamel showed a positive relationship with the energy density of laser when the laser irradiated before fluoride application 2. In groups without treating KOH, the depth of enamel dissolved decreased more with the combined laser and fluoride treatment than with laser or fluoride treatment, except for the case of $20J/cm^2$ laser irradiation after 5 minute fluoride application (p<0.05). 3. The amount of calcium fluoride did not increased by laser treatment with no statistical significance(p>0.05). 4. The particle size of calcium fluoride increased in case of fluoride treatment after laser irradiation, compared with fluoride application alone. In case of laser treatment after fluoride application, the particle size of calcium fluoride increased and some of the particles fused as well. 5. There were no significant differences in the fluoride content of dissolved enamel between groups without treating KOH and control group, except for the case of laser irradiation after treatment of APF for 30 minutes (p>0.05). 6. In groups with treating KOH, depth of removed enamel in the groups of combined treatment with laser and fluoride was shallower than that in fluoride application groups (p<0.05). 7. In groups without treating KOH, the relationship between fluoride content and the depth of enamel dissolved showed more negative (Spearman correlation coefficient: -0.6281) than in groups with treating KOH (Spearman correlation coefficient: -0.3792). The greater amount of calcium fluoride could be found in case where there was a significant differences of the depth of enamel dissolved between groups with and without treating KOH. From these results, it can be concluded that laser seems to be a little effects on the amount of calcium fluoride formation, but has some effect on the lowering the solubility of calcium fluoride. As the combined treatment of laser and fluoride application showed more effective acid-resistant property, more extended recall period for fluoride application can be achieved with this combined treatment in the clinic.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.871-888
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• 1997

Background : It is now thought that the earliest manifestation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is alveolitis, that is, an accumulation of inflammatory and immune effector cells within alveolar walls and spaces. Inflammatory cells including alveolar macrophages and resident normal pulmonary tissue cells participate through the release of many variable mediators such as inflammatory growth factors and cytokines, which contribute to tissue damage and finally cause chronic pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. This study was performed to investigate the source and distribution pattern of transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), platelet derived growth factor(PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF), interleukin 1(IL-1), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and the role of these mediators on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary injury and fibrosis in rats. Method : Wistar rats were divided into three groups(control group, BLM treated group, BLM and vitamine E treated group). Animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after saline or BLM administration. The effects were compared to the results of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, light microscopic findings, immunohistochemical stains for six different mediators(TGF-${\beta}_1$, PDGF, bFGF, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) and mRNA in situ hybridization for TGF-${\beta}_1$. Results : IL-1 and IL-6 are maximally expressed at postbleomycin 1~7th day which are mainly produced by neutrophils and bronchiolar epithelium. It is thought that they induce recruitment of inflammatory cells at the injury site. The expression of IL-1 and IL-6 at the bronchiolar epithelium within 7th day is an indirect evidence of contribution of bronchiolar epithelial cells to promote and maintain the inflammatory and immune responses adjacent to the airways. TNF-$\alpha$ is mainly produced by neutrophils and bronchiolar epithelial cells during 1~5th day, alveolar macrophages during 7~28th day. At the earlier period, TNF-$\alpha$ causes recruitment of inflammatory cells at the injury site and later stimulates pulmonary fibrosis. The main secreting cells of TGF-${\beta}_1$ are alveolar macrophages and bronchiolar epithelium and the target is pulmonary fibroblasts and extracellular matrix. TGF-${\beta}_1$ and PDGF stimulate proliferation of pulmonary fibroblasts and TGF-${\beta}_1$ and bFGF incite the fibroblasts to produce extracellular matrix. The vitamine E and BLM treated group shows few positive cells(p<0.05). Conclusion : After endothelial and epithelial injury, the neutrophils and bronchiolar epithelium secrete IL-1, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ which induce infiltration of many neutrophils. It is thought that variable enzymes and $O_2$ radicals released by these neutrophils cause destruction of normal lung architecture and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. At the 7~28th day, TGF-${\beta}_1$, PDGF, bFGF, TNF-$\alpha$ secreted by alveolar macrophages sting pulmonary fibroblasts into proliferating with increased production of extracellular matrix and finally, they make progression of pulmonary fibrosis. TNF-$\alpha$ compares quite important with TGF-${\beta}_1$ to cause pulmonary fibrosis. Vitamine E seems to decrease the extent of BLM induced pulmonary fibrosis.