• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.169-173
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• 2013

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) causes remote liver damage. Oxytocin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective function of oxytocin (OT) in remote liver damage triggered by renal IR in rats. Twenty four rats were randomly divided into four different groups, each containing 8 rats. The groups were as follows: (1) Sham operated group; (2) Sham operated+OT group (3) Renal IR group; (4) Renal IR+OT group. OT ($500{\mu}g/kg$) was administered subcutaneously 12 and 24 hours before and immediately after ischemia. At the end of experimental procedure, the rats were sacrificed, and liver specimens were taken for histological assessment or determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase (PON-1) activity and nitric oxide (NO). The results showed that renal IR injury constituted a notable elevation in MDA, TOS, Oxidative stress index (OSI) and significantly decreased TAS, PON-1 actvity and NO in liver tissue (p<0.05). Additionally renal IR provoked significant augmentation in hepatic microscopic damage scores. However, alterations in these biochemical and histopathological indices due to IR injury were attenuated by OT treatment (p<0.05). These findings show that OT ameliorates remote liver damage triggered by renal ischemia-reperfusion and this preservation involves suppression of inflammation and regulation of oxidant-antioxidant status.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.128-131
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• 2013

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is commonly used procedure for spinal fusion. However, there are no reports describing anterior cage dislodgement after surgery. This report is a rare case of anterior dislodgement of fusion cage after TLIF for the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis with lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). A 51-year-old man underwent TLIF at L4-5 with posterior instrumentation for the treatment of grade 1 isthmic spondylolisthesis with LSTV. At 7 weeks postoperatively, imaging studies demonstrated that banana-shaped cage migrated anteriorly and anterolisthesis recurred at the index level with pseudoarthrosis. The cage was removed and exchanged by new cage through anterior approach, and screws were replaced with larger size ones and cement augmentation was added. At postoperative 2 days of revision surgery, computed tomography (CT) showed fracture on lateral pedicle and body wall of L5 vertebra. He underwent surgery again for paraspinal decompression at L4-5 and extension of instrumentation to S1 vertebra. His back and leg pains improved significantly after final revision surgery and symptom relief was maintained during follow-up period. At 6 months follow-up, CT images showed solid fusion at L4-5 level. Careful cage selection for TLIF must be done for treatment of spondylolisthesis accompanied with deformed LSTV, especially when reduction will be attempted. Banana-shaped cage should be positioned anteriorly, but anterior dislodgement of cage and reduction failure may occur in case of a highly unstable spine. Revision surgery for the treatment of an anteriorly dislodged cage may be effectively performed using an anterior approach.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2017

Background The current indications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have expanded to include young patients with serious cardiac risk factors, but CIED placement has the disadvantage of involving unsightly scarring and bulging of the chest wall. A collaborative team of cardiologists and plastic surgeons developed a technique for the subpectoral placement of CIEDs in young female patients via a transaxillary approach. Methods From July 2012 to December 2015, subpectoral CIED placement via an axillary incision was performed in 10 young female patients, with a mean age of 25.9 years and mean body mass index of $20.1kg/m^2$. In the supine position, with the patient's shoulder abducted, an approximately 5-cm linear incision was made along one of the deepest axillary creases. The submuscular plane was identified at the lateral border of the pectoralis major, and the dissection continued over the clavipectoral fascia until the subpectoral pocket could securely receive a pulse generator. Slight upward dissection also exposed an entrance to the subclavian vein, allowing the cardiology team to gain access to the vein. One patient with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent augmentation mammoplasty and CIED insertion simultaneously. Results One case of late-onset device infection occurred. All patients were highly satisfied with the results and reported that they would recommend the procedure to others. Conclusions With superior aesthetic outcomes compared to conventional methods, the subpectoral placement of CIEDs via a transaxillary approach is an effective, single-incision method to hide operative scarring and minimize bulging of the device, and is particularly beneficial for young female or lean patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.535-541
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• 2014

Background Patients having unilateral breast reconstruction often require a second stage procedure on the contralateral breast to improve symmetry. In order to provide immediate symmetry and minimize the frequency and extent of secondary procedures, we began performing simultaneous contralateral balancing operations at the time of initial reconstruction. This study examines the indications, safety, and efficacy of this approach. Methods One-hundred and two consecutive breast reconstructions with simultaneous contralateral balancing procedures were identified. Data included patient age, body mass index (BMI), type of reconstruction and balancing procedure, specimen weight, transfusion requirement, complications and additional surgery under anesthesia. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare BMI, specimen weight and need for non-autologous transfusion. Results Average patient age was 48 years. The majority had autologous tissue-only reconstructions (94%) and the rest prosthesis-based reconstructions (6%). Balancing procedures included reduction mammoplasty (50%), mastopexy (49%), and augmentation mammoplasty (1%). Average BMI was 27 and average reduction specimen was 340 grams. Non-autologous blood transfusion rate was 9%. There was no relationship between BMI or reduction specimen weight and need for transfusion. We performed secondary surgery in 24% of the autologous group and 100% of the prosthesis group. Revision rate for symmetry was 13% in the autologous group and 17% in the prosthesis group. Conclusions Performing balancing at the time of breast reconstruction is safe and most effective in autologous reconstructions, where 87% did not require a second operation for symmetry.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.169-185
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find the effects of Sa-am liver tonifying and sedating acupuncture on radial pulse. Methods : Sixty healthy people were divided into a liver tonifying acupuncture(LTA) group, liver sedating acupuncture(LSA) group, and control group. The LTA group and LSA group received acupuncture for 20 minutes with a supine position. The Control group took a rest without receiving acupuncture. Radial pulse was measured by three dimensional pulse imaging system(DMP-3000) at four different time points (before, right after, 30 minutes after, and 60 minutes after acupuncture). We compared the three groups and figure out determined the parameters which significantly changed after acupuncture treatment. Results : 1. Pulse period, T1/T, T4/T, (T-T4)/T, T4/(T-T4), T5/T significantly changed after acupuncture. 2. H4, pulse area, systolic pulse area, diastolic pulse area, radial augmentation index(RAI), and pulse power volume / min significantly changed after acupuncture. 3. Frequency of Fourier components, ratio of frequencies of Fourier components, magnitude of Fourier components, and ratio of magnitudes of Fourier components significantly changed after acupuncture. Conclusions : LTA and LSA have an effect on the radial pulse parameters. Further studies on radial pulse change using Sa-Am acupuncture are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.105-121
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Sa-am acupuncture with tonifications of kidney and urinary bladder on radial pulse in healthy subjects. Methods : Sixty healthy subjects participated in this study, and were divided into a kidney tonifying acupuncture group(KI group), urinary bladder tonifying acupuncture group(BL group) and control group. Radial pulse was measured by 3 dimensional pulse imaging system(DMP-3000) before, immediately after, 30 minutes after, and 60 minutes after acupuncture at Cun, Guan, and Chi in each time. Results : 1. BL group exhibited significantly reduced T1 / T, T4 / T, T4 / (T-T4), T5 / T and increased(T-T4) / T compared to KI group. 2. BL group showed increase of radial augmentation index / heart rate(RAI / HR) in left Cun, H5, Ad / Ap in left Chi, H1, As / Ap in right Chi compared to KI group. BL group showed decrease of As / Ap, Aw / Ap in left Chi, H1, pulse depth, Ad / Ap in right Chi compared to KI group. 3. KI group showed increase of Aw / Ap, H1, H2, H4, pulse area in right Guan, pulse depth in right Chi compared to BL group. KI group showed decrease of RAI in left Cun, applied pressure, pulse depth in left Guan, Aw / Ap in right Chi compared to BL group. Conclusions : The effects of Sa-am acupuncture with tonifications of kidney and urinary bladder in healthy humans have been observed on various parameters. The parameters analysed in this study can be used to differentiate the effects of Sa-am acupuncture with tonifications of kidney and urinary bladder on radial pulse.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.7-18
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find parameters to compare the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture with large intestine tonifying and sedating on radial pulse in healthy subjects. Methods : Sixty healthy subjects participated in this study, divided into large intestine tonifying acupuncture group, large intestine sedating acupuncture group and control group. Radial pulse was measured by 3 dimensional pulse imaging system(DMP-3000) before, right after, 30 minutes after and 60 minutes after acupuncture at Cun, Guan, and Chi in the acupuncture group and in the control group at the same time points. Results : 1. Angle of main peak and magnitude of fourier component significantly changed by integrated analysis of Cun, Guan and Chi. 2. Amplitude of H1, Pulse Power volume / min, elasticity, AIx / HR, Frequency and magnitude of fourier component significantly changed by analysis of Cun, Guan, and Chi. Conclusions : The effect of Sa-Am acupuncture with large intestine tonifying and sedating in healthy human may be observed on time, amplitude, pulse area, augmentation index and fourier components parameters. The parameters analysed in this study may be used to differentiate the effects between Sa-Am acupuncture with large intestine tonifying and sedating on radial pulse. Further studies on the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture using radial pulse are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Sa-Am spleen-tonifying acupuncture on radial pulse in healthy human subjects. Methods : Forty healthy human subjects participated in this study, divided into acupuncture group and control group. Radial pulse was measured by 3 dimensional pulse imaging system(DMP-3000) before, right after, 30 minutes after and 60 minutes after acupuncture in the acupuncture group. The subjects in the control group didn't received acupuncture but took a rest and then the radial pulse was measured at the same time points as the acupuncture group. The parameters were analyzed by gender, measuring location, and measuring time point. However the time related parameters exceptionally were analyzed without distinction of measuring location. Results : 1. T, variance of period, T2/T, T4/T, (T-T4)/T, T4/(T-T4), and W significantly changed after acupuncture. 2. Pressure, amplitude of H1, amplitude of H2, Amplitude of H4 and pulse energy significantly changed after acupuncture. 3. Pulse area, systolic pulse area and diastolic pulse area significantly changed after acupuncture. 4. Elasticity, AIx and AIx/HR significantly changed after acupuncture. Conclusions : The effect of Sa-Am spleen-tonifying acupuncture in healthy human may be observed on time, amplitude, pulse area and augmentation index. Further studies on the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture using radial pulse are needed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.831-838
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• 2007

In order to improve the water environment at urban streams in Korea, several river restoration projects have been initiated for past few years. This study evaluates the impact of diverting water application at the riverhead of Onchun stream through the monitoring program for several water quality and ecological parameters. Various water quality parameters and ecological item such as benthic macroinverterates has been investigated between 09/05 and 12/06. Analysis indicates that the application of diverting water from Nakdong river to Onchun stream distinctly improved several water quality parameters such as, PH, BOD, TN, TP and concentrations of heavy metals. Low flow augmentation also improve ecological indicies such as the diversity index of benthic macroinvertebrates. Generally speaking, releasing addition water from head water of Onchun stream improves various water environmental characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.107-120
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study is to measure pulse waveforms by applying 5-level graded pressure, and selecting optimum pulse waveforms. Also to proposing the possibility of using AW(Area of the 1/3 upper height of h1) rate in respect to AT(Total Area) for risk assessment of hypertension or arteriosclerosis is another aim of the study. Methods : Pulse waveforms of normotensive were measured by 5-level graded pressure. The pulse waveforms well reflecting properties of blood vessel(having the largest h1) were selected for optimum pulse waveforms. Various parameters(h-parameter, t-parameter, and others) of optimum pulse waveforms were analyzed. AIx(Augmentation index) was calculated by height-parameters to assess arterial stiffness. The area rate of the 1/3 upper height for h1 in respect to total area was analyzed according to aging. Results : According to aging 1. in height-parameter, h2 and h3 were increased but h5 was decreased. 2. In time-parameter, t2, t3, and t5 were getting short. 3. Area of systolic period was increased, and that of diastolic period decreased. 4. AIx rose by aging. 5. AW was significantly increased despite no changes in AT. Conclusions : By analyzing optimum pulse waveforms of 5-level graded pressure method, we could complement weakness of single graded pressure method. Also, possibility of applying the AW rate to risk assessment of hypertension or arteriosclerosis was confirmed in normotensive population which might not be assessed by AIx.