• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.209-214
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• 2007

Background: Failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is occasionally required for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients receiving emergency CABG after failed PTCA. Material and Method: Between May 1988 and May 2005, 5712 patients underwent PTCA, where 84 (1.4%) failed. 27 patients underwent emergency CABG after failed PTCA. The mean age was $63.7{\pm}8.9\;(46{\sim}80)$ years, with 14 male patients (51.9%). Result: All patients underwent emergent surgical revascularization within 6 hours. 22 patients underwent conventional CABG and 5 underwent off-pump CABG. The causes of PTCA failure were coronary obstruction due to new thrombi formation during the procedure (n=4), coronary dissection (n=17), coronary artery rupture (n=3) and 3 due to other causes. The rate of in-hospital operative mortality after emergent operation was 18.5% (5/27). A univariate analysis revealed that patients who died more often had left anterior descending artery disease, a preprocedural shock status, postoperative use of multiple isotropics and postoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pump. The mean follow up duration was $53.6{\pm}63.4$ months. Conclusion: Although PTCA is known to be life saving, there is still a high risk for morbidity and mortality following emergency CABG after failed PTCA, despite the advancement in PTCA techniques. This result will help identify and more effectively treat patients selected for PTCA when emergency CABG is required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2001

Background : Angiogenesis is an essential process for the growth and metastatic ability of solid tumors. One of the key factors known to be capable of stimulating tumor angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The serum VEGF concentration has been shown to be a useful parameter related to the clinical features and prognosis of lung cancer and has been recently applied to a the malignant pleural effusion showing a correlation with the biochemical parameters. The VEGF has been shown to play a role in the inflammatory diseases, but rarely in the tuberculosis (TB). The serum and pleural fluid VEGF levels were measured in patients with lung cancer and TB. Their relationship with the clinical and laboratory parameters and repeated measurement 3 months after various anticancer treatments were evaluated to assess the utility of the VEGF as a tumor marker. Methods : Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the VEGF conoentration was measured in both sera and pleural effusions collected from a total of 85 patients with lung cancer, 13 patients with TB and 20 healthy individuals. Results : The serum VEGF levels in patients with lung cancer ($619.9{\pm}722.8pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls ($215.9{\pm}191.1pg/ml$), However, there was no significant difference between the VEGF levels in the lung cancer and TB patients. The serum VEGF levels were higher in large cell and undifferentiated carcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The serum VEGF levels of lung cancer patients revealed no significant relationship with the various clinical parameters. The VEGF concentrations in the malignant effusion ($2,228.1{\pm}2,103.0pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those in the TB effusion ($897.6{\pm}978.8pg/ml$). In the malignant pleural effusion, the VEGF levels revealed significant correlation with the number of red blood cells (r=0.75), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(r=0.70), and glucose concentration (r=-0.55) in the pleural fluid. Conclusion : The serum VEGF levels were higher in the lung cancer patients. The VEGF levels were more elevated in the malignant pleural effusion than in the tuberculous effusion. In addition, the VEGF levels in the pleural fluid were several times higher than the matched serum values suggesting a local activation and possible etiologic role of VEGF in the formation of malignant effusions. The pleural VEGF levels showed a significant correlation with the numbers of red blood cells, LDH and glucose concentrations in the pleural fluid, which may represent the tumor burden.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.497-506
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• 2007

Background: The present investigation was performed in rats and isolated human neutrophils in order to confirm the presumptive role of the positive feedback loop of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) activation by plateletactivating factor (PAF). Methods: The possible formation of the positive feedback loop of the $cPLA_2$ activation and neutrophilic respiratory burst was investigated in vivo and in vitro by measurement of the parameters denoting acute lung injury. In addition, morphological examinations and electron microscopic cytochemistry were performed for the detection of free radicals in the lung. Results: Five hours after intratracheal instillation of PAF ($5{\mu}g/rat$), the lung leak index, lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the number of neutrophils and the concentration of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased by PAF as compared with those of control rats. The NBT assay and cytochrome-c reduction assay revealed an increased neutrophilic respiratory burst in isolated human neutrophils following exposure to PAF. Lung and neutrophilic $cPLA_2$ activity were increased following PAF exposure and exposure to hydrogen peroxide increased $cPLA_2$ activity in the lung. Histologically, inflammatory findings of the lung were observed after PAF treatment. Remarkably, as determined by $CeCl_3$ cytochemical electron microscopy, increased production of hydrogen peroxide was identified in the lung after PAF treatment. Conclusion: PAF mediates acute oxidative lung injury by the activation of $cPLA_2$, which may provoke the generation of free radicals in neutrophils.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2008

Background : It was not uncommon authors as psychiatrists faced women patients with somatoform disorders who expresses their symptoms has been started after the poor adherence to 'Doing the month' practices (DMP). DMP is known as a traditional ritual for Korean postpartum women. Aims : This study is an cultural approach to explore the practices of Korean women during the postpartum period are related with the formation of somatoform disorders. Methods : 41 multipara women with somatoform disorders diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria and 91 healthy normal control were enrolled. Subjects were given scales of SOM scale of SCL-90R, Somatic Symptom Scale-Korean version, Korean 'Doing the month' practices Scale(40 items), Postpartum Sick Scale(14 items), Beck Depression Scale and State Anxiety Scale. Results : 1) The period of DMP less than one week were prevalent in the patients group(43.9%) compared to the control group(7.9%, p<0.01). 2) The period of DMP after the abortions showed no difference between two groups. 3) Subjective rate for their poor DMP was significantly high in the patients group(73.2%) compared to the control group(33.0%), and the patients group showed high score in Postpartum Sick Scale as well(4.1, 1.6 respectively). 4) Poor DM was negatively correlated with SOM scale of SCL-90R(correlation coefficient r=-0.47, p<0.01). Conclusion : Poor DMP may make a crucial role for their heath condition after the deliveries and which would be one of the major factors of the somatoform disorders in Korean women. And postpartum physical symptoms after the poor DMP could be last long enough to be diagnosed as somatoform disorders. By understanding the cultural nature of the somatization phenomena the doctor-patient relationship could be enhanced.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.3 s.19
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• pp.191-199
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• 2005

Background: Though infections of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are closely associated with activation of host angiogenesis, the underlying mechanisms, as well as the strategy for its prevention, have not been identified. Here, we investigated a causal role of H. pylori infection in angiogenesis of gastric mucosa and a potent inhibitory effect of a gastric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on the gastropathy. Materials and Methods: A comparative analysis of CD 34 expression in tissues obtained from 20 H. pylori-associated gastritis and 18 H. pylori-negative gastritis patients was performed. Expression of $HIF-1{\alpha}$ and VEGF were tested by using RT-PCR. To evaluate the direct effect of H. pylori infection on differentiation of endothelial HUVEC cells, we carried out an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Results: H. pyfori-associated gastritis tissues showed significantly higher density of $CD34^+$ blood vessels than did H. pylori-negative gastritis tissues, and the levels were well correlated with expressions of $HIF-1{\alpha}$. Conditioned media from H. pylori-infected gastric mucosal cells stimulated a tubular formation of HUVEC cells. We also found a significant inhibitory effect of PPI, an agent frequently used for H. pylori eradication, on H. pylori-induced angiogenesis. This drug effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of MAP kinase ERK1/2, which is a principal signal for H. pylori-induced angiogenesis. Conclusion: The fact that PPls can down-regulate H. pylori-induced angiogenesis suggest that anti-angiogenic treatment using PPI may be a preventive approach for H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.248-261
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• 1994

Background: Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that recognize a specific sequence of sugar residues. The availability of a large number of lectins has provided the capacity to identify selectively glycoconjugates possessing distinctive chemical structure in diverse sites of highly specialized biological activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lectin binding patterns of various components in human pulmonary tubercles. Method: Biopsy specimens of tuberculous lung were obtained from male adult patients who underwent a surgical resection for severe pulmonary tuberculosis. The specimens were processed and stained with 13 kinds of biotinylated lectins according to some modification of Hsu and Raine's methods. Results: 1) In the caseous necrotic lesions, BS $I-B_4$ showed negative reaction and BS I were also negative except some irregularly-shaped cells located in the marginal zone. All other lectins, however, showed a positive reaction with various binding patterns. 2) The epithelioid cells were broadly divided into three groups according to the reaction patterns in the cytoplasms and cell membranes. 3) WGA, ECL, PHA-L, PHA-E and LCA showed strong staining in the lymphocytes. 4) SBA showed a different binding patterns between the endothelial layers located in the region beyond the fibrous layers and those located within the fibrous layers. 5) PNA showed a positive reaction in the outer 1/3 to 1/2 of the fibrous layer, but showed no staining in the inner 1/2 to 2/3 of the fibrous layers. Conclusion: The present lectin histochemical study provided a useful information to assess the characterization and distribution of various glycoconjugates in each constituent of human pulmonary tubercles. The results demonstrate structural differences in the glycoconjugate composition of various components of the tubercles and reveal changes in glycosylation in the components during soft tubercle formation. This study provides a new data useful for the studies on the pathogenesis and pathology of human pulmonary tubercles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.378-383
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• 1993

Background: In recent reports, it has been reported that increased coagulation and decreased fibrinolytic activity has been responsible for abnormal fibrin turnover in exudative pleural effusion. In the cases of empyema, the fibrinopurulent stage is characterized by the fibrin deposition resulting in formation of limiting membranes in the visceral and parietal pleura. Recently attention has been focused on intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy capable of removing intrapleural fibrin deposits by urokinase (UK) in the treatment of empyema. However, these clinical trials have provided the clinical evidences for resolution of pleural loculation after intrapleural urokinase injection (UK-injection), the profiles of fibrinolytic activity following the treatment were still not investigated. Therefore in order to demonstrate the fibrinolytic evidences behind the clinical efficacy of intracavitary UK-injection, we examined intrapleural plasminogen activator activity (PA-activity) and D-dimer (D-Di) concentrations before and after each repeated UK-injection into the pleura in subjects with loculated empyema cavity. Methods: In a group of 14 patients with multiple loculated empyema cavity, PA-activity and D-Di concentrations were measured before and after repeated UK-injection. One hundred thousand IU of UK was injected at each time and all sujects had at least two times of UK injection accoring to clinical decisions. Nine out of 14 sujects had three times of UK-injection. Results: The mean (${\pm}SE$) PA-activity prior to treatemnt was $10.5{\pm}7.0$ and it was increased to $91.9{\pm}27.0,\;432.3{\pm}177.1,\;170.0{\pm}85.3$ IU tPA/ml after first, second and third time of UK-injection respectively (p<0.01). D-Di concentrations were also increased from $4.16{\pm}1.06{\times}10^5$ to $9.62{\pm}1.54{\times}10^5,\;12.31{\pm}1.89{\times}10^5,\;8.54{\pm}1.56{\times}10^5$ ng/ml in the same order as above (p<0.05). Conclusion: The suppressed fibrinolytic activity in the empyema cavity get removed sinificantly after inrracavitary injection of urokinase by generation of additional intrapleural plasmin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1167-1177
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• 1998

Background : Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the diseases characterized granuloma formation which was controlled by cellular immune reactions. In the process of granulomatous changes, activated alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes secrete many cytokines including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-$\alpha$), interferon-gamma(IFN-$\gamma$) which mediate inflammatory reactions. Intercelluar adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) also known to major role player in inflammatory processes, and increased cellular expressions when endothelial cell was stimulated by IL-1, TNF and IFN. Method : To evaluate relationships among cellular immune reactions and clinical stages, pulmonary tuberculosis patients were classified into three groups according to their clinical stages including minimal, moderate and far advanced tuberculosis. TNF-$\alpha$ IFN-$\gamma$, sICAM-1 (soluble form of ICAM-1) were measured at the time of diagnosis and after 6-months anti-tuberculosis medications by radioimmuno assay or enzyme linked immunosolvent assay. Result : TNF-$\alpha$, IFN-$\gamma$, sICAM-1 were significantly increased in moderate and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis patients but no meaningful changes in minimal staged patients. 6-months anti-tuberculosis medications reduced serum sICAM-1 levels significantly, related to clinical improvement but no significant changes were found in the serum levels of TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$. In the point of correlations. positive ones revealed between TNF-$\alpha$ and sICAM-1, also between IFN-$\gamma$ and sICAM-1 but no correlation between TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$. Conclusion : Measurement of serum sICAM-1 could be useful parameter to evaluate the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis and to monitor disease activities during anti-tuberculosis medications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.401-408
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• 1997

Background : Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation, which is manifested by formation of nonfunctioning lung tissue lacking normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree. The preoperative diagnostic rate has been relatively low, and without consideration of pulmonary sequestration, unexpected bleeding from aberrant vessels may be a serious problem during the operation. The purpose of our study is to describe the clinical features of pulmonary sequestration based on a review of 15 cases treated by operation. Method : Fifteen patients with pulmonary sequestration who had undergone surgical treatment from 1991 through May 1996 at Yongdong Severance Hospital and Severance Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of the patients was 22.5 years (range 5~57), and male to female ratio was 9 : 6. Clinical presentations varied from recurrent respiratory infections such as fever, cough, and sputum or chest pain to no symptom. The chest simple X-rays showed multicystic shadow(10/15) and solid mass-like shadow(5/15). The chest CT scans, done in twelve cases, showed multicystic lesion with or without lung infiltration(8/12), solid mass-like lesion(4/12), The chest MRIs, done in three cases, revealed the aberrant arteries originating from descending aorta(2/3). Aortograms, done in four cases, showed the aberrant arteries originating from descending thoracic aorta(2/4), abdominal aorta(I/4), and intercostal artery(1/4). and the venous returns were via the pulmonary veins. Pulmonary sequestration was considered preoperatively in six patients of fifteen. Other preliminary diagnosis were lung tumor(3/15), lung abscess(21/15), bronchiectasis(2/15), and mediastinal tumor(2/15). In the operative findings, twelve cases were of intralobar type and three cases of extralobar type. The left lower lobe was most often affected(9/15) and one extralobar sequestration was in the pericardium. The aberrant arteries originated from descending thoracic aorta(6/15), abdominal aorta(1/15), internal thoracic arteries (2/15), intercostal artery(1/15), pericardiophrenic artery(1/15), but in four cases, the origins could not be defined. There was no mortality or complication postoperatively. Conclusion : In our study, preoperative diagnostic rate was relatively low, and clinical features were similar to previous reports. Preoperative vigorous diagnostic approach including aortography is strongly advocated not only for its diagnostic value, but also for accurate localization of the aberrant vessels, which is major concern to surgical procedure.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.594-600
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• 2000

Background : Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation is well established as an integral part of the management of patients with the acute lung injury. PEEP is a key element in the treatment of hypoxemia resulting from pulmonary edema. Pulmonary capillary pressure (Pcap) is the most important factor influencing lung edema formation, and an understanding of how Pcap is altered by variations of PEEP or pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP) is important to improve the treatment of acute lung injury patients. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of PEEP on the pulmonary capillary pressure in acute lung injury patients. Methods : This was a prospective study of 11 acute lung injury patients. The effect of PEEP on pulmonary circulation at four different levels (0,4,8, and 12cm$H_2O$) was analyzed. Pcap was estimated visually at bed side with Swan Ganz catheters. The pulmonary vasculature was analyzed by calculating the pressure difference at the arterial and venous parts of the circulation. Results: As PEEP increased from 0 to 12 cm$H_2O$, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and Pcap increased respectively from $22.7{\pm}7.4$ to $25.3{\pm}7.3$ mmHg and $15.3{\pm}3.3$ to $17.8{\pm}3.2$ mmHg (p<0.05). Similarly, PAOP increased from $9.8{\pm}2.1$ to $12.8{\pm}2.1$ mmHg and the central venous pressure increased from $6.1{\pm}1.6$ to $9.3{\pm}2.3$ mmHg(p<0.05). However, the pressure gradient at the arterial (PAP-Pcap) and venous (Pcap-Pcwp) parts of pulmonary circulation remained unchanged at all evaluated PEEP levels. Conclusion : Although Pcap increased gradually with increased the pressure gradient at the arterial and venous part of the pulmonary vasculature remained unchanged at all evaluated PEEP levels in acute lung injury patients.