• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.7
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• pp.298-302
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• 2016

Purpose: Recent reports showed that plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could be a useful biomarker of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) unresponsiveness and coronary artery lesion (CAL) development in Kawasaki disease (KD). The levels of these peptides are critically influenced by age; hence, the normal range and upper limits for infants and children are different. We performed an age-adjusted analysis of plasma NT-proBNP level to validate its clinical use in the diagnosis of KD. Methods: The data of 131 patients with KD were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups-group I (high NT-proBNP group) and group II (normal NT-proBNP group)-comprising patients with NT-proBNP concentrations higher and lower than the 95th percentile of the reference value, respectively. We compared the laboratory data, responsiveness to IVIG, and the risk of CAL in both groups. Results: Group I showed significantly higher white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, C-reactive protein level, aspartate aminotransferase level, and troponin-I level than group II (P<0.05). The risk of CAL was also significantly higher in group I (odds ratio, 5.78; P=0.012). IVIG unresponsiveness in group I was three times that in group II (odds ratio, 3.35; P= 0.005). Conclusion: Age-adjusted analysis of plasma NT-proBNP level could be helpful in predicting IVIG unresponsiveness and risk of CAL development in patients with KD.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2020

Purpose: Preterm infants are at high risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a means of predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population. It is controversial whether diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI) represents damage to the white matter or delayed myelination in preterm infants. This study investigated MRI findings for predicting the severity of neurodevelopmental outcomes and assessing whether preterm infants with DEHSI near term-equivalent age have abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Materials and Methods: Preterm infants (n = 64, gestational age at birth < 35 weeks) undergoing brain MRI near term-equivalent age and subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated between 18 and 24 months of age. The associations of MRI findings and the risk of severe cognitive delay, severe psychomotor delay, cerebral palsy (CP), and neurosensory impairment were analyzed. The associations of DEHSI with risks of severe cognitive delay, severe psychomotor delay, CP, and neurosensory impairment (hearing or visual impairment) were analyzed. Outcome data were evaluated by logistic regression and the Fisher's exact test. Results: There were significant associations between abnormal white matter findings and delayed mental development, delayed psychomotor development, neurosensory impairment, and presence of CP. The presence of DEHSI was not correlated with delayed neurodevelopmental outcomes or presence of CP. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, cystic encephalomalacia, punctate lesion, loss of white matter volume and ventricular dilation were significantly associated with CP. Conclusion: Abnormal MRI findings near term-equivalent age in preterm infants predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. No significant association between DEHSI and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes was demonstrated.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.341-344
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• 2008

Purpose: Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant multisystemic neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of multiple hamartoma distributed through the body, skin, brain, heart, kidney, and lung. The classic triad is seizure, mental retardation, and facial angiofibroma. We experienced a case of a tuberous sclerosis associated with the facial lesion and multiple masses on scalp, forehead, and right lower extremity. Methods: This a 34-year-old male patient had subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in brain and multiple angiomyolipoma in both kidneys. Tangential excision with razor blade and dermabrasion were done on the centrofacial area. We excised other lesions and the mass on scalp was excised and covered with split thickness skin graft. Results: The histopathological finding revealed that the facial lesion was angiofibroma and the others were multiple fibroma. Conclusion: In our case of tuberous sclerosis, we chose the tangential excision to remove the large nodules of angiofibroma, and then dermabrasion was used to smooth the final contour. The patient appeared to have a good results from this treatment modality. But, tuberous sclerosis is an disease that needs long term follow-up to check up the recurrence of skin problem.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.531-538
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• 2015

Preceding infection or inflammation such as bacterial meningitis has been associated with poor outcomes after stroke. Previously, we reported that intracorpus callosum microinjection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) strongly accelerated the ischemia/reperfusionevoked brain tissue damage via recruiting inflammatory cells into the ischemic lesion. Simvastatin, 3-hydroxy-3-methylgultaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor, has been shown to reduce inflammatory responses in vascular diseases. Thus, we investigated whether simvastatin could reduce the LPS-accelerated ischemic injury. Simvastatin (20 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats prior to cerebral ischemic insults (4 times at 72, 48, 25, and 1-h pre-ischemia). LPS was microinjected into rat corpus callosum 1 day before the ischemic injury. Treatment of simvastatin reduced the LPS-accelerated infarct size by 73%, and decreased the ischemia/reperfusion-induced expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators such as iNOS, COX-2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ in LPS-injected rat brains. However, simvastatin did not reduce the infiltration of microglial/macrophageal cells into the LPS-pretreated brain lesion. In vitro migration assay also showed that simvastatin did not inhibit the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-evoked migration of microglial/macrophageal cells. Instead, simvastatin inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$, a key signaling event in expressions of various proinflammatory mediators, by decreasing the degradation of $I{\kappa}B$. The present results indicate that simvastatin may be beneficial particularly to the accelerated cerebral ischemic injury under inflammatory or infectious conditions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2018

We report the case of a 12-year-old girl who had mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acutepyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli. The patient was admitted with a high fever, and she was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis based on pyuria and the results of urine culture, which detected cefotaxime-sensitive E. coli. Although intravenous cefotaxime and tobramycin were administered, her fever persisted and her C-reactive protein level increased to 307 mg/L. On day 3 of admission, she demonstrated abnormal neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as delirium, ataxia, and word salad. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain performed on day 4 showed marked hyperintensities in the bilateral corpus callosum and deep white matter on diffusion-weighted images, with corresponding diffusion restriction on apparent diffusion coefficient mapping. No abnormalities or pathogens were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid; however, lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxin) were detected in plasma (41.6 pg/mL), associated with acute neurological deterioration. Her clinical condition gradually improved, and no neurological abnormalities were observed on day 6. Follow-up brain MRI performed 2 weeks later showed near-disappearance of the previously noted hyperintense lesions. In this patient, we first proved endotoxemia in a setting of MERS. The release of LPS following antibiotic administration might be related to the development of MERS in this patient. The possibility of MERS should be considered in patients who present with acute pyelonephritis and demonstrate delirious behavior.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2000

Objective : This study was undertaken to evaluate the benefits and risks of the stereotactic biopsy in brain lesions. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy and morbidity rate associated with the stereotactic biopsy. Methods : The authors present a review of 47 patients, who underwent stereotactic biopsy using Cosman-Roberts-Wells(CRW) stereotactic apparatus during last six years. Results : Target locations were supratentorial in 36 cases, infratentorial in 9 and multiple in 2. According to pathological diagnosis, the largest group was neoplasm(29) followed by infection(9), infarction(2), cyst(2), and non-specific(5). Definitive diagnosis could be made in 42 of 47 cases(89.4%). When the mass lesion had been suspected as neoplastic condition, the diagnostic rate was 96.7%(29/30). It was being much higher than that of non-neoplastic lesion, 76.5%(13/17). The treatment modality was changed in 15 cases(32%) because the result of stereotactic biopsy was different from clinical diagnosis. Subsequent craniotomy after stereotactic biopsy was then performed in 6 cases, and the pathological diagnoses were precisely coincident in all of these cases. There were two complications(4.3%) : One intratumoral hemorrhage in glioblastoma and a transient hemiparesis in benign astrocytoma. There was no mortality in this series. Conclusion : The precise histological verification is crucial to determine the adequate treatment modality in intracranial lesions. Stereotactic biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic procedure for intracranial lesions with a low complication rate.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.64-71
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• 2012

Background: It is generally accepted that upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion can alter lower motor neuron (LMN) function by the plasticity of neural circuit. However there have been only few researches regarding the axonal excitability of LMN after UMN injury especially during the acute stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the nerve excitability properties of the LMNs following an acute to subacute supratentorial corticospinal tract lesion. Methods: An automated nerve excitability test (NET) using the threshold tracking technique was utilized to measure multiple excitability indices in median motor axons of 15 stroke patients and 20 controls. Testing of both paretic and non-paretic side was repeated twice, during the acute stage and subacute stage. The protocols calculated the strength-duration time constant from the duration-charge curve, parameters of threshold electrotonus (TE), the current-threshold relationship from sequential sub-threshold current, and the recovery cycle from sequential supra-threshold stimulation. Results: On the paretic side, compared with the control group, significant decline of superexcitablity and increase in the relative refractory period were observed during the subacute stage of stroke. Additionally, despite the absence of statistical significance, a mildly collapsing in ('fanning in') of the TE was found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that supratentorial brain lesions can affect peripheral axonal excitability even during the early stage. The NET pattern probably suggests background membrane depolarization of LMNs. These features could be associated with trans-synaptic regulation of UMNs to LMNs as one of the "neural plasticity" mechanisms in acute brain injury.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 1997

In this paper, the power spectral analysis and the fractal analysis of heart rate variability(HRV) were performed to evaluate the effects of brain lesion on cardiovascular system and autonomic function for 24 normal subjects and 22 hemiplegic patients. The ECG and respiration signals were recorded at tilt angles of $0^{\circ}$ and $70^{\circ}$ for 5 and 6 minutes successively under the condition of frequency controlled respiration (0.25Hz). For normal subjects, HR, LF component, HF component and fractral dimension of HRV were distinctly changed after orthostatic stress, whereas, for hemiplegic patients, those were little changed. Complexity and variability of heart rate of patients were smaller than those of normal subjects. Sympathetic tone of patients was higher than that in normal subjects. All of these results support that autonomic disorder and cardiovascular disturbance accompanied by brain lesion could be assessed by the power spectral analysis and fractal analysis of HRV.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.217-226
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• 2019

Background: We aimed to assess the dose needed to achieve the propofol effect-site concentration using target-controlled infusion in intellectually disabled patients and to detail the most effective method for achieving a safe level of consciousness without hemodynamic changes as well as detail any resulting adverse effects. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of sedation service records of 138 intellectually disabled patients (51, mental retardation; 36, autism; 30, brain lesion, 12 genetic diseases, 9 dementia) aged over 15 years and weighing over 30 kg. These patients had received propofol via target-controlled infusion in the special care dental clinic of Seoul National University Dental Hospital from May 2008 to September 2018 for restorative treatment (112), minor surgery (13), prosthodontics (7), periodontics treatment (5), and implant (1). Results: For all groups, the duration of dental treatments was $43{\pm}18$ minutes, total sedation time was $73{\pm}23$ minutes, and total BIS values was $57{\pm}12$. The propofol maintenance dosage values for each group were: mental retardation, $3{\pm}0.5(2-4){\mu}g/ml$; autism, $3.1{\pm}0.7(2-5){\mu}g/ml;$; brain lesion, $2.8{\pm}0.7(1.5-5){\mu}g/ml;$; genetic disease, $2.9{\pm}0.9(1-4){\mu}g/ml;$ and dementia $2.3{\pm}0.7(1-3.4){\mu}g/ml;$. Conclusions: The dementia group needed a lower dosage to reach a safe, effective propofol effect-site concentration than the other groups. Since there were no complications, deep sedation is a great alternative to general anesthesia for dental treatment of intellectually disabled patients.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

This study aimed to examine the meaning of adult learners' experience in which they performed a convergence program for the self-confidence improvement of disabled persons with brain lesion who were daycare center users. For the goal, the study collected data through a 5-session profound interview with those disabled persons and then through this author's observation. This study analyzed all the data and, as a result, categorized three significant themes that best represented the above mentioned meaning, which are 'tension of beginning', 'joy of being in company with others' and 'I as the present being'. With those meaningful themes taken into serious consideration. Finally, this study suggested that field programs for social welfare practice in better connection with adult learners' major should be researched and developed.