• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-27
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• 2023

Background: Osteomas are benign, slow-growing bone tumors that can be classified as central, peripheral, or extraskeletal. Central osteomas arise from the endosteum, peripheral osteomas from the periosteum, and extraskeletal osteomas within the muscle. Frontal peripheral osteomas are mainly encountered in plastic surgery. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with frontal peripheral osteomas. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who visited our hospital with frontal peripheral osteomas between January 2014 and June 2022. We analyzed the following variables: age, sex, tumor type (sessile or pedunculated), single or multiple, size, history of head trauma, operation, and recurrence. Results: A total of 39 patients and 41 osteomas were analyzed, of which 29 osteomas (71%) were sessile and 12 osteomas (29%) were pedunculated. The size of the osteomas ranged from 4 to 30 mm, with an average size of 10 mm. The age of patients ranged from 4 to 78 years with a mean age of 52 years. There were seven men (18%) and 32 women (82%), and the man-to-woman ratio was 1:4.6. Two patients (5%) had multiple masses, with two osteomas in each, while only two patients (5%) had a history of head trauma. Twenty-nine patients (74%) underwent ostectomy by a direct approach, and none of the patients experienced recurrence. Conclusion: The epidemiologic data of our study will help plastic surgeons encounter frontal peripheral osteomas in the field to provide proper management for their patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.82-93
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between peripheral blood leukocyte differential - Granulocyte rate, Lymphocyte rate and its calculated Granulocyte/Lymphocyte ratio - and the obstetric variables. Methods: From 270 cases of women who were in the postpartum care center attached to Won-Kwang Korean Medical Hospital, 36 cases met exclusion criteria. On the obstetric variables of 234 cases, peripheral blood leukocyte differential - Granulocyte rate, Lymphocyte rate and its calculated Granulocyte/Lymphocyte ratio - was analyzed. In the postpartum care center, the obstetric variables were asked of 234 cases of women, and who measured leukocyte differential. Results: Mean granulocyte rate and lymphocyte rate of peripheral blood leukocyte differential showed statistically significant difference from those in healthy people and was high. There was statistically significant difference in granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio according to mood of delivery, parity and period passed from childbirth. But whether postpartum women with anemia or not, maternal age and gender of neonate were not associated with granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio, and which was not significantly correlated with gestational age and neonatal birth weight. Conclusions: These findings suggest that activation of the sympathetic nervous system in postpartum women is higher than in healthy people. And granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio was influenced by mood of delivery, parity and period passed from childbirth. In future, more studies or surveys, with less bias, for the relation between peripheral blood leukocyte differential and the obstetric variables are required.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.535-547
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VAECMO) as a bridge to eventual heart transplantation (HT) is increasingly used worldwide. However, the effect of different VA-ECMO types on HT outcomes remains unclear. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 111 patients receiving VA-ECMO and awaiting HT. We assessed 3 ECMO configuration groups: peripheral (n=76), central (n=12), and peripheral to central ECMO conversion (n=23). Cox proportional hazards regression and landmark analysis were conducted to analyze the effect of the ECMO configuration on HT and in-hospital mortality rates. We also evaluated adverse events during ECMO support. Results: HT was performed in the peripheral (n=48, 63.2%), central (n=10, 83.3%), and conversion (n=11, 47.8%) ECMO groups (p=0.133) with a median interval of 10.5, 16, and 30 days, respectively (p<0.001). The cumulative incidence of HT was significantly lower in the conversion group (hazard ratio, 0.292, 95% confidence interval, 0.145-0.586, p=0.001). However, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality (log-rank p=0.433). In the landmark analysis, in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. Although we did note a trend toward lower HT in the conversion group, the difference was not statistically significant. Surgical site bleeding occurred mainly in the central, while limb ischemia occurred mainly in the peripheral groups. Conclusions: We suggest that if patients are being stably supported with their initial ECMO configuration, whether it is central or peripheral, it should be maintained, and ECMO conversion should only be cautiously performed when necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2010

Objective: To testify whether the increased peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cells fraction and their cytolytic activity could coincide with patient's history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and to evaluate these factors are can be valuable diagnostic markers in RSA. Methods: Women with a history of RSA comprised the patient group (n=35). Normal fertile women, who were experienced at least one healthy term birth without history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage, were included as the healthy control group (n=15). The pbNK cells of $CD3^-/CD56^+/CD16^+$ and their cytolytic activities against K562 cells were measured by flow cytometry and the values were compared between study and control groups. Results: Proportions of pbNK cells among peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) ($14.2{\pm}5.2$ vs. $9.4{\pm}3.7%$, p=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8 to 7.8) was significantly higher in the patient group. The odds ratio of having RSA history was increased as 8.4 folds (59% of sensitivity, 80% of specificity, and 95% CI: 2.0 to 35.8) in patients who showed pbNK cells fraction above 12.1% which was determined as cut-off value by using ROC curve analysis. The cytolytic activities of pbNK cells which measured by three different ratio of effecter pbNK cells to target K562 cells and calculated by the percent of cytolytic K562 cells, were significantly higher in study group than that of control group (in 50:1 ratio, $48.3{\pm}19.0$ vs. $31.3{\pm}11.9%$, p=0.002; in 25:1 ratio, $37.0{\pm}18.1$ vs. $20.2{\pm}9.2%$, p<0.001; in 12.5:1 ratio, $23.5{\pm}12.7$ vs. $12.4{\pm}7.3%$, p=0.001). With the cut-off values of cytolytic activity of pbNK cells as 43.1% (50:1), 26.9% (25:1), and 17.4% (12.5:1) each, the risk of having RSA history was increased by 10.0, 11.4, and 15.0 folds in patients who had increased in each effector of pbNK to target of K562 cells ratio. Conclusion: The analysis of pbNK cells fraction and their cytolytic activity can be valuable diagnostic markers for RSA. We are going to planning the large scaled studies which include the data of obstetric outcomes in subsequent pregnancies to clarify our results of this study.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.289-295
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• 2014

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets is a powerful tool for evaluating cellular immunity and monitoring immune-mediated diseases. The numbers and proportions of blood lymphocyte subsets are influenced by factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, and lifestyle. This study aimed to establish reference ranges for peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in a healthy Korean population. Blood samples from 294 healthy adults were collected. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed using a single-platform method with a flow cytometer; white blood cells and lymphocytes were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer. The mean value of the white blood cell count was $5,665cells/{\mu}l$, and the mean values of the subtype counts (percentages) were as follows: lymphocytes, $1,928cells/{\mu}l$ (35.08%); $CD3^+$ cells, $1,305cells/{\mu}l$ (67.53%); $CD3^+CD4^+$ cells, $787cells/{\mu}l$ (40.55%); $CD3^+CD8^+$ cells, $479cells/{\mu}l$ (25.23%); $CD3^-CD19^+$ cells, $203cells/{\mu}l$ (10.43%); and $CD3^-CD56^+$ cells, $300cells/{\mu}l$ (15.63%). Additionally, the $CD4^+/CD8^+$ ratio was 1.81. In this study, gender and age significantly influenced blood lymphocyte subsets. Our results demonstrate that, as with other populations, a healthy Korean population has its own, region-specific, lymphocyte subset reference ranges.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.282-290
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• 2021

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (RP-EBUS-TBLB) has improved the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). The diagnostic yield and complications of RP-EBUS-TBLB for PPLs vary depending on the technique, such as using a guide sheath (GS) or fluoroscopy. In this study, we investigated the utility of RP-EBUS-TBLB using a GS without fluoroscopy for diagnosing PPLs. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 607 patients who underwent RP-EBUS of PPLs from January 2019 to July 2020. TBLB was performed using RP-EBUS with a GS without fluoroscopy. The diagnostic yield and complications were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors affecting the diagnostic yields. Results: The overall diagnostic accuracy was 76.1% (462/607). In multivariable analyses, the size of the lesion (≥20 mm; odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-3.33; p=0.003), positive bronchus sign in chest computed tomography (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.40-3.78; p=0.001), a solid lesion (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.31-4.41; p=0.005), and an EBUS image with the probe within the lesion (OR, 6.98; 95% CI, 4.38-11.12; p<0.001) were associated with diagnostic success. Pneumothorax occurred in 2.0% (12/607) of cases and chest tube insertion was required in 0.5% (3/607) of patients. Conclusion: RP-EBUS-TBLB using a GS without fluoroscopy is a highly accurate diagnostic method in diagnosing PPLs that does not involve radiation exposure and has acceptable complication rates.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2011

Cuff electrodes have a benefit for chronic electroneurogram(ENG) recording while minimizing nerve damage. However, the ENG signals are usually contaminated by electromyogram(EMG) activity from the surrounding muscle, the thermal noise generated within the source resistance, and the electric noise generated primarily at the first stage of the amplifier. This paper proposes a new cuff electrode to reduce the interference of EMG signals. An additional middle electrode was placed at the center of cuff electrode. As a result, the proposed cuff electrode achieved a higher signal-to-interference ratio compared to the conventional tripolar cuff. The cuff electrode was then assembled together with closure, headstage, and hermetic case including electronic circuits. This paper also presents a lownoise amplifier system to improve signal-to-noise ratio. The circuit was designed based on the noise analysis to minimize the electronic noise. The result shows that the total noise of the amplifier was below $1{\mu}V_{rms}$ for a cuff impedance of $1\;k{\Omega}$ and the common-mode rejection ratio was 115 dB at 1 kHz. In the current study, the performance of nerve cuff electrode system was evaluated by monitoring afferent nerve signals under mechanical stimuli in a rat animal model.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.310-313
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• 2011

A 6-year-old female Shih-tzu dog was referred with left elbow joint mass associated with weight bearing lameness. Ultrasonography demonstrated an encapsulated hyperechoic mass at the left elbow joint. Radiography was performed on elbow joint, chest, and abdomen, but there was no evidence of metastasis. Clinicopathologic examination revealed the existence of neoplastic cells with anisocytosis, pleomorphism and increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. The left forelimb was amputated for cure. Histopathological examination diagnosed the mass as a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. During the 4 weeks follow-up, the patient showed full remission and adopted to walk with remaining three legs. Thereafter, the tumor recurred after 5 months of first surgery at the operation site and other two cutaneuos regions. Cytology test revealed the mesenchymal originated tumor cells with malignancy. These tumors were surgically removed and histopathological examination of the resected tissue revealed the recurrence of primary tumor and metastasis. Metronomic therapy with cyclophophamide (10 mg/$m^2$, PO, sid) and piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg, PO, sid) had been adopted for 5 months. At 26 months of follow up after the first surgery, the dog alive with satisfactory quality of life. Aggressive surgical resection with metronomic chemotherapy should be the most effective treatment for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2015

This study demonstrates a polyimide nerve cuff electrode with a conductive polymer for improving recording signal quality at peripheral nerve. The nerve cuff electrodes with platinum (Pt), iridium oxide (IrOx), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): p-toluene sulfonate (PEDOT:pTS) were fabricated and investigated their electrical characteristics for improving recorded nerve signal quality. The fabricated nerve cuff electrodes with Pt, IrOx, and PEDOT:pTS were characterized their impedance and CDC by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The impedance of PEDOT:pTS measured at 1 kHz was $257{\Omega}$, which was extremely lower than the value of the nerve cuff electrodes with IrOx ($15897{\Omega}$) and Pt ($952{\Omega}$), respectively. Furthermore, the charge delivery capacity (CDC) of the nerve cuff electrode with PEDOT:pTS was dramatically increased to 62 times than the nerve cuff electrode with IrOx. In ex-vivo test using extracted sciatic nerve of spaque-dawley rat (SD rat), the PEDOT:pTS group exhibited higher signal-to-interference ratio than IrOx group. These results indicated that the nerve cuff electrode with PEDOT:pTS is promising for effective implantable nerve signal recording.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of a PC-based facial asymmetry assessment program (PC-FAAP) and to compare the results of PC-FAAP with subjective regional scoring by raters in acute unilateral peripheral facial nerve paralysis (FNP). Subjects and Methods: Participants were divided into 3 groups with 8 participants per group: group I, normal; group II, mild to moderate FNP; and group III, severe FNP. Using the PC-FAAP, the mouth asymmetry ratio (MAR), eyebrow asymmetry ratio (EAR), and complete eye closure asymmetry ratio (CAR) were calculated by comparing the movement of tracking points on both sides. The FNP grading scale (FGS) integrated each score, and the scores were weighted with a ratio of 5:3:2 (MAR:CAR:EAR). Subjective regional scoring was measured on a 0-100 scale score by three otologists. PC-FAAP and subjective scoring were compared in each group regarding the consistency of the results. Results: The mean scores of the MAR, EAR, CAR, and FGS of each group were significantly different. PC-FAAP showed significant differences between the three groups in terms of MAR, EAC, CAR, and FGS. PC-FAAP showed more consistent results than subjective assessment (p<0.001). The PC-FAAP was significantly more consistent in group I and group III (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). FGS in group III was the only parameter that showed a more consistent result in PC-FAAP than the subjective scoring (p=0.008). Conclusions: An FNP grading system using a PC-based program may provide more consistent results, especially for severe forms.