• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2020

Purpose: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is among etiologies of secondary membranous nephropathy (MN) in pediatric patients. We evaluated expression of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), a specific target antigen of primary MN, in pediatric HBV-related MN. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with biopsy-proven HBV-related MN from the renal biopsy registry and electronic medical records of Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from 1993 to 2004. Paraffin-embedded human kidney tissues were retrieved and immunohistochemically stained for PLA2R. Results: Ten pediatric patients with 13 biopsied specimens were reviewed. The predominant pathological stage was stage II-III, and second was stage II. The intensity of staining for IgG was greatest, with less intense staining for IgM, IgA, C3, C4, and C1q. All the patients had angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor combined with glucocorticoid, and four patients converted to cyclosporine treatment from glucocorticoid monotherapy. Urinalysis of all the patients normalized after variable period. PLA2R staining was demonstrated in the outer glomerulus in 3 out of 13 biopsies, 2 of which were obtained from the same patient over a 5-year interval. Conclusions: PLA2R was expressed in a small number of cases diagnosed as pediatric HBV-related MN, indicating that some HBV-related MN cases may be primary MN concurrent with HBV infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.341-345
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal polyps are common in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern region. The present study aimed to determine any correlation between Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and colorectal polyps in the Thai population. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy with colonoscopy for investigation of chronic abdominal pain participated in this study from November 2014 to October 2015. A diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis was made if the bacteria were seen on histopathological examination and a rapid urease test was positive. Colorectal polyps were confirmed by histological examination of colorectal biopsies. Patient demographic data were analyzed for correlations. Results: The prevalence of colorectal polyps was 77 (25.4%), lesions being found more frequently in Helicobacter pylori infected patients than non-infected subjects [38.4% vs. 12.5%; Odds Ratio (OR) (95% CI): 2.26 (1.32 - 3.86), p < 0.01]. Patients with Helicobacter pylori - associated gastritis were at high risk of having adenomas featuring dysplasia [OR (95% CI): 1.15 (1.16 - 7.99); P = 0.02]. There was no varaition in location of polyps, age group, sex and gastric lesions with respect to Helicobacter pylori status. Conclusions: This study showed that Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps, especially adenomas with dysplasia in the Thai population. Patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis may benefit from concurrent colonoscopy for diagnosis of colorectal polyps as a preventive and early treatment for colorectal cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2017

Background and Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the criterion-related concurrent validity of two standardized auditory-perceptual assessments and the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) for measuring dysphonia severity in patients with vocal cord paralysis (VCP). Materials and Methods : Total 210 patients with VCP and 236 normal voice subjects were asked to sustain the vowel [a:] and to read aloud the Korean text "Walk". A 2 second mid-vowel portion of the sustained vowel and two sentences (with 26 syllables) were recorded. And then voice samples were edited, concatenated, and analyzed according to Praat script. Two standardized auditory-perceptual assessment (GRBAS and CAPE-V) were performed by three raters. Results : The VCP group showed higher AVQI, Grade (G) and Overall Severity (OS) values than normal voice group. And the correlation among AVQI, G, and OS ranged from 0.904 to 0.926. In ROC curve analysis, cutoff values of AVQI, G, and OS were <3.79, <0.00, and <30.00, respectively, and the AUC of each analysis was over .89. Conclusion : AVQI and auditory evaluation can improve the early screening ability of VCP voice and help to establish effective diagnosis and treatment plan for VCP-related dysphonia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.55-73
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• 2020

Objectives : We investigated the effectiveness and safety of intranasal phototherapy for allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods : We searched 8 electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CiNii Articles, OASIS, NDSL, KISS, KMbase) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the use of intranasal phototherapy for AR from their inception until May 30, 2020. Two investigators independently searched, collected, and screened the RCTs. We performed data extraction and evaluation for risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results : This study included 12 RCTs; six studies compared intranasal and sham phototherapy, of which four studies reported a significant inter group difference and two studies reported a significant difference partially. No significant changes in symptoms were observed between the phototherapy and conventional therapy groups. The phototherapy and concurrent acupuncture treatment group showed a significantly higher effectiveness rate compared with the group that received only acupuncture. Both the phototherapy and laser acupuncture group showed significant improvement in the symptom severity scale scores. Six studies reported mild adverse effects, such as dryness and nasal pain in the intranasal phototherapy group; however, no severe adverse effects were reported. Conclusions : This study confirmed the safety and effectiveness of intranasal phototherapy for symptom relief and improved quality of life in patients with AR. However, further studies are needed on this topic in order to demonstrate it clearly.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2002

Purpose: The results of meniscal repair of peripheral tear of meniscus with meniscal arrow was analysed. Materials and Methods: Peripheral tears of posterior 1/2 of menisci of 25 cases including 18medial, 6 lateral and 1 both menisci were repaired with meniscal arrows. One to six meniscal arrows were used for each meniscus according to the length of tears. Concurrent tears of ACL were noted in14 cases. The follow-up period was 3.4 years in average. The findings of physical examination and MRI which were taken once or twice in 1$\~$5 years after operation were evaluated. Results: Healing of the tear was achieved in all cases. However, a vertical longitudinal tear of body occurred in two medial menisci along the line of insertion of arrows. An arrow migrated subcuta-neously in two cases, respectively. Conclusions: The meniscal arrow was effective in the treatment of the peripheral tear of menicus. However, there was a chance of occurrence of longitudinal tear of the meniscus in case of insertion of arrows in a row. Migration of the arrow may occur.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2011

CSS for identifying ADEs are sufficiently developed for broad use and they are much more accurate than spontaneous reporting and more time- and cost-effective than manual chart review. Also computer alert systems can be used to identify opportunities to prevent or reduce patient injury associated with a broad range of ADEs. This CSS can be used to identify opportunities to prevent or reduce patient injury associated with preventable ADEs and increase patient safety, increase quality of drug therapy and decrease the extra-cost of the treatment for ADEs. In the future, increasing utilization of this concurrent CSS should have an enormous beneficial impact on the quality of medical care.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.621-626
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• 2011

Purpose: Implant-based breast reconstruction has multiple advantages such as decreased morbidity, shorter operative time and faster recovery. However, postoperative infection with tissue expander increases medical cost and causes a delay in concurrent antineoplastic treatment. To reduce tissue expander infection, it is important to identify related risk factors and minimize them when possible. Methods: A retrospective review of patient records in a single breast cancer center was performed. Eighty-six tissue expanders were placed in 80 women for postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Variables including patients'age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative breast volume, operation time, drain indwelling time, postoperative seroma/hematoma formation, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were evaluated. Infection was defined as the status that shows any symptom of local inflammation and identification of pathogens. Representative values were compared through Student's t-test and univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: We examined 86 postmastectomy tissueexpanders which were placed between June 2004 and April 2010. Seven cases of tissue expander infection (8.1%) were identified. The infected tissue expander was removed in three of the cases. The relationship between BMI, and preoperative breast volume and that between infection and non-infection groups were significant ($p$ <0.05). Univariate analysis showed significant association between BMI ($p$=0.023) and preoperative breast volume ($p$=0.037). Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI and preoperative breast volume were independent variables regarding tissue expander infection. Conclusion: Certain characteristics of implant-based breast reconstruction patients increase infection rate of tissue expander. These risk factors should be monitored and evaluated before surgeries for more successful outcome.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.284-293
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• 2017

Thread embedding therapy is used increasingly for various disease including neck pain. However, the evidence of thread embedding therapy on neck pain and the assessment of their methodology are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the clinical research methodology using thread embedding therapy on neck pain. Thread embedding therapy is used increasingly for various disease including neck pain. However, the evidence of thread embedding therapy on neck pain and the assessment of their methodology are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the clinical research methodology using thread embedding therapy on neck pain. Total 31 studies were included in analysis. Thread embedding therapy usually was used once a week(32.3%), once per 10days(29.0%), once per two weeks (25.8%). The most common concurrent treatment used with thread embedding therapy was Chinese medicine. Among acupuncture points, EX-B2 (61.3%) was most commonly used, followed by GV14(45.2%), GB20(29.0%), GB21(22.6%). For control group, acupuncture were most commonly used(58.1%). All studies reported that the effect of thread embedding therapy was more effective compared to control group. and 11 studies reported side effects. Only 13 studies(41.9%) reported the appropriate randomization method, and the mean Jadad score of included studies was 1.52. Previous clinical trials included in this study showed the effect of thread embedding therapy for neck pain. However, the quality of the studies was not high. Further rigorous clinical trials are need to assess the effect of thread embedding therapy.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2018

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune central nervous system disease characterized by inflammation with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate an anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige okamurae on EAE-induced paralysis in rats. An ethanolic extract of I. okamurae significantly delayed the first onset and reduced the duration and severity of hind-limb paralysis. The neuropathological and immunohistochemical findings in the spinal cord were in agreement with these clinical results. T-cell proliferation assay revealed that the ethyl-acetate fraction of I. okamurae suppressed the proliferation of myelin basic protein reactive T cells from EAE affected rats. Flow cytometric analysis showed $TCR{\alpha}{\beta}^+$ T cells was significantly reduced in the spleen of EAE rats with I. okamurae treatment with concurrent decrease of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase-2. Collectively, it is postulated that I. okamurae ameliorates EAE paralysis with suppression of T-cell proliferation as well as decrease of pro-inflammatory mediators as far as rat EAE is concerned.

• International Neurourology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2018

Purpose: Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is a surgical procedure used in adults and children with refractory bladder dysfunction, including a small bladder capacity and inadequate bladder compliance, and in whom conservative and medical treatment has failed. This study was aimed to determine the long-term outcomes of AC in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 42 patients (31 males; mean age, $14.2{\pm}6.2years$) who underwent AC for neurogenic and nonneurogenic bladder dysfunction, with a median $12.0{\pm}1.5years$ of follow-up. All patients underwent AC using the ileum with or without continent reconstruction. Pre-AC, concurrent, and post-AC procedures and complications were analyzed. Patients who underwent ureterocystoplasty, were lost to follow-up, or had less than 10 years of follow-up were excluded. The primary outcomes were the complication and continence rates, the post-AC linear rate of height and weight gain, and renal function. The Student t-test was used to evaluate between-group differences and the paired t-test was used to evaluate longitudinal changes in measured variables. Results: Renal function was stable or improved in 32 of 42 patients (76.2%), with a post-AC continence rate of 88.1%. Thirty patients (71.4%) required 72 procedures post-AC. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean percentile of height (P=0. 212) or weight (P=0.142) of patients in the pre- and post-AC periods. No cases of bladder perforation or malignancy were detected. Conclusions: We consider AC to be a safe and effective procedure that does not negatively affect future physical growth, while achieving a good rate of stable renal function. Patients need long-term follow-up to address long-term complications.