• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic features of juxtafacet cyst and determine the correlation between these features and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: We analyzed a total of 23 patients. The degree of facet joint degeneration was classified using the Fujiwara method. The facet joint angles were measured with an magnetic resonance imaging to determine whether there was a difference between the cystic lesion that was occupied and the cystic lesion that was not occupied. Disc degeneration was measured by the Pfirrmann classification method. The clinical result was evaluated using the Oswestry disability index score and visual analogue scale. Results: The L4-5 level of juxtafacet cyst was mostly affected, as found in previous studies. Facet joint arthritis was more severe within the side with the cystic lesion. Significant correlation was found between disc degeneration and juxtafacet joint cyst. All patients underwent wide decompression and fusion. Clinical result was excellent. No patients had signs of recurrence during the follow-up periods. Conclusion: Juxtafacet cyst has a significant correlation with facet joint degeneration. Therefore, aggressive surgical treatment-not just simple cyst excision-should be considered as the treatment option for juxtafacet cyst associated with degenerative lumbar disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.315-326
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• 1977

From 1958 to October 1977, 294 cases of acquired heart disease were operated. There were 68 cases of pericardium, 3 trauma, 2 foreign body, one cardiac thrombus, 3 atrial myxoma, 2 left atrial and 1 right atrial, 2 Budd-Chiari syndrome, and 214 valvular heart disease. Out of 214 cases of valve operation 73 valves were replaced in 64 patients. Male to female ratio was 1.46: 1. The youngest age was 14 years in male and 18 in female. The oldest was 54 years in male and 52 in female. Fifty-five cases of single valve were replaced, consisting of 47 mitral and 8 aortic valves. There were 9 double valve replacement cases which consist of 7 mitral and aortic and 2 mitral .and tricuspid valves. Six varieties of prosthetic valves, 3 ball and 3 disc types and 3 kinds of xenograft tissue valves were utilized. Beall, BjSrk-Shiley and Starr-Edwards prosthetic valves and Hancock valves were used mainly. For single valve 34. 5% and for double valve replacement 44% mortality were noted. There were 23 operative deaths out of 64 patients, over all mortality rate of 36.9%. Mortality for mitral valve replacement was 29.5%. But in recent 12 consecutive cases one death occurred, showing 8.3% mortality. In earlier days thrombocyte anti-adhesive drug dipyramidole-persantin-aspirin and/or SP 54 were adminstered. But in recent cases after heparinization, coumadin and Persantin were prescribed routinely.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.342-346
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• 2010

Objective : This study assessed the efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with cage alone compared with ACDF with plate instrumentation for radiologic and clinical outcomes in two-level cervical degenerative disease. Methods : Patients with cervical degenerative disc disease from September 2004 to December 2009 were assessed retrospectively. A total of 42 patients received all ACDF at two-level cervical lesion. Twenty-two patients who underwent ACDF with cage alone were compared with 20 patients who underwent ACDF with plate fixation in consideration of radiologic and clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Robinson's criteria and posterior neck pain, arm pain described by a 10 point-visual analog scale. Fusion rate, subsidence, kyphotic angle, instrument failure and the degenerative changes in adjacent segments were examined during each follow-up examination. Results : VAS was checked during each follow-up and Robinson's criteria were compared in both groups. Both groups showed no significant difference. Fusion rates were 90.9% (20/22) in ACDF with the cage alone group, 95% (19/20) in ACDF with the plate fixation group (p = 0.966). Subsidence rates of ACDF with cage alone were 31.81% (7/22) and ACDF with plate fixation were 30% (6/20) (p = 0.928). Local and regional kyphotic angle difference showed no significant difference. At the final follow-up, adjacent level disease developed in 4.54% (1/22) of ACDF with cage alone and 10% (2/20) of ACDF with plate fixation (p= 0.654). Conclusion : In two-level ACDF, ACDF with cage alone would be comparable with ACDF with plate fixation with regard to clinical outcome and radiologic result with no significant difference. We suggest that the routine use of plate and screw in 2-level surgery may not be beneficial.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.82-85
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• 2019

We investigated the anti-microbial activity of propolis against the pathogenic bacteria and fungi on ginseng. We selected six microbials that caused postharvest root rots in ginseng. Propolis extracts were prepared by using the ethanol extraction method. We seeded the bacteria and fungi related to ginseng disease on a specific culture medium, and treated it with propolis extracts by using the paper disc method. Propolis extracts indicate the anti-microbial activity against Paenibacillus polymyxa, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 and Pythium ultimum. However, the anti-fungal activity of propolis is weak on Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. Cellulosa and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. As a result, the antimicrobial effects of propolis against microbial that prevent ginseng growth were confirmed. The antimicrobial effects are shown according to the concentration of propolis against root rot. The fungi also showed antibacterial effects in a dose-dependent manner.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2015

Objective : We analyzed present condition of cooperative medical care using claims data of HEALTH INSURANCE REVIEW & ASSESSMENT SERVICE form patients treated by Korean-Western cooperative medicine. The study aimed to offer guidelines in selecting disease-related research in developing Korean-Western convergence technology. Method : Based on the patients using Korean medical service, we analyzed claims data of patients using Korean medical service and western medical service from January 2012 to December 2013. We were assigned to the server remotely. With the concept of 'episode of care', we rebuilt claims data and analyzed present condition of cooperative medical usage. Results : We analyzed present condition of cooperative medical care per episode of care. Among outpatients, Low back pain, lumbar region(M5456) was the highest number. Among inpatients, Sciatica due to intervertebral disc disorder(M511) was the highest number. Conclusion : Based on the claims data provided by HEALTH INSURANCE REVIEW & ASSESSMENT SERVICE, we have derived a list of multy frequently disease frequently treated by cooperative medical care by analyzing present condition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1322-1326
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• 2013

New antifungal agents are required to compensate for the increase in resistance to standard antifungal agents of Candida albicans, which is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes minor infections in many individuals but very serious infections in those who are immune-compromised. In this study, combinations of theaflavin and epicatechin are investigated as potential antifungal agents and also to establish whether antifungal synergy exists between these two readily accessible and cost-effective polyphenols isolated from black and green tea. The results of disc diffusion assays showed stronger antibacterial activity of theaflavin:epicatechin combinations against C. albicans NCTC 3255 and NCTC 3179, than that of theaflavin alone. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1,024 ${\mu}g/ml$ with theaflavin and 128-256 ${\mu}g/ml$ with theaflavin:epicatechin combinations were found. The fractional inhibitory concentration indexes were calculated, and the synergy between theaflavin and epicatechin against both isolates of C. albicans was confirmed. Theaflavin:epicatechin combinations show real potential for future use as a treatment for infections caused by C. albicans.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2003

Objective : Spinal meningeal cysts can be the cause of the low back pain and sciatica. We tried to manage the low back pain and sciatica caused by other disease besides intervertebral disc herniation. Methods : We treated the patient who diagnosed as spinal meningeal cyst and hospitalized. And we investigate the progress of physical condition, VAS, modified VAS, PRS by treatment and MRI before and after treatment. Results : There was remarkable improvement in condition of the patient who has spinal meningeal cyst after bee venom therapy. We found the size of cyst decreased in MRI and also progress in VAS modified VAS PRS physical view improved. Conclusions : We think that the result of this case can be a pilot study that proves the effect of bee venom therapy the low back pain and sciatica caused by variable disease.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.296-298
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• 2006

Droopy shoulder syndrome (DSS) is a rare disease, characterized by drooping shoulders, which stretches the brachial plexus, and causes pain, but without any signs of neurological impairment. These patients suffer from pain in the neck, shoulders, arms and hands, which result in long, graceful, swan necks, low-set shoulders, and horizontal or down sloping clavicles. No abnormalities in the vascular, neurological or electrical findings have also been known. The T1 and/or T2 bodies can be seen in the lateral view in a radiological study of the cervical spine. In the majority of cases, conservative treatments, such as postural correction and shoulder girdle strengthening exercise, are commonly recommended. However, DSS may be misdiagnosed as severe thoracic outlet syndrome or herniated cervical disc disease, leading to unnecessary and hazardous invasive treatments. The presented case was consistent with DSS, and was treated with stellate ganglion block, trigger point injection, and shoulder girdle strengthening exercise.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

Objective : Infectious spinal disease is regarded as an infection by a specific organism that affects the vertebral body, intervertebral disc and adjacent perivertebral soft tissue. Its incidence seems to be increasing as a result of larger proportion of the older patients with chronic debilitating disease, the rise of intravenous drug abuser, and the increase in spinal procedure and surgery. In Korea, studies assessing infectious spinal disease are rare and have not been addressed in recent times. The objectives of this study are to describe the epidemiology of all kind of spinal infectious disease and their clinical and microbiological characteristics as well as to assess the diagnostic methodology and the parameters related to the outcomes. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in all infectious spinal disease cases presenting from January 2005 to April 2010 to three tertiary teaching hospitals within a city of 1.5 million in Korea. Patient demographics, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes were assessed. Risk factors entailed the presence of diabetes, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, immunosuppressants, remote infection, underlying malignancy and previous spinal surgery or procedure. We comparatively analyzed the results between the groups of pyogenic and tuberculous spinal infection. SPSS version 14 statistical software was used to perform the analyses of the data. The threshold for statistical significance was established at p<0.05. Results : Ninety-two cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Overall, patients of tuberculous spinal infection (TSI) and pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) entailed 20 (21.7%) and 72 (78.3%) cases, respectively. A previous spinal surgery or procedure was the most commonly noted risk factor (39.1%), followed by diabetes (15.2%). The occurrence of both pyogenic and tuberculous spondylitis was predominant in the lumbar spine. Discs are more easily invaded in PSI. At initial presentation, white cell blood count and C-reactive protein levels were higher in PSI compared to TSI (p<0.05). Etiological agents were identified in 53.3%, and the most effective method for identification of etiological agents was tissue culture (50.0%). Staphyococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated infective agent associated with pyogenic spondylitis, followed by E. coli. Surgical treatment was performed in 31.5% of pyogenic spondylitis and in 35.0% of tuberculous spondylitis cases. Conclusion : Many previous studies in Korea usually reported that tuberculous spondylitis is the predominant infection. However, in our study, the number of pyogenic infection was 3 times greater than that of tuberculous spinal disease. Etiological agents were identified in a half of all infectious spinal disease. For better outcomes, we should try to identify the causative microorganism before antibiotic therapy and make every effort to improve the result of culture and biopsy.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to find an environment friendly method of ginseng storage disease control using a natural plant extract. Essential oil was evaluated in terms of its antifungal ability against a variety of ginseng storage pathogens, and a variety of essential oils was conducted in order to assess the possibility of applying them as a component of a disease control strategy. Direct treatment with essential oil was demonstrated to exert a ginseng storage control effect. Methyl eugenol and thymol were shown to exert a mycelial growth inhibition effect of 80% on PDA media, using a paper disc containing 200 ppm of essential oil against Botrytis cinerea. The application of direct methyl eugenol treatment to ginseng resulted in a profound control effect. Both spray and dipping treatment of each methyl eugenol as well as thymol, evidenced a disease develoment of 10-20% as compared with the over 80% observed from all non-treated packages. Methyl eugenol in the large packages resulted in a disease index of 0.60 in the two essential oil treatments and also a small diseased area, as compared with the disease index of 1.65 and the wide diseased area observed in the non-treatment groups. Treatment with a mixture (methyl eugenol + thymol) in the synergistic effect test resulted in a relatively wide diseased area, as no discernable synergistic effect was detected. Methyl eugenol and thymol can be utilized as control agents in an environmentally friendly ginseng storage treatment, owing to the avirulent and clear effects detected in this study. In particular, ginseng must be ingested when fresh, and this is why a product for the control of ginseng storage diseases is so necessary.