• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.235-241
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• 2001

Objective : Controversy exists which surgical treatment better in lumbar grade I spondylolisthesis, decompressive laminectomy with or without lumbar instrumentation. Methods : Out of Sixty-four patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent surgery, 18 patients operated with decompressive laminectomy alone and 44 patients with decompession and lumbar instrument, during recent 5-years between January, 1994 and December, 1998. The author studied a long term follow-up in the above two groups to analyzing the overall clinical outcomes in each group and to determining the incidence of pos-toperative radiologic instability. Results : 1) Overall postoperative symptoms improvement were not so different in both groups. 2) Postoperative progressive subluxation is more common after decompressive laminectomy without instrumentation than with instrumentation group. 3) Overall clinical outcomes were slightly better in decompressive laminectomy without instrumentation than with instrumentation group but there was no significant difference. 4) Postoperative radiologic changes did not seem to influence the patient-reported clinical outcomes. 5) Postoperative complications is more common in decompressive laminectomy with instrumentation group than without instrumentation group. Conclusion : In the surgical management of grade I spondylolisthesis, the efficiency and superiority of surgical treatments requires the cost effectiveness and risk/benefit analysis of decompressive laminectomy with or without instrumentation. Therefore, Further detailed studies of long term follow up in a large number of patients in each group are needed for choice of best treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.377-381
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• 2007

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphometric changes in neuroforamen in grade I isthmic spondylolisthesis by anterior lumbar interbody fusion [ALIF]. Methods : Fourteen patients with grade I isthmic spondylolisthesis who underwent single level ALIF with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation were enrolled. All patients underwent standing lateral radiography and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] before surgery and at 1 week after surgery. For quantitative analysis, the foraminal height, width, epidural foraminal height, epidural foraminal width, and epidural foraminal area were evaluated at the mid-portion of 28 foramens using T2-weighted sagittal MRI. For qualitative analysis, degree of neural compression in mid-portion of 28 foramens was classified into 4 grades using T2-weighted sagittal MRI. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Visual Analogue Sale [VAS] scores for leg pain and Oswestry disability index before surgery and at 1 year after surgery. Results : The affected levels were L4-5 in 10 cases and L5-S1 in 4. The mean foraminal height was increased [p<0.001], and the mean foraminal width was decreased [p=0.014] significantly after surgery. The mean epidural foraminal height [p<0.001], epidural foraminal width [p<0.001], and epidural foraminal area [p<0.001] showed a significant increase after surgery. The mean grade for neural compression was decreased significantly after surgery [p<0.001]. VAS scores for leg pain [p=0.001] and Oswestry disability index [p=0.001] was decreased significantly at one year after surgery. Conclusion : Foraminal stenosis in grade I isthmic spondylolisthesis may effectively decompressed by ALIF with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.388-394
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• 1997

Temporomandibular (TM) joint Pain results from many etiologic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of Bone SPECT in patients with TM joint pain. The subjects were 34 patients with TM joint pain. All patients underwent plain radiography, planar bone scan, and Bone SPECT The intensity of radioisotope uptake at TM joint was graded into three; no increased uptake above the background activity as grade 0, uptake similar to occipital bone as grade I, and uptake similar to maxillary sinus as grade II. Clinical findings and therapeutic methods were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients (80%) out of 34 patients with TM joint pain had increased uptake in bone SPECT. Twenty-one (78%) out of 27 patients had increased uptake in the mandibular condyle and remaining six patients (22%) had uptake in the mandibular and maxillary arch, which proved to be dental problem. Seven patients (21%) out of 34 were grade as 0, four (12%) were grade I, 23 (68%) were grade II. Four patients with grade I had clicking sound and symptoms which were subsided with medication in all cases. Among 23 patients with grade II, 7 patients had clicking sound and 14 patients underwent medication and decompression therapy. With Planar bone scan, 11 cases (32%) had increased uptake in TM joint area. Plain radiography revealed narrowing, distension, erosion and limitation of TM joint in 16 cases (47%). Bone SPECT can be valuable for screening and managing the patients with TM joint pain. Patients with grade II needed intensive treatment such as joint aspiration. However degree of the radioisotope uptake did not well correlated with clinical symptoms.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness measured by ultrasonography (US) and serum lipid profile and liver transaminases in obese children. Methods: One hundred and sixty-six children diagnosed with obesity from May 2001 to December 2013 were included in this study. Data on serum lipid profile and liver transaminases were collected from clinical records. Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and grade of hepatic steatosis were evaluated by US. Results: Of the 166 children, 107 were diagnosed with hepatic steatosis by US, 46 with grade I, 56 with grade II, and five children with grade III. According to the grade of hepatic steasosis, the average values of midline abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and right flank abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness measured $2.9{\pm}0.8cm$ and $1.9{\pm}0.7cm$ in the normal group, $3.3{\pm}0.8cm$ and $2.0{\pm}0.7cm$ in grade I, $3.8{\pm}0.8cm$ and $2.3{\pm}0.8cm$ in grade II, and $4.1{\pm}0.8cm$ and $2.8{\pm}1.4cm$ in grade III, respectively. Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness correlated with grade of hepatic steatosis (p<0.01). In addition, abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness correlated with concentration of serum lipids and liver transaminases in the age group of 12-14 years (p<0.01). Conclusion: Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness measured by US can be used as a reliable predictor of possible hyperlipidemia and steatohepatitis in children, especially during the adolescent stage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.405-409
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• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the factors related to the outcome of 84 patients who underwent surgery for anterior communicating Artery(ACoA) aneurysms. Methods: The authors review 84 patients who were undertaken from January 1998 to May 2004. In the management of ACoA aneurysms, the outcome was based on several factors: Clinical condition, Distribution of hemorrhage, Time between aneurysmal rupture and surgery, Direction and shape of the aneurysm. Results: The incidence rate of the ACoA aneurysm was 35%. Seventy four patients were classified as those having a good recovery, but 5 patients suffered from some morbidity and 5 patients died. The rate of good outcome for the patients with Hunt and Hess grade was as follows 100% in grade I, 95% in grade II, 80% in grade III, IV and V. The rate of good outcome for the patients with Fisher grade was as follows 98% in grade I, II and 81% in grade III, IV. Nineteen of 22 patients who underwent early surgery were rated as good, while twenty six of 30 patients for whom surgery was delayed showed a favorable result. The unfavorable outcomes were also attributed by vasospasm or other medical problems. Conclusion: For further improvement of the overall surgical outcome: First, early surgical intervention is recommended for good grade patients. Second, active management of poor grade patients should be scrutinized with early surgery. Third, it is also important to step up the effort to minimize the risk of medical complications to enhance surgical results on top of the mainstay of prevention efforts for vasospasm and rebleeding.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.89-104
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• 2005

This study examined ecological grade of tidal flats at 59 sites along the west and east coast of Korea from January 1998 to December 2002. Assessment of ecological grade based on 7 headings includes biological and human geographical factors, such as species diversity and richness, utility value of species, possibility of damage and reservation conditions of coastline. Total of 181 species with 37 families of 14 orders were listed in this study. The highest scores (ecological grade I) showed at these five sites, Hagampo in Chungnam, Ui-do and Geomun-do in Jeonnam, Bijin-do and Maemul-do in Gyungnam. Half of thestudy sites belong to ecological grade II and 19 sites showed ecological grade III. Singyeong in Gyeonggi, Janghang in Chungnam, Gyehwado and Gomso in Jeonbuk, Dadepo in Busan were assessed as ecological grade IV. Grade V (the worst) was not found in this study.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.608-617
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• 2006

This study compared the food habits and attitudes towards dietary life culture in types of feeding management, gender and grade. The subjects were 352 elementary school students who lived in Seocheon, Chungnam. The independently managed school students were better than jointly managed school students in food habits (p<0.05). In skipping school meals, upper grade students were skipped more than lower grade students (p<0.05). In rate of eating school meals, boys were faster than girls (p<0.001). The independently managed school students and the jointly managed school students were different on distasteful food. Boys disliked vegetables and girls disliked cereals and beans (p<0.05). Upper grade students ate more well-balanced meals than lower grade students (p<0.05). As for the question 'what you will do if the distasteful foods are provided through school meals', they responded. the highest percent of students, 'I will try once or twice'. And the response 'I have them for health' was higher independently in managed school students than the jointly managed school students (p<0.05), girls than boy (p<0.05), and the lower grades than the upper grades (p<0.05). As for the question 'what you will do if the distasteful foods are provided, after the guide for school meals was performed', the response, 'I will make an effort to have it' accounted for the highest percents, and there were differences in lower grade students who were high percents than upper grade students (p<0.01). As for the recognition for unbalanced diets, most of the students recognized that it is a 'bad habit'; the girl students accounted for more percentage than boys (p<0.05). The criterion of food choice were different in gender and grade (p<0.01). As for the factor of influences for the food habits formation, lower grade students were 'school education' and upper grade students were 'parents' (p<0.05). Thus, the systematic guide for proper intakes of nutrition should be performed. Also, the time when students can be educated by an expert of nutritional education, which is connected with school meals and students can grow healthily.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.450-459
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to difference of the recognition for self-efficacy which staffs of deluxe hotel. This study aimed at: The first, I measure recognizing for self-efficacy which staffs at the first grade Hotel and the second grade hotel. The second, self-efficacy is factor analyzes for the study. The third, I study a difference of self-efficacy the first grade Hotel and between the second grade Hotel staffs. The fourth, I study whether there is a difference in recognition of self-efficacy by each demographic characteristic in Hotel staffs. To research and analyze, survey was conducted to 400 employees working at deluxe hotels in Seoul and 352 survey data were analyzed. The results come up with: The first, As for the recognition of self-efficacy the first grade Hotel and the second grade Hotel staffs, there was the difference that a level of significance. The second, marriage, major, educational background, work period and income level were the difference that a level of significance.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

Objective : In cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ), the use of strong fixation device such as pedicle screw-rod system is often required. Purpose of this study is to analyze the anatomical features of C7 and T1 pedicles related to screw insertion and to evaluate the safety of pedicle screw insertion at these levels. Methods : Nineteen patients underwent posterior CTJ fixation with C7 and/or T1 included in fixation levels. Seventeen patients had tumorous conditions and two with post-laminectomy kyphosis. The anatomical features were analyzed for C7 and T1 pedicles in 19 patients using computerized tomography (CT). Pedicle screw and rod fixation system was used in 16 patients. Pedicle violation by screws was evaluated with postoperative CT scan. Results : The mean values of the width, height, stable depth, safety angle, transverse angle, and sagittal angle of C7 pedicles were $6.9{\pm}1.34\;mm$, $8.23{\pm}1.18\;mm$, $30.93{\pm}4.65\;mm$, $26.42{\pm}7.91$ degrees, $25.9{\pm}4.83$ degrees, and $10.6{\pm}3.39$ degrees. At T1 pedicles, anatomic parameters were similar to those of C7. The pedicle violation revealed that 64.1% showed grade I violation and 35.9% showed grade II violation, overall. As for C7 pedicle screw insertion, grade I was 61.5% and grade II 38.5%. At T1 level, grade I was 65.0% and grade II 35.0%. There was no significant difference in violation rate between the whole group, C7, and T1 group. Conclusion : C7 pedicles can withstand pedicle screw insertion. C7 pedicle and T1 pedicle are anatomically very similar. With the use of adequate fluoroscopic oblique view, pedicle screw can be safely inserted at C7 and T1 levels.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7843-7846
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• 2015

Background: Some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in invasion and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, there are few studies on association between stromelysin-2 (ST-2) and invasive behavior of HNSCC. The purpose of this study was to investigate Stromelysin-2 expression by immunohistochemistry. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 81 specimens, including 61 HNSCC and 20 non neoplastic epithelium. Sections with 5 micron thickness were prepared and stained with immunohistochemistry technique. Then expression of ST-2 was evaluated according to percentage of stained cells and intensity of staining. Data were analyzed by SPSS (V.21) using Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey tests (P<0.05). Results: The 61 HNSCC specimens were grades I 36.1%, II 34.4% and III 29.5%. The level of ST-2 expressions were moderate (++) and intensive (+++) in 21.3% and 78.7% of tumors, respectively. The ST-2 expression level was only significant between the tumors with grade I and grade III (P=0.016). Tumors presented ST-2 expression with staining intensity of mild 6.6%, moderate 26.2% and strong 67.2%. Staining intensity of ST-2 in grade I tumors was significantly lower than grade II and grade III (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between grades II and III (P=0.99). Conclusions: According to this study, the expression of ST-2 is associated with histopathological grade and tumor differentiation in HNSCCs.