• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.384-389
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• 2018

Background: Airway anastomotic complications are a leading cause of mortality after lung transplantation. Among the factors that cause airway complications, preoperative steroid use has been considered to be related with postoperative airway healing. We analyzed the influence of preoperative steroid use on postoperative airway complications. Methods: The medical records of 66 double-lung transplant recipients from January 2014 to December 2015 were reviewed. Forty patients were prescribed steroids preoperatively. The daily steroid dose was standardized using the patient's body mass index (BMI). Patients who received preoperative steroids were sub-divided into high-dose (HD) and low-dose (LD) groups (cut-off value, 1.6 mg/BMI/day). Results: Thirteen patients suffered from airway complications postoperatively (bronchopulmonary fistula, 9; bronchial stenosis, 4). There was a tendency for early development of airway complications in the steroid use group compared to the non-steroid use group, but it was not significant (percentage free from airway complications in year 1: non-steroid group, 90.9% vs. steroid group, 79.2%; p=0.43). The percentage of patients in the LD and HD groups who were free from airway complications in year 1 was not significantly different (84.0% vs. 77.8%, p=0.39). Conclusion: The airway complication rate did not vary significantly according to steroid use. Additionally, in patients who received preoperative steroids, the dose did not affect the rate of development of airway complications.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.557-564
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• 2018

Along with the aging society, the prevalence of dementia is also increasing. Dementia causes short-term memory loss as well as difficulties of performing daily activities and gradually causes suffering of the patients and their family. In spite of various programs for prevention of dementia of older people are being implemented, there is a lack of developing natural-based program for physical and mental health promotion. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs for the elderly living alone who are more vulnerable to dementia because of their social and economic isolation. The purpose of this study was to develop a natural-based program and investigate the effects of 10 weeks forest therapy program for dementia prevention to improve the psychological and physical health of the elderly living alone. The experimental subjects were 30 elderly (aged 65 or older) and 31 elderly participated in control group. The Stress response, depressive symptoms, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and muscle mass were measured for pre and post test. The results showed that the experimental group showed subjective stress relief (t=5.249, p=.000), improvement in symptoms of depression (t=4.152, p=.000), and decreases in weight (t=2.686, p=.012), BMI (t=2.629, p=.014) and fat mass (t=2.918, p=.007) after the forest therapy program. The experimental group showed lower stress reactions(t=-7.185, p=.000) and less depressive symptoms (t=-5.303, p=.000) than control group after participating the program. These results suggest that periodic forest exposure can help having less stressful and depressive status than non-forest exposure and the forest therapy program can reduce participants' psychological and physical risk factors of dementia.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.33-52
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with hyperhidrosis who visited a Korean medicine hospital, and provide information on treated hyperhidrosis, based on Sasang Constitutional medicine. Methods A retrospective review was made of the electronic medical record (EMR) charts for 157 Korean patients with hyperhidrosis (90 male, 67 female), who first visited hospital from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. The following information was collected: sex, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and clinical data (diagnosis, area of onset, duration of illness, aggravating factors, medication, healing process, et al). Results There were many patients with hyperhidrosis, in the other of So-Yang type (57.3%), Tae-Eum type (35.0%) and So-Eum type (7.6%). The proportion of male was higher than female. The most common area of hyperhidrosis was hands and feet (44.0%), followed by generalized whole body (27.4%) and head and face (25.5%). The cure rate of hyperhidrosis was 32.2%, and effectiveness rate of that was 72.7%. In individual patients, the better the usual health condition expressed by original symptoms, the higher the possibility of treatment success, with shortened duration of treatment and reduced total drug dose. The most frequent treatment modality in patients was that consistently improved, and this duration of treatment was statistically significantly shorter than that experienced worsening of excessive sweating during treatment period (p<0.001). Conclusions This study provides some original information on the Korean patients with hyperhidrosis, and suggests the suitability of Sasang Constitutional medicine as treatment methods for hyperhidrosis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2019

Objective: For knee osteoarthritis (OA), there is a demand for alternative modalities in order to delay surgery and to avoid the side effects of medications. This study compared the effects of applying seaweed pack and mudpack for the treatment of knee OA. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-five patients with knee OA who satisfied the criteria were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment method: mudpack (n=12) and seaweed pack (n=13). The two groups were treated for 20 minutes, twice a day for five continuous days at the Ocean Healing Center at Wando Island, South Korea. Participants were assessed by clinical scores (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) and lab results (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ [$TNF-{\alpha}$]) during the follow-up period. Results: For the most part, clinical scores improved after therapy and maintained improvements for four weeks in both groups (p<0.05). In the seaweed group, $TNF-{\alpha}$ was significantly decreased at two weeks post-therapy (p<0.05). In both groups, IGF-1 was significantly increased immediately post-therapy (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences after therapy between the groups in clinical scores and labs. Conclusions: Seaweed packs and mudpacks had similar positive effects for knee OA. Additionally, the seaweed pack group showed decreased levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ at two weeks post-treatment, which may explain the reduced inflammatory reaction. For rehabilitation therapy, use of seaweed packs may serve as an alternative modality for the treatment of knee OA.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2021

Cutaneous melanoma is a fatal disease for patients with distant metastasis. Metformin is the most widely used anti-diabetic drug, and proved to suppress cell proliferation and metastasis in diverse cancers including melanoma. We previously reported that MEK inhibitor trametinib increases the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulators and melanoma cell motility, which are suppressed by addition of metformin in A375 melanoma cells. To confirm our findings further, we first evaluated the effect of metformin in combination with another MEK inhibitor binimetinib on cell viability in G361 melanoma cells. We then investigated whether binimetinib affects the expression of EMT regulators and cell motility. We finally monitored the effect of metformin on binimetinib-induced cell migration. Cell viability assay showed that combination index (CI) value at ED₅₀ is 0.80, suggesting synergy for the combination of metformin with binimetinib. Our results also revealed that binimetinib increased the expression of EMT regulators such as integrin αV, fibronectin and slug, which correlate well with the enhanced cell migration in wound healing assay. Metformin, on the contrary, suppressed the expression of sparc, integrin αV, fibronectin and N-cadherin with the reduced cell motility. The combination treatment showed that metformin counteracts the binimetinib-induced increase of cell motility. Overall, these results suggest that metformin with binimetinib might be useful as a potential therapeutic adjuvant against cell survival and metastatic activity in melanoma patients.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2022

Purpose: This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different debridement techniques and conditioning procedures on root surface morphology and blood clot stabilization. Methods: Two debridement techniques (curette [CU] vs. high-speed ultrasound [US]) and 2 conditioning procedures (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] and phosphoric acid [PA]) were used for the study. Seven experimental groups were tested on root surfaces: 1) no treatment (C); 2) CU; 3) US; 4) CU+EDTA; 5) US+EDTA; 6) CU+PA; and 7) US+PA. Three specimens per group were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface characterization. Additional root slices received a blood drop, and clot formation was graded according to the blood element adhesion index by a single operator. Data were statistically analyzed, using a threshold of P<0.05 for statistical significance. Results: The C group displayed the most irregular surface among the tested groups with the complete absence of blood traces. The highest frequency of blood component adhesion was shown in the CU+EDTA group (P<0.05), while no differences were detected between the CU, US+EDTA, and CU+PA groups (P<0.05), which performed better than the US and US+PA groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: In this SEM analysis, EDTA and conventional manual scaling were the most efficient procedures for enhancing smear layer removal, collagen fiber exposure, and clot stabilization on the root surface. This technique is imperative in periodontal healing and regenerative procedures.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.53.1-53.12
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• 2020

Background: The TightRope System is a device developed to provide extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in canine stifles. I was then also employed for the extra-articular treatment of shoulder instability and for the intra-articular treatment of hip luxation in dogs and cats. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of the Mini-TightRope (mTR) System for the intraarticular treatment of CCL rupture in small breed dogs. Methods: A cadaveric canine model was used to record the steps of the surgical procedure. Five client owned dogs weighing from 8 to 10 kg and from 2 to 12 years of age were enrolled in the prospective study in which the mTR device was implanted in the stifle joint to replace the ruptured CCL. The dogs were graded using the Bologna Healing Stifle Injury Index (BHSII) and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) scores. Results: The outcomes obtained at the time of the surgery (T0) and for the following 12 months (T12) showed an improvement in the functional parameters (BHSII from a median of 74.3 [range, 58.1-82.4] at T0 to 95.6 [range, 94.1-99.3] at T12]). The OA did not change in 3 dogs and increased by only 1 point in 2 dogs. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, the mTR was a successful and repeatable intraarticular surgical procedure for all dogs. Additional studies related to the clinical application of the technique in medium-large dogs should be encouraged.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2023

Purpose: The significance of keratinized tissue for peri-implant health has been emphasized. However, there is an absence of clinical evidence for the use of a xenogeneic collagen matrix (XCM) to manage peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate outcomes after keratinized tissue augmentation using an XCM for the management of peri-implant diseases. Methods: Twelve implants (5 with peri-implant mucositis and 7 with peri-implantitis) in 10 patients were included in this study. Non-surgical treatments were first performed, but inflammation persisted in all implant sites. The implant sites all showed a lack of keratinized mucosa (KM) and vestibular depth (VD). Apically positioned flaps with XCM application were performed. Bone augmentation was simultaneously performed on peri-implantitis sites with an intrabony defect (>3 mm). The following clinical parameters were measured: the probing pocket depth (PPD), modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), suppuration (SUP), keratinized mucosal height (KMH), and VD. Results: There were no adverse healing events during the follow-up visits (18±4.6 months). The final KMHs and VDs were 4.34±0.86 mm and 8.0±4.05 mm, respectively, for the sites with peri-implant mucositis and 3.29±0.86 mm and 6.5±1.91 mm, respectively, for the sites with peri-implantitis. Additionally, the PPD and mSBI significantly decreased, and none of the implants presented with SUP. Conclusions: Keratinized tissue augmentation using an XCM for sites with peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis was effective for increasing the KMH and VD and decreasing peri-implant inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.311-336
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• 2020

The flora of Sejong were summarized as 531 taxa including 104 families, 315 genera, 462 species, 3 subspecies, 59 varieties and 7 form. The rare plants were 8 taxa including Nepeta cataria L. and Aristolochia ontorta Bunge. The Korea endemic plants were 9 taxa including Populus tomentiglandulosa T. B. Le and Clematis trichotoma Nakai.. The specific plants were 42 taxa including Phytolacca esculenta Van Houtte(V), Corydalis decumbens (Thunb.) Pers(IV), Poncirus trifoliata Raf(III), Pseudostellaria coreana (Nakai) Ohwi(II), Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm.(I). The naturalized plants were 49 taxa including Sicyos angulatus L, Ambrosia trifida L, Physalis angulata L. Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx., Galinsoga parviflora Cav, and Erigeron philadelphicus L. Especially, Sicyos angulatus L., Phytolacca americana L. and Bidens frondosa L. have been spread throughout the country are required to manage. The naturalized index(NI) and urbanized index(UI) were 8.7% and 15.3%. Useful plants incuding Edible was 199 taxa, Pasture was 193 taxa, Medicinal was 178 taxa, Ornamental was 82 taxa, Timber was 25 taxa, Fiber was 18 taxa, Stain was 9 taxa. Useful plants will be important materials for plant design in recreational and healing forests.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.304-310
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• 2011

To evaluate the effect of curing treatment using a newly developed simplified curing unit (SCU) on the physicochemical quality of stored sweet potatoes was investigated for six months. The SCU consisting of a heater, an air circulation fan, exhaust fans, and a humidifying duct was installed in a cold storage room where the harvested sweet potatoes were stacked. During the six days of curing treatment, air temperature and relative humidity in the storage room were set at $32^{\circ}C$ and 90%, respectively. Physical and chemical properties of sweet potatoes were measured at 1-month intervals from the first day of storage. McKinney index showing the incidence and severity of decay was 0.83% in the curing treatment, while that of untreated control was 5.08% over the same storing period. Firmness, soluble solids content, and dry matter content in the cured sweet potatoes were greater than those of untreated control. Moreover, the changes of skin color in uncured potatoes occurred rapidly than cured one which showed delay of skin discoloration during the long-term storage. Results suggest that the SCU treatment improves the physicochemical quality of stored sweet potatoes and extends their storability. Therefore, the SCU can be effectively used for curing treatment of sweet potatoes with a relatively low cost.