• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2017

The pulmonary function test (PFT) is an essential data source for evaluating the effect of drugs on the lungs or the status of lung function. However, the numeric values of PFT cannot be easily used for clinical studies without labor-intensive manual efforts, because PFTs are usually recorded as image files. This study was aimed at constructing a de-identified, open-access PFT database with various clinical information. For constructing the PFT database, optical character recognition (OCR), regular expression, and the parsing technique were used to extract alphanumeric data from the PFT images in a Korean tertiary teaching hospital. This longitudinal observational database contains 413,000 measurements of PFT from 183,000 patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.366-373
• /
• 2016

Background: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that in patients with chronic complex sternum dehiscence, the use of muscle flap repair minimizes the occurrence of paradoxical motion of the chest wall (CWPM) when compared to sternal rewiring, eventually leading to better respiratory function and clinical outcomes during follow-up. Methods: In a propensity score matching analysis, out of 94 patients who underwent sternal reconstruction, 20 patients were selected: 10 patients underwent sternal reconstruction with bilateral pectoralis muscle flaps (group 1) and 10 underwent sternal rewiring (group 2). Eligibility criteria included the presence of hemisternum diastases associated with multiple (${\geq}$3) bone fractures and radiologic evidence of synchronous chest wall motion (CWSM). We compared radiologically assessed (volumetric computed tomography) ventilatory mechanic indices such as single lung and global vital capacity (VC), diaphragm excursion, synchronous and paradoxical chest wall motion. Results: Follow-up was 100% complete (mean $85{\pm}24months$). CWPM was inversely correlated with single lung VC (Spearman R=-0.72, p=0.0003), global VC (R=-0.51, p=0.02) and diaphragm excursion (R=-0.80, p=0.0003), whereas it proved directly correlated with dyspnea grade (Spearman R=0.51, p=0.02) and pain (R=0.59, p=0.005). Mean CWPM and single lung VC were both better in group 1, whereas there was no difference in CWSM, diaphragm excursion and global VC. Conclusion: Our study suggests that in patients with complex chronic sternal dehiscence, pectoralis muscle flap reconstruction guarantees lower CWPM and greater single-lung VC when compared with sternal rewiring and it is associated with better clinical outcomes with less pain and dyspnea.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study is an experimental study to investigate the effect of group rehabilitation gymnastics on stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: From August 1, 2017, to February 30, 2018, 49 subjects hospitalized after being diagnosed with a stroke at K Rehabilitation Hospital had at least 8 weeks (more than 3 times a week) in the group rehabilitation exercise experimental group (25 patients), and the control group (24 patients) did not attend. Data analysis was performed using paired t-test for dependent variables before and after the experiment using SPSS 25. Results: In the experimental group, daily activities were statistically significantly increased from 59.04±25.19 points before treatment to 66.96±24.35 points after treatment (t=2.24, p=0.035). Lung capacity also significantly increased from 280.00±86.99 points to 334.40±93.23 points (t=4.21, p<0.001), and hospital reuse intention also significantly increased from 8.04±1.57 points to 8.88±1.16 points (t=2.67, p=0.013). In the case of the control group, although the MBI, lung capacity, stress, hospital reuse intention, and hospital use satisfaction increased after the experiment compared to before the experiment, there was no significant difference. Conclusions: In conclusion, group rehabilitation gymnastics for stroke patients is effective for daily living movements, lung capacity, and hospital re-use intention. Therefore, if it is continuously applied to stroke patients, it can be used as an intervention to improve the quality of nursing by enhancing physical function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.1011-1016
• /
• 2023

We have experienced a case in which herbal medicine was administered to treat drug-induced liver damage and would like to introduce it. A 49-year-old man exhibited a positive result in the interferon-gamma release assay. He had never suffered from tuberculosis in the past, and the route and time of infection could not be confirmed. He had no respiratory or systemic symptoms suggestive of active tuberculosis, and a chest X-ray examination showed no active lung lesions, so he was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection. He was confirmed to be within the normal range in the liver function test, renal function test, and complete blood cell count test, and started taking rifampin (600 mg qd). In the screening test performed on the 19th day of taking the drug, other test items were normal, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased to 50 U/L (reference value: 4-40 U/L). In a test performed on the 29th day of taking the drug, ALT was clearly elevated to 102 U/L. Ursodeoxycholic acid and Injinho-tang were taken together with rifampin, and the patient's progress was observed. In a test performed 14 days later, ALT decreased to 26 U/L, within the normal range. It is presumed that Injinho-tang may have partially contributed to alleviating liver damage in this case.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.377-387
• /
• 1996

Background : In 1980, WHO made a definition in which the term "impairment" as applied to the respiratory system is used to describe loss of lung function, "disability" the resulting diminution in exercise capacity. The measurement of pulmonary function during exercise would give us information about overall functional capacity and respiratory performance that would be lacking in tests performed at rest. We conducted this study to investigate the role of resting pulmonary function test and exercise test for assessing impairment/disability in patients with chronic airflow obstruction(CAO). Method : We studied 19 patients with CAO. The spirometry and body plethysmograph were performed in stable condition. And then patients performed a progressive incremental exercise test to a symptom-limited maximum using cycle ergometer. Patients were divided in two groups, severe and non-severe impairment, according to the resting PFTs and compaired each other. A patient was considered to be severely impaired if FVC < 50 %, FEV1 < 40 % or FEV1/FVC < 40 %. Results : 1) The airway obstruction and hypoxemia of severe impairment group were more severe and exercise performance was markedly reduced compairing to non-severe impairment group. 2) The severe impairment group showed ventilatory limitation during exercise test and the limiting symptomes ware dyspnea in 9/10 patients. 3) The impairment and disability of the patients with tuberculous destructed lung were most marked in patients with CAO. 4) The FEV1 was the most prevalent criterion for the determination of severe impairment based on resting PFTs and was the valuable best correlated to V02max(r=0.81, p < 0.001). 5) The sensitivity of exercise limits for predicting severe disability according to resting PFTs was 80 % and specificity 89 %. Conclusion : In patients with severe CAO, FEV1 is a good predictive of exercise performance and impairment measured by resting PFTs can predict a disability by exercise test.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.6697-6701
• /
• 2013

Objective: To explore the inhibiting effect and mechanism of Endostar injection concomitant with cryoablation on lung adenocarcinoma A549 xenografts in nude mice. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 nude mice with subcutaneous xenografts of the A549 cell line were established and divided into 4 groups when the maximal diameters of tumors became 1 cm: control group, Endostar group, cryoablation group and combination group (Endostar concomitant with cryoablation). The nude mice were sacrificed after 21-days treatment, tumour tissues were removed to measure their volume, in situ test of TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was adopted to determine the cellular apoptosis around freezing injury zones, and immunohistochemical SP test was applied for the detection of micro-vessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels. Results: At 21-days after treatment, the growth velocities of control group, Endostar group, cryoablation group and combination group were $236.7{\pm}51.2%$, $220.0{\pm}30.6%$, $159.5{\pm}29.3%$ and $103.3{\pm}25.5%$ (P<0.01), while cellular apoptosis rates of tumors were $21.7{\pm}2.34%$, ($22.17{\pm}1.47$)%, $38.3{\pm}1.37%$ and $49.2{\pm}1.72%$, (P<0.01), respectively, according to the immunohistochemical test. MVD and VEGF expression levels in the combination group were both lower than in other groups (P<0.01), also being positively related (r=0.925, P<0.01). Conclusions: Endostar can significantly improve the inhibitory effects of cryoablation on xenografts of lung adenocarcinoma A549, and the mechanism is probably associated with its function as an inhibitor of tumour neo-angiogenesis through down-regulating VEGF expression.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.269-273
• /
• 2004

Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) associated antigen is a subfraction of TA-4, a tumor-associated antigen first described by Kato and Torigoe in 1977. TA-4, obtained from squamous cell carcinoma cancer tissue of the uterine cervix, has been characterized as a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 45,000 daltons. SCC antigen has been studied in other squamous cell malignancies including lung, esophagus, head and neck, anal canal, and skin. SCC antigen is shed naturally through sweat, saliva and other body fluids. Contamination of specimens, tray, bead dispenser or other accessories with sweat, saliva or aerosols can cause falsely elevated values. To reduce the possibility of contamination, gloves should be worn in all phases of assay preparation, and when handling specimens, accessories or reagents that will be used in SCC and Thyroid function test(TFT).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study examined the effects of gym ball stabilization exercises on the physical functions of elementary school baseball players. Methods: The elementary school baseball players were assigned to an experimental group (n=21). The group performed gym ball stabilization exercises and the changes in the physical functions were measured using the visual response speed test, functional movements, physical balance ability, and pulmonary function. Results: The results of the visual response speed test showed changes in the time response speed. There was a significant change in the number of touches in 15 seconds in the upper arms and left and right legs (p<0.05) after 10 weeks. Also, there was a significant change in the reaction times of the left and right legs after 10 weeks (p<0.05). Further, there were significant differences in functional movements involving rotational stability and the total functional scores after 10 weeks (p<0.05). The player's body balance ability showed a significant difference after 10 weeks in the posterior-lateral and posterior-medial composite scores of the left and right legs (p<0.05). There was a significant change in the forced lung capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second after 10 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results show that the gym ball stabilization exercises effectively improved the visual response speed and functional movements, balance, and vital capacity of elementary school baseball players.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.6
• /
• pp.457-463
• /
• 2008

Background: The attenuation of the lung parenchyma increases on expiration as a consequence of decreased air in the lung. Expiratory CT scans have been used to show air trapping in patients with chronic airway disease and diffuse parenchymal disease and also in asymptomatic smokers. Although there have been several reports investigating the regional air trapping on a expiratory CT scan, there have been only a few reports evaluating the changes of whole lung attenuation with considering its clinical significance, and especially in healthy subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of an expiratory increase of lung attenuation with age and smoking in healthy subjects. Methods: Asymptomatic subjects who underwent a low dose chest CT scan as part of a routine check-up and who showed normal spirometry and a normal inspiratory CT scan were recruited for this study. We excluded the subjects with significant regional air trapping seen on their expiratory CT scan. Lung attenuation was measured at 24 points of both the inspiratory and expiratory CT scans, respectively, for 100 subjects. The correlations between an expiratory increase of the lung attenuation and the amount of smoking, the patient's age and the results of spirometric test were assessed. Results: There were 87 men and 13 women included in this study. Their median age was 49.0 years old (range:25~71). Sixty current smokers, 24 ex-smokers and 16 non-smokers were included. As age increased, the expiratory increase of lung attenuation was reduced at every measuring points (r=-0.297~-0.487, Pearson correlation). The statistical significance was maintained after controlling for the effect of smoking. Smoking was associated with a reduction of the expiratory increase of lung attenuation. But the significance was reduced after controlling for the patient's age. The $FEV_1$, FVC, $FEV_1/FVC$ and $FEF_{25{\sim}75%}$ were not associated with an expiratory increase of lung attenuation. Conclusion: The expiratory increase of lung attenuation in subjects with a normal inspiratory CT scan was negatively correlated with age. It was also reduced in heavy smokers. It may reflect aging and the smoking related changes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.680-688
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important proinflammatory mediators in asthma. Recently, it was suggested that a promoter polymorphism in the genes encoding for leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), a key enzyme in the leukotriene synthetic pathway, and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1) might be associated with aspirin-intolerant asthma. We investigated whether polymorphisms in LTC4S and CysLTR1 genes or their interactions were associated with the asthma phenotype, lung function, or bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in Korean children. Methods : A total of 856 asthmatic children and 254 non-asthmatic controls were enrolled; a skin prick test, lung function test and bronchial provocation test were performed. Of those enrolled, 395 children underwent exercise challenge tests. The LTC4S A(-444)C and CysLTR1 T(＋927)C were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results : Of those enrolled, 699 children were classified as having atopic asthma and 277 children, as having exercise-induced asthma (EIA). LTC4S and CysLTR1 polymorphisms were not associated with atopic asthma, EIA, or asthma per se. Lung function and BHR were not significantly different between the wild type (AA or TT) and the variant (AC＋CC or TC＋CC) genotypes in asthmatics, atopic asthmatics, and EIA (＋) asthmatics, while total eosinophil counts were higher in the variant type of LTC4S than in the wild type in atopic asthmatics. There were no associations between the gene-gene interactions of LTC4S and CysLTR1 genotypes and the asthma phenotypes. Conclusion : LTC4S A(-444)C and CysLTR1 T(＋927)C polymorphisms and their gene-gene interactions are not associated with asthma phenotype, lung function, or BHR in Korean children.