• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.599-604
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• 2005

The hyaluronic acid (HA) with excellent biocompatibility has been combined with lactide, the ester dimer of polylactide, with good biodegradability to produce biocompatible materials which can control the period of degradation in a human body. By freeze frying method, HA and lactide were crosslinked with crosslinking agent, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC). Degree of lactide and EDC reaction was determined by the analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both lactyl group and EDC conversion increased as the mole ratio of lactide to HA increased from 5 to 13. The membrane swelled less and became more brittle with the more addition of lactyl group resulting from the higher mole ratio of lactide to HA. Swelling ratio decreased and tensile modulus increased due to the more addition of lactyl group as the EDC concentration increased or reaction temperature decreased. Drug release experiment from various membranes with different degree of crosslinking showed that permeability decreased with increasing degree of crosslinking. The degradation became slower with the more addition of lactyl group. Mechanical property and degradation rate of the synthesized membrane were shown to be controlled through adjusting operation parameters such as mole ratio, temperature, and crosslinking agent concentration.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.138-141
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• 2009

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp sometimes exhibits unusually aggressive behavior. We report a case of extradordinarily aggressive squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with invasion into the skull and dura mater. Method: The patient is a 38-year-old man with two cystic masses on the occipital area. He was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma in that region and have undergone surgical resections including cortical osteotomy of the skull, several years ago. On this occasion, 3-dimensional computed tomographic imaging revealed an erosive lesion on the occipital bone and magnetic resonance imaging showed two cystic masses invasion into the skull and dura mater. Results: He has undergone wide resection of the masses and cranioplasty with dural repair. Histopathologic examination indicated squamous cell carcinoma with moderate differentiation of the masses, bone marrow and dura mater. Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma on the scalp can readily penetrate the full thickness of the cranium and invade the dura mater, sagittal sinus and brain. We suggest wide resection of the scalp and split thickness skin graft with sentinel lymph node biopsy, following by postoperative radiation therapy.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2018

Background: Fatty degeneration of rotator cuff is a well-known predictor of postoperative outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of rotator cuff tears involving subscapularis, and investigate whether fatty degeneration quantified from only the upper subscapularis correlates better with clinical outcomes than quantified from the whole subscapularis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 315 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for rotator cuff tears involving subscapularis with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue score for pain, range of motion and functional scores were assessed. Integrity of the repaired tendon was assessed at the 1-year follow-up with either magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography. Results: The mean Goutallier grade of whole cross-section was significantly lower than that of upper cross-section (1.59 vs. 1.71, p<0.05), but significantly higher than that of lower cross-section (1.59 vs. 1.01, p<0.05). In analysis of 37 re-tears, the occupancy of severe fatty degeneration in upper cross-section was 86.5%, which was significantly higher than that seen in whole cross-section (56.8%, p<0.05). We calculated the cut-off tear size for prediction of re-tears as 19.0 mm for retraction and 11.0 mm for superior-inferior. The cut-off Goutallier grade was 2.5 for both whole and upper cross-sections, but area under the curve was greater in the upper cross-section than the whole (0.911 vs. 0.807). Conclusions: As fatty degeneration of upper subscapularis demonstrated a more distinct spectrum than whole subscapularis, we suggest that measuring fatty degeneration of upper subscapularis can be a more useful method to predict clinical prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.277-281
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• 2018

Objective : Craniovertebral junctional anomalies constitute a technical challenge. Surgical opening of atlantoaxial joint region is a complex procedure especially in patients with nuchal deformity like basilar invagination. This region has actually very complicated anatomical and functional characteristics, including multiple joints providing extension, flexion, and wide rotation. In fact, it is also a bottleneck region where bones, neural structures, and blood vessels are located. Stabilization surgery regarding this region should consider the fact that the area exposes excessive and life-long stress due to complex movements and human posture. Therefore, all options should be considered for surgical stabilization, and they could be interchanged during the surgery, if required. Methods : A 53-year-old male patient applied to outpatients' clinic with complaints of head and neck pain persisting for a long time. Physical examination was normal except increased deep tendon reflexes. The patient was on long-term corticosteroid due to an allergic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings indicated basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation.The patient underwent C0-C3-C4 (lateral mass) and additional C0-C2 (translaminar) stabilization surgery. Results : In routine practice, the sites where rods are bound to occipital plates were placed as paramedian. Instead, we inserted lateral mass screw to the sites where occipital screws were inserted on the occipital plate, thereby creating a site where extra rod could be bound.When C2 translaminar screw is inserted, screw caps remain on the median plane, which makes them difficult to bind to contralateral system. These bind directly to occipital plate without any connection from this region to the contralateral system.Advantages of this technique include easy insertion of C2 translaminar screws, presence of increased screw sizes, and exclusion of pullout forces onto the screw from neck movements. Another advantage of the technique is the median placement of the rod; i.e., thick part of the occipital bone is in alignment with axial loading. Conclusion : We believe that this technique, which could be easily performed as adjuvant to classical stabilization surgery with no need for special screw and rod, may improve distraction force in patients with low bone density.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1715-1718
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• 2015

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging of breast, reported to be a high sensitivity of 94% to 100%, is the most sensitive method for detection of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate our clinical experience in MRI-guided breast lesion wire localization in Chinese women. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 patients with 46 lesions undergoing MRI-guided breast lesion localization were prospectively entered into this study between November 2013 and September 2014. Samples were collected using a 1.5-T magnet with a special MR biopsy positioning frame device. We evaluated clinical lesion characteristics on pre-biopsy MRI, pathologic results, and dynamic curve type baseline analysis. Results: Of the total of 46 wire localization excision biopsied lesions carried out in 44 female patients, pathology revealed fourteen malignancies (14/46, 30.4%) and thirty-two benign lesions (32/46, 69.6%). All lesions were successfully localized followed by excision biopsy and assessed for morphologic features highly suggestive of malignancy according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category of MRI (C4a=18, C4b=17, C4c=8,C5=3). Of 46 lesions, 37 were masses and 9 were non-mass enhancement lesions. Thirty-two lesions showed a continuous kinetics curve, 11 were plateau and 3 were washout. Conclusions: Our study showed success in MRI-guided breast lesion wire localization with a satisfactory cancer diagnosis rate of 30.4%. MRI-guided wire localization breast lesion open biopsy is a safe and effective tool for the workup of suspicious lesions seen on breast MRI alone without major complications. This may contribute to increasing the diagnosis rate of early breast cancer and improve the prognosis in Chinese women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2453-2457
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• 2016

Background: Dysregulation of HSP90 gene expression is known to take place in breast cancer. Here we used D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid-polyethylene glycol-17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin (PLGA-PEG-17DMAG) complexes and free 17-DMAG to inhibit the expression of HSP90 gene in the T47D breast cancer cell line. The purpose was to determine whether nanoencapsulating 17DMAG improves the anti-cancer effects as compared to free 17DMAG. Materials and Methods: The T47D breast cancer cell line was grown in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS. Encapsulation of 17DMAG was conducted through a double emulsion method and properties of copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Assessment of drug cytotoxicity was by MTT assay. After treatment of T47D cells with a given amount of drug, RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. In order to assess HSP90 gene expression, real-time PCR was performed. Results: Taking into account drug load, IC50 was significant decreased in nanocapsulated 17DMAG in comparison with free 17DMAG. This finding was associated with decrease of HSP90 gene expression. Conclusions: PLGA-PEG-17DMAG complexes can be more effective than free 17DMAG in down-regulating of HSP90 expression, at the saesm time exerting more potent cytotoxic effects. Therefore, PLGA-PEG could be a superior carrier for this type of hydrophobic agent.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.455-461
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• 2018

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a Fusarium mycotoxin, causes health hazards for both humans and livestock. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic profiles of the liver, serum, and urine of piglets fed DON using proton nuclear magnetic resonance ($^1H-NMR$) spectroscopy. The $^1H-NMR$ spectra of the liver, serum, and urine samples of the piglets provided with feed containing 8 mg DON/kg for 4 weeks were aligned and identified using the icoshift algorithm of MATLAB $R^2013b$. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis and by MetaboAnalyst 4.0. The DON-treated groups exhibited discriminating metabolites in the three different sample types. Metabolic profiling by $^1H-NMR$ spectroscopy revealed potential metabolites including lactate, glucose, taurine, alanine, glycine, glutamate, creatine, and glutamine upon mycotoxin exposure (variable importance in the projection, VIP > 1). Forty-six metabolites selected from the principal component analysis (PCA) helped to predict sixty-five pathways in the DON-treated piglets using metabolite sets containing at least two compounds. The DON treatment catalyzed the citrate synthase reactions which led to an increase in the acetate and a decrease in the glucose concentrations. Therefore, our findings suggest that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, ATP synthase, and pyruvate carboxylase should be considered important in piglets fed DON contaminated feed. Metabolomics analysis could be a powerful method for the discovery of novel indicators underlying mycotoxin treatments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.47-47
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• 2003

Abstract: RF Birdcage Resonator는 높은 자장 균질성과 신호 대 잡음비의 특성이 좋음으로 인해 MRI와 MRS 연구에 보편적으로 사용되고 있다. 본 연구는 인체를 비롯한 동물실험을 위한 다양한 실험대상에 따라 코일의 크기를 예측하여 Birdcage Resonator를 개발하였다. Unloaded와 Loaded 상태에서의 전기적인 성향을 Lumped Element Circuit Theory를 따라 일반적인 분석을 하였을 뿐 아니라 실제적인 실험을 통한 분석도 하였다. Introduction: Birdcage Resonator 는 자장 균일성이 뛰어나고 신호대잡음비가 좋아 Magnetic Resonance Imaging과 Spectroscopy에 유용하게 사용되어지고 있다. 이 연구에서는 실험대상에 따른 여러 가지의 Birdcage Resonator를 개발하기 위해 Lumped Element Circuit Theory를 사용한 일반적인 이론적 방법론을 이용하여 코일을 분석하였을 뿐 아니라 실제 제작한 후 실험을 통한 실질적인 영상분석도 병행하여 진행하였다. Method: 실질적인 개발에 앞서 Lumped Element Circuit Theory를 통해 이론적인 분석으로부터 나온 여러 parameter들을 정리하였다. 제작 후 실험적인 분석은 Network Analyzer (HP 4195A, 미국)를 통한 1차적인 분석을 한 후 최종적으로 3T MRI 장비 (메디너스, 한국)에서 수행하였다. 제작된 Birdcage Resonator의 종류는 기본적으로 Low-Pass Filter를 적용한 12-column 구조이다. 각각의 직경과 element의 길이는 다음과 같다. 1) 직경 13cm, element의 길이 22cm, 2) 직경 15cm, element의 길이 22cm, 3) 직경 17 cm, element의 길이 25cm. Result and Discussion: 여러 parameter들을 이론적으로 계산하여 실제 Birdcage Resonator를 제작하여 실험적인 분석을 한 결과 많은 차이가 있음을 알 수 있었다. 그 이유는 이론적인 계산에서는 생각되지 않았던 요인들이 실제 제작에 있어서는 많은 영향을 미쳤기 때문인 것이다. Network Analyzer를 통한 1차적인 분석 후에도 실제의 Magnet Field내에서 또 다시 차이가 나는 것 또한 같은 이유에서이다. 그러므로 Birdcage Resonator 제작에 있어서 이러한 여러 요인들을 충분히 고려하여야 할 것이다. Acknowledgement: 본 연구는 2002 년도 한국과학재단 목적기초연구사업 (과제번호 : R0l-2002-000-00294-0 (2002) 지원아래 수행되었다.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.359-362
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• 2016

Objectives: Loss of lumbar lordosis causing pain and curvature of the vertebral skeleton to one side is a relatively uncommon disease. To our knowledge, successful treatment of loss of lumbar lordosis with any potentized homeopathic drug diluted above Avogadro's limit (that is, above a potency of 12C) has not been documented so far. In this communication, we intend to document a relatively rare case of loss of lumbar lordosis with osteophytic lippings, disc desiccation, and protrusion, causing a narrowing of secondary spinal canal and a bilateral neural foramina, leading to vertebral column curvature with acute pain in an adolescent boy. Methods: The patient had undergone treatment with orthodox Western medicines, but did not get any relief from, or cure of, the ailment; finally, surgery was recommended. The patient's family brought the patient to the Khuda-Bukhsh Homeopathic Benevolent Foundation where a charitable clinic is run every Friday with the active participation of four qualified homeopathic doctors. A holistic method of homeopathic treatment was adopted by taking into consideration all symptoms and selecting the proper remedy by consulting the homeopathic repertory, mainly of Kent. Results: The symptoms were effectively treated with different potencies of a single homeopathic drug, Calcarea phos. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) supported recovery and a change in the skeletal curvature that was accompanied by removal of pain and other acute symptoms of the ailment. Conclusion: Homeopathy can be a safe, much less expensive, non-invasive, and viable alternative for the treatment of such cases.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2005

Object:Nicotine dependence is the most common substance abuse disorder. One of the characteristics of nicotine dependence is craving. Regional activation of the brain induced by craving for nicotine was evaluated by using functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neuroanatomical site of smoking craving. Method:A smoker who satisfied DSM-IV criteria for nicotine dependence and a non smoker was studied. MRI data were acquired on a 1.5T Magnetom Vision Plus with a head volume coil. Two sets of visual stimuli were presented to subjects in a random manner. One was the film scenes of inducing smoking craving and the other was neutral stimuli not related to smoking. There were two fMRI sessions before and after smoking or sham smoking. Data were analyzed using SPM99. Results:fMRI showed significant activated area in anterior cingulate and medial frontal lobes in the smoker during smoking craving. Right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes were activated in the control during visual stimulation before smoking. After smoking, there was no brain activation during visual stimulation in both of smoker and non smoker. Conclusion:Metabolic activity of the anterior cingulate and medial frontal lobes increased during craving for smoking. This result suggests that fMRI may be a valuable tool in the identification of neurobiological process of craving.