• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2010

The pulse diagnosis is an important method in Oriental Medicine. Recently, there have been continuous attempts to replace the finger palpation by Oriental medical doctors (OMDs) by more objective tools based on machines, e.g., pulse analyzers. To improve the performance of the pulse analyzers, both the machine-appropriate interpretations for the pulse images appeared in the literature and the improvement in the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement sensors are to be developed. As an attempt towards the transformation of the pulse images in terms of machine-appropriate language, in this work, we suggest an upgraded algorithm for the solid/deficient pulses, which are the two representative pulse images informing us how strong the pulse pressure is. It has been argued that one could determine the solid/deficient pulses by the maximum pulse pressure from pulse analyzers. However, by a clinical test, we found that the maximum pulse pressure alone is not sufficient to determine the solid/deficient pulses. In addition to the maximum pulse pressure, the mean pulse pressure averaged over for five different hold-down pressures(3-D MAC) is needed to improve the agreement with the OMD's decision for the solid/deficient pulse. We found that, among the data diagnosed with having either the solid pulse or deficient pulse by OMDs, the novel algorithm showed 86.0% diagnosis rate and 81.6% concordance rate.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.162-167
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• 2008

Degradable implants have been in use for bone surgery for decades. However, degradable metal implants are one of the new research areas of biomaterials science. Magnesium has good biocompatibility due to its low toxicity, and it is a corroding, i.e. dissolvable, metal. Furthermore, magnesium is needed in human body, and naturally found in bone tissue. There have been some published reports also asserting the potential bone cell activation or bone healing effect of high magnesium ion concentrations. The classic method for achieving intertransverse process fusion involves autogenous iliac crest bone graft. Several investigations have been performed to enhance this type of autograft fusion. However, there is no research which has been undertaken to investigate the efficiency of pure magnesium particles in posterolateral spinal fusion. In this study, corrosion behavior of magnesium metal at the bone interface, the possibility of new bone cell formation and the degree of effectiveness in producing intertransverse process lumbar fusion in a sheep model have been investigated. Cortical bone screws were machined from magnesium alloy AZ31 extruded rod and implanted to hip-bones of sheep via surgery. Three months after surgery, the bone segments carrying these screws were removed from the sacrificed animals. Samples were sectioned to reveal Mg/bone interfaces and investigated using optical microscope, SEM-EDS and radiography. Optical and SEM images showed that there was a significant amount of corrosion on the magnesium screw. The elemental mapping results indicate, due to the presence of calcium and phosphorus elements, that there exists new bone formation at the interface. Furthermore, sixteen sheep were subjected to intertransverse process spinal fusions with pedicle screw fixation at various locations along their spines. Each animal was treated with 5cc autograft bone at one fusion level and 1cc magnesium+5cc autograft bone at the other. Six months after surgery, bone formation was evaluated by gross inspection and palpation, and radiological, histological, scanning electron microscopic and x-ray diffraction analyses. It may be stated that the potential for using useful corrosion of magnesium alloys in medical applications is expected to be significant.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.632-636
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• 2009

Three dogs presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of Konkuk and Hangang Animal Hospital with a history of perineal swelling. No tenesmus, stranguria, or any clinical signs other than the swelling was observed by the owners in three dogs. On physical examination, the swelling was observed unilaterally in two dogs and bilaterally in a dog. Digital palpation to the swelling confirmed reducible perineal herniation in two dogs and irreducible perineal herniation in a dog. Plain radiographs revealed that no pelvic or abdominal contents other than the fat were displaced into subcutaneous perineal region in three dogs. Internal obturator transposition herniorrhaphy was performed for correction of perineal herniation in three dogs. Contralateral herniation involving fat was noted after surgery in a dog. The follow-up information was based on physical examination by veterinarians or telephone interview with owners. The owners reported that there was no evidence of complications related to surgery such as sciatic nerve injury, rectal prolapse, wound dehiscence, or perineal hernia recurrence in all dogs.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.443-449
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• 2019

To protect the patient's internal organs when a patient with cardiovascular disease occurs, it is important to reduce the elapsed time by providing emergency medical services. Decisions for conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation are mainly made using the carotid palpation method, which directs the pulse of the carotid artery, which can diagnose the patient's condition according to one's own subject and cause cerebral blood flow to be blocked by excessive pressure in the carotid due to the weaken cardiopulmonary function. In this study, we developed a multimodal patch-type probe based on multi-channel ultrasound Doppler pairs and oxygen saturation measurement modules which can monitor cardiopulmonary functions. From the in-vivo experiments, the developed probe can be utilized as a novel tool that can increase the survival rate of cardiovascular disease patients by objectively monitoring the cardiopulmonary function of the patient quantitatively and promptly in an emergency situation.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.29-44
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• 2020

Objectives We surveyed clinical status of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) for preparation of adaptation of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Sasang Constitutional Symptomatology. Methods We emailed Google survey form to Doctors of Korean Medicine registered the Association of Korean Medicine on 10/13/2020 and 10/21/2020 and closed survey 10/23/2020. We got a data of 654 cases, removed a case of error, analyzed data of 620 responses by frequency analysis Results and Conclusions Out of 620 respondents, 499 have answered that they refer to or make use of SCM. SCM is mainly applied in the field of treatments using Herbal Medicine. Doctors of Korean Medicine participated in survey of SCM, they think Diseases of digestive system are the most effectively treated by the methods of SCM. Sasang Constitutional Symptomatology most frequently observed are Soeumin Congestive Hyperpsychotic symptomatology, Soyangin Chest-Heat congested Symptomatology, Taeeumin Liver Heat-based Interior Heat disease. The diseases that are mainly applied by SCM are 'Diseases of digestive system' for Soeumin, 'Diseases of digestive system' for Soyangin, 'Diseases of respiratory system' for Taeeumin and 'not applicable' for Taeyangin. The important diagnostic methods of SCM are Inspection-listening and smelling examination-Inquiry-Palpation and survey. In the majority of cases, Prescription of Herbal medicine is used by adding or subtracting some herbal medicine from the original prescription suggested in the oriental medical classics and Saam acupuncture method is the most frequently used for the acupuncture therapy. Diet therapy is the most frequently used for the method of prevention and care.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2022

Background: There are various conservative treatment options for lateral epicondylitis (LE). The aim is to evaluate pain, daily functioning, and complications after ultrasound-standardized autologous blood injections in patients with LE. Methods: For this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients (>18 years) diagnosed with LE were included. Autologous blood was injected using a medical device containing an injection disposable with 12 small needles (Instant Tennis Elbow Cure [ITEC]) device. Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), subjective elbow score (SES), palpation and provocation pain, satisfaction, and complications of treatment were measured at baseline and two months after treatment. Paired t-tests and Fisher's exact tests were used for calculating the difference between pre- and post-treatment outcomes. Results: Fifty-five elbows were analyzed. Mean time between pre- and post-treatment was 11.1 weeks (standard deviation [SD], 8.9 weeks). The mean PRTEE score decreased from 68.2 (SD, 15.7) before surgery to 53.2 (SD, 25.9; p<0.001) after. The mean SES improved from 36.9 (SD, 20.8) to 51.7 (SD, 27.4; p<0.001). Despite this improvement, only 44.7% of patients showed relevant clinical improvement in PRTEE, and 37.3% showed significant clinical improvement based on SES. Four patients reported a complication and the injection disposable failed three times. Conclusions: Ultrasound-standardized autologous blood injection using the ITEC device is not an effective tool in reducing symptoms related to LE. This study showed that only half of all patients experienced a positive effect. In this heterogeneous cohort of patients, we showed no added value of ultrasound standardization.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2023

Background: Although visual examination and palpation are used to assess shoulder motion in clinical practice, there is no consensus on shoulder motion under dynamic and static conditions. This study aimed to compare shoulder joint motion under dynamic and static conditions. Methods: The dominant arm of 14 healthy adult males was investigated. Electromagnetic sensors attached to the scapular, thorax, and humerus were used to measure three-dimensional shoulder joint motion under dynamic and static elevation conditions and compare scapular upward rotation and glenohumeral joint elevation in different elevation planes and angles. Results: At 120° of elevation in the scapular and coronal planes, the scapular upward rotation angle was higher in the static condition and the glenohumeral joint elevation angle was higher in the dynamic condition (P<0.05). In scapular plane and coronal plane elevation 90°-120°, the angular change in scapular upward rotation was higher in the static condition and the angular change in scapulohumeral joint elevation was higher in the dynamic condition (P<0.05). No differences were found in shoulder joint motion in the sagittal plane elevation between the dynamic and static conditions. No interaction effects were found between elevation condition and elevation angle in all elevation planes. Conclusions: Differences in shoulder joint motion should be noted when assessing shoulder joint motion in different dynamic and static conditions.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.34.1-34.12
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the success rate of endodontic treatments performed by undergraduate students and the factors associated with the outcome. Materials and Methods: A follow-up of 3 to 8 years after root canal filling was carried out in 91 patients. At the follow-up visits, medical and dental history questionnaires were applied along with clinical and radiographic examinations. Data collected in the clinical exam included: the presence of pain, swelling, sinus tract, mobility, tenderness to palpation and percussion, periodontal probing profile, and type/quality of coronal restoration. Postoperative and follow-up radiographs were digitalized and analyzed by 2 trained and calibrated examiners to assess periapical healing. The treatment outcome was based on strict clinical and radiographic criteria and classified as success (absence of any clinical and radiographic sign of apical periodontitis) or failure (other combination). Logistic regression was used to investigate the impact of clinical and radiographic variables on endodontic treatment outcomes at a 5% significance level. Results: The success rate of endodontic treatments was 60.7%. The only risk factor significantly associated with failure was the presence of a periapical lesion on the postoperative radiograph (odds ratio, 3.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-9.54). Conclusions: The success rate of endodontic treatments performed by undergraduate students was low and was jeopardized by the presence of a periapical lesion on the postoperative radiograph.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2001

This study was to test whether in vitro matured Hanwoo oocytes can be successfully cryopreserved by a new vitrification procedure using MVC method. For the vitrification, oocytes were pretreated in 10% ethylene glycol (EG10) for 5~10 min, exposed in EG30 for 30 sec, each oocyte was individually put on the inner wall of 0.25 $m\ell$ straw, and then straws were directly plunged into L$N_2$. Thawing was taken by 4-step procedures 〔1.0 M sucrose (MS), 0.5 MS, 0.25 MS, and 0.125 MS〕 at 37$^{\circ}C$. In vitro developmental capacity (survival, cleavage ($\geq$2-cell) and blastocyst rates) in vitrified group was no significant difference compared to that in other treatment groups (exposed; 100.0, 74.4, 32.3% and control; 100.0, 78.3, 36.3%): high mean percentage of oocytes (91.2%) was survived, 69.4% of them were cleaved and 27.9% of cleaved embryos were developed to blastocyst. Especially, after transfer of in vitro developed embryos in vitrified group, four of six recipient animals were pregnant and three of them were ongoing-pregnant by manual palpation at 250 days after transfer. This result demonstrates that MVC method is very appropriate freezing method for the Hanwoo in vitro matured oocytes and that ovum bank can be maintained efficiently by MVC cryopreservation method.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.464-468
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• 2015

A 6-year-old, intact male maltese was presented with hindlimb ataxia of 4 day duration. Physical and neurological examinations revealed a bright, alert, and responsive dog, with no evidence of cranial nerve deficits, conscious proprioceptive deficits. Spinal reflexes of the hind and forelimbs were normal. Patellar, cranial tibial, and withdrawal reflexes were normal. Pain could not be elicited on manipulation of the neck or palpation of the spinal column. Survey radiographs of the vertebral column were unremarkable. Computed tomography (CT) scans in the transverse plane were performed. The results of CT imaging were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in both sagittal and transverse planes was performed. The extent of the lesion was 25 mm in length by 4 mm in thickness. The spinal cord was deviated ventrally and appreared thinner. On T1-weighted and FLAIR images, a discrete hypointense lesion dorsal to the spinal cord was observed at L1-2 which was contiguous with the subarachnoid space. On T2-weighted images, this region was hyperintense, consistent with a fluid-filled structure. The signal intensity of the cysts was equivalent to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Surgical treatment involving dorsal laminectomy had successful outcomes.