• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2019

Background Implant-related deformities in aesthetic rhinoplasty are a major problem for rhinoplasty surgeons. Capsular contracture is believed to be the pathological cause of delayed contour deformities, comparable to breast implant-related contracture. This study investigated the prevalence of bacterial biofilms and other epidemiological factors related to capsular contracture in cases of silicone augmentation rhinoplasty. Methods Thirty-three patients who underwent corrective rhinoplasty due to a delayed contour deformity or aesthetic revision after implant rhinoplasty were studied from December 2014 to December 2016. All recruited patients received surgical correction by the authors. The patients were categorized by clinical severity into four grades. Demographic data and related confounding factors were recorded. Samples of capsular tissue and silicone removed from each patient were analyzed for the presence of a biofilm by ultrasonication with bacterial culture and scanning electron microscopy. Results Thirty-three paired samples of capsular tissue and silicone implants from the study group were analyzed. Biofilms were detected in one of 10 subjects (10%) with grade 1 contracture, two of four (50%) with grade 2 contracture, 10 of 14 (71.40%) with grade 3 contracture, and four of five (80%) with grade 4 contracture (P<0.05). The organisms found were Staphylococcus epidermidis (47.10%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (35.30%), and Staphylococcus aureus (17.60%). Conclusions As with breast implant-related capsular contracture, silicone nasal augmentation deformities likely result from bacterial biofilms. We demonstrated the prevalence of biofilms in patients with various degrees of contracture. Implant type and operative technique seemed to have only vague correlations with biofilm presence.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.366-372
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• 2021

Cadherin-Catenin complex is thought to play an essential role in the transmission of force at adherens junction. Due to the lack of proper tools to visualize and detect mechanical force signals, the underlying mechanism by which the cadherin-catenin complex regulates force transmission at intercellular junctions remains elusive. In this study, we visualize cadherin-mediated force transmission using an engineered α-Catenin sensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Our results reveal that α-catenin is a key force transducer in cadherin-mediated mechanotransduction at cell-cell junctions. Thus, our finding will provide important insights for studying the effects of chemical and physical signals on cell-cell communication and the relationship between physiological and pathological phenomena.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2021

Purpose : Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common postural malalignment of the cranio-cervical region. Previous studies have reported that FHP might affect both temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical muscles, but still remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes of craniovertebral angle (CVA) and muscle properties after smartphone use in healthy individuals with and without FHP. Methods : Fifteen healthy individuals aged 18 to 22 years were included. CVA was evaluated using Dartfish motion analysis, and the subjects were divided into two groups according to their CVA: a FHP group (n = 7, CVA less than 48 °) and a control group (n = 8, CVA more than 48 °). MyotonPro was used to measure muscle properties of masseter, digastric and sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM). Each subject underwent 15-minutes of smartphone task (web browsing or video watching) in relaxed sitting posture. CVA and muscles properties were assessed both before and after the smartphone task. Results : There were significant changes in post measurements of CVA between the groups. Masseter muscle showed significant differences in pre and post measurements of all muscle properties, and digastric muscle showed significance only in muscle tone. Amount of changes (post-pre), however, showed no significant difference in this study. Conclusion : 15-minutes of smartphone task did not affect CVA and muscle properties of masseter, digastric and SCM in both groups, however, there were significant changes in pre and post measurements of CVA and some muscle properties of masseter and digastric muscles. Therefore, CVA, masseter and digastric muscles might be significantly changed in a heavy duration of smartphone usage more than 15-minutes. Further studies are needed regarding duration of smartphone task, assessments in other various TMJ muscle groups, and participants with pathological FHP conditions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.938-947
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to report the changes in symptoms and radiological consequences of a patient diagnosed with spinal neurofibroma and complaining of lower back pain. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with a spinal neurofibroma after MRI examination and was treated with traditional Korean medicine, including traditional Korean medication and acupuncture. We measured the change in symptom severity using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). We also used the EQ-5D (EuroQoL-5D) scale to assess the patient's quality of life. In addition, we examined the change in the size of the cyst by MRI twice after discharge: at about 3 months after discharge and at about 8 months after discharge. Results: After about 6 weeks of treatment, most pathological symptoms had decreased. The patient showed a decline in NRS and ODI scores and showed an increase in quality of life. The two MRI examinations after the discharge revealed a decrease in the size of the cyst. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medicine can be a solution for patients with spinal neurofibroma causing neurological pain.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.22-37
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of the experience prescription in 『Donguisusebowon(東醫壽世保元)』. Methods We examined the examples of the experience prescription in the pathology of 『Donguisusebowon』. Afterward, we considered the characteristics about the experience prescription of Junggyeong Jang and the Next Generation Doctors in 『Donguisusebowon』. Results and Conclusion 1. The Junggyeong Jang's experience prescription isn't modified despite the fact that it doesn't fit the constitutional disease and pharmacology, and many experience prescriptions are mentioned to in the pathology of 『Donguisusebowon』. But the Next Generation Doctors's experience prescription is modified, and a considerable number of experience prescriptions are not mentioned to in the pathology of 『Donguisusebowon』. 2. Jema Lee cited all of the Junggyeong Jang's experience prescription except Daesiho-tang(大柴胡湯) as an explanation for the constitutional disease, and cited a prescription that could not be used for the constitutional disease. And the pathological symptom of the Junggyeong Jang's experience prescription was used to establish the system of the Sasang Constitutional Medicine, so the Junggyeong Jang's experience prescription wasn't modifed. 3. Jema Lee cited a prescription that could be used for the constitutional disease. And the pharmacology of the Next Generation Doctors's experience prescription was used to establish the system of the Sasang Constitutional Medicine, so the Next Generation Doctors's experience prescription was modifed. 4. Jema Lee established the Sasang Constitutional Medicine based on the Existing Medicine. It was appeared in composition and name about the table of contents of the experience prescription in 『Donguisusebowon』.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.376-384
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• 2020

Purpose: The role of prophylactic abdominal drainage in total gastrectomy is not well-established. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of abdominal drainage in the prevention and management of major intra-abdominal complications after total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 499 patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma in a high-volume institution. The patients were divided into drainage and non-drainage groups and compared for the development and management of major intra-abdominal complications, including anastomotic leak, abdominal bleeding, abdominal infection, and pancreatic fistulas. Results: The drainage group included 388 patients and the non-drainage group included 111 patients. The 2 groups showed no significant differences in clinicopathological characteristics or operative procedures, except for more frequent D2 lymphadenectomies in the drainage group. After surgery, the overall morbidity (drainage group vs. non-drainage group: 24.7% vs. 28.8%, P=0.385) and incidence of major intra-abdominal complications (6.4% vs. 6.3%, P=0.959) did not significantly differ between the two groups. The non-drainage group showed no significant increase in the incidence rate of major intra-abdominal complications in the subgroups divided by age, sex, comorbidity, operative approach, body mass index, extent of lymphadenectomy, and pathological stage. Abdominal drainage had no significant impact on early diagnosis, secondary intervention or reoperation, or recovery from major intra-abdominal complications. Conclusions: Prophylactic abdominal drainage showed little demonstrable benefit in the prevention and management of major intra-abdominal complications of total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.155-168
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• 2021

Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in nutritional assessment and survival prediction of patients with various malignancies. However, its value in advanced gastric cancer (GC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and curative gastrectomy remains unclear. Materials and Methods: The CONUT score at different time points (pretreatment, preoperative, and postoperative) of 272 patients with advanced GC were retrospectively calculated from August 2004 to October 2015. The χ² test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to estimate the relationships between the CONUT score and clinical characteristics as well as short-term outcomes, while the Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate long-term outcomes. Survival curves were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: The proportion of moderate or severe malnutrition among all patients was not significantly changed from pretreatment (13.5%) to pre-operation (11.7%) but increased dramatically postoperatively (47.5%). The pretreatment CONUT-high score (≥4) was significantly associated with older age (P=0.010), deeper tumor invasion (P=0.025), and lower pathological complete response rate (CONUT-high vs. CONUT-low: 1.2% vs. 6.6%, P=0.107). Pretreatment CONUT-high score patients had worse progression-free survival (P=0.032) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.026). Adjusted for pathologic node status, the pretreatment CONUT-high score was strongly associated with worse OS in pathologic node-positive patients (P=0.039). Conclusions: The pretreatment CONUT score might be a straightforward index for immune-nutritional status assessment, while being a reliable prognostic indicator in patients with advanced GC receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and curative gastrectomy. Moreover, lower pretreatment CONUT scores might indicate better chemotherapy responses.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.45-64
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• 2020

Purpose This study was to develop and study 'Diagnostic Index for the Ordinary Symptom of Soyangin'. Methods The main diagnosis and evaluation index symptoms of Soyangin were extracted based on 『Donguisusebowon』 and Clinical Practice Guidelines for Sasang Constitutional Medicine Symptomatology; CPG for soyangin. The selected ordinary symptoms were divided into 4 categories such as Exterior-Cold ordinary symptom (表寒素證), Exterior-Disease unfavorable's ordinary symptom (表病逆證素證), Interior-Heat ordinary symptom (裏熱素證), Interior-Disease unfavorable's ordinary symptom (裏病逆證素證) of Soyangin and translated into Korean. And the inclusion, importance and translation validity of major diagnosis and assessment indicators of Soyangin were surveyed online by a group of Sasang constitutional experts. Results & Conclusions 29 ordinary symptoms and pathological mechanism were selected from references and translated into 51 Korean symptoms. After inclusion yes or no survey by expert group, 45 symptoms were selected. The importance survey showed that 'Have a soft stool' of Exterior-Cold ordinary symptom indication, '(If you're stressed, if you're not in good health) Have a soft stool or diarrhea' of Exterior-Disease unfavorable's ordinary symptom, 'The feces harden easily' of Interior-Heat ordinary symptom and '(If you're stressed, if you're not in good health) Have an upset stomach' of Interior-Disease unfavorable's ordinary symptom were the most important. Finally, [Diagnostic Index for the Ordinary Symptom of Soyangin] was completed after survey of translation validity, reflection of individual opinions by the expert committee, and application of weighted value calculated from the importance survey.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-48
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to suggest distinct signs of Greater yin disease (tàiyīnbìng, 太陰病) by researching the etymology of three terms: zi-tong (自痛), jie-ying (結硬), and yin-er (因爾), which are exclusive found only in Greater yin disease (太陰病) in Gangpyeong-shanghanlun, but not in other categories. Methods : We studied the etymologies of the three terms that are unique in Greater yin disease, then found some pathological signs that are related with them through the four mental illness cases, which include somatization, obsessive-compulsive behavior, delusion, and panic disorder. Results : Based on the definitions of each term, we diagnosed the four patients who had mental illnesses as having Greater yin disease, and we observed meaningful improvements after administering herbal medication. After Gyejigajakyak-tang administration, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score decreased from 18 to 7 and the Beck's Anxiety Index (BAI) score decreased from 36 to 18 in the first case, the ISI score decreased from 27 to 16 and the BAI score decreased from 50 to 33 in the second case, and the ISI score decreased from 23 to 4 and the BAI score decreased from 34 to 5 in the third case. In the last case, the ISI and BAI scores were 16 and 22, respectively, at the first visit, and it was found that the scores had changed to 6 and 22, respectively, at the last visit. Conclusions : We found that the unique terms in Greater yin disease, including zi-tong (自痛), jie-ying (結硬), and yin-er (因爾), can be interpreted as groundless arbitrary assumption, resting strong tension, and psychological projection based on the etymological hypothesis. Therefore, we suggest these as specific signs of Greater yin disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.176-182
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• 2021

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with chronic skin inflammatory reactions. p-coumaric acid (pCA) is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). Methods: Here, we estimated an anti-AD effect of pCA on activated mast cells, activated splenocytes, and a mouse model of AD. Cytokines levels were measured by ELISA and protein activation was analyzed by Western blotting. 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was used to induce AD-like skin lesions. Results: The treatment with pCA suppressed the productions and mRNA expressions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in HMC-1 cells. pCA downregulated the expressions of RIP2 and caspase-1, phosphorylated-(p)p38/pJNK/pERK, and pIKKβ/pIkBα/NF-κB in HMC-1 cells. pCA also decreased the productions of TSLP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, and IFN-γ in the supernatant of stimulated splenic cells. Comparing to DNFB-sensitized control group, pCA-treated group alleviated pathological changes of AD-like lesions. pCA decreased the proteins and mRNA expressions levels of TSLP, IL-6, and IL-4 in the skin lesions. Caspase-1 activation was also downregulated by pCA treatment in the AD-like lesions. The serum levels of histamine, IgE, TSLP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4 were suppressed following treatment with pCA. Conclusion: This study suggests that pCA has the potential to improve AD by suppressing TSLP as well as inflammatory cytokines via blocking of caspase-1/NF-κB signal cascade.