• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.155-167
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• 2013

Objectives : This research was conducted to investigate the factors that affect the level of facial nerve damage. Methods : From October 2009 to September 2013, the total number of 581 patients of Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome visited Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong for Traditional Korean and Western combined medical treatment. Of these, 453 patients of peripheral facial nerve palsy were selected for the research. After reviewing the medical records that have details of age, gender, diagnosis(Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome), onset, underlying diseases(DM, HTN), and HbAlc value, the analysis on the influence factors on the level of facial nerve damage was drew out. Results : The axonal loss rate of oris branch and nasal branch were significantly higher than the axonal loss rate of frontal branch and oculi branch. In addition, the frequency of becoming a major damaged branch was also high in the oris branch nasal branch. The factors by month, weather, smoking, and alcohol did not influence EMG axonal loss rate. Male rather than female and patient with Rasmay-Hut syndrome rather than Bell's palsy had a higher axonal loss rate in all branches. Of those, front of branch of male was remarkably higher than female. Patient with DM as P/H had high axonal loss rate in all branches. Patient with HTN as P/H had high axonal loss rate in all branches except for oris branches. Patients with DM and HTN group had significantly higher value from the average of axonal loss rate than patients who are only with HTN and without DM/HTN. DM alone group had significantly higher value than patients who are without DM/HTN. However, HTN alone was not significantly high. By analysing HbAlc of the patients who were hospitalised regardless DM, axonal loss rate was high in the order of DM group, preDM group, normal group. Nevertheless, only DM group showed higher axonal rate statistically than normal group. Considering DM and HbA1c value, the patients can be divided into 4 different groups of hkDM, lkDM, hfDM and nDM. By analysing those groups, the average damaged value of the groups with diagnosis followed by treatment(lkDM, hkDM) were higher than the average rate of hfDM and statistically higher than the rate of the nDM. Conclusions : The influential factors of increasing the level of EMG damage are male(only for the frontal branch), age above sixties, HTN, DM, and HbAlc value above 6.5. Besides, the negligible factors are month, season, diagnosis, alcohol, and smoking. Further research including clinical prognosis should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.346-352
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• 2010

Introduction: Heat shock protein70 (HSP70) is a highly conserved family of proteins produced after a variety of stresses. Many studies reported that the overexpression of HSP70 can improve the prognosis of the patients with sepsis through a reduction of the nitric oxide concentration. However, these results only revealed the effect of HSP70 and nitric oxide. No studies have examined the relationship between HSP70 and nitric oxide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the overexpression of HSP70 on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and the nitric oxide concentration. In addition, the mechanism of the relationship of HSP70 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in sepsis was examined. Materials and Methods: The experiments were performed on male sprague-dawley rats. Sepsis was induced by a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Glutamine (GLN) or saline was administered 1 hour after the initiation of sepsis. Serum and lung tissues were acquired from the rats 12 hours or 24 hours after the initiation of sepsis. The nitric oxide concentration, the expression of HSP70 in lung, and the gene expression of iNOS in lung were analyzed. The three groups, sham operation, CLP and CLP+GLN, were compared. Results: Compared to the other groups, in CLP+GLN, GLN administered after the initiation of sepsis enhanced the expression of HSP70 in the lung at 12 hours ($47.19{\pm}10.04$ vs. $33.22{\pm}8.28$, P=0.025) and 24 hours ($47.06{\pm}10.60$ vs. $31.90{\pm}4.83$, P=0.004). In CLP+GLN, GLN attenuated the expression of iNOS messenger RNA (mRNA) in the lung at 12 hours ($5,513.73{\pm}1,051.60$ vs. $4,167.17{\pm}951.59$, P=0.025) and 24 hours ($18,740.27{\pm}8,241.20$ vs. $9,437.65{\pm}2,521.07$, P=0.016), and reduced the concentration of nitric oxide in the serum at 12 hours ($0.86{\pm}0.48$ vs. $3.82{\pm}2.53$, P=0.016) and 24 hours ($0.39{\pm}0.25$ vs. $1.85{\pm}1.70$, P=0.025). Conclusion: The overexpression of HSP70 induced by the administration of GLN in sepsis attenuates the expression of the iNOS gene but reduces the nitric oxide concentration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.332-341
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• 1995

Background: Measurement of bronchodilator response is necessary to establish reversibility of airflow obstruction that was helpful to estimate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in obstructive airway disease. An useful index should be able to detect the bronchodilator response more sensitively not related with degree of airflow obstruction and also be independent of initial $FEV_1$. Method: Sensitivities of bronchodilator response in each group classified by degree of airflow obstruction in $FEV_1$, FVC, $FEF_{25\sim75%}$, Isovolume $FEF_{25\sim75%}$, sGaw were studied and correlation coefficients were calculated between initial $FEV_1$ and reversibilities expressed as absolute, %initial, % predicted, %possible in $FEV_1$. Result: Sensitivities of bronchodilator response were 61.5% in FVC, Isovolume $FEF_{25\sim75%}$ and sGaw, in severe group, and 56.3% in Isovolume $FEF_{25\sim75%}$ and sGaw, in moderate group, and 62.5% in $FEV_1$ and sGaw and 50.0% in FVC and Isovolume $FEF_{25\sim75%}$, in mild group, and 60.0% in sGaw and 58.0% in Isovolume $FEF_{25\sim75%}$ in total patients. Correlation coefficients between initial $FEV_1$(L) and absolute, % initial, % predicted, % possible were 0.15, -0.22(p<0.05), 0.02, 0.24(p<0.05) and correlation coefficients between initial $FEV_1$(% predicted) and absolute, % initial, % predicted, %possible were 0.06, -0.28(p<0.05), 0.08, 0.39(p<0.05). Conclusion: Volume related parameters were more sensitive index not related with degree of airway obstruction and the change in $FEV_1$ expressed as % predicted was the least dependent on initial $FEV_1$ and reversibilities, expressed as % initial or as % possible(predicted minus initial $FEV_1$)were correlated with initial $FEV_1$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.756-765
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• 1997

Background : To study the prognosis of patients with lung cancer, many investigators have reported the methods to detect cell proliferation in tissues including PCNA, thymidine autoradiography, flow cytometry and Ki-67. PCNA, also known as cyclin, is a cell related nuclear protein with 36KD intranuclear polypeptide that is maximally elevated in S phase of proliferating cells. In this study, PCNA was identified by paraffin-embedding tissue using immunohistochemistry which has an advantage of simplicity and maintenance of tissue architecture. The variation of PCNA expression is known to be related with proliferating fraction, histologic type, anatomic(TNM) stage, degree of cell differentiation, S-phase fraction and survival rate. We analyzed the correlation between PCNA expression and S-phase fraction, survival. Method : To investigate expression of PCNA in primary lung cancer, we used immunohistochemical stain to paraffin-embedded sections of 57 resected primary non-small cell lung cancer specimen and the results were analyzed according to the cell type, cell differentiation, TNM stage, S-phase fraction and survival. Results : PCNA expression was divided into five group according to degree of staging(-, +, ++, +++, ++++). Squamous cell type showed high positivity than in adenocarcinoma. Nonsignificant difference related to TNM stage was noticed. Nonsignificant difference related to degree of cell differentiation was noticed. S-phase fraction was increased with advance of PCNA positivity, but it could not reach the statistic significance. The 2 year survival rate and median survival time were -50% 13 months, +75% 41.3 months, ++73% 33.6 months, +++67% 29.0 months, ++++25% 9 months with statistic significance (P<0.05, Kaplan-Meier, generalized Wilcox). Conclusion : From this study, PCNA expression was high positive in squamous cell cancer. And, there was no relationship between PCNA positivity and TNM stage, cellular differentiation or S-phase fraction. But, the patients with high positive PCNA staining showed poor survival rate than the patients with lower positive PCNA staining (p<0.05). It was concluded that PCNA immunostaining is a simple and useful method for survival prediction in paraffin embedded tissue of non-small cell lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1072-1082
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• 1997

Background : To characterize the clinical features and determine the prognostic factors of severe community-acquired pneumonia. This study is the first of its kind in Korea. Methods : Recruited were 40 patients diagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia in Hallym University Hospital from January 1, 1989 through July 31, 1996. Patients were analysed retrospectively for age, sex, underlying disease, respiration rate, hypoxemia, requirement of mechanical ventilation, involvement on chest radiograph, shock, and the serum concentration of BUN and albumin. All parameters were compared between survived and dead group. Results : Male to female ratio was 2.07 : 1. The mean age was $63.1{\pm}17.5$years(range 25~90years) with 65% of patients aged equal to or more than 60. The major underlying diseases were old pulmonary tuberculosis(12.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(7.5%), bronchial asthma(5%), bronchiectasis(2.5%), and diabetes mellitus(22.5%). Microbiologic diagnosis was made in 26 out of 40 patients(65%). The most common causative organism was S. pneumoniae(17.5%, 7/40) followed by S. aureus(15.0%, 6/40), K. Pneumoniae(12.5%, 5/40), M. tuberculosis(7.5%, 3/40), H. influenzae(2.5%, 1/40), coagulase negative staphylococcus(2.5%, 1/40), P. aeruginosa(2.5%. 1/40), E. cloaceae(2.5%, 1/40), and E. coli(2.5%, 1/40). M. pneumoniae was detected in no patient. The most frequent drugs administered in single or combination therapy were aminoglycosides(75%, 30/40), second- and third-generation cephalosporin(40%, 16/40 and 27.5%, 11/40), macrolides(27.5%, 11/40), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid(22.5%, 9/40). Of the 40 patients, 14 died of severe community-acquired pneumonia(37.5%). Among them, seven patients (50%) expired within 72h of hospital arrival. According to multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with requirement of mechanical ventilation, bilateral pulmonary involvement, and serum albumins$\leq$3.0g/dl. Conclusion : An understanding of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia identified in this study will optimize therapeutic approach in this disease and help decreasing its notorious mortality rate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2002

Background : The detection and early elimination of the causes for acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) at the initial stage can result in a more favorable prognosis. Miliary tuberculosis as a cause of the ARDS is quite rare. A diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis is difficult due to the diversity of radiological patterns and non-specific clinical finfings, and low sensitivity of sputum examinations for acid-fast bacilli(AFBs). An analysis of the clinical data is the first step in diagnosing these unusual, rare cases. Materials and Methods : In this study the clinical features, laboratory data, radiological findings and diagnostic methods were analyzed in 9 cases with an initial presentation of ARDS due to miliary tuberculosis. The ARDS was defined by the definition of the American-Europian consensus conference 1992. Results : The mean age of the patients was $67{\pm}18$ years (F:M=7:2). The chief complaints were dyspnea(5/9), coughing (3/9) and fever(5/9). On a physical examination, fine or coarse crackles were noted(6/9). The ARDS developed on average 6.7 days after the initial respiratory symptoms. The mean $PaO_2/FiO_2$ of the patients was $133.5{\pm}53.4$, the number of cases with a WBC<5000/$mm^3$ was 4 out of 9 cases. A platelet count<70,000/$mm^3$ was observed in 2 out of 9 cases, and the serum albumin level was $2.6{\pm}0.6$ g/dL. The initial simple chest PA showed ground glass appearances and consolidation in all cases, However, the miliary nodular densities were observed in only 4 out of the 9 cases. HRCT revealed alveolar densities and a consolidation in 5 out of 6 cases, and miliary nodules in 5 out of 6 cases, The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made by a liver biopsy (4/4, 100% sensitivity), a bone marrow biopsy (1/2, 50% sensitivity), and an open lung biopsy (1/1), the sputum AFB was positive in only 2 out of 9 cases. The patient was treated with INH, RFP, EMB, PZA, and steroids. The survival rate was 55.5%. Conclusion : Miliary tuberculosis should be considered as one of the causes for ARDS in areas where there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis. The chief complaints of the patients on admission are dyspnea, fever and coughing without any specific riskfactors. A liver biopsy is particularly useful in ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation to determine the causes of the ARDS if miliary tuberculosis is suspected as being the underlying disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.356-365
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• 2006

Background: Corticosteroids are known to be significant prognostic parameters in sepsis. Recently, an absolute and relative insufficiency of the corticosteroids system has often been reported to often develop particularly in severe sepsis. Degree of such an adrenal insufficiency not only has prognostic implications but also can be used to guide corticosteroids replacement therapy. The 24-hour urinary cortisol levels as well as serum cortisol concentrations were measured to assess the clinical significance and their relationship with the other parameters of sepsis, and also evaluated the clinical implications of the relative adrenal insufficiency. Methods: 26 consecutive patients with sepsis were enrolled. The basal random serum cortisol, ACTH, ADH, lactate levels and 24-hour urinary free cortisol amount were measured. The rapid ACTH ($250{\mu}g$) stimulation test was also performed. Results: Basal serum cortisol levels were higher in the non-survivors than in the survivors. The 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were higher in the patients with severe sepsis than in those without. The serum cortisol levels strongly correlated with the serum ADH and lactate levels. The 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels strongly correlated with the serum cortisol and lactate levels. The fractional changes in the cortisol levels after the rapid ACTH stimulation tests correlated with the serum cortisol, ADH, and lactate levels. Conclusion: Both the serum cortisol and 24-hour urinary cortisol were found to be significant prognostic factors in sepsis, and showed a strong correlation with the other parameters. The relative adrenal insufficiency might also be an important clinical parameter.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2008

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in South Korea since the year 2000 and it is more common in elderly patients, with a peak incidence at around 70~80 years of age. However, these elderly patients receive treatment less often than do the younger patients because of organ dysfunction related to their age and their comorbidities, and they show poor tolerance to chemotherapy. The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment-related survival of elderly patients with lung cancer. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical data of 706 lung cancer patients who were diagnosed at hospitals in Daegu and Gyeongsangbukdo from January 2005 to December 2005. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the patients who were aged 70 years and older (elderly patients) with those clinical characteristics and outcomes of the younger individuals. Results: The median age of the patients was 68 years (from 29 to 93) and the elderly patients were 38.7% (n=273) of all the study's patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of lung cancer in both the elderly and younger patient groups. Elderly patients had more symptoms of dyspnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than the younger patients (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). A good performance status (ECOG 0-1) was less common for the elderly patients (p<0.001). The median survival of the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was significantly higher in the younger patient group than in the elderly patient group (962 days vs 298 days, respectively, p=0.001). However, the median survival of the NSCLC patients who received any treatment showed no significant difference between the younger patient group and the elderly patient group (1,109 days vs 708 days, respectively, p=0.14). Conclusion: Our data showed that appropriate treatment for selected elderly patients improved the survival of patients with NSCLC. Therefore, elderly NSCLC patients with a good performance status should be encouraged to receive appropriate treatment.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2000

Purpose : Spine is one of the most common sites of the metastatic bone tumors. Conservative management such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been preferred in most cases. However, the neurologic deficit has not been usually improved, and the quality of life was poor. The purpose of this study was to show the efficacy of the surgical treatments for metastatic spinal tumors in terms of postoperative improvements of neurologic deficit and survival time. Materials and Methods : Authors have reviewed the literatures and analyzed 14 patients of metastatic spinal tumors who were received operative treatments between August 1991 and June 1999 at the our department of orthopaedic surgery. Results : The most frequent primary tumor was breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men. The thoracic region was the most common site. There was a preponderance of females over males, and the age ranged between 4th and 8th decade. The indications of surgical treatment comprised instability, progressive neurologic findings, resistance to radiotherapy, pathological fracture, long life expectancy( >6weeks), isolated metastasis and need for pathological diagnosis. The degree of preoperative neurological deficit might influence on the improvement of clinical symptoms after surgery. Conclusion : The surgical treatment reduced the neurological deficit and pain regardless of the operative methods. In the early stage of neurological deficit, the surgical treatment was important for better prognosis. Recently early active operative treatment was performed for metastatic spinal tumor to minimize the intractable pain and to prevent the progression of the neurologic deficit. Early intervention can improve the quality of life and long term survival.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2005

Purpose: The most important thing in curing Malignant melanoma is surgical excision, operating method is wide excision. The author et al. studied 5-year survival rate of each stage and appropriate surgical margin after operating wide excision and immuno-chemotherapy. Materials and methods: From March 1995 to August 2003, wide excision and immunochemotherapy were operated to 35 patients (17 males and 18 females) who were diagnosed as malignant melanoma and followed up. Excision was done around 2 cm from edge of tumor regardless of the size or effected degree of the skin, and flap or full thickness skin graft was used for skin deficit that was not covered after excision. As for immuno-chemotherapy, method that prescribes 400 mg of dacarbazine (DTIC) and 3 million IU of interferone-${\alpha}$ in combination was used. Immuno-chemotherapy was operated to patients in over stage III. We used AJCC stage that was revised in 2002. Local recurrence, local metastasis and distant metastasis were investigated for these patients as well as the 5-year survival rate of each stage. Results: Most frequently 15 cases(42.8%) occurred in foot, 5 cases(14.2%) occured in ankle, 2 cases(5.7%) in leg, 2 cases(5.7%) in thigh and 5 cases(14.2%) in hand. The incidence of each stage were 8 cases(22.8%) in IA, 9 cases(25.7 %) in IB, 4 cases(11.4%) in IIA, 2 cases(5.7%) in IIB, 1 cases(2.8%) in IIIA, 2 cases(5.7%) in IIIB, 2 cases(5.7%) in IIIC and 7 cases(20.0%) in stage IV. 5-year survival rate of each stage were 94.1% in stage I, 66.8% in stage II, 40% in stage III and 14.3% in stage IV. Conclusion: 5-year survival rate of stage IV was low in malignant melanoma. In treatment of malignant melanoma, staging before operation is important as operation methods are different from each stage. We recommend wide excision which remove around 1~3 cm from margin of tumor up to each thickness.