• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2024

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common disorder characterized by the inflammation of the exocrine pancreas in dogs, and the severity of the clinical signs of pancreatitis varies greatly. Therefore, the diagnosis of pancreatitis is challenging. The canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test (SNAP cPL; IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA) is rapid and relatively accurate in diagnosing pancreatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positivity rate of the SNAP cPL test in dogs regarding the severity of gastrointestinal (GI) signs and concurrent diseases. Electronic medical records of dogs were reviewed. For retrospective classification, 80 dogs with GI signs who underwent the SNAP cPL test were enrolled. Additionally, concurrent diseases on the day of the SNAP cPL test were reviewed. A positive SNAP cPL test result was observed in 26 of the 80 dogs (32.5%) with GI signs. The severity of GI signs using a scoring system and the positivity rate of SNAP cPL were statistically related. Furthermore, dogs with concurrent chronic kidney disease had a significantly higher positivity rate of SNAP cPL than those without chronic kidney disease. This information might help clinicians to decide whether a SNAP cPL test is needed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2024

Background: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) has recently been performed at many centers using a minimally invasive approach to reduce postoperative mortality, morbidity, and pain. Most previous reports on minimally invasive AVR (MiAVR) have mainly focused on aortic stenosis, and those exclusively dealing with aortic regurgitation (AR) are few. The purpose of this study was to investigate early surgical results and review our experience with patients with chronic severe AR who underwent AVR via right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAT). Methods: Data were retrospectively collected in this single-center study. Eight patients who underwent RAT AVR between January 2020 and January 2024 were enrolled. Short-term outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and echocardiographic data, were analyzed. Results: No in-hospital mortalities were observed. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred temporarily in three patients (37.5%). However, none required permanent pacemaker implantation or renal replacement therapy. The median values of ventilator time, length of intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay were 17 hours, 34.5 hours, and 9 days, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction were similar. However, the left ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters significantly decreased postoperatively from 42 mm to 35.5 mm (p=0.018) and 63 mm to 51 mm (p=0.012), respectively. Conclusion: MiAVR via RAT is a safe and reproducible procedure with acceptable morbidity and complication rates in patients with chronic severe AR. Despite some limitations such as a narrow surgical field and demanding learning curve, MiAVR is a competent method for AR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.333-341
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• 1990

aortoiliac pattern, Group II; femoropopliteal pattern and Group g; tibioperoneal pattern. A majority of patients belonged to group I [27 cases], 8 patients came under group II .and none in group g. Thirty patients underwent bypass operation with autogenous saphenous vein or synthetic graft with or without concomitant lumbar sympathectomy. Remaining 5 patients were operated on with sympathectomy only, Bypass procedures were anatomic bypass in 22 cases: aortoiliac artery bypass in 11 cases, femoropopliteal artery bypass in 10 cases, sequential femoropopliteal artery bypass in one case and extra-anatomic bypass in 8 cases, axillary-bifemoral artery bypass in one case and femorofemoral artery bypass in 7 cases. Postoperative complications which mainly composed of superficial wound infection[5 cases] which were treated without any significant sequel in all cases and thrombosis[2 cases]. Three patients died whose causes of death were acute renal failure in 2 cases and myocardial infarction in other, The overall patency, rate was 70Zo in 5 years. In conclusion, the clinical pattern and operative outcome were similar to he western pattern and all cases of death did not related to operative procedures and ischemic symptoms were relieved by bypass operations except several cases. I think and recommend that all patients suffering chronic arterial insufficiency by atherosclerosis obliterans ought to be managed with urgent and adequate operative procedure.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1104-1109
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• 2007

Purpose : Since 1998, school urinary screening tests have been performed on Korean school children. We could detect and treat so many asymptomatic chronic renal disease in early stage. We investigated the efficacy of school urinary screening tests from children with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I. Methods : We analyzed the characteristics and prognosis of 18 patients with MPGN type I who admitted after 1996 and received steroid therapy with or without cyclosporine. These patients were divided into two groups. Group A (asymptomatic patients detected by school urinary screening tests) consisted of 7 patients; Group S (symptomatic patients) consisted 11 patients. Results : Mean follow-up duration was 6.3 years (from 2 to 11 years). Urinary protein excretion was 1.1 g/day in group A and 6.6 g/day in group S. 24 hour creatinine clearance (mL/min/$1.73m^2$) was 134.3 in group A and 82.3 in group S. No patients in group A had renal insufficiency, but three patients in group S had renal insufficiency and one patient required peritoneal dialysis. Conclusion : Early detection by school urinary screening tests improves prognosis of MPGN type I.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in spiritual needs (SNs) and factors influencing SNs between patients with progressive terminal kidney disease and their family caregivers. Methods: An explorative comparative survey was used to identify the SNs of patients (N=102) with progressive terminal kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis and their family caregivers (N=88) at a general hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, the independent t-test, one way analysis of variance, the Scheffe test, and multiple regression with dummy variables. Results: The SNs among family caregivers were higher than in the patient group. SNs were higher among those who were religious in both groups. Loving others was the highest-ranked subdimension in the patient group, followed in descending order by maintaining positive perspective, finding meaning, Reevaluating beliefs and life, asking "why?", receiving love and spiritual support, preparing for death, and relating to God. In the family group, the corresponding order was maintaining positive perspective, loving others, finding meaning, receiving love and spiritual support, preparing for death, relating to God, and asking "why?". The factors that had a negative influence on the level of SNs were not being religious in the patient group and having only a middle school level of education in the family group. Conclusion: The results of this study may serve as evidence that spiritual care for non-cancer patients' family caregivers should be considered as an important part of hospice and palliative care.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.6-14
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• 2007

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in Korea and its prognosis is very poor. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of terminal patients with hepatocellular carcinoma on admission into a hospice unit, and to know if they had received appropriate hospice and palliative care. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 62 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had admitted, received palliative care, and died in a hospice unit between January 2003 and December 2005. Results: The median age of patients was 56.5 years with 50 men(80.65%) and 12 women(19.35%) and gender ratio(male to female) was 417. Child-Pugh class A, B, and C were 6(9.68%), 22(35.38%), and 34(58.84%) respectively. We divided the patients into two groups and compared, the terminal HCC patients with class C as group I and those with class A & B as group 2. The median time from hospice referral to death was significantly short in group 1 with 15.5 days compared to group 2 with 53 days. Statistically more prevalent symptoms in group I were ascites, dyspnea, peripheral edema, and hepatic encephalopathy with abnormal laboratory findings (jaundice, hypoalbuminemia, or renal insufficiency). There, however, was no significant difference in complications and managements during admission between group 1 and 2. Conclusion: Most terminal HCC patients were often accompanied with chronic liver disease. The length of hospice and palliative care for above patients was not enough to attend them. Therefore, we suggest that proper education and information should be provided to physicians, patients, and their family members for effective hospice and palliative care.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.176-185
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• 2004

Purpose: Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a clinicopathologic entity characterized by extensive crescent formation and rapid deterioration of renal function within few months. For better understanding of its clinical course and designing better treatment strategies, a clinicopathological study of childhood RPGN was performed. Methods: The clinical manifestations and pathological findings were reviewed retrospectively in 12 children who were diagnosed as having RPGN by clinical manifestations and renal biopsy during a period from 1991 to 2003. Several clinicopathological parameters were analyzed as prognostic factors. Results: Among a total of 12 patients, 4 were male and 8 were female. The median onset age was 11.5 years(range 5.5-14.6 years), and the median period of follow-up was 25 months(range 7 months-6.6 years). According to the pathological classification, 10 patients (83%) were type II RPGN(immune-complex mediated glomerulonephritis), 2 patients were type III RPGN(pauci-immune glomerulonephritis), and none was type I RPGN(anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis). All patients were treated with oral steroid in various combinations with methylprednisolone pulse therapy(10 patients, 83%), cyclophosphamide(8 patients, 67%), or plasmapheresis(4 patients, 33%). Clinical outcomes of 12 patients were complete remission in 1(8%), end-stage renal disease in 2(17%), chronic renal insufficiency with persistent proteinuria in 2(17%), and normal renal function with persistent proteinuria in 7(58%) at the last follow-up. Poor prognosis is associated with increased serum creatinine level, severe anemia and younger age at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion: Immune-complex mediated glomerulonephritis is the major cause RPGN in children and most cases showed improvement of renal function with aggressive management. For better understanding of this rare disease, a prospective multicenter study should be done.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2005

Purpose : Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(APSGN) follows infection of group A$\beta$-hemolytic streptococci. The prognosis of APSGN has been reported as favorable. However, several studies have reported that some patients progress to chronic renal failure. In an attempt to clarify this, we analyzed the clinical course of patients with APSGN. Methods : Between January 2000 and December 2004, a total of 48 children who were diagnosed with APSGN according to the presence of hematuria, transient hypocomplementemia and evidence of group A $\beta$-hemolytic streptococcal infection were evaluated. Results : Six(12.5$\%$) patients showed elevation of serum creatinine level but there was no patient with Persistent renal dysfunction. Blood pressure was controlled with ease in all patients and there was no case of persistent hypertension. Renal biopsy was done in 5 patients who showed heavy proteinuria or renal insufficiency and the outcomes showed findings consistent with ordinary APSGN except one with findings of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis(RPGN). Serum complement levels normalized within 8 weeks(92.9$\%$). Hematuria disappeared within 6 months(79$\%$) and proteinuria within 6 months(100$\%$) from the disease onset. Conclusion : Prolonged renal dysfunction or heavy proteinuria found in five patients(10.4$\%$) led to renal biopsy. All these problems resolved within 6 months. Our data support that the prognosis of childhood APSGN is favorable without any serious sequoia. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:137-142)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 1997

Purpose : Congenital urinary tract anomaly is the most common anomaly in the childhood and progress to chronic renal failure and growth retardation. Therefore, early diagnosis arid treatment of urinary tract anomaly are important. Method : We reviewed medical records of 124 patients who had urinary tract anomalies on radiologic studies from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1996. We analyzed demography and clinical characteristics of urinary tract anomalies. Results : 1) The age distributions were as follows ; 61 cases of 124 patients (49%) were under 1 year, 11 cases (8.8%) from 1 to 3 years, 20 cases (16%) from 4 to 6 years, 10 cases (8%) from 7 to 9 years, 9 cases (7.2%) from 10 to 12 years, 10 cases (8%) from 13 to 15 years, and 3 cases (2.4%) from 16 to 18 years. 2) Chief complaints in patients with urinary tract anomalies were fever, flank pain, prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis, abdominal mass, dysuria and hematuria. 3) Of 124 patients, 68 cases(54.8%) were combined with urinary tract infection, and main causative organism was E.coli, and the most frequently associated anomaly was vesicoureteral reflux. 4) Most of the urinary tract anomalies were VUR, UPJ obstruction, congenital hydronephrosis and double ureter in order of sequence. 5) Whereas the frequency of simple urinary tract anomaly was 87.9%, that of complex anomaly was 12%. 6) Operative corrections were needed in 47 cases and 7 cases were progressed to renal insufficiency. Conclusion : We emphasize that early detection of urinary tract anomaly, appropriate treatment and regular follow-up are needed.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.425-451
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• 2023

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, longterm anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.