• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2024

Objective : There is still controversy regarding whether neck remodeling stent affects the occurrence of silent embolic infarction (SEI) after aneurysm coiling. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate the incidence of SEI after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) using Neuroform Atlas Stent (NAS) and possible risk factors. This study also includes a comparison with simple coiling group during the same period to estimate the impact of NAS on the occurrence of SEI. Methods : This study included a total of 96 unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 96 patients treated with SAC using NAS. Correlations of demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, and angiographic parameters with properties of SEI were analyzed. The incidence and characteristics of SEI were investigated in 28 patients who underwent simple coiling during the same period, and the results were compared with the SAC group. Results : In the diffusion-weighted imaging obtained on the 1st day after SAC, a total of 106 SEI lesions were observed in 48 (50%) of 96 patients. Of these 48 patients, 38 (79.2%) had 1-3 lesions. Of 106 lesions, 74 (69.8%) had a diameter less than 3 mm. SEI occurred more frequently in older patients (≥60 years, p=0.013). The volume of SEI was found to be significantly increased in older age (≥60 years, p=0.032), hypertension (p=0.036), and aneurysm size ≥5 mm (p=0.047). The incidence and mean volume of SEI in the SAC group (n=96) were similar to those of the simple coiling group (n=28) during the same period. Conclusion : SEIs are common after NAS-assisted coiling. Their incidence in SAC was comparable to that in simple coiling. They occurred more frequently at an older age. Therefore, the use of NAS in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysm does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events if antiplatelet premedication has been performed well.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2024

Purpose: Recently, the prevalence of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) has shown an increasing trend worldwide. As the diagnosis of EGID requires invasive endoscopy with biopsy, noninvasive markers for detecting EGID in suspected patients, particularly children, are urgently needed. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) beyond peripheral eosinophil counts in pediatric patients with EGID. Methods: Overall, 156 children diagnosed with EGID were enrolled and 150 children with functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD) were recruited as controls. All participants underwent endoscopic biopsy in each segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and serum ECP measurement, as well as peripheral eosinophil percent and absolute eosinophil count. Results: Comparing EGID (n=156) with FAPD (n=150) patients, serum ECP levels were significantly higher in pediatric patients with EGID than in those with FAPD (25.8±28.6 ㎍/L vs. 19.5±21.0 ㎍/L, p=0.007), while there was no significant difference in peripheral eosinophil percent and absolute eosinophil counts between the two groups. Serum ECP levels were correlated with peripheral eosinophil percent (r=0.593, p<0.001) and the absolute eosinophil count (r=0.660, p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value of serum ECP for pediatric EGID was 10.5 ㎍/mL, with a sensitivity of 69.9% and a specificity of 43.4% with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.562. Conclusion: The combination of serum ECP levels and peripheral eosinophil counts, when employed with appropriated thresholds, could serve as a valuable noninvasive biomarker to distinguish between EGID and FAPD in pediatric patients manifesting GI symptoms.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.246-257
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• 2024

Purpose: Administering early parenteral amino acids to very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants (birth body weight [BBW]<1,500 g) is challenging due to factors such as holidays, cost, and access to sterile compounding facilities. Using advance-prepared parenteral nutrition (PN) may address this issue and should be evaluated for its safety and potential benefits. Methods: We extracted data from medical records collected between July 2015 and August 2019. VLBW infants received PN for at least seven days and were split into two groups: the traditional group (n=30), which initially received a glucose solution and then PN on workdays, and the pre-preparation group (n=16), which received advance-prepared PN immediately upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Results: The median BBWs of the traditional and pre-preparation groups were 1,180.0 vs. 1,210.0 g. In the initial two days, the pre-preparation group had a significantly higher amino acid intake (2.23 and 2.24 g/kg/d) than the traditional group (0 and 1.78 g/kg/d). The pre-preparation group exhibited greater head circumference growth ratio relative to birth (7th day: 1.21% vs. -3.57%, p=0.014; 21st day: 7.71% vs. 3.31%, p=0.017). No significant differences in metabolic tolerance were observed. Conclusion: Advanced preparation of PN can be safely implemented in VLBW preterm infants, offering advantages such as early, higher amino acid intake and improved head circumference growth within the first 21 days post-birth. This strategy may serve as a viable alternative in settings where immediate provision of sterile compounding facilities is challenging.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.234-239
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• 2022

Background/Aims: The efficacy of propofol in gastrointestinal endoscopy for patients with midazolam-induced paradoxical reactions remains unclarified. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of propofol-based sedation in patients who previously experienced paradoxical reactions. Methods: This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled pilot study. Participants with a history of paradoxical reactions to midazolam during a previous esophagogastroduodenoscopy were recruited and randomly assigned to group I (propofol monosedation) or group II (combination of propofol and midazolam). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a paradoxical reaction. Results: A total of 30 participants (mean age, 54.7±12.6 years; male, 19/30) were randomly assigned to group I (n=16) or group II (n=14). There were no paradoxical reactions in group I, but there were two in group II, without a significant difference (p=0.209). The mean dose of propofol was higher in group I than in group II (p=0.002). Meanwhile, the procedure and recovery times did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Propofol-based sedation was safe and effective for patients who experienced paradoxical reactions to midazolam. However, caution is needed because few cases of paradoxical reaction again can happen in group II in which midazolam was readministered.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.31 no.5 s.88
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• pp.479-487
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• 2001

The perception of facial esthetics is critically important to orthodontists. A viewpoint to facial esthetics is influenced by various factors and dependent on the perception of observer. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences regarding esthetic viewpoints among orthodontists, to identify attractive profiles preferred to orthodontists and to present the characteristic aspects of attractive profiles upon the degree of facial convexity. 35 persons whose faces were judged as attractive one by S orthodontists were selected out of 133 young Korean women. Soft tissue profiles Identified as a good-profile group were measured and analyzed. And then according to the facial convexity, good-profile group was subdivided to convex (G-Sn-Pg$9^{\circ}$) and straight (G-Sn-Pg<$9^{\circ}$) groups for the purpose of this study. There were statistically no significant differences regarding esthetic viewpoints among S orthodontists(p<0.05), even if there exists prevailing concept that the standard for facial esthetics is substantially subjective. N-Pg-Sn and N-Pg-Pn, measured for determining anteroposterior relationship of midfacial convexity, showed significant differences statistically between 2 subgroups (P

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.3 s.117
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• pp.340-351
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• 2006

To reveal physicochemical factors contributing to variation of phytoplankton communities, the study was carried out biweekly at 6 stations from Feb. 2004 to Feb. 2005 in the lower part of the Han River, Korea. As results, water temperature was changed from $0.3^{\circ}C$ to $26.6^{\circ}C$, pH: 6.6${\sim}$9.1, DO: 1.89${\sim}$22.23 mg $L^{-1}$, BOD: 0.38${\sim}$9.20 mg $L^{-1}$, COD: 1.4${\sim}$15.2 mg $L^{-1}$, Conductivity: $62.5{\sim}500.0\;{\mu}s\;cm^{-1}$, SS: 3.00${\sim}$159.3 mg $L^{-1}$, and Chl a $1.7{\sim}71.3\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Phytoplankton standing crops ranged from min. $3.6{\times}10^2\;cells\;mL^{-1}$ (July 2004, St. 3) to max. $2.3{\times}10^4\;cells\;mL^{-1}$ (Feb. 2005, St. 6), and mean of those varied from $5.9{\times}10^3\;cells\;mL^{-1}$in spring, $2.1{\times}10^3\;cells\;mL^{-1}$ in summer, $4.1{\times}10^3\;cells\;mL^{-1}$ in autumn and $8.5{\times}10^3\;cells\;mL^{-1}$ in winter, respectively. In order to investigate factors influencing the total phytoplankton standing crops a multiple regression analysis was adopted for the correlation between standing crops and environmental factors. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) value of the regression was 0.465, it showed that environmental factors which predominantly influenced phytoplankton standing crops were water temperature, COD, $NO_2-N$, $PO_4-N$, Discharge and pH. six stations could be divided into 3 groups based on similarity index in terms of environmental factors. In ANOVA analysis for physicochemical and biological factors, water temperature, chlorophyll a, silicate, phytoplankton standing crops were the same group differed little from stations. However, Station 1and 2 were grouped followed in dissolved oxygen, conductivity, COD, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and phosphate, and Station 3, 4 and 5 were followed in dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and phosphate.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the strain on the alveolar ridge in the centric, eccentric and protrusive position according to the occlusal scheme (bilateral balanced occlusion with 33 degree anatomical teeth, group B; monoplane occlusion with non-anatomical teeth, group M; lingualized occlusion with 33 degree anatomical teeth and non-anatomical teeth, group L; of complete dentures. Experimental dentures were set bilateral balanced occlusion, lingualized occlusion and monoplane occlusion. They are analysed through T-Scan II(Tekscan, Boston, U.S.A) and 1.5mm thick layer was removed from the denture-supporting surface of resin model and then replaced with silicone to simulate resilient edentulous ridge mucosa. A $4{\times}6$ linear strain gauge is attached to the $1^{st}$ premolar and $1^{st}$ molar area. The strain values are recorded according to the occlusal scheme in the centric, eccentric and protrusive position after uniformly applying 50 N and 150 N force through a Universal Testing Machine(instron$^{(R)}$ 5567, Bluehill 2.0 software ,U.S.A.) with the models mounted in the articulator. When performing centric and protrusive occlusion, the three groups of occlusal scheme were compared in the anterior region and in the posterior region. The strains of each group were also compared in the working side and in the non-working side during eccentric excursion. It was observed that the strain in the bilateral balanced occlusion showed a higher value than the lingualized occlusion and monoplane occlusion in every position except the non-working side. However, during the eccentric movement the strain value in the non-working side showed the lowest value in the bilaterally balanced occlusion. The strain change amount from the working side or centric occlusion to non-working side and also the strain variation rate within the non-working side showed the highest value in bilateral balanced occlusion.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.233-243
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• 1998

Purpose : To evaluate the effects of X-irradiation on prenatal deaths, i.e., preimplantation deaths, embryonic deaths and fetal deaths, and on external malformations in precompacted preimplantation ddy mice Materials and Methods : Pregnant mice (n=85) obtained by limiting the mating time to from 6 to 9 A.M., were segregated into 11 groups. The first five groups (n=26) were irradiated with X-ray doses of 0.1 0.5, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 Gy, respectively, at 24 h post conception (p.c.) of the preimplantation Period. The second five (n=27) groups were irradiated at the same X-ray doses, respectively, but at 48 h p.c. of the preimplantation period. The last group (n=32) was the control group. The uterine contents were examined on the 18th day of gestation for prenatal deaths and external malformations. Results : 1) A statistically significant increase in preimplantation deaths with increasing dose was observed in the experimental groups irradiated at 24 h p.c. and in the groups irradiated at 48 h p.c., as compared to the control group. The threshold dose was close to 0.05 Gy and 0.075 Gy for the irradiations at 24 h p.c. and 48 h p.c. respectively. 2) A statistically significant increase in embryonic deaths with increasing dose was observed in all irradiation groups, except the group irradiated with a dose of 0.1 Gy at 48 h p.c.. 3) No fetal deaths were found in any experimental group. 4) In the experimental groups irradiated at 24 h p.c. anomalies increased with statistical significance, as compared with the control group : 2 exencephalies, 2 open eyelids, 3 anophthalmias, 2 cleft Palates, 2 gastroschisis, 1 abdominal wall defect. 1 leg defect, and 2 short tail anomalies: the threshold dose for external malformations was close to 0.2 Gy at 24 h p.c.. In the groups irradiated at 48 h p.c., 1 open eyelid and 2 short tail anomalies were observed, but there was no statistical significance in those malformations. Conclusion : The results of this study reveal that X-irradiation of precompacted preimplantation ddy mice causes not only preimplantation deaths and embryonic deaths but also external malformations. In addition, external malformations were observed in our experiments at diagnostic doses, including 0.1 and 0.5 Gy. For this reason, we recommend that irradiation should be avoided during the preimplantation period by applying Rugh's 10-day rule.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2017

A constructed sea stream in Yeongdo, Busan, Republic of Korea is mostly static due to the lifted stream bed and tidal characters, and receives domestic wastewater nearby, causing a consistent odor production and water quality degradation. Bioaugmentation of a microbial consortium was proposed as an effective and economical restoration technology to restore the polluted stream. The microbial consortium activated on site was augmented on a periodic basis (7~10 days) into the most polluted site (Site 2) which was chosen considering the pollution level and tidal movement. Physicochemical parameters of water qualities were monitored including pH, temperature, DO, ORP, SS, COD, T-N, and T-P. COD and microbial community analyses of the sediments were also performed. A significant reduction in SS, COD, T-N, and COD (sediment) at Site 2 occurred showing their removal rates 51%, 58% and 27% and 35%, respectively, in 13 months while T-P increased by 47%. In most of the test sites, population densities of sulfate reducing bacterial (SRB) groups (Desulfobacteraceae_uc_s, Desulfobacterales_uc_s, Desulfuromonadaceae_uc_s, Desulfuromonas_g1_uc, and Desulfobacter postgatei) and Anaerolinaeles was observed to generally decrease after the bioaugmentation while those of Gamma-proteobacteria (NOR5-6B_s and NOR5-6A_s), Bacteroidales_uc_s, and Flavobacteriales_uc_s appeared to generally increase. Aerobic microbial communities (Flavobacteriaceae_uc_s) were dominant in St. 4 that showed the highest level of DO and least level of COD. These microbial communities could be used as an indicator organism to monitor the restoration process. The alpha diversity indices (OTUs, Chao1, and Shannon) of microbial communities generally decreased after the augmentation. Fast uniFrac analysis of all the samples of different sites and dates showed that there was a similarity in the microbial community structures regardless of samples as the augmentation advanced in comparison with before- and early bioaugmentation event, indicating occurrence of changing of the indigenous microbial community structures. It was concluded that the bioaugmentation could improve the polluted water quality and simultaneously change the microbial community structures via their niche changes. This in situ remediation technology will contribute to an eco-friendly and economically cleaning up of polluted streams of brine water and freshwater.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2018

Background and Objectives : Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is relatively common disease. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has both mucolytic and antioxidant effect, also may be beneficial in inflammatory airway diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled NAC therapy in LPRD. Materials and Method : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 525 LPRD patients at 12 medical centers. Finally 401 patients subjected to inhaled NAC therapy for 2 months were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) after use of NAC for 4 weeks and 8 weeks in addition to the patient's compliance of the treatment. Results : The RSI score significantly decreased from $19.87{\pm}6.34$ to $12.78{\pm}6.93$ after 4 weeks and to $10.65{\pm}7.47$ after 8 weeks. The RFS score also significantly decreased from $9.29{\pm}3.4$ to $7.17{\pm}3.41$ after 4 weeks and to $6.1{\pm}3.73$ after 8 weeks (p<0.05). During the treatment periods, 42 patients (10.4%) reported to have 80 episodes of discomfort. Throat discomfort (33%) and nausea (28%) were most common complaints, but the duration of discomfort was usually less than 4 weeks. Conclusion : Inhaled NAC treatment is highly effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in LPRD patients. This study will provide the evidence of new treatment option for patients with LPRD. However, further studies will be needs to assess the real effect of inhaled NAC therapy as a standard treatment regimen of LPRD.